Kudos 09

09

Your free lifestyle magazine for Kent and East Sussex

Looking good Dress to impress for any occasion

Going cheep

Beginner’s guide to keeping chickens

Child watch Is your toddler too tech-savvy?

Chris Saga

HELLO

Welcome to the March/April issue of Kudos.

March sees the official start of spring – March 1st for the Meteorological Office and the 20th for everyone else! The 20th coincides with the vernal equinox, when there are an equal number of hours in the day and night; the Met Office, however, opted for simplicity, dividing the year into four-month slots.

Whether you celebrate on the 1st or 20th, March – and April – are definitely the time to get out and about, and this action-packed issue will help you do just that. One way you can enjoy the outdoors and get healthy is to take up running. Start small, by walking, build up slowly and you’ll soon see the benefits. Our guide on page 46 will get you started. We’ve got tips for making your lawn healthy, too, and a beginner’s guide to keeping chickens for healthy eggs!

Then there’s Mother’s Day and Easter to celebrate. We’ve found some gifts for mum that won’t break the bank, and some fun things to do with the children this Easter.

Talking of children, do read our feature on technology and the young on page 86. Professor Pat Preedy makes some valid points about the very young’s exposure to electronic gadgets, and questions whether they’re robbing our children of all the things that make a childhood magical.

Enjoy the issue and love local life!

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Hannah Tucek Publishing Director

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Managing Director: Robin Tucek Publishing Director: Hannah Tucek Editorial Director: Ann Wallace Creative Director: Neil Constant Chief Sub-Editor: Verity Willcocks Fashion Editor: Sally-Ann Carroll Photographer: Matt Harquail Beauty Editor: Lucy Hargrave Motoring Editor: Anthony ffrench-Constant Social Media Queen: Lady Katherine Sims

Advertising Sales: 01892 300321

Kudos is published bi-monthly by Bad Betty Media Ltd and printed by Garnett Dickinson

While every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers, authors and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be produced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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WELCOME TO KUDOS

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CONTENTS

26 LOVE FEATURES Upfront 10

What’s new and happening

What’s on 18

Local events guide

That’s entertainment 19

Latest releases on stage and screen

Pets corner 22

You name, we shame!

Animal magic 25

Buys for you and your pet

Perfect gems 40

Birthstone jewellery

Make mother’s day 78

Perfect gifts for your mum

Homemade Easter 81 Ideas for Easter fun

Yummy mummy corner 84 Especially for mums

Men only 91

Especially for men

Hope springs eternal 96 Helping disabled children

LOVE CELEBRITY Two of a kind 26

The Tanner brothers talk about their new venture in Bidborough

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CONTENTS

LOVE LOOKS Fashionista 21

Style on the streets

A day in the life 30

Fashion for every occasion

Ask the doctor 43

Cosmetic surgery questions answered

Beauty extra 44

Our pick of the latest products

Cool running 46 Ready, get set, go

LOVE FOOD Make a feast of Easter 50

Delicious recipes for an Easter meal

The green, green grass of home 70 How to have the perfect lawn

Keeping chickens 74 A beginner’s guide

LOVE FAMILY Choosing the right school for your child 82 Spotlight on four local schools

Heads up 86

New technology; too much, too soon?

LOVE BUSINESS Business agenda 94

Help and advice, plus local business news

Cook local 54

Local recipe and the kitchen to cook it in

Beer and the bean 57

New brews and perfect coffee

Let’s eat 58

A round-up of the latest foodie news

LOVE HOME AND GARDEN Joint venture 60

The neighbours who transformed their homes together

Home, sweet home 68

Ideas to turn your house into a home

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KINGS STANDING, ASHDOWN FOREST

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LIV E LOC AL

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4pm

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LOV E LOC AL

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UPFRONT

What’s new and happening

MUSIC CAFÉ FOR SEVENOAKS

Relax with good food and drink and enjoy the vibe at Zed’s The exciting new Zed Music Café has now opened in Sevenoaks and has already attracted a lot of attention. We asked the owner, Zoe Ashfield, what inspired her to open the Café.

“I wanted to create a music hub where everyone, musicians and music lovers alike, could come and relax with a coffee – or something stronger, as we fully licensed – and also enjoy some tasty food. Music is played all day long.

“We have our own school with four sound-proofed teaching rooms available to hire from 9.15am until 10.30pm. These rooms can also be hired for other activities, e.g. meetings, therapy sessions and yoga or pilates. All instruments are taught and we take pride in matching individuals to the most appropriate teacher for them. It also means that when parents are bringing their children for lessons, they can stop and relax, either just for a coffee or something more substantial to eat.

“Our café menu has something for everyone and serves sandwiches, baguettes and sharing platters as well as jacket potatoes. Our soup, bread, cakes and biscuits are all homemade, and we are becoming well known for our super smoothies and milkshakes. We aim to serve the best coffee in Sevenoaks and have received great reviews on Trip Advisor.

“Live music is at the heart of the business, and we hold an extremely popular Open Mic night every Tuesday, along with our gigs on Friday and Saturday evenings, which can all be booked online. Our website has an

events section and when you click on the gig date you can see which artist is performing along with links to youtube clips to enable you to view their music before booking your tickets.

“Finally, I am proud to be the sole UK distributor of Cole Clark Guitars, a unique brand from Melbourne, Australia, used by the likes of Jack Johnson and the Kaiser Chiefs. Nord Keyboards are also available, and you can try out everything at the Café.

“We look forward to welcoming you. Please check out our website www.thezedmusiccafe.com our facebook (facebook.com / zedmusiccafe) and twitter page (twitter.com/zedmusiccafe). If you would like to go on our weekly mailing list, please send an email to info@thezedmusiccafe.com. Our telephone number is 01732 465516, please don’t hesitate to ring for any info.”

WINNING TEAM

Bid for Olympic prizes in a unique auction to help good causes During April, the GB Olympian-supported project, Legacy 300, will be hosting a unique national online auction, designed to generate funds for good causes in our area. Up for grabs are fixed-priced places on VIP individual and team-based experiences with Olympic athletes covering a wide range of UK locations. Each winning bidder gets to nominate the good cause that will benefit from their involvement and this could be any in your area.

Launched at the Lee Valley Velo Park by Olympic gold medal-winning track cyclist Dani King, #yourcauseyourathletes is looking to enhance the £188,915 raised for good causes by the Legacy 300 project that generates funds for participating elite athletes and good causes. Dani, one of 14 gold medallists directly involved in the Legacy 300 project, was keen to point out the aim of the initiative.

“You can support your local charity, school, sports club or any good cause through #yourcauseyourathletes. All the athletes involved are calling on sports lovers to use social media and encourage friends, colleagues and families to support both the athletes and good causes in this auction.”

Full auction line-ups and details will be announced in March on the #yourcauseyourathletes website. They will include rowing with the BG Rowing Squad, track cycling and meets with a GB gold medallist, white-water rafting with GB gold medallists as part of a range of VIP experiences on offer.

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Auction alerts will be posted on the Legacy 300 Facebook page www.facebook.com/Legacy300 and also Twitter @BritishAthletes.

Please follow them and our social media for updates on this exciting and innovative project to generate funds. Any local fundraising initiative looking to use the Olympians to spearhead their fundraising, please e-mail david@partyforthepodium.com

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UPFRONT

What’s new and happening HANNAH IN TOP FENCING CHAMPIONSHIP

Kent College Pembury schoolgirl selected for England Fencing A Kent College student will represent her country for a second time after excelling in recent Fencing Championships.

Hannah O’Reilly, 13, first discovered fencing in Australia when she watched a demonstration at a children’s festival.

Aged 11, she established her passion for the sport, which took off fairly earnestly when she entered her first Junior Leon Paul competition.

In learning the skills of attacking and defending with either the Foil, Epee or Sabre, fencers develop good co-ordination, balance and flexibility which makes fencing training an ideal means of keeping fit for all ages and abilities The Leon Paul Junior Series (LPJS) is the best way to start fencing competitively and is aimed specifically at young fencers who want to compete in a fun, safe environment. There are over 30 competitions nationwide and athletes’ ages range from 7 to 17, and virtually all of the successful young fencers in the country started their careers in LPJS competitions.

Hannah spends around 30 hours a week in pursuit of training and competitions in order to keep fit and gain valuable experience in the sport. She is currently competing in the Leon Paul Junior Series in U15s category and in the Women’s Cadet Competitions. Hannah is also the current cup holder of the Kent County Amateur Fencing U16 Senior Schools Sabre, a fantastic achievement for a 13 year old competing against those up to three years older.

In December, she fenced in the Cadet Winton for the South East Regional Team and, along with Isabel Turnbull, a fellow Kent College student, won the Sabre event for the second year.

Hannah got her first England cap in 2014 in the U13 England Fencing Team at the Challenge Wratislavia in Poland. In March this year she has been selected to represent England in the U15 team hosted in Poland.

Hannah’s mum, Catherine, proudly comments: “I would say that the friendships alongside team companions and the need to fulfil the ‘Superhero” in Hannah are all factors that drive her forwards.

Hannah really loves fencing and is fully dedicated to participating.”

Said Hannah: “My sports role model is Russian fencer Sofia Velikaia, who is an Olympian and four-time world champion team fencer. She is a fantastic sportswoman who is always working very hard to succeed.“

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UPFRONT

PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE

What’s new and happening

Get the spirit of adventure – and save money

Take to the water and enjoy a fun day of canoeing or kayaking with Canoe Wild on the River Stour, which flows through the Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve just outside Canterbury.

Canoes hold up to three adults or two adults and two children, and you can hire by the hour, half-day or whole day, with all your equipment provided and a free return to your car. It’s the perfect day out for everyone, with lovely pubs, wonderful, peaceful countryside and parks.

The River Stour is home to a rich and abundant varied wildlife, including kingfishers, swans, egrets and much more, and a visit will leave you feeling wonderfully relaxed and full of the spirit of achievement.

Why not try one of Canoe Wild’s Go Canoeing guided tours, which are a half day from the George & Dragon at Fordwich to the Grove Ferry picnic site. New for this year is their sea kayak trip, which takes you down the river to the estuary, where you can see the seals, and then out onto the coast across the Pegwell Bay. Canoe Wild also provides training for the Paddlestart and Passport programme, and for BCU 1 Star and 2 Star awards. As an approved outdoor education provider for Kent County Council, they offer outdoor activities for schools, children’s parties and groups.

Their Starter sessions for either canoe or kayak are ideal for those who wish to come and have a go for an hour under the guide of one of their expert coaches.

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Prices for hire per hour are £15 per canoe; £45 for a half day.

Courses are from £15 per hour.

To book online, or for more details, visit www.canoewild.co.uk, or call us on 01227 469219. www.facebook.com/canoewild.co.uk

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UPFRONT

What’s new and happening

MAYFIELD GIRLS CELEBRATE OXBRIDGE SUCCESS Top places for best students

Girls from St Leonards-Mayfield School have again secured impressive offers from top British universities. The Mayfield girls scheduled to take A Levels this summer have received offers from Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial and LSE, with more offers still to come.

They are following in the footsteps of generations of Mayfield girls, including six pupils who have taken up places at Cambridge this year.

Yet again, this year’s A-Level candidates have applied to study a broad cross-section of subjects, from English to engineering and medicine to modern languages, emphasising Mayfield’s strength across the board.

The successful Oxbridge applicants are: Joanna Banasik – Human, Social & Political Science at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

Karolina Prylinska – Medicine at Selwyn College, Cambridge.

Mary-Rose Beamish – Geography at St Edmund Hall, Oxford.

Amelia Gabriel – English at Lincoln College, Oxford.

Joanna Banasik has also been offered a place at the London School of Economics and is also awaiting offers from Ivy League universities.

In addition, Erica Chan and Cecilia Yip have already been offered places at Imperial College, London to read Geology and Biochemistry respectively. Both Erica and Cecilia have also secured offers from UCL, as has Deputy Head Girl Valentine Godin (Mathematics with Economics).

“I am delighted that our world-class universities, not only Oxford and Cambridge, but also Imperial College, UCL and LSE have recognised the exceptional abilities of our best students,” says John Filkin, Head of Sixth Form at Mayfield. “This is very pleasing, not least because it is alongside the achievements of many other Mayfield girls who are holding offers from highly-competitive institutions, such as Durham, Bristol, and Edinburgh and St Andrews.”

WISH YOU WERE HERE? SO DO WE!

To advertise in Kudos email sales@badbettymedia.co.uk or call 01892 300321 Be a part of the Kudos effect

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WHAT’S ON

Get out and about with our pick of local events

Oak Tree by Mark Welland, Artspring 3 28 March Vintage and Craft Spring Market Rotherfield Village Hall Fancy losing yourself for the day in nostalgia and hidden treasures?

Step into a world of antiques, crafts, vintage garments, retro goodies, accessories and much, much more at the Vintage and Craft Spring Market. Combining both vintage and craft ensures there is something for everyone, from handmade soap, toys, clothes, bric a brac, shabby chic furniture and beautiful interior design objects. After rummaging through all the wonderful items, we’re guessing you’ll be gasping for a tea or coffee and eager to eat, so sit down in the pop-up café and enjoy mouthwateringly amazing cakes or a savoury slice of heaven from the one and only Podgy Pie man! Open 10am – 4pm. £1 entry with a free tea or coffee.

31 March-7 April Artspring 3 Tunnel Gallery, Tonbridge School The exhibition aims to create an exciting and varied exhibition, showing the huge range of work produced in and around Tonbridge, featuring a range of media from 12 local artists. As well as paintings, there will be ceramics, glass, prints, hand-made paper, photography and jewellery. There is something for everyone and all works are sold at very affordable prices. Join the artists and shake off the winter blues by soaking in some vibrant colour this Easter. Free entry. Open 10am to 5pm each day. www.tonbridgecreative.org.uk 17 April A recital by Alessandro Taverna Frant Church Alessandro is recognised as one of the most remarkable and interesting pianist’s of his generation. A major prize-winner at the London International Piano Competition 2009, Minnesota International Piano Competition 2009, and the Premio Arturo Benedetti Michelangelo 2010, Alessandro has performed at many of the top venues around the world, appearing as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic.

Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Tickets are £16 from Frant Stores, Britten’s Music Shop in Tunbridge Wells, online @ www.wegottickets.com or tel. Paul Barber 01892 750665/ David Cragg 01892 750845.

For more events, visit www.kudoskent.co.uk

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THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT Latest releases on stage and screen

Comedy legend

Reginald D Hunter comes to The Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells Reginald D Hunter is touring the UK with a brand-new show, The Man Who Attempted To Do As Much, following a hugely successful 2014 filming and performing around the world.Having appeared at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and Sydney Opera House Gala in Australia early last year, Reginald made his debut in New Zealand at their Comedy Festival Opening Gala before going on to appear in Auckland and Wellington.

He then moved closer to home with his first tour of mainland Europe before travelling back to his birthplace in America to film Reginald D Hunter’s Songs Of The South, which is due for transmission in early 2015. This three-part BBC2 series documents his epic road trip from North Carolina to New Orleans, through 150 years of American popular song.

Reginald has been in the UK for just under two decades and in that time he has become one of the UK comedy industry’s best-known performers for his distinctive take on subjects including race and sexuality. His work can be brutally honest and is often considered to be controversial, but it is always meticulously thought out and he has never been afraid to face challenging issues head on, even when the focus is on his own principles or beliefs.

He is a well-known face on primetime television shows such as 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and QI and is a frequent guest on Have I Got News For You. He has appeared in Argumental for the Dave Channel and Would I Lie To You and Live At The Apollo for BBC1, and starred alongside Andy Hamilton in BBC4’s It’s Only A Theory.

Reginald has toured the UK almost constantly since arriving here, entertaining a diverse audience from teenagers to grandparents, in some of the country’s most iconic venues.

See him at The Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells on Thursday 30 April Box Office: 01892 530 613 or 01892 532 072 www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Chappie

In cinemas 6 March Chappie is a robot, and the first true artificial intelligence, able to learn and develop as a human does. Some want to study him, and others want to destroy him. Kidnapped from the scientist who created him, Chappie becomes part of a street gang’s dysfunctional surrogate family, who decide that he is too innocent and needs to be toughened up. Meanwhile, there are people hunting for him who believe that artificial intelligence is too unpredictable to be allowed to exist. The latest film from Neill Blomkamp, director of District 9 and Elysium, Chappie stars Sharlto Copley, Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water In cinemas 27 March

SpongeBob Squarepants and the gang return in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water, which sees them trying to save their world by travelling to ours, and leaving the ocean. When evil pirate Burger Beard steals the secret Krabby Patty formula for his diabolical schemes, SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward and Mr. Krabs must travel to dry land – and become superheroes in the process – if they hope to stop him.

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FASHIONISTA

We seek out local fashionistas that look fabulous!

CLIVE COLLIER

Trench coat, Burberry. Black boots, Ralph Lauren. Jeans, Top Man. T-shirt, Zoo. Cap, River Island.

ALICE TURNER

Jumper, Tammy. Leggings, Monsoon.

T-shirt and headband, H&M. Gilet, Next.

Boots, Clarks.

MAURO DI SANTO (SOPRANO WINE BAR) Cardigan, French Connection. Shirt, Zara.

Tie, Mango. Jeans, G-Star RAW. Hat, Marks & Spencer. Trainers, Adidas.

PETS CORNER

We all love our pets, but often they are not the little angels we would like them to be. It’s time to name and shame your pet!

If you have a pet to name and shame, email a photograph and details to editorial@badbettymedia.co.uk

Don’t look at me, I’m shy!

I’m not sure I like bath time!

Louie, a Birman, who lives in Langton Green

Waffles, a dwarf chinchilla rex rabbit, who lives in Robertsbridge

I’m just chilling, whilst using every available cushion!

Nobble, a Burmese, who lives in Rottingdean and the Ilse Jacobsen store in TW

ANIMAL MAGIC

Things to buy for you and your pets

SNUGGLE UP

Every dog needs something to cuddle up to, and with this new Scruffs Snuggle Pet Blanket you can be sure they have the very best. This easy-to-clean, double-sided blanket has a soft, plush side for colder days and a cooler faux-suede side for when it’s warmer. It comes in a range of colours, and measures 110cm x 75cm. Price: £19.99 www.petslovescruffs.com

CUTE KITTY

The Alessi Mio Cat bowl features a thermoplastic lid with a cute cat handle for an easy pick up. The bowl is made from stainless steel and can be removed for cleaning. The cat bowl is available in black or red.

Price: £39 www.design55online.co.uk

BOWLED OVER

Your dog will love this Peanuts Snoopy Bowl as much as you will.

Based on the famous Schultz’s cartoons from the early 1950s and 1960s. Price: £49 www.mungoandmaud.com

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BARKING GOOD

Give your dog a detox with Woof&Brew’s healthy herbal canine tea which gently purifies a dog’s system, restoring energy levels and encouraging good hydration. The unique loose leaf herbal pyramid tea bags are brewed just like human teas and served cold, either in the dog bowl or poured over food.

Price: £3.99 for seven days; £9.99 for 28 days www.woofandbrew.com

PLAY TIME

Your dog can share Snoopy’s adventures with this super cool crocheted Peanuts Snoopy toy in vintage colours. It will go perfectly with his new bowl and bed! Price: £25 www.mungoandmaud.com

AND SO TO BED

You’ve got the bowl and the toy, now buy the bed, which features tiny illustrations of Snoopy, Woodstock, and other charming and colourful elements. Price: from £129 www.mungoandmaud.com

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TWO OF A KIND

Brothers Chris and James Tanner are the powerhouse behind The Kentish Hare gastropub, yet another successful enterprise to add to their collection.

But is it all brotherly love in the kitchen? We find out‌

Words: Rebecca Lloyd. Picture: Geoffrey Swaine/REX

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“We both trained at West Kent College in Tonbridge, and have many happy memories of our time there” With the papers full of stories about failing pubs, The Hare and Hounds in Bidborough, near Tunbridge Wells, look set to become another statistic. But salvation came in the form of Sir Keith and Lady Maureen Mills, who bought the property last year, renamed it The Kentish Hare and transformed it into a gastropub with an open kitchen and stylish restaurant, a bar and cosy library area. They also installed celebrity chefs Chris and James Tanner to run the enterprise, showcasing the best of local Kentish produce.

The result? A resounding success, praised for its atmosphere, food and service, in no small part thanks to the Tanner brothers.

James is probably the more recognisable of the two, thanks to his TV appearances on programmes such Ready Steady Cook and Saturday Kitchen. He also has an impressive CV. He worked in the kitchens of several restaurants, often with older brother, Chris, moving up through the ranks until he was invited by the Roux brothers, Michel and Albert, to move to the US and work in upstate New York, where he was Chef de Partie at the Lake Placid Lodge. Within four months, he was promoted to Junior Sous-Chef.

On returning to England, he took a job under Martin Blunos at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Lettonie in Bath, before taking a Head Chef role at Right on the Green in Kent.

Do you have clearly defined roles in the kitchen?

We are both very versatile and can cover any section, including pot wash!!!

Where did this love for cooking start – and who got the bug first?

Our Mum is a good cook and with four boys, she was always baking to feed us all, so we all had the opportunity to ‘help’!

This was good experience, and all our brothers can cook.

Chris was the first to be introduced to catering through a neighbour’s local restaurant – when he was around 12 he got a washing-up job on a Sunday morning. Within a few weeks he progressed to the larder section, then desserts and then assisted with mains. He became quite proficient and decided to take catering as an option at school, intending to continue on to catering college.

Where did you both train?

We both trained at West Kent College, in Tonbridge, and have many happy memories of our time there.

You opened Tanners at a relatively young age – James, was 24 and Chris, 29. Did you have any qualms?

None whatsoever!

What was your vision for Tanners?

To produce fresh food at a realistic price.

In 1999, James and Chris opened Tanners Restaurant in Plymouth, and a second restaurant, The Barbican Kitchen, in 2006 in the Plymouth Gin Distillery, a 500-year-old building in the heart of Plymouth’s oldest area.

Why did you choose Plymouth?

Plymouth actually chose us! We were approached by an acquaintance from Plymouth who asked if we’d be interested in a restaurant site and couldn’t believe it when we saw it. It was Grade 1 listed and a lovely building dating back to 1490.

A television career soon began for James and his brother.

As well as becoming a regular on Ready Steady Cook, James made guest appearances on Saturday Kitchen and Good Food Channel’s Great Food Live. The brothers also also filmed their own series, The Tanner Brothers.

What were the biggest challenges with that first restaurant?

Both of us working day and night in order to build up a substantial reputation, resulting in more customers producing more income to enable us to buy more up-to-date equipment.

We spoke to Chris and James to find out whether blood is thicker than velouté!

What were the lessons you learned?

To be extremely conscious about figures and costs, forward planning and customer service.

How long have the two of you actually worked together?

We occasionally worked together on and off for several years, but permanently worked together from July 17th 1999, when we opened Tanners in Plymouth.

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And why did you decide to sell up?

Things change and after 15 years, our businesses were taking us in different directions.

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You also have the Barbican Kitchen in Plymouth. How does that differ from Tanners?

It’s a larger site with more capacity, and key kitchen members from Tanners now work at the Barbican Kitchen.

Tell us about your series of food outlets in Looe, Cornwall?

The Catch is our quayside business. It’s different from anything we’ve done before, as it’s a fish & chip and grill takeaway. We also have an interest in a farm shop.

Why did you choose a variety of outlets rather than just one restaurant?

We took the opportunities to try different ventures as they arose.

In May, you took over the running of The Kentish Hare in Bidborough. How did that come about?

It was always our intention to open in our home county of Kent, and in August 2013 we were approached with a business opportunity for The Kentish Hare.

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How do you juggle having businesses 250 miles apart?

There are two of us and having a great team at each site helps a lot. We value our staff and train them well.

Do you have equal responsibility for both restaurants?

Yes, we do.

You obviously employ people that you trust. What do you look for in front of house and kitchen staff?

Personnel with a passion for the industry.

You’ve done lots of TV. Do you enjoy it? Are you both comfortable in front of the camera?

Yes, it’s become second nature now. James has been constantly appearing on television for 14 years and Chris has dipped his toe in when required.

Is there any rivalry between the two of you?

No…. well, sometimes!!!

Has your vision for your restaurants changed over the years, or is it still essentially the same?

No, it’s the same.

What did your two other brothers choose for their careers?

Our second brother is a signwriter and decorator, based in Kent. All the signs for the businesses are traditionally written by him. Our fourth brother has an engineering business in Plymouth.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

Consistent, seasonal and affordable.

What’s been the highlight of your careers so far?

There have been quite a few. It was a great accolade to be

LOV E CELEBRIT Y

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Preparing the tasting menu for an Evening with the Tanner Brothers at The Kentish Hare presented with our Doctorates from Plymouth University, and winning the AA Restaurant of the Year award in 2007 was a real honour. Gaining an entry in the Michelin Good Pub Guide 2015 for the Kentish Hare after just nine months trading, and just recently winning a ‘One to Watch’ award for the Top 50 Gastro Pubs of the year have also been real highlights.

And the low point?

The lowest point was a devastating fire at the Barbican Kitchen in 2007, which partially destroyed the building.

However with help and support, we managed to overcome this hurdle and re-opened within a few months.

And your plans for the future?

Watch this space!!!

The Kentish Hare 95 Bidborough Ridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0XB The restaurant is open: Lunch 12 noon – 2.30pm Tuesday to Saturday Dinner 6.00pm – 9.30pm Tuesday to Saturday Sunday Lunch 12 noon – 3.00pm (last orders) The Kentish Hare bar is open 11.00 am – 3.00 pm and 5.00pm – 11.00 pm Tuesday to Friday Open all day Saturday from 11.00 am to 11.00 pm 11.00 am – 4pm Sunday It’s closed all day Mondays and Sunday from 4pm www.thekentishhare.com

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A DAY IN THE LIFE

Sally-Ann Carroll and Team Kudos spent a fun day in Tunbridge Wells with Marina and Elliott, helping them dress to impress for every occasion. A striking green Morgan instantly completes the look!

Photographer: Matt Harquail

CREDITS

Fashion Editor: Sally-Ann Carroll Photographer: Matt Harquail (mattharquail.co.uk) Hair and make-up: Lauren Saunders (www.lauren-saunders.com) Marina and Elliott were are top supermodels for the day. If you are interested in being part of our fabulous fashion, please email a recent picture with relevant details to editorial@badbettymedia.co.uk

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STORY TIME

Marina: Navy hooded jacket, £83, pants, £79, coral silk blouse, £55, feather necklace, £35, and orange trainers, £60, all from Ilse Jacobsen.

Elliott: Check shirt, £55, and blue sweater, £72, both by Park Lane. Jeans, £109, by Jog ‘n Jeans. Shoes, £95, by Redgreen. All from The Basement.

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MUSIC, MAESTRO

Marina: Printed jumpsuit, £105, necklace, £35, bracelets, from a selection, belt, £30, and black and cream trainers, £60, all from Ilse Jacobsen.

Elliott: Stripe rugby shirt, £72, and jeans, £59, both by Park Lane. White polo, £66, by Holebrook. Silk cravat, £45, by Tootal.

All from The Basement. Shoes, £60, from Next.

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A MORGAN MOMENT

Marina: Brown leather jacket, £495, t-shirt, £10, check scarf, £75.90, and brown leather bag, £329, all by Aviator 1909, from Brands Hatch Morgan. Rubber boots, £120, from Ilse Jacobsen. Jeans, models own. Sunglasses, £248, by Tom Ford, from The Clever Dresser.

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RACY WEEKEND

Marina: Black leather jacket, £495, t-shirt, £10, check scarf, £75.90, all by Aviator 1909, from Brands Hatch Morgan. Rubber boots, £120, from Isle Jacobsen. Jeans, models own.

Elliott: Navy jacket, £159, and white and blue polo, £96, both by Holebrook. Jeans, £109, by Jog ‘n Jeans. All from The Basement.

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CLOSE ENCOUNTER

Marina: Mint and red printed dress, £49.99, from Vacant. Necklace, £14.99, by And Mary from Vacant. Red shoes, £30, from Next.

Elliott: Blue polo, £66, by Holbrook. Red sweater, £55, and white jeans, £60, both by Park Lane. Shoes, £95, by Redgreen. All from The Basement.

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SUPER SMART

Marina: Blue and white printed coat, £695,and white jeans, £195, both from Caroline Charles. Suede shoes, £105, from Harpers (formerly Avanti).

Elliott: Blue blazer, £159, and blue shirt, £55, both by Park Lane. Jeans, £109, by Jog ‘n Jeans. Paisley cravat, £65, by Peckham Rye. Shoes, £95,

by Redgreen. All from The Basement.

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OUT ON THE TOWN

Marina: Parrot printed silk coat, £695, and black jeans, £195, both from Caroline Charles. Black shoes, £80, from Harpers (formerly Avanti).

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STEP OUT IN STYLE

Marina: Coral printed dress, £298, by Diane von Furstenberg, necklace, £39, and bracelet, £15, all from The Clever Dresser. Suede shoes, £205, from Harpers (formerly Avanti).

Elliott: Oatmeal herringbone blazer, £159, white shirt, £65, and jeans, £59, all by Park Lane. Shoes, £95, by Redgreen. Cravat, £65,

by Peckham & Rye. All from The Basement.

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OFF THE RAIL

Top row (left to right): Pink printed dress, £398, by Diane von Furstenberg, from The Clever Dresser. Red dress, £49.99, from Vacant. Printed dress, £95, from Ilse Jacobsen. Gold cardigan, £60, from Ilse Jacobsen.

Bottom row (left to right): Blue printed dress, £49.99, from Vacant. White jeans, £175, by AG Jeans, from The Clever Dresser. Lemon sweater, £225, by Duffy, from Clever Dresser.

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PERFECT GEMS

Make that gift of jewellery extra special by choosing a birthstone

Birthstones are gemstones associated with each month in the calendar. They are considered lucky, and their healing powers are allegedly heightened during their month.

AQUAMARINE – The birthstone for March “But oh what shall a March maid do?

Wear an Aquamarine Brave and True.”

The literal interpretation of aquamarine is “sea-water”, descriptive of its soft sea-blue or green colour. It’s a variety of beryl (emerald) and is found in Russia, Brazil, USA and Burma. The spirit of hope and the promise of better things to come are the ancient associations with its mystic powers. It is also known as the stone of eternal youth and is regarded as a lucky gem. In the Middle Ages, it was known as the “magic mirror” and was used for telling fortunes and answering questions about the future. Aquamarine was also worn as an amulet to guard against harm and gained a reputation as the “stone of safety”. It has the qualities of happiness, everlasting love and courage attributed to it.

DIAMOND – The birthstone for April “The April girl has a brave defence The Diamond guards her Innocence.”

The diamond is a cubic system crystal of pure carbon and is found in India, Brazil, South Africa, Canada and

Aquamarine and diamond ring

Russia. Diamonds are unique as they are the hardest natural substance known to man and exhibit remarkable transparency. They were known to early civilisations and the term “adamantine” is used to describe their unique brilliant lustre. In the Middle Ages, the diamond was thought to be a protection against the plague. It has the legendary power of protecting the wearer against evil, especially when worn on the left side. Maximillian of Hapsburg became the first person to give his fiancée, Mary of Burgundy, a diamond engagement ring in 1477. Indeed there is the belief that a gift of a diamond “quickens the affection and restores love between husband and wife”.

For a range of jewellery in your birthstone, visit Payne and Son in Tunbridge Wells www.payneandsonjewellers.co.uk

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ASK THE DOCTOR Your cosmetic surgery questions answered

the results that can be offered by a procedure with less dramatic results, but which can be performed under local anaesthetic with minimal downtime. This also sits well with the modern-day world of cosmetic medicine, where patients want a more natural result, so their friends may notice they look really well but don’t say, ‘Oh wow, you’ve had a facelift’.

A threadlift involves inserting dissolvable surgical threads through small needle-sized holes. The most common request we get is to lift the jowl area, which looks more squared off as we age. I always explain to my patients that the reason we develop jowls is actually to do with our cheeks dropping with gravity, adding more weight to our lower face. For this reason, best results will always be achieved by treating the cheeks and lower face together. We can also tighten the neck skin and lift the brows with this technique.

SOPHIE SHOTTER, MBCHB BSC (HONS) COSMETIC DOCTOR I’ve recently seen a few people on TV talking about threadlifting and ‘The Puppet Lift’. What’s the difference between this and a face lift?

As people’s lives get busier with more pressures on them, they find it harder to justify taking time out of everyday life to recover from big surgical procedures, like a face lift. Many people prefer

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What should I expect after a threadlift?

Most people feel tender afterwards and I advise them to take Paracetamol, if required. Swelling and bruising can occur, and if you are worried about this, you can take a course of Arnica tablets before and after treatment.

The wonderful thing with a threadlift is that although you get immediate results, they will improve over the following six months as the threads stimulate your body to produce new collagen. www.illuminateskinclinic.co.uk Send your questions to editorial@badbettymedia.co.uk

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BEAUTY EXTR A

Pick-and-mix products for great top-to-toe looks

NAIL IT

The Ted Baker Brogue manicure set includes stainless-steel nail clippers, tweezers, nail scissors, nail file and cuticle stick – all in brushed stainless steel and packed in a zip-top pouch.

Price: £30 www.TheGreatGiftCompany.co.uk

SUPER HEALTH

Five a Day+V is a new blend of super-green foods from Xenca, which can help give you more energy, curb your appetite, improve your metabolism and help you detox. It delivers the equivalent nutritional value of at least five servings of organically-grown vegetables and fruit, but with just 12 calories.

Price: from £14.95 www.xenca.com

BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

The Essentials Package contains four must-have products that can be used with minimum effort for a pick-me-up when time is short.

It contains Pack Your Bags Eye Cream, Sunflower Hand Cream, Dry Shampoo and Wild Raspberry & Vanilla Lip Balm.

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BRUSH WITH BEAUTY

Lily Lolo’s newly re-mastered make-up brush set is perfect for creating professional-looking results. It includes 10 full-size, high-quality brushes in a luxurious travel-friendly case.

Price: £49.99 www.lilylolo.co.uk

TURN BACK THE YEARS

Developed to help reverse the signs of ageing by reducing fine lines and increasing collagen, Pro-Collagen Facial Serum contains frankincense, which helps to treat fine lines, wrinkles and scars, and Elemi to treat wrinkles and firm skin, whilst giving a new radiance. The range also includes eye gel and moisturiser.

Price: £28 www.emzaroma.co.uk

GET IN SHAPE

Based on the principles of LeBootCamp.com, an online coaching network which coaches over 1.2 million people worldwide in 38 countries, LeBootCamp Diet is for anyone who is short on time and disillusioned with standard diets.

Price: £9.99 www.lebootcamp.com KUDOS M ARCH/APRIL 2015

HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW Be hair-free in time for summer at No.6 Clinic – and Kudos readers save 50%!

Just when you thought you’d got rid of it, it comes back sprouting thicker and darker than you ever thought possible. What do you do?

Undergo the same pain over again. Frustrating we know! For many people, hair removal is a never-ending, time-consuming and laborious process, but with No.6 Clinic’s IPL treatment, you can permanently remove unwanted hair and save money! Kudos readers can SAVE 50% off all pre-paid courses of six IPL treatments taken before 30th September 2015.

We have explored common hair removal methods to highlight that IPL not only saves you time and embarrassment, but is also very cost-effective.

Shaving: The long-term penny thief Hair grows back with a vengeance, daily! The average person spends £100 to £300 on razor cartridges and shaving foam per year!

Beauty salon waxing: The luxury splurge Some people find waxing to be really uncomfortable, and common side effects include ingrown hairs, rashes and infections. On average, people spend £50 a month – that’s £600 a year! Double ouch!

IPL: The long-term solution An Intense Pulsed Light is positioned on the skin and a short pulse of light is released, which targets many follicles simultaneously. Only hair that is actively growing is affected, therefore multiple treatments are needed. Treatment is conducted every four to eight weeks, depending

on the area treated, until a satisfactory result is seen. The required number of treatments varies, but typically six or more give optimum results.

Book in for a FREE consultation (patch test £50, refunded on treatment taken) to assess suitability for treatment and answer any questions you may have. All treatments are carried out under medical supervision. Client’s dignity, confidentiality and safety is maintained at all times.

Please quote KUDOS SPRING when booking to obtain your 50% discount.

No.6 Clinic, Clayfield Mews, Newcomen Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9PA www.no6clinic.co.uk 01892 506930

COOL RUNNING

Running is not only good for your health, it’s good for your soul. It’s also a cheap and easy form of exercise – all you need is some decent trainers. So get up, get out and get running

Our legs have always provided us with a form of transportation that is cheap, healthy, unsurpassed for convenience – and environmentally friendly, too. Walking, jogging, marching and running have taken us from A to B over sometimes vast distances since the dawn of mankind. And the only significant changes across the centuries have been to the footwear! The biomechanics, health benefits and calorie output are the same now as they have always been.

Perhaps that’s why running seems the most natural expression of physical exertion; more instinctive even than swimming, almost as familiar to us as breathing.

But the familiarity of the pursuit in no way diminishes its effectiveness. Psychologically, running tends to fill us with a sense of freedom. Physically, it is just about the most effective and comprehensive aerobic exercise there is. Perhaps that’s why every year more and more people are taking up jogging or competitive running for fun and health gains. If you are one of them, well done. But let’s assume you aren’t, and approach your training with a few ground rules.

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Getting started

If you have any heath issues such as ankle, knee or lower back injuries, or haven’t participated in any form of exercise for a while, get yourself medically checked out before you start. To burn body fat, you only need to work at a fairly easy pace; running at full sprint will not burn off those pounds as effectively as you might hope. Investing money into a heartrate monitor is the best way to keep track of your training zones and aid your weight loss or cardiovascular training.

Always warm up before a run and always stretch your leg muscles out after you finish. Until your body is used to exercising, you may experience DOMS. DOMS stands for delayed offset muscle soreness and is the sore, stiff feeling your body gets after physical stress. This will subside in a day or two. But do not train through it! Your body is letting you know it needs time to recover and rest. Soak in a nice hot bath and it will soon ease. And as you get fitter and stronger the D.O.M.S will stop. When running outdoors,

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particularly at night, do take care. Protective clothing, to combat the elements, and reflective strips so you can be seen, are strongly advised. These strips are very cheap and available from most sport shops.

Open Spaces

The appeal of running outdoors is that it is cheap, immediate, healthy and a great stress beater. The fresh air and endorphins may help you stay sane after a hard day at work or a crazy weekend with the children, and remember, whether you walk a mile or run a mile the calorie output is the same, the only difference is the time it takes to cover the distance. So don’t be too disheartened if you can’t run for too long at the start of your new training programme. As your fitness levels improve, so will the health benefits. You will sleep better, have more energy and handle pressure a lot more efficiently. On top of that, your body fat will reduce and you will look great on the beach. Nice!

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Seven Point Running Strategy

1) A good pair of running shoes is very important. If running outdoors, your feet need all the support and cushioning that money can buy. When buying your running shoes, go to a specialist running store. The staff will advise you, and possibly film your running action to analyse your form and biomechanics, which will tell them which shoe is best suited to you. Your running action should be heel to toe, this means your heel hits the floor first followed by your toes; then pushes off into the next stride. If your feet are landing flat or toes first, this needs to be addressed.

2) Shin splints, sore knees and lower back problems can all be avoided by running on softer surfaces such as grass, running tracks or sand. All of these surfaces make your training feel very different. If running outside is not your thing, make sure the treadmill you’re running on at the gym has a good-quality flexi-deck base. Ask your gym instructor or trainer if you are unsure.

3) Include hill work, sprinting and interval training to increase the intensity of your workouts, as well as increase calorie output. Running the same distance at the same pace, although beneficial, can become boring and less challenging for your body. Mix it up to keep your body guessing. It is also advisable to include some upper body work into your workout programme. Running is a fantastic lower body and cardiovascular exercise, but doesn’t put much emphasis on the upper body. Try to include press-ups, medicine ball or free-weight work, rowing machine and abdominal exercises to target other body parts.

4) Take it easy. Setting yourself realistic goals will aid your mental approach to training. Set yourself a target distance

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of, say, one mile. Walk the one mile at a steady pace and time yourself. Try to improve your time every session by increasing your walking pace. When you are comfortably power walking, try jogging for 20 paces, then walking for 20 paces. As your fitness levels increase, try to jog the full mile. When this becomes easy, increase your distances and your running pace. You will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your fitness levels improve. Start with one to two sessions a week, then increase if and when you feel you can.

5) It’s always easier to train with a partner or friend. The company will make the whole experience much more fun, and you can push each other to go further and faster. If you become more serious about running and distance training, joining a local club or employing a personal trainer can aid your training further.

6) Try entering into a local charity event or fun run as it will give you a target distance to aim for. Having a personal goal is a great way to keep you focused on your training. If it’s a fund-raising event, so much the better, as this will give you even more incentive to perform well if you are being sponsored to complete the race.

7) An army marches on its stomach. Proper nutrition and hydration are very important. Try to eat and drink the right food and the right fluid at the right time. Sounds very simple but people do manage to get it wrong. Never train on a full stomach; wait at least 60 to 90 minutes for a meal to digest before you go out running. Drink small amounts of fluid before, during and after your run. This can either be water or an isotonic sports drink diluted with water. Whichever, you choose, remember, it should be little and often.

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MAKE A FEAST OF EASTER Our delicious recipes are perfect for Easter lunch

PEA, MINT AND SPRING ONION SOUP A fresh-tasting and light starter. Serves 4

Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil Knob of butter ½ bunch spring onion 1 potato, cut into small cubes 1l hot vegetable stock 900g frozen petits pois Leaves from half a small bunch of mint Method: 1. H eat the olive oil and butter in a pan. When foaming, add the spring onions and potato. Gently fry without colouring for about five minutes.

2. Stir in the stock, bring to the boil, and simmer for 10 minutes or until the potato is tender.

3. Stir in the peas, bring to the boil again, then cook for about three minutes, until they are just done.

4. Remove the pan from the heat, add the mint leaves and whizz in a blender or food processor until smooth.

HONEY AND MUSTARD PARSNIPS Parsnips never tasted so good. Serves 4

Ingredients: 1kg parsnips, peeled and cut into chunky batons 2 tsp English mustard powder 2 tbsp plain flour 4 tbsp vegetable oil 3 tsp clear honey Method: 1. Boil the parsnips for five minutes, then drain well.

Mix the mustard powder with the flour and plenty of seasoning. Toss the parsnips in the mix, then shake off any excess.

2. Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. Put the oil into a large, non-stick baking tray – use two if the parsnips are too crowded as they won’t be crisp.

3. Heat the baking tray in the oven for five minutes, then add the parsnips to the fat, turning a few times.

4. Roast for 30 minutes or until golden and crisp. Drizzle the honey over the hot parsnips and serve.

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PERFECT ROAST LAMB

A family favourite. Serves 4

Ingredients: Leg of lamb weighing 2½kg 1 garlic bulb 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 carrots, cut into large chunks 1 onion, cut into quarters 1 bunch rosemary 1 glass red wine (about 150ml) 1.2l beef or lamb stock Method: 1. Use a sharp, pointed knife to make lots of small incisions all over the meat. Peel four garlic cloves, thinly slice them and poke a slice into each incision. Next, pull off small sprigs of rosemary and push them into the incisions.

2. Heat oven to 190˚C/170˚C fan/gas mark 5. Heat a large frying pan, add a little oil and brown the lamb all over. Put the carrot, onion, remaining garlic and rosemary in a large roasting tin, pour in the wine and stock, then add the browned lamb.

3. Roast for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Turn the lamb halfway through, so by the time it’s cooked, each side has been in the stock.

When cooked, remove and allow to rest in a warm place, covered in foil, for about 30 minutes.

4. W hile the lamb is resting, make the gravy. Pour all the stock from the tin through a sieve into a saucepan.

Reduce it a little on the hob, skimming off any fat that comes to the surface. Serve with roast potatoes and vegetables.

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SPRING GREENS

Delicious with a lemony dressing to bring out the flavour.

Serves 4

Ingredients: 2 garlic cloves, crushed Juice of 1 lemon 2 tbsp olive oil 600g spring greens, thick stalks removed and shredded Method: 1. Mix the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and some seasoning together.

2. Bring a large pan of water to the boil, then add the greens, and cook for about 5 minutes until tender.

3. Drain well, then toss through the dressing and serve.

HOT CROSS BUN PUDDING

Bread and butter pudding with a difference! Serves 4

Ingredients: 55g soft butter 6 hot cross buns, halved and cut diagonally across ¼ tsp grated nutmeg ¼ tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp raisins 1 tbsp golden sultanas 350ml milk 2 fl oz double cream 2 large eggs 25g caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract Method: 1. Heat the oven to 180°C /160°C fan/gas mark 4. Grease a 1-litre dish with a little butter. Take each piece of hot cross bun and spread thickly with the remaining butter.

2. Cover the base of the dish with overlapping triangles of bun pieces, butter side up. Lightly sprinkle with a little nutmeg and cinnamon, and a few raisins and sultanas.

Repeat this layer one more time or until the dish is filled, then sprinkle a few raisins and sultanas on top.

3. Gently heat the milk and cream in a saucepan, taking care not to boil. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with ¾ of the sugar and the vanilla extract until light, airy and pale in colour. Pour the warm milk over the eggs and continue beating until all the milk is added.

4. Pour the egg mixture slowly through a sieve evenly over the buns, then gently press the bread into the liquid.

Sprinkle the remaining sugar over the surface, then leave for 30 minutes.

5. Bake the pudding for 40-45 minutes, until the surface is golden and well risen, and the egg is set. Serve hot with custard or cream.

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All images for illustrative purposes only

CHOCOLATE HOT CROSS BUNS A chocolatey surprise. Serves 8

Ingredients: 400g strong, white bread flour, plus extra for dusting 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast 50g golden caster sugar, plus 1 tsp 1 tsp salt 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp ground cinnamon 250ml warm milk 1 medium egg, beaten 50g butter, melted, plus extra for greasing 100g chocolate chips 50g plain flour Method: 1. Put the strong flour, yeast, caster sugar and 1 tsp salt in a bowl with the spices and mix. Make a well in the centre and pour in the milk, egg and butter. Start mixing with a wooden spoon and finish with your hands. If the dough is too dry, add warm water, or extra flour if it’s wet.

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2. K nead the dough on a floured surface for ten minutes until it’s smooth and springy.

3. Transfer to a clean, lightly-greased bowl and cover loosely with a clean, damp tea towel. Leave in a warm place to rise until roughly doubled in size – about 1 hour, depending on how warm the room is.

4. Tip the dough onto a lightly-floured surface and flatten.

Scatter over the chocolate chips and knead the dough a few more times. Divide it into eight even portions.

5. Roll each portion into a smooth round and place on a greased baking sheet, leaving room between each bun for it to rise. Cover with a tea towel again and leave in a warm place to prove for 20 minutes, until almost doubled in size again, or just touching.

6. Heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Mix the plain flour with 1 tsp sugar and 4-5 tbsp water to give you a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag and pipe white lines on the buns to make crosses. Bake for 20 minutes until they are light brown.

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COOK LOCAL Fresh local ingredients in season, and the kitchens to cook them in!

This issue, mussels from the coast MUSSELS WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE A tasty supper dish

Ingredients 2 ripe tomatoes 2 tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 red or green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped Small glass dry white wine 1 tsp tomato paste Pinch of sugar 1kg cleaned mussels 2 handfuls of basil leaves

Image for illustrative purposes only

Method 1. Put the tomatoes in a bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for 3 minutes, then drain and peel. Quarter the tomatoes and scoop out the seeds and discard.

Roughly chop the tomato flesh.

2. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the garlic, shallot and chilli, then gently fry for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Pour in the wine and add the tomatoes, paste, sugar and seasoning.Stir well and simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Tip in the mussels and stir. Cover tightly and steam for 3-4 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until the shells have opened.

4. Discard any shells that remain shut. Divide the mussels between two bowls and add the basil leaves.

KITCHEN TALK

You’ve got the recipes – so here’s the kitchen to cook them in!

A ground floor extension to this stunning Edwardian home provided the perfect space for a spacious new kitchen, designed by Rencraft, which benefits from plenty of natural light.

Carefully concealed is a secret door, which provides access to a utility room – visit the Rencraft website for more images. There’s also a larder, Miele appliances and a downdraught extractor which hides away when not in use.

Smart 60mm Corian worktops give the kitchen a modern feel, while the central island with built-in hob gives a busy chef all the space they need. www.rencraft.co.uk

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BEER AND THE BEAN Alex Greig of Fuggles Beer Café and Joe Lloyd of Perk & Pearl, both in Tunbridge Wells, share their expertise in beer and coffee

We’re a few of months into 2015 now, and one of the things I’ve been asked a lot recently is, “What’s going to be the big thing in beer this year?” Truth be told, I’ve no idea (and anyone who says they do must surely be a relative of Mystic Meg). However, I think we’ll see more breweries experimenting with foraged ingredients, herbs and spices, and we’ll see more beers designed to taste like food (Darkstar made a wonderful Crème Bruléeflavoured stout at the end of last year, and local boy Alphastate did a wonderful job with his Raspberry Cheesecake IPA).

I also think we’ll see a few more home brewers making the breakthrough (Andy Parker of Elusive Brewing already springs to mind, and Pig & Porter have just moved into the old Tunbridge Wells brewery site full-time). These guys have been honing their skills as home brewers over the past few years, and have built up enough experience and skill to start making an impact.

This experimental nature, that for me is at the heart of the craft beer industry, will continue to wow, inspire and convert new people into drinking for pleasure and enjoyment, discovering something new to them and ‘savouring the moment’, as it were.

All of this is excellent news – we’re going to be seeing new breweries emerge with no constraints or pre-conceived ideas, which can only be a good thing for an industry that just loves innovating. So, why am I sitting here writing about something that I claim I don’t know the answer to? Well… I’m excited! We’ve had a couple of excellent years with some outstanding beers and breweries opening, and that will only get better as time goes on – as will the technical quality of the beers produced.

That, for me, is largely what it’s all about. Aside from being able to enjoy a well-balanced and well-made beer, seeing more and more people trying something new and being amazed by it is great to see. Plus, with competition growing within the craft beer industry (both in terms of pubs and breweries), it’s a chance for quality to really shine and for you guys, the drinkers, to have an even better time tasting it all! www.fugglesbeercafe.co.uk

Did you know that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia by a shepherd who noticed that his goats were getting rather frisky after eating the berries from a particular tree? He then decided to boil up some of those berries to see what they tasted like, and so coffee was born! Admittedly that was some time ago, and the art and science of making a good cup has moved on somewhat.

People often ask me, “What’s the best way of making coffee at home?” The simple answer is that there are lots of great ways to make coffee, and it really depends on how you like it to taste. So, for example, if you like an intense shot, then an espresso machine is your weapon of choice. However, if you prefer a longer, smoother cup, then a filter pour-over would suit you best.

There have long since been several traditional ways to make coffee at home, such as a cafetière, filter and espresso machines.

But there have been some more recent and interesting introductions, with the ingenious AeroPress hand-powered espresso maker and the elegant Chemex filter, each with their own unique results.

It’s also a good idea to choose the right coffee for the way it’s going to be made. For instance, if you like milk with your coffee, some beans and roasts work better than others. Of course, the final consideration is getting the grind right for the method you are using to make your coffee. Making great coffee could seem KUDOS M ARCH/APRIL 2015

rather complicated and daunting, but with a few simple hints and techniques you could be on your way to becoming your family’s very own barista!

If you would like to find out more about how to get the best out of different methods of making coffee, then do drop me an email (info@perkandpearl.co.uk) and I can let you know when our next “Barista @ Home” course will be. I have designed this course to help guide you through the whole coffee process, from how the bean is grown to pulling a perfect espresso shot.

I am also always in the shop for helpful advice, so do drop by at any time for a chat about all things coffee-related! www.PerkandPearl.co.uk LOV E DRINK

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LET’S EAT

A round-up of the latest foodie news

GO TO WORK ON AN EGG

Brighten up breakfast with this Joie Moo Moo cow-themed egg cup and matching spoon. It also comes in Oink Oink piggy, Doodle Doo chicken and Egg Head versions. www.kitchenbuddies.co.uk

BLOOMING PRETTY

Decorate cakes and cookies with Sugar in Bloom from Squires Kitchen. This brand new range of cookie cutters and cake stencils features a range of butterflies and blossoms and, teamed with Art-ice Cookie Icing, sugarpaste and edible paints, allows you to create the prettiest bakes.

Price: from £2.95 for a butterfly stencil. www.squires-shop.com

CUT IT OUT

Make some simple dough and create cute biscuits and cookies with these squirrel and acorn stainless-steel cutters. They come in pretty packaging that makes them an ideal gift for budding bakers. Price: £2.99 www.oakroomshop.co.uk

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NO-ALCOHOL BUBBLY

Echo Falls Sparkling Tisane is a delicious zero-alcohol bubbly soft drink made from a delicate combination of fermented grape juice and premium green tea infusion – with a mere 26 calories per 100ml glass. Price: £3.49. On sale in Tesco and Asda.

THROW A CURVE

A combination of high-quality traditional materials and clever contemporary design have resulted in Sagaform’s stylish and practical Oval Oak range of kitchen accessories. The simple, curvy elegance of these hand-blown glass oil and vinegar bottles and carafes with solid oak stoppers represents Swedish design at its best. Price: from £23.50 www.scandinavianshop.co.uk

GROW YOUR OWN

The Plantalicious Kids Edible Garden Kit provides the full plot-toplate journey. Each eye-catching kit comes with seeds, compost discs and propagator, along with easy-to-follow instructions and an activity card to make the growing process as simple as possible. Price: £13.95 www.notonthehighstreet.com

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JOINT VENTURE

When Andy and Ruth and their neighbours Martin and Jen decided to make alterations to their semidetached homes in Tudeley, Kent, it made sense for them to join forces and work together with the same builder. The stunning results speak for themselves...

Andy and Ruth’s house

Andy and Ruth’s oak-framed extension

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Andy and Ruth Where did you live before you moved to Tudeley?

Andy lived in Kent and Ruth lived in Yorkshire.

What attracted you to this particular house?

The setting, and the fact that it was a period building which had been newly renovated. Ruth grew up on a farm in the country and had always lived in rural settings. Having spent some time working and living in the city, it was definitely time to get back to the countryside.

When did you buy it, and what condition was it in?

In 2007. On the face of it, it was good – it had just been renovated by a developer. But we knew there were some underlying problems with damp, which hadn’t been effectively dealt with by the previous developer.

How many rooms did it have?

Two bedrooms (one en suite), a bathroom, kitchen, lounge and dining room.

What changes did you want to make, and why?

We needed another bedroom for Andy’s children to have their own room when they come to stay. We also wanted more living space downstairs. We thought about moving because we didn’t think we would get planning permission, but we could never find anywhere that gave us everything we wanted. And when we came back home, we just kept thinking how this is where we wanted to stay. We were talking to our neighbours about it and they said exactly the same thing, so we decided to change our homes together.

Did you need planning permission for any of the changes?

If so, how easy was the process?

Yes, we did – and it wasn’t easy! Although the house is not listed itself, we are in the curtilage of listed buildings and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We had found old photos of the surrounding buildings from the 1950s and used those to inform our plans – designing our extension in line with an old cart barn, which had been knocked down. Despite changing our plans to give the planners and conservation team what they wanted, they still rejected our application.

We knew we had gone as far as we could with the plans without compromising what we set out to achieve in the first place. It was also more difficult because our neighbour’s application was successful! So it was either give up and move, or appeal. We thought we would give it a go – Ruth had a work colleague who knew about these things, and Andy’s uncle had been through a similar situation when undertaking a barn conversion in Wiltshire, so we talked to them to learn from their experiences.

We also engaged our local councillor, who was incredibly helpful and supported our application, as did the local parish council. He requested that our plan be submitted for a full planning-committee hearing. We prepared a brief and photos, and emailed these to each of the 25 committee members in advance, explaining how the changes we wanted to make were sympathetic to the surroundings, and would put back some of the character that had been removed in the previous renovation. We attended the planning committee with our architect and had three minutes each to explain our plans. It was extremely tense, while they debated the proposal, and fortunately they voted in our favour!

Stylish and uncluttered

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How did you come to choose Lee Fletcher as your builder?

We had sent a tender document to seven builders who we had shortlisted, but about a week before the tenders were due back, we read an article in Kudos about an oast conversion, which Lee had done. The way in which the homeowner spoke about Lee convinced us that we needed to approach him, but we knew we were short on time.

Fortunately, Lee came to look at the house and the plans pretty quickly, and submitted his proposal within the week – for both our extension and our neighbours. He was also the only builder who answered all of our questions in his response, provided references, a project plan and a detailed budget. And we knew as soon as we met him that we could work together.

Using oak has restored character

How much input did he have in your plans for the house?

The plans were pretty much set, but Lee pointed out things that could be improved within the existing planning permission. He was able to come up with ideas that we hadn’t thought of from his previous experience. Most importantly, he introduced us to Paul Cresswell of InSitu Designs, who created our oak frame. Lee had a good working relationship with Paul as they had worked together in the past. This transpired to be absolutely key in many aspects of the build, as they were both dependent on each other’s phases. Paul had to make some structural alterations to the design of the frame, in particular the glazing system he uses, which the planners had to approve. We needed this re-approval before the oak could be ordered from the supplier in France.

How long was the estimated build process at the start of the project?

Four to six months.

The downstairs is now open-plan with defined spaces

Did it run to time?

Pretty much. We were really lucky in that we had brilliant weather over the summer. We think, in the end, it ran over by a couple of weeks, but that’s because of the things we kept adding to Lee’s list!

And did it stay on budget?

With the exception of the extra bits of work, yes, pretty much.

How involved were you in the build on a day-to-day basis?

Very! We are both complete control freaks and have OCD, but we did warn Lee in advance! We were living on site until it got to the stage where the build broke through into the body of the house. But even when we moved into holiday accommodation, we were sufficiently close to pop back to the site every day. We measured everything and had to have the electric sockets moved because they were 3mm out!

The extension flows seamlessly from the house

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What was Lee’s company like to work with?

Brilliant! Lee is very approachable and knew the things that we would want to have some input on, as well as those that we didn’t. We quickly came to trust him just to get on with it.

He has a great team – they became like part of the family and we all got on brilliantly.

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The kitchen before...

Now it’s a stunning space

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How disruptive was the work?

No more than we expected. We spent some time living, eating and sleeping in our bedroom before we could move into the holiday rental. But in reality, it was all our neighbours that had the most to contend with. But they were all very understanding and knew that if there was ever a problem, then they could come and speak to Lee about it.

Did you hit any snags along the way?

Not as many as we expected. We knew that there could be problems because of some of the work the previous developers had done. We weren’t quite sure what they would find when they started digging the foundations for the extension, and at one end of the house we found about 12 feet of concrete underpinning the existing house. Building control came to inspect, and thankfully they were very pragmatic and couldn’t see the need to replicate this under the new extension, which would have significantly impacted on the budget.

Another issue was sourcing the bricks. The planners had to approve all the materials that would be used, but by the time they finally approved them, the original suppliers had run out.

There seemed to be a national shortage of bricks last year!

Lee spent a week trawling around builders’ merchants across the south east and finally managed to source enough of the correct type.

When it came to tying in the new oak frame with the original oak beams, Paul discovered that the original beams were about thee inches shorter than they should have been, meaning that there was insufficient timber to create a secure fixing between new and old. With some creative engineering and careful measurements, he designed five bespoke steel

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brackets that could be hidden above the beams and secured in place with huge carriage bolts. A forge he knows made these up within the week and they fitted perfectly.

We were on a tight schedule to get the kitchen painted before the units were installed. Tragically, our decorator had a death in the family and had to pull out the day before, so Lee recruited his father-in-law’s help and the next day the two of them painted it all while we were at work!

How does the style of the house now differ from when you bought it?

It feels more of a barn conversion than a cottage. There’s lots of oak! It’s exactly the sort of house we were looking to buy but couldn’t find. We have managed to reinstate the character back into the house that was unfortunately lost over time, particularly with the oak-frame extension.

What are your favourite features?

The oak-frame extension and the kitchen. It all just works really wells. Whilst it’s now mainly open-plan, the way we have created separate spaces defines their function. Lee and our kitchen company, Silks, worked really well together.

Is the result exactly as you imagined it would be?

It’s so much better! It’s always difficult when you see a plan on a page to really imagine what it will be like when it’s finished. But it is so much more than we ever thought it could be.

Is there anything you would change?

We have asked ourselves this many times and the answer is a resounding no!

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Martin & Jen Where did you live before you moved to Tudeley?

We lived in Pembury in Kent before a short stint in Egham, Surrey.

What attracted you to this particular house?

The fact that it was in the countryside yet not isolated, in a little community and close to both Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

When did you buy it and what condition was it in?

We bought it in August 2007 when it was being renovated by a developer, and it was an absolute building site! But we saw the potential and fell in love with it. The following year we were still living on a building site whilst the other properties around us were being finalised, but it was really worth it.

How many rooms did it have?

It did have four bedrooms split over the ground and first floor, but we use one of the bedrooms as the playroom.

What changes did you want to make to the house, and why?

We have twins who were getting to an age where they needed their own space and bedrooms, so we wanted to explore the opportunity to expand upstairs.

Did you need planning permission for any of the changes?

If so, how easy was the process?

We are in an area of listed buildings therefore we had to go through a large amount of work with the planning application.

Throughout the process we had to liaise with the council (not easy) and get approval on all sorts of things, from the type and spec of bricks used to the windows! Our architect, Tony Cartwright, from PlanArch Associates was fabulous in liaising with the council, as was our builder, Lee Fletcher. We would definitely recommend using an architect who has dealt extensively with the planning department in your specific area, this made an enormous difference for our project!

How did you come to choose Lee as your builder?

We had sent a tender document to seven builders who we had shortlisted, but about a week before the tenders were due back, our neighbour Ruth read an article in Kudos about an oast conversion which Lee had done. Lee was kind enough to submit a tender at short notice and liaise with the owner of the oast to arrange a visit to see the end results of that project, which were outstanding. This openness and honesty, combined with the fact that Lee was passionate about wanting take on our project, made it a very easy decision for us.

How much input did he have in your plans for the house?

Lee’s expertise along the way was of huge value. He would present any situation, from planning stages through to physical build with the issue, the pros and cons of the various solutions, giving guidance and advice to arrive at the best outcome. Lee was also excellent regarding any decisions relating to tiles, lighting, fittings, etc.

How long was the estimated build process at the start of the project?

At the start, we were looking at four to five months.

The family hub of the home

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The new kitchen is a light-filled contemporary space

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The extension created spacious extra bedrooms

Did it run to time?

In the end it took closer to six through a combination of material availability and scheduling of trades. Lee will only use a trusted group of tradesman and the results speak for themselves, so the minor delay was worth it.

And did it stay on budget?

Pretty much.

How involved were you in the build on a day-to-day basis?

We had to move out for most of the build, but luckily only down the road, so we were always there to “inspect” a few times a week.

What was Lee’s company like to work with?

They were a great team – especially Lee and his dad. They were hard working and trustworthy.

How disruptive was the work?

It was not so disruptive for us as we moved into a holiday let.

However, we did feel for our other neighbours as there were obviously daily deliveries and builders around on site all day, making lots of noise! One of our neighbours works nights so, bless her, she had little rest during the day.

Did you hit any snags along the way?

A few here and there, the main one being our wooden oak flooring. It bowed during the build as it got moisture in it.

In the end we had to replace the entire floor, which was obviously not in budget. But what it did show was that the flooring, when originally put down, was never properly installed by the original builders, so we would have had to replace it at some point, anyway.

How does the style of the house now differ from when you bought it?

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There is now a real mix between new and old, modern and traditional country. We love this feature but appreciate it might not be to everyone’s taste. Most people would have gone for a traditional country-look kitchen, but we were adamant that we wanted to create a modern family space with white everywhere! We love the fact that you move out of the kitchen into the warm oak and more traditional country feel of the house.

It’s the same upstairs. Again, we could have made the twin’s bedrooms country and traditional, with oak doors and carpets. We wanted a more modern and streamlined look, whilst still keeping to the oak feel we have in the rest of the house. So we chose white oak floors, which we’re delighted with. They give a wonderful mix of old and new.

What are your favourite features?

We are in love with the kitchen! It has great gadgets, including the Quooker instant hot water tap. But what we love most of all is that this is now the true heart of the home.

We cook, whilst the children sit at the dining bench and play, draw or do their homework. It’s the family hub.

We also love the hidden utility area. We didn’t have space for a proper utility room, but we wanted to make sure that our white goods were not on display. So we designed this feature ourselves and suggested it to our excellent kitchen company, Burnhill Kitchens, who took on the challenge and created our magic hidden utility behind floor-to-ceiling doors, in the same design as the kitchen.

Is the result exactly as you imagined it would be?

Better!

Is there anything you would change?

No!

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HOME, SWEET HOME Ideas to turn your house into a home

ESSENTIAL VIEWING

Joseph McCarthy offers the ultimate in TVs. Teaming up with high-end German brand Loewe, they can provide a bespoke framed TV to create a beautiful focal point, while passing on a generous discount. Prices from around £4,000, which includes TV and frame. www.josephmccarthy.co.uk

YOU’RE TOAST

Add some real country cottage charm to your breakfast table with this fine china Fox Toast Rack from Quail Ceramics. Their delightful country ceramics are high-quality products with a good weight and heavy glaze. Price: £22.50 www.cotswoldtrading.com

SCREEN SAVER

This intricately-carved, tall triple-fold dressing screen will add a touch of style to almost any room in your house. Painted with a distressed-oak finish, this screen would look great in the bedroom or, alternatively, be useful for dividing up space in a living room, or screening off a home office. Price: £362 www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

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JUST CRATE!

Serve your drinks in this personalised crate that holds four bottles and can be personalised with up to 10 characters on two lines to create an innovative gift.

Don’t forget to add the wine! Price: £26.95 www.plantabox.co.uk

STYLISH SOAK

Make a statement with this stunning hand-crafted Marseille cyprium copper bath with a tin interior and polished outer surface. It exudes style and works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary rooms. Price: £2,495 www.castironbath.co.uk

LOUNGE AROUND

The Grace Lounge Armchair combines modern with classic, using traditional teak hardwood for the base and legs, together with Viro all-weather weave for the main seat. Available in three colours: platinum (shown above), sand and ebony, with seven different cushion colour options available. Price: £895 www.westminsterfurniture.co.uk

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THE GREEN, GREEN GR ASS OF HOME If you want a beautiful lawn, now is the time to give your grass some TLC

At this time of year, the lawn is actively growing and requires feeding, moss-killing, weeding and regular mowing.

All lawns need feeding in order to maintain vigour. When feeding, look out for signs of pest or disease and apply moss killer if required. Regular maintenance is the best way to approach a lawn, and may avoid the need for renovation later on.

Over winter, the lawn does not grow much, but once the weather warms up in early spring, you can start mowing, and this is also a good time to over-seed any areas damaged over winter.

Here are some of the tasks to undertake over spring and summer: Mowing This is the most obvious (and one of the most important) maintenance tasks over spring and summer. Mowing regularly keeps the lawn in good health.

Killing moss Moss is a problem in damp, poorly-drained lawns, and spring is a good time to remedy moss problems. There are several types of moss that grow on lawns. These are usually coarse, loose, green or yellowish-green tufts between the grass, but can form densely-matted tufts or, in the case of Polystichum, appear like small forests of miniature Christmas trees.

Moss gives the turf an uneven colour and surface. Loose mosses make the lawn feel spongy to walk on.

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Poor growing conditions favour the growth of moss in lawns.

These might include: • Sparse grass cover • Worn areas of turf, especially along walkways and where children play • Shady areas, especially beneath trees • Compacted soil • Wet weather and waterlogged conditions • Drought-stressed grass • Mowing too close • Impoverished lawns or infertile soil • Poorly-prepared or poorly-maintained lawns • Acidic soil conditions Remove loose moss in autumn, by scarification (vigorous raking). On small lawns this can be done by hand, raking out the moss with a spring-tine rake, but on larger lawns mechanical scarifiers can be hired.

A non-chemical product called MO Bacter Organic Lawn Fertiliser claims good control of moss, as well as feeding the lawn. The added benefit is that the dead moss should break down in situ, negating the need for scarifying.

For moss control, use a proprietary product (e.g. Vitax Green Up Mossfree) based on ferrous sulphate (sulphate of iron) in spring or early autumn. When the moss blackens after two or three weeks, use a spring-tine rake to remove it. The dead moss can be added to the compost heap. Although slow to rot in bulk, moss can be composted if well mixed with plenty (four times the volume of the moss) of other ingredients.

Moss can be stored and added gradually as other ingredients

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become available. As moss is very widespread, any spores that survive the composting process won’t add significantly to the risk of moss forming in the garden. Best practice is to avoid consigning moss to the green waste collection, and disposal by composting, or in extreme cases, stacking or burial is recommended.

Control with a moss killer will only be temporary unless the conditions which allowed the moss to become established are improved.

Feeding In late March to April, use a proprietary spring or summer lawn fertiliser at the manufacturer’s recommended rates.

Feeding the lawn will increase vigour and help prevent weeds and moss from establishing. Apply fertilisers when the soil is moist, or when rain is expected.

If grass loses its vigour and freshness between late spring and late summer, repeat the application of spring or summer lawn fertiliser, or apply 15g per sq m (½oz per sq yd) sulphate of ammonia mixed with four times its weight dry soil. Mixing with soil ensures even distribution and avoids scorching the grass. Apply this mixture in cool, moist conditions and lightly water it in. As an organic alternative, use chicken manure pellets. Repeat fertiliser application a third time, if needed, six to eight weeks later.

Do not apply spring or summer lawn fertilisers, chicken manure pellets or sulphate of ammonia after August. They contain too much nitrogen for autumn use, encouraging green, leafy growth at the wrong time of year, when it could be damaged by winter cold or pests and disease.

Over-seeding After moss or weeds have been removed, or where grass is growing sparsely, over-seeding may be necessary.

Early autumn is the best time for this job, but mid-spring is also suitable.

• Break up the surface with a fork and rake it to make a reasonably-fine surface • Sow grass seed at half the recommended rate or, where there are no recommendations, at 10-15g per sq m (½oz per sq yd) • Lightly rake to incorporate the seed into the surface • Where birds are a problem, net the area • If the weather remains dry for two or three days, water gently with a sprinkler • Grass should sprout seven to ten days after sowing In heavily-used areas, choose a hardwearing utility mix containing ryegrass. Most lawn grasses do not thrive in shade, so for these areas choose a shade-tolerant mix.

When over-seeding, it can be difficult to match the colour of a new seed mix with your existing lawn. In such circumstances it may be necessary to over-seed the whole lawn to achieve uniformity of colour and texture.

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Areas of dry shade, such as under trees, become sparse very quickly despite adequate care. Consider over-seeding on an annual basis to maintain a dense sward.

Watering Even if lawns turn brown and dry over summer, they usually recover well when rains return. Watering is usually not necessary over summer.

If the weather is unusually hot and dry, and you do have to water, do it when the soil becomes dry, but before the grass turns yellow or brown. If the ground is very hard, aerate it by spiking with a garden fork before watering, to aid water penetration.

Watering once a week to every 10 days is normally sufficient for most lawns. Ensure that the water reaches a depth of 10cm (4in) after each watering. In the middle of summer 1 sq m (1 sq yd) needs about 20-litres (5 gallons) every seven days.

Looking after new lawns Lawns from turf should be left completely unused for their first week. Lawns from seed should be left unused until their first mowing. Avoid using new lawns heavily in their first season.

Newly-laid lawns can be fed exactly the same as established lawns. They need watering, but be careful not to over water, as this may result in shallow rooting and lead to poor establishment.

Weed control One gardener’s weedy lawn is another’s wildflower meadow, so decide if you really want to combat these plants. On weedy lawns, selective lawn weedkillers will usually control the weeds, but leave the grass unharmed.

Although the term ‘weed’ is subjective, it is usually applied to invasive plants that compete with the grass for space to grow – clover and dandelions, coarse-leaved grasses, daisies and buttercups are just some examples.

Early identification and prompt removal can alleviate largescale problems. This can be as simple as following a yearly lawn maintenance plan. The season starts with spring and summer care, but autumn care is particularly important.

There are several ways lawn weeds are often noticed: • T he grass may look patchy, have an uneven growth rate, or simply include areas that are a different colour or texture to the rest of the lawn • F lowers appear in the grass. This can occur even in a closely-mown lawn, but often appears when the grass is allowed to grow longer •P atches may remain green during a drought. Lawn weeds may perform better or worse than the lawn grasses, staying green or turning brown

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Lawn weeds establish because they survive close, regular mowing. They spread by seed or creeping stems, and are usually problematic where the grass is sparse.

Consider whether you wish to control the weeds using nonchemical means, such as digging out. Where these methods are not feasible, chemical controls may be needed. Choose a weedkiller that is most appropriate for that purpose by reading the label carefully.

There are a number of non-chemical options to try first; • Feeding, aerating and scarifying will encourage the grass to be more vigorous and so make it more difficult for the weeds to compete • Remove rosette-type weeds, such as dandelion, daisy and plantain, with a hand fork • Dig out weeds resistant to weedkillers in autumn, and re-turf or re-seed • Rake over and then mow to discourage creeping weeds such as speedwells, white clover, silverweed and sorrels • Apply garden lime to acid soils in the winter. Dress with lime at 50g per sq m (1½oz per sq yd) to deter weeds such as sorrels and field woodrush • Avoid close mowing, particularly with parsley piert and pearlwort, as this can weaken the grass • Lawn weedkillers may be needed where many weeds have established. When buying a lawn weedkiller, check the label to find out if it will work on the weeds in your turf • Apply a weedkiller in spring and summer, when the grass and weeds are growing vigorously • Read the instructions before you begin. It is important to follow them and apply the weedkiller as stated – this will ensure effective results and your safety • Choose a product that is easy to apply. Lawn weedkillers are available to spray on, apply with watering can and dribble bar, and less frequently as granules that are scattered on the surface • For spot treatment, apply ready-to-use sprays • Only use with a combined mosskiller where moss is a problem • Most lawn weeds are killed by weedkiller application, some by a single treatment, but others requiring two or three applications at four to six-week intervals

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New lawns are often severely damaged by weedkillers if applied to lawns within six months of sowing or turf-laying.

However, products containing fluroxypyr (e.g. Scotts Verdone Extra) as one of their ingredients are claimed to be safe to use after only two months.

Dead patches Dead patches of grass on lawns are very common. However, it is usually easy to trace and remedy the cause, restoring green and healthy grass.

Symptom: Irregular random patches that appear after mowing Cause: Spilt petrol and oil can kill grass Remedy: Avoid topping up fuel and oil levels on the lawn, and be careful not to overfill fuel tanks or exceed recommended oil levels Symptom: Circular patches with bright green margins on lawns to which dogs have access Cause: Female dogs’ urine, in particular, can damage grass Remedy: Water affected areas immediately. Consult your vet before feeding your dog any of the products that are claimed to prevent damage Symptom: Regular brown stripes or patches appearing after feeding the lawn Cause: Overdoses of fertiliser Remedy: Carefully calibrate equipment before use. Also take care to deliver the correct dose evenly. Ideally, spread fertiliser before rain, or else water the lawn just after feeding. Controlled-release, lawn fertilisers may be less likely to cause scorch

The Royal Horticultural Society’s website has a wealth of information on gardening. It is one of the world’s leading horticultural organisations and the UK’s leading gardening charity. An interest in gardening is all you need to enjoy being a member of the RHS. www.rhs.org.uk

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KEEPING CHICKENS: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE Backyard hens are back in fashion. Relatively easy to look after, they’ll reward you with delicious eggs and become real family favourites

Chickens are fairly easy to look after, but like all animals they still need care.

Before you begin, make sure there are no clauses in your house deeds, rental agreement or local bye-laws against keeping animals (even pet chickens are usually regarded as livestock).

Make sure, too, that you’ll have time to look after chickens properly. This includes arranging care when you are on holiday or away for a few days.

In theory, you can keep chickens in even a small garden. In practice, chickens will churn up and destroy a piece of ground very quickly, turning it into a muddy eyesore.

However, you can avoid this by using a moveable chicken house and run, or dividing the run into two and alternating them. You can also cover the run with woodchips that can be replaced regularly. You could allow your chickens free range of the garden, although they will cause some damage and will need to be protected from predators.

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When it comes to housing, there is a wide selection of styles to choose from. Essentially, the hen house should be weatherproof and secure enough to keep out predators, with perches for roosting and nest-boxes for eggs. It should also have easy access for cleaning.

Good insulation and ventilation are essential, and there should be 25-30cm of perch for each average-sized chicken.

Each chicken will need at least one square metre of run space, although double is preferable. A raised house allows chickens to use the area underneath.

You will also need a feeder to keep feed dry and prevent waste, and a drinker to provide constant, clean water.

A shovel, bucket, stiff brush and scraper will come in useful for cleaning. Use a detergent cleaner specially made for poultry houses that also removes red mite, a very common parasite.

You can make a dust bath by filling a plastic box with fine soil or play sand.

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Choosing your chickens If you are looking for hens that produce a good supply of eggs, buy hens advertised as POL (point of lay), which is usually 18-22-week-old birds. Ideal breeds are: • Warrens (250-300 eggs per year) • Rhode Island Reds (200 eggs per year) • Black Rocks (250 eggs per year) • Marans (200 eggs per year) • Bluebelles (200 eggs per year) • Orpingtons (200 eggs per year) There are a number of benefits of using hybrids instead of pure breeds. For a start, they are usually robust, very fit and healthy. They are ideal beginner’s birds, they are usually vaccinated (which is often un-economical for small quantities of pure breeds), and are generally quite tame and easy to handle. They are also cheaper than pure breeds.

Popular hybrid layers include: • Bovans Goldline (Rhode Island Red Light Sussex) • Warren, Marans Cuivre (Rhode Island Red / Marans cross) • Bovans Nera, Black Star, Nera, Rhode Rock (Rhode Island Red / Barred Plymouth Rock cross) • Speckledy (Marans / Rhode Island Red) Two to three chickens are enough to keep the average family in eggs.

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Caring for your chickens Let your chickens out each morning, give them food and water, and check they are all in good health.

In the evening, collect eggs, clear away food and shut the chickens into their house – they don’t eat or drink when roosting.

Chickens go to roost at dusk. This could be mid-afternoon in winter or late at night in high summer. If you are unable to be at home to shut them into their house, it’s worth installing an automatic door closer to keep them safe from predators.

Clean out the coop at least once a week. Remove bedding and scrape out droppings, then put down fresh bedding. In fine weather give the house an occasional scrub with poultry disinfectant. When cleaning the house, check for any evidence of red mite (little heaps of grey dust around the ends of the perches and small grey or red mites hidden beneath them).

This parasite can debilitate or kill chickens, so act quickly at the first sign of them. Mites are easy to deal with as long as you are vigilant and thorough when dealing with them.

Green algae is poisonous to chickens, so keep the drinker clean – and give the feeder a regular wash, too.

A small, fixed run will also need frequent cleaning. Shift moveable runs as often as necessary.

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It’s important to establish a worming regime, and to frequently check that every bird is healthy and free from parasites. Get to know your chickens so you will quickly notice if anything is wrong.

Laying eggs One of the biggest advantages of keeping chickens is that you control what goes into your chickens and furthermore, their eggs, so there are no fears of unwanted antibiotic residues or other nasties appearing in the eggs you eat, not to mention the fantastic taste.

Hens are usually sold at ‘point-of-lay,’ which means they are roughly the right age to produce eggs, but laying depends on the time of year and when they were hatched. Pure breeds are unlikely to start laying in winter, so if you buy young hens in autumn it may be early spring before you see an egg.

Hens will lay eggs for about a year, then stop while they go through their first annual moult. Egg-laying starts again when they have re-feathered, although pure breeds usually moult in autumn, and some may not lay again until the following spring.

A hen’s first eggs are small, and there may be oddities until her system settles down. Once she is into her laying stride, eggs become larger and more regular, until she moults. When she starts laying again, the eggs are usually a little larger than before – and taste so much better than anything you’ve ever bought in the supermarket!

Rehome a battery hen

If you’re thinking of getting some chickens, why not include some ex-battery hens in the flock? They’ll arrive looking scruffy but after a few months, they will have re-feathered and look a lot happier.

The British Hen Welfare Trust is a national charity that re-homes commercial laying hens. Founded as the UK’s first registered charity for laying hens in April 2005, they have helped hundreds of thousands of hens to enjoy a second chance in life.

The nearest Trust is at Biggin Hill. www.bhwt.org.uk

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JACKSONS FENCING Latest news, topical treats and more...

Bring the outside inside and vice-versa...

Here’s a great project that was inspired by the need to make better use of the garden space, after extending the house. It looks amazing, and the sensitive approach to the use of materials has made it even more successful. By choosing Tongue and Groove effect panels, with the boards running horizontally to match the timber cladding on the house, this encourages a feeling of cohesion to the look of the whole outdoor space, it blurs the lines between house and garden, and brings the outside inside, and vice-versa.

John Horswill sent these lovely photos of the completed project (thanks very much John) and here’s what he told us about it: The project was initiated by our need to provide more living space on the ground floor of our town house. The garden area is very small - only 50 square metres, so we were limited in the size of extension that the available space could support. Our solution was to build a very simple fully glazed bay window extension, at the same time redesigning the garden to complement the additional area created within the house.

We raised the terrace up to ground floor level, providing more apparent space, particularly when the bi-fold doors are fully open. Most of the existing shrubs were retained and new raised beds added.

One of the most important aspects of the design was the fencing and we were attracted to the simple lines of Jacksons’ products.

We faced the external walls of the house with cladding to match the upper floors, and needed to extend that theme into the boundary treatment.

John’s extension and terrace with bi-folding doors creating the longed for extra space

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John’s garden with the Tongue and Groove effect panels with Premier Trellis topper panels

We are very pleased with the results, in particular the balance between trellis and panelling. And as a bonus, we had ordered enough components to build a new shed and garden gate, integrated into the fencing.

The contractor made an excellent job of it and used more or less all the components. Note the shed, which was built into the fencing and works really well - I’m hoping to add a ‘green’ roof at a later date. All in all, I am really pleased, it’s a very successful project - John Horswill.

You can find out more about the Tongue and Groove effect panels and the square Premier Trellis topper panels used in this project by going to your local page.

There’s also a link there to the customer project story with more photos of this lovely garden and many others. Plus up to date info on any special offers and winners of previous free prize draws. www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal or call 0800 408 4754 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre. louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk

WIN a Jacksons wheelie bin store

Enter the free prize draw and be in with a chance to win one of Jacksons wheelie bin stores. Simply log on to your local page, address below and follow the easy instructions on how to enter.

The draw closes 31.03.15. To enter go to:

www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal

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MAKE MOTHER’S DAY

We’ve found a host of treats for your mum’s special day

BAG A BOOK

The Book Club clutch-bag collection by Disaster Designs is a highly distinctive range which will appeal to lovers of classic literature and those with an eye for the unconventional. Each clutch bag is styled as a vintage hardback with an elegant individual design. It has a structured book shape with brushed-gold print features and a brushed-gold zip. Wear it on the wrist or as a shoulder bag.

Price: £32.95 www.cloth-ears.co.uk

WATCH THE BIRDIE

This sweet wooden bird brooch makes a pretty addition to a jacket, bag or cardy.

The pretty pale-blue brooch has a pin attachment on the back and makes a lovely gift for fans of the vintage vibe.

Price: £2.99 www.oakroomshop.co.uk

MIRROR, MIRROR...

This pocket handmade mirror has been covered with a Liberty print fabric. The Mirror comes in an ivory pouch to keep it clean and scratch free, and the pouch can be personalised with a name of your choice.

Price: £7.50 www.swankymaison.com

SCENT WITH LOVE

A card and a gift all in one! The beautiful handmade card also comes with a handmade scented candle attached, which is printed with your choice of word on the front, in your choice of colour.

The candle is made of pure soy wax and scented with jasmine.

Price: £8.95 www.hearthandheritage.co.uk

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BOXING CLEVER

The Bright Side Mummy’s Emergency Storage Tin is perfect for mums to hide away all their must-have emergency items. Fill it with her favourite things – chocolates, scented hand cream, mini bottle of wine… Reverse of tin reads “Shhh... Mummy Recharging”.

Price: £6.99 www.mollieandfred.co.uk

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HOMEMADE EASTER Bright ideas for DIY Easter fun

EGGCELLENT

Take a folded piece of card and pencil in the outline of a large egg. Fill in the egg shape with PVA glue and then add small squares of different coloured tissue paper or wrapping paper until it is complete. Or cut out some flower-petal shapes in two complementary colours of tissue paper and, on a blank card, arrange them in a flower pattern, so that the edges slightly overlap.

EASTER HUNT

Hunting for chocolate eggs puts the fun into Easter!

Buy a selection of foil-wrapped eggs, making sure you have enough for each child. You can either write easy clues to send your kids to the right spot (try anagrams), or simply hide the eggs and let them follow their noses!

Give out small plastic bowls, buckets or large plastic eggs for collecting the chocolate, or build the anticipation beforehand by getting the kids to decorate small paper bags with egg shapes cut out of wrapping paper.

To make sure every child finds the same number of eggs, ask them all to come back to the beginning once they have collected a certain number of eggs (say, 4), each time, and put out a multiple of these (say, 12) per child, depending on the size of the eggs. This will stop anyone coming back empty-handed, while someone else has the lion’s share. Or, you could hide a number of egg-shaped cards in different colours and ask each child to find blue, pink or green and to come back to you when they have found all of their coloured egg shapes – then you can give them their allotted number of chocolate eggs, with a bonus egg for whoever found them the fastest.

Remember to note how many eggs you have hidden and where, so you know they’ve all been found.

And lastly, decide how many eggs they are allowed to eat at the end of the hunt – you don’t want anyone polishing off the whole lot and spoiling their dinner!

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FINGERPRINT FUN

To make an Easter chick card, mix some yellow paint and dip the pad of your index finger in, then blot it on some waste paper to get rid of excess paint, before pressing it onto the front of a folded piece of card to make the body of a chick. Then, use the tip of your little finger to add a head. Repeat to make a line of chicks across the front of the card. Once the paint is dry, use an orange felt-tip pen to draw in small triangular beaks – or glue on a beak cut from orange felt – and use a black pen to fill in the eyes, legs and feet. You could even draw on some broken eggshell halves to make them look like they’ve just hatched.

If you prefer fluffy bunnies, use some grey or pale brown paint to make fingerprint bunny bodies and a head, draw in some eyes and a nose (or glue on a circle of pink felt), then use a brightlycoloured pen to draw in some bunny ears and some feet.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD With a wealth of local options to choose from, finding the best one for your child can be difficult.

Here, four top local schools share their ethos and experience to help your decision

SACKVILLE SCHOOL INTRODUCES NEW CURRICULUM Tailored learning experience

With reforms to both GCSE and A-Level examinations set to be introduced in the near future, it is more important than ever to choose a school where you can be confident that these changes will be managed with your child’s individual needs at heart. As an alternative to the ‘one size fits all’ approach to education, Sackville School is able to offer a unique and tailored learning experience.

Very small class sizes and individualised teaching ensure that pupils achieve their potential, often exceeding predictions, and go on to a wide range of destinations including top, Russell Group universities. As a mixed-ability school, this is achieved through bespoke academic programmes, with teaching supplemented by gifted and talented initiatives and a team of dedicated learning-support professionals.

An example of this approach to tailoring the curriculum to the individual is illustrated by Sackville’s response to the A-Level reforms. The school is committed to ensuring that each student has the best possible platform from which to secure a university place or high-quality employment, and is therefore offering a range of vocational courses to run alongside the traditional A-Level and AS qualifications.

Headmaster, John Hewitt, who worked on A-Level reforms for an awarding body says: “We are particularly adept in ensuring each student flourishes, and we are able to bring the best out of individuals and prepare

A recent addition to Sackville’s extracurricular programme is Wizzytechz in which students learn the practical applications of computer coding them for the world – a world which is very different to the one that we, as adults, were prepared for by our teachers.” Mr Hewitt is also committed to offering a greatly-enhanced extracurricular programme. Participation in enrichment activities can bring huge benefits for young people; self-esteem and confidence grow when a new skill is learnt or talent developed, and students can choose from a diverse and stimulating selection of activities.

Set in 26 acres of historic parkland, Sackville School is an idyllic and tranquil learning environment, with a friendly but purposeful atmosphere. Sackville offers traditional values embedded within a modern education which prepares girls and boys for the challenges of the 21st Century. www.sackvilleschool.co.uk

DEVELOPING A LOVE OF LEARNING – AND SENSE OF PERSPECTIVE – AT MAYFIELD Mutual respect and affection

Since its foundation 150 years ago, Mayfield has become one of Britain’s leading Catholic girls’ schools. Set in beautiful East Sussex countryside, Mayfield is a home for nearly 400 boarders and day girls aged between 11 and 18.

Mayfield provides each pupil with an academic experience designed to challenge and enrich her, leading not only to excellent results then top universities, but a sense of perspective. Girls learn to enjoy study for its own sake, the importance of cultural and spiritual values, not to mention a healthy attitude to food and sport. Education is more than just exam certificates.

The award-winning Sixth Form Centre is a harmonious combination of cutting edge technology, located in the most historic part of the school by the 14th Century Chapel. All Sixth Formers now have their own study space, and the excellent ICT facilities including touch-screen smart televisions, iPads, and high-speed broadband aiding independent research, help prepare girls for life outside Mayfield.

“These innovations are already bearing fruit,” says Antonia Beary, Mayfield’s Headmistress. “We have been offered ten Oxbridge places since the Centre opened, to study everything from Engineering to English.”

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Academic excellence is only part of the Mayfield story. Success is achieved by giving girls the confidence to be the best they can be, inside and outside the classroom. Girls play team sports, swim in the indoor pool, use the fitness suite and ride in the outstanding equestrian centre. Creative talents developed in art and ceramics, dance, music, textiles and drama are equally important in Maths and Science.

All this is underpinned by exemplary pastoral care. Each girl is challenged and supported to fulfil her potential – by staff and her peers. Visitors frequently remark on the school’s warm, inclusive atmosphere and feeling of mutual respect and affection. Mayfield is about friends and values as well as A*s. www.mayfieldgirls.org

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YOUR CHILD’S PRECIOUS PRIMARY YEARS AT BRICKLEHURST Nurturing the unique skills and interests of each child

You are about to make one of the most important decisions, on behalf of your child, which you will ever have to make.

Lend us an hour of your time and in return we will show you how to make your child’s precious primary years effective and enjoyable.

Begin your child’s journey in Kindergarten. From the age of three, we stimulate development and learning through play in a caring environment.

With a backdrop of the East Sussex countryside, we offer a setting that supports learning both in and out of the classroom, so your child will form the essential foundations on which to build their education. We cover all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, with extension into the Key Stage 1 curriculum when your child is ready.

In Pre-Prep, we follow a syllabus that broadly follows the national curriculum, but with our own spin to make it unique to your child’s experience of Bricklehurst. By keeping class sizes small, your child and their friends will be able to determine their own lines of enquiry, with projects created through interest, whilst still maintaining high and ambitious standards in English and Maths.

In Prep, your child will continue to benefit from the expertise of specialist teachers in subjects such as French, Music, Games, Art, Dance and Drama, whilst having the security and continuity of a form teacher, teaching the core subjects. The entire staff team get to know each child well during

their time here, so lessons are tailored to individual needs, ensuring everyone makes progress. Children are supported or extended as necessary, but more importantly, every child’s contribution is valued.

Throughout the whole journey, your child’s learning is enriched by extra-curricular activities such as LAMDA, ballet and craft to name but a few. At Bricklehurst we believe that it is essential to nurture the unique skills and interests of each child, particularly your child.

You are about to make one of the most important decisions, on behalf of your child, which you will ever have to make. At Bricklehurst Manor School, we hope to make that decision easy for you. www.bricklehurst.co.uk

KENT COLLEGE PREP OFFERS AN ENRICHING EDUCATION Invaluable wraparound care service

Kent College Preparatory School is an independent school for girls aged 3-11, based in a beautiful parkland estate in Pembury. Here, girls thrive both in and outside the classroom with an enriching education that nurtures mind, body, heart and soul. Here, Headmistress Ann Lawson discusses the benefits of the school’s flexible wraparound care service, which has grown in popularity over the last five years.

“At Kent College Prep, our invaluable wraparound care provision is a key strength of the school and has had enormous benefits intellectually, creatively and socially. The children are already familiar with the setting and there is a clear distinction between the “school” day activities and those offered before or after school hours, providing our pupils with a safe and familiar environment – a home from home.

“Opportunities for them to develop their social skills readily present themselves in this type of setting. By having the opportunity to mix with other children of different ages, it provides a larger social group for them to interact with, and the chance to practise skills such as sharing and cooperation.

“Cost is an important issue, and we provide after-school care until 5.40pm each day for girls aged 3-11 years at no extra cost. If parents require their daughters to stay later (until 7.30pm at the latest), then charges apply.

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“Mornings are often a rush, but at Kent College, our girls can take advantage of our breakfast club, where for a small charge they can have a choice of a hot or cold breakfast and eat with the boarders in a family setting, taking time to digest their food and talk to their friends before the start of the school day. Parents find that their journey to work is less hectic, and overall it is a more peaceful time for the family.

“We strive to meet the needs of our busy families, and for the first time this year, we are delighted to introduce additional holiday care for our Early Years pupils during the first week of the Easter and summer holidays.” www.kent-college.co.uk

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YUMMY MUMMY CORNER Whether you’re a yummy mummy, a loving partner or a doting grandparent, this is for you...

BATH TIME BEAUTY

Soft and fluffy 100% organic cotton hooded baby towel with owl embroidered motif on the hood. The towels can also be personalised and embroidered with a name. Price: £30 www.thefinecottoncompany.com

SITTING PRETTY

This children’s high-back wing chair from Churchfield in a toy truck design has luxury padding, a quality wooden frame and comes in 22 designs, from classic to contemporary.

Price: £154.95 www.cuckooland.com

WALL ART

Add a pretty woodland scene to your nursery walls with these Woodland Fox & Friends wall stickers. The room will be transformed into a unique space without the need to paint. Cute and colourful, these wall stickers will brighten up any bedroom or nursery, and will delight any child. They’re easy to apply and remove in seconds without damaging the surface, can be re-used and repositioned, and are waterproof and wipe clean. Price: £13.99 www.beckyandlolo.co.uk 84

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LITTLE PIGGY

Funky 100% cotton apple-green babygrow with a handprinted guinea pigs print. Comes in sizes 0-3 and 3-6 months.

Price: £15.50 www.thelittlebritishcompany.co.uk

PLAIN AND PURL

Get grandma to knit this delightful little cardigan for ages 0-3 years. It’s worked using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmmerino and has lace feature on yoke. Created by Ruth Maddock, it’s available for instant download. Price: £3 www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RuthMaddock

SUCK IT AND SEE

Soothe your baby with the Hevea pacifier, a healthier alternative to thumb sucking and traditional pacifiers. Made from 100% natural rubber, it’s soft and gentle on baby’s face and prevents vacuum rashes around the mouth. Its hygienic one-piece design has no perforations, hence bacteria cannot accumulate, and it has no PVC, BPA, phthalates or artificial colours. Price: £7.95 www.heveababy.co.uk KUDOS M ARCH/APRIL 2015

HEADS UP!

Is too much technology too young depriving our children of a happy childhood?

Sitting in a restaurant recently, I was surprised to note the number of young children sitting in buggies or high chairs absorbed in playing with various electronic devices. There is no doubt they were quiet, still and causing no trouble and distraction, enabling the adults in the party to enjoy their meal and each other’s company.

There is equally no doubt that toddlers and young children have a natural fascination for these devices, and very quickly become adept in using them, ‘swiping’ at random and achieving instant results. The only noise was the odd frustration when something disappeared, but as soon as this was rectified, silence yet again reigned.

This is, of course, a reflection of the times in which we live.

Our adult lives, professional and personal, are electronically driven – one cannot even cross the Dartford Bridge now without first having gone online – but do very young children at such a crucial stage of their life journey really benefit from being introduced to a screen with its instant, non-personal gratification so soon, and can they become obsessed to the detriment of their overall personal development? Where does creative play and even the appreciation of boredom fit in?

As with all things, I believe the answer lies in moderation.

Personally, I love seeing young children finding their places within their families and society, learning to communicate, share experiences, growing in confidence and understanding and coping with the frustrations that run alongside. Sunday lunch with a toddler is always an interesting experience, but when they start trying to join in, securing their place at the table – wow, is there anything more exciting to observe! Well, maybe the dinosaur hunt in the garden which follows...

I am delighted to introduce Professor Pat Preedy whose area of expertise is ‘The Early Year’s Child’, and whose work and research is recognised and respected worldwide.

I hope we get the discussions going around your tables!

Angela Culley

Headmistress of The Mead School, Tunbridge Wells, a co-ed prep school for children aged 3 to 11

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Is screen-time damaging our young children?

Professor Pat Preedy You may have heard that England is leading the way by mandating the study of computing for all children aged 5-14.

‘Good thing,’ you may be thinking, as it is difficult to live, work and communicate without technology.

However, I do not believe that we have thought sufficiently about the impact on young children of spending significant amounts of time using screens and technology.

A variety of sources are publishing rather frightening statistics, such as, by the age of seven the average child will have spent a full year of 24-hour days watching recreational screen media. There are strong indications that we are getting it wrong with what we are providing for our children, with high levels of childhood obesity and increased numbers of children and young people with mental health problems and accessing inappropriate material via the internet – including recruitment to terrorism.

Parents and professionals really need to pause and deeply reflect on what early experiences are best for children’s development physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally, and then take responsibility for protecting our children’s childhood, health, well-being and future.

Children’s brains develop rapidly, especially in the first few years of life, and their early experiences have a profound impact upon their academic and personal outcomes. All around the world, children are born with an in-built desire to play. This is nature’s way of providing the young child with everything he or she needs to explore the world, make sense of it and to develop all of the skills needed as they get older. The negative impact on children placed in orphanages without sensory stimulation and opportunities to play is well documented.

During our ‘Parents as Play Partners’ pilot study, we visited parents in their homes and observed the use of television, mobile phones and electronic items with a pre-dominance of commercial, plastic toys. When parents did engage with their children, they tended to assume a supervisory/instructor role rather than joining in with the play. We took the parents through a ‘play partners’ module that we had written for the project. This module explained the importance of play and how to use natural resources and everyday experiences as a basis for playing WITH their child. The parents kept a record of their play-partner experiences. Here is an account from one of the parents: “Today’s activity was magical and I was amazed at Archie’s ability to get into the parts that we were playing. We decided to play a game of ‘shop’ and began by choosing our stock by walking round the ground floor and finding things we’d

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like to sell. We ended up with quite an eclectic mix of CDs, fruit, vitamin pills, books, cutlery, chestnuts and an empty medicine bottle. I initially thought that I would need to model the role of shop-owner, but Archie quickly set me straight when I stood behind our freshly-stocked ‘shelf’ (a shoe box) and said “No… you’re not the seller, I am!” At this point I stood up and pretended to be a passer-by who just happened to stroll past his shop. I pretended to open a door and made a bell ringing sound. Archie stood straight up on his chair and said “hello”. I asked his name and he gave me his full name. I asked him what he had to sell and he listed the items. Spotting his medicine bottle I faked a cough and asked him if he had anything to help. Immediately Archie suggested the medicine and the tablets. I asked the price and was told that they were £43 pounds. Having commented that this was a bit steep, Archie agreed to sell me the medicine for the money I had in my hand (a couple of coppers and a 50p piece)...”

This short extract is inspirational. It demonstrates how the child’s learning and development is extended through imaginative and creative play, as well as how the attachment and relationship between parent and child is deepened by playing together.

Over 70% of young people in the UK do not undertake the recommended level of one hour’s physical activity each day, and there is an increasing awareness that there is a potential link between children’s screen time and lower levels of wellbeing with the risk of: • Obesity and poor gross and fine motor development •H igher levels of emotional distress, anxiety and depression, and irregular sleep patterns • Attention difficulties as TV moves very quickly, with a change on the screen about every six seconds; (real-life has a slower pace which helps children to develop their concentration skills) •P oor language development due to high levels of background noise and reduced opportunities for talking

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Screen time can create significant changes in brain chemistry, particularly in the release of dopamine. This neurotransmitter, known as the pleasure chemical, is central to the development of addictions and is known as the reward chemical. Dopamine produced daily for many years through, for example, playing computer games, may change the reward circuitry in a child’s brain. It is therefore not surprising that in 2013, the US Department of Health recommended that children under two years of age should not be in front of a screen at all, and over that age the maximum leisure screen time should be no more than two hours a day. The French government recommends no screen time for children under three and a maximum of two hours leisure screen time for children aged over three. Why is the UK silent on this matter?

It could be argued that providing children with technology prepares them for later needs. This argument has been put forward for teaching reading, writing and other skills. When will we stop forcing ‘top-down’ skills on to our babies and young children, and start providing them with what they need according to the stage of development they are at? Secure, happy, confident well-developed articulate children very quickly pick up any skills required when they need to. Children who have missed out on what they need

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in early childhood can never re-capture that time and we are forced to try a range of interventions that are costly and often ineffective.

The message is simple: Reduce exposure to screens and technology and give children back their childhood through play.

• T he UK government needs to issue sensible guidelines for parents and providers based upon research, alongside a curriculum that has computer studies for young children •P arents should not allow TVs, computers or any screenbased device into a child’s bedroom •P arents and practitioners create media-free zones, including using the outdoor environment • E at, talk and play together – switch off mobile phones and devices during these key times By supporting parents and practitioners in understanding play and how this is the means by which young children learn and prepare for life, and reducing ‘screen time’, we will go a long way towards saving our children’s childhood and providing them with what they really need for their physical, emotional, social and cognitive development.

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MEN ONLY Putting the new Subaru Outback to the test...

TOUGH RIDE

Improved looks and safety options make the fifth-generation Subaru Outback a proposition for enthusiasts

Twenty-five years ago, Subaru made headlines by offering what’s generally considered to be the world’s first estate-shaped offroader, the Outback. It created a niche that continues to appeal to both city dwellers and country types, and paved the way for the Volvo XC70, Audi’s Allroad range and Volkswagen’s Passat Alltrack.

Now Subaru has launched the fifth-generation Outback that continues its successful formula but with a series of improvements.

The old car’s rugged abilities remain, but it’s wrapped in an all-new body, new interior and new technology. There’s the choice of two trims, and a 2.5-litre petrol or a 2.0-litre turbo diesel – and it’s the latter that’s expected to be the most popular in the UK this year.

On board, there’s a welcome hike in instrument panel quality that chunks brushed metal and piano black around a new multimedia system, boasting a big-buttoned, dad-friendly and acceptably-intuitive touch screen. Standard equipment levels are pleasingly generous, but it’s superior comfort and cavernous accommodation that ultimately set the Outback cabin apart.

The driving position’s great, and rear-seat comfort and space are truly exceptional.

Two four-cylinder Boxer engines are available in the UK, a more economical, 148bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel now joined by a naturally-

aspirated, 221bhp 2.5-litre petrol unit. The diesel may be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or Subaru’s Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the 2.5 petrol engine is shackled to the latter alone. Allied to a whopping 67% increase in body rigidity, undercarriage tweaks include a revised suspension geometry, new dampers and a quicker steering rack.

When it comes to roughing it off-road, the symmetrical all-wheel drive, hill descent control and excellent ground clearance mean the sporty Outback is great on stoney roads and muddy tracks.

It’s practical inside, too, with 512 litres of boot space, expanding to 2,000 litres when the seats are folded. It can also pull a twotonne trailer.

Outbacks with the Lineartronic transmission come with Subaru’s collision avoidance technology called ‘EyeSight’ as standard. It uses two colour cameras in front of the rear view mirror that is constantly scanning the road ahead for obstacles. Subaru has been working on the technology 30 years and believes it’s one of the most advanced on the market. It can tell the difference between a pedestrian and a cyclist, and includes pre-collision braking and throttle management, adaptive cruise control and a lane departure warning system.

SUBARU OUTBACK 2.0 D SE PREMIUM LINEARTRONIC Price: £32,995 Engine: 1998cc 4-cylinder horizontally opposed turbodiesel, 148bhp @ 3600rpm, 258lb ft @ 1600-2800rpm Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel drive

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Performance: 9.9sec 0-62mph, 120mph, 46.1mpg, 159g/km CO2 Weight: 1689kg On sale: April 2015

MEN ONLY

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…and checking out fragrance, glassware, a designer hard drive and fermented rice!

Drink like a Draper

The series may have come to an end but the legend of Mad Men’s Don Draper lives on in Waterford Crystal’s mixology collection, inspired by the hit US TV show. The collection includes Double Old Fashioned and Hi-ball glasses, pitchers and decanters, all adorned with platinum and gold bands around the rim. Over the course of seven series, Mad Men left the button-down look of the late ’50s and early ’60s behind for the bold and brash late ’60s, and the glassware is designed to honour this era. Current styles include those based on Draper and secretary-turned-copywriter Peggy Olsen, with more pieces due to be added when the final episodes air this spring. Perfect for indulging in some mid-century elegance – but leave the adultery and alcoholism at the door.

Price: £125-£270 www.waterford.co.uk

Something of the night

Issey Miyake’s Nuit d’Issey is a magnetic masculine fragrance based on leather, woods and spices. It combines elegant citrus notes with resonating incense and the creaminess of tonka bean to create an intriguing fragrance.

Price: £41 for 75ml

Sphere and uploading

This stunning 1TB LaCie Sphère hard drive is hand-finished by the silversmiths at Christofle in their Haute Orfèvrerie workshops in Normandy, France. They have been creating beautiful silver objects here since 1830, including commissions for Napoleon III and King Louis-Philippe. This sleek sphere combines a killer design pedigree with the best technology to make sure all your files are safely stored, and all your friends heads are enviously turned.

Price: £370 www.lacie.com

Get in the spirit

Can you guess what the world’s biggest-selling spirit brand is? Well done if you said Jinro. Most people have never heard of this Korean company, which sold an incredible 61 million cases of soju, a fermented rice drink, last year. In comparison, Jack Daniel’s sold 10 million. Soju is yet to make an impact on western consumers, despite heavy support from Gangnam star Psy. This is about to change as soju, especially drunk as a chilled shot, starts to make its way into bars and restaurants from London to New York.

It sits neatly between wine and western spirits in terms of alcoholic kick, and its subtle profile means it works well with food, too. A good soju should have a buttery, grainy character with a hint of sweetness.

Pick: Jinro. 70cl. £12.90. www.jinrousa.com Try: Pink Apple Soju (makes 8) – Muddle half a bottle of Jinro with one Pink Lady apple sliced into matchsticks and infuse for at least 30 minutes. Strain and divide between eight glasses filled with ice. Top with soda, lime wedges and more apple slices.

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PERFECT PRESENTING When addressing a conference or meeting, what is it that distinguishes the professional presenter from the amateur? Often, it’s the little details. As a presenter, Mike Clayton says there are a number of little things that other presenters do that make him groan inwardly. How many of these do you own up to?

Hello, I’m about to start...

How desperate does that sound? You are at the front, and you want your audience’s attention. It should be yours and you should not have to ask for it. The best option is for someone to introduce you, so they can get the room’s attention. But if you need to do it yourself, stand confidently at the front of the podium and look around the room. Keep doing this as more and more people notice you there and quieten down. The last few people will be shushed by their colleagues. Now you have control without having asked for it.

Can you hear me?

If you are using amplification, you should have tested it properly before your audience arrived, and you should recognise that little bit of reverb from the back of the room. If you are not using amplification, then your job as a speaker is to pitch your voice to the back of the room.

I am sorry, but I am not at my best today...

This may be true, and maybe you’d like some sympathy. But at the extremes, people may have paid to listen to you. Let Dr Footlights and the power of adrenalin carry you through and perform flawlessly. If your voice is going, people will know that and they will understand, so do your best and the audience will respect your professionalism of not making a fuss.

Please switch off your phones, tablets...

Firstly, most of us these days know the etiquette, and I like to trust my audience members to know when the need to step out to take an important call. Second, some people use their devices for taking notes, which is a good thing. And third, you may consider it an insult to you if I am playing Angry Birds through your presentation, but by making a hostage of me, and by humiliating me, you won’t increase your positive impact on me. There is an exception, which is if the person at the back has the sound on while they are playing games and it is distracting you and others. In this case, simply ask courteously: “I don’t know if I’m the only one who is getting distracted by that noise, but please would you turn the sound off.”

You won’t need to take notes.

Yet some people love to take notes. And some people do need to take notes, to help them remember things. Indeed, note-taking is a real compliment to you. So invite people to take notes. It creates greater levels of engagement.

I will read what’s on the slide...

Whenever I hear this, my first thought is that I can read perfectly well, myself. And my second is to wonder if the speaker put it on the slide to save themselves from learning their material. Maybe, though, it’s because they are worried that the text is too small...

Can you read this slide at the back?

As a presenter, you should know the answer, and it should always be ‘yes’. There is no excuse for a presentation with details or text too

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small for your audience to read. There are a lot of rules of thumb, but none is 100% reliable, because of the combination of room size and screen size, onto which you will project your font. So my tips are first that bigger is better, and second, nothing beats a rehearsal in the room, with someone at the back who has less than perfect vision.

I am sorry about my slides...

This one makes my blood boil. When a presenter says it, she or he knows their slides are bad. There is no excuse: fix them. Don’t apologise, just make them right.

I hope... I think... I’m sure...

These sound increasingly confident on the surface, but actually represent increasingly desperate attempts to convince yourself.

The only time to use: • I hope, is when expressing your wishes about the future • I think, is when expressing an opinion, based on limited evidence or knowledge • I’m sure, is when asked directly ‘are you sure?’

That’s an easy question...

What does this say to an audience member who has plucked up the courage to ask you a question? I think it says ‘you’re an idiot’ or ‘what kind of fool would need to ask that?’ Always be respectful of the questions you get. Repeat them so the whole audience gets to hear them, clarify them if you need to, and then take a moment to consider before answering. That moment says ‘what a good question; I need to think about that’. Your whole audience will listen all the more carefully after a pause. www.mikeclayton.co.uk

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OUTDOOR BUSINESS SUCCESS If you’re looking for beautifully-made garden furniture, look no further than Westminster Outdoor Living. Director Paul Hartley talks about the company

Tell us a bit about the company – who started it and when?

The company was incorporated in 1990 by Robert Houlton, who is still at the helm. We started from humble beginnings, operating through a handful of retailers that became two handfuls the following year. Now, 25 years later, we operate through a countrywide network of stockists and have developed business through interior-design studios. Our clearance items are always very popular on the website, and we have been successfully running a clearance showroom at our head office in Uckfield for the last few years.

The new shop opening in Tunbridge Wells in March is a big step forward in bringing the Westminster brand to the high street. We will be displaying our complete range of outdoor furniture, with the addition of Weber BBQs and cane furniture for the conservatory.

What gives your furniture the edge over other brands?

It’s the whole package, from design, quality of raw materials and manufacture, right through to the after-sales care. We are at pains to make clients aware that we use the best materials available and that cushions adhere to all the fire standards. Another relevant point is that seasonal goods need to be available in the season, so we hold very high stocks of furniture in order to make this possible.

What’s your most popular line?

An interesting question, with no real answer! Trends change year on year in relation to materials. Ten years ago our sales would have been predominately teak. Five years ago, it was synthetic weave. Last year it was aluminum, synthetic weave, moulded resin and stainless

steel. It’s an interesting time. Outdoor lounge sets are definitely getting more and more popular as people replicate their living room outside.

What’s new and what’s going to be big in 2015?

Crystal ball please! We believe that the products we are showcasing will appeal to a good cross-section of potential clients, due to the wide variety of materials and prices to suit tastes and pockets alike.

General tips on looking after garden furniture?

Leave it outside and worry about something else. Seriously, though, good-quality outdoor furniture should need minimum maintenance, such as a sponge down with soapy water. Westminster offers a range of cleaning products to maintain the furniture and covers, and to keep it clean out of season. We are always on hand to answer any maintenance questions, so all you have to do is ask! www.westminsterfurniture.co.uk

SILENCE IS GOLDEN

Revolutionary new Silent MRI scanner for The Spire Hospital The Spire Hospital in Tunbridge Wells is the first and only hospital in the South East of England to benefit from a revolutionary new Silent MRI scanner as part of its dedicated onsite Imaging Centre.

The Silent MRI scanner improves patient comfort and experience by dramatically reducing the acoustic noise generated during an MRI scan, from 110 decibels (equivalent to a rock concert) to just above background noise levels.

As well as offering a quieter scanning environment, the Silent MRI scanner has a wider tunnel that can help patients to feel less confined, as well as accommodating larger patients more comfortably. The Silent MRI Scan is also able to allow feet-first imaging, meaning that the patient’s head remains outside the tunnel magnet.

Installed in the Spire Tunbridge Wells in February, the new Silent MRI scanner allows consultant radiologists to diagnose a full range of conditions, including spinal injuries, brain tumours, joint disorders and sports injuries.

Noise is one of the major complaints from patients who undergo an MRI exam. Historically, MRI scanner manufacturers have addressed the noise issue by using a combination of acoustic dampening material or performance degradation of the scanner. With Silent Scan, developed

by GE, a radically new type of 3D MR acquisition combined with proprietary high-fidelity gradient and RF system electronics, means

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noise is not merely dampened; but is virtually eliminated at the source.

Dr. Charles Wetton, Consultant Radiologist at The Spire Tunbridge Wells, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our patients this revolutionary new silent scanning technology as it will maximise their comfort and improve their experience of an MRI scan. With less noise, patients are more relaxed and they will find it easier to lie still. As a result, we will be able to get even better image quality and this will also help to eliminate the need for repeat scans.”

To find out more about Silent MRI scanner, contact 01892 741150 or visit www.spiretunbridgewells.com

LOV E BUSINESS

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HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL Tunbridge Wells-based charity Tree of Hope is helping to transform the lives of sick children When a friend asked Corinne Gardner if she could do something to help a four-year-old girl who was suffering from a severe crippling disease, she didn’t hesitate.

“There were only 40 recorded cases of her condition in the world,” says Corinne, “and just two of them in the UK. Her parents desperately wanted to raise the money for her to see doctors in Ohio, USA, who were researching the disease.

“I soon found out how soul-destroying it could be to raise funds.

One charitable trust said: ‘You are doing what is presumed to be the responsibility of the government’. I was disgusted with this attitude.”

Corinne set about raising funds for this child and another who was suffering from Proteus syndrome. “After I had raised funds for these two children, I just wanted to get on with my life. I had been a foster parent to 26 hard-to-place children, and I really needed a holiday.”

But it was not to be, because there were more children that needed to be helped, and people thought that Corinne was the person to make it happen.

“I thought about the many who are born with crippling diseases which are not detected on pre-birth-scans. There are also many children who seem healthy at birth, but within the first six months of life, problems arise.

“There are treatments and therapies, but funds need to be available instantly. Last-minute panics to try to raise funds for surgery and treatment causes delays. This is the reason that Tree of Hope was born.”

Corinne is now Life President of the charity. “We raise funds to pay for specialist medical treatment, therapy and equipment, which is not available from other services. We are not an alternative to the National Health Service. I felt strongly that charity should mean charity, and that raised funds should help to give children a better quality of life.”

“Our mission is to transform the lives of sick children and empower families,” says Jeremy Marris, Tree of Hope CEO. “Tree of Hope offers hope to the families of sick and disabled children in the UK and Ireland who need specialist medical surgery, treatment, therapy and equipment, which would not otherwise be available to them, in order to give them a better quality to their young lives.

“With the guidance and approval of the medical practitioners in our healthcare services, Tree of Hope funds grants for medical treatment and therapy within the private sector of medicine

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in the UK. We also fund surgery and treatment by medical specialists abroad, where the specific knowledge and facilities are available, in order to treat children as quickly as possible.”

A few moths ago, Tree of Hope opened the Blossom for Children shop in Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, which takes a fresh and exciting approach to finding clothing, living aids, toys and equipment for disabled children designed to be cooler than the ‘normal’ stuff available for able-bodied children. There is also a café, and treatment and therapy rooms on the first floor for children and their mothers.

Children with hope

Read the stories of two children that Tree of Life has helped Bertie’s battle Bertie was born on Valentine’s day 2014. Unfortunately, during his labour my uterus ruptured which meant Bertie was without oxygen for approximately 21 minutes. He was diagnosed with HypoxicIschemic Encephalopathy Grade III, which has led him to have no swallow reflex, dystonia, visual and hearing impairment, and cerebral palsy. www.treeofhope.org.uk/berties-battle/ Isabella’s fight Bella was born on the 15th May in 2011. I was the happiest mummy alive. Then something I didn’t expect happened. When Bella was just four weeks old, we found out that she had cystic fibrosis. www.treeofhope.org.uk/isabellas-fight/

To find out how you can help Tree of Life in their work, visit www.treeoflife.co.uk Blossom for Children products can be found online at www.BlossomforChildren.co.uk

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