SO Magazine December 2021

CULTURE

Stepping up

Strictly star Shirley Ballas on putting her best foot forward to play the baddie in the Assembly Hall panto

BUSINESS

FOOD & DRINK

Why The Diamond Setter is a jewel of a local business - and the place to source perfect Christmas gifts

The George & Dragon in Speldhurst is the perfect place to spend the festive season with family

All that glitters Warm welcome

RAISE YOUR GLASSES… WE TOAST THE UNCORKING OF KENT WINES - A BRAND NEW BUSINESS VENTURE FROM LARRY HARDCASTLE AND JACK BRENNAN

DECEMBER 2021

Be Yourself at Claremont

Nursery & Prep School St Leonards, East Sussex TN37 7PW . 01424 751555

Senior School & Sixth Form Bodiam, East Sussex TN32 5UJ . 01580 830396

admissions@claremontschool.co.uk . claremontschool.co.uk/events

Welcome

Editor’s LETTER

T

is the season to be jolly and we hope that your December issue of SO magazine will certainly help you feel that way!

As we approach the big day on December 25 it can be all too easy to feel utterly overwhelmed with the amount of planning, shopping, cooking and of course partying to be done before you get the chance to kick back and relax over Christmas.

So in this edition we aim to give you a helping hand with a few things ahead of the festive season.

The first is wine! If you’re looking for something just a little bit different to serve to guests at parties then let Larry Hardcastle and Jack Brennan of Kent Wines be your guides to sourcing some spectacular ones. The pair tell us about their favourite tipples – and all about the new local English wine delivery business they have recently launched on page 10.

And if you’re looking to keep the kids entertained then we have our pantomime round up – plus an exclusive interview with Strictly’s Shirley Ballas who will be appearing in the Assembly Hall panto as the Wicked Queen – on pages 19-20.

Talking of the theatre, if you’re after something traditional with a twist then you can’t miss the GOOMS’ performances of The Three Scooges at The Beacon (P29). Running all month until December 19 this immersive theatre and dining extravaganza promises to be an absolutely cracking event to experience. As does Castlemas in Tonbridge (P27) which will bring together a host of

5 9 10

P33

Local and live: Paul Dunton tells us who to see perform where this Christmas

talented singers, performers and producers all in one space so you can really get into the spirit of Christmas.

An interview with The Diamond Setter who can create the jewellery of your dreams (P23); children’s toy ideas courtesy of Whirligig (P31); ideas on where to feast over the festive season (The George & Dragon P33 and STEAK P37) plus top hair and beauty tips for Christmas from local experts (P41) and how to dress your table for dinner on December 25 (P45) completes the Christmas package which we believe gives something for everyone to enjoy this month.

Merry Christmas and a very happy and peaceful New Year to you all,

Eileen Leahy Editor So magazine Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @somagazines

Tel: 01892 779650 www.timeslocalnews.co.uk

eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk

December 2021

Culture vulture: what’s on where this month

Issue 158 SALOMONS ESTATE Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0TG

EDITOR Eileen Leahy

contents

DESIGN David Sexton

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITORIAL Victoria Truman Richard Moore richard.moore@onemediauk.co.uk Karen Martin Naomi Murray

Tis the season to be tranquil: Naomi Murray from Botanica discusses the importance of staying stress-free over Christmas P19

14

Picture perfect: The Design Gallery celebrates the launch of its new exhibition Rock Stars: From punk to pop

16 19

In the chic midwinter: The Wealden Times Christmas fair returns Dancing Queen: Shirley Ballas reveals why she’s looking forward to playing mean in this year’s Assembly Hall pantomime

23

All that glitters: Discover how The Diamond Setter can recreate new pieces of jewellery for you

27

Toy story: Jess Gibson of The TN Card speaks to the Whirligig toy shop about their business

41 43

Cover shot on location at Salomons Estate

45 46 48 50

Spirit of Christmas: The creators of Castlemas tell us why they’ve launched this unique festive event that’s perfect for all the family

29 31

What the Dickens: GOOMS put on their immersive theatrical production of The Three Scrooges

P45

SALES advertising@onemediauk.co.uk

Looking good: Local beauty experts tell you how to get your glow for the party season

12 Days of Christmas: Hypnotherapist Karen Martin on how to cope with family over the festivities Best dressed: Tips on how to create a top table for December

Flower power: Victoria Truman reveals the best gift ideas for gardeners

PHOTOGRAPHY Marissa Cooper

All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

Cutting it: We pay a visit to STEAK and discover the secret of

its success

A corker of a new business: We meet Larry Hardcastle and Jack Brennan from Kent Wines: a new subscription-based delivery service specialising in local English tipples

Get away from it all: Jet off to New York City for an unforgettable winter break

PRINTED BY: Mortons Print PUBLISHED BY

33 37 38

By George: Why The George & Dragon in Speldhurst is having new life breathed into it

Drive of your life: We test drive the DBX – Aston Martin’s

first SUV

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 3

Calendar

Our edit of the most entertaining events happening this month...

SANTA BABY… Father Christmas is back at The Hop Farm during selected dates this December so why not take your little ones along to meet him in person in his magical grotto?

This walk-through experience includes photo opportunities, a Christmas gift and entry to the family park and animal farm. The visits run from December 4 to 23 https:// thehopfarm.co.uk/events/ father-christmas-at-the-hopfarm

RICHARD DURRANT’S CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS CONCERT On Wednesday December 15 at 8pm musician Richard Durrant will be holding his annual and much-loved candlelit Christmas concert at Trinity theatre. In addition to Richard playing some festive tunes with a folkish twist he will be joined by a few very special guests including Amy Kakoura, Brian Gulland, and Django and Felix Durrant. For more information www. trinitytheatre.net

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS Salomons Estate is offering little ones the chance to meet Father Christmas and his elves a number of times during December. During the Cosy Grotto visit children will get to do some festive colouring, participate in a Christmas treasure trail, do some gingerbread decorating and enjoy a hot chocolate.

The meet and greets take place on December 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. In addition to this there will also be the opportunity to dine on a roast dinner with Santa on Sunday December 12 and on Christmas Eve there will also be a chance to have breakfast with him and his Elves too – but be quick as tickets are selling fast!

For more information, tickets and timings visit www. salomons-estate.com/whatson-news/christmas-atsalomons-estate-2021

DID YOU KNOW? Salomons Estate’s one-time owner Sir David Lionel Salomons was the first person in the country to introduce electricity to his home. His love for all things science-driven is evident throughout the stately home so check it out next time you’re there. (pictured left)

DID YOU KNOW? Despite its impressive heritage, the Hop Farm has only changed hands four times in 450 years. It was originally owned by the Whitbread brewery company and operated as a fully working farm before opening its doors to the public and becoming a popular attraction.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

MARKET VALUE

A whole host of festive frivolities are happening at the Sussex Country Gardener near Mark Cross this December. Choose from breakfast or afternoon tea with Santa, indulge in some late night shopping or a trip around the venue’s great value Christmas Grotto. www. sussexcountrygardener.co.uk/ collections/christmas-events

On December 10 there will be a nocturnal festive market in Cranbrook.

Packed full of stalls selling all manner of artisan gifts, delicious food and tempting treats, it’s the perfect way to get into the festive spirit - with a mulled wine or two.

You can discover more about this event at https:// cranbrookandsissinghurstpc. co.uk/cranbrook-town-market

At the time of going to press most of the events were still scheduled to run but please do check with each venue before heading out somewhere…

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 5

Calendar

FESTIVE FUN A visit to Father Christmas is sold out at Hever, however you can still experience their garden festivities in order to feel merry. Begin on the Pinocchio Christmas Trail, enjoy a ride at the fairground, peruse the Christmas shops, meet the huskies – yes really - and, after 4pm, follow the magical Christmas light trail.

The festivities run throughout December until January 3.

More information can be found at www.hevercastle.co. uk/whats-on/hever-castlechristmas

DID YOU KNOW?

AN ILLUMINATING IDEA FOR ALL

We know that Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn but did you realise that in 1540, Anne’s former husband King Henry VIII gave the castle to another of his wives, Anne of Cleves.

One of the best places to experience a little sprinkling of festive magic is at Bedgebury Pinetum and the illuminating adventure runs until December 31. Take a walk through the stunning floodlit forest and marvel at the many colourfully lit trees and shrubs and Christmas trees floating on boats.

Tickets and timings can be found at www. christmasatbedgebury. seetickets.com but tickets are selling fast!

ICE COOL BABY The town’s popular ice rink is now open again for the festive season. In addition to the two rinks, the smaller of which is reserved for young children and their parents and carers, there’s the popular Polar Bar serving all manner of refreshments. And for the first time the Fine Grind coffee shop has a pop up there. Tickets are priced according to the times you visit and start at £15 per adult. Santa Claus is also dropping by and certain times and there will also be the opportunity to dance with some Disney Princesses!

Open until January 3 you can find out more at www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

THE POWER OF PERFECT PANTO There are several brilliant local pantos going on in the area over the Christmas period. In addition to the Assembly Hall Theatre’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – which stars Strictly’s Head Judge Shirley Ballas and runs from December 17 until January 3 - you can see Rapunzel at the EM Fortser theatre (December 10 to January 2) and The Prince & The Pauper at Trinity (December 8 to January 2).

Tickets can be booked at their websites: www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk/whats-on/snow-whiteand-the-seven-dwarfs https://emftheatre. ticketsolve.com/ shows/1173600244/ events/428255639 www.trinitytheatre.net/ events/the-prince-and-thepauper

At the time of going to press most of the events were still scheduled to run but please do check with each venue before heading out somewhere…

6 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

ROCK STARS PUNK TO POP

THE DESIGN GALLERY

Selling exhibition of rare 1970s photography Until 31St December

ROcK StaRS phOtOgRaphS BY LEEE BLacK chILDERS

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Music

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AFTERNOON TEA Christmas is fast approaching, so why not begin the festivities at One Warwick Park Hotel! Join us for a delicious festive afternoon tea. Available from 1st December – 24th December.

Christmas 2021 at salomons estate One night in vegas This December Salomons Estate is staging a number of Las Vegas themed party nights so you can celebrate in style with friends, family and colleagues.

‘One Night in Vegas’ Party Nights include: Glass of prosecco on arrival 3 course choice festive menu Casino tables Disco and dancing until 1am Dress to impress / Vegas Vibes

£49.50

a very BuBLÉ Christmas Make it a Holly Jolly Christmas with the show that has Everything in it and will definitely leave you Feeling Good.

One night only Thursday 9th December 2020

per person

Available Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays throughout December TiMiNGS Arrival from 7pm, 1am finish.

Dinner service time will be confirmed nearer the time.

Glass of prosecco on arrival 2 course choice festive menu (Main and dessert) Live singing from the ‘Bublé Experience’ tribute act Disco and dancing until 1am Dress to impress

£45

per person Available for groups of 8 people or more.

TiMiNGS Arrival from 7pm, dinner served 7.30pm, live entertainment 9.30pm-11pm disco and dancing until 1am finish.

COUNTRY HOUSE

Christmas Day hamper

Festive LunChes Gather your friends, family, neighbours or colleagues and enjoy a festive lunch within our stunning country house, set within 36 acres of picturesque landscape, the perfect way to get into the festive spirit.

Christmas Day Lunch prepared by our Executive Chef, delivered fresh to your door, from just

£23.33 per person

Available 20th November-24th December

The stress free and tasty option for a Christmas feast at home!

Enjoy a two course or three course lunch from our festive lunch menu.

2 courses

£24.50 per person

3 courses

£29.50 per person

Minimum numbers and venue hire charges apply for private dining.

Drawing room (minimum 45 people) Theatre (minimum 70 people) Conservatory (minimum 20 people) Gold and Leighton (minimum 20 people)

Christmas Day LunCh Saturday 25th December Sit back, relax and enjoy Christmas Day in the stunning surroundings of our picturesque estate. Let us take care of the hard work this Christmas, so you can enjoy your day with loved ones.

Enjoy a four course carvery, including tea/coffee and mini mince pie and a chocolate gift for all the family.

£85

per adult

£45

per children aged 12 and under Tables available from 12pm-4pm

to book please email reservations@salomons-estate.com or call 01892 515152

8 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

A delicious 2 or 3 course traditional family Christmas lunch, for 6 people, supplied ready dressed and prepared for you to easily cook and serve at home.

Each course is supplied ready to cook with easy to follow instructions, leaving you to simply, serve and enjoy.

£140

for 2 courses for 6 people

£180

for 3 courses for 6 people Collection from Salomons Estate or delivery* within a 5 mile radius on 24th December from 9am to 5pm. *Delivery is an additional £10.

Photograph © Nigel Martin – www.facebook.com/nigelmartinphotography

FROM ONLY £25 PER PERSON.

Music

Photograph © Nigel Martin – www.facebook.com/nigelmartinphotography

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR TO SEE LIVE MUSIC LOCALLY…

visit www.twforum.co.uk/listings Back at its original venue The Forum has a jam-packed music programme during December and my top recommendations include the riproaring alt-folk four piece Noble Jacks on December 3. The Forum's popular emerging acts showcase The Stable enjoys a healthy Christmas run with shows on December 6, 12, 13 and 14.

There are some great line ups to enjoy with acts such as Alex Beharrell, Higgs & The Bosons, The Act, Claire Pitt, Illusive Fish, Gatling, The Secret Crowd, The Next Agenda, Ash Dodd and Ruan Fox and many more all taking part. Tim Cullen's popular 'Switch' house and techno DJ night returns on December 4. The line-up will feature international headliners alongside Tim and local up coming talent. The U18 open mic returns on December 7 and the superb folk inspired Beans On Toast headlines on December 8. Ozric Tentacles formed during the solstice at Stonehenge Free Festival in 1983 who went on to become psychedelic staples at Glastonbury and other festivals take to the state on December 9. The creative vision of

playing old school Soul, Funk, Disco and Classic Hip Hop. There is plenty of wonderful live music taking place at The Grey Lady Music Lounge during the festive period. Don your dancing shoes for Soul Avenue on December 3; Groove Agents on December 4; Into The Blue on December 10; Disco Odyssey on December 17 and Over The Edge on December 18. All are absolutely superb live acts so make sure you catch a few. Plenty of excellent local singer-songwriters and original bands will also be in action at The Grey Lady Sessions showcases. They include Luke Jackson & Mike Wilton on December 5, Marie White & The Frampton Sisters on December 12, Prison Beach Club & The Charlie Rivers Band on December 19 and Harry Whitty Band December 26. Post Christmas you can check out Suncharmer & Sorrel Nation Band on December 27, Anna Howie & Jennifer Lee Ridley & Chris Parris play the following night with Cyrano, Steffan James & All The Above taking to the stage on December 29 and Jono Harrison and Duch Jo on December 30.

Richard Durrant

Jennifer Lee Ridley

With the festive season in full swing our resident music columnist Paul Dunton explores the live music that’s coming up this month at some of your favourite local arts venues…

W Paul Dunton Music Editor

Follow Paul @PaulDuntonmusic

ith the party season now upon us I thought this would be a good opportunity to highlight many of the wonderful live music events happening. And the good news is there’s plenty of genre variety so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Internationally renowned guitarist Richard Durrant will be performing a candlelit show at Trinity Theatre on December 15. Durrant is a world class virtuoso, compelling storyteller and genial host. Audiences will be treated to a varied repertoire spanning Renaissance, Christian, Pagan and Folk music plus Durrant’s own tunes. He will be joined on the night by special guests Amy Kakoura, Brian Gulland, and Django & Felix Durrant.

Fans of Jazz, Blues and everything in between can catch the vibrant Richard Exall's Shooting Stars Quintet at The

Masonic Hall on December 3. For classical music enthusiasts, The Church of King Charles the Martyr is a noted venue for classical music events and I highly recommend their December 4 concert where they will be offering a breathtaking performance of Handel's Messiah.

The Forum has collaborated with The Assembly Hall to bring live music to the Ice Rink in Calverley Grounds.

Up and coming local bands and artists will be performing on four Thursday nights in December playing a mix of pop/rock to indie, Americana and folk.

Two to three exciting acts will take to the stage every night from 7-9pm. The final Thursday gig will be on December 16. Situated inside the SKATE marquee, there will be the chance to see live music, enjoy a drink and have a bite to eat. And of course – the opportunity to have a skate! For details of which acts are performing

multi-instrumentalist Ed Wynne, the Ozrics’ uniquely trippy soundscapes connect fans of progressive rock, psychedelia and dance music culture.

For Eighties fans who enjoy a good boogie and singalong DJ Alex Macnutt (of Ministry Of Sound) brings you a night of 80s classics on December 11.

The excellent Black Foxxes top the bill a few days later on December 15 with support from Emily Isherwood and Neve and on December 16 look out for Neville Staple, the Legendary front man of The Specials, Fun Boy Three and Special Beat. Duran Duran tribute act Duran will be rocking the Forum on December 17 while on December 23 The Local & Live Festival will be hosting its annual Christmas party fundraiser featuring a selection of popular local bands with all proceeds will go towards next year’s festival. If you are looking to dance the night away on New Year's Eve, then Boogie Nights presented by DJs Markus Holler and Richard Marshall will be

The Royal Oak Pub has a busy evening of live music with The Harveys and The Watermen Trio playing on December 3. Local Americana inspired group Coney Island Maybe launch their new EP on December 10 while lSuper Duper and The Ya Yas return on December 11. Saturday December 18 sees the Supajam Christmas fundraiser with Kharma and The Devil, The River Flows and more to be announced.

Sunday December 19 sees the Harry Whitty Trio perform a headline afternoon show at 4pm so make sure you get there early.

And as for New Year's Eve? Well my top choice would be the Hug-Many event on The Pantiles, which raises money for numerous local charities and features live music on the bandstand, culminating in a superb fireworks display.

All that’s left for me to say is to keep supporting live music all year round and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 9

Cover feature

SPARKLING SUCCESS: Larry Hardcastle (left) and Jack Brennan

Meet the wine entrepreneurs who have some grape expectations Kent Wines is a new online subscription business which has just launched, delivering a selection of the county’s finest wines direct to your door every month. Here its founders Larry Hardcastle and Jack Brennan reveal why they decided to set up an exclusive members’ club which celebrates the finest wines made right here on our doorstep

W

hen it comes to doing a dream job then Jack Brennan and Larry Hardcastle are certainly doing theirs.

The duo recently pooled together their respective wine knowledge and business acumen – not to mention passion for drinking English wines – in order to set up a new subscription-based wine delivery service which cherry picks viticulture offerings from both well-known and lesser so vineyards from around the local area so fellow wine fans can also discover and enjoy them.

The idea for Kent Wines, which offers a monthly subscription of three wines delivered direct to your door, came about earlier this year as the hospitality sector started to open up after months of lockdown due to Covid.

“It was around April that we had the idea to launch a business that celebrated our local vineyards and offered clients something really special,” explains Jack, as we sit down to chat at Salomons Estate.

“I had been working at Chapel Down but I decided to leave after a restructure. I’ve known Larry for years and was aware that he wanted to do something subscription-based so we got talking and came up with the idea of doing a wine delivery service.”

But the pair didn’t want to do a run of the mill wine club. Instead Larry who heads up a number of other business enterprises including the tech agency Studio44 - and Jack had other ideas.

“We wanted to be hyper local, focusing on what’s available on our doorstep,” says Larry. “Once we started visiting various vineyards we realised there were so many amazing places and we wanted to share that passion and knowledge with others.”

Jack adds that right now this locality is where you’ll find some of

10 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

the best still and sparkling wines around. “We genuinely believe that Kent has got the best vineyards. But Sussex is also on a par so we have been exploring there too. It says it all when you think a well known champagne brand wanted to buy up land in this region twenty years ago.

Our terroir is now the same as the Champagne region which makes for some very exciting wine production.”

The terroir – which factors in the soil and climate where a particular wine is produced – is certainly proving to be successful given the amount of vineyards, both established and fledgling, that are around right now.

“When we started exploring different wineries we were amazed by the amount of good ones out there,” states Larry. “As we went out tasting we soon discovered that we were enjoying every single one! So actually it’s been hard to choose just three bottles per box!”

Jack says that one of Kent Wines’ key aims is to help spread the word about the impressive vinious offerings we have on our doorstep. “It’s now more important than ever to support local given Brexit and the effect the pandemic has had on small businesses.

So yes, we want to help spread the word about those vineyards you might not necessarily have heard of but are brilliant. We want to give our customers opportunities to buy local and try new varietals.”

Larry goes on to say that it’s been ‘really fascinating’ to be out in the vineyards and meeting the makers. “A lot of the exclusive deals we have with producers are because we have made the effort to go out and meet them.” In other words they haven’t just dialled up numerous companies but instead put the effort in to visit, experience tasting flights and chat - just as any genuine wine fan would.

So what’s the Kent Wines offer?

Cover feature

Well, there are three different levels of subscription ranging from £60 to £100 per month with boxes split into three different categories: Explorers, Discoverers and Pioneers. There is no fixed-term contract so customers can opt in and out at any time. A new trio of boxes will be announced in the first week of every month for customers to choose from.

“Our box names were derived from the fact that you go on a journey with wine. You explore a little, then discover a gem and after a while then you’re a pioneer,” says Jack.

So how are they curating each offering? “It’s a lot to do with our experience with each vineyard,” replies Jack. “The wines in our first box - which we will start to deliver this month - are impeccable. We

wanted a powerful start and we think we have achieved that by working with Balfour which is very well known, alongside Meophams and Yotes Court which are not as established but are still incredible.”

Larry agrees: “It’s a good combination. Each wine in our three launch boxes is an absolutely outstanding product - as will others be that we choose for future months. I suppose we wanted to balance what people knew already while also introducing smaller growers and in turn helping to support them. It’s not just championing what’s already out there and well known. It’s about a journey of discovery.”

And if people really like a particular wine in one of their boxes then Jack and Larry are encouraging their

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS – JACK AND LARRY’S FAVOURITE ENGLISH TIPPLE Jack: Yotes Court Hands and Heels Pinot Blanc (below) – it’s just incredible Larry: Me too! It was such a surprise when we tasted it. . . . we looked at each other and agreed it was next level and had to go in the launch box.

charities offering prizes and we customers to go directly to the recently sponsored the Tori Scott vineyard to buy more. comedy night at Trinity so people are “Ultimately we are offering a taste of what each vineyard can do so if you starting to get to know the Kent Wines name.” like it you can find out more from Talking of names, Jack and Larry them and buy direct from their cellar say they are not going to be solely door,” Jack discloses. “We are a focused on just what the conduit if you like, we want Garden of England has to help the smaller to offer. producers of these “We’ve been amazing wines heading into grow.”

Sussex too and Since Kent “We’re hoping to discovering Wines host some tastings and how good announced its they are so launch last work with local bars and we figured month restaurants to help that we interest has improve their English couldn’t been strong. possibly leave Larry says wine offering” them out! We’re that the finding that website has people want to had plenty of shop local and traction already therefore reduce their and they’ve been in carbon footprint so we’re helping lots of conversations with a them do that with what we offer – and number of vineyards. ultimately to be more adventurous “We’ve been overwhelmed by than just always going for the £5 the response,” smiles Jack. supermarket bottle of wine.”

“People are really excited about Other notable USPs of the Kent it! We’ve already done some Wines business are that it’s work with a couple of local SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 11

Cover feature

sustainable: “We use no plastics at all unlike most other wine delivery companies,” confirms Jack.

They also take the time to include their own personal tasting notes alongside those of each vineyard – something the pair believes gives them a bespoke edge. “We feel that this just adds a bit more of a personal touch and is something that not everyone is doing,” Larry tells me.

Kent Wines also boasts exclusivity with certain vineyards including launch partner Meophams: “That is another great selling point for us and that’s come about by going out and exploring what’s out there and being very personable. So far the vineyards we are working with have been

Kent Wines aims to help spread the word about the impressive vinious offerings we have on our doorstep, to promote sustainability, quality and value for money

wonderfully supportive,” Jack notes.

Larry reveals that as Kent Wines becomes more established, monthly offerings will be curated to certain seasons and occasions.

“We’ll tailor it throughout the year so there will be a heavier bias on whites and rosés in the summer months. There aren’t lots of English reds around so they’ll be few and far between but there will be plenty of sparkling as there are so many out there - most of which far exceed Champagnes so we’re really happy to be featuring some of those.”

Larry also discloses they are also very keen to branch out into hosting events. “We’re hoping to host some tastings and work with local bars and

Balfour is one of the wineries that Kent Wines are working with

UNCORKING THE IDEA BEHIND KENT WINES There are three different wines in each box.

There are three styles of boxes to choose from every month with nine wines on offer in total “The difference in each box,” explains Larry is the Explorers is for your everyday drinking, then you get slightly more adventurous with the Discoverers and your top tip is in the Pioneers box. We got the inspiration for our names from our own journey with wine: you tend to start exploring then move up: when you’re an expert on it you’re a pioneer ….” www.kent-wines.com

12 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

restaurants to help improve their English wine offering. I think there is a real appetite out there for it from a consumer point of view. When going out for dinner we’ve been very focused on ordering local wine as you’re not only supporting regional industry you can discover something amazing in the process.”

Jack says that upmarket restaurant The Lyle on Forest Road also wants to work with them stocking wines and doing tastings. “They would like around 60% of their wine menu to be English so they contacted us asking for our help. Vittle and Swig on Camden Road also want to do tastings as do Geography on the High Street.”

And although Kent Wines is based in Tunbridge Wells that doesn’t mean they’ll only deliver locally. “We have a warehouse in Tonbridge and a deal with a local freight company who can deliver nationwide. It’s all about getting Kent and Sussex wines out to a bigger audience.”

But having said that, before they expand too much Larry divulges that the initial plan is local saturation. “We want to focus on the two counties of

Kent and Sussex first as they are likely to be the biggest fans. We want to ensure we are satisfying that local thirst. People who live in Kent are more likely to want to support their own county.

“We’ve deliberately pitched the business as high end – working with premium brands. One of the challenges is that English wine lovers tend to be older and that’s fine but we also want to appeal to a younger demographic too.

We want to attract those who don’t know about English wines.”

Jack adds: “What we’re trying to do in addition to offering quality wines, opening up the market and promoting sustainability is to offer value for money too. So if you are ordering through us it will never be more expensive than buying direct. The vineyards wouldn’t sell you individual bottles anyway but even if they did we will always aim to be better value. The essence is to appeal to those who love wine but want to try something different and we can definitely deliver all those elements.”

We’ll certainly drink to that!

Cover feature

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Buy delicious grass fed meat. Reared to the highest welfare and nutritional standards.

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SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 13

social scene

Every picture tells a story Last month saw the launch of the ‘Rock Stars: Punk to Pop’ exhibition at The Design Gallery in The Pantiles Arcade and it attracted a lively crowd of photography and music fans…

A new exhibition of a private collection of rare, limited-edition photographs shot in the 1970s in downtown New York and London’s Soho has gone on display at The Design Gallery on The Pantiles.

The nostalgic show features rare images of iconic music stars including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Sid Vicious, John Lennon, Tina Turner, Madonna and Elton John shot by the likes of Leee Black Childers, Nat Finkelstein, and Bob Grue.

“Every photograph reveals a hidden story,” said Stephen at the private view which took place last month. Many of the images are available to purchase and are all signed by the photographers who took them.

Stephen will be hosting free weekend talks about the transition from the birth of punk to the development of the international pop scene until December 31. For more information visit www. designgallery.co.uk

14 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

Photographs © David Bartholomew

The show is curated by best-selling author Stephen Colegrave, who has also interviewed many of the bands and musicians featured in the exhibition.

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seem in need of a bit more attention, both emotionally and financially, once we finally stop and see them properly.

Often after holidays and festive seasons spent together, we hear from family members who are worried about someone and hopefully we can help with a guiding financial hand regarding care options, retiring early or simply helping someone out.

FINANCES

& YOUR

FAMILY

As the end of the year approaches, you may find your plans, circumstances and priorities have changed

END OF YEAR REFLECTIONS

So as the end of the year approaches, you may find your plans, circumstances and priorities have changed. So now is the time to make sure your finances reflect that, and to benefit from the insight that a Chartered Financial Advice Practice, like us, can offer. We use cashflow modelling to put a plan in place, or revise an existing one, mapping out how to get to where you want to go – guiding you along the way into the New Year and beyond.

As the end of the year approaches and we naturally reflect on life, the team at Grovewood Wealth reveal why now is also the perfect time to reflect on how your finances are doing to ensure they are working best for you and your loved ones

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or millions of households across the UK, this will be a festive season like no other. After the sadness of not being able to spend last Christmas with our nearest and dearest we are hopeful that, this year, it will be a truly special celebration as we appreciate those we have around us.

As a family, which runs a business together, we shall be forgetting about work for a while, instead enjoying time with our children, our family and friends.

Christmas is a period when we do get to see, and more importantly, spend time with our families, uninterrupted by school runs and work. It can be a great time to look at what we have in our lives and what we should be looking after.

For many of us, the last few years have brought their own challenges and lockdown was a trigger for many to examine how our finances and financial resilience might be affected by a crisis like this. People took a step back, but there was a sense of waiting to know what might happen before doing anything. Now we know a little more about how the world is recovering, perhaps we can now step forward.

So if the festive period provides some much-needed time and space, here is some food for thought as you digest your Christmas feasts, before 2022 soon begins to run away with us!

The first step is to address any gaps or issues that became evident during the pandemic.

This might be building up your rainy-day fund (3-6 months of outgoings is advisable) setting a budget so you have greater control over your income and outgoings paying off expensive debts or putting some form of protection insurance in place. As we sadly witnessed, life, critical illness and income protection cover became even more important as we thought ‘what happens if ’.

Then you can look beyond the short term. We think a lot about what we save and how, but now is a good time to think about the reasons for saving and

the goals we have for the future.

These could range from planning an actual retirement date, investing for the future or helping family members (with Christmas a good opportunity to pass some funds to those who could use a financial helping hand).

And if you have pension savings, can you confidently say how well they are working for you? Even if you are too young to draw on the pension now, it’s useful to know where they are and how they are invested. There has been a lot of market volatility over the last few years, so you need to ensure that your plans are appropriately invested to contribute to your goals. So you have enough when you need it. Starting or increasing your pension payments is perhaps the most tax-efficient way of boosting your long-term finances as we enter 2022.

For anyone within a decade or so of retirement it’s a good chance to get a handle on how your retirement plans are looking. After this strange time are you rethinking when you retire and how you go about it? Or if you are already retired, checking you are not eating into your pension savings too quickly or is there a little room for spending more?!

And precious time with the family is also when we might notice that someone needs a bit more looking after. Grandparents or Parents who have told us they are managing well, might not actually be. Likewise, children, siblings & spouses might

Enjoy your time with your loved ones – we will be!

Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd Chartered Financial Planners Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management Tel: 01892 750750 Website: www. grovewoodwealth.co.uk

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief is dependent on individual circumstances.

Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 15

social scene

For shoppers and exhibitors alike, the Wealden Times Midwinter Fair is one of the most enjoyable events of the season. After a year away, due to you know what, it was lovely to see crowds return and friends reunite under the festive marquees at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood last month. "One of the things that makes the Midwinter Fair so special, is its wonderful mix of stallholders," Wealden Times MD Vivien Cotterill-Lee told SO. "There's just the right amount of fashion, jewellery, and homeware; Christmas decorations, gifts and lots of delicious food and drink too. With something to delight everyone, you’ll often see three generations of a family shopping together and it’s joyous."

16 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

Photographs © Wealden Times

All the fun of a festive fair

social scene

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Advertising Feature

MEET THE STREET This month Royal Tunbridge Wells Together shines a spotlight on the traders of Camden Road

C

amden Road is thriving.

And so it should be – with a combination of long-established neighbourhood favourites, and new premises throwing their doors open at an encouraging rate, this vibrant street is fast becoming the place to be for town centre indies. It’s the area best known for off the beaten path businesses, that aren’t actually too far off the beaten path. The feeling is that of an artisan community where both retro and achingly hip combine – where old school greengrocers trade alongside a children’s shoe store, a lighting showroom, local radio station, plantbased cafes and chocolate gurus. The overwhelming thing that connects the businesses here is passion, for the products they sell, and the community they serve.

Food is another communal thread, with a multitude of different eateries for various palettes, ranging from homely Il Vesuvio Italian, to Rendezvous for the gastronomes, passing sourdough specialists Bicycle Bakery and Aussies’ Black Dog Café.

And if it’s just the treats you’re after, Fuggles Bottle Shop and Goupies are on hand to offer craft beers and confectionery.

Grace, of Goupie, elaborates: “There are so many foodie options, it’s almost as if there’s an imaginary checklist for cuisine that someone’s checking off for the road! We have vegan options, French, Italian, Greek, you name it, and they’re all independents like us!”

Geff Stone, owner of The Plant Base, which promotes clean eating, says “I’ve always loved Camden Road. When I opened the Plant Base, it was the only road I considered. It really does have its own bohemian spirit. It’s so great to be a part of a supportive community of independent traders, we really want each other to do well.”

This community approach is what allows Camden Road to feel like a local neighbourhood, despite its central town centre status – and with West Kent Radio now based here, it promises to become a hub for the wider borough, really showing why this unique showcase of entrepreneurial spirits is something to shout about.

ERIC KNOWLES – DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS…

I do hope you are able to pop in and visit us in due course. We’re in the Corn Exchange at 49 Lower Walk on The Pantiles, and can be contacted on 01892 322777 or by way of ericknowles@scottishantiques.com

18 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

Group image of Camden Road business representatives: photo

by RTW Together

To find out more about RTW Together, and the collective of town centre businesses it represents, visit www.rtwtogether.com, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @rtwtogether

It’s not often that you get an opportunity to make an elderly gentleman and a young lady equally happy at the same time, but here’s a chance for you to do just that, writes Eric Knowles in his role of Chairman of ScottishAntiques.com at The Corn Exchange.

I’ve always espoused the idea that the buying and selling of antiques is one of the greenest of busines models around – we are, of course, simply recycling things, after all. I’m sure that Greta Thunberg – the young lady to whom I refer – would be delighted to know that my team and I are peddling wares which have zero impact on the environment from the point of view of requiring any kind of profligately destructive manufacturing process.

If we were to look at the production of commercial glass as it stands right now, it requires 2.1 gigajoules of energy to produce enough material to make one wine glass – or, in less vague terms, a dozen of the same will expend the energy generated by the equivalent consumption of one litre of

petrol. It should also be noted that because of the time taken to get kilns up to their working temperature, they are simply left on constantly, even when not in production – consuming gas, generating pollution, wasting resources The antique items which we sell are – of course – already extant; absolutely zero energy required for them to be a saleable, usable commodity.

Add in the considerations that such antiques have a resale value likely to outstrip their purchase price, and that by cherishing such objects you are doing your bit to preserve historic artefacts as well as enriching your own domestic environment, there really doesn’t seem much of an argument in favour of acquiring newly-minted items at all.

It’d be foolish to state that items made decades or centuries ago did not require their own consumption of raw materials or expendable fuels, but a wood-fired kiln and a set of sheep-stomach bellows hardly compare to the gas-powered behemoths and three-phase compressors of

today, particularly in the context of what was barely more than a cottage industry, dwarfed by modern multinationals and their thumping great carbon footprints.

So – in a nutshell (brazils, obviously) – buy old stuff this Christmas, and don’t forget to wrap it up wi’ brown paper and string – no single-use plastic sticky tape, laminated gift wrap or faux-satin ribbon, if you’d be so kind.

Of course, when it comes to sourcing your range of fully recycled, zero emission, carbon neutral antique giftwares – you all know where to come; I’ll be down here, at the Pantiles Arcade, in my elf-leggings, dispensing mice pies and festive cheer for the duration of advent – see you soon!

Theatre

Why it’s a perfect ten for Shirley this Christmas This year’s pantomime at the Assembly Hall stars BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas as the Wicked Queen. Eileen Leahy met the former professional Latin dancer to find out why she’s so excited about playing mean to the people of Tunbridge Wells this Christmas

Photograph © Blake Ezra Studio

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the glamour she is well known for TRICTLY Come possessing as Head Judge on Strictly Dancing Head Judge which she joined in 2017, replacing Len Shirley Ballas is Goodman. However, Shirley does admit positively fizzing with that she’s no seasoned panto performer excitement when we and that’s pushing her out of her comfort meet to exclusively zone somewhat. discuss her role as the “I think I’m definitely still on the Wicked Queen in the beginner’s step when it comes to doing Assembly Hall’s Christmas pantomime panto but hey, I’ll give it a go. I’m Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, extremely easy to work with and I’m produced by Evolution Productions. good at taking direction so that works in “I’m sooo looking forward to playing my favour but oh my, remembering all someone nasty!” she laughs, rubbing her those lines! Well now that might be a bit hands - bedecked with numerous shiny of a challenge. And I may just be relying cocktail rings - with visible glee as we sit on the audience to help me!” down to chat all things panto.

Shirley goes on to say that “I’ve only done pantomime her boyfriend Danny Taylor, twice before and I played an actor, has been giving the good fairy type “I am looking her a helping hand with characters both times so forward to meeting her lines and that it was now I’m extremely and greeting the good her fellow Strictly judge excited to be taking on Craig Revel Horwood the role of the Wicked people of Tunbridge who convinced Shirley to Queen in Snow White Wells when I’m out give pantomime a whirl in and the Seven Dwarfs. and about” the first place.

Being nasty is far more “He said ‘just go for it, me,” she winks before you’re an extrovert so I think it throwing her head back and might suit you’. So yes he gave me a laughing heartily. little bit of a push of which I’m glad of SO magazine has been granted a because I do enjoy it despite all the line special interview with former World learning. But my boyfriend Danny is Latin Dance Champion and TV star great at helping me with that aspect.

Shirley during the panto cast’s official photo call at Salomons Estate. It’s the first Apparently I’m very good at rhyming couplets!” time they have all met one another and The couple met when they both the excitement is positively palpable as appeared in panto at The Empire in Shirley poses up a storm in her glitzy Liverpool in 2018. purple velvet and gold Wicked Queen “Danny played the baddie and when he costume and the seven dwarfs high five came on stage with his performance on one another.

“When I played the Good Fairy in Jack the first night he reduced me to tears! I said ‘I can’t do that every night’ and the and The Beanstalk in 2019 everything director said ‘well guess what Shirley you was sweet and kind so I’m thinking this have signed up for this!’ So I just got on one is going to be a lot of fun - I’ve even with it. Danny and I became really good perfected my cackle,” reveals Shirley friends and went out every night in before letting out a shrill, high-pitched Liverpool. I was dying as I’m not a night laugh that’s perfectly laced with just the owl but because I fancied him I said I’ll right amount of naughtiness. go with the flow here – and hey, I secured Shirley, who has also appeared on the prize!”

Dancing With The Stars in the US and is Shirley and Danny now live together in a regular on ITV’s Loose Women, may London and the ballroom champion well be dressed in character for our reveals that her mother, Audrey Rich, interview but she still manages to exude SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 19

Theatre

will be joining them too. “She’s 84 years old now and about to move in with me so I will be taking care of her - although she’s the boss really!

“She’ll bring all her ornaments with her so my house will look like a shop!” laughs Shirley before adding that every shoe and piece of clothing have a story which is why Audrey is so keen to keep the artefacts.

Shirley revealed in her recent book Behind the Sequins that it was her mother who helped get her into dancing from a young age by working numerous jobs when her father walked out. The extra cash helped to pay for lessons and dancing shoes.

And many glitter balls of her own later plus a coveted role as Head Judge on Strictly, Shirley ssays her mum’s sacrifices certainly paid off. Talking of Strictly, will she still be judging on the show when the panto’s run kicks off on December 17 and if so how will she manage both I wonder?

“Oh I’m used to juggling!” she shrugs.

“I’m a woman so I will multitask.

Tunbridge Wells is only an hour and a half from where I live and Elstree Studios (where Strictly is recorded) is an hour and a half away from me so it’s not like I’m hundreds of miles away. I was doing lots of commuting the last time I did panto as it was up in Darlington in

County Durham but this time around it’s going to be a lot easier. So much of it is down to good planning and I am an organised person so I want to know what I’m doing.

“I’ll come into rehearsals for two weeks before we launch the show – I just need to make sure as many of my lines are learnt! But I’m good with direction so if you show me what you want I’ll do it. I’m a good mimic so I’m relying on that a little too.”

However Shirley will not be appearing in either the panto’s matinee or evening performance on December 18 as that will be the Strictly final and she will obviously have to be handing out tens in Elstree that night as the show is totally live.

And as she’s such an organised person who likes to plan how does Shirley feel about having to embrace the spontaneous spirit of pantomime?

“The first year I did it I was a bit concerned about that aspect but I think if I get enveloped within the cast and the storyline it will be fine. And hey if something goes wrong then I just need to go with the flow!”

And how does Shirley feel about having to sing in panto. Is she anxious about that?

“Oh yes! I suggest that when the audience buy their tickets they know to

Photograph © BBC

EST THE BEST OF THE R

Photograph © Blake Ezra Studio

Trinity Theatre: The Prince and the Pauper Trinity’s new artistic director Sean Turner puts his stamp on the theatre by directing the venue’s first Christmas production in two years.

He’s taking on The Prince and The Pauper: Mark Twain’s classic romp of mistaken identity.

Adapted for the stage by Jemma Kennedy who has brought this engaging literary story to life courtesy of a playful and raucous adaptation, it will also boast a brand-new original score and feature a stellar cast of multitalented actor-musicians.

20 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

The Prince and The Pauper runs at Trinity Theatre from December 8 – January 2.There are both matinee and evening performances to choose from and tickets can be booked at www. trinitytheatre.net EM Forster: Rapunzel It’s time to let your hair down this Christmas as

Wicked Productions brings you its interpretation of the classic fairytale Rapunzel.

With a cast headed up

by Wicked’s Tom Swift (who plays Joey the Jester) it promises to be a cut above the rest!

Katie Haygarth brings her evil side as the wicked ‘Horrorbella’ the Witch while Trinity’s former artistic director John Martin plays Dame Dolly Dumpling. Wicked’s popular Boombox will make a welcome return along with a gaggle of ghosts to hinder the quest to find Rapunzel.

With plenty of toe tapping songs, dance routines, inspirational sets, fantastic costumes, lots and lots of laughter this promises to be nothing short of a ‘hair’larious show!

Rapunzel runs at the EM Forster theatre from December 10 – January 2.

Tickets and timings can be found by going to www. emftheatre.com

bring a pair of earphones and so when I sing they can put them on!”

Shirley’s previous career as a world famous professional dancer will certainly provide her with the necessary experience when it comes to delivering a stellar performance in front of a live audience night after night. How will Shirley ensure she ensures the audience feel like they’re the first people to hear all the funny jokes, boos and ‘she’s behind yous’?

“You have to give a fresh performance every time. And remember the audience will only be as good as we as a cast are. If we’re not on top of our game then don’t expect the laughs - you have to work hard.”

And will the audiences in Tunbridge Wells be treated to one of Shirley’s trademark cha cha chas or sambas?

“Well let’s put it this way, the Wicked Queen will showcase a little of my Latin Queen,” she teases.

Up until the cast’s first photo call Shirley tells me she had never been to Tunbridge Wells. Is she excited about discovering the town a little I wonder?

“Oh yes! I think we’re staying over a few nights here and there so I’m looking forward to going out for a dance after the performance. Do you know of any good 80s style clubs?”

I tell her that sadly the famous spa town is lacking in that particular musical genre but there are plenty of nice places to eat and drink.

“Well I’m not a drinker so I won’t be going out to pubs but I am looking forward to meeting and greeting the good people of Tunbridge Wells when I’m out and about. I think this is going to be a lot of fun and just a great experience.

I’m humbled and honoured that I’ve been asked to play this role. People won’t know what to expect from me when I hit that stage!”

Tickets for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are available now from www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk The show runs from December 17 - January 3 2022 and ticket prices start at £32.50. Please note Shirley Ballas won’t be appearing in either show on December 18.

Advertising Feature

25 YEARS OF CYBER SUCCESS We meet Jo Wimble-Groves and her brother Richard who run the successful local tech business Active Digital which has reached a milestone anniversary SO Magazine meets family-run business, Active Digital, co-owned by brother and sister, Richard Groves and Jo Wimble-Groves. As they celebrate their 25-year work anniversary, we find out more about Active Digital and what the future holds. As a provider of all UK mobile networks, they have been based in Kent their entire 25 years until recently moving to a hybrid working set up in Kent and London to give their employees greater flexibility.

Firstly, can you tell us a little about Active Digital…

We started in the mid 1990s, which was a great time to get into mobile. It was the first time businesses were starting to give their employees a mobile phone. We felt that there was an opportunity for an independent, impartial, b2b mobile telecoms company, with a primary focus on delivering a great customer experience.

We provide a wide range of flexible tariffs including unlimited plans as well being able to give helpful advice on giving devices to younger children. As new technologies have emerged through the many decades we have

been operating, we’ve been on our own digital transformation journey, and now provide technology and support for businesses going through theirs.

“We have a broad range of clients but offer the same customer focused approach to each one”

Talk to Active Digital about their iPhone 13 offers and much more.

Visit their website at www.active digital.co.uk or call 01892 893000.

Tell us about your clients We have a broad range of clients, ranging from local Kent businesses through to large corporations running fleets of more than 2,000 iPhone and iPad devices. But we offer the same customer focused, concierge approach to each. We partner very closely with fantastic brands such as O2, Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft.

We are very proud to be one of the best performing partners for O2 across the UK and Ireland and we were named Director’s Choice, Partner of the Year in 2020. Our customers include Caterham Cars, Saracens Rugby Club, Sanofi, Premier League, Onwatch Plc, Baxall Construction and Crew Clothing to name just a few.

What are you most excited about that the future will bring?

Despite the really challenging times that we’ve had over the last year and a half, we can’t help but be excited that this is an amazing time to be in

technology, supporting businesses with their digital transformation.

When you have thousands of people working from home, it’s time to focus on the speed and reliability of their home broadband, the security of their devices, and their ability to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and clients.

Exciting as the technology itself is, what really motivates us is to find solutions to some of the personal, human challenges that come with digital transformation. For example, in a business environment where remote working is the default, how can managers be confident that their team is fit, both physically and from a mental health perspective?

Internally, we have developed an employee wellbeing app, which helps us all to track fatigue, sleeping patterns and support needs.

For example, some of our team members have been uploading their lunchtime workouts, to encourage others to get moving and get active outside. It’s such a small thing.

But if we can do it for our own team, then we know we can help other businesses implement it too.

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Business

processing orders, it’s about developing relationships and finding out what customers want from the piece of jewellery being made or recreated from a heritage piece.

The Diamond Setter is run by husband and wife team Gavin and Lorraine Marsh. Specialising in recreating unique pieces from existing jewellery and also bespoke items, the recently established business, which is based at Salomons Estate, is going from strength to strength. Here the couple reveal the secrets of their glittering success to Eileen Leahy

T

hey say diamonds are a girl’s best friend and Gavin and Lorraine Marsh of The Diamond Setter would certainly agree with that. But then they would also probably say so are sapphires, emeralds and rubies too - such is their passion for gorgeous gems.

The couple, who established their jewellery business last year when Covid put their other plans on hold, operate out of a bijou studio space at Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells and they’ve seen their business postively boom over the past few months.

“It’s funny because this is not what we had planned,” says Gavin as we sit down to chat in their small but welcoming showroom. “We’d moved back to the UK after living in Thailand and New Zealand just before the pandemic hit. I was going to take a job at a local well-known jewellers and Lorraine was taking up a position at a hotel but then as we all know everything changed because of Covid.”

Gavin and Lorraine met when he moved to Thailand in the mid 2000s.

“I’d been working as a stone setter in Hatton Garden for many years before going on to work for the Rolex Watch Company but I’d always wanted to be a scuba diving instructor so I whisked

myself off to Asia. The plan was to stay in Thailand for a year but it ended up being ten years with a wife and child later!”

In 2017 they moved to Auckland in New Zealand after Gavin had been head hunted to work as a stone setter – a very skilled job in the jewellery world. They were there for a few years but then decided to come back to the UK to start a life together.

When the Covid curveball decimated their job plans Gavin and Lorraine decided to set up by themselves. It seemed to make perfect sense to meld Gavin’s talent and Lorraine’s professional experience in marketing and communications - and hence The Diamond Setter was established in the middle of last year.

“We decided to jump in at the deep end,” explains Gavin. “I made a bench at home and invested in some tools but after a short while Lorraine said this is getting too big and dirty to continue at home so you need to get somewhere else. We started to look about and found the perfect premises at Salomons.”

In addition to a decent workshop there is also another smaller space which is where the couple welcome clients and display the various pieces they co-design such as rings, necklaces and earrings. It is also where they carry

out any piercing work they might be commissioned for.

“It’s perfect because it has a really laid-back feel here,” says Lorraine.

“People don’t feel intimated when they come here. They like that it’s not a shop but more of a personal space.”

Once the couple had found the perfect place to operate from Lorraine set about getting the word out about their bespoke jewellery business.

“I set up a website first which made sense given that we were in lockdown when we started. At the time we considered doing e-Commerce only but then we thought jewellery is so personal it’s much better for us to see people in person. We started our Instagram page and networking with other jewellers in Tunbridge Wells who started outsourcing the setting of pieces to Gavin as it is such a specialised skill. We found it to be a very positive and supportive experience. I think if people can see you are genuine and doing a good job they won’t hesitate to recommend you.

So word of mouth has worked very well for us and we now have customers coming from all over the place. One woman drove down from Wales!”

Lorraine and Gavin believe that the key to their success is they really make a connection with their clients. They say The Diamond Setter is not about

GET IN CONTACT: The Diamond Setter, Studio 3, Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, TN3 0TG 01892 458042 customercare@the diamondsetter.co.uk www.thediamond setter.co.uk

“We believe that every piece of jewellery tells a story,” adds Lorraine.

“Part of our ethos is we don’t want to churn out work. It’s about understanding what a customer wants. If people are bringing in a piece that has sentimental value and has been in the family for years they want to feel confident that we will do a good job recreating something new with it. Remodelling old jewellery is a wonderful opportunity to recycle your metals, diamonds, and gemstones into a new and unique piece of jewellery that you can wear and enjoy for years to come. It’s a celebration.”

She says Diamond Setter clients are walked through the process of remodelling and the timeframe of how long this will take and cost will always be discussed.

“We take a very personal and bespoke approach,” states Gavin. “We will talk about the history behind each piece of jewellery and what the client wants from the redesign. You have to be very careful as it’s such a sentimental process. People can be very anxious about leaving their precious items but we always want them to feel confident we will do the best job possible.”

In addition to the restoration and redesign work The Diamond Setter carries out, the couple have also found the aforementioned pieces they codesign together to be very popular.

“We have a couple of display cabinets so when people visit us they often end up also commissioning pieces from our collection,” smiles Gavin. “And we are flexible on these pieces, so if someone wants to change a stone setting or make a tweak then we can do this.”

“It’s not just about taking your jewellery, swiping your credit card and walking away,” confirms Lorraine.

“It’s more about building that connection. I think people being able to talk to Gavin who is making the pieces is so important - that’s a real USP to our business.”

Gavin agrees: “At the end of the day clients know their heritage pieces are in safe hands. Jewellery is personal so you need that personal approach.”

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 23

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Culture

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26 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

“

Culture

WHAT’S ON AT

CASTLEMAS There will be performances by West End Royalty Kerry Ellis, Magician Ben Hanlin, Comedienne and Singer Jess Robinson, BGT’s The D-Day Darlings, Queenz, The Dreamboys and much more. There will also be heaps of children’s entertainment!

Purchasing a ticket also guarantees access to Castlemas on the day of your chosen performance. Although entry to Castlemas itself is free, non-ticket holders and walk-in

customers will only be granted access to The Jingle Bell Bar and Mistletoe Town if we have not reached our capacity limits.

Wehighly recommend booking a free ticket to one of our attractions to ensure you can make this an experience to remember! Purchasing a ticket to a performance in The Igloo Theatre, a Workshop Experience or a Santa’s Grotto visit, grants guaranteed access to Castlemas.

“We hope we can deliver all the warmth and beauty of the season” Tonbridge will be turned into a winter wonderland this month courtesy of Bravo Production’s Castlemas. Here the ten-day festival’s organisers Hannah Rotchell and Oliver Tourle tell SO magazine why they were inspired to create such a fabulous feel good festive event…

Can you tell us what Castlemas is all about?

It’s a ten-day festive event that will provide the local community with a chance to come together and immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas. As well as a shop-local Christmas Market, there will also be aJingle Bell Bar and a sprinkling of snowfall every evening! At the heart of the Castle lawn will sit an Oliver and Hannah with the Castlemas team

enchanting heated Igloo Theatre that will host a variety of shows for all the family. Workshop experiences will be held in the Castle Chamber Room and Santa will be in his Grotto, ready to welcome one and all this Christmas ...

What made you want to put on a festive event like this?

Last year friends and family were

unable to celebrate Christmas together. Therefore we wanted to create a magical experience for people to enjoy together again.

Castelmas is a celebration of our local community, the arts and of course Christmas. The Igloo Theatre will host over 40 fantastic performances and the shop-local Christmas market, in association with the TN card, will

welcome over seventy local independents and TN card Partners.

The aim is that everyone attending Castlemas will be able to watch or do something to tailor their own experience with what we have on offer.

How did the idea for the ten-day festive extravaganza evolve?

We wanted to bring a variety of entertainment to our town and after producing several events at the Castle, we felt it was the right location! The aim is to enhance the Christmas festivities within our local area and create a new seasonal tradition for people to return every year. At Bravo we have a huge passion for both the arts and our local area. It is time for the Castle to be brought to life this Christmas with an event that brings the whole community together.

Has it been quite a challenge to pull together?

As we are bringing together so many performances, people and businesses together, we would be lying if we said it wasn’t a challenge,

but, we’re lucky enough to have a real support system around us. Like so many, coming out of the pandemic has often felt overwhelming as we adjust and get settled back into routines. As Castlemas is a new event, we have to work extra hard to establish those relationships with businesses and people — It’s kind of like setting up a new business each time you set up a new event! But we are so lucky to have people who trust us, understand us and work alongside us to make this a December to remember.

What do you think people will enjoy most about Castlemas?

We hope that people will love the atmosphere of the Castle being brought to life with Christmas magic. Castlemas will deliver the warmth and beauty of Christmas, the feeling of community and unity after this long two years. We are also delighted that Castlemas will also have its very own beer brewed by the wonderful Constellation Brewery! www.castlemas.com SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 27

Culture

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Culture

If you’re looking to do something special – but with a twist this Christmas then look no further than the GOOMS’ production of The Three Scrooges. Here the theatre troupe’s Artistic Director Tobias Cornwell tells SO magazine more about this immersive theatre and fine dining experience happening from December 1-19 at The Beacon…

H

aving already produced three very successful interactive theatrical dining experiences over the past couple of years – A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Kingdom and A Christmas Carol and Black Fate at The Beacon, the experimental theatre troupe Get Out of My Space (GOOMS) is back with a fourth dramatic dining offering: The Three Scrooges which will again be performed at The Beacon from December 1 to 19.

GOOMS was founded in 2019

by Tobias Cornwell who saw a gap in the market for producing exciting theatre locally – and where the audience is just as an important element as the cast members. Not all GOOMS shows are dining experiences though – some are pure theatre – but each one ensures that every audience member is at the heart of the action and treated to a unique experience.

Just last month Tobias and the GOOMS team put on a version of Macbeth at The Beacon which was very well received by audiences.

And for Christmas The Three Scrooges sounds like it’s going to be another must-see event.

“Simply put, this Christmas extravaganza promises to be like no other,” Tobias explains. “If you’re looking for the complete night out, filled with festive food, wonderful wines, and electric entertainment; without the stress of having to hop from restaurant to theatre to bar, this is the perfect experience for you.

“All you need to do is gather your friends or family, don your favourite Christmas jumpers, and let us fill you up with Christmas cheer, Christmas merriment, and of course a delicious Christmas feast.”

According to Tobias The Three Scrooges is an ‘hilarious and heartfelt’ immersive dining and theatre adaptation of the much beloved A Christmas

Carol, wherein three actors all turn up thinking they’ve been cast as the great bah humbug himself.

“They begin the performance all speaking Scrooge’s lines before an argument ensues – they soon realise they can’t carry on with this madness. They can’t have three Scrooges! Who’s going to play all the other roles?! There is only one thing for it. YOU the audience must decide.”

Tobias adds that at The Three Scrooges, each and every night the audience have full control over which actor gets to play Ebenezer Scrooge, whilst the other two then have to scramble around to play the 100+ other roles.

“It’s quite the feat!” laughs Tobias before admitting that it’s not been an easy ride since Covid.

“The first year we collaborated with The Beacon on an immersive dining and theatre adaptation of A Christmas Carol was back in 2019 – in what felt like completely different world. We only had five

performances that year, but it was an absolute hit among those who experienced it, and so we decided that next year we needed to go far bigger.

“All that needs saying from our end is that we went from selling the most tickets we’d ever sold, to having to cancel them all, to having to move the entire show 800metres down the road to East Sussex and being able to sell tickets again, before having to close after three days because of being put into Tier 4. It was an emotional and physical roller coaster, while just trying to deliver some Christmas cheer to people who needed it after the year we’d all

had. An endeavour that ended up costing me £20,000. Standing in our empty performance space in December last year, feeling like Bob Cratchit to Boris’ Scrooge, I made a promise that we would return - bigger and better than ever.”

And Tobias has certainly been able to do that given how well ticket sales are going. But he is keen to say how thankful he is about the support he has received from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council which has ensured GOOMS can still keep going.

“Without their support throughout this time I would not be in the position I am now to put on another show. A show that is going to be worth waiting for if you missed it last year, and a show you won’t want to miss if you’ve never been to our immersive dining and theatre experiences.

Thanks to the Council’s financial aid, and support from my friends and family around me, we are coming back this Christmas with The Three Scrooges which, simply put, is a Christmas extravaganza that promises to be like no other.”

For more info or to book tickets which cost £65 per person and include the show and dinner visit www.gooms.co.uk/the-three-scrooges

Photography © Stefan Hanegraaf, Poster Design © Harry Neal

THREE’S COMPANY THIS CHRISTMAS

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 29

Community

Photo © Fleur Challis Photography

“We love toys that really engage children and spark their enthusiasm”

This month Jess Gibson of the TN card speaks to Peter Allinson, founder of Whirligig Toys which opened in Tunbridge Wells in 2015. Whirligig is an independent Toy Shop specialising in ‘things to make and do’, and can be found in the Old Opera House on Mount Pleasant Road

Jess Gibson

Founder the TN Card

SO PETER, HOW DID WHIRLIGIG COME ABOUT? Basically, we spotted a gap in the market. Originally a primary school teacher, I taught children aged 8 to 10 years old. When our nieces and nephews reached this age, I realised that we had grown out of all the lovely toy shops we visited when they were young children and found very little that I really liked that was suitable for older children. I’ve been a maker all my life and so put together my knowledge of children and their development with a range of ‘things to make and do’ and out popped Whirligig.

WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU LAUNCH WHIRLIGIG? We started in Brighton in 2012, with Tunbridge Wells becoming the location of our third shop in 2015.

Our other shop is in Canterbury.

WHERE DOES THE NAME COME FROM? Growing up in Brighton, on the seafront in the 1970s there was an old fashioned lighting display that moved and turned. Me and my dad always called it the Whirligig – so the shops are named for my dad. It’s actually a Shakespearean word from the Tempest, but I feel it sums up the sorts of toys we sell very well.

WHAT WILL WE FIND WHEN VISITING STORE MANAGER MATT AND THE TEAM? We love toys that really engage children – something that is going to spark their enthusiasm, get them thinking and learning a new skill along the way. We really don’t like toys that get taken out of the box and thrown away minutes later.

Many of our toys may feel a little old fashioned, but to children that doesn’t seem to matter! Classic games that the whole family can enjoy and new ideas that get them involved are what we love. We have a huge range of making activities, lots of logic and thinking games and some beautiful toys for our younger visitors.

mainstream shops and offer really high quality products. But most of all, we just love to play with the toys – it is a nice part of our job!

Let Toys Be Toys campaign aims to let children choose what they want to play with rather than be dictate to by gender stereotypes. If you want to be a princess, that is great.

However, we’d rather children weren’t told they had to be, or indeed, told that they are not allowed to be. We were the first ever company to be awarded the Toy Mark showing that we try really hard to present toys that are about play rather than gender.

HOW DO YOU FIND SO MANY WONDERFUL, INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS? We visit toy fairs in the UK and Europe and often meet small manufacturers through our contacts.

The key is to look at the instructions and the materials that they are made of – if WHAT ARE YOUR we don’t love it, it just doesn’t fit into our ABOUT WHIRLIGIG MOST POPULAR GIFTS THIS range. We are always CHRISTMAS? on the look out for LOCATION: There are so many to new products – my 90-92 Mount Pleasant choose from, but this key role in the Road, Tunbridge Wells year, I really like our business is ‘toy TN1 1RT range of music boxes researcher’ – it’s the to make. They have best bit!

VISIT FOR: amazing details and Art and craft kits, with a bit of tenacity, IS THE construction projects, children can make a ENVIRONMENTAL wooden toys and IMPACT OF TOYS games for all the family. fully working, moving model and feel AN IMPORTANT Whirligig is a TN card fantastic about it. We ISSUE FOR YOU? stockist. have some wonderful Absolutely. We have family games as well done all the obvious MEMBER REWARD: this year, and I things like recycling 10% discount across particularly like and reusing and try the store.

Concept Kids Animals, really hard to only which is a who’s who stock products that of the animal kingdom. have a high play value and that will be used many times. Many people WHY SHOULD WE VISIT OUR like to think that ‘wood is good’ – however, there are some really poor INDEPENDENT TOY SHOPS THIS CHRISTMAS? games made of wood out there, so Our independent toy shops are full this is not always true. We now of wonderful things, team members plant a mangrove tree in who know what they are talking Madagascar every time we receive about and surprises that you haven’t an online order and have strong even thought of. It is where children relationships with charities that can have a traditional Christmas provide toys to disadvantaged experience without being forced to families at Christmas. follow the crowd and the whole family can find something just right YOU HAVE A GOOD for them.

PRACTICE AWARD FROM THE ‘LET TOYS BE TOYS’ Join the TN community for £20 a year CAMPAIGN, WHAT DOES and enjoy rewards at over 400 local THAT MEAN? This is really important to us. The independents at www.thetncard.com

WHAT MAKES WHIRLIGIG SO SPECIAL? We think it is because we know what we are talking about. Our team in Tunbridge Wells have played most of the games, made most of the models and know what is inside every box. They can give advice and guidance and help people find their perfect present.

Many customers walk into our shop and are surprised by the range of products. We try to work with really small and independent companies who are not in the SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 31

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Food & Drink

Breathing new life into this historic hostelry

Joss says she thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of giving the listed building a stylish yet sensitive upgrade: “The new interior at the pub is now a blend of classic and contemporary, bringing the old together with the new, to create a characterful, cosy space that also feels current,” explains Joss.

“New wallpapers, paint colours and lighting were introduced to bring warmth to the scheme and complement the beautiful historic features throughout this 13th century building. I worked alongside curtain maker Katie from The Drapery Tunbridge Wells to select a lovely fabric to brighten the space and add extra cosiness. It was such a pleasure to work with the amazing new team at the pub and bring it back to life.”

Meanwhile former Masterchef The Professionals 2016 star Bobby, who is a personal friend of Becky and her partner, was commissioned to ‘finesse’ The George & Dragon’s menu.

The Gordon Ramsay trained chef, who spent five years at

The Kentish Hare under the Tanner brothers - was initially consulting on The George & Dragon before he came on board as Chef Patron permanently earlier this year.

“I’ve known those guys for years and was therefore keen to help them but I was happy working at Bank House in Chislehurst for Stuart Gillies at the time. Stuart is the former CEO of Gordon Ramsay Holdings and I learnt a lot from him while I was there so I wasn’t looking to leave but then over lockdown I started to think about things and decided that I wanted to put myself out there again. I wanted to do my own thing; create my own menu and have that freedom.

“Becky and her partner Ian offered me the role of Chef Patron and I accepted as we have the same vision. The pub wasn’t getting the time and effort it needed so I came in and changed a lot of things.

Some people liked it, some didn’t but if things aren’t being done well then you have to change that.”

Bobby says his vision is Bobby Brown

The George & Dragon in Speldhurst has new owners and a top celebrity chef now at the helm. Eileen Leahy was invited along to find out how this ancient inn is being revived with fine food, an excellent selection of ales not to mention a stylish refurbishment and the best open fires you’ll find this winter…

W

hen it comes to good country pubs we’re certainly spoilt for choice given the amount we have on our doorstep, but as soon as you step over the ancient threshold of The George & Dragon in Speldhurst you genuinely feel like you’ve entered into somewhere very special indeed.

We visited one chilly Thursday lunchtime in November so the cosy fire crackling away in the large inglenook fireplace of the main bar was certainly the perfect warm welcome.

And despite being a weekday there were plenty of customers either sitting at the counter sipping their lunchtime pints or tucking into plates of delicious looking food. All the traditional pub scene needed was a dog snoozing at the hearth and to be honest all would feel pretty much perfect with the world.

But life wasn’t always this

harmonious at the hostelry which dates back to the 13th century. Over recent years the former coaching inn has changed hands a number of times and lost its way a bit as a result - and that made some of its loyal customers pretty sad.

But instead of sitting back and watching someone else take it over - and gamble with its future yet again - a group of locals which included Speldhurst resident and business entrepreneur Becky Moran decided to take the matter into their own hands.

“We wanted to reclaim our village pub and give it the TLC it deserves,” explains Becky who along with her partner Ian and two friends helped set up a new enterprise: The Country Pub Collection.

“We live in Speldhurst and really missed The George & Dragon when it was closed after the previous owner left so we decided to do something about it.”

They exchanged just before the first lockdown and

suddenly found themselves with a big old pub on their hands and no customers to support it due to Covid.

But despite the odds being stacked against them Becky says this didn’t deter them and the pub properly opened in May this year. Prior to that the collective decided to keep going with their revival plans and therefore used the months of coronavirus closure to their advantage. The ultimate aim was to breathe new life into the pub - not just into the building itself but also into the menu and overall hospitality offering too.

That involved lots of work and passion - and engaging the services of local interior designer Joss Miller who took over the brief to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the place.

The uber talented chef Bobby Brown, best known for his time at the nearby Kentish Hare, was charged with going into the kitchen and turning the menu from pub grub to a more refined offering.

“The menu is now simplified and relies on totally fresh, seasonal ingredients”

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 33

Food & Drink

clear: “I want a good gastro country pub with great food and staff who I’m confident about leaving in charge when I’m not here. The way I work is everyone is a commis chef – whatever your role. You have to do what needs to be done. Consistency is key. And we’re certainly getting there.”

Of the food Bobby says: “We’ve simplified a lot, it’s still tasty and fresh. And everyone’s loving it. I’d describe it as being somewhere between British and French - it’s got finesse yet is still hearty. I think only the halloumi burger survived from the original menu – I got rid of everything else. When I took over, the meat burgers were more meatball so I’ve given my recipe to Stuart at Southborough Butchers and he makes them properly and consistently and I now know the provenance.”

Bobby, whose idol is the legendary Raymond Blanc, says he also uses Seasons by Nature for fresh produce and Sankey’s for fish.

He adds they are doing 50% more complement. For Christmas there covers since he came on board and will be turkey but it will be cooked the front of house team have really well. “It will not be dry!” he laughs. stepped up – even polishing plates “Everyone thinks you have to eat as you would in a restaurant. dry turkey but it will be moist with “We want people to stay here, to pigs in blankets and on the menu feel comfortable and so having constantly over the Christmas excellent service is period. We have a part of all that. We’re special three-course here more than we menu and are open are at home so you on December 25 with need to be enjoying four or five courses it. I guess I want to so we’ll have a good “We want a good day together.” bring a level of higher-end cooking He reveals that for gastro country and service to the January there’ll be a pub with great pub as it’s a beautiful signature pie but the food and staff” place to be.” rest of the menu is There’s a good still to be confirmed: selection of “I’m going to have to vegetarian and vegan sleep on all that – I offerings on the do that a lot when menu Bobby tells me I’m dreaming up before adding that diners come menus!” from near and far: “We’re getting a Bobby’s vision for the food lot of five-star reviews”. For the offering – which currently winter he’s introducing game and includes 35 Day Aged Sirloin, seasonal earthy vegetables to Speldhurst Sausages and Ox Cheek pie - seems to certainly be paying off. Since reopening, the Grade II listed pub has reported record bookings – no mean feat given the Covid crisis.

It enjoyed a very busy summer thanks to Bobby’s culinary input but also because the outside seating area has been extensively redeveloped at the back of the pub and boasts a number of tables, olive trees and festoon lighting.

Alternatively there is always its pleasant front garden to sit in which is framed by heavenly hydrangeas in the summer months and boasts a picture perfect view of the church opposite all year round.

Inside the pub you’ll find two main bars, both with inviting inglenook fires (which are always lit during the winter) and clusters Richard Maher

Joss Miller

of wooden tables which can seat two up to eight. There is also an impressive function area upstairs which can be hired out for private celebrations and small weddings.

Joss’s sympathetic interiors have made them even more appealing thanks to their subtle colour palette which highlights the many historical details. “We thought about sanding back the beams but we wanted to leave them in their original state as it’s not about whitewashing history it’s about enhancing it,” she says.

The George & Dragon also has a new restaurant manager: Richard Maher formerly of The Lyle. How did he get involved with the project?

“I was looking for an opportunity to work with good quality food in an honest, down to earth way with familiar service but with quality to it.”

Richard, who is from Tunbridge Wells and has held a number of high profile hospitality jobs all over the UK, approached the Country Pubs Collection as he was a fan of The George & Dragon. “It has always been on my bucket list, I’ve always wanted to have the reigns of it for a while.

When you’ve got a landmark destination like this you’re a

custodian, to have that responsibility and privilege is something I wished for in my career. I wanted to spend time as here it’s the perfect place.

“It’s not about revolution here, it’s about evolution. The pub belongs to the people who use it so my job is connecting with them, with the staff and owners to see how we can work together. It’s about learning the direction of where Bobby is taking the cuisine.

If the General Manager and Head Chef work together well, then the business does too. Ultimately we want to make The George & Dragon top of people’s list to come to. Putting the pub back at the heart of the community is really important too.

“To be given the opportunity to learn about this building and what it’s been through over the centuries is really humbling. I’ve got loads of ideas for the future but what I want to concentrate on now is what currently makes this business work and look after the customers who are already here - and to deliver a great Christmas because let’s face it we’re all owed one! There’s plenty more to come next year so watch this space.” www.ganddspeldhurst.com SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 35

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Food & Drink

WHY STEAK IS CUTTING IT ON THE FOODIE SCENE This Christmas why not trade in your turkey for a quality steak dinner instead?

SO magazine discovers why STEAK is the place to go this party season…

STEAK has all you need for a classic Christmas party Its regular menu runs alongside some Christmas classics to keep every guest happy. The restaurant will even provide the decorations and crackers for your table!

Pre-order from selected menu which will include Christmas classics for groups of 8 or more (no pre-order needed for groups up to 6 people).

Deposit required to confirm booking

All you want for Christmas . . .

Customers can dine at STEAK on December 25. They say “Leave the work (and washing up) to us, sit back relax and enjoy your Christmas meal.”

Food will be served in the restaurant from 2.30pm until 5.00pm.

You can pre-order from a selected 4-course menu which will include Christmas classics, coffee and petitfours as well as a welcome drink

STEAK is One Warwick Park Hotel’s flagship restaurant. Located on Chapel Place, away from the bustle of the town centre and surrounded by a cluster of artisan shops and cool bars it’s certainly enjoyed brisk trade since it opened earlier this year.

Headed up by renowned chef Andre Woodward it specialises in quality cuts of beef which range from ribeye, sirloin, rump and filet according to supply and demand.

STEAK’s signature cuts are served with chunky chips and a selection of sauces including smoked bacon & dolcelatte butter Garlic & herb butter Peppercorn sauce Chimichurri sauce.

But the popular restaurant also boasts an excellent variety of other delicious dishes too.

Peruse its tempting menu and you’ll find treats such as panko crusted halloumi, crispy fried squid, pan-fried smoky potato gnocchi and even a vegan burger with roasted cauliflower steak – which has proved to be just as popular as its carnivore counterparts.

When it comes to main courses STEAK offers two meat-free options: a vegan burger with roasted cauliflower steak and pan-fried smoky potato gnocchi.

Admittedly though steak is by far its most popular offering and each comes from 30 day dry aged Dexter beef cattle, locally sourced from the excellent Southborough Butchers.

In the lead up to Christmas, diners can expect a little festive flourish on their favourite cuts at STEAK but the usual menu will also be able to order from too.

£85per person. Under 12s: £35 per child (please contact STEAK directly if you have very young children – i.e. under 5s – and they will adjust accordingly. Deposit required to confirm booking To book a table at STEAK call 01892552592 email info@steak tunbridgewells.co.uk

“In the lead up to Christmas, diners can expect a little festive flourish on their favourite cuts”

On December 25 however the focus will be on traditional turkey but carnivores will still have a selection of meat treats to choose from on the menu including filet of Hereford beef carpaccio to accompany the delicious roasted free range turkey with chestnut stuffing being served up.

In terms of STEAK’s décor, the restaurant strikes a fine balance between being dark and atmospheric, yet glimmering with contemporary class. The mirrored walls give the impression that the restaurant is bigger than it is but also manages to add an air of intimacy as tables are sectioned off from each other with dividers, giving it an exclusive – and also safe socially distanced - feel.

And it feels extra special right now thanks to the gorgeous and super stylish decorations which embellish every corner of it. If you want to step into the spirit of Christmas this is certainly the place to come…

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 37

WELL-BEING

’S E R E H T Y H W LIBERTY IN Y T I L L I U Q N A R T

Naomi Murray from Botanica Health in Rusthall looks at how you can find your sense of calm – when all is chaotic around you - courtesy of natural techniques and triggers…

Naomi Murray Co-founder of Botanica Health

38 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

W

hat does it mean to find peace of mind?

Inner peace refers to a deliberate state of psychological or spiritual calm, despite the presence of stressors.

So often we look for peace, hoping it will be fixed by others. In fact many scholars have instructed us that this is a fallacy.

The Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl instructed us that “When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves.”

This can be hard. But it is possible and it is necessary. Peace is an inside job; inner peace is of more value than all the world’s fortunes.

It is a feeling, and when we experience it it’s as though every fibre of our being is in harmony. We actually experience a state of equilibrium.This feeling of ease is a harmonious experience where there is an alignment between the heart, mind and emotions. When we encounter this state of coherence we make better decisions, we are more rational, more discerning and we use our intuition.

But it is not only our emotional

health that benefits. From inner peace to better health we know that when we are at peace we feel more robust and studies show that this has a positive effect on our health. They also reveal that when we are in a more positive state of mind we are healthier. One of the most peaceful experiences we can have is to be amongst nature. We experience peace from the sights, sounds and aromas.

But beyond the senses evidence is emerging that shows there are other pathways when we spend time in nature that are beneficial for our health. Japanese researchers found that we literally breathe in health from beneficial bacteria, plant-derived essential oils and negatively-charged ions. In Peter Wohlleben’s book, The Hidden Life of Trees he advises us that forest air is the cleanest air. That every walk in the forest is like taking a shower in oxygen.

John Muir encourages us saying “nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” We can find peace by engaging in the here and now. By living in the moment. Not living in the past or the future. It can be in the comfort of your own chair, when you close our eyes and breathe in peace, love, appreciation and gratitude.

So whatever situation we find ourselves in this Christmas, know that no one can steal your inner peace. It is yours alone. And there is freedom in that.

ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT: A POEM TO HELP PROMOTE INNER PEACE AND HAPPINESS The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry “When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great

heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free….”

31B Hair 31B Hair in The Pantiles welcomes Tim Jones to the team We are pleased to introduce to you our newest member

experience in which to build my career upon.” Having

of our Hair Salon team at 31B Hair.

re-located from London to Tunbridge Wells, Kent twenty

Bringing extensive training with top international

years ago,

experts Toni & Guy, and over thirty years of work with

Tim has a very loyal client base, from both Tunbridge

countless discerning clients throughout London & Kent,

Wells and the surrounding areas. In the short amount of

please meet Tim Jones.

time that Tim has been working with 31B Hair, he is

Having trained with top international experts, Tim has built a reputation based on his precision haircuts. With his wealth of experience, expertise, and passion, he

already an established part of the team and welcoming both existing and new clients alike.

Tim said, “working with such a dedicated and focused

takes the time to understand what will look optimal and

team, (Rod, Amy and Roni), means that we can continue

yet keep the integrity of your hair.

to offer our clients the very best service from start to

Tim has also used his expertise to help teach other people in the hairdressing industry via specialist

finish.”

He continued to say, “hairdressing is my passion, and I

Academies; he was an integral part of the Artistic Team

can utilise my creativity as well as providing clients with

whilst training and working with Toni & Guy.

the latest style, skills and technique they can take home.

Tim said, “being able to assist other people in

31B Hair is a good fit for me and I am already enjoying

developing their hairdressing skills was both

working alongside such a highly experienced and

rewarding and fulfilling at the time; it was an invaluable

professional team.”

31B Hair, The Pantiles Rod Prager, (owner & founder), has a wealth of

Rod is also passionate about the ethical and

colour to skin tone, whilst paying close attention to

experience from his long-standing career as a

sustainability aspects of the Hair Salon.

cutting according to the client’s face shape.

hairdresser. It had always been his vision to open

To this end, 31B Hair is a valued member of the

Amy, (colour specialist), qualified as a hairdresser

his own Hair Salon and decided to fulfil this

Green Salon Collective whose key focus is finding

seven years ago and has been part of the

ambition back in 2016. 31B Hair is situated in the

circular solutions for salon waste.

31B Hair team for two years. Amy specialises in

heart of The Pantiles where Rod sympathetically

Rod said “adopting working methods, which are

renovated a beautiful example of one of the historic

more environmentally friendly, is at the forefront of

Victorian buildings.

my business and this affects all areas of 31B Hair.

Full of character and charm alike, the Hair Salon

matching hair colour to the varying cool and warm skin tones for her clients.

Roni, (Sassoon partner), qualified as a hairdresser

Consequently, we choose which products and

over twenty years ago and has been part of the 31B

has a warm and welcoming feel to it, an open-style

brands to use very carefully and are proud to have

Hair team for eighteen months.

café, (to serve clients their favourite refreshments),

partnered with the vegan brand Authentic Beauty

and carefully, hand-selected accessories

Concept.”

precision cutting.

ambience as soon as one of their clients enters the

The 31B Hair Team:

with Tim, or any of our team, please feel free to

front door.

Rod, (owner & founder), specialises in matching hair

contact us.

throughout; this all adds to the welcoming

(01892) 544465 31b_hair 31bhair 31B Hair, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN2 5TD

Like newest member Tim, Roni also specialises in If you would like to book your hair consultation

Complimentary Private GP included at no extra cost

Choosing care is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Vitality live-in care is here to help you get it right, which could mean care in your own home.

Nurses and GPs lead our closeknit team, and we all work together to meet your individual needs and preferences.

GP & nurse on hand

Trained & caring staff

Tailored for you

Care from your private GP is always included at no extra cost. Our team includes skilled and qualified nurses, too.

Your Personal Assistant is carefully recruited, highly trained and well-supported as our employee. We never use agency carers.

We will match you with a compatible Personal Assistant. They will follow a care plan that promotes your health and well being.

Vitality live-in care is in no way affiliated with VitalityLife Limited or VitalityHealth Limited.

Tel: 01732 757959 Email: hello@vitalityliveincare.co.uk Website: www.vitalityliveincare.co.uk

Beauty

PARTY GIRL What key products do you need in your beauty kit to ensure you’re good to glow this Christmas? Let TAW make-up artist Natalie Piacun guide you through all you’ll need to sparkle this festive season SKINDEEP As we gear up for party season, firstly we must talk about our skincare regime. Throughout the winter months our skin needs extra care and attention as we flit between our cosy warm homes and out into the cold fresh air. It’s worthwhile investing in good skincare for extra winter protection, so incorporate a serum, face oil and moisturiser into your daily routine to ensure all layers of skin are nourished.

My winter hero product is O-Way’s Glowing Face Gommage, a micro-exfoliant which brightens and smooths dull winter skin (£32 available in store at Taw). You can follow this with a night-time skin treat using Decleor’s Green Mandarine Aromessance Glow Serum, an oil serum for glowing skin (£55 www.decleor.co.uk) For that extra feel-good factor treat skin to an all-body elixir which will keep it hydrated and glowing. My latest obsession is, O-Ways Fabulous Body Oil Elixir (£60 available in store at Taw), a nourishing dry oil that absorbs easily.

PAINT THE TOWN Spice up your make-up palette for Christmas with pops of colour, reds, berry tones or stains. My go-to party make-up is a strong red matte lip. For a longer lasting lippy, line and fill in the lip with the complimenting lip pencil. This creates a strong base for lipstick to adhere to, you can guarantee your lippy will stay put whilst whilst sipping your mulled wine. My favourite is Chanel’s Rouge Allure No5 147 Emblématique (£35). It’s a powerful and luminous red which can be complimented with a well-manicured, glossy red nail in Le Vernis Rouge Intemporel (£24) Now onto a smoky eye - line around the eyes with black Kohl, include both bottom and top waterlines for extra depth and definition. My favourite eye pencil is Smoulder by MAC Cosmetics (£16 available from MAC counters) which glides on easily. Blend up and outwards with the warmth of your fingers for a more ‘lived in’ look. Don’t forget to curl those lashes and complete with your favourite mascara. My pro ti: spray a little hairspray on a clean mascara wand to set the fuller brow .

And remember there is ALWAYS room for glitter at Christmas. For a simple transition from day to party make-up, apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the eyelid and press on loose pigment glitter for that extra special event. MAC Gold pigment Glitter (£17.50 available from MAC counters). Complete the look by brushing brows up and outwards and warm up those cheeks.

For make-up tricks of the trade, lessons and group workshops please visit Natalie at Taw, 68 The Pantiles,Tunbridge Wells,TN2 5TN

MEET THE HEADMASTER Party season can play havoc with your hair but help is at hand courtesy of Lorenzo Colangelo (pictured seated above), managing director and owner of the award winning The Gallery salon in Southborough. Here he shares his SOS tips for your tresses…

A

s we approach winter, for many of us the only heat our hair will experience is from hair dryers and straighteners, especially as we prepare for Christmas parties. These are great for styling our hair, but they can do damage at the same time. Make sure that you don’t use the highest heat on your hair dryer (and if you can let your hair dry naturally, all the better) and your hair must be dry before you use straighteners – if you can hear a hiss then stop as you may be singing your hair. Invest in products for heat protection – you only need a small amount each time you style your hair, so they last a long time and they really do make a difference.

And after all that full-on styling for the Christmas season your hair will be feeling fragile and looking frazzled so make sure you give your tresses some TLC – afterall your hair is the crown you wear every day.

And what a versatile crown it is! We can style it differently, cut it, straighten it, colour it, curl it.

Your crown can be changed to suit the mood of the day or the event you’re going to. But how often do we stop, look in the mirror and actually think about what our hair needs? If our hair could talk to us, what would it say?

If your hair was in therapy, ‘wash me properly!’ is one thing it might say. The products that you’re taking into the shower to wash and condition your hair form the foundation of your hair care. Using products by brands that care about hair really does make a difference. You might feel as though your hairdresser is ‘upselling’, but I promise you, they have your hair’s best interests at heart. The investment is worth it and as one famous haircare manufacturer would say, so are you.

Now, imagine your highlighted blonde hair sat

“After all that full-on styling for the Christmas season your hair will be feeling fragile and looking frazzled”

in the therapist’s chair. Does your hair really want to be bleached?

Does your hair really want to be coloured?

Your hair doesn’t really want to be treated with too many chemicals.

Excessive colouring damages the hair. If you’re going to do it though, I would always advise having your hair coloured by a professional hairdresser using professional products. And if you can treat your hair with a nourishing hair mask once a week, either at home or in the salon, then do – your hair will appreciate it.

I know that there are some people for whom hair colouring is an essential part of their mental health toolkit. Banishing the grey can help to boost self-esteem and confidence but lockdown has had an impact on grey hair too: it gave people the chance to explore the possibility of letting their hair be natural and go grey, which, you might be surprised to read, I really support. At The Gallery, we’re helping several clients move away from hair colouring and towards the grey; it’s a gradual process but eventually, they’ll reach the stage where they don’t need any further hair colouring. The hair will be natural, looking great and feeling healthy - you can almost hear the hair take a sigh of relief. wwwthegallery.co.uk SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 41

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Hypnotherapy

FESTIVE

family fortunes

KAREN’S ALTERNATIVE

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS How many days of Christmas?

On the first day of Christmas my true loves came to me…..

Bringing pressies and lots of bonhomie On the second day of Christmas my family drank too much And we all remembered happy times past On the third day of Christmas we all felt fat and ill Then started to get on each other’s nerves On the fourth day of Christmas the turkey went off And house guests passed their sell by too On the fifth day of Christmas the tree began to drop Get me out of here!

Four fractious kids, three marriage breakdowns and granny gone AWOL Who said Christmas was fun?

On the sixth day of Christmas it’s time to reminisce About how wonderful it’s been

Our resident hypnotherapist Karen Martin gets into the spirit of Christmas by examining how we can get on with our nearest and dearest over the festive period…

T

is the season to gather around the hearth for a traditional family get together. And this is all the more important after last year’s damp squib of a Covid restricted festive season. Historically, when several generations of families got together, a military style mobilisation from the four corners of wherever was necessary.

To get granny, the latest offspring and various aunties and uncles under the same roof meant navigating clogged motorways and unreliable railway services disrupted for maintenance. But times are changing…

BOOMERANG BOOMERS The pandemic has affected the way many of us are living. According to Rest Less, a digital community for the over 50s, the number of baby boomers moving in with their elderly parents is growing. Divorce or unemployment have driven many back to their childhood homes and others have returned to give care and company to ageing parents during the lockdowns.

And there has been a record rise in the number of adults aged 20-34 still at home with more than a quarter yet to fly the nest. According to the Office of National Statistics, 38 per cent of young men and 22 per cent of young women in this age range are still tied to the apron strings.

KIDULTS AT HOME Young people have been particularly badly hit by the pandemic and furlough scheme. Many have chosen to move back with their parents to avoid high rents and a precarious jobs market. This trend for multigenerational living has its pitfalls.

I’ve seen parents who are tearing their hair out at their giant twenty something babies hoovering up the contents of the fridge the moment it is filled and loafing around their childhood bedrooms in a regressed state of teen squalor and indolence.

Many revert to a ‘kidult’ mentality and quickly become down and disappointed in themselves. Flying back to the nest or never leaving it has mental health consequences for those who want to have the independence to get on with their lives.

Young couples with small children squeezed into a parents’ home while saving for their own rarely have the space or privacy other families take for granted. And empty nesters can well and truly have their feathers ruffled by the noise and chaos of grandchildren they love being with.

Just not all the time.

The older generation can be as challenging as any toddler to live with. Nanna and Pops aren’t always sweet and lovely givers of treats and cuddles. Some are grumpy, frail and, sadly, demented. The more

dependent an ageing parent, the more kindness, patience and loving attention they need.

The pandemic has brought us closer and in some cases forced us to be closer to our nearest and dearest

Karen Martin Hypnotherapist

MIXED BLESSINGS So, for some families at least, the novelty of several generations getting together for an annual gathering at Christmas may not have the same appeal if they’ve been living on top of each other all year round.

Familial relationships are uniquely complex and Christmas is a time when tensions can rise and grudges surface. Sibling rivalry, strife with the in-laws, ancient arguments and unresolved differences can make for a stressful festive season. When families get together for a few days and go their separate ways before the New Year, it’s possible to avoid going crackers if you keep your sense of humour.

The pandemic has brought us closer and in some cases forced us to be closer to our nearest and dearest.

Spare a thought for those who have buried their loved ones in this past year and bury your differences with yours for a few days at least if you can.

The cliches ‘home is where your heart is’, ‘you can’t choose your family’ and ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ are never more true than at Christmas and show how mixed blessings can be at this time of year.

Make sure you count yours and have a happy Christmas!

On the seventh day of Christmas when everyone’s gone home We’re missing them and clearing up mess On the eighth day of Christmas my true love said to me Never again!

Seven recycling bins, six Insta posts, five useless gifts, four hangovers, three arguments, two too many puddings and a happy family Christmas for all.

On the ninth day of Christmas the recycling bin is full And there’s a pile of online shopping at the door On the tenth day of Christmas we’ve all had enough 12 days is far too much!

10 days of rubbish telly, nine overdrafts, eight pounds gained, seven gifts regifted, six great memories, five happy times!

Four festive hugs, three lovely dinners, far too many drinks and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.

On the 11th day of Christmas we all went back to work With a heavy dose of January blues On the 12th day of Christmas we joined a gym and gave up booze Knowing resolutions never last.

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Before

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Interiors

We show you how to style your Christmas table to perfection like a pro...

TABLES

I

t’s the most important dinner date in the diary – and more a theatrical production than a Christmas chore - but the good news is, showcasing your creative flair to sync with the food has never been easier, with such a wealth of wonder within reach.

“Tablescaping is the latest buzzword in interiors when it comes to dining in style,” says Emmie Brookman, interiors expert and creative director of Silver Mushroom. “If you’re hosting a festive feast this Christmas, the table should be as memorable as the menu.

“The first and most important thing to consider is the mood. Are you hosting a large family event, or an intimate affair? Think about what space you have, where you want everyone to sit, and who you’re catering for. If there are children in your party, the theme will certainly be different to an adults-only soirée,” suggests Brookman.

Such is the expectation, Johnny Roxburgh, ‘party architect’ to the Royals, says he can already feel the excitement and festive cheer.

“Christmas is my favourite time of the year to host and this year, celebrations are back on the agenda!” The party planner says Habitat is his go-to for festive tableware, Christmas decorations and winter accessories: “Its product range provides a wonderful way to wow guests, without breaking the bank.

Brookman advises to make sure every accessory adds something to your table: “whether that be personalised name cards, or beautiful statement serving plates” and to be practical and on point, to save your dining table from any spillages: “Dress it with a tablecloth and table runner in

Christmas is my favourite time of the year to host and this year, celebrations are back on the agenda!

contrasting colours. If your theme is gold and white, for example, choose a white tablecloth with a gold runner, and add in splashes of both colours through your accessory choices, such as place settings, napkins, cutlery, and crackers.”

Another neat idea for napkins, Jessica Hanley, founder of Piglet in Bed, suggests adding seasonal winter flowers like holly, dried oranges or berries to your place settings, for an extra special touch. “Tie these to your napkins with some natural twine or string, to bring a burst of nature in from the outdoors, and pull your festive tablescape together.”

To create a more pared-back look, Emily Dunstan, home buyer at Heal’s, says to opt for a palette of earthy, natural tones, and focus on building texture to make the most impact.

“Add greenery with sprigs of holly, fresh rosemary or fragrant fir branches, to create a scene that all your senses can enjoy,” she notes.

“For the dinnerware, keep to a simple white palette and look for hand-glazed ceramic pieces, such as the Nordic Sand collection. To finish, mix different heights of pillar candles along the table, before filling a vase with fresh pinecones, baubles and fairy lights as an elegant, festive

centrepiece.”

Mark Winstanley, chief creative officer at The White Company, says sometimes less can be more: “An all-white scheme bounces the light off your glassware and cutlery – add extra brilliance with a beaded charger, placemats, coasters and napkin rings, and add softness and texture with shearling and faux fur cushions.”

Last but not least, place some simple table favours: “These really are the cherry on top and a decadent final embellishment for your table,” says Roxburgh. “In the past, I’ve used cookie cutters turning them into place card holders with a simple paperclip in a matching shade,” explains Roxburgh.

“The best part is, each guest can take these away and send you Christmas biscuits as a thank you gift!”

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 45

Outside Edge

Tips in the garden for December: DIG FOR VICTORY: now’s the time to dig over empty borders and prepare your soil for next year’s planting GIMME SHELTER: Group potted plants together in a sheltered spot in the garden to protect them from the harshest winter weather GET PRUNING: wisteria, fruit trees, roses and Japanese maples are just some of the plants that benefit from a winter prune

This month our gardening guru Victoria Truman suggests some festive gifts and seasonal decorations that can be sourced from the great outdoors

B

garlands. Wrapping fairy lights in and around erry reds and greens take centre the branches and conceal the battery pack stage in December in the garden behind ribbon for an illuminated effect. and in turn these colours can be Glitter spray could be used on the branches brought inside and used to add to and small baubles twisted onto the wreath your Christmas decorations and using florist wire or you could just leave it festive cheer.

Keep your schemes bold and full of impact beautifully simple. Other plants to use to fashion festive decs would be eucalyptus, by using plenty of the same type of plant berried ivy, ruscus, robusta, pittosporum, around the house as you would in your eryngium, roses and nerine. garden. Mistletoe makes a great Painted gold berries and pears centre piece for kissing under! mixed with seasonal foliage But remember to make your “Keep your make for a fabulous table display extra large - and tie it schemes bold and centre piece dotted with with a big red bow to hang full of impact by using candles amongst the foliage from the ceiling. This cheeky in long candlesticks. Simple evergreen is as much an plenty of the same type flourishes like sprigs of holly emblem of Christmas as the of plant around the tucked behind picture tree itself. You can buy it house as you would frames, pine cones and fresh and also use some in your garden” spruce branches dotted along poked into your wreath mantlepieces and fairy lights following the theme through into strung along the latter’s branches are your house. all easy ways to get the look without Talking of wreaths, Holly-Ilex aquifolium is just perfect for wreath and garland making. A breaking the bank.

Bare winter branches have a delicate look favourite of mine is the ‘Silver Queen’, which but why not try using small baubles that has a cream margin on its leaves, making it catch the light dotted along the branches for look frosted. For an o ption which is not as a more modern and contemporary sharp as traditional holly, choose Ilex decoration? If your Christmas tree feels a bit aquifolium ‘Alaska’, which also bears beautiful sparse pad it out with additional foliage, such red berries over winter. as eucalyptus and snowberries inserted Silver birch branches can be used to make between the branches. wreaths or try entwining it with holly for

FEED THE BIRDS: clean feeders, stock up on fat balls and make sure they have access to fresh water FADED GLORY: Leave the faded flower heads on your hydrangeas until spring, as they provide frost protection to the swelling buds further down the stems COMING UP ROSES: If any of your rose bushes suffered from blackspot or rust this summer, gather up and remove any fallen leaves to reduce the chance of infection next year GET MOVING: Shift containers of shrubs or bedding planters to sheltered spots; clustering them together helps protect the root systems from suffering frost damage www.victoriatruman.com

Top 5 Gift Ideas for the garden enthusiast: HAND CREAM: as luxurious as possible! Brands such as Crabtree & Evelyn and L’Occitane have some very rich varieties to choose from which are perfect for soothing ravished hands GARDENING GLOVES: thicker more robust pairs are great for dealing with prickly and spiky plants. My favourties are sold on the Sarah Raven website: www. sarahraven.com

A MASSAGE: now this would be most gratefully received to help ease those aching muscles after a long season gardening!

A FLOWER SUBSCRIPTION: Try one from online florist Freddies Flowers. They deliver fresh, seasonal flowers and you can choose weekly, fortnightly slots or opt in and out of deliveries when you need to www.freddiesflowers.com

46 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

GOOD QUALITY TOOLS: Anything from Niwaki – an amazing Japanese brand which sells everything from garden scissors to topiary shears. The latter is brilliant for detailed work. See www.niwaki.com for more info and inspiration

Victoria Truman Garden Designer

Outside Edge

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Call: 01580 850394 Or Visit: www.kibblewhitegardens.co.uk SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 47

TRAVEL

A fairytale of

New York

“W The United States is back open to British tourists again. Georgia Humphreys catches up with the Big Apple

48 | DECEMBER 2021 | SO Magazine

e are born with two innate fears: falling and loud noises,” says my guide, Tommy December, who’s trying to reassure me that the jelly-leg inducing fear I am experiencing is normal.

I’m stood on an open-air platform 1,271 feet above the ground, near the top of skyscraper 30 Hudson Yards – located on Manhattan’s West Side – as part of New York’s newest attraction, City Climb (tickets are currently $185/£137.90).

After clambering 161 steps at a 45-degree incline along the exterior of the glass building, while strapped in a harness, I now have the chance to lean out from the building and look down.

Below, I can see people visiting Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Slowly, my palms start to feel less clammy – it’s like I’m acclimatising to being so high up and exposed. Next up, though, is

the biggest challenge.

I take a deep breath and squat down into my harness at the edge of the platform. Pushing with my feet, I lean back, and fling my arms out into the air, the Empire State Building glimmering behind me in the November sunshine. It’s only for a few seconds, but I’ve never felt anything like it. Knowing you’re currently higher than anyone else in New York City, it’s like you’re suddenly suspended in the centre of the world.

When we landed at JFK just over 24 hours earlier, it was a historic moment, to say the least. Since March last year, most UK nationals have been unable to fly to the US – but on November 8, the travel ban was lifted for all travellers who are double jabbed.

To celebrate, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways organised a dual take-off from parallel runways at Heathrow. Seeing flight BA001 soaring alongside us nearly brings me

Knowing how New York was so abandoned, so untouched, during Covid makes it feel even more special somehow

to tears, especially after hearing stories of fellow passengers flying out to meet grandchildren for the first time.

In many ways, the sounds, smells and sights of New York are just the same as when I last visited 12 years ago. I revel in hearing yellow taxis tooting their horns, am mesmerised by the colours of Central Park’s trees as I cycle amongst the groups of morning joggers, and find insanely tasty bagels once again (try one oozing with crispy bacon, egg, and American-style cheese from Finn’s Bagels on 10th Ave, £7.80).

But there’s no doubt that postCovid, NYC feels quieter – more reserved, even. The arrivals area at JFK airport was eerily empty, and less traffic heading into the city meant an unusually speedy transfer (less than an hour).

Many of the tourist hotspots are also much quieter than usual. In

TRAVEL

Times Square, for example, there was barely a soul taking a selfie.

At Bryant Park’s seasonal Winter Village, a few teenagers are whizzing around the free ice-skating rink, while young professionals sit at the scattered outdoor tables, drinking coffee and tapping at laptops.

There are dozens of kiosks perfect for festive shopping hauls. At one, called HoneyGramz, I get chatting to 22-year-old Michael Campese, who’s working at the pop-up after graduating from university in the summer.

He hails from Queens and gives a sense of how it feels to see his city starting to bounce back; he seems positive that business is beginning to boom again.

“When lockdown started, you could walk through Times Square, and there was no one on the street,” he recalls.

“It was pretty eerie, actually. All the lights were on, all the billboards were on, but that just made it feel more like an apocalypse movie.”

One place where you can feel a real sense of New York’s energy and pace returning is Hudson Yards – a development built five years ago, where I’m staying at the Pendry Manhattan West. There’s a buzz about the neighbourhood, which boasts the mind-bending new spiral staircase and public artwork Vessel, immersive arts centre The Shed, and a seven-

storey indoor shopping mall.

Highlights of the hotel, which only opened in September, include floorto-ceiling windows in the bedrooms (some suites have views of the Statue of Liberty), Peloton bikes on request, and the views from the rooftop, which opens next spring. On one side, there’s a don’t-miss-out photo opportunity in front of the Empire State Building.

That evening, I head to secret garden-themed rooftop Gallow Green, at the McKittrick Hotel (an eight-minute walk from Pendry Manhattan West), where I order the shaved brussels sprouts, served with bacon, parmesan, parsley and Caesar dressing (£14.15), and the fried calamari (£14.15). I wash it down with a signature Sleep No More (£13.42) cocktail of vodka, elderflower, butterfly-pea flowers, citrus and cider.

It’s named after an immersive theatre spectacle held at the hotel, which was originally created by British theatre company Punchdrunk, and will return to the venue in February 2022.

Any hints of a hangover the next day are banished with a walk on the High Line, the must-see attraction which doesn’t require a brave appetite for heights. An elevated public park that’s free to visit, it runs for 1.45 miles along Manhattan’s West Side.

Fascinatingly, it’s built on a freight rail line that was in operation from 1934 to 1980 (my favourite part is

How to plan your trip Virgin Atlantic (virginatlantic.com; 0344 8747 747) flies direct between London Heathrow and New York JFK from £358.72 per person.

Rooms at the Pendry Manhattan West (pendry.com/manhattanwest; +1 212 933 7000) start from $625/£465 plus tax per night.

seeing remnants of the tracks in places) and was saved from demolition by locals and the City of New York. No reservations are needed, and there are several access points – but the northern end starts at 34th Street in Hudson Yards.

Time it right and you can stroll – down to the other end, at Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District – towards the sunset, an orange glow burning through the hazy sky over the Hudson River.

Don’t rush, as there’s a lot to see along the way: ever-changing art projects, colourfully contrasting architecture, and 100,000 plants, trees and shrubs. You’ll lose count of the number of times you want to stop and capture what feels like a whole new perspective on the city.

Knowing how New York was so abandoned, so untouched, during Covid makes it feel even more special somehow. I’m so grateful to be back travelling, I reckon I’d even scale another skyscraper again.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2021 | 49

MOTORS

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Initially at least, the DBX is a confusing prospect to get your head around. Is this an SUV focused on performance, or is it one with ride comfort at the forefront of its priorities? Thankfully, as you progress it soon becomes clear it’s been designed to bring a blend of both attributes.

The steering has a decent weight to it, which, when combined with the good body control, means you’re free to enjoy corners and long, sweeping bends. But then take the DBX on the motorway and it’s frankly sublime, cruising along while the cabin remains in hushed quiet. The engine, when the car’s in GT mode, is barely audible when on the move, but crank through the settings and it really starts to make its presence known.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

First Drive:

It must’ve been a hard task to translate Aston Martin’s recognisable styling to a larger platform, but we’d say it’s been a successful process. It’s a big and imposing thing, the DBX, but there are plenty of finessed touches to ensure that it’s not just size that makes this car striking to be around. Aston’s trademark grille is present and correct, while at the rear of the car the eyecatching LED lights provide a suitable amount of drama for an AM car.

FACTS AT A GLANCE MODEL: Aston Martin DBX BASE PRICE: £158,000 ENGINE: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 POWER: 542bhp TORQUE: 700Nm MAX SPEED: 181mph 0-60MPH: 4.3 seconds MPG: 19.8 EMISSIONS: 323g/km CO2 (NEDC)

Aston Martin DBX The DBX is Aston’s first SUV, but can it capture everything people want from the brand? Jack Evans finds out WHAT IS IT?

Think Aston Martin and what springs to mind? Luxurious grand tourers perhaps, or maybe even the vehicle of choice for a certain spy?

Certainly when the firm announced its DBX – Aston’s first-ever SUV – it raised a few eyebrows. But given that other companies usually focused on sports cars were also developing their own four-wheel-drives – think RollsRoyce and Lamborghini – it was somewhat to be expected.

This is the first time we’ve been able to get behind the wheel of the DBX – so can it deliver everything people know and love about Aston Martin but in an SUV?

WHAT’S NEW?

Well, pretty much everything. Given it’s the first time Aston has produced an SUV in its more than 107-year history, the arrival of the DBX is quite a big deal. Needless to say, the firm has thrown the works at it and even created a purpose-made manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales, where it is built.

Designed to be as agile as possible 50 | December 2021 | SO Magazine

both on- and off-road, the DBX incorporates high-end technologies such as triple-volume air suspension and a 48-volt anti-roll system to ensure it delivers the kind of driving experience that people expect from an Aston Martin.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

Aston Martin has leant on its partnership with AMG for the DBX’s power. It’s a twin-turbocharged V8, bringing 542bhp and 700Nm of torque to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Strong and brawny, it allows the DBX to go from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds before heading onwards to a 181mph top speed. It’ll probably come as little surprise that a large, powerful engine powering a big, heavy car isn’t the most economical, with Aston claiming 19.8mpg combined – though push the car harder and this will quickly dwindle.

But it’s a beautifully responsive engine, with loads of character thanks to a deep, gravelly noise. It’s a fitting backbone to the entire DBX setup.

All of the proportions are tied in well together, while the huge arches are filled by 22-inch wheels (on our test car). Even though they’re giant by ‘normal’ car proportions, these alloys still struggle to fully fill the space beneath the car – you wouldn’t want to go much smaller or it would give the DBX a certain underwheeled look.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

There’s an undeniable sense of class to the interior. Almost every area you touch is trimmed in leather, with the hide used on the dashboard being particularly smart. Though the door bins are quite small, there’s a useful area underneath the armrest for storage. In the back, the leathertrimmed opulence doesn’t stop, but it’s backed up by decent levels of legroom and loads of headspace. A full-length panoramic sunroof really helped brighten up ‘our’ car’s otherwise quite-dark interior too.

When it comes to boot space, the DBX packs 632 litres of room. It’s a nicely square space, though the load height is particularly high, meaning some people may struggle when it comes to loading heavier items into the boot.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

In a similar vein to the engine, much of the DBX’s multimedia system is borrowed from Mercedes. There’s a 10.25-inch screen in the middle of the dashboard, backed by a 12.3-inch display ahead of the driver. While the main screen looks pleasant enough, it feels a little behind the times; it’s not a touchscreen, so using a rotary controller to select different menus is a bit clunkier than it needs to be.

Connect your phone and Apple CarPlay initiates – displaying across the full width of the screen too – but suffers from similar issues due to the lack of touchscreen capability.

The DBX comes with an impressive range of safety assistance equipment, including forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning, to name but a few.

VERDICT

Given it was Aston Martin’s first foray into the world of SUVs, you could’ve forgiven it if the DBX hadn’t ticked all of the boxes. That’s not the case however, as it’s a car with a multitude of talents, wrapped up in a good-looking and well-made package. Sure, the touchscreen might be a little dated in its operation, but the DBX makes up for this by being both superb to drive and superb to live with too.

Of course, with prices starting from just under £160,00 – and most models reaching close to £200,000 after options – the DBX is no budget off-roader, but as a luxurious and high-quality SUV, it’s really hard to beat.

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