Portfolio Magazine, June 2017

June 2017

Tea Party WIN! Afternoon tea with a twist at My Brighton Hotel Cake baking with Lorraine Pascal

Al fresco dining and pick of the best garden furniture

Brighton & Hove’s best homes New apartments Collection

DESIGNER ISSUE Inside Meg Ryan’s cool New York loft Interior design tips Plus Gresham Blake’s Brighton Tartan

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PORTFOLIO welcome

"Any body is a beach body – just take your body to the beach for heaven’s sake" Hill House, page 7

"Seagulls are now high on the agenda as pests, particularly when attacking surveyors on roof tops!"

Interview, page 57

"We urbanites are well practiced at getting the most out of the smallest outside space" Interiors, page 80

WELCOME

I

f you’re looking for design inspiration, then you’ve come to the right place. This month’s issue is packed full of cool design features – from local business entrepreneur Gresham Blake’s new Brighton Tartan, to Brighton Architects ARCH-angels’ beautiful renovation of a 20th-century Brighton family home and actor Meg Ryan’s cool loft project in New York’s trendy Soho district. We also share some of the professionals’ interior design tips for our own more modest homes.

We are all creatures of habit at this time of year. With the first sign of summer we are out tidying the garden, cleaning the barbecue and then all pouring into the local garden centres for the first bedding plants. It is therefore fitting that we next turn our attention to our garden furniture. For that alfresco dining experience, we’ll need to upgrade those straight-back wooden chairs or picnic benches for something a little more, well, designer. So, head to page 80 for more advice and inspiration on this year’s must-have garden furniture.

It’s a busy month in our City if you’re out and about. Check out our special Calendar pages, on page 32, which this month have expanded to cover all the highlights in our region in June.

We also have a great competition in this issue: win afternoon tea for two, with a cheeky cocktail, at My Brighton hotel (page 42).

Finally, and still on the baking theme, check out Lorraine Pascal’s mouth-watering recipe for Courgette & lemon drizzle loaf with pistachio from her latest book ‘Bake’ (page 93).

So, ready, steady BAKE!

Image: Gold Leaf Plant Pots/ MiaFleur, www.miafleur.com/gold-leaf-plant-pots

Lynne Edwards Managing Director

"I love a bacon sandwich with lots of brown sauce and a nice runny egg on the side!"

Food, page 88

INSIDE 7

8 15 Competition, page 42

ARCH-angels, page 8

Architecture : Room to live from ARCH-angels Architects Celebrity Homes : Meg Ryan’s designer New York loft

24

Property News

32 39

Calendar : Out and about in June

42

Up(cycling), page 66

The smallest room in The Hill House and Home Truths in search of a beach body

Talk Money : Make time for your finances COVER STORY : WIN! Afternoon tea with a twist

43 49

What’s Trending

52

Escape to the country : walk through Steyning, Chanctonbury and Washington

57

Welcome to my World : M.D. & Chartered Surveyor Jim Plant BSc (Hons), FRICS

65

Alter & Co : Public art reflecting a community

66

Our new home in Hove : Foster & Co estate agents

Do it yourself : The only way is up(cycling)

For all advertising, editorial and general enquiries contact Lynne Edwards, Managing Director

Search @PortfolioMagUK for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

07931 537588

lynne@portfoliopublications.co.uk www.portfoliopublications.co.uk

Subscribe to our newsletter Cover Image: The Corcoran Group TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.

The Fig Tree, page 90

Interiors, page 80

69 76 78

80

On the drawing board : Get on the professionals’ map Home tips : Create an interior design scheme Cliffside luxury : Interior design project in Cape Town.

Interiors : Trends in outdoor furniture

85

Health : Early help for the problem drinker

86 88

Style : Gresham Blake’s Brighton Tartan

90

Bite-sized : City’s food & drink news Restaurant review : The Fig Tree, Hurstpierpoint

93

Celebrity recipe : Baking with Lorraine Pascal

96 98

Motors : Veteran cars special event

100 102

104

Bigger Picture : Looking forward to Tomorrow’s World Local news from around the city Golf Guy : Getting match fit Interview : Captain America Chris Evans Chris Evans, page 104

The PORTFOLIO team Production Editor: Fiona McTernan portfoliomagazineproduction@gmail.com

Chief Sub-Editor & Features Editor: Daniel Frickelton portfoliomagazineeditorial@gmail.com Contributing Editor: Tara de la Motte tara@sussex-homes.co.uk

Designer: Sally Wynn portfoliopublications@dollydesigns.co.uk Contributor: Kate Hill Published by:

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

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EXPERT column

THE HILL HOUSE

T

he smallest room. The water closet.

The john. Loo, bog, toilet or little girls’ / boys’ room, whatever you call it, every home has one – and every home with children undoubtedly needs two. At least.

Our terrace was built in the mid-1880s on the old Stanford Estate, and the internal toilets, claw-footed bath (we discovered its lovely feet beneath some sad and sorry panelling) and fancy plasterwork told us that the row of 13 houses was intended for the new well-to-do middle classes. So well-to-do, in fact, that the pre-renovation Hill house had not one but two original Victorian toilets. One was situated in a tiny room at the end of the old kitchen, next to a cracked and stained butler sink. The other was upstairs, next to the bathroom, in a cubbyhole that for reasons unknown had lino-covered walls – beneath which, even more mysteriously, sat a layer of 1930s Radio Times.

Before you imagine we live in one of Brighton’s fancier areas, be assured it has gone downhill around here since the 1880s. Most other houses in the terrace had lost the downstairs loo by the time we moved in; two houses down it had been removed to make room for a door to the undergarden bomb shelter in the 1930s; next door had simply taken the space for granite worktop and a washing machine.

Our house retained most of its original

features because it only had two or three owners in its long life. The owner before us – a local artist - purchased it in the early 1950s, added a few radiators and some wallpaper in the back bedroom, then allowed the place to slip into a state of benign neglect for the next halfcentury before popping his clogs at the kitchen table. And that’s how we found it – vintage wallpaper, lino, doddery loos and all.

"The new toilets are sleek and discreet. If a toilet can be chic, I expect they are.

And they’re so eco-friendly in their low water use that they’re irritatingly useless" Being over 100 years old, the toilets weren’t particularly handsome to look at. They had old wall-mounted leaky cisterns, rusty pipes, and the lids were long departed. They were ugly, but my goodness, they could flush. And when they did, you would think a train was rattling through the house. Pipes heaved and groaned, water torrented through the system and the ancient floorboards shook – there was nothing discreet about the Victorian water closet.

I’M HUNGRY Have something to eat, then. All I’ve seen you eat for the past week looks like rabbit food – what’s that about?

It’s celery. Summer is coming, I want a beach body, and celery has negative calories.

You want a what? Any body is a beach body – just take your body to the beach for heaven’s sake. And would you like to explain what you mean by negative calories?

I mean – celery will make my body use more calories in digesting it than it contains, therefore negative calories, therefore if I live on celery for a month my new bikini will fit.

Wrong on all counts I’m afraid. Living on one food alone for a month will do you no good at all. We are omnivorous, which means we’re adapted to eat a wide range of food types to keep us healthy. And although celery is a very low-calorie food, its all about the thermic effect: one

As we renovated the house it became clear we couldn’t keep the original toilets.

The downstairs loo broke as we took it out to relocate it. The upstairs loo struggled on for a while, until we discovered that the cast iron soil pipe had rusted through and was leaking into the brickwork: Both had to go.

The new toilets are sleek and discreet. If a toilet can be chic, I expect they are. And they’re so eco-friendly in their low water use that they’re irritatingly useless. To avoid being unnecessarily graphic, a metaphor might work: Where the original loos could be compared to fast-flowing rivers suitable for log driving, their modern counterparts wouldn’t even manage a game of Pooh Sticks. The baby, pets and I cohabit with three sizeable males; a half-hearted flush simply won’t do. The consequences are too alarming.

So the next piece of the Hill House jigsaw will be a new old toilet. The slimline eco-flush upstairs will be replaced by an old fashioned wall-mounted cistern and period loo. The pipes will rattle again, and the sound of a flush in the small hours will cause guests to sit upright in bed, convinced the sky is falling in. It isn’t, of course – it’s just the sound of really good plumbing.

Kate Hill

stalk contains about 6 calories, 1g of carbohydrates and 0.6g of fibre.

The fibre won’t be fully absorbed by your body, but the remainder of the energy it contains will.

According to researchers at the University of Colorado, the number of calories your body burns by eating and digesting food – the ‘thermic effect’ – is about 10% of its daily energy expenditure. Even if its only eating celery.

You mean I’m still getting the calories?

All but 10% of them. Admittedly, in celery that’s very few. You’d need to eat a lot of celery to maintain your weight. But, er, would you really want to?

It hasn’t been an easy week. Are there any negative calorie foods?

Possibly more exciting than celery?

Although its theoretically possible for negative calorie foods to exist, according to the Mayo Clinic there are currently no reputable scientific studies to prove they exist. In fact, protein is the macronutrient that causes your body to burn the most calories. You might be better off with a couple of slices of bacon.

PORTFOLIO 7

ROOM TO LIVE ARCH-angels Architects added an extension to create flexible social space and enjoy the garden at this home in Bavant Road, Brighton. They take us through the project

T

he house at Bavant Road is an early 20th-century family home located in a prime position near Preston Park, Brighton. The clients had previously carried out work to convert the loft, giving the home a larger upstairs, but they lacked a desirable living space to match. The client’s children had all grown up and they wanted space for large family get-togethers and other social occasions.

The Brief: The brief was to create an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area that was not too vast and open to maintain a sense of separate zones for the activities for which they wanted to use

8 PORTFOLIO

the space. The site has a spacious garden and they wanted to maximise the connection to it from the house. Their key aspiration for the property was to make them feel they were sitting in the garden even when the weather didn’t allow.

The Design: ARCH-angels Architects worked with the client to create an extension within Permitted Development (PD) limits so that the design extended by 2.25m, which was enough to create the space they wanted whilst still maintaining a good-sized garden. We selected large slim-framed sliding doors to maximise the visual link. The scale of the doors and

the minimal framework have created almost uninterrupted views to the outside. These doors had to be triple glazed in order to meet Building Regulations on glazing and U values of 0.94W/m2 K. The space is split into three linked but distinct zones for cooking, eating and living. A lighting scheme was developed to create different focal points for different social scenarios. As well as the large sliding doors the client wanted sky lights to bring light into the north east facing space.

The architecture is complimented by a finely crafted bespoke kitchen by Tom Howley, a London-based manufacturer. The kitchen island functions as a cooking and preparation space but also looks like a fine piece of

ARCHITECTURE

furniture, making the space feel welcoming and warm.

In order to achieve this under Permitted Development, Arch-Angels had to specify demolition of the existing rear garage extension to prevent the build being classified as a wrap-around under PD classification, which would require planning. The previous owners had extended the garage, but the current residents did not require the additional space. New French doors from the rear of the garage to the garden maintained a front-to-back access route.

"The brief was to create an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area that was not too vast and open to maintain a sense of separate zones for the activities for which they wanted to use the space"

In conjunction with local contractor Walder Construction, the project went to site in summer 2016. The challenges dealt with by the team were mainly around the large, rear, triple-glazed doors.

These doors were heavy, and their manufacturing time extended far beyond what was initially expected.

Walder Construction had built the space, but the doors had not been delivered and the client had to spend Christmas in a makeshift enclosed space with a temporary kitchen, using the old doors and Plywood sheets to keep the space secure and warm. After Christmas, the doors were delivered and these large, heavy units were fitted in place, finishing off the build perfectly.

The builders were faced with another challenge when matching the pebble dash and brick work with the existing building. The sizing of the bricks and original render were old, and matching the new to it was a challenge, well met by the Walder Construction team.

The result was a very usable and adaptable space with which the clients are happy and love to use. The aspiration of bringing the garden into the house was fulfilled, and all parties are very happy with the final product.

Create your dream home: Contact ARCH-angels Architects Ltd 3 Dorset Place , Brighton BN2 1ST 01273 267 184 | www.aaarchitects.co.uk | Twitter: @ArchAngelsBton

PORTFOLIO  9

LOB:FILE:///3A213A94-C3D7-4F30-9CC6-3896CC610746

EXCEPTIONAL HOMES Outstanding properties in our beautiful part of the world

4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms 1 reception

GATTON PARK LANE

GUIDE PRICE £649,950

A stunning four bedroom, three storey town house situated in a private cul-de-sac on this small, exclusive development known as ‘Moderno’. Ideally located in the Westdene area, popular with families for the excellent local schools, Withdean sports facility and convenient access to shops and transport in and out of Brighton & Hove.

3 bedrooms 1 bathrooms 2 receptions

KINGSWAY

GUIDE PRICE £675,000

A truly superb three double bedroom period home, beautifully presented and appointed throughout.

Occupying an enviable location directly on Kingsway, with truly stunning direct sea and coastal views, this is a lovely property with a particularly warm and comfortable feel making it a perfect home.

FIND MORE PROPERTIES ON MISHONWELTON.COM

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE We will help you find your perfect home in East Sussex

6 bedrooms 3 bathrooms 3 receptions

WESTBOURNE VILLAS

GUIDE PRICE £1,500,000 TO £1,650,000

An exquisite and beautifully appointed 6 bedroom semi detached Victorian home with off road parking situated in central Hove and moments from Hove seafront. Boasting circa 3000 square feet this is a perfect family home. Westbourne Villas is located within a few hundred yards of the Hove seafront and within easy walking distance of the local amenities of Hove City centre.

Honest valuations in current market conditions Ahead of the game marketing strategies

#lifeinBN

Professional photography 3D Virtual Tours Social media marketing Professional printed brochures Top listings on Rightmove, Zoopla Daily sales progression Dedicated lettings team

94 CHURCH ROAD, HOVE BN3 2EB

In-house financial advisors

T: 01273 778 877

First class service from valuation to completion

SALES@MISHONWELTON.COM

CALL 01273 778877 FOR A FREE PROPERTY VALUATION ON YOUR HOME

nashwatson.com

Fine dĂŠcor and many

original features are woven into this wonderful house.

Expansive, beautiful and

sublime, this is a home that makes perfect sense.

FROM HOUSE TO HOME

nashwatson.com

EVENT Open Gardens 2017

“Open up your garden to the public in return for donations to Martlets” 1st June – 31st July 2017 www.themartlets.org.uk/event/open-gardens-2017

CELEBRITY homes

MEG RYAN’S SOHO LOFT Meg Ryan’s gorgeous SoHo loft is for sale and we take a sneaky peak inside

F

rom a jock hangout to one of the most sophisticated and dramatic apartments in New York’s Soho neighbourhood, interior designer and actress Meg Ryan has done it again.

Having purchased the bachelor pad from “The Simpsons’” Hank Azaria in 2014, Meg had the ability to visually block out the massive gym, animal skins thrown over dining room chairs, too much ‘70s shag carpeting and imagine how rooms could be re-purposed and re-structured. She identified the bones and how they could be adjusted to get the best flow for today’s lifestyle.

PORTFOLIO 15

BEAUTIFUL homes

16  PORTFOLIO

CELEBRITY homes

Featured multiple times in both “Architectural Digest” and “Elle Decor” for the nine homes she has decorated, Meg’s sense of style has been recognized by the best in the business. She told “Architectural Digest” that her enthusiasm for interior decorating comes from the need to express herself rather than a character in a film that expresses someone else’s vision.

"Featured multiple times in both “Architectural Digest” and “Elle Decor” for the nine homes she has decorated, Meg’s sense of style has been recognised by the best in the business" Encompassing a full floor of a converted warehouse, the 4,100-square-foot SoHo loft co-op has three bedrooms, three baths and is accessed by a key-lock elevator. Some of the prewar details include a long entry gallery bathed in light from the large windows spanning the space, seven architectural columns, 12-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling French doors. Meg added a Victorian decorative fireplace in the dining room and the original narrow-board wood floors have been refinished with an ebony stain. Prior to the onset of actual decorating, Meg re-purposed and re-configured much of the loft, enlarging the kitchen, re-configuring the new master suite, which was previously the huge gym, switched out the dining room that had formerly been the master bedroom, resized bathrooms and added a plethora of closets, storage and built-ins. Once the loft was completely gutted and built out, Meg went with a sophisticated city theme of dark color, contrasting textures and a glass wall with French doors between the living room and dining room. Brick walls were left exposed in the media room. The new open and airy kitchen is stocked with high-end appliances and leans toward more French design.

Meg Ryan, America’s sweetheart in “When Harry Met Sally,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “You’ve Got Mail” and director of “Fan Girl” and “Ithaca,” has put her elegant Soho loft on the market priced at $10.9 million. The listing agent is Barbara Hochhauser, associate broker with The Corcoran Group.

Photo credit: The Corcoran Group Visit TopTenRealEstateDeals.com for more historic, celebrity and spectacular homes and real estate news.

PORTFOLIO 17

www.hamptons.co.uk

Kingsway, Hove £1,700pcm A fantastic two bedroom raised ground floor garden apartment located on Hove seafront with sea views. EPC D

Fonthill Road, Hove £2,250 Wonderful family home close to Hove Park & Station with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. EPC D

Stafford Road, Brighton £2,750pcm A fantastic five bedroom family home ideally located for schools & Brighton Station. EPC E

Sussex Square, Brighton £2,900pcm An exceptional quality Grade I listed three bedroom apartment on Sussex Square. EPC C

Hamptons International Estate Agents Hove Sales. 01273 796 061 | Lettings. 01273 796 159

Many of our sales go on behind closed doors.

Many of the properties we are offering can be found on our website, but often, at our sellers’ request, they are not. Instead, they are ‘quietly marketed’ and sold without ever being openly marketed. So if you’re looking for that next rather special home and want a full view of the market, please do contact us to discuss your needs. We will handle your request with discretion and professionalism.

Hamptons Brighton & Hove 82 Church Rd, Brighton, Hove BN3 2EB Sales. 01273 796 157 brighton@hamptons-int.com Lettings. 01273 796 159 brightonlettings@hamptons-int.com hamptons.co.uk Please dial in full. If you have already appointed another agent, you may be subject to a restrictive contract.

TWISTER TIME

FLY A KITE This traditional diamond kite is a 70 x 60cm fabric kite with a beautiful bow trail tail.

Presented in a gift box, this will provide great fun for all ages. The kite comes flat packed with full instructions to get you flying quickly and safely and has easy assembly.

Traditional kits, £6.95. www.dotcomgiftshop.com

CLASSIC GAME A colourfully boxed boules set containing six balls and one jack ball makes a great summer time gift. Boules is an all time classic garden game which will provide perfect entertainment for any garden party or holiday fun. A summer afternoon favourite.

Boxed Boules, £19.95. www.annabeljames.co.uk

MUST HAVES With summer comes playtime for children of all ages. These classic games and activities are fun for big and little kids alike

Combining the fun of twister, with the delicious tradition of picnics. The cosy fleece blanket with waterproof backing is specifically designed for outdoor use. Soft and comfortable to sit on, you can enjoy a sophisticated lunch with friends then when the sandwiches are all devoured, you get to play this classic party game.

Twister Picnic Blanket , £17.95. www.red5.co.uk

BOAT HOUSE The small Children’s Boat Play House Tent is the perfect seaside pad for girls and boys alike – with a beautiful sail boat, lighthouse, deckchair – even a cup of tea awaits! This is a fabulous addition to your child’s bedroom or playroom. Easy to assemble with a light metal frame. The playhouse also comes with a Canvas storage bag so you can put it away.

Small Play House, £159.99. www.cuckooland.com

A RURAL IDYLL... in the middle of Brighton!

The best of both worlds? This beautiful Arts & Crafts house is set in secluded woodlands and yet only 10 minutes from central Hove

E

ver heard of Withdean Woods? Neither had the owner of this gorgeous Arts & Crafts house when she moved to Brighton & Hove from the countryside. She was sure she’d have to give up her acres of woodland to live in the city and be closer to her kids’ schools. So she was delighted to find Wayland House, sitting in the middle of 3 acres of beautiful Withdean Woods! The house is wonderfully secluded and “... it feels like you’re in the middle of the countryside...” under 10 minutes from central Hove. It’s fantastically unique in this aspect; where else in Brighton & Hove would you find anything like it?

"Withdean Woods envelop the house, providing a wild, natural space to escape daily life" And it’s not just the unique position that makes it so special – the house is enchanting!

Built in the Arts & Crafts period, it has charm and character in spades, with abundant space and light. The period backdrop of original wood features, gorgeous fireplaces and updated leaded windows give the house warmth and texture, whilst the modern interior decoration and furnishings are considered and thoughtfully incorporated.

Although it was a beautiful house in a captivating setting, it needed some serious TLC. So its new owner entirely renovated and remodelled, taking it back to the bare bones, restoring it to its former glory and enlarging it. What she’s created is a highspec, beautifully finished family home, including bespoke maple & walnut Chislewood open-plan kitchen-diner with Miele appliances and La Cornue range cooker, generous sitting room and separate drawing room with doors out onto the patio and garden.

The master bedroom has an extraordinary vaulted ceiling, dressing room and superb en-suite bathroom and there are further ample bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. In addition a large separate double garage with studio flat above has been loved by her teenage boys and visiting relatives and guests. It is wired up for use as home office, or would be a great home gym. The 3 acres of Withdean Woods envelop the house, providing a wild, natural space to escape daily life. It really is a private little oasis of peace and tranquillity. So, a country house in the middle of Brighton? Improbable yes, but not impossible it seems!

To view Wayland House please get in touch with Hamptons, Hove on 01273 796157.

The asking price for this gorgeous slice of the “countryside” is £2,850,000.

PORTFOLIO 21

01273 777123 goldinlemcke.com

Bishops Road, Hove

£1,100,000

A most attractive detached family house, together with a truly lovely landscaped • Fabulous South/West Aspect south/west facing rear garden and heated swimming pool, within a sought after • Beautiful Garden • No Chain Involved residential location and with planning permission for further enlargement.

FIND US 160-162 Church Road Hove East Sussex BN3 2DL

email

property@goldinlemcke.com

selling homes In Brighton & Hove since 2002

Woodruff Avenue, Hove A substantial and impressive detached family home occupying a prominent corner position behind automatic electric gates, in this sought after residential location.

£1,295,000 • Impressive Proportions • Pristine Decorative Condition • Potential For Loft Conversion (STNC)

Meadow Close, Hove A spacious detached chalet bungalow, standing in large well established gardens, with planning permission to convert into an impressive and striking double fronted detached family residence (BH2016/06188), situated in a sought after residential cul-de-sac.

Dyke Road Avenue, Hove A beautiful detached house located in arguably Hove’s most sought after roads. Internal inspection is essential to fully appreciate the true qualities of this home; especially its rear garden, which takes full advantage of the favoured south/west aspect.

£950,000 - £1,000,000 • First Class Location • Potential For Substantial Family Home • No Chain Involved

£1,299,995 • Superior Residential Location • Set Back From Road • No Chain Involved

PROPERTY news

PROPERTY NEWS BANK OF MUM AND DAD FUND HOME IMPROVEMENTS The latest research from Plentific.com, an online home service marketplace, has found that financial help from the Bank of Mum and Dad isn’t just limited to purchasing a property; it also extends to improving the home. A fifth of homeowners (18%) say they rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad to help finance home improvements, while 19% admit that their parents physically help them to carry out DIY. Plentific’s findings show that 26% of homebuyers across the UK now receive financial aid from the Bank of Mum and Dad when purchasing a property. This number increases dramatically amongst younger homeowners, with 58% of respondents under 34 admitting to receiving financial help from their parents.

Stephen Jury, Spokesperson for Plentific, said: “Our statistics really highlight the struggles young people face when buying or renovating a property. Whilst buying a cheaper property that needs work may seem like a good option, the number of young people receiving financial and physical help from their parents with renovations projects is quite alarming.”

SEMINAR The next BHEAA seminar, which is sponsored by PORTFOLIO magazine, will be held at The Sussex County Cricket Ground, Wednesday 21st June, 4pm-6pm (Dining Room, Spen Cama Pavilion) Ian Colban MARLA will be speaking at the event. Ian Colban is a property professional who has worked in the property industry for over 30 years. Originally from a financial advisory background, Ian moved into lettings back in 2005 and since then has worked across most aspects of lettings to his current position as Branch Manager for Leaders in Chichester. For the past five years Ian has been the Sussex representative for ARLA and has seen the organisation grow and evolve significantly in that time.

Ian will focus on the most recent update from ARLA, covering the potential affect of the general election and the tenant fee ban. Ian will also be touching on the re-branding to Propertymark and the upcoming awareness campaign.

High attendance levels are anticipated for this facinating seminar. Therefore, as there are only a limited number of spaces available, please contact Maria Vrahnaki to reserve your place today. mvrahnaki@mishonmackay.com 01273 606076 – Option 2

24 PORTFOLIO

FOSTER & CO LAUNCH It was party time in Hove last month as customers, colleagues, friends and associates of Edward Foster and his team all gathered at new bar Libation.

The team at Portfolio magazine also went along, and were treated to a special evening of champagne and canapes in celebration of their recent opening of the new estate agency service in The Drive Hove.

The trio of agents has over 20 years of combined experience. They believe that a personal touch is absolutely essential and aim to bring this to the whole home-buying experience by offering a more relaxed and friendlybut-professional approach with exceptional levels of customer service as their number-one priority. www.fosterandcoestateagents.co.uk

PROPERTY news

PLAYING THE LONG GAME

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT RISK ASSESSMENT Hidden factors can also significantly affect a property’s value, and one of those is the future developments opportunity. At the beginning of this year the UK Government announced ambitious plans to build more homes. Other measures that have been announced in recent years include opening up more land for development, piloting public sector land auctions, streamlining planning applications with a fast track for major infrastructure projects and offering first-time buyers an equity investment towards the deposit on new-build homes.

These measures, together with the Localism and the New Homes Bonus, demonstrate the Government’s determination to respond to the chronic national housing shortage and to encourage property development.

To uncover development risk and provide your clients with a full picture of the investment they are making, Searches UK recommend DevAssess. A DevAssess report establishes the development risk within a 75-mile radius, identifies the new-build development potential of the subject property and also brings attention to the new-build development potential of the property, which can reveal hidden value in the property. www@searchesuk.co.uk

David Beaken from Oakleys is taking part in Macmillan’s Longest Golf Day on June 30th. He told Portfolio: “Last year three friends and I took on the challenge. We started just after 4am and played non-stop, finishing around 8pm. The huge success of the day was that we raised over £2,600 for a truly amazing charity.

“This year there are six of us taking part at a new course: myself, Nick Williams, Matt Ashton and Dave Welsh from last year along with Rob Pinker and Giles Finney, who will be new to the challenge.

Lee Andrews and the team at Mid Sussex Golf Club have been amazingly generous and are allowing us to use the facilities without any charge, meaning we can put what we would have spent on green fees towards the challenge.

“Cancer is a cruel illness that doesn’t discriminate, and since last year’s challenge I have unfortunately known more people affected by it. I have witnessed first-hand the work that Macmillan do and it is truly humbling.

More information from David at david@oakleyproperty.com justgiving.com/fundraising/Nick-Williams29

SEVEN-ACRE BROWN-FIELD DEVELOPMENT MIXED-USE SITE SOLD Oakley have announced the sale of the 7.25-acre site known as Averys Nursery (Sussex Grange), located on the Uckfield Road A26 midway between Lewes and Uckfield. The site was formerly used as a poultry farm which ceased in 2002 and has been in temporary occupation by various tenants ever since.

The site has been sold to Crowborough-based Cross Stone Development, who intend to carry out a mixed-used development of the site, with initial discussions with the Parish and Local Council having commenced. Steven Harvey, Commercial Director at Oakley, commented ‘The sale of the site drew considerable interest from a range of developers, the majority of whom were interested in the site for residential development. This is a challenging site, as it is in the neighbourhood plan for Employment use, but finding a viable use for the site on that basis will be difficult, as both office and industrial development in that area are an economic challenge, with the market values and site conditions. However, it’s refreshing to see that Cross Stone are approaching the site with a view to creating a mixed-use scheme that will potentially offer both employment and residential uses.’ www.oakleyproperty.com

DATE FOR THE DIARY The next Property Professionals Lunch is Thursday 6th July 2017. This popular networking lunch is back next month at the Pub du Vin Brighton, providing the perfect opportunity to mingle with your peers and like-minded professionals in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, to discuss new ideas and create fresh business opportunities.

The guest speaker next month is Argyll Environmental, a Brightonbased Environmental Consultancy who have built a reputation as a leading supplier of environmental due-diligence conveyancing reports and services to the top 50 law firms in the UK The raffle prize draw, in aid of the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity will be afternoon tea for four at the Hotel Du Vin Brighton To book your place contact Stephanie at marketing@searchesuk.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 25

maslen.co.uk

Bembridge Street, Brighton

OFFERS OVER

ÂŁ500,000 FREEHOLD

A pretty 4 bedroom period house located in a popular part of the city Boasting a once in a lifetime garden this fantastic property must be viewed to be fully appreciated.

Accommodation includes a lounge/dining room, kitchen/utility, 4 bedrooms plus a bathroom and separate shower room. There is an attractive 46’ south facing walled garden and a rarely available secluded additional garden. Energy Rating: B84 Exclusive to Maslen Estate Agents.

Maslen Estate Agents 39 Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 3HQ t:01273 677001 e:lewesroad@maslen.co.uk

LEWES ROAD

.

WOODINGDEAN

.

FIVEWAYS

BEAUTIFUL HOME Woodingdean

A

t first sight you could be forgiven for thinking that this is just a regular bungalow, perhaps even a villa. However, this property hides a surprise or two.

Being a split-level house, the open-plan accommodation is downstairs and the bi-fold doors open to a sun terrace which runs the length of the house and overlooks the fantastic rear garden. The garden is layered and has a stone staircase which sweeps down to a fairly secluded seating area. Being southwesterly-facing, you can catch the afternoon/evening sun as it sets behind the hill. The interior is modern and well presented and has extra cellar storage as a bonus. This home is situated in a sought-after cul-de-sac, and being close to local shops and within easy access to Brighton city centre or Rottingdean village and located between two good primary schools, we think this is going to be a popular choice. Energy Rating D59.

Falmer Gardens, Woodingdean, Brighton BN2 6NE Guide Price: ÂŁ425,000 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Extras: Open-plan living accommodation; Sun Terrace to rear; Private drive Best Bits: Secluded garden; Bi-fold doors; Great views to farmland Maslen Estate Agents 62-64 Warren Road, Woodingdean, Brighton, BN2 6BA 01273 278866 www.maslen.co.uk

PORTFOLIO  27

HASSOCKS | Guide Price £1,200,000 Grand detached Victorian family house - Sought after location - A wealth of period features - 6 bedrooms - 2 bathrooms - 4 reception rooms - Private landscaped gardens - Views - Space for garage (stnc) - Parking for several cars

DITCHLING | Guide Price £700,000 Well extended, semi detached period cottage - Arranged over 3 floors - Situated in an idyllic location - Beautiful views of the South Downs and surrounding farmland - 4 bedrooms - 1 bathrooms - 1 shower room - Large sitting/dining room

chattestates.co.uk | 01273 844500 34 HIGH STREET, DITCHLING, EAST SUSSEX BN6 8TA

BEAUTIFUL HOME Ditchling

A

magnificent house, arranged over 3 floors, situated in the centre of the village with a unique large courtyard garden and integral garage.

‘London House,’ whose origins are believed to date back to 1725, is a beautiful and spacious house arranged over three floors and having recently been redecorated throughout by the current owners.

The ground floor provides a large double bedroom, a modern bathroom and access to the garden. The majority of the living space is on the first floor, with an open-plan kitchen/dining room and steps leading up to a large sitting room.

There is also the benefit of a bedroom/study and a cloakroom. The second floor provides three double bedrooms and a large, recently redecorated bathroom. A notable feature that makes this house so unique is the split-level walled courtyard garden. Accessed from both the ground floor and the first floor, the private courtyard garden is of a great size and provides a large space, perfect for entertaining. Further to this, a galleried lawned area overlooks the courtyard with views of the church spire. From the courtyard there is the addition of an integral brick-arched studio and also the integral garage.

London House, 3 West Street, Ditchling Guide Price: £1,050,000 Bedrooms: 4/5 Bathrooms: 2 Extras: Split-level private courtyard accessed from the ground and first floor; Integral brick-arched studio; Integral garage Best Bits: Open-plan, split-level kitchen/dining/ sitting room; Central Location; Unique walled garden Chatt Estates 34 High Street, Ditchling, BN6 8TA 01273 844500 www.chattestates.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 29

CLOSE HOVE PARK £850,000 • • • •

Semi detached period town house Adjoining garage/workshop Two tiered rear patios Kitchen

3-4 • • • •

2

1-2

Large c27’ through living room Additional separate utility room and overflow storage cupboard Bathroom Separate shower room

2 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FL

01273 773399

hove@elliottsestateagents.co.uk

& 2 Queens Parade, Hangleton BN3 8JG

01273 322766

hangleton@elliottsestateagents.co.uk www.elliottsestateagents.co.uk

HOVE’S NEVILL AREA £575,000 FREEHOLD SELLING QUALITY HOMES SINCE 1993

• • • •

Al-fresco dining area with BBQ Off street parking Offered with no onward chain Close Hove Park & Blatchington Mill School

3 • • • •

2

A brand new (2016) contemporary detached home 3 double bedrooms 2 bathrooms including an en suite Stunnning open plan kitchen/living arrangement

2

BEAUTIFUL HOME Hove

A

n opportunity to acquire an attractive and individual detached residence which occupies a quiet, yet prominent, corner plot in what is considered to be Hove’s premier residential avenue. This imposing residence comes with lots of character and features.

Gardens extend on two sides, and both are sizeable, yet manageable, with large brickterraced areas for entertaining, and double-width off-road parking. There is a large kitchen/ family room to the rear providing access to the gardens, plus separate lobby and utility room, a particular feature being a fabulous split-level living area, also ideal for family use and for entertaining. In one of Hove’s most prestigious addresses, the house is nicely located on the corner of Tongdean Avenue and Barrowfield Close, and is ideally placed for access to parts of the City or into the Town Centre, and two local mainline stations.

Tongdean Avenue, Hove, BN3 6TN Price: £1,295,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Extras: Fabulous split-level living room; Large kitchen/family room; Nicely presented Best Bits: Prominent corner plot; Hove’s most prestigious residential location; Plenty of off-road parking Elliotts Estate Agents 2 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FL 01273 773399 www.elliottsestateagents.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 31

June There is so much to do in June in Brighton & Hove and Sussex.

Our pick of June events features literary icons, music legends and classic theatre.

Plus comedy greats, outstanding opera and more Festivals…

Hig Our hlig ht

14 June, Kool & The Gang Kool & The Gang have sold over 70 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of three generations. Thanks to songs like Celebration, Cherish, Jungle Boogie, Summer Madness and Open Sesame, they’ve earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums.

Kool & The Gang have performed continuously for the past 45 years, longer than any R&B group in history. Their bulletproof funk and tough, jazzy arrangements have also made them the most sampled band of all time.

Brighton Dome, 7pm. www.brightondome.org

15 June, Kevin and Karen Strictly sweethearts Kevin and Karen Clifton tour the UK for the very first time with their sensational new live show – a sultry, hip-swinging journey through the Waltz, Cha Cha, Fox Trot, Tango and Salsa. It’s a high-energy performance filled with sassy tunes, heart-pounding choreography and sparkling costumes.

Kevin and Karen will dazzle audiences as they weave their own spellbinding style of ballroom magic. Backed by a supporting cast of dancers and a live 12-piece show band, Kevin and Karen’s most famous, edge-of-your-seat routines are brought to the stage propelled by passion. At each show two lucky audience members will follow in the footsteps of Kevin and Karen, learning a dance and performing it on stage, to enjoy a moment in the spotlight at Brighton Dome.

Brighton Dome, 7.30pm. www.brightondome.org

13 - 17 June, The Mikado Sasha Regan returns with another thrilling all male version of a much loved classic and one of the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas, following her hugely successful all male production The Pirates of Penzance – winner of Best Off West End Production at The What’s On Stage awards, and recently returned from a tour of Australia, including a run at Cate Blanchett’s Sydney Theatre.

Gilbert and Sullivan, at the height of their creative genius, take us to the far-away land of Titipu, where their penchant for poking fun at British Institutions combined with their inherent humour and timeless tunefulness make for, arguably, the most popular opera ever written, including A Wand-ring Minstrel I, Three Little Maids, Willow Tit Willow and Some Day It Might Happen aka The List!

Theatre Royal, Brighton. Visit website for times and prices. www. atgtickets.com/brighton

CALENDAR of events

7 June, Kraftwerk 3-D: Humanity Bringing together music and performance art, Kraftwerk 3-D concerts are a true “Gesamtkunstwerk – a total work of art.” The multi-media project Kraftwerk was started in 1970

by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. They set up their electronic Kling Klang Studio in Düsseldorf, Germany, where they conceived and produced all Kraftwerk albums. By the mid 1970’s Kraftwerk had achieved international recognition for their revolutionary electronic ‘soundscapes’ and their musical experimentation with robotics and other technical innovations.

Their compositions, using innovative techniques, synthetic voices and computerised rhythms, have had a major international influence across an entire range of music genres, from Electro to Hip Hop, from Techno to SynthPop. Brighton Centre, 7.45pm. brightoncentre.co.uk

13 June, Jools Holland:

2 - 24 June, Sweet Bird Of Youth

& his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra As the UK’s most popular pianist and bandleader, Jools Holland OBE has performed and recorded with some of the most talented musicians and songwriters in the world, including Eric Clapton, the late George Harrison, Luther Vandross, Sting, BB King and Paul Weller. Jools is respected not only as a performer, but also as an authority on all music. His BBC 2 Live music show Later… with Jools Holland is now broadcasting its 46th series.

The Hawth, Crawley. 7.30pm. www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

In his most searing and personal of plays, Tennessee Williams examines failed ambition, lost youth and love and the corruption and bigotry that lurks beneath the American Dream. As the presentday United States faces uncertainty and change, Sweet Bird of Youth is a portrayal of the degradation of American values and the corrosive lure of celebrity.

Jonathan Kent returns to Chichester following his huge success with Gypsy and the Young Chekhov Trilogy to direct this neglected masterpiece, with a stellar cast led by two of America’s leading stage and screen actors: Oscar and Tony Award-winning actor Marcia Gay Harden and Tonynominated Brian J. Smith.

Chichester Festival Theatre. For times and prices visit www.cft.org.uk

27 June, Russell Brand: Re-Birth In RE:BIRTH, Russell Brand wrestles with some big questions while unravelling the matrix of modern media, politics, sex, fatherhood and death. Join one of comedy’s fiercest talents as he tries to make sense of life having just made a new one.

“Once you’ve had a baby you’re a parent, and immediately you go from being a madman (cool) to a mad dad (not cool). How can you be a dangerous, edgy rebel with a tiny little daughter? How do we make sense of the madness of our lives once we become parents? What am I going to tell my daughter about conformity and responsibility? What happens if she grows up to be like me? Or, worse, to date a man like me?”

Worthing Assembly Hall, 8pm. worthingtheatres.co.uk

9 & 10 June, Wild Life Festival Headlining Wild Life 2017 is Brighton’s very own, Fatboy Slim. Named by Q Magazine as one of ‘50 Bands to See Before You Die’ and with ten MTV VMAs and two BRIT Awards to date, Fatboy Slim’s live set is not to be missed. Other acts also confirmed to perform at Wild Life 2017 include pioneering DJ and producer Eric Prydz, known for his huge hit singles as well as his ground-breaking releases and live shows under the name Pryda.

The return of four-time BRIT Award nominated George Ezra as well as Sussex born winner of the 2017 BRITs Critic’s Choice Award Rag’n’Bone Man has been announced . UK rapper, hip-hop and grime artist Giggs will join our WILD LIFE 2017 line up, having received huge critical acclaim for his 2016 UK number-two album ‘Landlord’. Also announced, Elrow will be bringing their world-famous immersive party Sambodromo De Brasil to this year’s WILD LIFE Festival for the first time ever. The vibrant Brazilian junglethemed party captures the flamboyance, energy and boundless fun of Wild More events Life.

Brighton City Airport, Shoreham-By-Sea. www.wildlifefestival.com

continued over the page

CALENDAR of events

27 June, The Flaming Lips

3 June, Simple Minds Simple Minds bring their new album Simple Minds Acoustic on the road and this gig will see them perform a career-spanning collection of songs acoustically. This follows several years in which the band has gone from strength to strength. Their 2014 album Big Music was praised across the board, with MOJO magazine declaring it “their best album in 30 years.”

Simple Minds Acoustic continues the band’s artistic quest with a one-off album release of stripped down and re-imagined songs spanning their eclectic and illustrious career.

Led by effervescent front man Wayne Coyne, the band released their 14th studio album, Oczy Mlody, in January. Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles - such as Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles, Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber) and Yeah, I Know It’s a Drag... But Wastin’ Pigs Is Still Radical. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which feature costumes, balloons, puppets, video projections, complex stage light configurations, giant hands, large amounts of confetti, and Wayne Coyne’s signature mansized plastic bubble, in which he traverses the audience.

Brighton Dome, 8.30pm. www.brightondome.org

Brighton Dome, 7pm. www.brightondome.org

24 June, Katy Brand: I Was a Teenage Christian Katy Brand’s hit Edinburgh Festival show I Was a Teenage Christian is an honest, fascinating and funny exploration of her self-imposed conversion and total immersion in evangelical Christianity. One Sunday, aged 13, Katy went to a local church service and became a fundamentalist Christian. From then on she attended church four times a week. For seven years she put the ‘fun’ into fundamentalism… and the ‘mental’. Katy will relive her glory days of certainty and judgement (and unrequited love…) whilst trying to figure out what the hell was going on in her own head.

Katy Brand performed her first professional comedy gig in a London pub in 2004 before joining sketch comedy troupe Ealing Live! and touring around the country with her own show. She won a British Comedy award for her TV sketch series Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show in 2008.

6 June, Saint Etienne The much-loved trio take to the stage this summer performing new music from their upcoming album. The new album contains 19 ‘tracks’ inspired by their bitter-sweet relationship with the eponymous shires that have always been part of their lives. It was recorded in the summer and autumn of 2016 and co-produced by Shawn Lee of Wall Of Sound and Young Gun Silver Fox fame.

De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea, 7pm www.dlwp.com

The Old Market, Hove, 7pm. www.tom.co.uk Also at Hawth Crawley, 21 June. 8pm. www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

30 June, Will Self Booker-shortlisted author Will Self launches his new novel Phone. Hang on to the phone – feel the smoothness of its bevelled screen…! Place your thumb in the soft depression of its belly-button – turn it over and over… a five-hundred-quid worry bead – and all I worry about is losing the bloody thing…! For the four characters at the heart of Will Self’s brilliantly acute novel, the five-hundredquid worry bead in their pocket may be both a blessing and a curse. Uniting our most urgent contemporary concerns, from the ubiquitous mobile phone to a family in chaos, from the horror of modern war to the end of privacy, Phone is Will Self’s most important and compelling novel to date.

The Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea. www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk

CALENDAR of events

17 June - 8 Jan, Jane Austen by the Sea A new display at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton will explore Jane Austen’s relationship with the seaside, the Prince Regent and life in Brighton during her time, to mark the bicentenary of her death. Jane Austen by the Sea will paint a picture of the fashionable resort of Brighton in the early 1800s, when it was a thriving garrison town featured in novels like Pride and Prejudice.

George IV, who created the Royal Pavilion and spent long periods living there when he was Prince Regent, was a high-profile fan of Austen’s – and although she seemed not to approve of his lifestyle, she was encouraged to dedicate Emma to him in 1815.

Highlights include: The manuscript of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel Sanditon, set in a seaside town in Sussex, examples of Regency costume and accessories-including a wedding dress that has never been on show before and a dress in the style of the ‘Brighton Walking Dress’ featured in a London fashion magazine in 1817 - letters from Jane Austen to the Prince Regent’s librarian, James Stanier Clarke, one of Jane Austen’s music books, and rare images of Brighton as it looked in Jane Austen’s lifetime.

Prince Regent Gallery, Royal Pavilion, Brighton. www.brightonmuseums.org.uk

16 - 18 June, Joy Festival Joy is a boutique festival that brings together the latest trends in creative shopping, gastronomy, music and lifestyle, featuring three full days of sensational live music curated by Chris Difford of Squeeze & Union Music Store.

Joy is set in the beautiful grounds of 17th-century moated manor house Groombridge Place, where visitors can explore the enchanted forest, formal gardens and vineyard surrounded by peacocks, wild fallow deer & the famous zedonk. The beautiful grounds of Groombridge Place will host carefully selected pop-up shops, a night market, food trucks and artists, alongside a host of creative activities for all ages.

Other attractions include live music from Chris Difford and Glen Tilbrook from Squeeze, Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, Nine Below Zero, Kathryn Williams, Robert Cavanagh and more. Camping and Glamping in a delightful walled garden.

Throughout June, Glyndebourne Festival Escape the ordinary this summer and head to Glyndebourne for a festival of unconquered passions, divided loyalties and political intrigue. Glyndebourne Festival 2017 continues in June with Cavalli’s Hipermestra until 8 July, Verdi’s La Traviata until 27 August, Brett Dean’s Hamlet – a new opera based on Shakespeare’s best-known tragedy from 11th June - Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos from 25th June, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale from 13th July, and Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito from 26th July. There are also preperformance talks and events. Make an occasion of visiting Glyndebourne: explore the grounds, visit the Archive and Gallery, and always – of course – have a picnic on the lawn during the festival’s extended interval. Glyndebourne Festival 2017 runs from 20th May to 26th August.

Groombridge Place, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. www. joyfestival.co.uk

Glyndebourne Opera House, Glynde www.glyndebourne.com

18 June, Funk The Family Festival Celebrate father’s day in style at Hove park’s festival of fun. Now into its fourth year, Funk The Family is a rather splendid, all-day festival, born in Brighton & Hove. Their emphasis is on really high quality, live music, paired with brilliant entertainment, for all the family. With circus acts, comedians, story-telling, art and dancing workshops galore, you can’t fail to be fully entertained all day long. They have also selected some amazing, local food stalls and the range is vast: from Indian to Mexican to Italian to English, plus there are several vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Funk The Family is a festival created for music and art lovers, big and small.

Hove Park, Brighton & Hove, www.funkthefamily.co.uk

See you next month for our top picks in July

If you’re looking for a new letting agent

why not choose the best?

Lettings: 01273 321333 | enquiries@propertymoves.co.uk | 109 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2AF

Check out these stats...

We were 1st out of 228

1st

branches in the area on Rightmove for New Instructions

We were 1st out of 165 branches in the area on Rightmove for Lets Agreed

1st

Based on Rightmove intel data from 01/02/16 to 31/01/17 covering postcodes BN1, BN2, BN3, BN41, BN42, BN43. Based on all data and all property types.

www.propertymoves.co.uk

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We are alWays on the lookout for property With developmental potential

TALK money

MAKE TIME FOR YOUR FINANCES Claire Cook from Independent Financial Advisors Talk Money on the importance of making time for your finances

I

n our busy lives it is not surprising that our finances often take a back seat. The weeks, months and years roll by and despite good intentions many people never find the time to actually sit down and look at their financial situation.

Although finances are often at the bottom of the to-do list, taking stock and arranging your money effectively can have life-changing effects. Maybe by getting your investments and pensions working harder for you, you could end up with a much larger fund. This could give you more opportunities to enjoy during your retirement or maybe even enable you to retire a little earlier. Reviewing your finances on a regular basis can make a huge difference over your lifetime.

Many people have several different investments & pensions. It can be difficult to keep track of performance, risk levels and charges. Often the paperwork you receive will seem complicated, so it is filed away for later.

Your pensions and investments could be invested in funds which are not performing as well as they could be. You may see your

pension as being “frozen”, meaning you are no longer paying in, but the funds are still invested. A difference in performance can have a great impact on your retirement income. This is your money; it’s important to make sure it’s looked after and invested in the right place.

“Although finances are often at the bottom of the to-do list, taking stock and arranging your money effectively can have life-changing effects” Not only investments and pensions; are you paying for policies you no longer need and are no longer relevant to your situation?

Could you pay less, or extend your cover for

See more from Talk Money at www.portfoliopublications.co.uk

the premiums you are paying? Direct debits come from your bank account; do you know what they are for?

It may seem complicated to review things, but we can take the stress out of that. An IFA can contact the providers directly for information, meaning you don’t have to find all the paperwork. All we need is the policy number, the name of the life company and your permission to obtain the information.

Our client systems allow us to keep details of all your plans under one roof so you can see things clearly and from a different perspective. We will then be able to advise you going forward. If you would like a review of your finances, for independent advice please call me, Claire Cook, on 01273 224667. I would be happy to assist. www.talkmoney.co.uk.

Talk Money is a trading style of Aspect 8, a member of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount invested.

PORTFOLIO 39

BEAUTIFUL HOME Hove

W

orthy of a feature in a glossy magazine, this stylish home will leave you speechless. Offering in excess of 4,500 square feet, this wonderful, spacious home offers a beachside location within a quiet cul-de-sac, a swimming pool, wonderful sea views and easy access to local amenities and train station.

Popular with families and commuting professionals, Old Fort Road really does provide a safe, child-friendly and upmarket neighbourhood for all to enjoy. Whether hosting a large family or entertaining on a grand scale, this wonderful home will not let you down.

There are two reception rooms, an impressive dining kitchen featuring the most beautiful conservatory and stunning views over the beach front and out to sea. The house expands to three storeys: on the upper two floors there are five bedrooms, allowing the flexibility of an annexe room and a home office/study. The pièce de résistance, however, has to be the swimming pool, heated to your own desired temperature and with your very own private entrance onto Shoreham beach. Parking: our vendor informs us that between the garage and driveway there is ample space for up to 10 cars. Now, that’s impressive! Overall, this is an exceptional home that would satisfy an ‘A’ list celebrity lifestyle and must be viewed firsthand to be fully appreciated.

Old Fort Road, Shoreham-By-Sea, BN43 5HL Guide Price: £1,500,000 Bedrooms: 4/5 Bathrooms: 3 Extras: Large conservatory; Two reception rooms; Parking for up to 10 cars; Double garage with workshop Best Bits: A wonderful, modern beach-front family home with private entrance onto Shoreham beach; Heated swimming pool; Stunning panoramic views Princetons Property Services 6 St Georges Road, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1EB, overseas@princetonsps.co.uk www.princetonsps.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 41

COMPETITIONS

WIN! AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO AT STYLISH MY BRIGHTON HOTEL! Take a tour of Brighton’s famous sights with afternoon tea at My Brighton Brighton’s leading design hotel – My Brighton – invites you to take a tour of some of the city’s famous sights and landmarks via its new Afternoon Tea menu. My Brighton is taking inspiration from its superb location in the colourful and the diverse Brighton North Laine, to launch the new My Brighton Afternoon Tea. Take a tour of this unique city from the comfort of the hotel as you experience a delectable feast inspired by the famous sites and names of this vibrant neighbourhood.

“Tour” highlights include: • A pot of flowering Lily and Jasmine tea, inspired by the Pavilion Gardens • Open-top savoury sandwiches from the legendary Hell’s Kitchen Deli, serving Brighton since 1951 • Delicious cakes and sumptuous macaroons, inspired by the cafés of the vibrant North Laines • Indulgent chocolate pebbles, reminiscent of Brighton beach (for eating, not throwing!)

• A personal tub of classic popcorn to honour Brighton’s oldest cinema – the Duke of York’s Picturehouse • Enjoy an Espresso Martini shot and choose a Sussex Beer, glass of prosecco or luxurious cocktail prepared by the team at the hotel’s infamous Merkaba • Keep the Brighton vibe going with 20% discount in Merkaba following your Afternoon Tea Price: is £18.50 per person or £22.50 per person with Sussex Beer or glass of Prosecco / £24.00 per person with cocktail Afternoon Tea is available Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5pm and Saturday & Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Booking essential to avoid disappointment and timed slots may apply at peak periods. To reserve a table, email: afternoonteabrighton@myhotels.com For your chance to win Afternoon Tea for two, all you need to do is email competitions.portfoliomagazine@gmail.com with AFTERNOON TEA in the Subject Box, plus your name, address and a contact number.

For more information call 01273 900 300 or visit myhotels.com/brighton

WIN! TICKETS TO THE HOUSE & GARDEN FESTIVAL The four-day House & Garden Festival at London Olympia brings together three leading lifestyle events: Grow London, Spirit of Summer Fair and The House Fair to create the ultimate celebration of summer living inspiration and shopping. The Festival offers an eclectic treasure trove of 550 beautiful garden, interior and lifestyle brands to explore and shop, all hand-selected by an expert team and approved by House & Garden.

Bursting with ideas and packed with inspiration and professional advice, this event gives you the chance to enjoy free talks and workshops from leading interior, garden and lifestyle experts. The stunning Decorated Spaces room sets and the Style Rooms are the perfect inspiration hub, as are the beautiful feature gardens, presenting stylish solutions, however large or small your outdoor space.

We have eight pairs of ticket to give away: For a chance to win, all you need to do is email: competitions.portfoliomagazine@gmail.com with HOUSE & GARDEN FESTIVAL in the Subject Box, plus your name, address and a contact number.

The winner will receive two pairs of tickets and two runners up will win a pair of tickets each.

The House & Garden Festival is at Olympia, London from 21 to 24 June 2017 www.houseandgardenfestival.com 42 PORTFOLIO

NEWS

WHAT'S TRENDING INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEXT BUILDING PROJECT

FATHERS DAY WE LOVE: OUR DADS If your Dad loves to barbeque, he will love this outdoor oven… The Jamie Oliver Dome 60 Leggero wood fired pizza and outdoor oven is perfect for creating fabulous crowd-pleasing food for the family and friends outdoors. Comes in two sizes with oven, stand, brush and pizza paddle.

Jamie Oliver Dome 60 Leggero Wood Fired Oven from £1650.00 www.jamieoliverovens.com Father’s Day is Sunday 18 June

WIN

According to the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), 14,000 homes will be self-built across the UK in the next year. For those considering this route, the annual Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show is marking its anticipated return to Sandown Park, from 1-2 July 2017, with hands-on tips to help consumers succeed in their property ventures.

Across two full days, visitors can speak to over 220 exhibitors and access more than 500+ advice sessions, 20+ free masterclasses on essential topics. Six resident property specialists will be on hand to help people with all building and renovating queries and leading companies will be exhibiting their latest ranges of services and products from an array of industries including architecture; design; financial topics; kitchens; bathrooms; doors and windows; lighting; heating; ventilation; planning permission and much more.

We have ten pairs of ticket to give away: Just email competitions. portfoliomagazine@gmail.com with HOMEBUILDING SHOW in the Subject Box, plus your name, address and a contact number.

The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show Surrey, Sandown Park, 1-2 July 2017 www.surrey.homebuildingshow.co.uk

NEW HOME KIT FOR BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION Brighton & Hove Albion’s new home kit for the club’s first season in the Premier League was revealed at their promotion parade last month by Player of the Season Anthony Knockaert, and this new 2017/18 Nike home kit is available to order now at seagullsdirect.co.uk.

The new home shirt retains the traditional blue-andwhite design, including a blue back and a yellow Nike swoosh. Shirts are available in adult, youth and, for the first time, ladies’ fit, with baby and toddler home shirts, coming soon. Players’ squad numbers are not yet confirmed, and may be subject to change. The club suggest that supporters delay any shirt numbering until this list has been finalised.

To order your shirt now, visit seagullsdirect.co.uk.

GENTLEMEN’S DAY Head up and enjoy the increasingly popular Gentlemen’s Day sponsored by Genting Casino. A perfect excuse for to get dapper and enjoy a Friday with your mates at the races. The event will feature DJs and vintage bars. You could even win Best Dressed Male with some amazing prizes on offer…

Brighton racecourse is set high above the sea, overlooking the vibrant city of Brighton & Hove and the surrounding countryside and South Downs. The Telegraph voted the course “one of the best places to watch sport” in the UK last year.

Other Race Days in June are 12 June, 20 June (evening racing) and 27 June.

Gentleman’s Day, Friday 9 June, Brighton Racecourse, Brighton www.brighton-racecourse.co.ukwww.brighton-racecourse.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 43

Photo Credit: Bee Holmes

INTERIORS ONLINE Iconic Brighton retailer Mister Smith Interiors are now selling their fabrics and wallpapers online

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righton’s best-loved Interiors retailer, famous for their enormous fabric and wallpaper collections, have made the bold move to sell all their fabrics and wallpapers online.

“We wanted to make things easy for our customers so they can shop on a Sunday evening with a glass of wine. It would have happened sooner but we suddenly had a baby,” laughs Mrs Smith, who spearheaded the project while pregnant and worked evenings after their baby was born.

The new Mister Smith Interiors website contains hundreds of beautiful fabrics and wallpapers; it’s easy to search by colour, design, brand and material, and the website is simply laid out with beautiful lifestyle images to help you imagine the products in your own home.

44 PORTFOLIO

Visit www.mistersmith.co.uk and save 10% off your order with code PORTFOLIO Mister Smith Interiors, 23 New Road, Brighton BN1 1UF Email: websales@mistersmith.co.uk

solicitors Incorporating Johnson McCabe

BEAUTIFUL homes

local & independent

We are local, independent solicitors providing an expert legal service with a personal approach Property

Civil Litigation

• Buying and Selling Property • Re-Mortgages • Freehold Enfranchisement • Lease Extensions • Buying and Selling Investment Properties

• Employment • Debt Recovery • Property • Contentious Probate • Insurance Claims • Fraud Claims to include Defending SOCA Claims • Consumer Law • Neighbour disputes • Dispute Resolution/ Mediation of Claims

Business • Landlord and Tenant and Commercial Property • Buying and Selling Businesses and Shares • Employment Law • Licensing

Wills and Trusts • Wills • Probate and Administration of Estates • Inheritance Tax Planning and Trusts • Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection • Elderly Client Care

Commercial Litigation • Commercial contract/ Consumer Disputes • Director/Shareholders/ Partnership Disputes • Insurance Claims • Construction and Engineering • Commercial Property Disputes • Professional Negligence Claims • Intellectual Property Disputes

For more information please contact us at Engleharts Solicitors:

Vallance Hall, Hove Street, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2DE

Life and Family

info@engleharts.co.uk • 01273 204411

• Family and Matrimonial • Co Habitation Agreements/Disputes • Civil Partnerships • Pre-nuptial Agreements • Divorce

www.engleharts.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 45

Residential Estate & Letting Agents • Land & New Homes Brighton & Hove City Office Residential Sales & Lettings 3-6 North Road, Brighton East Sussex BN1 1YA Sales 01273 688881 Lettings 01273 688884 E brighton@oakleyproperty.com

Lewes Town & Country Residential Sales & Lettings 14a High Street Lewes East Sussex BN7 2LN T 01273 487444 E lewes@oakleyproperty.com

London Office 40 St James’s Place London SW1A 1NS T 020 78390888 E enquiries@tlo.co.uk

2

Hove, £395,000

2

1

2

Oakley are pleased to offer this attractive two bedroom mid terraced period house situated in this quiet road in Hove. The property benefits from gas heating, painted floorboards throughout and offers scope for extension subject to necessary planning consents.

Preston Park , £550,000

3

1

2

2

Oakley are pleased to offer this first floor 3 bedroom apartment in a luxurious, new, gated development overlooking Preston Park and the tennis courts. Stylish fitted kitchen with appliances, bathroom and en-suite shower room, good sized terrace, video entry system, passenger lift and a CRL build warranty.

oakleyproperty.com

BEAUTIFUL HOME Brighton

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bright, modern and well-proportioned three doublebedroom penthouse apartment offered with two secure parking spaces and situated between the North Laine area and Brighton mainline railway station.

Comprising a spacious L-shaped entrance hall with Amtico white ash flooring throughout, a spacious double-aspect open-plan living area benefitting from floor to ceiling windows, a spacious well-fitted kitchen with high-gloss units, integrated appliances and Okite composite stone work surfaces. There is a spacious master suite with dual-aspect floor to ceiling windows, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite shower room with walk-in shower. There are two further bright double bedrooms with a westerly aspect and a family bathroom. The property benefits from two sunny roof terraces, underfloor heating, secure video entry system, remote control heating, lighting and blinds, concierge, lift access, cycle store and secure parking.

Fleet Street, Brighton, BN1 Price: ÂŁ895,000 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Extras: Two roof terraces; Two undercover secure parking spaces; Passenger lift access; Underfloor heating Best Bits: Luxury penthouse apartment; Adjacent to Brighton mainline railway station; Building concierge Oakley 3 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YA 01273 688881 oakleyproperty.com

PORTFOLIO  47

Brunswick Square, Hove | £600,000

Clifton Terrace, Brighton | £3,000,000

A stunning apartment with prominent features including wood floors, stylish decor and a beautiful west-facing garden and inner courtyard.

A truly unique home with striking period architecture externally adjoined with a contemporary and atmospheric feel internally.

Woodland Drive, Hove | £1,375,000

Second Avenue, Hove | £399,950

This stunning home has been meticulously designed to have a modern feel throughout whilst maintaining its original elegant character.

A superb duplex apartment in one of Hove’s most charming avenues. The property itself is positioned at the top of this outstanding Victorian building and has two double bedrooms.

Ground Floor, 10 The Drive, Hove, BN3 3JA T 01273 830 919 E hove@fosterandcoestateagents.co.uk W www.fosterandcoestateagents.co.uk

PROFILE

OUR NEW HOME This month we talk to Ed Foster of Foster & Co in their new home at 10 The Drive, Hove First of all, please accept our congratulations on the recent opening of your new office with all new estate agents in The Drive, near Church Road Hove. Where did you work and gain your local agency experience, Ed? Thank you! I started working in the industry at 17 years of age as a junior negotiator working for Lewis & Co. Two years later they were bought out by Hamptons-International, where I continued working for a further eight years as Assistant Manager under Paul Taggart. I loved the experience I gained there, but I’m really excited about my new challenge.

Who makes up the team at Foster & Co, and what prompted you to start your own business?

Our team consists of Lily Hawkins, who was a colleague at Hamptons-International, and Charlie Foreman, who until recently worked in the industry in London. Personally, I wanted a change from corporate estate agency and felt the next step for me was to open up my own business, where I could offer more of a personal approach to buying, selling and renting.

Some might say that customer service and face-to-face contact appear to be low priorities in the estate agency world, particularly with the growth of internet property searching.

Do you feel it is still important to offer that personal touch?

Very much so, which is why I wanted to come away from the corporate side of the business to offer a more bespoke service where customer service is key. Communication is something all buyers and sellers want and is something we will be focusing on.

"I wanted to come away from the corporate side of the business to offer a more bespoke service where customer service is key" What aspects of the business do you cover?

Our main priority will be Sales and Lettings.

However, we will also be covering the New Homes market, Property Management and Property Consulting.

What are your plans and ambitions for the business, and where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

My ambition is to become a respected agent within the city and for all of our customers to

feel we have done a great job for them. At some stage down the line I’d also like to expand to the outskirts of Brighton.

What do you LOVE about running your own business Ed? The freedom to make your own decisions and being able to help people personally, as I do appreciate that it can be incredibly stressful buying, selling and renting.Having my own agency also gives me the opportunity to be involved in every single property that we deal with. Our aim is simply to make the process easier for all parties and offer our expert knowledge and guidance.

Outside of property transactions, we hear you love a game of golf. Any other hobbies to help you unwind?

I enjoy watching Sussex playing cricket at The First Central County Ground. I also like to watch The Albion play at The Amex. I think it’s fantastic for the city that we are now playing in the Premier League, and I’m very much looking forward to next season already!

Drop by and meet the team at Ground floor, 10 The Drive, Hove BN3 3JA Tel: 01273 830919 www.fosterandcoestateagents.co.uk hove@fosterandcoestateagents.co.uk PORTFOLIO 49

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Units 4 & 5 Marlborough Road Lancing Business Park Lancing West Sussex BN15 8UF

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’s Distance: 7miles/11.5km | Time: 3-4 hours walkydown to a gate. Pass through the gate, and Option rch 2 Mona a W s ay the right-hand field ’ Access: Moderately difficult circular walk with chdescend steeply down a grassy slope through To return to Steyning, take sW ar own D n h t o a steep ascent in places. woods. gate into Sthe ou woods. Just after another old M gate post near the brow of a rise, you’ll see ROUTE INSTRUCTIONS a path coming in from the right. This is the CissburyShortcut: If you don’t wish to go to Washington, Ring look out for an unmarked path on the right as short cut path mentioned in direction . Ignore 1 From the bus stop adjacent to Bramber you go down the slope, just after a clearing. This this path and continue on the main track, Road, walk up the high street and turn left at path descends to a track, which you can use as passing through an old iron field gate. Pass the roundabout onto Sheep Pen Lane. At White a shortcut. a house shortly before a minor road. Turn Horse Square, turn right. When you get to the right, and then left, over a stile to pass some police station, turn left and enter a playing field, 6 For the full circuit, stay on the original path, farm buildings, then continue behind Wiston then head to the far right corner. passing through a gate and, after a short rise, House. Cross two stiles and go under a high descend to a junction of paths. Drop down to a footbridge. Where the tarmac turns left, keep 2 Go through a gate and turn left up a track. lower path and turn right. Arriving at a small right, and walk between trees and a fence, Pass through two more gates and enter a more clearing with four gates, the left-hand field gate following the way to a stile. open area. Continue straight ahead up a grassy and smaller gate are the route to Washington. To 7 Cross a tiny stream, and follow the path. slope going through another gate, and join the right is a pair of field gates. The right-hand another path coming up. Continue up the hill. gate into the woods is the route back to Steyning. At the field corner, you can either go ahead to turn right on a minor road (Mouse Lane) Option 1 or turn right to walk along the path parallel 3 At the edge of the woods, join another path that comes from the left, then keep the trees on To go to Washington, go through the small gate with Mouse Lane. You can access Mouse Lane your right. Ignore downhill paths and continue to and bear half left across a field on a footpath at several points along this path, but if you the corner of the field. Follow the path to the left (do not follow the track on the field edge). Cross continue over a stile and steps, turn left at the and then turn right onto the South Downs Way. a stile and walk straight on towards the right- next path which crosses to join Mouse Lane. hand side of the next field. Join a track and bear left on this track, to pass through a gate. Keep 8 At the end of Mouse Lane, join the high 4 To your left are views of Cissbury Ring and beyond to the coast. Follow the South ahead on the grass when the track turns right street and continue straight ahead to return to Downs Way, keeping the trees on your right. At into a farm. Ignore a side path and go straight the start point. a gate and cattle grid, go straight ahead with ahead to the right corner and another stile.

Chanctonbury Ring clearly ahead of you.

Descend via steps, then up to a stile and a road. For more information about walks in the region, Turn right and look out for the Frankland Arms contact South Downs National Park Authority.

5 After Chanctonbury Ring, immediately turn pub in Washington. Return by the same route to Tel: 0300 303 1053, or visit half right, leaving the South Downs Way and the clearing with 4 gates. www.southdowns.gov.uk

52 PORTFOLIO

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Park Crescent, Roundhill Conservation, Brighton BN2 £2,000,000 Freehold An exceptional Grade II listed Regency semi - detached house set within 3.5 acres of private gardens moments from Brighton city centre and beach. This horseshoe-shaped crescent was designed and constructed in 1849 by one of Brighton’s most important and renowned architects, Amon Henry Wilds. Substantial in size (3,083 sqft) this home is magnificent in all aspects and designed in the most superior Italianate style with architectural and historical importance including bay walls, period detailing and tower. 1 Park Crescent occupies the best position with south east and south west exposure flooding this grand property with light throughout. Sensational throughout and set behind electric gates with off street parking for two vehicles the house offers extensive and elegant living space incorporating six bedrooms, three living rooms, tower room and four bathrooms. Externally the exquisite lowered south facing gardens wrap around the property creating a tranquil oasis with scented planting, fig tree and aged wisteria intertwining decorative wrought iron balcony.

The property also features kidney shaped swimming pool and patio area perfect for those long lazy summer afternoons. Houses of this stature and size are rare to the open market, early viewing advisable.

View Next Generation Virtual Tours at www.knightandknoxley.com 01273 28 66 66 CLYDE CORNER, PRESTON CIRCUS, BRIGHTON THE NEXT GENERATION OF ESTATE AGENCY

INFO@KNIGHTANDKNOXLEY.COM WWW.KNIGHTANDKNOXLEY.COM KNOWLEDGE & KNOWHOW

Clifton Hill, Clifton Conservation, Brighton, BN1 £1,500,000 Freehold Positioned in one of Brighton’s most desirable locations in the Clifton Hill Conservation Area and moments from the city centre this beautiful period home offers 1600 sq ft of versatile living space.

Accessed through a grand entrance hallway with majestic sweeping staircase to upper and lower floors, accommodation spans four floors and period features remain throughout. Grand principle rooms with high ceilings. Potential for separate lower annexe. Six bedrooms three bathrooms, three receptions. Exceptional Roof terrace, walled rear gardens. The Clifton Hill area was built in the mid-19th century.

It forms a high-class, architecturally cohesive residential district with an exceptionally complete character. Stucco-clad terraced housing and villas predominate, but two of the city’s most significant Victorian churches and a landmark hospital building are also in the area, which lies immediately northwest of Brighton city centre and spreads as far as the ancient parish boundary with Hove. The famous 11th century St Nicholas church is also situated around the corner.

View Next Generation Virtual Tours at www.knightandknoxley.com

01273 28 66 66 CLYDE CORNER, PRESTON CIRCUS, BRIGHTON THE NEXT GENERATION OF ESTATE AGENCY

INFO@KNIGHTANDKNOXLEY.COM WWW.KNIGHTANDKNOXLEY.COM KNOWLEDGE & KNOWHOW

FEATURE home

HOME OF THE MONTH

...as selected by PORTFOLIO magazine Three bedroom family home for sale in Meadow View, Sayers Common Price: £349,950

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well-presented and spacious family house situated in a private cul-de-sac with a west facing landscaped rear garden and views over neighbouring farmland. Built in 2007 by Antler Homes the property offers spacious and well-appointed rooms. The sitting room is of an excellent size and has patio doors leading out onto the rear landscaped garden. The first provides a master bedroom overlooking the rear garden with views over neighbouring farmland and has an en-suite shower room. There is a family bathroom and two further good sized bedrooms. The rear landscaped garden has a modern raised ‘U’ shaped rendered bed filled with fruit bushes and a full length suspended bench along with an area of terrace and rubber crumb perfect for children’s play apparatus. There is the further benefit of a block paved driveway with off street parking.

Chatt Estates 34 High Street, Ditchling, Hassocks BN6 8TA 01273 844500 www.chattestates.co.uk

Making Moving a Pleasure If you are buying or selling your property, Healys offers an unrivalled legal service.

In order that your matter proceeds smoothly we offer the following as standard to our clients: • • •

Direct dial to your Solicitor No hidden charges Competitive fees

We would be delighted to provide you with a free personal quotation. Please contact one of our team on: 01273 669139 or email: property@healys.com or visit www.healys.com and complete our online quotation form.

8/9 Old Steine Brighton BN1 1EJ

INTERVIEW

WELCOME TO MY WORLD This month we speak to Jim Plant, Chartered Surveyor and Managing Director of 3j’s Surveyors & Valuers Ltd in Hove Jim, firstly, we must ask you to confirm the obvious, perhaps – the relevance of your company’s name, and when did you first set up 3j’s?

Our company’s name came to me when in the shower – where I understand there is higher oxygen circulation helping with original thoughts! It seemed a fairly straightforward proposal which should not become dated – being based upon our three directors’ Christian names, Jim, John and Jo – so, not “rocket science.” We have been operating now for approaching 11 years with central Hove offices, having initially started, sitting on fishing stools, working from one of Jo’s bedrooms; humble beginning, indeed.

I think we all understand the importance of having a survey done when buying a property, but do you think this is necessary if one also has a valuation done for mortgage purposes?

A Mortgage Valuation Report is principally for the lender’s benefit for them to assess that the property constitutes suitable security or otherwise for their loan. It is a very brief document, only covering essential facts and, whilst indirectly paid for by the borrower, there is little comeback. By contrast, a purchaser’s privately commissioned, comprehensive RICS Homebuyer (possibly with valuation and reinstatement cost assessment) or a more detailed Building Survey Report by an independent Chartered Surveyor are exclusively for their knowledge, on condition, maintenance, existing/proposed alterations, any purchase price renegotiation or the like and with insurance back-up peace of mind. Our company’s Surveyors, including my now fully qualified son Iain, are of course well versed in all of such work Apart from these types of reports, what else might you be asked to do for a client, Jim? Our company has wide-ranging professional expertise gained through accumulated knowledge and particularly of a local nature – dare I say, going back for a combined total of over 100 years! Areas of work, on both residential

and commercial buildings as applicable, we undertake include: assessments for lease extensions/enfranchisement, valuations for all purposes including taxation, maintenance reports, building defects diagnosis, design and project management, drawing work, expert witness reports, schedules of dilapidation, reinstatement cost assessments, Party Wall Act issues, boundary disputes, Town Planning and Building Regulation submissions, commercial rent reviews and more. That is a fairly full range of both Building Surveying and Valuation.

of great concern to the fabric of the building, although they can give one a fright coming face-to-face when lifting a drainage inspection chamber cover! Bats, as protected species, must also be accommodated. More serious today are squirrels, which get into lofts and chew through electric cables! Herring gulls are now high on the agenda as pests, particularly when attacking surveyors on roof tops! Their accumulated mess, as well as from pigeons, blocks gutters, etc, leading to maintenance issues.

What people may not know is that you can help with neighbour party wall disputes and other types of boundary issues – is that right?

Yes, this is an area of expertise we have gained going back to the “olden days,” when this newer Party Wall etc Act 1996 then only applied to London. Its role is to protect both parties’ interests, that is, the Building Owner as developer and Adjoining Owner as neighbour, through conduct of the strictly laid down Law principles. It covers not only physical works to the party wall but also as affecting foundations, boundaries and so on of the neighbour’s property. This could be incurred during works of extensions, loft conversions, new-builds, and the like – both for residential and commercial properties. We also have extensive experience of other boundary disputes, positioning, associated drawing work and involvement with the Land Registry offices.

What does your average day look like Jim? I do not have an average day, which is part of the job’s attraction. One of the difficulties I have always found is balancing the out- and in-office workload, where the amount of paperwork has escalated over the years. Modern-day technology has also partly curtailed the freedom one enjoyed in the last century. One is drawn between answering emails, telephone calls, completing projects in-hand and lining up new, getting down the road in all weathers for site and client meetings and so on. A good sense of humour helps get me through more stressful episodes.

Is dry rot the scariest thing to find in a house?

What about those pesky insects and rodents?

Yes, dry rot – a serious fungal attack of wood - scares me! I liken it to that creature on the ‘Alien’ film series where it comes back with a vengeance if not properly eradicated by a specialist! If neglected it can, by sending out its tentacles, as I have witnessed, eat its way through the wood in an entire building.

Insect attack, primarily woodworm/beetle decay where again eating through timbers, is a slower process but likewise can lead to structural weakness if not thoroughly treated and repaired. Rodents - rats and mice - are not

What was your first job?

I suppose this goes back to as a self-employed 10-year-old selling collected pond snails and weed to local pet shops in South London’s Brixton Market. My first employed work was at 16, getting up at 6am for a train from West to East London and then travelling around in a lorry collecting huge, smelly sacks of bones and fat from butchers’ shops and indeed calves’/ lambs’ heads from the, then, Smithfield Market!

Ultimately unloading at the depot onto a larger lorry, off to the factory to make fertiliser/soap, to get home exhausted circa 7pm – all for £12 a week, a fortune at the time!

3j’s Surveyors & Valuerss Ltd, 75 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2BB Email: office@3jssurveyors.co.uk.

Tel: 01273 773193 www.3jssurveyors.co.uk PORTFOLIO 57

Selling or letting this summer?

Make sure you experience the sweet taste of success and not the bitterness of choosing the wrong agent.

Brighton Marina

Get a free valuation from Leaders today.

Hove

01273 622007 Fiveways

01273 561534 01273 321721 North Laine

01273 675571 Western Road

01273 720714

Sales & Lettings Russell House POA

South Street, Falmer £350,000

EPC D A terraced three bedroom house located in the quiet Cul-De-Sac, the property comprises two double bedrooms and one single, fully fitted bathroom, kitchen, lounge and private rear garden. The property also benefits from an allocated parking space.

Hollingdean Terrace £285,000

EPC D

EPC TBC Russell House is a stunning new development with high end design, style and quality throughout. The development offers a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Brighton, with the opportunity to purchase much sought-after, secure parking spaces.

Gladstone Place £260,000

Viaduct Road £210,000

Belbourne Court £140,000

EPC C

A well situated first floor, two double bedroom flat in the popular residential area of Fiveways and Hollingdean. The property is in close proximity with amenities located on Ditchling Road under 400 yards away. Bus links can be found to across the city and Moulsecoomb station is under mile away.

EPC C

EPC E

Leaders are delighted to offer this lower ground, two double bedroom flat with private rear garden. This property is well positioned with close access to Lewes Road where amenities can be found such as shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.

A well-proportioned one bedroom ground floor flat situated in the development of Belbourne Court, catering for over 60’s. The property comprises entrance hall lounge, kitchen, double bedroom and walk in shower room.

A very well presented one bedroom patio flat. The property is excellently located next to London Road where amenities, restaurants, pubs and cafes can be found.

Brighton mainline station is located under 0.5 miles away.

Blackman Street £289,950

Regent Street £395,000

Brighton Belle £390,000

EPC B A well-proportioned and presented one bedroom top floor flat, within a purpose built block in the heart of the North Laines. Situated just off of Trafalgar Street, with Brighton mainline station being 100 yards away.

Local amenities can be found on Queens Road also 100 yards away.

EPC B This executive second floor, dual aspect, purpose built property is located in the heart of the lanes overlooking Jubilee and Regent Street.

A superb location where amenities and restaurants can be found on Jubilee Street. Brighton mainline station is under half a mile away.

leaders.co.uk

EPC B A two bedroom purpose built flat currently let at £1595pcm. The property comprises two bedroom’s one with en-suite, kitchen, lounge, family bathroom and private balcony.

“Many movers admit to compromising on other issues in order to live close to a school above all else”

MODERN APARTMENTS A development of exclusive and desirable modern apartments in central Brighton is re-launched

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n exciting re-launch of a new development in central Brighton that will bring more than 50 state-of-the-art apartments to the market has taken place.

Estate agents Leaders, which is selling all 53 properties in the re-developed Russell House in Russell Mews, has revealed more details about the project and held a series of open days to give prospective buyers and investors a chance to learn more about Russell House.

A range of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments is being constructed within the building and buyers can also secure parking spaces.

Max Shave, Sales Manager at Leaders in Western Road, says: “Russell House is a stunning new development in the heart of the city centre and boasts high-end design, style and quality throughout.

“The new apartments will be among the most exclusive and desirable new homes available in central Brighton and we have already seen significant interest in them.

Indeed, the specification of the apartments is second to none, with quality fixtures and fittings throughout and a thoughtful design that maximises space and light.

“Anybody who is thinking about buying a new

apartment in Brighton to live in or as a buy-tolet investment should get in touch with us as soon as possible to find out more about what is on offer at Russell House.”

The redeveloped Russell House will feature a decadent entrance lobby with lifts to all floors, engineered wood flooring throughout, composite stone worktops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling tiled bathrooms.

It also offers a lucrative opportunity for buy-to-let investors looking to add a quality property to their portfolio that is sure to generate high tenant demand and deliver an excellent yield.

SCHOOL PREMIUM Homes near ‘outstanding’ schools attract £50,000 premium. Joanne Darroch, Senior Branch Manager at Leaders in Brighton and Hove, looks at why

P

arents looking to buy a property close to a primary school rated as ‘outstanding’

by Ofsted face paying a premium of more than £50,000.

New figures from Rightmove show the average asking price of homes in the successful admission zone of high-performing Grade 1 schools is £52,372 or 18 per cent higher than in areas around Grade 3 institutions.

There is also a 12 per cent (average of £37,000) hike in prices between properties near mid-range Grade 2 schools and those in Grade 1.

Joanne Darroch, Senior Branch Manager at Leaders in Brighton and Hove, says: “With

86 per cent of ‘outstanding’ primary schools already oversubscribed, living in an area with the best chance of being accepted by one has become a priority for many parents.

“Living close to the right school has long been an important factor for home hunters, but the latest figures suggest people are now willing to pay even more for the privilege.

Indeed, many movers admit to compromising on other issues in order to live close to a school above all else.

“Buyers should remember that some of the top schools have a very small successful admission area – sometimes measured in

metres – so they should always check whether a property was in this area in the last academic year before completing a purchase.

“With incredible demand for properties close to the best schools and an overall lack of supply in the market also helping to push up prices, those who live within a successful admission zone may wish to consider the benefits of selling – particularly if they no longer have children of a school age.

“Many are likely to be surprised by just how much their home is now worth and how high demand from parents can help them to get a great price.”

For more information and expert advice on selling, letting, buying or renting in Brighton and Hove, please contact your local Leaders branch or visit leaders.co.uk.

60 PORTFOLIO

THE collection

THE June COLLECTION There is nothing like a new home and the city boasts some spectacular new developments.

We select six of the best

1 Saltdean Drive Saltdean, Brighton This boutique scheme is set on the clifftops of Saltdean, offering beautiful elevated views along the south coast. The Marine Townhouse is laid over three floors and with a balcony, a Mediterranean garden and a raised garden area.

This beautiful home has been created and designed to enjoy the views.

There are thoughtful design features throughout, and with four double bedrooms, a spectacular open plan living space and a day room with full height windows, this gorgeous townhouse has flexible accommodation and a delightful ambiance. There is a big double garage within the communal underground car park.

Price: ÂŁ975,000 Mishon Mackay New Homes 01273 829300 | www.mishonmackay.com

124 New Church Road New Church Road, Hove A stunning development of four newly refurbished apartments in central Hove adjacent to Wish Park. Apartment 1 is a ground floor split level apartment to the rear of the development, with a private entrance, a decked terrace and side garden. Apartment 2 is a light and airy first and second floor duplex apartment with views across Wish Park.

Apartment 3 is a light and airy first and second floor duplex apartment with views to the front. Apartment 4 is a spacious ground floor apartment with an attractive front garden and its own front door.

Guide Price: ÂŁ400,000 Foster & Co Estate Agents 01273 830919 | www.fosterandcoestateagents.co.uk

More properties continued over the page

THE collection

"A stunning new development with high-end design, style and quality throughout"

Russell House Russell Mews, Brighton Russell House is a stunning new development with high-end design, style and quality throughout. The development offers a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Brighton, with the opportunity to purchase much soughtafter, secure parking spaces. There will be a total of 53 apartments within the historical development, which is now being redeveloped to create an exclusive and desirable selection of homes.

Located within easy reach of Brighton’s mainline station, The Lanes, and Brighton pier making this an ideal main home, investment or second home alike.

Price: POA Leaders 01273 720714 | www.leaders.co.uk

17 Goldstone Crescent Goldstone Crescent, Hove 17 Goldstone Crescent is a new gated development of modern architectural design, sympathetic to the surroundings of the Hove Park district with an abundance of green spaces. Boasting under floor heating throughout. Leicht fitted kitchen with integrated appliances and quartz work tops. Italian designer sanitary ware. Built in wardrobes to main bedroom. Carpets in all bedrooms.

Lift to all floors. New Homes Premier Guarantee 10 year warranty. Prewired for Virgin, Sky Q, BT and Freeview. There are seven flats in total, six two beds all with balconies, and a three bed penthouse with large roof terrace. Parking spaces are available.

Price From: £500,000 Austin Gray 01273 232232 | austingray.co.uk

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THE collection

Verano

Price: OIEO £1,150,000 Mishon Mackay 01273 821800 | www.mishonmackay.com

Palmeira Avenue, Hove

Tucked away on a leafy avenue in the heart of Hove sits this stylish 3 bedroom duplex penthouse, occupying the third and fourth floors of the boutique development, Verano. Offering lavish outdoor space in which to unwind and relax, along with three spacious double bedrooms and highly specified interiors finished with an eco-conscious design and under floor heating.

The interior offers rich walnut flooring, bespoke Italian wardrobes, plush carpets and sumptuous bathrooms. Boasting a cutting-edge German kitchen with premium appliances, plus under-floor heating. With three balconies and a fantastic roof terrace.

"Superb south facing balconies and breathtaking rooftop views towards the sea"

Kings Gate The Drive, Hove This selection of six new beautifully appointed penthouse apartments have been finished to exacting standards and offer a choice of two and three bedroom layouts, the majority with south facing balconies and rooftop views towards the sea. The kitchens are high gloss handleless doors with granite or stone worktops and integrated Zanussi appliances.

Featuring engineered wood effect flooring in the living areas and entrance halls and neutral carpet in the bedrooms. Each apartment comes with an allocated car parking space, a new 122 year lease and is sold with the peace of mind of a 10 year Build-Zone Warranty.

Price: Units from £455,000 Leasehold Oakley 01273 688881 | www.oakleyproperty.com

PORTFOLIO 63

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ARCHITECTURE

e

CLOSER to YOU Public art can value citizens and help build community and civic pride. Grant Shepherd from Alter & Company Architects looks at how good public art reflects a community

O

ur streets and public spaces do not do our city justice, and this seems to be at the expense of us, the people; the built environment seems to favour vehicles rather than human experience.

It sometimes feels that as a nation we are becoming isolated. Politics aside, public space has a great deal to do with this perception of detachment. There are too few opportunities to meet and gather; what opportunities there are in public space are limited. The kinds of activities taking place in locally oriented public spaces are also limited to the most basic and are in general quite uniform from village to village.

The population of the city is not given a diverse range of opportunities to enjoy the public realm. Brighton is deemed a diverse city, with a limited number of public prospects.

Building a place for the community around an artwork, or culture venue, by growing and attracting activities that make it a multi-use destination is a future we need.

“We think public art can play a major role in enhancing the urban environment and would like to see contemporary sculpture as part of Hove’s street life and seafront vistas.”Hove Civic Society Recently, we won the national public arts competition organised to commission an art piece archway for pedestrian access to the south end of The Level Park in central Brighton.

Alter & Company created an original and site-specific sculpture that communicates to the users of the park through a reflective sculptural archway. Our approach to the design has been to embed the vast amount of history and memories collected of The Level over the past 300 years into a beautiful piece of interactive art that becomes a multi-faceted narrative.

The characteristic Elm trees that surround the park and the entrance provide shade and an

"The idea of reflecting the shape of the overhanging trees at the entrance is that of an organic archway growing out from the existing elements of the park" intimate dappled atmosphere. Their presence deeply informed the design of our proposal, the ‘Happenstance Archway’. The idea of reflecting the shape of the overhanging trees at the entrance is that of an organic archway growing out from the existing elements of the park.

There is also an integral notion in the aging of the leaves; they begin to lose bits of their fabric and holes are left that physically become a memory of what used to be.

This relatively small piece of urban design is

so important, because it informs a landmark, a place of remembrance and local identity through a cultural focus on the importance of our public environments that have always brought us together in varied complexities.

The materiality of the archway is stainless steel, reflecting its surroundings and people passing by, bringing the entirety of the park closer to you and becoming an extension of the story. It is a place to pause and from which you can observe your surroundings. As you look closer the metal perforations make up faces of historical figures that have importance to The Level and Brighton, enabling two time periods to exist simultaneously; the present and past.

The perforations in the metal let dappled light in and an elusive play between light and shadows creates an alluring quality with a strong sense of place and identity.

With relatively reduced council budgets and reduced public arts funding, public art is quite reliant on development companies carrying this baton with section 106 agreements. This is not a good future for public art and public space: our local authorities need to spend more money and time on a greater human perspective to city planning.

Alter & Company Ltd, Studio 1C, 11 Jew Street, Brighton BN1 1UT 01273 720816 | www.alterandcompany.com PORTFOLIO 65

DIY

THE ONLY WAY IS UP(cycling) Pick up your paint brushes and dive into the exciting world of upcycling with these tips on painting furniture perfectly

W

hether you’re new on the revamping scene or a master of all trades, owner and self-accomplished renovator Sarah Weightman from Everlong Paint shares her hints and tips to help you create the perfect masterpiece.

Upcycling furniture is an increasingly popular trend that is showing no signs of stopping. This cost-effective way of turning old pieces into stunning new designs has got us all reaching for our overalls and paint brushes.

Although the thought of undertaking a large project can seem quite daunting, follow these tips and you will succeed.

“Before you get stuck in, make sure you have all of your tools to hand,” says Sarah. “I tend to have a brush, kitchen roll, paint stirrer, and, if needed, a trusty screwdriver to remove hardware.”

“It’s important to clean each piece of furniture using good-quality sugar soap before painting, which will remove any old polish/wax and dirt that may bleed through your finished painted item.”

66 PORTFOLIO

“When selecting a colour, think about your existing décor and where your painted item will live. A rich cream shade is a popular choice, but it will be lost once placed against a magnolia wall. Why not opt for our on-trend Dijon pictured on the left and below? This cheery colour will instantly brighten up your interiors this season.”

“This cost-effective way of turning old pieces into stunning new designs has got us all reaching for our overalls and paint brushes” “It’s important to be patient with your coats,” Sarah continues. “Two or three thinner layers are much better than one thick coat of paint.

Don’t worry if, after your first coat, your item looks a little uneven or patchy; this is perfectly normal, and with each coat you apply you will see more of a finished result. If painting

drawers, do not use too much paint on the outside edge, as this can make it harder to slide your drawers back into place.”

Once your old treasure has taken on a new lease of life, it’s time to start thinking about finishing touches. Everlong paint is designed to leave a matt, chalky finish. However, due to the wax properties in the formula, you can simply buff the paint with a soft cloth once dry to create a waxed effect with added durability.

Another option to enhance your work of art would be distressing, as Sarah explains: “To distress or not to distress, that is the question? I prefer a little gentle distressing as it adds character to your item. I use an 80 grit/grade sandpaper. The best way to obtain an authentic distressed effect is to imagine your piece is a good few hundred years of age, and distress where the item would have been handled over time, such as handles, knobs, edges and features. If you have been too enthusiastic with your sanding, do not worry as it can easily be fixed. Simply paint back over the affected area, wait for it to dry and start again.”

Thanks to Everlong Paint, www.everlongpaint.com and www.idealhome.co.uk

MAKE IT PERSONAL Upcycling expert Max McMurdo speaks his passion for the upcycling movement and recommends an easy first-time project...

If you’re wondering how and why to start upcycling, man-of-the-moment (see our interview in April issue) Max McMurdo is doing his best to convince you. Last year, his book ‘Upcycling’ sold out on Amazon within an hour and now he’s Sarah Beeny’s righthand man on the new Channel 4 series How To Live Mortgage Free, inspiring homeowners to save money by getting hands-on with their old pieces of furniture.

For Max, upcycling is about adding value to an object, whether that’s financial, visual, or emotional, but, above all, it’s about adding design. ‘Design can be a slight change of colour, sanding it back, or completely converting it into something else and re-purposing it.’ He also says upcycling can refer to something as simple as repairing and re-oiling a table.

Are you sitting on the fence when it comes to upcycling? Here are six reasons why you should give it a go: IT SAVES YOU MONEY There is, of course, plenty of budget furniture available online and on the high street.

However, if you already have an old chest of drawers or stool sitting in the garage, why spend money on a new one? Concerned about the cost of tools? Max says, ‘Once you’ve got the tools, you own them, they’re yours, and you have them there for your next projects. Tools Photo Credits: www.everlongpaint.com

are much more affordable than they used to be, and I think everyone should have a toolbox at home anyway, to be able to repair things. By the time you’ve upcycled a couple of bits, it has easily paid for itself.’

IT’S ON TREND The industrial look is all the rage right now, and its characteristics of exposed brickwork, copper piping and reclaimed wood all lend themselves perfectly to the upcycling movement.

YOU CAN CREATE UNIQUE PIECES Rather than buying uniform furniture designed by someone else, upcycling means you can create your very own bespoke, personalised pieces that suit your tastes and your needs.

‘These are the pieces your friends will notice and admire, not your flat-pack furniture,’ says Max. IT’S SATISFYING Max says: ‘You can go to work and earn a lot of money to purchase something from the shop, but then you look at that object and it’s just inanimate. But when you sit down and put your mug of tea on a palette-wood coffee table that you’ve spent three hours in the garage working on with your boy, having a laugh and learning new skills, saving something from landfill, that is a million times more rewarding than looking at something that you bought with the money you earned.’

YOU’RE LEARNING A SKILL FOR LIFE Until recently, ‘make do and mend’ was a

household motto. Nowadays, however, because of fast-changing fashion and cheaper products, many of us have lost the skills required to repair broken objects.

Think how much money you could save by learning how to use a hammer, nails, fabric glue and a staple gun to fix a broken table leg or reupholster a chair. And it’s a skill you can pass down to future generations too.

IT’S EASY You may feel daunted by the idea of building a chair out of a crate or a kitchen surface out of a huge piece of oak, but upcycling doesn’t have to be complicated. There are plenty of ideas that are easier than they look. Max says ‘It can be as little as a bit of wallpaper in the back of a wardrobe, or drilling a hole into something and making it into a clock. It doesn’t have to be overly elaborate, but I do like there to be an element of design. Something simple, but with a bit of personalisation.’

Once you’ve got the hang of the simpler tasks, you can turn your hand to bigger and more complicated projects. And what project does Max recommend for a first-time upcycler? ‘I like to go for an upholstered dining chair. It allows you to try many different techniques.

You can sand it back, paint it, or leave it raw. You can learn how to upholster, which is an easy process that you can do in fifteen minutes using a cheap staple gun. It’s a wonderfully simple, achievable thing, and once you’ve done one, you’ll get the bug.’

PORTFOLIO 67

83 Bates Road, Brighton cliveemson.co.uk 01273 504232

Lyne Lane, Lyne, Chertsey

This delightful semi-detached house offers generous living accommodation over three floors.

The property has been extended by the current owners to provide a ground floor kitchen/breakfast room and master suite above.

While the main structural work has been completed on the extension and the ground floor fully operational, the master suite requires finishing. epc:c Guide: £500,000 Plus

Station Road, Hurst Green Situated on the outskirts of the popular village of Hurst Green, opposite Coronation Gardens is this attractive period two storey two-bedroom end terrace cottage .

The property is now is now in need of improvement and redecoration. epc:tbc Guide: £145,000 Plus

Old Shoreham Road, Shoreham-by-Sea

Claremont Road, Seaford

A freehold purpose built vehicle workshop situated in a prominent position close to Shoreham town centre. The property was constructed in 1989 and offers increased ceiling height for vehicle maintenance on the ground floor with front and rear roller doors, dedicated reception area with kitchen washroom facilities and open plan storage on the first floor.

A freehold property arranged as an eighteen bedroom care home with accommodation over three floors. The property is currently let at £43,260 per annum.

The property also has a 3 phase electricity supply, front forecourt and rear yard with road frontage to Orchard Close. epc:f Guide: £480,000-500,000

In addition to the bedrooms most of which have en-suite W.C and hand basin the property offers residents living room, dining room, sun lounge and staff facilities. The care home also has a fully operational lift, storerooms and garage.epc:tbc Guide: £500,000 Plus

Guides are provided as an indication of each Seller’s minimum expectation. They are not necessarily figures which a property will sell for and may change at any time prior to Auction. Unless stated otherwise, each Lot will be offered subject to a reserve (a figure below which the Auctioneer cannot sell the Lot during the Auction). We expect the reserve will be set within the guide range or no more than 10% above a single figure guide. All lots are sold subject to legal documentation. Please check our website regularly at cliveemson.co.uk, or call 01273 504232, in order to stay fully informed.

Upcoming Sussex & Surrey Auction The Hilton Brighton Metropole Wednesday 14th June - 11am

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On the drawing board On The Drawing Board is our platform for Industry professionals and the public to discuss issues and ideas relating to planning On The Drawing Board will showcase planning permissions granted, scheme ideas and ideas for Brighton’s regeneration and future. This month: we look at some of the developments taking place in the city. If you are a property professional, or just have a great idea, get in touch on the channels below.

AMEX UPDATE – OFF THE DRAWING BOARD What’s happening? With demolition due to be completed by the end of May, we are still none the wiser as to what will be put in its place.

The site sale negotiations continue as the agreed demolition takes place, in accordance with part of the planning permission granted for the new John Street headquarters completed December 2012. This site will hopefully supply the Edward Street area with provisions of further office, residential and commercial space. A nice park area for Brighton University students, local businesses and residents to enjoy would be an added bonus! We hope more news on the plans for this site will be released soon so it can go on the drawing board.

PLANNING APPROVED ZSTa have had planning approved for four family houses on a triangular-shaped plot, bounded on its three sides by the back gardens of houses in Kimberley Road and Ladysmith Road.

ZSTa were asked by the Client to look at enhancing the appearance and quality of the accommodation on this site while maintaining the overall parameters and conditions set out by a previous application.

In doing so, ZSTa have looked at the contours and levels of the site in great detail in order to maintain the relationship to neighbouring properties as set out in the approved application.

Greater consideration has been given to the plan and elevations of the houses as well as to making the designs much more accessible for lifetime living. Although Lifetime homes standards no longer apply, the plans do fully comply with Lifetime Homes standards. The homes have also been designed to meet with the code three standard for sustainable home design.

HYDE HOUSING FOR OVINGDEAN 45 HOUSES REFUSED In the shadow of the 125 Portslade homes that were refused after residents objected, Hyde Housing has had 45 homes in Meadow Vale, off the Falmer Road in Ovingdean, rejected by councillors. The development received over 600 objections from residents and the councillors agreed, resulting in the refusal of the plans to build on the edge of the South Downs. The developer who brought the plans forward are Surrey-based firm Lightwood Strategic. Lightwood put forward their first proposal in February 2014 to build up to 315 homes on this site. In January 2015, the project was drastically scaled down to 85 homes and was rejected on appeal in March 2016. The latest rejection was for 45 one-to-five-bedroom houses, meeting the council’s 40 per cent affordable housing requirement by including ten affordable rental properties and eight shared ownership homes. The ecologically diverse site, home to the rare red star thistle, is not off the drawing board yet, with Lightwood Strategic looking to pursue an appeal.

Do you have more ideas? Submit to #BrightFuture @ZSTaUK or @PortfolioMagUK

GARDENING

INTO THE GARDEN As June appears, spring is behind us, and summer truly begins.

Tara de la Motte, on what to do in the garden this month

Things to do in the garden this month…

•

Tidy borders by cutting back, deadheading and weeding

•

Cut lawn more frequently and edge grass

•

Sprinkle fertiliser around the root of roses for beautiful blooms

•

Stake tall-growing perennials like delphiniums and lupins

Enjoy your June garden

T

his is the month when all of your hard work begins to be rewarded, with the garden looking glorious. Everything is growing rapidly, so there is much to do, but now is also a time to sit, relax and enjoy your garden. So seize every opportunity to delight in your outdoor space.

June is the month of fragrance and nothing is more fragrant than a rose. Roses definitely confirm the presence of summer.

The wonderful scent and the beauty of their blooms create a magical atmosphere in the garden. There is a rose to suit every garden and situation. The rose, with its beauty and scent, has to be the queen of the English garden.

We all love fragrance in our gardens and at this time of year there are many shrubs and climbers that provide just that: lilacs, lavenders and mock oranges are but a few. These scented plants will flood our gardens with beautiful

aroma on a warm summer’s evening. A variety of climbers like honeysuckles, jasmine and climbing roses are also beautifully fragrant for your walls or fences around the garden.

Create a small area in your garden where you can go to relax and unwind, a seating space under a canopy of fragrant climbers.

Honeysuckles are very dependable and ‘Lonicera japonica - Halliana’ is the longest blooming. From mid-June to late November, the beautifully scented blossom just keeps flowering. Surround your seating area with lavender, sweet rocket, which has a sweet scent, and mock orange (Philadelphus Beauclerk) - a citrus-scented blossom whose fragrance is most intense in the evening.

Herbs are a must in any fragrant garden as they provide scent and flavour. They often have pretty flowers and wonderful leaves, which are also edible. Wild thyme makes bright carpets

of colour in pink, purple or white. Thyme is not only aromatic, but the flowers are pretty too.

Plant herbs by your back door so that their fragrance drifts into the house every time you brush past them. A big pot of ‘eau de cologne mint’ or pineapple sage will provide you with scent and add flavour to all your dishes.

With hundreds of wonderfully scented plants to choose from, there is something fragrant for all seasons for your garden.

Finally, don’t forget to visit the great RHS Hampton Court Flower Show from 4th to 9th July, where you can find inspiration as well as the opportunity to buy some wonderful plants. Also at this time of the year, there are some beautiful private gardens to visit, both small and large, as part of the NGS scheme open for charity. Some of these gardens sell plants, too, and it’s a great way of discovering new plants.

“We all love fragrance in our gardens, and at this time of year there are many shrubs and climbers that provide just that”

OVERSEAS

CLIFFSIDE LUXURY Situated on the water’s edge in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, this ground-floor, three-storey apartment was recently transformed by the ARRCC team of interior architects into a modern holiday escape that perfectly balances luxury and comfort

S

triving to deliver on the brief of a relaxed, contemporary interior, the design was inspired by sophisticated yacht interiors and tailored to make best use of the abundance of natural light in the apartment. The ARRCC team of Michele Rhoda and Mark Rielly, assisted by Chad Brander, AnnaLisa Cunningham-Cooper and client representative Karen Stanek from Christian Nell Designs, who was responsible for the interior decor, created elements that accentuate the triple volume and create a feeling of openness, not unlike the vast views over the bay.

PORTFOLIO  71

OVERSEAS

“A bespoke light fitting of aqua coloured glass panes, that seem to float beneath the limed oak timber ceiling, mimics the rippling water surfaces of the bay limed oak timber ceiling, mimics ” The refined design work is evident from the moment you set foot in the entrance hall on the third level, where the triple volume becomes visible through a glass bridge placed alongside the open brushed stainless steel and timber staircase. Even more than just connecting the two wings of the apartment, this forms the focal point and sets the tone for the design inspiration that is visible throughout. Above, a bespoke light fitting of aqua coloured glass panes that seem to float beneath the limed oak timber ceiling, mimics the rippling water surfaces of the bay. The wood panelling, with its curved, soft edges, stretches across the rear face and unifies the upper floor while concealing the guest bathroom and framing the wine cellar.

To the left, the spacious lounge leads to the study. A baby grand piano lends a touch of romance. The dining room and bar on the right open to a terrace on the sea side. The kitchen behind can be screened off by sliding,

tinted, bronze framed panel The bookend walls of the lounge and bar are clad with grey mirror, accentuating and reflecting the linear planes and spaces. On the middle level, a gallery space off the stairwell links the two wings featuring the private lounge and master bedroom. With an open bathroom suite, magnificent sea views soothe the senses from anywhere in the spacious bedroom. A private landscaped viewing deck, complete with its own water feature and masterly crafted canopy that creates a shaded oasis, means that one could easily mistake your surroundings for a private island anywhere in the world.

With a family lounge, covered outside lounge area and dining area with a BBQ and pool bar, the ground floor accommodates the entertainment needs of the owner. The infinity pool runs along the water’s edge, leading the eye to the greater horizon and the magnificent sunsets it presents.

While the internal spaces are kept decidedly simple and elegant, materials and textures such as satin brass, limed oak, stainless steel, marble and mirror are sumptuously applied and bring sophistication and richness to the layered spaces. The bold textures and colours of fabrics used perfectly reference the owner’s curated collection of art.

ARRCC believes in the spirited crafting of unique interiors that captivate and move.

Working closely with our clients, we distil and transform their briefs to exceed original expectations. We believe in life-enhancing spaces that reflect both client and location, and through our refined approach to design, have developed a style focused on detail and substance.

For more information visit www.arrcc.com facebook.com/ARRCC-188172554587334 pinterest.com/arrccdesign instagram.com/_arrcc PORTFOLIO 73

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WORK IN LINE The FlexDesk 640 from BakkerElkhuizen is a desk that helps you work smart and feel good.

For seamless multi-functionality the FlexDesk 640 works as an in-line document holder and writing slope. Oozing distinction and quality, every element of the FlexDesk has a satin work surface with easy gliding rails, cabin for pencils and is crafted from 5mm rigid acrylic.

The FlexDesk 640 is available from Osmond Ergonomics for £164.14 www.ergonomics.co.uk

SHOW TIME Style up your office with this bench that seems to be directly taken from a theatre.

Designed with a curved seat and backrest, it displays a neatly finished and robust double seat, designed with varnished wood on a metallic weathered base. You’ll appreciate the placement numbers visible on the side and on the back, guaranteeing the vintage style of this double seater.

Theatre Double Seat £415 www.pib-home.co.uk

ENGINEERED LUXURY

MUST

The Girado office chair is engineered with luxury. The swivel chair returns to automatically face the table once you get out. The curved chair is made to very high design, function and ecological standards.

The luxurious Atelier desk is height adjustable in increments from 68cm to 81cm high.

Team 7 Atelier Desk from £1,660, and Girado Chair from £1,649

HAVES

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Keep your office clutter-free, sleek and smart for ultimate productivity. We love these instant updates

Keep invites and rickets off your desk with these Cork Frames from Red Candy, These eye-catching displays are cut from a 47mm thick solid block of medium grain cork, and each comes complete with a signature cut out shelf. Made from 100% sustainable cork, you can use these stylish pin boards for photos, memos, tickets, invitations and much more.

Cork Frames: Landscape, £95, Square, £70, Portrait, £95

PIN UP

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HOME tips

THE PERSONAL TOUCH Interior designers aren’t just for the rich and famous. We can all benefit from some help in pulling a scheme together

F

orget the idea that interior designers are only for the elite. Your home is your biggest asset and should be a place that truly reflects your style. An interior designer can help you with this. Whether you want a few hours of consultation or a total makeover, they will work with your budget to pull your look together.

You can call on an interior designer for almost any decorating need. They’ll spend an hour helping you choose colour or take more time to plan a floor-to-ceiling redo. Be prepared to discuss your wishes for the project, your budget range, and a total cost ceiling. That way, your designer can guide you on ways to economise in some areas so you can splurge on something wonderful somewhere else.

An interior designer can provide general advice and help set your priorities. A good interior designer will offer suggestions for room arrangements, colour schemes, and window treatments, based on knowledge of what is available in your price range and what is appropriate for each use. The right person will help pull a house together. If you’ve moved your old furniture into your new house, for 76 PORTFOLIO

example, a designer can help you bring the new look together.

You might be looking to complete a room.

A designer can also help you with smaller projects, such as fine-tuning one room or decorating to include an heirloom piece

"Most architects work closely with interior designers or will be able to recommend someone complementary to their – and your - style" of furniture. Coordinate a floor-to-ceiling makeover? A designer can help you create a dream come true. An interior designer will help you add the finishing touches that give a room that special “magazine look.” Some designers suggest you reserve 15-20 percent of your budget to purchase one-of-a-kind accessories that will transform a well-furnished room into a personal environment tailored to your

own tastes. Keep in mind, too, that one of the advantages of using an interior designer is access to exclusive or trade-only items, including fabrics, furniture, and accessories that contribute to your home’s one-of-a-kind look.

Perhaps you already have the elements in place and just need help with realising your vision. Think of it as “one-day decorating.” For a one-time fee, an interior designer can work as an interior arranger, to visit your home and offer suggestions for working with what you already own by rearranging furniture, swapping artwork between rooms, re-covering furniture, and painting walls.

Above all, the relationship with your interior designer must feel right, or it won’t work.

Remember, you’re working together on your private environment. Make sure you meet up to check how well the two of you communicate and consider the designer’s ideas for your home. Once you decide on a designer, it’s wise to sign a contract that clearly states the services and fees. Designers can charge for their services in different ways, from hourly fees to percentages or a flat fee for the job.

Thanks to www.idealhome.co.uk and www.bhg.com and The British Institute of Interior Design: www.biid.org.uk

HOME tips

Get the ‘wow’ factor in your home: How to find the right interior designer for you Thinking about getting a professional in? Here are some things to consider...

WHY DO YOU NEED AN INTERIOR DESIGNER? Restyling your home, particularly if structural changes are involved, is a costly investment. Mistakes are expensive and frustrating, and a professional can help bring your vision to life, to a deadline, while squeezing every drop of value from your budget.

IS IT A LARGE OR SMALL PROJECT? For micro-makeovers, the personal shopper at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, an interior designer, can discuss your scheme and show you the options (the first hour is free, then £75 per hour). Smaller independent interiors shops may also offer a similar service. For a refurbishment that includes building works, you should look for a firm who can manage the programme, from curtains to kitchen extensions. Most architects work closely with interior designers or will be able to recommend someone complementary to their – and your- style.

FINDING THE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL Look at interior designers’ portfolios online to make sure their style is to your taste. You might prefer a warm, country look or a sleek, metropolitan style. Try to speak with at least three designers and ask for references.

QUALIFICATIONS The British Institute of Interior Design (biid.org.uk ) has a list of accredited members and an online guide to the different qualifications.

WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW Make sure you fill them in on important information. Your budget. Who lives with you – including pets. What doesn’t work at present, and why. What you do and don’t like, including items that you would like to incorporate into the scheme.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Write a list of questions to ask your interior designer. What their solutions would be.

What aftercare do they offer: will they help with the snag list? Is the initial interview free?

And make sure you agree a basis for charging.

FEES Some interior designers charge per day for their time and others add their fee as a percentage (anything between five and 15%) of the project.

WORKING WITH YOUR DESIGNER Draw up a contract that requires each decision to be signed off by you, to avoid miscommunication. Start with a concept board, showing images, textures and colours that appeal. The designer will produce drawings of proposed schemes along with samples of actual materials. Once you have agreed on a programme, it can be as simple as watching your new look take shape.

PROPERTY ABROAD If you have an overseas property, you’ll need to know whether they’ll decorate it. If all materials are sourced in the UK, they probably will.

WHAT IF IT ALL GOES WRONG? BIDA members have insurance that covers them for everything from disputes to accidents.

PORTFOLIO 77

TRAVEL

LUXURIOUS LOOKOUT For Sale: The ultimate luxury Welsh Holiday Lodge for a cool £350,000

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re you one of a growing number of Brits looking to holiday at home? Combining stunning architecture with beautiful interiors and a breathtaking coastal view, the luxurious Lookout in North Wales could be for you.

Leading holiday park operator Darwin Escapes has unveiled this £350,000 unique retreat, which will be perched on a beachside plot in Aberconwy Resort & Spa with panoramic views across the North Wales coast.

Clad in achingly cool cedar wood and ThermoWood and with split-level balconies and decked terraces, The Lookout has been designed to make the most of its spectacular views.

The lodge sleeps six and comes with a master bedroom with its own wet room and a large double walk-in shower and walk-in wardrobe. Across the hall is a second double bedroom.

Decorated by an interior designer in a neutral tone, the inside, with its elevated

78 PORTFOLIO

lounge area and adjoining balcony, has a modern contemporary feel with its zesty lemons, soft browns, creams, greys and clever lighting.

“Our customers are looking for exceptional retreats to relax and unwind” It comes with all mod-cons, including a fully-fitted kitchen with Bosch appliances and an integrated coffee machine, a fiveburner gas hob, eye-level oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer and dual washer/ dryer.

Two sets of Bi-Fold doors allow the 990 sq. ft. property to be flooded with an abundance of natural light. Built to British Standard 3632, The Lookout is also protected by a 10 year warranty.

Samantha Lambert, Marketing Manager

of Darwin Escapes, said: “Since the announcement of Brexit, we have seen an increase in the number of people looking to buy a holiday home in the UK. “Our customers are looking for exceptional retreats to relax and unwind. We will be building our iconic Lookout at our exclusive Aberconwy Resort & Spa to make the most of the incredible views of this part of the North Wales coast.

“The combination of craftsmanship and interior design means The Lookout provides every opportunity for holiday makers to stop and enjoy the perfect luxurious sanctuary for relaxation.”

Aberconwy Resort & Spa in Conwy has won awards for its dining. Its Signatures Restaurant was voted ‘best place to eat’ in the whole of Wales at the 2013 National Tourism Awards.

North Wales-headquartered Darwin Escapes is the fourth-largest operator of holiday parks in the UK. www.darwinescapes.co.uk www.aberconwyresort.co.uk

Did you know‌ Over 30,000 people each month read the magazine The magazine is now the best supported publication in the area Thousands have signed up to our newsletter and

read the magazine online before it is published We distribute PORTFOLIO throughout a vast network of outlets across the region Our loyal and avid readers keep PORTFOLIO magazine on their coffee tables for over a month You can NOW subscribe annually to receive copies of the magazine in the post

Everyone working on PORTFOLIO is local and passionate about our City PORTFOLIO Publications Ltd. publishes other magazines for small businesses PORTFOLIO magazine supports and sponsors events throughout the City Our supporters and readers are

affluent business people and families

Want to know more?

Call Lynne Edwards 07931 537588 | lynne@portfoliopublications.co.uk www.portfoliopublications.co.uk

“Outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, bars, fire pits and even fire places – we’re building entertainment space into our gardens”

Firefly Firebowl Cement Console Square, www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk

Keliko Bench, www.pib-home.co.uk

Ambersham Rattan Garden Furniture Set, ww

ww.modishliving.co.uk

INTERIORS

Alfresco Festoon Light Canopy, www.lights4fun.co.uk

ROOM OUTSIDE We’re taking it outside this month and looking at trends for making outdoor space comfortable, functional and durable for the summer months

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t may seem hard to believe at times, but high summer is almost here. As the sun reaches its zenith, warm afternoons and mild, dusky evenings beckon us outside. We’re increasingly making use of outside spaces, whether it’s a garden, patio, balcony or the local park. As our living space expands outside, we take home comfort and style with us.

STYLE OUTSIDE Simple Scandinavian style, a key interiors trend for the last few years, is also influencing outside space. Light painted or washed decking, simple wooden furniture, candles and folksy textiles are the hallmark pieces of Scandi style. In contrast, there are strong Asian and African themes running through the trend for jewel-coloured cushions and throws, floor cushion seating, gazebos and teepees. Whatever your preference, it’s important to make outdoor space comfortable, functional and durable through the variable British summer.

ENTERTAIN OUTDOORS Outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, bars, fire pits and even fire places – we’re building entertainment space into our gardens. Building on the simple barbeque, an outdoor kitchen could include hardwood or stone worktops, a sink and even bar space.

SITTING COMFORTABLY We urbanites are well practised at getting the most out of the smallest outside space.

Deckchairs are a basic requirement: They can be folded, stored or carried about until the sun starts shining (at which point unfold, sit down, place hanky on head and fall asleep, wherever you are), and are ideal for those impromptu park or beach picnics.

PORTFOLIO 81

Folding Wooden Table & Bench Set By Madam Stoltz, www.ovohome.com

INTERIORS

Hardwood and rattan furniture is affordable and stylish. Rattan sofa sets are great for lounging around on – the bigger and comfier, the better. Garden day beds and large hanging seats are great places to relax and unwind.

Create a garden boudoir with cushions, candles and throws; just be sure to take them in when the weather changes.

Hardwood furniture can be durable if you care for it well; clean and oil it, and put it away in winter. A more durable solution is resin or concrete, which can be left outside all year.

Building bespoke seating or tables around trees and other natural features will make best use of space and help your outside area to flow.

LIGHTEN UP The right lighting will enhance your outside space. Think low-level, soft and welcoming.

Retro garland lights look great strung through trees or across gardens. Solar lights sunk into lawns will ensure you can see your way outside and in again. Twinkling fairy lights and hanging candles add a touch of magic on long summer nights. Other lighting to consider includes strip

LED lighting across stairs (looks great and makes them visible), eating areas and features.

Colour-changing LEDs can make the space really special.

WATER FEATURES Simple water features can be beautiful and calming, especially when accentuated with light. The sound and sight of gentle running water is very relaxing. More and more of us are starting to use outside space as a spa zone, adding hot tubs, outdoor showers, and saunas to help us relax. Adding these features to a simple decked area, screened with plants and bamboo, will transform your garden. If you don’t have space or budget for a permanent spa, you could add an inflatable hot tub for very little outlay. Do consider privacy (both yours and your neighbours), though, and add some screening.

THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE Of course, beautiful outside space goes beyond furniture. Paying attention to flooring, walls, boundaries and planting will make all the difference. Choose scented plants and

climbers around seating areas, as the soft smell of jasmine, lavender, night scented stock or honeysuckle will tickle your senses on long summer nights. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage and chamomile all do well in our region, and will give off a subtle scent when brushed against. Intersperse soft, blousy blooms like peonies and roses with more architectural, structured grasses, reeds and bamboos which help define space and boundaries. Mirrors work very well outside; a large mirror against a wall in a long, narrow garden will make it seem bigger, reflecting plants and flowers.

Whatever size your outdoor space is, there will be wildlife. Consider adding a small woodpile or area for insects and other critters to inhabit. Bird feeders will bring wildlife to your garden all year round, and help to ensure our local bird populations survive the winter.

Art is another thing to consider when designing your space. It doesn’t have to be a canvas; you can add colour, texture and form with tiles, paint, mirrors or hanging ornaments.

Coloured paint can be used to good effect in small spaces, adding light and helping demarcate the space.

PORTFOLIO 83

CULTURE London to Brighton Bike Ride 2017

“It doesn’t matter when you cross the finish line. It just matters that you do” 18th June www.bhf.org.uk & other charities

HEALTH

Alcohol - our favourite drug Spotting problem drinking early is the key to making changes and getting the right help. There are therapeutic interventions that can really help the early problem drinker make changes

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illions are spent every year persuading us to consume our favourite drug. For the sophisticated drinker, associating alcohol with sun-dappled French vineyards and the production of exotic Bordeauxs, or, for the youngsters, transforming us into the coolest dancers, glimpsed through frosted, trendy vodka bottles. Positive images and associations are all around us. Take a moment to think about the seductive advertising behind our favourite brands.

However, alcohol also has its darker side.

A percentage of all children in care are placed there due to alcohol problems in the parents. It is a major factor in most road traffic accident deaths, and it increases the risk of cancers, heart disease and strokes. We are all familiar with the shaking alcoholic who needs a swig of whisky in the morning to get out of bed, but how to spot when alcohol is becoming a problem and how to access help is more of a challenge.

Alcohol creates a feeling of wellbeing, warmth and relaxation, so there is a major draw to consume more. However, repeated exposure of the brain to recurrent doses of ethanol (alcohol) produces subtle changes in behaviour and brain functioning. Recently, the safe drinking guidelines for alcohol have been reduced to 14 units per week for both men and women, but drinking above these limits

doesn’t necessarily mean you have a problem, and alcohol problems are as many and varied as the brands we consume. It usually takes many years of heavy bouts of drinking to develop a serious alcohol problem and 40% of an individual’s risk is determined by genes, so those with a strong family history of addictions need to take special care.

"Increasing tolerance or frequently using alcohol to relax in an habitual way can progress into a more serious dependency" Early warning signs can be subtle; thinking more frequently about drinking alcohol or changes in behaviour so that drinking becomes a preferred pastime can be early signs. Increasing tolerance or frequently using alcohol to relax in an habitual way can progress into a more serious dependency. If your drinking has led to accidents, or you are simply spending increasing amounts of time either drinking or recovering from the aftereffects of drinking, it is time to make changes.

It often takes several years of problem drinking before a more serious dependency

develops. The dependant drinker usually develops some degree of denial by surrounding themselves with other heavy drinkers to disguise the degree of the problem. Memory blackouts or continuing drinking despite negative consequences (arguments, days off work, for example) are worrying signs.

Many experience shameful feelings which often prevent people from seeking help.

Unfortunately, dependant drinkers often kid themselves that they “can stop if [they] want”.

It is important to spot problem drinking early to make changes or seek appropriate advice.

There are therapeutic interventions that can help the early problem drinker make changes, and for those with underlying mental health problems like depression, additional treatment is also available. There are new medications for the dependant drinker and specialised treatment that can help restore health and wellbeing.

For further information and support please contact: Brighton and Hove Clinic, 01273 747464 or email brighton@elysiumhealthcare.co.uk Written by Dr Bowskill, Consultant Psychiatrist.

Medical Director: Brighton & Hove Clinic PORTFOLIO 85

STYLE

BRIGHTON & HOVE TARTAN Gresham Blake, University of Brighton business alumnus and Brighton-based designer, has given the city its own check

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t all started with a conversation with our ‘go to’ photographer, Kenny McKracken.

Kenny is Scottish, and always said that it is a shame that Brighton does not have its own official Tartan.

Each season Gresham Blake produce a small collection of Tartan ‘trews,’ which fly out of the store due to their popularity. In recognition of the demand they get from their clientele, Gresham decided that Kenny had a very valid point: Why doesn’t Brighton have it’s own Tartan?

Having spoken to many of his clients, and after floating the idea with the locals, Gresham decided that the Brighton & Hove Tartan was something that had to happen.

The aim was for the tartan to be designed to reflect the city’s rich culture and flamboyant history, and the finished cloth hints at these things - a mixture of blues (the sea), greens (the South Downs), gold, and pink (the city’s flamboyance). It has now been officially certified by Mayor West and added to the Scottish Register of Tartans.

Traditional ‘trews’ made in the Brighton & Hove Tartan will be exclusive to Gresham Blake; the cloth will be available via Gresham Blake, who owns the rights (and who will approve its use) to this very special and unique cloth.

Gresham Blake recently presented the Mayor with his newly designed robe in ceremonial style, which was also a celebration and official launch of the Certified Brighton & Hove Tartan.

Mayor West also invited local brand Brighton Gin to create an official Brighton & Hove Cocktail, which was unveiled at the presentation of the Mayor’s New Robes.

Gresham is clearly delighted with the commission and the publicity the Tartan is receiving. Apart from the tie, available in store, and trousers, arriving shortly, bespoke suits and dresses can be created for customers from the Tartan.

STYLE

Christopher Jessop and Ian Hollands in their Brighton & Hove tartan

“Made-to-measure garments can be created in this exclusive cloth, anything from kilts to waistcoats, suits and dresses. Nothing is out of the question”

Gresham Blake 20 Bond Street, Brighton BN1 1RD 01273 609587 www.greshamblake.com

PORTFOLIO 87

BITE SIZED

Nick Mosley, Managing Director of the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival CIC, rounds up the month’s food news

Swimming into season For a small island we’ve an amazing bounty of great fish and seafood to enjoy throughout the year, and with fishing ports at both Newhaven and Portslade, Brighton is a great place to enjoy it. Head to Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales in Portslade harbour for the pick of the month’s catch from British waters. Black bream, plaice and Atlantic cod is just coming into season, whilst lobster and gurnard are coming to the end of theirs. To ensure your fish is sustainable always look for the MSC mark from the Marine Stewardship Council when you buy.

Photo: Julia Claxton

BNFS, Basin Road South, Portslade, Brighton BN41 1WF • 01273 420123

60 seconds with...

Andy Vitez, Head Chef of The Restaurant at Drakes

Guilty secret food?

I love a bacon sandwich with lots of brown sauce and a nice runny egg on the side!

First kitchen job?

I was a trainee in a small confectioner’s in Hungary.

Seafood or meat?

Both together, if paired perfectly.

Favourite restaurant?

Onyx in Budapest, Hungary.

Chef you most admire?

Professionally, Peter Gilmore, but personally, my Dad. Although not a chef, he taught me the most about life, and his Morello cherry pie is out of this world.

Essential ingredient?

Paprika, of course!

Favourite international cuisine?

Hungarian.

43-44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE T: 01273 696934 www.drakesofbrighton.com/restaurant

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Btown Beer The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival have been collaborating with Horsham-based brewers Two Tribes on a festival beer that was launched in the city on Thursday, 18th May. Btown is a pale ale crafted from hops and unmalted wheat, and is available in cans from many of the bars, restaurants and hotels that partner with the food festival each year. A donation from each sale will be made to the food festival’s charities. www.brightonfoodfestival.com

FOOD

Three dinners not to miss…

Cigar, Wine & Spirits Dinner at Hotel du Vin Thursday 15 June, 7.30pm Join James Maher from Hunters and Frankau as he guides diners through the interesting world of cigars whilst enjoying wine & spirits specially selected by Hotel du Vin Brighton’s head sommelier Robin Roux, accompanied by a traditionally French Hotel du Vin dinner.

Tickets are £85 per person, including a four-course meal with canapés, four cigars and hand selected wines & spirits from the Hotel du Vin cellar. For more information, or to book, call 01273 718588 or email events.brighton@hotelduvin.com

Rare Night at Common Saturday 3 June, 7pm

The Salt Room supper club Tuesday 27 June, 7pm

Common – the new restaurant on Brighton’s Gardner Street – welcomes chef Georgia Cass for the first in a series of collaborative supper clubs.

Georgia is head chef of award-winning restaurant Field – a rising star on the Edinburgh food scene that beautifully showcases Scotland’s bounty.

Common’s head chef Andy Pollexfen and Georgia will jointly create a menu drawing inspiration from both Sussex and Scotland.

Brighton seafront favourite The Salt Room hosts a regular programme of supper clubs and cocktail masterclasses throughout the year inspired by all things seasonal and local. Head chef Dave Mothersill and his team present a five-course menu paired with wines to showcase their cooking talents. Supper clubs take place in the stunning Private Dining Room of The Salt Room with sea views.

Tickets are £40 per person or £130 for a table of four, including a welcome gin cocktail and a four-course menu. For more information, or to book, email sophia@commonbrighton.com

Tickets are £50 per person or £75 per person with matched wine flight, plus five courses and petit fours. For more information, or to book, call 01273 929 488 or email info@saltroom-restaurant.co.uk

The new gin in town A pub in Hove has created its very own gin and named it after the lesser known half of the city. Old Hove Gin - a brand new craft gin produced in the Sussex Downs in the style of an Old Tom - has been made especially for Hove’s equally new gin palace, Old Albion, in Church Road. Specially produced by Sussex’s acclaimed Blackdown Distillery for the venue, Old Hove Gin is a robust tipple with traditional woody aromas – the predominant notes being juniper, coriander and citrus.

Old Albion, 110 Church Rd, Hove BN3 2EB

PORTFOLIO 89

RESTAURANT review

THE FIG TREE Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail... Daniel Frickelton discovers another rural jewel of an eatery just minutes away from Brighton & Hove

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ressed up against the English Channel as it is, Brighton & Hove nevertheless enjoys a very fortuitous set of circumstances, especially when it comes to food choices. There are, of course, scores of excellent restaurants and pubs in the city, catering for nearly every imaginable dining preference. It is so easy – and maybe just a wee bit lazy – to schlep along to your fav Indian, veggie, Italian or Thai place and tie on the feed bag. Excellent pubs and gastropubs are also in plentiful supply, so why bother to look any further afield for a great meal?

Well, because even the most die-hard urbanites need to occasionally challenge their encroaching agoraphobia and head for the wide-open spaces, and also because it’s good for children to see real live animals, frolic in the grass and make daisy chains. It’s good for everyone to feast their eyes on the verdant 90 PORTFOLIO

greenness of the glorious Sussex countryside.

“Green is good for your eyes,” says Mother Swan to her signets in H C Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling. Once again, Brighton & Hove residents have an embarrassment of riches

“Their close connection to their local community informs everything they do” spread before them in a wide arc at the other three points of the compass. All you need to decide is a) in which direction to go and b) how far from cosy old B&H you dare to venture.

The beautiful village of Hurstpierpoint, for instance, is a mere fifteen minutes away by car, far enough to make you feel you’re in another

world but not so far as to overstimulate any spacial jitters. If you want to be a proper hero, take the kids to Washbrooks Family Farm for a day out with some of their favourite animals and lots of opportunities to play. Walk around the large paddock and see animals grazing in the fields. There are shire horses, ponies, donkeys, cows, goats, pigs, sheep, llamas, alpacas, reindeer, ducks, geese, turkeys and more. In the animal barn you can get close to some of the smaller breeds like rabbits and guinea pigs.

There are plenty of other attractions as well in nearby Henfield, Albourne and Burgess Hill.

If you’re looking for something a bit more intimate and romantic, have a nice walk around Jill Windmill in Hassocks or at Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve, Burgess Hill. Just make sure you leave enough time to get back to The Fig Tree Restaurant in Hurstpierpoint for lunch or dinner.

RESTAURANT review

Food photography Jeron Holy

Jodie and James, the proprietors of The Fig Tree, grew up in Hurstpierpoint, and their close connection to their local community informs everything they do at The Fig Tree. Service is warm, welcoming and relaxed, attentive but never over-solicitous, which, combined with the intimate size of the room (40 covers), imparts the reassuring feeling of sitting down to dinner in an intimate but elegant dining room. Only the best will do when you’re providing for friends and family, so Jodie and James source their ingredients from some of the best local Sussex suppliers. Meats come locally from Clive Miller Butcher, fish from Brighton & Newhaven Fish (Hove lagoon and Shoreham), and so on, ad deliciosam. Even the chocolate comes from nearby Hassocksbased J. Cocoa, where they stone grind and hand temper the beans to evoke explosions of flavour. They buy their wine from Enotria, and as with everything else at The Fig Tree, the focus is on quality.

We visited on a Wednesday evening and quickly ascertained that local businessmen, estate agents and residents were way ahead of us in discovering the merits of Jodie and James’ place. It was busy. Jodie greeted us and got us all nestled in at our table. James was manacled to the hob, doing what he does best. His pedigree is impressive. Prior to taking over the The Fig Tree, he was head chef at The Ginger Fox, Albourne (see the

May issue of Portfolio), and before that he was at the Michelin-starred Ockenden Manor Restaurant. The first evidence of his acquired skills was in the construction of his menu.

Quite simply, it embraced everything you would ever want to eat – fish, lamb, game and hand-rolled macaroni stuffed with veggie ingredients. Five starters, five mains and five desserts, brilliantly selected.

“The truffle and mushroom roulade in asparagus velouté with peas and beans was fragrant, earthy fairy food” My starter of wood pigeon breast with duck liver, beet root and beet root tartare was a thing of wonder. It is so easy to ruin gamey breast meat by overcooking, but these succulent slices made knives redundant. My companion’s truffle and mushroom roulade in asparagus velouté with peas and beans was fragrant, earthy fairy food.

So, the man can cook. He also knows his way around a wine list. On offer is a

comprehensive, but manageable, selection of bottles from most EU countries, plus CA, NZ and SA. I was particularly chuffed to see a 2015 Douro DOC made from a quartet of regional Portuguese grape varieties – a far too infrequent guest on most wine lists. This bottle of juicy, velvety goodness was the perfect companion to our food.

The special of beef sirloin with braised beef croquettes and seasonal vegetables tempted me away from the à la carte offerings. Naturally, the beef was perfectly cooked and the sauce was expertly made.

The Lady’s quail crown was pleasingly gamey and the rich sauce, made with seasonal asparagus, completed this class act. We finished with two shared desserts, Pistachio & Chocolate (pistachio cake, chocolate sorbet and pistachio macaron) and Forced Rhubarb (poached rhubarb, macaron and sorbet with vanilla, white chocolate and almond. Sound good? They were. Very good.

So, come on, then. Get on your bicycles or in your cars and hie thyselves to the countryside for some fun and fabulous food at The Fig Tree.

Tell them Daniel sent you, and remember... green is good for your eyes.

The Fig Tree Restaurant 120 High St, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PX 01273 832183 www.figtreerestaurant.co.uk PORTFOLIO 91

STRINGS OF LIGHT CLASSIC CHIMINEA Made in Mexico, the Ellipse adds a contemporary twist of the classic chiminea shape. Its wide belly and large mouth enable you to enjoy a good view of the fire from all angles. In very little time you’ll be enjoying a real fire - and relaxing late into the evening with family and friends. This model is finished in a matt sandstone paint, giving it an ornamental look.

Gardeco_Ellipse_Chiminea (extra largecharcoal grey) £134.97. www.chimineashop.co.uk

REVERSIBLE RUG This quirky monochrome outdoor rug has a geometric Greek key pattern design which is reversible. You don’t need to be green-fingered to create an outdoor room. All you need are a few key accessories, and an outdoor rug creates a focal point, helps to divide a space and creates a defined seating area. Made from woven acrylic.

Monochrome Outdoor Rug, Reversible £28.00. www.miafleur.com

MUST HAVES Add personality to your entertaining, with colourful, practical items that transform the everyday into something magical

Nothing creates a special atmosphere quite like lighting, and the right garden lighting can transform an outdoor space. With their vintage clear caps and white cable, these fabulous festoons are perfect for weddings and outdoor soirees alike. 5m of lights, connect up to 30 sets on one plug.

Clear Cap Festoon Lights £25.00. www.lights4fun.co.uk

PICNIC PLATES Eating outdoors should have an element of fun. Colourful and unbreakable, the Corocco range of multi-coloured plates from Habitat are made from durable Melamine and feature a pattern created by Habitat’s inhouse designer Martha Coates. Available as dinner plates, side plates and a platter/tray.

Corocco side plate £10 for 4, Corocco dinner plate £15 for 4, Corocco platter £12, Tova salad servers £12 www.habitat.co.uk

CELEBRITY chef recipe

LET THEM EAT CAKE From showstoppers to simple bakes, it’s time to get ready, set, bake with Lorraine Pascal’s mouth-watering new book, Bake

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re you ready for your best bake? From Courgette, Lemon and Pistachio Drizzle Loaf to Coffee Éclairs with Espresso and Hazelnut Cream, Bake by Lorraine Pascale is a delicious collection of simple and sophisticated recipes that will take your baking to the next level.

Delight friends and family with sweet and savoury bakes that are perfect for an array of tastes and dietary needs. Lorraine’s friendly and thorough guidance makes it easy to master impressive celebration cakes, such as Naked Pecan and Popcorn Layer Cake, Chocolate Layer Cake with Toasted Meringue and Fraisier Cake with Port, Strawberries and Almonds.

Whisk, knead, dust and drizzle your way to sweet success with 125 irresistible recipes.

Lorraine Pascale is a leading patisserie chef, best known for her string of BBC TV series and accompanying international bestselling books, including Baking Made Easy and Lorraine Pascale’s Fresh and Easy Food. She has sold more than 1 million books in the UK alone.

After years in the modelling business, Lorraine completed Leith’s Diploma of Food and Wine, followed by a two-year foundation degree in International Culinary Arts in Pastry. She has worked in some of the most renowned kitchens in the world, including Pétrus, The Mandarin Oriental, Gilgamesh and The Wolseley, later starting her own business making celebration cakes.

Lorraine is also a Government Fostering Ambassador and patron and proud supporter of the fostering charity TACT.

Bake by Lorraine Pascale is out now, published

by Bluebird (£20).

Photo credit: Myles New

PORTFOLIO 93

BEAUTIFUL homes

Courgette & lemon drizzle loaf with pistachio “I was given a slice of this a while back and when my friend told me what it was I thought... courgettes in a cake, really?

But when I took a bite into that beautifully moist and flavoursome crumb, I was sold.

The fact that courgettes are kind of one of your five a day is an added bonus! Choose the green pistachios in the shops, not the brown dry shrivelled ones. If you can’t find them then just leave them out, or substitute with hazelnuts or walnuts.”

Serves 8-10 Recipe •

oil, for spraying or brushing

•

325g courgettes, grated

•

120g butter

•

180g caster sugar

•

zest of 2 lemons

•

handful of pistachios, plus extra for decoration

•

seeds of 1⁄2 vanilla pod or 1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract

•

3 eggs

•

280g self-raising flour

•

1⁄2 tsp baking powder

•

pinch of salt

For the drizzle •

juice of 2 lemons

•

60g icing sugar

Equipment •

1.2 litre loaf tin

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Method Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C/350°F/gas 4). Line the loaf tin with baking parchment and spray or brush with a little oil. I usually put a strip along the whole length of the tin, making sure that it comes well over the edges. This makes it easy to remove the loaf when it is cooked.

Place the grated courgettes in a tea towel and wring out as much of the moisture as you can over the sink. This can take a few minutes but it is an important step as the loaf may become too soggy.

Melt the butter in a pan and then put it in a bowl along with the sugar. Add the courgettes to the bowl along with the lemon zest, pistachios, vanilla and eggs and mix this together until combined. Then add the flour, baking powder and salt and carefully fold this in.

Tip the mixture into the lined tin and then bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted in to the centre of the loaf comes out clean.

Once the loaf is baked, remove it from the oven and set aside while you make the drizzle. Mix the lemon juice and the icing sugar together. Using a fork or toothpick, gently prick the top of the loaf and then pour the drizzle all over the cake so that some soaks into the loaf and the rest forms a light glaze on top. Remove the loaf from the tin, sprinkle the remaining pistachios over the loaf and serve.

When making any cake, the less you can stir it the better for a light texture; overstirring the mixture means that the stretchy proteins (gluten) in the flour can become overworked, resulting in a denser cake.

CELEBRITY chef recipe

Gluten-free boiled orange and lemon cake with honey “There are many traditional recipes for a boiled orange cake, and this is just my version of the beautiful Middle Easterninspired cake: moist, rich and gluten-free.

This recipe does take a little longer to cook than other cake recipes, as you need to boil the citrus fruits to make them soft enough to blitz into a puree. If you wish to decorate your cake with a flower, make sure it is safe to use with food and not poisonous.”

Method Pop the oranges into a large pan, then cover with water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then cover with a lid and simmer for 1 hour, then add the lemon and cook for another 45 minutes. Drain off and discard the water, leaving you with just the fruit.

Allow the oranges to cool down a little and then roughly chop and put them into a food processor with all of their juices. Blend them to a smooth puree and then set aside until needed.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C/350°F/gas 4) and line the tin with baking parchment. Put the caster sugar, honey and three of the eggs into a large bowl and whisk them together with a hand-held electric whisk until frothy. You can also do this with a hand whisk. When the mixture is frothy, add another two of the eggs with half of the ground almonds, the baking powder, cinnamon and cloves. Mix together using a wooden spoon until well combined. The mixture won’t look great at this stage but soon all will be well. Add the remaining two eggs with the rest of the ground almonds and mix again to combine. Finally, using a spatula, quickly fold in the citrus puree until evenly mixed.

Pour the cake batter into the lined tin and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the cake is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

When the cake is cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool a little, then place a flat serving plate over the top of the cake tin. Holding both the cake tin and the plate, flip it over so that the cake tin is upside down. Put everything down on the worktop, release the springform tin and then lift it off.

Serves 8-10 Recipe •

2 small oranges, scrubbed (but not peeled)

•

1 lemon, scrubbed (but not peeled)

•

200g caster sugar

•

80g honey

•

7 eggs

•

300g ground almonds

•

1 tsp baking powder (gluten-free)

•

2 tsp ground cinnamon

•

1⁄2 tsp ground cloves

To decorate •

icing sugar, for dusting

•

handful of fresh small mint leaves (optional)

•

flower of your choice (optional)

Equipment •

food processor

•

23cm springform cake tin

•

hand-held electric whisk (optional)

•

doily (optional)

If you wish to create the dusting design, place the doily on the top as a stencil, and then dust it with icing sugar and carefully remove the doily. The icing sugar will soak into the cake within 15 minutes, so do this just before serving. Top with a flower and a scattering of mint leaves, if you fancy it.

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MOTORING

JUST THE TICKET A display encompassing wonderful veteran cars and the fastest car ever built make the Concours of Elegance 2017 a special event

T

he Concours of Elegance 2017 will be bringing a very special piece of history to Hampton Court Palace this September: the first-ever car to receive a speeding ticket.

The 1896 Arnold Benz Motor Carriage was travelling at four times the speed limit, at a heady 8mph, before being pulled over by a policeman on a bicycle.

The law at the time required all cars to stick to a limit of 2mph and to be led by a man on

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foot waving a red flag at all times. But Walter Arnold, driving through Paddock Green in Kent, was doing neither. As a result, Walter was convicted of speeding and forced to pay a one shilling fine, plus costs.

It was in late 1896, with the advent of the Locomotives Act, that the need for a red flag bearer and 2mph speed limit were abolished and the limit raised to 14mph. In celebration, cars raced from London to Brighton in a so-

called Emancipation Run, during which Walter Arnold actually competed.

The run still exists to this day, in the form of the Royal Automobile Club’s annual Veteran Car Run, in which pre-1905 cars recreate the journey from London to Brighton. A parade of these cars will also be arriving at the Concours of Elegance in September, allowing visitors to experience the sights and sounds of the earliest motoring pioneers.

MOTORING

“For the first time at the Concours of Elegance, many of the cars on display will be taking part in moving parades over the weekend”

At the other end of the spectrum, the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace will be welcoming some of the fastest cars ever built. On display will be the Le Manswinning Jaguar XJR-9 and the Harrods-liveried McLaren F1 GTR – both of which are capable of more than 240mph.

For the first time at the Concours of Elegance, many of the cars on display will be taking part in moving parades over the weekend, including a trip to the event’s new central stage. Featuring commentary and interviews with some of the world’s foremost motoring experts, the stage will provide a focal point for all visitors to the Concours of Elegance.

Adult tickets for this year’s Concours of Elegance start from just £25, with concessions from £17.50. Children under five and carers can enter free of charge. Members of the public also have the opportunity to attend on Friday 1st September, a day normally reserved for the owners of the main Concours cars.

The Concours of Elegance takes place at Hampton Court Palace from 1-3 September www.concoursofelegance.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/concoursofelegance Twitter: twitter.com/ConcoursUK

• The 1896 Arnold Benz Motor Carriage, famously the first car to ever receive a speeding ticket, will appear at Concours of Elegance 2017 • The driver, Walter Arnold, was travelling at 8mph – four times the speed limit – and was caught by a policeman on a bicycle • Joining the Arnold Benz Motor Carriage will be a parade of ‘Veteran Cars’ – those built before 1905 • At the other end of the scale will be incredible speed machines like the Le Mans-winning Jaguar XJR-9, with a top speed of more than 240mph

PORTFOLIO 97

TV - bigger picture

TOMORROW’S WORLD The BBC is launching a year-long season of science and technology programming under the banner of Tomorrow’s World

I

t is 14 years since the BBC cancelled its future-gazing series Tomorrow’s World after 38 years on air, but the corporation and the scientists involved promise the new science season will be even better Stephen Hawking, the astrophysicist, has made a new documentary, Expedition New Earth, as part of the BBC’s new science season Tomorrow’s World. In it he will claim that time is running out for Earth, and if humanity is to survive climate change, asteroid strikes, epidemics and overpopulation, we will need to leave our planet and venture further afield.

In the landmark series, Prof Hawking and his former student Christophe Galfard will travel the world to find out how humans could live in outer space.

Prof Brian Cox, the astrophysicist and TV presenter who has been helping curate the series, said: “The original Tomorrow’s World inspired a generation – it certainly inspired me back in the 1970s, but that was a single TV programme.

“The 21st century Tomorrow’s World represents so much more: it represents the institutions of Britain coming together to inspire current and future generations, to convince them to embrace the opportunities

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that science brings, to foster a spirit of curiosity and tolerance, and to embrace the unknown, not in fear, but in wonder.”

The BBC has joined forces with the Royal Society, Open University, London’s Science Museum and the Wellcome Trust to “connect audiences with the brightest minds and institutions in science and technology.”

“We’ve come together behind a simple and very bold ambition: to equip all of us

“Connect audiences with the brightest minds and institutions in science and technology” with the knowledge and understanding we need to make sense of our lives and the future,” said Tony Hall, Director-General of the BBC. “Whether it’s the rise of robotics or the demise of antibiotics, travelling to Mars or the arrival of 3D printed food, science is changing the world at an extraordinary pace.”

The season will aim to find Britain’s

greatest invention, by asking the public to vote on the innovation which has been the most influential in their lives.

Dr Hannah Fry, of UCL, will present 10 Things You Need To Know About The Future on BBC Two, while a brand-new medical series, Operation, will follow the pioneering work taking place in the operating theatres of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, where surgeons are pushing the boundaries of medical science.

A separate programme, Toughest Job In The Universe, will follow 12 men and women as they undergo the rigours of astronaut selection. Former astronaut and International Space Station commander Chris Hadfield will lead the selection process based on space agencies’ application criteria.

In two controversial episodes, BBC Horizon will also explore the science of changing gender and whether it is possible to cure a psychopath.

Angela Rippon and Dr Chris van Tulleken will return to BBC One for the second series of How To Stay Young, in which they and a team of experts apply scientific knowledge to help volunteers slow down the ageing process. Continuing the medical theme,

Michael Mosley will be studying what can be done to combat resistance to antibiotics in Fixing The Future: Michael Mosley Vs. The Suberbugs for BBC Four.

There will also be Twitter Q&As with some of Britain’s most eminent scientists, on-line debates about the biggest scientific questions of our time and a Facebook community where even the most colossal concepts are accessible, relevant and personal.

Taken together, this creates a truly groundbreaking season of science that is relevant to peoples’ lives and enables them to engage with the big topics of the present and future.

Sarah Montague will also be interviewing pioneers in health, technology, science and environment for the Radio 4 series The Innovators.

Tomorrow’s World will screen across the BBC from June

HIGHLIGHTS

House of Cards season five 30 May, Netflix

Riviera 15 June, Sky Atlantic

Poldark season three June, BBC One

Kevin and Claire Underwood’s fifth outing begins but with new showrunners Melissa James Gibson and Frank Pugliese - who have stepped in following the departure of Beau Willimon - things promise to be more dramatic than ever for the power-hungry couple.

Julia Stiles heads up the cast of this new drama from director Neil Jordan (The Crying Game) as the widow of a billionaire who is shocked to discover that the fortune behind his immaculate, ever-so-tasteful lifestyle is tainted with dishonesty, doubledealing, crime and ultimately murder. This year’s The Night Manager.

Aidan Turner is returning for a third time as late 18th-century Cornish copper Ross Poldark, now wrongly arrested for the fatal shipwreck that rocked the series two finale.

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LOCAL news

LOCAL NEWS NEW SINGING COMPETITION LAUNCHED

BY GLYNDEBOURNE The Glyndebourne Opera Cup - the international competition for opera singers - is designed to discover and spotlight the best young singers from around the world, offering a top prize of £15,000 and a platform for launching an international opera career.

The eight-strong panel of judges includes representatives from top international opera houses.

Among them are Barrie Kosky, Artistic Director of Komische Oper Berlin, Sophie de Lint, Opera Director of Zurich Opera and Director designate of Dutch National Opera, David Devan, who runs Opera Philadelphia, and Fortunato Ortombina, Artistic Director of Teatro La Fenice in Venice.

Acting as honorary president will be Dame Janet Baker, whose own early career was fostered by Glyndebourne.

Sky Arts, Glyndebourne’s official UK broadcast partner, will bring the competition to a wider audience with a dedicated TV series. Following each stage of the competition, the series will feature preliminary rounds in a number of international cities, culminating in the finals at Glyndebourne, and will allow audiences to learn more about the individual competitors involved.

Applications for the inaugural Glyndebourne Opera Cup open later this year, with preliminary rounds taking place in January 2018 in Philadelphia, London and Berlin. The final stages of the competition take place at Glyndebourne in March 2018. www.glyndebourne.com

PORTSLADE SHOPPERS SURPRISED WITH TREATS Shoppers in Portslade received an unexpected treat last month after being handed free chocolates from a family-run store. Staff from Sussex Beds handed out the sweets as part of their Wonderful Acts campaign, which aims to help people in the towns they serve feel wonderful by giving unexpected gifts.

Steve Pickering, MD of the firm, which has seven branches across Sussex, said: “Having served the county for more than 35 years, we like to do our bit to give back to the communities we work in. Most people like to indulge in a chocolate or two, so we thought it would be a nice gesture to give away some tasty treats to thank the people of Portslade. We hope, if you received some free Sussex Beds chocolates, that we helped your day be just that bit more delightful.”

The Wonderful Acts campaign will be continuing throughout the year in towns where Sussex Beds is based. The company also has branches in Hailsham, Haywards Heath, East Grinstead, Bexhill, Uckfield and Newhaven and is still run by the Pickering family, who founded the business in 1981.

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NEW SUSSEX VINEYARD LAUNCHED AT MANNINGS HEATH Mannings Heath Golf Club & Wine Estate is planting 38,000 vines within the 500-acre parkland site at Horsham in West Sussex to create England’s newest vineyard. The Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes will be ready to make sparkling wine in 2020, with the first bottles available in 2023.

Portfolio magazine were recently lucky enough to be invited along to see the first vine planting and hear about the company’s exciting plans.

Zimbabwe-born Penny Streeter OBE is a British entrepreneur who bought the Mannings Heath site in 2016 to develop the UK’s first golf and wine estate with tastings and pairings: “We are recreating a South African-style wine tourism experience, where people can enjoy a day out in a beautiful parkland estate with fine wines, good food and an entertaining events programme.”

The 100-year-old clubhouse at Mannings Heath Golf Club and Wine Estate features the new Benguela Brasserie and wine tasting bar, hosting wine-themed events, including food pairings with chocolate and cheese, open to the public all year round. One of the club’s two 18-hole courses was converted to 9 holes last year to make space available to cultivate the new vineyard. www.manningsheath.com

LOCAL news

SKY GALLERY AT SEAFRONT HOTEL Rooftop art has been added to the roof of an 18-storey hotel on Brighton seafront www.aerialphotographysussex.co.uk but you can only see it from the i360. The artists Art+Believe have created a coloured mural painted on the rooftop of the Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront, managed by Kew Green Hotels. Called the ‘Sky Gallery’, it is visible from the British Airways i360 tower. Alex Pritchard, CEO of Kew Green Hotels said: “We always welcome the opportunity to work alongside local talent and communities, and are sure Art+Believe’s fantastic artwork is really going to set the Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront apart from other seafront hotels in the area.”

Daniel Doherty, co-founder of Art+Believe, said: “We have painted spaces in many countries, from the favelas of Brazil, barrios of Colombia, neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, and steps of Chile to the roof tops of India. We constantly challenge ourselves and ask ‘where is art possible?’ and are grateful to Kew Green Hotels for providing us with the Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront as a space to explore our art within our hometown of Brighton.”

HISTORIC POOL REOPENING Saltdean Lido swimming pool will be re-opening its doors on Saturday 17th June. Having spent over a year on refurbishment works and £3million, they have installed heated water (a first for Saltdean Lido), a newly created children’s paddling pool, a new changing room facility and re-landscaped the external grounds.

They still have a long way to go, so this summer they will be offering a temporary pop-up catering facility within the grounds until they complete works to the main building. This is a major milestone for everyone involved, including all the supporters of the project.

Saltdean Lido is one of the finest remaining examples of modernist lidos in the UK. It has been saved by local residents, who have set up the CIC and successfully secured a 60-year lease from Brighton & Hove City Council (the freeholders) to operate the lido site. The vision is to bring the building, swimming pool and grounds back into use for local residents and visitors by creating a range of year-round, vibrant amenities.

For details of the details of opening times, admission prices and the Summer 2017 events programme, visit www.saltdeanlido.co.uk

NEW SCHOOL SITE STILL UNDECIDED Brighton and Hove City Council remains in “complex” talks with the owners of two sites, one by City College and the other by Brighton General Hospital. In the meantime, another set of proposals for a shake up in catchment areas for 2019 is being prepared onwhich parents will be asked to have their say in October amid rumours that the new school will be put in the same catchment as Longhill, which will take pupils from the east of the existing Stringer and Vardean catchment.

The new school, which will be run by the University of Brighton Academies Trust, will not have any catchment in its first year, and will accept applications from across the city – but some parents of year-5 pupils say they are reluctant to consider the school as so little information about it is available.

A council spokesman said: “We’re still looking at two sites. Complex negotiations are ongoing, and we will make an announcement as soon as we can. Our expectation remains that the new school will open in September 2018. We recognise the need to change the current admission arrangements to accommodate the new school and the increase in secondary school pupil numbers.”

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR SUSSEX FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS 2018 Online nominations are now open at www.sussexfoodawards.biz for 2018 for the awards seeking the best Sussex food and drink farmers and producers and the outlets that sell and serve their produce. Paula Seager and Hilary Knight, of Natural Partnerships CIC, who run the awards, thanked all the sponsors, saying that their support and enthusiasm are crucial to the awards’ continued success.

Said Paula Seager, “Sussex Food and Drink Awards is the only awards scheme which highlights, recognises and supports Sussex farmers and producers and the businesses that sell and promote their produce. Over the last 12 years the awards have encouraged more and more people to discover and explore local markets, food shops and restaurants where they can sample the very best local produce and see for themselves why it tastes so much better.”

Everyone is welcome to nominate their favourites and businesses can also nominate themselves. Nominations will close on 15 June. Grand Finalists for all ten categories will be announced in November.

Winners and runners-up will receive their awards on 7 February 2018 at an awards ceremony hosted by Sally Gunnell OBE and Danny Pike from BBC Sussex, including a spectacular seven-course Sussex produce banquet produced by Sodexo Prestige at the Amex Stadium. www.sussexfoodawards.biz

PORTFOLIO 101

MATCH FIT? Spring has sprung, and all manner of furry critters are emerging from their hibernatory dens, rubbing the sleep out of their eyes and heading for the fairways. But are they match fit when they tee it up on the first, asks GolfGuy?

L

et’s be honest. Not many amateur golfers spend serious time and effort warming up prior to teeing it up, let alone cultivating a golf-specific fitness routine between rounds.

Most of us have a dim awareness of the importance of being fit and ready and of the link between fitness and avoiding injuries. Things like work, family expectations and the fact that a round of golf, including travel time, can easily consume an entire morning or afternoon make the idea of spending additional time warming up even less attractive. Let’s face it, not many of us really like doing exercises, do we? Somehow they seem so pointless and futile, and we fail to see their relevance in the context of a truly important activity like playing golf.

Not all golfers are so myopic about the connection between warming up and performance. One of my regular playing partners will be on the range a good two hours prior to his tee time, which often means starting at around 6am. He has his own routine, cobbled together to suit his swing and his anxieties. So,

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if he has been shanking his wedges or 7-irons a lot, he will be working on those clubs. And then he will hit another 100 balls with his driver, just for fun.

"Most just swing a club around haphazardly for five minutes and then take far too many practice swings on the tee box prior to hitting their first shot" Yet another of my regular partners has a much more scientific bent. He takes regular lessons and is always working on specific swing problems and/or clubs. He is on the range at least three times a week between rounds and never hits fewer than 50 balls

each time. Oh...did I mention that he also wears an orthopaedic wrist brace and is currently having a “rest” from golf on the advice of his physiotherapist?

Decades of playing golf has made at least one thing perfectly clear to me: varieties of pre-match warm-up routines among amateur golfers occur on a sliding scale with “Warm-up routine? You talkin’ to ME?” on one end of the scale and “Yeah (puff, puff...), I’ll be there in a minute. Just got 50 balls left to hit” on the other.

Most just swing a club around haphazardly for five minutes and then take far too many practice swings on the tee box prior to hitting their first shot. There has to be a better way.

What is the best way to spend, say, a half hour at the course prior to stepping up on the first tee? Drinking coffee in the clubhouse or bashing balls? Lessons perhaps?

GolfGuy

GOLF

The Golf Pro responds:

"Remember, you should feel relaxed and ready to go – not worn out. None of this is practice!

This is warming up.

Even speaking from the point of view of a golf coach, do not take your practice exercises to your golf round.

Quality, and not quantity, is the key. You must always make time to warm up, whether this is stretching or swinging some clubs at 50%. That should make sure that on your first full swing with a driver you will not be pulling any muscles!

For those who can find the time, between 20 minutes and 45 minutes before play is more than sufficient to prepare.

Start with 3-5 minutes of stretching and making small swings with no golf ball, touching your toes and working on rotational movements with a club behind your shoulders.

Continue with 10 minutes hitting three shots with a wedge, then a 7-iron, a rescue, driver, then back through to wood, 6-iron and 9-iron. Spend the last 5 minutes on the putting green. If you have more time, follow the same pattern above, but work through your entire set.

As a professional, my routine takes 45 minutes and I hit every club in my bag three times (39 shots), working from short clubs and odd numbers to driver and then back through the evens to finish with my lob wedge.Therefore I’d recommend the following order: • • • • • • •

SW 9-iron 7-iron 5-iron 3-iron 3-wood Driver

• • • • • •

Rescue/hybrid 4-iron 6-iron 8-iron PW LW

This takes me no more than 25 minutes, leaving me 15 minutes on the putting green to work on pace control.

This will give you the feeling of being ready. You

will also have hit all your clubs, so none of them should feel unfamiliar to you when you come to use them on the course. Lastly, you are in a relaxed frame of mind; your last shot was not a flat-out driver on the range.

For the better player: some of the shots in the 39 I will try to shape with a draw or fade, as if I am attempting a specific shot to a target on the golf course.

Remember, you should feel relaxed and ready to go – not worn out. None of this is practice! This is warming up. Even speaking from the point of view of a golf coach, do not take your practice exercises to your golf round. Practice is practice and play is play, and you are warming up to play!

Your performance will benefit significantly if you warm up properly and resist trying to change your swing during your warm up. Too many people are not warming up but working on their swing from the last lesson. Save this for the range, when you are practicing, rather than 30 minutes before your monthly medal. And most of all enjoy it!

If you need a lesson, then contact me on 01273 846567, and this will be to practice on the range.

If you are warming. please feel free to email: lee@midsussexgolfclub.co.uk.

With thanks to our golfing expert, Lee Andrews, PGA Golf Professional, Mid Sussex Golf Club lee@midsussexgolfclub.co.uk www.midsussexgolfclub.co.uk Bring this article with you to Mid Sussex Golf Club, and when you pay for a round, another player can go free.

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BEAUTIFUL homes

“Marvel has an incredible ability to bring all these characters together and make the stories work and make great movies"

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THE interview

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN After initial reservations – and a mixed cameo in the world of cinematic superheroes – Chris Evans has seen his profile rise and rise, due in no small part to his recurring role as Captain America in the staggeringly successful Avengers franchise

B

y the time Chris Evans took the part of Captain America in 2011, paving the way for his participation in a string of blockbuster hits, the Boston-born actor had already dipped his toe into the world of cinematic comic book adaptations. However, the differences between that early foray as ‘The Human Torch’ Johnny Storm – in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its sequel two years later – and his new role were vast.

The former sank into relative obscurity only to resurface as a mistimed and miscast revival that was quickly consigned to history. Captain America: The First Avenger, meanwhile, was the last stand-alone offering before Evans and fellow stars Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr et al came together for a Marvel franchise that to date has spawned three box office-busting films – with many more in the works.

“Marvel has an incredible ability to bring all these characters together and make the stories work and make great movies,” the 35-year-old says. “It’s been exciting to watch how they have evolved the characters and brought their different universes together, while also watching how one new development will play a part in how the next movie unfolds. They know how to weave it all together.”

But even though the Avengers films have made Evans a household name and a bona fide heavyweight in Hollywood, the star was hesitant to put pen to paper when approached by Marvel with a bumper six-film contract.

“I grew up knowing a lot about the business, and even though a big film like that can mean a lot of money, it also puts you in a situation where you worry about not having any privacy,” explains Evans, whose mother Lisa was an artistic director.

“I was very worried about not being able to walk down the street without being recognised, because I like my anonymity.”

Having said that, Evans has found he’s still got no real need for a secret identity off-camera in the same vein as his superpowered alter ego. And being a massive movie star does, after all, sometimes have its perks.

“I do pretty much anything I want,” he agrees. “I can go shopping for groceries and I can sit in cafés and read by myself without a throng gathering around me.

PORTFOLIO 105

THE interview

“If I could, I would get involved in every aspect of a film – the lighting; the camera work; the sets.

I love all of it"

And if people do come up to me I’m more than happy to say hello and speak to them. It’s beautiful to be able to connect to people who appreciate your work. I’m an actor, I’m a mass of insecurities and I love the feeling you get when people are appreciative of your work.

“I especially love it when little kids come over and say hello and are just in awe of you.

You realise that they’re looking up to you just the way you used to look up to people when you were young. That kind of thing makes a deep impression on you and I take it seriously, because actors do make this connection to audiences – it’s why films have such an impact.”

Despite Captain America now accounting for over half of his cinematic CV since the character’s introduction into the Marvel movie canon, Evans insists he’s “very happy” with his decision to don the famous blue and red spandex. He has found time to move away from the Marvel universe to try his hand at sci-fi thrillers (Snowpiercer) and family drama (Gifted) – and even got the chance to move behind the camera for his romantic directorial debut Before We Go. “I love acting, but the media attention can be tiring at times,” he reveals. “You have to train for months and go on special diets. As a director, you don’t have to do any of that.

You can just throw yourself completely into 106 PORTFOLIO

the process of telling a story and bringing all the creative elements together. That’s why directing means so much to me.

“If I could, I would get involved in every aspect of a film – the lighting; the camera work; the sets. I love all of it. As a director, you get to put all the pieces together and the trick is to bring all that creativity into one satisfying whole. As an actor, you’re only a small piece of the overall puzzle and I love being in control when it comes to the process.”

Evans is currently tied to Marvel until next year’s Avengers: Infinity War at least, but as he casts his creative eye ever forwards, the star is hoping to spend more time in the director’s chair. Despite his current modus operandi involving, more often than not, huge CGI sequences and explosive action, his own ambition points towards the side of Evans that is, in his own words, “very romantic”.

“I want to be able to tell stories that capture small moments between people that everyone can relate to – that’s my goal,” he concludes.

“I especially love stories about families which explore relationships between fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. That’s why one of my favourite films is Legends of the Fall; I think that film tells a beautiful story about loyalty and pride and family. I would love to make movies like that – where small moments have such profound meaning.”

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