Luxe Jan Feb 2015

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ISSUE 32 JAN/FEB15

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ISSUE 32 JAN/FEB15

M ARY B E R RY ’ S SW EET TAL K. Des i gn-sav v y st ays . L AYBOU RNE GOES S C A N D I . Sp r i n g-f re s h f as hi o n. CH OC FEAS TS . Luxe Life. BOU TIQU E HOT E L S . Pa r ty p e o pl e. S KI-S LOPE COOL . Cul t ural must s. LIT TLE LU XE. Be s t d r i ve s . E AT I N G OUT. Bi g names . LUX E.

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WELCOME

contents 5>> Luxe Life ISSUE 32 JAN/FEB15 Hope this doesn’t disappoint but in the true spirt of Luxe, we bring you abundance not abstinence to start 2015.

For us a case of start as you mean to go on?

You won’t find magic diets or a call for self-restraint; we like to think that Luxe readers are switched on enough to know that the way to a feel-good February (and the rest) has more to do with a realistic luxe-life balance.

So read on for the treats which include chat with Mary Berry (who NEVER eats a second slice) and some fabulous wintry-goodness recipes from our favourite kitchen folk, who really do make sense of seasonal foodstuffs.

February is of course the month of love for some, in our case for love read chocolate and dip in to some inspiring, indulgent recipes (see, no abstinence here).

If you’re about to throw your energies into a bit of home decoration then there are some good people to inspire you in here, whether your look is shabby, vintage or something a bit more slick.

Rebecca Tappin found inspiration rooting through rubbish dumps that turned out to be full of glorious Georgian glass bottles, so there’s a thought to get you delving in to your garden’s darkest corners.

However you plan to spend your winter days and nights, we hope Luxe features, by inspiring you or just offering a bit of flick-through relaxation.

26>> Eat! Bringing you pages of inspiring eating

30>> St Mary’s Inn New eating spot in Morpeth

40>> Spring fashion Pastel touch for bright days

50>> Hungry for heritage Rebecca Tappin is a forager of fine things as design director of The Coach House at Middleton Lodge.

See what magic she made of a real pig sty on page 60. Her luxe things in life include: hand-written letters, water between her toes (seaside or bathtime), and feeling ‘all Gatsby’ with a filled champagne saucer in hand.

Beehive brand casts on

56>> Beauty update Spring clean and spa perfect

60>> Fabulous finds Hip hotels in the making

70>> Luxe Local We check out nice-to-live places in the region

80>> Little Luxe With Nina Robinson, our pint-sized shopping and culture diva

84>> Luxe lads Slope style for snow boys

86>> Tee Off Tips for the tee. Places to play this year

92>> Luxe Looks Our must-read people-spotting social diary

98>> Parting Shot

kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk Twitter: TheLuxeMagazine

SALES Lisa Anderson account director lisa@remembermedia.co.uk Debi Coldwell account director debi@remembermedia.co.uk

Get a cultural fix for the months ahead Bake queen Mary Berry’s sweet talk

Kathryn Armstrong, editor

EDITORIAL Kathryn Armstrong editorial director kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk Katharine Capocci Fiona McLain

10>> Do This 18> Mary Mary

Don’t forget, we are with you every Thursday too with our Luxe Loves The Weekend email bulletin. Sign up free at www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/theweekend

THE LUXE TEAM Christopher March publisher chris@remembermedia.co.uk

Craft queen Sara Davies

Middlesbrough-born actor Bill Fellows’ face is a familiar one on your screens, not least as the spurned love of housekeeper Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey. His luxe things in life include a nice drop of Malbec, playing with his rock band and ‘football and chilling’ with teen son Dylan.

PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson info@kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson nicky@nrphotography.co.uk DESIGN Room501publishing If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Lisa Anderson: lisa@remembermedia.co.uk / 07734 560565 or Debi Coldwell: debi@remembermedia.co.uk / 07910 918366

17 Ashdale, Mount Pleasant DH4 7SL remembermedia.co.uk All contents copyright ©2015 RememberMedia Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, January 2015.

Andrea Freeman is doing a fine job reviving the heritage knitwear brand, Beehive, which was born in Darlington. Her luxe things in life include her puppy dog Angel, Aveda’s rosemary and mint products and her monthly ‘reboot day’ which includes pampering, baking and a blog catch-up.

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JAN/FEB15

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LUXE LIFE

SARA DAVIES

A global superstar in the crafting world, Sara runs County Durham-based Crafter’s Companion, which also has a base in California. She has won numerous entrepreneurial and business awards and is an investor and mentor LUXE PEOPLE >> My wonderful husband Simon and our one-year-old, Oliver – both I utterly adore. I also love the crafting community, which have played such a big part in my career and life to date.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > The Tranquil Otter, which is a fantastic nature reserve in the Lake District. You can stay in a gorgeous log cabin and hire a rowing boat to spot otters and birds. It’s very peaceful and serene – a great place to take the whole family. Even better that it’s right here on our doorstep in the North East!

A long holiday > Has to be Dubai. The hotels are amazing and the service is always second to none. It’s also not far to travel from Newcastle given the direct flights. See, another reason the region is so great!

A treat > I love to go to Seaham Hall for a full spa day and an overnight stay. Pure bliss.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > I’m a big fish lover and don’t think you can beat sushi. Although there are some amazing fish places across the coastline of the North East.

Best wine > One of my best friends works for Kingsland Wines and I love sampling their latest wine selections!

Favourite restaurant > My favourite place to eat is the Michelin-starred Raby Hunt in Summerhouse, on the outskirts of Darlington. James the chef is phenomenal and a friend of my husband.

Perfect weekend > When my lovely sister and boyfriend come to visit and we have lots of family time. Usually we’ll have a dinner party and all the family celebrate together.

Downtime means > Relaxing in the hot tub with a good bottle of Prosecco. Although I also like crafting gift cards

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from scratch as they always add a personal touch to any special occasion.

Best telly > Create & Craft when I am on TV of course! I love the Big Bang Theory as it’s funny and a nice easy watch. My favourite box series is 24. And you can’t beat Great British Bake Off! Best book > I like to read autobiographies especially business people such as Duncan Bannatyne. I also love Find Half Yard Home By Debbie Shore as that got me seriously sewing when I was on maternity leave!

Best sounds > Cheesy 90s pop. And I’m not ashamed!

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Newcastle – can’t beat it for a day out. It’s got everything from specialist designers to high street shops. I like the Grainger Market too for all the fresh produce and amazing craft stalls.

Luxe retail treat > I love buying dresses for a big dinner or function from Karen Millen, and getting a matching bag and shoes from Kurt Geiger.

Best buy > My iPad – always on it. I loved our Bjorn baby carrier to strap Oliver in. Gutted he’s grown out of it!

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > My 30th. A big birthday party at the Jersey Farm Hotel in Barnard Castle with all my friends and family. Bouncy castles to Dodgem cars. Memorable.

Perfect party > See above, I’ll outdo it at my 40th!

Best dress > The fit of Coast dresses are perfect for me.

I have a couple of bright purple ones for ‘on air’ TV work.

Dinner date > Has to be Peter Kay! YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> Our lives have been enriched so much since having Oliver.

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Stay in >> go out >> enjoy A new year means a feast of cultural goings-on to get your diary in a frenzy UNTIL 14 FEBRUARY

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Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage will give you the time of your life… exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sexy dancing. Featuring hit songs including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart-stopping (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life! Sunderland Empire. www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

FEBRUARY

Pull on the dancing shoes for an afternoon of dancing and socialising Strictly Come Dancing style. Have a turn at the tango, cruise through the cha cha and whip into a perfect waltz.

All happening at Alnwick Garden with expert tuition and live music. The afternoon includes afternoon tea.

Tickets £10 on 01665 511350. www.alnwickgarden.com

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UNTIL 7 FEBRUARY A must-see. Be thrilled by National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Theatre Royal, Newcastle. The story of teenager Christopher, his extraordinary brain and a dog that takes him on a unique journey. www.theatreroyal.co.uk

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FEBRUARY

A Night Extraordinary at Northern Stage is a special gala event celebrating some of the North East’s best talent, including performances from Mark Benton (Waterloo Road), Charlie Hardwick (Emmerdale) and Vicky Elliot (Hebburn) alongside new and emerging artists to raise funds to enable Northern Stage to continue to support and develop young theatre-makers in the region. www.northernstage.co.uk

6 FEBRUARY

An Art Cinema special event screening of David Lynch’s iconic masterpiece Blue Velvet will be shown at The Empire, Middlesbrough. It is part of collaborations developed and produced by Northern Film & Media and mima, running throughout February and March to coincide with the exhibition, David Lynch Naming, at mima.

The exhibition itself is a very big deal for Middlesbrough, a huge coup for the gallery and a series of events are planned.

The Blue Velvet main feature will be supported by a programme of specially selected shorts from a variety of artistfilmmakers including David Shrigley and Shezad Dawood. www.visitmima.org.uk

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6 FEBRUARY

Get a fill of the best female sounds at Arc, Stockton’s Womenfolk gig with Tyneside star Kathryn Williams joined

by Maz O’Connor and Georgia Ruth. www.arconline.co.uk

6-8 FEBRUARY

Have you got a small Frozen fanatic in the house? Lumley Castle hosts Afternoon Tea with the Snow Sisters.

Meet and Greet Anna & Elsa, have a photo with them, enjoy afternoon tea and a sing-a-long with the Snow Sisters. Other dates available. www.lumleycastle.com

FEBRUARY

One & Who Killed Bambi?

A dance double bill of fast-paced choreography in a thought-provoking evening commissioned by Dance City, Newcastle. Who Killed Bambi? looks at individuals versus society, celebrating those who swim against the tide and transforming the stage through beautiful design and striking imagery. www.northernstage.co.uk

FEBRUARY

11 FEBRUARY

What could be nicer for February than Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker? Join the journey into Clara’s magical dream world for a thrilling and delightful performance for audiences young and old. www.theatreroyal.co.uk

17 FEBRUARY Hollywood glam with Strictly Come Dancing favourites Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace who are at Sunderland Empire with a brand new show, Dance ’Til Dawn! In 1940s LA, a romance unfolds between a beautiful starlet and her handsome lover. Expect a time of elegance with stunning sets, a live band and Vincent and Flavia’s flawless footwork. www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire

For the seriously sporty, if you’re looking for a challenging early 2015 event on Friday 6-8 February, step up for the Residential Running Training Weekend hosted by Steve Cram at Kielder Water Forest Park. This is suitable for beginners to club runners. www.visitnorthumberland.com/sporting-event/ steve-cram-training-camp&ssid=877892

JAN/FEB15

ADVERTORIAL

Going round in circles?

The beginning of the year is traditionally a time for reflection on what has gone before; a demarcation between old and new; and an opportunity to embark on a new phase. It’s the time of the year when the cyclical nature of life is most sharply in focus. This is reflected in the traditional increase in commencement of divorce proceedings at this time of the year as people seek a fresh start for a new year. The legal profession itself is undergoing a period of flux and change, particularly in the area of family law. It has been difficult to be unaware of the political maelstrom that has resulted from the recent withdrawal of funding assistance (legal aid) from almost all family law proceedings. Not only has it had a significant impact on individuals requiring legal intervention in their affairs, but also on legal practitioners and the structure and operation of law firms, and in the wider sense on the whole procedural nature of family law proceedings. For many individuals, the ripples of legislative change have resulted in having to conduct Court proceedings themselves without the benefit of professional expert support. Litigants in Person have risen by almost 90% in cases involving children. Sadly, despite reports and recommendations to make many Court forms and processes more user friendly, the legal landscape remains confusing, daunting and complex. The result? Figures also show a fall in the overall number of cases going to Court. Whilst some would argue this is a positive statistic, that is only true if those cases that would otherwise have been settled within Court proceedings have been effectively and fairly concluded by other means. There are many routes to resolution of family disputes available which do not involve going to Court, such as collaborative law, arbitration, and mediation.

Proponents of each of these methods argue vehemently that their chosen method is the superior way with which to resolve family disputes. It is true that, where families are

involved and particularly children, reducing acrimony and choosing negotiation over litigation is favourable, but as with all things in life, one size does not fit all and there is no one ideal method for dispute resolution. Aside from any other consideration, how do you determine which route you should take? Do you know the difference between the various methods, or even how to embark on them? Whilst lawyers traditionally get a bad rap, most family lawyers work sympathetically and supportively with their clients’ circumstances to achieve the fairest possible outcome in the circumstances. In this current environment, something as simple as seeking expert advice on the various dispute resolution options available could make all the difference in dealing with a relationship breakdown, and where direct communication has broken down between the parties, skilled negotiation by a lawyer can often be the most effective and expedient route to settlement. At Major Family Law, we pride ourselves on our high rate of negotiated settlements. We have always taken a client focused approach to dispute resolution, and whilst the backdrop to our legal arena may be changing, our approach and level of service has not.

Whatever level of guidance, advice or support you require, at whatever stage, we will listen, respond and help you to move on to the next chapter.

Joanne Major is the Principal at Major Family Law, the Divorce and Family Law Specialists, 12 West Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tel: 01661 82 45 82 www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk. Twitter: @majorfamilylaw

Where families are involved and particularly children, reducing acrimony and choosing negotiation over litigation is favourable, but as with all things in life, one size does not fit all and there is no one ideal method for dispute resolution

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DO THIS

WEALTH MANAGEMENT WITH JOHN DANCE

Smoochy moments >>

‘Tis the season of red roses and Valentine loveliness. Diaries out: 13-15 FEBRUARY

Cosy up with a Valentine’s afternoon tea for two, sumptuous dinner or a shared session in the Spa at Wynyard Hall. If a proposal’s on your mind, prepare a bespoke package and pop the question in a private hot tub with a glass of fizz.

Call 01740 644811 to make it happen. www.wynyardhall.co.uk

“SMART BETA” – OUR CHANGE IN OPINION With more and more clients asking about the Smart Beta and a greater public profile for it, we recently wrote an article on our blog (a link to which is available on our website) entitled “Smart Beta – Myth or Magic”. The content of which tackled the subject of the Smart Beta products that are being marketed to investment managers and retail investors alike in a bandwagon fashion and are almost always presented in a way that suggests perennial market beating returns will be achieved by them. A summary of our point at the time was that in many, if not most cases, future return profiles were unlikely to be the same as those in the past and that these products had stolen the ‘Smart Beta’ description from genuinely smart products or strategies and used it for a tidal wave of slightly spurious marketing.

The blog was prompted by an invitation to a two-day national ‘Smart Beta’ conference.

We looked in advance at the products and investments that were being presented there and sadly almost all were in the genre we would describe as ‘Dumb Beta’.

We attended said conference and whilst we were generally disappointed in the manipulated sales pitches and performance figures plus the disingenuous use of the ‘Smart Beta’ label, by the end of the event we had surprisingly opened our minds to a certain extent.

The typical strategy of these types of product is to track an underlying index with a stringently enforced set of rules that can either include or exclude certain stocks based upon certain financial or valuation metrics, perhaps change a stock’s normal weighting, add volatility measures, invest only in stocks with momentum and so on and so forth.

The variables are effectively endless and the first thing that struck us was how bizarrely contrived some of the ‘rules’ many of these products had. The cynical side in us decided that the simple rules have had to be tweaked in such a way that when ‘back testing’ the strategy a positive result versus the market could be achieved. That led to the second thing that struck us, the start date of ‘back tested’ performance for each product was always different, sometimes pre or post the ‘dot com’ boom around the millennium, sometimes pre or post the credit crunch of six or seven years ago.

Why were they always different? We would guess that in most cases that is because if you started them on any other date, the ‘back tested’ performance would suggest they didn’t work.

So how were our minds opened by the end? By constructively criticising most of these products it became clear that we were identifying why these products were performing well over their carefully chosen time periods. Both growth and momentum stocks performed brilliantly until the peak of the dot com collapse, value performed well both then and during the credit crunch, quality stocks and or low beta high yielding stocks have performed well in a post-credit crunch environment where QE has eroded the lower risk income from bond investments.

Eureka! These products suggest that no matter when you buy them they will outperform going forward because they have done in the past, the very carefully selected time period of the past that suits them and that is probably what frustrated us the most, a fear that investors would buy in the belief of perfection and ultimately be sadly disappointed. But in arguing that, it is clear that each one has either a style or thematic bias that will potentially outperform the market if the underlying conditions are in its favour. If you understand these products properly and identify the right environment for holding a particular strategy then you really could do something ‘smart’ and get exactly the right type of market exposure to suit.

So whilst it is still frustrating that investors may believe these are a buy and hold forever investment, we have to admit that if used correctly and actively these products could indeed have a valuable place in people’s portfolios.

John Dance is CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Vertem Asset Management.

The Gresham, 92 Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 2TD Call 0191 341 0280 or email johnd@vertem.co.uk Visit www.vertem.co.uk

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14 FEBRUARY

Do it Downton-Style. Being the butler of a Victorian country house is no easy job. Do you think you’ve got what it takes? Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes are immaculate and you’re standing up straight. Join the butler for his Butler School at Belsay Hall. Learn all about the etiquette of a country house, from dressing a table to folding a napkin. www.englishheritage.org

FEBRUARY Valentine’s Eve and the hottie Fifty Shades of Grey is released in a cinema near you….

14 FEBRUARY

Votes are being cast to find the region’s favourite romantic movie for a screening at Tyneside Cinema. Will it be Chocolat? Brief Encounter? Everyone who attends the screening of the vote-winner on Valentine’s Day will receive complimentary luxury chocolates courtesy of Hotel Chocolat. www.tynesidecinema.co.uk

14 FEBRUARY

14 FEBRUARY If Music Be The Food of Love at Sage features the most romantic and lush orchestral music performed by Royal Northern Sinfonia, alongside top singers (and newly-weds) soprano Susanna Hurrell and tenor Ben Johnson. Swoon to the enchanting love arias from Puccini’s La Bohème and Bizet’s Carmen.

Hear excerpts from Prokofiev’s ballet of doomed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, alongside the overture from George Gershwin’s Girl Crazy.

Make a night of it with a showcase three-course dinner and fizz in the restaurant topped off with petit pot au chocolat served with kirsch soaked cherries, £25pp. Or how about a VIP option, £10, with a glass of prosecco and tasty bites on arrival and during the interval, all in the VIP area. sagegateshead.com 0191 443 4661

Cosy up for love at Alnwick Garden.

Book a sumptuous afternoon tea for two and listen to a live trio playing romantic songs from the Great American Songbook to complete the perfect setting for your special afternoon. Book on 01665 511 354. www.alnwickgarden.com

14 FEBRUARY

Crafts to love at the Loveartnortheast Art Fair at St Nicholas’ Cathedral in Newcastle.

Among exhibitors, Hilburyhouse Design with their lovely handmade, hand-dyed, painted and embroidered linens with cushions, bags and garlands. There’ll be a host of talented local designers with a great gallery of material. Find out more at Loveartnortheast on Facebook.

14 FEBRUARY

Feel the love from the Take That boys, or as good as you’ll get up close. Tribute band Fake That (cheesy but good!) will perform at Rockliffe Hall on this night of love. Never forget the best tunes of the fab five (four, three?) as you swoon along to tunes like Back for Good and Greatest Day. The show includes all of TT’s greatest hits and a disco until the early hours, and it’s definitely not just for the couples! Includes a two-course dinner, from £45 per person. www.rockliffehall.com/whats-on

JAN/FEB15

irish play Friday 20th and Saturday 21st March 2015, Rockliffe Hall

After a four week off-Broadway run in New York City where the play was nominated for Best Play, Best Actor and Best Director at the Irish theatre festival, Brassneck Theatre Company are heading to Rockliffe Hall this March for a very special, intimate performance of Man In The Moon.

A hilarious rollercoaster with a dark twist, Man In The Moon is the tender story of one man’s resolve, to overcome everything that life has to throw at him. This is a rare and exciting chance to experience one of the most successful Irish plays in an intimate setting, as part of our St Patrick’s Day celebrations at Rockliffe Hall.

45 £

per person, including a 2-course meal Add on overnight accommodation, use of the award-winning spa and wellness facilities and full English breakfast the following morning from just £190 per room per night.

To book your place please call 01325 729999 or email enquiries@rockliffehall.com

Contains strong language and sensitive topics. Recommended age 15 years and over.

www.rockliffehall.com Hurworth-on-Tees Darlington County Durham DL2 2DU JAN/FEB15

+44 (0)1325 729999 enquiries@rockliffehall.com 11

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FEBRUARY

ROCKLIFFE LIFE Rockliffe Hall is the premier hotel, spa and golf resort in the North East - five-star style, surroundings and service with five-star events to match. 2015 is promising lots of variety whether you fancy kicking back in the spa, dancing to some live music or treating a loved one. Here are three of the best for the start of the year:

Corbridge’s Balman Gallery launches a winter show led by sculptor Simon Griffiths whose studies of birds and animals are inspired by the North Pennine wildlife and countryside where he lives and works. Simon studies intently the birds and animals that he makes, before he sculpts them, and his aim is to capture the essence of the bird. www.balmangallery.com

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Lottie’s Vintage Valentine Fair is on at Yarm Fellowship Hall, West St, Yarm. Fall in love with all things hand-crafted, carefully collected lovingly restored. Details: Lottie&Jack Vintage on Facebook.

THE ULTIMATE VIP Who doesn’t want to be treated like a star for the day? Rockliffe Hall’s brand new package offers sheer indulgence. Champagne in your room on arrival, sparkling afternoon tea, a luxury ‘Tranquil Moments’ spa ritual, pre-dinner cocktails, dinner in The Orangery, a Buck’s Fizz breakfast and a late check-out with spa use until noon.

From £299 per person

Chinese New Year and the Year of the Sheep is celebrated in and around Chinatown, Newcastle, on 22 February, in a day of free Chinese events and performances for all the family, including crafts, dance, music, martial arts and food and drink. The popular dragon, lion and unicorn dances will once again animate the area around the ceremonial Chinese arch on Stowell Street. It all starts at 11am with the dragon, lion and unicorn dances starting at approximately 12.30. www.NewcastleGateshead.com/ ChineseNewYear

SPA LADIES LUNCH

18&19 FEBRUARY

Above > Stacey Collinson, Above > Amy Shephard, Nicole Weatherall, Jen Harrison, Dawn Colthard, Lisa Clark, Tracey Gale, Claire Edwards Carolyn Wright Above > Alison Powell, Lynne Durbridge

Above > Carole Chwieseni, Elaine Johnson, Noreen Blackett, Bev Mallabar

Above > Nikki Broadhurst, Stacey Laing, Joanne Lumley, Mel Turner, Jackie Boanson, Joanne Johnson

LIVING THE ROCKLIFFE LIFE! Rockliffe Hall, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, County Durham DL2 2DU. Tel: 01325 729999 www.rockliffehall.com

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22 FEBRUARY

MY MUDDY VALENTINE Do something a bit different for your loved one this February - get muddy! Unwind a deux, enjoy two deeply relaxing treatments, get steamy in the mud room and indulge in a romantic dinner. If you so desire, you can then adjourn to your room and take breakfast in The Orangery the next morning.

From £160 per person for the day or £230 per person for the overnight stay.

Above > Lisa Robertson, Angela Kane, Sarah Clitheroe, Above > Kathy Foster, Carolyn Pestellato Paula Lucas

A steamy afternoon guaranteed – with fish&chips thrown in. The NYMR steam railways has joined forces with The Quayside, the UK’s Fish and Chip Shop of the year, in Whitby for a steam train service that combines a trip to the seaside with a delicious fish supper on-board. Hop on board at Pickering and enjoy a scrumptious fish supper on the return trip from the seaside town. www.nymr.co.uk

FEBRUARY

WELCOME TO THE WEST END Audiences around the globe have applauded them, and now you too can enjoy the delights of the stars of musical spectacles such as The Buddy Holly Story, Jersey Boys and We Will Rock You as the stars come to Rockliffe Hall. On Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th January, you’ll be dancing in the aisles as ‘Welcome to the West End’ showcases the music of Frankie Valli, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and more. £45 per person including a 2-course dinner

Above > Rebecca Taylor, Nicole Dankin, Rebecca Barker, Sam Dankin

15 FEBRUARY

Robin French, the award-winning writer of Royal Court’s Bear Hug and screenwriter of Cuckoo brings a double bill of piercingly funny and irreverent plays about what it means to live and love in the 21st century to Live Theatre. Breakfast Hearts is a dark and disturbing comedy following two mismatched couples determined to find love. This sharp satire offers a startling exploration of the harsh realities of relationships. Expect cannibalism on the menu too! Choirplay features a cast of ten with a cynical swipe at our endless battle with wanting more. www.live.org.uk

15 FEBRUARY Sarah Millican joins the line-up for the The Customs House Charity Comedy Gala. The event will be hosted by Hebburn writer and star Jason Cook and also features fellow Hebburn star and Celebrity Juice regular Chris Ramsay.

The show will raise funds for The Customs House Trust, which provides art and cultural activities for the people of South Tyneside. www.customshouse. co.uk.

20 FEBRUARY

BALTIC presents the first major UK exhibition of Jason Rhoades, best known for his spectacular overloaded installations created with found objects, neon, Lego, power tools, snaking wires, figurines, and a vast range of other materials. This exhibition will be anchored by four major installations from across the artist’s career: Garage Renovation New York (Cherry Makita), 1993; The Creation Myth, 1998; Sutter’s Mill, 2000; and Untitled (from My Madinah: In pursuit of my ermitage...), 2004/2013. Rhoades’s large-scale installations are immediately accessible and eye-catching, charged with humour, vibrancy and the provocative audacity of his vision. Creation Myth comprises hundreds of objects from folding banquet tables, buckets, shredded paper, wooden logs, office equipment and furniture, video monitors to a smoke machine, which turn out to be a highly constructed model of the artist’s brain at work with sections for the accumulation of knowledge, memory processing and the subconscious. www.balticmill.com

JAN/FEB15

1 MARCH

DO THIS

FROM 20 FEBRUARY Winter gets warmed up for food lovers with the EatIN! Food Festival, bringing an indoors taster of the region’s EAT! to NewcastleGateshead. We’ve listed some of our favourites here but for more information on the whole foodie shenanigans, check out www.eatnewcastlegateshead.com

25 FEBRUARY

Wine tasting in a church? What’s not to love? The Lantern Cafe, St Nicholas Cathedral is the place to find your own peace for an evening of wine tasting with wine writer Helen Savage. The event includes a cold buffet of artisan breads and locally produced meats. www.eatnewcastlegateshead.com

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20 FEBRUARY

If a crab claw is your idea of heaven then you’re really already an unofficial member of the Crustacean Appreciation Club. Make it official at Irvins Brasserie in North Shields with the ‘Crustacean Appreciation Association’ Feast. Devour crabs, lobster, langoustine and shrimp plucked fresh by a local fishing fleet from the frigid deep!

Part of the EatIn festival, ticket includes five courses, live acoustic music - and definite membership to the CAA! www.irvinsbrasserie.co.uk

Ladies, this is your moment – disco in the daytime! Ramside Hall’s Ladies’ Day is about a bit of girl power. Sing a bit, dance a bit, sip a bit and chill with your chumettes. From noon until 6pm. £28pp.

To book, call 0191 386 5282 or email events@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

1 MARCH

Newcastle Wine Fair is the largest slurp-fest of its type in the North East.

Wander, swirl, sip and sample over 70 different wines from the region’s best independent wine merchants. New Zealand wine enthusiasts can enrol on an enlightening masterclass hosted

by Master of Wine, Peter McCombie. www.newcastlewineschool.com

Enjoy a night of fierce quiz rivalry as legends from Sunderland AFC, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough FC do battle to win the coveted Question of Sport accolade at Stadium of Light. Fans can test their sporting knowledge against the legends.

Each visitor will receive a drink on arrival followed by a hot buffet to keep their brain cells ticking. www.thestadiumoflight.com

Yes, kits are off for The Full Monty at Sunderland Empire. The perfect feel-good February night out. The famous tale set in 1997 about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose, except their trousers. www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderlandempire/

14

MARCH

Filter theatre’s radical re-creation features their trademark fusion of performance with integrated live music and sound to tell the classic story Macbeth. www.northernstage.co.uk

FEBRUARY&MARCH Get to grips with pizza-making fun at The Bakery, Gibside. Enjoy the shared joy of pizza baking in the wonderful new wood-fired oven bakery at National Trust Gibside. The classes will show you the easy-to-learn art of making the pizza dough and delicious toppings.

Book on 07910 866 564

28 FEBRUARY

23 FEBRUARY

10

Songs like I’m Every Woman, I Want To Break Free and Somebody Else’s Guy feature in Sex In suburbia, a show that won rave reviews.

Claire Sweeney stars in and co-writes this brand new comedy about dating, men and finding Mr Right. Penny Crowe is the host of a late-night radio phone-in. As Britain’s leading Agony Aunt, she takes calls about every date from hell and the occasional one from heaven. She is more than happy to dish out relationship advice, but is she as happy to take it…? www.atgtickets.com/venues/ sunderland-empire/

Top Gear Live gets big, brash, noisy and bangy as TV stars Clarkson, Hammond and May headline their 2015 UK arena tour this weekend at MetroRadioArena.

Madcap motor thrills and spills. www.metroradioarena.co.uk

27&28 FEBRUARY

Bolshoi Ballet comes to a cinema near you with a recorded live stage performance of the romance and tragedy of Romeo&Juliet. Screenings at Tyneside Cinema, Arc, Stockton and multiplexes. wwwbolshoiballetcinema.com

9 MARCH

FEBRUARY

Live it like decadent Gatsby as Newcastle’s Lit&Phil is transformed into the Long Island Gatsby Mansion for the night. Immerse yourself in one of the greatest love stories ever told at a unique screening of Baz Luhrmann’s ‘The Great Gatsby’. Step through the doors and into the roaring ’20s. Enjoy live music from the Jazz Age, sip bootleg cocktails matched and served in real time with those in the movie. In the party room, eat, drink, dance the Charleston… look fabulous. www.eatnewcastlegateshead.com

8&9 MARCH

25 FEBRUARY

13&14 MARCH Twilight tours of Belsay Hall mean you discover the Grecian mansion in a different light. The home once belonged to the Middleton family and their staff. Enjoy a hot drink on arrival and learn about the fascinating family that lived here. www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout

Are you murderous Don Draper or killer femme Peggy Olsen. Dress the part for a Mad Men-themed murder mystery at Harland Place in Norton.

Naturally a Scotch on the rocks will help you cope with the clues. www.12harlandplace.co.uk

27

FEBRUARY

Were saying cheers to Matfen Hall’s ‘Wines of the World’ dinners which start the sipping trail with a trip to Burgundy, land of Chablis and Meursault. Give them your attention alongside a three-course dinner. £49.50 per person.

Book on 01661 886 500. www.matfenhall.com

14

MARCH

Teesside High School in Eaglescliffe holds an open day, 10am-1pm.

Take a tour, ask some questions and find out more about school life from nursery to 6th form. Register interest by calling 01642 782095 www.teessidehigh.co.uk

UNTIL APRIL

4 APRIL

Spend an evening in the company of Stuart Maconie at Sage, Gateshead as he tells the story of modern Britain through the records that we listened to and loved during the dramatic and kaleidoscopic period from the Second World War to the present day. The People’s Songs, a social history told through pop singles, is a project that Stuart is both proud of and passionate about. www.stuartmaconie.com www.sagegateshead.org.uk

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014, now in its 50th year, provides a global showcase of the very best nature photography. The competition boasts talent from professional and amateur photographers of all ages, from around the globe. Life Science Centre, Newcastle. www.life.org.uk

14&15 APRIL

Top TV comic Dara O Briain plays Middlesbrough Town Hall with brand new show, Crowd Tickler. He’s hosted Mock The Week, is a regular on Have I Got News For You and QI. The Town Hall spring comedy line-up for 2015, includes, Jimmy Carr (28 March), Alan Carr (19 April & 30), Katherine Ryan (16 May), Patrick Monahan (13 June). www.middlesbroughtownhallonline.co.uk

JAN/FEB15

SUPPLIERS OF UNIQUE AND STYLISH FITTINGS

Whole School Open Day Saturday 14 March 10am - 1pm

We would be delighted to welcome you and your family to our Open Day on Saturday 14 March 2015 10 am – 1 pm. The open day is a great opportunity to experience life at Teesside High School and to see what our school can offer your child.

Great GCSE Results

Award-Winning Sixth Form

An average class size of less than 15

5 Free Nursery Sessions per week

On-site Forest School

Diamond Model of Teaching

Teesside High School, The Avenue, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-On-Tees, TS16 9AT 01642 782095 www.teessidehigh.co.uk

Private Dining

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE WWW.SARAHBOWENLIGHTING.CO.UK 63 - 65 HIGH STREET | GOSFORTH | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE3 4AA TEL: 0191 285 3671

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LUXE LIFE

CHRIS JACKSON Chris Jackson is the presenter of Inside Out, the BBC’s regional current affairs show. He was born in Newcastle but lived abroad as a child, hence no Geordie accent!

Chris returned to the North East in 1986 joining the BBC as the Northumberland producer for Radio Newcastle and then Inside Out in 2002. He has been named Presenter of the Year three times in the regional Royal Television Society awards LUXE PEOPLE >> I am fortunate to have met lots of people from all walks of life but I did get a bit starstruck when filming Dame Judi Dench.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > The Cheviots.

A long holiday > Costa Rica or Canada for the wildlife.

A treat > Any country tea room.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Indian or Thai food, ideally in the country of origin.

Best wine > Love wines from the Marlborough region of new Zealand.

Perfect weekend > Walking the hills and a relaxing long soak in the bath with the Sunday papers.

Best telly > Gogglebox and Downton for non-taxing viewing.

16

Best book > Any crime thriller.

Best sounds > Anything 80s to relive my youth.

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Barcelona.

Luxe retail treat > A really nice fountain pen.

Best buy > Hedge trimmers – no, really!

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Meal in private restaurant up the Eiffel Tower.

Perfect party > Close friends only, venue immaterial.

Best outfit > A sparkly dinner jacket.

Dinner date > My lips are sealed.

YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> Seeing my nieces and great nephew growing up.

The latest series of Inside Out (NE & Cumbria) is on BBC One on Mondays, 7.30pm.

JAN/FEB15

dine later.

shop longer. smile wider.

Shopping late isn’t just for Christmas.

Shop ’til 8pm Mon–Fri and 7pm Sat. Park free from 5pm Mon–Sat in Council multi-storey car parks.

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JAN/FEB15

IN THE MIX

Stirring stuff The legendary Queen of Cakes Mary Berry is not just a sweet-talker but a lady with a formidable work ethic. Katharine Capocci catches up with The Great British Bake Off star ahead of a visit to the region The talk may be sweet, ranging from baking, cakes and cookbooks to ‘that’ Zara bomber jacket, but there’s no mistaking there’s a hint of steel to Mary Berry, Britain’s favourite home cook.

Our telephone chat is scheduled for 9.30am - and very glad I am that I ring through to her home in Buckinghamshire on the dot, my precision duly noted by Mary herself. Not a minute earlier, not a minute after…

She is full of charm with a matronly, faintly formidable ‘no messing’ edge as she chats away easily for the duration of our interview, deftly but charmingly batting away any questions she doesn’t want to tackle.

Not even 10am and this super-organised doyenne of home cooking has “been to the hairdressers, done the shopping and back home”. It’s close to Christmas but Mary explains (should I be surprised?), she’s “absolutely fine for Christmas”. And she was on savoury duty this time, cooking a turkey for a big family get-together at her son’s home.

“I’m going to my son’s and I shall be cooking the turkey here, then I shall wrap the turkey up and it’s about an hour’s journey. There will be a big crowd of us all sharing the cooking tasks.”

The 79-year-old blue-eyed star of BBC1’s The Great British Bake Off has encouraged a new generation of home cooks and inspired millions more of us to dust off cake tins and don pinnies.

One of the nation’s most respected cookery writers, Mary has over 70 cookbooks to her name, although she modestly admits she doesn’t even know the exact number and insists some of them are more like booklets.

She’s currently riding high with the success of several cookbooks, among them the number one best-selling Mary Berry Cooks. Other latest titles include Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect, Mary Berry At Home, Family Sunday Lunches and Mary Berry’s Complete Cookbook. Millions of us swear by the latter bumper-sized tome of over 1000 family favourites, updated in 2012.

She concedes: “I’m very lucky. My feet are very much on the ground. I love what I do and it’s very interesting.”

She does admit the rise in popularity in baking is in part down to the phenomenal success of Bake Off. Incredibly, some 13.5 million viewers tuned in for last year’s final, which successfully transferred from BBC2 to primetime BBC1 in 2014.

“Of course, it’s The Great British Bake Off. It’s something you can do at home and enjoy with the family. People watch the Bake Off and think. ‘I will have a go’ and it’s got families together and many of the things you go out together to are very expensive whereas cooking at home need not be expensive.”

Mary and her co-judge, baker Paul Hollywood, preside over the antics of amateur cooks tackling a series of weekly baking challenges. It’s fair to say there’s a

JAN/FEB15

We test the recipes.

We don’t have too many ingredients. They are practical recipes that people enjoy. In short, they work

>> Mary Berry Cooks the Perfect, published by DK, £25, dk.com

sprinkling of tears, tantrums and soggy bottom traumas in the marquee mix. And it really wouldn’t be the same without cheeky co-presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins giving it the odd stir.

There’s a genuine warmth between her and Paul, whom she treats rather like a naughty schoolboy when he steps out of line! “We get on very well. We are totally different.

I respect him. He’s a brilliant bread maker and he realises I know a bit about cakes.”

With another series of Bake Off in the offing, 2015 is shaping up to be yet another busy year for Mary, who turns 80 in March, and will mark the milestone with her family. She lives with husband Paul Hunnings, who often accompanies her on appearances at fairs, and is mum to Tom and Annabel. Sadly, her other son, William, was killed in a car crash, aged just 19.

Remarkably, Mary shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. “I have done a new series for TV, Absolute Favourites.” BBC Books will publish the accompanying book of the series airing in spring, Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites, which will include 100 new recipes, on 26 February. Filming starts too in April/May on the sixth series of Bake Off. As well as her own kitchen products range in John Lewis and Sainsbury’s; “they are very good quality,” she says, as you’d expect, Mary makes a number of appearances at the BBC Good Food Shows and other foodie fairs for cookery demos and Q&A sessions.

She is no stranger to our own region having visited a number of times in the last few years, including a fair at Newcastle Racecourse for a cookery demo and Q&A and Eggleston Hall in Barnard Castle. She’s next in the North East on 28 March for the opening of the flagship new Barker & Stonehouse furniture store in Stockton.

“I haven’t been yet but it’s very high quality. I’m opening the new store and I will be taking part in Q&As. Anyone can ask what they like. I’m doing two Q&As. I’m looking forward to coming to Barker & Stonehouse. It sounds as though it’s an amazing store. It’s very big – the biggest furniture store in Britain I’m told.”

Any talk of her being a role model is swatted away, even though the title’s well deserved. Mary, who received a CBE in 2012 and is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the prestigious Guild of Food Writers among her many accolades, trained at The Cordon Bleu in Paris and Bath School of Home Economics.

In the sixties she became the cookery editor of Housewife magazine, followed by Ideal Home magazine.

Her first TV series, Afternoon Plus, with Judith Chalmers, aired in the early 70s. Throughout the 80s she continued writing books and filming TV series for the BBC from her home.

Her top-selling books sell well for good reason. “We >>

19

IN THE MIX research them very well. We test the recipes. We don’t have too many ingredients. They are practical recipes that people enjoy. They work, in short.”

She is still learning, she admits, and takes inspiration from all chefs. “I admire the chefs. They teach me all sorts of tips and techniques. When you go out for a meal you want to have something that’s too complicated at home. I admire them – I watch them all and still pick up tips.”

Her own favourite dishes – especially for big gatherings – are the family ones that her extended brood can tuck into.

“I like all the family dishes. I do an updated lasagne with sausagemeat. I fry until it’s all crispy and delicious. I do cottage pies and shepherd’s pies and we all love fish pies.

Mary likes the fish pies because “everything goes in at once; it’s not too much washing up”.

For inspiration for her recipes she looks to the seasons and tries out new ingredients. “I try to cook things to have a twist on something I have done before and new ingredients.

Some ingredients become popular like fennel and celeriac so I use them and I try to do recipes for things that they aren’t used to cooking.”

Although she insists she’s far from it, Mary’s a bit of a trend-setter, still donning jeans and snappy colourful jackets and scarves. And as for the kerfuffle over the floral silky £29.99 Zara bomber jacket she wore for one Bake Off show.

The jacket sold out nationwide within days and saw the food writer acquire fashion icon status.

She explains the appeal of the jacket was really more for practical reasons: “I like the bomber jacket because I could put lots of things on underneath!” Particularly useful when filming on a chilly day in a draughty marquee in the middle of a field.

“I don’t know if I’m a trend-setter. I wear clothes for people of my age. I don’t wear too short, too tight or too much decollete. I wear things that are cheerful and not ‘mutton dressed as lamb’. I wear a lot of jackets.

“I think you should dress to your figure. I’m reasonably small and I’m a great one for comfort. All the things that I wear are comfortable. There are so many shops now, Zara and Jaeger etc. They are reasonably priced and stylish and good fabrics.

“I dress myself for normal but we have a stylist on Bake Off but I usually choose the outfit myself.”

On the subject of cooking in schools, she says: “It’s being encouraged more. It’s coming back now. My aim would be that children can cook 8 to 10 nutritious meals that aren’t junk food.” Something that would see teenagers better able to cope “when they go off to uni or apprenticeships”.

As in other areas of her life, Mary exercises iron control when it comes to her own diet. “I have a healthy diet. I have sensible size portions and say no to a second slice.”

To mangle her catchphrase, what more sensible advice to avoid a saggy bottom...

QUEEN OF CAKES VISITS TEESSIDE>> Mary Berry will be opening the new Barker and Stonehouse store and head office at Teesside Retail Park on 28 March. The state-of-the-art showcase store and head office, covering 4,827sq m, will be situated at the entrance to the retail park and feature an in-store café and two floors of furniture, with parking space for 100 cars.

On the day, Mary will be signing books and taking part in Q&As with a public audience. In-store competitions and refreshments will also be available. www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

MARY’S LUXE THINGS IN LIFE>> >> “A day off I would be visiting someone’s beautiful garden in the summer and on the way home stop at the pub and have a lovely pub meal.” >> Mary has a lot of shoes “but they must be comfy”. >> “The main thing with a handbag for me is it has to be light.” For this reason she likes Longchamp bags: “A light one in the summer and a dark one in the winter.”

20

LIME AND BLUEBERRY RING DRIZZLE >>

Fresh limes and juicy blueberries add a lovely flavour, colour, and texture to this sponge. To get maximum juice from the limes, microwave them all together for 30–60 seconds before squeezing.

(Serves 24 200 calories per serving) INGREDIENTS >> • 225g (8oz) butter (room temperature) or baking spread (at least 70% fat), plus extra for greasing • 225g (8oz) caster sugar • 275g (91⁄2oz) self-raising flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 4 large eggs • 2 tbsp full-fat or semi-skimmed milk • finely grated rind of 3 limes • 100g (31⁄2oz) blueberries FOR THE GLAZE • 6 tbsp lime juice (from 3–4 limes) • 175g (6oz) granulated sugar Special equipment 1.7 litre (3 pint) ring mould, 23cm (9in) diameter and 7.5cm (3in) deep; fine skewer METHOD >> 1 >> Preheat the oven to 180ºC (fan 160ºC/350ºF/Gas 4).

Grease the ring mould. Cut about 8–10 strips of baking parchment, each 15 x 2.5cm (6 x 1in), and use them to line the mould (see below, line the ring mould).

2 >> Place the butter, caster sugar, flour, and baking powder in a large bowl. Add the eggs, milk, and lime rind and beat using an electric hand whisk for about 2 minutes (or 3 minutes with a wooden spoon) until smooth.

3 >> Spoon half the mixture into the ring mould and

level it, then scatter the blueberries over the top, keeping them away from the edge of the mould (this makes them less likely to stick). Spoon the rest of the mixture over the blueberries, and spread it evenly with a palette knife to cover the fruit.

4 >> Bake for 35–40 minutes or until well risen and the top springs back when lightly pressed. While the cake bakes, make the glaze: mix the lime juice with the granulated sugar and set aside. Leave the cake to cool in its tin for a few minutes, then loosen the side with a palette knife. Turn it out onto a wire rack set over a baking tray, and peel off the lining strips.

5 >> While the cake is still warm, prick all over with the skewer. Stir the glaze, then spoon it over the warm cake. Leave to cool completely. (See below, glaze the warm cake.)

KEYS TO PERFECTION >> >> Line the ring mould >> As the ring mould is quite deep, it’s best to skewer very small holes all over the warm cake before glazing, so the glaze can soak in. Use a fine skewer (sometimes called a “cake tester”) so the holes aren’t too big. >> To prevent the cake from sticking to the ring mould, line it with 8–10 parchment strips. Lay the strips at equal intervals, starting from the top of the inner funnel, down to the bottom of the mould, and up the side. >> Spoon the glaze over the cake slowly (or it will run off ) and let it drizzle down and soak in before spooning over more. Rub it down the sides with the spoon. Glaze while the cake is still warm; if cool, the glaze will not soak in.

JAN/FEB15

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LUXE LOVES A dog’s life Cuddle a cute hound, minus any stray hairs. Lambswool dog cushions, £35 www.roseandgrey.co.uk

22

JAN/FEB15

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LUXE LIFE

MARCUS KITCHING

A £25 trial scuba dive in Billingham changed Marcus’ life. Today the 22-year-old lives on a luxury yacht in the Bahamas where the day job is a dive instructor and shark feeder!

LUXE PEOPLE >> I value the people in my life now immensely. My work colleagues at Stuart Coves Dive Bahamas, particularly Kat who is like a mother to me. The clients from all over the world I teach to dive and feed sharks with. Friends I still have back in England, my hugely supportive dad whom I speak to every week, and not least my uncles, Neil and John, who I live with on the yacht in Nassau.

LUXE PLACES >> A weekend > New York, staying at The Waldorf. New York never fails to inspire me and it’s only two hours away from home. I love the contrast between the hustle of 5th Avenue and the tranquility of Central Park.

A long holiday > Chicago to LA on Route 66, two weeks on a Harley Davidson. A gruelling ride, not for the faint-hearted but a ‘must do’ for any biker.

A treat > Las Vegas - so much more to see and do than just the casinos. Staying at The Bellagio with a fountain view room would be the real treat.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Uncle Neil’s spaghetti bolognaise. The best ‘spag bol’ ever.

Best wine > The best wine I have ever tasted was a bottle of Sauternes, Chateau d’ Yquem 1967. I think it cost the price of a small car.

Favorite restaurant > Rosie’s at Wilton Manor in Fort Lauderdale, great food, service and atmosphere, quite a special place.

Perfect weekend > Skiing on Hohe Salve mountain in Zell, Austria. Lunch at Schnapps Hans at the top with an obscene amount of alcohol and some Lumba Bumbas to get us down to the bottom. Followed by a naked spa at the Grand Hotel in Zell, a nice place to hang out.

Downtime means > A cold beer and a cigarette, sat on the verandah at The Ocean Club here on Paradise Island, Nassau, overlooking the turquoise, warm waters and white sand.

Best telly > Movies. We are lucky to get recent movies quite quickly given our proximity to the USA. I liked Saving Mr Banks and Begin Again.

Best book > Being Happy by Andrew Mathews. This book helped to change my life. In a nutshell - if you are not happy with your life, stop moaning, make a realistic plan how you are going to change it and get on with it!

We have a saying here in The Bahamas... “what matters; really matters, what doesn’t matter; really doesn’t matter’.

It helps keep your life in perspective and stress-free. This book is of the same ilk.

BEST SOUNDS >> A girlfriend saying, “It’s over, I hate you, we’re finished”.

Music to my ears.

I also enjoy listening to Ben Howard, who I saw in concert in Leeds. Sam Smith, Chet Baker and Flume.

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > New York Favorite shop > Some Men Like It Haute, Wilton Manor. Fort Lauderdale. A small consignment shop full of pre-owned designer menswear at giveaway prices. I have had some great stuff from here, everything from an Armani jacket to Prada pants.

Luxe retail treat > A real ‘find’ from the shop above.

Best buy > My one-way airline ticket to The Bahamas.

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Seeing Chris Botti in concert at The Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, followed by dinner at the Old Ebbitt Grill, round the corner from The White House.

Perfect party > The Palace Bar on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.

Drag queens and cocktails - hilarious.

Best outfit > My Neptunic chainmail shark suit with my Halcyon Wing, essential dive kit that thankfully has never let me down (no pun intended).

Dinner date > My Dad. My Luxe item > My Ducati Monster 696 motorbike.

24

JAN/FEB15

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TOP IT ALL

eat

Hearth of the matter Nicholas Thexton has found the perfect way to earn a crust. His artisan pizza place is a little taste of Naples in the North. Just don’t ask for ham and pineapple

Did you know the perfect pizza crust needs just 90 second to achieve fluff-meets-crunch perfection? And one darned hot oven.

It’s all in the detail says Nicholas Thexton, who make pizza dreams come true in what is the wood-fired fast-food takeaway of dreams.

Stable Hearth is the name of the gourmet gaff. It hides in, you guessed it, the former stables at the Cross Keys pub in Gainford near Darlington.

At the pub you can down a pint of decent real ale while you wait for your order, thought at 90 seconds a pizza you might be knocking it back in some haste.

Stable Hearth is a dream realised for Nicholas. He worked in the hospitality trade in the region for more than 15 years and took a break to delve into the foodie rather than management side of things.

Pizza went from pleasure to a passion when decided to live an artisan food dream and

26

create a business making the ultimate authentic Neopolitan pizza.

He ventured to Naples in search of pizza perfection with then perfected his own pizza-baking technique through constant re-evaluation and endless practice.

“You learn with practice and more practice.

I tried three different flours before I got one I was happy with. It is all about starting the process with good quality produce”, he says.”After going to The wood fired oven he cooks with is the ultimate piece of kit, cooking brothers The Fabulous Baker Boys have got a similar one.

It is fired up with dry wood like beech, oak or fruit, all of which might subtly change the flavour of the cooked pizza.

The dough making day starts at around 10am when Nicholas makes several trays of dough balls ready to be hand stretched, topped and fired.

The oven gets fired up at 10.30am in the

morning and by 5pm it is pizza-perfect at a minimum of 400 degrees C. Then the relay of those 2-minute pizzas begins for the hungry hoards who have discovered the pleasures that lie in the stable.

Among them is James Close, Michelin-star chef and luxe food columnist. His Raby Hunt restaurant is a short hop from Stable Hearth and James has become a bit of a devotee of this rustic artisan.

“He is something of a food hero”, says James.

“Nick is doing something small scale to artisan perfection. Passionate about those pizzas, loving what he creates. They taste amazing.”

The heat makes all the difference to the reaction of dough and is the crucial factor: “High heat over a certain temperature changes the way the pizza reacts and creates the good crust – it can cook in under two minutes, the perfect pizza crust is called ‘cornicione’”. He explains.

“Toppings should not detract from the base.

We do the basics but it is an on-going joke that I will not make a ham and pineapple pizza for anyone, it’s just wrong!”, he laughs.

In his little food hub Nick’s menu also runs to house salads and speciality sides such as arancini and Pane Bufala.

He is looking to expand the anti-pasti

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TOP IT ALL

range too, always paying attention to simple but authentic ingredients.

Nick has plans to grow his artisan business, including opening a restaurant in the region this year. No doubt it will be a success: people love to eat his pizzas – and he has been recognised in the Teesdale business awards.

He is evangelical about promoting his authentic ‘cornicione’ message to the deep pan pizza brigade.

“I figure that if you are going to do something like this you have to put your heart and soul into it and be the best you can be.” www.stablehearth.com

JAN/FEB15

I figure that if you are going to do something like this you have to put your heart and soul into it and be the best you can

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MAKE IT EASY

Off duty WITH DAVE COULSON

Chef Dave Coulson, of Peace&Loaf, Jesmond recently spent a night working at The People’s Kitchen in Newcastle, helping their volunteer cooks prepare, cook and serve homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable who turn to the kitchen for help. Dave shares his recipes

Few things are as welcome as a hearty and healthy casserole at this time of year. You can work some magic the Coulson way with a couple of dishes that are satisfying to the wellbeing of waistline and purse. Better still if you’ve got a glut of allotment produce to get rid of.

They are easy and satisfying - and quite good recipes to get the kids cooking.

SPICY WINTER CASSEROLE >> Serves 6 Ingredients 500g chicken thighs 1 chopped onion 700g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 4 carrots, peeled and sliced thickly 2 parsnips, peeled and thickly sliced 3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped finely 2 chicken stock cubes 1 litre of water 2 x 410g tins kidney beans 1 heaped teaspoon ground cumin Salt and black pepper (to taste) Bunch fresh coriander Sunflower oil (or olive oil, whichever you prefer to cook with) Method In a large saucepan fry the chicken thighs in your preferred oil until browned.

Over a medium heat, add the onion, garlic and ground cumin. Sauté for a few minutes, stirring regularly. Add the water, stock cubes, potatoes, carrots, parsnips and tins of kidney beans - season and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally.

Turn the heat down, cover with a lid and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken and vegetables are tender. Top with chopped coriander and serve. Surprisingly, natural yoghurt and naan bread are a nice accompaniment to this dish, but it’s just as delicious served on its own.

Dave is head chef and business partner at Peace&Loaf, 217 Jesmond Road, Newcastle, NE2 1LA. Tel: 0191 2815222. www.peaceandloaf.co.uk Find out more about the work of People’s KItchen www.peopleskitchen.co.uk

Healthy casseroles and crumbles are magic this time of year, satisfying the waistline and purse

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JAN/FEB15

middletonlodge.co.uk

01325 377977

Photo courtesy of Gary Walsh

NUTRITIONAL WORKSHOP 26TH FEBRUARY 2015

FRESH FRUIT CRUMBLE >> Ingredients 4 large cooking apples (peeled, cored and cut in to large chunks) 1 tbsp water 3 tbsp sugar 225g fresh blackberries (frozen if you can’t get fresh) or mixed berries if you prefer 270g plain flour 75g butter 75g demerara sugar * Hidden extras: Sometimes I like to mix up the crumble a bit by adding in nuts (pecan, almond or walnuts work well) – alternatively, you can use oats as well. If you’re looking to cut down on the sugar, you can use standard apples rather than cooking apples, though the texture of this will be different.

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Method Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4.

Put the apple chunks, water and sugar in to a saucepan over a mid-low heat, and cook until the apples are soft. This should take round 10 minutes. Whilst softening the apples, stir every minute to prevent it sticking. Taste the apple, if not quite sweet enough, add sugar to taste.

Transfer the apple in to your large pie dish (or individual bowls if doing separate portions) and allow to cool slightly. Once cooled, add in the berries and stir. Set the fruit to one side.

For the crumble, rub the butter in to the flour until it resembles very coarse breadcrumbs. Combine this with sugar. If you’ve added nuts or oats, combine this with the butter and flour.

Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the slightly cooled apple and bake for 30-45 mins (15 mins for small individual portions).

Serve warm with whipped cream, custard or vanilla ice-cream.

HAVE YOU OVERINDULGED THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR? Is your New Year’s resolution to eat more healthily and improve your lifestyle? The Coach House at Middleton Lodge is launching its very first Nutrition and lifestyle Workshop.

Kate Chaytor-Norris who trained at the Optimum Nutrition in London is holding a workshop on February 26th 2015 the cost is £75pp to include a FOUR HOUR WORKSHOP and TWO COURSE LUNCH with selected REFRESHMENTS

MEET THE WINEMAKER 12TH MARCH 2015

BODEGA RUCA MALEN is a boutique winery in Mendoza, Argentina, producing elegant, stylish wines from classic grape varieties. Hailing from Argentina’s premier wine region and home to over half the country’s cultivated vines. Gareth Rayner our Head Chef has created an EXCLUSIVE 4 COURSE MENU TO PERFECTLY COMPLEMENT THE WINE including Traditional Argentinian Cuisine which pairs perfectly with these bold Wines. £50pp to include GUEST SPEAKER, CHAMPAGNE ON ARRIVAL, FOUR COURSES with matching wines paired to each course.

MOTHERS DAY 15TH MARCH 2015

COME AND CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY WITH US AT THE COACH HOUSE on Sunday 15th March 2015 table bookings available from 12 noon to last orders 4pm. THREE COURSE SUNDAY LUNCH for £30pp. Optional upgrade available to include CHAMPAGNE, FLOWERS and CHOCOLATES at the table. We are very excited to announce that there will be some OPTIONAL CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT available for a small fee of £10 per child for a 1.5 hr session. Mother’s Day themed arts and crafts and biscuit decoration (Limited numbers).

Photos courtesy of GASP Photography

ALL OUR EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AS VOUCHERS MAKING THE PERFECT GIFT FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL TO BOOK or for details of future events please call reception to book on 01325 377977 or email info@middletonlodge.co.uk K n e e t o n L a n e , M i d d l e t o n Ty a s , R i c h m o n d , N o r t h Yo r k s h i r e , D L 1 0 6 N J

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RUSTIC RETREAT The place is busy, warm and welcoming. It is definitely more dress-down pub than restaurant. The menu reflects this with a range of dishes – share a hearty tea-time pie or blow out on the beef rib.

The menu is all about locality given a light and modern twist from young (some might even say hip) chef Shaun Hurrell. He’s been with Marcus Wareing at The Berkley and Fergus Henderson at The St John Chinatown Restaurant and Hotel before coming here to open St Mary’s Inn. He brings fresh eyes and tastes with a perfectly judged menu – our appetites whetted by Lindisfarne oysters with a couple each for pre-starters. They are rich creamy billowing chunks of salty sea loveliness, especially teamed with the aforementioned crusty bread.

I moved on to black pudding with some crispy cubed potatoes and poached duck egg. The mix doesn’t quite work for me, all a bit separate rather than melded and chunky iceberg leaves are too hefty with the runny egg yolk.

My husband’s celeriac pasta is something of a wow though – delicate handmade pasta parcels with a lovely creamed celeriac stuffing. It is velvety, rich and has a nice balance of soft earthy flavours, made with an elegant fine dining touch.

For our main course we are only swayed from the tempting halibut and white beans by the thought of a rib of Dexter beef to share. It arrives at our table on a platter that suggests one of those US-style meat challenges. I know, what did we expect?

It is rare and rich, deep ruby red in colour with that perfect blackened charred edge. Little bubbles of buttery fat peep around the edges like festive baubles. These are meltingly good with the intense, hefty and bloody flavour of the aged beef. It is a carnivore’s dream of a dish, one of those ‘last meal’ affairs. We get a little bowl of nice béarnaise sauce and a mini jug of peppercorn sauce that’s too hot to handle – and a heap of watercress that goes untouched, sorry. This is not least because we’re diving in to bone marrow and parsley chips which have that dripping-ish smell of an old-fashioned nana’s house at teatime. They’re flippin gorgeous, stick-like and crispy. And lovely as they are, we don’t do justice to the buttery greens either.

We’re unable to comment on the puds. Just couldn’t make it. However we’ll kind of vouch for the lemon meringue ice cream sundae because it was a sold-out success –

The inn thing Book in for breakfast as well as dinner at the newlyopened St Mary’s Inn near Morpeth. It’s a gem - for perfect sourdough and more, as Kathryn Armstrong discovers I am digging into my breakfast of avocado on sourdough and anticipating the unrivalled pleasure of a knifepoint unleashing the yellowy unctuousness of a poached egg yolk.

I have the Sunday papers by my side and happen upon a paragraph telling me that this very meal has been consigned to the ‘so last year’ food style barometer. Pah! Am I in the food hinterland just days into January? No. I am just pleased to be northern, where the sourdough crust is a thing of ecstasy and you really don’t have to worry about the style quotient of your first meal of the day.

Actually we’d made a crusty acquaintance with Mr Sourdough the previous night at dinner. He rose like a shark fin from a wooden bread-holding contraption that had a hole for the butter knife, making for an experience all its own.

So, you get the picture. At St Mary’s Inn, bread is worth breaking, breakfast is a feast.

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The inn itself opened late last year. It’s from the Jesmond Dene House family, its rustic relative you might say. That’s why it should be good and it is. The inn is the former admin office for what was the adjoining St Mary’s mental hospital, the whole site of which is now home to some new-build properties, making for a les rustic approach than you expect.

The style of the place reflects its Edwardian age with a fuss-free interior that nods to simplicity of the Arts and Crafts era. There are parquet floors, wood-panelled snug-like bar areas, open-fires that are a morning’s job for manager Victor and white-washed brick walls.

It is a bit of maze downstairs with cosy corners and divided eating areas that lead to a high-vaulted and happy light-filled breakfast room with a bonny cherry-printed wall.

The bedrooms are different again. Head to them through a rather dazzlingly white painted stairway and landing which acts as a gallery backdrop for the original artworks of artist Judith Appleby. Her paintings on show are of local reservoirs which the rooms at St Mary’s are named after.

We’re in Catcleugh. It is simple, high-ceilinged and fuss-free. Not too hot and with a window that opens!

Very restful with its big, big bed (wought iron, crafted by Borders blacksmith Stan Pike) with cloud-puff duvet.

Down to dinner and we grab a pint of St Mary’s, a bespoke ale made for the inn by people at Wylam Brewery and one of a number of smashing local brews. So good we had another…

Bone marrow and parsley chips have that dripping-ish smell of an old-fashioned nana’s house at teatime

and we’ll try the brewer’s malt ice-cream next time.

And anyway, we’ve breakfast to prepare for. I’ve told you about the avocado/sourdough/poached egg thing – full marks, on-trend or not. Husband coped with more beef for breakfast, salt beef hash with a fried duck egg which was pretty special. Great way to round off a laid-back stay.

Dinner main courses and specials from £9.50 Beef rib to share, £50 B&B from £80 for two people St Mary’s Inn, St Mary’s Lane, St Mary’s Park, Morpeth, NE61 6BL. Tel: 01670 293293 www.stmarysinn.co.uk

LICK LIVELY

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teamed up with Fenwick Food Hall, Newcastle, to highlight local food and drink producers. Each edition will focus on a regional food producer and showcase exactly what you can do with their products in your kitchen with recipes from Fenwick head chefs. This month, we are featuring a truly artisan product, perfect for making tantalising creations this Valentine’s Day. Bev Stephenson has been supplying the Fenwick Food Hall with North Chocolates’ award-winning chocolate bars for more than a year. Made in Newcastle in small batches, Bev only uses the finest couverture, which means more cocoa and cocoa butter, less sugar and no vegetable fat; this makes a great chocolate for cooking with (or simply devouring one’s self!).

We’ve come up with some speedy, stress-free desserts for you to whip up for a loved one this Valentine’s Day!

Dark Chocolate, Sea Salt and Beetroot Brownies (Makes approximately 8) North Chocolates’ Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt is the perfect ingredient for these super easy chocolate brownies. The fruity notes in this dark chocolate work well with the salt and beetroot to create a smooth richness. Even the salt in this chocolate is local, smoked using traditional methods in North Shields. Jura Elixir 12-year-old Single Malt is the perfect match with this rich dessert; serve a small glass on the side.

Ingredients 100g North Chocolates’ Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt 125g unsalted butter 25g roasted beetroot (cut into small dice) 40g cocoa powder teaspoon baking powder 40g plain flour 180g caster sugar 2 eggs Method Preheat your oven to 160°c/ Gas Mark 3. Gently melt the chocolate and butter over a bain marie on a low heat (ensure the bottom of the bowl and the water are not touching). While the chocolate is melting, whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add all the other ingredients into a separate bowl and fold in the melted chocolate mix.

When all the ingredients are combined, fold in the egg mix. Line a small greaseproof tray with baking parchment and spoon in the mixture.

Place in the centre of the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until gooey in the centre and with a crust on top. Test with a knife to ensure it is moist in the middle but with no liquid appearing on the blade. Leave to cool then turn out before slicing.

All of the ingredients listed in the recipes above can be found in the Fenwick Food Hall.

North Chocolates’ Dark Chocolate with Orange and Geranium £3.95 North Chocolates’ Dark Chocolate with Smoked Sea Salt £3.95 North Chocolates’ Dark Chocolate Single Origin 72% £3.95 Whisky and dessert wine matches: Elysium Black Muscat 37.5cl £10.99 Jura Elixir 12-yr-old Single Malt 70cl £36. Available from Fenwick Wine Shop

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ngredients… i l na Home-made so a e Chocolate Truffles with Crushed

s Coffee Beans (Makes approximately 20) ti h Home-made truffles are surprisingly easy to make and

w are sure to win originality points this Valentine’s! We use North

ways with... North Chocolates

foods and t local ins s e b pir In our new e ing th food&drink column, we’ve g

Chocolates’ Dark Chocolate Single Origin 72%. This is a great dark bar from Venezuela which balances perfectly with strong flavours like the crushed coffee beans. Serve with a glass of dessert wine such as Elysium Black Muscat, which pairs happily with dark chocolate.

Ingredients 100g North Chocolates’ Venezuelan Single Origin 100ml double cream 120g caster sugar 50ml water 50g coffee beans Method Preheat oven to 160°c/ Gas Mark 3. Gently melt the chocolate over a bain marie on a low heat (ensure the bottom of the bowl and the water are not touching). Boil the water and sugar together until golden brown then add the cream slowly. Simmer gently for 1 minute before removing from the heat to cool down. When the mixture is at equal temperature to the chocolate, combine together and stir gently. Pour into a small tray and set in the fridge.

Meanwhile pulse your coffee beans in a small blender until coarse. When the chocolate mixture is set use a teaspoon dipped in hot water to spoon out a small ball. Drop into the crushed coffee beans and lay on a tray to set again. Serve with frozen grapes.

Dark Chocolate, Orange and Geranium Fondant (Makes 4) Add a twist to a classic chocolate fondant by using North Chocolates’ Dark Chocolate with Orange and Geranium. The rose-like notes balance well with the bitter tones of the chocolate, creating a floral yet rich melting middle.

Ingredients 50g unsalted butter 50g North Chocolates’ Dark Chocolate with Orange and Geranium 1 egg 1 egg yolk 60g caster sugar 50g plain flour A small amount of butter and cocoa for moulds Method Preheat your oven to 160°c / Gas Mark 3. Grease 4 ramekins with butter and dust with cocoa, reserve.

Gently melt the chocolate and butter over a bain marie on a low heat (ensure the bottom of the bowl and the water are not touching).

Whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Combine with the chocolate mix and fold in flour gently. Spoon into the moulds and bake for 12 minutes in ramekins.

Turn out and serve.

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MARKETS MOOCH

Chef’s table

WITH JAMES CLOSE, THE REGION’S ONLY MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF

New year, new food adventures Our Christmas lunch of 60-day-aged sirloin is a distant memory now, albeit a good one. Fantastic meat and nothing beats the flavour of the fat, unbelievably good. We aged the meat in our fridge at the restaurant and I am thinking of going for 80-day ageing next time and serving it at Raby Hunt. At home for Christmas we also had a lovely black pig acorn-fed ham from Spain to complete the gluttony. This year is going to be all about the expansion of our kitchen with a new extension to our very cramped space. It will mean we can get to work with all kinds of gadgetry and really up our game when it comes to technical standards.

>> Alpina Hotel

JANUARY

gives us a bit of a breather at Raby Hunt. We’re heading to the slopes at Gstaad and I’m looking forward to eating at Restaurant Sommet at The Alpina Hotel, Gstaad where Marcus Lindner is head chef with a Michelin star. We’ve been out and about eating in London in the past few weeks with some good and some less good memories. Riding high was a meal at Clove Club in Shoreditch, home of the famous buttermilk chicken (pictured below), which never disappoints.

This place is riding high as a cool place to go. It has it right though, relaxed dining with the right level of service. Service still needs to be impeccable even somewhere modern and laid-back.

This year in the column, I’m going to be giving restaurants marks out of ten (I always do that anyway when I eat out), starting with a 7 for Clove Club.

But I have to say, my visit to Gordon Ramsay in Hospital Road only rates a 3 this time.

Dover sole was only OK, when it should be amazing and overall it felt like a very stuffy experience. The Ramsay classic langoustine, lobster and salmon ravioli was spot on though. On our way to Ramsay we stopped off at Maltby Street Market, Ropewalk which is in SE1.

It’s a gourmet gem, well worth a visit.

It’s a lively street market with a combination of stalls, under-arch shops, pop-up bars and eateries. There was a guy cooking flame-grilled oysters with a blowtorch and we liked the look of Tozino, a tapas bar, Spanish grocers and ham carvery. There are good coffee stalls and impressive gin cocktails at the pop-up Sparrow Bar put on by small-batch London gin distillers, Little Bird Gin.

IF YOU LIKE your markets closer to home, which makes sense anyway, you have to take a look at Grainger Market.

It’s a while since we’ve been and we were impressed by the energy and food vibe of the place now that more people are coming to know it and opening up there.

Mouth still watering from the effects of the Nan Bei Chinese dumpling stall.

Amazing taste of fresh dumplings made before your eyes. Really zinging spice and herb blends mixed with the Chinese cabbage and pork. It’s a traditional Chinese ‘snack bar’ with jiaozi dumplings

and filled buns called baozi. Best head there with a hungry heart and mind - you can really get your fill beneath the market’s grand ceiling as you wander the stalls. Pick up Lindisfarne oysters or whatever’s cooking before your eyes as special of the day at the seafood stall – the smells are amazing. French Oven bakery has won awards for its patisserie and has a mouth-watering selection on offer and great artisan breads. Nice to share something from there with coffee from local roaster, Pumphrey’s before filing your bags at the Mmm deli.

WINTER WARMER Our Raby Hunt Christmas ‘do’ had a flavour of the Alps even if there was no snow on the ground. Christmas jumpers were out for our Swiss raclette dining experience.

It’s a dish to linger over and we had plates of the oozing cheese with loads of lovely pickles and potato.

DIARY DATE On 11 March, New Zealander Fleur McCree of Marlborough-based winery Little Beauty, will be hosting a wine evening with us. Who doesn’t love NZ wines and hers are amazing.

Try her range of wines with a tasting menu.

Sauvignon Blanc, more-ish Pinot Gris and sublime Pinot Noir. £95pp.

LOOKING AHEAD The year starts with a trip to Northcote’s Obsession Food Festival organised by Nigel Haworth where some great three-Michelin chefs are cooking, can’t wait for that.

I’ve got a trip to San Francisco planned and I’m also interested to see how the food scene will change in this country.

It’s a bit slower going in the North East but certainly the whole Scandinavian food ethos will continue to grow. I think we might see a return to more classic techniques and refinement in cooking and also it will be good to see more little places opening up from people who do things simply but well.

Close to home, I’m looking forward to the new chef at Rockliffe Hall bringing some Michelin pedigree to the area. The more good chefs there are, the more reason for food enthusiasts to head up here.

BIB GOURMAND WITH HARIETT CLOSE Santa brought me a kitchen. I am now practising some tricks I’ve seen Daddy do in his kitchen, mixing, stirring and sometimes even shouting. Favourite toy was my new carry-can rescued from Dad’s kitchen where it holds something called olive oil. Like it? At New Year they wanted me to stay quietly upstairs in bed but I knew there was some kind of big party going on and I wanted to be there. I was allowed to stay and no-one minded, they all seemed very jolly.

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JAN/FEB15

GOODNESS ME

I am eager to look at getting the balance right between hearty and healthy, seasonal and superfoodie

Eat seasonal

With Andrew Wilkinson, head chef at artisan, Newcastle.

The frost continues to bite over at grower Ken Holland’s fields in Northumberland and snow still lingers over our forager Andy’s stalking ground. This means that ingredients are always a little unpredictable at this time of year, but just because produce is lean doesn’t mean to say that it can’t still inspire It is really tempting to continue creating wintery, rich and indulgent dishes but with the New Year upon us, resolutions freshly made and purse strings recently tightened, it’s also a season for getting savvy with your stew, careful with your coins and to watch those waistlines.

With this in mind, I’m eager to look at getting the balance right between hearty and healthy, seasonal and superfoodie.

Did you know that an average family throws away around £60 worth of food each month? This has inspired me to concentrate over the next few weeks to save both at home and in the kitchen, getting creative with ingredients and using everything up. Eating healthily for both body and purse goes hand in hand; plan your meals, stick to your shopping list and know your portions. Head to our website (www.artisannewcastle.com) and read our journal to find out more about how to waste less.

My challenge this season is to make sure that wholesome living doesn’t mean compromising on taste so this month’s recipe, and my seasonal approach to menu planning at artisan, is about finding a way to indulge in good food whilst staying true to these principles. It’s versatile, fun, and leftover-friendly.

To further celebrate seasonal super food we’re holding a tasting menu on 4 February, designed to reboot, recharge and reinvigorate. See website for details.

SLOW-COOKED HAM, WHITE BEAN AND WINTER VEGETABLE HOT POT >> Feeds a family of 4 SLOW-COOKED HAM & WHITE BEAN INGREDIENTS 1k ham hock (from the butcher, should already be brined) or left-over ham or chicken.

500g dried haricot blanc white beans or if you’ve got some tinned in your store cupboard – use them up! No tinned?

No dried? You could use potatoes.

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1 garlic bulb cut in half 1 bay leaf 2 thyme stalks or sprinkle of dried 3 peppercorns 1 carrot, roughly chopped 1 onion, roughly chopped 1 celery, roughly chopped 1 leek, roughly chopped WINTER VEG INGREDIENTS 1 chopped onion 2 garlic cloves 2 thyme stalks 4 tbsp parsley 1 tbsp of duck or goose fat or butter or a good glug of olive oil or veg oil Winter veg Whatever you have lying around!

I used: 1 swede 1 celeriac 3 carrots 2 celery sticks Super greens Whatever you have lying around!

I used: Savoy cabbage Cavolo nero (A handful) METHOD Day before (If using uncooked & dried ham/beans) Get yourself a big mixing bowl. Pop in the ham hock and dried white beans.

Cover with water and put into your fridge, leave overnight.

If you’re using tinned beans or potatoes don’t worry about those now – we’ll get to that later

Next day Ham hock Get your bowl out of the fridge; drain the liquid away.

Put the beans to the side and put the ham into a pan and place on your hob.

Cover the ham with COLD fresh water and bring it up to the boil.

You’ll see scum rising to the top off the pan… don’t panic!

You’ll just want to remove that with a spoon or ladle.

Now, turn down to heat, you want just a nice simmer.

Add in the garlic bulb cut in half, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, carrot, onion, celery and leek.

Pop the lid on the pan and allow to simmer, ticking away nicely for 4 hours. Don’t boil.

Now, take off the heat and set aside.

Winter veg Get chopping. You can use whatever wintery, seasonal root veg you like. Chef’s tip – chop chunky and be pretty. Chop each veg at a different angle but making sure each is the same size – this is what really makes the dish look great and stand out when serving.

Get yourself a new pan and put over a low heat.

Put in the duck or goose fat, a good glug of olive oil… whatever you have.

Now add the onion, garlic, thyme, winter veg selection Go get those soaked white beans and put them in (if using tinned, add later) Season with some salt and pepper Put the lid on and allow to sweat down nicely for 20 mins Bring the dish together The pan containing the ham has some wonderful stock in it; we’ll want to use that.

Pour enough over the veg and bean mix to cover it up.

If you’re using tinned beans put them in now.

The ham should be sumptuous and falling off the bone, flake into the bean mix, if using leftovers, add now.

Now for the super food, add in your greens.

Leave the pan alone for 5 mins, you want those flavours to really get to know each other.

Finally add loads of parsley, or any garden herb.

Season to taste. Serve up with some yummy Irish soda bread… which also happens to be a superfood containing oats, honey and goodness – see the recipe online on our website: www.thebiscuitfactory.com

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PERFECT CURE

Masterclass WITH TERRY LAYBOURNE

Gravlax, traditional Swedish cured salmon, sums up all that is good about Scandinavian food: clarity of flavour, elegance and freshness of taste. A nice one to brighten up the dark winter days Gravlax: Swedish-style cured salmon (Serves 4)

1

If you wish, you can use this technique but introduce alternative flavours. Gin and juniper berries work well as does a mixture of grated citrus zest and crushed coriander seeds.

1kg

Mix salt, sugar and cracked peppercorns together in a bowl. Lay a sheet of aluminium foil on a work surface and cover with a double thickness of cling film. Scatter 1/4 of the salt/sugar/pepper mixture followed by 1/4 of the chopped dill stalks.

6tbls 4tbls 20 50g

1tbls 1tbls

Salmon fillet with skin, scaled, cut into 2 equal sized pieces Table salt Caster sugar White peppercorns (cracked) Fresh dill (tops and stalks separated. Chop the stalks together with 1/4 of the tops. Set remaining tops aside) Sunflower oil Dijon mustard

Swedish mustard sauce

2 Sit a piece of salmon fillet on top, skin side down. Sprinkle a 1/4 of the salt/sugar mixture over.

3 Then scatter 1/2 of the chopped dill stalks and drizzle the oil over.

7 Gather up the cling film to enclose the salmon into a tight package.

11 Unpack the salmon, rinse each piece briefly in cold water then pat dry with a clean tea towel.

Lay out another sheet of foil and cling film and place a piece of salmon in the centre.

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4tbls Dijon mustard 1tsp Caster sugar 1tbls Cider vinegar 1tsp Salt 150ml Sunflower oil Place the mustard and sugar into a bowl.

Whisk in half of the vinegar, then the oil in a steady stream. Add remaining vinegar and then the salt.

4 Rub another 1/4 of the salt/sugar mixture into the flesh side of the second salmon fillet.

8 Then wrap in the foil.

12 Brush very lightly with mustard and then cover evenly with the chopped dill tops. Wrap in cling film and then foil. Refrigerate for a further 12 hours with a 500g weight on top.

5 Place on top of the first fillet, creating a sandwich.

9 Place a board with a 1kg weight on top and refrigerate for 24 hours. Turn 2/3 times during this time and baste the fish with the briny liquid which has been created. Re-wrap and replace weighted board.

13 Pipe the mustard sauce onto chilled plates.

Cut the salmon into 3-4mm thick slices and arrange on top of the sauce.

6 Scatter the remaining salt/sugar over followed by remaining chopped dill stalks.

10 Finely chop the dill tops with a very sharp knife.

14 Serve with rye or soda bread and maybe some pickled cucumber.

JAN/FEB15

Valentines Advert 157h x 106w.pdf

2 COURSES £20 - 3 COURSES £24 MONDAY - THURSDAY 17:30 – 19:00 artisan at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AN 0191 260 5411 | info@artisannewcastle.com | www.artisannewcastle.com

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19/12/2013

22:47

ABBEY HABIT

Welcoming arms Showcase big city food comes with a country welcome at the Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey. Katharine Capocci pays a visit

From the moment you drive into the parkland setting of the Bolton Abbey estate, home to The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa, the feeling is one of ‘Aah, arrived… and relax’.

A gorgeously characterful country pile in an unspoiled setting in the Yorkshire Dales, the hotel and spa makes for the perfect rural getaway.

As I park up, a helicopter is just taking off from a landing pad while a smartly-dressed concierge in tweeds appears from seemingly nowhere to help carry my bags from the car.

It’s a wonderful introduction to this luxury bolthole, dating back to the 1600s, when it started life as a coaching inn. Lovely, too, that the first thing you see walking through the door is a row of well-worn wellies and waders for gadabout guests.

The estate covers more than 30,000 acres of Yorkshire Dales National Park so there is some pretty impressive walking, hiking and fishing terrain on the doorstep. And the hotel’s very dog-friendly too (there’s even a comfy reception room complete with doggie wallpaper and drinking bowls).

The welcome is warm – staff are friendly and professional, but completely unstuffy, which all adds to the relaxed feel. And there are no shortage of plump armchairs and open log fires just made for chillout time.

The hotel, part of a small collection of award-winning hotels and restaurants owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, offers 40 individually furnished bedrooms.

The view from my first-floor, cosy, contemporary room – decorated in neutral tones with luxurious furnishings – over the Italian box garden with impressive topiary is restful and soothing.

I could almost be tempted to take a nap but an indulgent afternoon tea beckons in the conservatory. Delicious sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and delicate pastries – a feast for the eyes and a gastro delight too. Not for the lightweights this one!

A definite highlight of my stay is the culinary offerings. The Dev is serious about good food and fine wines – so it’s a treat to sit back and enjoy the skilful cooking.

Head chef Adam Smith, one of the UK’s most talented young chefs, joined from The Ritz, London. The Roux scholar has even been described by Michel Roux Jr himself as ‘definitely one to watch’. High praise indeed.

The elegant Burlington restaurant, recently awarded 4 AA Rosettes, is a fitting setting – one to dress up for if you fancy – to really savour his exquisite dishes.

His seven-course tasting menu with inspired wine matching – comes highly recommended and is one to be enjoyed

over the course of the evening.

There is intricacy and flair in every dish, and standout plates include marinated scallop with avocado, radish and pig’s head croquettes, East Coast turbot with cep, cauliflower and white truffle and roe deer loin with salt baked celeriac, chestnut and glazed pear, a satisfying dish of sweet and savoury contrasts.

Port-glazed fig with yoghurt sorbet and yuzu, and rich Amadei chocolate ganache just about finished me off. Some people swear they have two tums for sweet and savoury and I can vouch for this!

But there was more to come… in the shape of a wonderful artisanal cheese board created by Cheesemonger of the Year 2013, The Courtyard Dairy, based near Settle, North Yorkshire.

Husband-and-wife duo Andy and Kathy sell a specialist selection of premium matured cheeses produced by small farms. Their shop with its offerings of Caerphilly, vintage Wensleydale and red Leicester and 30-month Parmesan, among them, is one to sniff out if you’re a cheese fan and on your travels in the vicinity.

All that fine dining and rich tea treats mean a bracing walk on the estate was in order the following day. And head concierge and wildlife enthusiast, Eddie Styles, is just the man to lead our walk. He points out

footpaths and hiking trails and we explore the church and ruins of the 12th century Augustinian Priory. He is so knowledgeable, and the walk and talk so interesting, a couple of hours whizz by in no time.

Back at the hotel and a trip to the Dev really wouldn’t be complete without a few hours’ zen time in the health spa, housed in an 18th century stone-built barn opposite.

It’s recently been refreshed and I found it a really characterful, calm space with a warm ambience.

Facilities include a 10m pool, spa pool, steam room, sauna, plunge pool, gym and relaxation lounge so it’s very easy to while away a morning or afternoon.

For those who prefer to stay active, there is also a tennis court and cycle hire so visitors can make the most of the cycle routes and unrivalled scenery.

I opted instead for a deliciously soothing back, shoulder and neck massage, using aromatic ESPA products, which left me in a deeply relaxed state.

I can honestly say I packed so much in to a flying one-night stay that it felt more like a long weekend. *The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AJ. Tel: 01756 710441. www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk

Standout plates include marinated scallop with avocado, radish and pig’s head croquettes, and East Coast turbot with cep, cauliflower and white truffle

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GREEN SHOOTS

Veg patch WITH KAREN PHILLIPS

Nurture your garden this year and your veg patch will keep you healthy and well After years of consistent failure I have given up making New Year’s resolutions concerning diet and personal attributes and now set more realistic ones regarding the veg patch: feed the soil and not the plants; garden organically and in time ‘the good guys’ will conquer ‘the bad’; and concentrate on growing varieties of veg and fruit that you can’t buy in the shops.

RICH PICKINGS >> Parsley: After the excesses of the festive season the cleansing properties of parsley are very welcome: lentil croquettes with parsley sauce; griddled steak with Argentinian chimichurri (a kind of parsley pesto to mix with diced onions and peppers as a relish or dribble over roasted veg); or simple parsley and pea champ.

Potatoes: In my view winter is a time for comfort food: oozing and rich tartiflette; the best sweet doughnuts you’ll ever taste (my mum’s recipe with its secret ingredient of mashed potato!); and the kid’s favourite: ‘purple chips’ using ‘Salad Blue’ potatoes (see later).

JOBS OUTSIDE >> Constant cropping of veg over the years can result in deficiencies of essential plant nutrients so it is vital that they are replenished. I garden organically so replenishing nutrients takes the form of applying homemade compost containing decomposed chicken litter, or if available well-rotted farmyard manure, in bulk to bare soil. If it is added to the surface of the soil pre-February then the worms will have ample time to take it down into the lower layers of the soil before seed sowing commences in late March.

We are limited with what we can plant outside at this time of year.

Garlic: Obtain virus-free garlic from a reputable supplier – there are loads of different varieties but if you want to store the garlic for use over next winter then choose a soft-necked variety. Split the bulb into individual cloves and plant each individually with the pointed tip just proud of the earth. The cold weather results in a

JAN/FEB15

bulb full of individual cloves whereas planting too late, (after any cold weather) results in just one large unsplit bulb.

Broad beans: Now I plant a couple of varieties of bean: ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ in Jan/ Feb because it is so hardy and crops early before the arrival of pesky black bean aphid, and then my favourite ‘Wizard’ field bean later in April. I always sow direct because the root growth obtained is much better than pot sown plants but I plant about 4 beans individually in pots to grow on in the greenhouse just in case any gaps appear in the rows due to mice or slugs eating the new shoots at a critical stage.

Rhubarb: Now as you know I’m a big fan of forced rhubarb and unfortunately forcing the same plant each year weakens it so I am planting a few more rhubarb crowns: ‘Timperly Early’, ‘Stockbridge Arrow’ and ‘Pink Champagne’ as well as splitting my existing rhubarb and replanting in fresh ground. (If your rhubarb flowers each year it is a sign that it is undernourished and would benefit from splitting and replanting).

This way I can force a single plant (place an upturned dustbin over in January after some cold weather to enjoy bright pink, tender stems in March) and then leave it to recover for 3-4 years before forcing again.

ORDER SEED POTATOES >> The story, once told to me by a friend, of a potato farmer who wouldn’t eat potatoes because he knew how many chemicals were sprayed onto the crop affirmed my views of only ever growing my own potatoes or buying organic ones. The new veg plot at the farm is much bigger than the existing one and for once I can plant a large number of potatoes without compromising what

land is left to grow other veg. The potatoes serve a dual-purpose: they break up the new ground and then smother the growth of new weeds in the process, as well as providing enough potatoes to store over wintertime.

I order my potatoes from Tuckers www.tuckers-seeds.com and it is worth

getting hold of their garden seed catalogue because they go into great detail on the varieties of potatoes. Basically potatoes fall into two culinary categories – those that are floury i.e. fall apart on cooking and those that are waxy i.e. remain firm on cooking.

So if you want a salad potato choose a waxy variety and if you want a good roaster choose a floury potato. Tuckers’ catalogue makes it all very easy: you simply choose what you’d like the main use of your potato to be, then choose when you’d like to crop it: First Early, Second Early, Early Main or Maincrop, and then you have a whole list to choose from. If you don’t have much ground then concentrate on First and Second Earlies since those take up less room/time in the ground and taste so much better than those bought in the shops. A word of caution: if you garden on alkaline soil i.e. pH>7 then potato scab can be a real issue so either choose scab-resistant varieties or plant in large tubs using bought bags of compost – ‘Pink Fir Apple’ is a real magnet for scab leaving you with the unimaginable joy of trying to peel the knobbliest tubers in the world!

windows courtesy of elbow grease and one of those brilliant microfibre cloths is the order of the day - no bingo wings in this household!

Don’t be tempted to sow any seeds too early (pre-end Feb) since low light levels and poor ventilation mean you’ll fight a losing battle against grey mould (botrytis); instead devote time to ‘chitting’ your seed potatoes for an earlier crop: • Place potatoes ‘eyes’ upward in old egg boxes • Position boxes in a cool, light place until short, stubby shoots appear.

LOOKING AHEAD >> Next issue we’ll be sowing the different types of edible flowers that keep appearing on the plates in posh restaurants; and making exquisite blackcurrant leaf sorbet.

Karen runs Widehaugh House cookschool and gardens, Hexham. Details of courses: www.widehaughhouse.co.uk

This year I am planting: Pink Fir Apple – a knobbly, nutty salad potato (finally I have acid soil at the farm – hooray!)

Annabelle: a lovely yellow salad potato – first early.

Amour: a pretty white potato with purple ‘eyes’ that’s great for baking - early main.

Salad Blue: our household would not be complete without stores of this purple potato – it makes the best bright purple chips (not sure I liked the look of it mashed as seen on Masterchef ).

Pentland Dell: a prolific maincrop potato suitable for boiling, baking roasting and chipping

JOBS IN THE GREENHOUSE >> Low light levels combined with low temperatures at this time of year are the reason that growth is so slow; hence a heated bench and super sparkly

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SLOPE OFF

LUXE LOVES Going downhill Stay close to the snow all year with this retro, eye-catching giclee print, ÂŁ55. www.carolinemcgrath.co.uk

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Exclusive But Affordable With hundreds of options in our extensive showrooms and Sales Designers offering features that will make your home have that WOW factor, Tecaz have the opportunity to suit you perfectly.

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with prices that will balance exclusivity with affordability, and many well known quality brands with up to 60% off their recommended retail price in our big winter sale.

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Tecaz www.tecaz.com

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9am - 6pm Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm

LIGHT&SHADE

MaxMara blossom print dress, ÂŁ250 Fenwick.

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LIGHT&SHADE

MaxMara bright wrap coat, £499, Fenwick.

Michael Kors black courts, £93.99, Psyche.

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XXXXXXXX LIGHT&SHADE

Helmut Lang grey shaded dress, £430, Elan.

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LIGHT&SHADE

MaxMara coat, £399, MaxMara trouser, £165, Malene Birger sweater, £199, all Fenwick.

DVF sandal, £209, Elan.

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Untold powder leather-look dress, ÂŁ130, House of Fraser Intu Metrocentre

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Michael Kors peach sweater, £124.99, FC skinny jeans, £69.99, MK courts, £93.99. Modalu envelope clutch, £98.99. All Psyche.

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LIGHT&SHADE

, 99 £2 t, 90, r i 1 k t s p, £ s, rin l to Kor p l e l e le pp a sh ichae sych ea P pin xMar ts, M re, GM Ma our befo MS . C as ck wi n Fe

Photography: Kevin Gibson www.kgphotography.co.uk Model: Jenna Charlton www.tyneteesmodels.co.uk Hair & Make-up: Victoria Forshaw www.pinspetalspowder.co.uk Styling: Fiona McLain

Elan, 4 Grange Road, Darlington DL1 5NG. 01325 281816 Fenwick, Newcastle www.fenwick.co.uk Intu Metrocentre www.intumetrocentre.co.uk Psyche, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough www.psyche.co.uk

Our shoot took place at Houndgate Townhouse in Darlington, a Georgian property that has been revived to create a boutique hotel, restaurant and cocktail bar. The hotel has been thoughtfully designed to reflect its heritage and includes quirky touches such as bespoke furnishings, original art and some specially- commissioned pieces to bring the ‘Houndgate’ spirit to life. www.houndgatetownhouse.co.uk

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LUXE LOVES

TIPPY TOES

The ultimate solemate Who needs a man when you’ve got these to keep your feet sweet? The sassiest of sky-high heels by Charlotte Olympia. £525, Harvey Nichols, Leeds www.harveynichols.com

JAN/FEB15

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LOOK SHARP

TREND WATCH Catherine Newton casts her eye over the new season’s fashion finds This season you will find that fashion’s hottest designers have looked back to the Seventies to find inspiration for key pieces and silhouettes in their SS15 collections.

From culottes and capes to prints and trenches, we have put together 7 key trends that will help you bring that Seventies look right up to date.

CULOTTES SS14 saw the reintroduction of culottes on selected designer catwalks with brands including Gucci and Armani pioneering the trend. For SS15 culottes have exploded onto the fashion landscape and they are now a seriously key part of any dedicated fashion follower’s wardrobe. Whether it be stiff and school-girl like or floaty and garden party ready, make sure you incorporate these wide leg ankle grazers into your Spring wardrobe.

I love MaxMara Weekend’s cotton navy culottes, just pair them with a crisp tailored shirt and feminine court shoes to keep the look clean and stylish.

THE RETURN OF THE TRENCH No spring wardrobe should be without this staple transitional outerwear piece. Our go to is Burberry’s classic trench with its subtle check detailing and versatile length – throw on over anything and step confidently into spring (Burberry Brit trench £395). To elevate the look try a brightly coloured or printed trench, as seen on the spring catwalks at Burberry Prorsum and Peter Pilotto.

THE STATEMENT SKIRT This season the skirt hemline has dropped, the volume has increased and a bold print is a must. Donna Karan and Christopher Kane are just a couple of the designers who have embraced this key piece. For a playful and fresh nod to the trend, look no further than MSGM’s pineapple print skirt, priced at £299. Pair it with easy sandals and a simple silk vest and let your skirt do the talking.

CITRUS BRIGHTS This season’s colour pop is bolder than ever.

Canary yellows and mandarin oranges are adding a 70s style dose of vitamin C to SS15’s colour palette. One of the boldest ways to embrace this fresh new shade is in your outerwear. Proenza Schouler and Roksanda Ilincic showcased showstopper orange trench coats on the SS15 catwalks.

For a more accessible alternative try MaxMara Studio’s ‘Manco’ double faced wool wrap coat in vibrant orange, priced at £450 and available from the Fenwick French Salon (also seen on page 41). This key piece can be worn in the daytime over trousers and flats, or over a floral dress for a vibrant evening look.

THE CAPE In AW14 capes were coveted in a big way and this transitional outerwear piece is here to stay for spring. The cape has become the new throw on jacket; chic, sharp and effortlessly cool. Wear it over jeans and boots for casual weekend style – alternatively pair with black skinnies and heels to perfect a cool evening look. For a timeless take on the cape, Burberry have

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Bring on bright >> A statement skirt by MSGM, above, MaxMara lemon citrus pop cropped jacket, £295, and Marc Cain statement skirt, £175 created a classic check version. This is a chic addition to every wardrobe, Fenwick French Salon, £395.

CONVERSATIONAL PRINTS This season wallflowers are out and prints are oversized, graphic and playful. Take inspiration from Joseph’s paisley print, Moschino Cheap and Chic’s Bone Chic print or Vivienne Westwood’s tribal print. Don’t be afraid of overdoing the print either – print on print continues to be a key look.

THE SATCHEL The humble satchel has been given a very fashionable makeover and is continuing to reign supreme in the handbag world this season. Look to Sophie Hulme, Cambridge Satchel and, of course, Mulberry to find stunning handbags that you will love forever. I love the new Cara Delevingne Mulberry bag, it converts from a bag to a satchel to a back pack – perfect for those who are always on the go!

For expert advice tailored to you why not book an appointment with our in house Fashion Stylist on 0191 2325100.

Catherine Newton is Head of Womenswear at Fenwick Newcastle.

Cosy-up >> Cover up for the cool days with a travel-friendly trench or versatile cape

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XXXXXXXX Readers of a certain age will remember the feel of a scratchy hand-knitted sweater they were forced to wear for school.

Those a bit younger might recall snuggling up to dad or granddad in his wholesome cable-knit tank top.

And a generation on, it’s the grandkids sporting the very same style, only now the yarn’s softer and the sweater is teamed with a checked shirt beneath, skinny denims below and sturdy brogues to finish the look. Perhaps a noteworthy beard too.

Working the original look and bringing it into cinema sharp focus are the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game and Eddie Redmayne as a young Stephen Hawking.

Yes, the geeky hand-knit lives to see another day.

The lure of revived British heritage is not a new one but it continues apace as consumers of all ages turn to artisan heritage, be that in their clothing choice or coffee selection.

Names like Barbour and Burberry continue to have their moment, making much of their strong values and bold heritage.

In a world where authenticity is everything, designer Andrea Freeman is bringing her Beehive brand to a whole new generation who’ve never been near a knitting needle.

Beehive was the name of a famous knitting yarn brand made at the Patons&Baldwins factory in Darlington in what was a state-of-the-art business until its demise in the 1980s. The brand first started in the North of England in 1785, some nearly 230 years ago.

When we fell out of love with the whole concept of handknits, the business folded but Andrea is bringing it back to life.

From Darlington herself, Andrea knew people who had worked in the knitting factory. She has photographs of herself wearing hand-knitted cardigans a child.

She studied fashion at university then spent time working with a number of companies as design manager.

One of those was Barbour. Andrea was at the heart of the re-positioning of Barbour, taking the brand to a whole new audience through collaborations with designers like Alice Temperley and Anya Hindmarch.

She moved on to launch her own studio creating designs and products for a range of different companies.

Coming across a batch of old Beehive knitwear patterns gave Andrea something of a lightbulb moment.

“We discovered a brand that had been lost. It is deeply connected to us, and we thought that others might feel the

If ever there was a season for snuggle-up woollens, this is it. Designer Andrea Freeman is reviving a traditional British knitwear brand with a heritage hat on

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STITCH IN TIME

The Men of Action range is inspired by the pre-war British ‘chap’. Braving the elements, original designs were for ‘real’ men and Beehive poster boy was none other than Roger Moore in his preBond days

same,” she says of the brand and the Beehive designs.

Nostalgia is a key player in the brand’s appeal.

“Beehive was a woollen yarn and the knitting patterns were basically a marketing tool for the product. We found a lot of patterns and memorabilia and were able to recreate the designs for a modern-day customer.”

The Men of Action range is inspired by the pre-war British ‘chap’. Braving the elements, the designs were for ‘real’ men, pictured by crashing waves or on remote hilltops.

They were posed having a drink in the mess after defending the skies in the early 1940s, or shown sailing in the Solent in the 1950s in a saltwater-beating ribbed sweater and Beehive ‘poster boy’ was a pre-Bond Roger Moore.

Finding these old patterns was a joy and Andrea saw the potential to revive Beehive for a market hungry for heritage, acquiring the trademark from the famous yarn company Coats.

At the same time Andrea embarked upon an MBA at Durham University using the development of Beehive for her work studies and dissertation and to gain valuable experience to help her plan expanding the brand globally when she graduates in spring.

It’s an exciting time, already the brand has a global reach with orders from across the world, the Japanese an obvious market for the traditional British clothing.

There are thousands of patterns in the Beehive archive, says Andrea: “All of our designs are inspired by one of the patterns, cable knits are very traditional patterns.

“We knit the originals but we’ve had to alter the sizes.

The people who remember the brand are aged 50-plus but the buyer is more likely to be someone aged 24-38.

“The brand will find its own place. We used British yarn and a UK workforce. It has values of the past but is fashion-forward, we felt we had to honour the history.

“People have been getting in touch with their old memorabilia and stories of Beehive’s heritage which is wonderful.

“We came across one example of knitting ingenuity.

A fully engineered knitted dress which was an original sample from the factory shop of Patons&Baldwins. It was made back in the day when samples were made up to show the versatility of the yarns and how they could be fashioned.

It was a simple and chic style which could easily be worn again today,” says Andrea.

“People who get what we are about really get it and love it. As we go through the patterns we will re-introduce clothes for men, women and children.

“Knitwear covers a range of things that we love, sweaters, cardis, hats, scarves, gloves, clothes that give you a hug of warmth, stuff that is made with love, not just profit in mind.

“In a world of never-ending fashion cycles, these pieces make sense, they’re forever classics, the keepers!”

www.thebeehivebrand.co.uk

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WIPE OUT

LUXE LOVES A stove-side smooch

Get kissy in the kitchen in this month of love.

Lip-smacking French kiss tea-towel, â‚Ź30 www.lesparigotes.com

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XXXXXXXX

BRITISH HAIRDRESSING AWARD WINNER 2014

HAPPY NEW YOU! Darlington 01325 468 994

Gosforth 0191 217 0217

Jesmond 0191 281 6714

Ponteland 01661 821 004

Wynyard 01740 644 690

Like our Facebook page for latest trends and special offers www.hookerandyoung.co.uk Facebook/hooker&young Twitter @hookerandyoung JAN/FEB15

53

GET THE BRUSH OFF

Happy new hair Everyone thinks new thoughts for a new year. Get a head start with a new hairdo Happy New Year people.

I always expect January to fall a tad flat after all the festive and New Year celebrations but that couldn’t be further from the truth! 2015 is here and we’re off to a flying start. Broadchurch is back and we love it! Rita Ora has joined ‘The Voice’, doing a pretty good job and looking mighty fine too.

Dare we even mention Celebrity Big Brother, love it or hate, we find it compulsive viewing for all the wrong reasons! I think I actually like Katie Hopkins! We see John Galliano has made his triumphant return to fashion for Maison Martin Margiela and is going down a storm, and of course we’ve had the Golden Globes which is always a good watch if only just to see the red carpet best and worst dressed.

The very gorgeous Julianne Moore looked sensational in Givenchy Haute Couture and of course won the best actress gong: we love her.

Top marks also went to Emma Stone, another redhead who looked super cool in a Lanvin jumpsuit, very risque for the red carpet but boy did she pull it off.

Feeling very inspired by Emma’s look we’ve brought you a cut and colour that ticks all the boxes for a new year make-over. Soft, textured, multi-toned and bang on-trend, our gorgeous model looks every inch 2015 uber cool. A combination of warm blondes and copper golds used throughout gives a multi-dimensional colour result. The cut has disconnected layers to give a more contemporary bespoke look while a super short textured fringe and longer outline create a fashion focussed look which is hot for spring/ summer 2015. So if you’re feeling it’s time to create a ‘happy new you’ give us a call at any of the H&Y salons where our creative team will be on hand to transform your look.

Michael Young and Gary Hooker run award-winning Hooker & Young, with five salons regionwide.

See www.hookerandyoung.co.uk for salon details.

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The luxe ESSENTIALS

Be part of a

year WEDDINGS >> FOOD >> TRAVEL >> CARS >> FESTIVE >> Advertise your business in a series of essential high-quality guides delivered as separate publications within Luxe magazine. The publications will be read by our affluent readership base of more than 50,000 people. Additional copies will be printed and supplied to advertisers for their own relevant promotion

WEDD i NGS FOOD TRA iL ISSUE 1 - MAY/JUNE 2015

ISSUE 1 - MARCH/APRIL 2015

Love Fest Wedding fun

Hippy Vibe Pop star

in a field of dreams

Ch

ef ’s table

DR i VE ISSUE 1 - JULY/AUGUST 2015

Face the future The men and machines powering us forward

TRAVEL ISSUE 1 - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Private world Off-the-grid luxury

Re

as

Back-in-time brides rock bouffants and big skirts

WEDDING ESSENTIALS >> Big days, beautiful moments, stylish surroundings. Showcase your stunning venue, off-beat attraction or unique weddingday service to a readership that loves a ‘wow’ wedding.

Let glamorous dresses take centre stage in our ultimate gown gallery.

Publication date: Mar/Apr issue.

ISSUE 1 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Festive things to do Your guide to a cultured christmas

sparkle & a lush garden party

Retro Mix

FEST i VE

on

to c e

lebrate t The Rab a

t un yH

Off duty Masterclass Tapas with a twist

A kitchen challenge with effort rewarded

FOOD TRAIL >> Take a summer food journey with us: Showcase your restaurant, chef, hotel, artisan food produce, festival, farmers’ market, cookery courses or gourmet destination. Tips, recipes and food inspiration.

Publication date: May/Jun issue.

Peak performance

The maverick group of British engineers

Full throtle

Getting closer to the action

DRIVE ESSENTIALS >>

Cars, speed and ‘look at me’ motors make luxe readers smile.

They love nothing more than delectable drives, savage speed thrills and the odd foot-down fantasy.

Drive Essentials will showcase the newest top marque models to an avid readership with the spending power to make their motoring dreams come true.

Hidden treasure

Discover the hidden Angkor

Luxe goes to...

Destinations for a truly luxe experience

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS >>

Luxe readers are a getaway bunch who love their travels.

Our Travel Essentials is a ‘local to global’ journey showcasing luxe destinations from the region, smart travels and chic bedtimes as well as essential travel kit and holiday fashion.

Publication date: Sep/Oct issue.

Publication date: Jul/Aug issue.

Good gifting

Luxey ideas they’ll love

FESTIVE ESSENTIALS >>

Pile on the glamour for a luxe-filled party season. Luxe party people want to hear about the best place to celebrate in Champagne style. This is the place to show off glamorous destinations, fine feasts, dazzling gifts, and the ultimate must-go places. With ideas for hosting the perfect party, decorations to delight and perfect food. In short, tell our readers where and how to get their seasonal kicks.

Publication date: Nov/Dec issue.

If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Debi Coldwell: debi@remembermedia.co.uk - 07910 918366.

Light up

Glow for it fashion

EYES&TEETH

MOUTH MATTERS

Beauty:update On our beauty radar as spring gets near...

WITH MIKE HEADS

BAMBOO BLISS For centuries, Asian masseurs have recognised the benefits of their native bamboo plants in softening and strengthening the skin. Now Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall, has become the first venue in the region to offer a bamboo massage based on the ancient techniques. The 60-minute treatment begins with the application of warmed essential oils to the skin before therapists use natural, soft bamboo canes to massage the body, activating specific reflexology points. It’s a rejuvenating and therapeutic treatment with lasting results.

The treatment is being used as a highlight of a day-long spa Just Roll with It package which includes spa use and lunch, £110. Book on 0191 516 1400. www.seaham-hall.co.uk

HAPPY NEW YEAR - OUT WITH THE OLD… IN WITH THE NEW “We must welcome the future, remembering that it will soon be the past; and we must respect the past, knowing that once it was all that was humanly possible.”

The words of George Santayana This quotation is so pertinent to the profession of dentistry and as we look forward, it’s only human nature that we also reflect on what has happened in the past, take stock perhaps of how we could have done things differently and look at what things might be like in the future. I regularly look at treatment I provided 20 or 30 years ago and realise how differently I would have done it today with the numerous new techniques and dental materials now available to us.

The major change in dentistry happened in 1948 when NHS dental services started. Dentistry became available and free to all the population - before this time only a small percentage of the population could afford dental treatment and few saw a dentist on a regular basis. When I started in practice in 1983, a full course of dental treatment including root canal treatment, crowns, bridges and dentures cost only £13 for as much treatment as you needed.

Today the basic charge for a check-up and clean is £18 and for a full course of treatment £219 (including crowns, bridges, root canal treatments etc.).

With massive changes in the array and complexity of dental treatment available and patients’ expectations that these treatments should be available to them, it is difficult to predict the longevity of the NHS dental service in its current form. Over the years we have gone from the only solution for tooth ache being to extract the tooth, through to the use of basic fillings, to basic root canal treatment and very basic crowns and then onto complex restorative solutions using long-lasting high quality crowns and tooth coloured fillings.

We still continue to improve our technology and nowadays if you do have to have a tooth extracted it can be replaced with a dental implant – a screw in tooth; yet, even this is not the pinnacle of the progress that has been made as it is likely in the next 20 – 30 years we will be able to grow teeth in the lab or even in our own jaws and that we will also be able to have our teeth painted to stop them decaying.

We have learnt from the past of how upsetting a visit to the dentist can be especially for some children. Happily, year on year, we see improvements in our children’s oral hygiene meaning less teeth have to be filled or extracted and we are also making dentistry a much less frightening experience for them. Our buildings are more welcoming and pleasant to visit and we use many more less invasive techniques. We have had fissure sealants for many years – a system that helps to seal teeth against decay, and if a tooth does decay we can now, in some instances, open up the tooth for a filling using a cross between a pressure washer and a sand blaster avoiding the need to use a drill at all. In addition to all of this, if we do have to anaesthetise a tooth there are now situations where we can use needle-free injections.

Good or bad, intelligent or laughable, past events are l earning aids and stepping stones for the future and will become the basis and the measure we use to improve in 2015 and the coming years.

Mike is Practice Principal at Cleveland Cosmetic and Dental Implant Clinic www.clevelandcosmetic.co.uk

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NAILS, BUBBLES & GIRL FUN Heading south, Fridays at The Cedar Court Grand in York are packed with pleasure. Gather your girls and book into the champagne nail bar which takes place on the last Friday of every month, 5pm – 7pm. Pamper your nails with a file and polish whilst you chat over a Champagne cocktail, made in front of your eyes with the bar team. The perfect way to start your weekend! £20pp. www.thegrandyork.co.uk

DE-TOX If you’re still in the mood for a de-tox, The Garage Spa at The Morritt can get you through a body MOT. The detoxifying half-day spa package was made for dull February days. Check in for a Germaine de Cappuccini Express Cure facial which restores your skin’s freshness and vitality and leaves you feeling energised.

Then a colourful, cleansing mud treatments in the Rasul Mud Pit helps release toxins from your pores so you feel beautifully cleansed and refreshed. You can also enjoy use of the spa. The package is £99 and runs until the end of February. www.thegaragespa.co.uk

LET’S GO OUTSIDE Spa bunnies out there should be getting excited about plans for Rockliffe Hall’s new ‘Spa Garden’ in its grounds, the only one of its kind in the North East. Set to open in autumn, it will be adjacent to the current spa with two outdoor hot pools, a warm Jacuzzi, under-floor heated decking and lounging areas, a garden room with a traditional glass-fronted sauna cabin, fire pit and heated relaxation loungers.

Rockliffe’s also the place to head for a feel-good ladies’ lunch. Spring beauty is the theme of day with a peek at new seasonal nail colours from Orly and top tips and advice from spa professionals. There’s a spa gift worth

over £20 for everyone attending the event which happens on 9 March from noon. £24.50 including a welcome drink and two-course lunch in the Rockliffe Suite.

Book on 01325 729999 or email enquiries@rockliffehall.com

NEW SPA NEWS Time to get excited about big spa plans at Ramside Hall Hotel near Durham. Its new state-of-the-art spa opens in spring with luxury ESPA range chosen for all of its facial and body treatments. The spa is part of a £16m investment at the hotel which has included the upgrading of its golf course and the creation of an additional 47 deluxe rooms. It includes 12 therapy rooms where ESPA treatments will be carried out, a 25m long pool, a hydrotherapy pool and a range of saunas and steam rooms and a Rasul mud chamber. www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

JAN/FEB15

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CREATING BEAUTIFUL SMILES

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NEW YEAR CLEAN-UP

LIVE TO SHOP

Beauty:update Lust-afters for a new year

WITH WENDY GIBSON

FACE TREAT>>

GET FASHION FRESH FOR 2015 I’m kicking off the new year with something for the boys, from a boutique causing a stir.

Hotspur 1364, takes its name of course from Harry Hotspur, aka Henry Percy and is based in Alnwick.

Located within sight of the Harry Hotspur statue, it stretches over two floors, step in from street level, and descend to the basement ‘man cave’. The store is the brainchild of Jacqui Chapman (a national events organiser), and Lisa Ainslie, whose sense of theatre, style and the visual are apparent in both the shop fit, and the clothes.

The plan is to showcase young designers alongside the established. So, new designer hits include Lairy, from Whitley Bay, and Corvus clothing. There is great styling and cut from Without Prejudice.

For the man who really likes to push the envelope there are unique jeans from MMX, boasting Swarovski crystals discreetly on the flies! Hotspur offers a refreshingly different range, alongside the tried and tested Gant, and Brax. Hotspur also boasts ‘man-i-cures’, that’s man grooming to the uninitiated. So down in the man cave they are offering “Top Chops”, traditional hot towel shaves, as well as eyebrow waxing. And if Alnwick can hack it, man tans!

The turn of the year is always a difficult time for fashion.

Looking stylish and staying warm while not looking like you’re about to tackle Everest, can be a challenge.

“Transitional” has become something of a buzz word, but when you find your transitional friend, to see you smartly through the season, you will not lightly give him up. In my case, it’s Donna Ida. The eponymous London-based boutiques are accessible through their witty website. New this season is the ready-to-wear collection from Bella Freud. And here I confess I have fallen hook line and sinker for this brand. I have bought into the jumpers, the candles, and the scent. Alexa Chung, Laura Bailey, Miranda Kerr and Kate Moss sport the 1970 jumpers, new this season in red and navy, to go with the statement black and white. And the homage to Jane Birken, “Je t’aime Jane”, and “Ginsberg is God, Goddard is Dog”, jumpers, continue to raise a smile.

Donna Ida also boasts cashmere from 360 degrees, Wildfox, and Markus Lupfer. And keep an eye on the website for some great new talent this summer. Marta Goldschmied, daughter of the Godfather of denim Adriano, has come up with her own brand “Made Gold”. Look out for exaggerated skinny, cinched boyfriend jeans, leather moto vests, and cropped skinny jeans. Another new signing is Christophe Sauvat – boho chic, coming later this year. Finally, if you feel like you need some TLC in these dark months, I have two treats to suggest. For a bathtime ritual there’s Mauli Sacred Himalayan healing salts, 13 exquisite therapeutic essential oils, laced with the vibrational powers of rose quartz crystals.

And, for arguably some of the most delicious chocolate to ever pass your lips, check out artisan chocolatier, Emelia Rope, available from Sorella in Hexham, or online. Magical confections include Turkish delight. Fashion & chocolate bliss. A great way to start the new year fashionistas!

As well as being a shopping supremo, shoe-a-holic and general lover of all things luxe, Wendy Gibson is a broadcaster, presenter and event host in the North East

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GO JO>> Always nice to get excited by something new and lovely at Jo Malone. Heading away from the traditional packaging, My Wanderlust by Charlotte Stockdale is inspired by world travel and evocative scents. Be transported to Morocco, Greece, The Caribbean, Australia - perfect for escapism in the winter months. The collection includes: Cardamom & Moroccan Rose Home Candle £42, Lime Basil & Mandarin Diffuser £58 and Acacia & Honey Soap Collection £28.

On counter in Fenwick, Newcastle.

If skin has the winter woes, the rich Decléor Aromessence Nutrition range is bliss for dry skin. A touch of Marjolaine essential oil nourishes the skin’s natural defences and brightens dull and lacklustre wintery skin for instant softness. From £32.50 www.decleor.co.uk

SPRAY AWAY>> If you’re a Valentine’s fragrance junkie, drop a hint for the sleek Michael Kors Sexy Amber fragrance. The warm, sumptuous amber wrapped in sandalwood and musk will prove to be more enticing than any sexy lingerie. £77, on counter.

BRIGHT EYES>> Weary eyes, just Puff Off. Benefit’s new cooling under eye gel soothes and brightens tired and puffy eyes. The applicator takes the shape of a little iron, and the metal has a cooling effect while the shape allows you to easily apply under the eyes and ‘iron out’ the creases! On counter from February.

SPRING FLING>> A new Chanel season is a happy event. Love the pretty limited edition Jardin de Chanel blush, £36, a handbag keeper if ever there was one.

SMOOTHIE>> If your new year regime runs to veg juice quaffing and organic bananas, spread the love to your skincare with new organic skin goodies from planet-loving Aveda. Intense Hydrating Soft Creme, Rich Creme and Energizing Eye Crème, £40, use the power of plants to help skin stay smooth and encourage cell growth. Hero Ingredients are seashore plant Salicornia Herbacea and Organic Cupuaçu Butter for suppleness.

On counter in Fenwick, Newcastle and House of Fraser, IntuMetroCentre.

LESSON TIME>> Bobbi Brown counters have always been the go-to for great make-up lessons and advice that’s not intimidating. They’ve boosted the range to include try-outs such as ‘Instant Makeup’, a 10-minute fix, to the ‘Secret to Standout Eyes’ as well as Teenage Beauty and Makeup Bag Refresh – if you dare! Book on counter.

A Bobbi essential for any make-up bag is the Brightening Brick. They last for ages and take multitasking makeup to a whole new level. The warmth of a bronzer, pure colour of a blush and the luminosity of a highlighter — all in one. Available in six colour combinations, £34 on counter.

OH BOY!>> Pretty perfect for Valentine’s Day, Tom Ford’s ‘Lips&Boys’ collection, mini lipsticks named after boys. It builds up into a very covetable ‘wardrobe’ of lip shades with lasting power and luscious colourways. £26 each, on counter Tom Ford, Fenwick, Newcastle.

JAN/FEB15

NEW YEAR CLEAN-UP

SPECS APPEAL>> If your specs are a statement about you and the prospect of an eyewear wardrobe gets you more excited than numerous handbags, here’s a challenge to go at.

Wade Opticians are looking for the Face of Wade with a photographic competition on February 21 at the Durham Branch in Saddler Street. They want spec-wearers and wannabe models to head for the store that day to try on glasses from the vast range of designer names in store. Have a moment with funky frames, edgy looks and on-trend men’s and women’s styles. A photographer will be in store to capture the contestants who want to be considered as the Face of Wade for use in the company’s promotional material in the coming year. The idea is that the ‘face’ is uploaded on to the contestan’t Facebook page and those with most likes go forward for selection to a panel of judges. www.wadeopticians.com

LIGHTEN UP>> New year, new you… Take a look at bareMinerals’ fresh new Modern Pop makeup collection, launching in February, which includes The Modern Icon eyeshadow quad, £29, featuring delectable shades such as Pink Cashmere and Peach Sherbert.

On counters regionwide.

SHINE ON>> Perfect for Valentine’s Day… Clarins new Garden Escape spring makeup collection includes these sheer shiny beauties. Joli Rouge Brilliant Sheer Shine Lipstick, £19, in shades of Coral Dahlia and Rose Petal, provide sheer colour and a touch of sparkle. We especially love that they are deeply moisturising. www.clarins.com

FEEL CLEANSED>> Unveil the new fresh-faced you with a little help from Elemis’ Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser Special Edition, £29. Smoky soft cedarwood combines with bergamot and neroli for a sensory cleansing experience. www.elemis.com

HOLD ON>> Clarins’ new magic formula Everlasting Foundation promises to sit tight for 18 hours. Keeping skin moisturised and not prune-like is always a challenge with such things – in this case the power of ‘quinoa seed extract’ is supposed to do the hydration business and keep things comfy. On counter, £27.50.

SPRING SHINE>> Nails get happy with the limited edition Paradiso and newbie colours at Chanel, £18 on counter.

JAN/FEB15

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ROUGH CUTS in association with

www.greatlook.co.uk

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JAN/FEB15

ROUGH CUTS

What lies beneath

As hotel-going hobbyists, Rebecca Tappin and James Allison were perfectly placed for the challenge of creating their own chic boutique hideaway in North Yorkshire

The lure of the boutique hotel is a porn-like addiction for the pleasureseeking weekender. Deepest duvets, silkiest sheets, off-the-scale thread counts and the wonders of the reclamation yard set the bar higher and higher with every new opening.

Chic gets shabbier, urban gets more hip, art more original, candles more organic.

The challenge then of opening up somewhere new, dazzling and plaudit-worthy sounds exhausting. But when interiors, hospitality and architecture are in the blood, the challenge becomes a thrill.

Rebecca Tappin’s background in art, architecture and interiors fitted perfectly into her relationship with James Allison, who runs the family estate and quarrying business at Middleton Lodge on the outskirts of Richmond and Darlington.

The pair had to be a match made in heaven.

Boutique hotels became their hobby as they spent their time visiting the coolest places in the country for fact-finding business with some pleasure thrown in.

James developed the family home, Middleton Lodge, as a private rental property and wedding venue a few years ago, always with a vision to extend and develop other parts of the estate’s grounds and buildings.

The derelict and unloved coach house became the project that Rebecca, as Middleton’s Design Director, could really get her teeth in to, not least as there was a serendipitous family connection.

Though she and her family are from the south, Rebecca discovered after meeting James that her great, great grandmother had actually lived next door to Middleton Lodge in Woodhouse Farm, the only farm you can see from the main house.

“I was here from day one to see the

JAN/FEB15

project through from start to finish,” says Rebecca.

“In the past I’d worked on architectural projects that I would have to leave at a certain point – for someone to take over for the fun bit.

“With this, the whole thing was really exciting as we started from scratch,” she says.

She and James with their baby Daisy (yes, she managed that project in tandem), live on the estate.

“In a way, the best way to design is living and breathing it. Everywhere you go you pick up things that will work. You see the place as a whole rather than in different parts.”

The impressive Georgina coach house is honey-coloured stone and had the pre-requisite high ceilings, chunky walls, elegant curves and original architectural features to polish up into something very special.

Rebecca managed to see beyond the pigs, straw and decades of farm detritus that packed the musty coach house rooms.

“It is authentic,” she says. “We were not trying to ‘fake it up’. A place like this needs some soul and it was a case of using what we had, not over-doing it.”

The best way to design is living and breathing it. You see the place as a whole and pick up pieces that will work 61

ROUGH CUTS in association with

www.greatlook.co.uk

G E T T H E LO O K >> Rebecca spent time foraging in the grounds, finding gems like glass bottles and jars in a ‘Georgian rubbish dump’

The restaurant is a case in point. It is housed in the high-ceilinged coach house with a feature made of the bare plaster walls which show the original curved arches of the build.

Elsewhere, the style of the rooms reflect the history of the estate and its past life.

Rebecca spent time foraging in the grounds, finding gems like heaps of old coloured glass bottles and jars in a ‘Georgian rubbish dump’, their aged, muted colours now featuring in the rooms and offering up some relevant link to the past.

“There is authenticity thanks to the raiding of rubbish dumps in the grounds! Whether it is large rooms or tiny finds, you peel off the grime and get to the real thing. It is a characterful building and we have come a very long way,” says Rebecca.

“We spent a lot of time thinking about how we wanted this to feel, and were very definite that we didn’t want it to be like a five-star corporate, soulless place, it was crucial that this was and felt authentic, a little rough around the edges if necessary, and certainly lived in, the kind of place you don’t feel like you shouldn’t touch anything, but somewhere you feel looked after – at home, but better!”

For the interiors, Rebecca was inspired by an oil painting in muted greys and blues.

These deep shades feature heavily in the Coach House public areas, shot through with splashes of mustard and lovely textures like tweeds and velvets for an understated, opulent feel.

Family heirlooms were installed and there was much antiques fair rummaging to ensure that pieces were brought to the rooms to give some history and uniqueness.

“Natural materials, bricks, wood, fires, cosy

62

textures and above all, comfort, were important,” says Rebecca.

Bedrooms reflect the family’s spirit of adventure and love for travel. There’s great-grandfather’s trunk in one and a great aunt’s washstand in another. Her botanical prints have been reframed and hung.

The Swallows and Amazons room is inspired by illustrations within an old copy of the book with splashes of teal for more modern day accessories like the Roberts radio.

“The palette of colours throughout is blues, greys and splashes of mustard, a kind of ‘tumbling together’”, says Rebecca.

In the Tack Room, the fresh blue and creamy white colour scheme was inspired by an old tile Rebecca found in small fragments and pieced together.

An entire bathroom wall is covered in cleverly sourced tiles that mix a touch of the Morocco with the rustic materials elsewhere.

“Dishevelled contemporary is one way of describing it. We wanted to re-write the book in terms of creating the Coach House – and I think that a few people thought, ‘that’s not the way you do it’.

“We’ve brought little bits of lots of places – we did a two-day recce of places in London and the best we found was Social Eating House. We didn’t want fine dining for our restaurant but food has to be exceptional and a relaxing experience.”

The Coach House has opened its doors but that doesn’t mean rest. Next project is the development of a spa.

Which means James and Rebecca heading off for some fact-finding hot tub research.

Tough job…. www.middletonlodge.co.uk/coach-house Pictures: Gasp Photography & Stan Seaton

>> Posh poufs in cotton cable knit £139.95 www.nordichouse.co.uk

>> Pair mini vintage zinc trunks, £45 www.nordichouse.co.uk >> Roberts Radio, £159.95 www.john lewis.com

>> Tom Dixon Hex Champagne Bucket, Copper £175 www.Johnlewis.com

>> Giant Ombre Vases, from £45 www.barkerand stonehouse.co.uk

>> Dime barstool, £125 www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

>> Industrial wire table lamp, £99 www.barker andstonehouse.co.uk

JAN/FEB15

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Home hustler

Janet Stansfield is a furniture forager extraordinaire. Her instinct for hunting down quirky pieces finds its showcase in her very bonny B&B in Jesmond Picture a showhome, all glossy, scuff-free surfaces, immaculate design and matchy-matchy soft furnishings.

Think of the opposite. Clutter (albeit well-chosen) at every turn.

Colour-clashes, furniture showing its age and a painted piano playing its part as an entrance hall bureau.

Welcome to Janet Stansfield’s interiors playground. An unashamed furniture ‘hustler’, Janet’s favourite places are those where she’ll find unloved, unused, unwanted pieces that she brings back to life with a flourish.

They’ve found their home in the Rosebery Hotel in Jesmond, nestling close to Armstrong Bridge.

Janet has spent the past three years and a modest £100,000 reviving the hotel and its 21 bedrooms in her unique style so it offers something cool and current in terms of sleep-tight stays.

It’s not to everyone’s taste, “It’s not dull, boring and mass produced,” says Janet.

“We want to offer a unique, eclectic experience.”

The labour of love was a natural one – the hotel has always been Janet’s family home, her parents owned and ran it until she took over the reins, realising it needed a facelift and relishing the challenge of doing just that.

It was very much a ‘value for money, upcycling project,’ says Janet, whose interior design talents have been seen on the Your Home In Their Hands TV show.

“Much of the furniture started off as rusty and tatty, seconds or even pulled out of skips,” she laughs.

Having said that, she thrives on ‘hustling’ to get great deals on designer names with a sharp eye for a bargain.

Bathrooms have Fired Earth tiles, but they’re likely to be from an end-of-line batch.

Crystal chandeliers glisten in many rooms, often they too are seconds just because they are missing one or two drops.

She’s picked up furniture bargains at Laura Ashley and auction rooms and is a regular visitor to the famous antiques markets at Newark and Lincoln. >>

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I like to have one element of the room that takes the lead – it might be a painted bed or a bold wall. I often buy damaged pieces at a huge discount then get them repaired. I get paints colour matched to the expensive brands and get a buzz out of making unloved pieces live again

Much of the furniture in the bedrooms is painted and the rooms are often brought to life with signature print wallpapers; Cole&Son and Anna French are favourites. She also sources designer fabric seconds and end of lines from Absolutely Fabrics in Benton. Each room has its own quirky sense of style. Breakfast tables might be made from a painted Singer sewing machine base with a top made to size then paired with funky retro chairs. Janet has an army of people she relies on to work magic with her finds, they might be spray painting iron chairs, re-upholstering chairs from the Theatre Royal, or sanding and lacquering a chest of drawers.

A marble fireplace that had been wrapped in tarpaulin and stored in her garden for 40 years had survived virtually unscathed and now has pride of place in a ground floor bedroom. Janet loves antique beds and they are often the bold centrepiece of the room. “I like to have one element of the room that takes the lead, it might be a painted bed or a bold wall. I often buy damaged pieces at a huge discount then get them repaired. I get paints colour matched to the expensive brands and get a buzz out of making unloved pieces live again.” She found a charity shop in Fulham’s Kings Road called FARA which is a great hunting ground for designer curtains and household linens.

“It’s a chain of charity shops and all the curtains go to this one. I hired a van and drove down and got loads of fabulous ready-made curtains in silks and all kinds of lovely fabrics.” The hotel itself is something of a maze inside with tight staircases and corners. The walls are lined with memorabilia like Routemaster bus signs, a collection of vintage mirrors, twinkling lights and retro wall signs.

A ‘welcome’ sign is made up from a collection of old keys and sits by a Bakelite phone on the bureau made from an old painted piano.

In each room there’s a breakfast area with a croissantwarmer to heat your pain au chocolate. Breakfast is a basket of goodies such as muffins from The French Oven and fresh bread from Castle Bakery, Morpeth.

Visitors are those seeking somewhere private, cosy and quirky in a quiet part of Jesmond. That might be young girls who love the vintage vibe or it can be a place of retreat for people needing to be close to the Freeman Hospital if a relative is being treated there. “You won’t find stag and hen parties. We want it to be a peaceful home from home. I want it to be a place I’d like to stay, somewhere that makes people smile.” And with that Janet hurries off to mull over how to turn a red telephone box into a shower…

Rosebery Hotel www.roseberyhotel.com

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G E T T HE LOOK>> >> Limited Edition Petite Millbrook bath painted with Mylands Rose Blush 1884 www. castironbath.co.uk

>> Sunburst mirror, £85 www.barkerandstonehouse.com

>> Pink Mongolian fur cushion, £35 www.bhs.co.uk

>> Mariella pressed metal chest, £699 www.bhs.co.uk

>> Double-sided hanging picture frame (three sizes) £10 www.decoratorsnotebook.co.uk

>> Copper bookends, £35.95 www.pagodasandbutterflies.co.uk

>> Painted chair in Estate Eggshell Dix Blue www.farrow-ball.com

JAN/FEB15

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XXXXXXXX CALM THE CLUTTER

TREND WATCH with Bryan Middleton It’s the year of the de-clutter. Time to reclaim our minds from device overload and make home a place of calm

In the space of a morning listening to a radio discussion and reading the papers, I came across a new word, ‘stuffocation’.

Meaning: the overload of ‘stuff’ and being overwhelmed by it. Quite a good word really. This January more than any I can remember, there’s been much talk about the health of your surroundings and space as much as your personal well-being.

There’s an obvious connection between the two, which is why a good clear-out, de-clutter and reorganisation of ‘stuff’ is so good for the soul.

It will make your surroundings serene and undemanding and carve out time and space for reflection and relaxation.

Think about quiet patterns, pale surfaces, storage that looks good and an overall light airy feel so you counteract busy lives and minds.

Hold all >> Croquet ottoman, £295. www.loaf.com

Calming colours >> Bluebell small armchair in Lagoon brushed linen cotton. www.sofa.com

Get sorted >> Old school hall rack, right, £495. www.roseandgrey.co.uk Floor space >> Give the floor a moment, above, Mylands Pure White No.1 floor paint. Empire Grey No.171 matt (wall) and eggshell (skirting). www.mylands.co.uk

Control the clutter >> Above, John Lewis Croft collection: dandelion peg bag, majestic knit strong basket, limewashed box chest, Kyla oak low stool. www.johnlewis.com.

File style >> Right, vintage industrial metal drawers, £260. www.raspberrymash.co.uk

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JAN/FEB15

LUXE LOCAL

Alnwick &Alnmouth

Town and coast combine in one of the region’s most sought-after areas; the solid traditions of historic Alnwick and the increasingly chic seaside hotspot of Alnmouth PROPERTIES >> Ask anyone in the North East where they’d like to live, retire to or buy their lottery-winner bolthole and a good proportion would plump for a colourful little cottage in the lovely beachside town of Alnmouth. To the rest of the country, it has until now been relatively unknown but you can’t hide a gem from those TV property shows, let alone the cameras following Vera or anything to do with Robson Green. Alnwick, just a few miles inland is stirring in the spotlight, not least after dazzling in Downton at Christmas.

The royal fairy dust had barely settled after the grand Percy wedding in 2013 before Cora, Lady Mary and Co made Alnwick the destination for a Downton getaway jaunt seen by millions. So the time might be now to get house-hunting before Downton devotees head North. Price-wise, Alnmouth is a definite hotspot. There are some nice old stone terraced properties on sale in the town itself with ‘stretch-your-neck’ sea views. They scrub up nicely with their high-ceilinged rooms and fine proportions. The most sought-after places in Alnmouth have to be those pretty-painted cottages that line the waters-edge. They look beachy, romantic and bolt-hole perfect. But if you’re after something new and a bit special, there’s an Arts&Crafts-style new-build development of five houses newly available to buy in Alnmouth with building starting in March. Sensitive and traditional in style, they reflect the heritage of Alnmouth with timber-clad frontages but with a sharp, contemporary style inside and to the rear with wide and light bi-fold doors to glazed balconies for sun and sunset moments (details at Alnwick-based lifestyle management company, www.thisispropology.co.uk).

In Alnwick itself you can find handsome, characterful properties, from sturdy Victorian and Edwardian villas to grand traditional mansions with spacious rooms and superb grounds.

CONNECTED >> Very well connected. There’s the A1 and the long, long and ever-present promise of its upgrade. Alnwick is less than an hour’s journey from Newcastle – and Edinburgh is in easy reach. The East Coast mainline rail connection at Alnmouth means everywhere is pretty accessible. Newcastle airport is also about an hour’s journey. You could even moor your boat in the harbour at Alnmouth and make gentle trips along the coast. Drive out of Alnwick and suddenly the vast wilderness that is Northumberland and the Cheviots is upon you – blissful peace.

SHOP>> Marilyn & Melrose Vintage Interiors in Narrowgate, Alnwick is great for hand painted furniture, painting workshops, beautiful home accessories and soft furnishings.

Funky clothes for women at Regram Runway also in Narrowgate with exclusive labels straight from the runway with celeb and catwalk inspired clothing. Hotspur 1364 is

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a newish menswear emporium with trendy gear, a barber and beer.

For your local produce fill, Turnbull’s The Butcher is the place to find quality meats with Northumbrian provenance, not to mention ‘sausage of the month’. And we can’t forget the fabulous Barter Books, where you can easily while away a few hours hunting through second-hand books on every subject in an former railway station – with a great café. Take a stack of old books and do the bartering to come out with a load of new reading material.

STROLL >> Just waiting for your wellies, walking boots and even wands.

This is where you find some of the country’s best strolling territory. Scenic banks of the Aln make for a great ramble as do the Alnmouth dunes. Scene spot from the Harry Potter movies and Downton festive special at medieval Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.

There’s always loads going on at Alnwick Garden whether arsenic or Earl Grey is your poison. Beachcomb at Alnmouth’s incredible long sands and marvel at dramatic skies from your vantage point of the River Aln’s estuary.

Serious walkers can get to grips with some of the wildest terrain in the country. Have a look at www.shepherdswalks. co.uk for guided trails.

EAT&DRINK >> The Treehouse at Alnwick Garden is memorable and mouth-watering for contemporary bistro food in a place that is like eating in well, a treehouse. The Ship at Low Newton

is a top spot on the coast for brilliant food and amazing walks. Also at Newton, The Joiners Arms is a cool recently re-vamped ‘good burger and pulled pork’ trendy kind of place with decent cocktails and real ales. Blackmore’s of Alnwick is another popular gastro haunt.

Pop to the Olive Branch in Market Street, Alnwick for pan haggerty or chilli haggerty! In Alnmouth The Dandelion café is worth a visit for super home-baking and hearty post-walks treats. Up the dining game at Doxford Hall which champions local produce. Try award-winning, fine dining menus at Doxford Hall and Spa. In Alnmouth The Red Lion is pick of the pubs. Roaring fire for cosy afternoons and nights.

A great beer garden, dog friendly and with live music.

JAN/FEB15

LUXE LOCAL

my local

PROPERTY WATCH WITH DUNCAN YOUNG

Richard Shell runs Doxford Barn Weddings on the outskirts of Alnwick where he lives.

It’s a venture he calls, “a private, rural wedding extravaganza’.

Three good things about living where we do >> 500 acres of privately-owned unspoilt countryside, completely secluded. Five minutes’ drive from the stunning Northumberland coastline. In close proximity to the historic market town of Alnwick, home to Alnwick Castle and Gardens and a wealth of great local shops.

Three places I take guests >> The Farne Islands > A tour on one of Billy Shiel’s boats from Seahouses is always a winner - seeing puffins and inquisitive seals.

Bamburgh Castle > The castle sits so prominently in the small village, visitors love it! Not to mention the great views from its position both inland towards the Cheviot hills and the North Sea. Dunstanburgh Castle > You have to walk to Dunstanburgh Castle so makes for a great experience as you stroll along the coast line - always finished with a crab sandwich at The Jolly Fisherman in Craster. www.doxfordweddings.com

property: three to choose Gothic gatehouse A project if ever there was one.

Glebelands Lodge is a Grade 11 listed lodge in Alnwick with a hint of the gothic about it. The perfect quirky interiors update project we reckon.

£180,000 www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

Breezy chic This five-bedroom new-build in Schofield Place, Alnmouth offers up a fresh and breezy taste of coastal life. Spacious, bright and perfectly designed to make the most of ‘do-you-good’ seaside light and coastal air at every turn.

£645.000 www.thisispropology.co.uk

Movie time Luxey new-build with River Aln views from its gracious gardens.

Big ticks for the cinema room, making it a place for popcorn and movies every night of the week.

ON THE MARKET.COM It has been interesting reading some of the articles in the national press about how estate agency portals are to be revolutionised in the early part of 2015. Some of the press have been less than fair in their interpretation of what is happening, and I am amused by the media’s reaction to the launch of the new portal website, OnTheMarket.com.

The facts are that this new website is owned by Agent’s Mutual, which is a company collectively owned by a number of estate agents throughout the country. The new company and site have been launched to act as a creditable competitor to the previous duopoly of Rightmove and Zoopla.

The public may not be aware that the original launch of Rightmove swept the country very quickly, and forced many estate agents to list all their properties through this portal or face financial ruin. Primelocation.com, which eventually became Zoopla through the Digital Property Group, became a credible alternative, but again listing fees for both of these companies became extremely onerous for the estate agents involved. In recent times the turnover of both Rightmove and Zoopla have indicated the strength of these companies and the exorbitant profits being made, attracting many investors throughout the country.

However, monopoly and duopoly conditions are not healthy and need to be challenged. It was only a matter of time before estate agents would begrudge the cost of being members of these portal websites, and thereby forcing the need for a challenge or a third alternative. Please remember that all costs associated with estate agents are, of course, passed on to their clients in their fees.

The launch of OnTheMarket.com creates a credible alternative. The conditions of membership for this new portal website is that members can only be with one other portal of the main two, Zoopla or Rightmove. We have therefore seen over the periods of December and January a number of estate agents giving notice to one of the two former dominant portal websites.

I suspect by the time people are reading this that the portal websites will become fractured in their dominance and, therefore, the public need to seek out which portal is most suited to their requirements. This is no different to all other types of industry, i.e. the sale of cars, holidays or retail goods. It gives an opportunity for the successful and credible estate agent to once again retain their own buyers and applicants through their own website. www.sandersonyoung.co.uk has been a very significant player within the regional market place. Our brand has grown in strength over the last 16 years and our attention of high network clients through our VIP mailing list is envied by many other agents.

It is through this mailing list that we have the direct ability to reach out to so many buyers in the region, some of whom are active and others less so: word of mouth is undoubtedly the best way of spreading the news that a lovely new property is available for sale or to let.

2015 will be a challenging year for this new media industry. The ongoing fight for dominance between the various portal websites will be interesting to watch. A mix of agents and differing websites will also be interesting, but here at Sanderson Young we are proud of the impact and ease of our own website, providing immediate, good quality information in a strong, visible manner, which maximises the potential of our buyers and tenants in reaching your home. As the portal war on websites unfolds, here at www.sandersonyoung.co.uk we will continue to trade in an efficient and effective manner and look forward to being able to serve the public in the many months to come.

For those of you who are not in the new media world our offices, staff and human day-to-day interface would be delighted to speak to you by telephone and our regional office in Gosforth looks forward to taking your call on 0191 2130033 or for our rare! office 0191 2233500.

Happy house hunting!

£845,000 www.sandersonyoung.co.uk Duncan G Young Dip.Est.Man.FNAEA, Managing Director, Sanderson Young duncan.young@sandersonyoung.co.uk 0191 223 3500

JAN/FEB15

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SELLING THE REGION’S FINEST HOMES

The Granary

Runnymede Road, Darras Hall, Ponteland The Granary is a luxurious, extensively remodelled mansion within magnificent grounds. This stylish, four bedroom property has great character with European oak flooring, beautiful lighting, an extensive glass wall and private balcony, and a self contained one bedroom apartment. The grounds extend to circa ¾ of an acre with private lawned gardens, terraces, mature borders and a fabulous water feature with bridge. EPC: C

Price Guide: £1.845 Million

Highmoor Farm Near Longhorsley

This exclusive development by Stone Homes is the idyllic location for family living in the heart of the Northumberland countryside. A range of traditional 19th Century stone farm steadings provide the basis for four very distinctive and substantial homes. Each bespoke luxury home has stunning views and a build and finish quality of the highest possible standard with outstanding hand-crafted architectural features.

Price Guide: Prices from £695,000

From Sanderson Young All confidential enquiries to 0191 223 3500 or email: duncan.young@sandersonyoung.co.uk | www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

SELLING THE REGION’S FINEST HOMES

Hillcrest Newton

Hillcrest is an exceptional family home located in this very popular Northumbrian village with panoramic Tyne Valley views. Dating back to the 18th Century it has been completely renovated since 2012, creating a magnificent, three storey home, deceptive in size. This highly individual, five bedroom property has great style and character with a stunning Bridgewater kitchen, Porcelanosa bathroom suites and Farrow & Ball paintwork. EPC: E

Price Guide: £995,000

Cornmoor Road Whickham

A fabulous, individually designed detached house, constructed circa 2007, approached via attractive electric gates. The five bedroom family home offers beautifully presented accommodation with a magnificent reception hallway, four reception rooms, and a 27ft family kitchen/breakfast room.

Externally the house has a generous driveway, double garage, private gardens and a timber aviary with potential as a home office. EPC: C

Price Guide: £699,000

From Sanderson Young All confidential enquiries to 0191 223 3500 or email: duncan.young@sandersonyoung.co.uk | www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

Fine & Country iPhone App Download the Fine & Country iPhone App today to browse some of the finest properties worldwide. Featuring our unique lifestyle video technology, stunning imagery and a ‘near you’ search facility.

Download it now at www.fineandcountry.com

local, regional, national and international specialists in property marketing BRIDLEWAY, BRANCEPETH DURHAM Lucky are the horses that were once resident at Bridleway, a beautiful stone building that formerly provided stabling to nearby Brancepeth Castle. Fifteen years ago it was transformed into a superb family home of immense character and charm. Three bedrooms and plentiful family accommodation are all on ground level while outside the property boasts a largely south-facing wraparound garden and attractive courtyard approach. The L-shaped layout devotes one ‘wing’ to the two reception rooms, breakfasting kitchen and guest suite, which occupies one end of the property. The other ‘wing’ of the property comprises a master double bedroom with excellent fitted wardrobes, a third bedroom and a luxury family bathroom. The sunny, private garden is secure with hedging, mature trees and an old stone wall bordering the lawn and large ornamental pond. The gravelled courtyard to the front provides plenty of private parking. Bridleway stands in the conservation area of Brancepeth Village, close to the historic castle. The village has a strong community feel and is a friendly place to live with activity centred on the village hall and golf club.

Rural in character, there are lots of pleasant walks from the village yet it is just five miles from Durham City with its excellent shopping and leisure amenities, historic landmarks, transport links and good schools.

Contact: 0191 384 2277

35 MAYNARD GROVE WYNYARD

£425,000

BLUE CEDARS, WARWICK ROAD HOUGHTON LE SPRING

• An imposing five bedroom detached residence.

• The kitchen leads open plan into a formal dining area with French doors to the rear garden and also through to a garden room with floor to ceiling windows.

• The top floor is accessed by an oak staircase and is given exclusively to a master suite of character, comprising a large, comfortable bedroom, a dressing area and luxury wet room.

• Standing on an excellent plot, it is approached by a block paved drive providing plenty of parking space and leading to a double detached garage complemented by gardens that wrap around the entire property.

• Blue Cedars has been a well-loved four bedroom family home – indeed in the same family – for a quarter of a century.

• The entrance leads into a light tiled hallway, which continues into the large dining kitchen.

Fitted with limed oak units, it has a peninsula breakfast bar and dresser style units together with modern appliances and range cooker set in a brick inglenook.

• The master suite provides stunning owners’ accommodation with a separate dressing room and the luxury bathroom includes his and hers vanity unit.

• Accessed via a private, gated entrance, the open aspect of the block paved drive provides plenty of secure parking at the front and entry to the double integral garage.

Contact: 01740 645 444

£499,950 Contact: 0191 384 2277

Newcastle 0845 459 6000

Durham 0191 384 2277

Wynyard 01740 645 444

residing@fineandcountry.com

info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk info@wynyardfineandcountry.co.uk residing@fineandcountry.com cumbria@fineandcountry.com

Tyne Valley 0845 459 6000

£450,000 Cumbria 0845 872 5453

Sales & Lettings North East creative and intelligent marketing of individual and country property

...300 offices worldwide

11 SWAINSTON CLOSE WYNYARD 11 Swainston Close is very impressive detached family home of the highest quality occupying a substantial plot in exclusive Wynyard. Secure behind electric gates, the Georgian style house has great kerb appeal and has a large block paved parking area as well as a double detached garage, but it is the extensive grounds at the rear that set it apart. The current vendors acquired and landscaped additional land to provide beautiful gardens and sunny areas in which to relax and enjoy meals outdoors, all overlooking a nature reserve.

The oak floor continues into the principal reception rooms: a beautiful, bright lounge with feature fireplace and two sets of French doors to the garden, and a separate, dual aspect dining room. An additional reception room is a versatile benefit, to be used as a family room, TV lounge, playroom or home office. The breakfasting kitchen is truly worth waiting for, being at the rear of the property’s T-shaped layout. A stunning space, at 30ft long it easily incorporates preparation and cooking, dining and a relaxation area. With two large sets of French doors, it’s a room that maximises the outdoors, providing pleasant views in winter and easy access to the timber decked dining area outside in summer. On the first floor, the master bedroom suite mirrors the kitchen floor-plan overlooking the garden and offering fabulous owners’ accommodation.

Contact: 0191 384 2277

45 THE GRANARY WYNYARD

£699,950

21 THE MEADOWS, SEATON SEAHAM

• This superb five bedroom detached home, formerly a three bedroom bungalow, is quietly positioned overlooking farmland and woodland. The current vendors have carried out extensive modernisation and refurbishment including a fabulous loft conversion which provides two further bedrooms, one with en suite facilities.

• A beautifully fitted kitchen with American walnut units, and a separate dining room.

• Three bedrooms, one with en suite and a contemporary re-fitted bathroom are also located on the ground floor.

• Externally, private wrap around gardens with a southerly aspect, have established shrubbery and a patio area. A double garage and parking area complete this unique home.

Contact: 01740 645 444 Lakes 01539 733 500

Northumberland 0845 459 6000

sales@fineandcountry-lakes.co.ul

info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk

• A substantial and attractive detached property, 21 The Meadows offers everything that’s desirable in a forever family home, and more.

• With five bedrooms and three receptions plus extensive space on the second floor, as well as a pleasant garden, it offers a comfortable lifestyle in a quiet village setting yet is highly accessible to all parts of the region via the A19.

• Once through the double doors into the house, the immediate impression is one of quality with solid oak flooring running throughout the spacious reception hallway and into the lounge and dining room.

• Well presented in neutral decor so it can be moved straight into with no work required, this really is a property that’s designed for living.

£380,000 Contact: 0191 384 2277

£485,000

www.fineandcountry.com Head office: 121 Park Lane, Mayfair, London WIK 7AG.

DESTINATION DESIGN

Rugged landscape >> Borve Lodge Estate, Harris

Toasty >> Elmet Farmhouse in Yorkshire

Style-stalking stays From funky furnishings to sharp design, check out these irresistible stayaway spots

If you love a quirky design vibe for a chic staycation, check out these inspiring boutique boltholes for a midwinter escape.

RAVING RETRO >> Head to Wales for the aptly named Escape B&B in Conwy where you’ll drown beneath the weight of wonderfully eclectic interiors. A 19th-century mill owner’s villa with a sweep of funky furnishings. Orange swivel chairs, iconic G-plan sofas, beautiful beds wrapped in crisp white linen.

From £89 per night www.sawdays.co.uk SCANDI-STYLISH >> Big toasty warm Elmet Farmhouse in Yorkshire is an 18th-century house with Scandi modern furniture and far-reaching hilltop views. The house is ‘curated’ by the design historian who lives next door. Be warmed by a wood-burning stove and relax among hand-printed curtains, Scandinavian furniture and original lamps by Hannah Nunn (visit her shop in nearby Hebden Bridge). Everything is authentic, from the vintage textiles to the lime green lino floors.

From £400 per week (sleeps 6), www.sawdays.co.uk

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ECO-BUILD >> Be part of the rugged landscape looking to the peaks, down to a near-private beach, the setting on the Borve Lodge Estate, Harris. Architecture, it’s as unique as it gets.

The ‘broch’, commanding and charming, is possibly the first watchtower to be built since Roman days. Two houses on one spot, Flintstone-like in their rusticity. Boho-chic sofas and Gaudi-esque details.

From £850 per week (sleeps 2), www.sawdays.co.uk ARTY-BARN >> Artistic Cumbrian Hart Barn conversion oozes sleek style, Starck fittings and a home cinema! A spiral staircase of polished oak railway sleepers and stainless steel leads to a living room and a window seat for mountain and lake views. A hand-blown glass chandelier cascades from the raftered ceiling.

From £595 per week (sleeps 2), www.sawdays.co.uk MARVELLOUS MILL >> Hunsett Mill is a RIBA-award-winning restored mill in Norfolk, that brings the outside in - a magnificent merging of old with new. The ground floor has a high vaulted ceiling and is open plan and light-filled with great river views. There’s a two-way open fireplace and an impressive suspended

stairway leading to simply stylish bedrooms. An irresistible weathered boardwalk bears you over the marsh and you’ve your own mooring.

From £1600 per week (sleeps 9), www.sawdays.co.uk GLEN MCGLORY >> Sheep wool insulation, cow hide cushions, local art you can buy… relish it all at Three Glens B&B in Dumfries & Galloway. Arrive by a steep track to a stunning green build.

A fine place to hole up in when the weather is bad! Sheep horns for hooks, vines in the conservatory, a great biomass wood-burner, a wall of windows that swish open. Luxurious bedrooms await downstairs, one with a private terrace.

Feel your heart soar.

From £170 per night, www.sawdays.co.uk

Try a big, toasty warm farmhouse with Scandi furniture and far-reaching hilltop views and be warmed by a woodburning stove JAN/FEB15

DESTINATION DESIGN

Green build >> Three Glens

Getaway >> Escape B&B in Conwy

JAN/FEB15

Home comforts >> Hart Barn

Stylish >> Hunsett Mill

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CHILL TIME

1 4

High heels, fat wallets and tonnes of attitude.

Welcome to Moscow.

Fiona Trott takes a memorable trip

23

6 Feel the Moscow 7 chills 8 1 >> ST BASIL’S/RED SQUARE Moscow is a city that challenges your preconceptions and lures you into a world of indulgence and intrigue. From the gold gilded interiors of its top restaurants to the giant chandeliers at its Metro stations, there’s nothing understated about this city and they’re not afraid to show it.

2 >> GUM When you visit GUM, you’re not just visiting one of the world’s most glamorous shopping complexes, you’re visiting an historic landmark. Stretching a quarter of a kilometre along the Kremlin wall, this nineteenth century building used to be Russia’s trading centre. Today, it hosts a different kind of business. The likes of Tiffany, Hermes and Manolo Blahnik now dominate the marble passageways where the offices used to be.

The food hall on the ground floor is also worth a visit. It has every luxury item you can imagine, from Russian caviar to Belgian chocolates. It also has the largest variety of vodkas you’ve ever seen.

3 >> ORLOV DIAMOND Yet there are some luxuries money can’t buy.

The centuries-old Diamond Fund inside the Kremlin has an amazing jewel collection.

Security is tight. You have to go through a number of checkpoints both outside and inside the fortress until you’re eventually led

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into two darkened halls. Each one has a dazzling display of diamond-encrusted brooches, tiaras and necklaces. The Orlov Diamond is here: One story says that its owner, Grigory Orlov, was romantically involved with Catherine the Great whilst she was married to Peter III. Orlov orchestrated a coup d’état against her husband to enable Catherine to come to power. Sadly for Orlov, Catherine fell for another man. Though he tried to win her back by offering her the diamond. It wasn’t enough. But she kept the diamond, had it mounted in the Imperial Sceptre and named after him.

4 >> HOTEL KEMPINSKI With so much history and majesty attached to this part of the city, no visitor to Moscow should settle for anything less than a room with a Red Square view. The best in town is found at the Baltschug Kempinski hotel. It’s Kremlin Suite is positioned in the turret of this historic building and overlooks the fortress from the living area and St Basil’s from the bedroom. After a day’s sightseeing or an afternoon at the nearby Tretyakov State Gallery, you will also appreciate the personal touches of this 5-star hotel. I also found the staff extremely willing to help. In a city where the popularity of clubs and bars can fall as quickly as the currency, you need an insider who can get you where you want to go.

5 >> CAFE PUSHKIN Among Moscow’s top restaurants, Cafe Pushkin seems to stand the test of time.

When you step inside this mansion house, you suddenly find yourself inside a nineteenth century pharmacy - that’s what the ground floor used to be years ago and that’s how it’s been restored. The bar is like a shop counter and the interior is full of antique chemist’s equipment. The staff are also dressed in traditional uniforms and have to pass a history and English exam before they can be hired. The quality of the food is outstanding. One of its signature dishes is the fried duck breast with orange glaze and cherry risotto, with foie gras raviolis for 1,340 RUB (around £20).

6 >> VODKAS It’s important to remember that Moscow is open all hours. Many suppers are served after midnight and you can breakfast until 2pm, a useful tip if you embark upon an evening of vodka tasting, The Kempinski taster session offers a selection of 5 vodkas accompanied by an étagère of meats, smoked salmon, caviar and condiments. A member of the bar staff talks you through it. The idea is to knock back one of the shots, then smell the bread or blini, before taking a bite. It allows the full flavour of the vodka to come through.

(Apparently, it’s a technique that goes back to the fifteenth century). The Beluga Gold Line

offered the cleanest taste by far, although my personal favourite was the Nemiroff Honey and Pepper. You can even try Christmas Tale - it comes in a bottle with a plastic tree inside it and actual flakes of snow.

7 >> GALLERY RESTAURANT After that, a light supper at Gallery Cafe is all you need. The rows of studio lights show off the original art work on display here, but they’re also a reminder that this restaurant has been a favourite of Moscow glitterati over the years. I had the popular seafood salad with octopus, prawns, caviar and asparagus which was garnished with ginger sauce and squid ink. 1300 RUB (around £19).

8 >> METRO Using public transport in Moscow is more luxurious than you think. Marble pillars, ornate chandeliers and bronze sculptures turn these sooty stations into palaces. The most dramatic interiors are found at Revolution Square, Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya and Myakovskaya.

9 >> RED SQUARE Moscow is a city that is bold, brash and beautiful. It’s where bigger is definitely better and where the standards are high. If you’re looking for a luxury break, this is the place - it may be one of the coldest cities in the world, but it’s certainly one of the best.

JAN/FEB15

LUXE LIFE

BILL FELLOWS Middlesbrough-born Bill trained at the Guildford drama school in the early Eighties. His face is a familiar one with theatre credits such as Mickey in the West End production of Blood Brothers and in films such as United, Harrigan and The Damned United On TV he has appeared as the spurned love of Downton housekeeper Mrs Hughes and he was in the last series of Broadchurch. He has just finished filming Vera in the North East and has also appeared in George Gently filmed in the region. He stars in the vampire movie ‘Bloodlust’, released in February.

LUXE PEOPLE >> My son Dylan and my family in Teesside, my sisters Val and Linda and brother John. My actor friends from Teesside – Mark Benton and Liz Carling, we find ourselves all living close to each other by the coast near Brighton.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > I loved Stockholm, a beautiful city, quite trend-setting and very egalitarian.

A long holiday > I’ve got a friend called Brocky who’s from Stockton, he lives in Florida so I’d head there for some sun.

A treat > New York or Rome, for the food.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > It would have to be a great steak.

Best wine > Don’t mind a Malbec.

Favourite restaurant > Crathorne Arms, Cena in Yarm. I am a member at The Groucho in London and close to where I live is a great place called The Lamb Inn. Perfect weekend > Spending time with Dylan, who is 16. Watch some football, eat some food…

Downtime means > A lazy chill out. See friends, walk by the sea – I will see a show if I’ve got friends in it.

Best telly > I like documentaries and I love the music programmes on BBC4 on Friday nights. I like Jools Holland. I don’t watch the soaps.

Best book > I like the CJ Sansom historical series.

Best sounds > My own! I’m in a band called The Poor Relations – we’re on iTunes! I genuinely love all music and I write stuff for us, we’re a bit Springsteen/Tom Waits.

LUXE SHOP >> Favourite shop > I like shopping for music and love proper record shops – there’s one called Music’s Not Dead in Bexhill. It’s my favourite shop in the world.

Best buy > Colman’s Shepherds Pie Mix ( he’s the consoling dad in the TV ad) LUXE PARTY A memorable night out > The premiere of a film called King of Sands at Haymarket Cinema. It was made in Oman and a lavish production – it was a great evening and after party with good friends Perfect party > Dinner with good mates Best outfit > I would say my fashion style is ‘shabby chic’ but given the chance I don’t mind putting on the snazzy stuff – having said that I’d never go to a fancy dress party, that’s too much like the day job.

Dinner date > I think Annie Lennox would be interesting, in the real world, my son Dylan.

Your luxe thing in life > Being a dad and being able to spend my days in a job that I enjoy so much.

JAN/FEB15

79

GONE FISHING

WELCOME!

Nina gets two new best friends for Christmas...

Nina’s Speakeasy. That’s the new name for our living room now that it’s become home to my two new bubbly friends Bugsy and Tallulah.

That’s right – I am now the proud mummy of my very own goldfish! It was the present at the top of my Christmas list and Santa certainly didn’t disappoint. I had wondered how he’d manage to carry a fish safely in a bowl of water from Lapland but I needn’t have worried. He is one smart guy and entrusted my big sister Rosie to look after the delivery.

On Christmas morning she presented me with a pet shop voucher, which entitled me to go on my first ever pet shopping trip to pick out not one but two fishy friends! Rosie explained that before I made the Very Exciting Trip I had important work to do to prepare their watery new home – a lovely pink tank complete with ornaments shaped like a giant lollipop, ice creams and a sparkly cup cake. When we did make the Very Exciting Trip I couldn’t believe I was actually allowed to pick two fish to take home with me! I chose a light gold fish with long pretty fins, which I called Tallulah and a darker gold one, which is now known as Bugsy.

Their names were inspired by another memorable Christmas event – my discovery of the musical Bugsy Malone. Kids dressed as grown-ups, singing and dancing – it’s my idea of heaven! I love Tallulah’s beautiful outfits and the fish make a perfect audience for my daily rehearsals of her songs…

with Nina Robinson

Love Little Luxe x

> Bang bang kid coat hooks. Need to tackle kids’ room mess post-Christmas? Get hanging with these fab cowboys and Indians coat hooks. £35, thekidwho.eu

Pitch up for some outdoor pleasure > Daring to dream of outside fun yet?

The wintery weather doesn’t stop the craving of little luxes to play out and who wouldn’t want to while away some serious playtime in these awesome tents? Want. Want. Want. Pavilion tent, £295, hanging tents, £149, cowboy wigwam, £220, all from wingreen.com

> Cheeky, colourful and comfy – what’s not to love about Room Seven’s gorgeous gear for kids – there are still some great winter bargains to be grabbed in the sale too! Roomseven.com

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COLOUR XXXXXXXX ZING

LUXE LOVES A pinnie poppet Time to take a peek at spring’s cutest styles. This comfy cover-up isn’t pink but it’s definitely perky! £24 www.boden.co.uk

JAN/FEB15

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BEACH BOY

SMILEY, HAPPY PEOPLE Dan Robinson lets us in on a secret: the world’s most beautiful island on a memory-laden visit to the Philippines

For my past two articles, I’ve shared with you experiences of a journey through South East Asia. I’d taken in the sights and smells of Singapore and headed down to Bali.

When I’d planned this trip, I wasn’t sure exactly how the journey was going to pan out. I’m a big fan of spontaneity so I’d deliberately kept things loose. I had a flexible flight schedule, a general sense of where I wanted to go, and one small backpack.

During my stay at Raffles in Singapore, I met a young couple from the Philippines.

As we shared stories over a cocktail, I picked their brains for secrets of the Philippines. I knew that I had to spend at least a couple of days in Manila but from there, I’d take a short plane ride to the Island resort of Boracay.

I’ve been involved in the world of boxing since childhood. Now, as part of my business we run a boxing gym which has gradually evolved into a centre for mixed martial arts. It is used as part of the Gus Robinson Foundation to help young people fulfil their potential and use their energy for something positive and constructive.

My love of boxing came from my father, Gus. I remember as a young boy, discussing our favourite fighters of all time and pitting them against each other in imaginary grudge matches. Our favourite was, of course, the one and only Muhammad Ali. Of his many historic fights, none of them captured our imagination more than his third and final fight against Smoking Joe Frazier. The ‘Thrilla in Manila’ was contested in 1975 for the Heavyweight Championship of the World at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

The bout is consistently ranked as one of the best in the sport’s history and proved to be the culmination of the bitter rivalry between Ali and Frazier. It was because of this fight that I always wanted to visit the capital of the Philippines.

I arrived to the typical chaos familiar to many of the world’s developing countries.

Intoxicating and from the outset, a very friendly, smiley place. During my time in New York I’ve met many people from the Philippines and have always marvelled at what can be

Beach days>> Scuba diving in Boracay, Dan is blown away by the vast array of reef-life best described as a genuinely caring approach to friendship. The family unit is at the heart of Philippine culture and there is a grace-centered approach to relationships of all kind. If you like big cities, you will love Manila. It’s a chaotic place where you can eat, drink and shop 24 hours a day but there is a really interesting mix of Spanish, Chinese and American cultures. It’s chronically overcrowded, suffers from pollution due to extreme traffic jams around the city and yet, between the chaos lie tranquil neighbourhoods.

As always, when I visit a new place I’m keen to experience the local cuisine. I’d been urged to experience home cooking and after some extensive research, I visited Café Juanita which, the travel magazines will tell you, is as close to home cooking as you are going to get. It really felt as though I was being welcomed into someone’s home with a warm reception and those big smiles. It occurred to me that they knew best so I just asked them to bring me their favourite dish. A plate arrived which contained an unidentified meat swimming in what seemed to be a stew. I have to say, it didn’t look that appealing! After tasting it however, I was

a convert. I’m still not sure exactly what it was I ate but I know it was pork and the stew contained a lot of coconut. It was absolutely sensational.

I spent a couple of days wandering through the streets of Manila without a real agenda or plan. I really loved this city. There is something very real about it.

When I reflect on my journey over the summer, I have pleasant memories of Singapore but the feeling I have for Manila is much more visceral. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

After two city days, it was time to head back to paradise. I jumped on a little propeller aircraft for the 40-minute flight to the island of Boracay. Flying in the back of this little aircraft was a fun experience, much more so than a mundane 747!

As I stared out of the window at the array of beautiful Islands beneath me, the bumps and screams from passengers caused me to reflect on my past career. I miss flying.

Real flying.

Boracay doesn’t have an airport so you actually land on the neighbouring island of Caticlan. I was staying at the Shangri-La hotel on Boracay and was met at the airport by some very attentive staff who immediately handed me a cocktail and escorted me to

my next mode of transport, an outrigger boat known locally as a ‘bangka’. As the boat slipped out of the dock and on its way to Boracay, the views, ocean and the weather were simply stunning. I have never been to a more beautiful place in the entire world. Bali was nice but this was something else!

Out of all the islands in the world, Travel and Leisure Magazine chose to name Boracay as its Best Overall Island of 2012.

Dramatically situated on a lush hillside within an eco-reserve, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa is a spectacular, luxurious resort with sprawling grounds and secluded beaches, even a spa village.

By the time I arrived, I was very tired and looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing end to my trip. This was perfect.

I spent the days doing nothing more than exploring the crystal white beaches, swimming in the ocean, eating fresh seafood and wandering aimlessly through the many market stalls, beach bars and restaurants at the local village.

The Philippine people were beautiful in every sense of the word. Always welcoming, always smiling, I was immediately at home.

Compared to my experience in Bali, this was altogether a more genuine, more local, and more un-spoilt experience.

On my final day there, I decided to spend the day scuba diving at one of the many offshore reefs. Balinghai is two walls running parallel to each other. The deep wall features sharks and tuna while the shallow wall is pockmarked by small holes which house lionfish, triggerfish, bannerfish, puffers and gobies.

I’ve dived a number of sites across the world but I was blown away by the almost limitless visibility, the vast array of reef-life and many species of fish.

That evening I was treated to a beach barbecue of fish that had been caught only hours earlier by the crew of the dive boat as they waited for us to surface.

As I watched the sun setting over the islands with a cocktail in hand I reflected on the final chapter of what had been an incredible three-week journey.

It was time to get back to reality and return home but I was energised by the experiences and ready to hit the ground running. Now we’re in 2015 and I’ve loved reflecting on the past year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about some of my exploits and if you’d like to hear more about them in real time, you can follow me on Twitter at @dan_gusrob.

In the meantime, let me wish you a wonderful and prosperous 2015.

Boracay has been voted the world’s best island. I can only agree. I have never been to a more beautiful place in the entire world

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XXXXXXXX LUXE LIFE

LUXE PEOPLE >> My wife and children. No matter how tough the day has been, going home to the noisy chatter of three boys always provides a welcome sanctuary.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > Florence. My wife and I spent our honeymoon there so it always has a special association for us. Culturally, gastronomically and architecturally it is unrivalled.

A long holiday > South Africa. The sheer variety of the country was what struck me when I visited. From the beaches to the desert and the safari parks to the cities, all that I saw was breathtaking. And, again, the food is amazing.

A treat > Liverpool. It’s where I was brought up and visits have the magic of childhood nostalgia combined with a vibrancy of a cosmopolitan northern city not dissimilar to Newcastle.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > I love food from all over the world but a slow-cooked lamb shank with mashed potatoes is unbeatable, especially at this time of year.

Best wine > European reds – usually a Rioja or a Bordeaux.

Favourite restaurant > I have always been a fan of food from the Far East and Nadon Thai, situated conveniently close to Durham School, has been a great discovery for its fresh taste and imaginative recipes.

Perfect weekend > A walk in the Northumbrian countryside finishing at the seaside for fish and chips.

Then a service at Durham Cathedral – rightly one of the country’s most cherished buildings – and an afternoon playing football in the garden.

Downtime means > A good book in front of the fire.

Best telly > I tend to be a box set rather than live person. The Wire is probably my favourite of these.

I must confess to a weakness for Pointless, especially since it is hosted by an Old Dunelmian.

Best book > I’m currently ploughing through Anthony Powell’s Dance to the Music of Time series, which is a fascinating insight into a certain section of British society in the early 20th century.

Best sounds > I have officially retired from modern music, so most of my listening revolves around guitar music of the eighties and nineties.

KIERAN MCLAUGHLIN Headmaster at Durham School, Kieran was born and raised in Liverpool. He studied natural sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge, eventually specialising in physics. He was deputy head at Rugby School and during his career has been involved with a number of national curriculum initiatives. He can also boast musical excellence as the bass player in an obscure Liverpudlian rock band and is a black belt in jiu-jitsu

JAN/FEB15

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city – London, because it has a shop for almost every niche interest you can imagine.

Favourite shop > I am a bit of a second-hand book shop enthusiast and so the Oxfam bookshop on Old Elvet Bridge in Durham and the book shops on Charing Cross Road in London are particular treats.

Luxe retail treat > A good malt whisky Best buy > My favourite piece of art, bought in Uganda at the equator years ago. It’s a colourful oil on canvas of musicians playing at the river side.

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Without doubt, Durham School’s Festival of music at the Sage. A fantastic musical extravaganza.

Perfect party > Friends round for good food and wine followed by great conversation Best outfit > Black tie Dinner date > My wife. Young children mean that it is almost impossible to get any peace at home, so we do try and get away for an evening together just to talk.

Your luxe thing in life > Durham School. As a place to work and live, as well as to educate my own children, it’s a fantastic combination of aspiration, opportunity and North Eastern self-effacement. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my short time there.

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XXXXXXXX GO FASTER

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>> Oakley Airwave goggles with GPS and Bluetooth, £520 www.ellis-brigham.com Dragon APX 2 Inverse goggles, below, £220 www.ellis-brigham.com

f o P A E L IT H FA

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>> Maru jacket, £179.99, snowpants, £99.99, from a selection www.protest.eu >> ECCO men’s outdoor and performance ski boots, £120-£140 www.ecco.com

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>> Salomon Quest helmet, £135 www.ellis-brigham.com >> Salomon Chill Out bib pant, £199.99 www.ellis-brigham.com

VA VA GROOM WITH PAUL COWEN IN THE BARBER’S CHAIR…

It’s very obvious that beards are having a moment – but let’s face it, beards aren’t new. Ten out of the 12 men in images depicting the Last Supper had bountiful whiskers.

Even Charles Darwin wrote about beards being an evolution of sexual selection in his work ‘The Descent of Man.’ Modern-day biologists have reaffirmed his thoughts with research suggesting that, whether women admit it or not, the majority find men with beards more attractive than those without. Yes, seemingly, beards are a turn-on!

At least the current facial hair fashion allows for some distinctiveness in the hair you wear, notably because of the range of products available.

>> Stone Crusher durable slope-friendly shades, £149 www.mauijim.com

>> Pack the Refinery Essential Kit with Revitalising Moisturiser to leave cold-weather skin smooth and hydrated, £45 www.aromatherapyassociates.com

>> Thermic PowerGlove, £200 www.ellis-brigham.com

>> Ted Baker Audio Rockall headphones, £149.99 www.tedbaker.com

I’ve been trialling different beard care products, seeking out artisan ranges for our grooming collection. I wondered whether blokes would buy in to a quality range the way that women do when they consider hair care products. I had to ask the questions: Is it worth it? Will men buy it? Is it profitable? Is the beard dead?

I chose a brand that reflects the individuality of every man’s beard with hand-crafted oils and a range to suit different skin types and styles. I think beards have certainly become fashionable and though the beard may grow in and out of trend, I don’t believe it’s had its time yet. The health benefits that accompany beards are so undervalued; they keep your face protected from the sun and wind which keeps us looking young and fresh.

No shaving also means no rash, no ingrown hairs and no spots! Believe it or not, those beards far from being a harbour for food scraps, have been proven to reduce illness such as asthma by filtering the air we breathe much like the legendary smoke-eating firemen who used to enter blazes with their beards in their mouths to try and filter the smoke! So my conclusion is no, I don’t believe the beard will ever die, the growing of a beard is a statement in itself. It empowers a man in terms of testosterone Products supplied

by Mariner Jack and confidence.

I love being someone’s beard envy and I look at other beards in envy.

Paul runs The Man Corner at Reef Salons, Bannatyne Health Club, Belmont, Durham 0191 386 3055.

JAN/FEB15

85

IN THE SWING

GOLF COACH WITH JOHN HARRISON

golf:kit Fabulous fairways and creative challenges. Take a perfect ten UK grand golf tour this year

It seems like an age since I wrote my last article. As the deep winter hits us the golf clubs go into hibernation for a while, but now the days are starting to lengthen and so the new golfing season doesn’t seem to be so far away.

In fact for me the preparation for the on-coming season started in early January preparing for a tournament at Quinta Do Lago, Portugal and then the end of January and the European Senior Tour School in the first week in February also being held in the Algarve region of Portugal.

My preparation for these tournaments and the coming season is made up of different disciplines: Physical – General fitness & flexibility Technical Practice – Range work Short Game – Pitching & chipping One of the most important things for myself is keeping in decent shape; we walk approximately 5-6 miles in a round of golf, up and down hills, so stamina is important to keep my concentration levels high throughout the round.

I achieve them mainly through gym work on the cross trainer and the bike 2-3 times per week. Also to keep achieving the positions in the swing I want my flexibility has to be maintained. I work with a physio who gives me exercises to do twice a day. I do 6 different exercises all for flexibility and repeat these 6 times and hold the position for 6 seconds. It amazes me that if I don’t do these exercises for any reason, how stiff I feel when I get back into them. These sessions only take 15 minutes twice a day.

I then hit balls for approximately an hour daily to manage my technique or trying to home new moves, which may improve my swing. Generally most of my shots will be with a mid iron although I will finish with a few drives. In these sessions I will always try and fit in some wedge play for maybe 20 minutes. The hardest part of my game to keep up to scratch over the winter is the short game. Obviously as the weather is bad, chipping and putting greens can be out of action, so all my practice putting is done indoors with the aid of a putting mirror and arc board. Twenty minutes a day is normally enough as it can be a little boring just rolling balls along a carpet.

As far as course practice is concerned I do very little in the UK. I have just had a week abroad playing which proves invaluable for feedback as to where my game is and test out all the winter practice under the pressures of playing the course.

Well, there you have it – approximately 2 hours a day of my time is taken up preparing for the on-coming season, hopefully it will pay dividends. But one thing I do know is that without preparation I am almost certainly not going to achieve my goals... Poor preparation = poor performance.

See you at the range John

John Harrison, European Senior Tour player and Matfen Hall Head Professional, Matfen Hall Hotel Golf and Spa www.matfenhall.com tel: 01661 886400

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ST ANDREWS >> in Fife, Scotland, is the home of golf. It’s an hour by train from Edinburgh to Leuchars station then a ten-minute taxi drive. The famous par-72 Old Course is so popular tee-off times have to be balloted! But don’t worry because there are six other courses around town.

Lovely ones nearby are Anstruther, Elie and Crail. The town of St Andrews is home to the British Golf Museum. www.visitstandrews.com THE CELTIC MANOR >> resort in south Wales hosted the Ryder Cup in 2010. There are three championship golf courses at the resort, all of which are 18 holes; the stunning Twenty Ten Course hosted the Ryder Cup. You’re close to cosmopolitan Cardiff or the beauty of the Brecon Beacon hills and some of the finest gastropubs in Wales. www.celtic-manor.com ROYAL LYTHAM >> and St Annes on the Lancashire coast of England is just six miles south of Blackpool (around two hours from the North East) and has hosted the Open Championship. It is considered one of the premier links courses in the world. www.royallytham.org ROYAL PORTRUSH >> Golf Club is near Coleraine in Northern Ireland, an hour and a quarter’s drive from Belfast. One of the most challenging links courses in the world. It’s just ten miles along the coast to the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. www.royalportrushgolfclub.com CARNOUSTIE >> The links course at Carnoustie, on Scotland’s east coast, is just an hour and a half by train from Edinburgh, and even pros like Colin Montgomerie have admitted to finding it a challenge. Depending how well or how badly you play, you can celebrate or commiserate with a visit to the Glencadam whisky distillery near Brechin, a half-hour drive away – book a driver to take you! www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk, www.glencadamdistillery.co.uk SUNNINGDALE >> Golf Club in Berkshire, England, is just a half hour’s drive away from London Heathrow airport, so you could easily play 18 holes if you are staying in the capital. It’s said that the course here is the closest American visitors will find to the iconic Augusta National Golf Club – but, in fact, there are two championship ones here, the Old and New courses. www.sunningdale-golfclub.co.uk TURNBERRY >> On the coast of south Ayrshire – just over an hour by road from Glasgow, Turnberry, founded in 1902, has spectacular views towards the islands of Ailsa Craig and Arran. On a clear day, you can even see Ireland. The

Turnberry Resort Hotel has a luxurious spa and fitness centre to soak weary limbs after a tough day on the links. www.turnberrygolfclub.net, www.turnberryresort.co.uk ROYAL ST GEORGE’S >> in Kent is on the coast north of Dover, about two hours by car from London. Its undulating fairways and fast greens can prove a test for even the most determined golfer. Kent is known as ‘the garden of England’ and a day spent on the course could be followed by time spent discovering one of the prettiest corners of the country. www.royalstgeorges.com GANTON >> Founded in 1891, Ganton golf club in North Yorkshire, England, has hosted many amateur and professional tournaments. This course is ideally placed to discover the beautiful Yorkshire coast as well as the North York Moors and Wolds. York is a 45-minute drive away. www.gantongolfclub.com ROYAL BIRKDALE >> a 35-minute drive north of Liverpool on the north-west coast. Not far from Liverpool is the whole of England’s ‘Golf Coast’, which encompasses 20 golf courses, including three Royal courses; as well as Royal Birkdale there’s Royal St Lytham & St Anne’s in Lancashire and Royal Liverpool at Hoylake on the Wirral Peninsula, the second oldest seaside links course in England. www.royalbirkdale.com

JAN/FEB15

LUXE LAPS

HARRY TRUEMAN Harry Trueman is deputy leader at Sunderland City Council. Outside of work his passions are motorsports and the company of his first grandson Harry. He and wife Dorothy enjoy travelling and eating out – and Henry loves indulging in a spot of car restoration and real ales CHILDHOOD CAR CRUSH >> My first car was a Ford Anglia which was brought for £12, but I always wanted a Jaguar like the one Detective Morse drove.

WHAT’S IN THE GARAGE NOW >> A Range Rover but my other car is a 1972 1275 MG Midget. It started its life as a white wreck, at a centre for young adults who have learning difficulties, and took around six years to bring back to life. A real labour of love. Its colour was changed to red following a body rebuild, however problems with the paint and then later engine problems means we had to do an engine rebuild. Between 2013 and 2014, I repaired and replaced the items that had not been finished, put it back on the road and within the last month Stephen Allen at Bling Motors in Washington has given it a full back-to-metal re-spray. It looks great and drives well but when you’re behind the wheel you have to remember that it’s a 43-year-old car with no power brakes or power steering!

IF YOU COULD OWN ANY CAR >> The Range Rover Evoque is a great car, not so much for its great off-road capabilities but its driving position and its positive handling on the road. Any of the Ferraris would be great, but more a more down-to-earth choice might be an Aston Martin DB9.

CAPTAIN SLOW OR JEREMY >> Probably a bit of Jeremy in the Evoque, but Captain Slow in the Midget, it feels like you’re doing 90 at 30, with the roof down.

JAN/FEB15

TRACKS OF YOUR TYRES >> I like our local radio station, SUN FM. Music-wise, I like Country and Western, Irish music but you’ll hear 70s bands and modern-day artists being played on the USB in the Rover. No music in the Midget as it doesn’t even have a radio.

DREAM ROAD TRIP >> I like country roads and the great scenery they can lead you to. With my love of driving and power cars it would have to be a drive along Route 66. I saw a programme with Billy Connolly, a few years back, where he drove the 66 route and stayed at some great spots along the way.

WHO WITH >> My wife Dorothy, son Philip, daughter Lisa, daughter-in-law Rachel, but the most important passenger would be our nine-month-old grandson Harry George, our first grandson, and we couldn’t forget my daughter’s dog Bono. I think with that list I will have to hit Route 66 in a motor home and forget the muscle car.

Away from the track last year at our annual air show, I flew with the Blades Aerobatics team from Newcastle Airport, where the pilot performed the stunts they do at the show; now that was memorable.

WHAT’S IN THE GLOVE BOX >> Very little, a good tyre pressure gauge, sunglasses and service book. In the Range Rover you’re able to download CDS to the hard drive and USB, so you don’t need to store anything else in there.

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR CAR >> Better than valet standard!

I do my cars by hand and they are as clean underneath as they are on top.

SCARY MOMENTS >> The scariest moment was flying with the Blades. But on the ground was at this year’s Roger Albert Clark rally when I went round with some of the drivers. They are probably the safest guys and gals on our roads but when you are in with them on the track they are professional lunatics.

MEMORABLE CAR MOMENTS >> I have been a guest of the last two car rally events which our city hosted in Herrington Country Park.

Last year was the Evo’s and this year we had the Roger Albert Clark event and on both occasions I was the passenger in the cars and was treated to a frightening and exhilarating ride around the track.

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SOCKET TO ME

AT THE WHEEL Bob Arora is ready to help you spend your hard-earned cash on some super motors

Imagine the scenario; you’re an engineer working at VW and your boss, Dr Ferdinand Piech, one day demands you design a car capable of travelling 100km using one litre of fuel. This is the same man who bought the rights to use the Bugatti name just to revive the company’s history and tradition...

He wanted to make the world’s fastest and most technically advanced car. They subsequently launched the Veyron; this piece of auto motoring engineering is not only amazing but word has it VW make a loss on each car. He really wanted to showcase VW’s capabilities of building supercars at both ends of the spectrum. so with both cars they have vehicles that not only turn heads but are capable of attracting crowds around them in seconds.

Thus, for the designers, the reality of realising Mr Piech’s vision of a super eco car, must have given the designers many a sleepless night.

Step forward ten years and the amazing VW XL1 is launched.

On a recent trip to Sweden I was lucky enough to see this futuristic looking car; unfortunately I didn’t get to drive the car until now. It has been fitted with gull wing doors and the rear lights have a bit of a Maserati look to them. The rear wheels have been covered over to help aid drag flow; in doing so the car has a real Marmite effect with some people either loving it or hating it. The car’s drag figure is an amazing 0.159 which is unbelievable compared to the average car’s figure of 0.35. The car features some cutting-edge technology that will eventually filter down in years to come.

VW are quoting consumption figures of 313mpg which can only be described as unbelievable. To help achieve this, the car is the most drag efficient car in the world, the flat wheel covers and underbelly cover help smooth the airflow. The engine cooling vents only open when needed so as not to spoil the car’s aerodynamics. The designers have also used lightweight materials galore.

The use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels and even polycarbonate windows have all been used to save weight. Even electric windows have been replaced with old-fashioned roll-up handles. All of the space-age weight-saving materials helps give this car a kerb weight of only 795kg.

To help with drag efficiency the door mirrors

The rear wheels have been covered over to help aid drag flow; in doing so the car has a real Marmite effect, love it or hate it

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Plug-in masterpiece

VW’s futuristic XL1 is the stuff of eco-dreams and a little piece of history

have been replaced by cameras which give the driver a better view than normally offered by a mirror. These images are sent to screens in the car, it seems strange at first but you soon become quite used to the new technology. Opening the amazing gull wing doors you’re greeted by a fairly normal looking interior. The centre of the dash is dominated by a cheap looking satnav screen. This could have been integrated in the dash but I can only guess it would have added all-important weight. The seats have also been designed to save weight and despite looking quite thin and cheap they were really quite comfortable. The seats are not right next to each other as in most normal cars, the passenger seat is slightly behind the driver’s seat. Apparently this is to stop the passenger and driver’s shoulders from hitting each other. Again, in a desperate measure to save weight, the car

doesn’t have power steering; the thin tyres make the steering quite manageable in this world of power-assisted steering.

The car has been fitted with an 800cc diesel engine which produces 47bhp; the car’s electric motor gives the car a further 27bhp.

In electric mode the car has an all-electric range of 31 miles. The brakes fitted to the car are carbon ceramic; in a Porsche they would be all about stopping power but in this car they were all about saving weight.

Just for the record they did a great job of stopping the car when a suicidal dog stepped into the road.

The car is fitted with a 7-speed automatic gearbox which is located on the right hand side of the cockpit.

To aid economy, the engine switches off during deceleration and it restarts when the accelerator is pressed. I was surprised by the car’s acceleration; its top speed is

100mph and it gets to 62 mph in 14 seconds. As I thought this was geared towards economy I just assumed a top speed of 60mph would have been the reality. You can drive the car on electric power alone for 30 miles and the car can be fully charged in just over an hour via a normal three-pin plug.

Dr Piech’s dream was for this car to be affordable but its launch price is a touch under £100,000 and I am sure you will agree with me it’s not going to be on everyone’s purchase list. If you can’t afford the Veyron, this economical masterpiece may be the car for you. Beware, they are only making 250 worldwide and they have already sold six in the UK, so if you want to own a piece of automotive history then hurry!

Car supplied by Benfield VW

JAN/FEB15

STEER-SAVVY

Go faster... and it does At a gasp-worthy £237k can Bentley’s GT3-R claim to be worth every penny? It’s a yes from Bob

The word Bentley is synonymous with racing. The company’s founders W.O & H.M Bentley were keen racers and they believed to win races a car had to be fitted with the biggest engine possible. W.O was never a fan of superchargers unlike other manufacturers, and his cars took Le Mans by storm. The first time I drove a Bentley was when they introduced the Continental to the world. This stunning car had the right amount of Bentley qualities like a beautiful dash along with the most luxurious materials. Opening the car door you were greeted with sumptuous leather and wood and to the last detail like buttons and switches, it oozed quality.

Bentley managed to bring down the average age of its buyers; footballers and their WAGS marched to the nearest showrooms to order their cars.

Bentley allows its customers to customise their cars: Paris Hilton and Katie Price decided to order pink cars which I am sure wouldn’t be everyone’s first choice! This car actually saved Bentley’s future from selling a handful of cars a year to over 10,000 cars at their peak.

No pink in sight thankfully for my dip into the Bentley Continental GT3-R, which is a road-legal completion car. This stunning car is a tribute to Bentley’s maiden season back in international motorsport. After a gap of

JAN/FEB15

more than a decade, this car has firmly thrust them back onto the motorsport stage. Bentley is only making 300 of these amazing cars and I am sure they will sell quickly. Believe me when I tell you, its performance is nothing short of amazing.

They have fitted the 4.0lt V8, which I must admit wouldn’t have been my first choice but with new turbos added, a titanium exhaust and recalibrated ECU this car develops an impressive 572 bhp, although this is not as much as a Continental Speed fitted with a W12 6lt engine.

The GT3-R is the first Bentley to hit 62mph in under 4 seconds, the car is 100kg lighter than the speed but it still hits the scales at around 2.2 tonnes so its performance is all the more amazing. One thing that did surprise me was the car’s top speed - only 170mph; I personally thought Bentley would have cranked it above 200mph.

Starting the car really stirs the hairs on the back of your neck. The exhaust growl is just unreal and add to this some orchestral pops and crackles and you have a car to wake the neighbours!

The car’s standard air suspension is still here but as you would expect it’s been adapted. The car now feels more planted to the road but beware; the 21” alloy wheels do thump over some of our bad roads. In sport mode the car really comes to life as it will hold gears for as long as possible and the noise from the exhaust is legendary.

Driving the car in D mode allows you drive around with much more subdued noise; this makes it much more discreet around town or alternatively in traffic. Flooring the car’s throttle, you can’t help but notice its fantastic performance which is delivered very smoothly. The car’s steering gives the driver huge amounts of feedback. I was always impressed with the Continental’s steering but this car takes it to the next level. The car is also blessed with higher grip levels and much better body control which is partly thanks to the 40:60 front-to-rear torque bias.

Bentley has, for the first time, introduced rear axle brake-delivered torque vectoring. In a nutshell, despite its size, it feels like a hot hatch around country roads.

When you see the car for the first time you can’t help but notice the rear wing

which wouldn’t look out of place on a boy racer car.

The car door feels unbelievably heavy and it’s a workout just opening and closing it.

Bentley has ditched the wood for sporty looking lacquered carbon fibre trim and this is continued around the dash.

The rear seats have been replaced by a beautifully upholstered storage bay.

The interior is still pure Bentley with yards of hide and the most stunning diamond quilted Alcantara; it really is a work of art and it’s obvious to see where all the man hours go in making this stunning car.

The car costs £237,500 which I know is not cheap but, as mad as it may seem, I honestly think it’s worth every penny.

If the famous Bentley boys were around now, this car would really have done them proud!

Car supplied by Bentley Edinburgh

When you see the car for the first time you can’t help but notice the rear wing which wouldn’t look out of place on a boy racer car

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NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

These cars will carry reps up and down the country and they need to be reliable, economical and just a nice place to do a lot of miles

Infiniti and beyond I am quite sure if you were to ask the vast majority of the British public to name five car manufacturers none would dream of mentioning Infiniti. Ask the same question in the States and plenty of people would mention the brand.

When you consider it was originally launched 25 years ago, they really do not have any brand awareness in the UK at all. In a valiant attempt to take on the Germans at their |own game, Nissan, Toyota and Honda all launched premium brands.

In America they have managed to outsell their competitors by making their cars not only look great but they have all been jam-packed with technology, and the trump card has to be the car’s reliability.

Infiniti was originally launched in Europe about eight years ago with the Q45 which looked very nice. This smart looking car didn’t put Infiniti on the map but now Infiniti is here with a bang.

Thanks to clever F1 sponsorship with the Red Bull team they are also looking to enter a car into the BBTC, and they’ve also invested heavily into designing all of the dealerships to look amazing; as soon as you walk into the showroom the place screams quality.

And thankfully, for a change, Infiniti have chosen our very own local super group, Vertu Motors, to lead the charge in spreading the word about this company.

The car I tried first was the striking-looking Q50; this car is firmly aimed at the BMW 3 series. This lucrative market is sewn up by the big three German manufacturers. These cars will carry reps up and down the country and they need to be reliable, economical and just a nice place to do a lot of miles. The Q50 definitely looks the part with great curvy styling, and with the optional 19” alloys it looks good and very different to the German competition. Infiniti have used Mercedes diesel engines and gearboxes in the Q50 which can only be a good selling point for potential buyers. The engineers at Infiniti have fitted a new induction system, inter cooler, low pressure fuel system, exhaust after treatment system, oil pan, engine mounts and finally a

90

new ECU. With all of those changes I personally think it would have been easier designing a new bespoke engine.

This re-engineered engine now produces 168bhp and it should return light footed drivers around 64mpg and it emits 114g/km. The car gets to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds which is a second slower than the 3 series.

Infiniti have also launched an all-important Hybrid model.

This car is fitted with a 3.5lt V6 engine which produces 302bhp and an electric motor which produces 67bhp. This variant also features the practicality of a 4 wheel drive; it should return 45mpg and amazingly it emits the same CO2 as the diesel. The hybrid version steals 100 litres of boot space over the diesel model.

There are two areas where the Q50 is let down; first up is the fact that the car is heavier compared to its competitors and the second is its electric steering. More and more manufacturers are using this new technology but I found it far too light and I for one am not a fan, you do not have the same feedback and it feels too vague. I personally drove the car in sport mode as it made the steering a bit heavier and it felt slightly better.

The car I drove was the range-topping Sport model which was fully loaded with specification, from Bose speakers to adaptive cruise control. This applies the brakes if the car

thinks you are going to have an accident. The dash is dominated by an iPad-style screen that controls everything from the car’s satnav to heating. Some of the switchgear feels a bit cheap and there are too many buttons for my liking which lead me on to thinking that Infiniti still have a lot to learn from both Mercedes and Audi; the new C Class’ interior or the new TT’s interior really set the benchmark in terms of both style and quality.

The Q50 is longer than all of its rivals, but considering this it’s quite cramped in the back and the boot is quite an awkward shape, however the rear seats can be folded to increase practicality. The Q50 is priced from £28,000 and the sport model I drove costs £33,000 and the range-topping hybrid model costs £40,000. The pick of the range for me has to be the Sport. This car really is ideal for someone looking to drive something different and with excellent lease deals available the Infiniti brand is going to be one to watch.

Another model about to launch is the Q30. This stunning car will help lure new customers to the brand and the best news is it will be built at the Nissan plant at Washington.

Car supplied by Infiniti Centre Newcastle.

Regional dealership at Silverlink, covering the North East.

JAN/FEB15

INFINITI CENTRE NEWCASTLE

DRIVE WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED!

Brand New Infiniti Q50 2.2d SE Executive

• Touch Screen • Sat Nav • Voice Activation • Bluetooth & Bluetooth Audio Streaming • 64.2 MPG Combined (114g/km CO2) • Electric ½ Leather Seats • Optional Sport/Economy Driving Mode • Dual Climate Control • Keyless Entry • Daytime Running Lamps • Front Fogs • Reverse Camera • Twin Exhausts • Alloy Wheels • Auto Lamps & Wipers • Electric Front & Rear Windows

Available from

£233 +VAT *

per month

Discover more. Call us today to book a test drive in the stunning Infiniti range

Infiniti Centre Newcastle Middle Engine Lane, Silverlink Business Park, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NE28 9NZ Phone: 0191 295 8686 www.infinitinewcastle.com

INSPIRED PERFORMANCE

Official fuel economy figures for the Infiniti Q50 range in mpg (l/100 km): urban 29.4 to 50.4 (9.6 to 5.6), extra urban 53.3 to 76.3 (5.3 to 3.7), combined 41.5 to 64.2 (6.8 to 4.4).

CO2 emission: 159 to 114 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ.

Model shown for illustration purposes only. *BUSINESS USERS ONLY. Example based on 3 rentals in advance followed by 35 monthly repayments, 30,000 miles per annum on a non-maintained (you are responsible for all maintenance and servicing costs) contract with non-metallic paint. Finance provided by Infiniti Financial Services Limited, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ. Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) to apply. At the end of the contract you will not own the vehicle. Further charges may apply subject to mileage and condition at end of contract. Visit your local dealer for full details. Offers valid on eligible vehicles ordered before 31st March 2015. Subject to availability. Private customer offers are also available. Infiniti Europe, Zone d’Activités La Pièce 12, 1180 Rolle, Switzerland.

In association with:

luxe:looks

Break out the fizz. Time to get down to some people-spotting as we bring you our social snapshot of happenings across the North East. Eyes and teeth time!

Peace & Loaf Restaurant 1st Birthday, Jesmond Butterwick Hospice Diamond and Pearl Ball, Hardwick Hall

Above > Hilary Munkley, Charlotte Munkley

Above > Adrian Worson, Giovanna Marino

Above > Alan Richards, Susan Richards

Above > Alison Wake, Hina Johnson

Above > Ayesha Marston Micky Knowles, Jackie Marston

Above > David Liew, Heather Spooner, Rosie Oswin, Kate Yeoman, Andy Grow, Jake Sheader

Above > Christine Young, Gary Young

Above > Geeta Ral, David Liew, Heather Spooner

Above > Geeta Ral, Sherod Walker, Lucy Bowden

Above > Sarah Skelton, Christine Harrison Left > Phil Conway, Eva Bartkowiak, Stuart Johnson, Caroline Johnson

Above > Linda Wardell, Maureen Goldsmith

Above > Pat Stephens, Joanne Chalmers

Above > Sangita Hope, Annemarie Pallent-Home, Michael Home, Lucy Home

Above > Richard Whitehouse Valerie Whitehouse, Helen Bloor, Colin Ashcroft

Above > Ken Home, Judy Home

Above > Kathryn Nicholson, Dan Meadows Above > Amy Hallett, Ashley Coggin, Lisa Coggin, Sarah Wallace

Above > Paul Frost, Jo Frost

Eldon Garden, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RA T 0191 232 0788 www.richardsintonjewellers.com

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Above > Joe Allon, Catherine Harland

Cultured Pearl and Diamond pendant WAS ÂŁ7,100

NOW

ÂŁ3,550

SALE

ENDS 1 4T H FEB RUARY

JAN/FEB15

SOCIAL LIFE

Steve Cochrane Borough Award, Psyche Middlesbrough

Above > Claire Grylls, Paul Grylls

Above > Connor Ripley, Carter Woodgate, Jonathan Woodgate

Teesside University 2014 Graduate Dinner, Middlesbrough Football Club

Above > Judith Smith, Joan Henderson

Above > Alan Smith, Rebecca Pedlow

Above > Richard Barker, Carolyn Barker, VC Graham Henderson

Above > Amanda Skelton, Steve Hayward

Above > Samantha Lavery, Michael Lavery

Above > Alastair MacColl, Kath MacColl

Above > Lord Sawyer, Lady Liz Sawyer

Above > Sue Lee, Jill Bird, Karen Alexander, Melissa Baxter, Teri Marsay, Tina Hanon

Above > Ellie Rose Davey, Jade Murphy

Above > James Archer, Brian Echlin

Above > Peter Brunton, Jill Treacy, Mark Barrett

Above > Susan Thornton, Jade Hawkins

Above > Chey Garland, Hilary Winney

Above > Russell Newsome, Jill Newsome, Russell Newsome

Above > Ray Mallon, Steve Cochrane Above > Yanic Wildschut, Ryan Fredericks, Milos Veljkovic, Patrick Bamford

Above > Lisa Holt, Jane Reynolds

Butterwick Hospice Ladies Lunch, Kirkby Church Hall, Stokesley

Above > Jennifer Bentley, Delia Groarke, Ann Scott

Above > Shirley Duffield, Jane Rollings, Chris Canning, Ann Wilkinson, Sue Hoskinson

Above > Barbara Twidale, Lesley Chessher

Above > Barbara Lynas, Bev Burton, Pauline Maidens, Denise Dudgeon Above > Catherine Barnett, Carol Johns

Above > Connie Hart, Sylvia Craig, Julie Noble, Barbara Heath, Wendy Corney

Above > Carine Banks, Angela Ridley, Jean Cooper, Maureen Dobson, Irene Downs

Above > Alison Parker, Janet Philo

Eldon Garden, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RA T 0191 232 0788 www.richardsintonjewellers.com

JAN/FEB15

Above > Linda Wardell, Maureen Goldsmith

Theo Fennell ‘Mirage’ Bracelet WAS £19,750

NOW

£9,875

SALE

ENDS 1 4T H FEB RUARY

93

SOCIAL LIFE

Clarins’ Christmas Event, The Beauty Centre, Belmont, Durham

Above > Staff from the Beauty Centre

Above > Susan Campbell, Mary Hinder

Above > Jessica Butler, Claudia Butler, Faye Butler

Above > Margaret Bainton, Margaret Pattinson Above > Nicola Watson, Emma Percival

Above > Noreen Wright, Joanne Wright

Above > Kim Chapman, Emma Louise Tait

Above > Barbara Kingston, Sheila Fowler, Fiona Neasham, Maureen Kennedy, Margaret Anderson, Ann Dart

Above > Joyce Wilkinson, Sandra Patterson

Seb 4 CHUF Fundraising Ball, Hilton Hotel, Gateshead

Above > Charles Penn, Claire Penn, Alan Howie, Sue Howie, Philip Horsfield, Sheena Horsfield

Above > Charlotte Hancock, Paul Hancock, Libby Hancock, Nick Wardle

Above > Colin Wilson, Lynn Wilson

Dragonfly Ball, Discovery Museum, Newcastle

Above > Tina Puri, Randhir Puri

Above > Antony Weston, Nuritza Daghlian

Glenn McCrory Variety Silver Heart Dinner, Hilton, Gateshead

Above > Anne Cassidy, Christine Foster, Rachel Smith, Faye Tozer Smith

Above > Stuart Latimer, Mickey Horwill, Barry Sweeney

Above > Matt Britten, Sue Britten, Terry Veitch, John Pearce

Above > Ian Hunter, Stella Hunter

Above > Claire Finn, Phil Barker, Helen Mackie

Above > Karen Strong, Ian Proud

Above > Ian Cooney, Deb Cooney

Above > Angie Stanger, Geoff Wonfor, Catherine Caisley

Above > Glenn McCrory, Jack Charlton

Above > Derek Telfer, Above > Elizabeth Sarah Telfer Harding-Massey, Ann Cardy

Above > Helen Graysmith, Martin Graysmith

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Above > Claire Richards, Simon Richards

Eldon Garden, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RA T 0191 232 0788

Stephen Webster ‘Tattoo’ Bangle

www.richardsintonjewellers.com

£7,750

WAS £15,550

NOW

SALE

ENDS 1 4T H FEB RUARY

JAN/FEB15

SOCIAL LIFE

Percy Hedley Mistletoe Ball, Marriott Hotel, Gosforth

Above > Amber Wilson, Lorraine Wilson, Emily Halliday

Above > Terry Moore, Des Bustard, Becky Todd, Margaret Renton, Kate Hallett, Maria Hallett

Above > Nick Swales, Carol Harder

SALE E N DS 14 T H FEB RUA RY

Above > Holly Hodgson, Lindsay Hodgson, Bryony Scrimshaw, Laura Scrimshaw

Above > Jayne Templeton, Gina Carter

Above > Paul Anderson, Karen Anderson

Diamond Line Necklace WAS £17,500

Davidsons Jewellers Newcastle, Coloured Stone Event

NOW

£8,750

Certificated Diamond Ring Above > Samantha Griffiths, Sandra Hetherington, Emma McIntosh, June Vannan, Moira Davidson

Above > Sandra Hetherington, Janice Riley

Above > Diane Parfitt, Val Stevenson, Jill Carr, Trisha Tear

WAS £76,350 NOW

£38,175 Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring WAS £19,300

Above > Helen Davidson, Diane Millburn

Above > Moira Davidson, Tony Davidson

Christmas Event, Reef Salon, Durham

NOW

Above > Mandy Nong, Sophie Carhill, Iris Yan

VIP Reception, Teenage Cancer Trust Concert St Nicholas’ Cathedral, Newcastle

£9,650

Topaz and Diamond Ring WAS £4,950 NOW

£2,475

Diamond Full Eternity Band

Above > Leanne Gillespie, Cheryl Rippon Above > Pauline Norman, Julia Errington

Above > Chelsea Halfpenny

Above > Gemma Williams, James Dixon

WAS £7,400 NOW

£3,700

Above > Melanie Robinson, Sophie Punshon Left > Christine Schietekat, Jim Wardley

Above > Chris Chittell, Jonathan Wallis, Charlie Hardwick

Let’s see you! If you would like your event featured on our Luxe:Looks pages please supply images with full captions (We Transfer or Dropbox is best) to: kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk

JAN/FEB15

Eldon Garden, Newcastle T 0191 232 0788 www.richardsintonjewellers.com 95

LUXE LIFE

Sweet charity Feats of fund-raising and some do-good challenges DEEP WATER >> Swimming the Channel isn’t on most of our ‘to do’ lists but Tony Rutter, 37, from Gosforth made light work of it, raising £6300 in the process for St Oswald’s Hospice. The challenge meant a box ticked on his personal ‘Life List.’ Tony completed the 26-mile swim in 13 hours and 15 minutes and was being sponsored by friends and family. Tony took on the challenge as part of St Oswald’s ‘Life List’, which gives supporters the chance to complete challenges they have always wanted to do, while raising money.

“I used to do swimming competitions when I was younger and after that I kept it up for fun. In 2010 I swam the channel as part of a relay and realised then that I wanted to complete the route by myself as a personal goal. “I really enjoyed it and would do it all over again! I couldn’t tell you how many times I got stung by all the jellyfish! The last four hours of the swim were rough. At one point we nearly had to abandon it due to the size of the waves, every ten minutes we has to reassess the situation because the wind was so bad so it was a real challenge. I could see the beach was in sight but the rough winds and strong current swept me aside and it seemed like I was slipping away from the beach and the boat was getting blown away from me, so it was very mentally frustrating. It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done but three days later I was swimming again!”

BIG HEARTS FOR BOBBY >>

For more information about St Oswald’s Life List, visit www.stoswaldsuk.org/lifelist

BIG BUCKS >>

TREK AWAY >> Newcastle’s Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle is looking for supporters to join its Canadian Rockies trek in September. It’s the perfect New Year challenge. By signing up for the trek, you will be raising much-needed funds for the Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle, getting fit and exploring a stunning part of the world. The nine-day trip includes five days of trekking, through a breath-taking landscape. Explore towering mountains, turquoise-blue lakes, gleaming glaciers and enchanted forests. There is a half price registration fee if you mention Luxe when you register to take part. To find out more contact Katie on 0191 219 1205.

96

County Durham Community Foundation recently received a donation of £5000 from Latimer Hinks Solicitors to add to their grant making fund managed by the Foundation.

The amount was raised at the firm’s Charity Ball 2014 at Wynyard Hall.

The event raised more than £16,000 for County Durham Community Foundation, St Teresa’s Hospice, and numerous smaller charities. The fund supports such programmes as the Warm and Well Project, run through Age UK Darlington to help elderly people survive the winter.

WHOOSH

ce ADRENALINE fans have a second chan t as even Slide Wear the of part a be to d high demand sees an extra date adde day d secon A tion. attrac ut sell-o the to s has been added exclusively for group April.

26 ay, Sund on ties chari and The 100 metre WearSlide Plus at Herrington Country Park will be ing available for registered charities wish s. place 60 or 30 15, book to Organised groups of 10 or more can for book onto the 50 metre WearSlide £100 www.sunderlandlive.co.uk

WELL DONE >> Hotelier John Adamson, owner of Ramside Hall Hotel and Hardwick Hall Hotel in County Durham, has been a long-standing supporter of Stocktonbased Butterwick Hospice Care.

He has been recognised for his support following on from a donation of £55,000. At the charity’s corporate reception he handed over the cheque, raised at Hardwick Hall’s annual Oyster Festival. Butterwick Chief Executive, Graham Leggatt-Chidgey said: “We are extremely grateful to John for his support and that of his fantastic team at Hardwick Hall. His commitment to the hospice this year has enabled us to raise more than £120,000 towards the care of local people.”

A special collection of football memorabilia will be auctioned in February to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

John Alder, from Low Fell, was one of 298 people whose lives were tragically cut short when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in July. An incredibly dedicated football supporter, John missed just one Newcastle United game, home and away, in 40 years. He was also an avid collector of football memorabilia and his home was full of boxes of carefully stored match programmes. John’s family has donated the collection to help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and, with the support of Anderson and Garland Auctioneers and Newcastle United, it will be auctioned at St James’ Park on Sunday 22 February.

Thousands of match programmes will go under the hammer, dating from the 1920s to the present day, and they are currently being catalogued by Anderson and Garland. Both Anderson and Garland and Newcastle United have offered their services free of charge to help John’s family and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Bobby’s widow, Lady Elsie has said a personal thank you to Ann Cross, a retired teacher from Gosforth who raised £1,308 for the cancer charity Sir Bobby launched in 2008 with an aqua aerobic session at David Lloyd Newcastle. It is a cause which is very close to Ann’s heart.

Both she and her husband have personal experience of cancer and her brother-in-law, Tim Cooke, died from oesophageal cancer aged just 59. Tim was a patient in the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and Ann says the extra time they gained through his treatment is something her family will always be thankful for. Ann says: “Tim’s treatment included a trial cancer drug and that helped win him an extra year. We’re all so grateful that he had the opportunity to try something new at a time when his options were so limited.” www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk

KICK OFF

Foundation of Light’s annual fundr aising extravaganza, Fashion Strikes, raise d nearly £36,000 to help fund the charity’s life-changing work across the North East.

Members of Sunderland AFC’s squa d took to the catwalk at the packed out event which this year took on a carni val theme dubbed ‘All the Fun of the Fair.’

JAN/FEB15

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PARTING SHOT

Puppy love >> Our happy little hound is sending luxe love to all our readers...

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JAN/FEB15

A VENUE AS UNIQUE AS YOU

A/W 2015 COLLECTION OF SPECIAL OFFERS ONLINE

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NEW SPRING / SUMMER COLLECTIONS 2015

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