Sevenoaks Life January 2014

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

ISSUE 58

www.thelifemagazines.com

JANUARY 2014

Valentine’s Special

Westerham — A Rich History Pratts Bottom — Past and Present Medieval Sandwich KENT EVENTS

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HISTORY

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FASHION

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HOMES & GARDENS

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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FOOD & DRINK • TRAVEL

An auction of Vintage & Modern Wrist Watches Monday 20th January at 11am A gentleman’s Breitling for Bentley Flying B wrist watch.

Estimate £1,500 – £2,000 A gentleman’s Hublot Big Bang wrist watch.

Estimate £3,500 – £4,500 A gentleman’s Graham Chronofighter wrist watch.

Estimate £2,000 – £3,000

www.fellows.co.uk Fellows Auctioneers | 19 Augusta Street | Birmingham B18 6JA | 0121 212 2131 London Office (By Appointment) | 2nd Floor |3 Queen Street | London W1J 5PA | 020 7127 4198 2 JANUARY 2014

PUBLISHED BY THE FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD

The Ridings Woodfield Lane Essenden, Herts AL9 6JJ Tel : 0844 800 8439 Fax : 01707 655 718 www.thelifemagazines.com Email: peter@fishmediagroup.co.uk Editor Faye Manning Assistant Editor Katie Miller Sub Editor Alex Lux Fashion Editor Kitty Shead Contributors Maureen Cole John Ruler John Bly Bruce Edwards Jack Smith Regan Maloney Design & Production Amanda Jane Spicer Photography Adam Swaine Accounts Kathy Manning Ken Fleet Business Development Managers Lisa Westerman Sinead Shell SALES Vanessa Lane James Marshall DIRECTORS Peter Smith Rory Smith Patrick Smith

All Rights reserved. All Fish Media Group Ltd magazines are copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in any of our publications and any loss arising.

Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to all of our magazines the publisher cannot accept the loss or damage to such material. The Fish Media Group Ltd reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication.

Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes and no responsibility can be accepted for the content of these pages.

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W E L C O M E

warm welcome to the January edition

Let me take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a happy, healthy and very successful 2014.

With the continuous wet weather and flooding across Kent creating a great deal of misery and depression, we felt that we should lift the spirits and bring a little LOVE into the lives of our readers. So this month we have featured the imminent romantic Valentines Day on our front cover and in a Special Feature. We offer you some suggestions on how to make the most of this special day and help to get you in the mood for February 14th.

Our superb Local Life team have recharged their batteries over the Christmas and New Year break and have been out and about again.

Maureen Cole our senior writer has been to Westerham and Sandwich. Adam Swaine our chief photographer has focussed his lens on some beautiful Winter scenes, whilst John Ruler our much loved and renowned Local historian turns the clock back with a variety of nostalgic black and white photos of Bromley and Pratts Bottom. We are sure that you will enjoy reading these interesting articles.

..... We start the new year with more features on your favourite interests.........

We start the new year with more features on your favourite interests.

We recommend that you Get Glowing on a beauty Detox in Beauty pages. You can look New Year Radiant in our Fashion feature. Our Recipe this month helps you have a Soup-er new year. We look at some Celebs Home Truths in our Home and Garden section. We Travel to the Arctic circle. There are more local events for you and the family to visit in the Whats On columns. Bruce Edwards reviews more recent Book releases and John Bly shows us more from his wonderful world of Antiques. Plus many other fascinating articles.

Once again we take a look and review some more very highly recommended, professional local businesses including Amity the Interiors specialists. KABT the excellent Kitchen and Bathroom professionals. Behar the UK’s leading carpets and flooring people.

Thomas Dunton your local Solicitors. E C Bate the must-visit Motor Bike showroom. Bluebird Care the care experts that offer good old fashioned service.

We hope that you have noticed our new look and enjoy the January issue.

Until next month………..

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

JANUARY 2014 3

4 JANUARY 2014

JANUARY 2014 5

6 JANUARY 2014

Above and beyond.

A part of the Kingswood Collection, this two bedroom apartment is on the first f loor of one of Britain’s most striking Gothic mansions. Set within the magnificent 19 acre estate of Kingswood Warren Park, it covers 2,000 square feet, has a large west facing terrace, is served by a lift and has secure underground parking for two cars. All aspects are individually designed and hand crafted to the highest specification. To live somewhere truly special, you have to look above and beyond.

Price £995,000

Open daily, 10am – 4pm 020 8619 2211 Selling agents: Savills Reigate 01737 230200

JANUARY 2014 7

L O C A L E V E N T S

What’s on...

JANUARY 2014

MERE HOUSE - OPEN GARDEN FOR NGS. 6-acre garden with C18 lake. Snowdrops, daffodils, lawns, herbaceous borders, ornamental shrubs and trees with foliage contrast and striking autumn colour. Woodland walk and major tree planting and landscaping. Park and lake walks. Open:Sun 17, Sun 24 Feb, Sun 24 Mar, Mon 1 Apr, Sun 20 Oct, Sun 16, Sun 23 Feb 2014 (2-5). Admission £4, Children free. Times:2-5. Open for charity.

Mere House, Mereworth Kent ME18 5NB WWW.MERE-HOUSE.CO.UK COUNTRY MUSIC NIGHT. Live performance by Shinola Rhode plus Disco til 2 a.m. Doors and Bar open 7 p.m. Hot Cocktail Sausages on arrival. £25.00 per person to include 2 Course Dinner served at 8.30 p.m. To book telephone 01892 515532 High Rocks, High Rocks Lane, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 9JJ. Fri 17 Jan 2014 Tel: 01892 515532 www.highrocks.co.uk

HOW ARGO GOT IT WRONG. A First-Hand Account of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. A fundraising lecture arranged by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society, to be delivered by choir member Martin Williams, CVO, MBE who was stationed in the British Embassy in Tehran over the period of the period of the US Embassy hostage crisis. A bar will be available. 7.30 pm Tickets £10 - (maximum 150 seats) Grosvenor room - St John’s Church, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9LG Fri 7 Feb 2014 Tel: 07506 557142 www. rtwcs.org.uk/concerts. html#ARGO JANE TAYLOR CONCERT. Wonderful singer/songwriter/ guitar and piano player. Revisits the PANACEA after her sold out gig last year. Starts 8.00pm Tickets £10. Panacea Coffee House, Orpington High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 0JW Sat 25 Jan 2014 Tel: 07801089375 www. janetaylor.co.uk

CHURCHFITTERS. Formed in Eastern England in 1978 but based in Brittany since 1993, Churchfitters are that rare thing on the ‘folk’ circuit – a band that consistently hit a bull’s-eye with every successive recording they make. Listeners ears will ring with unusual and exotic sounds.

The term ‘multi-instrumental’ is very fitting as they utilise enough weaponry to single-handedly supply a small army. The richly experienced musicians use a wide variety of instruments imaginatively and creatively producing great music! Tickets £12.00 Doors at 7.00 pm and St Edith Hall, Kemsing, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 6NA. Fri 14 Feb 2014 Tel: 01732 440470 www. stedithfolk.co.uk BARN THEATRE, OXTED, RH8 0AA www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk or 01959 561811 THE OXTED PLAYERS. – Ali Baba (A traditional family pantomime telling the adventures of a boy trying to defeat the evil Desert Wolf and

Mere House Garden

his Forty Thieves). Fri 17th (7.30), Sat 18th (2.30 & 7.30) Tickets from £8.00 SCAENA THEATRE COMPANY. – Sweeney Todd (Sondheim’s legendary musical about a vengeful barber who murders his victims with a cut-throat razor.

Fri 31st Jan, Sat 1st Feb (2.30 (Sat) & 7.30) (Tickets (£10.00 £15.00) ERIC AND THE CLAPTONES. (A charitable gig in aid of St Marys, Oxted, Heritage Trust).

Sat 8th Feb (7.45).Tickets £12.00 SOUTHERN COUNTIES DRAMA FESTIVAL.– A first round of the All-England Theatre Festival.

Mon 24th Feb – Sat 1st March Tickets £8.00 Concert in aid of the RNLI. The Forest Row Orchestra will perform The Barber of Seville Overture, Tchaikovsky: Elegy for strings, Beethoven Minuets and Haydn’s symphony No 94 ( surprise). All profits to the R.N.L.I. 11.00am.

Tickets £6. £1 for children.

Freshfield Hall, The Square, Forest Row East Sussex RH18 5E. Sat 8 Feb 2014.

RSPB BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH. We’re taking part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Come along and help us to identify some of the River Cray’s birdlife. 10am – 2pm, free.

Hall Place and Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, Kent DA5 1PQ Sat 25 Jan 2014 Tel: 01322 621238 www. hallplace.org.uk ST MARKS PLAYERS PROUDLY PRESENTS - SNOW WHITE. A family pantomime for all. This show tells the traditional fairytale - with some modern twists along the way. Who’d have thought Snow White’s friends would be running a B&B or that modern technology may help them overcome disaster! Come and boo the evil Queen, her cunning aide, Robb U Blind and her nit-wit henchmen, Bangers & Mash - Will they kill Snow White?

8 JANUARY 2014

A New Year suggestion...

See your local Solicitor

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

...and protect your family

Can you help the handsome Prince to save her? Fun, jokes and slapstick weave their way through the whole adventure.

Combine this with songs from Disney through to rock and the ever-popular audience participation and a great time will be had by all - oh yes it will!!

Sat 25 Jan. 3pm & 7:30pm. Sun 26 Jan 3pm Fri 31 Jan. 7.30pm Sat. 1 Feb. 2.30pm & 7:30pm.

Sun 2 Feb 3pm. Tickets : £9 Adults, £7.50 Children. Licensed Bar, Refreshments, Wheelchair Access Supporting - Croydon Carers & St Christopher’s Hospice. Beckenham Public Halls, 4 Bromley Road Beckenham BR3 5JE London BR3 5JE. Saturday 25 Jan 2014, Sun 26 Jan, Fri 31 Jan to Sun 2 Feb Tel: 07551 812 341 smplayers.co.uk AYLESFORD FARMERS MARKET. Held on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Aylesford Priory between the hours of 9.30am -1.30pm.

There are normally more than 30+ stalls Contact Steve Wood 07876 685853. Aylesford Priory, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7BX. Sun 19 Jan 2014 Tel: 07876 685853 www. aylesfordfarmers-market. co.uk BROMLEY INDOOR BOWLS CLUB. - Taster/Open Day on Saturday 18th Jan from 10 am to 4 pm. Anyone can come and see the great facilities we have on offer and have a free try at bowling indoors. Novices/ beginners - if you haven’t yet tried bowls please come along and have a free session with one of our qualified coaches.

You don’t need to worry about equipment or shoes – that will all be provided. Experienced outdoors bowlers come and have a try indoors. All are welcome.

Free entry and free parking. Free Parking, Free Entry, Free taster session with a qualified coach.

Please phone us on 01689 834341 between 9am and 6.00pm

for more details or visit www. bromleyibc.com Bromley Indoor Bowls Centre, Bodmin Close, off Gillmans Road, Orpington, Kent BR5 4LX Saturday 18 Jan 2014 Tel: 01689 834341 www. bromleyibc.com DARK TALES SPIRITS, BURIALS AND MURDEROUS INTRIGUE. – explore over 500 years of hidden history on our evening tour. Tickets £15, includes a beer, glass of wine or soft drink. Pre-booking recommended. Tours leave from West Gate 19.00 – 20.00. Tickets £15, includes a beer, glass of wine or soft drink. Pre-booking recommended. Ages 13+ only.

Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich London SE10 9LW. Thu 30 Jan, Thu 20 Feb, Thu 6 Mar Tel: 020 8269 4799 www. ornc.org/events/detail/darktales1

Many of us are already planning the things we would like to do for our families in 2014 – our summer holiday, a new car or maybe a new home.

Why not spend a modest amount to guard against costly problems for your family that could arise from your death or a serious illness.

Do I need a valid Will?

Yes as it ensures that, on your death, your estate passes to those people whom you want to benefit.

Did you know that without a Will:

You will be able to:

a) Your spouse may not receive all your estate; b) If you are in a long-term relationship with an unmarried partner, they will receive nothing.

Do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Yes as it enables you to appoint people of Planning for the Future your choice to manage your Family and Commercial Solicitors finances and care without them having Have you suffered to make a costly an injury? application to Court if you lose capacity.

It will avoid them having to file detailed Call us for our free information financial accounts at leaflets... we have been Court each year. serving Kent for over 35 years.

T H O M A S

A client guide on Personal Injury claims

D U N T O N

SOLICITORS

W

A client guide to our legal services

,

.

A client guide on Wills, Probate, Powers A of Attorney and Inheritance Tax .

Planning.

,

.

.

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

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

SOLICITORS

SOLICITORS

.

.

©

LOCAL

PROFESSIONAL

TRUSTED

LOCAL

PROFESSIONAL

TRUSTED

LOCAL

PROFESSIONAL

Why a local Solicitor?

TRUSTED

• Discuss your details face to face – not just by email or letter • Have one expert handling your case from start to finish • Have legal advice from someone experienced and qualified • Receive legal advice based on your individual circumstances • Know your case will be dealt with quickly to achieve the best results for you • Have a Solicitor who can service all your family needs The information in this article is of a general nature and details are prone to change.

Conveyancing • Wills & Probate • Mediation • Family • Employment • Personal Injury

217–219 High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 0NZ 01689 822554 Email: enquiry@thomasdunton.co.uk www.thomasdunton.co.uk

VALUATION DAY. Catherine Southon from BBC ‘Bargain Hunt’ will be at Kenley Memorial Hall on Wednesday 29th January 10am-2pm to give valuations of your treasures and heirlooms.

Valuations are free. If you wish to sell the items at auction this will be at The Chateau, Coombe Lane, Croydon on 26th March 2014. Refreshments will be available. 10am - 2pm. £1 entry.

Refreshments will be available.

Kenley Memorial Hall, 92 Godstone Road, Kenley Surrey CR8 5AB. PENSHURST CHORAL SOCIETY. Concert presents: The Nelson Mass by Haydn and Stanford’s Jubilate Deo conducted by Dan Gillingwater and Mozart’s Piano Concerto K 414 in A major played by Anthony Zerpa Falcon. Concert begins 7.30pm Tickets £10 on the door Jubilee Hall, Holmewood House School, Langton Green, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent ,TN3 0EB. Sat 8 Feb 2014 www. penshurstchoralsociety.co.uk

JANUARY 2014 9

Contents EDITORS LETTER

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WHATS ON

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LOCAL LIFE Sandwich – My Kind of Town 12 Bromley – A Stroll Down Memory Lane 16 Westerham – Small Town, Rich History 20 Pratts Bottom – Past and Present 26 A Picture of Winter

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Fellows Auctioneers – Too much time on your hands? 30 VALENTINE’S SPECIAL

32

Annabels – Cupid’s Calling 34 Bang & Olufsen – Sweet Valentine’s Music

36

Romantic Interiors

40

Don’t Cook Up a Storm

42

FASHION AND BEAUTY Get Glowing on a Beauty Detox

44

Reynolds Retreat

48

Mr Gaunt – Love Your Legs

50

Look New Year Radiant

52

HOME AND GARDEN

INTE RIOR DESIG N SERV IC E FA BR IC S CURTA I NS & BLI ND S WA L LC OV ER I NG S F UR NI T UR E L IG HT I NG M I RRORS BAT H RO OM SHOW RO OM

Celeb’s Home Truths

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BR Flooring - New Year – New Floor 60 KABT – Ideal Kitchens And Bathrooms

62

Amity – Interiors Inspiration 64 Antiques with John Bly

66

E C Bates Motorbike Specialist

72

TRAVEL

11-12 Sundridge Parade Plaistow Lane Sundridge Park Bromley BR1 4DT 020 8466 6313 www.sundridgeinteriors.com 10 JANUARY 2014

Artic Adventures

74

Thomas Dunton - Injured?

77

RECIPE Have a SOUP-ER New Year

78

BOOKS REVIEW

82

B an ook d b vo rec efo uc ei re he ve M r w a J arc or oh h 2 th n 0 £5 Le 14 00 wi ! s

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JANUARY 2014 11 The extension specialist

L O C A L L I F E

Sandwich

My Kind of Town!

A lovely old market town in south east Kent, Sandwich has been described as, “The most complete medieval town in England”.

WORDS: MAUREEN COLE

PICTURES: ADAM SWAINE

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andwich is rich in history, with the first records dating back to around 664 AD although an earlier settlement probably existed in Roman times as the town is very close to Richborough Roman Fort which was possibly the site of the first Roman landing in Britain in the first century. An archaeological dig in 2008 proved that it was a defensive site for protecting some 700 metre of coast.

The town sits on the River Stour and was a leading Kent and UK port until the river silted up and was unable to receive large vessels. Today it retains the title of a Cinque Port. These ports, of which there were five – Sandwich, Romney, Dover, Hythe, Hastings were grouped together for defence purposes by Edward the Confessor and they provided the Crown with both men and ships. In early times the fishing fleets from such coastal towns, were frequently employed to transport people and armies to and from the Continent, as well as to fight battles at sea. They formed the first Navy and were rewarded with many privileges from the Crown.

The town name of Sandwich is of old English origin and means “a trading centre on sand”. It can lay claim to being one of the best preserved medieval towns in Britain with at least six inns dating back to 16th century and some going back even further. The Fisher Gate on the quay, which is Grade 1 listed, is scheduled as an ancient monument. It dates back to 1384 and is the only one of the medieval town gates still in existence.

It is often however, the stranger events in history which appeal to us and Sandwich can claim to have had a few strange and memorable events in its time! In 1255 the first captive elephant was landed at the port, sent as a gift to Henry 111 from the French King and meant for the zoo at the Tower of London. The journey through Kent is claimed to have been fairly uneventful and only enlivened when a bull in a roadside field turned against the enormous animal and managed to attack it. It is reported that the elephant dispatched the bull, throwing it and killing it in one move.

An uneasy peace existed in England 1457 and the French, taking advantage of the moment, sent a raiding party to Kent on 28th August, which resulted in much of Sandwich being burnt to the ground. Around 4000 men from Honfleur came ashore to pillage the town and in the action the mayor, John Drury, was killed.

Since then it has been the custom for the Mayor of Sandwich to wear black, as a sign of mourning for all that took place.

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L O C A L L I F E

In 1560 Queen Elizabeth 1 granted many Dutch refugees the right to settle in the town. They brought with them new skills and were responsible for growing the first English celery. The Huguenot refugees also brought with them new techniques associated with Dutch architecture and with the manufacture of silk.

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feature is a memorial to Wing Commander Stanford Tucker, who flew in the Battle of Britain and is buried in the churchyard.

The pretty stone church of St Peter’s stands in the centre of town. Although the church is now classified as redundant it still serves the local community and is used for a range of events, such as organ recitals, fairs and art and sculpture exhibitions. As a consecrated The town name of place it also holds an annual Christmas Eve Communion Service. For further Sandwich is of old information on events please visit - www.

English origin and stpeterschurch-sandwich.org.uk

Sandwich has three historic churches, which gave their names to the old parishes of the town.

St Clements, to the south east of the town and close to the medieval town walls, has become the parish church since the union of the three Sandwich parishes in 1948. Until 1683 it was means “a trading St Mary’s, in Strand Street, boasts some also the place where the Mayor of Sandwich was Norman remains and is probably the elected. In times of trouble it also served as a centre on sand” oldest church site in Sandwich. The church mustering point. At the sound of the moot horn is now an arts centre and is available for all the men aged 14 and over had to gather at St meetings, recitals, concerts exhibitions Clements and report to the Mayor. The earlier and workshops. On April 24th 2014 it will be the venue for, “The church almost certainly dates back to Saxon times, although the Sounds of Simon”, a tribute to Simon and Garfunkel. For further church we see today is a result of the rebuilding which took place information on events please go to - www.stmarysartscentre.org. in the 12th century. The north chapel and chancel date back to the uk/venue.htm 13th century and the south chapel is 14th century. The church’s exterior displays a beautiful Norman Tower, whilst a more recent The Guildhall in the town centre is well worth a visit. It is home

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JANUARY 2014 13

L O C A L L I F E Royal St Georges every 10 years and Prince’s is an Open Final Qualifying course.

The town has a wide selection of pubs and restaurants to choose from, many of them dating back to the 1600’s. The Kings Arms in Strand Street dates back to the early Tudor times and was originally known as the Queen’s Arms. The cast iron plaque on the front of the building actually depicts the royal coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth 1. Elizabeth visited Sandwich in 1573 and stayed at King’s Lodgings, which stood opposite and was built for her father Henry V111. On the corner of the building is a depiction of Pan, which was carved during Elizabeth’s reign and which is dated 1592.

In 1687, during the reign of James II, the inn changed its name to Kings Arms and in the 1700’s and 1800’s it was a well-known coaching house. Today the inn strives to offer a wide range of meals at reasonable prices and has a wonderful garden and patio area for alfresco dining. www.kingsarms-sandwich.co.uk/ restaurant.

to many administrative duties and is the meeting place for the Town Council. It also houses the 16th century Court Room which, although no longer used as a court of law, is used for traditional ceremonies as well as being a popular venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The present Guildhall was built in 1579 and enlarged in 1912. The New Hall and offices were added in 1973. Today’s Guildhall is the third to be built in Sandwich. The first probably stood between King Street and The Chain and the second stood in what is now St Peter’s churchyard.

Guided tours of the Guildhall can be arranged, by appointment only, at £3 per person (£10 minimum tour fee). For further information please visit – www. sandwichtowncouncil.gov.uk/guildhall/ The Secret Gardens of Sandwich, circled by the city walls, is also worthy of a visit. At the heart of the gardens stands the Grade 1 listed manor house called The Salutation, which was designed

by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who also designed the three and a half acres of beautiful, formal gardens, which have recently been restored to their former beauty after lying neglected for 25 years. Within the gardens is the Wollemi Pine – a rare plant, dating back to Jurassic times, which is now part of a global conservation project to boost its numbers.

The Gardens can be visited all year round, although they are closed over Christmas and the New Year. Opening hours, along with further information, is available at – www.the-secretgardens. co.uk/visit-us/ The Salutation, once a private residence, now offers eight luxurious rooms for visitors to stay. www.the-salutation.com/ Sandwich is well endowed with nature reserves and a bird observatory at Sandwich Bay provides a home for wild ducks and other wetland wildlife. The reserve was opened by Bill Oddie, the well-known bird watcher, in May 2000. Other reserves include Monk’s Wall at Sandwich Bay and a 15 acre reserve known as Gazen Salts.

There are two world class golf courses in the area- Royal St George’s and Prince’s. The Open Championship takes place at

14 JANUARY 2014

The George and Dragon first opened in 1446, during the reign of Henry VI. At the beginning it was a dwelling house owned by Peter Taychell, who also owned property and land in Ash and Wingham. It remained a dwelling house until 1552, when the owner at that time, a Thomas Webb, applied and was granted permission to sell ales from the house. The George and Dragon is now run by the brothers Mark and Matthew Philpott, who took over in May 2008. Today the inn offers a fine menu with a good selection of wines. www.georgeanddragon-sandwich.co.uk With such a wide range of pubs and restaurants to choose from, there will undoubtedly be somewhere to meet your tastes. This lovely old market town has a story to tell around each corner and can boast historic buildings, ancient churches, wildlife havens and reserves, top golf courses, beautiful gardens and pretty river settings. It’s the kind of town to draw the visitor back time and time again.

maureenc411@btinternet.com

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JANUARY 2014 15

L O C A L L I F E

STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE: ONE

From a heathland to a suburban hotspot In the first of a new series spotlighting local towns past and present in pictures JOHN RULER compares bustling Bromley with the pastoral peace of near neighbour Pratts Bottom (See page 26).

Not much to write home about, but Simpsons Road opposite Bromley South station, pictured in 1960, was sprinkled with small shops, including a handy shoe repairers; it was later absorbed into the Westmoreland Road corner development.

D

espite a welcome £5.2m to boost the historic part of Bromley North, conservationists and the council remain in conflict over super-duper plans to revamp the Westmoreland Road-High Street corner to include a nine-screen cinema, 200 residential apartments, restaurants/cafes at plaza level and a 130-bedroom hotel. Heaven knows what H.G. Wells, the Bromley born author of the War of the Worlds and the History of Mr Polly, would have made of all this.

Even he, however, having spent a happy childhood in a town which in 1086 was described as ‘a straggling and rather miserable little place’ became somewhat miffed at the way Bromley was developing – its relative tranquillity being drowned by the roar of the railways which saw the famous stage-coaches, serving London, Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, gradually driven out of business. A fight to preserve the most famous of the coaching inns, the Royal Bell (the original of which was mentioned by Jane

16 JANUARY 2014

Austen in Pride and Prejudice) still continues.

Another, the White Hart, revered by many in the 1950s for its jazz club, where the likes of the late George Melly performed, likewise vanished during the rapacious ‘sixties. So did other familiar sights as the High Street was widened and the Churchill Theatre-cum Central Library replaced the New Theatre and the old Central Library.

At the Westmoreland Road/High Street development, which became known as Windy City, the GPO tower, dubbed the ugliest building in Bromley, began its chequered life. In 1991 The Glades, now known by the barely used name Intu Bromley, opened.

But it was, and still is to a great extent, the Market Square that made Bromley (in Saxon times ‘ the heath where the broom grows’) what it is today – a commercial centre which, given the chance, will continue to value its rich vein of history of which our selection of pictures provides a timely reminder.

L O C A L L I F E

1.

Photos: Courtesy of Bromley Library /Bromley Museum

2.

3.

From the top: 1. This lively shopping scene around 1910 shows the late lamented White Hart on the right. 2. The station’s had a facelift, but the Broadway at Bromley South still has a familiar ring to it even today. 3. The Bell Inn during its glory days: next door the name Daniel Grinsted lived on for many years.

4. A 19th century look at what became known as the Medhurst’s corner of Church Street; many wistfully remember the mammoth High Street store founded in 1897 which by 1950 boasted 40 different departments and a positive Disneyland of nooks and crannies.

4.

Footnote: If you have old prints of Kent, Sussex and Surrey towns and villages suitable for publication please contact John Ruler on 0208 462 3452 or by email at rulered@btinternet.com.

JANUARY 2014 17

L O C A L L I F E

6.

5.

9.

Clockwise from top left: 5. It’s not there now, but a clue to where the old Gothic style town hall was located lies in the grandiose building on the right whose facade still bears the name David Greig, once a household name for meat and groceries with branches in Shortlands and, until 1965, Masons Hill. 6. The sign for Aberdeen Buildings in the shopping precinct is a constant reminder that this locally listed red brick French Empire style building, completed in 1889, was probably once the shopping equivalent of The Glades. 7. Look out for the subtle changes in what looks pretty familiar today. But this was in the pre-shopping precinct days when Payne’s the jewellers, whose famous clock has now gone, dominated the Market Square and Kennedy’s sold those much sought after sausages. 8. It may send shivers down your spine, but for many an outdoors session at the council run Southlands Road Lido, opened in 1925, was the healthy way to swim. The picture was taken in 1963, before it closed in the recessionary ‘seventies. It is now a car park for a health centre, in Baths Road. 9. Talk about plush … now the High Street home to Dreams and Wilkinson, the former Gaumont was one of the 1930s’ super cinemas, seating 3,000. Films were intermingled with novelty acts, including a Chinese acrobat: ‘ the poor chap fell of in his head’ recalls Bromley resident Joyce Hawkins. A superb café/restaurant seated 150 diners. Closed in 1961, it was converted first as Nicholson’s, part of the Debenham group which now has a store in The Glades. Later Habitat was located at the former entrance to the cinema.

7.

8.

18 JANUARY 2014

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The myth of the common law wife Sarah and David have lived together for 15 years in a property which is registered solely in David’s name. They have one child, Thomas, who is 7 and Sarah is his main carer. David works as an advertising executive and earns in excess of £80,000 per annum.

Sarah is a full time mother. When Sarah moved into David’s property he did not ask her to pay towards the mortgage or any other bills. He asked only that she contributed occasionally towards food bills from the child benefit she received for Thomas.

When they separated after 15 years together Sarah thought that she would be entitled to part of the family home as they had been together for so long and have a child. She thought she was a ‘common law wife’.

Sarah sought advice from Claire Schneck at CWJ. Although she had been cohabiting with David for 15 years she would not be entitled to a share of the property as they were not married. As Sarah had not made any contribution towards the purchase price of the property, nor the mortgage, she did not have any entitlement. Also, David had not made her any promises over sharing the property together.

In order to house Thomas, Sarah was advised to make an application under the Children Act 1989 which, if successful, would provide her with sufficient funds from David to enable her to rehouse with Thomas. Any funds obtained from David in this way would have to be repaid to him in the future when Thomas attained the age of 18 or ceased full time education.

Sarah was also advised to contact the Child Maintenance Service (formerly CSA) to find out how much child maintenance David will be obliged to pay in respect of Thomas. She will not be entitled to any maintenance for herself as the parties were not married.

Claire Schneck Partner

If you have any concerns over your living arrangements after reading this case study please contact Claire Schneck by email claire.schneck@cwj.co.uk or by telephone on 01689 887828 JANUARY 2014 19

L O C A L L I F E

Westerham It is not surprising that this small town with its rich history and beautiful countryside is so popular with both local people and tourists.

WORDS: MAUREEN COLE

‘

W

esterham nestles in the valley of the River Darent, in the Sevenoaks district of Kent and 5.5 miles from Sevenoaks. Although retaining the characteristics of a village, with its pretty village green and small individual shops, Westerham by size is a small town.

Situated in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Westerham has a rich history dating back to the Romans and Vikings and has links to several historical figures. It is this wealth of history and beauty which draws people to Westerham throughout the year.

An early settlement grew up here, by the side of the River Darent, which possibly dated as far back as the Celts - Celtic coins have been unearthed 20 JANUARY 2014

PICTURES: ADAM SWAINE

Westerham even has its own Golf Course, born after the great storm of 1987

’

locally and there is evidence of a Celtic fortification (c200BC).

Westerham is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) in its Norman form as Oisterham.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin was originally built in the 13th century, with alterations to the structure in the 14th, 15th and 19th centuries. There are several 16th century small brasses and various 17th and 18th century memorial tablets.

The pretty village green, is overlooked by small shops and places to relax and enjoy afternoon tea or refreshments. It is also home to the statues of General Wolfe and Sir Winston Churchill, both of whom lived in Westerham.

The striking statue of Sir Winston (1874-1965) was sculptured

by Oscar Nemon and is cast in modern bronze. The large statue depicts Sir Winston in a sitting position and it rests on a stone plinth, which was donated by the people of Yugoslavia.

The statue of Sir General Wolfe was erected in 1911 and was designed by Derwent Wood ARA. It depicts Wolfe in a standing position and rests on an ornamental pedestal made of Portland stone. Wolfe, who was born in Westerham (1727), died at the Battle of Quebec in January 1759.

L O C A L L I F E

Another significant figure originating bought the house in 1922,on a whim without from Westerham, was the British church consulting his wife. The house is a beautiful reformer John Frith. Frith was the son of a local family home, which Churchill purchased as innkeeper and he became a pioneer writer a retreat from the pressures of political life in on the theme of liberty of conscience. Frith London. The house has many features which worked closely with William Tyndale on the serve not only to remind you of the political printing of the English bible. Records indicate climate at that time but also provide an insight that Frith was born in into the man himself.

1503. His views resulted The pretty village green, Churchill’s study forms in him eventually being the centrepiece of the is overlooked by small imprisoned and found house and is where guilty of heresy and he shops and places to relax he wrote many of his was burned to ashes at historical books following and enjoy afternoon tea or his retirement from Smithfield (1533) for Protestantism, a week politics. A short distance refreshments. before Henry VIII was from the house is the excommunicated from the Studio where he worked Catholic Church. on his private paintings.

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It would be inconceivable to visit Westerham, without paying a visit to Chartwell, the family home of Winston Churchill. Standing on the patio and looking out across the gardens one can well understand what made the house so desirable to Churchill, who it is claimed

The gardens too, are a joy to wander around and they reinforce the feeling that this was truly a family home, with gardens providing something for all the family members. There is a kitchen garden, a child’s playhouse (used by Churchill’s daughter), and a small butterfly

JANUARY 2014 21

L O C A L L I F E known simply as the Grasshopper.

It sits on the Green in the centre of Westerham and is around 700 years old. The Inn has a terrific outlook, offers good food and is featured in the, “Good Beer Guide�.

The George and Dragon in Market Square was taken over by Anne and Neale Sadler in 1994. It is a 16th century coaching house, which has had many famous visitors, including General Wolfe, who stayed at the Inn before setting off to the Battle of Quebec and Sir Winston Churchill. The Inn with its open log fires and low ceilings is popular with ramblers and tourists and offers a wide variety of homecooked foods. house, which Churchill constructed himself.

There are many beautiful properties in Westerham, many dating back several hundred years. Quebec House, which stands in Quebec Square, was the birthplace of General Wolfe who lived there until 1738. The house is surrounded by both old houses and more modern 20th century properties. The original house was built in the 16th century but was extensively rebuilt in the 18th and 20th centuries. The house was renamed after the Battle of Quebec, having originally been known as the Spiers.

Both Chartwell and Quebec House are run by the National Trust and are open to the public during the summer months.

Other notable old properties in Westerham include The Grasshopper on the Green, which was once a coaching station

22 JANUARY 2014

Westerham also boasts its own brewery, which was established in 2004. It is situated in an old dairy farm and supplies many local outlets.

On top of all this Westerham even has its own Golf Course, born after the great storm of 1987, which created an ideal site.

The course, which has developed and matured well since its beginning, offers some spectacular views across the North Downs.

It also has a function room, which can be booked for weddings and other events.

This is a truly beautiful small town and for those of you who are unable to live in Westerham it is certainly a place to stay, to visit and to treasure.

maureenc411@btinternet.com

JANUARY 2014 23

This award winning house, situated within the Green belt and area of special landscape value, has been designed to allow the residents to fully integrate with their surroundings, maintaining the mature landscape so it can continue to thrive.

Exquisite Design and the Environment in

Perfect Balance 24 JANUARY 2014

T

he new home, which replaces an existing home has been designed with respect for it’s surroundings. The new design steps down with the fall of the site and uses the level change in conjunction with the modularisation of the house to create intimate internal areas which echo the topographical context of the site.

The design by Nicolas Tye Architects features white render, timber louvres and elegant glazing systems that encourage to blur the division between inside and out. Careful consideration was given to the choice of construction materials, using locally sourced materials, the architects also went as far as specifying natural paints and stains, both internally and externally.

In keeping with it’s design philosophy, heat pumps, rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling systems were also specified to provide an energy efficient and environmentally friendly scheme.

This exquisite building of high quality design and architecture has been created to form a fresh, modern single dwelling what respects the nature of the area and brings a coherent layout integrated with the site while presenting a modern yet timeless design concept.

t: 01525 406677

Pre-patinated green copper shingles and plain copper singles Full-length glass windows bringing you views of the surrounding woodland areas A South facing morning room to make the most of the morning sun The design of the house is derived from a simple concept for example; chronological order of events when getting to the house Individual balconies to bedrooms at first floor level have glass balustrades and treated pine timber decking The underfloor heating throughout the whole house enables flexibility furniture arrangement without restriction Sophisticated home automation system enables the security system, lighting and heating system to be operated remotely Siberian Larch timber cladding A white rendered EPS system at lower level Air source heat pumps for heating and comfort cooling Sedum roof to lower roofs for biodiversity Central to our philosophy is that design is generated by the needs of people, regardless of size or scale of the design opportunity. We actively encourage our clients to consider sustainability, environmental issues and using natural, healthy materials where possible.

Nicolas Tye

nicolas tye architects

e: info@nicolastyearchitects.co.uk

w: www.nicolastyearchitects.co.uk JANUARY 2014 25

L O C A L L I F E

Little seems to have changed since All Souls Church was described in the early 1900s as being a detached brick and stone building at the top of a slope with views of the surrounding countryside.

STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE: TWO

The last laugh goes to a lively village whose name is no joke!

Words: John Ruler

S

nigger as much as you like. There’s much more to Pratts Bottom than its name. Even that’s merely a corruption of ‘the village at the bottom of the hill where the Pratt family live.’

It could equally as well derive from the Latin word partum, meaning meadow, hence ‘ dwellers of the meadow at the bottom of the hill.’ Either way, with a Pratt or Prat family living in the village from the 14th century the name becomes clearer.

Equally as intriguing is an unsubstantiated story that in 1740 smugglers captured an excise man and held him overnight at ‘Sprats Bottom, near Farnborough’ – the location verified in an old map for the 1816 Ordnance Survey, later ‘corrected,’ to Spratts Bottom, as does a 1791 bill of sale. The latter relates to the Porcupine Inn which once stood at the top of Rushmore Hill on the old London to Rye road, a major smuggling route.

For good measure, the front page of the Morning Herald on October 11, 1798, reported that a highwayman in a greatcoat and a horse with a white face had robbed a post boy of the mail for Sevenoaks, Lamberhurst, Rye, Battle and Hastings, an indication of the importance attached to the road which in the 1740s

26 JANUARY 2014

was straightened to provide a more even incline than that up Hookwood Road.

A major player in this often rumbustious history is the Bull‘s Head whose earliest landlord is listed as living in Elizabethan times. By 1893 this still rural haunt was fully licensed, with two three-stall stables, a double coach–house and a stable yard.

There was also a wood shed, a lodge with a tiled granary and two piggeries.

The fact that so much still remains intact is a credit to a village lying so close to the 21st century roar of the A21. It also led to Sue Short, a former schoolteacher, keen archaeologist and the holder of certificate in horticulture gained at nearby Coolings Garden Centre, compiling Pratts Bottom, A Journey Through Time. A tome of some 450 often delightfully illustrated pages, this was written in memory of her late husband, John, tragically killed in a road accident. It is also a big thank you to the community among which the couple built their personal Shangri-la, Beech Cottage, in which Sue still lives.

This, too, is historically located in what in 1798 was a field

L O C A L L I F E

Opened in the late 1880s, originally with separate entrances for boys and girls, the school remains part of village life.

belonging to a local farmer. Latterly known as Jackey’s Field and part of the Norsted Manor estate it was bought at auction by Lord Derby. In 1909 it was sold to – and the first Beech Cottage built by – George Sales an estate foreman who had lived in various Pratts Bottom properties with his large family of children. In 1934 it was bequeathed to his daughter Kate who once sold sweets and lemonade from a front room shop.

Her entrepreneurial husband, George Malyan, who delivered coal by horse and cart, though later by lorry, was known for his

The local Drag Hunt meet outside the Bull’s Head pre 1907; the pub today complete with the magnificent horse chestnut trees.

coal covered face protruding ‘ from an immaculate white collar.’

Kate died in May 1972, and Beech Bungalow and the adjoining coach house were sold. In 1988 John and Sue Short bought the then derelict Beech House.

A huge photographic exhibition in May 2005 in the village hall and a major exhibition at Bromley Museum created an enormous response to questionnaires sent out by Sue. Some of these prints are featured on these pages.

Note the small building attached to the cottages: now 1, The Green, it was once Clark’s General Store with Elizabeth Clark listed as the shopkeeper in 1908.

FOOTNOTE: Our thanks to Sue Short for her help. A few copies of Pratts Bottom: A Journey Through Life (Written on behalf of Pratts Bottom Residents’ Association) are still available: email: captainbeaker@hotmail.co.uk.

JANUARY 2014 27

F O C U S O N

Winter Out & About PICTURES: ADAM SWAINE

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4

5 6 7

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1. Scotney Castle And Gdns 2. Scotney Castle NT 3. Batemans NT East Sussex 4. Batemans 5. Kent Weald... 6. Swans On River Darent Eynsford 7. Scotney Boat House 8. Scotney Gdns 9.

Resevoir At Bough Beech Kent

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

28 JANUARY 2014

Project3_Layout 1 05/07/2013 17:28 Page 1

F I R ST F LO OR BAT H RO OM SHOW RO OM DE SIG N SE RV IC E AVA I L A BL E 11-12 Sundridge Parade Plaistow Lane Sundridge Park Bromley BR1 4DT 020 8466 6313 www.sundridgeinteriors.com

JANUARY 2014 29

Too much time on your hands?

O

nce upon a time a man would own one watch.

It would be cared for, maintained and possibly only worn on special occasions rather than every day – especially if the owner worked in manual labour.

I say ‘own’ rather than buy because this watch may have been passed down from father to son or bought as a gift for a significant birthday. Ladies often went without a watch altogether and if they wore one, the same rules applied as for men. Back then, watches were an important and relatively expensive purchase and the idea of a collection or ‘wardrobe’ of watches would have been out of the question.

Things have changed and, despite the fact that the correct time is displayed all around us on computer monitors, mobile phones and even microwave ovens, watch ownership continues to rise. Whether they are Swatches or the finest haute – horology more of us have an increasing number of watches. Not that these are curated collections, carefully built up after careful consideration of each purchase – rather we accumulate watches, as gifts, pieces bought in our youth that we would never wear now, family bequests as well as current favourites. Our tastes evolve over time and the watches that fall out of favour end up at the back of the drawer gathering dust.

What better way to offset the cost of the festive season than by having a little clear-out?

While a drawer full of cheap and cheerful quartz may not pay off the bills – you never know what you might find. That watch you inherited but never wear may be a vintage classic. You might find that you only wear white metal now, leaving a collection of gold or gold-plated pieces bereft 30 JANUARY 2014

and ignored. What may be a dated and ugly watch to you may be a retro gem to a collector – or maybe not.

Fellows Auctioneers handle more watches per year than any other UK auction house and offer watches for sale at a wide range of values. Valuations for auction are free and can be requested through the Fellows website very easily. With over 35 watch and watch-related auctions per year you never have long to wait for your items to sell. The auction process is an increasingly popular way to sell watches and jewellery.

The worldwide exposure of the sales through the development of online bidding means that your goods achieve their true market value while the auction charges are often much lower than the margin a dealer or retail shop would hope to make.

If you think you might have some unloved watches in the back of a drawer or the bottom of a jewellery box, get in touch with Fellows. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will let you know whether it would be suitable for auction and how much you might expect to make.

Fellows Auctioneers 0121 212 2131 • www.fellows.co.uk

Cosmetic Breast Surgery

symptoms of musculoskeletal pain. For some ladies, reducing breast size can improve mobility and make it easier to buy comfortable clothing.

Breast-lift (mastopexy), raises the position of the breast. This is achieved by tightening the skin of the breast through a variety of scar patterns. This makes the breasts appear “fuller” and more youthful. The Simon Mackey combination of mastopexy with implants is known as augmentation-mastopexy. This is a challenging cosmetic breast surgery operation, and needs to be undertaken carefully to obtain the best possible result.

M

aking the decision to go ahead with any cosmetic procedure can be difficult. Many women choose to have breast surgery to help with confidence issues, improve appearance or as a result of illness.

Inverted nipples can be corrected with non-surgical techniques, but often requires surgery under local anaesthetic.

Breast asymmetry may result from abnormal development of the breasts, or the treatment of breast disease. Asymmetry can be improved using a combination of the procedures outlined above.

Breasts change throughout a woman’s life. Enlarging through puberty, pregnancy and with weight-gain, they may empty and droop with ageing, and after breast-feeding and weight-loss. In the following article, Consultant Plastic Surgeon Simon Mackey provides an overview of the most commonly requested cosmetic breast surgery operations.

Breasts will continue to change with time, and maintaining the best results may require further procedures. Before committing to surgery, ensure that you have fully understood its limitations and potential complications. Make sure that your surgeon is on the GMC’s specialist register for plastic surgery, and ideally a certified member of BAAPS or BAPRAS.

Breast enlargement (augmentation) using silicone implants is amongst the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures. Various shapes, styles and sizes of implant can be used, and surgery is tailored specifically to you. Modern silicone implants have a proven safety record, and have not been linked to breast cancer or other diseases.

If you would like more information on breast surgery or would like to book an initial consultation with Mr Simon Mackey, consultant plastic surgeon based at North Downs Hospital, telephone 08436 585307, enquire online www.northdownshospital.co.uk or come along to the breast surgery information evening on 21st January 2014.

Breast reduction is performed using a number of different methods. Reducing breast size can improve posture and

Get your confidence back Surgical & Non Surgical Cosmetic Treatments

North Downs Hospital offer expert Top to Toe Cosmetic treatments in a reassuring and caring environment. y Surger Breast ation Inform g Evenin t 21s January 6:45pm

For more information, come along to our Cosmetic Surgery Open Evenings or contact us on:

08436 585 307 www.northdownshospital.co.uk

Treatments include: • • • • • • •

Breast Augmentation/Reduction/Uplift Face Lift Brow Lift Eye Bag removal Liposuction Tummy Tuck Male Cosmetic Surgery

@SENorthDowns

4 6 Tu p w o o d L a n e , C a t e r h a m , S u r re y C R 3 6 D P JANUARY 2014 31

VALENTINE’S LIFE THE QUALITY VALENTINE’S GUIDE • JANUARY 2014

Valentine’s Day Special

Romantic Interiors Cupid’s Calling Sweet Valentine’s Music Intimate Dining 32 JANUARY 2014

Presented by Medina

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7. Happy Jackson ‘Lovely Things’ wash bag £12.95. 8. Miss Patisserie cupcake bath bomb £4.95

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Love is in the air this

Valentine’s Make sweet music this Valentine’s with the incredible wireless sound of Beolit 12 and BeoPlay A9.

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ang & Olufsen products will send anyone’s heart racing and with free chocolates and champagne on purchases over £1,000*, there’s never been a better time to fall in love with the acclaimed Danish brand.

BeoPlay A9

Beolit 12 Beolit 12 is the perfect match for anyone who’s seeking a fantastic partner to share their passion for music!

It is sure to be love at first sight too. The beautiful speaker dock is influenced by stylish 1960s Bang & Olufsen radios and has a hand-assembled aluminium casing, wraparound loudspeaker grille available in a choice of colours and a comfortable Italian leather carrying strap.

Beolit 12

Beolit 12 is very easy-going too, being simple to use and compatible with iPod, iPhone and iPad variants. With Apple’s Airplay technology, Beolit 12 allows users to play music wirelessly from these Apple devices and also a PC or Mac when connected to a wireless network.

Even better, wherever you want to go then Beolit 12 will be the ideal companion. It is entirely portable and as well as being able to take its power from the mains, Beolit 12 has a rechargeable battery that provides up to eight hours of quality sound that can be listened to via its 120 watt amplifier, twin 2” tweeters and 4” woofer.

BeoPlay A9 BeoPlay A9 will certainly take anyone’s breath away. Elegantly styled and eye-catching, BeoPlay A9 complements its beautiful looks with nearly 500 watts of power.

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iPod, iPhone, iPad and Airplay are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the U.S. and other countries. *Available until 14th February 2014 and whilst stocks last.

36 JANUARY 2014

With its ‘plug and play’ operation, it can be easily moved from one living environment to another and the audio system can be enjoyed by anyone who has a mobile phone, tablet or music player that streams through Apple AirPlay or the open streaming standard DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance).

Tasty treats this Valentine’s Spend over £1,000 at the below Bang & Olufsen retailers by 14th February and receive complimentary champagne and chocolates to toast your new audiovisual love affair!* BeoPlay A9 also has the ‘Magic Touch’ too. The audio system showcases the new ‘Magic Touch’ volume control by Bang & Olufsen where users simply stroke their hand across the top of the system to alter the volume.

What’s more, BeoPlay A9 is certain to be a great match to the homes of audiophiles this Valentine’s as its appearance can be easily tailored. Its beautiful wooden legs are available in three wood finishes or silver or black aluminium, while its speaker cover comes in a choice of seven colours.

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by

An Inviting, Fine Dining Seafood Restaurant in Beckenham Serving Fresh Seafood in an Attractive and Relaxing Environment Everything you can expect from a High Class Restaurant Taking bookings for Valentines Day

Function room available for corporate lunches, parties and weddings 38 JANUARY 2014

Opening Hours Lunchtimes: Wed-Sat: 12.00-14.30 Evenings: Mon-Sat: 17.30-23.00 Sunday: 12.00 - 22.00

2 Southend Road Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1SD Tel: 020 8663 09 94 www.seasaltbeckenham.com

JANUARY 2014 39

Romantic Interiors Honour those close to your heart. Choose favourite pictures of your children, spouse, significant other, or friends and group them in heart shaped frames. If red, pink, and white aren’t your favourite colours, go with gold or silver, but do promote the sense of romance with sparkle and elegance.

Romantic bedroom decoration is created by using curved lines flowers, curved lines, light shade colours, floral patterns, soft fabrics, floral patterns and dim lighting. The colour of the room has a great effect on the mood. Add some romance with rich red, make an elegant look with regal purple or go for fantasy by using a deep blue colour hue painted on the ceiling.

W

ith Valentine’s day just around the corner, thoughts turn to romance.

To set the right mood throughout the year, here are some simple interior tips and a handful of extra special touches to dress your home. So whether you are planning a Valentine’s Day party or some intimate time for two, check out these romantic ideas.

Consider printed pillows, woven throws, porcelain figurines, classic framed prints and the like, creatively displayed throughout your home.

Treat yourself to flowers. There are not only florists, but great sources on-line and in catalogues for a wealth of pretty posies. While roses are the original symbol of romance, tulips in white, red, and pink or even a bouquet of carnations can brighten any room. Paperwhites and other bulbs will bring a welcome touch of Spring, as well. Consider using paper or silk flowers if live aren’t your bag.

For those with a sweet tooth there is always a treat for Valentines! Consider well placed candy dishes, heart-shaped of course, in crystal, silver, or ceramic. Whether filled with chocolate kisses, or pastel melts, it adds that sense of sweetness. Get the kids involved with baking special Valentine’s sugar cookies, heart shapes with pink and red sugar sprinkle topping to share with family and friends.

40 JANUARY 2014

Romantic bedroom decoration can also be done by creating a cosy canopy bed. It gives a feeling of privacy with draping fabrics along the corners of the wall.

For bedding soft, warm and comfortable fabrics should be used. You can also create a sense of luxury by having some assorted cosy pillows and throw pillows of different shapes and sizes. Hang some candles on the wall or arrange them artistically on the tables. You can also use floating candles. If you feel candles are risky if left unattended then you can also use battery or electricity operated dim lights can be used for romantic bedroom decoration.

Fill the air with some exotic perfumes to set up the mood. Try to sprit the linens with scented oils before making the bed. Use subtle scents like patchouli, lavender or sandalwood to make it irresistibly romantic.

One more important thing that can be considered for romantic bedroom decoration is headboards. Some fascinating headboard ideas contain full length mirrors, tapestry or quilt, room divider screens, garden lattice, or you can make a nice headboard (padded) of your own.

What makes you feel romantic?? These days the opportunities are endless, take advantage of the day and make it special.

Dreams Can Come True This incredibly rare baguette cut diamond has been completely transformed after being redesigned by Dominic in his Riverhead shop and made in his London studio.

Please call to arrange an appointment.

3 The Square  Riverhead 01732 779 555

www.dominicwalmsley.com

Made in London

Valentines Weekend Friday 14th & Saturday 15th February

Romantic 4 course dinner

including coffee & chocolates with live jazz £45.00 per person

Stay the night

£122.50 per person including jazz dinner, overnight accommodation & breakfast

Available 14th & 15th Feb.

Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8XJ tel: 01892 520331 | fax: 01892 510575 events@spahotel.co.uk | www.spahotel.co.uk JANUARY 2014 41

Don’t Cook Up a Storm on Valentine’s Day Still not sure whether to make an effort, or avoid it altogether? Olive magazine’s food editor explains how to add heat to your evening, without burning down the kitchen.

By Sarah O’Meara

R

omantically-themed restaurant menus, over-priced red roses and a room filled with cooing couples can drain the romance out of any Valentine’s Day dinner.

Indeed Janine Ratcliffe, food editor of olive magazine, admits that she’s more likely to be found hiding in her kitchen than in a fancy restaurant on the big day.

“I won’t be going out, I’ll be cooking and sharing a bottle,” says the writer.

But for those who also fancy a romantic evening in, having to actually cook the food can get in the way of that perfect night.

“Know your limits,” suggests Janine.

“Don’t get all Gordon Ramsay and decide you’re going to cook a three Michelin-star dinner for your loved one, if you’ve never cooked before. When it fails the evening will be a disaster.”

And even if you have wonderful culinary skills, spending the whole night in the kitchen is not ideal on a romantic evening, she adds with a smile.

“Think about the extras: The wine, table decorations, lighting and the things you want to have ready when the person gets there.”

It’s also important to analyse the practical side of things.

“You don’t want stuff that’s hard to eat,” says Janine. “If you don’t know your guest that well, you don’t want to embarrass yourself with prawn shells flying across the room.”

Janine’s top Valentine tips ❤❤ Don’t serve noodles or spaghetti because the strands will end up hanging out of your mouth.

Make things easy on yourself by doing some preparation in advance, she suggests.

❤❤ Avoid serving corn-on-the-cob because they’re impossible to eat seductively.

“If you want to serve three courses, that’s great. But why not make two of them ahead of time. Then you’ve got the security of knowing how you’re going to start and end the meal - even if you have a disaster in the middle. It will also give you a bit of cooking confidence.”

❤❤ Be careful not to drink too much before your date arrives. And remember that it’s about sipping the wine, not necking half the bottle!

To create a really special Valentines meal, Janine suggests focussing on the atmosphere.

“It’s not about spending a fortune or spending all day in the kitchen, but about presenting really lovely simple things in a beautiful style.

42 JANUARY 2014

❤❤ Don’t serve up slow-cooked casserole, as bits can get stuck in your teeth.

❤❤ Don’t do anything that relies on a lastminute dash to the oven, like a souffle or deep frying. ❤❤ If you really want to impress someone then have a practise run, or make something you’ve made before.

Here are some recipes from olive magazine. Visit www.bbcgoodfood.com for more ideas.

♥ Oysters Kilpatrick 3 bacon rashers, finely chopped 2tbsp fresh breadcrumbs 1tbsp Worcestershire sauce 4tbsp double cream 12 oysters Lemon wedges, to serve Heat a frying pan and add the bacon. Fry gently in its own fat until browned, then add the breadcrumbs and brown them briefly. Mix the Worcestershire sauce with the cream and divide it between the oysters, season well and then top each with some of the bacon and breadcrumb mixture. Grill until brown and crisp and serve with lemon wedges.

♥ Mustardglazed salmon with lemon and rocket and cannellini beans 1tbsp honey 1tbsp wholegrain mustard 1 lemon, zested and juiced 2 skinless salmon fillets Olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 x 400g cannellini beans tin, rinsed and drained 50g rocket

Mix the honey and mustard with a splash of lemon juice and seasoning, then marinate the salmon in it for a couple of minutes.

Heat 2 tbsps olive oil in a small pan, add the garlic and cook gently for 3-4 minutes.

Add the beans and warm through. Add the rest of lemon juice and the zest and season. Grill the salmon for 7-8 minutes until just cooked through (no need to turn over). Toss the beans with the rocket and serve with the salmon.

♥ Maple and pepperglazed chicken with roasted carrots 3 carrots, quartered Olive oil 2 small skinless chicken breasts 1 garlic clove, sliced 1/2 tbsp black peppercorns, coarsely

1/2 red pepper, finely diced 1/2 cucumber, small, seeded and finely diced 1 red onion small, diced Small handful of mint leaves, chopped roughly, plus extra to garnish 1 tbsp tomato puree 50g feta, crumbled Heat the oven to 200C/gas 6. Rub the rack with 2 tbsp of the pomegranate molasses and season well. Sear in a nonstick pan to brown on both sides. Put on a baking tray and roast for 15 minutes.

Remove and rest for 10 minutes. Put the red pepper, cucumber, red onion and mint in a bowl with the remaining pomegranate syrup and tomato puree. Season with salt and mix well. Slice the rack into chops and spoon the salsa over. Sprinkle the crumbled feta and the extra mint leaves over each plate before serving.

♥ Lamb chops with Turkish pepper salsa Trim all the fat off the chops for the most low-fat option, or leave a little on for maximum flavour.

1 rack of lamb, about 8 chops 3 tbsp pomegranate molasses

300g cream cheese mixed with 200g mascarpone 100g dark chocolate, melted 300g milk chocolate, melted 175g digestive biscuits, crushed and mixed with 50g melted butter Press the biscuit mixture into the base of a 20cm springform tin. Fold the milk chocolate into the cream cheese mix and then stir in the dark chocolate so that it looks streaky. Spoon into the tin, level the top and chill for 2 hours or overnight.

ground 1 tbsp sherry vinegar 2 tbsp maple syrup 100ml chicken stock Heat the oven to 200C/gas 6. Toss the carrots in 2 tsp oil and season. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender. Flatten the fat part of the chicken under some baking paper. The side of a rolling pin works well, or a heavy tin. Season the chicken. n Drizzle a non-stick frying pan with a little olive oil and put over a medium heat. Brown the chicken on both sides for a couple of minutes until golden, then remove. Add the garlic and pepper and cook for a minute. Add the vinegar and deglaze the pan. Add the maple syrup and stock, and simmer until syrupy, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken back to the pan and cook for another 5-6 minutes, turning to cook in the glaze. Serve with the carrots.

♥ Double chocolate cheesecake

♥ Chocolate puds with warm chocolate sauce 100g golden caster sugar 2 eggs 125g softened butter 40g ground almonds 40g cocoa 85g self raising flour sifted together with ½tsp baking powder 100g dark chocolate melted with 170ml double cream to make a sauce Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.

Mix the flour, cocoa and almonds. Cream the butter and sugar, then add the eggs and flour mix, plus 1 tbsp water. Fold everything together. Spoon into 6 150ml pudding moulds, put in a roasting tin with 1 cm boiling water, cover the lot with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes or until risen and cooked through. Serve with the warm sauce.

♥ Really easy chocolate mousse 75g dark chocolate, chopped then melted (use a standard dark chocolate for this rather than a high cocoa one as it combines better) 2 eggs, separated 25g butter, melted 1tbsp Tia Maria (optional) 2tbsp golden caster sugar To melt chocolate put it in a heatproof bowl sitting over (not in) a pan of gently simmering water or in short 10-second blasts in the microwave. Mix the chocolate with the egg yolks and butter. Whisk the egg whites and then whisk in the sugar until the mixture is shiny and stiff. Fold the two mixtures together along with the Tia Maria, if using. Divide between 4 glasses and chill until set.

JANUARY 2014 43

&

H E A LT H B E A U T Y

I

f December is all about overindulgence, January is payback time with some deep cleansing - inside and out.

Put some sparkle back in your step with a beauty detox.

Go au naturel and blitz your body with potions to make you feel wholesome again.

GET GLOWING ON A BEAUTY DETOX “The buzzwords for gorgeous skin are hydrate, nourish, sleep, repair and detoxify,” says make-up artist Jemma Kidd.

Time to glow on a beauty detox...

44 JANUARY 2014

&

H E A LT H B E A U T Y

Inner beauty Give your complexion some New Year radiance by ditching the sugar and alcohol and going to town on raw foods and water.

“Like a mirror, our outer skin reflects the state of our inner skin - the gut lining,” Kidd explains.

“If it’s functioning properly, our skin will be balanced and healthy, which is why we talk about beauty coming from the inside.”

Green vegetable juices will give your body a powerful shot of minerals and energy in a few glugs. Avoid adding fruits and vegetables that are naturally high in sugar, like bananas.

Some essential skin-boosting compounds, like antioxidants, can be difficult to absorb through diet alone, which is where beauty supplements come in. Try Functionalab for pills with beauty-boosting objectives for face and body.

Body blitz Alcohol and too many festive seconds can leave your system feeling sluggish and your body looking bumpier than Santa’s present sack.

The trick to flushing out toxins is stimulating blood circulation, drinking plenty of water and sticking to a daily regime.

“My top tip to start your New Year skincare regime is daily dry body brushing,” advises Jo Parker, spa director at Champneys. “It’s a great way to stimulate circulation, improve skin texture and banish cellulite.”

Use a body brush daily on dry skin before your morning shower, starting at the ankles in upwards movements towards the heart.

Look for products with energising ingredients that will kickstart your circulation, like seaweed extract and caffeine, to make your skin look instantly more toned.

Elemental Herbology Detox Botanical Bathing Infusion, £20 (www.elementalherbology.com)

Elle Macpherson Rotating Dry Body Brush, £39.99 (Boots)

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion, £11 (Boots)

Champneys Mineral Detox Firming Hip & Thigh Gel, £10 (Boots)

JANUARY 2014 45

&

H E A LT H B E A U T Y

Tried & tested Hand creams just got intelligent. Our testers treat chapped winter hands to some anti-ageing recovery: Dr.Ceuticals Hand De-Age Cream SPF15, £9.99 (Boots) A smooth, easily absorbed cream which doesn’t leave any gloopy residue.

It’s certainly boosted the moisture level in my hands and left them feeling smoother as promised, with its anti-ageing component.

4/5

Sanctuary Spa Active Reverse Body Correct & Protect Hand Cream SPF12, £10 (Boots) I used this daily for several weeks and, although my hands felt softer, it didn’t noticeably reduce wrinkles or age spots. The cream is easily absorbed without leaving a greasy film, and my nails feel a little stronger.

2/5 Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex Hand Cream, £18.99 (Boots) A little goes a long way with this luxurious cream, which has a strong but uplifting scent. After a couple of weeks of use, my hands look and feel younger and pesky age spots appear faded.

5/5

Buy it now

Face refresh Take a breather from your cosmetics bag and give your complexion a detox by going au naturel for a few days over the festive break.

Be a beauty detox swot for 2014 with Bliss’ limited edition Super Satchel. The ice blue Leather Satchel Company bag holds a festive stash of hero products for £165 (worth £233).

Available now while stocks last from www.blissworld. co.uk

“When you are planning to detox your skin, you must begin by resting it,” says skin therapist, Nataliya Robinson.

“We are all guilty of overusing skin care products, including make-up, which is full of chemicals and irritants.”

Even minus make-up, the daily grind can cause a build-up of pollution and bacteria so seek out a killer clarifying cleanser that purifies the skin and gently exfoliates.

Robinson recommends going back to basics: “To truly detox the skin, put away all of your commercial creams and serums and turn toward organic natural ingredients such as banana, avocado and yoghurt for a weekend, or longer if you can.”

Detox face mask For a quick detoxifying treatment, try Nataliya Robinson’s recipe for a banana face mask that’s suitable for all skin types. Use once a week to help nourish the skin naturally. ✦✦ 1 ripe mashed banana ✦✦ 1tsp of honey or maple syrup ✦✦ 10 drops of lemon juice Method: Mix thoroughly. Apply this to clean skin and allow to set for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

46 JANUARY 2014

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&

H E A LT H B E A U T Y

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

The

weight

is over!

We talk to Rachel Ricketts LEADING WEIGHT LOSS CONSULTANT FOR 10 YEARS

Hands up all those who feel they’re in a constant battle to achieve a healthy and sustainable body weight. How many diets have you tried and failed, feeling totally frustrated and not knowing what to do next?

Having had a weight problem for 35 years, Rachel was desperate to find a way of being able to lose weight once and for all. ‘I had just about resigned myself to the fact that I would be overweight for the rest of my life, when I came across the principles of the Metabolic Weight Loss Programme. I followed these and to my amazement, I lost 3 stone in just over 3 months and then went on to successfully maintain my weight. The relief was enormous to have found something that finally worked for me.’

Rachel became passionate about wanting to help as many people as possible with their weight problems, which led her to become a qualified weight loss consultant. In the last 10 years, she has helped over 3,000 clients from all walks of life to help bring their dieting days to an end once and for all. ‘My clients’ ages range from 8 years to 85 years old, so there is hope for everyone!’

One of the popular aspects of the Metabolic Weight Loss Programme is there’s nothing faddish about it. There are no meal 40 JANUARY 2014

replacements, diet shakes or diet pills. All the foods on the programme are easily obtainable. Clients frequently say just how easy it is to follow, they don’t feel hungry and are not having to constantly battle with cravings. The four stages of the programme are tailored as necessary to provide the maximum results for each client.

Rachel and her team give weekly one-toone consultations, guiding you through the programme with personalised support, lots of empathy and total conviction in the success of the programme. Email support is available in between consultations. ‘This isn’t an open-ended slimming club,’ says Rachel.

‘We set your target weight at the beginning and then get on with the business of helping you lose the weight, addressing any difficulties along the way, then we concentrate on keeping it off – for good!’

For those who are not able to visit, a very successful remote support service is provided throughout the UK. Clients often comment on how impressed

their doctors are with their results. ‘My doctor is very happy– I’ve been able to come off blood pressure and cholesterol medication,’ says one. Another doctor said, ‘All my lady patients on thyroid medication are struggling to lose weight, but you’ve lost 2 1/2 stone despite being on thyroxin – well done!’

With an average weight loss of 7-14 lbs a month for clients and hundreds of hand written testimonials, Rachel’s results speak for themselves. ‘I see real results daily, time after time I see people’s lives change in front of me.’

Rachel offers free consultations for those who are serious about losing their weight once and for all.

Rachel Ricketts Personal Weight Loss Consultancy www.rachelrickettsweightloss.co.uk Tel. 01342 327396 / 01825 705020 Email: rachel@rachelrickettsweightloss.co.uk

JANUARY 2014 47

Opening in Borough Green, May 2014 FITNESS

Our Retreat is the newest member of the Reynolds Group, a family-run and IIP Gold awarded business based in Kent.

Our newest addition, opening in May 2014 is a member’s gym, country club, restaurant and spa, all perfectly combined in one stunning setting within the ‘Garden of England’, Borough Green, near Sevenoaks in Kent.

A lime tree-lined driveway leads you to 16 acres of park, woodland, a walled garden and the beautifully restored and extended Victorian property. You can’t help but switch off and immerse yourself in the peace and tranquility.

MOTIVATE

RELAX

UNWIND

ENHANCE

INDULGE 48 JANUARY 2014

Reynolds Retreat is a truly unique experience and the perfect setting to improve your health and fitness, meet with friends for dinner, relax in the spa or just treat yourself to a de-stressing therapeutic treatment.

Providing everything for your total wellbeing, you will discover a whole new level of health at our Retreat.

You will no longer want or need to go anywhere else, as we have everything you require right here. Our gym offers everything to increase or develop your fitness whether beginner or athlete, with our personal trainers on hand to give you extra motivation if needed. Our spa helps you relax and recuperate, an important but underestimated part of your health and overall wellbeing. We provide a full range of the latest spa treatments to help enhance your natural beauty or simply to work on your achy bits.

If you are stuck for a place to socialise with friends and family, you can do that here too. We welcome nonmembers, so combine your fitness regime with your social life by inviting them to share treatments, a spa day, a PT session, afternoon tea, drinks or dinner.

Our Waterleaf restaurant is headed by none other than Michelin starred chef Mark Sargeant. Also from Kent, Mark is no stranger to good quality, locally sourced food and this fits with our ethic at the Retreat, as we are sure you would expect from us anyway.

explore the benefits of becoming a founder member today by calling:

01322 522209

discover a whole new level of health

Welcome to the Retreat

A Member’s gym, country club, restaurant and spa - all perfectly combined in one stunning setting.

www.reynoldsretreat.co.uk JANUARY 2014 49

& TREATMENT FOR VARICOSE VEINS

h ealt h beau ty

LEADING CONSULTANT VASCULAR SURGEON MICHAEL GAUNT OPENS A NEW PRACTICE AT THE LONDON CLINIC IN HARLEY STREET AND DISCUSSES THE TREATMENT OF VARICOSE AND THREAD VEINS… WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS? Varicose veins are a common problem affecting at least 20% of the adult population in the UK. ey occur when small valves inside the veins stop functioning correctly.

Rather than blood flowing effortlessly back towards the heart, the blood stagnates within the veins causing aching,

Michael Gaunt tiredness and discomfort.

At first, problem veins may not be visible but symptoms occur.

Sometimes patches of blue thread veins may be the earliest signs of an underlying problem. Eventually, the abnormal veins may become swollen, enlarged and varicose. is condition can be embarrassing and painful.

Varicose veins are usually blue or dark purple in colour and may also be lumpy or twisted in appearance.

While any vein can be affected, varicose veins most commonly develop in the legs and feet – predominantly because standing and walking can put pressure on the veins in the lower body.

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER HAVING THEM TREATED? In the developing stages, varicose veins and thread veins may be primarily a cosmetic problem. However, if ignored, the condition can deteriorate and a variety of complications can occur such as leg swelling, pigmentation of the skin around the ankles and ulcers.

Occasionally, veins can burst causing bleeding, or the blood within the veins can clot leading to the painful condition of phlebitis or even deep vein thrombosis. People who use air travel for work or holidays may be at increased risk particularly if those flights are long haul.

IS THIS TREATMENT JUST FOR WOMEN? Certainly not, it can affect men just as much as it can affect women.

Men tend to cover their legs up more, so the problem may be hidden away and ignored, with some men only seeking treatment when their veins become swollen and complications start to occur.

It is important to target varicose veins before they become a problem, as without medical treatment some conditions may worsen.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN TREATMENT AND IS IT PAINFUL? Fortunately, modern, minimally invasive treatments can often be 38 DECEMBER2013 50 JANUARY 2014

performed under local anaesthetic as a walk-in, walk-out procedure. is leaves the patient with minimal postoperative pain with practically immediate return to normal activity.

Michael Gaunt is a leading venous expert and has extensive knowledge of these procedures, having treated over 4,000 patients with the Endovenous Laser and ClariVein techniques.

Both techniques are associated with considerably less pain, bruising and scarring than traditional stripping techniques.

IS IT PERMANENT? Most modern techniques for treating varicose veins are associated with very good, long-term results.

Patients are benefiting more and more from the advances in the treatments and the new procedures that are now available.

HOW CAN I GET MY THREAD VEINS TREATED? Not all visible veins in the legs are varicose veins. Small veins underneath the skin, known as thread veins, spider veins or reticular veins, may become prominent due to a variety of different reasons. ey can cause symptoms of discomfort, itching and irritation as well as being unsightly.

Often the appearance of thread veins is due to the effect of daily wear and tear on delicate skin and local treatments are effective. However, sometimes thread veins are an indication of underlying varicose veins which may not be visible on examination.

Treatment of the thread veins will not be successful unless the underlying problem - for example the varicose veins - has been corrected first. erefore, a thorough venous assessment is necessary before initiating any local treatment for thread veins. is could include injection microsclerotherapy or VeinWave therapy.

Once underlying varicose veins have been treated or excluded, local treatment of the thread veins is much more likely to be successful.

VeinWave therapy is also very effective at removing unsightly facial red veins affecting the nose and cheeks.

ONCE I’VE DECIDED TO HAVE TREATMENT, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP? Make an appointment where we can assess your condition and discuss potential treatment and steps forward. ese no obligation consultations are offered at e London Clinic in Harley Street.

If you would like to book a mini-consultation, including an ultrasound scan, for just £95, or if you would like to find out more about your treatment options call 01223 305858 or visit www.michaelgaunt.com ■

Mr Michael Gaunt Consultant Vascular Surgeon Varicose and Thread Veins

NEW YEAR NEW LEGS NEW YOU

NEW Harley Street practice...

Did your legs let you down over the summer because of varicose veins or thread veins?

Start the new year by doing something about them so that you can look forward to the summer with confidence.

Consultant vascular surgeon Michael Gaunt has opened a new Harley Street practice specialising in varicose and thread veins. He is a leading venous expert, experienced in treating varicose veins with both the Endovenous laser and ClariVein techniques. Varicose veins are often considered a cosmetic condition but if neglected can result in complications. Minimally invasive local anaesthetic procedures can be used to treat varicose veins on a walk in, walk out basis.

If you would like to book a mini-consultation, including an ultrasound scan, for just ÂŁ95 or if you would like to find out more about your treatment options call 01223 305858 or visit www.michaelgaunt.com The London Clinic 116 Harley Street London W1G 6BW

The London Clinic Harley Street

Spire Lea & Nuffield Health Cambridge

Spire Norwich Norfolk

BMI Bury St Edmunds Suffolk JANUARY 2014 51

FA S H I O N

Look New Year Radiant

Radiant Orchid tone nails and toes

52 JANUARY 52 JANUARY 2014 2014

FA S H I O N

I

f you’ve overdosed on festive red, green and gold, colour respite comes in the form of Radiant Orchid.

The uplifting pinky-purple hybrid has been unveiled as the Colour of the Year for 2014 by global colour experts, Pantone.

“A modern and surprisingly versatile shade, Radiant Orchid enlivens the skin, making all who wear it feel more healthy and energetic,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute.

Invest now and you can get a full 12 months’ wear out of this of-the-moment hue.

The shade is undeniably feminine, so either use it sparingly via statement accessories or pick out boxy or boyish pieces to offset the uber-girliness.

“Consider the fabric, as different materials create a different effect,” advises Fiona Wellins at Colour Me Beautiful.

“If you have a softer, more muted colouring with very little contrast between your hair, eye and skin colour, then you want to keep your colours softer - go for matte fabrics, or something with a textured surface, like wool, tweed or velvet.

“If you have a striking contrast between your eyes and hair - bright eyes and dark hair for instance - you need to make Radiant Orchid look brighter to complement your look.”

Current colour Radiant Orchid, or shade 18-3224 as it’s known on the colour charts, is described

by Pantone as a captivating and enigmatic purple.

Orchid.

Diane Hassall for Rainbow Club Georgie Girl courts, £180 (www.rainbowclub.co.uk)

Eiseman enthuses: “Blending both cool and warm undertones, purple’s an appealing hue and flattering to many hair, eye and skin tones.”

This petal-inspired shade is brighter than lavender but darker than mauve, and follows in the colour crowned footsteps of 2013’s Emerald and 2012’s Tangerine Tango.

“Enhancing how you look and feel, Radiant Orchid is a surprisingly versatile shade,” Eiseman adds.

“It can look exotic with yellow-greens, lively with yellow or orange, and seductive with red.

It is complementary to blues, turquoise and teal, brightens up neutral shades of grey, beige and taupe, and is compatible with its sister shades of lavender, purple and pink.”

Orchid fashion Candy pink reigned supreme on the catwalks for autumn/ winter 13 so there’s a slight shift in the colour spectrum for spring/summer 14 season, with pinky-purple Radiant OPI Nail Lacquer in Lucky Lavender, £11.50 (John Lewis)

For a high-fashion statement look, wear your 2014 colour with contrasting pinks to create a striking tone-ontone effect.

2014 must have: If you love this hue, opt for a Radiant Orchid-tone jacket to brighten up your wardrobe. For an accent, you can’t go wrong with statement shoes or a bag.

Radiant beauty Pastels come into their own in spring and variations of Radiant Orchid feature in must-have seasonal beauty palettes.

“Updating your colour palette with purple this season is really impactful,” says Caroline Barnes, Max Factor make-up artist. “The violet tone of purple works with most skin tones.”

While a violet pink pout is best reserved for the brave, it’s a surprisingly wearable shade on nails or eyes.

“Using a brush, apply your orchid shadow over the eyelid and up and over into the sockets. Extend out towards the temples to create an elongated angle,” Barnes suggests.

“Remember when carrying off a strong eye, you should prepare your lids with either a translucent powder or primer to give the look some staying power.”

To keep your Radiant Orchid contemporary

Pastel check tee, £24; pencil skirt, £22; clutch, £18; all Dorothy Perkins, available March (www.dorothyperkins.com)

JANUARY JANUARY2014 2014 53 53

FA S H I O N and oh-so 2014, apply mascara to the top lashes only, to let the colour really pack a punch.

2014 must have: Make an impact with a wash of Radiant Orchid on eyes teamed with neutral lips. For subtlety, pinkypurple nails will complement silver or gold jewellery.

How to wear Radiant Orchid Not sure if Radiant Orchid will grow on you? Fiona Wellins at Colour Me Beautiful (www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk) has this advice for wallflowers: ✿✿ Radiant Orchid has elements of cool and warm but mostly cool, so it will flatter some complexions and not others. ✿✿ You will know the instant you put it close to your face whether it works for you. ✿✿ For those with cool skin tones, Radiant Orchid will look good on its own, or you can mix and match it with other shades in your colour palette. ✿✿ If you have a warm skin tone, wear this shade away from your face and mix it with warm shades from your palette. ✿✿ Purple is a wonderful shade to team with Radiant Orchid as it’s a universal colour, meaning that there is a shade to suit everyone. Find your best purple, make that the feature colour and Radiant Orchid your add-on accent colour for an elegant tonal look. ✿✿ For a more dramatic look, try combining Radiant Orchid with lime, red, or emerald green.

Radiant Orchid tones at Versace Spring-Summer 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week

✿✿ Radiant Orchid will brighten up your work wardrobe nicely when you team it with neutrals such as grey, navy or black. ✿✿ To really make your Radiant Orchid pop, choose a garment in a light reflecting fabric such as satin or silk.

Alice & You purple cami, £14 at Dorothy Perkins (www.dorothyperkins.com)

M.A.C Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Asian Flower £15.50 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk)

Boutique at Topshop purple wool coat, £195 (www.topshop.com)

54 JANUARY 2014

Cambridge Satchel Company Lavender leather satchel, £80.50 at ASOS (www.asos.com)

JUST INTERIORS Suppliers of fine furniture and home accessories

SA

Satur LE ST day 1 ART 1th J anua S ry

Just Interiors Petts Wood Ltd 172 Petts Wood Road, Petts Wood, Kent BR5 1LG Tel: 01689 870970 Open Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm

www.justinteriorspettswood.co.uk • facebook.com/JustInteriorsPettsWoodLtd

ADAM SWAINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Interiors Weddings Landscape

07798 526 569 www.adamswaine.co.uk

adamswaine@rocketmail.com JANUARY 2014 55

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H O M E G A R D E N

CELEBS’ HOME TRUTHS

Marco Pierre White, 52, celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality

George Lamb, 24, presenter “I live in virtually an open-plan space in my Hackney [East London] home. It’s a partconverted factory and I’m on one floor with around 1,200 square feet, which is amazing,” says Lamb, who has teamed up with Hygena to create an essential Guys’ Guide for the modern man looking to buy/rent his first home (visit www.issuu.com/ hygenaguysguide).

“I like all areas of my home but, of course, I spend most of my time in the kitchen which is set up to the standard of a professional one,” says White, who recently relaunched his specially ‘brewed for food’ amber ale, The Governor, produced in partnership with independent Manchester brewery, JW Lees.

“It’s bohemian, with exposed brick walls and the original massive red firehoses and industrial steel pipework visible in the ceiling, and a huge skylight so it’s flooded with light.

“I’m comfortable in this room and have things around me which delight me, including my collection of antique toys.

“I don’t have a dishwasher, instead I wash everything in an old Belfast sink as I was taught to do as a trainee years ago. My pride and joy are two black 3-oven AGA Total Control cookers. It means I have six ovens, four solid tops and lots of space you can’t ask for more.”

“I’ve screened off the sleeping area with antique doors but the rest of the space is zoned by using beautiful Berber rugs, and I have lots of reclaimed furniture. My favourite piece is a huge pink antique cupboard which was used by a Sunday school in a church.”

Get the look: AGA prices start at £4,995, but Koromo Clearwater, in teal, £95 a roll, Loophole metal mirror, £125, A Shade Wilder during the winter sale Get the look: selected models are reduced Eivissa Pink Bookcase a quiet spot with beautiful light. by up to 20% (www.agaliving.com/0845 Shelves, £895, The French Bedroom 712 5207).

“I can lose track of time there, forget Company (www.frenchbedroomcompany. co.uk/0845 644 8022). my worries and become totally absorbed when I’m designing furniture, lamps, Jane Seymour, 62, jewellery and fabrics or painting.”

Lisa Snowdon, 41, TV

actress and artist

“My art studio at my beach-side home in Malibu, California. It’s a really personal, really private place and very inspirational to me,” she says. “It overlooks a koi pond with a waterfall and a rose garden and it’s

56 JANUARY 2014

Get the look: Evoke a pond teeming with exotic fish with a dazzling fish design wallpaper, Koromo Clearwater Designer Wallpaper, £95 a roll, A Shade Wilder (www.ashadewilder.com).

presenter and radio DJ “I love cooking and I recently got my dream kitchen, a Smallbone Walnut & Silver kitchen, with mirror panels on the kickboards which gives an illusion that the

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H O M E G A R D E N room is larger, and granite work surfaces,” says Snowdon.

Stornas extendable table, £300, and Almsta chairs, £70 each, Ikea.

“There are dark wood floors throughout the house but the kitchen has a heated tiled floor, a treat for the toes. I practically live in that room as it’s such a joy to be in.

“We live in Cape Town [in South Africa] high up on the outer slopes of Table Mountain nature reserve, and my bathroom has spectacular views of the ocean,” says Strachan who shares her home with her partner Nick Chevallier and their son Oliver, 8.

“My other favourite area is the conservatory, where I have an Indian daybed, colourful cushions, drapes and mementoes from my travels abroad and lots of photographs.”

“The bath is big enough that we can bathe in it as a family if we want to, and we’ve used natural materials, stone and wood, throughout.

Get the look: Walnut & Silver Kitchen from bespoke luxury cabinet maker, Smallbone of Devizes. Kitchens start from £40,000 (www.smallbone.co.uk/020 7589 5998)

Alan Titchmarsh, 64, celebrity gardener, writer and presenter “My study is in a converted barn in the garden with a large window overlooking a wildlife Alan Titchmarsh pond, so I can gaze out at attending the RHS ducks and moorhens,” he er Flow sea Chel says. “It’s totally relaxing Show, London and my favourite spot.”

Get the look: Ducks On Parade hand-gilded print, £50, Mountain & Molehill (www.mountainandmolehill. com).

Piers Morgan, 48, TV personality and journalist “My favourite room is the den at my home in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles. It has leather armchairs, a well-stocked built-in bar with French wines and classic English beers, and charcoal grey painted walls on which I’ve hung brilliant memorabilia.

“There are framed front pages to remind me of my time editing the News of the World and the Daily Mirror newspapers, as well as framed album covers of one of my heroes, Frank Sinatra. I also have a small collection of Winston Churchill plaster busts,” he says. “It’s a dark little den where I relax on my own or with friends.”

Get the look: Frank Sinatra in Los Angeles, 1969, framed print from £75 or as a mounted print from £45, Sonic Editions. (www.soniceditions.com).

A Memphis Metal & Leather Aviator Bar Trunk, £2,995, Alexander & Pearl (www. alexanderandpearl.co.uk/020 8508 0411).

Michaela Strachan, 47, TV presenter

“Next favourite area is my kitchen with a huge wooden table and old pine church pews for seats. The walls are a dark mud colour, and there’s a real African-feel with artefacts we’ve collected hung on the walls.

Janet Ellis, 58, TV presenter and actress “My kitchen is my favourite, because it runs from the Former Blue Peter front of the house presenter and mothe to the back, and r of pop singer Sophie at each end the Ellis Bextor, Janet windows look out Ellis, arr iving for a on to gardens,” celebrity pyjama par ty says Ellis, whose and charity auction daughter is singer at the world famous toy store Hamleys in Sophie EllisLondon.

Bextor.

“It’s got fitted cream Ikea kitchen units, stainless steel worktops and a huge oven.

There’s a large central island and running on from that, a dining table which seats 12. It’s great for family meals when Sophie and her family come over, as well as my other children.

“The whole room is serene in cream shades, and an oasis compared to rest of the house, which is filled with colour and lots of art. On guard by the kitchen door is a life-size model of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.”

“The view’s also amazing to the harbour below us, then to one side the township, where there’s a lot of poverty, contrasting with a beautiful residential area on the right. There’s nature all around us and we can spot wild birds of every description because of the reserve.”

Get the look: Cabrits bath, £3,575, West One Bathrooms, made from volcanic limestone (www.westonebathrooms. com/020 7324 9780).

Kelly Hoppen, 54, international interior designer and Dragons’ Den judge “I love all the rooms in my home. However, the room I spend the most time in is probably my bedroom - it’s like my own sanctuary where I retreat at the end of the day,” says Hoppen, who recently published a new book, Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass:

Kelly Hoppen.

Kelly Hoppen Embroidered Coral Design Reversible Bedcover, in taupe, £43.92, QVC

Janet Ellis supports Sainsbury’s campaign urging people to recycle their Christmas cards and wrapping paper at their local store (www.sainsburys.co.uk).

Get the look: Ikea’s Stornas extendable table, £300, Almsta chairs, £70 each, are good value from Ikea. (www.ikea. com); Abigail Ahern bulldog lamp, £295, The French Bedroom Company (www. frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk)

JANUARY 2014 57

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Quail Ceramics Maran Hen Salt and Pepper set, £15.99, Cotswold Trading

H O M E G A R D E N

Big Ben Union Jack wall clock sticker, £120, Nubie

three, and the dog running in out from the garden, especially in the summer.

“On the patio we have a hen house, a reminder of the time when we used to have hens and they came in and out of the house too. There’s a country atmosphere to this room and I still have hen ornaments.”

Get the look: Laura Ashley has a country-style Dorset furniture collection; Dining Table, £950 (currently on sale for £665) and Dining Chair Pai, £332.50 (www.lauraashley.com/0871 2390 2301).

Quail Ceramics Maran Hen Salt & Pepper Set, £15.99, Cotswold Trading (www.cotswoldtrading.com/01386 853 331)

How To Achieve The Home Of Your Dreams (Jacqui Small, £40).

“It contains lots of cushions to add cosiness and a wonderfully comfy bed, made by Duxiana. I have a rather large en suite with a big bath tub to help really enjoy a soak.”

Get the look: Kelly Hoppen Embroidered Coral Design Reversible Bedcover, in taupe, from £43.92, QVC (www.qvc.com).

Danny Wallace, 37, writer, actor and radio presenter “My attic study, where I feel relaxed and in charge and do all my writing. The light is brilliant and the walls are white, apart from one wall papered with wood effect wallpaper, where my desk is,” he says.

“There are loads of bookshelves groaning with books and, of course, being a man’s retreat, a sofa and a large TV. In one corner is a vintage Forties school desk, which I bought for my four-yearold son, Elliot.

“He’s writing his own book about Big Ben, which he adores for some reason.”

Get the look: Union Jack Big Ben Wall Clock sticker, £120, Nubie (www.nubie.co.uk); Irene reclaimed wood writing desk, £492, Sisters Guild (www.sistersguild.co.uk); Aged Driftwood Panel wallpaper, from £40, Decor Wallpaper (www. decorwallpaper.com).

Kirsty Gallacher, 37, Scottish TV presenter “My kitchen dining area is a playroom, homework area and social zone, with glass doors which lead onto the garden,” says the mother-of-two.

“We have a three-storey townhouse so the bottom floor is the hub of the house, with my sons, who are aged seven and

58 JANUARY 2014

Dorset dining table, £950; pair of dining chairs, £495; blinds roman in whitby check seaspray, £28 a metre; Wicklow ceiling shades, £110 each, Laura Ashley

Call now 01892 517385

Showrooms open: Mon-Fri 9.00-4.30pm Sat 9.00-4.00pm Unit 5, Tunbridge Wells Trade Park, Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3QF

www.granitetransformations.co.uk/tunwells

JANUARY 2014 59

BR Flooring New Year – New Look – New Floor!

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brand new year provides the perfect opportunity to look forward to the freshness of a new beginning. And what better place to start than in your own home- now is the time to brighten up the entire house.

BR Flooring are aware of the importance of selecting the correct flooring for your home. Not only does it need to look good but it also needs to be practical and fit the lifestyle of the home owner. There’s no better place to look at the new season’s exciting flooring choices than at BR Flooring.

BR Flooring have recently rebranded and have expanded their business to include a second shop

in Eltham High Street. With over 90 years of quality service and value behind them there is so much to offer. There are massive choices in carpets in natural and man-made fibres, with seemingly limitless options in plain or patterns, understated neutrals to the dazzling funky. They offer rugs from all over the world in traditional or contemporary styles and in just about every size and shape imaginable.

Both shops also offer hard floors, real woods and durable easy-fit laminates.

Right now there has never been a better time to buy, as the famous BR Flooring Winter Sale is now on! Selected ranges are half price and free fitting with minimum orders of 10 square metres. Plus there are lots more offers available inside the store.

BR Flooring are able to provide choice, expert honest advice and exceptional customer service which is professional on every level. There is only one place to venture to for your flooring this New Year and it has to be BR Flooring!

Eltham Petts Wood BR Flooring 216 - 218 2b/2c, Fairway 2B/2C Eltham High Street, StationFairway, Square,Station Square, Petts Wood BR5 1EG Eltham Petts Wood, Tel: SE9 1BA Kent01689 BR5 822100 1EG

Telephone: 01689 822100 Telephone: 0208 294 2660 BR Flooring www.brflooring.co.uk 216-218 Eltham Highenquiries@brflooring.co.uk Street, SE9 1BA 0208 294 2660

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

www.brflooring.co.uk

60 JANUARY 2014

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H O M E G A R D E N

Your Ideal Kitchen and Bedroom is closer than you think

W

hen it comes to spending money on your kitchen, whether simply updating your worktops and doors or installing a whole new design, everyone wants to know they’re getting the best quality materials, the highest level of service at the best possible price. Choosing the right company for the job can feel like a tough decision, but with Kitchen & Bedroom Transformations (KABT) and Original Kitchens (OK) your ideal kitchen or bedroom is closer to home than you think.

KABT and OK have been designing and fitting bespoke kitchens and bedrooms since 1995. They’re big enough to turn your grand ideas into reality, but small enough to give it that personal touch.

For Owner, Mike Whitmore, transforming kitchens and bedrooms is all about excellent customer service. Mike says “At KABT and OK we’re always working hard to ensure that our Customers get what they want; we believe that quality service is a key ingredient in creating your ideal kitchen or bedroom.”

“We are being asked to provide a wide range of kitchen and bedroom improvements, from full bespoke re-designs to simple upgrades, such as replacing worktops and doors.

People can still get the kitchen or bedroom makeover they’ve always wanted without spending a lot of money because we have a huge choice of doors, worktop styles and colours from a variety of manufacturers. We can always find what is right for our customers.”

For a full bespoke redesign - “We offer a free design consultation and survey. We will come to your home, listen to your needs and requirements and discuss various

options. We will measure the layout of the room and create realistic 3D visuals of what your new kitchen or bedroom will look like. These drawings can then be used for further discussions until you are completely happy / satisfied with the new look and layout.”

“We will not try to sell you a kitchen or bedroom from a book – we will use brochures and catalogues for guidance, but rather create a completely unique kitchen or bedroom designed specifically for you. We do not think that a kitchen or bedroom can be designed correctly without seeing the actual room.”

With a kitchen or bedroom transformation – “We will measure all of the doors, drawer fronts and worktops etc. and take into account all of the components required to transform the existing installation and offer a no obligation price within the same visit. This would always be followed up by a written specification.”

Why not give KABT and OK a call and arrange your design consultation and survey?

After all, it is FREE. Call today and start transforming the heart of your home, and the way you live.

Kitchen & Bedroom Transformations with Original Kitchens 6 Marion Crescent, Orpington Kent, BR5 2DD

01689 831400 ∙ www.kabt.co.uk

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Kent 1/4 portrait_Layout 1 04/11/2013 12:41 Page 1

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JANUARY 2014 63

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H O M E G A R D E N

Interior Inspiration

update new ranges which mean that they can always offer the latest trends and designs. What’s more, their long established international connections allow them to bring you the latest interior styling technologies and aesthetics from across the globe.

As Amity is a bespoke company, all of their expert services are tailored uniquely to you. This starts with their detailed measure consultation where you can be sure their advisors will recommend the most suitable and effective items to suit your practical needs together with their knowledge of over 2,500 design collections and the latest window dressing techniques. The company’s Orpington showroom offers a spacious and pleasant creative environment with fabric, wallpaper, blind, pole and accessory collections with books, swatches and designer displays to inspire your choices.

You can have a visit in the comfort of your own home, which gives you first-hand experience of the company’s minimum disruption, maximum efficiency ‘on location’ services. After researching and creating your bespoke pieces the Amity experience concludes with a professional installation and window dressing service to ensure your window furnishings look great and function excellently.

Whatever your question, Amity’s experience and broad product ranges can provide you with the answer. The extensive variety of products available at Amity includes: a diverse range of over 30,000 wallpapers including textured, contemporary graphic, patterned, fabric and metallic. With fabrics such as sumptuous silks and velvets, plantation shutters and blinds, carpets and rugs, lighting, cushions and bedcovers, furniture and trimmings, bespoke hand finished curtains, pelmets, swags and tails, and poles and tracks there is a solution for every situation. What’s more Amity stock a variety of some of the most popular furnishing brands, such as Osborne & Little, Nina Campbell, Designers Guild, Jane Churchill and Jab Anstoetz.

With a new showroom consultation area just being launched Amity is a must see!

H

aving been established for over 40 years, Amity’s extensive knowledge of the interior and window furnishing market now means they are leaders in their field, and strive to produce the highest standards in quality and expert service. Amity is a friendly family run business, meaning they give all their customers a personalised service whilst maintaining high levels of professionalism. They constantly

64 JANUARY 2014

If you would like to utilize Amity’s expert Full Interior Design or Measure and Fit service, you can visit Amity at Solar House, Church Hill, Orpington, Kent, BR6 OHE. Alternatively to view Amity’s extensive range of products, order online or for more information visit www.amity.uk.com, or contact Amity by emailing info@amity.uk.com or by telephoning 01689 878 418.

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

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

14 Kingsway Coney Hall Parade West Wickham BR4 9JF

Tel: 0800 011 4635 0208 4629790

Email: info@paulturnhamkitchens.co.uk

www.paultur nhamki tchens.c o.uk

JANUARY 2014 65

A N T I Q U E S

John Bly T

o mark the 75th Anniversary of the historic site of the Pinewood Studios in September 2011 the massive 35ft high Elizabethan fire surround which forms the main entrance was painstakingly restored by students from the Buckinghamshire New University. This was a tricky and prestigious job and the MA. Furniture Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts students spent nine days restoring colour and finish to the vast 16th century solid oak structure, bought to Pinewood from Ilam Hall in Derbyshire in 1930. The university has been acknowledged as a source for talent in the various aspects of care and restoration for more than twenty years with many worthy patrons to their credit, but there is traditionally a problem exposing such skills to the commercial world. Thank fully that has been addressed by a new enterprise called Bucks Conservation, the aims of which are to channel commercial conservation and restoration projects to BA (Hons) and MA Furniture Conservation, Restoration and Decorative Arts recent alumni. I know about this because I was invited to attend its official launch at Fernandez & Wells, Somerset House, London on Monday 8 October 2012.

This was followed by a guided and private tour of The Courtauld Gallery, which if you haven’t visited is well worth the time as it is, as it rightfully claims to be, one of the finest small art museums in the world.

So access to educated restoration of our heritage will be more readily available than ever and by no means restricted to furniture. Indeed the massive chandelier in Halton House in Buckinghamshire has just received some tender loving care from some recent alumni and wonderful it now looks indeed.

To compliment the growth of interest and talent in restoration and conservation one of the most reassuring things in the last decade has been the establishment of young artisans creating truly beautiful work in all areas of the decorative arts. At the risk of sounding as if my life revolves around going to launch parties and visiting shows – which I can assure you it does not – I was invited to the opening of PAD. Set within a vast fabric structure in Berkley Square, London, this is without question London’s leading fair for 20th Century art, design and decorative arts. Inspiring a

66 JANUARY 2014

unique spirit of collecting, PAD epitomises how modern art, photography, design, decorative and tribal arts interact to reveal astonishing combinations and create the most individual and staggering interiors. Prominent international galleries from major cities across Europe, North America and Asia come together to offer an exceptional panorama of the most coveted and iconic works available on the market today. Anyone receiving this magazine for more than twelve months may remember that I reported on this last year and was absolutely entranced by the furniture made by the Irish phenomenon Joseph Walsh. He astounded again this year with a ‘shelf’ sculptured from a multitude of laminates to form as if made of petrified fabric blowing in the wind. This recent fair was by far the best I’ve seen with such innovations that gladden the heart, and a leading gallery in this respect is Pearl Lam Design. At PAD they were presenting six international artists and designers from very different design scenes, one of whom, André Dubreuil, produced the most amazing fusion of ancient and modern chinoiserie.

A major piece entitled Mr Big was a version of the traditional cabinet on stand but what a cabinet and what a stand! Using steel, copper, stone and enamel it’s a ferocious yet beautiful and functional work of Art. In contrast Christian Elwes of Entwistle was showing, from their tyribal inventory a stylized and most elegant ceremonial bird head club, or Poro Wa Ramaru, from the Kanak peoples of New Caledonia. Visually it stops you in your tracks, as no doubt it would if you were hit by it, but it is of such compelling sculptural form that it symbolises wealth and high rank rather than being a combat weapon. Nevertheless stunning in every sense of the word. At PAD there is lighting the intricacies of which defy understanding, décor that makes you want to go home and start again and furniture and accessories that make you smile and covet. Overall it is the imagination and the ingenuity of the young designers and artisans that make for such a great show. I especially like the way so many are taking tradition and twisting it around with new ideas, materials and techniques. Zoe Ouvrier is a name to watch if you are thinking about antiques of the future. She creates unique pieces from carved wood as well as paintings and lace-adorned decorative screens. Using

plywood that has first been painted and then intricately and painstakingly engraved, Ouvrier’s works display the motifs of plant stems and the roots, nodes, and shoots often concealed underground.

The resulting artworks are a beautiful tribute to nature and expert craftsmanship.

Speaking of which, names and craftsmanship that is, I have recently been reminded of one of the great names in the world of Art Nouveau bronzes, Bruno Zach.

Zach was born in the town of Schitomir, Ukrainein in 1891, the year my grandfather formerly established his antiques business in Tring, and died in 1945. He studied at the Vienna Academy and subsequently worked for various foundries in Vienna producing the finest quality bronze works including western, oriental, sporting, animalier, art deco and erotic subjects, sometimes incorporating ivory carved to replicate the unclothed parts of the model. One of his most desirable figures is entitled ‘The Riding Crop’ of which there were two versions. One stands 32 inches high, of which there were more than ninety produced and the other, at just a third of that height, of which no more than six are recorded. Asked to find an example of the latter I went to the one person I know who might help, David Hickmet. David’s Gallery 85 is at that number in Portobello Road and sure enough, and as luck would have it one of his ‘finders’ – David has people all over the world sourcing his speciality – had just located the one illustrated. A perfect example with a patina that guarantees authenticity, just like a piece of my 18th century furniture. So horizons are broadened all the time and with pieces from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II it’s been a busy month.

John Bly Antiques 1891.

Tel: 01442823030 Mobile: 07831 888826 Website: www.johnbly.com Email: john@johnbly.com

JANUARY 2014 67 JANUARY 2014 67

AT LEAST

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WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES JANUARY SALE

INT

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50% AT LE A

ST

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OWS AT LEAST

45%

OFF

CONSERVATORIES

AT LEAST

As seen on

OFF

3OR5AN% GERIES

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70 JANUARY 2014

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

Dear Dear Debbie Debbie

Debbie Moulton, Care Manager of

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

MANAGER OF BLUEBIRD CARE

BlueBird offers her aDviCe OFFERS Care, HER ADVICE

Dear Debbie

Can you explain why some people are given money to Dear Debbie Dear Debbie help them with care costs and others have to pay for it all themselves? doesn’t seem very fair -recently. they areI all My mother hasitbecome quite forgetful work Can you explain why some people are given money to long hours and cannot manage to get down there every oaP’s after all. help them with care costs and others have to pay for it day. The situation is not critical at the moment but I fear Yours sincerely, all it doesn’t seemnear veryfuture. fair - they are allshe shethemselves? will need help in the very However, Claire Chester oaP’s after to all.receiving care. She is fiercely independent is resistant Yours sincerely, and feels she can manage on her own. What do you suggest?

Claire Chester

Dear Claire

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

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

Our staff are caring, trained to give medication and police checked.

www.bluebirdcare.co.uk

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

“Fairness” is adifferent the reason is that social Care is considered to be Dear Peter difficult concept in social Care! at present, if you have from Health Care, which is covered by the NHs and is Most of us go through life completely independently more than £23,250 inwithout savingscharge. or capital, you have universally available “Fairness” is to a payand take forown granted what we can manage on below a dailythat basis. for your social your savings are difficult concept in Care. socialifCare! at present, if you But, if we find ourselves in a situation where wehave find level, may qualify some assistance from your more than £23,250 infor savings or capital, you have tolocal paythe dailyyou tasks more difficult or we are unable to achieve authority which will provide guidance. things used to, Care. this can be quite difficult to come for yourwe own social if your savings are below that to terms even you ifwith. you have to pay yourassistance own socialfrom Care, youlocal level, may qualify forfor some your may qualify- which for attendance allowance, which is not A common misconception about care is that it ismeans for authority will provide guidance. individuals that cannot do anything for themselves or for tested. be eligible, be 65 orsocial over and have even to if you have to you pay must for your own Care, you individuals that cannot cope.

This may well be how your either a physical or mental disability thatwhich is severe enough may qualify for attendance allowance, is not means mother feels. for you to help caring for yourself someone to tested. toneed be eligible, must be ororover and have But, care at home is you provided to 65 ensure individuals supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety. the either a physical or mental that is severefor enough maintain their quality of lifedisability and independence as payment is presently long asto possible.

It either: can befor a good ideaortosomeone let someone for you need help caring yourself to l warm to the prospect of care by introducing it slowly. £53 per week if you need frequent help or constant supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety. the Perhaps start withthe a domestic call onceat a week supervision day, or supervision night, so or the payment is during presently either: Care Worker can check on your mother’s well-being and l £79 per week if you need help or supervision l £53 per week if you need frequent help or constant build a professional relationship which will be needed throughout both andday, night, or you are enough terminally supervision during the or supervision at night,trust orill. to to make her feelday comfortable and build You can claim by filling in Form aa1a, available from the have more visits as her needs increase. l £79 per week if you need help or supervision Post office, orboth by going online at www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/ throughout day and night, or you are terminally ill.

Best wishes You canMoulton claim by filling in Form aa1a, available from the Debbie Best wishes, Post office, or by going online at www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/ Care Manager Debbie Moulton Bluebird Care Care Manager Best wishes, Bluebird Care (Sevenoaks) Debbie Moulton Care Manager Bluebird Care (Sevenoaks)

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a u g uJANUARY s t 2 0 1 3 2014 71

Royal Enfield

re-ignites motorcycling with the new Continental GT café racer

I

n a world that is increasingly looking at reviving the mood of romantic and free spirited optimism of the swinging ‘60s, the 2013 Continental GT evokes a sense of nostalgia, It is built to be an involving motorcycle, one that insists on being ridden frequently.

It is a no-nonsense bike that is easy to maintain and own, and one that turns heads without exception. Novices and veteran riders will appreciate the complete control of this bike; the experience of the Continental GT is pure motorcycling at its best, much like in the heydays of café racing.

At the heart of the Continental GT is the tried-and-tested single-cylinder air-cooled Unit Construction Engine which has been upgraded to 535cc with a re-mapped ECU and lower inertia to deliver that extra punch and responsiveness that is so essential to the café racer character.

The rest of the motorcycle has been designed afresh groundup. Years of development went into creating the razor sharp handling and superior rigidity on the new Continental GT; also the ride is super smooth across most road conditions and the motorcycle responds naturally and instantaneously to the rider’s body. Royal Enfield worked closely with Harris Performance to create the new chassis which delivers this authentic café racer ride and handling via a nimble double cradle frame as well as new 41mm front forks and twin gas- charged Paioli rear shockers. The Pirelli Sport Demon tyres provide excellent grip, and the Brembo brakes give outstanding response and stopping distance to this meticulously designed motorcycle.

The café racers of the 1960s and Royal Enfield’s own 1965 Continental GT in particular were the main design inspiration for this motorcycle. It has a stretched out low-profile fuel tank with knee recesses for the authentic period café racer look and is finished in the signature GT red. Style meets functionality when genuine clip-on bars conspire with the flat sculpted racing seat with contrast stitching and bump stop along with rearset foldable footrests to urge the rider to tuck his elbows in neatly and get into

72 JANUARY 2014

a sporty yet ergonomic position for spirited riding. Trimmed front and rear mudguards add to the clean lines of the Continental GT and an upswept exhaust allow more ground clearance when cornering at speed. Royal Enfield worked closely with Xenophya Design of UK to get the overall look and proportions just right and to ensure that each detail on this motorcycle is well crafted so that it will become a modern classic in its own right.

Every Continental GT will roll out of Royal Enfield’s state-ofthe art new manufacturing facility in Oragadam near Chennai (Madras) which became operational in April 2013. With the surge in demand for Royal Enfield motorcycles in recent years, the overall production capacity has been increased to 175,000 motorcycles for 2013 and 250,000 motorcycles in 2014. The new facility has been designed with a master plan that allows Royal Enfield to scale production capacity to 500,000 motorcycles in the future. Royal Enfield’s new plant has also been benchmarked to achieve the highest level of quality and productivity.

The 2013 Continental GT is a machine with a story, a nod to motorcycling’s finest hour and the best expression of a cultural phenomenon that has simply refused to fade away – the café racer - it is available now from your local Dealer E.C. Bate in Dartford.

Established in 1895 they also have a long tradition in motorcycling, ring Barry for a test ride! 01322 220748.

Bate’s Yard, r/o 52 West Hill, Dartford. DA1 2EU www.ecbate.co.uk

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JANUARY 2014 73

T R AV E L

ARCTIC ADVENTURES IN THE DEEP FREEZE

A snowmobile safari across the Arctic Desert in Spitsbergen

G

ripping their harness tightly, I try with all my might to stop the eager pack of husky dogs from tearing loose. But not even a

fleet of armoured tanks could halt these powerful animals and dampen their desire to run.

Blue eyes glinting wildly in the violet wintery half-light, lead dog Simbad burrows his paws into the thick snow as if revving up an engine. ote Arctic landscape of

A trapper ’s hut in the rem

Barking, wailing and howling impatiently, eight packs of dogs are raring to take their, understandably nervous, passengers on a ride through remote Arctic valleys visited only by a fortunate few.

But as the noise reaches a deafening crescendo and my fingers turn blue from both cold and constricted blood flow, the starting signal is given, blissful silence falls and the magic of this wild and otherworldly landscape takes hold.

Spitsbergen

Lying just 819 miles from the North Pole, Longyearbyen - the capital of Spitsbergen which is part of Norwegian archipelago Svalbard - is one of the northernmost settlements in the world.

The former mining town already attracts tourists during the summer season, many hoping to catch a glimpse of the fierce but irresistibly enigmatic polar bear. But now visitors are coming specifically for the winter months, to experience adventurous activities such as dog sledding, ice caving and snowmobile rides through the Arctic Desert.

Thanks to the warmer influence of the Gulf Stream, the climate is “mild” enough to make visits possible throughout the coldest periods - even though there were reports of a wind chill factor of minus 50C just days before our early March visit.

Thankfully, it’s only minus 20C during our dog sledding adventure with the Green Dog yard in Bolterdalen, ten minutes outside Longyearbyen.

As night falls, along with the temperature, owners Claire and Martin invite us into their traditional trapper’s hut to warm up in front of a crackling fire with a traditional Arctic meal.

Looking up at the sky, I watch satellites whizz past overhead.

74 JANUARY 2014 74 JANUARY 2014

i in Spitsbergen

T R AV E L

Preparing for a snowmobile safar

Our visit coincides with Longyearbyen’s return of the sun festival, which takes place on March 8 every year.

But when we arrive, I’m surprised to find the town already bathed in hazy orange light. The sun has been hovering above the horizon since mid-February, clawing back half an hour of daylight every week.

I’m told the festival commemorates the moment when rays finally stretch above the mountains and strike the old hospital stairs, one of the town’s few historical monuments (the hospital building has long since disappeared), now protected under a local law that prevents tampering with any building or item pre-dating 1946.

I’m told it’s possible to count up to 14 in orbit, and for the duration of my stay I’ll have the fastest internet connection I’ve ever experienced.

Inside the cosy hut a muskox hide hangs from one wall, while the jaw bone of a polar bear is less a hunting trophy and more a reminder of the harsh and hostile environment we’re in.

As minke whale and reindeer are cooked on hot slates at our table, local guide Anneka explains why she turned her back on her homeland, Australia, to come and live here.

There are 41 different nationalities residing in Longyearbyen, quite Husky dogs at the Green Dog yard in Spitsbergen, raring to set off

impressive for a town with a population of just 2,000. Many are attracted by high salaries in the mining industry and the archipelago’s duty-free status. But others have simply been seduced by Svalbard’s exotic beauty; being one of the few places where nature still holds the reins.

“For me it’s the extremes of light,” says Anneka, who’s been here for more than five years.

“The polar nights are some of my favourites, and we know there are always longer days to look forward to.”

It’s the advent of these longer days that we’ve come here to celebrate.

Tourists pose on the old hospital stairs in Longyerbyen, where the return of the sun festival takes place every March

Walking past semi-frozen fjords, where pancake ice floats in the viscous water and wisps of swirling vapour rise into the air, we climb the slippery path to the stairs. Groups of young children in thermal suits and ski goggles wear collars shaped like sun rays, some carrying bright solar-themed banners.

But despite singsongs, a TV crew and a speech from the mayor, the sun fails to turn up to the party at 12.18 - as it has done, with only a couple of exceptions, for the past 15 years.

Wolfing down doughnuts and waffles afterwards inside Svalbard Cathedral - the world’s northernmost church which was built in the Fifties and serves as the town’s main community hub - no one seems particularly perturbed.

A tourist in the Arctic Desert, Spitsbergen

JANUARY 2014 75 JANUARY 2014 75

T R AV E L Pancake ice forming on fjords

hemisphere can move five to six metres per day).

in Spitsbergen

Kitted out with crampons and a hard hat, I enter an igloo to find the cave entrance - a gap the size of a manhole that descends into darkness.

Using a rope I lower myself into the frozen chamber, where rocks and debris from the mountain appear encased in clear glass cabinets.

In places the ice has formed tubular bells, which chime different notes as I brush past. Armed with drum sticks, one band even came to play music down here, our guide, Annamarta, proudly informs us. Although I can’t imagine where they managed to fit an audience.

The festival is just one of many peculiarities which make Longyearbyen such a fascinating destination: the town has it’s own colour consultant, responsible for selecting the nature-inspired shades of houses; the absence of any social security provision means the average age of residents is just 37; and the number of snowmobiles far exceeds residents.

With only 46km of road, cars are practically useless here, and the best way to explore the wilderness is on skis.

Spitsbergen Travel organise snowmobile safaris through the Arctic Desert, a vast, dry, icy expanse that forms the second largest desert in the world (after Antarctica), and receives about the same amount of precipitation as the Sahara.

Clinging tightly to my driver as we zig-zag through narrow valleys, shifting weight from side to side to balance the heavy vehicle, I experience a mixture of panic and exhilaration.

Leaving snowmobile trails behind us we plough through pristine snow, taking paths that appear totally untouched. As ice flakes gather on my

eyelashes, I squeeze my cheeks to avoid frostbite from the blistering wind.

Polar bears have been known to roam here, but at this time of year most tend to stay in the eastern part of the archipelago.

A scattering of Svalbard reindeer on the horizon are the only forms of life. Specially adapted to these difficult conditions, they even cease to urinate during winter months in order to conserve energy. In this beautiful but harsh environment it’s a wonder anything can survive.

Some 60% of Svalbard is glacial and, during winter months, its possible to go caving into ice chambers below Longyear glacier.

While wondering if warmth will ever return to my toes, I’m bundled into the back of a snowcat, a windowless sardine tin on caterpillar treads, which hulks and bumps up the side of a mountain.

Every year, scientists bore a tunnel into this 200-year-old glacier, which I’m reassured is stable (Glaciers in the southern

Scientists also discovered a flower in this natural deep freeze that’s never been seen before in Svalbard, Annamarta goes on to say.

The fact something so delicate could be preserved in such as hostile place is astounding.

But, as I’m quickly learning, Svalbard is a place that seems to thrive on such extremes.

Travel facts - Svalbard Sarah Marshall was a guest of Hurtigruten (0203 5826 642; www. hurtigruten.co.uk) who offer two, three and four-night land-based short breaks in Spitsbergen in March, May, October and December. A two-night stay in March starts from £811pp, including accommodation and excursions (a 45km snowmobile safari through the Arctic Desert, ice caving and a wilderness evening). Flights are extra but can be booked via Hurtigruten.

Mountains in the remote Arctic landscape of Spitsbergen

76 JANUARY 2014 76 JANUARY 2014

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

fault?

Have you suffered an injury that was not your What Thomas Dunton can do for you A personal injury can affect your wallet as well as your health. If you have suffered through someone else’s actions, it is good to know that you have a team of experts on your side who can support you, understand the stress you are going through and put you in the best position to recover both financially and medically.

Provide details of your GP and any hospital attended. Photograph your injuries.

Further steps to take Ask any witnesses to write down their version of events straightaway whilst the incident is still fresh in their minds.

Keep receipts for any expenditure resulting from injury, including all prescriptions. Record details of any mileage for travel by vehicle to the doctor, hospital or elsewhere.

Do you have a claim?

You may have a claim if you have suffered an injury; perhaps a road traffic accident, an accident at work or elsewhere, or if you have a work related disease.

Generally to pursue a claim the injury must have occurred within the last three years.

However, there are exceptions, for example where children are involved or where the consequences were not immediately apparent.

What you should do first Obtain the details of the other party, the potential defendant, including their address.

Photograph the scene of the accident if it is a public place, particularly any important features, for example any defects.

Draw a sketch plan of the scene of the accident, marking the accident spot and any direction of travel.

For a tripping accident, measure the height of the step and photograph it.

Include another item to demonstrate scale, e.g. a ruler.

Obtain a copy of any accident report book.

Obtain a copy of the police report if it was a motor accident.

If you were assaulted, ensure that you have immediately reported the matter to the police and obtained a crime number.

Write down your own statement while it is still fresh in your mind.

Write down the names and address of any witnesses.

Give details of any injury sustained, the treatment received and your current condition.

Keep a note of any loss of earnings and any state benefits received.

Keep a note of people caring for you, especially those needed to take time off work to do so. Record the number of hours and days and if possible their pay rate.

Keep a note of any activities or work you are unable to do as a result of the injury.

Keep a note of your feelings and symptoms and how the injury progresses.

Funding your claim There are various options open to you.

No win, no fee: also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement. The idea is that, by making a claim, you do not risk being financially worse off than you were before, whatever the result.

Legal Aid: now only available for birth related negligence.

Free one hour interview Thomas Dunton Solicitors offer a free one hour interview to discuss the circumstances of your case and to advise you of the possibility of pursuing a potential claim.

Why choose Thomas Dunton?

Specialist Personal Injury Team: our specialist team is headed by Robert Sardo who has Senior Litigator Approved Status with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is an Approved Member of the Law Society’s Specialist Personal Injury Panel.

Qualified lawyer: When you speak to us you will be talking to a qualified lawyer, not a legal advisor at a call centre.

Free one hour face to face interview: We offer you a free one hour interview without any obligation.

This puts us in the best possible position to judge the merits of your case and provide the best advice.

Home & Hospital appointments: should you unable to attend our offices, we will be pleased to meet you at your home or hospital.

Maximum compensation: We will strive to achieve the maximum compensation for your injuries. Accident victims who turn down an insurer’s initial offer and seek legal advice get on average 2–3 times more compensation?* No win, no fee: We can offer you a full range of funding options including “No win, No fee”. There will be no hidden costs or extra fees.

Rehabilitation: Apart from striving for the maximum compensation, we will be actively pursuing the defendant to fund additional medical treatment to enable you to get back to full health as quickly as possible

Legal Insurance: Most motor policies include legal expenses insurance, as do many building, home contents and holiday policies as well as many credit cards and some bank accounts.

Trade Union: members may receive legal services.

Information in this article is of a general nature and details are prone to change. *(Source: The Law Society 2013)

For all personal injury inquiries, please call Robert Sardo and his team on Freephone 0800 146340 or email accident@thomasdunton.co.uk

Private funding: you fund the claim yourself.

For full details of funding options and more information on Personal Injuries, please visit our website www.thomasdunton.co.uk

217-219 High Street Orpington, Kent BR6 0NZ

01689 822554 enquiry@thomasdunton.co.uk www.thomasdunton.co.uk JANUARY 2014 77

&

F O O D D R I N K

O

Have a Soup-er New Year

nce upon a time, soup was something that only came from a can and in a handful of flavours.

Creamy Chicken Soup

After deciding whether you wanted tomato, cream of chicken, oxtail or mulligatawny, all that was left to do was warm it through, put it in a bowl and tear off some white bread to dip in it.

Comforting, definitely, but not exactly inspiring. There’s also the connotation, because soup was often given to poorly children, that it’s something you consume when you’re ill. To this day, I can’t eat Heinz chicken soup without thinking I’m missing school with a bad cold...

Soup has moved on since then, and we’re familiar with all manner of varieties from all over the world. We have the big British broths and country farmhouse types, chunks of vegetables floating in delicious liquid. There’s the robust, like French Onion soup, served with islands of toasted baguette and covered in melted cheese, or pea and ham - the rich pea texture cut by the saltiness of the pork.

Soup can be delicate, too, typified by the Japanese miso soup, or perhaps one using vegetables such as courgette, fennel and, perish the thought, nettles, which take on a gorgeous cabbage-like taste when cooked. Soup doesn’t always have to be hot either, proved by gazpacho, the chilled Spanish vegetable variety.

Yep, soup really has been, well, soupedup.

There are a few things to bear in mind when making soup. First of all, the core veg at the base of it, known in French cuisine as the mirepoix and usually consisting of diced onion, celery and carrot.

78 JANUARY 2014

If you dice a large onion, two carrots and two sticks of celery and gently fry in olive oil ‘til soft, you have a base for many

a soup. What you add then is entirely up to you.

&

F O O D D R I N K You could throw in three or four sliced leeks and as many potatoes, then add a pint or two of stock or water and simmer for half an hour, whizz in a blender or use a handheld stick blender, and you’ll have a delicious leek and potato soup.

Or instead of the leek and potato, add a load more carrots and a few liberal teaspoons of ground cumin before adding the stock, and you’ll have a delicious carrot and cumin variety with a deep, almost curried flavour.

Alternatively, leave out the cumin altogether and, shortly before serving, finely chop up a big bunch of coriander and add that.

Think about what you’re adding and be imaginative too. For example, if you want to make broccoli and Stilton soup, take your base veg, fry ‘til soft, add the stock and bring to a simmer, then add the broccoli and cook for just a few minutes before allowing to cool slightly and blending. Don’t over-boil the veg; it’ll lose its flavour and, most importantly, with something as vibrant as broccoli, its colour too. When the soup’s at the consistency you want, return to the pan and add crumbled chunks of Stilton.

There are a few ways to make soup fit for entertaining, too. A knob of butter stirred through before serving will add a glossy, restaurant-like lustre, while croutons look professional and add a pleasing crunch when eating. To make them, cube some bread, preferably a bit stale as it absorbs oil more easily, place in a roasting tray, drizzle with plenty of olive oil, season heavily and place in a moderate oven for 25 minutes or until crisp.

Some snipped chives and a swirl of cream also elevate the humble dish to new-found territories.

If you want to save a bit of money, soup’s the perfect lunch to take to work with you. Make it in advance, invest in some plastic containers and freeze in portion-size batches. As long as your office has a microwave, you’re going to see the savings in no time, and you’ll have a more satisfying lunch than your colleagues!

Let’s not forget the health benefits either. Soup’s a great way to pack in your five-a-day and, providing you leave out the cream, croutons, butter and extra cheese, is very low fat and low-calorie, too. At the same time, you can make it as hearty a dish as you wish.

Here are three tasty recipes from the January issue of Good Food Magazine (Available now, priced £3.90).

Red lentil, chickpea & chilli soup (Serves 4) 2tsp cumin seeds Large pinch of chilli flakes 1tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, chopped 140g red split lentils 850ml vegetable stock or water 400g can tomatoes, whole or chopped Half x 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed Small bunch coriander, roughly chopped (reserve a few leaves to serve) 4tbsp 0% Greek yogurt, to serve Heat a large saucepan and dry-fry the

cumin seeds and chilli flakes for one minute or until aromatic. Add the oil and onion, and cook for five minutes.

Stir in the lentils, stock or water and the tomatoes, then bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until the lentils have softened.

Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a food processor to a rough puree and pour back into the pan. Add the chickpeas, heat gently, season well, then stir in the coriander.

Serve with a dollop of yogurt and a few coriander leaves.

Per serving: 222 kcals, protein 13g, carbs 33g, fat 5g, sat fat none, fibre 6g, sugar 6g, salt 0.87g

JANUARY 2014 79

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F O O D D R I N K

Roast carrot soup with pancetta croutons (Serves 2) 700g carrots, cut into batons 2tbsp olive oil 4 garlic cloves, skin on Few thyme sprigs, plus extra to garnish Small knob of butter 2 onions, finely chopped 700ml chicken stock, made up with 1 cube 6tbsp double cream Salt and pepper For the croutons: 6 slices pancetta 2 thick slices rustic bread, cut into soldiers (or sourdough) Drizzle olive oil Black pepper Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the carrots, half the oil, the garlic and thyme in a roasting tin. Season and toss everything together. Pop in the oven and roast for 45 to 50 minutes, or until tender and beginning to turn golden.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil and butter in a large saucepan. Tip in the onions and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes until soft. When the carrots are done, remove from the oven. Squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and pop in the saucepan. Tip in the carrots and discard any woody thyme stalks. Pour over the stock, bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.

To make the croutons, wrap the pancetta around the soldiers, leaving the ends of the bread exposed. Put on a baking tray, drizzle with a little oil and grind over some black pepper. Bake for 10 minutes until the pancetta and bread edges are crisp.

Drain on kitchen paper.

While the croutons are cooking, blitz the soup with a hand blender, then sieve into a clean saucepan, pressing to get as much liquid through as possible.

Add five tablespoons of the cream, heat through and season.

Adjust the thickness with a little water, if you like.

You can chill the soup for up to one day at this point, or freeze for two months.

Reheat before serving. Serve drizzled with the remaining cream and the croutons, and garnish the soup with thyme.

80 JANUARY 2014

Creamy chicken soup (Serves 8) 1kg pack free-range chicken thighs, skin removed 300ml dry white wine 2 large onions, cut into large wedges 4 celery sticks, quartered 3 leeks, quartered 2 sprigs thyme, plus extra leaves for sprinkling 2 bay leaves 1tsp salt half tsp ground white, or black, pepper 40g plain flour 300ml double cream 2l water Put the chicken thighs in a very large, heavy-based pan and fry for a few mins, turning frequently to lightly colour them.

Providing the heat’s low, there’s no need to add any oil. Pour in the wine, turn up the heat and boil rapidly to evaporate the alcohol. Pile in the veg and herbs, add one teaspoon of salt and the white (or black) pepper.

Pour in two litres of boiling water. Cover the pan and simmer for 45 minutes until the chicken and veg are tender. Take out the bay leaves and thyme sprigs and cool for about 30 minutes.

Remove chicken from the soup, then strip the meat from the bones. Put all but 140g of the chicken back into the pan. Blitz the soup with a hand blender or in batches in a food processor until very smooth, then return to the pan.

Blend the flour and cream together with a couple of ladles of the soup, then stir the creamy mixture into the rest of the soup and heat, stirring continuously, until thickened. You can blitz again if it looks a little lumpy. Chop the remaining chicken and stir into the soup. Scatter with thyme leaves to serve.

Per serving: 347 kcals, protein 2g, carbs 10g, fat 23g, sat fat 13g, fibre 2g, sugar 5g, salt 0.9g

Three of the best

Ready-made Yorkshire puddings Tesco Everyday Value 15 Yorkshire Puddings, £0.49, Tesco If you want lots of Yorkshires for your money, these are a great choice. They are on the small side, but the taste and price more than make up for it.

ASDA Chosen By You Yorkshire Puddings, £1 for pack of 12, Asda With a nice golden colour and a good rise, no one will know you got these puds out of a packet...

Aunt Bessie’s Golden Yorkshires, £1.64 for 12, available nationwide Satisfyingly crispy, these puds can withstand a shower of gravy without becoming too soggy.

JANUARY 2014 81

B O O K S

THE BOOKSHELF

“Look back, then look forward what will you love reading?”

WORDS BY BRUCE EDWARDS

W

ith the deliberation over New Year’s resolutions now probably fading by the time these pages are published, is it not timely to suggest (or to remind, if not already thought-over) that just a few more minutes in the day could be devoted to reading?

Having spent many hours chatting to potential book buyers in Waterstones and elsewhere over the past few weeks, a constant phrase emerged, “I haven’t time to read as much now-a-days”.

The rejoinder, inevitably, is “what, not even ten minutes a day?” We spend an inordinate amount of time looking at screens of one sort or another; the time spent reading an actual book, be it during tea/coffee break, whilst sitting in the train or even at bedtime should be considered as prime ‘metime’ and valued.

In these pages over the past year, a couple of dozen titles have been suggested from almost all genres and it is hoped these prompts to explore new authors or new aspects have been helpful. Of course, we all have a favourite author or genre but as well as resolving to spend those few extra reading minutes, should we not stretch our horizons as well?

Looking over the statistics for 2013, we discover that one person in every hundred in the UK bought a copy

of Dan Brown’s ‘Inferno’, possibly as a result of a massive publicity budget. “The Cuckoo’s Calling” flew away from its alias and landed over a creditable hundred thousand sales, though most admit it would have not sold that well if the true author (JKR) had not been revealed. Ah, the power of a name! Is this personal preference or ‘going with the flow’?

Amongst other titles that achieved some prominence were Donna Tartt’s ‘The Goldfinch’ (what is it about birds?), Gillian Flynn’s ‘Gone Girl’, Charles Moore’s biography of Margaret Thatcher and Charlotte Higgins’s well-written book about Roman Britain, the evocatively titled ‘Under Another Sky’. Each deserves its place, but there are around 150,000 titles published every year in the UK and maybe we should look deeper into the nooks and crannies of the local bookshop and thus discover hidden gems rather than turn to the common and commercial titles piled high on the tables nearest the door; better still, support your local author when he/she turns up for a book signing session rather than following the herd. Publishers have a duty to make money above all else, booksellers to serve their clientele and turn in a profit to order to survive; neither species appear to consider in depth how best to extend the reader’s experience. It is up to each one of us to look anew at our reading habits and resolve to extend both in time and in taste. Discover a new author!

Hopefully this page will continue to offer new horizons. If you have any thoughts or suggestions along these lines, share them with us.

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

Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll help. “ For a new slant on romantic fiction, look at: www.novelsforromance.co.uk ” 82 JANUARY 2014

F i n e

I n d i a n

D i n i n g

&

C o c k t a i l

B a r

VALENTINE’S MENU Glass full of sparkles A bubbly opening to an exciting meal *** A tempting tasting plate for two Shredded lamb patties flavoured with a five-pepper blend, Butterfly prawn, Crispy lotus stem fritter, Corn-fed chicken supreme almond roll *** The heart of the meal…

Achari bakri Slow-cooked kid goat lightly flavored with pickling spices Or Tandoori teetar Authentic Punjabi dish of guinea fowl marinated in cream cheese, infused with mace and saffron, finished in the clay oven Or Maachher paturi Calcutta’s favorite gilt-head sea bream marinated in mustard, green chillies, coconut & poppy seeds, steamed in a banana leaf Served with Olan - butternut squash & kidney beans poached in coconut milk Mattar paneer - Indian cottage cheese & green peas Kashmiri pulao - rice with fruit & nuts Pomegranate raita Date & apricot naan *** A sweet threesome Rose petal crème brûlèe, Organic vanilla ice cream & Beetroot halwa with green cardamom, cashews, almonds & pistachios £39 Advance booking & £10 non-refundable deposit pp is required to confirm the table.

Vegetarian options available on request.

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

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Evolve – Stone/Macassar

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

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

www.stoneham-kitchens.co.uk

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

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