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Issue 84 | SEPTEMBER 2017

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REPLACING THE IRREPLACEABLE

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CRETE’S COVETED COVE DAIOS COVE LUXURY RESORT

RACE AGAINST TIME

ART FOR JACKIE STEWART’S CHARITY

Lone rider Elspeth Beard’s solo adventure

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contents Issue 84 | SEPTEMBER 2017

6 | Interview | ELSPETH BEARD

Halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her BMW motorbike. She returned two years later thinner, older and a lot wiser.

Interview | ELSPETH BEARD ALL IMAGES PHOTO COPYRIGHT ELSPETH BEARD UNLESS STATED.

Outside Elspeth's parents' garage in central London in 1984, after 35,000 miles and over two years on the road

Lone rider

14 | Theatre interview | IAN HISLOP

Ian Hislop’s and Nick Newman’s The Wipers Times is a stage adaptation of their award-winning BBC film and this month is at the Richmond Theatre. Ian and Nick share their thoughts on the production and its historic inspiration.

In 1982, at twenty-three and halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6. When she returned to London nearly two and a half years later she was stones lighter and decades wiser. She finally got round to chronicling her adventures and has recently published a book about them. Andrew Peters talked to her about her once in a lifetime experience.

18 | Travel | CRETE

Road trains, used all over the Australian outback to transport goods. Travelling at speed and over 150ft long, they gave way

Chantal Borciani discovers panoramic views and stunning scenery in Crete at Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas.

to no one

Q Elspeth, can you pinpoint the time when the idea to ride a motorbike solo around the world first came into your head? A I got my first bike when I was seventeen; it was a 100cc Yamaha and I saw it simply as a cheap and efficient way of getting around London, but it did have its limitations. So, a year later, I upgraded to a Honda 250cc and that was when I started to realise the travelling potential of a bike. I soon got bored with the Honda and in 1979 I bought a second hand BMW R60/6. It was a 1974 model, with about 30,000 miles on the clock. My choice of bike was more luck than judgement as my boyfriend at the time knew someone who wanted to sell his bike. With my BMW I felt I could go anywhere. It gave me an immense sense of freedom and over the next couple of years I gradually travelled further afield, starting with a tour of Scotland, then Ireland, and progressing to a two month trip around Europe in the summer of 1980. The following summer I persuaded my brother to meet me in Los Angeles where we bought an old BMW R75/5 and rode together across to Detroit. All these trips gradually built up my confidence, not only about travelling (much of it alone) but also how to look after myself and my bike. I started to dream of riding around the world, but never really thought it would become a reality. Q You decided on two wheels rather than four, where did your passion for bikes come from? A No one in my family rode bikes and I got little encouragement from my parents as they were both doctors and had seen many >>>

First bike, a Yamaha YB100, parked outside Elspeth's home in central London 1979

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22 | Garden design | ALLADIO SIMS

Emanuela Alladio of Alladio Sims Garden Design looks at creating a low maintenance garden to harness autumn hues and provide colour for the winter.

26 | Motoring | FERRARI

How to replace the Ferrari F12: to many the greatest front-engined, rear wheel drive sports car ever. Euan Johns seeks answers from the new Ferrari 812 Superfast, which spectacularly lives up to its name.

Motoring | FERRARI

REPL ACING THE

IRREPLACEABLE Ferrari’s F12 was to many the greatest front-engined, rear wheel drive sports car ever. So how to replace the irreplaceable? Euan Johns seeks answers from the new Ferrari 812 Superfast, which spectacularly lives up to its name.

he first and most difficult challenge Ferrari always faces when it decides to develop a new model is to push the boundaries of its own achievements yet again. This challenge is made tougher when the task involves designing a new 12cylinder engine. This was the power unit that hailed the start of the Prancing Horse story 70 years ago in 1947. Intensive research and development using Ferrari’s wealth of track-derived engineering know-how has produced a unique model designed to offer benchmark performance and the most riveting driving experience possible. This is complemented by superb comfort on longer trips, the signature of a genuine Grand Tourer berlinetta. Ferrari’s past is studded with such cars, a long and illustrious list of exceptional models that have gone down in automotive history. The ever-inventive Ferrari Styling Centre has now produced a near-perfect aerodynamic package with a harmonious yet edgy design. The 812 Superfast’s futuristic lines also clothe exceptional Prancing Horse power with an entirely new 12-cylinder engine of unprecedented efficiency specially designed for the car. The engine’s output has been boosted by 60cv compared to the F12berlinetta, so that it unleashes a massive 800cv, making the 812 Superfast the most powerful and fastest road-going Ferrari ever built (with the exception of the midrear-engined, special limited-series 12-cylinders). The 812 Superfast serenely ushers in a new era in Ferrari 12-cylinder history and in doing so builds on the invaluable legacies of the F12berlinetta and F12tdf. Equipped with leading edge vehicle dynamics control systems and components, the car is striking for both its innovative design and unparalleled handling. It’s also the first Ferrari to sport EPS (Electric Power Steering). All the systems add to the feeling that the car is a friend, will be able to look after you and make sure you don’t end up in the bushes. Top speed is 212 mph and acceleration is 7.9 seconds, not, of course, from 0-60 mph but from 0-127 mph. That should certainly enable the driver to keep the perhaps soon to be seen self-driving platoon lorries in the rear view mirror. So, it’s ridiculously fast – think fast and then add some – but that doesn’t sacrifice in any way the armchair >>>

30 | Fashion | SANDS & HALL

Sands & Hall was established in 2015 by Sara and David Hall and is now a sought after, ‘go to’ label for luxurious, tweed capes.

44 | Food review | STEPHANIE BROOKES

Stephanie Brookes, foodie expert and BBC Radio London contributor, offers her pick of an eating establishment for this month: The London Particular, situated on the New Cross Road.

50 | Art | ZULEIKA GALLERY

Inspired artworks and engraved portraits by artist Angela Palmer are raising funds to benefit Sir Jackie Stewart’s charity Race Against Dementia.

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52 | Legal | MUNDAYS

Judith Fitton, Partner at Mundays LLP, discusses the scope of pre-nuptial agreements.

56 | Finance | PMW

Simon Lewis, CEO at Partridge Muir & Warren Ltd, introduces readers to PMW’s wealth management seminars.

58 | Education | CRANMORE SCHOOL

Michael Connolly, Headmaster of Cranmore School, explores the requirements of successful teachers and the model of Excellence as Standard in schools.

62 | Leisure breaks | PORTSMOUTH

Rebecca Underwood visits historic Portsmouth, which lies mainly on the island of Portsea.

68 | Events | SURREY

Leisure breaks | PORTSMOUTH Spinnaker Tower PHOTO COPYRIGHT: CONTINUUM

Full steam ahead for a nautical adventure in

PORTSMOUTH! Rebecca Underwood visits the historic city of Portsmouth in Hampshire, which lies mainly on the island of Portsea, the only island city throughout the United Kingdom.

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

78 | Design and build | HOLLOWAYS OF LONDON Designer Martin Smith demonstrates how to merge the disciplines of kitchen design and design and build.

Portsmouth harbourlight PHOTO COPYRIGHT: DENIS BRIEN | WWW.123RF.COM

TOP TIP: For more information on the featured apartment and other Esa properties throughout the UK, visit esa-servicedapartments.co.uk, email: enquiries@esa-ltd.co.uk or call 01635 904019.

onsidered to be the home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth has been a crucial port for centuries and includes the world’s oldest dry dock, which is featured on Historic England’s Heritage List. Tourism numbers continue to grow at a remarkable pace; visitors are aptly rewarded with a fascinating glimpse into the colourful kaleidoscope of Britain’s maritime history, and there is much to see and do. In the summer of 1545, during the Battle of the Solent, Henry VIII’s majestic warship, the Mary Rose, built in Portsmouth, was sunk a short distance from the harbour by the French armada, led by King Francis I. Today, Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard remains the city’s most popular attraction and the wreck of the Mary Rose, discovered in 1971 and raised from the deep in 1982, is on display in all her glory. The vessel, now in the last stages of conservation, is housed in the Mary Rose Museum, along with thousands of artefacts recovered from the site of the wreck. We examined a tankard made of oak, poplar and pine and lined with pitch, and imagined crew members collecting their day’s ration of a gallon of light beer and how much of that would be immediately consumed to quench a raging thirst after a hard day’s toil. The most commonly found personal objects recovered were 82 nit combs, all made of wood, except one, which was made of ivory, clearly, it was to deal with a higher class of nit! The exhibit features moving holograms of the ship’s crew projected onto the vessel and accompanied by sound provides the viewer with an intriguing insight of life aboard. Another vessel which attracts the crowds is HMS Victory, launched in 1765, and the flagship of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson’s fleet. From 1794, the Royal Navy, led by Nelson, continually defeated Napoleon, and HMS Victory was triumphant at the heart of the Battle of Trafalgar against the combined forces of the Spanish and French fleets in October 1805. Stroll along the decks, view the cannons, and note Nelson’s surprisingly cramped sleeping quarters, which lack any real home comforts, apart from a portrait of Lady Hamilton. We stepped on board HMS Warrior, constructed in London and launched in 1860, she was the UK’s first iron-hulled, armoured battleship and measures 418 feet in length with a width of 58 feet. Built to deter the >>>

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PREVIOUS PRODUCTION OF THE WIPERS TIMES. PHOTOGRAPHER: ALASTAIR MUIR

IMAGE PHOTO COPYRIGHT: THE LONDON PARTICULAR

50 ANGELA PALMER: RED HOT ORANGE EXHAUST

essence 84 COVER: ELSPETH BEARD

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: BERNARD ZIEJA

essence team

Editor: Andrew Guilor Contributing Editor: Louise Alexander 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 Contributors: Andrew Peters, Euan Johns, Judith Fitton, Chantal Borciani, Simon Lewis, Stephanie Brookes, Jacqui Casey, Rebecca Underwood, PJ Aldred, Jennifer Sutton, Linda Seward, Emily Bird

essence magazine

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.

essence is posted by Royal Mail to key addresses in Cobham, Oxshott, Esher, Weybridge, Guildford and outlying areas. Properties in all the major private estates, including St George’s Hill, the Crown Estate and Wentworth Estate, receive the magazine 10 times per year. essence is also distributed to selected estate agents and is available at city businesses, London hotels and Heathrow airport lounges. Design and production www.domino4.co.uk © Maple Publishing 2017

14 Adventurous spirit To a greater or lesser extent, the spirit of adventure lurks within us all. For many it lies relatively dormant, but for a few it’s an itch that has to scratched and never really goes away. Sir David Attenborough immediately springs to mind as an example of the latter. Over the great man’s 91-year lifespan the world has greatly changed, and he has often warned on how these changes are affecting life detrimentally. He recently sounded a refreshingly more optimistic note that humans were starting to address the environmental impacts they were creating. The non-digital world was certainly a different place 35 years ago when Elspeth Beard, forsaking her home at 23, unthinkably travelled solo around the world on her beloved BMW bike. Relating her experiences to essence, it’s quite apparent the world has moved on (to her regret) and become a far smaller, more easily accessible place. This, as she explains, is not without a certain loss of adventure, as now we are eternally digitally plugged in and never far from ‘civilisation’. To embrace that sense of unknown adventure, modern day travellers have to seek out extremes (such as TV’s Levison Wood) with the unknown factor introduced more by people met along the way than the now tamed, only too accessible, landscapes. In essence this month, Euan Johns explains how the new Ferrari Superfast manages to replace the irreplaceable, whilst for those considering a late getaway, then the luxurious Daios Cove in Crete may be just the place. Foodie expert and BBC Radio London contributor Stephanie Brookes visits The London Particular on the New Cross Road for some honest fare and with autumn being just around the corner, Emanuela of Alladio Sims advises how to retain warm garden hues into the winter. Autumn style is supplied by the husband and wife team at Sands & Hall with its luxury brand of capes made from Irish and British tweeds. Also this month essence has a wedding slant on beauty and legal advice, with suggested venues for the big day, together with a pick of activities highlighting food, events to enjoy and places to go. The essence team

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ALL IMAGES PHOTO COPYRIGHT ELSPETH BEARD UNLESS STATED.

First bike, a Yamaha YB100, parked outside Elspeth's home in central London 1979

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Interview | ELSPETH BEARD

Outside Elspeth's parents' garage in central London in 1984, after 35,000 miles and over two years on the road

Lone rider In 1982, at twenty-three and halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6. When she returned to London nearly two and a half years later she was stones lighter and decades wiser. She finally got round to chronicling her adventures and has recently published a book about them. Andrew Peters talked to her about her once in a lifetime experience.

Road trains, used all over the Australian outback to transport goods. Travelling at speed and over 150ft long, they gave way to no one

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8pp_Interview_Layout 1 04/09/2017 18:42 Page 3

The Golden Triangle: the northern-most point of Thailand

injuries as a result of motorbike accidents. However, many of my friends had bikes and I needed transport to get around London. In those days you could ride a bike on a provisional licence without taking any kind of test. So my mates taught me to ride and I progressed from there.

In fairness to my mother, she couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really understand anything that was unconventional and her apparent lack of interest was probably her way of dealing with my trip. Like any good mother, she worried about her children and in her view my life had taken a wrong turn. As for my father, he was entirely in his own world.

Q How much did you pay for the BMW R60/6 bike at the time? A I bought my bike in 1979 for ÂŁ900.

Q What were the scariest, funniest and happiest moments? A The scariest time was travelling towards the Iranian border through Baluchistan in western Pakistan. The Russians had invaded Afghanistan to the north so there were a lot of refugees wandering in the desert openly carrying rifles and knives. The road was almost nonexistent so riding the bike was challenging. The happiest time was undoubtedly meeting and falling in love with Robert. Having travelled on my own for over a year and a half, it changed everything. I had not seen a fellow long distance motorcycle

Q What was the reaction of your parents and friends when you told them what you were proposing to do? A My parents showed little or no interest in my trip. Having worked in Accident & Emergency, my mother hated motorbikes and did her utmost to stop me: she even threatened to disinherit me! But my parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; resistance only made me more determined.

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Interview | ELSPETH BEARD

Q How did that experience change your life? A For me I think it was the fact I had succeeded and survived against all the odds, I came back a changed person, I was not afraid of anything. I learnt so much about myself as I had been tested to my limits, and this gives a sort of inner strength and confidence to tackle anything the world can throw at you. I would never take no for an answer (and still don’t!). If I couldn’t achieve something in one way I would go around it and tackle the problem from another direction. I learnt to think outside the box and be imaginative and resourceful, qualities I have applied to my life and work ever since. Q Knowing what you know, would you have done that trip? A Absolutely, without a doubt. It’s important to take yourself out of your comfort zone so you can learn about yourself.

Above: The '90-Mile Straight'

Riding out of Kathmandu, Nepal

on the Eyre Highway in Western Australia, one of the longest straight stretches of road in the world

traveller, and neither had Robert, so it was a rare sight in those days. We bumped into each other riding our bikes through the streets of Kathmandu. Catching sight of each other, we both stopped dead, jumped off our bikes and then sat on the side of the road and talked nonstop for over three hours. Robert was Dutch and had emigrated to Australia a couple of years earlier, but he hadn’t been able to settle so had decided to ride his bike back to Holland. Travelling with Robert changed my trip from day to day survival to something that almost started to feel like a holiday. The risks when travelling alone are far greater and mentally you have to be very strong. I had become weary of always having to sort out and deal with problems entirely on my own. Whether it was problems with my bike or being ill or simply trying to find the right road, just having someone to share and discuss things with made all the difference – it no longer felt like an endurance test.

Q What sort of things went through your mind when you were travelling long distances in a day? A Travelling across America at the beginning of the journey my thoughts were often of my boyfriend who had broken my heart just before I left. By the time I had ridden across Australia, I had put my demons to rest; crossing the continent had been so tough my mind had been occupied with just surviving. Much of the time I would be thinking about my bike and working out petrol consumption, when I would next have to fill up, my oil consumption and when I would next have to service her. I would think about my route and plan how far I would try and get the following day. I would calculate how much money I had left and work out how much I was spending a day. The fact that my funds were so limited was a constant worry, not knowing what lay ahead or what expenditures I would have, as the only fixed cost I had was fuel. Q Did you ever want to stop and turn back? A Turning back was never really an option; by the time I had reached Australia and I was on the other side of the world it was just as easy

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 9

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“Changes in the law have helped, but this doesn’t deal with deep-rooted prejudices (against women): respect is not given, we have to earn it.” ELSPETH BEARD

White Sands National Monument in New Mexico

to carry on. After I had been on the road for nearly two years I was feeling very tired and weary and I did just want to get home. But in those days custom officials would write your bike details into your passport making it impossible to exit the country without your bike, so leaving the bike and flying home was not an option. The only choice I had was to ride all the way back home. Q How did you feel at the end of it all? Did you want to do it again? A I returned home at the end of 1984 and found readjusting extremely difficult. It was not easy to return after such an adventure when living life on the open road had been so intense. I had lived every minute of every day for over two years. No one wanted to know about my journey as they couldn’t relate to it or understand what I had experienced. This made me feel very lonely and isolated. I have never stopped travelling and went around the world again in 2003. I have biked in South America and Africa, as well as numerous trips across the States. But I don’t feel the need to repeat the trip as there are so many other places in the world still left to see. It’s important to remember that although you can say you have travelled around the world, all you have actually seen is both sides of a single line on your map. Q Have you ever been back to the places you saw? A I have generally tried to avoid going back as this is never a good idea in my view. When I went back to Sydney in 2003 I was shocked at how the place had changed, which was probably partly due to the Olympics. It had gone from a relatively small provincial city full of character: in 1983 it was off the beaten track and felt as if you were on the edge of civilisation in some remote outpost. In 2003 the city and its skyline had been transformed: it was all glitzy and shiny with

huge, ugly new buildings and a lot of the old characterful areas had been demolished. I believe old buildings are an important part of a country’s heritage and it seemed this had been lost in the rush. In 1998 I went back to Kathmandu where I picked up a Royal Enfield motorbike and rode it to Lhasa in Tibet. When I had visited the capital before, in 1983, it was a ‘cool’ travellers’ retreat, a quiet and peaceful place full of unusual, slightly quirky travellers and serious mountaineers preparing to climb Everest. Fifteen years later it was full of backpackers with every sort of adventure advertised from river rafting, bungee jumping, motorbike and elephant rides etc. The list of ‘adventures’ offered was astounding and, of course, fully guided treks to absolutely anywhere. Sometimes I think it’s best to remember places as they were. Q Patrick Leigh Fermor’s book ‘A Time of Gifts’ captures a fast disappearing world just before the advent of WWII. Do you think you experienced a world that has now passed into the history books? A Travelling is certainly very different nowadays and I’m very glad I saw and travelled the world when I did. The biggest change is the information available now and the fact you can find out about anything and everything, anywhere, all at your fingertips via a smart phone. This has transformed the way people travel because it takes away the fear of the unknown and provides a degree of ‘comfort’ which encourages many more people to take to the road. Although this is a good thing, I do think something has been lost. Knowing what’s around the next corner and being able to plan everything to the last detail takes away uncertainty and ultimately the adventure. The journey for me was not about sitting on my bike for four to five hours a day, it was about the experiences; the people encountered, the breakdowns, the accidents, getting lost and the bizarre situations >>>

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Thorong Pass today

In general I think attitudes have changed towards women, but we still have a long way to go to achieve true equality. I think it’s important that women get out there and do things to prove we are just as capable and don’t just talk about it. Changes in the law have helped, but this doesn’t deal with deep-rooted prejudices: respect is not given, we have to earn it.

One of the many landslides encountered from Srinagar to Leh in Ladakh, northern India

you find yourself in when the unexpected happens. With so much technology and information available these experiences are minimised and there’s a danger the journey is no longer an adventure but simply a series of days riding a bike. I recall many times when I was lost and had to ask one of the locals the way; I would then often be invited to join them for tea, then dinner, then asked to stay with the family for the night. It’s those experiences that are ‘the journey’ and don’t happen when you are following a red line on your GPS. Q Do you think we have lost a sense of the unknown and adventure in the digital internet age? A Yes, without doubt. Q What was the best and worst reaction to people seeing a woman riding a bike? A I found some parts of America were fairly anti biker, but their attitudes changed completely when I removed my helmet and they saw I was a woman. In less developed countries they seemed puzzled and even slightly bemused seeing a woman riding a big bike. Q Do you think attitudes towards women have changed at all or are they just kept hidden away? A I think attitudes towards women riding motorbikes have changed and you see far more women on bikes these days. I would like to think the biking industry has woken up and become more accepting and welcoming to women, however the reality may simply be they saw the potential of a previously untapped market!

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Q You’re an architect and converted a disused water tower into a home. What do you deem the greater challenge: the circumnavigation or the renovation? A In October 1988 I found a 130 foot high derelict Victorian water tower for sale. The moment I saw the tower I knew I had to have it and I bought it without a moment’s hesitation. Two years after buying the tower, I became a mother, lost my father to a heart attack and was forced to move out of my childhood home and live in the tower which was still a building site with a six month old baby; I also became a single mum. This was the toughest time in my life, harder than anything I had encountered on my trip, in part because I had always known my trip would be a solo venture, whereas I had taken on my child and the tower on the understanding they were shared endeavours. Sadly I was wrong and I had to deal with everything on my own. Q Your architecture practice focuses on more unusual projects. What are you working on now? A I’m working on several barn conversions, a Grade I listed almshouse, a new build house in London and about twenty other smaller projects. Q You have lived and worked in England, but did you ever contemplate living elsewhere after your travels? A No. England is my home. Q You are a free spirit: have you any further travel plans? A I have never stopped travelling and am planning a motorbike trip in Pakistan in September. essence INFO Lone Rider by Elspeth Beard is published by Michael O’Mara Books, priced at £14.99 Website: www.mombooks.com

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ADRIAN WOJCIK | 123RF.COM

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James Dutton and George Kemp in The Wipers Times PHOTOGRAPHER: PHLLIP TULL

THE

WIPERS TIMES Ian Hislop’s and Nick Newman’s The Wipers Times is a stage adaptation of their award-winning BBC film. Currently on tour and at Richmond Theatre from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 September, this production tells the true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme. Here Ian and Nick share their thoughts on the production and its historic inspiration.

Q What first sparked your interest in The Wipers Times, Ian? A (Hislop) I was presenting a documentary about the First World War and I came across a reference to The Wipers Times and a joke quoted from one issue. I followed it up and I could see it made the most brilliant story which was much too good to be used in a mere documentary. A (Newman) I’d never heard of The Wipers Times, but what was so extraordinary about it was the fact that it was original source material, written on the frontline by troops on active service. What stood out was that it was genuinely funny and the jokes had survived the test of time. We wanted to revisit the material in some way so we wrote a three page document about how we’d recreate the theatre of war. We put the idea of making a film about The Wipers Times to the BBC and we then heard nothing – for ten years! Q Why did you have such trouble trying to sell the idea? A (Hislop) Even our wonderful producer David Parfitt thought nobody was interested in the First World War. A (Newman) David was quite honest about it. In the current climate – this was in 2003 or so – nobody was interested in the subject. Then, during the following years, along came Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks, War Horse at the National and then the West End and the Spielberg film. Even David produced Parade’s End which was set at the time of the First World War. Paradoxically this revival of interest in the period worked against us. Who’d want to put on a play or make a film set in World War One when Birdsong and War Horse had been so successful? Then, completely out of the blue, we got a commission to make a drama documentary about The Wipers Times for the BBC as one of the programmes marking the centenary of the war.

BOTH IMAGES PREVIOUS PRODUCTION OF THE WIPERS TIMES

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Theatre interview | IAN HISLOP AND NICK NEWMAN

Q Do you think you had such trouble because you were concentrating on a very different aspect of the First World War? A (Newman) That’s exactly right. The whole experience of World War One has been coloured by the poets publishing in the 1920s and the memoirs and dramas written in the 1930s. Audiences had seen things explode before and they were looking for a different experience. What The Wipers Times was doing at the time was putting a smile back on people’s faces. A (Hislop) Sometimes you get the impression that nobody ever laughed during the period between 1914 and 1918. The soldiers fell on The Wipers Times like thirsty men finding water in the desert. Q How would you describe the material in The Wipers Times? A (Hislop) It’s a very good mix. I’d say that the material written by other ranks lacked the elegance of the pieces submitted by the officers. You get the sense from the images of two very different worlds, of different versions of what was happening. On the face of it, it is all jolly poems and spoofs, but it is also very subversive. There is a letter from a reader, asking for advice. Is it permissible, he asks, to shoot a superior officer? He receives the reply that it is, given extenuating circumstances. I feel as if Nick and I are kindred spirits of the editors, Jack Pearson and Fred Roberts. They are our heroes, eking out this wonderful newspaper under incredibly difficult circumstances. A (Newman) The war is treated in a quintessentially British way. There are jokes about the Germans – about the Kaiser’s little Willie (i.e. the Crown Prince) and so on. But there’s no malice in it. If anything the soldiers reserve their malice for their own superior officers and for the pointlessness of it all. Q You eventually got your film made. Why did you then want to adapt this story for the stage? A (Hislop) All the way through the process, we’d always thought of it as a play. A (Newman) The film got such a fantastic response that we felt it wasn’t going to represent the end of the story after all. We’d written our first play, A Bunch of Amateurs, as our first attempt at writing for the stage which had been produced at the Watermill Theatre near Newbury. That had gone down so well that the Watermill told us that if there was anything else we wanted to do, they’d be interested in seeing it. So we suggested joining forces on The Wipers Times. Q What happened to your two heroes, Fred Roberts and Jack Pearson? A (Newman) During the period after the film came out, we were sent much more material, including a memoir by Roberts. But what had happened to Pearson was a complete mystery. A (Hislop) I was convinced he’d disappeared, but I happened to mention what I was looking for to a member of the amazing team who’d worked on my Who Do You Think You Are? programme and within a day she’d found Jack. He’d survived the war and worked as a civil engineer. He had travelled out to Argentina on a P&O ship where he’d got married and then settled down.

The Wipers Times cast PHOTOGRAPHER: ALASTAIR MUIR

“Have you ever sat in a trench in the middle of a battle and corrected proofs?” THE WIPERS TIMES EDITOR, FRED ROBERTS

A (Newman) We then heard from Pearson’s granddaughter who sent us a piece he’d written about the experience of Ypres, but which was too late for inclusion in the film. Q How did the families react to the play? A (Hislop) I was the initial contact and I spoke to Roberts’ grandchildren when they saw the play at the Watermill. They told us that we’d got ‘Pops’ off to a tee. Pearson’s granddaughter was very moved. She said that the play helped her gain a better understanding of her grandfather. When as a child she’d ask him about his experience of the war, he joked that he had such long legs he could easily run away from the Germans. Q There were a number of other trench journals apart from The Wipers Times. What made it so special? A (Hislop) It was funnier – and ruder! I have a friend who is a captain in the Royal Engineers and she brought a party of her sappers to see the show. I was a little worried about how it would go down with the men, but she reassured me. She said that the way the men were represented was exactly how the guys behaved. And that’s the same now. Q Which injustice has been righted as a result of The Wipers Times? A (Newman) When the film was shown, an email arrived from John Witherow, the editor of The Times, congratulating us. I then took the opportunity to point out to John that neither Pearson nor Roberts had received the proper recognition of an obituary in The Times. A fortnight later we received an e-mail with the brief instruction to look in the next day’s newspaper. And there they were. It had been a travesty of justice that they had been overlooked and now justice had been done. Sometimes satire can do something good.  essence INFO The Wipers Times is currently on tour and will be at Richmond Theatre from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 September. Websites: www.wiperstimesplay.co.uk and www.atgtickets.com/Richmond

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Q U IN T E S S E N T IAL LY

T RAV EL

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ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAIOS COVE LUXURY RESORT & VILLAS

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Travel | CRETE

A COVE

TO COVET

Chantal Borciani discovers panoramic views and stunning scenery in Crete at Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas. I’m normally not one to particularly enjoy ‘local nights’, finding them ironically artificial, but the ‘Sounds of Crete’ dinner at this smart casual hotel restaurant, which is one of five eateries, was thoroughly enjoyable. It may have had a lot to do with the huge open fire pit where legs of lamb were golden, fragrant and gently charring, or the buffet starter tables laden with local delicacies, the free-flowing fresh feta or the impressive dancers and music, but by the end of the evening we were all up and dancing around the candlelit terrace without so much as a riff from Zorba the Greek… phew.

light breeze whistles through my salty hair as the golf buggy zips up the maquis-dappled hillside. “And here we have the helipad.” The circular platform sits atop the bluff with uninterrupted views of kaleidoscopic Daios Cove. “The tennis courts have some of the best views on the island and the kids love coming up here to play.” Our guide is not wrong: the tennis courts, located further along the ridge, boast panoramic views of the mountains and stunning scenery. The five-star luxury resort of Daios Cove trickles out below us, a peaceful patchwork of bougainvillea-lined gardens and tan-coloured apartments punctuated by piercing blue plunge pools. I’d previously thought the resort’s brochure had looked a little angular for my tastes, but in situ the resort makes total aesthetic sense: the 251 luxury rooms – 165 with private sea water pools – nestle into the landscape as if hewn from the rock. And inside, every attempt is made to maximise views of the resort’s private bay and sandy crescent of beach with floor-to-ceiling glass. Even the main entrance is a glass-lined balcony jutting from the hillside towards the delicious expanse of blue. We forego a game of tennis in the sky for drinks at the hotel’s Crystal Box cocktail bar. With more sea views, chilled music and white cube seating dotting the open-air decking, it’s the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink. After some expertly shaken cocktails, we hop on the funicular tram – which connects all levels of the resort – to the beachfront Taverna restaurant.

The next morning I treat myself to breakfast in bed overlooking the private plunge pool. My deluxe sea view room is capacious and comprises one bedroom with living room in an open-plan style, marble bathroom, private balcony with individual pool and captivating sea views. The number of private pools means the gorgeous main infinity pool remains less crowded. Something of a running theme is the privacy and peacefulness of the resort. Despite catering really well to families – the >>>

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Travel | CRETE

water sports club, private sandy beach, kids pool, delicious buffet dining, kids clubs and babysitting all win gold stars in my book – it never feels overrun. After pancakes and coffee, I see our catamaran glide into the bay below and wander down to the beach ready for a day on the water. A boat trip around the beautiful Cretan coast is not to be missed – there are few better feelings than lounging on a boat’s bow, picnic lunch in hand, under cloudless blue skies. We stop in piercing blue bays for cooling dips, snorkel in quiet coves and cruise to the island of Spinalonga for a fascinating tour around the former leper colony and setting for Victoria Hislop’s novel ‘The Island’. Just in case I wasn’t relaxed enough, upon our return to the resort I check in to the spa before dinner. The serene SPA by Anne Semonin boasts an indoor infinity pool with breathtaking sea views, hydromassage pools, fitness centre, Finnish sauna and experience showers. The musclemelting massage was top notch and the use of local herbs and aromatic oils a bonus. The smart casual Pangea restaurant is the largest restaurant on site. Despite being buffetstyle, Pangea still feels exclusive with gorgeous open terraces, sea views and a superb array of international cuisine. The buffet offers huge

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variety whatever a visitor’s age and palate and the quality is stand out. Racks of herb-encrusted lamb are cut as we wait, pasta is al dente and salads a colourful array of watermelon, feta and superfoods. Even the pillow-soft focaccia is a topic of discussion at our table. The days that follow are a blissful mix of pool, paddle boarding, rest and relaxation – even at 80 per cent occupancy, Daios Cove didn't feel busy. There is enough to do on site to keep active travellers occupied, but for those who want to simply fly and flop, the resort is a slice of Greek heaven. Daios Cove is undeniably a decadent destination, but the standard of rooms, service and dining all impress. Reassuringly well-run, safe for families and an idyllic getaway for couples, this is the type of holiday where no request is ever a problem.  essence INFO Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, Crete Nightly rates from €375 (£345) for two in a Deluxe Sea View Room on a half board basis. From €464 (£430) with individual pool. Website: www.daioscove.com Telephone: +44 20 3807 1418

IO FP September.indd 1

17/08/2017 10:49

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WARM

SEPTEMBER HUES

Emanuela Alladio of Alladio Sims Garden Design looks at creating a low maintenance garden to harness autumn hues and provide colour for the winter.

he clean lines, sharp angles and crisp layout of this London front garden we completed in the summer needed to be set off, but also complemented, by a low maintenance, striking but harmonious planting scheme. Instead of choosing the more traditional blue and mauve tones that soon disappear after the relatively short flowering season of many such coloured summer flowers, we opted for a muted palette of warm hues expressed through foliage, bark and stems more than via flowers, to give the garden a longer season of interest. This is an important consideration, especially for a front garden. In the last decade or so planting schemes that focus on golden autumnal hues have been centred mostly around ornamental grasses, thanks to their flower spikes that glow beautifully in the soft September light. We always include ornamental grasses wherever possible, but in this London front garden we tried to layer the planting scheme a bit more. Whilst we still kept many ornamental grasses, mostly of the smaller types such as carex, hackonechloa and ophopogon, we introduced some shrubs and flowering perennials too, which are typical elements of a more traditional English border, but selected them for the colour of their stems and foliage rather than their flowers. This helped us to create a more cohesive scheme. Of course the key for this London garden was always low maintenance, so we had to carefully select well-behaved grasses and avoid larger specimens that can be more difficult to manage long term, such as some of the larger Miscanthus. We opted for mat forming and low growing grasses that mix well with ferns and perennials, choosing Geranium Macrorrhizum ‘Bevan’s Variety’, a very hard working and unfussy variety that takes on rusty hues in autumn and winter, Polystichum Polyblepharum with its evergreen lush green fronds with their brown spots and bronze stalks, Tiarella ‘Spring Symphony’ with its delicate and long lasting white flowers, purple at the top and held together by bronze stalks and matching bronze flecked leaves, Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ for its rich amber to peachy bronze foliage colour with its hot pink underside, that creates an exciting accent throughout the borders and goes well with Euphorbia Griffithii ‘Fireglow’ with its explosion of orange stems and flowers and finally the elegant tall spires of chocolate coloured Digitalis Ferruginea.

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Harmonious sense of colour: this front garden has a warm colour palette that is maintained all year round. Planting, gravel and the colour of the hedging metal strip all blend together beautifully.

Set off by the sharp edges of Core-ten steel and complemented by the warm greys of the Chelmer Valley brick pavers, the borders are filled with a combination of structural, lush and delicate planting with cinnamon accents.

The delicate, foamy flowers of Tiarella ‘Spring Symphony’ illuminate the shady border for a long time.

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Garden design | ALLADIO SIMS ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF ALLADIO SIMS GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN LTD, DULWICH PRIVATE GARDEN, 2017

Just before the elegant spires of Digitalis Parviflora start emerging, this border is illuminated by the bronzy hues of Carex testacea, Tiarellas, ferns and hardy geraniums.

The same border a few weeks later, accented by the elegant Digitalis Parviflora spires. Jon and Emanuela in the show garden they created for the Istanbul Flower Festival in 2016

Profile: Alladio Sims Alladio Sims Garden Landscape Design Ltd was established in 2015 after Jon Sims and Emanuela Alladio collaborated on a Silver Gilt winning show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. The two directors continue their collaborative approach throughout their practice with Jon’s background in interior architecture giving distinctive spaces and Emanuela’s passion for plants and photographic eye adding great texture and contrast.

The wiry stems of Muehlenbeckia Complexa lend themselves to be accented by a broad purple leaved perennial such as Penstemons, Oxalis, Clematis or Heucheras.

For the larger and more structural elements we chose Myrtle ‘Tarentina’ because of its beautiful bronze stems, Carpinus betulus hedge for its tawny brown leaves that persist well throughout the winter, Rosa Glauca for its deep purple leaves and wonderfully bright red hips, and Amelanchier Canadensis for its autumnal brilliance, with its majestic glowing orange foliage. The sense of colour harmony that pervades the borders is, of course, only a mirror for the rich tawny hues of the hard materials chosen to surround them. So it is no surprise that the warm brown-anthracite tone of the lovely Chelmer Valley brick pavers chosen for the permeable path and driveway perfectly complement the warm planting scheme, together with the rusted steel hedging and golden flint gravel. With its crisp layout and unusual and engaging planting, this London front garden will no doubt warm up the gloomiest of winter or autumn days. 

essence INFO Alladio Sims Garden Landscape Design Limited Regional office: Lower Bourne, Farnham, Surrey GU10 3RE Website: www.alladiosims.co.uk Email: Hello@alladiosims.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 23

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Motoring | FERRARI

REPL ACING THE

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comfort to be enjoyed in this mighty, head-spinning machine. This upgrade, for want of a better expression, has more style and finesse inside and out: the 812 Superfast’s an imposing prospect, but it treats the driver kindly. The marvellous thing about this car is that despite it weighing in at a hefty one and half tonnes, its handling is surprisingly light and agile. It’s hard to think of any other car at whatever price tag feeling this good to drive with bags of power and unimaginable comfort: it’s in the premier league, in fact the 812 Superfast is in a league of its own. It is easy to run out of superlatives to describe this car, but in congested towns it’s a benign head-turner, a sleeping giant that awakens on the open road to become a racing thoroughbred. This stupendous piece of engineering and design comes with a starting price of £253,000. Its fuel economy is a tad below 19 mpg, but frankly that’s the last thought on the driver’s mind. There are some things that will always give that tingle of excitement, as though still a young child, such as seeing the Red Arrows fly by, England winning the World Cup, and to these now add driving a dream.  essence INFO Website: www.ferrari.com

28 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017

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

AUTUMN WRAPPED UP Sands & Hall was established in 2015 by Sara and David Hall via Facebook, growing almost overnight into a sought after, ‘go to’ label for luxurious, tweed capes. The focus to date has been on designing and producing ready-to-wear capes in fine Irish and British tweeds and cashmeres for women and men, trailblazing the ongoing trend for the garment and creating pieces that reflect Sands & Hall’s key values of luxury, versatility and timeless elegance. The decision to specialise in capes was simple; both Sara and her husband and business partner David believe in the transformative quality of the cape and its ability to keep wearers warm, on-trend and well presented.

essence INFO

Sands & Hall Telephone: +44 28 3048 0013 Website: www.sandsandhall.com

Blue Oversized Coat £379

30 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017

Fashion | SANDS & HALL Black Fitted Cape £499

“Capes really are the new coat. They are timeless, highly versatile and perfect for layering up all year round. They offer a unique, individual outer wear look and this is the essence of what we do.” Sara Hall

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 31

Pink Throw Cape Â£199

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 33

Fresh faced for autumn Renowned celebrity facialist Cherry Woods of Cherry Woods Skin Clinic offers advice on achieving a fresh start with skincare peels and exfoliation this autumn.

or me, September always feels like a fresh start: that ‘back to school’ feeling seems to stick around, like muscle memory, long after the academic trimester years are over. A new season, turning over a new leaf, a change in the air... As far as a skincare routine is concerned, a fresh start is just what is needed at this time of year. Autumn is in fact the optimum time for an in-salon strength skin peel or a gentler version good home peel to really rejuvenate the skin and freshen up the face with a much needed collagen boost as at this time of year levels of UVB drop and this is significant for two reasons: 1) Exposure to UVB in the summer months can cause sunburn, inflammation, sun damage and pigmentation problems which clearly are not helpful for delicate, post-peel skin. It’s better to peel when there is much lower UVB exposure. 2) The lack of UVB in the autumn and winter months makes the skin cell rejuvenation process significantly slower. Skin cells, therefore, need a helping hand to turn over faster for a fresh-faced appearance. PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ALINA SHILZHYAVICHYUTE

treatments. When we speak of exfoliating, we tend to think of a facial scrub where we can feel those gritty grains pumicing the skin. Scrub exfoliation feels good, but the effects are short-lived and actually quite superficial. There is a place for this type of exfoliation, particularly with younger skin, however as we age the rate of skin cell renewal dramatically slows down, so not only does wrinkle depth increase, but skin heals and repairs more slowly, becoming dull, thickened, pigmented, lack-lustre, dry and sometimes flaky. On top of this, skin problems such as rosacea and psoriasis make the skin shedding process inefficient. Blackheads and breakouts require deeper exfoliation and peels are a great choice for all of these circumstances. Peels or exfoliates which contain AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) and/or BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) are a smarter way to deeply remove dead skin cells whilst reducing surface sensitivity from scratchy scrubs. They also offer long lasting rejuvenation, often with extra, added benefits. In short, they work by releasing the bonds that hold the dead skin cells in place allowing them to shed. This triggers new cell rejuvenation (stimulating new collagen) which then has to migrate up through the layers of skin to the surface. The full impact of a good in-salon peel may not be seen until six weeks after the first peel and the effects can last for weeks – better than a quick fix.

Profile: Cherry Woods Cherry Woods was named in the top ten facialists by InStyle Magazine in April 2017. Cherry is a multi-award winning facialist, best known for her hi-tech, anti-ageing treatments combined with holistic massage. Her much talked about ‘Bloom Facials’ have had rave reviews from beauty editors and clients. Cherry is also an experienced media commentator on all things skin and is regularly featured in national, local and specialist media publications.

Can these results be obtained at home?

What are the benefits of a skin peel?

The main benefit is a deep exfoliation for softer, smoother, clearer skin. A ‘peel’ is just another word for exfoliation, although we associate the name with higher strength, in-salon type

34 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017

Professional advice from a facialist or skin care specialist is recommended because they can tailor treatment to individual skin. That said, there are many excellent home-care products to be used and a good facialist will help make the right selection. A rough guide on what to choose for various skin concerns follows. The depth of a peel depends on the type, strength and PH of the AHA or BHA. Peels in a gel base often absorb more quickly, while those in

essence INFO

Cherry Woods Skin Clinic 19a King Street, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1ND Website: www.cherrywoodsclinic.com Email: info@cherrywoodsclinic.com (clinic), cherrywoodsclinic@gmail.com

Facial skin care | CHERRY WOODS

a cream or oil base can help buffer the absorption and may be better for dry or more sensitive skin. The key is to check that the product is correctly formulated (PH correct). A quick guide to the two main types is below: AHAs: common ones are lactic or glycolic acid peels. They are generally best used for treating sun damage and/or very dry skin. They deeply exfoliate the surface and actually improve moisture content too. However, they are not best for breakouts as they cannot unblock or purge a blackhead. BHAs: for example salicylic acid peels are best for acne prone skins, whiteheads and blackheads mainly because of the ability to penetrate and unblock a clogged pore and normalise the lining of the pore. BHAs also have both an antiinflammatory and antibacterial action so results can be very effective. For those who have sun-damaged skin and are struggling with blemishes and blocked pores, mix in a BHA exfoliant to the daily skincare routine. To only target sun damage and dryness, then AHAs are fine. Scrubs: at home exfoliating with physical scrubs

Scrubs rely on grains, beads and micronised shells to mechanically exfoliate the skin. Consult a professional and think carefully before using them as the product may do more harm than good. Often scrubs only target superficial surface areas of the face and can cause micro surface tears and sensitivity. However, scrubs can help improve micro-circulation, so are helpful for sallow skins that have poor blood flow. Never, ever scrub hard – be gentle with the skin at all times! Post peel care

It is vital to apply a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more – even during winter months. This is important because although UVB light may be low or non-existent, there are still UVA rays. There are harsh, environmental stresses on the skin to take into account too (wind, rain, cold, temperature changes, central heating etc). All of these can make ‘peeled’ skin much more susceptible to surface sensitivity. Apply sunscreen daily on top of moisturiser. As salon peels are stronger, a post peel kit may be given by a therapist. Continue to use these products as directed. So there you have it. Peel your way to beautiful skin this autumn and keep the glow. Summer may be gone but it is still time to shine!

Win a pair of tickets Returning for the sixth time, and with over 150 luxury suppliers showcasing the very best of bridal, Brides the Show will again bring to life the pages of Brides magazine for a weekend of inspirational and unrivalled wedding planning. Confirmed highlights of the show include:

v An exclusive exhibition of couture gowns by award-winning British fashion designer-of-the-moment, Giles Deacon. v A chance to network with Matt Porteous, official photographer at Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ wedding. v The ‘Paris In Love’-themed catwalk show featuring the latest gowns from the best international designers will take ticket-holders on an evocative journey through a Parisian jardin via the changing four seasons. v Almost £50,000 worth of luxury bridal goodies to win over the weekend. v Win one of over 100 prizes on the charity cake pop wall with 100% of profits going to Make-A-Wish. Expect the freshest ideas, the highest quality craftsmanship and the very latest trends. Confirmed exhibitors include Amanda Wakeley, Firmdale Hotels, Jo Malone London, Suzanne Neville Ltd, The Wedding Music Company and TY Couture Cakes.

To win a pair of tickets to Brides the Show, go to essence-magazine.co.uk and answer the following question: Where does the show take place?

essence INFO

Brides the Show Friday 29 September to Sunday 1 October Business Design Centre, London Website: www.bridestheshow.co.uk The Imagination Room PHOTO COPYRIGHT: NICHOLE REES

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 35

Beauty | EPSOM SKIN CLINICS

BRIDAL BEAUTY TIPS Jacqui Casey of Epsom Skin Clinics explains how to prepare skin for your big day.

ook your consultation and make a plan. The first step is getting yourself in with a therapist who will plan a step-by-step guide on what your concerns are and how to treat them. Make sure you do this with plenty of time to spare as some treatments have a longer process than you think and include everything from stubborn areas of fat and dry, flaky elbows to pigment lurking on the back of your hands! Just before the big day you can re-energise and boost radiance with exfoliating facial treatments such as microdermabrasion or even a light Vitamin C skin peel. This will minimise dull uneven skin tone and there will be very little flaking and maximise on a healthy, youthful glow by encouraging nutrients to the surface. These can be combined with Dermalux, a combination LED light therapy used to treat various skin concerns such as rejuvenation, Rosacea and acne, to name a few. Get your eyebrows in shape! Whether it be tinting and waxing or semi permanent make up, your eyebrows are vital for framing your face and making your eyes stand out. Semi permanent make up has a variety of techniques used to give you very fine hair strokes that appear natural. You can choose to make a bold statement or have a softer finish. We don’t want your hands to pull attention away from the all important wedding rings. For pesky age spots try laser for pigment, it will target the pigment and cause it to disperse. However, this can take a

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few treatments, so be prepared. To plump out bony or more mature hands, Radiesse is a dermal filler specifically made to smooth and even out the skin. For all over skin and body health, try Skinade. This drink contains all your daily vitamins, plus hydrolysed collagen, to help with fine lines wrinkles and all over skin health. It will also make you feel more alert during the days and sleep better at night. Drink one a day, five days a week and you will feel healthier on the inside and look it too. With tattoos ‘Think before you ink’ is a sentence that can come back to haunt from time to time, but there is another option! Laser tattoo removal, although uncomfortable, could reduce and fade unwanted ink before the big day. Your make up is a huge part of your day and selecting the right brand, style and colour is obviously highly important. Shop around and see what is out there, get online and search different looks and then take to an artist and see what they can create. We use Jane Iredale which, unlike other mineral make ups, is 97–99% mineral and kind and caring to the skin. There are a wide range of colours that are vibrant and long lasting. So all you brides to be out there, book a consultation with Epsom Skin Clinics at the earliest opportunity to ensure there’s plenty of time to treat any concerns, prepare a flawless make-up ready look and be skin radiant. Let us take one thing off your mind.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: MNSTUDIO, DREAMSTIME.COM

essence INFO

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

Enabling people to help themselves

We can all have difficulties in everyday life and encounter problems that

Psychology, low, confused, isolated or may be experiencing difficulties in relationships. Psychotherapy, These feelings and thoughts may persist and become overwhelming. In Psychiatry and these circumstances it is difficult to know which way to turn. Counselling we simply find hard to cope with alone. You may feel worried, anxious,

At times like these it can be helpful to talk things over in confidence with an experienced counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist who will enable you to explore your concerns in a safe, contained environment, to help you develop appropriate strategies and techniques to cope with your life difficulties in a more effective way. Take a step forward and contact the practice for a free consultation: www.thepractice.co.uk or call us on 01932 705 760.

Psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry and counselling

Telephone: 01932 705 760 www.thepractice.co.uk For Adults, Young Adults, Children & Couples Call 01932 705 760

24/10/2016 09:10

For adults, young adults, children and couples

A relaxed occasion From the Millennium Wheel, London Zoo to Warwick Castle youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be spoilt for choice when deciding on where to hold the important day.

one are the days where a couple would select the one wedding venue in their hometown as the number and variety of wedding venue options have increased greatly. Garden weddings have been popular this year as has the trend for couples to design their own wedding to suit to reflect their lifestyle and what they are all about. With the rise of wedding blogs and pinterest more and more couples are taking the step and tailoring a space that is unique to them. Couples are also looking to make it a relaxed day for friends and family, and move some of the focus away from themselves. Whatever is decided here are a few essential tips: Logistics

Remembering to consider the logistics of any venue can save heartache later on. Consider how many guests the venue accommodates, the season, time of day, and any special needs your guests might have. If the venue holds weddings all year round, make sure you ask questions such as: Is there heat and air conditioning? Is there an adequate alternative space if it rains? Is the lighting sufficient for the evening? Visit the venue at the time of day the wedding will be

Saturday is a popular day for couples to go out and visit and most couples still get married on a Saturday. Go back for a second visit at the time of day the wedding will be held. Is the venue full service or not?

A full service venue offers everything from table and chair rentals, to linens and catering supplies, while a non-full service venue usually only offers the space and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to you for the rest. That means booking all of the suppliers for the day. Some venues have preferred

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Oatlands Park Hotel

essence | WEDDING VENUES

The Grove Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens

Brooklands Museum

suppliers they want you to use, so something to consider. Working with venue recommended suppliers doesn’t provide the option of “shopping” around something to consider in budgeting. Decide on your wedding style

A romantic vineyard, industrial loft, or elegant barn. All of these spaces sound appealing when planning. But just like it’s not easy to fit a square peg into a round hole, it is not easy to plan a style-specific wedding at all venues. Make sure and ask and ask again

Making a list and asking questions about any venue is important, but not as important as asking that same question to all the people associated with that venue. Depending on whom you deal with and what their role is you may receive different answers, so make sure you ask your questions to everyone — from the catering manager, to the business manager and wedding co-ordinator. Important questions are, how many weddings are held here in a day? Who will be here helping on the actual day? Is there any construction planned that may affect the wedding? Do you anticipate any changes to the venue beforehand?” >>>

Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 39

Hot tips on venues

These are some of Surrey’s finest to consider:

Brooklands Hotel – Beautiful suites, indulge in their spa and fine dining. Set around Mercedes Benz World. Website: www.brooklandshotelsurrey.com

Pennyhill Park

Brooklands Museum Hospitality – Perhaps you might want to consider a ceremony on Concorde? Website: www.brooklandsmuseumhospitality.com Oatlands Park Hotel – The function rooms and accommodation feature the ultimate in luxury providing the most romantic of wedding venues. The stunning architecture and views make the hotel a magical wedding setting. Website: www.oatlandsparkhotel.com

Pennyhill Park Website: www.exclusive.co.uk/pennyhill-park Beaumont Estate – Set in 40 acres of landscaped grounds and boasts the unique chapel. One of Conde Nast’s top 100 venues. Website: www.beaumont-estate-windsor.co.uk

Russets Country House – Family run, renovated venue combining exquisite contemporary design and unbeatable country location. Website: www.russetsweddingvenue.co.uk

Macdonald Frimley Hall Hotel & Spa Website: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Nonsuch Mansion – Georgian gem set in beautiful parkland. Website: www.nonsuchmansion.com Warren House Website: www.warrenhouse.com

Foxhills Club & Resort Beautiful surroundings, indulgent spa and large capacity for guests. Website: www.foxhills.co.uk

Gate Street Barn – If it’s a barn styled wedding you are looking for, it offers great space and atmosphere set in the Surrey Hills. Website: www.gatestreetbarn.com

Great Fosters – A Grade I listed building set amongst 50 acres of gardens and parkland in Egham. This romantic hotel provides the perfect setting with infinite opportunities for stunning photographs. Website: www.greatfosters.co.uk

Loseley Park – Historic house set in parkland. Website: www.loseleypark.co.uk

DeVere Venues Website: www.deverevenues.co.uk

Fetcham Park

INTERIOR SHOTS PHOTO COPYRIGHT: THE GEORGE IN RYE

Wotton House – One of the most exclusive venues showcasing its 17th century architecture. Website: www.wottonhousedorkingsurrey.co.uk Ham Polo Club – Quintessentially English, offering a classically romantic wedding setting situated only eight miles from Hyde Park Corner. Website: www.hampoloclub.org.uk The Conservatory at Painshill – Complete with its own walled garden, the luxury marquee is an idea venue for wedding receptions, from 80 to 400 guests. Website: www.painshill.co.uk

Fetcham Park – A Grade II* listed house, full of character and history in Leatherhead. Website: www.fetchampark.co.uk Aviator Hotel – Set in one of the most striking design hotels, Aviator Weddings can cater for celebrations from 10 to 200 guests. Website: www.avaitorbytag.com

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Farnham Castle – An ancient castle and exceptional setting. Website: www.farnhamcastle.com Botleys Mansion – The elegant 18th century grade II palladian mansion has been recently refurbished, one of four exclusive locations. Website: www.bijouweddingvenues.co.uk

Venues outside of Surrey HMS Warrior – www.hmswarrior.org Broyle Place – www.broyleplace.com The George in Rye – www.thegeorgeinrye.com Tynley Hall Hotel & Spa – www.tylneyhall.co.uk The Grove Hotel & Spa – www.thegrove.co.uk Oakley Hall Hotel – www.oakleyhall-park.com

WELCOME TO MAPPIN & WEBB BY A PP O IN T MEN T

A service that brings you beautifully crafted bespoke engagement rings, created at our London workshop by master jewellers with decades of expertise.

9 6 H I G H S T R E E T, G U I L D F O R D 0 14 8 3 5 7 5 74 8

essence | WEDDING FAIR DIARY 2017

Luxury wedding fairs Wedding fairs offer a way to meet suppliers, speak face to face and see their work, they are free to attend. Here are some essence recommends: Aviator Hotel, Hampshire – Sunday 10 September 2017 The Oakley Court, Windsor – Sunday 8 October 2017 Sopwell House, Hertforshire – Sunday 22 October 2017 Tylney Hall Hotel and Gardens, Hampshire – Sunday 22 October 2017 Brocket Hall, Welwyn, Hertfordshire – date tbc Excel London Wedding Fair, London – 21–22 October 2017 Epsom Downs Racecourse Wedding Show, Surrey – Sunday 17 September 2017 Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey – 20 September and 12 November 2017 MacDonald Frimley Hall Hotel & Spa Wedding Fair, Surrey – Sunday 24 September 2017 Loseley Park Wedding Fair, Surrey – Sunday 8 October 2017 Wotton House Wedding Open Day, Surrey – Sunday 19 November 2017 Gorse Hill Wedding Open Day Surrey – Sunday 1 October 2017 Cobham Hilton Wedding Fair, Surrey – Sunday 15 October 2017 De Vere Venues Horsley Park Wedding Fair, Surrey – Sunday 17 September and 12 November 2017 Brooklands Museum, Surrey – 5 November 2017 Kempton Park Racecourse Wedding Show, Middlesex – Sunday 24 September 2017 and 21 January 2018 Oatlands Park Hotel, Surrey – 28 January 2018

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Tylney Hall Hotel and Gardens

essence INFO

www.luxuryweddingshow.co.uk www.ukbride.co.uk www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

AWARD WINNING GIN FROM THE SILENT POOL IN SURREY Now available at Majestic and Waitrose stores nationwide. www.silentpooldistillers.com

A4 SILENT POOL DISTILLERS ADVERT WITH 6x AWARDS MAY 2017 (FOR PRESS).indd 1

12/5/17 6:02 pm

ALL IMAGES PHOTO COPYRIGHT: THE LONDON PARTICULAR

2pp_Food_Layout 1 04/09/2017 17:48 Page 1

Salt beef hash

MY MONTH IN FOOD PHOTO COPYRIGHT: DAVID P MACDONALD

Stephanie Brookes,foodie expert and BBC Radio London contributor, offers her pick of an eating establishment for this month: The London Particular, situated on the New Cross Road.

ver the last few years, I feel quite fortunate that my local café has become one of my favourite places to eat in London. It’s my go-to place for coffee, lunch, dinner, and even the occasional cocktail. When I’m asked for my top local spot/hidden gem/word-of-mouth tip, I always point people in the direction of the New Cross Road, where that hidden gem will reveal itself as The London Particular. I wanted to write about this café as too often, when I make my culinary suggestions, the restaurants and cafés I recommend are towards the central part of town, rather than those places closer to home which I probably frequent more than any other. The local food scene is also an exciting part of London’s culinary

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landscape, where those must-visit places are often tucked away, perhaps a little harder to reach, but always worth the extra mile. Having a ‘local’ is something I don’t take for granted, either. I’m a freelancer and as I work from home for much of the time, having a place I can walk to in under ten minutes allows me the much-needed space to recharge for the afternoon’s work ahead. The London Particular also brightens up my lunchtime no end with a selection of daily specials and housefavourites, which I’m continually torn between. Founder and head chef Becky Davey has created a menu of classic, English dishes with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The produce is carefully

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Food reviews | STEPHANIE BROOKES

The London Particular's House Frittata

The London Particular

chosen from small suppliers and the care and attention to detail doesn’t go unnoticed. This café has become a foodie focal point for locals and is always bustling with diners eager for their now legendary brunch bowls (more on that later), which is why I often take advantage of the slightly quieter times during the weekdays – perk of the freelancer life. For those hectic work moments where I’m running out of fuel by 12 noon, I usually opt for the proteinrich house frittata, made with free-range eggs (£4.00). The frittata might include sweet potato, spinach, coriander, roasted onions, Goat’s cheese…the delightful mix of ingredients changes daily. It’s the reason this simple but flavourful lunch is the one I rely on for most visits. If studying The London Particular’s daily specials’ menu and it includes the Salt beef hash, order without hesitation. The hash is a meaty, rich, mildly spiced treat when smothered onto crisp sourdough bread, and is always a satisfying and comforting lunchtime dish. I also opt for the addition of crispy potatoes which work perfectly with the hash. What I love about each dish is that everything is freshly prepared in the kitchen, and while waiting for a brunch or lunchtime eat, order one of the deliciously, rich coffees which is made over in the nearby LP Bar – next door to be exact. The LP Bar serves up caffeinated treats all-day, along with some rather good cocktails. For those feeling adventurous, try a New Cross Martini (£7.00) made with Luksusowa vodka, pineapple juice and strawberry jam, or the refreshing Free Bird made with Finlandia grapefruit vodka, St Germain, kiwi fruit and lemon juice (£8.00). If dining with friends at The London Particular, one of the party has to order the brunch bowl which I touched upon earlier. I don’t think there’s been a time

when I haven’t seen at least one diner order this now classic brunch favourite. Choose from either Merguez or Boston sausages, garlic roast mushrooms, spinach, roast tomato and artisan toasted bread (£8.50). Diners can also opt for the vegetarian version which is served with halloumi. For a sandwich of substance, try the ‘Bad vegetarian sandwich’ made with bacon, halloumi, tomatoes, mayonnaise and rocket (£5.80). For those who haven’t tried this, you may find yourself tempted to order one just to take away – you won’t be disappointed. For evening get-togethers, it’s possible to hire the café for a select number of friends ensuring the entire space all to yourselves, with a menu suited to personal specifications. For that special celebration, try the five course tasting menu which includes dessert, as well as wine, beer and after-dinner coffee (£32.50 per person). I realise that in writing about this café I have truly uncovered this hidden gem once and for all, but that’s what happens to us foodies when we hit upon some place particularly special – we just can’t keep it to ourselves. essence INFO To make a reservation, contact The London Particular 399 New Cross Road, London SE14 6LA Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 10am–4pm Websites: thelondonparticular.co.uk and www.stephaniebrookes.com Telephone: 020 8692 6149 Email: info@thelondonparticular.co.uk Twitter: @stephbrookes

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 45

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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: FUNANDREJSS | WWW.123RF.COM

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: DAVE HANLON | WWW.123RF.COM

Heritage carrots

Game

Also known as heirloom carrots, these are the amazing, different coloured carrots increasingly found in specialist food shops, farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; markets and in the pans of many celebrity chefs. Whilst the major supermarkets are still reluctant to display anything but bright orange carrots, it is most definitely worth hunting out heritage carrot varieties as they are tastier and often have more nutritional value. It is believed the purple and yellow varieties originate from Central and South Asia, whilst white carrots are native to Europe. The usual orange carrot we see throughout the world today was actually cultivated, ironically, by the Dutch in the late seventeenth century and caused heritage carrots to fall by the wayside. However, mass production and a loss of flavour of the orange variety has helped bring the lovely coloured carrots back to our attention and taste.

As we approach autumn, the game season begins in earnest and some of the best meat is available right on our doorstep through butchers and farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; markets. Whilst some game is still hunted and shot in the wild, there are increasingly more animals raised on farms, although true wild game, of the feathered or fur kind, is often superior. It is leaner, more natural, organic and free from additives. The partridge season is already upon us and pheasants will be seen from the beginning of October. Wild duck is a real treat and completely different to the fattened versions available commercially. Various species of deer are coming through with fallow and roe being the most widely available venison in our region. Wild boar is becoming increasingly popular and it is very good to see rabbit being embraced once again with year-round availability.

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Food | CRATES LOCAL PRODUCE

Rabbit ragu pappardelle www.thehungryguest.com

Serves four Ingredients: 300g Pappardelle pasta (or similar broad, flat pasta) Six tablespoons rapeseed (or olive) oil, recommend Sussex Gold 95g diced smoked pancetta One carrot peeled and grated One stick of celery, grated One red onion, finely diced Four cloves garlic, finely grated One medium rabbit, bones removed and diced 50g tomato purée One tin chopped tomatoes Four teaspoons of dried chilli One teaspoon of dried rosemary One teaspoon of cinnamon 150ml white wine 150ml water One teaspoon salt To finish: Grated strong, hard cheese, such as Parmesan or local Twineham Grange Method: w In a medium-sized pan, heat the oil before adding the pancetta and cook for three to five minutes. w Add in the vegetables and spices. Cook for a further five minutes. w Add the diced rabbit meat and tomato purée, stir and then add remaining ingredients (except the cheese). w Place a lid on the pan and simmer very gently for around an hour. w Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, drain and stir through the rabbit ragu. w Serve with freshly grated cheese.

Chicken or Pheasant brochettes www.lemesuriers.com

Serves two (or four as a starter) Ingredients: Two chicken or pheasant breasts Four brochette sticks (skewers) Half jar of Le Mesurier red pepper and chilli ketchup Juice of two limes 100ml olive or rapeseed oil Serve with Le Mesurier salad cream and lime wedges. Method: w Soak the brochette (if wooden) sticks in water for at least an hour. w Dice the chicken or pheasant breasts into cubes of around two to three centimetres and thread onto the sticks. Place onto a plate or shallow dish. w Mix the half jar of ketchup with the lime juice and whisk in the oil. w Pour this over the skewered meat so it’s well coated, cover with cling film and refrigerate for anything from two to twenty four hours. w Pre-heat a grill or ensure the barbecue is medium to hot and cook evenly, by turning often, under the grill or on the barbecue for six to eight minutes if chicken (slightly less if using pheasant). w Serve with lime wedges, garden salad and salad cream.

essence INFO 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

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 47

Baking | JENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CUPCAKERY

No bake chocolate cheesecake For fans of unbaked cheesecake, then this rich, chocolate dessert is the one. So easy to make and with its crunchy base and soft, velvety centre, delicious to eat. Even better, in hot weather, no oven heat to suffer! Either make as a full sized cheesecake or use a mini sandwich tin to make individual slices as here and top with fresh summer fruit of choice.

TOP TIP: To add an extra chocolate kick, use chocolate digestives instead of plain and add some dark chocolate chips to the cheesecake whilst mixing. Ingredients 150g digestive biscuits 45g unsalted butter 110g golden caster sugar 120ml whipping cream 150g dark chocolate, melted and cooled Three tablespoons cocoa powder mixed with a little hot water One 200g tub cream cheese Method w Melt the butter and crush the digestive biscuits with the end of a rolling pin and then mix the two together along with one tablespoon of caster sugar. Press into an eighteen centimetre (seven inch) cake tin and refrigerate. w Whip the cream until it reaches a soft peak stage. Add the cooled

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melted chocolate, then the cocoa powder mix. Blend well and set aside. w Beat the cream cheese and remaining sugar together. w Fold in the cream/chocolate mixture and mix thoroughly. w Spread into tin on top of crushed biscuits and refrigerate for one to two hours.

essence INFO

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

GROUND-BREAKING BAKERY CHOOSES SOHO FOR ITS SECOND SITE

Since its opening two years ago, the much raved-about South Kensington-based Maître Choux (@maitrechoux), has sold out almost every single day. The world’s first choux pastry specialist patisserie has amassed a cult following among locals and celebrities alike who have been queuing in front of the rainbow-coloured display. From private celebrations through to A-lister events by way of iconic institutions such as Fortnum & Mason, Chiltern Firehouse, and Blakes, the freshly-made wondrous eclairs, choux and chouquettes have surprised and delighted all who sample them. In a move set to delight the fans, Joakim Prat, the three Michelin star-experienced chef behind Maître Choux, is opening a second location on Soho’s Dean Street this October. A bigger site than South Kensington, Maître Choux Soho will also have a more spacious seating area, allowing additional guests to accompany their confection with a cup of the finest quality tea and coffee, or a thick hot chocolate made from a legendary Basque recipe provided by Joakim’s grandmother. Maître Choux Soho will offer the same core range of hand-crafted, MAÎTRE CHOUX – THE WORLD’S FIRST CHOUX PASTRY SPECIALIST PATISSERIE decadent, one-of-a-kind designs featuring show-stopping eclairs 15 HARRINGTON ROAD • SOUTH KENSINGTON • LONDON SW7 3ES like lemon meringue & bergamot, Spanish raspberry and hazelnut & MAÎTRE CHOUX SOHO OPENING OCTOBER milk chocolate treasure, as well as 60 DEAN STREET • SOHO • LONDON W1D 6AW Orders taken for bespoke designs, both corporate and private.

WWW.MAITRECHOUX.COM

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RACE AGAINST TIME: THE COMPLEXITIES OF MAN AND MACHINE The Zuleika Gallery will be exhibiting Formula 1 inspired artworks and engraved portraits by artist Angela Palmer raising funds to benefit Sir Jackie Stewart’s charity Race Against Dementia, as essence discovers. Angela Palmer Cog. Dramatically upscaled in mirror polished bronze, cast at the Pangolin Foundry, based on the RS27 F1 V8, winner of four consecutive F1 world championships. 30x33x33cm Edition of six £9,500 excluding VAT

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Art | ZULEIKA GALLERY Head of the Artist Based on MRI scans undertaken by Professor Stephen Golding at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Hand engraved on 14 Mirogard glass sheets, bespoke slatted base lit from below on plinth with perspex lid. Series of four £15,000 excluding VAT

“I was told at the time that Helen’s diagnosis was identified that there was no cure! I am determined in my lifetime not only to change that but to see preventative medicine created against dementia.” SIR JACKIE STEWART A third of the profits from the works on sale will be donated to the charity.

“I am delighted to be part of this exhibition of art works which will benefit Race Against Dementia, the charity I set up to help fund research into the disease following the diagnosis of my dear wife Helen. My wife was my professional timekeeper – timing my laps to the millisecond. Her razor-sharp mind was one of the things that always impressed me enormously and now her memory and her mobility are diminishing.” SIR JACKIE STEWART

Angela Palmer

Red Hot Orange Exhaust. Dramatically upscaled in resin (suitable for indoors or outdoors), nternational artist Angela Palmer has joined based on the RS27 F1 V8, winner of four consecutive F1 world championships. forces with racing icon Sir Jackie Stewart to 61x103x67cm stage an exhibition of Formula 1 inspired art Edition of four works in London this month. Part of the proceeds £35,000 excluding VAT will benefit Sir Jackie’s charity, Race Against Dementia, which he set up following his wife Helen’s diagnosis of the disease. Lady Helen famously acted as her husband’s timekeeper during his F1 career, and her stopwatch will be exhibited in tribute to her. The legendary Stewart held the record as the only British driver to win three world F1 championships for 42 years, until it was equalled by Lewis Hamilton in 2015. The exhibition will feature works inspired by the world’s most successful F1 V8 engine, the RS27, which powered crystal glass. It is an edition of six at £15,000 excluding VAT. As well as exploring the complex mechanisms borne from the minds Sebastian Vettel to four consecutive world titles from 2010 to 2013. Angela was given unprecedented access by Renault F1 to engineering of the world’s most sophisticated engineers, Angela is also known for her data, normally kept under the strictest security to prevent industrial work focused on the inner architecture of the human body. In particular, espionage. However, a dramatic change of rule saw the V8 replaced by the brain whose complexities continue to challenge the most advanced the downsized V6, allowing engineers to unlock its bank of data to the medical minds. Over the past few years, Angela has shone the spotlight artist. Angela deconstructed the engine and dramatically upscaled the on both man and machine, shifting the focus from function and components in a variety of materials, transforming each into a sculpture mechanism to the visual power of form and scale, exposing the hidden beauty of internal structures rarely seen. of breathtaking beauty. This fusion of interests in the complexities of man and machine The artworks are collector’s items that celebrate this piece of racing history. Some works are available to commission including ‘Red Hot complement the twin themes addressed by Sir Jackie and his charity, Orange Exhaust’, a striking upscaled version of the F1 exhaust which can with its goal to apply the same innovation, precision and speed be exhibited indoors or outdoors. An edition of four, it sells for £35,000 experienced during his lifetime within F1 to the field of research into the excluding VAT (Edition 1 is in the Renault Art Collection in Paris). The brain and dementia.  exhaust is also available in American black walnut at the same price, or in mirror polished bronze, to commission, for £85,000 excluding VAT. essence INFO Other works include the F1 engine crankshaft, upscaled at over two The Race against Time exhibition is being held at the Zuleika, Ongpin & Peppiatt metres high in American black walnut at £30,000 excluding VAT; a life- Galleries, 6 Masons Yard, St James’s, London SW1Y 6BU from 18 to 23 September. For further details, please contact gallery director Lizzie Collins: size re-creation of the V8 engine in glass at £70,000 excluding VAT; and Email: lizzie@zuleikagallery.com wall mounted neon tracks of several F1 circuits for £8,000 excluding VAT. Website: www.zuleikagallery.com To highlight the risk of the drivers in pursuit of the fastest speeds in the Works may be purchased ahead of the exhibition. world, Angela borrowed a helmet from a current F1 driver and cast it in

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PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS

– not just for the rich and famous Judith Fitton, Partner at Mundays LLP, discusses the scope of pre-nuptial agreements.

A Judith Fitton is a Partner in the Family Team at Mundays LLP and has 23 years of experience in the field of high net worth divorces. She has a particular skill in the forensic aspect of cases and investigating complex financial arrangements. Judith also has a niche practice in cohabitee matters and disputes between non-married couples regarding their property interests and their children. She is accredited as a Specialist in the fields of Cohabitee Disputes and Complex Financial Remedies by Resolution (a national organisation of family lawyers). She has been mentioned in the Legal 500 UK as a recommended family lawyer and is known for her pragmatic and constructive advice to clients. Mundays Family Law Team is recommended in the top tier of firms in the South East by Chambers Directory. Judith can be contacted by telephone on 01932 590557 or by email at judith.fitton@mundays.co.uk and Twitter: @judith_fitton.

52 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017

t the start of my career as a family lawyer, pre-nuptial agreements were the preserve of the millionaire. Viewed with huge suspicion by the Courts and Parliament, contracts drawn up by couples before a wedding in an attempt to limit the financial claims of the less wealthy party on a later divorce were frequently held to be against public policy and were frowned upon. Twenty years on, times have certainly changed. Family law has gradually moved towards allowing couples to exercise autonomy in their own lives and it is now recognised that couples should be allowed to determine their own affairs. In addition, the increasing number of international divorces in which the couple has signed a pre-nuptial agreement in another jurisdiction, forced the issue into the limelight. Then in 2010, the Supreme Court gave the green light to pre-nuptial agreements with the headline grabbing case of Radmacher v Granatino and set out very helpful guidance to practitioners about how to draft such agreements, when to draft them and what they should contain. These are the answers to some common questions about pre-nuptial agreements:

Q Should everyone have a pre-nuptial agreement? A The agreements are very useful if one party to a marriage (or civil partnership) is wealthier

than the other or wishes to protect certain assets from later claims or wishes to set aside part of their assets to provide for children from an earlier relationship. They are also very useful if the parties are getting married for a second or subsequent time or are middle aged or older, as their financial lives are then likely to be more complicated. Q Do we both need our own solicitor? A Yes. One solicitor will draft the agreement, then the other party needs their own lawyer to advise them on the terms and to negotiate any necessary changes. Both parties having their own independent legal advice is one of the safeguards recommended by the Law Commission. Q I’m going to keep quiet about my Swiss bank account – that’s OK isn’t it? A No. Another safeguard is that both parties must make full and frank disclosure about their financial situations to the other. If you keep quiet about the Swiss bank account, then it will be much easier for your spouse to argue that the agreement was unfair. Q Can I sign my pre-nuptial agreement at the last minute? A No. I recommend that agreements are signed a couple of months at least before the wedding to avoid any later claim that one party put pressure on the other to sign. At the

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Legal | MUNDAYS

claims of duress. It can be stressful to try and think about an agreement before the wedding and negotiations can be less rushed and more productive after the honeymoon. Q My wife is French and I am English – do we have to worry about French law? A Yes, ideally you should instruct lawyers in both countries to draw up agreements that will achieve your aims in both jurisdictions. You can also state in the agreement which country you would like to hear any later disputes, if you do divorce.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT: MELINDA NAGY | 123RF.COM

very latest, the agreement should be signed 21 days before the wedding, but the earlier the better. Q What if my circumstances change between the wedding and the divorce? What if I lose my job or have a child? A The Court will retain the power to make financial orders, if appropriate and if the agreement does not produce a fair result. Most agreements contain a review clause and I will ask clients to think about what could happen in the future and how they plan to deal with that. The birth of a child is usually a game changer, unless this has been specifically covered in the agreement. Q Are pre-nuptial agreements legally binding? A Good question. It is impossible to prevent a divorcing party making an application to Court for financial orders, whether they signed a pre-nuptial agreement or not. The Court will not allow its jurisdiction to be fettered. However, if the other party wants to rely on the agreement to reduce the claims of the other party, they can ask the Court to treat it as a ‘knockout blow’ or a ‘factor of magnetic importance’ and for the Court to make an Order in the terms of the agreement. If the recommended safeguards are followed,

then the Supreme Court has held that: “The Court should give effect to a nuptial agreement that is freely entered into by each party with a full appreciation of its implications unless in the circumstances prevailing it would not be fair to hold the parties to their agreement.” This means that the Court will give proper weight to the agreement when considering all the relevant factors of a case and if the agreement was drawn up properly and the recommended safeguards were followed, it has a good chance of being upheld. Q We know what we want to put in the agreement – can’t we just draw it up ourselves? A Bespoke agreements which are tailored to the family’s specific circumstances hold the best possible chance of being upheld by the Court in the future and I would not recommend a DIY approach. Q We were too late to draw up an agreement before the wedding – can we do it afterwards? A Yes, post-nuptial agreements are just as good as pre-nuptial agreements and provided the less wealthy party does agree to sign the document after the wedding, they could be viewed as being less vulnerable to attack for

Q My fiancée has said that she’ll sign anything, she won’t even bother to read it. Is that OK? A No, it is vital that both parties have a full understanding of what they are signing and an opportunity to participate in the drafting of the agreement. If she is able to say later that she did not know what she was signing, the Court may not then hold her to its terms. Q Can I exclude all of my husband-to-be’s claims? He says he would be happy to walk away with nothing. A That depends on his wealth in his own right and his ability to provide for his own needs, following a divorce. It is vital that the agreement caters for the basic needs of both parties and often that means ensuring that the less wealthy party will walk away with secure housing or at least a deposit to put towards their new home. Q Pre-nuptial agreements are not very romantic, I’m worried about mentioning it to my fiancée! A Most couples now have very matter of fact discussions about what they would want to happen on a later divorce and it is usual for negotiations to be conducted quickly and amicably. Pre-nuptial agreements have lost the stigma of old and are properly viewed as being useful contracts which can avoid disputes and legal costs in the future. 

essence INFO

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

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 53

Page 54 Advert Issue 84 _Layout 1 04/09/2017 17:36 Page 1

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Finance_Layout 1 04/09/2017 18:45 Page 1

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Finance | PMW

Discover how to

protect your wealth Simon Lewis, CEO at Partridge Muir & Warren, introduces readers to PMW’s wealth management seminars.

"There will be some painful withdrawal symptoms for financial markets during the unwinding of QE and it is important that you position your existing investments so that your previous gains are not lost."

aking your wealth work effectively for you has never been more challenging. As we see it, you are under siege from a number of directions. Firstly, it is an inescapable fact that tax revenues will need to rise as the population gets older. The tax burden on those of modest wealth has increased substantially during the last 10 years and it seems likely that this will be a continuing trend. If your financial means are greater than the UK average, it might be worth remembering Benjamin Franklin’s quote that: “democracy is like two wolves and a lamb deciding what’s for dinner.” Of course, if a society is to work effectively, everyone should pay their fair share. However, political expediency often trumps fairness when it comes to the priorities of Parliament, so if you do not want your hard earned wealth dished up for the benefit of others, it makes sense to take advantage of legitimate measures to prevent you from being exploited by the less fair aspects of the UK tax system. There are many opportunities to optimise the tax efficiency of your financial plan and these extend to the use of investments, pensions, wills and trusts; so there are actions for everyone to consider. Generating good investment returns is also important. You might have enjoyed good returns in recent years, but much of this has probably been driven by quantitative easing (QE): the widely adopted central bank policy of creating new money with which to infuse the financial system. There will be some painful withdrawal symptoms for financial markets during the unwinding of QE and it

is important that you position your existing investments so that your previous gains are not lost. As you have made it this far, you must be interested in paying less tax and protecting your investments. In which case, you will want to know that we will be explaining our latest thoughts on these important issues at a series of wealth management seminars being held locally. We would urge you to attend, without obligation, because we are confident you will learn something that will prove advantageous to both you and your family. Also, on this occasion, there is such a thing as a free lunch.

essence INFO

All seminars run from 10am to 1pm and will include a complimentary lunch at the following venues: De Vere Horsley Estate, Leatherhead – 17 October 2017 Brooklands Museum, Weybridge – 18 October 2017 Macdonald Berystede, Sunningdale – 20 October 2017 Established 48 years ago, Partridge Muir & Warren (PMW) has a long track record of delivering positive outcomes for clients. We provide independent financial advice and are proud of our chartered status. Our current clients have been with us for an average of 19 years, so we are clearly doing something right and this is an opportunity for you to find out more. To reserve your place, please visit: www.pmw.co.uk/wealth-management-seminars or email mail@pmw.co.uk or call 01372 471550.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 57

Education_Layout 1 04/09/2017 17:47 Page 1

BOTH IMAGES COPYRIGHT CRANMORE SCHOOL

Excellence as Standard Michael Connolly, Headmaster of Cranmore School, explores the requirements of successful teachers and the model of Excellence as Standard in schools.

"The particular skills and knowledge required of a teacher are non-negotiable; so are the attitudes, dispositions and high service standards." Roy Blatchford, educationalist

58 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017

he Times recently published a short item concerning an advert which had been placed for a Nanny. The reason it had caught the attention of the national press was because the role had very specific requirements in return for a salary of £100,000: a degree in child psychology, training in self-defence and the confidence to do the school run in a Porsche as well as having a minimum of 15 years’ experience. No doubt the exceptional salary was eyecatching to many potential candidates. However, it is worth noting that the parents had clearly decided that a degree in child psychology was essential for anyone who would be deemed fit to look after their children. It is a moot point whether or not such a qualification would guarantee that this would ensure a good match. One might argue that there are many factors which might be equally important, not least the personality of the successful candidate who would be required to establish a rapport with the children under their care. What about the requirements to become a successful teacher? I am sure they would all

love the opportunity to drive a Porsche, but what skills and qualities really makes them effective in their role? For many years the only requirement was to hold a degree or diploma with evidence of some formal training in teaching too. However, central government felt there was a real need to be explicit on what is required to be an effective teacher and so created a lengthy litany of objectives which must be met. Almost all of them seem sensible at face value, but one wonders how far they have been established within the profession. For example, one can hardly argue with: “set goals that stretch and challenge pupils of all backgrounds, abilities and dispositions.” Yet, when one reads the various inspection reports, this element is often cited as a reason for failure because schools have not been sufficiently ambitious in this aspect. Again, it seems reasonable that teachers should keep up to date by: “demonstrating a critical understanding of developments in the subject and curriculum areas, and promote the value of scholarship.” I have been a headmaster for over twenty years and in that time I have interviewed countless applicants for teaching positions. Inevitably

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Education | CRANMORE SCHOOL

The top schools maintain high expectations for their pupils and are committed to providing the resources and expertise to fulfil this commitment. I have met some who, in my view, are illequipped for the role. I am always disappointed to be confronted with those who may have graduated in a subject many years ago and it is painfully obvious that they have done little or nothing by way of study ever since. Roy Blatchford, a leading educationalist, has proposed a model of Excellence as Standard for schools. In such a school he suggests that: “The particular skills and knowledge required of a teacher are nonnegotiable; so are the attitudes, dispositions and high service standards.” This certainly chimes with my belief that teaching is a real

vocation and is done best by those who never lose sight of this fundamental principle. The top schools maintain high expectations for their pupils and are committed to providing the resources and expertise to fulfil this commitment. Blatchford adds that those teaching in such a school: “care, risk, dream and expect more than others think is possible.” At Cranmore School we subscribe to this vision. Our latest full inspection report described us as excellent in every single category. Of course, the challenge is to perform at that high standard day after day. For parents who are in the process of choosing a school for their child, I would encourage them to take

care to find out as much as possible about each school and hopefully they will find one that truly offers ‘Excellence as Standard’. 

essence INFO

With an impressive academic record, underpinned by strong pastoral care, Cranmore School is a community where each individual matters and pupils develop a long lasting love for learning. Children study the standard subjects as well as a stimulating curriculum which includes French, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin, Greek and a wide selection of extracurricular activities. The excellent facilities include a golf course, swimming pool, fitness suite and Forest School. Website: www.cranmoreprep.co.uk Telephone: 01483 280340

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 59

Enjoy the special price of £59.50 for a meal and ticket to see 5-star

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery at the Criterion Theatre. Three-course meal with wine at Brasserie Zédel on the same day of the show.

Breaking into its second year, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is the latest West End smash hit from the madcap Mischief Theatre. A priceless diamond has been entrusted to the city bank, but in a town where everyone’s a crook and even security guards can’t be trusted, what could possibly go wrong? Delivering swag loads of laughter, Ocean’s Eleven meets the Marx Brothers in this dynamite new comedy. Brasserie Zédel is a grand Parisian brasserie transported to the heart of London, serving remarkable value, traditional French food in a historic Beaux Arts/Art Deco interior. Book now for the hottest show in town. It’d be criminal to miss it! This package includes a Band A ticket (usually up to £52.50) to see The Comedy About A Bank Robbery and a three-course meal from The Formule menu at Brasserie Zédel, just a short stroll from the theatre, including coffee, water and a glass of house wine, valid for Tuesday to Friday and both Sunday performances until 1 April 2018, subject to availability. The Comedy About A Bank Robbery show is two hours and twenty minutes, including one interval. Recommended age: 11+.

essence INFO

To book and for full terms and conditions, please visit: www.mischieftheatre.co.uk/essence Criterion Theatre 2 Jermyn St, London SW1Y 4XA

essence

reader offer 60 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017

Full steam

AHEAD

Rebecca Underwood visits the historic city of Portsmouth in Hampshire, which lies mainly on the island of Portsea, the only island city throughout the United Kingdom.

onsidered to be the home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth has been a crucial port for centuries and includes the world’s oldest dry dock, which is featured on Historic England’s Heritage List. Tourism numbers continue to grow at a remarkable pace; visitors are aptly rewarded with a fascinating glimpse into the colourful kaleidoscope of Britain’s maritime history, and there is much to see and do. In the summer of 1545, during the Battle of the Solent, Henry VIII’s majestic warship, the Mary Rose, built in Portsmouth, was sunk a short distance from the harbour by the French armada, led by King Francis I. Today, Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard remains the city’s most popular attraction and the wreck of the Mary Stroll along the decks, Rose, discovered in 1971 and raised from the deep in view the cannons, and note 1982, is on display in all her glory. The vessel, now in the last stages of conservation, is housed in the Mary Rose Nelson’s surprisingly Museum, along with thousands of artefacts recovered cramped sleeping quarters. from the site of the wreck. We examined a tankard made of oak, poplar and pine and lined with pitch, and imagined crew members collecting their day’s ration of a gallon of light beer and how much of that would be immediately consumed to quench a raging thirst after a hard day’s toil. The most commonly found personal objects recovered were 82 nit combs, all made of wood, except one, which was made of ivory, clearly, it was to deal with a higher class of nit! The exhibit features moving holograms of the ship’s crew projected onto the vessel and accompanied by sound provides the viewer with an intriguing insight of life aboard. Another vessel which attracts the crowds is HMS Victory, launched in 1765, and the flagship of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson’s fleet. From 1794, the Royal Navy, led by Nelson, continually defeated Napoleon, and HMS Victory was triumphant at the heart of the Battle of Trafalgar against the combined forces of the Spanish and French fleets in October 1805. Stroll along the decks, view the cannons, and note Nelson’s surprisingly cramped sleeping quarters, which lack any real home comforts, apart from a portrait of Lady Hamilton. We stepped on board HMS Warrior, constructed in London and launched in 1860, she was the UK’s first iron-hulled, armoured battleship and measures 418 feet in length with a width of 58 feet. Built to deter the French battleship, she was powered by steam and sail and HMS Victory was the largest and fastest vessel of her day. Now a museum ship, visitors PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ANTHONY BAGGETT | 123RF

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Leisure breaks | PORTSMOUTH Tudor warship Mary Rose viewed through bank of glass at Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

are encouraged to experience a ‘hands on’ approach and to explore the four decks, touching exhibits and trying them out in order to have some understanding of the harsh life at sea for Queen Victoria’s navy. Another popular attraction, and for those with a head for heights, is the Emirates Spinnaker Tower. Take the high-speed lift to the view deck and at 100 metres admire the spectacular panoramic view across the south coast. And if that experience has made the visitor a little light headed, head to The Clouds and indulge in a traditional ‘high tea’ experience, which includes an array of delicate sandwiches and an assortment of delicious sweet treats and scones served with Take the high-speed fruity jams and clotted cream. Whilst sipping on piping hot tea, be sure lift to the view deck to spot the National Museum of the Royal and at 100 metres Navy, below, which is the ideal place to admire the spectacular wander around and work off those calories. The National Museum of the Royal panoramic view across Navy invites visitors to examine three the south coast. centuries of naval history under one roof. Exhibitions include HMS – Hear My Story, which tells the tales of ordinary men, women and ships forming naval history over the last one hundred years. Head to the Victory Gallery and experience the multi-media show ‘Trafalgar!’, which introduces the audience to

Emirates Spinnaker Tower PHOTO COPYRIGHT: CONTINUUM

>>>

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 63

Mary Rose Museum PHOTO COPYRIGHT: MARK BENFORD | 123RF

High tea at Emirates Spinnaker Tower

Nelson and Napoleon and places the viewer on the gun deck amidst battle and then in the confined space of the cockpit where the ship’s surgeon treats the wounded. If that incident hasn’t affected the appetite for some first class ‘scran’ and a generous serving of ‘grog’, Loch Fyne, located in the Vulcan building in Gunwharf Quays, is the perfect spot. I savoured succulent, pan-fried, line-caught cod fillet, served with roasted chilli oil and sautéed potatoes, and accompanied by the smoky and fruity flavours of the Pouilly-Fumé Cuvée D’eve, it is an exceptional dish. Or, for those who prefer French cuisine, Brasserie Blanc, located on The Plaza of Gunwharf Quays, serves a first rate Chateaubriand for two. The chargrilled and 30 day dry-aged beef, sourced from prime, pasture reared, Cornish cattle, is served with a choice of sauces – I opted for the Béarnaise – and the delicate flavours of a glass of Margaux Château Durfort-Vivens enhanced the dish perfectly. For weary explorers seeking a spacious abode, the ultimate place to stay and right in the heart of the action are the esa luxury serviced apartments located at Admiralty Quarter. We stayed in an enormous property featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a comfortable lounge and modern kitchen with a dining area, all stylishly furnished. Taking advantage of the freedom that a real home-from-home experience affords, we relished a lie-in without those time restrictions imposed by hotels. I prepared a ‘hearty’ breakfast using all the appliances provided that included those all-important gadgets relied on at home and of course there is ample opportunity to enjoy a meal at leisure. Amenities include an allocated parking space, complimentary wi-fi and a ‘welcome pack’ of essential groceries. The property is within walking distance of Portsmouth Harbour railway station, Portsmouth Dockside and the Gunwharf Quays’ shopping centre, which is crammed with designer outlet shops, bars and restaurants. For a hearty Italian ‘al fresco’ dining experience we headed to Carluccio’s, where we selected a table next to the waterfront and admired the view of the Emirates Spinnaker Tower. I sampled delicious festoni pasta with smoked salmon and vodka and it was served with panache. We ordered a bottle of Vermentino Belguardo Mazzei, Italy’s most popular white wine, and held our glasses aloft whilst reflecting on our stay in Portsmouth and the words of one of the city’s most famous residents, the writer and Nobel Laureate Joseph Rudyard Kipling, who once said: “This is a brief life, but in its brevity it offers us some splendid moments, some meaningful adventures.” v essence INFO

Websites: www.historicdockyard.co.uk, www.spinnakertower.co.uk

64 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017

esa apartment bedroom

TRAVEL TIPS For more information on the featured apartment and other esa properties throughout the UK, visit esa-servicedapartments.co.uk, email: enquiries@esa-ltd.co.uk or call 01635 904262. Book tickets through the Trainline App, Europe’s number one train travel app. It features live travel and platform information and the BusyBot feature which predicts where to find a seat on the train – all designed to make a journey easier. Visit www.trainline.com.

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Dunkirk

The History Behind the Major Motion Picture In 1940, at the French port of Dunkirk, more than 335,000 trapped Allied troops were dramatically rescued from destruction at the hands of Nazi Germany by an extraordinary seaborne evacuation. The true history of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians involved in the nine-day skirmish has passed into legend. Now the story Winston Churchill described as a ‘miracle’ is written by Joshua Levine and includes new interviews with veterans and survivors. Told from the viewpoints of land, sea and air, Dunkirk is a dramatic account of a defeat that paved the way to ultimate victory and preserved liberty for generations to come. The recently released film was written and directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh and Mark Rylance. Joshua Levine’s varied background as an actor, barrister and historian makes him the ideal interlocutor. “The actor catches his interviewees’ moods, putting them at their ease and teasing out more than they seemed willing to reveal at the outset. The lawyer draws out the implications of what they are saying, and the historian puts it all into perspective.” – Sunday Times. Joshua Levine is a popular historian whose books include A Secret History of the Blitz, Operation Fortitude, Forgotten Voices of the Somme, Forgotten Voices of Dunkirk and Forgotten Voices of the Blitz. By Joshua Levine RRP: £8.99   368 pages • Paperback ISBN: 9780008227876 Published by Harper Collins Publishers www.harpercollins.com

66 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017

Pearl’s Diary 1906–1930

Long Road from Jarrow

These are the memories of Lord Montagu’s grandmother, Pearl Pleydell-Bouverie, and tell the story of her childhood and time as wife to the motoring pioneer John, 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu. From the age of 11, Pearl kept a diary, which forms the basis of the book, and is the account of a woman whose strength and courage enabled her to overcome the loss of her husband after only eight years of marriage. The introduction is by Pearl’s cousin Lord Crathorne and the volume is illustrated with photographs and an account of her early years and extraordinary life. Through Pearl’s words, a world that has long since vanished is recreated in all its variety and detail as she had known the best that Edwardian society could offer – her coming-out ball was held at one of the grandest houses in the country, her uncle and aunt’s magnificent 115-room Crathorne Hall. Pearl’s resolution and leadership ensured that the Beaulieu Estate survived at a time when many of the great houses and estates were being broken up. By the time Pearl died in 1996 (at the age of 101) she had 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Her obituary in The Daily Telegraph described her ‘energy and delight in the moment’.

In the autumn of 1936, some 200 men from the Tyneside town of Jarrow marched 300 miles to London in protest against the destruction of their towns and industries. Precisely 80 years on, Stuart Maconie walks from north to south retracing the route of the emblematic Jarrow Crusade. Following history’s footsteps, Maconie is in search of what modern Britain is really like today. Travelling down the country’s spine, Maconie moves through a land that is, in some ways, very much the same as the England of the thirties with its political turbulence, austerity, north/ south divide, food banks and, of course, football mania. Yet in other ways, it is completely unrecognisable: high streets peppered with pound shops and e-cigarette vendors, smoothie bars and Costas on every corner. Maconie visits the great, established and yet evolving cities of Leeds, Sheffield and London, as well as the sleepy hamlets, quiet lanes and roaring motorways. He meets those with stories to tell and whose voices build a funny, complex and entertaining tale of Britain, then and now. This is a fascinating exploration of a modern nation that, though looks and sounds strangely familiar, has been completely transformed. A self-confessed fan of a good walk, a pint and a pork pie, Stuart Maconie is a writer, broadcaster and journalist.

The Life and Times of Pearl, Lady Montagu of Beaulieu

By Alice Pearl Montagu RRP: £14.99 308 pages • Paperback ISBN: 9780952338628 Published by Beaulieu Enterprises Limited www.beaulieu.co.uk

A journey through Britain then and now

By Stuart Maconie RRP: £16.99 368 pages • Hardback ISBN: 9781785030536 Published by Ebury Publishing www.eburypublishing.co.uk

The Riveria Set The Riviera Set is the story of a group of people who lived, partied, bed-hopped and politicked at the Chateau de l’Horizon near Cannes over the course of forty years from the time when Coco Chanel made southern French tans fashionable in the twenties to the death of the playboy Prince Aly Khan in 1960. At the heart of all this was the amazing Maxine Elliott, the daughter of a fisherman from Connecticut, who built the beautiful art deco Chateau and brought together the likes of Noel Coward, the Aga Khan, the Windsors and two very saucy courtesans, Doris Castlerosse and Daisy Fellowes, who set out to be dangerous distractions to Winston Churchill as he worked on his journalism and biographies during his ‘wilderness years’ in the thirties. After the Second World War, the story continued as the Chateau changed hands and Prince Aly Khan used it to entertain the Hollywood set, as well as launch his seduction of and eventual marriage to Rita Hayworth. Mary Lovell tells her story of high society behaviour and this book has all the fascination of her bestselling The Mitford Girls and The Churchills. By Mary S. Lovell RRP: £16.99 448 pages • Paperback ISBN: 9780349139890 Published by Little, Brown Book Group www.littlebrown.co.uk

Literature | REVIEW

Cast No Shadow

The life of the American spy who changed the course of WWII Betty Pack was a beautiful American spy recruited first by the British Secret lntelligence Service in 1938 and later by the American OSS. Her method of obtaining information was singular: seduction. Author Mary Lovell provides the complete story behind this modern-day Mata Hari. Betty Pack’s milieu was the aristocratic world of international diplomatic society; the wife of a career British diplomat, the marriage for both partners had quickly become an arrangement of convenience, not passion. Betty would be witness to and participant in many of the most intense historic moments of the twentieth century: in civil war-torn Madrid, besieged Warsaw, occupied Paris and wartime Washington. In each locale, Betty’s entrée into diplomatic circles and her own penchant for seeking out men at the centre of conflict made her a spy whose love of adventure was matched only by her talent for uncovering the enemy’s secrets. Relying on top-secret and heretofore unrevealed documents from British Intelligence, as well as on Betty’s own memoir written shortly before her death, Cast No Shadow is a story of subterfuge and romantic expediency. It exposes the hidden human intrigue of World War II and the life of a woman whose contribution to the Allied effort was invaluable and unique. By Mary S. Lovell RRP: £16.99 448 pages • Paperback ISBN: 9781408710579 Published by Little, Brown Book Group www.littlebrown.co.uk

London in the Company Of Painters

Best-Loved Poems

This book tells the story of London in art through it all – the rise and fall of Empire, attacks from above in two world wars, the incredible expansion over centuries that has seen London swallow up its surrounding villages and suburbs – and despite all the contrasts and contradictions, there is something constant, a quality that mysteriously yet unmistakably belongs to London. From Canaletto to J.M.W Turner, L.S. Lowry to Pissarro, the ever-changing face of London has inspired some of the world’s most celebrated artists. In London in the Company of Painters, Richard Blandford follows the River Thames from west to east across the city, exploring the artistic heritage of nine iconic locations along the way. As this beautifully-produced, visual history of London unfolds, it becomes clear that despite its tumultuous history and relentless expansion, many of London’s landmarks remain surprisingly and reassuringly constant. Richard Blandford has studied and taught art history and has written articles for the art journals Frieze and Elephant. He is also the author of two novels and two short story collections.

In a frenetic digital world, it is a pure and restorative pleasure to sit for a few minutes with a beautiful book and savour a poem. This gorgeous volume brings together a treasure trove of over a hundred of the most cherished poems in the language, verses that have soaked into our memories from our earliest days. Arranged thematically so that readers can find a poem to suit any mood, Best-Loved Poems reacquaints readers with old friends, from Christopher Robin and Miss Joan Hunter Dunn to the Lady of Shalott. Find The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea • How do I love thee? Let me count the ways • In Xanadu… • O, to be in England • I wandered lonely as a cloud • Loveliest of trees, the cherry now • Whose woods these are I think I know • Glory be to God for dappled things • Tyger Tyger burning bright • Do not go gentle into that good night • They’re changing the guards at Buckingham Palace • Twas the night before Christmas • Gather ye rosebuds while ye may… Ana Sampson’s poetry anthologies have sold over 80,000 copies and include I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud… and Other Poems you Half-Remember from School, the number three poetry bestseller of 2009. She has appeared on television and radio discussing books, book clubs, teenage diaries and poetry and contributed features to newspapers and magazines.

By Richard Blandford RRP: £40.00 224 pages • Hardback ISBN: 9781786270788 Published by Laurence King Publishing www.laurenceking.com

A Treasury of Verse

By Ana Sampson RRP: £9.99 192 pages • Hardback ISBN: 9781782437246 Published by Michael O’Mara books www.mombooks.com

Women in the Great War The First World War was fought on two fronts. In a military sense on the battlefields of Europe, but on the Home Front it was the arduous efforts of women that kept the country running. Before the war women were employed in such jobs as domestic service, clerical work, shop assistants or as barmaids. These jobs were nearly all undertaken by single women, as once married their job swiftly became that of a wife, mother and homemaker. The outbreak of war changed that. Suddenly, women were catapulted into a new sphere of work that had previously been the sole domain of men. Women began to work in munitions’ factories, as nurses in military hospitals, bus drivers, mechanics, taxi drivers, as well as running homes and looking after children, all whilst worrying about their fighting men folk. With the work came a wage, which provided women with financial freedom for the first time, as well as an element of independence. This was the time of the suffrage movement and accordingly some of these women were reluctant to stop working. Some were sacked so that returning soldiers could have their pre-war jobs back. Tens of thousands of women were left widowed, many with young children to bring up. Despite all this, for lots of women, there was no going back, there was only going to be one way, and that was forward. By Stephen Wynn and Tanya Wynn RRP: £12.99 152 pages • Paperback ISBN: 9781473834149 Published by Pen and Sword Books www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

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spotlight on... Discover hedgehogs Surrey Wildlife Trust, Nower Wood Educational Reserve, Leatherhead Monday 2 October, 10am–12 noon or 1–3pm Visit Surrey Wildlife Trust’s new education centre as hedgehog expert Chris Matcham leads a fascinating day for visitors to learn about one of our favourite species. In addition, the Trust has the following events on offer (see website for the full itinerary): Sunday 10 September, 10am–3pm, Semaphore Tower, Ockham Common: Heritage Open Day. A chance to climb the Tower and enjoy stunning views. Wednesday 27 September, 10am–3pm, Pucks Oak Barn, Compton, Guildford: Jams, jellies and chutneys. Julie Lang, gardener, allotment owner and former SWT tutor demonstrates creative ways to turn fruit and vegetables into preserves. All materials and produce are supplied.

Information: surreywildlifetrust.org/events

Richmond Theatre Richmond Sunday 10 September Peace Train: The Cat Stevens Story A night of music and story-telling. Monday 11 to Saturday 16 September Driving Miss Daisy Siân Phillips and Derek Griffiths star. Friday 22 to Saturday 23 September Milton Jones is Out There Absurd one-liners from the master. Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 September The Wipers Times Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s tale of the satirical newspaper created in the mayhem of the Somme. See interview with the writers on page 14. Monday 2 to Saturday 7 October The Best Man Martin Shaw leads in Gore Vidal’s play. Information: 0844 871 7651 or atgtickets.com/richmond

New Victoria Theatre Woking Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 September Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Classic musical starring X Factor winner Joe McElderry.

Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 September The Addams Family Brand new musical comedy. Tuesday 3 October Richard Alston Dance Company The finest contemporary dancers. Wednesday 4 October Beverley Knight Singer/songwriter on tour. Friday 6 October Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room Fine Canadian comedian. Information: 0844 871 7645 or atgtickets.com/woking

New Wimbledon Theatre Wimbledon Friday 8 to Saturday 10 September The Tiger Who Came To Tea Teatime mayhem with a stripy tiger based on the best selling book by Judith Kerr. For ages three and up. Thursday 21 to Saturday 30 September Cabaret Performer Will Young and singer Louise Rednapp star. Monday 2 to Saturday 7 October Flashdance – The Musical Strictly champion Joanne Clifton stars in this exhilarating musical based on the eighties’ classic film. Information: 0844 871 7646 or atgtickets.com/wimbledon

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Photo copyright: Tom Marshall

theatre

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essence events Cranleigh Arts Centre

Guildford Gag House

Cranleigh

The Back Room, The Star Inn, Quarry Street, Guildford

Information: 01483 278000 or

Saturday 16 September Professional live comedy in Guildford on the third Saturday of each month.

cranleighartscentre.org

Information: gaghousecomedy.com

Dorking Halls

Guildford Shakespeare Company

Dorking Sunday 10 to Tuesday 12 September Greg Davies: You Magnificent Beast Inbetweeners’ star back with his first stand up show in four years. Information: 01306 881717 or dorkinghalls.co.uk

Epsom Playhouse Epsom Wednesday 13 September Jeremy Hardy: Live 2017 Comedian in his fourth decade as a stand up. Tuesday 26 September Henry VIII, the first Brexiteer? by David Starkey The historian discusses the controversial king. Information: 01372 742555 or epsomplayhouse.co.uk

Farnham Maltings Farnham Friday 15 September Team Viking A comic ode to death and friendship featuring live music and anecdotes. Wednesday 27 September Ed Byrne: Spoiler Alert Great observational comedy. Thursday 28 September Factory Girls A tale set in the 1930s.

The Spiegeltent, Challengers’ Field, Stoke Park, Guildford Friday 13 October to Sunday 5 November The Legend of King Arthur Booking is open now for this new stage play, written especially for GSC, which tells the famous story of the ‘once and future king’ Arthur Pendragon. All set within the unique and enchanting surroundings of the antique Spiegeltent from Belgium. Information: 01483 304384 or guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk

Rose Theatre High Street, Kingston To Saturday 16 September The Night Pirates An adventure on the high seas for young pirates up to age six. Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 September Strictly Murder A fast paced thriller set in Provence in 1939. Tuesday 3 to Saturday 14 October The Real Thing Laurence Fox stars in this Tom Stoppard play examining infidelity. Information: 020 8174 0090 or

Information: 01252 745444 or

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford

Guildford Thursday 14 September Peace Train: The Cat Stevens Story A night of music and story-telling. Monday 25 to Tuesday 26 September The Hunting of the Snark A musical comedy for all the family based on the Lewis Carroll poem.

The Wipers Times, Richmond Theatre

rosetheatrekingston.org

farnhammaltings.com

G Live

Katherine Ryan, New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Photograph by Alastair Muir

Saturday 9 September Regular Little Houdini A dockworker’s son trains himself to emulate his hero Harry Houdini.

Monday 18 to Saturday 23 September Strictly Murder See listing under Rose Theatre. Monday 25 to Saturday 30 September Film Season 2017 Including Dunkirk and The Graduate. Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 October Deathtrap Paul Bradley and Jessie Wallace star in this puzzling thriller.

Information: 01483 369350 or

Information: 01483 440000

glive.co.uk

or yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

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spotlight on... Guildford Book Festival Festival Marquee, Guildford Cricket Ground and other locations, Guildford Sunday 8 to Sunday 15 October A welcome return for Surrey’s largest literary festival, now in its 28th year, promising more than 50 speakers throughout the week. New for this year is a dedicated Festival Marquee at Guildford Cricket Ground which will host many key speakers and act as Festival hub. Just some of the highlights from this year are here, but visit the website for a full schedule: Sunday 8 October, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre: An Evening with John Simpson; Monday 9 October, Festival Marquee: In Conversation with Sir Chris Bonington; Tuesday 10 October, Festival Marquee: A N Wilson, Charles Darwin – Victorian Mythmaker; Saturday 14 October, Festival Marquee: Readers’ Day; Sunday 15 October, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre: Nigella Lawson, At My Table (see image left).

Information: guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

music

Guildford Symphony Orchestra

drink stallholders, food demonstrations and music, including South Coast Soul Revue.

exhibitions

Sunday 1 October, 3.30pm The Amazing Magic Carpet Family concert offering a musical round-the-world trip.

Information: cranleighartscentre.org

Exhibition on Screen

Information: g-s-o.org.uk

Monday 18 to Sunday 24 September Film Festival Includes screenings of The Handmaiden and Clash.

St Catherine’s School, Bramley

Boileroom Guildford Throughout the year A creative community hub for music, the arts and events. Information: theboileroom.net

Surrey Mozart Players

Released in cinemas

Electric Theatre Guildford

Farnham Maltings

The Electric Theatre, Guildford

Farnham

Saturday 16 September, 7.30pm Including Mozart Overture – Don Giovanni, Brahms Symphony No. 2 and viola soloist Luba Tunnicliffe.

Information: electrictheatre.co.uk

Information: 01483 444334 or

Friday 8 to Saturday 9 September G Live Beer Festival 2017 Ales from some of the country’s top independent brewers, accompanied by live music, a hog roast and barbecue. Sunday 10 September Food & Drink Festival Artisan breadmakers, wine producers, growers, cake specialists and more.

Tuesday 12 September, 8pm Keith James: The Songs of Nick Drake An evening of timeless songs. Information: 01252 745444 or

surreymozartplayers.com

farnhammaltings.com

Faure Requiem & Tippett Spirituals

festivals

Holy Trinity Church, Guildford

Always the Sun Festival

Saturday 23 September, 7.30pm The Cambridge Taverner Choir perform two great choral works.

Stoke Park, Guildford

Information: 01483 44433 or guildford.gov.uk

Friday 8 to Sunday 10 September Musical talent across four stages, alongside workshops, food and lots more. See website for line-up.

Friday 22 September, 7.30pm Elkie Brooks Singer in her career’s fifth decade. Information: glive.co.uk

Information: exhibitiononscreen.com

G Live, Guildford

Guildford House Gallery Guildford Saturday 16 September to Thursday 26 October My Taste of Art An exhibition selected with the Friends of Guildford House. Information: 01483 444751 or guildford.gov.uk/guildfordhouse

Information: glive.co.uk

Haslemere Educational Museum

Tickets: alwaysthesunfestival.co.uk

Thread...a festival of textiles

78 High Street, Haslemere

Cranleigh Food & Music Festival

Farnham Maltings

G Live G Live, Guildford

G Live

From Tuesday 26 September Canaletto & the Art of Venice A new film which captures the life of Canaletto, Venice’s famous view-painter. Exhibition on Screen’s latest release has unique access to the Royal Collection’s holdings of Canaletto’s work.

Cranleigh Arts Centre Saturday 30 September Hosting more than 24 food and

Saturday 30 September Textile marketplace, talks, demonstrations and more.

Saturday 9 to Saturday 30 September Collective & Haslemere A diverse exhibition from nine fine art graduates of West Dean College, based on collections in the Museum.

Information: farnhammaltings.com

Information: haslemeremuseum.co.uk

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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

McAllister Thomas Godalming Friday 8 to Tuesday 19 September Robert Clarke: Hooray for Hollywood Drawings and paintings that ‘capture the essence of the dog’ as the artist portraits celebrities’ canines.

The Lightbox Gallery and Museum

Museum of Farnham West Street, Farnham

Information: thelightbox.org.uk

mcallisterthomasfineart.co.uk

To Saturday 16 September 300th anniversary freemasonry Provided by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey. Information: 01252 715094 or farnhammaltings.com/museum

Watts Gallery Compton, Guildford To Sunday 26 November G F Watts: England’s Michelangelo A showcase of the artist’s most important works.

New Ashgate Gallery

Information: 01483 813593 or

Farnham

wattsgallery.org.uk

Saturday 9 September to Saturday 11 November Autumn Craft Collection A range of ceramics, paper sculpture, jewellery glass and textiles. Saturday 30 September to Saturday 11 November Surrey Artist of the Year Competition 2017 The public are invited to vote for their favourite artist in a partnership with Surrey Artists Open Studios. Information: newashgate.org.uk

Brooklands Morgan Day, Brooklands Museum

Woking To Sunday 1 October Is there still life in Still Life? Works drawn from The Ingram Collection of Modern British Art. To Sunday 5 November Face to Face: The figurative sculpture of Sean Henry Artwork from the Woking sculptor made over the last 15 years.

Information: 01483 860591 or

Photo courtesy of Brooklands Museum

cinemas

Canaletto, Venice – The Bacino di S. Marco on Ascension Day, c.1733-4. Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017. Exhibition on Screen, various locations

national trust National Trust properties offer perfect venues to explore this autumn. We list a few here, but visit nationaltrust.org.uk for more.

Clandon Park Near Guildford To Sunday 1 October

Surrey Sculpture Society RHS Garden Wisley, Woking

International Design Competition Display

To Sunday 24 September Showing over 80 sculptures.

Showcase of concept designs for the restoration of Clandon Park.

Information: surreysculpture.org.uk

Information: 01483 444334

72 essence-magazine.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2017 Movement by Mary Branson, Surrey Artist of the Year Competition 2017, New Ashgate Gallery

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Claremont Landscape Garden Esher Sunday 17 September Birds of prey day Learn more about eagles, falcons and more, plus two flying displays.

out & about Brooklands Museum Weybridge

Friday 6 to Sunday 29 October

Saturday 23 September Historics@Brooklands Classic Car Auction The finest historic, classic and sports cars and motoring memorabilia. Sunday 1 October Brooklands Morgan Day Hundreds of Morgans, Test Hill runs and more. Sunday 8 October Autumn Motorsport Day Competition cars at close quarters.

The Great Storm: 30 years on

Information: 01932 857381 or

A display of images showing how the trees of Leith Hill have recovered.

brooklandsmuseum.com

Information: 01306 711685

Esher Hall Antiques & Fine Art Fair

Polesden Lacey

Sandown Park Racecourse

Great Bookham, near Dorking

Friday 6 to Sunday 8 October Antique sculpture, paintings, photography, furniture, lighting, jewellery and more.

Tuesday 5 to Sunday 10 September RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show Celebrating 25 years of the Show. To Sunday 24 September Surrey Sculpture Society Trail 80 pieces by 68 different sculptors.

Information: esherhallfair.com

Information: rhs.org.uk/wisley

Farnham Fun Palace

Surrey Hills Challenge

Museum of Farnham and the Farnham Library

The Greensand Way

Information: 01372 467806

Hatchlands Park East Clandon Sunday 17 September

Hatchlands Park dog show Friendly competition. Information: 01483 222482

Leith Hill Place near Dorking

Friday 8 September to Thursday 30 November

Beer to Champagne: the rise of a sparkling socialite Celebrating Maggie Greville’s rise from humble beginnings to socialite. Sunday 10, 17 and 24 September, 2–4pm

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair, Bramley

Painshill Park

The Moscow State Circus

Portsmouth Road, Cobham

Hersham Green

Sunday 17 September, 6.30–8.30pm

Wednesday 13 to Sunday 17 September Gostinitsa: Hotel of Curiosities Spectacular circus displays including trapeze and juggling.

Walk on the wild side Take a walk observing bats. Information: painshill.co.uk

RHS Garden Wisley

Information: moscowstatecircus.com

Woking

Listen to live jazz from the terrace. Information: 01372 452048

Information: funpalaces.co.uk

Swan Barn Farm

Go Wild Golf Day

Haslemere

Gatton Manor Golf Club

Saturday 30 September

Community apple pressing day

Wednesday 27 September In aid of the Born Free Foundation.

Sunday 24 September A series of running and walking challenges to raise funds for the Community Foundation for Surrey and the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Choose from The Ultra (60km), The Half (21km), The Ten (10km) or The Five (a family challenge 5km event).

Use the heritage press to make juice.

Information: bornfree.org.uk

Information: surreyhillschallenge.com

tions

Loseley Park, near Guildford Sunday 24 September, 9am–5pm Experience rural life in Surrey with clay shooting, falconry, terrier racing, vintage tractors, food theatre, horse ploughing and more. Information: surreycountyshow.co.uk

Saturday 7 October Art, science and crafts.

Lazy jazz Sundays

The Surrey Game and Country Fair 2017

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair Birtley Estate, Bramley Saturday 30 September to Sunday 1 October Discover stalls, demonstrations from coppice workers, horse and wagon rides, live music, a beer tent and lots of children’s activities. Information: surreyhills.org/events/ the-surrey-hills-wood-fair

Information: 01428 652359

Haslemere Museum Winkworth Arboretum

Haslemere

Godalming

Sunday 17 September, 2.30pm

Wednesday 13 September

Historic Haslemere guided town walks

Landscape Artist of the Year 2017 Final The final showdown of the painting competition, hosted by Joan Bakewell and Frank Skinner, will be filmed in front of a live audience as finalists capture the beauty of Winkworth’s early autumn treescapes.

With local historian Tim Winter. Information: haslemeremuseum.co.uk

Heritage Open Days Various locations

Information: 01483 208477

Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 September Including Haslemere Museum and the Living Planet Centre.

nationaltrust.org.uk

Information: heritageopendays.org.uk

farmers’ markets Camberley Saturday 16 September, 10am–3pm Cranleigh Every Friday, 9.30–11am Epsom Sunday 3 September and 1 October, 9.30am–1.30pm Farnham Sunday 24 September, 10am–1.30pm Guildford Tuesday 5 September and 3 October, 10.30am–3.30pm Haslemere Sunday 3 September and 1 October, 10am–1.30pm Milford Sunday 17 September, 10am–1.30pm Ripley Saturday 9 September and 7 October, 9am–1pm Walton-on-Thames Saturday 2 September and 7 October, 9.30am–2pm Woking Thursday 7 September and 5 October, 9am–2pm

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On the right scent

Interior accessories | FORNASETTI

Like Chanel No.5, there are some scents that stand the test of time and become iconic. Home fragrance is no different to personal perfume, and some may even argue that if anything it is more important as our home is a reflection of ourselves. ‘Otto’ the signature scent from Fornasetti Profumi has quickly become an icon, thanks to its unique combination of fragrance notes and timeless, long-lasting nature.

iero Fornasetti (1913–1988) was a Milanese painter, sculptor and interior decorator. A renowned creative visionary, his work completely transformed the twentieth century decorative art scene. In his lifetime he created over 13,000 products, and in terms of variety and diversity of decoration, his production of objects and furniture is one of the largest collections of the twentieth century. First approached about creating a perfume during the 1980s, it wasn’t until after his death 30 years later that the first Fornasetti fragrance became a reality. Piero’s son Barnaba took over the family company after his father’s death, and amongst the extensive archives he discovered sketches of bottles, each accompanied with a scent recipe. Providing the creative team for one of its biggest challenges, Fornasetti set about deciding how to tackle creating the house fragrance. Barnaba wanted to extend the Fornasetti legacy into the fragrance arena and to help him he called upon the artistry of world-renowned master-perfumer Olivier Polge. Olivier was one of the leading stars of International Flavours and Fragrances (IFF) and creator of classic modern fragrances such as Flower Bomb by Victor & Rolf and Dior Homme. Also continuing his father’s legacy, Olivier is the son of legendary perfumer Jacques Polge, famed for being the nose of Chanel. Coming together with a shared vision, Olivier was thrilled to undertake the creation of the first Fornasetti scent, being a long-time collector and admirer of the iconic brand. Barnaba and Olivier worked in close collaboration to discover the very essence of Fornasetti with Olivier visiting the family home in Milan and noticing the smell of woodsmoke coming from the open fireplace, the Mediterranean herbs growing in the garden and Barnaba’s lavenderand-pine cologne. Olivier used these ingredients, along with more ethereal scent notes such as smoky labdanum, intended to evoke the

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parchment-and-wood lining of Fornasetti’s archive drawers, and incense to aid in conjuring the latent spirituality that is often present in Fornasetti graphic poetry. The finished perfume was used at the family home, where Barnaba lives today, and unlike many home fragrances it was not tested in a laboratory. Eventually the eighth prototype was chosen as the Fornasetti signature scent which is how it got its name Otto, being Italian for ‘eight’. The vessels to house this signature scent were selected and reworked by Barnaba Fornasetti together with his Milanese creative team. They used elements from the Fornasetti graphic archive and re-interpreted them on new shapes and objects, resulting in the collection of home fragrance options available today. essence INFO

Discover the world of Fornasetti available now at Amara. Website: www.amara.com/shop/brand/fornasetti This article first appeared in The Lux Pad, www.amara.com/luxpad.

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Antiques | THE ESHER HALL ART FAIR

EXPECT THE

UNEXPECTED IMAGE PHOTO COPYRIGHT: MMX GALLERY

This year The Esher Hall Antiques & Fine Art Fair will include contemporary and vintage fine art photography at its annual event at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher from 6 to 8 October. essence found out more.

#480 Flowers by Michael Jackson

IMAGE PHOTO COPYRIGHT: MMX GALLERY

ach year, the organiser of The Esher Hall Antiques & Fine Art Fair hosts its annual event at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, to which visitors flock from the home counties and Where do we come from? What are We, Where Are We Going to? by Neil Shirreff images. Valda used multiple beyond. Known for its magnificent displays of fine quality antiques and exposures and intentional contemporary art, The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited has yet more camera movement, removing surprises up its metaphorical and capacious sleeves, which should attract the literal impression whilst not the attention of those interested in finding something different for their losing the feel of the landscape. interiors this October. Devotees of the Fair need Not necessarily what you expect to find at an antiques fair of this not worry, there are still plenty calibre and quality, the words 'fine art' provide a clue, some unusual of exceptional antiques for sale contemporary and vintage fine art photography join the more traditional from furniture to French landscapes, marine paintings, abstract and other contemporary art. clocks, oriental ceramics, Award winning experimental photographer Michael Jackson is a highly jewellery, silver, Tunbridge regarded leading practitioner in the art of luminography. Having eschewed Eternal Flame (Koi Carp and blossom) ware, glass, glitzy chandeliers traditional camera techniques in 2015, he now pursues this creative by Valda Bailey medium to bring the abstract forms of each print alive. Each luminogram and other lighting. Tickets are £5 in advance through Eventbrite or is meticulously crafted by Michael in his darkroom, taking it through the on the door (parking at Sandown Park Racecourse is free for antiques many structured stages, treating it with selenium to intensify the print’s fair visitors).  tonality and three dimensional quality. Each luminogram is unique and only one silver gelatin print is produced of each image. essence INFO British artist and photographer Neil Shirreff’s Fragmented Paintings The Esher Hall Antiques & Fine Art Fair, supported by NFU Mutual Godalming, series incorporates photographic print, light box and LED lights, taking Savills Esher and Bold & Reeves Property Management, takes place at Esher Hall, Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ from the subjects back to basics and innovating to help the viewer share in his Friday 6 to Sunday 8 October 2017. curiosity to see more than what is immediately visible. A background in Website: www.esherhallfair.com painting plays an important role in freelance photographer Valda Bailey’s

SEPTEMBER 2017 | essence-magazine.co.uk 75

FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION – PERFECT IN FORM AND FUNCTION www.aparattus.pt • info@aparattus.pt Space is an exclusive collection that will give elegance and personality to your home

3ppDesign_Layout 1 04/09/2017 17:44 Page 1

CASE STUDY:

WEST LONDON KITCHEN REDESIGN AND EXTENSION Combining kitchen design into a design and build project has obvious advantages, but is not always available from the same company. Lead architectural designer Martin Smith has managed to merge these disciplines to good effect for Holloways of Ludlow as he explains here.

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Design and build | HOLLOWAYS OF LUDLOW

PROFILE: MARTIN SMITH

Designer at Holloways of Ludlow, Martin Smith graduated top of his class in 2004 with a 1st class (Hons) in 3D design from the University of Hertfordshire. Martin joined Holloways of Ludlow in 2006 as a bespoke kitchen and cabinetmaker designer, working closely with head of design Robert Burnett. As there is no pre-designed kitchen or bathroom ‘range’ that Holloways of Ludlow manufacture, Martin is challenged to make each client’s design unique by initially generating realistic 3D images to show a clear visual of how a space will look upon completion of a project. Each of these creative designs combines a wide range of materials and finishes all manufactured at Holloways of Ludlow’s West London workshop. In recent years Martin has bridged Holloways of Ludlow’s offering as a bespoke kitchen/cabinetry design company and its sister business, Architectural Design & Build. He has transferred the same 3D skills and design knowledge into wider ranging projects which often include extending spaces and a focus on a complete reworking of an overall layout.

THE BRIEF Since the West London scheme was a design and build project for Holloways of Ludlow, the kitchen design was an integral part of the architectural planning right from the early stages. As Holloways’ designer, Martin Smith, explains, the addition of a side return extension, with the old side wall between completely removed, both widened the existing space by around two metres and directly connected the front living rooms of the house to the new kitchen dining space. Within the overall plan, a downstairs WC and a space for laundry appliances (previously in the kitchen) were required. As always, the architecture of the building influenced the kitchen and the kitchen influenced the architecture. The overall footprint was always going to be defined by the extents of planning, but Holloways had the opportunity to ensure the internal partition walls and structural openings were placed to work perfectly with the kitchen. Often harder than it sounds and it’s really important to know the exact product and style to be introduced to the space right from the outset. This design process included schemes that considered a range cooker and others that considered hob and eye level ovens: these appliance choices dictated layout options and size requirements. An important part of the architectural design was to add a large rear opening to connect the kitchen living space to the fairly limited, but lovely, walled garden space. Q Martin, what was the creation/planning process? A Holloways of Ludlow Architectural Design & Build took the project through from initial design, planning and build. Kitchens are always bound to be a certain size within fixed increments of width and height, so we initially planned the sidewall elevation aiming for symmetry with tall cabinets at either end and a good worktop space in the middle to match the width of the island. The tall cupboard at the rear also needed to conceal a new combination boiler. The resulting length of this wall elevation dictated where we placed the new stud partition wall and entrance door (fire rated side door). We moved this hallway-kitchen entrance door further into the extension from its original position, enlarging the hallway to make room for a new utility cupboard and WC under the stairs. This new door position and wall arrangement in turn created a niche in which to place more tall cabinets.

The key was to work out exact sizes of the necessary non-bespoke kitchen cabinets so we could ensure the space was ready to receive the non-bespoke kitchen and not leaving it to chance that the space could accept a kitchen designed at a later date. It’s good to have noisy laundry appliances out of any new open plan space. I was really happy with the eventual balance we found for hallway utilities and kitchen size front to back. Q How did the project go? A Part of our brief was that the owners wanted a clean, modern space, but also didn’t want the result to be too clinical. The front half of the house would continue to have original Victorian features with Victorian floor tiles, fireplaces, cornicing/skirting architraves etc. and we needed to add some features to soften the extension space. Practically it was always the best choice to choose an on-frame, handleless kitchen to maximise cabinetry capacity and access. So we opted to utilise the character of materials with the kitchen space. Overall, the investment in oak veneer wall cabinets, siltstone worktops, brick tiles, wood floor, reclaimed wood table, and feature wallpaper, allowed for a more characterful scheme with real material value. The key discussion about the island was whether this should be the location for the cooking or sink area. The owners had a range cooker in their old kitchen that we originally intended to re-use, but integration issues into the island meant the cooking area would inevitably be against the wall if we did. Most clients prefer to have a cooking area facing into the room on the island as it allows whoever is cooking to feel >>>

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more connected to the neighbouring space. Having a sink on an island can also lead to the clutter of drying washing up. So we opted for a new induction hob. The next consideration was the extractor. Again, to keep the space as open and connected as possible, we decided against a chimney extractor and plumped for a ceiling recessed hood from Westin in white to blend with the ceiling. This fan has an integral motor so the working was pushed up into the ceiling down stand. Q What was your favourite room or part of the project and why? A The large kitchen space was the main part of the architectural design and one of my favourite designs. The real wood veneers available from Schuller provide a stunning focal point. I think these wall cabinets in particular really draw visitors in to the centre of the kitchen and provide real warmth, contrasting strongly with the all-white wall cabinetry and glacier white Corian worktop with integrated sink. The client sourced the striking wallpaper and I think it works really well alongside the upholstered bench seat, both adding a fabric-like feel that really demarks the different spaces despite being so close together. Q Were there any issues or problems encountered during the project? A There was a challenge to ensure everything fitted side to side! We wanted to have a breakfast bar on the back side of the island, so needed this island to be 900mm wide. We also needed to allow corridor space to navigate from front to back, so we needed to push the table nearer to the wall than would have been ideal. The client found the lovely bench chair, which could be placed right up against the wall and this worked brilliantly with the pedestal table manufactured in our bespoke workshop. ď ś essence INFO Holloways of Ludlow Architectural Design & Build Telephone: 020 8487 9440 Website: www.hollowaysbuild.com Schuller Kitchen from Holloways of Ludlow Kitchens Telephone: 020 7371 1787 Website: www.hollowayskitchens.com Feature lights from Holloways of Ludlow Telephone: 020 7602 5757 Website: www.hollowaysofludlow.com This article first appeared in The Lux Pad, www.amara.com/luxpad

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