hgghhg by elloco2019

MARCH 2022 ISSUE 435

Contents 110 62 148

Houses & gardens 17

EMPORIUM New ways to introduce elements of country style into your home

PASTELS THAT PACK A PUNCH The bold new hues of spring are chic, sophisticated and far from saccharine

MATERIAL GAINS Exclusive makes fashioned from pretty fabrics by crafts editor Alaina Binks

110

RIVERSIDE RETREAT Inspired by Kiwi and Scandi summerhouses, one couple have created a stylish bolthole on the banks of the River Avon

118 124 132 139

Features

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE How to keep pigs: tried-and-tested tips from our expert Sally Coulthard

GROUND JEWELS A treasure trove of dazzling spring flowers is in a woodland setting in the Malvern Hills

29 33

GOING GREENER Our guide to a sustainable life

FLOWER & THE GLORY A 17th-century ironstone cottage has become a family home and HQ for a blooming business

CRESCENDO OF COLOUR A delightful medley of showstopping blooms makes springtime extra special in a Kentish country garden

SIMON’S AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE Celebrated documentary maker Simon Reeve on his journey from zero to hero

10 QUESTIONS WITH… PAULA SUTTON An audience with the queen of ‘cottage core’

BEST OF BRITISH: KENT LAMB We champion regional specialities from artisan producers

GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK Everything you need to know to get the most from your plot this month

countryliving.com/uk

VIEW FROM HERE Susy Smith reveals the books that have informed and inspired her love of nature

A WORD FROM THE CL TEAM Please note that the content in this magazine was created during the evolving coronavirus crisis. We have updated features where we can, but it is not possible to anticipate all eventualities as we go to press. So please be aware that some events and offers may be subject to availability, postponement or cancellation. We do hope you continue to enjoy the magazine and that you stay safe and well.

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52 MARCH 2022 ISSUE 435

Contents 62

A SERENADE TO SPRING Angela Harding’s linocut prints chart the changing seasons

LABOURS OF LOVE Entrepreneurial success stories from seven mother-and-daughter duos

THE RUFF GUIDE TO… JACK RUSSELLS In our series for dog-lovers, we celebrate another favourite breed

STARTING FROM SCRAP The fine art of creating brilliant new uses for old and discarded materials

104

THE MOST RESILIENT PLANT ON THE PLANET Jessica J Lee hails an unsung hero

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A MONTH IN THE LIFE OF… the woman on a mission to fill Britain with blossom

Wellbeing 143

GROW YOUR OWN SUPERFOODS Our pick of fruit and veg that deliver health benefits in spades

147

WELLBEING FOR MIND & BODY Natural tips and remedies to help you feel your best

Food & drink 148

HUMBLE HOME COOKING Kate Humble’s seasonal recipe ideas from her south Wales farm

156

TARTS OF GOLD Nutritious apple and pear desserts that are perfect for nippy March days

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News, views & events

8 9

TEN BUCOLIC BOOKS Our pick of spring’s best reads

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT DFS Discover our range of beautiful sofas

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT CARPETRIGHT Our quality flooring range

FAMILY FIRM FAVOURITES Meet the Country Living artisans working with their nearest and dearest

102

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT HOMEBASE Our stylish new kitchens

108 160

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY Places to go, things to do and ideas to try in March

COUNTRY LIVING HOLIDAYS Exclusive trips

ON THE COVER Easy rustic style pages 40, 70, 148 and 156 Start a family firm page 80 Weather page 30 Superfoods page 143 How to keep pigs page 23 Terriers page 89 20 best blooms page 118 Renovating page 110 COUNTRY LIVING HOME DELIVERY Subscribe to Country Living and delight in the British countryside from the comfort of your home. Details on page 108 COVER CREDIT Photograph by Polly Wreford. Styling by Sally Denning

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COUNTRY LIVING, ISSN 0951-0281, is published monthly (12 times a year) by Hearst UK c/o Express Mag, 12 Nepco Way, Plattsburgh, NY, 12903. Periodicals Postage paid at Plattsburgh, NY. POSTMASTER: send address changes to COUNTRY LIVING c/o Express Mag, PO Box 2769, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-0239. Hearst UK is a trading name of The National Magazine Company Limited (Registered in England number 112955) and Hearst UK 2012-1 Ltd (Registered in England number 4474102) whose registered offices are at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4AJ. Country Living is distributed by Frontline Ltd, Peterborough Tel: 01733 555161. This publication is sold subject to the following conditions: that it shall not, without the consent of the publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired or otherwise disposed of by way of Trade except at the full retail price of £4.99; it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition, or in any unauthorised cover by way of Trade of affixed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. Sources, uses and disclosures of personal data held by Hearst Magazines UK are described in the official Data Protection Register. Already a subscriber? Visit hearstmagazines.co.uk/managemyaccount to update your contact details, renew your subscription and find out when your next issue is due to be delivered. Contact us at hearstmagazines.co.uk/contact-us. Call us on 01858 438423*; lines open weekdays, 8am-9.30pm; Saturdays, 8am-4pm. Please note: you can also contact us regarding back issues and special editions. All paper used to make this magazine is from sustainable sources in Scandinavia and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines you can help to reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure that you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable to participate in a recycling scheme, pass your magazine on to a local hospital or charity. This magazine can be recycled either through your kerbside collection, or at a local recycling point. Log on to recyclenow.com and enter your postcode to find your nearest sites.

A note from the editor

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK BOLTON. ILLUSTRATION BY ANGELA HARDING

I’ve been doing a lot of walking recently. It has been a conscious decision. I realised towards the end of last year that I’d been sitting at my desk for way too long each day. It’s so easy to lose track of time when you are constantly juggling deadlines and it isn’t good for the mind or body. So, irrespective of weather or workload, I’ve forced myself to get outdoors for at least an hour every day. The benefits have been immediate and plentiful: I’m calmer, clearer-headed and feel more positive. What’s more, the longer I’m able to spend in the fresh air, the better my perspective on life. “Walking is one of the most underrated things that we can do for our wellbeing,” says renowned documentary-maker Simon Reeve (below right), who believes that it should be prescribed as a tonic for physical, mental and emotional wellness. In our fascinating interview with Simon on page 36, the former wild-child-turned-TV-star candidly shares how the power of nature and animals has helped him to overcome difficulties in life and find a sense of tranquillity. Connecting with the landscape and changing seasons is something that is also fundamental to artist Angela Harding. You are probably familiar with her linocut prints of British birds, exquisitely crafted in the studio at the bottom of her garden in Rutland. On page 62, we feature some favourite images from her springtime collection (below left), together with the heartwarming personal stories behind them. They provide an uplifting reminder that spring, with its longer days and lighter evenings, is just around the corner!

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Ten BUCOLIC BOOKS

Our pick of this spring’s best reads for country-lovers

The Insect Crisis by Oliver Milman (Atlantic Books, £16.99)

From The Guardian’s environmental reporter, this is part celebration of our insect population, part wake-up call to protect the species upon which our own survival depends. Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (Vintage, £14.99)

This captivating novel charts one woman’s quest to reintroduce wolves to the Scottish Highlands as she attempts to rewild a ruined landscape. Going to Seed by Simon Fairlie (Chelsea Green, £14.99)

Simon Fairlie was destined for Oxbridge but dropped out, becoming a vocal campaigner for sustainable living. His story charts a life driven by a deep connection to the land. Forest School for Grown Ups by Richard Irvine (Head of Zeus, £20)

Forest Schools aren’t just for children – this guide will teach adults how to forage for fungi, build a fire and tie a good knot, while lowering stress levels in the process. Otherlands by Thomas Halliday (Penguin, £20)

Journey through the ancient landscapes of the past 500 million years, as paleobiologist Thomas Halliday leads an exhilarating adventure through the earth as it used to be. The Trespasser’s Companion by Nick Hayes (Bloomsbury, £14.99)

For quiet rebels, this is a guide to reclaiming the 94 per cent of land out of bounds in England. Also features words from nature writer Robert Macfarlane. Out April. The Sheep’s Tale by John Lewis-Stempel (Transworld, £12.99)

Sheep are far from stupid. In this affectionate biography of ewes, rams and lambs, the farmer and celebrated author sets the record straight. Out April. Birdgirl by Mya-Rose Craig (Vintage, £16.99)

Aged 19, Mya-Rose Craig has already spotted more than 5,000 types of bird – half the world’s species. This tells of her life so far, defined by her love of all things avian. Out May. Regenesis by George Monbiot (Penguin, £20)

Laying out his vision of a new future for food, the environmentalist reveals how new discoveries could allow us to grow more food while fixing the planet. Out May. Unearthed by Claire Ratinon (Vintage, £16.99)

Growing up in a city, Claire Ratinon felt disconnected from the wilder world but, through learning to grow food, she found a route to nature. Out June.

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

PL ACES TO GO, THINGS T O DO, IDEAS T O TRY

March

“March brings breezes loud and shrill, Stirs the dancing daffodil.” The Months by Sara Coleridge

MARCH 2022

Bookworm

THE BARN BY SALLY COULTHARD The latest book from our Living the Good Life columnist is both an intimate history of a family house and its hinterland and a wider investigation of shifting patterns of work, leisure and domestic life across two-and-a-half centuries. Above all, it is an affectionate celebration of the enduring charm of rural North Yorkshire and a lost agricultural way of life (Head of Zeus, £20).

March TAKE YOUR TIME TO... track garden moths Moth populations have decreased by over 28 per cent in the past 50 years, with more than 60 species disappearing from the UK completely. Become a citizen scientist and help monitor these winged insects by joining the annual Garden Moth Scheme. Put your moth trap (available at nhbs.com) out for one night a week from March to November and record your findings at gardenmoths.org.uk*. You’ll see a handy list of the varieties common in your location there, too.

*BE SURE TO RELEASE MOTHS ONCE YOU'VE RECORDED THEM

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

TRY YOUR HAND AT… FOSSIL HUNTING Turn a walk along the beach into time travel with the UK Association of Fossil Hunters. Wrap up warm as you comb cold sands, reading the story of millions of years of life on earth through the teeth, skeletons and shells of creatures preserved in its geology. A 20-people limit on trips to these fossiliferous hotspots ensures everyone gets the guidance — and odds — they need to bring back a fantastic find. ukafh.com

OF THE BEST...

spots to see the sun rise

Start the day in spectacular style as daylight savings moves the dawn closer NESS POINT, SUFFOLK The first part of the UK to see the sunrise, this peninsula near Lowestoft offers a front-row seat. GLASTONBURY TOR, SOMERSET Gold and pink streaks light up the mist rolling over 360° views of the Vale of Avalon. CROMER, NORFOLK Dark waves act as a metronome at the end of the pier, marking out time as day creeps over the North Sea. BAMBURGH, NORTHUMBERLAND (right) Walk along the beach under Bamburgh Castle, silhouetted against fiery orange skies reflected in the rockpools. DARTMOOR, DEVON Watch light spread like molten gold over the moorland from lofty viewpoints such as Haytor or Emsworthy Rocks.

MARCH 2022

countryliving.com/uk

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

March

MADE IN BRITAIN… BEST OF KENT HAMPER Looking for a gourmet gift for Mother’s Day? This Macknade hamper contains a mix of the finest artisan products from the Garden of England. Treats include Clear Hex Honey made by bees from the chalk downlands, and local raspberry jam. Here’s hoping she’ll share the pecan and maple cookies from Herne Bay’s Zingiberi Bakery with you (£60; macknade.com).

DON’T MISS The World Pasty Championships CELEBRATE ST PIRAN’S DAY, CORNWALL’S NATIONAL DAY, WITH THE ‘OGGY OSCARS’. THE WORLD PASTY CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE EDEN PROJECT ON 5 MARCH BRINGS TOGETHER COMPETING BAKERS FROM CORNWALL AND BEYOND, ALONGSIDE LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY. LEARN TO MAKE YOUR OWN GOLDEN PASTRY PURSE, TAKING INSPIRATION FROM THE COMPETITION’S ‘OPEN’ CATEGORIES IN WHICH TRADITIONAL MINCE BEEF AND VEG IS REPLACED BY NOVEL ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS HAGGIS, SAUSAGE AND SWEET POTATO. CORNISHPASTYASSOCIATION.CO.UK

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EAT THE SEASONS DANDELIONS More than just a humble weed, the gold studs of dandelions from spring verges are traditionally a forager’s delight. Rich in magnesium, copper, calcium, potassium and manganese, they even beat spinach ounce for ounce on iron content. Flowers, roots and leaves can all be eaten. Harvest before you mow the lawn, or from areas not sprayed with pesticide. Use the roasted roots for digestive tea and the young, milder leaves to add a bitter kick to salads.

The number of days a bat will hibernate before it begins to emerge in March, ready to feed again

SPOTTER’S GUIDE Field visitors Grey partridge

As our farmland springs back to life, wild creatures venture out to take a look STOAT A flash of red-brown in grassy edges or amid the furrows may be all you glimpse of this slinky little mustelid, as it bolts for the safety of a hedgerow or dry stone wall. ROE DEER One of two native species in the UK, delicate caramel-coloured roe deer are familiar sights in fields in spring, white rumps bouncing away skittishly across the cropland.

Stoat 12

MARCH 2022

GREY PARTRIDGE These red-faced gamebirds were once common. Sightings are rarer now but you may spot them in field margins of arable farms.

Roe deer countryliving.com/uk

discover…

Take a short stroll uphill from the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset and you’ll stumble across the 14th-century St Catherine’s Chapel. Built by monks from the nearby abbey, this place of pilgrimage offers a glimpse of Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland. Explore the nooks and crannies to find the ‘wishing holes’ where women would pray to St Catherine for handsome husbands (english-heritage.org.uk).

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

March

Where to stay

The Causeway Coast & Glens

After a day of adventure, head back to a suite at the Galgorm (left). Overlooking the River Maine, the spa has saunas and steam rooms, heated pools and riverside hot tubs. Once relaxed and renewed, make for the River Room restaurant for fine fare showcasing local producers (B&B from £250pp; galgorm.com). After somewhere to stay with your dog? The Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy has rooms to please pet and owner. Go for walkies around the Game of Thrones’ ‘Iron Islands’ (B&B from £100pp; fullerton-arms.com).

NORTHERN IRELAND In this ancient Celtic kingdom, wooded glens give way to a craggy coastline interspersed with sweeping sandy beaches. Red squirrels scamper through the deep forests and seabirds assemble in vast cliffside colonies. At this time of year, the weather may be unpredictable, but spectacular scenery is a cert in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO Embrace the elements on The Gobbins cliff-face walk at Islandmagee. Built by Berkeley Deane Wise, a pioneering Victorian railway engineer, this modernised coastal trail traverses tunnels, tubular bridges and subsea-level caves where waves boom beyond the walls. You’ll be rewarded with views of distant isles, including Ailsa Craig in Scotland (£20 for a guided tour; thegobbins cliffpath.com). For an otherworldly seascape, head for Giant’s Causeway (above right), north-east of Bushmills. The National Trust’s most popular location, this UNESCO World Heritage Site must be seen to be believed. Visit at daybreak to beat the crowds and see the sun rise over primordial pillars of basalt (discovernorthernireland.com).

PLACES TO EAT Overlooking the sprawling sands of Portstewart Strand, Harry’s Shack serves up seafood caught by local fishermen. Try to choose between Mulroy mussels and Greencastle hake – or simply order both (facebook.com/ HarrysShack). For an elegant eatery, head to The French Rooms in Bushmills. Book a fireside table in the Petite Salon and feast on Donegal smoked salmon, Apperley’s fillet steak and tarte Tatin for afters (thefrenchrooms.com).

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Where to shop

On the second Sunday of the month, local traders gather in bustling Ballycastle for the Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market (above left). Stop by to browse street food, ceramics, homeware and haberdashery (naturallynorthcoastandglens.co.uk). For a taste of Northern Irish history, visit Bushmills Distillery (above right) – the oldest of its kind in the world. We recommend a bottle from the Causeway Collection, a limited-edition run of single malt whiskeys (bushmills.eu). countryliving.com/uk

WORDS BY ANNA MELVILLE-JAMES AND LAURAN ELSDEN. INFORMATION CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS SITUATION, SO PLEASE CALL IN ADVANCE TO CHECK DETAILS. CL TRAVELLED TO NORTHERN IRELAND COURTESY OF TOURISM IRELAND (TOURISMIRELAND.COM). PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES; ANDREW MONTGOMERY; STOCKFOOD/ANDREAS LAUERMANN. ILLUSTRATION BY ALLIRA TEE

WEEKENDERS

SHOP SMALL

This hand-thrown earthenware candleholder is by Norwichbased potter Emily Mitchell and comes in a selection of colours, £60*

Stoneware plate (W25cm x H17cm) by Sue Gunn decorated with a daisy and dot pattern, £24. Made individually in West Yorkshire

Choose from a violet or sky blue trim on these waffle cotton hand towels from Matilda Goad, £40/set of two (of the same colour)

emporium

From a set of three linencotton-mix tea towels – two in a checked print (blue and yellow) and a coordinating daisy pattern, £24, Wallace Cotton

Our home and crafts editor Alaina Binks handpicks her favourite pieces from makers, the high street and small businesses

*CANDLE NOT INCLUDED

Cocoa and shea butter hand cream by Plum & Ashby. Choose from several scents including oakmoss with thyme and wild fig with saffron, £13

Classic powder-coated galvanized-steel British garden bench inspired by 18th- and 19th-century styles. It’s available in 20 colours and three sizes, from £1,395, Norfolk Garden Furniture

countryliving.com/uk

Jill Pargeter’s printed linen bird with hand-drawn pattern contains lavender and can go inside a wardrobe or chest of drawers, £10

This Chatham striped hemp shirt is named after Chatham Dockyard in Kent where hemp was once spun into rope and sailcloth, £72. Available in sizes S-XXL, Babble & Hemp

MARCH 2022

SHOP SMALL

Editor’s choice

Wheel-thrown pouring bowls in auberginepink glaze, from £90/set of three, Lucy Rutter. Made to order

MARCH 2022

PHOTOGRAPH BY NATO WELTON

“These stoneware nesting bowls are a useful kitchen accessory – for whisking up batter, mixing dressings, whipping cream or serving a salad. They’re so beautiful, I leave my set out on display even when I’m not using them.”

SHOP SMALL

Sarah Morpeth’s spring scene is a detailed paper cut card, which presses flat to make it easy to post, £21.50 from Made by Hand Online This Mosser Glass pitcher has appealing vintage style and is £45 from The Hambledon. Tumblers and cake stands are available, too

This pansy pendant is hand embroidered by Marg Dier, from £40. Other colours can be made to order as well as different flowers

emporium Use this rustic galvanizedsteel rail in a variety of spaces from the bathroom and kitchen to a potting shed, £22, Garden Trading

This charming Geese in the Grass design is new from Susie Watson Designs and uses a mix of free-hand and sponge painting on china, £22 for this straight mug

This pretty Bee and Spring Flowers print by Lindsay Atkinson of Little Birdy Designs decorates a range of ceramics and this cotton tea towel, £15

Follow @CLArtisans on Instagram to see more unique products from talented makers 20

FOR STOCKISTS see Where to Buy

MARCH 2022

PHOTOGRAPH BY PICASA. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. *HANDLES ARE SOLD SEPERATELY AND WALLPAPER INSERT NOT AVAILABLE (SHOWN ONLY AS AN IDEA TO DO YOURSELF)

This freestanding tall cupboard can come with drawers or doors below and painted in a colour of your choice, from £3,528, from Huckleberry’s Unfitted collection*

Living the GOOD LIFE There’s never been a better time to go self-sufficient. In our ongoing series, Sally Coulthard shares tried-and-tested tips from her Yorkshire smallholding

THIS MONTH Pig keeping countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

Author and seasoned smallholder Sally shares her Yorkshire plot with sheep, horses, chickens, ducks, an orchard, vegetable garden and pond ’ve got a plan brewing that involves Gloucestershire Old Spots and our gnarly apple orchard. I often find myself looking at the crooked trees and imagining a couple of porkers nosing around the roots. But if I’ve learnt anything from watching the efforts of friends and neighbours, it’s that pig keeping is not something to be entered into lightly. You need a plan before taking the leap, and not least plenty of decent electric fencing. Pigs have been part of our rural landscape for centuries. In medieval times, one of the most valuable common rights a villager had was the freedom to put his pigs out to forage in woodland, where they could fatten up on acorns, beech nuts and berries. This was called ‘pannage’ and was a lifeline for the everyday peasant who would have otherwise struggled to keep livestock for meat. When farming and industry became more intensive in the 18th and 19th centuries, and fewer people had access to woodland, villagers turned to keeping pigs in their own back yards. With their greedy, unfussy appetites, pigs could be fed on boiled kitchen scraps, potatoes, spent grains from brewing, and whey, the by-product of making butter and cheese in the farmhouse. The farmer would buy in piglets in spring, fatten them up over summer and early autumn, and then slaughter them just before winter. This short cycle of pig rearing was sensible – not only did it mean the farmer had fresh meat going into the coldest, leanest part of the year but he also didn’t have to spend lots of money on pig feed over winter. Smallholders today tend to follow the same traditional routine of buying in weaned piglets at about eight to ten weeks old, and

MARCH 2022

then keeping them for five to six months (some breeds take longer than this). Rearing them on a small scale means you can choose interesting rare breeds and keep them housed out in the fresh air. This not only feels like a much more natural and sustainable approach than commercial rearing, which involves huge buildings and a specific feed and medication routine, but raising your own pigs will also give you meat with a depth of flavour rarely achieved from fast-growing, commercial breeds such as Large Whites. Deciding to keep pigs, however, should involve much consideration. They’re bright, robust animals with a tendency for escapology and cheerful destruction. Someone will need to feed and check on them twice a day. They also need lots of space – a rough guide is about a quarter of an acre for three growing pigs. Pigs can soon turn a field into a quagmire, so choose a free-draining site. Deciduous woodland is ideal, providing plenty of extra food and shade. If you want your pigs to thrive outdoors, you’ll need to choose hardy breeds (see the suggestions opposite). They’re also social animals, so make sure you keep more than one. But don’t get carried away either – one pig will produce plenty of meat for a family of four. Starting with pigs can be a hefty investment in both time and money, so it’s worth finding yourself a ‘pig mentor’, an experienced pig keeper who can show you the ropes. There are also some excellent short courses for novices – Kate Humble (humblebynature.com) runs a fantastic ‘Pigs for Beginners’ day at her farm in Monmouthshire (read more about Kate and her favourite recipes on page 148), there’s also one at Sussex’s Mantel Farm (mantelfarmshop.co.uk), Crook Barn in Cumbria (pigkeepingcourses.co.uk) and Emma’s Pigs in Herefordshire (emmaspigs.co.uk). As you’ll learn on any of these, provided you do your homework, pig keeping is almost always as rewarding as it is demanding. Their personalities are as big as their appetites and they’ll keep you endlessly entertained with their high jinks, even if that involves them escaping for the umpteenth time that week. Now I might just go and take another look at our orchard… countryliving.com/uk

THE GOOD LIFE

3 of the best

Pig keeping

BREEDS FOR SMALLHOLDERS

GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOT A breed traditionally kept in orchards, where it could feast on windfall apples and fresh grass. Hardy with a great temperament, it produces excellent roasting joints and sausages.

BERKSHIRE Often called the ‘Lady’s Pig’ because its medium size makes it easier to handle, this disease-resistant breed is a good option for novices. Meat is wonderfully marbled and perfect for slow cooking.

Pigs’ personalities are as big as their appetites GET THE KIT

TAMWORTH A hardy breed with particularly bristly skin, the Tamworth is thought to be the closest relative to the Old English forest pig. Traditionally reared for bacon but also produces lovely pork. Visit britishpigs.org.uk for more information on British breeds.

STARTER PELLETS Free from artificial growth promoters and GM ingredients. £19.99, percyspetproducts.co.uk.

PIG ARK Tough, weatherresistant and made from 100% recycled agricultural plastic. From £351.60, solwayrecycling.co.uk.

BEGINNERS’ GUIDE This book by Tony York is a thorough guide that includes all you’ll need to get going. (Teach Yourself, £14.99). MARCH 2022

THE GOOD LIFE

Pig keeping

7questions

…with a rare-breed pig enthusiast Mandy Garbutt is secretary of the Gloucestershire Old Spots (GOS) Pig Breeders’ Club, which supports keepers and breeders

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Have you always been passionate about pigs? I used to say that if we ever got a house with land, I wanted a red tractor and some pigs. In 2003, we bought our smallholding and a year later I got my wish.

Why Gloucestershire Old Spots? I didn’t want to keep just any old pigs. I liked the GOS because they belong to our heritage and, happily, seemed most suited to our climate up here in North Yorkshire. They’re very hardy and can cope with our winters.

Sage and onion sausages Makes 8-10 Preparation 30 minutes 1 TBSP SAGE (DRIED OR FRESH) 1 TSP GARLIC GRANULES SALT PEPPER 1KG FREE RANGE HIGH-WELFARE PORK MINCE (NOT TOO LEAN) 100G BREADCRUMBS 1 ONION (FINELY SLICED AND FRIED UNTIL CRISPY) 2M SAUSAGE SKINS (PRE-SOAKED) EQUIPMENT SAUSAGE STUFFER (WE USE THE MASTER FENG ONES WHICH YOU CAN BUY FOR ABOUT £20 ON AMAZON)

1 In a large mixing bowl, add the herbs and seasoning (to your taste) to the pork mince. Mix with your hands until bound well.

MARCH 2022

2 Sprinkle in the breadcrumbs with a splash of water. Add the fried onions, making sure they are fully cooled (pre-cooked crispy onions also work well). 3 Use your hands to knead and distribute the ingredients evenly. 4 Feed the sausage skin onto the nozzle of your sausage stuffer, ensuring it’s still wet from presoaking. 5 Pipe the sausage meat through into the sausage casings, twist at your desired size and set in the fridge for a few hours before cooking. They will keep for 4-5 days in the fridge. TOP TIP If you haven’t got a sausage stuffer, you can make skinless sausages by shaping the ingredients with your hands. The end result will be will be less juicy but still delicious.

Most common pig-keeping mistake? Assuming that you can just chuck pigs in a field, fling food in and let them get on with it. In reality, they’re the most demanding of livestock and small-scale keepers should be aware that they need feeding, watering and checking twice a day.

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High points? Farrowing my first piglets, watching a mum and litter gallop around the paddock, and winning a rosette.

…and lows? Sending your first pigs to the abattoir is tough but it helps knowing they had the best life you could give them. I’ve sent more than 200 pigs, but I’m still sad when they go. Tips for beginners? Pig keeping isn’t for everyone, which is why we advise starting with a couple of piglets. Once you send them off for meat, you can decide if you enjoyed the experience and want to go further. FIND OUT MORE at gospbc.co.uk.

MAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREW MONTGOMERY. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY EUAN ADAMSON; TARA FISHER; GETTY IMAGES. ILLUSTRATION BY ALLIRA TEE

HOW TO MAKE

Who’s in your pigsty now? We’ve got some real characters. There’s Mr Darcy Senior, an absolute gentleman; Chloe, who’s cantankerous and a bit of a drama queen; Lottie, a ten-month-old who likes a scratch; and the youngest, Poppy, who’s the noisiest girl I know, especially around mealtimes.

Going GREENER Our quick and easy guide to sustainable living

ALL THE FUN OF

The fair

This month marks the 25th annual Fairtrade Fortnight, with hundreds of fundraising events planned. Money raised will support farmers in Ethiopia, Kenya and Honduras, where farms have been disastrously affected by climate change. Fairtrade aims to give producers in developing countries the opportunity to work in a more socially, economically and environmentally friendly way. You can also support the cause by buying Fairtradecertified products: we love Karma Cola (karmadrinks.co.uk), Cocoa Loco chocolate (cocoaloco.com) and Ethletic trainers (ethletic.com). Find out more at fairtrade.org.uk.

WATCH A WALRUS Aspiring ecologists can now track walruses from their sofas, thanks to a new citizen science project. The British Antarctic Survey and World Wide Fund for Nature are asking volunteers to help spot and log walruses from images captured by space satellites. As sea ice diminishes, walruses must congregate on land to mate. The data gathered will help experts understand how the animals have been affected by climate change. wwf.org.uk/learn/walrus-from-space

“In nature, there is no concept of waste. Everything is food for something else.” Ellen MacArthur

ONE CHANGE TO MAKE THIS MONTH…

Fix your phone at home DID YOU KNOW… …if you go down to the beach today, you might find it’s cleaner than usual? Bans on plastic bags and cotton buds have helped cut litter to its lowest level in more than two decades, according to the Marine Conservation Society. Its latest Great British Beach Clean recorded an average of 385 bits of rubbish per 100 metres, down from 835 in 2014. mcsuk.org

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Help reduce the 53 million tonnes of e-waste produced each year by repairing your electronics. Apple users can now fix faulty phones at home, with parts, tools and manuals available to users (apple.com/uk). To develop your skills further, The Restart Project offers nationwide events, teaching customers how to fix everything from tablets to toasters (therestartproject.org).

192 The number of countries participating in Earth Hour on 27 March, the annual 60-minute shutdown of all electric lights (earthhour.org).

countryliving.com/uk

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MARCH 2022

ECO LIVING

Going GREENER IS BRITAIN GETTING WETTER? Being an island, we’re protected against those extremes in North America, but the UK still broke its maximum temperature record twice in the past 20 years (in 2019 and 2003). Then, in 2020, we experienced record rainfall, causing nationwide flash flooding.

IS IT WORSE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE? Everywhere could experience more flooding in years to come but urban spaces are most vulnerable to flash floods because concrete and Tarmac are impermeable. The wettest regions, like north-west Scotland and Cumbria, will also become wetter. At the moment, both areas get about three metres of rain per year, while the driest parts of the UK, in East Anglia, get 60 centimetres.

The coast from East Anglia to Kent is certainly the UK’s sunniest spot, with about 1,600 hours of sunshine per year, compared with north-west Scotland, which has around 900 hours. In 2019, the UK’s hottest-ever temperature (38.7°C) was recorded in Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

WILL IT GET TOO HOT TO HANDLE?

ASK AN

ECO EXPERT

Well, most UK homes don’t have air conditioning, so already when heatwaves hit, it can be challenging – particularly for very young and elderly people. The 2020 heatwave was thought to be responsible for 2,000 deaths and if we have more weather like that, we could face melting roads, railways buckling and dry vegetation, increasing the risk of wildfire.

This month Liam Dutton, Channel 4’s weather presenter, on the long-range forecast for climate change

HAVE YOU ALWAYS HAD YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS? Growing up in south Wales, the rainstorms, snow-capped mountains and wonderful cloud formations fascinated me. I studied geography at university and then joined the BBC Weather Centre as a broadcast assistant. Two years on, I started reporting on camera and in 2011 became Channel 4 News’ first weather presenter.

IS OUR WEATHER GETTING WILDER? There have definitely been more extreme weather events since I started reporting 20 years ago. The 2020 heatwave in North America shocked me: Canada reached 49.6°C, breaking its previous hot weather record by 5°C. Records are usually broken by fractions of a degree, so this was startling. Then in the UK, the weather has been changing markedly, with our climate becoming warmer and wetter due to climate change.

SO WHAT’S GOING ON? For every degree that global temperatures rise, the atmosphere can hold seven per cent more moisture, which means heavier rainfall and more flooding.

MARCH 2022

GIVE US A RAY OF HOPE… What I’ve spoken about may sound worrying but we are capable of sorting this out. Still, it’s important we understand weather: it impacts us all and everything we do, from our mood to the way our days play out, so it deserves all the attention it gets.

AND FINALLY… EVER BEEN CAUGHT WITHOUT YOUR UMBRELLA? When Storm Doris hit in 2017, I travelled to Rhyl in north Wales to film the impact. The waves were crashing over the harbour wall, and I had to lean into the 95mph wind to stand up. I also had to abandon a live broadcast because of lightning a few years ago – not good when you’re wired up with a microphone next to a satellite truck!

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Do it today… “Look up!” Liam says. “We’re so busy, we often don’t notice what’s happening in the sky. But the great thing about weather is that everyone has access to it: all you need is a window.”

Do it tomorrow… Tune in to Liam’s YouTube channel to learn more about common weather phenomena and how they’re caused. You can follow him on Instagram, too @liamtheweatherman.

Do it this year… Look out for Liam’s book – a non-fiction illustrated children’s book that teaches young readers about the weather, out this September.

COMPILED BY AND INTERVIEW BY SARAH BARRATT. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; CHANNEL 4; GETTY IMAGES

AT LEAST THE EAST IS SUNNY…

COLUMN

View from here

ILLUSTRATION BY MAY VAN MILLINGEN

To mark the 25th World Book Day this month, Susy Smith reveals the reads that have informed and inspired her life-long love of nature here would we be without books? They can enlighten us on any number of subjects. They can transport us to myriad other worlds created by masterly wordsmiths. They can engross us to the point where we forget the everyday. Often, we don’t know what to expect when we embark on them. We scan the blurb, check the reviews, flick through the pictures. It’s not until we are fully immersed, however, that we know if this particular writer will ‘speak’ to us in a way that matters. And when they do, a certain kind of alchemy takes place: we find ourselves entranced – laughing out loud, gripped with fear or with tears streaming down our faces. How wonderful to have the power to elicit this response. I am filled with awe and envy. As I scan my own bookshelves, I find an eclectic mix. There are the reads I return to time and again; there are the fanciful works that I rarely open but just like the look of; and there are my many gardening titles, detailing everything from landscape design to botanical terminology. The books that I probably turn to most, however, are those about nature. When a mystery butterfly appears in my garden, or I see a bird I don’t recognise, I refer to one of my handbooks to identify it. These include the iconic Observer Guides, easy to carry around and as useful today as they ever were, and a lesser-known series – Nature Rambles: An Introduction to Country Lore – also pocket-sized and published in the 1930s by Frederick Warne & Co. Then there are the ‘big hitters’: Flora Britannica by Richard Mabey and Fauna Britannica by Duff Hart-Davis. These tomes are essentially encyclopaedias, rigorously documenting the plants and creatures of the British Isles. These I call ‘rainy day books’. When it’s drab and grey outside, I can light a fire, curl up with one of these and disappear for hours into pages of fascinating history, regional anecdotes and stunning colour photography. My bedtime reading tends to be something lighter and more lyrical. It might be the latest masterpiece by Mark Cocker, Robert Macfarlane or Patrick Barkham. Currently in my ‘waiting-to-be-read’ pile are English Pastoral by James Rebanks and Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty, each celebrating their own particular piece of the British countryside. During lockdown last year, a friend gave me a copy of Vesper Flights by the sublimely gifted Helen Macdonald. I had already read, countryliving.com/uk

and loved, H is for Hawk, Macdonald’s award-winning story about the highs and lows of training a goshawk as she struggled with bereavement following the death of her father. Vesper Flights is a wide-ranging collection of essays about the human relationship with the natural world. To read Macdonald’s words on her conflicted childhood feelings around bird’s nests and, later, on conversing with a falcon chick about to hatch, through its shell, is enthralling. Quite aside from the knowledge she imparts, her language is beautiful and often immensely moving. But it can also be frank and forthright when necessary: “These are terrible times for the environment. Now, more than ever before, we need to look long and hard at how we view and interact with the natural world. We’re living through the world’s sixth great extinction, one caused by us.” And that brings me to the work that’s influenced me most, a classic first published more than 200 years ago and never out of print. The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, written by pioneering naturalist the Reverend Gilbert White, is a series of observations and theories about the flora, fauna and wildlife in and around his Hampshire village. In an era where most naturalists relied on a supply of dead specimens for detailed examinations, White studied living birds and animals in their natural habitat and is credited with classifying several species and with discovering the harvest mouse. He is now acclaimed as the first ecologist. When my children were young and we lived in rural Hampshire, Selborne was the next village along from ours. I found it fascinating to walk in White’s footsteps along the green lanes and through the ancient beech woodland, finding, in some cases, that little had changed. Finally, my most quirky nature book is Birds as Individuals by a certain (Miss) Len Howard. Written in the 1950s from Bird Cottage in Sussex, and illustrated with black and white photographs, Howard’s chapters describe her joy in the tame garden birds that roost in her home, sit on her shoulder and eat from her hands. My copy is well-thumbed and I almost feel that Miss Howard is an old friend. And this is why books, and their stories, are so powerful: they offer us a glimpse into the lives of others. These lives may be very different from ours, and yet we come to realise that, regardless, we are all united by the same struggles and triumphs, needs and desires. And for that reason, for me at least, the digisphere will never replace the magical worlds of a book. NEXT MONTH Susy Smith reveals her favourite treasures from our CL artisans. Meanwhile, you can follow her on Instagram @susysmithmacleod.

MARCH 2022

PROFILE

SIMON’S AWFULLY BIG

adventure

He was a wild child who left school with no qualifications. Now, he’s a celebrated documentary-maker working all over the world. Simon Reeve shares his journey from zero to hero INTERVIEW BY LAURA SILVERMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARK BOLTON

imon Reeve is all aglow. He has just come in from the cold and is smoothing his boy-band fringe with both hands. “Woodland is so powerful for me,” he says, dreamy-eyed. “My ancestors must have been people of the trees because I feel such relief among them.” This relief has a particular pull for a man who spends five months a year on the road, on the ocean and in the air. The “telly traveller” has made more than 25 series in 20 years, spanning 120 countries from the Balkans to Burma, and escaping cheetahs, pirates and the KGB, who arrested him for spying. When he’s here, at home on Dartmoor, he’s pinballing between meetings for TV projects and campaigns, or throwing himself into country life. He spends an inordinate amount of time chopping wood for the biomass boiler: “One of our neighbours gave me a nudge and a wink the other day, and said, ‘I’ve got an electric log splitter. It’s sweet: it will go through anything.’ That’s attractive, but it matters to me doing it by hand, you know? It’s a bit of a green gym.” Country life suits Simon – against all his expectations. It was his wife Anya, a camerawoman, who persuaded him they should move to the sticks nine years ago. This was partly for space: they had just had a son, Jake, now ten. Simon was ambivalent. Having grown up in London, he feared living here would be socially isolating. He could not have been more wrong. “It’s like EastEnders in the village!” he cries with pride. “There’s chits and chats. You get a hearty hello and a wave every 20 metres because everyone feels connected.” Since moving into the 125-year-old barn that’s now their home, he has also discovered the power of connection not just with people but countryliving.com/uk

with the landscape. The area, he says, is “like a secret land owned by fairies”; the ancient woodland and the stream “completely magical”. Now, they also have dogs – Obi and Lyla – who Simon walks in places such as Wistman’s Wood. “It’s spiritual there,” he says softly. “It takes my mind to a different place. It is ludicrously calming.”

LIGHT AND SHADE Such tranquillity would have seemed alien to a young Simon. As a boy, he had a turbulent relationship with his dad, a maths teacher at a tough comprehensive; his dad screamed at him, and Simon kicked down doors and punched walls in response. He turned to drinking, smoking and shoplifting to cope. By the age of 17, Simon was standing on a footbridge, ready to end it all. He felt helpless. He was jolted back to the moment by a lorry horn and chose to live. But the future was murky: he had flunked school and lacked ambition. Simon’s fortunes changed when he took a job at The Sunday Times, initially as a postboy. He went on to help journalists who were investigating weapons smuggling and terrorism. He was gripped. In 1998, he published a book about the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. It went, he admits, largely unread, until the attacks of 11 September 2001. Overnight, he became the go-to media expert on Al-Qaeda. The BBC suggested he infiltrate them for a documentary. It never came off. But other programmes did – and he’s been making series for them ever since. Few presenters have Simon’s range, his ability to show light and shade on screen. “I’m drawn to extremes and the experiences you get from those places,” he says with conviction. “That can mean extremely beautiful or extremely inspiring.” Sometimes, MARCH 2022

PROFILE

STEP BY STEP

Simon’s life is so wrapped up with travelling that the lockdowns hit him hard. He talks about how he struggled at home, yearning for the experiences and personal encounters that come with travel. Even in regular times when he can get away, he must still dodge blotches of depression and spirals of negative thoughts that have pursued him since his teenage years. Walking has always been one of his greatest comforts. When Simon was in his early teens, his parents took him and his brother James on holiday to Scotland. “I was suffering from teenage angst, but also proper head-health issues,” he recalls today. “We went for this 23-mile walk near Loch Awe, taking six or seven hours, and that really sparked a transformation in me for a few months. It made me feel happier with myself.” He pauses in reflection. “Oh, God! It was so profound.” Walking is “one of the most underrated things we can do for our wellbeing”, says Simon, extolling how it both pumps blood around the body and enables us to find out what’s around the corner: “We need to prescribe walking as a tonic for us physically, mentally, emotionally.” Simon is currently championing dog walking, as ambassador for the National Trust’s Dogs Welcome project, supported by pet-food company Forthglade. The Trust has given sites a ‘pawprint rating’: from three paws (for the most dog-friendly) to one (better for cat-lovers), and has been adding more dog-waste bins, drinking stations and canine trails near its properties. “It shows just how important dogs have become to us,” says Simon, who grew up wary of them. “Dogs are family. Dogs make a family.” (Cookie, his cat, might have something to say about that.) Obi, a six-year-old German shepherd collie-cross who sounds like Scooby-Doo, and Lyla, a Belgian-German shepherd mix, nearly two, have been a huge “source of mental support” recently. During the lockdowns that have punctuated the past couple of years, Simon says he may well have felt lower without the pad of paws for comfort. A walk with the dogs, or hugging them, both human and hound flumped on the carpet, lifts him: “It’s hard to be down when you’re looking into the eyes of a happy dog. Even when you feel unlovable by everyone else, a dog will always be there for you.”

Lundy as he is reporting from Bangladesh, showing viewers how meltwater from the Himalayas, caused by our changing climate, is now rushing down the Ganges, destroying homes, villages and protected land. He tries neither to victimise nor blame people, attempting instead to understand how they are affected by a situation. His moral compass, he says, comes from his Methodist background, which was “very caring, sharing, a bit hippie-hugging”. He’s not religious, but something stuck. “It’s tricky,” he adds cautiously. “I’m much more selfish now I’ve got a child. I would do anything to give him the best possible life, even though that means using up the carbon footprint of a small Indian town sometimes with a Western lifestyle.” Simon talks avidly about how, increasingly, his team witness the impact of the environmental crisis wherever they go. For all his geniality, he has little patience with climate change deniers or people in power who make things worse. It is “unfathomable… We’re in a war, a battle for the future of life on our planet. There is a tragic risk that we’re going to push ourselves to oblivion.” But there is hope. “I think TV can help, if only a little,” he says, pointing out that six million people can watch one of his programmes. Some documentaries are “wildlife porn”. He tries to show things as they are; he wants to be honest.

SIMON’S SWAY

MORAL COMPASS

Simon’s fan mail suggests he is making a difference, at least to individuals. One man has written to him saying that his 93-year-old mother calls him every time Simon is on TV in excitement. Another, “a working-class lad”, emailed to say that he was so inspired by Simon’s own story that he has pursued his own dreams of going to university, where he has just done a masters. “That was so lovely to hear,” Simon says, his eyes glistening with tears. “Some people might still be buttoned up, but I’m okay with emotion. Let it out!” His emotion and interest in people is a large part of his appeal. That and his photogenic hair. “I express emotion, possibly excessively easily,” he admits. “I cry, I get angry when I see something I don’t like, I don’t bottle things up – and I feel healthier for it.” Off-screen, Simon says, he can be “a grumpy git”. But, for those he encounters for a briefer length of time, he emits a genuine warmth. “I try to stay positive because I believe in human beings,” he says with a smile. “We’re the most wonderful creatures. We’ve got such capability and promise for the future.” He looks serious. “Now we just have to survive.”

But it’s Simon’s own empathy on screen that makes him a star performer. He’s as articulate marvelling over a nature reserve on

FOR MORE ABOUT dog-friendly walks with your pet, head to nationaltrust.org.uk/for-dog-walkers.

MARCH 2022

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY BBC DIGITAL PICTURE SERVICE

it involves conflict zones. “I don’t do these things casually, but I think travel is about embracing all aspects of life and that can involve dangerous parts of the world.” He pauses. “I want to come back. I’ve got lots to live for.”

“I BELIEVE IN HUMAN BEINGS. WE’VE GOT SUCH CAPABILITY AND PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE”

Simon’s STORY 1972 Grows up in west London, often clashing with his dad 1980s Turns to drink and petty crime as he struggles with anxiety and depression. Reaches his lowest ebb aged 17, where he almost ends it all

Early 1990s Turns his life around at The Sunday Times, starting as a postboy and going on to help journalists with terrorism investigations

1998 Brings out his first book, The New Jackals, about the 1993 World Trade Center bombing

2001 After the 9/11 attacks, he becomes an overnight media expert thanks to his (previously little read) book

2003 Presents his first travel series, Holidays in the Danger Zone: Meet the Stans (below left) on BBC Two. He has now made about 25 series in more than 120 countries

2007 Marries Anya, a camerawoman. They will go on to have a son, Jake, now ten

2012 Wins the Royal Geographical Society Ness Award for bringing the world and its environment to a wider audience

2018 Brings out the first volume of his autobiography, Step by Step

2021 Publishes the second volume continuing his story, Journeys to Impossible Places

2022 Champions the National Trust’s Dogs Welcome project, supported by Forthglade, encouraging us all to get outside with our dogs. Filming resumes for his TV series, The Americas (left) countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

HOME INSPIRATION

PASTELS PACK that A PUNCH

Go bold with the gentle new hues of spring: they’re chic, sophisticated and anything but saccharine PRODUCED BY BEN KENDRICK RESEARCH BY CARA LASKARIS

MARCH 2022

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Sweet SITTING ROOMS

Make a strong statement with soft shades in the living room. Plaster pinks are warm and cocooning, while powder blues add elegance and refinement. Sage greens are a mellow way to bring the hues of outside in and and pair especially well with the gentle tones of peach and pink.

10 OPPOSITE The right shade of soft yellow paint can look calm rather than overpowering when used on one wall and teamed with high ceilings and off-white on the remaining walls

1 Cutting Garden Rose matt emulsion paint, £38/2.5L, Country Living Collection at Homebase (homebase.co.uk) *CUSHIONS SOLD SEPARATELY

2 Jag Light linen-mix fabric, £90/m, Kate Forman (kateforman.co.uk) 3 Delilah linen-mix fabric, £95/m, Kate Forman (kateforman.co.uk)

4 The Hemingway Tiny Tots cushion in pink, £65, Evie & Skye (evieandskye.com) 5 Murphy table lamp, £117; 35cm straight empire shade

countryliving.com/uk

in Yellow Tulasi, £62: both Pooky (pooky.com) 6 Leinikki velvet-frill cushion by Projektityyny, £70, Trouva (trouva.com) 7 Woodstock cuddler sofa in mint green, £899*, Country Living Collection at DFS (dfs.co.uk) 8 Carry one shade through an interior. Here, elegant blue woodwork adds subtle colour and character to a rustic, earthy scheme 9 Molly Mahon’s moss green Leaf fabric is complemented by fresh plaster-pink walls (mollymahon.com) 10 A dark wood piano has been painted in a soft sage green, making it less dominant

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Cool KITCHENS

Fresh tones such as powder pink, soft peach and citrus yellow will brighten up daytime areas such as kitchens and breakfast rooms. Painting kitchen units or furniture can also add a pretty, playful touch. Choose cooler greens and blues for more intimate dining areas.

1 Ceramics in a medley of gentle pastel tones are an easy way to introduce subtle colour 2 A soft blush wall warms up this dining room and enhances the patterns and shades of an assortment of plates on display 3 Pastel shades work especially well in pale interiors. Here, an old set of stick-back chairs has been painted in uplifting shades 4 Starry Skies porcelain chalky matt tile in peony blush for walls and floors, £35/sq m, Country Living Collection at Homebase (homebase.co.uk)

7 Old Cotswold Blue matt emulsion paint, £38/2.5L, Country Living Collection at Homebase (homebase.co.uk) 8 Hector pleat medium wall light in light blue, £155, Original BTC (originalbtc.com) 9 Scalloped-edge butter dish in Butter Yellow, £22, KC Hossack Pottery (kchossackpottery.com) 10 Twist candle in rose, £24/six, Birdie Fortescue (birdiefortescue.co.uk) 11 Farmhouse kitchen chair in blush, £120, Cotswold Company (cotswoldco.com)

5 Catina pitcher, £20, Cotswold Company (cotswoldco.com)

12 Candy stripe oven glove, £15, Bluebellgray (bluebellgray.com)

6 Diggins ceramic pudding bowls in Baker’s Blue, £28/pair, Loaf (loaf.com)

OPPOSITE Take inspiration from the abundance of spring flowers in pretty pale shades

MARCH 2022

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

MARCH 2022

Calming BEDROOMS

Softer pastel shades are especially restful and therefore ideal in a bedroom. Delicate florals on quilts and curtains, checks and smaller-scale geometric prints on linen can all introduce more of these hues and add country cottage charm.

10 OPPOSITE Large-scale patterned fabrics aren’t overpowering in pale colours and when mixed with bedding in other soft shades. Paper Doves and Perry Pears fabrics from Sanderson (sanderson. sandersondesigngroup.com)

1 Linen Press matt emulsion paint, £38/2.5L, Country Living Collection at Homebase (homebase.co.uk) 2 Echo alarm clock in mint green by Newgate, £24.95, Annabel James (annabeljames.co.uk)

3 Wilma lamp in pale pink, £52; 25cm empire shade in Liberty’s Quill Bloomer, £53: both Pooky (pooky.com) 4 Evesham chest of drawers in Clear Sky, from £840, The Dormy House (thedormyhouse.com)

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5 Wes patchwork quilt in Rusty Blush, £360, Projektityyny (projektityyny.com) 6 Yellow stripe woven storage basket, £34.50, Oliver Bonas (oliverbonas.com) 7 Joëlle double bed in Soft Green clever softie fabric, from £1,995, Loaf (loaf.com) 8 Children’s room are wellsuited to prettier shades such as on these painted bunk beds 9 Traditional woven blankets and Welsh patterns often come in uplifting pastel shades 10 Dusty pink and soft ochre linens are warm, uplifiting and feel grown up in this bedroom with paint shades by Atelier Ellis (atelierellis.co.uk)

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

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Soothing BATHROOMS Mint green and pale sky blue can look crisp, clean and fresh in a bathroom but warmer hues (such as pale pinks and yellows) can be more relaxing. Delicately patterned blinds or cottage-style sink skirts are a charming way to add personality. Meanwhile, coloured bathware, a long time out of favour, is making a comeback in joyful hues.

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1 Blush-pink walls brighten this bathroom, while an assortment of patterns in Molly Mahon’s jolly shades add cottage charm (mollymahon.com) 2 Cool white and eau de nil are balanced by warm timber beams in an old windmill 3 Carrying one shade right through a room – on the furniture and walls – like this powder blue makes for a smooth and chic look 4 Kip & Co Daisy terry bath towel, £40, Antipodream (antipodream.co.uk) 5 Sakura encaustic cement tiles, £160.80/sq m, Otto Tiles (ottotiles.co.uk)

MARCH 2022

6 Boy Blue matt emulsion, £47/2.5L, Sanderson (sanderson. sandersondesigngroup.com) 7 Lotus antique-style mirror, £125, The Grey Works (thegreyworks.com) 8 Lorena Canals woody basket in Olive, £37, Amara (amara.com) 9 Artisan ceramic wall tile in Blue Skies, £40/sq m, Homebase (homebase.co.uk) 10 Bespoke Confetti Pink Edwardian basin with standard pedestal, £798*, Burlington (burlingtonbathrooms.com) 11 Chichester double washstand in Saffron with marble top, from £2,125, Neptune (neptune.com)

11 countryliving.com/uk

*TAPS SOLD SEPARATELY. PHOTOGRAPHS BY NICK CARTER; RICHARD GADSBY; CATHERINE GRATWICKE; EWA STOCK; HUNTLEY HEDWORTH; HOUSE OF PICTURES/HELENE TORESDOTTER; LIVING4MEDIA; LOUPE IMAGES/CATHERINE GRATWICKE/POLLY WREFORD; NARRATIVES/ BRENT DARBY; EMMA LEWIS; MARK SCOTT; RACHAEL SMITH. STYLING BY BEN KENDRICK; SOPHIE MARTELL; HESTER PAGE

In this bathroom, pastel paint shades feel balanced and harmonious, as they all carry the same weight

INTERVIEW

5 Have you always had an eye for style

PAULA SUTTON

1 What made you leave the city? For years, I worked in fashion, arranging shoots for glossy magazines. I loved it, but work was taking over. I had three young children and longed to spend more time with them. I knew I would have to leave London to make myself stop working so much. So we started looking in Norfolk just over a decade ago, and stumbled across Hill House.

2 Was is it a ‘dream house’ back then? I’ve long been a Jane Austen fan and loved Georgian architecture – and Hill House fitted the bill. When my husband Duncan and I saw it, I knew it had potential but I was desperate to give it a makeover. Inside, it was austere, with this heavy green wallpaper. We’d blown most of our budget on the sale, so I rummaged around curiosity shops and car-boot sales looking for furniture, chronicling everything on Instagram as I went.

3 Now, you inspire more than half a million people with your English country style. What can new followers expect? Hill House is a cosy and colourful celebration of times gone by, yet it’s by no means finished. My Instagram feed is full of pictures of my sitting room, but you never see above the shutters because I haven’t found the perfect chandelier. I’m a slow decorator: I’ll have lamps without shades for years rather than get the wrong one. I’m always adding things, but as they take me so long to find, I want them to stay for ever.

4 Tell us about a few of your favourite things… The Victorian chest of drawers inherited from my husband’s grandmother always makes me giggle because we call it ‘Grandmother’s chest’! But I’m particularly attached to a £50 Edwardian button-back chair that I bought in a vintage shop in south London just after I had my first child [now 20]. Its springs were popping out. I had it reupholstered in a checked fabric by Ian Mankin and love it all the more for having seen it in its raw state.

MARCH 2022

on a shoestring? Yes, I get it from my parents. Like me, my mother was an Austen fan, dreaming of an English country home. But, when she and my father arrived from Grenada in the 1960s, they didn’t have much money, so everything was handed down. It’s never left me. Now, even though I love discovering new designers, I like the bones of my rooms to be pre-loved and have stories. My mother passed away in 2020. Hill House was the home she dreamed of.

6 How important is it to look the part yourself? When we moved here, I tried wearing my husband’s old jumpers so that I wouldn’t stand out, but I soon realised it wasn’t me. I’ve always felt drawn to the retro look, so now I pair dresses with wellies and tweeds. I try to live by the motto, “Save nothing for best and live your best life every day.”

7 Is your life really Instagram-perfect? Up close, nothing here is pristine: the paint is scuffed, the wallpaper is peeling and the roof leaks, so we use buckets when it rains. I’m drawn to the perfectly imperfect.

8 Where do you spend most time? I love dreaming up ideas in the cabin in the garden. I built it myself and keep it stocked with tea and homemade cake. In the evening, I relax in the sitting room with music on the record player and the fire crackling. Heaven!

9 Do you have green fingers? I adore gardening and, after a couple of years here, began to fall in sync with the seasons. In spring, when the light changes and the aconites come out, I begin to emerge from hibernation and we go on lots of walks. But there’s still time to be cosy, making soup and bread when we come inside again.

10 How can we make our own homes more ‘Hill House’? It’s about knowing what makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Next time you walk into one of your rooms, ask yourself whether you feel brighter. If so, you’re on track. If not, make a moodboard by cutting out pages from magazines or visit antiques shops to see what catches your eye. You don’t have to choose just one look: your style should be a melting pot of things you love. If you want to display the teddy bear you had as a child alongside an antique table, brilliant! It’s all part of the charm. HILL HOUSE LIVING by Paula Sutton (Ebury, £22) is out now. Follow Paula on Instagram @hillhousevintage.

countryliving.com/uk

INTERVIEW BY SARAH BARRATT. PHOTOGRAPH BY SIMON BROWN

The founder of Hill House Vintage swapped a full-on fashion career in London to become the queen of ‘cottage core’ in Norfolk

“Your style should be a melting pot of things you love”

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These stylish sofas are handmade to order in UK factories by skilled craftsmen, using quality fabrics from Lancashire mills to create a selection of timeless classics. This chic range comprises six country-inspired sofas including the Country Living Woodstock, featuring Chesterfield arms and subtle seam detailing. Other traditional choices include sumptuous Loch Leven, in velvet or plain fabric; Charlbury, with elegant curved arms and single-cushion seat; Warwick, which pairs a quintessential rolltop back with buttoned arms; and Morland, with classic lines and soft, comfortable cushions in contrasting plaid and plain.

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BEST OF BRITISH

Lamb

In our ongoing series showcasing outstanding British food, we meet the farmers working to the highest animal welfare standards. This month: KENT

LAMB WORDS BY SARAH BARRATT PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID CHARBIT

MARCH 2022

countryliving.com/uk

BEST OF BRITISH

Lamb

Zoë Colville isn’t interested in pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes: there’s more to lambing season than blossom and bottle feeds. It’s 5am and temperatures teeter around zero degrees, but she’s been up for hours. There’s placenta and the odd prolapse, but she doesn’t gloss over the gory bits for her 30,000-plus Instagram followers. The Chief Shepherdess (as she’s known online) makes it clear – farming is no fairy tale. It does make for some good stories, though... Zoë and her boyfriend, Chris Woodhead, are the founders of The Little Farm Fridge – a farm-to-fork meat-delivery business launched during the height of lockdown in 2020. In the fields of the Kentish North Downs, they keep Highland-Dexter cattle, Boer and Anglo Nubian goats, as well as 650 Shetland, Swaledale and Suffolk mule ewes. Strange to think that just seven years ago, Zoë was a hairdresser living in London, and Chris was working as a plumber.

PASTURES NEW Their route to farming was circuitous. Chris was raised on a tenant sheep farm in the Kent village of Meopham, but moved away aged 12 when his father tragically died. Zoë grew up in nearby Boughton Monchelsea but left for London aged 18, to work in a high-end hair salon. The pair met at a party as teenagers, becoming a couple some years later. But calamity struck again for Chris in 2013, when he contracted dengue fever during a trip to Asia, which then developed into ME (a condition he still lives with). Bed-bound for nine months, he found himself reminiscing about his roots. “One day I called Zoë up out of the blue to tell her I’d bought a flock of 32 expectant ewes,” he says. “People told me I should stick to plumbing, but I was determined.” Zoë, however, wasn’t ready to embrace the lifestyle change. “I had bleached blonde hair, wore red lipstick and, when I visited Chris, would totter through the fields in heels,” she laughs. “Chris would say: ‘Come on then, Chief Shepherdess,’ as an ironic joke because I was so clueless.” Undeterred, in 2015, she took a two-week holiday to help with lambing. “It was the best time of my life,” she says. However, on returning to the salon, exhausted and elated, disaster struck. Her father was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, dying five weeks later. “I wasn’t the same person after that,” Zoë says. “I knew I couldn’t give my clients the same service they had before.” Heartbroken, she packed her bags and left hairdressing for good.

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BECOMING A SHEPHERDESS The sheep provided solace for Zoë. “Looking after them helped to heal me,” she says. Seven years on, she is an accomplished shepherdess. But the pair still don’t have a farm to call their own. “Rather than a single plot, we rent several fields across the North Downs,” Chris explains. During lambing season, they live in a caravan to be close to their expectant ewes. The rest of the time, they’re with Chris’s mum who lives in a nearby village. While buying is beyond their budget, they’re optimistic that a tenancy will come up one day. In the meantime, they’ve made a temporary home at Pympes Court Farm. The 99-acre plot near Maidstone is owned by Mrs Duncanson, a landowner passionate about bringing new blood into the farming industry. “She took a chance on us and has been an important part of our journey,” Zoë says. Last year, Mrs D (as she’s affectionately known) even allowed them to hand-build a wooden butcher’s shop on site, which has now become the HQ of The Little Farm Fridge. In the early days, they sold their lamb wholesale, but they had always wanted to sell direct – cutting out food miles and forming real relationships with their customers. Then, as the pandemic took hold, 2020 proved the perfect time to launch their own venture. “There was a surge of support for local businesses and countryliving.com/uk

OPPOSITE AND THIS PAGE Zoë and Chris rent fields across the North Downs where their sheep eat only grass with no supplementary feed. The herd includes Shetland, Swaledale and Suffolk mule ewes

BEST OF BRITISH

Lamb

real interest in where food comes from,” Chris says. “We got lots of enquiries about our lamb, which made us realise the potential.” They learned to butcher meat from YouTube, then took out a loan to pay for a secondhand cabin, mincer and meat tendering hooks. “By the end of the first lockdown, we’d built the business,” Chris continues.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Today, business is booming. Their lamb is delivered frozen, for optimum freshness – and, in a bid to use every part of the animal, cuts include chump, liver, neck and heart. Flavour is of the utmost importance. Last year, for example, they trialled cross-breeding Bluebell rams with Swaledale ewes to produce animals with just the right fat content. They’ve also experimented with breeding Southdown rams with Hebridean ewes, which “gives the lamb an extra bit of oomph”, according to Zoe. “We like our sheep to have a larger frame (resulting in more meat), while being relatively low maintenance and able to fatten on grass alone.” With their large frames, most ewes need little assistance in the lambing department, but still each March the pair are on hand to supervise the birth of around 750 lambs. From birth, the young sheep are free to “graze under the apple trees and in the clover fields”. Their diet is 100 per cent North Downs grass with no supplementary feed. “They thrive off the land without us interfering,” Zoë says. Come November, they’re taken to a local

During lambing season, the couple live in a caravan (above) to be close to their expectant ewes

abattoir to ensure a short travel time and minimal stress for the animals. As someone who’s clearly dedicated to her flock, Zoë admits that at first she found this last step in their journey hard. “In my early twenties, I was vegetarian because I couldn’t afford quality meat. But now I produce it myself, I feel comfortable eating it, knowing that the animal had a good life,” she says. Customers comment on how succulent and flavoursome the meat is. One said tasting it was “like being transported back to childhood when Granny cooked lamb”, while another described how “you can taste the grass”. Many say it’s the best lamb they’ve ever eaten. As a result, the couple struggle to keep up with demand. “It’s beyond our wildest dreams,” Zoë says. Developing such a large following on Instagram has also allowed Zoë to dispel myths about meat production. “There’s a lot of misinformation equating ‘meat free’ with ‘sustainable’,” she says. “It’s good to eat less meat, but when people think they can save the world by eating soy, it’s a problem.” Many might consider Zoë an unorthodox farmer – a favourite with her followers, for example, is Roo the orphan pygmy goat she adopted as a pet, who now sleeps in her caravan – but she’s happy to break the mould. “There’s no rulebook on what makes a good farmer,” she says. Perhaps there will be soon: her memoir, published by Penguin, comes out next year. The Chief Shepherdess is a joke no more. FIND OUT MORE at thelittlefarmfridge.co.uk. Read on for more on how to cook with lamb.

LAMB CUTLETS WITH BULGUR SALAD This dish pairs succulent lamb with lots of vegetables for a hearty and healthy weeknight dinner. Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice mix, available in most supermarkets. Preparation 20 minutes Cooking 35 minutes Serves 4

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANITA BEAN

12 COURGETTES, CUT INTO 5MM SLICES 2 MIXED PEPPERS, DE-SEEDED AND CUT INTO WEDGES 1 LARGE RED ONION, PEELED AND CUT INTO WEDGES 250G CHERRY TOMATOES 1 TSP DRIED THYME 3 TBSP OLIVE OIL 175G BULGUR WHEAT 8 LAMB CUTLETS 1 TSP ZA’ATAR SEASONING FOR THE DRESSING 2 TBSP OLIVE OIL 2 TBSP TAHINI 2 TSP ZA’ATAR SEASONING JUICE 1 LEMON

1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan) gas mark 7. In a large shallow roasting tin, toss the courgettes, peppers, onion, tomatoes and thyme in 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Season well. Roast for 25 minutes, tossing midway through, until the vegetables are tender and beginning to char. 2 Meanwhile, in a large pan, bring the bulgur wheat and 1.1 litres water to the boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain and leave to steam dry for a few minutes. 3 In a large bowl, mix the dressing ingredients, then add the cooked vegetables and the bulgur wheat. Mix and check seasoning. Set aside. 4 Brush the lamb with the remaining 1 tbsp oil and sprinkle over the za’atar. Arrange in a roasting tin and roast in the oven for 4 to 8 minutes per side (depending on how well done you like your lamb). Serve with the bulgur salad.

countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

INSIDER

GUIDE

Lamb

HOMEGROWN PRODUCERS Celebrating the Seasons with the Yorkshire Shepherdess (Pan Macmillan, £20) Amanda Owen – mother of nine and star of Our Yorkshire Farm – combines stories of farm life with sumptuous seasonal recipes. From wild garlic lamb with hasselback roast potatoes to Yorkshire curd tart, the shepherdess’s seventh book is a glorious celebration of food and farming.

NEVILLE FARM, SOMERSET On this family farm, lambs are reared on pasture, according to organic principles. Choose from a whole or half or bespoke cut. nevillefarm.co.uk

MANOR FARM ORGANICS, WILTSHIRE The Jowetts use organic methods to maintain the biodiversity of the AONB where they farm native breeds. manorfarmorganics.co.uk

3 handy helpers

Lamb ’N Season This mix of spices, herbs and seasoning – including rosemary, garlic, sweet paprika and lemon powder – is delicious sprinkled over lamb. £3.35, bohnsrubs.co.uk

MARLFIELD FARM, YORKSHIRE Close to the Dales, Marlfield is home to rare native sheep like the Boreray. They sell meat boxes, fleece, yarn and rugs. marlfieldfarm.co.uk

GOWER SALT MARSH LAMB, GOWER Award-winning Welsh lamb with a distinctive flavour thanks to a diet of samphire, sorrel, sea lavender and thrift. gowersaltmarshlamb.co.uk

3 PERFECT PAIRINGS… MINT Flavoursome lamb with fresh mint is a classic for a reason. Zoë likes to make zingy burgers, using minced lamb and chopped (preferably her mum’s homegrown) mint. RHUBARB Nadiya Hussain pairs her lamb with a rhubarb glaze, while Jamie Oliver roasts the sweet seasonal vegetable around a leg of lamb for an unexpected springtime twist.

THE DARTMOOR SHEPHERD, DEVON First-generation farmers Lewis and Flora graze 800 rare breeds across Dartmoor, selling hogget and sheepskins direct. thedartmoorshepherd.co.uk

FETA For a Grecian take on a British classic, roast a leg of lamb with Mediterranean veg like red onions, tomatoes and olives, before crumbling the salty cheese on top.

Stoneware tagine Slow-cook lamb to perfection in this handmade tagine. At just over 20cm, it’s ideal for a two-person serving. £49.99, souschef.co.uk

British Sheep Breeds tea towel Illustrator Katie Green has drawn 72 breeds of sheep to create this detailed design. £10, Katie Green on etsy.com countryliving.com/uk

FOOD PHOTOGRAPH BY STOCKFOOD/MARICRUZ AVALOS FLORES. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY GEMMA BRUNTON; CHRIS TERRY

LAMB BY THE BOOK…

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CARPET COLLECTION See the full range of Country Living carpets at carpetright.co.uk/brands/country-living

A SERENADE

TO SPRING

From her garden studio in Rutland, Angela Harding creates linocut prints that chart the changing seasons. Here are some favourites from her springtime collection – and the stories that inspired them PHOTOGRAPH BY JOANNE CRAWFORD

RURAL ARTIST

countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

RURAL ARTIST

MARCH 2022

countryliving.com/uk

Dawn CHORUS (Previous page) British birds have always inspired Angela’s work. Indeed, when she got her first job, the first thing she bought was a pair of binoculars. She adores garden birds most of all, like the beloved house sparrows that chitterchatter outside her bedroom window at this time of year. This print is a homage to the dawn chorus, announcing that spring has arrived at last.

Gardener’s COTTAGE This cottage belongs to Andrew Jones, a friend of Angela’s and head gardener at Deene Park in Northamptonshire. Andrew has dedicated much of his career to developing the snowdrop collection there, so this piece celebrates the delicate spring blooms, interspersed with white hellebores (one of Angela’s all-time favourite flowers). In the foreground, Mildred, Andrew’s exuberant miniature Dachshund, scampers about on the lawn.

RURAL ARTIST

MARCH 2022

Visitors FOR TEA

Frogs and FLAX DAM

Look closely at this print (left) and you will spot two small figures. Angela’s father, Stephen Harding, regularly shows up in the background of her prints as a silhouette. “He was a great walker, so will often have his walking stick in hand,” Angela explains. Like his daughter, Stephen was a whippet lover and great tea drinker, so it’s only fitting he should be present in this particular picture.

“There were dragonflies, spotted butterflies; But best of all was the warm thick slobber Of frogspawn that grew like clotted water; In the shade of the banks,” writes Seamus Heaney in Death of a Naturalist, on which this print is based. Angela enjoyed interpreting the slippery subject matter, which evokes images of childhood days spent fishing for frogspawn. EXTRACTED FROM A Year Unfolding – A Printmaker’s View by Angela Harding (Little, Brown, £20).

Family firm FAVOURITES

Meet the CL artisans who’ve built a successful business with their nearest and dearest

FROM THE OAK TREE

THAT GIRL IN GREEN

ANNIE MUNDY JEWELLERY

LITTLE OLIVE

SLOEMOTION DISTILLERY

SLATE & OAK

From the Oak Tree

That Girl in Green

Annie Mundy Jewellery

Little Olive

Sloemotion Distillery

Slate & Oak

Leicestershire-based husband-and-wife team Charlotte and Sam Clemons sell solid-oak products for the home and garden. Each one is handmade by skilled craftsmen using ageold techniques and many can be engraved for a personal touch. fromtheoaktree.co.uk

Set up by mum and daughter Kim BurtonRace and Liv Dendle (while Liv was on maternity leave), Little Olive provides beautifully designed and responsibly sourced babywear, toys and blankets for eco-conscious parents. littleolivecompany.co.uk

Mother-and-daughter duo Gill and Rosie Connolly have turned their passion for sustainability into a business. Through their website, they sell high-quality, handmade, eco-friendly gifts, from ceramics to cards. thatgirlingreen.com

A glut of sloes inspired Joff Curtoys to make his first batch of gin. Now, with the help of his wife Claire and brother Julian, that idea has grown into a full-scale artisan business offering delicious and sustainably made spirits and liqueurs. sloemotiondistillery.com

Jeweller Annie and her daughter Jessie are the perfect team: while Annie creates unique and delicate pieces inspired by antique designs from around the world, her daughter is in charge of photography and PR for the business. anniemundyjewellery.co.uk

From their workshop in Sherwood Forest, husband-and-wife team Paul and Jo Gasby design and handcraft clocks, house signs, candle holders, boot stands and much more. Each product is made from locally sourced oak and Welsh slate. slateandoak.net

JOIN COUNTRY LIVING’S SPRING SHOW Reserve a space in your diary now for our online spring show from 1-3 April 2022. You will be able to shop from a selection of our favourite artisans, and join live gardening, floral and crafting workshops. For more details, visit countryliving.com/uk. Or to talk to us about selling with CL, go to countrylivingshows@hearst.co.uk

Material GAINS From pincushions to placemats, exclusive makes fashioned from pretty fabrics by our home and crafts editor Alaina Binks ASSISTED BY DAISY BENDALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY RACHEL WHITING

countryliving.com/uk

CRAFT

STENCILLED NAPKINS Use simple patterns of leaves and flowers to add beautiful and original decoration to plain napkins and table linen. Draw out a pattern and decide how many stencils you will make – you’ll need one for each colour. For a two-colour print, transfer the final design (right way facing) onto two pieces of card using tracing paper and a pencil. You could also use stencil or acetate sheets instead of card. With a craft knife and cutting mat, cut out the designs – here, we cut the leaves and stem from one and the petals and buds from the other. With the ironed napkin flat, stipple thin layers of fabric paint in one colour using a stencil brush over the first stencil and repeat in several places. Leave the napkin to dry before lining up the other stencil and printing the second colour. Fix the paint according to the fabric paint instructions. Anyday napkins, from a selection, John Lewis & Partners. Fabric paints in indigo, khaki and rose, £11/three 50ml pots, The Arty Crafty Place

MARCH 2022

countryliving.com/uk

CRAFT

CAFE CURTAINS These no-sew rectangular panels in a mix of fabrics make a café curtain that looks charming and relaxed in style. Measure the width and the height of half (or just over half ) of the window. Cut out panels from your chosen fabrics – each piece will need to be a little larger in width so you can gather the curtain and will require extra seam allowance on all sides with more along the top edge to create a ‘pocket’ where the curtain will hang. Fold over and iron flat all the edges – check you’re happy with the size before using an iron-on adhesive such as Wundaweb between the folds to hold the edges in place (remembering to leave a gap along the top edge). Thread through curtain wire and hang at the window. You could also use ready made tea towels (if they are long enough for your window) and a hanging system with small curtain clips. Golden Lily linen-mix fabric in Mineral, £75/m; Marigold linen-mix fabric in Indigo, £68/m, Morris & Co

EMBROIDERY HOOP NOTEHOLDERS These are so easy to make and useful, too. Make one for each member of the family or hang several over a wall in a craft room or home office. Choose two coordinating fabrics for each hoop. Iron and overlap the fabrics, folding over the top edge of the lower piece (ironing it flat). Put both parts of the hoop in place and tighten it to secure the fabrics so they are taut. Cut away the excess from the reverse and stick down (with strong tape) or sew (loose running stitch pulled tight) the raw edges to make it look neat. You could also add a circle of felt to the back, stitched in place to cover it completely. Dune brushed cotton in Sakura (pink) and Smoke Blue, both £39.50/m, Romo. Strawberry Thief cotton in Cochineal/ Willow, £89/m; Marigold linen-mix fabric in both Indigo and China Blue, both £68/m; Willow Boughs linen-mix fabric in Woad, £89/m: all Morris & Co. Embroidery hoops, from £6.50 each, MacCulloch & Wallis MARCH 2022

CRAFT

STITCHED NOTEBOOK This hand-bound book makes a stylish journal, sketch- or scrapbook. Decide on the size and cut two pieces of thick cardboard, board or foam board for the covers. Glue on the fabric using a strong glue, folding over the edges and covering them on the reverse with paper cut to size and glued down. Make five holes through the covers ready for the stitching. Cut 32 pieces of paper that, when folded,

MARCH 2022

fit inside. Make eight paper sections, each with four pieces of paper folded together. Make holes in the spines in line with those on the covers. Begin to stitch together using a continuous piece of embroidery thread. There are lots of step-by-step videos on YouTube for special book-binding stitches such as kettle and coptic. Daffodil archive cotton-mix fabric, £89/m, Morris & Co. Embroidery thread and paper, from a selection, Hobbycraft

JAM JAR PINCUSHIONS This is the perfect storage solution for all those small sewing essentials – buttons, threads and, of course, pins. Remove the lids from the jars – you’ll need jars with two-part lids (a flat-lined lid and jar ring). Cut a circle of leftover fabric a few centimetres all round larger than the hole in one lid. Place a ball of stuffing on top of the back of the fabric before pushing this through the hole in the jar lid ring, followed by the flat part of the lid to hold it in place. You may need to do this several times until you find the right amount of stuffing. Cut away the excess fabric neatly or sew it (loose running stitch pulled tight). Mason jam jars: £15.99/six 473ml; £9.99/six quilted 240ml: all Lakeland. Daffodil cotton-mix fabric in Dark Olive, £89/m; Willow Boughs linen-mix fabric in Woad, £89/m: both Morris & Co. Stuffing, from a selection, Hobbycraft

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MARCH 2022

BRAIDED PLACEMAT Turn strips of lightweight fabric, such as a bed sheet, into a pretty mat. They look most effective in single colours where the texture can be clearly seen. Tear several strips roughly 5cm-5.5cm wide from the longest length of the sheet. Plait together in threes, knotting at both ends. Cut a 30cm circle of thick felt or use a felt or cork placemat as a base and begin to coil one of the plaited lengths out from the centre, sticking it in place with fabric glue as you go. To attach another plaited length, cut away the knots, fold over the edges (it can help to loosely sew them so they hold) and line up the plaits before gluing them in place. Continue until the base is covered, leaving the knot of the last piece as it is. You could also sew the lengths together using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine instead of gluing them to a base.

HAND-TIED WREATH In faded colourings, this wreath has a pretty vintage style. Use one fabric design for a cohesive finish or a mix of remnants for a brighter and bolder effect. Cut several strips of fabric that are 12cm x 2.5cm in size. Tie each strip individually to the metal base, pushing the tied strips tightly together and working along the inner ring first before moving onto the second, third and then the outer ring. Tie two lengths of torn fabric or ribbon to the bottom of the wreath. Strawberry Thief cotton in Cochineal/Willow, £89/m, Morris & Co. Ribbon made from torn pieces of a pink flat sheet, £15/kingsize, John Lewis & Partners. 12-inch curved metal wreath base (with four connected rings), from a selection, Amazon FOR STOCKISTS see Where to Buy

Pink flat sheet, £15/kingsize; fabric glue, from a selection, both John Lewis & Partners

MARCH 2022

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CRAFT

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To celebrate Mothering Sunday this month, we meet the mother-daughter duos who have launched their own creative businesses COMPILED BY ANNA JURY

MARCH 2022

Wedding florists MARION PARISH (BOTTOM LEFT), BECCA STUART AND BECCA’S MUM PENNY DUNN LAUNCHED THE GARDEN GATE FLOWER COMPANY IN CORNWALL Becca was juggling motherhood with a curtain-making business when her friend Marion suggested they set up their own cut-flower garden. “We both loved horticulture and felt ready for a change,” Becca says. “It seemed like the perfect opportunity to collaborate.” The challenge was finding a plot on which to put their plan into action. Enter Becca’s mum Penny, who owned an organic family farm outside Fowey and had a field to spare. All three women pitched in, planting up the space with everything from roses to ranunculus. Eleven years later and The Garden Gate Flower Company provides blooms for weddings and events, as well as offering floristry courses. Although Marion has now left the business, Penny is still very much involved: “Having Becca around more and sharing sunny days outdoors has been wonderful,” she says. thegardengateflowercompany.co.uk

countryliving.com/uk

Willow weavers

JENNY CRISP (FAR LEFT) AND ISSY WILKES COMBINED THEIR SKILLS TO SET UP WILLOW WITH ROOTS IN WORCESTERSHIRE

During her 30-year career, willow weaver Jenny has been commissioned by the Royal Family, exhibited at the V&A and contributed to films including Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. Although daughter Issy grew up running around in the willow fields, she never considered following in her mother’s footsteps. “People would always ask, ‘Are you going to be a basket maker when you’re older?’ And I think that put me off the idea,” she says. Instead, Issy studied design and performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama before embarking on a career creating props and set designs for theatre and events: “I’ve enjoyed collaborating with Mum on projects over the years and in 2019, when I became a parent myself, it seemed like the right time to join forces full-time.” Together, they set up Willow with Roots, weaving a mixture of indoor and outdoor pieces, large and small scale. One day they can be working on a bespoke lampshade, the next a nine-foot-tall willow man. “We’re up for anything!” Issy says. willowwithroots.co.uk

“When I became a parent myself, it seemed like the right time to join forces with my mum”

CL ARTISANS

Crafty homemakers HEIDI FRANCIS (NEAR LEFT) AND JULIA SMITH RUN FLINT, A CURATED COLLECTION OF HOMEWARE HANDMADE WITH FLOWERS FROM THEIR SUSSEX CUTTING GARDEN Heidi and her mother Julia launched Flint – a homeware and clothing boutique – 18 years ago, basing the business in a 14th-century building in the heart of Lewes. However, a combination of the lease coming up on the shop and Heidi and her husband moving to the country got them thinking about a change: “It was the impetus we needed,” she says. So they made the decision to move their store online-only and set up a studio and cutting garden at Julia’s house, just outside of town. Now they offer ‘Flint Makes’, a selection of handcrafted creations – from cards to silk scarves and soaps – featuring natural dyes and hand-pressed flowers grown in Heidi’s garden. flintcollection.com

Soap stars ADE (NEAR RIGHT) AND ANTONIA OGUNSOLA HAVE A SKINCARE BRAND, OKIKI, BASED IN KENT Ade’s and Antonia’s natural and organic remedies use Ghanaian and Nigerian recipes passed down through the generations. For Ade, soapmaking was a way to connect with her mother. “She taught me how to do it during my childhood in Nigeria,” she explains. “After she passed away, I decided to give it a go again.” It turned out that Ade had a knack for natural remedies, as her daughter Antonia soon discovered: “I really suffered with acne,” Antonia says. “I tried everything – including many expensive treatments – and was getting desperate. That’s when Mum blended a batch of Lolu Facial Soap. It was amazing. I’ve been using it for seven years now.” After Antonia was made redundant during the pandemic, she used her marketing nous to whip up a website and social media account for Ade’s range of balms, body lotions and bath salts. And so Okiki – which translates as ‘prestigious’ in Yoruba, a language spoken throughout West Africa – was born. okikiskincare.co.uk countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

CL ARTISANS

Rag traders ELIZABETH (FAR LEFT) AND MARGARET BEAUMONT CREATE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TEXTILES AND HOMEWARE FOR THEIR BUSINESS RAG MAKERS IN WEST YORKSHIRE “Mum and I were always busy making things in our spare time; our heads were full of ideas we wanted to try,” says Elizabeth. “Then, when Mum changed jobs and I moved closer to home, it gave us an opportunity to put some of those plans into action.” The pair drew inspiration from women in the family who’d spent their lives working in the rag trade, recycling woollen cloth in Ossett, West Yorkshire. Adopting similarly sustainable principles, Elizabeth and Margaret source pre-consumer waste yarns and fabric cut-offs from local mills, turning them into handmade homeware, bags and blankets. “Being able to spend the time together is wonderful,” Elizabeth says. “Becoming a mother myself has given me a new perspective, making me even more thankful for everything Mum does and continues to do for me.” ragmakers.com

Wax workers

VANESSA (BELOW LEFT) AND ADELE BELL’S HAND-POURED CANDLES ARE INSPIRED BY THE SIGHTS AND SCENTS OF THEIR NATIVE YORKSHIRE

MARCH 2022

PHOTOGRAPHS BY HELENA DOLBY; JASON INGRAM; PENNY WINCER

“We launched Voak in 2019, when we realised that candle-making had become a bit of an obsession,” Vanessa says. “It had started as a hobby and creative outlet when we were both working as teachers, but we enjoyed it so much it soon became a business.” Vanessa and Adele stir up small batches of soy wax candles, fragranced with botanical ingredients inspired by the Yorkshire Dales. Forager’s Path features rosemary and lemon, Broad Skies sandalwood and thyme, while Dappled Woods is an aromatic mix of pine and white mint. “Having two generations collaborating means we can create candles that appeal to a wide range of customers,” Vanessa says. “And because we get along so well, we can also be completely honest with each other about our ideas.” voakyork.co.uk countryliving.com/uk

Flower farmers “Not only did my mum help with all the hands-on stuff, she also never stopped encouraging me”

ROSIE INSLEY (ABOVE LEFT) RUNS WILD ROSE FLOWER COMPANY FROM THE WALLED GARDEN OF A GEORGIAN FARMHOUSE IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Katherine Insley may not be on the books of Wild Rose Flower Company, but without her the business would never have got off the ground. “My mum instilled a love of gardening in me from the age of about five,” Rosie says. “When I decided to swap a career in event management for horticulture, she was my biggest supporter.” With Katherine’s help, Rosie started planting up rows of flowers, adopting a chemical-free approach and focusing on seasonal ‘wild country blooms’. “In the early days, I don’t know how I would have managed without her,” Rosie says. “Not only did she help with all the hands-on stuff – running stalls and workshops, and doing jobs in the garden – she also never stopped encouraging me.” wildroseflowercompany.co.uk

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

Sail with confidence From health and wellbeing to choosing a cruise that’s right for you, our expert answers your questions... Since cruise lines resumed operations, nearly four million guests have enjoyed a cruise holiday across the world. We asked Andy Harmer, managing director of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland, for some inside advice.

Q A

I’m worried about Covid. Can you reassure me cruise companies are taking all the necessary precautions? Cruise sailings were able to restart last year thanks to an extensive collaboration between the cruise industry itself, the government, health authorities and ports. Health measures both on and

off cruise ships now go beyond any other travel sector. For instance, our cruise line members have agreed to 100 per cent testing of passengers and crew, with a requirement for a negative test, prior to boarding. The cruise industry was the first in the travel and tourism sector to commit to this level of testing worldwide. During domestic cruises, all of the cruise lines must apply social distancing guidelines, which are consistent with shoreside health authority requirements. More generally, guests are required to adhere to the safety and wellbeing directions of the ship they are on, which will include measures such as wearing face coverings in some areas.

Q A

I dislike flying. Can I sail from a UK port? Hundreds of cruises depart from the UK every year, and sail to a number of destinations. These include around Britain, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic, North America and the Caribbean.

Q A

How can I choose a cruise for my age group? Cruises appeal to a wide range of people and family groups, with the average age of a cruise holidaymaker continuing to drop year on year. More than 30 per cent of passengers sail with children, and nearly all lines provide supervised activities for under-18s, especially during school holidays. Cruising is also ideal for people on their own, because it’s so easy to meet other solo travellers. Some ships have single cabins and others offer rates designed for single travel. Many travel agents host groups for singles and may even find you a cabin mate so you can obtain the per person/double occupancy rate.

We’ve put more glass on our new ship Iona

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Early Saver price of £749 per person is based on two adults sharing the lowest grade of Inside cabin available on cruise G217. Prices are subject to availability and may go up or down. Bookings are made at the relevant cabin grade and a cabin number is allocated by P&O Cruises prior to departure. Dining preferences are not guaranteed. Shuttle buses in ports are an additional cost. Early Saver prices apply to new bookings only. These terms and conditions vary, where relevant, the applicable booking conditions which are otherwise unchanged. For up-to-date prices and full P&O Cruises terms and conditions, visit pocruises.com. Feefo rating 4.1 out of 5 based on 4,698 reviews as of November 2021.

Q A

INFORMATION IS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. PHOTOGRAPH BY GETTY IMAGES

Do I get to spend much time on shore visiting the sights? Cruise lines are doing everything they can to make shore excursions more unique, immersive and memorable than ever before. The result is an ever-expanding variety of exclusive activities that range from a few hours to several days in some of the most famous, beautiful or extraordinary places on earth.

Q A

Will I have to share a dinner table with strangers? Increasingly, the shipboard dining experience has become more casual and often there is open seating. This allows you to dine when, where and with whom you wish. Some cruisers prefer sitting at a table with other diners, as lifelong friendships have been made this way.

Q A

Aren’t cruise ships bad for the environment? Cruise lines are at the forefront in developing responsible

environmental practices and innovative technologies that benefit the entire maritime industry. The companies carefully follow waste management and recycling practices to prevent waste in oceans. Some cruise ships repurpose 100 per cent of their waste – by reducing, reusing, donating, recycling and converting it into energy. More than three-quarters of the global cruise fleet is now equipped to use alternative fuels. CLIA has joined other maritime organisations to propose a

$5 billion research and development green maritime innovation fund. The number of ships able to use shoreside electricity – and thus reduce emissions while in port – has also risen to 35 per cent of global capacity, with another 22 per cent set to be retrofitted with this technology. Overall, CLIA member cruise lines have committed to a 40 per cent reduction in the rate of carbon emissions across the global fleet by 2030 compared to 2008. M For more information, see cruising.org.

so you get more of the view

See the world in widescreen. 7-night Norwegian Fjords holiday from £749pp†

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the RUFF GUIDE TO...

Jack Russells In our ongoing series for dog-lovers, we celebrate another of Britain’s best-loved breeds

THE RUFF GUIDE TO

Jack Russells

FACT FILE PERSONALITY Brave, intelligent, inquisitive, faithful EXERCISE Minimum of an hour a day COAT Double-coated: either smooth, rough or a mixture of the two (broken). Brush frequently, buy a good vacuum and find a specialist groomer for hand stripping. The smooth can shed more hair than the rough HEALTH Generally strong; prone to a few specific problems including cruciate ligament disease SPECIAL SKILLS Highly trainable and easily bored; benefits mentally as well as physically from a stimulating training regime SOCIABILITY Independent but loves people, so dislikes being alone for long

MARCH 2022

Henrietta Holder and her family are based in Shropshire. This is her homage to the terriers she has loved and lost

grew up with terriers. There was the shy grey Cairn from Lindisfarne, the bumptious Norfolk and two big-hearted little cross-breeds in between. But the first dog I bought myself was Skippet. Like all Jack Russell terriers, she was largely white, and had a rough brown splodge above her tail with a patchwork of tan across her face. She was the last left in her litter, rejected for her timidity. But as soon as I saw her, I knew she was meant to be mine. Jack Russells aren’t usually apprehensive. They are more likely to be independent, confident with friends or strangers, lively and vocal. Descendants of baying terriers bred by the Reverend John Russell in the 1800s to hunt foxes, they are hard-wired to seek out prey – not always ideal if you have cats, or small pets like guinea pigs, in the house. One of Skippet’s brothers, living on a farm in Dorset, was as much a threat to the local rabbit population as the family lurcher. Skippet shared some of the same instincts, even if there were fewer candidates for the chase around us. Skippet’s coat was velvety soft and became increasingly shaggy as she aged. A friend once unkindly compared it to a loo pedestal mat but in my view it only enhanced her scruffy charm. Together with the sweetest of faces, it undoubtedly helped her win Best in Show at my parents’ village fête. The diversity of the Jack Russell gene pool results in a wide variety of dogs. Unlike Skippet, most rough-coated Jacks are wiry, their coats ‘breaking’ at about eight weeks. Smooth ones have an altogether different look and feel. Markings can be black

Complete devotion is a Jack Russell trait, as is boundless energy or tan. Quiz a breeder carefully if you’re particular about what you want, but remember that variability is part of the breed’s appeal. Skippet was my first baby. Two daughters followed her, and both have every reason to consider themselves second and third children. Bringing the elder home from hospital for the first time was like introducing a newborn to an older sister: my husband hung back in the car with the baby, so I could spend some time alone with the dog, reassuring her with the compensation of a new toy. After all, it was Skippet who’d snoozed on my bed as I lurched through the early stages of labour, and it would be Skippet whose calming presence alongside me got us all through the long night feeds that followed. (She skilfully secured the relocation of her bed next to mine by clawing at the kitchen door every time she heard the baby cry.) Aware of the potential dangers of mixing terriers and small children, of course I never left the two alone together, but Skippet just added our new arrival to her list of those she loved unconditionally. Such complete devotion is a strong

TOP TIP Always proceed with caution when introducing dogs to children. Turn overleaf for advice on the best way to do this

countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

THE RUFF GUIDE TO

Jack Russells

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MARCH 2022

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ASK THE DOG EXPERT Jack Russell trait. So, too, is boundless energy. This proved immensely helpful as the children grew up, coaxing them to go outside even when it was wet and cold. “The dog must be exercised or it will eat your slippers,” was a common refrain in our house. Part of the fun of Skippet was her Jack Russell intelligence and trainability. Presented with a tennis ball, she would push it towards you with her nose, jump to catch it in her mouth when you threw it back, and then push it at you again. Playing garden cricket was much more entertaining with Skippet fielding, especially when she Given their learnt to return the ball to the longevity, introduce bowler only, not the batsman. your Jack Russell I often wonder whether, given early to toothbrush her multiple skills, I should have and paste, as secured her an agent and put teeth and gum her on the screen. problems are Skippet was with us for 17 years. common in Most profiles for the breed give older dogs them a life expectancy of ten to 15 years. Two winters have passed since she left us, and I still see her everywhere but nowhere. Above her ashes at the foot of an old apple tree, I’ve planted a ‘Rambling Rector’ white rose. Given its shining colour and the way it flourishes with such gusto, it feels like a fitting choice.

TOP TIP

Remember that variability is part of the breed’s appeal

The veterinary star of Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch, Chris Wilson, answers your FAQs

Q A

How can I stop my terrier chasing squirrels and rabbits?

Dogs of any breed can become so focused on ‘prey’ that they put themselves in dangerous situations. Try to identify potential prey triggers before your dog does, and redirect their attention elsewhere. Reward them with nutritious treats or a favourite toy if they resist the temptation to run off. This is one reason why it’s important to feel confident your dog will come when called. Until they’ve mastered that skill, stick to walks in enclosed areas or on a long lead.

Q A

My dog is easily spooked. Is there anything I can do?

Socialisation and desensitisation are essential to reduce anxious behaviour long term. Assess which triggers – such as noises or environments – make them fearful. Once you’ve identified these, start a desensitisation programme. This involves slowly exposing your dog to the source for short, regular periods, gradually extended over time. For dogs with more profound nervous behaviours, consult a dog behaviourist or vet.

Q A

I worry my dog gets chilly on wintry walks. Should he wear a coat?

Certain breeds, like huskies, may take cold weather in their stride. However, small breeds, older dogs and those with short hair or low body fat (like greyhounds) may need an extra layer. There are a range of fleeces and jackets suitable for dogs (see opposite). The fit should be snug but not tight and the jacket should reach the base of the tail.

Q A

How can we prepare our dog for the arrival of a new baby?

It’s important your dog feels part of one big family, so start preparations early to make the transition as smooth as possible. Get them used to the new smells and objects that will be in the home. You can even play baby sounds to desensitise them to the potential source of sleepless nights to come. Once the baby arrives, make sure the dog has ‘safe spaces’ to retreat to if overwhelmed. Start introductions to the baby with lots of positive reinforcement for good behaviour.

TO FIND OUT MORE about Chris and his work, follow him on Instagram @chriswilsonvet

MARCH 2022

THE RUFF GUIDE TO

Jack Russells

Rare Terrier BREEDS

Jack of all trades Thanks to their intelligence and trainability, Jack Russells have proved themselves proficient in a number of roles over the years. Bothy, owned by explorer Ranulph Fiennes, is the only dog in

GLEN OF IMAAL TERRIER An Irish native, this fearless and tenacious dog was originally bred for badger hunting in the glen in County Wicklow – the area from which it takes its name. First records of the Glen terrier date back to the 17th century but today there are only 36 left in the country.

history to have visited both the North and South Poles. Bluebell and Beth were adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home by the Duchess of Cornwall and are now much-loved members of the royal household. Jack Russells have also proved they can excel on screen: the Parson Russell terrier Uggie even won an award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival for his performance in The Artist (above). And of course, we can’t forget Downing Street resident Dilyn, who was adopted by the PM in

NORWICH TERRIER

DOG DAYS & EVENTS CRUFTS NEC Birmingham 10-13 March When Crufts launched in 1886, it was described as the ‘First Great Terrier Show’. It’s now the largest dog show in the world, with an average of 28,000 four-legged participants and 160,000 two-legged visitors. crufts.org.uk

NATIONAL TERRIER DAY 27 March Set up by Michelle Burgess, founder of scruffylittleterrier.com,

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this online event invites owners to come together to celebrate their terriers. Find out how to get involved at nationalterrierday.com.

Standing just ten inches tall and weighing approximately 5.4kg, the Norwich is one of the smallest terrier breeds (although their tails can grow to eight inches). Originally bred to hunt rodents, they are now rare due to their small litter sizes and need for Caesarean sections.

ALL ABOUT DOGS Various dates and locations April- August In scenic spots around the British countryside, this series of fun dog shows include have-a-go activities such as flyball and agility courses, expert talks and a range of stalls with top-notch canine merchandise. allaboutdogsshow.co.uk

SKYE TERRIER One of the original dogs of the Hebrides, the Skye was even said to be hiding under the petticoat of Mary Queen of Scots at her execution. There are now just 27 registered with The Kennel Club, making it the second rarest dog on the vulnerable native breeds list. countryliving.com/uk

WORDS BY MOHAMMED EL ASHKAR. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES; CATHERINE GRATWICKE

2019 (and even has his own Wikipedia page).

Starting from SCRAP

After working in community arts, Claire Malet was always finding new uses for old materials. Now, her upcycled sculptures are coveted by collectors and displayed at the V&A WORDS BY HENRIETTA HOLDER PHOTOGRAPHS BY NATO WELTON

RURAL ARTISAN

countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

n Herefordshire, near the Welsh border, the river levels are rising and floodwaters stretch across the fields. The Malvern Hills loom in the distance. This is the domain of sculptor and silversmith Claire Malet, whose house, tucked away down a narrow lane surrounded by farmland, is safe and dry. An evergreen hydrangea climbs up the front wall, but otherwise all is still, the limbs of the trees silhouetted against the sky on the hinterland between winter and spring. Claire finds this time of year most visually exciting. “I love it around this month,” she says, as we make our way past chickens and bare vegetable beds to her garden workshop where she has already lit the stove. It is a practical and highly organised space with shelves of tools and boxes of raw materials. One looks like a recycling bin, containing empty tomato, baked beans and beer cans, as well as a ten-litre tin for olive oil. Many of us might discard them, but in Claire’s hands they’re transformed from unremarkable objects to covetable pieces. One of Claire’s works is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Ridged Vessel is a former steel food can, refashioned with care and dressed in new livery: copper leaf and 23-carat red-gold leaf on the interior. Claire describes such pieces as “sculptural vessels”. She came to metalwork late, having spent 12 years in community arts, tackling everything from graffiti projects to teaching batik. In her thirties, settled in Herefordshire with her husband Simon and their four-year-old son Alex, she decided to study Contemporary Applied Art at Hereford College of Arts. It was a “now or never” moment that allowed her to explore her creative skills: “That’s where I discovered metal. After working in community arts, I was used to thinking outside the box with materials, using a lot of scrap, improvising with all sorts of things.” During her degree, she began to turn tins into works of art: “They were quite unusual and got a fair bit of attention.” Manchester Art Gallery also has a vessel like the one at the V&A, as do many collectors.

PRECIOUS METALS Although each piece can take weeks to make and is treated with expensive materials, Claire is not precious about them – you can pick them up, turn them over, examine their rounded bases, which appear folded like fabric, and peer through their tiny holes into interiors leafed with gold. They may be light, but they are more robust than they seem. Claire has developed her own technique and guards her methods closely. Her work requires, among other things, formers (tools or moulds used to shape materials), hammers, steel blocks and THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE Taking inspiration from the shapes of landscapes, Claire creates pieces using

MARCH 2022

precious and non-precious metals chosen to evoke and challenge our relationship with the natural world

RURAL ARTISAN

countryliving.com/uk

MARCH 2022

Claire’s sketchbooks and drawings in black and white are as captivating as her sculptures

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RURAL ARTISAN

rubber ones, masking tape, a hairdryer and flames, large and small. Her method is so unusual that if she doesn’t have what she needs, she often has to make or commission it. Claire’s workshop is also equipped with a range of items to inspire her, collected over many years. Much has been foraged from Herefordshire, where she has lived for nearly three decades. These cover the walls and stretch onto her desk, and include a trio of skeleton holly leaves, clumps of moss , scrapings of lichen, pine cones and pieces of bark and the intricate structure of a wasps’ nest. There are works by other artists, too, including monochrome landscape artist John Virtue and Cornish painter Kurt Jackson.

LIVING IN THE LANDSCAPE Nearby, her own sketchbooks and drawings, many in black and white, are as captivating as her sculptures. “I’m very much in this landscape and I do love it here,” she says of the fields and small woodlands around her. “There is an intimacy to it. I walk a lot, not always consciously for artistic purposes but they are always there.” The shapes of the natural world dominate her work: the ripples in a stream, the interwoven structures of bare branches. As well as working with old tin, Claire fashions pieces in silver. The Company of Old Roads is an installation she was commissioned to make by The Penelope and Oliver Makower 1974 Charitable Trust, patrons of silversmiths and silversmithing, for the National Museum Wales. It references a poem by Edward Thomas and was inspired by her many walks along old droving tracks and sunken ways – the roads of old. This is probably Claire’s most high-profile piece, but her favourite is a tin can vessel. “They’re what I’m known for,” she says, “although my work is evolving all the time.” Claire is passionate about protecting the environment, conscious that, without dramatic intervention, “we’re heading towards climate disaster”. She only uses 100 per cent recycled silver and gold with conflict-free certification, and restricts other materials to those that are responsibly sourced or simply found. Gatherings from a research trip to the Norfolk coast include beach pebbles, a frond of seaweed strangulated by plastic, sea glass and washed-up Tarmac. Having grown up with easy access to the coast in Kent and Sussex, Claire misses the sea, and these combings are the first for a project that will see her travel to the four furthest compass points of the British Isles. “My subject matter is the natural world and our relationship with it,” she says. “The materials I work with are chosen and combined to explore that relationship. I have always used found and recycled materials, and I like to challenge their perceived value – for me, a tin can is as valuable as a sheet of silver.” FOR MORE INFORMATION see clairemalet.com. Claire’s works start at £100 for an oak leaf.

OPPOSITE AND THIS PAGE Claire uses recycled metals such as steel, silver and aluminium, which countryliving.com/uk

inform the finished result – experimenting is key in her approach and she welcomes the unexpected MARCH 2022

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N AT U R E

It grows all over the world and can bounce back from almost any calamity. Jessica J Lee hails an unsung hero n winter, clumps of springy turf moss started appearing on the footbridge between the park and the marshes, nosed up from the kerbsides by the boots of walkers. I couldn’t just abandon it there on the concrete, high above the thoroughfare and its traffic of white vans. I lifted a clump and pressed it into my pocket, warm and safe. I’m not entirely sure when my obsession with mosses began. But I remember a day in the early 2000s, when my mother and I stood in front of a brick wall simply noticing the green that grew upon it. My mother is a keen gardener, and a lover of flamboyant plants, so to me her love for mosses seemed odd. I expected her to notice orchids or azaleas, not the smear of green on a roadside wall. But she said two things that I have not forgotten: the first was that mosses were amazing for growing practically anywhere. The second was that they reminded her of home.

CAUGHT BETWEEN WORLDS

Wistman’s Woods on Dartmoor, Devon

What does it mean to love something that is liminal? That falls out of sight so easily, yet is integral to nearly any landscape you can think of? Moss exists at the border between worlds: the evolutionary bridge between algae and higher land plants, mosses were the first venturers onto land. This strange existence means they aren’t quite like other plants. They don’t reproduce by flowering like most plants we know well, but they still occur on every continent of our planet, reproducing by spores in a manner not unlike mushrooms. Bryophytes – the mosses, liverworts and hornworts – don’t even have roots. Clutching to bits of rock and wood using filament-like rhizoids, tiny hooks that clasp the surface on which they grow, mosses remain a relatively portable thing. Dislodged from their original place, they can thrive again almost anywhere suitable, given shade and water. Dehydrated to the brink, they grow green once more with rain. Plunged into extreme heat or MARCH 2022

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Dislodged from their original place, mosses can thrive again almost anywhere suitable team. Mosses are not vascular plants, and for that – and their microscopic size – they are neglected. Mosses are simply not viewed as a priority. But I believed there was a lesson in learning to look closely. On my knees, in the middle of Richmond Park, I threaded my fingers through the hook of my lens and counted: seven types of grass, three types of moss. As the instructor leaned in and named each type – a feat, given how small the flowering bodies of grasses are – I lingered over the mosses. I knew that without a microscope, the chances of really identifying and understanding them were slim. But still I wanted to learn how to look and not even name. Was that simply appreciation? I pressed my camera to my hand lens and snapped a photograph.

inhumane cold, mosses wait quietly and then, when conditions are right, return to the act of living. It seems like a crass overreach to compare plants and people, but the portability of moss strikes me as more human than vegetal. Three generations of my family had migrated – from China, Taiwan, Wales and Canada – and all had established themselves in a new place, seeking shelter, sustenance and light. I once carried a cluster of swan’s neck thyme moss in my pocket for months, only to revive it with a bit of rainwater and a new home in a potted plant in the courtyard outside my apartment. At the time, it seemed to me more resilient than a plant should be. But mosses, unlike people, have little to no agency in where they wind up. They are movable but cannot move themselves, and perhaps that is their vulnerability.

THE FORGOTTEN PLANT In 2015, I took a field survey course, during which we spent a day on the ground, cataloguing everything within a one-metre plot of Richmond Park. I wore rubber boots and a raincoat, my 10x hand lens strung around my neck on a loop of butcher’s twine. For two weeks we’d used our lenses to identify ferns, grasses and flowers dried and pressed on herbarium sheets. I wanted nothing more than to feel damp soil beneath my fingers, to find between the grasses a world even smaller than my lens could properly magnify. I loved the course. I learned more in two weeks of hands-on study with plant samples than I could have from months studying pictures and plant keys in flora. But no one brought up mosses. There was no bryologist on the

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Mosses are small and difficult to parse from one another. In years of learning, I’ve memorised only a few: Mnium hornum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Dicranum scoparium, Polytrichum commune. They are the mosses I see often, the ones I know by eye and touch, from long hours spent watching the forests. But I don’t think of them by their names all that often. Instead, I think of their shapes: stellate or forked, long sporophytes reaching into their upper atmospheres. I think of their shades – russets and golds amid greens – and how much they change with the weather, with rain. Mosses are pioneering species. When a landscape is denuded by wildfires or rockfall, it is mosses that return to the soil first. Venturing onto the scene, they call so many other species – invertebrates, birds, vascular plants – in their wake. They do this in cities, too. When my mother told me that mosses reminded her of home, I didn’t immediately understand. But then I travelled to her home – to Taiwan – and watched for mosses as they made their lives in every small space. They grew on tiles, on windowsills, on the barks of city and mountain trees. They grew on scree where mountains had been scuppered by landslides. So I learned in watching for them how I might classify mosses: as resilience, as patience, as home. EXTRACTED FROM This Book is a Plant by Wellcome Collection, an anthology (Profile Books, £12.99), out on 24 February (edited from chapter eight, How to Study the Mosses, Jessica J Lee).

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES

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HOME INSPIRATION

Riverside RETREAT

Inspired by Kiwi and Scandi summerhouses, this water’s-edge cabin blends an eclectic collection of handmade, upcycled and heirloom treasures WORDS BY ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRENT DARBY

eturning from a year-long sabbatical travelling around Australia and New Zealand, Miranda Gardiner was determined to bring something of the rustic Antipodean architecture to her little corner of Devon. Specifically, she wanted to replicate the welcoming feel of the heritage fisherman shacks on Waiheke Island, where she’d stayed with her husband and three children. “These humble and relaxed spaces felt so life-enhancing in their simplicity and connection to the landscape, and I wanted to capture this spirit and combine it with the airy aesthetic of Finnish summerhouses I had so enjoyed visiting as a child. I had a very clear vision of what I wanted!” she says. Back in 2011, Miranda and her husband Diggory had sold their home in Bigbury-on-Sea to move to a Devon longhouse, complete with a large wooden garden cabin, on the banks of the River Avon. Situated at the bottom of a lush valley, a short drive from Topsham Bridge and close to some of

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“I feel an immense sense of pride that Diggory has crafted such beautiful pieces”

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OPPOSITE The light-filled kitchen was made by Diggory. The plate rack above the sink was a junkshop find and has an original 100-year-old copper penny embedded into the wood THIS PAGE, FAR LEFT The open-plan layout allows light to pass through the upstairs space LEFT The cabin dates back to the 1930s and is one of four secluded properties at the end of a private lane. Vintage eel baskets and dolly tubs and planters add decorative appeal to the exterior BELOW A contemporary sofa from eBay is offset with antique furniture and rustic panelling. The oversized artwork is by Miranda and has helped to inspire the colours for the interior

Devon’s most beautiful beaches, the secluded property is set in eight acres of English bluebell woodlands. The cabin had been built as living quarters for the ‘batman’, or servant, of the original owner, a military gentleman working at the local RAF base during the Second World War. “We were sold on the idea of creating an escape before we’d even stepped foot inside,” Miranda says. But back then, the cabin – a wide weatherboarded structure with traditional pitched roof and scalloped eaves – looked distinctly tired. Camouflaged by overgrown plants and trees, the interior (a simple bathroom, bedroom and open-plan living area) was dark and the view obscured by a dilapidated greenhouse built onto the end of the building. Initial work was completed before the family went travelling. The greenhouse was removed and replaced with a panel of floor-to-ceiling glass windows and French doors, which now frame the picturesque vista. New plumbing and underfloor heating were installed, walls and roof insulated, solid oak floors laid throughout, and a new mezzanine sleeping space introduced above the master bedroom. “We took down the six-foot ceiling in the main living area, exposed the vaulted beams and whitewashed the walls – creating a much lighter, more capacious feel,” Miranda says. Nine years on, the next phase of work – and the opportunity to introduce the Kiwi character Miranda had fallen in love with – finally began in earnest. Diggory, a retired headmaster with a passion for carpentry, slowly designed new kitchen cabinetry and rustic worktops with reclaimed oak from their surrounding woodland. “I feel an immense sense of pride that Diggory has crafted such beautiful pieces,” Miranda says. In the bathroom, the chunky wooden top, made to fit the gentleman’s washstand (a nod to the cabin’s heritage), is another Diggory design, along with the bespoke panelling behind the sofa and in the master bedroom. Handcrafted and personal are recurring themes in this property. Being a former art gallery curator-turned-artist has clearly helped countryliving.com/uk

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

The open-plan space has a rustic mix of textures and materials. The central kitchen island has an aged appeal, with a rustic worktop made by Diggory. A vintage box attached to the side provides decorative storage for Miranda’s collection of old chopping boards

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“Whether I’m cooking, painting or relaxing, the whole interior now feels really cocooning”

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OPPOSITE The new woodburner, surrounded by handmade Moroccan Zellige tiles, adds a central focal point and lends a warm and welcoming vibe to the cabin. The main bedroom is tucked at the end of the living area and the panelling enhances the modern rustic ambience THIS PAGE, FAR LEFT Miranda gets much inspiration from her garden and the surroundings LEFT Heirloom bedheads, artworks and panelling made by Diggory in the main bedroom. The black and brass wall lights are from Dutch Bone BELOW The brass shower, fed by natural spring water, is offset by black slate and patterned tiles, while the vintage washstand is a nostalgic nod to the 1930s gentleman’s scheme

Miranda develop a confident use of colour and a love of decorative finds. Many of the artworks, referencing the local landscape, have been painted by her, and help to shape the interior colour palette, a mix of bright whites, sludgy greens, charcoal greys and soft blues. The furniture throughout brings together an eclectic collection of handmade, upcycled and heirloom. “I can’t resist the thrill of seeking out treasures at a salvage yard or in our local junk shops. Repurposing something old is what I love to do,” Miranda says. Everything here has a story, from the riveted brass stove splashback, flattened and repurposed from an antique coal bucket, to the vintage armoire adapted as a bookcase-meets-room divider, and the heirloom headboards inherited from Miranda’s late Auntie Ruth. In the open-plan living area, an antique elm clawfoot dining table is surrounded by mismatched chairs, and takes prime position looking out over the river. On spring days, the doors are left open and the space connects seamlessly to the new outdoor decking area – the perfect spot for quiet contemplation or more jovial lunches. Lighting is a blend of vintage rise-and-fall lamps, oversized, contemporary raffia pendants and new brass wall lights. They all add a warm and welcoming feel that is enhanced by the classic Scandi woodburner. “We installed a Norwegian Jøtul model in the heart of the cabin,” Miranda says. “Whether I’m cooking, painting or relaxing, the whole interior now feels really cocooning.” Behind the fireplace, a secret set of steps leads up to the second bedroom – a magical escape under the eaves that small guests adore. On a bright spring morning, however, it is the outdoor space that Miranda really cherishes. You can fish for wild salmon and rainbow trout on the cabin’s own stretch of river but Miranda is happy simply to soak up the last rays of sunshine on the deck, content that she has realised her dream of creating a welcoming home in a captivating location. BATMAN’S SUMMERHOUSE is available to rent by going to batmanssummerhouse.com. Visit mirandagardiner.co.uk for Miranda’s art.

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Ground JEWELS Come springtime in the Malvern Hills, this woodland nursery and garden is studded with shining little gems WORDS BY PAULA MCWATERS PHOTOGRAPHS BY CLIVE NICHOLS

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THE DETAILS STYLE Eclectic plant lovers’ garden, creating cameos SEASONS OF INTEREST Peaking in spring, and from August to October SIZE 1½ acres SOIL Variable across the site but mostly improved clay, fairly neutral

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TOP LEFT Corkscrew willow alongside pink-flowered Japanese apricot ‘Beni-chidori’ TOP RIGHT Evergreen fern Asplenium scolopendrium (Crispum Group) ‘Golden Queen’ looks so pretty with its ruffled edges ABOVE A bug hotel enjoys a beautiful spot in the evolving woodland area

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ld Court Nurseries and The Picton Garden, on the lower slopes of the Malvern Hills, is best known for its Plant Heritage National Collection of Michaelmas daisies, but in spring there is a different story to be told. Over the past few years, Helen Picton and her husband Ross Barbour have been quietly beavering away in this woodland setting to inject the garden with choice plants for early season interest. “It’s all about the detail,” Ross says. “This is when little treasures really shine. If you had a cyclamen blooming in July, you’d never see it, but in early spring you can spot it at a hundred yards.” Now, progress is slow as you wind along the meandering gravel paths edged with logs and mossy stones, as there is a wealth of jewel-like plants to study along the way. Ross has planted his collection of snowdrops here, now numbering 350-plus varieties, and there are crocuses, hepaticas, primulas, dwarf irises, species tulips, dainty muscari cultivars and heritage narcissi. Vistas are framed through the twiggy branches of some very special trees: multi-stemmed Japanese maples, Himalayan birches with peeling bark (including Betula utilis ‘Dark-Ness’) and a stunning Japanese apricot Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’ that is awash with fragrant, carmine-pink flowers. Building up these layers takes time and a practised eye. “We aim to create cameos,” Helen

explains. “Snowdrops stand out best against a darker background, so we’ll often plant them with ferns or alongside moss-covered tree stumps.” They have a tip for squeezing yet more bulbs into an area that is already densely planted: “We raise them in pots, then place them into available space once the other bulbs are up.” Large tulips proved difficult here as Ross found they didn’t always come back, and they tended to look tatty for a long time, so he and Helen favour smaller species tulips, such as easy-going Tulipa turkestanica and rich pink Tulipa ‘Persian Pearl’, which die away less noticeably after flowering and tend to be more reliable returners the following year. Helen has developed a passion for epimediums and they have trialled many varieties. Favourites include ‘Rhubarb and Custard’, “a real star with showy flowers well above the foliage”, and ‘Black Sea’, “a cracker, the leaves go really dark purple if the winter gets cold enough”. Ross joined the business in 2014 and he largely concentrates on the garden, while Helen focuses on the nursery. They have now taken over from Helen’s parents, Paul and Meriel, who first established the garden in the 1980s (although both are still actively involved). Paul’s father Percy bought the nursery business in 1952, so this is a three-generation family affair. The garden and nursery rely on each other, just as Helen and Ross do: the garden acts as a

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ABOVE LEFT The sugar-pink flowers of Cordyalis solida subsp. solida ‘Beth Evans’ ABOVE MIDDLE White with green veins, the ‘nodding’ flowers of Fritillaria bucharica ABOVE RIGHT Japanese maple Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’ with small clusters of red spring flowers LEFT Bright orange petals of Fritillaria Imperialis ‘Chopin’ RIGHT Dwarf-flowering daffodil Narcissus ‘Hawera’ has elegant lemon-yellow blooms BELOW LEFT The deep pink, highly scented blossom flowers of Japanese apricot, Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’ BELOW MIDDLE In late winter, hazel Corylus avellana ‘Red Majestic’ bears purplish-pink catkins BELOW RIGHT Double purple-flowered Helleborus ‘Kingston Cardinal’

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Glowing colours 1 HEPATICA NOBILIS VAR. PYRENAICA Small, clump-forming perennials. 2 ERANTHIS HYEMALIS ‘ORANGE GLOW’ Winter aconite with deep yellow flowers in late winter and early spring. 3 TULIPA HUMILIS ‘PERSIAN PEARL’ Delicate with intense pink flowers.

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4 PRIMULA BELARINA ‘PINK ICE’ Primula with double pink flowers swirled with cream. 5 GALANTHUS NIVALIS ‘PRAGUE SPRING’ Snowdrop variety with flowers clearly marked with green. 6 ANEMONELLA THALICTROIDES

F. ROSEA ‘OSCAR SCHOAF’ Anemone with large, pink double flowers. 7 MUSCARI AZUREUM Lightly scented soft blue grape hyacinth. 8 EPIMEDIUM ‘RHUBARB AND CUSTARD’ One of Helen’s favourites with its showy flowers.

GA R D E N I N G showcase for the plants they sell, helping visitors to enjoy and assess different varieties before they buy, and it also gives the family somewhere to trial new ones before committing to stocking them. Ninety per cent of their plants are raised on-site, so customers can be confident that the family know and understand their stock. Ross and Helen’s growing interest in ecology has encouraged them to experiment with different management regimes. When Ross arrived, he would fanatically gather up all the fallen leaves and cart them off to make leaf mould. Now, they leave them in place, just clearing them from the paths to the beds, and allowing them to break down naturally and help improve the soil structure in situ, thus cutting out all the labour in between. It’s worked. “Yes, the first couple of years were a nightmare for slugs but gradually springtails [insect-like creatures that feed on dead leaves, playing an important part in the composting process and nutrient recycling] have proliferated. They provide a food source for predators, such as centipedes and ground beetles, and so it goes on,” Ross explains. “The fact is, you need all these things, even slugs, as they are part of the jigsaw puzzle,” Helen adds. “You can’t take any of the pieces out, as they all work together, and actually we are reaching quite a nice balance now. You have to accept that there will be some damage from slugs and snails, but that’s just the way it is.” “We have made some big moves in the garden – taken out bamboos, dug up and moved mature acers to give them more space, created a jungle border – and Paul has been very good about it,” Ross says. As with any business, horticultural or otherwise, it is important to keep moving forward. OLD COURT NURSERIES & PICTON GARDEN, Walwyn Road, Malvern, Worcestershire (01684 540416; autumnasters.co.uk), is open Thursday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm, in February and March. Thereafter opening times vary – see website for details.

OPPOSITE, TOP Winding gravel paths, edged with logs and mossy stones, take you round the garden THIS PAGE Stachyrus praecox is prized for its elegant racemes of pale yellow flowers MARCH 2022

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Flower & THE GLORY

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A 17th-century ironstone cottage has been restored and expanded to accommodate a family of five and a flourishing cut-flower business WORDS AND PRODUCTION BY KAY PRESTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS BY CATHY PYLE

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n a small sandstone valley in the Surrey Hills, the village of Chiddingfold offers visitors a charming little surprise: a cluster of ironstone cottages that were built following the unexpected discovery of a small seam of iron here in the 17th century. With its chequerboard stonework, redbrick window detail and red pantiled roof, Cherfold Cottage is one of these. It immediately appealed to Caroline Oleron when she first saw it, despite its run-down state. “I love historic houses and the stories of their past,” she says. “I’m drawn to places that tell a tale of their locality. “ She put in an offer immediately and moved in with her husband and three sons in 2009. It would take 16 months of major building work to bring to life Caroline’s vision for the period home. Faced with dated and pokey rooms, she teamed up with the same West Sussex building firm who’d helped to renovate their previous property in a nearby village. They set to work knocking down internal walls, adding windows to bring in more natural light and relocating the staircase from the living room into the kitchen to open up the ground floor. “I wanted to maintain the essence of the cottage and its original beams, but also create a modern, open-living feel,” Caroline says. Working with a local architect, they added an extension to the rear of the property with a vaulted dormer window and French doors into a small courtyard garden. “I love the feeling of opening the living space into the outdoors in summer,” Caroline says. “We even have robins who make their nests in the courtyard.” What appear to be old oak beams are actually oak-covered casing designed

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to hide the RSJs, which have been hand-chiselled for an artisanal, aged appearance. Keen to retain character and original materials where possible, Caroline has kept the rear ironstone wall of the cottage exposed, adding texture and historic contrast to the new room. A new fitted kitchen, painted a soft cream to blend into the walls, is juxtaposed with a vintage island made from a reclaimed Welsh shop counter that Caroline found in a local vintage pop-up shop. Practical flagstone flooring sits on top of underfloor heating, ensuring the stone floor remains cosy underfoot in colder months. Caroline is a keen collector of vintage and antique pieces: one of her favourite finds, a Gustavian grandfather clock found in nearby Petworth, stands guard beside the stairs. “I love the story of my possessions giving my home individuality,” she says. Upstairs, the master bedroom was opened up into the attic space, so the room became a dramatic double-height, with the exposed roof beams creating a striking architectural feature. The downstairs extension was also given a second storey so an ensuite could be added to the main bedroom. “I designed the bathroom as a little oasis where I could THIS PAGE, TOP LEFT On the kitchen island, a 19th-century iron vase is filled with blossom. The vintage chairs are from a Singer sewing factory TOP RIGHT Curated vignettes on vintage shelving in the studio

ABOVE Euphorbias and tulips in the back garden of the ironstone cottage OPPOSITE In the new kitchen extension, a mix of vintage chairs surround the wooden table, a local auction find countryliving.com/uk

One of Caroline’s favourite finds – a Gustavian clock – stands guard beside the stairs

In the original sitting room, a large brick fireplace and wooden ceiling beams retain the link with the past. The vintage rug is from Ark Antiques and two old leather club chairs offer a comfortable spot for a fireside chat. The wooden-topped coffee table is from The Little Shed vintage shop in nearby Godalming

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“I felt strongly that I wanted to maintain the essence of the cottage”

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“I’m still drawn to the bold prints and strong colours of Moroccan interiors” lie in the bath and look out into the garden,” Caroline says. “The vibrant teal colour was inspired by a road trip to Morocco in a Fiat Panda when I was 19. I am still drawn to the bold prints and strong colours of Moroccan interiors.” When the house was finished, she turned her attention to the garden, creating box-hedged ‘rooms’ planted with seasonal displays of dahlias, peonies, roses and tulips. Caroline studied at the Académie Julian (where Matisse was once a pupil), and her painter’s eye is evident in the artfully curated seasonal plant palettes. At the suggestion of her sister, she soon began selling bunches of sweet peas from a stall outside the house. The village shop then asked to stock her bunches, and friends began requesting posies. Orders for wedding flowers followed and soon she had a thriving business. Caroline has recently expanded into a nearby studio at local venue The Old Coal Yard, where she enjoys being part of a creative community with jewellers, bakers, a micro distillery and artisan tile makers. The studio has become a social hub: visitors can browse bucketfuls of seasonal flowers alongside a collection of vintage finds and chat over a cup of tea. She is already planning her next artistic initiative endeavour – an art course at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. “Cherfold Cottage has gifted me an unexpected livelihood,” she reflects. “Before this, I had no idea which direction I wanted to go in workwise, but this house and garden has opened a door of opportunity for me.” TO FIND OUT MORE about Caroline’s business, see cherfoldflowers.com.

THIS PAGE, TOP LEFT A clawfooted bath sits beside the window overlooking the garden TOP RIGHT Caroline creates seasonal displays outside her studio LEFT A mezzanine level above the flower workshop has

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been decorated with vintage fabric panels and provides useful additional space OPPOSITE Fitted wardrobes separate the main bedroom from the ensuite. A vintage rocking horse stands in the mezzanine library above

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Crescendo OF COLOUR Each spring, this Kentish country garden – once an overgrown farmyard – peaks with a delightful medley of showstopping blooms WORDS BY PAULA MCWATERS PHOTOGRAPHS BY BENNET SMITH FOR MARIANNE MAJERUS

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THE DETAILS STYLE Naturalistic old English country garden with woodland SEASONS OF INTEREST Most of the year but peaks in spring SIZE Just over an acre SOIL Neutral to acid river gravel but much improved with compost over the past 70 years

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lanting a tree creates a legacy for the generations to come, and this is very much the case for Jennifer and Edward Raikes and their family. Edward’s grandmother Gladys planted a Chinese magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) in the riverside garden at Parsonage Oasts in Yalding, Kent, in 1957 and now, 65 springs later, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to revel in its glorious annual crescendo of waxy, tulip-shaped, pink blossom. The tree is clearly happy here in a moist, semi-woodland setting beside the River Medway, and so are Jennifer and Edward. They and their young family moved in to care for Granny Raikes in 1968 – ironically, on the day of south-east England’s Great Flood – and have lived here, and tended the garden that Gladys began, ever since. Granny Raikes was already in her seventies when she bought the then-derelict Parsonage Oasts in 1953 and set about converting it into a house. It is unusual because it is a block of four square cowls (chimneys)

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built around 1800, with adjoining ‘stowage’ space where the roasted and dried hops would have been stored. Up until the 1960s, this was a prime hop-growing area, attracting pickers from the East End of London every September to help bring in the harvest. While the house was being worked on, Gladys began to turn the overgrown farmyard into a garden, with the assistance of a gardener from the village. Rubbish and brambles were cleared, shingle paths were laid and low garden walls were built from the ragstone of a partially demolished barn that stood on the site. Edward and Jennifer have adapted and refined the design: “Most of the paths are as they were, but of course we have developed and modernised the planting over the years.” What Jennifer and Edward stay true to is the gentle nature of the garden. “We have never been fanatical about it, we don’t like it too tidy and we don’t like anything showy such as begonias or chrysanthemums,” Jennifer says. It is an English country garden and that is what they love. Jennifer helps plants along, splitting and dividing several different heritage narcissi that were there and replanting them in other parts of the garden. Pretty pink and white Erodium pelargoniflorum, which Jennifer planted in pots of white tulips along the main terrace path, have ‘jumped out’ and spread themselves along the paving. “Things find their own place if you let them,” she says. In the centre of the garden stands another long-established tree, an old Victorian Kentish

ABOVE AND LEFT The oast, with its four square cowls, sits right on the banks of the River Medway. A 65year-old Magnolia x soulangeana, planted in 1957, is still putting on a magnificent show every spring OPPOSITE Beds behind the house are arranged around open lawns and an ancient ‘Gascoyne’s Scarlet’ apple tree. They are planted with narcissi, grape hyacinths and fragrant spring shrubs including pink-flowered Daphne mezereum

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“Most of the paths are as they were, but we have developed and modernised the planting over the years”

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variety of apple, ‘Gascoyne’s Scarlet’. “The fruit doesn’t keep well, so I cut and freeze some but have the rest juiced. We usually get around 100 bottles,” Jennifer says. The vegetable patch yields all the raspberries they can eat, along with courgettes, beans, potatoes and spinach. Jennifer plants for year-round interest but spring is when the garden peaks. Scent is a vital ingredient with several varieties of daphne, including D. mezereum with bright purple-pink flowers on bare twigs and evergreen D. bholua, as well as wintersweet Chimonanthus praecox (syn C. fragrans). Areas of lawn are dotted with early Crocus tommasinianus and snake’s head fritillaries Fritillaria meleagris. Beyond the magnolia tree, underplanted with hellebores (preceded by snowdrops), is a low-lying woodland area where Jennifer has added to the existing hornbeam and ash by planting a swamp cypress, with a carpet of white wood anemones beneath it. Several camellias grow here and Jennifer has a further collection in pots, their brilliant flowers adding early colour to the spring garden. The couple have always embraced their position beside the river. “Friends questioned how I would keep the children safe, living so near to water, but they grew up to respect it. The river is a colossal advantage most of the time,” Jennifer says. “It does flood occasionally but fortunately the water never seems to stay up high for long and the garden recovers surprisingly well.” The fact that many of Gladys’s original plants are still here is testimony to that. For some years, the couple hosted outdoor plays in this magical setting. “During one production, a trumpet solo was played from our bedroom window,” Jennifer recalls. She and Edward rub along well as custodians: “He is the destructive gardener (cutting and pruning), and I am the creative gardener (designing and planting). You can’t have one without the other.” THE GARDENS at Parsonage Oasts, Yalding, Kent, are open by appointment, March to October, through the National Garden Scheme. See ngs.org.uk for details.

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OPPOSITE, ABOVE Gravel paths give a natural feel BELOW White wood anemones by the pond THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Camellia x williamsii ‘E G Waterhouse’; Erodium pelargoniflorum; Veronica umbrosa; Ipheion uniflorum ABOVE RIGHT Old brick walls enclose the garden on the riverside

Tips from PARSONAGE OASTS ONLY GROW THINGS that are happy in your soil. You will soon find out what conditions you have, and if you ask around and look in nearby gardens, you will discover what will do well for you. SHARE CUTTINGS, lift spare bulbs, collect seed. Giving these to others and receiving them yourself means you can walk round your garden thinking about your friends. SHOP AT LOCAL AND SPECIALIST NURSERIES if you can. We like Wood Cottage Nursery (woodcottagenursery.com) at Nettlestead Green, and Coolings Potted Garden Nursery (coolings.co.uk) at Bearsted. All our camellias come from specialist Trehane Nursery (trehanenursery.co.uk) in Wimborne, Dorset.

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Flowering currants are usually pink, so the dainty pendant white flowers of Ribes sanguineum ‘Elkington’s White’ make it an extra special cultivar. Its fresh green corrugated leaves are slightly fragrant. £24.99 for a threelitre pot, Crocus (crocus.co.uk). It grows approximately 2m high by 2m wide.

A good read

Gardener’s notebook Gardening editor Paula McWaters shows how to get the best from your plot in March

arch means one thing to me and that is daffodils. Every year, I add to my collection

To-do list Cut or buy hazel sticks from managed woodland to use as plant supports

but some of my favourites are the miniatures,

Plant up some alpines

grown in pots or in little clumps to follow on

in a trough with drainage

after snowdrops, underneath spring-flowering shrubs. There’s something so cheering about these little beauties: they seem so delicate yet every year they push up through the ground, even if it’s rock hard. Some, such as ‘Odoratus’ and ‘Canaliculatus’, are multi-headed, packing a punch with tiny flowers all bunched together. Both are sweetly scented and would suit terracotta pots or a windowbox. Another delightful one for pots is Narcissus bulbocodium, the hoop petticoat daffodil, so named for its unusual-shaped flower. The golden yellow species bulbs look spectacular en masse – you can see a showstopping collection in RHS Wisley’s Alpine meadow, but you can also grow them in containers or a gravel garden. Look out for pale varieties such as ‘Spoirot’ and ‘Arctic Bells’. I think these are even prettier than the yellow. Follow Paula on Instagram @paulalifeandsoil. countryliving.com/uk

Well-known as a celebrity gardener in Denmark (and increasingly in the UK, too, thanks to Instagram), Claus Dalby is a past master of pots. So it’s good news that his latest book Containers in the Garden (Quarto, £22) has been translated into English, enabling us all to lap up his firing-on-all-cylinders displays, which change through the seasons. He has a brilliant eye for colour and design: this is primarily a lookbook of ideas, although there is a sprinkling of practical advice, too.

Lift and divide snowdrops to make new clumps

Cut back any grasses that are deciduous

Sow half-hardy annuals and salads in pots

Plant new evergreens in damp weather

Move seed compost indoors to warm it ready for planting seeds MARCH 2022

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GA R D E N I N G

Minterne Gardens DORSET The tranquil woodland gardens at Minterne House, near Dorchester, Dorset, are a treat in spring. Landscaped in the 18th century, they extend for nearly 20 acres and a circular one-mile walk winds its way down through the greensand valley, via groves of azaleas and rhododendrons, leading to a series of lakes and waterfalls all connected by a stream. There are cherries, maples and magnolia trees underplanted with bulbs, and the lakes and stream are planted with bog plants and marginals including candelabra primulas. Open every day from 1 February, from 10am to 6pm; admission £6 for adults, under-12s free (01300 341370; minterne.co.uk).

SAW POINT Three cutting faces per tooth give this handy folding pruning saw real bite. It has a 15cm blade made of hardened and tempered high-carbon steel and is easy to wield. £30.99 from Burgon & Ball (burgonandball.com).

Fill a sunny corner with this mix of violet-blue viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare ‘Blue Bedder’) and deep orange marigolds (Calendula officinalis ‘Indian Prince’) and you’ll have bees and butterflies in abundance. Direct sow the seeds now. They should self-sow to return the next year. £2.75 for two packets of seeds, Sarah Raven (sarahraven.com).

NEED SEEDS?

The essential bench Having your own potting bench makes preparing plants and getting seedlings ready for pricking out easy and convenient. This one, in fir wood, is painted pastel green and has a dry sink, side hooks, a drawer and several shelves. It measures 117cm wide x 45cm deep x 121cm high and costs £199.99 from Gardenesque (0330 133 1469; gardenesque.com).

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Seedy Saturday is a bustling, sociable event where you can swap home-saved and unwanted seeds, buy seeds and seed potatoes, cottage plants and other gardening goodies. It’s at Timsbury Conygre Hall in Timsbury, near Bath, North Somerset, on 12 March, 10am-2pm. Admission £1 on the door, children under 16 free. For more information, go to seedysaturday.org.uk. countryliving.com/uk

ILLUSTRATION BY ALLIRA TEE. PHOTOGRAPHS BY JONATHAN BUCKLEY; ANDREW MONTGOMERY; JEREMY WALKER

Let it grow

Wellbeing F O R M I N D & B O DY

Grow

YOUR OWN SUPERFOODS Here’s our pick of the fruit and veg that delivers health benefits in spades WORDS BY KATE LANGRISH

ove over, acai, goji berries and chia seeds – you don’t need expensive fruit and vegetables flown in from all over the world to bolster your health. In fact, many of our humble allotment favourites are just as worthy of ‘superfood’ status. Best of all, you can easily grow these unsung food heroes yourself. By doing

so, you’ll not only reap the mental health benefits of tending your own crop, but you can select to sow the most nutritious varieties. While supermarkets often pick under-ripe fruit and veg to increase shelf life, growing yours by your back door means that you can harvest them when both flavour and vitamins are at their peak. MARCH 2022

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Metabolism-boosting CHILLIES There’s growing scientific interest in the role chillies might play in weight management. Capsaicin – the compound that gives chillies their spice – is thought to both help to control appetite and boost the number of calories your body burns. One study found that capsaicin could increase feelings of fullness, while others suggest eating chillies raises body temperature, increasing the amount of energy your body uses. Much of the capsaicin is in the seeds, so, if you can stand the heat, don’t ditch them before cooking! GROW YOUR OWN Sow chilli seeds now on a sunny windowsill. They like heat and humidity, so place a clear plastic bag over each pot and secure it with an elastic band until they germinate. A compact, bushy variety such as ‘Apache’ will provide plenty of small fiery fruits.

See clearly with CARROTS

Tomatoes contain large amounts of vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, which all support heart health. But scientists are increasingly interested in lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes their vibrant red colour. It is thought to help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Research also shows that people who regularly eat tomatoes have a 20 per cent lower risk of stroke. GROW YOUR OWN For the highest levels of lycopene, choose a bright red cherry variety. ‘Sweet Million’ will provide a bumper crop of super-sweet fruit in a greenhouse and the ever-reliable ‘Gardener’s Delight’ is perfectly happy in a sunny outdoor spot. Leave tomatoes on the plant for as long as possible or store them on the worktop, where they will continue to increase their lycopene content as they ripen.

Brain benefits from BLACKCURRANTS While blueberries receive all the superfood accolades, blackcurrants pip them to the post in the plant potency charts. They are bursting with the flavonoid anthocyanin, and there is mounting evidence to suggest they are nutritional powerhouses when it comes to keeping your thinking skills sharp. A recent study found that people who eat a diet that includes at least half a serving per day of foods high in flavonoids may have a 20 per cent lower risk of cognitive decline. GROW YOUR OWN Blackcurrants are easy to grow. Plant them now and prune right back. It might seem harsh but the fruits form on last year’s growth, so this will encourage strong shoots and ensure a bumper crop for next year.

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GROW YOUR OWN No vegetable patch? Grow carrots in large pots instead. Opt for shorter, rounder varieties, such as ‘Early Nantes’, which don’t need deep soil. Purple varieties come with even more health-boosting polyphenols.

Immune support from GARLIC Garlic has long been used in traditional herbal medicine to fight colds and other infections, and science is now beginning to understand more about its antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties. These are thought to stem from allicin,

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GETTY IMAGES; HOUSE OF PICTURES/TIA BORGSMIDT (PRODUCTION: BENTE HALKJAER); ANDREW MONTGOMERY; STOCKFOOD. THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT INTEND TO REPLACE MEDICAL ADVICE

Heart-healthy TOMATOES

They might not actually help you to see in the dark, but carrots could be effective in maintaining good eyesight. They contain pigments called carotenoids, two of which – lutein and zeaxanthin – are thought to help protect the retina from damage caused by UV light. One study found that people who ate the most lutein and zeaxanthin were 40 per cent less likely to have advanced age-related macular degeneration, a disease of the eyes that causes blindness. They are also rich in beta-carotene, from which the body makes vitamin A – essential to good vision.

WELLBEING

Boost your stamina with BEETROOT If you’re after a little more staying power on a run – or while digging in the garden – then sow beetroot on your patch. A review of more than 20 studies showed that drinking beetroot juice can boost endurance and stamina when exercising. Scientists believe it’s down to the high nitrate content of beets. When eaten, they’re converted to nitrous oxide, which can help improve blood flow to the muscles. GROW YOUR OWN Beetroots can be eaten at any size, with baby beets ready from around ten weeks after sowing. Plant from now until early summer for a succession of harvests, and don’t forget to eat the leaves, which are nutrient-packed, too.

Gut-friendly ASPARAGUS Alongside a generous helping of fibre, asparagus is rich in inulin, a prebiotic that helps to feed the good bacteria in your gut. It also helps to keep you ‘regular’ and reduces bloating. Slice it thinly and eat raw to retain the maximum amount of inulin. If you prefer your asparagus cooked, a few minutes in a pan will actually increase the level of other plant chemicals including rutin, which is thought to help reduce inflammation. GROW YOUR OWN Newly planted ‘crowns’ of asparagus take a couple of years to establish before you can start picking spears, but they will reward you for years to come. Give them a chance to grow tall and thin – these spears contain more rutin than stubbier stems. which gives garlic its pungent taste and smell, and has been shown to fight bacteria and viruses in lab experiments. GROW YOUR OWN Most garlic varieties need a cold spell for good bulb development, so are best planted late autumn/early winter. However, there’s still time to get spring varieties, such as ‘Cledor’. Bulbs are ready to harvest when the leaves turn yellow, but in the meantime you can use a few of the green leaves in salads.

Anti-cancer BRUSSELS SPROUTS All the cruciferous veg family pack a serious nutritional punch, but the humble sprout is the richest in glucosinolates. These plant chemicals are responsible for a sprout’s bitter taste and sulfurous aroma. When chewed and digested, they are broken down into active compounds, which scientists believe may have protective effects against cancer. Studies suggest that people who eat lots of cruciferous vegetables tend to have a lower risk of developing certain cancers, and studies reveal the compounds can suppress the growth of cancer cells grown in a lab. Don’t boil them, though – glucosinolates can leach out into the water, so it’s better to lightly steam or shred them raw into a slaw. GROW YOUR OWN Sprouts need space (they should be planted around 60cm apart), so sow seeds in pots from March to April before transplanting to the veg patch in early summer. countryliving.com/uk

Get greener fingers Nail Kind natural nail polishes (£8.95, nailkind.com) are formulated with plant- and mineral-based ingredients, such as sugarcane and corn, to give an eco-friendly pop of colour. The vegan formulations provide a smooth, glossy finish and are gentle on nails. The latest collection includes Purple Rain, inspired by the colour of the sky after a thunderstorm.

Wellbeing

The bamboo extract and hyaluronic acid in Erborian Bamboo Super Serum (£40, uk.erborian.com) help to replenish skin left parched by central heating and winter winds.

F O R M I N D & B O DY Feelgood tips and advice from our health and beauty editor Kate Langrish

GROUP WHOOP

Hands-on group activities can maximise the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors, according to a study by the University of York. The research showed that joining groups such as gardening clubs or doing craft courses provided even greater boosts to mood and reduction in anxiety levels than solo alfresco activities such as forest bathing. Activities don’t need to be long, but regular attendance over eight to 12 weeks provides the most positive effects. I decided to test this theory for myself with a willow-weaving class. I now not only have two slightly wonky obelisks in my garden ready for my sweet peas to climb up, but I found myself feeling uplifted, too. In fact, I’m thinking of signing up for the hazel hurdling course…

Shelf help

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GETTY IMAGES

Ever thought you’d like to achieve something but you’re not that ‘type of person’? We’re often held back by beliefs we have about ourselves, but our personality and thought patterns are not set in stone, says health and performance coach Gerry Hussey. Drawn from his personal experience, Awaken Your Power Within (Hachette Books, £14.99) includes exercises, meditations and practical steps to help address the changes you’d like to make.

Snack on walnuts. A recent study found that eating a daily handful may help to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol and support heart health. countryliving.com/uk

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Humble HOME COOKING

FOOD & DRINK

Author and broadcaster Kate Humble celebrates simple fare and seasonal produce with recipes from her south Wales farm PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREW MONTGOMERY

confession: I’m not a “cook”. I’m not trained, I don’t have lots of kit or the patience to spend hours fiddling about with ingredients to create foams or gels. But I do like cooking – albeit in what some may describe as a rather slapdash way. To my mind, cooking manages to be both calming and creative. At the end of a long, tiring day, pottering about making something simple – but, hopefully, satisfying – feels like a small but significant achievement. Living on a small farm just outside Monmouth in south Wales, I’m too off the beaten track for takeaways or delivery services. But I do have access to fresh eggs, free-range meat from native breeds and home-grown veg. I’m not remotely self-sufficient, but I can make a meaningful contribution to the ingredients I use throughout the year, supplemented by produce from wonderful local farmers and artisans. Luckily for me, countryliving.com/uk

what I really enjoy eating – and cooking – are good, simple ingredients that don’t need mucking about with. I make the following recipes all the time, especially in the spring. Of all the seasons, it’s my most eagerly anticipated, but it is a capricious time of year, too. Often, we’ll be lambing in March wearing T-shirts, only to dig out the thermals again in April. So the food I cook in spring varies – sometimes it needs to be warm and comforting (see my Swedish Yellow Split Pea Soup). But on days of sunshine, when the new lambs are skipping in the fields, I’ll make something lighter, like Spring Veg with Herbs and Feta – something that, if the mood takes me, could be taken on its plate and eaten outside. It’s worth noting that I don’t cook on a professional stove. I’m just in my kitchen that I use every day. So, this really is home cooking, inspired by the seasons and what’s available locally. It’s unfussy and easy, but, most importantly, it’s delicious. MARCH 2022

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COOKED HAM Until recently, I imagined that cooking ham was complicated, which is why most of us buy hams readycooked and glazed at Christmas, then revert to shop-bought, pre-sliced stuff for the rest of the year. So it was a revelation when I discovered how easy it is to cook and how many things you can do with it for many days afterwards. Preparation 2 hours 40 minutes Cooking 2 hours 40 minutes Serves 4 1 GAMMON JOINT (SMOKED OR UNSMOKED, ON OR OFF THE BONE, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO THE WAY YOU COOK IT) YOUR CHOICE OF LIQUID (I LIKE CIDER, BUT APPLE JUICE AND WATER BOTH WORK, TOO) 1 ONION, CUT INTO QUARTERS A FEW PEPPERCORNS 2 BAY LEAVES A GLAZE (MAPLE SYRUP, CHILLI JAM OR MARMALADE ALL WORK)

SWEDISH YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP I first ate this soup while working on a ship in Norway. The crew was predominantly Swedish, so it was often served. There are various versions, but this one comes courtesy of my dear friend Anders, whose family have farmed in the Swedish village of Nas for 400 years. This recipe has been passed down through all those generations, so is as authentic as you can get. It’s also, as Anders would say, scrumptious. Preparation 10 minutes,plus soaking Cooking 3 hours Serves 4 500G YELLOW SPLIT PEAS 2 LITRES HAM STOCK 300G HAM 1 ONION, FINELY CHOPPED

A FEW SPRIGS OF THYME (OR ½ TSP DRIED THYME) 1 BAY LEAF

1 Soak the yellow split peas in lots of water overnight. Remove the dried floating shells, then drain. (Not all yellow peas need soaking, so you might be able to miss this bit out – check the instructions on the packet.) 2 Add your ham stock to a big pot with the peas, the ham (cut or shredded into good-sized chunks), the onion, thyme and bay leaf. 3 Bring to the boil, remove the foam that forms on the surface, and then let it gently simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. If the soup is too thick, add water to get the consistency you like, but Anders’s family likes it fairly thick, as do I. More stew than soup.

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1 Weigh your gammon and calculate how long you need to cook it for (20 minutes per 450g, plus an extra 20 minutes). You’ll need to boil it for half that time and roast it for the other half. For instance, a 1.35kg gammon needs to cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes, boiled for 40 minutes, then roasted for 40 minutes. 2 Put the gammon in its pot and add liquid to cover it. Don’t worry if your pan isn’t quite big enough to allow this to happen. You can just turn the gammon halfway through the cooking process. 3 Throw in the onion, a few peppercorns and the bay leaves, then bring the liquid to the boil and let your gammon simmer. 4 Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan oven) gas mark 4. 5 When it’s had its time, lift the ham out of the liquid and put it in a foil-lined roasting tin. 6 Remove the skin from the top of the meat, leaving the layer of fat beneath it. Score the fat in a diamond pattern, then cover with foil and put in the oven. 7 Remove the foil covering 20 minutes before the ham is ready and brush it with your glaze (if using jam or jelly, warm it so it is runny). 8 Return the joint to the oven and leave to cook for its remaining time uncovered. 9 It’s now ready – hot, straight from the oven. Serve. (I usually have it with mashed butternut squash and steamed Savoy cabbage).

SPRING VEG WITH HERBS AND FETA There are days when I have an irrepressible craving for a big bowl of green veg, lightly steamed, drizzled with olive oil, spritzed with lemon and scattered with herbs. It feels like eating all the vitamins you will ever need at once, but in a way that is gloriously simple and deeply pleasurable. This is less a recipe, more a suggestion. Use any veg you like and adorn it as little or as much as your craving demands. Preparation 10 minutes Cooking 2-8 minutes (depending on veg) Serves 4 SEASONAL GREEN VEG (AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE) REALLY GOOD OLIVE OIL FRESH MIXED HERBS 1 LEMON A WEDGE OF FETA PUMPKIN AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS

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1 Lightly steam a mix of green veg, like broccoli, asparagus, broad beans, French beans, peas, spinach and courgettes. Don’t skimp on the amount – remember this isn’t a side dish (although it can be) – and steam until the vegetables are only just cooked and no more. You want to retain a bit of bite. 2 Pile onto a plate or into a bowl and drizzle with oil. You could use a flavoured oil – walnut or chilli, for example – or just a fruity, unctuous extra-virgin olive oil. 3 Scatter over a good mixed handful of roughly chopped herbs – anything you like or have handy. Parsley, basil, mint, coriander and chives all work. 4 Spritz with fresh lemon juice and add a crumble of feta over the vegetables. 5 Dry fry 1 tbsp of pumpkin and sunflower seeds and sprinkle over the top. Grind over some black pepper and sprinkle with sea salt flakes.

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FOOD & DRINK

LABNEH Labneh (below) is just thick Greek yogurt that’s been drained of all its liquid over 24 hours until it becomes like a cream or curd cheese. It’s great served with pitta bread, radishes, mint, cucumber, tomatoes and parsley. It will keep in your fridge for two weeks if you form it into balls and store in an airtight jar covered with extra-virgin olive oil. Preparation 5 minutes Serves 4 500G THICK GREEK YOGURT 1 TSP SALT EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL (OPTIONAL) ZA’ATAR (OPTIONAL)

1 Put the Greek yogurt in a bowl, add the salt and stir. 2 Spoon the salted yogurt into a muslin-lined sieve or a muslin bag (available online) and suspend the sieve or bag over a bowl in your fridge for 24-48 hours. That’s all you have to do. Store as suggested above, or put in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with za’atar.

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FOOD & DRINK

“What I enjoy are good, simple ingredients that don’t need mucking about with” MACKEREL WITH RHUBARB Rhubarb works beautifully in both sweet and savoury dishes. It is wonderful with pork – either made into a compote and served like apple sauce with chops or roasted beneath a tenderloin that’s been wrapped in thin, salty leaves of Parma ham. But for speed, flavour and all-round prettiness, try pairing it with mackerel. Preparation 10 minutes Cooking 15 minutes Serves 2 4-6 STALKS OF RHUBARB, TRIMMED 1 ORANGE CASTER SUGAR 4 SKIN-ON MACKEREL FILLETS, BONES REMOVED OLIVE OIL WATERCRESS, TO SERVE

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1 Preheat the oven to 200˚C (180°C fan oven) gas mark 6. 2 Slice the rhubarb into 5cm lengths and place in a roasting tin. Zest the orange and sprinkle the zest over the rhubarb. Squeeze over the juice of half the orange and sprinkle with a couple of good pinches of sugar. 3 Roast for 7-10 minutes until the rhubarb is soft but still holds its shape. Remove from the oven, leaving in the tin. 4 Turn your grill to its highest setting. 5 Take your mackerel fillets, put a couple of slashes in the skin, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place them, skin-side up, on top of the rhubarb and put the tin under the grill for about 5 minutes until the mackerel is cooked. 6 Divide the rhubarb between 2 plates, top with the mackerel fillets and pour over any juices from the roasting tin. 7 Serve with a handful of watercress alongside and eat immediately.

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250G DRIED LINGUINE 1 GARLIC CLOVE, FINELY CHOPPED ½-1 LONG RED CHILLI, FINELY CHOPPED 150G FRESH CRABMEAT (JUST WHITE OR A MIXTURE OF BROWN AND WHITE) OR 1 CAN OF CRABMEAT ZEST OF 1 UNWAXED LEMON, PLUS A SQUEEZE OF JUICE EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL A SMALL HANDFUL OF HAWTHORN LEAVES OR PARSLEY, ROUGHLY CHOPPED 2 HANDFULS OF ROCKET

LINGUINE WITH CRAB, CHILLI, LEMON, ROCKET AND HAWTHORN My friend Liz Knight – an inspirational hedgerow hunter – told me not to dig up my ground elder. “It was brought here by the Romans because it is so good to eat,” she explained. It is, too. I had no idea that the spring leaves of hawthorn are just as delicious as parsley. So I’ve used them in my favourite pasta dish, which always kicks off my campervan holidays. Preparation 15 minutes Cooking Approximately 12 minutes Serves 2

1 Put a large saucepan of salted water on to boil and cook the linguine according to the packet instructions. 2 While the pasta is cooking, mix the garlic, chilli, crabmeat and lemon zest with a little olive oil in a large bowl, big enough to take all the pasta. 3 Using tongs, remove the cooked pasta from the water and put straight into the large bowl with the crabmeat. Stir everything together, coating the pasta in the oily crab mixture. If necessary, add a couple of spoonfuls of pasta water and stir well until the pasta is coated in a silky sauce. 4 Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix well and taste – it might benefit from a squeeze of lemon juice. 5 Stir in the hawthorn leaves (or chopped parsley) and rocket and serve.

EXTRACTED FROM Home Cooked by Kate Humble (Octopus, £25). See page 168 for details of a CL Holidays trip to the Galápagos Islands with Kate.

TARTS

gold OF

Apples and pears aren’t just for autumn. If kept in cool, dark conditions, British-grown varieties should last until spring, making these nutritious desserts perfect for nippy March days

FOOD & DRINK

APPLE TART A fresh take on a British classic, this recipe includes a layer of vanilla-scented apple purée. Preparation 1 hour, plus standing and chilling Cooking 1 hour 10 minutes Serves 6-8 3 MILD EATING APPLES, SUCH AS GOLDEN DELICIOUS, PEELED, CORED AND SLICED 1 TBSP UNSALTED BUTTER, MELTED 1 TBSP SUGAR CHILLED SINGLE CREAM, TO SERVE FOR THE SWEET PASTRY DOUGH 200G PLAIN FLOUR 2 TSP CASTER SUGAR 100G UNSALTED BUTTER, CHILLED AND CUBED FOR THE APPLE AND VANILLA PUREE 3 APPLES (ANY VARIETY), PEELED, CORED AND DICED 1 VANILLA POD, SPLIT LENGTHWAYS 2-4 TBSP CASTER SUGAR, TO TASTE 2 TSP UNSALTED BUTTER

1 For the pastry, put the flour, sugar, butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is combined (5-10 pulses). Add 3-4 tbsp water and pulse until the dough holds together. Wrap the dough in baking parchment and let stand in a cool place for 30-60 minutes. 2 Butter and lightly flour a 27cm loosebased tart tin. 3 Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a circle slightly larger than the tart tin. Transfer to the tin and trim the edges. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm. 4 To bake blind, preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan oven) gas mark 6. Prick the pastry base, line with baking parchment and fill with weights. Bake for 15 minutes, remove the paper and weights and bake for a further 10-15 minutes. Cool before filling. 5 To make the purée, put the apples, vanilla pod, sugar and butter in a pan with 3-4 tbsp water. Cook gently, stirring, for 10-15 minutes until soft (adding more water if necessary). Remove the vanilla pod, use a knife to scrape the seeds into the mixture, then discard the pod. Transfer to a food processor and purée until smooth. 6 Turn the oven to 190°C (170°C fan oven) gas mark 5. Spread the purée in the pastry case. 7 Arrange the apple slices around the edge. Repeat to create an inner circle, going in the opposite direction. Brush with butter and sprinkle over the sugar. 8 Bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve with cream. countryliving.com/uk

SPICED APPLE CAKE Apple cake is a West Country staple, thought to have originated in Somerset. This one has been enriched with honey, spices and a sprinkling of flaked almonds. Preparation 30 minutes Cooking 50-60 minutes Makes 16 squares 225G UNSALTED BUTTER, SOFTENED 200G LIGHT SOFT BROWN SUGAR 6 TBSP HONEY 275G PLAIN WHOLEMEAL FLOUR 75G PLAIN FLOUR 2 TSP BAKING POWDER 1 TSP GROUND CINNAMON ½ TSP GROUND CLOVES ½ TSP GROUND GINGER ½ TSP GROUND NUTMEG 5 EGGS, BEATEN 3 TBSP GROUND ALMONDS 50G SULTANAS 550G TART COOKING APPLES, PEELED, CORED AND FINELY CHOPPED

4 TBSP MILK 3-4 TBSP FLAKED ALMONDS, TOASTED ICING SUGAR, FOR DUSTING

1 Lightly butter and flour a 23cm square cake tin. Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan oven) gas mark 3. 2 Put the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and cream together until light and fluffy. Beat in the honey. In a separate bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. 3 Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, then add the eggs and mix well. Fold in the ground almonds, sultanas, apples and milk, and mix just to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared tin and level the top. 4 Bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes, until risen and golden, and a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let cool slightly in the tin, then turn out onto a wire rack. When cool, sprinkle with flaked almonds and dust with icing sugar. Cut into squares to serve. MARCH 2022

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PEAR & ALMOND TART

PEAR & FIG CLAFOUTIS Ideal for when you’re entertaining, this delicious dessert looks fantastic and is easy to prepare, as the batter and fruit can be made in advance. At the start of the meal, simply combine the two and put in the oven – it will be perfectly cooked by the time you’ve finished your main course. Preparation 30 minutes Cooking 45 minutes Serves 4-6 3 RIPE PEARS 3 RIPE FIGS 200ML CRÈME FRAÎCHE 200ML MILK 3 EGGS 125G CASTER SUGAR 2 TBSP GROUND ALMONDS ½ TSP GROUND CINNAMON

ICING SUGAR, TO DUST CHILLED SINGLE CREAM, TO SERVE

1 Grease a large, shallow ovenproof dish with butter. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan oven) gas mark 6. 2 Peel and core the pears, and cut into quite large pieces. Trim the stem ends from the figs and cut into slightly smaller pieces. If there is too much white on the fig skins, trim this off. Arrange the fruit in the prepared ovenproof dish, distributing it evenly. Set aside. 3 Combine the crème fraîche, milk, eggs, sugar, almonds and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl, and beat well to combine. 4 Pour the batter evenly over the fruit and bake in the oven for about 35-45 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let cool slightly and dust with icing sugar just before serving. Serve warm with cream.

This is a classic French pastry dish. Sometimes the pears are simply halved, but you could also try slicing them. Preparation 45 minutes, plus standing and cooling Cooking 25 minutes Serves 6 FOR THE FILLING 100G UNSALTED BUTTER 100G CASTER OR GRANULATED SUGAR 2 LARGE EGGS 100G GROUND ALMONDS 2 TBSP PLAIN FLOUR SEEDS FROM ½ VANILLA POD SPLIT LENGTHWAYS OR 1 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT 3-4 RIPE PEARS, SUCH AS WILLIAMS, PEELED, CORED AND SLICED FOR THE SWEET PASTRY DOUGH 200G PLAIN FLOUR 2 TSP CASTER SUGAR 100G UNSALTED BUTTER, CHILLED, CUBED

1 To make the pastry, put the flour, sugar, butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is just combined (about 5-10 pulses). Add 3-4 tbsp cold water and pulse just until the dough holds together. Wrap the dough in baking parchment and let stand in a cool place for 30-60 minutes before rolling out. 2 Butter and lightly flour a 27cm loosebased tart tin. 3 Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a circle slightly larger than the tart tin. Transfer to the tin and trim the edges. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm. 4 To bake blind, preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan oven) gas mark 6. Prick the pastry base, line with parchment and fill with weights. Bake for 15 minutes, remove paper and weights and bake for 10-15 minutes. Cool. 5 Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan oven) gas mark 5. 6 In a mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar, and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well each time. Add the almonds, flour and vanilla, and mix just to combine. 7 Spoon the mixture into the case and level the surface. Arrange the pears on top. 8 Bake for 20-25 minutes until puffed and golden. Serve with ice cream or custard. EXTRACTED FROM Cinnamon, Spice & Warm Apple Pie (Ryland Peters & Small, £9.99). Photography by Peter Cassidy @ Ryland Peters & Small.

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FOOD & DRINK

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HOLIDAYS

CRUISES | TOURS | HOTELS

E XC LU S I V E TO U R Whether the cold weather suits you or not, winter is one of the gloomiest times of year in the UK, so what better time to book a holiday? The world is opening up with destinations galore, but what will you choose? In this issue, cruise Scotland’s islands by yacht with a proud Scotswoman, explore Slovenia’s mountains and lakes or take the nature trip of a lifetime with a TV wildlife presenter. All our cruise and tour packages come with added protection, offering peace of mind. View the full collection and latest availability at countrylivingholidays.com.

Explore SCOTLAND’S ISLANDS BY LUXURY YACHT with Carol Kirkwood

Country Living editor-in-chief

THE COUNTRY LIVING HOLIDAYS GUARANTEE Low deposits – many of our trips can be booked with low deposits starting at just £100pp. Your money is safe because your trips are protected by one of the following schemes: TTA, ABTA, AITO, ABTOT or the Global Travel Group’s consumerprotection guarantee scheme. Flight-inclusive trips are also ATOLprotected. This government-backed scheme safeguards your money and will assist you if a company goes out of business. If there is any reason why your trip may be cancelled, our experts will be in touch. If you have any questions or concerns, email countrylivingholidays@hearst.co.uk and we will be on hand to help.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER Tripsmiths partners with leading tour operators and media brands to deliver exclusive travel experiences.

Learn about the weather presenter’s Scottish heritage and discover Loch Ness, Loch Nevis, Iona and much more on this incredible private yacht experience aboard Lord of the Glens

f you were compiling a list of top British breaks to take, this is surely a strong contender. On this trip, you’ll sail on a luxurious private yacht through the Highlands and islands of Scotland, exploring the Caledonian Canal, hidden sea lochs and the magical islands of Scotland’s western shore.

Try a dram of whisky in Oban

Better still, you’ll travel in the company of proud Scotswoman, meteorologist and weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who’ll tell you about her Scottish family’s history during a private talk and Q&A session. Loch Ness, Loch Nevis, the Sound of Mull, Iona, Eigg, Skye, Fort Augustus, Fort William… the names conjure up images of glistening waters, wild landscapes, towering castles, majestic flora and fauna, and myths and legends of old. There is no finer way to explore them than on board Lord of the Glens. This is not a cruise, but a private yacht experience, similar to the Royal Yacht Britannia. With just 27 outward-facing ensuite cabins and a maximum of 54 passengers, the yacht offers sumptuous accommodation and superb cuisine.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke holidays, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts.

DISCOVER MORE exceptional tours and cruises

You’ll stay in one of the 27 outward-facing ensuite cabins on this private yacht

THE LUXURY STAYCATION THAT SHOULD BE TOP OF YOUR TRAVEL LIST Luxurious Lord of the Glens is similar to the Royal Yacht Britannia

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Inverness and welcome drinks with Carol DAY 2 Culloden; Loch Ness; Fort Augustus and talk and Q&A session with Carol DAY 3 Neptune’s Staircase; West Highland Line and Corpach DAY 4 Oban DAY 5 Iona and Isle of Mull DAY 6 Eigg and Loch Nevis DAY 7 Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh DAY 8 Inverness

LOCH NESS AND URQUHART CASTLE As well as keeping your eyes peeled for the mythical monster, you’ll sail past the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle and up an impressive flight of locks that runs through the heart of Fort Augustus.

YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Hear tales of growing up in Scotland in an exclusive talk and Q&A session with Carol Kirkwood Stay in an outward-facing cabin on luxurious Lord of the Glens for seven nights Tuck into fresh Scottish food every day (full-board included) Enjoy all excursions as indicated in the above itinerary

REMOTE DRINKING

REASONS TO BOOK LEARN ABOUT SCOTLAND FROM CAROL KIRKWOOD Carol will give a talk about her life, career and love of Scotland. Hear her reminisce about her life growing up in Morar and her grandfather’s role in building the incredible Glenfinnan Viaduct.

SKYE, MULL AND EIGG You will visit Skye and learn of the Clan Donald, and Mull with its eye-catching painted houses. On remote Eigg, look for Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds.

SEAFOOD AND WHISKY IN OBAN The seafood capital of Scotland, Oban is home to McCaig’s Tower, which has great views of the Inner Hebrides. You will visit the distillery, which was established in 1794.

Forget remote working – how about remote drinking? In Inverie, you can order a round at the most remote pub in the British Isles, The Old Forge.

YOUR LUXURY YACHT

ALSO INCLUDED All port dues and taxes, and transfers to/from Inverness at predetermined times

On Lord of the Glens, you’ll see armchairs from the Orient Express, furniture from RMS Windsor Castle and light fittings from SS France. It has a superb restaurant, an elegant bar and panoramic windows.

THE PRICE From £2,489pp* THE DATES 1-8 May 2023 TO BOOK Call 020 4571 1551, quoting code CL GLENSCAROL For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/ carolkirkwood

MEET YOUR SPECIAL GUEST Joining you in her native Scotland will be weather presenter Carol Kirkwood. Carol has been presenting the weather for more than 20 years and danced with Pasha Kovalev in the 13th series of Strictly Come Dancing.

*Price based on two sharing a James Watt Deck porthole cabin. Subject to availability. Single supplement on request. Operated by TS Tours Ltd. Deposit 20%. 100% financially protected (Travel Trust Association Q8549, ATOL 17722). For booking terms and conditions, visit tstours.co.uk/assets/tandc.pdf. TS Tours Ltd is a company wholly independent of Hearst UK

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HOLIDAYS E XC LU S I V E C R A F T R E T R E AT S

FREE HAMPER OF LOCAL PRODUCE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CL READERS*

Learn how to make AROMATHERAPY CANDLES or take WATERCOLOUR CLASSES in the BEAUTIFUL TROSSACHS Soak up the peace and tranquillity of Scotland on a craft retreat at Gartmore House, set in 100 acres of private grounds overlooking the mesmerising landscape of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Country Living readers, so there will be plenty of time with your tutor and to get to know your fellow guests.

THE HIGHLIGHTS CHOICE OF RETREATS Opt for candle-making or watercolour classes, have fun and learn from experts.

EXPERT TUITION You’ll get one-to-one feedback and expert guidance in a group of no more than ten

a day, made by chefs using local produce. All the rooms boast traditional Scottish styling with warm, contemporary tones and thoughtful touches.

FULL-BOARD AT GARTMORE HOUSE

INCREDIBLE LOCATION

You will stay in one of the 23 ensuite bedrooms in a beautiful 18th-century mansion with three home-cooked meals

Allow yourself to be inspired by the flora and fauna of nearby Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park as you learn.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER Gartmore House is a unique 18th-century property offering a wide variety of arts, craft and activity breaks in the beauty and serenity of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

DISCOVER MORE craft retreats at beautiful Gartmore

Learn scent combinations from an expert

MAKE AROMATHERAPY CANDLES Spend six days in the Trossachs National Park, where you’ll learn how to make candles with a professional candle-maker. Over the course of four full days of tuition geared to beginners, tutor Margaret Morrison-Macleod will teach you about ethically sourced essential oils and how to combine them into homemade candles. You’ll find your perfect scent combinations, whether you’re after something truly relaxing or perhaps a bit more invigorating. Margaret, owner of the award-winning aromatherapy company The Divine Hag, sells her products worldwide. After many years in Eastern Europe and London, she returned to her native Scotland where she now lives and works. She tutors in candle-making and aromatherapy throughout Scotland and is passionate about the ways nature can help us in our everyday living. You’ll be based at Gartmore House, set in 100 acres of private grounds close to Loch Lomond and you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your fellow candlemakers, during tea and coffee breaks and at mealtimes.

TRY WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

Practise your skills in beautiful surroundings

Enjoy a six-day retreat in the inspirational surroundings of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and take watercolour classes with a professional artist Immerse yourself in the peace and tranquillity of Scotland on a six-day retreat at Gartmore House, set in 100 acres of private grounds close to the amazing landscapes of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Over the course of four full days of tuition, you’ll connect with like-minded people and practise your watercolour skills under the watchful eye of experienced tutor Steve Bretel. Following a career in London as a commercial artist, Steve moved north to pursue his love for creative adventure, painting in the mountains, forests, villages and coastal towns of Scotland, where he is now based. He has taught art classes for nearly 20 years. Designed for all levels, the course will focus on composition, tonal range, colour mixing, line and wash, and sketching. Course sizes are small to allow for personalised instruction based on your level of experience.

AROMATHERAPY ITINERARY

DAY 1 Make your way to Gartmore House for a welcome talk and dinner DAYS 2-5 Aromatherapy candle-making workshops from 10am to 4pm every day DAY 6 Return home after breakfast YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Take a four-day aromatherapy candle-making course with specialist tuition from Margaret Morrison-Macleod Spend five nights’ full-board at Gartmore House Work with specialist materials, which are supplied Book free transfers from Stirling train station if required** Receive a hamper full of locally sourced goodies (worth £30) exclusively for Country Living readers, which will be sent to your home upon your return ALSO INCLUDED Day trips and activities for noncandle-makers (fees apply; call for details)

THE PRICE From £849pp* THE DATES Courses available on 27 March and 14 August 2022; 26 March and 13 August 2023. TO BOOK Call 01877 318025, quoting code CL GARTMORE CANDLE For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/aromatherapy *Price based on single occupancy of a room. Subject to availability. Room upgrades available at a supplement. Deposit 25%. **Transfers from Stirling station at 3.30pm on day 1; departs Gartmore House at 10am on day 6. Transfers from Glasgow or Edinburgh airport are available at a supplement. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Gartmore House, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This offer is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.

WATERCOLOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Make your way to Gartmore House; welcome talk and dinner DAYS 2-5 Watercolour workshops from 10am to 4pm every day DAY 6 Return home after breakfast

YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Take a four-day watercolour course with specialist tuition from Steve Bretel Spend five nights’ full-board at Gartmore House Work with specialist materials, which are supplied Book free transfers from Stirling station if required** Receive a hamper full of locally sourced goodies (worth £30), exclusively for Country Living readers, which will be sent to your home upon your return ALSO INCLUDED Day trips and activities for nonpainters (fees apply; call for details)

THE PRICE From £849pp* THE DATES Courses available in March, May, July, August, September and October 2022, and March, April, July, August, September and October 2023 TO BOOK Call 01877 318017, quoting code CL GARTMORE WATER For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/watercolour *Price based on single occupancy of a room. Subject to availability. Room upgrades available at a supplement. Deposit 25%. **Transfers from Stirling station at 3.30pm on day 1, departs Gartmore House at 10am on day 6. Transfers from Glasgow or Edinburgh airport are available at a supplement. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Gartmore House, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This offer is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.

House at countrylivingholidays.com/uk/craftretreats

THE STEAM ADVENTURE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET

HOLIDAYS

Travel across the Glenfinnan Viaduct

E XC LU S I V E TO U R

See the SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS by Experience breathtaking scenery by boat and the iconic Jacobite steam train

or centuries, the hills, glens and lochs of the Trossachs have inspired visitors. You will travel over land, sea and loch, powered by steam, on this exclusive trip. Travelling on the Jacobite and the paddle steamer Waverley†, you will see Ben Nevis, experience the Falkirk Wheel boat lift and pass over the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct.

REASONS TO BOOK

CRUISE ON LOCH KATRINE Named after Sir Walter Scott’s poem, Lady of the Lake will take you past breathtaking scenery. It has a heated saloon in case of inclement British summer weather.

Feel the serenity at Loch Katrine

JOURNEY BY STEAM TRAIN

of the Great Glen, in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Hopping aboard the Jacobite, you will puff past stunning scenery, craggy coastlines and inland lochs.

Your Fort William to Mallaig steam train round-trip begins at the southern end

PADDLE STEAMER TRIP Aboard the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, PS Waverley, you’ll cross the Firth of Clyde, enjoying the beauty of the Kyles of Bute from the deck†.

STAYING IN LUXURY Stay at the lovingly restored Winnock Hotel

You will spend three nights at the three-star Winnock Hotel, Drymen, an 18th-century hotel inn near Loch Lomond, amid dramatic scenery that inspired both Turner and Wordsworth. OUR TRAVEL PARTNER Brightwater Holidays is an award-winning travel operator specialising in garden and specialist-interest escorted tours worldwide.

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Falkirk Wheel DAY 2 Firth of Clyde on PS Waverley† DAY 3 Fort William to Mallaig (return trip) on the Jacobite DAY 4 Checkout; Loch Katrine on Lady of the Lake WHAT’S INCLUDED Three nights at the three-star Winnock Hotel, Drymen, with breakfasts and dinners (with wine) included Ride on the Falkirk Wheel boat lift Journey on the PS Waverley† Travel on the Fort William-Mallaig line on the Jacobite steam train Sail on Lady of the Lake Return flights from London Stansted to Edinburgh and services of a tour manager

THE PRICE From £995pp* THE DATES 25-28 June and 4-7 July 2022 TO BOOK Call 01334 441881, quoting code CL STEAM For more details, go to countryliving.com/uk/ scotlandbysteam CL recommends that readers CARBON OFFSET all flights. Find out more at climatecare.org *Based on two sharing a room and flying from London Stansted. Regional flights and/or overnight accommodation before/after tour are available and at a supplement. July supplement £30. Deposit £200pp**. Single rooms are available on request at a supplement. †Subject to confirmation of sailing schedule. An alternative excursion will be provided if necessary.

**Deposits are non-refundable. Brightwater Holidays reserves the right to amend offers at any time. Brightwater Holidays is ATOL- (4498) and ABTOT-bonded (5001). Cancellation information available at brightwaterholidays.com/bookingconditions. This promotion is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst UK brands

STEAM

DISCOVER MORE exceptional tours and cruises

GO GREEN WITH THIS INCREDIBLE NO-FLY HOLIDAY FOR WALKERS

HOLIDAYS N O - F LY TO U R

Relax at LAKE BLED & discover the mountains of SLOVENIA

Visit one of the largest caves in the world at Postojna

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 London to Munich DAY 2 Travel to Lake Bled DAY 3 Lake Bled DAY 4 Lujbljana DAY 5 Julian Alps DAY 6 Postojna Cave DAY 7 Portoroz DAY 8 Portoroz DAY 9 Turin DAY 10 Return to London YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Travel by Eurostar from London to Paris return Take the TGV from Paris to Munich and Turin to Paris and back Enjoy connecting rail journeys including a scenic trip across the stunning Austrian Alps Stay for one night bed and breakfast in Munich Spend four nights’ half board at Lake Bled Enjoy three nights’ half board accommodation in Portoroz Finish your holiday with one night’s bed and breakfast in Turin ALSO INCLUDED Services of our experienced tour manager

Explore Slovenia’s spectacular mountains, lakes and forests by train and coach and stay in a relaxing resort on the Adriatic

estled in the foothills of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled, with its little white church and surrounding crystal-clear glacial waters and emeraldgreen forests, is an enchanting scene. On this trip, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the stunning scenery of Lake Bled. You’ll also get to explore the romantic Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and join an excursion into the heart of Slovenia’s only national park, Triglav, crossing the highest mountain pass, Vršic, and passing through the beautiful Soca river valley to reach the shores of Lake Predil in Italy. In coastal Portoroz, you can enjoy a resort stay on the glistening Adriatic and visit the Karst cave at Postojna, which is one of the largest in the world. The scenery throughout your holiday will be unforgettable, and you’ll have all the more chance to see it up closer on this completely no-fly holiday, travelling by rail to Germany and through the Austrian Alps and by coach on a spectacular journey through the Julian Alps.

Explore Ljubljana, one of Europe’s greenest capitals

THE HIGHLIGHTS RELAX ON LAKE BLED’S SHORES Walk around the Lake, admire the scenery, take a dip in the emerald-green water or cross it in a traditional wooden pletna boat.

THE PRICE From £1,595*pp THE DATES 19-28 June, 17-26 July, 18-27 Sept 2022 TO BOOK Call 020 4525 3527, quoting code TSLB0322C For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/ lakebled

VISIT THE MYSTERIOUS CAVE OF POSTOJNA The Karst cave at Postojna is one of the largest in the world, with more than 5km of breathtaking underground halls and natural tunnels.

NO-FLY HOLIDAY Go green on this completely no-fly holiday, travelling by Eurostar from London to Paris, by TGV to Munich and through the Austrian Alps by train.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER TS Tours Ltd is the UK’s leading specialist in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL-protected and financially bonded

*Price is per person and based on two sharing a room on a 19 June 2022 departure, subject to room availability. Single supplement from £330. Subject to availability. Deposit £350pp. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent from Hearst UK. TS Tours is acting as agent for Arena Travel; please call on the number provided to book your place. Promotion is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst UK brands.

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Visit Cape Town and its iconic natural wonder, Table Mountain

HOLIDAYS E XC LU S I V E TO U R

Discover

SOUTH AFRICA’S WILDLIFE with Michaela Strachan

Visit a penguin hospital and explore the Cape fur seal colony on Duiker Island with the Springwatch presenter

ome to hundreds of species of mammals and birds, as well as more than 20,000 varieties of plants, South Africa is a wildlife lover’s paradise. Joining you for this incredible 11-day tour will be one of the hosts of Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, Michaela Strachan, who moved to South Africa 20 years ago. Michaela made a documentary on the

Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) to raise money and awareness for the cause. She will be with you for a visit to the SANCCOB penguin hospital to meet some of these endangered seabirds. The presenter will also join you on an excursion to the Duiker Island seal colony and on a cable-car trip up the iconic Table Mountain. Other wildlife experiences will include a visit to Stony Point to explore the huge African penguin colony there, a trip to the Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary and lunch at an ostrich farm.

THE HIGHLIGHTS MEET TV’S MICHAELA STRACHAN Soak up the maritime backdrop at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront

Known for her bubbly style, Michaela has lived in South Africa for the past 20 years and will share her knowledge of the local wildlife during some

very special experiences. You’ll have the chance to ask her questions during a private Q&A session and screening of her penguin hospital documentary before visiting it together.

FANTASTIC WINE TASTING As well as its wildlife and rugby prowess, South Africa is known for some of the world’s best wines. You’ll stay on the Spier Wine Estate and have the chance to visit its tasting room, which is home to a Heath Nash chandelier made from more than 300 recycled wine bottles. At the Franschhoek Cellar, you’ll enjoy a wineand chocolate-tasting session.

DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA’S WILDLIFE At Stony Point Nature Reserve, you will witness the sight and sounds of more than 2,000 pairs of African penguins, one of the largest breeding colonies in the Western Cape. You’ll see Cape fur seals and

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER AFRICA TRAVEL is the UK’s premier specialist dealing with travel to Africa, with personal connections to many of the owners of the properties featured, ensuring clients enjoy the most exclusive experiences and access to the top guides and experts.

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South Africa is celebrated for its winemaking

See leopards at the Big Cat Sanctuary or extend your stay to spot them on safari

BUCKETLIST TRIP WITH A WILDLIFE EXPERT

Meet South Africa’s penguins in their natural habitat

thousands of seabirds in their natural habitat on a boat cruise to Duiker Island, and pay a visit to the stunning Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, as well as an ostrich farm.

EXPLORE CAPE TOWN You’ll spend five nights in exclusive Camps Bay at the luxurious five-star Bay Hotel, which has spectacular sea views. It’s the perfect place from which to discover the delights of Cape Town and you’ll have plenty of time to do so. You can also extend your stay to include a trip to Victoria Falls or to search for the Big Five on a safari.

MEET OUR EXPERT Former children’s TV presenter Michaela Strachan was a regular reporter on Countryfile before moving to South Africa in the early 2000s. She has since been part of the presenting team for Springwatch, Autumnwatch, Winterwatch and many more wildlife projects.

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Depart UK DAY 2 Arrive in Cape Town DAY 3 Cape Peninsula and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden DAY 4 Helicopter ride and SANCCOB penguin hospital visit DAY 5 Cape Town DAY 6 Table Mountain and Duiker Island DAY 7 Stony Point Nature Reserve and Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary DAY 8 Hermanus Estuary DAY 9 Franschhoek DAY 10 Stellenbosch DAY 11 Return to the UK overnight YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Visit the SANCCOB penguin hospital, Table Mountain and Duiker Island with Michaela Take part in a private Q&A session with Michaela Go on a helicopter tour of Cape Town Enjoy wine tastings at Stellenbosch and Franschhoek

Tour Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Visit Stony Point penguin colony and Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary Stay for five nights in Cape Town, as well as two each at the Spier Estate and the Harbour House in Hermanus

ALSO INCLUDED Return British Airways flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town

THE PRICE From £3,195pp* THE DATES 4-14 September 2022 TO BOOK Call 020 3993 0646, quoting code CL SOUTH AFRICA For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/michaelastrachan CL recommends that readers CARBON OFFSET all flights. Find more information and a miles calculator at climatecare.org *Price based on two people sharing a room. Subject to availability. Single supplement available on request. Deposit £595pp. Africa Travel is ABTOT-bonded and ATOL-protected. Cancellation information available at africatravel.com/terms-and-conditions. This promotion may be promoted by other selected media partners. Always check the FCDO travel advice, as it includes the latest information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

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SAVE UP TO £1,000 PER COUPLE*

HOLIDAYS U LT I M AT E TO U R

Cruise the incredible

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS with

KATE HUMBLE Explore these astonishing islands in the company of the popular wildlife presenter Turn to page 148 to see some of Kate’s recipes

DISCOVER MORE exceptional tours and cruises

he Galápagos Islands have long been considered one of the world’s most diverse landscapes: idyllic bays, distinctive lava formations, green highlands, alluring beaches and, of course, wildlife almost everywhere you look. They form a stunning, yet complex, ecosystem, which is still revealing itself today. On our exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime voyage, you’ll be joined by wildlife presenter Kate Humble, who will be on hand to give a talk and Q&A about the islands and their sea- and birdlife. Sealed off for millions of years, the islands are home to plant and animal species that are found nowhere else on the globe, including sea lions, turtles, iguanas and cormorants . With our partner Celebrity Cruises and their 17 years of experience cruising the archipelago, you’ll explore the unspoiled islands to the fullest. The award-winning Celebrity Flora is the first ship of its kind to be built especially for the Galápagos Islands and the 100-passenger, all-suite mega-yacht boasts one-of-a-kind features to help keep the islands as pristine as you find them. Also, each suite has its own private balcony. Your trip will begin and end in Ecuador’s capital Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site that sits at 9,350ft above sea level, the second-highest capital in the world.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Depart UK; arrive in Quito DAY 2 Quito DAY 3 Embark; Baltra; Daphne Island DAY 4 Egas Port; Rabida Island DAY 5 Elizabeth Bay; Tagus Cove DAY 6 Sullivan Bay; Bartolome Island DAY 7 Las Bachas; North Seymour Island; Puerto Baquerizo Moreno DAY 8 Punta Pitt; Puerto Ayora DAY 9 Baltra Island; disembark in Quito DAY 10 Depart Quito for UK

Explore Ecuador’s extraordinary capital, Quito

YOU’LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Spend two nights pre-voyage and one night post-voyage in Quito at the JW Marriott hotel Cruise for seven days around the Galápagos Islands on Celebrity Flora Stay in a suite with private facilities and a shower Join a talk and Q&A session by Kate Humble Enjoy complimentary meals and drinks included throughout the cruise Go on a fully guided tour of Quito, with lunch and dinner included

Celebrity Flora was designed specifically for sailing in the Galápagos

MEET OUR EXPERT Kate Humble is one of Britain’s most popular wildlife presenters. She has travelled to all parts of the globe and presented a number of shows, including Wild Africa, Seawatch and The Hottest Place On Earth.

ALSO INCLUDED Internal flights from Quito to Baltra, two guided tours a day, internet access, on-board lectures, Galápagos National Park admission, international flights and all transfers

THE GALAPÁGOS ISLANDS

Enjoy exclusive events with Kate Humble, surrounded by the most incredible wildlife. Who better to hear from during your trip than this much-loved wildlife presenter? Kate has appeared on Animal Park, Springwatch and Autumnwatch and will join you for an exclusive talk and Q&A session to share her insight during your voyage.

Despite their tiny size, the islands have had a profound impact on the scientific world as a source of inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. You will be able to see the species that Darwin studied during his forays from HMS Beagle and visit some of the wildlife projects building on Darwin’s work.

UNIQUE WILDLIFE

YOUR LUXURIOUS SHIP

There will be plenty of opportunities for close-up views of the unique wildlife of the Galapágos Islands. Among the islands’ creatures are iguanas, giant tortoises, sea turtles, pelicans, finches, flamingos, sea lions, Galapágos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and rays. You will also benefit from the expertise of your on-board Galapágos National Park-certified naturalists.

Your ship, Celebrity Flora, creates a sense of being truly immersed in the destination instead of just visiting it. Indulge in the largest and most luxurious accommodation in the Galápagos Islands, where every stateroom is a suite. Dine on delectable menus or even visit the ship’s very own science lab. Best of all, it’s all included at a special discounted price if booked before 28 February 2022.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER TS TOURS LTD is the UK’s leading specialist in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL-protected and financially bonded.

THE PRICE From £8,850pp* THE DATES 14-24 October 2022 TO BOOK Call 020 4571 3240, quoting CL GALAPAGOS 2022 For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/ katehumble CL recommends that readers carbon offset all flights. Find more information and a miles calculator at climatecare.org *Price shown includes saving of £500 per person. Book before 28 Feb 2022. Price is based on two sharing an S2 Sky Suite, international flights from LHR (regional airports available on request). Deposit £300pp. Single supplement available on request. Subject to availability. Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and at the tour manager’s discretion. Offer subject to availability. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Tours, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This offer is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.

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where to buy Stockists in the magazine this month

A AMAZON amazon.co.uk THE ARTY CRAFTY

PLACE 01869 349020; theartycraftyplace.co.uk

B BABBLE & HEMP babbleandhemp.com E EMILY MITCHELL emilymitchellstudio.co.uk G GARDEN TRADING 01993 845559; gardentrading.co.uk

H THE HAMBLEDON thehambledon.com

HOBBYCRAFT hobbycraft.co.uk HUCKLEBERRY huckleberryhome.co.uk

J JILL PARGETER jillpargeter.net JOHN LEWIS L

170

MARCH 2022

& PARTNERS 0345 6100 337; johnlewis.com

LAKELAND 01539 488100; lakeland.co.uk LITTLE BIRDY DESIGNS littlebirdydesigns.co.uk LUCY RUTTER lucyrutter.com

M MACCULLOCH & WALLIS macculloch-wallis.co.uk MADE BY HAND ONLINE madebyhandonline.com MARG DIER @margdierembroidery; margdierembroidery.etsy.com MATILDA GOAD matildagoad.com MORRIS & CO morrisandco.sandersondesigngroup.com

N NORFOLK GARDEN FURNITURE

norfolkgardenfurniture.com PLUM & ASHBY plumandashby.co.uk ROMO romo.com

P R S SUE GUNN suegunnceramics.com SUSIE W

WATSON DESIGNS 0344 980 8185; susiewatsondesigns.co.uk WALLACE COTTON wallacecotton.com/uk

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Workout ideas from top personal trainers, plus delicious meals and nutrition tips in our magazines and special editions offer the perfect motivation for those looking to achieve their health and fitness goals.

We have a brilliant selection of magazines for nature-lovers, whether they’re gardening fanatics or enjoy going for a run, from beginner to professional and everything in between.

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advertisement feature CLEAN UP FOR THE PINK RIBBON FOUNDATION

BOUTIQUE RETREATS From raising the flag on your own private island and sailing a boat to your cottage, to watching the stars over the sea from your hot tub, Boutique Retreats specialise in unique, stylish properties across the UK that celebrate their surroundings whilst embracing luxurious living. Whether you’re after something large and luxurious or beautifully bijou, a long weekend or a two-week summer holiday, our carefully selected properties will take your breath away. We know how good getaways should be. 01872 553 491 | enquiries@boutique-retreats.co.uk boutique-retreats.co.uk

SEBO is proud to be supporting the Pink Ribbon Foundation with the beautiful Felix Art, designed by interior designer Kirsty Gore. 25% of the profit on each cleaner sold goes direct to this amazing charity, supporting those affected by breast cancer. Attractive and practical, this German made machine is part of the awardwinning Felix range, has a five-year parts and labour guarantee and British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval. For further details and stockists visit www.sebo.co.uk pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk

Stylish living For you and your home

CLASSIC AND ELEGANT CUTLERY DESIGNED FOR MODERN LIVING This delightful range is Old English mirror finish stainless steel with dishwasher safe cream handled knives. Exclusive price – Set for six people at £360, this includes six seven-piece place settings (as shown) and two table spoons. A set for four people costs £250. Prices include VAT and UK delivery. www.glazebrook.com Tel: 020 7731 7135.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL Have you always liked the thought of putting your life story down in words, but struggled when it came to writing it? That’s where LifeBook, the world’s leading private memoir and autobiography service can help. A unique piece of family treasure that your loved ones and future generations of your family can enjoy for years to come. Find out more about capturing your life story today. 0808 231 2874 www.lifebookuk.com/cl

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LOOK YOUNGER LONGER REGENTIV SPECIALIST SERUM (WITH RETINOL) This delicate and oh so effective serum for lines, wrinkles, crepey eyes and neck, vertical lip lines, sun damage and much more. Unique formulation of retinol palmitate, aloe vera, vitamin E, SPF, moisturiser – perfect to use twice daily. 35ml £29.95, 50ml £44.95, 105ml £79.95, 200ml £149. To receive exclusive 15% reader discount apply code CL15 when ordering. www.regentiv.com or call 01923 212555 for advice or to order. Please see website for full range and special offers.

MARTHA HILL HONEY SKIN CARE DUO SAVE 45% Formulated using the finest herbal ingredients, this wonderful duo includes 50mls each of a light, easily absorbed day cream and a rich night cream, combining a wealth of natural oils to help maintain a healthy glowing complexion and smooth, supple skin. Special offer price of £10 (saving 45% of rrp £18.40). To order this special offer phone 01780 470802 or order online at beautynaturals.com/cl

POTTER AND MOOCH The perfect, unique gift. Ear Wings climbers for a single piercing due to the small wire bar that runs up the back of the lobe. Featured design is called ‘Blush’. Made in England on Sterling Silver, 14ct Yellow or Rose Gold wires. Loved by all ages. From £24 a pair. Hypo-allergenic. Nickel-free. Buy 1 pair and get a 2nd with 30% off. www.potterandmooch.co.uk 01903 331744.

Stylish living For you and your home

CRAFT WORKS GALLERY OF CORBRIDGE

BUTTON DOLLS A TOAST TO THE PAST An eclectic mix of antiques and curios from a bygone era. 15% off with coupon: 15TOAST15 Matthew John Cook Tel / Text: 07584 320401 Email: atoasttothepast@hotmail.com www.etsy.com/shop/atoasttothepast

Magical handcrafted fairy dolls sewn with love in beautiful rural West Sussex. Made from tea-dyed calico, dressed with beautiful fabric and embellished with trinkets and trims vintage and new, our dolls make special gifts for daughters, mothers and friends. www.buttondolls.com 01903 893266

How can you resist these fun and useful British made doorstops, starting at £28 (plus p&p)? We are always updating our website, showcasing silverplate and Sterling silver jewellery, faux leather and Italian leather bags, a range of scarves and pashminas, eco-friendly cosmetics, fun things for the garden, and homeware. Come and have a look and you will find a fantastic range of gifts for you, your home, and your loved ones. www.craftworksgallery.co.uk 01434 634500

advertisement feature STYLISH WIDE FITTING SHOES

DISCOVER FASHION, MADE FOR YOU

Wider Fit Shoes Ltd offers stylish, affordable shoes to fit you perfectly – whatever your width. Today, they are the leading supplier of wide-fitting shoes in the UK, offering footwear from EE through to 8E fittings. Their entire range of shoes and slippers are adjustable, durable, lightweight and flexible and every purchase is backed by their no quibble guarantee. No wonder they’re recommended by foot health professionals nationwide. For a free, colour catalogue or more information please call 01933 311077 or order securely online at www.widerfitshoes.co.uk Please quote CLX2205M f or 10% off your first order.

We all want to look and feel fabulous, and it’s never been easier to achieve thanks to David Nieper’s new collection of elegant womenswear and luxury knitwear. Lovingly made in their Derbyshire studios from the finest quality fabrics and yarns, every exclusive piece is designed, handmade and finished with the greatest of care for quality, comfort and style. Rosa Keyhole Dress, style 4703. Shop online at davidnieper.co.uk or call 01773 83 6000 for a catalogue. Quote code CL22.

SUZY HAMILTON We specialise in dresses and complete outfits designed and made in the UK using fabrics of the highest quality including silks, linens, brocades and cotton. Many of our frocks give more than a nod to the spectacular and glamorous styling of the 1950s and 60s. Visit our boutiques in Holt and Harrogate. www.suzyhamilton.co.uk

Style essentials Look your best

PLUS SIZE COMFORT BRA

HANDMADE ESPADRILLES BY SHOEDOLLY

The All Woman Pull On Bra from The Big Bloomers Company is super-soft and comfortable. Wide, gentle straps and a high back reduce pressure on the neck and shoulders, and there are no clasps or fastenings to dig in. A wonderful bra, even to sleep in. Sizes 38-56B/E (Fits to 56” back) Call 01326 373268 or order securely online at www.thebigbloomerscompany.co.uk

ShoeDolly espadrilles are so comfortable and easy to wear for any occasion. Whether out and about or relaxing at home you will love the comfort of ShoeDolly. Choose from a gorgeous selection of classic colours. With soft cotton upper and flexible sole. Choice of heel height. Handmade in Spain. £45. Order online at www.shoedolly.com

THE TWISTER PROMOTION Colour: NATURAL Knitted A Line 100% Cotton On promotion £64.00 Reduced from £95.00 Original Blues Available from our store www.originalblues.co.uk or phone 01635 867165

advertisement feature SURE FOOTED INSPIRATION WHEN SANDY WALLIS FAILED TO FIND ADEQUATE FOOTWEAR FOR HER LONG CORNISH DOG WALKS, SHE DEVELOPED HER OWN Whenever Sandy, living in Perranporth, Cornwall, wants to take her beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback, Roscoe for a walk she has to deal with the rugged Cornish coastline, rolling countryside and endless beaches. She struggled to find suitable footwear that would keep her feet warm and dry in the Cornish landscapes. “We walk in all weathers says Sandy. I just could not find a pair of boots that were comfortable and would keep my feet warm and dry. I found hiking boots just didn’t cope very well with those deep, muddy puddles that we always come across on our walks, and wellies were just not suitable for a 5 mile hike.” Sandy had an old pair of safety rigger boots in her cupboard at home, these boots were originally designed for the North Sea Oil Riggers. She decided to give them a try because they were fully waterproof. “These boots were fabulous, although a little heavy” says Sandy.

Style essentials Look your best That was when she decided to make her own ‘off rig’ lighter and more refined version of the rigger with all the safety features removed. Trailback was born, a very stylish, handcrafted, triple stitched and fully waterproof rigger boot that has been re-designed into a lowland walking boot suitable for both men and women in sizes 3 - 13, with some half sizes available. You might be on a forest trail walking the dog or in a wet and muddy field at your favourite festival, the Trailback is fully waterproof with the addition of world class grip provided by the internationally acclaimed Italian Vibram commando sole. Trailback has also introduced a luxury range of merino blend hiking socks with cushioned sole and also merino wool base layers. So come rain or shine, Sandy can stay warm, dry and comfortable and enjoy the beautiful Cornish landscapes. Roscoe, meanwhile, has secured his place in Trailback forever, as his sleek and distinctive silhouette features as the logo on all products and packaging. Sandy says, “our design ethos for Trailback is hardworking, functionality, quality and style. Perfect for those who love the outdoors, combining a stylish yet rugged design. Trailback Boots with Sole, love the outdoors, love life. trailback.co.uk @trailback boots Photos: Paul Terry – PT Creative

COUNTRY DIRECTORY House & Garden

CHARLES GEORGE SOFAS

BEXLEY 3 SEATER

WINTER SALE NOW ON

CLASSIC UPHOLSTERY DESIGNSDIRECT FROM OUR UK WORKSHOP

WAS £1399

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GREAT BRITISH HANDMADE LEATHER SOFAS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

Keep your home beautiful with our stylish range of wipeable tablecloths Huge choice of designs and patterns Custom cut to size

www.wipeeasytablecloths.com 01606 833886

Aspen 3 seater was £1849

For details of classiﬁed advertising call 020 3728 6260 176

MARCH 2022

now only £1379

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sofasofa

Winter Sale Now On GREAT BRITISH SOFAS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

Madrid 3 seater sofa WAS £659 NOW £489

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Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. Handmade in Norfolk | Guaranteed to last a lifetime

www.theheadboardworkshop.co.uk or call us on 01291 628216

WINTER SALE ends soon view our full range at

Headboards & Beds | Ottomans & Stools | Sofa Beds & Chairs

www.wroughtironandbrassbed.co.uk FOR DETAILS OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 3728 6260 OR VISIT WWW.HEARSTMAGAZINESDIRECT.CO.UK

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Nikkitas Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Olives and Honey are born from the celebration of a 500 year-old family love story with its fascinating land of Sparta, Greece, where the respect of ancestral craftsmanship and responsible harvesting produces unique delicacies. In less than 24 hours, handpicked olives are pressed and bottled on family-owned groves, retaining all the fruits’ nutrients and producing an exceptionally polyphenol-rich golden green Extra Virgin Olive Oil unique to these lands. Nikkitas Honeys deliver wonderful and complex tastes, born from the love for traditional nomadic beekeeping. Nikkitas offers a transformative experience to ancient lands, through family-farmed produce, transparency and exceptional taste. Nikkitas is a journey - through which one tastes the best of Greece and its craftsmanship. www.nikkitas.com

STONESUPERSTORE S T O N E

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T I L E S

0 1 6 1 2 7 7 6 8 5 0 w w w. s t o n e s u p e r s t o re . co . u k s a l e s @ s t o n e s u p e r s t o re . co . u k

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Stamford Limestone Tumbled £39.90 /m2

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A style guide to the

outside

Industr y exper t and founder of Out and Out Original, Daniel Fairburn, brings you this season’s best deals on designer furniture. Visit www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 for more exciting deals and discounts.

2022 Early Bird Discount

Lisbon - Garden Lounge Set

SAVE £500

Give your garden space a modern and stylish upgrade this year with the Lisbon Garden Lounge set. It seats 5 people in comfort and comes in charcoal grey. It includes a comfy 3-seater sofa, 2 spacious armchairs and a rectangular slatted coffee table. The cushions are made from polyspun fabric, so soft to touch and have removable covers for washing, to maintain that fresh look.The frame of the lounge set and coffee table are electrostatically coated aluminium to give a durable and sleek ﬁnish. Normally £1299, this stylish set is now available at an incredible £799*. To receive your £500 discount please quote discount code CLJAN22 at checkout.

Marbella - Corner Lounge Set The ideal addition to your outdoor space, this stunning lounge set offers comfort and style at an affordable price. Bang on trend in gorgeous shades of grey, this set is designed with a contemporary feel. It’s hard-wearing, woven in strong polyrattan on a galvanised steel frame making it virtually maintenancefree. The comfy cushion covers can be removed and hand washed with care. The sofa and armchair seats 5 easily, and includes a tempered, glass-topped coffee table so you can entertain outside with ease. Normally £999, it’s now available for just £799*, when you quote your £200 discount code CLJAN22A at checkout.

SAVE £200 Stockholm - Corner Lounge Set

SAVE £200

Enjoy being in your garden with the Stockholm Lounge and Dining set whether reading a good book or dining alfresco.This set sits up to 6 comfortably and the sofa is made from polyrattan which gives durability and virtually no maintenance needed. The table is 144cm long with a wood-effect slatted table top and has an underneath shelf for useful storage. The comfy seat and back cushions are covered with polyspun fabric so soft to touch and the covers can be removed and washed easily to keep your lounge looking pristine. Comes in Cream or Grey.** Normally £799, it’s now available at an amazing £599*.To receive your £200 discount quote code CLJAN22A at checkout.

To receive your discount on any of these products quote discount code at checkout at www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 before 23.02.2022. *Excludes delivery. **Colour cannot be guaranteed on ordering

FOR DETAILS OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 3728 6260 OR VISIT WWW.HEARSTMAGAZINESDIRECT.CO.UK

MARCH 2022

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Pick up your style FRQ¿GHQFH WLSV KHUH www.helenreynoldsstyle.com/tips

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COVELLI TENNANT

Vintage Textiles & Bespoke Upholstery

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General Interest Travel

CRUISE THE WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND AND THE HEBRIDES Plan your staycation with style – discover the joy of small ship cruising. • Comfortable en suite cabins • Choice of 3, 6 or 10 nights • Maximum 12 guests • Gourmet meals prepared on board from the best of Scotland’s larder

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FOR DETAILS OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 3728 6260 OR VISIT WWW.HEARSTMAGAZINESDIRECT.CO.UK

coastalcottages.co.uk

LEACHACHAN BARN

Leachachan Barn is on the southern shores of Loch Duich in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Once used as a byre for working horses, the barn has been redesigned and transformed into a modern house which has retained much of its original character. Wood burning stove, picture windows overlooking loch and the Five Sisters of Kintail. Sleeps 4. leachachanbarn.net

MARCH 2022

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Curcumin & Turmeric

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FOR DETAILS OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 3728 6260 OR VISIT WWW.HEARSTMAGAZINESDIRECT.CO.UK

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FOR DETAILS OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 3728 6260 OR VISIT WWW.HEARSTMAGAZINESDIRECT.CO.UK

MARCH 2022

183

FREE HOME DELIVERY

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£103

“I’ve been using Revitive for years and couldn’t do without it.” Eamonn Holmes

ON REVITIVE MEDIC BUNDLE

9/10 people who try Revitive

“I was thrilled to see how Revitive helped Eamonn so I bought one for my Mum.”

keep it....because it works!

Vascular Surgeon recommended Over many years of ‘‘practice I’ve seen ﬁrst-hand

RISK FREE† HOME TRIAL

Ruth: Revitive approached us and asked if we wanted to try their Circulation Booster device. What they didn’t realise is Eamonn, who’s suffered with his legs and feet for a while, was already one of their happy customers.

Ruth Langsford, TV presenter and Revitive user.

TIRED, HEAVY LEGS & PUFFY FEET? REVIVE YOUR CIRCULATION WITH DRUG-FREE REVITIVE CIRCULATION

Do everyday tasks leave your legs heavy or feet puffy?

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Actively increase circulation Relieve tired, heavy legs & feet Reduce puffy feet & ankles Strengthen leg muscles

NEW MEDIC RANGE if you have High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol, Diabetes, or Arthritis, you may qualify for VAT exemption.

Clinical study shows signiﬁcant increase in blood ﬂow

of clinically-proven Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology which has been used as a medical therapy for almost a century. Imperial College Researchers from Imperial College London †† demonstrated in a clinical study that Revitive London’s vascular surgery department at Charing Cross Hospital London has conducted extensive signiﬁcantly improves blood ﬂow, clinical studies with Revitive Circulation Booster. by over 50%. The world-renowned research team at Medical science supports Imperial College London, is continuing Revitive’s EMS technology to lead a 5-year clinical trial program to The Revitive Circulation Booster® has been investigate the positive effects Revitive designed and developed with leading UK is having in a range of patient groups, universities. Revitive harnesses the power including diabetes.

Perfect 10/10’s for Revitive on LESLIE, DEVON “Noticed an immediate improvement. I feel my varicose veins are no longer as painful & I believe I’ve not had an attack of cramp since using it.”

SIMON, BEVERLEY “Have tried taking medication to improve circulation in my left leg, but this knocks them out of the park!”

IT COSTS NOTHING TO TALK Still uncertain if Revitive is for you? Call our UK-based Customer Care team now. Freephone 0800 014 6377

If you suffer from symptoms of poor circulation then Revitive could help take control of your health, from the comfort of your own home, and allow you to lead a more active life. I endorse Revitive to anyone suffering from the effects of poor circulation. I recommend it to all my patients. Several family members and friends have been using it to good effect for years, so I have seen for myself just how much the Revitive Circulation Booster can help!

‘‘

90 DAY

how age and medical conditions, including arterial and venous disease, have led to an increasing number of patients who suffer from poor circulation. This can lead to swollen ankles, tired legs and reduced mobility. I recommend the Revitive Circulation Booster because it tackles this growing problem by increasing blood circulation in the legs.

MARIE, MERSEYSIDE “Since using Revitive daily I’ve beneﬁted from a noticeable reduction in pufﬁness in both of my feet and lower legs. I would recommend it to anyone.”

If you or a loved one suffer with tired, heavy-feeling legs and puffy feet and ankles it could Struggle be the result to walk of poorer to the shops? circulation in your lower limbs. It can affect the simple things we love doing like gardening, walking the dog or playing with grandchildren. Whether heavy-feeling legs and puffy feet is an occasional annoyance or is there more often, it can hold you back. The Revitive Circulation Booster is a drug-free medical device which uses clinically-proven EMS technology to get your leg muscles pumping, which actively increases your circulation to reduce tired, heavy legs and puffy feet and ankles. Very easy-to-use, simply place your bare feet on the foot-pads and gradually increase intensity until you feel or see strong but comfortable contractions of the calf muscles. Then just sit back, relax and enjoy Revitive, drug-free professional strength therapy, from the comfort of your own home.

ORDER REVITIVE TODAY! Quote code RDX3001.

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CALL FREE 0800 014 6046 www.revitive.com

Professor Jonathan Beard Consultant Vascular Surgeon

READER OFFER ON REVITIVE ESSENTIAL SAVE £37.99

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Call us for details of Offer & VAT relief CAN YOU CLAIM VAT RELIEF? You do not need to be registered disabled to reclaim the VAT, nor do you need a letter from your doctor. If you suffer from a long-term illness or disability you may be able to claim back the VAT. For details ask our friendly Customer Care Team.

UNSUITABLE IF YOU ARE: Fitted with a heart pacemaker or AICD; being treated for, or have the symptoms of, an Existing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT); pregnant. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If you are uncertain about the cause of your symptoms or your symptoms persist, please consult your Doctor. ††TRIAL: With Revitive, median arterial blood ﬂ ow increases over 50% versus baseline at rest in healthy people during use (Varatharajan et al, 2014. The effect of footplate neuromuscular electrical stimulation on venous and arterial hemodynamics, Phlebology, July 4, 20 participants.) NEW Revitive Medic Bundle from £299.96 (£249.96 excl VAT). *Free standard P&P worth £7.99 in England and Wales. Some areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and other remote postcodes will incur a surcharge cost of £19.99. Next day or express deliveries will cost more, please ask our customer service team for a quote †If returned within 90 days, full refund of purchase price, minus collection fee of £7.99 (some areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and other remote postcodes will incur a surcharge cost of £19.99). Must be returned in original UNDAMAGED packaging, otherwise charges MAY apply. 1 trial per customer only & trial starts from dispatch date. All quotes used are real however, to protect the identity of our customers, models have been used for the pictures. Copyright © 2021 Actegy Ltd. All rights reserved. Revitive and Circulation Booster are trademarks or registered trademarks of Actegy Ltd. Registered in England no. 4819502. Registered ofﬁce Actegy Ltd, 1 Westpoint, Western Rd, Bracknell, RG12 1HJ, UK. AW:18405320 11.21.

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MARCH 2022

FOR DETAILS OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 3728 6260 OR VISIT WWW.HEARSTMAGAZINESDIRECT.CO.UK

OUR APRIL ISSUE IS ON SALE FROM 2 MARCH

next month... Dress the table for an alfresco springtime celebration! Chocolate cakes and cookies for Easter feasts Country style in a converted Victorian vicarage NEVER MISS AN ISSUE TURN TO PAGE 108 TO SEE OUR LATEST SUBSCRIPTION OR RENEWAL OFFER

A month in the life of…

THE BLOSSOM BOSS

The British blossom season is underrated. I grew up on the east coast of the United States, where the autumns are stunning, but the UK has the most spectacular blossom I’ve ever seen. Trees and hedgerows bursting into life are symbols of hope. They also remind us that nature is precious. In spring 2020, the National Trust held a pilot #BlossomWatch project, encouraging people to share blossom pictures on social media. They were seen by more than four million people! The country had shut down in response to the pandemic and everyone seemed to be taking solace in nature. We wanted to celebrate blossom – and hoped to do so in person on our estates as soon as possible. The tradition of hanami, when people travel in Japan to enjoy trees in bloom, has been a huge inspiration – we want to do the same here. As blossom programme manager, it’s my job to organise tree planting and plan events, including our #BlossomWatch Day (this year on 23 April). Last year, we held the first proper Blossom Watch day, again encouraging people to post pictures using the hashtag #BlossomWatch. I find that meeting family and friends beneath a tree always lifts the spirits, but I particularly like the idea of ‘blossom bathing’, sitting among trees, observing nature and embracing the calm.

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MARCH 2022

Even my regular spring days are full of trees in bloom. I rise early and stroll through the park with my Labrador, who scampers through carpets of cherry petals. Then I either work from home, looking out over my apple tree, or visit a National Trust team at a property. We’re big fans of outdoor meetings, so we might sit beneath blossom-covered trees. The Trust is on a mission to fill the country with blossom and is planting blossom trees in a whole range of cities. Last summer, we planted the London Blossom Garden in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with cherry, plum, hawthorn and crab apple trees. Similar gardens in Coventry, Newcastle, Nottingham and Plymouth are opening soon. In total, we have 45 projects on the go. We’d love these gardens to become spaces for hope and reflection, offering people the chance to celebrate spring year after year. Blossom benefits wildlife, too. Bees seek pollen from wild cherry and apple, while butterflies love the leaves of goat willow and elderflower. Song thrushes and blackbirds hunt for insects in the petals. To encourage more wildlife, we’ll be planting dozens of orchards across our estates by 2025. Once spring is over, I’ll still be thinking about blossom, organising tree-planting events, blossom trails and art sessions for the year ahead. My background is in theatre production, so I’d love to make our #BlossomWatch day into an annual extravaganza. The UK blossom season lasts from March to May. We should be making the most of it. FOR MORE DETAILS, visit nationaltrust.org.uk.

countryliving.com/uk

INTERVIEW BY SARAH BARRATT. PHOTOGRAPHS BY NATIONAL TRUST/JUSTIN MINNS

Annie Reilly is behind a National Trust crusade to populate our parks with trees that peak in spring

My job gives me insider knowledge of the hotspots. Mottisfont, near my home in Hampshire, has a magnificent magnolia, while the orchards at Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire (above) erupt with pink petals. Gibside, near Newcastle, offers blossom walks and painting stations, where visitors can paint what they see.

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