essence Issue 72 by essence magazine

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Issue 72 | JUNE 2016

YEARS ON England’s George Cohen reflects

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contents Issue 72 | JUNE 2016

8 | Interview | GEORGE COHEN

It is 50 years since England became football World Cup champions. One of the defensive rocks of that day in July was England’s right-back, George Cohen. David Lloyd talks to a very English hero.

16 | Travel | ROYAL RAJASTHAN

The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels train travels to some of the most sought-after places in India as Subhasish Chakraborty discovered.

26 | Sport | GOLF

For the discerning golfer, south west England’s links courses and accompanying spectacular scenery are second to none, although Scotland may lay claim to the Top Trump at Turnberry. Helen Heady looks at these challenging courses.

Interview | GEORGE COHEN

Did you know... In 1966... a pint of bitter cost 1/10d (almost 10p) the average UK wage was £20 per week the average UK house price was £3,840 a gallon of petrol was 5/- (25p)

• • • •

Queen Elizabeth II shaking hands with England footballer George Cohen, World Cup, Wembley, 1966. Before England's opening game of the tournament, against Uruguay, 11th July 1966. Gordon Banks and Alan Ball are next in the line, with Roger Hunt and Jack Charlton in the background. PHOTO COPYRIGHT KEYSTONE ARCHIVES / HERITAGE-IMAGES.COM

30 | Motoring | JAGUAR

Jaguar cars is now without doubt at the top of its game. The first cat to venture from Jaguar’s special operations lair is the F-type SVR and it’s a scorcher, just in time for the summer, as Euan Johns found out.

Humble hero It’s 50 years since England became football World Cup champions when the players lived in a different age: all were humble professionals plying their trade. One of the rocks of that day was England’s right-back, George Cohen. David Lloyd talks to a very English hero.

George Cohen PHOTO COPYRIGHT: KEN COTON

36| Women’s fashion | RÓISÍN LINNANE

Irish designer Róisín Linnane creates luxurious, timeless collections built around well-cut shapes using superior fabrics and yarns.

40 | Men’s fashion | NEW & LINGWOOD

New & Lingwood’s new season collection sees the introduction of bold stripes, a pastel colour palette and soft tailoring all with a nod to its rich heritage.

A browse of the domestic sporting archives from 50 years ago reveals that Bill Shankly’s Liverpool won the First Division title and that Everton recovered from being 2-0 down against Sheffield Wednesday to lift the FA Cup. In cricket, the legendary Gary Sobers led his powerful West Indian side to a 3-1 Test series victory against England. At Wimbledon, tennis aces Manuel Santana and Billie-Jean King claimed the singles’ titles, while over at Highbury, Henry Cooper succumbed in his rematch with World Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali in round six. …Oh yes, and in the World Cup final at Wembley, England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time to lift the Jules Rimet trophy. Back in 1966, life in England seemed a lot less hectic – even with the nation gripped by World Cup final fever, and Alf Ramsey’s team about to create sporting history. It’s hard to believe today, but, on the eve of the biggest match of their career, the England team simply strolled down the road from their Hendon Hall Hotel to the local cinema, where they relaxed by watching British comedy ‘Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines’. No troublesome paparazzi; no hordes of pesky autograph hunters; no unwanted interruptions. Then, on the morning of the final, Bobby Charlton and Ray Wilson chose to amble around

the nearby shops to pass the time and stretch their legs. They received several nods of recognition, but no one stopped them from going about their business. Similarly, one or two other players sauntered out for a cup of coffee, whereas the devout Nobby Stiles went to look for a Catholic church to pray and confess – in Golders Green! For England’s right-back, George Cohen, the kick-off couldn’t come quickly enough. “Do you know, the butterflies set in as soon as I got up for breakfast,” he says. “Generally I didn’t suffer from nerves at all – not even when I made my senior debut for Fulham against Liverpool at just 17 years of age. “It wasn’t simply the magnitude of the Wembley final that got to me though, it was more that our regular pre-match preparations went right out of the window. The only consolation, I suppose, was that it was the same for both teams.” If that stroll to the cinema was low-key, the short coach journey from Hendon to Wembley was anything but. “The streets were jam-packed,” recalls Cohen. “It was quite a sight – so many people and flags everywhere! And it only underlined that we were carrying the hopes of so many people that afternoon. “Once we’d got to Wembley, we were desperate to loosen up by doing our regular warm-ups and sprint exercises, but that was a

no-no. Instead, we had all the ceremonial stuff, anthems and presentations. “When we walked down the tunnel and out onto the famous spongy turf, the noise was unbelievable – what a reception! As we lined up, I could sense that I wasn’t the only member of our team who was anxious. I remember saying to myself, ‘Don’t bugger this up now, George.’ With that, I prepared to meet the Queen.” England’s path to the World Cup final had not been without incident – or controversy – although a drab 0-0 draw against Uruguay in the tournament’s curtain-raiser hardly set the pulses racing. “The Uruguayans barely came out of their area,” says George, still showing signs of frustration five decades later, “so it developed into a dreary stalemate. We earned a useful point, but the crowd weren’t best pleased that we couldn’t break them down. “Bobby Charlton’s fantastic goal against Mexico was the first real stand-out moment, a proper game-changer. After carrying the ball from his own half, he smacked a right-footer from about 25 yards that whistled into the net. Do you know, the ball seemed to be egg-shaped

>>>

Fulham factfile: Top 10 total appearance makers for Fulham 1. Johnny Haynes 658 2. Eddie Lowe 511 3. Les Barrett 487 4. George Cohen 459 4. Frank Penn 459 6. John Marshall 447 7. Len Oliver 434 8. Jim Stannard 430 9. Les Strong 424 10. Arthur Reynolds 420 George played 37 times for England, appeared eight times at Under-23 level and represented the Football League four times.

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 9

42 | Food | CRATES LOCAL PRODUCE

Crates chooses current seasonal offerings, broad beans and strawberries, together with recipes to enjoy.

44 | Artisan food | EAT SURREY

Shirlee Posner of Eat Surrey looks at the awardwinning Greyfriars Vineyard in Puttenham and independent wine retailer Hawkins Brothers in Milford.

46 | Review | TANTE MARIE

Tante Marie is the UK’s most established cookery school and was founded in 1954 in Woking. Last year the school moved to the centre of Woking where foodwriter Laura Scott discovered what was on offer at Tante Marie’s restaurant.

52 | Legal | MUNDAYS

Rachel Lemon is a partner in the family team at Mundays LLP and discusses the evolving modern family, and how the law must keep up if we are to live in a truly equal society.

54 | Finance | PMW

Simon Lewis CEO at Partridge Muir & Warren Ltd looks at more of the issues to consider before deciding whether to go it alone and leave the EU or not.

56 | Education | CRANMORE SCHOOL

Michael Connolly, headmaster of Cranmore School, explores the increasing problem of exam stress for young people.

62 | Art | BARNEBYS

Barnebys, the world’s largest art auction search engine, reveals that a long overdue revolution is underway in the art world.

66| Events | SURREY

Linda Seward’s detailed diary of the best of what’s on in theatre, music, exhibitions, arts and countryside over the coming month.

74| Property | ARCHITECTURE

Lucy Crossfield takes a look at a selection of the world’s finest homes: some of the most exotic, luxurious and unique houses money can buy. Part 2 to follow in the next issue of essence. Follow us on Facebook

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 3

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4 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

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PHOTO COPYRIGHT SERGE ANTON

essence 72

COVER: Wembley crowd 1966 PHOTO COPYRIGHT KEN COTON

The crowd after Geoff Hurst's hotly disputed second goal PHOTO COPYRIGHT: KEN COTON

essence team

Acting Editor: Andrew Guilor Contributing Editor: Louise Alexander-O’Loughlin Publishing Manager: Rebecca Peters Production Manager: Linda Seward Designer: Sharon Smith Senior Designer: Jason Mayes telephone: 01932 988677 email: editor@essence-magazine.co.uk Advertising Manager: Andrew Peters telephone: 07980 956488 email: marketing@essence-magazine.co.uk Advertising Sales: telephone: 01932 988677 email: marketing@essence-magazine.co.uk Advertising Sales (supplements): telephone: 07971 937162 email: katie@ktmedia.co.uk Contributors: David Lloyd, Subhasish Chakraborty, Euan Johns, Laura Scott, Shirlee Posner, Rachel Lemon, Michael Connolly, Helen Heady, Rebecca Underwood, Simon Lewis, PJ Aldred, Jennifer Sutton, Naomi Diamond, Linda Seward, Lucy Crossfield, Jane Pople.

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Maple Publishing Limited, the publishers, authors and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. Any artwork will be at owner’s risk. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made in writing to the publisher. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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Heroes and humility There are some significant dates in British history that end in the years 66: the Norman Conquest 1066; 1666 saw the great Fire of London; for antique lovers 1766 marked the first Christies’ sale, and in 1966 England won the football World Cup. Then supremely talented sportsmen, but ordinary men in other respects, went quietly about their business and fulfilled every schoolboy’s dream. In an age that regarded humility as a virtue and boasting as bad form, with a total absence of today’s suffocating fog of celebrity, something special happened. This year that fog was fleetingly lifted by Leicester City’s extraordinary performance that transcended football, a feat that took us back to past times. Masterminded by a humble Italian born in that bygone era, his persona was forged in similar fashion to our English heroes of the World Cup win. On that sunny July day in 1966, right-back George Cohen was part of the England team’s defensive wall and essence talks to him about the occasion and later life. Reflecting those more sedate times, we travel through Rajasthan on one of the world’s great train journeys. Jaguar continues to up its game and Michelle Rodriguez hits top speed in the new Jaguar F-type SVR supercar. Kanna shoes offer summer style, Róisín Linnane provides clothes for all weathers and New & Lingwood attire for the perfect gentleman. It’ll be hard not to notice US presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s arrival later this month to the refurbished Trump Turnberry Hotel, essence takes a peek. Something stirs in the art world: finally women artists are being recognised and achieving sale prices akin to male counterparts. As usual, essence has health, legal, education and finance advice, together with the best of a variety of activities highlighting food, events and a competition to win tickets for BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace. The essence team

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 5

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George Cohen PHOTO COPYRIGHT: KEN COTON

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Interview | GEORGE COHEN

Did you know... In 1966... a pint of bitter cost 1/10d (almost 10p) the average UK wage was £20 per week the average UK house price was £3,840 a gallon of petrol was 5/- (25p)

• • • •

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 9

>>>

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Cohen & Cottage, 3 March 1962, v Nottm Forest PHOTO COPYRIGHT: KEN COTON

as it rocketed beyond their goalkeeper. That exhilarating moment lifted the whole place, as well as our outlook; we never played badly after that.” A brace of 2-0 victories – against Mexico and France – took England to the top of their group and through to a potentially tricky quarter-final encounter with Argentina. “They were a good team, stacked with good players with great technical ability,” admits George. “Such a shame they resorted to those stupid, unsavoury tactics on the day – with their captain Rattin at the heart of it all. If I’d wanted to see one player sent off, it was him. He was that influential.” Having already been booked for a foul on Bobby Charlton, Antonio Rattin was dismissed (no red cards in those days) in the 35th-minute and, incensed, he refused to leave the field, causing an eight-minute delay. Amid further unsavoury gamesmanship, shirt-pulling and spitting, a 78th-minute header from Geoff Hurst, in for the injured Jimmy Greaves, settled matters. And yet that was far from the end of it. In the post-match press interviews Alf Ramsey suggested that: “the behaviour of some players

10 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

in the competition reminds me of animals.” Elsewhere, the great Pelé had been subjected to a rash of cynical fouls and was brutally kicked out of the tournament, but the Argentinians were in no doubt that Ramsey was referring specifically to them. His case wasn’t helped by what happened at the final whistle. “Inadvertently, I became world famous!” recalls George. “Alf was livid with the way they’d approached that game and, looking back, it’s amazing we escaped with no serious injuries. When the final whistle went I agreed to swap shirts with Alberto Gonzalez, but Alf was having none of it – he raced onto the pitch to intervene, grabbing the shirt and pulling it back with force. As a consequence I had a shirt with a four-footlong sleeve! That image went all around the globe.” Portugal, and the brilliant Eusébio, were next. The winners would be in the final. “Eusébio, what a player, and what an athlete!” acknowledges George. “And that match turned out to be one of the best of the competition. We had our own brilliant matchwinner in Bobby Charlton, who scored both our goals, but Nobby’s performance that day was outstanding.

“Eusébio was one of the world greats, powerful and very quick. But Nobby, much smaller and way slower, shackled him. Eusébio’s input became limited to taking dead-ball kicks, including that late penalty from which he scored. Poor Eusébio left the pitch in tears as he’d not been allowed to contribute in the way he wanted because of Nobby’s brilliant man-marking job.” The final against West Germany has gone down in football folklore. England 2-1 ahead only for the Germans to level seconds from the final whistle. Ramsey’s brief team-talk before extra time was magnificent. “He told us to look over at the leg-weary Germans,” recalls George. “We were shattered too – Wembley was an energy-sapping surface – but Alf was having none of it. He told us to go George & Daphne Cohen PHOTO COPYRIGHT: DAVID LLOYD

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England 1966 factfile:

Interview | GEORGE COHEN

England World Cup results 1966 (all at Wembley Stadium) 11 July 1966 • Group 1 • England 0 Uruguay 0 England: Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Charlton, John Connelly, Roger Hunt. 16 July 1966 • Group 1 • England 2 Mexico 0 England: Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Charlton, Martin Peters, Terry Paine, Roger Hunt. Goals: Bobby Charlton (37 min); Roger Hunt (75 min) 20 July 1966 • Group 1 • England 2 France 0 England: Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Charlton, Martin Peters, Ian Callaghan, Roger Hunt. Goals: Roger Hunt (38 & 75 mins) 23 July 1966 • Quarter-Final • England 1 Argentina 0 England: Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Roger Hunt. Goal: Geoff Hurst (78 min) 25 July 1966 • Semi-Final • England 2 Portugal 1 England: Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Roger Hunt. Goals: Bobby Charlton (30 & 80 mins); Eusébio (82 min) (Pen) 30 July 1966 • Final • England 4 West Germany 2 (aet) England: Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Roger Hunt. Goals: Helmut Haller (12 min); Geoff Hurst (18 min); Martin Peters (78 min); Wolfgang Weber (89 min); Geoff Hurst (101 & 120 mins)

for them from the restart, harry them, not to let them settle. His famous line was ‘Go out and win it again!’ – a lot easier said than done. However, it was a defining moment; and we did it!” Key memories of that Wembley final include: • Martin Peters putting England 2-1 ahead; • Wolfgang Weber’s 90th-minute leveller; • Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick, including that dubious second goal; • the ‘Russian’ linesman who awarded the goal (he was actually from Azerbaijan); • Kenneth Wolstenholme’s renowned TV commentary: “Some people are on the pitch… they think it’s all over…it is now!” as Hurst’s third (England’s fourth) thumped into the net; • the scenes at the final whistle – Alan Ball leaping onto Geoff Hurst’s shoulders, Jack Charlton sinking to the floor, delighted yet utterly exhausted, while his brother Bobby, overcome, couldn’t hold back the tears; • captain Bobby Moore respectfully wiping his hands on the velvet drape so as not to soil the

George Cohen in front of the statue of the great Johnny Haynes PHOTO COPYRIGHT: DAVID LLOYD

Queen’s white gloves on collecting the Jules Rimet trophy; • Nobby Stiles’ victory jig on the Wembley turf while clutching the trophy; • the iconic image of Moore, with trophy, on the shoulders of his team-mates. “Frankly, I just remember being incredibly knackered – that and getting a big, openmouthed kiss from Nobby at the final whistle,” says George, first with a grimace, then a broad smile. “Ugh, it was like being kissed by Mick Jagger! Best player on the park, though, was Alan Ball. He was magnificent and never stopped running for the whole 120 minutes. He

was just a little kid at the time, but he stuck to his task brilliantly. To have Alan and Nobby performing so selflessly in and around my position was the stuff of dreams. “We were certainly good enough to win the tournament, just as Alf told us we would. We had so many strong characters in our side, a strong team ethic, a top manager and more than a smattering of class – Ray Wilson, what a leftback; Bobby Moore, a majestic centre-back and super-cool captain; Bobby Charlton, fantastic and equally adept with either foot; plus we had the brilliant Gordon Banks in goal, don’t forget.” Half a century later, those English footballing heroes remain the only eleven players to have

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 11

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CREDITS

John Cole/Wembley to Soweto Foundation Thapelo Motsumi /Wembley to Soweto Foundation João Paulo Lima/Wembley to Soweto Foundation

Members of the Wembley to Soweto group pictured with George Cohen (centre) and David Westhead (far left). In the summer of 2010, actor/producer David Westhead of Wilton Pictures invited internationally renowned photographer John Cole to run a four-week photography course in Johannesburg, South Africa. The main thrust of the course, run in conjunction with Umuzi Photo Club, which works with young people in under-resourced communities, was how to use a camera to feed your family. The venture, which ran under the ‘Wembley to Soweto’ banner, has been a resounding success with participants not only learning how to take striking pictures, but also going on to gain full scholarships and bursaries to photographic colleges.

Jennings’ statue was our preferred option, along with some sort of legacy that revolved around George’s work in the community, but these things don’t come cheap – the ballpark figure was £100,000 – and there was an enormous amount of work ahead of us.” It took a while for the club to sanction the project; when they did, they took over the reins – and Fulham Chairman Shahid Khan promptly pledged to match, pound for pound, whatever sum was raised by supporters to not only ensure the statue is erected, but also so that the Fulham FC Foundation can deliver the health initiatives supported by George. On being told of the plans, George Cohen, humble as ever, could only remark that he was “completely gobsmacked”. To contribute, please visit: www.tifosy.com /en/campaigns/thank-you-to-fulham-1966world-cup-legend-george-cohen. Geoff Hurst's hotly disputed second goal PHOTO COPYRIGHT: KEN COTON

Earlier this season, Fulham FC opened its doors to a group of the young photographers on a matchday during which one of them chanced upon George Cohen in ‘his’ lounge. A group from the Wembley to Soweto enterprise paid George another surprise visit to his lounge recently, this time to present him with the results of that informal photoshoot in the form of two framed prints. Thapelo Motsumi , who took one of the photographs and who is now a staff photographer for the Johannesburg Star, couldn’t make the presentation but sent a message from South Africa: “It’s not every day that we get the chance to capture legends from the sporting community. Mr Cohen, if we had had you in our line-up for the 2010 World Cup then South Africa would have done much better!” Brazilian João Paulo Lima, who took the other photo of George, is now a teacher for the project. He’s all set to cover the Rio Olympics in August. On receiving the prints, George said: “I’m really chuffed. In fact, I look very good in those photos – are you sure you didn’t use a younger model?”

won the World Cup. And, as any Fulham fan will tell you, England only win the World Cup with a Fulham player in the team. In March 2016, Fulham FC announced that to mark George Cohen’s loyalty to the club, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his contribution to England’s World Cup win, they would not only be unveiling a statue of their former full-back in October, but that two men’s health initiatives would be launched in his name too. The statue will be the work of esteemed sculptor Douglas Jennings who was responsible for the remarkable likeness of former Fulham and England captain Johnny Haynes, unveiled outside Craven Cottage in October 2008. George, who played 459 times for the Whites, many alongside Haynes, as well as 37

12 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

times for his country, remains at the club today. On matchdays he is host of his own George Cohen Lounge where he delights those present with anecdotes from his playing days and analysis of Fulham’s most recent matches. In late 2014, Fulham fan Ed Vanson recognised that the 50-year anniversary was on the horizon and canvassed several influential supporters of the club with the idea of commemorating George’s footballing achievements. By the start of 2015 a working group was in place. “In essence, we were just a group of fans who were determined to see George honoured in some way,” explains Ed. “Of course, once the group got together the enormity of our task struck home. We soon agreed that a Douglas

Before heading off to the Euros, England manager Roy Hodgson (and Fulham boss from December 2007 to July 2010) said of George Cohen: “I remember watching the 1966 World Cup final at home in Croydon. It’s been great to subsequently meet and get to know George. He’s an iconic legendary figure as far as English football is concerned. “He’s a genuine, decent man and someone who, despite his great success, has very much kept his feet on the ground while retaining his enthusiasm for football and the club as the sport has evolved. “He maintains a keen interest in the modern game without wishing to denigrate today’s players (or today’s Fulham) by referring back to

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Interview | GEORGE COHEN

what was, after all, his crowning achievement as a World Cup winner almost 50 years ago. “George remains not only a sporting hero, but a real gentleman too.” To this day only 11 players plus one manager have won the football World Cup for England. However, the passage of time sadly means that not all 12 are still around to celebrate the golden anniversary of that magnificent achievement. Captain Bobby Moore succumbed to bowel cancer in 1993, aged just 51. Manager Sir Alf Ramsey – he was knighted in 1967 – passed away in 1999, aged 79, then Alan Ball (61) suffered a fatal heart attack in 2007. Several others are unwell. Among them, Nobby Stiles, Ray Wilson and Martin Peters have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, while Jack Charlton is suffering memory-loss problems. Indeed, for George Cohen, even winning the World Cup has turned out to be the easy bit –

PHOTO USED BY KIND PERMISSION OF GETTY IMAGES

“The Royal Garden Hotel, London. 6 January 2016. Myself and fellow co-founder Chris Wilkins walk into the function room which 50 years to the day had hosted the draw for the 1966 World Cup. A huge bank of TV cameras lines the back of the room as the world's sports press take their seats and fill the room. Four legends George Cohen, Gordon Banks, Martin Peters and Sir Geoff Hurst were then reunited with the trophy in aid of the #memoriesof66 campaign supporting people living with dementia and also a programme to help prevent the onset of it. The following weekend George appeared on Radio 4's Saturday Live programme to speak about the #memoriesof66 campaign and gave his backing to the work of sporting memories.”

he’s had to recover from the sudden loss of his mother, killed by a juggernaut in Fulham in 1971, and then having to identify her body. In 2000 younger brother Peter was brutally attacked by a group of men outside a nightclub in Northampton. Peter, father of World Cupwinning rugby union star Ben Cohen, died a month later in hospital. George has beaten cancer three times, finally getting the all-clear in 1990. “I had my first diagnosis in 1976. Then 18 months later the cancer returned. I had to have another major operation – 10 weeks in hospital, and a colostomy. Not the ideal scenario at 38 years of age,” says George with remarkable understatement. “Another 18 months down the line it was back in my pelvis. I had to have chemotherapy

TONY JAMESON-ALLEN - CO-FOUNDER, SPORTING MEMORIES FOUNDATION

and radiotherapy, but finally got the all-clear. For someone who was always known for my fitness and strength, it’s frustrating to have mobility problems these days but, hey, I’m lucky to be here at all. I’m also extremely fortunate in having a wonderful, loving, and oh-so-strong wife in Daphne who has been marvellous throughout all the trials and tribulations.” George was forced to hang up his boots following a freak injury in a match against Liverpool in December 1967. He was 29, at the peak of fitness and it was only 18 months after winning the World Cup. “No collision, no opponent involved,” says George. “In trying to control an awkward bouncing ball I put too much pressure on my left knee and, ouch, the pain was immediate and intense. Over the next year or so I had two cartilage operations, but it was no good; career over.”  essence INFO Exhibitions at Wembley & the National Football Museum is a joint project to capture the nation's memories of 1966 (www.memoriesof66.com) and an innovative project to support older fans and to help tackle dementia, depression and loneliness to be run by Sporting Memories in partnership with the FA & NFM.

1966 factfile: January

Green first shown on BBC1 • Camberwick • Action Man toy figure launched March

Kray shoots dead one of the Richardson • Ronnie Gang, rivals of the Krays, in The Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel

June

sitcom Till Death Us Do Part begins its • BBC1 first series Beatles top the charts for the tenth time • The with Paperback Writer July

Wimbledon, the singles champions are Manuel • AtSantana (Spain) and Billie-Jean King (USA) August

Beatles play their final concert, at Candlestick • The Park, San Francisco September

• The Severn Bridge is opened by the Queen October

people, 116 of whom were children, are killed • 144 by a collapsing coal spoil tip in the Aberfan disaster in South Wales

November

Come Home, a television drama filmed in • Cathy a docudrama style, is aired on BBC1 actor Ronald Reagan is elected Governor • Film of California

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 13

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Travel | ROYAL RAJASTHAN

ON BOARD ROYAL RAJASTHAN ON WHEELS The seven night and eight day journey of the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels train goes to some of the most sought-after places in India, including Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Agra, Khajuraho and Varanasi. Subhasish Chakraborty stepped on board for the ride.

t’s often said India is not a country but a continent. The ‘Incredible India’ marketing blitz launched by the Ministry of Tourism has drawn a worldwide audience that increasingly opts for luxury train travel as a way to discover India’s enormous variety and diversity. Recently, a team of 20 French archaeologists arrived on a fortnight’s visit to attend an international seminar at New Delhi conducted by the Government of Rajasthan. I was entrusted with the task of guiding the group during its stay. At the end of the seminar, the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, offered the entire group a complimentary week long journey aboard the luxurious Royal Rajasthan on Wheels train. The state of Rajasthan is the land of royalty. Its walled cities, impregnable forts and dazzling palaces are an impressive reminder of its rich, virile past. Incredible legends of a bygone era evidence the romance and heroism of the battle scarred Rajput warriors who reigned supreme with a gusto and fanfare unparalleled elsewhere in India. The trip is a highly priced tour package, so it wasn’t surprising to see the majority of guests on board were overseas visitors from affluent western countries, with the odd NRI (non-resident Indian) in between on a mission to rediscover their native country.

The unbelievable success of the ‘Palace on Wheels’ train launched in 1982, and the burgeoning demand of the discerning international traveller to visit Rajasthan on a royal carriage, has prompted the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation to come up with an additional royal carriage in the form of the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. As the train chugged off from New Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station, the whistle blew its final salutation to all that was royal and grand about India. The train with its thirteen royal coaches offers all the indulgences one would associate with the erstwhile Indian royalty. Apart from passenger coaches, the train has an exclusive conferencing coach and coaches that serve as royal restaurants. The Spa coach is intended for those inclined to rejuvenate their senses with the most relaxing of natural therapies. We were given a warm traditional welcome after which I went about exploring the opulence on offer. I stopped by the elegant bar and had a sip of my favourite tipple, ventured into the exclusive Spa and gymnasium, and returned stupefied to my coach, bedazzled by the train’s regal aura. My frenetic exploration of the various coaches made one curious bellboy (khidmatgar) laugh excitedly at me and I thought it prudent to accept his help as a guide. Vishal, working in this royal carriage since its inception, made me >>>

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: RAJASTHAN TOURISM

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Chittorgarh Fort PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PLOTNIKOV | DREAMSTIME.COM

aware of all the facets of this one-of-a-kind luxury train, such as the ethnic style interiors, as well as the architectural content of the royally designed coaches. Each coach is aptly named after some of the finest historical places in Rajasthan. During my animated conversation with Vishal, the affable khidmatgar disclosed that the luxury Royal Rajasthan train was a joint endeavour of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd and the Indian Railways. This train is ranked amongst the best luxury trains in the world and is up there with the likes of the Orient Express, the Eastern and Oriental of South East Asia and the Blue Train of South Africa. Our first halt was Jodhpur. This marvellous city stands at the edge of the Thar Desert and is conspicuous by its colossal fort that rises in the middle of the town dominating the cityscape. Our group was urged to visit the fort by the loyal khidmatgars from where we basked in the uninterrupted sight of the city. Since we had enough time on our hands, we went on a walking tour of the Old City, a fascinating jumble of winding streets in which to wander. PHOTO COPYRIGHT: SHAILIN RAMJI

Post lunch, the train chugged off for Udaipur, which is amongst the most romantic of places in the desert state of Rajasthan with its magnificent palaces, Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake and the gorgeously landscaped Saheliyon Ki Bari. We were mesmerised by the Lake Palace, now converted into a luxury heritage hotel. We embarked on a leisurely sightseeing tour of the Old City which is bounded by the remains of a city wall and sprawls away on the east side of Lake Pichola. Back on board and leaving behind the romantic vistas of Udaipur, we were now on our way to Chittorgarh. By the time we reached the city, it was around 4pm and we could see the red sun dipping across the far horizon. Without wasting any time, we hopped in our coach to visit the magnificent hilltop Chittorgarh fort. This impregnable fort is located on a 700-acre site on top of a 180 metre high hill which rises abruptly from

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surrounding plains. Once inside, many attractions await such as the palace of Rana Khumba, Fateh Prakash Palace, the colossal Tower of Victory, the Gaumukh Reservoir, Padmini’s Palace and the Tower of Fame. More surprises awaited as we were told by one of the khidmatgars that an informal tea party was being arranged inside the fort. With the evening sun setting and high voltage lights illuminating the fort, the experience was ethereal; my French guests loved the romantic ambience. On day four we arrived at Sawai Madhopur early in the morning and headed for the world famous Ranthambore National Park. To come face to face with big cats needs luck and visitors are fortunate to spot one in a day’s safari. To track tigers, someone who knows the topography and also possesses the skill to interpret telltale signs in the form of pugmarks is needed. Our naturalist, Neeraj, who knew the entire Ranthambore landscape, had been informed that a tigress had given birth to a cub at Zone No 2 near a watering hole and was recuperating. Off we went ‘zip-zap-zoom’ in our four-wheel drive and parked near the watering hole but, with no sign of the tigress and her newborn cub, we were becoming restless. Finally, Neeraj spotted the tigress’s tail waving by the side of a thick bushy grove. We could view only the tail, nothing much else. The driver decided to take a deft left turn and there they were – the tigress licking her newborn cub in such

Travel | ROYAL RAJASTHAN

a tender manner as only a mother could. For my French guests, it was a lifetime’s experience and the scene was straight out of a National Geographic television episode. After a thrilling wildlife safari, our group assembled on board the royal carriage and had an impromptu breakfast. At the stroke of 9.30am it was time to move on to Jaipur – the capital city of Rajasthan. We travelled in an air-conditioned coach to some of the most popular tourist sites of this incredible city. The Old City appealed especially to the French guests and they were amazed by the sheer architectural grandeur of the walled city. After a fascinating bout of sightseeing, we settled for a sumptuous lunch at Café Amber and post lunch visited landmarks such as the Hawa Mahal, City Palace, the Observatory, Central Museum and the gorgeous Ram Niwas Garden. Some of the guests undertook a walking tour of the city’s principle shopping district – Johari Bazzar – which was buzzing with activity. Returning to the train, we now left behind the regal grandeur of Rajasthan on our way to explore India’s most exotic temple town of Khajuraho. After an overnight’s train journey, we arrived at around 8am and post breakfast went on a tour of the town. As a first time visitor to Khajuraho what strikes most is the temple architecture (Indo-Aryan). But it’s the decoration with which the temples are so liberally embellished that has made Khajuraho so famous. The temple sculptors show many

aspects of Indian life that prevailed at least a thousand years ago: gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, animals, real and mythological. But two elements appear over and over again and in greater detail than anything else: women and sex. Stone figures of ‘Apsaras’ or celestial maidens appear on every temple. They pout and pose for all the world like Playboy models posing for the camera – a whole Kama Sutra of positions. Khajuraho is stunning because to build so many temples of such monumental size in just 100 years must have required a huge amount of effort and manpower. After a day’s tour of Khajuraho, we were feeling a little tired and so settled for an onboard dinner. We were informed that our next stop would be Varanasi – the spiritual capital of India. It is the cauldron of Indian spiritual ethos and one of the oldest existing cities With the evening in the world. The entire city is steeped in sun setting and spirituality and mythology and a visit to high voltage lights Varanasi is considered to be the ultimate illuminating the fort, in terms of pilgrimage. Varanasi’s principal attraction is the the experience was long string of bathing ghats which line ethereal; my French the bank of the holy Ganges river. By 6am we were at Dasaswamedh Ghat. We guests loved the were mesmerised by the sight of pilgrims romantic ambience. taking their holy dip in the river as the city gradually came alive. For my French guests it was mystifying to see the sight of women bathing discreetly in their saris, the younger going through their yoga exercises, the Brahmin priest offering blessings for a price and the ever present beggars giving others an opportunity to do their ‘Karma’ some good. After breakfast onboard the royal carriage, we were off to Sarnath – one of the major Buddhist centres, just a ten kilometre drive from Varanasi. After attaining enlightenment, it was here in Sarnath that the Buddha came to preach his message of the middle way to reach Nirvana. There are a number of monasteries here and must visit sites Sunset Terrace, Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur PHOTO COPYRIGHT: RAJASTHAN TOURISM

>>>

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Pool deck, Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur PHOTO COPYRIGHT: RAJASTHAN TOURISM

Locals live their morning life, Ganga river PHOTO COPYRIGHT: FILMLANDSCAPE | DREAMSTIME.COM The City Palace Complex, Udaipur include the Dhamekh Stupa (500AD), Dharmarajika Stupa, the Ashoka Pillar, the PHOTO COPYRIGHT: RAJASTHAN TOURISM Archaeological Museum (storehouse of figures and sculptures from the ninth to twelfth centuries), as well as the Maha Bodhi Society Temple. For the evening, we returned to Varanasi in time for the Ganga Aarti where the whole city enters into worshipping mode and the tolling of temple bells herald the evening Aarti on the banks of the Ganges. Women, visitors and all salvation seekers line up at the Dasaswamedh Ghat to light their butter lamps and release them on the tranquil Ganges river. Within half an hour, the entire scene takes on a truly divine character. Imagine the surreal sight of thousands of flickering butter lamps slowly wending their way into the river. Our penultimate halt was at Agra and there is only one reason why visitors to India halt at Agra – to marvel at the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world. It was a very special moment for my French guests as they stood in front of the world’s most extravagant monument ever built for love. I was lucky to come across a local guide who could converse fluently in French and Women, visitors and all requested that he offer his interpretational salvation seekers line up at services for a fee. This arrangement was the Dasaswamedh Ghat to much appreciated by the French guests as they found all their answers from the light their butter lamps and well-informed guide with regard to the release them on the tranquil history and architectural splendour of the Ganges river. Taj Mahal. We were now approaching the end of what had been a memorable odyssey through one of India’s most colourful and exotic regions and it seemed natural for us to discuss our stupendous regal experiences of the past week in the train’s well stocked bar. Dinner was to be an intimate affair and the resident chef had come up with the most exotic Rajasthani spread at the fervent appeal of the French guests. In a week we had travelled and shared the discovery of some of India’s rich past and diverse culture, fascinating palaces, impregnable forts essence INFO and stunning architectural facades, and now had a unique bond. Today, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels six months since we undertook that magical royal train journey, many The train departs from Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi between the months of October to March of us still keep in touch chatting and reminiscing about that memorable every year. journey on wheels. Website: www.royalsrajasthanonwheels.com A tour onboard the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is one of the world’s Telephone: +91 11 23383837, 23386069, 23381884 Email: powrtdc@yahoo.com, dilhi@rtdc.in most unique train journeys. Are you up for the ride? v

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Colourful clematis From bold blooms the size of tea plates to delicate nodding bells adorning a garden arch, clematis are colourful climbers that no garden should be without. Here The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) explains the versatility of clematis.

hether left to clamber-up a trellis panel to cover walls and fences or trained over a pergola, clematis are a wonderfully diverse family with varieties to choose for flowers in every season of the year. Large-flowered hybrids are some of the most impressive, coming into their own during the summer months, and these are joined by daintier flowering varieties of clematis viticella that continue blooming into autumn. Dozens of clematis varieties are available, with new ones being introduced every year, so visit local garden centres and nurseries to pick the ones that appeal. Colours and forms vary widely, with something to suit every colour scheme. Most enjoy their heads in the sun, but some, like pure white ‘Alabast’, will also grow in semi-shade. Don’t feel obliged to provide a structure or trellis for support as many clematis can simply be planted in amongst shrubs and left to grow up through them for support. Some of the best suited for this are varieties of Clematis viticella, like rich-red ‘Madame Julia Correvon’ whose summer flowers are followed by fluffy seed-heads. Not all clematis are climbers, so look out for shorter non-climbing and herbaceous varieties for your borders, like dainty blue ‘Arabella’ and Clematis durandii, all perfect for bright, sunny sites. Or why not grow clematis in large pots to create a focal point on a patio? Choose >>>

Top clematis for summer colour Gardeners will be spoilt for choice when shopping for clematis, so take time to search through varieties in shades of pinks, reds, purples, lilacs, blues, creams, whites and more. Some have striped or patterned petals too in a variety of sizes, shapes and forms. Here are just a few of the most popular varieties to consider: w ‘Alabast’ w ‘Madame Julia Correvon’ w ‘Etoile Rose’ w ‘Lasurstern’

Clematis 'Madame Julia Correvon' PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ADAM PASCO MEDIA

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Gardening | HTA

Top tips on growing clematis Clematis like their heads in the sun and feet in the shade. Plant so that the soil around the roots is shaded to keep it cool, training shoots up into a brighter, lighter space above. Always plant summer-flowering clematis deeper than they were growing in their pots. Dig a deep hole so the top of the rootball sits about seven to ten centimetres below the soil surface, and bury the base of the stems with soil. This can help plants regrow if they ever suffer from clematis wilt disease. Spread a deep mulch of compost or bark over the soil after planting to lock in moisture and protect from the sun to keep roots cool. All clematis belong to one of three pruning groups, depending on when they flower. Talk to the experts at the local garden centre to find out which pruning group a clematis belongs to and obtain advice on exactly when and how to prune. Alternatively, check on line for advice at www.rhs.org.uk.

Large flowered white clematis (clematis alabast) PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ADAM PASCO MEDIA

Other popular clematis to look out for w ‘Arabella’ w ‘Comtess de Bouchaud’ w ‘Edith’ w ‘Elsa Spath’ w ‘Guernsey Cream’ w ‘Henryi’ w ‘Jackmanii’ w ‘Josephine’ w ‘Miss Bateman’ w ‘Mrs Cholmondeley’

w ‘Nelly Moser’ w ‘Niobe’ w ‘Perle d’Azure’ w ‘Piilu’ w ‘Polish Spirit’ w ‘Prince Charles’ w ‘Rhapsody’ w ‘The President’ w ‘Warszaska Nike’

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Literature | IVY PRESS

Colourful clematis combinations Clematis are very adaptable plants, and climbing varieties can be trained up alongside a host of other climbers and wall shrubs. Shrubs and small trees can also offer support for summer flowering clematis, and some varieties can even grow up through hedges. Herbaceous or non-climbing clematis can be planted among border plants to grow alongside them to produce exciting combinations: w Roses w Honeysuckle w Golden Hop (Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’) w Golden Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis ‘Aureum’) w Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’ w Wisteria

Shrubs that offer support: Any shrubs will do including: w Camellia w Conifers, including yew and junipers w Holly (Ilex varieties) w Japanese maples

Heirloom Plants Clematis alpina helsingborg

compact varieties to grow in containers, trained up an ornamental obelisk or wigwam of canes or hazel poles. Several new dwarf and compact varieties have been introduced in recent years too, ideal for planting in tall pots and left to trail over the edges. Clematis are often partnered with climbing roses and honeysuckle up pillars and pergolas to create long-lasting flower displays, but vibrant combinations can be created with virtually any other climbers or wall shrubs. It’s not hard to see why clematis have such irresistible charm, and with so many inspiring ways to include them within the garden and patio, a colourful clematis collection is guaranteed to grow! v essence INFO

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the trade association for the UK garden industry. Website: www.the-hta.org.uk

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A Complete Compendium of Heritage Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs & Flowers This book is the perfect companion for every home grower who wants to fill their garden with old and interesting varieties while helping to save threatened or forgotten plants. Heirloom plants often have a charm lacking in commercially produced varieties. Unless these seeds are grown and saved, they will not only be forgotten, but lost too. Based on the seed catalogues of Thomas Etty, the book lists exciting cultivars, along with profiles and growing tips. Responsible gardening, certainly, but with more than a hint of romance; who could resist the lure of the splendid Hubbard Green Warty squash, or the Green Zebra tomato? Thomas Etty Esq is the UK’s only dedicated heritage seed company and was set up over twenty years ago by Ray Warner. The company name is inspired by Ray’s great, great, great grandfather who himself dealt in seeds in the nineteenth century. Ray is the dedicated seedsman behind this heirloom seed company with Thomas Etty Esq sourcing seeds dating from the seventeenth century to the end of World War II, all from small-scale seed suppliers from the UK and Europe. Lorraine Harrison is a keen practical gardener with a master’s degree in garden history. In addition to contributing to the gardening quarterly Hortus, she has authored a number of books, among them the bestselling Latin for Gardeners. “A strikingly produced compendium of heirloom vegetables, fruit and flowers” – The Bookseller By Lorraine Harrison & Ray Warner, seed catalogues written by Thomas Etty 224 pages • Hardback • Illustrations throughout ISBN: 9781782403173 • RRP: £18.99 essence INFO

Published by Ivy Press Website: www.ivypress.co.uk

essence | COMPETITION

WIN

a pair of tickets to BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace New for 2016! From 4 to 7 August, BBC Countryfile Live will be staged within the grounds of Oxfordshire’s iconic World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace, celebrating the best of the British countryside. Explore every aspect of Britain’s countryside over four extraordinary days featuring Countryfile presenters, Adam’s Farm, live arena shows, rare breed and other animal displays, the latest farming machinery, outdoor fun for children, hundreds of food and craft stalls to shop, the best of British food and drink plus much more. It all adds up to a fun, inspiring and informative day out in the countryside the whole family can enjoy – including the dog! To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to BBC Countryfile Live, answer this question correctly: What is a group of pheasants called? a) A bouquet b) A peep c) A drove To enter, simply visit www.essence-magazine.co.uk with the answer, your full name, email address, contact number and which date you would like to attend BBC Countryfile Live. Competition closes 30 June 2016.

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BBC Countryfile Live Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 August at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire Website: www.countryfilelive.com Terms and conditions apply Entrants must be 18 or over. Winners will be selected at random from all correct entries. Competition closes 30 June 2016. Winner receives a pair of standard tickets to BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire on either 4, 5, 6 or 7 August. Full details of the event and the venue can be found at www.countryfilelive.com. The prize is for your entry ticket only and does not include any additional extras on site or travel to and from the venue. The venue is open from 9.30am until 6pm (5pm on Sunday) and tickets are to be collected from the box office on the day of visit. Tickets are subject to availability and once confirmed cannot be resold or transferred to another date. Competition is run by www.booments.com on behalf of SME London. Countryfile Live is produced by SME London Ltd under licence from BBC Worldwide. COUNTRYFILE and COUNTRYFILE LIVE (word marks and logos), are trademarks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence. BBC logo © BBC 1996. COUNTRYFILE LIVE logo © BBC 2015.

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England’s Atlantic links

For the discerning golfer, and let’s face it we all like to hail to that distinction, few places in Britain can match the south west for the quality of its links courses and accompanying spectacular scenery. Helen Heady looks at these challenging courses.

he south west Atlantic links comprise a tantalising trail of six championship golf courses: Burnham & Berrow in Somerset, Royal North Devon and Saunton (East & West) in Devon and Cornwall’s St Enodoc and Trevose. All as good as Cornish cream, Devon cider and The 15th hole at Saunton’s East Course Somerset cheddar cheese rolled into one! Easily accessed via the M5 by car, the first stop along the trail is the engaging Burnham & Berrow. Established JH Taylor, five times an Open in 1890, the 6,925 yard, par 71 course has evolved over Champion, described Burnham the decades, but today’s layout is largely the work of the & Berrow as: “one of the most renowned Harry Colt. It is noted for its distinct sand hills sporting courses conceivable.” that form stubborn, natural obstacles whilst the swirling winds that whip in from the nearby Atlantic provide a links challenge not for the faint hearted. The club’s first professional was one of the great triumvirate, JH Taylor, five times an Open Champion, who described the course as: “one of the most sporting courses conceivable.” Testament to the quality of the course, Burnham has hosted a string of prestigious amateur tournaments in its 125-year history including The Brabazon Trophy and The R&A British Boys Championship. Further down the coast, travelling southwest, is Saunton, set in the giant sand dunes of Braunton Burrows, which boasts two championship courses, East and West, recognised amongst the greatest links in the world. There’s not a single weak hole on the East course and the lasting impression of a round played there is that it comprises a thorough examination of a player’s game. The West course is an exceptional test too. It was here in 1997 that a 17-year-old Sergio Garcia won the British Boys Championship, just two years before making his Ryder Cup debut. Many feel the West course to be a tougher mental challenge with precision the key. The quality of Saunton is perhaps summed up by England’s most successful golfer, Sir Nick Faldo, who once said: “I’ve no doubt if the East Course were located on the coast of Lancashire or Kent it would have hosted an Open Championship.”

Hole two at Burnham & Berrow

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Sport | GOLF Trevose’s fourth green against the Atlantic backdrop and Trevose Head

Seventh green, Royal North Devon

A near neighbour is the incomparable Royal North Devon, or Westward Ho! as it is popularly known. Dating back to 1864, RND is England’s oldest links and it has hardly changed in nearly 150 years. Set on common land on which livestock – cows and sheep – still graze, some say it is like taking a step back in time and seeing how golf was played in Victorian England. Though fairly flat, the 6,650 yard course is a truly challenging links. The second hole, for example, is a testing par four, whilst the distinctive, massive cape bunker on the fourth makes for a daunting hole. While JH Taylor may have served as Burnham & Berrow’s first pro, it is here at Royal North Devon that the golfer started his career as a caddie and later finished it as club president. With such heritage, the clubhouse serves as a treasure trove of golf memorabilia, second only to the R&A, so it is definitely worth lingering over a pint of beer in the nineteenth hole after a round. From Devon, the next stop lies in north Cornwall, via a gentle yet stunning coastal road known as the Atlantic Highway that offers breathtaking views over the north Atlantic Coast. Just past Port Isaac where the popular TV series Doc Martin is filmed, there is the pretty coastal town of Rock, often referred to as Britain’s St Tropez and the Kensington of Cornwall thanks to the well-heeled holidaymakers that return each year. >>>

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Eighth green of St Enodoc with the famous Himalaya bunker in the background PHOTO CREDIT: STUART MORLEY

In addition to sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing, Rock is also home to the stunning course at St Enodoc. Designed by James Braid over 125 years ago, it lies in a fantastic setting amongst the dunes overlooking the estuary and with views Trump Turnberry Lighthouse over the north Atlantic coast. The 6,547 yard Church Course, so called because of the Norman church uncovered in the middle of the course, and where Sir John Betjeman is buried, is renowned for its towering Himalaya bunker that entirely blocks the view of the sixth green from all but a slither of fairway. Whilst the Himalaya is reputedly the highest bunker in Europe, it is the tenth hole, played down the valley to the church, that is considered the course’s signature hole. The shorter Holywell Course, which has also just undergone major renovation, includes nine par threes, but is still regarded as a little gem and easier than the main course. Across the Camel River from St Enodoc, and just up from Constantine and Booby’s Bays in the lee of The 6,547 yard Church Course of the magnificent Trevose Head, lies the Trevose Golf St Enodoc is renowned for its towering & Country Club. The main 6,973 yard championship Himalaya bunker that entirely blocks course was originally laid out by Harry Colt and remains a true test of golfing skills. Its traditionally quick greens the view of the sixth green from all throughout the year that regularly combine with a wicked but a slither of fairway. wind means it’s deceptively tough. Complete with holiday flats and eco lodges, Trevose conjures up a relaxed holiday atmosphere where the nine-hole Headland Course is an enjoyable alternative to the main course, as is the par-three Short Course which runs around streams, over hills and detours past the ruins of the fifth century Roman church and the second century St. Constantine’s Well. In addition, Trevose offers an outdoor swimming pool, several tennis courts, a games room, a top quality seafood restaurant, Constantine, as well as the popular Colt’s Clubhouse Bar, making it popular with families as well as golfers. Off the course, the links have much to offer. Along the north Atlantic Highway you will be enchanted by exquisite coastal villages such as Clovelly and Port Isaac, bustling market towns such as Wadebridge and Barnstaple and quaint fishing ports like Rock and Padstow. Unique attractions include the fascinating Lost Gardens of Heligan and the impressive Eden Project, which are both highlights. Historians will find Bath a must with its architecture and historic Roman Baths. For the active, the region also offers trekking, hiking, surfing and cycling.

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Sport | GOLF

Lighthouse for luxury The refurbished Trump Turnberry opens its doors on 1 June. A Luxury Collection Resort, the hotel is set amongst a historic landscape. This, and the careful renovation of Turnberry’s Ailsa Championship golf course, has resulted in one of the most luxurious retreats in the world. The £200m renovation of Trump Turnberry has seen the main hotel building, which has been under construction since September 2015, fully refurbished. This includes the magnificent remodeling of all guest rooms and suites plus the Championship Ailsa golf course, the hotel’s bars and restaurants, the Golf Academy and the iconic Turnberry Lighthouse. The re-opening marks a new chapter in the hotel’s illustrious 110 year history, which has hosted four of the most exciting Open Championships. Through the years, Turnberry has also housed some of the most influential people in modern history, served the United Kingdom through two World Wars and was the birthplace of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland in 1307. The hotel, located along the majestic Ayrshire coastline, consists of 192 state-of-the-art guest rooms, including four suites named after Tom Watson, Nick Price, Stewart Cink and Greg Norman, past winners of the Open Championships hosted at Turnberry. Included in this iconic renovation is The Grand Tea Lounge & Bar, The Duel in the Sun restaurant and 1906 restaurant, as well as the creation of the Donald J. Trump Ballroom, a 500 person grand ballroom, which reputedly will be the most luxurious meeting facility anywhere in Europe. Adding to all of this is the restoration of the Lighthouse, which for over a century has acted as an iconic image of Scotland and Scottish golf. The Lighthouse has been transformed into a fine halfway house, creating an unrivaled experience. It will offer a spectacular two-bedroom presidential suite, (prices start at over £3,500 per night), offering breathtaking views across to the Isle of Arran, the famous Ailsa Craig and beyond.

Trump Turnberry

Ralph Porciani, general manager, confirms: “Trump Turnberry sets a new standard for luxury and service beyond that currently available elsewhere. During refurbishment, every detail has been scrutinised to ensure we deliver an experience of the highest calibre, which will attract guests from every corner of the globe. “We are bringing back experienced staff who have worked within the property for decades, as well as hiring new talent to bring new ideas and fresh life to everything we do. This is the perfect combination to offer our guests a truly memorable experience.” Guests have a selection of game shooting opportunities throughout Ayrshire, home to some of the finest shoots in Scotland, and is an excellent base for pheasant and partridge shooting. The Turnberry team works with a local shooting concierge to create bespoke sporting experiences for parties from single days to a full week.

As Russell Mayne, Saunton’s general manager, explains: “Whilst England’s Atlantic links boast some of the finest links golf in the country, we are also lucky enough to be located within a region that offers an enormous variety of activities and attractions off the course. Moreover, the Atlantic links offer excellent value for money – average summer green fees are around £70 – for courses of such calibre that they are comparable to many of the popular Scottish and Irish links. In addition, our courses benefit from being relatively undiscovered and quiet.” The region’s gastronomic delights include the exceptional Padstow seafood restaurants of famous local chef Rick Stein, Nathan Outlaw’s restaurant at the St Enodoc Hotel and Damien Hirst’s 11 The Quay in Ilfracombe. In recent years, the overall standard of accommodation in the south west has risen dramatically, witnessed by a host of character B&Bs, modern seaside hotels such as the Saunton Sands and comfortable country club apartments and lodges at Trevose. A visit to this beautiful area really is a must. v essence INFO

Website: www.atlantic-links.co.uk Telephone: 01637 879991 Course websites: www.burnhamandberrowgolfclub.co.uk, www.sauntongolf.co.uk, www.royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk, www.st-enodoc.co.uk and www.trevose-gc.co.uk

A range of experiences are available for guests, including exhilarating outdoor pursuits within the onsite Turnberry Adventures’ facility and The Spa at Turnberry. The hotel is located 25 miles (20 minutes) from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, 55 miles (one hour) from Glasgow Airport and 100 miles (one hour and thirty minutes) from Edinburgh Airport. Overnight accommodation rates for the hotel start from £389, including breakfast.

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Trump Turnberry Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland KA26 9LT Website: www.TrumpTurnberry.com Telephone: 01655 333 991

Golf memorabilia at Royal North Devon

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TIP TOP CAT

After years of producing rather staid models, something has stirred in the feline world and Jaguar Cars is now without doubt at the top of its game. The first cat to venture from Jaguarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special operations lair is the F-type SVR. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a scorcher, and just in time for the summer as Euan Johns discovers.

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Motoring | JAGUAR

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAGUAR CARS

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>>>

fter a long lay off out in the cold alley, Top Cat has returned via the advertising arena and, after some tedious years, so has another top cat’s pizzazz, Jaguar, with its new Jaguar F-type SVR supercar. This is the first Jaguar SVR developed to exploit the lightweight aluminium sports car’s full potential while retaining day-to-day usability. It’s a 200 mph joyous, all-weather supercar priced well below its Porsche 911 peer. More powerful, lighter, and benefiting from an enhanced chassis and driveline with active aerodynamics, the all-wheel drive F-type SVR coupé and convertible deliver super performance in all conditions and pretty much unrivalled driver engagement. Jaguar has raised the output of the supercharged 5.0 litre V8 to enable the car to accelerate from 0–60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the coupé model is 200 mph, with the convertible slightly less at 195 mph. This is achieved by lowering the rear wing to make the car a little more slippery. The engine delivers a stunning barking and snarling soundtrack, so drivers may want to pause the Coldplay for a moment to enjoy it going through the gears. To annoy neighbours, add an active sports exhaust for effect, but I’m not sure it’s worth the money or aggravation. So, the power is easy to transfer to the road and steering is responsive. Wider, specially developed 265/35/ZR20 and 305/30/ZR20 tyres provide exceptional levels of grip with no detriment to ride quality or refinement. The F-type has always been a really good long distance car gobbling up the miles with ease with a firm and composed ride. By exploiting the fundamental capability engineered in to the F-type from day one, Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division has developed Jaguar’s fastest and most powerful series production road car. Fuel economy isn’t going to be of concern for those who can afford the car, but for the record we’re looking at a pretty thirsty beast (25 mpg). The interior is a little snug for those of larger frame build, but has all the elegance anyone could wish for. There are unique SVR seats with a lozenge quilt pattern, suede cloth-covered instrument binnacle and centre console, SVR steering wheel and anodised aluminium paddle shifters as decoration. Above all though it’s the stunning looks that catch the attention. There’s been some hard work done on the aerodynamic front trying to reconcile the twin conundrums of reducing drag and lift. To cut drag, the front bumper is extended to mask as much of the wheels as possible helping airflow to remain attached to the sides of the car. The front

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Motoring | JAGUAR ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAGUAR CARS

Michelle Rodriguez reaches 200 mph in Jaguar F-type SVR The new Jaguar F-type SVR was recently put through a high speed test drive with Fast and Furious star Michelle Rodriguez at the wheel. On a closed highway in the Nevada desert, home to the world’s fastest road race, the Silver State Classic Challenge, the actress pushed the car to its top speed with the speedometer indicating 201 mph – a personal top speed for Michelle. “Driving this car was insane!” exclaimed Michelle. “I’ve now broken my personal speed record in this beautiful Jaguar. Reaching 201 mph felt amazing; the car drove really smoothly, all my corrections were minimal, I was super focused and it really reacted in all the right ways. I don’t think I’d ever go this fast without a professional driver seated next to me, but oh man, it was an incredible feeling. “I’ve always wondered what it was like to travel faster than my top speed of 140 mph and, outside of the Autobahn, it’s impossible for me to do it safely anywhere else and safety is most important to me. It was refreshing to be able to take myself beyond my limitations, going that fast is a big responsibility, but the experience in this car was more graceful than anything I’ve felt before.”

valance and front undertray also contribute to drag reduction and do much more to improve engine cooling. The louvre design of the new bonnet vents uses the flow of air over the bonnet to extract more hot air from the engine compartment. Apertures in the wheel arch liners help high-pressure air to escape through the fender vents, reducing frontend lift. An under-floor tray beneath the rear suspension accelerates the airflow, reducing pressure and therefore reducing lift. There’s a lot going on, but the single most effective device developed for the F-type SVR is its deployable rear wing. The optimised design is more effective and more aerodynamically efficient in both raised and lowered positions. If there’s a car that encapsulates everything that’s now good about Jaguar it has to be the F-type SVR, it’s all the ‘Bs’: brilliant, beguiling, beautiful and bold. At a significantly lower price than a Turbo Porsche 911, and in a year seeing our monarch’s 90th birthday and one marking the 50th anniversary of England football’s greatest moment, need I say more about what my choice would be? v essence INFO www.jaguar.com

“Our objective was to take everything that our customers love about F-type and take it to a whole new level. This is what the new F-type SVR delivers: it’s a 200 mph all-weather supercar. This is a car that SVO has developed for true enthusiasts, but it’s one that can be enjoyed every day.” John Edwards, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations

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Ethnic style mule

Wedge mule, black 34 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

Footwear | KANNA

Fringe suede espadrilles

Spanish sole Founded in 1985 by brothers Juan and Tomás De La Cerda, the footwear brand Kanna originated from the duo’s company which specialised in manufacturing jute footwear. Located in the Murcia region of Spain (an area renowned for jute handicrafts), Juan and Tomás celebrate and preserve the tradition of handcrafted juteware through Kanna products, with the magnificent Mediterranean coast serving as inspiration. Kanna continues to make espadrilles utilising jute and other natural fibres such as raffia, esparto, straw and cotton to maintain an authentic aesthetic and cultural spirit in its shoes. Expanding beyond traditional footwear, Kanna has developed a unique style incorporating leathers, fabrics and synthetics into eclectic designs inspired by biker and glamrock fashion. Jute remains the hallmark of the Kanna brand and each collection demonstrates the variety and combination of materials, such as vegetable tanned leather, gemstones, textiles and handcrafted ornaments.

essence INFO Glitter Grueso silver flat sandal

Fashion Edge Showrooms 91 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 6RW Telephone: 020 7323 1020 Website: www.kannashoes.com

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Fashion for all seasons Irish designer Róisín Linnane creates luxurious, timeless and simple shapes with a philosophy of ‘less is more’. She believes that in today’s hectic society, women need to invest in a few key basics each season – items to build a wardrobe around – with results creating the perfect ‘pick me up’ look. Collections are versatile and can be teamed with anything suitable for any occasion: formal or casual. Stunning dresses and tunics drape seamlessly over the body with a simple pair of heels, or create a more relaxed look with skinny jeans and boots. Cashmere cardigans, jumpers and wraps are the perfect all-year round cover-ups that feel good to touch. Each season can be mixed and matched with previous seasons. Collections are built around well-cut shapes using superior fabrics and yarns ranging from a magical stretch satin back crepe to luxurious cashmeres. Themes are echoed in the accessories collection, including soft leather handbags, belts and heels to wear all day.

essence INFO

Website: www.roisinlinnane.com Email: info@roisinlinnane.com

Women’s fashion | RÓISÍN LINNANE

>>>

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Women’s fashion | RÓISÍN LINNANE

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Perfect gentleman New & Lingwood was founded in 1865 by Miss Elisabeth New and Mr Samuel Lingwood and remains one of London’s longest established and most respected English gentleman’s outfitters, supplying bespoke and ready-to-wear shirts, hosiery, finest pyjamas, footwear and silk accessories. The spring/summer 2016 collection sees the introduction of bold stripes, a pastel colour palette and soft tailoring, alongside classic suiting with a nod to its rich heritage. New knitwear pieces are rendered in both superlight silk and premium cotton in rich muted pastels. Jacketing this season is significant to the collection, with particular focus on the deconstructed blazer. The tailors at New & Lingwood show the sharpness of a tailored jacket possessing a level of ease and comfort akin to a cardigan. Notable pieces this season include the linen herringbone Ferguson single breasted and double breasted jackets, Regatta Stripe Hamilton, Prince of Wales Haviland jersey jacket, suede safari shirt jacket and the super lightweight knitted matt silk jumpers.

essence INFO

New & Lingwood Pricing starts from £95 for a tie to £895 for suits. 53 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6LX Telephone: 020 7493 9621 Website: www.newandlingwood.com

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Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion | NEW & LINGWOOD

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Crates Local Produce is located centrally within the historic market town of Horsham and bursts with fresh, seasonal food sourced directly from local producers. For more details see www.crateslocal.co.uk. Follow on Twitter @crateslocal or Facebook page Crates Local.

At their best right now Seasonal and local food offers taste, health and even economic benefits. Crates Local Produce highlights the amazing seasonal produce available from our region.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ALVARO GERMAN VILELA | 123RF.COM

Broad beans

This bright green vegetable is often overlooked which is such a shame given its lovely sweet flavour, protein provision and vitamin virtues. When broad beans are chosen, it is usually just as a side to a roast, but they are far more versatile. A perfect partner with anything pork, such as bacon or chorizo, these beans also make for a great salad with tomatoes and feta or mozzarella cheeses, and the Spanish love to deep fry them for the ultimate bar snack. Cultivated all around the world for many thousands of years, broad beans are hugely popular in the US and referred to as fava beans. China uses them extensively and they are the traditional ingredient in falafels. Here, we generally grow two types of broad bean: the longpod which is the most prevalent with eight beans per pod, or the Windsor with far less beans, but even more flavour. All broad beans are at their best when really fresh and not stored for long. Unless the pods are really young, the beans need to be podded, but can then be enjoyed raw, steamed, boiled, fried or even roasted.

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PHOTO COPYRIGHT: JARI HINDSTROM | 123RF.COM

Strawberries

What is more quintessential of a British summer than Wimbledon and strawberries? However, it was the Romans who took this berry to worthy heights, believing it helped all manner of ailments from gout through to fever. A member of the rose family, the strawberry is the only fruit with its seeds on the outside and, due its heart shape, became a symbol for passion and was used as an aphrodisiac in medieval times. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strawberries are grown throughout the world, but have the best flavour when bought fresh and locally. They do not do well in cold store, nor travel well, so this is one of the finest fruits to enjoy when in season. Some producers are now growing the fruit even earlier with the help of large poly tunnels, but still relying on natural sunlight to ripen. Source from local farms, markets or speciality shops and once home wash and handle gently to eat at room temperature.

Food | CRATES LOCAL PRODUCE

Broad bean and bacon soup

Roasted strawberry agua fresca

Ingredients: 225g fresh broad beans 225g fresh or frozen peas Two rashers thick back bacon One large onion 450ml milk 300ml vegetable stock Salt & pepper

Ingredients: 500g fresh local strawberries One vanilla pod or one teaspoon vanilla extract 30g granulated sugar Pinch sea salt Optional shots of white rum or vodka

Serves four

Method: w Peel and finely chop the onion and pod the beans and peas. w Simmer the vegetables in the milk and stock for at least 20 minutes until they are soft. w Gently fry the bacon in a dry pan (until it is just crispy) whilst the soup is simmering. w Blend around half of the simmered soup and add back in to the thicker mixture. Re-heat all together and season to taste. w Chop the fried bacon and add to the soup just before serving hot.

Makes two glasses

Method: w Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees centigrade/gas mark 4. w Line a shallow baking dish with baking paper. w Slice the strawberries (or quarter if small fruits) and scrape out the vanilla if using a pod. w Toss the berries with the sugar, salt and vanilla and lay them out on the lined baking sheet. Bake for at least 25 minutes until they start to caramelise and are surrounded by a rich syrup. w Remove from the oven and allow to cool in a bowl with the syrup. Leave for as long as possible to allow the flavour to intensify further. w Blend with crushed ice and serve alone or over white rum or vodka.

essence INFO

Crates Local Produce, Horsham

Crates Local Produce 24a Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1EB Telephone: 01403 256435 Website: www.crateslocal.co.uk Follow on Twitter @crateslocal or Facebook page Crates Local

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English wine sparkles Shirlee Posner of Eat Surrey introduces essence readers to independent wine retailer Hawkins Brothers in Milford and award-winning Greyfriars Vineyard in Puttenham.

n a recent blind tasting of wines carried out using méthode Champenoise, an English sparkling wine won overall. This is a dream come true for English wine producers who are now winning awards in the major leagues. In Surrey and the south east, PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PAUL BAXTER we have several brilliant producers whose wines are faring well in this highly competitive market. English wines are now seen as being as attractive additions to wine lists on top-notch restaurant menus, including those with a Michelin star or two – Drakes in Ripley, for example. A new independent retail outlet Hawkins Brothers opened in Milford selling exclusively English wines. Former publicans Simon and James decided to dedicate their retail business to this niche market and so far they have introduced an astonishing range of wines into their shop. With regular tastings and ‘meet the producer’ events most weekends, the brothers are true champions for local producers and a fountain of wine knowledge for their growing following of English wine converts, including me. The delicious wines of the Albury Estate, Denbies, Exton Park, Hush Heath, Greyfriars and Gusbourne, all based in south east England, can be found in their shop. To celebrate English Wine Week recently, I went to see owners Mike and Hilary Wagstaff to record their story. Mike trained as a civil engineer and his wife Hilary as a solicitor. Working in the oil industry, Mike spent a lot of his time managing projects in the north of Scotland. One of his university tutors (a geologist) from Imperial College published a book entitled ‘The Winelands of England’, the author, Dick Selly used his incredible knowledge of geology to identify soil that lent itself to the art of viticulture. In 1991 he was instrumental in the development of the Denbies Wine Estate on the North

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Downs, encouraging the planting of 260 acres of grapevines to create the largest English vineyard. His book so inspired his former student that when Mike found himself jobless in 2009 he decided to change careers. Mike knew of Greyfriars Vineyard which had been planted by its rather eccentric owners in 1989. They wanted to prove that if grapes of a high enough quality could be grown in England, then good wine would result. After 22 years they wanted to retire, so they put the property on the market. Mike and his wife immediately made an offer. They knew they could take the vineyard from a hobby winery to a commercially viable enterprise. That was five and half years ago, and Mike says it’s been a steep learning curve with a few hiccups along the way, but their business is a real success story. Choosing the style of wine to make was easy as out of around five million bottles of wine produced in England, a high percentage (75%) is sparkling, not still. This is due to the English weather. Cooler climates mean a slower, longer ripening period for grapes. In turn, grapes which ripen slowly and are then harvested in late September to early October have a far more complex flavour profile than grapes grown in hotter climates that ripen faster. This means the ripening period can be two to three weeks longer than grapes grown in the Champagne district. So, whilst the only sparkling wine that can be called Champagne must be grown in a specific region in France, wine makers can use the Champagne production method and compete in this market. They just can’t call the resulting wine Champagne. In order to expand their wine yields, Mike and Hilary had to plant additional vines early on. The original 1,500 vines, whilst established, simply didn’t produce enough grapes, so the couple planted an additional 75,000 vines. Mike and his team worked flat out knowing it would take at least two years for them to establish before producing the quality and quantity of fruits required.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PAUL BAXTER

Artisan food | EAT SURREY

Chicken liver and Porcini mushroom paté If I am serving really good wine, I like to offer something interesting with it. I love paté, but the shop bought varieties are often high in saturated fat. Making it at home gives control over ingredients, plus it’s easy to make. Serve with some lovely sourdough bread or artisan crackers and a relish such as caramelised red onion. Ingredients (serves 6–8 as a starter) 10g dried Porcini mushrooms Four tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 100g butter One large white onion, peeled and chopped Four cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 400g free range or organic chicken livers, washed and trimmed One dessertspoon fresh Rosemary, finely chopped (optional) Salt and freshly ground black pepper (I use smoked Maldon sea salt) Extra butter to create a seal Method w Put the Porcini mushrooms in a cup and pour just enough boiling water over them to cover – press down with a tablespoon so they stay under water. w Heat the oil and butter in a heavy bottom pan with a lid and add the onions and garlic. Sweat for five minutes with the lid on the pan, making sure the ingredients don’t brown. Now add the livers and cook for a further five minutes, raising the temperature if needed. w Add the Rosemary and mushrooms, plus seasoning, and simmer with lid on for seven to eight minutes. w Remove from the heat and cool for a few minutes. w Place the liver mixture in a food processor and pulse till smooth. Adjust seasoning and spoon mixture into a serving dish or ramekins. w Smooth the top and leave to cool for 20 minutes. w Top with melted butter to seal, or decorate with fresh herbs, then place in the refrigerator to chill for at least three hours before serving. This paté will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days. Shirlee Posner, eatsurrey.co

They hammered in 12,000 metal posts and used over 400 km of metal wire to support their new plants. The care and attention doesn’t stop there and in cold spring conditions when a harsh frost is predicted the team is on red alert. Luckily, this year temperatures did not go below the critical -2 degrees but it was, Mike says, a close call! Picking season for grapes is October at Greyfriars, picked by hand to maintain quality. Once picked, grapes are pressed and the resulting juice allowed to settle overnight. The juice is transferred to oak barrels (barriques). Greyfriars tends to produce around 27 wines which will then be blended (by grape variety) before bottling after Christmas. In order to cope with growing production levels, an underground chalk lined cave has been built to mature the wine. This stabilises temperature and helps maintain drinking quality once matured.

Michael Wagstaff and his team at Greyfriars Vineyard PHOTO COURTESY OF GREYFRIARS VINEYARD

With growing sales, media attention and higher stock levels Greyfriars has started to gain a stronghold in the English wine market. The winery currently sells four wines (three sparkling and one still). The still wine is a 2014 Pinot Gris, which won a bronze award from the UK Vineyards Association. Of the sparkling wines, Greyfriars currently has three on offer: a rosé (100% Pinot Noir) and two whites. Its 2013 Blanc de Blanc is 100% Chardonnay and 2012 Sparkling Fume from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. All fermented on oak barriques for six months before bottling, they take on flavour notes from the wood which adds a fine complexity to their final taste profile. Greyfriars is one example of a small independent wine maker producing exceptional wines. I highly recommend trying some of these local wines next time something special is required for a celebration. They are local, sustainable and support the local economy. To try before buying, visit the Hawkins Brothers in Milford for tastings and ‘meet the producer’ events, all of which are posted on the retailer’s social media pages and website. essence INFO

Greyfriars Vineyard, The Hog’s Back, Puttenham, Surrey GU3 1AG Telephone: 01483 813712 Email: info@greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk Website: www.greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk

Hawkins Bros. Fine English Wines The Courtyard, Secrett’s Farm Shop, Chapel Lane, Milford, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5HU Website: www.hawkinsbros.co.uk

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Cool culinary

concepts Tante Marie is the UK’s most established cookery school. Founded in 1954 in Woking, Surrey, in 1967 the school moved to Woodham House where it remained until its big move to the centre of Woking last year. Foodwriter Laura Scott discovered what was on offer.

oday the Tante Marie Culinary Academy, along with the newly appointed restaurant, resides in a state of the art modern glass building right in the heart of Woking town centre. Woking appears to have become a major contender on the Surrey food scene in recent years: it has a thriving heart filled with interesting places to eat, popup supper clubs and a covered food market where street foods and local food producers serve the local population of food lovers.

I visited The Restaurant at Tante Marie recently for a spot of lunch with a fellow Woking dweller who had also been keen to check out the food since its opening last year. The Restaurant offers two menus at lunchtime: one express lunch menu, very good value at two courses for £10.50, and the other offering a choice of three starters and desserts with two mains. On this menu starters are all £6, desserts £5 and mains £11.50, keeping the pricing keen and not too extravagant for a lunchtime treat.

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Food review | TANTE MARIE PHOTO COURTESY TANTE MARIE

Profile: Tante Marie

My guest and I decided to try both menus. I opted for the a la carte whilst she plumped for the express. Starters were a duo of smoked fish (salmon and mackerel) and sour cream (a la carte) and a broccoli veloute with crumbled blue cheese (express). The smoked fish balanced beautifully well with the sour cream sitting on top of perfectly cooked blinis. It felt like a modern classic and was well judged in its flavours. The soup was incredibly smooth with notes of the salty cheese complementing the nuttiness of the broccoli. Both starters were executed with a good eye for detail. For mains, I chose the supreme of chicken stuffed with sundried tomato, buffalo mozzarella and baby spinach, served with a herbed tabbouleh and pine nuts, while my guest opted for fillets of trout As an unexpected treat we also meuniere with new potatoes and got to sample the special of the green beans. Both options didn’t day which was a chorizo stuffed quite live up to the standards of the first course. Although my arancini...It made me wish I had chicken was cooked well with ordered this for my main. a crisp skin and tender meat, the stuffing was meagre and the seasoning of the dish as a whole needed to be brought up a gear. The accompanying tabbouleh lacked any depth of flavour and I felt the dish could have benefitted from a sauce to bring it all together. This was also mirrored with the trout >>>

The Restaurant at Tante Marie is overseen by Marco Di Michele. With a wealth of industry experience, Marco manages operations for the fully-functioning training restaurant as well as delivery of a brand new professional qualification, the CTH Level 5 Diploma in Culinary & Hospitality Management launched last year. Marco comes from a strong culinary background, heavily influenced by his Italian heritage. He ran his own very successful establishment for eight years, the popular Trevi Restaurant in West Byfleet which he sold in 2012. Showcasing the very best that the graduates of the Culinary Academy have to offer in terms of skill and service, the daily specials’ menu offers diners at The Restaurant a limited number of dishes that have been created by the current Cordon Bleu students that day. The internationally acclaimed Tante Marie Cordon Bleu Diploma remains at the heart of the professional qualifications offered by the Academy, with graduates of the school becoming established as some of the world’s most highly trained culinary professionals. In addition to providing professional qualifications, the school hosts culinary training to meet lifestyle aspirations, courses to prepare students for gap year employment, training for school leavers and a wide variety of other services. With a staff of twenty, the school provides training to over 300 students each year. The Tante Marie Culinary Academy was proud to be voted Best Cookery School at the Food & Travel Readers’ Choice Awards 2015.

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dish. The trout was cooked with skill, but was under seasoned, with undercooked beans on the side. It lacked a cohesiveness which could have come from an accompanying sauce, instead of feeling like it was an arrangement of component parts on a plate. As an unexpected treat we also got to sample the special of the day which was a chorizo stuﬀed arancini (risotto cake) served with a perfumed, lightly garlicky pesto sauce. It made me wish I had ordered this for my main. Crisp exterior, soft comforting spiced meaty rice ball with a herby sauce to mop it all up made a big hit indeed.

essence INFO Websites: www.tantemarie.co.uk and www.tantemarierestaurant.co.uk Telephone: 01483 724173 Laura Scott: www.howtocookgoodfood.co.uk

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WIN

a bottle of Silent Pool Distillers’ Queens birthday celebration gin! Award winning Silent Pool Gin is a classic, full-bodied gin, fresh with a great flavour produced from a combination of 24 botanicals. This is a limited rose blushed flavour profile gin called English Rose especially to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday day.

competition

Desserts were back to the standards of the starters. A pear and frangipane tart served with clotted cream (me) and a rhubarb fool with vanilla sugar biscuits. The tart was served warm and the light buttery pastry melted away to reveal a delicately flavoured almond pear centre. The rhubarb fool with a layer of rhubarb compote was perfectly balanced and worked well with the crunch of the homemade biscuits. I could have easily polished off another slice of the pear tart and I imagine the pastry chef is someone with a deft hand and lightness of touch. The restaurant was pleasantly busy and the food was served at a leisurely pace that makes for an enjoyable dining experience. It has a modern, clean look without being too minimalistic. The large glass fronted exterior gives way to a generous outdoor eating area and there is a demo kitchen visible from the dining room, emphasising the cookery school aspect of this business. As a concept, Tante Marie is training its top students to be able to work efficiently in a restaurant as well as being given a chance to learn all about the business, management operations, costings, staffing, menu planning and ordering, It’s an excellent concept and one that will stand the chefs in good stead when they expand their wings and fly into the bigger, wider world of professional kitchens. If this was just the start of my own chef’s life, I think this is exactly where I would want to be learning the ropes.

To win, simply visit www.essence-magazine.co.uk and answer the following question: The Silent Pool has a famous myth that involves medieval Prince John, as featured in the decoration on the Silent Pool bottle. Who was his Prince John’s father? a) Henry VIII b) Henry II c) Henry V Closing date: 30 June 2016.

essence INFO

Telephone: 01483 229136 Website: www.silentpooldistillers.com Terms and conditions apply. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash

alternative will be offered. Prize is as stated and subject to availability, entrants must be over 18.

Baking | JEN’S CUPCAKERY

Bundt-elicious vanilla bean cake For a Victoria sandwich with a touch of pizazz, treat yourself to a Bundt tin and try this beautiful Bundt cake topped with fresh fruit; even nicer if split and filled with cream and yet more fruit, or perhaps a nice fruity jam? It’s tradition served up with a twist and a perfect seasonal sweet.

Ingredients 250g unsalted butter or Flora Buttery 250g caster sugar 250g self-raising flour One vanilla pod or one teaspoon of vanilla extract Four large eggs Vanilla sugar syrup: 50ml water 50g caster sugar One vanilla pod or one teaspoon vanilla extract. Fruit of choice: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries – in fact any berries of preference! Method w Preheat the oven to 180 degrees centigrade/350 degrees fahrenheit/gas mark 4. Grease a Bundt tin with cake release spray or a thin scraping of butter followed by a dusting of flour. w Cream together the margarine and caster sugar and then add the seeds from the vanilla pod or the vanilla extract. w Add the flour and mix in gently until combined. w Spoon into the Bundt tin, even out with a spoon and then bake for about 40–45 minutes (depending on oven). Insert a skewer or cake tester and check it’s baked. w Remove the cake from the oven, but leave it in the tin for ten minutes before turning onto a wire rack. While it is still warm, prick with a skewer and then drizzle the sugar syrup over the cake. This adds a lovely moistness to what is quite a hearty sponge. w For those who can resist slicing into it right away, allow to cool, then top with a mixture of fruit or slice the cake carefully in half to fill with delicious double cream and more fruit.

essence INFO

TOP TIP: To unmould, place a large plate over the top of the cake then upturn giving the pan a slight tap and it should pop out.

Website: www.jenscupcakery.com Telephone: 07751 553106 Email: mail@jenscupcakery.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenscupcakery Twitter: @jenscupcakery Blog: http://ilovejenscupcakery.wordpress.com

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Beauty | EPSOM SKIN CLINICS

Vital vitamins

Taking care of the skin should be an essential part of any beauty and health regime. It is, after all, the body’s largest organ, as Naomi Diamond of Epsom Skin Clinics explains.

itamins benefit the skin in many ways: nutrition and great skin are very much related and vitamins play an important role in a healthy complexion. This is why a vast amount of skin care products contain a lot of vitamins, but it’s not just about products, we also need to receive vitamins via the foods we eat.

for anyone concerned with maintaining vitamin D levels. It is the most complete formulation with 5µg of vitamin D and is effective from the first dose to provide immediate and safe protection. The capsules contain high levels of fernblock, a natural plant extract with proven skin specific UV protection capabilities and are boosted by vitamins C and E.

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Vitamin C is a vital molecule for skin health: it’s an antioxidant and has a vital role in collagen making and helping prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV) induced photo damage. This vitamin gives a brighter, healthier appearance and glow to the skin whilst aiding anti ageing. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamin C. An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, leading to chain reactions that may damage cells. Antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) terminate these reactions resulting in the skin having a brighter, healthier appearance whilst aiding anti ageing.

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is also an effective antioxidant that helps fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals are one of the major causes of premature skin ageing caused by a number of factors such as smoking, pollution and sun exposure. Applying vitamin E rich products can help the appearance of age spots, wrinkles, stretch marks and lines. Vitamin E can also be found in foods such as leafy greens, olives, peanuts and sunflower seeds.

Vitamin D

Also referred to as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, obtaining a sufficient amount of vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases. One of my favourite products at the moment is Heliocare Ultra D Oral Capsules, a sun protectant and vitamin D supplement in one making it ideal

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Vitamin A

Individuals suffering with acne are encouraged to take plenty of vitamin A or apply products that are derivatives of the vitamin as it helps the skin to rebuild tissue and regulate cellular growth. Vitamin A is also a great anti ageing nutrient. I always recommend Aetheticare Retriderm which comes in a 0.5% and 1% retinol to all my clients at the Epsom Skin Clinics. By adding this into their home care skin regime in the evening, the protein rich serum greatly reduces the visible signs of ageing and sun-damage, tightens and firms and improves luminosity.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: OLGA EKATERINCHEVA | 123RF.COM

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Epsom Skin Clinics Website: www.epsomskinclinics.com Telephone: 01372 737280 (Epsom) or 020 8399 5996 (Surbiton)

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Shirleeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food reviews of independently owned cafes, restaurants, artisan food producers and farm shops in Surrey. A supporter of the local food movement with an aim to promote, support and champion their work.

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I always tell a personal story by taking the time to meet the people behind the products or the brand. Read my reviews here www.eatsurrey.co Twitter: @eatsurrey Instagram: @eatsurrey Telephone: 07917 891881 Email: eatsurrey@gmail.com

a pair of tickets to The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Sandown Park!

competition

With over 220 exhibitors, 24 free master classes and 500 advice sessions on essential topics which can tackle any problem, from funding a remodelling project to implementing the latest intelligent security systems, the event is set to help put visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ideas into motion through a step-by-step approach

To win, simply visit www.essence-magazine.co.uk and answer the following question: Which Surrey racecourse id hosting the event? a) Kempton Park b) Epsom Downs c) Sandown Park Closing date: 20 June 2016.

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The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show Surrey, Sandown Park, 25-26 June 2016 www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/surrey Terms and conditions apply. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered.

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 51

Modern laws for modern families Rachel Lemon is a Partner in the Family Team at Mundays LLP and here looks at how the modern family has evolved, and how the law must keep up if we are to live in a truly equal society. Rachel Lemon is a Partner in the Family Team at Mundays LLP. Rachel has experience in all areas of family law, including financial matters where there are mid to high value assets and complex issues and matters with an international element. She has experience of private law children disputes, including applications for leave to remove a child from the jurisdiction. Rachel heads the ‘modern’ families’ sector within Mundays’ Family Team. She acknowledges that the ‘modern family’ faces different challenges which are unique and require specialist expertise. Rachel can advise on issues such as parentage, the legal implications of donor conception and surrogacy arrangements.

am proud of my ‘modern’ family. We are just like many other families in lots of ways. We both have busy careers; we have the same worries as lots of other parents and enjoy spending time together as a family as much as possible. We are passionate about providing the best possible future for our son. We are already taking steps to teach our young son, at 20 months old, about how he came into being. All research suggests it is better to be open about such issues as early as possible (of course, using age appropriate language and explanation). Whilst it is important our son understands that he belongs to a family which is, in many ways, like any other and that a variety of family structures exist, it is naive to think he will not recognise that his family is in some way different. He has two mums and that is

Having started her own ‘modern family’, Rachel’s broad experience in family law is complemented by her personal experience and a keen interest and experience in this complex area. She is also a trained mediator. Rachel can be contacted by telephone on 01932 590612 or by email at rachel.lemon@mundays.co.uk.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: JESS DIKS | 123RF.COM

52 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

different. A difference that should be accepted and celebrated. Society has come a long way; significant progress has been made towards a more equal society. I have been lucky. Family, friends and colleagues have been accepting of our modern family. I am, however, all too aware that many same sex couples face a life of secrecy, filled with prejudice and lack of acceptance. More progress can, and should, be made. Views on the modern family will inevitably be shaped, to a certain degree, by the government’s approach. If we are to expect society to be open to the modern family, in all its forms, then legislation must be put in place and it must be truly equal. Huge strides have been taken to create equality for those in same sex relationships. The Marriage (Same Sex) Act 2013 and before

Legal | MUNDAYS

that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 have allowed those in same sex relationships to formalise their relationships. But they do so not entirely on an equal footing with those in heterosexual relationships. Same sex couples establish the same rights as those in a heterosexual couple when they marry, but it is on the breakdown that the differences are apparent. For instance, due to the definition of ‘adultery’ (sexual intercourse between a man and a woman, one or both of whom are married to another person), proceeding with a divorce or dissolution on that ground is not an option. Whilst such an extramarital relationship can be cited as an example of ‘unreasonable behaviour’ (a ground on which both heterosexual and same sex couples can rely when pursuing a divorce or dissolution) for many, from a personal perspective, that is difficult to accept. If one party has been unfaithful, and that is why the marriage or civil partnership has broken down, then it is right that that can be relied upon when a divorce or civil partnership is pursued. Equally, due to the definition of ‘consummation’, same sex couples are not able to pursue an annulment on that basis. These may be considered to be relatively minor details which should not be too bothersome. However, if you are not affected by such limitations it is easy to take a dismissive view. On the breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership, it is often the detail that is the most important, either from a legal or personal perspective. Such inequality cannot be right. It is likely that after only three years, the Marriage (Same Sex) Act 2013 already requires reform if it is to properly provide equality to same sex couples wishing to marry.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: WAVEBREAKMEDIA LTD | DREAMSTIME.COM

Who’s the daddy (mummy or donor for that matter!)? The issue of parentage is an important one to all families. However, the modern family has some additional considerations. Whether you are the parent who will carry the baby, or a husband, wife, donor or party to a surrogacy arrangement, knowing where you stand in terms of parentage is vital. It is important legally, socially, psychologically and emotionally to the adults and the child/children. The issue of parentage is not straightforward. Some important influencing factors are: w Whether the fertility treatment was carried out at a registered clinic. w Whether the couple jointly consent to the treatment. w Whether the couple are married to each other or other people. w Whether a donor is used and whether the donor is known or unknown. w What rights and responsibilities do the adults in the child’s life have and want to have and how is that best achieved, from a legal and practical perspective? w In which country was the treatment carried out? Are there other international elements? The modern family may also face other issues either on the start of their journey or if the decision is made to end the relationship. Cultural, social and religious issues may have a profound impact on the modern family. The wider family may also have firm views on the intended modern family structure or a particular path towards the starting of a family. What is absolutely clear is that it is important to ask these questions upfront and to take early legal advice from a specialist about the implications of your proposed family structure. When you have a newborn to look after, the last thing you want to be thinking about, when you are up during the early hours, is a looming court case at which your baby’s parentage is at issue. We are living in a world where we can much more freely talk about such issues, and information and guidance is available, thank goodness for that!

It is important to recognise that whilst modern families share a lot of features with the more ‘traditional’ family, from a legal perspective, there are some unique features which require careful consideration and expertise.v

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Mundays LLP Cedar House, 78 Portsmouth Road, Cobham KT11 1AN Telephone: 01932 560500 Website: www.mundays.co.uk

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High Stakes for Brexit Gamble – The Final Chapter 0n 23 June we will be asked to cast our vote on whether the UK should remain within or leave the European Union. Simon Lewis, CEO at Partridge Muir & Warren Ltd, concludes his exploration of the issues we need to consider before we make our choice about whether or not to go it alone.

y first two chapters focused on trade and immigration with the conclusion that from these perspectives, remaining within the EU was likely to offer the UK greater opportunity for prosperity. My third chapter looked at how the EU spends its budget and concluded that there is a lack of both rigour and accountability. It was also evident, at least in terms of direct EU spending in member states, that the UK does not receive its fair share even allowing for the budget rebate. As the referendum draws near, politicians on both sides of the debate reveal their contempt for the intellect of the electorate by making ever more spurious claims. Depending upon which ridiculous claims you believe, leaving the EU will result either in plague, pestilence and war or long term prosperity, founded on the removal of red tape and the rebuilding of the British Empire. In reality, the differences are likely to be marginal but nonetheless important to ours and future generations.. In this my final chapter I will look at the possible impact on the City of London and explore the extent of Britain’s influence in Brussels. There has also been a useful addition to the economic aspect of the debate by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS); ‘Brexit and the UK’s Public Finances’.

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The economic impact (revisited) In Chapter III, I estimated the net annual cost of EU membership to be £8.5 billion, and I am pleased to see that the IFS broadly agrees, its own estimate being £8 billion. Both of these figures are far lower than some claims. The IFS has also carried out an excellent analysis of the short term economic cost of Brexit, which helpfully relates it to the UK’s post financial crisis fiscal strategy of ‘austerity’. The cost would extend the period of austerity required to bring the public finances back into balance by 2 years. In the meantime, government debt would continue to accumulate as would the future interest burden of such. This is not to say that Brexit is unaffordable; to quote the IFS, “These are important costs that would mean difficult decisions on tax, benefits and public services, but are not unmanageable if we wanted to pay them.” Looking forward, the consensus does seem to be that UK GDP would initially grow more slowly following Brexit, not least because of the uncertainty that would defer and deter foreign direct investment; the amount invested in the UK from overseas. This uncertainty would continue until the broad terms of a revised trade deal with the EU had been agreed. By 2020, it is estimated that UK

GDP would be around 5% lower than would otherwise have been the case. The effect would be noticeable, but not catastrophic. The City of London London is the world’s leading financial centre for international business and contributes over 20% of the UK’s GDP. Love it or loathe it, its importance to this nation’s long term prosperity must not be under-estimated. There are many who would like the UK economy to be less dependent on financial services but the only affordable way to get there is for other sectors of the economy to grow faster. Until that time, we need either to preserve the City’s global competiveness or accept that we will be poorer. Many who work in the City favour Brexit but the view is polarised and depends to an extent upon which part of the City people work in. Those who have a domestic focus are less likely to be immediately impacted by a vote to leave whereas those working for non-UK domiciled financial institutions will be concerned that their operations would be shifted to Paris or Frankfurt. This is because to operate within the EU a financial institution must have a ‘passport’ (PMW has one) and they are only available to EU domiciled institutions. So if we leave the EU, many international banks will have no choice but to move the bulk of their UK operations elsewhere because they wouldn’t otherwise be allowed to trade freely in the EU and the UK market alone is not big enough to justify their current presence here. Currently, around a third of the City’s financial exports are to the EU.

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Finance | PMW

This is not to say we should conclude that remaining in the EU is the safest option for the City of London. Two thirds of the City’s financial exports are to outside the EU and this segment is growing at a faster rate than the one third to the EU. With the Eurozone economy apparently stuttering once again, this dynamic seems unlikely to change. In fact, it could be argued that recent attempts by Brussels to enforce ill-conceived and potentially damaging legislation on the City actually impair the City’s international reputation as offering a fair and consistent financial framework to do business in. As the Financial Times commented, “if the Eurozone has a collective interest in anything, it is to stop the City acting as its main financial centre.” Trade – the EU is a customs union There is a substantial risk that a post Brexit UK would end up with fewer and worse trade deals than it has now. The more I study the EU the more I see evidence of protectionism at its core. Yes, it is a free market, but only if you are part of the club. There are real barriers to those on the outside and in essence, the EU operates as a customs union, granting quotas and tariffs on a country/product specific basis. The list of tariffs is extensive and many of them are related to agriculture; the standard import tariff for dairy products is 54% and New Zealand beef farmers, for example, pay a tariff of NZ$77 million to export 10,000 tonnes of beef to the EU each year. The result is higher prices for EU consumers in order to protect EU based interests. Of course, the EU is not alone in such behaviour. The US FATCA rules are a genuine barrier to non-US domiciled financial institutions acting on behalf of US citizens (wherever they live) and there are many other examples of blatant US protectionism in other sectors. One of the better quotes from Lord Mandelson, once the EU Commissioner for Trade, is “Trade deals are started by liberals and finished by protectionists.” So it will not necessarily be easy to replace existing trade deals on favourable terms and there is of course the risk that Brussels might seek to treat the UK harshly in order to deter other member nations from seeking to exit.

The democratic deficit A common concern is that the EU does not pay enough attention to the needs of Britain and I think there may be some truth in this fear. For example, whilst the UK has no right of veto over new EU financial services legislation (which has a disproportionate impact on the UK because of the dominance of London) France has the power of veto over all new EU legislation related to agriculture. The UK championed recruiting more Eastern European countries with the result that Britain's voting power on the European Council reduced from 17.2% to 8.4%. This is of course an expected democratic outcome given the enlargement of the EU. However, Britain’s marginalisation is compounded by the fact most other member states are members of the Eurozone also, which creates conflicting loyalties. What is more alarming is that there has been a sharp drop in the number of British officials working in the EU institutions. In 2014 only 2 UK candidates were accepted to work at the EU compared to 15 from France and 16 from Germany. It would appear that this has been a long term trend because although Britain has 12.3% of the EU population, the proportion of staff at the European Commission (the body that proposes and monitors EU laws) was down to 4.3% in 2015. This compares to 8.3% for German workers and 9.7% for French workers. Even Poland, a relative newcomer to the EU with a population of 38.6m versus the UK’s 65m, supplied 4.9% of the EU staff. This perhaps represents another aspect of Britain's growing alienation from Brussels and creates the real danger that future legislation will be progressively less sympathetic to the needs of the UK. My conclusion My assessment of the financial issues over the course of these 4 chapters has provided me with some useful insights that have served to alter my view and possibly change my voting intention. The issues around trade are finely balanced and on this subject I am certainly more ‘stay’ than ‘leave’. On immigration, my view is that it has been economically beneficial so far, but that this might not always be the case and I am certainly of the view that EU

spending requires better control and more accountability. The ‘democratic deficit’ is a significant concern for me as it impacts all areas from a UK perspective. I appreciate that there are a number of non-economic issues that are equally important but, based on those considered in this series I do not believe that the interests of the UK will be best served by continued membership of the EU in its current form. My concern is that the direction of travel of EU policy is against us and is biased to the needs of the Eurozone and the objective of European harmonisation. Nevertheless, I do believe that with reform the EU can be a powerful economic force for all of its current members. I also believe that the EU is likely to be less of a threat to us if we are on the inside driving such reform and resisting the pressure to broaden its remit towards a ‘United States of Europe’. My voting choice is now a tactical one. Do I vote to stay in the belief that it would provide an effective platform for reform? Or, do I take the view that our Government’s negotiating position is a busted flush and the only way to shift the odds back in our favour, to achieve proper reform, is to call the EU’s bluff and vote to leave? The stakes are certainly high, but I’m going to call their bluff… 

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Simon Lewis is writing on behalf of Partridge Muir & Warren Ltd (PMW), Chartered Financial Planners, based in Esher. The Company has specialised in providing wealth management solutions to private clients for 47 years. Simon is an independent financial adviser, chartered financial planner and chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. The opinions outlined in this article are those of the writer and should not be construed as individual advice. To find out more about financial advice and investment options please contact Simon at Partridge Muir & Warren Ltd. Partridge Muir & Warren Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Telephone: 01372 471 550 Email: simon.lewis@pmw.co.uk Website: www.pmw.co.uk

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 55

Testing times Michael Connolly, headmaster of Cranmore School, explores the increasing problem of exam stress for young people.

“Should we accept that exam nerves are all part and parcel of growing up and children should be left to get on with it?” 56 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

or previous generations of school pupils, the summer term meant more opportunities for outdoor pursuits, especially sports such as cricket, athletics or tennis. Increasingly, these activities which promote healthy living and social skills are being displaced for children of all ages who are swotting away for a raft of exams. This phenomenon is not confined to those young adults who are sitting A-Levels, but includes primary age children faced with the new ‘tougher’ tests for Year 2 and Year 6. A survey conducted by Newsround to assess children’s emotional responses to these new exams produced some disturbing statistics: 59% felt some pressure to do well, but 29% were experiencing “a lot of pressure”. In fact, 27% revealed that they actually felt “stressed” with many claiming it had affected their sleep. It is against this background that we are beginning to see a revolution.

The Let Our Kids Be Kids campaign has gained momentum with the support of some 40,000 signatures to boycott the exams. Should we accept that exam nerves are all part and parcel of growing up and children should be left to get on with it? Is this, in fact, the new normal? It is beginning to seem that way when one notices the plethora of self-help books and multi-media resources to combat stress which are aimed at children.

Education | CRANMORE SCHOOL

“...the high volume of private tutoring on top of an already busy school day could be a significant contributor to children’s anxiety and stress.” It is true that most children might be a little anxious before tests, but the stress levels which some young children experience today cannot be a good thing. Some might argue that it makes them more resilient, but, in my view, it is just as likely to make them neurotic with little core confidence in the long term. Those professionals who work with children, especially in schools, recognise the importance of ensuring that children should never be ground down into a state of permanent angst as it can lead to problems in later life. Learning should be stimulating, challenging and, whenever possible, fun too. It is this approach which will give young learners the positive experiences which will boost their self-esteem and utilise their latent talents. Perhaps professional educators and parents would do well to heed the advice of A.S. Neill, the man who founded an alternative model of liberal education in 1921 at Summerhill School which is still flourishing today: “The function of a child is to live his/ her own life, not the life that his/her anxious parents think he/she should live, nor a life according to the purpose of the educators who think they know best.” Parents want the best for their child and, in a competitive world, they often want to give them an ‘edge’. This has been one of the main drivers for the explosion in the number of pupils who have private tutors. Sadly, it has become such an arms race that even parents who are not inclined to pursue this option feel compelled to do so just to even up their child’s chances. This has been building for some time and back in 2013 The Guardian launched an investigation which uncovered

several underlying influences for this trend. However, what was quite striking was the high number of tutoring hours given to young children as revealed by this comment: “I tutored one child from the age of eight for six hours per weekend, four on Saturday and two on Sunday (with additional weekday tuition around exams). I now tutor five children for four or more hours per week. Three of these children receive further tuition in other subjects from other tutors.” It seems to me that the high volume of private tutoring on top of an already busy school day could be a significant contributor to children’s anxiety and stress. One hopes that more parents will come to see that it is important to offer their child a balanced childhood not dominated by endless hours

of study and revision. At Cranmore School, we believe that only a holistic perspective on education is right for a child so that they can develop and nurture their talents in the right way, at the right pace, and at the right time. v

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Cranmore School has embarked on a programme of change progressing to full co-education for pupils aged two and a half to thirteen years. Children study the standard subjects as well as a stimulating curriculum including French, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin, Greek and a wide selection of extra-curricular activities. The excellent facilities include a golf course, swimming pool, fitness suite and also a Forest School so that the youngest pupils from the nursery onwards can experience real ‘outdoors education’. Telephone: 01483 280340 Website: www.cranmoreprep.co.uk

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 57

Big Deal The enchanting town of Deal is nestled on the coastline of the English Channel in ‘England’s garden’, the fragrant county of Kent. Winner of the 2013 Daily Telegraph award for High Street of the Year, due to an abundance of independent local retailers and its friendly ‘village’ feel, Deal retains its appeal. The town’s motto is ‘Befriend a Stranger’ and visitors are keen to experience a little of that Kentish charm and take a fascinating glimpse into its rich maritime history, writes Rebecca Underwood.

n 1278 the federation of Cinque Ports was formed with the objective of uniting the ports of Dover, Hastings, New Romney, Hythe and Sandwich militarily and to simplify trade. With no harbour, Deal was considered a ‘limb port’ for Sandwich, but it soon became the busiest ‘port’ in England. Deal’s coastal waters, known as the Downs, offer a natural, sheltered anchorage area for vessels seeking refuge and the little town became a strategic ‘port’ for the Royal Navy and merchant vessels. Although the French coast is only twenty five miles from the town, Deal’s shoreline is close to the treacherous twelve mile long After a visit to the museum, Goodwin Sands: graveyard to many unfortunate ships. a leisurely stroll along the I visited the Deal Timeball Tower, which is a museum seafront is just the ticket housed in a four storey building, established in 1855 and located on Victoria Parade. A Victorian maritime GMT for us landlubbers in search signal, known as a timeball, is installed on the roof of the of some hearty ‘scran’. building, and the ball, responding to a signal transmitted Deal Castle PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ENGLISH HERITAGE by the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, dropped daily at 13.00 hours, enabling navigators to confirm the setting on their vessel’s marine chronometer, which then determined longitude by way of celestial navigation. The museum’s exhibits include part of the first cross channel telegraph cable and a collection of model boats, including HMS Victory. In 1805 news of Britain’s greatest naval victory at the battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson was transmitted from Deal to Admiralty House in central London. After a visit to the museum, a leisurely stroll along the seafront is just the ticket for us landlubbers in search of some hearty ‘scran’. The Lane, a very popular restaurant located nearby on South Court, serves an extensive choice of tempting treats. For those of us with a sweet tooth, the homemade lemon meringue cheesecake is simply unforgettable. Another popular spot is Deal’s Maritime and Local History Museum on St George’s Road. Exhibits include the only known pair of carved spar boards, taken from a vessel once owned by one of Deal’s most notable residents, Jock Willis, owner of the Cutty Sark. Also on display is an intriguing collection of old life jackets, which hang from the ceiling, extensive Royal Marine memorabilia, and cases containing beach combings, coins, clay pipes and artefacts galore, including whalebone vertebrae used in the cutlery trade.

58 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

Leisure breaks | DEAL On the beach at Deal PHOTO COPYRIGHT: BRITISH TOURIST AUTHORITY

Wander around the stables gallery, housed in a building dating back to the eighteenth century and known to have held forty mules and two horses used to transport armaments during WW1. Take a stroll around the boat yard and view the Penny Ann (previously called Secret), a Deal Beach Boat and Montague Whaler, also on view is the Saxon King, a smuggling galley built in 1891. Deal has a long history of attracting smugglers and in the late 1700s Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger dispatched a company of soldiers to deter them. Due to a severe storm, the smugglers’ boats were lined up on the shore and the soldiers promptly smashed them to pieces and burned them, but the plot failed as smuggling was a very lucrative business and the boats were quickly replaced. Another notable event took place on 12 July 1771 when Endeavour anchored in Deal’s waters and Lieutenant James Cook and his crew, on their return voyage to Australia and New Zealand, stepped ashore in England for the first time in nearly three years. During the nineteenth century, in the age of steam ships, Deal’s prosperity began to decline, but improved during the Victorian era of tourism when Deal’s railway station opened in 1847. The first wooden pier was built ten years later. Today’s pier, a Grade II listed building, was opened in 1957 by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Should the sea air >>>

TRAVEL TIPS Let the train take the strain, avoiding traffic delays and parking problems. The South Eastern train service from London St Pancras to Deal* is only one hour and 45 minutes. For visitors seeking a reliable and efficient taxi service for Deal and surrounding areas to Port Lympne and other attractions, visit www.directcarstaxis.com or call 01304 382 222. *At the time of writing, the direct service from London to Deal is disrupted due to repairs to the sea wall at Dover; change trains at Ramsgate. For more information visit www.southeasternrailway.co.uk.

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 59

Royal Hotel

awaken the appetite, Jasin’s, at the far end of the pier, is a popular restaurant serving a wide choice of dishes, Feeding giraffe PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PORT LYMPNE RESERVE including an award-winning fish ‘n’ chip luncheon. The restaurant is spacious, has excellent service and eye popping panoramic views. Deal Castle was built at the behest of King Henry VIII between 1539 and 1540. One of the most impressive Tudor castles in England, it’s a spectacular sight. It was built using Caen stone and ragstone brick taken from local religious buildings following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. For weary travellers seeking high levels of comfort and service, the Royal Hotel, located on Beach Street, is within a stone’s throw of the town centre and it’s the place to stay. Originally named the King’s Arms and then renamed the Three Kings in 1699, it is an impressive quirky property, which, during the eighteenth century, was once used as a courtroom. In the summer months of 1801, Napoleon Bonaparte was assembling an invasion fleet off the coast of France and Vice Admiral Lord Nelson was dispatched by the Admiralty to assess the situation. Nelson’s ship, HMS Medusa, arrived in Deal on 29 July and he reserved a suite at the Three Kings where he hatched a plan to tow the French ships away from their moorings and destroy them. However, the plan failed as Napoleon’s ships were Siberian tiger PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PORT LYMPNE RESERVE chained together and Nelson subsequently lost many men, including his protégé, Captain Edward Thornbridge Parker, who was buried in St George’s churchyard, opposite Deal’s Maritime and Local History Museum, which contains Port Lympne Reserve offers a fun the bier that his casket was carried on. day out for all the family...Hop The Three Kings was completely refurbished in 1837 and renamed the Royal Hotel in honour of Queen on the safari bus and view zebra, Victoria who ascended the throne on 20 June in the black rhino, ostrich and giraffe, same year. free to roam over 100 acres. The hotel’s rooms are spacious with contemporary furnishings in light, subtle hues, and the theme throughout the property reflects the area’s rich maritime history. For an excellent dining experience, there is no need to travel far: the hotel’s Quarterdeck restaurant specialises in delicious seafood dishes. Sample the clam and prawn linguine, accompanied by the Sancerre 2014 Clos des Bouffants or order a glass of Whitstable Bay Blonde premium lager in the hotel’s Boathouse bar, which also serves a scrumptious slow cooked steak and Spitfire ale pie. Port Lympne Reserve, only 25 miles from Deal, is celebrating 40 years of conservation and offers a fun day out for all the family. The reserve covers six hundred acres and is home to more than 700 rare and endangered animals including lions, tigers, cheetahs, lynx, red panda, buffalo and western lowland gorillas. Hop on the safari bus and view zebra, black rhino, ostrich and giraffe, free to roam over 100 acres. Another attraction, popular with the ‘little ones’, is the dinosaur forest featuring over 100 anatomically correct and life-sized models. Whatever visitors decide to do, it’s sure to be a de-a-lightful experience!v

60 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

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Women in waiting Barnebys is the world’s largest art auction search engine attracting close to 1.5 million visitors every month to its 1,600 affiliated auction houses. Research of these visits has revealed that a long overdue revolution and interest in female artists is underway in the art world.

Camille Claudel

Coco Chanel

t’s taken centuries to arrive, and is sending the prices for works by women artists rocketing. Women have been the muses of many great artists, but few have been acknowledged as artists themselves. Think of the greats: Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Dürer and Dalí – one might think that art is a totally male domain. Indeed, as artists, women remained marginalised until the early nineteenth century. But thanks to the opening of art schools, the assertion of egalitarianism and the emergence of an art market, women artists are finally beginning to achieve the recognition they deserve. In the last few years all that male dominance has been cast aside, with the most searched for women being Louise Bourgeois (best known for her monumental sculptures) and Cindy Sherman (conceptual portraits). Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842)

Still considered one of the best portrait painters of her time, as women were just starting to join the Academy (the institution in charge of regulating and teaching painting and sculpture in France during the Ancien Régime), Vigée Le Brun was the favourite painter of Queen Marie Antoinette and her court in Versailles.

Mary Cassatt (1844–1926)

Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker and an important figure of the Impressionist movement. More a portraitist than a landscape painter, she joined Degas, Pissaro and Morisot in her taste for outdoor painting, her sense of colour and her search for realism. In 1882, the death of her sister marked a turning and in 1890, after visiting an exhibition of Japanese prints, she became fascinated by this style of art. Cassatt’s mastery of the technique of aquatint (a type of etching) was admired by her colleagues.

Camille Claudel (1864–1943) Mary Cassatt

62 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

Sculptress Claudel had a turbulent life. For ten years, she had a passionate love affair with Auguste Rodin; partners in art, they created several sculptures together, including Le Baiser (1886). Despite their breakup, she inspired Rodin all his life

Diane Arbus

and he never doubted her artistic genius. Claudel’s works were innovative and she captured the intensity of movement as few else can. She died in an asylum in Montfavet (Vaucluse, France) and is now considered one of the greatest sculptors of the twentieth century.

Gertrude Stein (1874–1946)

Stein was an American writer better known for her art collection than for her writing. In love with France, Stein lived in Paris and was an ambassador for modern art, including Picasso and the Cubists. Stein became one of the greatest collectors of her time and her talent for spotting young painters was outstanding; Matisse, Picasso, Picabia, Balthus... all had paintings hanging in Stein’s apartment, 27 rue de Fleurus in Paris.

Coco Chanel (1883–1971)

A symbol of French elegance, Chanel revolutionised fashion with her monochrome creations. She began her career in fashion as an atelier in Paris, Deauville and Biarritz going on to create her own clothes that she would wear on public occasions. Playing with feminine and masculine codes, Chanel created comfortable, stylish and practical clothes. She would adorn her simple, elegant creations with stunning accessories.

Art | BARNEBYS

Suzanne Belperron (1900–1983)

Belperron was a jewellery designer who many argue is one of the most important figures in the history of French jewellery. As a designer for Boivin, she created very feminine and sensual pieces. She was particularly fond of gemstones (citrine, peridot, amethyst) and multicoloured jewels. Boivin jewels are rarely signed as Belperron said: “My style is my signature.” Inspired by nature and foreign cultures, Belperron played with these influences and styles and her jewellery quickly became the luxury item of the most famous and fashionable couturiers.

Frida Kahlo (1907–1954)

A victim of poliomyelitis at the age of six, Kahlo suffered from a bus accident that kept her in bed for months. And so she began to paint a series of self-portraits using a mirror placed over her bed. Living in Mexico, part of a patriarchal society, her surrealist paintings reflected a desire for freedom and travel, but also her frustration at not being able to have children due to the numerous surgeries she underwent. Kahlo externalised all her sufferings through her paintings in a fight against the life she was given.

Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010)

Frida Kahlo

The landmark sale of Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting, Jimson Weed/ White Flower No. 1, for $44.4 million at Sotheby’s in 2014 set a new world record (doubling the previous) for a work by a female artist. The sale sent a clear message – really big money was finally being paid for women’s art. Louise Bourgeois is now second in the all time sale list thanks to her 1996 ‘spider’ sculpture which fetched $28.2 million. When Christie’s held an auction of post-war and contemporary art in the spring of 2013, they sold an untitled work by Joan Mitchell for over $11.9 million. Mitchell was one of the few successful women in Expressionism and her works were often abstract landscapes. Also in the million dollar club is Berthe Morisot who was active in the second half of the 1800s, a contemporary of Edouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas, she was married to Manet’s brother, the artist Eugène Manet. When Morisot’s portrait of a doe-eyed woman, ‘After Lunch’ sold for $10.9 million, it helped power a wave of interest among collectors and dealers looking to identify undervalued female artists. While debate continues as to what has held women artists back, it’s a fact that prices and recognition have always lagged behind those of their male counterparts. The woman artists described here have all played an important role in this sea change in attitude. essence INFO

www.barnebys.com

Bourgeois was a French visual artist recognised for her monumental sculptures. Although not affiliated with a specific movement, she addressed women’s issues based on her personal experience. She especially dealt with the concept of the mother-daughter relationship, the role of the father and motherhood. In an almost therapeutic way, Bourgeois reflects her childhood in her works. The phallus represents the father and the spider represents the mother. Her mother died young and her relationship with her father was difficult. For Bourgeois, creation was vital to survival. “Art keeps us sane,” she said.

Diane Arbus (1923–1971)

Arbus discovered photography and created her own style to immortalise those on the margins of society at the time. People who were transgender, disabled twins, dwarves... all were of interest to her. Thanks to Arbus, people discovered the huge diversity of the American population. Both praised and criticised in her lifetime, she left a legacy through her vision of humanity. Marina Abramović

Marina Abramović (1946–)

Serbian Abramović is like no other artist. Through performance art, she pushes the boundaries of physicality, using her body as an artistic creation and performance tool, and tests her body to the limits. In 2012 at MoMA, she sat for seven hours in a chair for six days a week, staring at each person in the seat opposite to her. This artistic performance, which lasted more than 700 hours, is one of the longest ever conducted.

All these women have contributed and shaped art history, as did many others. Now emerging into the spotlight, their work is being acknowledged as is their role in changing the art world. All images courtesy Barnebys

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 63

oks Limited 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS

Literature | REVIEW

• Tel: 01226 734222

ONY ARLET TURNER

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as a Second Lieutenant in the First Battalion from 1953 to 1955. He was Managing Director and a Director of ITN Independent Television

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ISBN: 9781473863026 Life in Britain during the second half of the 94 PAGES century • HARDBACK nineteenth was extraordinarily I NTEGRATED tough for theILLUSTRATIONS working classes with high PUBLISHED: APRIL 2016 and ill-health, even unemployment, poverty though British PEN & the SWORD MEmpire ILITARY was itself growing larger year by year. The Empire needed a constant flow of young men for its armies acrossPOINTS the globe and it was from this pool KEY of squalor that the Redcoat soldiers were •recruited. This is an evocative history of in the 1870s, For a shilling a day the Anglo-Zulu war, written in a lad from the slums of London or the north verse. could become a member of a regimental •‘family’, Vivid depiction of the with a structure and comradeship succession of battles, from impossible to replicate in civilian life. Isandlwana to Ulundi. Of all the Empire’s conflicts in this • Pen portraits of the leading extraordinary century, the Anglo-Zulu British politicians and War in 1879and was one that most commanders thethe Zulu King Cetshwayo. captured the public’s imagination. This is an evocative history of the Anglo-Zulu war, • Includes an imaginative written in verse. introduction to one of the most famous of theborn colonial Harry conflicts Turner was in 1935 and served era. as a Second Lieutenant in the First Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment (The Diehards) from 1953 to 1955. He was managing M ARKETING COORDINATOR director of Television South West from 1985 KATE BAMFORTH to 1992 and a director of ITN Independent 01226 734679 Television News from 1987 to 1992. editing@pen-and-sword.co.uk

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The World Beneath At the height of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, a boy must face life decisions that test what he believes – and call for no turning back. It is South Africa, 1976, and Joshua lives with his mother in the maid’s room in the backyard of their wealthy white employers’ house in the city by the sea. He doesn’t quite understand the events going on around him. But when he rescues a stranger and riots begin to sweep the country, Joshua has to face the world beneath – the world deep inside him – to make heartbreaking choices that will change his life forever. Genuine and quietly unflinching, this beautifully nuanced novel from a veteran journalist captures a child’s-eye view of the struggle that shaped a nation and riveted the world. The book has been recommended to American schools and endorsed by Amnesty International – accolades given to few authors. Janice Warman is a South African-born journalist whose career spans the Observer, the Guardian, the Spectator, the Daily Mail, and the BBC. She has published two nonfiction books for adults, including The Class of ’79, about three students who risked their lives to help abolish apartheid. By Janice Warman RRP: $16.99 176 pages • Hardback ISBN: 9780763678562 Published by Candlewick Press www.candlewick.com

64 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

A Casual Observer’s Notes on Nature From an early age, egg collecting, salmon poaching, rabbit and hare hunting, freshwater pearl fishing and a host of other activities involving wildlife were everyday adventures for the author, George Mitchell. Many of today’s top conservationists carried out similar activities until they saw the error of their ways. A zoology teacher helped George ‘see the light’ by teaching him to look closer at nature: to seek the real truths and to question and argue if observations differed from those of other people. This book is mostly about wildlife and is a very personal journey of observation and comment, not meant to be read or torn apart by experts, it’s a personal lifetime observation of nature and wildlife By George G Mitchell RRP: £7.95 258 pages • Paperback ISBN: 9781512158205 Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform www.createspace.com

A Midsummer Dream Escape to France for a magical, creative summer school for all the family.

The programme is customised around your family and tailored to the children’s ages and includes: • French conversation lessons with a native speaker • Daily ballet/body conditioning classes • Children encouraged to produce a dance show • Discussions about literature and culture (for adults) • Guided visit to Bordeaux In relaxed accommodation at this luxurious private château participants will have the run of 20 acres of grounds. Delicious food and alcoholic drinks included: numbers are capped at 20, we hope everyone will dine together. FORM SEVEN – WHERE PEOPLE AND IDEAS MEET

28 July–2 August 2016 Château de Clérac, near Bordeaux, France

For more information and to book go to www.formseven.co.uk/midsummer-dream or phone 020 8943 0889

1 June 16_Layout 1 02/06/2016 18:28 Page 2

essence events

spotlight on... Guildford Fringe Festival 2016 Friday 1 to Sunday 31 July The Guildford Fringe Festival, now in its fourth year, arrives this summer with new venues, acts and events to include all genres of the arts including theatre, music, comedy, dance, exhibitions, talks, film, cabaret, children’s workshops and shows and poetry nights. Nick Wyschna, director of the Fringe Festival, explained: “We were keen this year to host more family-friendly events so we are over the moon to announce a superb line-up, including our Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You workshops (Guildford Institute), Mystery at Frankenstein Castle (The Keep Pub), The Adventures of the Gingerbread Man (G Live) and face painting and storytime (Guildford Fringe Box Office at White Lion Walk Shopping Centre).” Remember, these are in addition to the quirky, Fringe evening events which continue and include comedy, cabaret and theatre. The image opposite is from local photographer Sue Roche who will exhibit her work in the Fringe Box Office. Visit the website for more detail.

Information: 0333 666 3366 or GuildfordFringeFestival.com

Richmond Theatre Richmond Sunday 12 June Ruby Wax: Frazzled US born comedian entertains. Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 June HMS Pinafore Popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera. Wednesday 29 June to Saturday 2 July Brideshead Revisited The first large-scale stage adaptation of this timeless tale. Monday 11 to Saturday 16 July After Miss Julie Helen George stars in this psychological thriller.

Sunday 19 June The Proclaimers Twins Craig and Charlie Reid bring their unique sound to Woking. Monday 27 June to Saturday 2 July Rocky Horror Show Richard O’Brien’s musical full to the brim with timeless classics. Tickets: 0844 871 7645 or ambassadortickets.com/woking

Chapterhouse Theatre Company Gatton Manor Hotel & Golf Club, Ockley, Dorking Sunday 19 June, 5.30pm The Railway Children A performance of this tale for all the family from this wonderful open-air theatre company on tour.

Tickets: 0844 871 7651 or

Information: 01522 569222 or

ambassadortickets.com/richmond

chapterhouse.org

New Victoria Theatre

Cranleigh Arts Centre

Woking

Cranleigh

Tuesday 14 June Chaplin: The Charlie Chaplin Story Featuring an all-star West End cast, a powerful musical which tells the tale of the first true British icon of cinema.

Friday 24 June An evening with the Hurtwood Acting Company A showcase of fine first year acting.

66 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

Information: 01483 278000 or cranleighartscentre.org

Deck Chairs III, panoramic, by Sue Roche

theatre

1 June 16_Layout 1 02/06/2016 18:28 Page 3

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essence events The Electric Theatre

Rose Theatre

Guildford

Kingston-upon-Thames

Saturday 11 June Showstopper! The Improvised Musical A new musical comedy is created at each performance.

Wednesday 22 June Instant Sunshine A musical comedy team best known for a long association with BBC Radio’s Stop the Week. Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales Live music, puppetry and colourful characters from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Saturday 2 to Sunday 3 July Ignition Dance Festival The UK’s finest choreographers present new work under the theme of ‘Dis-order’.

Information: 01483 444789 or electrictheatre.co.uk

Epsom Playhouse Epsom Friday 24 June Sing-a-long-a Grease An evening of song where Grease really is the word. Friday 1 July The Johnny Cash Roadshow A celebration of the Man in Black.

Information: 020 8174 0090 or rosetheatrekingston.org

Information: 01372 742555 or epsomplayhouse.co.uk

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre The Mill Studio, Guildford

Farnham Maltings Farnham Saturday 18 June, 12 noon–5pm Big Dance Bus A pop-up ballroom complete with its own dancefloor, DJ, MC, sound system and dance company. Bring the family and be inspired. Tuesday 28 June Pam Ayres Pam builds on the success of her latest book of poetry. Information: 01252 745444 or

Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 June White Feather Boxer A new play about pugilism and pacifism for the centenary of the Conscription Act of 1916. Thursday 23 to Saturday 25 June The Half Life of Love A play about the complex relationships between adopted parents, their children and gay partners. Suitable for 14 years plus.

Guildford Shakespeare Company’s 2014 production of Twelfth Night

Tickets: 01483 440000 or yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

farnhammaltings.com

G Live

music

Guildford Friday 17 June Mark Watson Multi-award-winning comedian and star of Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo on tour.

Boileroom Guildford

Information: 01483 369350 or

Tuesday 28 June, 7pm DMA’S Sydney trio greatly influenced by Britpop and, in particular, Oasis.

glive.co.uk

Information: theboileroom.net

Guildford Shakespeare Company

Cranleigh Arts Centre

Guildford Castle Gardens

Saturday 11 June, 7.30pm 80s Party Favourite tunes in aid of Project Trust. Saturday 25 June, 8.30pm The Blockheads Great live band, rarely off the road since the sad passing of Ian Dury.

Tuesday 14 June to Saturday 2 July The Comedy of Errors Shakespeare’s farce, and his shortest play, performed in the stunning open air surroundings of Guildford Castle.

Christopher Simpson (Sebastian) and Brian Ferguson (Charles), Brideshead Revisited, Richmond Theatre

Cranleigh

Information: 01483 394384 or

Information: 01483 278000 or

guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk

cranleighartscentre.org

68 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016 Tom Jones, Hampton Court Palace Festival 2016

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Bethany Clarke/RHS Copyright: Royal Horticultural Society Media Image Collection. Credit: RHS

spotlight on... RHS Hampton Court Flower Show Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey Tuesday 5 to Sunday 10 July The world’s biggest annual flower show returns to flank both sides of the Long Water at Hampton Court Palace. Enjoy show gardens: conceptual and water, and gardens to take advantage of the summertime with colourful designs, such as The Lavender Garden. In addition, a Butterfly Dome, Rose Marquee, Floral Marquee and plant pavilions will all be on display, alongside a variety of talks, demonstrations and exhibits. The 300th anniversary of the birth of landscape designer Capability Brown will be commemorated and the Show features a Family Saturday where a fun family trail, storytelling and children’s cookery will be available. This year the Preview Evening takes place on Monday 4 July, 5–10.30pm, featuring live music and a fireworks finale. Our image (left) shows Alice Dunn, a blogger, admiring roses at the 2015 Show.

Information: 020 3176 5850 or rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt

Dorking Halls Dorking Monday 4 July Voice in a Million A concert by schoolchildren to raise awareness for adoption and fostering throughout the world.

9 June: Anastacia; 10 June: Jools Holland; 11 June: Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra; 14 June: Van Morrison; 17 June: Caro Emerald; 18 June: George Benson; 22 June: Art Garfunkel; 23 June: Katherine Jenkins.

Information: 01306 881717 or

Information: 020 8233 5400 or

dorkinghalls.co.uk

hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

Epworth Choir

King Edward’s Witley

Trinity Methodist Church, Woking

Godalming

Wednesday 29 June, 7.30pm Music for a summer’s evening A relaxing evening of English part songs and folksongs, including works by Vaughan Williams and Elgar.

Thursday 23 June, 7.30pm A concert featuring renowned opera singer Dame Ann Murray in aid of The Samson Centre for MS.

Information: epworthchoir.org

visitguildford.com

G Live

Southern Pro Musica

Guildford

Holy Trinity Church, Guildford

Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 June All Or Nothing The new Mod musical about The Small Faces.

Saturday 11 June, 7.30pm Choral Concert Works by Rutter and Willcocks.

Information: 01483 444334 or

Information: southernpromusica.org

Information: 01483 369350 or

festivals

exhibitions

FRAME Dance Film Festival

The Art Agency

Kingston-upon-Thames

To Sunday 10 July Nicky Chubb Surrey artist Nicky is inspired by trees, sky and heathland flowers around her countryside home.

Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 June A new festival presented by pioneering dance company BalletBoyz consisting of film screenings, performances, family activities and workshops.

Esher

Information: 01372 466740 or theartagency.co.uk

Information: framefilmfestival.com

Guildford House Gallery Guildford Beer Festival

Guildford

Guildford Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road

Friday 1 to Sunday 31 July See spotlight on page 66.

To Sunday 19 June The Makers Art 2016 An exhibition from the Society of Designer Craftsmen, North Surrey, offering ceramics, glass and jewellery. Saturday 25 June to Sunday 17 July Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize 2016 Exhibition An open competition featuring examples of draughtsmanship and figurative painting from artists across the UK. Saturday 2 to Sunday 24 July North Surrey Artists Summer exhibition from this group of local artists.

Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June Featuring 80 different cask ales, sourced from independent and micro breweries in Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex and Berkshire. In addition, there’ll be a wide choice of ciders and live music at all sessions. Information: 01483 444333 or

glive.co.uk

Woking Symphony Orchestra

guildfordbeerfestival.co.uk

Hampton Court Palace Festival 2016

H.G. Wells Centre, Woking

Guildford Fringe Festival

Saturday 18 June, 7.30pm Summer concert A programme consisting of works by Verdi, Liszt and Berlioz.

Various venues

Information: 0333 666 3366 or

Information: 01483 444751 or

Information: wokingso.org.uk

GuildfordFringeFestival.com

guildford.gov.uk/guildfordhouse

Hampton Court Palace Wednesday 8 to Thursday 23 June Line-up for this year’s festival is: 8, 15 and 16 June: Tom Jones;

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 69

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essence events

Cranleigh Arts Centre 01483 278000 or cranleighartscentre.org Farnham Maltings 01252 745444 or farnhammaltings.com Odeon Esher 0871 2244007 or odeon.co.uk/fanatic/film_times/s89/esher Odeon Epsom 0871 2244007 or odeon.co.uk/fanatic/film_times/s88/epsom Odeon Guildford 0871 2244007 or odeon.co.uk/fanatic/film_times/s92/guildford The Screen Walton 01932 252825 or screencinemas.co.uk The Ambassadors Cinema, Woking 0844 871 6743 or ambassadortickets.com/cinema

cinemas

Silver-studded blue butterfly, Surrey Wildlife Trust

Saturday 2 July to Saturday 10 September The 60s and 70s in Black & White Images by John Walmsley of the 1968 anti-Vietnam war demonstration in London and sit-in at Guildford School of Art.

Information: 01483 737800 or thelightbox.org.uk

Information: 01483 444751 or

The Artful Gallery

guildford.gov.uk/museum

near Haslemere

New Ashgate Gallery Waggon Yard, Farnham To Saturday 3 September Summer Craft Collection A diverse collection of ceramics, textiles, jewellery, wood and glass from both established and emerging artists. Saturday 11 June to Saturday 23 July Fifty Years at Waggon Yard: Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future A showcase of past, present and future artists and makers who have worked with the Gallery. Information: 01252 713208 or newashgate.org.uk

The Lightbox Gallery and Museum Woking To Sunday 3 July Tim Rudman: Iceland – An Uneasy Calm Celebrating Tim’s travels in Iceland. To Sunday 24 July The Road to Abstraction: The Ingram Collection Featuring works by Henry Moore.

Friday 10 to Sunday 12 and Friday 17 to Sunday 19 June Art & Soul Local artists David Paynter and Helen Pittick stage their fifth Open Studio exhibition bringing together more than 20 artists in the setting of David’s house, studio and grounds. Information: 07799 653093 or

Quarry Street, Guildford

Saturday 2 July The Vintage Fair Classic style of bygone eras with retailers and activities, including a 1940s’ tea shop, live vintage music and pop up beauty parlour.

Limelight by Jeni Ross, mixed media cut-out, Fifty Years at Waggon Yard, New Ashgate Gallery

theartful gallery.co.uk

Watts Gallery Compton, Guildford Tuesday 14 June to Sunday 6 November Close up & personal: Victorians & their photographs See how the photography industry boomed and the culture of celebrity began. Information: 01483 813593 or wattsgallery.org.uk

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford Wednesday 6 to Thursday 21 July Yvonne Arnaud Art 2016 An exhibition by Guildford Arts. Information: 01483 440000 or yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Guildford Museum

70 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016 Vanessa Redgrave and Tariq Ali, The 60s and 70s in Black & White, Guildford Museum

national trust

out & about

National Trust properties offer

Birdworld

perfect venues in which visitors

Farnham

can play, relax and enjoy Father’s Day

Sunday 19 June, 11am–4pm The Great Father’s Day Paper Plane Competition Prizes for all ages for the furthest plane flown.

this June. A few are shown here, but visit nationaltrust.org.uk for more.

Claremont Landscape Garden

Information: birdworld.co.uk

near Esher

Brooklands Museum

Sunday 19 June, 10am–6pm A Father’s Day treat as Surrey Classic Vehicle Club will be at Claremont from 11am to 3pm.

Weybridge

Hatchlands Park

Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 June, 10am–5pm The Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival Celebrating Brooklands’ motoring history on the weekend closest to the anniversary of the opening of the race track in 1907, experience speed trials, driving tests, Double Twelve concourse, Test Hill ascents, along with family-friendly activities. Sunday 26 June, 10am–5pm London Bus Museum Routemaster Summer Bus displays and fun for all the family.

East Clandon, Guildford

Information: 01932 857381 or

Sunday 19 June, 11am–4pm Take dad along to a special kite day at Hatchlands. Bring your own kite or make one in the kite craft workshop.

brooklandsmuseum.com

Information: 01372 467806

Box Hill Near Dorking Sunday 19 June, 9am–5pm A visit to Box Hill is sure to please any dad. Why not have an afternoon of photography or just a good, bracing walk? Information: 01372 220644

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Clapham Common

Winkworth Arboretum

Saturday 11 June, start 10.30am The Enormous Elephant Run Raise money for elephants dressed as an elephant and help protect a species in need. Register to run, jog or walk 5k, 10k or 15k at Clapham Common in an elephant costume which is part of the registration pack. All proceeds to the Trust to help fund its work with elephants in Kenya. Families, teams and corporate entries welcome.

Godalming

Information: runforelephants.com

Information: 01483 222482

Leith Hill Place Near Dorking Sunday 19 June, 11am–5pm Free family games in the gardens for Father’s Day with Jaques of London. Try croquet, boules and giant Jenga. Information: 01306 711685

Sunday 19 June, 10am–5.30pm The Arboretum provides the perfect setting for a Father’s Day stroll around the hillside and boathouse by the lake. Free entry for dads when accompanied by their children.

Dunsborough Park Ripley

Information: 01483 208477 or

Sunday 12 June, 12 noon–4.30pm Garden open day for the National Gardens Scheme Tea and cakes at beautiful Dunsborough Park.

nationaltrust.org.uk

Information: dunsboroughpark.com

1 June 16_Layout 1 02/06/2016 18:28 Page 7

Father’s Day at the National Trust: playing a game at Claremont Landscape Garden

Godstone Farm

Surrey Wildlife Trust

Godstone, near Caterham

Various locations

Sunday 19 June Father’s Day Dads go free when accompanied by their children.

Sunday 12 June, 10am–12 noon Dollypers Hill open day A chance to see stunning wildflowers and rare butterflies in Coulsdon. Tel: 020 8651 0073. Sunday 19 June, 10am–12.30pm Hidden history at Chobham Common Explore the hidden history of the Common and see the rectangular ‘bee garden’, Bronze Age burial mound and sites of historic peat extraction. Tel: 07717 542516

Information: godstonefarm.co.uk

Painshill Park Cobham Friday 10 June, 7–10.30pm In the Mood Feel good music in the Conservatory performed by Five Star Swing. Sunday 19 June, 10am–6pm Free entry for Father’s Day Spend the day with dad in the beautiful landscape surroundings of Painshill Park.

Information: 01483 795440 or surreywildlifetrust.org

painshill.co.uk

sport

RHS Garden Wisley

UEFA Euro 2016

Woking

France

Sunday 19 June Father’s Day Treat dad to afternoon tea at Wisley.

Friday 10 June to Sunday 10 July Good luck to England, Republic of Ireland and Wales this summer.

Information: rhs.org.uk/wisley

Information: uefa.com

Information: 01932 868113 or

farmers’ markets Camberley Saturday 18 June, 10am–3pm Cranleigh Every Friday, 9.30–11am Epsom Sunday 5 June and 3 July, 9.30am–1.30pm Farnham Sunday 26 June, 10am–1.30pm Guildford Tuesday 7 June and 5 July, 10.30am–3.30pm Haslemere Sunday 5 June and 3 July, 10am–1.30pm Milford Sunday 19 June, 10am–1.30pm Ripley Saturday 18 June, 9am–1pm Walton-on-Thames Saturday 4 June and 2 July, 9.30am–2pm Woking Thursday 16 June, 9am–2.30pm

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 71

The

essence

INTERIORS SUPPLEMENT Supplement | OCTOBER 2016

DECOR THE WORLD OF INTERIORS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

essence

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delight The latest in Sofa design.

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New radiators mean that keeping warm the old fashioned way no longer forces you to leave your style sense out in the cold.

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BEAUTIFUL BASICS Designs for life you ought to own.

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Fabulous things to give or recieve.

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Be inspired by Danish lifestyle concept hugge.

www.essence-magazine.co.uk

Trends, ideas and inspiration for your home To advertise and for further information contact Katie Wood mobile: 07971 937162 email: katie@ktmedia.co.uk

Published Autumn 2016 and Spring 2017

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Serving the Nation

16–31 July 2016 Served: Royal Air Force Served: 1992–2010 Royal Navy 2008–2014

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Serving: In the garden 2000–2100hr

When you BBQ, BBQ for Heroes! For your free fundraising pack visit www.bbqforheroes.org.uk or call 01980 846459

Running Wall Residence, Kerala, India and, below right, Sharma Springs, Bali, Indonesia The Dome House, Melbourne, Australia and, below, House Sperone, Novigrad, Croatia

74 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

Property | ARCHITECTURE

Dream properties Lucy Crossfield takes a look at our first selection of the world’s finest homes: some of the most exotic, luxurious and unique houses money can buy and all outstanding examples of architectural prowess. Part 2 to follow in the next issue. Flint House, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

Teahouse Tetsu, Hokuto City, Japan

Flint House – Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom Architect: Skene Catling de la Peña IMAGE COURTESY OF JAMES MORRIS

Inspired by the flint found in surrounding fields, Flint House is unparalleled in its craftsmanship. It was commissioned by the illustrious Rothschild family, while architect firm Skene Catling de la Peña conceived the initial idea for the structure and oversaw the whole project. The result is flawless. Two unique wedge-shape buildings emerge from the Waddesdon estate, pointing away from each other to form the ‘V’ of a valley. Clad in flint, the country house features a stepped roofline with many terraces and tiny crevasses that create the building’s unusual silhouette. The interior reflects Lord Rothschild’s love for rare and exquisite collections as distinctive art pieces and sculptures pepper the whitewashed walls.

House Sperone – Novigrad, Croatia

Teahouse Tetsu – Hokuto City, Japan

Architect: Studio Metrocubo

Architect: Terunobu Fujimori

IMAGES COURTESY OF JAN STOJKOVIC

IMAGE COURTESY OF DANA AND LEROY BUNWARD

Located in the medieval town of Novigrad in Croatia, House Sperone blends seamlessly into its historic surroundings. The architects and designers of House Sperone hoped to create a property that represented a perfect fusion between old and new. They worked to carefully retain the house’s sense of character and allowed historic features, such as the stone walls, to shine through. At the same time, House Sperone is not short of modern creature comforts. The ground floor is occupied by a spa, sauna and stunning infinity pool that appears to melt into the sea beyond it. The interior decor is kept simple and clean, with natural materials and neutral colours used throughout to reflect its coastal surroundings.

Japanese architect Terunobu Fujimori is renowned for designing unusual buildings, and his Teahouse Tetsu treehouse certainly serves to uphold his reputation. The fairytale-perfect property was built as a traditional Japanese teahouse, and is perfect for those wanting to enjoy the cherry blossom in full bloom. Its single supporting leg is built from a cypress trunk. Amazingly, the trunk is supple enough to bend significantly, so much so that it is capable of withstanding earthquakes and storms. Access to the treehouse is by a small platform, rope ladder and trap door combination. Once inside, the interior is left simple and clean so as not to detract from the beauty outside.

Flint House has been applauded by many for its impeccable stonework and masonry. Formal recognition has come in the form of winning the prestigious RIBA House of the Year in 2015, and having been shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival’s Best House category.

House Sperone, Novigrad, Croatia

JUNE 2016 | essence-magazine.co.uk 75

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Sharma Springs, Bali, Indonesia

Running Wall Residence, Kerala, India

Sharma Springs – Bali, Indonesia

Running Wall Residence – Kerala, India

The Dome House – Melbourne, Australia

House at Hanging Rock – Melbourne, Australia

Architect: Ibuku

Architect: LIJO RENY architects

Architect: McBride Charles Ryan

Architect: Kerstin Thompson

IMAGES COURTESY OF CATRIONA MITCHELL & IBUKU

IMAGES COURTESY OF PAVEEN MOHANDAS

IMAGES COURTESY OF MCBRIDE CHARLES RYAN

IMAGE COURTESY OF TREVOR MEIN

Elora Hardy left a successful career in New York’s fashion industry to set up Ibuku, a design firm that specialises in luxury bamboo structures. As a building material, bamboo is relatively underused but, Elora believes, is one that is incredibly valuable. Bamboo has the strength-weight ratio of steel, the compression force of concrete and, most importantly, it is a renewable resource.

Perhaps the most striking feature of this Indian property is the huge laterite stone wall that winds its way through both the gardens and the house. The wall serves a dual purpose. Not only is it a security feature – the owners of the property wanted to create a highly secure enclosure – but also serves as a flowing sculpture throughout the landscape. The great expanse of wall is broken up by small vertical rectangles, allowing passers-by to catch glimpses of the luxurious property inside.

The architects of Melbourne’s most unusual suburban home hoped to create a property that resembled a ‘giant puzzle’. The Dome House began life as a giant copper sphere, which designers then hollowed out and removed chunks and slices to create its unique structure.

The House at Hanging Rock is an exceptional property. Situated deep in a Melbourne nature reserve, the house enjoys unrivalled views of the Australian landscape, with the notorious hanging rock visible in the distance. Architect Kerstin Thompson worked closely with her clients, one of whom is a professional artist, to capture their love for texture, light and materials within the property. Concrete is used extensively throughout the house, and not just for its aesthetic qualities. The dry air and soaring temperatures common to the Australian bush mean it is imperative that each building is as fireproof as possible – for which concrete is an ideal material.

Sharma Springs is situated in the Green Village – a community designed by Elora and her team that features 18 unique, custom-designed bamboo homes. Sharma Springs represents the most ambitious and luxurious of Elora’s bamboo projects. It is six storeys high with four exquisitely crafted bedrooms. All rooms are naturally open to the elements, and many of the property’s modern features, such as televisions, have been expertly concealed to ensure total immersion into the jungle environment.

The architects designed the property’s interior to be practical without foregoing style. Most of the rooms have mix-matched ceiling levels to encourage natural ventilation, while on the floor the property boasts several indoor pools and water features to further promote a cool environment.

Fundamental to the property is its relationship with the surrounding garden. The largest slice of the property was taken from the front entrance, in turn allowing the garden to wind its way almost to the front door. Hidden amongst the panels and walls are a plethora of eco-friendly features. The curved roof features a series of gutters and rainwater tanks. The hot water system is powered by solar panels and the windows are double-glazed throughout to minimise energy wastage.

The interior palette is dark and dramatic, with a definite industrial edge. Again, the emphasis inside is on simple materials. The property makes use of wood, glass and metals – in keeping with its rural surroundings. v

This article first appeared in The Lux Pad, www.amara.com/luxpad.

House at Hanging Rock, Melbourne, Australia

The Dome House, Melbourne, Australia

76 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

With 30 years of experience Heritage Bathrooms believes bathroom design should always be personal and never less than adventurous. The collections are inspired by leading trends and generations of style. They have everything to be bold, adventurous, and distinctively individual.

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THE DARCYS

PARK LANE | ASHTEAD | SURREY | KT21 1EJ

HOMES OF DISTINCTION LAUNCHING 14TH MAY The Darcys is a charming private development of four luxury detached 5 bedroom homes and is situated in a peaceful residential area located just a short stroll from the quaint village of Ashtead.

To register your interest please call:

01372 225007 or our selling agent Patrick Gardner on 01372 360832 Alternatively visit shanlyhomes.com

Computer generated image of The Darcys. Internal photography of previous Shanly Homes development.

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CGI Image

OXSHOTT OXSHOTT – NEW HOME

GUIDE PRICE £2,100,000

PRICE GUIDE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

A distinctive, family homeisof aboutdistinctive 4600 sq.ft in 0.4 acres of fully landscaped grounds. four/five bedroom property offers exceptional Nearing completion, Belvedere a unique, family home (c. 8,000 sq. ft.). Set behind private gatesThis and built in the ‘Arts & Crafts’ style it features exceptional living space. 5 family bedrooms, 7 room/dining reception areas, area 3-car garage, 2 roomtop guest suite bonus and an amazing bonus room on the top floor.OSP, magnificent gated space, an outstanding kitchen/family and a large floor room. Integral garage, ample The master suite a large facing balcony with an outstanding distant view. The site area is about 0.8 acres. EPC – B. entrance. PEAfeatures – B (CGIs andsouth-west illustrations). SOLE AGENTS

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Interiors | BAOBAB COLLECTION

Handcrafted fragrances Baobab Collection is a Belgium brand of candles, diffusers and accessories committed to high-quality craftsmanship and respect for the environment. Project M celebrates Madagascar and has been created in collaboration with a Malagasy cooperative. The range utilises the natural beauty of raffia and creates unique handmade decorations that beautifully complement the new fragrances. Jane Pople set off on the scent trail to find out more.

Project M also has perfumes created in harmony with the brand’s approach. The five new scents contain essences such as ylang ylang, eucalyptus and aromatic herbs found on the island. Choose from five limited editions:

w Mahary, featuring a woody scent evoking the wild trails of Madagascar.

w Mainty, meaning black in Malagasy, which

ome to the most stunning species of Baobab trees, Madagascar was the perfect choice for a collaboration with Baobab Collection and its Project M. The close-knit Malagasy communities pass down their specialist art of raffia weaving from generation to generation, and, based on this expertise, Baobab, together with a local cooperative, created five new limited edition scented candles, each carrying a Malagasy name. Each candle cover requires several hours of dedicated craftsmanship and contributes to the fair economic development of the island. Raffia is a special material, a completely natural fibre, made from a kind of palm found mainly in the northwest of Madagascar. Totally organic, it is harvested, sorted, dried and then tinted with pigments of varying colours. The hand-made layers reveal unique geometric patterns, and thanks to its flexibility, can be woven or knitted as wool.

Essence INFO www.amara.com

IMAGE COURTESY OF BAOBAB COLLECTION – PHOTOGRAPH BY SERGE ANTON

80 essence-magazine.co.uk | JUNE 2016

remains Baobab Collection’s signature colour; the raffia covering this candle is a deep black with linear elements that constitute a striking geometric pattern. w Mankafy, with its distinct red and beige raffia crochet detail and lime and mint scent, evokes the freshness of exotic gardens in the early morning. w Mena, which means ‘red’ in Malagasy, a homage to the island of Madagascar, sometimes called the red island. w Malala, which has natural raffia dotted with multi-coloured tassels making this candle the perfect decorative object for summer evenings. Each raffia tassle is custom made, dyed in a bright colour, and sewn individually onto the raffia, making each candle unique. The Baobab Collection is now available at Amara.

About Jane Pople Jane Pople has over five years experience writing about interiors and the design industry, favouring emerging designers and new talent. This article first appeared in The Lux Pad, www.amara.com/luxpad.

JEREMY HOUGHTON Contemporary art favouring themes of light, space, transience and change

2016/2017 Artist in Residence for Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing and the Americas Cup

www.jeremyhoughton.co.uk m 07981 655515 info@jeremyhoughton.co.uk

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