Life Magazines (Buckinghamshire Editions) January 2023

A fabric first approach to reducing energy loss

O ur new St Albans store is now open! We have a wide range of beautiful Danish Design furniture and accessories for you to discover, and our team of interior designers and design professionals are ready to help you make the most your space as part of our free interior design service. Plus, we’ll have grand opening offers on everything until February 5th, as well as the opportunity for all of our guests to win our iconic Imola living chair.

FROM THE EDITOR

You have an amazing brain, in fact everybody does! But how does it make sense of the world around you?

This exciting new exhibition at Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury will show you just how amazing our brains really are. From emotions to our senses, you will find out how your brain interprets what it sees, hears, smells, and feels. This familyfriendly exhibition will take you on a journey inside your brain, to find out just what makes you, you!

In 2023, Chiltern Arts brings us the theme of Love, Loss and the Passage of Time, exploring these themes through music, visual art and literature with the usual array of events and top-quality artists coming to venues across the area.

The season opens in early March with a Winter Warmer: three days of events in Berkhamsted, Great Missenden and Henley.

In Berkhamsted, meet Rainer Maria Rilke through the eyes of the celebrated translator and poet Mark Burrows — and afterwards pop across the road to The Gatsby to join Kathryn Tickell and Amy Thatcher for an evening of Northumbrian folk music at the popular annual Concert & Dinner event.

There is a growing trend amongst the older generation who have wealth tied up in their property and living on their own, to sell up

and buy a house together with friends. If this is your plan in 2023, Lucy Wood, B P Collins’ private client partner advises there are several things that you need to consider before moving in Fresh, vibrant, and colourful, enjoy plant-based dishes including fragrant Asparagus & Butternut Curry, energising Avocado, Kale & Mango Salad and a hearty Roast Vegetable Stew in warming spices. Along with their excellent selection of virgin cocktails, Browns Beaconsfield offer the perfect antidote to December’s indulgence.

Their fantastic value Lunch & Early Evening menu has returned, with two delicious courses from £16.95 and three courses for £20.95. Offering a wide range of dishes including rich Duck Parfait with toasted brioche, Smoked Haddock Fishcake, succulent Steak Frites and warming Apple & Morello Cherry Crumble, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Available weekdays from midday to 5pm.

Manning Editor

EDITOR FAYE MANNING EDITOR’S ASSISTANT KIERAN BULLWORTHY SUB EDITOR CHANG KAIRA FASHION EDITOR BEN JONES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER VENUS LOOMBA, PRUVEE PATEL ACCOUNT/ADMIN KATHY MANNING, ANDREE GEORGIOU DESIGN & PRODUCTION BOB AMBROSE DIRECTORS PATRICK SMITH, RORY SMITH

PUBLISHED BY FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD 0844 800 8439 www.thelifemagazines.com

© All Rights reserved: All Fish Media Group Ltd magazines are copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in any of our publications and any loss arising. Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to all of our magazines the publisher cannot accept the loss or damage to such material. The Fish Media Group Ltd reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication. Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes and no responsibility can be accepted for the content of these pages.

Faye

& ABOUT

OUT & ABOUT

18

FEBRUARY

ALAN CARR: REGIONAL TRINKET

Alan’s back on the road with a brand-new stand-up show Regional Trinket. From the exhilarating high of his star-studded wedding day to the low of lockdown stuck on a farm, a lot has changed since Alan’s last tour four years ago, including Alan. Nowadays, it’s all about finding happiness and joy in the small thingswhy be a national treasure when you can be a Regional Trinket?!

Wycombe Swan Theatre, St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE

[EVENTS]

THE CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

MIND BODY SPIRIT WELLBEING

SHOW

Feeling a bit down or stressed? Want to understand your past or find out what the future has in store for you? Maybe you fancy a relaxing me-day, or just want to chill out with friends, family or like-minded people

Chiltern Hills Academy Chartridge Lane Chesham Buckinghamshire HP5 2RG

3 FEBRUARY

JIM DAVIDSON: NOT YET CANCELLED

More outrageous than ever! Despite attempts by the woke minority to cancel one of Britain’s greatest comedians, Jim Davidson OBE continues to play to capacity audiences year after year. The silenced majority continue to show their support for master funny man, demonstrating that the battle of freedom of speech has not yet been lost! In this brand-new show for 2023, Jim invites you to join him for another evening of rip-roaring grown-up comedy and join the struggle against the few who try to divide us and impose their radical sensibilities on our culture!

Wycombe Swan Theatre, St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE

19 JANUARY

THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY

Direct from a weeklong run in London’s West End at the Vaudeville Theatre, a SOLD OUT Worldwide tour and standing ovations at every performance, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back! Using huge projection photos and original film footage, this 50th Anniversary Celebration also features a full live band performing all the hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more. Wycombe Swan Theatre, St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE

13 FEBRUARY UNBELIEVABLE SCIENCE

Magicians, time travellers and all-round spiffing chaps Morgan & West have a secret past – they are genuine, bona fide, legitimately qualified scientists, and now are bring their love of enlightenment to the stage! Expect explosive thrills, chemical spills and a risk assessment that gives their stage manager chills, all backed up by the daring duo’s trademark wit, charm and detailed knowledge of the scientific method.

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange St, Aylesbury HP20 1UG

Discover how your amazing brain works in this exciting new hands-on exhibition. Mindboggling fun for all ages. You have an amazing brain, in fact everybody does! But how does it make sense of the world around you?

Discover Bucks Museum Chuch Street Buckinghamshire HP20 2QP

20&27 FEBRUARY

NETHER WINCHENDON HOUSE - OPEN GARDEN FOR NGS

Nether Winchendon House has fine, and rare trees set in an inspiring and stunning landscape with parkland. Enchanting and romantic Mediaeval and Tudor House, one of the most romantic of the historic houses of England and listed Grade I. Dogs on leads welcome.

Nether Winchendon House, nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP18 0DY

ALL YEAR

Bekonscot Model Village and Railway is the world’s oldest and original model village, opening for the first time in 1929. Bekonscot delights visitors of all ages. It is a miniature wonderland with a large Gauge 1 railway, where nobody grows up. Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2PL

20 JANUARY

HARRY HILL: PEDIGREE FUN!

Harry is back with brand-new amazing jokes in an all-singing, all-dancing one-man spectacular. Audiences will meet Harry’s new baby elephant, Sarah, and Ian, The Information Worm. Harry will also be joined by Stouffer the Cat (his famous sidekick) who commented “what can I tell you? When Harry calls you say yes – end of!” Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG

16 FEBRUARY

PARANORMAL & PSYCHIC EVENT: MARCUS STARR

Join well-acclaimed psychic medium Marcus Starr on a paranormal & psychic mediumship adventure. Perhaps you’ll see a mysterious cigarsmoking figure through the window, only for it to suddenly disappear. Perhaps the doors might open and close at their own will..

The Cock Hotel, 72-74 High Street, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK11 1AH

As dusk begins to fall, take an enchanting stroll through Waddesdon’s gardens awash with vibrant colour and dazzling illuminations as you walk our longest ever Winter Light trail. See the grounds transformed with sparkling lights and playful installations including a tunnel of stars and colour changing trees.

Waddesdon Manor Silk Street, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire HP18 0JH

UNTIL 22 JANUARY 25 FEBRUARY

Totally Blondie make sure those fantastic tunes sound as fresh and exciting today as they did back then. With a stunning lookalike and soundalike singer, an exceptional, professional live band, their full-on, passionate performances are winning over audiences up and down the country.

Queens Park Arts Centre and Limelight Theatre Aylesbury Bucks Buckinghamshire HP21 7RT

21 JANUARY

ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION

Vibrant and melodic, funky rocking blues featuring Hammond-organ, drums, guitar and vocals, Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion refresh the blues genre with eclectic arrangements, virtuosic playing and vocal prowess.

Queens Park Arts Centre and Limelight Theatre Queens Park Aylesbury Bucks Buckinghamshire HP21 7RT

WINTER LIGHT AT WADDESDON

Some furniture is made for the here and now. Some is built to stand the test of time.

At Neptune, we believe that the best can do both.

Good design never grows old.

Chesham, 01494 398472 neptune.com

Family Law

New Year is usually a time of great celebration – new resolutions and plans for the year ahead are made and often include new exercise regimes, healthy diets, holidays and weekends aways.

However, the start of another year doesn’t bring joy to anyone living with domestic violence or contemplating divorce or separation. In fact, it is the most feared time of year as Christmas will have led to abusers being at home longer which will inevitably have led to the escalation of arguments, intimidation and often violence. Police report a spike of abuse and violence at this time of year, year on year.

The ongoing battle to leave or stay, what happens about money, care of your children, where you will live etc doesn’t go away just because of the time of year. It is therefore important to know you can reach out – you do not need to suffer in silence.

Is it really abuse?

Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents – these can be controlling, threatening, degrading and/or violent. In the vast majority of cases, it is women that experience violence perpetrated by men but not exclusively.

Domestic abuse can include, but not be limited to: Coercive control – a pattern of isolation or control where one partner threatens the other physically or sexually to control their behaviour, physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse, harassment, stalking, online or digital abuse are all forms of domestic abuse.

Can I get help/support without involving the police?

If you are experiencing any form of abuse, you can call: Womens Aid – 0800 2000 247 – free 24 hour helpline Men’s Advice line – 0808 801 0327

Specialist advice & longer-term planning

Gaining immediate help and support is imperative, however, planning for an alternative future is key to mental wellbeing and happiness. Kidd Rapinet’s experienced family lawyers deal with complex relationships and their domestic violence specialist lawyer brings an entirely different level of understanding and support to men and women suffering from abuse.

For further help, please email Claire Lancaster clancaster@ kiddrapinet.co.uk or Catherine Banks ksbanks@kiddrapinet.co.uk or visit kiddrapinet.co.uk to request a consultation.

New Year – a joyous time for all or is it?

Catherine Banks and Claire Lancaster

kiddrapinet.co.uk

SOLICITORS

For di erent times of your life

From moving home, to divorce or separation, updating or making a Will, managing probate matters, company and corporate transactions and more – We are here to support your situation or plans for 2023

Your Amazing Brain: A User’s Guide

Discover how your amazing brain works in this exciting new hands-on exhibition. Mind-boggling fun for all ages.

You have an amazing brain, in fact everybody does! But how does it make sense of the world around you?

This exciting new exhibition at Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury will show you just how amazing our brains really are. From emotions to our senses, you will find out how your brain interprets what it sees, hears, smells, and feels. This family-friendly exhibition will take you on a journey inside your brain, to find out just what makes you, you!

With over 15 interactive puzzles and ‘mindbending illusions’ we will show you how your brain can play tricks on you. Get ready for some ‘WOW’ moments that might leave you questioning what you thought you knew.

With hands-on activities that all the family can take part in, this exhibition will appeal to visitors of all ages. But don’t worry, you don’t need to go it alone. We have enlisted some help, our two ‘Amazing Brain’ guides will join you in your journey through the brain.

So, keep your eyes peeled for Brian the brain, he

has all the clues and is going to tell you everything you need to know. And for our younger visitors, Custard the bird will show you fun extra activities to do along the way.

You might not think science is for you, but we are going to show you it’s for everyone!

This exhibition was first developed for Banbury Museum & Gallery in collaboration with the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging at the University of Oxford and funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Discover Bucks Museum is delighted to have the opportunity to host this unique exhibition in Aylesbury and to accompany it, there will be an exciting programme of events and activities developed with the team of scientists at the University of Oxford.

Your Amazing Brain exhibition runs until Saturday 15 April 2023.

For more information, opening times and ticket prices visit discoverbucksmuseum.org

Discover Bucks Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury HP20 2QP

“From emotions to our senses, you will find out how your brain interprets what it sees, hears, smells, and feels”

A Winter Warmer

2nd-4th March & Festival Week 13th-20th May

For centuries, humans have used art forms as a vehicle for communicating in a way that words alone can’t quite manage.

In 2023, Chiltern Arts brings us the theme of Love, Loss and the Passage of Time, exploring these themes through music, visual art and literature with the usual array of events and topquality artists coming to venues across the area.

The season opens in early March with a Winter Warmer: three days of events in Berkhamsted, Great Missenden and Henley. In Berkhamsted, meet Rainer Maria Rilke through the eyes of the celebrated translator and poet Mark Burrows — and afterwards pop across the road to The Gatsby to join Kathryn Tickell and Amy Thatcher for an evening of Northumbrian folk music at the popular annual Concert & Dinner event.

Head to Great Missenden to journey with the Carducci String Quartet and Endeavour and Game of Thrones star Anton Lesser through Beethoven’s String Quartets, heard interwoven with readings of the composer’s own letters to friends, lovers and family.

On Saturday 4th March Somerville College Choir, Oxford bring a programme of music exploring the British composer Herbert Howells, those he influenced and those who influenced him to Henley. The centrepiece of this glorious choral programme is Howells’ moving Requiem.

Later in the season towns and villages in the Chilterns once again become home to artists of the highest calibre with the Festival week 13th–20th May. Critically-acclaimed tenor James Gilchrist and BBC Young Musician of the Year 2022 finalist Jaren Ziegler join musicians from The Purcell School for an evening that features Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings and culminates in Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nacht Musik. Wycombe Abbey hosts a Shakespeare Day, with concerts from musicians including tenor Ed Lyon, soprano Rowan Pierce countertenor Robin Blaze and lutenist Elizabeth Kenny.

Other events during the festival week include a film screening of The Red Violin at The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham, dinner on the Thames with guitarist Craig Ogden (Henley), an evening exploring 500 years of musical legacies with The King’s Singers (Marlow), a musical snapshot of the time that Brahms spent with the Schumanns from Echor Music (Berkhamsted), Rachmaninov’s All Night Vigil (Vespers) from the Choir of King’s College, London in Dorchester Abbey and a night of music and words from the City of London Sinfonia in Beaconsfield to close the season.

2023, Chiltern

THE DETAILS

Chiltern Arts

For tickets and more information, go to chilternarts.com/whats-on

“In

Arts brings us the theme of Love, Loss and the Passage of Time, exploring these themes through music, visual art and literature with the usual array of events and top-quality artists”

THE ELGIVA

Forget the cold and the rain... it’s time to look ahead to spring, and The Elgiva has some terrific events coming up guaranteed to put a spring in your step!

We have lots for families this season!

We welcome Immersion Theatre and their critically-acclaimed musical adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling family favourite, The Jungle Book to the Elgiva stage – funny, exciting and wildly entertaining, this original, larger-than-life musical will have you howling with laughter (6 Apr)! If you want an eggcellent show, look no further than Captain Calamity’s Easter SpEGGtacular; promising more fun than you can bounce a belligerent bounding bunny at, this is a fabulous new show, packed with craziness, magic, science and bubbles (11 Apr).

When it comes to drama that will have you on the edge of your theatre, we also stage Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth, set in the murky Dark Ages where love, politics and witchcraft collide (16-17 Mar).

Good sees David Tennant’s return to the West End – a blistering reimagining of one of Britain’s most powerful, political plays. Recorded live at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London, you can see it on The Elgiva’s big screen (20 Apr).

Also on the big screen, we have award-winning director Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers (8 Feb), James Cameron’s dazzling Avatar: The Way of Water (7 Feb), an extraordinary new production of Othello (captured live on the National Theatre’s Lyttleton stage) (13 Mar), and the Royal Ballet’s sumptuous

Cinderella (filmed live at the Royal Opera House) (17 Apr).

Fancy terrific tunes? Look no further than One Night In Dublin as multi-award-winning Irish band The Wild Murphys take you back to every Irish pub you’ve ever frequented with some of the greatest songs from across the Irish sea (23 Feb). Or Take a Sentimental Journey down memory lane with the original girl next door at The Doris Day Story (14 Mar).

Find out more details, and check out all the great shows we have on offer at elgiva.com. Book online at elgiva.com or by contacting the Box Office on 01494 582900.

THE DETAILS

The Elgiva St Mary’s Way, Chesham, BuckinghamshireHP5 1HR www.elgiva.com

“It’s time to look ahead to spring, and The Elgiva has some terrific events coming up guaranteed to put a spring in your step!”

MERCHANT TAYLORS’ PREP

Merchant Taylors’ Prep School was created in 2015 as part of the alliance that was forged between Northwood Prep and Merchant Taylors’ School to provide a through school for boys aged 3 to 18. This has enabled us to continue to provide excellent education whilst developing our partnership with Merchant Taylors’ School. Our school is vibrant and dynamic and our pupils are educated by professional staff that provide a nurturing environment. We aim to instil values, such as compassion and respect, and learning dispositions, such as perseverance and independence, at the same time as ensuring the highest standards of academic achievements. We are proud that our school contains happy and confident pupils who are excited by the stimulating curriculum that we provide. Through these aims, we believe that education is about promoting intellectual curiosity in which pupils are motivated by and fully involved in their own learning. mtpn.org.uk

Thinking of buying a house with friends?

There is a growing trend amongst the older generation who have wealth tied up in their property and living on their own, to sell up and buy a house together with friends. If this is your plan in 2023, Lucy Wood, B P Collins’ private client partner advises there are several things that you need to consider before moving in.

Property ownership: One option is to become ‘Joint Tenants’, whereby upon your death, your friends will automatically assume your share. Another option is to become ‘Tenants in Common’ and to have a Declaration of Trust setting out the proportion of the property that you each own, which is likely to depend on how much money each of you has contributed to the purchase of the house. This is important as your share in the property is likely to form the main part of your estate in your will.

Write a will: This ensures that your assets pass to the individuals that you have chosen, rather than the intestacy rules applying. Within the will you may want to consider:

Discretionary trust: This would mean giving your interest in the property to your trustees to hold for your identified beneficiaries - who will get the benefit of the assets in the future.

Life interest trust: You can specify that after you pass away, your friends can remain in the property for the rest of their lives and once the last surviving friend is gone, the trust would end, and your share of the property would be left to your chosen beneficiaries.

Inheritance tax (IHT):  If one person leaves their interest in the property, which has a value of over £325,000 entirely to a friend, there would be inheritance tax implications. If, however, the decision is made to leave the share of the property to direct descendants, the residence nil-rate band (RNRB) may apply which could result in

an additional £175,000 of tax-free allowance, depending on the size of your estate.

Lasting powers of attorney: Every member of the group should have a power of attorney in place appointing somebody they trust, should they lose capacity. An attorney can make financial and/or welfare decisions on your behalf when you are no longer able to do so.

THE DETAILS

B P Collins

If you’re thinking about buying a home with friends, it’s vital that you speak to a private client lawyer beforehand about estate planning.

The private client team can be reached on privateclient@bpcollins.co.uk or call 01753 889995 www.bpcollins.co.uk.

“Every member of the group should have a power of attorney in place appointing somebody they trust, should they lose capacity. An attorney can make financial and/or welfare decisions on your behalf when you are no longer able to do so.”

How do I enforce a Judgment?

If you have gone through the process of obtaining a money Judgment against a debtor, be it an individual or a company, you will usually be paid the amount stated in the Judgment without being required to take any further action. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and the process of recovering monies might require you to take some further steps. If you have obtained a money Judgment against a debtor and are yet to be paid, we will explain what you should be doing next.

Before Enforcement

Before you take steps to enforce a money Judgment, you should consider the following: Service of Judgment:

There will be circumstances where Judgments are obtained without the knowledge of a debtor, for example, where the defendant/debtor does not attend the final hearing or if the Judgment is obtained ‘on the papers’ and without a hearing. The Judgment debtor will need to be made aware (in other words, ‘served’) that a Judgment has been obtained against them before you can take enforcement action.

Deadline to pay:

The Judgment will typically state the deadline by which the judgment debtor will need to pay the sums owed to you. The judgment debtor is typically given 14 days to make payment, although it may vary in some cases. You will need to ensure that the deadline to pay Judgment debt has lapsed before taking any enforcement action.

Judgment debtor’s means:

A more practical consideration which you should make is to take in account the Judgement debtor’s means and assets. In short, you should consider the Judgment debtor’s financial situation and whether they have any assets you can enforce the debt against. If the Judgment debtor does not have any money or assets to enforce the Judgement debt against, it may be disproportionate to take enforcement action. If you are unsure as to the debtor’s financial situation and whether they own any valuable assets, you can instruct an enquiry agent who will be able to investigate and obtain evidence of the debtor’s means and assets.

It is worth noting, however, that you have 6 years to enforce a money Judgment under section 24(1) of the Limitation Act 1980. This is useful to know as you may wish to wait until the debtor is in a ‘better’ financial position before taking enforcement steps to increase your chances of recovery.

Methods of Enforcement

The most common methods of enforcement to choose from are outlined below:

Taking control of goods (by writ or warrant of control):

You, as a Judgment creditor, may be able to enforce a money Judgment by taking control of goods which are owned by the Judgment debtor and selling the same. A writ of control (in the High Court) or a warrant of control (in the County Court) will need to be obtained to enable a High Court Enforcement Officer or a County Court bailiff to take control of the debtor’s goods (assets) and sell the same to raise funds in satisfaction of the Judgement debt. The goods which can be seized will typically depend on the type of judgment debtor i.e. whether the debtor is a company or an individual, as there are certain items which are exempt from seizure.

Charging Order

If the Judgment debtor owns a property, you can obtain what is called a ‘Charging Order’ from the Court over the property. In circumstances where the debtor owns a property with someone else, a Charging Order can still be obtained against the debtor’s share of that property. If you are unsure as to whether the debtor owns the property he or she lives in, your solicitor will be able to discuss some practical steps to investigate this further.

Once a Charging Order has been obtained, you can register

a ‘Charge’ against the property in your favour at the Land Registry which will document and protect your interest against the property. After the Charge has been registered, you can make an application to the Court for an Order for the sale of the property to enable you to realise the debt owed to you. Alternatively, when the debtor sells the property, you will be paid from the net sale proceeds (subject to any other earlier charges against the title).

Attachment of earnings

If the debtor is an employee, you can obtain an attachment of earnings order which requires the debtor’s employer to deduct a specific sum of money from the debtor’s wages and pay the amount into court. The debtor’s employer will carry on doing this until all monies owed to you are paid.

Third Party Debt Order

You can obtain a third party debt order in circumstances where it is known to you that a third party owes the debtor money. A third party debt order requires the third party to pay you in satisfaction of the debt owed to you. Often this is used to serve an order on a bank you know the debtor holds an account with. Once you serve the bank with a copy of the order, any funds in that account are to be held for your benefit and paid to you.

Insolvency

If you have obtained a judgment debt for £5,000 or more against an individual, you can issue a petition for the bankruptcy of the judgment debtor. The threat of bankruptcy is a serious one and will have a number of detrimental effects on the debtor, including, but not limited to, affecting their credit rating. Consequently, in circumstances where the debtor genuinely has means to make payment, they usually will make payment in satisfaction of the debt when threatened with bankruptcy. The alternative option where the judgment debtor is a company is to issue winding-up proceedings in circumstances where the judgment debt is for £750 ore more. Similarly, the threat of a issue a winding-up petition is a serious once and a reputation which companies will wish to avoid having registered against their name and so this is likely to force payment. One of the main benefits of enforcement through insolvency, be it via bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings, is that transactions made by the debtor to avoid payment of your debt can be reversed. For example, if an individual transfers his life savings to a friends account with a view to keep them ‘out of reach’, then the transaction can be ‘reversed’. However, if there are a number of secured creditors who are owed monies by the debtor or the debtor simply does not have the means to pay you, insolvency proceedings may simply be a paper victory and disproportionate with regard to recouping monies owed to you.

If you would like to discuss the enforcement of a Judgment in further detail, please do not hesitate to contact Sangita Manek at sam@blasermills.co.uk or call on 01494 770980.

Pensions on Divorce

Pensions are often the single largest asset after the family home for divorcing couples, yet 58% of people said, in a Which? survey from November 2021, that pensions were not discussed or shared as part of their financial settlement.

It is important that those divorcing understand they may have an entitlement to a pension sharing order and this is explored when negotiating a financial settlement.

Where there is a disparity in the parties’ respective pension provisions, the Court will consider how the pensions can be shared to achieve either equality of income or equality of capital upon the parties’ retirement or another date by agreement. Pensions are particularly complex and a report from a pension expert under joint instruction is more often than not necessary to understand what level of pension share is required to achieve the desired outcome. Whilst these reports can seem costly, they are a very worthwhile investment to ensure appropriate pension shares are obtained.

The Court has the power to make the following in relation to pension assets:

A Pension Sharing Order

This is where pension funds are transferred or split between the parties creating two separate pension schemes so that each spouse has their own independent rights under their own scheme.

A Pension Attachment Order

This allows the member spouse to retain the entirety of their pension fund however at the point it becomes payable, they are required to pay maintenance (or a lump sum) to the ex-spouse directly from their pension scheme.

Pension Offsetting

This is where one spouse receives more of the available capital assets at the time the order is made in lieu of receiving a share of the other spouse’s pension. This may occur where the receiving party requires more liquid capital to meet their immediate needs or, for example, when there are international pensions which cannot be split.

Pension sharing orders are by far the most common of these three options. The Court is often reluctant to make pension attachment orders as this maintains a financial connection between the parties. The Court is also often reluctant to order pension offsetting as a pension cannot be compared poundfor-pound with a capital asset. It is often said you cannot compare apples with pears.

THE DETAILS

Machins Solicitors

Please contact Thomas Palmer, Solicitor, Family Law, Machins Solicitors on 01442 872311

thomas.palmer@machins.co.uk if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of family law.

“It is important that those divorcing understand they may have an entitlement to a pension sharing order and this is explored when negotiating a financial settlement “

Top Tier Family Solicitors

D i v o r c e S e p a r a t i o n F i n a n c i a l M a t t e r s C h i l d r e n M e d i a t i o n C o h a b i t a t i o n S e p a r a t i o n A g r e e m e n t s C i v i l P a r t n e r s h i p s

Buckinghamshire charities celebrate share of £1million fund

Three charities based in Buckinghamshire have received donations of £1,000 each as part of the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

For the fourth year running, the Benefact Group is giving away £1million to charities through its Movement for Good awards. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with another 250 awards of £1,000 available now for donation.

Milton Keynes Bridgebuilder Trust, Animal Antiks and Lindengate are the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the county. More than 3,000 kind-hearted residents have voted for charities across the county so far.

In total, more than 202,000 people around the UK supported the Movement for Good awards, with over 3,900 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes. The 250 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated, following 250 previous winners being selected in June 2022.

It’s quick and easy to nominate, you can vote for your favourite charity online at: www.movementforgood.com

Thanking supporters in Buckinghamshire, Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said: “We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good Awards. Benefact Group is the fourth largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. Owned by a charity, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the group grows, the more the group can give. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”

For more information about the awards visit www.movementforgood.com

Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.

“In total, more than 202,000 people around the UK supported the Movement for Good awards”

DISCOVER ULTIMATE LUXURY WITH SANDALS

The pioneers of Caribbean all inclusive, Sandals and Beaches Resorts offer unparalleled luxury, quality inclusions and beautiful locations all included in the price of your holiday.

From tropical vistas and soft sandy beaches to unlimited fine dining, soak up the romantic atmosphere in one of 19 luxury holiday destinations that Trailfinders offers. Tee off from elite golf courses at selected resorts, unwind in indulgent spas, discover an underwater world with PADI® certified diving trips, or try some of the thrilling watersports and fun land activities on offer.

All inclusive Global GourmetTM Dining is one of the main features of any Sandals Resort,

serving a range of dishes from multiple themed restaurants. Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa for instance has 11 exceptional restaurants at the resort to scintillate your taste buds with cuisine ranging from sophisticated Italian fare at Mario’s to sumptuous seafood at Barefoot by the Sea.

Whether it’s been a day of watersports or a restful afternoon sunbathing on a powder white Caribbean beach, unwind at one of Sandals Resorts signature Red Lane® Spas where treatments can be purchased locally. Inspired by beautiful traditions and majestic natural backdrops, from tropically-infused skincare and body care treatments to aromatherapy massages that embrace each unique location.

Come the evening, rest assured you’ll be staying in one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious and opulent suites. Ranging from dramatic cliffside villas with spectacular 180-degree ocean views to lavish Skypool Butler Suites with infinity-edge plunge pools that blur the line between ocean and sky.

Whatever it is that makes that getaway so special to you, you’ll have everything you need for an unforgettable holiday. With various resorts across the Caribbean including romantic getaways to Barbados and family friendly beach breaks in Turks & Caicos - there is a Sandals Resort to suit everyone!

Trailfinders offers a range of all inclusive Sandals & Beaches Resorts and their expert travel consultants are a mine of information about where to go, often with first-hand travel experience. Whether you want alone time with a loved one or to make lasting family memories – they are the perfect people to ask.

Visit trailfinders.com or call 0207 795 4551

FOOD & DRINK

IMAGE:BROWNS BRASSERIE

Milk & More

Milk & More is committed to helping customers live more sustainably. Nearly everything sold, from food to household products, is in packaging that is either refillable, reusable or compostable.

Delivering to the majority of its customers in electric milk floats (Milk & More has one of the largest fleets of electric vehicles in the country), every night, milkmen and milkwomen make deliveries to doorsteps in and around Beaconsfield before 7am, just in time for breakfast!

Placing, checking, or changing an order is simple to do online up to 9pm the night before your next delivery.

A tradition that has been part of British heritage for over 130 years, Milk & More’s milkmen and women deliver the iconic glass pint bottles of fresh British milk (which are reused on average 27 times), as well as bread, eggs, breakfast cereals, fresh juices, yoghurts and non-dairy milk, plus a host of other produce, including a wide range of organic food and drink.

Some of Milk & More’s favourite picks include…

Milk & More Organic Semi Skimmed Milk in Glass, 568ml, 1pt £1.38

Organic semi-skimmed milk from British farms we know and trust. Enjoy the natural creamy goodness of organic, semi-skimmed, which is non-GM, high in calcium and lower in fat than whole milk. Delivered in traditional foil sealed 1-pint glass bottles, these bottles can be reused – so don’t forget to leave yours out for collection once empty!

Clarence Court Old Cotswold Legbar Free Range

Assorted Eggs, 6 Pack, £3.45

Whether you like your breakfast eggs scrambled, baked, fried, poached or boiled... Milk & More has a plentiful supply! Clarence Court’s fabulous hens really know the high life, happily roaming their Gloucestershire fields and grazing on an impeccably formulated diet to ensure the highest quality eggs. With beautiful pastel blue shells, these eggs are bursting with prestige, and their vibrant yolks are sure to make a show-stopping breakfast!

The Village Press Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice in Glass, 500ml £2.49

Fill your fridge with sunshine with the Village Press’s freshly squeezed orange juice. Made with the juiciest sun ripened oranges, this sweet and tangy OJ is a great pick me up to your morning. Once you’ve finished enjoying your delicious Village Press drinks, remember to give the bottles a rinse, then leave them on your doorstep so that your milkman or woman can collect them for recycling.

THE DETAILS

Sign up using BEACONSFIELD30 for 30% off your first order.

*Please see T&C’s on the opposite page For further information visit www.milkandmore.co.uk

in Beaconsfield Delivers to your door

At Milk & More, we are committed to helping our customers live more sustainably. Nearly everything sold, from food to household products, is in packaging that is either refillable, reusable, recyclable or compostable. We also deliver to many customers in electric milk floats, as we have one of the largest fleets of electric vehicles in the country. Every night our team are out and about delivering to doorsteps in and around Beaconsfield before 7am –just in time for breakfast! A tradition that has been

part of British heritage for over 130 years. Along with the iconic glass pint bottles of fresh British milk (which are reused on average 27 times), customers can also order bread, breakfast cereals, fresh juices, yoghurts and non-dairy milk, plus a host of other produce, including a wide range of organic food and drinks. Placing, checking or changing an order is simple to do online and can be done up to 9pm the night before your next delivery.

CHEF LAURIE GEAR

January recipe & kitchen news

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas entertaining over this simple twice baked haddock soufflé recipe is the perfect choice for a light option either for lunch or dinner. They can be made the day before - simply re heat in a hot oven and this tangy and tasty recipe will fit any

occasion whether it be for the remaining family members, friends, loved ones or an indulgence of your own.

A simple green salad is best served as an accompaniment, lightly dressed. Some mixed salad leaves, peeled, and sliced cucumber and some cooked green beans make for a good start.

RECIPE: SMOKED HADDOCK SOUFFLE

Ingredients - Serves 4

• 170g of smoked haddock undyed if available

• 250ml of milk

• 375g of spinach

• 33g of flour

• 30g of butter

• 1/2 tsp mustard

Method

1. Place the haddock in a small shallow pan, cover with milk and bring to the boil. Simmer for 3 minutes and then remove the fish, set aside to cool

2. Heat some oil in a frying pan, add the spinach, moving it around so that it wilt. Remove and allow to drain

3. Grease the inside of the metal rings with a little oil, place onto a lightly greased baking tray

4. Divide up the spinach into the 4 rings and push down so that it evenly spreads inside

5. Add the flour, 115ml of the milk (used to poach the fish), butter, mustard, and ground nutmeg. Bring to the boil, whisking continuously

6. Turn down the heat and simmer for 2 minutes, remove from the heat. Add the mixture to a mixing bowl. Whisk in 37g of the grated cheddar until it melts

7. Using a handheld electric whisk, whisk the egg whites to the hard peak stage

8. Add the egg yolks to the cheese mix and mix well

9. Add the flaked haddock and gently mix

10. Fold in the egg whites gently. Divide the mixture up into the metal rings

11. Place in an oven set to 180°C for 12 minutes

12. Combine the remaining grated cheddar and Parmesan in a bowl

13. Remove from the oven and place the grated cheddar and Parmesan on top. Allow the soufflés to cool - you will notice they start to drop

14. With a sharp knife, gently go round the inside of the ring to carefully remove the soufflés from the rings. Cling film over the soufflés and place on a baking tray, store in the fridge until required

15. To reheat the soufflés, place in an oven set to 165°C for 8 minutes

• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 53g of Lincolnshire poacher or mature cheddar, grated

• 5 eggs separated

• 16g of Parmesan, grated

• 1 pinch of salt

• 1 pinch of pepper

• 4 metal rings

To Serve

Turn out the soufflés onto plates and serve immediately with a dressed mixed salad and some warm crusty bread. For added luxury you can simply poach the haddock with a little extra milk, reserve, and then combine a little butter with a little plain flour in a small heavy pan and then whisk in the milk, bring to a simmer whisking continuously until smooth , simmering for 8 minutes then add a splash of cream and a handful of grated tangy hard cheese such as Lincolnshire poacher, pitchfork or Lancashire bomb (these cheeses make a good swap for the cheddar in the soufflé as well)

Once re heated and plated, spoon some hot sauce over each soufflé. Caviar, herring roe or lumpfish roe can also be added to the crowning cheese sauce for that extra va va voom!

Happy New Year

As we round up and reflect on the past year, which marked the beginning of our 20 Year Anniversary, what a journey it has been! We have many exciting events and projects planned for you for when we reopen on Thursday 12 January 2023 for lunch and dinner and look forward to welcoming you back with new midwinter menus featuring the absolute best of local produce, as always with an emphasis on seasonality and flavour, wine parings have carefully been selected and our ever-popular seasonal house made cocktail is primed and ready.  As we look forward to the next chapter with hope and resolution, we wish you all a special and prosperous New Year, and may 2023 be full of happiness, peace, and joy.

We look forward to welcoming you again soon.

The Artichoke Restaurant is located at: 9 Market Square Old Amersham Tel: 01494 726611

Website and reservations: www.artichokerestaurant.co.uk

Running until Saturday 23rd January, we are offering a MASSIVE 30% off all purchases at The Farm Shop Fulmer (excl. the café) Simply head down to the shop & grab your grocery shopping, gifts, meat from the butchers or a spot of alcohol (sorry Dry Jan)… and receive 30% off your whole shop! *not to be used in conjunction with any other offer* Open from 8am-6pm 7 days a week

EXCITING SEASONAL CREATIONS

Browns Brasserie & Bar in Beaconsfield has some lovely treats to brighten your new year.

Fresh, vibrant, and colourful, enjoy plant-based dishes including fragrant Asparagus & Butternut Curry, energising Avocado, Kale & Mango Salad and a hearty Roast Vegetable Stew in warming spices. Along with their excellent selection of virgin cocktails, Browns Beaconsfield offer the perfect antidote to December’s indulgence.

Their fantastic value Lunch & Early Evening menu has returned, with two delicious courses from £16.95 and three courses for £20.95. Offering a wide range of dishes including rich Duck Parfait with toasted brioche, Smoked Haddock Fishcake, succulent Steak Frites and warming Apple & Morello Cherry Crumble, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Available weekdays from midday to 5pm.

Download the Browns Brasserie & Bar App to enjoy £10 off your next visit, plus regular exclusive offers throughout the year. Find it on the App Store or Google Play. And if you sign up to receive their emails at www.browns-restaurants.co.uk, you can enjoy a complimentary Cosmopolitan with Discarded Grape Skin Vodka (made using the fruit recovered from wine-making), or a virgin Espresso Martini that’s very nearly as good as the real thing.

Browns Beaconsfield is open all day from breakfast through to dinner, with a menu of classic British comforts and fresh seasonal creations, market fish delivered daily, traditional afternoon teas, decadent Champagne Bottomless Brunches, and traditional roasts on Sundays. There are also bespoke Gluten Free breakfast, A La Carte and Afternoon Tea menus, all accredited by Coeliac UK.

With both cosy corners and bright airy spaces they are perfect for all occasions, from intimate dinners to family gatherings and celebrations, offering relaxed yet sophisticated dining and drinking with a beautiful bar serving expertly hand-crafted cocktails and a comprehensive range of wine, Champagne and artisan spirits.

For all enquiries, please contact the friendly team or book online via their website.

“With both cosy corners and bright airy spaces they are perfect for all occasions, from intimate dinners to family gatherings and celebrations”

St Valentine Collection 2023

CŒUR À CŒUR ‘Heart to Heart’

Available online and in boutiques from 13th January 2023

With St Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Pierre Marcolini offers you ‘Cœur à Cœur’ creations that are both audacious and sumptuous! When Pierre created his ‘Cœur à Cœur’ collection to celebrate this Lovers’ Day, he wanted to shake up the existing formula, by adding fervour to Love, and make opposing flavours confront each other. To unite and bring together the most vivacious and the more virtuous characters.

HEARTS UNITE

Chewy bites combining two halves of a heart to enjoy a single delicacy for two. On the red side, the crunchy Piedmont hazelnut and Japanese charred sesame are accompanied by a Quimper lace topped with a hazelnut Gianotti. On the pink side, a tender hazelnut praline is sprinkled with hazelnut chips. When ‘Cœur’ is unwrapped, people’s hearts will also be wrapped up in a single mouthful of pleasure and tenderness.

Hearts Unite Bite 60g - £11.90 each

THE HEART BOX

A beautiful metal box with delicately rounded contours, shimmering colours encompassing creations, which are surprising to reveal: vanillapepper, hazelnut or Yuzu mandarin hearts, nougats, caramel palettes, or milk twists. Enough to vary emotions and increase sensations tenfold. Box with 9 chocolates 64g - £16.90

PLUMIER PETITS BONHEURS

What a delight to find the famous ‘Petits Bonheurs à la noisette’, wrapped in a golden paper specially decorated with hearts for the occasion. Just waiting to melt in lovers’ mouths. Sixteen chocolate treats, beautifully nestled in a Plumier box. 144g - £23.00

GOURMET ADDICTION FOR THE FOODIES!

This assortment contains:

•The Heart Box

•Plumier Petits Bonheurs

•Milk Rochers treats

•Five O’clock Bar

•Duo Praliné Hazelnut Biscuit Box 503g - £71.00

DESSERTS CŒUR À CŒUR

Finally, to make hearts beat faster, a pastry to swoon over and share together. The dessert consists of a lemon Genoa bread topped with a toasted sesame nougatine. The strawberry heart is accompanied by a light Madagascan vanilla mousse with a hint of Timut pepper, all coated in a white chocolate shell. A small raspberry heart delicately crowns this dessert to sweep people off their feet. Desserts Cœur à Cœur 230g - For 2 people£15,00

Hearts to be won, pleasures to share!

THE DETAILS

Visit marcolini.com and their Marylebone boutique plus counters in Selfridges, Harrods, and worldwide.

Facebook.com/PierreMarcolini Twitter/ Instagram @pierremarcolin

The Salon at The Relais

London has the widest range of members’ clubs in the world, ranging from art, wine, and wellbeing, to creative clubs where members can network, eat, drink and have a relaxed place to work. Grace Leo, owner of riverside boutique hotel The Relais Henley in Henley-on-Thames has spun her magic to bring the world of the private member’s club out from the confines of the city to the countryside.

The hotel business has been in Grace Leo’s blood since a very early age, and her love of the business shows clearly in the extensive redevelopment at The Relais Henley and she has recently opened a sister hotel, The Relais Cooden Beach on the East Sussex Coast.

Launched in 2022, The Salon is The Relais’s exclusive private club, offering entrepreneurs, innovators and creatives the opportunity to meet, work, be inspired and connect with likeminded individuals. With a unique programme of hosted events from business breakfasts to fireside conversations, The Salon offers inspirational speakers from the world of business and finance, lifestyle and arts and culture.

The 2022 speaker programme included former Director General of the BBC Lord Hall, Olympic rower Oliver Cook, a Highclere Castle gin tasting with Lord Carnarvon and an annual cruise along the River Thames with cocktails in hand.

During the day members can use the Palm Court as an ‘alternative office’, an elegant setting for their day-to-day business meetings or just to clear their inbox in calm and luxurious surroundings.

In the evenings the Palm Court is the place to meet for drinks before a meal in the hotel’s Clipper Restaurant or a trip to the local theatre. Salon members are offered preferential rates on accommodation, food and beverages at The Relais Henley.

Membership of the Salon is payable on an annual basis, and those who just wish to attend the networking breakfasts or evenings can pay per event. The speakers for the 2023 programme include General Sir Gordon Messenger, who recently headed up the in-depth investigation for the government review on the health and social care sectors, and Justin Urquhart Stewart, the well-known financial commentator. Other topics will include ethics and integrity in modern society, cryptocurrency and the Metaverse, the future of the media in a world of fake news and an evening of whisky tasting and cocktails to warm up the body and soul for the New Year.

For more information contact: salon@therelaisretreats.com or sign up online at www.therelaisretreats.com/henley/the-relais/thesalon-at-the-relais

“In the evenings the Palm Court is the place to meet for drinks before a meal in the hotel’s Clipper Restaurant”

MEDIA SAI�ES EXECUTIVES

FlSH MEDIA GROUP

We are the proud publishers of this high quality group of magazines and are looking for t wo experienced telephone and face to face sales executives.

We pay a h igh basic plus uncapped commission, on-going training and a real development to managing your own group of magazines. You must be enthusiastic, outgoing, confident and above all you must be able to sell.

If you can r ea lly s e ll a nd want to be part of our expansion programme call P atrick Smith on 07932 608797.

To see the quality of our ma gazines and portfolio visit www.thelifemagazines.com

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

OF PUNK DAME VIVIENNE WESTWOOD’S FASHION LEGACY

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 01.

GUCCI, Kids Basket Low Trainers. £490

FENDI, Boys Colour Block Dogtooth T-Shirt in Black From £350

MONCLER, Boys Logo Print Shorts. From £155

MONCLER, Boys Velour Zip Through Tracksuit. From £330

DSQUARED2, Kids Icon Logo Socks in White. £42

BURBERRY, Kids Cotton Logo Cap in Yellow. £160

FENDI, Kids FF Logo Backpack in Red. £750

BALMAIN, Boys Black Logo Ski Pants. From £292

boys girls

BURBERRY, Girls Cotton Jersey Logo T-Shirt in Pink. £160

BURBERRY, Girls Canvas And Rubber Lace Up Trainers in Pink. £340

PALM ANGELS, Kids Logo Socks in White. £35

BURBERRY, Girls Cotton Check Shorts in Pink. £170

MONCLER, Girls White Cotton Tracksuit. From £280

STELLA MCCARTNEY, Girls Floral Belt Bag in Multicoloured. £67

MICHAEL KORS, Girls Sports Crop Top in Yellow. £55

GUCCI, Kids Embroidred GG Logo Visor in Red. £215

Kids Sherpa FF Hooded Jacket in Brown. From £760

Kids Jacquard Logo Ski Boots in Black. From £520

Baby FF Logo Stroller in Tan. £2,250

Kids Joggers in Black. From £275

Black Boots. £650

Baby Wool Logo Bear Coverall in Brown. £750

Baby Logo Hooded Poncho in Cream. £520

Baby Girls FF Logo Dress in White. £490

Girls Drawstring Logo Bag in Brown (H:18cm). £1,350

Fendi Kids Girls Red FF Logo Tape Cut Out Dress. From £295

Kids Down Padded Reversible Gilet in Black. £850

Baby Leather Logo Booties in Ivory. £275

Girls Half Zip Logo Sweatshirt in Red. From £430

Logo Trim Zip Up Top in Black. From £275

Girls Wool Knitted Logo Dress in Cream. From £580

Girls Brown FF Logo Jersey Dress. From £480

Kids Down Padded FF Logo Coat in Black. £1,350 Scooter. £690

CHILDSPLAYCLOTHING.CO.UK

YATTA MORE THAN JUST A NAME

Yatta means ”I did it”, and whilst the intended meaning relates to the Pilates philosophy of working hard to reach personal success, it also rings true for the two founders on their business journey. Sisters Inka and Anika both lived and worked in London before settling with their families in Bucks. As former longterm devotees of London based Reformer Pilates classes they were frustrated by the lack of a local option, saw an opportunity and seized it.

If Pilates is in any way on your radar, you’ll no doubt be aware of the rising popularity of Reformer Pilates. If however, those two words still evade your vocabulary, let’s start at the beginning. The “reformer” is a unique piece of apparatus consisting of a static platform and a sliding carriage. Springs add resistance to the exercises being carried out on it enabling the user to find length and space in the body whilst under the tension. Add in the Pilates practise of a combined physical and mental workout for total wellbeing and the results can be truly transformational. Clients achieve greater flexibility, strength, stamina and a more balanced posture with improved alignment and a total sense of wellbeing.

At Yatta things are done a little differently to the

average studio. An oasis of understated luxury, the studio offers a bright and intimate space designed to be the perfect antidote to modern day life. From the zen like boutique studio where you’ll be warmly welcomed, offered crystal water and given free grippy socks at your first session, Yatta delivers an holistic experience with true Pilates at the core. Every instructor is an expertly trained Pilates specialist whose personal approach with posture corrections and keen attention to detail contributes to the impeccably high standards Yatta prides itself on. Classes cater for all abilities and ages including for pregnancy and to assist with recovery from injury.

Tempted? New clients are invited to a free trial (first class only) and throughout January you can also get two classes free (worth £56) when you buy a block of 20 sessions. Plus, anyone booking a block of sessions in January will receive a free tote bag and pair of grippy socks worth £15. Simply scan the QR code on the page opposite and book before 31st January to secure your free sessions and enjoy a heart, body and mind that feels revived. www.yatta-studio.com

“From the zen like boutique studio where you’ll be warmly welcomed, offered crystal water and given free grippy socks at your first session, Yatta delivers an holistic experience with true Pilates at the core”

Queen of punk Dame Vivienne Westwood’s fashion legacy

By Prudence Wade.

Few individuals disrupted fashion quite like Dame Vivienne Westwood, who has died aged 81.

Known for her counterculture aesthetic and commitment to the environment, fashion wouldn’t be where it is today without Westwood carving her unique path.

She continued working until the end of her life, with the announcement on her Instagram page reading: “Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better. She led an amazing life. Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.”

Tributes have already started pouring in from the world of fashion, music and beyond, with Chrissie Hynde – lead singer of the Pretenders – tweeting: “Vivienne is gone and the world is already a less interesting place.”

Westwood certainly made the world a more interesting place throughout her career – these are some of the major ways she broke boundaries…

She brought a punk aesthetic to high fashion

With her provocative and boundary-pushing designs, Westwood helped set the fashion tone for the punk movement in the 1970s.

She opened a shop with her then-partner Malcolm McLaren on the King’s Road in 1971 –later called SEX – which was frequented by some of the biggest names in punk – including the Sex Pistols, who McLaren managed.

During this time, Westwood’s designs set the tone for punk fashion – think ripped T-shirts, lots of safety pin embellishments and tartan accents. Westwood often used anti-establishment iconography in her clothes – particularly subverting traditional images of the monarchy.

In 1998 she told The Independent: “I was a punk before it got its name. I had that hairstyle and purple lipstick. Girls stopped me in the street and said, ‘Look at the state of that’.”

She made the environment a central focus

The climate crisis might be top of the agenda now, with brands like Stella McCartney using eco-friendly materials and emphasising the need for sustainability in fashion.

But when Westwood started talking about sustainability way back in Eighties, she was seen as something of an outlier. She used traditional tailoring from Savile Row and put great importance on how garments were made –

The late great designer championed punk fashion and was committed to environmental sustainability.

considering the supply chain long before many other major players did.

Her work was always political, and she made her explicit focus the environment in the Noughties. In 2012, Westwood appeared on the catwalk during London Fashion Week in a T-shirt saying ‘climate revolution’, and in 2015 she drove a tank near former prime minister David Cameron’s home to protest fracking.

Some have struggled with Westwood’s message to ‘buy less’, while she still produced multiple new collections a year. However, this was something she was conscious of, with the Vivienne Westwood website reading: “We know there is a contradiction between our activism and the industry we are part of. Fashion creates products which are too often disposable, and which – through their creation, distribution and eventual disposal – can have a disproportionately negative impact on our planet, its wildlife and people.

“We know this and we know we must do better. We have been adapting the way we make our clothes and accessories over the last few years to reflect the growing urgency to change how the industry operates but, in this time of climate crisis, we must go further.”

Westwood continued to post on her blog (climaterevolution.co.uk) up until her death – in November she praised the young activists who threw soup on Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers painting, writing: “Young people are desperate. They’re wearing a T-shirt that says: Just Stop Oil. They’re doing something.”

She championed androgyny in fashion

Over the past few years, androgyny has become big business in fashion – championed by the likes of Brad Pitt, who wore a skirt on the red carpet in August.

This arguably wouldn’t have happened without Westwood. From the beginning of her career, she’s pushed the boundaries of gender in fashion, putting men in skirts and women in sharp tailoring.

One clip that’s been going viral on social media since Westwood’s death shows an extremely awkward TV interview when she was introducing her autumn/winter 1988-89 collection, called Time Machine. Westwood had male models wearing pearls, and the interviewer asked – to the giggles of the audience – “Tell me about the twinset and pearls for men, has it caught on? I have not seen a

lot of men wearing twinsets and pearls.”

Westwood replied: “You might see your bank manager in five years wearing that” – proving she was far ahead of her time. The audience may have been laughing at Westwood’s designs at the time, but her prediction eventually came true – a string of pearls is current fashion icon Harry Styles’ signature look.

She constantly subverted expectations Westwood’s fashion was meant to challenge and subvert expectations. She first introduced corsetry into her designs in the 1970s, and it remained her signature style in the decades that followed.

With corsets, Westwood was one of the first designers to experiment with the ‘underwear as outerwear’ trend (one that is still in fashion today), and she used them to make a strong statement for female empowerment and liberation – challenging their original meaning of restriction.

As American designer Marc Jacobs said in his tribute to Westwood: “You did it first. Always. Incredible style with brilliant and meaningful substance.”

“We have been adapting the way we make our clothes and accessories over the last few years to reflect the growing urgency to change how the industry operates”

The Kensington Wing

The Kensington Wing is the dedicated private maternity unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, providing women and birthing people with around-the-clock clinical care, comfortable en-suite private rooms and hospitality services.

Located in the heart of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital – part of one of the UK’s top rated hospital Trusts – your baby’s and your safety and wellbeing are reassuringly supported at all times. The Kensington Wing is immediately located next to the hospital’s outstanding and newly expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a consultant anaesthetist remains on site at all times 24/7, dedicated to the needs of our patients.

To ensure the safety of women, birthing people and birth partners, The Kensington Wing has important infection control procedures for staff and visitors to adhere to but remain welcoming to your chosen birth partner for all stages of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay. Your individual room and en-suite facilities are a haven, and the catering and hospitality team ensures your stay is relaxing as well as safe. On the Kensington Wing the consultant obstetricians, midwives, nurses and maternity support workers provide care as a team and are delighted to offer both consultant-led and midwife-led maternity packages.

THE DETAILS

If you would like to talk to one of the team, call 020 3315 8616, email chelwest.kensington@nhs.net or visit thekensingtonwing.co.uk

The Kensington Wing’s highly experienced team of midwives welcome enquiries and the opportunity to discuss midwife-led care in more detail. These ‘meet the midwife’ sessions are always a relaxed and special time to talk and discover more without any obligation. For those women and birthing people who are appropriate for midwife-led care, the team provide full support throughout your pregnancy and the midwifery team are available 24 hours seven days a week for advice or concerns throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay.

The consultant-led care package allows you the choice of one of their experienced consultant obstetricians to personally guide you through your pregnancy and birth. Your consultant provides continuity and individualised expertise throughout your journey. They build a relationship with you and your partner through the antenatal period to give you confidence to birth safely with them in line with your birth preferences. They continue to support you through the postnatal period, including your 6 week postnatal check. All consultants are available to meet you and your birth partner without any obligation.

The Kensington Wing enquiry team are always happy to support with these arrangements and answer any questions.

FASHION & BEAUTY

WRAP UP WARM

Pretty and practical, these stunning knitted hats have several options. One is covered in buzzing bees on a tan ground with mustard bee silhouettes. Perfect for wrapping up warm in the colder months, it features a lovely faux fur pompom and is sure to make a stylish statement. There is also a version with a lovely faux fur pompom where coral pink stars sit against the grey melange colour ground. sophieallport.com

KEEPING IT PERSONAL

The Zodiac Crystal Personalised Bracelet is a delicate chain bridged by a zodiac charm of your choice. The zodiac charms feature crystals set in a pattern to represent unique constellations. Each constellation is inset with tiny sparkling crystals representing your zodiac star sign. bloom-boutique.co.uk

FABULOUS FLAMINGO

Take a look at our Teal Serendipity Cosmetic Bag. Whether you are jetting off to an exotic location, on a business trip, or looking for something stylish to place on your bathroom vanity unit our designer wash bags and make-up bags are a stylish and organised way to carry all your essential toiletries and cosmetics. claire-louise.co.uk

FEELING FRESH

Our iconic Ginger & Lime fragrance is a clean, masculine scent, with a blend of citrus lime and warming ginger to gently cleanse and recharge the senses. baylisandharding.com

THE WEEKENDER

Our new weekend bag is the perfect gift for couples to take on a romantic weekend away together. Personalised with their first initials and surname, its a practical gift for newlyweds heading off on their honeymoon or for couples spending a night away for their anniversary. sundaysdaughter.com

Exercise to improve sleep

With colder temperatures, shorter daylight hours and potentially seasonal blues upon us, it can sometimes feel harder to stay motivated and maintain an exercise routine. However, if you’re looking to keep rested and improve sleep, you should be focusing on your physical activity routine.

King Edward VII’s Hospital GP, Dr Hagar El-Habti to discuss how and when you should be exercising for a better night’s sleep.

How can exercise impact sleep? As well as increasing deep sleep and calming your mental activity, exercise can prevent conditions that can cause insomnia. Various illnesses and diseases like obesity, depression and pain, to name

a few, can cause people to suffer with poor sleep, but regular exercise and remaining fit can alleviate symptoms in some cases.

You might think that exercise would make you more tired during the day, but having a regime and working out can also battle sleepiness and fatigue during the day, and actually boost your energy levels, which means you’ll be more tired by bedtime, and drift off more quickly – subsequently promoting higher quality sleep.

What kind of exercise can help improve sleep? Whilst each person should adopt the routine and exercise that works best for them, there are a few things to note.

If anxiety is keeping you up at night, you could focus your exercise regime on tackling that.

“You might think that exercise would make you more tired during the day, but having a regime and working out can also battle sleepiness and fatigue during the day”

Aerobic exercises that increase heart and breathing rates, like brisk walking, running or cycling can make getting off to sleep easier by lowering blood pressure and reducing anxiety.

And if you really want to get a good night’s sleep, you should try exercising outdoors. This can boost your body’s circadian rhythm and exposure to daylight on a bracing walk or playing sport can help to keep you alert during the day, and as the sun goes down can trigger the body’s production of melatonin, which is what makes us feel sleepy.

What time of day is best to exercise?

Everyone is different, and what works for you might depend on whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, as well as any underlying health conditions. It’s recommended to stop exercising at least 90 minutes before you plan to go to bed, as this allows endorphin levels and core body temperature to return to levels that are favourable to sleep.

If evenings work better for you, try to avoid more vigorous forms of exercise such as HIIT as they can raise your core bode temperature too much, and in turn impact on the quality of your sleep. Alternatively, you could try stretching, resistance or light aerobic exercise to get the benefits of a workout without raising your body temperature too much.

Thinking of starting running?

Senior Physiotherapist at King Edward VII’s Hospital, Ella Moffat, suggests these top tips to

MORE INFORMATION

If you are concerned by your sleep issues or exercise problems, you can discuss your concerns and options at a same day appointment with a King Edward VII’s Hospital GP or physiotherapist.

Tel: 0203 930 1392 Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm kingedwardvii.co.uk

Marylebone, London

help prevent the risk of injury when you start running:

•Always warm up properly, with 10 minutes of stretching exercises before you run

•When first starting, run for short intervals, interspersed with walking – the ‘Couch to 5k’ app will encourage this

•Don’t run too fast - keep to a slow and sustained pace

•Try not to run every day. It is important to give your muscles time to rest and recover before running again. As you become more experienced, you can begin to run on consecutive days, but always remember to listen to your body

•Try to relax when you run, with your shoulders down

•Aim to mix up your running surfaces too – run on a mix of roads and grassy surfaces where possible to help cushion the joints

•Don’t run on a full stomach – leave at least two hours between finishing a meal and going for a run to avoid getting a stitch

Dr Hagar El-Habti

Slim, Tone and Sculpt your body for 2023

Put your best body forward this year with The Cosmetic Skin Clinic.

With the new year upon us, we all look forward to a fresh start and for many that includes being free from body concerns. The truth is, we all want to look our best with a renewed sense of confidence and you can! At The Cosmetic Skin Clinic, we are award-winning specialists who ensure a bespoke treatment offering to achieve your unique body goals and natural results that speak to you.

What’s our secret?

Our team of expert practitioners apply our coveted ‘holistic approach’ style to every patient. We believe in diverse individuality, creating customised treatment plans that involve clever combinations that consistently get superlative results and minimal downtime.

The Cosmetic Skin Clinic are the go-to destination for body transformation with our unique combination state-of the art non-invasive treatment package CoolSculpting, EMSculpt Neo and Body Ballancer.

Treatment combination approach for body sculpting.

Whether you want to feel confident in your clothes or just feel like you again, our expert led non-surgical treatments can get you there. To ensure results, our triple body sculpting approach includes:

Fat Freezing with CoolSculpting

This FDA-approved treatment perfectly tackles those difficult to reduce areas (i.e., tummy, love handles/flanks, bingo wings and inner/outer thighs), that diet and exercise simply cannot shift. Over 50,000 fat freezing treatments have been performed at The Cosmetic Skin Clinic, earning us the title of ‘Number 1 clinic for CoolSculpting in the UK’.

Smooth and speed up results with the Body Ballancer

Following CoolSculpting, this special massage treatment aids in lymphatic drainage, accelerating the removal of frozen fat cells and helping with slimming, toning, cellulite and water retention.

Redefine and enhance with EMSculpt Neo EMSculpt Neo (electromagnetic stimulation) impressively burns 30% more fat and builds 25% more muscle with zero downtime or effort. One 30-minute session is equivalent to 24,000 sit-ups or crunches. It’s the perfect treatment to add definition to your CoolSculpting results.

So, if you need a new year body revamp, then look no further than our combination treatment approach and expertise ensuring outstanding results.

Book in for a complimentary consultation and begin your body sculpting journey.

THE DETAILS

The Cosmetic Skin Clinic

Our state-of-the-art Stoke Poges  clinic is a stone’s throw from Gerrards  Cross and Beaconsfield, discreetly  located with ample on-site parking.

84 Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges,  Buckinghamshire, SL2 4LF  T: 0330 828 4657

E: info@cosmeticskinclinic.com  www.cosmeticskinclinic.com

“Absolutely delighted with both the result and the professionalism of the service I received.”

5 star patient review of The Cosmetic Skin Clinic

Why Having A Plan For The Year Ahead Is Key To Success!

Do you have a specific dream, goal or new year resolution you wish to achieve in 2023? Do you set lots of goals in your life, be it health, career or life in general, but feel you never quite reach them?

Kate Kirrane from Seed Wellness tells us how.

As most successful people will confirm, in order to get to where you wish to go, it’s IMPERATIVE to have a plan. In fact, it is the key contributing factor to achieving success. Similar to a car journey, you may know your destination but without a road map, you will most likely get lost along the way. Whatever area of your life you wish to improve, be it getting fitter or healthier, receiving a promotion or changing career; finding your life purpose or even travelling the world, we asked our team of coaches at Seed Wellness to share their top tips on how to guarantee you reach your goals successfully in 2023!

Said Izzy Walton, Health Coach in Marlow, “The first step to creating a plan for success is to be sure your goal aligns with your expectations and purpose. Then take time to consider whether it is: a) Achievable b) Realistic c) Sustainable

Said Jo Bishop, Personal Coach in Beaconsfield, ‘Refocus on your goal again and again whilst considering the following:

a) Avoid ‘all or nothing thinking’ - A chocolate cupcake in a moment is not the end of the diet. You can make up for it tomorrow.

b) Be kind to yourself. What are three things you have done for others this week? And what about yourself?

c) Reframe adversity - Positive psychologists describe mental toughness as helping us to see adversities as opportunities to overcome, grow and learn from rather than threats to our confidence.

Said Suzy Malhotra, Career & Resilience Coach in Maidenhead, “Writing your ideas down is really powerful. Journal them, asking yourself:

a) Why do I want to achieve this goal?

b) How will I feel when I achieve this goal?

c) What is stopping me from achieving this goal right now?”

Our coaches are offering a FREE 15-minute Discovery phone consultation through January 2023. To register, email info@seedwellness.co.uk

Seed Wellness is a local network of holistic teachers and practitioners dedicated to boosting your mind, body & soul. www.seedwellness.co.uk

Kate’s most Googled fashion moments of 2022

With royal tours and plenty of engagements in the diary, the Princess of Wales had a busy 2022 – and her wardrobe was more than up to the challenge.

From colourful outfits and vintage-inspired looks to sombre black mourning outfits, Kate’s fashion has been characteristically polished throughout the year.

But which outfits piqued our interest the most? There were particular days of the year we turned to Google to find out more about what Kate was

wearing. These are the top days – and corresponding outfits – we were looking up Kate’s fashion.

FOR THE QUEEN’S FUNERAL

For the sombre occasion of the Queen’s funeral in September, Kate wore a black Alexander McQueen coat dress with a wide-brimmed hat and veil. Pearls are traditionally worn by the royals in mourning, and Kate accessorised her look with the late Queen’s Japanese pearl choker necklace –which she also wore to Prince Philip’s funeral the previous year.

From Alexander McQueen coat dresses to yellow Eighties-inspired outfits, these are the royal looks we’ve been searching for this year. By Prudence Wade

FOR JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Kate wheeled out a series of enviable outfits for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, and the outfit that had people rushing to Google was the pastel yellow Emilia Wickstead outfit, worn to a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral. The elegant midi dress featured wrap detailing underneath the bust and was teamed with a matching hat by Philip Treacy and the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings –which were given to the late Queen as a wedding present by the Hakim of Bahrain in 1947.

AT A SERVICE FOR THE QUEEN

Ahead of the Queen’s funeral, Kate attended a service for the late monarch in Westminster Hall. She kept her outfit simple – a black Catherine Walker coat dress, worn with a pearl and diamond brooch.

AT THE PLATINUM JUBILEE PAGEANT

Kate continued her run of colourful Jubilee outfits for the pageant, choosing a raspberry Stella McCartney to watch the show. The cut of the dress was quite demure – with long puff sleeves, a high neck and midi length, but the bright colour made it feel a lot more fun. While fans went wild for her outfit, she was almost outshone by fouryear-old Prince Louis – who struggled to sit still during the two-hour pageant.

AT A CHARITY POLO MATCH

Proving a midi dress is always her go-to, the day after the pageant Kate stepped out in a white version to watch the Prince of Wales play in a charity polo match. She turned to one of her favourite designers, Emilia Wickstead, for the occasion, and looked elegant in the simple white dress with black piping.

LEAVING THE BAHAMAS

Kate switched up her style for the royal tour around the Caribbean in March – while she packed some failsafe midi dresses and suits for the trip, she was also a bit more experimental with vintage finds and unusual colours. The most searched-for outfit from the trip was the yellow Alessandra Rich dress she wore leaving The Bahamas. With puff sleeves, peplum detailing and a bow on the front, the vibe was distinctly Eightiesinspired – and quite different to the silhouettes we’re used to seeing Kate in. While most of Kate’s outfits tend to sell out immediately, this one is still available to buy – and has been reduced from £1,690 to £1,014 on Net-A-Porter.

AT CARDIFF CASTLE

We can only imagine how many coat dresses Kate has in her wardrobe – this was one of the most popular of the year, a red version by Eponine London (which she first wore back in 2021). Kate donned the outfit for a Jubilee visit to Cardiff Castle – and as red is the colour of Wales, we can’t imagine her choice was an accident.

AT WIMBLEDON

As a patron of the All England Club, Kate is a familiar face at Wimbledon – and this year she took Prince George to the Royal Box for the first time, to watch the men’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios. Kate kept things light and summery in a navy blue polka dot dress by Alessandra Rich, with the cut reminiscent of the yellow dress she wore by the same designer in The Bahamas.

HOUSE & GARDEN

IMAGE: MARLOW STOVES

AN ODE TO CURVES

Tstraight lines and angles gradually edged out in favour of the round. In the home, curves are calming, they imply comfort, softness and safety – no objects threatening to bash shins or cause dents here.

PLAY TIME

Now roundness has really kicked off, the newest designer pieces showcasing exaggerated, extravagant, expressive curves that go over-thetop with size, scale or configuration. While in more traditional shapes this may be too imposing or impactful for indoors, without angles the new forms are childlike and friendly – often with a dash of the cheeky or whimsical.

AU NATUREL

These designs also hint at the organic, many of the shapes appearing gently smoothed over time, or obviously sculpted by human hands. While perfect circles, discs and spheres still play a part in the contemporary interior, they’re supported by forms that are imperfect, tying in with our ongoing love affair with nature and bringing the outdoor in to create an inherently relaxing mood.

PRODUCT PICKS

Round and round

Is it a piece of art, or something practical? The Stami daybed by Milanese designers Studiopepe for Gallotti & Radice is all about curves, its straight lines almost invisible. A tale of two halves, its lower frame – if it can really be called that – is composed of impossibly delicate slices of black stained ash, which seem to loop and grow around the cushions above, flawlessly providing levelled support while making its own visual impression. The upholstered upper section is so sleek it looks naturally formed, the oval and cylindrical leather cushions impossibly smooth like something made in the digital world rather than reality. Stami daybed by Gallotti & Radice, £7,880

“Is it a piece of art, or something practical? The Stami daybed by Milanese designers Studiopepe for Gallotti & Radice is all about curves”

Stami daybed by Gallotti & Radice, £7,880

Denver Dattero

Supersized

Made up of just two substantial segments, the seat of Lema’s Claire armchair by Norm Architects nods strongly to nature, combining epic upholstered forms with a slick, minimal frame. The two cushion sections are rounded like a pair of pebbles eroded by time and slowly drawn together, their exaggerated size and quiet-yet-monumental curves at once indulgent and humble, emanating warmth and serenity.

Claire armchair by Lema, £3,100

Charismatic contours

Making an impression with its wing-like double backrest, finding strict linearity on the Aldora Sofa by Cristina Celestino for Moooi is like playing a long game of hide and seek. Its impressive backrest inspired by the arcing lines of Calla Lilies and prompting visions of pretty flying insects, the flowing flamboyant form is both somewhere to get comfortable on as well as an upholstered sculpture, bestowing joy and character on the room with its presence alone.

Aldora Sofa by Moooi, £3650 chaplins.co.uk

Perfect imperfection

Combining the organic with geometric precision, the Maxim Argile dining table by Pio and Tito Toso for Cattelan Italia melds a perfectly rounded, touch-me-smooth table top with a trio of alluring concave legs. Expertly crafted from liquid cement which is poured into a mould in the same way a sculpture is produced, when solidified the material has a gentle, tactile finish. The simple, oversized shapes imbue the design with a natural feel, its base akin to mysteriously enlarged petals or leaves creating a subtle yet striking statement.

Maxim Argile dining table by Cattelan Italia, £5980

“Lema’s Claire armchair by Norm Architects nods strongly to nature, combining epic upholstered forms with a slick, minimal frame”

This image and middle right: Maxim Argile dining table by Cattelan Italia, £5980

Above and below: Aldora Sofa by Moooi, £3650

This image and top right: Claire armchair by Lema, £3,100

How to design happiness INTO YOUR HOME

Holidays spent in a beautiful villa or hotel make you feel rested and happy, right?

If you come back and feel deflated, it’s time to design happiness into your home. Good architecture can improve our mood and enhance mental health.

Your house is your biggest investment, but simply adding an extension or redecorating won’t fix fundamental problems. How does natural daylight interact with your living spaces? Do the acoustics work? Is there suitable accommodation for children, parents and guests – now and in a decade’s time? Are there successful workspaces for multiple occupants? How is the temperature and energy efficiency? Do pets leave muddy pawprints in your hallway? And is there enough storage space? So many important questions that only a qualified and experienced architect will consider. And that’s before designing inspirational features that spark joy and increase your home’s value.

Unlike ‘architectural designers’ who can be anything but architects, qualified architects benefit from seven years’ comprehensive professional training and offer a more sophisticated design service, starting from a client’s personality. This influences the style of a scheme, whether that be ultra-modern or classic. A range of possibilities will be presented, based on your budget. Maybe you’d like to completely rebuild your home? Or have a plan to re-work the house over a period of a few years, as you can afford it, one area at a time. Or possibly just one room could be transformed to bring about the light, space or cosy sanctuary that you desire.

At 2Lockwood, Julian and Dina Lockwood each have over 26 years of experience, with a unique blend of designing award-winning developments of multiple homes, and bespoke projects for one house at a time. So, they understand long and short-term lifestyle trends, and how residential design is evolving as a result of the pandemic. They also know about innovative construction techniques that can save you money without compromising on quality.

Based in Great Missenden, they live locally and know the area. If you’d like to discuss your house, and how 2Lockwood Architects can design happiness into it, please visit www.2lockwood.com to book a call.

“Simply adding an extension or redecorating won’t fix fundamental problems”

The fabric first approach is essential when improving insulation to roofs, walls, floors and windows which are just some of the ways of reducing heat-loss.

The use of thermography (thermal imaging) is an exciting and relatively new application in the building world. If you want to identify areas of excessive heat loss in your home on the way to creating an eco-friendly building, using thermographic equipment is a good place to start.

Robert Tiffin (descendant of the original family) and highly respected building expert and Quantity Surveyor, has seen a rise in the number of families wanting to make their homes work more efficiently by reducing heat loss.

Evidence from thermograms help to provide much of the data to substantiate Robert’s bespoke reports for each property in “seeing the unseen”. To the trained eye, the results can reveal important information enabling a clear diagnosis.

Home owners look forward to maximising their comfort to a warm, cosy, cost effective and healthier environment for themselves and their families.

“seeing the unseen”. As featured in Listed Property Owners Club Magazine.

WHY THERMOGRAPHY is our weapon of choice

Improve your thermal envelope with the ‘fabric first’ approach to retain heat in older (pre-1990s) and listed buildings... and reduce your heat loss by 50%+

Eco Tiffin Ltd t might not seem entirely intuitive to consider the use of modern technology when working with traditional and ancient buildings. However, building conservation should make use of all the knowledge, skills and disciplines at its disposal and it would be a big mistake to dismiss thermography, especially now, with energy costs predicted to be £3,800 a year for the average home by Spring 2023.

Thermography is the use of thermal infrared imaging to identify heat loss contributing to building defects such as dampness and its sources. It is a non-destructive technique that is ideal when working with older, complex buildings that have so many elements to them. Indeed, it is impossible to make a full and accurate assessment of their state of repair without recourse to thermography in the hands of a seasoned building professional.

A condition survey incorporating an analysis of

all heat loss areas, building defects and draughts in relation to the current or proposed use of any building is a prerequisite for the correct identification and specification of any insulation (retrofit) works needed, well before their approval and commencement.

Identifying the exact type of structure and its fabric enables us to determine its thermal envelope, how good or bad it is at retaining the warm air that is so expensive to heat, and therefore form a strategy on how best to reduce heat loss.

The thermal images shown here reveal the interplay of moisture, heat and ventilation continuously taking place in any building. More than any other technology, this allows us to see and understand what is going on, explain it and make betterinformed decisions when prioritising the allocation of ever-limited resources. Which means we should be thinking of thermography as a sixth sense that we are very lucky to have.

“While the environment changes and specific problems arise, we continue to take a holistic approach and can provide a ‘one stop shop’ for the most economically viable solutions”

Because of the highly visual, immediate nature of the thermal survey, it offers a relatively inexpensive and non-invasive way of helping clients and other stakeholders understand the significance of heat loss and potential problems that might otherwise be difficult to conceptualise.

• Among many others, these can include:

• Continuity and condition of insulation Cold bridging

• Structural defects

• Hidden structures, services and past alterations

• Air leakage/infiltration

• Electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation systems

• Damp and decay

• Moisture and air circulation

• Quality of workmanship and material

Having identified heat loss, bypass, draughts and defects, thermography can then be used to suggest solutions and highlight the advantages of taking action, among them:

• Demonstrating the improvements of a retrofit programme

• Substantiating insurance claims

• Taking into account the full range of factors and parameters while recording thermal images and using other auxiliary data is obviously crucial for correct interpretation. It is why we at Eco Tiffin have been investing in thermal imaging equipment and infrared training for all our staff. This enhances our extensive CPD training in retrofitting older buildings and has enabled us to qualify as retrofit coordinators for more than two decades now. We are firm believers in the ‘fabric first’ approach to building conservation and have found thermal imaging to be an invaluable tool for corroborating and sharing our understanding of buildings to determine the best solution to reduce heat loss.

Indeed, for more than 320 years now we have been working with buildings to understand how they function, evolve and eventually fail. While the environment changes and specific problems arise, we continue to take a holistic approach and can provide a ‘one stop shop’ for the most economically viable solutions in any building’s heat retention, improvement and maintenance.

We love to share our knowledge and are always happy to answer any technical questions about how to reduce your heat loss, so please get in touch if we can be of any assistance.

Book your Consultation now and learn more about your property than you thought possible. Call 01442 819332, email enquiries@ecotiffin.co.uk www.ecotiffin.co.uk

“The thermal images shown here reveal the interplay of moisture, heat and ventilation continuously taking place in any building”

Cold bridging to opening reveals creating excessive heat loss and lack of insulation to extension roof.

Poorly installed cavity wall insulation

Uninsulated light tube

Excessive heat loss to ground floor and Eaves details via cold bridging and blocked up old window openings

Poorly fitted horizontal loft insulation

FEEL THE WARMTH

INTERIORS

Made for those who want to experience the delights of being totally wrapped in linen, our Warm Clay bedtime bundle, in a vintage-inspired dusky pink, is made from super soft 100% stonewashed European flax. Our Bedtime Bundles consist of a duvet cover, a sheet and a pair of pillowcases. Opt for a consistent Warm Clay colour-scheme or contrast with our classically crisp White linen sheets, with the option to add on extras if desired. Linen keeps you cosy and warm in the winter, cool in the summer and is highly breathable. pigletinbed.com

TIMELESS STYLE

Timeless and effortlessly stylish, Olive & Barr truly celebrates the glory of British craftsmanship with shaker kitchen cabinetry handcrafted by skilled artisans right here in the UK. oliveandbarr.com

STYLISH STORAGE

This compact multi drawer unit provides the perfect perch for your TV. Our wood and metal drawer unit features two different vintage style cast iron handles on rich coloured solid mango wood drawers and paired with a modern grey body. vincentandbarn.co.uk

GREEN GIANT

We simply love this striking, giant ceramic vase vital grasswith a grass green glaze. 40cm height x 26cm diameter. curatedliving.co.uk

MADE WITH LOVE

These hand stitched silk embroideries show simple designs of flowers, with a pair of pink butterflies fluttering above, or an intricately stitched design with pink and mauve peony flowers They are finely worked and are typical of the delicate needlework used to decorate traditional Chinese costumes. They come mounted and framed as shown. shimu.co.uk

ID UPHOLSTERY’S TREND PREDICTIONS FOR

Here are the top 5 interior trends we predict for 2023

With every new year we look ahead and wonder what the next 12 months will bring (at the moment we are quite simply just hoping it will be better than the last two!). We consider what new films, fashion, music and interior trends will become popular, and quite frankly we need to be cheered up with these distractions!

The way we have been living through the pandemic has seen a big shift to focus on the comfort of our own homes as we have all spent so much more time inside than usual! We are now seeking many things from our home environment:

Statement Headboards

Loose Covers

Textured fabrics

a work place, a place to relax, a family space, an entertaining space, and equally somewhere to escape from all of the above!

Loose Covers

Loose covers have traditionally been favored by couples with a young family. They love the fact that they can easily wash the covers and keep their furniture looking as good as possible even with the odd spillage or two! The loose covers I’m seeing a lot of in our workshop and in magazines now are more the dust cover look. Made out of very natural fabrics often showing creasing and natural flow of the fabric, these designs enhance the simple living and eco-friendly trends that sections of society are moving into.

Photo credit Zinc Textiles

Photo credit Crosby Hotel New York – Kit Kemp

Frills

Frills

It started with the emergence of frill edged cushions but we are now seeing a real demand for them on sofas, chairs and footstools. A very traditional look that is making a comeback in trendy fabrics to make it bang up to date!

Textured fabrics

Boucle was big in 2022 and is set to continue to be popular in 2023. Having a warm textured fabric seems to enhance the comfort of a chair and again with us all having spent much more time indoors recently this is a very popular trend. Light, neutral colours work best with these textures and are usually paired with natural wood furniture.

Curved Furniture

A curved shape can be read as safe and welcoming and therefore softer shapes and styles are leading the way for us finding comfort in our homes. A curved snuggle chair like the one we made below in a boucle is perfect for curling up in to watch a film, read a book or catch up on social media!

Statement Headboards

We made a few of these in 2022 but believe they will continue to be very popular this year. Designer Kit Kemp made this a popular trend with her extremely creative and unique designs. These headboards feature across her hotel group ‘Firmdale Hotels’, which can be found in both London and New York. It adds impact to a room

whilst not being overbearing due to the soft curves and beautiful nail finish. Combining a more organic shape with bold fabrics results in a great visual impact.

We can’t wait to work with new and existing customers this year to create some stunning design pieces. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for some inspiration by emailing us at info@idupholstery.co.uk or following us on Instagram: @idupholstery

“The way we have been living through the pandemic has seen a big shift to focus on the comfort of our own homes as we have all spent so much more time inside than usual”

Photo credit Zinc Textiles

Photo credit loveyourhome.co.uk Curved

Not Your Usual Estate Agency

Two Buckinghamshire female entrepreneurs going it alone to sell homes in a discerningly different way…

When you think of Estate Agents the image of Gemma and Victoria probably wouldn’t spring to mind as Mr and Mrs Clarke is not your usual Estate Agency. The antithesis of slick suited ‘salespeople’, these women are Partners in a new breed of agency, the type of agency where the emphasis is on exceptional service, and nothing is too much trouble - imagine if Waitrose or John Lewis sold houses!

Born out of a trail of underwhelming experiences and a determination to do things differently, THE ‘Mr and Mrs Clarke’ set out to launch an estate agency that would be known for its discerningly different approach - one that focused on the client and their home to create an enjoyable experience.

“Selling your home shouldn’t feel like a soulless transaction. Our homes are one of the most personal things we own - they are part of our life – so the experience should be as bespoke as the home.”

Gemma said: “I live right in the middle of town and you may have seen me out and about, doing the school run, walking my beloved dog through the park or having coffee with my girlfriends. As well as loving Marlow, I have a passion for

property. I have worked in the Property Industry in London and recently left a top position in a Marlow High Street Estate Agents where I covered both Marlow and Henley for over 12 years.”

Victoria said: “I’m so excited to be able to bring the Mr and Mrs Clarke brand to Beaconsfield. For me, being part of Mr and Mrs Clarke isn’t just about selling houses, it’s about curating and marketing a lifestyle within the home to the right audience to achieve the best price. I live just outside town in Penn with my husband, two children and our ageing Cocker Spaniel - l love the flexibility it gives us to enjoy the open countryside and still pop into town for a coffee or cocktail!”

“Achieving the best possible price for the homes we list and delivering a standout service to our clients comes naturally – it’s just what we do!”

Going beyond the Rightmove and Zoopla listings, Mr and Mrs Clarke has honed its craft like no other Agency. Dubbed ‘the Instagram Agency’ by The Times, these Agents come with expert skills in advertising, PR, design and social media to create stand-out marketing campaigns for your home across multiple channels.

Now selling homes across Marlow, Beaconsfield and the surrounding areas, if you’d like to give your home the Mr and Mrs Clarke touch, visit www.mrandmrsclarke.com to get in touch with Gemma (Marlow) or Victoria (Beaconsfield) and arrange a coffee and a chat. You can also follow them on Instagram @ gemma.mrandmrsclarke and @victoria.mrandmrsclarke

“Achieving the best possible price for the homes we list and delivering a standout service to our clients comes naturally – it’s just what we do!”

Distinctive Makers

Distinctive, the premium supplier of bespoke luxury window dressings, has over 50 years of experience in the industry, selling the finest Curtains, Blinds, and Awnings.

With products manufactured in Halesworth, Suffolk, and showrooms in Rickmansworth, Beaconsfield, and our corporate offices in Watford, near London, we are never far away. No job is too big or too small for our team and we take pride in the work we do locally.

Distinctive was founded over a half-century ago, specialising in beautiful handcrafted made-tomeasure soft furnishings and window treatments for home interiors and commercial throughout the UK. We specialise in beautifully handmade lined and interlined curtains, pelmets, blinds, cushions, and a wide range of accessories, all made to order. Window treatments can be functional, purely decorative, or a combination of the two, depending on your space and the amount of natural light you receive and prefer. Whether it’s full and flowing drapes, modern coverings, classic curtains, roman shades, or laid-back shutters. Our professional team delivers quality and luxury

with every dispatch, from curtains and roman blinds to pelmets and automation. Always available to offer advice on fabric quantities and costs, as well as fullness and finish.

Additionally, we offer bespoke products that can elevate a space by utilising premium materials and textures, or by creating practical clever design solutions for difficult areas.

Meticulous attention to detail is essential, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that all their aesthetic and practical requirements are met. Therefore, we provide you with beautiful products in a timely manner without sacrificing quality.

We have a special expertise in motorised window treatments by leading manufacturers such as Silent Gliss & Lutron.

We like to make your job as easy as possible here at Distinctive Makers, so look no further for all your Shading and Soft Furnishing needs under one roof. Our team is available to assist you throughout your project.

THE DETAILS

Distinctive Beaconsfield Showroom

47 London End, Beaconsfield Old Town, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2HW T: 01494 681 231

Rickmansworth Showroom

72A High Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1AJ T: 01923 923 031

E: sales@distinctivemakers.co.uk W: distinctivemakers.co.uk www.facebook.com/distinctivemakers www.instagram.com/distinctivemakers www.linkedin.com/company/ distinctive-makers-ltd

“We like to make your job as easy as possible here at Distinctive Makers”

GOING FOR GREEN

KITCHENS

Tellus was the goddess of the Earth in Roman Mythology, the ancestral mother of all life. Embodying the fierceness and power of this deity, the TELLUS Counter Stool came to life, upholstered in green velvet, with black lacquered matte legs and bronze renaissance nails. This moss green velvet counter stool is perfect for the modern kitchen or home bar, with its sleek and contemporary design possible of fitting any style. brabbu.com

PRETTY IN PINK

This stunningly feminine kitchen utilises tranquil soft pinks to create a peaceful yet invigorating kitchen space. Contrasting colours have been used in certain areas such as the dining table to add depth and variation.

smilekitchens.com

BEAUTIFUL BATTERSEA

A wonderfully light and bright penthouse apartment in Battersea chose one of our classic Shaker kitchens with amazing walnut features such as a curved end to their peninsula and a drinks dresser. higham.co.uk

TIME FOR TEA

This Sara Miller London Portmeirion Frosted Pines tea for one features festive deer prancing over the frosted tree tops. Decorated with 22 carat gold, it makes an elegant tea for one gift set.

portmeirion.co.uk

TAKE A SEAT

Looking for a pretty yet comfortable stool for your home or commercial space? Meet the Victoria Stool by Cult Living! Featuring a carefully crafted wooden seat, combined with legs made of steel – a strong stool made to last.

cultfurniture.com

Start your outdoor

Your local supplier with a personal

touch. Marlow Stoves is family run business with a genuine passion for what we do - bringing our customer’s dreams to life and creating a better environment for the future.

With many of us spending a lot more time at home we often reflect on where best to invest for maximum return. Investing in outdoor living gives you a greater feeling of space and a guaranteed way of enjoy the better weather. It really is the feel good solution.

At its simplest, outdoor living is expanding your lifestyle into your garden and patio spaces. It’s about taking those elements of everyday life that happen indoors, out. Your outside living space isn’t just for show or to grow things in: it’s where you and your family eat, read, chat, socialise, cook and work.

At Marlow Stoves we consult, design, develop and build solutions for all things sociable outdoors. From cooking on gas or charcoal, kitchen, dining, lighting, seating, shade and cover. Most importantly in the UK climate, and our favourite subject, warmth.

We’ve come a long way from smoky open fire pits

and now supply hand-built, enclosed outdoor wood burning fireplaces with flues to keep the smoke further away from your furnishings and clothes. For all your outdoor living needs contact us or visit our showroom.

NEW OUTDOOR LIVING TRENDS FOR SS’23

Our customers approach their outdoors with the same enthusiasm as they do their interiors, and to make it as easy as possible for them, we’ve curated our range into new ‘get-away’ trends for when the garden needs to be an exciting destination come summer.

Tuscan Villa

Take life easy using simple design and elegant iron accents to conjure up terracotta tiles, sun-bleached courtyards, and life in the rustic country side. This is a warming Mediterranean look that speaks more of country than coast using tactile natural materials, like wicker and stone.

Modern Country

The new generation of country style that beautifully combines rustic material with traditional patterns to create a premium, yet idyllic scene.

Scandi

Make the best of laid-back living, Nordic style, with simple, elegant design and a look that connects effortlessly with nature. With our Scandi collection, new outdoor materials have given exciting opportunities to push the design boundaries outside.

Modern Industrial

The impact of industrial inspired style provides a complete social scene outside, a balanced look that contrasts beautifully within the garden. Wide frames and sleek polystone finishes epitomise the simplicity of contemporary spaces, and offers homes luxury style outside.

Balinese Summer

Create a haven in the garden full of ambient mood and getaway charm, an idyllic place where you can relax and recharge easily at home. This is sanctuary style for blissful escape, using layers of luxurious hotel style and scene-setting outdoor accessories. coxandcox.co.uk

“Take life easy using simple design and elegant iron accents”

London, the Home Counties and beyond

A t e v e r y o n e o f o u r h o m e s a n d s e r v i c e s y o u w i l l f i n d a w e l c o m i n g e n v i r o n m e n t , c o m p a n i o n s h i p a n d f r e e d o m f r o m w o r r y , t o g e t h e r w i t h g r e a t c a r e a n d f r i e n d l y f a c e s e v e r y d a y .