WINTER 2021 s ISSUE 02
Festive TIPPLE
PRAGNELL
Justerini & Brooks share this season’s top wines
The Legacy Collection
A Modern
C L A S S IC Sky Cinema’s ‘A Boy Called Christmas’
SUPER CHRONOMAT
The Cinema Squad Charlize Theron Brad Pitt Adam Driver
Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester
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WINTER 2021 s ISSUE 02 s
Managing Director Jack Bennett
Editor Craig Hough
Editorial Assistant Margaret O’Donnell
Contributers James Fossdyke Clare Stobart James Dutfield Michael Gates Kevin Evans
Design & Production Kate Woods
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A Note From...
Where to find us... STAMFORD 12 All Saints King West More Travel Orbis Paten & Co
T
he countdown to Christmas is officially on and our final issue of the year is filled with the joys of the festive period. Tis the season…to socialise and we have plenty of events - in and around the Rutland area - for you to enjoy within our Notebook section (p.15). Sky Cinema bring the magic of the season to life, telling the origin story of Father Christmas in their brand new film ‘A Boy Called Christmas’, we talk exclusively to the director and co-writer, Gil Kenan (p.24). The festive theme continues within our Style pages as Pragnell showcase their Legacy Collection (p.38). We offer gift ideas in Health, Beauty & Wellness (p.54), our Family pages (p.59), and Food and Drink section (p.66), with Justerini & Brooks (p.73) sharing advice on the best wines to drink and whiskeys to gift this season. We also look at 6 reasons to shop locally this year (p.50) as Grasmere Farm, Rutland Cycling, Elizabeth Stanhope, Multum Gin Parvo, The Wool Room and Rutland Nursery all offer recommendations for the perfect present for everyone on your list. Staying in Rutland, we speak to Bisbrooke resident and Gardeners’ Question Time panellist Matthew Wilson (p.12) about his life in the area and Terri Coley tells us more about The Otter’s Business Hub in Stamford (p.21). Foodies rejoice as William Webb, Head Chef at The Nevill Arms shares his recipe for Cromer Crab Risotto with Chilli, Lemon and Crispy Fried Shallots. We also have a quick bite to eat with Ben Jones at The Olive Branch (p.68) and meet the General Manager of Catering at Burghley House (p.72). There is much more to enjoy throughout the rest of the issue as we celebrate iconic British craftsmanship (p.41), sample Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at the Corinthia Hotel (p.81), test drive the Land Rover Defender 110 D300 (p.92) and take a look at The Savoy’s Royal Suite, recently transformed by Gucci and Christie’s (p.98). May the magic of the Christmas season fill your home with joy and love.
Happy reading,
Savills Stamford Endowed Schools The Bull & Swan The Crown Hotel The George Hotel The Wine Bar Stamford The William Cecil
OAKHAM Cavells Dovetail Equilibrium Gladwell Patterson Grainstore Brewary Tap Oakham School Otter’s Fine Foods Sarpech Smith Elliot Financial Management The Admiral Hornblower The Lord Nelson The Old Wisteria Hotel
UPPINGHAM Crown Inn Don Paddy’s Scandimania Coffee Shop The Falcon Hotel The Lake Isle The Vaults Uppingham School
Team Rutland Magazine
Welland Vale Garden Centre
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Contents A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES
23 26 41
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FROM THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL WITH LOVE
Amanda Hyndman on the luxury Edwardian hotel in Hyde Park
FAMILY
SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER
Bring fancy dress to bedtime with JoJo Maman Bébé
FOOD & DRINK
68 70 73
A MODERN CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
‘A Boy Called Christmas’ brings the magic to Sky Cinema over the festive season
BEST OF BRITISH CRAFTSMANSHIP
Showcasing the most iconic British heritage brands
STYLE
31
ESCAPE TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS
38
PRAGNELL
A BITE TO EAT WITH… Ben Jones at The Olive Branch
MEET THE CHEF
William Webb at The Nevill Arms
FESTIVE TIPPLE
Justerini & Brooks share seasonal wine ideas
TRAVEL
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WEEKEND AWAY
A trip to Rockliffe Hall in Darlington
Introducing the Purdey Autumn Winter 2021 collection
The Legacy Collection
HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS REGULARS
12
MY LIFE IN...
16
WHAT’S ON
21
5 MINUTES WITH…
Matthew Wilson shares his life with us
57
FIND YOUR FIT
Clare Stobart shares her top tips for a healthier Christmas
DRIVE
92
The party season has arrived in Rutland
Terri Coley from The Otter’s Business Hub
DEFENDER OF THE FAITH
We take the Land Rover Defender 110 D300 for a spin
HOME
98
THE SAVOY X GUCCI Celebrating 100 years
N AV I G AT I N G T H E W O R L D O F F I N E W I N E F O R COLLEC TOR S AND CONNOISSEUR S Justerini & Brooks. Portfolio, expertise and personal service. www.justerinis.com
My life ... MATTHEW WILSON, DIRECTOR/PRINCIPLE DESIGNER AT MATTHEW WILSON GARDENS
How would you describe yourself ? Creative, dedicated, hard working, and always on the move – current projects range from a walled garden in Northumberland to an ultra-modern house in Surrey, via city gardens in London and country houses in Rutland, Essex, Hertfordshire and Yorkshire. I’m also a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, so down-time is something of a luxury. Where is home? And work? Home is in Bisbrooke, just outside Uppingham. I was born and brought up in Kent. We – wife Jane and twins Dylan and Amelie - moved here from south east London nearly 7 years ago. Work is in my studio in the garden, we converted an old stable block two years ago, upcycling a lot of materials that I rescued from Chelsea Flower Show gardens I have designed. It’s a lovely 30 second commute. What did you want to be when you were younger? A pilot when I was very young – my grandfather was a World War One Royal Flying Corps fighter pilot. I idolised him and he taught me how to ‘fly’ a biplane, sat on the floor in front of him with a cut down broomstick for a joystick and cigar boxes as pedals. By my mid-teens I was determined to be a rock star. Name a few of your favourite places to be... I’ve been to Canada a few times and love it. Vancouver and Vancouver Island in particular
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“We all need to stop staring at our phones and look at the landscape around us” – we took the kids on a 3 week road trip and had an absolute blast. The drive down Highway 1 on the US Pacific Coast is another favourite, not least as it’s where my wife Jane and I spent our honeymoon. The mountains above Frigiliana in Andalucía are a favourite destination for October half term and is blissfully relaxing. Closer to home I have a great affinity for the Yorkshire Dales, where I lived for a number of years and have designed a number of gardens, and Northumberland, especially the coast. Dungeness is another place of wonder, not least because of Derek Jarman’s extraordinary garden. I’m naturally drawn to places with an openness, a bleakness about them. In Rutland we love to walk the Hambledon Peninsula and Wakerley Woods, where there are some incredible pyramidal orchids. We have two Heinz 57 rescue dogs so walks are a daily pleasure.
The RUTLAND Magazine | Regulars
For special occasions a meal at Langer Hall in the Vale of Belvoir or Hambledon Hall is a treat, and we love the Olive Branch at Clipsham. Sitting in the beer garden at The Exeter Arms in Barrowden is lovely on a warm summers evening. What or who inspires you? Nature, first and foremost. We are sometimes blinded to how wonderful it is, such is our fixation on technology. We all need to stop staring at our phones and look at the landscape around us. In terms of people, I was very fortunate to get to know the hugely influential gardener and plants-woman Beth Chatto, who had a significant role in shaping my thoughts on plants and planting. Most of all I am inspired by people with integrity. What was the last gift you gave someone? I bought my wife 4 little hand blown green glasses from a shop in Agua Amarga, a little village in the desert in Andalucía. When you stack them together they look like a cactus. Tell us a secret/fun fact? Well I didn’t make it as a rock star. But the band I was in released a single in 1985 that has subsequently been re-released, along with other material from that time. And I am now in a ‘dad band’ called the LoKeys. Who or what would you place in Room 101? Coronavirus. And Brexit. They can keep each other company. Although I sincerely hope they don’t have offspring. Your mastermind subjects? The Vietnam War. I was obsessed when I was a teenager, and dumbstruck by the futility of it all. What’s been your biggest life lesson? Be kind to people on your way up the ladder – you may want their help on the way back down. www.matthewwilsongardens.com 13
Peter Wileman FROI RSMA FRSA ∙ What is more gentle than a wind in Summer ∙ Oil on Canvas ∙ 29 x 32 inches
Carefully selected artists from the Royal Academy, Royal Institutes, Federations and Societies 5-8 The Mews ∙ The George Hotel ∙ Stamford ∙ PE9 2LB Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 5pm | 01780 480800 &
Lees Yard ∙ Holt ∙ Norfolk ∙ NR25 6HS Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm | 01263 713883
www.adrianhillfineart.com
The RUTLAND Magazine | Regulars
NOTEBOOK WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH
A Christmas Chorus Enjoy a sensational Christmas at Leicester’s Curve theatre with a brand-new Made at Curve production of legendary Broadway musical A Chorus Line, directed by Nikolai Foster. Starring world famous dancer Adam Cooper and West End and Curve favourite Carly Mercedes
Dyer, A Chorus Line features incredible choreography, some of the greatest songs ever written, heart-wrenching personal stories and musical theatre’s most unforgettable finale. Running 3 - 31 December, www.curveonline.co.uk
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Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine
WED - SUN IN DEC
The Christmas Shop Burghley Hall
What’s O n ?
The traditional and spectacular Christmas Shop returns for 2021. From 10am 4pm enjoy your Christmas shopping in beautiful surroundings and pick up your favourite festive gifts, seasonal treats, decorations and more. www.burghley.co.uk
UNTIL 20 FEB
The Snowman™ and The Snowdog Newarke Houses, Leicester
UNTIL 2 JAN
Regency Christmas at Belvoir Castle There’s so much to excite the senses at Belvoir Castle this Christmas. Go marvel at the castle’s sumptuous Regency Christmas, set within one of the finest surviving examples of Regency architecture to be found anywhere in the world. As you wander through the castle, you will travel back in time through many colourful and dramatic, festive-styled state rooms, including the Guard Room, Ballroom, State Dining Room and King’s Rooms, all created by award-winning interior designer, Charlotte Lloyd-Webber. www.belvoirchristmas.com 16
This delightful exhibition is inspired by the iconic story of The Snowman™ and The Snowdog. On display are over 40 original illustrations from the film, as well as behind-the-scenes drawings and preparatory sketches. These give a fascinating insight into the creative processes that brought The Snowman™ back to life for a new generation of viewers. A wonderful way to share festive memories across the generations. www.leicestermuseums.org
TheCHESHIRE RUTLANDMagazine Magazine | Regulars The
19 DEC
Charity Santa Bike Ride Oakham
FRI & SAT IN DEC
Lunch with Santa Orchard Café
Meet up with fellow fundraisers at Giant Store Normanton, then cycle to Rutland Cycling Whitwell, enjoy some mulled wine and minced pies, and then have a steady pedal back to Normanton. The ride is a total distance of 8 miles at a steady pace. All ages and abilities are welcome, fancy dress is optional (but encourage) and all booking entry proceeds go to Mind charity. www.rutlandcycling.com
Santa will be enjoying his lunch break away from his workshop to join your little ones for a festive bite. After lunch, sit and enjoy a festive story read by Santa before receiving a little special gift to take home. www.wellandvale.co.uk
12 DEC
Magical Christmas Film Shorts The Guildhall Museum, Leicester A collection of wonderful Christmas classic films, suitable for all the family. Enjoy 90 mins of film shorts in the unique atmosphere of the Medieval Leicester Guildhall. Sit down with classics such as The Little Match Girl, The Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol next to a roaring fire with a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine. www.leicestermuseums.org
20 DEC
Children’s Afternoon Tea with Santa The Admiral Hornblower Join a magical festive afternoon tea and stories with the man himself. Santa is taking a quick break from his festive preparations to answer your little ones burning questions and read them a festive story. Adults if you fancy a treat you can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea as well! www.hornblowerhotel.co.uk
14 - 15 DEC
Christmas Concert Hambleton Hall A firm fixture in Hambleton’s diary, The Reverie choir returns for 2021! The choir will sing a collection of ancient and modern Christmas music, including a few favourite carols for us the audience to join in with. www.hambletonhall.com 17
Regulars | The RUTLAND Magazine
oof
1
The Best...
Beauty Advent Calendars 2021 N°5 THE CALENDAR 2021
Shaped like an enormous bottle of N°5, this holiday calendar was designed as a work of art and is available in limited quantities. Far from conventional, the calendar includes 27 boxes numbered from 5 to 31. 5 for the perfume, 31 for the mythical address. It contains some of the CHANEL House’s most iconic products. Among its many surprises are a limited-edition ROUGE ALLURE lipstick inspired by N°5, LE VERNIS in a new shade of red, and a bottle of N°5 Eau de Parfum, as well as a bracelet bearing the number 5, a one-of-a-kind snow globe, and a host of other accessories dedicated to the fragrance and designed just for the occasion. RRP £610.00, www.chanel.com
2
The Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2021
The original Beauty Advent Calendar contains 25 of the Liberty Beauty Buyers’ must-have products. This year’s expert-curated edit brings together cult buys, niche names and fresh launches from Liberty’s world-renowned beauty hall: think skin care from Augustinus Bader, UOMA Beauty makeup, hair care by OLAPLEX and fragrance from Vilhelm Parfumerie. Plus, there’s a single Golden Ticket hidden in one calendar’s drawer – awarding the lucky winner £5000 to spend at Liberty. RRP £225.00, www.libertylondon.com
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3
Fortnum’s Beauty Advent Calendar 2021
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with Fortnum’s show-stopping Beauty Advent Calendar. Jam-packed with cult beauty favourites from Fortnum’s iconic beauty hall – the contents of this coveted calendar are sure to last well into the new year. Nestled within each of the 25 drawers are 20 full-sized products, 6 deluxe samples and 1 travel-sized miniature of the most nourishing skincare, haircare, fragrance, bath, body and wellness treats and accessories. Revealing luxury brands, including Aromatherapy Associates, Cult51, ESPA, Dr Vranjes, Bramley and Elizabeth Scarlett. Bursting with a host of exceptional surprises, this sought-after calendar is also recyclable – simply pop out the magnets in the door before recycling at home or keep a hold of it to re-use and refill year after year. RRP £225.00, www.fortnumandmason.com
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The RUTLAND Magazine | Regulars
5 Minutes with
TERRI COLEY, Manager at The Otter’s Business Hub in Stamford
For those that have never heard of The Otter’s Business Hub, talk us through the concept? The concept behind Otter’s Business Hub is to offer serviced offices on short term (6 month) leases together with hot desking and virtual office facilities, bringing together a community of different businesses throughout Stamford and supporting them.
How did the business begin? Following the renovation of the building and conversion into offices, AST Enterprises Ltd took on the role of managing agents for a completely new business venture. One of the directors of AST Enterprises, Tony Gibbs, said due to its location in the centre of Stamford, he had confidence in the concept of a Business Hub and knew immediately that it would be a success.
What was the thought behind the brand name? Prior to being a Business Hub, Otter’s
was a public house. It has been known by a few different names but mainly The Albion and later on The Otter’s Pocket, which you will notice is still carved into the entrance steps outside. In keeping with tradition of the building, we thought it right to incorporate the ‘Otter’ into our branding, therefore introducing Otter’s Business Hub. We have also nicknamed the Otter ‘Timmy Tibbs’ as suggested by one of our visitors.
As the premises are located in Stamford, talk us through your favourite things about the area? Stamford is an amazing place to work, and it has everything you need here. Be it a great coffee from Central Café or lunch at Orbis. Company Director Tony Gibbs and I often like to take a walk down to the meadows and enjoy the peace (weather permitting).
What can potential clients expect from The Otter’s Business Hub? We have excellent facilities here at Otter’s Business Hub as the building has recently been renovated to an extremely high standard. We have hot desking with Wi-Fi, printing, shredding, kitchen facilities with unlimited complimentary tea and coffee throughout your stay. The Otter’s team are also on hand Monday to Friday should you need them for anything.
Tell us more about your virtual office facility? Virtual office is just that, it is a registered address here at Otter’s Business Hub for your business. You get all your registered mail sent here and we can then scan it and email it to you, or you can collect it. It is as simple as that. This saves you giving out your home address (if you now work from home), and offers you a prestigious business address in the heart of Stamford. All Virtual Office members also receive discount on hot desking with us, so if you do want to get out of the home office for a bit – you can!
What’s next for The Otter’s Business Hub in 2022? We are here to adapt to any new working way after the pandemic, we are here to meet people’s needs and help in any way we can. We plan to do more in the community of Stamford and help local independent businesses. As well as continuing to sponsor a local football team and who knows how far we could go. You never know what an Otter can do for your business! www.ottersbusinesshub.co.uk
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The RUTLAND Magazine | Feature
F rom the
M a n d ari arin n O rient rienta al w ith Love… Amanda Hyndman, Mandarin Oriental Area Vice President of London, Munich and Prague discusses her luxury Edwardian hotel in Hyde Park
Mandarin Oriental is situated in the exclusive neighbourhood of Knightbridge, renowned for its wealthy visitors. With so much competition in the capital, what is it about the hotel that attracts these guests to you each year? After our £100m renovation in 2019, we positioned our hotel as being ‘reimagined and reinvented’ and are capitalising on unique location between the glorious Royal Park and bustling Knightsbridge. By focusing on London as a world class destination we have identified new international customer segments while focusing more on bespoke staycation experiences. We will be introducing more personalised experiences through partnerships with the wealth of nearby exclusive retail and unique attractions.
Our 2* Michelin restaurant, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal offers an alfresco dining in the garden terrace during the summer months, or you may enjoy a culinary adventure of Heston’s historic British gastronomy in the comfort of your own suite. Our all-day dining restaurant, The Rosebery now offers an afternoon tea picnic hamper in the park or at home via ShopMO. Our residential spa packages now offers a newly curated wellness menu of signature therapies by our in-resident
“Every day is a special occasion here at Mandarin Oriental” 23
wellness practitioners together with bespoke treatments and journeys from our awardwinning partners. Most importantly, what truly differentiate us is our colleagues. We are committed to exceeding guest expectation by surprise and delight them at every opportunity, we want everyone to leave with everlasting memories in most aspect of their stays. The hotel has a team of over 500 employees that create a genuine British atmosphere and service. In your role as General Manager, what is it you enjoy most and how do you lead the team each day to maintain the level of service? Delighting our guests as well as our colleagues. I’ve had a privilege of working with amazing people and meeting wonderful guests from all around the world. During time of uncertainly, communication is essential. It is significant to keep our colleagues motivated, engaged and reassured. We provide weekly/monthly activities of colleagues’ programmes including service recognition awards
and hotel updates, virtual learning experiences, wellness classes, departmental trainings, leadership meetings and team building activities as a continuation of our charity campaign, FANtastic London, where we have delivered over 60,000 hours of community services since the launch in 2018. We also communicate via our internal platform called MyMO, where I provide weekly VDO updates since the lockdown in March 2020. The crisis has brought out the best in many people globally, and it is uplifting to see communities rallying around each other. There are countless acts of kindness, generosity and self-sacrifice that after all of this we will never forget and be grateful for. Also having a passion is key to success, and I also believe in G.R.I.T. – guts, resilience, initiative and tenacity. What bespoke services do you offer, to go the extra mile for your guests? We actively communicate with our guests from pre-arrival to post-stay, every need is anticipated as we continue to delight and exceed expectations in all aspects. Today’s guests are first and foremost digital customers, they reply on various digital channels to navigate and communicate with brands through exceptional, informative and personalised experiences. We
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The RUTLANDMagazine Magazine| Regulars | Feature The CHESHIRE
have introduced a new communication platform
called HelloMO, where our guests can select their preferred messaging channels to interact with us including SMS and Whatsapp. HelloMO operates 24/7 and guarantees a response in 2 minutes to all requests. We have also recently launched our new experiences page on MO.com featuring unique London tours and private access as well as exclusive Fan of MO experiences, all can be booked directly with our Concierge. Mandarin Oriental is such a prestigious, exclusive venue and a perfect place for a proposal. Can you tell us about a proposal that really stands out to you? We have countless of memorable proposals in the garden, or in the Loggia overlooking Hyde Park as we are the only hotel in London with unique outdoor space that offers panoramic park views with a private Royal Entrance from Hyde Park. Once of the most recent ones we had was a surprised proposal in the garden where the groom exclusively commissioned the Band of Household Cavalry to play their favourite songs.
As this is our love issue, can you share stories of some amazing weddings that have taken place at the hotel? Every day is a special occasion here at Mandarin Oriental. Every individual is unique and we continue to offer the same attention to detail for all intimate or grand affairs. A bespoke menu specially for your occasion can be arranged, our dedicated events and banqueting team promise our exemplary service from the beginning until the end. With hospitality now back and busier than ever, what is Mandarin Oriental looking forward to for the remainder of the year? I am very cautiously optimistic that there will be a gradual strengthening of traveller confidence to enable us to rebuild the business, towards the fourth quarter and into 2022 and hopefully we can look towards brighter times ahead. www.mandarinoriental.com
“Most importantly, what truly differentiate us is our colleagues. We are committed to exceeding guest expectation” 25
A Modern Christmas Classic Bringing the magic to Sky Cinema this Christmas, A Boy Called Christmas is the origin story of Father Christmas from director and co-writer Gil Kenan
P
ublished in November (naturally) of 2015, Matt Haig’s same-titled book was heralded an instant classic. The origin story of Father Christmas, it follows a 12-year-old boy, Nikolas, as he sets off to the Far North to look for the fabled settlement of Elfhelm in an effort to restore hope to the world. It is a tale that is full of adventure and excitement, optimism and magic, but it also knows that there is no light in the world without darkness, dealing with loss, financial hardship and divisions caused by misunderstanding and fear. A Boy Called Christmas is a throat-tightening, heart-swelling adventure that offers up elves, pixies and a faraway kingdom, marauding bears, flying reindeer and a loquacious mouse. But weaved into this vibrant tapestry is poverty, fear and grief, making the moments of joy all the more special and the starbursts of magic all the more dazzling. Filmed on location in Lapland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and London, the film boasts an all-star cast including newcomer Henry Lawfull, Toby Jones, Sally Hawkins, Stephen Merchant, Jim Broadbent, and the legendary Maggie Smith.
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“There is a reason that we
celebrate Christmas, and it’s to bring light to the darkness” For director and co-writer Gil Kenan, it was essential to have some hardscrabble reality to offset the punch-the-air thrills and glee. “I think it’s critical,” he states. “One of the things that I realised when I lifted the hood on the idea of what a Christmas story is – never mind a Christmas film; a Christmas story – is that the entire concept of Christmas as a tradition that we celebrate... the idea is that in the bleakest, darkest times of the year, in the time when the sun rises at noon and sets at 3pm, when your fingers are numb to the bones, when there’s no crops growing in the field and you’re eating the last of the turnips that you had put up for jarring in the waning days of summer, you turn to a tradition that allows you the opportunity to bring light and hope. There is a reason that we celebrate Christmas, and it’s to bring light to the darkness. “If you think about what Matt did with his book, it creates a name and a face to that need,” he continues. “And that face belongs to Nikolas, a young man who has lots of reasons to despair and to give
up hope, through fate and circumstance and misdeeds all conspiring to make him one of the most tragic cases in modern literature. And yet, perhaps because of all of that weight stacked on his shoulders, he finds a point of bright light. And that point of bright light was a story that was told to him about a place called Elfhelm. It’s a place that he chooses to keep aiming for. And that choice, and that hope, and that belief, and that animating spirit – they keep him alive in the bleakest times. They give him joy, and a sense of adventure and discovery in the greatest moments. They give him empathy and hope and love, and all of these things felt so supremely well-designed to pin the Christmas legend of this particular world on.” Making a Christmas film that will delight families and stand the test of time comes with its own particular set of pressures. But how do you ensure that your movie becomes one of those tried-and-trusted classics, a family favourite that’s as sure to light up living rooms as the blinking bulbs wrapped around the Christmas tree? “I would be lying if I said that it was a stated goal to make an immortal classic,” says Kenan. “That’s a dangerous way to approach telling a story. I think you’re lucky if it’s coherent, 27
“the goal was to be able to have a story that did justice to Matt Haig’s book, which I did feel was a classic Christmas story”
and you’ve got the luck of a lifetime if it’s actually good.” He laughs. “And for people to want to come back to it? I almost think it’s impossible to plan it. So I would say that, for me, the goal was to be able to have a story that did justice to Matt Haig’s book, which I did feel was a classic Christmas story, and one that actually caught me off-guard. Like a lot of Matt’s writing, it’s entertaining at first glance, but also soul-fulfilling or life-affirming. There’s an uncommon depth to his stories – an emotional and thematic depth that I don’t think you are prepared for. With A Boy Called Christmas, what I was excited about was doing justice to that
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breadth of theme, and capturing the human experience, on the back of a holiday that we can take for granted, because there are so many movies that come out every year that try to push very familiar triggers, and do it in ways that sometimes are good, sometimes are bad.” So, what are some of Kenan’s favourite classic Christmas films? “A Christmas Story is an absolute, stone-cold classic of the form, and A Nightmare Before Christmas has to be up there, in terms of dismantling the myth and putting it back together. It’s a glorious film. And I would have to say Home Alone – it really sneaks up on you by reminding you how important family is at this time of year, by the absence of family. It’s an incredible conceit that works on lots of levels.And I do think there’s a reason Elf has made it up to the pantheon. It’s because it’s found a way to entertain while landing an emotional gut punch. And Gremlins is right up there!” Kenan is far too modest to even begin to suggest that his own film deserves mention in the same breath. But who knows? Perhaps in 20 years’ time, when the generation of children who will this year enjoy A Boy Called Christmas with their families have grown up, they will perhaps namecheck A Boy Called Christmas alongside all of the classics listed above. Now that would be magical. A Boy Called Christmas is in cinemas and on Sky Cinema from 26 November.
TheCHESHIRE CHESHIREMagazine Magazine| Regulars | Feature The
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Style Escape to tth he Gre rea a t Outdoo utdoorr s This season sees
Purdey play to its strengths, championing the long-held British tradition of escaping into the great outdoors. To this end, the Autumn Winter 2021 collection is a celebration of the unique style of the shooting season and other outdoor pursuits, made-up of clothes that are designed to take on the elements in fine fashion. www.purdey.com LEFT: Purdey Mens Tweed Shooting Vest, £475 Purdey Mens Tweed Breeks, £450 Purdey Mens Tattersall Shirt, £275 Purdey Mens Tweed Cap, £90 RIGHT: Shop the look at www.purdey.com
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Style | The RUTLAND Magazine
“T
his season Purdey has created a unique combination of luxury timeless pieces designed to be worn for a country weekend or about town with trans seasonal layered staples to create the perfect Purdey look.” says the brand’s Retail & Merchandise Director, Jason Broderick. Few fabrics are more synonymous with country pursuits than tweed, and Purdey’s tweeds are both modern and traditional. The brand’s signature Beesley field jackets, shooting vests and breeks are available in exclusive ‘house’ tweeds with considered design features like turn-down jacket collars, sustainable alcantara trims, action backs and invisible Sympatex membranes – a 100 per cent waterproof and windproof material that insulates the wearer from the elements. All Purdey’s tweeds are woven at a small, independently owned woollen mill in the Scottish borders, to specifications that are exclusive to the house. Shooting aside, other designs in the collection have more of a lifestyle focus. Menswear features a number of versatile gilets inspired by traditional shooting vests, which can transition easily between the town and country. This season’s khaki suede blouson offers a luxurious alternative to traditional jackets, as does a handsome navy and chocolate brown panelled bomber jacket with a suede zip-through front, knitted wool back and sleeves. The collection also features a new Teba jacket in soft burgundy cashmere. The Teba was originally designed as an unstructured shooting jacket for the Spanish king Alfonso XIII, but today is equally at home in the city, worn as a refined alternative to an overshirt. The design team has also revisited Purdey’s seasonal tailoring. Suits now feature a soft construction and ‘three-rolltwo’ buttoning front – a gentle step on from conservative three-button designs. Relaxed patch pockets replace traditional hacking pockets and trousers feature a new pleated silhouette and buckling ‘Gurkha’ waistband. For shooting suits, buckles on breeks are replaced with comfortable elasticated cuffs – a Purdey signature. These subtle design changes all contribute to a collection of modern British suits and separates that can easily be broken up or dressed down with knitwear, rollnecks or open-collar shirts. Womenswear has a similar blend of technical and lifestyle garments, as well as seasonal wardrobe staples. Alongside sleek suit separates available in either a subtle multicolour checked tweed or a tonal black, white and grey houndstooth, there are new shirt designs including a chic piecrust collar shirt in lightweight indigo chambray, as well as classic tiecollar tattersall shirts to layer beneath shooting vests or jackets. Other standout pieces include the cream six-ply merino chunky cardigan with a detachable scarf collar, and cashmere quarter-zip sweaters with classic diamond patterned fronts. As with menswear, some trousers are available with elasticated nylon cuffs for enhanced comfort and waterproofing, designed to be worn tucked into calf-length socks, Wellingtons and walking boots.
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Purdey Ladies Patch Quilted Jacket, £695 £695;; Purdey Ladies High Waisted Breeks In Sand, £395; Purdey Mens Beesley Jacket, £975; Purdey Mens Mini Check Shirt In Green, £125; Purdey Moleskin Trousers In Green, £245; Purdey Litton Hat, £90;
Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine
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The RUTLAND Magazine | Style
OPPOSTIE PAGE (LEFT):
THIS PAGE (LEFT):
Purdey Ladies Tattersall Tie Shirt, £195;
Purdey Ladies Belt Back Coat in Ettrick Tweed, £945;
Purdey Ladies Tweed Shooting Vest, £450;
Purdey Ladies Tweed Culottes in Ettrick Tweed, £450;
Purdey Ladies High Waisted Breaks, £450
Purdey Ladies Chunky Cardigan, £695; Purdey Sporter Sunglasses, £995
OPPOSTIE PAGE (RIGHT):
THIS PAGE (RIGHT):
Shop the look at www.purdey.com
Purdey Frederick Gilet, £695; Purdey Men’s Small Window Pane Check Shirt in Orange, £165; Purdey Men’s Cord Trousers in Navy, £245; Purdey Men’s Shooting Boots, £525
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Style | The RUTLAND Magazine
OPPOSTIE PAGE (LEFT):
THIS PAGE (LEFT):
Purdey Ladies Tweed Field Coat, £925;
Purdey Ladies Piecrust Sweater, £525;
Purdey Ladies Tweed Shooting Vest, £450;
Purdey Ladies Tweed Cullottes, £475;
Purdey Ladies High Waisted Tweed Breaks, £450
Purdey Ladies Fitted Tweed Jacket, £675; Purdey Ladies Fur & Loden Gilet, £2,995
OPPOSTIE PAGE (RIGHT):
THIS PAGE (RIGHT):
Shop the look at www.purdey.com
Purdey Men’s Orkney Windproof Knit Jacket, £545; Purdey Men’s Window Pane Flannel Shirt, £165; Purdey Men’s Dalby Loden Bakerboy Cap, £100; Purdey Men’s Chino Trousers, £245
Stockist Details: James Purdey & Sons Ltd 57-58 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2ED Tel: 020 7499 1801 www.purdey.com
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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style
37
Style | The RUTLAND Magazine
Pragnell
Legacy Collection A modern twist on a classic design, the Legacy collection sees each stone is set in 18ct rose and blackened white gold, which is perfectly formed to encase the stone
T
he new Pragnell Legacy collection seems strikingly modern, with its chic blackened settings and an eclectic selection of gems. Yet it is, in fact, deeply rooted in history, with antique gemstones set in designs that pay homage to period jewels. Each genuine antique gem in the collection has been secured in a 18ct rose gold and blackened white gold rub-over setting. It is important to note that Legacy is not trying to masquerade as antique jewellery, but rather to celebrate it. As such, the settings are smooth, the rose gold is lustrous, and hidden along the edges of each jewel are strips of round brilliant diamonds – a detail that would never be found in genuine antique jewellery. The result is an alluring melting pot of old and new. www.pragnell.co.uk
Masterpiece Antique Cushion Cut Sapphire Pendant 14.00ct in 18ct White and Rose Gold £ 48,000
Ruby Heart Shaped Earrings 2.022CT in Rose Gold & Silver £ 8,750
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Legacy Collection Old Cut Diamond Pendant From £3,800
Diamond Drop Hoop Earrings From £6,500
Masterpiece Cushion Cut Burmese Pink Sapphire Ring 4.20CT in Rose Gold £ 32,500
Legacy Collection Old Cut Diamond Solitaire From £4,850
Natural Pearl & Diamond Drop Earrings
0.99CT in Rose Gold £ 19,800
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an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc Financial ConductRepresentative Authority) forof theandpurpose of advising on the management an Appointed represents only St.solely James’s PlaceGroup’s Wealthwealth Management plc an Appointed of theandpurpose represents only St.solely James’s Place Wealth Management plc which areConduct set Representative outAuthority) on the forGroup’s website The title wealth ‘Partner Practice’ Financial of www.sjp.co.uk/products. advising on the Group’s management Financial the*Trusts purpose advising solelybyonthe the Financial Group’s management St. James’s PlaceoutAuthority) representatives. are ofnot regulated Conduct Authority. which areConduct set on the forGroup’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title wealth ‘Partner Practice’ which are set on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title Conduct ‘Partner Authority. Practice’ St. James’s Placeoutrepresentatives. *Trusts are not regulated by the Financial St. James’s Place representatives. *Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
BEST OF BRITISH CRAFTSMANSHIP British craftsmanship is having a moment, with an increasing number of brands championing locally sourced and hand-made quality goods. To celebrate we’ve selected some of the most iconic British heritage brands to showcase.
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J oseph C heane heaneyy & Sons As a heritage slow fashion brand, producing some of the finest footwear in the world, Joseph Cheaney & Sons are dedicated to British craftsmanship. The brand may be over 135 years old, but the contemporary manner in which the brand is conducted is continually evolving. They keep the traditional shoemaking techniques that contribute to making a quintessentially English Goodyear welted shoe, yet simultaneously adopt new innovations and technologies. Their Autumn Winter 2021 collection is now available and includes the Men’s Tiger Moth II Military Style Mid Calf Derby Boot in Whiskey Kudu Leather, £425 (pictured) www.cheaney.co.uk
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The Magazine| Christmas | Regulars The CHESHIRE RUTLAND Magazine
C live C hrist hristii an F u rniture C o. Clive Christian Furniture coined the statement kitchen and for nearly 50 years, from its workshop in Lancashire, it has been designing and crafting the world’s most opulent homes. Now, for the first time in a decade, the brand is releasing a new collection. Entitled ‘The New Classical’, the cabinetry - pioneering in its design and use of materials - embodies the spirit of classic Clive Christian Furniture design but in a bold, contemporary way. www.clivechristianfurniture.com
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Regulars | The RUTLAND Magazine
AGA
For almost a century AGA has been bringing life to the kitchen. The company has deep roots in Shropshire – the birthplace of industry – and it is here that all AGA cookers are still made today. AGA takes honest, hardworking materials and engineers them into products that look great and are made to last. It is rare for AGA to collaborate, but the brand has recently announced the launch of an exciting new-look AGA cooker with Taylor Howes Design, set to be unveiled on the cusp of the AGA cooker’s 100th birthday. www.agaliving.com
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The Magazine| Christmas | Regulars The CHESHIRE RUTLAND Magazine
A lexand r a Llewellyn
From her famed backgammon boards and poker sets to exquisite games tables and card boxes, Alexandra’s beautifully crafted, intricately detailed games turn play into something magnificent. Using materials of peerless quality, always with sustainable origins, Alexandra collaborates with leading craftspeople to realise her award-winning backgammon boards, which are canvases for meticulous marquetry, delicate hand-painting and bewitching print. Her most recent collection captures the thrill of exotic adventures on a richly detailed wood marquetry poker set, backgammon board and a double cards box. www.alexandrallewellyn.com
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B entley M oto otorr s From the moment the first Bentley was created in 1919, the human touch has been vital to the company’s philosophy of unrivalled craftsmanship and performance. At the Bentley factory in Crewe, thousands of highly skilled craftspeople are involved in crafting the cars by hand - from the veneers, embroidery and leather inside to the paintwork that adorns the exteriors. The recently released Odyssean Edition is a limited edition option for customers ordering the Flying Spur Hybrid with exclusive interior and exterior styling including materials such as open-pore Koa veneers, Piano Linen veneers and 100% British wool tweed panels www.bentleymotors.com
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The Magazine| Christmas | Regulars The CHESHIRE RUTLAND Magazine
M ulberr ulberryy The iconic British brand is the largest manufacturer of luxury leather goods in the UK as a 600-strong team of craftsmen and craftswomen make 50% of their bags in their two factories in Somerset. To celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary this year Mulberry have released joyful collaborations with three of the most visionary designers of their generation – Priya Ahluwalia, Nicholas Daley and Richard Malone (pictured). www.mulberry.com
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Christmas | The RUTLAND Magazine
Asprey Founded in 1781, the House has historically been recognised as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands with pieces made in Asprey’s workshops by their inhouse silversmiths. The British retailer, famed for its jewellery, leather and silver, has a substantial client base of members of royalty, heads of state and world-renowned performers. Recent examples of Asprey’s work include the racing car cocktail shaker, inspired by the vintage racing cars from the 1950s. www.asprey.com
loves
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Christmas gift inspiration at Wingates Gallery Welcoming you to the heart of art
This Christmas, how about treating yourself or your loved ones to a beautiful piece of original art or sculpture. As an award-winning independent gallery, we pride ourselves on our extensive selection of art including glass and ceramic sculptures with something to suit all tastes and budgets. Our guarantee of great service makes purchasing art a relaxed and enjoyable experience. A warm and hassle-free welcome awaits you. 44a St Mary’s Road Market Harborough LE16 7DU Tel: 01858 465455
www.wingatesgallery.co.uk
27 Loseby Lane Leicester LE1 5DR Tel: 0116 253 8484
Christmas | The RUTLAND Magazine
6 Good Reasons to Shop Loc Locally this Chr hriistmas
Put your money where it matters this year and support local Rutland independent shops and businesses
1 2 50
RUTLAND NURSERY Head to the family-run garden nursery and café on the south shore of beautiful Rutland Water and grab a gift for the garden. www.rutlandnursery.co.uk
ELIZABETH STANHOPE Shop Lizzie loves both online and instore and pick up the perfect present for everyone on your list. www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk
The RUTLAND Magazine | Christmas
3 5
THE WOOL ROOM Visit the Oakham showroom to see what home delights you can pick up for the festive period. www.thewoolroom.com
4
MULTUM GIN PARVO For the gin connoisseur in your life, Multum Gin Parvo has a selection of gift sets that include three handcrafted 20cl gin bottles in a bespoke presentation box. www.multumginparvo.com
GRASMERE FARM Choose from a range of hampers and festive specials to feed the family, available to order online or instore now. www.grasmere-farm.co.uk
6
RUTLAND CYCLING Head in-store to Rutland Cycling with gifts for kids, MTBers, Road Cyclists & Commuters. www.rutlandcycling.com
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YO U A R E I N V I T E D TO A
L U X U RY
POOL, SAUNA & WELLNESS EVENT Guncast invites prospective clients, architects, landscape designers and developers to a ‘meet the experts’ event at their new showroom. The event will provide an opportunity for those attending
Join us at Mere Hall Farm, Knutsford, WA16 6LE on 6th, 7th, 8th December 2021 & 10th, 11th & 12th January 2022
to understand the complete range of Guncast Visit www.guncast.com, call 07800 913977
products and services. The pool and wellness experts will be able to
or email manchester@guncast.com
discuss and design your indoor/outdoor pools and wellness areas, for the home, high end residential developments, commercial and boutique spa facilities. LONDON
O RD OXFO
MANCHESTER
NEW YORK
Health, Beauty
Wellness
Beyon eyond d the Ordin rdina ary
This flamboyant and luminous new
scent is inspired by the experience of tasting hibiscus tea in the heart of a gemstone market. Floral and fruity facets of rose and hibiscus are illuminated by spearmint and blackcurrant and then softened with a sensual base of vanilla bean, musk and leather. Exclusive to Selfridges, 50ml, RRP £200, www.selfridges.com
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Health &
Beauty
Peep Club Festive Limited Edition Kit, Wand + Limited Edition Coconut Eye Balm The Heated Eye Wand is a dual-purpose Dry Eye treatment and cosmetic tool that combines a warm compress, gentle massage and red LED light therapy for naturally brighter, whiter and more comfortable eyes and to help reduce puffiness and firm the whole eye area by boosting production of collagen and elastin. £80, www.peepclub.co.uk
#1
The Gift of Happiness Give the gift of health and happiness this Christmas with anatomē’s newly launched gift sets. No matter who you're shopping for, the London based apothecary have you covered with their vast range of goodies designed to help improve and support wellbeing. #1 - The Art of Shower, £79 #2 - The Art of Evening Skin, £142 #3 - The Art of Balance, £97 www.anatome.co
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The RUTLAND Magazine | Health & Beauty
The Gift for Him & Her The perfect present for couples this year, each set contains three full size hero skincare products tailored to the specified skin concern and packaged in a beautiful keepsake box. £99, www.imageskincare.co.uk
The Gift of Rituals, Myth & Magic Swedish based company, Skandinavisk looked to rituals, myth and magic for inspiration for their beautiful new collection of scented candles to bring joy to your home through the festive season. Choose from bestselling SKOG and two winter scents JUL and SNO available in varying sizes. The candles are presented in vessels that are formed from jewel-like glass, etched with Skandinavisk designs and topped with oak lids, for a modern yet rich Scandi look. From £45, www.skandinavisk.com
The Gift of Sleep
The Gift of Scent
loves
This stunning gift box from Sensory Retreats includes a 100% pure Mulberry Silk pillowcase, 7 eye masks, wellbeing oils, pillow spray, candle, mug, beauty bag, meditation guides and so much more. £89, www.sensoryretreats.com
Hailed as Jo Malone London’s scenet of the season, Starlit Mandarin & Honey Cologne offers a sweet aromatic experience to the senses. Top notes of zesty mandarin are subtly sweetened with smooth heart notes of honey. This citrus scent settles on the warm aroma of coumarin for an elegant finish. £102, www.jomalone.co.uk
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AWARD WINNING CLINICIANS L U X U R Y D E N TA L C L I N I C A L L Y O U R D E N TA L C A R E AMAZING REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS
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The RUTLAND Magazine | Wellness
F I N D YO U R F I T w ith C la r e S tob toba ar t
TOP TIPS FOR A
H E A LT H I E R CHRISTMAS
This month I focus on how to remain feeling good while partying over the Christmas period As December rolls on, our social lives tend to increase, meaning we may well indulge more in both food and alcohol. There are plenty of ways to combat over indulgence and temptation, these pointers below will offer you an invaluable guide to getting the most out of the festive season, all whilst allowing you to enjoy the run up to Christmas. Power Nap “When you take a power nap, it energises you and makes you more alert for the next four to six hours,” Khan of UT Southwestern Medical Centre states. By keeping your nap under 30 minutes, you gain the benefit of extra energy without entering the “danger zone” that could negatively impact your regular sleep pattern. Increasing your energy will give you the stamina to enjoy celebrations from start to finish. Food First Aim to eat a well-balanced, healthy meal before you go out. Showing up to a party hungry can lead to picking at the buffet or eating crisps and nuts. Food high in protein and healthy fats, such as yogurt and salmon, can help slow down alcohol absorption. In doing so, you reduce the risk of getting too drunk or having a hangover.
The One For One Rule For every alcoholic beverage you consume, make your next drink water. By getting into the habit of alternating your drinks, it naturally moderates your alcohol intake without thought.
beneficial for your cardiovascular health and full of antioxidants. Red wine offers immune boosting and anti-aging properties. It is great for the digestive system and can even encourage weight loss by activating a gene with resveratrol that can be found in red wine.
Conscientious Consumption Avoid drinking diet drinks. They pass quickly through your stomach, and as a result the alcohol gets into our bloodstream faster. Research suggests that the sugar in a “full fat” soft drink actually slows down the effects of alcohol, by decreasing the absorption from your stomach to your bloodstream. However, the trade off with this is the increase in sugar content, but as with many things in life, moderation is key.
Sober Curious? With the growing availability of delicious alcohol-free beers, wines and spirits, it allows those of us who are alcohol free to enjoy many alternatives whilst celebrating Christmas.
Leave Mixing To The Bar Staff By picking and sticking to your beverage of choice, you will help to combat the side effects that can occur when mixing drinks. Calorie Calculator Clear spirits, tequila and champagne, can save you up to 100 calories per drink! Cocktails, whilst scrumptious, on average contain more than 550 calories. That is the equivalent of over a quarter of a females recommended daily calorie intake. Red Wine Wins There are some amazing benefits to drinking red wine. (Yes, you read that right!) It is
Electrolyte Before You Switch Off The Light Make your last drink of the evening fortified water. Electrolytes are full of minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium which help regulate fluid levels in your body. I recommend the Phizz Multivitamin Hydration tablets which rapidly hydrate you up to 3 times more than water alone. Everything In Moderation As with many things, these helpful pointers are only valid when utilised in the constraints of safe alcohol intake which is currently no more than 14 units a week. Whilst I love to indulge in a red wine or two, I believe in two concepts: everything in moderation and 20 minutes of physical activity every day. www.cpase.co.uk
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A HOTEL INSPIRED BY THE FABRIC OF SE1 Steeped in history, The Dixon is a fine example of 19th Century architecture. A former magistrates court and police station, fusing subtle references to our heritage with beautiful modern décor. The Grade II listed building is a truly stunning venue with a plethora of original details and features located within the heart of SE1, just a few minutes’ walk away from London’s iconic Tower Bridge. Named after John Dixon Butler, the Grade II-listed building’s original Edwardian architect, the hotel holds 193 stylish rooms, with tactile materials, surprising bursts of colour and finely-crafted details, effortlessly complementing the authentic original features. Situated in the centre of the hotel is our Courtroom Bar and Provisioners restaurant serving cocktails and dishes taking influence from the very best that Europe has to offer. Decadent breakfasts, lunches to savour and comforting dinners, alongside moreish snacks and our very own Shakedown coffee roasted in a converted prison cell awaits you. Visit our website www.thedixon.co.uk for exclusive rates for 2021.
211 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2JX info@thedixon.co.uk +44 (0) 203 959 2900
Dixon A4 Overall Ad.indd 1
26/11/2020 11:57
Family Santa’s Litt ittlle Helpe elperr Fancy dress comes to
bedtime in the form of these brilliant Christmas Elf Jersey Pyjamas. Featuring a sweet elf top with button and belt detail along with candy cane stripe bottoms, these pyjamas are essential for coaxing excited children into bed on Christmas Eve! Elf Jersey Pyjamas, £18 Esme Elf Ragdoll, £19 www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
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Bloomsbury’s Winter Wonderland Children’s bedding experts Bloomsbury Mill have released a new, fun, Christmas collection. As well as festive bedding, little ones can now enjoy Christmas themed curtains and the super popular Nap Mat all adorned with Santa, his reindeer and the elves. The Nap Mat makes sure that toddlers and pre-schoolers won’t miss their important midday nap during the busy festive period. It’s a great Christmas Eve present idea. RRP £29.99, www.bloomsburymill.com
Family news WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH
Stocking Fillers from Royal Collection Tr ust
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Give your Christmas the royal seal of approval with a stocking filler from the Royal Collection Trust. #1 - Buckingham Palace Guardsman Pyjamas, £17.95 #2 - Bag of chocolate coins, £4.95 #3 - Corgi Keyring, £12.95 #4 - Children’s Blue Corgi Socks, £7.95 #5 - Buckingham Palace Guardsman Teddy Bear, £17.95 www.rct.uk
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The RUTLAND Magazine | Family
Stocking Fillers from JoJo Mama JoJo’s 2021 Christmas collection boasts unique wooden toys, nostalgic keepsakes, gifts for new parents and matching Christmas jumpers for the whole family. Here is a small collection of stocking fillers for your little ones. #1 - Reindeer Ring Rattle, £8 #2 - Set Of Three Cars, £12 #3 - Wooden Camera Toy, £10 #4 - Wooden Plane, £14 #5 - Mimi & Lula Sequin Crown Gold, £12 #6 - Small René Reindeer, £9 #7 - Father Christmas Stop Here Sign, £6 #8 - Christmas Finger Puppets, £18 www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
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The Cheekiest Gifts
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E.
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Cheeky Chompers, the iconic British nursery brand, is set to be at the top of many little one’s Christmas lists this year, especially those tackling teething, thanks to its collection of eight gorgeous gift sets. With each set packed with the brands award-winning products, and with personalisation now available across every bundle, there is a truly perfect gift for all the bubbas born this year. Starting at just £27.99 right up to £125, there really is something for everyone to get their teeth into, and with each set presented in a beautiful gift box, which doubles as a perfect keepsake memory box, it really is a charming first Christmas gift. From £32, www.cheekychompers.com
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Family | The RUTLAND Magazine
Pets’ Corner All the very latest news and fabulous things for your furry family members
PET PU RC H A S E S
Mr Brightside
Cat Cloud 9 For the cosiest catnaps, the Cat Cloud™ Bed is made from five luxurious layers of warming fabric. Encased in sumptuous faux fur and durable canvas, reflective thermal heat technology insulates and reflects your cat’s radiant body heat for slumber-inducing comfort at naptime. A cat bed so purrfect, it’s like the cats dreamt it up themselves. Cat Cloud™ Bed, £90, www.cheshireandwain.com
A fun and funky dog collar in five bold and beautiful colour combinations - great fun for every day and definitely smart enough for special days too. Classic Slim Cut - suitable for most dog breeds and made from a funky hair-on cow-skin, backed with a super-soft calf leather. D-ring to attach a dog lead sits neatly next to the sturdy buckle. Brightside Classic Slim Dog Collar by Holly&Lil, from £58, www.charleychau.com
Porridge for Pooches The new HOWND Fresh Blueberry & Coconut Porridge with Chia & Oats Plant Powered Superfood recipe is the world’s first ready-made porridge designed especially for furry. Quite possibly a dog’s best breakkie ever, it’s perfect for pet owners who want their pup to safely (and healthily) join in the meat alternative revolution, with a flexitarian or plant-based diet. HOWND Fresh Blueberry & Coconut Porridge, www.dogslovehownd.com
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Ask the
VET
James Dutfield debunks some common pet food myths #1 - Dogs like variety of different foods and ingredients just like humans. In reality research has shown that dogs have fewer taste buds than humans and therefore don’t have the cravings for a large variety of different foods. In fact, if owners add too many different ingredients or change the food too often it can cause digestive upsets. Having said this, it is possible to change protein sources on occasion if you know the new protein source doesn’t cause any gastric upsets and you don’t make too many changes at once.
grains which can cause skin and bowel issues, and in these patients grain free may be a better alternative. But in fact, it is usually the protein source that causes dietary intolerances, with grains lower down the scale of potential allergens. Some grains are quite nutritious and can serve as a healthy addition to a dog’s diet, and whilst it is true that a dog’s digestive tract is not optimised to process grains, studies have shown that dogs can in fact process some grain starches. Cooking grains first improves their digestibility.
#2 - Feeding dry food means you don’t need to worry about your pet’s teeth. Dogs and some cats tend to gulp or crush their food rather than chewing. It is this chewing action that keeps teeth clean. This can mean that their teeth are not getting “cleaned” as you would expect. Always provide suitable dental chews for your pets to keep their teeth and gums healthy, as dry food alone may not be enough. And remember, it is time spent chewing that keeps teeth clean, if your dog or cat eats its dental chew within minutes its unlikely to be beneficial to your pet’s teeth.
#5 - Raw food will give your dog salmonella. Whilst I have seen some patients contracting salmonella and campylobacter from eating a raw food diet, the majority of dogs with a healthy gut immune system can eat raw food without become ill. Dogs have shorter and more acidic digestive system that means that the food is rapidly digested, and these bugs are killed. If in doubt, you can cook the food before feeding it to your pets, this can improve digestibility and kill any bugs on the raw meat.
#3 - All dogs need to be fed bones. Never feed you pets cooked bones or large dense bones, they can be prone to splintering and can causes bowel impactions, and intestinal or stomach tears. This can be life threatening. I come across this problem so often at work. If you want to feed your pet bones, choose lighter, less dense, easily digestible bones, such as chicken wings or necks. #4 - All grains are bad for your dog. It is true that some dogs can’t tolerate certain
#6 - Dogs are strict carnivores. As stated above, studies have shown that dogs can digest some starches and vegetation. Dogs are more closely related to bears in their digestion. This makes them omnivores; they are not as omnivorous as some other animals, but they are omnivores none the less. Dogs still require vitamins and minerals that are provided by other feed stuffs like fruits and vegetable and are not available in meats alone. Cats are obligate carnivores. #7 - It is a myth that all organic dog food is 100% organic. For a dog food to be labelled organic it needs only to contain 85% organic content by
weight. Dry dog foods only need 70% content to be organic. #8 - Hypoallergenic is the same as hydrolysed. Some cats and dogs have very sensitive stomachs which can cause skin and digestive issues. These patients often require hydrolysed diets, this means there are limited ingredients that have been treated under pressure with steam to break down these ingredients into the smallest sized molecules, meaning they no longer cause gut reactions. This is not the same as hypoallergenic, which usually means it has limited ingredients or is grain free. Hypoallergenic foods are not suitable for patients who require hydrolysed foods. #9 - Dogs cannot tolerate dairy. It is true, that just like some humans, some dogs cannot tolerate dairy. But some dogs are capable of consuming dairy products with no ill effects. And not all dairy products contain the same amount of lactulose (the in milk), therefore some dairy products are more digestible than others. #10 - All feeds are made by different companies. In fact ,many commercial dog food companies are owned by the same parent company, with some companies making a variety of different foods to fill certain gaps in the market. Ultimately dogs and cats should be fed an appropriate and balanced food that keeps them healthy. Always try to afford the best quality ingredients and monitor your pet’s stools, firm healthy stools indicate good gut health. Smaller firmer stools indicate good diet digestibility. James Dutfield BVSC MRCVS - Resident Vet www.goostreylanevets.co.uk
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EAT-DRINK-STAY
The Crown is a 16th-century coaching inn with boutique letting rooms set in the heart of Rutland, on the quaint high street of Uppingham. Serving fresh food, real ales, gins and hot drinks, sourced where possible from other local independent businesses. The Cro wn, 1 9 High S treet Ea st, Up pin gh a m, L E15 9PY F or r es er va tio ns c al l 01 5 7 2 82 2 302 or em ai l a t in fo @cro wn up pi ngh am.co.u k w ww .cro wnupp in gha m.co.uk
Food Drink EAT DR IN INK K& BE M ER ERR RY
Make this Christmas extra special
at the Lake Isle. Enjoy beautifully presented food and exceptional customer service in the award-winning Rutland restaurant. Choose from their delicious festive lunch offering or indulge in the December à la carte menu and enjoy a bottle from their extensive wine cellar to really bring home the Christmas cheer. www.lakeisle.co.uk
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#2
HOME OF THE HAMPER What better way to mark the end of a busy year than a gift brimming with Christmas joy? Yes, there’s nothing that symbolises the festive season quite like the iconic Fortnum & Mason Hamper. Lift the lid on these joy-filled wickers and share with your loved ones this Christmas.
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Food & Drink news WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH
#1 - The Sovereign Hamper, £2,500 You’ll find every biscuit, butter and bauble nestled in this aptly named trio of gift baskets, from Fortnum’s finest champagnes, Christmas puddings, preserves and teas, decorations, teaware and even a singing biscuit tin #2 - A Winter’s Evening Hamper £100 From decadent nibbles like Salted Hazelnut Shortbread and Single Malt Whiskey Truffles to comforting brews and celebratory tipples, this wicker is packed full of heart-warming, yuletide-ready treats. #3 - The Magic of Christmas Hamper, £300 This wicker is full of Fortnum’s ‘Georgian Christmas’ themed delights with iconic yuletide favourites from Fortnum’s, from the staple Christmas Tea to the delicious and moreish Merrilossus biscuits. www.fortnumandmason.com
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For Coffee Lovers Treat the coffee lover in your life to a gift they’ll really appreciate this Christmas: a year of amazing coffee to brighten their day throughout 2022. Choose from a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription to start them on their specialty coffee journey. The lucky recipient can then tailor their plan to their tastes and preferred brewing method. From £34.99, www.beanscoffeeclub.com 66
The RUTLAND Magazine | Food & Drink
The Cheese Collection The best cheeses deserve the best condiments and these Four perfect Tracklements favourites are sure to pleasure every cheese-loving palate. RRP £15.95, www.tracklements.co.uk
loves Cocktail Delights Unashamedly indulgent luxury vegan chocolates from Maya Chocolate. The ultimate cocktail chocolate collection featuring 12 different cocktail-inspired flavours to delight all your senses. £13.50, www.mayachocolate.co.uk
CHRISTMAS TIPPLES Caorunn Gin
Frapin Extra Cognac
A sophisticated, sweet, full bodied, aromatic gin from Scotland. RRP £28, www.caorunngin.com
Frapin Extra is a blend heavy with old cognac from the family's 'ancestral reserve', packed full of cedar and fruit. £510, www.thewhiskyexchange.com
SET THE BAR HIGH Elevate your home bar this Christmas with the Jacques bar cart from Jonathan Adler. Featuring a crystal-clear acrylic frame with contrasting brass details, these chic drinks trolley is finished with a mirror tabletop with an additional glass shelf perfect for storing your favourite tipples. £1,525.00, www.uk.jonathanadler.com
Glen Moray 12 Year Old
anCnoc Peatheart Whisky Straight from the Scottish Highlands, this is the smokiest whisky from the anCnoc Peaty range. RRP £52, www,ancnoc.com
The 12-year-old release from this Speyside distillery is lightly toasty with notes of summer fruits, vanilla toffee and fresh herbs. £39.95, www.thewhiskyexchange.com
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Food & Drink | The RUTLAND Magazine
A BITE TO EAT WITH… B E N J O N E S , G E N E R A L M A N A G E R AT T H E O L I V E B R A N C H What’s your first memory of your love for eating out? Meals at the Marquess of Exeter in Lyddington with my parents and brother, an occasional family Friday night treat when I was young – classic prawn cocktail and chicken in a basket.
When did you know you wanted to work in hospitality? My Mum was a great cook and when my parents separated, I moved in with my Dad so would help with the cooking and helped when he had friends’ round or hosted dinner parties. I then trained to be a Chef at Southfields College in Leicester but went to Hambleton Hall to do a 2 week work placement as a waiter as I thought it would be important to experience front of house if I wanted to be a chef. I enjoyed looking after guests and learning about wine as well as the food and fell in love with the wonders of the whole dining out experience which food is just one part of.
How did you see your career in hospitality grow? After working at Hambleton Hall, I spent 2 years in a 5 star luxury country house hotel restaurant just outside of Paris. France was really
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tough as I didn’t speak any French and I was spoken to in French all the time. Some of the junior waiters helped me a little, with one particularly helpful as they had spent a year in England. It took 6 months of working there until I started to understand more and began to talk a little in French. It was then I discovered all the senior waiters and managers could speak English!
Describe your style in three words. Professional, professional, professional.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from? Visiting other establishments and talking with our team.
The RUTLAND Magazine | Food & Drink
If you could prepare a meal for anyone, who would it be and what would you make? It would be for my family - just a Sunday roast and a bottle of red wine, as special time sitting down as a family.
of food and importance of surroundings. A Greek salad is such a simple thing which I first experienced on a ‘lads’ holiday when I was 19 with Aaron Patterson (now Head Chef at Hambleton Hall) and Marcus Welford who was also one of the founders of The Olive Branch and now supplies our wine. All of the ingredients were probably grown or made within only a few miles of the restaurant and are simply chopped and mixed together to make amazing flavours. Add warm weather, the sun, a beach café and an ice cold beer to really elevate the experience. www.theolivebranchpub.com
What are you most proud of in your career? The Olive Branch. Also winning Michelin Pub of the Year at The Olive Branch and AA Pub of the Year at the Red Lion Inn Stathern which we used to own. We have been Pub of the Year at some point in every guide there is. Good Pub Guide (twice), AA, Good Hotel Guide, Michelin, Sawdays, Innplaces and GQ Magazine.
Who is your biggest supporter? So many of our amazing customers, lockdown has really shown us how supportive our customers have been and how much they love The Olive Branch.
What would you want to have as your last meal? Tomato, bacon, feta and olive oil salad and a glass of cold lager. This was also the first meal that made me think about the wonders 69
MEET THE CHEF:
William Webb
Head Chef at The Nevill Arms, Medbourne shares his recipe for Cromer Crab Risotto with Chilli, Lemon and Crispy Fried Shallots
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y love of food all started in my mum’s sandwich shop. I helped out from a very early age and still know her famous brown rice salad recipe off by heart! But it wasn’t until mum bought a bistro that I knew my passion for cooking would be more than just a hobby. To get through university, I worked at one of The Nevill Arms’ sister pubs, The Red Lion in Great Bowden. Strangely, I started front of house, but soon worked my way backstage to the kitchen. Here my food career really blossomed and I then became the gastropub’s Sous Chef. I moved to the Bakers Arms in Thorpe Langton to work with Head Chef James Ray. This was a turning point in my career and I’m certain I wouldn’t be the Chef I am today without James’ help! In 2019, we both made the move to another of our sister pubs, The Sun Inn, Great Easton, creating innovative dishes befitting the beautiful renovation the pub had undergone. I’ve just moved to The Nevill Arms in Medbourne the latest addition to our collection of pubs. The recent renovation carried out by Langton Homes has ensured that the traditional bar with all of its nooks and crannies and open fire places has retained its charm whilst at the same time the restaurant has been totally redesigned with a contemporary feel and incorporates a private dining room. Our
“I’m lucky enough to work with a fantastic team of talented chefs, with the freedom to create delicious food using the finest ingredients sourced locally wherever possible”
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menu is offered in both the bar and restaurant so there is a table for whatever mood you are in. We aim to provide the perfect atmosphere for date nights or laidback Sunday lunches. The beautiful private dining room is great for parties and gatherings with friends. I’m lucky enough to work with a fantastic team of talented chefs, with the freedom to create delicious food using the finest ingredients sourced locally wherever possible. Most of our meat comes from farms in and around Great Easton and our fruit and vegetables from Keythorpe Walled Garden. Even our eggs come from a little farm in Shangton! Our menu offers something for everyone. From a selection of classics, like our delicious burger with house pickles, swiss cheese and chilli jam, to our seasonal specials that change daily depending on what local ingredients we can get our hands on. Most popular at the moment is our treacle cured fillet steak, served with pomme puree, garlic butter ceps, caramelised roasted shallot, topped with shaved truffle. We’re well worth a visit as you never know what will be on the menu! www.nevillarms.co.uk
The RUTLAND Magazine | Food & Drink
Cromer Crab Risotto with Chilli, Lemon and Crispy Fried Shallots This was the first recipe I created myself, and it has become a firm favourite at work, and at home
INGREDIENTS SERVES 4 PEOPLE: 3 red chillies 2 lemons – zested and juiced Olive oil 5 banana shallots – finely sliced (ideally using a mandolin) 1 small onion – finely chopped 3 cloves of garlic – finely chopped 2 spring onions – finely chopped 500g risotto rice 100ml white wine 500ml fish stock 2 dressed Cromer crabs 50g salted butter – cubed into 4 Bunch of chives – very finely chopped
METHOD Chilli and Lemon Mix To make the chilli and lemon mix, you will need to put the red chilli and juice and zest of 2 lemons in a food processor until completely smooth. Crispy Fried Shallots Mandolin the banana shallots to create very thin slices. Place the slices of shallots in cold oil and bring up to the boil on a low heat until golden brown. Dry them out on a jay cloth, or kitchen roll. Risotto Finely chop the onion, garlic and spring onion and add to your pan on a low heat with the olive oil. Cook this out for 2 minutes, then add in the risotto rice, stirring regularly Then, add your chilli and lemon mix along with the white wine and cook out for 8 minutes, whilst gradually adding half of the fish stock. Stir in the crab meat and slowly add the remaining fish stock until the rice is nice and tender. Once finished, stir in 4 cubes of cold butter and season to taste. Garnish with finely chopped chives and your crispy fried shallots and serve!
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Food & Drink | The RUTLAND Magazine
Meet the GM MATT FULLERTON, GENERAL MANAGER OF CATERING AT BURGHLEY HOUSE What’s your first memory of your love for food? Growing up in Sydney was such a mixing pot of cultures and food. Italian, Thai, Lebanese, Japanese, Korean BBQ, visits to the Sydney fish market. I was so spoilt. But I remember going to our local Thai restaurant for my 13th birthday and loving the spicy fresh tastes. I love food from all over the world.
What was it that attracted you to Burghley House? The possibilities and diversity, from prestigious formal events to delivering great meals to the public in the restaurant, to working with the Head Gardner, Joe on what produce we can get from the estate. The estate team are such a great bunch of people to work with, it is a real pleasure being here.
What do you love most about your job? Why the food of course! But equally working with people. You are only as good as your team, so I take great pleasure in developing teams and getting the best out of my team.
What’s your favourite dish on the menu? I love what we have done with the autumn menu and utilising as much of the Burghley produce as we could. If I had to choose a favourite is would be the ‘slow braised Burghley muntjack venison croquettes with celeriac and apple slaw’. It sums up what I am trying to do here, amazing estate produce that looks and tastes amazing.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from? 25 years of work in the industry across many different sectors from hotels, clubs, banks, law firms, corporate head offices, societies, gardens, collages. I have had the privilege of working in
some amazing places with some truly gifted people so am picking the best of my past experience and marrying that to my creativity.
If you could serve a meal to anyone, who would it be and why? I would serve a meal to all the people who have inspired me and taught me over the years, my parents, a couple of former bosses, some of my chefs from the past, one specific schoolteacher and my wife Aurelie. They are the reason I am where I am now.
What are you most proud of in your career? Seeing the people who have worked for me in the past achieve their goals and get the position they wanted.
Who is your biggest supporter? My folks.
What would you want to have as your last meal? Sashimi, I can’t get enough of it. Or maybe fried ceps with garlic and parsley on sourdough toast. Sorry I cannot decide!
What are your plans for Burghley in 2022? We have exciting new menus using the best of Burghley produce from the estate and gardens, to create our delicious brunch, beautiful Afternoon Teas and special seasonal dining experiences in The Orangery. We’ll also be giving the Garden Café a new look and offering hot meals, more outdoor seating and selling Burghley produce lamb and game to the public. We will also look to host more pop ups like the Mexican we did this year; possibly Portuguese chicken, Burghley game burgers, sourdough pizzas… we have so many ideas! www.burghley.co.uk 72
The Wine Cellar Have yourself a very, merry Christmas with these chosen wines from the team at Justerini & Brooks
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or this year’s festivities, the Justerini & Brooks buyers – Giles, Tom, Julian and Mark - have selected six wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, Spain, the Rhône and Champagne. This well-rehearsed cast of yuletide classics are wines they think are perfect for the big day(s) and of course for the rest of the year as well. www.justerinis.com
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#1 - Pierre Paillard, Les Parcelles, Bouzy, Grand Cru, NV - RRP £35.82 “One of the best serious non-vintage Cuvées on the market.” #2 - Château de Meursault, Bourgogne Blanc, ‘Clos du Château’, 2017 - RRP £26.68 “A new star of Burgundy is born!” #3 - Château Grand Village, Rouge, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2016 - RRP £20.17 “Do not be deceived by its lowly appellation, this is sensational - a stand-out wine!” #4 - Las Gundiñas, La Vizcaina de vinos, Raul Perez, 2017 - RRP £21.67 “One of the world’s most talented, innovative and restless winemakers.”
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#5 - Château de Marsannay, Bourgogne Rouge, ‘En Montre Cul’, 2016 - RRP £22.68 “Lush and radiant, full of joy and generous, but very precise, fruit. #6 - Justerini & Brooks, Pomerol, NV - RRP £24.67 “The wine comes from two of the leading estates on the plateau of Pomerol, and arrogant as it may sound, it is absolutely delicious!”
GIVE THE GIFT OF RARE WHISKY #7
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Justerini & Brooks presents its Cask of Distinction Bottles the perfect gift to any avid whisky connoisseur, but a unique way to toast special occasions. #7 - Lagavulin, 18 Year Old, Islay, Cask of Distinction 2000 - £1,093 #8 - Blair Athol, 25 Year Old, Highland, Cask of Distinction, 1993 - £1,094 #9 - Glenury Royal, 50 Year Old, Highland, Cask of Distinction, 1968 - RRP £7,211 73
KANIFUSHI
MALDIVES
WELCOME TO KANIFUSHI ISL AND! Atmosphere Kanifushi – an idyllic tropical island with swaying palm trees, vivid green cover, and beach villas spread along an endless turquoise lagoon. Platinum Plus™, the comprehensive holiday plan offers luxurious beach villa stay coupled with premium beverages, exclusive dining options, impeccable service, excursions, sunset fishing, snorkelling and much more. The popular island resort has now introduced BRAND NEW Water Villas stretching out into the turquoise lagoon, these luxurious villas come with an option of private pool and spectacular Indian Ocean sunset views!
K A N I F U S H I I S L A N D | L H AV I YA N I ATO L L | T H E M A L D I V E S T:
[+960] 662 00 66 • F: [+960] 662 00 77 • E: sales@atmosphere-kanifushi.com
@atmospherekanifushi
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Travel Take yo y our Skiing to New Heights The new ultra-luxury collection in the French Alps will have 13 chalets coupled with two world-class spas, a lavish restaurant and ski rooms with direct access to the slopes of the Tarentaise Valley. Ultima Courchevel will offer on-site butlers, spa therapists, private chefs, and managing staff will ensure an unmatched and tailor-made experience, where guests can expect the best in service, from curated skiing itineraries, to on-demand dinner parties, and plenty of individual touches upon arrival. From £29,883/ 33,000 euros per week during the 2020/2021 ski season www.ultimacollection.com
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Travel news
WORDS:CRAIG HOUGH
SKI SEASON RETURNS
After two winters of distribution, the 2021/22 ski season has arrived with holidays British skiers more eager than ever to return to the slopes. As the only hotel in the resort with ski-in ski-out access, Four Seasons Hotel Megève has re-opened to guests. New this season is the Mont Blanc Suite that occupies the whole of the 5th floor, providing complete privacy and luxury with a spacious open-plan living. The hotel also boasts the region’s largest spa, whilst guests can also enjoy the outdoor-indoor pool with 28 degree temperatures after a long day on the slopes. Dine at the newly opened La Dame de Pic - Le 1920 for the ultimate luxury, before heading down to the wine cellar that showcases more than 15,000 bottles of the finest wines for a unique wine tasting experience. www.fourseasons.com/megeve
Festive Family Break Luxury Family Hotels’ Woolley Grange is offering a magical fournight all-inclusive package this Christmas. The ideal setting for making magical family memories, families will love the famous Woolley quiz night, the Christmas cinema club, the boxing day walk and of course the traditional Christmas feast with all the trimmings. Kids can get stuck in to craft sessions, which range from party-hat making to gingerbread house decorating, and an endless array of festive activities, including digging for reindeer carrots on Christmas eve, visits from Santa and Christmas storytelling. From £2,390 for a four-night all-inclusive package based on two adults sharing a room, www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk 76
The RUTLAND Magazine | Travel
BOUTIQUE RETREATS
Lapland Luxury In the depths of Swedish Lapland lies Loggers Lodge, a warm and welcoming cabin made for two and surrounded by trees, streams and breath-taking scenery. Located 5km from any neighbour, the remote lodge is the perfect spot for a couples Christmas. Loggers Lodge is comprised of a simple cabin, with a glorious open fire taking centre stage, while just outside is a jacuzzi and a cabin for the wood-fired sauna. Guests will be looked after by a private guide, as well as a personal chef. There are plenty of opportunities to explore the natural beauty of Swedish Lapland, from snowshoeing and ice fishing to a rowing excursion under the midnight sun, adventure is right on the doorstep. Four nights from £4,500 per person based on two people sharing the Lodge on full board basis, www.scottdunn.com
If hosting the family at home this year is not appealing, Boutique Retreats offers more than 150 luxury holiday rentals across the UK for you to plat host in. Whether you’re looking for a Christmas break in a seaside-chic cottage, a thatched family home stay, a cliff top retreat with a private pool or a romantic getaway in a countryside bolthole, their unique collection will ensure this will be one Christmas to remember. www.boutique-retreats.co.uk
Berlin Markets
If you’re after a unique shopping experience this year head to Berlin. The city boats a variety of Christmas markets, with the main market held beneath the spectacularly poignant Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church). The Gendarmenmarkt boasts culinary enticements from a portion of the nation’s top gourmet chefs, and additionally a trim of excitement including performers, trapeze artists, fire craftsmen, choirs and music troupes. Other noteworthy markets in the area include Potsdamer Platz Market, The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Market and the Spandau Market which celebrates Advent with a Nativity scene featuring live animals. Hotel De Rome hotel is the perfect place to stay as during Christmas time guests from the hotel visit the Christmas market at Sophienstrasse. The walk is under 20 minutes yet passes breath-taking views of the Berliner Dom on the way. www.roccofortehotels.com 77
Location Set in the quiet village of Hurworth, on the edge of the County Durham and North Yorkshire border, Rockliffe Hall’s location is perfect for discovering the treasures of Durham city, the drama of the North East coastline and the rugged beauty of the North Yorkshire moors. Dating back to the 1800s, the once private estate is steeped in history with all the indulgent extras of a country retreat.
Rooms Rockliffe Hall offers the most elegant and luxurious hotel rooms in County Durham with each of the 61 bedrooms looking out onto the beautiful golf course and surrounding countryside. The belief is that bedrooms should be about relaxing so all guest bedrooms are big on space, big on comfort, and big on little luxuries. From the super king-size beds, Villeroy & Boch bathtubs, to the ‘Tile TVs’ in the crisp, modern and spacious bathrooms, you will be surrounded by indulgence.
Spa and Golf The Spa Garden experience is a luxurious addition to the award-winning 50,000 square feet Spa at Rockliffe Hall, blending indoors and outdoors for when you need an extra touch of tranquillity. Soak in the 365 acre estate in the warm infinity edge outdoor pool whilst experiencing different pressures of hydrotherapy massage, alternatively relax on the heated tile loungers or relaxing day beds. You can also take a swing on one of England’s best golf courses, designed by Hawtree, the world-renowned course architects.
Restaurants Experience a unique culinary journey in Rockliffe Hall's flagship 3AA Rosette Orangery restaurant which offers an unrivalled dining experience, gardento-plate ethos and exceptional wine pairings from some of
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weekend away
Rockliffe Hall County Durham Michael Gates enjoyed a break at a five-star luxury golf and spa hotel in Darlington
The RUTLAND Magazine | Travel
the world’s most exquisite vineyards. Or there is the newly refurbished Clubhouse Kitchen and Bar, the perfect venue for tucking into popular and wholesome British classics or enjoying drinks on the terrace, whilst taking in stunning views across the golf course.
Personal Experience I can confidently say Rockliffe is one of the best spa hotels I have ever visited. The venue is breathtaking, the rooms are stunning and the service was consistently outstanding from the moment I arrived. My first highlight was the Spa and Spa Garden, my bespoke warm oil massage was out of this world and the Spa facilities were fantastic. My second highlight was dining at the Orangery, the tasting menu was incredible and paired perfectly with wines served by the very knowledgeable and charming sommelier Derick. If you haven’t heard about Rockliffe Hall before I strongly recommend you add it to your list of places to visit, you won’t be disappointed. www.rockliffehall.com
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LUXURY IN THE HEART OF THE LAKE DISTRICT Birkdale House is a stunning Victorian residence set in over 1000 acres of private land with unparalleled views of Lake Windermere and the Lake District fells. Available to rent exclusively from three nights, Birkdale House is the ideal private retreat - perfect for unwinding and spending time with family and friends.
e-mail: info@birkdalewindermere.co.uk tel: 015394 45756 @housebirkdale
www.birkdalewindermere.co.uk
The RUTLAND Magazine | Travel
E leg lega a nt S urr urro o undin unding gs
& E xqu xquii site M oment omentss Kevin Evans took a trip to the capital to trial Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at the Corinthia Hotel
Location Perfectly positioned in the heart of London, and minutes from the West End and River Thames, the hotel is within easy walking distance of Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the National Gallery, the Southbank Centre, and the London Eye. A short stroll will take you to Buckingham Palace, West End theatres, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and the fashionable Regent Street and Bond Street for designer shopping. Restaurant & Bars Kerridge’s Bar & Grill – Elevated Grill house with classic recipes with a twist, Tom Kerridge signature dishes which do not disappoint! Full on flavour and luxury – no calorie counting here, just pure indulgence. Tom Kerridge Fish and Chips at Harrods - Tom Kerridge’s new venture with a Fish and Chip restaurant in the
main dining hall within Harrods. Not just simple fish and chips, here you can sample lobster, dover sole alongside the classic cod. I would definitely recommend a side of pickles – which was an assiette of pickled onions, dill pickles and pickled egg. The potted shrimp appetiser should not be missed!
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Travel | The RUTLAND Magazine
Spa Whether you’re looking to try out the latest alternative therapies or treat yourself to an indulgent spa day, ESPA Life at Corinthia should be your first port of call. The awardwinning spa has won accolades including ‘Best UK Hotel Spa’ at the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ and ‘Best European Spa’ in The Times, The Sunday Times, and The Sunday Times Magazine Travel Awards, among many others. Guest Rooms and Suites As London’s elegant, uplifting, grand hotel, intelligently designed for modern life, Corinthia London combines grandeur, heritage and a contemporary style with a modern touch. In close
proximity to the city’s major attractions, features include 283 rooms of which 51 are suites and 7 penthouses. A Mediterranean Restaurant, the new Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, a jazz influenced bar and award-wining flagship ESPA Life at Corinthia make the hotel a destination in itself. Our Visit It’s that time of year to get started on some Christmas shopping, and where better to do this than in the big smoke. I’m a firm believer that if you are gifting for other people then a little treat or two should come your way. We were so lucky to be staying in the Corinthia Hotel – the location was perfect, and the sheer luxury of the hotel really makes you feel like you are in a special place. Beautifully finished with modern and lavish décor and first-class service from the moment you approach the entrance. It has a serene calmness about it which is welcome after stepping off the street from the hustle and bustle of London. For
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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars
dinner we ate in Kerridge’s Bar & Grill which resides in the hotel – and lives up to the standards of its surroundings. The meal was everything we expected and more – fantastic service from the team, from Penelope at front of house to Anne who took care of us at the table and the incredibly knowledgeable Martin who was our sommelier – who we could have talked to all night about wine, he was so interesting. The food of course excelled from the amuse bouche of a savoury cheese profiterole to the lobster scotch egg and the ox cheek infused Yorkshire pudding that was part of the Sunday roast – it was classic food elevated with the inevitable intense flavour deliver you would expect from Tom Kerridge. This restaurant is a real must for anyone staying in London.
Personal Note We had such an amazing time at the Corinthia Hotel – the team made us feel so welcome and the location was just perfect for walking to Trafalgar Square, Soho, Covent Garden and Embankment. This was a real bonus as rather than using the tube we were able to walk about and take in the scenery around us. We really felt pampered at the hotel – from the spacious junior suite to the fabulous spa we really managed to unwind after braving the shops in the frenzied Christmas shopping. We will definitely be returning to the Corinthia and Kerridge’s Bar & Grill – in fact, it’s going in the diary right now! www.corinthia.com
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YOU WILL F IND ELIVI, WH ER E T H E SUN SETS
ELIVIHOTELS.COM
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel
A Little Slice
of Paradise Nestled along a beautiful two kilometre long turquoise lagoon in the Maldives Lhaviyani Atoll sits Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives.
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he 5-star all-inclusive luxury resort that seamlessly blends Maldivian warmth and design with world-class hospitality and services to offer those who visits this beautiful part of the world, a haven of peace and tranquillity to escape to.
Suites and Villas The resort features offers 172 stand-alone villas and suites. On land, 132 detached suites and villas that all include direct access to the white sandy beach and the beautiful lagoon waters, contemporary island-inspired interiors, modern amenities, king-size beds and views of the endless horizon, while those seeking the height of luxury can opt for a Sunset Pool Villa that features a much larger floor plan, a private outdoor area including a spacious verandaH, a private pool, a welcome bottle of champagne with canapes, an oversized day bed, a queensized bed, a whirl pool tub and a dedicated butler service. 85
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RUTLAND Magazine | Travel TheThe CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars
Dining Experience The Spice invites guests to enjoy a wide variety of International cuisines through it’s exquisite buffet, live cooking stations and grills, all within a beautiful dark wooden setting that exudes island charm and warmth, while Teppanyaki showcases an authentic teppanyaki experience where guests gather around a large hot plate that a theatrical chef will use to create an exciting selection of fantastic Japanese dishes. The Sunset serves lovely light meals and lunches throughout the day and then shifts into an excellent fine dining experience in the evening with a menu of specialty fusion recipes that blend the best of Asian and Mediterranean cuisines, while Just Veg is the Maldives first pure vegetarian restaurant, proudly showcasing a special menu of excellent 100% meat-free dishes. Guests seeking refreshments can visit one of two fantastic bars and lounges throughout the resort that offer a wealth of fine wines, beers and colourful cocktails.
Kanifushi Experiences Those seeking rest and relaxation can seek solace in Akiri Spa’s spacious relaxation lounge, six treatment rooms, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. The spa’s team of expertly trained therapists draw inspiration from Ayurvedic techniques and philosophies to deliver a fantastic menu of signature treatments, massages and facials that are all designed to promote wellness and harmonise the mind, body and soul. Guests are also invited to explore the beautiful waters that surround this idyllic resort through a wealth of water sports facilities, however it wouldn’t be a trip to the Maldives without getting into a wet suit and exploring the majestic kaleidoscopic reefs that lie beneath the surface with the resorts excellent scuba diving equipment. www.atmosphere-kanifushi.com 87
FA L C O N A P R I VAT E J E T S No two private flights are the same. For every charter request we always look for the best solution, meeting your requirements on capacity, service and range. Falcona offers a well-balanced charter fleet of private jets and has carefully selected partner operators to provide you a wide range of possibilities.
+44 (0) 161 436 0124 | info@falconaprivatejets.com
Drive That’s the Spirit
It isn’t just cars that are going electric. Aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce (not to be confused with the car maker – they’re very different companies) has flown its first electric aeroplane, the Spirit of Innovation. Powered by an electric motor with more than 500 horsepower, the sleek single-engine, single-seat aircraft flew for just 15 minutes, at a maximum altitude of 5,000ft. Rolls-Royce claims the plane will reach speeds of more than 300mph, and hopes to use the technology to power a small, all-electric “commuter” airliner by 2026. Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation, www.rolls-royce.com
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DRIVE
Keeping you up to date with all the latest motoring and technology news WORDS: JAMES FOSSDYKE
LAP OF LUXURY If the Bentley Flying Spur isn’t quite luxurious enough for you, try the lavish new Mulliner model
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nce upon a time, in a century long, long ago, car manufacturers didn’t really build cars. The likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce built all the oily mechanical bits, then left it to companies called ‘coachbuilders’ to construct the bodies. One such coachbuilder was Mulliner Park Ward, which has since been bought up by Bentley, and is now gainfully employed building the most sumptuous versions of Bentley’s already sumptuous products. The latest in this illustrious line is the Flying Spur, a car that has never been described as ‘Spartan’ or ‘underequipped’. Nevertheless, Mulliner has set about its business with gusto, fitting self-levelling wheel centres that ensure the Bentley logo is always upright and a fancy diamond-pattern front grille. Inside, the Mulliner model is set apart by its three-tone upholstery and the diamondmilled centre console, as well as quilted
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leather upholstery and even “three-dimensional” leather in the doors. As a measure of Mulliner’s obsessive attention to detail, each of the diamond shapes in the seats is made up of 712 stitches, each perfectly aligned with the centre. Customers have a choice of three powertrains, with the V6 petrol-electric Hybrid joined by the petrol V8 and petrol W12 engines. All three will get from 0-60mph in around four seconds, with top speeds of up to 207mph. £POA, www.bentleymotors.com Bentley Leicester, Watermead Business Park, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1PF tel:+44 (0) 116 490 8784, www.leicester.bentleymotors.com
The RUTLAND Magazine | Drive
FORMULA FUN The modern, reborn Fiat 500 has been a roaring success, rapidly becoming one of the UK’s most desirable small cars. But it is neither sporty nor fast, so Fiat’s in-house lunatic, Abarth, has made it its mission to change that. The latest chapter in that story is the new F595, which celebrates the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that powers F4 cars. With 163 bhp, it’s hardly the most powerful engine on the market, but it packs a punch in such a lightweight car. And with a glorious Record Monza exhaust providing aural excitement, it’s the definition of ‘hot hatchback’. From £20,305, www.abarth.com
BRITISH RACING GREEN
LET THERE BE LIGHT Genesis might be the new kid on the block, but the South Korean luxury brand isn’t shy about releasing new models. Hot on the heels of the mid-range ‘70-series’ cars and the flagship ‘80-series’ models is the new GV60 electric SUV. Slotting in beneath the more conventionally powered GV70 in the Genesis range, the new urban SUV will manage 280 miles between charges, while the most powerful examples will have 318bhp. The 0-62mph sprint will take just four seconds. £TBC, www.genesis.com
James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 may have become the poster boy for the British brand, but it’s far from the only classic Aston. The DB6 looks much the same as the Bond car, but it’s slightly bigger and more luxurious. In many ways, it’s a better vehicle. But now little-known car modification firm Lunaz has stripped one down, removed the straight-six petrol engine and fitted a silent new electric powertrain. With a range of up to 255 miles, uprated suspension and there can’t be a more eco-friendly Aston Martin in the world. £POA, www.lunaz.design
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DEFENDER
Drive | The CHESHIRE Magazine
o f the Faith
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The RUTLAND Magazine | Drive
The old Defender was an icon, writes James Fossdyke, but the new model is a very different beast – and it’s the better for it.
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mage is a funny old thing. In a world of Instagram and Tik Tok, it seems vast fortunes can be made on the basis of what is, essentially, a lie. Where filters and Photoshop reign supreme, what you are is no longer as important as what you’re seen to be. For the Land Rover Defender, image has been a fickle friend. The instantly recognisable shape has become a symbol of off-road capability and British engineering. It’s woven into the fabric of the nation and indeed the fabric of tourists’ T-shirts – much like the red phone box or the Supermarine Spitfire. Like the phone box and the Spitfire, though, the Defender’s image was a byproduct of its success. A utilitarian 4x4 from the old school, it became the ideal workhorse for anyone who needed a simple, robust off-roader. That, coupled with its history and charm, made the Defender incredibly desirable. Everyone wanted the big, bulky Land Rover sitting on their driveway – no matter whether they needed such a thing or not. Suddenly, it was no longer the preserve of farmers and shepherds and tree surgeons, but a fashion statement for the great and the good. Which was something of a problem, because the Defender had issues. Lots of them. A design almost untouched since the 1970s brought manufacturing issues and, more importantly, bred safety concerns. And with simple but somewhat old-school diesel engines under the bonnet, it was hardly a favourite among environmentalists. Then there were the drivability issues. Changing gear was like stirring gravel, the seating position was awful and the only thing more awkward to reach than the handbrake was the door latch. There was nowhere for your right arm, the on-road performance was non-existent and the noise was appalling. I, for one, was glad when the old Defender was finally killed off, quietly binned amid mutterings about emissions standards and crash test results. And so should you be. Because the new Defender is a completely different animal. Gone are the hateful engines, the horrid ergonomics and the horrendous
discomfort. At last, the Defender is no longer a truck fit only for towing tree trunks or carting sheepdogs to wherever they’re needed; it’s a proper, pukka SUV that you might actually want to own. The boxy shape remains, but it has been thoroughly modernised, with a space-age front end and LED headlights, it looks like something out of Star Wars. Particularly if you get one in black or white. And Land Rover has made the interior much more comfortable and appealing, although there are touches that hint at its predecessor’s rough-and-ready heritage. Avoid the soft carpets, for example, and you can still mop the cabin out, while everywhere you look, you’ll find exposed screw heads. It’s form over function, of course – they’re completely pointless features – but the thought is there. More importantly, you get the mod cons the old Defender could only dream of. There’s a proper touchscreen infotainment system with gadgets galore and a really, really smart interface, plus a digital instrument display and seats that adjust to suit the human form. You can have seven of them, too, depending on whether you choose the three-door ‘90’ model or the five-door ‘110’. On the road, meanwhile, the new Defender is definitely all new. Driving the old Defender was like steering a very slow hovercraft while wearing boxing gloves. It was clumsy, awkward and you only had a semblance of control at anything over about 4mph. Unless, of course, you bought one of the awesome Twisted versions, with the Chevrolet V8 and the reworked suspension.
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Drive | The RUTLAND Magazine
Land Rover Defender 110 D300 Price from: £61,995 Gearbox: 8-speed automatic Engine: 3.0-litre straight-six diesel 0-62mph: 7.0 seconds Top speed: 119mph Power: 295bhp
Now, however, the Defender is quite perky – particularly with the 3.0-litre diesel engine I tried – and the ride feels much less tractorish. The handling is still a bit vague, and the tall bodywork still rolls about in corners, but at least the car is relatively quiet, comfortable and refined. It feels like a big, lumbering SUV, but in a composed, relaxed sort of way. That laid-back attitude is quite pleasant on a long motorway cruise, although the enormous dimensions and slightly sluggish steering still feel a bit cumbersome around town. But while the new car may be much more refined, don’t go thinking the Defender has gone all soft. It can still cut it when the going gets tough. As you’d expect from a Land Rover, it’s absolutely unstoppable off-road, with electronic this and radar-guided that to ensure no track is too muddy and no incline is too steep. Whether you’re driving on mud, snow, ice or rock, the Defender’s
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electronic brain knows exactly how to deal with it. As long as you aren’t a complete numbskull when it comes to off-road driving, it’ll pull you through. In fact, it’ll pull pretty much anything. A maximum towing weight of 3.5 tonnes means horseboxes won’t be a problem, and nor will most trailers or caravans. Although why you’d want to tow a caravan is beyond me. Far better (and cooler) to get the optional roof tent, which is a surprisingly comfortable thing to sleep in, as long as you don’t park on a slope. I learned that the hard way. But for all its off-road ability, the new Defender is nothing like the old Defender. If you want a car for jumping over sand dunes or blasting around the tundra, the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Land Cruiser are going to be more rugged and probably more reliable. And if you want a workhorse to plod around your farmyard, you’ll find the much cheaper Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck perfectly acceptable. But if you want something to live with every day in rural Rutland, towing horseboxes, tackling muddy lanes and ferrying the family around, you need a Defender.
Finding your way to an office in Stamford is easier than you think
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Home Welcome & Rejoice
Deck the halls (and wherever else you please) with statement trees and beautiful wreaths, plus stunning baubles and elegant decorations to herald the start of the celebrations. It’s time to toast everything the season has to offer with the ones we love most. The White Company’s Christmas Collection www.thewhitecompany.com
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The Savoy X Gucc Guccii:
C E LE LEB B R ATI ATIN NG 100 YEARS The Savoy’s Royal Suite is transformed by Gucci and Christie’s in the fashion house’s centenary year
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ver since its foundation, Gucci has frequently featured or mentioned the theme of travel, referencing the iconography of luxury hotels and the jet-setters who populated them in the early decades of the 1900s. It was with irony, pride, and selfawareness that the House’s founder, Guccio Gucci, introduced these themes and symbols, after his first-hand experience. Still very young, he was employed at The Savoy as a luggage porter and liftboy, when he gained direct access to the tastes and needs of travelling customers, escorting them from floor to floor. Seeing the luxurious luggage and elegant clothes of guests was a major impetus in his desire to start his own leather goods company, shortly after his return to Italy from London. One hundred years from that moment, The Savoy and Gucci are pleased to celebrate their shared history in a host of creative ways, from design features to exceptional experiences for guests and clients.
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The relationship between the two was first under the spotlight upon the reveal of Gucci’s Aria Collection in April 2021, privately screened locally at The Savoy. The Collection and its presentation included numerous nods to the hotel and its role in shaping Gucci’s mythology. Now, the partnership’s next iteration is the transformation of The Savoy’s Royal Suite into a reflection of the Gucci world, featuring furniture, furnishings and decorative items from the Gucci Décor collection. In addition, art and antiquities from auctioneers Christie’s have been carefully chosen to complement the aesthetic, which has been conceived to harmonise with the design and heritage of The Savoy. Adrien Meyer, Global Head of Private Sales at Christie’s, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to partner with two iconic luxury brands and bring
Interiors Homes Homes and and Interiors
our Private Sales service to guests of this great London hotel. At Christie’s, the ultimate luxury is to be surrounded by art. Together with Gucci, the Royal Suite at The Savoy will become the most exclusive place to stay in London.” All of the items in the Royal Suite added by Gucci and Christie’s will be available for purchase; making the Royal Suite an exceptionally exclusive showroom, as well as one of the most luxurious hotel suites in London, with its parade of rooms spanning the entire length of the fifth floor, giving unrivalled views over The Thames. The Royal Suite offering includes a dedicated butler, use of The Savoy’s Rolls Royce within a three mile radius,
return transfers, bespoke in-room amenities and Gucci experiences. The partnership will also see the two brands reveal further initiatives later in the year. Franck Arnold, Managing Director at The Savoy commented, ‘I’m so delighted that The Savoy is partnering with Gucci in such a creative way in the fashion house’s centenary year. It’s wonderful to bring alive our shared history to contemporary audiences, and we’re excited to unveil a transformed Royal Suite, as well as providing guests with charming experiences and exceptional service that befit two brands with such global renown.’ www.thesavoylondon.com
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Q&A
with
ELIZABETH STANHOPE, FOUNDER AND DESIGNER AT ELIZABETH STANHOPE How would you describe yourself ? I am a very proud mother of my three girls Olivia, Ruby and Daisy, and excited to become a family of nine when I marry my partner Rob, who has four children, next year. I am obsessed by all things interiors and love and adore my work. I am a creative person and really enjoy working with people. A bit more about you… I did think initially that I would like to be a therapist and went to university to study psychology. Unfortunately, this was only a matter of weeks after losing my Dad in a farming accident and when I arrived at university in Brighton I had a complete change of heart and was lucky enough to switch my course to an art and design degree. During my first year at university I renovated a three storey former bed and breakfast which six of us lived in at the same time as pretty much gutting it. It was a brilliant experience and one that really helped get me through that first year without Dad. After uni I went to London and got a job working for a showhouse company. I would spend three weeks a month designing, and sourcing then head off somewhere in the country with two other designers. We’d check into some excellent place that my friend, Paul, had spent hours trawling the internet to find, like a National Trust windmill or lighthouse and we’d have a happy week ‘moving in’ to the showhouses. It was a lot of fun and a great start to my interiors career.
“Some of my best experiences have been the projects I have been lucky enough to work on” 100
After working in London for a few years I settled back in Leicestershire and began working freelance. It was at this time that I began working with my Mum for her business in Rutland. After a year or so Mum decided to retire at which point, I bought her business and the rest is history. Who are your greatest influences? The most influential people in my life have always been the people closest to me, my parents taught me and my brother to aim high and work hard. My team are a daily inspiration to me and my children most definitely my fiercest critics!
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The people whose children I looked after when I nannied before going to university certainly influenced my future decision making. These were strong successful ladies; a film producer, a master baker and a lingerie designer who all worked hard to juggle family life and a successful career. I took a lot from the experiences I had with them. What have been some of your best experiences at work? Some of my best experiences have been the projects I have been lucky enough to work on; a hotel in Tuscany, the Headmaster’s house at Eton College, a bowling alley in the grounds of a country house, a beautiful Norfolk Mill and store and product design for NPEAL cashmere. All completely different and that really sums up part of the excitement doing what we do, you can never be sure of who’s going to step into your world next. Traditional vs contemporary style? I am not remotely fixed on a style; I am passionate about good design whether it be contemporary or traditional. What would you consider your greatest achievement? Raising three of the most excellent human beings. What would your super-power be? The power to create more time please. www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk Follow Elizabeth Stanhope on Instagram @elizabethstanhope and @shoplizzieloves
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Home | The RUTLAND Magazine
How to Display
LUXURY ART in your Home Martin Heaps, Founder and Owner of Collect Art, who shares his top tips on displaying a statement piece in your home
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f you’re looking to showcase a splash of personality in your home, a piece of statement art is a great way to show off your unique taste, create a conversation with your house guests and bring a new dynamic to the room.
Space One of the most important considerations when displaying a statement piece in your home is to think about the space. Martin says, “You don’t need a large space to create a magnificent display.” A space can work from a small corner with a small statement painting or a sculpture on a plinth, but the important thing is that the statement piece needs to look and feel right. The space all depends on your finished look. A modern minimal look can look remarkable with a large statement painting with a white background, set with that on a sideboard or coffee table a mix of modern sculpture. What I love is a real antique, such as a Chinese or Indian sculpture from 500 years ago.
These can be inexpensive, starting from about £200 and are a good investment as the prices will increase over the years. You can also go for an eclectic look in the space you are working with. This can be created by displaying a gallery wall with several items in one setting. This is formed of say six to eight paintings on one wall and you could choose themed paintings, such as 1950’s portraits or flower paintings. One way to make this look wonderful is to create an upper and lower row of three paintings, making a block of six, and then hang one painting at each end in the middle of the rows to create a symmetrical look. Again, display sculptures and ceramics in the surrounding areas to make the area really stand out.
Lighting Lighting is very important if you’re looking to display a statement piece properly. If your statement piece is a painting, low wattage, flat LED spotlights are superb.
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Homes and Interiors
These lights are great as they barely release heat, so they won’t damage the artwork. They can also be purchased so they can be angled to create the perfect lighting scenario. Another idea to create the perfect lighting is to use battery spotlights. These lights can be placed behind the painting and can be switched off overnight. If you’re starting from scratch and recreating a new room, then I suggest putting a lot of thought into your lighting, as it will certainly create the perfect ambiance for you and your guests. It’s a perfect opportunity to make the room display look that much more professional.
Complement your Colour Palette The artwork you choose for your room should bring out the hues in a room, so it is important to think about the colours of your statement piece, opting for something that coordinates rather than clashes. Martin suggests considering what you already have in the room and ask yourself if you’re looking for something brighter and bold, or something more minimalistic.
Location Everything has its own place but, planning a room layout is crucial. For your statement piece to really stand out, think about strategically placing it in a spot where it becomes the focal point of the room. This could be a location that is immediately visible when you walk in the door or it could be a place where the natural flow of your room is directed, such as over the fireplace or in the middle of furniture in a conversational arrangement. Doing so will ensure than an already eye-catching item is prominently noticeable within your decor.
Protection There is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for and protecting your artwork at home. When planning your layout, assume it’s a beautiful
day with your doors and windows open. If a breeze or sudden summer rain could come in through a near-by window or open patio door and damage your piece, it’s a good idea to brainstorm alternate locations. You will also want to keep artwork out of direct draft from your ventilation system. It is also important to remember that light damage is irreversible to watercolours and prints. You can use a protective UV glass, but it is still a risk. Curtains and shades will protect your valuables from light damage but we suggest being conscious of how much light the artwork will be getting and if you think it might be too much, then it would be in your best interest to consider better placement. Oil paintings, on the other hand, will never fade, so they can go anywhere, even by a bright sunny window. If your statement pieces are of high value, then your insurance company will probably ask that two pir (passive infrared) detectors are fitted in that room. This is because as soon as two detectors are triggered then the security company or police will come and visit the premises. If you want to make a statement, you really need to do just that and not something that is just halfway there. Remember – it’s a statement piece. Thinking outside the box with a statement piece makes a statement all on its own. For more information about Collect Art, or to speak to Martin about finding that special statement piece for your home, please visit www.collectart.co.uk
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Hot Property
HAMBLETON GRANGE, HAMBLETON PICTURE LIVING IN THE MOST LUXURIOUS HOME, IN THE MOST EXCLUSIVE VILLAGE, IN THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER COUNTY IN ENGLAND. WELCOME TO HAMBLETON GRANGE, ON THE PRESTIGIOUS RUTLAND WATER PENINSULA.
GUIDE PRICE £3.5M
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ringing the idyllic shores of Rutland Water, Hambleton Grange is the essential abode for the distinguished homeowner, with its backdrop of rolling countryside and easy proximity to the historic market town of Oakham and an abundance of walks on your doorstep - pure serenity. Aromatic planting and formal box hedging set the scene on approach. An electric gate swings open to welcome you to the home. Set beneath the oak portico covered main entrance, the contemporary oak door opens to reveal the impactful hallway. Light serenades this modern, minimalist space. Peer through to the rear aspect and beyond to the
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everchanging landscape and shores of Rutland Water. Engineered walnut flooring extends underfoot. Double walnut doors open to reveal a cosy sitting room with feature suspended ceiling and contemporary fireplace - the perfect place for after dinner drinks and cosy relaxing evenings. Across the hallway, the impressive study with bespoke furniture makes for an ideal base for those working from home. Recess alcoves frame the hallway and guide you past a further reception room, currently used as a family room, conveniently close to the cloakroom. Accessed through double doors, the imposing, bespoke kitchen is the height of style and will be the envy of all guests.
Curves and countertops combine to create an extensive space catering to cooking, dining, relaxed brunches, homework sessions, and more. Handmade cabinetry houses all your culinary essentials whilst a large range-style cooker is the ideal set up for keen cooks. Dine casually beneath the contemporary feature light fitting at the circular breakfasting table or relax in the sitting area, where your eye will be drawn to the peaceful gardens. Draw back the wall-to-wall bifold doors and take the party outside or simply sit back and take in the everchanging colour scheme of your garden. For more formal dinner parties and family celebrations a private dining room awaits.
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Descend to the lower ground level of this home. First you will discover a replete gym with sauna and shower. Impress your guests with a wine tasting evening and sample delights from your wine cellar and tasting room before heading to the state of the art seven-seater cinema fitted with full Dolby Atmos and wide screen anamorphic lens viewing. One final double bedroom with en suite shower room offers additional accommodation and sits adjacent to the laundry room. Furthermore, a Crestron Audio Video Distribution System allows music and video to be played throughout the rooms at Hambleton Grange, providing multiple viewing options. Other technological innovations in this home include full CCTV and Crestron lighting throughout, controllable remotely via phone. Crestron curtain and blind control also enables remote opening and closing throughout the home. From the hallway, an imposing floating cantilever staircase of walnut and glass ascends to the first floor, where a roof lantern infuses the landing with light. Here, four double bedrooms can be found; three with en suites combine to create the ultimate in family living. Revive body and soul in the luxurious spa-style bathroom with large, freestanding Corian tub, a double, walk-in rainfall shower and large wash hand basin. Indulge in more relaxation and fill the tub with bubbles and watch your favourite show on the in-built television. Angled rooflines and high ceilings provide a sense of space, a Juliet balcony draws in natural light.
Freshen up in the en suite before dressing for success in the sumptuous dressing room, where bespoke walnut wardrobe and drawer cabinetry provide a stylish sartorial showcase. Outside, relax in your own slice of paradise in the architecturally designed garden, with stone terraces, emerald lawns and pleached trees providing outdoor rooms in which to relax and rest after a busy day, soothed by the soporific sound of the water feature. What better place to sit and enjoy an evening sunset? One final piece to discover - the triple garage. Pull inside on the ground level or park below using the car stacker. An integral door from here provides ease of access direct into the home. Local Amenities Watch for the arrival of the migrating ospreys over Rutland Water, walk around the peninsula, enjoy Michelinstar dining at the elegantly-designed Hambleton Hall, or delight in the shopping and theatres of nearby Oakham and Stamford.
Local golf courses include Luffenham Heath, Rutland Water, Burghley Park Golf Club, and Woolfox Golf and Country Club. Many residents commute to London on a daily basis utilising the Peterborough to Kings Cross direct service, with typical train journey times of approx. 45 minutes or via Corby to St. Pancras in just over 1 hour. www.pelhamjames.co.uk
Key Features • Exclusive living on Rutland Water peninsula • Architecturally designed and landscaped garden • Technologically innovative solutions throughout • A host’s haven - wine cellar, cinema, sauna and gym • Light filled spaces • Bespoke kitchen with stunning garden views • Resplendent reception rooms • Step out to discover all Hambleton has to offer • Surrounded by countryside and waters’ edge walks
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Hot Property
ADVERT NEW STONE HOUSE, LUTTON ROAD, POLEBROOK A BEAUTIFUL STONE HOUSE IN MATURE GARDENS
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ew Stone House is a handsome detached property with beautifully presented accommodation. The property has fine stone elevations outside, while inside the décor and fittings lend a stylish, elegant and contemporary feel to the accommodation. On entering New Stone House, you are greeted with a phenomenal double height entrance hall flooded with light. The main ground floor reception room is the 29ft, dual aspect sitting room, with its contemporary recessed wood burner, timber beams overhead and bay window to the front. The sitting room leads to the formal dining room and sunny conservatory (with underfloor heating) towards the rear, while the heart of the home is the stunning open-plan kitchen and breakfast area. This light, airy and
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modern living space has bi-fold doors opening onto the rear garden maximising both light and space, with underfloor heating. There are three seating areas within this fabulous, family-friendly space; one with accompanying wood burning stove, another breakfast area with table and chairs and a breakfast bar on the kitchen’s central island. The kitchen has shaker-style units and a five oven Aga. Through the kitchen is a large utility room with access both to the property’s garden and into the double garage, which in turn boasts a cool store room perfect for storing wine.
Upstairs and off a spacious, wide landing area there are two well presented double bedrooms and a family bathroom with both free standing shower and bathtub. There are then two further double bedrooms, one with en suite shower room and another, the generous principal bedroom, with a fabulous en suite bathroom, again with both free standing shower and bathtub. At the entrance to the property, electric timber gates sit under an original wooden structure providing access to the block-paved driveway, which offers plenty of parking space and access to the double garage. The front garden has an immaculate
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lawn, bordered by flowerbeds, and a paved terrace area. There is a small bridge within the property’s front garden towards the south with a small brook running underneath. The garden wraps around the property AD EXCESTIS MAIO BERIBUSCIM VOLUM ACCABOR MOD ET ACCULLUPTUS ET UT QUAS UNTIO EXCERERFERUM with plenty of lawn space to the VELECTIOS MOLORE CORUM VOLUPTI AUT INVEL IUS APELIGNITIIS INIS NON CONEM IL IPSAM, CUPTATE MPELLOREMPOS south, leading around to the EST UT ET RE RE, SAM LAUT QUUNTIOS MOD MAIO. ITAE QUISTOT ATEMPOR EHENDIT EIUNT conservatory. In the rear garden there is an area of paved terracing, a pristine, level lawn, established trees and shrubs and colourful, well-stocked flowerbeds.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Local Amenities The village of Polebrook sits in a beautiful countryside setting, yet within easy reach of the historic market town of Oundle, and within easy reach of the A1 and the cathedral city of Peterborough. The village has a local pub, a primary school and a parish church, while Oundle provides a selection of shops and supermarkets, and further schooling, including the independent Oundle School. The area is well connected by road, with the A1 less than 10 miles away, while Peterborough’s mainline station provides regular services to London Kings Cross (50 minutes). Savills Stamford, tel:01780 484696
Key Features • Freehold • Reception room • Dining room • Conservatory • Breakfast area • Kitchen • Utility • Cloakroom • Principal bedroom with en suite bathroom • Three further bedrooms one with en suite shower room • Family bathroom • Garage • Garden
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Hot Property
ADVERT SPINNEY FARM HOUSE, DOWSBY A FINE GRADE II LISTED LINCOLNSHIRE FARMHOUSE TOGETHER WITH A TWO BEDROOM COTTAGE ANNEX, EXTENSIVE OUTBUILDINGS INCLUDING A LARGE FULLY FUNCTIONAL OFFICE, A HEATED SWIMMING POOL AND BEAUTIFUL GARDENS OF APPROXIMATELY HALF AN ACRE.
PRICE £895,000 The Main House This impressive Grade II listed building thought to date back to circa 1720 offering splendid accommodation arranged predominantly over three floors. Typical of its kind, a central entrance hall with pale oak flooring runs front to back allowing access to all the main ground floor living space. To the front of the property are two formal reception rooms, the drawing room and the formal dining room. Each with sliding sash windows to the fore and open fireplaces with period surrounds. Along the hallway is the impressive main staircase to the house with the
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boot room and cloakroom close by. The sitting room is generous in size and still retains what is thought to be the original inglenook fireplace although a much later Victorian fire surround now frames the open fireplace. A small doorway to the left of the fireplace opens to a large storage cupboard that runs along the side of the deep chimney breast while the door to the right provides access to the ancillary rooms. The large kitchen/dining/living space is a great area for everyday living and offers an extensive range of oak wall and floor standing cabinets with granite work surfaces above. The 4-oven oil fired Aga is supported by an electric multifunction oven with hob and extractor over.
Further integrated appliances include a dishwasher, a double Belfast sink and an American style fridge freezer. Beyond the granite topped peninsular is a large space for dining and/or seating with bifold doors opening onto a large outside space. A charming garden room is located close by the kitchen with two sets of French doors opening onto the rear terrace area, an ideal area linking the inside to the outside space. The pantry/larder, utility room and boiler room wrap around the west elevation of the property completing the ground floor accommodation. Back in the hallway, the formal staircase rises to the first floor front landing where two bedrooms can be found. To the left, a large double
Home Homes and Interiors The RUTLAND Magazine |
FINISHING TOUCHES AD EXCESTIS MAIO BERIBUSCIM VOLUM ACCABOR MOD ET ACCULLUPTUS ET UT QUAS UNTIO EXCERERFERUM VELECTIOS MOLORE CORUM VOLUPTI AUT INVEL IUS APELIGNITIIS INIS NON CONEM IL IPSAM, CUPTATE MPELLOREMPOS EST UT ET RE RE, SAM LAUT QUUNTIOS MOD MAIO. ITAE QUISTOT ATEMPOR EHENDIT EIUNT
bedroom with the original cast fireplace and in-built wardrobes. Across the hall is another smaller bedroom with charming views over open farmland. A family bathroom is located close by and has a freestanding roll top bath on claw feet, a large shower, basin and a loo. The principal bedroom suite is located to the rear of the property and comprises a large bedroom next door to a fully fitted dressing room. There is an en suite with large shower enclosure, wash hand basin and loo. There are two further large bedrooms, one of which has an en suite shower room which is accessible from the main formal landing or via a secondary staircase. The secondary staircase rises again to a large attic room with Velux roof lights which is currently used as a TV and sitting room. At the very top of the property accessed via the main staircase, is a wonderful attic bedroom with stripped wooden floors and exposed timbers throughout. A gorgeous, vaulted shower room serves this bedroom with a large shower, basin and loo. Cottage This wonderful building is bursting with character and thought to date back to perhaps the 16th Century. The ground floor space is open plan with a kitchen, dining room and a sitting room with open staircase. On the first floor there are two interconnecting bedrooms and a
pretty bathroom, making this charming little cottage absolutely ideal for extended family living or even Airbnb. The Grounds The heated swimming pool is located close by and is complete with a timber summer house that doubles up as the pump room and a changing facility. There is also a large patio seating and hot tub area. The gardens stretch beyond the pool making for the most peaceful space to enjoy throughout the summer months. Back in the courtyard, the space is sectioned into several areas with lots of different seating opportunities. There is an extensive array of outbuildings that can fulfil a variety of different uses. The current arrangement is as a garage/workshop with double barn doors, a gym, a log store which provides access to a further storage room, a large office suite and an open bay cart shed. There is an inbuilt BBQ area close by and further seating areas, perfect for outdoor entertaining. At the very end of the garden there is a stable that has been converted into a workshop. The property has a large parking area along with a further lawn with a backdrop of mature trees and planting. Plots Beyond this area is a further coppice of trees leading to a plot of
approximately half an acre which has full planning permission for two detached dwellings. These properties do not adversely impact on the main property however, they can be purchased as a whole, or as a single plot closest to the house should this be desired. Local Amenities Dowsby is located about six miles north of the market town of Bourne which offers excellent shopping, leisure and schooling facilities including Bourne Grammar school. Grantham is about 12 miles to the west with Peterborough some 22 miles to the south. Both offer excellent shopping, leisure and schooling for all ages including state, independent and Grammar schools. The east coast main line service to London Kings Cross is within the hour from Grantham and 46 minutes from Peterborough. www.digbyandfinch.com
Key Features • Grade II listed period property • 6 Bedrooms • Heated swimming pool • Separate 2 bedroom cottage • Outbuildings including separate office • Set in beautiful countryside • Mature gardens
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Home | Homes and Interiors The RUTLAND Magazine
And Finally ...
Laura Ashley has a show-stopping range of Christmas decorations. Browse online to see the beautiful selection of trees, baubles, garlands, wreaths and wrapping paper including Gold Tree Topper (£18) and Gold Glass Bauble Pack (10 for £35). www.lauraashley.com
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