Foyer Magazine

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// april 2014 // april 2014

WIN DINNER WITH FRANK BRUNO

LONDON’S PREMIERE LIFESTYLE

MAGAZINE

EXCLUSIVES from

Dave Davies Memorabilia JUST FOR FOYER MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW

STYVE CYR

T E RV I E I N with W

Las Vegas Casino Host

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

Elementary MY DEAR PAGE 36

WWW.FOYERMAGAZINE.COM

Foyer

7

Million Brits Lose Track of Savings

ARROGANT AND INGENIOUS, ONE OF BRITAIN’S BEST-LOVED AND MOST LOYALLY-FOLLOWED DETECTIVES IS BACK ON OUR SCREENS THIS MONTH

J O H N ’ S

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W I N E

O F

T H E

M O N T H

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THE TWO BEST PHOTOS HAVE A CHOICE BETWEEN THESE 2 GREAT PRIZES: Win dinner for a party of 8 in your own home, cooked by a michelin starred chef anywhere in mainland UK Chef supplies all food, cutlery and crockery.

Customer supplies beverages Excludes 14th feb and public holidays

Brian West oil painter to the rich and famous.

This will be done in Brian’s unique talented style.

Brian will commission your own oil painting of your choice, this could be a family portrait, a pet, favourite place, you decide.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. ALL PHOTOS SUBMITTED ON CONDITION THAT WE CAN USE IMAGES FOR FURTHER PUBLICATIONS. WINNERS NOTIFIED IN WRITING NO LATER THAN 29TH MAY 2014.

C O M I N G

S O O N

foyer

Welcome

to Foyer

APRIL

Whether you are sitting or standing the idea of this magazine is to have an attractive pick up / put down magazine that you, yes YOU, could pick up while in a foyer waiting could read. However instead of a dated magazine full of advertisements we wanted to offer a real variety of quick read articles while you are waiting. You maybe in the doctors, just checked in to your boutique hotel or perhaps waiting for that all important business meeting, waiting for a train etc etc. We want to entertain, educate, and nicely fill a void in the ‘too much time’ we have to wait during our lives. Who knows we might make your waiting time enjoyable. Take this magazine home you have our permission.

So for our this issue let’s see if we can wet your appetite We quickly hop over to Caesars palace and while in Vegas how about snowboarding and skiing, no it’s not a manmade attraction in one of the hotels. This is a 40 ish minute trip from the strip with real snow! Back in the casinos we meet Steve Cyr a man who will make your losses on gambling as comfortable as possible and keep the wife or mistress or both out of the way while you concentrate on chasing those few too many dollars that perhaps you should have kept in the back pocket.

We have a quick gulp of cocktails, a little sip of green tea, a lingering mouthful of wine, take in some sun, and discover what our wardrobe maybe telling us.

We love giving our readers goodies and apart from our competition offering the winner an personal oil painting for you the family or family pet we also are offering a prize winner the chance for a Award winning Chef to come and cook at your house for you and a few friends (please invite me!!!)

In this World Cup year we look at what your old memorabilia could be worth it may have been bought at a boot sale or perhaps one of your family has passed on and its been left it to you.

While on the subject of passing on we explore the unfashionable subject of giving your (or a family members) body to medical science where a stirring personal example may help you make your mind up.

Still staying on the mysterious and unknown our celebrity interview this month is Benedict Cumberbatch who’s TV Sherlock Holmes is baffling us again on TV this year.

So much and such a variety to read its leaves me to say enjoy your “Foyer Stay” when you have read it please pass it on to your friends Well its Elementary dear reader!

Geoffrey Peters Editor and fine cappuccino maker

2014 Published by: Foyer Media Ltd Editor: Geoffery Peters Contriibutions: Paul Razey travel and Food

Dave Davis general interest

John Downes master of wines

Barney Moore fashion blogger

Lazaros Christoforidis Overseas correspondence Designer: Nazar Haiduchyk Ideas & opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Foyer magazine or its affiliates; no official endorsement should be inferred. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents, both implied or assumed, of any advertisement in this publication.

Printed in the UK Copyright 2014 Foyer Media Ltd Original Photography Copyright Foyer Media Ltd All Original Content Copyright Foyer Media Ltd, All Rights Reserved All trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Permission to use Foyer Magazine content is granted on a case-by-case basis.

Foyer Magazine welcomes requests. Please contact us to submit a request.

cover: Benedict Cumberbatch

contents

WELCOME

31

// april 2014

to

PaGe

8 EXCLuSIVES FROM DAVE DAVIES MEMORABILIA

Reality tv vegas

18 8 FABuLOuS PRIVAT JET JOuRnEyS 22 CAESARS PALACE OF KInGS 24 STEVE CyR – LAS VEGAS CASInO HOST 26 nEW MOVIE RELEASES 32 BRInG BACK THE COCKTAIL PARTy 34 7 MILLIOn BRITS LOSE TRACK OF SAVInG 36 GLOBAL CITIZEnS CHAnGInG FACE OF JETSET LIFE

16 PaGe

Las vegas Ski Resort

52 PaGe

40 Sun SCREEn COuLD BLOCK OuT MORE THAn THE Sun 42 WOMEn BROuGHT TO HEEL On FASHIOn FAuX PAS 44 THE POWER SuIT’S SECOnD COMInG 48 MInI ORCHADS

elementary My dear Foyer

50 GOInG GREEn FOR A BREW PaGe

58

54 SIXTy SECOnD PORTRAIT CLASS 56 FROM AMATEuR TO PROFESSIOnAL PHOTOGRAPHER

electric car Off to Slow Start

60 HOW TECHIES SEE uS 62 CELEBRATInG LIBERTy

IN GREECE PaGe

38 PA G E 1 4 J O H N ’ S D O W N E S W I N E O F T H E M O N T H

64 ‘My MAny LIVES’

By DAVE DAVIES

Boring T&Cs apply: For UK residents aged 18 or over. Your voucher can be used against your first order of 99.99 or more.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Full terms and conditions are available at www.nakedwines.com

off

As a special treat for our readers

a case priced

Naked Wines is a customer funded wine business.

Our customers earn wholesale prices (25%-50% off retail) for funding our independent winemakers

– Next Day Delivery as standard, only £4.99 – Your money back if you are not totally tantalised …and no requirement to join any “clubs”

YOUR UNIQUE CODE FOYER60 PASSWORD ASP32XYN valid until 15/08/2014

CLAIM NOW at www.nakedwines.com/foyermagazine

£99.99 or more...

COMING NEXT MONTH

win a work out and lunch with boxing legend

frank bruno

+

another amazing

WINE recommended by JOHN DOWNES CUSTOMER SERVICE? HAS THIS

dISAPPEAREd

IN THE Uk?

Š SNOwdON

6

foyermagazine.com

special price of only F U L LY c e R t i F i e d

witH LiFetiMe GUaRaNtee

99 ÂŁ7 Contact sales@foyermagazine.com to take advantage of this great offer (Gloves may change from picture but will still bare original signatures)

cm 20

70cm

A P R O X

FRAMED IN A MODERN M AT T B L A C K B OX F R A M E

SIZE

A stunning presentation of the legends Mike tyson Frank Bruno Life size picture featuring 2 full size glove each signed in person by these great boxers

130cm

fexclusives dO YOU Need a vaLUatiON OR waNt tO SeLL YOUR

Memorabilia?

SOcceRBid.cO.UK FOYeR MaGaZiNe is deligHted to Have eXclusive access to MEMORAbILIA SPECIALIST dave davieS foR valuations, His aRea of eXpeRtise is spoRt, HoweveR, HE IS wELL CONNECTEd wITH SPECIALISTS LIkE HIMSELF IN OTHER FORMS OF MEMORAbILIA ANd dOES NOT MINd HELPING wHERE HE CAN

W dave iS ONLY cONtactaBLe FOR FRee vaLUatiONS via FOYeR MaGaZiNe, tHiS MONtH a MiXed SeLectiON. If you have been unlucky with your requests this month David has a valuation line for just for sports valuations for selling or insurance printed valuations on 09116121966 (this is a premium call rate phone line) or if you have a number of items email him at dave@football1966.com and so to this month’s valuations 8

foyermagazine.com

elcome to SOCCERBID giving you the chance to buy a unique piece of history or a personal autograph from your favourite football player, or sports celebrity, team, past and present. Now you can own that football autograph or that soccer autograph you always wanted.

We are a Former (licensed by F.I.F.A. and the English Football Association) players agent. Another part of our company acts as providers of commercial activities in an agents capacity for football players and other sports celebrities. It therefore guarantees football autographs , soccer autographs or other merchandise sold is genuine supplied with a certificate of authenticity.

We go to great lengths to provide you with peace of mind when it comes to authenticity. Selling authentic football autograph, soccer autographs & sports memorabilia products is our business, so we want to make sure you are as confident as we are about the products you buy from us.

Are you a charity or fund raising organisation? Please contact our sales office where we will be pleased to discuss providing football autograph, soccer autographs & other signed items for functions with no monetary risk to yourselves.

Visit our website and use our search facility on the menu on the left to locate any specific items or sporting personalities. Simply type the name of the person / item into the search box and click ‘Find’.

I have 2 World Cup 1966 programmes one green the other blue my dad said he bought them when he went to the games in 1966 what are they worth and is there a good time to sell these”.

Joe Sinex from Wembley The Green one is the championship one which covered the whole of the world cup tournament but did not name the final teams these are quite common however on a good day depending on condition you would hope to get £50-75 however we have seen some poor condition ones as low as £40. The blue programme is the World Cup final one however there are lots of pirates and copies if original unwritten and in very good condition expect over £100 we have seen some go for £175 however the poor copies are worth as low as £10 averaging at £20-£30 if they were signed obviously the price for either goes up. When to sell well it’s the 50th anniversary in a couple of years but there might be thousands of others thinking the same as me!

I have recently lost my dad and going through his items have found hundreds of football programmes of all London teams some finals there are boxes of them are they worth anything or shall I take to the tip?

Sandra from Poplar

Sandra Old football programmes the most common form of memorabilia you sadly have not given me any dates of these programmes so I need to generalise however it may be worth filtering out Cup finals, those pre 1960 ones and listing them some are worth pence others a few pounds and in the case of 1966 ones lots of pounds there are specialists who I can recommend but I would spend the time listing say the oldest 20 and send over to me 1980’s onwards generally except cup finals sadly not much value.

I have 2 Muhammad Ali signed presentations that cost me a lot of money I bought as an investment should I sell now or wait until the great man passes on.

Steve from Hillingdon Steve it’s a question I get asked weekly. First thing you need to do is ensure the autographs are genuine hopefully you received a certificate of authenticity from a company that is still trading.

When a famous person passes on there is a mass panic selling and buying which can one minute inflate a price then with so many on the market deflate a true value. Buy or sell now?

Personally I would put a price on the item and if you can get that all well and good. Muhammad Ali is the greatest sportsperson of all time and to own something signed

by him is special. However as we say to all memorabilia buyers buy something because you want it not just because you think it will make you a profit in the future if it does happy days you are in profit if it does not you can still get the enjoyment from the item that first attracted you to it.

I want to buy my boyfriend something that in years to come he will still appreciate and will hopefully retain its value with so many currant players going from team to team I am stuck.

Shona from Slough You have not mentioned your boyfriends chosen team however to generalise if Football I would buy retired legends Bobby Moore, George Best, Alf Ramsey, Matt Busby etc etc. are good example, in rugby the World Cup winning 2003 England team, in Boxing a retired World Champion there are so many choices, in tennis Andy Murray but once again buy whatever you get for the enjoyment that your boyfriend will get now and if in 10/20 years it has proven to be an investment you have made a good choice. Of course it would be remise of me not to plug my own company soccerbid.co.uk but as long as it is an AFTAL and UACC registered dealer you and your boyfriend should have plenty of choices.

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9

fexclusives

EXCLUS JUST FOR FOYER MAGAZINE

SOCCERBID HAVE PUT TOGETHER A SELECTION OF EXCLUSIVES JUST FOR FOYER MAGAZINE

S

occerbid is predominately sports memorabilia however we have been asked to show a selection of items to give you a taster of some of the pieces we have available.

Our sister site, www.titanicautographs.com, deals with everything

about the most famous ship of all time.

Our sports site mainly concentrates on legends of all sports.

We were the first memorabilia company to be allowed to advertise at Premiership football grounds, our client base is worldwide and a lot of our stock comes from our own sporting clients over the years.

FOR THE WEST HAM FANS A 2X 12X 16 IMAGES SHOWING SOME LEGENDS THAT HAVE PLAYED IN CLARET AND BLUE. SIGNED BY SIR GEOFF HURST, MARTIN PETERS CLYDE BEST, PHIL PARKES, BRYAN POP ROBSON, BILLY BONDS, MERVYN DAY, MARK WARD, KEN BROWN, ALAN TAYLOR & BILLY JENNINGS. IN A MOUNTED FRAME INCL UK COURIER FEES ÂŁ95 WITH CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

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USIVES FOR LOVERS OF JAMES BOND AND EVERYTHING 007 A ONE OFF PRESENTATION THAT M WOULD BE PROUD OF FEATURING ACTUAL SIGNATURES FROM 23 WHO HAVE STARRED IN THE FILMS INCLUDING ALL THE BONDS, MANY IMAGES AND CORGI BOND CARS PLEASE EMAIL FOR DETAILED IMAGES AS THIS IS A LARGE DISPLAY 118X89X11CM WE CAN QUOTE FOR DELIVERY PRICE £1500 PLUS DELIVERY

ONE OF THE 1ST MOON WALKERS RARE PRESENTATION A TOTAL ONE OFF SIGNED BY ONE OF THE 1ST CREW TO LAND ON THE MOON BUZZ ALDRIN WITH OTHER IMAGES OF THAT HISTORICAL OCCASION IN 1969 WITH ENGRAVED PLATE FRAMED DELIVERED BY COURIER IN UK FOR £285

IF YOU WISH TO ENQUIRE ABOUT ANY ITEMS EITHER PHONE OUR SALES LINE ON 01702 202036 OR EMAIL INFO@SOCCERBID.CO.UK A PERFECT PRESENT FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING AN ACTUAL PIECE OF WEMBLEY TURF IN A PAPERWEIGHT THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY SIGNED BY WORLD CUP HERO SIR GEOFF HURST IN ITS OWN GIFT BOX INCLUDING UK POSTAGE £55 OTHER LEGENDS AVAILABLE INCLUDING TOTTENHAM, CHELSEA, MAN U, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND GOAL KEEPERS PLEASE EMAIL FOR DETAILS

TITANIC PRESENTATION AUTOGRAPHED BY THE LAST SURVIVOR MILLVINA DEAN. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF TITANIC SIGNED IMAGES FROM POST CARDS, REPLICA LIFEJACKETS, PIECES OF TITANIC COAL, MOORING ROPE THIS ITEM FRAMED MONTAGE OF THE INFAMOUS SHIP £110 INCL UK DELIVERY FOR OTHER ITEMS PLEASE SEE WWW.TITANICAUTOGRAPHS.COM

ANDY MURRAY SIGNED PRESENTATION TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST BRITISH WIMBLEDON WINNER FOR MANY YEARS A SPECIAL ANDY MURRAY ONE OFF FRAMED PRESENTATION WITH 3 DIFFERENT WINNING IMAGES OF MURRAY (INCLUDING WIMBLEDON) ONE OF WHICH IS SIGNED WITH ENGRAVED PLATE INCL UK COURIER DELIVERY £190 87X33CM

april2014

11

Market

Place

Large Boldly Ornate wall Mirror is the perfect statement piece for any home. we have added close up pictures of the precision holes around the edge that go through to the front for design and shading. Baroque meets shabby chic frame really draws you in, guarenteed head turner!

This particular mirror has a premium bevelled glass size of 6ft x 4ft (183cm x 122cm) and an overall size of 7ft x 5ft (213cm x 152cm).

£449.99

Was £589.99 (Saving of 24.00%)

we are delighted to offer this unique, modern starburst design wall mirror. The small glass panels that make up this mirror are individually handmade bevelled glass pieces and are what make this mirror so unique.

You will not find this mirror anywhere else it has a diameter of 2ft11 (90cm) and we are proud to offer this mirror as a part of our new venetian range.

£159.99

Was £199.99 (Saving of 20.00%)

decorative Bronze Framed Mirror with antique gold detailed corners is a brilliant piece to brighten up any room from the bedroom to the living room.

This can have a retail price of up to £210.

This mirror has a glass size of 3ft4 x 2ft6 (102cm x 76cm) and an overall size of 4ft2 x 3ft4 (127cm x 102cm).

£29.99

Was £54.99 (Saving of 45.00%)

delicate bronze and multi rose, modern style lamp is perfect for when you need an extra boost of light throughout the house, whether you are working, reading or just relaxing in a comfy chair. truly stunning with white, yellow and pink roses. Great Home accessory to decor any room, buy as a gift too!

Here we have available a stunning black wall mirror.

The design boasts detailing on all four corners and sides adding a final touch of elegance to any room from bedroom to lounge.

Here we have available a stunning black wall mirror.

The design boasts detailing on all four corners and sides adding a final touch of elegance to any room from bedroom to lounge.

This particular mirror has a bevelled glass size of 1ft5 x 1ft1(41 x 31cm) and an overall size of 1ft11 x 1ft6 (56x 44cm).

This particular mirror has a bevelled glass size of 3ft8 x 1ft (112cm x 31cm) and an overall size of 4ft x 1ft3(122cm x 38cm).

we stock this frame in 4 different colours(white, gold, silver and black) and 5 different sizes.

we stock this frame in 4 different colours(white, gold, silver and black) and 5 different sizes.

£29.99

£44.99

Overall size of 80cm X 40cm.

£130.00

Was £170.00 (Saving of 24.00%)

Was £54.99 (Saving of 45.00%)

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Was £74.99 (Saving of 40.00%)

extravagantly designed french style rococo framed wall mirror, This mirror will add a touch of class and elegance to any room of the home with its enticing Frame.

This Particular mirror has a glass size of 2ft3 x 1ft9 (67cm x 54cm) and has an overall size of 3ft4 x 2ft3 (101cm x 68cm).

15" high Yoga Lady.

This stunning yoga position electroplated silver ornament is a beautiful peice for any room. Perfect gift idea!

£49.99

Was £59.99 (Saving of 17.00%)

Here we have available a stunning white wall mirror.

The design boasts detailing on all four corners and sides adding a final touch of elegance to any room from bedroom to lounge.

diamond style venetian mirror is an extraordinary piece.

This particular mirror has an overall size of 4ft x 1ft3(122cm x 38cm) and a bevelled glass size of 3ft8 x 1ft(112cm x 31cm).

£139.99

This comes in one size only and is exclusive to us! An overall size of 120cm x 85cm.

Was £169.99 (Saving of 18.00%)

we stock this frame in 4 different colours(white, gold, silver and black).

£89.99

Was £129.99 (Saving of 31.00%)

£54.99

Was £84.99 (Saving of 35.00%)

This unique silver and black rose, modern style lamp is perfect for when you need an extra boost of light throughout the house, whether you are working, reading or just relaxing in a comfy chair. it works well in a modern setting or puts a great twist on a traditional. Great Home accessory to decor any room, buy as a gift too!

Overall size of 90cm x 23cm.

£109.99

Was £139.99 (Saving of 21.00%)

we are very pleased to offer for sale our brand new and exclusive, Large guitar shaped venetian wall mirror. This item is very different from all the other items we have in stock as the item is so unique, it has a lot of character and is a real fun and quirky product. The guitar itself is wonderfully made, each separate piece of glass bevelled which gives the item a beautiful finish.

The overall size of this mirror is 3ft11 x 2ft (119cm x 60cm).

Large garden-outdoor or indoor frost protected mirror will suit any room from the bedroom to the dining room especially the garden.

This product can have a retail price of up to £95.95.

This mirror has an overall size of 40cm x 24cm.

Luxury silver and bronze rose, modern style lamp is perfect for when you need an extra boost of light throughout the house, whether you are working, reading or just relaxing in a comfy chair. truly stunning. Great Home accessory to decor any room, buy as a gift too!

£34.99

Overall size of 80cm X 40cm.

Was £39.99 (Saving of 13.00%)

£99.99

Was £139.99 (Saving of 29.00%)

£184.99

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april2014

13

ffood&drink

JOHN dOwNeS, one of ONLY

nobul

C

an you imagine going to a restaurant and ordering food you’d never heard of, shelling out for a West End theatre ticket without having some idea of what the show was about, or choosing a dress you didn’t even like? Of course not. But that’s what happens when it comes to wine; sadly, most people haven’t a clue what they’re buying. Amazingly, the Wine Trade seems cool with this state of affairs, ‘keep them in the dark’ seems to be their marketing slogan! If it is, it’s working!

If you ever have any doubts about Joe or Josephine Public’s lack of wine knowledge, take a look around the next time you’re in a restaurant. You’ll soon pick out the poor

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312 MASTERS OF WINE in the world, is an after dinner speaker, corporate entertainer, writer and roadcaster on wine; view his cartoon video and website at

www.JOHNdOwNeS.cOM

no equivalent of a four quid bottle of wine in their world!

Criticism often falls at the door of the journalist but the newspaper, online, magazine, television and radio commissioning editors should also take a hit as they’re all too often satisfied with new scripts that are not a million miles from those written 20 years ago. The result is that wine is missing out on the all important young and, the cash rich not-so-young, new consumers who start contemplating suicide at the mention of ‘terroir’, malolactic fermentation or Zinfandel 2011 Lodi Ravenswood £9.99 at tesco yeast autolysis.

Big, chunky yet friendly black fruit beauty from Ravenswood’s Lodi vineyards east of San Francisco bay; Or maybe clever guys those Californians, they name the wine after the grape! ‘Great with duck, lamb and friends.

I’m being naïve.

Maybe it’s all a cunning Wine Trade strategy. b………. who’s been landed with of impenetrable, members-only Keeping customers confused means the wine list after the usual frantic vocabulary that, like the Trade itself, that they won’t question wine qualgame of pass the parcel. His ‘rabbit has changed little in decades. ity; quality that’s being squeezed in the headlights’ look as the waiter Whilst the Wine Trade’s hardly bigtime over the years by an average looms tells all – bet your bottom moved, other businesses have moved bottle price that’s still stuck around dollar he’ll choose Chablis, Sancerre swiftly with the times. The fashion the £5 mark. When you consider that or Chateauneuf du Pape – the only industry reinvents itself every year each bottle carries £2 duty and 20% wines he knows and can pronounce! and goes out of its way every season V.A.T., not to mention ever increasThe Wine Trade’s done such a good to explain the latest lines, colours ing production costs, transport, labejob that he’s even too embarrassed to and cuts; all sold in great looking, ling, the cork and bullish supermarget help from the wine waiter! customer-friendly shops. The result ket profits, it doesn’t take a genius to Or, check out the guys drifting is that we all rush down to our nearsee that there’s not much left for the along the wine shelves in your local est shopping centre to grab a piece of wine out of a fiver; it’s pennies not supermarket gazing aimlessly into a the latest style, cash in hand. Wine pounds! wall of wine. This frustrates me even Trade please note!

I’m on a mission to help people more; cracking the wine code would Even professions once seen as crack the wine code by making wine bring the wall and its limitless enjoy‘establishment’ are now at the cutsimple and although I’m constantly ment to life. ting edge. Lawyers, accountants and banging my head against the brick ‘Pity is, it’s to the shame of all of bankers realised long ago that they wall of wine, knowing that Joe and us in the wine game. From superhad to change to survive. With my Josephine want to know more drives markets to journalists, we must all corporate wine entertainment hat me on. take the blame for making wine so on I regularly visit prestigious City And now, more help has arrived to inaccessible. If you ask a football offices and I’m always impressed how break through that wall of wine; each fan about “4-4-2” he’ll explain this these so called stuffy professions month Foyer MAGAZINE’S “NO ‘team formation’ with gusto but have wised up on in-house media, BULL WINE” will mangle the mysif that same fan asks about wine, PR. and marketing to promote tery that surrounds wine and along chances are he’ll walk away tothemselves and their image, ensuring the way, increase your enjoyment and tally confused as the vinous door is that their clients keep rolling in and knowledge with every story, glass, slammed in his face amidst a torrent their fees grow even faster. There’s tip, sip and recommendation.

JOHN’S WINE OF THE MONTH

april2014

15

ftravel

Las Ve Is all that gambling, partying and eating getting too much?

Ski And Snowboard Resort ery surreal to think you are so close to a ski resort whilst basking in the Las Vegas sun. As you drive north on Freeway 95 the hustle and bustle of Vegas disappears, the buildings become scarce you are then faced with a typical desert landscape with soaring snow capped mountains on the horizon.

As you head up Mount Charleston the warm comforting sun turns into a sky full of snow clouds, sending flurries of the white stuff onto the mountain. If you are like me, I get very excited of the prospect of throwing myself down a ski slope at any op-

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portunity, an opportunity that I would have never guessed could come whilst having a flutter in the casinos.

The staff here are amazingly friendly, the equipment for hire is some of the most up to date I have seen in many European ski resorts so there is no need to overload you case with ski gear (you just need gloves).

One of the best things about this resort is that they offer complimentary coaching for skiers & boarders, something unheard on the slopes.

Private lessons are also available.

The skiing here is fantastic, there are 3 main slopes with aprox 17 trails

you can follow off piste, a snow park featuring jumps and rails, for the more adventurous there are numerous runs but you will need to do a little hiking to reach them.

In years to come as the resort develops the skiing areas will grow and grow, there are already plans in place to construct more lifts, at this moment in time advanced skiers or boarders may get a little bored after a days break from Vegas strip, however for beginners and intermediates who want to brush up on their skills you will not be disappointed.

gas Get out of town, you are only

45Â minutes away from hitting the slopes

april2014

17

ftravel Pop star lands in time for son’s birth Air Partner was sent “respect and big love” when the lead singer with a chart topping band decided chartering was the only option if he wanted to be at the imminent birth of his first child. He flew from Germany to Birmingham overnight on a Learjet and arrived three hours before his son was born. If he had caught the first possible scheduled flight he would have arrived 12 hours too late.

A VIP flight into the Himalayas

Red roses to the doorstep

Close liaison with the Pakistan Air Force was essential when two British VIPs flew into Skardu, the tiny Himalayan airport nestling in the world’s narrowest airlineraccessible valley. So too was the need to engage only the most experienced of pilots to operate the Airbus A319 VIP flight.

One wealthy client chartered a helicopter to fly 58 red roses from Athens to his ladylove on an island retreat on nearby Porto Heli, and requested they be hand delivered by the pilot. Another client chartered a Beech King Air 200 to fly his daughter’s wedding dress from Paris to London.

8 Fabulous Private Jet Journeys Private jets can be a cost-effective and fabulously luxurious way to travel.

Read amazing case studies and find out how to book yourself a private jet

Air Partner has three main client segments – governments, corporates and high net worth individuals. Whether a flight is for business or pleasure, flexible private aviation is highly efficient when the cost of time is factored in. In some cases flying private can be cheaper than flying by scheduled carriers, when undertaking multi-stop trips, for example. Breakfast, lunch and dinner in different European cities and home to bed in a day – no hotel overnights and none of the frustrations of commercial travel.

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Volcano watching A Challenger 601 was chartered to fly a group of 11 from Nice to Sicily for a spot of active Mount Etna volcano watching. Constant liaison with authorities at Catania airport was necessary as changing wind speeds and ash deposits were monitored. A back-up plan to divert to Palermo airport was prepared but proved unnecessary.

SOS for a CEO When an important CEO just HAD to be in Brussels for a 10am meeting but missed his scheduled flight and was still in Switzerland at 07.30, Air Partner’s Zurich team received a desperate SOS. Less than an hour later, the client was on his way in a Citation Bravo executive jet and made the meeting in time.

Follow the eclipse from the sky

Films and live TV Chartering the entire fleet!

When a client used private jets to fly 121 incentive passengers from Miami to Costa Rica, Air Partner USA chartered one American operator’s entire fleet of Lear and Challenger jets and secured permission to temporarily section off part of Miami and San José airports for exclusive use by the 13 aircraft. All passengers were top managers from a major worldwide corporation.

Private jets chartered through Air Partner are often used in films.

For one particular TV programme shown nationwide in the UK, analysts co-ordinated flights between Southampton, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast and Luton, and arranged airside and landside filming consent. One flew on the aircraft to provide operational assistance and relay update bulletins to HQ where arrival times and clearances were being coordinated. It was a hectic day with a tight schedule dictated by the demands of live television.

Considering that the next total eclipse of the sun over Britain is in 2090, obtaining a bird’s eye view of the 1999 event was paramount for one group of clients. A pressurised aircraft was secured and guests viewed the event in all its glory above the clouds – unlike disappointed compatriots in unpressurised air taxis chartered through competitors. The aircraft cruised at 29,000 feet and followed the line of the eclipse as it moved across Europe, frequently banking to provide the best possible views. Passengers included Lady Boyd, director of Greenwich Royal Observatory at the time, who commented: “On the good advice of our personal Air Partner account manager, our plans were changed several times... and the trip was absolutely brilliant.” april2014

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ftravel

Time Is Money

“T

ime is money” – a saying that we all know and understand, is never more relevant than in today’s frenetic world when senior management time is perhaps the most precious resource of every business and corporation.

As the pace of life continues to accelerate, time spent getting to and from major scheduled hub airports, checking in, waiting in lounges and enduring tedious delays represents a considerable drain on corporate resources while the scheduled shuffle is seen as dead time for the travelling executive.

Paul Richardson – Private Jet Director for Air Partner, a world leading air charter broker and the only private aviation company to hold a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, contends that budgets for regular airline travel can be justifiably considered as a bald business cost while air charter on the other hand, can be seen as an asset.

He says, “Private jet charter is a faster, easier, more customised way of getting to your destination and one of the more convenient and luxurious ways to travel.

Unlike commercial airlines, private jets can fly in and out of smaller suburban airports that are closer to departure and destination points and are not accompanied by long queues or delays that are a feature of large urban airports and scheduled flying.

“As a result, the use of private aircraft charter creates productive time, not down-time. Many of

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our executive and corporate clients use their productive time to plan strategy on the way to their meetings and hold debriefings on the way back. They decree their own flight schedule, departing when they want to and returning at their convenience.

And if a meeting runs over, they don’t miss their connection!

“Furthermore, with Air Partner you can fly from 2,000 airports around Europe while scheduled carriers are restricted to only 200. This reduces transfer times enormously for

our clients.

Hence, the true cost of business travel should calculate the significant cost of the executive’s time spent travelling not just the cost of the seat.”

With effective use of private air charter Air Partner propound that it is commonly possible to decrease time spent away from home and the office by more than 50 per cent. For example, a London-Berlin-Lyon-London trip with two 90-minute meetings, can be accomplished in less than 12 hours by a chartered jet instead

of two and a half days using commercial airlines.

It is hardly surprising that an increasing number of private and corporate clients are choosing to travel this way. Private air charter affords cost-effective, stress-free executive travel with the benefits and cachet of ‘owning’ a plane but without the excessive and unwarranted costs and long-term commitment that ownership brings.

Even weighted against fractional ownership – considered to be the time-share of private aviation – charter can work out at half the cost. Unlike fractional ownership, financial commitments stop on completion of the trip.

Richardson explains, “Executive travellers who want their own aircraft but don’t want to own one outright do not need to tie themselves to a five-year contract by joining a fractional scheme with costs working out at about €15,000 per hour for a Global Express when they can rent one by the day for €7,000 an hour. Our mantra is, it’s smarter to charter.”

When the founders formed Air Partner they built the unpara­ lleled service based on choice, luxury and safety. 51 years later and the company has not wavered from this delivery and leads a revolution in the skies that has changed the face of business and personal travel.

Air Partner’s desire to innovate and change is best illustrated by its successful JetCard programme designed with leisure travel in mind.

The JetCard – recently identified by independent aviation consultants Conklin and de Decker as having lower prices and better service than similar schemes, offers flexible, hassle-free convenience for relaxed and enjoyable personal travel and can be used to plan a trip in style or make a last minute booking to go anywhere in the world at any time.

The new Corporate Card, recently launched in response to growth amongst business users,

also offers 25 hours of pre-purchased jet time for users flying dayreturn flights from a regular base.

Richardson elucidates, “We only fly a superior fleet of newgeneration private jets with experienced, trusted pilots. Choosing between very light, light, midsize, super-midsize, large or global cabin jets with guaranteed aircraft availability, our clients have the control and flexibility to fly on any day to almost anywhere in the world. Quite simply, they tell us where they need to be and we make it happen”.

With headquarters near Gatwick Airport, 20 offices worldwide – 10 of which are in Europe, the company is open for business 24 hours a day, every

day of the year with a team of 200 aviation experts who provide a friendly and efficient service for its clients. This service involves paying close attention to detail and developing a strong rapport with clients to fully understand their needs while selecting the optimal aircraft which necessitates a full evaluation of the departure and arrival airports, schedules, range, itineraries, baggage load, in-flight comfort, catering and airport representation.

Air Partner believes that it is the care it takes over the smallest details in looking after the needs of its executive and corporate clients that has established it as the world’s largest listed aircraft charter company.

Air Partner can be contacted via the worldwide web on: www.airpartner.com For further information contact Melanie Faldo at Keith Bishop Associates on 0207 734 9995 ormelanie@keithbishopassociates.com

april2014

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O

nce you arrive, indulge in one of the lesser-known Roman pastimes: gaming.

Caesars Palace has 2 casinos, offering 129,000 square feet for your winning ways. An 8,500-square-foot Poker Room lets you live out your biggest celebrity poker dreams, or you can don your white-tie finery and pretend to be James Bond at the baccarat table.

Hit the jackpot? Your next stop is to score tickets for the Colosseum

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Hail, Caesar! This opulent landmark hotel is what Vegas is all about.

Caesars Palace brings headlining acts, celebrity chefs, epic shopping, and over-the-top architecture together in one can’t-miss location. Caesars Palace is in the very heart of The Strip, across from the Flamingo/Caesars Palace Monorail Station

at Caesars Palace. The 4,300-seat theater hosts more big names than your TV, including regular gigs by the likes of Celine Dion and Jerry Seinfeld. Afterward, take your pick of nightclubs and bars--you can dance the night away to live DJs or rock out on the floating Cleopatra’s Lounge.

A stay at Caesars Palace isn’t complete without exploring some of the hotel’s renowned shopping. At The Forum Shops, you can peruse a runway’s worth of brands, including Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, and Gucci.

Dining at Caesars Palace includes

Hotels

we reccommend For families with kids, these hotels have arcade areas which are great fun and keep the little ones amused: Circus Circus (Also has theme park inside)

New York New York (Has its own roller coaster)

Excalibur

(Set inside a medieval castle)

 For couples looking for romance: The Venetian

(this has to be the most romantic hotel on the strip.

Take a gondola ride through the hotel)

The Paris Hotel

(have a romantic meal inside the Eiffel Tower)



its own share of illustrious names: Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay, and Guy Savoy all have outposts here.

With more than 2 dozen restaurants and cafés, you can dine formally or casually, early or late – or even stay in with 24-hour room service.

The Romans would recognize the columns and classical statues that adorn the 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, but certain touches--swim-up blackjack, anyone?--are thoroughly modern. Swim in the 5 pools, lounge in the 2 large spa tubs, and relax in the daybeds and fully loaded cabanas (surcharge). When the sun gets to be too much, make an appointment at Qua Baths & Spa, where you can soak in mineral baths or experience snow in the Arctic Ice Room.

Ready to drift into dreamland?

Guestrooms feature pillow-top beds dressed with premium linens. 55inch high definition TVs will keep you entertained, and you can decide what tomorrow will bring with highspeed Internet access (included in resort fee). Marble bathrooms include designer bath amenities.

For that little bit of class: Caesars Palace

(this is one of my personal best, it oozes class, has some of the best restaurants in Vegas and hosts some of the biggest names in showbiz)

The Bellagio

(with rooms overlooking the superb fountain show)

There are of course many hotels in Las Vegas but standards do vary even on the strip. Check out the numerous websites available for up to the minute reviews.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk www.visitlasvegas.co.uk www.vegas.com We highly recommend you research Las Vegas for things you may want to do whilst visiting. At busy periods of the year booking certain trips can be a little tricky so always book in advance if at all possible. You can book trips online via these websites.

www.lasvegas.com www.travelnevada.com It is worth remembering that the strip is just a small part of Las Vegas, why not hire a car and literally get lost. You won’t be too lost as you can always spot the Stratosphere.

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Steve Cyr, the casino host infamous for luring in the biggest players by any means possible. He will even send the wife on a $10,000 complimentary shopping spree – just as long as her other half is prepared to shed $250,000.

‘W

ives can be the kill when a guy is playing great so we drive them to the spa or the Grand Canyon for lunch,’ he says. ‘Sometimes I just tell them we’re taking their husband to play golf when he’s really downstairs in the private room gambling.

Anything just to get them out.’

Known as The Whale Hunter, he’s a cunning strategist who traps the industry’s highest rollers – whales as they are called in the casino world – to wager millions of dollars a night at the world’s most exclusive resorts.

Promised commissioned of his clients losses by the casinos, he uses a combination of charm, salesmanship and amazing comps as bait. With private jets, the best penthouse suites and the most beautiful women on the planet at his disposal, Cyr rarely misses his target.

Biggest high roller? “It took me about a year to land Larry Flynt. I

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sent him a fruit basket every Monday for six months, like Bud Fox in Wall Street. We offered him a great deal, the 15,000 square foot Sky Villa, the largest in Vegas. I finally landed Larry and he is one of my biggest high rollers to this very day.

“The high rollers care about the deal, the appearance fees, discounts, the Super Bowl tickets, the shopping, they get it all, the mega suites, palazzos, mansions, villas, bungalows, the food, the booze, the service, they become the kings and queens of the casino. The biggest bet I ever saw was $245,000 in one roll of the dice. Biggest win or loss? $9 million.

Biggest tip I ever saw? $100,000, a single chip toke.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan is one of his big name clients, however, most of his high rollers aren’t famous. ‘Stars are stiffs and you can quote me on that,’ he says.

‘They don’t gamble enough. You would never know my clients. They own restaurants, strip clubs and car washes. The great thing about Vegas is that anyone can be a star there as long as they gamble big.’

‘I had to kick Bill Gates out of his $10,000 hotel suite the other night because one of my players had come to town. I told him “The most I can make from you is $10,000 a night –

my guy bets that on his first hand.

You can move now or security will be here in an hour.”‘

Cyr is a super-host. He never says die, and he benefits from working at a casinos notorious for cool parties and concerts, drawing more than their share of attractive young women. But even he acknowledges that the tide has turned -- at least for now. A whale, Cyr says, had once been a million-dollar player. These days, somebody who’s willing to lose $250,000 gets the title -- and milks it for all it’s worth.

“Vegas used to be a place where there was a lot to go around,” he says. “Now it’s no longer the casino’s market. For the first time in a long time, the player has the upper hand.”

For a young, farm boy who came to Las Vegas with no juice, Steve Cyr is now the man with all the juice!

Steve delivers all the fantasies of Las Vegas to the rich, famous and infamous from around the world!

Steve’s successes in the casino business have translated into many opportunities in the mainstream business arena. Steve has been featured in over 30 television shows including ABC’s 20/20, the Montell Williams Show, the Discovery Channel, and the Travel Channel to name a few, He has also been highlighted in numerous print publications including Cigar Aficionado, FHM and Details Magazine. In 2002, Steve was named Las Vegas Life’s Best Casino Host, a title he holds til this day! In addition to the media and press coverage he’s garnered, Steve received the ultimate gift and honor when he became the subject

for a controversial book, Whale Hunt in the Desert. Author Deke Castlemen documented Steve’s life and accomplishments in Whale Hunt in the Desert and the book, now it’s a required text for Cornell University’s Hotel Administration students and NYU Stern’s MBA program.

Steve Cyr went from chasing his dreams to living them. He never did make that move back to Kansas and he continues to reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. When he’s not working deals and catering to the biggest names in the casino world, Steve enjoys boxing and spending time with the light of his life, his daughter, Savanna

“You can love me or hate me, but you will never forget me!” april2014

25

fentertainment The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Walk of Shame The Protector 2 Belle Mr. Jones Bad Johnson Whitewash

Godzilla Million Dollar Arm The Trip to Italy

Movie Releases May

2

May

9

Neighbors Moms’ Night Chef Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return Devil’s Knot The Double Stage Fright Palo Alto Fed Up

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May

16

X-Men: Days of Future Past Blended

May

23

M

May

Edge of Tomorrow

The Purge: Anarchy Think

The Fault In Our Stars

Like A Man Too Jersey Boys

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon The Sacrament Obvious Child

22 Jump Street How to Train Your Dragon 2

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jun

6

jun

13

jun

20

jun

27

Maleficent

Transformers 4: Age of Extinction

A Million Ways to Die in the West

The Congress

Filth We Are The Best Party Central

april2014

27

fentertainment

ReaLitY

Vegas 28

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Pawn Stars iS aN aMeRicaN reality television series, shown on History, and produced by Leftfield Pictures. The series is filmed in Las Vegas, nevada, where it chronicles the daily activities at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a 24 hour family business opened in 1989 and operated by patriarch Richard “Old Man” Harrison, his son Rick Harrison, Rick’s son Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison, and Corey’s childhood friend, Austin “Chumlee” Russell.

The show, which became the network’s highest rated show, and the no. 2 reality show behind Jersey Shore, debuted on July 26, 2009. The series depicts the staff’s interactions with customers, who bring in a variety of artefacts to sell or pawn and who are shown haggling over the price and discussing its historical background, with narration provided by either the Harrisons or Chumlee. The series also follows the interpersonal conflicts among the cast.

One reviewer referencing these conflicts described the show as a version of Antiques Roadshow “hijacked by American Chopper’s” Teutul family. TV Guide has offered a similar description, calling the show “one part Antiques Roadshow, a pinch of LA Ink and a dash of COPS”

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fentertainment

Counting Cars is an American reality television series, shown on History, and produced

by Leftfield Pictures. The series, which is the third spin off of Pawn Stars, the first was Rick’s Restorations, is filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it chronicles the daily activities at Count’s Kustoms, an automobile restoration and customisation company owned and operated by Danny Koker, who previously appeared as a recurring expert on Pawn Stars.

In a format similar to another Pawn Stars spin off, American Restoration, the series follows Koker and his staff as they restore and modify classic automobiles and motorcycles. Guest appearances have been made by Rick Harrison of Pawn Stars, Ziggy Marley, and Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark).

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Bad Ink Set against the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas – the mistake capital of the world – Bad Ink is a buddy comedy featuring tattoo artist Dirk Vermin and his band mate and best friend of 20 years, Rob Ruckus.

Dirk and Ruckus are Las Vegas’ unofficial aficionados of terrible tattoos and like nothing more than taking their fedoras out onto Strip, ambushing convention goers, tourists and locals alike, and laughing at the worst tattoos they can find. For a lucky few, Dirk will be able to cover up their lapses of judgement and transform their terrible blunders into body art they can be proud of.

In the city without shame, we get to see cringe worthy tattoos and hear the unbelievable stories behind these garish errors. There are unexpected family moments along the way, too, as Dirk raises two young daughters as a single dad and punk rock ‘soccer Mum.’ This is Dirk and Ruckus’ guide to the bright lights of Las Vegas as these two larger-than-life characters take us on their wild ride to rid the city of bad ink.

april2014

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flifestyle

Bring back the

COCKTAIL PARTY Whatever happened to the tradition of the cocktail party?

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hen all the ladies dragged out their best LBD (little black dress) and the men donned smart trousers and jackets, for the purposes of making small talk around a collection of light snacks and a glass or two of something alcoholic?

Having been pushed back into the realms of the “passe” it seems the occasion is undergoing something of a revival, particularly in these cash-strapped times, to encourage business into hotels and restaurants between the hours of 4pm and 6pm.

It is now also fashionable for wedding receptions to be preceded by a cocktail hour which often also includes entertainment such as live music.

The type of food and drink served can vary, while the guest list is likely to be intimate, with all encouraged to mingle while cocktails are served by a professional or dedicated bartender.

Although many believe the inventor of the cocktail party was Alec Waugh of London, an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press in May 1917, credited its invention to a certain Mrs. Julius S. Walsh Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri.

Mrs. Walsh invited 50 guests to her house on a Sunday at high noon for a one-hour affair. “The party scored an instant hit” the newspaper declared, and stated that, within weeks, cocktail parties had become “a St. Louis institution”.

Such an event is now welcomed by those venues seeking to encourage new ways of bringing in patrons – and private hosts who want to entertain a larger number of people than for a formal dinner without opening their doors to a full-on party.

When planning for a cocktail party, many experts on entertaining suggest hosts should assume at least three beverages per guest, unlike a dinner or reception where heavier foods are expected to be served and fewer mixed drinks are served.

The party may include a variety of finger foods, light snacks or canapes and the invitation should mention any special food arrangements, especially if the party is scheduled during regular dinner hours.

Set the appropriate time . The traditional time-frame for a cocktail party is two to three hours in length held between 6pm and 10pm Buy more than enough ice . Remember that you’re not just using it for drinks, but also for chilling bottles and cans.

Cocktail parties are a great way to entertain, because they accommodate any kind of guest list, ranging from neighbours to business associates. Regardless of what kind of crowd you’re entertaining, however, there are a few basic guidelines to throwing a fabulous cocktail party...

Have a variety of glasses on hand, depending on the variety of drinks you plan to offer . You should offer wine glasses for wines, juice and water; straight-sided highballs for tall drinks; tumblers for spirits and juices; and martini glasses. In terms of quantity, be ready with approximately twice as many glasses as you’ll have guests.

Stock your bar . For the wine drinkers, have one bottle for every two people, assuming five servings per bottle. For the beer drinkers, have one six-pack for every two people, assuming 12 oz. servings. Get one or two spirits that can be made into a variety of cocktails (probably vodka, rum, gin, scotch & tequilla). april2014

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fmoney

Million Brits Lose Track of Savings

In these recessionary times, most people have a good idea of their weekly or monthly budget – right down to the last penny! However, lack of organisation and forgetfulness are costing us dear, as new research reveals that despite rising living costs, 7.6 Million brits have lost track of their savings.

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I

t has been estimated that a huge £15bn to £20bn is lying unclaimed across a range of financial institutions in the UK. But while 60% of people have made an effort to track down their lost treasure, a staggering two fifths haven’t bothered to try to reunite themselves with their savings.

And it’s not as if they don’t need it – over a fifth say they would use the funds to pay off bills or debts and nearly one in 10 would spend it on day to day living costs.

Of those who have lost touch with their savings and investments, over a quarter have misplaced their original account details, 27% can’t remember all of the accounts they’ve opened in the past, 21% have forgotten to update their address when they moved house and have lost track of their account as a result, and 24% were given savings or investments as a child but don’t know the account details.

It is incredibly easy to misplace important financial information, especially with accounts or policies that were opened several years ago. If you have lost touch with an account, contact the organisation concerned to make sure you don’t have any forgotten funds.

Perhaps your financial institution has disappeared off the radar.

It could be that the company has changed its name or been taken over.

But it doesn’t take a gargantuan effort to find your missing money, as

72% of Brits who have launched a John Prout, Retail Customer Disearch have come up trumps. rector at NS&I which conducted the Searches undertaken on the research, says: “Even small amounts website are passed securely of money can help with the to the institutions that costs of day to day livmay be holding the ing, so it’s important You can search lost account. The people keep a track for organisations on institutions conof their savings no tacted will then matter how much mylostaccount.org.uk carry out a search they’ve previa free service provided of their accounts ously put away.” by the British Bankers’ and the applicant Once you have Association, will be informed tracked them the Building Societies whether any acall down, make Association and NS&I count they hold sure you look after matches the details important financial submitted online. information and duThese lost savings and plicate copies of important investments could help people to documents just in case they are lost reach their goals, with nearly one in or destroyed.

10 quizzed saying they would put Information relating to life any newly-found funds towards a insurance, savings bonds, plans and new home and 12% would jet off certificates, bank or building society on holiday. A further eight per cent accounts and pensions should all be would use the money to treat themnoted separately and kept in a secure selves and just under a third would place or with a trusted person, such save it for a rainy day. as a solicitor.

april2014

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fstatistics

Global citizens changing face of

JETSET LIFE THE InTERnATIOnAL LIFESTyLE OF THE JETSET IS SOMETHInG THAT THE MAJORITy OF uS HAVE LOnG EnVIED.

S

wapping the miserable British winter for the seductive delights of foreign climes is an ideal that occupies the daydreams of many a UK office worker.

But it appears that an increasing number of us are achieving this dream – despite the current global economic meltdown.

New research has revealed the emergence of a new internationally mobile “global citizen” with a lifestyle no longer confined to the super-rich.

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The Lloyds TSB International study, which collated responses from over 1,000 affluent UK citizens, found that one in five spent a month or more outside Britain in the past year.

In fact, a total of 12% of Brits have spent more than a month away from home in a single trip in the past 12 months – equating to about 340,000 nationally – while two per cent, or 57,000 people, spent a month out of the UK for business reasons.

Nicholas Boys Smith, Director of Lloyds TSB International Wealth, says more people are

spending time abroad for both business and pleasure than a decade ago, but notes the emergence of a different type of customer who divide their time between two or more countries.

He says: “Importantly, this isn’t just the super-rich. We’re talking about thousands of people who couldn’t be classified as ultra-high net worth, but are forming a new global village of internationally mobile citizens.

“Ten years ago people spoke about the ‘haves’, the ‘have-nots’ and the ‘have-yachts’. Now I think we’re increasingly see-

total of 12% OF bRITS have spent more than a month away from home in a single trip in the past 12 MONTHS – equating to about 340,000 NATIONALLY – while two per cent, or 57,000 people, spent a month out of the UK for business reasons.

ing that you don’t have to be a billionaire to be detaching from your country of origin.”

Boys Smith continued by drawing attention to the 17% of wealthy Brits who are thinking of leaving the UK at some point over the next couple of years, adding: “Now it is more a case of the ‘haves’, the ‘have-nots’ and the ‘have-frequent-flier-cards’.”

With globalisation continuing to stretch into every aspect of society, from the international expansion of business to social connectivity, Lloyds TSB International is rewriting the new type

of global citizen.

The research showed that the most common reason for spending time away on business was that there are more perceived opportunities overseas.

However, some – around a quarter – said it was because their company now does more business on an international basis or that their current job role has changed.

Around 43% of leisure travellers say they spend more time abroad as a result of being able to afford more foreign holidays with others stating it is because

they have retired in the past five years. It also interestingly noted that 28% of respondents say they prefer the way of life in other countries.

Boys Smith concludes: “Many people are now far more comfortable travelling the world, working in other countries and experiencing different cultures. They say an Englishman’s home is his castle, but many people now move around as if on a boat, mooring their home in different places as they sail life’s journey.”

april2014

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fmoney

Financial Crisis

in Greece

T

he purpose of this article is to outline the causes and the results of the financial crisis in Greece. Who is responsible for this recession? How has this crisis affected the Greek community and economy? When is Greece going to be able to overcome this crisis and get back on track?

These are just some of the questions that have to be answered.

To begin with, let’s go back in the early 2000s when Greek economy was one of the fastest growing in the Eurozone. Back then the most

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important Greek industries were tourism (Greece was one of the most visited countries in the world) and shipping (the Greek Merchant Navy is the largest in the world). Moreover, agriculture used to play an important role in economy as well. The main exports of Greece was agricultural products (Greece is one of the largest producers of cotton, pistachios, rice, figs, almonds, tomatoes, watermelons and tobacco in European Union).

Having said that, Greece enjoyed a high standard living and very high Human Development Index. So what

happened? What went wrong? How a seemingly powerful country went under just in few years?

There are two words we should keep in mind when it comes to the financial crisis in Greece, two words that sum up the whole situation, Government Spending! All these decades since 1974, all the Greek governments have been spending money they didn’t have. They used to finance enormous military expenditure (Greece was the second biggest defense spender among the 27 NATO countries after U.S.A). Another huge waste of money was “the false allowance phenomenon” that reached new heights over the last fifteen years. Let me explain that…

Someone used to get a blind person’s allowance while he wasn’t blind. I believe you get my point. This way the government gave away millions on disability pensions for healthy people.

And the list goes on! But how were all these governments able to spend large amounts of money since they had none? Well, they took out loans from other countries, it’s simple… or not! This situation created a huge deficit which was the result of fiscal imbalances developed during the past

years! Of course, this is a chain reaction so the next problem Greece has to deal with was the unsustainable and accelerating dept-to-GDP-ratios.

The roots of this problem were the combination of low GDP growth and high structural deficits. The deptto-GDP-ratios in 2013 was almost 180% which means that for every 100 euros Greece makes, 180 euros must be given to the loaners! Last but not least, tax evasion and corruption played a decisive role in making the situation worse. The fact that Greece couldn’t collect the proper amount of taxes enlarged the deficit and helped the regime of corruption to expand.

The results of this crisis are visible every day. The austerity measures created a chaos and dissolved the community by lowering the quality of life dramatically. The unemployment rate is unbelievable (28% in November 2013). Young people after they graduate and get their degree, they prefer to migrate to find a job and a bright future. Small businesses close down every day. People are unable to pay their bills; they live without electricity or even water. Homeless people are found everywhere nowadays.

But the worst thing about crisis is

that the Greeks lost their hope. They believe in nothing and they feel sorry for their children because they can do nothing to help them. In my opinion, this recession will last long and it is going to be a dark period for the history of Greece. The community and the bonds between the Greek will be tested to the limit. Despite all these, I am still optimistic and I think that Greece and Greeks will overcome this and come out of it stronger and wiser. I really want to believe that the same mistakes won’t be made again.

What we need right now is patience and determination to get through this difficult period.

Taking into consideration all that mentioned above, I believe that the Greek governments are responsible for 60% of the crisis and the citizens are responsible for the remaining 40%. This crisis is the result of forty years of corruption, spending, mistakes and tolerance from the citizens!

It’s still too early to start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but I think that we are moving in the right direction.

april2014

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fbeauty

Sun Screen could block out more than the sun Most of us are aware of the

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nnual campaigns every summer remind us to slather ourselves in sun cream and keep in the shade, while vigorously checking for any changes to our moles. But did you ever consider that shielding your skin from the sun excessively could do you more harm than good?

Vitamin D is vital to the body in aiding the absorption of calcium among other things and our primary source of the vitamin is through direct sunlight. However wearing sunscreen effectively shields us not only from the harmful rays of the sun but also from the helpful ones too.

Therefore, as the sun makes a welcome return, the National Osteoporosis Society has begun its fifth Sunlight Campaign to remind people across the UK to get outside for a few minutes every day between May and September to keep their vitamin D levels topped up.

Encouragingly, more people than ever before know that sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, and understand that we should leave skin uncovered for a few minutes each day, according to a survey carried out by the National Osteoporosis Society.

But there are still too many who mistakenly believe that we should wear sunscreen to obtain vitamin D, unwittingly putting themselves at risk of deficiency and unhealthy bones.

The survey, which questioned 600 people in the UK, found that 62 per cent of respondents understood that we need vitamin D to keep our bones healthy, but while a third correctly believed that the best way to get vitamin D is by going outside in the sun without sunscreen , another third think that you should wear sunscreen. While they are correct that sunscreen is needed to protect the skin, it is important to allow a few minutes of sunlight to make vitamin D. Dr Helen Macdonald, chair of the National Osteoporosis Society’s nutrition and lifestyle forum says: “Vitamin D has been long known to improve bone health, by helping our bodies process calcium effectively – it is essential for bone and muscle health as it promotes calcium absorption from our food. Our bones need the added mineral to make them strong and supportive; and vitamin D may play an important role in muscle function.”

The National Osteoporosis Society’s 2012 Sunlight Campaign will run from May until September to remind people across the UK that the best way to top up your vitamin D and boost your bones is by going outside for a few minutes every day and, even better, it’s completely free. To find out more, visit www.nos.org. uk/vitamind Top ten tips to make sure you get enough vitamin D. Sunlight is the best natural source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps our bodies to process

calcium effectively and is essential for healthy bones Exposure to sunlight every day between 11am and 3pm from May until September will increase Vitamin D and help to keep bones healthy You should try to get 10 minutes of sun exposure to your bare skin, once or twice a day (depending on skin type), without sunscreen and taking care not to burn. Always take care not to burn, especially during the strong sunshine in the middle of the day. Babies and children have very sensitive skin and need careful protection.

Even on cloudy days, your body can still produce Vitamin D from sunlight but it can take a little longer. Get outside between May and September so that your body can produce enough Vitamin D to help see you through the winter months. Make sure that you are actually outside.

Your body cannot produce Vitamin D even if you are sitting by a window or in a conservatory on a sunny day. You must be outside. Only a small proportion of vitamin D comes from the food we eat, but it is still important to include vitamin D rich foods in your diet, such as oily fish and eggs. Many margarines, breakfast cereals and dairy alternatives are fortified, but do check the label.

If your skin starts to burn, your body will begin to deplete the vitamin D that it has produced so safe sun is always best. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun is at the right angle to produce vitamin D

april2014

41

fhealth

Women brought to heel

On Fashion Faux Pas IT’S THE FASHION FAUX PAS THAT IS RARELY TALKED ABOUT AND REMAINS ONE OF THE HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE BOTTOM OF MANY WOMEN’S WARDROBES

O

nce or twice is forgivable and perhaps even understandable, but now new research has revealed that women keep making the same mistake when it comes to fashionable footwear – and are frittering away £2.5 billion a year on uncomfortable shoes they rarely wear.

The average woman in the UK spends £136.52 on five new pairs of shoes every year, at a cost of £27.40 per pair.

But instead of investing wisely in shoes they can wear more than once, three out of the five pairs of these “must-have” heels end up at the bottom of the wardrobe having only had one or two outings because they hurt their new owner’s feet.

The research, commissioned by shoe specialist Hotter Comfort Concept, also revealed that 40% of the 1,000 women questioned admit choosing their shoes purely

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because of how they look – and not how they feel.

But incredibly, almost a third who have tried on shoes and know they’ll be sore still buy them because they just can’t resist the look, and often kid themselves into believing their feet will adjust.

This determination to persevere with their purchases means 62% of women spend at least one day a week wearing uncomfortable shoes, with 48% hoping to wear them in until their feet get used to them.

But still we refuse to give up!

More than half of women say they hang on to their hellish heels for up to a year before admitting defeat and throwing them away, despite only wearing them once.

They also revealed that they own at least four pairs of shoes just to be worn when sitting down or Dinner Shoes that look amazing but are excruciating to actually walk in.

Regionally, women in Chelmsford buy the most shoes, treating themselves to an average of seven

pairs every year whereas women in Leicester buy the least, getting by on just four pairs a year.

Worcestershire is revealed as the worst county for footwear faux pas as women there admit that 70% of their shoe collection has only been worn once because they are too painful, whereas Cambridge females are the most comfort-savvy with just 20% of their collection having been worn only once.

Lisa McCarten from Hotter, said: “Shoes really can change your life: they have an impact on the health of your feet, can influence how you feel and play a significant part in how much you enjoy your day.

“Not only do uncomfortable shoes make for a bad day today, squeezing your toes into ill-fitting footwear can also damage your feet causing pain and discomfort in later life. “We all want to look our best, keep up with our busy lives and have fun; stylish comfy shoes are an essential part of the modern woman’s wardrobe to help her tackle all three.”

Most of us girls have parted with our hard-earned cash for a pair of must-have shoes, only to find these treasures are transformed into a toe torture contraption halfway through the night

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ffashion

The Power Suit’s Second Coming: Audacious Eighties Concepts meet Sharp, Contemporary Tailoring

efreshingly – given the ubiquity of the skinny suit in recent years – the 80s fad for power dressing is making a comeback. Once the cogent signature of the aggressively aspirational executives of the business world, the power suit is now making waves in the fashion world.

First time around, power dressing was all about projecting one’s success, status and wealth. Regrettably, the attire chosen to exhibit such virtues was a suit with ridiculously proportioned shoulder pads and strong – though not always flattering – lines. The resulting look was as overblown as the typical wearer’s ego, with a silhouette more akin to a silverback than a banker.

By the dot-com boom of the mid nineties, organisations of all kinds had relaxed their previously rigid dress code in order to attract younger, more creative types. Doing lunch had been replaced by the semi-reprieve of casual Fridays, and with it went the power suit.

However, AW13 saw the return of many eighties’ tailoring trends (no44 42

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tably from the pioneer of the power suit himself, Giorgio Armani), and this has continued into SS14. More importantly than anything else, all that was wrong with the power suit in years gone by has been rectified, and replaced with more flattering, contemporary tailoring.

This is not to say that there aren’t any hints at the original eighties look.

Pinstripes were at one time the garish partner of the obscenely wide pointed lapel, but their more understated inclusion on contemporary, slimmer cut suits is a welcome addition. The eighties throwbacks don’t stop there; the double-breasted blazer is very much back on the radar, as is the windowpane and Prince of Wales check, but all with a more modern feel.

The power suit is also no longer about brand, or indeed the sizeable amount of money you spend on it; a well cut suit will give a better impression than any label namedropping, and with high street retailers such as Topman, Zara and Marks and Spencer creating some really bold, quality tailoring, there’s no need to go spending big on the bespoke Saville Row experience. Of

course, if high end is the name of the game, Thom Sweeney, Richard James and interestingly the new Tommy Hilfiger Tailored collection – that shows it’s not always necessary to be perfectly matched, but that it’s essential to be coordinated – might be more up your street (or Row).

The power suit wouldn’t be complete without a few meticulously selected adornments – and as you may have guessed – eighties inspired pale blue contrast collar shirts and paisley or bold stripe ties complete the look to perfection. There’s also no harm in adding a pocket-handkerchief, or this season’s must-have suit accessory, the silk knitted tie.

Too long has the power suit been exiled; as John T. Molloy said in his Dress For Success books, a good wardrobe doesn’t necessarily turbocharge your career — but a poor one invariably will sink it. We should be heeding the lessons learned in the City’s heyday, and embrace power dressing in its new, contemporary guise. Now throw on the Huey Lewis and the News cassette and get stuck in – just leave the thick red braces at home.

april2014 march2014

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fclothing

Reveal tHe UK’S £30 BiLLiON waRdROBe

most of us will admit to a daRk secRet paRt of ouR waRdRobes

tHat cONceaL OUR FaSHiON MiStaKeS aNd OUtFitS

wE AIM TO GET bACk INTO, JUST AS SOON AS wE’VE LOST THAT EXTRA STONE

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B

ut now new research reveals that UK consumers have around £30 billion worth of clothes which they haven’t worn for a year hanging around in their closets.

In the last year alone we left a staggering 1.7 billion items unwanted and untouched in our wardrobes.

But with more than two thirds of shoppers willing to buy and wear pre-owned clothing, the report highlights ways in which consumers and businesses can benefit from taking at a fresh look at our leftovers – both financially and environmentally.

The Valuing our Clothes report from WRAP, the UK’s leading body on resource efficiency, provides the first big picture of the impact of our clothing choices.

It also offers a fresh look at the financial and environmental aspects of the whole journey of clothing – from raw material, to manufacture, purchase, use and disposal of our clothes.

Each stage of that journey has a significant environmental impact, the authors point out. For example over 90% of the wate. footprint occurs during fibre and garment supply.

Washing and drying clothes is

the equivalent of around 10% of total carbon emissions from cars in the UK while the majority of the waste arises once an item is no longer wanted.

But a third of all of the clothes we buy end up in landfill, which is bad for the environment and bad value.

However there are significant opportunities to generate revenue of around £140 million if all these clothes were given to charities, local authorities or other organisations for recycling or re-use.

WRAP say these existing options, or indeed new business opportunities, could keep more clothing out of the bin and landfill, ensuring value is retained for longer.

Liz Goodwin, CEO, WRAP, says: “The way we make and use clothes consumes a huge amount of the earth’s precious resources, and accounts for a major chunk of family spending.

“But by increasing the active use of clothing by an extra nine months we could reduce the water, carbon and waste impacts by up to 20-30% each and save £5 billion.

“Consumers can realise the value of clothing by updating existing items for their own use, or selling or donating them for others to use. There are also significant opportunities for industry to capitalise on consumer interest and gain financially.”

ed The body says that making more use of these clothes through re-use and other routes such as design changes, alteration, repair and recycling, will benefit both families and firms across the country.

It also goes a step further by identifying potential new business models for industry that can add to the bottom line, increase the range of services or stimulate markets.

The recently-launched M&S & Oxfam Shwopping initiative has provided clear evidence that there’s both retailer awareness and customer interest in new approaches.

Another new business opportunity is retailers establishing ‘buy-back’ schemes which enable customers to sell own-brand clothes they no longer want back to the shop for re-sale.

With more than half of those surveyed saying they would sell back items and over twothirds happy to consider buying returned clothes, this type of initiative could provide an extra income stream from a ready customer base.

Liz concludes: “This research clearly shows there are real financial and environmental benefits to be reaped from valuing our clothes more.

Increasing the active use of clothing by an extra nine months we could reduce the water, carbon and waste impacts by up to

20-30% each and save £5 billion april2014

47

fhouse

Mini

Orchards

T

he type you choose may be influenced by what other people are growing in your area, as well as the type of fruit you like best, and at what time of year the trees produce.

Having a range of different trees that produce fruit at different times will allow you to enjoy fresh fruit all year round.

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WHEN CHOOSING FRUIT TREES FOR YOUR MINI ORCHARD, YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE TYPE OF SOIL THEY REQUIRE, ALONG WITH HOW MUCH WATER AND SUNLIGHT THEY NEED



Before you start planting, decide how you would like your mini orchard to look. Keep in mind that your garden does not have to be covered in trees like a traditional orchard. You can simply incorporate a few fruit trees into your existing design. Make sure that you pick suitable places to plant so they don’t hang over your house or prevent sunlight from hitting your garden.

Zoning refers to how you lay drainage. If you spot any weeds, out your mini orchard. You need pull them out and lay down wellto think about it in a practical and rotted garden compost. logical manner. For example, if The next step is to create your you know that certain types of planting holes. These need to be fruit trees need attending to more about a third wider than your frequently, it makes sense to posifruit trees’ root systems, but the tion them nearest to your house. same depth, so that the soil marks Whereas if you are planting fruit match the existing ones on the trees that require very little maintetrees. Place the trees in the holes nance, position them further down you have dug, ensuring that the your garden, towards the back. trunks are kept upright. You will Once you have ordered your then need to refill the holes with chosen fruit trees and had them soil, and gently press it down with delivered, it is time to get planting. your foot to ensure it is compact.

Make sure you follow your plan, The trend to grow our own ensuring that trees are planted in produce is increasing, and many sunny yet sheltered spots, which gardeners are looking beyond will prevent them from being damvegetables and traditional fruits – aged by adverse weather and creating mini orchards conditions. It is highly in their back gardens. recommended that But what are the you dig the soil things to considtHe tRend to gRow ouR before planter if you want own pRoduce is incReasing, ing your your trees and many gaRdeneRs aRe trees, as to succeed looking beyond vegetables and this can year after tRaditional fRuits – help to year? aNd cReatiNG MiNi ORcHaRdS improve

It isn’t a speedy process, getting fruit from trees, but over the years a mini orchard should produce more and more fruit, and offer the satisfaction that comes from homegrown food – as well as the knowledge that it is grown locally and under your own conditions.

iN tHeiR BacK GaRdeNS. bUT wHAT ARE THE THINGS TO CONSIdER IF YOU wANT YOUR TREES TO SUCCEEd YEAR AFTER YEAR?

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49

ffood&drink

Going

GREEN

for a brew

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Once a cup of builder’s tea was enough to drown the nation’s sorrows, but Brits are increasingly turning to alternative varieties

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he UK’s growing appreciation for green and herbal teas is hitting sales of builder’s brew as new research reveals that sales of the healthier alternatives have shot up an impressive 83% in the past two years.

Indeed, the strain is showing for good old-fashioned English Breakfast tea. Although accounting for the biggest share of the tea market at 70%, sales of ordinary English Breakfast teabags dropped by 1.5% from £470 million to £463 million between 2010 and 2011. The share of ordinary bags as a percentage of sales fell from 73% in 2009 to 70% in 2011, although tea is still drunk by nearly almost nine in 10 Brits.

And the number of Brits using English Breakfast tea in the past 12 months has fallen from 87% in 2010 to 83% in 2011.

Meanwhile, our taste buds are turning on to more exotic varieties with sales of fruit and herbal teabags up 10% between 2009 and 2011, while speciality teas and decaffeinated brews grew by eight per cent and 16% respectively. But it’s the green bags which are the star performer of the tea scene, with sales almost doubling from £12 million in 2009 to £22 million in 2011, and today as many as 12% of Brits drink green tea on a weekly basis.

Alex Beckett, senior food analyst at Mintel which carried out the research, says: “While English Breakfast tea is fondly regarded, the expansion of coffee chains and the exotic flavours of fruit, herbal and green teas are encouraging consumers to diversify their consumption habits, prompting fewer cups of standard tea to be drunk.

“Though the segment continues to play only a niche role in the market, green tea, like fruit and herbal teas, has benefited from positive associations with healthiness. Green tea extracts are increasingly found in cosmetic beauty products, raising the profile of green tea among women in particular.

“When faced with adversity, Britons have historically reached for a cup of tea. And the state of the current economic climate should in theory provide bountiful times for tea brands, considering three quarters of users describe it as comforting.

“However, diversity appears to be impacting tea consumption more than adversity these days.

With usage rates falling and value sales growth all but reliant on commodity inflation, it could be forgiven for disregarding the longestablished motto to ‘Keep calm and carry on’.”

Meanwhile, sales of loose leaf tea dropped by 11% between 2009 and 2011, to a record £16 million, accounting for just two per cent of overall tea sales. While usage of loose leaf remained flat, with nine per cent of tea drinkers opting for it, the higher price adds to its unpopularity.

Surprisingly, the biggest loose tea drinkers are aged between 2534 at 12% rather than those aged 65 and over who were more likely to have grown up using it rather than tea bags.

Alex adds: “Tea has an increasingly cool image. With many of the nation’s younger consumers having a keener interest in food, as well as quality coffee, this group are more likely to be more open to discovering the benefits of loose leaf, such as the full flavour of the larger leaves.”

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finterview

Elementary My Dear Foyer

Arrogant and ingenious, one of Britain’s best-loved and most loyally-followed detectives is back on our screens this month.

Benedict Cumberbatch returns as the legendary Holmes in BBC One’s Arthur Conan Doyle modernisation, Sherlock , so understandably we were rather keen to ask him for a few clues as to what the new episodes have in store for viewers.

How did it feel reading the first script of the new series?

It’s always a kind of cold-faced thrill because you get the first enjoyment of it. It’s like being the first audience of the finished product, so it was a real treat.

We knew what the rough trajectory was over the three films, but when you get the full script it’s just a delight. The first thing I go to is the big scenes, and every one of those scripts is a terrific read. It’s such a joy to read them for the first time – you get that thrill that hopefully the audience will get when they sit down and watch it.

What was it like getting back into character after a two-year break?

I would say it was easier than the second series, but it’s never completely easy because of the break, and because of how extraordinary a character he is.

No matter what comparisons people draw between me and him – he is very different in his temperament. He is more mercurial, his rhythms are faster and more aggressive than mine are, and that goes for his intelligence and speed of talking – I feel like I have to ramp up a gear which takes a bit of time to get used to.

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But you know, I love it and however hard it gets, and it is a tricky one to pull off, it’s a character I love playing, and I always feel sad saying goodbye to him.

What does Series 3 have in store for us?

Without giving too much away, there is a fantastic trajectory in Sherlock’s character arc, which is going from a position of not really fitting in, and then doing incredibly well and forming a bond again with John.

They have some extraordinary adventures in the first and second episodes, and then in the third they are challenged by a situation and a master villain who brings him to his knees. What’s exciting about this series is that we see Sherlock in real peril.

We know from the end of series two that he staged his death.

He was out of the game, but calculating every move and therefore in charge. With this challenge he really is out of control.

He really does lose his authority on the situation, and it’s really exciting to see a hero in that much jeopardy, and it’s very interesting to see what it does psychologically to him.

As far as plot goes, Sherlock and John reunite, there is an

explanation, and there is a new character in the shape of Mary Morstan – it’s really about how the three of them kind of coexist.

It doesn’t become a trio, but she is a leading figure in it. She’s not just a stay at home wife – she is someone who is very involved in both of the boys' realities, but it’s a wonderful new dynamic to play with.

What do you think Lars Mikkelsen brings to the series?

An incredibly steely reality, which is harrowingly possible.

He is a businessman – he’s not a mad chaotic villain, not like the award-winning performance Andrew Scott gave as Moriarty.

He is something of great calm and measure that has a depth to it, which is an even bigger challenge than the chaos of Moriarty.

He is so measured and precise – he is like a shark, a terrifyingly perfect predator of our age.

He will chime with people who know what a bully is – he is the archetypal bully, and his means and methods are chillingly everyday in our culture. He’s a smart creation, very real and not fantastical. He’s got a foreign perspective on the English culture, which Holmes so perfectly personifies. He sort of reduces what Holmes protects.

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53

fart

Being able to capture the likeness of a human life using paint is certainly a sought after accomplishment for many new painters.

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earning some of the more basic portrait painting tips and techniques can help lessen some of the confusion many beginners face. These will help you self-teach the skill of painting portraits and will help you get to grips with an art class much faster. With practice and a little natural born talent, you will soon be painting magnificent portraits.

If at all possible, try to use a life model as opposed to a photograph.

There is simply no substitution for

painting from life. The colours are richer and the shadows and contrasts are sharper. Painting from a photograph can lead to a dull, lifeless painting. Remember that most of the world’s most famous paintings were created before the advent of photography.

Painting a successful portrait is all about how you observe the subject. You want to study the subject as a whole. Study the bone structure and try to see shapes and planes. Trying to paint every little detail exactly as you see it is one of the most common mistakes to make.

For beginners, use stark lighting to produce high contrast light

and shadows. When you begin, paint in a line drawing of your subject using a single colour to get the proportions correct.

One of the best methods to build a balanced painting with good contrast is to start off by laying the dark areas before buildng up the light areas. This helps you to start to think simply in terms of contrast and form. It will also help you break down tones and colours as you can layer them on.

Unless you have a natural flare for seeing colours in the skin it can be a hard task trying to emulate flesh tones. Skin comes in a variety of colours from yellows and pinks to blues and greens, so

there is no specific formula for painting flesh tones in portrait painting. Your selection of colours will also depend on your painting style: some artists accentuate skin tones with unmixed vivid colours with excellent results. Others prefer to mix up flesh tones for a softer, more realistic finish.

Whether you emphasise flesh tones or not, remember that the fleshier parts of the face are generally comprised of warm colours, whereas the bonier parts of the face, like the chin, are generally cool in colour. The final rule regarding flesh tones is to never purchase any pre-mixed flesh colours.

To get an accurate colour for the white in the eye you can take colour from a cool flesh tone and then lighten it with a grey made from white with a touch of black.

When painting hair, don’t try and paint every individual strand of hair. Look at the hair as one object and then paint the lights and darks. The strokes of paint will help you to add texture to the hair.

Finally, when painting backgrounds, don’t make them too detailed or busy as this will draw focus away from your portrait.

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55

fprofession

from

Amateur Professional Photographer to

Since the advent of digital SLR cameras, the amateur field of photography has developed many new followers.

Most snap-happy people take photos purely for the love of photography, but this skill does have the potential to form a satisfying career 56

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here are a lot of people out there who are in need of a good photographer to capture images of their son’s wedding, a news event, even a celebrity photo shoot. It might seem like a dream job for any keen amateur photographer, yet it is a career that is in reach of those who are prepared to put the work in.

For the transition of amateur photographer to professional, there are several tasks that you have to accomplish first. These apply if you are interested in agency work, freelance work or setting up your own studio business.

Like any new venture, marketing plays a huge role in the field of photography. Your photography skills need to be matched with a desire and competency to let

people know about what you can do, why they need your skills and why they should hire you. You might need to impress an employer, a client or a bank manager, all of whom have the potential to help you launch your career.

Putting together an impressive portfolio or a sample album reflecting your personal style will be the best investment that you can make. Once you have the basis of your business venture, you need to effectively market your services in the most appropriate publications and at exhibitions.

Post as many ads about your photography business in as many places as you can.

Entering photographic competitions are a good way of gaining a little exposure. Winning a top photography competition may offer the prize of having an apprenticeship under a world famous photographer. Others may win you top notch photography equipment that you can put to good use or some much needed cash.

If you are more interested in freelance studio or photojournalism, offer samples of your work to newspapers, magazines and photo agencies. Getting noticed for the first time is the hardest step to take. When you offer samples of your work, you’re improving the chances that you’ll get noticed by the people who matters. Don’t give up easily.

You may need to email or send your photographs many times before someone uses one of them.

Always follow-up your submissions with a friendly phone call or email asking for their professional opinions. They might provide you with some useful criticism.

Another alternative for budding paparazzi or freelance photojournalists is to work as an apprentice and learn the trade from a pro.

You might screw your nose up at carrying around someone else’s camera equipment for a low wage, but you have to start somewhere.

Failing that, try and get yourself some studio work experience.

If you are more interested in freelance studio or photojournalism, offer samples of your work to newspapers, magazines and photo agencies

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57

fmotoring

electric car to Slow Start tHey may RepResent ouR motoRing futuRe but only two peR cent of people aRe LIkELY TO bUY an electRic veHicle in tHe neXt five yeaRs, ACCORdING TO A NEw SURVEY.

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D

espite Department of Transport claims that 2011 would be ‘the year of the electric car’ – offering hefty subsidies and advising councils to plan for an electric future – just 1,000 of the batterypowered vehicles were sold in the UK last year.

And when specialist car insurance broker Adrian Flux asked 1,000 of its customers how likely they were to buy an EV in the next five years, just two per cent were seriously considering swapping the petrol pump for the charging point. Nearly 70% ruled out a switch entirely, with the remaining 28%t firmly in the wait and see camp.

While most of us agree that petrol and diesel-powered cars are unsustainable in the long term, it seems few of us are prepared to buy a car we feel has a high purchase price, limited range, long recharge times and questionable resale value.

However, the electric revolution is still charging forward despite the lukewarm appetite of Brits. Last month, 60 charging points were opened in Oxford, making the city the EV capital of Europe with one charging point for every 2,400 people, the best ratio in the EU. London has 654 charging points – the most in Europe – and British cities dominate the top 10 list of electric-friendly locations in the continent.

New charging stations will recharge an electric car battery in four hours, slashing previous charging times by 50%, and future charging points could cut this time to just 20 minutes.

There will also be almost 30 new models of electric or

hybrid car brought in the next 18 months, with BMW preparing to launch its first “all electric” cars, the i3 and the i8, Ford unveiling the Focus Electric and Vauxhall premiering the Ampera, whose small petrol-fuelled generator extends the car range to 360 miles.

Expense is still an issue, however, even with the £5,000 government grants available for buyers – the Ampera will cost £29,995, but drivers will benefit from considerably lower running costs.

Industry figures suggest that by 2020, five per cent of vehicles on the road could be electric.

Gerry Bucke, of Adrian Flux Insurance Services, says that people’s reluctance to switch to electric is often related to the perceived “hassle” of owning a vehicle which relies on charging.

He says: “People are worried that they can’t just ‘drive and go’ and that they will have to plan ahead depending on how far they plan to travel each day and the range of their car.

“Presently, a domestic charge at 240 volts on a 13 amp socket could take between six and 10 hours to fully charge an electric car, although this will change significantly as technology improves.

“Although the majority of people’s car journeys are short, they still want to know that – if they choose – they could travel long distances in their car without having to worry about finding a charging station. There are options available, such as range-extended electric cars with petrol or diesel generators to provide extra electricity and hybrid cars, which recover energy from the movement and braking of the car.

“In insurance terms, insurers still have reservations about electric cars mainly based on their cost and the disposal of the batteries, which can push up premiums.”

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59

ftech

How

TECHIES SEE US For those of us who use computers without understanding how they work, the world of information technology is a land of alarming acronyms and stupefying systems.

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ne of the most common cries for help in today’s office has to be ‘What’s the number for IT?’ as a 10-page report suddenly vanishes from another victim’s screen.

But while IT experts are able to deal with the numerous

technical glitches that come up, they’re not superhuman as some of their colleagues seem to think as revealed in a new survey detailing the ridiculous scenarios they are presented with on a daily basis.

Can you recognise yourself in one of them?

An overwhelming amount of techies said they have received complaints from office workers who didn’t realise their computer won’t work without power. In one case, the worker became so frustrated that he destroyed his machine, not realising it simply needed to be plugged in.

Spills do happen, but it’s one thing that drives techies to distraction. Coffee, water and soft drinks are the most likely culprits and there several reports of techies discovering that the CD/ DVD tray had been turned into a coffee cup holder.

Scant regard for security also causes severe headaches. How many of us are in the habit of sticking passwords to monitors and using “password” as a password?

One testy techie even reported the case of a colleague who posted their user name and password on a social network to “see how many people would steal it”.

Downloading destructive viruses is another regular and easily preventable problem. One worker said he opened an email he knew was a virus “just to see what would happen”. Another repeatedly clicked on the same pop-up ad, installing a virus that had already been removed from their machine on numerous occasions, while yet another user tried to download and install forbidden software, completely erasing the contents of the hard drive in the process.

Deleting essential files and data to make room on an already-spacious hard drive is another move guaranteed to make techies mad.

A depressing number of those surveyed said the files deleted were often actually drivers that the computer needed to run.

The survey by GFI software also unearthed a number of amusing ways to use a mouse.

Pointing it at the screen and clicking as a substitute remote control is a favourite faux pas.

Talking to machines is also regularly witnessed with one worker explaining they spoke “to a PC because the sign under the screen said ‘If you have problems with your computer speak to IT’.”

Little wonder then that the researchers discovered 69% of IT administrators have considered switching careers due to stress in the workplace.

Dealing with managers, end users, and tight deadlines were cited as the biggest contributors to rising stress levels, combined with long unpaid overtime, with a third working an extra 12 weeks a year without pay.

Management is the biggest source of stress for 36% of those surveyed, while IT users accounted for 21% and tight deadlines were responsible for 15%.

Regionally, managers in Londonbased offices cause the most stress at 56%, while Scottish office workers cause the most for 42%.

Overall, IT experts in Yorkshire are the most stressed in the country at 85% with overwork the biggest contributing factor while those working in Northern Ireland are the most chilled out with just 25% saying work caused them sleepless nights.

And in an echo of the stereotyped techie, experts pay a heavy price on the emotional front with 42% reporting that work has made them miss out on social functions, 36% blaming it for a lack of time with the kids, just under a third saying they’ve had to cancel commitments with friends or family because of office demands and one in five revealing that work has strained or ended a relationship with a close friend or loved one. So spare a thought for the beleaguered IT crowd – and failing that, try not to water your computer. april2014

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fhistory

CELEBRATING

LIBERTY THROUGHOUT 2014, NORMANDY WILL BE A DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR MANY PEOPLE COMMEMORATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY.

remonies, firework displays, street dances and parades have marked the event for many years – but this year is expected to be one of the last important anniversary dates to include those who are still in ‘living memory’ of the events of the Second World War. Commanded by Eisenhower, Operation Overlord – the code name for the D-Day Landings – took place on June 6th 1944, when more than 150,000 soldiers including British, Americans, Canadians, French, Polish, Dutch, Belgians and Norwegians, landed by sea and air on 62

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Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches.

There followed a huge battle, mobilising over three million soldiers, which ended on 21st August after 77 days of combat.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world are due to visit France this year – so now is a good time to book a visit and learn more about this significant period of 20th century history.

Between the official commemorations and the cultural and tourist programme of events, this year will be packed with events for Normandy – truly putting the region in the limelight.

The programme of cultural and

family-orientated events aims to engage, explain and evoke an understanding of the importance of remembrance.

Whether you travel alone, as a couple, as a family or with friends, you can step into history and walk in the path of those who have written it.

Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of the heroes by visiting chateaux used during the conflict, or take part in the various events of the season, there is something for the whole family.

Apart from the D-Day Festival, there will be a giant picnic on Omaha Beach, the ‘Freedom Tattoo’ Military Concert, air shows using model aeroplanes, a sound and light

Operation Overlord – the code name for the D-Day Landings – took place on June 6th 1944, when more than 150,000 soldiers including British, Americans, Canadians, French, Polish, Dutch, Belgians and Norwegians

show at Bayeux cathedral and an extraordinary giant firework display to set the sky alight along the coast at 24 sites, all of which are emblematic of the D-Day Landings.

You can also discover and explore sites from the Caen Memorial to Montormel, from Sainte-MereEglise to Bayeux and Cherbourg.

The celebratory programme will also include historical reconstructions, concerts, film screenings, themed tours and walks.

In keeping with modern technology, a series of smartphone applications, GPS Tours and virtual visits has also been developed. For example, the Museum of the Liberation of Cherbourg will be equipped with multimedia technology showing the strategic role played by the port of Cherbourg during the Battle of Normandy, while the Open Air Museum will guide visitors from site to site via a GPS system, and you can relive the first days of the D-Day Landings on screen.

All this is easily accessible from the UK. There are regular sailings

with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen’s port of Ouistreham (literally at the end of Sword Beach), to Cherbourg and Le Havre and also from Poole to Cherbourg. DFDS also sail from Portsmouth to Le Havre. Wherever you want to go, or whatever you want to see, there is something for everyone in Normandy during these special celebrations – with a wealth of different kinds of accommodation available from camp sites, bed and breakfast rooms, inns, chateaux and hotels of all standards.

The 2014 season will be decidedly special, with the last few survivors of the battle being able to give first-hand accounts of the Landings, before they are consigned to the records of history.

Sailings to Normandy and accommodation will be busy around the 6th June, so you may want to visit earlier in the spring or later in the summer, to make the most of your trip.

april2014

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flifestyle

My Many Lives

by Dave Davies Although only 52 years old I seem to have lived through enough experiences to cover a few lifetimes. In this series I wanted to cover my experiences, some of these are humorous others poignant, some will be exclusive to me others you or your friends may have experienced.

This month I am going to cover the subject of a close loved one giving their body to medical science and the emotional experience that may be left on those left behind

M

y mother had some strange outlooks on life, a depressant and worrier from an early age. As an inquisitive child I liked being a nosey child in my mothers bedroom (my parents were divorced). One day at the age of about 11 I found a letter saying “To be opened immediately upon my death� I straight away wanted to know what this was about. My mother explained that she did not want a funeral and to save the hassle wanted to give her body away???. Roll 64

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forward 30 years she had a terminal lung disease She and I both knew she was dying. From a mega busy life 24 /7 I decided we needed to have some quality time together, at least once a week while she was still mentally together. She kept on about not wanting a funeral service. I told her that she would not be around to argue, I needed to say goodbye so would obey her wishes concerning her body being given to medical science, but I needed closure so would have a memorial service she agreed.

Move on a few months she was in a near dying state, she knew it, so did I. The day or so before she died we knew it was coming I phoned the Cambridge medical college who

The positives for this

transferred me to London Imperial I want them to dispose of it by crecollege. I explained what was hapmation or did I want to attend a very pening and wanted to get the process short service. I felt that although my in action, the important thing is that mum’s memory had never gone from the body needs to be removed and in my mind I was not going to give her the possession of the medical college body an anonymous nondescript within hours. I had to ask a funeral cremation. So in November 2006 I director to be on standby. The fumade my way on my own to a South neral directors thought I was having London crematorium. a laugh when I was asking about a You can imagine my surprise when person that had not died yet. I put a vicar appeared to ask me about my the local doctor and nursing home mum I was shell shocked all emoon strict orders to phone the meditions about her dying hit me like it cal college and funeral directors the was happening all over again I just minute she was declared deceased. said she was a Christian bought in I also told the funeral director to get COE and would have not wanted mums corneas removed immediately. all this. That’s all I said suddenly a Thursday 7th October 2004 23.15. hearse turns up with pall bearers and My mother died, I said my goodbye a coffin the vicar then starting recitto an unconscious body at 7.15pm ing words from I presume the bible after being with her for 60 hours. sprinkled holy water on the cofI told the nursing home I fin and in they marched. would phone the next We then had a short morning, which I funeral service with did at 7am, by a coffin and just The funeral then the body me. had been reThe vicar directors thought moved, the corcommented I was having a laugh neas removed that after all I and my mum’s had told him when I was asking body was on her about my mum about the person way to medical she appeared college. to be a very that had not died 2 weeks later wonderful person we had our memorial and rattled on as service, just like a funerif he knew her. This al without the body. I spoke was after one line from me and explained to the guests what was the vicar must have also had a ready happening with her body. I then went made script? After loads of prayers into my mourning period as everyone the coffin disappeared the vicar does but as I had said goodbye to her shook my hand as I was leaving the body in person and again to her spirit chapel the hearse raced in front of and memory in a church service I me to pick up another (or possibly wanted to move on with my life. My the same casket) to do the repeat family & I needed some quality time process for another body. A few that had been eluded. weeks later I received the ashes and I was contacted about 2 years later spread them in 2 different places by the medical collage to say they and had another small service just had finished with my mums body did my family and I.

The medical college’s /universities need for the continuation of research especially into illnesses that have not been beaten by the medical system bodies so you are helping the progress of medical science.

There are no costs to you or your loved ones estate providing they accept the body however bodies that have been badly diseased maybe rejected If you choose not to have a memorial/funeral service it is a quick and efficient way of dealing with the with a loved ones death especially if the last period of time before demise was particularly stressful.

The negatives Some people need a funeral soon after the demise to close a chapter on the sad experience Until the final receiving of the ashes in your mind there is always the wish to move on, it is a strange process playing with your mind.

If deciding to give the body to medical science then the university/college refusing it it’s a double whammy, which emotionally your family does not need.

If like myself you want to move on, having a memorial service then getting the body back for commitment to crematorium, another service, then getting the ashes back for whatever you are going to do with them is quite a strain on your emotions.

Conclusion Talk as a family before the loved one is too ill weigh up all of the above for further information.

The person who wants to give their body to medical science needs to understand what emotions this process will cause to the grieving family.

http://www.hta.gov.uk/ bodyorganandtissuedonation/ howtodonateyourbody.cfm

We are all going to die but next time I promise to write about something a little happier. april2014

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Oblix Level 32 The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY020 7268 6700 oblixrestaurant.com/en/home

The food is trailing behind the view The creativity of the chef has brought every conceivable culinary trick to this culinary spot.

His menu includes Grilled diver scallops, ginger with lime & tamarind cream, Suckling pig, apple chutney and mustard seeds ; even vegetarians are catered for, albeit very limited, with a meat-free option such as Grilled aubergine, yoghurt, mint & pomegranate Choosing some items will boost your tab, such as Wagyu beef tenderloin, and even Ricotta gnudi, jerusalem artichoke & truffle has its premium. The dining room, with its dramatic view of the city, is as showy as the food (and it’s special-occasion central). Savvy world travelers may find the menu style to be stagnant, some of the dishes a bit odd (Roasted pumpkin, pecan & pancetta), and a few dishes miss the mark completely; but the busy dining room shows the affable Oblix has many devoted fans.

La Sirena Leigh-On-Sea, Essex 01702 472244 www.lasirena.co.uk

Leigh residents – and, judging from the popularity, everybody else – converge to this lively trattoria.

The staff are amazingly friendly and accommodating, something that has been a thing of the past in many restaurants, especially in and around Essex.

The kitchen serves the food of Italy and surrounding areas, with a twist of seasonal ingredients.

Cult classics on the menu include Dover sole and crisp-crust pizzas, including a classic Neapolitan Margherita (mozzarella, tomato, and basil). Among the regularly changing pastas are rustic favorites like Pomodoro with fresh basil & tomato and housemade Capricciosa salata, and dishes like Sea Bass Fillet rolled with Wild Essex Asparagus & a delicate Tomato Concase Sauce, Creamy Arborio Rice cooked with Chicken, Pancetta, Peas, Mushrooms, Cream & Finished with Parmesan Flakes. An expertly chosen wine list from around the world suits the fare perfectly.

Reservations are easier to make midweek.

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Million Brits Lose Track of Savings

ARROGANT AND INGENIOUS, ONE OF BRITAIN’S BEST-LOVED AND MOST LOYALLY-FOLLOWED DETECTIVES IS BACK ON OUR SCREENS THIS MONTH

J O H N ’ S

D O W N E S

W I N E

O F

T H E

M O N T H