Portfolio Magazine, October 2017

October 2017

Victorian charm

Restoring and renewing Interview: Jeremy Vine

the City’s best period homes

Broadcaster and author

Shoreham-by-Sea Launch of beautiful new apartments

Autumn watch in Sussex

Mel Gibson’s jungle home

Interiors: Cosy carpeting & warm wood

FREE

THE ENTERTAINMENT PHENOMENON COMES TO BRIGHTON IN 2018

25 JAN - 10 FEB 2018 SATURDAY PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT brightoncentre.co.uk | 0844 847 1515*

warhorseonstage.com *calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge

PORTFOLIO welcome

“You never, never know what’s coming… And the listeners are at the centre of it all” Jeremy Vine, page 108

“It's a beautiful place to see autumn colours sweeping through the landscape” National Trust, page 86

“Murmur's glazed ox tongue was by comparison a veritable culinary epiphany for me” Restaurant review page, 90

“Twenty-four hours at home, a full inbox and a major plumbing problem soon put paid to the afterglow”

WELCOME

H

ere’s an interesting statistic. One third of the houses in Britain were built before the First World War, and most of these are Victorian. Under Queen Victoria's rule, Britain saw a huge boom in new builds. In a period of fewer than 75 years, over 6m houses were built, and the majority still stand today. Perhaps this gives us a clue as to why they are still so desirable. Restoring Victorian flats and houses in the City has never gone out of fashion, so we look at the Victorian home in this issue.

The darker October evenings offer residents the perfect opportunity to discover the new Golden Spiral - 24 original columns salvaged from the West Pier, which now form a unique art installation, illuminated at night, providing a stunning attraction to the seafront.

I urge you to go and see it, and while you’re there, do visit Murmur Restaurant, which surely enjoys one of the best views around, sited as it is on the lower esplanade in the newly restored arches. The food more than lives up to its location. Read our glowing review on page 90.

Getting out into the countryside by bike (page 100) or on foot allows you to fully appreciate the dazzling display of Autumn colours, and on page 93 TV chef John Torode shares his favourite Autumn recipe, Thai squash and prawn curry, which may be just the item to cuddle up with in front of the fire as evenings grow cooler.

That and a spicy October issue of Portfolio... enjoy.

Hill House, page 7

Lynne Edwards Managing Director

For all advertising, editorial and general enquiries

07931 537588

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

Subscribe to our newsletter Search @PortfolioMagUK for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

PORTFOLIO 3

INSIDE

21

52

90

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

Designer: Sally Wynn portfoliopublications@dollydesigns.co.uk

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

Contributor: Kate Hill

Cover credit: Mylands Paints French Green www.mylands.com

7

The antics at Hill House

8

What’s trending Our monthly pick

STORY 21 COVER Celebrity Homes -

Mel Gibson’s jungle home

25 28 38

Welcome to our world Stephen Donnelly of SJD Projects WIN! A family ticket to see Holiday on Ice Regional property news

design 41 Interior Autumn/Winter collection from Kylie at Home

46

Calendar Out and about in October

52 COVER STORY

Beautiful restoration of apartments in Shoreham-by-Sea Talk Money

58 Future-proof your finances 69 On the drawing board

Get on the professionals' map

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.

96

82 74 77

Victorian home restoration Tips to add TLC October Collection Our pick of period homes

82 Interiors Cosy carpeting and warm wood flooring

86

National Trust Autumn watch in Sussex

88

Bite-sized City’s food & drink news

90

Restaurant review Top TV chef Michael Bremner’s Murmur

recipe 93 Celebrity John Torode’s favourite

104

Bigger Picture Blue Planet II

106

Local news from around the City

Autumn curry

96 Style Celebrities dig deep for charity 98 Motors Local upcoming shows & events

STORY 108 COVER Interview - TV and radio broadcaster Jeremy Vine

to the country 100 Escape Cycling route - Amberley & Bignor Hill

102 Golf

GolfGuy mans up at Mannings Heath Golf Club & Wine Estate

PORTFOLIO 5

4 NEW HOMES IN THE CENTRE OF H I S TO R I C L E W E S . A S E L E C T I O N O F 3 A N D 4 B E D H O U S E S S TA RT I N G AT £ 6 2 5 , 0 0 0 . I M P E C C A B LY A P P O I N T E D , A M A Z I N G L O C AT I O N , I N C R E D I B L E AT T E N T I O N T O D E S I G N D E TA I L , O F F S T R E E T PA R K I N G , TERRACES WITH STUNNING VIEWS, 1 0 Y E A R WA R R A N T I E S

C A L L F O R F U R T H E R D E TA I L S O R T O ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT.

EXPERT column

THE HILL HOUSE

T

he Hill House threw another little surprise our way approximately 48 hours before the five of us departed on holiday last month, in the form of a leaking roof – straight into a newly-decorated bedroom (on which we have spent a considerable sum fixing a prior leak). Investigation revealed the builders had neglected to render behind a replaced soil pipe, meaning that when it rains heavily, water courses down into the wall and bedroom.

I’m not quite at last straw stage, but it is relentless; you fix one bit of crumbling edifice, only to find something else is falling apart. I was glad to be leaving for a sunnier, simpler climate, despite the anxiety provoked by leaving a leaking roof behind, and despite the prospect of air travel with an energetic ten-month-old, two moody teenagers and a narcoleptic spouse.

Two weeks in the Eastern Algarve are an effective cure for anxiety: There’s something about the light on the southern Portuguese coast, coupled with quiet beaches, no schedule or deadlines, and a total absence of leaks, damp, cracks, broken taps or any sort of pest invasion in the place we rent there. The flora and fauna are beautiful, most of the food is grown or caught locally, and the pace is gentle. I’ve long harboured a desire to buy somewhere, as a retreat or even an eventual home.

Up until about a year ago this seemed a realistic ambition. Property and land were cheap in the villages and hills, especially if you didn’t mind being slightly inland. Rental prospects were excellent from April to October, with families and golfers keen to visit. But the prospect

PASS ME THAT ONION Why, are you cooking?

No, there’s a cold going around and I don’t want to catch it.

Pass me those vitamin C tablets too.

I hate to break it to you, but neither of those things is going to stop you from catching a cold.

I could try garlic instead?

Well, you could – and though it might keep the vampires away, its unlikely to help. Nor will ginseng, vitamin D, exercising, gargling with water (or iodine solution) or taking Echinacea. A large review carried out by Dr G Michael Allan and colleagues at the University of Alberta in 2014 looked comprehensively at all the evidence on cold prevention, and it definitely didn’t find that onions would help.

What can I do then? I don’t want to come down with the spluttering and wheezing while I’m trying to focus on Bake-Off The review found some support for washing hands (either with

of Brexit, its impact on the pound and the likelihood of changes to our ability to move and live in Europe mean it’s now neither affordable, nor feasible. Even a trip to Lidl’s was eye-wateringly expensive this year, with the pound falling below the Euro for the first time. And without the Brexit factor, and having survived one of the keenest recessions of the last century, Portugal’s economy is now flourishing: Property prices are rising and there’s plenty of new money around to push the market up. In contrast, new money seems a little thin on the ground at home.

“I’ve long harboured a desire to buy somewhere, as a retreat or even an eventual home” So it was with sorrow that I packed up both my dream and my suitcase to return home. Our two weeks were lovely (if expensive), to the extent that I could mostly tolerate the grumpy teenagers, keep up with the energetic ten-month-old, and gently step over the narcoleptic spouse. Twenty-four hours at home, a full inbox and a major plumbing problem soon put paid to the afterglow. It’s back to work, back to patching up the edifice, dodging the autumn crop of giant spiders, and waking up the spouse… because if we’re stuck here in the rain, the roof needs fixing.

Kate Hill

soap and water or with alcohol gel) and wearing masks to prevent infection, so simply practising good hygiene would help. Although the evidence was mixed for adults, they also found that taking a zinc supplement could help prevent children catching colds.

And if the hand washing doesn’t work, what will make me feel better?

Well, I wouldn’t bother with over-the-counter cough suppressants (the review found these didn’t work) or vapour rub, which, although it may be comforting, can actually irritate more than it helps. There was some evidence that taking a zinc supplement (for adults) could reduce the duration of a cold, and ibuprofen was the most effective way to reduce fever. Oh, honey.

Yes? No, honey – surprisingly (perhaps, although mothers have known this for years) the review found evidence that a 2.5 – 10mg dose of honey at bedtime can also reduce cough symptoms.

Pass me the whisky Why? It helps the honey go down…

PORTFOLIO 7

WHAT’S trending

what’s trending We take a look at what’s trending in our world right now

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # HANGLETON

Mill View Hospital Hove Polyclinic

W BLATC

#watch

#walk

#halloween

First They Killed My Father

Walk to School Month

Pumpkins

The ambitious and highly praised Cambodian film First They Killed My Father, which director Angelina Jolie debuted on the festival circuit this Autumn before launching on Netflix and in cinemas. It is a passion project, with cinematography by Oscar winner Anthony Dod Mantle (Slumdog Millionaire) and a lilting score from Marco Beltrami, that Jolie worked for years to bring to the screen, exploring the effect of the terrifying reign of the Khmer Rouge on one family in particular. First They Killed My Father is the film adaptation of Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung’s memoir of surviving the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1978. The story is told through her eyes, from the age of five, when the Khmer Rouge came to power, to nine years old.

Netflix, available to view now.

Every October, International Walk to School Month sees primary school pupils from across the UK join forces with children in more than 40 countries worldwide to celebrate the benefits of walking to school.

A generation ago, 70% of children walked to school. Now, it’s less than half.

International Walk to School Month aims to reverse this decline. They want children to be energised and empowered, and to make walking to school their natural choice.

International Walk to School Month aims to get children walking more, provides tools for teachers and parents and campaigns to underpin a vision of a new walking generation. www.walktoschool.org.uk

A pumpkin's not just for Halloween, it's for everything - from savoury soups to sweet ALDRINGTON treats, and we have found plenty of ways to use up this golden squash, from soups to Bake-Off-worthy cakes.

Try Jamie Oliver’s Pumpkin, chickpea & coconut curry from jamieoliver.com.

“The WISH PARK perfect, warming dish to enjoy with your mates; make it some time ahead – this will give all the wonderful flavours a chance to develop. Pumpkin and chickpeas are great friends and really hearty, so this dish will WESTERN LAWNS satisfy meat-eaters, too.”

For traditionalists, try James Martin’s Pumpkin soup with pumpkin seed bread from Saturday Kitchen at bbc.co.uk. Want to impress with a Halloween cake? Try BBC Good Food (bbcoodfood.com) for a selection of great recipes, including Emma Freud’s Pumpkin & caramel cake.

8 PORTFOLIO

O INV PP E O STM RT E U NT N IT Y

#

WEST CHINGTON

Coral Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium

WITHDEAN

Moulsecoomb Preston Park

PRESTON

HOVE PARK

PRESTON PARK

A dynamic new development of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments

HOVE

Road Brighton Perfectly positioned for Hove Mainline Station | Gated parking availableLondon to selected apartments DYKE ROAD All apartments PARK have balconies or terraces

Aldrington

Hove

1 beds from £305,000 - 2 beds from £390,000 HOVE GREEN

RESERVE OFF-PLAN NOW, COMPLETION AUTUMN 2018

INVESTOR EVENT

Brighton

Thursday 5 October 4pm –7.30pm th

Getting Here Pub du Vin is within walking distance of Brighton Station

PEWDIE

PARK The Dome, Pub du Vin, HOVE LAWNS Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AD

Computer generated image of New Wave Indicative only

13 mins

Parking available at The Lanes Car Park on Black Lion Street

CALL 01273 950 988 www.nw-hove.co.uk

D

Pub Du Vin

TO

P U

ST AM

P

D

*

U TY

PA I

Travel times taken from google.com/maps. Times may vary

3%

*The additional second property stamp duty tax will be paid up to a maximum of 3% for reservations taken at the New Wave investor event

Luxury Kitchens | Elegant Extensions | Premium Glazing

@hehkulifestyle

Now you can fall back in love with your home.

Find out how by visiting our website www.hehkulifestyle.co.uk or visiting our showroom for some divine inspiration.

Visit our showroom in East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1RL

0800 542 5000 | www.hehkulifestyle.co.uk

Image: Felcourt, West Sussex: Spring 2017

BLOB:FILE:///3A213A94-C3D7-4F30-9CC6-3896CC610746 LOB:FILE:///3A213A94-C3D7-4F30-9CC6-3896CC610746 BLOB:FILE:///02DAC998-02FE-490F-981C-102BB974DC8F BLOB:FILE:///02DAC998-02FE-490F-981C-102BB974DC8F

EXCEPTIONAL HOMES Outstanding properties in our beautiful part of the world

6 bedrooms 4 bathrooms 5 receptions

DYKE CLOSE, HOVE

OFFERS IN EXCESS OF £1,750,000

A substantial detached Art Deco style residence of considerable charm and character boasting in excess of 4,600 square feet and standing in quite lovely large south facing gardens, whilst enjoying stunning coastal views and situated at the end of this sought after residential cul-de-sac just off Dyke Road Avenue.

3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms 1 receptions

WORCESTER VILLAS, HOVE GUIDE PRICE £635,000 - £645,000 A substantial and beautifully presented bay fronted Edwardian residence of considerable character, situated in a particularly pleasant and favoured location, close to Portslade mainline station and Boundary Road shopping facilities. The property has been refurbished to exacting standards to create a comfortable family home combining wonderful period features and modern day tones. This home really has the ‘WOW’ factor.

FIND MORE PROPERTIES ON MISHONWELTON.COM

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

3 bedrooms 1 bathrooms 1 reception

THE DRIVE, HOVE

ASKING PRICE ÂŁ620,000

A quite magnificent three bedroom garden apartment of considerable character situated on the ground floor of this prestigious Victorian building. Boasting in excess of 1000 SQUARE FEET and situated in the sought after Drive, this property is within immediate proximity of the bustling and colourful cafe and restaurant culture of Hove with its hosts of amenities and moments from the Hove mainline station and the seafront.

4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms 1 reception

GOLDEN LANE, BRIGHTON

ASKING PRICE ÂŁ675,000

A modern and well presented, four double bedroom townhouse, located in a popular and secure development, with an allocated parking space, situated in a prime central location, just off Hove seafront.

Being arranged over three floors, the home has a versatile layout, whilst offering bright and spacious accommodation throughout. Positioned between the seafront and Western Road, you have a never ending supply of cafes, bars, restaurants and shopping facilities literally on your doorstep.

CALL 01273 778877 FOR A FREE PROPERTY VALUATION ON YOUR HOME

FROM HOUSE TO HOME nashwatson.com

Hurstpierpoint | Guide Price £875,000 Sizable semi-detached family house - Unprecedented panoramic views of the South Downs - 5 bedrooms - 4 bathrooms - 3 reception rooms - Minutes' walk of the centre of the village - Off street parking - Detached double garage – Washbrook Views

Hassocks | £859,950 Striking, brand new detached house - Views of the South Downs - 4 bedrooms, 3 receptions, 3 bedrooms - Bespoke, locally made kitchen - Views of the South Downs - South facing balcony to 2 of the bedrooms - Integral garage – South Dean House

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

BEAUTIFUL HOME Twineham

A

substantial Georgian Grade II listed rectory, located in a quiet and idyllic setting with glorious gardens and grounds of approximately 1.25 acres and with far reaching views over neighbouring farmland.

The Old Rectory, believed to date back to the early 19th Century, sits beautifully within its garden and grounds of approximately 1.25 acres and retains many of its timeless Georgian features. Space is in abundance with both formal and informal reception rooms, a large double aspect kitchen/ breakfast room and cellars which are currently being used as a games room and gym. There is a grand sweeping principle staircase to the first floor which provides six well-appointed and light bedrooms serviced by 3 bathrooms and a shower room. The master bedroom is of particular note along with its equally large en-suite bathroom with central cast iron roll top bath, which takes full advantage of the fine views across neighbouring farmland and beyond. The beautifully tended and private gardens comprise of large areas of well kept lawns, a gravelled carriage driveway, an area of copse and an enticing heated outdoor pool all being bordered by established hedging and a part walled garden.

The Old Rectory, Church Lane, Twineham Guide Price: ÂŁ2,150,000 Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 4 Extras: Marvellous private part walled gardens; Heated outdoor swimming pool; Extensive external lighting Best Bits: Large double aspect kitchen/breakfast room; An abundance of open fireplaces; High ceilings Chatt Estates 34 High Street, Ditchling, BN6 8TA 01273 844500 www.chattestates.co.uk

PORTFOLIO  17

STAY WARM

SETTLE DOWN

A modern twist on traditional, period-style radiators, which will transform the look of any bathroom. Designed with exposed valves, classic radiator grills, and a sleek chrome finish.

From top: Strand shelf - £399; directly below (on side): Trafalgar Radiator - £549.

A beautiful and practical piece for the hall or kitchen, this beautiful box settle is crafted from fine English oak and comes in five standard finishes, with plenty of storage space incorporated under the seat to keep your room clutter free.

English Oak Box Settle £1148.00

www.purebathroomcollection.co.uk

MUST

www.titchmarsh-goodwin.co.uk

HAVES BATH TIME The ultimate in luxury for a period bathroom – or even bedroom - if you have space is a freestanding bath. This luxury roll top, double-ended freestanding bath is from Frontline Bathrooms. Sized 1700 x 750mm. Also available with dust grey outer.

Hebden Freestanding Bath £635.00 www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk

Restoring or updating your period home has never been easier with these stylish pieces for homes and bathrooms

DRYING SPACE We love this wonderfully utilitarian product. The Chilton Ceiling Dryer comes with stainless steel ceiling fittings and is highered and lowered using the ropes.

The dryer consists of five beech poles, and is a great way to create more hanging and drying space.

Chiltern Ceiling Dryer £75.00 www.graceandgloryhome.co.uk

Selborne Road, Hove - Studio flats from £199,950 | One bedrooms from £265,000 | Ground floor two bedroom £375,000 A brand new development where modern living meets Victorian elegance; these newly converted luxury apartments have superb designed interiors and quality fitments throughout. Finished to an exceptional standard, each apartment has custom designed kitchens and bathrooms, timber framed double glazed sash windows, and brand new long Leases. Sought-after location close to the seafront and Church Road.

Pembroke Crescent, Hove - Guide Price £475,000 to £495,000 Situated in the Pembroke Crescent conservation area and offered with no chain is this charming, rarely available and well-presented two bedroom house with large reception room, kitchen breakfast room with space to dine, two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a delightful rear garden.

Park House, Hove - Price £587,500 A stylish and modern, top floor penthouse situated adjacent to Hove Park (about 40 acres) with beautiful views across Hove out the sea beyond. Being under two years old the apartment benefits from an NHBC warranty and 125 year lease. Internally, the contemporary space has an open plan kitchen living room, master bedroom with en-suite, two further bedrooms and bathroom, roof terrace expanding the width of the property, communal gardens to the rear and allocated secure parking.

Healy & Newsom 19 Richardson Road, Brighton & Hove, East Sussex BN3 3RB 01273 74 66 74 | hove@healynewsom.co.uk | www.healynewsom.co.uk

EVENT Diwali

“The Festival of Lights�

19th October 2017 Activities and events will take place all over the country to celebrate the Hindu Festival Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights

CELBRITY home

MEL GIBSON'S JUNGLE HOME Mel Gibson’s three connected Costa Rican villas are on the market for a cool $29 milion

W

ith its year-round tropical weather, democratic government since the 1940s and proximity to the U.S., Costa Rica was one of the first getaway outposts for semiexpat Americans when having an off-shore home - a practical alternative to Florida and California. Consistently rated by the Happy Planet Index as the happiest country in the world, with safe streets, cheap cost of living, beautiful parks, dozens of sandy beaches, excellent medical care, a thriving economy and only a 2.5 hour flight to the United States, about 70,000 Americans have moved to Costa Rica and thousands more have purchased vacation homes including Mel Gibson. >

PORTFOLIO  21

BEAUTIFUL homes

Photo: www.hillarys.co.uk

22  PORTFOLIO

CELBRITY home

“The main hacienda-style residence overlooks the beach, with multiple terraces affording both ocean and jungle views”

Gibson, whose paternal grandparents were an Australian opera star and American tobacco millionaire, was born in Peekskill, New York in 1956. His family moved to Australia, when Gibson was age 12, where he studied acting. After he became an international movie star in the 1980s, Gibson began buying a string of luxury homes in California, Montana, Connecticut, Australia and Fiji. While scouting locations for his 2006 film Apocalypto, Gibson went a bit further than most Americans, who tend to buy Costa Rican beach condos, and bought an entire 403-acre beachfront jungle on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula.

Gibson’s Costa Rican estate includes three homes which are separated from each other by an extensive canopy of trees stretching across the entire property.

Each of the two smaller single-storey homes has two bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, kitchens, verandas and its own swimming pools, BBQ area and is fully air conditioned. Of the two, Casa Barrigona has its own

poolside cottage and Casa Dorada has a loft, giving each additional sleeping space. The main two-storey hacienda-style residence, Casa Guanacaste, overlooks the long, wide beach and has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a large courtyard and pool and multiple terraces affording both ocean and jungle views. All three villas have been constructed of Costa Rican wood with Spanish and Italian red-barrel tile roofs that create a tropical ambiance. Beach lovers will find white-sand beaches with nearby steep cliffs located on the country's northern Pacific Coast. Animal lovers will enjoy the howler monkeys, get an occasional glimpse of an ocelot and watch sea turtles lay eggs on Mel’s private beach. The property is being marketed

by Robert Davey of Plantacion Properties and Rick Moeser of Christie’s International Real Estate and is priced at $29.75 million.

See more details at toptenrealestatedeals.com

PORTFOLIO 23

solicitors Incorporating Johnson McCabe

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

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

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

WELCOME TO MY WORLD This month we speak to Stephen Donnelly of SJD Projects, Land and Development Consultants

Steve, your business describes itself as dealing in the sale and acquisition of land, property and development opportunities throughout the South East. Typically, are you on the look-out for building plots and dealing with individuals with ‘Grand Design’ aspirations or sites suitable for developers?

We do a fair amount of ‘Grand Design’-type plot sales, but this is not our core business.

We mainly deal with larger sites – typically between five to 50 unit schemes of houses and apartments. We source a variety of sites, including vacant land, residential properties with large gardens and commercial buildings for conversion or replacement. In addition, we look for longer-term sites with future planning potential, such as farms and large land holdings on the edges of towns and villages.

The majority of our opportunities are offered ‘off-market’, which means, for the seller, that their site is not bandied around the marketplace – which can often put off serious potential buyers. For the buyer, they will take sites being offered on a discrete basis more seriously and put forward a more robust proposal, to the benefit of both parties.

Is your company able to advise on the planning process relating to a proposed development?

We offer a number of services within our organisation to aid the development process.

For those clients wanting to achieve planning, we offer both architectural and planning services. We like to think we can provide an all-encompassing service for our clients and manage the whole process on their behalf.

How did you get into this business and what do you love about it? What does a typical day look like to you Steve?

My career in the property world started over 30 years ago when I joined an estate agent operating in and around the Brighton area.

About 17 years ago I got the opportunity to

work as a land manager for a national estate agency and was immediately hooked on the world of land and development! I set up my own business in 2007, which was a liberating feeling, and, with great support from my team, the business has grown to where it is today.

“Every opportunity is different from the last, with each client having their own unique requirements” A typical day in my world would be either meeting vendors on site around the South East or meeting with developers in London.

If it is meeting a vendor, we arrive not always knowing what to expect. Every opportunity is different from the last, with each client having their own unique requirements. Meeting with developers is always productive for us, as getting to know their specific requirements helps us to provide them with the right opportunities. No two days are the same, and I look forward to every day with great anticipation. I have a total fascination with the development world and I can honestly say that this is my ideal vocation.

You cover a large geographical area across the South. Do you often come to Brighton & Hove? What do you love about our City?

I was born and bought up in Shoreham, so I consider Brighton as my home town. I regularly have appointments in Brighton, so use this as an excuse to mix business with a bit of social.

I think Brighton, with its cosmopolitan population, makes for an exciting place to socialise and enjoy the sites. I have always enjoyed the restaurants and drinking establishments – a little too much, sometimes – and love the beach and often walk along the seafront, just taking in the whole atmosphere.

What was your first job?

I started my working life for an insurance company in Queens Road, Brighton (no longer there) at the request of my parents, who thought it was a good, solid career. The highlight of the day was when Barbara came round with her tea trolley at 10am every morning! So many of the people working there had done so for what seemed like forever, and I knew I had to get out. Thankfully, when I worked out how to operate the flexitime system to my advantage, I managed to minimise the amount of time I spent there.

Although I met some lovely people whilst working there which made the time bearable, I had to follow my dreams and have never looked back.

Where do you see yourself and your company in 10 years' time, or do you fancy putting your feet up in your own dream home?

Ten years is a long time, and I have great ambitions for my company. My daughter now works for me and, hopefully, my son will join us in a few years, once he has gained his life experiences. I intend to keep working for as long as possible, because working is so fulfilling and enjoyable. I like the idea of allowing more time for holidays, which would please my partner. Currently, we only go away for short holidays and catch up with calls and emails every day.

The idea of building my own home does appeal. Perhaps I will get the opportunity some day.

SJD Projects Ltd, 78 St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9PH 01892 579937 | 07739 514350 steve@sjd-projects.com www.sjd-projects.com

PORTFOLIO 25

www.hamptons.co.uk

TO LET

TO LET

Belgrave Place, Brighton £3,500pcm An elegant 6 bedroom regency town house, arranged over 4 floors, with 4 bathrooms, balcony and west facing patio garden.

Cornwall Gardens, Hove £2,995pcm A gorgeous and deceptively spacious 4 double bedroom detached family home in great location for Schools, parks and Preston Park train Station.

EPC C

LET BY

LET BY

Hove Park Road, Hove £4,600pcm 5 bedroom detached family home which has been re-developed to a very high specification. EPC D

Radinden Manor Road, Hove £4,500pcm A most gorgeous 5 bedroom detached family home located in Hove which has undergone complete refurbishment. EPC E

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

www.hamptons.co.uk

The Manor House, BN42 £1,550,000 With period charm and character in abundance, The Manor House in Southwick is a beautiful Grade II listed Manor House set within its own grounds with parking and mature gardens, offering 7 bedrooms.

Patcham Mill, BN1 £1,380,000 An extremely rare opportunity to purchase one of the cities most iconic landmark properties, offering stunning views across the downs, 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms and 3 bathrooms.

29 Clifton Street, BN1 £1,100,000 Contemporary four bedroom townhouse, located under a quarter of a mile away from Brighton railway station. The property has been comprehensively upgraded throughout and offers city centre living in a quiet one-way street.

26 Bishops Road, BN3 £1m A fantastic 3 bedroom family home situated in Hove Park with a great garden and swimming pool, as well as off road parking. This property also comes with planning to extend.

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

WIN

FAMILY TICKET TO HOLIDAY ON ICE: TIME!

H

oliday on Ice returns to Brighton in January 2018 with a new production, TIME. Celebrating ‘the best and most memorable times of our lives,’ the show is described as a photo album filled with ‘snapshots’ of memories we all share in common: falling in love, a first kiss, dancing ‘til dawn, a memorable night on the town, a great vacation, a thrilling adventure, and everyone’s wish to slow down time as it goes by too fast.

Directed and choreographed by David Liu, who is renowned for his innovative and exciting choreography, TIME will open at The Brighton Centre on Friday 5th January and run until Sunday 14th January, 2018.

Tickets to see Holiday on Ice’s TIME at The Brighton Centre are now on general sale and prices start at £15 for children and £25 for adults. Tickets can be purchased from www.brightoncentre.co.uk or by contacting the box office on 0844 847 1538.

For a chance to win, all you need to do is email competitions.portfoliomagazine@gmail.com with HOLIDAY ON ICE in the Subject Box, plus your name, address and a contact number.

Closing date for entries is 31 October 2017.

Terms & Conditions: Tickets are valid to see Holiday On Ice: TIME at The Brighton Centre on Friday 5th January 2017 at 8pm only. Family ticket can be used by any combination of a total of four adults and children. At least one adult must be present. No purchase necessary. Tickets are non-exchangeable. Closing date for entries is 31st October 2017. Winners will be required to collect their tickets from box office on the night of the show. Any travel and accommodation will not be included in the prize.

Fixed Fee Divorce & Family Advice available

Do you need legal advice from only very highly qualified & experienced legal professionals? Do you value personal service, speaking to your solicitor face to face, having easy access to your solicitor by phone and email, receiving advice in plain English? If yes, then please do contact us for expert legal advice on a wide range of legal matters including: • • • • • • • •

Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney Deputyships For a chance to&win, simply email Family Law (Divorce, Civil Partnership Dissolution, Financial Disputes, Children Matters) competitions.portfoliomagazine@gmail.com Residential Conveyancing – House/Flat Sales & Purchases as well as remortgages & equity release Commercial Conveyancing Leases on shops other Subject commercialBox, premises with –MAMMA MIA!and in the plus Personal Injury – all forms of accident claims your name, address and a contact number.

Civil Litigation/Debt Recovery Benefit Appeals and Defending Benefit Fraud Investigations and Prosecutions Private criminal defence advice, including all road traffic offences

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For a fully itemised andare novalid obligation conveyancing by return, please call or email us today Tickets to see Mamma Mia! at The quotation Brighton Centre on Wednesday 16th August 2017 at 7.30pm only. Family ticket can be used by any combination of a total of four adults and children.

At least one adult must be present. No purchase necessary. Tickets are non-exchangeable. Closing date for entries is 7th August 2017.

Winners will be required to collect their tickets from box office on the night of the show. Any travel and accommodation will not be included in the prize.

28 PORTFOLIO

A Recommended Law Firm

IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 29

SAY H E L LO TO LON DON BU Y E R S A N D TENA N TS

For centuries Londoners have been escaping to greener pastures.

AA Milne did so in the 192os, introducing his son, Christopher Robin, to the countryside for the very first time. The world they discovered there, inspired a tale for all time.

Today even more Londoners are making the move. Your home could be just what they’re looking for. Make sure they see it, by letting us take your property to the heart of the capital as part of The Roadshow on Saturday 14th October.

The deadline for inclusion is 2nd October 2017

Hamptons Brighton & Hove Sales. 01273 796 156 | Lettings. 01273 799 680 hamptons.co.uk

THE

Roadshow SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER

NEW HOME

ART DECO DESIGN A magnificent new home in Hove's prime Dyke Road.

Luxury finishes, spacious layout, cinema room, gym and office. Plus SEA VIEWS!

I

nnovative Art Deco design, sleek and contemporary with a meticulous finish, this is the pinnacle of modern living in a central city hideaway. At its heart, winding architecturally around the light suffused, double-height stairwell, the spiral staircase provides the focal point and motif for the property.

Tucked behind smooth sliding gates, SWANSON HOUSE’s elegant façade conceals a considered configuration of the space within. Care and attention has been lavished upon the house to make the most of the space and natural daylight, so you can luxuriate in the openness of the accommodation, whilst still feeling wonderfully private and sequestered away from the world.

Internally the whole building exudes excellence; from the high ceilinged ground floor social spaces, to the impressive proportions of the lower rooms, and the individually yet cohesively styled bathrooms. Externally it does not disappoint either, with a block-paved drive and garage at the front, two generous front and rear roof terraces and a secluded sunny garden. The cherry on top of an already pretty tasty cake are the sea views beyond the back gardens and distant rooftops of Hove.

30 PORTFOLIO

Swanson House, Dyke Road, Hove

Please call to book private viewing

Price £1.75m • • • • • •

Contemporary New Home S uperb Location in Hove SEA VIEWS! Beautiful Art Deco Styling Cinema Room & Home Office Gym/Multi Function Room

• • • • • •

Two Roof Terraces Extensive South Garden 4263 Sq Ft Separate Garage Ready For Occupation - No Chain!

Premier New Homes Warranty

www.hamptons.co.uk 01273 796157

www.mishonmackay.com 01273 829300

PORTFOLIO 31

01273 777123 goldinlemcke.com

Walsingham Road, Hove, BN3 4FF A stunning and extremely sought after, three storey, semi detached mellow brick house, located in one of the area's most sought after roads. Early and internal inspection is highly recommended.

£1,100,000 • Four bedrooms • South/west facing rear garden • No Chain

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

email

property@goldinlemcke.com

selling homes In Brighton & Hove since 2002

Stoneham Road, Hove, BN3 5HJ

£595,000

A stunning four bedroom terraced house, arranged over three floors, which has • South facing rear garden been modernised to an exceptionally high standard. Internal viewing essential! • Poets Corner Location • Close to popular schools

Hove Park Way, Hove, BN3 6PT A substantial and most attractive semi detached family house, together with a lovely large mature rear garden, offering considerable potential for enlargement (STNPC) situated in a sought after residential location within close proximity of Hove Park.

£850,000 • Three Bedrooms • Off Road Parking • Generously proportioned living space

Berriedale Avenue, Hove, BN3 4JH An extremely sought after semi-detached house, located in one of the area's most sought after roads, benefitting from a fantastic sized South/West facing garden.

£899,950 • Arranged over three floors • Four bedrooms • Off road parking

PORTFOLIO 33

maslen.co.uk

Clyde Road, Brighton

ÂŁ635,000 FREEHOLD

A well presented 4 bedroom terraced home.

The property is located close to the Preston Circus and London Road areas and near to Brighton and London Road stations.

It also offers easy access to the A23 and A27. The hallway - with original period features and wooden floors - leads to a spacious living/dining area and to a modern family bathroom. The property features a fitted kitchen with integrated appliances and a door leading to a utility room.

The first floor has a separate cloakroom and 2 double bedrooms. There are 2 similar sized double bedrooms on the second floor.

Additional benefits include a landscaped south/west facing patio and a large loft area which could be converted subject to necessary consent.

Energy Rating C70.

Maslen Estate Agents 290 Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 6JF t:01273 566777 e:fiveways@maslen.co.uk

LEWES ROAD

.

WOODINGDEAN

.

FIVEWAYS

BEAUTIFUL HOME Woodingdean

S

ituated at the end of a private drive, set well back from a popular residential road in Woodingdean is this stunning and spacious, detached eco-home.

To bring the outside in there are sliding doors to the impressive open plan living area. On the first floor you’ll find three double bedrooms, the master of which being en-suite and a family bathroom. The L-shaped garden with a lawned area and mature borders offers stunning views across the valley. The peaceful location means that thisstunning home will make the perfect family home. Offered to the market with no onward chain. Viewing is highly recommended. Energy Performance Rating B90.

Downs Valley Road, Woodingdean, BN2 6RG Guide Price: £550,000 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Extras: Manageable garden; Stunning curved feature window; Private driveway and garage Best Bits: Very high energy rating; Peaceful location; Good local schools Maslen Estate Agents 62 - 64 Warren Road, Woodingdean, Brighton, BN2 6BA 01273 278866 www.maslen.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 35

5

LYNDHURST ROAD, HOVE BN3 6FD PRICE £850,000, FREEHOLD • • • • •

Lots of character with plenty of original features Up to five bedrooms Located in the popular Highdown/Lyndhurst District Excellent decorative order Open outlook to the front

• • • • •

2

2

Big kitchen/family room Spacious front reception room Large luxury bathroom Big separate shower room Dedicated utility 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

4

OLD SHOREHAM ROAD, HOVE BN3 6NR PRICE £800,000, FREEHOLD

SELLING QUALITY HOMES SINCE 1993

• • • • •

Early vacant possession No ongoing chain Two huge ground floor reception rooms Integral garage + private driveway Stunning large level rear garden

• • • •

Four bedrooms Bathroom + separate WC Ground floor cloakroom Eat-in size kitchen

1

2

BEAUTIFUL HOME Brighton

T

his fabulous detached residence is of significant quality, has previously undergone an enormous programme of modernisation, enlargement and improvement with a clear eye for detail, and occupies a wide corner plot just to the north of Fiveways. It is therefore also ideally placed for a number of well-regarded local schools and is an ideal location for families.

Set back from the road, the house has a wide brick-paved forecourt providing off-road parking for numerous cars and access to the garage, and the house sits on a much wider than average plot with a rear terraced garden, but also has sizeable lawned gardens on either side.

The house has a contemporary theme, with predominantly neutral colour schemes throughout, together with high-specification bathroom, en-suites and a feature kitchen with a host of appliances and quality work surfaces. Accommodation is well-designed and includes spacious living areas, together with a large eat-in-sized kitchen/family room, beautiful galleried landing with glass balustrades, brushed chrome handrails, together with floor-to-ceiling windows, all adding to its appeal and providing access to four bedrooms, all of which have storage, with two having en-suites and the master bedroom also having an en-suite dressing room. Internal inspection is essential in order to appreciate this property's many features.

Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 6JJ Guide Price: ÂŁ900,000 Freehold Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Extras: Huge array of features; Wider than average corner plot; Immaculately presented Best Bits: Contemporary themed; Feature kitchen/family room; No ongoing chain Elliotts Estate Agents 2 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2FL 01273 773399 www.elliottsestateagents.co.uk

PORTFOLIO  37

PROPERTY news

PROPERTY NEWS NINE LUXURY NEW HOMES AT HOVE DEVELOPMENT SOLD IN 11 WEEKS Following an open-day launch in May of the family homes at the Kingsthorpe development in Hove, Oakley Property are delighted to announce that the first new owner-occupiers have started to move in. 11 weeks after the show home launch, each one of the nine homes in the new development was sold.

The developers, Greenrock Homes, are pleased that the development has been so popular.

Managing Director Phillip Gowing comments: “We are so pleased that the homes at Kingsthorpe are already being enjoyed by their new owners. Oakley have done a fantastic job of overseeing the whole sales process and we hope the new owners will be happy living in these homes for many years to come.”

Oakley have had similar instant success with Providence Lofts in Brighton, with only one of nine apartments remaining and are currently reserving off-plan for one- two-and three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses at New Wave in Hove.

PROPERTY OMBUDSMAN WARNS OF COMPUTER VIRUS SCAM The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has issued a warning to estate and letting agents to act with caution, as fraudulent 'buyers' target agents with the latest computer virus scam.

TPO has been alerted to a case by a member agent who received emails from a potential buyer in China. The individual emailed the branch several times expressing a keen interest to make a full-asking-price offer on a property. The agent, suspicious of the buyer's eagerness to act quickly without having viewed the property, asked the individual to send over all personal details, including identification documents. When the email came through, the attachments were difficult to open. The agent passed the email to his IT department, who confirmed that it contained a series of potentially destructive computer viruses.

It is not known what impact the viruses could have had on the agent's IT system if it had not been identified.

Gerry Fitzjohn, Board Chairman for TPO commented: “Fortunately, in this case the scam was identified and no company or customer details were compromised. However, this is a reminder to all agents to be both cautious and vigilant. The importance of antivirus software is a given, but it is not a guarantee against computer viruses, so the best defence is also an educated user. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. We would urge all agents to circulate this warning amongst staff.”

38 PORTFOLIO

PROPERTY BECOMES THE UK’S BACK-UP SAVINGS ACCOUNT UK homeowners are using their properties as a back-up savings account as the average amount of equity released in this year hit a record £78,334, according to figures compiled by equity release provider Responsible Equity Release. The equity release market shows little sign of slowing down, as homeowners turn to their properties to prop up savings accounts, pay off mortgages and cover pension deficits.

Responsible Equity Release figures also show that homeowners are taking advantage of innovation in the equity release sector to set up an additional borrowing facility which they can draw from if and when they need the money. On average, homeowners arranged an additional £37,000 in funds as a draw-down facility, on top of the equity already released. Over the past three months, 41% more UK homeowners released equity from their homes than in the previous three months, with a 158% increase in the total amount of equity released, compared to the same period last year.

PROPERTY news

LAYTONFIELDS – HAPPY FAMILIES IN HURSTPIERPOINT Laytonfields is a collection of just 17 new homes in the historic village of Hurstpierpoint in West Sussex, close to the South Down National Park.

There are two properties remaining within this collection, both detached properties with four bedrooms, priced at £795,000 and £750,000 respectively.

Samantha and Mark, who recently purchased a five-bedroom detached property explained what attracted them to the Rydon Homes development: “We were living in Central Brighton, but as both our children go to Hurstpierpoint College, we wanted to make things easier for everyone by moving a little closer, especially as our daughter has her GCSEs coming up. What’s really charming is the design and layout of the property; it’s clearly family orientated, with a family room incorporated into the open-plan kitchen and dining room. We especially love the way the large doors to this room open onto the garden.”

Samantha and Mark are also seeing the benefits of a new-build home: “Having previously lived in an old house, the prospect of a new-build home was very attractive to us. Being free of the stresses of maintaining an old Victorian property is bliss!”

To find out more, or to arrange a viewing, please call Mishon Mackay New Homes 01273 829300 or email newhomes@mishonmackay.com.

BELVOIR STEPS UP ACQUISITION PROGRAMME Belvoir has reported on the completion of 12 franchisee-led acquisitions in 2017, and confirms that further acquisitions are in the pipeline.

Dorian Gonsalves, CEO of Belvoir says: “Business development via our Assisted Acquisitions Programme has been a major growth strategy for the Belvoir Group throughout 2017.”

He continued, “I can confirm that further acquisition deals and opportunities are in the pipeline and I would encourage any independent agents who are considering their exit strategy to contact Belvoir 's Acquisition Team for a confidential discussion about what mutually beneficial opportunities may be available.”

To find your nearest Belvoir office, please visit www.belvoir.co.uk.

To contact Martin Bunney, telephone 01476 570000 or email franchising@belvoir.co.uk

PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS' LUNCH The Property Professionals' Lunch provides the perfect opportunity to mingle with your peers and like-minded professionals. The next Property Professionals’ Lunch will take place on Thursday, 12th October at Pub du Vin, Brighton. October’s Guest Speaker is Ben Lindley from Japanese Knotweed Ltd. There will be a special raffle prize draw, in aid of the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. The cost is just £30 per person (including a 3-course lunch, wine and coffee). To book your place, contact Stephanie at marketing@searchesuk.co.uk.

HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER COUNTRY ROADSHOW Hamptons International hosts its second Country Roadshow at four of its London branches on Saturday 14th October. The event is aimed at showcasing country properties and providing expert advice to London locals considering a move to the countryside. To coincide with its Country Roadshow, Hamptons International has partnered with Twentieth Century Fox for the promotional release of Goodbye, Christopher Robin. The film tells the story of AA Milne, who, in the 1920s, introduced his son, Christopher Robin, to the countryside for the very first time.

Hamptons International is also running two competitions, with prizes including a country escape for two to explore the real ‘Hundred-Acre Wood’ in Tunbridge Wells and a luxury family hamper for the family.

Today, even more Londoners are making the move to the countryside, with the latest research from Hamptons International indicating that in 2016 Londoners bought 74,000 homes outside the capital. It’s not only families defining this trend, either: a record 40 per cent of first-time buyers living in London opted to buy outside the capital.

On Saturday 14th October, Hamptons International’s Balham, Putney, Kingston and Fulham branches will play host to London-based residents curious to know more about moving to the country. If you would like your property to be included in the Roadshow, or if you’re looking to sell your property in London and move to the country, please contact your local Hamptons International branch. The deadline for inclusion is 2nd October 2017. www.hamptons.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 39

AUTUMN BULBS Add fragrance and greenery to your home with these recycled glass bulb vases. To enjoy the fragrance of hyacinths at Christmas and New Year, start growing your bulb in October. Fill the glass to the neck with water and then place the bulb in the top.

Keep the water topped up and the bulb in a dark place, then move them to a sunny spot indoors and watch them flower.

Hyacinth Bulb Vases £11.95 www.finchandcrane.com

JADE LANTERN

MUST

Gorgeous Jade lantern by quirky Danish designers Rice DK is new for AW17.

The jade lantern has a beautiful, delicate ceramic look - but it is made from enamelcoated iron. It is intended for indoor use, but if you don’t expose it to rain, it will look lovely on the terrace or doorstep to welcome your guests.

Rice DK Metal Lantern Jade Med £31.50 www.printerandtailor.com

HAVES HANG IT Bring a little green into your life with this vibrant hanging plant pot from Orla Kiely, featuring Orla's geometric Linear Stem print in green colourway. Ideal for small plants, flowers or herbs, it makes a unique gift for any garden enthusiast. Available in two prints and sizes. Position them together or separately for an eye-catching focal point.

Orla Kiely Hanging Plant Pots £26.00 www.wildandwolf.com

We love Autumn and all the opportunities it affords to indulge and pamper at home.

But we want to keep some green in our lives, too

GREEN VELVET Swedish Designer Linum's Plushious Velvet Bedspread is made from the softest velvet, with a quilted surface and little pockets separated by hand-embroidered dots. We love the luxurious feel of velvet, and it gives a beautiful finishing touch to a bed. Layer up with pure crisp white cotton bed linen and the matching cushions to make a style statement.

Plushious Velvet Emerald Green Bedspread £320.00 www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

INTERIORS

KYLIE AT HOME The Kylie at Home Autumn/ Winter collection launched in September, with luxurious fabrics and beautiful designs

T

ransform your bedroom to star status with beautiful bed linen, cushions and throws from the Kylie Minogue: At Home Collection. These stunning designs embrace all the glamour and star quality associated with the showgirl herself. Always inspired by her extravagant stage costumes and love of vintage fabrics, each collection shines with her distinct, glamourous and individual style.

HELENE A delicate web of silver sequins spirals across a nude satin ground in this exquisite design. Keep the look ethereal with the Helene throw and cushions. The crushed velvet Modena in oyster and pearl velvet Belina cushions, each with diamante trims, further enhance this dreamy effect.

“A truly sophisticated design for the discerning customer”

DARCEY Embrace your feminine side with the exquisite Darcey bed linen. A myriad of tiny sequins and delicate embroidery, set on soft oyster satin. This elegant design continues on to the throw and cushions; the latter enhanced with pearls and diamantes.

GLITTER FADE With sequins creating a sparkling ombre effect, Glitter Fade is sure to make a statement. The design continues onto pillows and cushions alike, creating a dazzling bedroom display. Complete the look with the coordinating throw and cushions. Note the Boudoir cushion in soft printed velvet with a trio of diamante brooches.

ZITA Set on beautiful petrol satin, Zita features a lavish panel of rose gold and petrol sequins. For full-on glamour, the luxurious velvet and sequin Tala throw is a must, together with a selection of stunning sequined cushions. The Square Diamond cushion in rose gold sits perfectly.

ATMOSPHERE This stunning bedding features rows of pleated velvet combined with a sumptuous ivory satin, offset with sparkling diamantes. Add the quilted crushed velvet Mirella throw, with its own subtle touch of sparkle. Velvet cushions in tones of grey, praline and smoke add to the moody and magnificent style. A truly sophisticated design for the discerning customer.

The Autumn/Winter range is available in stores from midSeptember, prices range from £20-£140.

Kylie at Home is available at Debenhams, House of Fraser and Next

PORTFOLIO 41

Rigden Road, Hove | £625,000

Matlock Road, Brighton | £295,000

An exceptionally spacious first floor apartment with off road parking, garage, own private entrance and private gardens.

This one bedroom maisonette has its own private street entrance, spacious living room, kitchen, wet room and good sized bedroom with en-suite shower room.

Stafford Road, Brighton | £335,000

Hill Brow, Hove | £1,200,000

This two bedroom first floor flat is set within this attractive double fronted Victorian house whilst benefiting from many period features.

This spacious four bedroom detached home has a large south-west facing garden and stunning far reaching views.

The property offers a superb roof terrace, two garages and a large driveway.

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

BEAUTIFUL HOME Hove

S

et within the popular Tongdean Road, this beautiful detached family home has a stunning landscaped south facing rear garden with a paved space to the front offering off road parking for 3/4 vehicles as well as an integral garage. Internally, the house offers four wellproportioned bedrooms, three bathrooms (two en-suite) and spacious ground floor living accommodation.

Positioned on one of Hove’s most sought after residential locations, Tongdean Road is close to shops on Woodland Drive as well as being a short distance into Hove for further variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. Hove and Preston Park train stations are both close-by with direct links to London as well as being positioned not too far from the A27 and A23 giving access to the main London to Brighton road. It's only a 5 minute drive into Brighton and the South Downs and Hove Park are very close.

Tongdean Road, Hove, BN3 6QE Guide Price: £1,350,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 (include en-suites) Extras: Detached family home; Two reception rooms; Garage Best Bits: South facing garden; Popular Tongdean area; South facing balcony; Immaculate ready to move into condition Foster & Co Estate Agents Ground floor, 10 The Drive, Hove, BN3 3JA 01273 830919 www.fosterandcoestateagents.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 43

KEMPTOWN | PRICE: £595,000

BRIGHTON CITY CENTRE | PRICE: £425,000

Home Sweet Home - an old cliché, but very apt for this stylish mid terrace house set in tranquil east Kemptown. An exceptional home arranged over 3 floors, with 4 bedrooms and stunning west facing garden and large work shop to boot, what's not to love!

Grade II listed period cottage built circa 1563 and believed to be in the oldest row of terraced houses in Brighton. Interior designed by Sophie Robinson of BBC1 DIY SOS. (N.B. One of two neighbouring properties for sale).

BRIGHTON CITY CENTRE | PRICE: £425,000

KEMPTOWN | PRICE RANGE: £450,000-£475,000

Grade II listed period cottage built circa 1563 and believed to be in the oldest row of terraced houses in Brighton. Interior designed by Sophie Robinson of BBC1 DIY SOS. (N.B. One of two neighbouring properties for sale).

Grade II listed maisonette in the heart of Kemptown Village - This spacious apartment will appeal to many as the perfect home by the sea or an excellent investment with planning consent in place for two separate apartments.

Princetons Property Services, 6 St Georges Road, Brighton, BN2 1EB

Princetons are proud supporters of The Martlets

SHOREHAM-BY-SEA | PRICE: £1.4M

KEMPTOWN | PRICE: £675,000

Worthy of a feature in a glossy magazine, this stylish home will leave you speechless. Offering in excess of 4500 square 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.

A class act! This striking home offers almost 1300 sq.ft. of sheer elegance!

Arranged over 4 floors, with the option of 2/3 reception rooms and 3/4 double bedrooms, this truly is a versatile home. Come and see for yourself!

HOVE | PRICE: £395,000

KEMPTOWN | PRICE: £269,950

Cool summers and cosy nights in! A stylish second floor apartment with a double aspect ensuring a cool breeze on those hot sticky days and cosy open fire to snuggle up to on cold wintry nights.

This stylish apartment is situated on the cusp of Kemptown village and just moment from the beach front. Quick and easy move with no onward chain!

www.princetonsps.co.uk | overseas@princetonsps.co.uk | 01273 606326

CALENDAR of events

October

Our pick of October events features multiple music icons plus top notch comedy and world class opera on tour…

5 October, Dua Lipa The London-born child of Kosovar parents, Dua Lipa has already been nominated for awards by the BBC and MTV Europe, and was a finalist for the prestigious “Critics’ Choice” prize at the Brit Awards. She also won Best New Artist at the NME Awards, and two European Border Breakers Awards—she was one of only ten global recipients of the EBBA—including the night’s biggest prize, the “Public Choice” award, voted on by fans. But with 3.5 million in global sales, it’s her singles that have rapidly established her as a rising star—Be the One reached the Top Ten in a dozen European territories, Hotter Than Hell hit the Top Twenty in the UK, and Blow Your Mind (Mwah) climbed into Billboard’s Top 25 in the US. Brighton Dome, 7pm. www.brightondome.org

6 October, Matt Lucas Little Me: My Life From A-Z The hilarious, heart-warming and tear-jerking memoir from one of Britain's best-loved comedians and actors “The thing is, this is a bit different to most memoirs you may have read, because it comes in the form of an A–Z. For instance, B is for Baldy! – which is what people used to shout at me in the playground (not much fun), G is for Gay (because I’m an actual real life gay) and T is for TARDIS (because I’m a companion in Doctor Who now). You get the sort of thing”.

Brighton Dome, 8pm. www.brightondome.org

10 October, Richard Alston Dance Company Richard Alston Dance Company is a UK dance company, renowned for musical and articulate choreography danced by the very finest contemporary dancers.

The programme includes CARNAVAL, a brand new piece by Alston performed to Schumann’s music of the same name. These evocative piano pieces describe different aspects of Schumann’s complicated personality. The music is played live by outstanding pianist Jason Ridgway and the costumes are by BAFTA Award winning designer Fontini Dimou who previously worked on Alston’s An Italian in Madrid and Illuminations.

Theatre Royal, Brighton, 7.30pm.www.atgtickets.com/brighton

30 October - 3 November, The Real Thing Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents Laurence Fox in The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard. Directed by Stephen Unwin Henry is the smartest and sharpest playwright of his generation. His wife, Charlotte, an actress, has been appearing in a play by Henry about a couple whose marriage is on the verge of collapse. Max, her leading man, is also married to an actress, Annie. When Henry’s affair with Annie threatens to destroy his own marriage, he realises life has started imitating art. But are they really in love? Is it the real thing?

First staged in 1982, The Real Thing combines the intellectual and dazzling wordplay of Stoppard at his most witty with some of his most tender and touching writing. A clever, poignant and entertaining examination of infidelity, The Real Thing is a multi awardwinning modern classic.

Theatre Royal, Brighton. Visit website: www.atgtickets.com/brighton

46 PORTFOLIO

CALENDAR of events

3 & 4 & 11 October, Micky Flanagan One of the biggest names in the UK comedy scene is back on tour with his brand new show ‘An’ Another Fing…’

This follows Mickey’s record breaking “Back In The Game” tour of 2013 which took in an incredible 129 shows - making it the biggest comedy tour in the world that year having sold an unbelievable 500,000 tickets in the UK and Ireland alone.

Mickey Flanagan has risen to peak UK comedy fame and success after many notable appearances and gigs, including Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Live at the Apollo, Stand Up for the Week and the Royal Variety Performance.

Brighton Centre. Check website for times. www.brightoncentre.co.uk

2 October, The Libertines

10 October, The Pretenders

‘…Tiddeley Om Pom Pom Tour’ with support from Yonaka, Lucie Barat and Dead Cuts.

The Libertines released their highly anticipated third album ‘Anthems For Doomed Youth’ in September 2015. The album, which was recorded in Thailand, entered the UK Album Charts at No. 3 and received great critical applause on its release: “They’re back enjoy it while you can” (Mojo) “Genuinely great songwriters with a uniquely skewed vision.” (The Guardian, “Worth the eleven year wait.” (Evening Standard).

The Libertines are Peter Doherty – vocals/guitar, Carl Barât – vocals/ guitar, John Hassall – bass guitar and Gary Powell – drums.

The Pretenders began as fully fledged band in the late 1970s and over the years they've had countless successes. Their debut album, released in early 1980, eventually climbed to the No.1 spot in the UK; and the band was nearly as successful in America, with Photo credit: Jill Furmanovsky the album reaching the top 10 and lead single Brass in Pocket reaching No.14 in the Billboard charts. Other singles over the years have included I Got You Babe, Don't Get Me Wrong, Back on The Chain Gang, Kind and countless other hits.

On hiatus since 2012, The Pretenders reconvened in 2016 to record a new album with Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach as producer.

The album was recorded by Chrissie Hynde in Nashville and sees Chrissie at her searingly honest, most incisive best.

Brighton Centre, 7.30pm. www.brightoncentre.co.uk

Brighton Dome, 7pm. www.brightondome.org

27 October, Dad Dancing

24 - 26 October, John Bishop

Could anyone ever persuade you to take your dance moves to the stage? Meet three brave dads who agreed to dance with their daughters in a new show. Through a series of touching episodes, they explore father-child relationships with joyous contemporary choreography, humour and playful storytelling. Joined by a supporting cast of fathers, sons and daughters of all ages, they fearlessly slip and slide their way through their similarities and differences, hopes and regrets to a soundtrack including Beethoven, Whitney Houston and Pendulum. Reclaiming ‘dad dancing’ from the cynics, this dynamic group of performers encourage us all to dance our own dance with joy. Co-commissioned by South East Dance and Battersea Arts Centre. Supported by Arts Council England, Awards for All Big Lottery Fund, South East Dance, Thistle Trust, Wandsworth Council and The Fatherhood Institute.

Comedy superstar John Bishop is coming here with a brand new show WINGING IT in autumn 2017!

It will have been 3 years since his last tour and WINGING IT is gearing up to be his biggest and best yet. John is very much looking forward to this new adventure and can’t wait to be back on the road again.

John has achieved huge success with a number of his own comedy, entertainment and documentary shows including ‘John Bishop’s Australia’ (BBC1), ‘John Bishop’s Britain’ (BBC1); ‘John Bishop’s Only Joking’ (Sky1); ‘The John Bishop Show’ (BBC1); ‘The John Bishop Christmas Show’ (BBC1) and ‘John Bishop’s Gorilla Adventure’ (ITV1). More recently his new series ‘John Bishop: In Conversation With…’ sees him chatting, one to one with some of the UK’s biggest names.

‘King of the one-hundred-liner’ Daily Telegraph

The Attenborough Centre for the Arts, University of Sussex, 8pm. www.attenboroughcentre.com

Brighton Centre, 7.30pm. www.brightoncentre.co.uk

More events continued over the page

CALENDAR of events

22 September - 28 October, King Lear Two ageing fathers - one a King, one his courtier - reject the children who truly love them. Their blindness unleashes a tornado of pitiless ambition and treachery - and their worlds crumble. Tender, violent, moving and shocking, King Lear is considered by many to be the greatest tragedy ever written. This will be an explosive, charged and contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s epic masterpiece in the intimate setting of the Minerva Theatre. Jonathan Munby directs, following his acclaimed production of First Light for Festival 2016. His work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes All the Angels, The Merchant of Venice and Antony and Cleopatra; his recent work for the RSC includes Wendy & Peter Pan.The ensemble of actors includes Ian McKellen, who last appeared at Chichester in The Syndicate in 2011.

18 October, Peggy Seeger World renowned folk artist Peggy Seeger launches her new book: First Time Ever – A Memoir. Peggy is one of folk music’s most influential artists and songwriters. Born in New York City in 1935, she enjoyed a childhood steeped in music and left-wing politics. After college, she travelled to Russia and China – against US advice – before arriving in London, where she met the man with whom she would raise three children and share the next thirty-three years: Ewan MacColl.

Together, they helped lay the foundations of the British folk revival, through the influential Critics Group and the landmark BBC Radio Ballads series. Peggy writes of a rollercoaster life – of birth and abortion, sex and infidelity, devotion and betrayal – in a luminous, beautifully realised account. Presented by City Books. This special evening will include a reading, Q&A and book signing.

Minerva Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre. www.cft.org.uk

The Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea. 7pm. ropetacklecentre.co.uk

27 October - 12 November, BrightonROOTS Early Music Festival

28 October, An Audience with Armistead Maupin Overview

DISCOVERING THE TANGLED ORIGINS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

bremf.org.uk

Brighton Early Music Festival 2017 theme is ROOTS: Discovering the tangled origins of classical music. The theme will dig deep into our past and explore the varied routes along which music travelled, tracing the origins of many classical forms and instruments.

Audiences will encounter traditional music from many parts of the world and see how it blended seamlessly with the more ‘cultivated’ music we think of as classical.

The programme also includes two operas: Monteverdi's Orfeo (one of the earliest written) and Rameau's Pygmalion, as well as Bach's Christmas Oratorio.

27th October to 12th November

For full programme and more information visit the Festival website: www.bremf.org.uk

In Conversation with Damian Barr An evening with the Tales of the City author, to celebrate the launch of his long-awaited memoir, Logical Family.

From the conservative South to liberal San Francisco, from his palm-reading Grannie to an awkward chat about girls with President Nixon, Armistead reveals the extraordinary people and places that helped him become one of the world’s best-loved writers. Funny, poignant and unflinchingly honest, this is a unique opportunity to meet the man from Barbary Lane.

‘With his elegance and charm Maupin has found a place among the classics.’ The Observer Theatre Royal, Brighton, 7.45pm.www.atgtickets.com/brighton

7 - 28 October, Glyndebourne On Tour Now in its 49th year, Glyndebourne Tour is Glyndebourne’s autumn season of world-class opera.

Following its October run at Glyndebourne (7-28 October), the Tour goes out on the road to theatres. The Tour 2017 repertoire includes two of the world’s most beloved operas –Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia and Mozart’s Così fan tutte plus ‘the operatic event of the year’ (The Sunday Times), Brett Dean’s outstanding new Hamlet direct from Festival 2017.

In addition, throughout October and November, they will be screening Le nozze di Figaro at selected UK cinemas.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Così fan tutte (7 - 26 October). A cheeky double dare results in false pretences and true love in Mozart’s dark comedy.

Brett Dean, Hamlet (21 – 27 October). In this insightful take on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Hamlet is tormented by conflicting desires, demands and doubts.

Gioachino Rossini, Il barbiere di Siviglia (8 -28 October). The battle of the sexes becomes a battle of wits in Rossini’s most popular comedy.

48 PORTFOLIO

CALENDAR of events

11 October, Richard Thompson 'Thompson put on a show of mercurial mood wings and consistent brilliance... a show of pure magic from start to finish.’ ***** The Times Richard Thompson is one of this country's greatest songwriters and most distinctive guitar virtuosos, capable of breathtaking drama and sublime delicacy, prompting Rolling Stone to hail him as 'a perennial dark-horse contender for the title of greatest living rock guitarist.' His songs have been covered by everyone from R.E.M to Elvis Costello. This tour marks the release of his new album Electric, produced by Buddy Miller. It’s out on Monday 11 February 2013 on Proper.

Photo credit: Pamela Littky

Brighton Dome, 7.30pm. www.brightondome.org

13 October, Dweezil Zappa 50 Years Of Frank

30 September to 5 November, HOUSE Biennial

50 years on from the first Mothers Of Invention album release ‘Freak Out’, Frank Zappa’s son Dweezil and his amazing band hand-pick their favourite tracks from the extensive back catalogue.

Exposed to the music industry from an early age, Dweezil Zappa developed a strong affinity for playing the guitar and producing music. Able to learn directly from world-class guitarists such as Steve Vai and Eddie Van Halen, Dweezil quickly developed into a musical star in his own right. Since 2006, Dweezil put his own original music on hold, assembled a virtuoso band of musicians and devoted himself to performing the music of Frank Zappa extensively at venues across the world, the only official act to do so since his father’s death in 1993. Witness Dweezil and his band bringing his father’s musical legacy to life on stage, fifty years since The Mothers Of Invention first toured the UK.

HOUSE is a curated contemporary visual arts event, taking place biennially in October across Brighton and Hove. HOUSE produces a series of co-commissions, often with city visual arts partners, and invites an internationally respected artist both to produce a major new piece of work and to develop a curatorial thematic together with HOUSE Curator Celia Davies.

Other co-commissioning opportunities are offered to a range of emerging, mid career and artists otherwise marginalised from the art world mainstream, along with a wider community programme.

Responding to this year’s theme of Excess, artists Laura Ford, Natasha Caruana, Anthony Stevens, Andrew Omoding and Becky Warnock will present work across Brighton and Hove, alongside a programme of films and events.

For full programme and more information visit the Festival website: www.housebiennial.art

De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea, 7.30pm. www.dlwp.com

28 October, Paul Simon’s Graceland. Performed in full by The London African Gospel Choir

19 October, Emeli Sandé Long Live The Angel's Tour

An uplifting and amazing show which sells out every venue and receives rave reviews from the audiences. Thirty years after its release, 17 members of the London African Gospel Choir, perform their own powerful twist on Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ album, delivering from start to finish.

The richness & harmony of the Choir’s rhythmic, evocative & empowering, voices have created an overwhelming musical event, for anyone lucky enough to experience this special performance of Paul Simon’s Graceland.

This tour is in support of Emeli’s acclaimed second studio album “Long Live The Angels”, a mesmerising journey through the triumphs and tragedies of the last four years of Emeli Sandé’s life. Exultant in its delivery and bold in its intent, the record is steeped in an unreserved sense of freedom and self-discovery.

A lot has happened to Sandé in the four years since the resounding success of her critically acclaimed number one record,’ Our Version Of Events’. The Aberdonian scored three UK number 1 singles including ‘Next to Me’ which is certified platinum in the U.S., with over 1.5 million singles sold.

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

Brighton Centre, 7.30pm. www.brightoncentre.co.uk

See you next month for more of our top picks

PEOPLE Matt Lucas: Little Me: My Life From A-Z

“The hilarious, heart-warming and tear-jerking memoir from one of Britain's best-loved comedians�

6th October, 8pm, Dome Concert Hall. www.brightondome.org

BEAUTIFUL HOME Brighton

A

beautifully presented detached chalet-style residence, located in this sought-after road and in one of Brighton & Hove's most popular residential areas, adjacent to excellent road links either to the bypass or into Brighton & Hove's City Centres.

In excellent decorative order, the property has gas fired central heating and is double glazed with fitted window shutters, with the majority of the ground floor having natural hard wood oak flooring. Once inside, there is a spacious entrance hall with two ground floor bedrooms both of which are doubles and a bathroom with a white suite, together with a good-sized lounge and extended kitchen/breakfast room together with French doors leading to the rear decked sun terrace. On the first floor there is a master bedroom which easily accommodates a large bed and additional bedroom furniture. A particular feature of this room is the Juliet balcony with stunning views over the surrounding area, and additional door leading to the en-suite shower room. Outside, and to the rear of the property is a large decked sun terrace and balustrade with steps leading to an artificial grass area with various flower and shrub borders, front garden which is mainly slate shingled for ease of maintenance and a garage with an up and over door which is accessed via the rear service road.

Fernwood Rise, Brighton BN1 5EP Guide Price: £550,000 Freehold Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Extras: Contemporary themed; Additional luxury bathroom; Decked sun terrace Best Bits: Detached chalet style residence; Spacious eat-in size kitchen ; Versatile accommodation Elliotts Estate Agents 2 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2FL 01273 773399 www.elliottsestateagents.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 51

HOT-SPOT SHOREHAM-BY-SEA You can see why Shoreham-by-Sea has become one of the region’s property hot-spots, lying as it does in a beautiful position at the mouth of the River Adur and with the South Downs as a backdrop. It also has a buzzing night life and an ever-growing number of bars and restaurants, as well as the popular Ropetackle venue. Best of all, it has convenient rail links to Brighton and London Victoria – and is even home to the City’s airport

T

he old Victorian school building in Ham Road has now been the subject of a unique renovation project by developers Key Link Assets. Four unique loft-style apartments, each with its own outside terrace or patio, have been individually designed and created, sympathetically restoring and enhancing the original features of the property.

Two large upper maisonettes are particularly spacious, enjoying full-height arched windows and galleried bedrooms, and the two ground-floor apartments are filled with light.

Guide prices from £275,000 Share of freehold 52 PORTFOLIO

Field House, Ham Road, Shorehamby-Sea, West Sussex BN43 6PA By train: London 60 minutes – Brighton 10 minutes

• • • • • • • • •

Walking distance of Shoreham-by-Sea railway station Within walking distance of town centre and waterfront 2 individually designed 2-bedroom maisonettes with outside roof terraces 2 individually designed ground-floor apartments (1 and 2 bedrooms) Unique loft-style living Beautiful fitted kitchens and bathrooms Old ‘school’ radiators Vaulted ceilings with galleried bedrooms Engineered oak flooring and carpeting throughout

OPEN DAY SATURDAY, 14TH OCTOBER, 2017 Call to reserve your viewing appointment

CONTACT: Key Link Assets (Rupert Verrell and Gregory Martis) 2 Bartholomews, Brighton. BN1 1HG www.keylinkassets.co.uk Robert Luff and Co (James Brown) 5-7 South Street, Lancing, BN15 8AE 01903 331737 www.robertluff.co.uk Warwick Baker (Mark Robinson) 10 High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5DA 01273 454234 www.warwickbaker.co.uk

KeyLinkAssets

PORTFOLIO 53

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

3

Central Brighton, £415,000

2

1

A sixth floor two double bedroom apartment in this prestigious landmark building in Central Brighton with spacious living room and enclosed terrace offering views across the city and coastal views to the Marina. The apartment benefits from lift access, concierge service and secure entry.

Central Brighton, POA

5

2

3

2

4

A beautifully presented Victorian semi detached house in the West Hill conservation area offering versatile accommodation across four storeys. The property has been sympathetically modernised and has a roof terrace with splendid views across Brighton, period features, a good sized rear garden and ample parking for several cars.

oakleyproperty.com

BEAUTIFUL HOME Southwick

A

n attractive 1930s semi-detached house offering level walking access to both Southwick Square shopping parade and Southwick station. The property is approached through a gated mature front garden with a block paved driveway leading to a leaded light front door which opens on to a spacious hallway.

There is a well proportioned kitchen/breakfast room with a dual aspect over the rear garden, extended living room/dining room opening on to a southerly garden approximately 100 foot in length. There is a second reception/bedroom four to the front, a study and WC whilst to the first floor there are three double bedrooms and a family bathroom. The rear garden has an outside brick store and mature flower beds. The southerly patio area leads to a lawned garden with mature shrubs and trees. Nearby schools include St Nicholas C of E Junior, Glebe Primary and Eastbrook Primary.

Croft Avenue, Southwick, BN42 4AB Price: ÂŁ600,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 1 Extras: Off road parking; Spacious accommodation, Two reception rooms Best Bits: Close to Southwick Station; Generous rear garden with patio and gated garden Oakley Property 3 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YA 01273 688881 www.oakleyproperty.com

PORTFOLIO  55

Wilbury Villas, Hove

£950pcm

Spacious one bedroom flat in central Hove

Wilbury Crescent, Hove

Stunning three bed flat in popular Hove location

£1,250pcm

Furnished two bed flat very close to Hove Station

£1,450pcm

Newly refurbished three bed maisonette in central Hove

Wilbury Road, Hove

Denmark Villas, Hove

Brunswick Terrace, Hove

£1,500pcm

Modern spacious two bed on Hove seafront

£1,500pcm

Old Shoreham Road, Hove

£2,200pcm

Very spacious four bedroom family house

Est.

1993

TALK money

FINANCIAL REVIEW Invest in your future with a financial review. Claire Cook from Independent Financial Advisors Talk Money explains how

O

ur modern lifestyle is so busy, it is hard to find time to get the essentials done, never mind deal with anything in the background. Many people do what is most urgent and the rest gets left by the wayside. There always seems to be a shortage of time.

Most of us dream that at some point in our lives we will be able to slow down. We hope to be financially secure enough to work less hours, or to give up work altogether. When we are younger we see this as being a long way off, but fast forward to your 40s or 50s and it all seems a lot more imminent. We all dream of freedom and time, but do we look after our finances now to achieve this?

“The financial world has moved on greatly over the last few years, we now have systems where we can proactively manage people’s investments with regular reviews” After possibly a very busy summer many people are now getting back to normal. Many have started looking at neglected finances. It always seems busy this time of year as people take stock and try to get back on track. This can mean paying off credit cards, or looking at your mortgage. Taking it one step further, is it time for a proper review of all your finances? Ensuring your savings and pensions are

58 PORTFOLIO

invested in the most appropriate way can have a huge impact on your future finances. It is important to stay on track.

A full review may seem daunting, most people have gathered several financial products over time but forget the details as time goes on. Many don’t have a proper relationship with an independent adviser and don’t know who to call to get clarification.Even though so much information is available online nowadays, it can be very difficult to get an overall view of your situation.

So much money is wasted each year on products which are no longer the most appropriate for peoples changing circumstances.

People pay for cover they may no longer need, or pay into pensions and investments which may not performing as well as they could.

The financial world has moved on greatly over the last few years, we now have systems where we can proactively manage people’s investments with regular reviews where we can effectively monitor performance and risk levels and access the country’s top fund managers.

If you would like an independent assessment of your finances please call me Claire Cook on 01273 224667. We offer independent advice and a free initial consultation.

Talk Money is a trading style of Aspect8, 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.

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

20 Western Road, Hove BN3 1AE 01273 733334 www.Stanfords-Estates.com

Call us now for your free valuation

FEATURE home

HOME OF THE MONTH

...as selected by PORTFOLIO magazine Two-bedroom apartment to let in Brunswick Terrace, Hove Price: £1,500 pcm

Stunning apartment on Hove seafront

L

ots of natural light in this beautiful apartment, in a very sought-after location. This two-bedroom furnished apartment is situated on Hove seafront and features a private south-facing patio and its own street entrance. Other features include a spacious south-facing living area with high ceilings, a lovely, modern, fitted kitchen, a modern bathroom with bath and shower, two good sized double bedrooms – the master with lots of wardrobe space – and a lovely dining area. The apartment is furnished to a high standard and has gas central heating. Viewing is highly recommended.

Property Moves 109 Church Road, Hove BN3 2AF 01273 321 333 www.propertymoves.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

contemporary by energy gaining windows

The gold standard for greener glazing.

Come and visit our extensive showroom to discuss your requirements and ideas – for a greener, more eďŹƒcient windows, doors & conservatories solu on.

01903 334859 756699 or visit www.benchmarkwindows.co.uk

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

THEATRE

STEVEN BERKOFF’S EAST Steven Berkoff’s very relevant social play is at Brighton’s Theatre Royal in November

S

nowdrop Productions are a local Brighton Theatre Production Company who are reviving Steven Berkoff’s most famous theatrical play EAST. The show received rave five-star reviews and was nominated for best show following the month-long run at the Brighton Fringe 2016. After huge popular demand, this theatrical masterpiece returns to the Theatre Royal Brighton on the 8th & 9th November 2017.

Like its original launch in 1975, it deals with the growing-up and rites of passage in London's rough East End amidst the ever-changing social and economic scene. Can a play written 42 years ago and performed by the author himself still be relevant in 2017? Yes. EAST

is a play that challenges the very social comfort we feel we live in and asks the difficult questions we can all be afraid to ask. Its sharp, funny, explicit, roller-coaster pace of the shattering profane mixed with the elegance of Shakespearean verse will leave you breathless with delight.

Alan Perrin and Denise Evans direct actors Karl Kennedy-Williams, Jake Ferretti, Tegen Hitchens, Matt Devitt and Lloyd Ryan-Thomas.

East will also be showing for one night at the Printers Playhouse Eastbourne on the 5th November 2017.

Book your tickets at: www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

INVITATION THURSDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2017 AT (HOTEL) PUB DU VIN IN BRIGHTON ARRIVE AT 12.00 PM, WITH LUNCH BEING SERVED AT 1.00 PM

We are delighted to invite you to our Property Professionals Lunch, for all property professionals in the Brighton & Hove region.

Guest Speaker, Ben Lindley, Sales and Marketing Director at Japanese Knotweed Ltd

LOCATION 2 Ship Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AD

W E L O OK FOR W AR D T O S EEING YOU SOON!

64 PORTFOLIO

TO RSVP Email: marketing@searchesuk.co.uk

INTERIORS

LORRAINE DOES INTERIORS Online home retailer Wayfair collaborates with the queen of breakfast television for new campaign

W

ayfair, one of the world’s largest on-line destinations for furnishings and home décor, has announced a partnership with ITV television presenter, Lorraine Kelly, for its Wayfair UK brand. The popular face of breakfast TV will star in the online homeware brand’s forthcoming TV campaign, which airs on UK screens, starting in mid-September.

“It’s a fantastic one-stop-shop which makes it so easy for shoppers to find unique pieces for any room in their home” “We’re thrilled to join forces with Lorraine Kelly for our new TV campaign,” said Martin Reiter, General Manager of Wayfair Europe. “Lorraine’s down-to-earth signature style makes her a perfect fit for Wayfair. We’re excited to feature Lorraine in our new

TV advertisement, which will highlight Wayfair’s broad range of budget-friendly finds to high-end styles as well as just how easy it is to shop for every room in the home at Wayfair.co.uk.”

In addition to this autumn’s television campaign, Lorraine Kelly will be collaborating with Wayfair on a festive dining room makeover. Launching on-site on Wayfair.co.uk in November, Lorraine will give shoppers a look at how to style their homes for the season. Lorraine will also be sharing her top gift picks for the festive period in another shoppable sale.

“I’m delighted to be teaming up with Wayfair this year,” enthused Lorraine Kelly. “It’s a fantastic one-stop-shop which makes it so easy for shoppers to find unique pieces for any room in their home. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly basics for the bathroom or a striking statement piece for your living room, Wayfair’s got it covered. Brilliant!”

UK residents can catch Lorraine in Wayfair advertisements, starting this September. For affordable finds for every room in the house, visit wayfair.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 65

DIY

CALL THE EXPERTS Recent research shows that most homeowners call in the experts for top-quality work

H

ome service marketplace, Plentific.com, has revealed its latest research showing that over half (54%) of young homeowners are turning to social media - YouTube videos or other social channels - when it comes to carrying out home improvements or repairs. Over a third (34%) say they look on-line for information for help with home repairs. This shows how powerful digital media has become, providing access to information in just seconds via your mobile phone, but some still choose the old fashioned way and call a friend (30%) or a parent (13%).

We design, create and install bespoke furniture to commercial, domestic and retail sectors.

Web site: www.redjoinery.com Twitter: @redjoinery Tel: 01273 463799 Mob: 07970274626

66 PORTFOLIO

“When it comes to carrying out repair work, over half of homeowners said they turn to a professional to get the job done”

When it comes to actually carrying out repair work, over half (56%) of homeowners said they turn to a professional to get the job done. This rises to a staggering 68% for Londoners, showing that tradesmen in the capital are very much in demand with homeowners. For professionals, this latest data is reassuring to see as it shows that they are the first port of call for homeowners.

The fact that homeowners are more likely to call a tradesman than attempt to carry out work with no help (27%) also suggests that people are investing a lot more into their properties in terms of care and appearance, valuing quality work over money-saving methods.

Young homeowners are most reliant on parents when it comes to making repairs and carrying out DIY (40%). This could suggest a lack of knowledge when it comes to basic repairs for the younger generation,

Thanks to Plentific. See more at www.plentific.com

who have grown up in a world of quick fixes and access to instant help or support via technology. This data isn’t surprising given that previous research by Plentific revealed a fifth of homeowners said they rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad to help finance home improvements, with 19% admitting their parents physically help them to carry out DIY. Stephen Jury, spokesperson for Plentific, commented, “With technology evolving at such a rapid pace, it’s not really surprising to see the modern way in which homeowners are trying to learn how to do small DIY jobs or repairs.

“The ease of finding information on Google or viewing a ‘How To’ video on YouTube means these could be the first things people look to.

But when it comes to actually getting the job done, our data shows the majority of homeowners call in the experts for top-quality work.”

PORTFOLIO 67

GLASS PENDANT

JEWEL COLOURS

Looking to brighten up your home? Light the way with a shimmering glass pendant lamp. A statement central light adds a focal point to a room, and this will reflect and bounce light endlessly. This pendant references an art deco theme but would look great in a home of any period. Add to the period look with Champagne saucers, also pictured.

Hyatt Glass Ceiling Light £199.

Champagne Saucers, set of four, £18 from Dunhelm.

Tiger (Flying Tiger online) is the go-to store for quality homeware that won’t beak the bank. Pretty up your indoors or outdoors with colourful glass lanterns. Buy in bulk and arrange in groups, mixing or matching colours to create an individual look. Perfect for arranging individual blooms in bedrooms or bathrooms to give your guests the boutique hotel look.

Glass Lanterns, £2 from Flying Tiger

www.dunelm.com

HAND-BLOWN Reflecting the structural and optical qualities of handmade mouth-blown glass, this piece celebrates simplicity, form and light.

Inspired by the best of design principles, this is part of a series of original pieces for the contemporary home, progressive in intent, beautifully designed and crafted to create original objects that are made to last and sit beautifully in the modern home.

Design Project by John Lewis No.001 Large Glass Table Lamp, Smoke £160. www.johnlewis.com

MUST HAVES Decorative and practical, glass is probably the most transformative and versatile material for the home

uk.flyingtiger.com

GLASS TABLE The Profile dining table top is made from tempered glass. Add a splash of colour with your choice of chairs while also keeping your room looking fresh and spacious.

The rounded table corners help to soften the overall look. The legs are slim and are finished in semi-matt grey, and are facetted and fixed to the strong tempered glass top, tucking neatly underneath.

Profile 4-6 Seater Glass Dining Table from Danetti, £159.00. www.danetti.com

Sponsored by:

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.

Preston Barracks Redevelopment The redevelopment of the Preston Barracks site started in July 2014 when the council exchanges contracts with the University of Brighton and developers U + I. The £150 million GDV scheme is part of a wider regeneration project that is set to radically transform this part of Brighton. It will further establish the University at the centre of Brighton’s economic life, attract enterprising and hi-growth companies and increased international investment.The project has a working title of ‘Momentum: Lewes Road’, and has been designed by awardwinning architects, HASSELL, Studio Egret West, TP Bennett and Stride Treglown.

Straddling the Lewes Road, Momentum includes 369 new homes, incorporating affordable housing, and 1,338 purpose built student bedrooms in managed halls of residence, to address the large shortfall of managed student accommodation in the city. It also includes a new home for the university’s Business School and a 50,000sq ft hub for start-up and SME businesses, dubbed the ‘Central Research Laboratory’. Which is a project supported with grant funding from Coast to Capital, the Local Enterprise Partnership, which will create hundreds of new jobs.

3Ts Redevelopment The Royal Sussex County Hospital is undergoing a £485 million programme to replace all of the buildings on the front of the main hospital site.

The work will happen in three stages. The first stage building will be replace the wards and departments of the Barry Building in the south east quarter of the hospital. At the same time a helideck will be constructed on the top of the Thomas Kemp Tower. This will be used to move the most severely injured and unwell patients.

The second stage building will take up the south west quarter of the site. It will house the new and expanded Sussex Cancer Centre. And finally the third stage will be a new delivery and service area to improve site management.

Overall this will take nine years to complete. When finished there will be two new clinical buildings covering the front half of the hospital site. More than forty wards and departments will move into the new buildings.

The new facilities will meet the highest clinical standards and offer patients a modern, spacious care environment.

Old Amex site sold.

Joint buyers First Base and Patron Capital have now taken ownership of the two-acre former Amex House site in Edward Street, Brighton for an undisclosed sum.

First Base are also currently planning to build 229 new homes on the site of the derelict Anston House office block opposite Preston Park, along with the housing association Hyde. Patron Capital are described as a pan-European institutional investor focused on property-backed investments, boasting a fund backing of more than £3 million.

The demolition of the ‘Wedding Cake’ is almost complete, and American Express have been operating from their newly built state-ofthe-art 1 John Street office, just adjacent to the former Amex House building since 2013.

According to the two firms, the site will become “a vibrant new mixed-use development which will help revive this area of Brighton.”

To achieve this, First Base will now kick off a detailed stakeholder engagement programme, meeting with local residents, businesses, the council and interested parties to develop a scheme that responds to local needs and ambitions.

Koru’s Brighton Park Cafe This cafe in a Brighton park has just gone in for planning as a replacement to the traditional park pavilion on the site. The architecture is influenced by Japanese ‘tea houses’, with the ‘light’ structure and almost floating appearance. The timber and large expanse of glazing connects the interior to the outdoors and allows for striking views into and out of the cafe. The space is designed to be flexible, with multiple uses to accommodate community meetings, private parties and to be used as a display for local exhibitions.

At night the cafe transforms into a restaurant and bar with the use of lighting and adjustable furniture layout. It is designed to be environmentally sustainable, utilising heat from the pizza oven to heat water for the kitchen and toilets and to reduce the café’s energy consumption (amongst other green features).

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

Luxury living in the heart of the city Russell House is a stunning development with high-end design, style and quality throughout. Offering a selections of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Brighton, with the opportunity to purchase much sought-after, secure parking spaces.

M ES H O N EW

New plots now released and available to reserve Purchase a new home or investment in a development of 54 unique apartments, boasting well laid out accommodation to make the best use of space with a luxury finish throughout and the option to purchase parking.

01273 987409 brightonandhove.sales@leaders.co.uk 119 - 120 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2AD

EVENT Brighton Breeze

“Hundreds of VW vehicles complete a run from London to Brighton�

7th October 2017 The event includes campervans and Beetles, plus entertainment on the seafront www.brightonbreeze.co.uk

LEADERS

RUSSELL HOUSE LAUNCH Leaders offer two exciting opportunities to buy a brand-new luxury home in Brighton…

P

eople planning to buy a brand-new home in Brighton have two fabulous opportunities currently open to them in two highly desirable parts of the city.

Local property specialist Leaders is delighted to be offering new luxury homes at a pair of iconic developments: Russell House and Brighton Marina. Some 53 apartments are currently under construction at Russell House, which sits just a few minutes from Churchill Square, The Lanes and Brighton’s mainline rail station. Interiors have been designed to the highest possible standard, designer appliances and fittings have been chosen and

many apartments include spacious terraces and balconies, making these among the most highly sought-after new homes in the city.

A special launch event is taking place at Russell House on Saturday 16th September, with buyers invited to book an appointment to view the apartments that remain available for sale and discuss the latest pricing structure.

Meanwhile, those who prefer idyllic waterside living to the hustle and bustle of a thriving city centre should take a look at the magnificent development taking place at Brighton Marina. More than 850 state-of-theart apartments are being built at the marina in

a project due to be completed in 2025.

Initial phases have been completed and have entirely sold out, but there is now an opportunity to purchase from the next stage of available properties, including those in the breathtaking 40-storey tower set to be at the heart of the new-look marina.

The new apartments boast stunning views of either the sea or the marina waters, a highquality finish throughout and provide easy access to nearby shops, restaurants and leisure facilities. These are among the most prestigious waterside properties available anywhere in the UK right now.

INVEST IN STUDENTS Joanne Darroch, Senior Branch Manager at Leaders in Brighton and Hove, advises landlords to invest in student properties for high yields

S

tudent properties have been identified as one of the most lucrative investments available to landlords, with sky-high yields of up to 12 per cent on offer.

New research has revealed the remarkable returns available to investors in a number of key university towns across the UK. It showed St Andrews delivers the greatest yield of 12 per cent, followed by Lancaster, Loughborough and Birmingham, all of which provide a chance to achieve a yield of over 10 per cent.

Exeter, Durham, Sussex and Nottingham were also highlighted as areas in which a lucrative investment can be made, with yields in excess of 9.5 per cent reported.

Joanne Darroch, Senior Branch Manager for Brighton and Hove at local property

specialist Leaders, says: “Student properties offer an attractive investment option for landlords, with an extremely high number of current young students ensuring demand for suitable homes in many towns is strong.

“Many landlords choose to adapt their property so that it can house four, five or even more students, each with a private bedroom and each paying rent. This can generate a significant rental income and ensure an excellent return on investment.

“The majority of large towns and cities boast at least one university, so letting to students is open to landlords in all regions.

However, it is crucial to do your homework first to ensure you buy in a town with high demand and in a street that will be popular with students and attract great rents.

"Letting to students is often seen as higher risk, but there are a number of steps you can take to ensure your property is looked after and your interests protected. Working with an experienced letting agents such as Leaders is the best way to minimise the risks and maximise the benefits of this type of investment."

The study by Simple Landlords Insurance looked at rental returns in the specific streets where students live, rather than at city-wide trends.

Joanne adds: “Buying a student property is a specialist investment that differs greatly from a standard buy-to-let project, so you will need local expertise and insight to ensure your property fits the bill, both for students and you as an investor.”

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.

PORTFOLIO 73

“If you've fallen in love with a Victorian property that needs a lot of TLC, nothing could be more satisfying, or time-consuming, than a complete restoration project”

HOW TO RESTORE A VICTORIAN HOUSE Is your Victorian home in need of some renovation work? We show you where to start and who to call...

T

here's a lot to love about Victorian properties. With their ornate architecture, elegant proportions and intricate detailing, they were built to be admired, and they've stood the test of time, too.

One third of the houses in Britain were built before the First World War, and most of these are Victorian. Under Queen Victoria's rule, Britain saw a boom in new builds.In a period of fewer than 75 years, over 6m houses were built, and the majority still stand today.

Maintaining a home that's around 150 years old requires considerable work, and tracking down the best suppliers and products is half the battle.

Similarly, if you've fallen in love with a Victorian property that needs a lot of TLC, nothing could be more satisfying, or time-consuming, than a complete restoration project. But restoring your property according to its period can be tricky...

Which style of Victorian house do you have?

style of Tudor or Stuart England. Look for castle-like fortifications, steep roof gables, intricate brickwork, high chimneys and half timbering.

Arts & Crafts: The late 1860s movement that was a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, Arts & Crafts valued craftsmanship above all.

Look for small cottage-style wooden casement windows, sloping roofs, and bare stone and brick work.

Art Noveau: The most distinctive design style of the turn of the century, some late Victorian homes would feature Art Noveau details such as curving plant forms, usually in detailing such as stained glass, tiles and fire surrounds.

Terraced: The majority of Victorian houses were built in terraces, where the individual design of a house would be repeated over and over, using identical features.

The details:

Gothic Revival: The epitome of high Victorian taste, especially popular after Pugin designed the Houses of Parliament in Gothic style in the late 1830s. Look for pointed roofs and arches, stained glass windows, embellishments such as gargoyles and ecclesiastical touches such as turrets.

Jacobethan: In contrast to the architectural excesses of the midVictorian period, this style, also known as 'Tudorbethan', revived the

74 PORTFOLIO

Plasterwork Cornicing and plaster ceiling roses were the norm for Victorian houses, and the level of detail depended on the status of the room, so a reception room would feature much more intricate plasterwork than a bedroom, for example. After the introduction of mass-produced reinforced fibrous-plaster mouldings, plasterwork became ever more ornate,

HOME tips

Radiators Look for traditional and classic radiators that will be in keeping with the period.

Flooring Victorian houses generally combine pine floorboards throughout the house with tiles in hallways. Both carpets and linoleum were introduced around the 1850s, but floorboards are key for an authentic feel. Stripping back to the originals is an inexpensive way of recreating your home's Victorian looks, although they would have been stained to resemble mahogany rather than today's trend for lighter woods.

Kitchens Kitchens have come a long way from the hot, overcrowded powerhouses of the mid-Victorian household, so a faithful recreation of a period kitchen would not suit the demands of modern living. It's still possible to have a design that has all the mod cons, though, while complementing the rest of your Victorian home. Look for styles with lightly recessed panels, which take inspiration from the Arts & Crafts tradition. 'Shaker'-style kitchens will combine freestanding pieces and a Belfast sink for a traditional look. Or look into having a bespoke design made using traditional joinery techniques, to match a kitchen to your home's architectural features. as prefabricated mouldings could be made and installed by general tradesmen. Surface stains, such as mould, can be removed by using a mixture of one part bleach to 16 parts water dabbed onto the ceiling.

If the fine detail of the plasterwork has been obscured by many layers of paint, it's best to strip it back to the original distemper. To replace damaged plasterwork, look for a local company to match the mouldings and make you a replacement, or create a new mould for you if they can't match it. You can usually tell if a rose has been removed, from unevenness on the ceiling. When adding a new rose, align it with the centre of the chimney brest rather than the centre of the ceiling. You can order pieces made from polymer; they are lighter than plaster.

Windows Poorly insulated sash windows are a common occurrence. There are many specialists in fitting bespoke secondary glazing without hiding original period features. If you need to replace windows entirely, look for a company who specialise in making sash windows. New windows could cut heat loss by 75 per cent and there is a huge range of authentic styles to choose from, in single- and double-glazed sash windows, which are fully draft-proofed.

Fireplaces Every room in a Victorian house would have had a fireplace when built, but these may have been covered or removed by later occupants. If you wish to reinstate a working fireplace, its best to call in a builder to carry out any structural work. Some specialist firms will design you a repro fireplace and fit it for you. Beautiful fireplaces and surrounds can be found in salvage yards, so it's worth investigating further. Original and repro items can both work well, depending on your budget. Just make sure you choose a style in keeping with the dimensions of your home.

Or take expert advice on the correct choice of fireplace for your home.

Doors Look for period doors made in solid hardwood, or research sources of reclaimed doors. For finishing touches, look for original or repro letterboxes, door knobs, eschutcheons and latches.

The bathroom The combination of an improved water supply and advances in ceramics and iron led to a revolution in sanitary ware during the Victorian period, making the bathroom an increasingly important part of the house.

Today, period touches such as roll-top or cast-iron baths and freestanding washstands give an authentic Victorian look. Many modern bathroom suites are influenced by Victorian design while retaining a subtle contemporary feel. Traditional and vintage taps, Victorian taps make the perfect finishing luxury touch to your traditional-style bathroom.

Traditional and antique taps are easily available in a wide variety of styles, including lever taps, crosshead taps and bath/shower mixer taps.

Skirting boards Victorians used deep and shapely skirting boards throughout their homes. Most original designs are still available at DIY stores, such as B&Q. Dado rails These were used to protect wallcoverings from chair backs. You can usually see where a dado rail would have been, and a selection of rails is available at DIY stores, as well as adhesives and tools needed for the job.

Picture rails These should be placed 1ft to 1ft 8in below the ceiling cornice to form a frieze. Wickes do a pine picture rail which best resembles the Victorian style, or more elaborate styles are available.

Wallpaper and paint Cole & Son specialise in archive papers, as do William Morris & Co, who also create beautiful fabrics inspired by his original designs. Dulux Heritage is a collection of shades specific to the Victorian period. Farrow & Ball and Little Greene also stock a wide range of traditional shades for period properties.

Finally, The Victorian Society campaigns for the preservation of Victorian and Edwardian architecture and organises events and lectures around the country. www.victorian-society.org.uk

Thanks to Homes & Antiques. www.hsbc.co.uk

PORTFOLIO  75

MASTER TILES

A Local company serving the area for more than 20 years 2500 SQ FT SHOWROOM - OVER 20,000 M2 IN STOCK - CUSTOMER PARKING Unit 5, Longley Ind. Est. New England Street, Brighton BN1 4GY

01273 695208 4000 SQ FT SHOWROOM - 60 FIXED DISPLAYS - CUSTOMER PARKING Tates Crossroads, 132 Trafalgar Road, Portslade, Hove BN41 1GU

01273 770723 | www.mastertiles.co.uk

THE collection

THE October COLLECTION Victorian homes are wonderfully unique, full of character and period features, and perfect for sensitive updating. Here are six of the best on the market

Glorious gardens Whitpain Cottage, Bedlam Street, Hurstpierpoint A detached Victorian family house set in glorious gardens along a private lane in a semi-rural location with the added benefit of a well-fitted oak barn and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

With origins believed to date back to 1845, ‘Whitpain Cottage’ is a well-maintained house sitting in beautifully landscaped gardens bordered by neighbouring farmland and in the South Downs National Park. The sitting room and the dining hall are sizable and the large bay windows supply a great deal of light. Further to this, the sitting room has a beautiful Inglenook fireplace with an oak bressummer. The first floor provides four bedrooms, two having glimpses of the South Downs, and two bathrooms. The gardens adjoin the property on two sides.

Guide Price: £1,150,000 Chatt Estates 01273 844500 | chattestates.co.uk

Original features St Andrews Road, Portslade This beautifully presented family home has well-planned, versatile accommodation arranged over three floors comprising, in brief, three double bedrooms, stunning luxury bathroom with white suite, including both a bath and separate shower enclosure. There is a reception hallway, a large through lounge, a well-equipped family-sized kitchen/diner and a utility cupboard. Outside, the house has a front garden and a beautiful 85' south-facing paved and lawned rear garden. The house boasts a number of period features, including ceiling coving, a couple of fireplaces and some original flooring. The property is considered to be in stunning order throughout and really does benefit greatly from its location.

Price: £525,000 Elliotts Estate Agents 01273 322766 | www.elliottsestateagents.co.uk

More properties continued over the page

THE collection

“We all congregate in the bright kitchen, which is flooded with natural light.

This house is made for entertaining!”

White house Hartington Road, Brighton A stunning four-bedroom, three-storey, white-brick, Victorian family home located on arguably the most sought-after terrace in the area. The property has a fantastic kitchen/dining room, a superb open-plan living space, a luxury wet room, period features, off-street parking and a beautiful landscaped, walled rear garden with mature trees.

The owners say: "We’ve lived in the Elm Grove community for 20 years. Our children have walked to their local schools, to college, and into town. We have loved this house. We all congregate in the bright kitchen, which is flooded with natural light. This house is made for entertaining! When you want to switch off, you can find complete peace in the quiet garden, lined with mature evergreen trees."

Price: Offers Over£600,000 Maslen Estate Agents 01273 67001 | www.maslen.co.uk

Elegant townhouse Chesham Road, Brighton Elegant four-storey, four-bedroom period townhouse with idyllic south-facing courtyard garden and roof terrace. Ideally situated only moments away from the bustling cafes and shops of Kemp Town Village, this beautifully presented home is only a short walk from the seafront. Set in Brighton's highly soughtafter East Cliff Conservation Area, Chesham Road dates back to the mid1800s, when it was first called Bristol Road East. Behind the distinctive bay facade, an expansive interior provides a wonderful example of contemporary living in a period property, effortlessly blending modern design with a wealth of beautiful Victorian features.

Situated on a peaceful road full of similar period properties, a graceful Farrow & Ball colour scheme, sash windows and original fireplaces create a consistent and sympathetic design theme.

Price: £850,000 Fine & Country 01273 739911 | www.fineandcountry.com

78 PORTFOLIO

THE collection

Price: £1,600,000 Hamptons International 01273 803191 | www.hamptons.co.uk

City living Norfolk Road, Brighton

A glorious, double-fronted period home over four floors just off Brighton’s main high street, this is an oasis in the city centre. Additional rooms in the lower ground floor (with own separate entrance) could provide a home with an income. With space, light and period features in abundance, this six-bedroom, four-bathroom, three-reception room house offers the perfect juxtaposition of city living and family life. Beyond its black wrought iron-adorned, crisp white frontage is a versatile layout, combining Victorian features, such as a beautiful, working, Italian marble feature fireplace, with contemporary structures like the extended kitchen-diner, naturally lit by a large feature skylight and full-width bi-fold doors.

“Providing lovely light, spacious and beautifully presented living space, making this a versatile family home”

Versatile home Tamworth Road, Hove This attractive house is offered for sale in excellent decorative condition throughout and provides lovely light, spacious and beautifully presented living space arranged over three floors, making this a comfortable and versatile family home.

Features include a beautifully fitted kitchen/breakfast room with quality units and integrated appliances, a luxury, large first-floor bathroom/shower room and a fabulous loft conversion which provides a sizeable double bedroom, spacious en-suite bathroom and walk-in dressing room. Worthy of additional mention is the attractive enclosed rear garden, which takes full advantage of the favoured westerly aspect.

Price: £599,950 Goldin Lemcke 01273 777123 | www.goldinlemcke.com

PORTFOLIO 79

OVERSEAS

VILLAS & VISAS: The Cypriot Lifeline EU citizenship comes with the purchase of one of these luxury apartments or villas in Cyprus

L

uxury resort Aphrodite Hills is providing a lifeline for those looking to become citizens of a European Union country.

Through purchase of one of their luxury apartments or villas, the Cypriot government is offering ‘citizenship by investment’, a scheme providing EU citizenship within six months of the purchase of real estate in Cyprus.

“The lavish luxury villas boast breath-taking views, with spectacular sunset panoramas” Exuding a modern elegance, the residences at Aphrodite Hills are utterly stunning, with properties ranging from two-bedroom apartments to the lavish five-bedroom ‘Mythos Villas Collection’.

Perfect for permanent residence or as a holiday home abroad, all properties on-site are available for sale freehold. The lavish luxury villas boast breath-taking views, with spectacular sunset panoramas over the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, Aphrodite Hills offers

80 PORTFOLIO

an in-house property management team, maintaining, cleaning and managing owners’ properties when they are not in residence.

Under the citizenship scheme, successful applicants can freely work, establish businesses, live and travel throughout Europe, provided the property purchased is of at least €2m in value.

Living in Aphrodite Hills is like living in a vibrant town. A must-visit destination itself, the resort houses an unparalleled array of amenities that make living an effortless task. A children’s club with numerous outdoor activities and sporting events (tennis soccer, archery, crafts, pony rides), shops and restaurants, a car rental office, a supermarket, a pharmacy, a health centre and a beautiful St. Catherine’s chapel provide guests with a feeling of unparalleled convenience as well as a convention venue and banqueting centre with extensive facilities if required.

Occupying a scenic and beautiful location, Aphrodite Hills Resort is the place to be, where natural beauty, peace and tranquillity meet outstanding sports and leisure facilities – the perfect place to purchase your home. www.aphroditehills.com

Sussex’s original wooden flooring centre For friendly advice contact 01273 423600 99 Trafalgar Road, Portslade, BN41 1GU www.woodenflooringcentre.com FREE PARKING AT BACK OF SHOWROOM

BEAUTIFUL homes

Photo: www.dashandalberteurope.com

82  PORTFOLIO

INTERIORS

TREAD SOFTLY Looking for something soft and welcoming underfoot?

Carpet offers the feel-good factor

T

he trend over the last decade has leaned towards hard flooring: Wood, laminate and stone have lead the way in interiors, largely due to their versatility and lowmaintenance style. Solid floor finishes can look great – but they can also lack texture, depth, warmth and a simple feel-good factor. Carpet is gaining in popularity as we continue to embrace Nordic home-and-hearth traditions: We’re looking for something soft and welcoming underfoot. Where many hard floor finishes seek to imitate wood or stone, carpet isn’t tied to any particular style or shade. In fact, it is increasingly used to highlight feature spaces and make a bold statement. Carpets can be tactile, natural and hard-wearing, and the range of colours, textures and finishes will breathe new life into your interiors.

All in the finish Generally, carpets are either tufted or woven, and fall into three broad categories: Twists, loops and velvets. ‘Twists’ have a cut pile and textured finish and are a good, hardwearing choice for halls and other high-use areas. ‘Loops’ and cords are made from uncut loops of yarn and have a very textured, rugged finish – hardwearing and great to look at, but possibly better suited to areas with less dirt and mess. ‘Velvets’ are a finer, smoother version of twists, and are ideal for bedrooms and more formal spaces.

The right place As with any floor covering, different types of carpet suit different rooms and varying amounts of ‘traffic’. Industry representative the Carpet Foundation (www. carpetfoundation.com) recommend that you think carefully about the area you’re carpeting and how long you want the carpet to last before you make your choice.

Carpets made from synthetic materials will generally be stain-resistant and hardwearing, but may lack some of the softness and texture (and eco-credentials) of natural fibres. Recycled carpets fill a gap here, since they combine hard-wearing materials with being very eco-friendly.

> PORTFOLIO 83

BEAUTIFUL homes

“Not quite ready for carpet?

Rugs are the perfect way to test how a covered floor would look or feel in your home”

Photo: www.dashandalberteurope.com

84 PORTFOLIO

INTERIORS

Real wool carpets usually cost a little more than manmade or wool / nylon blends, but they remain the gold standard for floor covering. They are also a sustainable, environmentally friendly choice. Wool carpets are hardwearing and stain-resistant, and usually clean up well, but for really high-traffic areas (or if you’re on a budget), blends of wool and synthetic fibres perform very well.

Bamboo is another natural fibre that lends itself well to carpet, as it has natural anti-bacterial and -humidity wearing properties (and is an eco-friendly, renewable material).

Coir, jute and sisal look and feel marvellous underfoot – not soft, but with a pleasing, stimulating texture. These finishes, though, are best suited to lowertraffic areas, as cleaning may be tricky. Be prepared for natural fibres to change as they age, too.

Looks underfoot for 2018 Neutral colours enhance any space, and different textures can be used to create different effects. Different weaves like ‘cut and loop,’ where both cut and looped ends are combined to give an almost ‘curly’ looking finish, and soft, deep-pile carpets and ribbed weaves all bring something different to a space.

Different fabrics will also update the feel of a room.

The trend for natural materials continues, with wool, silk, bamboo and natural fibres like jute and coir all popular. New to floors are recycled carpets, which can be manufactured from a range of materials – both

natural and man-made. Plastic water bottles and fishing nets are just some of the materials that can be reclaimed, reused and reformed into long-lasting, eco-friendly floor coverings – with the look and feel of a more conventionally produced carpet.

“Different fabrics will update the feel of a room. The trend for natural materials continues, with wool, silk, bamboo and natural fibres like jute and coir all popular” Bold colours and geometric patterns are another key trend for the coming season, with geometric, scandiand nature-inspired patterns all featuring. Use bold, bright colours for a statement area, such as a staircase, hallway or feature bay window, and consider combining patterns to help define space. You can also create your own pattern with brightly coloured carpet tiles.

Not quite ready for carpet? Rugs are the perfect way to test how a covered floor would look or feel in your home, and a safe way to experiment with bold colour.

Warm Wood If you love the look and feel of real wooden floors, you’re not alone. They are easy to clean, hygienic and hard-wearing, and can also be warm, too – by adding underfloor heating.

There are two main types of underfloor heating systems: hot-water (or wet) systems, and electric (or dry) systems Both are economical to run and fit, especially when you consider you’re unlikely to need additional radiators, which in turn will free up wall space. Thermostat controls are also becoming more sophisticated, and it is now possible to find underfloor heating that can link in to computerised, intelligent home systems – allowing you to adjust temperature remotely and set up complex programmes based around your holidays and other day-to-day requirements.

For advice on the types of wooden flooring available and what heating options are available. go to a wooden flooring professional, like Wooden Flooring Centre, Trafalgar Road, Portslade, www.woodenflooringcentre.com

PORTFOLIO 85

Autumn atSheffield Park by Sally Wynn

AUTUMN COLOUR

in and around Sussex Enjoy a walk in a spectacular landscape of autumn colour in parks and gardens across Sussex.

From Petworth Park to Bateman's, find your favourite shade of bronze, gold and red this season Petworth Park, West Sussex The autumn landscape at Petworth can be breathtaking. The native oaks and limes have wonderful shapes and colours, and they’re interspersed with exotics, such as yellow swamp cyprus, flaming yellow and orange acers and vibrant red oaks. It’s an incredible sight.

Petworth Park is dotted with several ancient trees that have stood proudly in the park, some for over 1,000 years. In autumn they come to life with bold colours of russet and gold as the leaves fall from the trees.

The enclosed woodland walk of the Pleasure Ground becomes a riot of colour and an excellent place to hear the crunch of leaves underfoot whilst coming across some panoramic views of the South Downs framed by the historic monuments of the Doric Temple and the Ionic Rotunda.

From October and November another colourful scene to encounter is the deer rut, where you may see the males in our herd of fallow deer compete for a mate.

Nymans, West Sussex Set in the High Weald, with beautiful views, Nymans is a romantic garden with a wooded valley full of rich autumn colour. Look out for the red foliage of the American nyssa and liquid amber trees. The exotic handkerchief-like flowers of the dove tree have a softer butter-yellow shade.

Colour in the garden lasts well into the autumn, with Salvias giving

86 PORTFOLIO

a colourful display and the South African bed packed full of later flowering plants. Watching the trees change colour across the arboretum and garden make this a very special time of year to visit.

“The enclosed woodland walk of the Pleasure Ground becomes a riot of colour and an excellent place to hear the crunch of leaves underfoot” Sheffield Park and Garden Centuries of design and care have created the landscape gardens at Sheffield Park with lakes, glades and woods with their remarkable autumn colours.

The influence of Capability Brown and Humphry Repton can be seen in these elegant, natural gardens. The paths through the landscape meander around the lakes, creating scenic walks and mirror reflections of the surrounding trees. In autumn, the lakes reflect vivid colours of the Japanese maples, swamp cypresses and birches.

Surrounding the gardens are 250 acres of parkland with way-marked

NATIONAL trust

Autumn at Nymans by Megan Taylor

routes and plenty of wildlife, such as butterflies, buzzards and skylarks.

It's a beautiful place to see autumn colours sweeping through the landscape.

Autumn colour at Uppark The garden you see today is believed to be a mix of 18th- and 19thcentury design features by two of the country’s most famous historical landscape gardeners, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton. Areas of the garden, such as the wide glade, are more heavily influenced by Brown rather than Repton.

Although not all of Repton’s plans were implemented, he is thought to be responsible for the Dairy and the Borghese vase on top of the mound at the top of the north drive, as well as relocating the main approach to the house to where is it today. Start off your day with a gentle stroll around the woodland walk.

Bateman's, East Sussex The wild garden is the focus of autumn colour, with a range of ornamental trees and shrubs. Further afield, the amelanchiers and azaleas are particularly spectacular, and for those with a sweet tooth the bumper crops of blackberries on the estate walks are a juicy treat.

Autumn colours abound in the garden and out on the estate. This is a wonderful time of the year to get out and about on a walk, with the

Autumn at Petworth by Chris Lacey

vibrant colours of the season highlighting the beautiful Sussex landscape around Bateman's.

Take a walk in the garden, starting in the orchard. Here there are apple and pear trees of different varieties, all of which would have been available to the Victorian gardener and during Kipling's time here.

Autumn bounty at Alfriston Clergy House Take inspiration for some warming autumn cooking as you walk around the raised kitchen garden. With traditional apple tree varieties in the orchard laden and with fruit and pumpkins peeking through their cover of leaves, this is the perfect place to rest and reflect as the days draw in.

The apple trees in the orchard are all traditional old-fashioned English varieties, Lady Sudeley and Charles Ros, and their boughs are now laden with fruit. The Alfriston apple is a favourite. It was raised in the late 1700s by Mr Shepherd of Uckfield and originally named Shepherd's Pippin. It was renamed 'Alfriston' in 1819 by Mr Booker, who lived in that village, and it is a favourite Victorian exhibition variety, much sought-after for its handsome fruit and excellent keeping qualities. The fruit is a large, bright-green and yellow rectangular shape, and it cooks down to slightly acidic puree.

For more details of these and other The National Trust gardens and properties, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Thanks to Homes & Antiques. www.hsbc.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 87

BITE SIZED

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

Take a Perch Wedged on the uninspiring arterial road between Shoreham and Worthing, Lancing is one of those places that you speed through in your car on the way out of Brighton to somewhere nicer. But take a few minutes to park up and stroll along West Beach and you’ll discover why so many people choose to live along that stretch of the coast, with many of the non-descript houses on the main road opening up to rear balconies and tiered terraces overlooking the calm tranquility of the Widewater Lagoon. Food-wise, that stretch of the coast has been somewhat of a culinary desert until recently, but thanks to The Perch, that’s definitely no longer the case.

Situated in an inoffensive modern building with the obligatory curved ‘wave’ roof that obsesses contemporary architects whenever they are challenged to design a coastal structure, its hard to pin-point exactly what The Perch is, as it's a combination of café, pub and restaurant, with an element of community hub thrown in.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the open-plan interior has a slightly modern industrial feel, with maritime twists, such as mirrored portholes and Edison lightbulbs on ropes. Large sliding windows open straight onto the beach, pleasingly blurring the boundaries of the space. Food is of excellent quality and incredibly well-priced, with substantial bar snacks for £5-6 and mains for around £10-12 each. There’s nothing here that’s going to change your world, but fresh, homemade fish and chips with cider batter, chicken fillet burgers, South Coast mussels and internationalflavour one-pot dishes all pack a punch and will make you want to go back for more. Informal it may be, but its definitely a strong addition to the Sussex food and drink scene.

The Perch on Lancing Beach, 28 Brighton Road, Lancing BN15 8RA • 01903 520 317 | www.lancingperch.com

60 seconds with...

Chef Sam Pryor, Fourth & Church Guilty secret food?

Roasted chicken skin First kitchen job?

Terre à Terre, washing up when it was in a tiny site in Pool Valley Seafood or meat?

Both Favourite restaurant?

State Bird Provisions, San Francisco Chef you most admire?

René Redzepi for his innovations in food, business models and bringing the food industry together at the MAD Symposiums Essential ingredient?

Salt - both for curing and seasoning Favourite international cuisine?

Levantine - food from the Eastern Mediterranean Fourth & Church, 84 Church Road, Hove BN3 2EB 01273 724709 | www.fourthandchurch.co.uk

88 PORTFOLIO

Clucking amazing chicken The latest addition to Brighton’s East Street is The Bok Shop. Now, if you like the idea of seriously good fried chicken, then this is definitely a must. Opened by business partners Jamie O’Mara, Howard Kaye and Matthew Dimmack, the guys really missed the chicken shops of London and searched high and low to find a similar quality in Brighton, but to no avail, so decided to give it a go themselves.

They designed the venue themselves and its definitely fun; feel free to play with the action figures or grab a colouring book whilst you dine. The menu includes British chicken shop classics, including handmade chicken pieces and burgers, grilled sweetcorn, homemade baked beans and sauces, plus 95% of the menu also has a vegetarian or vegan alternative. Don’t miss the very more-ish spicy fried cauliflower pieces.

The Bok Shop, 3-4 East Street, Brighton BN1 1HP | 01273 777312

FOOD

“The pièce de résistance has to be the very cool Chez Mal bar and brasserie that finally brings high-quality cocktails and proper restaurant food that isn’t pizza or burger fodder to this end of the city”

Marina Life Let’s face it, Brighton Marina has definitely had its ups and downs over the years when it comes to hospitality and retail. Thankfully, its now definitely on the up-and-up with the phase one development featuring restaurants and apartments, now complete, and the imminent construction of the iconic new 40-storey residential tower.

Due to unit sizes, there are a lot of chain eateries to be found on any high street. However, the real success story in terms of hospitality has to be the shiny new Malmaison, which took over ownership of the marina hotel site from the somewhat faded glory of Seattle.

Owned and operated by Frasers Hospitality, who also own the city’s iconic Hotel du Vin in Ship Street, Malmaison has seen a multi-

million pound refurbishment and, boy, does it look good. The 70+ bedrooms have all been playfully designed, with funky retro elements from the 60s through to 90s, with the club-scene Insomnia suite a particular favourite.

The pièce de résistance has to be the very cool Chez Mal bar and brasserie that finally brings high-quality cocktails and proper restaurant food that isn’t pizza or burger fodder to this end of the city. There are few places you can order up Chateaubriand in the city, and this is one of them.

Malmaison, 11 Mermaid Walk, Brighton Marina BN2 5WA 01273 679799 | www.malmaison.com/locations/brighton

At Home in Hove The past couple of years has seen a huge revolution in the home delivery sector, mainly driven by the massive national and international investment of the seemingly unstoppable Deliveroo. The result has been that you can finally get decent restaurant-quality food delivered directly to your door by seamlessly ordering with a couple of clicks from your computer or smartphone.

All very well for the good people of central Brighton, but over in Hove, Portslade and Southwick, until recently, could only look on with envy. That is until the recent launch of ‘Deliveroo Editions,’ which now serves an additional 80,000 consumers in the city from a remote kitchen facility offering food from five Brighton restaurants: The Chilli Pickle, Moshimo, Very Italian Pizza, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Thaikun.

Deliveroo expects revenues for partner restaurants in the Brighton Edition – the first opening outside of the Capital – to increase by at least 100%.

This will result in increased business for restaurants, better choice for customers and will amount to even more work to the 400 riders working in the area. www.deliveroo.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 89

RESTAURANT review

MURMUR

On what must surely have been one of the very last of the warm, sunny late-summer evenings of the year on Brighton Beach, Daniel Frickelton takes a lady's arm in joy and heads for Michael Bremner's latest restaurant offering, Murmur...

I

reckon there are few locations in Britain to rival Brighton Beach in having provided the backdrop to the formation of core memories for so many people. How many tons of Brighton rock have been consumed by children on beach holidays here, how many lagers scoffed and ice creams melted in the sun? Romantic walks along the beach when visiting my then lady friend – now partner – are among my earliest experiences of Brighton and England, and a visit to Brighton Beach still triggers a pleasant flutter of excitement every time. I seem to recall that Michael Bremner, owner of the now-famous 64 Degrees restaurant in The Lanes, met his co-owner and partner, Carla Grassy, on Brighton Beach. Their recent venture, Murmur Restaurant, located a long spit east of the i360 in the newly renovated King's Road arches, is thus a return to the place where it all began for them personally. I'm an unashamed romantic, and this story makes my heart soar like an eagle.

“My eye went no further than to the oysters” Where other restaurants attempt to dazzle diners with fandangos of furnishings or blitzkriegs of modern art-effect wall hangings produced by someone's cousin, the Murmur interior look is a textbook study in highly accomplished modern minimalism: neutral colour tones, exposed galvanized sheet-metal ventilation ceiling ducts, a series of exposed light bulbs and their artful spaghetti of wiring providing muted lighting, colourful painted metal chairs (no cushions) and plainbut-tasteful café tables betray a thoughtful, experienced eye for design. Altogether a charming bit of industrial beach chic, and when the doors are open and a further 40 guests are seated outside, you can almost see the sand accumulating on the floor.

You will certainly see the sea, the eerie remains of the West Pier and The Golden Spiral - 24 original columns salvaged from same, which now form a unique art installation, illuminated at night, providing a stunning, ghostly attraction to the area.

We were greeted at reception with warm smiles of recognition and noted that Michael Bremner was in the open-plan kitchen, suited and booted and in full flow.

No dish escaped his critical eye on its way from kitchen to table. Simeon and Jamie attended to us and a roomful of happy, hungry people. Our first glimpse of the menu logo revealed the origin of the restaurant's name. Murmurations – clouds of

90 PORTFOLIO

RESTAURANT review

“The creamy mound of mashed potato accompanying it was injected with a reduction of bone marrow and butter that burst the seams of its potato prison” starlings forming ever-shifting patterns – were the background images, different shapes on each of the two menus, against which Murmur appeared, using two of the arches to form the “m.” We couldn't suppress smiles of admiration.

The menu itself is less complicated than the one at 64 Degrees, but then the whole concept at Murmur is different.

The offering here is a la carte, with six starters, six mains and four desserts. There is something for every culinary orientation, as you would expect, and the focus appears to be on providing an all-day restaurant that takes proper gastropub food to a new level rather than entering the arena of increasing numbers of high-end restaurants, all competing to be the first in Brighton to capture a Michelin star.

The starters comprised a dizzying collection of all the things we love, from fish soup, fish cakes to hand-turned terrine. My eye went no further than to the oysters. These were the plumpest specimens I have seen since we last dined in Brittany. They were sourced in Poole (no, I didn't know either) and were meticulously prepared and presented, dressed in a smidgeon of light olive oil and Chardonnay vinegar, with tiny specks of something dark which I suspect came from anchovies. There was not a trace of grit in these briny little beauties and Jamie proved a deft hand at recommending a suitable white wine to help ease them down. Something dry and zingy is usually a default choice with oysters, but Jamie encouraged me to try a Greek white with a “saltiness” that would marry nicely with the shellfish. There is, of course, no salt in white wine, but the depth and robustness of this one did in fact work splendidly with the oysters. My companion's ham hock terrine looked very inviting. A generous brick of perfectly seasoned terrine with a few capers and a dollop of house chutney and wedges of grilled toast. Simple, elegant and very tasty. Had I not been happily slurping oysters, I fear we would have been competing for the last crumb of this terrine.

Her fish of the day, a lemon sole scintillating with freshness, was served with ratte potatoes and an herb salad so light and fresh that it fairly floated off her plate. As you would expect of anything emanating from Michael's kitchens, the accent

was on preserving the flavours of the carefully chosen local ingredients and keeping it simple. Job done.

Those of us who like to cook often avoid the less popular bits of meaty ingredients, perhaps because we have attitudes (offal is awful) or we simply haven't a clue what to do with a piece of oxtail (wag it?), beef cheek or brisket. Michael and his chefs, by contrast, know that these bits are often bursting with flavour and concentrated savouriness. Those who prefer beef rump to fillet steak know what I'm talking about. My main dish, the glazed ox tongue, is another case in point. I have previously only ever eaten it in Scandinavia and in France, and then only as thinly sliced cold cuts served with coarse rye bread and pickles, all very enjoyable, but the Murmur's glazed ox tongue was by comparison a veritable culinary epiphany for me. Succulent bits of slow-cooked tongue with just the right degree of bite lightly pressed into a disc the size of a medium-large fillet steak and coated with a glazing that was the concentrated essence of moo. The creamy mound of mashed potato accompanying it was injected with a reduction of bone marrow and butter that burst the seams of its potato prison at the first touch of my fork and spilled out in molten rivulets of savoury satin. If I were asked to give this dish a name, it would be Soul of Savoury. I think I could eat it every day of my life and never tire of it. At least, that's what I said to Simeon when he asked what I thought. That's when he reminded me that this was the dish with which Michael had won the Great British Menu 2017 award.

Our puddings were a summery seasonal fruit pannacotta, light and silky, bursting with flavour and a piece of pecan sponge cake with an intensely peachy sorbet, the perfect finish to one of the best casual dining experiences we've had in Brighton since...well, since we visited 64 Degrees a year ago. It won't be long before we are once again dancing to the beach beat of Murmur.

Murmur 91-96 King's Road Arches, Brighton, East Sussex Tel 01273 711900 www.murmur-restaurant.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 91

CAPITAL PLATES

POT LUCK

Royal Doulton teamed up with Londonbased homeware designer Charlene Mullen on a collection influenced by her 'blackwork' and 'scenic' embroidered textiles. This set of four 22cm plates is part of the 'London Calling' collection. Features The London Eye, Gherkin, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

London Plate Set £35.00

This handmade ceramic pot cooks a creative meal for one. With its cool touch handle, the shape helps distribute heat more evenly while the vented chimney lid lets steam escape safely. The two combine to intensify the moist tender flavours of sweet or savoury dishes in minutes.

Microwave Stone Cooker £9.95

www.bl.uk/shop

LOVE HEARTS Good things come in threes. This set of three stylishly simple heart shaped ceramic bowls on a wooden tray is perfect for dips or even trinkets. A really pretty addition to the table.

The cute bowls are dishwasher safe. The tray requires wipe clean only.

Heart Dip Bowls and Tray Set £3.25 www.wilko.com

MUST

www.houseofbath.co.uk

HAVES Everything in your home should be beautiful or useful.

These are both.

Tactile, stylish ceramics for daily use

DESIGN CLASSICS The tiles that inspired this piece were found in the archives of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Steeped in history, encaustic tiles originated in the medieval era. The geometric pattern on this piece is inspired by encaustic earthenware tiles made in Staffordshire in the 19th century.

V&A Encaustic Tiles Collection From £25 for four piece set www.creative-tops.com

RECIPE

AUTUMN FOOD The tough-but-fair judge from Masterchef is known for his love of Asian dishes, and for trying "laaavely" plates of grub.

Here he tells us all about a Thai inspired curry dish to warm us up on those chilly autumn nights

“P

eople often ask me to qualify what I mean by autumn food, and really, the best way to explain it is as a dish that combines the lightness of summer with the warm, cosy feelings we like to associate with winter food. Sounds simple, but it can be easier said than done when you’ve got an expectant table of guests.

“However, take a look at this Thai Prawn & Squash Curry and tell me it doesn’t hit the right notes. It’s got all the heat and body you want for a chilly night, yet it’s perfectly formed from the freshest, lightest prawns and a combination of sunny, harmonious spices. So, to me, it’s a perfect autumn dish – not to mention succulent, balanced and incredibly moreish.” >

PORTFOLIO 93

RECIPE

THAI PRAWN & SQUASH CURRY INGREDIENTS

METHOD

• • • • • • • •

Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok. Tip in the coconut and cook for 3 mins or until starting to toast, then add the curry paste and fry, stirring constantly, until fragrant and sizzling. Add 100ml water and bring to the boil – the water will evaporate and the paste will split. Add the sugar and reduce the heat (the colour will darken).

• • • •

2 tbsp. vegetable oil 1 sachet creamed coconut, grated 2 tbsp. red or green Thai curry paste 1 tbsp. palm sugar or demerara sugar 1 tbsp. fish sauce 6 lime leaves 2 lemongrass stalks, bashed 1 butternut squash, peeled and chopped into large chunks 400ml can coconut milk 24 raw prawns, shells removed but tails left on A small pack coriander, leaves picked 100g beansprouts

“It’s got all the heat and body you want for a chilly night, yet it’s perfectly formed from the freshest, lightest prawns and a combination of sunny, harmonious spices”

With the mixture at a simmer, add the fish sauce, lime leaves, lemongrass and squash.

Cook for 1 min, stirring to coat the squash in the paste, then add the coconut milk and 200ml more water and bring back to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 mins until the squash is cooked.

Turn up the heat again, drop in the prawns and stir well. As soon as the pan returns to the boil, reduce to a low heat and cook for a few mins until the prawns are pink and cooked through. The curry should now be sweet and creamy. To serve, top with the coriander leaves and beansprouts.

Serve with Thai jasmine rice for a delicious meal.

PORTFOLIO 95

FASHION DIGS DEEP Laura Whitmore and Lisa Snowdon clear out their wardrobes and give up their clothes for Cancer Research UK

S

ome of the UK’s favourite faces in fashion, music and film have teamed up with retailer, TK Maxx to launch this year’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign, encouraging people to donate clothes to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens, to help beat children’s cancers sooner. In the UK around 4,200 children and young people (aged 0 to 24) are diagnosed with cancer each year.

TK Maxx is the biggest corporate supporter of research into children's cancers for Cancer Research UK and has raised more than £30 million for cancer research since 2004 through stock and cash donations.

As part of the UK’s longest-running charity clothing collection Laura Whitmore, Daphne Selfe, Ore Oduba, Jim Chapman and Lisa Snowdon were photographed by worldfamous photographer Jason Bell, a long-term supporter of the campaign, who helped TK Maxx launch the Give Up Clothes for Good in 2004.

The clothes donated will be sold in Cancer Research UK shops, with all the money raised going towards research into cancers affecting children and young people. Each bag could be worth up to £30 for Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens.

Give Up Clothes for Good will help transform the items

96 PORTFOLIO

STYLE

“The clothes donated will be sold in Cancer Research UK shops, with all the money raised going towards research into cancers affecting children and young people”

customers no longer need into funds for life-saving research into children's cancers.

Louise Greenlees, President of TJX Europe said: “We are so very proud to be supporting Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens’ work to help beat children’s cancers. With the help of the incredible generosity of our employees and customers, we have collected over one million bags of donated clothing and raised over £30 million for the charity. Just incredible.

We hope everyone will dig deep into their wardrobes this September to support Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and donate all their unwanted items again this year.”

Frances Milner, Executive Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Cancer Research UK added: “Thanks to campaigns like Give Up Clothes for Good, we’re able to carry out more research to help find new, better and kinder treatments for children and young people with cancer.

Survival for children's cancers has more than doubled in the UK in the last 40 years and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of this progress. We’d love to see as many people as possible getting involved and donating a bag of clothes in their local TK Maxx store, which will help us raise money to beat children’s cancers sooner.”

Give Up Clothes for Good launches in-store from September 2017 to support Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Look out for the special clothing bins in-store where customers can drop their bags all year round.

The campaign also provides an environmental benefit through the re-use and recycling of goods. In 2017, it was estimated that there are over 300,000 tonnes of clothing in household residual waste[2]. The Give Up Clothes for Good campaign has resulted in the collection of over 1.1 million bags of clothing and household goods. This amounts to over 5,600 tonnes of unwanted items that have a second life and been diverted from landfill.

For more information visit www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/give-up-clothes

PORTFOLIO 97

MOTORING

ITALIAN ICON IN BRIGHTON The historically significant Peugeot – the first car in Italy – will star on the 2017 London to Brighton Run

T

he very first car to have been driven on Italian roads is one of the special entries in this year’s Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, supported by Hiscox. It was owned by wealthy textile industrialist Gaetano Rossi. He ordered the car in 1892 and it was delivered to his home in Schio, Vicenza, in the north of the country, in January 1893.

However, the car was not Italian, but French, an early 2.5 hp twincylinder Peugeot Type 3 with chassis number 25. When Rossi, a friend of Armand Peugeot, purchased a second Peugeot in 1896, he gave the Type 3 to a friend, Guido Lazzari.

Lazzari lived in Aiello del Friuli, which was then part of the AustroHungarian empire, but lost to Italy in the First World War. When Italian troops entered Aiello del Friuli, parts of the car were taken and the pioneering Peugeot was laid up. The car lay forgotten for some years until, in 1955, the Lazzari family – Guido died in 1953 – offered it to the Turin Automobile Museum in exchange for a then brand-new Fiat 1100.

Partially restored in time for the museum opening in 1963, the Peugeot was initially thought to be a later model, but its true provenance was uncovered in 1999 by Fabrizio Taiana of the Club Storico Peugeot Italia. Until his detective work revealed the truth, the honour of being the first car on Italian soil was held by a Panhard et Levassor, which was driven in Florence in 1894.

98 PORTFOLIO

Since then, the Type 3 has undergone a further full body work restoration in 2007, and this year its engine and other mechanical parts were reconditioned in preparation for its debut on the world-famous London to Brighton Run.

“This is a genuinely fascinating car.

One of the earliest Peugeots in existence” With the 2017 Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox having a French theme, it is appropriate that the ‘Italian’ Peugeot will be taking a starring role as the oldest car on this year’s Run. It has been given start number 1 and will be the first car away. It is officially entered by the Museo dell’Automobile di Torino but will be driven by Count Alessandro Rossi di Schio – a direct descendant of the car’s very first owner.

“This is a genuinely fascinating car. One of the earliest Peugeots in existence, it is also one of the most significant and will come to London in November with an intriguing back story. It is absolutely fitting that it will be driven to Brighton by a member of the original owner’s family,”

MOTORING

said Peter Read, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Committee.

The 2017 Veteran Car Run will be held, as ever, on the first Sunday in November – this year, it falls on the 5th – and is organised by the Royal Automobile Club.

As dawn breaks, a red flag will be ceremoniously ripped up and the 400 entries will start their journey from capital to coast: the Run celebrates the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act in November 1896, also known as the Red Flag Act, and refers to a time when these new-fangled machines had to follow a man holding a red flag.

More than 400 veterans have entered this year, among which is a large contingent of cars constructed in France. While Germany is generally considered to be the birthplace of the motor car, it was the French who accelerated the concept of the horseless carriage and was by far the biggest automobile-producing nation as the 19th century turned into the 20th century. This year’s Run has adopted a French theme in honour of the country’s contribution to motoring.

The Run is just one element of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week. A full week crammed with motoring happenings, popular events include the free Regent Street Motor Show. Held on Saturday 4 November, it turns London’s premier shopping street into a motoring showcase that puts the spotlight on veterans, classics and moderns alike.

Auction house Bonhams will be holding its annual Veteran Car sale on Friday 3 November, while other events in London Motor Week include a motoring art exhibition at the Mall Galleries, which is open to the public, as well as invitation-only lunches, receptions and functions at the Royal Automobile Club’s Pall Mall clubhouse.

For more details of the event and access to registration forms visit www.veterancarrun.com.

Classics at Stanmer Every Sunday of each month classic car owners and enthusiasts alike will be able to get together in the grounds of Stanmer House country estate and spend a perfect Sunday admiring the motors on display.

This will be a free family-friendly event, open to all. Whether you own a 60’s E-type, a pristine Triumph motorcycle or a modern classic, they will be embracing the full diversity of wonderfully-crafted machines. Non-car owners are also welcome to come along and join in the fun and talk all things motors with likeminded people. There will also be car rides on offer, in exchange for a small charity donation, where you can hop into one of the classic cars on display and be taken for a spin around the estate.

Stanmer House will serve freshly-made food from their kitchen alongside teas and coffees. They will also be offering 20% off the price of dining in their restaurant for all classic car owners.

The first car meet of the season will take place on Sunday 8th October, and the second on 5th November from 11.30am to 2.30pm. Free entry.

Stanmer Park, Stanmer, Brighton. www.stanmerhouse.co.uk

Thanks to Homes & Antiques. www.hsbc.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 99

CYCLE

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY This month we take another look at one of the many fantastic cycle routes you can take across the South Downs: Amberley and Bignor Hill...

A

mberley Working Museum is a 36 acre openair museum dedicated to the industrial heritage of the south east. The main chalk quarry at the museum is famous for being the location of the mine in the James Bond film View to Kill. The museum is home to a number of resident craftspeople who work to traditional methods. www.amberleymuseum.co.uk Between Bignor Hill and Gumber Farm you follow the route of the old Roman road, ‘Stane Street’. The road was built to connect Chichester with London and some of the best preserved stretches can be found here showing the raised causeway known as the ‘Agger’.

Gumber Bothy at Gumber farm is part of the National Trust’s 3,500 acre Slindon Estate. This traditional flint barn was converted in the early 1990s to provide basic accommodation for walkers, cyclists and horseriders. During World War 11 Gumber was the site of a decoy airfield, and to the north of the farm you can see a bunker left over from that period. In addition to this, Gumber has some fine examples of Iron Age ploughing lynchets in the field opposite the Bothy and beside the cottages.

100 PORTFOLIO

“The English countryside is the most staggeringly beautiful place.

I can't spend as much time there as I like, but I like everything about it. I like fishing, I like clay- pigeon shooting, I like cycling” Guy Ritchie

CYCLE

ROUTE INSTRUCTIONS 1 From the train station turn right onto the road towards Amberley.

2

Turn left onto the South Downs Way (SDW) and pass the sewage works.

Cross over the river and continue along the SDW. 3

4 Carefully cross over the A29 and continue on the SDW until you come to a bridleway crossroads.

5

Take the second left along the SDW. (To

take the shorter route turn down the first track on the left, turn right at the t-junction and pick up the route again at route instruction 8).

9 Just before Whiteways car park, take the bridleway on your left, cross over the A29 and continue parallel to the B2139.

6 Where the bridleway forks keep left each time, at the fourth fork take the left off the SDW towards Gumber Farm.

10 At Houghton carry onto the road and turn left onto Houghton Road.

After the farm take the left hand bridleway and then take the fourth bridleway on the left through Stammer wood.

7

At the t-junction turn right onto Monarch’s Way keeping left on the bridleway when the track forks.

8

11 Turn right back onto the SDW and retrace your route over the river and back to Amberley Station.

For more information about walks in the region, contact South Downs National Park Authority.

Tel: 0300 303 1053, or visit

www.southdowns.gov.uk

PORTFOLIO  101

GOLF

MANNING UP AT MANNINGS HEATH We sample the fine parkland layout at The Waterfall Course at Mannings Heath Golf Club and Wine Estate

S

ince the demise of the infamous Hawkhurst Gang, who ravaged the South East in the 18th century and often used the land on which Mannings Heath Golf Course is now located as a smugglers' meeting spot, this 500-acre patch of magnificent woodland and West Sussex rolling countryside has hosted a rather different assortment of riders and runners: golfers. The 18-hole Waterfall Course was originally designed and laid out in 1914 by none other than Harry Colt, one of the true giants of golf course architecture. Despite interruptions in service due to the two World Wars, Mannings Heath golf course has, since then, consistently figured among the very best courses in the UK and has hosted a variety of professional golfing events, most recently (August 1-4, 2017) the PGA EuroPro Tour Nokia Masters tournament. The EuroPro Tour is by some measure the most significant developmental tour for ambitious professionals wanting to advance to the Challenge Tour and beyond. Recent “graduates” include Tyrell Hatton and Jordan Smith, both currently making headlines on the PGA European Tour and in America.

“I shook myself out of my blanketand-hamper reverie and concentrated on the task at hand” General Manager of Mannings Heath Golf Course & Wine Estate, Adam Streeter, whose family own the Benguela Cove estate and winery in South Africa and recently purchased the Mannings Heath business, was unequivocal in a recent interview when describing his priorities. “This is, first and foremost, a golf club.”

Adam acknowledged that it has not been possible for the public to visit Mannings Heath as it was formerly a members-only golf club. Streeter is hoping to change all this by hosting tour events, investing in infrastructure and eventually teaming up with architects to improve the jewel in the crown, the 18-hole Waterfall Course.

Not that this golf course was in any obvious need of tweaking when Portfolio's intrepid team of four, club golfers all, with a representative span of handicaps (920), rocked up to find out if the Waterfall Course could live up to the enormous reputation it had acquired over the past 100 years.

As we studied the copious breakfast menu in our private dining area, we could not help stealing glances at the first tee, fairway and putting green beckoning in the distance. Despite this delightful confusion of appetites we made executive decisions and tucked into our generous breakfasts.

Well sated, we approached the first tee with that adrenalised mixture of nervous energy and keen anticipation that every Viking must have felt at the first sight of land when on a plundering expedition. The promise of rich rewards for high performance was in the air on this crisp, fair September morning as we finished the first few holes

102 PORTFOLIO

GOLF

with a good collection of pars and bogies on the card, and we were crackling with confidence as we approached the fourth. This dog-leg par 4 is a mere 383 yards from tee to green, but what meets the eye from the tee box is a seemingly endless field of ferns and bracken with a stream running through the middle. Meltingly beautiful as it is, the view of the fairway beyond, clawing its way upwards and leftwards like a deer with one hoof caught in the teeth of a hungry fern-monster, is daunting. All you have to do is hit your normal drive and find the fairway, which would be straightforward if your mind were not racing with scenes from certain films – Bruce Willis leaping from one tall building to another in a car, or Tom Cruise doing the same in nothing but his street shoes. The message from Harry Colt appeared to be: “All right, boys and girls, now that you're properly warmed up, let's play some golf!” Did I mention that this hole is (aptly) named “Hellcorner”?

If you have any golf balls left, your next hole is the first of two signature par-3 beauties. This one, the cleverly monikered Punchbowl, is a good illustration of what makes The Waterfall Course so interesting and challenging despite its moderate overall length (6483/6056/5439 yds). Most of the holes on this course are characterised by significant – sometimes fairly extreme – changes in elevation from tee to green, making club selection very important and difficult. Because you're always hitting the ball uphill, downhill or across valleys – often with water running through them – your GPS and laser devices are fairly useless. Even with my otherwise trusty Garmin GPS watch in service, I found myself having to play very much the “old-fashioned” way, adding or subtracting a club or two to the GPS straight-line distance to account for the changes in elevation. Here, at the par-3 Punchbowl, we were on an elevated tee box, hitting 184/138 yds down to a fairly large green partially surrounded by a high grassy mound, with OOB on the left and bracken and water between tee and green. You must find the green on this hole, which we all eventually did, some in one or two strokes, others in... er... a few more.

The other signature par-3, the Waterfall, lends its name to the course and shares its pedigree and charm with the other par-three holes on this fabulous course: all three of them are of very high quality and great fun to play. The general consensus in our group, though, was that the par-4 holes were the real stars of this very entertaining parkland layout.

The 11th hole is a case in point, and by general agreement, one of

the holes we most enjoyed playing. The “Valley” plays 369/331 yds, but to reach the fairly generous fairway we had to negotiate the narrow chute of trees, some with overhanging branches, in front of us. So the first decision we had to make was which club to take off the tee. Our group used everything from driver to five-iron, with varying results, but all having to face the same dilemma for our second shots. Standing there in the middle of the fairway on this shady, serene piece of heaven, with mature trees protecting the steep valley walls on both sides, a sparkling stream winking at me ahead, by the green, I thought that they could just as well have called this hole Picnic Point. I shook myself out of my blanket-and-hamper reverie and concentrated on the task at hand: go for the green 170+ yds away, surrounded by water and through a leafy gap only ten or fifteen yards wide...or lay up to wedge distance? I did the latter, but the better player among us was there – or thereabouts - in two. And therein lies the beauty and elegance of this hole and of this golf course generally: brilliant use of natural topography and a genius for design. A warm ripple of pleasure coursed through me when I read recently that the great Gary Player, when asked to compose his “dream course” from holes on existing courses anywhere in the world, included the 11th at Mannings Heath. Great minds and all that...

Members at Mannings Heath, Waterfall Course, besides having the benefit of one of the finest parkland layouts in the South East of England, have a practice range and newly enhanced short game area at their disposal, as well as a nine-hole Academy Course, originally part of the Kingfisher Course, on which to hone their skills. Apres-golf pleasures may be enjoyed on one of two spacious outdoor terraces facing the golf course or in the spike bar, where (uniquely) you may enjoy wine and food pairings. Sky Sports golf commentator Ewen Murray, himself a Sussex resident, is said to have remarked once that if he had to play just one golf course every day for the rest of his golfing days, it would be the Waterfall Course at Mannings Heath. Having been there, we know what he means. But the only way you will ever know is by walking in our footsteps at this memorable golf course.

The Waterfall Course, Mannings Heath Golf Club and Wine Estate Horsham, West Sussex www.manningsheath.com

New Owner for Leonardslee Garden Estate, West Sussex South African based entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE has acquired the 200 acre Leonardslee estate at Lower Beeding, near Horsham in West Sussex, complementing their golf and entertainment facilities at Mannings Heath. Plans are underway to restore and upgrade the site and open it to the public once again in Spring 2018.

PORTFOLIO 103

TV - bigger picture

THE BLUE PLANET I I Last year's Planet Earth II proved David Attenborough can still bring the nation together. This year, the naturalist releases his follow-up to 2001's breathtaking aquatic documentary The Blue Planet

T

wenty years ago, a team of wildlife film makers from the BBC’s natural history unit set out to make a series on the world’s oceans, the breadth and scale of which had never been seen before.

Broadcast in 2001, the multi award-winning The Blue Planet, presented

by Sir David Attenborough, cemented the Unit’s peerless reputation for underwater filming. Now, a generation on, the NHU has returned to these underwater worlds for Blue Planet II, with even more ambitious filming and a fresh cast of extraordinary aquatic animals, spending some four years filming off every continent, and in all of the earth's oceans, to immerse the audience in some of the most expansive but least known parts of our planet.

Sir David Attenborough says: “I am truly thrilled to be joining this new exploration of the underwater worlds which cover most of our planet, yet are still its least known.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller of TV Content and iPlayer, says: "The BBC's world-renowned natural history unit are set to captivate audiences once again with unmissable stories of ocean life presented by the one and only David Attenborough. It really doesn't get much better than that!"

James Honeyborne, Executive Producer, says: “The oceans are the most exciting place to be right now, because new scientific discoveries

104 PORTFOLIO

have given us a new perspective of life beneath the waves. Blue Planet II is taking its cue from these breakthroughs, unveiling unbelievable new places, extraordinary new behaviours and remarkable new creatures.

Showing a contemporary portrait of marine life, it will provide a timely reminder that this is a critical moment for the health of the world’s oceans.”

“Astonishing new creatures, including hairy-chested Hoff crabs, snub-fin dolphins that spit water through the air and a tool-using tusk fish, have been filmed for the first time” Tom McDonald, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist Factual, says: "Blue Planet II promises to combine the exceptional craftsmanship that our audiences have come to expect from BBC Natural History with genuinely new revelations about the creatures and habitats of the world's oceans. I have no doubt it will

Blue Planet photo credits: Rachel Butler, Steve Benjamin and Hugh Miller - BBC

TV - bigger picture thrill and delight the audience, and deliver a new benchmark in Natural History film-making."

Blue Planet II explores the latest frontiers of scientific discovery, from icy-white polar seas to vibrant blues of the coral atolls, from the stormtossed green Atlantic coastline to the black depths of the alien deep.

Viewers will encounter surprising new landscapes, such as methane volcanoes which erupt in the Gulf of Mexico, and the so-called 'boiling sea' phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean. And by taking two manned submersibles to explore the Antarctic deep at 1000m for the very first time, the series will bring a new world to the audience.

Astonishing new creatures, including hairy-chested Hoff crabs, snubfin dolphins that spit water through the air, and a tool-using tusk fish, have been filmed for the first time, and the crew was able to capture some extraordinary examples of behaviour, such as sophisticated hunting between a coral grouper and a reef octopus, giant trevally that catch flying birds in mid-air, and a dive with a sperm whale mother and calf, as they head deep into the abyss to hunt.

The series’ camera teams have worked off every continent and across every ocean, often in collaboration with marine scientists. They have developed new filming technologies, including UHD tow cams that allow predatory fish and dolphins to be filmed front-on, UHD suction cams, which enable the viewer to travel on the back of large creatures such as whale sharks and orcas, and a UHD probe camera that immerses the viewer into the world of miniature marine life.

The series will be scored by Academy Award-winner Hans Zimmer’s 'Bleeding Fingers Music'. Zimmer lent his musical brilliance to the natural history genre for the first time with his acclaimed main title theme and score production for Planet Earth II, the most successful nature documentary in the UK for fifteen years BBC1, Autumn

TV SNIPPETTS: October highlights

Image Credit: BBC Studios

PORRIDGE

PABLO

World War II: Witness to War is an epic twelve-part series that tells the stories of the brave men and women who sacrificed everything in order to survive World War II. Told through rare first-hand accounts, we revisit major battles and momentous events of the war that changed the world forever.

In the first episode of this brand-new series, first-hand accounts and rare archive footage reveal the devastation of the German attack on France. During the Blitzkrieg, the Allies worked furiously to keep their ground.

Porridge is back, with a new 6 part series, which sees Kevin Bishop return as Nigel ‘Fletch’ Fletcher. He plays the grandson of Ronnie Barker’s iconic character Norman Stanley Fletcher banged up in Wakeley prison for a series of cybercrimes whilst trying to escape the attentions of wily Officer Meekie (Mark Bonnar) and the softer Officer Braithwaite (Dominic Coleman). Helping Fletch get through his stretch are his cellmate and prison elder statesman, Joe Lotterby and fellow inmates Aziz, Shell and prison tough guy Scudds (Ricky Grover).

The new CBeebies and RTÉJr series is the first animated TV series to star an autistic character and the first TV programme with an all-autistic core cast. Magic crayons, animated friends and a wonderful imagination... these are the tools that five and a half year-old Pablo uses to turn life’s little challenges into big adventures.

Every episode of Pablo is grounded in the real-life experiences of autistic children, with autistic young writers and contributors helping to bring ideas and perspectives to life in an honest and humorous way.

QUEST, 8th October, 10pm

BBC 1, October

CBEEBIES & RTÉJr, October

WORLD WAR II: WITNESS TO WAR, UK PREMIERE

PORTFOLIO 105

LOCAL news

LOCAL NEWS MEMORIES SOUGHT FROM BRIGHTON DOME’S 150-YEAR HISTORY AS A PERFORMANCE VENUE To mark 150 years as a performance venue, Brighton Dome is seeking memories from across its history. Submissions will help inform new heritage displays, which will go on show when the refurbished buildings re-open in late 2018. The Grade I-listed Brighton Dome, which was originally designed as the Prince Regent's riding stables, was converted into a concert and assembly hall in 1867, soon becoming one of the most fashionable and culturally significant venues in the south.

Since then an array of artists has graced the stages, including early jazz pioneers, the Southern Syncopated Orchestra, world-famous singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. Pink Floyd, whose first appearance was supporting the late, great Jimi Hendrix, famously debuted their classic Dark Side of the Moon album live at Brighton Dome in January 1972. In 1974 the venue hosted ABBA’s victory in the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo. Brighton Dome’s various guises have also included a cavalry barracks, a WW1 military hospital for Indian soldiers and a rollerskating rink. The public are invited to submit memories from across Brighton Dome’s rich history to help form part of new interpretation displays, which will accompany the re-opening of the refurbished Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre. To submit your memories, please visit www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BDBF-community/

BRIGHTON NAMED HAPPIEST CITY IN THE UK

SIXTY HOMES APPROVED FOR FARMLAND ON EDGE OF BRIGHTON

The city came out on top of a nationwide survey into the satisfaction of the nation, with more than a third of residents choosing the word ‘happy’ to describe their lives. Kerry Collinge, from company 9NINE Super Seed, which commissioned the study, said: “Brighton residents have found themselves topping our happiest city chart.

Maybe it’s the sea air and sunny weather that keep them smiling.’’

The study found just one in 10 Britons rated their life satisfaction at nine or above. The study, which quizzed 3,000 Brits, also looked into the ways we boost our mood and found three in five look to bed for comfort in hard times, while more than half lean on family for support. Forty-three per cent of those surveyed play their favourite music when they need to raise their spirits, and reading a book proved more popular for boosting our serotonin levels than sex.

A scheme to build 60 homes on farmland on the edge of Brighton has been given outline planning permission. The proposal involves the demolition of existing farm buildings on nine acres of land at Coombe Farm, in Westfield Avenue North, Saltdean. Forty per cent of the homes will be classed as affordable. And the developers have been asked to make a financial contribution to the council totalling more than £500,000. The developer contribution will be go towards local schools, a children’s play area, public transport and improvements for pedestrians.

Planning consultant Paul Burgess, of Lewis and Co, spoke for the applicants and said: “The scheme before you today will make a vital contribution towards the housing requirements of Saltdean and the wider city.”

MORE BIG LEMON BUS ROUTES The Big Lemon, the city’s environmentally friendly bus company, have been awarded four-year contracts to run additional routes. They previously operated the number 52 route but have now taken on five new routes: the numbers 16, 47, 56, 57 and 66. Norman Baker, Managing Director of The Big Lemon, said: “This is a great vote of confidence from the council and is the result of 10 years’ hard work by Tom Druitt and the team, the wonderful friendliness of our drivers, and the environmental and passenger-centred vision we put forward in our bid. The contract with the council is for four years, with an option for them to extend it for a further four years.” The new services began on September 17th.

106 PORTFOLIO

LOCAL news

NEW DIRECTOR FOR THE MONTEFIORE HOSPITAL David Eglington, The Montefiore’s new hospital managing director, is delighted to be back in Hove. The 40-year-old father of two could have chosen to live anywhere in the UK when he moved back to England, after spending four years in Dubai as regional clinic director for Mediclinic Middle East. But when the role of hospital managing director became available at The Montefiore he jumped at the chance. “I used to live in the area and I love Brighton & Hove, so do my family,” he says. “There is nowhere else in England we would rather live.”

Now he cycles to work having dropped his children at local schools and spends his spare time with his family watching Sussex Sharks and Brighton & Hove Albion. As hospital managing director, David sees his new role as two-fold: “to ensure our team of staff and consultants deliver cutting-edge, best practice healthcare and to be recognised as the independent provider of choice in our region.” The Montefiore Hospital is part of the award-winning Spire Healthcare group and has the most up-to-date operating theatres and diagnostic equipment as well as being among the first hospitals in the country to offer new procedures to treat breast cancer and hip problems. The hospital also offers a range of rapid access, one-stop clinics for a range of symptoms and injuries. www.themontefiorehospital.co.uk

BRIGHTON MET FIRST COLLEGE IN SOUTH TO OFFER ESTATE AGENCY COURSE The one-year estate agent and property services course is being offered by the Brighton Met – formerly City College.

It leads to a “level 3 qualification” – equivalent to an A level – which is accepted for membership of NAEA Propertymark, formerly the National Association of Estate Agents. The course has been designed by industry professionals, with Sawyer and Co director Chris Sawyer among the teaching staff. He will take classes on leasehold properties, enfranchisement and other technical issues.

Chris Sawyer said: “The course enables them to hit the ground running. A job in an agency is often sink or swim, and sometimes, if the environment is wrong, it might not work out.”

Chris, who served as president of the Brighton and Hove Estate Agents Association last year, will liaise between the college and the profession.

Any estate agents interested in collaborating can contact Brighton Metropolitan College curriculum co-ordinator Jane Myles at jem@ccb.ac.uk or Chris Sawyer at chris@sawyerandco.co.uk.

Students can apply to join this course by contacting admissions@ccb.ac.uk.

WWI LETTERS DISCOVERED ON ROYAL PAVILION ESTATE Several personal letters dating from the First World War usage of the Royal Pavilion Estate as a hospital for Indian soldiers have been discovered during redevelopment work at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange. The letters, which were discovered in both whole pages and in fragments by workers on site, give a fascinating glimpse of what life was like for the hospitalised soldiers.

An excerpt from one letter, dated 20 April 1918 from a JC Cocks, a patient at Queen Marys Hospital, Roehampton, to his friend Brown, a patient at the Pavilion hospital reads: ‘I dare say you are expecting a letter from me as to how they are treating me at the above. Well it is not too bad here at all, it is a little out of the way, we find this especially so in bad weather as amusements are not next door to the hospital as at the pavilion. I am being fitted with a [illegible] arm (a French make) it is very light in weight and will suit my purpose very well. I don’t think this arm is suitable for manual labour and what I have seen of the arms I should think an Anderson and Whitelaws would suit you’ Along with the letters, a collection of other items was found, including a knife, match and cigarette packets, bottles, newspaper cuttings (including from The Times of India), sweet wrappers, a toothpaste tube, and boot polish.

NEW ADVENTURE-FILLED, PREMIUM SOFT-PLAY CENTRE FOR HORLEY The founders of Let's Race and Let's Golf, the UK’s only dedicated Formula 1 and Golf simulator centre in Horley on the borders of Surrey and Sussex, are delighted to announce that they will be opening Let's Explore - a new premium soft-play centre for children.

Officially opening on Saturday 21st October with a visit from a special guest - children’s favourite, Dora the Explorer, Let's Explore will feature a three-storey state-of-the-art adventurefilled play zone, a unique mezzanine level with play zone access for private parties, a separate toddler and baby area, and a brand-new, relaxing café area for parents and guests. The elements incorporated within the design have been cleverly thought out, not only to encourage physical activity, but to also stimulate the mind with educational aspects throughout. Example features include a submarine and periscope panel, airlock crawl tube, treasure chest with challenge to search for golden coins, and an eye spy live fish action zone, to name but a few. Tickets for the open day event on Saturday 21st October, with Dora the Explorer, will be priced at £10 per child, which includes a free adult entry pass and goody bag for the child. To purchase tickets and book a session slot (2 hours per session) please visit www.softplaysurrey.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 107

BEAUTIFUL homes

Home. The Radio 2 studio at eleven minutes to twelve on an ordinary day in 2017 Finger on the facer. Are we ready

Karen's training regime for Strictly was continuous

108  PORTFOLIO

And this was the team on day one 6 January 2003

CELEBRITY interview

RADIO GAGA Jeremy Vine’s career has taken him from the Newsnight studio to the Strictly ballroom. As he releases his memoir, What I Learnt, the multimedia maestro chats to Portfolio about his experiences, both on and off air

W

hen you consider the vast breadth of topics Jeremy Vine has discussed in calls during his 13year tenure on BBC Radio 2, it comes as little surprise to learn that his first-ever interview was itself more than a little bizarre.

“The very first reporting job that I did was at the Coventry Evening Telegraph,” he reminisces through sips of tea at his Chiswick home. “The very first day there I had to go to the railway station in Coventry to interview a group of students who were dressed as bears, raising money for the local hospital. I asked them everything that I could think of and when I came back the editor said: “Why are they dressed as bears?” and I said that I didn’t know. He sent me back to do it again!

“But when I went back to ask them why they were dressed as bears, they said that they didn’t know either, and I never got any further on that story! One day I will find those students and I will ask them what the hell was going on!” he laughs.

Before long, Vine had swapped the bemused bears for interviewees of a far more recognisable calibre. As a Special Correspondent in Africa, he came face to face with politicians of the ilk of Mandela and Mugabe, whilst his career back home saw him based at the very centre of British politics at Westminster. Before long, Vine was involved with some of the BBC’s most crucial news programmes – and honing his skills among the corporation’s best.

“I think that’s the whole thesis of my book - we’ve gone into an experience-based journalism world” “Live studio interviews only really started with Newsnight, but at that point I was in the shadow of the great Paxman,” he explains. “I used to just watch him and Kirsty Wark and try to learn from them.

“At the BBC there has always been a really strong culture of taking a lead from the generation above, tailgating them to learn the ropes. I was actually running down the street in Westminster once and I saw Robin Day who is, I guess, the greatest interviewer ever, and I said: ‘I admire everything that you do,’ and he said: ‘… And I admire everything that you do, but I don’t know who you are!’”

Nowadays, however, Vine is certainly one of the company’s contemporary ‘generation above’, and commands a recently revealed bumper pay packet befitting his multiple roles as UK Election reporter, Crimewatch presenter, Eggheads quizmaster and star of his eponymous Radio 2 show.

It is this latter role – in which Vine fields calls from his 7.5million-strong audience on a vast plethora of current affairs topics – that has inspired his latest written effort, What I Learnt: What My Listeners Say – And Why We Should Take Notice. It’s a look at how best to explain some of the generation-defining events that have come about over the past couple of years, on both the local and global stage, seen through the medium of the 25,000 calls that have been put through to The Jeremy Vine Show. And central to this theme is Vine’s own concept of ‘i-Power’.

“We did an item a while back on Egypt about the Arab Spring Revolution. We had a guy on who had written books and is a professor, and who talked very well about it all,” he says. “And then a listener calls in and she was almost in tears because she remembers how poor the children were and how they chased after her asking if they could have a pen, and how after that she used to carry pens around. Suddenly I realised that this listener had completely overwhelmed the story; her experience is more than his expertise. I think that’s the whole thesis of my book - we’ve gone into an experiencebased journalism world.” >

PORTFOLIO 109

CELEBRITY interview

And in spite of the frequent criticisms levelled at his employer – about whom Vine speaks in glowing terms – the broadcaster believes the BBC is often viewed unfairly in the modern internet age.

“I think we’ve done our very, very best,” he nods. “We’ve done exceedingly well, but in the end the internet is about the individual and, by definition, the BBC is a corporation, and that’s a problem.

Bless my employer, I love the BBC, but what view does the BBC take in my personal Twitter account? Does it think that it’s BBC or does it think it’s mine?

“Chris Evans’ personal Twitter account can reach millions of people, but it isn’t an official part of his breakfast show, and if the BBC decides that it should be, does that then destroy the power of it because it’s actually quite a lovely reflection of Chris? So all of this is new territory for all of us and I think that, on balance, the BBC has done very well at staying stable. But of course, it then comes under attack for crowding out other people, so we can’t win.”

Regardless of the massive challenges the corporation is facing in a fast and furious new cycle dominated by social media, Vine has in a way been witnessing these changes longer than anyone. His time on the airwaves has seen him front and centre in a whirlwind of public opinion – and he’s certainly not looking to give up that spot any time soon.

“It’s funny, because some people say, ‘What do you want to do next?’”, the 52-year-old says. “Well, Radio 2, and then Radio 2 after that! And I’m not the only one, because Steve Wright was asked the other day at what age he wants to retire and I think he said ‘97’!

“The joy of Radio 2 is that you arrive in the morning – I usually cycle in for about 8am – we have a meeting, we discuss topics to run with. ‘Have you ever given the kiss of life to a tortoise?’ perhaps! You never, never know what’s coming… And the listeners are at the centre of it all.”

110 PORTFOLIO

“What I Learnt: What My Listeners Say – And Why We Should Take Notice” by Jeremy Vine, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, is out now in hardback, eBook and audio.

DON’T MISS NEXT MONTH'S SPECIAL DOUBLE ISSUE!

GREAT HOMES AND BEAUTIFUL SEASONAL INTERIORS

PORTFOLIO magazine

MEANTIME SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @PortfolioMagUK Go to Portfoliopublications.co.uk

LET with us We’d love to talk to you about how we can maximise income on your property.

www.bestofbrighton.co.uk