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NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE | JUL/AUG 2014 | 1
From Birtley to Bangkok Hairy Biker, Simon King, talks about his food journey Fashion & beauty, sport, motoring, homes, food & drink, travel and so much more…
Feel-good stories from the communities of Newcastle and Gateshead.
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Authentically Different Unmistakably Indian
Angeethi is different. At Angeethi, we don’t serve just ‘Curry’. Simply because we believe that Indian food is much more than that. To us, it is an amalgamation of the diverse traditions, cultures, cuisines, tastes and flavours of India.
INDIAN KITCHEN & LOUNGE Reservations:
T: 0191 491 4343 / 0191 482 6494
E: eat@angeethi.co.uk W: angeethi.co.uk 168 Kells Lane, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE9 5HY
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Visit Angeethi and experience a taste of tradition.
welcome Community spirit
Hello Hello and welcome to Newcastle and Gateshead’s brand new (and only) lifestyle magazine – Engage. To say we’re excited about our new mag would be a massive understatement. This publication has been many, many months in the planning and it’s taken more than a fair share of hard work from a lot of people to get it here. We’ll be bringing this magazine to you every two months and we’ll be filling it with the best lifestyle content around. With features on local celebrities, fashion, entertainment, sport, motoring, travel, business and so much more to enjoy, there’ll be something to interest every reader in every issue. This magazine is a celebration of Newcastle and Gateshead so we’ll also be highlighting some of the best feel-good stories from the area, leaving the depressing stuff to the newspapers and television news channels. Why? It’s simple – we want you to feel good about where you live! So dive in and check out Engage. This magazine has been put together for you, the Newcastle and Gateshead audience, so we hope that you love reading it as much as we loved creating it. If you’ve got any comments about the magazine (good or bad) please send us an email and let us know your thoughts. You can reach us at hello@engagemagazine.co.uk* See you next issue!
CONTACT US: Engage Magazine, The Axis Building, Maingate, Kingsway North, Team Valley, Gateshead NE11 0NQ T: 0191 404 6857 E: hello@engagemagazine.com
James James Tennant, Editor
*Unfortunately we won’t be able to take your comments over the phone as we’re super busy putting together the next issue.
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Community spirit contents
Inside Chief Editor
FASHION & BEAUTY
REVIEWS
James Tennant Engage Magazine, North East Publishing
06 California dreaming with New Look
28 TV: Game of Thrones
Contributor / Editor Jess Clubbs Mallow Communications
08 The perfect pink lipsticks
31 DVD: 12 Years a Slave, Hunger Games and Gravity
11 Lingerie from Tallulah Love
32 Book: Missing You 32 Album: The Horrors
Claire Bradley Mallow Communications
SPORT
Contributors Melanie Kyles
12 Onwards and upwards for Gateshead FC after Wembley defeat
Jeff Bowron
14 Interview with Graham Onions
Tasha Steel
David James Tate
16 Toon season review
Mark Burdett Jess Clubbs
FOOD & DRINK
Graham Soult
18 Feature interview with the Hairy Biker, Simon King
Mike Delaney
21 Review: The Brownie Bar
40 We’re off to Slovenia
Copper Blue Creative
23 Review: Gusto
T: 0191 421 1106 www.copperbluecreative.co.uk
BUSINESS
North East Publishing
24 Working in partnership
T: 0191 404 6857 E: hello@engagemagazine.co.uk
27 Pension matters
Thanks to NGI for images used on pages 5 and 42.
38 Beautiful kitchen gets the upcycled treatment TRAVEL
22 Recipe: Salmon and pea risotto
Reed Ingram Weir E: info@reedingramweir.com
34 Mercedes shows its C-Class
20 Review: Angeethi
Design/Art Direction
Cover Image
MOTORING
HOMES
Cheryl Lumley
Adam Marshall
33 Find out how to subscribe
17 Falcons and Eagles review
David Alan
Karen Marshall
SUBSCRIBE
COMMUNITY 42 A breath of fresh air. Family days out 44 From Low Fell to Mongolia 46 Gateshead Old Town Hall 48 All aboard the Tanfield Railway
COMPETITION 26 WIN: Hairy Bikers cookbook and a subscriber exclusive £50 Eldon Square voucher
COMMUNITY BUSINESS 50 I Need a Walk
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 5
fashion
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Community spirit fashion
California dreaming 1
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Sizzle all summer long in New Look’s fabulous range of summer dresses, skirts, tops and shoes. Light fabrics will keep you cool while floral patterns and pastel colours will make sure your outfits pop!
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1 Shell Pink Embellished Longline Fringe Kimono, £59.99 2 Neon Embellished Shell, £29.99 3 Blue Lace Side Cami, £17.99 4 Yellow Daisy Dress, £19.99 5 Ivory Mesh Skirt With Floral Detail, £34.99 6 Long Ivory Mesh Skirt With Floral Detail, £29.99 7 Blue Triple Strap Contrast Block Heel Sandals, £24.99 8 Stone Leopard Print Embellished Double Strap Sandals, £34.99
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 7
beauty
The five best pink lipsticks for summer WRITTEN BY TASHA STEEL
Summer is the perfect time to try out a bold lip. With the blue skies and warm sunshine a bright pink shade can really boost your confidence and add a pop of colour to your outfit. After a lot of swatching and searching through my collection, I’ve picked out my five favourites and there’s one to suit every budget! First up, the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquers. These are great if you’re always on the go and want a colour that’s going to last. I’ve picked out ‘Apocalyptic’, a bright red-pink that dries down matte and has some serious staying power, all for £6.49! Alternatively you could check out the new Rouge Edition Velvet lipsticks from Bourjois for a bold pink. I recommend ‘Pink Pong’ not only is it a cute name but it’s a bold pink for those daring enough! They’re slightly more expensive at £8.99. The Maybelline Coloursensational range is really impressive. ‘Shocking Coral’ from the Vivids collection is a shade unlike any others I own. It’s a perfect salmon-pink coral and the formula is great - smooth enough to glide on but dry enough to stay put all day! They’re £6.99 each but Superdrug and Boots often have offers worth keeping an eye out for. Topshop’s lipsticks are definitely worth checking out and at £8 each they’re a bargain for the quality. The matte cool-toned pink, ‘All About Me’, gives you a bold pout that will definitely get some attention. Make sure you’ve prepped your lips with a good lip scrub beforehand, Lush’s Bubblegum scrub will do the job well. MAC’s lipstick collection can be completely overwhelming if you don’t know which shade to go for. Their amplified crème formula is great for a bold colour that’s going to stick with you whatever you’re doing.
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‘Chatterbox’ is a peachy-pink that applies really smoothly and is buildable, so it’s a great place to start if you’re new to pinks. At £15 they’re towards the higher end of the beauty hall but still affordable. At £18, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils are the most pricey of the lipsticks and technically they’re pencils. That aside, they may be my favourite release from the brand and I had to give them a mention! The velvet matte formula is incredible, it’s not drying and the colour pay off is really impressive. As for staying power, these babies can stay put through a Fat Hippo burger, and that’s something to talk about! The shade I’ve picked, ‘Never Say Never’ is a cool-toned pink that can be layered up to create a more dramatic look. It’s best paired with minimal eye makeup to really make your lips the talking point. If you’re more of a nude lip gal, try ‘Sex Machine’ a dusky pink velvet matte that is a ‘your-lips-but-better’ shade. Next on my NARS lipstick wishlist is Schiap, the crème de la crème of bold pink lips and knowing how much I love the velvet matte formula, it’s sure to be a new favourite. Rimmel and Maybelline are available in Superdrug and Boots nationwide. Topshop lipsticks are available in selected stores nationwide and online at www.topshop.com MAC is available in Fenwick Newcastle, House of Fraser, Metro Centre and online. NARS can be found in Space NK, Newcastle and online.
Tasha is a 21 year old, Video and New Media graduate from the North East. Her blog, Hello Freckles features a range of fashion/style and beauty plus lifestyle topics such as music, cinema, food and travel. www.hello-freckles.com @tashajsteel
Community spirit beauty
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Community spirit fashion
Show some love, Tallulah Love WRITTEN BY MELANIE KYLES
Tallulah Love is a luxury 1950’s-inspired lingerie that’s been featured in Vogue UK, shot by fashion legend Tom Ford, modelled by Kim Kardashian and sold in over fourteen countries. The lady behind the brand, Michelle Taylor, is gaining significant popularity in the luxury lingerie industry, and all whilst keeping her feet as firmly grounded as one can in five-inch stilettos.
Right, Michelle Taylor; Below, Knickerbocker Glory corset and knicker; Bottom, Label Luxuria charity event
In a quiet café down Newcastle’s charmingly cobbled Pink Lane, said to serve the ‘best coffee in Newcastle’, I eventually find Michelle tucked away in a cosy cubbyhole. Fresh from a previous meeting, she ushers me to join her, waving excitedly. This isn’t the first time I’ve met Michelle; I met her previously after being introduced by my business mentor, where we devoured mouth-wateringly delicious desserts from a newly opened Carluccio’s. Tallulah Love had just featured in CR Fashion Magazine, hand selected by Tom Ford for his Caravaggio-inspired ‘Candyvaggio’ lingerie shoot. Fast-forward four months and Tallulah Love has continued to gain momentum, providing lingerie samples for national and international fashion magazines alike, one of which was a shoot with Kim Kardashian for the cover of US Harper’s Bazaar. With their fabulous fit, sensual materials, stunning colours and feminine detailing, it’s no mystery as to why the big names are beginning to sit up and take note of Tallulah Love. With over fifteen years experience in the luxury lingerie industry, Michelle has defined a distinctly fresh and wearable take on traditional vintage lingerie, a carefully honed brand that retains the subtle cheekiness of vintage pin-up postcards and burlesque girls. This mischievous streak running through Tallulah Love is apparent from the start of Michelle’s design career. She left her stamp during her time as a shape-wear designer for Marks and Spencer’s, she laughs, “you know, everyone would usually wear skin-coloured or white, and mine were all bright pink and aqua”. In Tallulah Love, she combines this early youthful spirit with a dose of classicism
that lends a timeless elegance to her designs, noting ‘vintage postcards, old botanical drawings and old maps’ as being important sources of inspiration. Having “lived all over the country” as a lingerie designer, Michelle made the conscious decision to set up in the North East and keep Tallulah Love local. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else” she smiles when I ask her why, “We’re in a culture where people are helpful to each other and look out for each other”. Having participated in numerous local events such as Newcastle Fashion Week, a ‘flash-mob’ in Durham, supporting NEvolution and collaborating with Dimesso Designs and Buckley, Michelle is very much an integral part of the local design scene. “There’s some amazing talent here” she enthuses “I think it might be something to do with people’s personalities that dare do something a bit different”. It doesn’t take long for our conversation to move onto Kim Kardashian, and the fact that Michelle has recently been approached to dress one of the world’s most talked about derrières. “It’s just so exciting!” she gasps, “she looks fantastic!” Kim Kardashian with her super-modern aesthetic may not seem the most obvious poster girl for Tallulah, but Michelle says, “what I like about Tallulah is that there’s loads of different personalities, a dark side, a cheeky side, someone who’s really confident and outgoing, and she really fits those three!” There’s a lot of plates spinning at Tallulah Love. Next on the cards are plans to update the website, as well as expanding the business online and through further concessions. “We’ve got a lot going on at the moment”, she says, “Everything is going brilliant!” For now their Facebook page, ‘Tallulah Love Luxury Lingerie’, is the best place to keep up to date with Tallulah adventures or to purchase some pants as you please. Following the next few hectic days, Michelle will finally be luxuriating in the Spanish sun for some well-deserved relaxation with her fiancé. If there was ever the epitome of a Tallulah lovely; glamorous, sweet, generous and with a twinkle in her eye, Michelle is your girl. www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 11
sport
Gateshead bid to end football league exile after Wembley defeat Gateshead Football Club had a memorable and record-breaking 2013/14 season in the Conference Premier – and are looking to go one better this season. WRITTEN BY JEFF BOWRON
The Heed reached Wembley for the first time in May after finishing third - their highest placing since they lost Football League status over five decades ago. The 8,202 crowd at the play-off semi-final second leg was the highest gate for a competitive Gateshead game at the International Stadium. The Tynesiders also took 7,000 fans to Wembley for the Skrill Premier Promotion Final which they lost 2-1 against Cambridge United in front of almost 20,000 supporters. Hopes are high that the Club can go all the way this season and rejoin the elite 72, the new Conference season beginning on August 9th. Originally formed in 1930, Gateshead were a Football League club for 30 years before they were voted out in 1960 and replaced by Peterborough United. It was viewed as the harshest expulsion from the Football League as Oldham Athletic and Hartlepool United were both below Gateshead in the table. Not only that but it was only the Tynesiders’ second re-election application and just seven years earlier the club had reached the quarter-final of the FA Cup, beating Liverpool on the way. They succumbed to Bolton Wanderers by a single goal in front of a sell out crowd at
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Redheugh Park, but all that, and a decent League record, counted for nothing. Gateshead received only 18 votes, 11 less than the next worst backed club, Southport, while Peterborough received 35 votes, and so the Gateshead’s Football League membership ended.
heartbreaking to lose at Wembley but the profile of the Club went through the roof and, hopefully, we’ve attracted a lot of new fans.” Having just missed out this year, renewed efforts will be made to achieve their goal this season, and Mills believes the club is geared up for success.
Under inspirational manager Gary Mills, appointed at the start of September, The Heed are firmly on the up and have become one of the top non-league clubs in the land.
“We’ve struggled at times for a good grass surface to train on but, that apart, the facilities at the International Stadium are first class and the pitch has been brilliant.
They want more, however, and both Mills and chairman Graham Wood have targeted promotion back to the Football League.
“It’s a Football League set up in all but name. I am determined to change all that, and the players have been excellent since I came to the club.
Mills played under the legendary Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, where he won a European Cup winners medal, while also playing 250 games for Leicester City.
“Everyone has bought in to my philosophy and we’ve given it a real go. We went from 19th in the table to third and the players deserve a lot of credit.
His managerial CV is also impressive having taken York City back into the Football League a couple of years ago after winning the FA Trophy seven days earlier.
“We have worked very hard and kept our feet on the ground. The support we have had from the fans has been fantastic though, obviously, we would like more people to come to games.
Few managers, if any, have won twice on consecutive weekends at Wembley and the 52-year-old is determined to bring the glory days back to Gateshead.
“Tyneside is a massive football region and, hopefully, more people will realise how good a side we have at Gateshead, and the quality of football we play.
“Gateshead are a great club and I’ve really enjoyed my time so far,” said Mills “if we can get the Club back into the Football League that would be a brilliant effort.
“The Conference top flight is a largely professional League with a lot of big clubs like Bristol Rovers, Grimsby Town and Wrexham to name just three, and the standard is very good.”
“We went very close last season. It was
Community spirit sport
Gateshead v Bolton Wanderers 1953
“Tyneside is a massive football region and, hopefully, more people will realise how good a side we have at Gateshead, and the quality of football we play.” Long serving central defender James Curtis, meanwhile, broke the Club’s all time appearance record held by Jackie Callender when he played his 506th game for Gateshead at Wembley. Curtis has been at Gateshead for the last ten years, playing in four different divisions, and he exemplifies the spirit in the Heed camp. “I never thought when I signed for Gateshead in 2003 that the Club would turn professional, become one of the top non-league outfits in the country and that I’d become the record appearance holder,” said Curtis. “But that is the reality. To get Gateshead back into the Football League would be absolutely brilliant, and we’ll be doing all we can to make that happen sooner rather than later.”
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www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 13
sport interview
Know your Onions
Graham Onions, professional cricketer and local Gateshead lad, had an impressive season last year winning both the County Championship with Durham and the Player’s Player of the Year award. He (unjustly) missed out on a place on the 2013-14 Winter Ashes tour to Australia but did earn himself a spot on the England Lion’s tour to Sri Lanka earlier this year. We caught up with Graham and had a chat about how he got into cricket and why he still lives in Gateshead.
INTERVIEW BY JAMES TENNANT
Tell us about how you got started on the road to becoming a professional cricketer. Well I’m very lucky that my family supported me so much by buying my kit and driving me to games and practices. They are a huge reason as to why I’m here today so I have to thank them for so much. They gave me a huge opportunity. It all really got going when I was playing for the Under 17’s at Gateshead Fell Cricket Club and I went along to County Nets trials. The best 2 or 3 players from any side go to the trials. About 30 guys go and it’s eventually trimmed down to 15. You get coached and they work out if you’re good enough to go on to become a professional. Geoff Cook was there and he asked to speak to me. He said he liked what I was doing and asked if I fancied going down to the Durham nets and having a bowl at the first team. I jumped at the chance of course! So I turned up and had a bit of a bowl. About a week later my parents were with me and Geoff offered me an academy contract. He saw potential in me and asked if I could join the club. My parents were fantastic and said it was up to me and if I wanted to do it they’d support me. That must have been a massive decision for them. Fortunately my career went from strength to strength and I repaid their faith and support. What have been your best memories in cricket? Getting that contract from Geoff is obviously up there as a best memory. Without that, I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to play or 14 | ENGAGE
progress to the next level. The next one would be my debut at Durham CCC in 2004. I remember thinking I couldn’t believe that I was playing for them. However, the obvious one is making my England Test Debut. I never thought I’d play for England. I wouldn’t classify myself as the most talented cricketer, so to actually think I’ve played 9 tests for England is amazing. I made that debut in 2009 against the West Indies and got 5 wickets just to top it all off. It was an experience I’ll never forget, that’s for sure. And your worst memories? The injury in 2010. I remember coming back from the South Africa tour in 2010 feeling really good and bowling well. Then I flew over to Bangladesh and started the training there and for some reason my body just broke down. After a bit of rest I felt fine but as soon as I started training again the pain flared up and it turned out there was a stress fracture in my back that would require an operation. I also ended up needing a knee operation too. It was so frustrating. The recovery time was going to be lengthy as well, which meant I lost my England Contract. I only had one year left on my Durham Contract too so I really felt like I’d hit rock bottom then. I thought I was going to end up completely out of the game. I was so worried so I decided to train as hard as possible to give myself the best chance to get back into the game and fortunately for me it all worked out.
Despite it being a hard time, getting over that and coming out a stronger cricketer was something I didn’t know I had in me. I guess for that reason alone there was a little bit of a silver lining. Who has been the biggest inspiration to you? There have been a few. The biggest influence on my game has got to be Geoff Cook. He gave me the opportunity and worked with me endless hours over those early winters. He sat down with me and worked on my bowling, but he always let me express myself. Geoff goes with the flow and isn’t too controlling as a coach. I always loved Darren Gough. He’s obviously a bit of a character and was very passionate about Cricket, but he didn’t take the game too seriously. He wanted to win but he had fun along the way. That’s the way it should be really. The other guy is Dale Steyn. He’s probably the only person I would go and pay to watch. He’s one of the best bowlers in the world and he’s brilliant to watch. There are guys out there that are fantastic performers and great pros, but for me, Dale is the best out there. He had some very nice things to say about you too during the South Africa tour in 2010, didn’t he? It was nice to hear that, from him especially. Hearing things like that make you want to get back out on the field and play your best. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to meet him properly but yeah, that was nice to hear.
Community sport interview spirit
Moving on from cricket Graham, you’re a local lad and you still live in Low Fell, what is it about the area that keeps you here? It’s home. I’m really sad but I love my own surroundings and being close to family. I love being in Low Fell. Right now would be a good opportunity to move before my son gets settled in a school but I’m kind of stuck in my own routine now. If it’s not broke then don’t fix it! Why would I want to move away anyway? Low Fell is a nice place and it’s safe too. My family are here and my mates as well. On top of that I’ve got some great memories of growing up here. I like it here. Getting to Durham Cricket Club is very easy and it’s easy to get to Newcastle too. Back in 2010 there was a chance I was going to have to move away from Durham because of my back injury. I had to make sure I was looking after myself and my wife but I always wanted to stay here and thankfully it all worked out. What do you think you’ll do when you retire? I’m not sure but coaching cricket is something that would interest me. I’d like to think that I’ll keep playing plenty of sport too. I’d also like to go back to Gateshead Fell at some point and give something back to the club. They gave me an opportunity and I’d like to repay the support and help they gave me. I suppose that would be a fairytale ending wouldn’t it?
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 15
sport
Newcastle United
WRITTEN BY JAMES TENNANT
SEASON REVIEW
What started so brightly ended so grimly for Newcastle United as they endured a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde 2013-14 season. Wins against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United (at Old Trafford no less), as well as a 5-1 thrashing of Stoke in a nine game span during November and December, had Newcastle fans thinking about European football next season. They picked up 22 from a possible 27 points in that period, played with commitment and looked very good. However, Toon fans have been left frustrated by the apparent lack of ambition of the Club’s management. By selling its best player in Yohan Cabaye in January and not replacing him with anyone, Newcastle made it clear that finishing mid-table and simply securing their Premier League status was top priority.
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There are rumours that the club are looking to sign five new players in this off-season but like most rumours, it should be taken with a pinch of salt. Even if they do spend, recent trends would suggest they’d dip into the cheap French market and make a few unknown signings hoping to unearth a hidden gem (that they can sell on in the future for profit).
Newcastle aren’t a top four side, nor will they be for quite some time, but that doesn’t mean that fans don’t want to see improvements being made every season. They want to see exciting new players (which doesn’t always mean spending a fortune), good football and the team giving it a good honest go every season. The League title may be out of reach but the FA Cup and the League Cup certainly aren’t!
The signings of Colback and Ayoze are a change from the norm, and Colback especially looks a good addition. But it’s the replacement for Cabaye that will make the difference, and there’s a desperate need for a striker or two as well.
The 2014/15 fixture list has been released and a tough opener awaits Newcastle playing the reigning Champions at St. James’. Then they have a couple of tough months ahead of them in December and March before closing out the season with a run of four very winnable games in May. Check out all the fixtures on the next page.
Community spirit sport
2014-2015 FIXTURES AUGUST
DECEMBER
MARCH
Sat 16 Manchester City (h)
Tue 2 Burnley (a)
Sun 1 Capital One Cup Final
Sat 23 Aston Villa (a)
Sat 6 Chelsea (h)
Wed 4 Manchester United (h)
Wed 27 Capital One Cup R2
Sat 13 Arsenal (a)
Sat 7 FA Cup R6
Sat 30 Crystal Palace (h)
Wed 17 Capital One Cup QF
Sat 14 Everton (a)
Sat 20 Sunderland (h)
Sat 21 Arsenal (h)
SEPTEMBER Sat 13 Southampton (a)
Fri 26 Manchester United (a) Sun 28 Everton (h)
Sat 20 Hull City (h)
APRIL Sat 4 Sunderland (a)
Wed 24 Capital One Cup R3
JANUARY
Sat 11 Liverpool (a)
Sat 27 Stoke City (a)
Thu 1 Burnley (h)
Sat 18 Tottenham Hotspur (h)/FA Cup SF
Sat 3 FA Cup R3
Sat 25 Swansea City (h)
OCTOBER
Sat 10 Chelsea (a)
Sat 4 Swansea City (a)
Sat 17 Southampton (h)
MAY
Sat 18 Leicester City (h)
Wed 21 Capital One Cup SF first-leg
Sat 2 Leicester City (a)
Sat 25 Tottenham Hotspur (a)
Sat 24 FA Cup R4
Sat 9 West Bromwich Albion (h)
Wed 29 Capital One Cup R4
Wed 28 Capital One Cup SF second-leg
Sat 16 Queens Park Rangers (a)
Sat 31 Hull City (a)
Sun 24 West Ham United (h)
NOVEMBER
Sat 30 FA Cup Final
Sat 1 Liverpool (h)
FEBRUARY
Sat 8 West Bromwich Albion (a)
Sat 7 Stoke City (h)
Sat 22 Queens Park Rangers (h)
Tue 10 Crystal Palace (a)
Sat 29 West Ham United (a)
Sat 14 FA Cup R5 Sat 21 Manchester City (a) Sat 28 Aston Villa (h)
Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Falcons
SEASON REVIEW
SEASON REVIEW
Newcastle Eagles completed another successful season in the British Basketball League (BBL), capturing their 6th league title. They fell just short in the Cup and the Play Offs however, finishing as runners-up on both occasions, and went out in the Quarter Final stage in the BBL Trophy competition. Their continued success keeps them ahead of the rest as the BBL’s most successful team.
The Falcons endured a tough 2013-14 season but did secure their place in the Aviva Premiership for the upcoming 2014-15 season by finishing 11th. They only managed three wins all season and were the lowest scoring team too but with this being their first season back in the Premiership, survival was always the target. Mission accomplished.
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 17
feature interview header
A cuppa with Kingy WRITTEN BY JAMES TENNANT
It’s a brisk Friday morning in Rowlands Gill and I’m sitting inside a characterful and cosy cottage in front of a roaring fire opposite Simon (Si) King, Gateshead lad and one half of TV’s beloved Hairy Bikers. From the off it’s apparent that he is every bit the cheery, easy going bloke he comes across as on television. It’s been about ten years since ‘The Hairy Bikers’ first graced our television screens and the show (under its many guises) has gone from strength to strength. Si talks to us about how the show came about, his love for cooking and why ‘The Hairy Bikers’ has found so much success. “I came from a small village at the top of a North Durham coalfield (as it was then before it became part of Gateshead) called Kibblesworth,” says Si, taking us to the very beginning of his story, “but we moved away from there when I was about four to Birtley. So I was a Birtley lad until I was about 16 and after that I hit the road. I joined bands, played the drums and eventually wound up as a locations manager working in the film and television industry.” Some of you may know that Si worked on the first two Harry Potter films, a job he describes as being “Incredibly, enormously huge and incredibly, enormously stressful - but fantastic at the same time!” It was while working in the film and television industry that Si first met long time friend and fellow Hairy Biker, Dave Myers. “We actually met on the set of a Catherine Cookson drama called the Gambling Man with Robson Green. We loved cooking and we loved motorcycles and got on incredibly well. I’d always had this passion and interest in food but I’m no trained chef by any stretch of the imagination. I’m entirely self taught, as is Dave. We started cooking together and put on a big spread for some of our friends and there was this natural ease in the kitchen that we had with each other. I’d take the piss out of him and he’d take the piss out of me and it was just a lot of fun.” Despite their love of cooking and their natural chemistry in the kitchen, as well
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as their experiences working in the Television industry, ‘The Hairy Bikers’ concept wasn’t something that came about overnight. “We spent more years just as friends going on gastronomic tours when families, money and schedules would allow, then the two of us had this brainwave and we developed the idea for ‘The Hairy Bikers’. It took us around three years to get it off the ground and we’ve been living out of a suitcase since!” The success of the show is indisputable, but where does that success come from? “I don’t know!” laughs Si. “Maybe it’s because we’re just like the blokes next door?” He suggests with genuine humility. “I’ve known Dave for 20 years and we like having a laugh and a giggle. Our show is obviously about food but I think people like the mad stuff we do too, and the interactions we have with each other on set. I think a part of it might also be that we feel so privileged to have the opportunity to do the show and I think that comes across on screen.” Over the last ten years Si and Dave have been all over the world learning about different cultures and sharing their favourite recipes from various cuisines. But, as Si was keen to point out, “The trips we go on aren’t always about the food. There are other elements of people’s culture that you want to share with the audience that just talking about food doesn’t allow you to do. So instead we do loads of mad stuff but we’re genuinely enthusiastic about it all too because, as I said before, we feel so privileged to be there in the first place.” Keen to find out how Simon King had gone from a 16 year old drummer to TV chef, I asked him where his passion for food stemmed from. “My mam was always a
Hairy Bikers Diet Club We started our Diet Club for people like us, food fanatics who wanted to shed a bit of timber and get whole lot healthier and happier! We wanted to show that Dieting doesn’t need to be all about starving yourself, that you can eat good food and not rabbit food and still lose weight. The club has over 210 personalised weekly menu plans so you don’t have to worry about just dining on limp salads plus there are over 400 weekly exercise plans to help you along the way on your weight loss journey. To check out the Hairy Bikers Diet Club, head to: www.hairybikersdietclub.com
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“I’ve known Dave for 20 years and we like having a laugh and a giggle. Our show is obviously about food but I think people like the mad stuff we do too.”
great cook and loved to experiment,” reminisces Si, “I’d always had great food around me, inventive and diverse, so I guess my love for food came from that.” When Si was eight years old his father passed away leading to more time spent in the kitchen, “Cooking was a way for me and my mam to bond and spend time together too which made it special.” Having been “three times around the world” I had to ask Si why he still lived in the North East of England. “I’ve always lived in the North East because it’s the best place in the country to live.” He tells me as though it were a well known fact. “It has a very special set of characteristics: The people are friendly and warm, the cities are great, the infrastructures are great, there’s great fish, great beer, great bread.” Si’s enthusiasm for our part of the country is infectious. “We’ve got some of the best beaches in the world too, freezing cold mind you but great, and stunning countryside as well.” “However, the most important thing is that we still have a strong regional identity in the North East. The landscape around us has defined who we are. There’s so much diversity up here within that regional identity too. One of the best things is that we could be quite insular up here but we’re actually not and I think that speaks volumes about us.” As my interview came to a close I had time for one last question so I asked Si how long he intends to continue doing ‘The Hairy Bikers’.
“We’ll keep doing what we do until people get fed up with us and tell us to sod off!” Something tells me that’s not going to happen any time soon!
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 19
food review
Angeethi
REVIEWED BY JAMES TENNANT
Formerly ‘The Last Days of the Raj’, Angeethi has been changing the British perception of Indian cuisine in Low Fell for over a year now with great success. Owners Priya and Ravi wanted to create a restaurant that provides its diners with an authentic taste of India, using traditional cooking methods and recipes, as well as high quality ingredients and, for this satisfied diner, they have certainly delivered on that vision. The restaurant is well decorated, well lit and comfortable. The style is typical of what you might expect to find, though it’s perhaps a touch more subtle than most Indian restaurants that I’ve been to. As inviting as the décor was, it’s the food I was more interested in and I was certainly in for a treat. Starting with a mixed grill platter, it was obvious from the moment the plate landed on the table that the food was going to be of a high quality. I was treated to a dish of lamb, salmon, prawns and chicken that was well presented and cooked to tender perfection. After enjoying what was a hearty starter (and washing it down with a sip or two of Kingfisher), I moved on to the main course. I opted for the Gosht Rogan Josh, as I’m partial to a bit of lamb, and combined that with some steamed rice and a Kashmiri Kulcha (an oven baked Indian flatbread stuffed with nuts and raisins). The food arrived promptly and immediately apparent was the absence of the garish, neon coloured sauces of the food you might find in some Indian eateries that rely on food colourings to make their dishes stand out. 20 | ENGAGE
Not so here. Authenticity is the name of the game - Food colourings are not used in India, so they aren’t used at Angeethi either. Just as it was with the starter, the freshness and quality of the ingredients was apparent from the first bite and the aromatic flavours combined perfectly to create a tasty and wholeheartedly satisfying dish. Yum. So how did the whole experience rate? Well, the food certainly hit the spot and was full of flavour, the service was prompt, friendly and unintrusive, and the surroundings were comfortable and relaxing. If you’re a fan of Indian cuisine, you have to visit Angeethi.
Price Starters £3.95 – £7.95 Main Courses / Chef’s Specials £8.95 – £15.95
Make a reservation 0191 491 4343 0191 482 6494 www.angeethi.co.uk twitter: @angeethiuk
Community food review spirit
The Brownie Bar REVIEWED BY JAMES TENNANT
I’m a bit of a chocoholic, so when I heard there was a place in Eldon Gardens that was dedicated to making brownies I made straight for it eager to satisfy my sweet tooth. The Brownie Bar itself is a small unit located at the entrance to Eldon Gardens, just by Monsoon. You can also buy their brownies from Fenwick Food Hall and The Quayside Deli in Newcastle as well as the Quayside Sunday Market and the Newcastle Farmer’s Market.
or talk about how great they looked, but all that really needs to be said is that they were absolutely fantastic. All of them. Gooey squares of chocolatey, sweety goodness. They’re quite easily the best brownies I’ve ever had (sorry Aunt Bessie).
I wanted to sample a range of brownies for this review so I asked Sarah and Rachael (the owners) to recommend four brownies to try. They chose the Nutella, Salted Caramel and Millionaire Brownies as well as the Raspberry and Almond Blondie.
Next time you’re wandering around Newcastle, and you need to satisfy a craving for chocolate, head to The Brownie Bar, I promise you and your sweet tooth won’t be disappointed. There’s a good chance you’ll find me there too!
I could spend a few paragraphs writing about how each brownie tasted like this or like that,
twitter: @TheBrownieBaruk
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Check these Brownie Bombs out, don’t they look amazing?!
Indian Tapas Platters from only
£9.95 *
Available every day from 5.30pm to 7.00pm. Limited time only. Reservations: INDIAN KITCHEN & LO UNGE
168 Kells Lane, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE9 5HY
T: 0191 491 4343 / 0191 482 6494 E: eat@angeethi.co.uk W: angeethi.co.uk *Terms apply. Please check our website for offer detai details.
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 21
recipe
Our resident Masterchef:
David James Tate Salmon and pea risotto When you hear risotto, you more than likely think of a relatively heavy, wintery, warming dish. However it’s possible to make a fresh and light risotto, perfect for a spring or summer midweek supper. This recipe uses just a few ingredients but turns them into something special; a light, creamy risotto, with juicy flakes of salmon and the unmistakable pop of peas, all lifted with just a hint of citrus from the lemon and
crème fraîche. A risotto is somewhat of a labour of love, there’s no way of getting around the fact that you need to constantly stir to get that creaminess that is needed for the perfect risotto. Try experimenting - how
about sea trout instead of salmon, or add some shaved asparagus close to the end of cooking to gently steam through but stay crisp. I hope you enjoy my recipe, feel free to let me know how you found it!
Ingredients (serves 2)
Method
• 2 x 100-120g salmon fillets, skinned and boned
Preheat your oven to 200˚C (180˚ fan).
until all of the stock is absorbed. From now on, add a ladleful of stock every time the risotto has absorbed the previous ladleful, and keep stirring to release the starch from the rice and make your risotto creamy and delicious.
• Half an onion, finely diced • 2 cloves garlic • 75ml white wine • 100g risotto rice (arborio or carnaroli are the two most common) • 500ml stock (I use chicken but vegetable would work just as well) • 300ml hot water • Large handful frozen peas • Zest and juice of one lemon • Heaped tablespoon crème fraîche • Salt, pepper and olive oil
Heat two tablespoons of oil in a pan over a low heat, and then add the onion and begin to sweat gently. After 3-4 minutes, add the garlic (either sliced very finely or grated on a fine grater) and sweat for a further 3-4 minutes until the onions have gone translucent. Adding a small pinch of salt at the start of cooking helps stop the onions from taking on colour. Turn up the heat to medium and then add the wine and cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the alcohol to burn off. Once done, add the rice and give a good stir to coat all the grains in the oil and wine. Meanwhile, make up the stock, add the extra 300mls of water and keep it in a pan over a very low heat, just to keep it hot. Cook the rice for a further 2-3 minutes and then add a ladleful of stock and stir constantly
Once around 2/3 of the stock has been used up, place your salmon fillets onto an aluminium foil covered baking tray, coat in olive oil and season with salt and pepper and the zest of half a lemon. Place into the oven for around 8-10 minutes until the salmon is just cooked. Remove from the oven and leave to rest. Keep adding the remainder of the stock until the rice is fully cooked – still with a slight bite to it but not at all chalky. A quick note – all rice absorbs at a different rate, so you may find you need slightly less of the stock, or slightly more. It’s important to taste frequently until you find the point when it is just right. Once the rice is just right, add the peas, the zest of half a lemon and the juice of the lemon. Again, add around half the lemon juice first and taste, then add more as necessary. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in the crème fraîche. Finally, flake the salmon into large chunks and gently fold through the risotto. Serve and enjoy! twitter: @davidjamestate blog: ne9food.blogspot.co.uk
Enjoy more for less
Angeethi Special four-course meal deal from only
£15.95 *
Available every day. Limited time only. Reservations: INDIAN KITCHEN & LO UNGE
168 Kells Lane, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE9 5HY
22 | ENGAGE
T: 0191 491 4343 / 0191 482 6494 E: eat@angeethi.co.uk W: angeethi.co.uk *Terms apply. Please check our website for offer detai details.
Community food review spirit
Gusto REVIEWED BY JAMES TENNANT
There are few better places to find yourself than walking along Newcastle’s stunning Quayside, especially on a sunny day. Also true, as I was to find out, is there are few better Italian restaurants to find yourself eating in than Gusto. Positioned just behind the Pitcher and Piano, Gusto occupies an enviable spot on the Quayside and is complete with a generous outdoor patio to the front, a huge two storey window offering excellent views, and an elegant, stylish and modern interior. I popped along one afternoon with a friend ready to check out what Gusto had to offer. For starters we went for the prosciutto ham and melon (£6.75) and home cured salmon tartare with quail’s egg (£6.95). Both dishes were incredibly tasty and beautifully presented. To drink we both decided on a large glass of the house red (£6.00) which went down very well. I’m a big fan of duck so the pan roast duck breast (£16.25) jumped straight out at me while browsing through the menu. Cooked pink (as it should be!) the duck was tender, juicy and full of flavour. My companion went for the roast fillet of cod wrapped in prosciutto ham (£15.25) and was equally as impressed.
I’m not usually a dessert person when I’m eating out but the quality of the starter and main course was so good that I couldn’t say no. We both plumped for the chocolate and hazelnut brownie with pistachio ice cream and chocolate sauce (£5.95). With combinations like that you can’t really go wrong can you? It was delicious. So how does Gusto rate? The service was impeccable – prompt yet discreet, and the staff were both polite and friendly. The ingredients were fresh, of a very high quality and the chefs certainly knew what they were doing in the kitchen! The whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable and I know I’ll be back for more in the future.
Make a reservation on 0191 260 2291 Please mention Engage Magazine when you do! twitter: @NewcastleGusto
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 23
business
Gateshead businesses working in partnership
WRITTEN BY MARK BURDETT
What’s the difference between a successful and growing company and one which is struggling just to survive? We spoke to two local companies to find out how their close relationship has resulted in success all around.
Team Valley based, SLS Limited, and Low Fell based insurance brokers, NC Insurance (formally Northern Counties Insurance), are proof that despite difficult trading conditions in recent years, growth and continued success can be achieved by working together.
John, who has seen SLS grow to become one of the regions’ leading freight transport companies went on to say, “NC Insurance have the skills, experience and buying power to satisfy our insurance needs and this means I know that our business is protected.”
SLS has seen their turnover grow by over 100% in the past two years and their Business Development Director, John Toft puts this success down to numerous factors including the service they receive from NC Insurance.
Phil Lakey, Claims Manager at NC Insurance (pictured here) said, “We recognize that being an insurance broker is not just about selling insurance policies; it’s about providing a first class service to clients looking for specialist advice. John and the team at SLS is one such client as we’ve been able to give them the peace of mind of knowing that their assets, belongings, people and ability to trade are protected by a cost effective tailored insurance program.”
John said, “Appointing NC Insurance as our insurance broker is certainly one of the best decisions we’ve made as I know that they understand our business and have tailored an insurance programme to meet our specific needs. More than this though, when the unexpected does happen and we need to claim, knowing that our insurance broker is local, can visit us immediately and can make sure our claim is settled quickly allows us to concentrate on running and growing the business.”
Phil added, “We recruit and train the highest calibre staff, from a variety of backgrounds including insurers, national brokers and the legal profession which gives us a broad prospective on a range of issues, ensuring our clients receive the best advice at all times. This customer focus resulted in 5 additional staff joining us at the back end of 2013 with further recruitment planned for 2014. This recruitment combined with the re-brand to NC Insurance means we are flexible enough to provide an individually tailored service to all our clients so they receive the service that they want, not just the one we can offer.”
For further information on SLS, John Toft can be contacted on 0191 427 1932. And to find out why NC Insurance is the choice for local businesses who demand a dedicated, ethical and professional insurance service, call 0191 543 8441 or visit www.ncinsurance.co.uk
From payroll to bookkeeping, tax to vat, accounts to forecasting… we are your virtual accounts team T: 0191 487 9870 24 | ENGAGE
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5 McMillan Close, Saltwell Business Park, Gateshead, Tyne And Wear, NE9 5BF www.csaccounting.co.uk
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Access Training Gateshead Skills Academy, Kingsway South, Team Valley Gateshead, NE11 0JL T / 0191 490 4646 E / info@accesstraining.org
Mile House, Bridge End, Chester le Street, County Durham, DH3 3RA T / 0191 388 4488 E / info@accesstraining.org
@Access2Training Access Training Limited
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www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 25
competition
Win a copy of The Hairy Biker’s Asian Adventure Cookbook This is a fantastic collection of Asian inspired recipes from Si King and Dave Myers, a perfect prize for any eager cooks out there! There are two copies up for grabs so make sure you enter. All you need to do to enter is go to www.engagetyneside.co.uk and click on the ‘Competitions’ link, then fill in the form. Easy!
EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER COMPETITION*
Win a £50 Gift Card for Intu Eldon Square Add to your summer collection with this £50 Gift Card for use in Eldon Square in Newcastle. This competition is only open to Engage Magazine subscribers. If you’re a subscriber there’s no need to do anything – you’ve already been entered! Just look out for the announcement of the winner in our next issue! *Subscriber Only Competition: If you’re not a subscriber then turn to page 33 and find out more about the benefits of becoming one!
26 | ENGAGE
Community spirit advertorial
The benefit of waiting Is it worth delaying your annuity purchase? WRITTEN BY PAUL STEEL
The income lost by delaying your annuity purchase by just two years in the hope that rates will improve could take decades to recoup if annuity rates remain at their current level. According to MGM Advantage, who analysed whether it could pay you to postpone your annuity purchase in the belief that rates will improve and your lifetime income will be higher, such a delay carries risk. By delaying annuity purchase by two years, you will receive a higher income because of your advanced age. However if annuity rates remain at the same level as they are today, the income lost from those first two years would take a further 37 to 41 years to recoup! MGM concluded that annuity rates would need to improve by at least 6% from today’s rates to break-even on the total income you could receive over an average retirement. That break-even point in total income would come 19 years after you purchased your annuity because of the two year wait. Annuity rates have improved since their historic lows in 2012, but the long-term outlook for rates is uncertain. It would take a betting man to take a punt on annuity rates improving over the next couple of years to make any wait worthwhile. There are many factors currently affecting annuity rates. Gilt yields
remain low, quantitative easing is still in the background, there are a number of EU solvency requirements that will impact on rates and most importantly people are living longer. As always annuities are a gamble but you can stack the odds in your favour by making sure you explore all the options available to you in the retirement income market.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE We have just passed the deadline for submitting tax returns and in case you have forgotten and need an excuse see if you can adapt one of these below supplied by HMRC as the 10 best excuses for not submitting timely tax returns. Unfortunately they don’t tell us if they accepted any of them as legitimate reasons, but I think we can guess don’t you? 1 My pet goldfish died (self-employed builder) 2 I had a run-in with a cow (Midlands farmer)
3 After seeing a volcanic eruption on the news, I couldn’t concentrate on anything else (London woman) 4 My wife won’t give me my mail (self-employed trader)
5 My husband told me the deadline was 31 March, and I believed him (Leicester hairdresser)
6 I’ve been far too busy touring the country with my one-man play (Coventry writer)
7 My bad back means I can’t go upstairs. That’s where my tax return is (a working taxi driver)
8 I’ve been cruising round the world in my yacht, and only picking up post when I’m on dry land (South East man)
9 Our business doesn’t really do anything (Kent financial services firm)
10 I’ve been too busy submitting my clients’ tax returns (London accountant).
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 27
entertainment
Review: TV
Series review GAME OF THRONES Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne continues. It stretches from the south, where heat breeds plots, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men...all will play the ‘Game of Thrones.’ If you haven’t had the chance to sit down in front of an episode of Game of Thrones yet, then what have you been doing over the last three years? The television adaptation of George RR Martin’s epic ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series about the struggle for the Iron Throne of Westeros has completed its fourth season and we’ve been spoiled yet again.
28 | ENGAGE
Treachery, intrigue and no small amount of violence and overwhelming danger have been key ingredients in season four (as they were in seasons 1-3), and we’ve also seen some very interesting developments for many of the main characters, most of which we didn’t see coming. Season four also continued the “no-one is safe” trend which is probably the most exciting aspect of the show. There’s something terribly thrilling and scary about not knowing if a character will survive from one scene to the next, no matter how much screen time they get or how “good” they appear to be. If they’re in a dangerous position, there’s a good chance they won’t survive it. For those that haven’t seen the show, this is not your typical “Good vs Evil” story. In fact you find yourself empathising with many
characters on all sides of the war, even more so this season. The boundaries between what is good and evil in Game of Thrones are blurred and it all comes down to a matter of perspective. The sheer popularity of the show is testament to the excellent work David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have done in translating Martin’s story from the page to our television screens. It’s also testament to the brilliance of Martin’s writing in the first place. The design team should also get a mention here as they’ve brought Martin’s world to life in amazing detail. Brilliant. Stunning. Visceral. Thrilling. Game of Thrones season four has delivered on all fronts. The only problem is we’ve got to wait another year until season five!
5/5
Community spirit
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 29 WWW.ENGAGEMAGAZINE.CO.UK 29
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Community spirit entertainment
Review: DVD What we’ve been watching
12 YEARS A SLAVE Solomon Northup, the son of a former slave, was a free man living in upstate New York when he was tricked, kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. As the title suggests, he spent the next 12 years as a slave. This is a story full of heartbreak and atrocity. One of the most moving films of recent memory, ‘12 Years a Slave’ is not an easy watch and actually makes for uncomfortable viewing in parts. What it is, however, is powerful cinema. For me, it does for the slavery era in America what ‘Saving Private Ryan’ did for the battlefields of the 2nd World War – that is to say it depicts a brutal and horrific time in human history so unflinchingly and earnestly that we have a better understanding of what the people and victims of that time went through. The performances all round are fantastic, but most of the plaudits must go to Chiwetel Ejiofor playing Solomon Northup. Michael Fassbender also deserves much credit for yet another great performance as the sadistic, alcoholic slave owner Edwin Epps.
HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE Catching Fire is another enjoyable instalment in the Hunger Games quartet. It’s as entertaining as its predecessor but goes a step further by also delving a little deeper into the story’s compelling themes, creating a fuller and more complete narrative. It could do with taking a few more risks to add some extra tension, but overall it certainly satisfies.
GRAVITY Visually spectacular and incredibly tense, Alfonso Cuarón’s ‘Gravity’ is a real treat. While some may not enjoy the lonely narrative, or the protracted length of some of the shots, many will find the experience mesmerising and gripping. Make sure you do it justice at home by watching it in the highest definition you can (in 3D too if possible!).
4.5/5
3/5
4.5/5
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 31
entertainment
Book review: Missing You, Harlan Coben True to form Harlan Coben’s new thriller Missing You is an addictive page turner that you won’t want to put down. Coben is the master of writing engaging and tensionfilled novels, creating sympathetic characters that you will root for and vicious killers that you will find disturbing. Kat is a police officer with a tragic past. Trying to put the murder of her father behind her and move on with her life, when her friend suggests online dating, Kat reluctantly gives it a try. When she spots the profile of her ex-fiancé Jeff it starts a chain of terrifying events that will endanger her and those around her. Finding connections between her father’s death, a missing woman and her ex-fiancé, Kat begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Missing You reveals a darker and more deadly side of online dating that will make you reluctant to log on again! Fans of Coben’s work won’t be disappointed and if you are new to his books, this standalone novel is a great introduction.
Album review: Luminous, The Horrors Luminous is the fourth album from London five-piece The Horrors; although it is not a game changer there are some highlights that set this album apart from their earlier sound. Overall Luminous is a toe in the pool of psychedelic pop – a departure from the dark, sometimes ominous gothic sound of their 2007 debut Strange House. Their third album Skying set the tone with its dreamy synth and emotional rock songs, however Luminous has some definite nods to 80s and early 90s melodies whilst still retaining a little of their original darker sound characterised by Faris Badwan’s unmistakable vocals. Whilst there aren’t really any tracks that immediately jump out – as with Skying’s ‘Still Life’ – there are some such as ‘So Now You Know’ and ‘I See You’ which create beautiful swirling, melodic rock-pop and prove the album is more of a journey and a whole sound in one rather than singular, individual tracks. Luminous shows that The Horrors have continued to experiment and progress their sound (some would criticise into a more commercial offering) but that they also have the potential to evolve and they continue to surprise.
32 | ENGAGE
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YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO LIFE IN NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD | SEP/OCT 2014 | 2
From Birtley to Bangkok Where to eat, read, sing, play, walk – all you need to know about where you live.
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Michelle Taylor talks on underwear, Vogue and Tom Ford INSIDE
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New motors, interiors, food and drink, business, travel, entertainment…
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Hairy Biker, Simon King, talks about his food journey People, places, festivals, events, sport, everything we love about Newcastle and Gateshead.
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People, places, festivals, events, sport, everything we love about Newcastle and Gateshead.
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Where to eat, read, sing, play, walk – all you need to know about where you live.
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People, places, festivals, events, sport, everything we love about Newcastle and Gateshead.
New motors, interiors, food and drink, business, travel, entertainment…
Where to eat, read, sing, play, walk – all you need to know about where you live.
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www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 33
motoring
Mercedes shows its C-Class! WRITTEN BY DAVID ALAN
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The battle of the small executive saloons is about to simmer over this summer with the arrival of the new Mercedes C-Class. And with its even sleeker lines over the last model, which are inspired by the fashion conscious A-Class, the German brand is even more determined to shed its image of a carmaker that’s a bit ‘safe’.
motoring
It certainly has a fight on its hands. Its nearest rival, the BMW 3-Series, trounces the opposition in almost every respect. With its taut handling and superb ergonomics, the BMW is the one to beat. And Mercedes is certainly getting closer with every reincarnation of its popular small saloon. The new C-class was lauded by the media when it was launched at the Detroit motor show earlier this year. Motoring writers were blown away by the quality of the cabin, which also borrows elements from the younger-targeted A-Class hatch, such as the floating seven inch information screen. It has to be said, it looks magnificent from inside.
Buyers of the new Mercedes took delivery of the first arrivals to UK shores in June.
All models of the new four-door will come with radar-guided automatic cruise control, heated windscreen wiper washers and two-zone climate control. Other standard spec includes a reversing camera, tyrepressure monitoring and automatic emergency braking. Prices start at £26,855 for the two-litre petrol engined C200 in SE trim, while the cheapest diesel is £29,365 for the 2.1-litre C220 Bluetec SE. Those are the only two engines at the moment, but Mercedes says we’ll see a diesel hybrid badged C300 Bluetec. It will share its drivetrain with its bigger brother, the E300 Hybrid Bluetec.
Buyers of the new Mercedes took delivery of the first arrivals to UK shores in June.
The C-Class also seems to share its rear with the E-Class, as it is similar. But unlike Audi, Mercedes have tried hard to ensure there are enough differences so that it doesn’t make its range dull.
And while German brands are often considered to be a bit stingy with their spec, the new C-Class is attempting to banish that image.
With those sleeker lines (even the rear light clusters have lost their slightly boxy edge) and fabulous quality, the new C-Class is likely to find many fans once it hits the showrooms.
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 35
header
36 | ENGAGE
Community spirit promotion
Get engaged Alongside the launch of Engage Magazine, we’re also launching our daily blog website – Engage Tyneside. It’s attractive, responsive and easy-to-navigate (for all you technophobes out there). Just like the magazine, Engage Tyneside will highlight local stories from Newcastle and Gateshead as well as take a look at general lifestyle articles too. We’ll have some handy widgets on the website too such as an events calendar, so you can see what’s on in your area, and a weather widget, so you know if it’s safe to leave the house or not!
Log on to
The website will be updated on a daily basis so there’ll always be something new to read about whenever you log on. Additionally, if you want to win any of the prizes from the competitions we run, the only way to enter them is though Engage Tyneside! If you’re a budding blogger or writer we’ll be giving you the chance to contribute to the website. Businesses will also have ample opportunities to promote their messages, products and special offers too.
Together Engage Magazine and Engage Tyneside make the most comprehensive source for all goings on in Newcastle and Gateshead, so make sure you log on to www.engagetyneside.co.uk today and check us out!
Over 18? Got a business idea? “We sta started our business with PNE PNE, now it’s your turn!” Lewis Johnson and Joe Campbell started Great Time Events “We applied for funding from Start-up Loans through PNE and received £2,500 each. Our customers range from Virgin Money and Sage Accountancy to the Greene King Pubs, all of whom have hired pieces of equipment for different events. In regards to our event management service, customers include local community centres, chari es, pubs and other enterprise agencies around Newcastle.”
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www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 37
header homes
Reduce, reuse, upcycle. Hidden away in an unassuming street in Ryton Village is a beautiful example of how upcycling can not only save you money but mixed with new products can give you a unique and budget friendly space.
WRITTEN BY CHERYL LUMLEY
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Jess, co-owner of Mallow Communications, and Martin, who works at Sustrans, developing and maintaining sustainable transport for the North East, share this three-bed terrace with Jessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; son, 15 and their daughters, 2 and 11 months. The last two years has seen them transform the house by repurposing, reusing and revamping every inch of space. Perhaps the biggest transformation is the kitchen. Previously the dining room, they knocked down the wall between the hallway and the dining room to create this
stunning open plan kitchen diner. Once theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d replastered, stripped and sanded the floorboards, they set out to create a space which worked for their growing family. Complete with a breakfast bar island this space is perfect. Opting for simple grey high gloss units and doors from Ikea, they added their individuality with some ingenious upcycled features. They splashed out on an oversize piece of workbench to create the island with the recycling bins and storage cupboards on one side and a breakfast bar on the other,
Community spirit homes
FROM DINING ROOM TO OPEN PLAN KITCHEN Knocking the wall down between the hallway and dining room created this stunning space.
The last two years has seen them transform the house by repurposing, reusing and revamping every inch of space.
hanging basket brackets, an ebay bargain of just £30. After removing the wall they decided to keep the old dining room door and upcycle it into a shelf unit. The door frame was then turned into a giant frame to surround the painted blackboard. This works beautifully against the bright pink wall. Colourful accents such as flowers and candlesticks are also used to complement the feature wall. using worktop offcuts to make the legs. Above the large cooker positioned in what was once the fireplace, is a shelf that Martin rescued from a pile of firewood during a friend’s house move, and repurposed into a mantle feature. The shelf above the sink is perched upon cast iron
All in all, I love this kitchen, it’s definitely the heart of the home, and I can’t help wondering what they’ll upcycle in the rest of the house. To see more of the other rooms in this house follow their blog on http://myterracemycastle. wordpress.com and check out www.mallowcommunications.com
Cheryl Lumley is the co-owner of www.copperbluecreative.co.uk and can also be found blogging about all things creative on www.allroundcreativejunkie.wordpress.com
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 39
Travel travel
Slovenia Independent since 1991, and a member of both the EU and the Euro, you’d have thought that beautiful Slovenia – nestled in the Alps next to Italy and Austria – would be higher on British travellers’ radars. It remains, however, something of a hidden gem. WRITTEN BY GRAHAM SOULT
Of course, those of us who adore this unsung country the size of Wales are a bit torn. On the one hand, we want to tell everyone how wonderful it is; on the other, we quite like keeping it all to ourselves. So, where do you start? Well, just as I did when I visited Slovenia for the first time in 1998, many British travellers make a beeline for the delightful capital, Ljubljana. Compact and pedestrian friendly, the city is dominated by the restored Ljubljana Castle,
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where the magnificent view from the ‘stolp’, or tower, is well worth the climb or funicular fare. Dominating the city panorama, you can’t miss the distinctive stone and brick façades of the National and University Library of Slovenia, designed by Slovenia’s most famous architect Jože Plečnik, who died in 1957. Wandering around Ljubljana, you see Plečnik’s creative legacy everywhere, from the handsome buildings of the open market
to the iconic Triple Bridge over the Ljubljanica River. Despite Slovenia’s small size, it’s easy to see why it’s referred to as ‘Europe in miniature’. Drive just an hour and a half to the south west of Ljubljana and you reach the country’s small but attractive 27-mile coastline. Centred around the bustling Tartini Square, medieval Piran is a must-see, with narrow, shady streets housing interesting shops and restaurants.
Community spirit travel
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If you’re not already ‘climbed out’ after Ljubljana, Piran’s town wall affords an astonishing view over the town’s higgledypiggledy rooftops and the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. One of Slovenia’s joys is that you can literally sunbathe on a beach and enjoy a hike in the mountains on the same day. Head north of the capital into the Gorenjska region and you soon reach the dramatic scenery of the Julian Alps, capped
with the 2,864m-high Triglav, the country’s highest peak. You’ll find many of Slovenia’s most popular resorts here, including lively Kranjska Gora – popular with skiers in winter and walkers in summer – and Bled, my personal favourite. A tourist honeypot, Bled nevertheless remains stunningly beautiful, with its tranquil lake, island church and castle on a crag – a truly magical combination. Happily, you never have
to wander far to escape the crowds, with walks galore taking you into the surrounding hills and woodland. It’s hard to express quite why I love Slovenia so much, but there’s just something about the place – its scenery, its culture, its sense of pride as a nation – that keeps pulling me back (eight times and counting). So, don’t say I didn’t warn you – visit Slovenia once, and you too risk being permanently beguiled by its charms.
Graham Soult is the owner of Gatesheadbased CannySites.com, which runs the Holiday & Travel Directory at www.holidayandtraveldirectory.co.uk
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 41
community
A breath of fresh air WRITTEN BY KAREN MARSHALL
The musings of a mum, wife and entrepreneur.
I thought I had a few more years before my children became monosyllabic, sofa-sitting boys hunched over a mobile phone, tablet or any other device that may come to hand. They’re 6 and 3 years old. How did this happen? I blame the parents. Okay, so I’m exaggerating a little maybe. Distraction is still my weapon of choice. To shift their minds and bodies away from the screens that tempt to usher away their childhood. How about some fresh air, an adventure, a bike ride, stick gathering, squirrel spotting, bug finding… anything, but let’s get out of the house! So here are some recommendations. Get out and about for a few hours in Newcastle and Gateshead this summer. No time like the present so why not sample one this weekend with the family, the majority are FREE too.
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Simply Quayside
Bill Quay Farm
Take the pushbikes or scooters and head down to Baltic. Check out the latest exhibitions or spend some time in the Quays family room. On weekends they do Busy B’s crafts (14.00 – 16.00) and family tours on a Saturday. When you’re done, head over the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, and down to the Cycle Hub on the Newcastle Quayside for some well earned refreshments. Great soups, cakes and very lovely staff.
Fresh air, walks, a menagerie of animals and a wonderful little café. It’s all good at this community farm. Look out for the goats, sheep, chickens and pigs - they’re known for their rare breeds - and they regularly have activities and craft sessions. I’m a bit of a fan as are my friends.
Derwent Walk Another good fresh air and scooting/biking opportunity. The Derwent Walk Country Park is a mixture of woodlands, meadows, wetlands, riverside and reclaimed industrial sites all linked by the Derwent Walk. The Derwent Walk is the track-bed of the old Derwent Valley Railway. There’s a café now too at Thornley Woodlands Centre, open on the weekends from 11.00 – 15.00.
Watergate Forest Park A Green Flag winning forest park and nature reserve on the Watergate Colliery site. Here’s some big outdoors to enjoy complete with wetlands, woodlands and wildflower meadows. There are plenty of marked routes to take (accessible paths too) see if you can spot the oak leaf and acorn seat and floating rocks amongst others pieces of art. It can be muddy, but that adds to the fun.
Community spirit community
Chopwell Woods Originally an ancient woodland, this is a wonderful place for discovering and enjoying the great outdoors. There are a number of routes to choose from with paths through the woods or on the old colliery railway track. Great for cycling or walking with tricky climbs or easy access paths too. Look out for artworks and sculptures, the giant Douglas Firs, Red Kites, deers, otters and bats! As they say, these woods are for everyone. Oh and take a picnic!
Birkheads Secret Garden and Nursery Okay, so this isn’t free, but as I like it so much I’ve included it. Fabulous gardens, plants to buy and a rather lovely café over looking the gardens and if it’s sunny sit on the terrace and enjoy the peace. There is so much to discover, the children can take part in the quiz and you
can find garden inspiration, it’s a win-win situation.
The Usual Suspects The obvious choices can be easily overlooked, so here’s a reminder. Head out to Saltwell Park, this year there are cream teas and other extra events in the towers. The Shipley Art Gallery is a great place to go to on cold, wet days. The lounge room offers a refuge for families, help yourself to coffee and try out the learning bags. There’s a little play area too. Look out for their events and workshops. Take a cycle or a walk to the Angel of the North, have a gaze around and marvel at him. It’s that simple. He’s modeled on the artist, Antony Gormley. As well as borrowing books, music and DVDs the Gateshead Central Library has a communal garden where children can get involved. They
offer a big programme of events and activities too. The Gateshead Leisure Centre has lots to offer, with courses as well as swimming and sports and the café is great value. You’ll need to pay for activities and events at these venues. Have you got great recommendations? Get involved, engage and share them with us. Look for us on twitter @engagemag or facebook.com/EngageMagNE. Nice people of Newcastle and Gateshead thank you.
Karen Marshall is the Managing Director of Canny Marshall Ltd. A Gateshead based marketing company. www.cannymarshall.co.uk twitter: @cannymarshall
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 43
community
Low Fell to Mongolia. In a Nissan Micra.
WRITTEN BY ADAM MARSHALL
It’s early August 2013 and we’re lost. Although none of us will outwardly admit it, we’re absolutely, completely lost. It’s been two whole hours since we last saw another human being; a local on a motorbike appearing as a tiny speck on the horizon heading in the opposite direction. It’s over 40 degrees C, we have less than half a tank of petrol remaining, only two litres of water, no food, no phone signal and no maps. Through a combination of luck and middling navigational abilities, we’d survived 24 days on the road so far but here in the middle of the sprawling Mongolian Steppe there is nothing to navigate by.
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Community spirit community
Our intention was to raise funds for our three chosen charities: Operation Smile, The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity and Heel & Toe Children’s Charity based in Durham who provide conductive education and physical therapy for children in the North East with cerebral palsy and other movement disabilities.
We had succeeded in raising nearly £10,000 for our chosen charities and had survived a once in a lifetime experience. The rocky desert reaches for miles into the distance before it meets colossal mountain ranges on either side, you can see so far and the air is so clear that you can pick out different weather formations moving in the distance. In this vast expanse there isn’t a single sign of human habitation, nor roads. Two and a half weeks previously, I had set out from my home in Low Fell to meet up with Jon and Will, my Royal Navy colleagues at our base at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall. With my equally foolish companions on board and the boot packed with little more than a couple of tents, we pointed our car in the general direction of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. In doing this, our intention was to raise funds for our three chosen charities: Operation Smile, The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity and Heel & Toe Children’s Charity based in Durham who provide conductive education and physical therapy for children in the North East with cerebral palsy and other movement disabilities. To get us there, Benfield Motor Group had very generously provided us with the perfectly inappropriate vehicle for the journey; a nine year old, three door 1200cc Nissan Micra. It had proven an incredible workhorse; taking us through the Alps where we witnessed Chris Froome riding to victory in the Tour de France, moving through Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Romania where we had driven the famous Transfagarasan highway, widely regarded as the greatest road in the
world. From there we found ourselves passing through Moldova and accidentally stumbling passed NATO blockades into the disputed territory of Transnistria.
the finish line we had finally come unstuck. Having no real other option, we pressed on and in late afternoon found what we thought to be a road.
Ukraine and Russia followed before we became bogged down in the vast expanse of Kazakhstan, a country whose shimmering cities in the North are an incredible juxtaposition to the almost apocalyptic, desolate bandit country to the South. Somehow surviving that, we re-emerged in Siberia where we were subjected to the punishing hospitality of a former Russian paratrooper who held us as vodkafuelled captives for three days at his self-built holiday camp.
Our joy was short lived when we realized that it was nothing more than a bone strewn, dried riverbed. The sun bleached bones of animals serving as a further stark reminder of our now grave situation. We clung to the hope that the old statement ‘All rivers lead to civilization’ still held true, even in this gargantuan and sparsely populated country. Sure enough, with our water gone and our fuel needle firmly in the red, we stumbled into the tiny outpost of Tsetsenguue. The sight of it’s corrugated iron and canvass housing and single petrol pump a blessed relief.
Escaping him had led us to a stand off at the Russia-Mongolia border, which through pleading and handing out cigarettes finally led us into Mongolia itself. Through all this, and 10,000 miles, the car had not let us down once. We’d crossed rivers, deserts, mountain ranges, flood plains, lawless one-horse towns and unrecognised conflicted territories. However, back to the predicament we found ourselves in. With the Mongolian capital in sight, our over-confidence and eagerness to complete our journey had led to the situation we now found ourselves in. Two days from
Just 48 hours later, we would reach our destination, the Chinggis Khaan hotel in Ulaanbaatar. In 27 days we had driven 10,000 miles over a third of the world’s surface in some of the worst driving conditions imaginable, living out of, and driving, a car designed for the weekly shopping trip. In doing so, we had succeeded in raising nearly £10,000 for our chosen charities and had survived a once in a lifetime experience. If we ever do it again, we’ll probably buy some maps. Maps are really quite useful.
Adam Marshall will next attempt to Cycle 2400 miles this summer from Heel & Toe Children’s Charity in Durham to the ancient Olympic ruins of The Archea Olympia in Greece, also to raise money for the aforementioned Heel &Toe. Details of this event can be found out H2o-cycling.co.uk. Here you can also buy the video diary of the Mongolian journey in DVD format with all profits also going to Heel & Toe. www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 45
community
Your Gateshead Old Town Hall In January 2014, Gateshead Old Town Hall opened its doors to the Gateshead community, with music, dance, cakes and even yoga. A heritage building, with its enchanting stained glass windows and lofty, arched ceilings, it continues to play host to a wide range of activities, welcoming people young and old and from all walks of life to be part of a new venture from Sage Gateshead.
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Community spirit community
© David Tiernan
© Mark Savage
© Mark Savage
© Ken Drew
There is something for everybody, with family fun activities, over 50s music-making groups, and gigs ranging from folk to electronica.
Housing Sage Gateshead staff prior to the opening of its striking riverside home, Gateshead Old Town Hall continues to play a central role in providing arts in the local community. As General Director Anthony Sargent comments:
therefore a very special pleasure a couple of years ago to be asked by the Council to take on the programme development of this fine heritage building, with new strands of concerts, and education and participation programmes.”
“12 years ago (before Sage Gateshead was ready for us to move in) Gateshead Council very kindly made it possible for us to unite our whole company in their wonderfully atmospheric Gateshead Old Town Hall, where we lived and worked for 2½ years before moving into Sage Gateshead. It was
Gateshead Old Town Hall plays host to over forty different activity groups, with opportunities to stretch the vocal chords in one of many choirs, jam with fellow musiclovers in a range of instrumental groups or even stretch wearied limbs in regular yoga classes. There is something for everybody,
with family fun activities, over 50s musicmaking groups, and gigs ranging from folk to electronica. At the heart of the building is the Somethin’s Brewin’ cafe: a great kitsch space for meetings or relaxing, with homemade cakes, soups and sandwiches, free wi-fi, a ‘read me’ corner, a ‘play-me’ piano and local art on display and for sale. There’s life yet in the old town hall… why not pop in and see for yourself!
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 47
community
All aboard
WRITTEN BY MIKE DELANEY
So, you’ve been soaked to the skin on your child’s nursery’s charity walk on the Saturday evening, and it’s left all and sundry well and truly down in the dumps about having fun at the weekend.
A brief look at the weather forecast (something which was clearly not done when agreeing to the afore-mentioned charity walk) for the Sunday has revealed somewhat brighter news – blue skies and sunshine. Regardless of the time of year, this is undoubtedly just what the doctor ordered, and at least offers an opportunity for the weekend to make amends for Saturday’s wash-out.
Whilst you don’t need to know the internal workings of a locomotive like the back of your hand, this is a grand morning out to be had by all generations. As it happens, in our small family entourage, the high-pitched shrieks of ‘THOMAS!’ at the first sight of the steam train pulling into the station by our 2-yr old son was only the start of the fun.
Now, it may come as a surprise to some people, as it did to me, but Gateshead is home to the world’s oldest working railway, in the Tanfield Railway, and offers visitors and rail enthusiasts alike the opportunity to experience what it was like to travel the 3 miles along the railway from its most northern point at Sunniside, through four sympathetically-restored stations to East Tanfield, near Stanley in County Durham. In days gone by, this railway was an integral part of the local economy, helping revolutionise the local collieries and aid in transporting the coal to the Tyne for onward transport. The oldest part of the original railway dates back to 1647, located to the north-east of the current line, in the Lobley Hill area.
Aboard we jumped, and enjoyed the passing countryside and stations until we arrived at Causey Arch – again, another ‘world’s oldest’ - this time the oldest surviving railway bridge, and alighted our train in order to have a wander about the surrounding area, even stopping for a quick flask of tea at the nearby picnic area. Whilst the adults amongst us shuddered at the height of the arch from atop it, the kids seemed to love the view from up there, and marvelled at the to-scale model of an original wagonway train and the information board, depicting life ‘back in the day’, when the railway was so busy that up to one train per minute would use that stretch of track, transporting coal from the area, en route to the staithes on the River Tyne, destined for London. Without this railway, London would have lost power!
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Community community u spirit
This truly is an attraction for all the family, and helps give an insight into the region’s history, and how the railways helped revolutionise the area. The stations along the route are presented in an ‘olde worlde’ style, and the many volunteers you encounter, from those in the ticket office to those working on maintaining the tracks, are all dressed in a style which helps you travel back to the railway’s heyday in centuries gone by. So, after all of the excitement of the railway, we had all worked up a mighty appetite, and felt it only right to go in search of somewhere capable of satisfying our hunger, and which could help contribute towards our Sunday afternoon naps. Now, not being overly-familiar with the area, I did have to do some extensive research about where to go (OK, I asked my colleagues at work), and was pointed in the general direction of the Marquis Of Granby pub, just south of Sunniside, on Gateshead Road (A692), less than 2 miles away. This pub ticks a lot of boxes for me – not only does it serve some decent beers and cask ales, but it’s a traditional, old building, steeped in history, and also serves up a hearty Sunday lunch at a very reasonable price. We found the pub to be very welcoming, even for a party consisting of two young children, offering comfortable surroundings in which to enjoy a drink and browse the menu, and for me, struggling to decide on which roast dinner to have (beef, pork and chicken were available on the day, as well as a vegetarian option); a decision made all the
more difficult by the gorgeous smells wafting from the kitchen into the bar area. I felt a bit like a Bisto kid, albeit one with a fine appreciation for quality ale and red meat. My mind was made up, in part by witnessing a neighbouring table get a succulent, fairly pink, helping of roast beef delivered to their table whilst I was deliberating. I’m pleased to report that the beef, as well as the pork that my wife had, were as tasty as they looked, and the accompanying Yorkshire pudding, roasties and vegetables satisfied my hunger to the extent that, sadly, I had to pass on the offer of choosing something from the dessert menu. For me, you cannot knock the price (£6.95). It’s great value, and that must go a long way in this day and age. It may be seen as being a bit ‘out in the sticks’, but given that there is plenty to see and do nearby, it’s definitely worthwhile calling in the next time you are passing.
In days gone by, this Tanfield Railway was an integral part of the local economy, helping revolutionise the local collieries and aid in transporting the coal to the Tyne for onward transport.
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 49
advertorial header
I Need a Walk Gateshead’s premier pet sitting and dog walking service I Need A Walk provides dog walking and pet sitting services covering Low Fell, Gateshead and the surrounding areas. We’ve been around since 2011 and have a long list of satisfied clients. I Need A Walk isn’t a massive money-making corporate franchise – it’s a small, personal, people and pet friendly business that is here to care for your pets when you can’t. Whether you need pet sitting, pet visits, or dog walking for your furry friends, no job is too big or too small.
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For further information visit my website at www.ineedawalk.co.uk or contact me directly on 07552 334 617 or sara@ineedawalk.co.uk or follow me on twitter at @needawalk
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Conrad Dickinson, Managing Director. 6th Generation
NEW BRANCH
8b Airport Ind Est, Kingston Park (Up from Tesco & Screwfix)
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2EF Telephone: 0191 271 6576
Unit 2, Tyne Bridge Retail Park (Next to Matalan)
1-5 Market Street, Hetton-le-Hole
High West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1EJ Telephone: 0191 478 30498
Houghton-le-Spring, DH5 9DZ Telephone: 0191 526 1770
www.karpetmills.co.uk
(10 mins from Sunderland or Durham)