So Magazine September 2021

CULTURE

Paint the town Discover why local graffiti artist Humor is set for superstardom thanks to his incredible talent

FOOD & DRINK

Raise a glass

We meet the co-founder of the Kent Wine School and discover her grape expectations

WEDDINGS

Say I do in style Don't miss our bridal special with lots of top tips to ensure your big day is just beautiful

DREAM

TEAM WHY JACK ELKINGTON AND HIS PENHURST COLLEAGUES HAVE THE PERFECT OFFICE SPACE SOLUTION FOR YOU IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS

September 2021

CLASSICAL | SUN 12 SEP

MUSIC | THU 16 SEP

MUSIC | FRI 17 SEP

PROFESSOR BRIAN COX:

HORIZONS WARM UP

MUSIC | SUN 19 SEP

HHHH SUNDAY EXPRESS

HHHHH HHHHH TIME OUT

MUSIC | THU 23 SEP WHATSONSTAGE

FRECKLE PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

FAMILY | SAT 9 – SUN 10 OCT

SPOKEN WORD| TUE 21 SEP

COMEDY | WED 22 SEP

MUSIC | FRI 24 SEP

MUSIC | SAT 25 SEP

COMEDY | TUE 19 – SUN 24 OCT

COMEDY | THU 4 NOV

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk T U N B R I D G E W E LLS

BASED ON THE BOOK BY

Stick Man © 2008 Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Published by Alison Green Books, an imprint of Scholastic Children’s Books.

FRECKLEPRODUCTIONS.CO.UK

for full details and to book tickets visit our website

WELCOME

Editor’s LETTER

W

elcome to the September edition of SO magazine.

Coronavirus has greatly impacted our lives in many ways but one area in particular which has drastically changed for most officebased employees is the Monday to Friday, 9-5 way of working.

Up until March 2020 most were ensconced in a building with colleagues but when the pandemic struck the majority found themselves having to set up shop from home – with a good tranche (myself included) having to also juggle home schooling. As we edge out of this phase of the pandemic it’s becoming increasingly clear that both employers and employees are seeking a new way of working. A balance of being office-based with the flexibility to work remotely as and when required – and crucially, without the noose of a long term let to be tied into.

But to how to make this happen is the question on many people’s lips well… step forward our cover stars for this issue: the team at Penhurst Properties who have created just this type of perfect working scenario with their new business centre at Lonsdale Gate – a super slick set of 45 offices right in the heart of town. Turn to page 13 to learn more.

As it’s September we have our Education Special which looks at a number of topical issues right now in the world of learning: from how AI will impact the classroom to choosing the right uni. (Page 23) We also have a Wedding Special

7 10 13

contents September 2021

Culture vulture: what’s on where this month

43 47

Livewire: Paul Dunton relives the magic of last month’s Local & Live

Living colour: Victoria Truman explains how your garden can still enjoy one last rush of colour

They mean business: We meet the CEO of Penhurst Properties and discover their new office centre Lonsdale Gate

which will guide you through the often complex and costly journey of tying the knot. Turn to page 33 to read all our experts’ tips.

Finally, in addition to all our usual lifestyle features we meet the up-and-coming street artist Humor (Page 18). He tells us how his love of art and visual expression has set him on a path to success. We wish him all the best…

Enjoy the issue,

16 18 23

Supporting local: TN Card’s Jess Gibson meets the co-founders of Zero Waste on The Pantiles Making a statement: We meet graffiti king Humor and learn all about his street art Education special: All you need to know as your children head back into the classroom P43

Caribbean Queen: Let’s take a trip to Antigua

P18

P48

29

Grape expectations: How the Kent Wine School can help you appreciate and ameliorate wine

33 40

Love is in the air: Don’t miss our exclusive expert tips on how to make your big day beautiful Let’s go outside?

Hypnotherapist Karen Martin looks at the issue of agoraphobia

P33

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

Issue 155 SALOMONS ESTATE Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0TG Tel: 01892 779650 www.timeslocalnews.co.uk

EDITOR Eileen Leahy

eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk

HEAD OF DESIGN Lee Smith

lee.smith@onemediauk.co.uk

SALES DIRECTOR Robin Singer

robin.Singer@onemediauk.co.uk

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORIAL David Sexton Victoria Truman Richard Moore richard.moore@onemediauk.co.uk Rose Bainbridge Karen Martin Naomi Murray PUBLISHED BY

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.

48 50

The hub of the home: How to make your kitchen look super stylish with minimum effort

PRINTED BY: Mortons Print

Cover shot photographs by Rose Bainbridge & Art Direction by Lee Smith

Protect yourself: Botanica’s Naomi Murray on how to prepare for a change in seasons SO Magazine | September 2021 | 5

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Calendar

Our edit of the most entertaining events happening this month We’ve compiled a calendar of things you can do in Tunbridge Wells and its surrounding areas in September.

As usual please always double check before heading out…

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD The popular Pantiles Harvest Food Festival takes place over the weekend of September 11 and 12 and it promises to be a feast for the senses. With plenty of local suppliers present and the usual fun live cooking demos on the Bandstand it will certainly be a treat for the

tastebuds. Julian Leefe Griffiths, who runs the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, is in charge of the organisation of this free event which runs from 11am to 6pm. He tells us it will be a great opportunity for foodies to come down to The Pantiles and enjoy the best of what the area’s top quality producers and chefs have to offer.

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

DID YOU KNOW? Sir Tom Jones’ real name is in fact Thomas John Woodward. At first he chose the name Tommy Scott to tour with during the early 60s but when he met his manager later in that decade he suggested Thomas changed his stage name to Tom Jones.

TUNE IN MUSIC FANS Over the weekend of September 18 and 19 two mighty musical powerhouses will play one-off gigs at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood.

First up is Olly Murs on the Saturday followed by Sir Tom

Jones on the Sunday. Both will have a number of support acts performing before they hit the stage. Liz Doogan-Hobbs MBE, CEO of Grandslam Live and LHG Events, promoter of the two concerts said, “We are delighted to confirm that

Olly and Tom will be performing this summer.

We know it will be one epic party weekend at the Hop Farm and we’re looking forward to sharing that with everyone in Kent!”

Tickets and timing info at www. thehopfarm.co.uk

The EM Forster Theatre kicks off the autumn season with an NT Live show: Sondheim’s ‘Follies’ showing September 2.

Starring Imelda Staunton (pictured left) it promises to be a sensational showstopping performance.

Tracie Bennett and Janie Dee join Staunton as the Follies girls, a group of performers lamenting the prospect of their careers ending.

A magnificent cast of 37 along with a 21-piece orchestra razzle-dazzle, whilst the Follies girls tell lies and drink cocktails before their theatre closes.

Don’t miss out on tickets which are £15 and £13 for students and can be found at https://follies.ntlive.com/.

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 7

Calendar

GET IN THE GOOD BOOKS Award-winning authors Sebastian Faulks (right) and Deborah Moggach OBE introduce their new novels at the Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival on Thursday September 2.

In this, the final event of the literary festival which has run throughout the summer, Faulks will discuss his new novel ‘Snow Country’ at 2pm.

The celebrated author, who has penned numerous novels including Birdsong and Paris Echo, will speak about his new love story, which erupts during the preparations of

conflict in Austria in 1906.

Moggach, who is best known for her novel ‘These Foolish Things, which inspired the film: ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ and ‘Something to Hide’ will present her darkly funny novel ‘The Black Dress’ at 4pm. Moggach’s new novel unveils the unexpected pleasures of being alone and newly single as the main character Pru is left to contemplate her future after her husband leaves her.

For tickets to either event, please visit www. chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/ literary_festival.

DID YOU KNOW? Chiddingstone Castle hosted members of the Canadian Forces during the Second World War before it became Long Dene School. It operated as a school until 1954.

GETTING CRAFTY Hever Castle will host Craft in Focus over the weekend of September 9-12.

Over the four days, 120 of the UK’s finest exhibitors will showcase their designs and contemporary art.

Live music will be played at the event while you wander through each tent, and there’ll be plenty of homemade cakes and ice cream on offer.

The family-friendly event also caters for children aged 7-14 with the Tudor Towers adventure playground with interactive musical instruments, a floor maze and hidden boxes to find.

Entrance to the Craft Fair is included in Gardens Only and Castle & Garden admission tickets.

There will be a limited number of attendees to ensure the safety of visitors, so it is advised that you book in advance at www.hevercastle. co.uk/whats-on/craft-fair/ Photograph © BBC

SCIENTIFIC RESPONSE

DID YOU KNOW? RUN FOR YOUR LIFE On September 19 Hospice in the Weald will be hosting its annual 5K and 10K run in order to raise money for the hospice. Starting at 9.30am it will hopefully be a fun occasion for both runners and supporters of this amazing local charity. For more information on entering, sponsorship or supporting please visit www. hospiceintheweald.org.uk 8 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

Professor Brian Cox was formerly in D:Ream pop group. Their biggest hit was Things Can Only Get Better which Tony Blair’s New Labour party used as their successful election anthem in 1997.

Professor Brian Cox (left) and comedian Robin Ince come to the Assembly Hall on September 21 with a special warm-up gig of their new show Horizons. It promises to take audiences on a dazzling cinematic journey; a story of how we came to be and what we can become. Alongside the pair’s classic banter there will be images of far-away galaxies, alien worlds, supermassive black holes and a time before the Big Bang.

According to producers, Horizons is ‘a celebration of our civilization, of our music, art, philosophy and science; an optimistic vision of our future if we continue to explore nature with humility and to value ourselves and our fellow human beings’.

STRIKING THE RIGHT NOTE On Sunday September 12 the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO) comes to the Assembly Hall Theatre for an afternoon of classic Beethoven. Last year was supposed to have been a whole year of celebrating the work of the great composer but a certain pandemic put paid to that so now the ESO are putting that right with a 3pm.

The concert opens with one of Beethoven’s most dramatic scores, the tragic Coriolan Overture. It will conclude with one of his most exuberant compositions; the Second Symphony.

The ESO will be joined by pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and there will be a free preconcert talk at 2.00 pm. For ticket information visit www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Calendar

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SO Magazine | September 2021 | 9

Paul Dunton Music Editor

Follow Paul @PaulDuntonmusic

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

Music

10 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

Music

A SPECIAL THAT’S MUSIC

to our ears

Following the success of its long-awaited return over the Bank Holiday weekend last month, Local & Live musical festival has hit all the right notes according to its organiser Paul Dunton…

H

aving now had time to catch my breath, I thought I would take this opportunity to reflect on the recent Local & Live Music Festival.

Having not staged the event in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, we were eager for the festival to return this year to its spiritual home Calverley Grounds as well as various fringe venues that included The Forum, Cassidy's, The Black Horse Pub and The Royal Oak Pub. It’s no understatement to say that 2021 has been another horrendously difficult year for events across the UK and with much uncertainty still lingering, many of this summer’s festivals had to be cancelled including many beloved local ones such as Unfest and Black Deer Festival. So we feel incredibly grateful to have been able to stage Local & Live over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

But it wasn’t without its nerve-wracking moments.

Following final lifting of restrictions on July 19, I still felt it was important to wait until early August to see whether any new guidance on outdoor events would emerge before taking a final decision on whether or not we’d be able to stage this event which has been running for years.

Whilst Local & Live committee members and myself left it late to announce all was going ahead, we felt it was very important that Local & Live had to happen. My

personal hope was it could still be a highlight of the summer; something for everyone to look forward to and enjoy. Not just for the musicians involved but for the local traders, our sponsors and the local community too.

Yet despite all the difficulties we’ve faced over the past two years I really did enjoy organising Local & Live 2021 and I feel that we now have a solid festival team and format all in place that will enable the event to develop and thrive for years to come.

Calverley Grounds once again proved to be a wonderful location as a central point for the event and I know all the musicians involved really enjoyed performing on such a wonderful stage to many thousands of people.

The event’s attendance usually hinges on good weather to a certain degree although saying that, come wind, rain or shine, Local & Live does have a dedicated following that I know would turn up no matter how inclement the conditions!

It is this whole hearted support for the event that gives me the confidence and belief to keep doing it every year and I am ever appreciative to everyone who came along and supported this year’s festival.

The atmosphere was something very special – I’d even go so far as to say perhaps it was the best yet. We felt so much support from the audiences and there were so many amazing performances especially from our headline

acts, Marie White, The Orange Circus and Wake Up Leo. In recent years I feel Local & Live has now developed a more laid-back, relaxed festival vibe. Calverley Grounds is definitely its natural home and sometimes it is the little touches like having a face painter, arts & crafts activities, the food & drink quarter, various stalls and stands, which all help to embellish the event and give it a genuine family friendly festival vibe.

Local & Live 2021 could not have happened without the help of my fellow trustees: Peter Taylor, Barney Jameson, Nigel Bent and Jason Dormon.

Their collective support has been integral to the festival's success. Huge thanks also to all our amazing volunteers, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the event running smoothly. They are all individuals from the local community who gave up their time over the weekend to help our cause.

I would also like to award a special vote of thanks to all the musicians who performed and all the Local & Live Angels, our sponsors: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, The BID and Tunbridge Wells Together, Lauren Brook, Charles Armstrong, David & Elisa Briers, Catherine Hazel. Sean de Burca, Friends of Calverley Grounds, BBC Radio Kent and our media partner the Times of Tunbridge Wells for all their support and assistance.

In recent years Local & Live has developed a more laid-back, relaxed festival vibe.

We felt so much support from the audiences and there were so many amazing performances

Roll on 2022!

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 11

Cover feature

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Cover feature

“We believe we are offering something different”

Covid has changed how we work and Penhurst Properties knows this only too well. Eileen Leahy meets its founder and CEO John Elkington to discuss how its premium new office rental space, overseen by his son Jack, can benefit all kinds of businesses. And they also reveal their family’s fascinating history with the local area

O

ver the past 18 months much of life as we know it has changed due to coronavirus, but one of the most seismic shifts has been the transformation of the traditional Monday to Friday, 9-5 working pattern.

Prior to March 2020 most of us were expected to be at our desks in an office for the duration of the working week – usually after a long commute. But when the first lockdown was announced and we were suddenly given permission to work from home, things changed rapidly.

Juggling Zooms and Microsoft Teams meetings while working at a kitchen table - or from a home office if you were lucky - became the norm for the majority.

But as we emerge from this phase of the pandemic it has become clear that what a lot of employers and employees are now seeking is a more flexible way of working. A palpable need if you like to ensure that for the latter there is a distinct

difference between home and working life, and for the former more flexibility when it comes to taking on leases.

Given the uncertainty of the commercial landscape right now many companies – big and small don’t want to tie themselves up in an expensive five-year deal for an office. Instead, they are looking for more diverse ways of working and renting.

As a result, a number of office hotdesking hubs have popped up in a bid to capitalise on this change.

But there is one company who was certainly ahead of the Covid curve in terms of forecasting the future of working environments – way before the pandemic hit in fact.

Towards the end of 2019 property specialists the Penhurst Group, whose core business is residential property in London, acquired the freehold of the former Thompson Snell and Passmore solicitors building in Lonsdale Gardens, which is located just a few minutes walk from Tunbridge

Wells station - and its most sought after shops and restaurants.

The aim was to turn it into an offering of 40 to 50 different sized serviced commercial offices, which it could add to the group’s existing portfolio of business centres; one in Battersea, London and another in Tonbridge.

Fast forward to July last year and 3.5million pounds of investment later - Lonsdale Gate, as it is now known, opened for business. There are now 45 offices within the impressive building, which can cater for everything from a solo start-up right up to an established team of 15 or so employees. In the building there is also a gym, stylish boardroom, meeting rooms, a small reading area and 38 parking spaces available. In brief it’s a hub that can make a smaller, younger enterprise feel more connected or provide a bigger business with additional support and great networking given its location. “We are also looking to create 13 spacious residential units in part of the car

Primarily we are residential property investors. We buy properties, let them and manage them

park in years to come, which is another reason we were so keen on the site,” says John.

On entering the reception area at Lonsdale Gate for our photoshoot I feel like I’ve arrived at a top fivestar hotel instead a commercial business centre. With its soft bronzed panelled walls, stylish illumination, smart marble desk and soft button back chairs it resembles a super stylish concierge of a world class hotel rather than your usual (and often dull) office rental space.

But that’s exactly what the CEO and founder of the Penhurst Group, John Elkington wants you to feel as you pass through Lonsdale Gate’s polished glass doors.

“First impressions count,” says John as we sit down to chat.

“When we were refurbishing the building, we spent a lot of money on the reception area. It’s all about that moment you first walk through the door - that’s key isn’t it? And I’d say it also helps reflect the professional image of any business who is operating from here.”

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 13

Photographs: Rose Bainbridge Creative Direction: Lee Smith

Cover feature

because generally they know what It most certainly works as despite the Covid chaos of the past 18 months their overheads are,” explains John.

“They don’t have any surprise costs to John says the building is already at think about which is important for a 84% occupancy. But then he knows small business. exactly what he’s doing given that “At Lonsdale Gate we accept we are John heads up a team that’s probably the most expensive per responsible for running a £150 square foot in the town but we think million empire. we are offering something different to “Primarily we are residential property investors. We buy properties, the average business centre.

“We have lots of various let them and manage them,” he sized offices. That’s a big explains. “Our plus for us. But our headquarters are in location and flexibility Battersea, London. are also key. People We’ve got a residential “Our USP is you are right in the heart portfolio of just over 350 properties in can see an office on of town and can rent an office very South London so Monday and move quickly. Businesses that’s very much our in on Tuesday” don’t want to sign up core business. to five or ten year “But in addition to leases any more that we’ve also got three especially not now because businesses centres: one in of the pandemic.

Battersea, one in Tonbridge and “Our USP is you can come and see now one here in Tunbridge Wells.” the office on Monday and move in on For those not familiar with the Tuesday. You can take on a shorter let business centre concept it’s where contract and therefore there’s no big businesses, both big and small, can financial commitment. I think people rent an office for a shorter period of are nervous of long-term contracts as time than usual and normally for a they wonder what’s going to happen fixed monthly price. They can also next. Is there going to be another benefit from some shared facilities lockdown? Well, we hope not but such as meeting rooms and a front of none of us can say that with absolute house team who will meet and greet, and create bespoke telephone services certainty.

“We bought the freehold of for clients if they so wish.

Lonsdale Gate just before the “People like all-in-one prices

MEET THE TEAM: Jack Elkington with Lonsdale Gate Business Manager Saskia Norton (right) and Head of Social Media Ellen Constable

14 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

pandemic so you can imagine when Covid hit we thought ‘whoops’ but in fact I don’t think we’d be 84% let if that hadn’t been the case. People now want different options when it comes to renting.”

What was it about the former offices of Thompson Snell and Passmore that attracted the Penhurst Group?

“Primarily we liked the location of it and the fact you couldn’t be in any more of a prime position to the shops, restaurants and station etc. I was also born in Tunbridge Wells so there’s a big link with this location.”

In fact John has a number of personal ties with the local area. The Elkington family can trace its routes back to 1879, when the first John Crofts Elkington began a builder’s merchants in Tonbridge.

That is now the site of Riverside House, Penhurst’s other local business centre in River Lawn Road, which was launched 12 years ago.

“My grandfather John Elkington whom I was very close to, was actually born on the site so there is a nice link there. In fact, we have all got the same name John Crofts – even my son Jack – Jack is just a nickname which is short for John.”

Jack is in fact the seventh generation of Elkingtons and is now Penhurst’s Group Portfolio Manager.

He started doing work experience for the family firm when he was in his

Cover feature

late teens and came on board as an employee a few years later and is now overseeing the Tunbridge Wells project.

“I enjoy the creative aspect of seeing properties completed,” he tells me when we meet for our SO photoshoot with his front of house colleagues Business Centre manager Saskia Norton and Head of Social Media Ellen Constable (pictured left).

“I have been involved with the London business for some time, mainly on the residential side, but it is great to be a director of the business centre side in Tunbridge Wells too.”

So it’s fair to say that property and development has long run in the Elkington’s blood then?

“Well, we don’t date back centuries as an actual property family business,” John replies. “I started the Penhurst Group in 1987 and we’ve grown from a single-unit operation to become one of the largest and most successful property owners in South London with over 350 properties, including 50 commercial units, in prime locations.”

In 2006 John had the opportunity to buy the River Lawn site - previously owned by his aforementioned grandfather - and things in the commercial office rental space sector grew slowly from there.

“Was it a little bit of an emotional purchase? Well, yes it probably was. But we knocked it down and rebuilt it and

created 50 separate offices. It’s a similar size to Tunbridge Wells and we’ve got 20 parking spaces there too. Which is always a great selling point. It’s a nice spot, overlooking the Medway and has been there a long time.

“We currently have 98.5% occupancy at River Lawn Road and 100% in our Battersea offices - but pre pandemic we would have definitely been at 100 in Tonbridge as we have been for the last seven years. And every business in there is completely different. You can have a one-man accountancy firm in one office then you’ll have another firm with ten or twelve people who are in the creative arena. It is always varied. In fact our own finance director Stuart Page is based in that particular office so it’s always been a very popular place to be.”

John says that currently there are no further plans to expand the business centre offering of Penhurst’s portfolio but it is committed to making those it does have work efficiently – just like its residential business in Battersea which continues to go from strength to strength.

“A lot of the buildings we own are freehold so we’ve been very lucky with the new planning permitted development law. We can easily add two floors without having to apply for planning.

“That means that we are very busy – we usually have around four different projects going on at the same time. We

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Penhurst is not to be confused with the local village of Penshurst. The property company’s founder John Elkington says the firm’s name does come from another village though – that of Penhurst just outside Battle in East Sussex. “My stepfather’s father owned the Penhurst Estate and my mother lived in one of the houses on it. I often get asked the question ‘Don’t you mean Penshurst?’ But no the company is definitely Penhurst!”

are mainly adding floors to existing buildings and creating new flats. We are constantly improving our Penhurst portfolio which is very exciting.”

And just as Penhurst offers something premium and unique with the office rental arm of its business, it also does so with its residential offering too.

“We do all our own property management. Currently we have in excess of 1500 residential tenants. We have our own maintenance team with four full-time people. My son Jack is the property manager under our COO (Chief Operating Officer) Ricardo Trombetta, who heads up our residential portfolio. Yes, there are constant phone calls about washing machines breaking down but that does mean we have a direct relationships with our tenants.

“Overall we are much closer to seeing what is happening with the business which is important – to have boots on the ground if you like. So that if something goes wrong, we have a guy who can do it. There is no one in the middle to slow things down.”

I suggest Penhurst boasts rather a bespoke and completely comprehensive offering for both its clients and tenants alike.

“Absolutely,” states John. “In this day and age people like to know they are dealing with people who aren’t going to fold tomorrow. They are putting deposits down, they are investing. Individuals are now very nervous of landlords as there are some unscrupulous ones out there.”

John says he thinks what helps a company like Penhurst Properties is that its board of directors boasts genuine professional experience and business acumen.

“The chairman on our board of directors is Guy Thomas, former Chief Operating Officer and Group Finance Director of The Principality Building Society, the sixth biggest in the UK. I probably wouldn’t need to have said this five or ten years ago but it’s important for a company to be seen as a solid platform as opposed to those that pop up overnight and disappear equally quickly.”

Given Penhurst’s commitment to delivering both quality spaces and exceptional services for its clients the group will clearly be around for many more generations to come.

Prices start from £365.00 + VAT per month. For more information visit www.penhurst.co.uk SO Magazine | September 2021 | 15

Community

100%

commited to zero waste

Every month TN Card founder Jess Gibson shines a spotlight on one of our local independent retailers who are members of her shopping loyalty reward scheme. This month Jess talks to Charlotte Bowyer and Holly Watson, co-founders of the Zero Waste store on The Pantiles…

How did the two of you meet and what was your inspiration for opening the store?

Holly: We met nearly three years ago. At the time we were both freelancers struggling to balance childcare and work.

Charlotte did a social media post on a mums group asking if any other local mums wanted to join forces to split childcare and help each other work – and the rest is history!

Jess Gibson Founder of TN Card

Charlotte: We quickly got to know each other and realised how similar our ethos on sustainability was and how our skillsets in business complemented each other perfectly. At the time it was hard to shop sustainably in one place so we wanted to create a onestop shop for all things plasticfree. Fast forward a few months and the business plan for Zero Waste was written and we were hunting down properties!

The store and café have evolved significantly since you first opened, what have been the

16 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

biggest changes and what prompted them?

Charlotte: The café has been the biggest change. Originally it was only put in to fill an empty space at the back of the shop but it quickly became very popular.

So we decided to flip the café and the shop over. We managed to fit all the lines we had in the shop in the smaller space and expand the café. It was a winwin for us.

How did the pandemic affect you as a store?

Holly: We launched the delivery service for Zero Waste during the first lockdown. When supermarkets just couldn’t cope and people isolating were in desperate need we just stepped up. Being a community-minded business it was the right thing to do. We kept the shop open and battled to get deliveries from suppliers. We had the added challenge of only using people who adhered to our ethos of being plastic-free and sustainable which obviously did make things harder.

ABOUT THE ZERO WASTE CO: LOCATION: 13 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells OPENING HOURS: Mon- Sat 9am - 5pm Sunday 10am- 4pm TN CARD MEMBER REWARD: 10% off in the shop (excluding fresh produce) 15%off in the cafe.

Holly: What isn’t there to find at Charlotte: Remaining open the Zero Waste company?! We though raised awareness of the have so many incredible local, shop’s existence within the independent, artisan suppliers community. We gained some who all champion sustainability. incredible customers throughout They include Naked & Ready, the pandemic but its impact Sussex Kitchen and Taywells ice financially has been hard. We cream. Our talented in-house didn’t receive any rent breaks and chef Jen makes everything vegan still had all our start-up costs to friendly. As well as cakes and cover. We also invested a lot into tarts there are salads and quiches keeping the doors open and too! Jen also uses food that’s no launching a delivery service longer sellable in the shop so which sadly didn’t retain combats any food waste too! numbers. When everything returned to You partnered normal people with the TN card slowly went back from the to their usual beginning - why routine, footfall “The TN card is was it important dropped off and all about to you both to be deliveries slowly part of the ground to a halt. supporting local and that’s so in line scheme?

As we return to with our ethos we Holly: The TN some kind of card is all about normal do you couldn’t refuse to supporting local think the way be a part of it” and that’s so in we’re shopping line with our now has changed ethos we couldn’t since Covid? refuse!

Holly: The loyal Charlotte: Anything that rewards customers we gained during loyal customers and supports lockdown have been amazing and we actively see them looking local businesses will always be a winner with us. to make change in their

shopping behaviours. It’s What does the future hold for the awesome and we are so proud to Zero Waste Company? support them on their Zero Waste journey.

Charlotte: We have big plans up our sleeves and all will be Charlotte: There was an revealed soon. In the meantime, explosion of people wanting to we will continue to focus of support local coming out of keeping the doors open, filling lockdown but it just hasn’t the shop with local products, maintained the momentum. I helping the community with their think people are keen to change plastic-free journey, serving great habits, shop sustainability, shop coffee and incredible vegan cakes! local, reduce their carbon footprint and shop for good but Holly: We have lots of life gets in the way. People have less time now they’ve returned to forthcoming events so keep an eye on our social media pages work and supermarkets offer for more information but to convenience shopping name a few we have: The something which we haven’t Sustainability Festival, a Women mastered yet! in Business night, a Cocktail Making session, an Afternoon What can we expect to find at Tea event, our Christmas ‘Big The Zero Waste Company when Reveal,’ and many more! we visit this summer?

THE BANK OF MUM AND DAD (BOMAD) HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION ON THE PROPERTY LADDER

G

etting onto the property ladder has arguably never been harder nor more expensive.

The average house price has for the first time in history, hit £250,000 according to Halifax so is it any wonder that more and more are turning to The Bank of Mum and Dad for help?

Panoramic Wealth have been advising clients fully through the process for many years. This means we are dealing with both generations, from the parents (or grandparents) gifting the monies down, to advising the next generation with the purchase of their properties. Having multigenerational advisers and being a family owned business ourselves has ensured that advising families is a particularly strong area of ours at Panoramic.

The Bank of Mum and Dad is now the 11th largest lender in the UK with around 1 in 4 property prices being aided by them but why?

Buying a property, is often seen as a must in the UK when it comes the next step in progressing through life. However, often paying high rent, paying off student loans and credit cards can mean it is tricky to save enough for a deposit.

Where BoMaD is making the biggest impact, is when it comes to the deposit. The higher this is, the more availability of loans there are, the lower mortgage payments will be each month. Previously, this could have been as low as 5% of the purchase price but with lenders reacting to Covid-19, this has jumped to at least 10% and even then, the availability of these are few and far between.

This change in requirement for a deposit of 10% or more is where we are seeing parents step in to help out the next generation by way of gifting. There are, however, many implications to this gift but what are they?

Life expectancy is continuing to increase, meaning retirement is often lasting more years

than previously and therefore, the money has to too. The dangers of over gifting could result in those trying to lend a hand now actually running out of money in the future.

How can Panoramic Wealth help?

We can enable you to maximise the impact of this gift without falling into the trap of running out of money in the future. As it is usually it is more of a requirement to make

a gift rather than a loan and such gifts need to be taken into account in relation to potential inheritance tax and other liabilities. What we see with our clients is that when The Bank of Mum and Dad (or grandparents) works, the whole family benefit. Children get onto the property ladder and do not have to continue paying rent and parents are able to gift monies with a warm hand and not a cold one which ensures they are still around to see the benefits of doing so. Panoramic, in conjunction with Weald productions have recorded a series of podcasts, one of which on BoMaD so if that is of interest, head to our website – www. panoramicwealth.co.uk.

It may be that the Bank of Mum and Dad is not needed as there are various other routes to home ownership that few people are aware of:

n Mortgages for Professionals are available to recently qualified Accountants, Actuaries, Barristers, Dentists, Medical doctors, Pharmacists, Solicitors and Pilots.

These use a multiple of 6X salary rather than the standard 4.49X. (Engineers, Vets and Optometrists have a ceiling of 5.5X.) n Joint borrower sole proprietor – This allows those moving into the property to combine their income with a supporting family member. Only those moving into the property are put on the property deed which avoids a SDLT surcharge of 3%. n Up to 4 friends can combine their incomes to purchase a property together. This ensures that together, the loan can be much larger and avoids the necessity of renting. n Individuals within the Armed Forces, Firefighters, Police Officers, NHS Nurses and Paramedics along with Teachers are heroes and are recognised by being able to borrow up to 5X.

The information noted above is not deemed to constitute financial advice and should not be treated as such.

Any advice or recommendation given would be tailored to your own individual circumstances. It should be noted that your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up mortgage payments. Panoramic Wealth Management is regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Ross Jefferies & Gary Jefferies

If you would like to know more about how we can help you or your children get onto the property ladder, please call Panoramic Wealth today on 01892 559555 or email – journey@panoramicwealth.co.uk. If you would like to hear more about The Bank of Mum and Dad, please head to our website – www.panoramicwealth. co.uk – where we have recorded a podcast in conjunction with Weald Productions, delving deeper into BoMaD amongst other topics of note.

Arts & Culture

GETTING A SENSE OF HUMOR… If you live in or around Tunbridge Wells then you can’t have failed to notice the numerous eye-catching pieces of impressive artwork by Hugh Whitaker aka Humor Street Art. Eileen Leahy caught up with the talented creative to find out more about his work and what inspires it…

F

rom stunning graffiti portraiture created at the legal tag wall in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park to the fantastic floral ‘Together’ hoardings in town and the Sock and Sandal cocktail bar at The Allotment Pub, there is visual evidence in pretty much every nook and cranny of our town which illustrates the incredible work of Hugh Whitaker AKA Humor Street Art. Hugh first arrived on the scene around four years ago working as one half of Paint Mechanics – you may have clocked the amazing aquatic art they splashed on the Camden Road or the colourful signage they created for Food Fest.

In 2019 however Hugh – we’ll call him Humor - decided to go solo and since then he has never looked back thanks to his impressive artistic talent.

Over the past couple of years Humor’s distinctive designs have graced everything from the sets of Wicked Production’s pantos to Lady Bird album covers as well as his iconic van which at the time of writing carries a huge portrait of footballer Raheem Sterling with an anti-racism slogan.

The former Skinnners’ School student is also now garnering national attention too thanks to the astounding and incredibly life-like spray paint creations he has done of the late TV presenter Caroline Flack and Sir Captain Tom Moore in London.

SO Magazine caught up with the fledging artist to discover a little bit more about him and his love of creating truly amazing and poignant artwork…

ARE YOU FROM THE LOCAL AREA? I was born in London but moved to Tunbridge Wells when I was very small. So, yes I grew up here - very close to Grosvenor and Hilbert Park actually…

18 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

AH YES, THE PARK IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS LEGAL GRAFFITI – OR GRAFF – WALL. DID THIS INSPIRE YOU FROM A YOUNG AGE? Yes, the legal wall is my local graff spot and will always be the root of my graffiti career.

I went to Skinners’ School and art was always my forte. I recently looked back at some old schoolbooks from primary school and my teachers' comments on my work. It was pretty clear that I loved to draw!

DID YOU CONSIDER A CAREER AS AN ARTIST FROM A YOUNG AGE? Looking at my work and the teachers’ comments about it there were definitely some signs of a potential career. However it was only when I was about 15 or 16 when I began to take on portrait commissions from people that I realised that it had the potential to be a viable career.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO STAY ON IN THE TOWN YOU GREW UP IN TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AS AN ARTIST? Personally, I never expected to see myself staying in Tunbridge Wells, however it's perfectly located between Brighton and London, and other key work locations so I've not really had a reason to move away. I do plan to travel and paint in the next couple of years but I’m still just enjoying the work that comes in and the opportunities I am receiving.

WHAT ELSE MAKES TUNBRIDGE WELLS SPECIAL FOR YOU? There are a couple of skateparks here and also the legal graffiti wall which to be honest is far more than most towns, so Tunbridge Wells does accommodate a few of my hobbies very well.

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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LONDON

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SEVENOAKS

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TONBRIDGE

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MAIDSTONE

Arts & Culture

IF IT’S POSSIBLE, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR AESTHETIC STYLE? It’s slightly hard to pinpoint. I get a whole range of requests, from tattoo designs, album covers, landscapes and graffiti lettering to space scenes, games characters or just some photorealistic portraiture. I take on most jobs because I love to paint in a range of styles. Also when I was just starting out I needed every job to build my portfolio. I feel that over the next few years, I will begin to choose just the jobs I like the best and will refine my style further.

I get a whole range of requests, from tattoo designs and album covers to graffiti lettering and games characters HOW DID YOUR LOVE OF ART TRANSLATE INTO YOU EARNING A LIVING FROM IT? It began with me drawing small pencil portraits – commissions which I still take on now. But sitting at a desk for hours, stressing over tiny details can become mind numbing sometimes. The physical process of spray-painting large walls is great for my focus levels and is so much more enjoyable.

YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING FROM DESIGNING BATHTUB GIN PROMO TO PANTOMIME SETS AND APPEARING ON GRAND DESIGNS, DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED STYLE OF JOB? I visit hundreds of clients every year, all of which are different but yet interested in my work and are really nice to chat to. There's a huge social side to my work, especially when meeting up and painting with other artists. The Grand Designs gig came about because my brother Greg and his wife Georgie were on the show building their barn. At the end of the episode, which aired last February, you can see the monochrome piece I painted from them hanging above the pool table!

WAS IT EASY TO GET STARTED AND COMMISSIONED? I feel I’ve been supported really well locally with businesses such as Chatty Hatter who helped me out with a few projects. They also invited me on one of their Big Chat podcasts recently which was a lot of fun! Word of mouth about my work – as well as obviously seeing it – has really raised my profile too.

TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE PORTRAITURE WORK YOU HAVE DONE RECENTLY… I have done many tribute portraits, a few of which have been up in Leake Street in London. I painted Sir Captain Tom Moore and Caroline Flack last year in the tunnel as it's a great place to paint. I end up chatting to loads of people who

come to visit the tunnel to document the work. It's a legal wall so it's relaxing to paint at and there's always people playing music, dancing, making videos etc. so generally it’s just a fun location.

IN ADDITION TO BEING A FULL-TIME COMMISSIONED ARTIST WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO? I teach workshops including a monthly one for the Taylor Made Dreams charity and I also host parties and paint for events and festivals too. Art is my only income but my job title changes depending on who I speak to. For children, it's normally ‘graffiti artist’.

To other artists I may say I’m a 'street/mural artist'. I try to avoid using the term 'graffiti artist’ as people sometimes assume I just tag walls and paint illegally. My job requires a lot of time, planning and passion and I would not want people to judge my job before they see my work.

WHERE DOES YOUR MAIN SOURCE OF INSPIRATION COME FROM? I’d say it stems from my best mate Emmett Gillah who died a few years ago. I spray painted a large portrait of him which was when I swapped my pencil for spray paint. I do believe I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him. He is the reason I now paint and he's been the

biggest inspiration to me throughout my career. I paint with a lot of empathy, I love hosting tribute paintings for lost friends, and love using my art as a way of connecting people together.

AND WHAT’S THE FUTURE LOOKING LIKE FOR HUMOR? I'm not sure where it will take me as an artist but I know there's a lot of exciting things to come. I want to paint all over the world and be known for what I do, but it's not a race and I'm loving where I am right now.

To find out more about Humor and his work visit www.humorstreetart.co.uk

What advice would you give any wannabe artists out there?

I would say I stick to realism, mainly because I know it’s difficult to do and many other artists find it hard. My own patience is pretty good so I’m happy to spend 15 hours making something look right.

I’ve also painted probably over 100 portraits in my time so I find them incredibly easy and don’t require much thinking about.

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 21

“ONE WORD: EXCEPTIONAL”

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Education Special

EDUCATION WITH

SO Magazine • Technological advances • Next steps • Lessons in education

BAC K

TO

OO L SCH

d to know All you nee e new to ensure th ear is a academic y your child success for their age - whatever

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 23

Education Special

Technology gy makes progress in schools A

ttempting to predict the future of technology is a great talking point, but is rarely straightforward. Growing up watching "Tomorrow’s World" each week in the 1980s was fascinating and one felt we were heading for a world of domestic ease, with the rise of robots set to dominate the 21st century. Fast forward to 2020 and a team of NASA scientists and engineers create the Perseverance Mars Rover; however we are a long way off being able to purchase a robot butler to make the bed or load the dishwasher at a realistic price.

In many areas of work, repeated automated tasks lend themselves to robotic technology. McDonalds is already experimenting with robot chefs in some of their US restaurants, and there are fields where technology

David Slattery

can enhance what humans can already do: robot assisted-surgery, for example, helps overcome many limitations associated with invasive surgical procedures.

When I ask my pupils where they see technology going in the future, their answers often include physical technology like Robotics, but what skills do they need to work in this field? Robot engineers are very clever people (somewhat generalists), with core skills of Computer Programming, Maths, and Engineering. At Claremont we offer opportunities for pupils to take part in clubs to start to put these skills into practice using Lego WeDo and Spike Prime sets. It is always pleasing to see a pupil’s delight when their thinking, planning, building and programming come together to make some Lego move!

"If AI can assist in helping all children make progress, it's time to embrace it"

We have high expectations of our pupils but appreciate they learn in different ways and at different paces. In this respect the EdTech industry sees Artificial Intelligence as a growth area, exploring solutions that replicate the skill of a teacher in identifying pupils’ strengths and gaps in learning. AI tools that teach new material but enable pupils to work at their own pace and only move forward when a concept is understood continue to evolve, and why we will no doubt hear more about software companies like CenturyTech, Pamoja, Kognity and others in the future.

The pandemic has taught us that teacher/pupil relationships drive learning communities forward, but if AI can assist in helping all children make progress, it is time to embrace it.

TONBRIDGE BOYS HEADING FOR OUR TOP UNIVERSITIES

B

oys at Tonbridge have once again had a highly successful summer of outcomes for their university destinations, gaining places at the top universities in the UK and around the world. A total of 22 boys will take up places at Oxford and Cambridge; 29 have gained places at Durham; 25 at the top four London universities, and Exeter will see 17 boys attending.

Other high-tariff universities that boys will be attending include Edinburgh, Warwick, St Andrews, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester.

Over 95 per cent of Tonbridge leavers secured their choice of university course, with the very large majority receiving offers to

their first-choice destination.

Boys have done well internationally too, with places won at Cornell, Boulder, Marshall (with a highly sought-after football scholarship) and the University of North Carolina in the US; the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia in Canada; and the top universities in Hong Kong.

The breadth of courses is something about which Tonbridge is particularly proud. Engineering and Economics/Business courses top the bill, while Modern Languages, Classics, English, History and Philosophy have a very strong showing.

Computer Science is flourishing and places for Medicine (eight) and

24 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

Architecture have also been secured at leading institutions.

Boys are encouraged to think widely and play to their strengths and career interests when choosing courses, and this year their selected degree subjects include Arabic, Mechatronics, Urban Planning, Automotive Materials, Sports Coaching and Music Production.

"Boys are encouraged to think widely, play to their strengths and career interests" Tonbridge’s Upper Sixth cohort was congratulated by the School’s Headmaster, James Priory, on achieving outstanding A-level and Pre-U results, with more than 87 per cent of all grades awarded at A*/A, or their equivalent at Pre-U. “All at Tonbridge are proud of the creativity and commitment boys have shown throughout their Sixth Form studies, especially given the challenging circumstances of the last 18 months. As a year group, they have adapted readily to different forms of learning and worked hard to complete their chosen courses,” he said.

Building on excellence H

ilden Oaks Preparatory School in Tonbridge has started a development project, which will bring significant benefits to the whole school. During the summer holidays, work began on extending and developing the existing buildings to provide additional teaching space, a purpose-built area for music lessons and rehearsals, an enlarged school hall and upgraded kitchens.

Additionally, there will be a new medical room and more space for small group and 1:1 teaching.

Headmistress, Mrs Katy Joiner, commented; “We are very much looking forward to being able to use these new facilities, which are due to be

completed by Easter next year. We have worked closely with our architect, Silver Jetty, who proposed an innovative design that not only fits our needs but also makes the best use of the space available. We are also delighted to be working with our building contractor, Baxalls, who have devised a programme of works that ensures everything can be completed with minimum disruption to our pupils’ education.

We are proud of our inspection rating of ‘Excellent in all areas’ and these building improvements will create more space, allowing us to maintain the highest possible standards, utilising the latest teaching practices. There is no intention to increase pupil

numbers and we remain committed to maintaining small class sizes to facilitate the delivery of an excellent education - helping pupils reach their full potential by nurturing a lifelong love of learning, in a small, familyfriendly and child-centred environment.”

The Hilden Oaks Build Blog is regularly updated on their website. To see how work is progressing please go to: www.hildenoaks.co.uk/ build

While the building work continues, Hilden Oaks Prep will be offering personalised tours of the school for prospective parents. To book a tour or for further information, please email registrar@hildenoaks.co.uk or telephone 01732 353941.

Mayfield A N INDEPENDENT DAY AND BOARDI NG S C H OOL FOR GI RLS AGED 11 TO 18

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC RESULTS • SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE EXTENSIVE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME EXEMPLARY PASTORAL CARE & NURTURING ENVIRONMENT STATE OF THE ART EQUESTRIAN CENTRE SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE FLEXI, WEEKLY AND FULL BOARDING OPTIONS MINIBUS SERVICE ACROSS SUSSEX AND KENT

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Education Special

A comprehensive education

M

ayfield is a vibrant, happy and successful independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. Founded in 1872, the School is set within 75 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside within the historic village of Mayfield, just a short drive from Tunbridge Wells.

Mayfield is successful in unlocking and developing the unique potential and talent of each girl in an inspiring learning environment. Described by Country Life as 'one of the finest schools in the land', a Mayfield education combines academic excellence, breadth of opportunity and exceptional pastoral care. The School's ethos reflects its Catholic heritage and encourages integrity, generosity, compassion and courage within an inclusive community which welcomes all.

Whilst maths and science are amongst our most popular and successful subjects at A-level, we have a

first class reputation for creativity and excel in the creative and performing arts.

Academic study is complemented by a rich and diverse variety of activities beyond the classroom and a full programme of sporting opportunities, including cricket and horse riding, with top-class equestrian facilities on campus.

"Mayfield girls go on to many prestigious universities"

26 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

Mayfield girls progress to prestigious universities including Oxford and Cambridge, and increasingly to the US and Europe, to study a wide range of subjects, with a regular stream of engineers, medics, vets, lawyers, economists and architects. Just as important as academic success, girls leave Mayfield with enduring friendships, open minds, strength of character and the lifelong support of a global community.

We would be delighted to welcome you to one of our Open Mornings for families - on Saturday 25th September and Tuesday 9th November - where you can find out more about life at Mayfield.

And if you would like to find out more about our Sixth Form we are hosting an Information Evening for 2022 applicants on Thursday 30th September at 6.30pm. To book please visit www. mayfieldgirls.org or contact our Registrar, Shirley Coppard, registrar@ mayfieldgirls.org

PRE-SENIOR BACCALAUREATE

THE ANSWER FOR YEARS 7 AND 8

E

ddy Newton, Headmaster at Marlborough House School and his team believe education is not just about exam results and that a 13 year old is more than a series of scores.

Developing the whole child and instilling in them a range of skills and characteristics that will serve them well for life has become the new challenge, and one that we aim to meet at Marlborough House through the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB).

Now that all senior schools are selecting their pupils in

Year 6, we can look at how and what the children learn in Years 7 and 8 without being dominated by the demands of a final exam at

"The PSB looks at the whole child, assessing their academic and sporting and creative skills" the end of Year 8. The PSB aims to cover the same material as Common Entrance but encourage a wider range of skills. Why revise volcanoes again solely

in order to turn a B grade into an A – is that really the best use of the last 3 months of Year 8? Instead, why not develop a child’s ability to research and present, far more valuable skills than rote learning for a one-off exam?

The PSB looks at the whole child, assessing their ability in the Performing Arts, Sport and Art as well as in examined academic subjects, while simultaneously encouraging (and assessing) their ability to develop independence and confidence, to collaborate and present.

This is a 21st century approach to education and provides each child with a relevant and rounded foundation to build upon – we believe that it is the way forward for prep school children in Years 7 and 8.

Marlborough House School offers Year 7 Entry Scholarships to children who show outstanding ability in one of six disciplines. Applications for current Year 6 pupils open on 20th September 2021. For further details, visit marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk

Education Special

ASK AN EXPERT: WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON UNIFORMS AND TECH FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR?

I

’m trying to save money on all the things I need to buy my kids for the new school year – what are the best ways to keep my spending as low as possible?

Gillean Dooney, managing director at Barclays (barclays. co.uk), says: “Have a look through their wardrobe first.

Before you buy any uniform items, see what you can reuse. If they’ve grown out of anything, have a go at making some extra cash and selling them on a free online marketplace or local selling pages instead of throwing them away.

“If you can, buy your school essentials after the term has started. Once the back to school rush is over, many supermarkets and clothing stores continue to sell school essentials but at reduced prices to make way

for new stock. Take advantage of this and stock up on any essentials you’re missing.

“Swap! Why not share in your school chat groups what you have available to swap and what you need? For example, parent A may want to get rid of some sports kit their child no longer needs that you need and you may want to get rid of a lunchbox in good condition that will save them from buying a new one. Swapping with them instead of buying something new will help reduce costs and clean out your cupboards.

“Have a look on refurbished or second-hand tech websites. For older kids that may need a new laptop or phone, have a look on trusted, verified sites that sell second-hand or refurbished tech to get devices for a fraction of the price.

“You can also have a look on the manufacturers’ websites, as they often sell second-hand models and sometimes you can trade your current device in for a new one, or it can go towards the cost of it. But before doing this, remember to wipe the device back to its original factory settings so you don’t share any personal information.

“Search for discount codes to save money. When shopping online, before you make a purchase, research online for any discount or voucher codes that are available.

This is an easy way to save money on the full price of an item. Simply enter in an online search engine the name of the company followed by the words ‘discount’ or ‘voucher code’.”

Search for discount codes to save money and have a look at refurbished or second hand websites for tech

OPEN MORNING Friday 8th October

ENJOYING TODAY EDUCATING FOR TOMORROW PRE-PREP & PREP | BOYS & GIRLS 2.5-13 YEARS | DAY & FLEXI BOARDING

“The school goes far beyond academic results and prides itself on the development of the whole child” THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE 2021

Book a private tour Email registrar@marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk Discover more at marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk Marlborough House School, Hawkhurst, Kent, TN18 4PY

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 27

Before

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Furniture and kitchen refurbishment, painted a colour of your choice!

Collection & delivery available.

Bespoke joinery.

Over 70 painted items available in store....

102 London Road Southborough, Kent TN4 0PW 01892 458021 www.chestsanddrawers.co.uk enquiries@chestsanddrawers.co.uk

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Business

The Kent Wine School launched in 2018 with the aim of educating people so they can make the right buying choices – whether that’s in a supermarket or specialist suppliers. Here its co-founder Victoria Aldwinckle tells SO magazine more about the school which holds its events at the Hotel du Vin in Tunbridge Wells…

Can you briefly tell us what the concept of Kent Wine School is about?

It is really simple: it’s all about wine education. Great, delicious wine is not about spending more money – it’s about the provenance of the grapes, the climate it’s been grown in, how the wine has been made as well as the care and attention that’s gone into the process. Is it a massproduced drink or a quality focused product that has a story behind it? We never promote wines or sell wines. We very simply provide great quality wine education at all levels so that our students are armed to make better wine buying choices, in supermarkets, restaurants and wine merchants.

You are a co-founder along with Jonny Gibson, how, when and why did you get involved?

I started working as a freelance wine tutor for Jonny’s company, Sussex Wine School, which at the time operated in Tunbridge Wells.

We discovered we worked well together and had a similar approach and vision to wine education so, in 2018, we joined forces and launched Kent Wine School as a partnership.

What do you love about the world of wine most?

For me personally, it’s the variety in style that’s so interesting. Italy, for example, has over 350 native grape varieties – that’s not including the international names such as Merlot

and Cabernet. From a wine explorer’s point of view, that gives you so much to learn about, discover and (most importantly) taste!

How often do you hold tastings at the Hotel du Vin and why did you choose this venue?

We hold our wine tastings several times a week on average, each one covering a different theme or topic. Hotel du Vin offers us a beautiful venue which has such synergy with our brand. In post-Covid times, the Hotel has also been superb at making our guests feel very safe, welcome and comfortable.

It’s been such a good partnership and one we hope will continue for many years.

Do you have plans to host events anywhere else locally?

Yes! We’d love to find a second, and maybe even third, venue in Kent.

Watch this space!

How many members do you have and what else do you offer apart from tastings?

We don’t have ‘members’ as such, just a lot of wine enthusiasts who really love attending our events!

There is no membership fee. Our tastings range from one-off evenings, focusing on a

specific country or topic such as a Spanish Wine & Tapas, our Saturday Introduction to Wine Day or Barolo and Barbaresco evenings.

We offer longer courses of 4 or 8 week where we get time to offer more detail and focus on that particular topic. Finally, we offer a range of professional qualifications through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and the Wine Scholar Guild. These are as much for beginners as they are for the seasoned pro!

Which countries are your favourite to take a wine flight in and why?

I’m torn on this! Can I choose two?

The USA (particularly Oregon and Washington State) because I used to be a wine maker there.

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 29

Business

KATHERINE MORGAN IS ONE OF THE TUTORS AT KENT WINE SCHOOL. HERE SHE TELLS US ALL ABOUT HER ROLE...

However, I have also lived, studied and travelled extensively in Spain so I have a deep passion for Spanish wines. If I had to choose, it would have to be Spain.

How popular are the food and wine pairing events?

They are the most popular ones by far! We cover a huge range of topics from Cheeses & Wine to Steak & Wine and even Chocolate & Wine. Plus, we offer a series that focuses in on individual countries – our Italian, Spanish or French Food & Wine Evenings nearly always sell out.

English wine is experiencing a boom time right now – do you specifically cover homegrown varities?

We always host an English Wine Tasting each year which shines the spotlight on the newest vineyards on the wine scene in the UK. We also run a series of tastings focusing on Sparkling Wines of the

30 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

World – and of course England takes centre spot in that one as we’re producing outstanding sparkling wines right now.

“We provide great quality wine education at all levels so students are armed to make better wine buying choices”

Do you have any personal English wine favourite tipples?

I love bubbles so I’m happy with nearly all English Sparkling!

However, an outstanding wine I had not long ago was by a winery

in East Sussex called Fox & Fox. They produced a sparkling Pinot Meunier (one of the classic Champagne grapes) and it was stunning.

You also offer gin and rum tastings - can you tell us a little bit about these?

Gin is, unsurprisingly, hugely popular. We focus on six gins each evening starting with one typically made in Kent. Then we branch out to further afield in England, perhaps tasting one from the Isles of Scotland, before heading overseas to try gins from far flung shores such as New Zealand and Japan. Rum tastings are new to Kent Wine School for 2021 and we’re really looking forward to hosting these. Rum is a very technical drink and one that is fast becoming the ‘next big thing’.

We’ll be looking at it’s amazing history (often involving piracy and revolts!) before tasting the myriad of styles from white rum to dark, rich, aged rums.

How and when did you get involved with the Kent Wine School (KWS)?

I started out around six years ago as a customer attending tastings. The signature 8-week World of Wine course was a turning point for me in realising that I wanted to take my wine knowledge to the next level. I then took my WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) exams through the Kent Wine School and the rest is history.

Can you tell us about the qualifications you have which allow you to teach courses and help with events?

I have WSET level 2 and 3, the WSG Italian (prep) Wine Scholar and I am hoping to undertake the full WSG Spanish Scholar this autumn. I buy and drink a lot of wine so I also have a lot of life experience!

What do you love about the world of wine most?

How incredible it is that the humble grape can make such a delicious and varied product. The world of wine is a fascinating one and I could talk about it all day.

What do you enjoy about teaching and participating in tastings?

I enjoy sharing my knowledge of wines with others and getting people excited about wines they never thought would (or could) excite them. I also enjoy the discussions I have with clients about wine and their experiences, you can never stop learning. A tasting is always a two-way experience and I consider myself to be a host rather than a teacher.

How often do you get involved with KWS events?

As often as my busy life permits (I have a young daughter and I am also a commercial property lawyer at Brachers LLP), but I try to do at least two events a month.

Hosting the events is not like work for me!

Do you have any personal favourite wines - or does your taste constantly change?

I enjoy a wide variety of wines, it very much depends on my mood, the occasion and the weather. My preferred style of white is a dry, fresh wine with complexity. A good quality Gruner Veltliner or an Italian Pecorino are good value, delicious drinking whites. In terms of red, I like a bold wine with a dark, jammy fruit flavour.

My special treat wine is an Amarone from Italy.

And what about any enjoyable English wines - do you favour them and if so which ones in particular?

I try to be an ambassador for English wines. We produce some of the best quality sparkling wines in the world and the vast majority of vineyards are here in Kent and in Sussex. I also work for a tour company taking people on tours of English vineyards – it amazes me how little UK residents seem to know about English wine. We need to support what is now known as the ‘New New World’ wine and spread the word about this fantastic home grown (and made) product.

How do you demystify the world of wine to people who want to discover more but may feel a little out of their depth?

Start with the basics, encourage people to give their views without fear of ‘saying something silly’ and most importantly, get talking about wine. It is amazing how much you can learn from a good vineyard tour or having a chat with your local wine merchant.

Can you sum up a KWS event in three words that you would usually use to describe wines?

Intellectually satisfying (a term used by Robert Parker who is a very famous wine critic), refined and smooth.

www.localwine school.com/kent

S IFT ER G H BLE UC ILA VO A AV

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF WINE Virtual & Live Wine Tastings & Courses WSET Level 1, 2 & 3 Wine Scholar Guild Courses www.kentwineschool.com

Weddings at Salomons Estate

THE PERFECT, TRADITIONAL VENUE

Nestled in the heart of the Kent countryside and only three miles from the Centre of Tunbridge Wells, this former country house is now one of the country’s most desirable wedding venues. The choice of function rooms allows you to design the wedding you desire, with our specialist experienced wedding coordinators working alongside you to create your unique day.

Licensed to offer a ceremony as well as a wedding reception, we are able to offer an indoor or outdoor ceremony for up to 150 people on our South Facing sun-soaked Terrace. We pride ourselves in offering a personalised service and we guarantee you will be the only wedding taking place that day.

With 47 bedrooms onsite & two luxury cottages, you and your guests can enjoy the ease of your wedding day all in one place.

ESTABLISHED

01892 51 51 52 | www.salomons-estate.com Salomons Estate, Broomhill road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0TG

Wedding Special

Just married

Suppliers at our Salomons wedding We honestly had the most incredible team - they were all so supportive and accommodating due to all the stress and uncertainty of Covid, and for that we are incredibly grateful: Ross Hurley was our fantastic photographer along with our videographer Sian Davies from Trulymadlyfilms, who made the photos so much fun and felt like our friends throughout the wedding day The whole team at Salomons were incredible, especially when it came to all their help with date changes. Everything they did to make the day (and the food) so incredible was really appreciated

By Chenai Events and her assistant Sam styled our big day and made it so beautiful, as did CMA Hire who supplied our decorative bows

SO magazine meets newlyweds Chantelle and Shane Godden who tied the knot at popular wedding venue Salomons Estate earlier this year to discover what made their big day such a success after 18 months of Covid chaos…

How did you and your husband meet?

We’d met a few times before we started dating. We had mutual friends so we’d been on a few nights out in big groups together. But we started talking on a one-to-one basis in 2014 and things went really quickly from there.

Can you tell us about the proposal?

Shane and I went away for our birthdays in January 2017 – but it was minus 10 degrees! Despite the freezing temperatures, Shane had arranged the cutest proposal. He’d planned dinner on a cruise boat along the Danube river, and had arranged for its pianist to play James Arthur’s song ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’. Shane was going to propose while it was being played but given the weather we were experiencing the river had sadly frozen over and so the cruise was cancelled! Shane ended up proposing in our hotel room after a few shots of the local tipple palinka! But

Musicians Dave Brazier Sax and Marylebone Jelly made sure all our guests were entertained all day long

thankfully it was actually really personal and very romantic.

Where did you get married and how did you choose the venue?

We got married at Salomons estate. We had never heard of the venue until we went to a wedding fair at the Kent County Showground. I bumped into an old friend who was working at the estate at the time, and he invited us to have a look around. I always thought I wanted a barn wedding, but as soon as we drove into Salomons, we were blown away by its stunning grounds. The venue ticked so many boxes and was perfect for the size of our wedding. It was also really refreshing to go to a place that we hadn’t been to as guests before.

Tell us a little bit about how you got to finally walk down the aisle?

We should have married in 2020 but obviously coronavirus put an end to that. After changing the date twice we finally held our wedding on July 19 –

Lorraine from Rare Nature Floristry created the most incredible floral displays for us while Jey’s Heavenly Events baked our delicious cake and NB Biscuit Company did our amazing table favours

“The whole day from start to end was unforgettable!

We wish we could do it all over again”

Jodi Bridal Boutique made my stunning dress and also that of my daughter’s which she designed to match mine. Slaters were in charge of ensuring the groom and his party looked super smart while Ebony’s bridal hair and make-up made myself and my bridesmaids all look beautiful Hammerhead leather created an amazing handmade bespoke leather belt for Shane and a matching lead and collar for our dog who joined us for the ceremony Finally a special thanks goes to Brenda for conducting the ceremony having never done one before! Thank you all for making our day unforgettable SO Magazine | September 2021 | 33

Wedding Special

Five Top Tips for Future Brides and Grooms What advice would you give to couples planning their dream wedding?

Enjoy the planning process, and make it fun, it then feels so much more than just one day Invite the people you want to invite! Not the people you are expected to invite. You want to be surrounded by the people you love the most also known as ‘Freedom Day’ after the government lifted most Covid restrictions on this day. We’d legally married the day before with just a few people including our two-year-old daughter, Shane’s parents and my dad and sister as the registrar was unable to accommodate our date change. We always knew we wanted a big party, so having our wedding celebration on the same day as our official marriage – i.e. July 18 when restrictions were still in place - was a big no for us! I was really unsure if we were doing the right thing, however everything worked out perfectly!

Tell us about your big day and some of its key highlights…

The weather was so beautiful, and

having the wedding over two days was even more special. I didn’t wear my dress for the official ceremony on July 18 as we wanted the following day to big the big wedding. A family friend conducted a blessing on July 19 as we had obviously already tied the knot. I will never forget walking up the aisle to meet my husband and seeing the faces of our family and friends after 18 months of not really seeing people! Our little girl, who prior to the wedding had been really shy around everyone, including family, was just amazing on the day. She walked down the aisle with our niece, nephew and our dog. She was waving at all our guests, it was so cute.

“Seeing all our family and friends laughing and having such a good time was the best feeling”

How was the reception and general ambience at Salomons?

We had a saxophone player for our reception drinks and wedding breakfast and we entered the latter to him playing ‘Ain’t Nobody (Loves Me Better),’ by Chaka Khan. This was one of my favourite parts of the day, everyone was singing and dancing! It was such an amazing atmosphere. The speeches were fantastic and seeing all our family and friends laughing and having such a good time was the best feeling! In the evening we had a live band who are a personal favourite of ours. It really was a party to remember, the dance floor was full the whole night and the band were unreal! The whole day from start to end was unforgettable! We wish we could do it all over again…

Consider setting up a website.

This isn’t something we did ourselves but looking back we wish we had. It would have made the three different date changes for our wedding easier to communicate with our guests Meet with your suppliers before booking them. It’s really nice to have a good rapport with them.

This is especially the case when it comes to sourcing the photographer and videographer.

For us it made the visual aspect of our day so much more relaxing Take time out during your wedding day to really take everything in, and to spend some time together just the two of you as it goes so quickly

now available for weddings & events Imaginative crepes, waffles or American stacks served with style from our vintage Citroen van in Kent & the surrounding areas. Get creative choosing your toppings & design a personalised menu to fit your celebration perfectly.

01892 528 626 info@delaneyskitchen.co.uk delaneyskitchen.co.uk delaneyskitchen

34 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

Wedding Special

YOUR STRESS-FREE JOURNEY ON THE

bridal path...

Your ultimate guide to selecting the venue of your choice and how you want it to look and feel

T

he special place you choose for your wedding is just as important as the dress and the type of celebration you want. But it can be a minefield if you’ve never done anything like this before. Don’t panic though as here at SO Magazine we have it covered. Firstly, we’ve asked Salomons Estate, one of the area’s most popular places to say ‘I Do’, for its ultimate wedding venue check list while The Bell at Ticehurst, a favourite with foodies and Vogue, reveals how you can create a truly bespoke wedding courtesy of its many forthcoming courses.. . .

WEDDING VENUE CHECKLIST Getting engaged and then planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times of anyone’s life and finding the perfect wedding venue is the first step in ensuring you have your dream wedding.

Because of the importance of finding the right venue for your wedding, we have listed some key questions asked by bridal parties . . .

IS THERE ONSITE ACCOMMODATION? One of the main considerations when choosing a wedding venue should be where will the bride, groom and guests stay both before and after the wedding

HOW MUCH PARKING IS THERE AT THE VENUE? Many of your wedding guests will likely travel some distance to get to your venue so making sure your wedding venue has plenty of onsite parking is a key questions to ask WHAT TRANSPORT LINKS ARE NEARBY? Know what transport links are nearby and whether the venue has anything in place such as links with a local, reliable taxi companies DOES THE VENUE OFFER A COMPLIMENTARY TASTING? It is definitely worth asking if the venue offers a

complimentary tasting. You should also find out if it sources its produce from reputable local suppliers and if you can bring in your own caterers DOES THE VENUE HAVE A DEDICATED WEDDING PLANNER? A wedding can be a time consuming and stressful event to organise and a good wedding planner will help take much of the stress away WHAT IS THE VENUE CAPACITY? This is a key consideration, and the venue clearly needs

to be able to accommodate the number of weddings guests you want to invite HOW LATE DOES THE VENUE STAY OPEN UNTIL AND WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS? You need to think about this when booking your venue as you may want to par ty on late DOES YOUR VENUE HOLD MULTIPLE WEDDINGS ON THE SAME DAY? This is a really important question - especially if you don’t want to bump into another bride in the bathroom

WHAT IS THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE? Budgeting for a wedding can be an onerous task, and however you do it you are probably going to have a list somewhere of all your payments and when they are due so you’re able to make sure you don’t run out of money IS YOUR VENUE INSURED? Last but not least this is a crucial consideration. Most venues who regularly hold weddings should have Public Liability Insurance but it is worth double checking

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 35

WEDDINGS AT ONE WARWICK PARK HOTEL

A breath-taking contemporary venue, in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells

One Warwick Park Hotel, located in the Pantiles area of Tunbridge Wells provides a luxury experience for guests with the very best in Kentish hospitality.

The Hotel benefits from a stunning Function Room with an adjoining bar area, which is beautifully bright & neutrally decorated throughout. Whether you are considering an extravagant celebration or an intimate reception for your nearest & dearest, One Warwick Park Hotel provides a blank canvas and a wonderful sense of versatility. Our in house wedding coordinators provide excellent attention to detail and are present throughout the planning stages – ensuring you can relax & enjoy every minute.

The Hotel is also able to offer a luxury overnight stay following the wedding celebrations with guests leaving relaxed & refreshed after a night in one of our comfortable individually designed bedrooms. In addition to the 39 available rooms, One Warwick Park Hotel also features ‘The House’, a centrally located Townhouse able to sleep 8 guests just a stone’s throw from the Hotel entrance. Perfect for getting ready with Bridesmaids ahead of the celebrations, or to relax with family. www.onewarwickpark.co.uk 01892 520 587 reception@onewarwickpark.co.uk One Warwick Park Hotel 1 Warwick Park Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TA

Wedding Special

How to say yes to the dress...

Isabella Grace Bridal is based in Tunbridge Wells but has won the UK’s Best Bridal Shop more than five times so when it comes to knowing how to dress and feel like a beautiful bride, owner Rebecca Doyle and her team are most certainly the people to ask.

Here they share their top five tips on wedding dress success

CROWING GLORY Qualified chemist, top Research & Development consultant and talented hairdresser Thomas Taw, who runs his eponymous salon on The Pantiles, shares his hair care wisdom to ensure your locks look luscious on your wedding day INSIDE OUT Beauty is always created from the inside, so keep your body healthy. Make sure your diet contains a balanced complex of nutritious ingredients.Your hair is composed of different amino acids so make sure you have a good balance of these in your diet. Seeds, Nuts, fish, and fresh fruit and vegetables contain a lot of these essential and beneficial compounds – so get eating!

1.

Be open-minded but do your research: When you’ve never tried on wedding dresses before in your life, it’s very hard to know what styles will suit you so put your trust in us to guide you and pick out styles that perhaps you hadn’t previously considered. However, do have a good look at our website and our designers before booking your appointment to ensure we do stock the designers you love.

HYDRATE TO KEEP HAIR HAPPY Keep your body topped up with regular and generous levels of H2o. Not only will it keep you feeling fresh – it will improve your attention span. If you live in a warm climate, the effects of dehydration are accelerated – so keep sipping. It will also benefit your hair by keeping it soft and manageable.

Remember to apply conditioner to your locks after shampooing. This repairs and protects the hair shaft as well as keeping it hydrated.

2.

Know your budget: We have all wedding dress styles in all different price ranges, from £1000 - £3000. There is no point trying on dresses well over your budget and settling for a second-best dress. Our job is to find you your dream dress within your budget.

3.

Don’t bring a massive entourage with you: So many brides fall victim of trying to please everyone when shopping for their wedding dress and end up trying to choose their dress by committee, which is impossible. Bring one or two people with you whose opinions you trust implicitly.

4.

Choose a dress you love yourself in now: Don’t think you will love it more if you lose weight – we have dresses to suit all shapes and sizes.

5.

Dress for your wedding venue or location: A huge heavy dress isn’t going to be right for a hot destination wedding and a slinky sexy number might not be right for a formal church wedding.

For more information or to book an appointment visit www.isabellagracebridal.com

Rebecca Doyle of Isabella Grace

KNOW YOUR STYLE OPTIONS There a few important factors in deciding which style to choose for you wedding day.

What kind of dress will you be wearing? A halterneck will suit more of an up-do while a plunged neckline may be more suited to a softer style, perhaps even half up or down. The addition of curls or perhaps a softer style altogether.

Wearing a Veil? Another consideration to the type of style you are after.

Will you be wearing accessories such as flowers or jewellery in your hair?

These are all considerations to factor in to your finished ‘Look’ - talk to your stylist and listen to their advice as they will have been through this before.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Do a trial run at least six weeks before the big day.

This is one thing that is really essential to do with your chosen hairstylist.

Is your hair long enough for the look you want?

Does it suit your hair type and face shape?

Do you feel comfortable to wear it all day in front of your friends and family ? It’s always better to address any problems or potential ideas way ahead of time.

It is a good idea to bring visual references to your chosen stylist - make a Pinterest board or cut out pictures from a magazine.

PLAY IT SAFE Do not cut or colour your hair immediately prior to your wedding day.

There is always a risk that something could go wrong or the hair is cut too short for the style you have decided.

A haircut usually looks its best or has ‘settled’ in by the second week - so use this as a guide.

A colour is advised at least 3-4 weeks before the date - (grey tide-line roots excluded!) This gives the colour time to naturally settle and look more natural.

STAY HEALTHY It is important to keep your hair as healthy, nourished and hydrated as possible leading up to your wedding day. Treat yourself to a good shampoo and conditioner like my Aragan & Aloe Daily Cleanser and Conditioning range.

It’s also an idea to perform weekly deep conditioning treatments at home, or in salon, leading up to the event. These products will protect your hair against colour fade as well as increasing shine, condition and manageability.

As we say in the industry - Perfect hair, Perfect Day! www.thomastaw.com SO Magazine | September 2021 | 37

Wedding Special

Wedding belle Just as important as your dress is how you look on your big day so we asked local make-up artist to the stars Natalie Piacun for her top tips

1.

Skin preparation is key: a good base will ensure the staying power of your make-up all day. Ideally have a facial or two in the weeks leading up to your wedding to make sure you are glowing. Ensure the skin is clean, exfoliated and well moisturised. Try to avoid heavy creams for summer weddings and keep skincare products to a minimum. A touch of eye cream and lip conditioner whilst prepping the skin always works wonders Natalie’s hero product: Tropic Skincare

2.

Less is more: Go for lightweight foundations that you can layer up in any problem areas, blend with fingers when using liquid or creams so the product really moulds to the skin by using the warmth of your fingers. And remember to blend blend blend!

Natalie’s hero product: Mac Face and Body Foundation.

3.

Cheek to cheek: Warm up the cheeks with a cream blush. Apply it to the apples of the cheeks and blend up and outwards. Top tip – make sure you smile when applying this and find the right spot that sits well with your face.

Natalie’s hero product: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Cheeks in Sublimate

5.

4.

Lip service: Find your favourite lipstick for the day and buy the matching lip pencil. Top tip – cover the entire lip in lip pencil before applying the lipstick to increase staying power throughout the day.

Natalie’s hero product: Chanel

Define the eyes: This can be done using any colour palette you feel comfortable with.

Cream shadows are great for long wear as they avoid creasing and blend easily. Smooth in a little of the eye shadow colour just below the waterline to balance and open the eyes up. Finish with a beautifully curled lash and mascara. Try a waterproof mascara or just applying to the top lashes in case of any happy tears.

Natalie’s hero product: Tom Ford cream colour eye

Natalie Piacun is represented by Carol Hayes Management www.carolhayesmanagement.co.uk 38 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

INGS D D E W IY D HOW TO DO

E L Y T S IN

The Bell at Ticehurst is a dream venue if you’re after a cool nuptial ceremony with a difference. The picturesque pub with rooms promises to ‘pull out all the stops’ for a wedding to remember. “Whether you are looking for robust and rustic or Alice in Wonderland whimsy we are here to help,” they tell us.

Rather cleverly this coming November they will be hosting a number of courses to help you create the wedding of your dreams courtesy of event company Curious House.

“We have curated a series of courses from November 8 to 10 to show you how to bring the ultimate personal touch to a special day.

Held in the stunning rooms at where you can stay for an exclusive Curious House room rate, these courses could be the prefect pre-wedding creative break.

They include the following:

MONDAY NOVEMBER 8: VINTAGE MIXED MEDIA: WEDDINGS AND PARTIES WITH CAROLINE ZOOB Create the blueprint for place names, bunting, table numbers and menus using priceless vintage papers and ephemera. Course fee £130.

and taking a very relaxed approached to the art. This is a perfect course if you would like to add a handwritten flourish to your invitations and place names.

Course fee £120.

LINO CUT DESIGN: FOR WEDDING OR PARTY STATIONERY WITH CLARE DALES Create a unified look from ‘save the date’ cards right through to place names and thank you cards. This is an ideal course to combine with modern calligraphy for a very individual touch to your big day.

Course fee £130.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10 WEDDING FLOWERS: LUCINDA WATTS OF THE FLOWER ALCHEMIST You could save a lot of money by learning from a professional florist. Everything from how to make simple buttonholes, bouquets, and gorgeous table centres.

Lucinda will share insider knowledge of suppliers and how to condition flowers so they look their best on the big day. You will take home a buttonhole and hand tied bouquet. Table centres will be demonstrated. Course fee £150 to include flowers.

IPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY: CAPTURING THOSE PRECIOUS MOMENTS WITH KATY DONALDSON Get the most from the powerful camera that is always to hand. Learn the tips and tricks from a professional photographer to capture people and place on a wedding day or any day. Course fee £105.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9: MODERN CALLIGRAPHY: FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH LUCY BERRIDGE It’s not about perfection, it’s about starting

For more information and details on how to book www.curioushouse.net or call 07747 106929

Advertising Feature

How to find the right personal trainer to achieve your goals

D

eciding to start with a PT is one thing, but finding the right match is another altogether.

Your fitness goals are entirely unique to you, and the same goes for your trainer! You might be a seasoned gym-goer, or you may be entirely new to it all; your aim could be fat loss – but equally, it could be weight or muscle gain, or simply becoming the healthiest version of yourself.

Whatever your requirements, at TWPT, we specialise in tailor-made personal training, so we know a thing or two about what to look out for. These are our top tips, so you can embark on your fitness journey with confidence.

TWPT, we create bespoke programmes adapted to your goals, experience, and lifestyle. We think individual is best; we offer one-to-one sessions to motivate and guide you towards achieving those aims. What’s more, all of our trainers are available from 6am–10pm, allowing you to work sessions around your schedule.

VARIETY & ENJOYMENT Above all else, working with a PT should be fun! Maybe you fancy trying integrated boxing in your sessions, or want to get outdoors and give circuits in the park a go. Perhaps you’d like to introduce running – or maybe resistance training is more your thing, in which case, our specialists at our Goods Station Road studio can support you with form and technique. At TWPT, we try to cater programmes to your interests – after all, if you’re loving what you’re doing, you’re far more likely to stick at it!

PERSONAL TRAINING AT TWPT Founded in 2012 as a private personal training facility on Mount Pleasant Road, TWPT strives to deliver a truly bespoke experience to help clients achieve their fitness goals. In April 2021 we opened a second studio, and, with the extra space and equipment (and some amazing new trainers!), we’re continuing to expand our commitment to provide inclusive, effective, and individualised support.

FACILITIES & ENVIRONMENT Where you train is often just as important as who you’re training with. We’re particularly proud of our facilities; we’ve recently opened a second studio on Goods Station Road, and, alongside our other central space on Mount Pleasant Road, our spaces are calm, welcoming, and modern. Plus, there’s no waiting around for equipment (the gym is exclusively used for personal training) or expensive membership fee: we feel you should be able to train with your PT whenever – and however frequently – suits you.

INCLUSIVITY Inclusivity underpins our approach, and we’re passionate about making sure everyone can access the support they need to achieve their goals. For example, we don’t believe that previous injuries should be a barrier to personal development. TWPT specialises in exercise-based rehabilitation, enabling you to move more freely and without pain. Or, perhaps you’re looking for support during or after pregnancy: every one of our PTs is fully pre and postnatal trained to assist you in exercising safely. We also collaborate with healthcare professionals and can make referrals where needed.

NUTRITIONAL GUIDANCE When it comes to results, nutrition is key.

Whether you’re looking to lose or gain weight (or just enhance your nutritional know-how) our PTs are happy to help. With qualifications ranging from a master’s degree to previous experience as a chef, our trainers can provide you with dietary tips and programmes to complement your training.

A one-to-one approach No two people are the same, and a good personal trainer will understand that. Here at

To find out more and book a free consultation, pay us a visit on twpt.co.uk – you can also drop us a line via enquiries@twpt.co.uk, or give us a call on 01892 545 400.

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 39

Hypnotherapy

half the price at home? That’s a whole other problem I’m seeing a lot in my clinic. And, of course, online shopping is booming and fewer of us are choosing to mooch around the shops on our days off.

Many anxieties are alleviated by the structure, order, routine and consistency of day to day life. When that was thrown up in the air on March 24th 2020, none of us knew how we’d cope with what was ahead.

Lack of control, uncertainty and change are key triggers for anxiety and continuous exposure to these during the pandemic is at the root of Covid 19 Anxiety Syndrome.

The pandemic has created a fear of going out and returning to the normal busyness and human contact of day to day life

Are you

out?

This month our resident hypnotherapist Karen Martin looks at the issue of agoraphobia and ways in which it can be tackled as restrictions continue to ease…

N

ever mind the confusion about the ‘rules’ aimed at safeguarding against the spread of covid as restrictions are lifted, there are untold numbers of us who are quite happy not going out anyway.

The pandemic has been an opportunity for anyone with agoraphobic tendencies or social anxiety to pull up the drawbridge and stay at home.

People with agoraphobia become anxious in places where they feel helpless, out of control, stuck, or judged. Agoraphobics might avoid places where they feel trapped (such as an office meeting) or put on the spot — perhaps during a conversation at a party. They also may avoid situations or places that feel out of control, such as a trip with other people where they don’t have a say about the schedule and timing, or an open, public space like a park.

40 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

There’s a big difference between being a bit self-conscious and being paralysed and panicky in public or away from the safety of home.

Agoraphobia is Greek for ‘fear of market places’ and that very aptly describes what those who are suffering from it are experiencing.

According to the Psychiatrists’ bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, around two per cent of the population suffers from agoraphobia and up to half of them will experience panic attacks in the situations which trigger their anxiety.

Frequent exposure to the hustle and bustle of our overcrowded and noisy life desensitises us to the stress levels it creates to a degree. However, the pandemic has created a fear of going out and returning to the normal busyness and human contact of day to day life. Research by London South Bank University shows that ‘Covid 19 Anxiety Syndrome’ is affecting

Karen Martin Hypnotherapist

significant numbers of people. This condition is a unique variant of agoraphobia and can keep people locked in a continuous state of anxiety and fear of contracting the virus.

Symptoms can include OCD behaviours to avoid contamination Public transport and public places are avoided by sufferers who are also hypervigilant about possible contamination of anything they touch and fearful of anyone showing symptoms. The effect of this may not be obvious. Research by the London School of Tropical Medicine revealed that, on average, we used to have ‘direct contact’ with 11 people a day and that has gone down to four.

This could be down to the revolution in flexi-working which means many people are staying at home instead of commuting to an office every day. Also, habits have changed. Why go out for a drink when you can drink twice as much for

Sufferers may experience some relief when they return to familiar routines and habits. Others will need some help with emerging mental health issues which stop them from doing that. When catastrophic news reports are replaced with reassuring statistics and politicians appear to have a clear policy for managing the effects of the pandemic, there will be a natural process of recovery from the psychological trauma it has caused.

Returning to workplaces or adjusting to new flexi-working arrangements, reconnecting with friends and family, taking holidays or just popping out when you feel like it will be antidotes for most of us. When underlying emotional issues become mental health concerns, this new normal may be an unreachable place.

If returning to a pre-pandemic lifestyle fills you with dread and seems impossible, think about what you want life to be like from now on.

Identify anything preventing you from getting on with that life and seek whatever advice will help you gather your resources to make changes and move on. This could take the form of therapy, retraining, making changes in your personal or professional life or all the above.

It’s often the case that a crisis of confidence, a fear of the unknown or a need to overcome adversity forces us to adapt and learn far more than we would during easier times. If you’ve found the pandemic tough, you can find within yourself the ability to come out of it stronger, wiser and with a greater appreciation of life. To misquote a cliche, ‘feel the fear and do it anyway while still safeguarding your health’.

Hypnotherapy

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SO Magazine | September 2021 | 41

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TRAVEL

Amazing Antigua

Johnny Green tastes paradise through the Caribbean’s turquoise waters, golden beaches and lazy living

“A

ntigua is beautiful.

Antigua is too beautiful,” writes novelist Jamaica Kincaid in her 1988 essay, A Small Place. And it is, as my already sky-high expectations are quickly surpassed by the stunning natural beauty found here in abundance.

Nothing suggests paradise more than the Caribbean, and Antigua – one of the Leeward Islands – is as pretty as they come, laden with golden sands, gently swaying palms and turquoise waters. Barbuda, her sleepier sister lying 40 miles north, may rival her, promising idyllic natural riches and fewer people.

Arriving on the inaugural British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Antigua – the airline’s first for 30 years – we’re greeted by Antigua’s

Minister for Tourism and Investment, Charles Fernandez, as well as national television, ensuring we make the evening news. Mr Fernandez tells me that with 70% of Antigua’s GDP coming from tourism, this flight – and those which follow – are crucial for the livelihoods of the islanders.

With Antigua and Barbuda currently on the UK’s green list and averaging just two new Covid cases each day, the island is currently a popular destination in the Caribbean for holidaymakers.

Almost 70,000 Covid vaccines have been administered so far for a population of around 98,000 and the wearing of face masks is mandatory, including outdoor spaces, although beaches are exempt.

As a consequence I’m told that the island has full occupancy of its hotel rooms for what is traditionally SO Magazine | September 2021 | 43

TRAVEL

swim, before I clamber onto a rubber Antigua’s low season, with most tourists seemingly happiest spending as tube to be towed at speed. A distant memory of water-skiing from 30 years much time as possible either on the ago reminds me to lean in and out in beach or in the crystal like waters. order to build up speed and zip across And it’s water, where I want to be. the water, but I somehow allow the At Antigua’s National Sailing Academy line to go slack and the sudden in English Harbour, I receive a force of it tightening again sailing lesson from Joshua catapults me through Daniels aboard his the air. After smashing Hobie Cat. The violently into the academy, aware that water, the tube and I 80% of the island’s “Hands down, the are separated. It is primary island of Antigua is thrilling, stupid and schoolchildren enormous fun. cannot swim, aims to just stunning.”

I manage to fix this by using recover in time for a revenue earned trip to Sheer Rocks at through tourism and Cocobay Resort, run by donations to give free British-born Alex Grimley who swimming and sailing lessons. has lived in Antigua for 14 years. While Joshua knows the perils only too well the restaurant excels at blending the – he tells me how, at the age of eight, best of Antiguan and Caribbean with he almost drowned. He learned to international cuisine, it’s the ethos of swim and is now the academy’s providing jobs for school leavers and Deputy Sailing Manager. training them to progress to top Aptly, our lesson concludes with a

44 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

positions that impresses me.

I sip on a rum punch topped with cinnamon and nutmeg as I gaze at the milky blue ocean. I ask Alex which is the most beautiful island in the Caribbean after learning of his extensive travels in the region.

“Hands down, Antigua,” he replies without hesitation. “I just think it is stunning.”

That beauty is reflected in our not so humble lodgings, Tamarind Hills, just a stone’s throw from Sheer Rocks and overlooking two of the island’s 365 gorgeous beaches, Ffryes and Darkwood, located on the sheltered, sunset-facing west coast.

Ten years old, Tamarind Hills is currently undergoing a refurbishment with an additional 42 suites, restaurant, swimming pool and beach club due to open in November.

My suite is simply four-poster heaven. Looking out across the sea from the huge balcony area, the sense of paradise outside is mirrored when I

HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRIP Suites at Tamarind Hills start from £250 per night.Visit tamarind-hills.com British Airways now fly to Antigua from Heathrow and Gatwick with prices starting from £378 return.Visit britishairways.com For further information, see visitantigua barbuda.com

turn and walk back inside. I don’t want to leave.

Typically, the island would be preparing for carnival now, falling each year in late July and running until the first Tuesday in August. How I would love to see such a sleepy isle transformed into beautiful chaos, when different worlds collide. For now, I must make do with pre-recorded Antiguan soca reverberating from the speakers of Dennis’s Bar on Ffryes Beach, since live music and dancing are forbidden between the 11pm until 5am curfew.

For now, the focus is on long days so I awake early for a swim, watching in awe as Antigua’s famous frigate birds fly overhead. It’s not easy to leave the water, but I’m eager to visit the capital, St John’s, for its market day.

Saturday morning is the new Saturday night, providing a sensory riot of colours and fragrances. As I explore the various market stalls, I realise why Antigua is considered to be one of the safest and friendliest countries in the Caribbean.

My final visit is to Antigua’s new 22ft sculpture Boonji Spaceman, standing at the end of a small pier at Hodges Bay resort on the north coast. The piece, designed by Malibu-based artist Brendan Murphy, aims to lift the human spirit and highlights the artist’s fascination with space.

As I walk towards it, I hear music and spy a rather energetic dancer who later tells me his name is Tango. The sky darkens, rain falls, then stops before the sun beams back down again. Tango dances throughout, pausing only briefly when I thank him.

As I walk away, Tango and the spaceman are still going for it. Not even a global pandemic is going to stop them.

Heading back to the Tamarind, I think about the laid-back Caribbean phrase “soon come”. Although nothing here happens in a hurry, it’s all in good time. Yet for anyone toying with the idea of visiting this chilled, stress-free corner of the globe, there’s really no reason to hold back. With sun, sea and sand this glorious, the only message is: “come soon”.

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46 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

Outside Edge

Show your true colours

autumn. When the flowers catch the low autumn evening sun, the plant appears to be sitting under a halo of silvery light. ‘Goldsturm' planted in bold drifts with other late summer flowering perennials and ornamental grasses is sensational. Boasting golden yellow large daisy like flowers with dark brown centres, flowering from August until October linking summer to autumn.

BORDER CONTROL In amongst borders I love using multi stem Amelanchiers, adding an architectural quality to the planting, beautiful star white flowers in the spring, young leaves maturing from bronze to dark green and the most stunning autumn colours of various

September: that time of year when the evenings are getting darker and the mornings feel much cooler. But there’s still lots you can do in the garden says our expert Victoria Truman Autumn has arrived and although summer is coming to an end, there are still plenty of plants and trees in your garden that provide colour and interest right through autumn and up to the beginning of winter.

These are a few of my favourites I use when designing planting schemes as it transitions from high summer to autumn.

AMAZING ANEMONES There are many different species of anemones but the ones that offer beautiful colour through autumn are the ‘so-called’ Japanese types.

With most standing at nearly a metre high, their flowers, which can vary from purest white through to deepest pink, provide elegance in the border from early September into October.

AGELESS ASTERS Aster’s have so many different shapes, sizes, colours, one of the best being A. x frikartii ‘Monch’ with lavender-blue ray-florets, forming good-sized flowerheads to 8cm across from midsummer to midautumn.

HEAVENLY HELIANTHUS Helianthus in particular, H. ‘Lemon Queen’. This perennial requires a retentive soil and what amazing colour it can give through late summer and into early autumn.

Lemony-yellow flowers with slightly darker centres smother the bright green foliage and provide a rich

source of nectar for bees late in the season. This plant does best in a sunny position at the back of a border as it can reach up to two metres in height.

SENSATIONAL SEDUMS The taller varieties have been renamed Hylotelephiumis, with their succulent-like foliage that can vary in colour from pale, bright greens to deep purple, the interesting foliage is topped by clusters of soft flowers.

These not only look pretty, but they are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators and they add a wonderful splash of late colour.

Even after the flowers fade, the seed heads remain attractive, and these will often add interest throughout the winter.

GORGEOUS GRASSES Autumn is a wonderful time of year for ornamental grasses, some of my border favourites are pennisetums, known as the fountain grass, there are many different species of pennisetum, but all have the same distinctive bottle-brush flower.

Lovely throughout autumn, especially amongst herbaceous perennials flowering at the same time. Miscanthus which has many cultivars, in particular ‘Kleine Silberspinne’ which is compact, doesn’t take up too much space, but it’s also very eye-catching with its slender silvery leaves and masses of upright, feathery, reddish-brown plumes fading to silver in the

There are many plants you can use when designing planting schemes as it transitions from high summer to autumn shades of orange and red.

ACE ACERS Another show stopping tree for autumn colour is an acer, the Acer palmatum 'Ozakazuki' is perhaps the best known for autumn colour.

Olive green with reddish leaf edges through summer and red-winged fruits the autumnal colour is flamescarlet and long-lasting. Acer palmatum Skeeters Broom with an attractive, slender upright habit with small, neat leaves, that are bright red in spring, turning to deep purple red through summer and finally a bright ruby red in autumn and Acer Palmatum Shaina, a lovely compact little tree, perfect for small town gardens and will grow well in a container for the patio, displays gorgeous shades of red throughout the seasons. Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy’ is such a beautiful ornamental tree with its deep purple, heart-shaped leaves on a spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. In autumn the foliage turns striking shades of orange, red, yellow and purple. www.victoriatruman.com

Victoria Truman Garden Designer

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 47

Interiors

10 kitchen COOL

Need an easy upgrade for the busiest room in the house? Sam Wylie-Harris rounds-up some stylish kitchen essentials

updates to shop now

W

hether it’s stealing space in the kitchen with clever storage solutions, making modest mealtimes that much more memorable, or splashing out on an A-list appliance, now’s the perfect time to tart up a tired looking kitchen.

Not only will it brighten up breakfast and tea-time – after all, we’re talking about the most multi-functional room in the house – but it’s funny how friends choose to stop by when you’re in the throes of thinking about a mini makeover, rather than when you’ve bagged those stylish updates.

Here’s what’s caught our eye for a fun summer kitchen fix, and items that marry flair with function…

1. Bugatti Vita Metal and Glass Juicer 29cm, £175, Selfridges The supercar of juicers, with 90-95 rotations per minute and a capacity of 0.6L, your fresh orange juice or screwdriver is going to taste that much racier.

2. Elements Skandi Set of 3 Tea Towels, £6 (other items from a selection), Dunelm A fresh new tea towel with a cheerful print takes the chore out of drying up, plus these come with a hanging loop for easy storage or decorative display.

3.Wall Mounted Wine Rack – Showvino

by Umbra, currently £10 (was £20), A Place For Everything A wall of wine… we’ll drink to that!

And you can always build on this mounted wine rack, especially while it’s on special offer. Think white, red, rosé and Sunday best Bordeaux.

4. 4 Tile Print Placemats And Coasters Set (other items from a selection), £14, Next With their azure floral print, these easy, wipe-clean placemats evoke thoughts of summer breakfasts, sea views and even a taste of Italy with co-ordinating stoneware for your favourite cappuccino.

1.

48 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

5.Tala Stoneware Mixing Bowls:Yellow, Dusty Pink and Blue, £25 each,Tala Cooking With a little more time on your hands, summer fêtes, children’s parties and summer berry cake season to cater for, these stoneware mixing bowls in pretty pastels channel sweet temptation before you’ve even reached for the caster sugar.

Interiors

3.

5.

2.

4.

8.

6. 12 Piece Melamine Green Leaves Dinner Set, £27.99, Studio This exotic palm leaf print will turn the everyday into something special. Think avocado on toast, tropical mango salads and Sicilian style Pasta alla Norma. Complete with four 25cm dinner plates, four 20cm side plates and four 15.5cm bowls.

10.

7. Spode Creatures or Curiosity Set of 2 Glass Tumblers, £25, Freemans Whether it’s a lunchtime mocktail or sultry evening cocktail, somehow a decorative glass tumbler is an easy way to give your drinks list a lift. With its yellow moth motif, we’re thinking tequila based El Matador or Nectarine Sunshine Smoothie.

8. SMEG Mini Kettle – Red, £109.95, SMEG The new kettle on the block, and boasting most of the design features of its big brother (the KLF03), minor alterations in this Mini three-cup counterpart include a manual opening knob for the lid and 1400 watts power.

Available in a range of colours, who wouldn’t love its retro styling?

9.

6.

7.

9. 3 Tiered Storage Rack Tower by Yamazi, £154, A Place For Everything If too much kitchen clutter is pushing you to breaking point, a free-standing storage rack will lighten the load. Ideal for storage jars and cool kitchen gadgets you want on view, but not blocking up space.

10. Habitat Zela Glass 4 Seater Dining Table – Natural, £180; Elmley Shade, £60 each (other items from a selection), Habitat Safe to say the kitchen table has seen a lot of action over the past year or so, and there couldn’t be a better time to lighten up your

dining area with natural woodgrain and glass.

Modern rustic always feels fresh, especially when you mix and match with ceramics, rattan dining chairs, earthenware and striking bamboo ceiling shades.

SO Magazine | September 2021 | 49

WELL-BEING

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

to promote better health

Naomi Murray of Botanica Health discusses the issue of how we can support our immunity as the seasons change

A Naomi Murray Co-founder of Botanica Health

ccording to Ed Yong in his best-selling book, I Contain Multitudes: ‘All of us are constantly seeding the world with our microbes every time we touch an object, we leave a microbial imprint upon it. Every time we walk, talk, scratch, shuffle, or sneeze, we cast a personalised cloud of microbes into space. Every person aerosolises around 37 million bacteria per hour.’

Yet we survive. And it is due to our awesome immune system!

There is a Japanese proverb, “Dig the well before you are thirsty.” This is a perfect reminder to us to prepare for the more challenging months ahead.

Moving into the autumnal part of the year it is time to strengthen our immunity and build our defences. So, what can we do?

It goes without saying that the obvious lifestyle factors like good sleep, mindful eating, daily

50 | September 2021 | SO Magazine

sunlight, moderate exercise, healthy relationships and reducing stress levels can all have a positive impact on immunity.

With this in mind it is important to remember that chronic anxiety and fear suppress the immune system, increasing our risk of infection.

I recently spoke to an elderly man, who sadly still feels in constant danger. This could have been handled so differently.

Instead by empowering people with the knowledge that they have a wonderful immune system and there are things we can do.

With a healthy lifestyle in place, certain supplements are very useful, and can make all the difference.

Vitamin C and the hormone vitamin D are foundational even in summer months as they lay the foundation for winter.

High-dose vitamin C has been shown to be a safe and effective therapy for severe cases of respiratory viral infections and

there have been several studies on Vitamin D being protective. In Italy patients with a Vitamin D deficiency had poorer outcomes with the Corona virus.

In Autumn the elderberry and rosehip provide us with just what we need for the winter months. Plant complexes known as phytonutrients — plant nutrients — which have specific benefits or actions differ from other supplements such as minerals and vitamins.

Echinacea is one of my favourite herbs and one that up-regulates immunity. It is safe and effective and well-tolerated across the entire age range.

From drop doses for young children to a maintenance dose for adults, echinacea has a very wide spectrum of action but it is essential to use a top quality product. A liquid blend of the two species: echinacea angustifolia and echinacea purpurea has been found to be most effective.

Echinacea is one of my favourite herbs and one that up-regulates immunity

Over recent years, elderberry has gained a reputation as a potent antiviral thanks to the work of world-renowned Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu. In studies it has been shown to either halt a virus in its tracks or reduce severity of symptoms and length of illness.

However, resistance to pathogens extends beyond a direct boosting of the immune system — overall body system health is vital. Dr Robert Lustig Professor emeritus at the University of California, advises: ‘protect the liver and feed the gut’ as foundational for health.

Milk thistle seed extract has a profound influence on the liver in its major role as our prime organ of detoxification. Studies also show that milk thistle benefits the entire digestive system including the microbiome.

Much can be done to keep immunity robust moving in to the cooler months, ensuring a greater resistance to any viruses we encounter.

2021 Christmas at Salomons Estate Tunbridge Wells BrEakFaST WiTh SanTa

SanTa aT SalOmOnS

Friday 24th December

Christmas means one thing, Santa is visiting Salomons Estate!

With presents for all the children why not come and visit Santa Claus and his Elves in our cosy grotto.

Enjoy a festive breakfast experience for the whole family, as Santa and his Elves host a breakfast feast at Salomons Estate.

Fun for all the family featuring Christmas colouring, our Christmas treasure trail with a free child’s hot chocolate & Gingerbread decorating.

£16.00

per person (adult or child)

19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd December

Tables available between 8am-11am

Grotto slots available from 10am-5pm

Price includes full English and continental breakfast buffet with gift from Santa for every child.

£15.50

per child Adults free of charge

Booking can only be made online via our website.

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

£23.33 per person

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

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.

ChriSTmaS Day lunCh

BOxing Day BrunCh

Saturday 25th December

Saturday 26th 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.

There’s no better way to wrap up your Festive celebrations than indulging in our luxury Boxing Day Brunch.

£85

per adult

£45

Available 10.30am-1pm

£14.50 per person

includes a mimosa and one dish from our brunch menu.

We look forward to seeing you this festive season!

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

COUNTRY HOUSE

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