SO March 2023

IT’S GOOD TO TALK

WE CHAT TO COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT AND PODCASTER NICOLE PIESSE TURNER OF THE BIG CHAT

BUSINESS In fine company

The countdown to the Times Business Awards Gala Night is on...

FOOD & DRINK Recipe for success

Why The George & Dragon in Speldhurst is the perfect country pub

LIFESTYLE Love is in the air

Don’t miss our brilliant wedding special with all the details you’ll need

Welcome to your March edition of SO magazine.

This month our cover star is the super talented Nicole Piesse Turner – otherwise known as Coco to her friends and colleagues. In this issue the local media entrepreneur who runs Chatty Hatter PR & Marketing, The Tunbridge Wells Soapbox Stars Kart Race and now The Big Chat podcast series tells us all about the evolution of her businesses and how connection and community are so important to her. Turn to page 9 to find out more about her fascinating story and why she’s so passionate about Tunbridge Wells.

Elsewhere in this issue we shine a spotlight on two of the town’s newest well-being spaces. Good & Green (p32) is a fantastic fourstory building on the High Street which houses not only a brilliant health food store and gorgeous café but some tranquil treatment rooms where you can experience yoga, meditation, nutritional

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Culture vulture: what’s on where this month

7 Noble effort: Paul Dunton chats to Will Page of Noble Jacks ahead of their Assembly Hall gig

March 2023

advice, reiki and massage. The Spring Rooms (p49) is located just off The Pantiles and again is a perfect place to find respite from the stress of everyday life courtesy of the wealth of holistic treatments on offer.

As well as all your regular SO contributors, we also have a wedding special in this issue so if you’re tying the knot any time soon then turn to page 40 to discover all you need to know.

We also profile the upcoming Times Business Awards for 2023 which happen at the end of this month. Turn to page 25 to find out how you can be there. We also pay a visit to luxury gym and spa Natural Fit (p52) which is right in the heart of town but a world away from the world of work.

With a trip to The George & Dragon in Speldhurst, a sneak peek at The Bell Inn at Ticehurst’s new Stables dining venue and a look at what The Brasserie at One Warwick Park will be serving up on its new menu, we have all the right ingredients for a great issue.

Hope you enjoy it.

ISSUE 173

THE TEAM

EDITOR

Eileen Leahy

eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk

DESIGN

Xela Stirling

EDITORIAL

Karen Martin

Naomi Murray

Tim Sykes

Molly Miller

PHOTOGRAPHY

David Bartholomew

Emily Harding

John Knight SALES advertising@onemediauk.co.uk

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.

Let’s chat: We meet Nicole Piesse Turner to talk all things TW Soapbox Race and her new podcast series The Big Chat

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14 Sister Act: Your Style File Ladies launch their new venture

17 Location, location, location: The Property Hub invites us to their first party

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Food for thought: The TN card hosts a special food & drink event

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Love Where You Live: PR guru Siobhan Stirling of Sharp Minds tells us where she likes to shop, stroll and socialise

25 The stage is set: We get a sneak peek of this year’s what’s in store at Times Business Awards

40 Love tokens: All you need to know if you are tying the knot this year

47 Good to glow: TAW’s Natalie Piacun on the best glow getting beauty products on the market

50 Skin deep: Aestheticians Maryna Cole and Eva Grace tell us about their new partnership

52 Limitless luxury: Why local gym Natural Fit is the perfect tonic

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A taste of Italy: The TN Card’s Jess Gibson meets the team at Italian deli Gusta

29 Food with finesse: The Bell Inn at Ticehurst launches its new fine dining experience The Stables

48 Heavy metal: Charlotte Newman, owner of Kitch tells us why metallics are shining bright for summer

49 Healing and health: We discover what’s on offer at the Spring Rooms wellbeing retreat

55 Don’t get mad: Hypnotherapist Karen Martin advises how to manage your anger

56 Inner strength: Fitness expert Sarah Gorman discusses the importance of finding your personal power

57 Energise yourself: Naomi Murray from Botanica Health’s on ways to remedy fatigue

61 Design for life: Don’t miss our interiors special

67 Alfresco success: Tim Sykes of Garden Proud on welcoming spring in your garden

69 Jet set, go: Our travel section has your holiday options for 2023 covered

74 Drive time: We test drive the new Mercedes Benz EQE

30 Country living: Why The George & Dragon is the perfect country pub

32 Green party: Good & Green on Tunbridge Wells High Street tell us the secret of their success

35 Taste the difference: One Warwick Park Hotel’s Ollie Funnell reveals what’s on the new menu at The Brasserie

CRACK CHRISTIE’S CASE Trinity Theatre Club

MARCH 1-4

Trinity Theatre Club presents Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution. This gripping tale of justice, passion and betrayal will take you on a journey full of twists and turns as the case plays out in spectacular style in a 1950s courtroom setting. With the battle lines drawn, the audience will be on the edge of their seats as witnesses take the stand to give their shocking testimonies. Tickets cost from £15 and can be booked at www.trinitytheatre.net

JUST FOR LAUGHS

Amelia Scott

MARCH 8

On International Women’s Day, the Amelia Scott centre will host a special evening of giggles and glugging courtesy the event, Naturally Funny. After astounding success at 21Soho and Shoreditch House in London, this sell-out show is coming to Tunbridge Wells. Expert sommelier Ellen Doggett, who holds a coveted spot on the esteemed Harpers ‘30 Under 30’ list, will be your host, guiding visitors through three natural wine tastings from Les Caves de Pyrene. Each wine will be accompanied by a short set from a female standup. What could be better than sipping wine and giggling with your girlfriends eh? The fun kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets cost £24 per person. For more information and to book visit www.theamelia.co.uk

CHILD’S PLAY The Forum

MARCH 9

The Forum regularly hosts open mic nights for budding musicians and singers aged under 18. This month the popular event takes place on March 9 between 5pm and 7pm. Those wishing to perform are asked to bring their own instruments or they can bring a backing track on a phone/laptop/other device to perform along to. For more info check out The Forum’s social media platforms or their website www.twforum.co.uk

EMBRACE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE Sissinghurst Castle

EVERY DAY UNTIL MARCH 19

Sissinghurst Castle is currently hosting an exhibition entitled From Little Acorns: Art Inspired by Sissinghurst. It is a collective celebration of the National Trust property’s Gazebo Studio which has inspired many artists over the years, including a cohort of 16 artists who spent time there last summer. Their work, which is inspired by the spectacular setting, includes the mediums of painting, sculpture, poetry and photography. The space was originally designed in 1969 by Nigel and Benedict Nicolson as a memorial to their father Harold, who owned the property with his wife Vita Sackville-West. The exhibition is open from 10am to 3pm and is free to NT members and visitors.

YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH The Assembly Hall

MARCH 4

Calling all George Michael fans! The Assembly Hall will host the UK’s number one tribute to the late Wham star on Saturday March 4. Rob Lamberti was just 14 years old when he saw George perform Faith on Top of the Pops and he instantly became a super fan. Six years later Rob appeared on TV’s Stars in Their Eyes thanks to his brilliant impression of the late singer, whom he was lucky enough to meet and work with. And thanks to some of George Michael’s personal musicians proudly joining Rob’s band, his performance is guaranteed to do justice to one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our time. Tickets cost from £32.18 and are available from www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

Author Julia Donaldson originally started out writing songs for BBC TV. She worked on programmes like Play Away and Play School but when one of her songs, ‘A Squash and a Squeeze’, was turned into a children’s book in 1993, she turned to penning stories instead.

We bring you the month’s most entertaining events happening this March

A SWEEPING SUCCESS Assembly Hall

MARCH 9 & 10

A live performance of Julia Donaldson’s classic children’s book Room on the Broom files into town this month. On at the Assembly Hall on March 9 and 10 audiences will have the opportunity to jump on board the broom in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation. Like the book, the 60-minute show follows the tale of the witch and her cat who are travelling on their broomstick when they pick up some hitchhikers – a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK – it snaps in two... just as the hungry dragon appears! Will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? Find out in this magical Olivier Award-nominated show for everyone aged 3 and up. Tickets cost £13.50 from www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

SET YOUR ALARM Trinity Theatre

MARCH 18

Popular stand-up Lucy Porter returns to Trinity Theatre on March 18 at 8pm with her new show Wake-Up Call, which she describes as being about ‘revelations, realisations and epiphanies – both large and small’. Subjects covered include: bin collection schedules, the novels of Jean Rhys, cats, school fair booze tombolas, the Scottish Enlightenment, pressure washers and Huel. It’s billed as an ‘exuberant, silly show with some wisdom sprinkled on top’ and is sure to delight Lucy Porter fans and anyone who enjoys a dose of witty, observational banter. Tickets cost £18 per person from www.trinitytheatre.net

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA Assembly Hall

The Ukranian Opera comes to the Assembly Hall this month with its performance of Bizet’s Carmen –which they describe as ‘the most powerful, enjoyable, and tuneful opera’.

Not familiar with it? Well it tells the story of the downfall of Don José, a naive soldier who falls head over heels in love with Carmen, a seductive, free-spirited femme fatale. The infatuated Don José abandons his childhood sweetheart and neglects his military duties, only to lose the fickle Carmen to the glamorous toreador Escamillo. Tickets are priced £36.90 & £21.60 for children and the show starts at 7.30pm. www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

The American activist Anna Jarvis held the first Mother’s Day in 1908. She had campaigned for a national day to thank mothers after the death of her own mother.

AN ILLUMINATING IDEA Outdoor Candle Company MARCH 18

Rachel Hunton of the Outdoor Candle Company is hosting a special Mother and Daughter candle making class (with Prosecco and cake) on Saturday March 18 from 12-2pm. “This is a lovely gift experience that mothers and their daughters could do together,” explains Rachel. Prices are usually £50 per person SO readers can benefit from a 10% discount when booking and citing SO10. See www. theoutdoorcandlecompany.co.uk for more details.

CELEBRATE IN STYLE One Warwick Park Hotel MARCH 19

One Warwick Park Hotel’s new restaurant The Brasserie is hosting a special Mother’s Day lunch on March 19. Guests can choose a two- or three-course Sunday roast lunch (£27.50 and £32.50) and all mothers will receive a complementary bouquet of flowers to mark the special occasion. To book visit www.onewarwickpark.co.uk

Paw patrol

Looking to find a few new canine companions for your pet pooch? Head to Bewl Water in Lamberhurst on Saturday March 25 for Big Dog Day Out, which returns to the reservoir for its 5th year…

Owning a dog is a source of great joy and comfort to many – especially over the last few years, with the number of people welcoming a puppy into their home and family at record levels.

Ten million of the UK population own a dog, and to celebrate our furry friends of all shapes and sizes, Bewl Water has partnered with insurance company Purely Pets to put on a special day that is sure to get tails wagging.

Organised by dog lovers for dog lovers, Big Dog Day Out is a popular event in Kent’s canine calendar which seeks to bring the dog world together with a host of human and pup-friendly events.

The day is free to attend and promises fun for the whole family. Among the highlights are a children’s treasure trail, face painting

and a raffle. And as car parking for the day costs £7, families can make the most of their visit by enjoying a host of other activities that regularly take place at Bewl Water. These include laser tag and soft play sessions, which can be prebooked or enjoyed on the day, as well as bike hire, wildlife spotting and two adventure playgrounds.

The main attraction, the dog show will start at 11.00 am and run throughout the day, giving proud

dog owners the chance to enter their pups into a choice of five categories. It costs £1 per entry, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place rosettes will be awarded to the most handsome boy, prettiest girl, best biscuit catcher, best rescue, and dog the judge would most like to bring home.

Also happening at Big Dog Day Out is the agility course and a shopping village, where rows of

wonderful stalls filled with products for both man and his best friend will be available to explore.

From clothing and accessories to treats and handmade gifts, stall holders include Pure Connection Pets, Pops & Coco, Snuffle Monsters, Artistically by Amber, and Handmade by Tierney. Battersea Dog Home and Dog First Aid Sussex will also be attending.

Alongside goodies for your pets, there are plenty of treats for the rest of the family at the dog-friendly Waterfront Café which will be serving hot drinks and fresh pastries plus deli sandwiches, hot sausage rolls, and confectionery throughout the day.

Visitors can get involved on socials by using #BDDO23 where the Bewl Water team will be sharing updates in the lead-up to and after the event.

“Organised by dog lovers for dog lovers, Big Dog Day Out is a popular event in Kent’s canine calendar”

Noble endeavour

Next month popular local band Noble Jacks take to the stage at the Assembly Hall with The Orange Circus as their support. SO’s resident music guru Paul Dunton talks to the Noble Jack’s frontman Will Page to discover all about this special gig which will be both bands’ biggest to date…

HOW DID NOBLE JACKS COME ABOUT?

It all started with my passion for performing live. As a young fan of the likes of The Waterboys, Mumford & Sons and The Levellers, I experimented with alternative styles and sounds, and then when I began writing my own songs, Noble Jacks was born to take these songs to the stage.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NOBLE JACKS STYLE AND SOUND?

I would describe Noble Jacks as a high energy British-Americana band – with the fiddle leading the charge!! Expect goodtimes and foot stomping when you come to see Noble Jacks live!

HOW DO YOU FEEL THE BAND HAS EVOLVED SINCE YOU STARTED?

Noble Jacks has evolved in many ways since the beginning. I feel very fortunate to have achieved some of the big dream moments and to have cherished every step in between. Big moments include sold out headline shows, performing on major festival main stages including Black Deer and Beautiful Days (the Levellers’ festival!) as well as touring with The Dead South and performing at a sold out O2 Brixton Academy in London. On a local level, we’re very excited for our upcoming show at The Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells next month as we’ve grown all the way up from fond memories of performing at The Grey Lady Music Lounge,The Forum, Local & Live Festival.

IS THIS YOUR BIGGEST HEADLINE SHOW TO DATE?

Yes and I’m as excited now with 1,000 tickets on sale as I was all those years ago for our first show at The Grey Lady. I really have enjoyed every step of our evolution and will continue to do so! The band

Paul Dunton Music Editor Follow Paul @PaulDuntonmusic

has enjoyed having a variety of members over the years with a rich blend of personalities which has always kept it fresh. I liken Noble Jacks to being a wagon on a journey for its members, past, present and new.They are free to hop on and off as it suits our broader life situations. We will be joined by one of our special original members for our show at The Assembly Hall on April 22!

HOW DID IT FEEL TO HEADLINE LOCAL & LIVE LAST YEAR IN CALVERLEY GROUNDS?

The Local & Live headline gig in Calverley Grounds was definitely one of our highlights of the summer.There was a huge turnout and the atmosphere was electric! We really enjoyed ourselves and felt the audience really responded to our show.The event organisation and the sound and lighting provided by Local & Live was absolutely first class.

WOULD YOU SAY NOBLE JACKS ARE A TUNBRIDGE WELLS BAND?

I was born in Tunbridge Wells, have always lived locally, and Noble Jacks has always been incredibly well supported in Tunbridge Wells by music fans. Most of the other members of the band live in Brighton so that’s usually the pick up and drop off point for gigs, and is why when people ask where we’re from we do often say Brighton. It is an important city for Noble Jacks with a great track record for sold out shows including our album launch one at Concorde2 in 2019. However, I would say it is Tunbridge Wells which incubated the fledgling Noble Jacks in the beginning and is still offering us big moments such as Black Deer Festival, Local & Live Festival and now a headline show at The Assembly Hall!

WHAT DOES THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE MEAN TO YOU?

It’s so important and I think very impressive that there is so much talent from a fairly rural town! The enthusiasm from every member of the local music scene in Tunbridge Wells is incredible and produces very special events for local

Orange Crush:

A quick word with The Orange Circus:

How did The Orange Circus come about and where did the name originate from?

“We’ll be performing as a six-piece line up and will be playing a mix of all our favourite songs across all three of our studio albums”

Back in 2008, I travelled to America with a couple of bands where we did a range of shows and also lots of hiking in the Appalachian mountains. During my time there I learned a great deal of old American folk and Bluegrass songs and felt incredibly inspired. When I returned to England I teamed up with my uncle Shep and we began gigging in local pubs. This was the very beginning of what was to become The Orange Circus. The name is very much connected to my grandmother. She grew up in a town called Orange in Virginia, USA. The Circus part of the name was almost a reflection on the early days as back then there were many band members coming and going, it was a bit chaotic, so in some ways it was a bit of a circus!

How do you feel the band has evolved since those early days?

A great deal in the ten years we have been together! We started out more as an Irish flavoured session band with various people involved but at this stage there was no structure or set plan in place - we were just going with the flow! We were performing a mix of old American folk, Irish folk

music fans to enjoy.The support from this vibrant community is very important for keeping the venues running too, which seems to be a growing challenge every year as the arts seem to be less and less supported by our government…

TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING SHOW AT ASSEMBLY HALL?

www.noblejacks.com facebook.com/noblejacksofficial instagram.com/noblejacksofficial www.youtube.com

It will be our biggest ever indoor headline show, and we can’t bloomin’ wait! We’ll be performing as a six-piece line up and will be playing a mix of all our favourite songs across all three of our studio albums.

and Appalachian- inspired music and would often just turn up in pubs and start playing.You could say they were guerrilla gigs! After a few years of these pop-up style shows – which we enjoyed immensely – we realised that to take things forward we needed to join the Association of Americana Music with a view to attaining more official and prestigious gigs. This transpired to be a very positive move for the band and really helped us develop our profile and opportunities to perform. We went on to play at The Cambridge Folk Festival, Black Deer Festival, The Long Road Festival and we really enjoyed headlining the Local & Live Music Festival a few years ago.

Can you tell us about your upcoming show at The Assembly Hall?

We are so excited for this! We feel honoured to have been invited to support our good friends Noble Jacks and our styles of music really fit well together. This will be our largest indoor show to date, and for it to be in Tunbridge Wells means a great deal to us as a band as we have deep roots in the town and lots of friends and family. The Orange Circus started out in the Tunbridge Wells area, so for us it is definitely a home town show! Please come along for a great night of local music!

To find out more visit www. theorangecircus.com or check out at @theorangecircusband

We’ve had requests to add The Devil Went Down To Georgia back into our set too, so we’ll see what we can do! There are a mix of standing and seating tickets available and we anticipate the energy to be and all time high!

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2023?

This year feels like we’re finally cooking on gas again, with our UK tour and festivals booking in thick and fast. I am also releasing my debut single as a solo artist and will be touring solo as well as with the band. It’s looking to be a busy year!

If you’ve been to the Tunbridge Wells Soapbox Race or tuned into The Big Chat podcasts then you’ll know Nicole Piesse Turner – or Coco as she’s affectionately called by friends. Here she tells us all about her fascinating career to date, reveals some exciting plans that you can be involved in too and why she is happier now than she ever has been…

“Connection is a for me”

t feels so weird sitting in this chair!” laughs local media entrepreneur Nicole Piesse Turner – or Coco –as she’s more affectionately known by her family, friends and colleagues.

But Coco hasn’t just made that statement because there’s something wrong with the bright orange leather retro armchair she’s sitting on. As she pops on her headphones and grabs her microphone she says she simply finds it strange being the ‘interviewee’ in her eye-catching Big Chat studio.

“I’m the one usually doing all the grilling so go easy on me Eileen,” she giggles as her production crew, who work with Coco on the weekly Big Chat podcasts, then set me up with her famous lips mic so I’m ready to interview her.

Coco has asked me along to her graffiti-tagged Big Chat studio, which is based at her home in Groombridge, to talk about her fledgling career as a broadcaster, as well as her ongoing work with her PR marketing and firm Chatty Hatter, and owning and running the Tunbridge Wells Soapbox Race, which takes place in Dunorlan Park on June 24 for the fourth time.

“I’m very nervous but I’m also excited to chat to you about all we are doing across our numerous projects,” says Coco as her producer presses record and we’re suddenly on air.

“I think one of the things that drives me is that I absolutely love Tunbridge Wells. I was born here and have lived here all my life. I used to think that it was quite boring when I was younger but actually I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I’m a big believer in community and helping others get their message across,” she continues. “I’ve been able to do that running my public relations business Chatty Hatter for the past eleven years but I’ve really enjoyed doing it with the Dunorlan Soapbox Stars Race and now The Big Chat podcasts.”

Wearing a pair of her trademark Edney & Edney colourful designer glasses and dressed in a beautiful cerise pink silk two-piece from the local fashion brand bod & ted, Coco says she enjoys personally collaborating with local brands to help them push their message out.

“Our podcasts are sponsored by Edney & Edney eyewear and I wear a lot of clothes from bod & ted for social events. I’m proud

to be a brand ambassador for both these brilliant independent businesses. Collaborating like this is about keeping local companies communicating and having the chance to tell others about them.” And the business of communication is certainly something that Coco has always enjoyed doing throughout her professional career.

“I started out in sales as I was quite chatty and found it easy to talk to people. I ended up working in London and loved it but by the time I’d had my two children it was time to rethink what I wanted to do as all my salary was going on childcare and I wasn’t able to see my kids as much as I wanted to.”

Coco explains that she decided to take the plunge and set up as a freelance PR, convincing her former employer and two other firms to set her up on a retainer fee for consultancy work.

“I’d always advised people on how to spend their money when it came to advertising and marketing so I thought ‘why don’t I continue to do that?’ It was daunting at first but I

“I’m always looking for people to chat to. Doing The Big Chat is all about a hero’s journey for me. If you think you’ve got a story to tell then get in touch”

Soap stars: Tom Swift and Rosemary Shrager are ambassadors for The TW Soapbox Race, owned and organised by Coco

was soon able to set up my company Chatty Hatter from my kitchen table and it’s kind of snowballed from there really.”

Coco explains that she and her small team initially did a lot of B2B work connecting directly with businesses locally, nationally and internationally. They’d purchase advertising, sort budgets and run marketing campaigns but it wasn’t until Coco had the opportunity to get involved with Tunbridge Wells’ inaugural Soapbox Race in 2018 that things really started to hit the fast lane.

“At that particular time my father was really sick, I’d split up with the father of my children and lost a dear friend. But then I met my now partner Garry Jeffrey who asked me if I wanted to help him with this idea he had of getting businesses to race soapbox karts around Dunorlan Park for charity. That’s when it all changed for me as it really opened up my creative side. I suddenly realised what I was actually capable of doing and it was such an exciting project to work on!”

Coco says that although there was pressure to get the event off the ground, in terms of signing up sponsors and participants and raising money for the selected charities chosen – Hospice in the Weald and ellenor hospice – the Soapbox Race also served as a great distraction from the emotional turmoil Coco was going through at that time.

“I think that’s why I am now so passionate about talking about mental health. You have to reach out and communicate if you are finding things difficult. In a strange way The Big Chat has become a vehicle for people doing that. For example we recently invited the rapper Valentine on the show to talk about his music and we ended up talking about his mental health journey too.”

More on that particular subject

to come later, but first it’s important to note that despite having no experience of arranging a community event on this big scale, Coco and her team triumphed; raising £20,000 for charity and bringing the business community of Tunbridge Wells together in a very unique way.

The event saw celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager and Wicked Productions’ Tom Swift coming on board as official ambassadors and West Kent College students building the karts’ chassis.

“The support was just amazing. It was like a beast that just grew. We had over 100 people at our launch party, then thousands in Dunorlan later that summer all cheering on the karts and having a great time with live music, food and children’s entertainment.”

The following year in 2019, despite the torrential rain, the Soapbox Race was another huge success. This time raising £33,000 for the Taylor Made Dreams children’s charity, along with the Hospice in the Weald.

Unfortunately it also resulted in Coco injuring herself quite badly following a go kart accident. She’s made a full recovery now she tells me but still has the ‘dent’ as she describes it as evidence.

“The stress levels were pretty high,” she confides. “But then some local schools said they wanted to get involved and I just couldn’t say no!

So it got to the point where even though it was quite stressful the race had to happen again as I didn’t want to let the children down.”

But then of course in March 2020 came a Covid-shaped curve ball, which saw that year’s Soapbox Race being cancelled and then, due to ongoing lockdown restrictions, the one in 2021 being postponed.

Finding herself with a lot more time on her hands and having to keep momentum for both the Soapbox Race and her business

going, Coco says she came up with the idea of creating some podcasts.

“I’ve always been passionate about celebrating community and connecting people, so as we couldn’t do that in person I decided we could do it via Zoom instead! The Soapbox Race has always been such a great networking event but we couldn’t do it so that’s how we started broadcasting.”

Initially Coco set up an umbrella company in July 2020 called Big Chat Productions Ltd, which was a podcast production service offering content ideas and scripting, recording and broadcast services. At the same time, she also created a series of specialist podcast series including That Soapbox Chat, That Engineering Chat and lastly The Big Chat.

Coco had a visionary idea in mind for how she wanted this new venture to look and feel and so asked local graffiti artist Hugh Whitaker AKA Humor to come and tag the walls in her studio at home.

“I said to him ‘I’ve got this crazy idea and want you to paint the walls to bring it to life so we can broadcast from this space. He’s done an amazing job don’t you think?”

Given how vibrant and colourful

the space is with its bright blues, zesty oranges and neon pinks it is certainly eye-catching but also very welcoming too so it’s no wonder that Coco’s idea for deep dive chats with everyone from business people and entrepreneurs to industry specialists, artsists and charity trustees has taken off so well. Did she take to interviewing just as quickly?

“I’d never done any broadcasting before – only badly on You Tube for the Soapbox Stars Race – but my friend Giles Paley-Phillips who produces the popular Blank podcast and is also a writer and director was a real inspiration to me.”

Coco then tells me that her company Chatty Hatter actually sponsored the first episode of Giles’s Blank series which has since seen the likes of the BBC’s John Simpson, football manager Martin O’Neill and entertainer Bonnie Langford being interviewed on it.

“I remember thinking I’d love to

do something like that too and so in the middle of 2020 I started having fun with what eventually went on to become The Big Chat. We had Tom Swift on and also Dawn Stanford from Nourish and Arthur Ponsonby from The Right Tuition. It was a good way of keeping connected with local businesses but also with the charities we’d been working with too.”

Since that time of lockdowns, Coco has presented and produced dozens of shows and says the weekly Big Chat podcast platform has grown even bigger, opening up its interview possibilities to ‘anyone who has an interesting story to tell.’

“I’m always looking for people to chat to. It’s all about a hero’s journey for me. At one point we were solely focused on businesses but everyone has a story to tell so if you think that’s you then get in touch. This year we are concentrating on mental health and working a lot with Mental Health Resource. We’d love to hear from people if they have a story to share and they can do so by getting in touch via our social media

“Doing the first Soapbox Race in 2018 was when it all changed for me – it really opened up my creative side!”

“I’m a big believer in community and helping others get their message across”

Sense of Humor: Graffiti artist Hugh Whitaker is working on new Big Chat projects

channels.”

On that subject, Coco adds that she would love to grow these further but she only has a tiny team and the priority is really to target the right audience.

“I’ve put a lot of my own time and investment in all this because I’m passionate about what we’re doing right now. We’re not just promoting The Big Chat we’re also doing a lot behind the scenes too by helping people produce their own podcasts such as Jess Gibson of the TN card’s first series and are currently involved in bigger scale B2B projects.

“Our Big Chat guests are totally varied, as is the way we film episodes now. For example we had DJ Cookie (AKA Jaime Cooke, founder of SPN) come in to talk about her new DJ-ing adventures.”

Coco is helping Jaime promote her Animals in the Night event at Salomons Estate on April 22nd and is attending a retreat that Jaime is hosting where you can learn to DJ.

This year’s joint sponsors have just been announced.

“They are NFU Mutual Tunbridge Wells and Stoner Motor Company. Both will be raising for Hospice in the Weald but NFU Mutual will also race for Mental Health Resource and Pickering. The Stoner Motor Company have chosen the charity Demelza to support as well. The launch party for the event will take place at the Stoner Motor Company’s Hyundai and MG premises next month.”

“Good food

“Previously when Jaime’s been on she has done a live DJ set and we want to do more of these immersive types of shows. The next time I chat to Rosemary Shrager for example it will be filmed from her kitchen so that should be fun!”

What does Coco, who is also currently training to be a West Kent radio presenter and has more broadcasting plans in the pipeline think her particular USP is?

“I’m a qualified NLP (neuro linguistic programming) coach, I was a yoga teacher for 12 years and I’ve had some mental health issues. I’ve had a lot of life experience and therefore I feel I can get a lot out of people. Most guests who come on to chat to me say they are comfortable when they’re talking to me.”

Coco reveals that she’s also getting into doing presenting work now

having recently done a fashion event at the Amelia and hosted last year’s Picnic in the Park in Dunorlan for Tree of Hope charity.

Over the course of our chat it’s evident that charity, as well as community, is a hugely important part of what Coco does and one of those closest to her heart is the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, located on Monson Road.

In fact as our interview ends Polly Taylor, one of Pickering’s trustees and spokesperson, arrives ready to

be interviewed by Coco. There are big hugs and kisses as the two greet each other and they excitedly tell me that Coco and her team will be working on some new branding for Pickering which will be revealed soon.

“We’ve got lots more exciting projects up our sleeves so people will have to stay tuned,” she teases as we’re told our recording time is up by the Big Chat’s producer.

“A couple of things I can reveal is that I’ll be talking to Tim Laurence who is the Hoffman Process’s UK founder soon. I was lucky enough to have him as my faculty teacher when I did this week-long immersive and life-changing course.

“I will also be co-hosting a new show with Hannah and Dan from the Word Up poetry collective from the end of April. On the last Friday of each month we will feature some of the acts and creatives they’ve worked with in their community space at The Forum each week.”

Coco says she will also be working with Humor again, this time specifically to help with a yet to be revealed community project where he will be spraying a number of influential locations on behalf of different charities.

“All I can say at the moment is the project is about giving back some art and creativity that supports charities across the year such as well-being, foodbanks, shelter and assistance.”

Since the first Soapbox Stars Race took place in 2018, £83,000 has been raised for charity and Coco says they aim to get to £100,000 this year.

Tickets for the event are already on sale says Coco. “This year should be bigger and better than ever so get involved people! Chatty Hatter will be racing and raising for Hospice in the Weald and Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, while The Big Chat will be racing and raising for Hospice in the Weald and Mental Health Resource. We’ve also opened up the karts to the general public so you don’t have to be a business to take part.

“Oh I really do enjoy doing all this,” beams Coco as we say goodbye. “It just lights me up!”

THE BIG CHAT LINKS: The Big Chat | Podcast on Spotify spoti.fi/3EAinFW

The Big Chat on Apple Podcasts apple.co/3YXeOSn

To buy tickets for Jaime’s event: bit.ly/AITN2023-04-22

“I am now so passionate about talking about mental health. You have to reach out and communicate if you are finding things difficult”

Spinning tunes: Coco with DJ and collaborator Jaime Cooke

Dynamic duo: Word Up’s Hannah and Dan will be taking over the Big Chat on the last Friday of every month, from April

Sweet charity: Coco with Carolyn and Polly from Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre

Social network

Your Style File Ladies is a newly formed networking group of local businesswomen who have a shared interest in their respective domains of fashion, interiors, beauty, fitness and wellbeing.

They recently hosted their inaugural meeting at One Warwick Park Hotel where they shared stories and ideas and also enjoyed a delicious brunch in the hotel’s new restaurant The Brasserie. “We decided to establish Your Style File Ladies as we are all friends and also run our own independent businesses. By getting together to talk about our collective professional interests not only helps us support one another but it’s also a great opportunity to exchange ideas and create mutually beneficial opportunities,” explained the group’s founding member Victoria Genevieve, who runs her own personal styling and shopping business.

Your Style File Ladies members, who were gifted Hoopers Beauty goody bags at the event, included Sam Hipperson of fashion brand Love & Luxe, Nicky Tebay from T-shirt company TWseven, Lucie Merkl of The Bloom Foundry and Alexandra and Sarah from tablescaping business Set Hosting. “This was the first of our 2023 get-togethers and we hope to do more throughout the year,” added Victoria.

Open house...

The Champagne was in full flow at The Finance Hub last month when it celebrated the launch of its new venture The Property Hub with a grand opening event. Property investors, developers and those considering building a property portfolio, gathered at its HQ on The Pantiles to hear how serial entrepreneur, Gillian Palmer has curated yet another top team of experts who cover all aspects of the property industry to help those looking to sell or buy. The Property Hub team’s expertise ranges from offering site sourcing, architectural services, main contractors and surveys to legal, quantity surveying and health and safety. The experts can also help with commercial mortgages and insurance, as well as bridging and development finance – something which is already offered within The Finance Hub.

“The success of The Finance Hub has proven that collaboration between financial experts putting the clients’ needs first, works!” said Gillian, speaking of the inspiration behind The Property Hub. “Our clients love having one place to come to deal with all aspects of finance under one roof and I realised that it would work with property too”.

Gillian added that on the first Thursday of every month

The Property Hub will host informative sessions on different aspects of the industry. To get involved you can sign up at www.thefinancehub.money/theproperty-hub/

All photos by Emily Brown of www.emilybrown.photography

DISCOVER ENDLESS SUMMER STYLES AND RESORT WEAR FROM KITCH, YOUR ONE-STOP SHOPPING DESTINATION FOR ALL YOUR HOLIDAY NEEDS.

Anforappetitesuccess

Last month the Food & Drink Networking Club enjoyed its first event of the year at Old Auction House, which is located at the end of The Pantiles. The event was hosted by law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore, along with Sankey’s restaurants and shopping loyalty scheme the TN card and saw many of our favourite foodies and drinks experts gather together.

The Food & Drink Networking Club was established in 2017 to connect local restaurants and producers.

At the event the Old Auction House served a selection of artisanal products which included delicious bream and scallop dishes and tasty preserves. Local food and drink enterprises The Bread Smith, Bean Smitten and Clearer Water provided tasting tables so guests could sample their wares.

Attending businesses at the Food & Drink Networking Club included The Small Holding restaurant, Groombridge Farm Shop, Goupie chocolate and Tunbridge Wells Coffee Roastery.

Royal Tunbridge Wells Together is delighted to be welcoming some exciting new names alongside our existing vibrant businesses

The combination of our diverse range of shopping, hospitality and hotel venues, coupled with our ever-growing variety of events at our two theatres, music venues, our heritage sites and museum & contemporary art space, will all help to put RTW firmly back on the map as a destination for local visitors and tourists alike...

Here are just some of the new names who have recently made Tunbridge Wells their home:

The Green Duck Emporium (located on the Upper Mall

Open 9am-5.30pm MondaySaturday, 11.30-4.30pm Sunday A range of lifestyle and homeware items and bespoke

(Camden Road)

Open every day from Midday with late opening on Tuesday at 4pm Under new management, beautifully refitted with covered beer garden and live music.

The Vintage Emporium on behalf of Refugease (located on the Lower Mall in RVP)

Open 10am-5.30pm MondayThursday, 10am-6pm Saturday, 10.30am-4pm Sunday.

Quality thrifted clothes and accessories, with all sale proceeds going to Refugease.

• Sweet Fifteen (The Pantiles)

Open Wednesday – Sunday. Dessert parlour with waffles, crepes, sundaes, hot drinks, shakes and ice creams.

• Belgravia (located on the Upper Mall in RVP)

Open 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday. The salon is offering a range of hair services, nail extensions and beauty treatments.

• Menkind (located on the Lower Mall in RVP)

Open 9am-6pm Monday- Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday. Stockists of original gifts for original people, ranging from licensed pop culture merchandise,

tech, to all sorts of unique gadgets.

• The Brasserie OWP (One Warwick Park)

Open 7am-2.30pm Monday – Friday 7.30am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday. Remodelled brasserie under a new Manager, new menu launching 1 March.

• Eat Italiano (located on the Lower Mall in RVP)

Open 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday. Specialising in Italian food including pasta, panettone, and other sweet treats.

• TN Beauty (Chapel Place)

Open Monday – Friday 9.30am5.30pm and Saturday 10am–5pm. Beauty and nail salon, aesthetics and beauty training.

• Fine Wines of Mayfield (located on the Lower Mall adjacent to the Ely Court entrance)

Open 11am-6pm Thursday- Saturday, 11am-4.30pm Sunday. Independent wine merchant selling a global range of wines, In store tastings, samples and information.

• Ukraine Relief Group (located on the Upper Mall in RVP)

Open 9.30 – 5.00pm Monday-Friday, Saturday 9.00am – 6.00pm, Sunday 10.30 – 4.30pm.

Supporting Ukrainian refugees who have been displaced and families still living in the Ukraine. Donations are welcomed, from clothes and toys to books and homewares.

• Even flow (located on Camden Road, by Ely Court) 9am-6pm Monday- Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday. Peruse secondhand records, merchandise and music books alongside specialty coffee, teas and hot chocolate with artisan cakes and pastries.

There is even more good news to come, as all of these great new spaces were being fitted out as we went to press:

• Bubble CiTea (located on Fiveways next to Caffe Nero)

• Taco Bell (Grosvenor Road)

• Charlottes (The Pantiles)

• KFC (Grosvenor Road)

• Kypseli (The Pantiles)

www.rtwtogether.com

biddirector@rtwtogether.com

Social media: @rtwtogether

• The Hive Co-working Space (The Pantiles)

• Black Sheep Coffee (Mount Pleasant Road)

• Oliver Greens Grocers (The Pantiles)

Vintage Emporium Sweet Fifteen Menkind Evenflow

Wines of Mayfield

The Green

Duck Emporium Eat Italiano The Black Horse

Belgravia TN Beauty Ukraine Relief Group Brasserie OWP

GREEN DUCK SPOTLIGHT ON

The Green Duck Event Space & Bar

Here is your March Guide to All things Green Duck…..

We are also very excited to tell you all about our new partnership with “VITTLE AND SWIG” We will we will be opening our doors to their Pop up “Sunday Lunch”. The Vittle and Swig team Said “We’ve missed you so here we are for a Sunday Session @ The Green Duck. Sunday Roast like the good old VITTLE days.”

Booking now for –Sunday 19th March (Mothers Day) & Sunday 9th April (Easter Sunday)

Evening of Clairvoyance with MerlinWith One to One Readings

Join Merlin for a fun evening of messages and psychic art

Merlin was born from Spirit, and some day I’m going back to Spirit. Some people know me as the ‘Psychic Postman’ – letters by day, messages by night. My work for Spirit began after visiting Edmonton Spiritualist Church out of curiosity in the 1980’s.

All Our Events are pre book online only at www.thegreen duckemporium.com

Merlin is a hilarious, friendly and outgoing guy who believes that working with spirit should be enjoyable and entertaining.

An evening with Merlin is an exciting night.

Merlin works at bringing messages from your loved ones in the spirit world.

Merlin likes to bring humour and smiles into his work which can also be incredibly emotional too as loved ones are identified, often named, described in detail and placed

with their living friends and relatives. Whether you have seen Merlin work previously or not, you are in for a treat.

Merlin has recently published an autobiography.

Show Tickets - £20.00

One to One Readings - £12.50

One great price gets you everything included:

• Choice of seat

• The Full Show (60 minutes)

• Full Bar

• We have spaces for 9 people to have One to One reading Using Mediumship or Tarot cards ( Max 10 minuets Per Person) Extra Fees Apply. Pre Booked tickets only. - You will be given a pre selected time at the start of the event. Between 9.30pm & 11pm

Our new over 35’s Romantic networking event Duck Marry Avoid

Duck Marry Avoid is our new over 35s singles night at The Green Duck Event Space

EVENTS DO SELL OUT and is also Pre Book Only

You will receive an E-ticket by email, so please ensure you enter your email correctly.

Timings

• 7.00pm – Doors Open

• 8.00pm – Show

• 9.00pm – Break

• 9.30pm – One to One Reading – Pre booked in Advance Only

• 11.00pm – Event Ends

Some Helpful Advice

• Messages from Spirit are not guaranteed for everyone.

• Children, well-behaved and accompanied by a responsible adult are welcome.

All our Events are Pre Book Only at www. thegreenduckemporium.com

The Green Duck Events Space & Bar,Tunbridge Wells is a unique space available for private hire, we aim to be as flexible as possible to tailor your quote to match the specific needs of your event.

• Minimum booking of 4 hours (£30 per hour + VAT)

• Available with or without catering

• Fully Stocked Bar

• Sound system

• Late License

• 15min walk from Tunbridge Wells Station

• We can accommodate 30 seated or 70 standing.

• Indoor & Outdoor Seating

An event could be a special birthday party, christening, bookclub, engagement or even a work event with colleagues.

from my wonderful parents. We even built our house in their back garden! My children also went to Langton Primary, with my daughters going onto TWGGS and my son to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys.

What’s your favourite local shop?

I have three dogs, so I spend a small fortune in Pet’s Fayre in Southborough. Also, we have corporate membership of The TN card to encourage our employees to support local independents.

Where’s the best place to go for a Sunday stroll?

We’re totally spoilt for choice! I love that I can be in the fields within five minutes of leaving my house. I love all the local walks, especially Shadwell Woods and Happy Valley. But I often go for much longer walks across Ashdown Forest and the beautiful High Weald.

The best place to get a cup of coffee?

I’m more of a tea drinker, but

together. We’re lucky to have The Hare pub as our local. For brunch, if I’m feeling really lazy then I head to The Brunch Café around the corner from me in Langton Green or Juliet’s on the High Street. In the evening, The Ivy and Coco Retro, or for Thai food it’s Kai’s Kitchen.

Are there any nice views nearby?

For dining with views, you can’t beat The Beacon. As I’m out walking the dogs in all weathers there are just so many amazing views locally!

If you’re looking to relax and unwind, where’s your favourite place to go?

It has to be a massage at Beauté of Royal Tunbridge Wells on Nevill Street.

Where’s the best place to meet friends and socialise?

My teenage haunt was The Duke of York pub on The Pantiles, and I love that I’m still meeting friends there after all this time! It’s also dog friendly and has a lovely fire in the winter. Framptons is a great place to go before

The Beacon

SO Magazine chats to Siobhan Stirling, Managing Director at Sharp Minds Communications in Tunbridge Wells about all the places she likes to support locally. Here Siobhan reveals where she likes to stroll, shop and socialise…

Where do you live?

I live in Langton Green.

How long have you lived there?

I moved here with my family in 1975 – my parents still live in the same house. I went to Langton Green Primary School and then Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School (TWGGS). After university I travelled for a couple of years and then ended up in the Midlands, working first in PR and then training as a broadcast journalist and joining the BBC. I had my first daughter when we were living near Melton Mowbray.

What made you decide to move back?

When I was pregnant with my second child, the BBC conveniently opened a TV station in Tunbridge Wells, so it was a no brainer to move back in 2001. It ticked all the boxes: great schools, commutable to London, lovely countryside, easy access to the coast and childcare

anywhere on The Pantiles – we are so lucky to have such a beautiful historic centre to our town. The Daily Bread in Rusthall is also a firm favourite.

Where do you take people when they come to visit?

The Pantiles, of course, as well as any of the lovely local National Trust properties, walks in the countryside or Winnie the Pooh hunting on Ashdown Forest.

What’s the night life like where you live?

The Forum is a brilliant venue, and I love that the 80s nights get all generations, from 18 upwards, dancing together. It’s also fantastic that The Assembly Hall is attracting bigger productions, like Six. My mother was ill when we saw it in London for my birthday a couple of years ago, so I’m really pleased I can take her and my dad to see it locally next month.

Where’s your favourite place to eat in town?

We have quite a big multigenerational family, so I love The Shuffle House – everyone from my three-year-old grandson to my 83-year-old father enjoys playing the shuffleboards

heading over to The Forum. But for a quiet drink in a totally unique setting, you can’t beat the battered sofas in the cave at Mount Edgcumbe.

What do you do when you spend a weekend or day off in the local area?

I’ve run four marathons, so it used to be long-distance training runs around the country lanes. But I’ve had complications in the last couple of years, so my running has largely been replaced by walking. The best weekends involve my parents, my children, my grandchildren, my brother and his husband, often with a long family Sunday lunch, either at home – but preferably at my parents’, as my mother is an amazing cook –or somewhere like The Vineyard in Lamberhurst as it has great food, a great location and great cocktails.

Why do you love where you live?

That’s simple, it has it all. The great schools were a key reason for moving back to the area, but it’s also a fantastic town, with the jewel in the crown being The Pantiles. There’s always lots going on and a tremendous community spirit, surrounded by beautiful countryside.

“It’s a fantastic town, with the jewel in the crown being The Pantiles. There’s always lots going on and a tremendous community spirit”

Pooh Bridge, Ashdown Forest

The Vineyard at Lamberhurst

Photo © Emily Brown Photography

Getting down to business

MEET THE JUDGES:

There are five Times Business Awards judges in total and they each come from a range of business sectors including accountancy and law as well as manufacturing, design, recruitment and retail.

They will each use their experience and expertise to tease out the best entrants in the ten award categories which this year include Best Family Business, Entrepreneur of the Year, Charity of the Year and Green Business.

Making up this year’s judging panel are:

After months of entrants’ carefully honing their applications for the Times Business Awards 2023 and judges deliberating over who will make the short list for each category, the culmination of all that hard work takes place in the form of a glittering black-tie gala night on March 30 at Salomons Victorian Science theatre when the winners will be announced.

Over 200 guests are expected to attend this year’s Times Business Awards dinner and ceremony, which will be hosted by media personality Nick Ferrari, along with the Times of Tunbridge Wells newspaper and the event’s head sponsors Berkeley Homes. The evening’s welcome drinks will be sponsored by investment management company Brewin Dolphin.

This year has seen an unprecedented number of entrants for each of the ten categories which include two new ones for 2023. They are Charity of the Year and Green Business of the Year.

The Times Business Awards have been running since 2016 and have seen the likes of former MPs Edwina Currie and Michael Portillo, alongside Strictly’s Anton du Beke and Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce hosting the event which has always been a sell-out event.

Entering – and also sponsoring - the awards, which is one of the area’s biggest social and networking

If you still haven’t got your tickets then the good news is there is still a little bit of time to do so - although availability is limited. There is a choice of individual places and also tables of 10 or 12, and tickets are priced at £99 per person. Tickets for the gala dinner are available through timesbusinessawards. co.uk.

events, has myriad benefits as many of our local business community have testified.

Gillian Palmer founder of The Finance Hub and the newly launched Property Hub on The Pantiles told us why she was committed to sponsoring the 26+ employees category.

“The reason I chose that category is due to admiration for the people who are building these companies and still – in these difficult times –are employing so many local people.

“As I have been in their position before, I understand the challenges, hard work and commitment it takes to grow and maintain a business of that size. These business owners are an inspiration to all of us.”

Last year Andrew Mann was named Entrepreneur of the Year for his company Clarity Homes & Commercial, which provides services and project management to the property industry. With Clarity now sponsoring the new Green Business award, Mr Mann explained why the category appealed to his firm.

“After winning the Entrepreneur of the Year award last year, I was keen to sponsor a category that celebrates progressive and proactive businesses,” he said.

“The environment is something we should all be concerned about, and it is something we try to address on every project as a responsible construction company.”

Eighteen years ago Craig Strong launched a new business in Tunbridge Wells that went on to

become an outstanding success. Today he is sponsoring the Start-Up category of the Times Business Awards. Cornerstone, as it is now known, ‘didn’t have a single client’ when it launched as Capital Currencies all those years ago.

Following a career as a trader and broker, Craig Strong founded the international payments and foreign currency management business focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and had to build a customer base from zero.

“As a start-up, you have got no history. The principles are the same – of service and fairer pricing – but we didn’t have a client base,” he said.

He believes that sponsoring the Start-Up award is both a gesture to other companies following the same path and a contribution to the local area.

Ed Willshire, co-founder of The Rum Company which started in lockdown 2020, is entering the awards in the Entrepreneur of the Year and Best Business 1-25 categories.

He and his business partner Tom Fantom say they believe Tunbridge Wells is a great place to start a company and operate from thanks to a number of initiatives including the shopping loyalty scheme the TN card.

“We are TN Card partners, and as such we reward local shoppers. The local events and hospitality sector are also a major factor in helping The Rum Company to get its small rum labels into customers’ hands. We have done a number of events locally over the last few years including The Pantiles Markets, Pantiles Gin Fest and Pub in the Park in Tunbridge Wells.”

We simply say cheers to that and good luck to all those business, large and small who have entered this year’s awards…

Darren Austin Director of Synergee

The chartered accountants and business advisors

Paul Fleming

Tek Seating

The design and manufacturer of specialist vehicle seating for the defence and commercial sector, and ergonomic office chairs

Pam Loch Founder of Loch Associates and chair of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Business Improvement District

Neil Simmons

Managing director of TN Recruits agency

Simon Youden

Store director of Fenwick in Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury

This month sees the Times Business Awards Gala Night taking place on March 30. SO magazine gets a sneak peek behind the scenes as preparations for the evening get underway and reveals how you too can be a part of this fantastic social and networking event…

In association with the headline sponsor Berkeley Homes

Be Tax Smart

How to make the most of your money

The 5th April is an important day each year as it is the end of the tax year. Who?

You might not think this applies to you as you don’t complete a tax return but actually it applies to everyone – even children!

Why?

Allowances – use them or lose them!

Everyone has allowances/limits which the Government/Inland Revenue/ HMRC/’Tax Man’ (whatever you want to call them!) give to each of us. My rule of thumb is that if they have limits then that is as a good thing and should be maximised.

This is because they are giving you something back in the form of tax benefits, therefore making your money go further!

What?

ISAs: Adults can pay in £20,000 and children £9,000 per tax year This means any returns are free from Capital gains tax and income tax – which must be good!

Saving you paying tax on money you have probably already paid tax on when you earnt it!

There are two main types:

Cash ISAs

• Usually held with the bank or building society

• Not as beneficial as they used to be due to additional tax rules

Stocks and Shares ISAs

• Provides simple access to the investment world

• Any growth/return is free from Capital gains tax and income tax

ISAs can be a way of saving tax efficiently when you are working, and then when you retire, can provide you with a tax-free income to help enhance your pension.

Pensions:

• Not just for retirement but a very tax efficient way of investing.

• Subject to certain limits and conditions Tax relief is available on contributions.

Other tax allowances:

• Capital Gains tax – this is changing in April so get advice on this now!

• Personal savings allowance

• Dividend allowance

• Annual gift allowance

How?

A simple way of making sure you are staying tax efficient is to speak to an adviser like us. We help you keep on top of changes and give you a ‘heads up’ on tax allowances to help you make the most of your money and achieve the future you imagine in later life.

Lynne Gadsden FPFS

Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd

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

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief is generally dependent on individual circumstances. Cash ISAs are not available through St. Jame’s Place.

Our online Insights hub hosts latest articles and much more, from market updates to investment views and financial advice visit; www.grovewoodwealth.co.uk/insights

Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

SJP Approved 9/2/2023

job Italian

The TN card is the Tunbridge Wells loyalty scheme that rewards shoppers and diners for supporting local. This month its founder Jess Gibson chats to Ami at TN partner Gusta, the Italian delicatessen, café & wine bar on Camden Road about how he and his team love bringing a taste of Italy to Tunbridge Wells…

Ami, when did you open Gusta and who with?

I opened Gusta in May 2014 with one of my best friends, Mirco. When Mirco returned to Italy in 2022 his younger brother Lelio took over from him, joining me at the helm.

What were you doing before this?

Prior to Gusta, I was living in Naples and working in hospitality on the Amalfi coast. I wanted to improve my English and booked a six-month course in London. I fell in love with England and six months turned into a year, which then became ten!

What makes Gusta special?

Our goal at Gusta is to offer our customers an authentic Italian experience, so when they visit it’s as if they are entering a bar in Italy.

WHO: Gusta

WHERE: 49 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2QE

Opening hours: MonThurs 8.30am - 4pm | Fri 8.30am-5pm | Sat 9am – 5pm

REWARD: 10% off coffee and soft drinks

For more info: gustacafe.co.uk

While coffee is obviously very important to us, we are also equally passionate about food, and offer a vast selection of authentic imported Italian meats and cheeses including Prosciutto di Parma, mozzarella di bufala and Guanciale. We use these

in our paninis, which we prepare in front of our customers, our pasta dishes and the very popular meat and cheese boards.

What other Italian specialities do you stock?

We also sell Italian wine, plus cupboard essentials such as Mutti tomato passata, Voiello pasta and Mulino Bianco biscuits. In February we restarted out popular wine-tasting events. At these events we showcase wine from different areas of Italy, accompanied by a dish made from ingredients from that region. Everyone attending receives 15% off wine purchased that evening. We will announce our next wine tasting event soon so watch this space!

How have the last few years affected Gusta?

The pandemic was a very difficult time. We faced tricky financial decisions as all high street businesses did, and we lost staff who understandably wanted to return to Italy to be with their family. During the lockdown, we really missed the community that we had built at Gusta, but we stayed open as much as possible and adapted as we much as we could. That involved things like delivering boxes of our cheeses, meat and cupboard essentials. Camden Road is still quieter than it was, but we are grateful for the support of our loyal customers.

Why did you chose to operate from Camden Road?

We chose the location because of the diversity of people who live, work and shop here. As

Italians we were welcomed and felt immediately at home. The array of small independent business along Camden Road reminds us a little of our home town of Naples. We are about to open a second site in Kemptown, Brighton, choosing that location for the very same reason.

What is your favourite thing about running Gusta?

There are a number of things I enjoy, but my favourite has to be the people I’m meeting and getting to know. Gusta has connected me with so many different people I would never have ordinarily met. Some have become much more than customers and colleagues!

Why do you think it’s important to support our independents?

Our independent retailers offer a place where people connect. Whether it’s a customer coming in and talking about their previous trips to Italy, where they ate the best pizza ever, or about the weather, Gusta and businesses like ours are where our community comes together.

Thank you for joining the TN card. How do you thank members for supporting local? We love having TN members in the shop and thank them with 10% off our coffee and soft drinks.

Jess Gibson

Founder the TN card

“Our goal at Gusta is to offer our customers an authentic Italian experience, so when they visit it’s as if they are entering a bar in Italy”

A winning combination

foam, parmesan crumble and winter truffle, pan-fried scallops, beautifully amplified by the addition of a fragrant dahl velouté and succulent goat cutlets served with salsify, puréed parsley and heritage carrots. Dessert offerings included a show-stopping salted caramel chocolate slab with blood orange and smoked whisky sorbet, and each course was accompanied by a spectacular wine, hand-picked by The Stables’ chief sommelier and restaurant manager Paris Tate.

Mark’s menu is further enhanced by the The Stable’s décor – think cosy, candlelit tables, creaking wooden floors and a plethora of eclectic styling details including a huge vintage French tricolore, funky neon pink illuminated slogan sign and a glittering peacock which takes pride of place in The Stables’ bijou cocktail bar.

If you’re after a quality dining experience that’s right on your doorstep then The Stables is first past the post…

To book The Stables email reservations@ thebellinticehurst.com or call 01580 200 300

Last month saw the launch of The Stables, an intimate fine dining experience created by the hugely talented chef Mark Charker The Bell Inn at Ticehurst...

Mark Charker’s vision is deliciously simple: to provide discerning diners with an exciting and unique five-course menu which takes their taste buds on a gastronomic journey. Mark and his team forage through the fields and trawl the coastlines of Kent and Sussex to source the finest seasonal ingredients and independent foodie producers for this new menu, which is a must-do for any passionate gourmand. The hugely enjoyable epicurean

Mark and his team forage through the fields and trawl the coastlines of Kent and Sussex to source the finest seasonal ingredients

experience, which changes regularly, is available to book from Wednesdays to Saturday evenings and costs £65 per person for the tasting menu and £35 per person if you opt for the wine pairing. We especially loved the riddle ridden menu which invites guests to guess each course courtesy of a series of clever clues…

On the night SO Magazine visited, we feasted on crab rillette and seaweed crumpet canapés, a sensational amusebouche of Jerusalem artichoke

The George & Dragon in Speldhurst has long been one of the area’s most popular pubs thanks to its idyllic location, great selection of local ales and good food.

And since it was bought by a group of Speldhurst locals, headed up by business entrepreneur Becky Moran and her partner Ian, in 2019 it has gone from strength to strength delivering customers a unique quality drinking and dining experience.

The former coaching inn’s front of house team is managed by experienced hospitality expert Richard Maher whose aim is simple: to provide customers with a memorable visit – whether they are just popping in for a pint after a country walk or gathering together for a special family occasion.

By George this pub is perfect

and fennel jam as well as roast pork belly braised with white cabbage and black pudding.

On the night my husband and I paid a visit to The George and Dragon – a chilly Thursday in early February – the establishment was also very busy with tables in both the bar area and Buttery dining space nearly full.

We were warmly greeted by our friendly waiter for the evening and shown to our cosy corner table in the main bar area where the fire was crackling away in the inglenook fireplace.

Once we’d been served our drinks and delivered a smorgasbord of nibbles – think hunks of fluffy homemade focaccia and chilli and

garlic infused almonds and olives - we got down to the business of scanning the menu.

At first glance it’s clear that Andy has been busy creating. Dishes like fillet of Cornish mackerel with bacon, oats and beetroot gel (£9) and Ashdown pheasant with haggis & pancetta, pheasant croquette and dirty carrot (£20) are certainly more gastro than pub grub. However the talented chef is by no means alienating any diners as you’ll still find classic staples such as steak and kidney pie served with seasonal greens and mash (£17), beer battered fish and chips with mint purée (£16) and that G&D favourite Speldhurst sausages served with creamed mash and gravy (£17).

After much deliberation I plump for the chargrilled octopus for my starter which comes on a bed of chickpeas with a gorgeous fresh tomato sauce swirled on top and gremolata (£9.50). With a dash of lime squeezed on it’s a taste triumph and the octopus is silky and charred to perfection. Feeling peckish, my husband is tempted by the baked Camembert which our waiter tells us is ideal

That, along with a continuously excellent serving of quality locally sourced dishes, an extensive drinks list and an unrivalled alluring ambience, courtesy of roaring open fires in the winter and a great pub garden to hang out in the summer, has seen it attracting more visitors from both near and far than ever

Its epicurean edge has now been further improved by the establishment’s new chef Andy Billings who has come on board to give the pub’s menu just a little bit more culinary magic. He’s also been tasked with offering customers regular tasting nights too. The last one took place on Thursday February 23 where guests dined on a series of delicious dishes including pan seared pigeon with carrot purée, crab pasty with apple

before.

Eileen Leahy pays a visit to The George & Dragon in Speldhurst to experience a taste of this historic pub’s exciting new food offering courtesy of its Head Chef Andy Billings which includes an adventurous everyday menu and special gastro tasting events…

“The George and Dragon’s epicurean edge has been further improved by the establishment’s new chef Andy Billings”

of homemade salt and cracked black pepper toasts, croutons and a sprinkling of Gruyère cheese.

It is smooth, rich and perfectly executed but incredibly filling. This would make a perfect lunch choice on a chilly winter’s day after a walk through the surrounding Speldhurst countryside but tonight my husband falls short of finishing it as he’s looking forward to savouring his main course: a plant based mushroom Wellington (£15) with Lyonnaise potato and seasonal veg. On the night we visit this includes shards of roasted parsnips and crispy kale. The accompanying jus gravy brings all these rich, earthy flavours together resulting in a perfect meat-free winter dish of exceptional taste and quality.

Torn between the steak burger - which is a decadent confection featuring pulled pork and Kansas city sauce (£18) - and the fish choice for the evening; a salt cod, cuttlefish and Nduja stew (£19), I eventually choose the latter purely because after all that delicious homemade focaccia I’m feeling fairly full and want to leave room for dessert. Once again, the portion is generous and deeply flavoursome and the idea of pudding now ebbs further away.

My husband is built of stronger stuff and so chooses the chocolate mousse and hazelnut praline (£8.50). Although I was feeling stuffed one look at it and I find myself unable to resist a bite. It tastes so good and just like something you’d enjoy in a French brasserie with a little added crunch thanks to the sprinkles of praline.

Pleasantly sated, we finish our glasses of wine; mine is a light and refreshing French Picpoul de Pinet (£7) from the Languedoc and my husband’s a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in New Zealand (£7.30) which have both been perfect choices for our dishes.

We’re fortunate to live a few minutes’ drive from The George and Dragon but even it we didn’t I can fairly say that it would definitely become my local…

www.ganddspeldhurst.com

“The Mediterranean fish soup is served with a traditional rouille, a selection of homemade salt and cracked black pepper toasts, croutons and sprinkling of Gruyère cheese”

Greenshoots...

Stepping over the threshold of Good & Green on Tunbridge Wells High Street I’m immediately struck by its relaxed and welcoming ambience. Instead of politely ignoring my presence as is the case in so many other places, the staff in this busy health emporium greet me with big smiles and a cheery ‘hellos’ before asking me how I am. So far, so not very retail…

While I wait to meet Good & Green’s manager, Victoria Richards, I’m asked if I’d like a coffee. A quick glance at Good & Green’s extensive hot drinks menu reveals that as well as regular lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, there are also more prescriptive offerings such as turmeric and beetroot lattes as well as cups of delicious – and pretty rare

to find – Mörk hot chocolate. This is certainly a well curated selection – but then as I later discover that is fundamentally the whole ethos of the Good & Green brand…

Waiting for my regular flat white, I note that the majority of customers milling around the ground floor of Good & Green – which sells everything from fresh bread and supplements to ethical skincare and eco candles – are very happy to chat away at length to the friendly members of staff. This is definitely not a ‘grab and go’ type venture but definitely more of a community.

When Victoria appears from her basement office she invites me up to ‘the lounge’ which is in fact the café’s seating area and situated on the second floor of the four-storey building.

The space is big and again,

very welcoming, with lovely high ceilings and comfy seating. When I admire the art hanging on the walls Victoria tells me it’s by a local painter and that the work changes seasonally. “We don’t charge artists to display here, it’s nice to be able to offer them the space in order to showcase their work,” she smiles as we take a seat in a cosy corner.

With free WiFi on tap this must be a place where a lot of people come to spend time I say.

“Oh yes and unlike a lot of other places we actively encourage all that,” states Victoria. “I know every single person in here. There are those who come every day to work for a few hours and others who meet friends here for a chat or dash in after the school run.”

Also located on this floor is a rather bijou baby gifts area which Victoria tells me will soon be turned into a bespoke hamper gifting station where people can make up a tailormade offering for any occasion. Up a further flight of stairs is Good & Green’s recently renovated studio and treatment room which is now fully operational.

“The idea is that local practitioners can come here and hire the spaces without paying a fortune. We now have people offering everything from reiki to yoga and massage to nutritional

Good & Green wellbeing emporium may have only been in Tunbridge Wells for just under two years but it’s a popular pillar of the local community. Here its manager Victoria Richards tells Eileen Leahy why its relationship to its customers and sourcing of quality products and practitioners makes it so unique…

“As soon as you come through our door we hope it’s like a hug. Everyone is welcome…”

Good & Green’s Victoria Richards

advice,” reveals Victoria.

When she took on the role of general manager at Good & Green, Victoria tells me that she had a very clear vision.

“I wanted to run a health emporium that covers all aspects of physical and mental wellbeing. For me it was also about trying to create a genuine community. It had to be personable and a place where you could get pretty much everything from supplement support to concern and care.”

Prior to running Good & Green, Victoria was actually managing Emilio’s café which launched instore when the premises opened in May 2021.

“When I took over we decided to integrate the café into the shop as it just worked better. I’ve worked in hospitality retail for nearly two decades – mainly in London – so have a lot of customer facing experience,” she adds.

“This is actually the second Good & Green site in the South East. The first opened in East Grinstead around six years ago as a result of the original G&G supplements brand being established there in 1965. They have always been ethical and transparent and this is reflected in the ethos of their two stores,” says Victoria.

She goes on to say that this very much chimes with her own way of doing things: “I believe that everyone who comes through that door should be treated like a friend. It’s so important to know that our customers are being well catered for. One of my big things is to actively look for products if people can’t find them in store. Tailoring orders that are specific to our demographic makes a huge difference.”

Victoria also tells me that aiming

for zero to landfill is a big goal too as it shows a responsible and firm commitment to the environment.

“One of the big things I have done is to join the Too Good To Go scheme in order to minimise the amount of food being wasted. Our customers can download the app and buy a mystery bag of bread and pastries worth £12, for just £4, at the end of each day. And it works as we now have practically zero waste and don’t even have to take the bins out.”

Victoria also tells me that the Tunbridge Wells branch of Good & Green is now an official safe space for all who enter into it. “We are currently working with the local police to have a specific word people can use here if they feel threatened by anyone. People need to know they are safe when they come here. Everyone is welcome. The only things that aren’t welcome are aggression and hate.”

Victoria is equally passionate about the wellbeing of her staff: “I want to give people opportunities which is why I put them through indepth training sessions two to three times a week. Working here isn’t just sitting behind the counter. My team are not just there to make sales. The whole point is customers know they can trust our advice because we have all been trained. We spend a lot of time talking to customers about what they want and we work hard to curate a carefully selected range of items. They are chosen on their efficacy and whether they are natural, sustainable and ethical. You can tailor as much as you want when you work for an independent brand like Good & Green.”

Victoria also reveals that she doesn’t believe in the hard sell either.

Good & Green is open daily. For more information visit www.good greenshop.co.uk

The treatment room costs £25 for a half day or £50 for a full day or £10 per hour to hire while the studio costs £80 per day.

“The last thing I want when I’m out shopping is to be bombarded by people. I want an organic experience, which is what we believe we have created here. If people want something they will buy it. We never intrude; we are here to help and have hopefully created a space that people love and want to spend time in.”

And from my short time at Good & Green that’s certainly what I have seen to be the case. Whether it’s the chap behind us sipping his coffee and tapping away on his laptop, or the small group situated by the window conducting an interview with a prospective new employee, or indeed the clusters of customers downstairs browsing the well-stocked shelves, this really is a community which everyone is very welcome to become a part of.

“As soon as you come through our door we hope it’s like a hug. Everyone is welcome, everyone is safe. We are fully invested from the moment people come in to the moment they leave. What we have here is very special. And let’s face it, there aren’t many places around where you can have a cup of coffee, get a massage, have a friendly chat and stock up on your groceries for the week,” smiles Victoria.

The Good & Green Story

In 1965 Sheila Gaiman, a founding member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, developed a range of highstrength, high-quality supplements that would be available over the counter – not just dispensed via the chemist. With her specialist knowledge and her husband’s entrepreneurial spirit G&G Vitamins was born…

The pair went on to create one of the largest manufacturers of encapsulated supplements in the UK and also, some years later, created a burgeoning health food shop in their local town of East Grinstead.

As the company passed from one generation to the next, the family decided it was time to revamp and renew their little store in East Grinstead. So in 2016 they found a larger premises right in the centre of the town and rebranded as Good & Green.

In May 2021 Good & Green opened their second site in Tunbridge Wells High Street and the store, which now boasts a café and a wellbeing studio and treatment room, continues to go from strength to strength.

“Good & Green is a health emporium that covers all aspects of physical and mental wellbeing”

Big in Japan

cross many industries, the country of design and manufacture serves as a quality stamp, which gives a good indication of the quality and durability of a product.

Certain countries are a hallmark of excellence. The Germans have automobiles, the Swiss have watches, the Italians have fashion houses, but eyewear? Well, it’s fair to say eyewear belongs to Japan.

This month I would like to explain why Japanese manufacturers are the industry leaders for beautifully designed and phenomenally produced spectacle frames.

There are two main materials used in spectacle frame manufacture. Firstly let us look at metal. Titanium

is widely accepted as the premium material for the best frames. Titanium combines exceptionally low weight with resilient durability, while also being hypoallergenic – all desirable characteristics for eyewear. Frames aside, Japan produces some the best, purest titanium in the world. In 1981, Japan was the first country to begin production of titanium spectacle frames on an industrial scale. Titanium ranges stocked at Edney & Edney include Orgreen (designed in Copenhagen) Jacques Marie Mage, Dita, Chrome Hearts (all Los Angeles) and MASAHIROMARUYAMA (Japan). Uncoincidentally, despite being designed in Europe and America, these collections are all hand made in Japan using Japanese titanium for utmost superiority.

The second material which is largely used in eyewear production is plastic. This material is rarely considered synonymous with quality – though one plant-based polymer has been produced by a culture of formidable craftsmanship in Japan for almost a century – cellulose acetate. Two neighbouring cities in Japan have a deep-rooted history with eyewear manufacture, Sabae City and Fukui City in the Fukui prefecture. This region undoubtably produces the finest available sheet acetates from wood pulp and cotton. One such acetate, Takiron acetate, is the material of choice for Jacques Marie Mage. Handmade sheets of often decades old 10mm thick cellulose acetate are meticulously selected to be the basis of JMM’s unmistakable designs. These sheets are then hand cut, sculpted, polished, assembled and adorned with beautiful gold and titanium hardware, often passing through over 100 hands over their months-long journey from concept to final product. Chrome Hearts, Jacques Marie Mage, Dita,

MASAHIROMARUYAMA

and Garrett Leight all proudly use acetate from the Fukui prefecture. The resultant stunning pieces of eyewear heritage are a work of art in their own right, and to refer to them as plastic frames seems like a disservice.

While we’re on the topic of superior Japanese quality, I would be remiss to not mention our equally superior lens manufacturer, Nikon. Nikon produce the finest quality varifocal and single vision spectacle lenses in the world. When combined with an aforementioned Japanese frame, the consequent pair of spectacles will deliver outstanding style, unshakeable quality and unparalleled vision.

To experience the incredible quality of these collections, come and see them in Edney & Edney on Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells.

This month, Jamie Edney – who runs designer eyewear boutique Edney & Edney with his optometrist wife Ayshah on Monson Road – looks at how Japanese manufacturers have become industry leaders in the design and production of specialist spectacles and shades…

“Japan was the first country to begin production of titanium spectacle frames on an industrial scale”

good All in

taste

Molly Miller catches up with Ollie Funnell, the Head Chef behind a new Mediterranean-inspired evening menu at The Brasserie, One Warwick Park Hotel’s flagship restaurant…

This month foodies of Tunbridge Wells will have a delicious new menu to feast on at The Brasserie, which is celebrating the launch of its new selection of evening dishes.

Part of award-winning hotel One Warwick Park, the stylish eatery can be found in the heart of Chapel Place where it quickly became a local go-to for breakfast and brunch since opening its doors last year.

But this March, guests can visit for more than just fresh coffee and American pancakes as Head Chef Ollie Funnell reveals a brandnew evening menu, which has been created using local produce and flavours inspired by the Mediterranean. Ollie tells us more about his culinary vision…

Ollie, we’ve spoken before but for any new readers, tell us a little bit about yourself… I’ve always loved food from a young age, but it wasn’t until I was 16 years old and working as a kitchen porter that my passion really grew, and I decided to take my career seriously and go to college. I qualified with a Level 3 Diploma and climbed the culinary ladder at The Brasserie’s sister venue, Salomons Estate.

Aside from cooking, I love travelling and took a short break at the beginning of my career to explore my passion overseas. Little did I know these years would inspire me further down the line in my very own kitchen!

What inspired you to become a chef?

I was most inspired when I started

Guests can enjoy The Brasserie’s new evening menu every day and can reserve their table by calling 01892 520587 or visiting OpenTable.co.uk

to approach cooking as a form of art. Just like a painter uses different textures and brush strokes to bring their vision to life, chefs experiment with new techniques, ingredients, and flavours. It’s not just about cooking, you can be so creative and turn an ordinary dish into, well, art!

How do you go about menu planning?

There’s so much to consider so it helps to bounce ideas off those around you. I work closely with my team as well as our local suppliers. To be perfectly honest, a lot of it is trial and error because a good menu will not only suit the restaurant’s theme but the palate of our customers too, so creativity is key.

You mentioned local suppliers, why is this important to you? When you put money back into your community, you’re not only supporting a local business but families and jobs too. Sourcing locally is also better for the environment as it reduces the need for so much transportation. And because of less time between farm to table, the food will always be fresher.

Would you say local produce tastes better?

Definitely! Locally grown food has a lot more flavour because of its quality. I often find that small businesses take more time and have more pride in what they grow and produce.

Which local suppliers do you work with?

We get our meat from Southborough Butchers, fresh vegetables from David Catt & Sons in Maidstone, and other produce from Penshurst Fine Foods. Even our fish is caught locally: we source it from MCB Seafoods in Brighton.

Where have you drawn inspiration from for the new evening menu?

I travelled in the early days of my career and visited Spain for work experience so took a lot of inspiration from my time there. I learnt how to use authentic Mediterranean cooking techniques, which I have used throughout the new menu.

What were the most important considerations?

Variety, flavour, and fresh local produce are key to a successful menu. Presentation is important too, so expect dishes that not only taste good but look good too!

What can customers look forward to?

Lots of different flavours and a continuously evolving menu. I want guests to try something different each time they visit, so will be adding two new dishes every month.

And finally, what dish would you personally recommend?

The herb-crusted lamb rack is a favourite of mine. It’s an elegant and delicious choice, heavily seasoned and marinated in gremolata pesto. We serve it with crushed new potato cake and honey-glazed carrots.

Salomons Estate & One Warwick Park Hotel are owned by the Elite Leisure Collection who also own SO Magazine

“Variety, flavour, and fresh local produce are key to a successful menu”

Join us for...

Saturday

25th & Sunday 26th March

Come and support our two-day Lambing Weekend event, where we'll be enjoying the arrival of spring which includes our adorable new-born lambs! We will bring together a variety of land-based linked activities and displays as well as showcasing Hadlow College and what we do.

WHAT TO EXPECT...

Food & Drink vendors

Arts & Crafts stalls

Opportunities to speak with our Careers Team and Curriculum Areas

Tractor trailer rides (weather permitting)

Talks and Demonstrations by the National Centre for Reptile Welfare

Birds of Prey display

Chance to meet some of our animals

Fun fair rides and stalls

Online Ticket Prices

(online ticket prices will be available to book until Friday 24th March at 11am):

Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £25

Adult (17+): £10

Child (2-16 years) / concessions (senior citizens over the age of 65 & students with a valid ID): £5

Please note these are the only ticket categories we have available to purchase.

Ashes Lane, Tonbridge TN11 0AN

Sorry, no dogs allowed*

Kent's only rural and land-based college

*except guide or assistance dogs.

Bridal path to success W

You want the planning of your wedding to be stressfree – not fraught with issues. But with the right amount of organisation and a reliable contacts book, it should be fairly easy to plan, leaving you able to relax and enjoy the leadup to your big day.

In our weddings special supplement this month we speak to experts in their field about how to have the wedding day of your dreams and also discover some of the key sartorial looks that will be making it down the aisle for 2023. Read on to find out how to say ‘I do’ in style…

Wedding season is here!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU WHO’VE GOTTEN ENGAGED, I’M EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU INTO THE GALLERY ON THE PANTILES TO TALK THROUGH PLANS FOR YOUR BIG DAY!

Your wedding day is a very big deal and I know you both want to look and feel your best, without any pressures, or awkward and unnecessary posing. This is where I can help you by giving you timeless, elegant and natural wedding photography.

I believe the only way for you to feel great and be captured looking amazing, is to be left alone to just be yourselves. I've laughed at weddings when I've heard another photographer tell the couple to "..look at each other and pretend you love each other." Really? The most love you will ever have written all over your face is on your wedding day. It all comes naturally and that's what I capture for you.

I'd love you to pop into the shop and gallery to talk everything weddings with me, and what you'd like for your wedding photography.

You can see all my work hung on the walls in frames, and flick through beautiful albums too. There's nothing better than seeing wedding photography up close and personal. Oh, and there's always Prosecco in my fridge!

I have a special gift waiting for you if you book your 2023/2024 wedding with me during March.

I can’t wait to see you!

“The most love you will ever have written all over your face is on your wedding day... that's what I' capture for you”

Crowning

glory

the right hat for a special wedding…

What will be the fashion for hats this season?

Recently we have been making lots of smaller bandeau style hats. Kate Middleton has worn this style many times and that has helped make them really popular. Bandeau hats are great for smaller weddings where you might not want to wear a huge hat. They are also comfortable to wear and can be worn the whole day without a second thought. However, you can’t beat a lovely big hat. When you are a mother of the bride you want to feel special and a larger hat is still a very popular choice. Recently, there is also a trend towards a squarer crown shape, and I think this will carry throughout 2023.

What colours are hot for this coming wedding season?

I think we will see lots of green, lavender, and bright pink this season. At Mille Fleurs we make a lot of bespoke hats and we mix our own dyes, so they match the customer’s outfit perfectly.

Is there a hat that suits everyone?

Definitely! I love the challenge when a customer comes in and tells me they look awful in hats. It’s so rewarding when I can find them a hat that they love and feel comfortable in. So many times, people have a fixed idea of what they want, but once they start trying on all the shapes and sizes, quickly change their minds.

What do you need to consider when it comes to choosing the right hat?

It’s important to consider the shape of your face, and your entire silhouette. The proportions of your outfit will have a relevance to which hat looks balanced, something we consider when

helping you choose a hat. The hat should be the finishing touch that pulls your whole outfit together. Wearing a good hat will give you an air of confidence, make you stand taller and add elegance. It is definitely worth finding the right one.

Any advice for those wanting a hat for a special wedding?

Traditionally hats are always worn on your right. This can be important, especially if you are buying off the peg as you want to make sure you are trying on the hats correctly. Alongside our bespoke commissions we also sell a range of ready-to-wear hats which work well for customers who perhaps don’t have the time available to have their hat made. On that note our typical lead-time for bespoke commissions is five to eight weeks.

What’s the secret of pulling off wearing a good hat?

CONTACT INFO: Mille Fleurs, 12 High Street, Otford, Kent TN14 5PQ Tel : 01959 525501

Email : millefleurshats@ gmail.com

Website: www.millefleurs.uk Instagram/Facebook @millefleurshats

Comfort is key. You will be wearing your hat for a long time, so ensure that it fits and stays in place, it should be secure enough to cope with all those kisses and greetings or a sudden gust of wind. We make the hats to each customer’s specifications including head shape and size, so it will fit exactly. We want each customer to put their hat on, feel and look amazing and forget they are even wearing it –while the compliments roll in!

We talk to Tunbridge Wells resident and owner of Mille Fleurs milliners, Gill Stratton, about choosing

“A hat should be the finishing touch that pulls your whole outfit together”

Your wedding at Salomons Estate –where attention is paid to every detail

The perfect wedding venue!

Where do I even begin with Salomons Estate?

The most beautiful wedding venue with stunning grounds, great food and perfect entertainment spaces! From the moment we first contacted them to the days after our wedding the events team (Erin in particular) were incredible - they paid attention to every small detail and exceeded every expectation we had for our big day. We couldn’t recommend them more! Ebru

Perfection!

We had the most amazing wedding at Salomons. Every single member of the staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. They helped the day flow and exactly how we wanted it. The grounds are beautiful. The food was delicious and the rooms were perfect. The staff were attentive and supportive in every way. I can’t recommend Salomons enough. Cara

wedding The

planner...

According to UK Weddings, over 41,000 ceremonies take place in the southeast of England every year. Two of the most popular local venues are Salomons Estate and One Warwick Park Hotel.

At last year’s Kent Wedding Awards, Salomons was named Wedding Heritage Venue of the Year, while the previous year its wedding planning team won Events Team of the Year. So it’s fair to say that they certainly know their stuff when it comes to planning the perfect nuptials.

Here’s all the information and inspiration you need when tying the knot…

Get your priorities right

The first things to consider are your budget and the guest list of people you would like to attend your day.

With regard to your budget, ensure you prioritise the things that are most important to you on your wedding day. For example: the photographer, food and décor.

Be practical

Create a spreadsheet to keep track of payments, deadlines and everything you need to book and organise.

It’s always worth asking friends and family for help as you may have a creative pal who could

do’...

create your table plan and name cards or put you in touch with a reliable specialist supplier.

Decisions, decisions

Book your venue first. Once you have this in place everything else will follow.

We recommend sending out your ‘Save the Dates’ no later than 12 months prior to the event and formal invites no later than six months before the event.

Book in your photographer and videographer if you’re having one as soon as you can, as both can get booked up well in advance.

Venue checklist

Top things to look for:

• Onsite accommodation or nearby accommodation

• Are there any additional fees (i.e service charge) that you need to be aware of?

• What does the venue provide? Do you need to source your own cutlery, crockery, linen?

• Do you have to use the venue’s suppliers or are you able to use whichever you want?

• Is there flexibility in the packages offered from the venue? In other words can you adapt the menu to choose you?

• Are there good photo opportunities on the inside of the venue, as obviously you can never guarantee the weather!

Try before you buy

Ensure your venue or caterer holds wedding tasters for you to sample the food and its quality.

If you are having additional evening guests, ensure you cater for them, too. Salomons recommend catering for no less than 80% of your evening numbers, as once people have a drink then they are likely to want something to eat.

Most weddings do go for the formal, seated wedding breakfast, but to be honest it’s up to YOU!

It could be an informal BBQ, a pizza van or interactive carved roast at the table!

Salomons Estate is holding its Weddings Showcase on March 12 from 10am to 2pm.

To register your interest for the event, or for any other information about weddings at Salomons Estate or One Warwick Park Hotel, please contact us at: mslevents@ salomons-estate.com

Salomons Estate & One Warwick Park Hotel are owned by the Elite Leisure Collection who also own SO Magazine

If you’ve recently become engaged but haven’t a clue where to start organising your dream wedding, then let SO Magazine do all the hard work for you. Here, award-winning wedding planner Fiona Owens reveals the ultimate to do list so you can say ‘I

“Create a spreadsheet to keep track of payments, deadlines and everything you need to book and organise”

and glow Get up

This month our resident beauty queen the professional make-up artist Natalie Piacun from TAW salon on The Pantiles talks us through her top tips for switching up your skincare routine for spring…

With spring and all its blossoming beauty just around the corner, it really feels like we’re finally shedding the very long winter season. As we transition between frosty temperatures and balmier sunny days, it’s the ideal time to switch up your skincare regime. Why not follow my five-step routine which will help you achieve a beautiful, fresh faced glow – which also creates the perfect base for make-up. More on the latter next month…

FIVE TOP TIPS TO PERFECT SKIN:

Step one

Cleanse: Do this both morning and night. This is an incredibly important step as it rids the skin of excess dirt, dead skin cells, impurities and make-up. Maintaining a clearer and more radiant skin is an essential part to a glowing complexion. Skipping this step can lead to breakouts, dehydration and even premature ageing. I highly recommend the newly reformulated Eau Thermale Avène cleanser collection which is made with up to 99% natural ingredients for a soothing, skin reviving cleanse. With a gentle, non-abrasive cleansing experience, it’s enriched with skinloving Avène Thermal Spring Water and packaged in practical, eco designed bottles, made from recycled plastic. Where time is of the essence try my go-to Avène Micellar Water 400ml £19.75 available at Boots, nationwide www.avene.co.uk

Step Two

Exfoliate: Make sure you do so once or twice a week and be consistent with this game changing step. It not only removes dead skin cells and improves brightness and texture it also enables a more porous base to absorb all the goodies from your skincare routine.

Step Three

Target: Applying specific products such as face oil, serum, Hyaluronic acid, or Retanoids is another turbo boost for the skin.You can add instant moisture to dry skin with Hyaluronic acid and stimulate collagen production with a retinal cream for example. The key difference between retinal and retinol is that the former has been clinically proven to work up to 11 times faster than retinol. If you’re concerned about skin sensitivity, try using a retinol product before starting with a retinal.

I’m a big fan of daily face massage with a luxurious oil, and also use a serum to target multiple layers of skin. This boosts collagen, firms and plumps out fine lines and wrinkles, and also targets dark spots, overactive pigmentation, dehydration, and scaring.

I’m loving Lumene Nordic Radiant Youth Pressed Serum with an added skin treat Lumene Radiant Youth Night Elixir a concentrated oil-inserum duo. £44.90 available at Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Look Fantastic and Sephora.

Natalie Piacun TAW salon @nataliemakeup_ @68thepantiles

Step 4

Moisturise: Use a lighter moisturiser by day and a heavier one at night. For itchy or dry skin you can lock serious moisture in courtesy of a thicker ointment such as an emollient. Thinner creams are best for normal skin types whereas moisturising lotions are a good match for more oily skin – as water is their main ingredient. Try Gatineau’s Hydra Aura Water Cream - a fresh gel with Barbary Fig flow extract, Shea Butter and Seaweed promoting lasting hydration for skin. Gatineau Hydra Aura Water Cream £49 available at Gatineau.com

Step 5

Under Eyes: Apply minimal amounts of your favourite eye cream to soften wrinkles and dark circles for a renewed firmer, smoother radiant eye area. For an extra treat try the latest Peace Out Puffy Eyes (£23) available from www.cultbeauty.co.uk

These soothing under-eye patches will awaken tired eyes, de-puff and soothe in just 15 minutes. For an instant boost try the Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick (£25) www. cultbeauty.co.uk

A concentrated serum balm which addresses tired, aging skin by minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a firmer and smoother-looking glow.

BEAUTY SPOT: Nail it

Begin your nail health journey for restorative and maintenance needs with prescriptive nailcare Protein Formula For Nails 1-4 £14.95 available from www.protein-nails.com

Add a pop of colour with the fabulous Emolyne Nail Lacquers, discover your perfect colour with an impressive 15 shades to choose from. £13 available from www. emolyne.com

Lumene Nordic Ageless Pressed Serum £44.90

Lumene Nordic Ageless Night Elixir £44.90

Emolyne Nail Lacquers from £13

Avène Micellar Water £19.75 Avène Cleansing Foam £16

Hydra Aura Water Cream £49

Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick £25

Metallics are back for summer. Here Charlotte Newman from Kitch suggests myriad ways to wear and style them…

ith spring and summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe and embrace the latest trends. One that’s been making a big comeback on recent runways are metallics. From shimmering dresses and skirts, to metallic accessories, there are many ways to incorporate metallics into your spring/summer ’23 wardrobe.

Several designers have embraced metallics in their recent collections, including Tory Burch, Paco Rabanne and Valentino. Tory Burch’s spring/ summer collection for this year featured a range of metallic leather extras and statement skirts, in a stunning shimmering silver lamé. Valentino also included metallics in its collection, with models walking down the runway in shimmering

www.kitchclothing.co.uk @kitch_clothing

outerwear and silver embroidered dresses.

If you’re looking to shine in metallics for the new season, there are several ways to do so. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Choose the right colour

Metallics come in a range of tones, from silver and gold to copper and rose gold. When choosing metallic pieces for your wardrobe, consider which one will best suit your skin tone and personal style. For example, if you have cool-toned skin, silver and platinum metallics may be a better choice, while those with warmtoned skin may prefer gold or copper metallics.

2. Start small

If you’re not sure if metallics are right for you, start small by incorporating metallic accessories into your outfits. A pair of silver earrings or a gold bracelet can add a touch of glamour to an otherwise simple outfit. You could also try adding a metallic belt to cinch in a dress or skirt.

3. Mix and match

Don’t be afraid to mix and match metallics in your outfit. Pair a silver top with gold earrings, or wear a rose gold skirt with a copper clutch. Mixing metallics can create a stylish, modern look that’s sure to turn heads.

4. Keep it simple

When wearing metallics, it’s important to keep the rest of your outfit simple. Let your metallic piece be the focus of

your outfit and pair it with neutral colours and simple accessories.

5. Experiment with different textures

Metallics don’t just come in shiny finishes – you can also find metallic pieces with a matte or textured finish. Experiment with different textures to add depth and interest to your outfit. For example, a metallic tweed jacket can add a touch of sophistication to any understated outfit.

So whether you choose to go all out with a metallic dress or keep it simple with a pair of silver earrings, metallics are sure to add a touch of glamour and sophistication to any outfit. Why not try incorporating some metallics into your wardrobe this season and see how this trend can elevate your style?

“Metallics don’t just come in shiny finishes – you can also find metallic pieces with a matte or textured finish”

Spring is here

industry and we eventually had a son, I went back to work after just six months.

How did you manage as a new working mother?

My husband and I would share the drop off and pick up duties of my son to and from nursery, which was stressful at times as they were so strict for pick-up time. Invariably, after getting home, sorting dinner and my son’s bedtime and everything else in between there was no me time. Initially I did start going into London for a 7am gym class but I became exhausted, felt low and stressed and as a result eventually began to experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It’s an unpleasant condition that affects the digestive system.

How did you heal yourself back from this stressful situation?

The Spring Rooms is a serene holistic therapy space located on Sussex Mews, The Lower Pantiles. Deborah Borfecchia founded it in the summer of 2020 and offers clients a plethora of both traditional and pioneering treatments aimed at helping to restore and promote ongoing good health and wellbeing…

When and why did you open

The Spring Rooms?

The space is something that has grown organically. I’ve built my business as an independent therapist from scratch when I moved down from London 10 years ago. I used to practise from Neal’s Yard on Mount Pleasant but when that closed in 2019, I thought ‘what next?’ I was lucky to find a room at a local Pilates studio, which helped me to continue practising and keep my clients while I decided what to do. I believe it’s important to be happy within a space as our environment plays a big role in our wellbeing, but I struggled to find such a place that wasn’t a secondary space. That’s when I made the huge decision to open my own therapy rooms. The timing wasn’t great as all this happened during the first lockdown, but in July 2020, my Covid-born baby, The Spring Rooms, opened for business on Sussex Mews.

Can you tell us what The Spring Rooms provides to its customers?

I wanted to create a home-from-

“I like to think of The Spring Rooms as a boutique style sanctuary of healing”

home style space that as soon as you walk through the door you leave the outside world behind. I like to think of it as a boutique style sanctuary of healing. Upon entering, you are greeted by an environment that touches all the senses; from ambient background music to a calming colour palette courtesy of our bespoke branded marble canvas art. Organic essential oils fill the air, offering clients a relaxed and safe environment right in the centre of The Pantiles.

You talk about your comprehensive approach to holistic health, what does this involve?

is looking at the whole person, mind body and spirit. For example, if someone is feeling stressed this can present itself in a variety of different physical symptoms such as headaches, muscular tension, pain, etc. So we need to consider all this first and then provide advice in order to help.

What did you do before becoming a therapist and eventually opening The Spring Rooms?

After many failed attempts of going to the doctor, I decided I wanted to change everything. That meant my lifestyle and diet and to reduce stress. I vowed to do more exercise and made the big sacrifice of leaving my job. It’s fair to say that since then I haven’t looked back! I’ve always enjoyed helping people, so my natural progression was to retrain as a therapist. After research and reading about the benefits of massage and how small changes can help in a big way and using these practises on myself, I signed up to numerous courses and spent my weekends studying. That passion has never stopped growing! Over the years I expanded my knowledge into a variety of soft tissue therapies and more recently I’ve moved into health and wellness coaching. My experiences have driven me to help others.

Describe The Spring Rooms in three words…

A massive hug

Everything is interplayed with two or more things. In other words, it’s not about the symptom, it’s about discovering the cause. I’ve been practising as a massage therapist since 2008. The more experience I gained over the years, working with clients and undertaking a variety of different training courses, the more I found it’s not just about delivering a great treatment: it’s understanding the whys and the whens in order to provide someone with the right remedy and advice. Holistic health

I used to work within the creative industry for a couple of London’s top multi-media agencies with some uber-cool clients. There was lots of schmoozing and I got to meet and work with some amazingly talented individuals. We worked very hard, sometimes late into the night which wasn’t that pleasant, but we did it and had a giggle too – even though a lot of the time we were desperate to go home and sleep! I met my husband while working in this

•

How many are in The Spring Rooms’ team and what are their roles? We have a great team of eleven people. Ten are professional practitioners and one oversees front of house. Collectively we can offer a whole host of traditional therapy options such as massage, Reiki, facials, and reflexology as well as some new ones too. These include hypnotherapy, neuro linguistic programming, counselling, and nutritional advice. We also offer spiritual awakening with intuitive counselling and health and wellness coaching.

“My experiences have driven me to help others”

SO Magazine meets talented therapists

“Our makesperfect partnership sense”

Let’s start by you telling us about the special partnership between Retreat Aesthetics and HiTetch Aesthetics. What does it involve? Our partnership makes perfect sense, in fact we really don’t know why we didn’t think of it earlier! The use of hightech equipment in the regenerative aesthetics industry is coming on in leaps and

bounds. As a result, we have invested in high-end, effective devices that can deliver fast and fantastic results to our patients with minimal down time. In fact, with some of our treatments there is no down time at all.

Why did you decide to join forces?

By introducing Maryna’s aesthetic skills and awardwinning micro needling device to the HiTech Aesthetic team we now have a unique clinic that can offer patients everything they need all under one roof.

to offer more people in Tunbridge

Maryna Cole and Eva Whittle to discover why they have joined forces

Wells the innovative Vivace treatment, which was first pioneered by Maryna in this part of the UK…

Maryna Cole has been in the beauty and aesthetics industry for over 20 years and last year opened her first specialist skincare clinic, Retreat Aesthetics, in Tunbridge Wells at One Warwick Park Hotel, offering the ground-breaking Vivace facial.

On launching it Maryna told us she is committed to offering her clients the most exclusive and results-driven cosmeceutical treatments available on the market courtesy of her partnership with the Vivace brand and expert training.

“A lot of my clients don’t want to undergo anything invasive or a treatment that has a huge amount of downtime but they still want to see impressive results and so

working with Vivace gives them this,” explains Maryna, who is also now operating out of a clinic in Harley Street.

“My treatments are ideal for those people who are afraid of needles –or who don’t want injectables.”

Now Maryna has teamed up with the HiTech Aesthetics clinic, which is run by Eva Whittle and opened last year on Camden Road, to offer her ground-breaking innovative Vivace facials there too.

Here the pair tell SO Magazine why they decided to join forces in order to offer Maryna’s popular and highly beneficial treatments at this specialist space which also offers laser hair removal courtesy of the revolutionary Soprano Ice machine, along with micro needling, fillers, teeth whitening and massage treatments…

When did the partnership begin and how is it going so far?

We launched the partnership earlier this year and we have seen great results so far. The patients leave with so much more

“Our treatments are proving to be very popular and our main aim is to educate our clients so that they can understand how ground-breaking these procedures are and can see the benefits”

Maryna Cole (left) and Eva Whittle(right)

confidence. Seeing them leave so happy makes it such a rewarding job!

What are the key benefits of you collaborating like this?

We feel the biggest benefit is the increase in communication. The knowledge sharing between us is endless and this is all passed onto the patients to give them the best outcome. Our treatments are proving to be very popular and our main aim is to educate our clients so that they can understand how ground-breaking these procedures are and can see the benefits.

Can you tell us a little bit about what you do at Retreat Aesthetics Maryna?

I offer the latest innovative and science-driven regenerative treatments by bringing the VIVACE facial experience to clients. If you follow Kim Kardashian on social media you probably saw her take one of her sisters for a ‘Beauty Day’. And she was actually using the same serum that I do which is Exosomes.

What do your skin treatments achieve and why are you so passionate about them?

I am a big fan of efficacy but an even bigger fan of safety. I make sure I am in the place I

www.hitechaesthetics.com

www.retreataesthetics.com

want to be in when it comes to aesthetic anti-aging procedures for the face, body or solutions to different hair and scalp problems. In my own practice I accelerate skin regeneration with dual wave Radiofrequency and Exosomes. With our premium skincare solution we are not only chronologically slowing down the aging process but biologically reversing it courtesy of inflammatory, proliferative and remodelling stages. We use Exosome-based regenerative therapeutics and aesthetics. Our skin care treatments change the structure and the function of the skin even for the least compliant patients, so they still see a better skin quality restoration.

VIVA VIVACE

The VIVACE experience is a multi award-winning contouring and skin tightening non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatment. In a nutshell, it combines the benefits of micro needling with the skin tightening effects of radio frequency. The VIVACE experience boasts a huge eight award wins over the past three years and is trusted and used by some of the most renowned international dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

When our clients discover that the Exosome and VIVACE treatments have been recommended by maxillofacial surgeons, dermatologists and aesthetic medical specialists they start to understand that it is not just a spa treatment it is an anti-ageing and regenerative treatment.

“By introducing Maryna’s aesthetic skills and awardwinning micro needling device to the HiTech Aesthetic team, we now have a unique clinic that can offer patients everything they need all under one roof”

To your good health

SO Magazine’s Lilly Croucher visits Natural Fit on Calverley Road to discover what makes it the town’s most luxurious and flexible health club…

From the moment you walk through Natural Fit’s heavy glass doors you’re met with a feeling of calm far away from the bustling street outside. The stunning white Georgian building was previously home to Barclays Bank before Natural Fit saw an opportunity to create a mini paradise right in the heart of the Tunbridge Wells.

The centrally located health club is a true hidden gem, offering respite from busy everyday life.

The club, which opened in early 2020, features a gym, swimming pool, various fitness classes, a café, and a few lounges but it is Natural Fit’s equipment and impressive spa

that truly earn the club its stamp of luxury.

The gym is unlike any I had used before thanks to the quality of its equipment – think self-powered treadmills, state-of-the-art rowing machines and a climbing frame that stretches around the gym. And instead of run-of-the-mill brushed steel or chrome, all the equipment here boasts beautiful wooden finishing which chimes well with the club’s overall ethos of being just that little bit different.

After an intense workout and attempting most of the machines, I made my way down to the spa which is an oasis of relaxation. Whilst there, I was able to swim in the heated 18-metre pool and

“As well as state-of-theart training equipment, the gym offers a luxury spa and swimming pool plus plenty of specialist classes”

unwind in the beautiful mosaic jacuzzi. The spa also features a steam room, sauna, and a tropical rainfall shower.

One detail I really liked was the window into the café which serves three fresh salads a day, light breakfasts, and a selection of baked good and sweet treats. I ordered a delicious tropical smoothie with banana, mango, pineapple, and coconut milk to drink poolside. Most drinks are available to drink around the pool from cappuccinos to glasses of fizz – as long as they are in a plastic cup.

There are two unique selling points of Natural Fit that sets it miles apart from a traditional health club. The first is the inclusive package it offers for the working professional. Natural Fit can be like a second home for remote workers who don’t go to an office, but still want that important social interaction, while also prioritising their physical health.

The adult-only health club is a good alternative to a traditional office as it permits its members full use of the café and lounge area to sit with a coffee, enjoy lunch and get on with some work. Members then have the freedom to use the gym, take an hour to do a class and then go back to work or head down to the spa for a relaxing after work winddown. Natural Fit is not the type of gym you would probably just pop in and out of –which of course you can do – it is far more of an extended wellness experience that focuses on all aspects of your life.

The second USP is Natural Fit’s approach to health and wellness for each individual. As members join, they are helped and encouraged by the staff to increase their fitness and improve their wellbeing. This is done through their diverse range of instructorled classes from yoga and Pilates to boxing circuits and even dance classes. They also offer personal training sessions, body screening to analyse the specific areas of focus and a menu of specialised treatments. Natural Fit has over 400 members at its Tunbridge Wells club and a retention rate of around nine to twelve months – which is much higher than its

competitors, where retention is around half that. Natural Fit opened its second branch in Hove inside an old monastery last year and hopes to continue growing the business and improving the quality of the club through more classes and equipment.

Overall, Natural Fit is an excellent private health club that offers stunning facilities and a luxury experience that you won’t find anywhere else in Tunbridge Wells. Whether you’re a working professional, fitness enthusiast, wellness seeker, or just looking to enjoy yourself, Natural Fit is the perfect place for you.

Memberships start from £120 for full use of the gym and several classes to £180 for a full membership with spa access. Find out more at naturalfit.co.uk

“Natural Fit is a true hidden gem, offering respite from busy everyday life”

10 questions to ask to ensure you choose the right funeral director

Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), so that they can be assured of the highest standards.

7. Is it best to choose on first impressions?

Whatever your first point of contact – a phone call, visit or email – how you are dealt with will give you an instant understanding as to whether you feel heard, understood and looked after from the offset. The personal connection is all important and it’s essential to feel supported. Often, it’s wise to go with your instinct.

8. Can I afford the service I’d like for my loved one?

When you lose a loved one, you only have a few weeks to prepare their funeral – at a time when you are dealing with your own grief and probably that of people close to you and the deceased. Simon Welham, Managing Director of Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials, explains some of the key questions to consider to help you choose a funeral director who will assist you in shaping the farewell you would wish your loved one to have...

1. Should I choose a funeral director I know?

For many people, their initial thoughts revert to a funeral they have attended in the past, and if they liked the service and/or the venue. After all, a funeral is not a life event many of us have attended often, so it’s a useful reference point.

2. Could family or friends give recommendations?

If you don’t have a local funeral director in mind, then seeking recommendations is a good idea; people are generally all too happy to help and share information. About 90% of families are referred to us, which is an important indicator for us that we are delivering a good service to our clients.

3. Should I research online?

Comparing websites can give insights into different funeral directors, funerals in general and the choices available. Online reviews and testimonials can provide an idea of the variety of services on offer; however, as reviews can’t always be

verified, we would advise you still to do your research in person.

4. Should I choose a family run business?

Family run businesses will often have been trading for many years, even decades – a helpful barometer of good service and experience passed through the generations. They often offer a 24-hour on call service and have good relations with a network of suppliers, such as florists and printers, ensuring a seamless offering from beginning to end.

If your family has a trusted family funeral director they have used over

the years, do check to see if they still are; some firms are sold but still operate under the established family name.

5. Should I choose a local business?

The more local the firm, particularly a family run business, the more local knowledge the staff have. They will understand the local customs and traditions, as well as venues available. Whilst they look after your loved one before the funeral, you can feel somewhat reassured that they are not too far away.

6. Can I select from a list of regulated funeral directors?

Remarkably, the answer is no! The industry is not regulated, and I dare say there are some stories out there you would not believe! However, families should always go to funeral directors that are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), or The National

If your loved one had taken out a pre-paid funeral plan, they might have given some guidance on the type of funeral they wanted and most of the costs might have been paid for in advance. However, if this is not the case or you still have costs to cover, budget can be a defining factor in your choice.

Look for a funeral director that gives costs up front with no hidden bills. Get a few comparisons to help inform your decision, and make sure that nothing has been missed. It’s all too easy to be misled by a low ‘telephone quote’, only to find that the final account is higher than a competitor’s quote that you initially thought was too expensive!

9. Can the funeral director be flexible to our date and wishes?

It’s a great relief if your funeral director can give you the date and time you want. However, you might need to be flexible to get the length of service you want, which might be an earlier morning or later afternoon service instead.

If you want to know about the little touches that can truly personalise a final farewell, ask your funeral director what they can offer. And if you’re not sure, ask elsewhere.

10. Can we have an environmentally friendly funeral?

The request for more eco-friendly funerals has increased. Wicker coffins and burials in woodland are possible. Make a list as to what is important to you and ask your shortlisted funeral directors.

“The options to provide environmentally friendly funerals are growing”

Finding a firm that offers you flexibility helps make the process that bit easier

protect and survive. This is often inappropriate for the circumstances of modern life and can trigger sometimes violent reactions which can lead to a lifetime of regret.

Channelled in a positive way, anger can be a powerful tool for change. Like many emotions, it’s a warning that something isn’t right and needs attention. If the injured or aggrieved learn to overcome anger in a resourceful and reasonable way, the neurological flames of fury can be doused before any damage is done.

“When anger flares, like fear or anxiety, it creates a physical response described as ‘fight or flight’ which accelerates bodily functions in preparation to defend or attack a predator”

Anger management

Our resident hypnotherapist Karen Martin, who runs her specialist practice at Salomons Estate, discusses ways to tame your temper and enjoy a more laid back life

TANTRUMS ARE FOR TODDLERS

As small children, when we express anger by throwing tantrums, these are regarded as bad behaviour and are often rewarded with a good telling off. So we learn to pack away anger and struggle to resolve it in an effective way. That’s why many adults bottle up anger until the pressure builds up to an explosive degree. Reconnecting with negative emotions like anger helps to more effectively resolve conflict and injustices.

Tips for taming your anger:

Think before you speak

Express concerns calmly and without criticism

Get advice from someone impartial

Step away from conflict or aggression

Identify possible solutions

Explain your feelings

Don't hold a grudge

Use humour to release tension

Be prepared to compromise

Apologise if you overstep the mark or are wrong

Seek therapy to manage impulse control and deal with addictions or violence

H

ave you noticed there are a lot of angry people about these days? Social media is awash with rants about anything and everything. And nobody could accuse our news feeds of sending out positive vibes in the daily misery bulletins about conflict around the world.

Industrial disputes are the last resort of an angry workforce and there have been many of these on the picket line in recent times. Roadworks around the town have made short journeys much longer dashes around streets not built for heavy traffic.

So anger has both large and small consequences. World leaders throw missiles at each other, key workers down tools and people struggle to turn up on time. And there is a personal cost to take into account too. Anger has far reaching consequences which we never think of when overpowered by it.

IN THE DANGER ZONE

What damage could you be doing to your health while you fume and fret?

Heart attacks, high blood pressure, prematurely ageing skin and digestive problems are often connected to anger seething within. When you go through a bout of anger, your voice is raised, the

nerves in your body tense, the heart beats faster but it doesn’t pump efficiently, which could lead to damage of the arteries or risk of a stroke. From Dr Jekyll to Mr or Mrs Hyde is a short leap once you have the habit of seeing red over things both big and small. Relationships suffer, as does your children’s emotional well-being, your progress up the career ladder and your chance to forge lasting friendships.

DON’T SHOUT ABOUT IT

When little things seem to irk you beyond belief, you feel like the world is conspiring against you and life seems exasperating, it may seem like the only way to get through to people is to shout and scream. But when you raise your voice, you’ve already lost the argument as logic and reason fly out of the window.

When anger flares, like fear or anxiety, it creates a physical response described as ‘fight or flight’ which accelerates bodily functions in preparation to defend or attack a predator. The brain and body are flooded with chemicals which divert attention away from thinking rationally and towards a primaeval need to

Having a bit of a temper is regarded as a behavioural issue which can also be an inherited characteristic. We all have to learn to curb the excessive behaviour which toddlers express without conscience. An angry adult is often masking hurt and fear and suffers alone as they’re not nice to be around. Human beings are hardwired to co-operate for the success and survival of a community. Power struggles or injustices within a community or family can destabilise the security and peace of mind we rely on each other to provide. Whilst anger is a necessary response to danger and part of the survival instinct which keeps us alive, balancing emotions so it is a force for the good is important for our own wellbeing and that of those around us. Society punishes those who don’t deal with conflict in a grown up and responsible way.

Karen Martin Hypnotherapist hypnotherapykent.co.uk

There is currently a huge amount of talk around strength training, and rightly so. For too many years strength training was a ‘man thing’ with the odd female body builder thrown in for good measure. But we are now finally understanding the benefits of strength training for everyone and busting the myths that used to go along with it.

I remember being told that I shouldn’t lift weights as I would be ‘too bulky’. As I’m short, (5 foot 1 and a half – and yes the half is important) I was made to feel that I would look ‘short and stocky’. As a side issue, no one asked me if I

Sarah Gorman

Fitness professional and entrepreneur

@sarahgormanblendfit sarahgorman.fit

strength Find your

As a personal trainer I prefer to talk to my clients about how their strength training makes them feel as opposed to how they want to look. I try to encourage feeling strong, using life factors like having energy and being able to keep up with your children as incentives to keep moving. In fitness there is always going to be talk around goal setting. It’s difficult to say ‘don’t set goals’, so with my clients I try to look at new ways to achieve these challenges. Think about your performance goals and be creative. I also try and not set

minded looking this way, it was just assumed that I shouldn’t. However the truth is that to really bulk up and build big external, global muscles, takes an enormous amount of time, training and focus. You have to get the correct combination of intense weight training alongside a strict nutritional programme; which means being really on point with your macros and completely committing yourself to your training. Therefore – adding weights, some strength training into your routine is not suddenly going to have you looking like The Rock.

On the contrary – lean muscle mass naturally diminishes with age. Your body fat percentage will increase over time if you don’t do anything to replace the lean muscle, you will lose it. Strength training can help you preserve and enhance your muscle mass at any age. Incorporating lifting heavy weights into your schedule is the best way to make you feel healthy, younger and confident.

Choose a weight that you are capable of lifting but that doesn’t feel easy. Modification. Stay in four point kneeling and pull/ row the elbow in toward the waist, hold it there for

body goals, like the old bikini body phrase which is one that I never use. Instead I try to find a way to support whatever you want to do with your body but in a way that makes it realistic and functional. It is imperative to work on strengthening our core muscles as well as the visible external muscles that we think about when we talk about strength training. These internal muscles are like our power house – developing them and learning how to use them can affect how well we exercise and also have a huge impact on our daily lives. The internal ‘core’ muscles help to support the function of the spine. When they are activated they can stabilise the spine, allowing movement and preventing lower back pain. Core strength and stability will improve technique in all sports, increase stamina, and improve posture. In turn this makes us healthier and happier individuals. It takes time to build strength. It takes patience and determination to build a strong body and mind. But every day that you make the decision to move you are building strength. Every day that you show up to a class at home or in the gym, you are building strength.

So without embarrassment, give yourself a high five in the mirror this morning and tell yourself that you are strong. Because you – in so many ways – you may just not know it yet…

a second, and then slowly lower it back to the floor. Think about keeping time under tension for as long as you can so resist as you lower the weight to the floor.

Try to keep the trunk of the body stable while you are in movement.

12-15 reps on one arm and then switch. Repeat this for 3-4 sets. Progression. Try the above exercise in a modified or full plank position.

Same reps as above. You want the last couple of reps to feel like you are working to fatigue.

SO’s fitness columnist Sarah Gorman looks at the rising trend of strength training and how it can benefit you in multiple ways…

“It takes time to build strength. It takes patience and determination to build a strong body and mind”

MOVE OF THE MONTH: Single arm row

Of late, there has been much medical emphasis on the connection between mitochondrial function and chronic fatigue syndrome. (Mitochondria are the cellular powerhouses of our cells). This is a huge subject and one we are only on the threshold of understanding, but this we know, mitochondrial depletion is at the core of chronic fatigue. Whilst it is impossible to give specific advice on Post Viral Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (PVCFS) – which will need professional help – certain principles can still be considered. To understand what is going on at a deeper level, we need to review a fundamental physiological cycle central to life and health. I refer to the catabolic and anabolic cycles of metabolism. This again is a very complex subject but basically catabolism refers to the breakdown of large molecules into smaller

Naomi Murray

Co-founder of Botanica Health botanicahealth.co.uk

road to recovery The

Last month Naomi Murray from Botanica asked her father, the esteemed medical herbalist Brian Lamb, to write about natural ways to combat Post Viral Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Here we publish the second part of his fascinating essay on this condition and discover what can be done to return to peak health once again…

and vice versa. For example a hot bath in the morning is ‘anabolic’ and pro-viral, whereas a warm shower is fine as it is catabolic and stimulating. Oppositely, a short warm bath in the evening aids anabolism and encourages sleep. I well remember a young woman consulting with me many years ago suffering continuous flu-like symptoms. Once she stopped taking a morning hot bath she completely recovered.

provides the best option.

Failing this, my first choice is a heroic infusion of dried dandelion leaf for the following reasons: dandelion leaf opposes the anabolic feature of chronic fatigue. It is a depurative — acting to cleanse the body of impurities — by stimulating the liver and kidneys whilst providing a gentle laxative action. Even more, dandelion aids digestion and is a potent anti-viral agent.

ones whilst anabolism refers to the building up of complex molecules from smaller ones.

Broadly, metabolism is about how our cells get energy and remove waste. However – and this is vital in connecting the dots to PVCFS — we need to visualise metabolism as a biological cycle driven by daylight. Put simply, optimum health derives from natural rhythmicity. Our catabolic cycle starts early in the morning, driven by the rise of cortisol from our adrenal glands. This is a time for energy release and work. By late afternoon the anabolic cycle is rising to prepare us for relaxation and restorative sleep some hours later. The catabolic and anabolic cycles seamlessly ebb and flow and mesh, similar to the tides of the oceans. This was called ‘dualism’ by Emanuel Revici, MD. Revici was a remarkable doctor who passed away just a few years ago, working till he was over 100 in New York, USA. He attributed serious disease to an imbalance between catabolism and anabolism.

In my opinion, the ‘retention factor’ in post PVCFS relates to anabolic imbalance. To assure good health, the catabolic flow should not be impeded by anabolic activities

By all means, be sure to maintain a robust defence by ensuring supplementation with Vitamins C and D and Zinc plus a good quality Echinacea and/or Elderberry elixir. As valuable as these supplements are in supporting immunity, they should be used within a lifestyle framework of good nutrition, adequate relaxation and restorative sleep, moderate exercise and avoidance of emotional strife. And an essential abstinence from food at the onset of a cold or ‘flu with the caveat that diabetics will be mindful of their condition.

So what might be a naturopathic approach to post-viral chronic fatigue? Primarily convalescence. One must then get in phase with the catabolic/anabolic cycle. After the acute phase is over, one should arise from bed at the same time as when previously well and not go back to bed during the day unless essential (an anabolic regression). Cat naps of about 20 minutes are valuable as long as they are not taken in bed. Eating only when hungry and making sure to eat during a time slot of no more than 8 hours — lesser the better.

Stimulating foods (even garlic!), and hot spices should be avoided during the early stage of chronic fatigue. Green, lapsang or oolong teas are acceptable whereas coffee and strong black tea are not advised.

Herbal medicines can make all the difference. The reason for this is that well-chosen herbal remedies can act to cleanse, detoxify and revitalise. A consultation with a professional medical herbalist

Here is a suggested adult preparation: Add about 30g dried herb to a large carafe and fill with boiling water. Allow to cool, strain and drink over the day making sure to start early in the morning. Frugal eating will add efficacy. The dandelion cleanse may be repeated every other day for a total of three infusions.

My second choice of herb is Astragalus root, a tonic herb in the Chinese tradition. Whilst this is best prescribed professionally, as long as precautionary care is taken, astragalus is safe and enjoys a long tradition of use.

An extract of the leaves of Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) has been shown to act against bacterial infections of the lungs and is therefore valuable. The Ayurvedic herb Tulsi or Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) also acts favourably on the lungs and Tulsi is available as an infusion blended with spices to provide a pleasant and therapeutic tea.

To conclude: we have an awesome immune system so by all means support it by a healthy lifestyle. If and when immunity is breached, listen to your body. A sore throat surely wants relief from food. A sore head needs respite from TV and phones. A rising temperature demands bed rest. A chest infection warrants medical attention. These are timeless observations and can prevent the development of chronic fatigue.

All suggested remedies are available at Botanica Health along with guided support.

“So what might be a naturopathic approach to post-viral chronic fatigue? Well I would say primarily convalescence and herbal medicines as they can make all the difference”

Three reasons to maximise your ISA by 5 April

Impending cuts to the capital gains tax (CGT) exemption and dividend allowance mean maximising your £20,000 ISA allowance by the 5 April deadline could be more important than ever.

The cuts mean that anyone with investments outside an ISA wrapper could pay significantly more tax in the 2023/24 tax year than they did previously.

With the end of the tax year fast approaching, here are three reasons to top up your Investment ISA today.

1. ISAs offer tax-efficient income and growth

If you hold investments inside an ISA, any profits (‘gains’) you make are exempt from capital gains tax. Dividends from investments held inside in an ISA are also tax free. While this has always been the case, the government’s decision to slash the CGT exemption and dividend allowance makes ISAs an even more important tax planning tool.

In the 2022 autumn statement1, chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that the CGT exemption – the amount of capital gains you can make before being taxed – will be cut from £12,300 to £6,000 on 6 April 2023 and then to

£3,000 on 6 April 2024. The £2,000 annual dividend allowance will also be reduced to £1,000 and then £500.

If you hold investments outside an ISA and realise gains in excess of your CGT exemption, those gains will be taxed at up to 20%. Any dividend income you receive above your dividend allowance will also be taxed – at 8.75% if you’re a basic-rate taxpayer, 33.75% if you’re a higher-rate taxpayer or 39.35% if you’re an additional-rate taxpayer.

There are several ways of mitigating CGT and dividend tax, but holding investments in an ISA is by far the simplest option. And you don’t need to declare ISAs on your tax return, helping to reduce your day-to-day admin.

Michael is a higher-rate taxpayer who is already using his annual CGT exemption, dividend allowance, personal income tax allowance and personal savings allowance in full. This year, he forgets to use his £20,000 ISA allowance and instead leaves the money in a taxable General Investment Account.

Over the next 20 years, the investment produces a 4% annual return after charges, with 2.5% of this from growth and 1.5% from dividends. As a higher-rate taxpayer, Michael pays tax on these dividends at 33.75% each year, which works out at £1,750 in total. After 20 years, he sells the investment and realises a capital gain of £12,772; this is taxed at 20%, producing a CGT liability of £2,554*.

A simple mistake means Michael ends up paying £4,305 extra in tax. Had he used his 2022/23 ISA allowance, this could have been easily mitigated.

*Calculations are based on tax rates and allowances as at February 2023. This does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance.

2. It’s a ‘use it or lose it’ allowance

Another reason why it’s important to top up your ISA now rather than delay for a couple of months is that your £20,000 annual ISA allowance is a ‘use it or lose it’ allowance. This means you can’t carry forward any unused portion to the next tax year.

With the CGT and dividend allowances about to become less generous, the more of your investments that you can shield in an ISA, the better. It really is a case of act now before it’s too late.

3. Shares beat cash over long periods

With interest rates on the rise, you might be wondering whether it’s worth holding your excess savings in a cash ISA instead. Cash ISAs are also tax efficient because interest is paid free of tax. However, while rates on cash ISAs look more attractive than a year ago, history shows that over long periods the stock market typically performs more strongly than cash.

2 Based on Bank of England base rate

3 https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/boeapps/database/Bank-Rate.asp

The chart below shows that investing £20,000 in the FTSE All-World at the end of 1996 would have generated a return of £89,288 before charges by the end of 2022. This is on a ‘total real return’ basis, i.e. combining share price changes and dividend income, and adjusting for inflation. Conversely, leaving £20,000 in cash savings2 would have produced a return of only £23,072, after adjusting for inflation.

Neither simulated nor actual past performance are reliable indicators of future performance. Performance is quoted before charges which will reduce illustrated performance.

This period saw the Bank of England base rate hit 7.5%3 and the stock market experiencing some significant downturns, including the bursting of the dotcom bubble, the global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. While we can’t predict what will happen over the next two decades, history suggests that stock market returns far exceed those on cash over long periods.

Next steps

Understanding how to make the most of your money isn’t always easy, and that’s where getting some smart advice comes in. We’ll check your portfolio suits your individual circumstances and is robust enough to deliver performance over the long term. We’ll also explain how to maximise all your tax allowances and exemptions, so that more of your hard-earned wealth goes towards your future. That way, you’ll feel confident you’re making the right decisions with your money.

Louise Shaw Divisional Director

T.

01892 739580 / E. louise.shaw@brewin.co.uk brewin.co.uk/royal-tunbridge-wells

The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. This does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. Neither simulated nor actual past performance are reliable indicators of future performance. Performance is quoted before charges which will reduce illustrated performance. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy. Information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance.

RBC Brewin Dolphin is a trading name of Brewin Dolphin Limited. Brewin Dolphin Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register reference number 124444) and regulated in Jersey by the Financial Services Commission. Registered Office; 12 Smithfield Street, London, EC1A 9BD. Registered in England and Wales company number: 2135876. VAT number: GB 690 8994 69

Our case study shows that neglecting to use just one year’s ISA allowance could potentially cost you thousands of pounds in tax in the future.

Source: RBC Brewin Dolphin / Refinitiv Datastream

“We offer a bespoke design approach”

Established by Sophie Stevens in 2010, SGS Design is a dynamic and creative architectural interior design studio based in Tunbridge Wells, specialising in large domestic homes and small commercial projects.

SGS Design works collaboratively with clients to interpret their design

dreams and develop unique design solutions, representative of their taste and lifestyle. Creating interiors inspired by the architecture of the building and filled with the personality of the client. Sophie has been practising for over 16 years, and leads all design projects with the support of a passionate team of interior architects, interior designers and an administrative team, who share her design aesthetic and attention to detail.

SGS Design has a client-led design approach and therefore establishing a clear understanding of the individual client’s design aspirations and lifestyle is essential. Sophie delights in space planning in pursuit of the perfect interior layouts and this is always the starting point.

It’s a family affair…

you’re looking for quality flooring then let Fashion Carpets

Limited

Established in 1992 and situated in the High Street in Tunbridge Wells, Fashion Carpets is a treasure trove of quality carpets and smart flooring. Its proprietors Eric and Mandy Woodroofe work together as a team, along with Eric’s son Tim, offering quality service and a wealth of expertise and knowledge to assist all of their customers to make the right choice for them at a competitive price.

Eric has been in the flooring trade for over 55 years and started his working life as an apprentice fitter and then as a salesman and progressing to Store Manager for Hughes Furnishers. The company used to trade in the High Street

42 High St, Tunbridge Wells. TN1 1XF

fashioncarpets@ btconnect.com

www.fashion carpetsltd.co.uk

01892 528676

but then later moved to a new store on North Farm.

In 1992 Hughes ceased trading and Eric took the leap and opened his own shop in one of the old Hughes units in the High Street. Together with his wife and sons, they have built a successful business selling quality floorings. Fashion Carpets has one of the largest selections of floorings in the South East, including carpets, vinyls, laminate, wood and LVT. They employ their own fitters which enables them to provide the continuity of excellent service they pride themselves on.

Fashion Carpets are members of Greendale Carpets and Flooring, one of the best independent buying groups in the UK. They have their own warehouse where a large selection

of floorings are stocked. This means that they are able to sell all the top brands at competitive prices. Whether it’s the warm, comfortable feel of a soft carpet or the sleek, modern look of glossy laminate under your feet, everyone has their own preference and Fashion Carpets will assist you every step of the way to achieve the look you desire.

Every design concept is unique to each client brief but reflects the design team’s underlying passion for blending materials, texture and colour. Essential to good design is developing an honest and transparent relationship with the client and extended design team on site.

SGS Design has developed long-standing relationships with architects and contractors, whilst also building established trade relationships with many Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment suppliers. This enables the SGS studio to develop the concept ideas into detailed and co-ordinated design drawings, with supporting specifications for client approval, through to full implementation on site.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience, SGS Design is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an experienced and talented interior design firm in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding area.

SO magazine meets the talented team at SGS Design to discover what drives them as a unique interior and architectural design company…

“SGS Design works collaboratively with clients to interpret their design dreams and develop unique design solutions”

OF THE ROVERS: THE COLLECTION OF THE LATE DEREK BIRNAGE, HEAD OF THE TEAM THAT CREATED ROY OF THE ROVERS, AND EDITOR OF ‘TIGER’ AND ‘THE

Where you find one of the largest selections of quality floorings in the South East

To suit all budgets, with floorings from all of the leading manufacturers including Brintons, Hugh Mackay, Crucial Trading, Alternative Flooring, Rols, Ulster Carpets and many more.

We offer a free measuring and estimating service and we are happy to let our customers borrow our samples to look at in their homes. We employ our fitters, so there is continuity of good service from beginning to end. Our staff have a wealth of knowledge and experience to assist customers in the selection process. Whether it be a soft, comfortable carpet or a modern Sisal or beautiful Laminate, we are here to help you make the right choice at competitive prices.

You will find a large selection of rugs, some with up to 50% discount at the moment. We have regular promotions on a range of different floorings, supported by the manufacturers.

We look forward to welcoming you in our Tunbridge Wells Showroom.

Live life

in style

Berkeley Homes has just launched Farmstead, its new gated development in Cranbrook. SO Magazine was allowed a sneak peek around the exclusive 28-property site which boasts a variety of quality houses – all with the dreamiest of interior schemes…

Comprising 28 threeand four-bedroom houses, alongside a fivebedroom farmhouse, Berkeley Home’s new Farmstead development’s properties are inspired by traditional Kentish architecture and set within beautiful mature landscaping.

The homes at Farmstead have been thoughtfully designed, with high-quality internal specifications. Each home benefits from a spacious garden, as well as allocated parking, with provision for electric car charging points. Boasting a rural setting, residents can enjoy three ponds and a communal children’s play area set within additional planting.

Something of a hidden gem, Cranbrook is a quaint town in the heart of Kent, with an abundance of everyday amenities, including an artisanal farm shop selling local produce, a family-owned butcher and a Post Office which is perfect for everyday essentials.

The town offers plenty of places to eat and drink, including the stylish George Hotel & Brasserie,

alongside a suite of boutique cafés and cosy pubs.

Thanks to an array of convenient transport connections, residents at Farmstead will be able to stay closely connected to nearby towns, including Staplehurst and Tunbridge Wells, with the bus stop located just 0.1 miles away. From Staplehurst station residents will be able to reach London Bridge in under an hour thanks to frequent and direct rail services.

Prices start at £630,000 for a three-bedroom house.

For more on Farmstead visit: farmsteadtannersbrook. co.uk.

If

Marching on to

This month our gardening correspondent Tim Sykes of Gardenproud embraces all that the start of spring has to offer in the garden…

We have reached that time of year. The daffs are out and those lucky enough to have a swathe in their garden will be rewarded with a fantastic display.

The rest of us can be assured of similar vistas with the many stunning opportunities we have in Kent and East Sussex to enjoy this early spring flower. In my very own village of Matfield we are treated to the ‘golden welcome back home’ as the annual Narcissi show lines the banks of the village pond.

Condé Nast Traveller listed the orchard at Sissinghurst Castle among its prettiest daffodil fields in the UK along with the wonderful display around the moat at Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst; the fields of gold erupting in the orchards at Ightham Moat near Sevenoaks, and the sight to behold that is the annual daffodil display at Nymans, Sussex.

These are just a few of the daffodil-infused attractions we have close to hand and I’m sure you all treasure your own memories of these very special flowers planted elsewhere too.

Many authors have been inspired, including William Wordsworth:-

“I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er Vales and Hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of dancing daffodils; Along the lake, beneath the trees, Ten thousand dancing in the breeze.”

Evocative stuff, eh? Well you can create your own kind of visual poetry in your very own

garden by planning a display of daffodils for 2024. Or why not enhance your terrace this year with some stunning planters and pots featuring these beauties?

There are whole host of varieties you can chose from. In fact there are 40-200 different species and over 32,000 cultivars registered. To help guide us through this myriad of choices the good old RHS have developed a classification of 13 different types of daffodils. To find out more visit: www.rhs.org.uk/ plants/pdfs/plant-registrationforms/daffhortclass.pdf

In the UK the most popular choices include, King Alfred: a yellow variety that is almost guaranteed to succeed and multiply each year. Early Bride: a white flower head and yellow trumpet distinguish this popular choice and Camelot: a pretty yellow flared flower and deep yellow cup with a serrated rim give this variety its signature.

For me the prettiest varieties include: Tête-à-Tête, a delicate flower if ever there was one and a dwarf variety that looks the business in pots and planters; Sailboat, the white outer petals of these beauties are swept back as if in the wind and the central trumpet changes from bright yellow to cream with age. And lastly Thalia which is one of the oldest known hybrids this pretty white Narcissus grows to about 35cm.

Most unusual is Rip Van Winkle – a dwarf variety with double yellow flowers that form a spikey star-like shape. It’s amazing as a companion to other taller options, or bunched into courtyard pots.

“Condé Nast Traveller listed the orchard at Sissinghurst Castle among its prettiest daffodil fields in the UK”

Narcissus Spoirot is a white petticoat daffodil and its dainty flower heads create a real talking point!

Key suppliers to look out for when daffodil planning include:

Sarah Raven

www.sarahraven.com

Ashridge Nurseries www.ashridgetrees.co.uk

Farmer Gracy www.farmergracy.co.uk

Harts Nursery www.hartsnursery.co.uk

It’s also a good idea to check out

The Daffodil Society at www.thedaffodilsociety.com

So, what are you waiting for? Go and visit a daff display this March or April and then start thinking about how you can pop some early spring planting ideas into your garden. What could make you happier?

For further information, or for some interesting ideas on how you can integrate daffodils into your planting scheme contact Tim Sykes on 07725 173820, or visit www.gardenproud.co.uk

If the ground is dry plant dormant dahlia tubers at the end of the month

Sow hardy annuals into dry soil

Plant Evergreen shrubs towards the end of the month

Photo © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

The great escape

With such a successful and blossoming business on their hands Nicky and Rowena have a team to help share the load. Based in their new office in Canterbury, their colleagues include property managers, experienced owner-managers, digital marketing specialists and an inhouse photographer. Nicky and Rowena are responsible for liaising directly with owners and are out seeing houses, meeting owners and offering their consultancy services. About 10% of the Bloom Stays houses are managed directly by the Bloom Stays team with the rest run hand in hand with owners.

Bloom Stays, the independent holiday and short stay specialists for Kent and new sponsors of SO Magazine’s travel section, reveal why their luxury properties are ideal for all kinds of breaks. From stylish boltholes for city breaks to chic coastal pads and grand country houses for getaways with family and friends, there really is something for everyone to enjoy...

So here we are…sponsors of SO Magazine’s Travel section and what a pleasure it is to welcome you to these pages of exciting ideas and adventures ahead for 2023! Kent is such a fantastic place with its wild coastlines, beautiful rolling rural countryside, exciting oldbut- bursting- with- modern life towns and cities and brilliant connections. We know Kent inside out and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Beach houses, city apartments or rural homes, Bloom Stays welcomes everyone to the Garden of England. Founded and run by Rowena and Nicky, Bloom Stays looks after the best holiday homes in Kent.

Nicky and Rowena started Bloom Stays in 2019 because they wanted to create a holiday letting agency that stood out from the crowd. Together they would offer brilliant service for guests and owners alike whilst the houses they wanted to look after would always be somewhere truly special to stay.

Bloom Stays now has 100 special

www.bloomstays.com

@bloom.stays

houses that it offers for self-catering stays in Kent. Houses with pools, hot tubs, games rooms, cinema rooms, sea views, shepherds’ huts, treehouses and huge, huge kitchens are just some of what you can find under the Bloom Stays’ collective roof. The houses, all exclusive to Bloom Stays, sleep from 2 to 44 people, are available all year round and look and feel like a boutique hotel with their superior standards of luxury and finish. This means excellent quality linens and bedding; coffee machines; entertainment ‘in house’ such as board games and pool tables; indulgent bathrooms and beautiful gardens.

‘Local’, ‘lovely’ and ‘looked after’ are Bloom Stays’ watch words and that applies to the houses – and owners – too. Just as guests love to stay in Bloom Stays’ houses, Rowena and Nicky want their owners to be supported by the best service they can offer. Holiday houses require careful and regular maintenance, sound financial planning and a good eye. Good looks are essential for a great return after all and Bloom Stays

houses are known for their keen sense of design and style.

All this takes steady and experienced hands which Nicky and Rowena are known for. After many years in the industry, both women are well qualified to spot the best in a holiday house and advise exactly on how to maximise returns. As they told SO Magazine recently, “We have carved out a name for ourselves in overseeing every aspect of letting. We’ve been busy these last three years implementing our vision around excellent service and a collection of ‘extras’ for guests that really make self-catering a special experience right here in Kent.”

And why is Bloom Stays only in Kent? Well, because both Nicky and Rowena both know and we love it here and it has plenty to offer. Two hours from London means our guests love the accessibility, but they also have its natural beauty, space and landscapes ranging from vines to the coast; rural lanes, hop gardens, orchards and ancient city streets. Even Britain’s only desert at Dungeness falls in Bloom Stays’ our patch, not many counties can offer all that, can they?

Although many of Bloom Stays’ houses are on the Kent coast, with Folkestone, Dungeness, Broadstairs and Canterbury all popular with current owners, Nicky and Rowena are always keen to get to know houses and owners situated across the county. SO Magazine’s heartland of Tunbridge Wells and the Kent/Sussex border is really interesting to Bloom Stays right now as they want to offer guests a good range of rural and townbased properties particularly for Londoners looking for weekends away. If any SO Magazine readers with suitable properties are keen to talk to Nicky and Rowena ahead of the coming ‘staycation summer’, then please get in touch.

Tunbridge Wells and its outlying villages are hugely important to Londoners looking to explore a like-minded, sophisticated, cosmopolitan town. Holiday houses here and along the Kent/Sussex border are in demand and with a good range of cultural festivals in 2023 springing up here, there are many great reasons to stay. Being Canterbury locals Nicky and Rowena have yet to experience Tunbridge Wells’ Pub in the Park food festival but they’re keen to get stuck in and they’re going to look up the Black Deer Festival, also in July. Another great reason for them, and their guests, to spend more time in West Kent this summer.

“Tunbridge Wells and the Kent and Sussex border is really interesting to Bloom Stays right now as they want to offer guests a good range of rural and town-based properties”

Take a punt on Cambridge

Karen Martin visits the historic city of Cambridge to discover its timeless charm…

The city centre of Cambridge buzzes with the sound of chatter in multiple languages from throughout the world. A cultural and historic hub, the ancient city’s academic heart pulses with the youthful intellect of the most gifted students on the planet.

A lucky few make the exodus from the excellent schools in Tunbridge Wells to rub shoulders with the brightest and best of our time and follow in the footsteps of Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking.

Town and gown, student and tourist jostle for space in this compact architectural gem. Archaic customs, quaint and

English, are combined with cutting edge tech, big pharmaceutical firms and ground-breaking research and development to create a thriving global community. Its foundations are built on a past traced back to Roman times and a present focused on innovating for a better future.

OLD AND NEW

A mile from the historic honeyed limestone colleges and quads of Cambridge University is a new building providing a warm welcome in chic contemporary style and comfort. Built on the site of an old school, The Fellows House is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Constructed during the pandemic, it opened

its doors just as corporate and overseas visitors were starting to shed their masks and step back outside.

Meeting the consistent standards required of travellers familiar with Hilton Hotels, The Fellows House is a haven of practical luxury. Different types of ‘aparthotel’ accommodation range from standard hotel rooms to suites with kitchen facilities and adjoining rooms. These work for visiting families or executives needing serviced accommodation with the perks of a hotel.

There’s a gym, quiet because it’s for residents only, a lovely pool, sauna and steam room and the heated outdoor Fellows Garden is a tranquil quad accessed from meeting rooms, the restaurant and the spa. Self-contained rooms and hotel facilities make The Fellows House a home away from home

“Like the gondoliers of Venice, the punters on the Cam drift silently through a city, past places where history was made”

with extras.

The menu in the Folio Kitchen includes vegan dishes and suits international palates. Cocktails and small plates are served in the Folio Bar. The Sage coffee shop is the domain of a talented pastry chef who produces vegan, eggfree, gluten-free and sugar-free sweet treats. Who thought there was such a thing?

OPEN DAYS

Cambridge is less than two hours’ drive away from West Kent, steeped in history, full of great bars, restaurants and shops and surrounded by beautiful countryside and idyllic villages. As a weekend break, it’s a destination that ticks lots of boxes.

If you happen to have a smart, aspirational child who has A level predictions which might just get them a sought after place at Cambridge University, the open days on 6-7 July and 15 September 2023 are opportunities to access all areas of the hallowed halls and dreaming spires of Oxbridge.

ART AND SCIENCE

Cambridge is a university campus that happens to be a city. Its 800-year academic history has elevated it above a typical market town like, say, Chelmsford or Maidstone. The Fitzwilliam Museum is a jewel of a collection of more than half a million works of art and historic artefacts to rival the greatest of London museums.

Archaeology, anthropology, zoology, botanics, science and modern art are all represented in University of Cambridge Museums and Botanic Garden

Peterhouse College was created in 1284 and Henry VIII founded Trinity College, putting Cambridge at the forefront of achievement which it remains to this day. (www.museums.cam.ac.uk). But you’ll need more than a weekend to get around it!

Taking a punt is the way to get the best view of Cambridge. The river Cam gave its name to the city and winds through green fields, past churches, chapels and courtyards. Bicycles (and now motorised scooters) duck and dive over cobbles and along lanes past throngs of strolling visitors.

Out on the river, punters pole through shallow, timeless waters, an unmissable experience for the visitors drawn to this special place. Like the gondoliers of Venice, the punters on the Cam drift silently through a city, past places where history was made.

Rooms at The Fellows House are available from £174. www.hilton. com/en/hotels/stncaqq-the-fellowshouse-cambridge

“A mile from the historic honeyed limestone of Cambridge University’s colleges and quads is The Fellows House hotel, which provides a warm welcome in chic contemporary style and comfort”

Gold standard

Katie Wright attended the star-studded opening of Atlantis The Royal – the hotly-anticipated hotel in Dubai

Hush descends across the crowd of 1,500 impossibly welldressed guests as the house lights go down and Beyoncé rises up through the floor of her specially built outdoor stage, silhouetted against the behemoth that is Atlantis The Royal, the latest awe-inspiring property to crop up on the Dubai skyline.

Resplendent in a canary yellow sequinned gown, honey blonde locks wafting in the breeze from her own personal wind machine, the pop star smiles as she surveys the enraptured audience, which includes Jay Z (of course), Kendall Jenner, actor Rebel Wilson, One Direction’s Liam Payne, Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright, and Marvin and Rochelle Humes.

“At laaaaaaaast…” croons the singer, flanked by dancers and an orchestra clad in ruby red, strings swelling as she begins a rendition of the Etta James classic. “My looooove has come along…”

Normally, this would be the point

where everyone thrusts their mobile phones into the air, eager to capture footage proving they were there to witness the most in-demand artist on the planet taking to the stage for an extremely rare, private show.

Not tonight. At the request of Beyoncé (so we’re told) it’s no phones allowed, with branded zipup pouches handed out to stow our devices and strict instructions issued that anyone caught filming will be ejected immediately (some sneaky clips do end up online, however).

The 17-song, three-costume concert culminates in Queen Bey sashaying down a runway and being raised 16 feet in the air, showing off her vocal acrobatics over the final strains of fan favourite Drunk In Love, before a colossal fireworks display explodes across the night sky (we’re allowed our phones out for this bit) and DJ trio Swedish House Mafia take over.

Only a global megastar like Beyoncé would do for a grand reveal of these proportions, according to

Only a global megastar like Beyoncé would do for a grand reveal of these proportions

the hotel’s managing director Tim Kelly.

“It’s really a night of icons,” he tells me a few hours before the internet-breaking gig, relaxing on the terrace of an $8,000 USD a night penthouse on the 17th floor (a bargain compared to the Royal Mansion where Beyoncé and family were stationed, reportedly the most expensive suite on earth at $100,000 USD a night).

“In all the years of the openings I’ve been a part of in Las Vegas, in Macau, and now here in Dubai, this has never been done before.”

Eight years in the making and billed as ‘the world’s most ultraluxury resort’, The Royal is situated just a stone’s throw from celebrity stalwart Atlantis The Palm, on one of the ‘branches’ of the manmade

Palm Islands. Why so close to its sister property?

“Atlantis The Palm has been a great success, and it will continue to be a great success, but we wanted to complement it,” Kelly explains. “So it was coming up with a design and a concept and that wouldn’t cannibalise or compete against The Palm.”

Hoping to attract a younger, techsavvy crowd, the sleek, 795-room resort was curated around an ‘inside looking out’ theme, with magnificent vistas at every turn.

“Today, we have this digitally native generation that walks around, that documents moments, that shares those moments,” Kelly continues.

“You walk through the resort, you’re greeted by waterfalls,

you’re greeted by flames infused in glass, you’re greeted by these beautiful sculptures… but it’s a different, modern and very sophisticated presentation. That’s why we’re special.”

When it comes to luxury, the devil is in the detail, and no expense has been spared kitting out the guest rooms (one of the most talked about elements among the first VIPs to spend the night was the golden bathroom amenities made by British jewellers Graff) and securing a stellar dining line-up.

The hotel has a spa, four aquariums, four bars, a night club, a helipad and two kilometres of white sand beach

them – have opened outposts in the hotel, which also boasts a spa, four aquariums, four bars, a night club, a helipad, two kilometres of white sand beach and access for all guests to Aquaventure, the world’s largest waterpark.

Central dining area Gastronomy operates like the all-day, allyou-can-eat-and-drink buffet brunches typical of Dubai, with a vast array of breakfast delights served until midday and a rotating selection of the aforementioned chefs’ offerings come dinner time.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRIP

To be one of the first to stay at Atlantis

The Royal, guests can make a reservation at atlantistheroyal. com. Reservations are now open for stays from February 10 onwards. Rooms start at £800.

A host of celebrity chefs – Heston Blumenthal, Nobu Matsuhisa and Jose Andres among

Blumenthal has also opened his inaugural cocktail bar, where signature drinks are paired

with snack-sized portions of the British chef’s most famous culinary inventions, such as ‘meat fruit’, a serving of chicken liver parfait that looks like a satsuma.

Moët & Chandon was flowing freely on opening night, and the champagne brand has even installed a vending machine by the Royal’s main swimming pool, dolling out mini bottles of bubbly to sunbathers.

With even A-listers marvelling at the extravagance of the grand unveiling – ‘A weekend that’s going to be embedded in my mind forever’ wrote Michelle Keegan on Instagram – it’s safe to say the newest jewel in Dubai’s crown lives up to the hype.

Chances are you’ll be seeing a lot more of Atlantis The Royal on your social media feeds in future, as celebs and holidaymakers flock to experience the regal resort for themselves.

FIRST DRIVE:

were with the larger EQS. Because the car’s design is so dictated by aerodynamics, it’s free from any noticeable styling elements such as grilles, or even cut-outs. This pebble-like look separates it from the rest of the Mercedes range and doesn’t have an awful lot to tie it to some of the firm’s classic models. You could be hard-pressed to tell it’s a Mercedes from certain angles, in truth. That said, styling is always down to the individual. It certainly looks futuristic, and makes you aware it isn’t a conventionally-powered car.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

Thanks to its clever EV-bespoke underpinnings, the EQE is able to offer far more space than you might expect. Rear-seat legroom is good, as a result, though headroom may prove to be a little tight for taller passengers. There are plenty of USB-C charging points too, so there shouldn’t be too many

Mercedes EQE

The EQE is one of the latest electric models to enter the Mercedes range. Jack Evans takes it for a spin…

WHAT IS IT?

Mercedes isn’t hanging around when it comes to electric vehicles –kicking things off with the EQC in 2019, with the arrival of the EQS saloon soon after. And now this, the EQE.

It’s effectively the smallest battery-powered saloon you can get with a three-pronged star on the front, acting as an electric alternative to the ever-popular E-Class.

The EQE is equipped with the same kind of next-generation technology you get in the tip-top EQS too, but it’s smaller and a little more user-friendly as a result.

WHAT’S NEW?

From the outside at least, you can see the direction Mercedes is going.

The EQE really is a ‘baby’ EQS, with curved sections and a very aerodynamically-efficient design overall. Inside, we’ve got space for five people and, because of the flat floor, a little more legroom than you might expect from a car this size.

It’s also kitted out with rapid charging capability, so a 10-80% charge can be conducted in as little as 32 minutes when hooked up to a suitably speedy charger.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

The EQE will be available with a variety of powertrain options. The one we’re checking out utilises a

single electric motor, which sends 288bhp and 565Nm of torque to the rear wheels. Mercedes quotes a 0-60mph time of 6.2 seconds too, alongside a top speed of 130mph. Courtesy of a 90kWh battery, the EQE is accompanied by a claimed range of between 356 and 394 miles, putting it towards the top-end of current EVs when it comes to outright distance between trips to the plug.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Mercedes has definitely managed to filter down some of that whisper-quiet quality that you get in its S-Class to the EQE. The absence of any kind of powertrain rumble means that EVs are naturally susceptible to squeaks and rattles being more noticeable, but there’s none of this here.

The electric motor is smooth and responsive, while the fitment of air suspension on our test car made for a super-soft ride. On the motorway, the EQE feels nicely refined and only low levels of road and wind noise are noticeable. You’re also able to activate a special sound which plays on the outside of the car when travelling at slower speeds, too; it’s quite space-age and definitely ensures that the EQE makes an entrance.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

We’re still a little on the fence about the EQE’s looks, much as we

FACTS AT A GLANCE

MODEL: Mercedes EQE

MODEL AS TESTED: EQE 350 Exclusive Luxury

PRICE AS TESTED: £89,345

ENGINE: Electric motor

POWER: 288bhp

TORQUE: 565Nm

0-60MPH: 6.2 seconds

TOP SPEED: 130mph

RANGE: 356-394 miles

CO2 EMISSIONS: 0g/km

arguments about who gets to topup their smartphone in the back seats.

In terms of boot space, the EQE is able to offer up to 430 litres with the seats in place or 895 litres with them down. It’s quite a bit less than you’ll find in the BMW i4 one of the EQE’s main rivals –which brings 470 and 1,290 litres respectively.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

Prices for the EQE kick off from £76,450 here in the UK, with entry-level AMG Line cars getting plenty of standard equipment including a full sports styling package, 19-inch alloy wheels and a panoramic roof. Heated seats and privacy glass are among the sizeable list of included features, too.

Our car, in Exclusive Luxury specification, bumped the price up to £89,354 after options, but added features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. All cars have a 12.8-inch media display as standard, however, which is one of the largest about. It’s packed full of functions and connectivity options but, when coupled with a lot of interior lighting, can prove to be a little distracting at night.

VERDICT

The EQE feels like a natural next step in the Mercedes electrified journey. It’s comfortable, refined and quiet, while it also brings the kind of performance you’d expect. It’s more expensive than an equivalent E-Class, that’s for sure, but then it does feel more premium and upmarket both inside and out. Though its looks may be up for discussion, you can’t fault the EQE’s on-board tech nor the way it manages to deliver a similar experience to the one you’d get from a much larger – and more expensive model.