Kudos issue 13 by Kudos Kent

Your free lifestyle magazine for Kent and East Sussex

Issue 13

HELLO

Welcome to the November/December issue I love this time of year, with Christmas on the horizon (I’ve already written my Christmas wish list!). Shopping for presents used to mean putting up with crowds, pushing, shoving and queuing (have you tried Bluewater the weekend before Christmas?). These days most of us buy the majority of our gifts online – a study by PayPal found that a whopping 88% of shoppers in Britain will log on for Christmas purchases, and expect speedy delivery. One company who has always been ahead of the online game is NEXT. And they have recently launched a new delivery service – order by midday and your purchases will be delivered the very same day. So, our NEXT fashion feature on page 34 is a timely one, to highlight the service. On the subject of fashion, one event that was too late to include in our last issue was the first Fashion Fever on The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, which we sponsored in conjunction with The Tunbridge Wells Hotel – and I compered. Held over a weekend, we had two fashion shows featuring clothes from local shops on the Saturday and one on Sunday (it was supposed to be two but the rain put a dampener, or rather a downpour, on the proceedings). I was nervous about the compering aspect, but once I got into my stride, it all seemed to go well. We used local women as models, most of whom had never done anything like it before. But they all loved it, and they were all fabulous. We’re hoping to hold two events next year, one in the spring and one in the autumn, so watch this space – and get a flavour of the first one in our feature on page 42!

Elsewhere in this issue, we visit a Grand Designs house, see how schools cope with children who don’t make friends and cook festive food with local chefs. Enjoy the issue, and have a very happy Christmas. See you in the new year.

HANNAH TUCEK Publishing Director

Twitter: kudoskent www.kudoskent.co.uk

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 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.

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

WELCOME TO KUDOS

CONTENTS

47 LOVE FEATURES Upfront 12

What’s new and happening

That’s entertainment 16

Latest releases on stage and screen

What’s on 18

Local events guide

Pets corner 21

Turn the spotlight on your best friends!

Perfect gems 51

Birthstone jewellery

Yummy mummy corner 92

Our first-ever fashion show!

News of a breakthrough treatment

Flooring that gave a Georgian home the wow factor

Beauty extra 49

Home, safe home 76

Our pick of the latest products

Tips on keeping your home safe this Christmas

Ask the doctor 50

Helping you create the perfect garden 79

Cosmetic surgery questions answered

The value of garden consultancy

LOVE FOOD Gourmet delights 53

How to prevent winter damage 80

Tuck into all that’s happening around the region

Men only 96

Festive fare 55

Facing up to domestic abuse 98 DAVSS charity on helping victims of domestic abuse

LOVE CELEBRITY The Godmother 22

Actress Louise Jameson on her career

LOVE LOOKS Fashion forum 28

Meet your local fashionistas

Just in time 34

Order by midnight and these fabulous outfits could be delivered the NEXT day

CONTENTS

Making a statement 74

All about the prostate 47

Especially for mums

Especially for men

Fashion Fever 47

Local chefs share their favourite recipes

Let’s eat 60

Protecting your plants

LOVE FAMILY Heads up 88

Local head teachers answer your questions

Christmas is coming 94

Top places to meet Father Christmas

A round-up of the latest foodie news

LOVE HOME AND GARDEN Simply grand 65 From 1920s bungalow to TV star

Home, sweet home 68

Ideas to turn your house into a home

Style your home 71

The latest trends for stylish living

Heart of the home 73

Creating the perfect cook’s kitchen

65 KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

BRIGHTON BEACH

LIV E LOC AL

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Sunrise

Taken by Matt Harquail

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

LOV E LOC AL

UPFRONT What’s new and happening

EXTEND YOURSELF

Hehku Concept Centre Showroom opens in East Grinstead Thinking of adding a light-filled kitchen extension to your home, a conservatory or an orangery? Don’t do anything until you’ve visited Hehku’s Concept Centre Showroom in East Grinstead. Hehku will tailor an extension to perfectly suit you and your lifestyle and deliver a complete turn-key solution for anyone wishing to create a transformational living space. Everyone is different and, likewise, no two Hehku projects are the same. Their Cucina, Illuma and Hehku Aluminium brands work in sync to create a stunning new addition to your home, resulting in a completely bespoke kitchen surrounded in an impressive light-filled room finished in premium-grade aluminium sliding or bifolding doors, windows and roof lanterns. The Concept Centre houses their wide range of kitchens, from luxury to contemporary and traditional to Germanic, stylish orangeries, aluminium doors and traditional timber structures. You’ll find something to inspire every home-extension project. You will also meet Hehku’s industry-renowned kitchen designers, surveyors and architects, who can offer advice and assistance. Hehku is at Imberhorne Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1RL. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; Saturdays 10am to 2pm. Out of hours appointments available on request. Call Hehku on 0800 542 0852, or visit www.hehku.co.uk

WHEN THE TINKER MET TOAD

When the owner of Toad Hall in Heathfield decided to semiretire, Miles and Alison Ingram stepped in to breathe new life into the business There’s a new kid on the block in Heathfield, one that promises to be a huge success. Tinker & Toad, occupying the old Toad Hall shop, is the inspiration of Miles and Alison Ingram, and sells a mix of fascinating merchandise, old and new. From innovative cobweb felt lampshades made from Wensleydale wool and screen printed with animal designs by textile designer Clare Ashton to restored period furniture and oddities, it’s an Aladdin’s cave of treasures. Says Miles: “We started selling one-off pieces at Toad Hall about 12 years ago, then moved to renting space. When Clive, the previous owner of Toad Hall, who had been here for 20 years, told us that he was semi-retiring, we seized the opportunity. My view was to bring in new clients but keep the old ones. So, we kept Toad in the name, and added Tinker. People always used to say that I was a tinker – ‘Are you tinkering at the weekend going to buy antiques?’ – so the name Tinker & Toad was born. We took over the lease and here we are.” Miles travels as far as Scotland and down to Cornwall to find pieces, which he fits around his full-time job. “I work in the City and have done for 22 years, but Tinker & Toad is what I would like to do full time. That’s my dream.” When it comes to restoring finds at auctions Miles, and his son Connor, who also helps out in the business, aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Says Miles: “My son and I are both learning from master cabinet maker Alex O’Neil, who has worked for some of the biggest dealers in the south. But we get our upholstery done locally by Jose Miguel in Blackboys. I’ve been on an upholstery course but it’s a lot harder than it looks, so best left to the professionals.”

LOV E NEWS

Although the shop has just opened, Miles and Alison have plans to put in a coffee shop and turn the upstairs flat into more display space. Says Miles: “We’d also like to do fabrics, paint and wallpapers so it really will be like a one-stop shop.” Heathfield has changed a lot in recent years, which is encouraging for new businesses like Tinker & Toad. “There are great restaurants, a new Waitrose, and there is talk of some new interesting independent shops opening, which would be fantastic,” says Miles. Doing a full-time job in London, and with Alison working two days a week in a Chinese/Japanese gallery in Mayfair, the couple are stretched, but they are determined to make Tinker & Toad a success. Their next job is to get their website up and running. “Alison and I met at Sothebys,” says Miles. “It meant I was dealing with all sorts of different people, and that’s what I enjoy. I just hope people like and support us and our products. “I’m really excited about Tinker & Toad. It’s been hard work to get it up and running but Christmas is coming and I hope that we will see lots of people! That will make it all worthwhile.”

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

BEST-KEPT SECRET

Whether you’re organising a business event or a family party, we’ll let you in on the secret of success If you’re looking for a venue with the wow factor, check out The Secret Manor. The beauty of this tucked-away rambling house between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge is that it can be whatever you want it to be As well as family gatherings like christenings, birthday parties and anniversaries, it also makes the perfect venue for business events, seminars, corporate training, product launches or team building days. You could hold workshops there, turn it into a yoga retreat or hold a company dinner. The best part about The Secret Manor is that it’s a blank canvas. You can decorate it just the way you want, organise your own catering and bring your own drinks. And you can party all night, as there are no time restrictions. The house was bought in 1991 from the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) and in recent times Boo Saraff and her husband Owen Blackhurst have gained permission to put the whole house to work as a venue. “Whatever our clients want, we strive to give them,” says Boo. “We work closely with them to tailor everything to meet their requirements. We’re incredibly flexible – no request has fazed us yet!” The main part of the present house was built by developer and builder James Burton in 1804, and later extended by his son, the renowned Decimus Burton, who was brought up in the house. The conservatory beyond the library was a great feature and contained many beautiful and exotic plants. During the Second World War, the Army occupied the house for seven years. Officers were quartered in the house, and 50 Nissen huts were erected in the fields for other ranks. Next it was used by the Ministry of Health as a psychiatric hospital before the CPAS bought it. They restored much of the house and turned part into a conference centre.

By 1989, the house was no longer required by the CPAS and was put up for sale. “The house was in quite poor condition,” says Boo. “The church had run it as a residential camp as well as a conference centre from the 1960s through to the 1980s, and much of the décor remained from that era. “We had to do a fair amount of work. The rooms and grounds are so vast, it seemed like an endless project at first, especially due to planning restrictions, but we chipped away at it over a few years and eventually got it off the ground.” The library, bar room and terrace are Boo’s favourite rooms. “We can accommodate 100 standing – and dancing! – with room for a buffet plus the bar room. We can also provide a list of great caterers and suppliers, but clients can bring in who they wish.” So the next time you’ve got an event to plan, put The Secret Manor at the top of your list. If you would like to book The Secret Manor for your event, email info@thesecretmanor.com. Dates are getting rapidly booked up for 2016, but some 2015 dates are still available. Enquire for excellent rates. Follow them on Instagram for photos and events. www.thesecretmanor.com

HONOUR FOR SEVENOAKS SCHOOL New Beacon makes top 10 best-value schools list

Congratulations to The New Beacon school in Sevenoaks for being voted one of the top 10 best-value boarding preps in the UK, as selected by The Good Schools Guide and featured in The Telegraph. An elite education does not need to be City-based, nor do you need a City-worker budget to have your child educated at a top prep school like The New Beacon, which has a day fee of £4,745 per term, with £40 per night for boarding. The top 10 schools on the list perform alongside their urban counterparts but have the luxury of countryside fresh air and a wide array of extra-curricular options, and range from the Scottish Borders to the West Country. The New Beacon is an all-boys prep school primarily serving day students aged 4-13. Students excel at music, with nearly 300 hours of tuition taking place each week. Recent changes at the school have seen the growth of an impressive activities programme including fencing, skiing and drama. The school is situated in 21 acres of grounds which house a 25-metre pool. An impressive 70% of boys progress to Tonbridge School, 20% to Sevenoaks and a handful to Westminster, Eton and King’s Canterbury. Scholarships and bursaries are considered in special circumstances, but are at the discretion of the headmaster. The Head, Mike Piercy, said, “This is a great honour. We are very proud of all our boys’ achievements. We have always known we performed at the highest level, nationally, and we are delighted this has been recognised by The Good Schools Guide and a national newspaper.”

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

UPFRONT What’s new and happening

GET YOUR SK ATES ON

Win tickets for you and two friends to go ice skating in Tunbridge Wells We’re getting into the festive mood here at Kudos and we want to share it with you by giving you and two friends tickets to ice skating in Calverley Grounds. From Friday 20th November to Sunday 3rd January, visitors can skate in the beautiful splendour of the Calverley Grounds’ amphitheatre. Sponsored by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the 35ft x 20ft ice rink, with a capacity of up to 250 skaters, will be open seven days a week (closed Christmas Day). The ice rink welcomes skaters of all ages and abilities and is perfect for a family day out, a romantic first date or a festive office party – or just a great fun night out with friends. Community groups are also warmly welcomed. Spend the day having fun with family and friends on the rink, shop for Christmas in the centre of town, go and see the pantomime Cinderella at the Assembly Hall Theatre or dine at your leisure at one of the many restaurants and coffee shops. There really is something for everyone this Christmas in Tunbridge Wells. For the chance to win tickets (valid from Friday 20th November to Friday 4th December simply email your name and address to editorial@badbettymedia.co.uk before the closing date 18th November 2015. The winner will be picked at random.

CHARITY BEGINS AT CHRISTMAS

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

The UK’s largest multi-charity Christmas card organisation is decking the halls in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks again this year, offering an array of festive cards and Christmas gift ideas. The Cards for Good Causes seasonal shop can be found at United Reform Church in Tunbridge Wells and at Sevenoaks Library. Staffed by volunteers, the outlet sells cards for both national and local charities, and is an important source of funding for them. In keeping with the Christmas spirit, sending charity Christmas cards allows you to give twice, once to friends and family, and again to worthwhile causes of your choice. In the past five years, charities have received more than £20 million from Cards for Good Causes – representing at least 70p in every pound, out of which charities had to pay for the production and distribution of their Christmas cards and any VAT. The Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks seasonal shops are part of the Cards for Good Causes’ national network of over 300 shops, selling cards for around 275 charities and staffed by more than 6,000 volunteers. They are open 10am to 4:30pm until 19th December. www.cardsforcharity.co.uk

Following on from the success of last year’s Christmas campaign, local businesses are once again working together to attract visitors to Tunbridge Wells. In November and December, the town has a number of established festive events and late-night shopping with free parking in all of the Council’s car parks. The campaign aims to attract more visitors into Tunbridge Wells, promoting the town as the No.1 destination in the South East to shop, dine and enjoy a range of Christmas activities. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is supporting the Christmas campaign, which is being led by retailers and traders from across Tunbridge Wells and includes Royal Victoria Place, Assembly Hall Theatre, High Street retailers and Pantiles Traders. Nicky Blanchard, Centre Manager for Royal Victoria Place, says: “I’m very excited for Royal Victoria Place to be working with businesses in all areas of Tunbridge Wells this Christmas. I do believe that by working together we have a much stronger offer to tempt new customers to the town.” Join other businesses who are already involved in the Christmas campaign by contacting nicky.blanchard@cbrems.com

Buy your Christmas cards and gifts and support charities this year

Businesses in Tunbridge Wells join campaign to attract visitors over the festive period

Key dates this festive season: Santa’s Arrival at Royal Victoria Place on Thursday 19th November at 4.30pm followed by Christmas Light Switch On from 6pm; Santa’s ‘Festive Frozen Forest’ Grotto at Royal Victoria Place on Friday 20th November until 4pm on Christmas Eve; Black Friday Shopping Event at Royal Victoria Place on Friday 27th November from 8am-8pm with free parking after 4pm, Ice Skating in the Park at Calverley Grounds on Friday 20th November-Sunday 3rd January; Tunbridge Wells Farmers Market at Civic Way (outside the Town Hall) on 28th November and 12th and 20th December; Pantiles Christmas Market from 10am-4pm on 5th-6th, 12th-13th and 19th-20th December; Christmas Pantomime – Cinderella at the Assembly Hall Theatre from Friday 11th December-Sunday 3rd January; Boxing Day Sale at Royal Victoria Place on Saturday 26th December from 10am-6pm. Pay for the first two hours of parking and the rest of the day is free. 14

LOV E NEWS

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THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT Latest releases on stage and screen

IF THE SHOE FITS...

The magic of Cinderella comes to Tunbridge Wells The pantomime season is well and truly upon us... oh yes it is! With an all-star cast, a spectacular set complete with stunning costumes and two live Shetland ponies, this year’s annual pantomime at the Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells, has something for all the family. Starring CBBC’s Tracy Beaker Dani Harmer as Cinderella, Jamie Rickers from CITV and Nickelodeon as Buttons and Louise Jameson (EastEnders, Doctor Who) as the Fairy Godmother (see our interview with Louise on page 22), Cinderella is perfect for the whole family! Dani Harmer is known to millions of children for her starring role in CBBC’s highly-successful series The Story of Tracy Beaker and Tracy Beaker Returns. Dani starred as Tracy Beaker from the age of 12 and played the character for six successful series, receiving a BAFTA nomination for her performance in 2010. 2012 saw Dani perform in the hugely-popular BBC1 series Strictly Come Dancing, reaching the final with her professional dance partner Vincent Simone. She also took part in the 2013 Strictly Come Dancing National Tour, dancing with Pasha Kovalev. Louise Jameson will make wishes come true as the Fairy Godmother. Best known for her role as Rosa di Marco in BBC1’s EastEnders, she also starred in Doctor Who, Tenko and Bergerac.

The cast also includes Jamie Rickers as Buttons. Jamie is a familiar face on CITV and Nickelodeon, hosting Toonattik and Jamie and Anna’s U-Pick Summer. Cinderella is at the Assembly Hall Theatre from 11th December – 3rd January, 2016. Box office 01892 530613 or book online on www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Win a family ticket to Cinderella!

The Assembly Hall Theatre has kindly donated a family ticket for four to their performance on Saturday 12th December at 5pm. To enter, simply email your name and address to editorial@badbettymedia.co.uk before the closing date 30th November 2015. The winner will be picked at random.

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 In cinemas 19th November Katniss returns for her last battle in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2. With Panem at war, the rebels of District 13 launch a desperate attempt to kill President Snow. Katniss has been reunited with her closest friends, including Gale, Finnick and Peeta, while the tyrannical Snow grows ever more obsessed with destroying her. In this final confrontation, the dangers that await Katniss are greater than anything she faced in the Hunger Games arena. The grand finale of the globally successful franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 sees Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth return for the last time.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS In cinemas 17th December

One of cinema’s truly legendary franchises finally returns with the eagerlyawaited Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which sees a new generation of heroes fighting for the freedom of the galaxy. We return to George Lucas’ beloved universe to find it dramatically changed, and a new enemy has risen from the Empire’s ashes. Fresh faces Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron must unite with old warriors Luke, Han and Leia. The Dark Side has awoken. But so has the Light. Star Wars: The Force Awakens promises a heart-stopping return to the Galaxy Far, Far Away, bringing the iconic franchise roaring back. May the Force be with you.

LOV E EV ENTS

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

LIGHTS, CAMER A, ACTION

Local filmmakers shoot Max Payne fan film in Kent Wanna be in the movies? Maidstone-based Leroy Kincaide and Chloe Chudasama are producing a short film based around the Max Payne video games and are looking for help with the production, whether it be catering for the cast or quirky locations for filming. Max Payne: Retribution is a non-profit short fan film based on the original Max Payne video games created by Sam Lake. As a huge fan of the games, Leroy wanted to create something that other fans could appreciate and love. Taking up the challenge of using only local towns and businesses in the production, he wants to create a modern-day mob land in Kent, combining it with the look and cinematic values of a Hollywood blockbuster. To date, Leroy has been able to catch the eye of some top industry professionals, including Jon Campling, who played a Death Eater in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Jon will be playing one of the villains in the film. Leroy and Chloe have been directing and producing their own short films for just over a year. They are both self-taught and have a huge passion for the film industry after their last short film took them to the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival in 2014. With over a decade of pro-wrestling experience, Leroy is best known for his appearances on WWE smackdown. He held the All England Championship with FWA in 2010, and the IPW UK World Championship in 2009. He is also an actor and has appeared in EastEnders, The Bill, Kingdom of Gladiators and Freeman New World Order, which had its world premiere at the 2014 Cannes film festival. Chloe has worked as a project manager for one of the UK’s leading branding companies for over five years, and overseen campaigns for top

names including Adidas, FIFA and Vertu. She has also taken her creative skills into the world of fashion photography and her work has been published in British Vogue, Institute Magazine, Action on Film Festival, Vintage Life and Professional Photographer. As Max Payne: Retribution builds upon its already-growing fan base, the team are preparing for the launch of their indieGOGO campaign, to raise funds for production. If you would like to help or want more information, email Chloe at chloe@nocturnalpictures.co.uk www.maxpayneretribution.wordpress.com

NEW LOOK FOR THE ASSEMBLY HALL A facelift brings the theatre up to date

The Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells reopened for the new season following a £1.5m refurbishment over the summer. A stylish redesign has transformed the bar area into a light, contemporary space with new, comfortable furnishings. One feature of the new bar, which is the work of a local designer, is an emphasis on local produce and drinks. The auditorium benefits from new tiered seating and the balcony seating has been reupholstered in the same charcoal colour. The lower bar is now the daytime home of PUP Café, a great new play venue for under 5s and their parents and carers. Equally important but far less visible, work has been done behind the scenes to bring equipment and safety systems up to date and install new stage lifts. Councillor Jane March, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure and Economic Development said: “The theatre has had a facelift and I am very happy with the results. It is both welcoming and sophisticated, which I hope audiences will agree is a great improvement. I am also delighted we’ve used local firms like Style My Home for the project and that we will continue the local theme in the new bar. “It’s also lovely to see the lower bar transformed by the bright colours of the PUP café play equipment. “The work isn’t a long-term solution but it goes some way to addressing concerns raised about the state of the building, and it responds to customer expectations. It means we can continue to stage great shows while we decide what our plans for the theatre will be.”

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Photo credit: David Bartholomew

LOV E EV ENTS

WHAT’S ON Get out and about with our pick of local events

7TH NOVEMBER Penshurst Vintage Christmas Fair, Penshurst Village Hall Showcasing vintage homewares, clothes, jewellery and gifts, this fair is a must for all lovers of vintage. Enjoy music from past decades and stop for a well-deserved refreshment break in the pop-up tea parlour by Cherry on the Cake. Open 10am-4pm. Entry is £2. Proceeds donated to Hospice in the Weald. www.cherishthevintage.co.uk 8TH NOVEMBER Emma Johnson & The Engegård String Quartet, Frant Church Winning the ‘BBC Young Musician of the Year Award’ in 1984 launched the international career of clarinet virtuoso Emma Johnson, a career which has taken her to some of the world’s major venues. She will be joined by one of Europe’s foremost classical music groups, The Engegård String Quartet, from Norway. Tickets are £18 and available from Frant Stores, Britten’s Music Shop in Tunbridge Wells, online at www.wegottickets.com, or telephone Paul Barber on 01892 750665. 13TH-14TH NOVEMBER Appleducks Pop-Up Emporium, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells The free-to-attend event will be open from 9am-6pm and will feature a curated selection of today’s finest independent makers and artists. Shoppers will find an ample assortment of outstanding handmade goods, a perfect gift-giving solution for Christmas, with jewellery, children’s clothes (maybe a tutu or two!) and accessories, natural beauty collections and housewares. From an artist’s drawing of Skinners’s School to a bottle of Kent’s finest vodka, a sparkly new bracelet or a robin for your Christmas tree, there will be something to suit all tastes and pockets! The event is being held on the exhibition site outside Marks & Spencer on the ground floor. www.appleducks.com 21ST NOVEMBER Christmas Bazaar, St Luke’s Church, Tunbridge Wells Join in the festive fun with stalls, a Father Christmas Grotto, raffle, tombolas and children’s activities. Open 2pm-4.30pm. www.stlukestw.co.uk

The Canterbury Tales The stalls will be set among the attraction’s vibrant tableaux, which depict five of Chaucer’s most famous stories. Entrance to the fair is free and visitors will be given discount vouchers for a future visit to the attraction, so they can return with family and friends and experience The Canterbury Tales over Christmas and the New Year. The attraction’s general manager, Lyndsay Ridley, says: “Our Christmas Artisan Gift Fair is a unique experience, offering quality gifts that showcase the very best of local craft and design. Last year’s event was a huge success and we are looking forward to throwing open our doors again and welcoming festive shoppers from across the country.” www.canterburytales.org.uk 11TH DECEMBER Kent Chorus, Frant Church This year’s concert (under the direction of Richard Jenkinson) features highlights from Handel’s Messiah, and Vaughan William’s beautiful Fantasia on Christmas Carols. There will also be many well-loved carols for both choir and audience, in what promises to be a wonderful evening to celebrate the Christmas season. Tickets are £12, or £6 for disabled and children (under 15), and available from Frant Stores, Britten’s Music Shop in Tunbridge Wells, online at www.wegottickets.com, or telephone Paul Barber on 01892 750665.

22ND NOVEMBER The Concert of Hope, Knole Academy, Sevenoaks Especially Health is pleased to present a live piano concert designed to increase therapeutic alpha waves in the listener. John Levine’s Alphamusic has helped thousands of listeners with insomnia, stress, depression, concentration problems, hyperactivity, night terrors and more. Tickets can be bought from Especially Health. Tel. 01732 741181 Proceeds from ticket sales shared with Hospice in the Weald. www.silenceofmusic.com/hopeconcert

UNTIL 31ST DECEMBER Crowborough Community Centre To remember the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, memorabilia from that era will be on display at Crowborough Community Centre. The display cabinet and some of the display items have been provided by Crowborough Town Council. It is hoped to involve the wider Crowborough community in future projects, so if you would like to loan any photos or other items which you feel may be suitable for display please contact the Crowborough Heritage Group; Elizabeth Fermor – em@fermor.me.uk / Linn Law – rainbow@linn-law.co.uk

28TH-29TH NOVEMBER Christmas Artisan Gift Fair, The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales is throwing open its doors in November for the return of its popular Christmas Artisan Gift Fair – a special festive market with a medieval twist. Shoppers can enjoy some authentic mead at the famous Tabard Inn before stepping back in time to the streets of 14th-century England and browsing gifts from a host of talented Kent artisans and crafters, including yarning and knitting, wooden goods, Kent chillies, preserves and much more.

UNTIL 9TH JANUARY ‘The English’ (1974-1975), Lucy Bell Gallery, St Leonards, East Sussex Lucy Bell Gallery is proud to exhibit over 50 black-and-white photographs by renowned Magnum photographer Ian Berry from his long-term project ‘The English’. The project was originally supported by the first Arts Council Photography Bursary, and was later published as a book for which Berry photographed the English at work and at play between 1974-75. This new exhibition includes previously unseen and unpublished images from the project. www.lucy-bell.com

For more events, visit www.kudoskent.co.uk 18

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KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

PETS CORNER

It’s time to turn the spotlight on your best friends!

TAKE A BOW

Now man’s best friend can be as dapper as the man himself with this stylish novelty bow tie. Who said pets can’t do formal? Choose from 17 bright colours to add a fun touch to your pet’s appearance. They can also be worn by your cat, rabbit or any furry friend who could do with a touch of class. Perfect for pet portraits and a giggle. Price: £1.49 www.thegiftoasis.com

SELF STARTER

Take hilarious selfies with your canine with this Dog Selfie kit. It comes with various different props and outfits to dress up your pet and create super-funny photographs. Dress your dog up as ‘The Dogfather’, give him a set of human teeth, a giant tongue and much more. The set also comes with a blank board for you to write your own messages to create a truly unique and personalised photo. Price: £6.39 www.thegiftoasis.com

Meet the family from Appledore

Border Terrier Fred (left) has been with his owners, Simon and Sharon Marsh, from a pup. He’s now about 14 years old, and was joined by fellow Border Terrier Harry (right) two years ago to keep him company, The new girl on the block is Lotty the Cavapoo. She has settled in now and spends most of her day terrorising Fred by chewing his ears – he loves it really! That’s when she’s not stealing shoes and socks from their sons. Harry is not impressed and will not put up with any tomfoolery from her, but he will let her cuddle up at night with him if she is quiet!

Email a photograph and details of your pet to editorial@badbettymedia.co.uk

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

LOV E PETS

THE GODMOTHER Spreading some magic this Christmas will be actress Louise Jameson, who’s playing the Fairy Godmother in the Assembly Hall’s production of Cinderella. We talked to Louise about her career highlights and life in Tunbridge Wells

Classically-trained actress Louise Jameson became known to millions of TV viewers through her roles in such hugely popular series as Doctor Who, Tenko, Bergerac and EastEnders. Louise first played the part of Leela, Warrior of the Sevateem in Dr Who in 1977 and went on to become a travelling companion to the fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) starring in two seasons of the show. Today, Louise continues to play Leela in the audio productions produced by Big Finish. She’s also busy with theatre work and involved in Max, a new online radio station. How many pantos have you appeared in? This will be my fourth panto, but my first Cinderella. I love doing panto because children are having their first experience of a theatre and they believe you are a fairy and you bring them into this world. Cinderella has a fabulous cast – the Uglies are hilarious. It’s going to be a great show. Is it true that you asked to be involved in Cinderella? Yes, I did. I saw the flier and it said ‘all-star cast to be announced’. I thought, that means they haven’t cast it yet, so I rang my agent and said, ‘Look, this is on the doorstep. Can you chase it for me?’ And he did. All within 48 hours. It was lovely. I live half a mile outside Tunbridge Wells so it really is on my doorstep. If we get snowed in, I can just put on my snow boots and walk into town. You’ve appeared in some iconic shows such as Doctor Who and EastEnders. Do you have a favourite? My favourite show ever is Tenko. Written by women, for women, about women who actually existed. We were on the crest of that feminist wave in 1981. In fact, today I’m meeting up with all the Tenko cast. Jill Hyem, who co-wrote it, died recently and we’re going to meet in her pub. I made life-long friends when I filmed Tenko. I know it’s corny and a cliché, but it’s like a second family. We have all remained very close. Births, deaths, marriages, divorces, everything, we get together. You do a job and you might bring one friend out of that, but with Tenko it was the entire cast. Pennant Roberts, who is also sadly no longer with us, was a genius casting director. He concentrated not just on the talent of the cast, but also the personality. He managed to get a cast that gelled so well.

Picture by: Lisa Bowerman

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Did you imagine when you played Leela in Dr Who in 1977 you’d still be playing her today in audio productions? No! It has turned into my pension! It was right at the start of my career and now I’m nearing the end. It is a phenomenal gift to have been a part of it. I’m longing for a cameo appearance in the new one, to see it has come full circle. I’ll have to start chasing that soon!

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You’ve written some of the audio scripts, too. How easy do you find the writing process and have you written anything else? Yes, I have written one. I’m in the middle of writing a script for Survivors, another iconic show. I’ve written a children’s story called Beware the Goblin Men – it’s available via my website. It’s got music with it, so the children can learn the songs. I’ve also got a film script in development, although that’s just a vanity project. I find writing dialogue really easy; perhaps because I’ve spoken so much of other people’s work for 45 years, it comes easy. I find the plotting quite hard, the actual nuts and bolts, but once that’s worked out and I have the jigsaw in place, I find it very easy. You’re also involved in Max, a new online radio station. How did that come about and what does it involve? Yes, that’s really taken off. I got a phone call and then an email from James, who runs the station, saying, ‘I love your voice, do you fancy this new project?’ I thought it would be a little one-off hourlong job, but it has turned into this cult following. The whole thing is slightly tongue in cheek and all very Eighties oriented. James is a great Bergerac fan, and I guess he connected into me to being a voice of the Eighties. Do you prefer stage or screen work and why? I love radio work because you don’t have to learn the lines! I do prefer stage, though, but only with adequate rehearsal. That mass group energy is like nothing else, and the fact that it is only in the moment is amazing. It’s not recorded; it’s going to be different every night. I love the immediacy of it, the tension of it. If you muck up on a tape, you can always do it again, so you don’t give it as much commitment. The skill with film is maintaining the immediacy. With stage, you have that as a given. I’m just about to do an eight-month tour about (I’m not allowed to say what it is yet), which I have never done before. I am told you go a bit mad around the five-month mark! It will be an experience. Have you ever been tempted by Hollywood? Back in the day, I was offered a part in Hart to Hart, the American TV series that starred Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers. I went over there in the 1970s, met some producers and it almost

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happened by accident. But I had already committed to doing a play at the Bristol Old Vic, so I turned it down. I often wonder what would have happened if I had broken my contract and gone for the glamour. I have been tempted, but I don’t really like LA to be honest. I find it a bit sprawling and everybody’s an actor. It’s not in the real world, so I think Hollywood probably wouldn’t have been for me. You can’t have regrets. I have had a fantastic career and you have to make decisions that feel right at the time. I don’t think it’s my world – I certainly haven’t gone down the facelift road! What do you consider to be your career highlight? I think I would have to say Tenko again for artistic satisfaction and high profile. It’s quite hard to differentiate my professional life from my personal life around Tenko: my mum died around that time, I had my children, I became vegetarian, I found who I was. Who are your theatrical heroes? Judi Dench I absolutely adore. I would love to work with Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilson. That generation of actors are all so fabulous and truthful. Stephanie Cole, who is a good friend because of Tenko, is adorable to be around and work with. Paul Schofield was absolutely marvellous back in the day. Currently, I suppose Benedict Cumberbatch. Mark Gatis is a friend and someone who I admire enormously. I do feel a little bit star struck when I am around him. We sit at dinner parties and play silly games and I think, ‘Oh, he’s such a grown up’. I love that kind of slightly geeky mentality. Have either of your sons ever shown any interest in following in your footsteps? My youngest went that way for a little while and attended the Brit School, but this year both have started their own businesses so I am really proud of them. They are really launched now. My youngest, Tom, is married with two sons. My eldest, Harry, has just moved in with his girlfriend. They are both keep-fit fanatics and in the fitness world. My eldest works with uber-rich clients doing the whole life coaching, diet thing and my youngest works more in the trophy-wives territory. They both really love their work. They say if you love your work, you never have to do a day’s work in your life.

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Tom is also on his way to being a physiotherapist and getting those qualifications under his belt. I am also extremely proud of Harry for all the charity work he does for Help the Heroes and deprived Urban Kids – endlessly running marathons, and doing mega cycle rides (450 kilometres in four days) to raise money. So I’m dead chuffed with them. Proud mum. It’s taken a while to gently encourage them into the right area. I think it is better to be poor and train for a bit than it is just to plunge in for the easy money. The rewards are greater in the end. How long have you lived in Tunbridge Wells and what do you love about it? I did 20 years in Essex, 20 years in London and then had my babies and moved down here for the education. I’m a good old left winger and was privileged to find a house near to the best state school I could find, which at the time was Bishop’s Down. We took it from there. I love the fact that I feel like I am in the country, but I am only a mile from the station. I love that the Ashdown Forest is 10 minutes drive and London is 40 minutes away. I love the Pantiles and the jazz nights, and Trinity Arts Centre, which has really come into it’s own over the last few years. Hotel du Vin is on the doorstep, and The Beacon pub, which is absolutely fantastic, is also within walking distance. Set in 17 acres it is really lovely and has recently got new owners. It’s a real community, a lovely classy bit of marvellousness on the doorstep. How would you spend a perfect day in the town? Spot of lunch at The Beacon, and then browse the lovely junk/

antique shops along the Pantiles, followed by a walk in the Ashdown Forest and a bit of jazz in the evening. Are you involved in any local theatrical activities? No. I was very heavily involved with teenagers from 2008 to 2012, running a Sunday afternoon drama club, but the administration was really exhausting and I wasn’t getting much remuneration so I called it a day. But I stayed in touch with the kids that passed through our hands and most of them are just finishing their drama training now. They started with me at 14 and they’re now 24, coming out of colleges and starting in the business, which is lovely to see. I still occasionally help a teenager with an audition speech. What do you do to relax? I don’t have much time to relax. I do a bit of yoga and walking. I literally cannot remember the last time I had a holiday but tomorrow I’m flying off to Spain. Then I’m going to have a sober November to prepare for panto! It is really hard work, so you have to be fit. Future plans? I have this play I have just finished that we might be taking to the Edinburgh Festival – that will be at the end of this tour that I’m not allowed to talk about. I also have an audio thing, but I have to keep that under wraps for the moment, too. I can tell you, though, that next September, I’ll be appearing in a play called Diva Drag at the fringe venue Hope in Upper Street Islington. www.louisejameson.com

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SAHAR A

High Street, Tunbridge Wells, www.saharalondon.com

Kaleidoscope butterfly necklaces, £425, and marion double hoop necklace, £75

Abstract Devore silk Bubble Dress, £269

Merino wool paisley waterfall jacket, £295

LOV E FASHION

Wool red slouch beret, £29, and weston earth images silk scarf, £139

Graphic felt wool-blend coat, £185, and luxe wool jumper, £125

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Abstract floral bubble dress, £149

Velvet tuck hem dress, £215

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Weston earth images forest silk scarf, £139, Sahara jacquard scarf, £75, and wool blue slouch beret, £29

LOV E FASHION

VACANT CLOTHING

The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, www.vacantclothing.co.uk

Monica dress, £46.99

LOV E FASHION

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ODYL

High Street, Cranbrook, www.odyldesign.com

Baum und Pferdgarten Sevilla skirt, £109, and sweatshirt, £79

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Baum und Pferdgarten Dixie jacket, £199, and blue Mallory shirt, £99

LOV E FASHION

KITCH

High Street, Tunbridge Wells, www.kitchclothing.co.uk

Alpe boot, £129

Bobbi hat, £49, with detachable fur bobble, £25

LOV E FASHION

Day Birger et Mikkelsen jumper, £199

Charlotte Simone popsicle, £299

Poppy of London parka, £399

Chlobo Lubradorite rose quartz bracelet, £99

Kyboe watch, £229

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JUST IN TIME Need an outfit in a hurry, but no time to shop? Place an order with NEXT before 12 midnight for guaranteed NEXT day delivery. Sally-Ann Carroll and Team Kudos, together with NEXT, spent the day in Tunbridge Wells keeping a watchful eye and clocking the latest trends. Watch out, you’ll definitely be in for a Victoriana-style treat... Photographer: Matt Harquail

Cover: Red lace dress, £45, shoes, £38, and bracelet, £10

CREDITS

All clothing from NEXT: www.next.co.uk £3.99 for home delivery. Free to store. Location: The Tunbridge Wells Hotel Model: Natalia Krajcikova Fashion Editor: Sally-Ann Carroll Photographer: Matt Harquail (mattharquail.co.uk) Assisted by: Zac Carpenter Hair and make up: Lauren Saunders (www.lauren-saunders.com) Natalia was our top supermodel 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

LOV E FASHION

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TIME AFTER TIME

Cream blouse, £28, black pencil skirt, £28, black suede ankle boots, £40, watch, £22, ring, £10, earrings, £10, and tights, £9 pack of two

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LOV E FASHION

IT’S TIME

Printed dress, £38, suede ankle boots, £48, suede belt, £18, and watch, £24

LOV E FASHION

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TIME OUT

Knitted cardigan and scarf, £60, black boots, £75, and watch, £25

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LOV E FASHION

UTTERLY TIMELESS

Printed tunic top, £22, khaki twill chinos, £25, brown boots, £95, and bangle, £16

LOV E FASHION

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TIME TO SHINE

Black lace dress, £45, suede shoes, £35, necklace, £14, earrings, £10, bangles, £12 for a pack of seven, and black bag, £24

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LOV E FASHION

ALL IN GOOD TIME

Cream tunic, £38, black flocked leggings, £22, black shoes, £42, earrings, £10, bracelet, £14, and necklace, £16

LOV E FASHION

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Last August saw the very first Fashion Fever on The Pantiles, an extravaganza of local fashion and local models, supported by Kudos. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a taste of the weekend â&#x20AC;&#x201C; watch out for news of Fashion Fever 2016!

Special thanks to The Tunbridge Wells Hotel for all of their help and support, our fantastic fashion editor Sally-Ann Carroll and photographer Matt Harquail, our make-up artist Lauren Saunders, The White Room and Morgan Hodges for the fabulous hair, everyone who helped out behind the scenes, and of course our gorgeous models; Meral, Miri, Victoria, Kate, Teresa, Cheryl, Diane, Cookie, Steph, Marianne and Debby, who were modelling clothes from Hoopers, Sahara, OSKA, Bod & Ted, Kitch, Oliver Bonas, Vacant Clothing, Pure Collection, Chic Hangers and Hall & Co. 42

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LOV E FASHION

A SUCCESS STORY

The Tunbridge Wells Hotel on The Pantiles made the perfect setting for our fashion feature in this issue. Michal Hrusc, the hotel’s General Manager, remembers the day they opened…

The restoration of the old Swan Hotel on The Pantiles into The Tunbridge Wells Hotel three years ago revitalised one of the town’s most iconic areas. “The Tunbridge Wells Hotel opened its doors on 24th November 2012, without a soft opening,” says Michal Hrusc. “I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a cold, sunny day and the restaurant filled up very quickly – we ended up serving just over a hundred people on our first day. It has been a learning curve ever since. “Both the hotel’s owner, Julian Leefe-Griffiths, and I have a solid restaurant background, but with a new business opening, there is always so much to learn, and we both felt like Alice in Wonderland in those early days. Everything was lovely and new, and people fell in love with the newly-refurbished hotel The rooms opened on 6th December,

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a Thursday, and the following Saturday we were fully booked. We haven’t looked back since.” The hotel has 20 bedrooms decorated in a fashionable and eclectic style, many with antique French beds, complemented by modern en-suite bathrooms, most of which have both baths and showers. They use the best cotton linen and Hypnos mattresses, which provide a perfect night’s sleep For breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Tunbridge Wells Eating House offers casual, modern dining in a relaxed atmosphere from 7am to 10pm. It has fantastic views directly onto The Pantiles, making it a great place to watch the world go by. There is also The Dining Room, which is a luxurious function room. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding or business dinner, The Dining Room is the perfect location to enjoy any experience.

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Outside terrace dining is an option during the summer months; the perfect venue for people-watching or a prime location for the popular Jazz nights held on The Pantiles.Weddings are a s peciality of the hotel. They offer a bespoke service – and if you’re looking for a slightly more quirky wedding, they are the only venue in Tunbridge Wells licensed for ceremonies outdoors on the historic bandstand, in the centre of The Pantiles. Not surprisingly, Christmas is the focus of their attention at the moment. Says Michal: “With the festive season fast approaching, we have a fantastic three-course menu available for tables of six or more. We will run this menu from 16th November all the way throughout December. For those who want to party in January, we can offer the same menu. “Or why not let The Tunbridge Wells Hotel make all the effort on Christmas Day and eat with us? Our special menu includes a glass of Champagne on arrival, a choice of five starters and five mains and a selection of delicious desserts. All for just £85 per person and £35 for under-14s – under fives are free.” Call The Tunbridge Wells Hotel team on 01892 530501 for further information or email: tara@thetunbridgewellshotel.com www.thetunbridgewellshotel.com

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THE FACE OF THE FUTURE

A new facial promises a clearer, brighter complexion with long-term results

Facials have come of age, with Thalgo’s latest Mceutic Rénovation Radicale offering a medically-inspired professional cosmeceutical skincare range and treatment. If you suffer with skin irregularities such as pigmentation, acne scarring, blemished or uneven skin tone, then this is for you. This dermatologically-certified skin treatment features new ingredients Néo Skin and Marine Mesolift, which have been combined in a facial peel. Once applied, it leaves the complexion clearer and brighter, with visible reduction in surface irregularities and refined skin texture. Jess Butler, who offers Rénovation Radicale at her Tunbridge Wells salon, is full of praise for this new treatment. “It targets pigmentation, acne scarring and skin tone, and is also anti-ageing,” she says. “It’s a real results-driven facial. “For the best results, we recommend one treatment a week for four to eight weeks, but you will still see results after a one-off treatment. The facial peel has a really deep action, for long-term results. It’s a similar result to the effects of a needle facial, but without the needles! “There are three strengths of the facial peel dependent on the skin type, and with every session we up the time the peel is left on the skin for maximum results.” Thalgo says the treatments and range offer major innovations that “break away from traditional cosmetics, deliver a rigorous cosmetic treatment capable of producing visible effects on the skin with proven and measured results.” The treatment is tailored with a series of three steps designed to reconstruct ideal skin quality. An initial detailed consultation determines the grade of skin imperfections and impurities and products to be used. Then, a thorough double cleanse prepares the skin for the professional peel (determined according to skin type/concern). Three acids are incorporated in the peel (salicylic,

LOV E ADV ERTORI ALS

malic and ascorbic) to regenerate, renew and resurface the skin leaving it looking noticeably clearer.   A digito pressure point massage, using Marine Mésolift serum, and a skin boosting detoxification massage, using Pro-Detox with pure active oxygen, is carried out. The infusion of active oxygen in a 5% dose and Pure Mésolift Marin in a 10.2% concentration is designed to boost skin cells’ metabolism and maintains the appearance of youthful-looking skin. This is followed by the application of a high-dose serum mask to resurface, exfoliate and smooth the skin. The treatment is completed with an application of a light cream-serum plus an SPF50 cream for a ‘new-skin’ effect. The resulting complexion is clearer and brighter, with a visible reduction in surface irregularities, tighter pores and a refined skin texture. Says Jess: “The salon treatment is complemented by a prescriptive homecare range containing two cleansers, a seven-day peel, a seven-day detox, two cream-serums and an SPF50+ sunscreen. “I’m really excited about this treatment. I’ve seen some brilliant results – it really is the facial of the future.” Vanity Fair, 144 Camden Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2QZ Tel: 01892 616096 www.vanityfairbeauty.co.uk

Special offer: Purchase a course of four treatments for £220 and receive the skin homecare set (worth £50) for FREE

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ALL ABOUT THE PROSTATE

Consultant Urologist Alastair Henderson discusses a common men’s health problem, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, and also comments on the lastest procedure available at the Spire Tunbridge Wells hospital, the Urolift System

What is BPH? BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a slowly-occurring enlargement of the prostate gland in men. It usually occurs in men over the age of 50. How would I know if I have BPH? Men usually come to see a doctor when they have problems with passing urine. These can include: • Slow urinary stream • A feeling that the bladder doesn’t finish emptying • Frequent need to pass urine • Problems with having to wait before starting to pee • An urgent need to urinate and having to plan journeys and trips out • A urine stream that starts and stops • Getting up excessively at night to pee A Consultant Urologist is a specialist in the urinary tract including the bladder and prostate who is expert in sorting out these sorts of problems. How is BPH diagnosed? Your urologist will usually want to meet for an appointment. He may need to make sure prostate cancer is not a concern by doing a prostate examination, which involves inserting a gloved finger through the rectum to examine the prostate directly. A blood test called PSA would also be done if your GP has not already checked this. Is BPH the same as prostate cancer? No. The two conditions are different and having an enlarged prostate does not raise a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer, but symptoms can be similar. If your urologist is unsure, an MRI and biopsy of the prostate can be used to tell which condition you have. More information can be accessed at: www.tunbridgewellsurology.co.uk. Will I need any special tests? For most patients, a flow test, where you pass urine into a machine to measure the speed or urine flow, is usually done along with an ultrasound scan to check the bladder empties completely after passing water. Some men might need an ultrasound of the prostate or a telescope test before some treatments. The Spire Tunbridge Wells has excellent facilities to complete these tests quickly and easily. How is BPH treated? If a man has mild prostate enlargement and few symptoms, it may be appropriate to give advice only and wait until he needs treatment. Men are often keen to be reassured simply that the symptoms they have are not indicative of other serious conditions like prostate or bladder cancer.

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If treatment is needed, it may be that the most helpful methods are: • Tablet treatment to relax or shrink the prostate or to help with an overactive bladder • Urolift® minimally-invasive implant • Laser surgery (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate – HOLEP) All of these treatments have been assessed by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence as effective treatments for BPH. www.nice.org.uk Who can receive medication? If symptoms are mild, medication may be very effective in the short term (up to several years) but may not be suitable if symptoms are severe. Tablets may not be effective in the long term if the prostate continues to enlarge. What is a prostatic urethral lift (Urolift®) procedure? A prostatic urethral lift is a minimally-invasive procedure that can help relieve urination problems caused by an enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). It is performed as a day visit procedure in suitable men and doesn’t usually require a catheter tube to be inserted after surgery. The procedure can be done under local anaesthetic, with sedation to keep the patient sleepy, and has been shown to have good results for suitable patients. It can have fewer sexual side effects, such as reduced ejaculation or sexual performance, than some traditional tablet treatments or surgery. What about men who are not suitable for Urolift®? Men with worse symptoms, or who have had an episode where a stoppage has occurred and they cannot pass water, may require other sorts of surgery. Surgery is often best for men who have moderate to severe problems and haven’t had success with other treatments, such as medications. Men having surgery are given general anaesthesia and are in hospital for at least one night. Tissue is removed from inside the prostate gland – the area that is pressing on the urethra. Traditional electrical surgery (TURP) has largely been replaced at Spire Tunbridge Wells by laser surgery using HoLEP. This usually means that the patient can go home quicker than with traditional surgery, usually staying just one night in hospital with very good durable results for treatment. Alastair Henderson holds weekly private appointments at the Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital. For more information, please call the Business Development Department on 01892 741150. To book an appointment, please call Joy Evans, Mr Henderson’s private secretary, on 01892 740037.

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BEAUTY EXTR A

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

LIP SERVICE ALL NATUR AL

Marks & Spencer’s Pure Super Grape collection will help to hydrate and smooth your skin. It contains Hot Cloth Cleanser, Overnight Treatment Oil, Day Cream, Night Cream and Face Serum, all made with pure, carefully-selected natural British ingredients. Price: £60 www.marksandspencer.com

Sweeten your lips with a sweep of Oliver Bonas Praline & Cream Lip Balm. Full of nourishing shea butter, and infused with soothing oils, this untinted lip balm comforts dry lips, adds a subtle shine to your smile, and smells good enough to eat. Price: £7.50 www.oliverbonas.com

GOURMET TREAT

Instantly hydrate and nourish the skin with ultra-rich, whipped Soufflé Body Crèmes from Laura Mercier. The collection includes six delectable gourmand scents Ambre Vanillé, Fresh Fig, Crème de Pistache, Almond Coconut Milk, Crème Brûlée and Tarte au Citron. Price: £45 www.houseoffraser.co.uk

SEEING STR AIGHT

Keratin X Stay Straight from Hair Xpertise is an innovative straightening complex to transform curly and frizz-prone hair into a sleek smooth style. It gives thermal protection and shine and lasts until the next shampoo. Price: £9.99 www.hairxpertise.co.uk

BERRY NICE

Lightly-scented hand cream with Vitamin E, cocoa butter, lemon and aloe extracts, together with jojoba and macadamia oil for deep, easily-absorbed moisturising. The cream is infused with amber and sandalwood, topped with notes of red berries and rose to create a sensory treat. It’s packaged in William Morris’s signature Strawberry Thief print and presented in a gift box. Price: £10 www.berryred.co.uk

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ASK THE DOCTOR

Your cosmetic surgery questions answered

SOPHIE SHOTTER, MBCHB BSC (HONS) COSMETIC DOCTOR Do I have to have a facelift if I want to lift my jowls? Once upon a time, surgery was the only way to correct sagging of the jowls. Nowadays, surgery is the most extreme option on a spectrum. As we age, gravity pulls our faces downwards, which is what causes jowls to form and the fold

from our nose to mouth to deepen. We can use a variety of non-surgical techniques to achieve excellent results in this area in many people. Silhouette Soft Threads involve the insertion of fine threads with cones on them into the face, anchoring in the ligaments that attach the skin to the underlying muscle. When we tighten these threads, the face is lifted. These can be used to lift eyebrows and necks as well. Over time, the threads stimulate a healing response in the body, which causes collagen production in the skin. Using Juvederm Vycross fillers, we can also perform an eight-point lift. This involves carefully positioning small amounts of dermal filler in the specific areas of the face. This supports the skin overlying the filler and can provide an excellent improvement in the jowls. Neither of these methods will provide as dramatic results as a facelift, but they do not have the downtime associated with having major surgery. Most of my patients nowadays want a more subtle refreshed look, and these methods certainly provide that – you want to be told ‘You look really well’, not asked ‘What have you had done?’ Tel: 01732 647007 www.illuminateskinclinic.co.uk

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. TOPAZ – The birthstone for November Topaz is found in Brazil, Mexico, USA, Russia and Australia. Colours vary from deep sherry and yellow-gold to pale brown. It also comes in pink, red and blue, although the latter is virtually always heat treated to create the colour. The likely origin of the name topaz is derived from the old Sanskrit word “tapas”, meaning fire. In ancient times, it was said to ward off epilepsy and asthma and if the stones were first steeped in water to make a drink, it was used as a cure for insomnia. During the Middle Ages, it was thought that if a topaz was put in a bowl of boiling water, it would instantly chill it – the opposite of this was ruby, which was thought to make it boil! The Roman Emperor, Hadrian, owned a ring set with a topaz, inscribed with a prophecy guaranteeing the wearer good luck. Pink topaz was popular in early Victorian times, when filigree was fashionable. Oscar Wilde described the colours of topaz as being “as yellow as the eyes of a tiger, pink as the eyes of a wood pigeon and green as the eyes of a cat”. The qualities of Topaz is said to be faithfulness, true friendship and loyalty.

TANZANITE – The birthstone for December Tanzanite is the blue/purple variety of the mineral zoisite which was discovered in the Merelani Hills of Northern Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha. Named after Tanzania, it’s a rare gem found in a 5km strip at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. In fact, it’s one thousand times more rare than diamonds. Noted for its remarkably strong pleochroic properties, it appears alternately as sapphire blue, violet and grey, depending on crystal orientation. Tanzanite in its rough state is usually a reddish-brown colour and requires artificial heat treatment to 600°C in a gemmological oven to bring out the blue violet of the stone. For a range of jewellery in your birthstone, as well as Christmas gift ideas, visit Payne and Son in Tunbridge Wells. www.payneandsonjewellers.co.uk

GOURMET DELIGHTS

The local food scene is bursting with good things – here we showcase some of the best James Tanner, one half of the Tanner Brothers from The Kentish Hare, well-known restauranteur and regular TV chef

Christmas is my favourite time of year and always reminds me of my childhood in Kent, where I was born and brought up with my three brothers. This is our second Christmas at The Kentish Hare and preparations for the festive season are well in hand. Our aim when we opened in May 2014 was to provide quality, seasonal food from local suppliers, served in stylish surroundings with a pleasant ambience and friendly, welcoming staff. This time of year offers a wide variety of foods, and our menus reflect the autumnal and festive seasons, with some new and popular dishes on the menu to tantalise your tastebuds. We also offer a great selection of local ales, beers, drinks, wines by the bottle, carafe or glass, and cocktails for you to try. As the nights are drawing in, our snug and library bar are popular spots where customers can savour an aperitif when choosing from the menu, or have coffee, petit fours and liqueurs after their meal. Or they can simply relax and enjoy a drink or festive cocktail while sitting comfortably in front of our log fires. Up to the 25th November, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we have a special offer for two persons consisting of a Flat Iron Steak that comes with choice of sauces and a carafe of wine for £39.95. Booking required, and please quote Flat Iron. On Saturday morning, 14th November, at 10:45am, Chris and I will be doing our live Pre-Christmas Cookery Demonstration

and Lunch event. We will be giving you some ideas for Christmas dishes to impress your family and guests, finishing off with a three-course autumnal lunch cooked by myself, Chris and the team. The cost of this event is £45 per person and booking is essential as places are limited; please quote Demo. Our Christmas Party menu will be available from 1st to 23rd December, Tuesday-Thursday, £26.95, Friday-Saturday £29.95. For further details and booking, please contact Melvyn, Paul or Caroline on 01892 525709 or email: enquiries@thekentishhare. com. Full details and menus are now on our website www.thekentishhare.com. We look forward to seeing you soon! If you are ever visiting the West Country, our sister restaurant, The Barbican Kitchen, housed in the world-famous Plymouth Gin building in the Barbican in Plymouth, is well worth a visit. www.barbicankitchen.com

Head chef Manuel Mattozzi, Perfetto restaurant in Sevenoaks and Ightham

Having only opened our doors at the end of April, we haven’t yet had the pleasure of experiencing the lead-up to Christmas in Sevenoaks. Our diary is already jam-packed with bookings and events for December, which we’re very excited about as we love any excuse for a party! Hopefully, we can also share some of our Italian traditions with you at this special time of year. Christmas for Italians is all about feasting and getting the whole family together to celebrate. You can’t help but be nostalgic for the traditions you had when growing up. As a young boy, Christmas lunch was always at my grandmother’s house. She would invite the whole family and, believe me, there were a lot of us! She would spend days preparing different courses. Among the typical dishes that opened the celebrations would be tortellini, filled with seasoned ground meats and cheese and served in a clear broth. This was always preceded with her mushroom pancakes. The smell of fried mushrooms would fill the house and all the children in the family would start to get excited about the impending feasting! These pancakes would be enjoyed with a glass of chilled

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Verdicchi of Matelica (white wine from Le Marche) for the grown-ups and a glass of soda for the kids. So why not bring a flavour of Italy to your traditions and add mushroom pancakes to your Christmas feast? Check out page 55 for my grandmother’s recipe. www.perfettorestaurants.com

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FESTIVE FARE

Cook something a little bit special this Christmas with these favourite recipes from local chefs

Kulfi Habib Siddiq from The Cinnamon Square Indian restaurant in Hildenborough tells us about Kulfi – a deliciously-sweet Indian ice cream that is often served during festivals Ingredients:

Image for illustrative purposes only

300ml evaporated milk 300ml condensed sweetened milk 450g whipped cream 4 slices white bread, torn into pieces ½ tsp ground cardamom A few drops of rose water or ground pistachios, if liked

Method:

1. Combine evaporated milk, condensed milk and whipped cream in a blender with the rose water or pistachios if using and blend in pieces of bread until smooth. 2. Pour mixture into a 22x33cm baking dish or plastic ice cube trays, sprinkle with cardamom and freeze for 8 hours or overnight.

My Grandmother’s Mushroom Pancakes Head chef Manuel Mattozzi of Perfetto restaurant in Sevenoaks and Ightham shares this special family recipe Ingredients:

600g wild mushrooms Salt, pepper 3 eggs 20g flour 60g cornflour 8g baking powder Parsley and chervil, chopped 1. Peel, cut and marinate mushrooms in salt and pepper for half an hour, drain the water off. 2. Make a batter with the eggs, flour, cornflour, baking powder and herbs. Add the mushrooms to the batter. 3. Heat a small frying pan of oil to 1650c, and with the help of two spoons, portion the batter. Fry each pancake for about two minutes, drain and season. Buon Appetito! KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Image for illustrative purposes only

Method:

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Guinness braised feather of beef with horseradish dumplings The Nevill Crest & Gun, Eridge Ingredients:

For the braised beef in Guinness: 4 x 8-9oz feather blade beef steaks  Diced Mirepoix: 2 carrots, 1 onion and 4 sticks of celery 1ltr good-quality beef stock  500ml Guinness 1 tbsp tomato purée   2 tbsp Worcester sauce  2 bay leaves  1 sprig of thyme, plus extra to finish sauce For the colcannon mash: 4 large potatoes made into mash  1.25k finely-shredded green cabbage  1 bunch of finely-sliced spring onions 25g butter Salt and pepper For the dumplings: 4.5oz self-raising flour  2.5oz shredded suet  1 tbsp strong horseradish sauce  Chopped parsley

Photo credit Matt Harquail

For the vegetable accompaniment: Whole roast carrots and parsnips Olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped thyme Buttered Curly Kale

Method:

For the braised beef: 1. Heat up a roasting tray, add a little oil, seal the beef feathers until brown, remove the meat and set aside on a tray. Add the chopped root vegetables to the tray and sauté until golden brown. Add the Guinness, beef stock, tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves and thyme. Place the beef back in the tray and cover with foil. 2. Braise the beef slowly for 2-3 hours until it’s cooked through and soft.  3. Remove the tray from the oven, leave to cool for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the beef. Thicken the remaining liquor, if required, and check seasoning and flavour. Check the sauce – it might need a little more Guinness. Strain the sauce and add finely-chopped thyme. For the colcannon: 1. Melt the butter, add finely-chopped spring onions and cabbage and sauté until soft. Mix into the mashed potato and season.

For the dumplings: 1. Mix self-raising flour and suet, add the horseradish cream, chopped parsley, seasoning and mix in a little cold 56

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water. Knead into soft pliable dough and roll 25g balls. Place in a tray with 10mm of braising liquor, cover with tin foil and bake in oven for 15 minutes at 1800C/1600C fan/gas mark 4. Remove the dumplings from the liquor and keep to one side. For the vegetable accompaniment: 1. Wash kale and pick off the stalks.  2. Peel carrots and parsnips, split them lengthways in half, blanch in salted boiling water and finish in a hot roasting tray with a little olive oil, seasoning and picked thyme. 3. Drizzle with a little honey at the end.

Serving notes:

1. Place the braised beef and sauce in an ovenproof dish, cover with tin foil and re-heat in the oven until piping hot. 2. 20 minutes before serving, remove tin foil and add the dumplings to the braised beef and sauce, leaving un-covered. 3. Reheat the mash in a thick-bottomed pan with a little cream, if needed. 4. Wilt the kale in a hot pan with a little butter salt and pepper.  5. Reheat the roasted carrots and parsnips in the oven.  6. Place the braised feather blade on the plates, followed by the dumplings. Spoon the colcannon to the side leaving enough space for the curly kale and root vegetables. Spoon the sauce over the meat and dumplings.

www.nevillcrestandgun.co.uk

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Marmalade Glazed Ham James Tanner of The Kentish Hare in Bidborough shares this easy festive Christmas recipe with the “wow” factor, which will last for a few days (unless eaten!) after cooking. It has a lovely marmalade glaze which gives it a delicious sticky finish, and is superb with cheese, crusty bread and chutney Ingredients:

20 cloves 250g good-quality marmalade 150g light brown sugar 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard 3kg smoked gammon joint 2 large carrots, cut in half lengthwise to use as a trivet if you haven’t got a rack to fit your oven tray

Method:

Image for illustrative purposes only

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. 2. Take the gammon and remove the rind in one piece and keep. Using a knife, score the fat on the gammon (not the meat) with large criss-cross diamond-shaped lines. 3. Place the gammon on a rack of carrot halves in a roasting tin, cover the gammon with the rind and add 250ml of water to the tin. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 1½ hours. 4. Remove from the oven; take the foil and the rind off the ham, leave to cool slightly. 5. Stud the cloves on the gammon. Put the orange marmalade, sugar, mustard and 25ml water in a pan and bring to the simmer, then spread and brush over the gammon joint. 6. Put a splash of water into the baking tray if evaporated from cooking before and place the gammon back in the oven (the water helps keep it moist and stops the sugars

from burning on the bottom of the tray) and cook for a further 30-40 minutes, basting frequently until the gammon has a golden glaze and is cooked through. 7. If necessary, add more water to the roasting tin as you cook. 8. Allow the gammon to rest for 30 minutes before carving, and serve. Perfect for a Boxing Day lunch with cheese, crusty bread and chutney.

KITCHEN TALK

Cook up a storm in this stunning kitchen

If you’re entertaining large groups of friends or family this Christmas, then a sociable yet functional kitchen like this is ideal. Discreetly integrated appliances include a fridge freezer and a dishwasher, to ensure that nobody gets stuck with the washing up! The Aga makes light work of all your cooking needs, while the informal seating area means guests can gather round in comfort, keeping the chef company as he or she rustles up a feast to remember. www.rencraft.co.uk

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Pan-seared chorizo with balsamic roasted cherry tomatoes Chef Ian Cook of The Brecknock Arms, Bells Yew Green, devised this deliciously simple starter Serves four Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients:

Now in their second year as hosts of the revamped Brecknock Arms in Bells Yew Green, Sally and David Fawcett have transformed this tired hostelry into a thriving country pub and restaurant, serving fine Harvey’s ales alongside an eclectic menu. From its now-legendary beer-battered cod and chips to steaks and home-made pies, there is something for all tastes, and a children’s menu to boot! Sunday sees a separate roast menu, with other choices also available and with Christmas not too far away, the Brecknock is offering a three or four-course set menu with a number of selections, priced at just £18.95 and £22.95 respectively. See the Brecknock website for details. Brecknock Chef Ian Cook, yes that is his real name (!), has created this different starter for Kudos readers to try. Tel: 01892 750237 thebrecknockarmskent@gmail.com www.thebrecknockarms.com

8 thick slices Chorizo, halved (approx 100 g) 250g cherry tomatoes 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp chopped or dry oregano ½ small red onion, chopped 1 garlic clove

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. 2. Pan-fry the onion for 2 minutes until coloured, add garlic and fry for a minute or so more. 3. Toss with tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar, then place in the oven for 6 minutes or until the tomatoes soften. 4. While this is in the oven, heat a heavy-based pan over a medium heat, add the chorizo and sear for 1 minute on each side. 5. Divide the tomato mix and seared chorizo between 4 serving plates. Drizzle the pan juices over the chorizo. Serve with thin ciabatta toasts.

Meet the man who’s putting the local back into his local

Welcoming locals back into Eridge Green’s Nevill Crest and Gun is high on the list of priorities for new landlord, Ian Huxley, who takes over the management of the pub restaurant later this month. After a successful two years leading its Sussex sister pub, The Bolney Stage, Ian is bringing his friendly style, flair and creativity to The Nevill, which was lovingly restored six years ago. Joining him will be wife Fran, their children Vickie and Shaun, and pet spaniel, Jak Jak, all very much looking forward to becoming part of the local community. Ian, who has lived in the area for over 16 years, always admired the Nevill, and after its refurbishment, added it to his wish list as a pub he would love to manage. Now, having proved his worth at The Bolney and prior to that The Cat Inn in West Hoathly where his team were awarded a Michelin Bib, Ian’s dream has come true. With his plans to support nearby suppliers and tempt the community through the doors, he’ll be putting the “local back into the heart of the local”. “What is a local pub without locals?” says Ian, “simply a soulless restaurant! I anticipate my pub to be brimming with great characters, warmed by local ales and wines from places like Chapel Down and The Black Cat Brewery in Groombridge.” Ian is also very keen to develop relationships with his neighbourhood suppliers by buying in more locally-grown ingredients and produce for the pub and restaurant. “There is such an abundance of suppliers of fine produce in the Tunbridge Wells area,” Ian continued. “I’m really looking forward to meeting with our vineyards, breweries, butchers, bakers and vegetable growers. “If the locals can grow our produce, brew our beer, ferment our wines and adorn our beautiful pub with fresh flowers, then I owe LOV E FOOD

it to them to offer a venue where they can come and genuinely feel part of it.” Once settled into life at the Nevill, Ian and Fran have plans to host events in spring and summer next year involving the community, making the most of the attractive gardens that surround the pub. Said Ian: “Our gardens are lovingly cared for and the play area for children is safe and fun. Dogs are always welcome in the bar, so their owners are able to enjoy a drink after a walk in the beautiful surrounding countryside. “I want the Nevill to stand out, be a friendly fun place, be talked about by locals, by business people, mums and dads and serious diners and, most of all, I want everyone to feel welcome.” Ian and his family are planning an informal “Meet the New Manager’ event with drinks and nibbles on 12 November, for people to drop in and meet them and his team between 6 and 9pm. Location and further information can be found on the website: www.nevillcrestandgun.co.uk KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Congratulations to The Huntsman pub in Eridge on being awarded Public House of the Year by independent family brewer, Hall & Woodhouse, during a Gala Dinner at Goodwood Racecourse. Each year, Hall & Woodhouse invites all of their business partners (tenants) to the annual dinner to celebrate the achievements of every pub in the estate. The evening saw the business partners enjoying drinks and entertainment in the beautiful grounds of the Goodwood estate, followed by a delicious three-course meal, which culminated with the prestigious awards ceremony. Seven awards winners were announced, with the most coveted award of Public House of the Year going to The Huntsman for excellence in all areas. Judges particularly commented on the team’s commitment to innovation, growth, the community and their beer quality. Says landlady Emma Welch: “It’s so refreshing and reassuring that in today’s restaurant and gastro-led world, there is still a place for good, old-fashioned ‘proper pubs’. The award recognising this is appreciated by the whole Huntsman team and local community.” Tucked away, off the beaten track, The Huntsman offers a taste of times gone by. This pretty traditional pub has a lovely garden for outdoor eating and drinking, with a river running at the bottom. Emma and Jim Welch took it over five years ago. They didn’t want a gastro pub – they wanted a traditional ‘old-school’ pub with a difference, and so they set out to create something very special. It’s certainly special indeed!

LET’S EAT

A round-up of the latest foodie news

R ACK IT UP

Stock up for Christmas and store your wine in this solid oak rack, which is available in various finishes and colours. Price: from £365 www.davidsalmon.co.uk

FILL IT UP

This stunning hammered copper Moscow Mule Mug is beautiful to behold, and even better when filled with your favourite warming tipple! Snuggle up by the fireside and bask in the glow from this lustrous vessel. Exclusive to Steamer Trading, £24.95 each. Available from Steamer Trading stores throughout the UK, and online at www.steamer.co.uk

CHEERS!

Premium men’s grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge has launched a new beer dubbed ‘The Ultimate Pale Ale for Real Men’. Made with Citra and East Kent Golding’s hops combined with the finest of British ingredients, the Ultimate Pale Ale is unpasteurised and unfiltered, with a strong, uncompromising flavour. Price: £2.70 a 500ml bottle from www.tuckersmaltings.com www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk

FRUITY TREAT POPPING!

Hand-popped Portlebay Popcorn’s Cinnamon Swirl flavour is the ideal gourmet snack to spice up your festive celebrations this party season. Made with warming cinnamon and a hint of apple, this sweet popcorn is made in small batches to ensure freshness and crunchiness. Delicious as a snack with a glass of mulled cider or port on a chilly night. Price: from £1.70 www.portlebaypopcorn.co.uk

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Echo Falls has launched a new range of Fruit Fusions, which are the perfect antidote for cold winter nights. The new flavours include Winter Spice, a mix of orange, lemon and cinnamon flavours to serve with ice or mulled; Cocoa and Orange, a silky, chocolatey-flavoured treat with a citrus twist to serve chilled; and Orange and Cranberry, a delightful union of citrus and red fruit with a festive burst of orange and cranberry flavours, to serve warm. Price: £5.99 KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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SIMPLY GR AND When architect Ben Hebblethwaite designed a maritime-style home for his uncle James in East Sussex, little did he realise that it would become a star of TV’s C4 show, Grand Designs

Take a 1920s bungalow in the corner of a field on an East Sussex flood plain, add an owner who hates houses and would rather live on a boat and you have the recipe for a building disaster. But architect Ben Hebblethwaite turned this potential disaster into a huge C4 TV success. His amazing design floats above the marsh on stilts, is clad in acres of timber and topped with a roof that looks like the giant keel of a sailing vessel. And the rising height of the walls means the windows are huge and the views are amazing – even from the toilet. But creating this masterpiece was no easy task. Says Ben, a partner in Godsmark Architecture in Kent: “My uncle, James, had a bungalow, called Nirvana, on my granny’s farm on the Rother Levels, right beside the River Rother. It was built in the 1920s, and back in 2010 my uncle started talking about knocking it down and building a new house.” However, Ben faced a problem. James has always hated houses. Boats are his thing – he owns eight. According to James, most houses are bland, boring and have no character, so Ben came up with an intriguing design for a boat-like home. “It was to be a timber building on stilts, because it’s on a flood plain. In fact, it will become a much more sturdy and dry home, to replace a shack on the flood-plain. It’s designed to be a base for someone who wants to live outside, overlooking the river and the fields.” James gave Ben’s design the go-ahead and Ben set about making the one-off new build happen. No easy feat for a site in the middle of agricultural land and within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, he presented his sketch drawings of the new house to the planners at Rother District Council. “I had no idea how they would take it, but they thought it was an innovative and contemporary design that would be an interesting project, and were very supportive. “Once we knew we had the support of the planners, things went quiet for a year as my uncle wanted to make sure he had the money in place. Then we put in the planning, which went through, and I worked up the details of the design. “In November 2013, the bungalow was demolished and we cleared the site, moved the incoming electrical mains and sorted out the water supply. At the beginning of 2014, we started building the foundations. The pile foundations – there

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are 22 of them – are 12m deep into the ground and rise to become concrete stilts above the ground, supporting a concrete structure of beams. “I invited local building company Hemsted to tender for the timber frame construction. Their MD, Vicky Risebrow, was really excited about the project. She was doing the renovations on my own house at the time – my family had recently moved from Peckham in south London to Woodchurch, close to the site of the new build. “In fact, it was the rebuilding of the ‘shack’, which is actually called Nirvana, that I suspect drew me down here. I mentioned the project to Vicky and she really wanted to be involved. “She and her team built the timber frame construction on top of the concrete floor. She had fantastic carpenters working on it; their level of workmanship and attention to everything we wanted to do was second to none. Everyone who worked here just loved the place and the design. It was something unusual, and they really wanted to throw their all into it – which they did. “It’s a single-storey home of three bedrooms, and two bathrooms – essentially, a bungalow raised on stilts. It’s just 100 square metres, but it’s surrounded by several terraces. There are steps up to a front terrace and a big sliding door, which is the main entrance to the living space. On the opposite side of the living space is another fully-glazed sliding door opening onto a rear terrace that reaches round to the main bedroom off one end of the living space. Off the other end is a corridor that leads past the bathroom to two bedrooms. One of those, right at the end of the building, has its own little terrace. Going back to the main bedroom, where that rear terrace reaches round to, there’s an en-suite shower room where you can sneak out to a huge 25-squaremetre porch with a very high ceiling and opening slats all the way round. That’s the covered relaxation area or boathouse workshop area, with a ramp that leads down to the river. “Most of the fences in Sussex and Kent are made from sweet chestnut and because the house is in a field, it needed to be constructed from natural materials. So apart from the concrete and plasterboard, the building is all timber. The insulation is a special timber fibre, and the cladding is horizontal planks of sweet chestnut to relate to the fences in the area. There are gaps between the boards so it has a tactile lightness to it.” It was an ambitious build, not without its challenges, not least when the first company – employed for the entire build – went bust, taking somewhere in the region of £90,000. Says Ben: “We had to make sure there was a robust defence to the threat of flooding, which is why we raised it up on stilts above the flood level. Another one of the big problems was the power lines coming from Dungeness and carrying 450,000 volts that just skim past where the boathouse workshop area is. The guidelines with regards to building in close proximity to power lines were a cause of great concern, but we managed our way round the site constraints to make the construction possible. The concrete work took a long time, as the ground got saturated while we were doing the foundations, and then the contractor who started the works went bust.”

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The fact that Ben was building the house for his uncle made it very different from other commissions. “It felt very personal,” he says, “because I had previously holidayed in the original Nirvana with my family, it was a site I knew well. I was working for my uncle, so by its very nature, the commission was personal. It was my uncle’s money so I wanted the design and delivery of the build to be efficient. Also, what made it personal to me was that my uncle just loved the design that I came up with and let me run with it from the very beginning, so I didn’t feel I had to get him to drive the project. All I had to do was tap into the nature of the building and what it was calling for. “Fortunately, he has been very pleased with the result, although we had to make big compromises. I had to find £90,000 of cost savings following the original tenders received from potential contractors, so I shortened the building in two places by chopping off two metres of length, and reduced the scope of the terraces. The front terrace was going to wrap around the front of the boathouse, so it would link in much better with the house. The rear terrace was going to be twice the depth to allow space for dining, with more steps going down. But now it’s a modest size, big enough to sit out with a coffee table. We also added a secret door from the en suite to the boathouse as an emergency access as otherwise it’s only accessible from the river. So although the circulation and floor areas are compromised, I see it as a really successful version of what it could have been. “We had to rein ourselves in and think, OK, just go back to basics. All we wanted was a shack and a workshop. The fact was, the whole design got carried away and we said, yes, we’ll have al fresco dining here and we’ll have this linkterrace wrapping round there… you can rein all of that back in because with such a strong spirit of a basic design concept you realise you can lose all those additional wish list items without losing the spirit. So we know it’s a very successful version, made all the more successful because Hemsted put their heart into its construction. “When the first builders went bust, I thought, right, this project is doomed. That’s it. It’s going to be impossible to not have that history visible in the end product. I just thought somehow it would manifest itself in what you’d see, but the building stands so proud and fantastic, you can’t see that it

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was a hell of a struggle to deliver. So we are really pleased with it, as are Hemsted.” Hemsted employed local company Causeway Joinery for the project. Their team consists of Paul Chapman and Kerry Gibb (brother and sister) in their office, and four fully-qualified bench-joiners and a trainee bench-joiner. Says Paul: “We were asked to manufacture windows and doors by Hemsted, with whom we have worked on a number of occasions. “Ben had specified that Accoya be used in the construction of the joinery, due to the house being situated in a marine environment. Accoya is a treated-wood product which is a very durable material with a long life-expectancy when the correct fixings and finishes are used. “We used a spray finish to a specific RAL colour, and we colour-matched the trickle-vents on the windows. We also had to make sure that all the stainless steel ironmongery did not compromise the life-expectancy of the timber.” The fact that the project was featured on C4’s Grand Designs has been a huge bonus. “I think that was my uncle’s idea,’ says Ben, “so we approached them and they came down to the site and interviewed me and James. Then we got the news that C4 wanted to proceed. “My uncle is quite an eccentric character. He lives on boats and hates houses so the programme researchers loved the question of whether his nephew could persuade him to live in a house. They had fun with that. Filming wasn’t too intrusive, and there were only a couple of days when the builders were told to be quiet, which was a bit of a pain for them, but they loved it really. The filming production team were so supportive of the project, and absolutely loved the build right from the start. As did Kevin McCloud who had so many complimentary things to say that didn’t make the final cut. My biggest concern all the way through was that it wouldn’t be a grand design. I’m so pleased that it does actually feel like a ‘grand design’: Kevin said, ‘Oh yes, this more than fits the bill!’ So that was a relief.” Nirvana indeed. www.godsmarkarchitecture.com www.hemsted.co.uk www.causewayjoineryltd.com

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

GET A RIPPLE ON

The elegant rippling of this stunning Kelly Hoppen metal vase catches the light beautifully to enhance the textured surface. The antique silver finish will complement a range of interiors and floral displays. Price: £55 www.kellyhoppen.com

CHRISTMAS STYLE

Make Christmas extra-special this year with these lights and decorations from our favourite store, Neptune, in Tonbridge. Left to right, industrial-style Latimer hanging lights, from £6; Millie Marzipan fabric decorations, £9 for a set of four; and Cavendish Star Hurricane Lantern, £17 for medium and £24 for large, and Tealight Holders, £43 for a set of six. www.neptunetonbridge.com

JUST FUR YOU

These gorgeous soft fur cushions and throws will certainly keep you warm this winter! Available in 12 different colours. Price from £47.50 for the cushions and from £186 for the throws. Available from Skinners of Tunbridge Wells. www.skinnersoftunbridgewells.co.uk

ON THE R ACK

Hang up your bike with these Trophy Wild Bike Racks. Choose from a variety of animal-shaped bicycle holders that safely store your prized wheels and look great in your home, with or without the bike! Made by Kent-based designer Ross Dolton, they come in various colours and finishes. Price from £89, for a plastic rubber finish, £129 for fur and £189 for luxe copper with hand-stitched leather. www.trophybikeracks.com

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STYLE YOUR HOME The latest trends for stylish living CHANGING SEASONS

With Christmas on the horizon, an interiors shop may not be the first place you think of to source presents for your friends and family. However, if you’re bored of seeing the same things each year, visit us at our showroom at 6 Castle Street in Tunbridge Wells, where you will find a fabulous selection of sumptuous fur throws in a selection of 12 different colourways to curl up with on a sofa or add a touch of luxury to a bed. Then, of course, there are our exclusive candles in a range of winter fragrances. Decorating your home for the festive season need not be confined to a few days each year; slight alterations can have a huge impact whilst keeping costs to a minimum. Why not change your cushions for the winter period, bringing warm, rich colours to your rooms, then swap them for lighter linens and cottons in the summer months. Choose from our own selection or alternatively, select a fabric of your choice from our extensive library of books and swatches for us to make up, giving you a truly individual, bespoke finish.

Sarah Bellamy

Owner www.skinnersoftunbridgewells.co.uk

FOR THE BEST-DRESSED TREE

Whatever your theme this Christmas, these beautiful decorations will complement any style. From left to right: Aspen £10, Anabel £21 and Betty £28. All prices are for a set of six. www.neptunetonbridge.com

TAKE IT AS RED

Bring some festive colour to your home, with this Sigma dining table and stylish red Sami chairs. Made in Italy by Calligaris, the table comes in a choice of different woods, with a wood or tempered glass top, and the chairs are available in a range of colours. Price: £1,755 for the 160cm extending table; £229 for each chair. www.davidsalmon.co.uk

A WARM WELCOME

The fireplace plays an important role at Christmas. Make sure you are stylishly warm with the Stovax Huntingdon 30 wood-burning and multi-fuel stove, which combines refined cast-iron styling with significant heating capacity, making it the ideal choice. Dual air levers, allowing you to select the amount of flames and heat output to suit your needs, provide exacting control of combustion, and there is also an external riddling feature to aid the efficient burning of smokeless fuels. It comes in a choice of five finishes. www.woodstovetrading.co.uk KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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HEART OF THE HOME

An unusual-shaped space proved a challenge for kitchen designers Jones Britain, but they created the perfect cook’s kitchen

When kitchen design company Jones Britain in Heathfield was asked to create a kitchen that was spacious with plenty of working surface, it was a brief they relished. “Our client is a keen cook,” says Dan Stronge, director of Jones Britain, “and wanted two standard ovens as well as a combination microwave and a steam oven, but didn’t want the bulky look that all these appliances would create if grouped together. The kitchen design had to be light, bright and interesting, with a major focal point. Casual dining for two or three people was also required, with chairs rather than stools. A minimal mixture of paint and wood was also requested to break up any starkness.” A slightly more traditional kitchen style was discussed, with the buzz words ‘elegant’, ‘stylish’ and ‘functional’. “Other companies had insisted that the sink should be tucked around the corner under the window, facing the garage,” says Dan, “but I felt it would work better facing the more interesting garden, and that coffee and refrigeration should occupy that area instead. This left a long run for the hob and ovens, giving us plenty of scope for planning the run with interesting features.” Rather than a mantle that would usually stick out, Dan set it back between two oven housings, but by making the mantle in wood, it gave the impression of being dominant. KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

A breakfront for the hob gave extra weight to the run, and adding a glass splashback with under-lighting gave it a modern twist. Says Dan: “With the outside walls planned, we were left with a tricky kinked L-shaped space in the middle which made it difficult to produce an island that would both work with the space but also look fantastic. So we designed the island space to the maximum and created a boomerang shaped island with two circular points, one for chopping and prep and the other as a table. “Whilst designing the island, we also had to take into consideration the ceiling and the mass of RSJs which we decided to hide with a bulkhead. The island was mirrored onto the ceiling and extended to give a cloud-like shape. This and the island became the main focal point in the room, and a really large working area for the kitchen, avoiding the necessity to walk great distances when preparing food.” What the clients said: “We are absolutely delighted with our new kitchen. We occasionally send a photo to friends overseas and, without exception, they all say it’s like something out of a glossy magazine.”

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MAKING A STATEMENT

When James Greenwood decided to update his Georgian home, Pantiles House in Tunbridge Wells, he knew that he wanted something special for the flooring. Local company Timbered had the perfect answer

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Pantiles House in Tunbridge Wells is a lovely Georgian property that James Greenwood bought in December 2014. Says James: “I wanted to introduce my own particular style to the house and complement the character that already exists. One aspect which was in need of particular attention was the flooring to the ground floor and first-floor landing. “For me, the flooring is a major statement to the property, especially the hallway as it’s the first thing you see when you enter and the last thing you see when you leave. It really needed to be in keeping and, if carried out correctly, present a real wow factor.” James turned to local company Timbered, located at Holme on Chapel Place, to do the work. “I initially went online looking for a timber and flooring specialist,” says James. “Ideally, I wanted to source someone local if I could, so I contacted a number of companies, including Timbered. When I spoke to Managing Director, Laurence Warburton, it was clear to me that he was very qualified and knowledgeable about timber flooring. “He took the time to come to the property to fully gauge my requirements and present some ideas of his own which, given my lack of knowledge in this field, was immensely helpful. “This was all new to me and I suspect I was a little confusing at times. However, Laurence remained patient and ultimately made sense of what I was saying. “He kept an open mind throughout the discussion and together we came up with the perfect solution for my property, Bastille Oak timbered flooring. “The end result is something that looks very much in keeping with the Georgian style, which is what I wanted to achieve. If you walked into the house when it was first built, this is what you may have seen. “The beauty of the firm being local was that I was able to go to the showroom and see the timber in situ. It’s one thing talking it through and looking at pictures online and quite another seeing it in the flesh!” James was more than happy with Timbered’s attentive service, as he explains: “As a layman, you have a vision but you don’t really know how it will unfold. Working through a project like this, KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

things change and working with a team such as Timbered allows you to adjust to situations positively. Laurence has a great team of people working for him; they are trustworthy, engaging and you feel that they genuinely want you to be delighted with the end result. “Communication was key to the success of the project and in this regard, we were kept informed throughout the process. They are a very professional team and I would heartily recommend Timbered to family and friends. Laurence came over regularly to the property to provide additional support and advice, reinforcing the beauty of using a local business.” And is he happy with the end result? “Absolutely! It’s a sensational natural timber floor that’s in keeping with the property and enhances the beauty, not just today but for the future as well. Without doubt, it will stand the test of time. It’s a natural floor and it will age beautifully, only getting better and better.” www.timbered.co.uk www.holme-uk.com Photography by Juliet Murphy www.julietmurphyphotography.com

About Bastille Oak timbered flooring

This is a 10-year air-dried northern French oak. The flooring is not overly manufactured, giving a real authentic feel with plenty of character with a naturally undulated surface. It comes from responsibly-sourced trees that have been cut into square logs and left out to suffer 10 years of the natural weathering process. They are then planed to leave the natural undulated cracked weather face, but milled with a flat underneath and tongue and groove, meaning the flooring is suitable for installation in any commercial or domestic environment. Timbered hand-scrape the board edges and hand-sand the face, keeping as much of the original saw mills band saw lines on the face as possible. They do not use stains to create their finishes; the range of colours comes from science and chemicals that react with the oak’s natural tannins. In effect, they trick the wood to recreate the ageing process that occurs over decades, with various applications giving different shades and depth of colour.

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HOME, SAFE HOME

Tim Keywood of Prism Alarms & Security has tips on keeping your home safe from burglars this winter

Despite my best efforts to convince myself that the winter isn’t here, I have now admitted defeat. I acknowledge that the summer has gone and thoughts of Pimms and BBQs are, sadly, a distant memory. So what does the winter have in store for us? Short days, longer nights, rain, wind, cold, snow – basically the best of the British weather! Though along the way there will be the highs of Bonfire Night and the big finale, Christmas. Leading up to these calendar events there will be holidays, family gatherings and, dare I say it, empty homes… In the UK today, a domestic or commercial property is burgled every 40 seconds. Did you know that statistically, even more break-ins occur during the winter months? The longer evenings, cover of darkness and homeowners leaving properties unattended during these darker hours leave plenty of opportunity for thieves and burglars. However, there are some practical steps that you can put into place to deter the opportunist thief and help prevent yourself and your home being part of the statistics. Some are obvious, but the most obvious are so frequently overlooked… • Close and lock doors and windows. Don’t make it easy for a burglar by leaving entry points insecure. Install inexpensive locks to wooden windows or make sure you engage the multipoint locks on modern units. Keep keys out of sight. • If you’re going away, make sure you remove obvious signs that you’re absent: cancel milk and papers, ask your neighbour to keep an eye on the house, ask them to park their car on your drive. You can also install time 76

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clocks to activate lights and lamps to make the home look occupied. • A big issue these days is social media. While everyone is bound to enjoy reading about your proposed holiday, resist the temptation to announce your plans as this information could end up in the wrong hands. • Keep your valuables secure – maybe install a safe to keep passports, keys, jewellery and watches locked away. At Christmas this also means keeping items out of sight. Don’t be tempted to place gifts or parcels under the tree – this is an invitation for burglary and often happens. • Install motion-activated lights. If the bulbs have gone, install new ones or consider asking a professional to upgrade these for long-life and low-running-cost LED alternatives. • Install an SSAIB-approved Intruder Alarm, or if you have one already, make sure it has been serviced by an SSAIBapproved company and arrange an on-going maintenance contract to ensure that the system is operating correctly. • Perhaps consider the installation of CCTV. Thieves do not want to be seen; CCTV is a great deterrent and can be installed for less than you may think. Now your security is taken care of, sit back, turn up the heating and look forward to an enjoyable winter and a very merry Christmas. Prism Alarms & Security Ltd Unit C2, Speldhurst Business Park, Langton Road Speldhurst, Kent TN3 0AQ Tel. 01892 277003 www.prismalarms.co.uk

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

HELPING YOU CREATE THE PERFECT GARDEN Edward Erith from GardenEye talks about the value of garden consultancy sessions

Last year, I donated a couple of two-hour garden consultancy sessions to two local charity ‘silent’ auctions. As well as being good for the soul, it gave me the chance to advise a couple of families on really improving and looking at their gardens in a way that they might not otherwise have considered. It was a lastminute decision for me to do this and I was expecting one or two tenners to be thrown into the GardenEye ‘bid pool’ – desperately hoping it wouldn’t look too bare. Fortunately, there was fantastic interest and they managed to raise £500 – so many thanks to all those that bid. That got me thinking. Many people accept their garden for what it is, but have an instinctive hunch that it could be a lot better, but are unsure: a) How to change it b) What it is likely to cost if they do! c) If it is right for them, the house and their garden

I now see garden consultations as a core part of my business, because it is so incredibly useful! Why? Because by looking at the same thing every day, one can become blinded by the norm. Often important characteristics in our own garden that are right under our noses, begging to be exploited, can be missed. It could be a view, a change in driveway emphasis, a style or type of patio, a new border, removal of an old one… the consultation gives fresh impetus and perspective to the garden. I like to quiz my clients on what they really want a garden for, how long they are realistically going to be living there and what they are realistically prepared to spend on the garden, as well as the cost it may require for its upkeep. In my 20 years in design and horticulture, I’ve found that there is a degree of nervousness to committing to a garden consultation – often a fear of looking ignorant, but mainly because it’s a fear of changing the status quo. What should stay? What should go? Change – even with small alterations – is so KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

often the very biggest hurdle to creating something delightful for yourself, and often all it takes is for someone else to confirm what you already know... I’m always thrilled to view and consult on new gardens. Each one is different and offers something intriguing, but my golden rule is remembering that it’s YOUR garden: you’re the one who’ll be watering the veg, weeding the border, mowing the lawn, enjoying the riot of colour and sipping a glass of wine as the sun sets. So I need to understand you and then explore the garden and the setting, for it all to work. Give me your grand scheme and I’ll see if I can make it possible. But beware: if something really needs to be taken out or changed, however familiar you are with it, I’ll tell you! So there we have it, garden consultancy. I really would recommend one of our informal sessions to everyone who has a garden; a second opinion on what’s going on in your garden before you seek to change it really is no bad thing. The GardenEye consultation offers sound advice based on all your circumstances and desires, in a report with likes and dislikes, recommendations for the garden, ideas of plans and budgets moving forward and ideas on how to get it all done. GardenEye is fully independent. We have no formal ties with designers or landscapers and therefore we have no inclination to over-promote or sell a product or idea.

Special offer for Kudos readers: a half-price

consultation for £120 if booked before Christmas. Email your request to info@gardeneye.co.uk and quote KUDOS PROMO.

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HOW TO PREVENT WINTER DAMAGE

Cold, wet, windy winter weather can damage trees, shrubs and garden structures such as trellis. Improving shelter, staking plants, mulching, wrapping pots and careful matching of plants to places will all help

Protection through cultivation

• Feeding: Avoid applications of nitrogen-rich fertilisers late in the season, as they stimulate sappy growth • Soil cover: Soil exposure, particularly in the vegetable patch, can result in leaching of nutrients. Green manure sown in September reduces this leaching. Green manures are fastgrowing plants sown to cover bare soil. Often used in the vegetable garden, their foliage smothers weeds and their roots prevent soil erosion. When dug into the ground while still green, they return valuable nutrients to the soil and improve soil structure. Juvenile plants will retain nutrients until dug back into the soil in spring • Mulching: This can reduce compaction and soil erosion that can commonly follow heavy rain • Overwinter plants by wrapping: Plants can be protected from cold, wet weather by wrapping with horticultural fleece • Plant in a sheltered spot: Your garden is a microclimate in itself. You will have warm spots, at the base of a southfacing wall, and cold or wet spots on the north side of the house. Choose plants carefully for each of these positions. Site early-flowering plants such as magnolias and camellias so that they are not exposed to the morning sun, as rapid thawing of frozen buds can result in blackening and bud drop • Containers: Keep containers in dry, sheltered areas, grouped together for mutual protection. Prevent roots freezing in containers by wrapping with bubble polythene or straw. Alternatively plunge (bury with the rim just showing) the pot into the ground

Other measures

• Structures: Before the start of winter, check all garden structures and replace or re-attach loose panels, roofs, posts and fences. Replace solid fences with ones that are 50% wind permeable to avoid gusting, turbulence and shaking • Plant windbreaks: A cold and windy site will often require windbreaks of additional planting such as hedges. Strategic placing of temporary woven hurdles, netting or similar materials on deeply embedded stout posts can help in the short-term • Drainage: Deal with drainage problems promptly, as wet soils can make young or shallow rooted trees more likely to uproot in the wind

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Climate change

Gardening in a changing climate brings uncertainty and the potential for more extreme weather. Milder winters are not necessarily good news for gardeners as they may prevent the protective deep dormancy common in many trees and shrubs. This increases their susceptibility to frost and scorch caused by cold winds or sudden cold snaps. However, on the plus side the mild winters experienced in recent years have led to better survival of more tender plants, increasing the range of species available to gardeners.

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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JACKSONS FENCING

Latest news, topical treats and more... Curves in all the right places! November in the garden is traditionally the time for having bonfires, pruning the deadwood and generally readying things for the onset of winter. Worthy and necessary work though this is, I am of the school of thought that whilst acknowledging we have my least favourite season to endure, now is a good time to focus on the coming year. The ability to take refuge in dreaming up potentially lifechanging projects for your garden, that can improve the quality of your leisure time, is something I freely admit to. It definitely gets me through some of the dark and depressing nights. I’ve indulged in fantasies of redesigning planting areas and decks, and have imagined pergolas that transform the ordinary to the extraordinary. Thoughts of these projects can act as a glimmer of hope or a beacon at the end of the wintery tunnel of gloom. So here is something new from Jacksons that could be the inspiration for your very own spring project. The Curve is a beautifully simple structure, that curves from left to right – there’s no need for posts in this seemingly gravitydefying garden shelter. The generous interior space is big enough to set up a dining area, leaving ample room for a relaxing seating zone (approx 5m x 3m x 2.2m high). The startling effects produced by sunlight glowing through the horizontal slats, creates a magical ambience. Imagine illuminating the curves at night with LED strips to create a dinner party to remember. The possibilities of how to use this unique outdoor space are endless, and it has the added benefit of having a clear polycarbonate sheet attached to the panels making it shower-proof.

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WIN a Jacksons garden gate set... Enter the free prize draw and be in with a chance to win one of our garden gate sets. We have 15 different styles and various sizes – the gate sets come complete with posts and everything you need to hang the gate. They make having a new gate beautifully simple and straightforward, and they are all guaranteed for 25 years too! Simply log on to your local page, address below, and follow the easy instructions on how to enter. The draw closes 31st December. To enter go to: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal

You can find out lots more about the Curve and its little sister, the Demi-Curve, by going to your dedicated page: jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal There are also full details on our “beat the spring rush” special offer there too. Place your order this winter, have it delivered on a date specified by you and we will give you half-price delivery. Just think, then you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have got ahead of the curve, by beating the rush this spring – sorry, I had to get the curve reference in somewhere! louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk For info on any of Jacksons products or brochures please call 0800 408 4754 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre. www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal

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www.burnetts-ea.com

Indivdual Property: Individual Agent

Mayfield Guide price £1,250,000 to £1,300,000 Freehold A deceptively-spacious, contemporary yet characterful 6-bed barn conversion and a substantial 2-bed detached annexe, both offering bright and flexible accommodation, enjoying a lovely outlook over open fields and countryside to the rear, all tucked away in a private, quiet setting, enjoying beautiful, landscaped gardens of approximately an acre. The main house forms a period barn, completely rebuilt in 1995, and thoroughly modernised and renovated. It includes an impressive entrance hall with galleried landing and exposed beams, open-plan double-aspect dining room with an open inglenook and double-sided wood burning stove, with part-vaulted sitting room and glazed doors to the rear terrace. To the front is the substantial detached annexe, finished to a high specification and in a similar style to the main barn, with exposed timbers. It has a private rear terrace and area of enclosed garden to the front.

Central Wadhurst Price £895,000 Freehold The Barn is a beautifully appointed attached property in the heart of Wadhurst Village. This lovely home also enjoys stunning views to Bewl Reservoir and beyond. With 2 reception rooms, a dining hall, kitchen/breakfast room, study area, four double bedrooms and two bathrooms. The property also boasts a beautifully kept and easy to maintain good sized walled garden together with a private and secluded terraced area. To fully appreciate these fine view this property must be seen!

Mayfield Office 3 Church View House High Street, Mayfield East Sussex TN20 6AB t:01435 874450 e: mayfield@burnetts-ea.com

Wadhurst Office Clock House High Street, Wadhurst East Sussex TN5 6AA t:01892 782287 e: wadhurst@burnetts-ea.com

Lettings Department t:0845 8737493 e: lettings@burnetts-ea.com Associated London Office 119-121 Park Lane London W1K 7AC t:020 74090371

01892 519600

Shernfold Lodge, Shernfold Park, Frant, TN3 9DL £975,000 Freehold A unique and imposing Grade II Listed property built circa 1857 as the lodge house to Shernfold Park – now very much one of the landmark properties in this highly regarded village which sits at the northern edge of the High Weald and gives views over Frant Green and Eridge Park. It is a beautifully presented house which provides over 2000 sq ft of accommodation over two floors with most notably an impressive dining hall with solid oak floors and spectacular Minsterstone, ‘Hadden Hall’ stone fireplace, a very attractive, fully fitted kitchen with lined oak units and a good-size ‘L’ shaped sitting room with stone fireplace and solid oak floors which opens into a conservatory. A study with oak flooring and work surface, and a further reception room/fourth bedroom are accessed from the sitting room. On the first floor there are three bedrooms including

twells@winkworth.co.uk

a master suite with a bespoke marble en-suite shower room and a family bathroom. A sizeable landing area provides access to a large loft area. The house has recently been updated to a high standard, including painting inside and out, new roof, new boiler and radiators throughout. There is parking for four cars and a single garage with solid wood door. The garden extends to about one third of an acre with patios and extensive area of lawn together with well-tended flower beds and some mature trees. The front of the house is accessed via a wrought iron gate into a small garden enclosed by a low sandstone wall. There is a separate entrance to the side of the house into the kitchen. Shernfold Lodge is situated on the southern end of the green within a short walk of the pubs, village store, church and primary school. The railway station is within a short drive at Bells Yew Green.

Winkworth Estate Agents Tunbridge Wells, 65 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1XX

HEADS UP!

Top local headteachers answer your questions

“My child seems to find it hard to make friends at school. What can I, or the school, do to help the situation?“ Sally Connor, Heathfield

For any parent, this has to be one of the most agonising and emotionally-painful dilemmas. None of us wants to think of a child standing on the sidelines, lonely and miserable. We all need and rely on our friends throughout our lives, and a few of our lifelong and most precious friendships are made in school. First of all, every child is an individual and must be respected as such. Some find making friends easy, others search out a soulmate, some take their time to watch and assess while others confidently ask to join a game. Our job, both as parents and in school, is to keep a beady eye on the children, particularly in ‘unstructured’ areas, ie. the playground, and support them where necessary. Communication and trust are essential. Parents, listen to your child; if they are upset or worried about not having friends, you must contact the school, particularly the class teacher, so each understands what happens at school and at home and a mutual, supportive plan can be put in place. You will be amazed what can be achieved without the children realising we are on the case! Play dates are essential, and a tentative friendship in school can quickly, happily and effectively be nurtured within a

Angela Culley, Headmistress The Mead School, Tunbridge Wells

home environment. Creating the right environment and opportunities, whilst understanding individual needs, ensures everyone happily builds a friendship circle, whether it be in the tranquil garden or in the heart of a football game.

Mrs Kate Spoor, Head of Junior School

Holmewood House School, Langton Green As a parent, it is natural to be concerned about your child’s happiness and welfare, so firstly speak to the form teacher to ascertain if there are any difficulties that the school is aware of. Your input is incredibly significant in your child’s social development, so it is vital that you be a positive role model for them. Make time to sit and share conversations, games and activities. Show good eye contact and ask pertinent questions; listen, be interested, take turns and share. When your child struggles to mirror this, explain the importance. Sometimes, social skills do not come naturally – they need to be taught! Extend this into a play date. Plan an appropriate, supervised activity – for example baking, train-track building, construction etc. within your eye/earshot, so you can support as necessary. Avoid inviting a group of children to play; one-to-one children are more likely to get along. It’s also far easier to supervise and support two children and ensure a successful experience. Only invite other children with your own child’s agreement, or arrange “accidental” meetings in the park with like-minded parents who are happy to help. Encourage your child to try a variety of clubs and after-school activities that appeal to them; they are more likely to forge friendships with like-minded peers. Some form teachers arrange for their children to pair up as buddies for weeks at a time and rotate these relationships during the year. Ask the teacher if this is feasible. Don’t underestimate the power of simply pottering about! Children have full days at school and often need to relax – tired children are more likely to fall out, so use the weekends and holidays for play dates. 88

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Mike Piercy, Headmaster

The New Beacon, Sevenoaks First and foremost, don’t panic! Many adults take time to find their place in a social group; why should it be any different for a child? Let’s call him Bob. Encourage him, support him and promote patience. You should let the school know what Bob is feeling. If Bob reports specific unkindness, definitely contact the school – while remembering a child’s perception of an event does not always reveal the whole picture! The best schools have comprehensive pastoral systems and active internal communication. They will be able to report back to you on Bob’s interaction with his peers. They will also be able to suggest strategies for implementation in school which you can support at home. Some practical ideas from home. If you like the parents, there is a greater chance your child will like their child. Invite friends (and families) round. Watch Bob interacting. Encourage playdates – home and away. Participate in activities and join sports clubs outside school: play to your child’s strengths and interests. Drama groups are brilliant for developing friendships, teamwork and confidence. Our parental instinct is to protect, but remember that working and learning through a tricky time will build and add to Bob’s long-term emotional strength.

Luke Harrison, Headmaster

Sevenoaks Prep School Friendships bring emotional security, resilience and joy. At Sevenoaks Prep, each child is made aware of his or her responsibility in forging and maintaining friendships. The best way of making friends is to be one: show kindness, be interested, be positive, smile and share time. Use humour and learn to laugh at yourself sometimes. Be a good listener. If someone feels better after spending time with you, they will seek out your company again. The school must embrace its responsibility. Staff must set a good example; they should encourage empathy and resolution. They must pick up on the children lacking confidence in social skills and edify those children – we run a “Socially Speaking Club” to help. Staff should feed back to the carers of the child and make the child aware of his or her own responsibilities. The child’s carers must accept responsibility, too, and set good examples in their friendships. After their child has been involved in a disagreement, say, they should help the child to reflect and seek resolution. Their expectations of the child’s friendships need to be appropriate to the personality of the child; some children prefer a few friends, some are happier running with a bigger crowd. All children need a healthy balance between structured and free time. When the child, carers and staff all strive together to develop friendships in a positive way, success for that individual child, and hence for the community, will be found.

Miss Antonia Beary, Headmistress

Mayfield School Friends should be an important part of young lives: there to provide support, not only through school, but also the rest of your life. As a parent, you can help your child be realistic about what friendship involves: what to expect and what qualities to cultivate to be a good friend. You are not their friend: being a parent is a different, more challenging (and rewarding) role. Friendship groups seldom run smoothly and change over the years, so what you do if you are concerned will depend on the age and to some extent the gender of your child. Obviously, the first thing is to listen and observe. Lots of children don’t like to share details of their friends as they begin to assert their independence. It doesn’t mean they are unhappy or isolated. Be careful about getting too involved as it can be counter-productive. You can’t make friends for your child. If you are worried, talk to teachers in the first instance, who will be able to help give you a sense of perspective. Just because your child doesn’t come home with crowds of friends, or constantly talk about lots of people, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, nor does it mean they have no friends. Conversely, time spent texting or social networking with hundreds of ‘Facebook friends’ is not a good thing. These ‘friends’ are nothing of the sort if you haven’t met them. Real friends can make you laugh and cry in person! KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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Mrs Kate Elliott, Deputy Head Teacher

Bricklehurst Manor School, Ticehurst Friendship forming comes naturally to most children, but for some it can be problematic. Sometimes problems go away by themselves so be careful not to run for help too quickly, as allowing children to develop their own strategies is invaluable. Any good school will have a robust PSHE curriculum, where children continually learn how to form and maintain friendships. Teachers can provide an informed opinion about how typical your child’s friendship problems are compared to peers, so share your concerns with them. Once the situation is understood, then together you can decide what to do next. Here are a few suggestions: • Children do not like behaviour that is bossy, boastful or disruptive. Similarly, talking but failing to listen is not popular. Modelling good friendship skills is helpful. • Be proactive and invite friends over for a play date; be sure to have a couple of activities in mind. • Misunderstandings are common to friendships so your child may need help working through emotions. • It might be a case of low self-confidence. Extra-curricular activity that empowers and interests the child and has an element of social interaction will be beneficial. If you have any doubts at all, then speak to your child’s teacher.

Francie Healy, Headmaster

Bethany School, Goudhurst Friendship is particularly important in school as it is an experience best enjoyed with the company of others. If you worry that your child sometimes struggles to connect, there are ways you can help. It is a remarkable and fascinating thing, since the original story for each friendship is unique. We can be drawn together by shared interests in films, books or music, by laughing at the same terrible jokes or by sharing the same core values. By nurturing your child’s passion for something, and developing within them an appetite for pursuing their hobbies, your child will naturally begin to connect with those who share in that interest. If your child has yet to find what makes them tick, look for opportunities at your child’s school for them to enjoy new activities through clubs and groups, broadening not only their experiences but also increasing the opportunities to form lasting friendships. This gives them the chance to meet people outside of their class and, often, year group. I firmly believe that there are friends out there for everyone; the hardest part is just knowing where to look.

Hilary Blake, Headmistress

Sacred Heart School, Wadhurst The seeds of the firmest friendships are often established through the common language of play. Whether it’s dressing up and pretending, or chasing a ball around, it’s always more fun with a friend by your side. But what if your child hasn’t made a special connection, has no interest in football, or doesn’t follow the latest bands? There are few things more distressing for parents than the suspicion that their child is feeling left out and lonely. At primary school, parents’ friendships often develop alongside those that grow between their children, so meet up for family time, walks, or share playdates to encourage burgeoning friendships. If your child is particularly shy, scaffold further opportunities through joining school clubs or extra-curricular activities where you will meet like-minded individuals. A common interest is a great place to start. Moving on to secondary school can present a new set of challenges, so again remind your child to show all the outward signs – a smile sends a positive signal! Encourage them to get involved at school, sign up for sport or drama, music or chess – or dare to try something new. Finally, if you are really concerned, talk to your child’s teacher; they are well placed to engineer groups and opportunities for friendships to blossom and will be pleased to help. A busy playground can be a lonely place and we all need friends.

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Martyn Ward, Headmaster

Marlborough House School, Hawkhurst At Marlborough House School we pride ourselves on our pastoral care; this means recognising that at times we all struggle, but it also means that we help children find positive ways to do something about it. Our advice would always be for a concerned parent to come and talk to us and similarly if we notice that a child is having difficulty with friendships, we will quickly be in touch with parents to let them know our concerns. We would then, together, try to get to the bottom of why their child finds it hard to make friends: Are they shy? Too reliant on one friend? Prefer the company of adults? Our systems don’t simply allow children to develop friendships; they actively encourage children to build friendships. Children are taught in a structured, positive way about being proactive in developing their friendships: how to converse with others, how to become socially aware, how to become active listeners and how to give others the chance to speak in a conversation. Outside the classroom our staff promote our ethos of Valuing Self and Others. When children see positive relationships modelled on a daily basis, a culture of mutual respect and sincerity is the result. At home, helping your child to understand about how to treat others will help making friends come more naturally to them. The little lessons that children learn both at home and at school every day, such as helpfulness and cooperation, give and take and how to resolve problems will all influence the way they act and feel with others and should help children to make and sustain truly lasting friendships. A great school does not just leave it to chance that good friendships will develop, they have systems and people who work hard to help children develop lasting friendships and happiness.

Malcolm Gough, Headmaster

Sutton Valence Preparatory School, Maidstone From a developmental point of view, making friends in school is every bit as important as learning key academic skills. Learning how to form successful peer relationships is a critical skill for children, and one that they will use – and refine – all their lives. However, when a child hits a bump in the friendship road, a combination of school and home support can make all the difference and enable things to get back on track. Simple steps at home might include organising playdates and opportunities for unstructured play with peers. As a parent, you can encourage participation of the school’s co-curricular clubs and activities. This works well because there is a built-in structure that minimises anxiety and there is a good chance of meeting children with similar interests across different age groups. Many schools, including Sutton Valence Preparatory School, offer peer mentoring with new children being provided with a buddy or older children pairing up with a younger child. From the very beginning, pupils joining our school are surrounded by a wealth of support and guidance from both adults and fellow pupils. New pupils are always provided with a buddy within their class who helps with the settling-in process, as well as ensuring they have someone to play with during break times. As part of our commitment to providing leadership opportunities, every Year 5 child is appointed a Year 2 child to mentor during the time they transit from Year 2 to Year 3. This combination of big brother or sister, friend and counsellor, successfully ensures every Year 3 child already has a ‘friend’ to support them when they arrive in the prep department. We work with parents to help children recognise their own strengths and provide opportunities for them to be confident and compassionate. Do you have a question for our Heads? Email editorial@badbett ymedia.co.uk KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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Personalise your stationery with Fraser & Parsley’s range of delightful bespoke gift tags, £10 for a set of 10; mini notes, £18 for a set of 10; and thank you cards, £20 for a set of 10. www.fraserandparsley.com

The Delta Baby Nursery Bag and Travel Carrycot is an ingenious travel solution for today’s busy parents – a roomy and welldesigned changing bag that easily converts into a comfortable carrycot. As a changing bag there are four large compartments, one of which has isothermal covers to keep bottles warm or chilled, with plenty of space for everything needed for a day out with baby. When the bag is opened, it reveals a comfortable carrycot whilst still allowing access to the pockets. Price: £54.99 www.baby2k.com

FUN AND GAMES WITH PUP Amy Godfrey, proprietor of PUP – the highly-successful softplay café that has entertained Sevenoaks for the past three years – has now opened PUP @ Assembly, located in The Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Aimed at pre-school children and their parents and carers, PUP @ Assembly is open for fun and games from 9.30am3pm Monday-Saturday, and is also available as a party venue, including whole-venue hire. It’s the ideal location for a meetup, or for parents and carers to take their little ones to make new friends. The soft-play equipment has been created bespoke for PUP to provide young visitors with the ultimate in fun and secure playtime experiences. 92

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Boasting an enviable menu sourced from local providers, the emphasis is very much on a delicious and healthy experience for all concerned. Coffee is sourced from local business Perk and Pearl, whilst the mouthwatering quiches are made by Rustic café, also based in Tunbridge Wells. Most of the freshly-made menu is created in-house, and includes sandwiches, pasta and generously-loaded jackets, warm from the potato oven! There is also a tantalising selection of cakes, biscuits and light snacks, making PUP @ Assembly the ideal location for a mid-morning break or a full lunch option. With a relaxed and friendly ambiance – breastfeeding mums are actively welcomed – it’s the perfect place for all you yummy mummies! www.pupcafe.co.uk KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

CHRISTMAS IS COMING… Our top places to meet Father Christmas this year DRUSILLAS PARK & ZOO

Alfriston Road Alfriston East Sussex BN26 5QS Enjoy the magic and enchantment of Christmas at Drusillas Park between Saturday 21st November and Monday 4th January with the dazzling Winter Wonderland. Visit Father Christmas in his cosy cottage and receive an early Christmas gift – if you’re lucky, you may also get to meet Mrs Christmas and one of Santa’s elves! There are magical illuminations, an animal-themed light show synchronised to music, the chance to hug a husky and meet Santa’s reindeer on selected dates, and enjoy hot doughnuts, a glass of mulled wine or a mince pie. On Saturday 21st November, the Grand Switch On of the Winter Wonderland Illuminations at 4:30pm is not to be missed. www.drusillas.co.uk

SPRING BARN FARM

Kingston Road Lewes East Sussex BN7 3ND Expect a little bit of North Pole magic at Spring Barn Farm! Children can head through the Wonderland Walkway to see Santa and tell him their Christmas wishes. The elves will then grant them entry to their toyshop, where they can choose a special Christmas present. There’s all the fun of the farm, too, with the chance to meet the animals and fab indoor play! Santa arrives in style on Saturday 21st November at 10am, and will then be there on selected dates up to Christmas Eve. www.springbarnfarm.com

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS ICE RINK

Calverely Grounds Tunbridge Wells Kent TN11BT Father Christmas is coming to Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink – visit him in his cosy log cabin set amongst the trees, with his cheeky elves on hand to show the way. He will be available to see children and families from Friday 20th November until Thursday 24th December on selected weekend dates. www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com

THE LLAMA PARK

Wych Cros Forest Row East Sussex RH18 5JN The Llama Park will once again be hosting Father Christmas in his Grotto with his favourite reindeer alongside a Nativity scene with donkeys and llamas at hand. The theme for this Year’s Wonderland is “Santa’s Workshop” and features Santa’s very own Elves manufacturing presents for him 94

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to send out to children all over the world on Christmas Eve. Father Christmas flies in on the 27th November and after a good night’s sleep will open his Grotto on Saturday 28th November. The Grotto will be open on 28th/29th of November and 5th/6th of December and then every day from Saturday 12th December until and including Christmas Eve. www.llamapark.co.uk

BLUEBELL R AILWAY

Sheffield Park Station East Sussex TN22 3QL All aboard the Santa Special for a 10-mile round trip to the beautifully-restored Horsted Keynes station, with special Dickensian-themed activities for you to enjoy. Santa himself will be on board your train and will present every child with a special Christmas gift and a festive treat. Mum and Dad won’t be left out as Santa’s little helpers will be serving a free mince pie, with the option to purchase drinks for refreshment. Reindeer Specials depart from East Grinstead and stop at Kingscote for about 30 minutes to visit the Reindeer family and their sleigh with an opportunity for photos. At Horsted Keynes, children can visit Father Christmas in his cabin and receive a gift. www.bluebell-railway.com

BODIAM CASTLE

Nr Robertsbridge East Sussex TN32 5UA Come a-Wassailing at Bodiam this Christmas on selected dates and enjoy traditions both old and new. There’ll be lots to do, with a visit to Father Christmas in his medieval grotto and craft activities for the children. Grown-ups can enjoy a mince pie and a glass of hot wassail. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015

APPLE MUSIC SOUNDS GREAT IN PRINCIPLE, BUT COULD THE QUALITY BE BETTER? Asks Richard Ellis McCallum of A&E IT About three months ago, Apple introduced Apple Music, its new music streaming and radio service. It promised convenience and all your music available on all your devices, all for a small monthly subscription. The first three months were free and delivered via an iTunes update, so anyone who subscribed back then will need to act fast to deactivate auto renewal… Sadly the hype has a hidden underbelly. Google ‘Apple Music review’ to learn more. Aside from all the bugs, those that tried it will know that the sound quality isn’t as good as it could be. Apple Music streams at 256kbps. Without getting too technical, that means it is delivering less than a fifth of the digital information contained in the equivalent CD track. It achieves this partially by compression, but also by filtering out low and high frequencies in the music itself. The equivalent CD track will sound better because the audio file is uncompressed and delivers a closer representation of what the artist originally intended. But we can do better than that. Just like Full HD and 4K Ultra Resolution for TV, audio is now available in resolution standards four times as great as that of a CD and sometimes more. Companies like HDTracks.co.uk have available the best-sounding audio files for download (at a price). But you can ‘rip’ your own CDs in ‘lossless’ mode using iTunes for free and put all your music on your Mac (or PC if you must). Using Sonos or a similar wireless system, you can stream your own library all over your house from any device. But whilst it’ll sound good, you can do better.

With some creative thought, organisation and some investment in quality componentry, it is possible to utilize your existing hifi and computer to deliver bit-perfect, high-resolution sound in every room. All controlled by your iPad or iPhone for a fraction of the cost (and foibles) of a hi-res network streamer. A&E IT has built an iTunes system based around an upgraded Mac Mini. Adding a portable DAC (digital to analogue converter) and some third-party audio software, we have enabled the music to by-pass the internal, sound-degrading circuitry of the Mac to deliver a whole 20,000 track library in pure, high-resolution, better-thanCD quality sound through a traditional hifi and onward through any AirPlay enabled device. The clarity is a revelation and delivers the music just as the artist intended. It all resides on a single hard drive in the Mac Mini. So no streaming, no subscription and no more space-hogging CDs required. Interested? Then learn more by emailing gethelp@aande.it for information any time. You’ll never want to suffer poor quality, compressed music for the sake of convenience again. www.aande.it

FACING UP TO DOMESTIC ABUSE Sue Dunn, Chief Executive of domestic abuse support service DAVSS, whose patron is actress Louise Jameson, talks about the rise in abuse victims and how the charity can help

Sue Dunn and Liz Jarvis from the DAVSS Board of Trustees winning Charity of the Year 2015 from Sevenoaks District Council

When was DAVSS formed, by whom and why? DAVSS (Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service) is a community-based charity created in 2011 by a group of like-minded people who saw a need for a support service providing face-to-face meetings for individuals at convenient and safe venues across West Kent and a helpline. DAVSS is a highly-innovative and cost-effective volunteering model supporting men as well as women experiencing domestic abuse. We aim to break the cycle of abuse and help survivors to take control of their lives again, and improve life opportunities for their children, who are often traumatised by their experiences.

Typically, what happens when someone phones you to say they’ve been abused? What’s the procedure from there? Our first priority is safety. A professionally-trained volunteer will listen to their experience and discuss how they can stay safe and what support they may require. It might be as simple as explaining their rights, advising them to speak to another agency who can help or arrange for them to meet a DAVSS volunteer advisor. A Manager will assess the level of support required and may also speak to the client. DAVSS support is tailored to the needs of the client. We have access to legal advice and interpretors, can provide support to court if required, and assist completing documentation.

Are people more aware of what constitutes domestic violence nowadays, and more prepared to seek help? The number of referrals received by DAVSS continues to rise. During the 12 months up to July 2015, we received over 650 referrals, an increase of nearly 80%. Raised awareness of domestic abuse and the availability of support contributes to this.

Domestic abuse against men has been in the press recently. Are you getting more men seeking help? It is estimated 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience domestic abuse at some point during their lifetime. In February, we arranged a conference to shine a spotlight on men on standing up and saying that ‘this is wrong’ and acknowledging men are victms of domestic abuse, too. The number of male clients has increased nearly 100%, rising to 57 in the 12 months up to July. Telephone helpline on 01892 570538, open 10am to 1pm weekdays. For all non-helpline enquiries, please call 01892 502074 or email office@davss.org.uk www.davss.org.uk

Are victims referred to you by other agencies? About a third of our referrals are from police, another third self-refer and the remainder come from different agencies and other organisations.

LOV E LOC AL HEROES

KUDOS NOV EMBER/DECEMBER 2015