Luxe Issue 70 Jul/Aug 2021

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luxe-magazine.co.uk ISSUE 70 JUL/AUG21

S P ORTS S TA R . Ba gs o f st yl e. S UNS H INE COACH . L i t t l e looks. GARDEN G LO RY. Ta s ti n g n o te s . S TUNNING H OMES . Ins pi r i ng art. GOU RMET G E TAWAY S. C he f ’s t abl e. TIM EL ES S D ES IG NS . Luxe mama. HAPPY C AM PE R S . Bi g n a m e s. LUX E.

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ISSUE 70 JUL/AUG21

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WELCOME

ISSUE 70 JUL/AUG21

contents 8>> Do this Your cultural summer calendar

14>> Our picks 10 things Luxe is loving this season

18>> Charity champion We’re heading into the height of summer and we’re celebrating our 70th issue of Luxe. A sparkly sunny season indeed.

As we reflect on 70 editions, thousands of pages and a whole host of familiar faces that have brought our magazine to life over the years, we’re marking the occasion in the best way we know how, by bringing another glossy guide to living the luxe life in the North East - summer style.

We’re forever grateful to call this remarkable corner of the world home, and testament to that is that we’ve never struggled to uncover inspiring stories of the people and businesses that continue to make our region sparkle. And as this milestone issue comes around, we go again, with plenty to uncover for you, our Luxe readers.

In this editi0n, we’re speaking to big name sporting stars, tracking down some gorgeous gardens, and rounding up some of the finest food spots in the area in our very special Hospitality Edit.

This 70th edition is extra special for me as it’s my final one at the helm before I swap content lists for bibs and cribs as I enter the world of motherhood.

It’s goodbye for now as I leave you in the hands of my very talented team. I can’t wait to share my ‘Little Luxe’ journey with you.

Now pop open a bottle of champers and celebrate 70 issues with us I’ll be joining you for a garden fizz very, very soon!

Remember to check in with us online at luxe-magazine.co.uk See us on social at: Twitter: @TheLuxeMagazine Instagram: @theluxemagazine Facebook: @luxemag

THE LUXE TEAM Christopher March publisher chris@allies-group.com EDITORIAL Elysia Fryer head of content elysia@allies-group.com Claudia Robinson claudia@allies-group.com Nicole Wood nicole@allies-group.com Matthew Thomas matthew@allies-group.com

Getting to know Sara Davies

22>> Star partnership Checking in with cricket icon Ben Stokes

30>> Fashion edit England international and Durham cricket star, Ben Stokes, has been enjoying some time back home following injury. We catch up over coffee at Seaham Hall to reflect on a whirlwind couple of years personally and professionally. His luxe things in life include: designer clothes, trainers and cars.

All the frills with Freya Lillie

44>> Home comforts Chris Baber’s foodie update

46>> Class act Glorious gardens in Yorkshire

48>> Wine school All you need to know about The Archive, York

52>> Italian indulgence Say ciao to Gino D’Acampo

56>> Gorgeous geodomes A stunning staycation spot on our doorstep

60>> Living local A summer guide to Saltburn-by-the-Sea

66>> Eye for design Home style with Beth March

70>> Rattan buys Luxe interior inspiration

72>> Luxe mama Making way for motherhood

76>> Wheels in motion A mighty McLaren newbie Michelle Jones Is the brains behind sustainable, luxury linen brand, Freya Lillie. The boho, Ibiza-style collection is the exotic escape we’ve all been waiting for. Her luxe things in life include: a large glass of wine on the sofa with fluffy slippers on a Friday night, visiting friends in the South of France and fancy notepads for the all-important to-do lists.

78>> Watch this space Time out with The Winton Watch Company

81>> Green days Our summer golf guide

SALES Debi Coldwell director debi@allies-group.com Tanya Harper tanya@allies-group.com Chris Turner chris@allies-group.com PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson info@kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson nicky@kgphotography.co.uk DESIGN David Stubbs creative director dave@allies-group.com Euan Underwood euan@allies-group.com If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Debi Coldwell: debi@allies-group.com / 07910 918366 Our partners

Allies Group Ltd, Enterprise House, Kingsway, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, NE11 OSR allies-group.com All contents copyright ©2021 Allies Group 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, June 2021.

From international fashion designer to flourishing landscape artist nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, Graeme Black’s life has somewhat come full circle, from his childhood on a farm on the rocky east coast of Scotland. His luxe things in life include: time in the morning to enjoy a good cup of coffee, his converted cow barn studio and a Connolly cashmere sweater.

luxe is published bi-monthly by Allies Group Ltd

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Dreaming of Italy Ocean views, sun-soaked afternoons and sipping Aperol Spritz by the pool - we’re dreaming of gorgeous getaways on the Amalfi Coast. A stay at this elegant seaside residence surrounded by the perennial blue of the Mediterranean and luscious bougainvillea is a bucket list must. hotelsantacaterina.it

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The north east’s first in bespoke affordable interiors 10TH AVENUE WEST | TEAM VALLEY | NE11 0HL | 0191 491 3836 OPPOSITE RETAIL WORLD G R E ATLOOK . C O. U K luxe-magazine.co.uk

GET TO KNOW

THE LUXE LOWDOWN:

Jeremy Borlant Jeremy Borlant is managing partner at Seymour’s Home, an independent family business offering a luxurious range of soft furnishings for the home.

With a beautiful store on Grange Road in Darlington, as well as a website packed with interior inspiration, it’s the place to go for world-leading brands in the North East.

We check in to get the lowdown and find out his luxe things in life…

GETTING TO KNOW YOU >> Name: Jeremy Borlant Title: Business person with a creative passion Where is home? North Leeds Three reasons you love where you live?

We are fortunate enough to enjoy stunning views and open fields, whilst also being within commuting distance to Darlington for work, as well as Harrogate and Leeds for a night out.

THE DAY JOB >> What do you do for a living?

I am the managing partner of Seymour’s Home in Darlington, and the managing director of Joshua’s Dream Limited in Leeds.

A day in the life of you?

To put it simply… eat, sleep, work, repeat!

Any upcoming or ongoing projects we should know about?

As well as continually trying to improve our

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store and our online offering, I am involved in a new-build luxury apartment project in Leeds, which has been billed by the developer as ‘the most exceptionallyappointed luxury apartments built in the North’. I am also about to start work on an awe-inspiring private residence in the Algarve for one of our regular clients.

What does downtime mean to you?

The only real downtime I get is when I’m away on holiday - and even then, my family make me lock my phone in the hotel safe!

LESSONS IN LIFE >> What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to be a singer or actor.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Success isn’t measured as monetary value.

What is your greatest fear?

Anything bad happening to my family.

Which living person do you most admire and why?

I admire Queen Elizabeth. We often say that child prodigies trade childhood for fame, yet they (or their parents) have a choice. The Queen embraced her duties when she really didn’t have the choice.

She has given her life to her duties and doesn’t falter. A truly remarkable woman.

LIVING LUXE >> What is top of your bucket list?

I’ve been told I’m climbing Kilimanjaro next year, but I’d probably rather skipper a boat around the South Pacific! I have absolutely no experience at either.

What is your most treasured possession?

I treasure my many amazing memories (whilst trying to forget my not-so-amazing ones).

What does the weekend mean to you?

I’m working on it… trying to trade yet more working hours for dog walks, golf and cycling.

A memorable holiday?

I was fortunate enough to visit Kenya on a family holiday in my teens. It was amazing!

Best dress?

I do like to look smart with a nice blazer,

but prefer to wear a pair of posh trainers rather than smart shoes. They are much more comfortable, especially when I’m on-the-go.

Who would be your top three dinner guests?

A child from Israel, a child from Palestine and a child from Iran. I would encourage them to interact, laugh and play together.

Out of nurtured young acorns, disease free oak trees grow.

The last place you ate?

I’m always eating out. Probably The Orchid Restaurant in Harrogate - a regular favourite.

The last book you read?

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre.

The last thing you listened to?

I often listen to BBC Radio 2 when I’m working late at night - they have some great, motivational tunes.

The last thing you watched?

The last series I watched was Ozark (when housebound during the lockdown period), as well as reruns of Only Fools and Horses.

Three luxe things in life?

My family, my home and my car. seymourshome.com

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PAGE TURNERS

Luxe reads The Luxe Book Club >>

Our summer reading list, inspired by the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 Shortlist...

INSPIRING & IMMERSIVE >> The Vanishing Half

By Brit Bennett The emotional, thought-provoking tale of two identical twins brought up in a small, southern black community, later separated by location, but not by fate.

Weaving together multiple generations, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, this story looks well beyond issues of race - it considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person’s decisions and desires.

GOTHIC & MYSTERIOUS >> Piranesi

By Susanna Clarke Susanna Clarke tells the story of a fantastical house with mysterious inhabitants in this gothic page-turner.

Piranesi takes note of the wonders of the house as messages start to appear and suspicions raise about an imposter. Who are they and what do they want? Secrets must be uncovered as the house becomes a strange and dangerous place.

SHARP & SUMPTUOUS >> Unsettled Ground

By Claire Fuller What if the life you have always known is taken from you in an instant?

Unsettled Ground tells the tale of twins Jeanie and Julius. At 51-years-old, they still live with their mother, Dot, in rural isolation and poverty. When Dot dies suddenly, the pair question their livelihood. This heart-stopping novel of betrayal and resilience, love and survival, explores how we can build our lives on broken foundations and spin light from darkness.

Stay in >> go out >> enjoy We’re getting set for a summer of fun at Luxe HQ. Matt Carter guides us through some of the best bits...

17 JULY - 31 OCTOBER

11 JULY

Head down to Boiler Shop Newcastle this summer to watch the Euro final unfold live on three big screens, played through a state-of-the-art sound system.

Complete with food, drink and table service, this is the perfect way to experience live football with an electric atmosphere, in a safe and sociable way. boilershop.net

11 & 12 JULY This summer, Newcastle’s Times Square has been transformed into Central Park, a gigantic beer garden right in the heart of the city, to welcome a whole host of special events, live sports and interactive fun for all the family. It’s the place to be to catch the final day of Wimbledon this year, with plenty of Pimms and the all-important strawberries and cream for every table. centralparknewcastle.co.uk

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JULY

‘All Together Now’ as the Bootleg Beatles and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra head to Tyneside for one night only to mark the 50th anniversaries of Abbey Road and Let It Be. Arranged by composer Ian Stephens and employing a 70-piece symphony orchestra, Sage Gateshead will host performances of timeless classics including ‘Here Comes the Sun’, ‘Come Together’, ‘The Long and Winding Road’ and ‘Let It Be’. Described by NME as ‘magically real’, this is a chance to experience the music of the Beatles in an exciting new way. sagegateshead.com

POWERFUL & POIGNANT >> Transcendent Kingdom

By Yaa Gyasi A complex and devastating account of a Ghanaian immigrant family in modern America. Yaa Gyasi’s much-anticipated second novel follows the life of Gifty who loses her father and brother to the hard realities of immigrant life in the American South. Years later, she turns to science for answers, but soon learns that the roots of their tangled traumas pass through continents and generations.

In the mid-1700s, Clara was the most famous rhinoceros in Europe, travelling the world and creating a sensation.

Fast forward to today, The Bowes Museum is hosting an exhibition of the Adventures of Clara. Letters, poems, songs, paintings, books and sculptures were produced, and now you can see, hear, smell and learn all about Clara for yourself. Tied in with modern rhinoceros conservation, this is surely one for lovers of nature and history. thebowesmuseum.org.uk

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JULY

Join the legendary lead singer of Status Quo, Francis Rossi, for an intimate evening of music in Yarm. In Francis Rossi: I Talk Too Much, the founder, lead singer and guitarist will share the adventures and misadventures of his life, including his time on the road with one of the most beloved bands in the world. A true member of British rock royalty, Rossi has plenty to share: he sang the first words at Live Aid in 1985, survived issues with addiction in the 1980s and received a BRIT for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’. Join him at The Princess Alexandra Auditorium for a night of revelations and classic tunes. thepaaonline.org

14 - 18 JULY Music lovers, rejoice. The Durham Brass Festival returns this July. Taking inspiration from the brass band heritage of County Durham, the festival weaves together all musical genres into a vibrant and entertaining five-day festival.

With an all-new outdoor stage, supported by a Culture Recovery Fund grant from Arts Council England, Brass will not only be safer and more accessible, but will channel the alfresco carnival vibe the music so often evokes.

Tickets are on sale now. brassfestival.co.uk

HONEST & HARD-HITTING >> How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

By Cherie Jones Cherie Jones pens the tale of three marriages on the beautiful island paradise of Barbados where, beyond the white sand beaches and wealthy tourists, lie poverty, menacing violence and the story of the sacrifices some women make to survive. A hard-hitting, multi-generation novel that looks beneath the surface.

MISCHIEVOUS AND MEANINGFUL >> No One is Talking About This

By Patricia Lockwood Jumping between the challenges of ‘real life’ versus those of ‘the portal’ - an online community in which a woman is loved for her viral social media posts, No One is Talking About This captures a world that contains both an abundance of proof that there is goodness, empathy and justice in the universe, and a deluge of evidence to the contrary. A powerful look at the vaue of human connection and the pitfalls of social media in the modern age. womensprizeforfiction.co.uk | uk.bookshop.org

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15 JULY, 3 AUGUST, 18 AUGUST & 7 SEPTEMBER If, like us, you’ve missed afternoons in front of the silver screen this last year or so, don’t forget to check out Seaham Hall’s sparkling new schedule of classic movies to be enjoyed in the hotel’s stunning grounds. Curl up on hooded beds and deck chairs under the stars and grab your favourite movie snacks, from popcorn and posh hot dogs to prosecco, and watch your Hollywood favourites. Watch The Greatest Showman on 15 July, Forrest Gump on 3 August, Mamma Mia on 18 August and Rocket Man on 7 September. seaham-hall.co.uk

24 JULY - 25 SEPTEMBER Angel of the North creator, Sir Antony Gormley, will be bringing his exhibition ‘Field for the British Isles’ to Sunderland’s Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art at National Glass Centre this summer. The Turner Prize-winning artwork comprises 40,000 unique clay figures and hasn’t been on display in the North East since 1996. The project has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund and is supported using funding by the National Lottery.

‘Field for the British Isles’ is free to view, so make sure you add it to your cultural agenda. sunderlandculture.org.uk

JUL/AUG21

THROUGHOUT JULY & AUGUST If you haven’t been to Salt Market Social on North Shields Fish Quay yet, you are definitely missing out. Situated in a converted factory, Salt Market Social takes its cool edge from its unique decor and street art. With the best range of North East craft beers nuzzling amongst the nation’s top breweries, a signature cocktail list and a range of mouthwatering food vendors, it’s building a stellar reputation as the place to hang out this summer. saltmarketsocial.co.uk

Your Dream. Your Wedding. Your Way.

29 JULY If you’re interested in mini festivals and emerging local talent, Middlesbrough Town Hall’s summer sessions have you covered. With a number of shows upcoming as part of the series, there are many you’ll want to add to your calendar, but Jodie Nicholson and Amelia Coburn are one pair you definitely won’t want to miss. These talented artists have been achieving national recognition with plays on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 2, and will be playing ‘in the round’ on stage together at the end of July. middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk

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JULY

Get ready for brilliant live music, amazing artisanal food and drink and all sorts of extra activities at the first Orange Pip Market of the season. Taking place at Middlesbrough’s Central Square to keep things COVID-safe, join a great community of independent traders and market-goers this July. facebook.com/orangepipmarket

12 AUGUST It’s that time of the year again outdoor theatre on the lawn at Middleton Lodge Estate. The Three-Inch Fools are back for their second performance of the season, bringing one of Britain’s best-known folk tales, Robin Hood, to the stage.

With all manner of musical instruments and high notes, bring your deck chairs and blankets to comfortably watch what is sure to be a brilliant summer performance.

End the evening with seasonal supper at the Coach House, where you can enjoy the freshest of food sourced from the estate itself. events.middletonlodge.co.uk

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www.newcastlecastle.co.uk

JEWELLERY, WATCHES & SILVER Saturday, 24 July at 10am VIEWING Thursday, 22 July 10am-4pm Friday, 23 July 10am-7pm Sale day 9am-10am

10 JULY & 14 AUGUST The Saltburn Farmers’ Market is now rated as one of the best farmers’ markets in thecountry, and was shortlisted as National Farmers’ Market of the Year 2014. Bringing tons of the North East and North Yorkshire’s best independent food producers into the heart of Saltburn, head to the market for artisan bread, handmade cheese, English wine and plenty of cake and sweet treats. Head to the coast on the second Saturday of each month for a wonderful family day out. saltburnfarmersmarket.com

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To include 200 lots of silver and jewellery from a deceased estate in the Lake District

AUGUST

Looking for a day out with the dogs? Why not head over to Castle Howard and join game keeper Clive Harrison and gundog specialist and trainer Amy Bates on a special guided dog walk around the estate? Explore lesser known areas of Castle Howard and learn the importance and challenges of protecting the British countryside, all while taking your four- legged friend (and yourself ) for a delightful excursion. All breeds are welcome, but dogs must be kept on a lead. castlehoward.co.uk

Catalogues £6 by post

Business Park Charter Road Ripon HG4 1AJ 01765 699200

BID ONLINE AT WWW.ELSTOBANDELSTOB.CO.UK luxe-magazine.co.uk

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DO THIS

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AUGUST

If a year inside has left you hankering for something new to drink, try your hand at infusing your very own gin at Blackfriar’s Gin Making Day. Experiment with citrus, herbs, spices and botanicals to create a personalised gin to take home and enjoy with friends. Learn the history of gin and what makes the spirit unique, before contributing something of your own to that legacy. Food is provided with a delicious three-course lunch in the award-winning restaurant, plus a tour of a local distillery. blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk

13-15 AUGUST The North Yorkshire Music Festival brings three days of live music with something for everyone. Enjoy a weekend of dancing and camping under the stars, nestled in the hills of Yorkshire, with Ibiza classics on Friday, live bands on Saturday and a day for the family on Sunday. Whether you camp in a tent or vehicle, or just come for the day, you’ll find a boat load of attractions including food and drink vendors to keep the fun going. northyorkshiremusicfestival.co.uk

14 - 21 AUGUST Disney’s classic movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, makes its world premiere as a magical new musical at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal. With the original songs of the legendary Sherman Brothers and new music and lyrics by Neil Bartram, the tale will be brought to life on the stage for nine performances, so book your tickets now, before it’s too late. Featuring a trainee witch, an enchanted bedknob and, of course, a magical flying bed, join the orphaned Rawlins children on a journey from war torn London to a mystical world. theatreroyal.co.uk

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Hardwick Festival returns for two days this August, and it’s a must when it comes to summer soirées. With live music over two stages, including this year’s headliners, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Rag’n’Bone Man, Razorlight, Maxïmo Park and Embrace as well as dance arenas, a children’s area in the woods and vintage fairground attractions, the festival promises something for the whole family. There’s also a huge choice of food and drink stalls including champagne cocktails and sizzling street food. hardwickfestival.co.uk

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AUGUST

The man recently voted Britain’s Best Comedian will be bringing his stylings to Playhouse Whitley Bay this summer. Jimmy Carr’s brand new show, Terribly Funny, features his trademark dark humour and jokes about all sorts of terrible things - terrible things that may have affected people you know and love, but Jimmy assures us these are just jokes, not those terrible things. Now you’ve been warned, buy a ticket. This show has been rescheduled from 18 September 2020. All tickets remain valid for the new date on 27 August 2021. playhousewhitleybay.co.uk

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3 SEPTEMBER

With summer set to fly by, make sure to book your tickets to see Sarah Millican take to the Gala Durham stage with her new show, Bobby Dazzler, before it’s too late. In her sixth international tour, Sarah tells us what happens when your mouth seals shut, when you lose the tip of your finger instead of your lockdown weight, how to find humour in a smear test, and how awful a floatation tank can be. This one promises to have you rolling in the aisles laughing. galadurham.co.uk

8 & 9 SEPTEMBER Some parents find novel ways to deal with the stresses of family life, Chris and Rosie Ramsey started a podcast. Now, Sh**ged Married Annoyed is coming to the stage for a live performance at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. Poking fun at arguments, parenting, relationships and other aspects of their married life, local favourites Chris and Rosie bring their comedic takes on domesticity to live audiences this September. utilitaarena.co.uk

5 - 9 OCTOBER

AUGUST

Castle Howard is set to host the 30th year of its very own Proms this August, held in the Estate’s magnificent gardens.

This spectacular classical concert is a night for the whole family, so round up the troops and get it in the diary.

Featuring tenor Wynne Evans and soprano Victoria Joyce, the programme will include popular classics, songs from musicals and patriotic favourites such ‘Jerusalem’, ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘Pomp & Circumstance’, with musical accompaniment provided by the London Gala Orchestra, conducted

by Stephen Bell. castlehoward.co.uk

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21 & 22 AUGUST

Plan ahead >>

22 AUGUST If you’re feeling the need to sharpen your skills in the kitchen, look no further than Arches Cookery School, nestled in the North York Moors. The cookery school’s seafood course is tickling our fancy this summer, inviting foodies to watch, learn and try their hand at a sumptuous seafood dish. Enjoy the dishes for lunch, then take your creations home for your own enjoyment. If seafood isn’t for you, there are plenty of other courses available at Arches Cookery School - head over to the website for more information and booking details. archescookeryschool.co.uk

Grab hold of your inner rebellious child with tickets to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End and Broadway hit musical, School of Rock at Sunderland Empire.

Based on the iconic movie starring Jack Black, School of Rock follows wannabe rock star Dewey Finn as he poses as a substitute music teacher at an elite prep school. Transforming his students into miniature rock stars, this show features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie and a band of unbelievably talented kids that play live every show! atgtickets.com

27 - 30 NOVEMBER Grab your magical mop and jump into a fantastic family adventure with a stage production of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Northern Stage. Following Harrietta Rabbit as she receives a job offer to become the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, this truly magical treat promises theatre fun for all the family.

With a preview performance on 27 November, book now to ensure you get a chance to see this wonderful show. northernstage.co.uk

JUL/AUG21

ADVERTORIAL

How the investment community can help advance the environmental gains that have come out of COVID-19

Responsible investment beyond the coronavirus The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic will clearly be profound, wide-ranging and long-lasting.

So, it’s no surprise that any sources of optimism to be found as the crisis unfolds are quickly seized upon. Perhaps the most significant so far has come in the form of the immediate effects on the environment.

Greenhouse gas emissions have fallen, while data from NASA suggests that air quality has improved dramatically as countries around the world have taken steps to restrict activity and travel.

Indeed, this could be an opportunity for organisations to rethink how they do business – and question whether they need to return to a form of normality in which, for

example, employees are flown to meetings that could otherwise be held using video conferencing facilities.

A more realistic rate of change Unfortunately, however, the environmental positives are likely to be temporary. Indeed, there is now a risk of efforts to address climate change becoming a lesser priority as governments focus on dealing with the economic implications of the crisis.

This is why the investment industry has an important role to play in maintaining the momentum that has gathered in recent weeks and months.

The biggest crisis now is clearly COVID-19, but the biggest crisis of the 2020s is still climate change, and we need to ensure that once we’re on the other side of the

The biggest crisis now is clearly COVID-19, but the biggest crisis of the 2020s is still climate change, and we need to ensure that once we’re on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic that governments keep focusing on that

coronavirus pandemic that governments keep focusing on that.

But the environmental gains from the pandemic have clearly been made alongside painful social, economic and health consequences. In other words, the current rate of improvement is unsustainable.

If we’re taking climate change seriously, we would rather see a smooth transition at a rate less dramatic than we’re seeing at the moment. We don’t want to be in a position of having to bring a halt to everything, as we are now, in order to have that environmental impact.

We can invest for change Responsible investing isn’t just about the environment, of course. The crisis has also shone the spotlight on corporate behaviours – both good and bad – and helped illustrate why businesses cannot simply be about making profits.

If they are going to be successful, they need to think about their wider stakeholders.

Companies that have put measures in place for employees, for example, will come out of this with higher employee satisfaction and community spirit – and that contributes to their long-term success.

The importance of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions has only become clearer as the crisis has unfolded.

If you feel you could benefit from a financial review of your specific circumstances, I offer a no obligation review to meet your individual needs.

This review could be via a zoom meeting, telephone call or face to face at a Covid-secure venue, at a time and location convenient to you.

Please contact Patrick McLaughlin Wealth Management on 0191 5482830 or email patrick.mclaughlin@sjpp.co.uk.

Investors increasingly seek information about sustainability and responsible investing, with growing awareness of the broader long-term aspects of successful and effective investing.

Anyone who wants to explore their responsible investing options should speak with a financial adviser.

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

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SNAP HAPPY

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1. Alex Opie @_alexopiephotography 2. Oliver Sherratt @oliversherrattlandscapes 3. Kathryn Thorpe @Harrogate.and.Knaresborough 4. Daniel Berry @d.b_images 5. Tom Twist @tjtwist0711 2

6. Laura Harvey @OurNorthumberlandAndBeyond

LOVE NORTH EAST

Our wonderful region through your lens. Here are some of your recent shots from days out in local beauty spots...

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TOP PICKS

10 things luxe loves 10 things luxe is loving this season…

Compiled by Nicole Wood

Kitchen inspo >> ANNABEL JAMES CHAMPAGNE BATH Cool beverages all summer long? Don’t mind if we do. This luxury champagne bath from Annabel James is perfect for parties and family gatherings when one bottle of champers is simply not enough. If champagne isn’t your tipple of choice, this nickel-plated bath can be used to keep your wine, beers and other summer drinks cool. A sparkling centrepiece for any summer garden party. £124.95, annabeljames.co.uk

Following >> @OSCAR_MAGORIUM This cute corner of Instagram has everything you need to brighten up your day. Follow Oscar, the three-year-old Cavapoo from Newcastle, on all of his tail-wagging adventures. From pupdates and adorable poses, to dog-friendly days out with his fellow four-legged friends, this adorable pooch sure knows how to fill your feed with cheery updates, heaps of positivity and a healthy dose of cuteness. instagram.com/oscar_magorium

Perfect scent >> VIKTOR & ROLF FLOWER BOMB Summer calls for gorgeous floral scents. Day or night, Viktor & Rolf’s Flower Bomb is an absolute must-buy for anyone after an uplifting, feminine spritz for the warmer months. This eau de parfum comes packed with a bouquet of floral notes including bergamot, patchouli, sambac jasmine, centifolia rose and plenty more pretty aromas. 50ml, £78. harveynichols.com

Pampering with >>

Watching >>

CLOCKFACE BEAUTY FACIAL CLEANSING BALM Who knew cleansing your skin could feel so good? You won’t regret incorporating this dreamy product into your skincare routine especially during the summer months when our pores get a little more clogged up thanks to the heat and humidity. This nourishing rich balm and cleanser is perfect for all skin types, and is a useful tool in fighting acne, dehydrated, oily, or sensitive skin. This one product is enough to remove makeup, clean deep into your pores, fight signs of ageing and even promote the formation of new tissue.

The Cleansing Balm is naturally antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, which leaves your skin smooth, calm and conditioned. £32. clockfacebeauty.com

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW Plot twists, suspenseful drama and plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments. Based on the gripping, best-selling novel by A. J. Finn, The Woman in the Window is the new Netflix thriller you need to add to your watchlist. The story follows Anna Fox, a young woman who is confined to her New York City apartment by her agoraphobia.

Anna finds herself obsessing over the new picture-perfect family across the street through her window, but little does she know the secrets she’s about to uncover.

Her life is turned upside down after she inadvertently witnesses a brutal crime.

Drama, mystery and suspense follows her, buried-deep secrets begin to unravel and no one appears to be who they say they are. If you love gripping, nail-biting, psychological thrillers, this one’s for you. netflix.com

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TOP PICKS

Dreaming of >> SPECTACULAR SPA DAYS Spend the summer relaxing with a day of bliss at Seaham Hall. Perfectly placed on the Durham coastline, The Serenity Spa is surrounded by sea air and spectacular views. Let the stresses of day-to-day life melt away and take this time to put rest, recovery and relaxation first. With a multitude of immersive facilities, Seaham’s Spa aims to welcome all with a sense of wellbeing. Whether it be a for an indulgent treatment for the mind, body and soul, a spa experience with all the added extras, a dip in the outdoor hydro-pool or a slumber on the waterbeds, whatever it is, you’re sure to leave feeling your best self. seaham-hall.co.uk

In our basket >> MORSØ FORNO DELUXE GARDEN OVEN AND KITCHEN Crank your al fresco dining game up a notch this year with the incredible Morsø Forno Deluxe Garden Oven and Kitchen. This grill and pizza oven provides everything you need for family dinners and summer soirées. Whether you’re looking to serve breakfast on the terrace, knock up a fancy lunch for your friends or host a garden dinner for your loved ones, you’re all set and ready to go with this crafty outdoor kitchen. £1,899. beaumonde.co.uk

Listening to >> Reading >> LOVE & LONDON Ellie White is a self-published, independent author from Houghton-le-Spring.

She released her debut novel, Love & London earlier this year and we couldn’t wait to add it to our summer read list. This book will make you laugh, cry and then laugh some more. The story follows Maggie who, after being widowed eight years earlier, is finally ready to return to the dating scene. Encouraged by her family and friends, she embarks on an emotional journey of healing and self-discovery as she takes on new challenges, pushes herself from her comfort zone and finds herself on a string of terrible blind dates. This uplifting rom-com filled with love and laughter also covers challenging topics such as grief, heartache and a journey of acceptance. You won’t be able to put this one down. amazon.co.uk

PARADISE If true crime and mysterious murder investigations are your thing then you will love this podcast. A binge-worthy true crime series following the case of Peta and Chris’s murder investigation and the suspicious 38 years it took to arrest the only suspect. This is one you can really get your teeth stuck into with plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you on your toes as well as a ‘Discover More’ section on the BBC Radio 5 Live website, where you can look further into the case. bbc.co.uk/programmes

Living by >>

“Life is about choices. Some we regret. Some we’re proud of. We are what we choose to be.”

- Graham Brown JUL/AUG21

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LAYING ROOTS

An artistic raison d’etre Graeme Black has swapped life in the fast lane working for some of the biggest names in the fashion world, for a quieter life as a landscape artist in the Yorkshire Dales. Elysia Fryer uncovers his journey from catwalk to cow barn studio...

Life has come somewhat full-circle for Graeme Black. From his childhood on a farm on the rocky east coast of Scotland, to his sparkling career as an international fashion designer, nature, form, colour and texture have been defining elements of his work.

“It’s funny how things come full-circle,” explains Graeme as we reflect on his colourful CV. “From growing up on a farm, to travelling the world and living this fast-paced life, and then settling down on a farm with a small amount of cattle and sheep. It almost feels like I’m back where I belong, but all of the stuff I did in between has defined me as a person and led me to where I am now.”

Another aspect of Graeme’s life that we’re seeing come back into orbit is his love for the art form.

After graduating from the Edinburgh College of Art in 1989 with a fine art degree, he headed south to pursue his career in an explosive 90s London, where he really put his passion to practice in the fashion and textiles world.

Now, having travelled the world with some of the biggest names in the business including John Galliano, Giorgio Armani and Salvatore Ferragamo, Graeme has ditched cutting-edge collections and runway shows to put pen to paper once again and really embrace his own creative ideas.

Graeme has so many stories to share, and I have so many questions about his vast career in the fashion world, but it seems sensible to start from the beginning… where it all began at home on a farm in Angus, Scotland. A place that seems worlds away from his heydays running fashion shows from the Forbidden City in Beijing, but in fact, it never stopped him setting his sights on those fashion dreams.

“I was very lucky because I sort of knew what I wanted to do from day one,” explains Graeme.

“I was in Scotland on my grandad’s farm just outside Dundee, dreaming about being a fashion designer.

“I don’t know where it came from, but it was just an instinct for me from an early age. I was desperate to get to art school in Edinburgh, and throughout my studies, I just knew I wanted to get to London to work in fashion and textiles.”

A budding creative with a university portfolio and a degree in fine art, Graeme upped sticks and headed for the big smoke.

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LAYING ROOTS “I just started knocking on doors and introducing myself to people,” he says.

“When you’re young and naive, that’s just what you do. I started off at John Galliano.

It was my dream job at the time, I couldn’t believe my luck.

“It’s interesting because you go to art school and you learn so much, but you only really start to understand it when you put it into practice and get in front of these people.

“My time at John Galliano was an incredible experience and a great start to my career. I was cutting out chiffon blouses one minute, painting the walls the next; then I’d be working with models backstage at the shows - it really was a wonderful experience.

“I was in a very junior role, so I got myself a job working in Liberty London in the cotton department on a Saturday, trying to earn my income. It was great though because the store was full of young creatives, so it was a really good way of socialising with like-minded people in the industry.”

After cutting his teeth working under John Galliano - the British-Spanish fashion designer who headed up Givenchy, Christian Dior and his own-name label - Graeme went on to work his creative magic with Arabella Pollen and Zandra Rhodes.

“The fashion world is very fast-paced,” Graeme explains.

“But you learn how to adapt quite quickly.

It is, however, kind of a double-edged sword for young creatives full of ideas because before you know it, you’re not channelling your own mindset, you’re adopting somebody elses.

“When I got to the point where I was doing my own line, one of the biggest problems I had personally was identifying my style and who I was, because I’d gone from Zandra to Arabella Pollen to Armani to Ferragamo to Hugo Boss, and they were all completely different businesses.

“What was interesting was the difference between Armani - which was very ready-towear - (and I was there for seven years so I was fully immersed in Italian culture), to my time at Ferragamo - with its focus on shoes, handbags and accessories. So I really had to adapt and understand a completely different side of the business. That was a really interesting transition for me.

“Another interesting transition was going from senior assistant to Giorgio Armani, to the head guy at Ferragamo, when all of a sudden everyone was looking at me for the answers. The dynamics change radically.

“My first shows were really challenging. Of course, you think you can do everything until you get thrown in at the deep end.

For me, that leap was really difficult. I didn’t find my stride at Ferragamo for around three seasons.

“It was an intense period - people don’t give you a break. You have to perform - and not just for the press, but also for the buyers in the showroom and the people at the top of the business, in some cases the family.

There are all kinds of different pressures you can’t prepare yourself for until you’re in the depths of it.

“Like any of us who have stepped up the ladder in a career of any kind, once you get to the top, you’ve got to be careful what you wish for because there is a lot of pressure. The fashion industry is so crazy and constantly on-the-move with collections and capsules and special shows in different countries.

“Whether it’s a show in China or Japan, a presentation in Milan, a showcase in Florence - wherever it may be, it just n ever stops.”

Reflecting on an incredibly successful often stressful - career in fashion, one of the reasons Graeme knew he was ready for a change was when he noticed the industry’s

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struggles to control mass production.

“There’s far too much product,” says Graeme.

“Hopefully, if this last year has taught us anything, it’s that we can cut back a little - we don’t need new collections every six to eight weeks.

“People are consciously shopping now and it’s great to see. It was getting out of hand and it was one of the reasons that I wanted to stop.

“Not just when it comes to production and materials, but also the travelling. I’d be freelancing out of London for Hugo Boss, but would spend half of my life on a plane, flying to Germany and working all over the place in the likes of Istanbul and China.

“I was on a plane every week. I was running ragged from travelling and it just got to the point where I thought, ‘what am I doing?’, ‘is this really how I want to spend the next 30 years of my life?’.

“It sounds glamorous, but being constantly jet-lagged is a real strain on your productivity, and it was just time for a change.

“I’m so incredibly thankful for the opportunities that I’ve had, but I think it was just my time to look at different options.”

After consciously spending some time back up north with his partner Jonathan, who grew up in North Yorkshire, Graeme found the time to pick up his sketchbook again. He started observing and just being present…

“It was very therapeutic for me. My partner and I wanted to change the way we were living. Instead of flitting in and out of our home and running through airports, we wanted to find a base and enjoy a slower pace of life.

“Jonathan’s family live in Great Ayton, so the area has always been a second home for us and I guess we started to form this plan that we would one day unpack our suitcases for good and settle down somewhere a little quieter.”

The ‘lightbulb’ moment came one Friday night around four years ago when Graeme had just hopped off a plane from Turkey.

“I was running through the airport with all the other suits, it must’ve been about 8.30pm, I was waiting for a taxi and I just thought, ‘why?’”

The time felt right for Graeme and Jonathan to go in search of a new and completely different reality.

“London is always going to be important to me, but building something interesting up here has been wonderful,” he smiles.

“I’ve lived in London for much of my life, and have always worked abroad too, and I think people are starting to realise that you don’t need to be in one city to be successful. I think it’s really important to encourage people to think outside the box, be more creative in different places and form different communities.”

Graeme and Jonathan have found their ‘creative community’ at their new home, set within the dramatic landscapes of Upper Wensleydale.

“We converted an old hunting lodge. We’ve got a bit of land from the lake up to the moors, so we’re surrounded by meadowland - it’s idyllic. It’s such a fantastic place to call home. We love replanting trees, walking in the moors and just doing all of those things that give us much more satisfaction than creating a collection of sweaters and bags and shoes.

“Both are important to me, but as soon as I started to think about what I wanted next, it was all about living and working in an environment where I can create myself and be my best creative self at the same time.

It’s not an easy process, he tells me. But it’s

something he speaks so passionately about.

Yes, retraining can be tough, but it’s also incredibly rewarding - and refreshing if nothing else - I think Graeme is the perfect example of that.

“It’s a process, but it really is worth it,” he says, confidently.

“I’m just loving being in a studio where anything can happen. I literally sit here with a blank canvas. Ok, it can be daunting, but it really does spark something special.”

While restoring his surroundings, planting new forests and regenerating meadows, Graeme found the time to take it all in and ‘just be’, which has paved his way with his new artistic collections, heavily influenced by the trees around him. Before he knew it, his concepts were coming to life on canvas in his cattle barn studio.

“As I got to know my new environment, I was constantly drawn to the trees,” says Graeme.

“Looking at how they change throughout the seasons, which was really interesting because I realised that, for years, I hadn’t given myself the time to really observe

“I don’t think I could’ve done this when I was 25 because I was too hyperactive and constantly on the go,” he laughs.

“I liked being with people and working in groups of creatives - I had far too much energy back then, so it was important for me to go and do what I did earlier in my career.

“I mean, I did a fashion show for Ferragamo in the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was insane! But at the time I couldn’t enjoy it because I was exhausted and stressed, trying to juggle all of these different things.

So it’s been nice to reflect on some of my experiences.

“I’ve learnt to understand that, if things aren’t good, I can just put them to one side.

There’s nobody over my shoulder saying, ‘you’ve got to do this, you’ve got to do that’, so that’s a real luxury for me. I can evolve and develop work as I please, and that really is the best way to be creative.”

Graeme’s ‘Trunk Show’ exhibition was in-situ at Messums Harrogate throughout May and June, a collection he hopes to take to London in the autumn, so there’s

the seasons. I was never in one place for long enough.

“There’s a lot of beauty around that we don’t always acknowledge because we’re so busy looking at the next thing.

“I’ve spent some time in the local environment studying the trees and looking at the form and shape. Each piece is almost like a portrait of a tree that is completely diverse.”

It’s interesting to see how Graeme’s worlds have collided in such a natural and creative manner. One person carving the way between two very different paths, but with so many shared qualities. But what is so refreshing to see is that he has taken his knowledge and experience and has ‘given back’ to his younger self by acknowledging his success and really giving himself the space to enjoy his own creativity, in his own way.

still a chance to see his works in an immersive environment.

In the meantime, his work is available online as he continues to work out of his home studio in the Dales.

Think fleeting forests, charcoal trunks and raw-cotton backgrounds manipulated with palette knives and layer upon layer of oil paint to capture the nuances of colour in nature.

Graeme’s abstract art is open to interpretation, free from routine, worlds away from deadlines and far removed from the pressures of performance - all qualities that mirror his move from one life to another.

A new life of creativity, contentment and fresh, country air. graemeblack.com graemeblackfashion.com

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GOOD STUFF

Sweet charity The good things going in the North East, our Luxe charity round-up…

WEDDING BELLS >> GOING TO THE BALL >> Our friends at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) are hosting a spectacular ball this October, and you’re invited!

After a year’s hiatus, the charity’s Air Angels Ball is back and promises a dazzling night of glamour, entertainment, fantastic food and plenty of surprises. The date for the diary is Saturday 9 October and the sparkling event will take place at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, hosted by the charity’s patron, Pam Royle. Tickets are £60 per person and include a drinks reception, three-course dinner, live music, an auction with TV’s Charles Hanson and much, much more.

Andy Mawson, director of operations and paramedic at GNAAS, said: “Our ball is a great way for us to raise awareness of the work of our charity as well as raise vital funds, and we hope to see many businesses and individuals from across the North coming to support us.” greatnorthairambulance.co.uk

We’ve got a Daisy Chain wedding on the cards! Rebecca Baldwin and Sam Wagner from Nunthorpe, raised more than £1,600 for Teesside-based autism charity, Daisy Chain, and have been announced as winners of the ‘Win a Wedding’ competition. The pair, who got engaged in the Lake District in September, are now planning for their dream wedding at Hardwick Hall Hotel, complete with catering, overnight accommodation, bridal hair and pampering, wedding dress, groom and groomsmen suits, wedding cars, photography, flowers and a gym membership. Neeraj Sharma, chief executive of Daisy Chain, said: “On behalf of everyone at Daisy Chain, I want to say a huge congratulations to Rebecca and Sam for winning the competition. They worked very hard to raise a fantastic amount of money and we are eternally grateful.” daisychainproject.co.uk

BUTTERWICK BASH >> Gladrags at the ready! The team at Butterwick Hospice are inviting us for a night of glitz and glamour as their Butterwick Annual Ball returns to Wynyard Hall Marquee on Friday 26 November. Time to dig out those ball gowns and tuxedos for an evening of dancing, fine dining and stellar entertainment in the run up to the festive season.

Singular tickets are available at £80 per person, with tables of 10 at £800. All funds raised will go directly to Butterwick Hospice Care to add life to days when adding days to life is no longer possible. Don’t miss it! butterwick.org.uk

LET THE MUSIC PLAY >> RUN UP TO RACE DAY >> Having missed the 40th anniversary in 2020, the countdown is on for the Great North Run 2021, and whether you’re running in the event or not, it’s an iconic highlight in the North East’s sporting calendar. With the race unable to take place last year, Great Run introduced ‘Great North Run Solo’, and it’s back for 2021. Starting on 19 July and finishing on 12 September, the challenge invites participants to complete 25 runs in an eight week period building up to the main event. Designed to guide runners through training for the GNR, or just a bit of fun for those who don’t have a place in this year’s event, it’s a great opportunity to do your bit, get fit and come away with a finishers medal. You can join any time from now until entries close on Monday 16 August. Ready, steady, go! greatrun.org

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Back in April, The Barbour Foundation gave a massive contribution to Sage Gateshead’s Crisis Recovery and Renaissance public appeal by donating £1m to contribute to the recovery of the North East. The Barbour Foundation is a founding patron of Sage Gateshead and has since remained a champion and generous supporter of the organisation.

The music venue still faces significant financial challenges as its schedule of events build back up again, but this donation shows huge encouragement for the region’s culture scene. Dame Margaret Barbour, chairman of The Barbour Foundation, said: “On behalf of The Barbour Foundation, I am delighted to be able to continue my support for Sage Gateshead during these very challenging times. The venue holds a very special place in the region, offering such a wide variety of music and I hope that our donation will enable audiences across the North East, nationally and internationally to continue to enjoy the wonderful programme of entertainment that they have to offer.” sagegateshead.com

A HELPING HAND >> As shoppers return to the high street this summer, our friends at St Oswald’s Hospice are putting out an urgent appeal to the North East community for volunteers to support their 25 charity shops across the region. Steph Edusei, chief executive at St Oswald’s Hospice, said: “We’re extremely fortunate at St Oswald’s to have fantastic volunteers who regularly give up their time, skills and expertise, and offer us huge support right across our charity, including in our charity shops.

Volunteers are the absolute lifeblood of St Oswald’s, and without them we wouldn’t be able to offer high quality expert care to local families when they really need us most.

“We were thrilled to reopen our shops in April, but we’re now experiencing a crippling volunteering shortage throughout many of our shops, which is undoubtedly going to impact on the money we can raise and the care we can provide.”

If you or someone you know can help this fantastic, specialist hospice continue doing what they do best by volunteering in one of the shop’s across the North East, please contact: volunteer@stoswaldsuk.org. stoswaldsuk.org

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A HELPING HAND

The kindest dragon you’ll ever meet Multi-tasking is one of Sara’s many fortes. As well as being a mum to two young boys, a TV celebrity and owner of an internationally successful craft business, she has recently become Ambassador for Smart Works, Newcastle.

The charity helps unemployed women from across the North East to find employment by offering interview coaching and quality clothing to give them the confidence they need to transform their lives. More on her latest venture later.

From humble beginnings, but with an appetite for success, Sara grew up in the North East where her parents ran a wallpaper and paint store in Coundon. She knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur and studied management at York University. Her third year on a placement at a craft company exposed her to an industry she didn’t even know existed.

Sara fell in love with the customers. In her words, with a “head full of magic and lots of ideas”, she spotted a gap in the market for a tool that could create bespoke envelopes for handmade cards. She took her idea to the owner of the shop, but they weren’t interested, so Sara decided to start her own business. With the help of her retired engineer dad, Sara designed and

launched her ground-breaking craft product called The Enveloper.

Sara approached TV shopping channel, Ideal World, and from her first slot, The Enveloper became an instant hit, selling 1,500 in the first 10 minutes and 30,000 units within six months. This demand led Sara to develop her first line of innovative products for the craft market and by the time she left university with a first-class Honours degree, her business was already turning over half a million pounds.

Sara’s business continued to fly, and she went from working in an office shed at her parents’ house with only a friend to help, to owning a multinational company. This was at a time when crafting was becoming hugely popular, and Sara thrived on sticking to her core principles and developing products for the needs of the customer.

Today, her business, Crafter’s Companion, is a household name in the industry. Sara has expanded her range of papercraft products to include sewing and needlecraft items, as well as her own brand of art materials. The company designs, manufactures and sells its craft-related products to customers across 40 countries and employs more than 200 people worldwide.

Sara is still loyal to her North East roots with a head office and warehouse in County Durham, alongside established stores in

When I link with a charity, it has to fit with my personal values. I want to use my position as a woman in power to support other women, and to support underprivileged women 20 luxe-magazine.co.uk

Sara Davies is best known as TV’s crafting queen, with a massive following of hobbyists across the globe. Her infectious, bubbly personality and passion for entrepreneurship secured a seat in the Dragons’ Den in 2019 as the show’s youngest ever dragon

Chesterfield and Evesham, and a US head office and warehouse in California.

As with all businesses, the pandemic threw many challenges at Sara, but one adjustment she made during lockdown has had a hugely positive impact on her work/ life balance.

“Before the pandemic, I’d be away from my family for at least four nights each week, travelling to America, filming and then flying back. So that I could continue to appear on the American shopping channel while it was impossible to get to the States, we built a state-of-the-art studio adjacent to our head offices in Newton Aycliffe.

“Now I can deliver the same show in one day, without the need to be away for so long, and still get the chance to put Oliver (7) and Charlie (4) to bed.

“This adjustment has enabled me to be a better mum and gives me more time to spend on developing the business, without having to travel. One of the things that will change after the pandemic is that people won’t expect me to go back to travelling as much. Now I can nip to the studio, it’s been absolutely life-changing and great for the boys. With the time difference, I actually do the filming in the middle of the night while they’re asleep!”

Another commitment that Sara has embraced is her relatively new role on Dragons’ Den. It was something she had always fancied being a part of. A good friend suggested Sara would be great on the programme, but she didn’t feel comfortable putting herself forward.

Unbeknown to Sara, her friend contacted the researchers and asked if they were recruiting any female dragons. It was a bit of a whirlwind after that, but needless to say the production team loved her and before she knew it, she was filming for the next series, and they finished just in time before the January lockdown.

“I really love Dragons’ Den. I’m different to many entrepreneurs as most grow a business and then sell it to start another. I have no appetite to start another business, I love the one I’ve got. But I’m keen to invest in others. I always compare it to babies. My sister has recently had a baby who I love spending time with, but I don’t have to do the sleepless nights and all the tough stuff.

Investing is like being an auntie. I can do all the fun stuff at the start, but at the end of the day, it’s their business.

“The entrepreneurs really excite me. You get a great firecracker of a person, and I love spending time with them, advising and supporting them, then watching them succeed.”

Sara is also heavily invested in helping

North East women succeed with her latest partnership with Smart Works Newcastle.

“I get asked all the time to be involved in charity work and I find it so difficult to say no, but most of the time I have to. I see my life as having three pots - my work, being a mum and my personal pot. Dragons’ Den definitely falls into my personal time as it’s not benefiting the family or the business, it’s for me, as I’m enjoying it personally.

“It’s the same with charity work. That falls into the Sara pot too. So, when I do link with a charity, it has to fit with my personal values. Smart Works appeals to me for many reasons. I want to use my position as a woman in power to support other women, and to support underprivileged women.

“There are so many women who think they aren’t good enough so don’t apply for a particular job in the first place. Smart Works not only provides the clothes women need for interviews, but also gives them coaching and development training to learn how to sell the best version of themselves. Two thirds of the women Smart Works supports go on to get a job, so it shows it’s working.

It was an absolute no-brainer for me to be involved.”

So, what about the third ‘pot’ in Sara’s life?

Her family.

“Family is so important to me. I really enjoy baking with the children, during lockdown we perfected our chocolate brownies and scones and put together care packages for relatives. I also enjoy going for long runs on Saturdays and have recently given open water swimming a go. I’d love to do more of that.”

Sara also loves to eat out with family and support local businesses - The Dudley Arms in Ingleby Greenhow near Great Ayton, the Crab and Lobster in Asenby and Café Lilli in Norton are just a few of their favourites.

For an afternoon out, they enjoy Hardwick Park or Preston Park, or a day out at Saltholme Nature Reserve.

“My in-laws have a caravan at White Water at Tees Barrage, which is only 10 minutes down the road, but we love it, and love staying close. Because our business is bigger in the US now, people often ask why we don’t move there. I could never move out of the North East, let alone out of the country. We’ve got firm roots here. The quality of life is perfect.”

You can help support Smart Works in three ways. By donating clothes, accessories and toiletries; donating time as a volunteer stylist or coach; or by donating money to the charity so they can help even more women across the region. smartworks.org.uk

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A HELPING HAND

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LOCAL HERO

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LOCAL HERO

On home turf

Seaham Hall is the jewel in the North East’s crown when it comes to R&R in a luxe environment. Elysia Fryer checks in for a coffee catch-up with England international and Durham cricket star, Ben Stokes OBE, on the back of his new partnership with the five star hotel and spa...

Ben Stokes and I have something in common as we catch up early summer, and it’s not mastering the art of cricket.

We’re both approaching a period of time away from our day job - doing what we love most.

As I prepare to pull together my final issue of Luxe Magazine before maternity leave, Ben is also getting to grips with a bit of time away from his passion. In his case, injury cut short his time playing in the Indian Premier League with the Rajasthan Royals back in April.

Like any professional, a sudden disruption in the schedule, particularly in the sporting world, can knock you for six (no pun intended!). So as Ben and I sit down to discuss recent success stories and setbacks, it’s very much a time to take it easy and enjoy a bit of rare family time on home turf - and for the cricket star, that involves some much needed R&R at Seaham Hall.

A secluded, seaside spa hotel is the perfect tonic, and having recently come on board as an ambassador at the venue, it made sense to catch up over coffee in the hotel lounge.

“We’ve obviously been juggling various lockdowns since I came on board as an ambassador at Seaham Hall,” Ben explains.

“So it has been a little different, but I’m incredibly excited now we are starting to return to some form of normality, and I’m really looking forward to spending some time here with the family this summer.”

Time spent at home with the family is something of a rarity for Ben. As an international cricketer and vice-captain of the national side, much of his time is spent travelling the world and living out of a suitcase.

“When I was younger I would get agitated if I was at home for too long, away from what I was doing professionally, but now I’m able

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to completely separate the two,” says Ben. “It’s something that I’ve just managed differently with age,” he adds.

“This time for me, while I’m away injured, is just about being a dad, being there for my family and enjoying some time at home.

“Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to get back to what I do, but I am able to understand that it’s important to rest, recharge and get fit again so I can be in my best form when the time is right again.”

Ben’s family home is just a short drive from Seaham Hall, so to be able to work in partnership with such a fantastic venue with such a wide offering, has been a wonderful experience so far.

“I’ll be making sure that, as a family, we’re spending a lot of time here because it’s such an amazing place,” says Ben. “I knew of Seaham Hall before. I had been a handful of times for dinner and for weddings. My friend and teammate Graham Onions got married here, it was a great day.

“Seaham Hall has always had that edge - there’s a certain buzz about the place. It’s got first-class facilities and it’s a real escape.

It’s certainly a place we can be proud of up here in the North East.”

Reflecting on a whirlwind couple of years, from the remarkable 2019 Cricket World Cup success, to being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2019 and then having a disrupted 2020/2021 season due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the global pandemic that followed, Ben is optimistic about what the future holds for his beloved sport.

“It’s amazing what sport can do to lift spirits and bring people together - even when we’re stuck in our own homes,” says Ben. “So, despite a number of both personal, team-wide and indeed global setbacks, it’s fantastic to see things looking up as we head into the summer months and plan for the back end of 2021.” >>

luxe-magazine.co.uk 23

LOCAL HERO “Since the highs of 2019, the world is obviously a completely different place.

But these little, monumental steps towards normality really do pick us up.

“I’ve been one of the lucky few that have been able to mostly continue doing my job throughout the pandemic, albeit in a different environment, but it still doesn’t take away from the fact that I want that normality back.

“Once things started up again, it was fairly positive. Every series, every tour, every game - whatever we played - almost felt like it was a trial for how the next series was going to be run, because nobody really knew what to expect from the experience.

“Since sport came back on the screens and people have been able to watch it, it has been pretty consistent. It was the lift we all needed, but we are ready to get the crowds in and have a bit of normality back. It’s slowly edging towards that again, which is great.”

The backing of fans is a huge part of the lives of any sportsperson. It’s a source of motivation, the encouragement needed to succeed; so playing to an empty stadium was quite the challenge for Ben and his teammates.

“It was fine to start with because we’d spent so long away that the excitement from the general public just being able to watch us play again in some way - on TV, or just following the live score - was enough.

“We understood that we were privileged to be able to do it and we knew that we had a responsibility to give everything that we could at that time to give people a bit of a buzz when times were tough.

“We felt privileged to be able to do that for people and bring it into people’s homes.

Once we stepped onto the field and got back to doing what we loved, the pressure eased off and we just enjoyed it.

“There was definitely an element of making up for lost time when we got back to it, but it soon became quite obvious that we wouldn’t be able to do everything in the way that we normally would.

“We were staying at the grounds that we were playing at, so we literally couldn’t get away from work. You’d finish the day then you’d go to the room and be able to see the cricket ground through your window - it was quite intense.

“Even though, as athletes we love what we do, you do need to have that sense of escape. The cricket field is our office at the end of the day, and you do need to remove yourself from that environment. Sometimes you don’t want to see your office from your bedroom,” Ben laughs.

“But I guess that has been the case for many people working from home this year.

It’s just a different way of living in the ‘new normal’.

“It was strange; we’d gone from time away from the cricket field completely, to literally living there for periods of time.”

Sporting schedules were back in place in early 2021, albeit in a new way with no fans.

One of Ben’s earliest fixtures was time spent with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

The IPL 2021 tournament was suspended due to the outbreak of coronavirus infections in the country and has since been scheduled to resume in the United Arab Emirates in autumn.

But before the tournament was postponed, Ben headed home with an injury.

“My time in India was cut short because I picked up an injury - I broke my finger.

“I’ve got to give the BCCI - the Board of Control for Cricket in India - a lot of credit in terms of being able to do what they did in getting the competition underway.

“But my personal opinion is that they made

24 luxe-magazine.co.uk

Credit: Will Matthews

the right call in postponing it because there’s a lot more at stake over there at the moment in terms of looking after the population.

“As strange as it sounds, I’ve actually never felt so fortunate to be injured - I managed to get out of a situation that turned quite bad for people who were out there participating in the IPL. “Since then, I’ve had surgery, but it’s impossible to put a time on recovery because I don’t want to rush back too early and get more setbacks. People think, ‘it’s only a broken finger’, but you’ve got to be very careful about getting back to it.

“I will be playing cricket at some point this

summer, I’m just not sure when.”

In the meantime, it’s about taking time to recover, marking those milestones as restrictions are lifted, and enjoying family time at home.

“I’ve got a wife and two kids, so when I’m home for a little while it’s about getting back into the swing of it with the school run and what have you. Juggling after school clubs and everything, it’s chaos! I have huge respect for my wife who keeps everything in check while I’m away.

“I live in Castle Eden, so as I mentioned before, Seaham Hall is definitely playing a big part in my time at home with the family.

“I’m also playing a lot of golf at some of

the fantastic courses in the region. Gaming is also incredibly big in sport at the moment, so I play a lot of Call of Duty with friends it’s a great way for me to switch off.

“We’ve got two dogs, so we spend a lot of our time walking and exploring our village and local beaches.

“I’m celebrating my 30th birthday this summer, so my wife has some things up her sleeve. I know that one of the treats is to spend the night at Seaham Hall with dinner and treatments, so I’m really looking forward to that.

“It’s great to be able to spend time with friends and family and get our social lives back a little bit. It’s definitely feeling much more optimistic.”

The North East is very much home for Ben, albeit an ‘adopted’ home, having moved from New Zealand as a child.

“I moved from New Zealand to Cumbria when I was 12, then I moved to Durham full-time and got my first place here when I was 19. I’ve had an association with Durham and the North East since I was 15.

“I can now drive everywhere without a Sat Nav, so I guess we can safely say it’s home,” he laughs.

The two countries might be worlds apart on the map, but there are many similarities between the North East and New Zealand, Ben tells me.

“When I first moved over I was asking for chips, which in New Zealand is a bag of crisps, so I’d end up with a bowl of hot chips every time I wanted a snack. Little things like that took a bit of getting used to,” he laughs.

“But it soon felt like home. The lifestyle is different - and the weather, of course - but New Zealand is quite similar to England in a way, in certain areas. The scenery is very similar to Cumbria and the Lake District lots of rolling countryside and wonderfully quaint places to visit.

“I moved to a great school in Cockermouth, I was in great junior sporting teams and my cricket career went from there really.

“Cumbria is a minor county in cricket, with major cricketing counties surrounding it including Lancashire, Yorkshire and Durham.

So generally, if someone catches the eye in Cumbria, they’ll end up playing for one of those counties. For me it was Durham and I’ve never looked back.

“Home is here now, but I’ll always be proud to say I grew up in New Zealand - I spent 12 years of my life there.

“I try to visit when I’m away on tour. I’ll be in Australia at the back end of the year, so I can jump on a flight to go and see family, which is always nice.”

Despite missing out on the start of England’s international summer, Ben has his sights set on a return to playing for Durham, confirming he’ll be back on the cricket field at some point this summer.

Following that, he’s confident that the back end of the year will be more promising for him post-injury.

“We’ve got the T20 World Cup coming up in October and November and then we’ll be in Australia for the Ashes from November.

Something has gone seriously wrong if my finger is still playing up by then, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to it and having a busy back end of the year in the sport.”

When he’s not scoring runs, taking wickets and getting his country over the line in big tournaments, you’ll find Ben unwinding at Seaham Hall or sneaking in a round at his local golf club.

“Life is all about balance, and I’m really enjoying finding that balance at the moment as I continue on the road to recovery.” seaham-hall.co.uk

JUL/AUG21

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ADVERTORIAL

OPEN FOR BUSINESS Gainford Group’s impressive array of venues continues to grow, shine and take centre stage of Newcastle’s dining and drinking scene. With exciting transformations and new additions to the portfolio, here’s what the hospitality experts have got to offer this summer...

Livello >> It’s back and it’s better than ever. The award-winning bar and nightclub, Livello, didn’t just reopen after the pandemic, it reimagined, reinvented and redefined itself with a whopping £1.2m makeover - and let’s just say the results are jaw-dropping.

What is it?

Chic, contemporary and elegant, Livello is a cocktail-lover’s dream. This oh-so stylish venue is one of Newcastle’s most beloved late-night spots and for good reason. Think expertly crafted cocktails, an impressive wine list and a sophisticated twist on all of your favourite classics.

The stylish venue on Lower Dean Street has gone from strength to strength in the past nine years since being owned by Gainford

26 luxe-magazine.co.uk

Group. And while loyal fans of this show stopping venue saw no room for improvement, the owners decided it was time to give Livello a completely new look.

After all, things can only get better.

What’s new?

So, what can we expect from the venue’s exciting transformation? Same values, same ethos, but with a brand-new look.

Everything is being stripped out, rebuilt and replaced with new themes and colours, from the existing bars, seating and lighting to soft furnishings and detailed decor. More than this, the venue is expanding. Planning permission was granted and the removal of the old conservatory the firm inherited when it bought the business, has been replaced with a sizable new extension.The beloved

courtyard is also getting a new look, complete with a private garden for VIPs. The late night venue is renowned for its buzzy atmosphere and with the introduction of their new state of the art lighting, production and sound system, they’ve set the bar to a new level when it comes to a nightlife offering in the North East.

Forget jetting off to world-famous clubs in the likes of Dubai, Vegas and Miami, with its brand-new VIP nightclub experience, Livello will be the place to be this summer.

How can I visit?

Simply visit their website, book your spot, dress up in your finest attire and get ready for a night of great music, exquisite cocktails and a unique spectacle of live entertainment.

Chic, contemporary and elegant, Livello is a cocktail-lover’s dream. This oh-so stylish venue is one of Newcastle’s most beloved late-night spots and for good reason

JUL/AUG21

ADVERTORIAL

Crescendo >> Introducing Gainford Group’s newest venture, Crescendo. Get ready for summer nights sipping on gorgeous cocktails with some of the best views in Newcastle.

What is it?

Crescendo is the newest addition to Gainford Group’s impressive portfolio. The all-new open air rooftop terrace complements both Livello and The Vermont Hotel, boasting unrivalled views of Tyne Bridge, Quayside and Dean Street. Think New York City rooftop party vibes with a Newcastle twist and a touch of luxury.

A visit to this stylish new venue is sitting at the top of our summer agenda here at Luxe HQ. Picture-perfect sunsets, great company, spectacular cocktails, and idyllic views.

What can I expect?

First things first, you can expect to be blown away by some of the most breathtaking views Newcastle has to offer. This rooftop terrace is going to be the go-to place for those looking to admire the city’s skyline.

From culture seekers and photographers, to day drinkers and Instagram influencers - we can already see this venue making its way on to everyone’s explore page.

The outdoor courtyard is equipped with state of the art heaters to ensure guests are kept warm and toasty even when the sun sets. Sit back, relax and enjoy a premium drinks selection of champagnes and spirits as well as a brand-new signature cocktail menu and cocktail masterclasses.

Go here for your weekly fix of live entertainment with an impressive event line up featuring world class DJs and artists.

Want the place to yourself?

You’ve got it. There’s going to be a range of private and area hire options available for guests to host their own private parties, events and gatherings.

How can I visit?

Looking to take advantage of this newest hangout? Simply enquire via Livello’s website.

The all-new open air rooftop terrace complements both Livello and The Vermont Hotel, boasting unrivalled views of Tyne Bridge, Quayside and Dean Street

barlivello.co.uk

JUL/AUG21

luxe-magazine.co.uk

27

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SAINT LAURENT >> Mica Leather and Faux-raffia Cross-body Bag £1,320, matchesfashion.com

DUNE LONDON >> Dustiin Yellow Rattan Basket Bag £60, dunelondon.com

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SAINT BELLE >> Paris Bag £75, saintbelle.co.uk

LOEWE >> Fringes Open-work Leather Bucket Bag £1,450, matchesfashion.com

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28 luxe-magazine.co.uk

LOEWE >> Anagram Small Canvas Tote £1,350, harveynichols.com

JUL/AUG21

STYLE GURU

TREND WATCH with Kate Rose, founder of lifestyle brand, Tutti & Co The nights are lighter, the days longer, and I have a spring in my step, looking forward to a summer filled with social events and a staycation or two…

Visiting...

I am always on the lookout for unusual styling bits and pieces, and after a recent visit to Tynemouth Market, I picked up a few lovely handmade ceramic pieces to use and style in my new kitchen, which sit perfectly and were very reasonably priced. I ended up with a beautiful hand tied bouquet of flowers and a bag of fresh fruit and vegetables too. We walked into the village, sat outside of Dil & the Bear and enjoyed the most delicious brunch. The perfect Sunday morning I would say, and we really didn’t have to venture all that far. dilandthebear.com tynemouthmarkets.com

The sun is shining, restrictions are lifting and I am really enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the North East. Whether it’s a day on the beach enjoying a tasty fish takeaway, or a relaxed lunch in a country pub garden, there is so much to do and see. There really is no better place to be this summer...

Interiors...

After six months of renovations we have finally completed a penthouse apartment in the centre of Tynemouth, with stunning views over the priory and sea. As soon as I walked into the space, I could visualise something really special. As much as possible we have tried to work with local businesses and craftsmen to design and create a modern but family-friendly space. The biggest investment was the bespoke kitchen. I worked closely with Nicklin Furniture in Newcastle to create a simple but striking design, which really has the wow factor. The blackened stained oak sits perfectly with the chalk walls and creamy oak, distressed floor. It is the perfect balance and backdrop against the Georgian-style sash windows and crisp white panelling. I’m looking forward to finalising the styling and finishing touches - no doubt once it is finished, another project will be calling my name! nicklinlimited.co.uk

Baking...

One of my favourite things to bake is a carrot cake and this recipe has an added summer vibe with a mascarpone and lime frosting and a dusting of lime zest. The perfect treat to share with friends and family in the garden…

Ingredients 250g unsalted butter, softened 250g light brown soft sugar 5 large eggs, preferably free-range or organic, separated Zest and juice of 1 orange 170g self-raising flour, sifted 1 slightly heaped tsp baking powder 100g ground almonds 100g shelled walnuts, chopped - plus a handful for serving 1 heaped tsp ground cinnamon

Wearing…

My favourite footwear this summer is the Trekky Raffia Trimmed Canvas Platform Sandals by Arizona Love. Comfortable, yet super stylish, I pair with every outfit, dressing up and down depending on the occasion. The natural colour suits any look, and so I find they are my go-to item this summer. £125. net-a-porter.com

Pinch of ground cloves Pinch of ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground ginger 250g carrots, peeled and coarsely grated Sea salt For the lime mascarpone icing: 100g mascarpone cheese 200g full-fat cream cheese 85g icing sugar, sifted Zest and juice of 2 limes

Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4.

Grease and line a 22cm-square cake tin or a round equivalent with greaseproof paper.

Beat the butter and sugar together by hand or in a food processor until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one by one, and add the orange zest and juice. Stir in the sifted flour and baking powder, and add the ground almonds, walnuts, spices and grated carrot and mix together well.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff, then gently fold them into the cake mix. Scoop the mixture into the prepared cake tin and cook in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes until golden and risen. You can check to see if the cake is cooked by poking a cocktail stick into it. Remove it after 5 seconds and if it comes out clean the cake is cooked; if slightly sticky, it needs a bit longer, so put it back in the oven. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn it out on to a rack and rest for at least an hour.

Mix all the icing ingredients together and spread generously over the top of the cake.

Finish off with a sprinkling of chopped walnuts.

Exciting news…

My love of interiors and desire to create amazing spaces never stops and I have been lucky enough to be involved in a few very interesting and different projects over the past 12 months. After two years of planning, I will be launching a full interior design service under Kate Rose Interiors. Watch this space - updates coming soon...

JUL/AUG21

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LITTLE LOOKS

All the frills

Freya Lillie’s luxe linen designs are whisking us away to tropical climes this summer. Elysia Fryer gets a ‘mummy & me’ fashion update with Michelle Jones, the owner and founder of the Durham-based business…

As many of us ponder over summer holidays in our favourite overseas destinations, we’re faced with the realities that staying on home turf might just be the best option.

But with the sun beating down, a steady return to normality and the chance to luxe up our wardrobes as our diaries fill up again, there’s plenty to smile about when it comes to spending summer at home.

When we stumbled upon Freya Lillie online and made the link between the stunning Ibiza shoots and the beautiful store at Fowlers Yard in Durham, we were delighted to see a local business flying high in the fashion world.

Michelle Jones is the brains behind the sustainable luxury clothing business, born after the birth of her daughter of

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the same name, Freya Lillie.

“I was pregnant with Freya and I already knew that I didn’t want to go back to work - as in working full-time in an office, or in my case in front of people as a business lecturer,” Michelle explains.

“I wanted to be a bit more flexible and be able to work from home, in a creative way,” she adds.

“Freya was born three months early - she was really premature - so it made me even more determined that I was going to find a way in which I could work flexibly from home.”

After struggling to find really unique, well-made and sustainable clothing for her new little one, Michelle went down the route of sourcing baby and childrenswear from suppliers with a similar mindset.

“In the early days, we were working with a number of Not On The High Street

brands from overseas, but as time went on, I had my own ideas and wanted to do things my own way, so I started working with my aunty, who made cute little handmade rompers.

“It was important for us to be as sustainable as possible, using 100% linens and making clothes that would grow with the child. Yes, using luxurious, sustainably-sourced materials might mean you’re spending a little bit more than you would on the high street, but, in fact, cost per wear, it actually works out much more reasonable.”

Shortly after introducing the new products, Michelle’s made-to-order linen garments hit the ground running.

“I didn’t expect the demand to be there as much as it was in the early days,” she says.

“It went from my aunty making rompers at home, to us working with a small North East factory of seamstresses, and then eventually employing our own.

“The world of Instagram being the way it is, influencers started sharing our stuff and it all went a bit crazy.

“In the year before COVID, we signed a lease for our first shop in Durham as it felt like the right time to grow the business.

I wanted a space where we could have a team of our own seamstresses working upstairs, and the option of having the shop downstairs.

“But, of course, COVID hit and all of a sudden nobody wanted any holiday or wedding clothes, so it was a bit of a struggle.”

Michelle signed for the Fowlers Yard store in January 2020 and planned to spend the

JUL/AUG21

LITTLE LOOKS

Freya Lillie has become a go-to for gorgeous holiday looks, mainly because of its Mediterraneanstyle designs, effortless comfort and cool, linen materials first few months getting everything ready for an early spring opening. The world had other plans. But as with many growing businesses in the height of the pandemic, a lot of pivoting was involved.

Michelle used this time to grow Freya Lillie online, working with influencers and other like-minded businesses to get the word out.

“At first, orders were flying out as people were adapting to the world of online shopping,” Michelle explains.

“But obviously, as further restrictions were put into place and we were all of a sudden unable to travel abroad and socialise outside of our households, there was a lack of interest when it came to holiday clothes and occasion wear.”

Since then, things are on the up and the business is flourishing more than ever.

The Fowlers Yard store is a beautiful new addition to Durham’s independent shopping scene and the online store is reaching new heights, with customers coming in from all over the world, from Bermuda to the Balearics.

“Although it has been tough growing a business throughout a pandemic, we’re seeing the positives and it’s great that

JUL/AUG21

we can grow online to a wider audience, but still have that relationship with local customers at the store,” Michelle smiles.

“While much of our online sales revolve around fashion, our Durham shop also stocks some stunning lifestyle products and homeware accessories, where you can find little trinkets for the house, or as gifts for loved ones.

“It’s also nice that we can invite customers in to get a feel for the clothes. We work a lot with brides who are sourcing beautifully unique outfits for flower girls and bridesmaids, so for them to be able to come in and experience Freya Lillie in the flesh is just wonderful.”

Freya Lillie pieces are based on the ethos of being truly timeless and seasonless, which ties in nicely with Michelle’s determination to remain as sustainablyfocused and environmentally-friendly as possible, throughout production and sales.

“We’re best-loved for our linen frills, so we try to keep things fairly simple and stick to what we do best,” she says.

“We might bring out new colours and materials in autumn/winter, but generally, it’s just about styling our pieces in a

different way - perhaps with a polo-neck in the cooler months.

“We really want to steer away from ‘fast fashion’ and ensure that, if people are investing in a Freya Lillie piece, it can stay with them for a long time.

“I wanted to make sure that people are able to shop consciously with us. If you get something that is really well made and you’ve invested a bit of time into purchasing, you’re more likely to get excited about wearing it and it becomes a wardrobe staple.

“We make a lot of our baby and kids clothes as flexible as possible with adjustable straps, so a little one could actually be wearing a 0-6 romper until they’re well into their second year.

“Our Mummy & Me pieces are very popular at the moment, and the more flexible we can be with sizing, the longer our customers can be enjoying wearing the products with their little ones. The aim is that they’ll serve you, not just for one holiday, but for years to come.”

Freya Lillie has become a go-to for gorgeous holiday looks, mainly because of its Mediterranean-style designs, effortless

comfort and cool, linen materials. Plus, who doesn’t want to rock the beach with their littles ones in a matching, frilled dungaree set?

With coconut shell buttons, labels made from bamboo and pretty pastel colours in luxe linen fabrics, Freya Lillie’s dreamy designs are a real box-ticker when it comes to sunning it up, home or away, this summer.

For Michelle, this summer is about making up for lost time with friends and family, hikes in the countryside with her husband and daughter Freya, and enjoying a drink and a bite to eat at Durham’s many bars and restaurants.

“The Champagne Bar is a favourite of mine.

It’s so lovely to be able to leave the shop and have such wonderful Durham businesses on our doorstep.”

Four years into business and with the shop and online store blooming day on day, next on the agenda for Freya Lillie is to look at some new, staple pieces for autumn/winter, as well as growing the wedding and special occasion offering. Watch this space. freya-lillie.com

luxe-magazine.co.uk

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XXXXXXXX

Celine Linen Dress - White, £64.99 - £79.99 Adriana Pinafore - Lemon, £44.99 - £59.99 Florence Linen Dungarees - White, £69.99 - £79.99 Fleur Dress - Chocolate Linen, £49.99 - £52.99 Linen Overalls - Natural, £49.99 - £62.99

LU X E

LI N E N

Freya Lillie’s luxurious ‘mummy & me’ range has us dreaming of golden hour in Ibiza. Think organic fabrics, coconut shell buttons and effortlessly gorgeous frills blowing in the warm breeze…

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XXXXXXXX Adriana Dress - Lavender, £44.99 - £54.99 Unisex Linen Shirt - White, £42.99 - £52.99 Florence Linen Dungarees - Lavender, £69.99 - £79.99

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Florence Linen Dungarees - Natural, £59.99 - £74.99 Women’s Sandrine Dress - White, £200 Aria Linen Dress - White, £59.99 - £65.99

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Women’s Linen Blazer - Natural, £225 Women’s Tailored Linen Shorts - Natural, £125 Women’s Sadie Bralette - Peach, £74.99 Florence Linen Dungarees - Natural, £59.99 - £74.99 Unisex Linen Shirt - White, £42.99 - £52.99

JUL/AUG21

luxe-magazine.co.uk 35

Celine Dress - Nude Linen, £64.99 - £79.99 Florence Linen Dungarees - White, £69.99 - £79.99 Unisex Linen Shirt - Natural, £42.99 - £52.99 Mable Vintage Dress - Mocha, £74.99 - £82.99

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Welcome to your local, independent department store

Open 7 days a week Discover our unique and luxury brands across fashion, fragrance, accessories, beauty and more Join our Friends Club Join our Friends Card loyalty scheme in store for true VIP treatment. Be the first to hear of exclusive offers, discounts, events and more. Plus, earn loyalty points to spend in store each time you shop!

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Sandersons Arcade Unit 3 Morpeth NE61 1NS 01670 570035

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Lillie All in One - Nude, £59.99 - £62.99 Women’s Chloe Dress - Nude, £100 Alex Unisex Romper - Natural, £49.99 - £54.99 Baby Bonnet - White, £18.99 Freya Lillie Ltd, Cottage 1, Back Silver Street, Fowlers Yard, Durham DH1 3RA freya-lillie.com

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Exclusive but Affordable

SUMMER READY The Organic Pharmacy Herbal Toner This best-selling toner soothes, plumps, revitalizes and rehydrates your skin in preparation for moisturizing. The powerful blend helps to balance your skin, minimise the appearance of pores and produces radiant results. This veganfriendly product is packed with 11 skin-loving herbs including Green Tea, Eucalyptus, Chamomile and Calendula.

Mist onto your face after cleansing or whenever you’re in need of a hydration top-up.

100ml, £35 theorganicpharmacy.com

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Clockface Beauty Charcoal & Himalayan Pink Salt Mask It’s time to mask up - and no, we’re not talking about the face-covering kind, we’re talking about the long soak in the tub, sweeping on a gorgeously scented product all over your face. Perfect for bringing luminosity to your skin, this dreamy face mask is renowned for its brightening and detoxifying benefits.

This cruelty-free and vegan product is excellent for cleaning deep into your pores and reducing the appearance of blackheads. It’s a mild exfoliant, so as well as balancing oil production and pulling impurities from your pores, it will also gently remove dead skin cells. Your skin will be left glowing and vibrant, while its antiseptic properties will soothe irritation.

60ml, £20 clockfacebeauty.com

Beauty:update Luxe summer buys

RéVive Sensitif Renewal Cream SPF30 Make room in your skincare collection for this legendary beauty product. Wipe the slate clean and say goodbye to everything you think you know because the Sensitif Renewal Cream is a game-changer. Packed with SPF 30, this nourishing cream renews, soothes, and protects even the most sensitive skin, throughout the day. Swipe across your face for immediately calmed, soothed and protected skin and watch fine lines, wrinkles and dullness visibly disappear. £150 harveynichols.com

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau De Parfum Step into summer with this dazzling floral-fruity fragrance. For those of you who are lovers of Chanel Chance, you will fall head over heels for this even tenderer interpretation. It marries notes of Jasmine and Rose Essence, creating a beautifully feminine and floral fragrance. Spritz on this delicate scent and be set for the day whether it be relaxing at the beach or cocktails at sunset, you’re good to go.

100ml, £120 harveynichols.com

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One glowing complexion for summer coming right up. Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. Brightening Serum, powered by 15% advanced Vitamin C, is targeted to quickly fight the look of dullness, dark spots, and discolourations at the source while diminishing the signs of ageing. This super-luxe formula helps to make your skin look and feel firmer while instantly illuminating your complexion. Phytosterols help to reduce the look of skin sensitivity and Saccharide Isomerate Extract diminishes the appearance of pores and reinforces the skin’s moisture barrier for a skin-smoothing glow.

50ml, £100 harveynichols.com

Hyalogy UV protector SPF25 As summer is fast approaching, it’s time to think about protecting your canvas. This super light texture mineral-based sunscreen is ideal for the warmer months and with its non-greasy formula, it provides immediate absorption into the skin. The magic ingredients include Licorice and Prunes to prevent uneven pigmentation as well as Marjoram, Great Yellow Gentian and Breckland Thyme to reduce inflammatory reactions. Also packed into this dreamy product is Ceramide and Ginseng which work to improve the skin’s barrier function and immunity. Apply Hyalogy SPF25 as a final step of your skincare routine in the morning and reapply as recommended throughout the day. £64 forlleduk.com

Iconic London Illuminator Drops Glowing skin is always in. If you love nothing more than your skin shimmering in the sunshine, then you need to get your hands on this must-have product everyone is raving about. Available in five gorgeous shades, this concentrated liquid shimmer can be added to your foundation, primer or moisturiser, or simply used on its own for a super highlighted glow.

This 100% vegan, cruelty-free and super versatile product will become your go-to product in your makeup bag for a touch of luxe this summer. £30 harveynichols.com

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LUXE LOCKS

BLONDES HAVE MORE FUN

All of this sunshine has definitely lifted the spirits of the lovely people in the North East.

Is it just me, or does your day start differently when the sun is beaming through your windows first thing in the morning?

After all of those awful ‘lockdowns’, we needed a little bit of happiness in our lives, reminding us that there are plenty of good times ahead. And it’s safe to say that, before anything else, the sun beating down on us always helps to trigger those positive thoughts.

Everyone is looking great again - lockdown locks are a thing of the past and instead, people are embracing change with many opting for a brand new look. With ’the shag’ and flat textured layers being one of the season’s hottest trends, we wanted to bring you a gorgeous summer style that looks simply gorgeous both day and night - taking you from those alfresco lunches in the garden, to glitzy sundowners in the town.

Bright blonde baby lights give this look the perfect amount of sparkle to turn heads everywhere! Blonde is the colour of summer - so whether its face framing hi-lights, beautiful balayage or full on blonde - you’re going to feel amazing and summer ready with your new colour.

Summer vacations are still questionable - well at least international shores for now anyway - but that doesn’t stop us having fun in the sun right on our doorstep. It’s been so lovely seeing people posting pictures of staycations and local hotspots that we are so lucky to have in the North East.

So, as long as the sun keeps shining, I reckon we have a lot on offer without having to travel too far.

Enjoy the rest of the summer people - you really deserve it!

Michael x

Step into summer with layered locks and sunshine hues...

Michael Young and Gary Hooker run Hooker & Young, with four salons across the North East. hookerandyoung.co.uk

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SOUL SEARCHING

TEA BREAK

Finding peace

Self-love coach, yoga teacher and energy healer, Rebecca Dale, reminds us why it’s so important to be in touch with the mind, body and soul...

What does the term ‘mind, body and soul’ bring up for you? To some it might be a memory of a heavenly full-body massage, or maybe it’s dipping your toes into a crystal blue warm ocean in the Med, or perhaps the joy of being around the BBQ with loved ones in the summer months.

For many of us, feeling completely aligned in the mind, body and soul is a rarity and it’s often only in fleeting experiences where we feel it. In this issue, I’m going to share with you some ways in which we can work with the mind, the body and the soul to help us experience moments of connection, peace and bliss in everyday life.

THE MIND >> Our thoughts create our emotions emotions create our behaviours - and behaviours create our reality. Bringing awareness to our thoughts changes our reality. Choosing more positive, expansive

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thoughts means we can call in more of what lights us up. But how do we begin to make this shift?

Meditation is a wonderful way to work with the mind as it gives us an opportunity to notice thought patterns and limiting beliefs that are stopping us from feeling our best day-to-day.

There are lots of ways that you can meditate and it doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple way to meditate is to set a timer for five minutes, close your eyes and pay attention to your breath moving in and out.

When a thought arises, come back to the breath. That’s it.

THE BODY >> The body is the vehicle that moves us through life. When the body is relaxed, open and full of vitality, we’re moving through life in an optimum state, rather than battling with a body that is exhausted, stressed and tense.

Find your way back to that optimum state regularly by moving your body for the love

of it. Yoga, walking, swimming, dancing whatever it is, doing it in celebration and appreciation of your body will, undoubtedly, bring you more things in your life to celebrate and appreciate.

THE SOUL >> With the demands and responsibilities that come with life, it’s inevitable that we disconnect from our hearts. Overthinking, worrying, comparing and controlling are common day-to-day experiences, but they show up because we’re not in touch with the part of us that is peaceful and unlimited - the heart.

Now, some of us find this one a bit cheesy and self-indulgent, but I want to challenge you to soften here if that’s coming up. Part of reconnecting to your heart is to recognise that you are a human who loves, dreams and feels. When we drop out of our heads and into our hearts, that is when we can create more of what we want.

A great way to spend more time with your heart is to find connection in community

with soul-like people who also want to live their life from a more heart-focused place.

Being in a soul-nourished environment will open you up to new possibilities, inspiration and will be a permission slip to be fully you.

My hope is that just by reading this today, you feel more at peace and alive as you move through the rest of your day.

Big love to you, Rebecca

In my work as a self-love coach, yoga teacher and energy healer, I help people reconnect with themselves so that they can experience moments of heaven in every single day, no matter what is going on in the world.

To enquire about my group and 1:1 offerings, get in touch on Instagram: @_rebecca_dale or via email: hello@rebecca-dale.com.

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SPACE TO GROW

SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND Finding clarity and focus for brighter days ahead with our luxe life coach, Teresa Peters…

Work or office environment

Finance

Physical health and nutrition

Sprituality or gratitude

Home environment

Mental health or wellbeing

Career / business

Friends

Fun, adventure and recreation

Relationships significant other Family

Say hello to your best you.

This summer mirrors the start of a new year for me. How about you? The days are getting longer, the sun is shining brightly and life as we’ve known it for the past year or so, is steering in a new direction.

There’s no right or wrong way to feel as we embrace new beginnings. Some of us are excited whilst others are stuck in a rut.

Perhaps you can’t wait to return to the office to be with colleagues, or you feel quite the opposite and you’re pining for a simplified life.

No matter the situation or context, I’d like to share with you one of the simplest coaching tools, ‘the wheel of life’. It helps you consider each area of your life, and in turn, assess what might be off balance.

I was first introduced to the wheel of life in 2015. It changed the way I viewed my life in a matter of seconds. I use it regularly with clients both individually or in groups,

JUL/AUG21

I complete one for myself whenever I feel overwhelmed or a bit stuck and my kids loved using it during lockdown.

Finding balance in your life >> When life is busy it's all too easy to find yourself off balance, not paying enough attention to important areas of your life.

The wheel of life considers the whole person. We begin by ranking your satisfaction in each area of your life.

It’s a brilliant tool for measuring success and steps towards your goals.

I have suggested eight segments on this wheel for you, but you can rename them if you choose to. Notice how the categories and language used will have different meanings for each of us.

Home and environment could mean your office, personal growth could carry a spiritual context, health could relate to what you do to take care of yourself. Some people break this down further into mental health, exercise and nutrition. You may

Personal growth

prefer to change the word career to ‘business’ if you are self-employed or ‘home working’ if you’re a full-time mum or carer.

I invite you to sit in the garden with a cuppa, grab some colouring pencils and take a helicopter view of your whole life to help you find balance.

Rank your satisfaction with each of these areas of life from 1 to 10. This is about YOU - how it aligns with your values, interests and needs. Consider how you honestly feel about your career or business, then give it a score out of 10 - 1 being not satisfied at all and 10 being brilliant.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to label each of these categories. How we see the categories or feel about each area of our lives differs from person to person. Some people will have an up and down ride and feel comfortable with that, whilst others prefer, and need, a more balanced wheel. Some people are happy with never achieving a 10 out of 10, whereas others picture a 10 out

of 10 as the only way to move forward.

New beginnings >> What does your wheel look like?

What do you notice?

What goals will you set to take you from a 4 out of 10 to a 5 out of 10? Remember not to overwhelm yourself with what a 10 out of 10 outcome looks like.

It's the small goals and baby-step habits that we make to get there.

Let’s celebrate new beginnings as the days become brighter. Let’s embrace the summer and let’s enjoy a less bumpy ride as we set ourselves little, achievable goals and say hello to your best you.

Luxe tip: Find a coach or brainstorm with your friend/ partner to find a way to improve your score over the next four weeks. acceleratorcoaching.co.uk

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FOOD NOTES

HOME COMFORTS with chef Chris Baber Celebrating British produce, summer suppers and big foodie events!

TRY THIS >> MY WORLD >> Since I last checked in, I’ve spent much of my time travelling around the UK as part of an 18-week ‘on-location’ project with M&S. I’ve been in Scotland looking at Aberdeen Angus beef and also Scottish strawberries.

I’m also currently learning more about plums and cherries, which is a great bit of context coming into the summer months.

It’s just so nice to see and meet the people behind the produce and understand how passionate they are about what they do and what they grow here in the UK. It makes it even more special to eat the produce, having met the people behind it. It also encourages you to treat the ingredients with a bit more respect, having seen what goes on behind-the-scenes in terms of growing, nurturing and cropping.

MY FOOD DIARY >> Because we’re coming into summer and things are opening up, people want to be out enjoying themselves and supporting local restaurants. I know I’m going to be doing a lot of that myself in the coming weeks, so I’m taking a little break from the live cook-a-longs, but they’re coming back very shortly, particularly as we head into autumn and we’re hunkering down and socialising in our own homes again.

I’m planning for a new Instagram cook-along series in September, where I’ll be working with some famous faces, so watch out for those, they’re always a lot of fun.

It’s great being out on the road again, but I’m looking forward to getting back to the kitchen and working with my friends and followers again to produce some really nice, seasonal food.

FOODIE HAPPENINGS >> I’m going to be at The Big Feastival in the Cotswolds from 27 - 29 August, which is a really fun, family-friendly event incorporating music and food. And in terms of going out and enjoying some of my favourite restaurants, I’ve been back enjoying local favourites such as The River Cafe on Thames Wharf and Zuma, one of my favourite Japanese restaurants near

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Harrods. Gordon Ramsey has opened a new burger restaurant, which I’m really looking forward to trying. When I finally get back up to the North East this summer, I’ll be booking in for a meal with friends at Hjem near Hexham, and I’ll be going to get my fish and chips from Trenchers, Spanish City. The thing I’m most looking forward to is just eating with people again - it’s all part of the experience. Even being able to have people round the house for dinner parties, it will be such a pleasure to share that with others. In lockdown I’ve been taking food up to an older lady who lives upstairs, so it would be nice to have her round for a bit of dinner. On my social channels I’ll be sharing lots of recipes that are good for entertaining, so people can use the kitchen skills they’ve picked up in lockdown and share it with their friends and family.

Chilli Prawn Spaghetti

Serves 4

A quick and easy summer dinner party dish for getting the friends and family together Ingredients 500g spaghetti 4 cloves garlic, sliced Pinch chilli flakes 350g king prawns Handful ripe cherry tomatoes, halved Small glass white wine (save the rest to enjoy with dinner!)

Bunch parsley, chopped Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon Method Cook the spaghetti in a pan of boiling salted water, for 1 minute less than the packet instructions, save some of the cooking water.

Heat a splash of olive oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the garlic and chilli for 1 minute. Add the prawns, stir fry for one minute then add the tomatoes with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add the wine, stir and let it almost all bubble away, it will take a couple of minutes.

Add the cooked pasta directly from the pan with a splash of its water to the prawns, toss together, add the lemon and parsley and cook for 1 minute so the pasta can soak up all the flavours of the sauce. Serve and enjoy!

ASK CHRIS >> If you’ve got any questions you want to ask Chris - whether it’s a recipe you’d like to see, information about his live cook-a-longs, or recommendations for restaurants in the North East or across the country - please get in touch via his Instagram page. Chris will select a handful of questions and answer them in the next column. #AskChris instagram.com/chrisbaber

INSPIRED BY THE SEASONS >> Summertime, for me, is all about raspberries and strawberries. There’s nothing better than a proper British, ripe strawberry in the summer months. They’re so sweet and just scream sunshine. Summer fruits are definitely a seasonal favourite. Get them in for garden parties; simply serve on their own, with dessert, or just with cream, and you can’t go wrong. We don’t celebrate the simplicity of strawberries and cream at Wimbledon for nothing!

Q: How can I get my family involved in cooking to make mealtimes fun and collaborative?

A: I think it’s all about having fun.

Get the radio on. Plan it out. Work to your strengths, if someone loves the chopping, let them do that while you do the frying. Pick a recipe that you both really want to eat too, that will always make the cooking more enjoyable. Maybe you could pick something new like fresh pasta and learn a new skill together.

JUL/AUG21

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TOP OF THE CLASS

A blooming success From family landscaping business to royal residences and rubbing shoulders with some of the best in the food biz, Dean BoltonGrant has found a home in the Yorkshire countryside, where his Northern School of Gardening is flourishing at the Yorke Arms in Ramsgill. Elysia Fryer checks in...

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It’s so wonderful to see a passion that quite literally grows in the home (or the garden), which can blossom into something so spectacular it takes you to royal residences overseas, the homes of politicians, Michelin-starred kitchen gardens and venues backed by some of the biggest names in the food business.

Sitting down for a virtual cuppa with Dean Bolton-Grant, director and founder of The Northern School of Gardening, I quickly learn that horticulture can indeed take you anywhere you wish.

For Dean, his love for gardens and growing takes him back to his childhood.

“I guess you can say I’ve always been in the industry,” he explains.

“My parents and grandparents both had landscaping businesses, and my great-great uncle was a market gardener - he had glasshouses full of tomatoes, runner beans and amazing summer crops, so I’ve always been hands-on, working with plants and materials.

“I grew up in Dorset and I remember living a very outdoorsy lifestyle - I think that has stayed with me throughout my early days and into adult life.”

Now, after a successful career working on some of the most spectacular gardens in the country and beyond - more on that later - Dean has settled with his partner in Harrogate.

“It very much feels like home now, particularly when the sun is shining!

“I’ve been in the area on and off since my mid-20s. I left for work and then came back to settle here about seven or eight years ago.”

Keen to hear some of his stories, rubbing shoulders with famous faces and working in some of the most spectacular locations across the globe, we thought it would be best to start from the beginning…

When the time came for Dean to start making decisions about his career as a young, budding gardener, he upped sticks and headed to college.

“I went and studied horticulture at Kingston Maurward College, a beautiful college in Dorchester set in an old manor house with landscaped gardens and big rolling lawns.

I think this is where I got the bug for it.

“From there, I went to Le Manoir aux Quat‘Saisons in Oxford to work with the gardeners of Raymond Blanc. It was an amazing experience in learning the craft of gardening, but also interacting with clients of that level. You’d be there and the Queen Mother would come in for lunch or Richard Branson would be wandering around. It was surreal.

“That then led me to Denmark to work a s gardener to the Danish Queen at her Summer Palace just outside Copenhagen.

It was great to be in a different country, immersed in a completely new culture.

I learnt a lot, not just about horticulture and gardening, but about myself and about different ways of living.

“I did lots of everything, from pruning roses to planting, but the real take-home from both of those places was just the quality and the attention to detail, and I think that is what has stuck with me ever since, and that’s what we’re all about at the Northern School of Gardening.”

Between now and then, Dean has also worked for the Maltese Prime Minister and the Maltese President, looking after their gardens over in Malta.

Closer to home, he has worked with one of the Dragons on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, and continues to consult on numerous private estates across the UK, as well as his partnership with the Yorke Arms - reinvented in 2020 as a luxurious country house for hire in the stunning Yorkshire Dales.

Dean’s passion for all things horticulture has taken him on quite the journey, working with people from all walks of life. But for him, one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is being able to share his knowledge with others.

“A career in horticulture can take you all over the world,” he says.

“I think it’s perceived to be a ‘stuck at home’ kind of job, but it can honestly take you anywhere.

“I’ve never been one for a great plan - I’m not that organised - but luckily I’m one of those people that will just say ‘yes’ and trust that my instinct will guide me in the right direction.

“All of our work comes from

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TOP OF THE CLASS

Dean’s top tips for summer in the garden • Greenfly and aphids love tomatoes, but hate the smell of marigolds underplant your tomatoes with marigolds to deter the aphids • Interplant between your rows of onions with a quick crop of lettuce, which you can harvest before the onions grow • Want your own salad, even in the winter? Sow mizuna, a tasty, rocket-like salad leaf that you can crop through the colder months • If you are short on space, plant basil in your pots of summer colour, it will love the warmer weather and can be picked really easily. You can cheat by buying the pots of grown basil from supermarkets.

A career in horticulture can take you all over the world. I think it’s perceived to be a ‘stuck at home’ kind of job, but it can honestly take you anywhere

recommendations, which is really good.

That’s what led us to the Yorke Arms and has therefore opened up an exciting opportunity for us to share what we know with others.”

Pre-lockdown, Dean and his team were looking after the kitchen gardens at the Yorke Arms on a full-time basis. Our world changed drastically overnight and like many venues, things were left behind for a little while.

“As things started to pick up again and owner Jonathan Turner started to think about how he was going to run the business going forward, we put our heads together and decided that now would be the right time to put our knowledge of horticulture and hospitality to good use and set up a school of gardening.

“People have spent a lot of time at home, they’ve thrown themselves into gardening and perhaps want to learn more.

“There’s such huge demand at the moment, and we want to do everything we can to ensure people have access to something enjoyable and educational, in a really indulgent setting.”

In a world where plant to plate dining is

JUL/AUG21

becoming more and more popular, Dean’s experience at some of the top kitchen gardens and residences in the UK and Europe, has really come into play.

Not only does he have horticultural qualifications and a whole host of experience under his belt, he’s also a massive foodie with a real flair when it comes to working with chefs to turn home-grown produce into mouthwatering menus.

“I guess it takes me back to my days at Le Manoir. Much of my time there was based around organic veg growing. The same goes for the Royal Palace; they had teams of 10+ gardeners who were growing veg for the Queen and her entourage.

There’s a lot to learn and once you’ve got the bug, there’s no going back,” he smiles.

Discussing the upcoming courses with The Northern School of Gardening, Dean reminds me that it’s as much about winding down and having a good time, as it is about crafting and learning.

“The courses are aimed at people looking for a really nice day out, but who want to leave with a bit of knowledge, enlightenment and enthusiasm to go and

put it into action at home.

“We’re offering a range of courses - some aimed at absolute beginners, some aimed at more experienced gardeners who want to improve in one way or another.

“It’s about coming along, enjoying yourself and picking the brains of folk who have been in the industry for most of their lives, having worked at some beautiful places across the country and the world.

“You won’t leave with a certificate as such,” he laughs.

“But hopefully you’ll leave with a big smile on your face, a bank of new knowledge and a belly full of great food.

“The courses include a short introduction, a bit of theory and then we head outside and into the gardens to put it into practice.

We finish with a nice two-course lunch, which is a great opportunity to sit down, reflect and just enjoy some fantastic,

home-grown, seasonal produce together in the very place it has grown.

“We’ve also teamed up with people like Alastair Baldwin to offer extended three-day courses where we include a bit of landscape sketching and expert insight when it comes to design.

“He’s designed many impressive gardens across the country and the region, including the Rose Garden at Wynyard Hall, the gorgeous grounds at Grantley Hall and the gardens at Raby Castle.

“As the seasons progress, we’ll offer different courses tailored to the time of year.

For example, we’ve got some Christmas wreath making courses in the diary, which will be a completely different vibe to our spring/summer sessions. We’ll have fires roaring, mulled wine flowing - just fully immersing ourselves in that particular season as things change and grow.”

In the meantime, Dean’s sister company, Grant Horticulture, is up and running with a retail website, home to some of the best gardening gear you can get your hands on.

“The idea is that we’ll have a pop-up shop at the school so that people can treat themselves - or someone else - to something nice after a workshop.”

So, whether you’re green-fingered and looking for your next challenge, you’re new to gardening and want to learn from the experts, or you simply want to browse some of the best horticultural products as a treat for a loved one, stay tuned online for all that The Northern School of Gardening has to offer this summer and beyond. thenorthernschoolofgardening.com

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GRAPE EXPECTATIONS

A taste of Italy From Milan down to Naples and across to Sardina, Nicole Wood sips her way along the Mediterranean coastline in search of the perfect wine

The truth? I’ve never been much of a wine drinker. Sounds insane, I know.

For me, all I knew is that I quite enjoyed a white wine. Dry? Sweet? French? Italian?

I couldn’t quite articulate the specifics and shamefully, that’s where my knowledge of wine ended, until now.

When the chance arose to meet Daniel Curro, expert sommelier and one half of The Archive duo, for a 45-minute personalised shopping experience, my uneducated self jumped at the chance. Why? For two reasons. One, to prove I’m simply not a wine lover and two, to see if I could be proven wrong. Little did I know the educational journey me and my palate were about to be taken on.

On arrival, Daniel’s friendly and passionate demeanour shines through immediately as he greets us in the doorway of The Archive

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- the wine boutique that lies within what is set to become a luxury, intimate hotel, The Vices York.

Effortlessly chatting, Daniel begins to guide us through the variety of products the shop has to offer. From deep reds and crisp whites, to a collection of rosé, sparkling and dessert wines, as well as champagnes and Giuseppe Giusti balsamic vinegar.

Daniel selects the first bottle based on my preferences and pours out a sample in the most efficient way using a Coravin Needle wine opener. The non-coring Coravin Needle gently passes through the cork and once the needle is removed, the cork simply expands back to its normal shape. As wine is extracted through the needle, it is replaced with pure Argon gas, ensuring oxygen never touches the remaining wine, keeping it as fresh as the day it was bottled.

Cool gadgets aside, the tasting commences.

The first bottle is a 2019 Is Argiolas and

straight away, we love it. Crisp, citrusy and oh-so refreshing. Daniel doesn’t stop there, he takes us on a truly indulgent journey around the vineyards of Italy.

Why Italy? Wine has always been a passion of Daniel’s. Since growing up in Milan watching his family collect wine, he started an ongoing collection of his own, and in fact, some of his favourites are stored in The Archive. But it’s more than that. From working as a chef to becoming an AIS certified sommelier, Daniel explains the troubles he’s experienced throughout his career.

“One of the biggest problems now with Italian wines and why we chose to only stock Italian wine - apart from Champagne - is because not a lot of people know Italian wine enough and they don’t know where to start,” he explains.

“It’s not because of prejudice, it’s just because they simply don’t know where to

start. The trouble is, for example, if someone knows they like a Bordeaux then people can turn around and say ‘Try this, you’ll like it, it’s the Bordeaux of Italy,’ rather than explaining the difference in the grapes etc.

“Instead, they should say this is a red wine from Tuscany, explain the grape variety, explain the flavours you can expect and sell this wine for what it is and not a comparison. You wouldn’t say if you like BMW then you will love a Mercedes they’re two different types of car.”

The second wine takes us to the South of Italy. Daniel explains how, although this is from the same grape variety, Vermentino, it is completely different to the first.

“Just because you like a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, doesn’t mean you will necessarily like a Sauvignon Blanc from France,” Daniel explains.

When trying a selection of white wines

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GRAPE EXPECTATIONS

from various grapes from around Italy, Daniel doesn’t disclose what to expect from the wine, instead, he lets us come to our own decision.

First, we try it on our nose - what do we think of the smell? Do we like it based on the aromas? Then, we try it on our palate, swishing it around and getting a good taste of the different elements.

After the success of three very different, yet appealing white wines, Daniel takes a chance with a red wine based on what our palates are telling him. A bottle of La

Vedetta, Barbera d'Asti, which is an Italian red wine made from the Barbera grape, is poured. Daniel explains how this can be a light, fruity, acidic and fresh wine.

My vino-friend loves it. For me? I quickly understand what it means to appreciate a good bottle of red and, while I never thought I’d imagine myself saying this, I could definitely learn to love a small glass with a meal.

Our experience comes to a close with the chance to ask the expert. What makes a wine vegan? How are wines filtered?

Ultimately, it’s the emotion that you want to find within the wine. We’ve tasted every bottle in our collection, and each comes with our personal stamp of approval JUL/AUG21

How much does price have to do with a wine’s quality? No topic is off limits, no question too complicated - Daniel is an open book willing to share his expertise on the industry he so fondly knows and loves.

For those who are yet to discover this hidden gem in York, The Archive is a former Victorian police station in Fulford, which has been transformed into a boutique wine store, offering a stylish fusion of retail and hospitality. This unique venue boasts an eclectic mix of over 100 fine Italian wines, including limited editions that are otherwise hard to source in the UK. The Archive founders, our sommelier friend Daniel and Moreno Carbone, are also creating an exclusive hotel experience to match. The Vices will offer three, beautifully-designed suites, a restaurant and bar. The new hotel concept will open later this year.

“I’m from Milan, the fashion capital of

Italy,” Daniel starts.

“As a trained chef and AIS certified sommelier, I’ve worked in a range of leading restaurants and luxury hotels. We want to welcome more people to experience fine wines - but it’s not just about the label, it’s about the story behind the label.

Ultimately, it’s the emotion that you want to find within the wine. We’ve tasted every bottle in our collection, and each comes with our personal stamp of approval.”

Daniel and Moreno have close relationships with suppliers in Italy - they’ll visit the vineyards, sample the wine and seal it with their approval before having it imported and adding it to their collection at The Archive.

Educated and satisfied, we leave with smiles on our faces and two bottles of Argiolas it was simply too good, we couldn’t leave without buying a bottle. thevices.co.uk

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PLANTING POWER

Savouring the seasons WITH KAREN PHILLIPS

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Fancy a little bit of veg by the back door?

Many people got bitten by the gardening bug in lockdown, which made us look at how everyone can grow veg at home, even in the smallest space; The Edible Container Course was born...

Many years ago, my best friend from school had a small balcony in London with a few plant pots for summer. She simply couldn’t work out what was eating her cherry tomatoes at that height. Just as they were ripening, it turned out that her boyfriend at the time (now husband) would arrive back from work at the hospital where he was training as a young doctor and snaffle the lot before she got home! But it perfectly illustrates that even the smallest of spaces can be utilised to provide a tasty, healthy crop of just-picked salads.

Pint sized veg…

Vegetables, in common with many garden plants, have cultivars (cultivated varieties) that have been bred to grow in very small spaces. In point of fact, if you really wanted, you could grow an apple (on the most dwarfing M27 rootstock) in a window box if you so wished. So, we are looking for dwarfing varieties such as dwarf climbing beans and peas, baby beetroot and turnips, lettuce leaves in all shapes and colours, edible flowers and some compact herbs. Most garden centres, supermarkets and DIY stores will have done the hard work for you and you can buy baby veg in six packs.

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First find your container As long as the container is roomy enough and has drainage holes, then nearly any will do for growing veg by the back door: • Salad plants in old enamel colanders • Herb pots in Belfast sinks • Trailing tomatoes in hanging baskets • Old wine crates full of beetroot • Old dolly wash tubs Ensure your container has drainage holes drill them if necessary, then line any large gaps with hessian and an old compost bag inside out with a few random holes cut in it. Fill your container with a multipurpose compost suited to growing vegetables. Think carefully about how much space your plants will need when they are fully grown. You can always plant some infilling pretty flowers such as violas that can then be smothered as other veg grow to take their space. Plant different colour combinations: dark leaves, variegated, feathery foliage, and edible flowers. Add some height using a willow wigwam or pea sticks.

What to plant • Pea: ‘1/2Pint’ and ‘Kelvedon Wonder’ are both dwarfing varieties • Dwarf French Beans & Mangetout • Trailing tomatoes: ‘Gartenperle’ or ‘Masotka’ - don’t plant more than one in

a container. These are hungry feeders so will need feeding with liquid tomato food through summer Beetroot: red, yellow, stripy white beetroot - the choice is yours! Young leaves can be added to salads and the beetroot pulled when they are small and sweet Baby turnips will provide a crop in six weeks and are delicious steamed and tossed in butter Radish - if you’ve never tasted a fresh radish pulled through cold butter then try ‘French Breakfast’. They also pickle well and are great served instead of gherkins in a burger Lettuce - a mix of all shapes and sizes, what looks pretty in the pot will look pretty on the plate. Harvest the leaves individually starting at the bottom with the largest and they will give you salads for up to eight weeks Herbs: thyme, hyssop, golden marjoram, chives, trailing rosemary, purple sage.

These herbs will last for many years but will eventually get too big and need their own pot in subsequent years. Avoid mint since it will take over your pot

resown once picked and you may get a second crop before autumn sets in. The herbs will benefit from frequent little haircuts - don’t give them a ‘number 1’ each time you pick, and leave some green leaves lower down the stem otherwise your thyme and rosemary won’t come back. If the plants start to look less green towards the end of summer, then a little feed with tomato food will give them a welcome boost.

Add a pop of colour Many flowers can be added to oils, dressings and marinades and in salads, adding both flavour and colour. Choose from the following: • Calendula (marigolds) • Dianthus (carnations) • Lavender • Nasturtiums • Violas How to look after Water, water, water in dry weather and keep picking your salad leaves, pea tips, new peas, mangetout and they will keep on producing all summer long. Your beetroot, turnips and radishes can be

UPCOMING COURSES @LINNELS FARM Note: all events are subject to lockdowns/government restrictions. Stay tuned on the Linnels Farm website for further updates and announcements.

THE SAVVY STUDENT 3-DAY COOKERY COURSE >> 23 - 25 AUGUST This 3-day hands-on cookery course will teach you how to make delicious, nutritious meals with minimum mess. With the emphasis on one-pot wonders and making the most of inexpensive food, you’ll depart with cookery skills and a repertoire you can cook within the confines of any student flat. Please contact us for a full itinerary.

BREAD BASICS >> 7 SEPTEMBER This course discovers the pleasures of breadmaking from the easiest sourdough through to focaccia, flatbreads and the perfect baps for bacon and egg butties.

Depart with recipes and a veritable feast of your warm, hand-made breads.

CANDLE MAKING WITH BERNICIA CANDLES >> 9 SEPTEMBER Caroline will guide you through an informative practical course on hand-pouring soy wax candles. You will get the opportunity to choose different fragrances and containers to produce and take away your hand-poured products as candles for yourself or lovely gifts.

ANNUAL BULB SALE >> 25 & 26 SEPTEMBER We import amazing varieties of beautiful tulips, scented narcissi, towering alliums and other little beauties. Spend a relaxing time choosing which beautiful bulbs will adorn your garden next spring. Planting advice on bulb choice and colour combinations is available. Timed slots will be available to book.

To request a 2021 bulb catalogue in August contact: info@linnelsfarm.com For further details and to book visit: linnelsfarm.com

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES

Perfect picnic >> Add a touch of luxe to your summer picnic with a choice of three gorgeous hampers from Noble House Prepared. Roll out the blanket and tuck into the likes of H.Forman & Son smoked salmon, giant sausage rolls and chef-prepared cheesecakes. Delicious. noblehouseprepared.com

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LET’S EAT

Smiley celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo says ciao to a sparkling new restaurant on Newcastle’s Quayside. Elysia Fryer swaps tea and biscuits for cicchetti and negroni as she catches up with the TV favourite on his new North East venture…

M A N G I A M O , Q UAYS I D E !

Chatting to Gino feels like catching up with an old friend, which, having never met him in person, is quite a surreal experience.

But his warm, welcoming nature is clearly something that shines through in everything he does - whether it be on the TV, in his recipe books or experiencing his restaurants.

The latter being the reason for our chat.

With decor as refreshing as the man himself - and a menu that guides us through his love of his home country - every diner can get a real sense of who he is, and that’s how chefs really hit the nail on the head when it comes to building a successful restaurant empire in their own name.

Everything about Gino D’Acampo Quayside reflects the soul and character of Italy’s many different regions. Pair that with North East hospitality and a sparkling spot by the River Tyne, and you’ve got the perfect tonic for truly indulgent, Mediterrenean-style dining.

EF: It’s great to see you opening a restaurant in Newcastle. What do you think of the new location at INNSiDE?

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GD: I am so pleased to open my new restaurant, Gino D’Acampo Quayside, here in Newcastle. The location is amazing, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let the natural light flood into the beautiful restaurant and a huge contemporary terrace overlooking the iconic River Tyne. It’s a real mood booster, and an amazing place to hangout day and night. I encourage everyone to experience it.

EF: What do you love most about Newcastle, and have you had the chance to visit the new venue?

GD: It’s a super cool city - you’ve got everything going on here. Great nightlife, great art, and of course, great people.

The people here are cool, they know how to have a good time and I like that.

I’ve been fortunate to visit Newcastle a number of times both with my book tours and looking at potential new restaurants.

The pandemic has sadly meant that I’ve not been able to visit these last 15 months, but my team has, when permitted, been video-calling me every day; and so, whilst I’ve not been able to be in Newcastle in person, I have been in virtual spirit. It’s something I plan to put right now that

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LET’S EAT

The menu is inspired by a number of things - my travels, authentic Italian dishes I enjoyed when growing up, and most of all, amazing ingredients

things are starting to ease a little. I cannot wait to join everyone at the Quayside restaurant. I hope I will see you when I do.

EF: What values do you share with INNSiDE? GD: I’m super excited to be working with the INNSiDE by Meliá team. After many years talking to Meliá about a partnership, it’s amazing to have made it a reality and to have opened the doors to my Quayside restaurant.

The one thing I ask of all of my team is commitment; a commitment to delivering the very best guest experience possible.

It’s a value the team at INNSiDE by Meliá absolutely share, and I couldn’t be more pleased to work together.

EF: We love how personalised your menu is - we felt like we were having a chat with you while reading about each dish. How did you go about pulling it all together?

GD: Grazie, I appreciate that. The menu is really important to me and my brilliant team. We design restaurants for people, not Michelin stars. The menu is inspired by a number of things - my travels, authentic Italian dishes I enjoyed when growing up, and most of all, amazing ingredients. Food should be simple, colourful and accessible to all. In my restaurants we try to give the dishes a soul. I’m happy that you feel that.

EF: Do you pick up your inspiration from travelling, or does a lot of it come from your family and childhood?

GD: Filming means I spend a lot of time travelling and it is a great source of inspiration. However, many of my favourite dishes are those learnt as a small boy and enjoyed with my own family. The recipe for my lasagne is one that has been handed down in the D’Acampo family for many generations. I call it ‘Lasagne di Mamma’ because my mother taught it to my sister and me when we were about 11 years old.

It’s a great tradition that my wife will pass on to our own children.

EF: Your go-to summer dish?

GD: I like anything to do with pasta. It’s simple, it’s versatile and it’s tasty. I encourage everyone to try our new summer menu. I think you’ll love it.

EF: And your ideal drinks pairing?

GD: It’s no secret that I love a classic Italian

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negroni, that is my ‘go-to’ drink.

When I’m back home in Italy I love visiting cool bars for an aperitivo, a traditional Italian pre-dinner drink with friends. I love it.

It’s a big part of Italian culture and one I’m really pleased to share with the people of Newcastle every afternoon at my Quayside restaurant. I invite everyone to come down between 4pm and 6pm and enjoy complimentary cicchetti (typical Italian nibbles) on me and my amazing team.

You have to try my Vino D’Acampo wine too, it’s seriously good!

EF: How are you spending your time this summer?

GD: I have a super busy schedule this

summer, with some exciting plans in development. I’ll be making time to return to Italy too. Family time is really important to me, I’ll never compromise on that.

EF: Can you give our readers three reasons to go and visit the Newcastle restaurant?

GD: Seriously, just three? Incredible, authentic Italian food, amazing drinks, and a truly fantastico waterside setting.

EF: And finally, your luxe things in life?

GD: My beautiful wife and family, my dogs and my new Quayside restaurant here at INNSiDE Newcastle. ginodacampohotelsandleisure.com

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A DOG’S LIFE

POSH POOCHES with Alfie, helped by Elysia Fryer

Happy hound days

Luxe Pooch Q&A

countryside with the family, followed by (more food) lunch, a big nap, some chewing time and finally (again, more food!) dinner with a few treats thrown in if I’ve been a good boy. My days pretty much revolve around food, walks and more food. It’s a dog’s life...

Having squeezed in a couple of staycations, from beachy breaks in Sandsend, to endless hikes in the hills, now it’s time for Alfie to enjoy some gloriously sun-soaked days in the garden as the sun beats down this summer.

With that in mind, he’s sniffing out some new accessories for his poochy pad, from cosy new beds, to prints, treat tins and toys for the garden.

All of that, plus tail-wagging walks with watering holes for the humans, plus a catch-up with a new member of Luxe HQ, Hamish the Flat-Coated Retriever. A cheeky chap with bundles of energy and a big appetite!

Now go and enjoy the height of summer with your hound.

DOGGY DOWNTIME >> The ultimate chill time is sleeping on my back next to the door to the garden, chewing my favourite toys (or sometimes shoes and slippers, oops!).

HOUND HABITS >> I’ve been known to get my head stuck in the pedal bin before the lid closes to see if I can help myself to anything delicious before it goes to waste. I’m also very helpful when it comes to loading the dishwasher!

Alfie, your Luxe pooch x

Alfie loves: Products to help you perfect your pup’s pad..

I’m Hamish, a fun-loving Flat-Coated Retriever. I’m only six months old, but I’m making myself known at home. The humans call me a gentle giant and a big foodie - I’ve been known to eat anything in sight, including socks, fridge magnets and important post!

PUPPY PAMPER >> Nothing beats a tummy tickle. I’m easily pleased.

DOG’S BEST FRIEND >> Poppy, my Cocker Spaniel friend and Tiggy, a Flat-Coated Retriever, just like me - we are the best of friends.

FONDEST DOGGY MEMORY >> Helping myself to a whole bowl of dog food that had been left out on the kitchen counter. What a treat!

LUXE WALKS >> Any walk is a good walk, but my absolute favourite is along the beach at Beadnell. I love nothing more than getting my paws sandy in the dunes then running in and out of the sea.

PUPPY A-LISTER? >> Jamie Oliver or another celebrity chef - food is my favourite! Maybe a famous food sampler? I’m much better at eating it than cooking it!

POOCH’S PERFECT DAY OUT >> Breakfast followed by a walk on the beach or in the

Don’t forget to get in touch and send in pics of your pooch for our next issue via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram… facebook.com/luxemag

@theluxemagazine

theluxemagazine

Wags, walks & watering holes Five tail-wagging walks with a pub at the end...

PUNK & POODLE Surprised Basset Dog Statue, Electric Blue £39, punkandpoodle.co.uk SOPHIE ALLPORT Foxes Dog Toy £12, sophieallport.com

ANNABEL JAMES Labrador Clock with Ticking Tail £44, annabeljames.co.uk

J.J.TEXTILE Dog Black Cushion £39, jjtextile.co.uk

SETTLE BEDS Dalmation Dog Bed From £124, settlebeds.com

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Roseberry Topping & The Kings Head Take in spectacular views of the North York Moors, Teesside, the coastline and beyond with a hike up Roseberry Topping.

Park up at the foot of the hill and trail through woodland paths and rocky terrains until you reach the top - the views are so worth it! Round up your pack and descend the same way or in a loop, meeting back at the track towards the car park, where you’ll be able to take a tiny detour to the nearby, dog-friendly King’s Head Inn - the perfect spot for a pint and a bite to eat. You deserve it! inncollectiongroup.com/kings-head-inn Low Newton-by-the-Sea & The Ship Inn Park up near Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club in Embleton, cross the course and head for the beach. A brisk sandy paws walk along the seafront will bring you to Low Newton-by-theSea. The village has an open ended square of beautiful cream-washed cottages looking out onto the glorious sandy beach. In the centre of the square is The Ship Inn – a favourite for bar snacks, pub meals and craft ale from the pub’s very own microbrewery. Head back across the beach towards Embleton before the sun sets and take in stunning views of the coastline with the castle as a beautiful, silhouetted backdrop. shipinnnewton.co.uk Tynemouth Circular & Head of Steam A pooch-friendly promenade stroll with the perfect pitstop for a pint or two. The

Tynemouth Circular takes you from Low Lights car park in North Shields, along the beautiful coastline and down Tynemouth highstreet, packed full of independent shops, cafes and pubs, including The Head of Steam - experts when it comes to craft ales, cocktails and live music. theheadofsteam.co.uk/bars/tynemouth Durham City & The Rose Tree Inn Start in Durham city centre on the riverbank near the Cathedral and Castle, before heading under Elvet Bridge and through a wooded area up towards Old Durham River. Pass

by Maiden Castle footbridge, follow the river path and head towards Shincliffe, home to the delightful and dog-friendly Rose Tree Inn. Plenty of pub classics and refreshments after a scenic river stroll. rosetreeinn.co.uk Cod Beck Reservoir & The Golden Lion A tranquil walk around Cod Beck Reservoir makes for an ideal summer stroll. Park up in the quaint country village of Osmotherley and head along the quiet country road until you reach the reservoir. A clear path leads you round the water, or you can venture a little further up into the woods, if you’ve got an energetic pooch on your hand. Once you’ve completed the route, head back towards Osmotherley for proper hearty comfort food at the beautiful Golden Lion. goldenlionosmotherley.co.uk

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XXXXXXXX HAY DAYS

ON THE HOOF with Deborah Smith It’s that time of year for foals, foals, and more foals - and with the fabulous weather we’ve been having - some of this season’s brightest and cutest youngsters have been taking their first steps outside

Jess Burnham >> Back in January 2018 I featured the then 13-year-old up-and-coming young event rider, Jess Burnham, based in Piercebridge County Durham. We talked about her eventing ambitions having made quite an impression in her first year of British Eventing.

Three years on and I was keen to find out what Jess has planned for this year, as I’d heard she was gearing up for her first Two Star international run.

Her horse Duffy is experienced and knows her job. Having travelled the length and breadth of the country, weekend after weekend, to view a record number of 40 horses for sale, Jess reveals her instant connection with Duffy back in 2018, a 15.3 hands Irish Sports Horse from a professional eventing yard in Northamptonshire.

She ticked all of Jess’s boxes and more, with a rather impressive competition record.

Jess knew this was the horse to show her the ropes in moving up the eventing levels from grassroots to novice and beyond; a challenge not for the faint hearted who want to take their eventing seriously, amateur or otherwise.

Jess and Duffy were selected to represent the Northern Squad at the 2019 British Eventing Under 18 National Championships at the prestigious venue of Frickley Park. An amazing experience albeit nerve wracking at the time - and one of the biggest tracks Jess jumped back then, producing a super

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double clear in the show jumping and cross country phases finishing as a team on the podium for the third position.

The BE U18 Programme, now known as the BE Youth Programme, continues to play a massive part in Jess’ development, hosting training and competition opportunities for riders aged 12 to 21, from those just starting out on their BE journey to those aiming to represent Great Britain on the Youth European Championship squads.

In 2020, Duffy and Jess experienced their first British Dressage Winter Regionals at Morris Equestrian Centre in Scotland.

Their first notable eventing win was leading from start to finish in the BE100 Open at Bold Heath, with a full page of coverage in Horse and Hound, and finishing the year on a high; being one of 12 combinations selected onto the 2020 British Eventing Foundation Skills Academy, funded by Sports England, identifying young riders that are starting their eventing journey, who demonstrate the commitment, skills and potential to progress in the sport.

This year, Jess, like so many other riders, is now busy sorting events to go to as the season finally gets underway. She has a whole team around her helping with training, fitness and getting her to events up and down the country. I can’t wait to hear how Jess and Duffy get on with their first Two Star; it’s great that as a region we have such talented and committed young riders making their way through the levels.

Taylor and Bliss >> With sassy, superstar quality is Taylor Elgar’s filly, Blissful (Bliss), who was just a week old when she first ventured out in the field with her dam, Clover (Tonbane Clover Lady).

Bliss is proving herself to be quite brave and feisty, with a wonderful character and full of mischief.

Taylor says Bliss loves playing games and posing for the camera; she finds puddles in the field fascinating and likes to stare at her reflection, as well as having a little splash in the water.

Maybe these early signs of boldness are an indicator that she will be a future star eventer, which is Taylor’s aim for her. I see Taylor regularly at dressage events and she is one of the most immaculately turned out riders. I can’t wait to see how she and Bliss get on together in the future.

The Boys >> Back at home my two boys are ‘three’ at the moment as we have Muffin, a little pony, staying for the summer. Strider had to go in for some ligament surgery so Muffin has been tucked up in Oli’s stable at night and with him in the field in the day keeping him company. Strider is back home now and getting on really well with his rehab; we are taking it slowly but already we are back hacking in Hamsterley forest most days and it’s lovely to be out with him again.

Oli, meanwhile, has been putting in some extra shifts and has been out and about all over in recent weeks. This weekend we competed at the British Dressage Regional Championships which was fantastic. We are still working hard

in training and have put in hundreds of hours over the winter and spring so it was brilliant to put this all to the test, literally, at Bishop Burton college. Oli was very chilled out for him and took it all in his stride. I was very proud of him - we have both come a long way and can’t wait for the next competition now!

As a complete contrast, we also went on our first Endurance GB ride - up in the spectacular Wark forest in Northumberland. With Oli’s regular hacking companion, Maverick, who stands about 18 hands high and his owner and local vet Emma. We completed the 20km in an easy time and even had a five minute photo stop half way round!

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HAPPY CAMPERS

UK GETAWAY:

The Camp Hill Estate Luxe settles in for a starry-skied staycation at Camp Hill Estate’s glorious new luxury geodomes...

The Camp Hill Estate is the at-home escape we’ve all been waiting for. Offering that ‘worlds away’ feeling without venturing too far from home, the 300-acre estate in the heart of North Yorkshire is home to three glamping areas to suit all levels of comfort.

A box-ticker when it comes to close-to-home breaks with the whole family, Camp Hill invites you to bring the kids, the pooch, the grandparents - anyone up for a bit of adventure with plenty of little luxuries thrown in for good measure.

In luxe style, our home for the weekend is Chestnut Hill, Camp Kátur’s brand new offering for 2021, the luxury geodomes in a premium spot surrounded by meadowland and wildlife.

Once we’ve enjoyed a sparkling sunset on the deck, we can snuggle up in the cloud-like mezzanine bed and watch as day turns to night and the stars light up the sky

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HAPPY CAMPERS

LOCATION Built in 1738 as a family home, agricultural estate and sporting residence, Camp Hill is now home to the Ropner family, who opened their gates to the public in 1996.

The 300-acre estate is the epitome of life in beautiful North Yorkshire - think whimsical woodland, towering trees, endless meadows and glorious green spaces to get lost in.

Just a short drive from Bedale and within easy reach of the A1(M) and the A19, it’s accessible for those travelling from across the North East, North Yorkshire and beyond.

golf buggy guide us to Bellatrix Geodome, our home for the weekend - and as we step inside, we’re blown away by the interiors, not to mention the facilities including a BBQ and sunken hot tub on our own private deck. Finished in a contemporary fashion with a fully-fitted kitchen, mezzanine double bed and central tailormade en-suite bathroom, plus plenty of features that take ‘glamping’ to a whole new level including an eco wood burning stove, luxury bed linen and towels, plus a lovely lounge area overlooking the wetland glade.

STYLE Interior aesthetics aren’t the first thing that springs to mind when booking a camping getaway, but it’s safe to say a stay at Camp Kátur’s glamping sites - particularly the Chestnut Hill Geodomes - oozes style and character, and you’ll quite honestly feel like you’re picking up a five star apartment and dropping it in the most idyllic location in the North Yorkshire countryside.

Ideal for those looking for the perfect balance of indulgence and nature, the geodomes come with all the mod-cons you’d expect from a sky-high hotel room, but very much with both feet on the ground, in and amongst the natural beauty that surrounds you. It’s an escape from the everyday, but with everything on hand to ensure your stay is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. That’s what staycations are all about, right?

LAY YOUR HEAD Now this is where our biggest ‘highlight’ comes into play. Our geodome’s retracting cover in the roof means, once we’ve enjoyed a sparkling sunset on the deck, we can head inside, snuggle up in the cloud-like mezzanine bed and watch as day turns to night and the stars light up the sky.

Luckily, the early summer sun means we’re in for a clear night - and we can quite honestly say, there’s nothing like drifting off to dreamtime with the stars sparkling above you. The beauty of stargazing in the countryside is always a real draw when it comes to camping, but this experience tops it. Brilliantly breathtaking.

HIGHLIGHTS If the location itself hasn’t already blown you away on arrival, your dazzling dome sure will. On arrival, friendly faces in a

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FOOD & DRINK All Camp Kátur accommodation is selfcatered, meaning the BBQ and picnic opportunities are endless - perfect for enjoying some of our favourite summer dishes. But as the months roll on and the cooler days draw in, if you’re lucky enough to be staying in a Chestnut Hill Geodome, you can cook to your heart’s content with

access to a fully-fitted kitchen and all the kit and utensils you’ll need to cook up a storm.

We make the most of the heatwave by barbecuing on the deck, but if you’re looking to head out for your food fix, check out the on-site Hebridean Bar & Grill. Sitting at the heart of the estate with top chef Adrian Orford at the helm, you’ll find deliciously home-grown dishes inspired by ingredients from Hill Farm and the Walled Kitchen Garden. All of that, plus plenty of Yorkshire cask ales from local brewers, as well as an elegant list of wines and spirits.

Those looking to venture a little further will find proper pub comfort food at the likes of The Woodman Inn in Burneston, The Fox & Hounds at Carthorpe and The Black Horse at Kirklington, as well as the many restaurants and cafes of Bedale.

beneath the trees. Another way to while away the hours is by taking in the wildlife that surrounds you - there’s a little bit of Hill Farm everywhere you turn, whether it’s stumbling across a grazing flock of sheep, or collecting freshly-laid eggs from the chicken hut.

Further afield, Camp Hill Estate staycationers have plenty of local beauty spots on the doorstep; from days on the pristine North Yorkshire coast, to the cobbled streets of local market towns including Harrogate, Knaresborough, York and Bedale, to the waterfalls, woodland walks and hikes in the national parks surrounding the estate - be it the Yorkshire Dales or the North York Moors. camphill.co.uk

DO THIS Lapping up the luxuries of your geodome might be enough, but those wanting to explore a little more have plenty at their fingertips, both on and off site. Within the grounds, you’ll find a 200-acre wildlife reserve where you’re free to explore the woodland paths, open waters and ancient forests.

The Woodland Park is a great spot to let off some steam if you’ve got little ones in your gang - an enchanting space filled with dens, slides, swings and playhouses, set in nature’s very own green canopy

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BOOKMARK BREAKS

THE BUCKET LIST TRIP >> Argos in Cappadocia, Turkey For a bucket list escape to one of the world’s most magical destinations, known for its honeycombed hills and mystical atmosphere, argos in Cappadocia hotel in Turkey offers guests the chance to admire the multi-dimensional, natural beauty from 1,000 feet up. Take a sunrise, hot-air balloon journey over Anatolian valleys, scattered with archetypal pigeon houses, beautiful vineyards and the peak of Mount Erciyes. Those looking for something less daring can explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a unique Jeep Safari experience, where groups are taken off-road to the hidden valleys and hills of Cappadocia. argosincappadocia.com

Golden trips for silver travellers When the time is right to travel again, we’ve rounded up some dream getaways with activities and tours that cater to travelling boomers; whether it’s a bucket-list hot air ballooning trip in Turkey, winemaking and truffle hunting in Tuscany or a world-class medical wellbeing boost at the foot of the Swiss Alps THE SPA-SEEKERS TRIP >> Chenot Palace Weggis, Switzerland After a very testing year or so, those looking for a complete detox and rejuvenation of mind, body and soul can head to Chenot Palace Weggis on Lake Lucerne, Switzerland. Home to an indoor spa and pool, a fitness centre and spacious lake-view rooms and suites, guests can choose from three signature, six-day retreat programmes; including Advanced Detox, Recover & Energise, or Prevention & Ageing Well. All programmes are complemented by a bespoke, low-calorie and plant-based nutrition plan. Holistic diagnostics help tailor detox programmes to the individual and are then used to curate tailor-made lifestyle recommendations for guests to follow at home. chenotpalaceweggis.com

THE WINE-LOVERS TRIP >> COMO Castello Del Nero, Italy Hidden amongst the rolling hills of Tuscany, COMO Castello Del Nero takes the form of a lovingly restored, twelfth-century castle set within a historic, 740-acre estate. Guests can hike or cycle forests and olive groves, walk by glistening lakes and towering vistas of vineyards - this entire 740-acres is free to roam. Oenophiles can try their hand at winemaking with the new Harvest Package - during harvest guests are invited to try their hand - or feet - at the traditional ‘pigéage’ method of making wine with a private, four-hour tour. comohotels.com

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BOOKMARK BREAKS

THE CULTURE-VULTURES TRIP >> CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa, Crete CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa offers unrivalled access to Crete’s tapestry of beaches, historic treasures and hilltop villages. Travellers can arrange privately guided tours of Elounda, a cosmopolitan bay built on the grounds of the ancient city of Olous, and the iridescent isle of Spinalonga - a UNESCO World Heritage List nominee, and setting of Victoria Hislop’s hit novel, The Island. cayoresort.com

THE SAILING TRIP >> D-Resort Šibenik, Croatia Travellers will be seeking privacy and seclusion more than ever, particularly those over 50.

If you’re looking to avoid tourist traps, D-Resort Šibenik is the perfect spot, set in one of the Dalmatian Coast’s lesser-known locations. Šibenik is Croatia’s oldest city with 950 years of rich history and natural beauty, boasting crystal-clear waters and cascading waterfalls.

Go here and explore Europe’s hidden gems with a new series of private yacht and sailing excursions. With an award-winning marina located just steps from the resort, guests can embark on guided tours or rent their own motor yacht, for a true taste of luxury living. dresortsibenik.com

THE MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRIP >> Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa, Maldives After a turbulent year for travel, families are banking on the back end of this year for bigger and brighter things. Grandparents and grandchildren, who haven’t been able to spend much time together, are invited to experience an island adventure like no other at the five-star and deluxe all-inclusive Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa. This year, families can enjoy special pizza and gelato making cooking classes, yoga sessions from the comfort of your own villa, complimentary non-motorised water sports, boat excursions and guided snorkelling tours. emerald-maldives.com

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DAYS OUT

LIVING LOCAL:

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Sunset strolls, surfing and sand-between-the-toes moments await when it comes to exploring Saltburnby-the-Sea

Saltburn is a quietly grand Victorian resort bursting with vibrant businesses both new and old. Not only is it a place where creatives and professionals flourish, come the weekend, it welcomes hundreds of surfers, artists, day trippers and staycationers drawn to the golden sands, fabulous food scene and dramatic cliff-top strolls.

There are many reasons why Saltburn is high up on our staycation list this summer, and while it may only be down the road, it can give us that worlds-away escape we’ve all been searching for, right here on home turf.

WHERE TO EAT >> No. Twenty Three This rustic neighborhood bar is the place to be for craft beer and Neapolitan-style pizza, just a stone’s throw from the train station. A laid-back venue, perfect for popping in for a bite to eat with salty hair and sandy toes after hitting the waves. no23miltonstreet.co.uk The Sitting Room Sitting in a sweet spot in the railway arches, The Sitting Room offers dynamic daytime and evening meals inspired by the seasons and the spectacular local landscape.

Think foraged ingredients, expertly-crafted cocktails and a mouthwatering menu worth making your way through. thesittingroomsaltburn.com

Signals Swing by Signals for some seriously tasty treats. This bright, modern cafe and bar, established back in 1986 is quite the icon in Saltburn and continues to move with the times; offering contemporary breakfasts, brunches, lunches and home-baked cakes and pastries screaming out for Pinterest-worthy pictures. Grab a cup of Runway Coffee on-the-go from the Side Hatch, or while away the hours in a window seat and tuck into something delicious.

Visit on a Friday or Saturday evening and the space is transformed into a warm and cosy bar, complete with cocktails, wines, local music and good vibes to match. signalssaltburn.com The Spa Hotel Standing proudly in the heart of the town overlooking the beach, The Spa Hotel offers breathtaking views, beautiful rooms and fine food, from breakfast through to lunch, dinner and a quintessential afternoon tea offering. Go here for a tower of sweet and savoury treats, with the option of adding a fizzy flight for good measure. thespahotelsaltburn.co.uk Seaview Restaurant Voted one of ‘Alfresco Britain’s 20 Best Places to Eat by the Sea’, it’s not hard to see why there’s so much love for Seaview Restaurant. Just a stone’s throw from the shore, there’s no better place to enjoy seafood with sea views, or pick up a bag of chips to enjoy as you sink your toes into the golden sands of Saltburn. Bliss. theseaviewrestaurant.co.uk

Coco & Rum From street food to traditional dishes, you can expect to find all of your Thai favourites here – and it certainly won’t disappoint. A great spot to soak up the atmosphere, sip on cocktails and savour every moment of indulgent feasting. cocoandrum.co.uk Brockley Hall A beautiful boutique hotel doing big things for the foodies of Saltburn and beyond. This quirky venue takes some beating when it comes to matching funky interior design with fantastic food. The 2 AA Rosette awarded menu offers fine dining in a refined environment, with influences from Moulin Rouge, Raffles and Orient Express in full flow.

Somewhere for a special occasion. brockleyhallhotel.com

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WHERE TO SHOP >> Hey Ho & Co. If there’s a place that showcases all that is cool and creative about Saltburn, hey ho & co is exactly that. Stocking a whole host of exclusively-designed prints, as well as lots of lovely lifestyle stuff like plants, pots, candles, cushions and throws, it’s a great spot for gifting, treating yourself, or just admiring the work of some seriously inspiring locals. heyhoandco.uk The LillianDaph Store Peer inside Saltburn’s LillianDaph Store and you’ll see deep-painted walls in moody shades, colour pops of velvet upholstery and the odd bit of slightly bonkers artwork – neon giraffe anyone? This curated collection of interior loveliness is the baby of Christina Easton, an art and textiles graduate who is channeling a desire for us all to kick out the commonplace when it comes to decorating our homes. lilliandaph.co.uk Saltburn Farmers’ Market Farmers’ markets every second Saturday of the month are packed with stalls selling locally produced meats, breads, cheeses and veg. Artists and craftspeople aplenty too. saltburnfarmersmarket.com Drift Surf Shop Whether you’re big into the surf or new to the waves, Drift Surf Shop has you covered when it comes to hardware, lessons and seriously cool merch. From beachy tees and cosy hoodies to keep you warm as the sun sets over the shore, to wetsuits and boards, this place will kit you out in style. driftsurfshop.co.uk Book Corner Saltburn Get summer read ready with a trip to Saltburn’s independent bookshop, offering up everything from contemporary fiction to children’s picture books and new, non-fiction releases.

A Milton Street must. bookcornershop.co.uk

Brockley Hall

Brambles Gift Shop The gifting opportunities are endless at Brambles. Go here for a good mix of independent and big name treats and trinkets for the home, for him, for her and for little ones. bramblesgiftshop.co.uk

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EXPERT ADVICE SOMEWHERE TO STAY >> Saltburn is the seaside town right on our doorstep, but when the chance comes to pack up for a worlds-away staycation by the coast, we’re always delighted to do so.

One of our favourite spots to lay our head - and immerse ourselves in some seriously inspiring artworks - is The Artists Pad - a creative retreat by the sea.

Inviting everyone from holidaymakers to writers, poets, musicians and photographers, TAP is a tranquil hideaway for people looking to spark that creative connection. Inside the pad you’ll find a hive of cool exhibits; from local painters and intriguing pieces by conceptual artists, to star-studded merchandise and dazzling, design-led decor. Everything tells a story, and that’s what’s so great about this funky seaside staycation spot. theartistspad.co.uk

WHERE TO VISIT >> Flow Surf School Saltburn is a surfer’s paradise, and with crashing waves, fantastic lessons and the beautiful North Yorkshire coast at its fingertips, there’s no better place to hit the water. With group and private lessons available and plenty of experts to put you at ease, you’re in good hands with Flow Surf School. flowsurfcoaching.com Marshall’s Beach Huts A colourful avenue of sand-side huts await this summer. You can hire them for just a day and have a fun-packed friends, dog-walks and fish ‘n’ chips kind of day. Rent one for a week or more and devour some books in your deckchair. marshallsbeachhuts.co.uk Saltburn Valley Gardens This quaint coastal town certainly doesn’t fall short of tranquil spaces to switch off and take in the natural beauty that surrounds you. The Valley Gardens offer a green oasis of colourful displays, grassy banks and wild flower beds the perfect place to relax and unwind or stretch those legs with various circular walks through the woods. Complete with Italian gardens, tea rooms and the Saltburn Miniature Railway, there’s something for everyone. redcarcleveland.co.uk

STRETCH THOSE LEGS >> There are eight miles of wide, honeyed beaches for a start - the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s The Walrus and the Carpenter. Or if you’re feeling more energetic, stride up the majestic Hunt Cliff and join the Cleveland Way - 110 miles of stunning scenery that runs from Helmsley to Filey. On a fine day you will not walk alone.

For a spot of old fashioned promenading, the Valley Gardens is hard to beat. Woodland walks, colourful Italian gardens, a woodland centre and tea lawn and café. From here cross the bridge and catch the miniature train all the way down to the sea.

Or to really blow the cobwebs away, a stroll along the Pier - named 2009 Pier of the Year - followed by fish and chips at the hard-to-beat Seaview Restaurant and takeout hatch.

Catch it at dusk when the pier and cliff lift are gently and quite magically illuminated.

Local folk Andy Hawkins of Hawkins Gallery calls Saltburn home for both business and leisure. Inspired by seaside vistas and woodland walks, his hometown is a big part of what he does.

The gallery on Milton Street has been in-situ for 21 years and has seen a lot of changes to the local area, all positive as the town continues to improve as a cool, coastal hub in the North East.

Why do you love Saltburn-by-theSea? Saltburn is a relaxed place with a lovely panorama of the sea and the cliffs to the south. There is a historic funicular railway connecting the top promenade to the beach below and lovely open sands for four miles or so towards Redcar. Besides being a Victorian resort, we are close to the open beauty of the North York Moors and of course the dramatic coastline through Staithes to Whitby and Scarborough.

You’ve become heavily involved in the community in Saltburn…

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The community is vibrant here there has been an influx of people from all walks of life. The journalist Rod Liddle has a house here - he is a customer of mine. Another friend is the leading authority on the work of singer Richard Tauber - his archive recently went to a museum in Vienna.

Where’s your favourite place to eat in the town?

Seaview Restaurant tops the list for food - fish and chips and a fine view!

Where’s your favourite walk?

My favourite walk would have to

be in to the woodland at Valley Gardens. Much of my inspiration comes from trees, though I've painted the sea often enough.

Your favourite shop?

Hawkins Gallery, of course!

An in-the-know secret about Saltburn?

Just outside of Saltburn there is a tiny church and graveyard at Upleatham. I think it is one of the smallest churches in the country, it has lovely views towards Guisborough and Roseberry Topping.

It’s something of a hidden gem. hawkinsgallery.co.uk

Market talk A summer market update from Tony Dobbins, Anthony Jones Properties I was discussing current market conditions over a cup of coffee with one of our clients this week.

There was a good deal of frustration at the speed in which houses were being sold. It was an interesting discussion and I thought I’d share some of my thoughts.

Information from Zoopla’s House Price Index, which is released each month, suggests that by mid-April, the housing market reached a level of sales commonly associated with six full months. The initial 15 weeks of this year has welcomed £149 billion worth of property sales.

An issue which has been a common factor in the housing market for many years is the shortage of homes being supplied to the market. This year, due to the high volume of sales agreed, the number of homes available to buy has dropped by 18% whilst demand has increased by over 27%.

With this lack of availability of good quality stock, if you’ve been contemplating selling your home, now might be the best time to do so; in the prime North East sector, average values for detached homes are 14% higher than the same point last year and semi-detached properties are 11% higher, reflecting the strong demand.

Grainne Gilmore, head of research at Zoopla, commented: “The imbalance between supply and demand, which is creating a very tight market for family homes, will start to ease in the near term as homeowners become increasingly comfortable opening their homes to viewings, in turn, building supply of new stock. The scale of buyer demand will also moderate from the peaks seen after Easter as lockdowns end across the country and there is some return to pre-pandemic ‘normality’.”

However, we feel that there is still a fundamental disparity which will remain in certain sectors of the market. Demand will remain strong as people continue to re-evaluate their lives and decide whether their living space still works for them. Overwhelmingly, people are looking for more generous living accommodation so this market still has further to run. With employers considering more flexible working arrangements, this opens up new opportunities for homeowners to move to a further-flung location.

So, if you’re keen to buy but reluctant to bring your house to market as you can’t find ‘the one’, expect to be disappointed since new stock will most likely be snapped up by those in a fully proceedable position. With conveyancing times now taking an average of 18 weeks, there is still time to achieve a great price for your property and put yourself in a strong position to buy.

Finally, most of our recent sales at Anthony Jones have been ‘off market’ to those on our preferred buyers list.

Make friends with the agent and make sure they are giving you a ‘sneak peek’ at their best stock before it comes to market - not all vendors want a ‘For Sale’ board in the garden.

If you’d like to discuss any aspect of the North East housing market, the team at Anthony Jones is keen to help. For a free, no obligation chat, (or even just a cup of coffee) contact us today on 01325 776424. We’ll even bring the biscuits! anthonyjonesproperties.co.uk

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SO TO LD S CO UB NT JEC RA T CT

BRIAR CLOSE, BLACKWELL, DARLINGTON £700,000 Executive detached family residence occupying a large private plot on one of the West End’s most highly regarded areas.

Offering 5 bedrooms and expansive living space this property is sure to impress even the most discerning of buyers.

LAURISTON CLOSE, DARLINGTON £530,000 Generously proportioned 5 bedroom detached family home in the ever popular neighbourhood of Mowden. Offering expansive living space and a large garden all within the catchment area of some of the town’s most highly desirable schools this property is sure to impress.

info@anthonyjonesproperties.co.uk anthonyjonesproperties.co.uk

SO TO LD S CO UB NT JEC RA T CT

THE GRANGE, PIERCEBRIDGE £725,000 With six bedrooms, this period property offers stunning views of the County Durham countryside. Offering outstanding living space and a large garden with summer house, this beautiful house is sure to make the perfect family home.

SO TO LD S CO UB NT JEC RA T CT

HIGH UNDER BANKS, RICHMOND £1,300,000 Positioned proudly on the rolling hillside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is High Underbanks Farm. This 8 bedroom Grade II listed building has been extended to make the most of its beautiful surroundings and boasts significant POTENTIAL for the right buyer.

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS selling beautiful homes like yours 2 Union Square, Central Park, Darlington DL1 1GL Tel: 01325 776 424

EYE FOR DESIGN

Inspired spaces Ruth Kilgour Salmon is the friendly face behind LitterArty, a personalised design service set up to help you feel happy in your home, or indeed the spaces you spend much of your day-to-day life

In a world where we’ve found ourselves enjoying more of our own spaces, there’s never been a better time to indulge and invest, injecting personality into our interiors through meaningful design and an honest approach. Luxe sits down for a virtual cuppa with LitterArty...

Litterarty is a creative interior design studio... With a focus on designing what we call ‘interiors with integrity’ - with a no-nonsense, what-you-see-is-what-you-get approach. By this we mean delivering interior design that is honest and coherent, working hard to bring harmony to every space. At the core of our process is a focus on wellbeing and psychology that is informed through a combination of constant research and study in this area, along with an abundance of personal experience that has provided me with a deeper understanding of the impact our surroundings have on our lives and mental health.

I have a very diverse background in design... Originally I signed up to study fashion journalism, with the aim of leaving Newcastle and starting my career in London, but then I had a change of heart, transferring back to Newcastle to study the history of art and design. I focused my studies on the history of architectural and furniture design. During these university days I worked in art galleries curating and working on exhibitions. The aspect of taking people on a ‘journey’ has flowed through into the way I work with LitterArty. I

gradually got into interior design and started getting jobs through word of mouth, then I decided to set up LitterArty in March 2017 and by the May, I had my first commercial job, the full renovation of Baskeys Lettings on Osborne Road.

I have always had a desire to inspire people when it comes to creativity... It was a big decision to set up LitterArty, fuelled by both a desire to empower myself as a young woman and to share my passion for interior design. From day one my mission was to break barriers, making interior design more affordable and accessible. On top of this,

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there is a much more personal struggle behind my reason to set up on my own.

I suffer from a very complex chronic illness, something I had diagnosed in early childhood. This condition has landed me in a wheelchair in the past and while stable, can be unpredictable. As a result, I always struggled with jobs, questioning whether I should declare my condition or not. I can tell you now, from personal experience, true equal opportunities sadly don’t exist in employment - or at least I haven’t had the best experience of it.

Larger equality issues aside, when I was working for organisations, I would struggle with the apprehension of being viewed in a certain way, which resulted in an innate need to push, often too hard, as a means to prove myself. It is troublesome enough to suffer with chronic illness, but the guilt and stress you put on yourself relating to how others might judge you, or more so, the way you judge yourself, is tough going.

This will, I’m sure, ring very true for some.

As a result of all of this, you become very resilient and determined. I knew I had to make my own way, not only for my own self-worth, but for my sanity. Since I was born, I’ve marched to the beat of my own drum, so why change that now?

Our personal wellbeing is pivotal... And the environments in which we spend our time affect our psychological wellbeing beyond all conscious awareness. Even the most uninterested in design cannot escape the impact our decor has on us. With home and work environments blurring more than ever, it is essential we have a healthy space for both areas of life. Colour is significant in

promoting happy hormones. This is why we offer simple colour consultation services as it can be one of the easiest ways to change our environment for the better.

The journey of a LitterArty client… Varies depending on the service chosen. We have a selection of offerings available in order to provide a fully accessible and affordable way to employ an interior designer. We usually start with a client filling out a questionnaire designed to hit all the main points and provide the details of the prospective project. From this, a proposal and quotation is formulated and then we arrange an initial

consultation where we go through the project in more detail. Then we create an initial concept board to ensure we are on the right track with the desired style, look and feel. When we know this is correct, we get started with moodboards, floorplans and product schedules.

Our HowtoHome service is completely different and is done remotely. Created on a room-by-room basis, the design concept provided includes a floorplan, moodboard, colour concept, detailed design document, and handy shopping list. We even throw in discount codes for some of our favourite suppliers.

My first commercial project... Was an amazing achievement at the time, for me personally and for LitterArty as a company.

It was a big job, transforming a slightly dilapidated corner terrace in Jesmond into a dynamic and creative lettings agency. I was given a lot of creative freedom and had to work with a strict budget. It was a steep learning curve, but one that fortunately paid off. From that project I got another with a local and wellestablished law firm, when they relocated to Grey Street.

Several other local businesses and office renovations followed through word of mouth. LitterArty sort of became the anti-office, office designers the go-to for office renovations, focused on designing welcoming spaces that reject rigid decor and instead creating spaces that inspire a positive work culture.

We try to work with companies that align with our ethos... And focus on the importance of taking a more sustainable and considered approach to interior design and, in turn, living. We believe it is our duty to raise awareness of conscious

consumerism and so our favoured suppliers all have strong sustainable credentials. We try to work with a core bunch, where possible.

My personal interior design style is very varied... But always based on creating spaces that harmonise the decor and environment in which they are located.

Personality must shine through. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done in a relatively paired back manner. I am a big fan of floor-to-ceiling singular colour and monochromatic interiors.

With regards to my own home, funnily enough we are just about to move and do a big renovation project that will be a very different style to our current home where we have lived for the last seven years.

Our current home is a combination of dark leading to light interiors, used to create warmth and depth.

I love designing spaces that are pivotal to our day-to-day lives... Designing residential space is very personal, particularly bedrooms. I love the relative dichotomy between personal expression and practical purpose in this space. Designing a bedroom requires a careful balance between creating a decor that has personality, yet is calm and restful.

Living rooms, on the other hand, can pack more of a punch when it comes to personality and colour, so that can be fun.

This summer, we’re focusing on warm earthy tones and decor that evokes nature and a sense of grounding… We’re talking natural pigments and subtle tones such as sage greens and creamy, stone neutrals.

Pair that with natural materials such as linen and raw woods, and it’s a match made in heaven. It is fair to say that in times of turmoil, we search for comfort and nothing provides it as much as the natural world.

Life is fast paced and in all the chaos we need to slow down. Our interiors and the trends emerging are here to help encompass that feeling. litterarty.co.uk

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GET TO KNOW

THE LUXE LOWDOWN:

Lucy Nichol Newcasle based author and mental health campaigner, Lucy Nichol, is making waves in the industry with her latest novel, The Twenty Seven Club - a story about mental health, music myths and friendship.

We check in to get the lowdown and find out her luxe things in life…

GETTING TO KNOW YOU >> Name: Lucy Nichol Title: Author and PR Consultant Where is home? North Tyneside Three reasons you love where you live?

It’s close to both the coast and the countryside, I love the neighbours on our street - and, simply, it feels like home.

THE DAY JOB >> What do you do for a living?

I write - whether it’s for my own book projects and media articles, or on behalf of clients, writing pretty much forms 90% of what I do on a day-to-day basis.

A day in the life of you?

Whoever’s up first feeds the three cats and the three backyard hens we share our home with, before we sit down with a cuppa and our iPads to check in on social media (it’s a bad habit). I’ll then either be writing up a moving case study for one of my clients in mental health, or checking on how my book ads are performing, before relentlessly pitching stories to journalists on behalf of the amazing organisations I feel extremely privileged to work with.

If I remember, I’ll drag myself out for a walk at lunchtime for fresh air and a bit of much-needed exercise. Then back to writing, pitching, checking, talking, etc. for a few more hours until it’s time to switch off and indulge in binge-worthy TV (currently Sopranos, formerly Vikings).

Any upcoming or ongoing projects we should know about?

I’m busy working on keeping up the profile of my current book, The Twenty Seven Club, which is a darkly comic tale that explores mental health and music myths. It’s set in 1994 so it’s rammed with nostalgia and faces from the 90s alternative music scene - but it’s a fictional story featuring a couple of cheeky cameos (Senseless Things and Right Said Fred both make an appearance at some point).

It’s a book that challenges some of the narratives around mental health and music that we see in the media - the ‘27

Club’ being one (the idea that rockstars are doomed to die aged 27). It asks the reader to look beyond the headlines we consume and to understand what’s really going on in the world, and in our own heads. But it’s funny too and packed with gigs, 90s TV shows, boozy nights out and friendships.

I’m also editing my next novel, which has a very different feel to it but retains its northern soul and again explores mental health and societal issues through the power of friendship.

My clients are also worth mentioning, because I’m lucky that my professional PR work complements my personal passion of mental health awareness and stigma busting. So I’m usually found trying to raise awareness of postpartum psychosis on behalf of Action on Postpartum Psychosis, or using the power of football to start conversations about mental health on behalf of Newcastle United Foundation, or writing about trauma informed coaching on behalf of inspirational coach Ruth Cooper-Dickson and many more!

What does downtime mean to you?

Food, fresh air, cats, gardening - oh, and disturbing telly.

LESSONS IN LIFE >> What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Madonna, then Courtney Love, then Tracey Emin.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

That being vulnerable is endearing and liberating.

What is your greatest fear?

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Fear itself. I have an anxiety disorder, so a flare up of that, which thankfully hasn’t reared its ugly head for a while now, is what I fear most in life.

Which living person do you admire most and why?

My husband, Chris Connel. A seriously talented actor, bizarrely genius mind, and all-round awesome human being.

LIVING LUXE >> What is top of your bucket list?

To get two pet goats. But we’d need a new house with a paddock first, so… maybe I’ll just head to Pet’s Corner in Jesmond Dene instead.

What is your most treasured possession?

My pets - although they own me rather than the other way round.

What does the weekend mean to you?

A coastal walk, fish and chips in the car, and lots of laughs.

A memorable holiday?

Sorrento with my husband and stepson Sam. Twice. Both times featured visits to Pompeii, walking up Vesuvius, people watching with coffee - and lots of food.

Best dress?

Anything I can wear with Converse or Dr Martens.

Who would be your top three dinner guests?

Kat Bjelland, Ragnar Lothbrok, Rik Mayall.

The last place you ate?

The car.

The last book you read?

Sonic Youth Slept on my Floor by Dave Haslam.

The last thing you listened to?

Senseless Things.

The last thing you watched?

Sopranos.

Three luxe things in life?

Animals, music and Yorkshire Tea. lucynichol.com

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SPACE TO GROW

Tal kin g t e x ture Beth March is a recent fashion design graduate from Durham. Her dreams of launching her own creative business came early after sharing her work with the world online. Luxe gets the lowdown on Cerina Design…

While studying fashion design at Northumbria University and navigating her way through the constraints of a global pandemic, Beth March found herself searching for the perfect piece of art to add character to her new home.

Failing to find it, she took matters into her own hands and put pen to paper or paintbrush to canvas.

Finishing her degree with a fully-fledged business and a customer base spanning the country, she finds comfort in using her creativity to transform the homes and workspaces of others.

With our very own Luxe canvas on order (we couldn’t resist!), we catch up with the creative brains behind Cerina Design...

I’ve always loved interior design and creating new spaces...

When I moved into my new flat I was looking to fill the walls - something that can be really quite daunting when you’re faced with a blank space - so I started looking for these big, statement pieces. I quickly found that there wasn’t much on the market that was affordable and big enough to fill a wall.

So I just took the plunge and created something for myself. I had no intentions of turning it into a business at first, but people started to really buy into what I was doing and more and more people were asking if I could do the same for them, but adding splashes of colour here and there to style with their homes.

Before I knew it, Cerina Design was born.

It’s all about collaboration. You’re not just getting a piece of art that fills a space, you’re working with me to create something truly unique that can really lift a space.

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I’ve always had an eye for design...

My mum was always fixing things, painting things, going to car boot sales and finding quirky little keepsakes and furniture to upcycle and add character to the house, so I guess my creativity stems from childhood. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed and it really makes me tick.

My business bloomed after sharing my own work on instagram...

I posted a photo of the piece I did for myself in lockdown and I had five people getting in touch to ask where it was from and that they’d love to buy it for their own homes.

I just thought, ‘do you know what, I can do this’. I really loved creating the pieces, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to share my work with others Social media is such an amazing tool when you build something like this - it just went from strength to strength.

Before I knew it, I was getting orders from London. My work was travelling up and down the country, I couldn’t believe it.

I still have to pinch myself.

My creative process always starts with the space...

I begin by communicating what is going on in the room to make the piece feel like it’s meant to be there.

If I can, I like to speak to customers personally, on a regular basis, so I can really get to know them, find out what they want and how they plan to move forward with the space creatively.

Is it going to be a really bold, focal piece?

Or is it going to be something that effortlessly blends into the room? All of these things play a big part in how the piece comes together on the canvas.

Colour and texture both have a big part to play too, and they work really well together - once you start playing around with colour, the textures naturally form and the piece takes on a narrative of its own.

I work out of my studio in chester-le-street...

My studio is my safe space. I find myself just hanging out here - it’s such a chilled environment and it really helps to bring out the best creative version of myself.

You’ll find me sitting here with a cup of tea just taking it all in.

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SPACE TO GROW

My studio is my safe space. I find myself just hanging out here - it’s such a chilled environment and it really helps to bring out the best creative version of myself

The business community we have in this part of the country is something really special…

It’s very easy for someone to just buy a canvas and say ‘that was nice’ and put it up in the house, but you really get a sense of people wanting to support local businesses - not just by buying into the product, but also by spreading the word amongst family and friends, and sharing posts on social media. I think, believe it or not, that’s really quite a unique thing. It really does help build a business up - it’s fantastic.

Here in the North East I think we’re really good at building other people up in the community, and that’s what it’s all about.

I’m grateful for that every day.

Cerina design is all about collaboration...

You can browse and buy my work at cerinadesign.com or @cerinadesign on Instagram. Or, if you just want to drop me a message and have a chat about a commission, I’m always on hand to talk

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through ideas and inspiration.

The north east is my happy place for both business and leisure...

Tynemouth Market is one of my favourite places ever, but if I’m honest, put me anywhere with good food, good company and a glass of wine, and I’m happy.

Looking ahead...

I’m hoping to develop a range of cushions, so I’m in talks about that at the moment, which is incredibly exciting. I definitely want to go down the interior design route, offering more and more to customers as the business grows.

My three luxe things in life are...

Spending quality time with my family, my trusty Tom Ford lip gloss and a staple black blazer that can be paired with any outfit. cerinadesign.com Instagram: @cerinadesign

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SUMMER INSPO

HOME WITH HEART

with Kerry Lockwood, interior stylist, blogger and content creator Cool speakers for on-the-go and in the garden, creative wall designs and filling your home with treats and trinkets. How to create a happy home this summer...

My space I decorated my daughter’s bedroom last year and have always felt that something was missing from the wall behind her bed. We added a gallery wall of prints on the wall next to it, so didn’t want to add more prints. I decided to try a wall mural. We chose a pale oak effect mural; it was so easy to apply and has totally transformed the space, adding so much warmth. From £100. ilovewallpaper.co.uk

Best buy We’ve used this Roberts Beacon 330 portable Bluetooth speaker on repeat since we got it. It’s great to pop into your handbag for day trips to the beach, park or just to use outside in the garden this summer. It also comes in lots of different, gorgeous colours. It makes for the perfect accessory, as well as being a fantastic device. £199. robertsradio.com

Question time

Try this I love styling little vignettes around my home. They’re a great way to add instant personality to any spot, and you can play around with them until you get them right. It could be the centerpiece on your dining table, sitting on a chest of drawers or perhaps filling a shelf in the lounge or bedroom. My tip to prevent them looking messy is to use a tray to anchor smaller items like candles and tea light holders. It will make the whole vignette look and feel way more grounded. Tray, £36. dallamano.co.uk

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Q: How can I make my kitchen feel more warm and welcoming?

A: I would always recommend adding something old like a statement piece of antique or vintage furniture.

This will instantly inject character and elevate a space, particularly if it’s something passed down through the family or has meaning to you. A dresser works well in a kitchen or even a small chair or bench. If you don’t have the space for furniture then open shelving is also a great way to add warmth and character. You can add your own trinkets to the shelf and really tell a story.

If you’d like me to answer your interior-related question in the next issue, please post them on Instagram, make sure you tag me @kerrylockwood and use the hashtag #KerryxLuxemag You can read more about Kerry and her home at: kerrylockwoodindetail.co.uk.

JUL/AUG21

STYLISH SPACES Fashion forward furniture to bring life to your home this summer…

www.michaeloconnor.co.uk Unit 2, Portrack Retail Park, Holme House Road, Stockton TS18 2SB 01642 628180

HOME STYLE MODISH LIVING Rattan Gaze Pendant Light in natural, £229 modishliving.co.uk

ROSE & GREY Charlotte Rattan & Brass Media Unit, £515 roseandgrey.co.uk

INTERIOR INSPIRATION:

Rattan-tastic

Luxe up your home with on-trend rattan. We’ve picked out the best pieces to transform your home for the season ahead. Time for beautiful Bali vibes...

SWEETPEA & WILLOW Island Wicker Mirror, £125 sweetpeaandwillow.com

MADE.COM Brees Laundry Basket, Black Rattan, £89 made.com

FIVE & DIME Rattan Side Table, £80 fiveanddime-interiors.com

ROSE & GREY Wicker Basket Coffee Table, £725 roseandgrey.co.uk

BRIDGMAN Rattan National Trust Cliveden Summer Garden Modular Sofa Set, £6,899 bridgman.co.uk

CUCKOOLAND Sika Rattan Monet Wingback Chair in Taupe, £565 cuckooland.com

MAINE FURNITURE CO Key Largo Rattan Storage Foot Stool, £159.20 mainefurniture.co.uk

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MADE.COM Pavia Wide TV Stand, Natural Rattan & Black Wood Effect, £179 made.com

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An outstanding eclectic home and linen store that exudes luxury living. Here you’ll find everything from designer paint and furnishings, to lavish curtains and blinds 24 Grange Rd, Darlington DL1 5NG Grange Road Tel: 01325 355272

LITTLE LUXE

LUXE MAMA with Elysia Fryer My journey into motherhood...

Baby buys >> BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Harmony £190, babybjorn.co.uk

Blooming Delicious >> One of my favourite pregnancy recipes from the ‘Blooming Delicious’ cookbook by Sophie Wright...

GRILLED PRAWNS WITH PAPAYA, CASHEW AND POMEGRANATE SALAD WITH LIME AND MINT DRESSING - serves 2 As I sign off on my last edition of Luxe for a little while, I’d like to introduce you to my new space, the Luxe Mama column.

Here I’ll share some of the things I uncover as I navigate my way through motherhood.

In this first column, I’m rounding up some of the books, recipes and baby buys that have helped me prepare for birth. In future issues, we’ll be speaking to Luxe mums, getting top tips from the experts, picking out some must-have products and gently guiding readers through the journey of a lifetime. Thanks for reading - we’ll see you on the other side!

LITTLE OEUF Hero Baby Bodysuit £16, littleoeuf.co.uk MAMA SHACK Changing Bag Pouch Jungle Print £17, mamashack.co.uk

Elysia & Bump x

ETTA LOVES 3-Pack Animal Print Muslins £27, ettaloves.com

Reading list >> How to Grow a Baby and Push It Out

By Clemmie Hooper Your no-nonsense guide to pregnancy and birth. £14.99, waterstones.com

Rich in vitamin C, fibre, selenium, vitamin B12 & protein, papaya is a delicious buttery fruit packed full of juicy goodness.

It has a huge amount of vitamin C in it, just what you need to allow your body to absorb iron and prevent anaemia. Vitamin C is also great for a healthy immune system, which does come under strain during pregnancy.

Pomegranate seeds are a very good source of fibre and also contain an extra boost of vitamin C and the vitamin B family. All important stuff for keeping you fit and well - and baby happy inside your tum!

LITTLE OEUF David Bowie - Little People, BIG DREAMS Hardcover £9.99, littleoeuf.co.uk

Motherhood Your Way

By Hollie de Cruz How to worry less and enjoy more in your baby’s first year. £10.20, amazon.co.uk How to Have a Baby

By Natalie Meddings Mother-gathered guidance on birth and new babies. £16.99, amazon.co.uk

CLAUDE & CO Buttercup Bodysuit £26, claudeandco.co.uk

Why Did No One Tell Me?

By Emma Brockwell What every woman needs to know to protect, heal and nurture her body through motherhood. £11.29, blackwells.co.uk Mindful Mamma

By Sophie Fletcher Mindfulness and hypnosis techniques for a calm and confident first year. £14.99, waterstones.com

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GOOSEBERRY FOOL Organic Cotton Pom Pom Booties £16 per pair, gooseberryfool.me.uk

Ingredients 10 large king prawns, peeled and butterflied 2 tbsp rape seed oil Salt 2 limes 1 large and ripe papaya 75g cashew nuts 100g pomegranate seeds 15 leaves fresh mint (NOTE: If you are using frozen prawns, be sure to defrost them in the fridge, overnight and NOT in a sink of water.

This is likely to cause bacteria to grow and could make you poorly) Method Heat a griddle or frying pan until smoking.

Add the oil and salt to the butterflied prawns (this means to cut the prawn down the back once peeled and open it out like a book). I leave the tail on for aesthetics.

Lay your prawns into your hot griddle and cook for 5-6 minutes until they turn pink. Add the juice of half a lime and leave to rest.

Cut your papaya in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut into wedges and using a knife and cut the flesh away from the skin (like you would if cutting up a melon).

Cut the flesh into small, bite-size pieces and place into a bowl. Add to this your cashews, pomegranate seeds and the juice and zest of the other lime.

Finally, shred your mint leaves and mix through the salad and serve with the grilled prawns. You may want to serve an extra wedge of lime on the side. sophiewrightcatering.co.uk

JUL/AUG21

HOLIDAY HACKS

Planning ahead is key when it comes to happy and healthy summer holidays at home...

Little moments Summer is here! It probably looks slightly different to the way we had anticipated but it is here nonetheless.

The thought of summer brings with it plans to relax, rewind and recharge, but when you’re a parent, reality doesn’t always match this dreamy notion.

Sometimes the break from school can have us feeling like we’re spinning plates for weeks on end and we certainly don’t feel refreshed come the first week back in September. But it doesn’t have to be like that.

Tranquil Parenting is firmly focused on being intentional and proactive. We don’t wait until the proverbial hits the fan; we are mindful of our own behaviour, our child’s environment and how we can set them up for success. So, I would suggest before the end of term, getting everyone together and holding a family meeting. Ask everyone to share what they would really like to do over the summer. You will have to set some boundaries over budget, ageappropriateness and whether restrictions allow you to do something or not, but oncethese are established, you’re basically asking for everyone’s ‘wishlist’.

It’s important, especially for younger children, to know that they won’t be able to do everything on their list, but hopefully you will be able to accommodate some of the more realistic requests.

Is there an activity they would like to take part in? Somewhere they would like to visit?

Someone they would like to spend time with? You may be surprised by some of the answers.

In our house, we’ve had discussions about making fresh lemonade, going rock-climbing, having a water fight and doing an obstacle course. All of these things

are doable and sound like a lot of fun. I often suggest adding in a challenge too.

Ask your child what they would like to learn over the holidays. It could be learning to swim without arm-bands, tie shoelaces, learn how to surf, do make-up contouring or film a YouTube video.

When children set their own goals and work hard to achieve them, they develop confidence and resilience. Their self-esteem will rise if they manage to smash their goal.

Being supportive, even if it’s not something you would have chosen, will help your child to succeed. It could be a challenge that you take on together as a family. A little good-natured competitiveness can be a great bonding experience.

This is also the time to establish limits around screen-time. Individual families have different ideas about what ‘healthy screen-time’ looks like. For some, there is a ‘zero tolerance’ policy and for other parents, they are happy for their teens to be on a device for hours on end. You do you. You work out what you’re comfortable with over the summer break. But I suggest setting out your stall now.

If you have clear expectations before the holidays begin, then it will prevent excessive arguments down the line. It’s always good to get your children’s input when you’re setting these limits. Ask them how long they think they should be on their devices and try to find a compromise. Most children know the dangers of excessive use and they may well tell you that they want to reduce their screen-time over the summer.

Children often come up with sensible ideas around boundaries; they will be less resistant if they feel like they haven’t had the rules imposed on them. However, sticking to boundaries can be quite a challenge as children are dealing with a rational, logical part of their brain that

hasn’t fully developed yet. This is when we need to be their calm, consistent guide and hold the limit in a respectful way.

Once you have established a family wishlist, then you can try to diarise some of these activities. It’s always great to have a large calendar somewhere prominent in the home where everyone can see it. It keeps everyone on track and for those children who are more anxious or those who are disorganised, it is a great point of reference where they can quickly see what is coming next or what they should be doing.

I would also say, don’t feel like you have to cram your child’s schedule full to the brim.

It’s great that they can now take part in clubs and activities again but don’t feel like they have to be busy every second of the day. Boredom is actually good for your child’s brain. When they have to entertain themselves, children can often become more creative and imaginative. This quiet, downtime can give their mind a chance to reflect and open awareness. Be proactive and talk about this in your family meeting.

Ask your children to think of ‘boredom busters’ before they become bored. Write their ideas down (e.g. go on the trampoline, read, listen to music, build Lego) and stick it up near the calendar for them to see.

The next time they complain that they don’t have anything to do, you can just point to the list and smile. Being prepared can really help alleviate stress, especially if you’re juggling work and childcare at the same time.

Finally, the holidays are a chance to really connect with our children and make life-long memories. The pandemic has forced us to focus on the simpler pleasures of life; a picnic in the sunshine, a paddle in the sea or playtime in the park.

Your children will look back 10 years from now and appreciate the time you spent

together laughing and having fun. They will remember the feeling that summer gave them more than specifics. So don’t stress yourself out trying to make everything perfect; focus on spending quality time with your family and prioritise really relaxing and recharging… the dishes can wait!

Nadia x

Nadia McSheffrey is founder of The Tranquil Treehouse. Nadia works with parents to help them be the parent they want to be and find tranquility in their family lives.

She also works with children and teachers to support their own emotional wellbeing.

For more information and daily parenting support, follow her at: thetranquiltreehouse.com and on Facebook and Instagram @tranquiltreehouse

TINY TRENDS

aim to inspire our future generation with a range of children’s books about some of the greatest people in our time including the likes of Sir David Attenborough, Stephen Hawking and Rosa Parks.

What did you do before launching Little Oeuf?

I worked in fashion retail for many years and met some amazing people as well as being fortunate to work my way to managerial roles which has given me great insight into the inner workings of a business. I am proud to say I now also work for the NHS as well as running my own business. As the pandemic hit, I knew I wanted to help in any way I could and couldn’t turn down the opportunity to be able to to work towards the fight against this pandemic.

Little luxe treasures Luxe checks in with Fay James, curator and founder of Little Oeuf a beautiful corner of the internet that hatched out of a love of quirky, ethically-sourced, vegan-friendly indie clothing and lifestyle products for little ones What can you tell us about Little Oeuf?

Whilst looking for gifts for friends and family I found myself searching for quality and ethically made products with integrity and values. I began to discover an amazing array of independent indie brands that, by themselves, weren't easy to find - so I thought why not carefully curate them all on one website? Having worked in fashion retail for over 10 years, it seemed like a natural progression; and with a lot of encouragement from my husband, I embarked on creating my business.

I first set up Little Oeuf as a part-time business and never imagined it would ever grow to the online store it is today.

It offers a unique mix of ethical children’s clothing accessories and lifestyle products

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made from certified organic and vegan materials in an array of contemporary designs for style-conscious parents who long for beautiful babywear and children’s, eco-friendly clothes.

Where did you find your inspiration?

Little Oeuf hatched in 2016 from the affectionate term ‘littlen’ (often given to children in the North East of England), and the French word for egg - ‘oeuf’ pronounced ‘uh-f’.

Why is sustainability so important to the business?

Sustainability is much more than a buzzword for me. While the use of the word has certainly increased in frequency, the concept

itself is hardly new - and it is one which drives us here at Little Oeuf.

We’re all about sourcing the very best quality items that are ethically sourced and made with integrity. Our aim is to make sure our customers are conscious of where their clothing is made whilst ensuring it is the quality they deserve, meaning our garments will last and can be passed on to friends and family. A far cry from ‘fast fashion’.

What can we expect to see in your range?

As we approach the summer season you can expect an array of items with various themes such as muted, laid-back hues as well as bold statement pieces to truly make your little ones stand out for all the right reasons. In terms of lifestyle products, we

Why did you decide to take the plunge and launch the business?

I’ve always had a creative energy with a real passion for clothing and interiors. Little Oeuf became the perfect creative outlet for this burning desire to help people find quality, sustainable products.

How can we shop the collection? littleoeuf.co.uk is an online independent business, we are based in the North East of England. Over the six years we have been trading, we have grown to know our customers and adapt to the ever-changing world we live in. I know we have all faced challenging times during the pandemic, but I can honestly say we have survived and thrived.

What's next for Little Oeuf?

One day we may explore a bricks and mortar store, but for now I’m more than happy with how we have adapted to our customers’ needs, wants and desires.

I’m always on the lookout for innovative indie brands, as well as adapting ideas for one day having our own label, as well as branching out and expanding our lifestyle range. littleoeuf.co.uk

JUL/AUG21

LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Bold brights >> Bring dreamy, exotic scents into your home this summer with this colourful new collection by Baobab - available to buy online and in-store at Seymours Home. seymourshome.com

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MIGHTY MOTORS

Head turning tracks

Luxury supercar manufacturer McLaren Automotive is entering production with the windscreen version of its Elva roadster.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of its launch...

The windscreen variant - which will be among the rarest of McLarens - has recently been revealed in full for the first time, with images of the prototype car.

“Super-lightweight and extremely powerful, the Elva delivers the ultimate connection between a driver, the road and the elements,” says Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer at McLaren Automotive.

“Created to celebrate the pure joy of driving, it’s one of the most distinctive - and exclusive - cars we have made. Roofless and without windows, whether you opt for the screenless model with its sophisticated AAMS technology that provides an invisible barrier of air, or the windscreen version with an additional level of enclosure, this is a roadster that rewards owners with the most exhilarating of open-air driving experiences, delivered as only a McLaren can.”

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the screenless model reaching 100km/h from standstill in 2.8 seconds* and covering 0 – 200km/h in 6.8 seconds*. Dynamic performance and vehicle stiffness also remain unchanged from the screenless car, as does the scintillating driving experience. The windscreen, which is a permanent fixture, affords greater protection from the elements but it does not in any way reduce the levels of excitement.

The Elva links McLaren’s heritage to its present and future with a name and style that recalls the McLaren-Elva race cars of the 1960s. These were amongst the first sports cars designed and raced by Bruce McLaren and the company that he founded, and today’s Elva was created to evoke the spirit of driving enjoyment symbolised by these cars.

Created as a homage to Bruce McLaren’s legendary race cars, heritage liveries like that

of the Satin Casa Blue windscreen model prototype pictured have captured the imagination of Elva owners. Demand for bespoke customisation of this kind by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has produced a series of dramatic and unique cars that stand out even among one of the rarest of McLarens - no more than 149 examples of the Elva will be specified and built to customer order.

The first examples of the windscreen Elva will be delivered to customers towards the end of this year, following personalisation by McLaren Special Operations. *Full technical details and performance figures for the windscreen Elva are pending final validation. cars.mclaren.com/gb-en

While having had its own engineering programme to optimise aerodynamic and dynamic performance, the windscreen Elva shares all of the ethos and performance of the original car: neither has a roof, side windows or rear screen, which when combined with a dry lightest weight of less than 1300kg* and a mid-mounted, 815PS, twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivers the ultimate in driver exhilaration.

The screenless Elva is McLaren Automotive’s lightest-ever road car and the target for the windscreen version is only 20kg* heavier, even with the inclusion of electronically synchronised rain-sensing wipers, washer jets and sun visors, as well of course as the heated glass windscreen within a carbon fibre surround. The Active Air Management System (AAMS) is deleted as it has no role to play in the windscreen car.

The acceleration of both versions is comparable with that of a McLaren Senna,

JUL/AUG21

ADVERTORIAL

The new TUCSON Hybrid is not just an evolution of its predecessor, it’s a complete design revolution

The all-new TUCSON Hybrid: A revolution for Hyundai Leading the way in progressive design, the new TUCSON offers state-of-theart technology and a hybrid powertrain that can take you further than ever using less fuel.

Following Hyundai’s new ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design identity, the Tucson Hybrid sets new standards in the compact SUV segment.

Stand-out style The new Tucson Hybrid boasts a muscular stance, combining sharp angles and dynamic proportions with premium details to create an overall modern aesthetic, that doesn’t compromise its rugged SUV heritage.

The Tucson Hybrid’s Parametric Hidden Lights give it a striking stare, transforming the outer sections of the geometric chrome grille into brilliant wing-like shapes. This creates a unique, high-tech lighting signature.

The Tucson Hybrid can be customised to your personal taste with a choice of nine exterior colours, including three brand-new options: Shimmering Silver, Amazon Gray and Teal. There’s also two-tone roof options in either Phantom Black or Dark Knight, for further customisation.

With additional Premium and Ultimate trim levels available, plus a thoroughly enhanced N Line variant, the new Tucson Hybrid can be exactly what you want it to be – fitting your taste and lifestyle perfectly.

Combining the exceptional styling of the new Tucson with fierce, N Line attributes, the Tucson N Line boasts a new era of SUV excellence.

Sophisticated interior The Tucson Hybrid’s refined interior seamlessly blends elements of premium comfort and advanced technology. The interior provides a fully customisable digital experience, whilst all heat, ventilation and air conditioning functions controlled via

JUL/AUG21

touch, making this Hyundai model the first to feature a full touchscreen console. The interior is lined with soft, high-quality materials, elevating the look and feel of the cabin to a whole new level.

Choose from three interior trim options, including Obsidian Black in fabric or leather, Moss Grey in fabric or leather, or the Teal colour pack, which offers Teal stitching on the seats, armrest and gear shift.

Inside the Tucson Hybrid, occupants may even customise the ambience with all-new mood lighting. Featuring 64 configurable colours and 10 different levels of brightness, you can tailor your environment to exactly how you like it.

Advanced technology The new Tucson Hybrid is equipped to provide an advanced digital experience with its state-of-the-art technology. The dual-cockpit is fully digitally configurable and incorporates a new 10.25-inch open cluster and a 10.25-inch AVN-T screen.

With the new Tucson Hybrid, Hyundai is offering their most up to date version of its Bluelink connected car services, which hosts a variety of benefits including Connected Routing, Last Mile Navigation and a new User Profile Feature. Occupants are able to locate their vehicle, lock and unlock the vehicle remotely, and even view vehicle attributes via the Bluelink app.

The User Profile means that occupants (up to two main accounts and one guest account) can adapt the infotainment to their own personal preferences. This includes storing language, climate settings, Bluetooth, navigation and voice recognition, as well as favourite radio stations, in the cloud.

Lastly, Hyundai LIVE Services provide all the knowledge you could need on real-time parking information, fuel station locations (including pricing), plus weather insights that could possibly affect your journey. In addition to this, destinations or points of interest can also be sent from the app to the in-car navigation system.

Exceptional practicality For everyday driving, the new Tucson Hybrid is prepared to take care of everyone onboard. Ensuring a pleasant cabin environment after a busy day’s schedule, it provides gentle airflow using Multi-Air Mode technology, consisting of a combination of direct and indirect air vents.

Occupants, including rear passengers, are also catered to by three-zone climate control and heated seats. For further comfort, the front passenger seats are also ventilated.

Passengers in the back can now enjoy uninterrupted naps too with Rear Sleeping mode, which allows front passengers to listen to their preferred audio without disrupting the rear of the cabin.

The new Tucson range comes roomier than ever before, as its dynamic proportions provide a wide interior space that guarantees comfort throughout each and every journey. Boot space has also been increased, meaning there’s plenty of room to pack prepared.

Electrifying efficiency The new Tucson Hybrid houses a 1.6-litre T-GDi Smartstream petrol engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor powered by a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The system is the most powerful in the powertrain line-up, meaning you get to enjoy plenty of fun behind the wheel whilst still benefiting from lower fuel consumption.

Expect a smooth and extremely efficient drive every time; the Tucson Hybrid’s innovative HTRAC All-Wheel Drive system also provides optimum handing and cornering performance. A Terrain Mode Selector is also available to switch drive settings conveniently to any condition you encounter.

Latest safety systems The new Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is equipped with best-in-class advanced driver-assistance systems. Including an Active Safety package with an array of innovative features, the new Tucson Hybrid provides complete peace of

mind for its occupants.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist sounds an alarm when a collision becomes imminent with other road users, cyclists or pedestrians. If the driver fails to brake in time, the system will automatically take control of the brakes in order to avoid an accident.

Lane Following Assist works to prevent accidental lane departure and keeps the vehicle safely centred within the lane, whilst Driver Attention Warning monitors patterns in order to identify fatigued driving and prevent possible accidents.

Furthermore, the Tucson Hybrid’s Remote Smart Parking Assist allows drivers to enter or pull out from a parking space using a button on the Smart Key, even when they are outside of the vehicle.

Meet the all-new Tucson Hybrid Revolutionising the evolution of design, the new Tucson Hybrid is wholly sophisticated and progressive… but don’t just take our word for it. We strongly encourage booking a test drive to explore what makes it special for yourself.

Bristol Street Motors Hyundai Silverlink and Hyundai Morpeth are home to your local friendly experts on all things Hyundai, including the incredible new Tucson Hybrid.

If you have any questions, would like more information or would like to meet the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid for yourself, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Call 0330 096 0866 for Silverlink or 0330 178 7355 for Morpeth to enquire, or visit bristolstreet.co.uk/book-an-appointment/ to book an appointment online.

Bristol Street Motors Hyundai Silverlink Middle Engine Lane, Silverlink Business Park, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear NE28 9NZ Bristol Street Motors Hyundai Morpeth Coopie’s Ln, Morpeth, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear NE61 6JN

luxe-magazine.co.uk

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TIME TO SHINE

Watch this space Chris Holder and Simon Hebb’s chance meeting on their London commute from the North East led them to a timeless new venture. The result? The Winton Watch Company - a Yarm-based business delivering handmade Swiss watches, inspired by unsung British pioneers. Luxe gets the lowdown from co-founder, Chris...

What can you tell us about The Winton Watch Company?

Simon and I are both massive watch and car fans, which is what brought us together really. We were on a train commuting back home from our jobs in London - it was a train that I wouldn’t ordinarily get, so it must have been fate - I think I was reading a car magazine and we got chatting about cars and then we moved on to watches.

Following that, we continued to bump into each other on the train over the course of the next few months. The more we put our heads together, the more we talked about our passions and how we both thought there was a gap in the market for a high-quality, Swiss-made watch that was more affordable than some of the big brands.

We talked about it endlessly during those journeys and then during lockdown, we had a bit more time because we weren’t commuting here, there and everywhere, so we investigated further and looked at how we’d be able to put our plans into action.

We found a watchmaker in Switzerland, who helped us get our first two models together. Then we started working with a local company in Yarm called Happyleaves Design Studio, who helped us finalise the brand.

Currently, we are both still doing our day job while we grow The Winton Watch Company. I work in public relations for technology companies and Simon is a compliance director for an investment management business.

I live in Eaglescliffe and Simon lives in Dishforth. We’ve got an office in Yarm, where we do all of the admin from at the moment.

Where did you find your inspiration for the Winton concept?

It actually came from a project my daughter was working on at school on Mary Anning, who was a paleontologist in Dorset at the beginning of the 19th century. She discovered some of the most important fossils ever found in Britain,

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but nobody had ever heard of her until the 1970s, because she was dubbed an ‘uneducated fossil collector’; but she knew more about fossils than any of the experts in London.

She was never given any real recognition for her work in her lifetime, so we thought it would be brilliant to create a brand that celebrates some of these unsung British heroes.

Alexander Winton is another one - he was the British engineer who almost created the US car market. He was the first person to cross America coast to coast, and he was one of the first people to have a land speed record; but again, nobody ever really heard of him. Interestingly, he lost a race to Henry Ford in 1901, and that’s what gave Henry Ford the investment that he needed to start Ford Motor Company.

Ford went down the route of mass production, but Winton stayed with this idea of customer service, with each car being built to customer specifications.

We’re taking a leaf out of Alexander Winton’s book. We want to make and sell these watches in small numbers, so they have a certain exclusivity to them, but are also very focused on customer service.

So, on the back of that, one of the models is called the ‘Anning’, after Mary Anning, and the other is the ‘Swan’, named after Joseph Swan, who was an engineer in Sunderland who invented electric light bulbs, but was overshadowed by Thomas Edison, who was the famous one.

He eventually went into partnership with him, but became forgotten to history.

The idea is that all of these people, who are pioneers or heroes in their own right but nobody knows about, we need to start talking about. So if we can educate people while introducing them to a really nice Swiss watch brand, then we’re doing our job.

What can you tell us about the design?

We have two watches at the moment and we’re currently

looking at a third, which we hope to launch later this year.

The Swan is a little bit smaller than the Anning, which is more of an outdoorsy, sports watch with a suede strap.

We describe it as ‘equally at home on the hills as in the boardroom’.

The Swan is more of a classic design, for those people looking for a traditional dress watch, but one that can withstand the rigours of adventure, when needed.

Ultimately, we want people to buy and wear our watches.

They’re not pieces to be locked away in a safe. They’re everyday items, but they also stand the test of time.

Where can we buy your watches?

At the moment you can buy the watches on our website, but we’d really like to make them available in local independent jewellers if we can. We’re just starting some conversations, so hopefully there are some exciting partnerships in the pipeline.

Are you keeping things local, or spreading your wings to the rest of the UK and overseas?

Interestingly, we’ve sold quite a few locally, but a lot of our sales have been in London and we’re certainly expanding beyond the region, which is great. We’re happy with the way it’s growing. Because we’re self-funded, we wanted to grow in a controllable way as we are producing what we sell and selling what we produce.

JUL/AUG21

TIME TO SHINE

The experience behind top tailoring

WORK IN THE COMMUNITY We’re very proud to be a Yarm-based business that can stand alongside major Swiss brands and not feel out of place.

What can you tell us about the process of working on a watch?

Our partner in Switzerland makes the watches - I think they’ve got a team of 30. It’s another independent, family business that has been running for years and years. We haven’t met them in person yet, due to COVID, but we hope to get over there later this year and see how it all works behind the scenes in terms of the process.

What’s in the pipeline for the rest of 2021 and beyond?

We’re looking at launching a sports divers watch later this year - it seems to be the style of watch people are looking for at the moment. Following that, we’ve got other ideas and we’ll continue to grow with the market and what customers are looking for.

The more expensive Swiss brands are selling multiple millions of watches every year, so there is a lot of interest in the market. We’re just breaking our way into the world of watches and will continue to keep a close eye on the market to see where we can grow and expand once we’ve built up trust with our customers across the region, the UK and (hopefully) beyond.

What do you do to wind down (excuse the pun!) in the region?

I love classic cars, so I’ve got a bit of a collection at home, which my wife is delighted about, of course. We’ve also got a caravan so spend much of our time, when we’re not at work, camping with the kids (10 and 6).

We enjoy letting off some steam at Preston Park, which is just down the road, and heading into Yarm for lunch and coffees. winton.watch

When he’s not working in public relations or watching his Swiss watch business grow with partner Simon, Chris is also an ambassador for Butterwick Hospice.

“My wife Karen’s grandma was Mary Butterwick, so we spend a lot of time visiting businesses and attending events to share her story and help spread the word.

“It’s a story that was probably told a lot in the early days of the hospice, but as time has gone on, it’s really nice to be able to remind people of how the hospice came about.

“Karen’s grandma was in her 50s when her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Shortly afterwards, she was told by the hospital that her visits were unnecessary because he didn’t know she was there.

“She didn’t want other people to have to suffer like that, so she read up on the subject and found that there was no local hospice at the time between Leeds and Edinburgh.

“She sold her house and all of her belongings and spent a lot of her time moving between people’s sofas and spare bedrooms so that she could buy the first place in Hartburn.

“Eventually, the hospice grew out of that premises, and then another, and then another, so they then built the purpose-built hospice in the grounds of North Tees Hospital.

“It wasn’t just a couple of businesspeople getting together to find a solution, it was somebody who had experienced the worst and wanted to make the best experience possible for families.

“So our job is to share that story, alongside other work the hospice is involved in. It’s a really wonderful thing to be involved in, and we’re incredibly proud to say it is part of the family. We support the hospice wherever we can. Over lockdown, the kids raised around £1,400 for various things.” butterwick.org.uk

At Walton & Sutherland, we are more than just a menswear brand, we specialise in luxury, bespoke, made-to-measure tailoring. Our unique step-by-step process will allow you to design a suit best tailored to you and your style

We make sure to follow a four-step process and work closely with you in order to create a suit which complements your body. Beginning with the initial fitting, this is where we will get an understanding of what you are looking for – considering your style, personality and identity, while also taking those important measurements to make sure your suit is fit to perfection.

The design part of our process allows you to choose from a range of high-quality fabrics, woven in the finest Italian wool mills in Northern Italy, from the likes of Loro Piana, Reda and Guabello. By adding your own unique, personal touch, you can be sure your design is right for you. However, if you’re unsure about the design you want, we have experts on hand to guide you in the right direction.

The creation step will have our experts craft your chosen materials into your made-to-measure suit taking up to six weeks to bring the idea to life. We believe that quality lies in the details, so when your suit is ready, we will ensure the fit is perfect. If it isn’t, we will happily take it back to the workshop and alter it to meet our high standards.

We want every man to experience the feeling of wearing tailored, luxury clothing which lasts season after season, so we take time and care into each stage of the process. The fine craftsmanship of our suits will have everyone knowing you’re wearing Walton & Sutherland.

Walton & Sutherland are now taking appointments. Visit waltonsutherland.com for more information.

Walton & Sutherland, Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

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COOL KIT DRIES VAN NOTEN Fringed Printed Towel £320, mrporter.com

SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche Tote Bag £905, endclothing.com

MAN KIT

Neutral tones

We’re stripping it back this summer with toned down neutrals and easy-does-it accessories MR P Cashmere and Silk-blend Polo Shirt £395, mrporter.com

LA MONTAÑA Alfredo’s Café Candle £36, mrporter.com

REISS Acer Nubuck Lace Up Trainers, Ecru £175, reiss.com

SAINT LAURENT Palm Print Credit Card Holder £179, endclothing.com

DIOR EYEWEAR Gold Tone Architectural Sunglasses £370, brownsfashion.com

BARBOUR X FOGLE WILDERNESS Adventurer Print T-Shirt, Grey Marl £34.95, johnlewis.com BYREDO Rose of No Man’s Land Eau de Parfum £178, endclothing.com

SPERRY CLOUD Authentic Original 3-Eye, White £139, endclothing.com

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TEE TIME

GREEN DAYS

Our luxe guide to the kit and the people driving the golf scene in the region and beyond...

FOR HER >> UNDER ARMOUR >> Women’s UA Links Ankle Trousers £65, underarmour.co.uk

CHECKING IN WITH: CALLUM NICHOLL >>

ECCO >> Women’s Cool Pro Leather Waterproof Spikeless Golf Shoes £169, golfbase.co.uk

Luxe catches up with Callum Nicholl, the newly appointed Director of Golf & Estates at Rockliffe Hall Golf Club...

CALVIN KLEIN >> Golf Caspian Sleeveless Polo Shirt £50, johnlewis.com

FOR HIM >>

LULULEMON >> Fast and Free Run Hat M £35, lululemon.co.uk

ADIDAS >> Vibes Performance Light Breathable Summer Polo Shirt £42.99, golfbase.co.uk

FOR THE GOLF BAG >> TAYLORMADE >> Mens Spider EX Flow Neck Right Hand PureRoll Putter - 34 Inch £269, golfbase.co.uk

ADIDAS >> EQT SL Lightweight Spikeless Sport Textile Golf Shoes £109.99, golfbase.co.uk

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ROUTE TO ROCKLIFFE? Golf for me has always been a family sport.

My uncle is a golf professional and still works within the industry. Also, growing up in the south west coast of Scotland amongst an abundance of amazing courses, allowed me to fall into the game at a young age. I joined the professional team at Turnberry at the age of 18, which is where I gained my PGA qualifications and started to compete in local events. As any young golf professional does, I spent a few years playing and at the time aspired to the main tours, with some local success.

I decided, however, that the business side of the industry was more suited to me, so I moved and worked with David Fleming, the head pro at Prestwick Golf Club for a few years before moving to the Middle East.

Moving to Dubai in 2009 and joining the team at The Els Club was an exciting time.

The game was still rapidly growing and gaining personal experience in a fast paced environment was invaluable. After six years at The Els Club I remained within the UAE and joined Abu Dhabi Golf Club as director of golf, a club that shows its trademark falcon clubhouse every year during the European Tour event.

Like many expats though, and nine great years with Troon Golf, there is always a time when you feel the need to return home. In 2018 I joined the team at London Golf Club, and it is from there that I joined Rockliffe Hall, adding the North East of England to my journey.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE JOINED THE TEAM? I am extremely excited. The team has been very welcoming and I feel this is simply a product of the warm hospitality we expect to show to our members and guests. I have also been extremely fortunate that the golf industry has allowed me the opportunity to travel and work in different countries around the world, and I would love to be able to pass on this experience to the Rockliffe Hall team starting out on their own journeys within the business.

HOW IS THE COURSE LOOKING AS WE HEAD INTO THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER? It certainly is exciting to see golfers back enjoying the game. The appetite for golf hugely increased in 2020 and this was

JUL/AUG21

exciting for our industry, it gives us the chance to capture those who are new to the game and it also helps us highlight the many benefits that golf can offer. After each of the three lockdowns have ended, we have seen how important social interaction between friends and colleagues can be.

The course at Rockliffe is in a strong position and the team has been working very hard on projects that will benefit our members and guests, both short and long term.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO GOLFERS RETURNING TO THE COURSE OR TO THOSE STARTING OUT? I feel that over the past 12 months, the pandemic has affected individuals in many different ways and it is safe to say the overall physical health and mental wellbeing of the UK population has been highlighted as extremely important. Whether you are new to the game or have been playing for many years, the social and physical advantages are there to enjoy. I have witnessed many new beginners, and the vast majority get hooked very quickly. Golf can be very accessible now and I would only encourage you to give it a go. Rockliffe Hall extends a warm welcome to all who wish to learn.

ANY UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE DIARY? The club has an extensive member calendar for both golf and social events and we will look to build on this as guidelines continue to ease. As well as servicing our core membership, we will look to introduce dates for new players and the Academy team will continue their great work focusing on the development of our juniors. There are a couple of Pro Tour dates in the diary for September. This is a tour where female and male professionals can compete on the same course, on the same day. This year both events at Rockliffe Hall are offering the leading female professional an exemption into the newly formed Justin Rose Ladies Series, a wonderful prize on offer for any aspiring professional.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ROCKLIFFE GOLF? We will take pride in presenting the golf experience to a premium standard, and at the same time, we will continue to welcome our members, guests and visitors with open arms. rockliffehall.com/golf

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PARTING SHOT

Summer haze >> Let the colours of summer bring beauty to your days. Captured by Nicky Rogerson at bankstudio.co.uk.

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JUL/AUG21

AWARD WINNING HAIRDRESSING

Step into Summer

Gosforth 0191 217 0217 Jesmond 0191 281 6714 Ponteland 01661 821 004 Wynyard 01740 644 690 www.hookerandyoung.co.uk Facebook: hooker&young Twitter: @hookerandyoung Instagram: hookerandyoung luxe-magazine.co.uk

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Fuel Consumption figures for the TUSCON Hybrid. MPG (l/100km): Combined 39.8 (7.1) to 50.4 (5.6). CO2 emissions: 160 -127 g/km. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including accessories fitted (postregistration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

Image for illustration purposes only. Bristol Street Motors Hyundai is a trading name of Bristol Street Fourth Investments Limited (Company registration number 00522856) which also trades as Bristol Street Motors Hyundai Silverlink, and of Bristol Street First Investments Limited (Company registration number 00251237) which also trades as Bristol Street Motors Hyundai Morpeth. VAT Registration number 902737238. Registered office: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.