Longueville Manor Magazine 2012

take a walk with guide Remi Couriard Andrew Baird’s

taste of the wild Keeping warm at

Longueville

877977

www.ecpw.co.uk office@ecpw.co.uk

EXTRAVAGANTLY MODERNISED PERIOD RESIDENCE JERSEY

Set within mature gardens and grounds with fine en tout cas tennis court and dual driveway approach, this well proportioned property has in recent years been totally modernised to provide a range of superbly appointed accommodation, which includes a magnificent indoor swimming pool complex.

3 CHARLES STREET ST.HELIER JERSEY JE2 4SF

£4,100,000 * Impressive Reception Hall * Beautifull Marble Floored Garden Sitting Room. * 2 Study’s * Large Family Kitchen * Indoor Pool Complex With Leisure Sitting Area

877977

www.ecpw.co.uk office@ecpw.co.uk

DISTINCTIVE CLASSICAL PERIOD FAMILY RESIDENCE

This superbly maintained meticulously modernised Victorian gothic home, stands protected by several acres of beautiful parkland gardens, together with agricultural land and mature woodland.

Approached via a gated carriage drive. Separate guests cottage.

Swimming pool and tennis court demise. This fine property is located convenient to the capital town of St Helier and to most schools.

JERSEY

£4,950,000 * Reception Hall * Elegant Drawing Room * Family Sitting Room * Splendid Fitted Library/Study * Master Bedroom With Private Sitting Room And Bathroom

SPECIALISING IN THE SALE AND ACQUISITION OF THE ISLAND’S FINEST RESIDENCES

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contents 08 Keep the Home Fires

Burning

Not just a Summer destination, Longueville is equally stunning in Winter

12 It’s all in the Detail Have you noticed these highlights of Longueville Manor?

20 Walking Jersey Take a walk and discover the real beauty of the island of Jersey

27 The Doctor is in TV funnyman Martin Clunes reveals his love of the South West to Judi Spiers

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

30 Is Time Running out

for the Watch?

Is functionality a thing of the past? asks Rhodri Marsden

36 Ghost in the Night Quiet, sleek and smooth, driving the Rolls Royce Ghost is simply a spiritual experience

42 Natural Treasure There is nothing more rewarding than foraging for food

44 The Wild Side Forage for food with Longueville chef Andrew Baird

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49 Fashion Independence Quality of product, expert design and the internet - is this the rise of fashion independence?

52 One of a Kind Marc 2 Shoes share their latest developments now in store

54 Golden Fizz A touch of bubbles, Victor Hugo’s Martin Flaguel enjoys a glass of champers

56 Life is a Theatre For the love of the theatre – Josh Sims asks when’s the next performance

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60 Sophisticated Sapphires The gem of deepest blue enjoys a resurgence in popularity

62 A Diamond Icon Josh Sims discovers the life, love and jewellery of Elizabeth Taylor

70 The Garden of Africa Taking the Garden-Route – discover South Africa’s most acclaimed resorts

79 Price on Application Rebecca Ellwood gets ‘appy’ with the top ten travel apps

68 Bathroom Utopia Stylishly designed and expertly fitted, On Tapp works together with makers Utopia

69 A Feeling of Zen Artizen Designs bring a touch of calm and beauty to interior design

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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Watch the world drift by…

Forget the luxury yacht, now you can watch the ebb and flow of the crystal blue sea from the comfort of your own home at Portelet Bay.

Design is blended with award winning traditional craftsmanship to create impressive living spaces with kitchens, beautiful bathrooms and bedrooms you can’t fail to love.

The apartments and houses in their setting at Portelet Bay can only be described as superlative. Wander the majestic shoreline, breathe in the pristine air, then return to your own personal oasis where endless care has been devoted to the finishing touches.

Nothing has been spared when it comes to the meticulous specification and construction of the homes at Portelet Bay. Each has been fashioned from the very finest materials – from pink granite and marble to glass and stainless steel. This is truly inspirational architecture that will always be a pleasure to look at and live in.

Extensive glazing to the front of each home means you don’t even need to move from the comfort of your seat to relish panoramic views across the bay. With the sunlight reflecting off the water, the wind ruffling the white crests of the waves, the gentle ebb and flow of the tide from beach out to Janvrin’s tomb – an islet where the renowned 17th century sea captain is laid to rest.

Not only do the interiors of Portelet Bay look exceptional, they’re wonderfully practical and easy to live in too. Light floods in throughout, attention to detail is unparalleled, and the level of quality speaks for itself.

The best way to appreciate all that Portelet Bay has to offer is to see it for yourself. A private viewing can be arranged with the Dandara team where you can lose yourself in the splendour of all the best that Jersey has to offer.

Beautiful homes to buy, live in, to invest.

For further information call: 789900 A–K housing category available.

porteletbay.co.je

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welcome Publisher Peter Marshall

elcome to the latest edition of the Longueville Manor magazine – we hope you like the new size and format.

PA Olivia White Managing Editor Shirley Marshall Editor Katy Morris Assistant Editor Sue Christelow Editorial Contributors Rebecca Ellwood Rhodri Marsden Josh Sims Design Manager Philip Donnelly Design Jemma Pentney Production Co-ordinator Glyn Mansfield Photography Myburgh du Plessis Advertising Sales Diane Farnham Helen Homes Sales Support Diane Warren

We have had an extremely busy Summer and are now looking forward to the months ahead. Following on from our extensive refurbishment of the ground floor areas earlier in the year, we have recently completed work on our private function rooms. The Bateman and Nicolle Rooms, at the eastern end of the Manor, have been totally refurbished and remodelled to provide state-of-the-art meeting and private dining rooms, which will only enhance our offering to you. Plans are also afoot to refurbish several bedrooms this winter and we look forward to revealing these to you in our next issue.

Developments in the grounds are no exception. Pascal and his team are busy preparing for the winter and making plans for next Spring.

The ongoing improvements in the kitchen garden, re-landscaping and woodland management are all part of our continuing commitment to heighten the overall experience for our guests.

We look forward to welcoming you back.

Best wishes, Malcolm and Patricia Lewis

NETWORK

CONTRACT PUBLISHING LTD

Network Contract Publishing Ltd

St Saviour

28 Ballmoor, Celtic Court, Buckingham, MK18 1RQ

Channel Islands

Tel: 01280 829300 Fax: 01280 829326 longuevillemanor@networklifestyle.com www.networkpublishingltd.com © Network Contract Publishing Ltd 2011.

While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print.

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

Jersey JE2 7WF Tel: 01534 725501 Fax: 01534 731613 Email: info@longuevillemanor.com Web: www.longuevillemanor.com

Liquid Assets

www.hildon.com √+44 (0) 1794 301 747

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

keep the home fires burning

KEEP THE HOME FIRES

Not just a summer destination, Longueville Manor is even more relaxing in the winter months. Directors Malcolm Lewis and Pedro Bento discuss Longueville Manor luxury.

Longueville is a great place to relax – comfortable surroundings, delicious food, and peace and quiet. There is so much to do on the island that sometimes it is nice just to do nothing and Longueville is the place to do that”

hen the long nights draw in and weather becomes gloomy, there is nothing better than curling up in front of a roaring fire with a hot toddy and good conversation. In the depths of winter Jersey may seem an unlikely choice for a short break, but the dramatic coast and slightly milder than mainland temperatures mean that visitors can enjoy a taste of wild Jersey before returning to the sanctuary of their room at Longueville Manor to relax and restore.

“Longueville Manors winter breaks are just the thing to blow away the cobwebs,” explains director Malcolm Lewis. “Longueville is a great place to relax – comfortable surroundings, delicious food, and peace and quiet. There is so much to do on the island that sometimes it

is nice just to do nothing and Longueville is the place to do that,” fellow director Pedro adds.

And relaxing is proving to be a popular pastime at Longueville over the winter months with customers visiting for late autumn breaks or booking a couple of days to escape after the Christmas rush. Guests are invited to spend time relaxing on the hotel’s Indulgent breaks which encourage arrivals to relax with a limousine transfer from the airport to the hotel, with Champagne on arrival together with a threecourse dinner the first evening and an afternoon tea on the second afternoon before returning by limousine to the airport.

For Malcolm, Jersey really is a sight to see in the winter months: “We want to dispel the myth that Jersey is purely a summer destination. As islanders we see the seasons unfold on Jersey all year round and the landscape in autumn and winter is equally as beautiful as in the spring and summer months. In fact the coastline is extremely dramatic and perfect for surfers.

Likewise the woodland means that walking, all bundled up with your boots on, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors – there is nothing my family and I enjoy more than having a good old romp through the mud in our wellies or strolling along the beach with the wind blowing through your hair!” Malcolm enthuses.

“There is something really inspiring about being in the open air when the waves are crashing – you almost feel at one with nature, it makes you forget all the stresses and strains of home and of course you have spectacular views.

St Ouen’s bay on the west coast is one of the best areas on the island – there you can saunter down the five-mile beach with the rolling hills of the nature reserve behind you – it’s breathtaking,” Malcolm explains.

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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keep the home fires burning

“Our indulgent breaks have been so popular because people are so busy they literally need to book time to do nothing ... bubble baths and snuggling down in cosy cushions – this is the place to recharge your batteries.”

And when you’re done with the umbrellas and the sea spray why not enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea in front of the open fire or in the privacy of your room while you catch up with magazines, board games or that film that you’ve been trying to find time to watch. “Our indulgent breaks have been so popular because people are so busy they literally need to book time to do nothing,” says Malcolm, “bubble baths and snuggling down in cosy cushions – this is the place to recharge your batteries.”

However, relaxing does not appear on the director’s lists of things to do, “we’re in the middle of planning a great many new developments,” he explains, “in approximately two years we are hoping to open a cluster of new rooms and a small gym with an indoor pool. It will offer guests the option but we won’t make a big thing about it – too often visitors feel pressured to use all of the facilities and feel a sense of regret that they’ve missed out.”

Malcolm continues: “We don’t want our visitors

to feel they’ve missed the opportunity, we want them to unwind and chill, not be tied by a home routine of working out and going to work while they are on a break!”

And over the winter months Longueville is looking to develop the function room at the front of the building – currently a room used for weddings – to create a separate, private patio area. “We are a very popular destinations for weddings – all year round,” explains Pedro, “but we are careful to keep sight of the fact that we are a small venue. Although they are an important service that we offer, we make sure that it is not at the expense of the other guests – the weddings are carefully organised with carefully prepared time slots so that both wedding party and hotel guests can make the most of their stay.” Pedro adds: “We’re lucky because everyone loves a wedding and we put as much as we can into the organisation hence why we are looking to develop the front of the building – just to make that special day a little more special!”

For more information about Longueville Manor’s Indulgent package or to discuss a wedding at Longueville Manor visit www.longuevillemanor.com or call 01534 725501 to book.

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

Brewin Dolphin Ltd is a member of the London Stock Exchange and regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

Investments may fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.

AT BREWIN DOLPHIN, WE’RE FREE TO DO WHAT YOU LIKE. We’re independently owned and don’t have some big, financial company hovering in the background telling us what to do. In fact, we actually are some big, financial company ourselves. One that has no in-house funds to ‘push’ or ‘sell’, and one that’s free to choose the most suitable investments for each individual client.

Basically, we listen to your wants and needs, then tailor our advice accordingly. It just seems to us that treating people like people is the simplest and best way to live up to the one philosophy that guides everything we do: that the first thing we earn is your trust.

For more information please contact Nick Browning in Jersey on (01534) 703126 or at nick.browning@brewin.co.uk www.brewin.co.uk/jersey

it’s all in the detail

eautiful decor, ornate carving and traditional features – there is always something to catch your eye at Longueville Manor.

Have you noticed these details inside the manor house?

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ore treasures are to be found in the grounds...

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A Taste of Relais & ChAteaux

Inspirational Chefs UK EDITION

Following on from the publication of the hugely successful first-ever Relais & Châteaux cookbook featuring recipes from all the UK and Ireland’s properties, this second edition includes recipes from new members of the exclusive group. From the classic and traditional to more technically challenging and groundbreaking ideas, the recipes featured all encourage the use of the freshest ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible, and reflect the enthusiasm and dedication of each chef.

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Order your copy now from www.chefmagazine.co.uk

walking jersey

jersey walking

Take a stroll through autumn woods with official Jersey tour guide Remi Couriard as he reveals the secrets of the island.

ith its rolling countryside, craggy cliff tops and hidden bunkers Jersey is the ultimate place to walk and explore. Not only do the paths and routes offer an excellent insight into the flora and fauna of the island but the unique history of occupation, settlement and ownership make it a really exciting place to discover.

The walk begins on a sunny afternoon at Le Haule Manor close to the coast of St Aubins Bay, where a group of keen enthusiasts gather ready to walk and see the ‘hidden views of St Aubin’. The guide, Remi Couriard, is already there and speaks to each person with passionate enthusiasm for the walk ahead. Introducing himself, making jokes and expertly remembering the names of the 20+ people that have attended for the afternoon, Remi is bubbly and outgoing and expertly handling the process of contact cards, money and information packs.

He tells us that we are one of the biggest groups that he has had outside of the summer months and assures us that the weather is perfect for his type of walk. His type of walk on this occasion consists of a three-hour moderate trek through private gardens, woodlands, the ‘high street’ of Jersey and a Jersey war tunnel – and it is fair to say that his enthusiasm is definitely rubbing off on the group.

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

walking jersey

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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walking jersey

The group walking today is a mixture of tourists and local Jersey residents – many are on the walk to experience the hidden secrets of Jersey with some having been on walks with Remi previously in the week. On this tour there are several couples on an autumn break from England and Scotland together with visitors from further afield – Holland and New Zealand – each out to enjoy the sun and take in the beautiful views of Jersey.

Gathering us around Le Haule Manor’s swimming pool and the starting place for the tour Remi explains that he knows the owner very well (which is not surprising as there are few people Remi doesn’t know in Jersey) and that this is a regular destination to start his tours. He goes on to explain, with a twinkle in his eye, that he is an Official Blue Badge holder – which gives him access to areas in Jersey that most people do not get to see. Playfully he adds that most of what he speaks is true but for entertainment value he will improvise stories depending on the location – in which cases his badge will turn over ‘ashamed‘ by the inaccuracy of his stories.

After lightly chastising the group for talking, Remi looks out over St Aubins Bay and asks the walkers to cast their minds back over 12,000 years ago when Jersey was part of the Gulf-Bay of St Mont Saint Michel before it broke away and became an island in the Channel – having taken another four years for the tides to form around the bay of Jersey. Moving on the group walks up to a path behind another local house a little further up the hill before Remi tells us more tales – this time of the Romans that settled on the island some 2000 years ago. He explains that the bodies of three Roman warriors were found in Jersey and that coins and pottery have been found to document their fleeting visit.

Looking out across the bay Remi continues to explain that Jersey was the name taken from Jersiaise and the Vikings that settled in the area between the 9th and 10th centuries

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

before making way for Norman French settlers.

Joking with the group he asks them to play roles, encouraging them to get involved with his many stories and literally bringing history to life. He continues to explain the differences between Jersey and the mainland UK including the Bailiff who is appointed by the Crown, is of no political party and holds office until they retire and the history of the Duke of Normandy who appears on Jersey’s single pound notes.

Remi continues to explain that Jersey was a pinnacle of importance, becoming a regular stop for the cod trade. He indicates landmarks such as Elizabeth Castle which was the replacement for Mont Orgueil (Mount of Pride) built by Governor of Jersey Sir Walter Raleigh in 1600 to celebrate his love for his wife Elizabeth while also appeasing Queen Elizabeth I. On the other side of the bay Remi points out the dark rock Noirmont and explains to the group about the language of Jersey – Jersiaise. It was Jersiaise, he explains, that was the island’s language with a mixture of French and English – which ultimately helped the occupied island communicate during the war as radios had been banned by the Germans.

Moving into the old High Street of St Aubin, Remi continues to explain the street names of Jersey – and the difference to their English counterparts. As we enter part of

It was Jersiaise, he explains, that was the island’s language with a mixture of French and English – which ultimately helped the occupied island communicate during the war as radios had been banned by the Germans.

walking jersey

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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walking jersey

Electric lighting shows the way but not for long as Remi covertly tells us that he has one of the few keys on the island for an area of tunnel that is not normally open to public access.

the old town he speaks of some of Jersey’s famous residents including Charles Robin (pronounced Ro-ban) who founded the Hudson Bay Trading Company and became one of Jersey’s entrepreneurs selling dried cod to the New World, before moving down the coast towards Cuba to buy mahogany to sell to Europe. Passing Charles Robin’s former home we are greeted by more tales of famous Jersey inhabitants, including Rémy Martin who first established a champagne house and is now famous for the cognac company.

Continuing on our walk some of the group stop to collect an ice cream as we walk through the heart of St Aubin to our next destination – a Jersey War Tunnel. The tunnel – of which the opening is currently the premises of Jersey Funbike cycle hire – is cut into the hill above with the opening stretching into the gloom.

Electric lighting shows the way but not for long as Remi covertly tells us that he has one of the few keys on the island for an area of tunnel that is not normally open to public access. Pushing through the large gates the group walks over uneven surfaces, lighting the way with the help of mobile phones and miniature torches, until Remi reaches the lights. Walking a little way

further we pass many bits of paraphernalia including bobsleighs from Jersey’s bobsleigh team (cue many ‘Cool Runnings’ jokes!).

Gathering together at the end of the tunnel Remi tells the walkers to wait and then in small groups go round the corner to see a wondrous site – this being the many steps that lead to the top of hill and ultimately out of the tunnels.

Over 145 steps – straight up – reinforcing the knowledge of just how far underground the tunnels run with 16 war tunnels built in four years while Jersey was occupied by the Germans. When asked what happened to the rock that was removed by the Germans, Remi declares that he will reveal all later, but first onto the next destination.

Walking into the sunlight we return to the seafront to be just moments from St Aubin Bay. It is here that Remi answers the question to the Jersey War Tunnel shale which is now in the waters of the bay. Again involving the group in re-enactments Remi tells the tale of actress Lillie Langtry, daughter of the Dean of Jersey who was born in the mid 19th century. So beautiful was she that she sat for many artists including John Everett Millais, a Jersey artist who painted her with the Jersey lily flower thus giving her the name the ‘Jersey Lily’. Sadly this story marks the end of the tour and a reminder of how the time has flown. As the group say their goodbyes there is a round of applause for Remi and his story telling with many walkers announcing their plans to attend another of Remi’s tours later in the week and that there is still plenty more of the island still to discover.

For more information about Remi’s walks visit www.walkinginjersey.com

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

walking jersey

LONGUEVILLE WALKING PACKAGES Walk the coastal paths, hidden gardens and discover the ‘real’ Jersey before returning to your rooms to enjoy the luxury of Longueville Manor.

With a mild climate and picturesque views Jersey is the perfect place to enjoy the fresh air – why not indulge in a two-day walking break so you can really enjoy the history that Jersey has to offer.

A Two-Day Walking Break Luxury double room for 2 nights: Three-course Table d’Hôte menu both evenings Full English breakfasts with hearty buffet both mornings A half-day guided walk with a qualified guide (time subject to availability) Jersey Tourism walking guide booklet to plan your own walks Group 1 hire car for the duration of your stay to get you to and from your chosen walks Service charge and local tax From just £140 per person, per night.

For more information about Longueville Walking Packages visit www.longuevillemanor.com or call 01534 725501

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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doctor the

is in

Judi Spiers interviews funny man Martin Clunes about Dorset, dogs on set and becoming an on-screen Dad. LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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the doctor is in

‘It’s a lovely place to be artin Clunes has recently made a welcome return to our screens as the Basil Fawlty of the medical world – an ex surgeon with a fear of blood who is the Dr. to the local community of Portwenn, which in real life is Port Isaac. Such is the success of the series that it’s not unusual to see Americans and other tourists milling around Port Isaac on any wet Sunday looking for Mrs. Tishell’s shop, pointing out the school house and wondering where Bert and Al’s restaurant is. But when I told Martin that I had been to Port Isaac to get a feel for the place before I chatted to him and that I’d knocked on his surgery door to make an appointment, his legendary sense of humour momentarily left him.

“You didn’t knock on the door, please?!” he says with an air of desperation. “The poor man sold it. They’ve put up a sign saying ‘Please, it’s only used for the exteriors.’ People have been knocking on the door and the window saying ‘is he in’?” he continues. If Martin thought I was a bit odd heaven knows what he would have made of the men walking round the village imitating the Doc’s straitjacket goose-step walk.

Martin is always a joy to interview, intermittently tossing his head back for a real guffaw and laugh. I suppose that’s what comes of being a contented man and so he should be.

As well as presenting some great travel shows and documentaries he’s had some cracking roles. But of all the great parts he has played over the years in shows like ‘Men Behaving Badly’, ‘William and Mary’ or ‘Goodbye Mr. Chips’ and ‘Reggie Perrin’ with its stunning

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and we do absolutely all of it down there. We’ve got a little studio in a barn where we do the interiors, so there’s no coming to London, so I just diddle between Dorset and Cornwall and I just love playing that part.’

location and great ensemble cast, ‘Doc Martin’ is, he agrees, his dream role.

“Oh God yeah, not that I haven’t enjoyed all of them,” he enthuses. “From what you saw, it’s a lovely place to be and we do absolutely all of it down there. We’ve got a little studio in a barn where we do the interiors, so there’s no coming to London, so I just diddle between Dorset and Cornwall and I just love playing that part. You can be very self-conscious when you’re at large in the real world dressed up as a fictitious character.

We’d be doing William and Mary and I would be standing next to some hearse in Ealing and you just feel very exposed. But for some reason, and we get crowds of two or three hundred watching

the filming sometimes, I don’t feel remotely self-conscious down there. It just seems the most natural thing in the world to dress up as that horrible man and strut around that lovely village.”

Martin was encouraged in the business by his cousin the late Jeremy Brett. “He was terrific just when I left drama school he was back from LA to start talking about Sherlock Holmes. He was just fantastically supportive. He was a lovely giving man. He was right there for me. My own dad was an actor but he died when I was eight so he just gave me all that push and bolster and stuff and it was great.”

Nowadays Martin is married to Phillipa the producer of the series, and they have a

the doctor is in

smallholding in the West Country with horses, sheep, guinea pigs, cats and dogs and every year for the last four years they have held the Buckham Fair Pony and Dog Show at their home, raising funds for charity. He made a wonderful television documentary charting the family tree of his dogs so it’s not surprising that unlike the Doc he has a soft spot for the hardest working actor of all in the series, Dodger the Jack Russell who was chosen to play the part of Buddy.

“He can do anything.” Martin said with the air of a proud father. “He’ll keep it coming throughout the day. Dear old Gremlin, our last dog, who sadly died, was great at looking gorgeous and hairy. His audition piece was that he let me drag

him along the floor, without minding. But he didn’t do a lot in terms of acting, except turn up, which was fine because that’s all we asked of him – while Dodger has got so many tricks. He’ll cock his leg on anything on cue, without weeing.

He’s just brilliant. He’ll hit his mark and will keep going throughout the day, which is a true terrier.”

It’s not dogs Martin has to worry about in the latest series but a baby – or rather babies! Louisa, his lovely on/off schoolmistress girlfriend, gave birth to his baby at the end of the last series so it seems that there are plenty of avenues to explore. “Oh God help us, yes a little bat-eared child in a suit and a possible stab at co-habiting!” Martin laughs.

There have been countless pictures of him in the press holding six babies and in actual fact over the four-and-a-half month filming period he apparently wrestled with and winded 12 different ones, giving the impression that he was happy to hand one over for another if there was too much going on at either end! It’s funny isn’t it that in this ‘anything goes’ society it seems I am not alone in wanting him to make an honest woman of Louisa.

“I was in Tesco once ” he told me, “and a lad asked me for my autograph and I gave it to him and walked off and an old man tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘I don’t want your autograph, just marry that girl before I die!’”

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is time running out for the watch?

watch

IS TIME RUNNING OUT for the

Clocks on mobile phones and computer screens suggest that traditional timepieces are obsolete. Technology guru Rhodri Marsden argues that there’s always a place for a watch face – as long as it’s stylish.

y own watch is battered, scratched and held together with the aid of three 50mm elastic bands. It’s a bit of an inelegant solution. The strap tends to fall off whenever I accidentally bash it against a hard surface, but there’s a bloke in my local market who reattaches it for me for four quid, which is probably a ripoff but it’s a long-standing arrangement that I don’t have the heart to break. It’s got an hour hand and minute hand – as you’d hope – and a second hand, too; it can’t tell me the date, but it is ‘5 bar,’ which apparently means it could operate under 40m of water (an attribute that’s unlikely to be tested unless I fall drunkenly off the side of a boat).

But it’s much loved, much fidgeted with, and assists me whenever I’m catching trains, keeping appointments or getting annoyed when people fail to show up when they said they would. If I can’t find my watch, I get a bit distressed. If I leave the house without it, I immediately have a nagging sensation that something is wrong. I feel ill-equipped to deal with life.

Without my watch, I feel a bit nude.

Having said that, I’d grudgingly admit that my watch doesn’t do anything that my mobile phone can’t – and that’s another item that’s firmly bonded to my person.

My phone is more than capable of showing me the time; I just have to press a button. It doesn’t tell me the number of seconds, sure, but that’s never a problem unless I’m timing a boiled egg, which I’m generally not. My phone

effectively renders my watch superfluous, except as a decorative object – and this is a realisation that dawned on the younger generation quite a while ago.

A survey conducted by Mintel last autumn showed that under-25s are twice as likely as the rest of us to have jettisoned their watches and assigned any timekeeping duties to their phones instead. More of us own a mobile phone these days (91 per cent) than own a watch (86 per cent), with one in seven of us feeling, on reflection, that we could probably do without wearing a watch altogether.

Statistically, the person most likely to be wearing a watch right now is a woman over the age of 55; in a few decades’ time, perhaps watches will become obsolete.

Pointing to your wrist to ask the time could be as dated a gesture as tipping your hat.

But while the traditional function of the wristwatch is neutered by the ability of other gadgets to tell us the time, its form and its style certainly aren’t. While sales of watches overall are flatlining, the market for cheap timepieces is growing; that’s to be expected in a time of economic uncertainty, but those who keep at least one eye on the fashion blogs won’t fail to have noticed the brow-furrowing trend of toting multiple watches simultaneously; girls wearing them layered like bangles, boys eliminating the possibility of checking the wrong wrist by having a watch on each. No trend quite exposes the devaluation of the watch’s role as a timekeeper as this one.

If I can’t find my watch, I get a bit distressed. If I leave the house without it, I immediately have a nagging sensation that something is wrong. I feel ill equipped to deal with life.Without my watch, I feel a bit nude.

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is time running out for the watch?

Watches are still adored by who have a few grand to chuck about, too.

Fashion house Balenciaga recently unveiled their wristwatch collection designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, with straps in ‘python’, ‘crocodile’ or ‘lizard’, and which come in at a cool $1,400 (£880). Watches by the likes of Rolex or Cartier still double as timepieces and copper-bottomed investment opportunities, while a Swiss watch brand such as Jacob & Co only needs to have its creations photographed while they’re wrapped around the supple wrists of Kim Kardashian for tongues to start wagging and their products to become sought after once again.

If anyone can be relied upon to provide a colossal, flashing signpost to the current favoured excesses of the wealthy and privileged, it’s probably Kanye West; he recently chose to design a watch that features a likeness of himself – complete with sunglasses, naturally – picked out in diamonds and gold. It set him back $180,000. Kanye doesn’t need to tell the time; he has people to do that kind of thing for him. But he still wears a watch.

“Men will never lose that Meccano mentality,” says Robert Johnston, associate editor of GQ. “Swiss quality watches are objects of incredible beauty; little men on Swiss mountains spend their life hand-polishing screws that are barely visible to the naked eye, and there’s something incredibly sexy about that.”

But the horizontally-arranged mainspring barrels and tourbillon regulators in, say, “The Quenttin” watch by Jacob & Co seem to me to be the direct counterparts of the ‘Miracle Broth’ that scientists rigorously evaluate in each batch of Creme de la Mer moisturiser, or the 600Hz subfield motion in pricey plasma televisions. Untold research and technical skill goes into each (although I’m personally inclined to be less impressed by the Miracle Broth), but the ultimate status comes with the price tag of the finished product. The enhanced accuracy that a tourbillon

Kanye doesn’t need to tell the time; he has people to do that kind of thing for him. But he still wears a watch. regulator might give my watch (if my watch had one) obviously wouldn’t help me arrive at a party any more promptly, but nor would it make me any more of a hit at the party when I arrived.

The wow-factor of wrist-mounted technical wizardry has been eclipsed by the phone in our pocket; the “complications” that watchmakers cram into timepieces with such supreme skill – the Easter date and moon-phase calculators, the compasses and barometers – are, sadly, less impressive than a smartphone app that records everything you say in your sleep.

For many years the most expensive watch in the world was the impossibly intricate Supercomplication by Patek Phillipe, a pocket watch made in 1932 with 24 complications and 900 parts. That was, however, effortlessly outstripped when Chopard produced a watch with 163 carats of white and yellow diamonds stuck on the front that sold for $25m.

Enough said. It’s all about the bling.

This surely leaves digital timepieces with nowhere to go. To be honest, the digital watches that friends of mine had at school that were able to add, subtract, multiply, divide and display the current time in Hong Kong were never more than superficially impressive. But as components become smaller and more powerful, the temptation to pack more and more functionality into a wristwatch-sized device becomes incredibly tempting to technology companies.

For years, the industry has wrestled with the idea of convergence; exactly how much should you pack into one gadget? Enabling a satnav to play mp3s or an mp3 player to give you a close-run game of Scrabble presents no technological problems whatsoever. But are they really the best vehicles? Having the time easily and quickly visible on your wrist will always be useful (although, if you’re glancing at it while wondering “how

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much longer will this person keep talking at me,” be sure, they will notice you doing it).

But if the existence of the £50 watch is really being threatened by the mobile phone, how about incorporating that mobile phone technology into the watch itself?

This isn’t a new concept. Ever since Chester Gould, creator of Dick Tracy, equipped the detective with a 2-Way Wrist Radio in a comic strip on January 13 1946, possessing a real one became a dormant ambition embedded within the minds of geeky boys – boys who inevitably ended up working for the world’s big technology companies. Samsung have had repeated (although slightly half-hearted) stabs at launching one, the first being the catchily-named SPH-WP10 back in 1999, with further teasers at technology fairs at 2001 and 2003. But it’s only now that the idea seems to be gaining traction.

The online forum at giffgaff, the O2-backed mobile network whose development and expansion is partly driven by its own customers, buzzed sufficiently on the subject for a competition to emerge to design the phone-watch of the future, while a Nottingham-based firm, Swap (Smart Watches and Phones) has seen itself expand rapidly since its launch in 2008. Its sWaP Rebel watch, with its rubber strap, touch screen, mini stylus and USB port, was stocked in Harrods and was picked out as a cool stocking filler last Christmas; perhaps unsurprisingly, one of its directors, Peter Theo, has commented that “the watch isn’t dead, it’s just evolving”.

Swap’s fortunes will have been done no harm by the appearance of the new iPod nano, a cute mp3 player in Apple’s range that was unveiled back in September and is the size and shape of a wristwatch face. The presence of an analogue clock on the device’s lock screen only emphasises the similarity, and when CEO Steve Jobs casually mentioned as an aside that an Apple board member intended to wear it as a watch, that was enough for yet another small industry to piggyback on the popularity of an Apple product. Cheap and cheerful wristbands were hurriedly launched by companies such as Griffin, while more sophisticated offerings started to show up on design blogs. A company called MNML Studio sought investment via the website kickstarter.com for two wristbands that promised to transform the iPod nano into the “world’s coolest multitouch watch”; it ended up becoming the highest funded project in Kickstarter’s history. Digital trickery on the wrist is still an enticing prospect, clearly.

But how well does it work in practice? The one obvious boon of having our digital lives encased in a wrist-mounted gadget is that we’re much less likely to lose it; it’s bound to us, literally. But when the website Engadget reviewed the iPod nano as a watch, it didn’t score particularly highly.

Firstly it’s quite big (although if you’re a bloke that’s probably less of an issue.) Secondly, you can’t just glance at the time – you have to wake up the screen first, which can ultimately get a bit irritating. And if you want to listen to music – which is, after all, the point of the iPod nano – a cable running from your ears to your wrist isn’t the best ergonomic solution; fling your arm out to hail a bus and your headphones ping out of your ear. It’s perhaps telling that the aforementioned watch design competition on the giffgaff forum was won by a circular pocket watch rather than something that sits on the wrist. Of course, the technology industry will eventually get the period of experimentation out of its system and establish what does and doesn’t work.

Leading the way, perhaps, is Sony Ericsson’s Live View, much cooed over on technology blogs; it’s just a wrist-mounted remote control that allows you to check out what’s going on on your phone without having to reach into your bag or your pocket. Essentially just a wireless bridge, nothing more. But deemed to be very cool.

“When quartz was introduced, everyone thought that Swiss quality watches were dead,” says Robert Johnston. “But then the industry asked themselves a question: what is a watch for? And they realised that it’s not for telling the time.” So, kids might have briefly fallen out of love with watches. But ultimately, if something looks good, or if it does something vaguely useful, we’ll strap it to our wrist. At the very least, it breaks up the uniform monotony of our hand, wrist and arm. That’s got to count for something.

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“But then the industry asked themselves a question: what is a watch for? And they realised that it’s not for telling the time.”

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Christie’s in conversation: a multiple match Finding out about the world-famous auction house and discovering unexpected similarities between fine wine and fine art.

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CHRISTIE’S IN CONVERSATION: A MULTIPLE MATCH

eeting in one of Christie’s wine cellars, wine specialist Tim Triptree and prints specialist Tim Schmelcher discuss the key qualities of their areas of expertise, their shared enthusiasm for craftsmanship, rarity and condition sparking a fascinating and enlightening conversation.

Tim Schmelcher brings Albrecht Dürer’s engraving of Saint Eustace, and Tim Triptree has a bottle of Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja, Vintage 1956.

TS: What do you expect from a great wine?

TT: You want something memorable, something that amazes and surprises you.

You want depth and complexity. Each sip should bring you back for more. You are looking for different flavours and components such as tannin which create structure.

factors which influence it: the grape varieties, the soil, the micro-climate, the vintage and the weather, the methods used in the cellar, the barrels and so on. It’s all quite intricate and technical. And then every bottle evolves and changes as it matures. But tell me about the technique behind this print.

TS: Well, the image is created by engraving lines into a copperplate. Then you rub ink onto the plate and into the lines, and wipe the plate surface clean, lay the plate onto wet paper and put it through the press. The ink that remains in the recesses is transferred onto the paper and creates the image. With each printing, the plate wears a little and the lines become less deep and distinct. So, the earlier the printing, the better the impression.

Later impressions lack depth and clarity. It then depends on the inking, the wiping and the paper. This Saint Eustace is wonderfully black and strong, yet very sharp and detailed.

magnums, and double-magnums, with estimates ranging from £6,000 to £18,000 per case – a rare opportunity to acquire outstanding vintages from this prestigious Bordeaux First Growth, with impeccable provenance.

“You want something memorable, something that amazes and surprises you. You want depth and complexity. Each sip should bring you back for more.”

TS: Structure is vital with prints too – depth, clarity and balance are key. You want a balance of light and darkness, subtle areas and bold.

TT: The same with wine, balance is crucial.

We talk about the ‘harmony’: the alcohol shouldn’t be excessive; the intensity of the fruit has got to be just right and the acidity has got to be sufficient to keep it refreshing.

TS: The most obvious similarity between prints and wine must be that we deal in multiples – very rarely is there just one impression or just one bottle of a particular print or wine. Yet, although they are not unique, they are not all the same either. Let’s say you have three or four impressions of Saint Eustace: they could vary enormously in quality, depending on when they were printed. But even if you are lucky enough to see several fine, early impressions side by side, they would all differ slightly in character and condition. Certainly, if you had two wines from different vintages they would be different. But would they be different from bottle to bottle within the same year?

TT: Yes, you get bottle variations, especially with older wines. Until relatively recently bottling wasn’t an exact science. Take, for example, this 1956 Imperial Gran Reserva, there are going to be some subtle variations in different bottles; it is what maintains the interest.

TS: And as with prints, the more you see or taste, the more you appreciate the subtle nuances. You refine your own perception and taste. This Dürer is quite black and dramatic, another might be printed in brownish ink, which gives it a different atmosphere, making it warmer, sunnier in a way. Others are more silvery, which gives the image a more wintry feel. Do you find such variations in wine, even if it is from the same vineyard or château?

TT: The wonderful thing about wine is that it is a never-ending quest! There is a myriad of

Look through a magnifying glass and each line is clearly defined.

Every auction at Christie’s is a carefully curated opportunity for the serious collector, with sales ranging from fine and decorative arts to antiquities and wine. Christie’s regular wine auctions offer everything from vertical collections of First Growth Bordeaux to individual bottles of superlative Rioja or Rhône; in December, their auction of Finest & Rarest Wines & Spirits (King Street, London) will be led by a superb collection of Lafite Rothschild offered by Sir Evelyn de Rothschild. The collection includes a wide variety of vintages in cases of bottles,

For further information about Christie’s and the Channel Islands, please contact Melissa Bonn mbonn@christies.com +44 (0)1534 485 988 For further information about Christie’s sale of Fine Wines on 1 & 2 December 2011, please contact Tim Triptree ttriptree@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3012 www.christies.com

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ghost in the night

ghost in the night Silent, smooth and sleek – the new Rolls-Royce Ghost is like no spirit you have ever seen before.

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GHOST IN THE NIGHT

“En route to Paris, many of the features were put into practice, some are things so apparent that you wonder how you have ever lived without them and some so simple that you have mastered them in a number of seconds.“

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he journey began like many others, packing, checking, discussions and then the anticipation, not just for where you will be going but how you will be getting there and that is where the similarities to a regular journey end. Starting at the renowned Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Sunningdale the Rolls-Royce Ghost was true to its name, a spirit in the early morn it glides towards the chosen destination – Paris – before heading on to the heart of the Champagne region.

With a powerful 6.6 litre V12 engine the Ghost makes little work of the English countryside as it heads for France. The twincoloured body work of dark indigo and sleek silver work in perfect harmony as it cruises over the landscape. As it moves the self-righting wheel centres stay upright so that all around can be sure that this is a Rolls-Royce – not that those inside could forget.

The luxurious interior offers comfort that one could only expect to find in their private boudoir, in this case smooth and supple cream leather seats paired with snug wool carpets and sleek wood veneer surrounds. Chrome handles and buttons ensure that your every need is taken care of whether passenger or driver.

For drivers, the drive is one of your life – smooth and smart the Ghost simply and easily owns the road. Offering cruise and speed control, just set to the required speed on long journeys and the Ghost will lead the way, breaking and accelerating where necessary. The vibration alert ensures that control is firmly kept and will warn

you if you happen to drift between lanes.

The dashboard is fully equipped so that you can demand the same control from the car as it does of the road – showing everything from speed and time to track and volume the dashboard is also highlighted on the screen as an unobtrusive hologram so that eyes need not even leave the road.

That same control is maintained in the dark as the infrared camera reads the road for any animals or obstructions that may pose a hazard.

This same camera is equally as necessary when reversing as it switches into colour mode together with the reversing alarm so that you can see exactly what is behind or in front of you at all times.

En route to Paris, many of the features were put into practice, some are things so apparent that you wonder how you have ever lived without them and some so simple that you have mastered them in a number of seconds – the in-built satellite navigation system for instance, with a dual-screen option so that those in front can change the settings without losing the route.

As well as all this the Ghost is a powerful machine with an 8-speed ZF gearbox that means it can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds, and in perfect silence, so that those inside can enjoy the speed of the road and not the sound of the car. Within minutes the Ghost arrives in Paris to collect its first passenger who settles comfortably into the passenger seat and discusses the technical specifications of the car before enjoying the short ride to Eperney in the heart of the Champagne region.

a ghost in the night

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ghost in the night

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ghost in the night

Unfortunately the weather has turned since Paris and the threat of rain is overhead, however the custom-made umbrellas sheathed in the doors are a welcome relief from the spots of rain that fall. As the driver and passenger exits the car through the coach doors they comments on the comfort and quietness of the journey from Paris.

For passengers (and driver of course) the panoramic sunroof, reclining seats and hot and cold air conditioning are just the basic facilities that the Ghost offers. Other features such as hot and cold seat temperatures, seat massagers and full surround sound in both the front and back of the car, with in-car entertainment in the form of TV, DVD and music choices are specially designed so that passengers can sit back and enjoy the ride.

After an overnight stay at Eperney the Ghost is back on the road once more. When faced with a long journey ahead to the second stop, passenger and driver show little worry for discomfort as they know the drive will be smooth and stress-free

in the Ghost. A car that owns the road with ease, the Ghost receives coveted looks and a sense of awe from all that it glides past – emphasising the fact that this Rolls Royce is definitely a car to be seen and not heard.

“...seat massagers and full surround sound in both the front and back of the car, with in-car entertainment in the form of TV, DVD and music choices are specially designed so that passengers can sit back and enjoy the ride.”

QUICK FIRE FACTS

Vehicle length

5399 mm / 212.6 in

Vehicle width

1948 mm / 76.7 in

Vehicle height (unladen)

1550 mm / 61.0 in

Wheelbase

3295 mm / 129.7 in

Engine / cylinders / valves

V / 12 / 48

Power output @ engine speed

563 bhp / 420 kW / 570 PS @5250 rpm

Max torque @ engine speed

780 Nm / 575 lb ft @ 1500 rpm

Compression ratio / fuel type

10:1 / premium unleaded2

Top speed

155 mph / 250 km/h (governed)

Acceleration 0-60 mph

0-60 mph 4.7 sec

Acceleration 0-100 km/h

0-100 km/h 4.9 sec

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natural treasure Foraging is human nature – but why is it so popular with chefs?

orage – the act of searching for food and for many chefs around the globe the practice that adds additional flavours, exciting colour and a natural ingredient to their dishes. Loved by chefs due to the natural connection between a single ingredient and finished dish, foraging is an art that has been instilled in many of the world’s best chef names.

Our natural instinct is to forage for food with many having picked a sprig of mint from the garden to garnish a dessert or plucked a ripe blackberry from a wild hedgerow in passing – free food is a main reason for the enjoyment of foraging with the natural removal of leaves or fruit encouraging the plant to continue with its growth. Equally

exciting is the discovery of having found a cluster of mushrooms, a beautifully ripe group of wild strawberries or a new patch of something that you hadn’t spotted before.

For most chefs the practice of foraging not only provides a calming activity similar to tending to a kitchen garden but it also encourages a chef to learn about their local environment, the seasons and growing conditions. With so much emphasis on locality and seasonal produce foraging offers an easy way for chefs to work with their own surrounding land. Once a seasoned forager, the chef notices environmental changes such as damp weather which help lead them to abundant wild-growing produce.

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the wild side

the

wild side Chef Andrew Baird goes wild, as he forages for additional ingredients in the grounds of Longueville Manor.

ust past the perfectly preened gardens and relaxing pool area of Longueville Manor is an area of wilderness known as Swiss Valley – this is the first point of call for Head Chef Andrew Baird when out foraging. Forage, otherwise known as to hunt or to seek, is a common practice that is natural to humans, although the development of supermarkets has meant that it is a practice that is not quite as common for us as it was for cavemen. However, the art of foraging seems to have enjoyed a resurgence of late, with many chefs highlighting ‘foraged’ goods on their menus.

For Longueville Manor, foraging has always been something that the kitchen is accustomed to with staff regularly scouring the Longueville grounds for garnishes, flavour enhancers and decorations – but don’t be surprised to find that these little tastes of wilderness are not advertised on the menu. “Foraging is very important for us here at Longueville,” enthuses Head Chef Andrew Baird, “it’s something that we have always done, but just because we don’t make a big song and dance about our finds doesn’t mean there aren’t any in our dishes!”

Andrew’s foraged ingredients make a regular appearance on the hotel’s menus with mushrooms such as ceps and leaves such as sorrel and fennel also used. “It’s amazing what you can find,” explains Andrew, “you just need to know what to look for. I suppose I have always been interested in raw products, in the 1990s we spent a lot of time setting up the Kitchen Garden and from that I got a good understanding of plants – how they grew, the climates and ultimately their environments. Understanding is one of the most important things when it comes to foraging – locations, weather and what to look for all help.”

A guide to edible plants and flowers is a must for those who are about to embark on a foraging adventure as many plants look very similar. “Most things are ok, but if unsure I would recommend to leave well alone, at least until you’ve done some research,” he advises. As well as research Andrew suggests keeping your eyes peeled, “many think foraging is just to be done on land but you can gather a great many finds from the sea shore,” he explains. Jersey is particularly abundant in clams and seaweed, as well as the fish and oysters that are close to the shoreline.

“Ormers are a great find in Jersey – I especially love taking my children out to rake for clams and check the rock pools – they love it and all the time they’re learning, which is really important.” Andrew enthuses, “your passion becomes their passion – they start to pick their finds out, why prawns or little fish grow where they do and their environment – the whole ecosystem becomes a magical underwater world.” So passionate is Andrew about the sea that he has recently become a qualified PADI dive master –

“The art of foraging seems to have enjoyed a resurgence of late, with many chefs highlighting ‘foraged’ goods on their menus.” which enables him to sea fish under the waves in their natural environment.

“I’ve always worked with foraged food,” continues Andrew, “Jersey traditionally was an apple-growing island and there are still wild apple trees to prove this.” Another wild ingredient is medlars – an apple-type fruit regularly found in the grounds of Longueville and a common product from which Andrew makes chutneys and jams. “Medlars can grow to the size of apples but when they’re wild they are small, about the size of a plum. A smaller size is the case with a lot of wild foods,” he explains. “it’s because the plant isn’t being pruned regularly.” However, the lack of size is replaced by the strength of taste, “nearly everything that is smaller in the wild is high in flavour – wild strawberries are an excellent example of this,” Andrew acknowledges “you don’t need many but they really pack a punch!”

Other foods that can be found in Longueville Manor include wild wood sorrel, burdock, fennel and of course one of Andrew’s favourites – mushrooms. “I’ve had some great finds just yards away from the hotel – ceps and chanterelles – when it’s damp the environment in Swiss Valley is perfect,” he adds. For Andrew foraging is regularly discovering a continual source of ingredients as once a mushroom is found it is likely to continue to grow in that area – depending on the weather and time of the year. “Foraging is definitely making a comeback in popularity,” he says, “whether it is picking blackberries for pies or sloe berries for gin – picking your own is a really great activity for all the family.”

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Look out for: Spring Nettles Alliums (part of the garlic family)

Summer

Watercress Wild strawberries

Autumn Blackberries

Andrew’s Foraging Tips

Sloe

Always do your research, I use books such as Wild Food by Roger Phillips which was first printed in 1983!

Winter

Make a note of what you found and where you found it throughout the year, it will give you a good idea of how to plan your year.

Dandelion Wintercress

Carry a sharp knife, basket and gloves for when on walks in case you see something tasty.

All year round Ask friends if they know any good spots or if they have seen any on their travels.

Use a code of conduct – this will make sure that you are in the law at all times.

Visit www.gov.je for more information.

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Mushrooms

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“Understanding is one of the most important things when it comes to foraging – locations, weather and what to look for all help.”

Confidence. It’s all in our approach.

Client confidence is built on more than just great products and personalised service. Our commitment to earning your trust begins with understanding your goals, building a long-term relationship and providing advice that you can rely on. Supported by a global team of professionals, your dedicated relationship manager approaches your unique needs with integrity, discretion and tailored advice, helping you move forward with confidence.

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Issued by Royal Bank of Canada (Channel Islands) Limited (“the Bank”) on behalf of RBC ® companies that comprise RBC Wealth Management in the British Isles (“the BI Subsidiaries”). The Bank is regulated by both the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and the Jersey Financial Services Commission. Registered office: Canada Court, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 3BQ, registered company number 3295.

Jersey branch: 19 - 21 Broad Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE1 8PB, Channel Islands. Details of the name and address of RBC Wealth Management’s main BI Subsidiaries and their regulatory status may be obtained at www.rbcwminternational.com/terms-and-conditions-British-Isles.html. ®

Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. ™Trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.

ADV/10/1923

fashion independence

fashion INDEPENDENCE ‘A brand by any other name ... would smell as sweet.’ A true statement perhaps, leading Josh Sims to ask how is the world changing for the industry’s favourite brands, is quality worth more more than just a name and with unique luxury boutiques more accessible than ever, is this THE rise of fashion independence?

‘It has become a question of giving purchases greater consideration, of looking for those things that are luxurious by the old definition – genuinely limited, with smaller production runs, that have a story behind them and are more personal.’

omething unexpected happened at the Dior catwalk show in Paris this spring. At its end, rather than the designer making the customary bow, a troupe of white-coated old folk (how terribly unfashionable) made an appearance. These, indeed, were the power behind the throne – the craftspeople who made the goods. Meanwhile, Hermes was launching a book, ‘La Maison’, full of detailed colour plates featuring not the brand’s luxury goods, but factory floors and work benches, people with tools and templates actually making the goods.

Brand, these brand giants seemed to be saying, is no longer enough – you have to actually make genuinely good products. It is quality and distinction, rather than logos and celebrity endorsement, that is the way ahead.

Nor are Dior and Hermes alone. Diverse companies the likes of work-boot manufacturer Red Wing, new menswear label Albam, through to Savile Row tailors Gieves & Hawkes are among many fashion and lifestyle companies putting craft before cool with advertising, special edition books and on-line videos all seeking to demonstrate the substance behind the label.

The shift is, in part, recessionary.

“Even the wealthy don’t want to throw money away now and are less label-oriented and more conscious of getting value,” suggests Helen Lambert, head of luxury market analysts Lambert Associates. “It has become a question of giving purchases greater consideration, of looking for those things that are luxurious by the old definition – genuinely limited, with smaller production runs, that have a story behind them and are more personal.”

As Sergio Loro Piana, the co-managing director of the Italian luxury goods house Loro Piana, notes, the fashion brand giants in particular have enjoyed boom years – ones largely fuelled by the emerging markets of India and China especially – but in doing so have suffered over-exposure, which in turn has somewhat tarnished their gloss for more mature markets. “Luxury isn’t something you can get everywhere,” he says. “Brands now have to take a much more ‘clubbable’ approach – their customers may recognise a brand being worn or used by each other, but it’s certainly not obvious to those outside of the club.”

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fashion independence

The internet has also been an essential factor in this shift of buying approach in favour of the more niche and exclusive – exclusive less in the sense of being beyond most people’s pocket, so much as in the sense of being hidden away and little known examples of best-in-class products. If a decade ago brand was a stamp of recommendation largely bought with advertising dollars, now those dollars are of diminishing importance in the virtual world – not only can even one-man-band companies reach many more people purely by having an on-line presence, but the internet is a hive of tips, recommendations and insights that allows a product to be critically assessed. Blogs, comments and comparison sites all allow the cream to rise to the surface and the little man to get attention. They cut through the dazzling glitz.

“The internet is a game-changing means of exploring artisanal and craft products, or just smaller companies who specialise in what they do, and perhaps have done so under the radar for generations,” says Lambert. “It has encouraged a move away from the global to the more local which seems likely an entirely healthy change.”

Issues of sustainability are an additional factor. While studies show that only a small fraction of consumers who voice a wish to buy products with environmental or social credentials actually do so when presented with the choice, the greening of consumerism is only going to become more prevalent – and smaller companies are better able to prove the credentials that global companies, often lacking close control over their production chain, simply cannot.

But perhaps more potent a force still is the simple desire for individuality that consumerism has heightened by the contradictory way it functions, especially in

terms of fashion and other so-called ‘identity goods’ (those through which we might well seek to express who we are). With companies seeking growth through greater distribution and the success of their brands having been predicated on giving their customers distinction (as well as the products’ more utilitarian benefits, of course), inevitably the bigger the brand gets, the less distinctive it becomes.

Where’s the cachet in something that is everywhere and available if not quite to all then certainly to many? What individuality is there in being a walking billboard for what are, underneath the myth-making, international corporations like any other? Increasingly, selfexpression – and for those who genuinely care nought what people think – self-satisfaction through the things we buy is found not in the well-known and mass-market, but the obscure, the special, the private and the personal. So savvy is today’s consumer that they like to make their own discoveries, not to be one of the crowd being sold the same thing on the paper-thin pretense that it is just for them.

One happy off-shoot of this evolution in consumer thinking – especially if one buys into the idea that the UK’s towns and cities are losing their own flavour under the onslaught of identikit chains – has been the proliferation not only of independent brands – rather than depend on the usual big hitters, store buyers are now more likely to seek out less well-known and interesting labels – but a return of the independent retailer. These are the stores best able to target a certain consumer with a more carefully curated stock – and consumers are increasingly looking to and trusting certain stores to do the hunting for the unusual on their behalf. Indeed, for all that this new era of austerity may seem like a terrible time to go shopping, in many senses it is the best of times.

‘The internet is a game-changing means of exploring artisanal and craft products, or just smaller companies who specialise in what they do, and perhaps have done so under the radar for generations.’

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ADVERTORIAL

one OF A KIND A small boutique gracing St Helier, Marc 2 has been providing the finest European Footwear for over 25 years.

Marc 2 is home to a stunning hand-picked collection of European footwear, a true credit to the care and devotion put in by the team responsible for one of Jersey’s longest standing independent footwear retailers. Owner Michelle O’Connell believes the secret to Marc 2’s success is down to the personal care and attention given to each of her loyal customers by her small dynamic team. “We pride ourselves in knowing all our customers and offer them an extra special service – we call them when we think something they might like has arrived.”

Marc 2’s customers know to act upon that call as Michelle buys very small quantities, thus ensuring her customers not only exclusive footwear but also a rarity – creating an individual look which these days is no longer common.

“We also have a growing fan base of visitors to the island, many of whom visit the shop after hearing about Michelle’s passion for footwear and investment in quality designers. Some of our off-island customers also like to be called when new styles arrive and are happy to send selected footwear to them. We are not an online store, we just offer a quirky and individual service, should the customer require it.”

To further maintain her standards in exclusive high quality brands, Michelle likes to introduce something different and extra special each season. This season certainly follows this trend as Marc 2 proudly presents the famous French ballet shoes company Repetto’s new range.

Created in 1947 by Rose Repetto, today the famous pumps are the favourites of the Opéra National de Paris, the Opéra de Lyon, the Ballet School of Marseille and even Hillary Clinton.

“I’ve deliberately chosen a varied selection to introduce my customers to Repetto,” said Michelle. “We’ve got a classic pump and then some of their latest editions which include a cute kitten heel and a character shoe based design – any dance enthusiasts will know exactly

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

the style! What makes Repetto the leader in their field, is they use the same inside-out stitch technique as a real ballet shoe, giving them their unique slipper-soft touch.”

Michelle has been able to realise her dream and bring Marc 2 into the 21st century, sourcing exclusive collections worthy of her passion for footwear, which she shares with fellow devotees.

There are classic styles from German company K+S. For individual and artistic footwear that inspires and pleases then it is to Austria and the brand Think!, France and brands Arche or Mephisto that Michelle looks. For design-led styles that are innovative, London designers Audley fit the bill perfectly.

Marc 2 does not just consider itself to be the best footwear boutique in Jersey. “We have a beautiful range of pashminas and sleeved wraps in the best cashmere,” says Michelle. “The British couple who design the accessories use cashmere which is from a small village in the hills of Nepal.” Equally exclusive to Marc 2 is Orla Kiely’s gorgeous bright printed retro bags and accessories, with the designer loved by stars such as Scarlet Johansson, Kirsten Dunst and Keira Knightly. “We often will only bring back one of each of the exclusive handbag designs so that my customer can be assured that they have a truly unique purchase that will turn heads.”

Michelle also plans to introduce Orla Kiely’s cardigans and jackets for the new season – all exclusive of course.

To be someone special and part of something unique, customers can find Marc 2 on the pedestrian stretch of Bath Street, a little way up from the bronze cows at West Centre in St. Helier.

For enquiries please call 01534 870761 or email marc2shoes@gmail.com

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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ADVERTORIAL

The Region The region of Champagne in North Western France is split into three important vineyard areas with Vallée de la Marne and Montagne de Reims planted with Pinot Meunier vines contributing fruit aromas and flavours to the wine and also Pinot Noir is grown which give backbone and structure. The third region, La Cote des Blancs has vineyards of the only white variety permitted, Chardonnay, which offer elegance and finesse when used in the final blend.

The chalky soil and the cold winters combined with the warm but not hot summers are conditions that are ideal to produce the initial still light and crisp white wine with high acidity and low alcohol content; ideal for making high quality sparkling wine.

Martin FlagEUl of Victor Hugo Wines discusses the champagnes of the moment.

Laurent-Perrier – established 1812

“Within the vineyards

One of the few houses still under family control is Laurent-Perrier with Alexandra and Stéphanie de Nonancourt still concentrating on the strategy and development of the company going forward.

of these villages, only the

Laurent-Perrier Brut L-P

The Process and Production Grapes in the Champagne region are, by law, picked manually and pressed as soon as possible after harvesting to avoid coloration or oxidation.

A still wine is made and stored in stainless steel vats for later blending by skilled tasters who sometimes taste and blend over 100 different wines to achieve the required style of the maison.

Once the blending has been agreed by the team, the still wine is bottled in heavyweight glass bottles with the addition of cane sugar and yeast to induce a secondary fermentation in the bottle; a temporary closure seals the bottle and the wine is left to gently age and ferment in the cool underground cellars.

Sediment of dead yeast cells deposits itself within the bottles and this has to be carefully removed to leave a clear sparkling wine, then the final cork & wire is attached and the wine labelled for despatch. Just prior to the final cork being inserted, a mixture of cane sugar and wine is added to achieve the market taste: Brut, Sec, Extra Dry, Demi-Sec or Doux.

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

For many years now Laurent-Perrier Brut L-P has been the favourite Grande Marque Champagne served in Longueville Manor Hotel – by the glass or by the bottle it represents excellent value.

Laurent-Perrier Brut L-P has a distinctive Chardonnay character displaying elegant freshness and some mineral tones.

Its pale golden hue is appealing with the fine bead of tiny persistent bubbles. White fruits with citrus notes can be detected on the nose which follows through to the freshness and finesse on the palate. Due to the high proportion of Chardonnay, Brut L-P is the perfect match for fish dishes and seafood as well as poultry and white meats.

Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut Famous for its highly expressive bouquet, Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut stems from the very careful preservation of the natural fresh red fruit aromas of the Pinot Noir. It is one of the rare rosé champagnes to be made using the maceration (skin contact) technique, which gives it the extraordinary depth and freshness that has made it the benchmark for rosé champagne around the world.

Meticulous sorting of the grape bunches and controlled maceration help extract the colour and reveal the full aromatic richness of the Pinot Noir grapes.

Once bottled in the 17th century-style bottle which dates back to Henry V, the Cuvée Rosé Brut is cellared for at least four years before release.

very best plots are selected, as are the finest musts from the pressings.”

Grand Siecle Grande Cuvee Champagne Louis XIV’s era became known as the Grand Siècle - the “Great Century”. Bottled in a replica of a 17th Century bottle evoking the radiance of that period, Laurent-Perrier’s prestige cuvée embodies luxury, magnificence and elegance fit for a king.

Grand Siècle is made with a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend, with the latter being slightly dominant. Twelve of the most prestigious villages supply these grapes; all of them classified at 100%. Within the vineyards of these villages, only the very best plots are selected, as are the finest musts from the pressings. The blended wine is then aged during the second fermentation on the yeast for approximately five years.

It has a bright colour, with a brilliant yellow hue. Its subtle aromas of honey, hazelnuts, grilled almonds and brioche, make this the perfect companion for refined dishes. It pairs just as well with poultry and truffles as it does with veal and morel mushrooms.

Fabrice Corre Societe Generale Private Banking

we stand by you to preserve and protect your wealth from one generation to the next. “A relationship based on trust grows day by day, generation by generation. We make a long-term commitment to our clients, creating personal solutions which evolve with their needs. All over the world, our experts are there to assist our clients in preserving and protecting their wealth.� Fabrice Corre, Private Banker.

For Private Client enquiries please contact: Jon Cattell on + 44 1534 815 411 or jon.cattell@sghambros.com Paul Newman on + 44 1534 815 502 or paul.newman@sghambros.com For Intermediary enquiries please contact: Kaye Fontaine on + 44 1534 815 407 or kaye.fontaine@sghambros.com

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We stand by you I s s u e d b y sG H A m b r o s b A N K ( CH A N Ne l I s lA N d s ) l I m I t e d W H I C H I s lI C e N s e d b y t H e J e r s e y F I N A N C I Al ser v IC es Comm I ssI oN

life is a theatre

Life is a

Even in difficult financial times the art of theatre has continued to captivate and inspire, with theatre-goers happy to pay the hefty prices for a night in front of the big stage.

Josh Sims asks is theatre worth all the drama? – 56 –

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

life is a theatre

‘There’s a boom in demand for great stories, great themes, great discussions on our stages.’

Michael Grandage

ll the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” as Shakespeare put it in As You Like It. Looking at the theatre in the UK today, it certainly does seem that the stage is bigger than it has been in a long time. News and impressive figures over recent years point to as much. Box office and audience figures are, reportedly, breaking records year after year, with West End revenues topping £500m for the first time. The Ambassador Theatre Group has expanded its portfolio of 23 theatres to 39 by spending £90m buying up those of Live Nation, making it Britain’s largest theatre owner. Other theatres have been restored, often for the first time in several decades. Producers are wrestling power over Theatreland back from landlords.

A number of further reasons have also been suggested for the theatre’s apparent boom, none convincing in isolation: that entertainment picks up during a recession as people demand escapism; low interest rates mean more disposable cash for the generally middle-class theatre audience; that rather than travel abroad, we are holidaying at home – and more ready than usual to partake of homegrown entertainment; or that, tired of the virtual world of the internet, of a life lived through gadgets, even of the cinema – given how films can more conveniently be viewed at home now (although box office figures don’t suggest this) – we are seeking out the live experience: real people doing real things, there, in front of us, now.

But perhaps the simplest and most convincing reason for theatre’s renewed fortunes is that the quality has improved over recent years.

Of course, the fact that big name movie stars now regularly return to the stage – in part to stretch their talents, in part to improve their credentials as real actors – has certainly drawn a new audience fueled by the all-pervasive celebrity culture. The list of such names over the last decade – over which time a West End

performance has become something of a CV essential – has certainly been impressive: Rachel Weisz and Gillian Anderson, Jeff Goldblum and Kevin Spacey, Kathleen Turner and Brendan Fraser, Nicole Kidman, Kiera Knightley, Kim Cattrall, Damien Lewis and Jude Law, who has most recently scrubbed-down to play an old, scraggy-bearded sea-salt in ‘Anna Christie’.

But, more than this, theatre itself has become more adventurous, in part perhaps a result of the cultural legacy of the last Labour government, with its emphasis on the arts as accessible rather than elitist. As Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, has put it: “The straight play has been doing very nicely for 2,500 years but there is at the moment a tremendous appetite for good work of substance and complexity. If you are an alert theatre-goer, there is work of verve and imagination across the country. It’s almost as if we are preparing ourselves for 10 lean years by limbering up intellectually.” Or, as Michael Grandage, artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse, has noted: “There’s a boom in demand for great stories, great themes, great discussions on our stages.”

Theatre itself has broadened, now less just the canon of classics as live events touching on arts as diverse as the circus, cabaret and performance art. Artistic directors with a feel for what a audience wants in terms of an experience rich in both emotional and entertainment terms – the likes of Grandage or Kevin Spacey at London’s Old Vic – have been bold in their choices and treatments. New plays with an edge that is fresh and topical are getting into production, the likes of Lucy Prebble’s ‘Enron’, about the financial scandal, which sold out for its initial run in Chichester and then at London’s Royal Court.

Regional playhouses – the likes of the Royal Exchange in Manchester, the Liverpool Everyman or the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds – have seen audience numbers hold

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life is a theatre

‘Others, perhaps snobbishly, will argue that this more populist form of theatre hardly represents a revival for the theatre proper – the more intimate experience that perhaps tackles more complex issues in less upbeat fashion. Rather, it is little more than pantomime for adults, or the easily if unthinkingly digested volume and pace of blockbuster cinema transposed to the stage.’

too despite imposing cuts and seem more than ever as capable of breaking new talent and showcasing new work as London theatres. And new emerging theatre companies the likes of Kneehigh, Punchdrunk and Shunt are exploring original ideas for playful theatrical experiences, often ones immersive for the audience. No wonder there is more applause.

Not everyone, however, is convinced that British theatre is in rude health. They point out, for example, that media coverage represents it as either in a state of crisis or of boom, when actually, since London West End theatres don’t release weekly box office grosses (unlike on Broadway), struggling theatres and shows are hidden in figures that may show a picture of overall buoyancy for the industry, while figures that are released tend to be so only when a show is a hit. The economy has also become an easy excuse for the failure of a show – rather than its not being any good, a fact that tends to surface in what is, more than many others, an art form whose bums on seats are determined by reviews and word of mouth recommendation.

Unlike the cinema, theatre’s hefty ticket prices – the few new competitive pricing schemes initiated by some theatres aside – mean few people will gamble on a new production. As the theatre critic Nicholas de Jong has noted, the prices are just too exorbitantly high. That is not his only complaint: most Victorian and Edwardian theatres still hardly make for a great evening, he adds, being cramped and offering paltry amenities.

What of the big success stories too – not just the critically-acclaimed performances by Shakespearean actors, but the really big success stories, the likes of ‘Wicked’ and ‘Mamma Mia!’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘The Lion King’, largely performed by people you have never heard of but packing in the punters? Others, perhaps snobbishly, will argue that this more populist form of theatre hardly represents a revival for the theatre proper – the more intimate

experience that perhaps tackles more complex issues in less upbeat fashion. Rather, it is little more than pantomime for adults, or the easily if unthinkingly digested volume and pace of blockbuster cinema transposed to the stage.

And yet this underscores the nuances of the business. With musicals making £5 for every £1 made by a straight play, producers can hardly be blamed – last year ‘Wicked’ took £1m at the box office, a West End record; 26.2 per cent of theatre-goers went to see straight plays – up just 0.7 per cent on 2009 – gently denting the nearly 60 per cent of them who went to see a musical.

Theatre is still a business. And, for anyone interested in theatre’s future, or in how to pique interest in theatre-going, musicals get audiences through the doors.

Indeed, for all the claims that theatre in its broadest measure is in high spirits, it still, like many businesses in the current climate, walks a tightrope. Private and corporate sponsorship is waning; Arts Council grants to theatre organisations – crucial for getting the likes of ‘An Inspector Calls’ and ‘War Horse’ (soon to be a Steven Spielberg film) transferred to the commercial stage – have undergone sweeping reappraisal this year, cut by 30 per cent, and spare public money is being hoovered up by the 2012 Olympics; now regular sales of some 80 per cent of seats are required just to keep a production ticking over; and more and more agents discourage their actors, and especially the stars, from committing to a run much longer than four months, rather than the six or seven months that could generate a profit.

So don’t, as Shakespeare had it in ‘Macbeth’, quite yet enjoy a restful “sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve of care”. Theatre may be thriving in ways that the old guard may not fully approve of. Not everyone will be singing ‘Thank You For The Music’. And it may cost a packet. But it is not without its troubles still. Consider its regeneration a thrilling first act, with twists and turns yet to come.

The Jersey Opera House Built in 1765 by Henry Cornwall the ‘Cornwall’s Royal Amphiteatre and Circus’ stood in Gloucester Street, St Helier where the theatre still stands today. Over the years the theatre has changed hands and names having been previously known as the Theatre Royal and its current name the Opera House.

As well as a change of names, the theatre has been refurbished, destroyed by fire, rebuilt and became a cinema in the occupation. A major event in the Jersey Opera House’s history was the performance of ‘The Degenerates’ starring Jersey’s very own Lillie Langtry at the turn of the 20th Century.

By 1958 the Opera House was again refurbished with 16 new boxes and continued to grow in popularity. In 1995 the states of Jersey took over ownership of the Jersey Opera House and after extensive restoration and rebuilding the new theatre opened on 9th July 2000 exactly 100 years to the day when the first Opera House had opened its doors to the public of Jersey.

Now it offers a range of entertainment including new productions of the classic Faust, amateur pantomime productions of Sleeping Beauty, stunning ballets such a Romeo and Juliet and comedy crowd-pleasers Omid Djalili and Ed Byrne.

For more information and for booking visit www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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sophisticated sapphires

sapphires SOPHISTICATED

Sapphires have been treasured by ancient civilizations and royalty for centuries, and the recent revival of Princess Diana’s engagement ring by Catherine Middleton – now the Duchess of Cambridge – has re-stoked public interest in the gem. Rebecca Ellwood looks at the sapphire past and present, and what makes it the ideal engagement stone.

ost of us know the bare facts about the sapphire: it is the birthstone for September, it is the assigned gift for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries, and it’s blue – but not necessarily.

Although the word ‘sapphire’ is derived from the Latin word ‘saphirus’ – meaning blue – and the stones are most commonly known for having a deep blue hue, sapphires can actually come in a huge array of colours, including yellow, orange, pink, gold, black and white. The one exception is red, as red sapphires are, in actual fact, rubies: chemically and structurally, they are the same as sapphires, and both are derived from the same mineral, corundum. Sapphires are most commonly sourced in Sri Lanka and India, but have been found in many places around the world. Orangepink Padparadscha sapphires are the most valuable of the fancy sapphires, and are most commonly found in Sri Lanka.

Sapphires have long held an important place in culture and history.

The ancient Persians are said to have believed the world rested on a giant sapphire, which gave the sky its blue colour. Also, during the 12th century, it is said that crusaders would give their wives sapphire rings to test their fidelity, as sapphires were believed to fade and change colour when worn by an unfaithful woman. Many cultures believed that sapphires held calming and healing properties, and they were valued by many Kings, Queens and other members of royalty throughout history to defend and protect them. Indeed, St Edward’s Crown, which was used to crown Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, was set with sapphires, as are many of the precious crown jewels housed in the Tower of London.

One of the most famous sapphires in history was once owned by Queen Marie of Romania. Created by Cartier, the giant cushionshaped sapphire – weighing an astonishing 478.68 carats – was set in a pendant worn by the Queen to the coronation of her husband, King Ferdinand in 1922. The largest sapphire to ever go to auction, the necklace was presented by Christie’s of Geneva in November 2003, and sold for nearly one and a half million dollars. There are only two historic sapphires on record that are larger – Peter the Great’s Nose, a 547 carat polished sapphire, and the Star of India, a 563 carat cabochon star sapphire – and both of which are on display in museums in Germany and America respectively.

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Of course, one of the most iconic sapphires of recent times has been the sapphire and diamond engagement ring of Diana, Princess of Wales. Prince William’s decision to present his future bride Catherine Middleton with his mother’s ring last year truly brought the sapphire back into the limelight.

The cluster ring, originally costing £28,000, was chosen from a selection of rings from the jeweller Garrard in February 1981.

It features an 18 carat oval sapphire, surrounded by 14 diamonds. Although a symbol of the past and a touching tribute to the late Princess, the ring also represented the prospect of the future.

On the young and beautiful future Duchess, the sapphire seemed young, fresh and modern once again. Teamed with a midnight blue Issa wrap dress, the ring was perfectly showcased by Catherine at the official engagement press call, and made the sapphire a widespread object of lust once again. Her rising presence as a style icon has cemented the modernity and relevance of the sapphire.

Aside from its royal admirers, the sapphire has been the stone of choice for betrothed couples for hundreds of years. The sapphire is said to represent sincerity and faithfulness, which makes it the ideal choice for an engagement ring. They are also incredibly resistant – second only to diamonds when it comes durability – which also makes it a great option for a ring that will be worn for a lifetime. Sapphires come in a variety of cuts and settings, and most commonly come in an oval or rectangular shape, to make the most of the stone. Whether teamed with diamonds or standing alone, the sapphire is a beautiful and timeless choice for an engagement ring.

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“the ring was perfectly showcased by Catherine at the official engagement press call, and made the sapphire a widespread object of lust once again.

Her rising presence as a style icon has cemented the modernity and relevance of the sapphire.”

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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A DIAMOND

ICON

Josh Sims pays homage to the silver screen’s leading lady and diamond queen, the late great Elizabeth Taylor

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A DIAMOND ICON

“She was the most sullen, uncommunicative and beautiful woman I have ever seen. Elizabeth and I lived on the edge of an exciting volcano.

It was marvellous. But it could be murder.”

When Richard Burton made this comment of his wife, ex-wife, then wife and ex-wife again Elizabeth Taylor, the two of them were the most talked about couple on the planet. Indeed, while both excelled in their craft – Taylor picking up two Academy awards, for example – their names have come to be magnified by the mutual reflection of their tempestuous high-profile relationship.

The miner’s son from Pontrhydyfen and the London-born art dealer’s daughter met on the set of ‘Cleopatra’ – then the most expensive film ever made (in part due to Taylor’s then record-breaking $1m fee, in addition to 10 per cent of the gross) and, given its subject matter, a fitting backdrop for the almost mythological nature of their romance. But while Burton’s star was snuffed out early, aged just 58, Taylor – who died this past March, aged 79 – went on to become less an actress, not even a businesswoman or activist, so much as an icon. One, certainly, whose fame was such that, sadly, she was asked to stay away from Burton’s funeral, lest her presence turn a sombre occasion into a media circus.

What defines an icon is not easy to pin-point.

The times can be an icon’s making – and Taylor, together with Burton, defined the pizzazz of the Jet Set during the 1950s and 60s, when she was also at the peak of her acting powers. One of the

last exemplars of the old star-making Hollywood studio system, she continued to represent a bygone quality of glamour long after celebrity had become a more tawdry product of hype and a bedfellow of sales and marketing.

Talent is a given for an icon too, essential to any lasting credibility – and anyone who has seen Taylor’s performances in ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’, opposite fellow icon Paul Newman, or in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’, opposite Burton, can hardly be in doubt of her having that (despite her noting that “I, along with the critics, have never taken myself very seriously”).

She had, after all, been acting since she was 10, and was a star by the time she was 12, with the release of ‘National Velvet’. Burton even once suggested that Taylor suffered psychologically from being too famous too young, an insight she seemed to echo, once stating that she had “the emotions of a child in the body of a woman” and had been “rushed into womanhood for the movies”.

But the beauty of that womanhood, as Burton’s comment above suggests, helped her establish her iconography too: Taylor had an easy style, making a silk scarf and headband signature accessories, yet unusual genetic quirks meant that not only were her eyes violet in colour but, thanks to a condition she was born with called distichiasis, each eye was also framed by two rows of lashes. An anecdote has the director of one of Taylor’s earlier movies, ‘Lassie Come Home’, insisting that she be removed from the set until make-up had scrubbed off the excess mascara she was wearing.

She was, of course, wearing none at all. A 1976 magazine poll saw her win the title of ‘most memorable eyebrows’ as well.

The runner-up was Lassie.

A life larger than life also adds to the allure – and Taylor definitely had that, as her seven husbands (one making her a widow at 26), legendary

boozing (“I could drink everyone under the table and not get drunk – my capacity was terrifying,” she once noted), and grand love of jewellery testify too. And that is arguably an understatement for a woman who owned some of the most famous ever pieces, including the 33-carat Krupp Diamond, the Grand Duchess of Russia emeralds, the La Peregina Pearl and the 69-carat Burton-Cartier Diamond, the latter two both gifts from Burton, with the stone subsequently renamed the Burton-Taylor diamond. Eddie Fisher, her fourth husband, once said that a $50,000 diamond could keep Taylor happy for around four days. She had her own explanation: “My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days after I was born.

But when I did the first thing I saw was an engagement ring – and I was hooked.”

But hers was also a complex, rich life, one lived under the glare of a media attention newly critical and progressively candid after decades of sycophantic, mutually back-scratching arrangements with Hollywood. Indeed, Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor – more often known by the more familiar Liz, somewhat counter to the stratospheric elevation of her fame – was among the first stars to leverage her celebrity power for more than personal gain.

She was a pioneer of the celebrity fragrance and jewellery markets, launching her first perfume in 1988 and becoming the first celebrity to win a FiFi award, the fragrance industry’s Oscar. But it also allowed her to survive a disregard for public opinion and work to less popular ends – a disregard perhaps only a star of her brilliance can afford to maintain.

After all, she was instrumental throughout the late 80s in changing public attitudes to AIDS’ victims, auctioning off much of her jewellery to fund charities, raising some $80m in a decade for her own – when scare-mongering was still rife – helping make her a hallowed figure among gay communities in particular. Similarly, she remained a vocal and lifelong friend to Michael Jackson – another child mega-star, with whom, maybe, she shared an understanding – long after his eccentricities had made him something of a bizarre figure.

Do such qualities add up to an icon? It has been said that Elizabeth Taylor defined the modern conception of the celebrity, with her life – the child star, the romances, the excesses, addictions and illnesses – like a blueprint for the 21st century’s more fleetingly famous. The big difference? Few today will have her lasting impact.

Image taken from Elizabeth Taylor: Queen of the Silver Screen, by Ian Lloyd. Published in hardback by Andre Deutsch, £14.99.

Available to buy from all good bookstores and online.

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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“My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days afterI was born.

But when I did the first thing I saw was an engagement ring – and I was hooked.”

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LONGUEVILLE MANOR

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Certainty & Simplification Two words not usually associated with tax law. Following years of uncertainty over the tax residence rules for individuals, the UK government are proposing significant reforms giving more certainty and simplifying this very difficult and subjective area.

Meanwhile the Jersey government has APPROVED CHANGES, which will make

UK tax residence – Rules for today, tonight and tomorrow In recent years we have helped a number of people break UK residence and move to the Island. We have also seen an increase in demand for advice from a number of existing residents on UK tax issues including residence.

Residence is a very subjective area. The more complex an individual’s circumstance, the more need there is for professional advice.

This subjectivity is perfectly illustrated by the debates that ensue when the subject comes up in conversation at social gatherings.

For an individual being resident in the UK can have the following consequences: •

worldwide income becoming subject to UK income tax at rates of up to 50%

•

capital gains being subject to UK tax, potentially even gains realised in years of non residence

THE ISLAND even more attractive for incoming high net worth individuals.

•

claims for non domiciled status for UK inheritance tax will be harder to sustain

•

if non UK company directorships are held, questions may be raised regarding the company’s residence.

The current rules are a mixture of case law and a few limited statutory rules. Most of the leading case law in this area dates back to the early 20th century. At that time the world was a very different place. In recent years there have been a number of tax cases discussing residence. What has become apparent from these cases and the changing HMRC guidance is that there is not enough certainty in this area.

“Residence is a very subjective area. The more complex an individual’s circumstance, the more need there is for professional advice.”

At this point the rules have not changed and a consultation document has been issued.

Only limited changes are proposed to the full time working abroad exemption. There are no changes proposed to the day counting test and the ‘Cinderella’ (midnight) rule will still apply.

In applying the test there will be three levels: • definitely non resident • definitely resident • resident depending upon UK connections and days spent.

In other cases HMRC are looking to link the number of days that can be spent in the UK to the number of connections with the UK. The connections are: • accessible accommodation • immediate family (including time spent with children under custody arrangements) • substantive work in UK (40 work days, being 3 hours or more) • more time in UK than other countries • UK presence of 90 or more days in the previous 2 years.

There are still a number of questions regarding the implementation of some aspects of the proposals but in terms of increased certainty the early signs are very encouraging.

Jersey – Roll Up, Roll Up bring your businesses and assets here With no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or gift tax, low level levels of corporate tax (0%/10%/20%) and beneficial tax rates for incoming high net worth individuals (Income to £625k at 20%, income over £625k at 1%), the Island’s tax system is very attractive.

By making the tax system even more attractive the authorities are seeking to attract more high net worth individuals and their businesses and assets. The proposals are to simplify and move the distinction between taxation of Jersey and non Jersey source income.

The special regime for incoming high net worth individuals moving to Jersey has existed for some years and it is possible, circumstances permitting, to effectively cap liabilities at £125k per annum.

Recently we have seen a surge in the level of interest in this area, the drivers seem to be the high rates of UK tax and the fact that there will be more certainty as to the steps that need to be taken to break UK residence.

If you want to discuss either of the above topics or require information on obtaining Jersey residency please contact Garry Bell on 01534 838361.

LONGUEVILLE MANOR

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n i g n i t s e v n i

your child’s future

“St Michael’s makes ordinary children special and special children extraordinary.”

Where is your child going to secondary school?

Whether it’s local secondary schools or UK boarding schools, pupils at St Michael’s are given the best possible preparation.

What does St Michael’s do differently to develop the full potential of its pupils?

The average class size is just 15.

Children are taught by subject from age nine, rather than 11, and the school has a full range of specialist classrooms to do this.

PE is a large part of the timetable and there are more than a dozen after-school clubs and activities, including sailing and surfing in the summer.

Music plays a big role too – with 10 music teachers, most children learn an instrument, there are four choirs, two orchestras and wind, string and brass ensembles.

After lessons, older children can enjoy a range of activities, have tea, do their homework (supervised by teachers) and go home finished with the school day.

To keep their energy up, a two course lunch is served using local fresh ingredients – this is so popular that 94 per cent of children opted for it last term! And with Jersey Royals served at lunch, picked that morning, it’s easy to see why!

Manners and consideration for others is a cornerstone of the school’s ethos; how many Headmasters regularly receive compliments on the children’s manners?

Of course, all of this is not cheap – it costs about £7 per hour!

As the Headmaster says; “Our children leave us well-rounded, with a good work ethic, belief in their abilities and the confidence to look forward to the next stage of their school life.”

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St Michael’s School is set in beautiful countryside on the outskirts of St Helier, Jersey’s capital, and has the second biggest campus in Jersey including; • a purpose-built nursery with award-winning garden • modern classrooms • purpose-built subject rooms, such as Science, Technology, Art and Pottery • a Sports Hall, swimming pool, gym with stage, and dance studio • two rugby pitches, a hockey/athletics pitch, cross-country track and a cricket field and pavilion • a music hall and individual music rooms Award-winning nursery

• dedicated dining rooms – 94 per cent of our children opt for school lunches!

• a huge playground with lots of fun things to do!

• a uniform shop • a morning minibus service to bring pupils to school

“Although the school is non-selective and provides extra support for children who need

by kind permission of Stuart McAlister Photographers

Small classes

srooms

in modern clas

it, the aim is to stretch every child and our scholarship success speaks for itself.”

For more information about St Michael’s Preparatory School please visit www.stmichaelsschool.je St Michael’s Preparatory School, Five Oaks, St Saviour, Jersey JE2 7UG

Tel: 01534 856904 Email: office@stmichaels.je Website: www.stmichaelsschool.je

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bathroomUTOPIA On Tapp – a leading kitchen, bathroom and bedroom fitting service on Jersey introduces the latest supplier to their collection – Utopia.

Consistently up to date with the latest trends in interiors, On Tapp has a great selection of contemporary new bathroom suites from Utopia to choose from. Utopia has been producing quality bathroom suites for over twenty years, and On Tapp is proud to be a Utopia supplier. Every aspect of the design is carefully executed for both aesthetic value and practicality, while the quality is second to none – choose a Utopia bathroom and enjoy it for many years to come. There are several options to suit your space – why not let our expert designers advise you on the best option?

Modular Magic

Stylish Symmetry

The Symmetry Modular suite is the perfect choice for achieving the minimalist look. The curved pieces are designed to be wall hung, for the ultimate in contemporary design.

The design is carefully considered, with the curvature of the mirror echoing the shape of the basin below. An optional storage unit concealed at the end of the Symmetry bath provides the perfect hiding place for unsightly bottles, to create a bathroom that achieves that rare equilibrium of beauty and practicality.

Symmetry Freestanding is the ingenious new bathroom concept from Utopia. Freestanding, curved units are designed to complement one another or work individually, allowing for a creative and flexible approach to bathroom design. The doors, surfaces and finishes can all be tailored to your personal taste.

i-Line – Freestanding and Fitted Perfection The i-Line option gives a unique and contemporary look to freestanding or fitted bathroom furniture. Once the doors and finishes have been selected, the i-Line framing system is used to complete the look and visually combine the units.

Ultimate Wet Room Styling The stylish curves of this Encurva washbasin are kept elegant and clutter-free with ingenious storage solutions. The concealed draw and laminate surfaces make the most of the available space, while the black slate floor and wall tiles provide a sleek and stylish backdrop.

About On Tapp On Tapp is Jersey and Guernsey’s premier bathroom, bedroom and kitchen supplier, and it’s clear to see why. With 25 years of expertise in helping their customers achieve their dream homes, On Tapp has become renowned for enduring quality and craftsmanship. Whether you’re simply looking for supply only, or for assistance with design, supply and installation, On Tapp will be on hand to assist you in creating your perfect space.

For further information and advice on bathrooms, bedrooms or kitchens, please visit www.ontapp.com

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ADVERTORIAL

a feeling of Combining practicality with tranquility, Artizen Design offers a range of services from bespoke cabinet making to expert interior design for the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens of Jersey.

Having never advertised, it was surprising to hear that Artizen Design has a waiting list of clients. However, after speaking to this charismatic couple, it was easy to see why they have generated a large client base in such a short space of time.

“An artisan is a true craftsman who works with his hands and has reached the top of his trade,” explains Louisa Loughlin of Artizen.

“We named the business while on a holistic holiday, taking the Zen part from the theme of that weekend and the way we live our lives. Emphasising the value of intuition, experiential wisdom and harmony, combined with artisans, summed us up in one word,” she adds. Together with her husband Michael the Loughlins have spent the last few years building a business which uses both creative minds and practical skills to embellish the hidden fabulous houses of Jersey.

Combining their enthusiasm for bespoke design and decoration has opened up a world of opportunity for the couple – and in turn has opened up the doors of Jersey’s most beautiful homes. Offering a bespoke service with an expert eye, the couple have a history of design expertise with Michael holding 30 years of cabinet-making experience while Louisa has been handdecorating for 15 years.

Together they formed Artizen Design in 2005 before increasing their success with the formation of Artizen Kitchens Ltd, which specialises in bespoke kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.

Michael works directly with the client, designing practical and clever kitchens, utilising space and

adding style and individuality.

“We create kitchens from the traditional to the contemporary, show us a picture, and we’ll work on the idea,” Michael says, “We keep up to date with the latest kitchen technology, with top quality soft close mechanisms, hinges and handles.”

Louisa continues, “We now employ seven craftsmen in the business – some working on kitchens and some on iconic individual designs. Our artisans show great passion when creating beautiful pieces and it shows in the quality of their work. We create the antiques of the future, with quality to rival the best London cabinet makers.”

Their success is clear as many clients searched for similar businesses in the UK before discovering Artizen at their workshop in the Trinity countryside. The company regularly find that once one item is commissioned they are employed again to continue with other rooms of the house and then on to the client’s other properties abroad.

Together with superb craftsmanship Artizen Design is renowned for its interior design focus and Louisa takes inspiration from her passion for detail, observation and a love of art. “The wall is a huge canvas,” she says “I used to work

with lots of colour and create murals and paint effects, however, times have changed and my latest designs have given me a new direction.

I am concentrating on subtle contemporary pattern work in gloss and pearlescent lustre, using added hits of gold and silver leaf to embellish the walls. One of my clients nicknamed me ‘Madam Embellishment’ as I spent 7 months glorifying the walls of his house!”

Louisa is also passionate about eye-catching feature walls to really add a focal point to the room. “I design wallpaper style patterns taking inspiration from items in the room, and then make the patterns fit the wall exactly, she explains, ”there is nothing like bespoke, it makes the client feel very special.”

For more information or to book a consultation call 07797 745793 or visit www.artizendesign.co.uk

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the garden of africa

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the garden of africa

t h e

g a r d e n

o f

africa Otherwise known as the Garden Route, the area between Cape Town and Plettenberg offers a stunning scene of natural beauty and is the home to the prestigious ‘The Collection by Liz McGrath’ hotels – offering a perfect accompaniment to those wishing to stay.

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXX xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx South Africa is a country full of diversity, with a rich cultural heritage, and is emerging as a vibrant, youthful, forwardthinking destination worth exploring.

Each of the areas has its own unique beauty but the stretch between Cape Town and Plettenberg surely has to be one of the most breathtaking.

Sandwiched between the imposing mountain range and the stunning coastline, it offers the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Cape Town, the natural

T he

beauty of the winelands and wildlife in its natural habitat.

Someone who recognised how much the area has to offer is Liz McGrath who, over the last 20 years, has built up her unique collection of three, five-star, hotels situated in Constantia, Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay. They are all members of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux and their positioning is ideal for anyone wishing to explore the Garden Route.

C ellars - H ohenort

The Cellars-Hohenort

The Cellars-Hohenort is on the edge of Cape Town, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain within world-famous gardens.

The magnificent mountain backdrop creates a tranquil atmosphere in which afternoon tea on the terrace is an experience to be savoured. Each of the 41 rooms and suites is individually styled and the whole property has an understated elegance.

Executive chef Peter Tempelhoff, who joined ‘The Collection’ in 2008, has just achieved Grand Chef status with Relais & Châteaux, and is working with the five head chefs across the properties to achieve new culinary heights. The fine dining Greenhouse restaurant at the Cellars-Hohenort showcases his fresh approach to food:

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deconstructing classic dishes to give an element of surprise and using the finest quality local ingredients, and is fast becoming a destination restaurant. There is also the main Conservatory restaurant which offers modern cooking using local ingredients and an ‘exclusive use’ Cape Malay restaurant.

There is a spa, pools, tennis courts and a golf putting and chipping green on offer but for those wishing to explore the surrounding area, the Cellars is ideally situated for visiting the impressive Cape Town Waterfront development with its designer stores and numerous restaurants, or the world-famous botanical gardens in nearby Stellenbosh, not to mention leading wine estates offering tastings.

T H E

M A R I N E

H O T E L

The Marine Hotel

Less than two hours away, The Marine, in Hermanus, with 42 rooms and suites, is situated on the cliff edge boasting tremendous views across Walker Bay, making it perfect for whale watching – the main preoccupation of the majority of visitors to this small seaside town.

The sheltered waters make it a worldrenowned breeding ground for the

magnificent Southern Right whale.

From the rooms and suites to the sun lounge and restaurant, The Marine has a light airiness which reflects its location and creates a relaxed atmosphere. There are two restaurants, both producing a high standard of cuisine run under the watchful eye of Peter Tempelhoff: the main Pavillion

restaurant, with its unique ‘floating’ wine cellar, overlooks Walker Bay, while the Seafood restaurant gives a close-up view of the chefs cooking and includes on its menu a great version of fish and chips – perfect after a few hours of whale watching or a visit to Fernkloof Nature Reserve situated in the Kleinrivier Mountains above Hermanus.

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T H E

P L E T T E N B E R G

H O T E L The Plettenberg Hotel Completing ‘The Collection’ is The Plettenberg; sitting on a headland in Plettenberg Bay, it enjoys expansive views of the ocean and mountain range. The 37 rooms and suites accentuate the beach resort feel of the property with a light and airy contemporary style and fabulous ocean views.

Guests can enjoy breakfast or lunch on the pool terrace and pre-dinner cocktails at the bar before dinner in the Sand restaurant, or for something a little different, an intimate dinner for two in the wine cellar.

The Plettenberg is a great venue for relaxing, enjoying a little pampering in the spa and recharging the batteries. It is also within easy reach of some excellent safari lodges to add an extra dimension to the South African experience.

Liz McGrath is very passionate about her hotels and is determined that they should offer the best possible experience for anyone visiting, “I constantly strive for excellence,” she explains. “I set very high standards and my teams work hard to achieve them. I want my guests to enjoy every aspect of their stay and my staff are always on hand to meet their needs.”

For more information and for booking visit www.collectionmcgrath.com

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Images courtesy of www.wosa.co.za

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Images courtesy of www.wosa.co.za

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wine i n

t h e

The wine regions of South Africa are contrasting. They stretch from sea level in Cape Town to mountainous altitudes in the Cederberg and to the open plains of the Little Karoo and the Orange River. The Western Cape though dominates the industry, with most of the winemaking happening within its borders.

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m i d d l e et’s put it into perspective.

There are over 630 registered wine producers, more than 2000 grape farms and a growing number of wine routes, at last tally, 16. The wine industry in South Africa is just over 350 years old, but the soil is ancient. “We’re producing wines on the world’s oldest soils,” confirms Andre Morgenthal of Wines of South Africa (WOSA).

“When Pangaea separated into different continents the pressure and movement created mountains and layers of soil. It’s like pushing the pages of a paperback with your thumb; shorter pages juxtaposed against longer ones.”

Jan van Riebeeck, the first governor of the Cape, made a go of winemaking in 1659.

Soon afterwards Governor Simon van der Stel planted vineyards in what is now known as Constantia. Later, French winemaking skills arrived with the Huguenots, many of

whom fled persecution in Europe and settled in Franschhoek (‘The French Corner’). This event kick-started an industry of classical winemaking. The area still makes top-drawer Chardonnay, think honey and buttered toast – some even translating into Blanc de Blancs, a Méthode Cap Classique made purely with the revered grape. By the late 19th century German and Italian immigrants began settling in the Cape, bringing their viticulture and winemaking traditions with them too. From the former we’ve inherited Gewürztraminer and Riesling, and from the latter, noble Italian varieties such as Primitivo.

Stellenbosch, arguably the most popular red wine area, is a vigorous hub of restaurants, wine estates and students studying oenology at the university. It’s equally populated with Cape Dutch houses, deep storm gutters and cobbled streets – the history is tangible.

Another top region, found between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, is Paarl. Like

wine in the middle

other regions Paarl can also be divided into sub-regions called wards. The Voor-Paardeberg is one, situated on a granite outcrop just outside the town of Paarl. An undulating valley of green hills, pregnant vineyards and mountains peppered with fynbos. Wineries here make boutique, handcrafted wines with distinctive terroir. Winemaker Matthew Copeland of Vondeling makes wine in a classic, artisanal style that would be hard to describe as New World. Matthew agrees: “There’s actually a huge amount of classical wine being made in South Africa. But for a long time, during the period of isolation in Apartheid, SA wines were quite generic as development was halted. Post ’90s the winemaking styles really matured. And the strengths of different regions are finally being showcased.”

Matthew attributes the diverse styles of wine to the various micro-climates of the winemaking pockets – impacting on the meso-climate and vine performance. Think of the sandstone slopes

of Table Mountain, the granite peaks of the Paardeberg and the shale of the Swartland.

South African vineyards are planted with several noble varieties which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, not forgetting a signature white variety, Chenin Blanc. This white grape is South Africa’s most widely planted cultivar, originating from the Loire Valley of France. It was once known as the ‘workhorse’ of the industry as it was mostly used as a blending component.

Winemakers are now crafting Chenins with much more care. This hugely dynamic wine can be opulent when wooded, a crisp white for summer drinking and even distilled to make top traditional brandies. Andre Morgenthal (WOSA) thinks that we can’t compare our Chenins to others in the world. “You’ll find the flavour profile nowhere else. It has such ageability – because of our sun and soil.”

And of course there’s Pinotage, South Africa’s very own grape. The first professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University grafted together two vines, Pinot Noir and Hermitage (Cinsaut), and the result was the patriotic grape. Some adore it, others abhor it, but it is seldom dull. Bad examples can taste overtly of coffee and even banana, but when treated well deep berries and white pepper play on the palate.

It can sometimes be hard to showcase the diversity of South African wines. A Swedish native and sommelier at the Grande Roche in Paarl, Josephine Gutentoft said on the matter: “Quite a few of my fellow sommeliers from Sweden have this preconceived idea that the wines are all the same here. Unfortunately if you only taste a few wines, in the same style, you may think that all wines are like that, which is not at all true. I believe that SA wines

‘Post ’90s the winemaking styles really matured.

And the strengths of different regions are finally being showcased.’

are as good as, and often better than, many wines of the world.”

Josephine also goes on to say that it’s very easy to find wines of quality that are good value for money. A point WOSA’s Andre concurs: “People find real gems on a broader base. Our challenge is our diversity; we can’t hang our hat on one variety.”

In South Africa the same variety can differ hugely from region to region due to its geography and topography. A Sauvignon Blanc here can burst with tropical fruit, and maritime specimens can show flint and steel. There are some so racy and green they taste of grass and sunlight.

The Cape Floral Kingdom perfectly illustrates the dynamism of the South African winelands. There are more plant species in the Western Cape than there are in the entirety of Northern Europe. This floral diversity is due to a kaleidoscope of soils, which in turn influence the vineyards too.

Stylistically, South African wines have been said to occupy the middle ground between Old World and New. They are structured for elegance and food compatibility. And ideally, they’re meant to be enjoyed under endless skies.

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A Taste of Relais & ChAteau

32 Inspirational Chefs

South Africa edition

Now going global A Taste of Relais & Châteaux has journeyed to Africa to reveal the best of African cuisine to the world.

Also including properties in South Africa, Mauritius and the Seychelles, A Taste of Relais & Châteaux African edition shares dishes that symbolise South African cuisine.

Together with a selection of recipes from Cape Malay – a traditional South African style of cooking and the chefs’ own personal home favourites A Taste of Relais & Châteaux Africa is here.

Order your copy now from www .chefmagazine.co.uk

price on application

price on

application... (and the phrase book, tourist guide and currency converter too) From keeping track of your flights to finding the best restaurants in every city across the world, smartphone apps have become an indispensable travel companion for the modern age. Rebecca Ellwood looks at the handiest downloads around to help make your voyage a little bit easier.

Great For...

Great for...

Getting the most out of your stay at Longueville

Rubbing their noses in it

Longueville Manor Longueville Manor now has its very own app to help you get the most out of your stay.

Learn about the key people who bring the hotel to life each day, discover the menus, services, and special offers, learn all about the history of Jersey, and plan your itinerary with the handy guide on what’s on in the local area.

Price: Free Developer: Jon Sprank

Postman This nifty app lets you send postcards to your friends from your holiday destination. Take a picture, attach an image from your library or simply use a Google Maps shot, add a theme and a message, and voila – send via email or upload them to your Facebook or Twitter account to instigate major holiday envy. It’s considerably quicker than an actual postman.

Price: £1.99 Developer: Freeverse, Inc.

Great For...

Great For...

Not forgetting anything

Stuffing your face

Tripit

Zagat To Go

The award-winning Tripit app is priceless for keeping the itinerary for your trip all in one place, with no need to keep trawling through your inbox for confirmation emails. Simply forward your confirmations to plans@tripit.com, and the virtual organiser will store all of the details you need. You can share your trips with friends and family, and even sync it up with your Facebook or LinkedIn account to let your contacts know where you’re heading next.

Available to use while online or offline, this virtual edition of the popular Zagat guide features restaurant reviews and ratings from over 45 Zagat guides. Whether you’re looking for the best burger in town or the most romantic restaurant around, this app is indispensable.

Price: £6.99 Developer: Handmark, Inc.

Price: Free Developer: Tripit, Inc.

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price on application

Great For...

Great For...

Penny/Dollar/Yen-pinchers

Being a tour guide

Currency

Wikitude

Check conversion rates for more than 100 different currencies worldwide with this handy app. Great for keeping an eye on the budget – bad for those moments when you’re trying to convince yourself that that handbag really doesn’t cost that much... because 100,000Yen is only worth £20 in English money, right?

Wikitude world browser is an augmented reality platform that will give you the lowdown on your chosen destination – and make you look very clever. Simply point the camera on your smartphone at the area of interest, and the app will overlay the display with all the tourist information you need to know on your chosen place, in addition to details of restaurants, events and places of interest in the surrounding area.

Price: Free Developer: Jeffrey Grossman

Price: Free Developer: Mobilizy GmbH

Great For...

Great For...

Averting disaster

Asking where the toilet is

FlightTrack – Live Flight Status Tracker

Google Translate

There is nothing more annoying than having to loiter around an airport for hours after finding that your flight has been delayed or, even worse, cancelled.

This app will enable you to check gate numbers, delays and cancellations and find alternative flights for over 5000 airports around the world.

Gone are the days of carting dog-eared phrase books around with you on your travels. Google Translate does exactly what it says on the box – type or speak clearly into your phone the phrase you would like to have translated, and the app will instantly convert it into 15 different languages. Magnifique!

Price: Free Developer: Google Mobile

Price: £2.99 Developer: Ben Kazez

Great For...

Great For...

Avoiding soggy sandals

Peace of mind

Weather Pro

TripAdvisor

This app will give a detailed seven-day weather forecast, satellite images and charts for over two million locations around the world, so you can be perfectly sure that your best laid plans won’t be a washout. You can even find out when to catch the sunset in your chosen location, to add a touch of romance to your trip (aww).

TripAdvisor has become the go-to website for honest and frank reviews on hotels, restaurants and attractions around the world, from people who have actually experienced them. This information is now available at your fingertips in a must-have app – the #1free travel app in more than 80 countries – which has plenty of added extras, including a virtual tour, live view and a ‘Near Me Now’ tool.

Price: £2.49 Developer: Meteo Group

Price: Free Developer: TripAdvisor

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AT LEAPINGWELL & STRONG WE OFFER A SPECIALIST SERVICE TO JERSEY’S MORE DISCERNING INDIVIDUALS THAT LOOKS AFTER ALL ASPECTS OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. Our discreet personal one-to-one relationships provide our clients with New, Specialist and Classic car consultancy. Each of our clients has a bespoke service, individually tailored to suit their requirements.

With over 20 years managerial experience with Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari & Porsche, we can realize the right asset on a worldwide basis through our exclusive network. Followed by our after sales Concierge service, we can reposition your assets to any country, at any time of year. Naturally it goes without saying that confidentiality is paramount when one wants to maximize the enjoyment of their assets.

Telephone: +44 (0) 1534 869699 Mobile: +44 (0) 7797 712355

Email: enquiries@leapingwellstrong.com Internet: www.leapingwellstrong.com

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One heart Three legends

N AV I T I M E R

C H R O N O M AT

T R A N S O C E AN

With its Manufacture Caliber 01, Breitling has created the most reliable, accurate and top-performance of all selfwinding chronograph movements – entirely produced in its own workshops and chronometercertified by the COSC. A perfectly logical accomplishment for a brand that has established itself as the absolute benchmark in the field of mechanical chronographs.

Stott & Willgrass 6 York Street, St.Helier, Jersey JE2 3RQ, Channel Islands Tel: 01534 735 950 Fax: 01534 735 950 email: sales@stottandwillgrass.com

W W W. B R E I T L I N G . C O M