Your family lifestyle magazine for Kent, Surrey & Sussex
July/August 2019
WELCOME TO KUDOS
Hello
Welcome to the July/August issue of Kudos It’s summer! Roll on hot days, barbeques, picnics, days out with the family… Family is what’s at the heart of Kudos and to that end, we’re going to be including more familyfriendly features in the magazine. You’ll find more on education, advice for parents and parents-to-be, the latest research and child-friendly events. In this issue, schools tell us what they have been most proud of this last academic year, and we find out what makes a good school. We’ve found summer essentials for all the family and talk to a Hypnobirthing teacher about its benefits both before and during labour. We’ve come up with ideas for keeping the kids amused during the summer holiday and give advice on striking the right balance when combining work with family life. Don’t worry though, we’ve still got regulars like home and garden covered, along with food. We give advice on creating the perfect outdoor space so the garden becomes an extra room in good weather (outside kitchen, anyone?) and meet a man who has created his dream home above the sea on the Sussex coast. There are recipes using Parma ham for a true taste of Italy, and adventurer Bear Grylls tells us some of his amazing escapades – and how he got that name. So, have a great summer with your family – I know I will with mine.
For advertising, please contact: Deanna Lewer Sales Manager Tel: 07393 677219 sales@badbettymedia.co.uk
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Hannah Tucek Publishing Director
Twitter, Instagram & Facebook: kudoskent Web: www.kudoskent.co.uk
Contents 7 Kudos loves...
Managing Director: Robin Tucek Publishing Director: Hannah Tucek Editorial Director: Ann Wallace Creative Director: Neil Constant Sales Manager: Deanna Lewer Fashion Editor: Sally-Ann Carroll Photographer: Matt Harquail
10 News & events 18 Love celebrity 24 Love family 44 Love education
Kudos is published bi-monthly by:
62 Love home 68 Love garden 75 Love food and drink
While every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers, authors and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Prices and details correct at time of going to press.
No part of this publication may be produced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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78 Love business 80 Love charity 81 Marketplace 82 Love heroes
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K U DOS LOV E S
Mother love When it comes to celebrity and motherhood, they’re no different than the rest of us, as these A-listers reveal Adele Whilst pregnant with her son Angelo, Adele told an audience at her concert:
“When I got pregnant, I had so much testosterone in me that I grew a beard. I only cropped it last night. It’s actually true. I’m not telling a joke. I actually have a beard but I’m proud of it. I call it Larry.”
Holly Willoughby The mum of three and This Morning star told Weekend magazine when pregnant with her third baby:
“I actually really like giving birth. I know, I’m a weirdo but I really like it. Knowing you’re about to meet your baby, it’s just a really lovely time. It’s the best day ever.”
Giovanna Fletcher In a blog post about breastfeeding Buzz for Hello Magazine, Giovanna wrote:
“I can’t tell you how many times I almost gave up. I didn’t have a smooth ride with breastfeeding – I wore nipple shields (never felt so attractive) and got a lovely lactation consultant over to try and help me and Buzz on our merry-breast-way. I was determined and stubborn about the whole thing – I hoped we’d get it right eventually. And we did.”
Emma Thompson “I’m strict about manners. I think that kids have a horrible time with other people if they have bad manners... The one thing you’ve got to be prepared to do as a parent is not to be liked from time to time.”
Kate Winslet “There’s something really empowering about going, ‘Hell, I can do this! I can do this all!’ That’s the wonderful thing about mothers, you can because you must, and you just DO.” K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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Things we love this issue
Shades of style
When the sun is shining, it’s time to don those shades. Timeless meets innovation with Smith’s Snare carbonic impact-resistant lenses, £105, with no-slip megol nose pads and Evolve ecomaterial construction for those who march to the beat of their own drum, while Le Specs’ sunglasses, £75, are not called ‘The Heartbreaker’ for nothing. Designed in collaboration with New York designer Adam Selman, they’re made from glossy blush acetate with contrasting red transparent cut-out love hearts at each cat-eye tip. They’re finished with rose-tinted UV-protective lenses. www.smithoptics.com/uk www.net-a-porter.com
Sneaky treats
If you like your treats as ethically-sourced as possible, Peakz are the answer. These bite-sized vegan- and vegetarian-friendly crunchy chocolate squares are packed with Vitamin B12 and iron and are high in fibre. They’re the perfect snack while you’re on the go, socialising, working out, a parent looking for a healthier confectionery snack for your child or just craving a mid-afternoon snack at work. There are six delicious flavours to choose from: Salted Caramel Chocolate; Hazelnut Chocolate; Plain Chocolate; Chocolate Orange; Mint Chocolate and Berry Chocolate. Price £1.19 www.peakz.co.uk 8
Summer sparkle
These drinks from Heartsease Farm are the perfect addition to any summer BBQ – delicious, family-friendly mocktails served over ice on those sizzling-hot days. The award-winning range of sparkling pressés are made with Welsh spring water from a family farm and are available in seven flavours, including Apple & Rhubarb, Strawberry & Mint and Blackcurrant Crush. Stockists include Ocado and Morrisons, as well as independent farm shops and delis plus pubs and bars nationally. Price from £1.29 www.radnorhills.co.uk K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
K U DOS LOV E S
Keep it green
If you are on the look out for a healthy alternative to your daily coffee, then look no further than Matcha Green Tea. Matcha is known to have anti-anxiety qualities, due to the calming effects of the L-Theanine it contains, reducing stress whilst boosting your energy and metabolism. It’s also high in powerful antioxidants, so it’s the smart alternative if you are on that coffee rollercoaster. Matcha Green Tea, £1.99, by Rockit Pods is a simple, convenient single-serve nespresso-compatible pod for that lovely
The inbetweeners
Finding the perfect fit can be harder than it needs to be. From jeans that are too baggy or snug to skirts that just don’t sit right… fear not! Next has designed a range of in-between styles starting from size 11 all the way to size 17; find the fit that hugs you in all the right places so that you look and feel your best every time. www.next.co.uk K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
cup of matcha tea whenever you want. Matcha Now, £2.99, is designed for busy people on the go who need that crucial energy burst to get through the day. Drink it pre-workout in the gym, to hone focus in the office, or to instil calm into a busy mum’s day. This clean, vegan energy drink contains no nasties and is available in four delicious flavours, including Peppermint, and Ginger & Turmeric. www.rokitpods.com / www.matchanow.co.uk
All about Kent
The gateway to Britain since pre-historic times, Kent has a rich history that is brought to life in The Little History of Kent, a new book by local author Susan Hibberd. Kent’s people have repelled invaders including Julius Caesar, the Vikings, and William the Conqueror, whilst welcoming migrants from many countries. This book is a tribute to those who shaped our society and left their stamp on the county. Available from Amazon, Foyles and Waterstones. 9
LOV E N EWS
Upfront What’s new and happening The spirit of change Greensand Ridge becomes UK’s first carbon-neutral distillery Greensand Ridge, a craft-distillery near Shipbourne in the Weald of Kent, has achieved one of its original green goals by becoming carbon neutral, the first UK distillery to do so. The distillery was launched in 2015 with the aim of being ultra-low impact on the environment, while also having a positive impact on food waste at the farm gate by using surplus produce from local farmers, fermenting and distilling quality fruit that supermarkets won’t take. Combined with local botanicals such as cobnuts, gorse and bay, the result is a range of unique spirits. “Our carbon-neutral certification is the culmination of a great deal of work over the last year,” says Greensand Ridge founder and distiller, Will Edge. “It doesn’t change our spirits but it’s a statement of what is important to us as a new and growing business.” The assessment makes up part of the distillery’s inaugural Sustainability Report, which details all the work that is done at Greensand Ridge to minimise the environmental footprint through schemes such as renewable power, heat-recovery systems, removing plastics and being chemical-free. Will’s approach to use surplus produce or byproducts directs the spirits he brings to market. “We work with local farmers to mitigate their waste and so make a lot of fruit spirits like our Apple Brandy and Raspberry Ghost,” he says. “Even our Wealden Rum is made from a locally-sourced byproduct.” Will worked in IT, marketing and finance before he undertook a Masters’ Degree in Brewing & Distilling in order to return home to Kent and set about turning his love of spirits and craft cider-making into a livelihood. Now in its fourth year, Greensand Ridge took some time to achieve carbon neutrality. “The regulations demand a significant ongoing investment in time and resources and we needed to be well established before we undertook the work. Hopefully, that work can be a template for other businesses in the industry.”
Powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity and with a zero target for chemical use and non-recyclable waste, Greensand Ridge Distillery is a truly sustainable business. Gin lovers can visit the distillery, set in a beautiful location overlooking the Weald of Kent, just outside the village of Shipbourne, as part of a Gin Experience, where they can create their own full bottle of gin to take away with them. www.greensanddistillery.com
Down and dirty Actor Jack Ashton gets muddy for Queen Victoria Hospital Actor Jack Ashton, best known for playing Reverend Hereward in BBC’s Call the Midwife, took on a different role recently as he headed up the Queen Victoria Hospital Charity team in the East Grinstead Mud Monsters run. The event had participants navigating through mud pits and over obstacles across a 5k, 10k or 20k journey. Jack, an ambassador for QVH Charity, said, “It was a fantastic day and I really enjoyed it even though the course was a lot tougher than I was expecting! I have visited the hospital myself several times and seen first-hand the excellent care they provide to people with burns and to those who need reconstructive surgery. QVH Charity is instrumental in supporting this so I’m pleased to have been able to help fundraise for this great cause. It’s something I’m very passionate about.” Jack was joined by his partner, actor Helen George, and friend Fiona Dolman, an actor in Midsumer Murders, who both provided plenty of encouragement and support to the entire QVH Mud Monster team. Camilla Slattery, Head of Fundraising for QVH Charity, said: “The donations we receive make a real difference at the hospital and we are so grateful to Jack and the entire QVH team for fundraising for us. They navigated through the cold water and muddy obstacles with amazing determination and there was such a fantastic atmosphere on the day. We are already looking forward to taking part again next year.” 10
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LOV E G OI NG OU T
Out and about with Kudos
Craft in Focus Turn to page 17 to find out about this new event
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Summer at the Castle
Hever has some great events over the summer months for the whole family to enjoy. First up, the Knights of Royal England will be entertaining the crowds once more for the annual jousting tournaments with exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena complete with a Royal Box. Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat, the valiant knights will compete for points to find this season’s ultimate champion. Bring a blanket or watch in style from the medieval spectator stands, available on the day for a small cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Then choose which knights you support and cheer them to glory. Jousting tournaments take place on 13th & 14th, 20th & 21st, 27th & 28th July and 10th & 11th, 17th & 18th, and 23rd-26th August. From 24th July to 30th August, kids can experience what it was like to grow up and serve in a royal household in medieval times at Hever Castle’s Knights & Princesses School. Suitable for children ages 7-14 (approximately), these free classes last for around 40 minutes and take place daily at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Encouraged to come in costume, children can learn how to prepare and protect armour, discover the best way to arm and disarm their master before battle, find out the correct way to give a proper and perfect greeting, take part in a have-a-go Hobby Horse Jousting activity and, new for 2019, How to Slay a Dragon. Children are also needed to help with a quest to locate a new shield and find a Princess’ missing cat as part of a new summer event – Once Upon a Castle on 27th & 28th July. Meet Flame the Dragon and go on an adventure through the gardens to find a new shield to replace the one he has accidentally burnt. In the castle, help look for the princess’ cat and meet fairytale creatures along the way. There will also be a chance to experience what it was like to live in Tudor England, with displays of authentic Tudor crafts, armour making and cookery as well as live demonstrations of archery and crossbow. It’s all about the pooches on 3rd & 4th August at Castle Canines, a paw-fect weekend dedicated to our four legged friends with displays, stalls, competitions and prizes for top dogs. Whether you own your own dog or just love them, there is something for everyone. Enjoy displays and entertainment from a variety of different breeds including Newfoundland Dogs in Action with a water display on the lake, showing how they rescue people. Parade your pooch as part of the Hever Castle Dog Show and enter your hound into Have-a-go Agility and How Clever is Your Dog. There will also be a variety of stalls to browse. Journey through History, from 24th-26th August, takes visitors from the age of the Romans, Tudors and Stuarts through to the Georgian and Edwardian times and right up to the Second World War. Experience medieval life with demonstrations of armour, medicine, cooking and weaving. There will also be the opportunity to watch archery displays and men at arms skirmishes. Be entertained with music from the reign of Elizabeth I and learn how to dance Elizabethan style. Experience the Golden Age of Piracy and gain an insight into the Georgian period with conversations relevant to 1769, songs from the period and silk patchwork on display. www.hevercastle.co.uk
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Get crafty
Craft In Focus, who already stage the UK’s most popular events at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey and RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex, is staging a new event at Hever Castle from 5th-8th September, bringing some of the UK’s finest contemporary craftmakers and artists to Kent. Always at the forefront of promoting the best of the UK’s designer makers and their events, they have been placed above all other shows of their kind by The Independent. Organiser, Rob Chapman, says, “As a former local craftmaker myself I have always wanted to stage a major high-quality contemporary craft fair in the area and we aim to deliver the most exciting craft event to be launched in Kent for decades! Exhibitors and visitors appreciate the fact that we keep our standards high and have stuck with our principles of only allowing work made by the exhibitor to be presented. This has really set us apart from many other events. We hope that local people will come and enjoy the event and see and purchase work from some of the many talented designer makers we have in the UK.” The UK has a wealth of individual and talented professional designer makers and artists who produce wonderful original items that simply cannot be found amongst the mass-produced and imported goods on the high street. Alongside the exhibiting craftmakers, you’ll find demonstrating artists, artisan food and live music. Children can enjoy Hever’s fabulous adventure playground while visitors of all ages can try to find their way through the Water Maze and the 100 year old Yew Maze. www.craftinfocus.com; www.hevercastle.co.uk
Put your fitness to the test
Be Military Fit with Bear Grylls (BMF) is leading the hunt for 100 fitness fans from Kent to take part in a special one-off event with the aim of raising funds for Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), a charity celebrating 100 years of providing employment, homes and welfare support for wounded military veterans. RBLI has joined forces with Be Military Fit with Bear Grylls to launch Britain’s Bravest Military Challenge, a mass participation event taking place at 20 locations around the UK on Saturday, September 28th, including Mote Park in Maidstone. The event will see participants put to the ultimate military fitness test. BMF has worked with military leaders to create the most authentic experience possible, featuring the toughest, military training drills and the highest level of physical and mental challenge. Organisers are aiming to recruit 100 participants at each location, each targeted with raising £100 towards RBLI’s Centenary Appeal. Bear Grylls said: “Britain’s Bravest Military Challenge is the perfect opportunity for people from all over the UK to grab their work-out gear – along with a few friends – and take part in a truly unique, military-style work-out, all the while raising money for one of the country’s leading veterans’ charities. “Royal British Legion Industries offers a genuine lifeline to the country’s most vulnerable veterans. So we at BMF are incredibly proud to have joined forces with RBLI during their centenary year to help raise funds for their crucial services.” RBLI provides accommodation for veterans at its site near Maidstone, and all money raised through Britain’s Bravest Military Challenge is going to support their plans for a new £14m Centenary Village with specially-adapted accommodation for injured ex-service personnel. When complete, the Centenary Village will provide 48 apartments, each designed to be fully accessible and house single veterans in urgent need, alongside 20 new family homes in a mix of town and mews-style housing, and further 24 assisted-living apartments. A community centre will provide veterans and their families with a range of services, welfare support and training, tackling isolation through social engagement and promoting independence. www.Britians-bravest.eventbrite.com
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Action man As adventurer Bear Grylls looks for 100 fitness fans from Kent to take part in a charity event, we find out what makes this wild man tick
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“Sometimes, I think ‘Bear, what the hell have you got yourself into here!’”
W
When asked about the wildest, scariest situation Bear Grylls has ever encountered off-camera, it was nothing to do with the wild. Before his TV career, the adventurer spent three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces. During an exercise, Grylls’ parachute failed, and he broke his back in three places when he fell. This apparently beats falling into a crevasse on Everest, and jumping from a raft onto the back of a 16-foot tiger shark. Grylls father was the late Conservative politician Sir Michael Grylls, an ex-Royal Marine and keen sportsman, who encouraged his young son to push himself physically and follow his adventurous aspirations. At eight, Bear was climbing sea cliffs on the Isle of Wight and daydreaming about being the youngest summiteer of Everest. As a teenager he learned to skydive and netted a black belt in karate, but it was passing the gruelling UK Reserve’s Special Forces selection process that really set him on the path to stardom. Those years with the SAS taught him how to survive in the toughest of situations. He was trained in evasive driving, parachuting, demolition, trauma medicine, unarmed combat and jungle warfare – and he was working as a combat survival instructor when disaster struck. “I was in a freefall parachuting exercise in southern Africa,” he explains. “I should have cut the main parachute and gone to the reserve, but I thought there was time to resolve the problem. My surgeon said that I came within a whisker of being paralysed for life, and at one point it was doubtful whether I would ever walk again. I now practise yoga most days as a way of keeping my back strong, and I feel this is the key to what I do day in and day out. Sometimes it takes a knock in life to give us the drive to get up and start pursuing those dreams that beforehand are often just fantasies. My motto is ‘to live boldly, follow your dreams, take risks, look after your friends, and smile when the mountain is steepest’.” Grylls has certainly lived up to his motto. Just a year after that catastrophic accident, he was back on his feet and setting his sights on the mountain that had occupied his childhood fantasies. He was
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Interview by James Rampton
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23 – still young enough to enter the Guinness World Records by reaching the summit of Everest – and his dream of climbing the highest peak in the world kept him going through the long and arduous rehabilitation process. It took three months of reconnaissance climbing and failed attempts before Grylls finally stood on top of the world. During that time, he had dealt with sleep deprivation, extreme weather, lack of oxygen and a potentially deadly fall into a crevasse, but looking back he says that the achievement more than made up for the various hardships presented by the route. “After I climbed Everest, Discovery and Channel 4 approached me having read my book The Kid Who Climbed Everest. It tells the story of what happened and the four guys who lost their lives on the mountain, and they said ‘can we drop you in some difficult places and you show us what to do to survive?’. They knew my background of having taught combat survival with the British Special Forces and wanted to explore the whole thing of survival in the extremes.” 20
At first, Grylls was far from certain that he wanted to appear on the small screen. “The producer came to see me three times to see if I would do it, but I was nervous of TV and was also focused on doing my stuff – all the climbing and expeditions – and if I am honest, I wasn’t sure I would be any good at it!” he admits. “It was a confidence issue mainly. As soon as I felt I could just be me, caked in mud, then it all kind of took off.” That was how Grylls became the star of Discovery Channel’s Emmy-nominated Man Vs Wild and Born Survivor TV series, which have become among the most watched shows on the planet. More than 1.2 billion viewers have tuned in to see him running through forest fires, eating snakes, drinking urine saved in rattlesnake skin and fecal liquid from elephant dung, wrestling alligators, sleeping in a sheep corpse, and generally debasing himself in the name of survival. His next show, aired in 2010, saw him take on a series of ‘worst-case scenarios’ – ranging from crashing a car into a lake to getting attacked by an aggressive dog. “It is about what to do if you have run out of options and all has gone wrong,” he explains. “I K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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just do what I have been trained for and demonstrate how I would get myself out alive.” His shows have been dubbed pure gruesome entertainment, but he insists that they have an educational element as well. “I have received quite a few letters over the last few years from people who say they have used some little bit of info they learnt from the shows in a real-life scenario when they found themselves in trouble, and it is so heartening to read about. Recently there were some kids who fell through the frozen ice of a lake, and a mother and daughter who got lost hiking in the mountains. Much of the stuff I do is for quite extreme survival and often requires a certain level of physical skill, but there is also much that is relevant for anyone. Little tips can save your life if you remember them when it matters.” When he isn’t free-climbing waterfalls or chowing down on creepy-crawlies, Grylls lives on an island off the coast of Wales with his wife and sons. Unsurprisingly, the boys are addicted to adventurous activities such as canoeing, paragliding and climbing with their Dad. “My late Dad always used to say to me that what matters is to follow your dreams and look after your friends,” he says. “That to him was life in a nutshell. I hope to do the same with my two boys, although if they wanted to climb Everest, with a one in eight chance of dying, I might be a bit less enthusiastic! I have seen the raw end of those statistics, and I am not sure I would want my kids to go through that.” He claims that having a family has forced him to tone down his approach to risk, but his latest feats prove that he’s still not averse to putting himself in uncomfortable and dangerous situations. Born Survivor saw him doing battle with a giant porcupine, sleeping inside a dead camel’s chest cavity and floating down a crocodile and hippo-infested river in a rotting zebra carcass. “Sometimes,” he says wryly, “I think ‘Bear, what the hell have you got yourself into here!’.” 22
As his career progresses, Grylls has been slowly making the transition from all-action adventure hero to remarkably astute businessman. He now works as a motivational speaker, owns a Juice Plus franchise, produces a survival clothing range with British manufacturer Craghoppers and has collaborated with Gerber to design a range of knives and survival equipment. He has also published a series of books, including Facing Up, Scouting (Living Wild), Born Survivor, Facing the Frozen Ocean, Great Outdoor Adventures and his autobiography, Mud, Sweat and Tears. In between work, Grylls is heavily involved in charity work with the Scouts and the Prince’s Trust. “I have been so lucky in my life not only to survive my parachuting accident, but also to be able to have a job that is just what I always dreamt of,” he explains. “I consider it a real joy to try and use that privilege to encourage young people worldwide to be able to follow their dreams.” Bear Grylls Survival Academy was launched in the UK in 2012, in which outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe are taught his survival techniques on ‘the most challenging but empowering survival courses on the planet.’ It started with the extreme fiveday Survival in the Highlands course in Scotland. Since then, the UK Academy has launched a 24-Hour Family Course aimed at parents and children, a 24-Hour Adult Course, Wild Camps, HalfDay Taster Courses and a wide variety of Ultimate Team Building Courses for the Corporate Market including, Fun Team Building, and Leadership & Development Courses. Many will still be wondering one thing: why the name ‘Bear’? “I was christened Eddie, that became Teddy, and that became Bear,” he admits. “Not very butch, but there we go. You can’t be everything that people expect.” See page 17 for details of the charity event at Mote Park, Maidstone on 28th September. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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Summer essentials For all the family
Limited-edition Maui linen flowers shirt in grey by Panareha, £89, and Lords of Harlech Sunny Flowers blue T-shirt, £40. www.wolfandbadger.com
Slipfree shoes have been cleverly designed to keep children (and adults) safe by helping prevent slips and falls on both wet and dry surfaces. Whether at home, in the garden or on holiday by the pool or beach, these shoes give parents peace of mind whilst their little ones are running around enjoying themselves. They are the next best thing to bare feet but with the added protection of a firm-grip sole. Super-comfortable and easy to swim in, they can be worn almost anywhere! Prices are £14.95 for children and £18.95 for adults www.iloveslipfree.co.uk 24
Polly socks by The London Sock Exchange. Price £10 www.johnlewis.com
Cool Montii insulated children lunch bag. Available in various designs. Price £19.95 www.eatwell-uk.co.uk K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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Banana sweatshirt, £39; embroidered twill jacket, £89; parrot woven body, £45; sun and stripe T-shirt dress, £49 www.minirodini.com
Protect them on the beach with this SPF 50+ poncho towel Price £27.99 www.cuddledry.com
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It looks like we are in for a hot, hot summer. This might be welcome for the majority of us, but for small babies who can’t yet regulate their own temperature, it’s not just going to be uncomfortable, it can be potentially dangerous. Luckily, Slumbersac’s award-winning muslin sleeping bags have been designed specifically for the hot summer months. Made from luxurious bamboo muslin, a 100 per cent natural material, it is breathable, which helps to keep babies cool and comfortable. It is also well-known for its silky softness and is gentle against your baby’s delicate skin. Slumbersac’s muslin sleeping bags are available in sizes 0-10 years and come in a selection of adorable designs. Prices from £17.99 www.slumbersac.co.uk
Soft, cuddly friends Ockto Octopus and Starry Starfish. Price £25 each www.steiff.com
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Add a dose of colour to your summer wardrobe with the help of this stylish Dakota dress. Price £129 www.finerylondon.com
Lolly’s Laundry Ruby Daisy jumpsuit is a playful take on this season’s all-in-ones. Price £85 www.mazeclothing.co.uk
This Lora cami top by Fabienne Chapot features an allover eye catching print in emerald green set against a bubblegum-pink background. Price £55 www.luluandm.co.uk
Let summer go to your feet with these Castaner Carina Malva pink canvas wedge espadrilles. Price £80 www.myfashiontribu.com
This season’s bag – the Cleo, which comes in a variety of colours. Price £100 www.aurora-london.com
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Give your skin an instant boost with Beauté de Cell SPF 30 Lifting Up Multi Cream. With its anti-ageing and skin-nourishing ingredients, this cream will not only deeply moisturise and feed the skin, but also correct, brighten and lighten any uneven skin tone. Founded by scientists in Korea, Dracell is the only cosmetic brand that has active ingredients that regenerate skin cells. Price £39.99 www.dracell.co.uk
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We are sailing Gorgeous boat and beach-inspired jewellery to add a touch of the sea
Sailing Boat cufflinks in solid silver by Hersey Silversmiths Price £75 www.notonthehighstreet.com
Cali shell hoop earrings, £40, Cali shell pendant, £50, and Kara ring, £44 www.etta-collective.com
Isabel Marant Malebo gold-tone earrings Price £75 www.atterley.com
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Wald Berlin’s Just A Friend necklace £150 www.harrods.com
Silver anchor necklace Price £100 www.miansai.com 29
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Sssh... hush gets louder and the name is Bonds Fashion first
hush opens a pop-up in Bluewater Fashion and lifestyle brand hush are celebrating their new season collection with the launch of their first pop-up store in Kent, recreating the online brand’s laidback aesthetic in one of the UK’s most popular shopping destinations, Bluewater. Open until January 2020, the Bluewater store will have the largest variety of Spring/Summer pieces for hush customers to date. This pop-up is a continuation of regional pop-ups that hush have been opening across the UK, including in Scotland, Leeds and London. Customers will be able to buy the new summer collection, as well as meet key members of the hush team and enjoy a programme of shopping experiences, including the opportunity to win an exclusive personal styling session with a fashion writer and stylist. The relaxed, modern space has been furnished by Design Vintage and features a ‘Love saves the day’ neon artwork. Mandy Watkins, Founder and Creative Director of hush, says, “We’re really excited to be launching our new summer collection in our newly-opened pop-up store in Bluewater. We know we have a lot of fans here from the success of our concession in John Lewis, so we look forward to meeting them in person over the coming months, giving them the opportunity to try – and hopefully buy – our beautiful new range and introducing some new customers to the world of hush.”
Down under
Get ready for the new underwear brand from Australia Bonds, Australia’s biggest underwear brand, has hit the UK bringing with it fresh, eye-catching colourways. The range includes bras and knickers to suit every shape and size across a variety of collections, from Hipsters, Microfibre Lacies and Originals to the soon-to-be released Comfytails and Maternity. Plus they do babywear, too. Collections are available across Debenhams, House Of Frazer, ASOS, and John Lewis. 30
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Yoga for all It’s the exercise that boosts physical and mental wellbeing, perfect for everyone from children to professional rugby teams
It’s a centuries-old discipline as beneficial for the mind as it is the body – but now yoga is transcending barriers with its broadening appeal. The stereotypical view of yoga is that it’s done by ladies of a “certain age”. Think again! The ancient form of exercise (said to have originated in Northern India 5,000 years ago) uses strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing and now has legions of followers from all walks of life. Professional rugby teams have been using it as part of training in a bid to combat an increasingly injury-laden sport, while a younger generation is discovering yoga through fun-filled classes featuring the many animalinspired poses central to the ancient discipline. A new children’s class at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre is doing just that, as teacher Josie Male explains. “For many children, life can feel like a competition – school, sports, popularity, you name it. What I aim to do is help them enjoy exercise in a fun, non-competitive environment.” Josie has been teaching yoga for 15 years and decided a few years ago to look into the benefits it offers children. “We all need to be active, eat well and, most importantly, get good sleep. I believe if you can educate children to follow a healthy lifestyle from an early age, it can be invaluable in securing a balanced routine set for life.” How, though, you might be wondering, do you get a four or five year old to be focused long enough to do the puppy dog, dolphin or cobra? “We don’t teach children’s yoga as a scaled down version of an adult class – that would be a challenge!” says Josie. “As lots of poses are based around animals, bringing a jungle theme into the classes is our way in. ‘Travelling’ to 32
Africa or the Amazon are by far my favourite themes and we use lots of visual props and music to deliver interactive and imaginative journeys into a child’s developing mind and body.” At the other end of the scale, more men are discovering the benefits of yoga – especially if they are physically active in sport or a gym regular. “Men can sometimes lack the flexibility of women and, in addition, often neglect the importance of strengthening and stretching. This can lead to injuries, putting them out of a sport or fitness programme they love,” explains Angelina Baranouska who teaches yoga at Edenbridge Leisure Centre. “People are often surprised at how challenging yoga is and that it can be a tough workout. On the other hand, the great thing is it’s a discipline at which every student works within their limits.” Yoga’s other great selling point is the mental benefits. And, in a world in which stress, anxiety and depression are on the rise, it’s something that inspired Josie Male to look at its broader benefits. “We hear much these days about how common anxiety, mental health issues, eating or sleeping disorders are in people of all ages. So anything we can do to limit these and equip people with the skills to cope with a pressurised world has to be a good thing.” For more information on yoga classes at Edenbridge and Sevenoaks Leisure Centres, visit Sencio Community Leisure’s website and choose your local centre: sencio.org.uk
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Mum, I’m bored!
Words you won’t hear with these top tips for an entertaining summer with your children In the run-up to the summer holidays, many parents will begin to groan inwardly (and audibly) at the prospect of having to entertain the children for six weeks. What might begin with enthusiastic trips to the cinema and the local pool will inevitably end in wondering what to do next for everyone’s sanity. But don’t lose heart or creativity; instead of turning on the TV or handing them a tablet, Sussex-based Natural Nurture Nursery has created a top five summer holiday activity tips.
Weather the weather
Living in Britain means you can’t rely on brilliant sunshine for all the holidays, however, this shouldn’t dampen any plans for outdoor activities. Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Don the wellies, put on a rain jacket and head outside to jump in puddles, tree climb in the woods or play Pooh sticks.
Get crafty
Forget expensive craft kits – there are so many natural resources at our fingertips that children can use to spark their imaginations. Get the poster paint or chalks out and go hunting for sticks, stones, shells and leaves to decorate. Once dried, these can be turned into a multitude of things – painted leaves into bunting or gluing the shells to hairclips for original pieces of art.
Build a DIY tent
Don’t have a tent? Don’t worry, you can raid the airing cupboard and use sheets and blankets and let the children create their own dens, indoors or out. Clothes pegs are handy tools, as well as brooms, umbrellas and kitchen chairs. This activity not only helps children problem solve but on a sunny day will also create shade that they will want to sit under.
Pick a picnic
Plan a picnic with the kids, which could even be an indoor picnic if it rains. Involve the children by taking them to the supermarket with you to choose the foods and then let them help you prepare it. Children love chopping and spreading, and the enjoyment they’ll get when eating what they picked and prepared will be worth it!
Community spirit
Local councils, shopping centres, libraries and museums often host a range of free activities for the little ones over the summer so check what’s on guides and noticeboards for activities that are happening near you. Tracey Poulton, Founder of Natural Nurture, says: “Entertaining children over the summer doesn’t have to be an expensive exercise, it just requires a bit of imagination from both sides. Children can lead activities so listen to what they might like to do. It could be as simple as a game of hopscotch, but getting involved as a parent, too, can make the activity more fun and rewarding for both children and adults. “Studies have shown that children often just want to spend time with their parents and it can be undertaken easily through simple activities like sitting down and making a daisy chain together. “Don’t worry about having to amuse them the whole time, though, as letting them get bored occasionally is good, teaching them to be more creative in the ways they entertain themselves.” For more information about Natural Nurture visit www.naturalnurture.org 34
Natural Nurture’s pre-school children exploring the nursery’s 33-acre farm in West Sussex K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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Going for the burn Millions of parents have never applied sun protection to their children – even in the summer months, a shock study has found Research which explored parents’ attitudes to sun protection found one in 10 can’t recall a time when they used sun lotion to keep harmful rays off their child’s tender skin. Of those who have never applied sun protection to their kids, 28 per cent said they didn’t think their child’s skin needed it. It also emerged one in four think the sun in the UK isn’t strong enough to warrant the extra precaution, and one in five believe the sun isn’t harmful on overcast days. Charlotte Blanchard, general manager for Garnier UKI said: “We know parents have their hands full simply feeding, dressing and getting their kids washed at times. That’s why our educational tools aim to make it easier for parents, carers and teachers to educate kids about the importance of safety in the sun. As role models, we need parents and teachers to set an example for their children about how important sun protection is, during the school day and elsewhere. Yet this poll has found a host of reasons why it’s not happening.” Sunscreen application is most crucial between April and September when UV levels are at their peak. The study also found nearly half of the parents surveyed said their child has suffered from sunburn in the past. Of these, a third blamed this on the fact they were unprepared and didn’t have sun cream with them when needed. And 30 per cent said they forgot to reapply the sun protector frequently enough to prevent burning. As a result, one in seven had to seek medical treatment from a pharmacy to alleviate the discomfort. A diligent 50 per cent of mums and dads of children aged five to 11 ensure they apply sun protection to their kids every day through the hotter summer months. When selecting which sun protection to use, 54 per cent of parents will buy based on the highest star rating and reviews, while 38 per cent go for a well-known brand they recognise. A third of parents, however, aren’t
sure what the abbreviation SPF – Sun Protection Factor – stands for when buying sun cream. Three in five parents surveyed in the research wouldn’t trust their child to apply sun cream effectively themselves. And 60 per cent think their child could be taught more at school about the purposes of sun protection and the consequences if it isn’t used. To spotlight this, Garnier Ambre Solaire has launched a new set of teaching resources, including guidance and tips, as part of its annual Wrap, Splat, Hat campaign to ensure sun safety is an easier topic for schools to cover. Wrap, Splat, Hat is a sun-awareness education programme for primary schools by Garnier Ambre Solaire, in association with the British Skin Foundation. The programme supports cross-curricular learning through fun, hands-on and creative investigation.
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Memory lapse Brits are forgetting at least five things every day – thanks to technology A new study of 2,000 adults shows many are unable to remember passwords, phone numbers of family and friends and even how to spell certain words, because they rely on gadgets to do it for them. Other things commonly forgotten as a result of our reliance on technology include how to write neatly and how to carry out basic calculations, such as division and multiplication. Technology was also cited as the reason for respondents forgetting good friends’ addresses, the stars of favourite movies and TV programmes, and even how to relax. Incredibly, 13 per cent of adults don’t even know their own phone number. The research was carried out by working animal charity SPANA. Geoffrey Dennis, Chief Executive of SPANA, which provides free veterinary treatment to working animals in developing countries around the world, said: “They say elephants never forget, and in the animal kingdom there are certainly some extraordinary memory spans. People may be increasingly struggling to remember certain basic information these days. But we know that, for instance, donkeys can remember other donkeys and places they’ve been for up to 25 years, and elephants are able to identify at least 30 of their relatives and remember companions for around 22 years.” Daniel C Richardson, Professor of Experimental Psychology at UCL, said: “Technology has transformed how we store and access knowledge. How many of your friend’s and family’s phone numbers do you know from memory? If you had asked that question 20 years ago, most people would have been able to reel off a string of numbers. Indeed, those over 40 might still remember the numbers of long-departed ex-boyfriends or girlfriends. But today, most people rely on devices and the cloud to store, sync and deliver numbers to their fingertips. Similarly, if asked ‘who starred in the first Batman movie’, we can now look that up on a device as quickly as searching our own memories.”
The research found that these days, adults find it more and more difficult to remember things like their bank account details, how to set the time on the clock in the car, or what time a TV programme is on. They also can’t remember how to navigate basic routes as they rely on sat nav to do it for them, and people use the computer so often that many say they are forgetting how to write properly, how to post a letter or how to pronounce something. Day to day, people are also finding it harder to recall other people’s birthdays, the time or location of events, and some even said they are forgetting the art of conversation. Professor Richardson added: “It feels like there is a big difference between looking up information in your head, and looking it up on your phone. In one case we ‘know’ the information, and in the other we know how to find out. But some psychologists have argued that, in a sense, the brain doesn’t make such a sharp distinction. It’s called the ‘extended mind’ hypothesis, and argues that our brains have always worked to use the world around us as part of our cognitive processing. Think about doing arithmetic in school, and writing down all the steps of long division. Or playing Scrabble, and moving the letters round on your tray rather than juggling them in your head. In all these cases, your brain is leaving information ‘in the world’, rather than storing it ‘in the head’. So although technology has dramatically increased the volume of knowledge that we can store and access, it is not fundamentally changing how the brain works, some have argued.” The study also found that six in 10 believe they often forget things because they have the option of searching online for what they need instead. And more than a third agree they don’t need to remember anything, because their technology will do it for them. As such, adults now make little effort to remember things like directions, facts about the world, special dates, recipes and appointments. Geoffrey Dennis of SPANA added: “If you remember one thing, please make it the working animals around the world that desperately need our help. These hardworking horses, donkeys, elephants and camels play a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of the world’s poorest people. However, they rarely get the recognition they deserve. They work in extremely hard conditions, in most cases without the food, water, rest and vital veterinary treatment they urgently require.” www.spana.org
Old for new Parents turn to refurbished technology for their kids to keep down costs One third of parents in a recent poll admitted going without themselves in order to buy the latest tech products for their children. The study also found 37 per cent save all year to ensure their little ones have the same high-tech gadgets as their mates. But while eight in 10 parents feel under pressure to make sure their child has the latest technology, seven in 10 have refused to buy brand new products due to the sky-high price tags. And 38 per cent have opted for refurbished kit instead. .The research was conducted by site musicMagpie, whose spokesman Liam Howley said: “Technology moves at a frightening pace. What was once the cutting edge of the industry can find itself next to obsolete within the space of months – and even weeks in some cases. It can be hard enough even keeping up with the latest advances in technology, let alone having the cash to upgrade all your own gear.” It also emerged seven in 10 Brits believe technology is too expensive a gift to buy for children, and a fifth report their child wants to upgrade their phone every 18 months. When buying refurbished technology, more than a third of parents kept the fact that the gadget wasn’t brand new and boxfresh a secret from their kids, in case they turned their noses up. And almost four in 10 don’t want their kids to know their parents struggle to afford the latest gadgets. Brits reckon they saved themselves on average £102 the last time they bought a refurbished product compared to a new one – and the majority of parents think their kids wouldn’t know the difference anyway. Smartphones and tablets were revealed as the gadgets most likely to be bought refurbished, followed by games consoles like PlayStations and Xboxes, and a quarter would be happy to buy a refurbed laptop. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
But some of the main reasons parents wouldn’t opt for an as-new gadget include not being able to trust where it came from, and worrying that their refurbished gadget won’t be as good in quality as something bought new. Howley said: “When purchasing refurbished tech from the musicMagpie store, parents don’t need to worry about where it has come from or about it breaking. All of our refurbished tech items go through a 70-point diagnostic check, have the batteries replaced and are checked against lost and stolen databases. What’s more, everything we sell is certified data-wiped and all the products come with a 12-month warranty, plus it’s a much cheaper alternative for parents who are on a tight budget.” www.musicmagpie.co.uk 37
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Striking the right balance Is work-life balance a myth for new parents returning to work? Conor McArdle has some advice
Work takes up a large slice of our time, but it has to fit around family and social life. Returning to work after parental leave can present some challenges, particularly if you are a business leader. For many new parents, there’ll be a spectrum of emotions to contend with, from excitement and nerves, to a tinge of guilt and dislocation. So, if you’re a new mum or dad preparing to return to work, you may want to think about putting practices into place to ensure a smooth transition. Business experts at Brighter Business have put together the following advice on how to strike the perfect work-life balance as a new parent.
Share the load
Does work-life balance exist? If not, how to make it work
Handling employees returning from leave
As a business leader, you’ll know exactly the sort of challenges you’ll face in your day-to-day work. The challenge of balancing them when you have a small human to look after can be daunting. Don’t fret –a healthy work-life balance can exist! It’s not always easy, but there are a few key principles to succeeding when you go back to work.
Start slowly
Don’t throw yourself back in at the deep end. Before your departure from work, important tasks would’ve been handed over to a trusted colleague or shelved until they could be given the necessary time and attention. Keep-intouch (KIT) days are a great way to maintain contact with whoever has been left in charge in your absence and provide you with updates on how things are progressing and any issues or challenges. You can spread these out over the duration of your leave without feeling like it compromises on the quality of time spent with family, while also helping you to keep your finger on the pulse of the business. Additionally, a staggered return, where you return to work on a reduced basis, for example two days a week for a month before increasing your days, could also help the transition. Even if you own the business, you should implement the same procedure as you would for one of your employees.
Don’t compromise
While remote working can be great for new parents, it can also be problematic in blurring the lines between work and family. The nature of the ‘alwayson’ culture in an increasingly-connected world means that workaholism can impact on family life. Don’t compromise on the quality of either; when working from home, make sure you’re working. When you’re spending time together as a family, don’t give in to the temptation to check work emails. Expect the same from your colleagues as you would from yourself, and the boundaries for everyone will be crystal clear.
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It’s easy to quickly fall into a routine where one parent is responsible for the daily drop off and pick up, meaning that person is under pressure each day to finish on time. Could your partner, a family member or close friend help each week or even a few times a month to take the pressure off? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember, juggling last-minute work deadlines with set pick-up times from the childminder can be tricky, and sometimes you simply can’t do it all. If you still can’t make it work, then talk to your employer or HR to see if there are other arrangements or initiatives that you could take advantage of.
All of the above also applies to any employees within your business that are returning from parental leave. Having a reduced schedule with greater flexibility, at least to begin with, can help to ease recent parents back into the workplace without too much stress. Returnships are one way to help parents return to the workplace, whether recently or after a prolonged absence due to family commitments. These sorts of programmes can help employees to re-establish their careers in the same business by bringing back highlyskilled, knowledgeable and experienced individuals without compromising on family life or other personal commitments.
Be flexible
A more flexible schedule –whether that entails reduced hours, working from home, or other arrangements – can help to provide a supportive framework for parents who need time to adjust to the twin pressures of work and family life. If you’re in charge of supporting a colleague in their KIT days, try to empathise with their position – there may be a lot they feel they’ve missed, and even simple team bonding time can be much appreciated. Try to plan sessions thoughtfully and don’t treat them as an afterthought or casual meeting –think about what you’d want to know if you’d been away.
Communication is key
As always, communication is key. Ensure that any policies are clear, announce when they’re established, and let employees know about what processes are in place to make life a little easier. It’s these practices and processes which enable and empower you and your employees to feel confident and comfortable in both the professional and personal spheres of your lives.
For more tips, guidance and information on how to balance work and family life, visit www.brighterbusiness.co.uk
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Nuts to infertility New research shows eating nuts boosts sperm quality to help couples facing fertility challenges If you’re a couple trying for a baby, a new study shows that almonds, along with other tree nuts, may help support male fertility and in turn the 3.5 million British couples facing infertility. The researchers found that eating 60g (about two portions) of nuts daily – including almonds – significantly improves the total sperm count and the vitality, motility and morphology (size and shape) of the sperm. This recent study – using a combination of almonds (15g), hazelnuts (15g) and walnuts (30g) – showed similar sperm quality results as previous walnutsonly research demonstrated, but additionally increased sperm count by 16 per cent. So, it seems that a mix of nuts may be key. Further, almonds are rich in zinc, which contributes to normal fertility and reproduction. Previous research on infertility has suggested that poor eating habits, among other unhealthy behaviours and environmental factors, may be a contributor to declining sperm counts and sperm quality in industrialised countries. This new FERTINUTS study was first presented at the 2018 European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting. The study was funded by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) who have created a short informative video explaining the results, highlighting the fact that fertility is an issue affecting about 1 in 7 couples worldwide, with male factors responsible for 40-50 per cent of these cases. This study builds on a previous finding on walnuts alone (75g a day for 12 weeks) that found improvements in sperm vitality, motility and morphology, but not in total sperm count. The addition of almonds and hazelnuts to the study diet resulted in improvements in the same measures of quality, but
increased sperm count as an added benefit. Sperm count was 16 per cent higher; there was a 6 per cent increase in sperm motility; and the amount of live, healthy sperm increased by 4 per cent, with a 1 per cent increase in sperm morphology. Consultant Dietitian Juliette Kellow comments: “Having a healthy diet is an important, but often-overlooked piece of the fertility puzzle. This study shows that adding tree nuts like almonds offers a potentially easy way to boost male fertility and may help support couples trying to conceive.”
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Baby love Karianne Levett, Founder of Cognisant Birth, talks about Hypnobirthing and the role it can play in achieving a calm and stress-free birth
Image credit: Benjamin Wheeler Photography
When the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to baby Archie in April, rumour has it that she used Hypnobirthing to help her prepare. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t some new-fangled, new-age idea. It was originally established in the United States in 1989 by Marie Mongan, and the hugely popular UK version Katharine Graves Hypnobirthing (KG Hypnobirthing) is now taught worldwide. When Karianne Levett was expecting her first baby, she discovered KG Hypnobirthing. The effects of which, during pregnancy and the birth itself, were so profound that within six weeks of Betsy’s arrival she decided to train as a Hypnobirthing teacher. Here, Karianne, who was brought up in Tunbridge Wells and now lives in Oxshott, talks about her experience.
How did you hear about Hypnobirthing?
My Hypnobirthing journey began when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I was very excited but absolutely terrified of giving birth. After hearing horror story after horror story, I was convinced that it would be incredibly painful, labour would go on for days and at the point of complete exhaustion, me and my distressed baby would be rushed into theatre for an emergency caesarean. I was so scared, that to me the only logical way to prepare for birth was to plan an elective C-section. A few months later, I was chatting to a colleague about pregnancy and asked about her birth experience. She described it as “calm, manageable and pretty damn quick”. I was shocked – how could anyone describe giving birth as any of those things? The answer, apparently, was 40
Hypnobirthing. Needless to say, I went straight home to tell my husband, did some research and booked us onto a course.
What is Hypnobirthing?
Put simply, Hypnobirthing is a rather misleading name for something that is actually very logical. It works on the premise that birth is a completely natural process that shouldn’t be painful or be feared. The principles of Hypnobirthing are all based on the biology of the human body. We look at how the body’s ability to birth effectively is impacted when we release stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which happens when a woman feels scared, confused or under threat, alongside the strategies that can help to prevent that happening to you. The course provides you with a toolkit of logical ways to reframe the way you think about, talk about and prepare for bringing your baby into the world. None of the things in isolation are ground-breaking, but the cumulative effect of practising them gives you and your partner a better chance of having a positive birth experience, however your baby arrives.
Does it involve being hypnotised?
Many people have the misconception that Hypnobirthing means being in some kind of meditative trance state during birth where you have no control over your body or thoughts. This couldn’t be further from what self-hypnosis or Hypnobirthing is about. Self-hypnosis is a natural state of consciousness that everyone drifts in and out of all the time. Those you’ll be most familiar with are when you are just waking up or drifting off to sleep. It’s that in-between state where you’re not so concerned with what is going on around you, but if K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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you had to jump out of bed quickly because someone had shouted ‘FIRE’ you would be up in a second. You are still aware of what is going on, yet you choose whether or not you wish to engage with the people who are supporting you at all times.
What can you expect from Hypnobirthing during labour?
Because of what you learn through Hypnobirthing you can expect to go into birth feeling calm, positive and even excited about what you are about to experience. This massively impacts your body’s ability to birth more efficiently. When you are calm and relaxed, you produce more of the hormone oxytocin, which allows your contractions (or surges) to happen more effectively, whilst simultaneously producing endorphins which act as a natural reliever for any pain you might be feeling. Going into labour feeling calm and being able to stay calm and positive during birth starts with preparation during pregnancy and Hypnobirthing provides the practical tools to enable women to do that. Many women who have practiced Hypnobirthing report on having calmer, shorter births with less need for drugs or intervention. They often recover more quickly and have calmer babies that feed, sleep and settle more easily.
How did it help in your birth experience?
It helped in more ways than I could have imagined. By understanding what was happening to my body, which muscles were doing what, when and why, it allowed me to relax during my pregnancy and look forward to giving birth instead of feeling stressed and anxious about it. The birth of my daughter was amazing. I work up at 6am with mild surges that grew steadily in intensity over the next couple of hours. I felt completely calm yet excited – like a child on Christmas morning! After having some tea, toast and a shower I sat down at my dressing table to put some makeup on. I didn’t get very far as my surges started to feel very intense, so we decided to make our way to the hospital. A few hours later, our little girl Betsy was born into the water in the birthing pool. I felt amazing afterwards – I couldn’t quite believe that I had done it. I want all women to feel like that after the birth of their baby.
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At what stage in your pregnancy should you take the course?
We recommend that you attend the course any time after your 20-week scan. The earlier you start, the more time you have to practice the allimportant techniques of Hypnobirthing. It is not so much a matter of learning facts, so they are fresh in your mind, but more a matter of absorbing the information so that it becomes second nature, but hypnobirthing works whenever you do it. Women have been taught Hypnobirthing and given birth two days later, and it stills works perfectly well. The key is preparation, as it is all done in the practice – you don’t need to actually do anything on the day.
How long does a course last?
The course is very detailed and is taught over 10 hours, typically split over four week-day evening sessions or two weekend sessions.
What courses do you offer?
I offer both group, private and refresher courses for all types of birth. Group classes are a great way of meeting other like-minded parents in your local area. A private course is ideal if you are looking for a more bespoke birth preparation. We work together to explore your fears, plans and expectations around your pregnancy and birth, with tailored tools and methods that can work for you, your birth partner and your baby. I also offer a birth preparation course for couples planning for a caesarean section delivery called “Your Belly Birth”. Although not widely known, there are plenty of things you can choose to prepare for your abdominal birth which are right for you, your partner and your baby. Birth is birth, however it happens.
Is Hypnobirthing suitable for everyone?
Absolutely. Hypnobirthing works for all types of births, whether it’s your first or fifth child, if you’re planning a natural birth or a caesarean section. It equips you with knowledge so that as a couple, you feel empowered to make informed choices that are right for you and your baby. Lots of couples I teach are often very surprised at how much choice is open to
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them. One of the most valuable parts of the course is understanding these choices and learning how to work as part of a team with your caregivers. The course goes into much more detail than some of the more traditional birth preparation courses.
How involved are partners?
Hypnobirthing gives birth partners a vital role to play in the birthing process. Instead of them feeling a bit like a bystander, it gives them a level of responsibility to ensure that the mum remains calm and focused throughout. Their role is integral to their baby’s birth. The preparation that couples do during pregnancy helps them connect at an even deeper level when it comes to thinking about the birth and how the birth partner is going to be able to support the mum during the rest of the pregnancy and labour. Birth partners, especially men, can be quite sceptical about Hypnobirthing classes at the start, but often turn into the biggest advocates. My husband certainly falls into that category – initially he thought it was nonsense. He did a complete U-turn after the first session. This was because the tools that are taught are common sense, practical and very tangible. The other great benefit for partners is that Hypnobirthing gives them a very defined support role during both pregnancy and labour and that’s incredibly helpful for both of you.
Are there different methods of Hypnobirthing?
Yes, there are. I chose to train with Katharine Graves (KGH) which is the original UK course, designed especially for mothers in the UK. The course is accredited by the Royal College of Midwives and is constantly evolving to keep up to date with the latest evidence and research. Some of the other Hypnobirthing methods available can be rather prescriptive with their approach to birth. KGH promotes all types of births – no matter how your baby is born, the most important thing is that couples know their choices, feel listened to and respected. Our course not only equips you with the hypnobirthing information,
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but uniquely gives you the knowledge to understand your options and the implications of the choices you make. As well as teaching you the techniques you need for a successful Hypnobirth, it gives you the information to navigate the system in which you find yourself to achieve the best outcome for you and your baby.
Why did you decide to train to teach Hypnobirthing?
After my daughter’s birth, I realised that the positive birth experience I had was remarkably different to what most women had been through. The difference seemed to be Hypnobirthing. I had such an overwhelming urge to help other mums-to-be have a positive birth experience that just six weeks after my daughter was born, I signed up to do my teacher training. I believe that every parent should have the opportunity to prepare for a positive birth experience and I want to help as many people as I can. As well as teaching Hypnobirthing, I am a facilitator of the Positive Birth Movement – an organisation that connects pregnant women together to share stories, expertise and positivity about childbirth. Our aim is to challenge the epidemic of negativity and fear that surrounds modern birth and help change birth for the better. I also sit on the committee for the Maternity Voices Partnership where we work together to review and contribute to the development of local maternity services.
What areas do you cover?
I am based in Surrey, although I also cover clients in London, Kent, Sussex and most of the South East. If you are interested in one of Karianne’s courses, then don’t forget to mention Kudos to receive 20% off! Give her a call on 07977 403003 or email karianne@wearecognisant.com
www.wearecognisant.com
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Heads up!
Top local head teachers give their views
We asked heads to highlight some of their school’s achievements over the past year Mike Piercy, Headmaster
The New Beacon, Sevenoaks Independent preparatory school for boys aged 4-13 There are few Heads who relish the prospect of inspection. When all goes well, however, there can be much to celebrate. We were visited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in February – 24 hours’ notice before the team arrives to check ‘compliance’ and assess ‘the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements’ as well as ‘the quality of pupils’ personal development’. We were found to be compliant and adjudged ‘Excellent’ in both aspects – the top grading. I am, of course, biased, and proud to lead a school which sees achievement on a daily basis, and where laughter is never far away. It is gratifying and reassuring therefore to hear the objective views of highly-trained, rigorous inspectors. A powerful quote from the inspection report: ‘The caring nature of the school is promoted consistently throughout all aspects of school life and, in particular, by the excellent role models provided by the staff.’ Achievement is individual: for each and every boy (a boys’ school!), there will be daily achievements. We have a weekly ‘Celebration Assembly’ for boys in Years 1-4. Teachers record special achievements in The Golden Book, which could be anything from mastering place value in maths or progress in reading, to the awarding of the pen licence. One of my favourites is ‘completing work quickly and accurately’: boys often think first past the post with work makes him the winner but to do it quickly and accurately is a genuine achievement. Equally acknowledged and celebrated are achievements in personal development: settling down to work more quickly; concentrating; helping classmates; good manners (the courtesy cup!); above all, kindness. The boys stand up to take a round of applause, their faces a joy to behold.
As to special achievements, we celebrate the academic scholarships won to Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Caterham Schools. Our quiz team (drawn from Years 5-8) was joint winner in the regional general knowledge competition. Boys have been highly commended in national essay-writing competitions. Football, rugby, hockey, swimming and shooting teams have competed (and won) at national level. The Chapel Choir accompanied Mass in St Peter’s, The Vatican, to huge acclaim. These are significant achievements, but the small steps leading to bigger steps are, to me, of equal value.
Emma Neville, Headmistress
Rose Hill School, Tunbridge Wells Co-educational preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3-13 Somehow, almost as if by magic, we have arrived at the end of another packed academic year. As ever, we have been busy on all fronts in our search for the talents in all the children at Rose Hill School. Not just the academic subjects but, of course, in the co-curriculum. There have been individual and collective highlights aplenty but the most important thing is that all the children can take advantage of the broad range of stimuli and opportunities that Rose Hill School has to offer. Our Wellness Week is in its second year, and never has this focus been more important on an everyday level. This goes hand in hand with the excellent provision we have to support the individual needs of each pupil so that we can give them the opportunity to flourish and develop their intelligence. We now have over 70 clubs running each week, giving our pupils such a rich, broad range of opportunity. Our residential trips allow character and leadership skills to develop whilst enriching pupils’ social experiences. This year we have had a strong focus on social responsibility. Through the various elements of our school life we work with local charities, fund (and awareness) raising, through presentations and visits. We aim to help pupils think about how people really make a difference to local, national and global issues. We want to draw attention to the qualities of those individuals and organisations whose vision, dynamism, compassion, commitment and generosity are already making a difference. We want our pupils to be able to recognise 44
problems and begin to identify the steps required to develop solutions and to focus on the positive impact education can have on social problems. We recognise our responsibilities and hope that, through the experience and awareness gained at this school, we can encourage our pupils to be leaders in compassion and to become the visionaries who will set the future agenda for beneficial social transformation. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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Craig McCarthy, Headmaster
Russell House School, Sevenoaks Independent co-educational preparatory school for boys and girls aged 2-11 As the end of term approaches, I am working on various drafts of my end-ofyear report to parents for our Prize Giving Days. Alas, the word limit here does not permit me to go through the numerous standout moments that comprise a Russell House school year, but we had another cracker. How do I choose?: Raising thousands for Diabetes UK by walking the London Bridges? Having an unbeaten U11 sports team? Launching the inspirational video on the website? Watching the whole school learn a street dance routine? Perhaps the enormous successes of our competitive maths, science and general knowledge teams at local and national level? Winning the Kent Schools’ Cross Country? Dominating in gymnastics in local and regional events? Developing and launching our Humanism unit as part of a rich and balanced approach to World Views and Religion? Enjoying our inaugural ski trip? Staying open (again) when snow arrives while so many schools close? Launching new initiatives with the Parish Council and advancing pupil-led projects to tackle environmental issues? I could go on... You might expect me to wax lyrical about scholarships and all the places gained at competitive grammar and independent schools. Yes, we have had those again, too, and it is very satisfying for pupils, parents and the school. However, fundamentally, at Russell House we look to develop two things in our pupils throughout their time at Russell House: the first is confidence. The second is self-awareness. As I write, it is summer and I am spending the week with Year 6 as part of our Camp Programme. I am sitting on a bench in the grounds of a château in northern France watching our Year 6 Leavers who are paddleboarding and
canoeing on the château’s lake. The scene is idyllic, the laughter infectious, the challenge level perfectly pitched, and there is an abundance of confidence and self-awareness on display. The greatest accomplishment this year? The School aims – achieved.
Andrew Webster, Headmaster
The Mead School, Tunbridge Wells Co-educational preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3-11 The Mead has long had a reputation for being a home from home; a family under one roof where every single child is treated like our own and so feels safe and supported in taking risks and pursuing their potential. Our core aim is for every child to feel success, and our family ethos creates the right environment for this to happen. However, our holistic provision is equally important as it allows each Meadite to find their talent or passion. We have, therefore, spent the year investing further in our rounded curriculum. Our sports provision has been transformed thanks to our brand new on-site astro-turf. The fixture list has expanded significantly and it’s been a privilege to personally watch the children compete in the whole spectrum of sport, from swimming to rugby, hockey to athletics. In addition, our extra-curricular programme is simply bursting. Joining stalwarts such as LAMDA, judo and ballet have been professional coaching in cricket, football, golf, yoga and tennis; a daily cookery school and the emergence of a school chess team, competing in a tournament for the first time this term. Our Performing Arts department has always been a flagship and yet even this area of the school has remained dynamic, with our new choir and orchestra rehearsing weekly and the former performing at The Pantiles and our local community churches. Other new initiatives have included the introduction of STEAM and Global Awareness onto the curriculum, subjects which are both designed, in their own way, to expand the children’s horizons and allow them to understand the modern world a little better.
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Indeed, it is only now, reflecting on this expansion, that I realise how much we have achieved in such a short space of time. Next year, we are looking forward to further strengthening our family ethos and attention to the individual. Watch this space for news on wellbeing, online safety, sustainability and pupil leadership. 45
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Richard Cairns, Headmaster
Brighton College An independent, co-educational boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 The Sunday Times’ decision to choose Brighton College as its Independent School of the Year 2019 highlighted outstanding academic success in achieving the best A-level results of any mixed school in the UK, as well as outstanding care of pupils with regard to a deep-seated ethos of kindness and tolerance throughout the school. In May, the Boarding School Awards also recognised that Brighton College has become a beacon of contemporary design chic by the sea when it awarded the school two major awards – for Best Extension, and also for Innovation. Nothing here is ‘too cool for school’. Brighton’s boarding accommodation gained a star addition with the opening of a new co-ed Sixth Form house, Alexander. Located in the heart of the hip Kemptown neighbourhood, two minutes’ walk from the main College campus, Alexander House is a testimony to imagination and innovation, based on the renovation and transformation of a former convent by leading London-based design firm DDSB, creating an environment of comfort, inclusivity and care. Re-imagining the interior space of a building originally designed for religious purposes was a responsibility the College took seriously. By retaining key features such as the stained glass windows and carved reliefs, we were able to preserve the history of the space while giving the building a new purpose. The two residential wings join in key communal spaces: the striking lounge, completely refurbished with modern furniture, contemporary art, and a conservatory where meals are served overlooking gardens. Add a scattering of neon signs and a cinema room. New House, meanwhile, is a girls’ boarding space that was named one of the best buildings in Britain by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). With stylish and luxurious rooms, and a top-floor communal space with panoramic views across the College quad, it draws on classic Sussex materials such as flint in its eye-catching façade. Hailed by RIBA as a “pinnacle of collective achievement”, New House was also awarded ‘Excellent’ status by BREAAM, the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for buildings. If you do it right, creating a superb environment for boarders can be done in a way that is good for the wider environment too. 46
The BSA’s Innovation Award, meanwhile, highlighted the wonderful community engagement of Brighton College’s boarders. One of the most moving examples is their weekly work with the city’s Syrian refugee community. Every Sunday, boarders work with the Voices in Exile charity to connect with over 50 refugees. At sessions held on our campus, pupils help adults with English lessons and discussions about life in the UK, help children with English and maths classes, and have recently established a youth club and crèche for the group. The College has provided each refugee with books and learning materials so they can improve their spoken and written English. Boarders have arranged food and clothing collections, and have been actively involved in sporting and musical events to raise additional funds. This programme is almost entirely run by the boarders themselves, and has grown remarkably over the last few years. It has become a partnership very close to the hearts of all those involved. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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Bill Jones, Headmaster
Spring Grove School, Wye, near Ashford Independent preparatory school for boys and girls aged 2-11 Spring Grove is a great place to grow, where free-range children are at liberty to create and explore, as well as work hard. The achievement that we strive for year upon year is to give every child in the school the very best start in life, and the space and opportunity to grow with confidence in a supportive and friendly community. The great joy of working in a school such as Spring Grove is that every year brings different challenges and achievements, as ideas – often led by the children themselves – take shape and grow. A stand-out event for the school in the Autumn term was our commemoration of the centenary of the ending of the First World War, held in Wye parish church together with the local primary school. Children from both schools told the stories of some of the men whose names appear on the War Memorial in Wye – stories that had been researched as part of a project undertaken by the pupils at Spring Grove. This wonderful concert brought young and old together in both laughter and tears, and most importantly sent out the message: ‘We will remember them’. The theme of working with the elderly has been a thread that has run throughout this year, particularly as the school’s fundraising has centred around the charity, Dementia UK. One exciting new initiative was inspired by the Channel 4 programme Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds. Children from Spring Grove have long visited Brambles, our local care home for the elderly, to sing carols at Christmas or to bring Harvest gifts, but it was this programme that prompted Mrs Jones, our Head of Music, to take the existing link a step further. Now most Fridays, a group of children from Reception class put on their wellies and walk with their teachers across the field to Brambles to meet their elderly friends. The interaction from both sides is lovely to see, and the visits promote emotional wellbeing on both sides: as one staff member put it: “The residents light up when the children enter the room…”. Equally, the children return to school eager to share their experiences, and to tell their stories. None of these achievements would happen without the dedication of our talented and hard-working staff at Spring Grove. For that reason it’s always pleasing when this work is recognised with an award. We were all delighted when Mr Curnow, Head of our Forest School, was voted ‘Inspiring Outdoor Educator of the Year’ at the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom’s annual conference. Mr Curnow truly is an inspiration to all the children who enjoy learning how to use tools, to make art, to cook and to explore the natural world every week in our Forest School. Another major initiative for this year has been working towards an Artsmark award to recognise the strength of music, art and drama in the school. Head of Art, Miss Drury, has been coordinating this work, and her recent circus-themed Artsweek was a triumph of clowns, acrobats, circus skills and art workshops – enjoyed by all, and all part of what makes Spring Grove a ‘great place to grow’. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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Viewpoint Local schools have their say
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Paul Borrows, Vinehall School’s Assistant Head, Academic, on why children should be encouraged to think and reason for themselves, to make mistakes and to learn from them
Life is full of challenges. We know this as adults, of course, but even the very youngest children have obstacles to overcome. We begin to learn the skills and strategies that enable us to prevail – courage and resilience, as well as a willingness to recognise our own limitations and the benefits of working with others – as soon as we are able to crawl and explore the world around us. At Vinehall, we understand the importance of allowing children to get things wrong: mistakes are an integral part of the learning process. Children need to fall over so that they learn to pick themselves up again. This is as true inside the classroom – metaphorically at least – as it is outside the classroom. All children come into the world naturally curious, eager to play and explore, and equally eager to learn. At Vinehall, our aim is to harness this natural curiosity by encouraging children to ask questions. We want our pupils to think and reason for themselves, even the very youngest children, so our teachers are as likely to question answers as they are to answer questions. Small class sizes mean that learning can be tailored to the interests of the children in each class; the day may begin with the children learning about castles, but the unexpected discovery of a bird’s nest might mean they end the day learning about the life cycles of different animals. Incredible facilities and specialist teachers mean that the children at Vinehall have the opportunity to explore and develop a broad range of interests. From the age of five, the children have weekly swimming and gymnastics lessons, as well as French and Music lessons with subject specialists. The children all sing together in the Pre-Prep Choir and take part in friendly sports tournaments, with mixed teams of girls and boys of different ages playing together. Outdoor learning – as well as outdoor play – is an integral part of life at Vinehall. As the children progress through the school more opportunities await them. The extra-curricular programme is extensive, with clubs ranging from clay pigeon shooting to debating, from fencing to cryptography. The children continue to sing in various choirs and they also have the opportunity to play in a multitude of ensembles: there are junior and senior orchestras, as well as a string quartet, a swing band and a percussion group, to name just a few. Drama features strongly at Vinehall, with everyone from the two year olds in nursery to the thirteen year olds in Year 8 having frequent opportunities to perform on stage. At the heart of our academic curriculum is the same emphasis on nurturing children’s creativity and curiosity. We want the children to be captivated by fantastical stories and to journey to the outer reaches of the solar system or the depths of the ocean in the pages of a book. We want them to ask what makes a number odd or even and to use colourful cubes, pine cones or pairs of animals making their way onto an ark to make sense of the answer. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
The curriculum at Vinehall is designed to encourage independence of thought by embracing an outward-looking, forward-thinking programme of study. We want to provide all children with a relevant and engaging learning experience that gives them a sense of place and a sense of purpose. Above all, we want the children to love learning, to experience the deep satisfaction that comes from making sense of the world around them and to enjoy the tension and triumph of discovery. 49
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Craig McCarthy, Head at Russell House, issues a rallying cry for children’s chess clubs
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It’s a game of war. The objective is to shred an army of opposing forces with no mercy. This might sound like the latest console game but, in fact, is an ancient one, in which not one drop of blood is spilled, not one expletive uttered and where the combatants always shake hands at the beginning and end of the campaign. This is chess. There are no laser-guided, multiple-warhead machine cannons at your disposal. All you need is the power of the human brain. For as little as £5 for a chess set and a couple of lessons to learn the basic moves, the young and old, girl and boy, novice and expert alike can disappear into a world where imagination replaces high definition. The benefits of chess in developing a child’s thinking skills are well documented. To win, children have to invoke strategic planning, problem solving and memory skills as they learn opening gambits and to recognise how to deal with recurring scenarios. They have to predict the numerous possible consequences of their moves and continually make critical analyses of their positions. Moreover, children are required to concentrate on one task for lengthy periods of time; a skill that has arguably diminished as children spend more and more time in their kaleidoscopic digital worlds. Of course, chess has embraced the digital revolution and moved with the times – I still find time to use a chess app to take on players from around the world in real time. This year, the Russell House chess club joined with the world’s grandmasters in the Move for Change movement. This is where chess games begin unusually with the black pieces moving first. Chess therefore, can provide a way in for children to think about bigger issues, too.
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Chess teaches children patience and persistence and, possibly the greatest gift of all, the ability to think independently. Yet when the King finally succumbs, the lessons are not over as, with the shaking of hands, each child learns either to win graciously or lose with dignity. We currently have 37 boys and girls competing in our ladder and inter-House events and the Delancey UK Chess Challenge. This is one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world, where children compete face to face and online, on an equal footing regardless of ability. All win prizes, from badges and mascots to cash prizes for those good enough to progress from school to the regional and national stages, as we often enjoy. So you can see that chess has been strong at Russell House this last seven years and yet chess remains niche in schools generally. Running a chess club is not difficult. Knowing the rules of the game helps, but there are lots of resources to help teachers. Children can, with a little guidance, run their own clubs and the equipment, unlike many sports, is not expensive. Chess in Schools and Communities (www.chessinschools.co.uk) is a great place to start, or I would be very happy to offer advice, being contactable through Russell House (head@russellhouse.kent.sch.uk).
So if you are a pupil, a parent or a teacher who wants your school to start a club, my advice would be to make some noise. You will not regret it and will open up a lifetime of opportunity to keep the brains of our youngsters sharp.
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Elisa Harrod, Rose Hill School’s Director of Music, on the power of music in a digital world
Music is a powerful subject that is an intrinsic part of modern life. Therefore, the way to develop a love of all genres and styles of music is to capture imagination through modern technology. The music department at Rose Hill School offers a range of both traditional and modern ways of approaching music education, such as clubs like MTech; Composing Club using Garage Band and Notation writing software; Battle of the Bands and Band Clubs. Within curriculum time, You Tube is used during most lessons to access content and starting points for lessons. Sets of iPads are also used to support independent keyboard projects and notation games, and Garage Band for composition. A way of inspiring a love of music in a digital world is to make the music and the stories of composers real and to put context behind the music. That way children engage with the period of time the music was composed and listen to the music with a different aural perception. Following that engagement, digital K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
technology and keyboards can be used to create compositions based on classical music. In many schools, music is an area that is often subject to financial cuts and yet Ofsted are now focusing and placing value on breadth of curriculum. Research shows the power of music in developing children in academic ability, developing a sense of wellbeing, developing social skills and developing individual skills and confidence. At Rose Hill School we are passionate about the power of music and have regular wellbeing singing sessions, hymns, a huge number of extra-curricular clubs and instrumental lessons, Kodaly-based music lessons for EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and a huge number of concerts, shows, workshops and events throughout the year. I challenge anyone to observe excellent music education in schools and not perceive the overall positive impact it has on school life and individual development! 53
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Lessons about acceptance should be at the heart of the classroom, says Richard Cairns, Headmaster at Brighton College The continuing controversy over schools’ engagement with the teaching of relationships and sex education (RSE) and LGBT equality is not only seriously misguided but also harmful to pupils. The most important thing a school can do is create a culture where all children, whatever their family background, feel loved, respected and included. But it is also important to be honest with children, and the letters sent recently by angry parents to schools in Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Croydon, Ealing, Manchester, Northampton and Nottingham skip honesty in favour of misguided outrage. The RSE lessons mooted for schools are not, as one of the letter writers claims, intended to “proselytise a homosexual way of life”. They are simply part of an initiative by an MBE-awarded primary teacher in Birmingham to help younger pupils understand about accepting others – something one would think might receive support and acclaim. It’s deeply depressing that the current trend for outrage sparked by misinformation and misperception turns a story about tolerance and child well-being into a media maelstrom where commentators rage against certain minorities, placard-waving parents remove children from school and physical threats are made against teachers. My school is in Brighton not Birmingham so the context is obviously different. But our hopes for the children in our care should be the same whatever and wherever our community: to make sure that no child feels uncomfortable or inferior because of his or her parents’ choices. That extends to faith, ethnicity, sexuality and much more. So young children should be taught to understand that it is not odd or wrong that Muhammed’s mum wears a hijab, Tracy has two dads, and Fred has two mums. By teaching acceptance at a young age we embed a child’s respect for every other child and hugely diminish the likelihood of a child being bullied or ostracised in the future. The particular focus of the Birmingham protests has been about teaching children that some boys and girls have two parents of the same gender. The logic of their protest is that their children are too young to have a qualified teacher explain to their child that Fred has two dads and Tom has two mums, and that neither child should be bullied for this fact. According to the Office for National Statistics, there are around 190,000 families in the UK today with same-sex couple parents. For the thousands of schoolchildren in these families, their sense of wellbeing relies on creating an environment in which parents being of the same sex is no more important to children’s peers as their hair colour or taste in music. In my junior school, we call this component of our teaching ‘Different relationships, same love’ and we simply explain to youngsters that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that what matters most is love. Yet Andrew Moffat’s innocent and innovative No Outsiders project has become conflated with ‘promoting homosexuality’ when it is nothing of the sort. And once that mistaken impression is out there, like Pandora’s Box, it is hard to deal with the fallout. Having been misled about what No Outsiders actually is by sensationalised accounts, it is easier to understand why some parents have become worried about things like ‘age-appropriate’ sex education, when no sex education is involved. Just two penguins (same sex) bringing up their chick. 54
So let’s all go back to basics. Let’s put loving acceptance of each other at the heart of the classroom. Let’s make sure that each child feels safe, protected and valued at school. And let’s help each other to see that all that schools have been trying to do is to help youngsters understand that many different types of families exist, each can be as caring as the other, and that each deserves respect. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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In the spotlight Quickfire questions for Teresa Rapley, Headteacher, Battle Abbey School Nursery
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Sum up your own schooldays in five words Reading, fun, challenge, friends, outdoor play.
Which teacher most inspired you?
My junior school teacher, Mr Smith, was the most amazing artist and storyteller; the whole class looked forward to our end-of-day storytimes.
Where would you like to see your school in five years? I would like to see The Mulberry and Battle Abbey Prep School’s continued success in offering excellent care and education to happy, well-rounded babies and pupils.
What do you hope that your pupils say about your school when they leave?
That they thoroughly enjoyed their early years journey with us and felt well prepared, happy and confident for school and their futures.
The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child?
To enjoy the journey of life; to always be excited to learn and maintain a ‘cando’ positive outlook.
Where do you see the future of education heading?
The new Baseline Assessment at age four is concerning; it’s introducing a testing culture at that special time when the children and teacher should be settling into their reception year together.
What gets you up in the morning?
An early morning swim or spin class before work.
Who do you think has made the biggest contribution to society?
Nye Bevan, the Health Minister whose vision created the world’s first free healthcare system in 1948 which continues to offer care based upon citizenship. It’s principles of offering care ‘free at the point of service’ helped to balance out the previous inequalities in society.
What is the ethos of your school?
From the babies in the Nursery through to the Abbey sixth form, we are a caring and highly-regarded family school with exceptional pastoral care and sensitive discipline, accompanied by strong academic results, focusing upon the importance of each individual child. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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What makes a good school?
That’s the question, says Angela Culley, Vice President Independent Schools Association (ISA) and Foundation Governor at Rusthall St Paul’s CofE Primary School Whilst the academic year of 2018/19 edges to its inevitable finale, with parents, staff and pupils reflecting on memories made and activities enjoyed, like the Roman god Janus, we are also looking forward to the next year with all it will bring. For many parents, especially those with four-year-old children, the last year will have been particularly hard as they choose what they hope will be the perfect school to give their child the best possible start in life. This decision has never been harder because the presence of social media and the perceptions and opinions of others appear to carry huge influence. The overriding focus on achievement and data, which underpin our schools and provide the evidence-base for success, along with inspection, too often undersell both our schools and the children educated within them. When faced with the parental responsibility of choosing a school, parents need to take into account that what measures success for one child might not be the same for another. To expect every child to reach a particular pre-set standard at the same time neither respects nor understands the fundamental fact that ALL children are unique and mature and grow at different rates, whilst having individual abilities and interests. To quote St Catherine of Sienna, ‘Be who God created you to be, and you will set the world on fire’. This does not mean that schools should not be aiming high for every child entrusted to their care – absolutely they should – but they must be allowed to work and celebrate with every child’s success, whatever that may be. There is a reason why selective schools will always be at the top of any league table. It would be very odd if they weren’t, given their entry criteria both academic and often social. A truly successful school may not actually be at the top of a league table. A truly successful school is one that extends and expands children’s horizons both inside and outside the classroom. One where opportunities to explore, discover and experience are presented in myriad, original ways. The ‘value added’, which looks at the whole child, is aspirational for them as individuals and measures their personal and academic progress from their point of entry. Some of the best schools are blessed with a wonderfully diverse pupil roll, each child bringing a new and different perception and experience to school life. At Rusthall St Paul’s, for example, extra-curricular activities are forever changing, both for after-school and at lunchtime. There is sport in various guises, of course, plus choir and art, but some of the most popular include the life skills of gardening and knitting, giving the opportunity to chat, work as a team and make new friends. With enormous and ongoing budget restraints within our maintained schools, the challenge for staff to provide this breadth and individual style of education should never be underestimated. Get it right, however, and children grow not just physically and academically, but in mind and spirit, gaining the confidence, self-esteem and moral code to move onto the next stage with resilience and excitement. Every school has a soul, so parents, please visit all the schools open to you, meet the heads, talk to the children and staff and, with an open mind, you will find the right school for your family.
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School report A round-up of what’s happening in the world of education
Inspirational trio
Beacon Alumni return to inspire Year 8 students Beacon Academy recently welcomed the return of three former students at a special futures presentation for Year 8. Having completed their studies at Beacon Sixth Form between 2010 and 2013, the three Beacon alumni have followed contrasting career paths into higher education and the world of work, and visited their former school to provide current students with real-life examples of some of the different opportunities available to them beyond secondary school. Anna Wild used her presentation to challenge stereotypes about apprenticeships and open students’ eyes to careers in the field of engineering. After leaving Beacon Sixth Form in 2013 with an AS Level in Biology and A Levels in Maths, Physics and Psychology, Anna joined a degree-level apprenticeship programme with engineering enterprise, Laing O’Rourke, and has recently completed the five-year course, achieving a First Class Hons Civil Engineering degree. Anna said, “My favourite subjects at Beacon were Maths and Physics and I have always enjoyed puzzles and problem solving. As a Civil Engineer in the construction industry, my career is extremely dynamic and the skills required to solve problems are fundamental. It’s also important to be inquisitive and have a desire to understand how things work; something that students who study science naturally have.” Inspired by their “amazing and inspirational” Geology teachers, Beacon alumni Andrew Martin and Emma Bennett left Beacon Sixth Form in 2010 and 2011 respectively to embark upon very different and exciting journeys into the study of Earth and Ocean Sciences. Both students are currently working as PhD Researchers at Cardiff University, having followed different routes into two contrasting fields of Geology. Emma is about to complete a PhD in Volcanology and Petrology and in September 2019, Andrew will be following his PhD in Economic Geology with a move to Canada to start a research position looking at mineral deposits that form on the seafloor. Emma and Andrew wowed the Year 8 students with the diverse range of exciting international locations they have visited through their studies over the past few years. The alumni presentations were full of insightful advice for their younger audience. Andrew described how his battle with illness in Year 9 helped him to develop resilience, explaining, “Life can unexpectedly throw some difficult things your way, but it’s important to get back up and get on with it.” Emma encouraged students to “find the one thing that you love and keep doing it. The more you enjoy what you are doing, the better you will be at it”. Mr Hutchison, Head of Years 8 and 9 at Beacon Academy thanked the alumni for the significant impact their visit had made, commenting, “Anna, Emma and Andrew’s presentations were engaging, informative, inspirational and gave our young people an insight into the next steps in their lives without just thinking that school is a separate, standalone institution. Our students’ behaviour and engagement was a testament to the respect and awe they felt for our visitors. Their pride in meeting three of our own students who have been so successful in their lives and careers was tangible. We look forward to seeing Anna, Emma and Andrew here again one day.” 58
Beacon Academy is in search of former students, employers and organisations that could support the school’s structured Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme by spending a couple of hours sharing skills, giving advice as a mentor or providing work experience. If you are able to help in any capacity, please contact Mrs Hoper at c.hoper@beacon-academy.org K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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What a (Wellness) Week!
Rose Hill explores wellbeing, from Mindfulness to nutrition Rose Hill School recently completed its second Wellness Week, where pupils, parents and staff looked at the benefits of caring for your mind body and soul. The school partnered with Tunbridge Wells-based Wellness HQ who delivered sessions throughout the week on the six pillars of wellbeing. In addition, there were sessions on self-belief, managing exam stress, Mindfulness, green spaces, nutrition and internet safety. Students also made the most of the 15 acres of outdoor space with a wilderness walk and tree climbing with local firm Canopy, who helped 50 students get 40ft up one of the school’s tallest trees. One of the highlights to the week was the screening of the film Embrace with an introduction by local mum and coach, Action Woman. The documentary looks at and challenges how women feel about their bodies and champions the body-positive movement. Head Emma Neville said: “This is the second time we have run this week and on each occasion the whole school community has come together to think about what wellness means to us. For me the highlight was tree climbing – what a view from up there! Thank you to everyone who has been involved.”
First 500
For the first time, Battle Abbey has 500 pupils on the school roll For the first time in its history, Battle Abbey now has 500 pupils on its school roll, with a waiting list for several year groups. Maria Maslin, Prep Headteacher said: “With the arrival of Hugo and Thomas Clark-Fisher (pictured), we have reached this record number. It seems fitting these pupils are the grandsons of Judy Clark, our former Prep School Headteacher, and shows how our school family ethos extends through the generations. It is a time of great optimism for Battle Abbey School, having opened our brand new Nursery facility last September which is thriving. Our Prep School is currently ranked in the Times Top 50 in the country for academic achievement and, for a small family school, we are proud to show we compete on a national level.” Marketing Manager James Dennett said: “At a time of great uncertainty for the independent school market in general, Battle Abbey School is well and truly bucking the national trend. The current high levels of recruitment can be attributed to a number of factors but there is no doubt that the latest Government-produced league table reported on the BBC has helped enormously. This important league table saw Battle Abbey Senior School ranked as the top secondary school in East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent for pupil progress and achievement at A Level. The same league table ranked Battle Abbey School 26th nationally out of nearly 4,500 schools. It has also helped that our recent A Level and GCSE results have put us in the top 120 schools in the country. “Equally, our award-winning ‘Fuel Your Child’s Success’ marketing campaign has made a difference in raising the profile of the school regionally. We broke our Open Day attendance record this academic year with over 212 prospective pupils and their families attending the school sites. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
David Clark, Senior Headmaster, said: “Our parents and pupils continue to be the best ambassadors for the school, and happy and satisfied parents who talk about us to their friends make a significant difference for us. Our pupils conduct and behaviour beyond the Abbey walls is also a huge marketing fillip. Their confidence and attitude, both while they are pupils at the school and when they leave to enter the world of work or further education, speak volumes about the efforts the staff here put in to get the very best out of the pupils.” 59
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On your marks...
Octogenarian Olympics at Spring Grove School The Friday before half term saw a very special event at Spring Grove School in Wye, Kent, when 12 intrepid octogenarian athletes joined with the Prep 6 children for an all-ages Olympic competition. In teams of eight – five pupils and three 80+ competitors – the athletes took part in a range of events that included the ‘pole vault’ (throwing a walking stick over a high bar), Möllky (a Finnish skittles game), modified ‘egg and spoon’ with a tennis racquet and ball, and boules. After a ‘young visitors’ race for anyone aged over 70, the Olympics finished in traditional style with a thrilling relay that involved running from the 11 year olds, and (fast!) walking from the octogenarians. The all-age Olympics was the brainchild of local octogenarian and friend of the school Wendy White-Thompson, who presented the prizes to the victors together with Head of Spring Grove, Bill Jones, and Demi Bevis-Roadnight from the charity Dementia UK. It was one of a series of events held by the school this year to raise funds for Dementia UK, and to encourage more understanding about the disease. A ‘dressing-up as your favourite old person’ day and special assembly in March marked the start of the school’s fundraising efforts, when Demi talked to the children, staff and parents about how dementia can affect sufferers and their families, and how Admiral Nurses, funded by Dementia UK, can provide the specialist support that is needed. The Octogenarian Olympics was held alongside the school’s Summer Fair, and attracted a large crowd of parents and supporters from the local community in Wye. The bonding between old and young was summed up in a comment made by Phoebe, in Prep 6: “Some people imagine them to be lonely people who sit all day in their bedrooms or living rooms, but they’re the same as us – they’re just a different age.”
Steaming ahead
Top places for Mead pupils in national engineering competition Two Year 4 pupils at The Mead School have been awarded top places for their entries in a national engineering competition, and shortlisted for a public exhibition out of thousands of entries. The pupils, who are members of the prep school’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) Club, were set the challenge of producing a plan for a new product, item or concept to help the world become a better place. The STEAM Club’s designs were entered into the Primary Engineering Leaders Award, a national annual competition for schools run by global engineering companies and leading universities. It was recently announced that two of the Mead STEAM clubber’s entries were awarded ‘Judges Highly Commended’ in the competition – a huge achievement as there were a staggering 3,361 entries in total this year. William and Kazuki’s creative designs, a specially-adapted chair with a bookbag peg and an aeroplane which can fly itself, were displayed along with the other selected shortlisted entries at the first Primary and Secondary Engineer Leaders Award at Canterbury Christ Church University. The pupils attended the event with their families and were thrilled to see their work on display. Gemma Wilson, Head of STEAM at The Mead, is passionate about encouraging innovative thinking and problem-finding skills in pupils and inspiring our next generation of engineers. She said: “STEAM club were so enthusiastic about this challenge and I’m very proud that two of our pupils’ entries were shortlisted for the exhibition out of so many. It is such a fantastic achievement and they should be enormously proud of themselves, too.” 60
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A cut above When a dilapidated clifftop property came on the market, William Wong jumped at the chance to buy it and build a bright new eco-home
Winchelsea Beach on the Sussex coast has been popular with holiday homeowners and retirees since the 1920s. Attracted by the quiet country lanes and uncrowded beaches, they built bungalows and chalets or converted coastguards’ cottages and old railway carriages into quirky seaside retreats. Today, this tranquil spot is a sought-after bolthole for new residents and weekenders, all of whom are seeking the delights of secluded seaside life. The reclaimed marshland of Pett Level stretches inland until it comes up against the old shoreline formed in the third century before the sea receded.
The modern coast is protected by a long seawall, which ends at a dramatic sandstone headland where at low tide, the stumps of a petrified forest poke out of the sand. It is a great place for hunting fossils and exploring rock pools. Nearby, the picturesque Cinque. Port of Winchelsea, where little has changed since it was laid out in a grid plan in 1288, is the only remains of what was a thriving port famous for importing brandy. Further on, Rye is equally historic with narrow streets, black-and-white timbered cottages and handsome Georgian houses huddled around a medieval citadel.
Copy and Styling: Sally Maton Photography: Bruce Hemming
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It was luck during an idle moment that brought William Wong to his clifftop sanctuary. “One day out of sheer boredom I was surfing the net looking at houses for sale and clicked on this,” he says with a smile. “I was curious so I came to have a look.” The location, with its shady pines and the splash of surf below, charmed him and, undeterred by the 120 steps up the steep cliff and the ailing state of the building, he bought it. “What sold it to me was the garden, the aspect and the ease of getting down here from London – it’s an hour and 40 minutes doorto-door on the train. The steps didn’t put me off, purely because they’re part of the journey to a unique spot. Where in England can you find something like this?” Originally known as Bella Vista, the sprawling wooden chalet was built in the 1920s as a changing room for the guests of a posh beach house next door. During the Second World War, it was a lookout post to detect enemy shipping and aircraft in the Channel. Former owners christened it Napenthe because of the similarity to a celebrated restaurant at Big Sur in California where they had stayed on holiday. Both locations have high cliffs overhung with Monterey pines and an air of tranquil isolation, which seems apposite to the magical potion nepenthe given to Helen of Troy, described by Homer in The Odyssey as a drug to ‘chase away sorrow’.
Cliff rescue
By the time Wong, an architect and property developer, bought it in 2007, the structure was listing badly – floors were warped and the walls so distorted that doors did not open properly. “It wasn’t tied to the land and was slowly sliding down the hill,” he says. “Financially, it was not worth saving so I decided to demolish it and create something a lot more modernist.” Having worked with London-based FORM Design Architecture on several projects before, he was quite happy to collaborate on the new design and hand over the project management to them. As the area was settled from the Bronze Age and is adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, planning permission took forever and came with strict conditions. Wong had to commission an expensive archaeological survey in case the building works disturbed any early remains. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
“It dragged on for two years, even though the actual structure took only six months to build,” Wong continues. “Access to the site was really tricky as there is no road approach, so the original plan was to build the house in sections, airlift them in by helicopter and then bolt them together. Then we looked at the pricing and it was cheaper to get a crane and haul the building materials up from the beach below, and build on site.” The house is single storey with a raised roof and is literally bolted into the cliff face. Steel framework supports the building, which half floats in space with a large deck wholly cantilevered out over the slope. When designing the house, Wong intended it to be compact and self-sufficient, a place he could close up and leave for a few weeks if he wanted to. “If I am away I don’t want to have to worry about maintenance and looking after it,” he explains. That ethos led to eco-friendly construction and technology including an airto-water heat pump supplying all the hot water and underfloor heating, superinsulation, rainwater harvesting, grey-water recycling and a composting loo. A Swedish wood-burning stove provides background heat and a focal point in the living area.
Connecting with nature
Outside the garden is arranged over four levels with magnificent old Monterey pines that protect the house from the extremes of weather. Camellia-hedged paths wind along the cliff edge and connect sun-dappled dells and secret gardens tucked into the hillside. Wong loves gardening but admits he does not have as much time as he would like. The garden is designed to be low maintenance and is left to nature, with the occasional hack back. Despite being open to the elements, hydrangeas, camellias and even roses thrive in the seaside micro-climate and tolerate wind and salt air. “I love to be beside the sea and I so like coming here because everyone’s really friendly. Unlike London, people here have time for you – you can walk along the beach and chat to strangers. In winter this place is so atmospheric, especially when it gets stormy. I light the fire and the house takes on a cosy ambience with the smell of burning wood. I sit here watching the waves crashing in from the sea.”
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Will Wong’s perfect day out
“I love walking,” says Wong, “ and there are some lovely cliff walks across Fire Hills above Fairlight Cove. The view from the clifftops is quite dramatic. You can pick up the last part of the Saxon Shore Way, which follows the old shoreline as it was in Saxon times. It starts at Gravesend in Kent and runs for a 163-mile walk, finishing at Hastings. “I also enjoy visiting Hastings Country where there are ancient woodlands and grasslands to explore. It’s a nature reserve with beautiful wild flowers and a haven for rare birds like Dartford warblers, stonechats and yellowhammers on the heathland, with fulmars, black redstarts and peregrines nesting on the cliffs. “Later, I would go to Rye and visit The George, an old coaching inn, where afternoon tea is a nice indulgence, or The Mermaid Inn, once frequented by the infamous Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers. Both have olde-worlde dining rooms serving locally-sourced food. “ If I fancy eating in, I would go to Sutton’s Fish Shop up the road and buy some fish or shellfish – the scallops are from Rye Bay. They also sell eggs and locally-reared game.”
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If you’re looking for something to add some personality to your home, this table lamp might be your new favourite. Price £190 www.sweetpeaandwillow.com
This striking Palm Leaf Garden wallpaper collection, with a feather-like tropical design, comes in four different colourways. We just love the striking green on pink, as well as one of their newest additions, pink on navy blue. The inspiration for the collection came from the desire to mix a delicate, elegant pattern with trendy colours, to achieve a feel-good wallcovering. Designed and printed in England using paper from sustainable sources and organic ink pigments, there is also a self-adhesive version, a great solution for those seeking an easy-to-apply and removable option for their home and one which is growing in popularity. Price £59 a roll www.theroomalive.com
Style your home Capture the essence of summer and bring a piece of tropical paradise into your home
Treasure your holiday moments by framing them in this goldeffect leaf single photo frame. Price £8 www.diy.com
This embroidered velvet palm-tree cushion is that perfect combo of understated, soft coloured velvet with a dash of glitz in the embroidered gold palm tree. Price £48 www.audenza.com
Looking for something to pop on your wall to add character and interest? We love the thought of hanging something unique, either on its own or as part of a set. This shiny gold hanging palm tree decoration hangs from a jute string and is guaranteed to catch the light and therefore attention. Also available in an outline style. Price £9.50 www.roseandgrey.co.uk 66
Pop the kettle on and make your morning or afternoon a stylish one with this palm-tree print ceramic mug. Price £13 www.cultfurniture.com
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Kitchen confidential Insider tips on creating the perfect working space
Storage is key
When designing a kitchen, it’s easy to get carried away with worktops and colour charts, but did you know that carefullyconsidered interiors are just as important as the external look and feel? A recent survey by Which? agrees, with 8 per cent of consumers stating they regret not factoring more storage space into their kitchen and 7 per cent lamenting not having enough drawers. “When starting out on your kitchen design journey, make sure you give as much thought to the practical side of the design as you do to the visual elements,” says John Stephens, Managing Director of Kent-based kitchen design company, Rencraft. “Clever storage solutions including solid oak spice racks, bespoke cutlery inserts and internal drawers will allow you to retain the clean lines that are so aesthetically pleasing, while also creating a kitchen that is easy to organise and a joy to use for years to come. An experienced designer will work with you, guiding you through the various options and helping you to maximise the space that is available. “Once the functional aspects have been settled, you can move on to the fun, such as a wow-factor colour scheme or some must-have handles, but these should always be the icing on the cake rather than the main essence of the design.” www.rencraft.co.uk
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Feed the birds We’re being encouraged to use our kitchen leftovers to attract wild birds to our gardens, but it’s important to give them the right foods Feeding local wildlife in your garden is now considered an important element in a nationwide conservation effort. Frequently thrown-away egg shells, beef fat trimmings and stale, hard cheeses are some of the scraps that are beneficial for wildlife due to their high nutritional value. The RSPB say that although winter feeding benefits birds most, food shortages can occur at any time of the year. By feeding all year round, you’ll give them a better chance to survive food shortages whenever they may occur. Outdoor experts at GardenBuildingDirect.com have produced a simple guide detailing which foods are suitable for wild birds:
Baked goods
Stale bread, cakes and biscuits are all attractive to wild birds. Remember to crumble into small pieces and soak in water before placing outside.
Cheese
Avoid soft or mouldy cheeses; instead stick to stale, hard cheeses like mild Cheddar. High-fat foods are great, especially in the winter months. Use a cheese grater for small and easy-to-digest bites.
The number of wild birds is decreasing in the UK at a worrying pace. However, homeowners can do their part by understanding which foods are safe for wildlife, then feeding the birds on a regular basis. That way we can help ensure the survival of wild birds for future generations.
Pasta and rice
Cooked plain pasta or rice is a great source of carbohydrates for birds. Wash thoroughly to remove any oil or salt and cut pasta into small pieces.
Vegetables
Scrap veggies such as baked potato skins and vegetables left over from a meal are a great offering for birds. Mix with sunflower seeds for a perfect combination.
Meat
As with cheese, no mouldy meat should be given to birds. Meat is a valuable source of protein, so feed beef fat trimmings and even meat bones for a tasty offering. However, be aware of other pests that may be after these treats. Place the meat in a bird feeder out of reach from wildlife.
Pet food
Wet pet food for cats and dogs is designed to be healthy for pets, offering all necessary nutrients, and so can equally be a great meal for birds. Dry pet food is also an option but soak in water beforehand. A small amount can go a long way.
Cereal
Stick to cereal with a little or no sugar content and avoid artificial dyes. Add water and leave to soak for a wholesome bird treat.
Eggs
Cooked eggs are a source of necessary nutrients for birds, whilst the eggshell itself can be a great source of calcium, especially for nesting birds and to help aid digestion. Eggshells are great throughout the changing weather and do not attract vermin like other produce may do.
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Turn up the heat
Five of the hottest outdoor trends you need to know this summer The UK is heating up just in time for the summer, and so are outdoor spaces, with research showing 1 in 10 Brits are now saying the garden is the most important aspect of their home. This year sees the comeback of some garden and interior favourites, from classic terracotta pots to timeless monochrome patterns. If you’re looking for a twist on a trusted technique, layering a variety of textures will take outdoor spaces to a new level. For colour schemes, bright tones that pop will truly add style in any-sized space, or opt for the rising star ‘ochre’, for a nature-inspired spin on the defining colour for the new generation.
Take back terracotta
You heard it here first, the humble terracotta pot is making a comeback to UK gardens. This Mali square terracotta pot is a great place to start. Price £15 www.diy.com
Textures with a twist
With rattan being firmly back on the radar, adding small touches of texture through accessories is a clever way of elevating outdoor spaces to look chic and modern. Perfect the art of layering textures through knitted throws and tassled cushions, or pairing outdoor rugs with your garden furniture. Make a stylish start with this Mayotte metal six-seater dining set. Price £600 www.diy.com
Bright colours for small spaces
To be right on trend this season, try this Painterly floral outdoor cushion in smaller outdoor areas such as courtyards and balconies for an easy win. Price £14.99 www.beanbagbazaar.co.uk K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
The rise of ochre
It has been the hot colour in interiors this year and outdoors is no exception. Bring a pop of colour to your garden with this comfy Paradiso double hammock. Price £157.48 www.products4pools.com
Monochrome mania
A trend that has stood the test of time, monochrome is super-simple to incorporate into spaces, no matter your design credentials. A great place to start are cushions, like this Denia black and off-white chevron woven cushion. Price £8 www.diy.com 69
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Inside out Make the most of your outside space by creating a real garden room
From simple barbecues to outdoor kitchens, garden furniture to garden buildings, pots, planters and paving, there’s so much you can do to create the perfect outdoor living and entertaining space. If you want to see ideas in action, and get plenty of advice, then Corker Outdoor Living and Landscape Supplies in Paddock Wood has 15 inspirational show gardens on display, plus three different outdoor kitchen displays along with outdoor seating and paving in plenty of varieties, spoiling you for choice. They also stock a lot of what you see, so you can start planning your perfect outdoor living space right away. Corker is a family-owned business, run by Michael and Alice Corkery with their sons Harry and Oliver. Says Michael, “I formed builder’s merchant Small Loads in 2001, running little tipper lorries in and out of quarries, and things grew from there. My sons eventually joined the business, bringing fresh ideas. “Small Loads wasn’t where we wanted to be as a company. We were moving more and more towards a niche market at the time, that being garden landscaping and outdoor living, which was and still is a massively-growing market. So we switched our focus and after moving multiple times over the 18 years, we moved to our current location in Paddock Wood on the A228, gradually building the site and introducing 15 uniquely-designed show gardens by various local, trusted landscapers and garden designers. People are often surprised when they visit us, saying, ‘We didn’t know you did this’.” “We always had the idea that we needed to rebrand,” adds Creative Director Oliver, “so when we moved site, we felt it was the right time K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
as we were no longer a small builder’s merchant. Corker obviously comes from our surname, and it means something astonishing, so it made sense for our business. It’s also a name we can have fun and play around with.” Outdoor kitchens have long been a staple of Mediterranean homes, and they’re becoming increasingly more popular in the UK. The latest kitchens are a lot more slimline and contemporary than earlier versions, fitting in with the modern gardens of today. You also have the option of things like flat plates, meaning you can cook your full English on it, so it is becoming much more about enjoying your outdoor kitchen all year round with different types of food. When you add patio heaters, fire pits and awnings, you can make the most of your kitchen, whatever the weather. The outdoor kitchen displays at Corker’s are impressive, as Operations Director Harry explains. “The largest is the five-burner Napoleon which includes a grill, rotisserie bar, even a smoker. There are smaller versions but it makes sense to show customers the biggest as we can then scale it down to fit their space and budget. We also have the top-of-the-range grill from Beef Eater with the whole module set up, including sink, fridge and hot plate. We have a smaller outdoor kitchen display, too, that shows you what you can do with an everyday gas BBQ. We’ve placed ours in a rendered surround, making it more discreet. This can be viewed in one of the 15 show gardens. “The outdoor kitchen business has been getting bigger and bigger and we’ve spent the last few years trying to find a supplier that was 71
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different. When Beef Eater launched their singular modular designs we knew they were perfect for our customers. They do eight different modules, offering different designs and sizes, along with a range of finishes including 15 different colours of granite worktops, so you can change and adapt them to suit your budget and needs. And although they come with covers, we don’t use them because we feel it’s important to really test these kitchens out in all weathers so we know that we’re supplying our customers with quality products. For example, we’ve had the Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 for three years now, and even though it comes with a lifetime guarantee, it’s good to know it’s been out in all weathers and has been used many times (part of the necessary product research of course!) and it still looks great.” You might be able to get paving from your local builder’s merchant, composite decking somewhere else, but Corker has everything under one roof. Along with the show gardens, it’s a great place to just wander, taking inspiration for your own garden. It’s important to note that Corker are not garden designers, and their show gardens have been created by outside companies. But they can put you in touch with the right people, show you the right products, give you advice on what might work and what might not, from start to finish. Whether it’s sub base Type 1 or top soil for beds and turfing, aggregates and horticultural, right through to outdoor furniture and one-off unique furnishings, they can supply you with everything, and also put you in touch with trustworthy designers and landscapers. So what’s trending this year? “Resin bond is really popular,” says Michael. “It’s not just suitable for drives, but pathways and patios, too – for example, we have a big patio area here with a resin border to show how it can be used to add interest, or to define certain areas 72
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in your garden. Composite decking is also really popular. Whilst traditional decking still has its place, composite decking works well in contemporary garden designs and it’s also low maintenance, slip resistant, looks great and comes with 25-year guarantees. We have a few different options on display here to suit most budgets.” So if you’re looking out of your patio doors and thinking, where do I start, the answer, quite simply, is Corker.
With a little help from my friends
All great garden ideas are a team effort, says Tim Sykes of Gardenproud It’s all very well having a great garden idea, but making it happen is half the challenge! So when I’m designing a new garden my friends at Corker invariably get stuck in. It’s great to feel you have a team alongside you who genuinely want to contribute, rather than just take your money! This can include informing us about a great new product that will add that extra something to the scheme, or a way we can achieve a solution that will save us and the client money. We have been working with Corker for well over five years and their approach to clients and landscapers alike is second to none. In 2017 they relaunched as Corker Outdoor Living and moved into their smart new depot. Fundamental to the new layout was a demonstration of just what could be achieved with the materials and this is reflected in a range of gardens and ideas that will inspire you. It’s been great for Gardenproud as we can use our show garden as a reference for prospects and clients to see, and this has helped us win new contracts and build awareness and trust. Our garden at Corker we call “Contemplation – a quiet space”. It features a shallow pond leading to a sanctuary, sheltered by two English oak arches where you can seek
refuge on a comfortable bespoke oak bench. The stepping stones leading to the bench and the surface of the sanctuary use Italian porcelain pavers. A focal point to the rear features an iron sculpture, created by local artist Michael Hart, who designed this piece specifically for our garden. The planting in the garden is inspired by The White Garden at Sissinghurst. Why not visit Corker and see it for yourself? For further information about garden design contact Tim Sykes at Gardenproud on 07725 173820, or email him at reallygardenproud@btinternet.com
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Second best Reclamation yards are a great source of inspiration for outside spaces From statues and shabby chic furniture to reclaimed bricks and chimney pots just ripe for planting, you’ll find a wealth of salvaged vintage and locally-made items just waiting to be given a new lease of life in your garden.
Clockwise from top left: Vintage French bistro chairs, Josephine bust on reeded plinth, Pan mask and Tudor rose brick, life-size Jacquemart hunting dogs, antique French wine barrels, reclaimed railway sleepers and weathered paving bricks, all from Best Reclamation in Heathfield. www.bestreclamation.co.uk 74
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Let’s eat out
Discover an award-winning garden just bursting with ideas while you enjoy al-fresco dining The Bell in Ticehurst boasts a garden designed by Chelsea Gold Medalist, Jo Thompson who lives locally. Shaded with mulberry trees, the successional planting and outdoor art are a feast for the eyes. It’s the perfect place to enjoy al-fresco dining, and this summer, weather permitting, head chef Oscar invites you to his table where he will be firing up the barbecue and cooking prime cuts and sumptuous sides. Call ahead to check if the coals will be lit. Quote SUMMER for a 10% discount. 01580 200300 www.thebellinticehurst.com
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A touch of Italian Tasty, budget-friendly Parma ham recipes for summer eating Treat your family and friends to these delicious recipes, fragrant with fennel and rosemary and featuring sweet and tender Parma ham – Prosciutto di Parma. Best of all, they can be made using kitchen staples for under £10.
Parma Ham and Fennel Pasta Bake Serves 4
Ingredients
For the bake: • 8 0g unsalted butter • 2 fennel (approx. 700g), trimmed and diced • 2 tsp fennel seeds • 45g plain flour • 100ml dry white wine • 450ml whole milk • 250g dry egg tagliatelle, lightly broken. • 8 0g Parma ham, thinly sliced • 40g Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated To garnish: • Salt & pepper • Freshly-ground black pepper • Nutmeg • Fennel fronds
Method
• Melt 35g of butter in a pan, add 4 tbsp of water, the diced fennel, the fennel
seeds, salt and pepper. Braise with the lid on for approximately 10 minutes until tender. • Meanwhile, make the white sauce by melting 45g of butter and adding the flour. Mix together to form a roux and cook on a low heat for 3 minutes, stirring continuously. • Add the wine and work into the roux, ensuring it stays smooth. • Add the milk in five separate stages, each time stirring into the roux and ensuring there are no lumps before adding more. • Once all the milk is added, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add the fennel and continue cooking over a low heat. • Cook the pasta in salted water for half the time recommended on the packet. Drain, reserving a mug of the pasta water. Add the pasta to the white sauce and fennel mix. • Tear the slices of Parma ham into a few strips and fold into the mix. • Add approximately 160g of pasta water to loosen. • Transfer to the baking dish and sprinkle with Parmigiano Reggiano. • Bake at 200˚C/180˚C/gas mark 4 for approximately 15 minutes until it is golden brown on top. Garnish with finely-chopped fennel fronds. • Serve alongside a green salad.
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LOV E FOOD & DR I N K
Parma Ham, Potato and Rosemary Soup Serves 3
Ingredients
• 50g unsalted butter • 170g onion, diced • 500g floury potatoes (eg. Maris Piper, King Edward), diced in 2cm pieces
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (plus extra for garnish) • Salt & pepper • 450g chicken stock, plus extra to loosen the soup (1 Oxo cube per 500g)
• 100g whole milk • 6 Parma ham slices, torn • Single cream, to garnish
Method
• Melt butter over medium heat and then reduce the heat before
adding the onion, potato and rosemary. Season well with salt and pepper. • Cover with a lid or tin foil, then let the vegetables steam for 12 minutes until the potato is soft. Shake the pan every few minutes to ensure that nothing sticks to the bottom. • Add the stock and milk, ensuring that the potatoes are covered in liquid. Simmer for 20 minutes until the potatoes crumble apart. • Purée the soup with a hand blender until smooth. If the consistency is too thick, add more stock. • Divide into bowls, garnishing with the Parma ham, chopped rosemary and a drizzle of fresh cream. Serve with crusty bread and butter.
About Parma ham
Prosciutto di Parma – Parms ham – is produced in the hills surrounding the Italian town of Parma. It’s a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product and is 100 per cent natural. The drying process that Parma ham goes through creates a ham that is very low in fat content, with many mineral salts, vitamins, antioxidants and easily-digestible proteins. Its unique taste is dependent on the traditional production process passed down from Roman times, carefully controlled by the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma. Only hams that have passed stringent curing regulations approved by the EU can be awarded the stamp of the Ducal crown – a five-pointed coronet logo with PARMA in the centre which is branded onto the ham’s skin. The Ducal Crown is now a certification trademark. www.prosciuttodiparma.com Recipes courtesy of Prosciutto di Parma and Tastehead
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LOV E BUSI N E SS
Business notes A round-up of local business news
Capsule collection Kent business launch set to change the coffee market Stuart Wilson, 37, founder of Lost Sheep Coffee, has launched a 100 per cent compostable Nespresso-compatible coffee capsule made from wood. The innovative, environmentally-friendly, plant-based capsule is filled with the luxury, single-origin, grade 1 speciality coffee, for which the Whitstablebased micro-roastery is famous. The capsules are certified biodegradable and, crucially, airtight for superior freshness. They are made predominantly from wood bark – or lignin – a waste product of the paper industry. Other renewable raw materials used include naturally-occurring, plant-based proteins, starches and glucose, and they can compost to absolutely nothing in a matter of weeks. Says Stuart, “We know from our coffee shops that our customers want the convenience of being able to experience a quality cup of coffee at home but without the guilt of chucking more plastic into landfill. So it was imperative to the Lost Sheep Coffee team that we were able to deliver our exceptional quality coffee in a format that is entirely compostable. “Until recently, compostable capsules had a very short freshness life as the coffee inside would go stale without additional protective outer packaging. Without plastic or glue it is incredibly difficult to create an airtight seal and as we all know, oxygen makes your coffee go stale. After extensive research and development, our new capsules achieve a level of oxygen impermeability which enables Lost Sheep Coffee to guarantee a minimum shelf freshness of 12 months!”
Tops for travel Tunbridge Wells travel agency named the best in the south east Baldwins Travel, Tunbridge Wells was crowned the South East’s Top Agency as part of a power list of the nation’s best travel agents by industry bible Travel Trade Gazette. More than 500 travel agencies and branches put themselves forward for consideration for TTG’s Top 50 Travel Agencies 2019, from which a shortlist of 100 finalists across 20 categories was announced. Baldwins Travel, Uckfield also made the shortlist and was commended as a runner up, which also places them on the Top 50 list. TTG group editor Pippa Jacks said: “Now in its fourth year, our Top 50 Travel Agencies initiative has seen us tour the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland to uncover its most dedicated and innovative travel-agency businesses. “Our winners demonstrate that travel retailing in 2019 is a vibrant and successful business sector, and that experienced travel professionals continue to add value through their expertise and by delivering extraordinary service to their customers. “The team at Baldwins Travel in Tunbridge Wells impressed our judges with their impeccable customer service, their focus on training, their exciting results in the cruise holidays sector, and strong business growth over the last year.” Nick Marks, Baldwins’ Joint Managing Director – who attended the event with Managers Kim Lacey (Tunbridge Wells) and Laura Hill (Uckfield), fellow director Chris Marks and Chairman Ron Marks – expressed his pride at the recognition. “This award reflects the effort and hard work that the teams in all of our branches make on a day-to day-basis, creating the perfect holidays for our clients and giving the best levels of customer service possible.” 78
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LOV E BUSI N E SS
Home and away
T
Be aware that divorce proceedings vary from country to country, as does any financial settlement, says Sarah Haywood of ThomasHaywood Solicitors
These days, it’s not unusual for a couple to live abroad for part of their marriage, whether due to employment or one party returning to their home country. Every country has its own laws relating to divorce and financial matters. Where divorce proceedings are issued will affect how your finances are divided and it is therefore crucial to take legal advice at an early stage. Part III Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 was introduced to provide a remedy in cases where a married couple had extensive connections with England but where one party had issued proceedings in another country, in circumstances where the other party would have little or no financial claim. Part III enables a spouse in certain circumstances to make a financial claim in England on the back of a foreign divorce. For many years, Part III was applied by the English courts in the restrictive way which was (probably) originally intended. However, the proper use of Part III was considered by the Supreme Court in Agbaje v Agbaje in 2010. Here the parties were Nigerian, but the wife had lived in England for some years. There were contested proceedings in Nigeria, in which the wife received an award which was generous by Nigerian standards, but not by English standards. In the wife’s Part III application in England, the first instance judge made an order in her favour. The Court of Appeal overturned this, saying in effect that she was a Nigerian lady who had had an order which was appropriate in Nigeria. However, the Supreme Court restored the original order. This opened the doors much wider to applicants under Part III. The courts began to give permission more readily and were inclined to make orders even where the proceedings had been fully considered in the country where the divorce had taken place. In earlier cases, the courts had said
that an application under Part III could only succeed if the applicant could show she had suffered hardship. The Supreme Court said in Agbaje that hardship is not necessary but where it can be shown, this will be relevant. In 2017, the Court of Appeal in Zimina v Zimin dealt with a Russian couple who had lived in London since 2004. In 2008 the husband issued divorce and financial proceedings in Moscow. The wife, who was represented throughout by English and Russian lawyers, agreed to a settlement by which she received the equivalent of £5m. The wife applied for and was given permission to make a Part III application five years after the Russian settlement. With some hesitation the judge at first instance made an order in the wife’s favour. The Court of Appeal overturned this, saying that on the facts of the case it was inappropriate to make any order. It is fair to point out that the husband in Zimin had a number of strong arguments, not least that the wife had already received a very substantial settlement, there had been a long delay before her Part III application was made, and at least part of that delay was tactical and she had not been put under any unfair pressure at the time of the Russian settlement. It is not yet clear to what extent Zimin will reverse the tide in favour of applicants which was set in motion by Agbaje. However, it seems to amount at least to a warning shot to potential applicants that they should not take it for granted that they will succeed. If you are concerned about a settlement reached abroad, contact Sarah Haywood at ThomasHaywood Solicitors for advice. www.thomashaywoodsolicitors.com
LOV E CH A R I T Y
Helping hand
A round-up of local charity news Pedal power CooperBurnett team cycles from London to Paris in 24 hours in aid of Brain Tumour Research Five team members from the Tunbridge Wells-based law firm CooperBurnett – Victoria Sampson, Joseph Oates, John Spence, Katie Hilsdon and Gareth Warner – have successfully cycled from London to Paris in just 24 hours, raising more than £16,000 (their target was £15,000) for Brain Tumour Research. The challenge was made all the more difficult due to the weather which was unseasonably cold for May, with almost constant rain and wind, as well as hailstorms and sleet. The team – which was part of the 120-strong London to Paris 24 hour Sportive – arrived at the Eiffel Tower to a hero’s welcome, having set off from Blackheath the previous afternoon. In all, they cycled a massive 300km, with the first stretch being 95km from London to Newhaven. After dinner, the team caught the overnight ferry to Dieppe, on which they tried to grab some muchneeded sleep to no avail!). Starting before dawn on Sunday morning in the driving rain and hail, they completed the remaining 205km into the French capital through incredible countryside and up some ‘epic’ hills. CooperBurnett came together to raise money for the charity in memory of Associate Solicitor Katie Hilsdon’s cousin, Oli Hilsdon, who died in January aged just 26 from a glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive and incurable brain tumour. “Words cannot express how proud I am of our team,” says Victoria Sampson, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial Services at CooperBurnett. “None of us were experienced cyclists – I hadn’t ridden a bicycle for 30 years until six months ago – and although we trained really hard, we could not have anticipated the dreadful weather conditions. When times were tough, we all thought about Oli and his determination. It was his memory that ultimately kept us all going.” When the CooperBurnett team was first planning the challenge, they were raising funds for a treatment Oli’s consultant recommended for him, which was not available on the NHS. As he so sadly died during this time, the decision was made to continue fundraising for Brain Tumour Research – a charity Oli himself had supported. “I am so grateful to my colleagues for agreeing to take up this challenge,” says Associate Solicitor, Katie Hilsdon. “This was such a personal journey for me but it was amazing to have the enormous support of my colleagues – both those cycling with me and those in the office, too. I’m sure Oli would have been really proud of us all!” CooperBurnett is matching every pound raised for Brain Tumour Research and there’s still time to donate: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cooperburnettlondontoparis
An evening to remember Hospices of Hope’s Gala Dinner raises money for hospice nurses Otford-based charity, Hospices of Hope, recently held its most successful Gala Dinner yet at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in Kensington. One hundred and fifty guests attended the black-tie event in the hotel’s beautiful rooftop conservatory. The charity supports hospice services in Albania, Moldova, Romania and Serbia, and the Ambassadors to the UK from Albania, Moldova and Serbia attended the event. Albanian-born violinist, Alda Dizdari, delighted the audience with her music and then officially opened the charity’s new project – the creation of a new hospice network in Albania. Soprano Alinka Kozari, pianist Ana-Maria Andritoiu and saxophonist Roland Miklos also performed during the evening. Guests heard about hospice patient, Larisa. She is seven years old and has cerebral palsy. Her brother, Leonard, appeared on X Factor Romania and performed a rap explaining some of the challenges faced by children with disabilities in his country. The evening’s target was to raise £31,000 to pay a nurse’s salary in each of the four countries. Wellknown Romanian communication strategist and entrepreneur, Dragoș Bucurenci, travelled to the UK to act as Master of Ceremonies. His personal testimony about the care his mother received in the Bucharest hospice was deeply moving. Thanks to the generosity of supporters and event sponsors, more than £32,000 was raised. 80
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Kudos Marketplace Your directory of local businesses, services and events
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Fall in love with your home once again New 2019 collections now available www.willisbloom.com hello@willisbloom.com www.facebook.com/ willisbloomdesigns www.instagram.com/willis_bloom
Concerts in August Booking now at ryejazz.com
Stagecoach Otford Opening times: Saturdays, Kemsing Primary school TN15 6PU – Early Stages (4-6yo) 9:15am-10:45am and Main School (6-18yo) 10am-1pm; Fridays, Dunton Green Primary – Early Stages (4-7yo) Entry cost: Two week trial = £25 (Early Stages) £50 (Main School) Tel: 01732 430 387 Email: otford@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/otford FB: business.facebook.com/OtfordStagecoach/
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Chic Dog Groomers Chic Stylish Elegant Grooming The Studio, High Street, Limpsfield Oxted RH8 0DR Tel: 01883 732 020 Mobile: 07399 871 112 Email: Anita@chic-grooming.co.uk www.chic-grooming.co.uk
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LOV E LOCA L H EROE S
Shining a light
Mental health plays a huge part in how successfully we live our lives. Charity Porchlight is providing valuable support for people in Kent and East Sussex who feel mental illness is holding them back Mental health is currently in the spotlight, and not before time. One in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental illness, and many more of us know and care for people who do. The charity Porchlight’s service Aspirations, which was launched in 2017, provides free support in East Sussex for anyone who is not in work, and feels that their mental health is stopping them from achieving what they want in life. They help people find the right support for difficulties they are facing and will also help those feeling lonely or cut off to reconnect with others. “If you’re not active in your community or working, a mental health issue or other negative feelings can affect your self-belief and your chances of feeling more able to tackle life’s challenges. Aspirations helps people who have not already been able to find the support they need,” explains Aspirations’ Barbara van Minnen. Poor mental health can have a knock-on effect in many areas of life. Because of this the service provides support with everything from health and housing to budgeting and employment. Every person’s situation is unique, so the service’s approach to helping is unique to each person. Ultimately, it helps people feel more confident in getting out and about, accessing advice and support with the goal of finding employment, undertaking volunteering or getting into education. Joe (pictured) has been supported by the Aspirations service. Poor mental health had led to him falling into bad habits and he had become isolated from others – but these days the future is looking brighter. He says: “I’ve rebuilt relationships with my friends and family and I know what I want to do with my future. Anyone who’s in the position I was in should reach out to Aspirations. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
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“Porchlight helps people who have nowhere to go and no-one to turn to. Some are homeless, others are struggling to cope with the pressures in their lives and need our support to keep on track,” says Porchlight’s Rebecca Brewer. “Working across Kent and the south east, we help vulnerable and isolated people get support with their mental health, housing, education and employment. We provide children, young people and adults with the advice, guidance and skills to live independently in the future, play an active role in their local community and fulfil their potential.” “We help anyone who is not in employment and feels that their mental health is a barrier to what they want to do in life – whether that’s moving into work, or just becoming more active in their community through volunteering or making new friends,” says Rebecca. People can get in touch with the service through the website porchlight.org.uk/aspirations, calling 0333 880 2730, or emailing aspirations@porchlight.org.uk. From there someone will work with you one to one to help you reach your goal.
The Aspirations service is funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery, through The National Lottery Community Fund. K U D O S J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
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