The Ridings Woodfi eld Lane Essenden, Herts AL9 6JJ Tel : 0844 800 8439 Fax : 01707 655 718
EDITORS LETTER Welcome to the December issue.
www.thelifemagazines.com Email: peter@fishmediagroup.co.uk 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 Creative Bonfire hello@creativebonfire.co.uk Photography Adam Swaine Accounts Kathy Manning Ken Fleet Business Development Managers Lisa Westerman Sinead Shell
E
veryone here at the Fish Media Group wish all of our readers and their families a very Happy Christmas and a healthy, highly successful new year.
This month our front cover shows the stunning Ightham Mote, we urge you to add this glimpse into 700 years of history to your list of events to visit this winter, and because this time of year is traditionally all about families, we have also featured a wide variety of special, local places for you and the family to visit. We encourage you to visit Hever Castle, The Christmas markets at the Hop Farm, Tunbridge Wells and Father Christmas World at Salomons Estate Tunbridge Wells. Along with the events in our Whats On guide all of these charming venues embrace the festive spirit, so we are sure that you will find something to suit you and your family. All of your favourite articles are featured in the December issue. John Ruler, our renowned local historian, looks back at that iconic WW1 Football match that still resonates with many of us, John also sees Christmas past through the eyes of a Victorian diarist, both of these articles are interesting and thought proving, we are sure that you will enjoy reading them. Adam Swaine our Chief Photographer focusses his lens on local Reflections of Winter. The December Recipe encourages you to cook ahead for Christmas. The Home and Garden section helps you make your home into a feast for the eyes this Christmas. Our Fashion section looks at a variety of beautiful, stylish outfits in wool. We Travel to one of Canada’s top ski resorts. The Beauty pages look at new ways to help you make up and look even more beautiful and Bruce Edwards reviews more recent Book releases. As usual there is so much for you to read in the December issue.
Until next year…
SALES Vanessa Lane James Marshall
Congratulations
DIRECTORS Peter Smith Rory Smith Patrick Smith All Rights reserved. All Fish Media Group Ltd magazines are copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in any of our publications and any loss arising. Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to all of our magazines the publisher cannot accept the loss or damage to such material. The Fish Media Group Ltd reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication. Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily repr sent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes and no responsibility can be accepted for the content of these pages.
You will be pleased to know that you and your friends can now read our magazines online at www.thelifemagazines.com
to Mrs Georgina Begbey of Sevenoaks. Georgina is the winner of dinner for two Competition at The British Queen, Locksbottom, in our November issue.
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 DECEMber 2014 3
New state of the art
Audi centre opens in Tunbridge Wells
Wednesday 12th November saw the official opening event for the new Tunbridge Wells Audi centre on Dowding Way, North Farm Estate.
P
reviously located in Tonbridge, the all new state-of-the-art centre has relocated to purpose-built premises which provide a modern, and much larger, luxury experience for Audi customers. Built on the former Post Office distribution centre, the new Audi centre incorporates part of the old building into its design. The launch was attended by over three hundred customers and local business people who were able to enjoy the very best Audi hospitality. The Tunbridge Wells Mayor, Counsellor Julian Stayer and his wife were also in attendance. The evening had further significance, with the official launch of the all new, third Generation Audi TT, three days ahead of its national UK release. Attendees were also able to experience Audi’s new Virtual Reality technology, which offers a fully immersive experience of driving the new TT around the Nuremburg racing track via a racing seat and headset. On display, and reminding everyone of the distinctive heritage of the Audi brand, were all three generations of the Audi TT, along with the classic Audi S1 Sport 1980’s Championship winning rally car, which gained a great amount of interest from the motoring enthusiasts who attended the event. With a celebratory atmosphere, guests arrived to a champagne reception, and were able to enjoy a full cocktail bar built into the first floor Quattro 6 DECEMber 2014
customer lounge. In the unique environment of the workshop area, fully interactive food stations prepared and served tapas and sushi throughout the evening. Speeches were made by Richard Wheeler, Head of Business; Connor McCormack, Inchcape UK C.E.O. and André Konsbruk Director of Audi UK. The launch evening marked the start of a full week of celebrations, including a full public
opening event which took place on the 15th and 16th November. Tunbridge Wells Audi North Farm Industrial Estate, Dowding Way, Tunb ridge Wells TN2 3UY Tunbridge Wells Audi is part of the Inchcape Retail group, with nine other Audi centres across the UK. www.inchcape.co.uk
Whats On... DECEMBER 2014 Carols on the Green Carol singing for all the family round the Christmas tree, on Hodsoll Street Village Green accompanied by a Brass Band. Hot drinks, mince pies and cakes available. Hodsoll Street is a small hamlet just off the A227 between Wrotham and Meopham, the Village Green is in front of the Green Man PH. Free, 7.15-8.15pm, Fri19 Dec 2014. Hodsoll Street Village Green Kent TN15 7LE Tel: 01474 814454 www.hodsollstreet-ridley.co.uk Babes in the Wood The Oxted Players are presenting Babes in the Wood by Robin Bailes. A traditional family Panto to suit everyone. With their parents away at the Crusades Jack and Jill must rely on their uncle, Sir Guy of Gisbourne, to look after them, but Sir Guy is more interested in the children’s money. Protecting Jack and Jill from their wicked uncle and getting them home safely is obviously a job for a hero, but the only one local has not been seen for years. If they can find him, will Jack and Jill be able to persuade Robin Hood and his Merry Men to come out of retirement for one last adventure? Various dates and times from Friday 9th January 7.30pm to Sat 17 Jan 2015. Barn Theatre, 25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0AA. www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk Peter Pan Panto We fly to Neverland with this magical stage version of JM Barrie’s classic children’s story. This is a magical journey with spectacular flying and Computer Generated imagery, plus amazing acrobatics. This is a Christmas show with a vast amount of sparkle. Watch as Peter, Wendy, John, Michael and Tinker Bell, who along with the Lost Boys, do battle with the sinister Captain Hook and his pirate crew. Friday 12 Dec – Sunday 4 Jan. Opening Night & Friday 2 January all tickets £16.50. Adults from £21. Children from £12. A £1.25 per ticket booking fee up to a maximum of £12.50 per booking. Relaxed performance: Fri 2 Jan 5.00pm. Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2LU. Tel: 01892 530613/ 532072 www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Planetarium and Printing A Dr Who (or one of his iterations) will visit us with a mobile planetarium and talk to us about Space Stations and stars, afterwards we can print some personalised Christmas cards. Suitable for age 4-11. £25 per day, £12 concessions. There are massive discounts for members of PPUK. Times 10am-3pm, Sat 20 Dec 2014. Beechwood Sacred Heart School, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3QD. Tel: 07973846731 www.artsawardinitiative.co.uk The ’High Weald Belle’ Dining train Your three-course roast Christmas dinner trains depart from Eridge
8 DECEMber 2014
at 18.30 and makes two return trips through the beautiful Wealden countryside to Tunbridge Wells, returning at 20.45 approx. Bring in the New Year in style with our other special package which includes a five course meal, drinks and fireworks. See website for booking details and prices. Sat 13 Dec, Sat 20 Dec and Wed 31 Dec. Spa Valley Railway. Tunbridge Wells West Station, Kent, TN2 5QY. Tel: 01892 537715 www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk Santa Specials Spa Valley Steam Railway from Eridge to Tunbridge Wells West Station Christmas at the Spa Valley Railway starts at Eridge station where visitors are met with the smell of hot Chestnuts and a roaring coal fire in the festively decorated waiting room. Board your train to the strains of traditional Christmas music then sit back and enjoy a ride through the winter countryside to Tunbridge Wells. On board will be Santa and his elves - every child will receive a gift and enjoy entertainment from our balloon modeller who will help get you into the Christmas spirit! At Tunbridge Wells Santa transfers to his sleigh in the Victorian engine shed where he will be happy to pose for photographs. Further attractions to keep the children occupied include the Christmas model railway, Face painting, Victorian penny machines and children’s games. There may also be time to visit the Steam Engine cab and meet the driver. Santa will ensure you are all on-board for the return journey to Eridge. Every adult gets a free mince pie to enjoy!! Book early.10.15 onwards see website for full details all tickets £11.00, Sun 30 Nov 2014 to Wednesday 24 Dec 2014. Depart from Eridge Station Kent TN2 5QY Tel: 01892 537715 www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk Sidcup Symphony Orchestra New Year Concert by the Sidcup Symphony Orchestra Conductor James Ross Programme to include:- Overture Die Fledermaus Johann Strauss II Ballet Suite “Winter” from The Seasons Glazunov L’Arlesienne Suite No.2 Bizet Overture Orpheus in the Underworld Offenbach Berceuse &Finale from The Firebird Suite Stravinsky Waltz The Blue Danube Johan Strauss II Thunder & Lightning Polka Johan Strauss II. Concert commences at 7.30 p.m. Tickets at £12 & £8 (Children & students half price).Or £12 at the door (Children & students half price). Tickets include a glass of wine or a soft drink during the interval. Sat 10 Jan 2015. St. John’s Church, Church Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6BX. Tel: 01322-557458 www.sidcupsymphony.org.uk Sidcup Art Club Winter Exhibition A large variety of paintings covering themes inc local landscapes, still life, animals and figure painting in a wide range of mediums: oil, watercolour, pastel, acrylics in our Winter Exhibition to be held at Sidcup Library in December. All paintings are for sale at very reasonable prices. Free entry.10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily except Thursday closes at 1 p.m.
closed Sundays. Until Friday 19 Dec 2014. Sidcup Library, Hadlow Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 4AQ. Tel: 0208 302 5390 Ice skating in Tunbridge Wells It’s time to get your skates on – and your gloves and ear muffs. The Royal Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink returns this winter for another season of festive skating fun. The outdoor ice rink, set in the picturesque natural amphitheatre of Calverley Grounds, offers spectacular views of the park. Aromatic winter food and drinks, this is the ideal venue for family skating with children, romantic dates – or just a great fun night out with friends. Adults from £9.50, children from £7.00. Sessions last for one hour – including time to fit your skates so expect to have approximately 45 minutes on the ice. Open 7 days a week until Sunday 4 Jan 2014. Calverley Grounds, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1BT. Tel: 01892 554645 www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com Highbury Hall Craft Market offers a wide variety of Crafts and Produce from local artists, craftsmen, producers and retailers. All our Stallholders are from Kent & East Sussex and offer something for everyone. All profits from organising this event go to Tenterden Youth Club for the Youth Cafe Project. Kellys Keepsake Cards also donate 10% of all her sales to Air Ambulance. For more details contact 07956295076. Open from 10am – 4pm. Free admission. Cafe open for drinks, cakes , freshly made sandwiches etc. Father Christmas will be visiting in December. Held on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Sat 13 Dec 2014. Highbury Hall, Highbury Lane, Tenterden Kent TN30 6LE. Tel: 07956 295076 www.facebook.com/HighburyHallCraftMarket The Life and Times of Sir Chris Bonington He is Britain’s best known mountaineer and one of the most successful expedition leaders in history. He began climbing at the age of 16 and has undertaken 19 Himalayan expeditions, including four to Everest. He is renowned for having made many first ascents in the Alps and all the greater ranges of the world. Suitable for ages 10+ Thurs 22 Jan 7.30pm. Tickets: £19.50, Concessions £12 + £1.25 per ticket booking fee. Box office 01892 530613 or book online on www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Magical Mozart by Candlenight An evening of classical music and song, which includes excerpts from The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte and many more beautifully sung moments from Mozart’s world famous operas. In addition, the European Spirit Ensemble will perform some of the most memorable pieces of Mozart’s Magical music! Fri 16 Jan 7.30pm. Tickets: £21, Concessions £19, plus a £1.25 per ticket booking fee. Box office 01892 530613 or book online www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
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CONTENTS EDITORS LETTER
3
WHATS ON
8
LOCAL LIFE Father Christmas World Christmas Past at Hever Castle Discover Ightham Mote Gingerbread Christmas at Leeds Castle Christmas Markets at the Hop Farm Reflections of Winter with Adam Swaine Down Memory Lane - Joy and Disaster
12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Beautiful Bespoke Jewellery from Mark Adam
28
A Playhouse fit for an explorer
34
Death of a Hero
36
WW1 Festive Footie Cheer Bang + Olufsen – Maidstone Official Opening
38 40
BEAUTY Become a Bardot Babe Arthritic Knee? What are the options?
44 47
FASHION Join the Wool Pack Dominic Walmsley Jewellery Bugatti Boutique in Knightsbridge
50 54 56
Local Artist Mao Wen Biao Have a Merry Green Christmas
58 60
HOME & GARDEN Feast for the Eyes Thornburrows – Winter Sale Amity – Interior Inspiration Red Square – Led by Design
62 66 68 71
BOOKS REVIEW
72
TRAVEL Ooh La La in French Canada
74
Le Chalet at Selfridges
77
FOOD AND DRINK Cook Ahead for Christmas
80
LOCAL EVENT
Celebrate a magical Christmas at
SALOMONS ESTATE Imagine a magical world where Father Christmas and his elves live and work. With lifelike polar bears, a tinsel train, real snowballs, ice skating and much more... this is the stuff children’s dreams are made of. Except it isn’t a dream. Father Christmas World at Salomons Estate will transport you to an enchanting world, where it snows every day! Located just outside Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent, festive spirit hangs in the air for all to enjoy. Set in the grounds of a beautiful country estate, there’s a host of fun festive activities to choose from: Tinsel Train – Jump aboard the Tinsel Train and enjoy a 15 minute winding journey into Father Christmas World itself. Keep a look out – you might spot an elf or two! Father Christmas Grotto – The perfect setting for a personalised meeting with a legend. Father Christmas is waiting, and he’ll know how good you’ve been. You can hand him your Christmas list, and have your photo taken if you like... and your child will receive a special gift. Children’s Workshop – Let’s get creative! The fun continues in our activity workshop with an opportunity for youngsters to try their hand at making toys, festive decorations and gingerbread men. Everything that they make, they can take! Polar Cave – Here you’ll encounter one of our magical and bewitching special guests, Bing or Daisy, astonishingly life-like animatronics Polar Bears who will be joined by their two equally cute cubs. Snow Globe – Kids will love the chance to play in the ‘falling snow’ in our giant Snow Globe 12 DECEMber 2014
– plus it’s another chance for you to take some great pictures. Victorian Carousel – A family ride on this spectacular merry-go-round just has to be a real Yuletide treat not to be missed. Stalls & Places to Eat – Enjoy a stroll on the panoramic terrace to take in the stunning estate views and browse the charming stalls where you’ll find sweet treats, Christmas decorations, gifts and mementos. After all the excitement, you may want to take a break and enjoy something delicious. You’ll find everything from roasted chestnuts and snacks to a sit down meal with wine.
throw snowballs! Here’s your chance to create real balls from real snow and take part in our Snowball Challenge by aiming them at our festive targets. It’s the ideal opportunity to hone your skills ahead of some winter snowfall. Ice Garden –Take a leisurely stroll down to the mystical Ice Garden. The snow covered trees, icicles and a frozen pond create a beautiful backdrop for photos with the family. Walk across the bridge and admire the wintery surroundings in this amazingly romantic setting.
Victorian Museum – These fascinating rooms will be specially dressed for the festive season to celebrate the heritage of the estate itself and the achievements of the remarkable Salomons family. Enchanted Wood & Elf Village – What could be more enjoyable and romantic than a walk through the trees festooned with sparkling lights? Set deep within the Enchanted Wood, you’ll find the Elf Village and if you’re lucky you may see the busy elves going about their business. Indoor Ice Rink – Take to our ‘real’ indoor Ice Rink for the ultimate in family fun and good exercise. Test your levels of balance and poise to glide around the rink or grab a skating aid to keep upright! Snowball Arena – Everyone loves to
For further information: Opening Dates: November 27 to December 24 2014 Opening Times: 11am to 7pm (last admission 6pm) Ticket Price: From £25 to £35. Children under 24 months are free. Tickets are limited so book NOW via the website: www.fatherchristmasworld.co.uk or call: 0800 085 0020.
LOCAL EVENT
The Magic of Christmas Past at
Hever Castle For a fun-filled festive day out, discover the origins of English Christmas traditions at historic Hever Castle in Kent. A number of magical seasonal experiences are planned from November 29th to December 24th designed to cast a spell on all the family. The Magic of Christmas Past As you walk through the rooms of the fairytale castle, adorned with beautiful decorations and welcoming log fires, find out who made the tradition of sending greeting cards at Christmas popular; why we have Christmas trees and how they have changed through the ages. Learn where Christmas carols originated and how the modern practice of door-to-door carolling developed. Follow the snow dusted Christmas Trail around the grounds leading from the Gift Shop through the grounds and gardens from 29th November. At weekends and daily from 15th – 24th December, visitors can interact with costumed figures from the nativity story they meet along the way. Children get to make their own Christmas crackers at drop-in craft sessions which reveal the origins of crackers. And for a special treat, those visiting at weekends have the opportunity to hug a husky in the Husky Hideout. Head for the festively decorated restaurants to enjoy a feast of winter warmers or take the opportunity to do a spot of Christmas shopping, inspired by the wonderful array of seasonal gifts, luxurious decorations, toys and stocking fillers in the Hever Shop. And as dusk settles, watch as the gardens are transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland. n Christmas craft sessions for children run on weekends and daily from 15th December n The interactive nativity runs on weekends and daily from 15th December, 11am-5.30pm (takes 45mins – 60 mins) n Siberian Husky Welfare’s ‘Husky Hideout’, weekends only from 15th December, 11am-5pm 14 DECEMber 2014
The Magic of Christmas Past with Father Christmas The real magic for all children is the story of Father Christmas and nothing says ‘Christmas’ like a visit to the man himself. Children will be enchanted by the magical grotto where they will be greeted by elves and taken to meet Santa in his cabin. Each child will be given an age appropriate gift to round off their magical visit. Tickets must be pre booked (See website for details. The experience includes all the ‘Magic of Christmas Past’ activities. Please note, a valid entrance ticket is also required). The Twilight Magic of Christmas Past For those who prefer to come in the evening, the ‘Twilight Magic of Christmas Past’ on December 18th, 19th & 23rd is the perfect option. Wrap up warm and enjoy a walk under the stars to witness the enchantment of the Castle and Gardens festooned with fabulous colours and twinkling lights.
shy and fairground games like hoopla offer entertainment, while delicious hog roasts, mulled wine and chestnuts provide seasonal refreshments which can be enjoyed in the open air. Then step into the Castle to warm up by log fires while you view the traditionally decorated rooms and learn about the origins of English Christmas traditions such as Christmas cards, carols and Christmas trees. And to round off a memorable evening, visit the Hever Shop to browse the wonderful array of seasonal gifts, luxurious decorations, toys and stocking fillers followed by a delicious meal in the festively decorated award winning restaurant.
Bring torches and pop on your wellies to follow the nativity trail meandering through the grounds captivating the spirit of Christmas. See shepherds watching their flocks, spot angels and donkeys, and marvel at camels ridden by three wise men bearing gifts, searching for the new born king. At the end of the trail, discover Mary and Joseph in a stable.
For further information:
Each year the light and laser displays get more awe inspiring, with trees and statues magically up-lit creating a floodlit landscape and snowflake images projected on the Castle walls. On the Castle forecourt, Victorian stalls with a coconut
For further information about the different Christmas experiences and prices, visit www.hevercastle.co.uk/whatson
Opening Times: November 29th – December 14th: Wednesdays – Sundays December 15th – 24th: Daily
LOCAL EVENT
Discover something new at
Ightham Mote
this winter…
Glimpse 700 years of history and see a personal insight into the lives of the house’s owners on a guided tour of key rooms this winter on selected days. Our newly trained guides will provide visitors with a unique personal insight into the lives of the owners of Ightham Mote and the development of the house.
I
n December be part of our Christmas past. Victorian servants have prepared the house for the festivities and the previous American owner of Ightham Mote inspired us to transport you back to 1950s New England. All we need now is for our guests to arrive - yes, that’s you!
Eating Warm yourselves up with a hearty bowl of soup in the Mote Café or in December, a Christmas lunch. In January and February come on one of our Sunday Roast and Rambles – book via the Mote Café. Or just pop in for lunch, or a mug of hot chocolate with a slice of freshly baked cake.
In January and February, you may see our team cleaning and conserving our special collection, in readiness for full opening again in March.
And don’t forget to book on our Boxing Day & New Year’s Day treks. Full English breakfast in the Mote Café followed by an informal led walk.
Get out into the great outdoors Enjoy a gentle stroll around the hard path gardens. Or take a longer walk on the ancient estate and enjoy the beauty of the Kent countryside. You can pick up one of our estate walks leaflets from visitor reception. 16 DECEMber 2014
£21.50 Book via the Mote Café 01732 811314 Shopping Stocking a great selection of quality gifts and locally produced handmade products, the Coach
House shop is a perfect place to find some unique presents for friends, family and maybe a treat for you too. Don’t miss our Christmas Fayre on 29th – 30th November 11am – 3pm – with local producers, roast chestnuts, Father Christmas, and carol singing on Sunday from Platt WI. For further information: Opening Dates: 29th – 30th November 11am – 3pm Ightham Mote is in Ivy Hatch, near Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0NT Tel 01732 810378 ext 100 Email: ighthammote@nationaltrust.org.uk Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ighthammote
LOCAL EVENT
The Gingerbread Christmas at
Leeds Castle
The magic of Christmas descends upon the entire Leeds Castle Estate this December celebrating the traditions of the festive season with wonderful things to see and do for the whole family. From 6th to 23rd December Leeds Castle visitors can experience a spectacular Gingerbread Christmas in the Castle, the festive Christmas market, real live reindeer and a Gingerbread Quest across the gardens and grounds. Gingerbread Christmas at Leeds Castle: 6th to 23rd December: Discover a stunning new Christmas presentation and see the 900 year old Castle transformed into a delicious gingerbread theme with beautiful Christmas decorations and a central display to take your breath away. Leeds Castle is teaming up with Biscuiteers, the celebrated hand-iced biscuit company to create an edible world of biscuitty delights to decorate the Castle rooms for the festive season. The showcase piece on display in the Seminar Room will be a two metre long Dolls House interpretation of Leeds Castle with eight 1930s and Tudor period rooms with highly recognisable features and colours of the Castle, all made entirely from hand-iced gingerbread. Christmas trees will be beautifully decorated around the Castle, each with delicious Biscuiteers gingerbread decorations to match the history of the room. The hand-made gingerbread decorations will include Royal symbols such as the pomegranate for Katherine of Aragon in the Queen’s Gallery and the Tudor Rose symbols in the Henry VIII Banqueting Hall. The intricate attention to detail continues throughout the Castle with a gingerbread nativity scene in the Entrance Hall and Henry VIII and his wives in the Inner Hall. The Exhibition Centre located in the Stable Courtyard will feature a Gingerbread Christmas Exhibition including a gingerbread replica of 18 DECEMber 2014
Leeds Castle also created by Biscuiteers. The 2.5 metre long hand iced gingerbread biscuit diorama will showcase Leeds Castle in all its Winter Wonderland glory with a host of characters to bring the Castle to life this Christmas. The story of how the intricate, beautiful biscuit decorations were made will be told through 3D models and a film of the Gingerbread Castle in production, plus step by step imagery taken throughout the process.
the Castle Florist. £40 per person, max 12 people each day. Multi award winning floral designer Mig Kimpton brings a theatrical flair to floral designs through history and the myths behind our Christmas traditions in the Christmas Floral Curiosity workshop on 16 December at 2pm. Running time 90 minutes without an interval. £10 per person.
Children will love the Gingerbread Quest as they search for clues throughout the Woodland Walk, Castle and adventure playgrounds to find all the Henry VIII Biscuiteers Jolly Gingers. On the way around look out for the real reindeer staying at Leeds Castle until they are needed for more pressing matters on Christmas Eve. Christmas Market: 6th to 23rd December: As part of the entrance ticket visitors are free to explore the Christmas Market on the Cedar Lawn and discover an array of seasonal gift ideas, toys, decorations and delicious local food and drink produce. Enjoy a warming hot chocolate or mulled wine and a ride on the carousel or Ferris wheel with spectacular views of the beautiful moated Castle. Christmas Workshops: The Castle Florist will help keen amateurs prepare for Christmas with Christmas Wreath Making workshops on 26 to 28 November. Get into the festive spirit by creating handmade wreaths with expert guidance from
For further information: Opening Times: 6th to 23rd December Special ticketed activies include Christmas Wreath Making and flower arranging workshops and demonstrations. For more information and to book, visit: www.leeds-castle/events or call the Box Office on 01622 880008.
LOCAL EVENT
Come to The Hop Farm and meet Father Christmas and enjoy our
Christmas Markets! The Christmas Markets and Hop Farm Family Park are FREE to enter! The markets feature gifts and crafts, local produce, food and drink, Christmas songs and carol singers (on some of the days). Hopper’s Animal World also features Christmas children’s activities and indoor entertainment in the Big Red Barn. “Christmas at The Hop Farm” is on 29/30 November and 6/7,13/14 and 20-24 December from 10am to 4pm. With Father Christmas being such a success last year at Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink and Lapland UK moving away from Kent, what better news than to hear that he is coming back this year to venue he regularly visited in the past, The Hop Farm. In the first year at Royal Tunbridge Wells, this classic experience was 97% sold-out 20 DECEMber 2014
and received 100% rave reviews as the most authentic Father Christmas experience ever. Booking a family visit to the Grotto includes time spent talking to Father Christmas about the children’s Christmas wishes. They receive a lovely present and having a professional family photograph taken, all included in the ticket price. For only £10.50 your child (and up to 5 accompanying guests free*) you receive priceless magical memories and: n Your child receives a memorable private meeting with Father Christmas n A quality present for all children aged 1-12 n A professional Glass Frame mounted family photograph for each family visit
n All adults are free and babies under one free with a full paying child n Extra photographs and merchandise including Keyrings & Fridge Magnets are available to buy from our Sales Cabin n Toys & gifts are also available to buy
For further information: Opening Times: From Saturday 29 November (selected dates) to Wednesday 24 December For more information and to book your father christmas experience tickets visit www.fatherchristmasinkent.co.uk
FOCUS ON
REFLECTIONS OF WINTER
Pictures: Adam Swaine
1. The Knole @ Sevenoaks | 2. Scotney Castle NT | 3. Sunset on the Kent Coast | 4. Kentish Weald Nr Lamberhurst | 5. B road Nr Hever | 6. River Medway nr Penshurst | 7. Kent Weald @ Crockham Hill | 8. River Medway nr Penshurst
Adam Swaine Photography www.adamswaine.co.uk | adamswaine@rocketmail.com | 07798 526 569
22 DECEMber 2014
GIRLS
step it up
F
for annual dance show spectacular
rom ballet to Bollywood and street style to jumping Jazz, Sydenham High girls certainly put their best foot forward for their 9th annual dance show, Unity Through Diversity. Not even a first night power cut and the loss of their professional sound just before curtain up put them off their stride.
Warhorse, who was in the audience.
Over 100 girls took part in 28 separate acts, representing dance curriculum groups, soloists and a range of popular clubs, including a Jazz dance club from Years 5 and 6 at Junior School which is led by Year 13 student Eleanor Smith.
The school has recently gained a place on the Royal Academy of Dance’s ‘Step into Dance’ programme, with the potential for students to audition for ‘Step Live’ which takes place at Sadlers Wells later in the year. Students in the programme are also in a position to be scouted for the Royal Academy of Dance Youth Company, one of the world’s largest and most recognised dance organisations.
Last year, the high standard of the girls’ performances drew high praise from West End theatre director Marianne Elliott, the creative power behind the award winning production of
Mrs Georgina Calvert, acting Head of PE, who directs the show each year said: “Here at Sydenham High we encourage girls of all levels and abilities to get involved in dance both inside
and outside our PE curriculum. We use the show as an occasion to celebrate the diversity of and enthusiasm for dance here. The girls have worked extremely hard to perfect their pieces and this year’s performances are stunning.” 2015 will be the show’s 10th anniversary and there are already plans to invite alumnae back to take part in an even bigger show. Sydenham High School 19 Westwood Hill London SE26 6BL Tel: 020 8557 7000 www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net
LOCAL LIFE
It’s the same old tale of
Joy and
disaster ! In a special two-part festive version of Down Memory Lane JOHN RULER looks first at a family Christmas through the eyes of a Victorian diarist
I
Prints and illustrations courtesy of Bromley Court Hotel and Bromley Library
t may be traditional turkey with all the trimmings at Bromley Court Hotel today – but not back in the late 1800s when festivities at Bromley Hill estate, as it was then, began with ‘Stir up Sunday’. There was even a rhyme to go with it:
‘Stir up, we beseech thee, the pudding in the pot, If you don’t serve it cold serve it very hot!’ This unique glance into wealthy Victorian life comes from Echoes Of A Turbulent Victorian Family by Lilian Boys Behrens the eighth 24 DECEMber 2014
daughter of Samuel Cawston, a big time property developer with strong religious beliefs. Some aspects of the festive season certainly have a familiar ring, especially when it comes to the excitement and – inevitable – disasters of pre– Christmas planning. ‘As Christmas Day drew nearer excitement rose,’ she wrote. ‘ The house was beautifully decorated with holly and evergreens, which remained up until Twelfth Night. A large room had been built at the end of the long conservatory, and here was placed a huge Christmas tree. Unfortunately Ettie, Evelyn, Lily, Percy and Gordon all developed chicken pox; Ernest and Violet already had it.
‘Mother’s idea with such a big family always seemed to be let them all have it and get it over. Fortunately it was only whooping cough of which Father tried to cure us by giving us an awful mixture made up on the advice of a member of the Stock Exchange,’ She went on in Downton Abbey terms to describe how, with the Christmas tree laden, ‘ the outdoor staff arrived, men with wives and many children. First came Hellard, the coachman and his wife. They lived in the cottage at the entrance gates, so that his wife could open and shut the gate when the carriage was used…’ They were followed by the housemaid, and then Vicary, his wife and ten children who lived in the cottage in the estate farm, who, as milkman, had to be near the stalls.
A carriage and pair was a familiar sight.
Hill House staff 1898: gifts all round at Christmas.
This delightful rural scene shows nearby Elstree Hill which originally gave access to the stables and other outbuildings serving Hill House. It was painted by water colourist Amelia Long who, as Lady Farnborough, lived with her husband at the house prior to the Cawstons.
Oh yes and Coots, the gardener, his wife who was once a nurse to Lilian’s sister Evelyn, who lived in a cottage in Shortlands – not forgetting, too, Lusty, the carpenter, his wife and children, and Cutler, the boot boy ‘Each man,’ wrote Lilian, ‘got a waistcoat, each woman a petticoat and each child a toy. Each family also had a plum pudding. Then the house servants went up to Mother to receive in turn a cotton length dress and each got five shillings, but nurse had ten shillings. Grannie Cawston came from Streatham. Her teeth always rattled at meal times, much to our disgust.’ Summing up Lilian described a scene which will resonate with many today: a house full of uncles, aunts and ‘ kind friends’. ‘ The spare rooms were full and cousins came over from Bickley. No wonder Mother wrote to her brother, Bertie Boys, that she was “overburdened with work”, adding: ‘Three days before Christmas the cook fell down and broke her wrist…’ Hill House as it was in Victorian times.
* We will be publishing further extracts from this highly entertaining diary in later issues. DECEMber 2014 25
26 DECEMber 2014
Beautiful Bespoke Jewellery At its very best
M
From MARK ADAM
ark Adam of Tunbridge Wells, opened in 2003 and since then has become the “go-to” destination for beautifully designed and bespoke jewellery. Located in the High Street, Mark Adam’s showroom offers a wide selection of unique jewellery and watches, sourced from the very best of European and British craftsman. Each brand that forms the company’s portfolio and is represented in the contemporary showroom, has to be the best of its kind, both in terms of material and the way it is made. The company is justifiably proud of its own in-house workshop, which is one of a few in
the South East to actually manufacture jewellery on site. Owner and goldsmith, Adam Godfrey, comments: “In this day and age of internet shopping and mass production, we recognise that there is a vast choice for the consumer, but we believe that when it comes to jewellery, quality and craftsmanship should be paramount when making such an important investment. As we make much of our jewellery in house, our clients have the reassurance that they are buying the best - a well-designed and meticulously crafted piece of jewellery. They can even come and see it being made if they so wish! Our personal involvement means that we will guarantee it’s provenance and keep it looking it’s best for years to come. Furthermore what could be more special and memorable, than having something designed and made just for you?” The workshop also offers a remodelling service, so for example, if you have a brooch or ring that looks a little dated, Adam can transform it, by giving it a new lease of life and creating a brand new piece of jewellery. The ultimate upcycle. This Christmas, the shop will be launching a brand new and exclusive cut of diamond called “Premier” which is exceptionally vibrant and proving to be a bestseller for engagement rings and diamond earrings. Mark Adam is also showcasing four new jewellery collections: The new Maria R collection of woven silver is perfect for sophisticated day wear. With a focus on texture and subtle colour, all of the pieces will complement this seasons neutrals. For the party season, Adam’s Strut and Outline collections include stunning statement rings that
28 DECEMber 2014
you won’t just want to keep for cocktails, whilst the Fiore story is all about a vintage look, mixing white and rose gold with diamonds and more diamonds! The shop strives to offer quality jewellery to suit every budget, so whether you need an end of term gift or something rather spectacular for your nearest and dearest, you may just want to hand over your Christmas shopping list to Mark Adam... MARK ADAM 68 High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1YB 01892 616617 info@markadam.co.uk www.markadam.co.uk
Photography by Karen Bengall
Christmas Cocktails
NOW AVAILABLE AT MARK ADAM 68 High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1YB 01892 616617 | info@markadam.co.uk www.markadam.co.uk
32 DECEMber 2014
34 DECEMber 2014
Churchill sitting in his study at Chartwell © TopFoto.co.uk
Churchill Funeral procession © TopFoto.co.uk
Churchill funeral procession © TopFoto.co.uk
Death of a
Hero
Chartwell in Kent is set to open an exhibition commemorating the life and legacy of Sir Winston Churchill this month.
D
eath of a Hero, which opens on 15 November, looks at the passing and impact of the country’s greatest statesman and war time leader ahead of the 50th anniversary of Churchill’s death in 2015. Set in the context of his beloved family home in Westerham, the exhibition is a moving and emotive look into the reaction to Churchill’s death and includes never seen before objects, letters and mementoes. Chartwell’s House and Collections Manager, 36 DECEMber 2014
Katherine Barnett comments: “Churchill is one of the most universally admired public figures in history. Death of a Hero aims to do justice to this great man, whose passing was marked with a state funeral watched by over 300 million people around the world. His influence and impact is wide reaching and it can still be seen in literature, art, public speaking and politics today” Death of a Hero will have five main themes including Churchill’s passing, the aftermath, the funeral, his legacy and remembering Churchill. Each section will include never before seen
items such as, a commemorative painting of the procession by Wilfred Morden depicting the boat that carried Churchill’s coffin up the Thames, which has been in store for almost half a century. The spurs gifted by Clementine Churchill to the Duke of Norfolk as a thank you for organising the funeral, personal family mementoes and the thoughts of our current Prime Minister, David Cameron. The flag named ‘Old Glory’ that was flown at half-mast in Washington on the day he died. Katherine Barnett adds; “It is the enormous sense of loss, and yet pride, felt around the
Churchill lying in state © TopFoto. co.uk
Chartwell © Primmer Chartwell
world that this exhibition captures, illustrating how in the words of Lady Churchill “it wasn’t a funeral – it was a triumph” Accompanying the exhibition is a Life and Legacy trail for familes. Set in the gardens Churchill himself created, the trail highlight’s his memories and pastimes, and including some garden-related challenges. Death of a Hero is part of Churchill 2015, a commemoration of the great man’s life which sees a number of exhibitions and special events in museums and locations close to the Churchill family across the country.
Chartwell NTPL Chris Lacey
Churchill leaving Chartwell © TopFoto.co.uk
Death of a Hero runs from 15 November 2014 to 22 February 2015, 11am – 3pm (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Gift Aid Admission prices £6.90 adult, £3.45 child, £17.25 family. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell/ About the National Trust The National Trustlooks after more than 600,000 acres of countryside, 742 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas for great value family days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
About Chartwell Chartwell was a much loved family home and the place from which Sir Winston Churchill drew inspiration from 1924 until the end of his life. The rooms remain much as they were when he lived here, with pictures, books and personal mementoes evoking the career and wide-ranging interests of a great statesman, writer, painter and family man. The hillside gardens reflect Churchill’s love of the landscape and nature. They include the lakes he created, Lady Churchill’s rose garden, the kitchen garden and the Marycot, a playhouse created especially for the youngest Churchill daughter. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell/ For many years Churchill hoped to be laid to rest in the grounds of Chartwell, but, following a change of heart, he asked to be buried at Bladon, near Blenheim, his birthplace and ancestral home. When Churchill said goodbye to Chartwell in midOctober 1964, it would be his final farewell to the home he loved so much. It was at his London residence of 28 Hyde Park Gate, on the morning of 24 January 1965, shortly after 8am, that Sir Winston Churchill passed away.
About Churchill 2015 Churchill 2015 is a unique international celebration of the life and legacy of Sir Winston Churchill, fifty years after his death, sixty years after his final resignation as prime minister, and seventy five years after his ‘finest hour’ leading the fight against fascism in 1940. Churchill-related activity will take place around the world to commemorate his achievements, to highlight his vibrant existing legacy, to promote a range of educational opportunities and to bring his life and work to new audiences. Churchill 2015 follows three main themes: Commemoration, to mark this important anniversary appropriately; Education, to engage and inspire future generations; and Legacy, to highlight, develop and enhance the existing work of Churchill organisations in delivering programmes focusing on leadership, debate and public speaking. Churchill 2015 is being led by an alliance of those charities and institutions with an interest in the life or legacy of Sir Winston. For a list of partners and a first glimpse of some of the planned activities (there are more to be announced) see www.churchillcentral.com. “Let us go forward together” in the spirit of Sir Winston. DECEMber 2014 37
skirt”. In response one of them hitched up what he called his kilt and showed us his backside. ‘His dress didn’t stop him running after the ball. The football match ended in a 3-2 win for our team before the ball ended up in the barbed wire. Confident and embracing one another, we were certain that the war would be over in just a few days. ‘But the next day this fraternisation was just a memory. In spite of our friendships of a day, the war in the trenches started up again.’ With his letter came a mysterious piece of cloth. This memorial stone forms part of a Christmas 1914 Truce – Armentières exhibition held in partnership with the Regiment of Royal Welsh Fusiliers and the Sachsen Infantry Regiment in Armentières Town Hall. From December 19 to 21 teams from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France and Belgium will take part in commemorative football matches. The final will be held at the Flanders Peace Field in Mesen, Belgium.
Footie playing foes created
festive cheer
T
hanks to the controversial chocolate ad by Sainsbury’s and the BBC production of Passing Bells – in which two teenage soldiers, one British the other German, come together in death following the ending of one of various truces along the Western Front – the story of Christmas footie between foes has captured the public’s imagination in coverage of the Great War centenary.
Back in 2005 the film Joyeux Noel likewise told how soldiers carried Christmas trees into no– man’s land, and listened to an opera singer. And in Oh What a Lovely War, British Tommies dived for cover when a missile is thrown from the German trenches, only to discover it’s a boot full of sausage and chocolate.Fiction, yes, but one thing is certain. With the war barely underway and a million-plus dead already, the orginal gungho spirit was fading. And with the front lines no more than some 60 yards apart, it was easy for the combatants to shout across the lines. There was also a lingering smell of cooking. Hardly surprising then that December, 1914 gave way to spontaneous truces, in particular for the recovery of the wounded and dead lying in the mud of no–man’s land. On December 24 some German soldiers even erected Christmas trees, complete with candles and paper lanterns, on the parapets of various first line trenches. As for the football matches, these were pretty disorganised, mainly knock-abouts with no set teams and no obvious rules. 38 DECEMber 2014
A typical truce was on the Armentières front, between Houplines and Frelinghien at the Ferme de la Moutarderie (Hobb’s Farm) with a brief fraternisation between Scottish and German troops It was here that Lieutenant Johannes Niemann, sitting in the sodden trench wrote to his wife as follows:
‘Here, by the Moutarderie farm, the soldiers were collapsing under the weight of Christmas gifts. In spite of the cold and the damp everyone was jammed packed together and there was a joyful mood. Our fellow soldiers started to sing Christmas carols. Facing us, about 500 meters away, hidden behind their sandbags in their camp in the wood there were the Cameronians and Seaforth Highlanders from Scotland.
All too often dwarfed by the truce is this small brass box, a Christmas present sent ‘to every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front.’ Now a highly prized collector’s item, it was kindly lent to the well attended Hayes World Wars Exhibition held in early November. The gesture sprang from Princess Mary who initially wanted to fund the project herself. But public subscription, it was decided, was a better bet. The result: £200,000 – or around £13million today – towards the cost of the brass boxes with their hinged lid bearing a profile of the 17 year old princess, and her initial ‘M’ on either side Along with the box was tobacco, a packet of cigarettes, a tinder lighter and a pipe for smokers, replaced for non smokers by a bullet pencil in a .303 cartridge, a khaki writing case, and a packet of acid tablets. Both groups also had a photo of Princess Mary and a Christmas card, as did nurses who additionally received chocolates. Various Indian serviceman received gifts in accordance with their dietary and/or religious beliefs, with sweets and spices replacing tobacco. With limited pre–war experience, manufacturers were at first reluctant to take on producing the boxes. Eventually, however, the only difficulty was the supply of the brass strips – though this did not prevent the boxes being distributed on Christmas Day, 1914. Those wounded in hospital eventually got their gifts in the New Year.
‘My comrades wanted to have a bit of Christmas fun. It was after all the 24th of December. The Scots replied with jeers of mistrust. From our trenches we brandished a Christmas tree. There was fire from the other side… And yet, early in the morning, we stood up and revealed ourselves, calling out “ Happy Christmas” to the soldiers opposite and moving on into no-man’s land. We had to show we were unarmed.
Sadly distribution in other categories was far more serious, with some recipients waiting until August 1915 and for others as late as 1916. At one point the scheme looked like breaking down, hardly helped by the sinking of the Lusitania by the Germans in May, 1915, along with the bulk of the brass strips, by then being produced mainly by American contractors.
‘A Scottish soldier came to meet us. “Happy Christmas Fritz”, he replied. We started to exchange memories, talk about our families. We shared a nice hare stew together and formed bonds of friendship with these soldiers in their skirts, and teased them about their dress. I remember one of my men saying “ It’s unthinkable that a man should be wearing a
The total of boxes distributed fro Christmas 1914 was 2,630,019. Prisoners of war and internees were not forgotten: gifts were held back until the Armistice was declared when the men, or their next of kin, got their boxes through the post – though some tobacco and cigarettes had to be replaced after fours years in storage.
There was also the overwhelming need of raw material for the war effort, and the scarcity of labour. The cost, too, of the strips, the amount of which was negligible to that spent on shell production, had also jumped alarmingly.
John Ruler is joint author of World War I Battlefields: a travel guide to the Western Front (Bradt)
Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone’s Carl Chapman demonstrates the phenomenal new BeoVision Avant 85-inch television.
Celebrity chef cooks up a storm at
Bang & Olufsen
of Maidstone official opening Former ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ contestant and renowned chef Rosemary Shrager helped to ensure that visitors to the grand opening of the new Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone enjoyed a very tasty time. Pictures: Adam Swaine
G
uest of honour Rosemary cut the ribbon to declare the business’s new Royal Star Arcade showroom officially open and also enthralled guests with tales of her career and celebrity
exploits. She also signed a complimentary copy of one of her books for each of the customers who attended the launch party on the evening of 20th November. Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone was delighted to give its guests the celebrity treatment too, literally rolling out the red carpet and providing plenty of champagne to toast the opening of the long-established local business’s exciting new store. Visitors were also amongst the first to experience the latest products from the prestigious audio-visual brand, Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone choosing the VIP night to unveil the BeoPlay A2 portable loudspeaker and the new, top-of-the-range BeoVision Avant television with its amazing 85-inch screen. In addition, visitors had the chance win a cooking course with Rosemary and gifts were presented to a number of long-standing customers who had helped with the extensive, six-week refurbishment of the new showroom.
40 DECEMber 2014
Rosemary Shrager cuts the ribbon to officially open Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone’s new showroom in the Royal Star Arcade. She is pictured with (L to R) Paul Blake, Dealer Principal of the Beoshop group, and Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone’s Philip Smith and Carl Chapman.
The official opening of its new showroom is the latest development in the success story of Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone. The business has been a mainstay in Maidstone for over 25 years, being previously located in King Street, and is still run day-to-day by the original team of Carl Chapman and Philip Smith, who are now assisted by Sales Executive Callum Tennant. Paul Blake, Dealer Principal of the Kent-based Beoshop group that owns Bang & Olufsen of Maidstone, was delighted with the evening’s festivities and also customer reaction to the group’s new flagship store. “We had a great deal of fun and the evening was a fantastic way to thank our customers for their support and to introduce them to our new showroom, which we are sure will provide them with an even more impressive and convenient Bang & Olufsen experience,” explained Paul. “Our guests were very complimentary about the night and also the contemporary and spacious feel of our new store, especially as the extra room compared to our previous showroom enables us to display and demonstrate more products than ever before.”
Wishing you a very merry Christmas
from Rowhill Grange Hotel and Utopia Spa!
2014
has been a spectacular year for Rowhill Grange Hotel and Utopia Spa, from the refurbishment of Elements Bar and Lounge and many of our bedrooms, to the introduction of new double treatment rooms and Holistic spa days; we have had a busy 12 months! We have raised nearly £4,000 for Cancer Research UK, were a finalist in the Kent Wedding Awards, and our Executive Head Chef Luke Davis was asked to judge Produced in Kent’s Young Chef Award 2014. We also hosted a series of popular events including Murder Mystery evenings, a Dirty Dancing Tribute Night and Strictly Come Dancing Ladies Lunch. Whether you have popped in for afternoon tea, joined us for a spa day, wedding, conference or overnight visit, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and we wish you a truly wonderful Christmas and memorable New Year.
From all the team at Rowhill Grange Hotel and Utopia Spa
BEAUTY
BECOME A Bardot 44 DECEMber 2014
Babe
Originating in the fashion scene of ‘Swinging London’, the Mod make-up look is epitomised by fresh, youthful skin and bold, black-lined eyes.
M
ake-up in the Sixties was given a whole new lease of life by icons such as Brigitte Bardot, Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick,” says Lisa Potter-Dixon, head make-up and trend artist at Benefit Cosmetics. “It was the explosion of the London fashion scene in Carnaby Street, which bought the phrase ‘the London look’ into the make-up world.”
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Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush in Nectar, £26, John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com)
GET IN LINE “To create a Sixties beauty eye you will need black liner, a volumising mascara and patience!” says MAC senior artist Cher Webb. “MAC Blacktrack
In keeping with this season’s retro revival, models were given the Twiggy treatment backstage at the AW14 catwalk shows, as seen at Missoni and Jean Pierre Braganza.
Fluidline is a gel-based formula which is easy to apply over your lash line with a pointy or angular brush.”
Worried you’ll get handy with the black eyeliner and end up looking less Bardot babe, more panda bear? Fear not, here are all the pro tips and tricks you need to master the Mod makeover.
How do you get a perfectly precise wing shape on both eyes? “Try holding your brush on its side and move it over the eye shape in gradual movements. Keep the eye open when making the shapely wing as you will be able to see the symmetry.”
SUBTLE SKIN “Sixties skin was typically very soft with a velvety complexion,” says Max Factor Make-Up Artist Caroline Barnes. “A foundation that gives a natural glow, like Max Factor’s Skin Luminizer Foundation, is perfect for this look. Keep it modern and apply where you most need it, for instance to the T-zone, with a brush or your finger.” Barnes advocates a less is more approach: “Check the finish in daylight, but avoid highlighter or bronzer to keep the skin looking fresh.” Is blusher allowed then? As long as it’s subtle, Barnes says: “Whether it’s cream or powder always depends on the skin type, but neutral tones are great to keep the eyes the main focus and add a subtle glow to the skin.”
For a truly authentic Sixties eye, don’t forget the floating “crease line” in the eye socket. “Use your brush or a light eyebrow pencil to sketch a faint half moon shape through the eye socket,” Webb says. “Apply it lightly to start with and make sure you have the symmetry. Then go in with black, cleaning up with cotton buds where needed.” The finishing touch? “Lashings of mascara, and be generous on the bottom lashes”
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MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, £15.50, and 266 Small Angle Brush, £16.50 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk) Bare Minerals Lash Domination 10-in-1 Volumizing Mascara, £17 (www.bareminerals.co.uk)
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Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation in Warm Almond, £11.99, Boots (www.boots.com)
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1 DECEMber 2014 45
BEAUTY
6
LASH OUT We’re not all blessed with lashes as lengthy as a teenage Twiggy’s, but the good news is you can fake it with falsies.
LASH Eyelashes Intense Volume Edition #31, £4.19 (www.superdrug.com)
PERFECT YOUR POUT With all that drama going on around the eyes, a nude lip is essential, but you want a glossy finish to emulate Bardot’s pillowy pout.
Lisa Potter-Dixon, Benefit Cosmetics head make-up & trend artist, shares her fail-safe method for applying these delicate but dramatic accessories. “First up, measure the lash against your eye and trim so they’re the same length as your eye. Trim from the inner corner, so you don’t lose the flick of the lash.” Next, take each lash and wrap it round your finger for 30 seconds - this helps to mimic the natural curve of your eye - then apply the glue using a cotton bud.
Fortunately, legendary make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury has created a product for that very purpose. “You can use Lip Lustre in Bardot Beige on its own or with Nude Kate, which is a lipstick I designed for Kate Moss but inspired by Brigitte Bardot - it’s the most killer combination,” Charlotte says. Apply a nude lipliner first, then finish with a slick of the wet-look gloss.
“Less is more, but do add a touch extra on each of the ends,” Potter-Dixon says. “Wait another 30 seconds so that the glue is tacky, then position as close to your lash line as possible. Finally, to make it look more seamless, add black eyeliner to the gap between the inner corner of your eye and the false lash.”
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Benefit Pin Up Lash, £12 (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk)
“It’s like a pair of patent leather shoes,” she adds. “It’s the ultimate Sixties bombshell look.”
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Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre Bardot Beige, £16.50 (www.charlottetilbury.com)
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TRIED TESTED
Can you really remove all your make-up with just water and a cloth? Keeley Bolger tries out the MakeUp Eraser, £15.99 (www.makeuperaser.co.uk), an American product which has just arrived on UK shores.
linique Quickliner for Lips in C Honeystick, £12.50 (www.clinique.co.uk)
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“The makers of the MakeUp Eraser claim that just a dash of water applied to their flannel will remove a full face of make-up. Sadly, I don’t find this to be quite the case. After laundering the bright pink flannel as per the instructions, I use it to take off my day’s slap. I don’t wear much, just regular mascara and blusher, so I expect the eraser to easily wipe it away. But while it feels fleecy and gentle on my skin, it doesn’t have the same cleansing power as my normal products and I find myself re-cleansing with my usual cotton wool and lotions to finish the job. For the £15.99 price tag, I’d expect more.”
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BEAUTY BULLETIN
n S TAID STYLES Are you suffering a hair hangover? A new survey reveals that 85% of women are ‘stuck in a style rut’, with 41% of those asked by Nice’n Easy saying work is what’s stopping them going for a restyle. The average age for a style rut to begin is 32, while older ladies showed better barnet confidence - those aged 55-65 were more inclined to change their look. n RECESSIONISTA ALERT The latest range from Wilko offers targeted solutions for skin that’s in need of some TLC and the prices won’t stress you out either. The Skin Therapy Sensitive Cleanser, Toner and Light Moisturiser will clean and soothe without causing irritation and are just 95p each (www.wilko.com).
46 DECEMber 2014
BUY IT NOW
Say G’day to Eye of Horus, the Australian make-up brand that’s just launched on BeautyBay.com. The Egyptian-inspired range includes the richly pigmented Goddess Pencils, £17 (including free delivery). Available in eight dark jewel shades, they’re ideal for perfecting a smouldering Cleopatra eye.
AN ARTHRITIC KNEE WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?
T
In the UK nearly 5 million people seek treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. Almost one in five people aged 45 and over have some treatment for this condition.
he commonest symptom is knee pain which is exacerbated by exercise and activity and initially this is relieved by rest. As the disease progresses, symptoms can occur even at night and at rest and can affect sleep. In younger individuals, knee pain is not always due to osteoarthritis and other causes have to be looked for and these include cartilage tears, ligament injuries, tendon inflammation or bursitis. TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS Treatment is decided by the severity of your arthritis and your symptoms. If your arthritis is not severe, the initial treatment would involve targeted knee exercises and physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around your knee joint. Modification of activities that may aggravate your knee symptoms and increase the wear in your joint and if your symptoms persist, your
doctor may advise a steroid or hyaluronic acid injection for partial and temporary relief. KEYHOLE SURGERY FOR THE KNEE This is done to wash out loose bits of bone and cartilage in arthritic knees as well as address any torn cartilage fragments which may be aggravating symptoms and causing mechanical problems with the knee such as sharp catching pain and locking of the knee joint. MICRO-FRACTURE is a technique whereby a small area within the knee which has lost its cartilage is stimulated through keyhole surgery to produce cartilage and scar tissue so that this replaces the defect. AUTOLOGOUS CHONDROCYTE TRANSPLANTATION This is now available for circumscribed and small areas of cartilage loss. This is not an option for an arthritic knee with a wide area of degenerative
disease and loss of cartilage. In this technique, your cartilage cells are harvested, grown in the laboratory and put back into the defective area in the knee joint. JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY Joint replacement surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment still to this day. Total knee replacements have been around for a long time and are quite successful, however about one in four total knee replacement patients remain unsatisfied with their new knees and the reasons for these are various and not usually due to technical issues with the surgery. Therefore, surgeons are now considering partial replacements in a carefully selected sub set of patients. If you feel you have knee pain related to osteoarthritis, it is best to seek early advice from your doctor and therapist for help and information on how to minimise symptoms and prolong the life of your joint. Mr Praveen Panose MBBS, FRCS(T&O), MS(Orthopaedics), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in hip and knee surgery is based at North Downs Hospital, to book an appointment please ring 0800 0468036 or enquire online www.northdownshospital.co.uk
Dear Debbie, DEBBIE MOULTON, CARE MANAGER OF BLUEBIRD CARE OFFERS HER ADVICE Dear Debbie, I am spending Christmas abroad with my husband’s family this year and am concerned about how mum will manage as she has needed to rely on the support of me and my husband for everyday tasks such as washing and dressing recently. It may only be that she needs someone to help out for a few weeks but am not sure if this is possible. Could you let me know how I should go about making arrangements for mum’s care whilst I am away?
Kay Dear Kay, This is it quite common and we in the Care sector refer to this as respite care. I suggest getting in touch with a quality homecare provider in your area who will be able to visit you and identify what support mum needs whilst you are away. The homecare provider will conduct an assessment to highlight the help mum requires and then make appropriate arrangements for her needs to be met whilst you are away. A good agency will aim to arrange an introduction with the Care Worker that will be attending your mum before you go away. You will be able to go abroad safe in the knowledge that mum is being looked after but you can always call the office whilst you are away to get an update if you so wish. Introducing respite care at Christmas can be helpful as an opportunity to introduce your mother to the idea of visiting carers. If she can accept periodic respite care, this would enable you and your husband to take more frequent breaks, which could be beneficial all round
Best Wishes Debbie Moulton, Care Manager - Bluebird Care (Sevenoaks) DECEMber 2014 49
FASHION
Wool pack Join the
Wool for winter. Not exactly groundbreaking in trend terms is it?
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ell, actually, knitwear was really big news on the AW14 catwalks literally. The Row (that’s the Olsen twins’ label) took the prize for most oversized, with a humongous cowl-necked jumper and trousers combo, while Stella McCartney and yarn aficionado Mark Fast also went for the slouch-factor with layers of chunky woollens. Even designers who usually shy away from such an organic fabric, like Phoebe Philo at Celine and Marc Jacobs, spun a yarn with head-to-toe ribbed knits. It all adds up to some seriously seductive comfort-dressing options when you need them most. From blanket wraps to standout separates, face the frosty weather with our pick of the wool pack. SUPERSIZE ME Go the catwalk route with slouchy, supersized knitwear - the bigger the better. A hefty cowl collar, chunky cable detailing and lengthy scarves all fit the bill. Worried 50 DECEMber 2014
these bulky details will supersize you too? Then look for pieces with just one of the above. A long sleeveless tunic with a cowl neck, for example, will be slim enough to wear under your winter coat, and does away with the need for a scarf, plus you can layer it over trousers or tights, depending on how dressy you want to go. n Scarlett Sleeveless Roll Neck Jumper, £45; Chester Blanket Coat, £129; Heidi Leather Skirt, £149, Lisbon Box Calf Chelsea Boots, £79, all Monsoon (www.monsoon.co.uk) (Main image, far right)
n Wallis Pale Pink Cowl Neck Tunic, £38 (www.wallis.co.uk) (Below, left) MAP YOUR COORDINATES The most faithful catwalk homages on the high street are the head-to-toe coordinate sets in wheat and stone hues. A tricky look to pull off - not least because they bear more than a passing resemblance to PJs - the key to woollen co-ords is how you accessorise them. If you’re going casual, keep it simple with ballet flats or high-top trainers, but to dress them up, let the trouser hems fall over pointed-toe stiletto boots and add a couple of gold bangles or a blingy cocktail ring.
n H&M Wool Top, £34.99, and Trousers, £39.99 (in store end of November; www.hm.com) (Left) n Zara Knit Flared Trousers, £59.99 (www.zara.com) FUZZY LOGIC How to tap into the head-to-toe trend without going totally coordinated? By mixing and matching woollen separates. If you miss the summer staple tube skirt, try a fluffy version paired with a slouchy sweater and ribbed tights, and top off with a faux fur jacket for a sumptuous mix of feel-good fabrics. With so many touchable textures going on, it’s wise to limit your colour palette. Autumnal reds and browns go well together, as do pale, fawny tones, the ideal match for brown leather accessories. n Apricot Stone Fluffy Knit Mini Skirt, £19 (www.apricotonline.co.uk) n Mint Velvet Nude Mongolian Trim Knit Gilet, £129 (www.mintvelvet.co.uk) (Above, left)
BLANKET COVERAGE The ultimate winter woollen, a capacious cardigan or blanket coat is the perfect style prescription for self-diagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder. By day, a big dip-hem cardigan isn’t just warm,
FASHION
FLASH
BOYFRIEND VS JEANS When did you last through away a pair of jeans? If the answer is never, you’re one of the 20% of women who can’t bare to let their denim darlings go even though they no longer fit, according to a survey by home appliance brand Grundig. One in 20 go even further, saying they’d sooner get rid of their partner, before ditching their favourite jeans.
RECESSIONISTA ALERT In spite of the suggestive web address, LittleBlackDress.co.uk is not populated solely with LBDs. Case in point: Emma Louise London’s Chorus Line Layered Shift Dress, £189 (reduced from £270). To really get your money’s worth with this ballerina-printed purple frock, premiere it during party season then transition to your spring daywear wardrobe with flats and opaque tights.
DECEMber 2014 51
FASHION GET THE LOOK Like the look of Gucci’s groovy go-go boots but not so keen on the £950 price tag? Then go-go to Topshop, where you’ll find the Collide High Leg Snake Boots, £150 (www.topshop.com), and in a much more versatile colour too. BUY IT NOW Thought you’d finished your festive wish list? Not so fast, because London Fashion Week megastar Osman Yousefzada has just unveiled a perfectly-timed capsule collection with Amazon Fashion. The five-piece range features a super-chic Christmas Jumper, £95, but the piece with the most staying power is definitely the black Unisex Tuxedo Jacket, £150 (www.amazon.co.uk/osman).
it’s actually a secret slimming aid, because the roomy shape makes your arms and legs look thinner - just make sure the sleeves and your trousers are slim-cut too. For the great outdoors, cocoon yourself in a cosy blanket wrap, belting it up if you want to add definition to your waistline.
separates rendered in wool, the ideal solution if earthy tones and loose shapes aren’t your kind of thing.
n Wallis Stone Cocoon Zip Hem Cardigan, £55 (www.wallis.co.uk) (Above) n Evans Mink Colour Block Wrap, £35 (www.evans.co.uk) ‘IT’ KNITS If washed-out woollens aren’t your thing, pick one impactful piece and work your outfit around it. But we’re not talking Christmas jumpers or cutesy animal motifs - look for graphic knit prints, stripes and animal prints.
n Fenn Wright Manson Remi Jumper, £150 (www.fennwrightmanson.com) | (other items, stylist’s own)
A longline sweater dress is a great multitasker, letting you dial the dressiness up or down according to your mood: wear it with tights and over-knee boots (the style of the season), over skinny jeans at the weekend or tuck it into a leather skirt for work.
n Jaeger Giant Houndstooth Tunic, £180 (www.jaeger.co.uk)
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GOOD SPORT In a very cool hybrid, the track and field trend gets a sheepish spin this season, with sporty
If you have a tendency to wear any colour - as long as it’s black, a slate grey hoodie or biker cardigan will slot neatly into your wardrobe, and you’ll find a pair of wool jogging pants go on high rotation, particularly when paired with patent heeled lace-up boots, to really up the luxe element. n Mint Velvet Silver Grey Biker Cardigan, £89 (www.mintvelvet.co.uk) n Label Lab Hooded Zip Cardi, £69 (www.houseoffraser.co.uk) (Right)
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FASHION
BUGATTI opens boutique in
KNIGHTSBRIDGE Themed around the concept of “The Blue of London”, Bugatti is set to open its very first lifestyle boutique on Brompton Road in the exclusive Knightsbridge district.
F
ollowing the successful launch of its lifestyle collection in Milan last year, this is the next major step in the French super sports car manufacturer’s brand extension strategy. “Bugatti is not only synonymous with state-ofthe-art technology and stunning performance in the automotive sector, but also with a unique lifestyle in keeping with the artistic roots of the Bugatti family,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., at the launch in London. “Of course, luxurious and exclusive super sports cars will remain our core business, but we intend to transfer the brand’s 56 DECEMber 2014
huge appeal into areas of life beyond the automotive sector. Our lifestyle collection was a successful first step, which paved the way for our first boutique. London was our first choice when deciding on a location for the boutique,” continued Dürheimer. “The city is a key market for the Veyron, and is also one of the most important international centres of fashion, design and art, which makes it an ideal location in which to showcase our luxury lifestyle brand. We go where our customers are.” “Our London boutique will enable us to present the luxurious lifestyle of the brand authentically in an appropriate setting,” explains Massimiliano
Ferrari, CEO of Bugatti International, who is in charge of the Brand Lifestyle division. “The lifestyle collection will be the centrepiece as it is based on the brand’s deep-rooted heritage and the unique vision of its founder Ettore Bugatti.” The current autumn/winter collection from Bugatti includes two main lines centred on men’s fashion: the elegant and luxurious EB – Ettore Bugatti Collection and the sports luxury Bugatti – Performance Luxury Collection featuring high-tech materials. In addition to these two lines, Bugatti also offers a Tailor Made / Bespoke range exclusively for Bugatti customers, along with limited-edition capsule collections,
such as the recent Bugatti Legends collection. The lifestyle collection has so far focussed on clothing and accessories, with designer items to follow at a later date. The boutique and its collection reflect the identity of Bugatti. In keeping with the brand’s motto of “Art, Forme, Technique”, the store conveys Bugatti’s exceptional technical performance and the exclusive luxury of the brand. The interior is divided into two areas. The EB – Ettore Bugatti Collection is displayed in the luxury/lifestyle area, which is fitted with an elegant dark wooden floor and brown leather wall panelling, both of which exude warmth and elegance. The Bugatti – Performance Luxury Collection is presented in the sports/ performance area, which is in sharp contrast as it features distinctive white marble flooring and light grey leather wall panelling. Alongside leather and marble, the boutique design also uses aluminium, wood, glass and carbon, all of which can also be found in the Veyron. The designers have taken and interpreted typical elements of Bugatti’s design DNA in the furnishings. “Using and machining the finest materials in line with the highest quality standards was a key element in the development of the store concept,” explains Max Ferrari. “We have been
able to create a modern visualisation of the soul and DNA of the brand by deliberately choosing a certain combination of materials and colours. And of course, the colour blue in all its shades plays a key role, as is characteristic of Bugatti.” Bugatti Lifestyle Boutique London 24/26 Brompton Road, SW1 Opening times: Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm Sunday 12noon – 5pm and by appointment outside the opening times www.hrowen.co.uk
DECEMber 2014 57
MAO WEN
CHINESE ARTIST WHO LOVES LIFE IN CHISLEHURST. Forthcoming Solo Show of Sporting, City And Flower Paintings The Osborne Studio Gallery Motcomb Street London SW1 (www.osg.uk.com)
C
hina is said to be gradually taking over the planet: growing economy, skyscraper cities, entrepreneurial energy, thrusting art scene, international art fairs, but one Chinese-born contemporary artist, Mao Wen Biao, who has won international acclaim, decided to immerse himself in British life, and make his home in Chislehurst. Mao was born in Shanghai, in 1950, the only artist in his family, one of seven brothers in a seafaring family. He often returns to Shanghai or Beijing, where he is shocked by pollution, and astonished by Chinese shopping mania. His
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compatriots collect armfuls of ‘labels’ while he prefers a simple linen smock. Since 1993, he has made his home in Chislehurst, a peaceful green paradise, where he planted a terraced garden, with carpets of flowers, which he tends with loving care twice a day. The woodland beyond his house is a constant delight after the grimy atmosphere of Shanghai and Beijing. Mao has immersed himself in British life and character, which he captures in his art, from high society party people
BIAO commissioned vast trompe l’oeil hoardings from Mao to disguise building works, which delighted passersby, attracted valuable column inches and the attention of art lovers, who asked Mao to paint an 1870s garden party scene for a grim stone corridor in Holland Park, described as a ‘triumphant success’ by the President of the Royal Academy of Arts. In turn this led to commissions for the Ritz Hotel, another elegant party scene with echoes of Gainsborough and Hogarth, and a mural to celebrate the RAC Club Pall Mall, including portraits of 300 members.
course when Professor Paul Huxley introduced him to the visionary property developer, John Hunter.
in 18th and 19th century finery, to City of London commuters, explosions of speed on the racecourse and cycle track, and exuberant flowers en masse, inspired by his Chislehurst garden. Mao studied in Beijing, completed a vast painting for the Chinese Government of a battle in the Sino-Japanese war, but decided to leave Beijing to study at the Royal College of Art in London. His story takes on a life changing
A gentle, modest man, though gifted with extraordinary technical virtuosity, Mao was discovered, nurtured and supported by Hunter, ex-Cavalry officer, but also a modern Medici, whose current projects include constructing a new village, Poundbury style, in the Cotswolds, complete with pub, cricket pitch, and stately mansion or two. When masterminding the revival of smart Kensington and Chelsea streets, Hunter
Hunter loves equestrian sports, encouraged Mao to paint two versions of the Charge of the Light Brigade, and Mao has discovered horse racing is his favourite subject, though he also excels at pounding cyclists, clusters of sailing boats (collected by Formula One mogul Eddie Jordan), and recently mastered the secrets of depicting a graceful golf swing. A Russian oligarch asked him to create a golf room, and here Chislehurst came into its own again. The local golf club provided his main source of inspiration. New paintings by Mao Wen Biao, of sport, City crowds, fields of flowers will be shown at a major new solo show from November 19th until December 6th at London’s most important equestrian gallery, THE OSBORNE STUDIO GALLERY, 2 MOTCOMB STREET, LONDON SW1X 8JU DECEMber 2014 59
Have a Merry
Green Christmas! Christmas is a time of gifts, joy, and family togetherness. Unfortunately, it can also be a time of excess. We will create 3 million tonnes of rubbish this Christmas in Britain - the equivalent of 400,000 double-decker buses. Over half of this could be recycled. Where is it going to go otherwise?
A
little thought and preparation can make this year a Green Christmas… it isn’t about going without; it’s about being considerate, not creating excess waste and respecting our environment. Here are just a few suggestions to help you start this pathway, and you’ll be bound to come up with many of your own green solutions and traditions for Christmas as you get into the swing of it. nT he Christmas tree conundrum: do you go for a plastic one and use it again and again or do you buy a living one and try to keep it alive for replanting? The Woodland Trust recommends that if you are buying a live one, make sure it’s a native fir like a Caledonian Pine. Keep it in a large tub to bring in and out of the house each year until it gets too heavy, then either plant it in your garden or offer it to your nearest nature reserve. Children will love to watch it grow bigger each year. nB uy a turkey from your local butcher or farmers’ market, not a supermarket this year. Make sure it is sourced from a free-range or organic supplier, which uses far less energy intensive ways of rearing birds – it’ll taste better too. 60 DECEMber 2014
n The equivalent of 200,000 trees and around a million Christmas cards are thrown away every year. Try to send recycled cards, n Decorate your home with natural and recyclable materials –what did we do before we had plastic, tinsel and Christmas decorations? n Use low energy LED fairy lights which use a fraction of the energy of standard lights. n Dispose of your Christmas tree properly – over 6 million were bought last year in the UK, creating a staggering 9,000 tonnes of rubbish. Most DIY centres, and garden centres, have a disposal system some that will shred the tree to turn it to chippings. Or even better buy a Christmas tree with roots and plant it in your garden after the festive period. n Each Christmas, 4,000 tonnes of products arrive from China. Presents bought locally means you will be supporting small suppliers and the local community. We have so many amazing independent stores in the capital selling unique and exclusive products. n Recycle! English households will throw out an additional 3m tonnes - that’s five sacks of
rubbish per family - over the festive period. Much of this will be waste that could have been recycled. If you’re not doing it already, it’s getting harder to have an excuse not to recycle, with nine out of 10 homes in Britain now having a doorstep recycling service which will take paper, card, glass and metal cans. If you don’t have a doorstep service, take your drinks bottles and paper to the recycling bank when you next go to the supermarket, or find out whether your area has a local recycling depot.
So there are plenty of good reasons to celebrate a green Christmas this year and ever more.
Home and Garden
FEAST for the
EYES
There aren’t many who’d disagree; the festive feast is the highlight of Christmas Day.
B
ut whether you’re going for turkey, goose, nut-roast or something even more exotic as the focus of your meal, it’s the trimmings that really make it - and I’m not just talking roasties and honeyglazed parsnips. The setting is almost as - or just as, some would say - important as the food being served. Festive fun or Yueltide chic; it’s entirely up to you what mood you go for - and it doesn’t have to break the bank, or require a degree in interior design, to pull off. Of course, you can invest in some wintry wonderland tableware if you want to; candelabras and some carefully-chosen tealight holders and gilded glassware certainly suit the occasion and are an easy way to make a setting special. There are also lots of budget-friendly buys; supermarkets, as well as shops like Wilko and even Poundland are great places to pick up festive table top decorations and charger plates and platters, as well as the compulsory napkins and table runners. Get creative and don’t limit your imagination to the tabletop - how about hanging decorations
above it, or arranging some Christmassy lighting on a mantelpiece for added ambience? A glass bowl, filled with colourful baubles or pine cones and deep, red berries or springs of holly makes a striking centrepiece, and carefullydraped fairy lights can also be very effective. But whatever you do - don’t forget the crackers. Here are four popular Christmas Day dining deco themes to help you serve up some style... GO FOR GOLD It may sometimes have a reputation for being a little ostentatious, but if there’s one day of the year when being flash and over-the-top is perfectly allowed - it’s Christmas. More importantly, gold doesn’t have to be pompous; in fact it can be extremely subtle and sophisticated, especially if used in a softly-lit, romantic setting. “After years in the design wilderness, gold is back with a vengeance. If you’re not keen on investing in gold cutlery or glassware, paper tableware is an easy way to dip into the look,” says Clare Harris, managing director at Talking Tables. “Once you’ve decided on your scheme, extend
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it beyond the table - hang garlands over the fireplace and tie baubles to chair backs for added flair.” TABLE TOP TIP: Think scale when creating a dramatic table setting, suggests Harris. “You don’t want to block guests’ views with huge candelabra or floral arrangements, but neither do you want the table to look too minimal. Baubles, battery-operated fairy lights and table scatter create an atmospheric glow, while decorative canape picks add interest.” GET THE LOOK: You can dig up plenty of gold on the high street which, thankfully, doesn’t include price tags like those of the real thing. Gold And Black Dinner Party Crackers, £7 for pack of six; Gold Charger Plate, £2, Tesco. Talking Tables is a fantastic one-stop-shop for all your table-setting-heart could possibly desire. Party Porcelain Gold Table Top Tree Decoration, £11; Party Porcelain Gold Individual Cracker, £20 for pack of 20, Talking Tables. Another top dining deco destination is Wilko, where you can really go to town with a theme. Their Let’s Celebrate range features an endless array of gold items: Plates, from £3; Star Dish, from £3; Champagne Flute, £15 for pack of
four; Table runner, £7; Teapot, £8; 2 Tier Cake Stand, £10. Christmas is certainly a time to pull out those fancy accessories; OKA has a beautiful selection, including these Skeleton Leaf Coasters, £76 for set of four. Nothing says ‘special occasion’ like eating by candlelight, but make sure your candles are housed stylishly. Sitting Stag Tealights Holder, £79; Woodland Scene Cut-Out Tealight Holder, £7.50, Marks & Spencer SEEING RED It’s bold, it’s bright, and it’s ‘the’ colour of Christmas. For fans of a traditional setting, red is the go-to festive shade. The good news is that shops are always bursting at the seams with red decorations, which makes it ideal for those on a tight budget, as you can easily stock up on a red paper tablecloth and napkins, while some strategically placed baubles and tinsel can be all you need to create a striking scene. “A casual approach to decorating is more than acceptable at Christmas, “says Harris. “Save your china and linen for New Year and take the family-friendly approach with paper tablecloths, napkins and decorations.” Scarlet can be sophisticated too. A simple, Scandinavian-inspired red and white theme is always pleasing and cosy, or offset a plain
tablecloth with some red tartan dining accessories. TABLE TOP TIP: You don’t have to buy everything new; chances are there are things in your home you can spruce up and put to use. “If you don’t have a tablecloth that’s big enough, use a single bed sheet to hang or drape over your table. They must be starched and pressed for a professional finish - and your guests will never know,” suggests Stuart McGinley, Villeroy & Boch’s lead stylist. A Pashmina scarf can also double up as a table runner and add texture to the scene. GET THE LOOK: If you prefer Christmas in subtle doses, just adding accents of red to your table will inject some festive spirit and colour. A candelabra or trio of tall candle sticks are easy ways to make an impact. Antique Cut Glass Candelabra, £45; Snowflake Christmas Table Runner, £15, M&S Match your glassware with the theme; Villeroy & Boch have a wide choice, and their Boston
DECEMber 2014 63
Home and Garden red gingham ribbon around a chunky candle is effective and it won’t cost the earth. “For a more formal occasion, small pine cones make for lovely name settings - the guest’s name can be written on a piece of card that is then slotted into the cone.” TABLE TOP TIP: “Make a statement with a bold, quirky centre piece,” suggests Harrison. “eBay have a great range of bird cages at affordable prices. One of these filled with bright red and green apples will certainly get people talking. Mix up the textures by throwing in some twigs and spare pine cones too.”
a meal, suggests Rucker. Display in an ice bucket or pop a couple of sparklers on top of the Christmas pudding. A sparkler beside every place setting will allow guests to join in the fun. Talking Tables has Table Sparklers, from £2.50 a box. GET THE LOOK: Give your setting a subtle, silver edge with some gleaming bargain buys, like Poundland’s Silver Charger Plate, £1.
Coloured Red Wine Goblet, from £11.48, Amazon, would add a touch of drama. 12 Red Heart Crackers, £12, Next. Wilko comes up trumps again in the red lane: Foil Tree Decoration Spotty, £1.25; Poppy Fields Bowls and Plates, from £1.50 each; Red Blush Glasses, from £1 each; Paper Snowflake Decoration, from £1; Honeycomb Ball Decoration, from £1; Table Runner Red, £4. A HINT OF SILVER If there isn’t enough sparkle on that tree, make the dining table dazzle with a silvery theme. This is a shade that can instantly evoke a party feel, but can equally look subtle and charming, particularly if combined with crisp, cool white. “For the ultimate white and silver-themed table, start with classic white stoneware, simple white linen napkins and art-deco mirror chargers and coasters,” suggests Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company. “Once you have that base, you can add as much, or as little, sparkle as you like. Arranging mercury and glass tea light and candle holders along the length of the table makes an understated yet stylish centrepiece, while white and silver paper decorations hung above the table will add a fabulous seasonal finish.” TABLE TOP TIP: Non toxic indoor fireworks and ice fountains create a magical display during 64 DECEMber 2014
GET THE LOOK: Get outdoors to source twigs, pine cones and holly; all vital rustic ingredients. Plenty of wholesome and pretty country fare can be found at Cherith Harrison, where wildlife takes centre stage: Festive Drinks Mats, £7.45 for pack of 10; Festive Paper Napkins, £3.25 for pack of 20. If you can’t find the real thing, Sainsbury’s offerings look just as good: Pinecone & Red Berry Tree, £8; Large Pine Cone Candle, £15. The ‘Winter Woodland’ collection at Sophie Allport really hits the mark: Table Runner, £18; Napkins, £12 for set of four; Cushion, £25; Mugs, from £9.50 each.
House of Fraser’s Linea range is a good port of call for silver-fishers: Silver Goblet Tealight Holder, £9.50-£10.50; Luxury Crystal Palace Ice Prism Crackers, currently £21 for set of six (reduced from £30). For a chic approach, Next’s silver accessories are ideal: Sequin Runner, £20; 12 Piece Metropolitan Stripe Dinner Set, £50; Set Of 4 Sequin Napkins, £8; Set Of 4 Metropolitan Wine Glasses, £26; Set Of 4 Silver Scratch Coasters, £8. Make it all (silver and) white on the night, with a little help from The White Company. Their collection includes: Silver Concertina Balls, £15 for set of three; Snowflake Paper Decorations, £12 for set of three; Large Pillar Candle Holder, £45; Mini Star Etched Hurricane, £10; Pinecone Tealight Holder, £6. RUSTIC CHARM Who hasn’t gazed longingly at those gorgeous, country cottage Christmas card images, wishing you could step right into that cosy scene and snuggle up by that roaring log fire, as a perfectly-decorated tree twinkles in the corner? Thankfully, a village postcode and exposed wooden beams aren’t compulsory for creating a rustic, country-inspired look, and this certainly applies to dining tables. “I like to keep things simple; if you have a lovely wooden table then you’re half way there,” says print-maker and designer Cherith Harrison. “If not, don’t fret! Wrapping a piece of bright
SEASONAL SOURCES n Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk n Cherith Harrison: 07711 851 608 www.cherithharrison.com n House of Fraser: 0870 160 7270 www.houseoffraser.co.uk n Marks & Spencer: 0333 014 8000 www.marksandspencer.com n Next: 0844 844 8000 www.next.co.uk n OKA: 0844 815 7380 www.okadirect.com n Poundland: www.poundland.co.uk n Sainsbury’s: 0800 636 262 www.sainsburys.co.uk n Sophie Allport: www.sophieallport.com n Talking Tables: 020 7627 6767 www.talkingtables.co.uk n Tesco: www.tesco.com/direct n The White Company: 020 3758 9222 www.thewhitecompany.co.uk n Wilko: www.wilko.com
Thornburrows
Thornburrows is an established family run independent furniture store in Orpington High Street serving northwest Kent S E London.
W
e are renowned for always supplying quality furniture from well-known brands such as G Plan, Ercol, Parker Knoll, Nathan & Stressless. Besides our extensive range of quality furniture we have a carefully selected range of carpets, vinyl’s and rugs to give our customers a wide choice and price range. Carpets start from £13.99 a square metre, a quality 80% wool,10% duralon, 10% resistelle such as Harvington Heathers is £27.99 a square
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metre, all carpets are available in either 4 or 5 metre widths. All our vinyl ranges are available in 2, 3 or 4 metre widths, and start from, as little as, £16.00 a square metre. Harmony is an Egyptian made range of rugs available in various sizes, 120cm x 170cm for example is £79.00. Our Indulgence range of 100% Polyester rugs are also available in various sizes, a 120cm x 180cm is £149.00.
Thornburrows Winter Sale is now on, and we are offering a free upgrade on all underlay whilst the sale is on, and our friendly experienced staff will give you an individual welcome when you visit us. Thornburrows 257-259 High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 ONY Tel: 01689 830898 www.thornburrows.com
Interior Inspiration
and the latest window dressing techniques. The company’s Orpington showroom offers a spacious and pleasant creative environment with fabric, wallpaper, blind, pole and accessory collections with books, swatches and designer displays to inspire your choices. You can have a visit in the comfort of your own home, which gives you first-hand experience of the company’s minimum disruption, maximum efficiency ‘on location’ services. After researching and creating your bespoke pieces the Amity experience concludes with a professional installation and window dressing service to ensure your window furnishings look great and function excellently. Whatever your question, Amity’s experience and broad product ranges can provide you with the answer. The extensive variety of products available at Amity includes: a diverse range of over 30,000 wallpapers including textured, contemporary graphic, patterned, fabric and metallic. With fabrics such as sumptuous silks and velvets, plantation shutters and blinds, carpets and rugs, lighting, cushions and bedcovers, furniture and trimmings, bespoke hand finished curtains, pelmets, swags and tails, and poles and tracks there is a solution for every situation. What’s more Amity stock a variety of some of the most popular furnishing brands, such as Osborne & Little, Nina Campbell, Designers Guild, Jane Churchill and Jab Anstoetz. With a new showroom consultation area just being launched Amity is a must see!
H
aving been established for over 40 years, Amity’s extensive knowledge of the interior and window furnishing market now means they are leaders in their field, and strive to produce the highest standards in quality and expert service. Amity is a friendly family run business, meaning they give all their customers a personalised service whilst maintaining high levels of professionalism. They constantly update new ranges which mean that they can always offer the latest trends and designs. What’s more,
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their long established international connections allow them to bring you the latest interior styling technologies and aesthetics from across the globe. As Amity is a bespoke company, all of their expert services are tailored uniquely to you. This starts with their detailed measure consultation where you can be sure their advisors will recommend the most suitable and effective items to suit your practical needs together with their knowledge of over 2,500 design collections
If you would like to utilize Amity’s expert Full Interior Design or Measure and Fit service, you can visit Amity at Solar House, Church Hill, Orpington, Kent, BR6 OHE. Alternatively to view Amity’s extensive range of products, order online or for more information visit www.amity. uk.com, or contact Amity by emailing info@amity.uk.com or by telephoning 01689 878 418.
DECEMber 2014 71
BOOK REVIEWS
The
BookShelf
“What better present than a book for Christmas? Fact or Fiction?” WORDS by Bruce Edwards
Some Veil Did Fall Kirsty Ferry Pub. by: p/b:
The Christmas Party Carole Matthews Pub. by: p/b:
Sphere £7.99
Always, inevitably, at this time of year, the overly comfortable Christmas reads abound. They’re to get you in the mood if you’re not already there as a consequence of the stomach-churning festive delights screened during almost every telly advert break. And if you’re office based, there’s going to be the Office Christmas Party. It’s inevitable, the annual occasion when the boss lets his or her hair down; you can (maybe) take liberties and even do silly things. The problem arises when matters get out of hand. Louise, the devoted single mum, usually manages to avoid the boss’s sticky hands, but the pretty new dress, the champagne and the silliness seem to get in the way . . . Office politics surface, even in the magnificent party venue (a thinly disguised Waddesdon Manor) and there’s an odd feeling a game of ‘musical chairs’ is being played with the top jobs. As a page turner read, it works fine, but be aware, your own office party may seem rather dull in comparison. Just don’t get drunk . . . ISBN:
978-0-7515-5216-4
Choc Lit £7.99
The words ‘déjà vu’ or a synonym expression ‘a blast from the past’ will start all manner of memories running in most people’s minds. An excerpt from an apt Rossetti poem - I have been here before - may run through Becky’s head as, in her occupational role as freelance photographic journalist, she spots a strange but elegant lady following a mock funeral during Whitby’s Goth Weekend. She’s memorable, fascinating - but who? And was the meeting up with Josh coincidental? The story weaves its intriguing way around the intermingled past and present as Beth keeps having flashbacks to maintain her constant impression of a reincarnation. Her building relationship with Josh, the problems she has with Seb, a former boyfriend - are these paralleled with the historical facts she and Josh unearth? And does an antique writing slope provide answers? It’s complicated and you have to concentrate when there’s a lengthy dip into the past (the writing style doesn’t change with the period) but it’s heart-warming and that’s what matters at this time of year. ISBN:
978-1-7818-9161-2
The Last Escaper Peter Tunstall Pub. by: p/b:
Duckworth Overlook £18.99
The old adage ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ springs to mind, but the strength of this specific title lies in the way the truth is told. It’s a ‘real life’ story and one with particular pathos following the huge wave of warinspired nostalgia that has gripped us, maybe overwhelmingly, in the last few months leading up to Armistice Sunday. It’s questionable whether the drama, the media hype, the emotion tugging expositions and the endless referrals to the past will have added strength to the cry ‘no more war’ when we’re faced with the current demands to be ‘on our guard’ - but Peter Tunstall’s book (he recently died, aged 95) puts a very human and thought provoking aspect on how war affected him and his immediate contemporaries in the RAF. He returned from Colditz; many another did not. How he survived is a fascinating and extremely readable, genuine account from a very genuine character. For students of those times and how aspects of war affected personalities, it’s a very worthwhile and encouraging read. ISBN:
978-0-7156-4923-7
Suggestions and queries to writerselect@gmail.com. We’re always happy to consider speci c titles for review, though without obligation. Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll help.
Need a different source for a romantic read? Check out www.novelsforromance.co.uk
72 DECEMber 2014
TRAVEL
Ooh la la in French
Canada “Will we need to speak French?” my 14-year-old daughter Grace asks on the journey to Mont Tremblant, Quebec’s top ski resort. Well, you don’t have to parlez Francais in this neck of the woods, but it certainly helps.
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re’re here for a girls’ week of skiing, shopping and spas, arriving at the eastern resort of Mont Tremblant (known as ‘Trembling Mountain’), one of the most familyfriendly Canadian ski resorts, which is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary. The French influence is everywhere in this pretty, twinkling town, whose brightly painted 74 DECEMber 2014
Disney-like buildings form the base to 49 miles of runs. Only a day’s drive north from New York, Tremblant attracts Americans because, to them, it feels like France, like going to Europe without the long, expensive flight. For us, it’s a six-anda-half hour flight from London and 90-minutes by car to the resort, far closer than its bigger competitor Whistler, in the west.
There’s a French flavour to the pretty cobbled streets, as we find apres ski shacks serving not only poutine - a Canadian staple of French fries topped with gravy and curd cheese - but also real French onion soup and Savoyard fare, including raclette and fondue, creme brulee and other Gallic delicacies. But for now, we’re here for the slopes; the cool cruisers, the gentle blues, the tree-lined runs
and the black double diamonds for adrenaline junkies. Mont Tremblant has them all. First, though, be aware that this is a truly cold spot. On our first brilliantly sunny day on the slopes, the temperature is a teeth-chattering -18C and our eyelashes freeze while we’re waiting for our instructor. In February, you don’t want any flesh showing
at all. Everyone wears full face ski masks or balaclavas under their helmets and goggles. You literally cannot see what expressions your ski buddies are making. The temperatures here in the east fluctuate massively, dipping to below -30C in the winter and soaring to 30-plus in the summer Having said that, once the thermals are on, the DECEMber 2014 75
TRAVEL she says was once so religious. “Some people just don’t go outside in the winter.” We venture into Montreal’s famous underground city from Rue Ste Catherine and find ourselves in a vast 30km network of shops, restaurants, cinemas and businesses. The lower the floor, the cheaper the shop, according to Celine. Unsurprisingly, it’s easy to get lost, but we endeavour to bag some bargains en route. The exchange rate makes that easy. Grace buys a Michael Kors bag and saves herself a cool ¬£45 on London prices, even with 15% tax added on at point of sale, not on the ticket. We stop off at a nail bar where a 10 dollar manicure (around ¬£6) gives us time to try to get our bearings. When it all starts to become a bit claustrophobic, we head for the old town and Marche Bonsecours, an indoor market selling more native-inspired goods, including ornate wooden carvings and local artwork. Shopped out and exhausted, we make our way back through the vast underground downtown maze to the hotel, for a swim in the spa pool, before reviewing our purchases. With the great exchange rate, retail therapy never felt so good. handwarmers and footwarmers are in place and the sun is shining, Mont Tremblant is a blessing for intermediates like us. Half of the runs are deemed advanced, but many of the blacks are so well groomed, they’re more like European reds. With 95 runs over an elevation of 2,871ft, there’s plenty of action for skiers and snowboarders alike, whatever their level. The beauty of skiing in Mont Tremblant is that it’s pretty difficult to get lost. There’s only one mountain, with four faces. The south side, directly facing the village, is sunny and leads right back into town - which is ski-in, skiout - while the north side gets the sun in the morning and takes you back up to the top of the mountain, with access to the south side and back to base. We practise our techniques on the N ansen , the longest run in Tremblant at 6km and green all the way. The other faces are the Versant Soleil (sunny side), which is home to the casino and more lodging, and the Edge, which is good for powder.
the 50 rails and jump modules in three parks helmets are obligatory. In the evening, there are snowmobile rides for juniors and tubing nearby. There’s also 80km of cross country trails, dog sledding and snow shoeing. To avoid the crowds, we’re at the gondola at 7.45am for ‘first tracks’, a service which allows skiers who want space to jump the crowds and hit the slopes first. It’s here that you can really appreciate this resort, the perfect snow, the views over the pretty village and the magnificent lake. We catch the early morning sun on the north side and ski down perfectly groomed ‘corduroy’ snow on empty pistes. After a few days, our aching muscles are a timely reminder of the need for chill-out time, so we head to Montreal for the second leg of our trip. I’m given a much needed signature massage at the spa of the five-star Hotel Le Crystal, in the downtown district where the shopping can commence.
Back in the village, we watch little ones try their first ‘pizza’ slices on the slopes - they used to be called snow ploughs - in the learning zones, which are well equipped with a magic carpet and plenty of patient instructors to scoop up the young learners when it all becomes too much.
Who cares about the cold now? Grace and I head for Rue Sainte Catherine, shopping hub and home of Canada’s famous department stores Ogilvy, Simons and La Baie, the biggest department store in the city.
Meanwhile, older kids looking for excitement can buy an ‘Adrenaline Park Pass’ to access
“Instead of going to church and praying, we go shopping,” Celine, our guide, reflects of the city
76 DECEMber 2014
TRAVEL FACTS n Hannah Stephenson was a guest of Quebec Tourism ( 0800 051 7055; info@quebecoriginal.com; www. QuebecOriginal.com) n For more information on Tremblant, visit www.tremblant.com n Air Canada offers return economy flights from London Heathrow to Montreal/Mont-Tremblant (via Montreal) from £522.16/£617.16, including taxes. Find out more at www.aircanada.com or call 0871 220 1111.
DECEMber 2014 77
Recipe
Cook ahead for a ready, steady
CHRISTMAS Food writer and cook James Ramsden may have an extra special guest at Christmas this year, as his first baby with wife Rosie is due on December 20.
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“People get their knickers in a twist about Christmas in a way they don’t about other family meals, which is a shame, because it should just be about having a lovely time. I’d much rather have a so-so dinner and a relaxed host, as opposed to them being in a complete state and the food’s wonderful,” he adds.
e’re going to play it by ear - if he happens to be early, then we might go up to my parents in Yorkshire for Christmas, but as things stand, we’ll be here in London,” he says, smiling broadly. Ramsden, a 29-year-old food blogger, who ran trendy supper club The Secret Larder, is having quite a year. When we speak, he’s caught between moving into a new a house (babies need a lot of space) and promoting his new cookbook, Do-Ahead Christmas.
“But, ideally, with the do-ahead method, you can have the best of both worlds!” Read on for some of Ramsden’s top do-ahead tips, plus three festive recipes to try at home. ON CHRISTMAS EVE n Brine your turkey, goose or whatever meat you’re having on Christmas Day: “Just soak it in a bucket of salted water for a day, so it’s really well seasoned.”
In it, he unpacks his philosophy of preparing well in advance, to make the festive season - Christmas Day in particular - as stress-free as possible. And with a new baby on the way, Ramsden will definitely be practising what he preaches. “Apart from the big-ticket items like the turkey, the majority can be done ahead,” he says. “The sweet stuff and all the little bits and pieces that are not necessarily essential - they’re the things to get done well in advance and chuck in the freezer. “And there’s a lot you can do on Christmas Eve and in the week running up to Christmas, so it means that you can actually enjoy Christmas Day. “It sounds kind of trite and idealistic, but it’s really not, and that’s how I’ve operated forever . It means you sit down and have a nice time, as opposed to hiding in the kitchen - and everyone else can have a nice time because you’re not in a flap!”
78 DECEMber 2014
Ramsden, who inherited his NorwegianAmerican grandmother’s cookery books, is a big fan of the freezer - with everything from mince pies, pfefferkuchen and stollen, to meatballs, clumps of spinach and emergency shepherd’s pies stocking up his this winter. He plunders his stash and warms things up as he goes: “We’re obsessed with things being fresh, but actually, as long as your ingredients are good and you’ve cooked it well, it doesn’t matter if it’s been done ahead, you can reheat it.” Christmas lunch, he believes, is “one of those meals that people pile stress on when, actually, you’re doing a turkey and a few sides.
nP eel and par boil roast potatoes: “By the time you come to roast them, they’re going to be completely dry, which means they’ll be more crisp and delicious.” nP ar-boil and blanch (plunge into ice-cold water) vegetables: “Even the green ones, and they can just sit in the fridge quite happily overnight.” n Make the bread sauce, cranberry sauce and stock for your gravy. ON CHRISTMAS DAY n James says: “All you have to do is the main thing, the turkey or whatever it might be, roast some potatoes and then heat everything up - and it tastes every bit as good. Then have a nice time!”
CHESTNUT AND CHORIZO SOUP WITH SAFFRON CREAM (Serves 6-8) | Freezable (without saffron cream) Ingredients: nO live oil n 2 00g chorizo, cut into small cubes n 1 onion, chopped n 1 garlic clove, chopped n 1 stick of celery, chopped n 1 carrot, finely chopped n S alt and pepper n 1 /2tsp chilli flakes n 1 tsp finely chopped rosemary n 1 tsp ground cumin n 2 00g cooked chestnuts, roughly chopped n 4 00g canned chopped tomatoes n 1 L chicken stock n 1 00ml double cream nA few saffron strands Up to three days ahead (min. one hour): Heat a drop of oil in a large saucepan and fry the chorizo until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrot to the pan. Season with salt and pepper and cook over a low heat for 15-20 minutes, until soft and lightly golden. Add the chilli flakes, rosemary and cumin and stir for a minute or so, then add the chestnuts, tomatoes, stock and half the chorizo. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Blend until smooth, leave to cool, then chill or freeze. I n a small pan, gently warm the cream with the saffron for five minutes, then set aside to cool. Cover and chill. 30 minutes ahead: Warm the soup over a gentle heat, stirring occasionally. Take the saffron cream out of the fridge. Put the remaining chorizo in a warm oven or gently warm through in a frying pan. Warm some bowls if possible (I never remember). To serve: Ladle into bowls and top with a few chunks of chorizo and a dribble of saffron cream.
ROAST DUCK WITH BLACKBERRIES (Serves 4-6) Ingredients: n 2kg duck, ideally including giblets n 25g butter n 4 shallots, sliced n 2 garlic cloves, sliced n 1 stick of celery, chopped n Salt and pepper n 300ml red wine n 300ml chicken stock n A big sprig of thyme n 1 bay leaf n 25g cold butter, cubed n 3tbsp balsamic vinegar n 200g blackberries Up to one day ahead (min. five hours): Cut the wing tips off the duck. Discard the liver, then roughly chop the remaining giblets. Melt the butter over a medium-high heat in a wide pan and add the giblets, wing tips, shallots, garlic and celery. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 10 minutes or so, stirring regularly, until golden and softened. Add the wine, bring to a boil, then gently simmer to reduce by half. Add the stock and herbs, simmer gently for 30 minutes, then strain through a sieve. Leave to cool, cover, and chill. Three-and-a-half hours ahead: Preheat the oven to 120C/Gas mark 1/2. Prick the duck very lightly all over with a needle, taking care not to pierce through to the flesh. Rub all over with salt and pepper, then place in a roasting pan and cook for two hours. Remove from the oven and tip away the excess fat (save it for roast potatoes). Whack up the oven to 220C/Gas mark 7 and return the duck to the oven. Roast for a further 30-45 minutes, until the skin is crisp. 30 minutes ahead: Gently warm the gravy. Remove the duck from the oven and transfer to a plate (ideally warmed), and rest in a warm place. Tip any additional excess fat from the pan. Put the roasting pan over a medium-high heat and add a splash of water. Simmer, scraping up all the caramelized juices stuck in the pan, then tip these into the gravy. Bring the gravy up to a simmer and add the cubed butter, whisking well. Add the balsamic vinegar and blackberries, taste for seasoning and add a little salt if necessary. Keep warm. To serve: Carve the duck and serve with the blackberry gravy. DECEMber 2014 79
Recipe
APPLE SNOW WITH FENNEL BISCUITS (Serves 6) | Freezable biscuits For the Fennel Biscuits: n 100g unsalted butter, softened n 100g caster sugar n A pinch of sea salt n 1tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed n Zest of 1 lemon n 150g plain flour For the Apple Snow: n 2 large cooking apples (500-600g) n Juice of 1 lemon n 150g caster sugar n 2 egg whites To serve: n Double cream Up to two week ahead (min. two hours): Make the Fennel Biscuits: beat the butter, sugar, salt, fennel seeds and lemon zest together until pale and light. Sift in the flour a little at a time, stirring as you go, until it forms a dough. Knead briefly with lightly floured hands until it comes together. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1cm thick, and cut out 12 biscuits. Prick a few times with a fork, then put on a baking sheet and chill for 20-30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas mark 3. Bake the biscuits for 15-20 minutes until pale golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Up to one day ahead (min. two hours): Peel, core and roughly chop the apples. Put in a pan with the lemon juice, sugar, and a splash of water. Cover and cook over a medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring regularly, until completely softened. Blend until smooth, then transfer to a bowl and leave to cool. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Fold the whites thoroughly, though gently, through the cold apple, then cover and chill.
3BEST... of the
Stocking treats for grown-ups
Divine Milk Chocolate Coins, £2 (www.divinechocolate.com) When Cadbury announced their chocolate coins were coming to an end, it seemed we may as well cancel Christmas. But then those lovely people at Divine reminded us, there are other people who make them - and these are just as delicious!
Grand Ferrero Rocher, £5 (www.tesco.com) Big kids will go nuts when they find this giant Ferrero Rocher popping out of their stocking. The crunchy, hazelnutstudded chocolate shell contains two individual Ferrero Rocher treats. Just don’t let it spoil Christmas lunch!
Taste The Difference Belgian Salted Caramels, £5 (www.sainsburys.co.uk) Salted caramel is still flavour of the month and these little balls of creamy chocolate, with a gooey caramel centre, just melt in your mouth. Be warned though; once opened, you might not be able to put that lid back on again.
To serve: Serve the apple snow with the biscuits and a splash of cream. MORE INFO: n Ramsden invites readers to tweet him with any cooking questions inthe runup to the festivities (@jteramsden), although he admits: “I can’t promise to be on call on Christmas Day!” n Do-Ahead Christmas: Stressfree Cooking For The Festive Season by James Ramsden is published by Pavilion Books, priced £16.99. Available now 80 DECEMber 2014
Boxing Day
3 courses £24.95 £10 deposit required
Christmas Set Menu Tue-Sunday (excluding Sunday lunch)
Christmas Day
2 courses £17.95 3 courses £21.95
New Years Eve with DJ £60.00 per person 3 courses
Traditional Sunday Lunch
£50.00 per person
Glass of Prosecco on arrival
2 courses £15.50 3 courses £18.50
Christmas Day Lunch Ayurvedic celery soup with almonds V *** Choice of Feasting Platter Tava chapli lamb kebab, Honey & chilli glazed turkey tikka, Black pepper flavoured squid rings, Paneer coconut barrels Vegetarian Platter Sesame kebab, Parsnip & cashew samosa, Pomegranate sweet potato chaat, Paneer coconut barrels *** Choice of Railway Gosht Traditional spicy lamb curry from the 1st class compartments of Indian railways Methi Chicken Garlic tempered fresh fenugreek & tandoori chicken curry Meen Moilee Light and fragrant fish curry cooked in coconut milk Pindi Channa V Spicy & tangy Bengal black chickpea curry from Rawalpindi Served with Cumin rice Brussel sprout fogath Rajasthani banjari dal Mixed nuts & rosemary naan
Complimentary Glass of Champagne on arrival for ‘Life magazine’ readers who book Christmas Day Lunch.
*** Cinnamon, nutmeg bread & butter pudding
4 courses £39 Children under 12 £20, under 5s £10 (menu available upon request) Advance booking and £20 non-refundable deposit per person is required