Building the next generation of Stately Homes By www.statelyhomesltd.co.uk
Come and see for yourself. Come to our Open Weekend 14th & 15th September or call to make a viewing appointment at your leisure. Contact Ruth Wilson on 01753 378 127
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FROM THE
V
EDITOR
isit Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Guildford to discover an exhibition dedicated to exploring the life and art of the Victorian Orientalist artist John Frederick Lewis (1804-1876) – Until 3rd November 2019. It’s a busy month for the town of Haslemere this September. With the help of several volunteers and societies, Visit Haslemere celebrates all things local with its Food Festival and Walking Festival which fall on the last two weekends respectively. Britain’s fasted growing contemporary art fair will open at Ascot Racecourse this September hosting 53 leading Galleries from across the UK and Europe. There will be 6000 original prints and paintings, sculpture, glass and ceramics from £100 to £30,000. The 600 artists represented will include exciting new talent, established professionals and Royal Academicians. Work by acclaimed sculptors Sophie Ryder and Adam Binder will be there together with Sir Peter Blake, Hockney, Hirst, Emin, Banksy, Warhol and McLean. Surrey Hills is one England’s finest landscapes covering a quarter of the County of Surrey. It is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a spectacular landscape, rich in wildlife and heritage. It is a fascinating area to explore offering an inspiring range of events, outdoor experiences, tastings and festivals to enjoy.
Faye Manning Editor
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Editor Faye Manning ••••• Editor Assistant Katie Miller ••••• Sub Editor Nicholas Peter ••••• Fashion Editor Hazel Englander ••••• account Manager Anita Hill ••••• Design/ Production Lisa Wade ••••• Accounts Kathy Manning, Andree Georgiou ••••• Sales James Marshall ••••• Directors Rory Smith, Patrick Smith
Tuesday 12th November to Saturday 17th November 2019
7.30pm | Matinee Thursday & Saturday at 2.30pm
Box Office: 01753 853 888 | Group Bookings: 01753 84 84 84 Book Online: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
out & about – We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month – i ma g e : B A RN E TT HI L L HOT E L
OUT & ABOUT
8 SEPTEMBER
Huxley’s birds of prey See a wide variety of birds of prey including eagles, hawks, falcons and owls in the setting of an eighteenth century landscape garden. Get up close to see and learn more about these magnificent birds with static displays plus two flying displays during the day.
7, 11 & 15 september
History walk Feel the history of Claremont come to life on a guided walk and take in the sights of a garden which was once the playground of royalty. Claremont Landscape Both at Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9JG
[events]
the calendar
all SEPTEMBER
Box Hill - Bee glade Free bee glade installation. Follow the flowers to discover more about our busy, buzzing superheroes: a free bee glade installation a short walk from the caf, suitable for young children and inquiring minds. Afterwards, head to the Shepherd’s Hut to pick up a free sheet of fun facts and further information about bees. Box Hill, The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Box Hill, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7LB
14 SEPTEMBER 2019
18 SEPTEMBER
Walkies at Wisley RHS Garden Wisley welcomes visitors and their four-legged friends for a special Wednesday evening ‘Walkies at Wisley’. Open after hours for a walk around the garden from 6pm to 8pm, last entry 7.30pm. No dogs inside catering outlets; dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. 6pm - 8pm (last entry 7:30pm). RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
15 SEPTEMBER
Wedding Showcase The Guildford Wedding Showcase! Join us at our boutique, chic city centre hotel for a contemporary wedding fayre filled with high quality wedding suppliers and bursting with ideas of inspiration. Surrey Bride Fashion Show as well as over 40 suppliers, live music, free prize draw and much more! Free to enter with a beverage and bridal bag upon arrival VIP Bubbles and Bites Reception hosted for new prospective brides! (must call to book) 11am to 3pm. Free entry. 36-40 London Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2AE
15 september
until 5 october
Polesden Lacey - Join us behind the scenes at Polesden Lacey This year were sharing the secrets that keep a country estate great, taking you beyond the scone. When people think of the National Trust, cream tea is often one of the first things to spring to mind. But theres so much more to experience. Join our staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to keep Polesden Lacey special, for a series of intimate talks, tours and activities. There are several highlights throughout the offer to keep coming back for more, whether its getting your hands grubby in a bug hunt, meeting a head gardener from the past or doing a spot of statue scrubbing. Booking not needed. Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, near Dorking, Surrey RH5 6BD
Virginia Water Village Show It’s the 67th year of the Show and, from ‘oddest shaped vegetable’ to handmade greeting cards; photographs to flower arrangements, Victoria sponges to ‘best bloom in garden’, as well as plenty of classes for children to enter, there’s something for everyone. The Show isn’t just for people who consider themselves horticulturalists or potential Bake Off contestant: even if you’ve just grown a single tomato plant on the windowsill or have a few apples you can pick from a tree in your garden (and don’t know the variety of either!), you stand a chance of a prize, so pick up a schedule and put your entry form in. It’s even an excuse to nurture a spectacular weed! Virginia Water Community Centre, Beechmont Avenue, Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4EY
5, 12, 19 & 26 september
Sport Weenies Special sessions for our youngest visitors and their grown-ups. Sport Weenies provides a fun introduction to sport, games and movement in a beautiful natural environment with an emphasis on participation, play and learning. An opportunity to learn the basic skills fundamental to enjoying sports and games throughout childhood and later life. 10am to 11am Price: £3 Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4RR
15 SEPTEMBER
15 september
Classic Vehicle Gathering The Classic Vehicle Gathering returns to attract all manner of vintage vehicles. From motorbikes to Fords, Jaguars, Austins and Zephyrs, there will be plenty to delight classic vehicle fans. 10am to 5pm. £10 Adults £7 Children Rural Life Centre, The Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DL
Have A Go Archery Think you’re the next Robin Hood’ Exciting, safe archery classes for ages six and above with H&H Archery. £2.50 for 6 arrows. Booking not needed. A National Trust event. 11am3pm. Normal admission charges apply. Check website for latest information. Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7RT
21 SEPTEMBER
One Day Wine Workshop Hosted by Denbies wine expert, the day will cover all aspects of wine tasting & appreciation, grape varieties and wine regions. All levels of knowledge are welcome. Refreshments and lunch with wine. 11am to 4:30pm Price: £98.50. Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, Surrey RH56AA RH5 6AA SEPTEMBER 2019 15
OUT & ABOUT COVER STORY
Tailored Dreams
Our mission; ‘To build beautiful homes inspired by building traditions that shaped the masterpieces of British architecture over centuries’.
T
ailoring starts with understanding the person. We get to know you, your lifestyle, your loves, your style preferences, and your impulses. How will you use your home? Who will you share it with? What are the painstaking, barely visible details that will bring your dream to life? Then, and only then, we start the creative process from which all our projects stem, resulting in not just a house, but your home, that is both functional and spectacular. We are entirely relationship-focused. We dedicate ourselves to finding the right location, capturing your dreams, building, crafting, and finishing to exceptional standards. Designing the perfect home combined with cutting edge technology is what makes us stand out from the crowd. Our state of the art CGI’s and VR systems will bring your future home to life right in front of your eyes. A consultation in our design studio with your Personal Relationship Manager will help boost your tailor made dream where you can touch, hold and see every inch of your new house every step of the way. Our homes are our lives, woven deeply into the perfectly tailored fabric of our very existence. They are our base, our rock, the foundations on which
16 SEPTEMBER 2019
we build everything else. The ‘perfect’ home goes beyond the brief. Beyond ‘enabling lifestyles’ or any other architectural cliché. You’ll have a Personal Relationship Manager who will go through every stage with you; every brick, every rafter, every fixture and every fitting. You’ll have full access, if you want it, to architects, designers, builders and craftspeople. The project remains ‘yours’ throughout, we’ll involve you in as much (or as little) decision making and management as you want. Together, we’ll bring your dream to life. It’s your journey, your home and your dream, together we can make it a reality. Our five simple steps can help you create something truly remarkable. • Land Acquisition • Architecture and Planning • Interior Design • The Build • The Handover Our in-house team will challenge your thinking and harness your imagination. Ultimately, we will give you the keys to a unique and exquisite home; a home of which you can be truly proud. That’s tailormade. That’s the perfect home. That’s a Stately Home. 01372 613008 www.statelyhomesltd.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2019 17
OUT & ABOUT
FACING FAME LOW RES
V
isit Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Guildford in Surrey, to discover an exhibition dedicated to exploring the life and art of the Victorian Orientalist artist John Frederick Lewis (1804-1876) – Until 3rd November 2019 Between 1827 and 1840 Lewis made numerous trips to Europe, travelling through Spain and Italy. From 1840, he travelled to Constantinople and on to Cairo in 1841 where he remained, detached from the London art scene, for a decade. Of all of the European artists to make the Eastern pilgrimage in the nineteenth century, Lewis is unique in staying for such a prolonged period. He settled in the Islamic quarters of Cairo where he lived in a traditional upper-class house, which would provide the backdrop for many compositions. During this period, Lewis created an array of detailed and vivid sketches that convey his fascination in the architecture, light and exoticism of the region. When Lewis returned to London in 1851 he brought with him a substantial body of work that would provide a wealth of inspiration for the rest of his artistic career. This exhibition will be underpinned by an exploration of Lewis’s evolving and experimental self-fashioning. While living in Cairo, he was famously described as a ‘languid Lotus-eater’ leading a ‘dreamy, hazy, lazy, tobaccofied life’ by his close friend William Makepeace Thackeray. Despite being absent from the London art world for a decade, on his return he was received with critical acclaim assimilating straight into the heart of the establishment. This public role did not necessarily 18 SEPTEMBER 2019
“This exhibition will be underpinned by an exploration of Lewis’s evolving and experimental self-fashioning. While living in Cairo, he was famously described as a ‘languid Lotuseater’ leading a ‘dreamy, hazy, lazy, tobaccofied life’ by his close friend William Makepeace Thackeray”
Clockwise from top left: John Frederick Lewis, In the Bey’s Garden, 1865. Oil on canvas. Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, Preston; John Watkins, John Frederick Lewis, 1864. Carte de Visite. Rob Dickins Collection, Watts Gallery Trust; John Frederick Lewis, In the Bezestein, El Khan Khalil, Cairo, c. 1860. Watercolour, wash, graphite under drawing. Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery.; John Frederick Lewis, The Attendant on the Bath, 1854. Oil on panel. Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, Preston.
sit easily on his shoulders. Elected President of the Society of Painters in Water Colours in November 1855, he resigned little more than two years later. The leading English art critic of the Victorian era, John Ruskin later commented on Lewis’s apparent detachment: ‘There was something un-English about him, which separated him from the good-humoured groups of established fame whose members abetted and jested with each other… He never dined with us, as our other painter friends did’. Exhibiting an array of Lewis’s work from across his career, much from private collections, this exhibition will explore the paradoxical tensions that exist between Lewis’s varying personas, from young dandy to ‘languid Lotus-eater’, leader of the establishment to eccentric recluse. Down Lane, Compton, Surrey GU3 1DQ www.wattsgallery.org.uk
OUT & ABOUT
September Sizzlers with The Haslemere Food & Walking Festivals 2019
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t’s a busy month for the town of Haslemere this September. With the help of several volunteers and societies, Visit Haslemere celebrates all things local with its Food Festival and Walking Festival which fall on the last two weekends respectively. Back for its fourteenth year on Saturday 21st September on Lion Green, 10am-4pm, the ever popular Haslemere Food Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before. With all the favourites you would expect, including cheeses, olives, chutneys and preserves, pies, oils, meats, cakes and patisseries and award-winning ice creams! English still and sparkling wines, locally brewed beers and ales, cider and gin and free samples of food, drink and delicious products for you to buy and enjoy later. This year, alongside our usual array of children’s entertainment, we are giving our younger foodies a chance to get their hands dirty with some group classes being run by The Natural Cook Company. Molly Moo Cow will also be on hand to keep us entertained and Haslemere Museum will be providing their interactive craft making stall. With Fairground rides and live music, there really is something for the whole family.
20 SEPTEMBER 2019
We are also extremely proud to announce that this year we’ll be single-use plastic free! That means no plastic cups, coffee cups, polystyrene plates, plastic cutlery or plastic condiments sachets. We’ve been working alongside Love Haslemere Hate Waste to ensure that all our stall holders get behind our commitment to no single-use plastic, and we have had such a positive response so far that we’re confident it will be a waste and plastic free festival! Feel like you might over-indulge with all this choice? Fret not and book yourself onto one of the exciting walks available the following weekend at Haslemere’s fifth Walking Festival. Taking place from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September, the festival, funded by Haslemere Town Council, offers a wonderful opportunity for children and adults to learn about Haslemere’s wildlife and fascinating history, while at the same time enjoy the stunning walking areas both within this lovely market town and the beautiful surrounding countryside. Offering returning favourites such as the everpopular Bat Walk with Surrey Bat Group, and the dramatized ‘Sir Robert Hunter Trail’ bringing the rich history of Hindhead Common to life, you can also discover Haslemere’s diverse and colourful history through the Blue Plaque Trail with Haslemere Society or explore the undulating terrain of the South Downs National Park with a bracing new walk from The SH-SD CRP, to name a few.
the details Entry is free for the Food Festival and all walks are free to attend but booking is essential. For more information on both events please visit www.haslemere.com/vic/ events
OUT & ABOUT
Fresh: Art Fair comes to Ascot Ascot Racecourse 20 - 22 September 2019 53 galleries: 600 artists: 6000 artworks Dee Campling and the intricacies of framing by London framer and fine art fabricator Darbyshire. Visitors are also invited to bring up to three pieces (or photographs) of their old pre-contemporary art for a free valuation by Bonhams who will advise them on selling their art and may consign suitable works to an appropriate auction. “We’re expecting around 6,000 visitors over the weekend”, says Eleanor. “There will be a Private View on the Thursday evening with live jazz, no shortage of free wine and first pick of the art. With well over a thousand guests there’ll be a huge buzz”. The Racecourse is less than twenty minutes from the M4, M3 and M25 with unlimited free parking and a mainline station 5 minutes walk. There will be NO racing, just ART. With two fabulous Fresh: Cafes and Ascot’s spectacular Racecourse, Fresh: makes an unmissable day out.
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ritain’s fasted growing contemporary art fair will open at Ascot Racecourse this September hosting 53 leading Galleries from across the UK and Europe. There will be 6000 original prints and paintings, sculpture, glass and ceramics from £100 to £30,000. The 600 artists represented will include exciting new talent, established professionals and Royal Academicians. Work by acclaimed sculptors Sophie Ryder and Adam Binder will be there together with Sir Peter Blake, Hockney, Hirst, Emin, Banksy, Warhol and McLean. Exhibiting Galleries include London’s Quantum Contemporary Art, Cube Gallery and Gallery Different; Lime Tree Gallery from Bristol; Young Jamieson from Marlborough; Doorway Gallery, Sol Art and Gormley’s all from Dublin, and Bruno Dahl from Denmark. Unlike many contemporary art fairs, Fresh: exhibits Galleries not solo artists. “It means we can show the work of far more artists, professionally hung in large room-like spaces,” says Fresh: founder Eleanor Wardle. “All our Galleries are experts with their fingers on the pulse of the market, so our visitors know they are looking at acknowledged talent and can buy with confidence” Browsing and buying contemporary art has never been easier. With 53 galleries in one convenient place, Fresh: is the perfect way to see a huge volume of quality work in a couple of hours with coffee, lunch or a glass of wine. The Fair will also have a full programme of Talks and artist demonstrations with at least six painters, sculptors and print-makers showing their skills over the weekend. Talks will include ‘Art in Interior Design’ by interiors expert
22 SEPTEMBER 2019
“Browsing and buying contemporary art has never been easier, with 53 galleries in one convenient place”
Top left: Peter Graham ROI: Art Salon, Bath Left: Iain Holman: Doorway Gallery, Dublin Above: Banksy: Gormleys Fine Art, Dublin and Belfast
Annual returns of 12%+ per annum
LIQUID GOLD Has Whiskey become a better investment than Gold, Property and Stocks? Find out the answers...
T
his headline is likely to ruffle a few feathers from avid investors in gold, property and stocks, but casks of whiskey are fast becoming the go-to investment for people looking to hedge against inflation and the uncertainties of the financial markets. Knight Frank has included whiskey in its wealth report for the first time in 2019; a key indicator that this asset class is favourable with HNWI & UHNWI who are securing their wealth by owning casks of whiskey. This is not about being speculative and buying rare bottles of whiskey in the hope they go up in price. That style of investing requires skill and knowledge of the market while still being a gamble. This article is specifically about owning casks of whiskey.
HOW IT WORKS
You can purchase casks of whiskey straight off the still. Because the whiskey is brand new, it hasn’t aged and therefore is far most cost effective. Whiskey must be at least three years old to be bottled and sold, and most would agree at least five + years old to be desirable and palatable enough to drink. The cost of maturation over five years can hurt distilleries, as it is quite a capital- intensive model. Some distilleries, therefore, opt to sell a small percentage of their whiskey right off the stills. They do this to cover running costs while the rest of their production matures over five years or longer. This opens up a great opportunity for investors to buy off the stills and hold for those five years, then releasing at a profit.
WHY IS WHISKEY BECOMING FAVOURABLE WITH INVESTORS?
Unlike most commodities, whiskey increases in quality and value as it matures. Its price increase is inevitable over time. It doesn’t tend to suffer the highs and lows of financial markets and it’s also a major exported product, where demand significantly outstrips supply. The Irish variety is the fastest- growing, brown spirit in the world. The International Wine & Spirit Record (IWSR), which is the global benchmark for alcohol data and intelligence, shows the growth of Irish whiskey will continue to outstrip that of Scotch and Bourbon for at least another ten years. What’s more, it has been outperforming both for the last twenty years. The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) echoes the same data and statistics and predicts the rise to continue, as Irish whiskey comes back to where it once was on a global stage. So, Irish whiskey specifically offers a mix of stability and huge growth upside. The Whiskey industry in Ireland is set to soar above €1 billion euros per annum — which is predicted to double again by 2030. There simply isn’t enough mature Irish whiskey available to supply the demands of the market today — and especially not in five or ten years time. Join a number of London residents who are choosing to secure their wealth with Whiskey & Wealth Club. Based in the centre of Richmond the club offers private clients the opportunity to invest in casks of Irish, Scotch or Bourbon Whiskey. The casks mature and increase in value over time, while safely secured in government-controlled bonded warehouses. Investors are seeing returns above 12% per annum with little downside risk as all casks are
fully insured against fire, theft, etc. Single casks of Irish whiskey are being sold for between €5,500 and €7,850 by competitors. The model at Whiskey & Wealth Club is based on small margin, high volume. For an equivalent cask from the same distilleries, it buys in bulk and can sell to its clients for only €2,900 a cask. However, it requires a purchase of at least one pallet (6 casks) or more. This includes five years of storage and bonded warehousing fees, plus five years of insurance. Annual returns are being achieved above 12% and as high as 54.5% a year, depending on an investor’s chosen exit strategy.
WE HAVE VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE
To receive a prospectus and a deeper understanding of this opportunity, please call today on 0203 129 9739 and quote ‘Life Magazines’. Ask to speak to Senior Wealth Manager, Gary Schroeder, for this exclusive offer. Gary is always happy to meet faceto-face with investors to discuss the investment and answer any questions you have. With clients who come on board having seen this advertisement and quoting “Life Magazines” they shall receive a complimentary bottle of “The Whistler - Blue Note” from our current distillery we are partnered with who won “The Best Single Malt In The World Under 12 Years” in 2017 for this particular Whiskey. Whiskey & Wealth Club Gary Schroeder, Senior Wealth Manager 51A George Street, Richmond TW9 1HJ 020 3129 9739 g.schroeder@whiskeywealthclub.com
OUT & ABOUT
Image: Claire Vincent
THE DETAILS Find out more and book ahead: www.surreyhills.org Tickets: £7.50 in advance / £10 on the day Children under 12 - Go free Tickets also available from Guildford Tourist Information Centre 01483 444334 155 High Street, Guildford GU1 3AJ ww.tickets.visitguildford.com
ABOUT SURREY HILLS ENTERPRISES
SURREY HILLS WOOD FAIR Celebrating the beauty of Wood 5th & 6th October 2019, 10am – 5pm Fish Pond Copse, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7DW
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urrey Hills is one England’s finest landscapes covering a quarter of the County of Surrey. It is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a spectacular landscape, rich in wildlife and heritage. It is a fascinating area to explore offering an inspiring range of events, outdoor experiences, tastings and festivals to enjoy. Surrey Hills Wood Fair showcases the beautiful woodland heritage of the Surrey Hills and offers an active and fun day for all the family within the
24 SEPTEMBER 2019
spectacular setting of woodlands and meadows. The 10th Surrey Hills Wood Fair promises to be bigger and better than ever! Full of traditional rural charm there is something for everyone with lots to see and do. Have a go at making woodland crafts, see a flying Hawk display, watch action packed chainsaw demonstrations or visit the open fire cookery school with The Salt Box. Children can enjoy zip wires, tree climbing, horse & cart rides, crafts, archery and giant woodland games. There will be a delicious range of local food and drink including wines from the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills, local artisan gins, hand crafted chocolates and cakes and a range of hot food cooked on site using local ingredients.
Surrey Hills Wood Fair is run by Surrey Hills Enterprises, a Community Interest Company, as part of a range of activities and events promoting and supporting the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Sign up for their e-newsletter to receive details about other events in and around the Surrey Hills www.surreyhills.org
Fantastic Festivals celebrating the Surrey Hills Surrey Hills Food & Drink Festival Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th September 2019 A fantastic Festival in the stunning grounds of Denbies Wine estate in the centre of the Surrey Hills.
Surrey Hills Challenge Sunday 22nd September 2019 A walking and running event inspiring people of all ages and abilities to run or walk the Surrey Hills. Organised by Rutland Management Ltd
OUT & ABOUT
A Vibrant Arts Venue in the Heart of Guildford F
ormer Karnataka Lead Singer Hayley Griffiths is returning to the stage at The Electric Theatre on September 21st with her brand new show. She will be joined by former band mates Cagri Tozluoglu (Keys) and Jimmy Pallagrosi (Drums) alongside newcomers Jordan Brown (Bass) and Jim Clark (Guitar.) The new show is bold and energetic, packed with dramatic soundscapes, heavy rock anthems and beautiful ballads all combined with virtuoso musicianship and Hayley’s unique touch of glamour bringing a little more sparkle to the Prog Rock world! Hayley has been nominated in the Top 7 of Prog Magazine’s 2019 Female Vocalist of the Year and placed in Classic Rock Society’s Top 3! Historically, the Electric Theatre operated as an electricity works tasked with powering the local town of Guildford between 1913 and 1968. In its latter years, the works struggled to cater for the growing demand in electricity, and a bigger station was built. In the years that followed, the Works sadly lay dormant for thirty-one years, during which time it was used to house theatre stages and sets until Guildford Borough Council injected a new lease of life into the venue in 1997 when it became the now iconic, Electric Theatre. As of 2017, the Theatre is financed and managed as a not-for-profit venture by world leaders in music industry education, the Academy of Contemporary Music. ACM’s agreement with Guildford Borough Council ensures the future of the Electric Theatre and its vital commitment to the arts and the community, respecting its legacy and saving the local taxpayer money in the process.
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Understanding the importance of the Electric Theatre to the people of Guildford, ACM are proud to be working together with the local community to deliver a rich programme of activity for this creative sanctuary. For use by all the local community, ACM integrates its student body into the life of the theatre, enabling it to produce state-of-the-art live music events, creative workshops, comedy nights and dance shows, all whilst enhancing the ACM student experience and enriching Guildford’s cultural offering. The Electric Theatre, Onslow Street, Guildford GU1 4SZ. 01483 501200. www.electric.theatre
“ACM are proud to be working together with the local community to deliver a rich programme of activity for this creative sanctuary”
OUT & ABOUT
The Surrey Hills Challenge
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he Surrey Hills Challenge charity event is one of the biggest sporting challenges in Surrey and returns on Sunday 22nd September. One day, six walking or running events with six distances for people of all ages and fitness. All routes encompass some of the most picturesque views across the Surrey Hills along the Greensand Way and are designed to test participant’s stamina and strength. The super fit can face the ultimate challenge with ‘The Ultra’, a 60km run, ‘The Full’ a 42km marathon run or walk in the
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hills, ‘The Half ’, no ordinary walk (or run) in the park of 21km, ‘The Ten’, a fast and furious 10km ‘The Five’, a family challenge 5km event or ‘The One’, a kids 1km fun event they can run, hop, skip or jump. The finish is based at Denbies Vineyard along with four final challenges, The Half, The Ten, The Five and The One. The Half and Ten are hilly and technical challenges to walk or run and, like The Five, encompass wide open tracks, footpaths and woodland trails. Branching off from The Five, The Half and The Ten head out onto Surrey farmland and into Dorking woods before tackling the North Downs Way. They both re-join The Five at Ashcombe Wood along with the Ultra and Full challengers as they begin their descent down into Denbies where the finish and Race Village are located. The One is a 1km course based at Denbies Wine Estate and starts in the Event Village before heading towards the North Downs Way. The One loops around the vines keeping the North Downs woodland on one side before turning left heading through the vines. It is then on to the homeward stretch as you sprint towards the Event Village and the finish line. The route is marshalled and visible from the Event Village so parents have the choice of joining the fun or watching from the spectator’s area. The Event Village is where medals and prizes are awarded and is also the main hub and meeting point for all our participants and their supporters. Refreshments and entertainment are available from 10am until 4pm. The event is to raise funds for the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Fundraising isn’t compulsory but they encourage everyone to take up the additional challenge to fundraise and support local communities. A suggested fundraising target to aim for is £250 per person. The event is open to everyone. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. For more information on registration fees or to register visit www.surreyhillschallenge.com or call 01483 542221
“The finish is based at Denbies Vineyard along with four final challenges, The Half, The Ten, The Five and The One”
OUT & ABOUT
Your happily ever after begins at
Barnett Hill Hotel
B
arnett Hill is more than a wedding venue, it’s a place that couples hold in their hearts forever more. From your memorable ‘Marry me?’ moment, the life changing ‘I dos’ and special anniversaries, all the way through to reaffirming vow renewals. Celebrate your lives together at the stunning hotel estate. Start your journey by sweeping your loved one off their feet at the elegant Queen Anne style mansion with a backdrop of outstanding natural beauty from the Surrey Hills. You’ve chosen the perfect ring, now it’s time to ask that all important question. Barnett Hill offers an unforgettable destination for this monumental moment. The answer was ‘Yes!’, now the planning can commence. Whether you’ve been dreaming of a large wedding with all your loved ones, a more
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intimate civil ceremony with your nearest and dearest, or even complete exclusivity at a beautiful venue for your special day, watch your dreams unfold and become reality at Barnett Hill. Their devoted wedding coordinators will be there every step of the way, even beyond your ‘I dos’ to make sure that your wedding day is seamlessly perfect. Eager to share your love with the world sooner rather than later? Barnett Hill is ready when you are. With Late Availability dates for the remainder of 2019, there’s no need to wait a lifetime to spend the rest of your lives together. As the years go by and your love continues to grow, make more memories with each other in the special place that is close to your heart. Gather your guests once more or spend some quality time together to mark your anniversaries. Reminisce about your perfect day by exploring the 26-acre gardens with an intimate picnic, put your feet up with one of their Utopia Spa treatments and enjoy a luxury overnight stay or celebrate the occasion with a private event. With an award-winning dining experience, you can rest assured knowing that however you wish to celebrate your anniversary, your plans are in safe hands. Back together where it all began. Renewing your vows is a wonderful way to reaffirm your eternal love for one another and share a celebration of your love once more with your family and friends. There is no better place to proclaim your love than Barnett Hill. Barnetthillhotel.co.uk Barnett Hill, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0RF
OUT & ABOUT
Local Artist Natasha Kumar:
LIGHTING THE WAY Y
ou may have seen Natasha Kumar at the one of the Affordable Art Fairs. You might have caught her art in Marylebone’s Railings Gallery or The Royal Geographical Society. You can definitely find her, and her work, at the FRESH ART FAIR in Ascot this month. Her first show was at the age of 17, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Since then via London galleries, the art fairs and a solo show at the Southbank, Natasha has acquired an extensive following among discerning collectors in the UK and worldwide. Last year Soho House bought her work for its latest premises in Mumbai, and she was awarded Rise Arts International Screenprinting Award, judged by Harland Miller. Her passion and inspiration is India. She’s halfIndian; quarter Kashmiri, quarter Afghani, distilled Derbyshire on her mother’s side, so the subcontinent is there in her genes. In her work it comes out as a riotous collision of colour and characters, palaces and people, local Coke adverts and holy cows. The contemporary Indian everyday, with not a Taj Mahal in sight. It wasn’t always so. As a child her relationship with India was more love-hate than love-love-love. Endless journeys visiting aunties squashed on the back seat of an Ambassador car. An equally endless diet of boiled eggs, dhal and rice en route. But then suddenly, there would be a village where dancing bears and tiny children acrobats performed impossible tricks by the dusty roadside. Totally fascinating. I had to be dragged away. The fascination has remained with her, and as she has developed as an artist it has evolved too. Over the years it has grown to encompasses the architecture and sculpture of India, capturing a sense of place through depictions of intricate, stone-fretwork jali windows, crumbling palaces and eerie step wells. A major motif in her work has been the chhatri, the quintessential North Indian stone-
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canopy. But in her attempts to capture some sense of such a vast and varied place, and communicate it, she has come to realise her work is equally about capturing her own sense of identity. After all every artist ultimately paints themselves. If that doesn’t sound too #. The thought is particularly true of her Indian women series. Begun as simple observations of women going about various tasks, private or public, the works became Natasha’s observations on the roles available to women in India, ultimately evolving into a narrative of an Indian everywoman’s journey to empowerment. Take Natasha’s Dipti woman, bearing a tray of votive oil lamps, splendid in her hot-pink sari as an example. It’s the woman’s role to lay the little lights at the entrance to the home, to welcome the goddess of wealth – Lakshmi won’t enter a dark home. But the Dipti woman has another role too. The lights are lit for the festival of Diwali to banish the shadows of ignorance. So the work transforms the Indian woman into a standard bearer of enlightenment, lighting a path for women to knowledge and prosperity. As she developed the series, Natasha noticed that more and more often the women that were her subject matter appeared in the Rajasthani manner veiled, glimpsed, elusive. Without her realizing it they had become part of an artistic exploration of her own heritage, as well as theirs, an exploration that many second generation British-Indians will recognise. In each painting I was asking the great question what can I know of their lives, that might have been mine? The Dipti woman, and her sisters Diya and Fired Earth, all started out life as watercolour sketches, aides memoire capturing the essence of a scene which caught Natasha’s eye. Painting outside in India is tricky - a crowd gathers at the drop of a turban, happy to share their thoughts on the work’s progress, so she has to get things down quickly. Only later in her farmhouse studio in rural Staffordshire are sketches are worked up into oil
“Begun as simple observations of women going about various tasks, private or public, the works became Natasha’s observations on the roles available to women in India”
of patriotic curlicues. This Natasha has adopted as the title of her latest work, appropriately enough, a striking montage of the characters and images that populate her creative imagination, a retrospective of the street life observed by her over the last decade. It is in a way the ultimate expression of her artistic identity to date. What next? A recent meeting with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, and an exploration of the Buddhist caves at Ellora and Ajunta have opened a new creative chapter. For Free Tickets Fresh Art Fair, Ascot Racecourse 19-23rd September please email info@natashakumar.co.uk. Natasha will be working on the Artshouse Gallery stand everyday. paintings or etchings, with the help of photographs of details that she might otherwise forget. Despite those local difficulties, en plein air is where she’s at her artistic happiest in India, observing the swirl of street or market life as it takes place. Above all, it’s colour which she loves, as an essential part of Indian existence. Everyone knows that pink is the navy blue of India, but not that, unlike for us, colours come loaded with cultural significance. Sensual red is auspicious for weddings; green signifies life and happiness, black kohl around a baby’s eyes works as spiritual protection. Natasha brings them all to her work, in bold and compelling signature colours, evoking mood and feelings in vivid, mesmerising combinations. Love of colour and street life lie behind her recent decision to create a triptych of lorry portraits. Not an obvious choice of subject matter at first, you might think. But in India every flat surface is a potential canvas, she says. If it stays still long enough to be painted on, it will be, with a mesmerising mix of folk art and cultural messaging. Lorries are the plus-size epitome of that, a visual cacophony in technicolour trundling across the subcontinent. Almost invariably, the tailgate is painted with the imperious advice Blow Horn, offered as a warning and an encouragement to overtaking drivers. The alternative, no less ubiquitous shout-out from the rear of the lorry is Great India set among a cloud
“Love of colour and street life lie behind her recent decision to create a triptych of lorry portraits”
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OUT & ABOUT
AVIATION DAY Brooklands Museum, Sunday 22nd September 10am – 5pm
the earliest powered flight trials were conducted by A V Roe, through two World Wars and into the jet age and Concorde. More than 18,000 aircraft were manufactured or assembled on site and at one time, Brooklands was the most productive aviation centre in Europe. When WWII broke out in 1939, racing came to an end and was never to return but the increase in Wellington and Hurricane production meant that the site was as busy as ever. On the afternoon of 4th September 1940, Brooklands was bombed by the Luftwaffe which killed 89 factory workers and injured many more. These, and many more stories that add to Brooklands’ rich and varied heritage are told thrwough the many exhibition areas, cars, motorcycles and aircraft and the dedicated team of Volunteers that are happy to answer any questions visitors may have, however technical or obscure they may be! www.brooklandsmuseum.com
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each for the skies on Sunday 22nd September as Brooklands Museum hosts its annual Aviation Day. This year there will be plenty to see in the air and on the ground as the organisers have lined up some great things to see and do. Helicopters will be flying in and landing on the airstrip at Mercedes-Benz World for visitors to go and inspect while on the Museum site, exhibitors will be showcasing a variety of simulators and activities for anyone with even a passing interest in aviation. For the youngsters, there will be a gathering of pedal planes to try and of course, there will be open cockpits and cabins to sit in and walk through outside in the Aircraft Park and inside the Flight Shed. These include a Wellington Bomber, Hawker Harrier, Vickers VC10 and Viscount. One of the star attractions will undoubtedly be Surrey’s own Concorde which sits majestically on the tarmac and hosts half hour guided ‘Experience’ tours. For those not lucky enough to fly on board the world’s fastest and most glamorous passenger aircraft, this is the closest you will get to the real thing. Aircraft manufacturing and testing was associated with the Brooklands site from 1908 when some of
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OUT & ABOUT
THE HOME FROM HOME HIDDEN BENEATH LONDON’S JERMYN STREET For fifty years, an unassuming door on Jermyn Street in London’s well-heeled area of St. James’ has welcomed those in the know into a bustling basement venue where celebrities and sports stars rub shoulders with businesspeople and late night revellers.
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conic members’ club, TRAMP has long been a destination for those who want to party into the small hours, but it has also forged a wellearned reputation as a club where fine-dining is always on the menu. When Tramp launched in December 1969, its owners saw the opportunity to turn the former Freemasons Lodge, with its intricately hand-carved ceiling, into the Zodiac Restaurant, which still stands today. The salubrious 17th century wood-panelled room has played host to countless gatherings over the years. It was at Tramp’s dinner tables that producers made the decision to cast Christopher Reeve as Superman; where Muhammad Ali discussed his fear of flying with then club-owner Johnny Gold; where Marlon Brando shared breakfast with the staff before returning to Elstree Studios for a day of filming and where Dame Joan Collins cut cake with her friends on her 80th birthday. More recently, it was the chosen location for celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine’s 40th birthday, where a host of celebrity friends and Michelin-starred chefs gathered to toast their friend’s milestone at her favourite members club. But while the beautiful surroundings remain largely untouched, the menu has evolved from the simple offering of twelve burgers - one for each sign of the Zodiac - into a sophisticated, contemporary twist on British and Italian dishes created by head chef, Richard Ismond. Seared Scallops with curried parsnip puree; Beef Tataki with wasabi dash mayonnaise and Marinated
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“It was at Tramp’s dinner tables that producers made the decision to cast Christopher Reeve as Superman and where Muhammad Ali discussed his fear of flying with then club-owner Johnny Gold”
Tuna with soya-yuzu and avocado are popular choices from the starters menu, while Lobster with squid ink Tagliolini; Angus Beef Fillet and Atlantic Line-caught Cod are favourite main courses among members. Of course, Tramp is a club built on history and the menu still contains a nod to the days of old the Tramp Burger, featuring the club’s special sauce, a recipe passed down between head chefs who are sworn to secrecy about its ingredients. And to celebrate their 50th anniversary, Tramp launched the Gold Burger, a 24k gold patty, topped with foie gras and truffle oil to create an offering as rich and luxurious as the club itself. With late-night dinner service and an extensive bar menu consisting of classic dishes and Asian fusion selections, Tramp is the subterranean oasis guests need after a night at the theatre or experiencing the bright lights of the capital. With membership costing just £1,000 per year, Tramp is a home from home, wherever you’re from. For more information and membership enquiries, please visit: www.tramp.co.uk
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PROUD TO CARE
Tammy Symonds, Dementia Care Manager at Banstead Manor Care Home talks about the support for people living with dementia at the new, state-of-the-art home. What’s your experience in dementia care? I have 14 years experience starting off as a care assistant in a dementia community, spending time with the residents and supporting them to do things they couldn’t do at home. I moved into a senior carer position and then a management role, attending dementia training courses to improve my knowledge and understanding. This included a sensory programme supporting residents in later stages of dementia. I also hold NVQ’S in health and social care, a level 5 diploma in management and level 3 diploma in end of life care. What is the most important part of your role? Supporting residents to live well with their dementia, recruiting the right team and building relationships with family members. I think it’s important that there is awareness of dementia within the home, educating team members, relatives and other residents so they have a better understanding and we can all work together. What qualifications does it take to care for residents? You need to have a passion for care and be caring, with empathy. Some of the best carers don’t have qualifications. How do you encourage the team to get to know the residents and expand on their personcentred approach? Before a resident moves in, we encourage them or a loved one to fill out an “About Me” booklet. This gives us a great insight into their routine, history, hobbies, likes and dislikes so we can create an enjoyable activities schedule for the resident as well as a care plan that is tailored to them. What activities are there for residents at Banstead Manor? We have a varied activities programme that is updated regularly for groups with similar interests
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to help create meaningful moments at the home with also singular activities tailor-made to individual needs and interests. Activities include exercise classes, baking, gardening and aromatherapy treatments and include a range that promote mental, physical and social stimulation. What makes you proud to work at Banstead Manor? Our amazing care team and the environment we have for people living with dementia. It is an enabling and homely environment where residents can make friends, carry on their everyday routines as well as sample new opportunities and experiences. If they want to help the cooks or grow vegetables in the garden, they can! Our on-site hairdressers and therapy room enable residents to look and feel their best all from the comfort of their own home. What advice would you give to someone caring for someone living with dementia? You are not on your own. support is available. Reach out to those in a similar situation and share your experiences. On Tuesday 17th September from 10.30am to 4pm we are launching a carers support hub at the home for dementia advice and support. We also run regular, informative Dementia Friends’ sessions for people looking to increase their knowledge further. Early intervention is also better, so if you notice your loved one is showing signs of possible memory loss contact your GP for a diagnosis. Drop in to see Tammy for free dementia guidance and support at Banstead Manor Care Home, 8 Brighton Road every Tuesday at 11am. Alternatively email your questions to Tammy. Symonds@hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk or call 01737 747059
“We have a varied activities programme that is updated regularly for groups with similar interests to help create meaningful moments at the home”
OUT & ABOUT
A Classic Day Out
Concours of Elegance 2019 6-8 September, Hampton Court Palace
READER OFFER:
2-4-1
TICKETS
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he most astonishing cars ever produced, a line-up of world-famous luxury brands, and one of the UK’s most beautiful historic settings. That’s the very successful recipe for the world-famous Concours of Elegance. Presented by luxury watchmakers, A. Lange & Söhne, the Concours of Elegance first began at Windsor Castle in 2012 and has since hosted at St James’s Palace, Hampton Court Palace, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Hampton Court Palace in 2017 and 2018 where it returns once more this year. Concours of Elegance has a stunning collection of cars at its heart – morphing into a celebration of luxury goods, fine food and drink, wonderful music and superb displays of art. The line-up is a feast of the most famous brands in the world; Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti and Lamborghini. Each car in the Concours is by invitation only - your car must be extremely special - one-offs, rarities and models with incredible backstories. On display is an impeccable and highly original Ballot 3/8 LC, hidden for many years and only recently rediscovered. It turned out to be even more momentous, as it came to light this Ballot was the exact car that won the first Italian Grand Prix back in 1921. An impeccable piece of motorsport history. The line-up continues with a collection of fine Italian supercars from Pagani. Concours of Elegance will gather six examples, spanning its near-
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20-year production run. In total, nearly 1000 cars will gather in the Palace grounds for a number of other features, including the sixth annual Royal Automobile Club Trophy. The UK’s finest car clubs, from Jaguar, Ferrari, Aston Martin, enter their finest vehicles for an opportunity to win a much-vaunted place among the Main Concours collection of cars in the 2020 event. A special feature will see a number of Ferrari 166 models – the only car to have won the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Mille Miglia and the Spa 24 Hours races. Visitors can browse one example of each of its gorgeous masterpieces created in partnership with Aston Martin. All of these cars provide a unique atmosphere for a whole host of luxury experiences at Concours of Elegance, including three-course luxury picnics, an on-site fine-dining restaurant by Tom Aikens and champagne by the original Champagne Charlie, Charles Heidsieck.
CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE READER OFFER The prestigious event are offering our readers 2 for 1 tickets. Simply head to www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/ tickets and use the code LIFEVIP to claim your discount.
OUT & ABOUT
Birthday Celebrations in Esher start offering select dinner menu items as specials during lunchtime. This will most certainly add an interesting new offering to what is already on the lunch menu everyday. Think really creative and original salads, seasonal pastas, great sandwiches, the afore mentioned Burger as well as a 100% plant based Vegan Burger! Seven Bluebirds is open Tuesday through Sunday for Breakfast, Bunch, Dinner and Brunch on the weekends, including Freeflow Prosecco. Reservations highly recommended for Dinner and Brunch. Menus and reservations at: www.sevenbluebirds.co.uk
“Their ethos since opening has been to deliver fresh, well cooked food made from scratch”
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ummer is here and, along with the weather, the culinary scene in Esher is hotting up. The standout restaurant for us though is Seven Bluebirds, who are celebrating their 1st birthday and continue to deliver consistently excellent food and service. Their ethos since opening has been to deliver fresh, well cooked food made from scratch, served in a comfortable environment with attentive, but not overbearing service. Their Dinner menu still changes seasonally, with a few tweaks here and there mid season and currently features, amongst many other things, a house smoked and grilled pork chop with pineapple and jalapeño salsa. Also a fantastic starter is the Harissa Cream Cheese stuffed and Tempura battered Courgette flower. On the dessert front, the one that caught our attention, and delivered a truly theatrical piece of culinary craftsmanship, was their “Campfire S’mores”. Truly a sensory masterpiece that comes to the table still smoking and really did make one feel that you were sitting around a campfire toasting marshmallows. Their weekend brunch menu is really quite unique for the area with Chicken & Waffles featuring high up on the “must have” list as well as their very special burger, made in house of course, and so popular that they are considering making it available on Deliveroo! Our favorite though has to be the Bluebird Benny, their riff on Eggs Benedict which substitutes the ham for smashed avocado and fried halloumi. Thankfully its not only on the weekend brunch menu, but also on the breakfast menu, which is served all day Tuesday to Sunday. For those that can’t always make it out to Seven Bluebirds for dinner, we’re told that they will
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OUT & ABOUT
Fine Art of Conservation Revealed at Fetcham Park Heritage Open Day
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onservator and restorer of fine oil paintings, Paul Tsangari, is helping to preserve a slice of 300-year-old history at Surrey’s ‘best-kept secret’ Fetcham Park. His recent work on the spectacular Louis Laguerre murals, originally painted in the early 1700s, will be revealed as part of Heritage Open Days on 20th September with a guided tour by Paul, followed by a lecture on the history of the House by historian Vivien White. Laguerre, whose work can also be seen at Chatsworth House and Blenheim Palace, grew up in the Royal household of his godfather Louis XIV in Versailles. He spent his adult life in England painting murals at the grandest houses of the day. At Fetcham Park, he worked alongside the King’s architect William Talman and Royal gardener and garden designer George London to create a muchadmired country residence which continues to captivate visitors to this day. With over three decades of experience, Paul Tsangari has a vast knowledge of oil painting restoration and conservation from the 15th to the
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Above: Eddie Judd Photography
20th-century. Several paintings he has conserved and restored now hang on permanent display at the Royal Academy, London. Following extensive testing of the murals at Fetcham Park, gentle cleansing of the surface revealed stunning original colours which are far closer to the image Louis Laguerre intended us to view. While accustomed to conserving fine oil paintings on a far smaller scale, the conservation at Fetcham Park was an exciting challenge for Paul Tsangari, he says: “It’s an honour to work on a unique project like this and to be involved in helping to preserve this work of art for future generations to enjoy.” Kate Ainsworth, house manager at Fetcham Park, comments: “The Laguerre murals are an important part of not only Fetcham Park’s history but the history of art in this country. The recent work carried out by Paul required exceptional care and meticulous attention to detail in the midst of a working building. The result is magnificent.” “Fetcham Park - Discover the history and art behind Surrey’s ‘best-kept’ secret” is on Friday 20th September from 6pm – 9pm. Tickets to this free event are available on August 5th 2019 at www. dorkinghalls.co.uk For more information about Fetcham Park visit www.fetchampark.co.uk
“With over three decades of experience, Paul Tsangari has a vast knowledge of oil painting restoration and conservation from the 15th to the 20th-century”
OUT & ABOUT
Christie’s presents Banksy this September and sold. Kissing Coppers (2004) was taken from the wall of a Brighton pub and sold for $575,000 in Miami in 2014. Banksy no longer sells photographs or reproductions of his street graffiti, but his public “installations” are regularly resold or auctioned. A small number of Banksy’s works are officially, nonpublicly, sold through Pest Control. There exists a cult-like following for the artist, heightened by the ambiguity of his identity. . Banksy is regarded as a British cultural icon, with young adults from abroad naming the artist among a group of people that they most associate with UK culture, alongside William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth II, David Beckham, The Beatles, J. K. Rowling, Elton John, and Adele.
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etween 16th - 24th September, Christie’s are holding a dedicated online auction of Banksy prints, titled Banksy: I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shIt in homage to the artist’s Morons screen print. The source image of the work is a photograph of the record-breaking sale of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at Christie’s in 1987, with Van Gogh’s canvas replaced by Banksy’s text. The sale is led by an extremely rare artist’s proof of Girl with Balloon (Gold). But who is Banksy? An anonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director, active since the 1990s. His name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world. His work started appearing in London around 2004. By the late 2000s the art world had caught up with Banksy’s popular appeal, with many of his works removed from their original public settings
About Christies The world’s oldest fine art auctioneer, has sold fine art, furniture, jewellery and wine since James Christie conducted the first sale in London on 5 December 1766. Ever since Christie’s has continued to provide the perfect backdrop for the sales of the world’s finest collections and greatest works of art before their auction. Christie’s, 8 King Street, St. James’s, London SW1Y 6QT Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060. www.christies.com
Far left: Banksy, Morons (Sepia), Screenprint in colours, 2007, signed. Estimated £12,000-18,000 Left: Banksy, Stop and search, Screenprint in colours, 2007, signed. Estimated £20,000-£30,000 Above: Banksy, Choose your weapon (Magenta, Screenprint in colours, 2010, signed. Estimated £30,000-£50,000
Previous Banksy auctions at Christies have included:
NOLA Estimate £40,000 to £60,000. Sold for £90,000
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NO BALL GAMES Estimate £20,000 to £30,000. Sold for £35,000
FLYING COPPER Estimate £15,000 to £25,000. Sold for £40,000.
GRANNIES Estimate £10,000 to £ 30,000. Sold for £35,000
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Inheritance Tax Explained
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ne of the most common questions we receive from clients is: How do I reduce my Inheritance Tax (IHT) Bill? Currently, each individual has a tax free allowance of £325,000. If you give away your home to your direct descendants (e.g. children, grandchildren, stepchildren) this can increase to £475,000 (for the tax year 2019-2020). This additional allowance is known as the Residence Nil Rate Band. A married couple may potentially have a tax free allowance of £650,000, or £950,000 if Residence Nil Rate Band applies. Anything over the tax free allowance is charged at 40% (subject to any exemptions or reliefs). Through careful planning there are additional ways to reduce your exposure to IHT. Firstly, a ‘7-year rule’ exists. You can give away as much money and assets as you would like provided it is a genuine gift and you do not retain any benefit from it. If you then survive the gift by 7 years, its value will fall outside the Estate for IHT purposes. Furthermore, a generous and often overlooked exemption is gifts out of your surplus income. For this to apply, the gift must be made out of your surplus income whilst still allowing you to maintain your normal standard of living. Provided that all gifts are documented and the necessary conditions are met, these gifts will not be liable for IHT. Other exemptions include: Annual Exemption – You can give away up to £3000 each tax year and carry forward any unused annual exemption from the previous tax year.
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Small Gifts Exemption – You can give £250 per year to as many people as you like provided you have not used another exemption on the same person. Wedding Gifts – You can give £5000 to each of your children, £2500 to each of your grandchildren or great-grandchildren, and £1000 to any other person as a wedding gift. Charities and Political Parties – You can give unlimited IHT free gifts to charities and political parties during your lifetime. 10% of your net estate to Charity – If you gift 10% of your net estate to a Charity then the gift itself will pass free of IHT. In addition, your estate will benefit from a reduced IHT rate of 36% on some of your assets (as opposed to 40%). Certain investments may also qualify for business property relief which can further reduce your exposure to IHT. If any of the above interests you, our Private Client team at K J Smith Solicitors are more than happy to assist. Author: Michael Swan graduated with a Medical Sciences degree from Imperial College London before studying at the University of Law. He is both a qualified Solicitor and Notary Public and has been called to the Grenadian Bar. Michael has experience in Private Client matters including Will drafting, Lasting and Enduring Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection applications and probate matters. He is committed to delivering a high standard of service in a supportive and empathetic manner.
THE DETAILS K J Smith Solicitors are specialists in family law, with offices in Reading (Central), Reading (Woodley), Abingdon, Ascot, Basingstoke, Beaconsfield, Guildford and Henley. We are recognised by the Legal 500 as a Leading Firm. Why not contact us to arrange a free initial consultation? Call 0118 418 1000 or email wtp@kjsmith.co.uk (Wills, Trusts & Probate).
OUT & ABOUT
Vienna Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker Theatre Royal in Windsor, 12-16 November
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lassical ballet takes centre stage again from Tuesday 12 November until Saturday 16 November when the acclaimed Vienna Festival Ballet brings the perennial Christmas classic The Nutcracker to the Theatre Royal in Windsor. Be swept away on a magical adventure in one of the most famous classical ballets of all time. With its combination of enchanting choreography and unforgettable music, this fabulous ballet is a Christmas treat like no other. An enchanting Christmas story telling the tale of how Clara is given a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas present by Dr. Drosselmeyer. During the Christmas party Clara and her brother Fritz fight over the nutcracker doll. That night Clara unable to sleep with excitement, searches for her doll and then falls asleep under the Christmas tree. As midnight strikes she is awoken by giant mice and the magic begins. The nutcracker doll is suddenly transformed into a princely soldier and a battle ensues with the Mouse King. The Prince and Clara are then transported on a magical journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest with dancing snowflakes. It is here where they encounter the Sugar Plum Fairy, who accompanies them to the Kingdom of Sweets. The Nutcracker was originally choreographed
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by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. It was first performed in St. Petersburg at the Mariinsky Theatre, home of the Kirov ballet. in December 1892. The Nutcracker is a time-honoured traditional ballet that combines music and dance in dreamy romance. As wintery and wonderful as the Christmas season itself, The Nutcracker is a true fairy-tale brought to life. Peter Mallek founder and Artistic Director says of the production ‘Vienna Festival Ballet are committed to bringing the greatest classical ballets to the widest audience. We’re delighted to be returning to the Theatre Royal for the eighth year. Whether you are a ballet fan or an interested observer we have something to offer everyone. Exquisite and lavish handmade costumes, beautiful sets which project colour and vitality to enhance the workings of the dancers, choreographer and the composer. Our productions have all the elegance and extravagance associated with the best of ballet, and of course some of the best ballet dancers from around the world.’ Book your tickets at The Theatre Royal Windsor, www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Box Office 01753 853888.
‘’The whole evening was a delight’’ - LICHFIELD LIVE
OUT & ABOUT
The Secret Garden Bar at THE DETAILS For reservations (available daily from 11am to 9.30pm), please contact The Ritz London’s Reservation Team on +44 (0)20 7300 2370 or at dining@theritzlondon.com or online at www.theritzlondon.com/secret-garden-bar/ A minimum spend of £19 per person applies to all tables. Reservations may be cancelled on the day should weather conditions restrict the garden from opening. Guests must be 16 years and over. A smart casual dress code is in operation and sportswear, trainers or shorts are not permitted. Follow The Ritz London @TheRitzLondon on Instagram.
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eductively hidden and accessible from inside the hotel, The Secret Garden Bar is a secluded stylish oasis for guests to drink and dine al fresco and enjoy the English Summer Season in the centre of the city. Located on the edge of Royal Green Park, The Ritz London’s new elegant Secret Garden Bar has been designed with trimmed topiary, verdant green foliage, vibrant flower boxes featuring colourful
“The Secret Garden Bar is the perfect spot for a sunny lunch on the patio” geraniums, olive trees and fragrant lavender pots. Open daily (weather permitting) throughout the summer months, from 11am to 11pm, The Secret Garden Bar is the perfect spot for a sunny lunch on the patio sheltered by vast parasols or an afternoon spent sipping cocktails. During the evening, the garden is lit with twinkling lights and candles, and soft background music plays. A bar menu is available throughout the day and evening, showcasing a collection of seasonal cocktails and an impressive selection of wines and Champagnes, as well as classic dishes designed by Executive Chef John Williams MBE, ranging from the Ritz Classic Club sandwich and the Ritz Caesar Salad to British Seafood platters to share, with dressed crab, oysters, lobster, shrimp and prawns. A caviar menu is also available. For cigar aficionados, a collection of premium and limitededition cigars, including twelve different Ritz London Cigars, is also available for guests to enjoy in the garden.
OUT & ABOUT
SOUTHAMPTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2019 Returns Friday 13 September - Sunday 22 September Indulge your passions… just add water
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outhampton International Boat Show, powered by Borrow A Boat, is Britain’s biggest festival of boating, with an exceptional line up of interactive attractions, the latest innovations, world launches and experts galore. Set against a stunning backdrop of some of the world’s most luxurious and innovative boats, the Show boasts Europe’s largest purpose-built marina hosting thousands of guests and businesses over an action-packed 10 days. This is their 51st Show and will once again showcase everything you need to enjoy time in, on or around water with expert advice and plenty of opportunities to get afloat! Featuring live music, interactive attractions and the latest technological innovations, it offers visitors the perfect opportunity to indulge their passion
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for the water while meeting like-minded people. Whether you’re a water sports enthusiast, boating beginner or a seasoned pro, there is something for everyone. With a host of beautifully designed boats and products from over 600 global marine brands, 2019 will be the biggest Show yet!
Key features at this year’s Show include: • Try-a-Boat – come aboard and glide through the waters in a high-speed RIB or float across the Solent under sail. • Ocean Scene Mini Cruise – fully equipped with sundecks and bars, the Ocean Scene is the Show’s very own mini cruise ship • Andark Try-a-Dive – if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater, the Andark Trya-Dive tank is your opportunity to experience
OUT & ABOUT
a whole new world • Radio Sailing Pool –all visitors are invited to race their very own Dragon 65 yacht alongside other models, competing against family and friends in this hugely popular shore-based activity • Get Afloat – from dinghy sailing to paddle boarding, try something new or sharpen your existing watersports skills with the expertise of the Rockley Watersports team on hand • A practical boating stage – for both beginners and enthusiasts, meet some of the biggest sailing personalities and learn skills first-hand ahead of your next nautical adventure • Virtual Sailing – in partnership with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), experience the thrill of competing against other visitors and users from around the world in a virtual reality experience to see if you’ve got what it takes • Rum & Gin Bar – relax and unwind with a rum or gin cocktail, tasting opportunities and demonstrations on offer • Seaside Storytime Ship – Listen to magical stories of on the water adventures and join readers from Southampton’s libraries There is so much to see and do. From kayaks to catamarans, SUPS to superyachts, there’s a boat for everyone. Find yours and more at this year’s Show! Book your tickets today and start planning your visit! General Tickets start from £16.50. Concessions and Group discounts available.
HOSPITALITY
Enjoy the Show your way with a new range of hospitality and upgraded ticket options which include event admission through the VIP entrance at the iconic Kutis building:
Lounge With access to an airport-style VIP guest lounge and complimentary light refreshments throughout the day, the Lounge ticket will kick start your visit and provide an oasis whilst you catch your breath and contemplate which part of the Show to see next. Access to the VIP Lounge in Kuti’s and complimentary light refreshments all day* Mon-Thurs: £ 45.00. Fri-Sun: £ 55.00
Quarterdeck Club Raise the bar further and lunch in style at the all new Quarterdeck Club restaurant overlooking Europe’s largest purpose-built show marina. With access to an airport-style VIP guest lounge and complimentary light refreshments throughout the day. One meal voucher for the Quarterdeck catering area (valid for one main course and one beverage of your choosing) Mon-Thurs: £ 65.00. Fri-Sun: £ 75.00
Captain’s Club Push the boat out with our new Captain’s Club ticket and enjoy a first-class day at the Show. As 56 SEPTEMBER 2019
well as use of the special VIP guest lounge with complimentary light refreshments throughout your visit, you’ll also be able to enjoy a sumptuous fine dining experience at our exclusive Captain’s Club restaurant, which overlooks the Show. Mon-Thurs: £85.00. Fri-Sun: £95.00
Captain’s Club + Power No visit to Southampton International Boat Show powered by Borrow A Boat is complete without getting out on the water. Set sail for a quick trip around the Solent to feel the wind in your hair on one of their carefully selected craft and see the Show from a very different perspective! The Captain’s Club + Sail ticket also includes the fine dining experience in our exclusive Captain’s Club restaurant and complimentary light refreshments in the VIP guest lounge throughout your visit. Mon-Thurs: £175.00. Fri-Sun: £185.00.
THE DETAILS To purchase all general and hospitality tickets visit www.southamptonboatshow.com Keep up with the latest news and announcements, follow the Southampton International Boat Show on: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Southampton International Boat Show 2019 13–21 September 10am – 6:30pm, 22 September 10am – 6:00pm Mayflower Park, Southampton, So14 2Aq
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OUT & ABOUT
Prêtà -Portea The Dior Couture Collection becomes a white velvet chocolate mousse finished with an appliquéd edible violet, while the Junon dress worn by model Theo Graham at Le Pré Catelan in Paris becomes an enticing ensemble of fromage blanc and cassis jelly encased in a scalloped edge of white chocolate, sprinkled with edible sparkle.
“It was important for me to respectfully emulate Monsieur Dior’s timeless and iconic fairy-tale gown”
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o celebrate the arrival of the much anticipated Dior exhibition to London, this season’s Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley sees the iconic designs of the House of Dior take to the cake stand for an unprecedented solo show inspired by “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams” at the V&A museum. Working exclusively with Dior, this fashionista favourite adds an innovative twist to the traditional afternoon tea, and sees legendary Dior designs translated into creatively crafted cakes and patisserie. Headlining this season’s Couture Prêt-à-Portea is the Bar Suit, synonymous with Dior since it first took to the catwalk in 1947 as part of Christian Dior’s debut collection. Celebrated as the New Look, it becomes a rich chocolate biscuit embellished with cream royal icing. The collection also includes a red velvet cake inspired by the Lady Dior Handbag which shot to fame in 1995 when France’s first lady, Bernadette Chirac gifted it to Princess Diana, to a bottle of Miss Dior Eau de Parfum inspired by the designer’s own sister, Catherine, reimagined as a lychee and raspberry cake glazed with shimmering pink icing, complete with signature oversized silver bow. Christian Dior’s 1954 Muguet dress, inspired and named after his favourite lily-of-the-valley blooms into a delicate pavlova topped with coconut marshmallow and a white sugar bow. Dior’s timeless classic 1949 Miss Dior dress
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And finally, an edible homage in celebration of the imminent return of sling back season, Dior’s J’Adior shoe from the current collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri strides on to the cake stand as a vanilla biscuit with royal icing finished with its inscription bow in edible sugar ribbon. The Berkeley’s Pastry Chef Mourad Khiat comments “It was important for me to respectfully emulate Monsieur Dior’s timeless and iconic fairytale gowns using ingredients that best celebrate these opulent and beautiful creations. Seeing the exquisite garments displayed in real life at the V&A really makes me appreciate the detail and precision that goes into these ingenious designs.” Prêt-à-Portea – The Dior Couture collection is served in the Collins Room at The Berkeley from 1pm - 5.30pm every day priced at £58 per person; £68 including a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne, or £74 per person including a glass of rosé champagne. To make a reservation for Prêt-à-Portea call +44 (0)20 7107 8866 or visit www.the-berkeley.co.uk
ABOUT THE BERKELEY Amidst bustling Knightsbridge and leafy Hyde Park, The Berkeley, sister hotel to Claridge’s and The Connaught, is the essence of contemporary chic and innovative luxury. With stunning rooms and suites, Michelin-starred cuisine, The Berkeley Health Club & Spa complete with rooftop pool, The Berkeley provides the ultimate urban retreat in the heart of London. Claridge’s The Connaught The Berkeley Maybourne Hotel Group; www.maybourne.com
OUT & ABOUT FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
BEAUTIFUL BOATS BY PETER FREEBODY & CO
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estled in the heart of the commuter belt between Henley and Marlow lies a little piece of river heaven. Leafy lanes around the idyllic village of Hurley lead to a boatyard on the banks of the River Thames. This is the home of Peter Freebody & Co who, with a family history on the Thames traced back to the 13th Century, are possibly one of the oldest boatbuilding names in the world. Today, in addition to the restoration of every conceivable style of traditional boat – dinghies, electric canoes, steam launches and saloon launches – Peter Freebody & Co specialize in the building of sublime luxury wooden river and lake launches which are handcrafted in their riverside workshops in Hurley. Whether you already own a boat which needs
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restoration or maintenance, or are considering a first venture into boat ownership – either new or second hand – Peter Freebody & Co can offer advice, expertise and quality craftsmanship built over the experience of decades, together with moorings on one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames, and full services in the way of maintenance, engineering and winter storage, for the most relaxing boating experience. www.peterfreebody.com. 01628 824382.
FEATURE
Designer Paul Smith to publish first children’s book this Autumn Celebrated British designer Paul Smith will publish his first children’s book this autumn, as part of a two-book deal signed with Pavilion Children’s Books.
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aul’s first picture book, The Adventures of Moose & Mr Brown will be published worldwide in October 2019 as a hardback, with a special boxed limited edition, including a signed print, released simultaneously. The book is illustrated by Sam Usher, well known for his multi-award shortlisted book Can You See Sassoon? and popular seasonal picture book series – Snow, Rain, Storm and Sun. The Adventures of Moose & Mr Brown is a laugh-out-loud adventure story of animals, travelling the world and finding inspiration in the most unlikely of places. Mr Brown is an international fashion designer who agrees to help a Moose he encounters at an airport to track down his lost twin brother, Monty. Along the way they travel the world and help multiple animals by designing garments to meet their particular needs – including slippers for sloths, parkas for penguins and scarves for giraffes. The stories are inspired by Paul’s incredible career in fashion, and the main characters are based on toys Paul has owned for many years, and who reside in his London office along with other curios and artefacts collected from around the globe. Paul commented on the upcoming publication: “I’ve known Moose and Mr Brown for a long time and I’m delighted to be able to bring their stories to life in my first ever children’s book. Sam’s illustrations are
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really special and capture the colour and energy of Moose and Mr Brown’s adventures perfectly!” Paul Smith is one of Britain’s foremost designers. He is renowned for his creative spirit, which combines tradition and modernity. From its origins in one small shop in Nottingham, England, in 1970, Paul Smith has grown into a global business, selling in over seventy countries. The Adventures of Moose & Mr Brown by Paul Smith and Sam Usher will be published by Pavilion Children’s Books on 24th October 2019, Hardback, £12.99, ISBN 9781843654285. Limited Edition Boxed Hardback with signed print, £60, ISBN 9781843654339
“The Adventures of Moose & Mr Brown is a laugh-out-loud adventure story of animals, travelling the world and finding inspiration in the most unlikely of places”
OUT & ABOUT
Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society Care and Compassion - Not profit
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bbeyfield Wey Valley Society, a registered charity has over 30 years’ experience as one of Surrey’s leading providers of sheltered, residential and nursing care, across Farnham, Guildford and Haslemere. They pride themselves on providing secure, relaxed, homely environments within their six homes at a cost price with a small surplus to reinvest into care services for older people. They offer appropriate levels of care and support to preserve the privacy, dignity and independence of every person they look after and each Resident is treated individually with care centred around their needs and choices. Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society also provides a Home Care service in the Farnham area, aiming to provide a person-centred service tailored to individual requirements, personal choices and wishes. It provides help and support with personal care and assistance with tasks and activities associated with daily living. There are daily activities within the homes which cover a wide range of interests. There are regular exercise classes such as Pilates, chair based exercises and Tai Chi, also music based afternoons including music therapy and a dementia based singing group once a week run by some of the Societies volunteers. They also enjoy arts and crafts and cafÊ afternoons where they sometimes invite local dignitaries or speakers to join them. The Society likes to get involved within the local
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community such as running stalls at local events, entering the Farnham Carnival (winning a gold award this year) They also have students from Farnborough College who come and volunteer within the homes assisting with outings, one to one chats and other day to day activities. The Society also provides volunteer hours for students doing the Duke of Edinburgh award from Weydon School in Farnham. Abbeyfield has an active team of volunteers who bring a special touch to all the homes, helping them to stay connected with the local community. These valued volunteers befriend residents and help with activities such as trips to local places of interest, shopping, arts and crafts, games, serving tea and coffee and gardening with residents. The residents enjoy regular outings which would not be possible if it were not for the volunteers providing transport and/or giving up their time to accompany the residents. There are weekly outings available over the summer months including places such as; River Thames boat trip, local garden centres, canal boat trip, Savill Garden, Brooklands museum, West Dean Gardens, Silent Pool gin distillery, Greyfriars Vineyard, RHS Wisley Gardens and Southsea.
VOLUNTEERS The Society is looking for more volunteers if you are interested please use contact details below. Please contact if you would like any information; Care Homes 01252 735507 email: admin@ abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk Home Care 01252 735522 email: homecare@ abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk Volunteering 01252 979102 email tracey.pollard@ abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk
Care Homes, Sheltered Housing & Home Care – Live the life you choose
Care and Compassion - Not Profit As a charity Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society’s aim is to prevent loneliness and provide a real ‘home from home’ Regular trips to places of interest are organised at no extra cost and a wide variety of activities in our care homes every day. Pop in for a coffee and a tour in any of our homes (no appointment needed) Contact 01252 735507 or email admin@abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk
www.abbeyfieldweyvalley.co.uk Registered office: Wey Valley House, Mike Hawthorn Drive, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7UQ. Registered Charity No. 1168173. Comany No. 10259078. Housing Association No. H3294. Affiliated to the National Abbeyfield Society
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GUIDE SEPTEMBER 2019
THE FINEST SCHOOLS IN your area
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Why choose an independent education? Martin Reader,
Headmaster Cranleigh School
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hen we are warned that future living and working will be dominated by complex technologies, what will we need? Those skills and qualities that make human beings special which technologies cannot replicate: creativity, imagination, teamwork, love, empathy, resilience. When children of today face temptations, challenges, anxieties that affect their wellbeing, and we as parents are desperate to shield and prepare them, what do we need to do? To nurture those qualities which make humans special. Qualifications are important and are often a gateway to opportunity, but they are not education. Education is about drawing the best out of young people, allowing them to discover who they are becoming and what their purpose in life could be. In short it is about human flourishing. Since their founding, independent schools have always promoted education in this roundest sense. Now that priority could not be more vital. When there has been a narrowing of the curriculum in recent years, with the creative and performing arts on the decline; with opportunities for team sports in schools restricted, the independent sector has championed and expanded its provision. As examination reform has taken shape, the independent sector has not only continued to perform outstandingly well, it has also sought to innovate and broaden with the Extended Project Qualification, PreU, IB and a range of its own qualifications, the latest of which is the School Certificate in Philosophy Cranleigh is launching with the New College of Humanities this autumn. We want to encourage thinking beyond the test. In short independent schools offer opportunities and experiences that will enhance the lives of children now and prepare them for their futures. With independence comes the freedom to make choices which are right for the children in our care. Whilst independent schools are diverse in nature, they all share this DNA. The best will also add a healthy dose of fun, for childhood is short. To quote one of my Senior Prefects, ‘Cranleigh is a memory-making machine.’ I know for sure that there will be schools up and down the country where leaving students will testify to the same. www.cranleigh.org 68 SEPTEMBER 2019
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RENOWNED academic success
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anesborough Prep School for boys is located in the centre of Guildford, and offers a superb range of facilities. A fabulous new Sports Hall extends the wide range of sports available to the boys, it has a viewing gallery and extensive changing rooms. There is a bespoke performance space for drama
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and music productions. The academic success of Lanesborough is renowned, with boys regularly achieving academic, music and sports scholarships to their chosen senior school. An average of around 70% of Lanesborough boys get offered places for RGS Guildford each year. The superb music tradition is enhanced with the cathedral boy choristers all attending the school. Over 50 different clubs from Art to Warhammer are on offer enabling the boys to develop a wide range of interests. However, the most important aspect for all staff is ensuring that the boys thrive, are happy and reach their full potential in a stimulating, fun and caring environment. Lanesborough is about learning how to learn, not just what to learn, developing a range of interests and preparing the young men so that they are interesting and interested citizens, resilient and ready to take their place in our ever evolving world. To fully appreciate Lanesborough you will need to visit and experience first-hand, all that is on offer. Open Mornings are held in October and March – check the website for full details. Alternatively, parents can arrange an individual tour with the Head. Please call Mrs Francis, Admissions Secretary, on 01483 880489, admissions@lanesborough.surrey.sch.uk.
“The most important aspect for all staff is ensuring that the boys thrive, are happy and reach their full potential in a stimulating, fun and caring environment”
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Preparing Your Child For Their First Day At School Whether your child is a Royal Prince or Princess or not, their first day at school is a big milestone.Yes, your little baby is no more - you’ve now got a school child on your hands!
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tarting school means a lot of changes for both you and your child, and it is perfectly understandable to have concerns about your little one in the run-up to the big day! You’ve probably been working hard to reassure your child that school will be exciting and fun. But you may not feel quite so confident yourself. You will no doubt be a bag of nerves with a lot more butterflies than you had on your first day at school! It can be more nerve-wracking for older children when they go to ‘big school’ They are more aware and more clued-up You need to acknowledge your worries and concerns and act on each to ensure the weeks and days leading up their first day of school run as smoothly as possible. This is an exciting time and not one to be dreaded.
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So, with just weeks to go before hordes of newly-uniformed four-year-olds pass through classroom doors for the first time, what can parents do to prepare their children, and limit the potential for tears – theirs and yours – on the big day? • There is plenty you can do to help your child adjust to new groups of people - a group activity such as a music or dance class. Free storytime sessions at your local library provide a great opportunity for your child to meet others of a similar age. • Teach your child ‘life’ skills like getting dressed and undressed, using the toilet independently, washing their hands and putting things away – every little bit of independence helps. • Play ‘schools’. Take turns in being the teacher and the pupil. Practise saying ‘bye bye’ to Mummy and Daddy at the gate. Keep these games short and fun. Find some books in your local library that talk about starting school – ask your child questions about what they’d do in this situation or that – get them involved in the idea of being at school. • Involve them. Let them help choose ‘school stuff ’ like their backpack or pencil case. Label everything with their name – let them ‘help’ by suggesting where to write it or handing you the pens. • Discuss your own happy memories of school (provided you have some!). Perhaps mention games you played at break time or how much you liked your first teacher. • Get them into a routine that’s compatible with school hours. They might need an earlier bedtime and waking up time. Move towards the new
routine over a few days rather than starting it suddenly the day before. • As you say goodbye on your child’s first day, it may be hard not to shed a tear. If you do have a cry, try not to let your child see. It may make them anxious that you are sad. • Even distressed children soon settle into school. If you are worried, ask your child’s teacher or teaching assistant about strategies they use to help children settle. • If you want to find out more about your child’s school world, get involved. Many schools encourage parents to help with reading, cookery or a school trip. • Put a special treat in their lunchbox – lots of kids love a little note from Mum! Be prepared for your house to feel empty and quiet during the school hours. Focus on the extra time you now have for yourself.…join a health club, meet up with friends for lunch or join a mother’s club – these will all help to keep you busy during the school day. You will be excited to see your child at the end of his school day, but don’t overwhelm your little one with questions. Although you’re desperate to know how it went, try to keep your questions simple. Ask who they sat next to at lunch, rather than a rundown of your child’s day. Don’t worry if your child says “I don’t know”, or I can’t remember”. There is a lot to take in on their first day. Be rest assured that your child’s school will be supporting and looking after your little one, creating a whole new world for them to discover. Prince George’s first day at St Thomas’s Battersea
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Step into the most exciting school in England “We have had four children through the public school system and I think that Hurtwood House is the only one which has really delivered what it promised”
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lthough it has all the facilities of a typical public school, Hurtwood House specialises exclusively in the sixth form and the age range 16-18. Changing schools at 16 opens up a whole new world of fresh experiences and challenges and provides the perfect steppingstone between school and university. Hurtwood House is young, exciting and dynamic and, most importantly of all, it is exceptionally creative with drama, media, art, textiles, dance, music and singing to die for. Famous former students include Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer (music for Gladiator, Rain Main, Lion King) and Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, Gideon’s Daughter) and watch out for Hollywood hot-tip Jack Huston (Factory Girl). Zara Brownless (winner of the first Young Apprentice). But marvellous as the performing and creative arts are, this school is definitely not a one-trick pony. It also caters for the budding entrepreneur, doctor, lawyer, architect, etc etc etc with a range of subjects which, though less eyecatching, are no less successful and inspirational. Small wonder, then, that the world is beating a path to Hurtwood’s door, and one of the first things to strike visitors is that it has a completely different “campus” feel about it – not like school at all. That’s because there are no juniors – everybody here is 16+ and they all join after they have taken their GCSE’s. In many ways, it defies definition - more public school than sixth form college, but smaller and less institutional – more boutique than department store. At the moment it’s in a class of its own but one suspects that one day soon there will be more schools like this, because five years is a long time 74 SEPTEMBER 2019
to be in one public school, and so many boys and girls are now ready at 16 for a fresh challenge and a more stimulating life. A lot of parents agree wholeheartedly. As one satisfied customer puts it: “We have had four children through the public school system and I think that Hurtwood House is the only one which has really delivered what it promised.” Indeed, Hurtwood has a file of letters as thick as your arm from grateful parents, and clearly what they appreciate most is that Hurtwood has given their children the confidence to cope with anything in life and has fired up their enthusiasm. “Her mind was turned on,” says one, “and her appetite for learning is voracious. I want you to know that you lit the fuse.” Who could ask for anything more?
THE DETAILS Hurtwood House, Holmbury St Mary, Nr Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NU Tel: 01483 279000 www.hurtwoodhouse.com
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Benefits of the independent school
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ith options ranging from boarding schools to modern alternative curricula, there is almost certainly a school to suit each and every child. Here are some of the reasons why parents are choosing to give their children the unique experience of private school and why it’s worth the financial investment.
International Baccalaureate programme, just to name a few. The IB programme focuses on school work and on developing you as a whole person. Private school students constantly score top marks on standardized tests and college entrance exams, and many schools have a 100 per cent rate of students attending their university of choice.
Enriched academic opportunities
A comprehensive study on class size made by educational researchers Bruce Biddler and David Berliner in 2002 showed that the smaller the class size, the better the average student performs on academic achievement tests. The gains from smaller class sizes are stronger the longer a child is exposed
One of the accepted benefits of private schools is that they provide exceptional and challenging educational experiences through extracurricular activities, Advanced Placement courses, and the
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Controlled class sizes
“91 per cent of parents surveyed said the dedication of the teachers was their main reason for choosing private school�
to them. Private schools vary greatly in size, but depending on their teaching style, almost all focus on the importance of small class sizes to individually help students’ weak areas and advance their strengths.
Dedicated teachers In a study completed by the Fraser Institute in 2007, 91 per cent of parents surveyed said the dedication of the teachers was their main reason for choosing private school. Instructors are both qualified and passionate about their subjects, often holding advanced degrees in their field. Within the tight-knit school community, students have close relationships with their teachers who commonly act as role models. In addition, small class sizes make staff members more readily available for extra help or to further challenge individual students.
Parental involvement Private schools are built around open communication between parents and administration, and they make it a priority to involve parents in the community. From frequent parent-teacher meetings, social events such as parent breakfasts and family camping weekends, and the participation of parent committees in fundraising initiatives, families become an integral part of the child’s education. This common ground also helps strengthen parent-child relationships.
A safe environment Private schools have reputations for maintaining high standards for discipline and respect. Lower staff-tostudent ratios allow for more effective observation and control of school grounds. The strong sense of community found in private schools also discourages
“At private schools, you’ll find incredible resources to support student learning in the classroom, sports field, art studio, and beyond”
dangerous behaviour. In the Fraser Institute study, around 72 per cent of parents surveyed with children in the private school system strongly agreed that their school was safe, which greatly improves the quality of the child’s educational experience and achievement. The discipline they learn also improves their rates for success in post-secondary education when they are in control of their class attendance and achievement.
Ample resources At private schools, you’ll find incredible resources to support student learning in the classroom, sports field, art studio, and beyond. Quality resources provide students with the opportunity to fully explore their interests and talents.
Extracurricular activities While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts or clubs. This involvement helps stimulate students in their studies, as noted in a study at Stanford University that found that students involved in the arts are more motivated to learn and are three times more likely to win a school attendance award. Extracurricular activities can provide a much-needed break from the stresses of academics while developing skills and engaging in valuable social situations.
Development for today’s and tomorrow’s world Private schools go beyond offering the mandatory subjects required by provincial curriculum; they can offer students a wide range of specializations including arts programs, athletics, maths and science. Private schools are responsible for producing many leaders in politics, business and society, with a history of adapting quickly to changes in technology and culture. And today, they are also sought by parents of children with special needs such as behaviour problems or learning disabilities. SEPTEMBER 2019 77
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Modern
boarding approach Hurst College tells us how flexi and weekly boarding are the popular choices for students and parents
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odern boarding is about achieving academic excellence and building confidence, leadership skills and independence, as well as gaining a sense of community and cultural understanding. The boarding community at Hurst College is made up of flexi and weekly boarders, now that it has moved away from full boarding. Hurst believes that these two options allow students to make the most of the educational and co-curricular opportunities during the week, and enjoy home life with their families at the weekends. Flexi boarding for three nights each week is a huge attraction, it is a halfway house between home and school - and it really is flexible. Students are able to choose their nights, even at short notice, and retain their own bed throughout the term. All students
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“The boarding community at Hurst College is made up of flexi and weekly boarders, now that it has moved away from full boarding”
participate in co-curricular activities and many find this particularly beneficial, as do parents who need to juggle a busy lifestyle. Weekly boarders can stay for five nights (SundayThursday/Monday-Friday) removing the stresses of a daily commute and allowing even more time for co-curricular activities and study. Caty Jacques, Deputy Head Pastoral said: “It is much easier to fully immerse yourself in the school community when you stay the night. You can embrace the ethos and values and really feel part of it. This is the first time I have worked in a school with flexi boarding, and I am completely sold on it.” Housemaster Adam Hopcroft said: “Boarding gives students a work-home balance. The school day is busy, so boarding provides students with the chance to take part in extra-curricular activities afterwards.” The benefits of boarding extend far beyond extra-curricular options. Adam believes boarding gives students an advantage academically. “Boarders have more access to their teachers, our students work in study groups during prep and we make sure they are productive during this time. If they work well it allows them to have a more relaxed weekend.” Housemistress Tania Fielden believes that the boarding environment gives students a strong foundation for their future. “Boarders have to learn skills for life, which is good preparation for their future. They grow up in a supportive environment and it becomes their second home.” Key to a home-from-home environment is the sustained effort by housemasters/mistresses and their teams to not only provide a welcoming house, but to make themselves available to share the experiences of the day. In families where both parents work full-time, boarding means busy parents do not have to worry about the school run and can be confident their child is being well looked after, leaving weekends free for quality family time. For children, boarding is a way to spend more time with their peers, be better prepared for the school day and have more time to take part in a full range of extra activities. Headmaster Tim Manly explains: “Our aim is to strike a healthy balance between school and home. Boarding means that students are able to engage with a rich and textured life within strong communities and also maintain contact with parents and family. We want our students to develop in many good ways, gaining independence and individuality, the ability for teamwork and to understand how to be a fully functioning human being, to live not just for oneself but for other people too.” The open-door policy of Hurst’s modern boarding approach, coupled with excellent communication between school and home, means that parents are continuously in touch with progress and can regularly watch their children in perform. The college operates bus routes in Surrey to accommodate day, flexi and weekly boarders. www.hppc.co.uk
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READY FOR THE FUTURE Barnaby Sandow, Head
School Cobham
at ACS International
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y goal for every student leaving ACS Cobham is that they should be ready to flourish on the world stage, engage purposefully with their local and global communities and be well equipped to meet whatever their futures may bring. And while even the very best teachers cannot predict every challenge their students may face in life, what they can do is ensure that each young person graduates with the skills and self-confidence they’ll need to tackle them head on. But just what are those skills? Recent research from the World Economic Forum asked executives from the world’s leading companies what they thought would be the most important job attributes in 2020 and their responses made interesting reading. They cited complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and emotional intelligence as their top five, highlighting that while education must give young people a solid foundation of literacy, numeracy and scientific knowledge, it must also impart a broad range of other skills in readiness for university and beyond. So how do schools deliver this? Well, I’m evangelical in my belief that an international education provides the very best foundation for life. The International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Advanced Placement (AP) are two study programmes that successfully marry academic vigour whilst developing a global mindset and other valuable life skills; and both are studied here at ACS International School Cobham. The IB allows students to select a wide range of topics across the sciences, arts and languages, enabling them to graduate with a mix of skills rather than the comparatively narrow subject areas of A Level study, for example. The AP, widely respected
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by universities across North America, allows students to select subjects across the curriculum and complete them in one year. Both qualifications encourage students to develop an inquiring mind and critical thinking, then apply their knowledge to the world around them. It is also hugely beneficial for children to experience a diverse range of nationalities and develop an understanding of different cultures. At ACS Cobham, over 90 nationalities are represented across the school community and this, along with the cross-cultural perspective of the IB and AP, really helps them develop and appreciate different ways of thinking. By offering both academic programmes, the IB and AP, ACS Cobham is able to provide a tailored education for each student, relevant to their passions and learning style. For us, though, it is not enough that students are simply ready for the world beyond the school gates, we want all our graduates to have the confidence to pursue opportunities wherever they may take them, to make waves and change things for the better. In practice, this means encouraging students to develop an aptitude for global citizenship and take action on meaningful issues, such as climate change for example, and dedicate time in support of the wider community. Examples of this by ACS Cobham students are many and varied, but over the years a large number have secured internships with multi-national eyecare charity Orbis UK, while others have worked to raise funds for ACS Cobham’s long-term partner school in Namibia. It’s certainly a very exciting new world that awaits our graduates each year, and they leave us equipped not only with the necessary skills they need for higher education but also to break boundaries, no matter what their future holds. www.acs-schools.com
“As someone who’s looking to be a doctor in London, being able to sympathise with people from completely different cultures than my own is crucial. But even more than that, the support from so many of my teachers really helps me keep inspired” – Gabriel Pucinelli – ACS Cobham student
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fashion, HEALTH
& beauty
– Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best – i mag e : COCONUT CR A Z Y
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
[NEWS]
BEAUTY & FASHION KEEP IT CLASSIC
AUTUMN COMFORT We’re getting ready for cooler weather with this woollen scarf in an alternative blue colour way, inspired by the traditional Welsh costume, once worn by rural women in Wales. It is a celebration of childhood memories of the celebrations on St David’s Day. Designed on a hand operated loom in Cardiff and woven locally in Bristol, made from the softest wool. Large, wide width size scarf, hand finished with neat fridge edging. Pair with these pretty drop earrings and gold bag. www.kraftspace.co.uk
FRIENDSHIP FUN
UNDER COVER
Show someone you care with this friendship bracelet for grown ups! This cute enamel pin badge makes the perfect gift for your Aperol Spritz loving mate. The saying and illustrations are the perfect celebration of friendship. www.oflifeandlemons.co.uk
A cute cover-up for chilly evenings! This fitted geo pattern cardigan jacket has button front fastening with back belt pleat detail. Each garment is made in the UK. www.cecilejeffrey.com
raining cats and dogs BACK TO NATURE Flo and Joe are back with yet another on-trend update to Ipanema’s T-strap sandal collection. The khaki green sandals have the look of a braided and knotted nautical rope. The rope textured details give it a handmade look and are finished with a metallic detail at the front. www.floandjoe.co.uk
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This black & gold classic styled Watch is made from Piñatex – an innovative sustainable material from pineapple leaf fibres. Piñatex is a by-product from the pineapple harvest and provides additional income for the farmers growing this wondrous fruit. This unisex watch is fitted with quick release straps that are made of highly durable, vegan friendly materials and are easily interchangeable. www.wearthlondon.com
Umbrellas are one of life’s little essentials (especially in the UK!) Our folding umbrellas are neat and compact so perfect for a handbag, glove box or briefcase. Covered in our quirky ‘Cats and Dogs’ design it features black labradors, dachshunds, terriers, jack russells, pugs and some super cute cats. www.sophieallport.com
PHOEBE GRACE WWW.PHOEBE-GRACE.CO.UK its_phoebegrace
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FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
COSMETIC DOCTORS COMPANY
Want to tighten your skin,reduce sagging,wrinkles and fine lines? Dr Peter Forrester now offers the option of combining Profhilo with INTRAcel, our proven and long-established radio-frequency microneedling treatment. Together they are an unbeatable combination. INTRAcel Dr Peter Forrester has been using INTRAcel skin rejuvenation for over 5 years. During this time he has witnessed the introduction of many other non-surgical skintightening treatments. Usually well publicised, celebrity endorsed and very expensive. They are promoted with before and after photographs showing results that are rarely achievable in practice. Dr Forrester continues to be impressed with the results of INTRAcel and believes that it offers a better and more cost effective result than most of the new ‘trendy’ techniques. INTRAcel cleverly combines the two established techniques of micro-needling and radio-frequency (RF) skin tightening. INTRAcel delivers short bursts of RF energy into the deeper layers of the skin. Recovery from an INTRAcel treatment is usually quick; at the end of the treatment the skin will be red like a sunburn sensation for a few hours, this will diminish after 1-2 days. A toned and tightened effect will be immediately noticeable after a treatment but the full effect will develop over the subsequent weeks. There will be improvement after the first treatment, however a course of 3 at 4-6 week intervals is recommended. Following this improvements will continue for up to 6 months as healthy collagen develops.
Profhilo
Profhilo is an exciting and unique rejuvenation product for the face, neck and décolletage, being unlike any other skin treatment on the market. Dr Peter Forrester always looks critically at new treatments and never jumps on the bandwagon of new treatments until he has had time to evaluate the
“Dr Forrester continues to be impressed with the results of INTRAcel”
INTRAcel can: • Improve and tone the texture of the skin • Reduce wrinkles and fine lines • Tighten the jowls and neck • Improve acne scars • Improve acne
Dr Peter Forrester and Ms Helen McEnvoy, The Cosmetics Doctor’s Company, 6 Esher Park Avenue, 86 SEPTEMBER 2019
Dr. Peter Forrester MBBS FRCA
exaggerated claims made by some manufacturers and occasionally other practitioners. He has regularly used Profhilo since Summer 2017 and hence has had a good opportunity to evaluate its effects. He is now convinced Profhilo is a safe, effective and innovative product. Profhilo is designed to improve skin laxity, texture and lines by stimulating collagen and elastin production. This effect combined with increased
hydration will produce a subtle lifting and tightening effect. Although Profhilo is composed of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) it is not a filler and is aimed at achieving a very different effect from all the currently available HA fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm or Belotero. It will not add excessive volume and hence there is no risk that a Profhilo treatment will result in an obviously filled or ‘pillow face’ look. It is manufactured by IBSA, a long-established and highly reputable Swiss company and was first launched in Italy in 2015 and subsequently in the UK in January 2016. Since launch there have been an increasing number of positive reviews and opinions in the media. A Profhilo treatment is quick and easy. Just 5 small injections of Profhilo are administered to each side of the face. Discomfort is minimal and other than the possibility for a small bruise there is no downtime. There will be an initial increase in hydration, but the main effects will build over the following weeks. A second treatment must be given 4 weeks later to maximise the beneficial effects.
Profhilo can:
With over 20 years experience in non surgical cosmetic medicine, Peter specialises in minimally invasive facial anti ageing treatments.
Ms. Helen McEvoy MSc MA MBBChir FRCS (Plast)
Helen is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon based at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospital and she consults privately from her rooms in Esher.
• Improve overall skin quality • Increase skin firmness • Increase hydration and elasticity of the skin
Jennifer Luyt Jennifer brings to us 40 years experience in the high end beauty therapy industry and, has practiced as a Senior Medical Aesthetician for the last 11 years.
Esher, KT10 9NP
Tel: 01372 890 890 | enquiries@cosdocs.co.uk | www.cosdocs.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2019 87
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
Academy Salons Heavenly Hair and Beauty 10 The Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HL T: 01932 252 464 42 High Street, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EB T: 01932 864 929 105 Hare Lane, Claygate, Surrey KT10 0QX T: 01372 462 724 91 High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9QA T: 01372 466 400 81 Queens Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9UQ T: 01932 852289 www.academysalons.com www.balmainhair.com Winner British Business Hairdressing Awards 2018 and Winner Salon Business Awards 2018
Hair - Academy Hair Creative Team Photography - Desmond Murray Styling - Bernard Connolly Makeup - academy Beauty
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FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
Focus on‌ Head and Neck Cancer THE DETAILS Jonathan Hughes chairs the Head and Neck Cancer MultiDisciplinary Teams at University College London Hospitals and Royal Free London NHS Trusts. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer on Research Board of the Head and Neck Academic Centre at University College London. Mr Jonathan Hughes runs a OneStop Neck lump clinic and general ENT clinic on Monday afternoons at Spire Thames Valley; offering same day clinical assessment, endoscopy and imaging. Email: contact@jonathanhughes-ent.com Q: What is Head and Neck Cancer? A: Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) is a grouping of cancers involving the larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, sinonasal area, thyroid and salivary glands. HNC is not a common cancer, with 12,000 new cases diagnosed per year in the UK; which is a similar incidence to renal cancer. However, the incidence of some HNC types are rapidly increasing; especially thyroid (75% increase in last 10 years) and oropharyngeal (50% increase in last 20 years). Q: What causes Head and Neck cancer? A: Most cases of HNC are squamous cell carcinomas, are caused by tobacco smoking and alcohol and occur in more deprived populations. However, 50% of oropharyngeal cancers we treat now are related to the Human Papilloma Virus. These patients are typically non-smokers and more affluent. Q: How is it diagnosed? A: Patients will often present with symptoms from the primary, such as a unilateral sore throat or hoarse voice, or as a neck lump, from cervical lymph node metastasis. A tissue biopsy or fine needle aspiration is required from the neck or primary site to confirm a cancer diagnosis. CT and/or MRI scans are also required for staging. One-stop clinics combine many of these tests into one consultation. 90 SEPTEMBER 2019
Q: How is it treated? A: All cancer patients should be discussed in a Multi-Disciplinary Team setting. Treatment modalities include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Patients with advanced disease often require multi-modality treatment. Surgical advances allow minimal access techniques using trans-oral lasers and robotic technology. Refinements in radiotherapy delivery with Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) help to reduce side effects of conventional radiotherapy. Immunotherapy is a promising new therapeutic modality for metastatic and recurrent disease.
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
Coconut Crazy The beauty world has gone loco for coconuts, says Katie Wright
S
upermodels and celebs swear by coconut oil for a wealth of purposes, from removing eye make-up to moisturising dry shins. The tropical fruit with the sweetsmelling flesh and refreshing juice has numerous beauty benefits, which is why it’s been harnessed in a host of new products, giving a nourishing boost to everything from fake tan to waxing strips. Love coconut oil? Then you’ll love this bunch of innovative buys. Here are some of the best new coconut infused launches and what they can do for you...
Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Blurring Coconut Face Primer Part of the Coconut Collection - inspired by Marc Jacobs’ obsession with coconut water - this primer contains no less than five different forms of the fruit, which combine to moisturise and soften your skin, leaving it primed and ready for make-up. £31, Harvey Nichols
Nair Coconut Body Wax Strips Hair removal products are notorious for leaving skin looking red and irritated, but these wax strips are infused with coconut milk, making them suitable even for sensitive skin types. Plus there’s no heating required, meaning they are super quick and easy to use. £6.99, Superdrug
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Shampoo Rinsing your hair in coconut water every time you wash it would be a pretty pricey endeavour, but this smoothie-inspired shampoo is the next best thing, which sees coconut blended with banana to offer you a double dose of antioxidant rich fruity goodness, to gently cleanse hair and scalp. £24, Cult Beauty
Biolage All-In-One Coconut Infusion Leave-In Spray Spritz on this vegan-friendly coconut-infused conditioning spray before blow-drying or straightening to protect your tresses against heat and leave them looking smooth and shiny. £14.75, Feel Unique
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam Medium Following the success of its hero hair masque, Coco & Eve has developed a tanning foam which not only delivers a bronzed glow (you can choose from three different shades) but also gets to work on cellulite and pigmentation. £29.90 Koconoi Coconut Cleansing Oil If you tend to have dry skin, you’ll be amazed what a difference it makes when you swap from a foaming cleanser to a balm, like this lightweight formula, which contains coconut, roucou and moringa oils. Massage onto dry skin, add water to emulsify then rinse thoroughly. £16, Skinspace Herbal Essences Bio:renew Coconut Milk Hydrating Mask Part of a collaboration with Kew Gardens, this coconut milk mask comes with the Royal Botanic seal of approval and is made with 90% natural ingredients. Use once a week to hydrate your hair and keep your colour looking vibrant.
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£5.99, Boots
Banyan Tree Coconut & Seaweed Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 PA+++ Part of Banyan Tree hotel group’s marine conservation efforts, this sunscreen is the brand’s first reef-friendly formula. Free from oxybenzone and octinoxate (substances known to have an adverse effect on coral reefs), the SPF30 cream also contains organic coconut oil ethically sourced from Koh Samui, Thailand. £32.90
Our Personal Trainers
Email: info@gf-fitness.co.uk
Aktaie Jewellery offers a range of perfectly imperfect pieces crafted by hand from precious metals and natural gemstones. The collection is frequently updated with unique, one of a kind designs, where nothing detracts from the beauty of the stones. Website: www.aktaie.com Instagram: @aktaie_jewellery
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HOME &
PROPERTY – Keep it local for everything house and home – I M A G E : PATRIC K G A RDN E R
H OME & PROPERTY
[NEWS]
INTERIORS keep it calm The Maya range from Icon is a calming collection of soft seating which takes inspiration from meditation and nature. Made from a water-resistant, tactile and multi-tonal fleck fabric in a range of colours, they are easily moveable so ideal for relaxing inside the home or for enjoying outside spaces. www.beanbagbazaar.co.uk
AUTUMN AT AUDENZA
Celebrate the advent of Autumn with Audenza’s new season AW19 range in deliciously autumnal colours. Ochres and greens and russets create warmth and vibrancy, with a textural scrumptiousness in velvet, wool and fur for that essential tactile experience. Rejoice as we settle into the delights of Autumn and hunker down for the year in a blaze of colour. Out this month. www.audenza.com
MOODY BLOOMS
Midnight blooms for the midnight hour. The French Bedroom Co has released a botanical bed linen set adorned with a large-scale painterly print of tea roses, honeysuckle and devil’s trumpet. The colour palette combines jewel tones of opulent green, blue and dark coral reds for a deep and romantic vibe, perfect for a luxuriously romantic boudoir. www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk
BOX CLEVER
The Ashton Armchair was designed to suit a wide palette of tastes and decors. This classic buttoned armchair combines classic and contemporary, making it ideal for any interior space. With a choice of over 50 shades, there is bound to be a dream colour out there for everyone. www.livingitup.co.uk 96 SEPTEMBER 2019
ORIENTAL OPULENCE Oriental furniture specialist Shimu has announced its latest collection of Chinese antique furniture. The collection was selected by Shimu’s director, James Cottrell, on his latest sourcing trip to China and includes antique cabinets, sideboards, chairs and tables from the far-flung regions of China. www.shimu.co.uk
H OME & PROPERTY
fine tuning
at COUNTRYWIDE PIANOS
C
ountrywide Pianos has been proudly serving both the local and wider community and we have developed from small beginnings to become the ultimate premier showroom in the South- East of England. The piano’s magical sound is created by the player pressing any one of its 88 keys, which creates a note. This happens through a complex hammer-on-string mechanism, which needs to be perfectly regulated and tuned. In the 1900’s a piano which played by itself, by reading a punched out paper roll, was all the rage. Today pianos are sophisticated musical instruments, which may not only play themselves but can be enhanced by full orchestral and vocal parts – in essence providing a live orchestral performance in your own sitting room. Today the punched out paper rolls have been replaced with the very latest digital technology, incorporated within a real acoustic piano, which can be played as a regular piano. Seeing, however is believing and a visit to Countrywide Pianos for a full demonstration is recommended. Our showroom is an array of both new and pre loved pianos with a price range to suit all pockets -from the upright piano to the very largest of full size concert grand piano, self player pianos, ‘Silent’ Yamaha pianos, together with recognition of being a Kawai real and digital Piano Selection centre you really will find it fun making your choice and for those who may need assistance there is always help and advice on hand. Being perfectly located just 35 minutes outside of London with our own FREE car parking right outside the door, shopping is made easy and enjoyable. We will arrange delivery and collection together with onsite tuning and 24 hour event support. With all of this to offer and our specialist
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THE DETAILS 194 Penn Road, High Wycombe HP15 7NU. 01494 813388. www.countrywidepianos.co.uk
knowledge, it is little wonder that we have become first choice for many major events anywhere in the UK. At Countrywide Pianos, our in- house team of piano specialists include, piano technicians to piano tuners, piano polishers to our own piano logistics team, we offer a service next to none. A traditional service, which holds on to the best but moves with the times. Countrywide Piano Centre www.countrywidepianos.co.uk is as traditional as the piano itself.
West of London
Over 100 Pianos. Largest choice of quality new and used upright pianos for London and the Home Counties. All pianos delivered and set up anywhere in the UK. Easy Free Parking – Only 25 miles from London. Showroom open 6 days a week. Well worth a visit. Showroom: 194 Penn Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP15 7NU www.countrywidepianos.co.uk | Tel: 01494 813388
H OME & PROPERTY
Dazzling
Dahlias Dahlias are the divas of late summer but if yours are looking lacklustre, experts offer 10 tips on what you can do about it.
A
s dahlia shows take place throughout late summer, these spectacular plants continue to dazzle, their gorgeous blooms creating a riot of colour. But what if your own specimens are looking tired and forlorn, with damaged leaves and petals or stilted growth? We spoke to the experts to find out how to tackle these problems, with The Cornish Dahlia Society, this year staged its 39th annual show at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, offers the first three of the following tips.
as pale spots in the early stages and then develops into yellow and finally dark brown spots. Older, lower leaves are generally first affected. Tubers will not be affected so can be lifted as normal and cleaned thoroughly but the spores can contaminate soil for years afterwards so plant your dahlias in a new location the following year. You could also try mulching below plants, using straw, to limit further spread through splashback from the soil on to foliage when rain is forecast.
1. Check if your dahlias have a disease
Deformed blooms are likely due to capsid bugs. As they suck the sap of plant tips, usually developing flower buds, toxic saliva enters the plant, causing distorted buds and flowers. Capsid bugs are green, so they are difficult to see - it’s best to look out for early signs of damage, such as holes in leaves and distorted foliage. Simply remove foliage affected. Leaves may develop many small holes, which get bigger as the plant grows and the bugs are most active from May to August. You could try
Fungal diseases (powdery mildew & dahlia smut) are the most difficult of dahlia ailments to remedy. Spider mite is also difficult to deter, but could be treated every 10 days using a horticultural soft soap. It’s recommended to remove the lower leaves affected by mildew to improve air circulation. You could also try a milk/water 30/70 solution, which is commonly used to manage powdery mildew on cucumbers and courgettes. Dahlia smut presents
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2. What about bugs?
“It’s recommended to remove the lower leaves affected by mildew to improve air circulation”
t: 020 3544 4002 e: sales@ajp-bathrooms.co.uk w: www.ajp-bathrooms.co.uk
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an organic spray but try to do so at dusk, when pollinating insects are less likely to be affected. Weed control is another way to help prevent the spread of capsid bugs, which may use weeds as host plants over winter. Vaseline on stems could be worth a try. Aphids such as blackfly can cause issues on the tips of plants. Spray off using water or you could use a horticultural soft soap. Alternatively, cut out the infected stem and monitor closely.
3. Do you have holes in petals? This is likely to be due to earwigs. The best solution is to put an upturned pot, filled with straw, on top of a cane secured in the ground. Check the pots regularly and empty earwigs elsewhere. Put the pot at a similar height to the dahlia flowers you want to protect. Planting depth for tubers is 10-15cm (4-6in) and 60cm (2ft) apart. Rotted cuttings grown on in pots can be spaced slightly closer together. Mulch after planting to conserve moisture. Katie Kingett, productive garden supervisor at Heligan, offers these additional tips:
begin. Transplanting bigger plants from containers which were started off indoors may also help reduce slug damage.
4. Prepare your ground in autumn
6. Plant after risk of frost has passed
Ground preparation is key. Add manure early on in the autumn in an area where you are intending on planting your dahlias. Alternatively, add mature matter from your compost heap or blood, fish and bones at planting time. Poor preparation may result in a reduced show of flowers and a less vigorous plant.
If you plant them out too soon, they could get knocked back by frost. Alternatively, pot up tubers in containers in early April indoors ready to transplant later, which would give you an earlier flowering period. Don’t plant them out until at least the end of May.
5. Protect against slugs
8. Water at the base of the plant
Slugs love dahlias, so be vigilant against slugs while the plants are establishing. Put your slug traps out before you plant, so you clear the area before you
This will help alleviate the risk of powdery mildew. Hot, humid and damp weather can lead to powdery mildew destroying foliage. Remove foliage affected to prevent it spreading to the healthy part of the plant. Regular feeding on a weekly basis is a good idea.
“Ground preparation is key. Add manure early on in the autumn in an area where you are intending on planting your dahlias”
9. Deadhead flowers If you want the flowers to last until the end of autumn, you’ll need to deadhead them regularly. As the plant develops, pinch out the dominant bud, which will encourage sideshoots to produce a much bushier plant with more flowers.
10. Lift them after a hard frost Leave the tubers in the ground until the foliage has been hit by frost and the leaves are blackened. Cut the stems to ground level then dig out the tubers carefully. Once the tubers are out, hang them upside down in a dark, dry, frost-free place with the stems pointing downwards because that allows any water collected in the stems to drain away so it won’t rot the tubers. Leave them upside down for two to three weeks before storing them in crates for the winter. Check spasmodically and remove any tubers which look like they are rotting. They can then be started off again in late spring. If you live in a mild area and decide to leave the tubers in the ground, cover them with a thick mulch of straw or added compost.
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H OME & PROPERTY
Add Security & Elegance to your Home F
or many reasons gate automation is by far becoming a must have for many households and property owners, including security, privacy, wildlife and pet control. With local crime on the increase and opportunist thefts happening in gardens and sheds, closed gates can offer a line of defence against these issues. With Harrier Gate’s range of video and audio entry phone systems, your front door can be moved to the very front line of your property making you feel more protected and far safer in your own home. They work closely with security companies to provide integrated systems and to maximise the use of your home security.
Gate automation services include: • Bespoke Gate Supply & Installation • Standard Gate Supply & Installation • A Range of Swing & Sliding Electric Gates • Automated Metal & Wooden Gates • Access Systems with Video and/or Audio • Gate Automation for Existing Driveway Gates
While gate automation adds security, it can also add an elegance to your home and improve the property selling value. At Harrier Gates they offer a bespoke service to provide you with gates that suit your home and style. This is important to all of their clients as gates will be the first thing visitors see and use when visiting your property. All of their automation systems are designed around each individual client to deliver a system that is convenient to their needs and uses. They provide wooden, aluminium and metal gates all made to measure, with a full CAD drawing service provided prior to manufacture. This ensures the 104 SEPTEMBER 2019
gates are made exactly to the clients requirements. They are regularly meeting with manufacturers of automation systems to keep up with all the changes and advances in gate automation. Consequently provide only the best automation and access control systems. As a member of the Gate Safe UK network they ensure all their automation systems are safe and practical for all users. They see safety as one of the most important parts of an automation system. Harrier Gates is a company dedicated to the automation industry covering domestic and industrial sectors with a one on one service from survey to installation, right up to the final handover. They also offer a repair and service of existing automation systems. Whether you have existing automatic gates or you are considering a brand new installation, they will offer you expert advice when choosing your electric gate system. Tel: 01483 379954. www.harriergates.co.uk
“While gate automation adds security, it can also add an elegance to your home”
H OME & PROPERTY
Stunning & Totally Unique
K
atherine Richards is an established interior designer with an interesting background which she brings forth into her current work. For some years she worked in London as a theatre stage and costume designer and the skills she gained there enhance her ability to assess her client’s personality accurately, take risks and think outside the box. She is a great listener and enjoys learning about the home she is about to transform and its’ inhabitants. She manages a comprehensive team of tradespeople who clearly like her and her projects and who take great pride in delivering the best workmanship possible. Her great interest in colour and the way in which is affects us all, inspires her clients to explore areas and ideas they might never have considered before. ‘If there’s something I particularly love about my work, it’s hearing my clients tell me that they would never have dreamed of making the choices they made while working with me’. One thing that strikes me about Katherine Richards Design is the bespoke service they offer. Katherine is very hands on and the company promotes her painted wall designs, bespoke rugs, outdoor features and any other special design which would enhance her projects. She sculpts, paints and seems to thoroughly enjoy everything about her work. “These additions to the business keep everything very fresh and exciting”, she explains She is also very proud of her range of stunning
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“I’m fascinated by stories, shadows, contrast and texture and lighting has always been my passion”
Top right: Bella lamp designed by Katherine Richards; Above: Bella close up Right: Hand knotted rug designed by Katherine Richards
and totally unique lamps. “I’m fascinated by stories, shadows, contrast and texture and lighting has always been my passion. In my interior design work, I spend a large part of my time focusing on light, the way in which it affects us, the ambient moods it creates and how spaces can be literally transformed by the right layering and applications. I love the variety in texture and how light plays with it and changes our perceptions” “My lamps were inspired by all these elements and I am thrilled when I hear people making up stories the lamps seem to have inspired in them. They are pieces of art really which also happen to be lamps and when they are turned on, they come alive because of the textures” Looking at the lamps close up it is clear to see what Katherine means. The drama of the pieces gives them all an individual presence and any one of them would be perfectly placed as a statement accent in any scheme. There is an uninhabited, playful rawness about them which allows one to feel immediately connected She has produced a beautiful book which shows her spectacular lamp collection (which is also shown on her website) Katherine’s spirited and imaginative approach has meant she has worked both here and abroad on a diverse range of projects. Friendly and personable but serious and professional in her approach Katherine has the knowledge and skills to collaborate with you to help you explore and discover the personality that lies within your home. www.katherinerichardsdesign.com
H OME & PROPERTY
T
a restful retreat
urn your bedroom into a restful retreat with Darlings of Chelsea. Designed for a modern maisonette, a country classic or a traditional home, these luxurious beds are stylish and durable, perfect for updating your boudoir. The Leamore Bed is grand in personality and opulent in design, ideal to make a bold statement in your bedroom. Choose from a variety of fabrics and colours to create that dream bedroom everyone craves. The Perth Bed combines elegant modern lines with sumptuous detailing and deep buttoning to the headboard. Create a retro yet glamorous bedroom with this curvy sleeper and choose from a selection of fabrics and leg options. Bring elegance to your humble abode with the Headly Bed. Opt for a light velvet for a bedroom that lacks that contemporary touch. Choose from a large selection of luxurious fabrics including weaves and super soft velvet to create your dream space. The Carlton Bed will add a scandi setting to your bedroom. With smooth woven fabric, this bed provides a sense of serenity and provides a fresh look.
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H OME & PROPERTY
Shoreline Inspiration
Immersed in the tranquillity of jewel-toned greens and deep blues, the Seaglass trend from Oak Furnitureland creates ethereal spaces cut adrift from the outside world
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ak Furnitureland turns to the sea for solace this Autumn/ Winter with its Seaglass trend which draws us along the shoreline in search of the enchanting imperfection of wave-worn glass. Awash in a tonally tight colour palette, this graceful scheme is submerged in a spectrum of blues, greens and greys which flow everywhere, from the walls and ceilings to the upholstery and tableware. There are nods to vintage grandeur with full-length panelling on the walls. This reflects the cornices and beading on the more trad-with-a-twist furniture pieces which are mixed in with cleaner, more simplistic pieces to steer the scheme away from being too polished or fussy. Meanwhile, the tactile elements of Seaglass are referenced in the cabinetry’s gently rounded edges and smooth waxed and painted surfaces. Charming ‘wonky’ glassware, accessories and statement foliage reminiscent of seaweed help complete the look. Anchored in deep blues and jewel-like greens, this living room scheme explores a variety of shades in the palette and encompasses the beautiful teal on the Brighton corner sofa in seaspray and the Trend accent chair in sky blue leather. Sarah Boyle, Product and Commercial Director at Oak Furnitureland says: “Our Brighton sofa collection is inspired by mid-century designs. It’s set on slim tapered oak legs and features square arms with buttoned bolsters and inviting deepbuttoned backs that are fibre-filled for lounging in comfort. The upholstery has a soft touch textured weave which adds to its sumptuous feel and the foamfilled seat cushions retain their shape brilliantly so there’s no need for plumping.”
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STYLING TIPS By Joanna Thornhill, Interior Stylist and Author “When working with a tonal colour scheme, if you’re not sure which other colours to layer in, look to the colour wheel: locate your main colour on that, then pick out additional tones up and down it for subtle depth, as well as choosing colours from either side to add a harmonious accent. “By going all-in with a tonal colour palette you can’t go wrong so don’t be afraid to mix blue walls with similar-toned furniture and furnishings. Just ensure you have several variations of your main colour in there to stop things feeling flat, and introduce an element such as green flowers and foliage, for subtle but necessary contrast.” Oak Furnitureland has used pieces from its Brindle cabinetry collection to bridge the contemporary upholstered designs and the room’s more traditional decor elements. The range combines solid oak tops and country farmhouse cues with a fresh sage grey painted finish and nickel handles. The Brindle extending dining table looks cool and calm at the centre of this scheme. Smooth painted turned legs and beading support a honeyed solid oak top that effortlessly transforms from 4 ft 9” to 6 ft 5”, making it ideal for entertaining. The simplicity and chunkiness of the
Romsey large sideboard is a deliberate choice to counterbalance other more ornate pieces. Carefully built from solid oak, the sleek recessed handles and clean curved lines help to ground the scheme. “Break up the look of painted woods by adding in a natural piece for contrast, such as mixing in two natural dining chairs among four painted ones. Here we chose to sit the Brindle dining chairs alongside Oak Furnitureland’s Classic dining chairs, both are upholstered in striped silver fabric. “Consider using vintage kitchenware in unexpected ways too: an old tea caddy can make great storage for any dried foodstuffs or a beautiful vintage set of imperial-measure weighing scales could make for a quirky fruit bowl.” The Romsey king size bed is highlighted beautifully against this dramatic backdrop. To make a feature of the oak grain, it’s finished in a natural protective wax that enhances the timber’s unique patterns. The bed is flanked by the Brindle bedside table and Brindle chest of drawers. Smooth curved edges give the designs flow while bun feet elevate the base to bring a light feel to even the largest pieces.
H OME & PROPERTY
Boutique developer converts a former Cartier family home in Surrey into six luxurious apartments!
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ondes Place a striking mansion in Dorking Surrey, was originally designed by the great Thomas Cubitt – of Eaton Square fame – set in a commanding location overlooking the Surrey Hills but within easy striking distance of London high society. The family-size stuccoed pile understandably attracted a well – to –do international set. After a few tenancies, it was bought by the Cartier family (the jewellers) in 1929, with Census records, indicating it was home to ‘Miss Cartier’, and was later occupied by an Indian Maharaja who was attending the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935. During the Second World War the house was used as an officers’ training centre and thereafter turned into offices for a Japanese banknote printer. Eventually the property fell out of use and into neglect. Sondes Place has now been has been sensitively converted into six new remarkable properties by award winning developer Twist Homes. Designed to appeal to the more discerning homeowner and for those who appreciate outstanding attention to detail and lavish build specification for which the developer, Twist, is renowned. Designs by the New Holland Architects have taken a sympathetic approach to the restoration of the original building and have not skimped on contemporary touches to deliver bright, airy spaces. All of the properties have retained the high ceilings and ubiquitous sense of grandeur derived
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from the original mansion. They are individual in character, and are all equally served by the reinstated historic features. Interiors feature hardwood Parquet oak herringbone floors with underfloor heating, contemporary, high quality, Italian kitchen units with integrated Miele and Siemens kitchenalia and a unique sliding island top. Built in Italian walnut-lined wardrobes in the bedrooms and high quality Italian white sanitaryware with Hansgrohe bathroom fittings complete the polished finish. With its elevated position and stunning views, Sondes Place is the perfect location for those who value the opportunity to live in a unique ’Cubitt’ mansion, in this exclusive part of Surrey. It offers the beauty, tranquillity and privacy of the Surrey Hills, yet is just a short walk from the bustling high street and cultural delights of Dorking, including Sorrel, Steve Drake’s new modern fine dining Michelin starred restaurant. The motorway network is within easy reach, as is Dorking train station with trains to London Waterloo in less than an hour. Set within landscaped gardens, residences in the converted mansion all benefit from outside space. Only two properties remaining. Priced at £1.75m. www.patrickgardner.com
“Sondes Place has now been has been sensitively converted into six new remarkable properties”
H OME & PROPERTY
INCENTIVES TO HELP MAKE YOUR DREAM MOVE TO SURREY THE DETAILS For more information on the two, three and four bedroom homes available at the award-winning Amlets Place in Cranleigh, visit the showhomes open daily from 10.00am – 5.00pm or contact 01483 494 539. Prices are from £465,000, with full stamp duty paid on selected plots*.
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ward-winning housebuilder CALA Homes is inviting purchasers searching for their dream home to visit its stunning Amlets Place and Sweeters Field developments based in Surrey, where visitors can discover a range of incentives designed to help get them moving. Proving the best of both worlds with leafy surroundings in well-connected Cranleigh, CALA Homes’ Surrey developments are proving to be popular with house hunters.
Move with just a 5% deposit The government-backed Help to Buy initiative, which enables purchasers to secure a home with as little as a 5% deposit, is often thought to be just for first time buyers – but it is available to existing homeowners too. Available on all new build homes priced up to £600,000 in England, Help to Buy enables purchasers to secure 100% of their new home from day one with as little as a 5% deposit. The government then provides an equity loan of up to 20% of the property price (up to 40% in London), which is interest free for the first five years.
Trade up / chain free CALA’s Part Exchange Service works by the homebuilder effectively acting as a buyer for a seller’s property, providing them with the peace of mind that the sale will complete in time for them to move into their new home. With no estate agents’ fees, marketing or report costs incurred, the service can also save thousands of pounds on the overall cost of the move. The sale price is determined following two free independent valuations and the completion dates 114 SEPTEMBER 2019
for sale and purchase are identical, so there are no concerns over temporary accommodation or the need for a bridging loan.
Ideal for downsizers If for example you are a downsizer, Assisted Move helps you make a smooth move to your dream CALA home but without some of the usual stresses and costs associated with selling your existing property. We’ll even contribute to your removal costs. Based on independent valuations, we will advise you of our listing price for your existing property. If you agree to go ahead at that price, our experienced staff will help manage the selected selling agents to achieve a sale in a timescale that will allow you to move into your new home.
Sweeters Field, Alfold, offers a range of one bedroom bungalows and three and four bedroom homes, priced from £399,950 and with full stamp duty paid on selected plots*. For more information, visit showhomes open daily from 10.00am – 5.00pm or contact 01483 342 382. Alternatively, please visit www.cala.co.uk. *Offer valid until 30th September 2019