Sevenoaks Life - March 2014

SEVENOAKS LIFE WESTERHAM, OXTED, BECKENHAM, CHISLEHURST, TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND THE EXCLUSIVE SURROUNDING AREAS

ISSUE 60

www.thelifemagazines.com

MARCH 2014

LONDON FASHION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

KITCHEN LIFE THE QUALITY KITCHEN

GUIDE • MARCH 2014

Hand Made Kitchens Exquisite Design and Style Beautiful Bespoke Kitchens When (Kitchen) Size Matters Kitchen by Stoneham – Kitchens

KENT EVENTS

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HISTORY

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FASHION

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HOMES & GARDENS

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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FOOD & DRINK • TRAVEL

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2 MARCH 2014

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Editor Faye Manning Assistant Editor Katie Miller Sub Editor Alex Lux Fashion Editor Kitty Shead Contributors Maureen Cole John Ruler John Bly Bruce Edwards Jack Smith Regan Maloney Design & Production Amanda Jane Spicer Photography Adam Swaine Accounts Kathy Manning Ken Fleet Business Development Managers Lisa Westerman Sinead Shell SALES Vanessa Lane James Marshall DIRECTORS Peter Smith Rory Smith Patrick Smith

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S

W E L C O M E

pring is just around the corner at last.........

Our front cover and main story this month feature a review of February’s world famous London Fashion Week. This show has become an increasingly important, highly regarded and greatly anticipated event. We are sure that you will enjoy our review of the Autumn/Winter 2014 collections and be proud that once again British designers took centre stage.

This month we are also very pleased to include our Spring KITCHEN LIFE Special Supplement, highlighting the very best local kitchen specialists for you to consult for advice, tips, ideas and suggestions before you decide which kitchen ..... Over the past few and kitchen accessories are right for you. years our readers

have told us what their favourite subjects and interests are, so we are delighted to reflect your requests in this and every issue...........

Over the past few years our readers have told us what their favourite subjects and interests are, so we are delighted to reflect your requests in this and every issue. There are more Local events in our What’s On section. Bruce Edwards reviews more recent book releases. Both our Beauty and Fashion articles are dedicated to the London Fashion Week. Our Home and Garden section features ‘Living by Design’.

Our excellent Local Life team have visited and write about more local towns and places of interest. Maureen Cole has been to Otford and Pembury. John Ruler takes an affectionate look back at Westerham. Whilst Adam Swaine our Chief Photographer focusses his lens on some beautiful Spring views. Now that the weather seems to be improving we hope that these features encourage you and the family to get out and about more.

As you will see once again there is so much for you to read and enjoy.

Until next month………..

You will be pleased to know that you and your friends can now read our magazines online at www.thelifemagazines.com To advertise contact Lisa on tel: 07904 251984 or email lisa@fishmediagroup.co.uk or Peter on tel: 077111 43342 or email peter on peter@fishmediagroup.co.uk

MARCH 2014 3

L O C A L E V E N T S

What’s on...

MARCH 2014

WALKING WESTERHAM AND FAMILY FUN IN THE HISTORIC KENT COUNTRYSIDE. Family trail, children’s activities, activities on the Green and a mapped 12-mile scenic route for enthusiastic walkers. Free downloadable maps. Bank Holiday Sunday May 4th 2014. Free entry.http://www. visitwesterham.org.uk/whatson/w-beating-the-bounds.

OXTED OPERATIC SOCIETY. The Pirates of Penzance (One of the most frequently performed Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas).Tues 8th – Sat 12th . 7.45.

Tickets £12.00 - £15.00 available from www.barntheatreoxted. co.uk or 07530 528094.

THE OXTED PLAYERS. Gaslight (An arch-villain, obsessed with finding the jewels of an old woman he once murdered drives his wife to the brink of insanity.

Wed 14th – Sat 17th 7.45 Tickets £7.00 - £9.00 available from www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk or 01883 724852.

SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE PRESENTS THE ENERGY SHOW. Methane bubbles are set alight to make fireballs, hydrogen balloons explode and rockets are fired into the audience. Stand back and cover your ears – theatre just got dangerously exciting! Two futuristic science students race against time to prove their knowledge of energy.

With help from the incredible virtual lab-assistant, i-nstein, and a steampunk workshop full of gadgets and chemicals, they explore, experiment and explode anything and everything they can find, live on stage.

Produced by Science Museum in London, this show is suitable for everyone aged 7+. Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Rd, Royal, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2LU. Sat 12 and Sun 13 Apr 2014.Tel: 01892 530613 www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

4 MARCH 2014

SOUND OF MUSICALS ‘A SINGALONG PARTY OF A SHOW’.

The best of the London and Broadway Stage performed by stars of the West End including hits from Mamma Mia - Les Miserables - Evita - The Sound of Music - Joseph - My Fair Lady - Grease - Dirty Dancing & many more. Bucks Fizz & canapés on arrival 3 Course Dinner, coffee & mints. £27.50 per person Doors open at 7 p.m. Dinner served at 8 p.m. To book tel: 01892 515532 High Rocks, High Rocks Lane, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9JJ. Fri 4 Apr 2014 Tel: 01892 515532. www.highrocks.co.uk TRUDY KERR - CELEBRATING CHET BAKER AND GERRY MULLIGAN. Top jazz singer Trudy Kerr with her Quintet, present an evening celebrating the music of jazz legends Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan, with the cream of the UK’s finest jazz musicians! Trudy’s musicians include Derek Nash, tenor (ex Jools Holland) Dick Pearce, trumpet (ex Ronnie Scott) Geoff Gascoyne, bass, Sebastian le Krom, drums, (both ex Jamie Cullum) and Tom Cawley, piano.

Tickets £12 from Paul Barber 01892 750665. Frant Church, High St, Frant, Near Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9DX, Fri 21 Mar 2014.Tel: 01892 750665 www. frantchurch.org FINCHCOCKS MUSICAL MUSEUM. Re-opens Sunday April 6th 2014 with concerts, fairs and many special events, to include an exciting concert programme, arranged by Director of Development and international harpsichordist, Steven Devine. Finchcocks is an 18th Century Manor, home to Richard Burnett’s Collection of over 100 period keyboard instruments. Informal musicaldemonstrations on all Open Days and private visits. Gardens open from 12.30pm, House 2pm - 6pm.Home cooked lunches on all Open Days from 12.30 2.30pm. Adults: £12.00 Students:

£8.00 Children: £5.00 Family ticket (to include school age children): £25.00 Garden Only: £3.00 Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1HH. Sun 6 Apr 2014. Tel: 01580 211702 www.finchcocks.co.uk FAURÉ REQUIEM AND HANDEL MESSIAH. The Crowborough Choral Society will be singing the complete Fauré Requiem, followed by the Easter music from Messiah Part 2. The Sussex Sinfonietta will be accompanying them along with three professional soloists, Emma Gardner (soprano), Serena Kay (mezzo-soprano), Gary Marriott (tenor) and Tim Ellis (baritone). There will be an interval with refreshments on sale between the two works.

7.30pm Sat 5th Apr 2014 and tickets will be available from CCS members, Cro’s Jewellers, High Street, Crowborough or on the door. Tickets £12. All Saints Church Centre, Chapel Green, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 1ED. www.crowboroughchoral. com SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING. Over 2 hours of All action American wrestling. With

Finchcocks Musical Musem

wrestlers from all over the world taking on the very best of Great Britain. Come see live what the rest of the world see on TV. Start 7.30pm Adults £10, Child £8.t.

Box Office. Sanderson Hall, St Pauls Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 2RW Friday 4 Apr 2014 Tel: 0844 870 0000. www.welshwrestlinh. com SIDCUP SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SPRING CONCERT. Concert given by The Sidcup Symphony Orchestra, Conductor James Ross with Townley Grammar School Choir Director Marcus Suranyi.

Programme to include - Debussy Nocturnes Holst The Planets.7.30 p.m. Tickets at £12, £10, and £8 (Children & students half price) or £10 at the door (Children half price). Tickets include a glass of wine or a soft drink during the interval. St. John’s Church, Church Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6BX Saturday 15 Mar 2014 Tel: 01322 557458 www. sidcupsymphony.org.uk/ CODA CONCERT. Robert Max (cello) and Zoe Solomon (piano) play works by Schubert, Bach, Paganini and Grieg. Advance

Come to our free talk about...

booking required 7:15pm.

Tickets £16 or less. Organ Room.

Kent College, Old Church Road, Old Pembury, Kent TN2 4AX Sat 29 Mar 2014. Tel: 01892825577 www.codatw.co.uk THE BROMLEY SPORT RELIEF MILE IS BACK! Three different distances to choose from, 1 mile, 3 miles or 6 miles. The distance you pick depends on what time you have to attend on the day.

Bring along your friends and family for a fun event for all.

Log on to: my.sportrelief.com/ search/event/result?id=2828 for more information and to register! Norman Park Athletics Track, Norman Park, Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9EJ. Sun 23 Mar 2014 Tel: 0208 323 1709 my.sportrelief.com/search/ event/result GINGHAM GOOSE CRAFT MARKET. Promotes ethical shopping by encouraging the purchase of locally produced, handmade products of good quality instead of mass produced and extensively transported goods. A high quality monthly craft and food market with a popular tea room serving homemade cakes, soups & savouries etc. Free entry.10:30am to 4pm. 2nd Sat of the month.

Hayes Village Hall, Hayes Street, Hayes, Bromley, Kent BR2 7YH. Sat 12 Apr 2014. Tel: 07534 447988. www.facebook.com/ ginghamgoose ROMAN FOOD FUN AT CROFTON ROMAN VILLA. What did the Romans eat, and what did they not eat? Find out at the villa and find out what it was like at a Roman feast. Make a delicious Roman honey date sweet and create a Roman feast menu to take home! Sessions at 10.30am and 2.00pm. For 5-11 year olds. No booking needed. Entry: £4.00 per child, accompanying adults free.

Children to be accompanied.

Crofton Roman Villa, Crofton Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 8AF.

Wed 9 Fri 11 and Wed 16 April.

Tel: 01689 860939 www.the-cka. fsnet.co.uk VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON 2014 FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST. Be a part of the #1 marathon in the world, leading you through the streets of London amidst hundreds of thousands of spectators cheering you to that finish line on The Mall, in our 50th anniversary year, with Team CF: 2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Trust and the Virgin London Marathon is our biggest annual fundraising event. Together we can make this the most special London Marathon yet for everyone fighting to beat cystic fibrosis!

1) the ballot has now closed and applicants will hear from late September if they have been successful or not. 2) you may also be able to secure a place through a UKA Athletic Club, if you have a good for age time, are an overseas entrant or deferred from 2013. 3) you can also apply for one of our very limited Golden Bond places in return for your pledge to raise at least £2,014 for us. Greenwich to The Mall London SE10 8QY Sun 13 Apr 2014 Tel: 03003731100. www. cysticfibrosis.org.uk BRITANNIA TRIUMPHANS - ENGLISH RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE MUSIC. Vocal and instrumental works by Dowland, Morley, Holborne, Campion, Purcell, Playford, Handel and Arne, performed by Galliarda, Sara Stowe, soprano and percussion, Ian Gammie, viola da gamba; Wendy Hancock, baroque flute, recorders, viol; Richard MacKenzie, baroque guitar, theorbo. 7.30 pm. £15 - booking form at www. sevenoaksmusicclub.org.uk > tickets. Sevenoaks Music Club, Ship Theatre, Walthamstow Hall School, Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3UL. Sat 22 Mar 2014.

T H O M A S D U N T O N SOLICITORS

Future security for you ...and your family

A

S more people own their own property, extended families become commonplace and life expectancy increases, it is important to think about who will look after us in old age and who should benefit from our estate when we die.

Have you thought about your Will?

Without a Will the law dictates what happens to your money. If you are married your spouse may not necessarily receive all your estate.

If you are in a long term relationship but unmarried your partner will receive nothing. Making a will provides an opportunity not only to make sure you leave your estate in accordance with your wishes but also to consider the impact of inheritance tax and care home fees.

Who will look after you?

By making a Lasting Power of Attorney, you decide in advance who will look after your financial affairs if you are unable to do so yourself and avoids expensive legal proceedings. You can also decide who you want to look after your health and welfare when you can’t make decisions yourself.

Find out more Why not attend one of our free talks where we discuss the importance of Wills and LPAs along with Inheritance Tax, Care Home fees and other related issues. Failing to prepare can be very expensive!

For information about our next talk, please see full details below.

For more information, please call our Wills and Probate Team on 01689 822554 or visit our website www.thomasdunton.co.uk

Free 30 minute talk Planning for the future We will be discussing and answering questions on: • The problems you may leave if you don’t have a Will • How a Power of Attorney can protect you and your family • Issues concerning long term care and Inheritance Tax Please join us at 11am on Tuesday 18th March, Orpington Library, Walnuts Shopping Centre, Orpington.

• Conveyancing • Wills & Probate • Mediation • Family • Employment • Personal Injury 217–219 High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 0NZ

01689 822554 • www.thomasdunton.co.uk Email: enquiry@thomasdunton.co.uk

MARCH 2014 5

Contents EDITORS LETTER

3

WHATS ON

4

LOCAL LIFE Otford – A Beautiful Village Westerham – Changing Fortunes Pembury – A Picture Postcard Focus on Kent in Spring

8 12 16 22

Breaside Prep School

24

Dominic Walmsley – Jewellery Insurance Q & A

26

FASHION & BEAUTY COVER STORY LONDON FASHION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS 27 Blackburn Boutique – Dress for the Occasion 32 Pure Collection – Cashmere Sports Luxe 34 Fashion Week’s Front Runners 36 Its Designer Darling 40 Thomas Dunton Solicitors – Lasting Power of Attorney

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE FABRICS CURTAINS & BLINDS WALLCOVERINGS FURNITURE LIGHTING MIRRORS WOOD FLOORS CARPETS

HOME & GARDEN KITCHEN LIFE SUPPLEMENT 49 Granite Transformations – Instant Transformation 50 Stoneham Kitchens Design Competition 52 When (Kitchen) size Matters 54 GreyGreen – The Highest of Standards 55 HKS – Craftsmanship Comes Home 58 Kitchens are the New Living Rooms 60 Neptune Design Centre – Opening April 2014 61 IN- TOTO – Knowledge and Experience 62 The Kitchen Doctor 64 Kitstone – For a Spring Makeover 65 Lewis Charles – Perfectly Planned Kitchens 66 Living by Design 68 Thornburrows – Think Furnishing 72 Adam S Bailey – Creative Garden Design 74 Johnsons Garden Buildings 76 Origin Leisure – Classic Swimming Pools 78 Nicholas Tye Architects 82 BOOKS REVIEW

11-12 Sundridge Parade Plaistow Lane Sundridge Park Bromley BR1 4DT 020 8466 6313 6 MARCH 2014 www.sundridgeinteriors.com

46

FOOD & DRINK Eastwell Manor – Where Everything Happens George and Dragon Pub and Dining Room A Perfect Choice Taylors of London Seafood and Shellfish

84

86 – 87 88

MARCH 2014 7

L O C A L L I F E

Otford A beautiful village with a colourful past, Otford has something to engage everyone.

WORDS: MAUREEN COLE

T

he village has a calm restful exterior, which belies its past as a centre of entertainment, where royalty, dignitaries and Archbishops enjoyed themselves in grand style.

Otford has a rich history and sits comfortably in an area known as the Darent Gap on the River Darent. The village has long been a crossroad and lies on the A225 - connecting Dartford to Sevenoaks.

PICTURES: ADAM SWAINE The pretty village pond, which stands in the centre of the village was originally built in the 12th century. The pond is fed by a small stream and is the home of some very distinguished ducks – their duck house being the smallest listed building in England.

It is also claimed that they are the only ducks known to have their own food allowance provided by the Parish Council.

Opposite the pond is the church of St Bartholomew, along with the remains of the Archbishop’s Palace.

The name Otford is a contraction The church dates back to around 1060 of Otterford, a name which probably and has been added to and restored derived from Offa, the King of Mercia, A pretty village with an over the years. Many of its present who fought a battle at Otford in 776 internal and external features provide against Aldric, King of Kent. The impressive range of the an insight into its past. The west tower village, although only about 9 miles old and new, it is not with its thick walls dates back to the in circumference, has a history of late 12th century and the west porch battles. In 1016 it was the scene of a surprising that Otford is is dated 1637. When the porch was battle, when King Edmund (surnamed constructed, it appears that the west such a popular village.

Ironside), marched with his army door into the tower was removed. through Surrey and into Kent in The north and west walls of the nave pursuit of the Danish King Canute. date back to the 11th century and the The battle which ensued resulted in chancel is early 14th century. the slaughter of many of the Danish Soldiers. King Edmund then pursued the retreating army into Aylesford and out to the Isle of St Thomas Becket was chaplain at St Bartholomew’s for a while Sheppey. Fortunately for the Danes, someone advised Edmund to and later, as Archbishop, he resided at the Palace. Many stories withdraw from battle, which resulted in a reprieve for the Danish and beliefs surround the Archbishop. One such story claims that soldiers, who might otherwise have been annihilated. The bones on finding his house without a well, he struck the ground with his of many of the soldiers, who died in the battle, were found in the staff and water suddenly appeared. The resulting well stands in fields around Otford and when the turnpike road (leading from the grounds of Castle Farm and it became famous for the healing Eynesford to Otford) was widened in 1767, many skeletons were power of its waters, so much so that in1228 a leper colony formed around the well. found in the banks at the side of the road.

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8 MARCH 2014

L O C A L L I F E

The remains of the Gatehouse and the north-west tower of Otford Palace stand some distance to the right of the church. The Palace must have been very grand and it presence adds credence to the fact that Otford once commanded an important social standing.

The Palace was large, covering roughly 4 acres. From AngloSaxon times until 1537 it was one of a chain of houses owned by the Archbishops of Canterbury.

However, when Archbishop Wareham took possession in 1514, he decided to convert it to a Tudor palace. Henry V111 stayed at the Palace on several occasions. In 1519 he stayed and went hunting in Deer Park and in the following year he visited again but this time with his wife Catherine of Aragon.

Although very similar in construction and layout to Hampton Court, which was built around the same time, Otford Palace was larger and it could compare in size to any of the large palaces in England.

This again, serves as an indication of Otford Palace’s importance at that time.

MARCH 2014 9

L O C A L L I F E

In 1537, Thomas Cramer was forced to surrender the palace by Henry V111 and after his death it fell into disrepair.

Queen Elizabeth sold the palace to Robert Sidney in 1601, in order to finance the Irish Wars. Today little remains of it – apart from the north-west tower, part of the Great Gatehouse and the lower gallery.

The latter has been converted into cottages and the entire 4 acres is now designated an ancient monument.

Otford has also gained distinction for having a unique model of the solar system, which was built by David Smith in 2000. The planets are depicted by pillars, positioned strategically around the village, in relation to their position in the galaxy.

10 MARCH 2014

There are a few small shops to browse in the village, including some small, interesting antique shops. Otford and the surrounding area is very popular with walkers and the welcoming pubs and tea shops provide a great place to stop off and regain one’s energy. The High Street is a Conservation Area with some interesting, old houses – many of which are believed to have been built with stones plundered from the Palace. On the edge of the village there are some beautiful new homes, which accentuate the feeling that Otford is somewhere special.

Otford has so much to offer with its interesting history and links to the past, beautiful countryside, picturesque walks, country pubs and restaurants and fine range of small shops. A pretty village with an impressive range of the old and new, it is not surprising that Otford is such a popular village.

maureenc411@btinternet.com

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MARCH 2014 11

L O C A L L I F E

STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE: THREE

Fortunes change, but its charm stays timeless In his latest pictorial spotlight on local towns past and present, JOHN RULER looks at Westerham, a once heavy brew of 19th century industrial growth in a rural setting.

Westerham Green pictured between 1908 and 1910

W

henever I need a lively look at local life, I automatically turn to Westerham born Peter Finch.

Now aged 85, he’s always ready with a crop of childhood recollections – such as helping at the weekly livestock market at Costell’s Meadows, now King George’s Playing Field, on his way home from school.

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But time moves on, and so does Westerham whose fortunes have survived the twists and turns of history.......

Then there’s the intriguing story of a secret tunnel said to run from Squerryes Court to the parish church. He and his ‘Hosey boy’ pals – pupils from the National School for Boys – would stamp their feet as they walked up the Water Lane steps. ‘ ‘We wore hob-nailed boots and when you got over the top of the tunnel there was definitely an echo…’

12 MARCH 2014

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‘ ‘Me and my mates used to help round up the cattle and load ‘em on the lorries… the old pigs didn’t like that one little bit. They’d squeal like anything.’

Though there may be some substance in this slice of local folklore, what is certain, and equally as startling, is that buried some 40 feet below the High Street is part of a 23 miles long sewer which, built in 1881, still runs in a straight line from the west end of Westerham, where it is a mere eight feet deep, to the outfall at Dartford. The cost? £98,000.

And, no, it has nothing to with the ‘secret’ tunnel, but helps unearth, if you’ll excuse the pun, the growing industrial punch wielded by Westerham in the late 1890s and the early 20th century.

Just how much so is revealed by local historian Bill Curtis in his three-volume work on a time when Westerham could boast two major breweries and a string of water mills. All of which seems to fly in the face of the popular image of a genteel town of chic shops, art galleries and, of course, Chartwell – home to Sir Winston Churchill, whose statue squats

L O C A L L I F E defiantly on the familiar Westerham Green.

But does it ? The accompanying prints show a community at ease in its light industrial skin, confidently adapting from a smallish rural town to one with considerable commercial clout – largely thanks to local landowners and shrewd entrepreneurs.

The Hill School around 1911, an all girls private school in the early 1900s.

These included Thomas Weller an ambitious builder whose houses built to meet growing demand include Bill’s home in Westbury Terrace.

It was his discovery here of a signature of Timothy Osborne Weller, Thomas’s son, that led to Bill writing his books.

His task was made all the more easy by Hookers’ Almanack which, by the mid 1860s, uniquely carried not just an annual compendium of local businesses, but a yearly list of news in brief. Like the Westerham Herald, which grew from a monthly to a weekly newspaper, costing tuppence, it was founded by Charles Hooker, in 1841 a mere grocer’s boy but ten years on an established printer and stationer.

An open-topped bus in the still recognisable Market Square around 1928.

By World War One the newspaper was carrying not just local pages but a further two on world events, sadly often lists of those killed in action.

It was eventually taken over by the Sevenoaks Chronicle as part of the Courier Group He also diversified into selling everything from tobacco and purses to picture frames and needles.

Hooker was not the only big-time player: in 1950 Rowley Atterbury, who began experimenting with a small printing press at his aunt’s lock-up ‘ chicken shed’ in Westerham, founded Westerham Press. Known for its top-notch printing, the High Street firm employed a staff of 35 and served 150 clients. But despite its rise in success, turbulent

Delegardes Farm with the oasthouse and farm facing Croydon Road. Many local farms survived into the 1950s and beyond

MARCH 2014 13

L O C A L L I F E Here are two contrasting views of Westerham Hill: the view remains the same today. The horse power, however, now relates to the cars which can still find the climb a bit of a struggle.

times saw the Westerham Press sold in 1984. The factory was demolished and the land sold for housing.

For many, however, it’s the memory of shops now long since gone that linger on … like Evendon’s a cornucopia of hardware, china and tools, Macfisheries, the International Stores and French’s, both Men and Women.’

But time moves on, and so does Westerham whose fortunes have survived the twists and turns of history to emerge as strong as ever, and looking every bit the country charmer its always been.

In 1939, the Green was particularly popular with ramblers.

Our thanks go to Bill Curtis for historical facts and pictures. Copies of Volume I and Volume II of Westerham In Living Memory are available direct by email from info@pasttimespress.co.uk or on line from Amazon at £13 (+ P & P) per volume or £24 (+ P & P) when purchased together. Westerham: a social and commercial history 1865 – 1915 is likewise available at £13.99 (+ P&P). The books are also on sale at Chocs on the Green, Westerham Garage, Westerham Library and Sevenoaks Bookshop.

Above: Lodge Lane : on the corner was a second hand furniture shop. Also in the vicinity was a tea rooms and a paper shop variously known as Woodland, Bodgers or Bennetts

14 MARCH 2014

If you have any old prints of your own locality suitable for publication please contact John Ruler on 0208 462 3452 or email rulered@btinternet.com.

Music & Lyrics in association with the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton present

“If I were a Rich Man I’d buy you all a ticket!”

HHHHH Mail on Sunday Starring

PAUL MICHAEL GLASER as Tevye

Based on the

Sholem Aleichem Stories

By Special Permission of

Directed and Choreographed by

Arnold Perl

Photos: Tristan Kenton

CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD

Book by JOSEPH Produced on the New York Stage by

STEIN

Music by JERRY

BOCK Lyrics by SHELDON HARNICK

HAROLD PRINCE Original New York Stage Production Directed and Choreographed by JEROME Mr Robbins’ Original Direction and Choreography reproduced by CRAIG

ROBBINS

REVEL HORWOOD

This production presented by permission of JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York

“Glaser is a triumph”

Sunday Express

A must see!”

Whatsonstage

TUE 25 – SAT 29 MARCH 7.30PM WED & SAT MAT 2.30PM

orchardtheatre.co.uk

Ticket Office 01322 220000 www.fiddlerontheroof.co.uk

MARCH 2014 15

L O C A L L I F E

Pembury Sitting high on a sandstone ridge and surrounded by woodland is the picture postcard village of Pembury.

WORDS: MAUREEN COLE

T

he pretty village of Pembury sits high above the Weald, in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It lies in the county of Kent, two miles north of Tonbridge Wells and today has a population of around 6,000 people.

A quintessential English village, Pembury is centred round the village green and maintains a rural character. Large areas of woodland surround the village giving a feeling of enclosure and the agricultural land on the outskirts of the village is dotted with pretty farm houses.

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Until the early 20th century the small rural village consisted of five distinctive hamlets – Upper Green, Lower Green, Bo-Peep, Romford and Hawkwell. These merged in the 20th century when several large housing is the kind estates were built.

Pembury of village where it is easy to while away time.

The name Pembury is most probably derived from the Saxon word “Pepingbeor”, or “Pepingberia”, meaning the hill of the Pepings or the Pippin apple tree. The village was first recorded as Pembury in 1120 and first appeared on a map in 1629.

16 MARCH 2014

The Camden Arms, which overlooks the village green, dates back to the 13th century. It was once a coaching inn for travellers along the London to Hastings Road, which was the first road to be turnpiked. The village green, which was originally known as Copingcrouch Green, is dominated by a beautiful horse chestnut tree, adding to the village character and forming a focal point for village life.

The village has two churches both dedicated to St Peter. The Parish church, referred to as the Old Church, is situated roughly half a mile from the main village, near to Kent College. It dates from around 1147, although most of the present church was built by John Colepeper of Bayhall in 1337. The church is the oldest building in the village and has a beautiful nave roof, which is said to be one of the best specimens of the tie-beam and kingpost type in the country. The church has a beautiful Hill and Sons organ, which dates back to 1877 and was

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A settlement properly existed in Pembury before the Norman Conquest and the village church of St Peter is of Norman origin and thought to have been built in the late 11th century or early 12th century, although most of the present church was built by John Colepeper of Bayhall in the 1330’s. The earliest Manor House was built in the 12th century.

PICTURES: ADAM SWAINE

L O C A L L I F E completely restored in 2006. Set in a very picturesque setting the church is popular for weddings.

In the 19th century, when several alterations were made to the church, the oldest tombstone was completely covered over. The inscription around the edge of the screen can still be seen however. It is written in Norman French and states that it is the resting place of Margaret Colepeper, the daughter of Thomas Colepeper.

Between 1500 and 1700 the cloth making industry flourished in Pembury. Lower Green was very much the working area of the village. Cottages in the area date from the Tudor Period to the 20th century and it was here that the cloth making and brick industries were located. Many of the roads in the area relate to this and bear names such as Red Row and Slate Row. Upper Green was the area where the newer homes of the gentry were built. Along with the Camden Arms and shops there was a wheelwright and smithy.

Although the number of shops in the village is limited they provide for most everyday needs and more extensive shopping is available at Tunbridge Wells. The village has a good range of public houses and places to eat. The Camden Arms sits on the

northern edge of the village green and has been used by travellers for the past 200 years. Having started out as hotel it was turned into a pub in 1979. In 2007 it was converted back into a hotel and today it boasts 17 luxury ensuite rooms, all furnished to a high standard and the restaurant specialises in good value lunches and dinners.

The King William 1V pub is set in a quiet part of Pembury, on the Hastings Road. A traditional country pub with good gardens, it is enjoyed by locals and provides a range of bar games, including cards, billiards and darts. The pub has won several awards recently, including the Pride of Pembury Award for being the most improved pub in West Kent. It is believed that the building, which is 200 years old, was once a private dwelling and a carpenter’s shop, until it was leased by two brothers, who were beer retailers, in 1948.

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Large areas of woodland surround the village giving a feeling of enclosure and the agricultural land on the outskirts of the village is dotted with pretty farm houses.

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The District Church or Upper Church of St Peter was built as a, “Chapel of Ease”, to serve the growing population around the village green. It was built in 1847, on one of the highest points in the village and constructed from local sandstone. Both the land for the church and the sandstone from which it was built, were donated by the Marquis of Camden. Sheep grazed in the fields around the church and wire doors were constructed to keep them out. Later the present wall was built with two gates.

MARCH 2014 17

L O C A L L I F E

The Black Horse is a traditional pub in the High Street with a friendly bar and a fine menu, offering a good range of home-made food. The pub is particularly popular for its Sunday Lunch Carvery.

The village has an active community life, with many clubs and societies, for all ages.

Various events take place throughout the year including, the Musical Picnic, the Village Fete -which takes place on the Village Green, and the November Firework Display.

Pembury is the kind of village where it is easy to while away time. Take a stroll or walk, chat to the locals

Update to last month’s article on Chislehurst.

in a pretty pub, have an enjoyable meal or explore the past. It is a

Clare Elliot from the Chislehurst Management Group has informed me that the market has moved and is now located at Hornbrook House Car Park. My thanks to Claire.

village to be enjoyed!

maureenc411@btinternet.com 18 MARCH 2014

BREASIDE PREPARATORY SCHOOL For boys and girls aged 2½-11 years

A move towards binding prenuptial agreements

OPEN MORNING Tuesday 25th March 9.30am - 12noon Ofsted say that we are “Outstanding” Ofsted Report 2011 Breaside is celebrating another year of outstanding results for pupils who have successfully passed exams for entry to highly selective Grammar schools and Independent schools across several boroughs.

Destination schools include St Olaves, Newstead Woods, Dartford, Wilmington, Chislehurst & Sidcup, Duwich College, Trinity and Bromley High.

If you are unable to attend our Open Morning please make an appointment for a personal tour of the school.

We will be delighted to welcome you to Breaside.

41 Orchard Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 2PR Tel: 020 8460 0916 www.breaside.co.uk info@breaside.co.uk

See us at:

• EXCEL

STAND B209

Uniquely designed to fit into existing timber frames or direct to brick or stone Available in over 200 RAL colours Accurately replicate your traditional style windows

Installed by our own craftsmen Full consultation service

Conservation by design 01732 461 919

www.thwc.co.uk

145 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XJ

When a marriage ends, an issue which causes a great amount of anguish is the question of how the couples’ assets are to be divided.

For those who are unable to agree on a financial settlement and turn to the Claire Schneck court for assistance, the judge has a Partner wide discretion to redistribute both the property and income of one party to meet the needs of the other.

Some couples take the decision prior to marriage to enter into a prenuptial agreement, recording how they intend their assets to be divided in the event of a marriage break down. Currently, prenuptial agreements are not legally binding in England, although they may be considered to varying levels of degree at the discretion of the judge.

The Law Commission is shortly due to publish a report in which it may make a recommendation for prenuptial agreements to be given legal standing. For those couples who choose to enter into one, it is thought that this step will increase the level of certainty surrounding the division of their assets and will in turn limit the legal costs incurred in dealing with financial matters. It is also thought that the Law Commission will also provide some further clarity on the status of assets acquired by each party prior to their marriage, such an inheritance or preowned property as these are often areas which are a source of disagreement when a marriage ends.

If the Law Commission makes such a recommendation on prenuptial agreements, it is believed that there will need to be sufficient safeguards put in place to ensure that a party to an agreement is not going to be held to it if the court’s view is that it would be inequitable to do so. This is because circumstances can change between the signing of a prenuptial agreement and the eventual breakdown of a marriage. If the parties have children, or their career path changes resulting in a significant change of income, then it has been suggested that the court may still need to exercise a level of discretion so as to ensure that the needs of both parties are still met. A further important factor which the court will take into account is whether both parties obtained legal advice on the content and implications of the prenuptial agreement prior to signing it.

This will be a great step forward in the area of family law and is already common in many foreign jurisdictions. It is hoped that this should lead to far less litigation, cost and acrimony following the breakdown of a marriage.

If you have any questions on any area of family law please contact Claire Schneck on 01689 887828 or email claire.schneck@cwj.co.uk MARCH 2014 19

Making celebrations a piece of cake‌..

T

he Cake Box was opened in July 2008 by the owners of Eastern Foods who follow a strict lacto vegetarian diet ( no eggs, fish, fowl or meat) as they found a gap in the market that responded to the needs of those who did not eat egg.

With modern food trends increasingly causing people to limit their intake of certain food types, products that can guarantee themselves free of less desirable ingredients are seeing an uplift in demand. This in part explains the success of The Eggfree Cake Box, a retail concept which has established itself in a niche market providing egg-free cakes on demand, including celebration cakes within 20 minutes and wedding cakes within 24 hours.

The Eggfree Cake Box is dedicated to producing the highest quality eggless, vegetarian cream cakes for all occasions, ready to be collected in just half an hour.

Our busy modern lifestyles mean very few of us have time to bake our own or even preorder cakes, which is which is where the Eggfree Cake Box comes in: call us between 11am and 7pm Monday to Saturday (10-4pm on Sundays) and we can create delicious made-to-order fresh cream eggless cakes to your size and style requirements, all within half an hour on weekdays or an hour at weekends.

We make all our eggless cakes in-store with the highest quality ingredients, and as they are made to order we can guarantee freshness.

We specialise in vanilla and chocolate sponge fresh cream cakes, but also offer a wide range of styles, designs and flavours - why not pop into our shop and taste one for yourself.

Are all of your cakes 100% Eggfree?

Yes. We do not allow eggs in our preparation rooms.

What do you use instead of eggs?

We have developed our own cakemix with a leading British University. The role of eggs is played by milk and soy proteins

Do your cakes taste different because they do not contain eggs?

No they do not! In fact the amount of egg used in cakes is usually small and its purpose is largely to add to the structure. If you can taste the egg in a normal cake, chances are there is too much egg in it. Generally people do not eat cakes for the taste of egg. So far, no-one, tasting our sample has been able to notice the absence of eggs.

I am not convinced - could I have a taste before I order?

Yes. If you order in one of our branches, you can taste a sample for free.

20 MARCH 2014

Are your cakes Dairy free?

No. We use fresh dairy cream, and not cream substitute. We feel cakes using substitute cream detracts from the taste, and whilst this is acceptable to those unfortunate to be allergic to milk, the general population appreciates the use of real cream.

Are your cakes vegetarian?

Yes. They are free from meat, meat products and eggs. In fact we have now been approved by The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom (https:// www.vegsoc.org/). They regularly check our ingredients and inspect our premises to ensure our products are suitable for vegetarians and license us to use the green "V" signage displayed in our shops.

Please note, however, our cakes contain fresh dairy cream and whilst they are suitable for lactovegetarians, they are not suitable for vegans.

Are your cakes suitable for people with nut allergies?

No. Some of our cakes contain nuts as part of their recipe. We therefore cannot guarantee any of our products will be nut free.

Are your cakes Halal?

Our cakes contain no meat, alcohol, or any animal products except milk and cream. They are widely acceptable to Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians.

Do you deliver to third parties?

Yes, as long as it is arranged with the relevant branch, and fully pre-paid, we may be able to deliver your cake to a third party recipient rather like flowers through Interflora. This will become easier and more frequent, as our branch network grows to cover the whole of the U.K.

My party has been cancelled. If I cancel my cake order, will I get my deposit back?

Possibly. We usually decorate the cakes on the same day to ensure freshness. If you have a genuine, and unfortunate reason to cancel your order for which a deposit has been paid, we may be able to give you a refund, provided we have not made the cake.

Do you freeze your sponges?

No. We use freshly baked and cooled sponge

Do you make cakes other than fresh cream?

Yes we also make buttercream, sweetcream, and icing.

Eggfree Cake Box 158 Milton Road, Gravesend, Kent. DA12 2RG Email: gravesend@eggfreecake.co.uk Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 11am To 7pm Sunday 10am To 4pm

Heritage Sofas and Chairs Purveyors of Fine Bespoke English Upholstery

Sailsbury Sofa - Made to measure and available in a choice of fabrics also chairs to match

Call Jason on

For more information and a brochure 01689 875277 Heritage Sofas and Chairs, 8 Station Square, Petts Wood, BR5 1NA www.heritagesofas.co.uk

♦ IN STORE ♦ ♦ BY PHONE ♦ ♦ ONLINE ♦

✦✦ Eggless Fresh Cream Cakes for all occasions, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries etc. ✦✦ Personalised Cakes While you Wait ✦✦ Cakes ordered and ready SAME DAY. Over 1500 designs in store. Bespoke Cakes available on request. ✦✦ We can design cakes for corporate Christmas Parties and more

QUOTE KL WHEN ORDERING TO CLAIM A 10% DISCOUNT 158 Milton Road, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2RG

01474 353101

NEW STORE NOW OPEN IN

STROOD!

14 High Street, Strood Kent ME2 4AP Telephone orders being taken from Gravesend. Or email strood@eggfreecake.co.uk

Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am - 7pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm

eggfreecake.co.uk MARCH 2014 21

F O C U S O N

Spring Out & About PICTURES: ADAM SWAINE

1 2

3 4

5

6

7

8

1.Birling Gap NT 2. Emmetts Gardens NT 3. Ightham Mote 4. Crockham Hill Village 5. Scotney Castle NT 6. The Knole NT 7. Ightham Village 8. North Down Way (Kent Weald)

Adam Swaine Photographer www.adamswaine.co.uk email: adamswaine@rocketmail.com mobile: 07798 526 569

22 MARCH 2014

nicolas tye architects As award winning architects and designers we aspire to create extraordinary buildings and spaces for our clients, sometimes from the most difficult of design briefs. Central to our philosophy is that good design should reflect the needs of our clients and respond to the surrounding environment.

Pushing the boundaries of design we are able to achieve timeless, highly innovative and sustainable projects. We offer a complete design service from initial advice through to the completion of your project.

We complete works all over the UK and internationally.

Email us or call with your new project enquiry.

new builds

extensions

nicolas tye architects t: 01525 406677 e: info@nicolastyearchitects.co.uk w: www.nicolastyearchitects.co.uk

MARCH 2014 23

conversions

E D U C AT I O N

Should I choose a preparatory school for my child?

Do they really offer more than a local primary school?

The answer to both of these questions is a resounding ‘Yes’.

A

s their name suggests, the role of preparatory schools is to prepare your child for their entrance into senior education, so don’t be surprised to see a plethora of subjects on the curriculum. Your child will experience a well rounded education albeit in a nurturing environment. Classes are significantly smaller, allowing all pupils to progress. At the same time, this allows all staff to know their pupils and therefore offer a bespoke curriculum. Preparatory schools provide a wealth of opportunity for your child both academically and pastorally. Self confidence is encouraged and children are constantly motivated to enjoy and embrace all the opportunities that arise within this positive learning environment.

The academic curriculum within a preparatory school is clearly of the utmost importance. Throughout your child’s time at their preparatory school, they will be prepared for the common entrance and scholarship tests and preparatory schools’ academic credentials are renowned. Parents evidently send their child to a preparatory school in the hope that they will reach their optimum level. However, paying fees does not automatically ensure your child’s place at a top grammar or independent senior school.

Nevertheless, as a parent, you do have the right to have high expectations and preparatory schools clearly recognise this and deliver a high quality education.

If the above isn’t enough to tempt you, consider the other aspects of a stimulating, all-round education. Your child will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of music, playing in an orchestra or participating in the choir. Peripatetic teachers within a preparatory school can introduce your child to a wealth of instruments, regardless of ability. Drama is also extensive with children as young as 3 taking part in plays. Within the encouraging atmosphere of a preparatory school, this can only help to aid your child’s confidence. Let’s not forget the range of sporting events that your child can take part in. Children in a preparatory school experience a range of sports, including rugby, hockey, swimming and cricket.

Should you choose a preparatory school for your child? Well, if you want to give them the best possible start in life, then the answer has to be yes. The investment will pay off as you see your child blossom into a well rounded, self confident, individual, ready to face the world!

Amanda Carey, Head of English.

Breaside Preparatory School 41/43 Orchard Road, Bromley, BR1 2PR

Tel : 020 8460 0916 - Fax : 020 8466 5664 www.breaside.co.uk

24 MARCH 2014

Sydenham High’s Aladdin casts a spell

members over three evenings last month. The school also held an Arabianthemed Gala Reception on the final night to raise funds for the school charity, Chain of Hope.

Headteacher Kathryn Pullen commented: “We’re incredibly proud of what

S

ydenham School is justly proud of its academic results but is equally proud of its strong tradition in the performing arts. The recent senior school production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr certainly cast away the winter blues with an energetic and entertaining performance displaying the terrific acting, dancing and singing talents of some thirty-five girls from across the school.

Accompanied by an orchestra of twenty students and staff and supported by a student stage crew, the performance delighted audience

the girls have achieved with this production. The performance was touching and funny as the audience’s reactions testified. There were outstanding performances from all who took part – this was a real team effort from girls across the whole school, year 7 to year 12, supported by committed and enthusiastic staff. It has been a wonderful way to end the first half of the term.”

What makes us different is the difference we make...

From scientific exploration to personal discovery, our outstanding education goes way beyond the curriculum

Find out more at our Open Events Junior: Wed Sat Senior: Thur Wed Sat

7 May 27 Sept 8 May 26 June 20 Sept

9:30am 10.00am 9:30am 6.30pm 10.00am

-

11am 1pm 11am 8pm 1pm

Places for girls from 4 to 18 020 8557 7004 www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net admissions@syd.gdst.net MARCH 2014 25

Dominic Walmsley Jewellery Jewellery Insurance Questions Answers

&

As a retailing jeweller we are constantly discussing insurance claims and valuations. Many are unaware of their policy details so we have answered some of our most commonly asked questions.

Which of my jewellery needs to be valued for insurance?

You will need to check your individual policy, but generally items worth less than £1,500 don’t need to be valued separately on your household insurance. However beware! There will be a maximum amount they will pay out for grouped, lower value, jewellery.

Often only £5,000, many are under insured. It is better to itemise your jewellery and ask your insurer, “Am I covered for these items in TOTAL”? For smaller items of a few hundred pounds we suggest taking a photograph of them individually along with a receipt, if you have one, and store them online.

Items needing individual valuation, the insurance company will require a detailed up to date valuation by a reputable qualified jeweller.

How frequently should I have a valuation done?

Most insurance companies require a new valuation every three years.

Our records allow us to remind clients when a new valuation is needed and update them quickly and easily.

What does a jewellery insurance valuation include?

A jewellery insurance valuation should include a high quality photo, a detailed description of the item, and an estimated current like-for-like replacement cost. Typically stone type, size, quality, cut and certificate details (if certified) are included.

How is an insurance valuation different to a probate valuation?

A probate valuation provides the current market value of an item if sold that day to the trade. Usually either its scrap value or the amount a dealer would be prepared to pay 26 MARCH 2014

for it (whichever is the greater). It will be significantly less than an insurance valuation. For insurance purpose, the valuation lists the cost of replacing that item in a retail jewellers or in some cases, what it would cost to remake the piece.

What if the item is old and irreplaceable?

When we value a piece of jewellery we have to asses whether it is something that is reasonably current and still available to buy or whether it is an antique. If it is an antique, your insurer will pay out to replace it with something of similar value, not what it would cost to re-make today. If it is something totally irreplaceable, perhaps something bought on your travels, many years ago, the insurance company will view it in the same way.

I have made a claim and my insurance company say I must replace the items in a shop which is not of my choosing. What can I do?

Insurance companies have deals with certain jewellers and get enormous discounts to replace your jewellery so they never actually have to pay out the full amount of the claim. If the item of jewellery is generic, such

Made in London

as a plain wedding ring or a simple chain, then they can insist you use their preferred jeweller. However if the jewellery is a branded piece such as Rolex or Gucci, they would have to replace it with the same thing.

The grey area is when you want to replace unbranded jewellery, but their preferred jeweller does not sell anything like that. They will try and tell you have no choice and it was in the small print or, they may offer you a cash payment less 30%. If you persevere and make a complaint to the insurance ombudsman, you will usually get the full pay out but it is much better to check the policy before you take it out.

What would it cost to get my jewellery valued?

While some jewellers will charge a rate based on a percentage of the item’s value, at Dominic Walmsley Jewellery we have a three tier pricing structure. For items valued up to £5,000 the price is £55, items valued between £5,000 and £10,000 are £65, and above £10,000 the price is £75.

In some circumstances, based on the complexity of the piece, the fee may be slightly higher.

How long does it take?

We understand how lost many are without their jewellery and endeavour to get valuations done as quickly as possible. Unlike many jewellers we are fortunate valuations are done by Dominic on-site. However we would normally need a week to ten days to photograph and value the pieces. For some higher value items we will value it the same (pre arranged) day.

Please bring this page with you to receive a FREE clean and polish with all valuations we carry out for you during March 2014.

Dominic Walmsley Jewellery, 3 The Square, Riverhead 01732 779555

London Fashion Week is always exciting and inspirational, and last month’s event proved to be just that.

London Fashion Week presented another unrivalled opportunity for both established designers and newcomers to present their latest collections. A constantly buzzing key event for those who haven’t got the patience to wait until the latest fashion designs and stylish fashion trends make it into the fashion magazines.

CARA DELEVINGNE MODELS MULBERRY © DAVE BENETT

A world of catwalks, celebrities, and fashion glitz...

LONDON

FASHION WEEK AUTUMN/WINTER 2014 HIGHLIGHTS MARCH 2014 27

FA S H I O N

NAOMIE HARRIS, TINIE TEMPAH AND HARRY STYLES, FRONT ROW AT BURBERRY PRORSUM SHOW BURBERRY PRORSUM FINALE

BURBERRY PRORSUM

BURBERRY PRORSUM

ANNA WINTOUR AND BRADLEY COOPER, FRONT ROW AT BURBERRY PRORSUM SHOW

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

TOM FORD

T

he magic of London Fashion Week is not merely thanks to the fashion designers’ and fashion stylists ’cutting-edge collections but the media excitement that accompanies them. The allure of the show is exceptional and London Fashion Week continues to be the top fashion event pulling visitors from every corner of the globe, with international press attending from 42 countries. It’s a week where designers are free to create at will and experiment with new trends for clothing. The world watches as fashion history is made.

who graduated from the college several years ago. She has gone on to dress women from Michelle Obama to actress Emma Stone.

While we are all thinking about our Spring and Summer wardrobes, designers were showcasing this year’s Autumn and Winter Collections. And with a buzz of anticipation for a blockbuster season of shows – it was one of the event’s biggest line-ups yet.

Hunter, best known for those sturdy, no-nonsense wellies seen on trendy young attendees of music festivals like Glastonbury, debuted its clothing range in a basement space set up to look like a dark forest, complete with a watery runway and realistic looking birch trees. Models - both male and female - splashed down the catwalk in colorful raincoats and capes, shorts and miniskirts, belted trench coats and puffy winter jackets. Everyone, of course, sported Hunter boots that came in a range of colours and styles, including a heeled ankle-length version.

For the first time, celebrity designer Tom Ford staged a womenswear catwalk show in London, while singer Rihanna created a stir with her debut fashion collection. While major players like Burberry, Mulberry and Vivienne Westwood still lead the British fashion scene, the most closely-watched design heroes of the moment - are all under 40 years old: Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou, Erdem. And they are just some of the most recognisable names among more than a dozen ambitious, emerging talents that have put London on the international style map.

“The buyers who come to London don’t go to just one or two shows - they go to nearly every show, every day. You miss the show, you miss the hot new trend,’’ said Caroline Rush, the British Fashion Council’s chief executive.

Bora Aksu, the Turkish designer based in London, showed off a collection that contrasted tough leather with romance and ethereal silhouettes. Central St Martins, the storied art college from which superstars like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen graduated, put on a graduate show, that was bursting with youthful creativity. “It was really a breath of fresh air. At this stage you should experiment as much as you can,’’ said Roksanda Illincic, 28 MARCH 2014

Other notable designers showing at this season’s five-day event included L’Wren Scott, the American partner of Mick Jagger; Julien Macdonald, a celebrity favourite, who returned after a two-season break; and Jonathan Saunders, who wowed with his classy prints and patterns.

HUNTER MAKES A SPLASH WITH DEBUT SHOW

Hunter had drummed up considerable publicity for the event, and its front row VIPs included Vogue editor Anna Wintour, singer Jessie J, as well as designer Stella McCartney. Just to make sure it leaves an impression on guests, the brand closed with a little magic performance and a shower of playing cards. It was a cool touch, and entertaining to boot.

BURBERRY PRORSUM Burberry revealed the Burberry Prorsum womenswear Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, The Bloomsbury Girls, The collection takes creative inspiration from the British decorative art of the Bloomsbury set and Charleston, the country home and meeting place for the writers, painters and intellectuals who formed the group. Collections included relaxed trench coats, Blanket ponchos , Equestrian topcoats and tea dresses. Fabrics included hand-

FA S H I O N

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL

JOHN ROCHA PETER PILOTTO

JOHN ROCHA

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL

ISSA LONDON FINALE

painted leather, suede and shearling. Double cashmere, Crepe silk, and embroidered tulle lace. Colours included elderberry, cameo pink, antique rose, deep bottle green, burnt sienna, lavender grey and camel.

Guests included musicians Harry Styles, Tinie Tempah, Laura Mvula, Lianne La Havas, actors Bradley Cooper, Naomie Harris, Felicity Jones, Melanie Laurent, Daniel Brühl, Jamie Campbell Bower, film producers Harvey Weinstein, Mohammed Al Turki, photographer Mario Testino, media personalities Greg James, Cat Deeley, Olivia Palermo, Poppy Delevingne and Felicitas Rombold. Models walking the show included Suki Waterhouse, Cara Delevingne, Jean Campbell, Malaika Firth, Neelam Johal, Matilda Lowther, Jourdan Dunn, Charlotte Wiggins, Edie Campbell, Sung Hee Kim and Xiao Wen Ju. The custom-built show space opened up to reveal British musicians Paloma Faith, Ed Harcourt and Rhodes performing live to the 1500 guests at London’s Kensington Gardens. The specially arranged runway soundtracks are available for download on iTunes.com/Burberry.

CENTRAL ST MARTINS The collections of eleven students were shown to an audience which included alumni, press and industry. MICHAEL POWER and Ondrej Adamek will be two very happy Central Saint Martins MA graduates, jointly scooping the evening’s L’Oreal Professionel Creative Award, judged by star alumni Christopher Kane. Power for his black and colourfully beaded tunics and dresses that hung purposefully heavy over shorts and wader-style boots beneath; and Adamek for his 3D dresses, Part of an 11-student line-up, it was a solid show with clearly defined ideas from each student. Teruhiro Hasegawa brought us Maleficent-style gowns in red and black, terrifying but very elegant; Drew Henry opted for boxy severe shapes in khaki, hides draped in there too or incorporated into boots and gloves; and Rory ParnellMooney gave us a sense of the calm and solemn for oversized and cloakorientated menswear in a sober palette of gentle blues, visor caps worn up top to ecclesiastical effect.

HOUSE OF HOLLAND

JOHN ROCHA Finding inspiration in the dusk dark light of Icelandic skies and revisiting his love of the work of Pierre Soulages, John Rocha Autumn/Winter 2014 is an exploration of romanticism. It is at once dark and light, sophisticated yet youthful, nonchalant and passionate. As in all John’s work there is a symmetry, a balance between the tender and the strong, the stark and the ornate. The palette, grounded in all the textures and shades of black, is under lit in dusk shades with midnight greens, shadowy garnet and forest smoke. Raw-edge tweed trapeze coats and cropped jackets fall from the shoulder. Skirts and tunics are layered in embroidered tulle, lace and silks..

Great coats wrap the body in velvets, and sweetly figured dresses and shells define the silhouette, creating a play on both volume and sculptural forms.

Informed by his enduring love of texture and structure, AW14 is filled with John’s particular vision of subtle strength and intricate beauty.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL Red Label clothes give a picture, an impression of a woman who is born in the privileged world, she is warm and looked after. She feels important; she’s engaged with the world and cares about it (‘Don’t Frack my Mother’, Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon); she’s artistic and adventurous. The first look alone would say everything – the voluminous swagger of the coat: underneath – a silky frilled shirt and velvet skirt. She looks like someone who’s going somewhere. The post-war privileged dripping in pearls, fur and a powerful understanding of sexuality – a woman who wears fur trimmed hot pants and voluptuous scarlet taffeta gowns one moment, and no-nonsense pinstripe suits the next. Hourglass jackets flared at the hip adorned with giant black hearts, outsized tartan cropped suits, and a crinoline caged skirt with bronzed frill.Vivienne Westwood’s 16 year-old granddaughter, Cora Corre, stole the show in a cascade of dark brown curls, printed blouse, bell mini skirt and triangle print tights, and accompanied her grandmother hand in hand for the finale.

MARCH 2014 29

FA S H I O N MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

TEMPERLEY LONDON

PALOMA FAITH

JASPER CONRAN

JASPER CONRAN

TEMPERLEY LONDON The start of a new and exciting era for Temperley; the attitude for Winter 2014 is much savvier and sexier.Luxurious layering of separates, rich tailoring and sexier shortened lengths have given the collection increased depth for its Designer positioning covering day, cocktail and evening wear.Intricate pattern, texture and colour are key. Inspired by the ornate detail of Spanish cathedrals and Byzantine architecture; prints echo mosaics, laser cutting emulates stained glass and embroidery is inspired

by Chasuble garments. Layered daywear pieces and wearable silhouettes instill a heady romance and celebrate the opulence of another era.Colours mix shades of cobalt, navy, grey, oyster, ochre and rose and are peppered through bold graphics and bright floral patterns. Temperley weaving a little bit of romantic folk-law into everyday life with an overall savvier, funkier and very wearable feel.

JASPER CONRAN Day 2 of London Fashion Week and Jasper Conran offered a master class in how to dress like a real woman. The world famous designer showcased his Autumn /Winter 2014 collection that promises to flatter the female form.

Conran has described women’s fashion as being ‘rather shapeless’ of late and was keen to present an alternative that celebrates womanly curves. The stunning collection featured silk-lined dresses with cutaway backs, and soft leather jackets designed for day to evening wear. Coats in black, grey, blonde and sugar spun pink with belted waists over cashmere, soft leathers and silk tulle dresses with a ‘quadruple stretch’ were a show-stopper. The neutral palette was brightened up with bursts of tangerine orange. And showing that he knows a woman’s mind, Conran kept accessories to a minimum with just one envelope bag and a mid-high heel.

PETER PILOTTO Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos’ newest collection is inspired by hybrids 30 MARCH 2014

HUNTER ORIGINAL

and fusion. The collection is a play on contrasts and extremes, combining sports with formal, summer with winter, embellished surfaces with strict lines. Architectural knit sweaters, skirts and scarves feature energetic intarsia patterns and ribbed textures. Executed in a palette of bitter lemon, tomato and pale blue. Wool jacquards are used for sleek coats inset with graphic patterns, sometimes adorned with embroidery. Colour is intense and dynamic, black juxtaposed with rich fuschia , cobalt and sulphur yellow, alongside soft pastels.

PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND Their Autumn/Winter 2014 Womenswear Collection reflects a powerful experimentation with texture and structure. Ultra flat 2D knitwear is married with highly textural 3D elements to present a precise juxtaposition across designs. Unique ready-to-wear 3D printing techniques have been used across the brands heritage knitwear allowing organised and organic textures to seamlessly combine. Each look mixes an urban style with refined silhouettes, slouched trousers in a tuxedo Batavia fabric are paired with distinguished jackets and twin-set style sweaters. The collections colour palette is intentionally simple with sharp shades of off white, blacks and greys, punctuated by sunshine orange and crimson red.

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON An attitude of optimism and high-glamour is reimagined for Autumn/ Winter 2014 Collection. Matthew Williamson’s woman is empowered and composed, exuding a playful and exuberant spirit. Elongated shapes with subtly-raised waistlines in outerwear and tailored A-line skirt suits create a defined and constructed silhouette. This is contrasted with feminine shapes in silk, slinky jersey and chiffon for day and eveningwear. The optimistic mood of the collection is captured in the star motif, reinterpreted through embroidery, fabric and print. Stars are playfully arranged into geometric polka dots, or contrasted with a bold graphic print, inspired by a Georgian rug; eluding to interiors of the 70s jet-set. A palette of Jonquil yellow and

FA S H I O N TOPSHOP UNIQUE

TWIGGY WITH MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

DAVID KOMA

DAVID KOMA

CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS COLLEGE

CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS COLLEGE

KELLY OSBOURNE & NICK GRIMSHAW AT MULBERRY SHOW

PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND

deep red is contrasted with gem-like hues of amethyst and pacific opal blue, offset with graphic monochrome and metallic.

ISSA LONDON Issa presented their Autumn/Winter Collection at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery. The collection marks a further evolution for the brand, showcasing signature Issa elements, including draping, print, and feminine silhouettes, whilst exploring new categories including tailoring and outerwear. Issa’s reputation for print is prevalent, and for Autumn/ Winter 2014 these prints have been developed further and replicated through varying techniques and fabrications including jacquard, flock, intarsia and hand knit, to make for a highly technical and tactile collection that embraces the playful and feminine side of the brand.

Embroidery, flocking and contrast trims are also utilised to explore texture: velvet piping and rubberised zigzag trims add tactile interest to necklines and hems.

DAVID KOMA For Autumn/ Winter 14, David Koma’s collection was inspired by the portrayal of women in the Renaissance paintings of German artist, Lucas Cranach the Elder. This collection of sleek and structured silhouettes is a strict evolution from previous seasons. Necklines are higher, hemlines lower, with re-interpretations of corsetry throughout. While Koma’s trademark thigh-grazing A-line skirts and tailored dresses spliced with leather still underpin the collection, there is a stronger, more masculine edge. Boxy outerwear and loose fitting trousers mark a change in direction, with the arm proving the new erroneous zone. The opposition between the vertical and the horizontal is central– bold leather strips are hand-woven into exquisite jackets and dresses. A striking combination of supple leather, glossy pony skin and flocked chiffon demands attention, but it’s the electric shocks of brightviolet, pure cream, cobalt blue and steely grey that make major impact. Koma and the women he

designs for are calm and in-control.

WHISTLES For Autumn/Winter 2014, Whistles presented a collection focused on eveningwear. Whether the Whistles woman is staying in or going out, she dresses in soft textures, oversized shapes, fluid lines and blurred prints.

Sweaters are worn cropped and loosely fitted, or tucked in casually.

Some with an oversized roll neck or ribbed panelling. Combined with wide leg relaxed trousers or skirts that fall to the mid calf. Outerwear is deliberately oversized. Overcoats come in soft wools in shades of blue, green and grey. Patterned with large checks that give a feeling of a blanket enveloping the wearer with warmth. Lilac becomes a key colour for eveningwear. A thick pelted faux fur coat is the ultimate in luxurious comfort. Navy and black are also staple colours, in rich faux ponyskin or heavy satin fabrications, they are brought up to date in a bandeau top that finishes below the waist or a dress with it’s origins in sportswear detailing, a racer back flows in to a full skirt. Bags are boxy and compact or elongated and soft. Clutches feature soft faux fur bracelets.

So now we can look forward to the trends that will be hitting the high streets for Autumn and Winter 2014, and re-create the look so stylishly presented on the catwalk.

London Fashion Week is one of the highest profile fashion events in the world and one of the ‘big four’ international catwalk influencers. The event is organised by the British Fashion Council (BFC) and funded by a number of sponsors. London Fashion Week puts London and British Fashion firmly on the global stage, generating orders in the region of £100m; the event itself contributes £20 million to the London economy in terms of direct spend and attracts visitors from over 25 countries including US, France, Italy,Russia, Middle East, China and UAE. WWW.LONDONFASHIONWEEK.CO.UK MARCH 2014 31

FA S H I O N

Dress for the Occasion Sale from 11th April to 18th

B

lackburn Boutique are offering huge reductions with up to 50% off on Occasion wear.

Ranges include Mother of the Bride, Ascot outfits, Evening and Cocktail gowns plus hats and shoes.

The Sale is for ONE WEEK ONLY so call to book an appointment on 0208 318 2333 or email info@blackburnoccasionwear.co.uk www.blackburnoccasionwear.co.uk

32 MARCH 2014

BLACKBURN BOUTIQUE LONDON

EXQUISITE OCCASION WEAR

SALE UP TO 50% OFF OCCASION WEAR From 11th April to Friday 18th April

Call 0208 318 2333 for more information or to arrange an appointment.

MARCH 2014 33

Cashmere blend ensures incredible warmth and softness.

Tailoring is soft and structured – the perfect complement to cashmere. The grey wool trouser suit enjoys a subtle peplum detail on the jacket, pencil skirts feature in soft leather, fine wool and a textured wool herringbone, whilst the grey wool wrap skirt provides a modern take on the kilt. Cashmere adds a touch of luxury to the Crombie style coat, and the cocoon coat in Warm Almond and Ink provides a defined yet wearable silhouette.

Staying true to the ethos of using only the finest fabrics, 100% silk shirts and the new silk shirt dress all feature a clean and contemporary finish, in colours of Silver, classic Ivory, Warm Orange and Ruby print.

A range of cashmere accessories, including beanie hats, wristwarmers and scarves complete the look.

Pure Collection at Tunbridge Wells are currently offering 15% off their Autumn Collection. Quote offer code TWAW215 (offer valid on full price purchases only. Discount is valid until 31 October 2013 and not in conjunction with any other offer or promotion).

FA S H I O N

Spring 2014

Cashmere Sports Luxe Instore: 38 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Online: www.purecollection.com

By Phone: 0844 848 1030

1 MONTH 2013

AW 13/14

S

pring at Pure Collection is all about effortless style and laidback luxury with beautiful cashmere at its heart.

Cashmere combines with silk separates to create everyday sports luxe dressing.

The silk bomber, silk trouser, silk tunic dress and silk drawstring skirt all allow for easy mix and match pieces – the perfect complement to cashmere.

Cashmere colours range from tonal neutrals and modern pastels through to vibrant brights.

New textures for this season include the Cashmere Twist and the Cashmere Plait, whilst the relaxed boyfriend styles sit alongside everyday favourites such as the crew neck and cashmere cropped cardigan.

Our signature cashmere weights allow for spring layering and beautiful summer style. Featherweight is super fine and lightweight, Gassato super soft and lofty; and our 12 gauge is perfect for cooler days.

The beautiful boutique store, located at 38 High Street Tunbridge Wells carries and edited collection of styles. The style advisors are on hand to help you find your perfect look.

Plus, enjoy 20% off in store when you quote Tunbridge Wells Life Pure 38 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1XF Tel: 0844 848 1030 www.purecollection.com

34 MARCH 2014

with Beautifully designed gifts and hampers for babies and toddlers.

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Visit our beautiful boutique at 38 High Street, Tunbridge Wells Enjoy 20% off* the Spring Collection.

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MARCH 2014 35 *Terms and conditions: Offer valid on full price purchases only. Valid until 31st March 2014.

FA S H I O N

FASHION WEEK’S Front Runners

Model on the catwalk during the Holly Fulton Autumn/Winter 2014 show at Somerset House on day two of London Fashion Week

❛

Over five whirlwind days, 77 designers showcased their Autumn/Winter 2014 collections at London Fashion Week.

❛

T

he style merry-go-round of clothing collections has stopped spinning for another season.Over five whirlwind days, 77 designers showcased their Autumn/Winter 2014 collections at London Fashion Week.

on Fashion Week’s first day. Anna and co. either bedded down in Newcastle overnight or began the long journey south to London, making big, dark sunglasses a must-have accessory for disguising dark circles.

And an estimated 5,000 show-goers braved stormy weather (in sandals and bare legs) to be there.

Bag lady

These are the 10 moments that stopped us in our high-heeled tracks:

Bob on the Tyne They’re used to late-running catwalks but the style set’s journey from New York to London Fashion Week had a delayed start following a detour to avoid high winds. A plane packed with fashion press, high profile models and US Vogue editor Anna Wintour was diverted to Newcastle

36 MARCH 2014

She’s reigned the runways for a couple of seasons but Cara Delevingne is still in vogue. The ultimate It girl accolade?

Mulberry announced they were naming a handbag after her. Not just one, but an entire Cara for Mulberry Collection, including a limited edition inspired by the model’s lion tattoo. Cara made other notable appearances at Burberry and Giles, where she walked and filmed her way down the runway using a mobile phone - the first ever live ‘selfie’ video taken by a model on the catwalk.

Paparazzi pleasers Photographers swarmed at Burberry when Hollywood heart-throb Bradley Cooper took his front row seat. Fresh from the Baftas, the actor watched his model girlfriend Suki Waterhouse walk the runway. The couple later glammed up to attend the Tom Ford show together. A paparazzi scrum surrounded the celebstudded Block G at Topshop Unique to snap the famous front row. Kardashian, Kendall Jenner sat next to Anna Wintour while brand boss Philip Green talked shop with Kate Moss who’s set to launch a Topshop collection in May.

Blanket brigade From faux rain to falling petals, Burberry’s finales are always a fashion spectacle. Led by Cara Delevingne, the Burberry model army for AW14 stormed

Cara Delevingne modeling The Cara Delevingne Collection created by Mulberry at London Fashion Week Autumn/ Winter 2014

Right: Models on the catwalk during the Peter Pilotto Autumn/Winter 2014 show at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on day four of London Fashion Week

Model on the catwalk during the House of Holland autumn/winter 2014 London Fashion Week show at The Old Sorting Office in central London

Above: KModel wearing an accessory created by Anya Hindmarch during London Fashion Week Autumn/ Winter 2014

Poppy Delevingne wearing spotted Burberry shirt, arriving for the Burberry Autumn/Winter 2014 show at Kensington Gardens, London

MARCH 2014 37

FA S H I O N and skirts featuring oversized manicured fingers carrying clutch bags.

Supermarket sweep Accessories designer Anya Hindmarch went wild in the aisles with household brand names on handbags. A giant barcode complete with conveyor belt catwalk provided the setting for her ‘Counter Culture’ collection. Recognisable Daz, Frosties and Kellogg’s Corn Flakes ‘packets’ were transformed into statement bags carried by models in detergent-bright whites. As the front row totted up their shopping list for next season, dapper salesmen danced like Fred Astaire during the finale.

Putting on the glitz els onto Cara Delevingne leading out mod Prorsum the catwalk during the Burberry Perks Field, Autumn/Winter 2014 show at Kensington Gardens, London

the catwalk in personalised ponchos, each brandishing the model’s bold initials. “I wanted everything to be feminine but with strong coats and big ponchos - it all had an earthy artiness to it,” said chief creative officer Christopher Bailey. The soundtrack was provided live by Paloma Faith belting out Only Love Can Hurt Like This.

Statement prints The latest way to wear your lipstick or clutch bag? On your clothing. Glamorous applique motifs heralded a maximalist approach for AW14. House of Holland showcased a co-ordinating jacket and skirt with sparkling embellished lipsticks for a red on red statement. Both Holly Fulton and Osman went hands-free with dresses

Some shows are more party than catwalk and Julien Macdonald knows how to celebrate in style. In the grand setting of The Royal Courts of Justice, the star wattage of the celeb-packed front row almost outshone the dazzling dresses. Fellow Strictly Come Dancing star Abi Clancy’s dance costumes may have been the inspiration for the beaded and sequinned showgirls that stormed the runway, transforming the venue into a house of disco.

Natty neckwear Look out for foundation marks, highnecks are the neckline to covet for next season. In a trend that was also high on the agenda at New York, a whole host of designers championed the funnel neck for Fall. Digital trend tracker, EDITD placed turtle necks in their London Fashion Week top 10, spotted at (brace yourselves) Peter Pilotto, Paul Smith, Topshop Unique, Holly Fulton, Pringle, Joseph and House of Holland.

Buy it now Fresh from her presentation at London Fashion Week, step forward for designer Orla Keily’s new shoe collaboration with Clarks. With a modern take on Sixties and Seventies designs, you’ll find 10 statement styles available with prices ranging from £90-120 (www.clarks.co.uk).

38 MARCH 2014

British editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour arriving for the Burberry Prorsum Womenswear collection during London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2014

Red carpet moment A cinematic buzz surrounded the Baftas halfway through Fashion Week, and Erdem carried the awards season vibe through with his elegant collection.

Models padded down a plush deep red carpet wearing embellished Nicholas Kirkwood heels and flats. Dresses were worthy of A-lister or royal wardrobe appointment with luxurious metallic brocades, sparkling appliques, and figureskimming velvet black dresses.

Ruffling feathers Remember Carrie Bradshaw’s oversized flower corsage? John Rocha’s megaruffle accessories for AW14 make it look positively subtle. His collection didn’t just embrace ruffles, the designer practically shrouded models in them. Sculpted from layers of organza, dress and coat creations included statement capes, corsage belts and even headdresses with giant matching hats that floated down the runway.

Get the look The fashion paparazzi went dotty for model Poppy Delevingne’s statement spot Burberry shirt. Play snap with Marks & Spencer’s Limited Edition Spotted Shirt, £35 (www.marksandspencer.com).

Fashion flash Plus One British Plus Size Fashion Weekend did its bit for curves on the catwalk during London Fashion Week. Now in its third season, the event celebrates diversity in the fashion world. A fifth of UK women admit to cutting out their clothing labels to hide their size, according to new research by beauty brand Dove. Despite the UK national average for women being a size 16, more than half (54%) still wish to drop two or more dress sizes.

Presented by Medina

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Silk bracelet £ 59 | Necklace £ 59 | Elements from £ 59

MARCH 2014 The Village, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe, Kent. DA9 9SE. Tel. 01322 427134.

39

B E A U T Y Holly Fulton AW14 catwalk at London Fashion Week

IT’S DESIGNER, DARLING

T

he style circus of Autumn/ Winter 14 Fashion Month is officially in full swing, stopping off at New York, London, Milan and Paris.

But there are a couple of problems with the decadent designer pieces showcased on the catwalks... Firstly, you can’t snap them up until autumn, and secondly, you can’t buy them even then unless you have thousands of pounds to spare.

Luckily, the beauty world has equally covetable designer trinkets that won’t cause bankruptcy. And if anyone asks who it’s by, you can justifiably say: “It’s designer, darling...”

40 MARCH 2014

Dior addict Make an impression with a Fashion Week pout, literally. Dior Addict Lipstick comes in 44 shades but for topicality, plump for 881 Fashion Week pink, £24 (Dior counters nationwide).

Jacobs bling Ease the load in your handbag by carrying your scent around your neck in a pretty designer pendant. Marc Jacobs’ Honey Solid Perfume is hidden away in a statement gold flower necklace, £34 (Debenhams).

Talent talons If you like being first to jump on trends, paint your talons with Nails Inc’s Emerging British Designer collaboration.

Nail polishes come in signature print packaging including Teatum Jones’ Sloane Street hot pink, Emma Shipley’s Colville Mews nude and David Longshaw’s Hallam Street dusky purple, £12 each (www. nailsinc.com).

Issey pleats Pleats are big news for this season.

Issey Miyake champions the trend via perfume with Pleats Please; the fragrance features a pleated bottle top. Pleats Please EDT, from £33, and brand new Pleats Please L’Eau, available March, from £25 (Debenhams).

B E A U T Y

Chloe minis Chloe My Little Chloe limited mini fragrances, £28 each (0800 083 6312)

Match your fragrance to your spring outfit with Chloe’s My Little Chloe limited collection of fragrances. Available in Chloe Signature, L’Eau de Chloe, or Roses de Chloe, £28 each, from February 24 (0800 083 6312).

Angel arm-candy Adorn your wrist with fragrance AND jewellery, with Thierry Mugler’s Angel Jewel Collection. The limited edition set includes Angel 25ml eau de parfum and an elegant cuff bearing the Thierry Mugler signature, £51.50 (www. muglerstore. co.uk).

Marc Jacobs Honey Solid Perfume Necklace, £34 (Debenhams)

YSL Couture If you want to upgrade from designer, indulge in couture-like nails. YSL’s new La Laque Couture Spicy collection includes six exotic new shades, including a decadent gold fleck Feuille D’Or, £18.50 each, available February 26 (www. yslbeauty.co.uk).

Tory Burch Lip Colour in Pas du Tout, £22 (www.harrods.com)

MARCH 2014 41

B E A U T Y Balenciaga Rosabotanica eau de parfum, from £53 (Debenhams)

JPG accessory Add a designer muse to your dressing table with Jean Paul Gaultier’s accessorised limited edition. The Classique corset comes complete with reflective pendant attached to the bottle for The Mirror EDT Collector 100ml, £71 (House of Fraser).

Burch beauty Tory Burch’s cosmetic packaging is as chic as her mainline clothes and accessories. The Tory Burch Lip Color in Pas du Tout pinky nude is worthy of your best clutch bag, £22 (www.harrods. com).

Balenciaga bloom Tick off three spring trends in one with Balenciaga’s Rosabotanica - statement print, bold blooms and monochrome stripes. This bottle has designer written all over it, from £53 (Debenhams).

Tried & tested Laura Wurzal enjoys a stress-busting treatment with a little help from The Beatles.

It’s pretty fitting that I travel to Liverpool to try out Lush Spa’s latest stress releasing treatment, inspired by The Beatles’ music. As a big fan of Lush and the iconic band, it’s a match made in heaven.

The Hard Day’s Night treatment launched late last year at The Hard Days Night Hotel but it’s now available at Lush Spas nationwide. As the song name hints, it’s designed to relax your mind and body through firm massage and gentle stretching.

Inside the therapy room a ‘Let It Be’ sign’s projected on the ceiling and I change into a pair of cosy striped pyjamas, just like the ones John Lennon wore during his bed-in for peace with Yoko Ono. As I’m tucked into warm sheets by the therapist, I feel like I’m ready for bed.

The treatment combines firm massage, pressure points, yoga and passive stretching, where the therapist places my limbs into position and holds.

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42 MARCH 2014

The massage starts on my back and neck, moving to my legs and arms then finishing with a blissful face and head massage. No products are used; just strong hands over the sheets and pyjamas, a unique feeling.

My initial reaction is to tense up during pressure point massage but, gradually, I relax.

Music’s integral to the treatment, with the Lush team re-working classic Beatles songs using binaural beats to induce calmness, and songs follow The Beatles’ journey.

By the end of the massage I’m lulled into a meditative state.

The treatment ends with a pot of English Breakfast tea and Jammie Dodgers, served on a Hard Day’s Night record.

I feel light and relaxed, yet revived, and the tension in my neck and shoulders lifted completely. The treatment certainly Please Pleased me, and now I Feel Fine!

Lush Hard Day’s Night treatment, £85 for one hour 15 minutes, available at Lush Spas nationwide from February 22 (01202 668 545; www.lush.co.uk/spa).

Buy it now The gurus behind HD Brows have launched a 76-piece make-up collection. The wearable range includes brow, eye, skin and lip essentials, priced from £9 to £32.50. Available from March, find your nearest stockist at hdbrows.com/salon-finder.html

LOOK GOOD AND FEEL GREAT Cosmetic Surgery Open Evening at North Downs Hospital Tuesday, 8th April at 6.45pm Come along to our Open Evening where you will have a chance to meet our Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Mr Simon Mackey, who will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

Places are limited so please call us to reserve your space.

www.northdownshospital.co.uk | 08436 585 307

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Fostering can be challenging but a very rewarding step to take - Why not talk to us and find out more about becoming a foster carer.

Alternatively attend one of our Fostering Information Open Days on 21st March or 25th April.

See our website for more details

Freephone: 0808 284 9554 Tel: 0208 768 8643 Text FOSTER15 and your NAME to 88020 email: enquiries@kindercare.co.uk www.kindercare.co.uk MARCH 2014 43

Local Bang & Olufsen

retailers make some noise for their pioneering new sound

B

ang & Olufsen retailers in Bexleyheath, Bromley, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells are celebrating the arrival of a new dimension in wireless sound that will revolutionise the listening experience of Kent’s audiophiles.

BeoLab 17

The four retailers, who make up the Beoshop group that independently operates the most dealers in the Bang & Olufsen UK retail network, have just welcomed the esteemed audio-visual manufacturer’s Immaculate Wireless Sound to their showrooms.

Debuting in the distinctive new BeoLab 17 and BeoLab 18 loudspeakers and stylish BeoLab 19 subwoofer, Immaculate Wireless Sound enables Bang & Olufsen products to go wireless without compromising the famed Bang & Olufsen quality or design.

BeoLab 17, 18 and 19 have just been installed at the retailers’ showrooms and so impressive are the new products that they are the first in the world to be produced by any manufacturer to meet the new WiSA (The Wireless Speaker and Audio Association) standard of wireless sound.

As visitors to Bang & Olufsen of Bexleyheath, Bromley, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells will discover, the trio of new products provide an unprecedented experience that fuses exemplary sound, incredible design and freedom of placement through a multitude of positioning options. The ease with which the loudspeakers can be moved around offers users increased flexibility in their home’s decoration and, because cabling is BeoLab 18

BeoLab 17

minimised, it also means that installation complexity and costs are less.

Paul Blake, Director of the Beoshop group, believes that Immaculate Wireless Sound will clean up in every sense.

“With its crystal-clear noise reproduction through an impeccable, reliable connection, Immaculate Wireless Sound is certain to be popular, but the ground-breaking technology also allows customers to reduce cable clutter in their home and make the most of their available space, which is perfect for anyone who wishes to have a phenomenal audio-visual system but does not wish for it to encroach into their living environment.

“For even more convenience Immaculate Wireless Sound gives users the freedom to mix wireless and wired speakers, easily add more speakers to a system and offers compatibility with other third-party WiSA certified products, including many AV receivers, televisions, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes.”

Paul continued: “It’s really quite remarkable how seamlessly it works and I invite anyone who’s interested in hearing Immaculate Wireless Sound to call in to any of our showrooms when they’re passing.”

44 MARCH 2014

BeoLab 19

GREAT MUSIC dESERvES BANG & OLUFSEN BEOLAB 18 EXPERIENCE IN STORE NOW

An acoustic artwork BeoLab 18 is the culmination of acoustic perfection, a heritage of authentic sound that has been Bang & Olufsen’s hallmark since 1925.

Respecting the orginal Crafted from exquisite materials with uncompromising attention to detail. BeoLab 18 is a timeless speaker for the enjoyment of future generations.

A fitting tribute Inspired by the legendary BeoLab 8000 speaker. BeoLab 18 honours a classic silhouette with new heights of performance.

Wireless freedom Liberate your home with BeoLab 18’s exceptional wireless performance. Peerless home acoustics without the restrictions.

Bang & Olufsen of Bexleyheath 155 Broadway, Bexleyheath.

Bang & Olufsen Kbh. K, Kgs. Tel: 020 8303 2760 Nytorv 26, 1050 København K Denmark, +45 33 11 14 15, kgs.nytorv@beostores.com

Bang & Olufsen of Bromley 62 High Street, Bromley.

Bang & Olufsen Kbh. K, Kgs. Tel: 020 8466 8080 Nytorv 26, 1050 København K Denmark, +45 33 11 14 15, kgs.nytorv@beostores.com

Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone 85 King Street, Maidstone.

Bang &Tel: Olufsen K, Kgs. 01622Kbh. 756756 Nytorv 26, 1050 København K Denmark, +45 33 11 14 15, kgs.nytorv@beostores.com

www.beoshop.co.uk

Bang & Olufsen of Tunbridge Wells 66 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells.

Tel: 01892 527525 MARCH 2014 45

T H O M A S D U N T O N SOLICITORS

Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) Whilst many of us now understand the advantages of making a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, fewer recognise the benefits of making a Health and Welfare LPA. Both types of LPA enable you to appoint someone of your choice (your “Attorney”) to act with legal authority on your behalf to make decisions if you should ever become unable to do so yourself.

What is a Health and Welfare LPA? A Health and Welfare LPA enables you to choose the person, or persons, you would wish to make personal decisions on your behalf, if you were unable to do so. This would include decisions about your medical treatment, your care or where you should live.

Unlike the financial LPA, a Health and Welfare LPA can only ever be used if you have lost the mental capacity to make such decisions yourself. All the time you have capacity, no one else can make these decisions for you.

However, by making the Health and Welfare LPA, you have the opportunity to nominate someone you trust and who knows your wishes, to take such decisions.

Your Attorney has a duty to make such decisions in your best interests.

Making a Lasting Power of Attorney does not mean you are giving up control. A Lasting Power of Attorney enables you to decide.

46 MARCH 2014 46 MARCH 2014

Who would need a Health and Welfare LPA? Anyone who wishes to decide who they would want to make decisions about their Health and Welfare.

Anyone with a degenerative medical condition. If you know that your physical or mental health is likely to progressively deteriorate, you may want to ensure that someone has the authority to express your wishes as to your continuing medical treatment if you become incapable of doing so yourself.

If you want to give someone the ability to consent to or refuse life sustaining treatment.

If you want to decide who will make the decisions about where you live and what support is needed to enable you to stay at home or, where necessary, to choose the best residential care for you.

Anyone who wants someone who is not their legal next of kin to make decisions about their Health and Welfare, such as unmarried couples or friends.

If you think there could be an argument between your next of kin as to what is in your best interests.

What sort of decisions would my Attorney be able to make for me?

Your Attorney could make decisions about your daily routine such as what you eat, what you wear and who can visit you.

Power to make decisions concerning your medical care and treatment, including deciding whether to consent to or refuse life-sustaining treatment, such as being resuscitated, can also be given to your Attorney.

Your Attorney can also ensure that the care you receive, whether in your own home or in a residential care home, meets your wishes and expectations.

It is often difficult to discuss these issues with your family, but doing so ensures that they are aware of your wishes, and prompts discussions as to how you would want such decisions to be taken.

It gives you the reassurance of knowing – if the worst should happen – that you have chosen someone you trust to take these decisions for you.

What happens if I do not have a Health and Welfare LPA? Decisions could be made without knowledge of your wishes.

Only your legal next of kin would be consulted about decisions such as resuscitation and life sustaining treatment.

Social Services may need to become involved in decisions as to where you should live and what care you require.

You may be resuscitated against your wishes.

Decisions may have to be made by the Court of Protection – rather than by the people you choose. An application to the Court of Protection is likely to be expensive and time-consuming.

If you would like to talk to someone about Lasting Powers of Attorney, please call Melanie Dunton and her team on 01689 822554 or email wills@thomasdunton.co.uk The information in this article is of a general nature and may not reflect your individual circumstances.

217-219 High Street Orpington, Kent BR6 0NZ

01689 822554 enquiry@thomasdunton.co.uk www.thomasdunton.co.uk

CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service Call our professional teams in Bromley 0208 315 0236 bromley@bluebirdcare.co.uk Call our professional team in Sevenoaks Sevenoaks Call our team in 01732 471 professional 541 01732 471 541 sevenoaks@bluebirdcare.co.uk Sevenoaks sevenoaks@bluebirdcare.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01732 471 541 01732 808 525 sevenoaks@bluebirdcare.co.uk tunbridgewells@bluebirdcare.co.uk

Dear Dear Debbie Debbie

Debbie Moulton, Care Manager of

BlueBird offers CARE her aDviCe DEBBIE Care, MOULTON, Debbie Moulton, Care Manager of

MANAGER OF BLUEBIRD CARE

BlueBird offers her aDviCe OFFERS Care, HER ADVICE

Dear Debbie

Can you explain why some people are given money to Dear Debbie Dear Debbie help them with care costs and others have to pay for it all themselves? itwhy doesn’t veryare fair - they are allto My father is coming out seem ofpeople hospital after a fall at home.

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Charlotte G Dear Claire

We offer good old fashioned service A realistic cost effective alternative to residential care. With familiar friends, relatives and possessions around.

We offer everything from personal care to shopping, cleaning or social visits.

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the reason is that social Care is considered to be different Dear Claire from Health Care, which is covered by the NHs and is Dear Charlotte universally available without charge.

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For many it can be a good may qualify- which for attendance allowance, authority will provide guidance.which is not means option and the trial becomes permanent. tested. be eligible, be 65 orsocial over and have even to if you have to you pay must for your own Care, you A trained, experienced and supported PA can provide either a physical or mental disability thatwhich is severe enough may qualify for attendance allowance, is not means a constant and reassuring presence and also take care for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to tested. to be housework, eligible, you and mustcan be 65 or over and have of nutrition, provide personal care supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety. the either a physical or mental disability that is severe enough if needed and then is able to withdraw to their personal payment is presently either: space or family in. Employing a PA can for you iftofriends need help caringdrop for yourself or someone to be workable great alternative residential care: the costs l a£53 per week if you need help else’s or constant supervise you, for your ownfrequent ortosomeone safety. the can be similar to a care home but with all the benefits of supervision during the day, or supervision at night, or payment is presently either: staying in your own home. l £79 per week if you need help or supervision l £53 per week if you need frequent help or constant Please note thatday a PA isnight, an employed person – either by throughout andday, or you are terminally supervisionboth during the or supervision at night, orill. you directly or via a care agency. There are financial risks can claim byiffilling in Form available from the lYou per week you helpaa1a, or supervision in£79 accepting a PA on need a “self-employed” basis, as you will Post office, or by going online at www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/ throughout day and night, orand youemployer’s are terminally ill. be liable forboth National Insurance liability matters, PAYE thataa1a, is unpaid by the PA.the You can and claimfor byany filling in Form available from Best wishes, Post office, or by going online at www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/ Debbie Moulton Best wishes Care Manager Debbie Moulton Best wishes, Bluebird Care (Sevenoaks) Care Manager Debbie Moulton Bluebird Care Care Manager Bluebird Care (Sevenoaks) a u g u s t 2 0 1 3 XX

MARCH MARCH 2014 2014 47 47

A place to remember Planning Ahead Open Day Sunday 16th March 2014 • 10am to 4pm • Free refreshments Planning your future at Kemnal Park A beautiful new cemetery in the heart of Chislehurst, South East London Making plans for your final resting place will provide you with the comfort of knowing you’ve relieved your family of a financial and emotional burden. Your location will reflect your exact wishes so, when the sad time comes, your loved ones won’t be wondering if they ‘did their best’ or if it’s ‘what you would have wanted’. They will know, each time they visit, that you are where you wanted to be.

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Call 0208 300 9790 to book your place 48 MARCH 2014

Email tamlyn.jones@kemnalpark.org • Visit our website www.kemnalpark.org

KITCHEN LIFE THE QUALITY KITCHEN GUIDE • MARCH 2014

Hand Made Kitchens Exquisite Design and Style Beautiful Bespoke Kitchens When (Kitchen) Size Matters

Kitchen by Stoneham – Kitchens

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DEWITT FLOORING COMPANY (UK) LTD - 0800 014 2424 MARCH 2014 49

KITCHEN LIFE

Instant Transformation

S

erving customer in Kent & South East London is Granite Transformations a owner operated company offering the ultimate in Kitchen Makeover solutions.

The multi award winning company is celebrating its 11th year of business, with its unique offering of granite, quartz and glass worktops that fit directly over your existing kitchen surface. With our exclusive 6.5mmm engineered stone fitting is achieved in just one day and often includes the upgrade of appliances such as sinks, taps and ovens at the same time and offered at trade pricing.

In addition, we offer a complete kitchen door replacement service from stripping back to the bare carcass and changing doors, panels, cornice & pelmets to give you that truly new kitchen look for a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen and without the mess and demolition.

With many styles of new and contemporary doors and over thirty colours to choose for the design possibilities are endless and all fitted by our own long serving professional fitting staff. Every item is made bespoke to your exact requirements and

50 MARCH 2014

all the worktops are manufactured in our head office in Tunbridge Wells, Kent As members of Checkatrade we also boast an impressive 700+ reputation reports posted on line with an average score of 9.9 for its remarkable service and attention to detail to provide the customer with a swift and hassle free service with stunning results. To see the very latest on what our customers are saying about us visit: www. checkatrade.com/granitetransformationstunbridgewells We have showrooms in Tunbridge Wells, Sidcup and Polhill Garden Centre, Sevenoaks where you can see our product and speak to one of our staff to discuss your requirements. We offer free in home consultations with one of our designers to show you exactly how we can transform your kitchen to suit your desired style and budget.

Alternatively, visit our website at www.granitetransformations. co.uk to see how our product and service can help you or simply call 01892 517385 for more information or to book an appointment.

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MARCH 2014 51

KITCHEN LIFE

Stoneham Kitchens

launches design competitions for local schools to celebrate 150th anniversary

T

o kick off a year of celebratory activity to commemorate its 150th anniversary, Stoneham Kitchens is launching two competitions, open to schools in the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley. Students are invited to design the kitchen of the future, or create a Stoneham Doodle to win prizes for entrants and their schools. The winning designs will be featured on the Stoneham Kitchens’ website and at the Grand Designs 2014 exhibition in May. Founded in 1864, this year marks the 150-year milestone for bespoke kitchen manufacturer, Stoneham Kitchens and the South London company is launching its celebrations with two art and design competitions for local primary and secondary schools:

1. The Kitchen of the Future Young artists, designers and inventors are asked to look into the future and draw, paint, design or make the kitchen of 2064. What will kitchens look like in 50 years? What colours will we use? What kind of appliances will we need? What new technology will there be? The competition has three categories: years 5 & 6, 7 – 11 and 12 & 13.

2. The Stoneham Doodle Inspired by the Google Doodle, which sees the iconic logo redesigned to celebrate holidays, anniversaries and the lives of famous artists and pioneers, Stoneham Kitchens is presenting the company logo as a canvas for budding artists and designers to get creative and express the past 150 years of kitchen design, British manufacturing and Stoneham’s colourful history. The competition is open to students in years 7-13.

The prize The winner in each category will receive £75 of Amazon vouchers and £500 for their school, and the runner up will receive £30 of Amazon vouchers and £200 for their school. The winning designs will be displayed at the Stoneham Kitchens stand at Grand Designs Live 2014, held at Excel, London 3-11th May. Managing Director, Adrian Stoneham is excited about the competition: “It’s a really fantastic year for Stoneham Kitchens as we celebrate the past 150 years, and the designs and innovations that got us here. We hope the art and design competitions will inspire local students to get excited about kitchen design, learn about British manufacturing and that we’ll discover some budding designers and innovators!”

52 MARCH 2014

To find out more, visit the Stoneham Kitchens website:

www.stoneham-kitchens.co.uk/news/kitchen-ofthe-future www.stoneham-kitchens.co.uk/news/stonehamdoodle

Furniture AV6000 Polar W hite £16,000. Appliances Miele £ 6,000. Worktops Silestone Blanco Zeus Quartz £4,000.

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MARCH 2014 53

KITCHEN LKI IFTEC H E N LIFE

means that consumers are searching for a smaller kitchen to suit their needs and home,” says Jason McNulty, head of product development at Wren Kitchens.

“But smaller needn’t mean less functional or less stylish.”

Planning how you use the space is key, so that not an inch is wasted and, if possible, has at least one area - even if only a breakfast bar - where you can eat or utilise as an extra work surface.

Also consider carefully what you need to include in your kitchen. If possible, move appliances into other rooms in the house - for example, a freezer can go in a garage, a washing machine in a utility room or bathroom, as this helps free up vital space in the kitchen.

If you’re still in a stew, here’s what the experts have to say about tackling the most common kitchen dilemmas.

Space starved Even if your kitchen feels more like a coat cupboard, you can improve the situation by making the most of the space you do have available - from the floor to the ceiling.

“Too many wall units can make the kitchen feel cluttered as this is where the eye is drawn first.

Choose tall wall units that provide plenty of space without taking up too much room,” says Marco Rossi, head of product for Magnet Kitchens.

When

(Kitchen)

Size Matters K

itchens are the ultimate multi-functional room these days, where the family gather to cook, eat, socialise, and they may even double up as a work space.

That’s fine, if your lucky enough to have a kitchen the size of an aircraft hanger, like the enviable, dream spaces regularly portrayed in our magazine.

But as new homes are generally smaller today than they were 30 years ago (according to a study by the Royal Institute of British Architects), many of us will be dealing with a smaller space than we’d ideally like.

“Nowadays properties are getting smaller, which in turn

Shelves, racks and hooks attached to walls or ceilings are a perfect way to keep your kitchen tidy and work surfaces clutter-free.

Light colours for the walls and units can also help to create the illusion of space in the most bijou of kitchens.

Interior designer, Abigail Ahern suggests painting kitchen cabinets the same colour as the walls.

“If the unit colour matches the walls, it gives an illusion of space,” she says.

Shiny or glossy finishes on walls, units and splashbacks add to this illusion by reflecting light around the room.

Top tips: As well as visual tricks, it’s worth considering smaller than standard appliances. continued on Page 56

54 MARCH 2014

The Highest of Standards

KITCHEN LIFE range of door styles, finishes and features, with excellent cabinetry. It also allows them to meet your budgetary requirements. They design and project manage builders and trades to create the basis of your kitchen environment, eg installing new windows and opening spaces.

Greygreen install kitchens to the highest standards and offer an insurance backed guarantee.

Call for a FREE home consultation or brochure.

Greygreen Peter Kerr Design & Project Management Tel: 0208 699 2444 • Mob: 07788 666971 Email: info@greygreen.co.uk • www.greygreen.co.uk

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reyGreen operate within the following areas: South of London, Kent, East Sussex, Surrey and parts of Hampshire. They will visit you in your home, without obligation, offering a Free consultation and Design.

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MARCH 2014 55

KITCHEN LIFE

When (Kitchen) Size Matters - continued from Page 54 Many manufacturers produce slimline dishwashers, ovens and coffee machines designed especially for smaller kitchens. “A compact multifunction oven is a great way to make the most of precious space,” says Marco Rossi.

“Try a built-in or built-under integrated fridge that will sit behind a typical unit door.”

Galley gosh Galley kitchens are notoriously tricky with their long, narrow shape, but the right planning you can turn this to your advantage, says Abigail Ahern.

“One of the secrets is open shelving on the walls so you avoid dominating wall units,” she says.

“Concealing the fridge, dishwasher, washing machine behind cabinetry panels will make the kitchen feel more streamlined.

“And no matter what the colour on the walls, paint the ceiling in the same hue - this will open and expand the space.”

While a galley kitchen is an extremely functional space (it’s a layout preferred by many professional chefs) one of its challenges is making sure it doesn’t feel too enclosed.

Top tips: Enhancing lighting works wonders in these spaces which often lack natural light, advises TV interior designer Richard Randall. “Feature lighting, like up-lit shelving or hanging a mirror on a wall to reflect more light, can both work well.”

Using glossy or glass-fronted units with LED downlighters or LED-illuminated shelves inside will also create extra light and ambience.

U-shaped shake-up A U-shaped layout is one of the most functional kitchen styles.

“With three walls to work with, you can position the oven and hob in the centre of the room and the fridge and sink around it on either side, forming a compact and practical ‘working triangle’,” says Belinda Corani, founder of www.houseconscious.com.

Debbie Bowden, a designer at bespoke kitchen company Barnes of Ashburton, agrees.

“If you can accommodate a central island, scale it down and create a sociable place for guests to perch,” she suggests.

“If the size of your kitchen won’t allow a fixed island, a butcher’s trolley is a stylish alternative, providing additional storage and worktop space.”

Top tips: Make sure your kitchen still has style and character, says Abigail Ahern.

“I’ve seen some incredibly odd-shaped kitchens, but what made them stand out is how the owners accessorise them just like any other room with lamps on counters, art on walls, and colourful heaps of recipe books.

“It’s a good trick because, rather than focusing on the shape, your eye focuses on the cool accessories.”

What the L! On the face of it, an L-shaped kitchen may seem like an awkward space to deal with, but in reality it’s one of the best layouts for creating a sociable, open atmosphere, says Belinda Corani.

“Include a breakfast bar to one side of the kitchen to create a small area for entertaining or dining,” she suggests.

“If that’s impossible, a telescopic pull-out table which can be folded away behind a kitchen cabinet drawer front could suffice,” says Gerald Jones, managing director at Masterclass Kitchens.

Top tips: “Make the most of every inch of space with integral storage solutions, such as pan drawers, curved corner units and cantilever carousels,” advises Jude Keenan, kitchen planner at John Lewis’s Oxford Street London store.

She also suggests positioning tall units at the end of a run, away from windows, to avoid blocking out light.

56 MARCH 2014

MARCH 2014 57

KITCHEN LIFE

HKS Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Studies

HKS

the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and study specialists are a family owned business established for over 30 years. During that time they have built their reputation on providing every customer with the highest level of personal service, design and craftsmanship that’s second to none.

Step into any of their showrooms at Eastbourne, St Leonards-onSea, Heathfield or Haywards Heath and always be assured of a warm friendly welcome from any of the HKS team. You will find their knowledge and experience most beneficial in helping you to choose and plan your new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.

There is an amazing choice of many traditional and contemporary kitchen styles from top manufacturers including Loxley, Mobalpa and Charles Rennie Mackintosh Kitchens. You will find inspiration from HKS’s large selection of displays, all complimented by a range of beautiful worktops with appliances from manufacturers such as Neff and Miele. You will also find stunning displays of Daval bedrooms and beautiful bathrooms from Villeroy & Boch.

58 MARCH 2014

HKS offer a full service, including initial survey, design, project management and installation as well as a ‘supply only’ service. As an approved member of the KBSA (Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom Specialists Association), you can buy with complete peace of mind and be assured of the utmost professionalism and quality.

A visit to HKS is a sure way of helping you create the room of your dreams.

HKS showrooms: 231 Seaside, Eastbourne BN22 7NR

01323 639446 138, London Road, St Leonards-on-Sea TN37 6NA

01424 443464 Hill House, Mutton Hall Hill, Heathfield TN21 8NL

01435 865599 104 South Road, Haywards Heath RH16 4LL

01444 452222

Craftsmanship comes home

We trade on our reputation for excellence and we are sure you’ll be satisfied every time.

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u Over 100 stunning displays u Exceptional value for money u Expert craftsmanship u An established family business for over 30 years u Independent Consumer Deposit Protection (Details available on request)

01435 865599 Hill House, Mutton Hall Hill, Heathfield 01424 443464 138 London Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea 01323 639446 231 Seaside, Eastbourne 01444 452222 104 South Road, Haywards Heath

MARCH 2014 59

KITCHEN LIFE

Kitchens are the Kitchens

new rooms are the living new living rooms On average, people spend from £8,000 to a massive £20,000 on a new kitchen. It is

On average, people spend from £8,000 depending to a massive on £20,000 on a range, new kitchen. is about creating about creating a dream space…so the price what It can that buy you? a dream space..... so depending on the price range, what can that buy you?

Choosing a theme for your kitchen

Contemporary kitchens The sleek look of a contemporary kitchen provides the practical use of space allowing for more movement in the kitchen and easier access to storage areas and necessary equipment. Contemporary colours provide a more open feeling, adding into the functional atmosphere of the space. No matter what your exact tastes and preferences, there is a contemporary kitchen design that will meet all your specific needs.

French country kitchen This look combines rustic country charm with a grand, chateau-like sophistication. Opt for units in an aged shade of parchment or dove grey featuring beautifully-turned, bevelled detailing. Team with natural stone or slate flooring, Aga, chunky wooden worktops and tiled splashbacks in earthy shades. This also works well with freestanding features, like an antique-style armoire for displaying tableware and an island unit with matching hood.

Hang copper pans and accessorise the room with rustic oil bottles and richly coloured earthenware.

Shaker Style kitchen The clean lines and rustic feel of a shaker kitchen means they appeal to those who adore both contemporary design and a classic look. The round knobs, pillow-fronted doors and beautiful woods are features that epitomise the classic shaker style kitchen. An island in the middle can make an attractive and very useful addition. This dignified, elegant kitchen is never excessive but nevertheless stunning to look at and work in.

Retro Kitchen A retro kitchen is styled in a way that includes elements that imitate kitchen trends of the past. You might find psychedelic colours that hark back to the 1970s, or even appliances based on those found in American households of the 1950’s. Adding a touch of retro fun to your new kitchen can be a great way to give character to the space, and is sure to provide a few nostalgic talking points.

Layout Your kitchen should be designed for whatever you are likely to want to do in it.

If you’re remodelling from scratch and have a large space, think open plan and multi-purpose – somewhere to eat, work, cook and relax. Kitchen experts John Lewis of Hungerford advise thinking hard about your lifestyle.

Cabinets Cabinets are the workhorse of your kitchen. Think practically as well as aesthetically when it comes to the finish (highly polished dark colours show fingerprints easily, for example) and remember, neutrals stand the test of time more than bold colours which, incidentally, rarely work in small kitchens.

You can always apply brighter colours to the walls or splash-backs (glass is effective).

Don’t neglect handles They can make or break a kitchen. Small handles generally don’t work, but chrome is effective and never dates.

Worktops Avoid wood near sinks or you’ll become a slave to re-oiling, and be warned, glass worktops quickly look tired and scratched. Consider twin-edged worktops that look like glass, but are laminate.Granite remains the top worktop choice. There are so many more materials at similar prices to the ubiquitous black. For sinks, stainless steel is best. For taps, the tri-flow system provides filtered water.

Kitchen Flooring To put on a fantastic floor show, start by looking at the construction of your existing floor and make sure it’s suitable for the type of flooring you’ve got in mind. Heavy materials such as stone or terracotta tiles need a solid concrete base. If you’re laying a floor over wood, go for lighter materials such as lino, vinyl or wooden floorboards.

Kitchen Lighting These days, the kitchen is a hub of activity so your lighting has to be flexible: illuminating work stations for cooking and offering a warm, welcoming glow for dining and entertaining.

Task Lighting Safety must come first in any kitchen.

For high activity areas where you’ll be preparing food you need plenty of illumination, so work out which areas you’ll be using for practical purposes and install task lighting. To avoid task lights throwing shadows over your work surfaces, make sure you position them directly above or slightly in front of where you stand to prepare food, and on a different circuit than your mood lighting to give you more flexibility in your lighting scheme.

Downlights Downlights provide a general ambient glow. Choose halogen lights if you like clean, sparkling white illumination and put them on a dimmer switch so you can adjust the clarity to change the mood in the room. If you install more than one dimmer, you can create a variety of lighting effects – almost like building layers of light to give depth and warmth to the kitchen.

Light for decoration If you have features in your kitchen that are particularly attractive, show them off using light. Draw attention to shelves by installing lights underneath; fit downlights into glass display cabinets to show off a collection of china; or use picture lights on the wall to draw the eye to a beautiful print or poster.

If you’re getting a kitchen made specially for you, a truly bespoke kitchen, it will be tailor made for both the space and you. For pure luxury, this is the best that money can buy. So you can create your own dream kitchen!

For expert advice contact one of the local specialists in this Kitchen Supplement.

60 MARCH 2014

NEPTUNE DESIGN CENTRE TONBRIDGE - Opening April 2014 S

tep inside our beautiful new Design Centre and you will find sophisticated interior with stunning handmade furniture.

We provide furniture that feels bespoke and original, hand crafted and functional. The best raw materials such as beautiful oak, stunning granite and pure English lambswool inspire our designs so that we make the most from our wonderful natural resources. We like our designs to reflect our lifestyle. We want pieces that are elegant, relaxed, authentic and inspired.

At our Design Centre we offer anything from Kitchens, living rooms, bathroom to bedrooms and accessories, enabling customers to create a delightful co-ordinated look throughout their home.

We can work with any budget and offer a full and detailed design service. Should you need us to manage the entire process, we are happy to liaise with all parties such as your builder or electrician. We can also offer building services such as plastering, plumbing, tiling and more.

we are more than happy to welcome you to have a look at our kitchens and discuss which cabinets would work best in your home.

Our showroom is beautifully designed and decorated to give you the full experience of a Neptune Home. We offer a superb opportunity to experience the whole home concept. If you would like the full Neptune experience, pop in for a coffee and let our team find the perfect Neptune design for you.

Neptune Design Centre - Tonbridge Tannery Road Industrial Estate, TN9 1RF. 01732 351866 Located just off the High Street, near Waitrose.

However, if you wish to design and manage the kitchen installation yourself,

NEPTUNE DESIGN CENTRE TONBRIDGE

Our new Design Centre is the largest Neptune Home Store in the UK and is one of a handful of showrooms that offer the full range of Neptune hand crafted furniture and accessories for the whole home.

Located just off Tonbridge High Street, near Waitrose, our new showroom is 6,800 square feet.

OPENING IN APRIL 2014

For further information, call 01732 351866 MARCH 2014 61

KITCHEN LIFE

IN-TOTO KITCHENS –

Knowledge and Experience

I

n-toto Kitchens of Tunbridge Wells is part of one of the most established fitted kitchen businesses in the United Kingdom and with its stunning showroom it has secured a reputation for designing and installing beautiful kitchens across Kent and beyond.

The team of specialists at In-toto Tunbridge Wells, are there to help you along every step of the way towards your new kitchen. Their aim is to help get every job right, first time.

The In-toto designers, Mark Holmes and Tim Gillson between them have been designing kitchens for over 25 years and have the knowledge and experience to manage your project seamlessly from concept to

completion. The team is completed by Fay, who brings a wealth of interior design experience to the operation. No two projects or homes are identical and the same can be said for kitchen designers.

With a wealth of project management experience and a commitment to their customers, Mark and Tim have an exemplary track record of working hand in hand with architects and specifiers applying a passion for sound, ergonomic design on everything from self-build projects to extensions and refits.

Trained to offer expert advice on a wide range of appliances including Miele, Seimens, AEG, In-toto Kitchens Tunbridge Wells is also a NEFF masterpartner.

They also offer worktop only support, and work with the likes of Silestone, Corian, Laminate and other surfaces.

The In-toto proposition is unique. They benefit from being part of a national brand representing a nationwide franchise of 45 high street stores and are proud to offer KBSA membership. All this is blended with the knowledge that In-toto has been established in the UK for over 30 years and they can offer an attention to detail possible only from experienced business owners.

With fully fitted kitchens starting at ÂŁ10,000, In-toto Kitchens Tunbridge Wells is a competitive supplier. They offer full project management, from concept to completion, and can provide professional installation teams and qualified engineers for your kitchen installation.

Please call in to our showroom at 65 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells to view our range of display kitchens, or make an appointment to discuss your kitchen requirements on 01892 522577.

65 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells

01892 522577 www.intoto.co.uk 62 MARCH 2014

65 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2UY Tel: 01892 522577 • Email: tunbridgewells@intoto.co.uk • Web: www.intoto.co.uk MARCH 2014 63

KITCHEN LIFE

THE KITCHEN DOCTOR DO YOU WISH you could give your kitchen a facelift without all the kitchen? Or would you like drawers, loose hinges etc... service which means tired kitchens no longer need to be discarded. Choose from a huge range of doors which

are made to measure for your kitchen. You can change your worktops, update your appliances, sink and taps as well as upgrading to soft close doors and drawers.

Whether it is a repair or a complete makeover, the

The complete kitchen service...

you can choose how much you wish to change in your kitchen. savings over the cost of a new kitchen and the disruption is kept to a minimum. how this well established local business could help you, please contact 1 Sevenoaks Road, Pratts Bottom, Kent BR6 7SF Tel: 01689 850000 Web: www.thekitchendoctor.com Email: chris@thekitchendoctor.com

Impressive range of flooring

...from a hinge to a complete makeover 100's of Worktops l 1000's of Doors door replacement l made to measure service l worktops appliances l sinks and taps l drawer replacement bedroom doors l improved storage and access solutions door refurbishment service

The Kitchen Doctor's bespoke service supplies and fits a comprehensive range of components to give your kitchen a new lease of life.

01689 850000 chris@thekitchendoctor.com www.thekitchendoctor.com serving London and the South-East since 1984

KE

TS NEin a I B

e CAasur tyles

e m of s urs lo co a var nd m a

BE

O to SP de iety

Email: info@dewittfloors.co.uk www.dewittfloors.co.uk

W

hether you are installing a new kitchen, or seeking to give your existing kitchen a new lease of life, The Dewitt Collection provides an impressive range of flooring to suit all colour choices and budgets. Visually pleasing in a wide variety of finishes, from wood to stone, from dark to light and all hues in between, Dewitt Flooring can supply and fit flooring that will enhance your kitchen and give it the wow factor overnight. As retail stockists of Karndean Designflooring, Amtico, Earthwerks, Boen and Polyflor, we invite you to our newly refurbished Showroom in the Maidstone village of Boughton Monchelsea, where our friendly team will guide you through the selection process. We pride ourselves in high standards of customer service, and would welcome the opportunity to work with you on any project you have in mind.

Our opening hours are 9.00-4.30 (Monday to Friday), and 10.00-2.30 on Saturdays. Come and be inspired!

The Flooring Centre, Boughton Monchelsea MAIDSTONE ME17 4LT

0800 0142 424 64 MARCH 2014

KITCHEN LIFE

Give Your Home a Spring Makeover!

S

pring’s a great time to think about home improvements. Kitchen specialist, Kit Stone creates bespoke-style kitchens and bathrooms without a designer price tag. Handmade from solid wood, utilising the most traditional of techniques, every cabinet is built upon a solid interlocking frame using mortice and tenon joints, with no mdf or chipboard. Each cabinet comes as a readyassembled, freestanding piece of furniture instead of dreaded flat pack! And with the average price of a kitchen just £15,000, it offers outstanding value for money.

Shaker Style For a painted finish, but with a more contemporary feel, the Suffolk fits the bill with its traditional Shaker-style clean lines.

Hand painted in Dove Grey as standard, complementary dining furniture and dressers are also available. .

7 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1BS

•

Contemporary Oak For a modern rustic kitchen, the Henley is a contemporary take on oak. The organic curves, natural timber and authentic detailing transform this traditional kitchen into a celebration of modern design.

Give your home a Spring makeover with Kit Stone’s beautiful home accessories, including stylish lamps and shades, luxurious throws, stunning glassware, vases and prints. Come and see the fabulous accessories now instore.

Call your local Tunbridge Wells showroom now for a free, no obligation design appointment.

Tel: 01892 522321

•

www.kitstone.co.uk.

Handmade kitchens & interiors, sensibly priced.

Kitchens with an average price tag of £15,000.

www.kitstone.co.uk

7 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1BS LONDON

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

READING

tel: 01892 522321

MARCHBRISTOL 2014 65 MARLBOROUGH

EPSOM

Perfectly Planned modern Kitchens

O

ur Kitchen is a work place, a place to meet with friends, a favourite place in the home, and a place of relaxation and enjoyment.

The pleasure of enjoyment while eating unites people around the world regardless of age or nationality. Whoever takes pleasure in cooking and eating with others extends a warm and open hearted welcome.

It will be a pleasure to entertain your guests in one of our perfectly planned modern kitchens.

Lewis Charles can provide the complete solution to acquiring a perfect kitchen. We can design, plan and install which will completely transform your existing kitchen. Alternatively we can supply only leaving you free to manage the installation personally. Our design service is completely FREE and without obligation. Contact us today to realise your dream.

Lewis Charles 40 Ormside Way, Redhill, Surrey RH1 2LW Tel: 01737 7737992 www.lewis-charles.co.uk

La Belle Cuisine La Belle Cuisine THE KITCHEN & BEDROOM SPECIALIST

Free Planning & Design With Full Installation Service Including Electrics, Plumbing, Tiling, Decorating

01322 555353 42 High St., Bexley, Kent

01474 335693

78 Windmill St., Gravesend

APPLIANCES SUPPLIED & INSTALLED 66 MARCH 2014

CUSTOMER SERVICE SECOND TO NONE

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ith 26 years of experience LA BELLE CUISINE prides themselves on offering a complete service from site survey to the completed kitchen, including small building works, plastering, plumbing, electrics, tiling and flooring.

Also they will undertake worktop replacements in laminate and granite and an appliance replacement service. Call in and talk to the experts John or Keith or e-mail labelle.bexley@btconnect.com.

La Belle Cuisine, 42 High Street, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1AH Tel: 01322 555353

Dreams that take shape At Kitchen Design of Sevenoaks we have over 34 years of experience in designing both contemporary and traditional kitchens. Choose from innovative features and inspiring technology to make your kitchen dream come true.

Showroom Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9.00-5.00 Saturday 9.00-3.00 Closed Wednesday and Sunday 118 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1BA Email: info@kdofsevenoaks.com www.kdofsevenoaks.com

01732 741100 MARCH 2014 67

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LIVING BY DESIGN

Dining space, which is defined by a white lacquered floor and ceramic Blossom lights hanging above a taupe lacquered table.

Image from book Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass

Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass, by Kelly Hoppen, published by Jaqui Small, £40

K

elly Hoppen, interior designer and currently one of the dragons on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den, whose new book is Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass: How To Achieve The Home Of Your Dreams, says the importance of home cannot be underestimated.

Hoppen’s tips on creating a dream home:

“The moment we cross our threshold, we should feel the cares slip from our shoulders and be able to enjoy being cocooned in comfort, safety and warmth,” she says.

Hoppen’s 2014 trend tips:

“Our homes are, after all, our greatest asset, not just financially but also for our sense of wellbeing and happiness.”

68 MARCH 2014

Good planning is essential, she says.

“Write a wish list for your home. Don’t worry about colour palettes, fabric choices or furniture at this stage - rather describe the atmosphere, the style of decoration you like, the things that will make you most happy, and how you want others to feel when they walk through the door.”

“This year there will be a bigger emphasis on modular and structured designs,” she predicts. “Lighting will play an ever increasing role as its power is understood more. Good lighting is like a layer of magic dust sprinkled over everything - it affects mood more than any

other factor and is not a design ingredient you should ever skimp on.”

How can your book help?

“This is my way of holding someone’s hand through the journey of designing a home,” she says.

“That starts from analysing the space they have and determining how best to use it, to resolving choices of flooring, fabrics, furniture and lighting.

“I show people beautiful homes throughout the world whose interiors I

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Artwork and a dramatic sculptural shelf resin. The symmetry draws the eye in a white living area with its accents of taupe. Image in book Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass

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have designed. But most importantly, the book provides the tools and insight for people to achieve their own version of a Kelly Hoppen interior, if they desire, but more than that, I hope they can design a home that is all about them.”

Get the look: Characteristically, Hoppen uses symmetry, such as a pair of low coffee tables or a pair of lamps to help bring a serene feeling of order, and taupe is her trademark shade. Kelly Hoppen Crystal Lamp with Shade, £249, and Kelly Hoppen Pussy Willow in Rounded Glass Vase, £42, both QVC (www.qvcuk. com). Emily Textured Vase, £45; Wide Mirror Vase, £35; Long Mirror Vase, £32; decorative Small Resin Coral Sponge, from £17, all by Kelly Hoppen (www.

Kellyhoppen.com).

ina Campbell is an interior designer with a portfolio of celebrity clients, including Rod Stewart and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.

Her new book is Nina Campbell Interiors.

“A home should be finished to the point that it is comfortable and is somewhere that you can live and entertain, but it must always have a few spaces yet to be filled,” says Campbell, summing up her view of design and interiors.

Collingwood sofa, from £3,120, Nina Campbell

“If nothing ever changes, a house can become stagnant. I think it’s always good to be open to new ways to display pieces and to subtly change decor to suit the season.”

Campbell’s tips on creating a dream home: “First of all, I think you need to consider a property and its location and thoroughly understand what you are working with. Then you need to decide how you want to live in the house,” she says.

“Then be honest about how you really want to live in the house - do the dogs live on the bed, do you want to lie full length on sofas or simply tucked up in an armchair?

“Finally, create your own style. One of my biggest pleasures is sourcing furniture, bespoke pieces and art so that every home is unique. One client summed up this perfectly by saying about his interior, ‘Nothing matches but everything goes together’.”

Campbell’s 2014 trend tips: “I think a more classic decoration is set to enjoy a revival, with a lot more colour, pattern and detail prevalent,” she says.

“People will enjoy displaying treasured pieces of furniture along with modern, new pieces.

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simple. It should be where you feel joy and happiness - it should feel like your own space, reflective of the spirit, life and loves of the person who lives there.”

Guild’s tips on creating a dream home “Colour can completely transform the mood of a space,” she says. “Although people often feel afraid of colour, I believe we all have a colour sense - it’s just a matter of tuning into it.

“Once you start to be aware of this, you realise everyone has colours that wake them up, make them feel happy, sad or balanced. I love fresh vital colours used with masses of white to keep a sense of balance.”

Guild’s trend tips for 2014: “People are becoming ever more confident about using and enjoying colour and pattern and really appreciating how much it can enrich a home,” she says.

“Colour makes the heart sing, touches the soul and gives joy to the spirit, and that realisation will continue and get stronger this year.”

How can your book help?

Unusual Italian chandelier, 1930s-style dining chairs upholstered in Campbell fabric, Delamont, and a Giacometti wall light. The room features in Nina Campbell Interiors by Nina Campbell

“Wallpapers are coming back into popularity in a big way and patterns are becoming bolder. Florals will continue to dominate and blowsy blooms and painterly designs will generally hold sway.”

How can your book help?

“As a designer I want to be a guide to achieving a client’s desires and to be editor of their dreams,” she says.

“The eight projects in the book, including a chic city apartment, an English country home and a mansion in China, show how that process unfolds and works.

“Each home caters for a variety of tastes from contemporary to traditional and has needed different approaches and solutions. I hope the book will inspire people to create their own elegant, comfortable homes.”

Get the look: Luxury, subtle elegance and detail are at the heart of Campbell’s

70 MARCH 2014

style. Make a statement with a threeseater Collingwood Sofa, made to order from £3,120, which can be upholstered in customers’ own fabric; Nancy Nest of Tables, £3,600; embroidered Lupins Magenta & Coral Cushion, £100, all Nina Campbell (shop.ninacampbell.com)

“This is my 16th book on colour, flowers and design. In more than 25 decorative schemes, I show how colour and pattern, texture and function can be used to create stunning rooms, different moods and atmosphere,” she says.

Get the look: Guild’s signature style is a unique interpretation of colour and pattern. Smooth sofa, from £3,175, upholstered in Designers Guild Oriago in Delft on sofa back, and Brera Treccia in Noir on seat; Kashgar Cobalt - Stunning Digital Damask Cushion, currently reduced to £59.50, Designers Guild (www. designersguild.com).

T

ricia Guild, founder and creative director of renowned fabric and wallpaper specialists, Designers Guild. Her new book is Colour Deconstructed.

“What does a home mean to me? That’s

Nancy nest of tables, £3600, Nina Campbell

Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass: How To Achieve The Home Of Your Dreams by Kelly Hoppen is published by Jacqui Small, priced £40. Available to readers for £32 (inc p&p). Call 01903 828 503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote offer code APG46 Nina Campbell Interiors by Nina Campbell is published by CICO Books (www.cicobooks.co.uk), priced £30. Available to readers for £22 (inc p&p). Call 01256 302 699 and quote offer code GLR 8TY Colour Deconstructed by Tricia Guild is published by Quadrille Publishing, priced £30. Available to readers for £25 (inc p&p). Call 01256 302 699 and quote offer code 9QA

MARCH 2014 71

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If you’re thinking of furnishing, then think

Thornburrows

LIFE READERS SPRING OFFER VOUC

HER

AN EXTRA 5% OFF

ANY TICKET PRICE WITH THIS VOUCHE R VOUCHER VALID UN TIL

13TH APRIL 2014

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However their guiding principles are to offer an extensive range of quality furniture, coupled with expert, friendly and knowledgeable staff, competitive prices and a comprehensive ‘peace of mind’ aftersales service.

T

hornburrows is an established independent, family run furniture store and have gained a reputation for supplying quality furniture at competitive prices locally since 1946 – that’s over 67 years.

As a member of AIS, the largest of the independent, voluntary, non-food buying groups in the UK, Thornburrows can buy competitively and pass on the quality, choice and value to their loyal and growing numbers of customers without losing their individuality.

Their first store was opened in Lewisham, South East London and the second store was opened in Orpington in 1969.

They also offer a Price Match Promise if the same furniture is found at a lower price locally.

Thornburrows moved to its present address at 257-259 High Street, Orpington in 1989 to be able to show a wider range of furniture for the home as well as a carpet department.

Thornburrows are currently offering 25% of the M.R.P. on all Stressless sofa’s (except Ergo models) in selected hides, so now is an ideal time to visit their showrooms.

Their superb showroom displays a comprehensive collection of furniture, beds, carpets and furnishing accessories all of which are designed to complement your home. The team at Thornburrows pride themselves on offering ‘good old fashioned’ customer service that is second to none. This dedication to customer service sets them apart from other furniture stores.

Thornburrows are very keen to support British made furniture where and when possible with brands like G Plan, Ercol, Parker Knoll,Cintique and many more.

72 MARCH 2014

Thornburrows are also offering all Life readers an additional 5% off any purchase made in store for a limited period if they bring with them the voucher on this page.

Visit their website at; www.thornburrows.com, to see a selection of the ranges they have on offer.

Opening hours; Mon to Sat 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, Sun & Bank Holidays 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

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Experienced eye with a creative approach

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estled on the banks of the River Darent in the beautiful village of Eynsford, is a one hundred year old granary barn, home to a small but highly experienced garden design company owned by one of the country’s first ever degree qualified garden designers, Adam Bailey.

As a young staff member at both Ruxley Manor Garden Centre and Coolings Nurseries in the early 1990’s, Adam immersed himself in the world of plants before a rigorous degree training in garden design.

Sixteen years later, Adam’s portfolio is an impressive collection of successful landscapes and gardens ranging from small, intimate courtyards to stunning larger estates covering every aspect of landscape design.

“Gardeners up and down the country will be sighing with relief as the long, wet winter is finally over and many will be looking at their cherished green spaces wondering how to give their gardens a real performance upgrade. That’s where we can offer advice and exciting ideas”, says Adam It would be fair to say that whilst for some designers and horticulturalists it may be just a profession but for Adam it’s also a way of life as he works with clients on a one-to-one basis, ensuring the garden is harmoniously balanced with the home and the lifestyles of those in it.

“It has become something of a clichéŽ in recent years but it still holds true that the garden really is in many ways an outdoor room and should work seamlessly with the interior living space. There should be a series of sensations if you craft a garden together intelligently, from moments of surprise, to anticipation and calm, with relaxing seating areas and a place to unwind.

It’s personal to you and so the design has to be tailored to suit your own very individual tastes.”

The design process is a simple one and plans often end up framed on the walls of enthusiastic clients. After a free visit to discuss ideas and talk over the options available, a detailed survey is then carried out and plans drawn up to cover every inch of the new garden. “I work with a mixture of both drawing board and state of the art Computer Aided Design system as it allows me to design free hand before fine tuning it with the technical accuracy of computer-based software.” Twenty five years of plant knowledge then accompany the practical considerations of materials and functional layout to create a garden which is as unique as its owner.

Being in the business so long has also afforded Adam the time to build up a strong network of professional landscapers who share Adam’s understanding for the original vision of the design and can implement it to the highest standard.

“A new garden is an exciting investment that can not only provide you with years of pleasure but increase the value of your property at the same time. For anyone serious about their home, it really is a reason to look forward to summer.”

Adam S Bailey Garden Design 01322 865566

74 MARCH 2014

• www.adamsbailey.com

often copied...never equalled Vi-Spring were the inventors of the modern bed in 1901.

Today we continue to set the standard for the most luxurious beds with perfect comfort and unique support.

Why would you sleep on anything else?

Come and view our range of Vi-Spring beds Call

Project2_HORIZ_SI_MAR14 06/02/2014 23:26 Page 1

020 8777 4853 for more information

www.henmanbeds.co.uk Email: Johnhenman@btconnect.com

Henman Beds Quality Bed Specialist

81 High Street, West Wickham Closed Wednesday and Sunday

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE 11-12 Sundridge Parade Plaistow Lane Sundridge Park Bromley BR1 4DT 020 8466 6313 www.sundridgeinteriors.com MARCH 2014

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Log Cabin and Garden Building Specialists, Top Quality, & Installed by Experts

Save up to £2,200

Q

uality Log cabins and Garden Building specialists All package Johnsons Garden Buildings pricesareinclude based in log Kent and and instal amongst cabinsupply installation the highest quality log cabins and garden buildings in the UK. We have five beautiful display villages, showing over 100 buildings, to suit all requirements and budgets.

and ALL our Package Prices include

with our fantastic free package upgrades on all of our log cabins.

one of our quality installation teams to construct the cabin.

With lots of other options available,

Johnsons are the perfect company to choose for when you just want the whole project dealt with professionally

Buy and pay and at a reasonable cost. for What ourpackage customers have to say… a silver

We also specialise in bespoke buildings, offering a made to measure service allowing you, the customer to make your own choices, unlike some of our competitors.

and be upgraded to awere gold “The team verypackage friendly to include free structural timber base, and amenable and their late-finish free single roof and preservative was proof of the great care they had painttaken savings ofstage up –to at every the£2,000. preparation

Let one of our sales team help you utilise your space and design your very own unique building.

of the foundations, including the extra foundation posts for which I

You can choose the size, where the doors and windows are positioned along with any internal walls and internal door openings you may wish to include.

had asked – and the walls, windows and doors were all carefully added to the cabin in order to give it much

Buy and pay for When you have decided and the design has been agreed we can a gold package provide a scaled drawing from our

structural solidity… The Log Cabin will be an important part of the further development of this property in the

and be upgraded to a platinum package free specialist draughtsman showing you all the elevationsto and positionsfree of any of charge include roof insulation and doors and windows.

months ahead and I wish to thank you and your colleagues, once again for all

laminate flooring saving of up to £2,200.

Your made to measure log cabin can be manufactured within 4 weeks of finalising your design, when a construction date will then be arranged.

All of our Log cabins are constructed from Siberian Spruce timber using an interlocking plank style. We use a double tongue and groove ‘wind lock system’ on our 35mm, 45mm and twin skin buildings, which provides a natural barrier to the elements.

We can supply and install insulation and also double glaze your building, as well as full electrical packages and air conditioning. We would be pleased to do the base work required

the work, help and advice given.”

“This is just a note to say that the Log Cabin which has just been delivered and erected is exactly what I had expected.

Congratulations for a good product. I would also like to say how impressive the two men who

Buy and pay for a platinum package efficiency, good humour and worked non-stop were, often

in pouring rain with cheerful perceptive intelligence.” and receive

a free upgrade to include floor insulation and a electrical package to suit the size of the cabin.

Save up to £2,000.

FREE HOME SITE VISITS AVAILABLE

www.needextraspace.co.uk 0845 4599444 FIVE DISPLAY VILLAGES ACROSS KENT

76 MARCH 2014

Save up to £2,200 with our fantastic free package upgrades on all of our log cabins.

All package prices include log cabin installation

Buy and pay for a silver package and be upgraded to a gold package to include free structural timber base, free single roof and preservative paint savings of up to £2,000.

Buy and pay for a gold package and be upgraded to a platinum package free of charge to include free roof insulation and laminate flooring saving of up to £2,200.

Buy and pay for a platinum package and receive a free upgrade to include floor insulation and a electrical package to suit the size of the cabin.

Save up to £2,000.

FREE HOME SITE VISITS AVAILABLE

www.needextraspace.co.uk 0845 4599444 FIVE DISPLAY VILLAGES ACROSS KENT

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The classic Indoor Pool House collection, created from concept to completion by Origin Leisure Healthy relaxation for your family.

Added fun and value to your home life.

O

rigin is Britain’s longest established indoor pool company. Since 1982 they have been in the forefront of this specialist design area, and have a unique understanding of the technology to go with it. They are proud of their long-serving team of expert designers and builders, who are committed to doing a first class job, with as little disruption to your life and your property as possible, in the quickest achievable time.

Result? You and your family will be in the swim sooner, in your very own leisure complex that will bring you daily fun, fitness and a secure feeling that your investment has added considerably to the value of your home life.

Origin has developed its product range from simple pine chalets in the seventies, to the sophisticated leisure buildings they build today. The recipe is still broadly the same - create a carefully considered, practical, solid and fantastic looking building … and add a beautifully proportioned, perfectly built heated swimming pool.

Featured here is a selection of Origin’s recent projects, showing the advantages of some of the company’s most popular designs. In every case the styling has been adapted to suit its surroundings, and the client’s taste, perfectly. These changes are often as simple as fitting in with the colour and texture of the home, or as complex as adding changing rooms, games rooms, or a unique pool shape. Origin’s experience, expertise and service offers you a wealth of choice.

And it is comforting to know that the company’s teams of experts handle every element of the whole complex and exacting process internally.

Origin’s 10% VAT offer has been extended!

The company’s state of the art Olympic indoor pool house range can be yours with only 10% VAT.

78 MARCH 2014

Origin’s very successful Olympic range was originally inspired

by London’s year of triumph - and for that reason the Olympic has a healthy and sporty feel. Not only can you benefit from the obvious advantages of swimming every day, whatever the weather, but you can also enjoy the built-in gym area and the starter exercise equipment that the company supply.

The Olympic is a state-of-the-art range of pool houses, making good use of Origin’s thirty years of experience, and in-depth knowledge of the newest materials and building techniques.

The concept of the Olympic is the culmination of the Origin design team’s development and experience to date. For that reason the company is extending their 10% VAT offer, so whatever the Chancellor gets up to, they will only charge you 10% - which would make a considerable difference to the cost of this, the most modern pool house on the market.

Talk to Origin now, and get things moving. The unique 10% VAT offer will only apply for a short time.

The all-new Olympic range starts at £135,950.

The ever-popular Barn range has had a big design makeover.

Origin’s designers have been hard at work, and you’ll see the results soon…

Is it all possible?

Take advantage of Origin’s Feasibility Study offer…

For a limited period, Origin is prepared to research the feasibility of a pool house for your home without charge.

Origin’s Barn style indoor pool houses have made a great impact on the business for several years now - so the teams of designers and architects decided it was time to re-visit this unique and popular concept.

Many details have been changed and refined, whilst not interfering with the delightful look of this rurally inspired masterpiece. The new Barn is even more of a contrast than it used to be. To observe the structure from the outside is to look at a building that could have been part of the country landscape for years. Step inside and you’re in another world - a beautiful heated pool subtly glowing, maybe a changing room, gently sliding bifold doors - all designed for your family’s fun, health and comfort.

Many improvements to Origin’s Barn range have been made, without losing the essential spirit of this lovely piece of craftsmanship.

The Barn indoor pool house can be part of your life for as little as £142,500.

This is how the Origin process works…

At the first meeting one of Origin’s directors establish what you will expect from your project, and whether or not your pool room will need planning permission. In many cases they do not.

Then you will be introduced to the range - Origin’s beautiful pool houses will be just the inspiration for what will be a truly individual project.

They do all the necessary searches and report back to you.

This means you can dip your toe into the idea of investing in an Origin pool building without committing yourself. The company’s experts will appraise the project potential, listen to your wish list, examine just how easy it could be to obtain planning permission, suggest how to make the best use of the available space, recommend the building size, propose a budget and set you onto a problem free course.

Simply send Origin your address and maybe a digital photograph of the area where your pool house could be.

And talk to Fiona on 01895 823366. She’ll point you in the right direction!

Origin’s new brochures.

The Origin Indoor Pool Book shows a wealth of the company’s finest moments, and is an easy way to comprehend the styles and looks of the different models.

The Origin Outdoor Pool Book shows an array of sizes, shapes and ideas that the company has to offer for swimming in the open air.

Ring 01895 823366 or Email fiona@originleisure.com for your brochure pack.

It’s a great introduction to an exciting new way of life…

Clients add their own thoughts, their own requirements, and end up with leisure facilities that suit their homes, families and lifestyles flawlessly.

The company then commences what will be a beginning-toend process, totally handled by their own people.

Origin has a number of ranges with pool building designs that fit perfectly into a garden setting, or the architects can create individual concepts, encompassing every idea the client has, and building in the pick of the brightest and newest ideas Origin’s experts, and the industry, has to offer.

The plans are finalised, architectural drawings are produced, and the company works with you on materials and finishes, before the building process begins.

Ground works are completed with the minimum of fuss. The heated pool is installed and the finished building is constructed.

Your preferences of materials and finish are built in, and add-ons of your choice such as a spa, shower room or maybe a games area are incorporated.

Contact us For full details of all Origin’s pools and pool houses the very best way to start things off is to get in touch with Fiona on 01895 823366, email is fiona@originleisure.com Fiona will send you brochures, fill you in with all the details, and even arrange for you to meet one of Origin’s directors on site to get the whole process going.

Or visit www.originleisure.com to see the constantly changing and updating website

MARCH 2014 79

CREATIVE METAL DESIGN www.creativemetaldesign.co.uk ✦✦ Interior and exterior steelwork ✦✦ Bespoke designs tailored to your budget

creativemetaldesign@gmail.com Mobile: 0754 202 4681 Landline: 01444 461751 Oaklands Farm, Slaugham Lane, Warninglid, West Sussex WH17 5TJ

Eltham Petts Wood 216 - 218 2b/2c, Fairway Eltham High Street, Station Square, Eltham Petts Wood, SE9 1BA Kent BR5 1EG Telephone: 01689 822100 Telephone: 0208 294 2660 www.brflooring.co.uk enquiries@brflooring.co.uk 80 MARCH 2014

* on selected items **Free fitting on minimum order of 10sq metres

UP TO

50

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NC AVAIA LABLEE

OFF CONTINUES

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES UP TO

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UP TO

WINDOWS

45%

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CONSERVATORIES

UP TO

35% ORANGERIES OFF

“If you are thinking of buying double glazing or a conservatory, I strongly recommend you use a member of DGCOS.”

Nick Ross

Ex- BBC ’Crimewatch’

As seen on

0800 862 0992 www.novasealwindowsandconservatories.co.uk MARCH 2014 81

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HF E OAT M UER E G A R D E N

GREYSTONES Located in the centre of Radlett this exclusive area has generous house plots with generally substantial houses. Our site previously housed a single bungalow of no historical or architectural note. Our clients brief was to demolish the existing house and replace this with 2 generous houses, one of which to become their new house, the other to sell on.

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ach house is some 600m2 spread over 3 floors, which negotiate the changing levels of the site. As such the first floor from the front approach leads you through to the rear garden level. The highly contemporary properties respond to the surroundings utilising white render, but in simple modernist forms with timber cladding and elegant glazing systems, which create a delicate blend of privacy and views.

The buildings has a simple rectilinear plan form. However is very original due to the use of levels of the site which slope up from the front of the site to show an impressive three storey front elevation with a 2 storey elevation to the rear with a useful basement beneath.

The site itself is tight but space has been efficiently used. The

t: 01525 406677

sophisticated design responds to the site conditions and the small available space to provide maximum impact and a responsive design to the houses themselves.

The two houses are fully rendered with schuco german window systems and levolux louvers, 5 bedrooms and 3 linking reception/ kitchen/dining spaces, cinema and annex facilities including 3 storey laundry shoot.

The Greystone houses were Shortlisted for the Hertfordshire Building Futures Awards 2011. The judges commented: “The Greystones Houses are a perfect example of how sustainable design can be intertwined effectively with modern amenities in a domestic setting.�

nicolas tye architects

e: info@nicolastyearchitects.co.uk

w: www.nicolastyearchitects.co.uk M A R 2014 C H 2 83 014 83 MARCH

BOOK REVIEWS

The Bookshelf

Some of life’s misfortunes may affect us all sooner or later - here are three very different aspects to show how it can be managed in meaningful ways.

WORDS BY BRUCE EDWARDS

Three Brave Women Elizabeth Waite

The Facades Eric Lundgren

Love Letters of the Great War Mandy Kirkby

• Sphere • £5.99 Paperback

• Duckworth Overlook • £14.99 Hardback

• Macmillan • £9.99 Hardback

With the current popularity of nostalgic television, it is nice and natural to discover this tidy little volume of stories which could well find their way onto the screens, to sit comfortably alongside contemporary series like ‘Call the Midwife’. There is something of the same feel - human foibles abound and small disasters occur to become proportionally larger as life moves in unpredictable ways. The three women are sisters-in-law, having married brothers, though each relationship is very different.

One husband suffers an early tragic death, another is labelled as a ‘ne’re to well’ first revealed coming out of prison, and the third takes a larger chunk of the narrative with his wife Dee. It is the child of this family who provides the anchor story, with a suitable amount of courtroom drama to add flavour. An early misdemeanour and a wandering eye can both cause disparate amounts of grief in their turn, but there’s always a chance of a happy ending.

There’s a strange air of unreality hovering like a miasma amongst the quasibelievable imagery of this unique novel’s backdrop. Set amongst the dispiriting labyrinth of the ‘Midwestern city of Trude’ it has echoes of a Batman style film set.

The desolate problem facing Sven Norberg is the gaunt absence of his wife. She is just not there, a ghost of a girl with a career in opera barely understood, a parallel to how eerie Norberg’s existence is accurately and beautifully penned. Whilst he explores the ‘facades’ of his surroundings, searching (in perhaps a half-hearted manner) for Molly, he discovers new and barely comprehensible facets of his world. His son, accurately portrayed as a rebellious teenager, also finds a new meaning to life.

As a vehicle for an intense scrutiny of selfpity, of indefinable standards and of an up-to-the minute cynicism, it works well.

There are echoes of Howard Jacobsen’s ‘The Finkler Question’ here and that became a surprise Booker Award winner.

Watch this space.

With the onset of the hundred-year remembrance of the ‘Great War’ there will be event after event, presentations across the media spectrum (Jeremy Paxman’s four-parter on BBC 1 being well up to standard). Whatever emotions are aroused, however such recollections are seen, one aspect cannot help but tug at human feelings, the intense strains that separation placed on individuals from all levels of society and from every nationality. With evident painstaking care, Mandy Kirkby sifted through collections of intimate letters exchanged by those individuals who expressed much of the values of human love in so many ways.

The reward comes in the form of this poignant volume; a glimpse in prose, poetry and pictures of the effect war has on all those swept before such an onset of waste and deprivation. From ‘somewhere in France’ to all quarters of the home country, letters (some with simple and touching enclosures) were sent and received with remarkable efficiency, maybe the only connection with human values before oblivion. Read and be reminded.

ISBN: 978-0-7515-5032-0

ISBN 978-0-7156-4767-7

ISBN 978-0-230-77283-0

Suggestions and queries to writerselect@gmail.com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles for review, though without obligation.

Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll help.

Need a new source for a romantic read ? - Try www.novelsforromance.co.uk 84 MARCH 2014

MARCH 2014 85

Everything Happens at Eastwell Manor ❛

(Marie, Queen of Romania, “The Story of My Life, Part 2”)

❛

Beautiful Eastwell with its great grey house, its magnificent park …its garden with the old cedar tree which was our fairy mansion.

F

ormerly home to the Earls of Winchilsea and Nottingham, Eastwell Manor was the residence of Queen Victoria’s second son, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh in the latter part of the 19th Century and regular visitors included Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (the future Edward V11). Prince Alfred married the Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia and two of their daughters (Princess Marie who became Queen Marie of Romania and Princess Beatrice who married into the Spanish royal family) were born at Eastwell.

Stradling a grassy knoll at the end of a long, tree-lined drive, Eastwell Manor is now owned by the Parrett family and is a four red star, country house hotel and spa with individually designed, en-suite bedrooms and suites (some with four poster beds) offering space, elegance, sumptuous comfort and glorious views in the historic manor house. The 1, 2 or 3 en-suite bedroom cottages in the sympathetically converted, original Victorian stables, are perfect for groups of friends or families, each with a shared living room with kitchen and dining facilities.

Residents have complimentary use of the extensive spa and leisure facilities including the 20-metre, heated, indoor swimming pool, the outdoor, heated swimming pool (Summer months), steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, hydrotherapy pool, TechnoGym, tennis court and petanque pitches.

The beauty salon, Dreams, is recognised by Guinot (Crown Salon 2014), Clarins (Gold Salon) and Jessica (Fellowship Award) and offers a range of individual treatments as well as residential, day and evening packages.

Situated in the same building as the spa and beauty salon The Pavilion Restaurant is a relaxed, informal dining experience with a varied menu for breakfast and throughout the day with regular live music including jazz on Sundays.

The Manor Restaurant was placed 5th in The Times newspaper’s “20 Most Romantic Restaurants in Britain”. Head Chef, Gareth Attwell, is passionate about food and how it is sourced with menus changing according to the seasons and as much as possible being obtained from local producers.

Eastwell Manor is perfect for conferences and private parties and is licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies in three beautiful, oak-panelled rooms in the manor house and in the walled “maids garden”.

This year Eastwell Manor is hosting a number of special events including a brand new play

by Stella Feehily “This May Hurt a Bit”, directed by Max Stafford-Clark; “Romeo & Juliet”; two monologues, “Lady of Letters” and “Chip in the Sugar” from Alan Bennett’s “Talking Heads”; Handel’s “Julius Caesar”; Mozart’s “Clemency of Titus”; musical Afternoon Teas; falconry displays; Birds & Beasts; murder mysteries and a whole host of other informative, amusing and gourmet events.

With its period charm, award winning cuisine, regal surroundings, warming log fires, high quality of service and some of the finest spa and leisure facilities in England, Eastwell Manor is hard to equal.

For more information call 01233 213000/020, email reservations@eastwellmanor.co.uk or visit www.eastwellmanor.co.uk.

86 MARCH 2014

The

GEORGE DRAG N Pub And Dining Room

Local Produce • Daily Menu • Award Winning Local Beers Village Pub Offering Friendly Hospitality & Excellent Food

Mothering Sunday Lunch Sunday 30th March 2014 Starters

Spring vegetable soup, with tomato loaf Vegetable “noodle” salad, soft herbs & chili haloumi King prawns on garlic toast, Chianti tomato ragu Farmhouse pate & mother’s chutney Crispy pork belly & Waldorf salad

Mains Roast Sussex sirloin, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes & seasonal greens Roast leg of Lamb, roast potatoes & seasonal greens Vegetable tagine, lemon & coriander quinoa Sea bream, new potatoes, courgettes & green salsa Wild garlic butter stuffed chicken & seasonal greens

Desserts

Chocolate & amaretto truffle cake, Frangelico cream Toffee apple sponge & custard Assiette of strawberry macaroon, lemon tart, elderflower jelly & cream Selection of English cheeses, chutneys & crackers Two scoops of Taywell Farm ice cream with biscotti

£29.95 Adults Childrens Menu Available A 10% discretionary service charge will be added to all bills

Organic & local from field to fork www.georgeanddragonchipstead.com 39 High Street, Chipstead, Sevenoaks Reservations. 01732 779 019 MARCH 2014 87

“The finest freshly caught Seafood and Shellfish”

New

Polhill

NOW OPEN at

POLHILL GARDEN CENTRE London Road, Sevenoaks Kent TN14 7AD We are also based at Northfleet and Eastbourne beach

Seafood Unit

OPENING 6 DAYS A WEEK: MONDAY Closed TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9am - 5.30pm SUNDAY 10.30am-4.30pm

All our seafood is sourced locally from the Kent Coast

88 MARCH 2014

For orders call 07715 403 668 www.taylorslondon.com

MARCH 2014 89

LOVE STEAK LOVE BRANDED

#brandedsteaks brandedsteaks.co.uk

90 MARCH 2014

0208 658 5757

F i n e

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D i n i n g

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C o c k t a i l

B a r

46 Plaistow Lane, Bromley, BR1 3PA t: 020 8289 0322 e: info@cinnamonculture.com w: www.cinnamonculture.com Saffron Culture Catering e: info@saffronculture.co.uk w: www.saffronculture.co.uk

e c c o o m m m n G G u d e RR e m ee nn dd ee dd i i nn tt hh ee M M ii cc hh ee ll ii n u ii d e 2 00 11 43

MARCH 2014 91

Evolve – Stone/Natural Walnut

See us on stand K141

Designed for living At Stoneham, the values we’ve been building into our bespoke kitchens for the last 150 years haven’t changed.

Every hand-built Stoneham kitchen fulfils its own streamlined elegance both effortlessly and exquisitely. It’s about making the very best of the best – the finest woods and natural materials, the most innovative features and latest technology, supremely crafted by the most knowing and capable hands. Appointed kitchen centres available locally and nationwide. For a colour brochure and details of the Centre most convenient to you call 020 8300 8181 or visit:

www.stoneham-kitchens.co.uk

Stoneham plc, Powerscroft Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 5DZ. Factory Showroom Opening: Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 12 midday.

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