Bury Edition August 2013 Issue 6 by Bright Publishing

The quality lifestyle magazine for Bury St Edmunds

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AUGUST 2013

Inside this issue...

NIGHTLIFE

FARM SHOPS

R E S TA U R A N T R E V I E W

CONTENTS

AUGUST 2013

10 5 đ FIVE THINGS TO DO Our must-have tickets for this month… 6-9 đ NIGHTLIFE From club nights to comedy, gigs and festivals, we’ve got the low-down on after-hours fun in August

Welcome

60 35-37 đ FOOD COLUMN & RECIPES Alex Rushmer shares his top tips on smoking, then whips up two tasty recipes 38-39 đ FIVE OF THE BEST Jennifer Shelton takes a tour of the area’s top farm shops

10-12 đ ARTS & CULTURE Bit of a culture vulture? Here’s what’s happening on the local arts scene

41 đ MONEY Protect yourself with life insurance

15 đ FAMILY Fun summer holiday ideas to keep everyone entertained

43 đ BUSINESS How to network like a pro and hone your business skills

16-17 đ LISTINGS A comprehensive guide to events in Bury and the surrounding area this August

46-49 đ FASHION We round up our holiday top style picks for guys and gals

19 đ COMPETITION Win a chocolate hamper and two places on a chocolate course

50 đ INDIE PICKS Style selections from our favourite indies

21 đ INDIE OF THE MONTH Under the Abbeygate Street clock, we fall in love with Bury’s traditional jewellers, Thurlow Champness

52-53 đ BEAUTY Stay natural with these gorgeous products which are good for the planet, and for your skin

If there’s one event we’re really getting excited about this month,, it is, of course (!) the brilliant Bury Food & Drink Festival, which returns for another two days of foodie festivities on the weekend of 25 and 26 August. There are so many glorious gastro goings-on, from a huge produce market to celebrity chef demos and tastings aplenty, it’s hard to pick highlights, but we’ve done our best on pages 22-23. Speaking of delicious things to eat, we’ve also got a fantastic prize for any chocoholics out there, in the shape of a huge hamper from Cambridge-based artisan chocolatiers Chocolat Chocolat. Find out how to win this delicious prize (before temptation gets too much for us here in the office) on page 19. We’re also kicking off a new series of features this month called Local Lives, in which we’ll be collaring a different local personality each issue for a chinwag, finding out about their favourite haunts, best Bury anecdotes and, well, as much goss as we can. Up first, erstwhile superstar DJ and local bar owner Ric Groves. Think you’d be a good subject for next month’s profile? Get in touch!

NICOLA FOLEY, EDITOR

56-57 đ WELLNESS The latest news and advice from the Bury beauty scene

EDITORIAL

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor Nicola Foley nicolafoley@bright-publishing.com 01223 499459

60-71 đ INTERIORS From graceful lace to bold metallics and neons, interior trends are borrowing from the catwalks this season

Features Editor Jennifer Shelton jennifershelton@bright-publishing.com 01223 499463

Alex Rushmer, Charlotte Griffiths, Sue Baker, Daisy Dickinson, Angelina Villa-Clarke, Alex Wylie, Andrew Sandford, Miriam Watson, Catherine Carr

73 đ GARDENS Catherine Carr takes a look at essential garden jobs for August

Sub Editor Hannah Bealey hannahbealey@bright-publishing.com

28-30 đ FOOD NEWS A round-up of all the culinary events in Bury and beyond

74-77 đ MOTORING With the new 63 number plates ready to emerge, we take a look at the most interesting cars wearing them

Senior Sales Executive Tim Sloane timsloane@bright-publishing.com 01223 499458

33 đ REVIEW Charlotte Griffiths discovers The Priory Hotel’s hidden gem of a restaurant

81-82 đ PETS Local experts advise on how to care for those furry members of the family

22-23 đ FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Bury gets its own foodie festival this bank holiday weekend, complete with celebrity chef demos 25 đ LOCAL LIVES We grill So Bar owner and former DJ Ric Groves about his glamorous past 26 đ COMMUNITY What’s happening in your local neighbourhood

Sub Editor Lisa Clatworthy lisaclatworthy@bright-publishing.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Designer Nicole Henson nicolehenson@bright-publishing.com 01223 499450

ADVERTISING

PUBLISHING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450

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Bury Edition | August 2013 | 3

NEWS

Things to do this month 1 Bury Food & Drink Festival It’s the local foodie event of the year and there’s plenty to whet your appetite on the agenda for the Bury Food & Drink Festival 2013, which takes place on 25 and 26 August. As well as star turns from celeb chefs including Aldo Zilli and Mark Poynton, there will be a huge farmers’ market on Angel Hill, a chilli festival in Langton Place (complete with Mexican music!), marquees bursting with tasty produce in the Buttermarket and a theatre cookery kitchen outside Moyse’s Hall Museum. The little ones will be kept entertained too, with a children’s farm, magicians and face painting. Turn to page 22 to read all about it.

Mediterranean Weekend If you’re missing out on a summer getaway this year, or if you simply crave the sun, sea and great food of the Med (who doesn’t?), get yourself along to The Gallery Highwaymans, where they’re hosting a weekend of Mediterranean-inspired dining. On 2 August, dig in to some Spanish tapas (7.30pm, £25) or on 3 August enjoy a North African vegetarian banquet (same time, same price). While on Sunday there’s a Greek Meze lunch (12.30pm, £12.50 for two courses, £15 forr three) three). www.thegalleryhighwaymans.co.uk

Weirdo Beardo

Do you or anybody you know have facial hair that deserves a prize? Well listen up, because over at Krazy Horse they’re hosting a competition to crown the very best beards in Bury and beyond. Yep, on 1 August, the brilliantly named Weirdo Beardo day will see the much-loved motorcycle shop and café transformed into a haven of hirsuteness. There will be categories for ‘full and ﬂuffy’, ‘freestyle’ style’ and ‘beardly weirdly challenged’ – with great prizes for all the winners. Even if you’re less follicularly blessed, there’ll still be loads of fun to be had, with food, drinks and lots of impressive motors to admire, plus live music from Them Harvey Boys (from 5pm). www.krazyhorse.co.uk

3 Wedding Stories Flower Festival Head over to Bardwell Church this month to admire beautiful blooms aplenty at the Wedding Stories ﬂower festival. Taking place on the weekend of 31 August to 1 September, the event will see this historic village church adorned with beautiful ﬂower arrangements accompanied by interesting stories from throughout history, right up to the modern day. The event runs from 10am until 5pm on Saturday and 12.30pm to 5pm on Sunday and will raise money for the church. There is parking on the village green, with refreshments and stalls in the Village Hall. www.bardwellvillage.info

Lodestar Festival

The peaceful village of Lode (around half an hour from Bury) is the setting for a music extravaganza this month when Lodestar pitches up for three days of fun in the Fens from 30 August to 1 September. The event is entering its ﬁfth year and is renowned for its chilled out, family-friendly vibe and the sky-high calibre of music it consistently offers. Headlining this year are folk star Ryan Keen, Welsh alt-rockers The Joy Formidable, hotly tipped guitar pop group The Vestals and Canadian electro trio Dragonette. There’s also theatre, dance, comedy, zorbing, power kiting and plenty of tasty food and drink to enjoy as well. Adult weekend tickets are £75/ day passes £35. www.lodestarfestival.com

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PEATBOG FAERIES

Kentford Music Festival The Kentford Cock pub is hosting a weekend-long festival on 24-25 August, featuring live music, fantastic food and fun family activities. On the Saturday, X-Factor’s Gamu, whose sweet, soulful voice and quirky style wowed judges and audiences alike in the seventh series of the TV show, takes the headlining spot. She’ll be joined by local band Splendid Isolation, who draw inﬂuences from Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Oasis. Also up are electro-punk act Hybrid 6.0, three-piece vocal group The Coutures, funky jazz and blues from Zulu and more. On Sunday, boy band 911 – remember them? – return to perform some 90s tunes, along with several other local bands, singer-songwriters and artists. Of course, there’ll also be plenty of good grub on offer too. Pay a visit to the Foodie’s Tent for a top line-up of local chefs who’ll be showcasing some of their favourite dishes. There’s even a friendly Ready, Steady, Cook contest planned to drum up a little competitive spirit. Meanwhile, your little ones will be entertained in the Little Chick’s Den, where there’ll be a play area, cake decorating, a bouncy castle and hay pit, plus some pigs to feed! Rumour has it Peppa Pig is also making a visit… Tickets are £25 for an adult day ticket, £40 for the weekend. Children under 12 go free. Each day the festival runs from 12 noon until 11pm; camping options are available. www.kentfordmusicfest.co.uk

Based on the Isle of Skye, Peatbog Faeries are an eclectic bunch who draw their inﬂuence from traditional jigs and reels, as well as jazz, hip hop and reggae. Nominated for Best Live Act at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards, they’re sure to give a superb show when they visit Bury this month. This is Scottish music with a twist – be prepared to dance! The band formed in 1991 and have recorded six albums since. They’ve also appeared at Glastonbury and played to their biggest crowd – over 50,000 – at Womad Cáceres Festival in Spain. They’re at The Apex at 8pm on 7 August. Tickets cost £16 (£14 concessions). www.theapex.co.uk

Bardfest Enjoy great company, good ale and some top tunes at Bardfest, returning to Bardwell for another year on 23 and 24 August. Friday kicks things off at 6pm with music from Commitments tribute band The Committed, plus support from Derecho, until midnight. From 4pm on Saturday, see Midlife Crisis, Swamp Truck Good Time Band and Friction; three bands who’ll be getting you up dancing.

6 | Bury Edition | August 2013

And that’s not all: Stevie Spud the entertainer will be performing tricks for the kids on Saturday afternoon, and everyone’s invited to tuck into the barbecue. Ale drinkers, rs,, there’ll also be up to 20 local real ales behind d the bar to try. Entry is £5 adults, £1 under 18s. s. Wristbands for the event are available from Bardwell Post Office. www.bardwellcricketclub.com

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NIGHTLIFE

RUM FEST Following their successful Easter Rum Fest, So Bar are throwing another party for the bank holiday weekend. There’ll be 50 rums to choose from plus great offers on rum cocktails, all served with panache by the in-house mixologists. So Bar also has an inviting outdoor seating area, deﬁnitely to be taken advantage of if the weather permits! As an added bonus, the Chilli Festival is taking place outside on the same weekend, as part of the Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival. For more information search for So Bar’s Rum Fest event page on Facebook.

Live at The Bushel This smart pub will be hosting an evening of live music on 2 August, with Nik Lowe performing. An acoustic singer-songwriter from our very own Bury St Edmunds, Nik has spent the past couple of years gigging all across the country. He’s also proved a hit on the London acoustic circuit, and is about to release his ﬁrst EP. You might have seen him at Abbeyfest last month, where he supported cheeky cockney chappies Chas & Dave, and he’s also a regular at the Bury Fringe Festival. For more information see The Bushel’s Facebook page. www.facebook.com/thebushelbse

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STARLIGHT MOVIE WEEKEND The tranquil Elveden Inn becomes the perfect setting for a weekend of cinema under the stars on 3 and 4 August. Here, they’ll be recreating a vintage ‘drive-in’ feel, only without the cars! Pack a rug and some pillows and snuggle up to watch some big-screen favourites, including timeless classic Grease on Saturday, then the original bromance, Top Gun, on Sunday. There’ll be popcorn and hot dogs too, and even roller-skating waiters! And, better still, admission is free. Screen time is approx 9pm. www.elvedeninn.com

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NIGHTLIFE

Homegrown Music Festival More than 40 signed and unsigned bands from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge will be descending on Church Farm in Barrow for Homegrown Music Festival, which takes place on 31 August and 1 September. A great way to support local talent, the weekend offers a diversity of music to suit all tastes. There’ll be DJs, ﬁreside acoustic sets inviting you to join in, plus great food and free on-site parking. On the singer-songwriter front, there’s Adam Moss, Sam Kelly and Lewis Mokler, among others, while Twisted Piglet will be upping the tempo (and volume!) for drum ’n’ bass fans. Another one to make a beeline for are indie lads Lonely The Brave, a Cambridge band who look to be on the cusp of something big… Acoustic, bluesy guitarist and songwriter Holly Carter is on the ‘ones to watch’ list too. The festival also bills itself as one of the cleanest festivals around, with hot showers (yes!) and nice loos – used by Prince Harry, no less! Homegrown are proud supporters of East Anglian Air Ambulance and East Anglia Children’s Hospice. Tickets are £30 Saturday, £25 Sunday or £45 for the whole weekend, including camping. Call 01284 810446 to book. www.homegrownfest.co.uk.

Image courtesy of Alex Lake

Newmarket Nights The programme of concerts continues at Newmarket Racecourse this month, with music from Kaiser Chiefs, Keane and Meat Loaf. Indie four-piece Kaiser Chiefs, who perform on 2 August, shot to fame in 2004 with Oh My God, followed by the similarly well-received I Predict A Riot. Their debut album, Employment, was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, and they’ve continued to turn out plenty more rabble-rousing hits since then. Tickets from £26. The following Friday, 9 August, it’s Keane’s turn to entertain the crowds. In their ten-year career, they’ve sold over ten million albums worldwide, picked up two BRITs, an Ivor Novello and three Q awards. That’s quite a trophy cabinet! Tickets from £25. Finishing this year’s concert series in style on 16 August is the one and only Meat Loaf. He’s sure to give an impressive performance of all-time classics such as Bat Out Of Hell, which is on the third biggest-selling album of all time. Tickets from £35. www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk

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Live at The Grapes The pub and live music venue on Brentgovel Street welcomes two local musicians to the stage this month. On 16 August, Essex/ Suffolk-based rock ’n’ roll band Legend will be performing, then catch East Anglia’s favourite covers band Rox Off on 30 August. The Grapes is also hosting a cider festival until 22 August, with a wide range of offerings to try including Old Rosie, Thatchers Heritage and Brother’s Toffee Apple. See their Facebook page for more information or give them a call on 01284 754360.

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ARTS & CULTURE

We explore the arts and culture scene in Bury St Edmunds, showcasing some of the many exciting exhibitions and projects taking place around the area, as well as highlighting the local artists and events to look out for

THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS GHTS Some big theatre classics get a Bury makeover this month. First up, Suffolk Young People’s Theatre present Little Shop of Horrors, running at the Theatre Royal until 3 August. An orphan and a bit of a nerd, Seymour is taken in and given a job by Mr Mushnik, the owner of a rundown ﬂorist in the ‘seedy’ part of town. Before long, mysterious things start happening with a plant named Audrey 11… Showtimes are 7.30pm (2.30pm Saturday matinee), tickets from £8. Still at the Theatre Royal, from 7 until 17 August, take a whistle-stop tour into the history of the theatre in Backstage Past: Live Encounters. In just 60 minutes, you’ll meet a host of theatrical characters, from the ﬁrst Georgian performers to a deathdefying man-monkey and even the great Noël Coward. It’s free for National Trust members, £4/£6 otherwise. Performances are at 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm. Surely a classic of our time, the story of Calendar Girls has touched hearts everywhere and continues to remind us of the realities of life, death and the power of friendship and love. When

10 | Bury Edition | August 2013

Annie’s husband dies of leukaemia, she and her fellow WI members decide to do something bold to raise money for the local hospital. They hope it will help provide enough for a new settee in the relatives’ room – little do they expect that their brave take on the traditional WI calendar will grab the world’s attention and provide comfort for thousands. An emotional journey full of laughter, sadness and, ultimately, hope, Calendar Girls – based on a true story – became the fastest-selling play in British theatre history. To date, the real-life Calendar Girls have raised over £3 million for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, the UK’s leading blood cancer charity. This production by Bury St Edmunds Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society runs at the Theatre Royal, 20-24 August, 7.30pm, with a Saturday 2.30pm matinee, tickets from £7. Then, witness the Theatre Royal Summer School breathe new life into Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland in Alice, Theatre Royal, 30-31 August. Tickets £5/£8, showtime 7.30pm, with a 2pm Saturday matinee (www.theatreroyal.org).

Cross your ﬁngers for fair weather as some fantastic outdoor productions arrive in the area this month. Shakespeare’s battle of the sexes, The Taming of the Shrew, is currently showing at Jimmy’s Farm until 25 August, performed by Red Rose Chain. With a magniﬁcent forest backdrop, watch as the stubborn, ‘shrewish’ Katherine faces up to the bullish Petruchio. The play is performed with great humour, fantastic costumes and in an enchanting forest setting – a real mustsee for this month. Tickets are £20 or £10 concessions. Elveden Estate are also staging a duo of outdoor performances, starting with Emily Brontë’s wild, romantic Wuthering Heights on 17 August. Watch the tempestuous relationship between Cathy and Heathcliffe play out against the rugged backdrop of the farm: tickets £15, gates open 5.30pm for a 7pm start. Then, on 18 August, tumble down the rabbit hole again and embark on a surreal family adventure into the unknown with The Ormiston Players and Alice in Wonderland. Tickets £12/£6, 2pm.

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ARTS & CULTURE

SPOOKY MEN’S CHORALE

Jenny Rutland

Challenging the traditional choir format, Spooky Men’s Chorale are a group of eccentric singers who sound as sacred as a church choir one minute, and wickedly off the wall the next. They come to The Apex on 1 August, as part of their latest UK tour. Expect to be entertained by their savvy lyrics and theatrical delivery, then marvel as their pitch-perfect harmonies soar into sad, gentle melodies. A must for anyone who loves a cappella, or who’s interested in seeing how diverse the human voice can be. Support comes from Lucy Wise and Mischa Herman. It starts at 7.30pm; tickets are £14/£16. www.theapex.co.uk

Another romantic classic comes our way on 31 August when Sense & Sensibility transports Ickworth House back to the genteel society of the 18th century. Join Marianne and Eleanor as they make their ﬁrst discoveries of love and loss in Jane Austen’s acutely observed comedy of manners. It takes place at 7pm, tickets are £14/10 child. Closer to home, at The Apex, later this month, immerse yourself in a modern-day twist on Madame Butterﬂy in the musical Miss Saigon, a love story between an American GI and a young Vietnamese girl set in the 1970s. It takes place on 31 August and 1 September, 3pm and 7pm. Tickets from £9.

RETHINK CREATIVE MINDS Next month, The Gallery Highwaymans in Risby will host an exhibition dedicated to showcasing work by people whose artistic output has had a positive effect on their mental health. Rethink Creative Minds, which will run from 6 until 22 September, is currently seeking submissions of work in any medium, from painting, drawing, photography and print right the way through to ceramics, sculpture, glass, textiles and metalwork. The selection of pieces for the exhibition, which will feature around 40 artists, will examine both the skills involved and the impact of the work, and all entrants must live or work in the East of England. The ﬁnal deadline to submit work is midday on Monday 19 August. The group behind the exhibition is charity Rethink Mental Illness (www.rethink. org), which helps millions of people affected by mental illness by fundraising, providing advice and information, campaigning, and offering support groups and services to those in need of them. www.thegalleryhighwaymans.co.uk

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Bury Edition | August 2013 | 11

ARTS & CULTURE

CAMP COO There’s a new exhibition starting at Smiths Row at the end of this month, which will see a range of work by artist Caroline Achaintre displayed in the gallery until 12 October. Camp Coo is the culmination of an 18-month residency by Achaintre at the University of Hertfordshire, and features a striking series of textured, material works. Demonstrating characteristics of both ﬁne art and craft, Achaintre is known for her distinctive sculptures, which are created using ceramics and tufted wool. The exhibition is full of contrasts, from beautiful to repulsive, playful to menacing, and ancient to modern, and at its heart represents an imagined ‘otherness’. Camp Coo’s crowning glory is ‘Birdsssss’ – a huge, imposing tree-like sculpture which commands attention and discussion. This is contrasted with more aesthetically simple, minimalist offerings such as ‘Temp Mint’, which again contrasts with the tribal, primeval ﬂavour of other elements of the series. The exhibition runs from 30 August. www.smithsrow.org

A quiet corner-1 by Alan Noyes

Goodbye to Summer by Tessa Shedley Jordan

EAST ANGLIAN WATERCOLOURISTS EXHIBITION Head to the Edmund Gallery (situated adjacent to the cathedral on Angel Hill) to enjoy a varied array of watercolour paintings by artists from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. The East Anglian Watercolourists are hosting an exhibition until Thursday 8 August, which will feature watercolour work in its myriad forms from both professional artists and hobbyists, all contributed by members of the society, which has been running since 2007. The exhibition will be open daily 10am-5pm (10am-4pm on 8 August). www.stedscathedral.co.uk

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FAMILY

WORDS NICOLA FOLEY

FA MILY TEDDY BEARS’ Picnic TODDLER TIME Taking little ones to the cinema can be fraught with difficulties, but Abbeygate Picturehouse has recently launched the Toddler Time experience, speciﬁcally aimed at introducing pre-schoolers and young children to the big screen. It takes place at 11.30am every Tuesday, and this month’s kiddie-friendly ﬁlms include Timmy Time and Olly The Little White Van. If your tots are under a year, they get in free, otherwise it’s £3 per child and adults go free (for members). www.picturehouses.co.uk

WINGS ’N’ WHEELS Head over to Brockford Barn for a three-day extravaganza dedicated to having fun with things with wheels and things that fly from 20 to 22 August. Kids will get to play with buggies and planes and even try their hands at building their own things that race and fly – before testing them to destruction! There’ll also be a flight simulator challenge, rocket making, radio-controlled robot football and a ‘buggy tug of war’. In fact, they’re guaranteed to be having such a blast they won’t even notice all the science, technology and maths they’re learning. Runs from 10am until 4pm. Activities can be tailored for all abilities and it’s £60 per child for the three days. www.brockfordbarn.co.uk

Families are invited to the gorgeous grounds of Melford Hall in Long Melford to enjoy a Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Friday 16 August (11am-4.30pm). Pack up the kids’ favourite teddies, a rug and some tasty food and head along for a day of fun that includes a treasure hunt and garden trail. There’s even a teddy bears’ clinic for poorly bears, as well as drawing and colouring activities. Entry is £2.50 per child, plus normal admission. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

WEEKEND WILDLIFE WALK If your little ones like running around in the great outdoors and exploring, take them along to RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve, where you can join in a seasonal weekend walk. Taking place on 11, 17, 25 and 31 August (starting at 9.30am), you’ll look out for breeding birds, ﬂowers, insects, ducks and all sorts of other wonderful wildlife that makes Minsmere its home. Adults £5, children £2.50, plus reserve entry fees for non-members. www.rspb.org.uk

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Bury Edition | August 2013 | 15

LISTINGS

WHAT’S ON A round-up of events in and around Bury St Edmunds for August

29 July - 2 August

5-18 August

EURO SOCCER CAMP Time: 9am-1pm Location: British Sugar Sports & Social Club Price: £60 Description: A summer soccer camp for boys and girls alike. Learn new skills and meet some new friends. eurosoccercamps.org

WINE FESTIVAL Time: All day Location: Elveden Estate Price: Free Description: Down on the farm this month, they’re hosting the estate’s ﬁrst ever wine festival, featuring a wide range of wines from around the world. Try a few samples and get some foodmatching ideas. elvedeninn.com

EVERY Thursday SALSA WORKSHOP Time: 7.30pm Location: The Hunter Club Price: £6/£8 Description: Join in and learn some sizzling salsa moves to some top Latin tunes. The class is led by experienced instructors. Beginners welcome. hunterclub.org.uk

1 August MARKETPLACE THROUGH THE AGES Time: 7pm Location: Tourist Information Price: £7.50 Description: Take a walk around Bury’s historic marketplace and hear some tales from its past. visit-burystedmunds.co.uk

KAISER CHIEFS Time: Gates open 3pm Location: Newmarket Racecourse Price: From £26 Description: The indie band, who shot to fame with I Predict A Riot, perform as part of Adnams Newmarket Nights. newmarketracecourses.co.uk

1 August

4 August

WEIRDO BEARDO! Time: 5pm Location: Krazy Horse Café Price: Free Description: Mo-meisters move over – this year it’s all about the beard! If you think your chin fuzz trumps the rest, get down to the Weirdo Beardo competition and prove it. There’ll be prizes for each category, plus live music from Them Harvey Boys. krazyhorse.co.uk

ST EDMUND’S COMMUNITY FETE Time: 11am-5pm Location: Abbey Gardens Price: Free Description: A family day out set in the beautiful Abbey Gardens. Stalls, games and prizes to be won. Bring your teddy for the Best Dressed Teddy Competition or win a medal in the St Edmund Olympic Games, learn to knit or decorate a cupcake. stedmundsbury.gov.uk

4 August

3,4,7 AUGUST

HELEN MIRREN IN THE AUDIENCE 1 August SPOOKY MEN’S CHORALE Time: 7.30pm Location: The Apex Price: £14/£16 Description: One of the venue’s picks of the month, these off-the-wall singers are a choir like no other, singing beautiful harmonies presented with humour and warmth. theapex.co.uk

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AUGUST

Time: Various Location: Abbeygate Picturehouse Price: From £14 Description: Helen Mirren reprises her Academy Award winning role as Queen Elizabeth II in the highly anticipated West End production of The Audience, broadcast as part of NT Live. picturehouses.co.uk

DOGS SPORTIVE CYCLING EVENT Time: 9am Location: Lanwades Park, Kentford Price: Free to watch, £11.40 entry Description: A challenging 80-mile sportive designed to take in some of Suffolk’s loveliest countryside. Starts and ﬁnishes at The Animal Health Trust headquarters in Kentford, near Newmarket. lanwades-park.co.uk

10 August STRICTLY SATURDAYS Time: 2.30-4.30pm Location: The Apex Price: Free Description: With Strictly season just around the corner, seek out your dancing shoes and head along to the upstairs bar at The Apex to hone those moves. theapex.co.uk

10-11 August ECHOES OF THE PAST Time: 10am-4pm Location: Rougham Tower Association Price: Adults £5, children free Description: See how British women fed their families in wartime at this demonstration, or learn how to ‘make do and mend’ with Mrs Sew and Sew. rougham.org

10-11 AUGUST

THE BAND OF HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL MARINES Time:7.30pm Location: The Apex Price: £15/£20 Description: Expert musicianship and pageantry from the Royal Marine Band, with proceeds going to T S St Edmund (Mayor’s own) Sea Cadet Corps and Help for Heroes. theapex.co.uk

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LISTINGS

IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Be tempted by So Bar’s Bank Holiday Rum Fest; get your kids active at Euro Soccer Camp (until 2 August); go behind the scenes of the exhibits in the V&A’s David Bowie display at Cineworld (13 August)

11 August

20-24 August

WASH & WAG Time: 1-3pm Location: Eastgate Veterinary Price: £10 Description: Let the Eastgate staff wash, preen and pamper your pooch, with all proceeds going to the RSPCA. There’ll also be a charity tombola for Bury Stray Cat Fund, plus refreshments and cakes. 01284 753961

CALENDAR GIRLS Time: 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm Location: Theatre Royal Price: From £7 Description: Based on the true story of some courageous women who dared to do something different for a good cause, Tim Firth’s funny, heartwarming play is fast becoming a modern day classic. theatreroyal.org

13 August

21 August

DAVID BOWIE IS HAPPENING NOW Time: 7pm Location: Cineworld Price: £14.20 Description: Exhibition curators from the V&A’s groundbreaking David Bowie exhibition will be joined by knowledgeable special guests to explore the stories behind some of the key exhibits from all stages of Bowie’s career. cineworld.co.uk

GAMES DAY Time: 11am Location: Ickworth House Price: Normal admission charges Description: Expend some energy and join in some traditional games on the lawn. There’ll be hopscotch, giant snakes and ladders and lots of races too. nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth

AUGUST

WINE TASTING

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AUGUST

FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Time: 10am-5pm Location: Bury town centre Price: Free Description: A chance to enjoy some fantastic food and drink from local producers in a two-day, town-wide festival. Includes stalls, stages and demonstrations from celebrity chefs Aldo Zilli and Mark Poynton. burystedmundsfestivals.com

24-26 August BANK HOLIDAY RUM FEST Time: 12-11pm Location: So Bar Price: Free entry Description: Following their successful Easter Rum Fest, So Bar are throwing another party for the bank holiday weekend. There’ll be 50 rums to choose from, plus some great offers on rum cocktails. facebook.com/SoBarBSE

SENSE & SENSIBILITY

Time: 7pm Location: Petrus Wine Bar Price: £25/£30 Description: Jeremy from Clarety Wines leads a sociable evening of wine tasting at this popular bar. claretywines.eventbrite.co.uk

25-26

KENTFORD MUSIC FESTIVAL

24-25 AUGUST

Time: 12 noon-11pm Location: The Kentford Cock pub Price: £40 (adult weekend ticket) Description: Two days of nonstop music, great food, guest ales and family fun. X-Factor’s Gamu headlines on Saturday, then 911 (remember them?) make an appearance on Sunday. www.kentfordmusicfest.co.uk

31 AUGUST

Time:7pm Location: Ickworth House Price: £10/£14 Description: Join the Dashwood sisters in this National Trust property’s gardens as they follow head and heart and learn to navigate the complex world of 18th century society. nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 17

COMPETITION

A HAMPER OF CHOCOLATE

plus two places on a chocolate course worth over £150!

Fancy winning a hamper bursting with delicious treats from Chocolat Chocolat, plus two places on one of their indulgent chocolate courses, worth over £150? Read on… his month we’ve teamed up with gourmet chocolatiers Chocolat Chocolat to give away a prize that’s a dream come true for any dedicated chocoholic. One lucky reader will win a hamper full of goodies from Chocolat Chocolat, based in Cambridge city centre, delivered to their door, plus two places on one of their in-house chocolate-making courses, where they’ll learn how to create an array of delectable chocolates and truffles, as well as tasting them, of course!

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Chocolat Chocolat is run by trained chocolatier Isabelle Chappell who makes their gorgeous chocolate bouquets by hand. They also sell liquid chocolate for the cooler months and authentic gelato on summer days. Plus they run a range of courses to suit everything from hen dos to corporate team building. To ﬁnd out more about Chocolat Chocolat, visit their website www.chocolatchocolat.co.uk. For more details on this fantastic prize and to enter, head over to our website at www.buryedition.co.uk.

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 19

A friendly and welcoming practice where your care is our priority

Our brand new purpose built premises allows us to provide the very best standard of dental care available. St. Andrews Street South, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 3PH

www.guildhalldental.com email: reception@guildhalldental.com

Tel: 01284 755631

NEWS

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

Independent of the Month

THURLOW CHAMPNESS We shine our spotlight on Thurlow Champness, the Bury jeweller which has over 100 years worth of experience in all things that sparkle here couldn’t be a more romantic place to bring your beloved than under the clock on Abbeygate Street, in Bury St Edmunds. Yes, it’s a nice, historic feature of the town, but most importantly it’s the location of Bury’s longest established jeweller, currently stocked with a gorgeous new selection of engagement rings. When you’re buying something special, whether it’s an engagement ring or just a gift for a loved one, you want to make sure you’re getting something of excellent quality that will bring you both joy for a long time. But choosing something like a ring can be a daunting task, so you also want to be made to feel comfortable by the staff and have any questions answered and requirements met, before splashing out. The staff at Thurlow Champness, situated under the historic clock, have been giving out advice and helping the bright-eyed affianced for generations, so you couldn’t be in safer hands. “We’re an established, family run company,” says director Lesley Ryland. “Thurlow Champness have been jewellers for over 100 years, and we hope to be here for another 100 years to come.” Lesley and the highly trained team sell top-quality luxury goods, counting brands like Links of London and Rolex amongst their expanding stock. As well as celebrating their past, the business is constantly evolving and embracing the future. Their latest acquisition is Portfolio of Fine Diamonds: a range of award-winning diamond rings, the entire collection of which is available to view online via the Thurlow Champness website. “The online global marketplace has become second nature to many of us, offering a plethora of information and deals,” says Lesley. “But the very same marketplace can be bewildering. Whilst we might take a chance on buying a DVD, investing in a diamond is not such a casual transaction.” Customers can browse the Thurlow Champness’ Portfolio of Fine Diamonds range in the comfort of their own home. Chosen items can be reserved so that they can be viewed in store, removing the fear that comes

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with making such a big purchase. All the diamonds are certiﬁed by the world’s best and most reputable independent laboratories, including the Gemological Institute of America – so you can be absolutely sure they’re all responsibly sourced. Quality is ingrained; all the pieces are either set in platinum or 18-carat yellow gold. “They’re beautiful items and really well made,” adds Lesley. “The collection is in the window for everyone to see and we have all the certiﬁcates on site.” It also represents excellent value for money – the range typically retails at 20-50 per cent cheaper than high street competitors. It is also possible that Lesley has one of the best jobs going, as she gets to witness couples coming in to choose rings together. She explains: “That’s always lovely, we get that all the time. Mostly we get couples together, but occasionally we have the odd bewilderedlooking man on his own. But we’re always on hand to help. And we do have an exchange policy in case!” Trevor Salt, managing director of Thurlow Champness, says, “Our business is focused

completely on our customers; they are at the heart of everything we do. We wouldn’t be here without them! If we have the opportunity to offer something that no one else can, that we truly believe is the best thing to happen in the retailing of diamonds, then we will grab it with both hands. Not only are the prices very competitive but the range features the best quality diamonds in classic styles and contemporary settings – there is something there to suit everyone.” www.thurlowchampness.com

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 21

NEWS

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

Bury’s biggest foodie event returns for a second year, promising a jam-packed weekend of markets, demos, celebrity guests and more he town’s biggest food and drink festival returns on the bank holiday weekend of 25 and 26 August, for a celebration of great, local produce. It’s being organised by Bid4Bury, and will see the town’s shops and restaurants spilling out onto the streets to provide tastings, cookery demonstrations and more. This year, there’ll also be appearances from celebrity chefs Aldo Zilli, who founded some of London’s most innovative restaurants, and Mark Poynton, chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant Alimentum in Cambridge. “I am delighted that Aldo Zilli and Mark Poynton have agreed to come to the Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival and both are promising a great show in our Aga Rangemaster Theatre Kitchen,” says Mark Cordell of Bid4Bury. “This year will build on the success of our inaugural

22 | Bury Edition | August 2013

festival last summer and we are sure these demonstrations will be a magnet for foodies from all over Suffolk and beyond.” Mark Poynton will be showing us how to combine unusual ﬂavours to create new, exciting dishes at the outdoor kitchen, which will be situated in front of Moyse’s Hall Museum. He’ll be there at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, along with Gastrono-me, Valley Collection, Pea Porridge and acclaimed Bury restaurant Maison Bleue. Want to learn how to make the perfect home-made pasta? Intrigued about what a ricotta chocolate cheesecake might taste like? Head along to the same spot on Monday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm when Aldo Zilli will demonstrate these plus a range of other classic Italian dishes. Monday will also see chefs from Palmers, The Angel Hotel and Graze Kitchen & Bar show off their wares.

Jackie Regan, the festival events manager, added, “This year’s event is bigger than last year, with over 120 traders taking part. We have also added some attractions to the event including a Teddy Bears’ Picnic area in The Traverse. I think the demonstrations by the celebrity chefs will be a real highlight of the event and it is great to have secured appearances by such respected cooking professionals.” Other events to look out for include the chilli festival in Langton Place, complete with Mexican music; the children’s farm with animals to meet; a magician; the farmers’ market on Angel Hill (with produce from The Old Bakery, Samphire pork, Mena’s Indian Banquet and Scarlett & Mustard), plus street entertainment and musicians who’ll be performing around town throughout the day.

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NEWS

Award-winning Italian chef Aldo Zilli specialises in seafood and vegetarian cuisine and first made his name on the Soho restaurant scene. He currently has five restaurants in London, including Zilli Fish which he opened 15 years ago. All of them rely on fresh, healthy ingredients. Zilli also holds the world record for the most pancake flips in one minute – that’s 117 flips, if you want to try and beat it!

MARK POYNTON Always experimenting with new ﬂavour combinations, Mark Poynton challenges conventions to create dishes that are exciting and unusual. He doesn’t shy away from the theatrical, either: one of his signature desserts features hickory smoke wafting around a jar atop a smoked milk mousse. After training with fellow Cambridge chef, Daniel Clifford of Midsummer House, Poynton took his ﬁrst head chef position at Alimentum, which was awarded a Michelin Star in 2012.

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Bury Edition | August 2013 | 23

see in store for our summer collections

64 Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds // 01284 753044 // www.geraldboughton.co.uk

LOCAL LIVES

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

LOCAL LIVES

Each month, we grab five minutes with a different Bury personality to find out what makes them tick. This month, former DJ and present owner of So Bar and The Gym, Ric Groves shares a few celebrity stories… Q. Where would we usually ﬁnd you? A. My office, more often than not, although if it’s sunny out, I tend to bring my laptop down to So Bar and sit outside with an espresso and pretend I’m somewhere more exotic. Q. Tell us something unusual about yourself… A. I think I may be the only Fulham Football Club supporter in Bury St Edmunds. Q. How long have you lived in Bury? A. Most of my life, although I’ve lived in the Middle East – DJing in Abu Dhabi – and I’ve worked all over the UK. Q. What brought you here? A. My folks moved to Horringer when I was a child. I grew up here and after visiting and working in many other places in the UK, you soon realise what a great place this is to live. Q. What’s your favourite thing to do here? A. In Bury, we’re blessed with some beautiful countryside on our doorstep and the choice is plentiful for a sunny day just outside of town. I also enjoy my social life and Bury has a great nightlife nowadays. Q. Tell us about your business? A. Along with my business partner John, I own two bars in Bury St Edmunds that are both very different in concept. So Bar in Langton Place was our ﬁrst venture in 2005 and it’s an over 21s bar that’s relaxed yet contemporary. The Gym Sports Bar does what it says on the tin: a bar dedicated to showing live televised sport. We have a great grill-style menu and our homemade burgers are gaining a great reputation amongst our regular clientele.

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I still get a great buzz from seeing people enjoying something I created, and am always looking for ways to improve what we do or put a new slant on it. Q. What have you learned over the years through working in bars? A. That everyone has an opinion and will often let you know. Try not to take things personally – you can’t please everyone. Believe in what you are doing and strive for the highest standards, always. Q. Have you ever had to deal with any tricky situations? A. Almost on a weekly basis. There is always something unexpected that will throw you a curveball – sometimes a good experience and sometimes not. You must remain calm and professional at all times though, which isn’t always easy in this trade, as most licensees will tell you.

particular day and I hosted a radio show on Kiss FM at the time. There was a massive hype about this single and a motorcycle courier delivered it to me straight from the recording studio whilst I was live on air, for the world’s ﬁrst play. It only went to myself and Pete Tong on Radio 1, and I got there ﬁrst. That was pretty cool. Another story involves myself, a Scottish TV and radio personality, a lot of free booze and a urinal… Q. What’s your motto in life? A. I’m not sure I have a motto as such, though I do have a certain set of morals that govern my decisions, I think. I guess ‘This ain’t a rehearsal’ would be a good thing to remember each day.

Q. If you could pick anyone, who would you most like to walk into your bar? A. That’s a tricky one – they say you should never meet your heroes! There are a few friends no longer with us who would be at the top of the list in a fantasy world; in the real world, I think Prince Phillip would be good-value conversation after a few drinks, Stephen Fry, too. Q. Do you have a claim to fame? A. Probably a few in truth as my former career involved interviewing and spending time with some high-proﬁle celebrities in the music world. One cool moment was when Madonna released a new single, Hung Up. She’d literally ﬁnished recording and mixing it on this

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 25

NEWS

COMMUNITY Wash & Wag Eastg Eastgate Vets, based on Cotton Lane, are rolling up their sleeves on 11 August (1-3pm) to offer a wash and pamper sleev service for their four-legged customers. All proceeds will servic given to the RSPCA, so bring your pooch along for be gi a bit of a preen, have a chat with the friendly vets and enjo some refreshments and cakes (home-made by enjoy the team), in the knowledge that you’re helping a good cause. Contact the surgery on 01284 753961 for more details and to book your pet’s wash (’n blow-dry).

Help for Heroes Anita Costello, Bowen therapist at the Risbygate ate Sports Club, is offering free treatments to military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Working with Combat Stress, she’ll be at the Quaker Meeting House on St John’s Street the third Thursday of each month, 1-3pm. Bowen Therapy is a drug-free, non-invasive, hands-on remedial therapy which can be administered through light clothing. It aims to help relieve stress and promote healing. Anita was contacted by Combat Stress when they opened a new clinic recently in Bury. “Post-traumatic stress disorder can take 12-15 years to develop,” explains Anita, “So if you’re discharged from the forces, you’ll no longer be on their list to be kept an eye on. We want people to know that help is out there.” Call 01449 737812 or email anitacc@talk21.com.

Half marathon success Lesley Ryland, director at Thurlow Champness jeweller in Bury, recently completed a half marathon on a rowing machine in aid of Cancer Research. On 3 July, in the week of her 50th birthday, Lesley rowed 13.1 miles (21097 metres) at the

26 | Bury Edition | August 2013

Abbeycroft Sports Centre – and if that wasn’t enough, she then jumped on her bike and pedalled more than 50 miles around Bury St Edmunds and the villages, including Thurston, Elmswell, and Fornham. She raised approximately £2,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Charity fundraiser 15 is an age when most teenagers are highly conscious of their image, but one brave schoolgirl decided to shave off her beautiful blonde locks in order to raise money for charity. Zoe Porter, of King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds, made the move to support Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Children with Cancer charity, after a friend’s mum and a friend of her own family died from the disease. She has rased more than £350 so far, with money still coming in. Zoe now plans to take part in the Girls Night Out walk around Bury St Edmunds on Saturday 14 September, organised by St Nicholas Hospice Care, as well as the Race For Life at Nowton Park next year.

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BLUES ON THE LAWN

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FOOD

A monthly round-up of gastronomic goings-on in Bury and the surrounding area

LIVE MUSIC AT GRAZE KITCHEN & BAR Graze Kitchen & Bar will welcome back singer Irie J on 21 August for another evening of live music and great food starting at 8pm. For £25 per head, guests will be treated to an indulgent four-course meal at this Angel Hill favourite, which is known for its innovative menu. The restaurant has a small plate dining style, allowing diners to sample lots of different dishes and flavours: a definite bonus when the food is as varied and delicious as it is at Graze. There’s also a killer cocktail list, including such delights as the Toffee Apple (Calvados, caramel liqueur, fresh apple juice and fresh lime juice) and the Suffolk Martini (Adnam’s dry gin, a hint of Noilly Prat, served with an olive or a twist). Entertainment-wise, you’ll enjoy a selection of smooth soul and reggae numbers from Irie J, who has worked with legends such as Curtis Mayfield and Lee Scratch Perry. The restaurant will also be launching a cocktail happy hour this month, when you’ll be able to get two tasty cocktails for just £7 between 6 and 8pm from Tuesday to Friday. www.grazekitchenandbar.com

Dine al fresco at Ravenwood Hall For a spot of al fresco foodie indulgence make a beeline for country hotel and restaurant Ravenwood Hall this month. Their new summer menu, which can be enjoyed either in the restaurant or on the poolside patio, includes dishes such as soy and wasabi marinated salmon, with pickled mooli and cucumber salad, and almond, feta and spinach pastilla with carrot and cumin salad. With poolside aperitifs, croquet on the lawn, woodland walks and gorgeous landscaped gardens to explore, it’s the perfect place to while away an idyllic summer’s afternoon. If you dine at lunchtime, you can take advantage of special offers including two courses from the Classic Menu at £16.95, or three for £19.95. www.ravenwoodhall.co.uk

28 | Bury Edition | August 2013

CREATE A BURGER Don’t let going to see a ﬁlm be your only reason for popping into Abbeygate Picturehouse – their vibrant little café is swiftly becoming a destination in its own right. As well as delectable afternoon teas, they offer a fantastic ‘create your own’ burger menu where you can build a bespoke burger, using top-quality produce. There’s Suffolk beef, Dingley Dell pulled pork, Suffolk chicken and chickpea falafel for the patty, plus a dizzying array of extras including panfried halloumi, sliced avocado, crisped streaky bacon, portobello mushroom and aged cheddar. For sides, you can choose between signature salads, red onion marmalade, sweet potato fries and hummus, amongst others – all for just £8.80. www.picturehouses.co.uk

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FOOD

ELVEDEN INN It’s set to be a busy month over at Elveden Inn, beginning with their ﬁrst ever wine festival, Corks & Corkers, which kicks off on 5 August (until 18 August). The event, which will run annually as of this year, offers a chance to discover and enjoy a selection of carefully selected ﬁne wines from across the globe, ranging from New World to traditional tipples. There will also be a scrumptious celebration of all things frozen and delicious with the Elveden Inn Big Scoop ice cream festival, running 19-31 August. From fresh and fruity sorbets through to rich and creamy indulgences, there’ll be plenty to try. Head down on bank holiday Sunday meanwhile, and you’ll be treated to live music and a host of special offers at the bar (8.30pm, 25 August, admission free). www.elvedeninn.com

Focaccia making class The pros at Italian eatery Carluccio’s will be imparting some of their bread-making expertise this month at a special focaccia masterclass. The session takes place on 6 August and will give you a chance to have a glass of wine, roll up your sleeves and have fun learning how to make this Italian classic, from finding out about different types of flour to making dough and understanding how to get the best kneading technique. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll try your hand at making a topped focaccia and a filled calzone, before enjoying the fruits of your hard labour. Guests will also be given recipes and a goodie bag to take home. The class costs £20 per person and starts at 5.30pm. www.carluccios.com

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Beer Festival Bury is a town famous for beer and brewing, so be sure to raise a glass this month in honour of International Beer Day, which this year falls on Friday 2 August. A global celebration of beer, the event spans more than 50 countries and six continents, taking place in pubs, breweries and back gardens everywhere from Scotland to Singapore. Local ale aﬁcionados The Old Cannon Brewery will be celebrating in style with their sixth annual beer festival, featuring a fantastic range of ﬂights of beers to try, as well as a limited edition oak-aged IPA, plus a beer trivia quiz – with a mini cask of the beer up for grabs for the winner. www.oldcannonbrewery.co.uk

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 29

FOOD

WORDS NICK ARMITAGE

Nick Armitage from Graze Kitchen & Bar shares a favourite summer cocktail recipe with a unique twist

s I write this, the date is 15 July, St Swithin’s day, and the weather is good. This means, if the proverb is to be believed, that we will have 40 days of sunshine. And sunshine means long cold drinks like the mojito. But it’s not just a drink. In fact, it’s a symbol of ‘national pride’ – according to Hemingway, anyway – due to the mojito’s origins in Cuba via prohibition America. It’s a distant cousin of the mint julep and, so the story goes, was discovered when there was no bourbon to be found in the bodegas of Havana and visitors started to improvise and use rum instead.

A different story has it that the crew of Sir Francis Drake’s ship invented the drink as they sat in the Caribbean heat waiting to plunder Aztec gold. Pondering a way into the heavily fortiﬁed town with nothing to do except bake in the sun, they made up a drink, called it the ‘draque’ and used it for cooling down and killing cholera. Wherever the mojito came from, it’s delicious. And all you need for this great and refreshing cocktail is fresh mint, a good rum such as Havana Club (three year old) or Bacardi Superior rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, sugar, soda, loads of crushed ice and a highball glass to serve it in.

Classic mojito 8 fresh mint leaves double shot (50ml) rum ¾ shot of freshly squeezed lime juice sugar syrup* dash of soda *At Graze we use demerara sugar muddled with the mint and half a lime quartered. This releases the oils in the mint and lime zest, retaining the sweetness needed and gives a darker, burnt ﬂavour to the drink.

Marmalade mojito This recipe adds a twist to the classic cocktail with a dollop of rough-cut marmalade.

Step-by-step guide 1. Lightly muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of your glass. 2. Add the rum, lime juice and sugar syrup and half ﬁll the glass with crushed ice and churn the contents with a bar spoon or longnecked spoon. 3. Fill the glass with more ice, churn again and carry on until the glass is full. 4. Add a dash of soda and a mint sprig for garnish. There are variations on the classic mojito; because it’s such a basic cocktail, it’s easily adapted. For example, a Black Mojito uses vodka, or a fresh peach mojito is as above, but you add half a puréed peach with the rum.

Step-by-step guide 1. Muddle the mint and add the marmalade and rum in a shaker; muddle all this to break down the marmalade. 2. Add ice and shake for 15 seconds. 3. Pour into a highball half ﬁlled with ice and churn until the glass is full, as for the classic mojito. 4. Add the orange juice and garnish with mint sprig.

8 fresh mint leaves double shot (50ml) rum 1tbsp rough-cut marmalade orange juice ¾ shot freshly squeezed lime juice fresh lime quartered demerara sugar

Bartender’s Glossary Muddling: mashing your ingredients in the bottom of a glass using a large stick made for this purpose. The stick is about eight inches long and the thickness of a broom handle, so if you want to make your own, saw down a broom handle.

Nick Armitage is a mixologist and the owner of Graze Kitchen & Bar in Bury St Edmunds. With a lot of experience on both sides of the bar, he has mixed drinks around the world, including a stint managing the American Bar at the Savoy in London.

30 | Bury Edition | August 2013

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Spa & Restaurant Deal at the Grange Hotel

Pamper yourself or a loved one for half an hour, with one of our therapy treatments, and enjoy a two course lunch in our award winning restaurant or on our spectacular terrace overlooking beautiful looking gardens, for just ÂŁ29 per person.* Choose from one of the following treatments: Express Facial, Body Exfoliation, Spray Tan, Eyelash & Eyebrow Tint, Eyebrow Shape & Tint, Manicure, Indian Head Massage, Back Massage, Foot Massage & Polish, Reflexology, Energetic Facial Release Massage. *Subject to availability, excludes Sundays. Advance purchase of voucher is necessary

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EATING OUT

WORDS & IMAGES CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

THE GARDEN RESTAURANT This month our intrepid foodie explorer falls in love with The Priory Hotel’s hidden gem of a restaurant ust outside Bury’s town centre, hidden behind an old brick wall that’s too high to see over, is a well-kept secret that deserves to be revealed: one of the best restaurants I’ve eaten in for quite some time. Part of the Priory Hotel, the Garden Restaurant is small but quite perfectly formed – and is offering food at a level that any top-ﬂight restaurant would be proud to serve. I visited the hotel on one of the hottest days of the year, seeking shade and a sneak preview of the brand new menu due to launch that very evening. The restaurant’s relatively new executive chef, Steve Aves, talked me through the exciting dishes that he’d created by drawing on his years of experience in award-winning kitchens and his keen enthusiasm for modern dining. He was very open about his inﬂuences, citing such stars of the food world as New York’s David Chang and London’s Yotam Ottolenghi, and spoke passionately about his desire to keep things simple. I’m no expert, but when perusing the well-balanced menu (which also includes classic dishes alongside more modern offerings), I was able to pick out the little nods to his food heroes – and I was extremely excited to get stuck in. Though I was lunching alone, Steve was keen for me to try as much as possible on the menu, and set out his plans for bombarding me with food. I started with the Moroccan lamb bites with yoghurt, pomegranate and mint, and also got to try the intriguing crab with pickled kohirabi, avocado and peanut brittle (“It just works!” Steve said when I queried the presence of sugary peanuts in the dish). I’m still working out how I can get back to the restaurant to have more of the lamb bites: three spheres of deliciously spiced, shredded lamb, with a light crispy crumb coating, mixed with yoghurt and studded with jewel-like pomegranate seeds. I actually had to restrain myself from eating them all to save space for the rest of my meal. The crab dish was stunningly presented, and the peanuts did indeed work – and very cleverly too, picking out the fresh sweetness of the crab meat and the rich avocado purée.

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Again, I had to stop myself from licking the plate clean, knowing the next courses were soon on the way. For mains, Steve presented me with his current favourite dish: a hulking chunk of beautifully cooked hake with crisp golden skin, balanced atop crunchy potato wantons with wilted pak choi and surrounded by a small moat of delicate Thai mussel broth. This was such good food, with no messing around – just lip-smackingly gorgeous and perfect for the warm weather. It felt like a sin to send any of it back, but hot on its heels was a chance to try the Mediterranean breast of chicken stuffed with goat’s cheese and tomatoes, served with an array of chargrilled summer vegetables, which was again beautifully presented and completely delicious. At this point I wasn’t sure if I could go on, but the extremely polite and attentive waiter quickly cleared my main course plates and brought out desserts – a dark chocolate tart with hazelnut, orange crème fraiche and some beautiful sugar work, followed by what turned out to be my nemesis: a slice of ‘crack pie’ with passion fruit and yoghurt. The ﬁrst tart would greatly please any chocolate lover and was both rich and delicious, but the thin sliver of pie – so named for its addictive qualities – was absolutely magniﬁcent.

I drove away from the hidden restaurant completely stuffed but so surprised and excited to have found cooking of that calibre in such a convenient location. The Garden Restaurant mainly caters for the Priory Hotel’s guests as they pass through, but this excellent eatery deﬁnitely deserves to be a destination for Bury’s local food fans as well. Next time you’re passing the high brick wall, I dare you to step behind it – I promise that you and your taste buds will be more than pleasantly surprised. BEST WESTERN Priory Hotel, Mildenhall Road, Bury St Edmunds IP32 6EH, 01284 766181, www.prioryhotel.co.uk

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 33

FOOD

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER

THANK YOU for smoking Pickling, canning, drying, none of it will do for Alex Rushmer. It may be bad for your health but smoking is definitely great for your cooking efrigeration was one of the undisputable great leaps forward in the history of food. The synthesis of cold temperatures allowed wholesale access to fresh food in a way never experienced before. Consequently diets became more varied, foods became safer and seasonality all but disappeared as a concept. Prior to that we had to be a little more inventive when it came to making food last. Adventurous chefs of the past must have attempted numerous techniques for making their bounty of the fruitful months last into the leaner seasons and, in doing so, discovered the joys of pickling, drying, fermenting, canning, curing and bottling, all of which deserve their place in humanity’s culinary canon. For me the king of preservation methods is the application of smoke, which has worked its way into cuisines across the globe over millennia. It may well be the archaeologist in me that is intrigued by this connection to the past but it is the chef in me that has become a little obsessed with the process, its results and what smoked foods can do for dishes, even in the smallest quantities.

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Add a scattering of lardons to a handful of dressed bitter leaves and suddenly a salad becomes exciting A few flakes of salty smoked haddock can transform a soup or bowl of rice into a feast of unparalleled deliciousness. Add a scattering of lardons to a handful of dressed bitter leaves and suddenly a salad becomes exciting; and surely one of the finest breakfasts in existence is a plate of toast and poached eggs with a grilled kipper, even if it does make the house smell staggeringly funky for weeks afterward. Although there are many variables when tweaking the finer points of flavour, the basics are simple and fall into one of two brackets: hot smoking, which cooks foods at the same time as exposing it to smoke, and cold smoking, which involves a lengthier and more controlled application of smoke in a cooler environment and requires more specialist equipment. This difference is probably best illustrated by salmon which can be smoked using both methods and produces either a flaky cooked texture in the case of hot smoking or a slightly gelatinous, soft and jellified consistency when cold smoked.

As a simple rule, any food you wouldn’t be happy to eat in its natural state needs to be hot smoked and can be done so in your kitchen using a large wok or pan, wood chippings, a heat source and lots of tin foil. Cold smoking on the other hand should be reserved for foods that have already been cooked or require no further exposure to heat to be rendered safe, such as cheese, boiled eggs, or garlic, and is a method perhaps best left to the experts. Thankfully we’re lucky enough to have a fantastic dedicated smokery just down the road. Housed in an old RAF base, River Farm Smokery in Bottisham has used traditional methods to smoke meat, ﬁsh, poultry, game and cheese for over 25 years. When we opened The Hole in the Wall we were determined to be as objective as possible and tried over a dozen types of smoked salmon before settling on theirs as the best available and I’m proud to say that their products grace our menus throughout the year, including the smoked goat’s cheese, a central element to this month’s recipe.

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 35

EATING IN

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER IMAGES CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

Alex whips up a summery dish that perfectly showcases the flavour of smoked goat’s cheese, plus, an extra indulgent dessert...

Serves Gnocchi with smoked goat’s cheese and summer vegetables

Feel free to make your own gnocchi, but don’t feel guilty about using store bought – this dish is all about showcasing the amazing ﬂavour of the smoked cheese and the vibrant freshness of the best of the late summer vegetables.

Step-by-step guide 1. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and blanch the chard stems for 30 seconds. 2. Heat a large frying pan over a moderate heat, add the olive oil and sauté the courgettes for a minute before adding the mangetout, sugar snap peas and blanched chard stems. 3. Cook for a further minute stirring frequently. Then add the goat’s cheese.

36 | Bury Edition | August 2013

Ing red ien ts 150g

500g pot ato gn occhi mbled smok ed goat’s ch ee se, cru

arated 1 bu nch rai nbow ch ard sep into ste ms an d lea ves d cut into 2 cou rgette s qu arteredmanin len gt h baton s of about 4c 100g ma ng etout

4. Cook the gnocchi in the salted boiling water – it’s ready when it ﬂoats. Then spoon them, along with two tablespoons of the cooking water, into the frying pan with the vegetables and cheese. 5. Finally, add the chard leaves and lemon juice to the mix. Season with black pepper before serving with a handful of fresh pea shoots.

100g su ga r sn ap pea s 1tbsp olive oil Plenty of bla ck pe pper Juice of ha lf a lemon Ha ndful of pea shoots

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EATING IN

dunkin’ doughnuts

Doughnuts

If you’re going to blow the diet, do it properly and get stuck into these delicious home-made doughnuts served with creamy vanilla custard, perfect for dipping.

WE’VE GAINED SOMETHING of a reputation for our doughnuts at The Hole in the Wall – in fact, since we introduced them onto the menu we’ve not been able to take them off. The only thing we do change is the dipping sauces that go with them, which means the dish can change with the seasons and the weather whenever necessary. The recipe we use is based largely on the one from the famous St John bakery, with a few minor tweaks.

Ing red ien ts

20 mins prep time

Vanilla custard

Step-by-step St p t p guide id

DOUGHNUTS AND CUSTARD really is a match made in heaven. This is a very basic custard recipe – the key to it is generous use of good vanilla.

Step-by-step guide I ng red ien

3 egg yolks ea m 275 ml double cr 1tsp cornflou r 1 va nilla pod r 40g ca ster su ga

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500g strong white flour 65g ca ste r su ga r 10g sa lt 15g fre sh yeast 4 large eggs 160 ml water 125g un sa lted butte r

1. Split the vanilla pod in half lengthways, scoop out the seeds and add those along with the empty pod to a pan holding the cream. 2. Cover the pan with cling film and bring to a gentle simmer. 3. Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and cornflour until the colour turns pale then pour the heated cream through a sieve onto the egg yolks, sugar and cornflour mixture. 4. Return the whole lot to a pan and back onto a gentle heat and stir constantly with a wooden spoon, making sure to scrape the sides to stop the mixture scrambling. The mixture will thicken once it reaches 83°C. 5. Pour into a bowl and serve immediately.

1. Using a stand mixer, combine everything apart from the butter in a large mixing bowl on medium speed for five minutes. 2. Add the butter in six batches making sure each is incorporated before adding the next batch. 3. Mix for a further five minutes until the dough comes together easily in a complete smooth and shiny lump. 4. Remove to a new bowl, lightly dust the top with flour and leave to rise in a warm place for a couple of hours. Knock back the dough, cover the bowl with cling film and leave in the fridge overnight. 5. Portion the dough into 25-30 equal-sized pieces and place on floured baking sheets leaving a small gap between each one (they will double in size) and leave to prove for an hour. 6. Heat a deep-fat fryer or pan of oil to 190°C and fry the doughnuts in batches for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. 7. Remove to kitchen paper to soak up any grease and then toss them in a mixture of caster sugar and cinnamon.

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 37

FIVE OF THE BEST

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

FIVE OF THE BEST...

The Bury area has no shortage of fantastic farm shops, filled with great produce and delicious home-made goodies. Here are five of our favourites f DEPDEN FARM SHOP Rookery Farm, Depden Tim Freathy, who started by selling Christmas turkeys and other produce from his smallholding, set up Depden Farm shop just over a year ago in response to his love of ﬁne food and ‘growing your own’. “We wanted to create a place for local people to enjoy local food,” he explains. Rookery Farm, which he bought in 2005, can trace its rro ootts aas far back as the 16th century. Tim is keen to roots ccontinue those values and ensure farming remains sustainable for centuries to come. “We’re locally sourced wherever possible; we have a café selling home-made cakes aand lunches and stock everything else you’d expect from a farm shop. We also want p people to learn about the environment and where their food comes from, which is why w we’ve added a training element. We do smallholding training, and we also have a ‘Pig C Club’ which enables people to co-own, collectively, a pig. They pay for the food and lo o after it, then at the end they bring home the bacon, as it were!” Depden also hold look w wi i tasting evenings and monthly supper clubs – this month, on Saturday 10 August, wine iit’s it t’’ss a family barbecue. ww w w www.depden.com

THE ORGANIC SHOP Fornham All Saints Set in the pretty village of Fornham All Saints, The Organic Shop is a lovely find, selling good-quality, organic food, much of which is sourced from Suffolk-based suppliers. Downstairs there’s seasonal fruit and veg, store cupboard essentials like oils, herbs and sauces, plus biscuits, cakes, dairy and meat products. Don’t forget to pay a visit to their café, and pop upstairs for organic washing powders, pretty handmade soaps and other household goods. Manager Will Jones tells us, “We stock organic first, then local when we can. We’re the only completely organic store in the area; there are lots of farm shops, but they don’t necessarily have the organic range that we do. We’ve got a good range of quality products, many of which you can’t find in the supermarkets. You can get everything for your weekly shop here.” They also stock a range of local beers and organic wine, much of which is free of sulphur – thought to be one of the main causes of hangovers! “It’s also good for people with some wine-related allergies,” says Will. Their local honey is also a must-have for hayfever suffers. www.theorganicshopltd.co.uk

38 | Bury Edition | August 2013

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FIVE OF THE BEST

ELVEDEN ESTATES FARM SHOP Thetford Bought in the 19th century by the Guinness family, who still live on the estate, Elveden Estate is a powerhouse of local food production, with a farm extending some 10,000 acres. “The land was bought by the Guinness family in 1894 as a shooting estate,” the Estate’s Frances Armstrong explains. Needless to say its handsomely stocked farm shop has plenty worth browsing, as well as a great café and range of lovely shops. Frances says: “We try to sell everything we grow, and anything that isn’t grown here, we get from local suppliers. We grow about six per cent of the UK’s total onion crop, and we’re getting ready for The Big Onion, a festival we run in September. We

also grow lots of rye – one in six Ryvitas is grown here!” There’s lots to try in the shop, too, and I set about mopping up an unusual hazelnut oil with a chunk of ﬂuffy bread. “We sell artisan bread, a different type daily, which is baked in the restaurant kitchen. We’re also known for our chutneys, some of which have won Fine Food Awards. The real star is the Elvedenilli, which is our take on a piccalilli,” says Frances. I discovered tasty juices, Suffolk salami, own-brewed ales and an indulgent chocolate and Guinness cake. The estate is also home to some rare breed cattle, and you’ll ﬁnd venison here in autumn.

HILLCREST NURSERIES Stanton

Mentioned in The Telegraph’s 50 Best Farm Shops, we had to include this little gem in our list. A farm shop, café and delicatessen, it opened in 2002 after husband and wife Chris and Jo Reeks left their jobs as chartered surveyors to return to their rural roots. “We gave up our jobs, sold our house and put everything into developing the shop,” says Chris. “Both of us are from farming backgrounds, and we love food and food production. The site is actually made up of two redundant piggeries – though they look a bit nicer now, and smell much better!” From their converted piggery, they sell potatoes, meat, free-range eggs, cheese, fresh fruit and veg and more, most of which comes from within a ten-mile radius. “We also produce our own lamb, which we rear on the farm,” says Chris. La Hogue has a loyal following, with most business coming from returning customers. “The café seats 150 and has become a real destination,” adds Chris. “We make everything from scratch: the sausages are made in the butchery for the breakfasts. We’ve got an extensive lunch menu too, all seasonally inspired.”

A little under ten country miles from Bury (indeed, it’s a very picturesque drive) is Hillcrest Nurseries. The range in the shop is huge, and my eye is instantly drawn to the baskets of jewel-like berries on the front table, all locally grown and gleaming invitingly. Beyond, there’s an impressive quantity of vegetables, from carrots to celeriac, so whether it’s a fancy salad you’re making, or just a top-up of apples for the fruit bowl, you’ll find everything here under one roof. The range of cakes is fairly dizzying too, with unusual offerings like Mars Bar Cake and Welsh Tea Bread nestling amongst home-made caramel slices and hazelnut brownies. The prices are very reasonable too – you can indulge your sweet tooth here for anything from 60p. There’s all the usual jars and packeted goods, fresh eggs, bread and frozen pastries for baking at home as well. A real pull of this place is that the farm shop goes hand in hand with an outdoor nursery, currently awash with colour and filled with the scent of scores of many different flowers.

www.lahogue.co.uk

Tel: 01359 250327

www.elveden.com

LA HOGUE Near Newmarket

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Bury Edition | August 2013 | 39

MONEY

WORDS ANDREW SANDFORD

ADD A LITTLE

CERTAINTY TO YOUR FUTURE Andrew Sandford of St. James’s Place Wealth Management recommends financial planning to ensure your family’s health and wealth e live in economically challenged times. The threat of further recessions, rising unemployment and a second global banking crisis have left many people with less money in their pocket to spend. Many parents will have some level of life cover in place, typically enough to pay off their mortgage should the unthinkable happen, but protecting your family is more than buying a simple life insurance policy. The harsh, sad fact is, that we are very likely to be close to someone who gets a serious illness. Take cancer, for instance. According to Macmillan, the cancer charity, one in every three of us will be diagnosed with cancer and one third will be under the age of 65 (source: www.macmillan.org.uk, October 2012). What’s more, every year 275,000 people suffer a heart attack, of which some 155,000 of those people will survive (source: www. netdoctor.co.uk, August 2012). Taking out a critical illness policy can offer some financial reassurance. These policies promise to pay out a lump sum not when you die but on diagnosis of a specified condition, for example cancer, a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure or multiple sclerosis. Critical illness cover can be more complex than some other financial products. Consumers often fail to understand what they are covered for and, more importantly, what is not covered, so it pays to get expert help before signing on the dotted line. Sickness benefits can vary substantially. If you are off work because of sickness, your long-term incapacity benefit will be £101.35, based on 2013/14 levels. An income protection policy is worth serious consideration as it is designed to pay out a monthly sum of money until you die, or, more optimistically, you reach retirement, return to work or recover from the illness. For example, a 20 year old taking a plan out with

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a retirement age of 65, who has an accident just after the plan is issued and can never work again, would get a monthly payout for 45 years. Therefore a plan with an income benefit of say £1,000 per month could potentially pay out a total of £540,000. It is not just younger people who need to consider all eventualities. By the time your 50th birthday has been and gone, there is every chance that your children will have flown the nest and that your mortgage is all but paid off. But that doesn’t mean you should stop thinking about insurance and protecting your family, your wealth and health. You will have seen whole of life assurance for older people advertised on daytime television or have received mail shots through your letter box from an insurer selling over-50s plans to cover funeral costs. However, whole of life assurance policies do more than simply cover funeral costs. They can, amongst other things, also help against a potential inheritance tax (IHT) bill. Inheritance tax is currently paid on the excess of an estate worth more than £325,000 or over £650,000 if you are married or have a civil partner, where the full benefit has been passed to the surviving spouse. A common way to prepare for IHT is to take out a whole of life assurance policy in trust, which provides a sum of money that can be used to pay the IHT bill after you die. The proceeds of the policy do not form part of your estate, provided it is in a trust. So if your estate is expected to be liable for an IHT bill of, say £30,000, you take out a policy for that sum to cover it. Many people think of financial planning as creating wealth. It is, but it is also about

protecting what you already have. These are nervous times, which are riddled with uncertainties. With a little bit of thinking – and some expert guidance – you can add some certainty to your ﬁnancial future. To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management, Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning, produced by St. James’s Place Wealth Management, contact Andrew Sandford of St. James’s Place Wealth Management on 01359 256033, by email andrew.sandford@sjpp.co.uk or visit www.andrewsandford.co.uk

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 41

BUSINESS

BURY BUSINESS Six top tips for successful networking This month, local businesswoman Miriam Watson from The Best of Bury St Edmunds advises on maximising your networking opportunities

hat’s the one thing most successful business people value above all else? It’s the relationships they have with people, be they clients, suppliers, colleagues or others in business. In short, it’s their network. Why? Because every business decision is made by people – and people who are ‘well connected’ find it easier to make things happen. They also have a strong personal reputation and business naturally gravitates towards them. If you want to grow your business, it’s important to keep building your personal network and nurturing it. It’s not about amassing a huge pile of business cards or touting your business to all and sundry. You can afford to be discerning and build connections with those people you like and have confidence in. If you’re open to the opportunity, you’ll come across people who might become part of your network in all sorts of day-to-day situations. Networking events can provide one of the best opportunities to do this quickly. Here are my top tips for getting the most out of attending networking events. Get in a positive, relaxed state of mind before you arrive. This will boost your confidence and people will feel more comfortable talking to you if you’re clearly in a good mood. You should be sociable and open to having fun, as well as doing business. 2. The best question to ask is ‘how can I

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help you?’ Avoid being a networking mercenary – someone who’s just interested in selling what they do. Networking is all about helping others achieve their goals – and in return, they’ll help you achieve yours. Ask open questions, and listen. Too many people think they have to do all the talking! Taking a genuine interest in others and asking pertinent questions will show people that you care (about more than yourself!). You’ll also be amazed how much you can learn from other’s experiences in business. Avoid direct sales when talking about your business, don’t turn it into a pitch. Tell stories that explain how your product or service has helped people. Mention the types of customers you are ideally looking for introductions to. Share some of your business challenges. Think beyond your own business – what connections can you help create? This is something even seasoned networkers often miss! Take yourself out of the equation and consider who in your network might appreciate an introduction to someone you’ve just met. If you can make two people delighted by introducing them to each other, they’ll both return the favour one day. Use your time wisely. Even if you meet your ideal prospect or strategic partner at a networking event, don’t hog all their time there and then. Instead, arrange to meet up for a coffee after the event.

And ﬁnally, if I can give you a free bonus tip – after all, it’s always better to under promise and over deliver – remember to bring plenty of business cards! If you’d like an enjoyable and relaxed opportunity to hone your networking skills, come along to one of our fortnightly coffee mornings at Benson Blakes on St John’s Street – every other Tuesday throughout the year. It also takes place on the last Thursday of the month at the Black Lion in Long Melford – no need to book. These coffee mornings are paid for by sponsorship – £30 goes to the venue and pays for all refreshments. The sponsor gets the ﬂoor and is introduced by us, the hosts. Contact us by email for more information: burystedmunds@thebestof.co.uk, or call 01284 750829.

Business Online Network Do you want to grow your business’ online presence? Head to The Apex on 20 August for a free session hosted by Business Mapper, which covers the latest key online trends, B2B networking and the opportunity for a one-to-one, ten-minute surgery with an expert, who can take a look at your website or offer overall business guidance. 9.30-11.15am. Advance registration necessary. session www.theapex.co.uk

FREE

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 43

Advertisement feature

Your World really can be Your Way with Oceania Cruises It’s not every day you get to read in your local paper about somebody else’s holiday experiences, but here is an insight by local couple Chris & Lyn Taylor of Stutton aving cruised before we knew what to expect from a cruise holiday but we had never experienced an Oceania ship before. Knowing that we prefer smaller cruise ships, with not too many passengers our local travel agent suggested we try Oceania. Oceania Nautica set sail from Italy with approximately 680 other passengers on board. We were delighted by the space afforded by our cabin, everywhere onboard seemed so very spacious and uncluttered. There were plenty of seating areas with comfortable chairs and sofas, four restaurants to choose from all of which were well appointed and a huge deck area with swimming pool and plenty of sun loungers, all cushioned and with fresh towelling covers. The feeling of space was amazing and perfect for relaxing. From the moment we stepped on board into the Reception area, we knew we were going to enjoy our cruise. It was like a particularly well furnished Country Club, relaxed and understatedly elegant. Our cabin was well equipped with plenty of hanging space and the most wonderful bed ever! It was so comfortable! The bathroom was compact but perfectly formed with plenty of storage space to put things out of sight. Our itinerary took us from Rome along the Italian coast, across to Corsica and then along the French southern coast, which was delightful. We docked at some ports, but several

we had to travel into by tender. This can sometimes be a not particularly enjoyable experience, but we could not fault any aspect of this at all. There were plenty of willing crew ashore and also in the tender to make sure that getting on and off was easy. The crew without exception were charming, incredibly helpful and very friendly. In the bars and restaurants we had fantastic service, nothing was too much trouble. I even had 'Happy Birthday' sung to me in Italian in one of the speciality restaurants which was charming. The cuisine onboard is an aspect of Oceania Cruises that in our opinion is exceptional. Whichever restaurant we dined in, the standard of cooking, presentation and service was absolutely faultless. This really is a luxurious product at an affordable cost with so much included it represents great at value in upscale e

cruising. Coming home was a bit of a shock, having to make beds, purchase and prepare food, etc. We are already looking forward to next time, being cared for in such luxurious surroundings deﬁnitely suits us! If you are interested to ﬁnd out more about Oceania Cruises why not call local independent travel agent Fred. Olsen Travel in Bury St Edmunds on 01284 766866. You could get tickets for the afternoon tea event all about Oceania Cruises at The Conservatory, Ickworth Hall on Tuesday 17th September - Tickets cost just £10 per person.

What makes Oceania Cruises an award winning cruise line? s Elegant mid-size ships catering to just 684 or 1,250 guests s Finest cuisine at sea, served in a variety of distinctive open-seating restaurants, all at no additional charge s Gourmet culinary program created by world-renowned Master Chef Jacques Pépin s Port-intensive itineraries featuring more overnight visits and extended evening port stays

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Holiday Hotlist: Guys, accessories are the things that will elevate your holiday ensemble. Kit yourself out with some lightweight lace-ups (absolutely no ‘mandals’ please), a straw panama, canvas backpack and some of those ubiquitous wayfarer sunglasses. When it comes to clothing, pack easy to wear chinos and team them with a printed T-shirt for day or an oh so crisp white shirt once the sun goes down.

STRAW PANAMA HAT £12 TOPMAN

6 EMPIRE SHIRT £2 ORT £34 ‘HEART’ SWIM SH 9 £6 S OE SH DECK ALL REISS

FAIRGROUND SHOES £30 DUNE

J BY JASPER CONRAN TRILBY £26 DEBENHAMS RAY-BAN WAYFARER SUNGLASSES £115 ASOS

NORTH COAST FLORAL SHORTS £29.50 M&S

CANVAS BACKPACK £99 TED BAKER

SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT £50 PETER WERTH FOR TOPMAN

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BIRD PRINT T-SHIRT £18 NEXT

BERTIE ‘BRIGHT’ LACE-UPS £65 DUNE

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 49

FASHION

GLOBE ENCORE GENERATION CRG £55 SUNRISE

GIULIA SANDAL £99 NICOLA SEXTON

INDIES

With the late summer sales kicking in, now's the perfect time to grab yourself some new clobber from Bury's finest...

CRIMINAL DAMAGE CAMBODIA T-SHIRT NOW £14.50 JAVELIN

1INA100 ‘NERVOUS HOUSE T-SHIRT’ NOW £23 SIX WHITING STREET

NORSE PROJECTS ‘FLORA’ CAP NOW £24 SIX WHITING STREET LYLE & SCOTT ESPADRILLES NOW £18 SIX WHITING STREET

FOLK ‘TOMAZ’ SHORTS NOW £58 SIX WHITING STREET

AMERICAN VINTAGE V LINCOLN VES VEST £85 JAV JAVELIN A ELIN

TED BAKER PERLAA DRESS NOW £79.50 JAVELIN

SCHO ‘POP’ IN SCHOLL AQUAMARINE NOW £18 SCARLET SHOES TROLLIED DOLLY BUCKLE DOWN DRESS £52.50 SUNRISE

EDDY DANIELE FLIP-FLOP £179 NICOLA SEXTON

50 | Bury Edition | August 2013

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BEAUTY

WORDS DAISY DICKINSON & CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

With the trend for chemical-free, organic beauty products growing rapidly, Daisy and Charlotte select their picks of the bunch Until a few years ago, times were tough for natural beauty product lovers. Cosmetics, shampoos and the like could only be found in the backs of health food shops and were limited in number (and of questionable quality), but nowadays it feels like every other beauty brand is proudly displaying its eco credentials. But it’s not just about being friendly to the planet – it’s also important to be kind to your skin. Before you reach for your make-up bag with a bin bag in hand, it’s daft to simply reject chemicals in all their forms – but it’s important to at least be aware of what you’re putting onto your skin every morning. Many beauty brands now offer organic products or lines made without certain chemicals, ideal for those of us with more sensitive surfaces. This month we’re taking a look at a few ‘natural’ beauty products, which don’t harm the planet and are sure not to harm you either – a double whammy for your beauty karma..

NEAL’S YARD

POMEGRANATE LIPSTICK £15

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With branches of Neal’s Yard in both Cambridge and Norwich you’r you’re never OAT far from its organic org EYESHADOW goodies. This llot are the e £12.50 proud purveyors purveyo of the e ﬁrst make-up collection colle to be certiﬁed by the Soil Association an and their beautiful mineral-based products cont contain lots of natural and organic ingredients. W We adore their eyeshadow in Oat for a lovely natural look with no talc, no parabens and no silicones, and their lipstick in Pomeg Pomegranate – a rich, moisturising lip treat tre that contains Neal’s Yard’s Orga Beauty Oil, plus antioxidant Organic white tea and orange oil. www.nealsyardremedies.com www.n

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BEAUTY

TANORGANIC T TA NO

BELLONATURAL BELL

If a sunkissed su glow that’s kind to your skin is your aim, take a look at a TanOrganic. Claiming to be the only genuine organicc tanning solution on the market, TanOrganic is a product tannin of the Irish Dragon’s Den and offers tan fans 95% certiﬁed organic ingredients at £16.99 for 100ml. Made with a base of aloe vera for extra moisture, there’s no telltale fake tan sme smell, and when applied evenly, it brings a naturally warming hint of summer colour to your skin. Approved Company Organisation, PETA and the Irish by the Ethical E Eczema Society to name just a few, this one’s perfect for sun worshippers wors with a conscience who don’t want to give up their g glow. www.tano www.tanorganic.com

LILYLOLO MINERAL FOUNDATION SPF 15 £12.49

Looking for a natural way to add moisture to your skin? skin Try this oil from BelloNatural (£18.60), created using hand-picked nuts and fruits all the crea way from the Brazilian rainforest. Though T from slightly further aﬁeld, the company’s com moisturising oils are ethically produced prod by local cooperatives and every product produ sold will result in money donated to the World Land Trust that protects the forests where the raw ingredients are sourced. It sprays on and is super easy e to apply, giving you an intense moisture hit – especially perfect for those with drier skin. es www.bellonatural.com/en www.b

LILYLOLO PRESSED MINERAL EYE SHADOW DUO IN PLATINUM PERFECTION £8.29

LILYLOLO YLOLO On the O th lookout lookout for something lo som someth hing cute? We W recently y stumbled across across super-sweet super-swee all-natural -natural make-up k b d LilyLolo, LilyLo Lil L l which creates a wide brand range of cosmetics including in mascara, eyeshadows, yeshadows, lipsticks and foundations. foundat LilyLolo’s lipsticks are an amazing bargain at £7.99, and their all all-mineral, breathable foundation with an SPF of 15 allows for custom cu coverage to be built up, suiting your own make-up sstyle. We thought it was dead easy to apply and lasted a lo long time before requiring reapplication – but the packaging packaging’s so lovely you’d be happy to take it with you wherever you go. www.lilylo www.lilylolo.co.uk LIP BALM IN HONEY TRAP £5.50

LUSH One of our ﬁrm favourites for guilt-f guilt-free pampering pampering, Lush offers a great rang range of fragrant goodies to ﬁll your cabinets and make-up bags with. They’ve also recently updated the lip balms, which are now 100% preservative free, containing no parabens or borax, are 100% vegetarian friendly and come packaged in a cute recyclable tin. And for something fresh and fruity, we can’t can t get enough of Catastrophe C Cosmetic face mask. For those prone to breakouts, this is your best b mate in a pot, sure to calm a pre-zit panic. Packed with fresh blueberries, Irish moss gel and almond oil, it’s also preservative preserv free. www.lush.co www.lush.co.uk CATASTROPHE COSMETIC £5.95

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Bury Edition | August 2013 | 53

WELLNESS

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

BEAUTY Indulge in a little pampering this month with the help of our guide to exciting offers and new treatments from local spas and salons Clarice House Capuccini Crystal treatment Get your sparkle back with a relaxing massage using diamonds and rubies at Clarice House’s beautiful spa in Bury St Edmunds. The Germaine de Capuccini Crystal Body Harmony treatment uses extracts of precious stones and minerals to energise, ﬁrm and balance the skin. The massage medium contains extracts of rhodochrosite, malachite and diamond, in combination with a gentle exfoliating powder enriched with amethyst, sapphire and ruby, to produce a luxurious smoothing, exfoliating mousse to soften and energise the body. It identiﬁes the seven ‘chakra’ points of the body for a highly relaxing and rather regal holistic massage. The treatment lasts one hour and costs £54. www.claricehouse.co.uk

Back to basics at The Spa at Ickworth The beautiful country house just outside Bury makes for a blissful spa getaway. Amongst their extensive range of treatments there’s sure to be one (or several!) that suits what you’re looking for, whether it’s a ﬁrming facial or a relaxing body massage. Their signature treatment is the 45-minute Facial for the Back – ideal if you’re planning to show off your shoulders or step out in a little backless number for an upcoming wedding or summer party. The ﬁve-point plan, designed to leave you with a smooth, satiny back, involves a double deep cleanse, exfoliation, cleansing mask and stimulating toner, culminating in a relaxing massage. For more information, contact 01284 735350 or visit the website. www.ickworthhotel.co.uk/spa-hotels

56 | Bury Edition | August 2013

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WELLNESS

Discover the spa at The Grange The Grange in Thurston is more than just a hotel and restaurant; as well as its ﬁne dining offerings and weekend getaway allure, it offers a comprehensive range of therapy treatments. Indulge in an Indian head massage, back or foot massage, or pamper yourself with a manicure, eyelash tint or facial. The Grange is currently offering a half-hour treatment and two-course lunch, served in its award-winning restaurant overlooking the property’s beautiful gardens, for just £29 per person – a perfect treat for you and a girlfriend, or a great gift for mum. For the full list of treatments and more information, visit the website. www.burystedmundshotel.com

Think yourself slim Summer is a time when many of us think about toning up our bodies and shedding a few pounds, but if you’re yet to ﬁnd a diet that works, it might be time to change your mindset towards food, rather than focusing just on calorie counting. “Pay attention to what you are eating, when you do this and how you do this,” says LighterLife psychotherapist Mandy Cassidy. “Many of us are unaware of when or how often we overeat, and to stop this cycle you need to start focusing on whether you are actually feeding a physical hunger or simply using food as comfort to ‘treat’ feelings like stress or boredom.” Maintaining your weight loss is often the most difficult part, so learn from a weight management group who’ll help you deal differently with the speciﬁc situations that lead to weight gain, so you learn how to keep the weight off for good. www.lighterlife.com

C&B Beautiful The health and beauty clinic on Whiting Street, already known for stocking some of the industry’s top products, has added another well-respected name to its offerings. C&B Beautiful is now the only beauty salon in the Bury area to stock products from award-winning brand ESPA. Staff recently underwent a week of training to learn all about ESPA, which uses only the purest extracts to create spa-standard skincare products for all ages and skin types. www.candb-beautiful.co.uk

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Bury Edition | August 2013 | 57

The Kitchen of your dreams...

...is within your reach Open 9.30 am to 5pm Mon to Sat Barton Retail Park, Barton Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7BE

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INTERIORS

WORDS ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE

Interiors Trend Report

LACE EFFECT One of the key emerging trends for this season is lace in the home. Subtle Hidden Richness wallpaper, ÂŁ37.94 per roll, Galerie Wallcoverings (01892700730; www.galeriehome.co.uk)

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INTERIORS

DELICATE WHITE LACE POTS Modern-day keepsakes, £3.95-£6.95, Rigby & Mac (02087 611011; www. rigbyandmac.com) CLASSIC SILK COLLECTION lace design wallpaper, from £38.95 per roll, Galerie Wallcoverings (01892 700730; www.galeriehome.co.uk)

With summer’s interiors taking their lead from the international catwalks, our rooms have never been so fashionable. Angelina Villa-Clarke reveals four key emerging trends TREND: LACE Your grandmother’s favourite fabric is set to make a return to the home. Already huge on many fashion designers’ catwalks (Valentino, Versace and Isabel Marant are just a few names to have put it in the spotlight this season), it is now the turn of interior designers, who are using the once-outdated fabric in innovative ways. Forget the antimaccassars, lace has become hip. Take Gallerie Wallcoverings’ (01892 700730; www.galeriehome.co.uk) subtle wallpapers, which are an ideal way of using lace as a backdrop to a room. With no less than six collections to choose from (rolls from £28.95), they feature feminine lace prints in many guises. The Silk Impressions Collection, for instance, is a traditional, delicate pattern in taupes and nudes, while the Esthetica Collection has a more contemporary feel in shades of grey, perfect for creating the ultimate boudoir. For a bolder look, the Cast Iron Lace Wallpaper Panels by Young & Battaglia (£70, 01444 253391; www.rockettstgeorge. co.uk) will create a stunning statement wall. Inspired by decorative metalwork, it brings the lace look to life – with an almost 3D effect of ornate fretwork on the wall. It’s architectural yet pretty at the same time. Meanwhile, introducing lace to the bathroom is ceramic designer, Rosie

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Simmons, who has created a range of lace tiles for the Atelier collection for Topps Tiles (from £1.99 each, www.toppstiles.co.uk). “Traditionally, lace would be found in the more private areas of a home,” Rosie says. “I thought in today’s world, where we can play with many mediums, it would be fun to bring these associations of lace into the bathroom, and onto hard, non-translucent surfaces where the lustrous glazes of tiles gives the lace patterning a more vibrant quality.” Thought you’d never be seen with lace at your windows? Then think again. We’re not talking about resurrecting ‘net’ curtains here, but rather hanging a beautifully made panel of lace as an elegant focal point to a room. Choose a bold colour – such as black or indigo blue – and you’ll instantly bring the look into the 21st century. Saffron Hare, sales director at fabric specialists James Hare (www.james-hare. com) agrees: “There has been a lot of lace on the catwalk recently and the lace trend has now made its way into interiors, too. It is so decorative and romantic: a perfect embellishment. Its semi-sheer nature can be used to great effect to screen or swathe windows or to decorate cushions, lampshades and other focus pieces. “Different colours of lace give very different looks,” she adds. “White and cream

are ultra-feminine, black tends towards the gothic while metallic laces can give an overly dramatic tone.” Kati Suard, a Finnish interior designer (07720 644345; www.aaltoneninteriors.com) who works around the Bury St Edmunds area, adds: “In the modern home, lace can be used in textiles to give contrast to an otherwise minimalistic interior. If you are concerned about compromising the clean, uncluttered look of Scandinavian design, for instance, then you can use lace in small doses to enhance your furnishings, rather than smother them. For example, a safe way to add lace is to use a piece of lace in white cotton bedclothes.”

ATELIER TILES by Rosie Simmons, £1.99 each, Topps Tiles (08007 836262; www.toppstiles.co.uk)

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 61

INTERIORS

ETCH SHADE available in copper and brass, £295, Tom Dixon (02071 839732; www.tomdixon.net)

SPITALFIELD PENDANT vintagestyle ﬁxture in antique copper, £156, Abbeygate Lighting (01394 288240; www.abbeygatelighting.co.uk)

INNERMOST BUBBLE SUSPENSION LIGHT polished copper, now £297.50, Nest (01142 433000; www.nest.co.uk)

SHEAR TABLE LAMP 1930s style desk lamp, from £210, Bert Frank (02087 370512; www.bertfrank.co.uk)

TREND: BRASS AND COPPER With silver and chrome having reigned for so long in the home, it was inevitable that another metal would begin to vie for attention. Enter the resurgence of brass and copper. Both metals have a warmness and a sculptural weight that appeal to modernday homemakers and many designers have introduced collections that feature them. New British lighting brand Bert Frank’s (02087 370512; www.bertfrank.co.uk) designs have a gorgeous, mid-century style, mixing a stylish aesthetic with functionality. Set to be iconic models are the debut designs, Shear and Riddle, which include pendants, table lamps and wall lights, all available in a gleaming, hand-ﬁnished brass (from £175). Lighting, such as anglepoise lamps in copper, is also a highlight at Heal’s (www. heals.co.uk). “Industrial lighting was a huge focus at the Milan Furniture Fair this year,

62 | Bury Edition | August 2013

with a slant towards rough, rustic materials being transformed into smooth modern pieces,” says Lucio Longoni, head of lighting at Heal’s. “Copper is central to this trend, and a statement piece such as the Heal’s Copper Job Light is ideal for setting a sleek-but-industrial mood.” For even more of the wow factor, try a statement piece of furniture moulded out of copper or brass. Also available at Heal’s is the stunning Italian-made Cantori Urbino Copper Luxe Bedstead (from £3,856) and the Real Good Copper Chair (£299). While at Nest, the Ginger & Jagger Embrace Side Tables (£563, www.nest.co.uk), which come in copper or brass, have a whimsical quality with their twig-like feet. Sarah Gooch, manager at Bury St Edmunds’ Abbeygate Lighting (01394

COOKIE JAR LANTERN trimmed in brass, £49.95, Abbeygate Lighting (01394 288240; www.abbeygatelighting.co.uk)

288240; www.abbeygatelighting.co.uk) cements the idea: “In terms of lighting, we’ve noticed an increase in designers turning back to using copper and brass again. These metals were once considered old-fashioned, but used in contemporary ﬁxtures, they suddenly seem ‘of the moment’ and very ‘now’. The gleam that these metals have is appealing in the modern home.” Designer du jour, Tom Dixon has also embraced the use of metals in many of his items (his lighting is available at www. nest.co.uk). But most impressive of all is the Mass collection, which includes a bookshelf (£1,750), an over-scaled dining table (£7,000) and a heavyweight coat stand (£1,500). As the investment pieces take on the marks of time, a natural patina will develop across their surface, much like the ageing of a prized bronze statue (see www. tomdixon.net).

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INTERIORS

CREATIVE PASSION COLLECTION of bright shades designed to give a ﬁzz of colour when used in contrast with whites and neutrals, Dulux (08444 817817; www.dulux.co.uk)

VELVET CUSHION COVERS £29.50, Oliver Bonas (02089 741200; www.oliverbonas.com)

An easier way to introduce colour is to paint ‘pops’

TREND: NEON BRIGHTS Neon was on nearly every catwalk this summer, and now it is entering into our homes by way of bold paints and splashes of colour. Update your decor with accents, rather than an all-over job – think painted windowsills or alcoves, cushions, vases and ﬂuoro trims on furniture details. The look is fun and modern and, when used with caution, can look sophisticated and chic. Tina Mahony, from top-end Chelsea furniture store, Go Modern (gomodern. co.uk), agrees: “We are seeing the neon trend in lots of collections from Italian brands. It’s in the form of little touches, rather than whole pieces, such as the Bonaldo Amos bed (from £2,230) designed by Giuseppe Viganò. It features a striking neon piping border

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around its edge. It’s a nod to the trend, which will give a piece longevity.” Tables from London-based designer Mathias Hahn (www.mathiashahn.com) are also a sophisticated reference to bold, bright shades. The E8 Table and matching E8 Bench (from £1,225) both use natural timber for their tops, but have legs which are available in a choice of varying popping ‘spot’ colours. Meanwhile at Oliver Bonas (www. oliverbonas.com), richly hued velvet chairs and cushions are some of the brand’s bestsellers and a delightful way of introducing a focal point, especially effective when set against a neutral colour scheme. An easy way to introduce colour is to paint ‘pops’ in smaller areas, such as the back of shelves, or on smaller pieces of furniture. Consult Dulux’s new Collective Passion

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INTERIORS

RUBEUS STORAGE SYSTEM uses primary colours to make a statement out of shelving, from £495, Glasswells (01284 752804; www.glasswells.co.uk)

BE DEFT WITH DETAIL Nord is the go-to place for bright accessories, bringing your space bang up to date (01223 321884; www.nordesign.co.uk)

RIGHT Bonaldo’s Welded Dining Table, £1,910, Go Modern (02077 319540; www. gomodern.co.uk) FAR RIGHT Geo Neon Wallpaper Mural, from £99, Digetex Home (0161 873 8891; www.digetexhome.com) BOTTOM RIGHT Rubix Rollerblind, from £119, Digetex Home (0161 873 8891; www.digetexhome.com)

palette, which includes ﬁzzy tones of yellow, vibrant blues and candy pinks. “Fluoro is a trend of the moment with designers accenting their ranges with joyous touches of neon,” reveals Louise Smith, senior Dulux global colour designer. “By combining these intense tones with blond wood, light stone and almost translucent pastels, the look is kept sophisticated and very new.” Debbie Cram, interior designer at Glasswells (01284 752804; www.glasswells. co.uk), Bury St Edmunds’ leading home furnishing store, agrees: “From acid yellow to electric pink, we are using neon brights to give a wow to interiors. We are adding splashes of colour with cushions, rugs, towels and decorative accessories to transform rooms. For the more adventurous, you can

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POP-ART DINNERWARE from £12, Anthropologie (0207 8704821; www.anthropologie.eu)

adapt a space by painting feature walls or choosing a few bright pieces of furniture or curtains. The key is not to overdo it and to balance the colour throughout the room against a neutral background. The emphasis is on minimalism with a pop of colour.” Kati Suard adds her design expertise: “Choose a bright colour you like and then use it as an accent in an otherwise white interior. Glossy neons also look great in modern clean-line kitchens or as a way to bring the sunshine into a nursery.”

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 65

INTERIORS

MIHO DEER HEADS are a take on the traditional deer head, using ﬂoral prints, £32.95, Rigby & Mac (02087 611011; www.rigbyandmac.com)

CLUSTER CEILING LIGHT a true 50s feel – organza in soft shades, £145, Rockett St George (01444 253391; www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk)

utility-chic home WOODEN LIGHT PULLS nce (01223 506556; vide Pro 0, £3.5 accessories, m) k.co www.providenceu

TREND: HOMESPUN

OLIVIA THE OWL BEANBAG by Ulrika Gustafsson, made to order from £139.95, Nubie (01825 724160; www.nubie.co.uk)

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With crafting and handmade products enjoying huge popularity at the moment, skills such as knitting, crocheting and DIY are back in vogue. Applied to the home, it means there’s a growing interest in items that look handmade, as well as textured fabrics and a wink to the folklore look of the 70s. Again, it’s the details that matter, rather than a fullon home-made assault. Choose wisely and you’ll achieve rooms that will be uniquely personalised and warmly rustic. Add layers of interest to a room with textured accessories, such as Ollie Ella’s Gum Ball Nursery Rug at £249 (01825 724160; www.nubie.co.uk), the ﬂoral Zoe Darlington Lamp (£398, www. anthropologie.eu) and Kaisa Fair Trade Original baskets from Habitat (£18, www.habitat.co.uk). Neptune Design Centre in Bury St Edmunds (01284 731025; www.neptuneburystedmunds. com) is also an excellent source for the rough-hewn look. Its handpainted furniture in shades of gustavian grey, taupe and chalk boasts organic curves and natural materials. Superior craftsmen employ traditional

E WOODEN SIGN ALL YOU NEED IS LOV £44.99 Kendall and Ko

furniture-making techniques and materials, such as seasoned oak, to make elegant pieces for the home. Katharine Maclaverty, owner of lifestyle store Rigby & Mac (www.rigbyandmac. com), agrees that the home-made look is very much of the moment: “We are seeing shoppers after a more rustic and eclectic look. The trend towards hand-crafted items includes the use of vibrant, global designs such as our accessories inspired by Tibetan embroidery and more unusual finds, such as the floral printed Miho Deer Heads (£32).” At Kendall and Ko in Bury St Edmunds (01284 749745; www.kendallandkoltd.com), the premise is ‘products that change people’s homes and make people smile’. It’s a treasure trove of unusual finds – think silver chests, letter-print pictures and distressed wooden accessories. Cow-hide footstools, découpage pictures and British-made ceramics provide an eclectic mix. “People are looking for the unusual to make their homes unique,” says Kendall Banks Browne, owner. “The home is the epicentre of our worlds so it goes without saying that customers want something that shows their personality. It has to be warm, evocative and individual.”

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Advertisement feature

Take the stress out of

EXTENDING Insider information for those considering extending their home he prospect of extending your home can be daunting. If you’re wondering, ‘where do I start? How do I find an architect and a builder?’, here are some insider tips from Carmelcrest, a local chartered builder which has been involved in the process for over 30 years. First, the design... Find a good architect by scanning local press or visiting the RIBA website. Make sure they are RIBA accredited and local, as they will know and understand the locality, increasing your chances of obtaining planning approval. They will also advise you on ‘permitted development’, where you may not need planning consent. Obtain a fixed price from the architect to either design or design and manage the contract. Obtain references; this is vital, as is looking at some of their previous work. Be clear about what you want. The architect will expect a brief from you, so make sure you have thought it through. The clearer you are, the fewer design drafts, which means the fee will be less. Next, finding the right builder... The architect will probably be able to recommend a good builder he has worked with. Constructionline, the government approved list, is another great source of qualified contractors, as is the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB). The key here is references. Make sure you see some of their work and speak to past clients. Chose a company you feel comfortable working with, who are interested in building long-term relationships, not making a fast buck. Ask what precautions they will be taking to protect your home/garden from damage. Ask about their workload and resources. Enter into a contract – we can’t stress this enough. You can draft the terms yourself or you can choose from the many domestic, off-the-shelf contracts available.

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Lastly, please do not make your choice on price alone. It may well prove to be more expensive in the end. Finally, the construction phase... Programme is the key here. If left unchecked, construction work can often drag on, so ensure your contractor presents you with a detailed programme before he starts. It is a very good idea to ask the company for health and safety risk assessments. These will detail how they intend to deal with any risks, which may present themselves during the work. Ask the company for a payment schedule before the work starts, this could form part of the contract, and negotiate until you are happy. Avoid up-front payments. Variations… a word known to contractors, but not to homeowners. Variations occur because you change your mind, or because there are unforeseen works, such as discovering an unknown service pipe or plaster falls off the wall. There will always be variations, but remember a variation

could be more work, or less work. In each case agree how you will deal with variations before you start. And agree who will be responsible for issuing instructions. You’ll also need to agree a new price with the contractor before work proceeds. Construction can be a messy, noisy and stressful business, so be realistic in your expectations. You will certainly reduce all of the above if you do your due diligence, and agree everything in writing before you start the work. Good luck! Further information can be obtained from local Chartered Builder Ray Spooner of Carmelcrest on 07803 024401.

THREE GENERATIONS OF BUILDING... CARMELCREST CAN CAN... EXTEND, REFURBISH OR DESIGN & BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME...

If you are considering extending or refurbishing your home call Ray Spooner on 01992 718 231 7 Chalky Road, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AT

info@carmelcrest.co.uk www.carmelcrest.co.uk

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BONAS AIR NOW £40 OLIVER PRIMROSE GARDEN CH

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PERSONALISED BARBECUE MATE BY GREAT LITTLE CRATE COMPANY NOW £194.99 NOT ON THE HIGH STREET.COM

PALLET CHAIR BY GAS&AIR STUDIOS £90 NOT ON THE HIGH STREET.COM

AL FRESCO HANGING CHAIR £625 DEBENHAMS

Colourful and quirky, we adore these gorgeous garden pieces JOHN LEWIS BIRDS DIRECTOR’S CHAIR, £65 JOHN LEWIS

TEA LIGHT HOLDERS £18 THE CONTEMPORARY HOME

ENGLISH GARDEN CHAIR £325 BURFORD GARDEN COMPANY

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ROCKING DECK CHAIRS £69 GRAHAM & GREEN

Bury Edition | August 2013 | 71

GARDENS

WORDS CATHERINE CARR

The summer months can take it out of your garden, but a little TLC here and there can work wonders. Catherine Carr shows you how t the time of going to press, my garden looked like I felt. A little bit browner than normal, dry and somewhat wilted. Our area had been hotter than both Madrid and Rome during July, and as much as I love the sun, it can cause the garden to look a bit sorry for itself. However, a little TLC can work wonders, so that when the sun is high in the sky, even the smallest of plots can offer delicious shade, pools of cooler air and the chance to walk barefoot on grass – however parched. WATERING This is the biggie. Thanks to the super wet spring, it looks like we might escape without an immediate hosepipe ban, but it still pays to be wise about the water you use on the garden. Think about using grey water from the washing-up or the bath – so long as it’s not too soapy, the plants won’t mind at all. Unless your lawn is relatively recently laid, don’t waste too much water on it. Lawns are remarkably resilient and will almost always come back. Don’t be seduced by the so-called ‘Augusta Effect’ (thinking that the emerald green fairways on the PGA tour are achievable). Be realistic. As for the rest of the garden, water in the evening, when the sun has lost its intensity and the bar is open – what’s more pleasant than a potter round the garden with the hose in one hand, cold beer in the other? When it comes to pots, a good soak every couple of days is much better than a scant sprinkle every night. I have a beautiful hydrangea in a massive

pot and will water it for minutes at a time. That way, the water really penetrates the compost and does its job. Otherwise, during hot spells, think about buying a cheap gazebo to shade pots underneath. It can work wonders. Not pretty perhaps, but consider it horticultural A&E. It is especially worth considering if you are going away during the hottest spells. Your neighbours – or whoever is on duty – will thank you for it. DEADHEADING This is an ongoing task over the summer, and fits into the same category of gardening as watering: it can be done one-handed, in the evening and while still being sociable. It also makes me feel a little bit ‘Downton’. I am the lady of the manor, doing a little light gardening with wide-brimmed hat and trug, elsewhere the grunt work is done by staff… On a serious note, deadheading makes the garden look instantly less scraggly, and also encourages plants to flower for longer. If you still find it onerous, bribe a child. A penny each is our going rate. COLLECTING SEEDS Collecting seeds (and then planting them, obviously) can make you feel like a real gardener. For newbies, a rough rule of thumb is that you should start to hunt for them two months after the plant has flowered. Start checking a little earlier

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though, as seed heads can ripen quickly and must be collected before dispersing their seeds. You can usually tell when a seed head ripens, as it will change colour from green to brown, black or red. Make sure that the plants you collect from are healthy – seeds harvested from sickly plants will not fare well. And collect on a dry day to avoid soggy seeds. Dry out seed heads on a warm windowsill and then carefully collect the seeds by shaking the seed head, gently crushing it, or waiting for it to burst. Seeds are generally best stored in paper envelopes (labelled) and then in an airtight container. It’s stupidly exciting to ﬁll gaps in borders with plants grown for free from your very own seeds. Trust me! A LITTLE GARDEN ADMIN In the garden, it’s a good idea to take stock now and again. Have a purposeful stroll around and ask yourself: ‘What has worked? What do I really like? What might I change?’ I’ve just done it and realised that my garden is timed to look marvellous in June, but has sketchy planning for the damp days of November, and the watery sun of March. Once you have had a look, head back to the deckchair and ﬂick through a seed catalogue or gardening book. Don’t be overwhelmed or overambitious. Choosing one or two new things is plenty. A garden, after all, is a growing thing.

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MOTORING WORDS SUE BAKER

Motoring Review

NEW MODELS With the 63 plate peeking round the corner, Sue Baker investigates which new models will be coming along for the ride he biannual sport of trying to be ﬁrst to spot the new registration plates is about to begin. From the ﬁrst of September a new number – 63 – will start appearing on car number plates, to replace the current 13 plates and identify all new cars joining the traffic between September and next March. It will put a fresh spotlight on just how well car sales are holding up across the country despite the tricky economic times

in which we live. Our national appetite for cars has remained much more buoyant than across most of the rest of Europe, and number plates with 63 on them are about to be the ‘want one’ status symbol on the roads this autumn. So which are the trendiest new cars that will be wearing them? Here are some of the ﬂashiest, most interesting newcomers that avid car spotters should be looking out for come September 2013.

TOYOTA AURIS TOURING SPORTS This Japanese-designed estate car is not made in the Far East, but in Derbyshire, at Toyota’s Burnaston factory. The range includes a hybrid version, which Toyota is hailing as the world’s ﬁrst compact-size, full-hybrid estate car. The roof rails are included in the car’s standard equipment. The Auris Touring is reasonably priced, well kitted out and smooth riding. Don’t get too revved up though, as it is not the most exciting car to drive, despite having the word ‘Sports’ in its name.

WHAT: A roomy and practical estate car that looks good and is civilised to drive WHEN: July WHO WILL DRIVE IT: Those who value reliability above driving pleasure PRICE: from £15,595 ENGINES: 1.3 and 1.6 litre petrol, 1.8 petrol-electric hybrid

AUDI A3 SALOON Arriving on the scene in September is the third model in Audi’s growing A3 family. It will join the three-door A3 hatchback that was launched a year ago, and the ﬁve-door A3 Sportback that made its debut in March. Now here comes the chic new executive member of the pack: the elegantly designed four-door Audi A3 Saloon. This rapidly expanding family of cars, blossoming at six-monthly intervals, will not stop there. Expected next March, and based on the same understructure as the A3 Saloon, will be an A3 Cabriolet. WHAT: A smart-looking saloon car as the new ﬂagship of the Audi A3 range WHEN: September WHO WILL DRIVE IT: Image-conscious executives with traditionalist tendencies PRICE: from £24,305 ENGINES: 1.4 and 1.8 litre petrol, 1.0 litre diesels

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MOTORING

TO BE REVEALED

MINI HATCHBACK The modern MINI has been phenomenally successful, and grown into a family of cars that now runs to seven models. But nothing stands still in the car world, and the time has come for the iconic car built in Oxford and famed for being exceptionally fun to drive to be revamped in a major overhaul. Due to make its debut towards the end of this year, ahead of going on sale early next year, the thirdgeneration MINI will have a new body, bigger grille, larger headlights, more boot room and new engines. Watch this space.

PEUGEOT 2008 Plucky Peugeot staged a bold introduction for the 2008, which is a tall family ‘crossover’ car that looks like a 4x4, but isn’t. To show how clever electronics make it reassuringly capable in slippery conditions, the test drive included an indoor real-snow ski slope at Tamworth in the West Midlands. There was no trickery, the cars were on standard road tyres and zipped up and down with impressive aplomb.

WHAT: A nimble family car that does a lot more than you’d expect from the modest price

WHAT: BMW’s popular MINI hatchback reinvented for a new generation

WHEN: July

WHEN: Early 2014

WHO WILL DRIVE IT: Family motorists with young kids and older empty-nesters

WHO WILL DRIVE IT: Anyone who is wooed by a combination of chic style and go-kart handling

PRICE: from £12,995 ENGINES: 1.2 and 1.6 litre petrol, 1.4 and 1.6 litre diesel

PRICE: from around £15,000 ENGINES: 1.5 litre petrol, 1.5 litre diesel

HONDA CR-V 1.6 Honda has been steadily introducing a new fuel-efficient 1.6 litre diesel engine across its car range. Already impressive in the Honda Civic, the slick 1.6 i-DTEC engine has now been added to the already popular Honda CR-V range, in which the choice of motors was previously limited to only two litre petrol or 2.2 litre diesel. It has the twin attractions of better fuel economy and lower CO2 output than the current choice of engines. WHAT: Honda’s popular 4x4 model with a more frugal and fuel-efficient diesel engine WHEN: July WHO WILL DRIVE IT: School-run mums and family drivers whose children like to ride high PRICE: from around £19,400 ENGINES: 1.6 litre diesel

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MOTORING

BMW 4 SERIES A new number is about to appear in the BMW range. The 4-Series will slot in above the popular 3-Series, and is effectively a replacement for the old 3-Series Coupe. The svelte-looking new BMW is longer and wider but sits slightly lower than the car it replaces, and if it follows the well-established form of the rest of the Bavarian-built car range, it will be very engaging to drive. Price-wise, it is expected to cost around £3,000 more than the equivalent 3-Series saloon.

WHAT: A stylish newcomer to BMW’s highly regarded range WHEN: October WHO WILL DRIVE IT: Well-heeled keen drivers and lucky executives scaling the company car ladder PRICE: from £31,575 ENGINES: 2.0 litre diesel and 3.0 litre petrol

CITROЁN C4 PICASSO In the 14 years since its first Picasso model appeared on the scene, Citroën has sold three million of its artily named practical family cars around the world. This is the latest model, fresh on the roads this summer, with a new modular chassis and a sleeker body shape. It is very slightly smaller than the previous C4 Picasso, and has shed a bit of weight, which benefits the fuel economy. Tall, roomy and practical, its wow feature is a huge panoramic windscreen that scoops in lots of light. Good to drive, with a big boot and elevated seating that makes it popular with kids. WHAT: French flair in a practical family car reinvented for a new generation WHEN: Now WHO WILL DRIVE IT: Conscientious young parents who want stylishly safe family transport PRICE: from £17,500 ENGINES: 1.6 petrol, 1.6 litre diesel

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PETS

WHAT’S IN YOUR

PET FOOD? This month, we help you see through the smoke and mirrors of animal food labels so you can understand exactly what you’re feeding your pets

ith recent research revealing that around half of pets making a visit to the vets are overweight, there’s no escaping the fact that the pet obesity problem has reached epidemic proportions. With all the health issues and reduced life expectancy associated with this problem, preventing and combating obesity is something that should be high on the priority list of every responsible pet owner. However, feeding your pet a good diet isn’t always as easy as it should be: ambiguous and misleading labels are unfortunately commonplace, but with a little know-how, it is possible to decipher exactly what’s in your pet food. UNDERSTANDING INGREDIENTS The ingredients list is your window into the true nature of your pet’s diet. Manufacturers cannot lie on the ingredients list, and although there are ways in which the truth can be obscured or embellished, this is usually easy to spot, which makes it possible to separate the good foods from the bad. The main thing to look for on an ingredients list is clarity. Each ingredient should be named, and the most important ingredients (the three or four at the top of the list) should ideally be given with a percentage to tell you how much is present. Broad umbrella terms like ‘cereals’ and ‘meat and animal derivatives’ could refer to a wide range of ingredients of varying quality, which makes it impossible to know what your pet is eating. Manufacturers use them either because the recipe regularly

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changes or, more likely, because naming the ingredients would put customers off. In general, if an ingredients list includes ambiguous terms like these, it is probably best to assume the worst and avoid the food. This is particularly important if your pet is prone to dietary intolerance, as identifying and eliminating problem ingredients is not possible unless you know exactly what you are feeding them. WHAT INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR To take dog food as an example: dogs are omnivores and are capable of digesting and utilising a wide range of foods. Unlike us, however, the dog’s digestive system is much more geared up for meat consumption and benefits from a meatrich diet. Ideally, meat should be the first (and therefore most abundant) ingredient on the list. Dog food manufacturers use a huge array of ingredients, many of which will be familiar to you, others may not. You can find an ingredients glossary online at www.whichdogfood.co.uk which has plenty of information about the more popular ingredients as well as which ones are worth searching for and which are best avoided. SMOKE AND MIRRORS All ingredients must be listed in order of how much there is in the food. The first ingredient is, therefore, the largest and most important part of the food. Unfortunately, manufacturers can be quite cunning when it comes to the order of the ingredients and there are some common tactics to look for.

Splitting grains – by using several grain sources, the amount of each one is relatively small, placing it further down the ingredients list, but together the cereals may in reality make them the first ingredient. This can even be done with a single grain – for example, in a maize-rich food, they could simply put ‘maize’ as the first ingredient, or they could list ‘maize flour’, ‘maize gluten’ and ‘maize meal’ separately. Because the amount of each one is smaller, they appear further down the list, making them appear less significant. Fresh meat in dry foods – in dry dog foods, meat can either be dry (usually called meat meal) or fresh. Both are good-quality meat sources but in order to accurately compare them, the water content of the fresh meat must be removed from the equation. Fresh meat is roughly two-thirds water while meat meal only contains around 5% water. So 20% fresh meat only equates to around 7% dry meat. If fresh meat is the first ingredient, be sure to discount the water and move it down the list accordingly. Total meat content – an increasing trend is for dog food manufacturers to list the ‘total meat content’ rather than the percentage of the individual meat ingredients. This allows the amounts of all the meat ingredients to be grouped together. Rather than: ‘Ingredients: Chicken meal (20%), chicken oil (5%), chicken digest (2%)… ’, you might now find: ‘Total chicken content: 27%. Ingredients: Chicken meal, chicken oil, chicken digest…’ For more information, visit www.whichdogfood.co.uk or pop into Scampers Natural Pet Store, where they are happy to advise on your pet’s diet.

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PETS WORDS ALEX WYLIE

DETECTING CANCER IN PETS

Just as with humans, catching cancer early in pets gives them the best chance of survival. Alex Wylie from Eastgate Veterinary Group advises on what to look out for adly many cancers are not preventable, however most are treatable if discovered early enough. Cancer screening in humans is well established and saves millions of lives yearly, and there are also methods of detecting cancer early in pets. Understandably, owners may be afraid of testing for cancer in both themselves and their pets. A diagnosis of cancer is horrendous, but it is not as devastating as losing the chance to ﬁght it, and there are many ways to screen for cancer. HEALTH CHECKS Cancer is sometimes discovered or suspected at a routine check-up. It is recommended that young pets have wellness checks (usually combined with a vaccination) every 12 months. Any cat or dog over eight years of age, and rabbits over four, should be examined every six months, as they are more prone to developing age-related illnesses, including cancer. Special attention should be paid to the reproductive organs of animals that have not been neutered. The incidence of cancer is high in the mammary glands (breasts) of females and the testicles of males. BLOOD TESTS There are some cancers that can be speciﬁcally tested for by analysing blood samples. Examples include thyroid cancer in cats, tumours causing adrenal overactivity (Cushing’s Disease) in dogs and even prostate cancer in humans.

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Changes in blood parameters can also suggest that cancer or another hidden illness is present in an organ. There is, however, no one ‘cancer test’ and normal results do not rule out cancer. It is recommended that pets over the age of eight years have their blood analysed every six months. TESTING OF LUMPS AND BUMPS Owner vigilance is crucial in the discovery and monitoring of any masses that occur on the outside of their pet. If any new lumps are found or changes in existing masses noticed, it is important to seek veterinary attention. The vet will often suggest a simple procedure called a needle biopsy. The vet places a needle into the mass, removes some cells and places them on a slide for examination. This quick and easy test is often all that is needed to put an owner’s mind to rest, and even if fears are conﬁrmed, an early diagnosis could save a pet’s life. X-RAYS A vet may want to X-ray a pet if they are suspicious of cancer or want to check that a tumour has not spread. It is important that large-breed dogs that are prone to bone tumours (such as Rottweilers and St Bernards) are X-rayed early if lameness occurs after middle age.

ULTRASOUND Ultrasonic imaging is a useful, non-invasive way to see inside an animal’s body and organs. It can be used to check the organs for abnormalities. In most cases ultrasound is used during investigations of illness. It can, however, also be used as a screening tool (usually six monthly) in ‘at risk’ pets. Suggestions of screening programmes for dogs include: examining the spleen of German shepherds and golden retrievers over the age of eight as these breeds have a high prevalence of hemangiosarcoma, a malignant tumour most commonly found in the spleen; or a full abdominal ultrasound, from the age of six, of dogs whose breed or family history puts them at a high risk of cancer. The breeds with the highest rates of cancer include ﬂat-coated retrievers, boxers, Rottweilers and Bernese mountain dogs. Treatment of cancer often saves lives but before this can be done it needs to be detected. Many veterinary clinics provide senior pet clinics run by veterinary nurses to help owners monitor for age-related illnesses. Owners worried that their pet may already have cancer should book an appointment with their vet as soon as possible. If you have any concerns contact us on www.facebook.com/eastgatevets

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