Sevenoaks Life Magazine August 2013

sevenoaks LIFE WESTERHAm, OxTED, BECKENHAm, CHISLEHURST, TUNBRIDgE WELLS AND THE ExCLUSIVE SURROUNDINg AREAS

ISSUE 53

AUGUST 2013

www.thelifemagazines.com

Introducing HRH Prince George of Cambridge

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

2 august 2013

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WELCOME

ello and a very warm welcome to the August issue.

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 Mandy Wenman 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.

I hope that you are all enjoying and making the most of the very hot weather, what a change it makes from the first six months of 2013, so let’s all try to get out around the beautiful Kent countryside as much as possible whilst the sun shines.

We are very proud and pleased to feature the new Royal Baby, George Alexander Louis, on our front cover and as our main story this month. It seems that the whole Country has been lifted by the wonderful news of the future King of England’s arrival and the very natural and endearing way that Kate and William introduced their new baby to the waiting and adoring public.

Our superb Local Life team have also been enjoying the weather and have visited more towns and places of interest.

Maureen Cole has been to look at the charms of Biddenden and Pluckley.

John Ruler our renowned local historian revisits The Warren, the Metropolitan Police sports ground where he spent some happy days in his childhood and looks at some interesting places for you and your family to visit and enjoy, whilst Adam Swaine has focussed his lens on some lovely summer shots of Kent villages.

Once again our diverse group of writers have covered all of your favourite areas of interest. Our Beauty pages are in a Summer Daze. We have a Really Wild Show in our Fashion section. We want you to Live on the Bright Side in our Home and Garden feature. We Travel to the Calm and Charm of Vietnam. Regan Maloney Reviews more local restaurants. Our Recipes this month look at making the food we eat at the Seaside. We feature more events in our Whats On section.

Bruce Edwards reviews more recent Book releases. John Bly takes us into his fascinating world of Antiques and this month sees the start of our regular coverage of local Private and Independent schools.

Finally we look at some more highly recommended, professional local businesses including Annabel’s Luxury Gift Emporium in Chislehurst. Blackburn Bridal the specialist in exquisite occasion wear in Blackheath. Bluebird Care the professional team who organise care visits at home and Cinnamon Culture the fine Indian dining and cocktail bar in Bromley.

Enjoy the August issue.

Until next month………

.....this month sees the start of our regular coverage of local Private and Independent schools.

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 07904 251984 or Peter on 077111 43342 or email peter on peter@fishmediagroup.co.uk

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local events

what’s on...

AUGUST 2013

3 Cities Cycle for Cystic Fibrosis. Cycle from Bromley to Brussels via Amsterdam on this amazing charity bike ride challenge of a lifetime, taking you through beautiful English villages and into the Dutch lowlands via Amsterdam and across to Brussels. You’ll pass canals, historical landmarks and rural villages stopping off in the wonderful city of Amsterdam before making it all the way to beautiful Belgium and the city of Brussels. Visit www. cysticfibrosis.org.uk for more details.

Costs Deposit: £99 Sponsorship level: £1,500 Please visit www. cysticfibrosis.org.uk for further details. 11 London Road, Bromley Kent BR1 1BY. Wed 28 Aug 2013 to Sun 1 Sep 2013.

Sir William Hamilton and the Influence of Pompeii and Herculaneum. To coincide with the British Museum’s new exhibition on Pompeii and Herculaneum, Hilary Williams of the British Museum pays a special visit to Danson House to give a one off lecture on the life of Sir William Hamilton (the husband of the famous Emma Hamilton, mistress of Lord Nelson) and the significant role he played in the 18th century excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum, towns whose history was brutally cut short when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. 11:00am. Tickets £12 per person.

Places are limited so please book in advance on 01322 526574. Danson House, Danson Park, Danson Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 8HL Kent DA6 8HL. Thurs 12 Sep 2013 www.dansonhouse.org.uk Romeo and Juliet 2013.

Grab your camera, sunglasses and guidebook, you’re going on the trip of a lifetime. Heartbreak Productions unique storytelling style infuses a modern twist but maintains all the intensity of this legendary tale and guarantees that you will enjoy this production of Romeo & Juliet.

7:30pm. Scotney Castle (NT), Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 8JN. Fri 16 Aug 2013 www. heartbreakproductions.co.uk

6 august 2013

Summer School ‘Survival’. An exciting exploration of the origins of life, civilisation, and survival. Suitable for creationist and scientific explorers!

Will include Arts Award work: drama, singing, cultural art, visual art, crafts and Crest Science work, natural science and other subjects inc history, geography etc. Age 4-11, from 10am-3pm daily, age 4-6 or special requirements must be accompanied by a carer. Cost £125 week, £25 day, to include moderation for completed Arts Awards and Crest Awards. Beechwood Sacred Heart School, Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3QD. Mon 26 Aug 2013 to Fri 30 Aug 2013. www.artsawardinitiative. co.uk Summer Holiday Fun. Our fabulous Maize Maze returns! With a new mini maze for young children.

Step inside our field of maize and see if you can find way out again! Open daily from 10.30am. Last entry 5pm or an hour before closing. Also open some weekends in Sept. See website for full details. Penshurst Place & Gardens, Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG. Until Mon 2nd Sept. www.penshurstplace.com Weald of Kent Craft Show. Joint tickets available in advance at special rate of £10. Book online at: www.ichf.co.uk or call 01425 277988. Penshurst Place & Gardens, Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG. Fri 6 Sep - to Sun 8 Sep 2013. www.ichf.co.uk Seafaring School. Anchors aweigh! Set sail on a nautical adventure as you learn the ropes of seafaring, 1800s style. 11am-4pm.

Suitable for Families. Booking Not Necessary. English Heritage Customer Services: 0870 333 1181.

See website for prices. Home of Charles Darwin (Down House), Luxted Road, Downe, Kent, BR6 7JT. Tues 6 Aug 2013 to Saturday 10 Aug 2013 www.englishheritage.org.uk/daysout/ events/seafaring-school-dh6-aug

Country Jumping.

Equestrian event at Great Dunton Farm Livery: Country Jumping. This is a public Equestrian event. Be sure to check the website page for times and latest information, especially in case of bad weather. Great Dunton Farm Livery Kent TN13 2TD. Sun 25 Aug 2013and Sun 22 Sep horseeventsuk.com/ horse_event Sky Ride Local - Cycling Satisfaction (Sevenoaks - Penshurst). Come and join us as we ride south from Sevenoaks on a beautiful rural ride over hilly terrain. This is road riding at its best, giving us the chance to appreciate this stunning corner of the county in the best possible way, from the saddle! Quiet lanes, fast stretches and challenging climbs this route has it all. Free Event! Starts at 10am. For more information and to reserve your place, please visit the website below: www.goskyride.com/Search/ Details?eventid=22202 Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent.

Kent TN13 1LW. Sun 8 Sep 2013 www.goskyride.com/Search/ Details Crowborough Hospital Fete. Last year over 2,000 people flocked to Crowborough Hospital’s annual fete on Bank Holiday Monday to enjoy a great day out and raise nearly £12,000 for the hospital. Attractions on offer will include stalls, hot food, tea, cakes, live entertainment and art groups exhibiting and selling their work.

Stalls will include clothes, toys, books, bric-a-brac, furniture and plants. And this year we have an exciting new feature – the Kids’ Zone – aimed at making it a great day out for all the family. Inside the Zone will be an exciting two-track ‘assault course’ for children along with a face painting team, Jimmy the Jester and stalls selling toys, children’s books and puzzles. Crowborough Hospital, Southview Road, Crowborough East Sussex TN6 1HB. Bank Holiday Mon 26 Aug 2013 from 2.00pm www.foch.org.uk

Laithwaite’s Wine Evening in Tunbridge Wells. Join us in the Royal Suite at the Spa Hotel for a fun and enjoyable wine evening. You’ll be welcomed with a drop of fizz, served in your very own, FREE professional tasting glass – yours to keep as a souvenir of the evening.

Then you simply pass from table to table at your own pace, tasting whatever wines you like. Enjoy over 30 wines … from easy drinking and fine classics to new discoveries The Laithwaite’s team will be on hand to pour and answer any questions you may have, so no wine knowledge is required. You will have the chance to savour over 30 different styles from our award-winning cellars and meet some of the faces behind the names. Tickets £20 and include all your wine samples, tasting booklet and souvenir glass. The tasting starts at 6.30pm and we will stop pouring at 8.30pm. Free parking. The Spa Hotel, Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 8XJ. Tues 27 Aug 2013 Tel 01189031050 www.laithwaites.co.uk Singalong Baby Sign.

Give your child a head start in communication. Hearing babies from around 8 months old are able to communicate simple signs to their parent. Have fun with musical instruments, toys, books and puppets to help teach your baby to communicate with you through sign language. www.facebook. com/singalongbabysign £5.00 per class for advance bookings or £6.00 for drop on sessions. One to one sessions at your home also available. Classes are £5 for advance bookings or £6.00 for drop in sessions. Course is 11 weeks long, held on Wednesdays in East Malling Thursdays in West Kingsdown Fridays in Eynsford. The Kings Room. Behind the old school, School Lane, West Kingsdown, Kent, TN15 6JN. Thu 15 Aug, Thu 22 Aug, Thu 29 Aug, Thu 5 Sept. Contact 07768 447657 www.babysign.org.uk

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Honnington Italian Car & Bike Day at Honnington Country Fair from bygone era to present day. A fine display of Italian cars and bikes. from Fiats to Ferraris to Lambretta. A great day out for all Italian nuts and a great country fair to wander around too. To display your beloved car or bike go to: www. honningtonevents.com for online booking . all donations / proceeds go directly to Kent Air Ambulance 2012 we had over 300 cars and bikes despite we had an excellent turn out don’t miss this great day out. 10 am - 5pm adults £5 children £3 family ticket ( 2 adults & 3 children) £15.

Honnington Farm, Vauxhall Lane, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 0XD. Sun 1 Sep 2013 Hadlow Tower Tours.

Tours of the splendidly restored 19th century neo-gothic folly, built in 1852 as part of Hadlow Castle (now demolished). Apart from being able to climb 130ft (be aware that there are over 100 spiral steps in a void) to see the view there is an exhibition centre on the ground floor with videos, a 3D tactile model and explanatory display boards about the history of Hadlow Castle, the people who lived there, the surrounding countryside and how the Tower was restored. See www. hadlowtower.com/visitinghadlow-tower/ for prices and times. High Street, Hadlow, Kent TN11 0EG. Thu 15 Aug, Thu 22 Aug, Thu 29 Aug, Thu 5 Sep Cudham Medieval Event.

Medieval Siege Society is a group of living history enthusiasts who will be re-enacting conflicts and campaign life of Medieval period at Cudham Shaws Campsite. As well as battles and displays there will be stalls, activities, refreshments, beer tent.

Free parking. 10 am - 5pm Adults £7.50 in advance, £10 on day Under 16: £5 Under 5s: free Family Ticket: £20 in advance, £30 on day (2 adults, 2 children) Group Child rates (min 10): £4 + 1 adult free. Cudham Shaws Campsite, 144 Cudham Lane North, Cudham Kent TN14 7QT. Sat 7 Sept and Sun 8 Sep 2013.Tel 020 8467 3562

The Barber of Seville – Opera. Rossini’s masterpiece is one of the wittiest and most immediately appealing comic operas in the repertoire today. £27.50 adults; £19 children age 5-16; under 5’s free. 7.30pm. Info and tickets 01444 443000 or online www.operabrava. co.uk Chartwell, Mapleton Road, Westerham Kent TN16 1PS. Sat 10 Aug 2013 www.operabrava. co.uk Florum Art Exhibition 2013. Join us in celebrating the 10th year of this annual exhibition featuring a wide variety of original artwork inspired by flowers and plant life by more than 60 invited artists, some of international repute.

The exhibits will include work of traditional and contemporary style, botanical paintings and flower portraits in a variety of media including watercolour, acrylic and oil paints, coloured pencils, pastels, etchings, aquatints, wood engraving and reduction lino prints, embroidered works, miniatures and original jewellery pieces. Visit our website www.florum.co.uk Open Daily 10am to 5pm. Free parking. Sevenoaks Reserve, Kent Wildlife Trust, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3DH. Sat 7 Sep 2013 to Sat 14 Sep 2013 Florum.co.uk Bike around Brands 2013. A sponsored cycle ride round the 1.2 mile Indy circuit at Brands Hatch, in aid of Ellenor Lions Hospices (incorporating chYps) and others in need, organised by Swanley & North Downs Lions Club. It is not a race and riders set their own target for the number of laps they wish to complete. Ride between 6.00 pm and approximately 8.00 pm. The Lions ask for minimum sponsorship/donation of £10 per rider (£5 for those 14 years old & under) payable on the day if not sponsored for more. For details & sponsor forms contact the organiser on 01732 823827.Brands Hatch Circuit, Fawkham, Longfield Kent DA3 8NG. Fri 16 Aug 2013 www. swanleyandnorthdownslions. org.uk

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ith a personal injury, being able to meet your Solicitor face to face is important because not only are they able to see your injuries first-hand but also the effect they have on you as a person.

Solicitors who advertise on TV or in the national press need to communicate by telephone or letter and may engage a number of people on your case which you may find overwhelming. If you instruct your local Solicitor, it will be he/she who deals with your case from start to finish and therefore they will become familiar to you and with the details of your case, thus enabling a more personal, caring service.

Your local solicitor will also be more familiar with local services should you require treatment such as Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry etc and at Thomas Dunton we encourage the defendant to fund additional medical treatment to speed your recovery.

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Contents EDITORS LETTER

3

WHATS ON

6

LOCAL LIFE Images of Kent

10

Biddenden – Quintessentially English

12

Out and About in Kent

16

Pluckley – A Haunting Place

20

The Warren – Not your Average Mansion 24 Pilkingtons – Passionate about Rolex 28 Bluebird Care – Live in Care Service

30

COVER STORY Introducing HRH Prince George of Cambridge 32 Education Life

37

Sydenham School – Education beyond great Results 38 Michael Morpurgo – Makes pupils wish come true

40

Study in the US

41

Extra-Curricular Activities

42

FASHION AND BEAUTY

I NT ER IOR DE SIG N SE RV ICE FA BR ICS CU RTA I N S & BLI N D S WAL LC OVE R I NG S F UR NIT U R E L IG H T I NG M I R ROR S BAT H RO OM SHOW RO OM

Blackburn Boutique – Belle of the Ball

44

Summer Daze

46

A Fashion Business Opportunity

49

Annabel’s English Treasures

50

Really Wild Show

52

Hotel Du Vin – Classic Dining

55

HOME AND GARDEN Live on the Bright Side

56

Antiques with John Bly

60

Kreider – Three into One Goes 62 Bathstore – Your Dream Bathroom

64

BOOKS REVIEW

70

TRAVEL The Calm and Charm of Vietnam

11-12 Sundridge Parade Plaistow Lane Sundridge Park Bromley BR1 4DT 020 8466 6313 www.sundridgeinteriors.com 8 august 2013

72

FOOD AND DRINK Oh We Do Like to Eat Beside the Seaside

76

Regan Maloney’s Restaurant Review

80

Local Charity Giving Children Brighter Beginnings

82

august 2013 9

FOCUS ON

Out and About in Kent

Pictures: Adam Swaine

Left to right - from top: 1. Aylesford, 2. Chilham, 3. Darent Valley, 4. Chiddingstone, 5. Smarden, 6. Eynsford Adam Swaine Photographer www.adamswaine.co.uk email: adamswaine@rocketmail.com mobile: 07798 526 569

10 august 2013

An auction of Antique & Modern Jewellery

Thursday 15th August at 11am Visit www.fellows.co.uk/life for a complimentary catalogue Fellows Auctioneers | 19 Augusta Street | Birmingham B18 6JA | 0121 212 2131 London Office (Valuations By Appointment Only) | 2nd Floor |3 Queen Street | London W1J 5PA | 020 7127 4198 august 2013 11

LOCAL LIFE

BIDDENDEN

Quintessentially English Words: Maureen Cole

A

An award-winning village in a beautiful setting

quintessentially English village, Biddenden sits comfortably in the beautiful Kent countryside.

The village lies in the Weald of Kent and is approximately 5 miles north of Tenterden.

In Saxon times the area which comprises Biddenden was made up of a number of “dens� or small clearings in the forest of Andred. Freemen and swineherds would return to the same clearings in the forest to feed their pigs and as a result the clearings often became known by the name of the family who used them. In 993 Biddenden was known as Bydyndene, which was probably derived from Bidda.

The village sign, which stands on the village green was carved and painted by a local craftsman and depicts twins, known as the Biddenden Maids.

According to tradition the twin sisters were born in 1100 and were joined by the shoulders and hips. The story describes how they refused to be separated from each other (or more likely could not be) and how they lived

12 august 2013

Pictures: Adam Swaine

in this condition until one of them died, thirty four years later. The other sister died shortly afterwards and they purportedly bequeathed twenty acres of land for the benefit of the poor, from which the church has gained an income for 4oo years. Bread and cheese are given once a year, on Easter Monday, to the local widows and pensioners at the Old Workhouse and Biddenden biscuits are distributed to the spectators, each bearing an effigy of the two sisters joined at the hips and shoulders.

In 1331 King Edward III forbade the export of unwashed wool and encouraged Flemish Workers to settle in the area and ply their trade. As a result the area became a centre for the cloth making industry, producing broadcloth. The pretty High Street is lined on the south side by latticed windowed cottages, which once belonged to the Flemish weavers. The woollen industry bought wealth to the area and many historic houses were built during this time such as Standen ,( a

LOCAL LIFE fine old-timbered house) and Biddenden Place.

With the decline of the weaving industry, the village turned its attention once again to agriculture. The introduction of mechanisation however, meant that fewer workers were required and in the 1830’s many farms came under attack, in uprisings which became known as the Swing Riots. With its proximity to the Dungeness Marshes the area also became involved in smuggling.

There is evidence of a church in Biddenden as far back as the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066, although the church we see today is believed to date back to the late 1200’s. It is constructed of local sandstone, with some later use of ragstone, flint and Bethersden marble. The church, which is dedicated to All Saints, has been enlarged and altered over the years, to meet the changing needs and demands of parishioners. It is open to visitors each Thursday morning throughout the year and during the summer months every effort is made by volunteers, to open it for visitors each day between 10.30am and 4pm.

The Millenium Field was purchased by Biddenden Parish Council in January 1998 for the sum of £45,000.

The area is open to the public and has a wooded area with a stream and footbridges, three ponds and two dipping platforms. Higher up the field are three wooden statues, carved by a local craftsman, a sun clock and a seat. The area is a haven for wildlife, with many birds and butterflies. A nature and conservation area, which covers 20.5 acres and adjoins Biddenden’s recreational field was developed and opened in June 1999.

The railway arrived in Biddenden in 1905, on the branch line from Headcorn to Robertsbridge. The line was closed in 1954 and today the Kent and East Sussex Railway run steam trains between Tenterden and Bodiam, while the nearest rail service runs from Headcorn, approximately 4.5 miles north of Biddenden.

If you would like to take a tour of a vineyard, there is no need to travel to South Africa or Europe, as Biddenden has its own vineyard, which was established by the Barnes family in 1969 to produce wines and ciders. It is Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard, set in 23 acres, on a gentle south facing slope in a sheltered valley. Eleven varieties of grapes are grown and the vineyard produces White, Red, Rose and quality sparkling wines. For the past twenty years it has also produced traditional Kent ciders, together with farm pressed apple and pear juices. On site there is a Tasting Room where you can sample the vineyard’s wines, cider and apple juice and there is also a coffee shop. -Though I know which I prefer to try! Free tours are available and the vineyard is open throughout the year. Further information is available at - www. biddendenvineyards. com/ Biddenden has its own post office, butchers and hairdressers, along with a great range of restaurants.

What better place could there be, to stop for a meal on a beautiful summer evening? West House is situated in the High Street and is a small family run restaurant, housed in a 15th century weaver’s cottage. With its European cuisine it has the distinction of being one of the only restaurants in Kent to hold a Michelin Star.

august 2013 13

Sophie is in love with Ray and Contemporary Art. Ray is designed by Antonio Citterio. www.bebitalia.com

14 august 2013

LOCAL LIFE The Bakerhouse, which is also in the High Street, is a beautiful 16th century beamed house. Its tea room offers a selection of locally produced delights, including pastries, cakes, pots of homemade soup and cream teas. If you are looking for somewhere to stay, there are two quaint bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Biddenden can even boast its own golf course and club. Chart Hills was designed by Nick Faldo in 1993 and has been awarded a place in the Rolex Top 1000 courses in the world. The course comes complete with its own oak woodlands and lakes, with fantastic views across its 200 acres of parkland.

Chart Hills Club House has recently been renovated and sits at the end of a picturesque drive, lined with cherry trees. The venue offers a beautiful setting for weddings and special occasions and there is also a Conference Hall. The club is situated in Weekes Lane and is easily accessible from major routes into the county and Ashford International Station is just 20 minutes away by road.

With such an array of top quality facilities and the beautiful Kent countryside all around, it is not surprising that Biddenden draws many visitors to the area - whether for a relaxing meal, a game of golf or a tour of the fine vineyard, Biddenden is a village that truly wins awards!

maureenc411@btinternet.com

augustAUGUST 2013 152013 15

LOCAL LIFE

The Garden and Cafe at RAF Shoreham.

Picture: Adam Swaine

Come rain or shine there’s something for all …

JOHN RULER & ADAM SWAINE TAKE A PICTORIAL LOOK AT HOW TO DODGE THOSE DOG DAYS OF AUGUST

Relive Our Finest Hour over a cuppa!

It’s not just its unique collection of Battle of Britain memorabilia that brings a whiff of nostalgia to The Shoreham Aircraft Museum on Sunday mornings – it’s the range of homemade scones, cakes and pastries like mother made!

But then that’s what you would expect from its genial curator and aviation artist Geoff Nutkins whose top selling paintings of the wartime skies above Kent and London include Salute to the Few capturing a lady cyclist looking up as a Spitfire from Biggin Hill zooms across the Darent Valley, Shoreham, during the dark days of 1940.

Inspired by wartime memories of his dad ‘ a big kid from Plumstead’ who joined Bomber Command, Geoff became an artist, drawing his first ever aeroplane in 1980. His talent was quickly recognised, with his magnificent Scenes of the Battle of Britain collection raising over £100,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

In 1988 he opened his fledgling museum spurred on by seeing wartime items being chucked away. ‘ So I took them home and showed dad who would say “that’s a so–and–so” or “that’s a bit from a Spitfire” ‘… they were even offered a Spitfire with a wing sticking out and

16 august 2013

dumped at Kenley Airport. Now the museum, formerly a bakery, has become a mecca for those with memories of Britain’s finest hour: he and other volunteers have also erected memorial stones to pilots who died within a ten–mile radius. The seventh was unveiled in June.

Geoff will happily tell you more, over a decent mug of tea, of course…

NEED TO KNOW Shoreham Aircraft Museum, 13 High Street, Shoreham Village, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7TB; tel: 01959 524416;www.shoreham-aircraft-museum.co.uk; email: mail@shoreham-aircraft-museum.co.uk. Open: Suns and Bank Holiday Mons until end of Oct. 10.00–17.00.Entry: Adult/child £3/free under 10, also any serving member of the Armed Forces. Parties are welcome any time by prior arrangement (minimum number 20).

Tom’s global guide to garden plants

Meet Tom Hart–Dyke, plant hunter extraordinary whose headline grabbing kidnap in the Colombian jungle in 2000 has been superseded (or should that be super seeded?) by guest appearances on TV and in print as the creator of the World Garden at Lullingstone Castle, Kent, the family home since 1497.

The Spanish Garden at Lullington Photo: Adam Swaine

LOCAL LIFE NEED TO KNOW Hall Place and Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ; tel: 01322 526574; www.hallplace.org.uk. email: info@ hallplace,org.uk By road: Just off the A2 at the Black Prince interchange 5 miles from Junction 2 of the M25 towards London. Free parking. By rail: Bexley station (15 minutes’ walk to Hall Place or buses from Bexley village).

By bus: Connections include 229, 492, B12 and 132 to the foot of Gravel Hill. Opening hours: Gardens: 09.00–dusk year round. ; closes 18.00 August 7; free except for special events days when there may be a charge; check for entry fee to house and times; free with National Art Pass or 50 % discount for National Trust members. Events: holiday activities and fun throughout August. Eating & shopping: The Riverside Cafe opens from 10 am with last orders taken at 4.30pm. The Jacobean Barn, a pub and restaurant in a restored 18th century barn is reached via the car park.

Topiary at Hall Place Gardens, Photo: Adam Swaine

A self–confessed ‘plant nut‘ his exuberance is matched only by the 80,000 or so species, cultivars and hybrids gracing his two acre walled ‘Around the World in 80 minutes’ garden. When I spoke to him in spring 2011 some 700 plants had perished when the temperature dropped on December 18 to minus 1°C; even his heated Hot & Spiky House, containing the likes of the stinky Dog Pooh plant had suffered. Not that Tom was worried.“ I am curiously optimistic that, as this was for one night only, the cacti and succulents should bounce back.’ I wonder what he’s making of this summer’s soaraway temperatures…

NEED TO KNOW The World Garden, Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford Kent, DA4 0JA; tel: 01322 862114 (leave a message); www.

Lullingstonecastle.co.uk; e-mail info@lullingstonecastle. co.uk. Open: Every Fri, Sat, Sun & bank holiday Mons 12.00–17.00 (until Sep 29). admission: adult/child 5-15 £7/ £4; senior citizen £6.50; family (2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children) £18. English Heritage members offered a 2 for 1 deal. Special Events: August World of Grasses: 23, 24, 25 & 26 from 11.00–17.00

A trim touch of royal topiary

If it’s raining, you can always head for the historic house, with its hands–on interactive Tudor gallery. But for many it’s the 65 hectares of formal gardens and landscape parkland at Hall Place, Bexley that win the horticultural plaudits. They are, after all, only one of a handful of UK sites to have won the Civic Trust’s Green Flag award for 11 successive years.

For starters there’s the jaw–dropping larger than life topiary figures, including a full set of Queen’s beasts, planted to commemorate the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. Then there’s the parkland, through which the River Cray flows; a sensory garden, a grass maze, a nursery and a sub–tropical plant house bring exotic extras. So, too, do romantic wildflower meadows and recreational ares for strolling or picnicking.

Step out with the Morris Men

With their stick whacking, waving handkerchiefs and jangling bells, Morris Men are a quintessential part of the English summer as the villages and pubs where they down their well earned pints.

To quote songster and writer Gid Taylor: We morris with the bells, and we morris in the socks Some of you have noticed we are morrissing in frocks, The cloggs (sic) are very heavy ah ,but let me make it clear, They seem a little lighter when you’re drinking loads of beer.

Putting this into Best step forward..... practice are the 30–strong Photo: John Ruler Ravensbourne Morris Men, who come rain or shine will be action both this month and beyond from Bromley to Tunbridge Wells.

Formed in 1946, to bring a splash of Regency style colour to the post-war drabness, they were admitted to The Morris Ring the governing body the following year.

Now with ages ranging from 30 to 70, Ravensbourne,

august 2013 17

LOCAL LIFE ranking among the top of those with fathers and sons in the same side, are seeking new talent. So if you fancy a slice of the action just let them know. For the record, they dance the Cotswold style, whose origins lie largely in villages from Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire. Look out for white shorts, hankies and bells. See also www.ravensbourne.org.

NEED TO KNOW August dates include Downe Village on Aug 13 from 8 to 8.30 and at the Two Doves, Oakley Road, Keston, from 21.00 to 22.00. For information on other local teams see www.morrisfed.co.uk for both men and women’s groups, the latter including the Loose Women from Loose near Maidstone www.facebook.com/LooseWomenMorris.

Have a whack at this rural pursuit

It’s not quite cricket … more one whacking great slice of rural life. Yet often the only sign of its existence is a mysterious Not quite cricket strip of Photo: John Ruler carefully mown grass in a pub garden.

We’re talking bat and trap, which, for a game peculiar to Kent and once facing extinction, is now attracting new devotees.

So much so that the Sevenoaks & District League includes a string of local pubs for a game in which a medley of ages and genders get to grips with a game which some see as a forerunner to cricket.

Well, up to a point, in that you use hand–crafted wooden equipment, but no one actually has to run anywhere! Instead you use a bat–shaped bat, more of a table tennis variety than anything else, to whack a lacrosse ball which is released from a mechanical trap, which in effect, is the bowler. At the other end of the pitch the rival players are poised to bowl the ball back in the hope of hitting the flap at the front of the trap…

Better still read up on the rules on www.batandtrap. org.uk (Sevenoaks and District) and then watch the game for yourself. This month’s division 1 fixtures include August 13: Gamecock B (Gamecock West Kingsdown) v Rose & Crown, Halstead; Old Jail, Biggin Hill, v Brasted Wanderers (Stanhope Arms, Brasted); Real Blacksmiths (Blacksmiths Arms, Cudham) v Bulls Head, Pratts Bottom; Tally Whackers (Tally Ho Knockholt,) v Chequers 4ths (The Chequers Inn, Heaverham, nr Sevenoaks). August 27: Brasted Wanderers v Bulls Head; Chequers 4th v Old Jail; Gamecock B v Tally Whackers; Rose & Crown v Real Blacksmiths.

18 august 2013

There are also division 2 matches at The Five Bells, Chelsfield, and the Miners Arms, Dunton Green. Check dates. And if you live further out in Kent try www. canterburybatandtrap.co.uk. They are on the ball as well; among the Canterbury League’s six founder pubs, all in the city, was Ye Olde Beverlie, once the site of a monastery. They still play there today.

Here’s a novel tilt to spur your interest

Though a bit late to know whether they beat their fearsome French rivals late last month, hold on just a minute … or should At full tilt that be joust a Photo: John Ruler minute! You still have time to see the Knights of Royal England in action this month at what has become a regular fixture at Hever Castle, Kent.

I once tried my hand in my younger days, and believe me, riding against a fellow knight at full tilt armed with a four metre – and in my case wobbling – lance and a shield take a bit of skill. Mind you, it’s a damned sight safer than when one shattered the visor of Henry II of France killing him almost instantly in 1559.

Today we can happily at hiss Sir Jasper who, be it with the lance or the sword sees no honour in a points victory and would far rather fight on, often bullying his opponents and treating them ‘very roughly.’ Or perhaps cheer, instead, Sir Samuel of Hever, young and energetic, whose flamboyant and energetic persona have won him many favours, even if his off field singing and dancing and playing practical jokes sees him as a target for his fellow knights.

Personally I prefer Sir Steven of Porlock, a simple country knight with long hair and flowing beard, whose approach has been described as ‘a triumph of enthusiasm over style’. Believe me I know what they mean… Even so, I still envy Lord Ashley who rides an eight-year-old Andalusian gelding. Both he and the horse are very fast and very fierce, with the Lord’s favourite weapon being the single– handed sword. Ah well, dream on… It’s all good fun for young and old.

NEED TO KNOW Jousting Tournaments take place August 9–11; 16–18; 23–24. Castle opens at 12.00. Last admission 17.00. Castle & Garden: adults/seniors/children: £15/12.75/8.50 seniors £12.75; Family ticket £38.50; Gardens: £12.50/ £10.75/ £8 Family ticket £33 Further information tel; 01732 865224 or see www.hevercastle.co.uk

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LOCAL LIFE

PLUCKLEY

A Haunting Place Words: Maureen Cole

F

A village famous for its green fields and ghostly apparitions

ew villages can claim to be as beautiful as Pluckley or to have gained such an exciting reputation.

The pretty village of Pluckley has become famous for two reasons. The first is that it was the location for the popular television series, “The Darling Buds of May”, starring Catherine Zeta Jones and David Jason. The beautiful setting made many of us yearn for life in the quiet countryside, although the second reason for its fame may have less appeal. - The village is reputed to be haunted and have at least fifteen ghosts.

The village lies close to the North Downs and is approximately 5 miles west of Ashford and 5 miles from the nearest junction of the M20. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), when it was of far greater significance than it is today and was considerably larger than the neighbouring town of Ashford.

The Dering family played a prominent part in Pluckley’s history and Sir Edward Dering 1st Baronet, an antiquary and politician, is buried in St Nicholas Church.

There was a church in Pluckley at least as early as 1090 and it is believed that it was preceded by a Saxon building. The oldest part of church remaining today is the northwest corner of the nave, which dates to the Norman period. The pair of lancet windows, which have been blocked up, are dated to around the late 1200’s. In the 14th century the spire was added, along with a chancel door and tower window. The church was enlarged in the 15th century and the font bearing the arms of the Dering family (a black cross on a gold field) was added. The wood font cover was made from wood 20 august 2013

Pictures: Adam Swaine

salvaged from Surrenden House, following a fire which demolished it in 1957.

The church has a fine collection of nine medieval and Tudor brasses – eight of which are Dering and one of Malmain. The oldest brass is of John Dering who died in 1425 and the most recent is of Richard Dering who died in 1610.

The east chapel of the church, known as Dering Chapel, was rebuilt by Edward Dering in the 17th century, sited over the Dering family vault.

Although the family had great wealth and importance in the village and surrounding area, its fortunes declined after Sir Cholmeley Dering converted the windows, in most of the houses in the village, to round-headed. It is believed that during the civil war (1642-1652) one of the Royalist members of the Dering family had escaped through one of these windows, so they were considered to be lucky. Though, considering his loss of wealth, maybe not as lucky as Sir Cholmeley had first thought!

So we may ask, if Pluckley has gained recognition as a beautiful film location, how did it become linked with hauntings and ghosts? Although the latter association adds excitement to this small village, it also brings with it some problems. At Halloween many thrill seekers, as well as people with a genuine interest in the paranormal, visit Pluckley and several television programmes have centred on the village and its reputation. An episode of BBC’s “Top Gear”, with Richard Hammond and James May, highlighted the village, when the presenters spent the night in a car in Screaming Woods.

LOCAL LIFE The first mention of ghosts in Pluckley probably dates back to 1955, in a book by Frederick Sanders, although more stories have been recounted since. In 1998,”The Guinness Book of Records”, sited Pluckley as the most haunted village in England and there are now reports of more than fifteen ghosts in the village. Some of the most notable sightings include the White Lady, who wanders the Dering Chapel in St Nicholas Church.

She is also purported to have been seen in Surrenden House, once the Dering family home. Strangely enough the house and organ loft in the church are connected by a passage which is now blocked. Ghosts have also been reported following suicides in the village. One of these is of a Colonel, who hung himself in Park Wood and supposedly wanders about among the trees.

Several strange happenings are said to occur in local pubs. The Dering Arms, which was once an old hunting lodge, is said to be haunted by an old lady in a bonnet.

So real is the apparition that some people have claimed that she can be mistaken for a customer. In The Black Horse, clothing is said to go missing before reappearing at a later date- However, this is a phenomenon which probably occurs in homes everywhere and I have often wondered about those missing socks from the washing -although they seldom reappear!

As well as being surrounded by beautiful countryside, Pluckley has its own 308 acres of woodland, known as Dering Wood. The wood was bought by the Woodland Trust in 1997 and is one of the largest woods in the area, consisting mainly of hornbeam, oak, and sweet chestnut.

The wood has been in existence since 1600 or before and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. There is free pedestrian access for the public and the wood has been declared a Grade 1 site of conservation interest.

The beautiful countryside, along with fine places to stay and dine, makes Pluckley really special. Many such places are steeped in history and bear more than a hint of the past. The Black Horse was used in,” The Darling Buds of May”. The pretty beamed pub was built in the 1470’s as a moated farmhouse and as well as being known for its ghostly happenings, it is surrounded by breath-taking walks. The beer garden overlooks the village square and has a children’s play area. The pub serves traditional, home cooked food and a large screen displays the top live sports fixtures. There is also an area for live music, with jazz every 2nd and 4th Wednesday.

From August 23rd-26th the pub is hosting a Beer Festival and there will be Paranormal Nights and a Meal on Saturday 5th October and Saturday 2nd

august 2013 21

LOCAL LIFE

November. For further information please visit – www. blackhorsepluckley.co.uk/index-asp The Dering Arms in Station Road is a fabulous old hunting lodge which was built around the time of the railway in the 1840’s. The pub offers something for everyone- a bistro menu for traditional meals, a superb a la carte fish menu for more formal meals and blackboard specials that change regularly.

The Bed and Breakfast rooms have recently been updated and offer those little extra features most of us enjoy, such as tea and coffee making facilities. There is even a holiday let available, sleeping up to five and having a kitchen, bathroom and large living room.

Further information is available at – www.deringarms. com Not to be overlooked, the local hamlet of Mundy Bois.

This is where you will find Elvey Farm, which describes itself as a boutique guesthouse and offers something a little different. A medieval farmstead, consisting of a cluster of buildings centred round a Tudor Barn, it is situated in the depths of breathtakingly beautiful countryside, with hills, orchards and fields as far as you can see. The well converted rooms and fantastic restaurant have both been awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor. If you wish to book or find out more please visit – www.everyfarm.co.uk Also in this small hamlet, The Rose and Crown, which was formerly known as The Mundy Bois, dates back to the 17th century and is situated in Mundy Bois Road, far 22 august 2013

from the maddening crowd. It has a beautiful Inglenook fireplace for those cold winter evenings and a large secluded garden for summer days and eating al fresco.

The pub offers traditional ales and wines alongside delicious home cooked dishes made using local sourced produce. This is a pub with a great atmosphere, food and service. The chef provides regularly changed specials on the menu which include game dishes in the winter. This is definitely a pub that is well worth a visit.

Although the Rose and Crown does not have its own dedicated web site more information can be obtained at – www.foodanddrinkguides.co.uk/nr-ashfc.

The village has its own farm shop, selling a wide and ever increasing range of produce. Pluckley Farm Shop can be found on Smarden Road and has been featured on BBC’s, “Escape to the Country.” It was described in The Saturday Times, as a great place to shop in Pluckley.

Although the village is small there are enough shops to meet most everyday needs and the village has its own post office – www.pluckley.net/shops If Pluckley sounds special, it is because it is. This is a village where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the 21st century but still have great facilities at hand. In the heart of the Kent countryside, with Ashford a mere five miles away, it is possible to leave the quiet rural setting and take a fast train to the city and beyond.

maureenc411@btinternet.com

august 2013 23

JOHN RULER revisits an arresting childhood haunt

The Warren main Pictures: Adam Swaine

T

Warren runs rings around your average mansion

he first time I discovered the grounds of The Warren, the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in Hayes, was when, aged around 12, I shinned over a fence to nick newts from their ornamental pond.

The second, as a more mature 17 year old, was as a guest at our youth club dinner arranged by the late John Player, himself a police inspector and later the original club historian.

Last month, some 60 years on, I was back to trace a intriguing story which began in 1882 when six acres of land was leased at £60 annually for 99 years to Walter Maximilian de Zoete. It was here he built what was then called Warren House with a lodge of its own.

Disliking change, Walter, son of Samuel de Zoete of Pickhurst Mead, Hayes, a wealthy City merchant of Dutch origin, had the house built in familiar Flemish style with stepped gables. Not only was he a keen sportsman and a fine golfer, but also had an eye for antique furniture, paintings and other works of art.

24 august 2013

But he never really settled and, following the death of his mother and daughter (see Kindly Ghost overleaf) set about restoring a Tudor mansion close to Colchester.

In 1885 the leasehold was assigned to Martin Smith, a wealthy Lombard Street banker for £8,000; in the same year Sir John Farnaby Lennard – the powerful local landowner whose wife granted the original lease – and others, released a further 16 acres for 93 years at £320 annually.

Old Prints: courtesy The Warren

LOCAL LIFE

LOCAL LIFE During the next two years Smith added a billiards room, a new wing overlooking the rose garden, two pairs of cottages, a summer– house in the wood and new glasshouses.

A lean–to greenhouse was used for growing grapes. His staff included a housekeeper, cook, butler, two footmen, scullery maids, governesses, a carpenter and gardeners.

He also had a coachman, no doubt for driving his barouche (a four– wheeled carriage), which he used to travel to Bromley South Station. Being a great philanthropist, he was often stopped and asked for money by a very tanned and dirty character known as Flannel Nan who lived rough on the Common. (It was a name some still remembered when I was a small boy.)

The mansion, put up for sale in 1909, following Martin Smith’s death, was bought for £15,000 by Sir Robert Laidlaw, Liberal MP for East Renfrewshire; his firm Whiteway and Laidlaw, merchants in India, were often referred to as the Selfridges of India.

Keen on cars – he owned among others two Renaults, a 9hp two cylinder laudaulette and a 20–30hp four cylinder limousine – he also loved, like Smith, horticulture, with rhododendrons and azaleas his speciality. In 1910 he provided a bothy to accommodate his gardening team.

On the outbreak of World War One in 1914 Warren House was offered to the British Red Cross for use as a 55–bed hospital. Though Sir Robert died in 1915 it continued to take the war wounded until 1916.

In 1920 the property was bought by Edwin Mumford Preston of Monks Orchard, West Wickham, for £19,500.

Another keen gardener, his forte was flowering shrubs and rare plants. Head gardener was a Mr Wood whose expertise was acknowledged by an elderly member of Hayes Horticultural Society, itself now 121 years old and of which Edwin was once president. ‘ I bought a rare plant from Wales. No one knew what it was,’ he said.” but when I took it to Mr Wood he was at once able to tell me its name.’

A popular man, with Preston Road, Hayes, named after him, he had a high regard for the police – and it was during his residence that the name Warren House became The Warren. It was therefore fitting that he contributed to a Mayoral appeal in 1926 to provide a sports ground for P division of the police. This included Beckenham, Penge and Bromley.

Events moved rapidly after The Warren was sold in 1934 to Gordon Ralph Hall– Caine MP, of Maidenhead.

Financial difficulties led to a quick sale with the estate, originally on the market at £17,500 going for £15,500; the original deposit was paid by Mrs Margetson, wife of Major Sir Phillip Margetson, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who lived in Chislehurst. The Warren’s proposed use as police club–house was then made public Despite protracted arguments during a time when a fast developing Hayes saw social needs and patterns

Walter de Zoete: the photo was presented to the club by his great-grandson Tim de Zoete

august 2013 25

LOCAL LIFE

Kindly ghost of a girl adds extra wisp

changing, the club–house with its spanking new facilities was officially opened in June 1935 by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the RAF and Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

During World War Two the stables became headquarters for the local Home Guard. Beds were moved into the clubhouse to receive police casualties, of which, fortunately there were none. The club also became a favourite watering hole for Battle of Britain pilots from Biggin Hill. ‘ Sailor’ Malan and Stanford Tuck were just two of ‘The Few’ who signed in at the club.

In the ‘ sixties, tennis and squash courts were added, and in 1974 the revamped stables became the Metropolitan Police Horse Patrol Station, whose horses became a familiar sight on Hayes Common. Sadly, the stables closed in 1997 due to reorganisation. I still miss those days, though I doubt whether I’ll be climbing over any more fences …

Did you know:

The name Warren was derived from the adjoining wooded valley riddled with rabbits which were once caught by locals using ferrets and polecats – hence Polecat Alley, which still skirts the area on its way to Croydon Road.

During the late 1880s a gallon of whisky could be bought for 18 old shillings (just under a pound today) a dozen imperial pints of Bass Pale Ale for 4/6 (22p) while a dozen pints of Guinness Extra Stout would set you back 3/6 (18p).

The Warren, in the spirit of all such places, is haunted. Even a non-nonsense rugger playing type like club secretary Martin Purser has spotted the wispy shape of what Chinese whispers among other witnesses is widely held to be a misty shape of a girl in her early teens.

‘We believe that at some stage in the past, – but when, where and how, we don’t know – a little girl of 13 or 14 died here of polio,‘ he said. ‘Myself and the girls have been in the office when we have smelt burning. So we have checked everything. The next thing that’s happened is what I can only describe as mist coming in through the front door. It passed all of us and then disappeared.

‘It’s quite harmless. I remember late one Saturday night, about 1.30 in the morning, I heard the last of the people leaving and the door shutting. I then noticed smoke, and thought’ “someone’s bloomin’ well smoking by the front door”.

‘But whatever it was came in drifted up the stairs, stopped by me, and then went into what today is the ladies’ toilet but may well have been the girl’s bedroom. I was freaked out, but absolutely mesmerised by it all; it is certainly a kindly ghost.’

He may well be right. In her excellent twin-volume history of Hayes, Jean Wilson tells how Walter de Zoete (see main story) was said to have become quite morbid about the fine Flemish style house he had built.

He never really settled there, being deeply affected first by the death of his mother in 1883 and in 1884 the death not just of his father but also that of his daughter from diphtheria. Coincidence or not? It is said his sisters were prepared to take the house but Walter said: ‘If you do I can never come back to see you there.’

Need to know The Warren, Metropolitan Police Sports Club Hayes Ltd, Croydon Road, Hayes, Bromley, Kent, BR2 7HX; tel: 020 8462 1266; email: enquiries@mpthewarren. com; www.mpthewarren.com. The club caters for weddings, parties, exhibitions, dinner dances, conferences and team building exercises.

26 august 2013

august 2013 27

Passionate about Rolex –

a real investment!

Pilkington Jewellers has been established in Bexley Village since 1970 and has managed to retain the character and charm of an independent business whilst offering the service and professionalism of a national business.

Pilkington’s is renowned for its unique on site high quality repair service for clocks, jewellery and watches - especially Rolex.

The owner, Graham Pilkington is someone who really does know a lot about Rolex watches.

Graham is now 62 and left school at 14 years old to train as an apprentice watch repairer for the prestigious Rolex company at its workshop and service centre in Bexley. Graham spent five years there before opening his own jewellers in 1970 at Northumberland Heath moving to Bexley village in 1985.

To add even more Rolex expertise Grahams younger brother Trevor, who has been at Rolex all his working life, joined Graham in the business two years ago.

As well as a successful jewellers, Pilkington’s also sell preowned Rolex watches, they also offer a full repair and servicing facility. Both Graham and Trevor are absolutely passionate about the Rolex brand and say that buying a Rolex is a real investment.

As an example a vintage Rolex Explorer made in 1957 cost £35 is now worth approximately £6,000. Obviously this is a real investment as the watch will continue to increase in value.

Graham told us that ‘’All watches should be treated like cars

and serviced annually. Watches are working 24/7 and cover the equivalent of 25,000 miles a year. An average car does 8,000 miles per year working only an average of two hours per day and it is serviced regularly, but unlike cars watches hold their value.”

At this time of year people go swimming with their watch on and think it is waterproof when in fact it is only water resistant and will possibly let water in.

We see a lot of rusty watches for repair so do not go in the sea or pool with a water resistant watch on. If you wear a Rolex Oyster watch you will be fine.

Pilkington’s are one of the only 50 credited Rolex repairers in England and offer a repair service on-site. A Rolex service takes only a week at the shop, and because many shops say they can repair Rolex watches but they are not to the Rolex standard.

Pilkington’s also service other leading watch brands including Rotary, Breitling and Tag Heuer including high grade watches.

They are also able to fit batteries whilst you wait.

Pilkington’s Jewellers are open from Tuesday to Saturday 9.15am to 5pm.

Pilkington Jewellers 39-41 High Street, Bexley, Kent DA5 1AB Tel: 01322 521664 • www.pilkingtons.uk.com

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Bluebird Care develops its

Live in Care Service

Bluebird Care’s offices in Bromley and Sevenoaks are breaking new ground by the introduction of their 24/7 Live in Care service.

The offices have become established in the area by providing high quality private day care visits, becoming a preferred service for more than 400 local families and care bodies. In 2012, the offices began offering a Live in Care service, providing Personal Assistants to live round the clock in the homes of vulnerable customers, and permitting an extended period of living at home.

Christine Robinson, the live in carecoordinator who manages the service said: “Live in Care provides a bridge between the time when independent living can be achieved with assistance from visiting carers, and the time when residential care is unavoidable”.

Personal Assistants are recruited locally from the South East of the UK, and more widely from Eastern Europe, providing language skills are good enough.

“We check out all our new Personal Assistants and take references, so we know who we’re taking on” says Christine “We provide them with thorough training in the work, and we then visit them frequently during their assignments to make sure customers are happy, and that nothing’s amiss”.

There is also a vital back-up facility with the wider Bluebird Care network of franchises (which has more than 170 members) so that in the event that a Personal Assistant has to be withdrawn for any reason (say

30 august 2013

because of illness, or to deal with a crisis in their own families) there will be access to a reliable source of good substitutes at short notice, if necessary.

The round the clock service has proved to be popular with customers. “ We have had several customers of our day visit service who have trialled Live in Care as an alternative to residential care, and have made the trial permanent” said Christine “The costs are similar, but the advantages of “staying home” and maintaining local social networks can make Live in care an attractive option”.

The presence of the local Bluebird Care office is a key element to the appeal of the service. “Our local offices provide the staff for the supervision process, and also the back office resources necessary to comply with employment regulations” said Christine “The “Taxman” makes it clear that round the clock Personal Assistants can’t be self-employed. They are either the employee of an agency, or the employee of the person receiving the care. But customers rarely want to be employers, and nor do they want to run the risks of personal accident claims or unpaid taxes - possible if things aren’t done properly. If we’re involved, nobody needs to lose sleep about all that!”

With places in top quality residential care in short supply, many families are currently thinking hard about how their senior members can be helped to remain in their homes – which is what most of them want. It seems that Bluebird Care in Bromley and Sevenoaks may have some of the answers!

Christine Robinson can be reached at christinerobinson@bluebirdcare.co.uk or on 020-8315-0236

Dear Debbie Call our professional teams in Bromley Call our professional team in

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bromley@bluebirdcare.co.uk Sevenoaks 01732 471 541 Sevenoaks 01732 471 541 sevenoaks@bluebirdcare.co.uk sevenoaks@bluebirdcare.co.uk

Dear Debbie

Can you explain why some people are given money to help them with care costs and others have to pay for it all themselves? it doesn’t seem very fair - they are all oaP’s after all.

Yours sincerely, Claire Chester

Dear Claire

the reason is that social Care is considered to be different from Health Care, which is covered by the NHs and is universally available without charge. “Fairness” is a difficult concept in social Care! at present, if you have more than £23,250 in savings or capital, you have to pay for your own social Care. if your savings are below that level, you may qualify for some assistance from your local authority - which will provide guidance. even if you have to pay for your own social Care, you may qualify for attendance allowance, which is not means tested. to be eligible, you must be 65 or over and have either a physical or mental disability that is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety. the payment is presently either: l £53 per week if you need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night, or l £79 per week if you need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or you are terminally ill.

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

august 2013 31

f E AT U R E

His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge

T

Born George Alexander Louis on 22nd July 2013 at 4.24pm - 8lbs 6oz

he Duchess of Cambridge, formerly Kate Middleton, gave birth to the couple’s first child, a son, in the hospital’s private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital, London... where Princess Diana gave birth to William in 1982 and Harry in 1984. The baby is third in the line of Succession after His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge. He is styled His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. The baby moves ahead of Prince Harry, who’s now fourth in line.

The birth was announced via a formal press release issued by Kensington Palace, which stated that the duchess “was safely delivered of a son” at 4:24 p.m., local time, weighing 8lbs 6oz. News of the royal birth - which came after an 11 hour labour - was not made public by Kensington Palace until 8.29pm, four hours after the baby was born. Sources said the couple ‘just wanted to spend a little time together to bond as a family’ and inform

32 august 2013

members of both families privately before the news was announced to the world. William made those calls personally.

A bulletin containing details of the birth was taken by car to Buckingham Palace and placed on an easel at the palace gates for the public to see. The framed sheet of paper became the target of a thousand camera flashes as people thrust their smartphones through the railings. The news was greeted with shrieks of “It’s a boy!” and strains of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” Hundreds of Britons and tourists broke into song and dance outside the palace. Champagne bottles popped and shouts of “Hip! Hip! Hooray!” erupted outside Buckingham Palace as Britain welcomed the birth of Prince William and his wife Kate’s first child, a boy who is now third in line to the British throne.

Outside the hospital, a man dressed as a town crier in traditional robes and an extravagant feathered hat shouted the news and rang a bell. London’s landmarks, including

f E AT U R E

the London Eye, lit up in the national colours of red, white and blue, and the city had a party atmosphere unmatched since last summer’s Olympics.

Right across the country and indeed right across the Commonwealth people celebrated and wished the royal couple well. Prime Minister David Cameron told waiting reporters in front of 10 Downing Street. “It is an important moment in the life of our nation but I suppose above all it’s a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who got a brand new baby boy. It’s been a remarkable few years for our royal family -- a royal wedding that captured people’s hearts, that extraordinary and magnificent Jubilee and now this royal birth, all from a family that have given this nation so much incredible service, and they can know that a proud nation is celebrating with a very proud and happy couple.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, meanwhile, said he was “delighted to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the arrival of their baby boy”.” Along with millions here and around the world, I share in their joy at this special time,” he added. May God bless this family with love, health and happiness in their shared life ahead” The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth after he and his wife were brought by car from Kensington Palace to St. Mary’s Hospital in London before 6am in the early stages of labour. William joked his new son ‘has a good pair of lungs’ and tells the crowd his child has Kate’s looks and more hair than him. The medical staff present were Mr Marcus Setchell, Surgeon-Gynaecologist, Mr Guy Thorpe-Beeston, Obstetrician and Dr Sunit Godambe, Consultant Neonatologist at St Mary’s Hospital.

Carole and Michael Middleton were the first visitors to arrive the following day, with Prince Charles and his wife Camilla following them at 5.30pm after being rushed to London by helicopter after two-days carrying out official duties in Yorkshire.

Before mounting the St Mary’s Hospital steps, the smiling Prince of Wales asked journalists who have been stood outside for almost three weeks: ‘Have you been there long?’

When he left around 10 minutes later, Charles said the baby

was ‘marvellous’ and told journalists: ‘You’ll see in a minute’ Prince Charles spoke of his joy and pride in becoming a grandparent for the first time. “It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy,” Prince Charles said in a statement. “Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone’s life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months, so I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future.”

The Queen told guests at a Buckingham Palace reception she was ‘thrilled’ at the birth of her great-grandson. On the eve of the baby’s birth, the Queen famously told a ten-yearold schoolgirl that she didn’t mind if it was a boy or a girl, adding: ‘I would very much like it to arrive. I’m going on holiday’.

Gun salutes sounded across London marked the birth of the royal baby as the armed forces join in the celebrations.

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company carried out the ceremonial royal salutes in honour of the new addition to the Royal Family. Gun salutes are fired for the birth of every prince or princess, no matter where their place is in the line of succession, the Ministry of Defence said. The last royal salute for a birth was for Princess Eugenie in 1990. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, wearing full dress uniform, paraded past Buckingham Palace to Green Park where they staged a 41-gun royal salute. They went from their forward mounting base in Wellington Barracks into Green Park, where 71 horses pulled six First World Warera 13-pounder field guns into position for the royal salute.

Each of the six guns fired blank artillery rounds at 10-second intervals until 41 shots were fired. The horses and riders then collected the guns and escorted them back to Wellington Barracks.

Major Mark Edward, commanding officer of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, said: ‘The opportunity to mark the birth of the child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by firing a 41-gun royal salute, comes as a huge honour for the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.’

august 2013 33

f E AT U R E

Whilst a royal gun salute normally comprises 21 guns, this is increased to 41 if fired from a royal park or residence.

Uniquely, at the Tower of London, which is a royal residence, 62 rounds are fired as this also includes an additional 21 guns for the citizens of the City of London to show their loyalty to the monarch.

As soon as William returned to work following his two weeks’ statutory paternity leave, Kate plans to depart the palace for her parents’ mansion in Berkshire. She will reside there - on and off - for a few weeks, while her husband completes his present tour of duty with the RAF in Anglesey, North Wales. The prince will finish his posting as a Search and Rescue pilot at RAF Valley in early September, relocating to London while waiting for his next assignment, meaning the couple can enjoy some quality time together as a new family.

Within weeks, by October at the latest, it is hoped that they will finally be able to move into their new official London residence, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. Apartment 1A is actually a spacious four-storey, 20-room property with its own large south-facing walled garden, which takes up half the Clock Tower wing originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren for King William and Queen Mary.

The couple have drafted in a key servant to help them look after Prince George: their housekeeper, Antonella Fresolone, hired as the couple’s “right-hand woman” in May, was spotted decamping to Bucklebury, Berkshire, with the new family of three. William, Kate and their son are staying with Michael and Carole Middleton at their £4.7million Georgian Grade II listed mansion while the renovations at their new home at Kensington Palace near completion. Although the couple have so far shunned a large entourage, it seems they could not do without their Italian multitasker, who was poached from Buckingham Palace, where she worked for 13 years as one of the Queen’s three top housemaids.

Palace officials confirmed for the first time last night that the couple will not have a nanny and rely upon their families help instead, saying: ‘They have both got families that will care hugely for this baby’ Royal officials say Kate and William will try to give their child as normal an upbringing as possible, a challenging goal in an age when the British royals are treated as major world celebrities.

Buckingham Palace held celebratory drinks parties at the end of the one of the most exciting Royal weeks, also held at Windsor Castle and Holyrood Palace, Her Majesty’s official

34 august 2013

Scottish residence in Edinburgh. The Palace invitation said staff could enjoy a “glass of champagne” to celebrate the “royal birth” in the dining room between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

At Windsor Castle they were told to gather in The Undercroft between noon and 2pm and staff at Holyrood in the coffee shop and Abbey Strand. One courtier said: “The Queen is on Cloud Nine at the moment and wanted to share her happiness with her hard-working staff, so the obvious thing to do was to get out the champagne” The Queen, 87, is thrilled to have seen her great-grandson, George Alexander Louis, at Kensington Palace, the day after he was born. She then completed her duties before travelling up to Scotland to spend the summer at Balmoral. , Prince Philip has been convalescing at Sandringham following abdominal surgery in June. This means the 92-year-old Duke could not meet his great-grandson until he and the Queen return from Royal Deeside at the beginning of October.

The Royal Baby’s title follows the dukedom bestowed on William by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, on his wedding day in 2011. Earlier this year, the queen issued a royal decree allowing this royal baby -- and all of William and Kate’s children -- to be titled prince or princess. The decree said “that all the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of royal highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour.”

The baby’s gender had been of particular interest because the prospect of Kate’s pregnancy had prompted a change in the laws of succession to ensure that a daughter would not be passed over for the crown by a younger brother.

No one can tell what political and personal changes the intervening years will bring, but the baby can be expected to become the head of state of 16 countries, including Britain, Australia and Canada. The child will also eventually become Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The little prince represents a living link to Britain’s imperial history as the great-great-great-great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria, who ruled at the peak of British power.

No date has yet been set for when the baby will be christened, but it is likely to be some time in the autumn, when the Royal family return from their summer break at Balmoral. The Duke of Cambridge, for example, was christened six weeks after his birth, in the Music Room of

f E AT U R E

Buckingham Palace, using water drawn from the River Jordan in the Holy Land, in keeping with a tradition dating back to the Crusades. Another royal tradition is for babies to wear a lace and satin christening robe made in 1841 and worn by all of Queen Victoria’s children and every generation of royal babies since, including Prince William.

Why George Alexander Louis?

It is a partial victory for the old maxim, “the bookmakers are never wrong”. George was the rock-solid favourite for boys’ names for a while, backed all the way down to 2/1. Alexander and Louis were both not far behind. Of the three names, it is the significance of the third that is most obvious. Louis immediately makes one think of Louis Mountbatten, uncle of Prince Philip and last viceroy of India, who was killed by the IRA in a bomb attack on his yacht. His father Prince Louis of Battenberg was Prince William’s great-great-grandfather. Louis is also one of William’s middle names. And, of course, the name of 17 kings of France (or 18 or 19, depending how you count). If Louis honours one side of the Royal Family, George clearly resonates with the other.

Despite St George being the patron saint of England, it took the arrival of a German king, George I, to cement the name’s place in England. Long a popular name in Germany, it has Greek roots.

There have since been five other Georges to sit on the throne.

George III, king during the loss of the American colonies, is perhaps now best known for his mental illness thanks to Alan Bennett’s play and the subsequent film adaptation.

The most recent Georges reigned through two world wars. It was George V who declared war on Germany in 1914, pitting him against his first cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm II. George V recognised

A long line of Georges

the strength of anti-German feeling and changed the Royal Family’s name from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the more English sounding Windsor.

It was his son George VI whose struggles with his stutter are so movingly depicted in The King’s Speech. Christened Albert and known to his family as Bertie, but crowned as George, he’s a reminder that the monarch has the final say on their regal name.

On the other hand, Alexander has never been the name of a king of England or the UK, but was borne by three kings of Scotland.

Prince Harry planning a party for the arrival of his nephew, Prince George.

Prince Harry gave his first reaction to becoming an uncle, saying he will keep the newest member of the family out of harm’s way.

Prince Harry has said he is determined to make sure his nephew has fun in life - and joked about his babysitting fees.

The proud uncle was one of the first family members to meet the Royal baby and said: “When I saw him he was crying his eyes out like all babies do I suppose.”

The 28-year-old is reportedly organising a party for the royal baby with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s blessing. Prince Harry is already taking his new role of uncle very seriously, reportedly organising a huge party to celebrate the birth of his nephew Prince George.

The Prince is putting his reputation as the wildest member of the royal family to good use as he plans to wet the baby’s head and Kate and William have given him their blessing. “”He has had calls made already and William has agreed to it. Kate is fine - it’s tradition.”

King George I

King George II

King George III

King George IV

King George V

King George VI

1714-1727

1727-1760

1760-1820

1820-1830

1910-1936

1936-1952

august 2013 35

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Education LIFE T h e

q u a l i t y

e d u c at i o n

s u p p l e m e n T AU G US T

2 0 1 3

Welcome...

The independent school system in the UK is one of the finest in the world and you are fortunate to have some of the best schools in the country right on your doorstep. In today’s economic climate, making the right choice for your child’s education is of paramount importance.

Sometimes every parent needs a helping hand in deciding what is best for their children.

Our Education Life series is an invaluable resource for any parent considering private education.

Encourage your children to come with you and get their feedback after each visit. It also provides an insight into the way a child sees a prospective future school.

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T he finest schools in K E N T

august 2013 37

Enrichment goes beyond the classroom at Sydenham High

educa t io n

An education that goes beyond

great results

Sydenham High has just celebrated 125 years of educating girls aged 4 to 18 from across London, Kent and the South East to outstandingly high standards.

In fact the most recent Inspection report judged the school to be outstanding for providing a first class education that allows pupils to be intellectually fulfilled whilst offering lively, stimulating enrichment beyond the classroom.

That enrichment is embedded in school life. With small class sizes and individual attention, education at Sydenham High focuses on helping each student to aspire with realism and achieve her personal best in and beyond the classroom. It may be scuba diving or being part of the hockey team; organising a fundraiser or being in the chess club; producing a school show or leading a Duke of Edinburgh expedition in Morocco.

Whatever her individual talent, the school will help her discover it.

Headteacher Kathryn Pullen firmly believes that the school’s approach to educating and not just examining pupils is at the heart of its success. “Our aim is to prepare each girl for what the future holds – by setting high expectations, providing a strong academic framework, instilling confidence and supporting every girl’s emotional development so that she has our special three Rs when she leaves: resilience, resourcefulness and reliability.

Year 10 drama students receive an acting Masterclass from West End actor Nick Sidi, currently starring in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime which is one of their GCSE texts

Above: Sixth formers take part in the Young Enterprise Scheme in conjunction with Dulwich College. This year’s team were named Best Company in South East London.

“We’re proud of our students’ excellent academic achievements and the fact that they gain places on the courses of their choice, be that at Oxbridge, medical school or a Russell Group university. We’re equally proud of our awardwinning choir; our musicians; our theatrical productions; our creativity in art and design and our excellent sport.”

But Kathryn Pullen’s definition of success is broader than that. “When we look at our girls, we see people who are articulate, well-informed and openminded. They are not afraid to accept a challenge and have Above: A year 7 pupil at Downe the courage to try new things activity camp in Kent and the self-belief to see them through – attributes that are vital to deal confidently with an ever-changing world.”

Sydenham High School Headteacher: Kathryn Pullen MA 15 and 19 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL

Tel: 020 8557 7000 Email: info@syd.gdst.net www.sydenhamhighschool. gdst.net Follow us on Twitter: @sydenhamhigh

Sydenham High Open Days 2013

Senior School – Saturday 21 September 10am-1pm Junior School – Saturday 28 September 10am-1pm Please see the website for details of additional Open Events and Taster Mornings in October and November.

38 august 2013

An outstanding* education that goes way beyond exams *Inspection Report 2012

Open Days Junior: Sat 28 Sept 10am - 1.00pm Senior: Sat 21 Sept 10am -1.00pm See website for additional dates in October

020 8557 7004 www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net admissions@syd.gdst.net 19 Westwood Hill London SE26 6BL

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august 2013 39 23/07/2013 10:29

educa t io n

Michael Morpurgo

makes pupil’s wish come true Sydenham High Junior School was buzzing with even more excitement than usual on Monday 8 July as celebrated War Horse author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo arrived to present the achievement certificates at their first KS2 Awards Ceremony – all thanks to a letter sent to him by a pupil.

Unknown to her classmates, 8-year old Eve Elliott-

40 august 2013

Sidi wrote to Mr Morpurgo to ask him to come to their school. She then amazed everyone when she revealed that he had not only replied to her letter but had accepted her invitation to visit Sydenham High.

The school’s first KS2 Awards ceremony was the perfect opportunity to time the visit when everyone would be able to meet and hear him and, following contact from the school, Mr Morpurgo readily agreed.

Before presenting the school’s achievement certificates and awards for years 3-6, Mr Morpurgo gave an enthralling talk to pupils and parents about the inspiration behind his work, his own literary heroes and the importance of writing about what matters to you.

“I first discovered that I wanted to write whilst I was a primary school teacher and the headmistress asked all staff to start reading a story to the children every day. I never lose sight of the importance of engaging with my readers so it is always a huge pleasure to come to schools like Sydenham High – to see and feel pupils’ excitement for books and to share the dream of my stories with them.”

Headteacher Kathryn Pullen said: “The afternoon has been about celebrating the achievements of our girls and we have been extremely fortunate that Mr Morpurgo agreed to come to help congratulate and inspire them to reach even greater heights in the future.”

educa t io n

Across the pond: Study in the US

A

pplying to ‘college’ (university) in the USA used to be rare amongst British students – perhaps the preserve of students with sports scholarships or parents with deep pockets. However, the recent rise of tuition fees in the UK, combined with the financial aid packages available at some US colleges, mean that the difference in cost between studying in the UK and USA is becoming much smaller. In some cases, crossing the pond will enable a student to emerge after four years with a good Bachelors degree, an international CV and little or no debt.

While tuition fees in the USA can be even higher than the UK – £9,000 per year is about average – tuition and living costs can be offset by grants provided by many colleges, some of which are available to British students. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Dartmouth and Amherst are the most generous to international students. In practice, families with incomes of less than £40,000 per annum will often get all costs paid by these colleges, including tuition, food, accommodation, books and a travel allowance for two trips home a year. Families with higher incomes also receive means-tested grants, and even a salary of £110,000 will attract aid.

In addition, about 60 other US colleges also provide at least some financial aid to international applicants. As the aid is usually in the form of grants, not loans, the money does not have to be paid back in most cases.

But there are many other good reasons to study in the USA besides finance. By far the most important factor to UK students is the broad ‘liberal arts’ curriculum that is followed in most US colleges.

Unlike in the UK, there is no need to commit to one or two subjects to study when you apply. In the USA, apart from a small core curriculum, you can study whatever you like for the first 18 months.

This is ideal for those students who are keen to explore new interests before choosing which subjects to study in more depth.

American universities also seek to educate the ‘whole person’. As such, extracurricular activities are considered an integral part of a student’s experience, rather than ancillary to the main business of education, as they are often viewed in the UK. A large US college will have around 400 recognised student clubs, including sports teams, performing arts groups, international groups, religious groups, community service groups, and newspaper and magazine publications. The emphasis on holistic education is reflected in the application process, where extracurricular achievement is valued

just as much as academic ability and you will be asked to explain how you intend to contribute to college life.

Finally, an important reason to study in the USA is that you will acquire a more global outlook. Students from all over the world study in the USA and your multicultural experience will be valued by future employers. Global companies look to hire graduates who can communicate in a variety of contexts and with different people.

What better way to demonstrate an understanding that the world really is getting smaller than by studying abroad? You will also build up a global network of contacts, useful in anything you go on to do later in your career.

Natalie is the founder of MyUniApplication.com. She can guide you with all aspects of both US and UK university applications and give you expert guidance on your application essays and personal statement. She also offers interview preparation and SAT/ACT preparation classes.

MyUniApplication.com Top tips for applying to US colleges:

1. Research the US colleges thoroughly and create a shortlist.

2. Allow plenty of time to draft and redraft your application essays and show it to your family, your teachers, and, if possible, a specialist.

3. Practise taking the standardised tests (SATs or ACTs), an important part of your application.

4. Calculate the net cost of your education, taking account of tuition fees, living costs and financial aid.

5. Investigate if there are any scholarships for which you can apply, for example, in music or sport.

6. Talk to a professional adviser such as Natalie Lancer, for guidance in putting together a successful application

For more information, contact Natalie Lancer on 07747 612 513 or at info@myuniapplication.com. www.myuniapplication.com

august 2013 41

educa t io n

Extra Curricular Activities words by Jill Bennett, Schools’ Marketing Specialist, Orchid Creative

A

ll schools recognise the wider educational value of pupil involvement in activities beyond the classroom: it encourages them to learn new skills, to pursue special interests and to grow into well-rounded individuals. It also encourages pupils to meet other children with similar interests across a range of ages, provides opportunities for leadership and responsibility and can be enormous fun. Involvement in such activities broadens pupil horizons and experiences and gives them a more balanced perspective on their work inside the classroom.

Independent schools are in a strong position to put resources into this crucial area of school life and child development, offering an impressive range of extra curricular activities; this is undoubtedly one of the reasons many parents choose to educate their children privately.

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There is such a vast wealth of opportunities available outside lessons, as well as creative outlets in subjects such as Music, Art, Design Technology and Drama. There are many other types of activity such as sport, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, academic clubs and societies and community service, Adventurous Training and, of course, the CCF (Combined Cadet Force). Pupils on expeditions quickly become aware that one person cannot successfully carry the rest of the team and if the role they assign themselves are not taken seriously by the designated member of the group, problems quickly emerge. Such schemes are extremely popular and widely promoted in independent schools as they combine service and self-development. Although these opportunities lie outside the normal curriculum, they still reflect the importance of school values: community, teamwork, balance, leadership and above all a sense of fun.

With all of us so conscious of worries about childhood obesity, involvement in extra curricular sport, whether recreational or competitively, is something that parents and schools themselves are very keen to promote. Again, independent schools often are very well placed to provide the facilities and staffing time and expertise to support exciting and varied sporting opportunities beyond the curriculum.

A school’s extra-curricular activities programme provides excitement not only through academic as well as physical and emotional challenge; there is something for everyone to experiment with until they find their own niche. The key point is that pupils should discover what they enjoy, and then participate; in doing so, the broader skills that they master during the course of these activities will contribute to building the rounded individuals that schools and parents hope children will become at the end of their school career. As Peter Hamilton, Headmaster of the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, notes: “The huge range of extra-curricular activities available at my school ensures that every boy finds something at which he excels, and as a result develops a self-assurance that will equip him for life.”

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BEAUTY

Summer Daze

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f it feels like your skin has been in long-term hibernation, kick-start your summer through your make-up bag.

Whether you’re home or abroad, put your staple cosmetics on vacation and indulge in brighter products, bronzing wonders, and lighter formulations during the sunshine season.

Achieve the hottest look with our shortcuts to a summer glow.

Bright beauty

Combined with dewy skin, a bright eye or lip is the equivalent of a statement summer accessory.

If you’re usually attached to your big sunglasses, work an eye-popping pout. Even classic red lip aficionados can really amp up the tone for summer.

Bright pinks will pop on olive skins, corals look amazing on darker skin tones, and a bright tomato

red will flatter a pale complexion.

If you prefer to play on your eyes, pick your favourite rainbow bright and apply an intense liner.

“Eyeshadow pencils are the way forward when it comes to creating bold, colourful looks with minimal effort,” says Mel Arter, Max Factor make-up artist.

Lighten up

With a natural golden glow (safely achieved with SPF protection, of course), it’s likely you won’t need full coverage when it comes to foundation in high summer.

Swap heavy formulations and cakey powder for a lighter tinted moisturiser, BB cream, or this year’s new wave of CC creams, which will even out your complexion and protect your face with a built-in SPF. To add colour to cheeks, stains and gels are practical for summer - they won’t budge in the heat

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Collection, from £14.50 House of Fraser

46 august 2013

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition All Over Bronzing Gel SPF15, £22 (0870 034 2566) www.bobbibrown. co.uk Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £21.50 www.aveda.co.uk

and also double up as lip colour.

“This season, I’ve been working a lot with what I call ‘acqua colour’,” says Estee Lauder’s creative make-up director Tom Pecheux. “It’s a gentle, watery look with just a touch of bright, vibrant colour.”

Dive in

If you prefer to keep your make-up low-key, add some colour to your talons with a mermaid-inspired mani.

Take the plunge with azure blues and emerald greens for nails that look like they’ve been dipped into a tropical sea.

“A mermaid manicure is easy to achieve using a mix of oceanic colours - try a basecoat of green and then a second coat of blue,” suggests Jessica Hoffman, Sally Hansen UK nail ambassador.

Intensify the marine look with some sparkle. Paint your nails with an intense blue or green base coat and then add a sparkling top coat of Sally Hansen Mermaid’s Tale (£6.99) or Nails Inc Bling It On Emerald (£18).

Not only will they make your nails look jewel encrusted, the glitter coat will make your nails more hard-wearing for trips to the actual beach. Eat your heart out, Ariel.

BEAUTY

Tried & tested

Kick start your flutter potential with an eyelash curler. Our testers try three eye openers:

The Body Shop Eye Lash Curler, £5

(www.thebodyshop.co.uk) I found these lash curlers easy to use, allowing me to get in close to my eyelids for maximum curl.

It also comes with changeable rubber cushions for when one gets worn out.

4/5

Models Own Eyelash Curler, £6 (www.modelsownit. com) With its large pink padded handles, it’s easy to steady your hand and get a good grip with these curlers. My usually straight lashes instantly looked curled and longer.

4/5

Shu Uemura 24k Gold Eyelash Curler, £20

(www.shuuemura.co.uk) It’s almost a shame to hide these sleek gold curlers in your make-up bag. They make my mascara’s job easier with an amazing curl that lasts all day long.

5/5

Beauty bulletin

Cosmetic haul

Don’t forget to add your toiletries bag to your travel insurance.

The contents of the average wash bag is worth £156.69, according to a new holiday report by Travelodge, yet 82% of Brits are clueless about the value of their travelling toiletries.

When quizzed, the average adult estimated their wash bag, with contents, was £52.23 - three times under the actual worth. A third (34%) of women said their toiletry bag is the most important item they pack when travelling and a fifth (20%) admitted they purchase more expensive toiletry items before their holiday as a treat.

Recessionista alert

Jimmy Choo Exotic eau de toilette, from £44 Debenhams

Meet bareMinerals superstar products. Swirl, tap and buff your way to perfect skin with bareMinerals Award Winning Kit that includes five beauty industry prize winning products, worth £104. The customisable kit is £69, available for a limited time only online at www.bareminerals. co.uk

august 2013 47

BEAUTY

Lipstick Queen Endless Summer lipsticks, £18 each www.lookfantastic.com

Sleek MakeUp i-Divine Snapshots palette, £7.99 Estee Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush, £24 (0870 034 2566/www. esteelauder.co.uk www.sleekmakeup.com

Bronzed babe

Summer spritz

You don’t need to sit in the deckchair for hours to

achieve a golden glow. There are easier ways to do sun-kissed in seconds with natural-look bronzing products.

“I love the bronzed look because it instantly makes you look healthier and more rested,” says make-up artist Bobbi Brown.

Look to bronzing gel or liquid formulations for light, even coverage on both the face and/or the body. You can use before or after your foundation to give your skin a sun-kissed sheen.

If you prefer a powder bronzer, apply with a brush in downward motions in areas where the sun would naturally hit your face.

Find a scent that will be reminiscent of summer long after you’ve packed away the bikinis and flipflops.

Switch heavier eau de parfums or colognes for an exotic eau de toilette and walk into the vapours for an all-over fragrance that lingers on body and clothes.

Hydrating mists are also instantly refreshing on a hot summer’s day, for face or tired legs and feet.

“Carrying a small water misting spray is a great way to pep-up dehydrated, tired skin during the summer,” recommends consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon, Paul Banwell.

Don’t leave your hair out of the spritzing action, especially if it’s coloured. Keep your locks protected with an SPF spray for hair containing UV filters to guard your tresses from the rays.

Buy it

now

Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is, well, a little different.

The bestselling moisturiser has been reformulated to deliver double the moisturisation levels. New dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is available at www. clinique.co.uk and Clinique counters nationwide, from £17.

48 august 2013

Estee Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush, £24 (0870 034 2566) www.esteelauder.co.uk

Turn your Passion for Fashion into a

Fabulous Business

Do you love fashion, socialising and wish you could incorporate it into a flexible and fun work life based from home?

Are you a Mum who wants to help out with the family income or are you simply looking for an alternative or addition to office life?

Then you can turn your passion into a part or full time career as I have done.

I run my business from home selling fabulous unique French clothes to women of all ages. At their house or mine; we have fun with fashion, exchange style tips on the latest trends, enjoy a unique personal service all whilst relaxing over coffee.

The clothes have that timeless French ‘chic’ that you will want to wear every day. They are easy care and stylish, without the designer price tag you might expect.

If you have young children, our Children’s collection is a fantastic way to keep them beautifully kitted out whilst earning money.

You will be part of a friendly and professional team, with full training and ongoing support as you develop and grow your business.

So…if you are simply looking to earn a little extra each week or an income that will enable you to order that new car and take your daughters to Bali for a fun girlie holiday, as I have done this year, not to mention reveling in a new wardrobe every season….then do not hesitate, contact me at wanda101@btinternet.com or call 01689 860160 and l will explain the fabulous opportunity that can be yours.

august 2013 49

Annabel’s English Treasures Alison

va n

der

La n d e

Alison van der Lande worked as a successful PR consultant in London before she began to develop her own range of elegant bright travel bags, from her Hampshire home. With Alison’s background in marketing and a passion for fashion and shopping, she found herself wanting to create a fashion forward product and her opportunity presented itself when she couldn’t find a colourful leather weekend bag and she realised that there was a gap in the market for a this type of product and so began to develop the brand and concept.

The first collection was launched in 2005, with The Classico Weekend bag – a half-moon shaped travel bag in bright colours. Within three months of the launch, it had been snapped up by Selfridges and then The Conran Shop and Alison knew she had created a great product.

Customers then began to ask for a matching handbag, and so Alison launched the Bella bag and the Alison van der Lande handbag collection began. In 2006 Alison launched the ‘Daisy Doo’ (named after her daughter Daisy). This was an easy day bag that now sells in thousands every year and comes in over twenty colours, from metallic, pastel, white and patent.

A luxury sports collection soon followed, with a range of brightly coloured tennis and golf bags, for both men and women.

Since then the handbag collection has grown to include work, casual and occasion handbags and is stocked countries including Australia, Norway, Portugal and USA. The Alison van der Lande handbag collection is stocked at Annabel’s in Royal Parade, Chislehurst, BR7 6NR, 07714189674

Annabel’s, 3 Royal Parade, Chislehurst, BR6 6NR, 07714 189 674 and Annabel’s II, 5 High Street, Chislehurst, BR7 5AB 07733 014565

50 AUGUST august 2013

august MONTH 2013 51

FA S H I O N

Really Wild Show

Y

ou don’t need a plane ticket to Africa to embark on a safari adventure this summer. Park your jeep on the high street to pounce on the safari trend.

OK, you may not spot the Big Five but this sleek styling is worth pursuing for its versatile nature.

There are neutrals that can be worked in the urban jungle for a summer twist on officewear, monochromatic prints for a low-key spin on the usual bright tribal patterns, and animal prints for the tiger in you (or leopard or zebra).

It’s likely you’ll already have safari-inspired pieces in your wardrobe, so get in the fashion game now with some reinvention.

Unleash the wild woman in you by working this summer’s hottest trend.

Neutral know-how

Look like a queen of the desert this summer by wearing cargo-style separates in khaki, beige and camel. Opt for rolled-up trousers or shorts for a casual look, or stylish belted jackets and safari dresses for a smarter take.

True safari explorers will know the importance of layering on a 6am game drive, so adopt the same principles for your summer look. Go practical with lightweight knits, sheer shirts and jackets with endless pockets to keep your sunglasses and sun potions in.

If you want to stick to an all-neutral palette, mix your safari separates with classic white for a fresh summer look.

For a splash of colour, team your khakis and beiges with turquoise, peach, salmon pink or mint green.

Indigo coat, £59; M&S Woman jumper, £35; Indigo chinos, £25; belt, £12.50; shoes, £39.50; hat, £19.50; necklace, £17.50; all Marks & Spencer

Mono tribal

Tribal prints aren’t always bright and garish. You can still adopt the Africana spirit with monochrome prints that blend into the background - perfect safari camouflage.

Floaty, loose silhouettes carry mono tribals off nicely and are ideal for humid temperatures, but work a more fitted piece on either your top or bottom half so you don’t look like you’re wearing pyjamas.

Lower contrast prints (in the same tones) are ideal for newbies to experiment with pattern because they’re usually more flattering on most frames, particularly petites.

Stick to a small, uniform print to camouflage lumps and bumps. If you want to jazz things up, use statement tribal accessories to amp up your outfit for after dark.

Animal instinct

If you have no intention of blending into the background (other than at the zoo), work an animal print.

Traditionalists will feel comfortable in big cat leopard, as favoured by catwalk queen Kate Moss, but if you’re feeling more rebellious try tiger stripes, monochrome zebra, exotic snake or even giraffe splodges.

You don’t have to stick to the colours you might see on actual safari animals either - a pop of coral or red will brighten up leopard prints on accessories like scarves or bags.

Look for an animal print that runs vertically on the body for the most flattering effects. The darker the background of your pattern, the more slimming the look, so if you’re conscious of your curves, Jonathan Saunders Edition at Debenavoid snakeskin or zebra prints which both have a hams safari dress, £85 predominantly white background. www.debenhams.com

52 AUGUST august 2013

Wrapover dress, £169; straw hat with butterfly motifs, £35; both Uta Raasch at Peter Hahn 0844 557 1214 www.peterhahn. co.uk

FA S H I O N

Embellished ikat dress, £39; M&Co 0800 0317 200 www.mandco. com

Dao ikat jumpsuit, £78; embroidery tufted pendant by Tataborello, £14.95; both Anthropologie 0207 870 4821 www.anthropologie.eu

Linen military style jacket, £23.60; linen shorts, £10; pink linen T-shirt, £10.80; python print sandals, £19.60; all La Redoute 0844 842 2222 www.laredoute.co.uk august MONTH august 2013 53 2013 53

FA S H I O N

Fashion flash

Posh bag

Buy it now

Miss Selfridge Inspired By campaign: Peach dress, £69; embellished jacket, £99; necklace, £60; boots, £89 www.missselfridge. com

Embark on a fashion adventure with Miss Selfridge’s new Inspired By range. The exclusive 30 capsule pieces bring together the beauty and texture of India in a wearable collection that’s perfect for balmy summer days. Prices range from £35 to £220, available from July 25 in stores and online at www.missselfridge.com

She may have her own line of handbags now, but there was a time when Victoria Beckham used a posh carrier bag for school. When asked about her first handbag love, she replied: “My Gucci plastic carrier bag that I used to carry my school books in every day until the bottom fell out.” The designer revealed her bag stories to Harrods as part of the Handbag Narratives exhibition. And her tips for choosing the perfect bag? “Always look for something timeless that has the potential to carry you through from day to night. I like discreet branding and believe in always choosing the very best quality.” Harrods Handbag Narratives exhibition runs until August 24.

Changing dramas STOP - before you buy that ill-fitting garment you’ll never wear. Only one in 10 items make it past the changing room, while only a quarter of online orders are kept or worn by shoppers, according to a new survey by VoucherCodesPro. co.uk. Four out of five respondents said they enjoyed clothes shopping but the figures suggest British women are unable to spot what suits them at first glance. Just 39% felt they had the style confidence to spot fashion items and accessories that suited them.

Coast Latia lace dress, £145 www.coast-stores.com

Get the look

It was game, set and match to Kim Sears, aka Andy Murray’s glamorous WAG, at Wimbledon. She netted her final dress from designer pal Victoria Beckham but you can copy her minty fresh lace look at Coast with the Latia dress, £145 (www. coast-stores.com).

Kim Sears in the players box during day thirteen of the Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon

54 august 2013

Classic dining at

Bistro du Vin

Bistro du Vin is at the heart of our hotel in Tunbridge Wells. Experience an elegant and informal setting for lunch and dinner - where guests can meet, celebrate or simply pass the time - at the classic, French-styled Bistro du Vin. At our Bistro du Vin Tunbridge Wells, it's about serving up dishes that not only tastes great, but is also made using locally sourced produce and, wherever possible, organic too. It's about enjoying moderately priced à la carte dining in a down-to-earth, warm and relaxing setting.

From simple starters like French onion soup and British rock oysters to mains of Normandy chicken and 28-day dry-aged steaks to desserts such as chocolate pithivier and tarte tatin. And with our restaurant in Tunbridge Wells offering a summer a la fresco menu, it’s about tucking into even better value summer classics.

All served by attentive and exceptionally knowledgeable waiting staff happy to explain the dishes, the ingredients, and how our talented chefs put them together. And always on hand, your sommelier, ready to advise, guide, match or recommend the perfect wine.

Join us this Sunday and settle in for a sumptuous four course culinary treat, including our lavish French market table of seafood and crustacea and, of course, our signature roasts. £22.95 for 4 courses and £9.95 for children under 12 years from the children's or main menu.

To find out more or book a meal at Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells email info.tunbridgewells@hotelduvin.com or call: 01892 526455

august 2013 55

&

HOME GARDEN

citrus slices wall sticker, £30, Red Candy

C

Live on the Bright Side

olour’s cool for homes right now, and stamping your style on rooms with bright shades is an easy way to welcome summer.

“Bold is back! Colour accents should be surprising and tantalising this year,” says Nicky Pysden at DecorateNow, specialists in paint, wallpaper and decorating accessories.

56 august 2013

world and it all feels a bit scary, dip your toe into vivid decor by experimenting with what interior designers call ‘pops’ of colour.

That means picking shades you like - for inspiration, look at the clothes in your wardrobe as they’re likely to feature shades you’re naturally most attracted to - and decorating with them, or featuring them in accessories.

First check out your chosen colours on a paint chart. If you’re unsure, buy a sample pot, paint a piece of A4 paper and stick it on a wall to see that you’re comfortable with it over time and in different lights.

Think outside the box when it comes to decorating - you don’t have to opt for the inevitable ‘feature’ wall.

“Take inspiration from the catwalk. Colour-blocking is as big in fashion as it is in the home this year,” says Pysden. “If you opt for a limited palette, make sure at least one of those colours is turquoise, to add an air of electricity.”

Painting skirtings and doors in a new punchy shade, or even painting a ceiling (in a room with high ceilings this will make it feel lower and the room cosier), can be just as effective.

Alternatively, give a piece of furniture, mirror or picture frames a fast colour hit by spray-painting them.

If you’re really colour cautious, simply invest in a few new accessories. But be warned - the future’s orange, blue, green, pink and a whole host of other zingy shades besides, so ensure your home’s on-trend.

Follow the experts’ advice to affordable ways to use colour with confidence without turning your bank balance red...

“Use colour where you least expect it, to accentuate and highlight features in a room. This trend plays with shapes, light and shadow to create an interesting mix of shades.

“Colour’s coming from everywhere as the nation gets bold with teal, yellow, lime green and rosebud pink.”

If you’re used to a more neutral tangerine fan cushion, £28, pad extra, HunkyDory Home.

&

HOME GARDEN

Tom Foolery 2.5 seater in Pure Cherry, £2,199, Sofa Workshop

Orange aid

Orange is a cheery colour and keys in well to a modern interior, or one focusing on turn-back-the-clock retro style.

Interior designer Abigail Ahern highlights burnt orange as her favourite shade.

“This season, stronger colours are taking centre stage and burnt orange is the star. One of the reasons I’m so obsessed with this hue is that it works in any interior, and works whether you hanker after a modern or a more bohemian interior,” she says.

“Also, this is a warm colour, which is welcoming and signifies tranquility. It will transition well into autumn as it’s synonymous with the latter half of the year. Use for upholstery, accessories or on a feature wall - it’s rich, elegant and adds that all-important ‘pop’ of colour.”

Colour selection: Cuban Heat, from the Crown Feature Wall Matt Emulsion range, is around £10.98 for 1.25 litres, available from Homebase and B&Q. Alternatively, Charlotte’s Locks No. 268 from Farrow & Ball is

£34.50 for 2.5 litres estate emulsion and £50 for 2.5 litres of full gloss.

Colour cautious: Funky, orange accessories could transform a room.

An Ice-Clock Wall Clock, available in a range of zingy shades including orange, is £39.95 from Watchshop. com. Shine a bright light with ‘shadelier-style’ Charleigh Pendant Orange lampshade with hanging orange crystal drops, £49, Pagazzi, and scatter a few Tangerine Fan Cushions, £28 each, HunkyDory Home. Follow the fruity theme with Citrus Slices Wall Stickers, £30, Red Candy.

Punchy pink

Homes should be filled with colour, says Charlotte Hedeman Gueniau, author of Happy Home: Everyday Magic For A Colorful Life (Jacqui Small, £25), which is an inspiring guide to experimenting with colour and pattern.

“There’s usually some shade of pink involved in my top five colours. Sometimes a soft, romantic shade and at the moment a more hysterical, energetic fluorescent tone of neon,” she says.

“Coloured walls are one of my darlings. Just one wall can really make a huge difference in a room. I always say, ‘Just do it’ - don’t take it too seriously, because, with another tin of paint, you can change it quickly if you get sick of it all.”

Colour selection: Be brave and choose Dulux Matt Emulsion Sexy Pink, £18.98 for 2.5 litres, B&Q, or achieve a more subtle effect with the topically named Middleton Pink No. 245, £34.50 for 2.5 litres of estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball.

Colour cautious: Play it safe with a neutral backdrop of white walls

and make a feature of pink furniture.

Sofa Workshop’s Tomfoolery 2.5-seater sofa in Pure Cherry costs £2,199. Add a glossy pink Oken folding side table (the tray top can be lifted off), £35, Habitat.

Functional items needn’t blend into the background. Premier Housewares ABS 3-Tier Cabinet in Hot Pink, around £155.49, Amazon or Premier Housewares. Brighten a splashback or bathroom by painting existing tiles with Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint in Pink Fusion, £18.99 for 750ml, B&Q (available from September).

Beautiful fabrics dress a room and Clarke & Clarke’s new collection, Lombok, is Balinese-inspired and features pink and orange patterns on Ika and plain fabrics in Sunset, Spice and Sorbet pink colours.

Fabrics from £17 a metre.

Rainbow shades

If you can’t choose between your favourite colours, take inspiration from the rainbow and feature a razzle-dazzle mix of shades.

“Be bold, be bright, and don’t be afraid of colour because it’s essential for a happy home. Add Below: accessories painted in PlastiKote Twist & Spray Colour range, £8.79 for a 400ml can. Shades used, orange gloss, pink burst gloss and bright red gloss

Left: line luggage racks, from £150 for a small rack and line colour trunks from £62 each, The London Transport Museum

august 2013 57

&

HOME GARDEN

zesty colour in bright textured cushions, and statement pieces of art,” says Hedeman Gueniau.

“Don’t be afraid to mix colours but very vivid shades can become overwhelming. Stick to one or two bright colours and add to them with softer shades.”

Colour cautious: Jazz up a wall with train line-inspired Coloured Luggage Racks from London Transport Museum. They start from £150 for a small rack and its Coloured Trunks start from £62 each.

Just as bold is a deep red Retro Locker Side Table, £79.99, Store.

Quirky accessories add fun to a room, and a bowl which looks like a large splash of paint is a gem. A Menu Dropp bowl, in Spring Leaf, £29.95, Red Candy.

Even if there are no blue skies outside, you could lift your spirits with a brilliant blue Matador armchair by Conran, £895, Darlings of Chelsea.

Banish fussy window dressing and pick stunning Lime Green Louvered Shutters, from £320 per metre, Shutterly Fabulous.

Colourful corner

A collection of spray-painted vases, jars or even old milk bottles can bring life to a dull corner.

Pick sunny shades, such as Orange Gloss, Pink Burst Gloss,

Menu Dropp bowl in spring leaf, £29.95, Red Candy

Colour destinations

Bright Red Gloss from the Plasti-Kote’s Twist & Spray colour range, £8.79 for a 400ml can.

The full range is available from Hobbycraft and Wilkinson stores as well as DIY stores. For inspiring project ideas and information visit www.plastikote.com and for stockists call 01223 836 400.

Dying for colour

Give past-their-sell-by-date curtains and upholstery a new lease of life by dying them. Dylon’s shades include some summer-smart colours: Tropical Green, Sunflower Yellow, Bahama Blue, Flamingo Pink and Goldfish Orange.

Hand dyes, £3.11 and machine dyes, £6.06, from high street stores including John Lewis, Robert Dyas, Wilkinson and hardware stores nationwide.

• Abigail Ahern: www. abigailahern.com • Amazon: www. amazon.co.uk • B&Q: www.diy.com • Clarke & Clarke: 01706 242 010/www.clarke-clarke.co.uk • Crown: www.crownpaint. co.uk • Darlings of Chelsea: 020 7371 5745/ www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk • Decorate Now: www.decoratenow. co.uk • Farrow & Ball: 01202 876 141/ www.farrow-ball.com • Habitat: 0844 499 1111/ www.habitat.co.uk • HunkyDory Home: 0191 645 4004/ www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk • John Lewis: 0845 6049 049/ www.johnlewis.com • London Transport Museum Shop: www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk • Pagazzi: 0844 257 1908/ www.pagazzi.com • Premier Housewares: 0141 579 2000/ www.premierhousewares.co.uk • Red Candy: 0121 224 7728/ www.redcandy.co.uk • Shutterly Fabulous: 0845 017 8988/ www.shutterlyfabulous.com • Sofa Workshop: 0844 249 9161/ www.sofaworkshop.com • Store: www.aplaceforeverything. co.uk • Watchshop: 0800 024 8794/ www.watchshop.com

pink parquet shade, £36, Hunkydory Home Oken tray table, £35, Habitat

58 august 2013

lime green shutters, from £320, Shutterly Fabulous.

F I R ST F LO OR BAT HRO OM SHOWRO OM DESIG N SE RV ICE AVAIL A BLE 11-12 Sundridge Parade Plaistow Lane Sundridge Park Bromley BR1 4DT 020 8466 6313 www.sundridgeinteriors.com

Your dream kitchen – from design to reality

Using the very latest CAD technology we’re able to show you a photo-realistic image of your new dream kitchen when it’s still nothing more than that – a dream.

Whether it’s an ultra-sleek contemporary style or something a little more traditional you’ll be one hundred per cent satisifed with your new kitchen every step of the way.

Each and every one of your requirements will be satisfied before you commit to purchase.

And when we come to install we use our own professional craftsmen – so no nightmare builders.

FREENCE

NEFF APPLIA OICE OF YOUR CH r.r.p

For a free no-obligation survey and quotation call

of £500 Up to the value more) ibute £500 if it’s (or we’ll contr orders en ch kit ed fitt on all ve, placed by £10,000 and abo 2013 end of August

0800 5426102

untygroup.co.uk Visit www.theco ditions for terms & con

This image is a simulation

Download our FREE guide book: “The top ten key questions to ask when buying a kitchen” Visit www.thecountygroup.co.uk/kitchenguide AND SEE OUR CURRENT SPECIAL OFFERS

Kitchens • Bedrooms • Studies Windows • Doors Conservatories • Orangeries

www.thecountygroup.co.uk Showrooms in Heathfield, Tunbridge Wells, Haywards Heath and august Hailsham. 2013 59

a n t ique s

John Bly

Surely when you see the name Porto Fino an image of that most picturesque fishing village snuggled on the coast of the Italian Riviera in the province of Genoa will spring immediately to mind. So too will the long list of celebrities who have made it their favourite place to vacate or even buy an additional home. This aspect brings with it the assumed glamour of the summer populace plus the baggage of high prices and so just a sneaking suspicion that on a nice sunny day the best place to be right now might be your own home and garden.

These last were certainly the thoughts of Tobias Smollett and his companion Matthew Todd when their boat was forced by bad weather to weigh anchor there in 1774.

According to notes in a journal in Christopher Hibbert’s book The Grand Tour, Todd recorded that the only inn was unspeakably bad, with no chairs or table in their room, only a broken mouth glass and such awful bed bugs that Smollett had to sleep on a chest in the hall. They had “Nothing but bad wine and water to drink, knives and forks, such as they were, never cleaned nor plates washed and little bits of beef…as tough as the Devil and no vegetables except raw onions.” I wonder what Cary Grant would have thought of that.

Anyway, once again this has led me back to the Grand Tour and the hardships that these unaccustomed members of the educated classes went through on their way to the established cities of culture and the influence the latter was to have on English architecture from the 16th century on. Classicism in all its forms was particularly taken up in all areas of art during the last quarter of the 18th century during which time the names of the leading protagonists such as Adam, Chambers, Holland and Wyatt became established forever. Of these Henry Holland has long since been my favourite. His commissions covered such a wide range, from stately homes to rows of houses, hotels and theatres and his designs for furniture were among the purest interpretations of the antique that one can find.

Examples can be seen in another favourite of mine Woburn Abbey, where the Dukes of Bedford have resided since John Russell was made 1st Earl of Bedford – for services to the Crown – in 1556.

I doubt I would ever have met him but I would certainly have approved his appointment for he was a wine merchant. But talking of Woburn Abbey I have now to report the bad news that after more than 40 years the Antique Centre there is to close forever on the 1st September. It’s a shame because it is without doubt the most attractive antique centre in the country with room for 60 dealers. The upstairs gallery was originally accommodation for the stable boys, ostlers and other

60 august 2013

people connected with the care of the horses and running of the stables which were below. But these now - and since 1967 - resemble a Dickensian High Street. This is due to Nicole Milinaire, the third wife of John 13th Duke of Bedford (1917 - 2002), who according to legend was visiting the Old Kent Road while parts of it were being demolished.

Seeing the potential she ordered the careful demolition of the shop fronts and had them faithfully reconstructed in the stables at Woburn to create the Antique Centre, each shop housing a different antique dealer. I went to the opening, and indeed I remember Mm. Russell and His Grace extremely well because they used to visit my shop in Tring, where they would spend a long while talking to my father about Henry Holland and their planned exhibition of his work. His Grace was inspirational in creating public interest to save many of our stately homes. In 1955 he opened the house to visitors and in 1970 opened the first ‘Safari Park’. Slightly concerned at criticism from other members of the aristocracy he is credited with saying that “surely it is better to be looked down upon than overlooked”. Apologies if that is not word accurate. So sixty dealers have to find alternative accommodation. Fortunately son James has already established the Bly name in the King’s Road, Chelsea, London.

We are in the large building on the corner of Lots Road, with a dozen other dealers whose stock is uniform in top quality but as varied in style as you would see on a Grand Tour.

Here are works of art in every form imaginable. For more than a quarter of a century it has been a Mecca for anyone furnishing a complete house or building a collection, and if what you want isn’t here then between them the chaps will find it for you, for this group of young dealers have connections absolutely everywhere. I was reminded of the movie “Trains, Planes and Automobiles” for these too are on display – but not toys, real working models; the sort that are made to test aerofoil sections and resistance in wind tunnels. Here is where you will find a huge birdcage, the size of an indoor aviary, the largest marble showroom in England, furniture of every description, with provenanced pieces from the 16th to the 20th century and, in order not miss my stables showroom at Woburn, we are showing a larger than life-size 22ct gold bronze figure of a horse’s head.

All this plus the fact that while you are in the area there are two auction houses in Lots Road and the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre is just a few minutes stroll. Here over 100 showrooms display the work of designers and suppliers of every furnishing accessory and it’s just next to Imperial Wharf over ground railway station. So instead of going on a Grand Tour to the end of the world this summer, take a different route and come to World’s End in London. Oh, and just to reassure you, halfway down the Lots Road there’s a jolly good pub, with excellent wine, no broken glasses and clean knives and forks.

John Bly Antiques 1891.

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

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

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HOME GARDEN

Three into one goes

Faced with a familiar problem of enough space, but not in the right places, the owners of an East Sussex home knocked three rooms into one and gave Tunbridge Wells company Krieder the challenge of making it work as a living space Krieder is a British brand which made a name for itself in the capital, with its meticulously-built and designed kitchen, bedroom and living room furniture. The company caters to sophisticated, contemporary tastes and its chic minimalist showroom can be found in Chapel Place, just off Tunbridge Wells High Street.

Krieder’s client in East Sussex, Anna Brent, is an interior designer, so no pressure. The three-rooms-into-one project had created a long but relatively narrow space along the back of the house. A good-sized kitchen with an island was important to Anna, but so was a good dining area for family and entertaining.

Within the quite limited dimensions, it would have been a struggle to provide defined kitchen and eating areas of a decent size incorporating all the desired features, so Krieder’s solution was a bespoke dining table which integrates with the island.

Flexible design for flexible living

For special events, the table can be slid away from the island unit and stand independently with chairs all around it. But in normal family use, joined to the island, it leaves plenty of living space beyond, where the owner has created an informal family area.

Apart from the layout, Anna’s other design priority was to provide an overall neutral canvas with specific accent features, and the table also played a key role in this respect. It provides a strong visual focus and a pleasant contrast with the rest of the kitchen, with its white-satin lacquered cabinets and neutral matt ceramictiled floor. American red gum veneer gave the table the slightly rustic look with a deep profile which Anna specified, but without the price premium of solid timber.

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While Anna knew she wanted the clean, contemporary look for the units which white gives, particularly in this handle-free design, she was unsure whether to go for gloss or matt.

Krieder suggested silk as a finish, as it provides some of the reflective qualities of gloss, but gives a more mellow overall effect.

Accents make it work

Other accents in the kitchen include a spectacular Falmec extractor above the island, which incorporates self-illuminated shelving. A Gaggenau wine cooler is the statement piece of technology, while the other appliances are the still highly desirable Siemens brand.

A feature wall in lilac and pale green corner sofa in the living area provide further subtle accents.

Full-height glass doors run the length of the newly-created space, so when the weather allows, the outside decking becomes part of a large, free-flowing living area. Plain voile curtains reflect light back into the room at night and diffuse the natural light by day.

Krieder prides itself on great design but also on its ability to work to a budget. Call them for an informal chat about your project on 01892 619721. www.krieder.com

JP01 Sofa– £8,018. JC01 Coffe table Gloss– £794. JCT01 Small Coffee table Gloss– £349. JM01 Book Shelf Matt lacquer– £2,875.

Kitchens, sofas, beds, wardrobes, bookcases, mirrors, tables, chairs, coffee tables and sideboards... there is no end to our product range. We just love furniture and our sole objective is to create products of beauty, rich in quality and daring in combination.

For all enquiries contact us on 01892 619 721 or email sales@krieder.com alternatively view our products online at www.krieder.com

august 2013 63

YOUR DREAM BATHROOM AT THE RIGHT PRICE. PRICE PROMISE

The recession has tightly focused everyone on value for money and lowest product costs but no more than the Bathstore purchasing team who are highly driven people with a keen eye for inspirational style, superb manufacturing quality and passing on savings to customers.

160 stores nationwide make for impressive bargaining power when it comes to negotiating the toughest deals with suppliers worldwide. Bathstore continue to establish products at price points difficult for the competition to meet.

If that wasn’t enough Bathstore underline their price promise and, in the unlikely event you can present a comparable cheaper quote, Bathstore will match this.

DESIGN SERVICE

Dreaming about your new bathroom is just the start of planning your bathroom. But how will it appear in real life, does the layout really work and compatibility of parts are critical questions. Fortunately there is a full creative design service offered in house. Working closely with customers the store consultants will use their skill and knowledge of many years to pull together a design using a market leading software package. Everything from product positioning, selection and lighting effects can be viewed and tweaked to ensure customer satisfaction and a true understanding of the products selected.

TILES AND SPLASH PANELS

Bathstore now offer a range of ceramic, glass and porcelain tiles to help complete the look. Come and view the ranges of tiles and wet wall panels in store. The panels are an alternative to tiling in the bathroom and as they can measure 2400mm by 1200mm do away with grout lines and create a contemporary streamline look.

INTERACTIVE CATALOGUES

Providing 24/7 easy access for customers to Bathstore’s extensive product range is key in the digital age of ‘clicks and mortar’ and this is achieved via the e-commerce system. Navigation throughout the ranges, along with prompts to help you selected vital linked components, makes putting together your basket of goods a swift and pleasant experience. Best enjoyed with a good quality wine.

Knowing your order once confirmed is posted electronically to your local store to be overseen by a team of able store consultants adds further comfort to the those who find the internet a little daunting.

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INSTALLATION

For total peace of mind, talk to your local store about the installation service. It goes way beyond what you might expect from a fitting service, for example a 24/7 emergency call out dedicated line, attention to household mishaps associated to breakdown.

Bathstore make the process easy - simply liaise with your store consultant who will take you through the production selection phase, including preliminary designs, and then leave it with them. In no time at all one of our highly trained surveyors will be in touch to arrange a visit.

Importantly they are not sales people sent to take hours of your time building up to a ‘hard sell’ pitch. They are skilled site orientated staff whose sole role is to survey your property, listen to your needs, record those details effectively and return concise information to the pricing team back at base.

Again, with minimal delay, the sales consultant you visited and have built a working relationship with will be in touch to provide you with a comprehensive quote and answer any queries you may have.

THE TOTAL PACKAGE

In a volatile market, when you the customer both need and demand the best value for money, dealing with a company such Bathstore can be like a breath of fresh air. Take comfort in the knowledgeable staff, the price promise, product quality and large fast moving stocks for prompt despatch.

Construction work can be a stressful business - let Bathstore take the strain and be there for you from start to finish!

For helpful advice and great service please contact Bathstore Sevenoaks TN13 2DN on 01732 454112 or Tunbridge Wells TN1 2DE on 01892 557744

august 2013 65

SBI Veranda Patio Roof

Patio roofs with optional screens, lighting and heating

www.sbiproducts.co.uk

0800 0742 721 today

Call

66 august 2013

Russell Blake Ltd Traditional & Contemporary

Free Consultation Available!

Bespoke Kitchens Dressers Bedrooms Wardrobes Studies & Alcoves Bookcases

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august 2013 67

68 august 2013

august 2013 69

BOOK REVIEWS

The Bookshelf

There’s as much change in the fashion of writing style as in clothes - lately it appears dark, broody, and full of psychological twists - so here’s the pick of three totally different slants. Enjoy!

WORDS BY Bruce Edwards

Already Dead Stephen Booth Sphere £17.99 Hardback

Shadows on the Nile Kate Furnivall Sphere £7.99 Paperback

Niedermayer & Hart M.J. Johnson Odd Dog Press £12.99 Paperback

from that of leafy Kent - has plenty of character, even ‘atmosphere’. Booth has a special affinity for the area and it shows; in ‘Already Dead’, the atmosphere grabs one from the start - it’s raining, it’s dark, there’s lots of water on the road - appropriate for the discovery of a body blocking a drainage channel. His strength is in both character and accurate place description, together with an intense, taut storyline. The police team are personalities with human foibles that surface in any realistic drama. We know the scenario; emotional conflict at every level interposed between a gradual unravelling of ‘why’ and ‘how’. There’s bad weather; abandoned quarries, an unforgivable fraud, a steep hill and an out-of-control car and the inevitable spurned wife who wasn’t surprised. We might not be surprised either, at the actions of the essential despondent ‘copper on sick leave’ or one of his female - colleagues. A good read whilst basking in holiday sunshine . . .

into a very susceptible young girl’s mind.

An early platonic love for the adopted and deranged brother her parents ‘swopped’ for replacement Timothy stays with her. When Timothy goes missing, she’s caught up in London riots and discovers, in classic Conan Doyle manner, an extravagant potential solution. An unravelled clue takes her to Egypt and into a strange world. The constant switch from thought to actuality, from surmise to sexual satisfaction, keeps the pace going at a disturbing and yet compelling rate. There’s a problematic involvement with Egypt’s tangled politics and the commonality of the two young boys of Jessie’s teenage years. With a uniquely developed style and adroit phraseology to heighten the atmosphere, Furnivall’s storytelling moves to a new dimension. The between-wars era is ripe for exploitation and the concept of a relationship between a malleable young girl and an aristocratic adventurer not entirely new but Furnivall manages to make the most of her canvas. A read that will demand attention, but well worth it.

A title to arouse curiosity, and rightly so, for it is a strange story. When Jim Latimer takes over a photographic commission from a former acquaintance who commits suicide, he is plunged into a weird world, one that taxes his connection with realities.

In parallel with his increasingly fraught involvement with the firm who reputedly sell porcelain and need his services to prepare a new catalogue, the interwoven dreams he has take him back to the eleventh century.

Subsequent events - and one could call them hallucinations - become an extreme test of Jim’s ability to survive in the dual role he has to play. We’re certainly taken down a dark and dangerous road where all manner of evil happenings occur and these may not be to everyone’s taste. Some sundry characters introduced into the story line soon suffer ignominious fates as their roles diminish, so concentration is required to hold on to the end. A taut, complex and commanding saga from a Tunbridge Wells author.

1SBN 978-0-7515-5171-6

ISBN 978-0-7515-4337-7

* *The Peak District scenery - far removed

* *An atmospheric and rather dark voyage

* *Plunge into the unknown.

ISBN 978-0-9562-8731-1

♦ If you prefer lighter, romantic, reads and lots of fun, there’s a Festival of Romance being held in Bedford between November 8th - 10th.

For full details, see: www.festivalofromance.co.uk ♦ Suggestions and queries to writerselect@gmail.com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles for review, though without obligation.

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I WAS TERRIFIED. ALL I HEARD WAS CANCER. BUT THANKS TO TEENAGE CANCER TRUST, I KNEW I WAS GOING TO BE OK. When Charlotte was diagnosed with cancer, we were able to give her expert care and support as she fought for her life. There are other young people, just like Charlotte, who are terrified right now and need our support too. As the only UK charity who does what we do, we need your help to be there for them.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY Text TEENS to 70300 to donate £3 and The Body Shop will match your donation*. You can also make a donation in any of The Body Shop stores or online at teenagecancertrust.org/charlotte

This advert has been donated. *Donation match runs to 31st July and is capped at £20,000.

The donation will cost £3 plus a text message at the standard rate. Teenage Cancer Trust (Registered Charity no: 1062559, SC039757) will receive 100% of every donation. Please ensure you have the bill payer’s permission before making this donation.

Photo by Ashley Jouhar

august 2013 71

T R AV E L

The Calm and Charm of

Vietnam

L

ang Co’s fisherman’s village springs into life before sunrise.

The fishermen - and fisherwomen - haul in their overnight bounties as traders set up stalls at the daily morning market.

By mid-afternoon the pace is sleepy; the occasional boat rows into shore and a small crew tend their nets, while a gaggle of local grandmas have turned the empty market tables into a convenient meeting spot, gossiping in the shade as ducks roam at their feet.

None of them speak English, but cooing at fluffy ducklings is

The Banyan Tree Lang Co resort

72 MONTH august2013 2013 72

universal, I discover, after going over to say hello.

Children on their way home from school, wearing pristine blue uniforms and curious smiles, come to join us.

It’s a simple scene, but experiences like this are what make my first ever visit to Vietnam unforgettable.

This part of the world is usually associated with backpackers, young gap-year explorers roughing it in no-frills hostels - but that’s changing.

The region is becoming increasingly popular with other groups: honeymooners seeking

something a little less predictable as well as families and retired couples looking for a culture-packed adventure.

In the last couple of years the launch of direct flights from London to the capital, Hanoi, has made getting there easier, and a number of resort developments mean it’s now perfectly possible to combine five-star comfort with history, culture and authentic Eastern charm.

Lang Co, tucked between expanses of paddy fields and jungle on Vietnam’s central coast, is relatively quiet, so visitors here are still a bit of a novelty - though a very welcome one.

A short drive from the fishing village sits a stunning stretch of sandy beach which, until a few years ago, was almost completely remote.

Now it’s home to the newest addition to the Banyan Tree Hotels

T R AV E L & Resorts - Banyan Tree Lang Co and sister hotel Angsana, which opened earlier this year.

Getting to Vietnam may have become easier, but it’s still a long journey, so the VIP greeting at Banyan Tree goes down a treat.

A large gong chimes to mark my arrival and I’m handed a refreshing drink before checking in (everybody’s a VIP here).

Within moments, flight-weariness forgotten, I’m wide-eyed as I take in the surroundings.

Anybody familiar with Banyan Tree resorts will know that they’re utterly stunning. There’s not a whiff of pretension and, while some luxury hotels can be slightly intimidating, it’s all about calm and serenity here.

Flanked by thickly-forested hills, there’s something enticingly James Bond-like about the place, with its grey walls and clay-tiled rooftops

and a footbridge - across the river which runs through the resort leading to the open-air lobby, where the centrepiece is a large square pond with a trickling fountain.

The resort is made up of 49 private villas. Guests are whisked to their rooms on golf buggies which can be called for at any time (or you can borrow a bike).

I’m travelling alone, which seems a bit of a waste when I clamp eyes on my villa and its huge double bed and his-and-hers bathroom with a giant tub and walk-in shower.

I also have my own garden, with a small pool, Jacuzzi, daybed, loungers and table and chairs, and a little path and gate leading onto the beach.

Though not exclusively for adults, the resort’s clearly been designed with couples in mind. At night, the river is lit with colourful lanterns and guests can enjoy a romantic boat ride.

Romantic dinners can be set up on the beach, or in your villa,

Lagoon Pool Villa, Banyan Tree

Lang Co

The Lagoon Pool Villa, Banyan Tree Lang Co,

Imperial City (Citadel) in Hue

The Lagoon Po ol Villa, Banyan Tree La ng Co

The reception, Banyan Tree Lang Co resort

august 2013 73 73 MONTH 2013

T R AV E L though the resort’s restaurants are certainly worth a visit.

For me, a walk along the deserted beach at sunrise (5am, if you’re wondering), followed by an al fresco garden breakfast, with birdsong and the occasional butterfly for company, is a total treat.

Ten minutes down the beach, Angsana is the more family-friendly of the two hotels, with rooms ranging from deluxe doubles to a two-bedroom loft suite. There’s also a large golf course and lots of activities, including watersports, a games room and crafts club, for kids and teens.

Lang Co is within easy distance of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Hue, Hoi An and My Son. Hue is a scenic 1.5-mile drive away. Roads here are in decent condition and relatively safe, with strict speed limits.

We pass endless rice paddies, dotted with workers wearing traditional Vietnamese conical hats and the odd water buffalo, grazing happily in the sun. “They deserve a rest - they’re the hardest workers in the field,” our guide Tran jokes.

Big blankets of rice are laid out to dry on the roadside, while pink lotus flowers and cemeteries filled with dazzling, ornate graves provide flashes of colour on the journey.

Hue city, with a population of 1.3 million, appears surprisingly modern at first, as the farmers’ traditional attire gives way to fashionable skinny jeans and tops.

The streets buzz with scooters, carrying young office workers, couples and sometimes entire families.

Perfume River separates the more developed south from the city’s north, where the heritage sites are found.

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The ancient citadel - formerly the Imperial City and home to Vietnam’s Nguyen royal family suffered severe damage during the war. Though battle scars remain, it’s been beautifully restored and Tran provides a history lesson as our tour group ambles around.

A short drive away is the impressive Thien Mu Pagoda. Built in 1601, at seven storeys high it’s Vietnam’s tallest and has an iconic status among locals.

Monks meander peacefully around the grounds while visitors snap away with their cameras. After a morning sightseeing, lunch at nearby Y Thao Garden is the perfect reward.

Tourists flock here for the delicious and reasonably-priced traditional fare, including the amusing spring roll peacock (trust me, you won’t regret it!) and the obligatory bowl of Vietnamese pho.

Historical Hoi An is perhaps the region’s most popular tourist hotspot, and it’s easy to see why.

Again, a river runs through the ancient town, where a picturesque bridge, lined with brightly coloured lanterns, takes centre stage.

Lanterns are a key presence in Hoi An, with row upon row of them strung above streets and dangling from shop ceilings.

At night, the place dazzles with colour. After exploring the markets, I walked along the river and bought a candlelit Lotus float from a local schoolgirl on the bank. You launch your candle on the river and make a wish as it’s carried away.

It’s impossible not to be charmed by the locals, many of whom are Buddhist. Despite its heartbreaking history, I’m moved by Vietnam’s sense of peace, and the people are among the loveliest I’ve met.

My tour group enjoys dinner at the new Seedlings restaurant, a joint project between Banyan Tree and KOTO, a charity which supports disadvantaged youths in Vietnam, training them up as chefs and restaurant staff.

While style and luxury are at the forefront of the Banyan Tree brand, the company has a strong ethical and green ethos.

Supporting local communities is at the heart of how the resorts operate. In Lang Co, Banyan Tree has a number of conservation projects on the go, and is building ties with local farmers and fishermen - helping them grow their businesses in exchange for guaranteed trade supplying ingredients to the hotel’s kitchens.

Guests enjoy knowing they’re eating locally-sourced food, and that a luxury resort can boost a rural area without destroying its traditional charm.

Banyan Tree Lang Co only opened in May this year, but already local folk are reaping rewards, with some families being able to buy TVs and scooters for the first time.

The resort’s shop also sells beautiful local art and hand-made wares.

Two lanterns, one red and one turquoise, are my souvenirs of choice, picked up for a few pounds in Hoi An. A bargain, and now hanging in my flat as a daily remember of a memorable trip.

Travel facts - Vietnam

• A week’s stay at the Banyan Tree Lang Co starts at £1,805 per person including transfers, return flights with Vietnam Airlines from Gatwick and B&B accommodation in a Lagoon Pool Villa.

• Book through Western & Oriental by calling 0207 666 1234 or visiting www.westernoriental.com

Give an original painting Have you ever thought of having an original painting of your pet or child or grandchildren or special place or event?

A painting makes a wonderful and lasting gift for special occasions such as birthdays or wedding anniversaries.

David Smith is a professional artist who paints a range of subjects from portraits to landscapes in almost any medium.

Call David direct on 01759 318553 to chat about your requirements or email david@davidsmithart.co.uk www.davidsmithart.co.uk august 2013 7569 NOVEMBER2012

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food dri n k

Oh we do Like to Eat Beside the Seaside

Tucking in to a sizzling portion of fish and chips by the sea is, for many Brits, something of a summertime tradition.

And with the UK spending roughly £1.2 billion on the iconic dish every year, it looks like we’re a long way from saying tartare to our love affair with the tasty tucker.

Each of us scoffs an average of six portions of fish and chips a year, according to the Federation of Fish Friers, and our 10,500 specialist fish and chip shops easily outnumber the 1,200 McDonald’s outlets.

With the sunshine finally greeting us in good old Blighty, we can all pretend to be by the seaside by recreating some old favourites at home. Here are three succulent summer recipes to bring the taste of the seaside to your kitchen.

21st century whippy (Makes 1 litre)

500ml double cream 250ml whole milk 2tsp vanilla extract 1 leaf pectin or gelatine (20-25g) 1tsp skimmed milk powder 120g vanilla sugar or caster sugar

(You will also need ice cube trays containing at least 30 spaces) In a medium saucepan, heat the double cream, milk and vanilla over a low heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly and making sure the mixture does not boil. When it reaches the simmering point, add the pectin and stir until fully dissolved.

Add the milk powder and sugar and stir until fully dissolved. At this stage you should begin to notice the mixture thickening up. If it is not thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, add a further teaspoon of sugar and heat for a few more minutes. Once the mixture has thickened adequately, pour it into a mixing bowl and set it aside to cool. Once cool, place it in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.

Once it has chilled for an hour, whisk for 5 minutes using an electric whisk at full speed. Decant the mixture into ice cube trays and place in the freezer to set solid. Once solid, place the cubes of ice cream in a blender or food processor and blend at full speed until you have a partially frozen paste. Pour this into a piping bag and pipe onto cones. ♦ Recipe from Ice Cream & Other Frozen Delights by Ben Vear, published by Absolute Press, priced £20. Available now

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food dri n k

Fish and chips with mushy peas (Serves 4)

Vegetable oil, for deep-frying 6 large floury potatoes, such as King Edward, Maris Piper or Desiree, cut into chips 4 thick cod filets, about 175g each Flour, for dusting Salt and pepper For the batter: 225g self-raising flour ½tsp salt 300ml cold lager For the mushy peas: 350g frozen peas 30g butter 2tbsp single cream Salt and pepper To make the batter, sift the flour into a bowl with the salt and whisk in most of the lager.

Check the consistency and add the remaining lager; it should be thick, like double cream. Chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.

To make the mushy peas, bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to the boil, add the peas, bring back to the boil and cook for 3 minutes.

Drain and mash to a thick puree, then add the butter and cream and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm while cooking the fish.

Heat the oil to 120C/250F in a thermostatically controlled deep fat fryer or in a large saucepan using a thermometer.

Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas Mark 2. Add the chips to the oil and fry for about 8-10 minutes, until softened but not coloured. Remove from the oil, drain on kitchen paper and place in a dish in the preheated oven. Increase the temperature of the oil to 180C/350F. Season the fish to taste with salt and pepper and dust lightly with a little flour.

Dip one fillet in the batter and coat thickly. Carefully place the fillet in the hot oil and repeat with the other fillets (you may need to do this in batches). Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through. Remove the fish from the oil, drain and keep warm.

Reheat the oil to 180C/350F and re-cook the chips for a further 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Drain and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with the mushy peas. ♦ Recipe from Grandma’s Best Recipes by Love Food editors, published by Parragon Books, priced £16.99.

Available now

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food dri n k

Pea, root and sage pasties (Serves 6) 250g butter, chilled and diced 500g plain flour Sea salt 1 egg, beaten 4tbsp iced water 1 egg, to glaze For the filling: 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks 150g peeled swede, cut into small chunks 150g peeled carrot, cut into small chunks 2tbsp rapeseed oil 300g frozen peas, thawed 16 sage leaves, roughly chopped ½ an onion, peeled and chopped 2tbsp cream cheese Sea salt and black pepper Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 7.

Rub the butter into the flour with a pinch of salt using your fingertips, blend in the egg and four tablespoons of water to produce a firm dough. Divide the dough into four, wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.

For the filling, place the potato, swede and carrot onto a baking sheet, drizzle with rapeseed oil and season with sea salt and black pepper and roast for 8 minutes in the oven until soft. Place the vegetables including the peas into a bowl and gently stir in the sage leaves and onion and bind the mixture together with cream cheese.

Roll out each piece of dough on a lightly floured surface, until large enough to make a round of approximately 23cm across. Take a spoonful of the vegetable mixture and place in the centre of each round, leaving a margin at the edge.

Brush the pastry around the edge with the beaten egg and carefully draw the edges together to form a seam across the top, pinch together to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Place the pasties on a baking tray, glaze with egg and bake for 10 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 170C/Gas Mark 4 and cook for a further 30 minutes until golden. If the pasties are cooking too quickly, turn the oven down slightly. ♌ Recipe from the Yes Peas! campaign to encourage Brits to eat more frozen peas. Visit www.peas.org for more information.

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e th u e n r fo me 0. e e 0 b lf atr 15. e e £ s ur e-th nly o t y pr at o a re urse – S t t o n no 2 c Mo hy ? le W ow lab sh vai a

25% OFF food bill

with this voucher Only valid when dining from a la carte menu expires 30.09.13.

31.3.13

Book your table now.

020 8460 2346 Aqua Bar & Grill 4-6 Market Parade East Street Bromley BR1 1QN www.aquabarandgrill.co.uk august 2013 79

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FOOD DRINK

Restaurant Reviews

This month, Food Editor Regan Maloney has visited two restaurants in Kent to give you her verdict.

Full reviews of both restaurants, along with other great recommendations, recipes and dinner party game ideas can be found at www.whatiatelastnight.com

If you own or have a local restaurant that you’d like to recommend for reveiw, please email regan@whatiatelastnight.com

Ambiance

Service

Food

Drink

Overview 80 august 2013

MARMARIS RANT & MEZE BAR STAU RE ESCENT, RAVENSWOOD CR AM KH IC W EST W

tro hotel du vin & bis , ad ro nt sce cre tunbridge wells

A Turkish restaurant situated close to West Wickham train station, Marmaris has been around for some time however with its recent refurb and outside sunny eating area it has become the restaurant of choice for locals.

Couples and groups celebrating special occasions on a Friday night provide a great buzzy atmosphere.

Back for a second visit, because it was so good the first time, we arrived on a sunny Sunday evening. Bistro du Vin is a French styled restaurant situated in a beautifully renovated Grade II listed mansion. It’s warm and welcoming with views out to the beautiful grounds and Calverley Park beyond.

With tables quite close together and several waiters, you’re a little ‘up close and personal’, however their friendliness and efficiency mean that they add to the atmosphere of the place providing a holiday type feel.

From the barman with an impressive cocktail and whisky menu, to the waiters/waitresses, and the engaging and knowledgeable sommelier – every member of staff at the Hotel du Vin offer the highest level of service.

A typical Turkish menu is available with meats and fish cooked on the coals and a good selection of vegetarian plus traditional Turkish dishes such as Moussaka and Kleftiko. We shared starters of meaty chargrilled halloumi and salad, soft refreshing vine leaves stuffed with rice, currants, pine nuts, onions and spices and warm Turkish sesame seed flat bread served with an olive, parsley and garlic paste.

There were two menus to choose from – a lighter, al fresco menu available throughout the summer, and the main menu, offering canapés as well as the usual three courses. We tried the canapé of warm nectarine with hand cut serano ham. The sweet serano melted in the mouth and was cleansed by the slightly sharper nectarine – perfect to kick off an evening with a glass of bubbly if you intend to visit with a larger group. To start, our favourite was the scallops.

Perfectly cooked, juicy, plump and served with an artichoke and pistachio puree and pancetta vinaigrette.

For main, we couldn’t resist the lamb shish.

Tender, melt in the mouth chunks of flavorsomemarinated lamb cooked perfectly on the grills and served with a simple plain rice and salad.

The portions were extremely generous and very reasonably priced. We also tried the mixed kebab – juicy pieces of chicken, marinated lamb chop, lamb cubes and Adana, a barbecued minced meat that packed a punch of herbs and spices. We couldn’t fit in desert, but was tempted by the sound of the fresh baklava – next time!

For main, the star of the show was the Normandy chicken fricassee – half a butchered chicken sautéed and served with broad beans, baby shallots, sweet peas and a rich mustard cream sauce. The chicken melted in the mouth with crisp, tasty skin. For dessert, we shared the Pineapple Carpaccio – wafer thin slices of pineapple topped with coconut sabayon and melon sorbet. A perfectly light, and refreshing way to end the meal.

There is a good selection of Turkish, French, Italian and Spanish wines available. We tried a glass of the house red, which was a Spanish Monterio Tempranillo – full of berry flavours, served at a perfect temperature, and a great accompaniment to the lamb.

An impressive wine list, which at first was a little overwhelming, until we were professionally guided through by the sommelier. An extensive range of wines are served by the glass so that each dish can be paired with a suitable one, and every recommendation complemented the food perfectly.

Traditional Turkish hospitality in West Wickham.

A cosy restaurant situated in a beautiful location with a team of friendly and knowledgeable staff.

A la Carte Menu

LUNCH MENU

TUE, WED, THUR & SUN EVENING

TRADITIONAL SUNDAY LUNCH

2 courses £18.50 3 courses £21.50

2 courses £12.50 3 courses £14.50

2 courses £14.50 3 courses £16.50

Murinci Murinci Italian & Mediterranean Brasserie The Estate Office, Station Square, Petts Wood, Kent BR5 1LZ Tel: 01689 833271

www.murinci.com

Closed Mondays Ideal venue for Weddings – please call for further details august 2013 81

New local charity is launched, giving children living in poverty a

Brighter Beginnings

Health visitors, midwives, refuge officers, Community Support Officers and Children’s Centre workers from across the London Borough of Bromley gathered at Cinnamon Culture on Plaistow Lane on the evening of Monday 24th June 2013 for the launch of local charity, Bromley Brighter Beginnings.

Bromley Brighter Beginnings, which was set up in October 2012 by members of Bromley & Chislehurst NCT branch, supports destitute parents of young children in the area, by providing them with essential items such as cots, buggies and clothes. Families who have benefited so far have included victims of domestic violence living in the one of the six refuges in Bromley, young mums without support living in mother and baby units, and single mums living in hostel accommodation. The items are all donated by other local parents.

The charity also provides newborn packs to expectant mums, which include nappies, baby clothes, sanitary towels and other toiletries to get mum and baby through the first couple of weeks.

Families in need are referred to Bromley Brighter Beginnings by local health professionals.

The project is staffed exclusively by volunteers, all parents of young children themselves, and relies 82 august 2013

entirely on donations.

Speaking at the launch, Emma Martin, Chair of Bromley Brighter Beginnings, said: “As parents ourselves, we know that parenting is challenging even in the best circumstances. For people in financial need, it is even harder. Stress, depression and anxiety in parents creates problems for their children, so if we can alleviate some of the stress that those parents are under, and make them feel supported at a critical time in their lives, we hope to give their children a brighter beginning than they would otherwise have had.�

For more information, or to make a donation, contact: Emma Martin, Chair, Bromley Brighter Beginnings Tel: 07582 245661 Email: bromleybrighterbeginnings@gmail.com Or visit the website: www.babypacks.org.uk

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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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84 august 2013