Luxe May June 2018

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BIG STA R I A N W H Y T E. F 1’s Ro b Smed l ey. COOK UP V EGAN. A cultural s um me r. I N S PI R I N G CH EFS . S cand i c o o l st ays . FUNKY C OT TAGE ST YLE. Pa r ty p e o p l e . ST I N G’S RED CARPET. Cel ebrat i ng Dads. BEHIND THE C AME R A . Lu xe l a p s . H IP H OTEL S . Bi g names . LUX E.

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WELCOME

contents 12>> Do This ISSUE 52 MAY/JUN18 We’ve got some big stuff in this edition of Luxe. It feels like the year has really turned a corner and got itself going after a weird stop-start to 2018, with that mad weather and premature Easter.

Now we’re in the swing of things; looking forward to a spring and summer fest of fun that takes in everything from royal weddings to wild garlic.

And when I say big, I meant giant. The giant who is our cover star Ian Whyte. The 7ft 1ins former Newcastle Eagles basketball player who has gone on to have towering roles in the Harry Potter films, Alien vs Predator and the on-going TV spectacular that is Games of Thrones.

Normally the quiet man, Ian, who lives in Tynemouth, breaks out of his mighty mask to talk to us about his truly fascinating journey from basketball arena to Hollywood. I’m about to go watch a re-run of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to see how he fares as Hagrid’s love interest Madame Olympe Maxime!

Also on Team Luxe this edition is photographer Tom Stoddart talking about life in the thick of danger as a war photographer and we meet up with F1 engineer Rob Smedley who is organising a heartfelt charity gala in memory of his dad.

This edition also features our Food Trail magazine which will take you on a scrumptious and completely mouth-watering global food journey.

So inspiring!

Spring’s cultural calendar

18>> Must-see Great Exhibition preview

25>> Doing it for Dad Rob Smedley’s F1 fund-raiser

30>> High days Fashion for summer fun

46>> Fresh looks New season beauty buys

52>> Cover story Ian Whyte of Game of Thrones

56>> Generation Ageless Photographer Tom Stoddart was brought up in Amble but since then has travelled the world as a photographer for the global press.

He recently returned to live in the North East. His luxe things in life include; sun filled holidays with wife, Ailsa. Food, wine and laughter with good friends and walks in the Lake District.

Behind the lens with Tom Stoddart

58>> Abu Dhabi A Gulf state of mind

60>> Berlin break Hip hotels with Debrah Dhugga

62>> Vegan masterclass The Feathers cookery school

70>> Wild for garlic In-season inspiration

74>> Cottage quirky Small space funky interiors

86>> Extra time George Friend writes

Enjoy every page - and don’t forget you can catch up with us 24/7 at www.luxe-magazine.co.uk or join us every Thursday for a dose of cheer with Luxe Loves the Weekend www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/theweekend

88>> Motors Lexus and Range Rover on test

94>> Social Diary

THE LUXE TEAM Christopher March publisher chris@remembermedia.co.uk EDITORIAL Kathryn Armstrong editorial director kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk Jessica Laing jessica@remembermedia.co.uk Elysia Agnew elysia@remembermedia.co.uk SALES Lisa Anderson director lisa@remembermedia.co.uk Debi Coldwell director debi@remembermedia.co.uk Claire Graham claire@remembermedia.co.uk

Anna Coulson is CEO of Galileo, an academy trust in Redcar and Cleveland. A mum to five-year-old twin girls, her luxe things include, a favourite Gucci handbag, Tom Ford makeup and great candles – and seafood and scallops, preferably in Portugal or France.

PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Auld chris@chrisauldphotography.co.uk Kevin Gibson info@kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk DESIGN David Stubbs creative director dave@remembermedia.co.uk Kimberley Rumble kimberley@remembermedia.co.uk If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Lisa Anderson: lisa@remembermedia.co.uk / 07734 560565 or Debi Coldwell: debi@remembermedia.co.uk / 07910 918366

Remember Media Ltd, e.volve Business Centre, Cygnet Way, Rainton Bridge South, DH4 5QY remembermedia.co.uk All contents copyright ©2018 RememberMedia Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, April 2018.

Rob Smedley is the region’s best-known face of Formula 1 racing as head engineer with the Williams team. He talks to us about a charity event he’s planning in June.

He’s dad to boys Frankie and Felix and luxe things in life include being with his family, sharing long Sunday lunches, and a pint of Black Sheep beer in a great pub.

luxe is published bi-monthly by Remember Media Ltd

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BRIGHT FUTURE

VISIONS ALIGNED

FUTURE ID IS BRINGING YOUR FUTURE HOMES TO THE NORTH EAST

“I am such a huge supporter of small businesses; they are the lifeblood of Tees Valley”

Mayor Ben Houchen

Quality, new build properties are coming to carefully selected, highly sought-after locations in the region thanks to the team of experts at Future ID. Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen gave his seal of approval to Future Development’s ambitious plans when he visited the company’s first new build project, The Mews, Marmaduke Place.

Mr Houchen attended the official launch of The Mews, a luxurious development of bespoke townhouses in the heart of Norton Village.

Future Development’s focus on building high-quality homes in the region’s best-loved locations has signalled Marmaduke Place as something exciting, exacting and aspirational for North East property enthusiasts and buyers.

Mr Houchen was clearly impressed by the development.

He said: “I am a huge supporter of small businesses; they are the lifeblood of Tees Valley. Future Investment and Developments is an impressive new start-up with huge potential, delivering

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high-quality houses which are proving incredibly popular.”

As Mayor, Ben Houchen covers the five boroughs of Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland.

His agenda is to increase economic growth and prosperity in the region. Delivering high quality housing and helping young people get on the property ladder is a key part of his Mayoral role.

He continued: “We need to build the right houses in the right places and Future ID recognises this. They have an exciting not-for-profit plan to provide homes that would give young people a helping hand on to the property ladder.

“Businesses that work for our area, as well as in our area, are vital to making our region the best place to live and work. I look forward to working with Future ID to help them achieve their ambitions.”

MAY/JUN18

BRIGHT FUTURE

“We need to build the right houses in the right places, and Future ID recognises this.”

Marmaduke Place and Future ID bring together bespoke townhouse living in the charming surroundings of Norton Village.

If you’re interested in this exclusive development and the company’s future plans in the region, please visit: www.futuredevelopments.org

Mayor Houchen, right, congratulates Dominic Marshall of Future ID on a quality aspirational development already SOLD out (and with a waiting list)

MAY/JUN18

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES A tin thing We’ve got a crush on this cool wallpaper with its antique tin design based on pictures of genuine salvaged metal tiles. £75 a roll. www.woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk

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MAY/JUN18

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LUXE LIFE

LUXE PEOPLE >> I’m on the board of children’s theatre company Theatre Hullabaloo which has just built an amazing new venue in an old fire station in Darlington. It’s a huge thing for a small team to achieve and it’s great to see the team who work there flourish in the new space and to understand their passion, focus and belief in what they do - making inspiring experiences for really young kids.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > Amsterdam for museums, Paris for food, Rome for history.

A long holiday > in recent years I’ve worked in a lot of huge cites which I had never heard of across China – a real highlight was Xian in central China, not just for the Terracotta Warriors but also for the cable car up to the epic five peaks of Huashan Mountain.

A treat > we are visiting Milan and Verona soon to see some opera I’m not an expert but opera does make you stop, focus and imagine.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > shellfish of all types!

Best wine > French white, Spanish red.

Favourite restaurant > The Feathers, Hedley on the Hill is local and the perfect country pub. The Staith House at the Fish Quay in North Shields for super seafood cooking.

Perfect weekend > exploring a new city through its museums, galleries, restaurants and bars.

Downtime means > don’t really like the idea of downtime – I’d rather be visiting something or meeting someone.

Best telly > best avoided apart from C4 news, Newsnight and Family Guy – much prefer Radio 4 and 6 Music.

Best book > everything by Murikami and most recently Patti Smith’s ‘M Train’ memoir - she is great at creating atmosphere even when writing about nothing happening in a coffee shop.

Best sounds > Grandaddy - great gig at Hoults Yard last year. Baxter Dury’s album is the best thing I’ve bought this year; my playlists seems to indicate that I listen to far too much Lou Reed.

The Boiler Shop behind Newcastle Central Station is creating a real reputation for presenting special bands and rare music – new year’s resolution was to definitely see more live music.

MATTHEW JARRATT

Matthew Jarratt manages the North East Culture Partnership and also develops commission opportunities for artists in the North East, around the UK and in China. Matthew curates the projects and gallery at Cheeseburn Sculpture in Northumberland.

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > anywhere that’s avoided being overrun by chain stores – a thriving market is a good measure of a city – Grainger Market rather than Eldon Square every time!

Favourite shop > Details art shop – makes me want to create things!

Luxe retail treat > early, most Saturday mornings around Newcastle.

LUXE PARTY >> Perfect party > I was one of the curators for the China Western Biennale in 2017 in Inner Mongoliathey arranged some amazing meals to welcome the international guests with extraordinary Tuvan Throat singers accompanying each course!

Best dress > I seem to struggle to look smart – if it’s a formal dinner then my wife says I look like a bouncer!

Dinner date > always cooking for my wife, Wendy Scott.

YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> Travelling! The more I travel and work beyond Europe the more curious the UK looks – in a good way – it’s fascinating how other countries really admire our heritage, music, art and culture as a really special, world class thing...often seems to be overlooked here in the UK!

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MAY/JUN18

DO THIS

Stay in >> go out >> enjoy With spring in full swing and summer on the horizon, Jessica Laing uncovers some of the region’s most sizzling cultural highlights…

1 MAY14 JUNE

Bowes Museum is one of four venues in the UK (and the only one in the north) to stage Queen Victoria in Paris, an exhibition of watercolours commissioned by Queen Victoria as a souvenir of her momentous 10-day state visit to Paris in August 1855.

Loaned by Her Majesty The Queen from the royal collection, the paintings provide a fascinating insight into the legacy, opulence and pageantry surrounding the momentous trip. www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

2-5 MAY Head to Newcastle’s Northern Stage for Newcastle Poetry Festival 2018.

Presented by Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts, the four-day event celebrates of the finest poetry from around the world by some of the art’s most acclaimed practitioners; involving readings, lectures, discussions and workshops, alongside multi-genre performances across music, painting and film, with the theme of crossings – between countries, languages, and art forms – at its heart. www.northernstage.co.uk

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MAY

Pilot Theatre and York Theatre Royal bring the dark underworld of Graham Greene’s classic novel, Brighton Rock, to Newcastle’s Northern Stage, in this new adaptation by acclaimed writer Bryony Lavery. As two 17-year-olds, Pinkie and Rose, get embroiled in a vicious gang war in Brighton, one brutal murder leads to the next. The police are impassive, but courageous Ida Arnold wants the truth. www.northernstage.co.uk

5

MAY

Head to Forum Theatre Billingham to see The Carpenters Story - an award-winning celebration of the music of Richard and Karen Carpenter. This highly-acclaimed concert-style production continues to captivate audiences across the UK with its spectacular re-creation of the classic songbook that made the duos legends in the world of popular music.

Featuring the vocal talents of Claire Furley and pianist/artistic director, Phil Aldridge, plus Richard Carpenter’s original orchestral arrangements of the pair’s greatest hits. www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

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MAY

Get yourselves along to Wylam Brewery for a celebratory tribute to the music of North East legend, Sting and his bandmate pals. All Strung up…

The Greatest Hits of the Police features all of the band’s top hits, reimagined by a 10-piece band with full string section. www.wylambrewery.co.uk

12 MAY

8 MAY-2 JUNE

One of Britain’s biggest comedians, Michael McIntyre, returns to the stage with his eagerly-awaited Big World Tour, which will see him perform to arenas across the UK and Ireland, as well as visiting the likes of Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, America and Canada for the first time. Grab some chums and get the giggles at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena. www.metroradioarena.co.uk

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical arrives at Sunderland Empire, inspired by the beloved book from the incomparable Roald Dahl. Winner of over 85 international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, the show tells the tale of a young, smart bookworm who, with the help of one kind teacher, overcomes obstacles caused by her wicked headmistress and adopted family. A must-see for families. www.atgticketss.com/venues/sunderlandempire/

5 MAY

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Newcastle Rum Festival returns for 2018, bringing with it over 100 rums from around the globe, including exclusive bottles from artisan, small-batch producers, to the Toon. Pick up your free gin glass and purchase your drinks tokens, before tasting your way through the pop-up bars. Experiment with mixers and garnish and wash everything down with local street food, before dancing the night - or afternoon - away to live music. This year’s event is taking place at Northumbria University. www.eventbrite.co.uk

4-5 MAY

Wynyard Hall’s Best of British Spring Fayre promises a fun family weekend, packed with stalls filled with fabulous homeware, delicious artisan produce and spirits, live entertainment, fairground rides, petting zoos and more.

Enter a tasty baking competition, hosted by The Great British Bake Off star, Steven Carter-Bailey, during which you can have a go at making everything from cupcakes and gingerbread men, to Victoria Sponge and even your own novelty cakes. Winners receive a £50 gift voucher for Wynyard Hall. www.wynyardhall.co.uk

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5-6 MAY

70s soul band, Shalamar, arrive at Newcastle’s City Hall, ready to spoil audiences with their unique style, energy, passion and sound that have commanded dance floors all over the world. Get ready to boogie to the band’s massive chart hits, from I Can Make You Feel Good, to the the iconic A Night To Remember. With over 25 million record sales under their belts, original members Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel, along with the newest member, Carolyn Griffey, promise to treat fans to a dynamic blend of funky feel-good music. www.theatreroyal.co.uk

19-20 MAY Rugby fans are invited to St James’ Park for this year’s Dacia Magic Weekend. Betfred Super League’s weekend festival promises two days of fun for the whole family, including mouth-watering fixtures on the pitch, plus live music, fancy dress and more. www.rugby-league.com/ tickets/magic_weekend

MAY/JUN18

ADVERTORIAL

Reflecting on a journey Niche Family Law Practices are now becoming widespread across the U.K. as an alternative, more bespoke way of offering specialist family law advice rather than being a tag on to a larger corporate business. Whether the model is a sustainable one only time will tell, however, last month we celebrated our 9th anniversary in business since we first opened the doors of Major Family Law in Ponteland.

Our offices originally situated at 10 West Road opened for the first time on April 1st. The date being deliberately chosen as one myself and my landlords Liz and John Scott Batey, who have both since tragically passed, as being a memorable one. “Perhaps I’ll be the biggest fool”, I remarked to John, in ignorance as to what lay ahead.

It wasn’t as tricky setting up as you’d imagine. The Law Society were helpful and told me I just needed insurance and my practicing certificate so to start with I worked from home for a few months until I secured the premises at West Road.

It took two months before we gained our first client.

The phone never seemed to ring and the door remained firmly shut! It was anxious times and back in 2009 we were just crawling out of the recession. However, I was pragmatic and thought if it doesn’t work I’d pick up my handbag and get a job.

But come June the phone did ring and clients started instructing us. The same year I took on board my first two loyal and committed staff, Jane and Anna, both now my fellow Directors along with Lucinda Connell who was promoted to Director in January this year.

We quickly expanded and by late summer 2010 had

moved next door to Number 12 and taken over the upstairs of Number 10. We’ve since refined our brand and our premises were given a make-over in 2015 to reflect our company ethos which is to provide a comfortable environment for consultations. Feedback from clients and professionals alike is extremely positive. “Our offices are very different from other practices, very homely but stylish.” Clients tell us that they do not feel intimidated by our offices which is important as, for most of them, this is the first time they have had to deal face-to-face with solicitors. We demonstrate a strong commitment to client care and this is borne out by the high proportion of work that has come to us through recommendations.

Our clients tell us we provide a more sensitive and personal service than our competitors in the city law firms. And of course we always aim to achieve the right and fair result for each of them.

Running a business isn’t as easy as it may look from the more comfortable shoes of employment and once you’ve taken the plunge you have to accept it becomes another member of your family that you nurture and care about every day of your life. I’ve become braver by reflection and try always to learn from setbacks. Sustaining and growing a business requires strategy, focus and most importantly getting the right team in place to deliver what our clients expect of us - a professional service.

From a standing start back in 2009 we are now a team of 16 and shall be shortly joined by two more lawyers.

We are a firm that people want to work in, with and have working for them. As we move into our ninth full year of trading, we are delighted at the high level of client satisfaction. We are the David taking on the Goliaths of this world.

Today we are a well-regarded Practice with able lawyers

and a dedicated supporting staff alike but most importantly for me is that we all get along together.

My journey of self-employment has had many challenges this past nine years but the support and loyalty of our burgeoning team is the constant and is the core to our continued success in the market place.

Joanne Major is the Managing Director at Major Family Law, the Divorce and Family Law Specialists, 12 West Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne. T: 01661 82 45 82 www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk.

Twitter: @majorfamilylaw

Specialist divorce and family lawyers 01661 82 45 82 enquiries@majorfamilylaw.co.uk www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk

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12-15 MAY

29 MAY

After a successful first year, WRITE Festival returns to The Word in South Tyneside for 2018, with an even bigger programme of unmissable events for all ages. The festival celebrates writing in all its forms and, this year, with more than 40 events spread over two weeks, you’ll be able to enjoy writing workshops, performances, comedy, storytelling, poetry slams, a silent book disco, a murder mystery night and more. www.theworduk.org

8 JUNE 19 MAY Celebrate the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in style at Rockliffe Hall. Don your gladrags, walk the red carpet into the hotel’s glamorous Rockliffe Suite and enjoy tea and coffee, before taking your seats to watch the pair tie the knot on the big screen. The hotel’s renowned Afternoon Tea will be served while you immerse yourself in the wedding magic; tuck in to British sandwiches, scones and delicious cakes and pastries and toast to the happy couple with a glass of fizz. www.rockliffehall.com

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MAY

Fans of snacky street food will love ARC Stockton Arts Centre’s upcoming foodie event, dedicated to the world’s best-loved street food from around the world. From the guys behind No 60 - ARC’s new cafe/bar - it’s expected to be one of its most exciting and popular Food Lovers Club gatherings, during which guests will be treated to a number of mouthwatering international dishes.

Grab some hungry chums and get yourselves along. www.arconline.co.uk

Multi-million selling recording artist, Bryan Adams, takes to the stage at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena in support of his new album, Ultimate. The tour will see the showman perform a rip-roaring set of material from the new CD, which features a mix of new tracks and enormous hits from an incredible back-catalogue, including ‘(Everything I do) I do it for you’, ‘Summer of ’69’ and ‘Heaven’. Expect true Adams showmanship; energetic performances, effortless stage presence and incredible vocals. www.metroradioarena.co.uk

26-27 MAY

9-10 JUNE Head to the riverbanks for this year’s Durham Regatta, which promises a thrilling weekend of racing and entertainment. Last year 10,000 spectators and over 1,400 competitors experienced the event’s magic, set against the stunning backdrop of what is now a World Heritage Site, and this year’s event is set to be even bigger and better.

Think live entertainment from local bands and performers, along with a tasty selection of food stalls to browse. www.durham-regatta.org.uk

Set across the streets of Yorkshire’s Food Capital, Malton Food Lovers Festival is a celebration of Yorkshire’s finest produce and cooking. This year’s festival is set to be the biggest and best yet; expect heaving stalls, delicious street food, talks and tastings, celebrity chefs, live demos, cookery lessons, live music and more. A real, family foodie extravaganza - it’s not known as Yorkshire’s foodie answer to Glastonbury for nothing! www.visitmalton.com

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MAY

Join one of comedy’s fiercest talents, Russell Brand, at Middlesbrough Town Hall as he tries to make sense of life, having just made a new one. In his unmissable new show, Re:Birth, the new father wrestles life’s big questions: unravelling the matrix of modern media, politics, sex, death and fatherhood. www.middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk

25-27 MAY The team behind Middlesbrough Town Hall are treating the public to a series of exciting events as part of the venue’s opening season, including a celebratory weekend of spectacular performances from Southpaw Dance Company - called Erimus. Taking inspiration from Middlesbrough’s motto ‘we shall be’, the immersive theatrical production will reflect the exciting future of the Town Hall, showing off as many features as possible within the complex. www.middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk

Acclaimed singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, will be performing at St James’ Park as part of his 2018 nationwide stadium tour. The 27-year-old’s concert at the home of the Magpies will be the fourth of his six UK dates, following shows at Belfast’s Boucher Playing Fields, Manchester’s Etihad Stadium and Glasgow’s Hampden Park and preceding a further two dates at Wembley Stadium. His visit will see him become the first artist to perform at the stadium since Kings of Leon back in 2014. www.ticketmaster.co.uk

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JUNE

Settle in at Beamish Hall Hotel for an afternoon filled with scones and the magic only classic, feel-good films can bring. Guests are invited to enjoy a spot of Afternoon Tea while watching family-favourite, Mary Poppins, on the big screen. Treats on the day include freshly-baked scones with jam and cream, dainty finger sandwiches and a choice of mini desserts. Have your photo taken to commemorate the day once you’ve filled your bellies. www.beamish-hall.co.uk

14 JUNE Lovers of good food, music and wine are invited to a relaxing evening of jazz and tapas at ARC Stockton Arts Centre.

You’ll be given a chance to dig in to four main dishes on the night, but there will also be a range of specials you can order if you bring your appetite - or fancy sharing plates with chums. Background music will be provided by Jeremy McMurray and the Pocket Jazz Orchestra. www.arconline.co.uk

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JUNE

Be part of one of Rockliffe Hall’s most exciting black tie marquee events of the year - An Evening with Marti Pellow, lead singer of Wet Wet Wet. Join the awardwinning singer-songwriter for a grand gala evening, hosted by Smooth Radio, which includes a drinks reception and a threecourse meal created by the hotel’s executive chef, Aaron Craig. Marti will be performing a 75-minute set, followed by a disco, and proceeds will aid three local charities: Graham Wylie Foundation, Alan Shearer Foundation and Global’s Make Some Noise.

There will also be a raffle and a silent auction to enjoy. www.rockliffehall.com

MAY/JUN18

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JUNE

Head to Forum Theatre Billingham to catch The Roy Orbison Story - a musical and semi-autobiographical celebration of the legendary singer’s legacy. It’s an unmissable show, headed

by Barry Steele, who takes audiences on a specially-revamped musical journey through time. Expect to hear all of Mr O’s biggest hits, including ‘Oh Pretty Woman’, ‘I Drove All Night’, ‘Love Hurts’ and ‘She’s a Mystery to Me’. www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

18-23 JUNE An Officer and a Gentleman the Musical arrives in the North East, based on the Oscar-winning film, featuring Richard Gere. With a feel-good soundtrack, including 80s anthems ‘Up Where We Belong’, ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’, ‘Material Girl’ and more, it’s an inspiring tale that celebrates triumph over adversity and features one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever portrayed on screen. www.theatreroyal.co.uk

22 JUNE9 SEPT

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JUNE

Ten-time Grammy Award and NEA Jazz Master-winner, George Benson, whose career covers five decades, with more than 30 recordings under his belt, touches down in Gateshead this June. See him at Sage as he takes to the stage, showing off his masterful guitar skills and smooth vocals. With the help of his band, he’ll be performing some of his greatest hits, including classics ‘Give Me the Night’, ‘Lady Love Me’ and ‘Never Give Up on a Good Thing’. www.sagegatesgead.com

30 JUNE-1 JULY

30 JUNE Learn all about the wonders of spice at Blackfrairs Cookery School’s The World of Spice and Curry course. Over the course of the day you’ll be given expert hints and tips to help you create some mouthwatering, spice-based dishes from around the globe, including India, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean.

Help prepare the grub and cook a communal lunch. www.blackfrairsrestaurant.co.uk

Arty types are invited to take advantage of all the fun events happening this summer as part of the Great Exhibition of the North - a free, season-long celebration of the North of England’s pioneering spirit. Expected to be one of the UK’s biggest events, it will pack a programme of amazing exhibits, live performances, displays of innovation, new artworks and unforgettable experiences into 80 days. BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Sage Gateshead and Great North Museum are the three starting points to the Exhibition and each one will host its own programme of experiences to enjoy. Even Virgin Trains are getting in on the action; look out for their speciallybranded train, which will be used across the entire Virgin Trains East Coast route up to Edinburgh from now until the Exhibition’s closing weekend in September. getnorth2018.com

YouTube superstars, celebrity gamers and world-famous games are coming to Newcastle this summer as part of new and exciting two-day festival, Glitch. The event will showcase the latest games, alongside a packed programme of stage shows, pro eSports tournaments, an 80-plus retro games arcade, live music and innovative activities. Stage shows will offer death matches and interviews with legend, John Romero, considered a father of the first-person shooter genre with Doom, and YouTube sensations Yogscast Hat Films and Vidiots. www.metroradioarena.co.uk

30 JUNE15 SEPT 30 JUNE-15 SEPT

23 JUNE Following sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2017 and a sell-out UK tour, award-winning comedian, George Egg (aka the Anarchist Cook) returns with a brand new show, demonstrating more live cooking combined with laugh-out-loud comedy. The new show, George Egg: DIY chef, sees the funnyman, shunned to the garden shed, where he builds an improvised kitchen having been banned from the family kitchen. During an inspiring and inventive evening of stand-up, live cooking and comedy lecture, George prepares a breakfast, a lunch and a dinner using the most unconventional of methods. www.thewitham.org.uk

Kynren - the epic tale of England, performed by a cast and crew of 1,000 in the grand grounds of Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland - returns for 2018. The world-class show, which takes audiences on a breathtaking journey through 2,000 years of history, myth and legend, is brought to life through stunning sets, combat, stunts, horsemanship, pyrotechnics and special effects, set to a thrilling original soundtrack. Prepare to be blown away in 90 action-packed minutes, depicting 29 scenes, told through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy. An absolute must-see for families. www.kynren.com

TREATS FOR DADS THIS FATHER’S DAY (17 JUNE) Whisk him away for a long weekend of motors, music and more at this year’s Mighty Dub Fest. Set in the grounds of Alnwick Castle, the three-day festival promises fun for the whole family; cars, camper vans and motorbike displays for the guys to lust over, entertainment from live bands and silent discos for teens to enjoy, plus dog shows, fairground rides, circus workshops and party games for the little ones. The event’s fully-catered, too, so expect plenty of great food and drink, street-food-style stalls and pop-ups. www.mightydubfest.co.uk

Beamish’s 48th Reliability Run kicks off on Father’s Day this year, promising guests a thrilling day out, filled with stylish, vintage motors - from cars and motorcycles to commercial vehicles - registered before 1956. Beginning and finishing at Beamish, the run will follow a 150-mile route around County Durham and North Yorkshire, before making their return through The Town at Beamish to the finish line on the Events Field.

There will also be a static display of classic cars throughout the day. www.beamish.org.uk

Treat him to Sunday lunch with a difference at St James’ Park. Booking up for the stadium’s special Father’s Day spread means he can enjoy two hearty courses, a free pint (or soft drink) and an exciting taster tour of the grounds.

And if you really want to spoil him, you can upgrade to three courses and upgrade your booking to an executive box, allowing you to dig in to your meal while overlooking the pitch. From £20 per person. www.nufc.co.uk

Celebrate in style at Walwick Hall. There, you can treat him to a spot of Father’s Day Tea; a rustic platter made with the guys in mind, including mini burgers and spiced wedges, homemade sausage rolls, chutney ad mixed nuts, chicken liver parfait, cheese scones, jam-filled doughnuts and chocolate eclairs, all served with tea or coffee. For a special treat, add an ice cold flight of beer to the mix - there are three types on offer. From £19.95. www.walwickhall.com

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MAY/JUN18

DATE NIGHT in association with

IN CONVERSATION WITH… Marti Pellow Rockliffe Hall’s next glittering marquee event will welcome lead Wet Wet Wet singer, Marti Pellow, to the stage. The black tie gala evening hosted by Smooth Radio, will be held in aid of three charities including the Graham Wylie Foundation, the Alan Shearer Foundation and Global’s Make Some Noise.

Elysia Agnew catches up with the ‘Love Is All Around’ singer about his most memorable music moments, his future plans and his luxe things in life…

A MEMORABLE MUSIC MOMENT >> It’s got to be the big events like the Nelson Mandela concert - where you have a bunch of musicians coming together to do something for a great cause. Those moments are really special for us musicians.

They spin our job on its head and make something really personal. You get to see first-hand how music can have a knock on effect.

It’s great when music can be used as a tool. Music is powerful - you can see the good that comes out of it. As musicians, we make songs that people can tap into as a backdrop for real life.

YOUR GO-TO TUNE >> I don’t think there’s one song that’s pivotal for me. If a piece of music touches you, then hopefully other people can subscribe to that. My go-to song is one that is going to get everybody emotionally engaged, and that just depends on the event or occasion.

I’m not a performer who follows a set list, it’s about being in the moment and reading the audience. Sometimes its an audience you can educate, sometime it’s an audience just up for a good time. That’s the sort of thing I’ll be

MAY/JUN18

doing at Rockliffe this summer - people having a good time, playing songs we’re all familiar with.

I’ve got a foot in a lot of different genres at the moment. As we speak I’m in the studio with a bunch of Moroccan musicians, working on a project together. It’s a fusion between the rhythms of both Celtic and African music, which is actually very similar in instrumentation. I guess, as a writer, you find yourself in different places all of the time. It’s just about enjoying and making the most of new opportunities.

STAGE VS POP >> I never really saw the whole Broadway and West End thing coming. It’s great when you get to work with other people like Tim Rice or Andrew Lloyd Webber they’ll say, you know what Marti, you can do that.

At first, there’s a bit of fear because you’ve had to come out of your comfort zone, but you’re part of a team so you push yourself and take risks.

The positives of stage work are that you’re always learning and you’re part of a team you’re growing as an artist. The negative

side is that you’re on the road for eight months at a time, doing eight shows a week; but at least you’re working and you’re doing something that you have a passion for.

Thirty seconds before you open on Broadway you think, “was this the right decision”… and then the curtain goes up, you go on stage, a stream of conscious happens and away you go.

CAREER HIGHS AND LOWS >> It’s very much like a pendulum. You have highs and you have lows. I think, when you have a career that spans decades, what you want and what you need constantly changes. What you want as an artist at 19 is completely different to what you get when you enter your fifties.

It’s about being cool with yourself. As soon as you get to the top of the charts - it’s right what they say - the only way is to go down. Be cool with that. Give somebody else a shot. I think for me, it’s all about being able to try different things and still have a love, passion and enthusiasm for what you do.

NOW LIFE IS ALL ABOUT >> At the start of my career it was all about being top of the pops and accomplishing those things you sit in your bedroom and dream about as a child. As I get older, I’m a wee bit more focused on where my strengths lie. Life unfolds and you’ve got to engage in it, enjoy it and grow. Wow… I sounded like I knew what I was talking about there… scary!

DAY IN THE LIFE OF YOU >> It’s different every day, and that’s a blessing for me. I could be away working in America doing something with the Stevie Wonder people; and then I’ll jump on a plane to do a couple of months of panto. I’ve not got a big plan. I use my experiences as a vehicle to write new songs.

I could be working with Andrew Lloyd Webber, and then next I’m working and writing with Al Green - it’s surreal. I just like to go and make music and hang with people who inspire me. If it floats my boat, I’ll go and do it - why not.

DOWNTIME MEANS >> My idea of a good day is doing a bit of cooking and having some friends over for dinner. Arguing about which ice cream is the best. Is it Häagen-Dazs? Is it Ben & Jerry’s? Those great unanswered questions - just hanging out with friends and watching TV - it’s important to have that time.

MUSIC YOU LISTEN TO NOW >> I listen to practically anything. It’s a difficult one though, because when you spend a lot of time working with sound, when you get some downtime, the first thing I want to do is just turn the radio off to be honest. But I do enjoy musical theatre and all the mainstream artists of today.

See Marti Pellow live at Rockliffe Hall’s grand marquee event on Friday 15 June 2018. Buy tickets online at: www.rockliffe.com

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

17

SPOTLIGHT

GET NORTH WATER SCULPTURE >>

GREAT EXHIBITION OF THE NORTH - TOP 10

The UK’s largest water sculpture is coming to the banks of the Tyne this summer as part of the exhibition. Stroll along the Quayside and enjoy an hourly water show every day from 10am – 11pm. The spectacular feature will reach the height of the Tyne Bridge and will play to three specially commissioned soundtracks available to download. After dark, a stunning light display will add to the experience.

The North East is at the centre of the cultural spotlight this June as the Great Exhibition of the North, a summer-long celebration of art and innovation, comes to Newcastle

WE ARE WHERE WE ARE >>

Three interconnected trails will guide visitors through 30 world-class venues and public spaces in Newcastle and Gateshead. Trails include The Innovation Trail, The Arts Trail and The Design Trail.

Elysia Agnew picks out 10 of the top exhibition and events to see from June to September.

GREAT NORTHERN CONTEMPORARY CRAFT FAIR >> Pick up unique, handmade crafts at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at The Biscuit Factory this summer.

The two-day shopping event will give visitors the chance to buy and commission work from over 50 of the UK’s most talented artists and designer-makers.

>> Image - Glenn Brown 2016, In the end we all succumb to the pull of the molten core

INTU’S LITTLE BLACK GRAPHENE DRESS >>

ROBOTS – THEN AND NOW >>

Fashion aficionados should check out the world’s most high-tech little black dress in intu Eldon Square this summer.

See what your future wardrobe is made of with a ‘miracle material’ garment that responds to the wearer’s breathing using tiny LED lights. It’s time to get smart about the little black dress.

The Life Science Centre is taking visitors on a journey into humanity’s 500-year obsession with robots this summer in an intriguing, family-friendly exhibition. This on-going quest to reimagine ourselves at machines is truly fascinating and will take exhibition-goers from 16th century mechanical automatons, to some unsettling humanoids that will make you question what it means to be human.

LAUREN LAVERNE’S GREAT NORTHERN SOUNDTRACK >> Kicking off the first week of the exhibition, our March/ April 2017 cover star, Lauren Laverne is back home this summer with a week of gigs showcasing the best music from across the region. She’ll be curating concerts, presentations, talks and art exhibitions at Sage Gateshead, celebrating music from Newcastle to Manchester and Sunderland to Sheffield.

ROCKET RETURNS TO TYNESIDE >> Stephenson’s Rocket comes home to Newcastle, on loan from the Science Museum in London. Find out how this historic engine’s ground-breaking design heralded the birth of passenger railways at the Discovery Museum. The perfect opportunity to celebrate the region’s world-famous industrial heritage.

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This group exhibition at BALTIC 39 features new artwork inside, beneath and between treated walls. See this intriguing display from June – October to discover works by 11 talented artists from the North of England. The show and programme is the work of Liverpool Biennial Associate Artists.

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LITTLE INVENTORS NORTH 2030 >> You don’t have to leave your little ones at home when getting your North East culture fix this summer. The Discovery Museum is inviting children of the North to crank up their creativity in a programme of inspiring inventor workshops. Designers, engineers and creative makers of the future will share ideas and turn their inventions into reality.

THE NORTHERN POWERHOUSE BREW SERIES >> If you’re partial to a hop or two, make sure you check out The Northern Powerhouse Brew Series. Eight independent craft breweries from across the North of England have come together to create a series of limited edition beers.

Breweries from Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Huddersfield, Buxton, Kendal, Sheffield and Newcastle have joined forces with Wylam Brewery to develop eight new beers that celebrate the North. Only 6,600 cases of the beers will be produced, get your hands on them as part of the Great Exhibition of the North this summer.

FOLK ON THE TYNE >> More music inspiration can be found at the Sage’s Folk on the Tyne sessions. This relaxed introduction to folk music is a great event for the whole family to attend 11am until 12noon on 28 July 2018.

The Great Exhibition of the North is free to attend and will tell the inspiring story of the North of England and how its innovators, businesses, artists and designers have shaped our present and are enthusing our future.

For more information, visit: www.getnorth2018.com

MAY/JUN18

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It’s the little things we do that make a big difference

Tilly Bailey appoints new partner

2017 was a busy and exciting year for Tilly Bailey & Irvine law firm. We celebrated 175 years in business, we enjoyed continued success with further accolades in the 2017 Legal 500, we were a finalist in the 2017 Northern Law Awards and we also saw the appointment of Carolyn Tilly, our new managing partner, to name only a few of many highlights.

2018 has already got off to a great start as our two new partners, Joanne Cowie and Gareth Jones, settle into our commercial property team and we now welcome Nigel Broadbent to joint our commercial disputes team as a partner.

Nigel Broadbent has worked in the area of commercial litigation for three decades, acting for a wide variety of clients, including PLCs, SMEs, family businesses, franchised businesses, public bodies (such as NHS trusts and police authorities), partnerships and sole traders. Nigel is also an experienced advocate in a range of courts and tribunals and is an accredited mediator, experienced in all forms of alternative dispute resolution. His expertise encompasses contractual disputes of all types, particularly post-M&A, commercial contract claims, high-value or sensitive business to consumer disputes, engineering

and IT contract claims and claims arising out of professional services contracts; also partnership disputes, claims by and against company directors, and shareholder disputes.

Nigel is regularly instructed on many different types of professional negligence claims against accountants, solicitors, engineers, architects, surveyors and others.

He has also developed a particular interest in franchised businesses, advising on non-contentious matters as well as representing both franchisors and franchisees in disputes.

Nigel has worked in the North of England for most of his career and is now based in the firm’s Wynyard office which focuses on advising clients across the North East and beyond. He will be working alongside the other members of the firm’s Commercial Disputes Team comprising two partners, three solicitors and one paralegal.

If you would like to find out more about our dispute management services or any of our other legal services for business and private clients, please contact Nigel directly at nbroadbent@tbilaw.co.uk or via our Commercial Law office at Wynyard Business Park.

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm, 12 Evolution, Wynyard Park, Wynyard TS22 5TB Tel: 0800 052 6824 www.tbilaw.co.uk Find us on Twitter

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ADVERTORIAL

Fairway to Heaven The Masters Tournament brought golf back to our TV screens in stunning emerald beauty. With a new season ahead, LUXE reviews lifestyle friendly memberships at Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club

GOLF, HOT OR NOT? >> Brits love rising early for the smell of freshly mown grass and a stroll around the fairways and greens. Two million of us play golf at least twice a month.

Despite this, the sport isn’t everyone’s cup of tee – pun absolutely intended!

A recent YouGov survey of the British public revealed that golf is considered the most boring sport to watch.

Apparently it’s too slow and watching for four days to find out who’s won, well, just isn’t on.

All this probably explains why the sport is

Newcastle and within easy reach of the A690 and A19 south to Teesside.

It’s also one of the most accessible and welcoming places to play golf anywhere in our region.

Helen Roseberry, director of golf at Ramside Golf Club, understands that playing golf is a big commitment for busy people.

“Golf is one of the most socially rewarding sports and great for getting people outdoors to challenge themselves. On the flipside, you need to dedicate time to enjoy an 18 hole round, which is why we came up with new lifestyle-friendly memberships that suits people’s budgets and schedules,” said Helen.

golfers continue to enjoy the whole experience of being a member of a great golf club,” added Helen.

Members who take up the Flexi option can use points to invite guests at great value rates and also receive 10% discount in Ramside’s golf shop and on food and drinks bought in the Ramside clubhouse.

For better players, Flexi-members can also represent Ramside Golf Club in competitive amateur leagues and tournaments.

Golf at Ramside is a thrilling experience with giant manmade lakes, dramatic doglegs, sweeping fairways, huge white sand bunkers and some of the truest greens you’ll putt on.

The two courses are set in beautiful

of Pittington and Belmont. The holes run across a broad plateau before dropping down into a wooded valley dissected by a rolling beck.

Ramside is one of the North East’s most popular venues for corporate golf days and golf society outings.

“Being able to offer two courses, great accommodation and an outstanding choice of restaurants and entertainment makes Ramside attractive to event organisers and larger groups,” says Kirsty Green, golf sales executive at Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club.

For those businesses who view golf as essential to their profitability and productivity, Flexible Corporate memberships were recently introduced by Ramside.

For an annual joining fee of £2750 (inclusive of VAT), a corporate member receives 1000 points to use between four named golfers, with the option to use points to organise a

more fun to play and is so popular the length and breadth of this small isle.

After all, golf has the drop on so many other sports because you can play it no matter how young or old you are. If you can swing a club, hit the ball and walk the course, you’re welcome.

Here at LUXE we like to get in the swing, so we’re turning the spotlight on Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club and two ingenious ways it’s helping busy, career-minded people to enjoy their golf.

The four star country house hotel, golf club and spa at Ramside enjoy a superb location.

It’s close to the A1M heading North to

Flexi-Golf at Ramside does exactly what is says on the tin, offers a flexible membership option for golfers, who don’t feel they can commit to a full annual agreement.

The idea is simple but effective. You pay a modest one-off fee to become a member and then purchase points to exchange for rounds of golf during the year.

The membership scheme starts from as little as £325 and guarantees a whole host of benefits including an official CONGU handicap, entry into club competitions and the option to play golf any day of the week all-year-round.

“Flexi-Golf is designed to help less frequent

countryside on the outskirts of Durham City.

The oldest - The Prince Bishops’ – is set in a leafy low-lying valley around the main estate and hotel. Opened in 1996, the course has 16 man-made lakes on its par-72 layout, beautifully balanced between tricky short holes, reachable par fives and strong par-fours.

The second and newest course, The Cathedral, opened in 2014 and is laid out on former farmland between the quaint villages

golf day or event and invite clients to play the courses.

Ramside Estates Ltd, the parent company of Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, has invested heavily in both the hotel and golf club in recent years. The new Spa at Ramside was built at a cost of £11m with the new Cathedral Course costing £3m. The result is a complete leisure destination perfectly situated at the heart of the North East region.

20 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

For more information about playing golf at Ramside Hall, contact: Helen Roseberry, director of golf on: helen.roseberry@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk or call: 0191 386 9514. www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/golf

MAY/JUN18

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32 Hill Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5AA | 01434 633302 | www.saundersandpughe.com

LUXE LIFE

HELEN WOODS Graduating in 2001 with a law degree Helen, 33, has always worked in the housing industry and has emerged as a leading light in her field. Ensuring Mandale Homes maintains its reputation for highly desirable luxury housing is top priority. Living in Neasham Village, with husband Gareth is a welcomed contrast to busy day-to-day working life.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > London as there’s so much to do and you never get bored; or The Lake District which is the opposite end of the spectrum, for some chill out time.

A long holiday > I went to Bali a couple of years ago and it’s such a beautiful place, I would love to go back soon.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Pan Asian is definitely my favourite food although I do really enjoy trying new places to eat. Good food is a big love of mine.

Best wine > Red! My favourite ever is a 2010 Chateuneuf-du-pape, La Crau, Vieux Telegraphe.

Favourite restaurant > Locally my favourite is Chadwicks Inn, Maltby - the food there is always outstanding. A little further afield is the Gilpin Hotel which is just outside Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District.

Perfect weekend > When my husband is home (he does quite lengthly trips offshore), we would go out for dinner on the Friday evening, followed by the football on the Saturday and a catch-up with friends. Sunday would be a beach walk with Ruby our Yorkie, followed by a lovely roast with all the trimmings!

Downtime means > A good box set with an equally good glass of red and all of my candles.

Best telly > A few months ago my sister Harrie got me into Game of Thrones and it got addictive - I watched all six series in about three weeks! Other than that, I love Peaky Blinders and Luther, which was brilliant.

Best theatre > I do love going to see a good comedian, Micky Flanagan is probably my favourite. And I am going to see Derren Brown in a couple of months, which I am really excited for.

Best book > I often listen to podcasts when I am driving around our developments; I have just finished listening to Serial, which was really good.

Best sounds > My favourite band ever is Coldplay, I have seen them about five times now, but I love all live music and have been to Glastonbury a few times. I do also love Tina Turner and Whitney Houston, but I am only allowed to play them in the house when my husband is away!

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Either Manchester or London, for different reasons really. In Manchester everything is quite close together, but there’s loads of variety in London.

Favourite shop > Definitely Selfridges, it stocks all of my favourite designers and the bars/restaurants in there are great.

Luxe retail treat > Well, that’s easy - shoes and handbags.

I could actually spend days in The Shoe Galleries in Selfridges, London.

Best buy > My thing of the moment, although this does sound a bit sad, is a teapot! I love a good cup of tea and I have this thing about teapots that drip and spill when you pour them.

My sister-in-law did her research and bought me a gorgeous Whittard teapot for my birthday last month and it pours the perfect cup, I love it.

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Aren’t the best nights always the ones you can’t remember?

Perfect party > Our wedding - the only time you get to have a party with everyone that you care about in one place.

Best dress > My current favourite item is a pair of Saint Laurent trainers - they are so comfy.

Dinner date > Friday nights with hubby.

YOUR LUXE THINGS IN LIFE >> My husband and our dog, for sure.

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S P E C I A L I S T S I N K I T C H E N , B AT H R O O M A N D BEDROOM FURNITURE Bespoke Interiors / 16G Airport Industrial Estate, Newcastle / Tel 0191 2715630

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GOOD TIMES

Sweet charity Doing good things in the North East, our charity round-up BIG DAY >> Broadcaster and health campaigner Anne Diamond will host this year’s 36th North-East Ladies’ Day at Hardwick Hall near Sedgefield.

Anne has been a household broadcasting name for the past 30 years working in TV, radio and for national newspapers.

She is a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and The Wright Stuff on Channel 5 as well as agony aunt for the Sunday Mirror.

Anne is a well-known health campaigner for education on Cot Death and is the Anniversary Patron of FSIDS; an Ambassador for Action on Hearing Loss: RNID; and Patron of the National Obesity Forum.

Susan Andrews, Chair of North East Ladies Day said: “We are thrilled that Anne will be hosting this year’s North East Day Luncheon. She has campaigned to save thousands of babies for over 25 years and we know she is the perfect fit for our charitable event. This year we are fundraising for three amazing charities who support people with special and complex needs from the day they’re born to becoming an adult.”

NELD raise substantial funds for North-East charities each year and this year will be supporting JPC Community Farm, Neoangels and We Can Dance.

The event has raised almost £300,000 since the first event in 1983. Each year the North-East Ladies’ Day event grows. Last year’s charities received a combined donation of £22,400 and they hope to beat that amount this year.

The North-East Ladies’ Day 36th Luncheon will include a three-course lunch, shopping at over 20 stalls and a talk by Anne Diamond.

Anne’s speech entitled ‘Never turn down an adventure’ covers the ups and downs of her life.

Tickets for this year’s event are on sale now by visiting www.northeastladiesday.co.uk. Tickets are £48.

SMILE >> Honour Health, based at Osborne Road in Jesmond, is the newest main kit sponsor of West Jesmond AFC, and is lending its support to the club for the next three years.

Honour Health, owned by principal dentist Onkar Dhanoya, has three practices - in Ponteland, Jesmond and Stanley. Each of the three Honour Health practices pledged to support groups in their local communities who promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Honour Health Jesmond has chosen to sponsor West Jesmond AFC, which is based at Walker Technology College.

Mr Dhanoya said: “Our new name reflects the fact that we are always working to improve patients’ health, and so we are very keen to support the local community in healthy pursuits and encourage people to get active.”

BIG THANKS >> On the 10th anniversary of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Lady Elsie celebrated at an informal get-together with fundraisers.

The Foundation her husband launched in 2008 to raise £500,000 has gone on to raise over £12 million and she recalled the launch event.

“He was so nervous that day and really didn’t know what the reaction to his appeal would be. He was bowled over by the positive response and I know he’d be astounded by everything we’ve gone on to do.”

Over the last 10 years, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has funded cutting-edge cancer treatment and cancer support services that directly benefit patients from across the North East and Cumbria.

Lady Elsie continued: “Bob described our Foundation as his legacy. It’s part of him that endures. His attitude to any problem was ‘what are we going to do about it,’ and that’s also true of our Foundation.” www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk

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HELP OUT >> Child Bereavement UK is charity beneficiary at the Let’s Rock Festival on 9 June in Sunderland’s Herrington Country Park. The charity supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child faces bereavement.

Last year the charity raised over £60,000 selling wristbands and raffle tickets and they are looking for the support of up to 50 volunteers per event. The best part?

Before and after their 4-hour shift, volunteers get to enjoy the festival free of charge! To help contact femke.bekker@ childbereavementuk.org

SMART IDEA >> A look-good, feel-good charity with women at its heart has opened its doors in Newcastle. Smart Works provides clothing, styling and interview advice for women returning to work, all of this in a supportive and empowering environment.

The national charity is supported by, among others, Jennifer Saunders, Betty Jackson, Samantha Cameron and Bobbi Brown.

Outfits donated by individuals and fashion chains including Hobbs and Whistles, are delivered to a Smart Works studio where women are referred pre-interview, from local Job Centres.

At the two-hour Smart Works sessions, women are given styling advice from a Smart Works volunteer. They can try on a range of outfits and accessories and are given their chosen interview outfit to keep.

The second part of the session is a meeting with a volunteer mentor who will give the woman advice and coaching aimed at boosting their confidence prior to their job interview.

The interview session focuses on increasing the awareness of the woman’s own strengths, answering questions effectively and understanding what is expected at interview. Interview volunteers are all senior managers, HR professionals or executive coaches and in a focused session, ahead of a job interview, can have a significant impact on clients.

At a launch event at Trinity House on Newcastle Quayside, a range of professional women gathered to learn more about Smart Works with many following up as volunteers.

Heading up the charity in Newcastle are founding trustees, Helen Sinclair, chair of Smart Works and Katie Machin of Silk Family Law, who said: “We are extremely proud of the opportunity to bring Smart Works to the women of Newcastle. We are passionate about harnessing the power of clothes and confidence to help women in the North East succeed at interview and take the next step in their lives.”

Smart Works operates in six UK cities and the success of the project speaks for itself with many women returning to work after the Smart Works sessions.

When a Smart Works client gets a job, they can then return for a follow-up for more clothing to see them through to their first pay cheque.

For more information or to volunteer see www.smartworks.org.uk

MAY/JUN18

DATE FOR DAD

The condition which affects the lining of the lungs is incurable and generally treated in the first instance with chemotherapy.

As Robin’s condition worsened, the family looked at the options for immunotherapy treatment, but he became too sick to try this.

“Immunotherapy can stabilise the disease at an early stage and prolong life, in some cases adding ten years”, says Rob. “But the reality is that it costs hundreds of thousands of pounds for a course of treatment which a patient has to pay for – it should be free.

“This is a really aggressive form of cancer and unfortunately it is one of those cancers that doesn’t get the funding. Research funding just isn’t there. I know of people doing their research, trying to make a difference – but there is a lack of awareness even though this has

F1 fans out there would love the ‘money can’t buy’ experiences we will be auctioning. I hope they will support this cause.

This is a cancer left behind – and that is a disgrace

Rob’s race for change

significant impact on the health of people – especially in the North East.”

Rob is hosting a Grand Prix dinner at Ramside Hall in June to raise funds for charities involved in research, support and awareness for mesothelioma.

He will take part in a Q&A for fans and offer ‘money can’t buy’ F1 memorabilia and experiences which are likely to draw interest from fans from afar.

After diagnosis, Rob’s parent’s felt very lost and alone and contacted Mesothelioma UK, a national charity dedicated to improving the care of people with the disease.

They attended PRASAG (Paul Readhead Asbestos Support Awareness Group) support group meetings, gaining support and advice - it was, says Rob a lifeline at a tough time.

Mesothelioma affects approximately 2,700 people in the UK each year. There is no cure and limited options for treatment. The Smedley family realised how little research there is regarding this type of cancer within the UK, with people often thinking “It’s a dying cancer and it won’t happen to me.” Mesothelioma receives little funding compared to other cancers and the family became aware that research is so desperately needed.

Samantha Cox, from Newton Aycliffe, learnt about the

F1 Grand Prix engineer Rob Smedley hosts a charity dinner in June in memory of his dad Robin who died from the lung disease mesothelioma. Rob tells Kathryn Armstrong why the cause is so important to him

It’s the day before Good Friday and Rob Smedley is having a rare bit of downtime with his wife Lucy and boys Frankie, nine and Felix, six.

He checks in from Perth, Australia where he is staying with family and is looking forward to a Good Friday spent in the sunshine and surf of their local beaches.

Rob has touched down in the city from the first F1 Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne.

Next stop will be Bahrain and then it’s on to China for Rob, who is head of performance and engineering with the F1 Williams team.

Rob, from Normanby, Middlesbrough, is highly respected in the F1 world where he became well-known for his partnership with Felipe Massa when they were with Ferrari.

Now he is supporting the Williams team with drivers Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin as another F1 season gets underway.

The racing paddock is where Rob calls home and it is a place he often shared with his dad Robin who was

MAY/JUN18

proud as punch of his son’s career achievements.

“Dad was a bit of a celebrity in the paddock”, laughs Rob. “He was much loved and we were really good mates, everyone said that.”

Robin, who had been fit and healthy into his 70s, frequently joined Rob on the F1 circuit. He died in summer 2017 after being diagnosed with the lung cancer, mesothelioma in 2015. The disease is directly related to asbestos and rates are high in the North East because of the region’s heritage of heavy industry.

This was true for Robin as Rob explains; “My dad was an apprentice at ICI on Teesside in the 60s when he was little more than a kid.

“There wasn’t the knowledge then about asbestos in the workplace and how lethal it is.

“Dad was diagnosed in 2015 – we had been together in Barcelona for the Grand Prix. He was saying he was breathless and I said he should get himself checked when he got home.

“The diagnosis was mesothelioma and that was earth-shattering”, remembers Rob.

devastating effect of these diseases first-hand when her father was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. She founded PRASAG in memory of her father to provide support and awareness for people affected by asbestos-related diseases and their families across the North East of England.

Rob hopes the dinner will raise valuable funds for more services in the region; “I know there are F1 fans out there who would love the ‘money can’t buy’ experiences we will be auctioning so I hope they will support this cause.

“This is a cancer left behind – and that is a disgrace.”

Rob Smedley’s Grand Prix Dinner will be held at Ramside Hall, Durham on 2 June at 7pm.

Tickets, £65pp via Samantha Cox on 07929 391529 or email prasag@outlook.com Donate at Just Giving www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/prasag www.mesothelioma.uk.com www.prasag.co.uk

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SUNSHINE GIRL

LIVING IT UP with Varsha Sehgal, checking out far flung feasts and fine things

THRILLED BY >> It can be hugely disappointing when old and beautiful is sacrificed to make way for something new and modern.

I have been visiting Annabel’s in Mayfair for years and have always loved the feeling it conjures with its dimly lit rooms, artwork, plush velvets, smart waiting staff and beautifully dressed clientele. As you enter you instantly feel like you’ve been swept into a secret world of decadence.

So I was a little apprehensive at whispers regarding the refurbishment to modernise the club. My fears were laid to rest, however, during a recent visit.

Having made some spectacular changes, they have retained the niche elements that make this place the most exclusive private members’ club. The restaurants, bars, nightclub, private dining rooms, garden terrace and cigar salon spread over four floors are powerhouses of influence and style.

Sat under the glass canopy in the garden, tucking in to my truffle pizza and wine, I was thrilled to be back amongst the movers and shakers in a world that is beyond surreal.

TRAVELLED TO >> A serene hamlet in the Turkish Riviera, Bodrum is a city of ancient ruins, azure blue seas and unspoilt beaches. A former fishing village with a past that can be traced back to 300 BC, Bodrum had been a part of the Greek and Ottoman empires before it eventually became a Turkish state. These influences remain unmistakable and deeply embedded in the fabric of life in this little peninsula.

Seduced by the beauty of its rugged coastline, pine-clad hills, warm sunshine, an abundance of delicious seafood and wine and an intriguing mix of the exotic and western, Bodrum for me is a fabulous destination. If direct flights in the summer seal the decision for you, here are some ideas that might help plan a visit: Stay > Mandarin Oriental - located in Paradise Bay (the name says it all) this is a stunning resort with private beaches, gourmet restaurants, a beach club (the Blue Marlin) and superb spa.

Panoramic views overlooking the Aegean, first class service and a real sense of exclusivity.

Macakizi Hotel - another stylish and luxurious property with a bohemian vibe. Situated over Turkbuku Bay, this hotel boasts stunning views and a glitzy clientele.

>> Mandarin Oriental

Dine > Lunch Bodrum Balikcisi - this is a Turkish restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental serving the most delicious authentic mezzes, warm breads, olives and Turkish fish which go down beautifully with a crisp glass of Domain Ott. The olive trees that grow on the hillside, flower beds bursting with colour and views of Blue Beach below make it a serene place to spend an afternoon.

Blue Marlin - a stylish beach club, it has great music and food and the afternoons melt away into evenings that lead

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onto parties on the beach at night.

Il Riccio - famous for its stunning setting on Cennet Koyu, this is pricey Italian food paired with exquisite wines - worth a spy anyhow!

Maca Kizi - the most stylish jetty and the best seafood in town unquestionably. Arrive here early and spend the day lounging on a pre-booked cabana, swimming in the Aegean, lunching on freshly caught lobsters, mussels and fish at the restaurant perched above and at sun-down sampling cocktails at the open air bar.

>> Maca Kizi

Dinner Assaggio - a cool seabreeze, twinkling stars and the lapping sea make this the most idyllic alfresco dining experience.

The fact that the food is top-notch and service superb, render it unmissable. The truffle pasta was so good we returned more than once in a single trip!

Miam - for a semi-casual evening amongst locals, this place is bursting with life and music under the soft glow of the moon and hundreds of fairy lights. The divine food is an added bonus for a perfect evening.

Kocadon - regarded by many as the best food in all of Turkey, this restaurant is in Old Town Bodrum. The setting is simple but not without charm. Candlelit tables in an ancient courtyard and under a canopy of giant palm trees.

Zuma - as far as alfresco dining goes, Bodrum is unbeatable on every count. Japanese food that is consistently good, no matter where in the world a Zuma is located, this restaurant enjoys the added benefit of its perfect and most picturesque location in Palmarina.

See > A visit to the Old Town is a must, not just because it has some fabulous markets for treasures in the form of a piece of jewellery, shawl or rug, but this is also where many of the city’s historical sights like the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Bodrum Castle and Tepecik Mosque can be found. In the evenings this is a great place to come for a stroll and get a feel of local life and maybe stop for an ice-cream.

Do > At sea - The bays that form the coastline of Bodrum also hide caves that are great for exploring. Sailing and all kinds of water sports are extremely popular. The gulet (a wooden, two or three masted boat) from the Old Town is a particularly fun experience.

On land - to be in Turkey and not try a traditional hammam would be a crying shame. A holistic ritual that guarantees pampering of the highest pedigree, this is a tradition that has withstood the test of time.

Raki has been a part of Turkish life for centuries and is Turkey’s answer to the French absinthe. It is an aniseflavoured milky drink that should only be consumed with food and sipped slowly.

TASTED >> Back home, located on Westgate Road, St. Sushi’s appeal is its unpretentious and relaxed attitude to dining well. Having heard so many people rave on about it, as a foodie I felt I simply had to try it out - the fact that it didn’t come with fancy Michelin endorsements didn’t deter me in the least and I am glad I gave it a go.

The menu comprised of almost a hundred different options which the staff were very helpful in assisting me to narrow down to a few dishes. My sushi order of the Soft Shell Crab Maki, Fiery Tempura Prawns and Fresh Salmon Temaki was creative, fresh and heavenly to taste and the Pork Gyoza, Miso Cod, Chicken Teriyaki and Kimchi Fried Rice that followed were equally delectable. The entire lunch experience was thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying and I look forward to more visits in the future.

TEMPTED BY >> I think most people would agree winter overstayed its welcome this year and many of us have been longing to ditch the heavy coats and dark colours for summer dressing and brighter hues.

Walking down Mount Street, despondent by the weather, I walked into the Gianvito Rossi boutique and what was meant to be shelter from the rain and a quick browse ended up being a three pairs of shoes acquisition trip of which the Giada Mule was a noteworthy addition and begs a mention.

Ivory mules handmade with white embroidered lace, pictured below.

They could almost be bridal but will most definitely sail through summer with grace and enhance the appeal of any beautiful summer dress.

TRIED ON >> Every Mother’s Day I am treated to a new and brilliant find by my children (good taste and staying ahead of the style curve comes naturally to them, of course). This year my gift came in gold wrapping bearing a super luxurious decanter of the the latest addition to the Tom Ford perfume range, the Vanille Fatale. With similar tones as its predecessor the Tobacco Vanilla, Vanille Fatale is utterly seductive with hints of myrrh, olibanum, roasted coffee and frangipani. It is an enticing and unforgettable fragrance which currently holds pride of place on my dresser.

THINKING ABOUT >> People are always shocked when they find out that I see myself as a rock chic. Growing up, it wasn’t Tom Cruise or Take That that adorned my walls, instead my room was a shrine where Michael Hutchence, Kurt Cobain and Steven Tyler were gods. In fact, my trip to Glastonbury in 2017 happened only because the Foo Fighters were headlining and Coachella in 2016 was merely an excuse to see Guns n Roses live! I was distraught when I missed Def Leppard a few years ago in Las Vegas so imagine my hysteria when I discovered they are coming to Newcastle this December!

So, 9th December is down in the diary as a ‘let’s get rocked’ day!

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Manorside North A1(M)

A689

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Wynyard Village The Stables

FIND US AT

SAT NAV TS22 5GS

BREEZY DAYS

LUXE LOVES Garden gathering We can’t promise hazy sunshine but fresh air feasts are the best thing about spring. Just grab a blanket.

Outdoorsy accessories from a selection, House of Fraser. www.houseoffraser.co.uk

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MAY/JUN18

SPRING TO LIFE AT

WALWICK HALL

SPRING IS FINALLY IN THE AIR AT WALWICK HALL, NORTHUMBERLAND. MAKE THE MOST OF THE BETTER WEATHER WITH OUR NEW PACKAGES THAT OFFER SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS ON OUR STANDARD RATES AND INCLUDE ACCESS TO OUR UNIQUE LEISURE FACILITIES - LET US PUT SOME LUXURY INTO YOUR SPRING BREAK. THE CHANGE IN SEASON HAS ALSO BROUGHT A CHANGE IN MENUS TO THE DINING ROOM. CRAB CAKES, CRISPY COD CHEEKS AND FILLET OF BEEF TATAKI ARE JUST A FEW OF THE DELICIOUS SPRING-INSPIRED DISHES YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN DINING WITH US. NON-RESIDENTS WELCOME. FINALLY, IF YOU’VE NOT HAD AN INVITE TO THE ROYAL WEDDING, WHY NOT JOIN US TO CELEBRATE? WE’RE OFFERING A VERY BRITISH AFTERNOON TEA ON THE 18TH, 19TH AND 20TH MAY - SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT WWW.WALWICKHALL.COM

HUMSHAUGH, HEXHAM, NORTHUMBERLAND. NE46 4BJ. T 01434 620 156 WWW.WALWICKHALL.COM

SUMMER SHARP

Alice + Olivia Multi Cap Sleeve Dress, £395, Fenwick Newcastle

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W E D D I N G S , R A C E D AY S , S W A N K Y S O C I A L S A N D S U N N Y C E L E B R AT I O N S . L E T ’ S H E A R I T F O R S U M M E R ’ S D R E S S I N G U P D AY S . . .

Victoria Beckham Sleeveless Bow Shirt, £199, Jules B Yarm Victoria Beckham Duck Egg Fluid Wool Trousers, £465, Jules B Yarm

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SUMMER SHARP

HOLLIE Kenzo Trim Sleeveless Dress, £495, Fenwick Newcastle Aspinal of London Clutch, £95, Fenwick Newcastle ANDREW Hugo Boss Sky Blue Basic Poplin Shirt, £65, Fenwick Newcastle Hackett London Linen Herringbone Blazer, £350, Fenwick Newcastle Calvin Klein Navy Chinos, £99, Fenwick Newcastle

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MAY/JUN18

SOFAS | BEDS | MATTRESSES

Visit our Seaton Delaval showroom at Delcor House, Double Row, NE25 0PR Only 20 minutes from Newcastle city centre 0191 237 1303 WWW.DELCOR.CO.UK

SUMMER SHARP

Beatrice Italia Tessuto Mara Frill Dress, £265, Fenwick Newcastle

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SUMMER SHARP

Self Portrait Star Mesh Midi Dress, £360, Fenwick Newcastle Bao Bao Issey Miyake Pouch, £190, Fenwick Newcastle

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SUMMER SHARP

Hugo Boss White Basic Poplin Shirt, £65, Fenwick Newcastle Calvin Klein Navy Chinos, £99, Fenwick Newcastle

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SUMMER SHARP

Photography

Models

KEVIN GIBSON

HOLLIE SCORER

WWW.KGPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

ANDREW WELSH

Hair

Stockists

JOE STOKER 07538787620 OR

FENWICK NEWCASTLE

SEARCH @JOESTOKERHAIR ON

WWW.FENWICK.CO.UK/STORES/NEWCASTLE

FACEBOOK AND @JOESTOKER95

JULES B YARM, WWW.JULESB.CO.UK

ON INSTAGRAM

Location

Makeup

JESMOND DENE HOUSE

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

NEWCASTLE NE2 2EY

FENWICK NEWCASTLE

WWW.JESMONDDENEHOUSE.CO.UK

www.ch arl e s cl i n kard .co.u k MAY/JUN18

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PACK PERFECT

STYLE SWIPE

Your holiday packing guide – discover my travel must-haves for a luxurious summer retreat It’s time to start picking out some gorgeous summer pieces to add to your wardrobe for the season ahead. Our French Salon designer womenswear department has been flooded with stunning new arrivals that will make the ideal additions to your holiday suitcase. Think about dressing for long days spent relaxing by the coast or evening adventures to exciting old-town restaurants.

I’ve picked out this gorgeous See by Chloé matching top (£170) and culottes (£180) set.

Made from super lightweight cotton, this floaty material is perfect for days when the temperature is sky high. I love the gorgeous draw string detailing and the on-trend 70s-inspired colour palette and print.

You’ll find similar lightweight options in the SS18 collections by Lolly’s Laundry and Issey Miyake; easy to pack and comfortable to wear, their designs make perfect holiday companions.

I’ve ramped up the 70s vibes with Mulberry’s new Lynton bag (£595), crafted from the softest leather, this elegant bag can be carried by hand or on its delicate chain shoulder strap. There’s just enough space for a pair of Saint Laurent’s dreamy sunglasses (£220) and, of course, a camera to record those all-important holiday memories.

Slides are still ruling the holiday footwear game so whether you’re after something bold and sporty or something a little more luxurious this is still the style to go for.

I’ve picked out Russell & Bromley’s Bleeker Slide (£135). This functional style can be worn around the pool or to the bar.

Finally, to really get in the holiday spirit, spritz on Kilian’s newest fragrance ‘Love the way you Feel’ (£185, 50ml) – this beautiful scent will instantly remind you of far flung beaches on exotic islands… it’s paradise in a bottle!

Catherine Newton is Head of Womenswear at Fenwick Newcastle.

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MAY/JUN18

BEACH DAYS

<< WATERCULT Swimming Costume, £109

Luxe up your swimwear this season with stunning designs by Heidi Klein, Vilebrequin and Stella McCartney Kids. Visit Fenwick Newcastle to find everything you need to prepare your family for a summer spent relaxing on the beach!

Womenswear >>

MAKE A

HEIDI KLEIN >> Bikini Top, £95; Bottoms, £95

<< STELLA MCCARTNEY KIDS Swimming Costume, £55

VILEBREQUIN >> Swim Shorts, £165

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Childrenswear >>

Menswear >>

<< VILEBREQUIN Swim Shorts, £165

LACOSTE >> Swim Shorts, from £35

MAY/JUN18

beauty comes from within at the leas in medburn Mandale Homes have unveiled their finest show home to date at The Leas in Medburn

Nestled away in the idyllic village of

stunning contemporary kitchens, granite

Medburn. An exclusive development

worktops, log burning stoves and downstairs

of six luxury new homes are now

underfloor heating are all indicative of the

available for purchase.

high specification these homes deliver.

These grand in stature four-bedroom

Couple this with the surrounding

homes ooze opportunity to make them

countryside and views to afar from all

your own. Large open plan areas, spacious

aspects from within, plus the ideal location

rooms throughout and bi-folding doors

of neighbouring Newcastle being just a

which bring the outside in, ensure a light

short ten-minute drive away it’s easy to

and airy breath-taking living space.

see why this development is commanding high interest. The only trouble for most is

The Bluebell show home and Corncockle

deciding which home is right for them.

view home are inspiring visitors, the

THE LEAS M E D B U R N

The Leas, The Avenue, Medburn, NE20 0JD THE LEAS

The Bluebell showhome is available for you to view on Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm and on Saturday and Sunday 11.30am - 6pm.

Viewings can be arranged at other times by appointment.

M E D B U R N

You can find out more at mandalehomes.com or by calling 07712 089663.

PLAITS RIGHT

Braid & bold Dare I say it, but I do believe that spring has sprung!

After what feels like such a long wet winter I think we could all do with some blue skies to pick up the mood.

I reckon it’s only fair that we get an extra long summer to make up for the dreary months we’ve all had to endure.

Thankfully the weather hasn’t slowed down our start to 2018. We’ve been super busy with exciting photo shoots, award wins and international shows - one of which was in Moscow.

I’ve got to be honest, I was doubtful as to whether the trip would go ahead in the midst of the political situation, but it seems

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that neither the Russian or British hairdressing industries are allowing politics to get in the way of creativity!

We were there for the Russian Hairdressing Awards and were very honoured to be asked to put on a hair show at the super swanky awards event.

The show was a huge success with no fewer than 120 models stomping down the runway; yes, 120! There was such buzz and excitement, making it all pretty spectacular.

I often get asked about the standard and quality of hairdressing and I must say that Russia does so well on the trend and fashion front, creating awesome styles.

This month’s image comes to you courtesy of one of our Art Team members, Sophie. It is a gorgeous springtime-inspired look that

is screaming out for warm weather.

Perfectly precise scalp braids are channelled into gorgeous honey and caramel textured waves that look simply sublime.

This is definitely a style which requires salon expertise. It certainly works for both day and night and would look just as stunning when matched with a pair of jeans as it would with a gorgeous evening dress. We think this summer is going to be all about braids and we love it.

Sophie Gibson is at the Hooker and Young Gosforth Park salon – she really is a master braider!

Michael Young and Gary Hooker run Hooker & Young, with five salons regionwide. www.hookerandyoung.co.uk

MAY/JUN18

SOFAS | BEDS | MATTRESSES

Visit our Seaton Delaval showroom at Delcor House, Double Row, NE25 0PR Only 20 minutes from Newcastle city centre 0191 237 1303 WWW.DELCOR.CO.UK

HIGH SHNE

MOUTH MATTERS WITH ONKAR DHANOYA

>> BOUNCE BACK Origins Original Skin Cleansing Jelly, £19.50.

We love the fresh, bouncy texture of this new, deep-cleansing face wash from Origins. The lightweight gel, free of mineral oil, parabens and other nasties, transforms into a nourishing, milky cleanser with a just few splashes of water, helping to break down and dissolve stubborn face and eye makeup and excess oil. Massage into wet skin, rinse off and show off baby-soft skin. www.origins.co.uk

>> COVER UP

Onkar Dhanoya is clinical lead and principal dentist at Honour Health, providing NHS and private dental care and skin treatments at three practices across the North East - Jesmond, Stanley and Ponteland.

Onkar, who has more than 30 years of dentistry experience, sits on the board of the Faculty of General Dental Practice and holds a fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons (London).

bareMinerals barePro 16-Hour Full Coverage Concealer, £23.

Brighten up your peepers to fake a full night’s sleep with this brand new concealer, delivering ultra-creamy coverage that’s natural-looking, crease-proof and, somehow, stays put all day.

It’s also waterproof and humidity-resistant, making it a perfect pop-in-your-suitcase product if you’re jetting off to warmer climes over the coming months. www.bareminerals.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT ON INVISALIGN >> At Honour Health, we know that healthy, straight, white teeth can transform a patient’s smile and provide a huge boost to their confidence.

Properly positioned teeth not only look good, but also make for healthier teeth and gums. Straightened teeth are easier to clean, which in turn reduces the chances of plaque retention, tooth decay and gum disease.

Many people believe that the only way they can achieve straight teeth is by wearing fixed, visible, ‘train track’ braces, but this is not necessarily the case. We offer a popular alternative called Invisalign – a removable, clear, comfortable treatment.

Invisalign straightens the teeth using a number of almost invisible, custom-made, removable aligners, with no braces or wires, offering you the flexibility to eat and drink what you like during treatment, and to brush and floss normally.

beauty:update With spring in full swing and summer on the horizon, thoughts turn to brighter, glow-giving makeup and fresh-looking skin that’s been soothed and smoothed over night… >> MATTE MAKER Bioderma Sebium Mat Control, £12.50.

Tackle shiny skin as the weather (slowly) warms up, with a few pats of Bioderma’s new mattifying moisturiser. A perfect pick for oily, sensitive complexions, the gentle fluid melts into skin, leaving zero residue, helping to refine and tighten pores, control shine for up to eight hours and tend to pesky blemishes and blocked pores. A great base for makeup, too. www.bioderma-uk.com

First, we see you for a free consultation, to examine your teeth.

If you are suitable candidate for Invisalign, we’ll take the following steps: • Take an impression of your teeth • Create a tailored treatment plan • Show you, using 3D technology, how your teeth will gradually move into their final position • Provide you with custom-made, easily removable aligners • Ask you to wear each set of aligners for two weeks at a time Aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day throughout your treatment. Each set of aligners will then very gradually move your teeth towards their final position.

The treatment time depends on the complexity of each individual case, but can typically last between 9-18 months. When your Invisalign treatment is finished, we also offer complimentary teeth whitening - the finishing touch to your smile transformation.

If you’d like to find out more about Invisalign, please visit us for a free, no obligation consultation, where we’ll explain the treatment process and answer any questions you may have.

Members of our Honour Health Club receive 10% off Invisalign treatment, and a range of other benefits including worldwide dental insurance and evening and weekend appointments. If you’d like further information about our membership plans, just ask our reception team.

Book your free consultation online at www.honourhealth.co.uk or call your chosen practice below.

Honour Health Jesmond Tel: 0191 281 3913 Email: jesmond@honourhealth.co.uk Honour Health Ponteland Tel: 01661 821 412 Email: ponteland@honourhealth.co.uk

>> FRESHEN UP Jimmy Choo Blossom Special Edition Eau de Parfum, £48, (60ml). We can’t get enough of Jimmy Choo’s new, springtime scent - a sparkling, sweeter version of the brand’s iconic fragrance. The perfect balance between floral and fruity, with juicy notes of exotic fruits blended with light frangipani and sandalwood, it’s an absolute must-buy for anyone after an uplifting, refreshing and feminine spritz for the warmer months.

Honour Health Stanley Tel: 01207 232 725 Email: stanley@honourhealth.co.uk

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MAY/JUN18

SMOOTH OUT

>> SERENE SKIN Neom Perfect Night’s Sleep Cleansing Balm, £32.

Neom’s new cleanser is a soothing winner, guaranteed to calm even the most stressed-out skin, leaving it softer, more balanced and replenished. It’s 100 per cent natural and infused with 14 pure, relaxing essential oils, including lavender and chamomile, and vitamin-rich oils, all of which help to repair tired skin and help you prepare for sleep. Best massaged into clean, damp skin and removed with a muslin cloth. www.neomorganics.com

Quick calm >> Jessica Laing finds speedy serenity at Fenwick Newcastle’s all-new BeautyBAR by Clarins…

>> YOUTH BOOST Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix, £145.

Smooth this new, lightweight gel-cream over your face at night to wake up to a smoother, more youthful complexion with visible bounce-back. The perfect overnight treatment for anyone battling stress, sleepless nights or daily pollution, it’s packed with powerful peptide technology which works through the night, flooding skin with hydration, plumping fine lines and wrinkles and restoring clarity and firmness. www.elemis.com

<< FAB FLUSH

NARSissist Wanted Cheek Palette I and II, £45 each. New for spring/summer, NARS reveals a curated selection of 12 new and beloved cheek shades in two limited-edition palettes. Brighten up with cool corals and pops of pink, or go bold with radiant reds and deep raspberry in matte, satin and shimmer finishes. As with all NARS blushers, the formulas are buttery soft and blend like a dream. Get your hands on them while you can. www.narscosmetics.co.uk

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Created with busy beauty-lovers and short-on-time shoppers in mind, the new BeautyBAR by Clarins is a one-stop retreat for time-maximising spa sessions, promising the same results and luxury experience you’d expect from a classic Clarins spa treatment, but cleverly condensed so you’re good to go in double time.

You’ll discover the stylish little sister to Clarins’ state-of-theart Skin Spa in Fenwick Newcastle’s glossy Beauty Hall - and what a little haven of tranquility it is. Stepping through the doors feels like entering a new, calm world. Surprising, given you’re essentially still on the shop floor.

But once sat in your chair, gently reclined to take the weight off your feet, and cocooned in your own fluffy blanket, the department store buzz around you quickly subsides and I soon found myself zoning out and surrendering to the essential oil-infused smells, relaxing music around me, and the therapist’s soothing touch. You quickly forget where you are.

The new spa hub serves up eight express treatments, from stress-melting massages to fatigue-fighting facials. Simply turn up, choose which one you’d like and kick-back for 30 minutes while your therapist tailors the treatment to your skin’s needs - the perfect pick-me-up while shopping, after work or before an event.

I stopped by one morning, armed with dull, lacklustre skin, a few pesky breakouts around my jaw and eye bags the size of Brazil. And so the spa’s City Skin Rescue treatment was recommended; a restoring facial that combines deepcleansing action and detoxifying massage techniques to bring skin back to a calmer, clearer state.

Turns out, it was just the ticket. Clarins’ Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind was applied in invigorating circular movements all around my chops, breaking down surface oils, and a few cooling swipes of the brand’s iris-infused toning lotion made sure my pores were squeaky clean. A generous amount of one of my all-time favourite Clarins products, the SOS Pure Mask, was applied next to help calm spots and plump up any signs of dehydration, followed by a slick of Truly Matte Pore Minimising Serum (massaged deep into the skin) to keep shine at bay - a great product if, like me, you wrestle with oiliness daily.

After a slick of eye cream, a few pats of refreshing moisturiser and a dab of SPF fluid, I emerged fresh-faced, like I’d just rejoined the world after eight hours’ sleep. My skin appeared brighter, perkier and smoother than a baby’s behind - and the happy, zen-like vibes stayed with me for hours after. Well worth the £25 price tag.

For more information, or to book a treatment, visit www.fenwick.co.uk/newcastle or call the counter on (0191) 230 5033

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TURRETS & TREATS

Castle high

Get lost in the Scottish countryside and live like royalty at this regal riverside retreat. Elysia Agnew checks in for haggis, a history lesson and a healthy dose of spa time

What does an away-from-it-all retreat mean to you? Perhaps it’s leaving your phone at home and checking in for a spa weekend; or maybe it’s finding somewhere fancy to tick off your foodie bucket list.

For us, ‘away-from-it-all’ is somewhere secluded, somewhere off the beaten track.

Jumping in the car, following a map (or negotiating with a sat nav) and finding a completely unique final destination.

Somewhere similar to what you’ve seen on the big screen – whether that’s a quaint stone cottage, a chick-flick city pad or an enchanting escape.

It’s those fairytale moments that spring to mind as we pull up at Dalhousie Castle.

Set in acres of rolling countryside, the building sparks childhood memories.

The dream of living it up in a grand old castle becomes reality as we check in to Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle. Inside the ancient walls you’ll find a luxurious

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hotel steeped in rich history.

With a dramatic backdrop on the banks of the River Esk, this beautiful bolthole boasts over 700 years of history. Once the seat of the Ramsay clan, the castle has an illustrious guest list including King Edward I, Sir Walker Scott, Oliver Cromwell and Queen Victoria.

As far as castle hotels go, this one is pretty untouched. It hasn’t been ripped out and rebranded – it boasts many of its original features and quaint characteristics. A working castle that has been expertly crafted and lovingly modified to create a retreat for guests to come in, relax and live like royalty.

The moat has been filled in and the drawbridge has been lifted for the final time, but there is still something very real about this place. Tweed, twill and tartan interiors strike us as soon as we step through the lobby.

It’s warm, it’s inviting and it has a real sense of place. Subtle Scottish music plays out through the speakers, while stone fireplaces

flicker and historical artefacts decorate the walls. This place is sure about its past, but it doesn’t oversee the present and the needs of the modern discerning traveller.

Today, the castle is open as a luxurious destination for travellers far and wide. From visitors who want to get a taste of the real

Scottish countryside, to guests checking in for a grand staycation with sumptuous pampering packages and a fine foodie offering.

You’ll find history in every nook and cranny, from the pokey passageways, to the secret hiding holes and the deep, dark walls of the dungeon. There are 29 regal rooms and suites on site, all individually designed with a tale to tell.

Dalhousie Castle is a maze of majestic walkways, cloisters and antique furnishings.

If you’re not already feeling ‘away-from-it-all’ in the faraway location, the hotel’s stone staircases, grand entrances and high ceilings will quickly whisk you away to another time.

A time of pure elegance and majesty. Plush, period furniture makes a statement, rich, Scottish fabrics decorate the communal spaces, and ornate detailing adds charm and character to this regal retreat.

The Scottish style, sophistication and

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Ditch your dentures splendour flows through to the suites and bedrooms. Complete with dreamy soft cotton bedding and all the latest mod cons you’d expect from a flash city flat, they’re a real home from home - with a mysterious edge. Creaky floors, carved woodwork and cosy, tartan furnishings are combined with a contemporary bathroom suite kitted out with Molton Brown toiletries and fluffy robes for pure relaxation.

Being able to relax and retreat is key to the Dalhousie experience. If you’re looking for something more than sliding into your slippers in your state-of-the-art suite, the Aqueous Spa is well worth a visit. It’s a spa-lovers paradise, proud to be the first hydro spa of its kind in Scotland.

Discover the basement’s old vaults that have been carefully converted into a cave-like thermal suite complete with hydro pool, a Roman-style sauna, a Turkish-inspired steam bath and tropical rain showers. The Aqueous Spa is a great place to rejuvenate the body and mind, particularly after a long journey.

The top of the range treatments seal the deal. So good, in fact, we book in for two.

A Pure Balancing Facial followed by a Deep Rebalancing Massage, both using indulgent Darphin products. Heaven.

The spa facilities really do bring something special to the castle. An opportunity to switch off, take it all in and enjoy a bit of bliss in the basement.

But it’s as the sun sets over the grounds, when Dalhousie Castle really comes to life.

Candles are lit in cracks between the stone walls and the doors of The Dungeon Restaurant are opened up to hotel guests and diners. An evening in the hands of the restaurant team starts in the Library’s ‘secret

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bar’. Seated in comfy leather armchairs by the large open fire, we’re wined, watered and ready to browse the menu.

The traditional Scottish dining experience takes diners from the charming coziness of the secret Library Bar, down to the hotel’s ancient barrel-vaulted dungeons. Suits of armour and war-time weapons decorate the stone walls and candles are lit as the dungeon transforms into the area’s finest 2 AA Rosette restaurant. Go here for authentic Scottish dishes, cooked and prepared in classic French style.

Starters include foié gras terrine with smoked duck, and slow cooked fillet of sole with kale panna cotta. A main course of braised beef cheek is effortlessly tender, served with haggis pomme dauphine, shallots and turnip fondant.

A truly unique experience combining Scottish history, local food and fine dining, The Dungeon Restaurant is well worth the trip.

If you’re living like royalty for a long weekend and you’re looking to explore the surrounding areas, you’re in a great place to do so. On-site activities include the noble art of falconry, archery classes and strolls through the grounds, golf-enthusiasts will be pleased to hear there are plenty of picturesque courses nearby, and sightseers can reach Scotland’s capital city in just 30 minutes.

Dalhousie Castle is the ultimate rural retreat for those looking for a bit of out of town downtime, but within easy reach of Edinburgh and the towns surrounding the Scottish borders. It’s the perfect stop off spot as part of a Scottish road trip. www.bestloved.com

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www.thecosmeticdentalclinic.com www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 49

15:15

HAPPY DAYS

WELCOME!

Nina waves her magic wand over some action-packed adventures..

with Nina Robinson

I’ve gone for the chop! My bob is back and this time it’s even bouncier. I’ve been thinking about a short new hair do for a while after experimenting with a long bob a year or so ago. After one too many fights with my hairbrush I decided to go for it and asked my hairdresser to be a bit more radical!

My new, low maintenance look means I’m ready for action in minutes – which is lucky given all of the exciting things that are coming up this summer. Did you know the biggest event in England this year is taking place on our doorstep very soon? Read on to find out more…

Love Nina x

Potty about Potter! >> It’s fair to say I’ve become something of a Potterhead recently. Pottermania has taken over my life and (when I’m not busy with my other obsession of making slime) I’m usually found reading the books, watching the films or deep in research into plot theories on fan sites.

So imagine my excitement when one of the muggles in my life collected me from school recently with news we had tickets for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London! I could hardly believe my eyes when the lady who welcomed us to the tour from inside a cinema pressed a button and the screen lifted to reveal the Great Hall itself!

It was amazing to explore the actual sets where my heroes spent their childhoods, to see up-close the props they used and real costumes they wore. We wandered around the Forbidden Forest, peered in the windows of the shops in Diagon Alley, pottered around Privet Drive and even sampled butter beer – which tasted like cream soda mixed with buttery caramel with a fluffy top like shaving foam!

I’m busy mastering the Fleur Delacour wand I bought – hopefully there’ll be a spell to bring about a return visit…

Nina loves:

Get ready to get North! >> Chances are you’ll have heard about the Great Exhibition of the North but do you know how amazing it’s going to be for little luxes?

The huge event, which takes place across Newcastle and Gateshead, is all about showcasing the great art, design and innovation of the North. And as it’s as much about the future as it is the past there’s loads aimed at inspiring the next generation of children who will design, invent and create tomorrow’s world.

The whole programme is family-friendly but some events and activities are sure-fire winners with the younger members of your pack.

Here are my picks from the programme so far: >> Great North Museum step into my favourite museum and embark on a fantastical journey to discover stories of Northern pioneers. Along the way you’ll reach for the stars with Sheffield space explorer Helen Sharman and embrace the Cumbrian Hills with Postman Pat. >> LEGO timeline discover what the North has done for innovation through the medium of LEGO! At the Mining Institute. >> Winged Tails of the North follow a playful street art trail inspired by David Almond – one of the North’s best-loved writers - through the Ouseburn. >> Water sculptures >> see the enormous dancing water fountains on the River Tyne. They’ll perform every hour – reaching the height of the Tyne Bridge!

The fun kicks off on 22 June and then takes place daily for the next 80 DAYS!!! It will be here before we know it so I’m getting all of my itineraries planned now – there’s plenty to fill every day of the summer (come rain or shine) and almost all of it is free.

Find out more, including details about a free app to help your family make the most of the event, at getnorth2018.com

Way to Geo! >> Congratulations to Sunderland-based company Geo Journey for taking a top prize in the national MadeForMums Awards 2018.

I can see why their idea of a subscription box to teach kids about geography or astronomy caught the eye of the judges.

The educational subscription box starts by supplying little explorers with a mini suitcase, travel journal, passport, map and activities. Then each month a new package arrives by post – addressed directly to the lucky little luxe. Packed with letters, photos, souvenirs from the journeys of cute characters Geo and Atlas, kids learn about each country as their new pen pals travel around the world.

That’s a fun geography lesson! Check them out at geojourney.co.uk

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>> Credits: Steve Mayes – Brick This, LEGO timeline of Northern Innovation and Great North Museum visualisation

MAY/JUN18

WAGGY TALES

POSH POOCHES with Alfie, helped by Elysia Agnew

Summer soiree Garden parties, BBQs, brisk beach walks and sunshine moments.

Summer is near and our Luxe pooch is leading the way when it comes gearing up for getaways and gadabouts. Alfie has been chasing the waves with Roxy the easy-going beach pup. His new, Lurcher/Labrador friend loves seafront strolls, scrambled eggs and cheesy treats. With talks of vacations, staycations and family breaks, Alfie is packing up his summer suitcase with tips and treats for the pooch who is going places.

He’s not just helping you tick off your kit list, he’s guiding you to your next pooch-friendly getaway destination. From Cotswold country manors and beachy boltholes, to dog-friendly days out in the Dales and canine city breaks, there’s something for every four-legged friend and their family to get their paws stuck into. Make the most of the summer months with sweet staycations, garden soirées and sunny siestas.

Alfie, your luxe pooch x

Alfie loves:

Summer suitcase essentials for the pooch who’s going places….

SNIFF >> Mungo & Maud Calm down mood spray £26.95; www.mungoandmaud.com

SOOTHE >> Mungo & Maud Check bone dog towel, natural/check £54.50; www.mungoandmaud.com

SWANK >> Mungo & Maud, Nile dog collar, gold £59.50 - £69.50; www.mungoandmaud.com

SNUGGLE >> Lord Lou George stonewashed grey webbing £278 - £332; www.fletcheroflondon.com

Luxe Pooch Q&A Four-year-old Roxy is an easy-going, gentle-natured Lurcher/Labrador cross.

Born in Cumbria, she loves the outdoors, scrambled eggs and cheese - but can’t stand fireworks or baths. She lives in Whitley Bay with her family, The Auchterlonies.

LUXE WALKS >> I live at the coast, so I love nothing more than a leisurely stroll along the seafront.

You’ll find me playing in the rock pools on Longsands beach in Tynemouth most weekends, but I’m quite partial to a few laps around our local cricket pitch at tea-time, too!

POOCH’S PERFECT DAY OUT >> It’d start with my favourite brekkie scrambled eggs - which my mum, Maria, makes for me every morning. I’d then jump in the back of the car and head to Seaton Sluice for a long, muddy walk. I’d spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying chewy snacks from the ‘treat cupboard’ in the kitchen - and maybe playing with a new toy if I’ve been good!

DOGGY DOWNTIME >> Curling up in the living room, in front of the TV, with the fire on. I have a favourite spot on the sofa - I can’t sit, or lie, anywhere else. If I’m not relaxing there, I’m

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pooch will be spoiled for choice. A dedicated pet-concierge service will ensure your canine gets treated like king or queen of the Yorkshire Dales. www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk

Hound Holidays >> You’ve packed your bags now it’s time to hit the road. From coastal retreats and hilltop holidays, to city breaks and garden getaways, Alfie has picked out his top five canine breaks for the whole family this summer.

COTSWOLD CANINES >> Barnsley House is nestled in the Cotswold countryside. A real away-from-it-all retreat set in extensive landscaped gardens, perfect for your pooch to let off some steam. Just a two minute stroll from the hotel is The Village Pub - a cosy, countrychic hangout with stone floors, roaring fires, hearty food and great ales. www.barnsleyhouse.com DEVONSHIRE DOGS >> Four-legged guests are invited to lap up the luxury at The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa, Bolton Abbey. With beautiful vistas of the Dales, strolls through the fells, woodlands walks and a refreshing dip in the river, your

lounging about on my big, fluffy pillow in the hallway.

HOUND HABITS >> Thursday night is fajita night in my house, which I always look forward to. I’m obsessed with grated cheese and have been known to steal as much as I can get my paws on. Cheddar is a real vice of mine - I can smell it a mile off and always know when it’s on the table!

PUPPY PAMPER >> I’m pretty low-maintenance. I went to a dog grooming parlour once and hated every minute - I don’t like all the fuss. I’m not a fan of baths, either. I’d rather clean off in the sea!

DOG’S BEST FRIEND >> Two of my owners - James and Joe - and their little cousin, Tom. We have loads of fun together - we’re always play-fighting

HOLBECK HOUNDS >> The team at Holbeck Ghyll in Windermere understand that your pooch is part of the family too - and sometimes, they just need to put their paws up and take a break. The Lodge rooms are great for families with four-legged friends. Each dog-friendly room boasts a balcony or terrace area, a luxurious dog bed, blanket and a treat or two for good measure. www.holbeckghyll.com HIT THE BEACH >> If you’re looking for a beach break and fancy a bit of a road trip, make sure you check out Watergate Bay on the Cornish coastline. A sumptuous, sandy playground for your furry friend, where you can cosy up with your canine in the Ocean Wing and Coach House rooms, grab a bite to eat in the buzzy Beach Hut and lounge after a long walk in The Living Space. www.watergatebay.co.uk CITY PUP >> The timeless Rosewood hotel in London takes care of cute canines with a selection of special packages and amenities to ensure man’s best friend can enjoy a memorable stay in the capital. From blissful beds and welcome treats to dog-friendly restaurant recommendations and top parkland walks, you’ve got everything you need to pamper your pooch with a well-deserved family getaway. www.rosewoodhotels.com

and playing games. I like it when they hide treats around the house - then leave it to me to sniff them out. I always find them!

FONDEST DOGGY MEMORY >> Moving to the coast from Carlisle as a pup was scary, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I’ll always remember my first trip to the beach, feeling the sand under my paws and jumping in the sea for the first time. My owners have also taken me out for some lovely doggy pub lunches in the past. I’m a big foodie, so they stand out!

PUPPY A-LISTER >> My family love a bit of old-school rock music, so any of the big bands, from Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC to Led Zeppelin. Bryan Adams is up there too - he’s my mum’s guilty pleasure!

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

@TheLuxeMagazine or @LuxeyPooch

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CAREER HIGH

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CAREER HIGH

B I G , B I G STA R Ian Whyte has a seriously big role in Game of Thrones having been catapulted into the hit series through a journey taking in sport, stunts and now showbiz. Elysia Agnew catches up with Ian and his wife Amy near their Tynemouth home

Sitting down to lunch with the giant from Game of Thrones is every bit the surreal experience.

It’s a low-key Monday afternoon ‘back home’ on Tyneside for basketball star turned fantasy giant, Ian Whyte.

On the opposite side of the table he may be sitting down but still he towers. Ian is a mighty 7ft 1ins tall. A big guy with a big story.

These days his job in the staggeringly successful blockbuster series Game of Thrones means time spent in an animatronic mask, body suit and stilts, so today is a welcome breather.

“The suits are enormous”, laughs 46-year-old Ian. “First thing in the morning, you go on set and it takes about an hour and a half to get into costume. There’s a whole team of artists to help glue you in.

“So no suit today I’m afraid. It’s just me,” he laughs.

Ian’s story has its own touch of fairytale. A professional sportsman who found himself swapping fixtures for film sets.

Just how do you make the leap from shooting hoops in the BBL to shooting Harry Potter scenes with Frances de la Tour?

“You often hear actors say, I was in the right place at the right time, I just ran into someone, or the phone just rang. That’s exactly what happened”, he says.

“It was summer and I was in the process of deciding that I was only going to do one more (basketball) season before retiring.

“The phone rang, it was the secretary from the Newcastle Eagles she said ‘we’ve had a casting director on the phone, she wants to talk to you…’

“My first reaction was, ‘oh dear, nobody wants to put me in a movie!’

But I passed on my number and moments later the phone rang again – it was Suzanne Smith, she was casting for Alien vs. Predator and asked me if I would audition. I’ve since found out that audition invitations are very rare.

“I went down to London on the hottest day of the year, and arrived in a tiny little parking space near Kings Cross. I was given a wetsuit and a balaclava helmet. I said, ‘OK, what do you want me to do?’ They said ‘just start running’. So that’s what I did. I was running around in circles for about 45 minutes.”

Perhaps not your average casting call, but whatever Ian did that day, he did just right. This was the summer of 2003, and what followed was a surprising career change for the athlete.

“The following day I met the director, Paul Anderson.

“We had common ground as Paul grew up in the North East and went to school in Newcastle. I met him at his hotel in London. It was just a quick briefing, enough time for him to put his dry martini down and say, yes ok – let’s do this.

“Two weeks later I was invited to go to Prague to meet the creature designers, Tom Woodruff and Alec Gillis. It was about a month later that I heard from the producer who said, ‘listen, we’ve got a job and we’d like to offer it to you’.”

Ian was thinking about retirement from sport, but Hollywood had other plans. He was poached from his playing days at the Newcastle Eagles and whisked away into the wonderful world of movie making,

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with a debut in creature-thriller film, Alien vs. Predator.

“We started filming in Prague in 2003,” says Ian. “We were only supposed to shoot for three months, but as soon as we started they doubled the budget, so we shot all the way through to Christmas, had two weeks off, then came back in January and shot until about April.”

From the glory days on the court, to days spent in front of a camera on set, just how easy was it to adjust?

“It was unusual to begin with. The first step in the process is a body cast. You have to go to the workshop and they basically take a plaster cast of your whole body, so they can work on you while you’re not there,” he explains.

“I think there’s an Ian all over the world now,” Amy laughs.

“At its heaviest, the Alien vs. Predator suit weighed about 45 kilos. So yes, it took a bit of getting used to – but soon became part of everyday working life,” Ian says.

“It’s much, much easier to just stay in the suit all day. On one occasion, we were on nights and got wrapped up at around three o’clock in the morning. It was about a half an hour journey back to the hotel and about twenty minutes in, the phone rang, ‘can you come back please?’,” he laughs.

But it was worth the blood, sweat and tears. Ian’s first gig as a movie giant quickly led to new (and very exciting) projects with some of the biggest stars in the film industry.

“When we were shooting Alien vs. Predator, some of my colleagues had previously worked on the Harry Potter movies and said, ‘listen, when we’ve finished shooting, why don’t we give Nick Dudman a call?’ Nick is the head of the creatures department.

“So I sent an email, I introduced myself and wasn’t expecting anything to come of it. He got straight back to me and said, ‘ok, when you’re back in the UK, come down and we’ll have a little chat’.

“They were going into the fourth Harry Potter film, The Goblet of Fire.

Hagrid, the giant, becomes besotted with another lady giant who is played by Frances de la Tour. She is the headmistress of a visiting school of magic called the Beauxbatons Academy.

“Madame Olympe Maxime is 8ft 6in tall, so they wanted to explore the possibility of doing it for real. They made stilts in the form of an elegant ladies’ high-heeled shoe, lifting me 18 inches off the ground and I had an animatronic mask, which was an exact replica of her head.

“I had to basically learn how to be a woman on stilts. I understand everything now,” he laughs.

Ian even had his own female coach: “Every morning I would come in and we would go through femininity routines. It was great fun.

“When she wasn’t doing her close ups, Frances de la Tour was there you know - keeping an eye on me.

“Every time you see her in full length, that’s me. There’s one scene where the Beauxbaton girls come sweeping into the Great Hall. I’m walking behind them in my stilts and Michael Gambon, who plays Dumbledore, takes me by the hand (which must’ve been very weird for him), and greets me with a kiss.

“Frances wasn’t there when we shot that particular scene because she was working in the West End at the time. So the following day she came up to me and she said, ‘how did I do yesterday?’. I said, ‘well, you had your hand kissed by a knight of the realm!’ She said, ‘oh… did I enjoy it?’”

The Harry Potter gig scored big time with Ian’s seven-year-old son.

“The credibility on Harry Potter with our little boy is great. It’s one of the films he can actually watch,” says Amy. Madame Olympe Maxime is somewhat easy on the eye in comparison to the ice monsters and zombie giants, among many other characters his dad has portrayed in the award-winning Game of Thrones shows.

The world has gone crazy for the hit HBO series with the backstabbing and bloodletting show soaring through the ratings since it first aired >>

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CAREER HIGH back in 2011. Now, it’s one of the most anticipated shows out there, capturing fans from all spectrums (excluding seven-year-old boys, of course).

So, just how did this basketball star bag the Game of Thrones role?

“The part I auditioned for in season one was The Mountain. I didn’t get that part, but three months later they called back and said they had something for me.

“Amy was just about to give birth. I went to Belfast and shot there for two days. The scene was the second beheading in Game of Thrones.”

Reflecting on his GOT gig, he says: “Game of Thrones has been great because I’ve been in every season. I’ve been very, very lucky.

“I played White Walker in season one, very briefly in season two (don’t look out for me though, it’s almost impossible),” he laughs.

“In season two I played The Mountain, and in season three I started playing the Giant. The Giants are really, really interesting characters. They are very aloof; they sort of keep themselves to themselves, yet, when you start to really get into their characters, in season five and six, they really start to show some humanity.”

Last summer, season seven bowed out in an epic blur of dragons, death and deceit - leaving us hungry for more. But GOT fans will be pleased to hear that season eight is on the horizon, expected to hit TV screens in 2019. Ian is not one for giving away scoops or spoilers; in fact, sometimes the actors themselves don’t know the full story.

“When I’m filming, particularly with Game of Thrones, I have no idea what’s going on.

“They give you the scripts that you need and when you’re on set, you can pick other stuff up, but it’s not always that clear.

“I’ll say, ‘remind me why I’m looking in this direction?’ and they’ll say, ‘oh, because so and so is standing there…’”

“It all starts with the written word. So whatever you need is there in front of you. But when you’re in a costume, the makeup is on and you’re on set talking with the director, you have other ideas, and the creative process only gets better.

“You never really know how it’s going to work until you’re on set doing it. Watching the show once it’s all been pulled together several months down the line is another experience in itself.”

On secrets, scoops and spoilers, Amy says: “He’s really good at keeping secrets.

“He’ll be filming for something and I’ll try and get it out of him, but he won’t tell me what’s happening. I’ll be reading the newspaper and it’ll say that ‘so and so’ has been spotted in Belfast and I’ll be like, ‘What? No way! Really?’”

As a professional basketball player with 80 caps for England, Ian’s job has always been about being on the move – on and off the court. Something his wife Amy, a business development manager from Newcastle, has always supported.

“We’ve always managed with Ian working away,” says Amy. “Although I have to say, I always thought he was going to retire and get a normal job,” she laughs.

“We went to the first Eagles game of the season after Ian got the phone call. He said his goodbyes and then literally jumped on a plane to Prague.

“In those days, there were regular flights from Newcastle, so it was really good – I could fly out and see him every couple of weeks.

“It was very different to watching Ian at the Eagles, but I loved it.

“It was a bit of a Geordie hangout at the time,” she adds.

“The director, Paul Anderson, was from Newcastle, and so was the assistant director, so you’d be getting out of the trailers and there would be jokes flying around about it feeling like we were down the Hoppings and things like that.

Of course, nobody else got what was going on!”

It was Ian’s success as a professional basketball player that brought him to his adopted home of Tynemouth, where he has since settled with wife Amy and seven-year-old son, Seb. His sporting success stemmed from a love of basketball in school. A 13-year-old with big dreams to be king of the court.

“I grew up in Brighton and started my playing career at a local team in Worthing, West Sussex,” says Ian. “I played for the under 17s a few times and then I went to America to take up a college scholarship.

“I was out of the country for four years and then I came back and played for the London Towers, followed by a spell at the London Leopards. I then went off and played for teams in France, Portugal and Belgium.

“I just bounced around Europe for a couple of years - no pun intended! I was just having fun.”

Ian returned to the UK in the late 90s and through visiting old colleagues who had moved to play in the North East, he

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The Game of Thrones Giants are interesting characters.

They are very aloof but show some humanity

joined the Eagles.

“At the time, Sir John Hall bought the sports club, so everything was under the umbrella of Newcastle United, but as a European-style sporting club.

“So we had the football team, the basketball team, the rugby team and the ice hockey team – I believe they also had a Le Mans 24-hour race car as well, which sounds really indulgent.

“I came up to visit some of my colleagues during the summer and ended up signing.

“It seemed to be a nice place to settle and I was with the Eagles for five years.”

Newcastle soon became his adopted home, a place he could settle with Amy – and as far as first meetings go, theirs doesn’t get much more ‘Geordie’…

“It was an eyes across a crowded nightclub moment,” smiles Ian. “At Legends on Grey Street. I think I was the tallest girl in the place,” recalls Amy. Growing up by the sea, Tynemouth seemed the perfect place for the couple to settle down. A comforting base to return to between filming.

“Whenever Ian goes away, he comes back, we have a walk along the seafront and very quickly realise we wouldn’t want to move anywhere else,” says Amy. “We tend to hang out in Tynemouth. There are so many lovely places. We go to the Buddha Lounge on weekends, or you’ll find us having breakfast at the coast,” she adds.

“It very much feels like home now,” says Ian. Being an on-screen giant means being on the move. Ian spends many months out of the year on location, on set and away from his home in the North East. But coming home and spending time with the family beats playing any beast, says Ian. “Our son is seven now, so when I’m home, his schedule pretty much dictates our schedule.”

When Seb was small he’d make visits to see his dad on set with Amy. “I mean, he’s getting older now, but there was always the concern that he would unplug something he shouldn’t, or drop a spoiler somewhere – and also, some of the films just aren’t suitable. The set of Game of Thrones probably isn’t the set to take him onto, as you can imagine”, she laughs.

Ian’s two very different career paths have meant a life on the

road, whether it’s going on tour with teammates or treating cast members and creative teams as your adopted family. Ian shares some of his fondest movie making memories…

“Guy Pearce was an absolute joy to work with,” he says.

“We were shooting Prometheus and the timescale of his ageing makeup was comparable to my own - about five hours. He was going through the same process himself, and there was one scene we were shooting together with a lot of technical adjustments to be made, and so we started a conversation. The scene itself took much longer than anticipated and an hour later, we were still standing there, chatting away in the middle of the set.”

Going from basketball star to movie star is a big move. It’s hard to come up with any similarities, but for Ian it was just another day job. It’s all about being prepared, turning up, doing your bit and making sure you do everything you can to put on a good show.

“I’ve been in the industry for fifteen years now - I’ve learnt a thing or two.

“I’ve always been able to move things, this is just finding a new way to do so. It’s all in the execution.”

Believe it or not - beast costumes aside - a strict fitness regime is something he’s had to keep up. Wearing the suit is a workout in itself, and it takes real persistence, determination and strength to do so.

“On some of the big productions they will have personal trainers. It depends what is required from you as an actor,” says Ian. “I stay at a high level just in case I have to go and do something tomorrow. But when you’re on a production, you could be training for a very specific thing, or rehearsing for a very specific fight scene. So that sort of training is taken on by the stunts team or the fight coordinators.”

In some ways, Ian’s career reads like a film script. The story goes like this… a boy lives by the coast and dreams of becoming a professional basketball player. After travelling the world to pursue his dreams, he relocates to the North East coast where he meets his other half and settles at a successful club.

Sounds like a pretty happy ending. It doesn’t stop there… an exciting opportunity arises and the boy with the basketball dreams goes on a whole new journey. A giant journey from the BBL, to body suits and big movie moments.

A story of heights, Hollywood and hot-blooded heroes.

MAY/JUN18

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W W W. R E M E M B E R M E D I A . C O . U K

SLOW PACE

It’s so easy to rush through life. As we navigate the journey, we are plagued by demands to go faster, get there quicker and achieve things sooner. We tend to rush when things don’t feel good, or when there’s stuff going on that we want to ‘get through’. We find ourselves racing forward, to ‘get past’ it. We reach for a destination and search for a future that doesn’t yet exist, all the while feeling travel sick as we’re constantly in motion – in body and soul.

But what happens when we arrive at that destination? When we get there what is left to learn and experience? Surely the beauty of life is in the journey itself, in all that we encounter, unfold and discover along the way…

So, consider: • How would your life be different if you stopped to look around more, to stand still in the moment, to luxuriate in the now?

• How would you feel if you cared less about reaching the ‘destination’ and took more time to enjoy the journey?

One of my all-time favourite poems brings this to life so beautifully.

Ithaka, by CP Cavafy As you set out for Ithaka, hope the voyage is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery.

Laistrygonians and Cyclops, angry Poseidon — don’t be afraid of them. You’ll never find things like that on your way as long as you keep your thoughts raised high, as long as a rare excitement stirs your spirit and your body.

Laistrygonians and Cyclops, wild Poseidon — you won’t encounter them unless you bring them along inside your soul, unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

Hope the voyage is a long one.

May there be many a summer morning when, with what pleasure, what joy, you come into harbours seen for the first time.

May you stop at Phoenician trading stations to buy fine things, mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony, sensual perfume of every kind — as many sensual perfumes as you can; and may you visit many Egyptian cities to gather stores of knowledge from their scholars.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind. Arriving there is what you are destined for.

But do not hurry the journey at all.

Better if it lasts for years, so you are old by the time you reach the island, wealthy with all you have gained on the way, not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

Ithaka gave you the marvellous journey. Without her you would not have set out. She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you. Wise as you will have become, so full of experience, you will have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

I know how to live fast, it’s in my bones. I suspect you know too.

Yet something different sits below that, deeper in my DNA - the need to move at a different pace, to live more slowly and enjoy the ride. Will you join me on that journey?

Take care for now, Laura x

Follow Laura on social media or get in touch for one-to-one coaching sessions and group retreats. @space_with_in

@space.with_in

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@spacewithindevelopment

Generation ageless We’re talking to people with a positive attitude to mid-life, doing things differently, changing their pace of life, their priorities, reflecting on what’s gone before and the new opportunities and challenges to come Tom Stoddart is an award winning photojournalist who was brought up in the fishing village of Beadnell. After moving to London to work in Fleet Street he spent 35 years photographing news events around the world. He returned to live in the North East six years ago.

I used to do this…

Run around the world covering international news for magazines like Time, Newsweek and the Sunday Times.

I owned a flat in London but most of the time was spent away on foreign assignments. My first job was as a 17-year-old trainee photographer at the Berwick Advertiser and in my first week the editor said ‘You will have a champagne life on a beer salary’. He was right!

I’ve worked in over 60 countries and witnessed historic events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the wars against Saddam Hussein, Nelson Mandela’s election as South Africa’s first black president and the siege of Sarajevo. Photojournalism is exciting, demanding and very competitive and I loved it!

Why/how I made a change…

I simply grew sick of living in the London chaos and waiting for the next adrenaline rush when an assignment to a faraway place came up. After over 40 years of witnessing some pretty extreme things I was tired. One day I woke up and realised that I needed to ‘go home’.

I’m lucky I can…

Still go off whenever I see an interesting story happening that I would like to be on. Newcastle airport is terrific and I can quickly get to London, Europe or further afield if necessary.

Now life is about…

Living back in the North East and appreciating the raw beauty of the area and the warmth of its people. I’m still working but don’t want to go to conflicts or spend weeks away, so I prefer to find subjects closer to home to photograph. Last Christmas I spent two weeks shooting portraits of people visiting the Newcastle West End food bank which is the busiest in the UK and featured in Ken Loach’s Bafta winning film ‘I, Daniel Blake’, which portrayed life on the breadline. It was a sobering experience to photograph such poverty only six miles from my home.

Being back in Northumberland has brought much joy and calmness to my life.

I got married to a wonderful girl in 2015 and Ailsa and I spend lots of quality time together, either enjoying the north Northumberland coastal area where I was brought up, or socialising with good friends in the pubs and restaurants in Ponteland where we live.

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EASY-GOING

STYLE Good-looking cover-ups

Family is all about…

Love and communication.

Work/life balance?

I did my best photojournalism when I felt angry at what was happening in front of me especially if it involved innocent people caught up in a war or disaster through no fault of their own. But stress and anger will get you in the end and are a waste of heartbeats, so now I try to relax, eat, sleep and laugh every day.

The people who are important…

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My family and a few true friends who would always be there in the good times and the bad.

I thrive on…

News and current affairs. In the UK we are incredibly lucky to have a free and diverse press that delivers great journalism every day.

Things are different because…

My life has totally changed and now I’m more relaxed and less selfish. My wife, family and friends come first and my work is much less important to me than it was.

Day in the life of me…

A typical day on assignment would be similar to what I’ve recently done in the refugee camps set up in south-eastern Bangladesh for 655,000 Rohingya people who have fled from persecution by the Myanmar military. I was shooting photographs for an exhibition to raise funds for the UK ShelterBox charity. Up at 4.45am to meet two ShelterBox staff and a driver, plus translator in the lobby of a hotel in the port town of Cox’s Bazar where most of the international aid agencies are based. Leave at 5.15am and drive for an hour to the world’s largest refugee camp at Kutupalong in time to photograph the sun rising over thousands of makeshift homes that are set on clay hills.

The morning is cold and I photograph people huddling around fires and then setting off to collect firewood.

Hundreds of men, women and children walk for three hours to a forest to cut down the trees and carry the wood back to their homes. The sheer strength and fitness of the people is amazing. As we move through the camp the sounds of young children chanting from the Koran reaches us and I spend an hour shooting pictures of the youngsters studying

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by a mosque in the early golden light.

Then we find a group of new arrivals being helped by the UNHCR agency. The people are traumatised and the brutal stories of atrocities inflicted on them by the Myanmar military are hard to listen to. I try to capture the emotion in the faces and my colleagues record interviews and take notes. One teenage boy has a terrible weeping scar on the back of his neck where he claims a Myanmar soldier slashed him with a machete.

It’s hard going climbing up and down the hills in the camp looking for images and we stop for a couple of hours to rest and eat a packed lunch well away from hungry eyes.

Later in the day at the Norwegian Field Hospital we find a heartwarming story. A heavily pregnant woman has been brought in after being told that the baby inside her has no heartbeat. The doctors are convinced her baby has died but when a midwife delivers the tiny infant and places him on the mother he starts to breathe and cry out. A miracle!

As the light falls I work quickly shooting pictures of women collecting water at a pump. For security reasons we need to leave the camp and get back to the hotel before nightfall. The sun is setting just as we get back to Cox’s Bazar and I have ten minutes before dark on the beach which is the longest unbroken sea beach in the world. Then it’s a shower to scrape the mud off myself and my filthy clothes before a meal, then clean my Canon cameras and asleep by 9pm ready for another 4.45am alarm.

Mid life means to me…

Man

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Not to dwell on things past, but to embrace the future and appreciate how lucky I am.

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GULF STATE

SKY-HIGH CITY

Towering sophistication, world-class attractions and exotic beach life.

All come together under one sparkling sky in Abu Dhabi, as Allan Boughey discovers…

As you soar towards it across the bleached white desert, Abu Dhabi rises like a scene from a Star Wars movie.

Its towers, defying the laws of gravity and architecture, seem to stretch on forever in their neat grids as they glint in the sun and heat haze, framed by the deep blue of the sea on one side and desert on the other.

Dubai – just 60 miles away – has become a top destination for UK travellers in the last decade due to guaranteed sun, luxurious hotels and glitzy shopping, while there’s also the potential to pack in an exotic desert experience.

All of this ensures a holiday so different from anywhere in Europe, while the direct seven-hour flight from the UK also makes the Arabian Gulf an attractive option when compared to, say, the Far East.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (which includes Dubai and several other small city states), is very much Dubai’s little brother in the travel stakes.

For one thing, it is nowhere near the size of its neighbour in terms of its tourism infrastructure with far fewer hotels and, consequently, visitors.

So think small-scale Dubai. Nevertheless you will find an array of attractions to match the quality of its accommodation.

For instance, the fairly new Yas Island complex (around 30 minutes from the heart of the city itself ), boasts the Ferrari World theme park, the Formula 1 grand prix circuit, a large aquatic park (Yas Waterworld), a

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marina, golf course, and a sparkling new mall. A Warner Brothers theme park is also about to open.

Shopping is one of Abu Dhabi’s major draws – the Yas Island Mall is now the largest, but other good options are the original Abu Dhabi Mall as well as the newer Marina Mal. There is also a sports district with a variety of world-class facilities, and nearby is the massive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which opened ten years ago and is simply stunning with its many domes and minarets.

It is the city’s must-see attraction, especially early evening when it is illuminated in spectacular style.

The city centre is located just inland from the five-mile long, man-made Corniche (a Middle East version of the Nice sea front right on the Arabian Gulf itself ). It is along the Corniche that the majority of the skyscrapers (mainly hotels and apartment buildings) sit.

The whole city seems brand new, with very little trace of anything that may have existed beyond a couple of decades ago. It’s like a shiny, scrubbed version of Manhattan, self-indulgent under a bottomless blue sky.

Just along the coast from the Corniche is the new, up-and-coming area of Saadiyat Island, which, unlike the Corniche, boasts a beautiful natural beach. This is undoubtedly the place to stay.

The beach, still used by nesting turtles, is amazing with deep fine, white sand while the sea is probably the warmest you’ll ever swim in. There is also a gentle shelf of sand

stretching some distance – and usually a nice ocean breeze to keep you cool.

At present, there are only a couple of hotels on Saadiyat beach, though more are currently under construction. The area is also set to become Abu Ahabi’s new cultural hub with Guggenheim and Louvre museums

being built.

The Park Hyatt at Saadiyat is impressive.

Only opened a couple of years ago, it has a stretch of that wonderful beach all to itself as well as a truly magnificent pool area (with three pools in all) and beautifully landscaped tropical gardens. It is an exotic

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GULF STATE setting.

Three restaurants all serving great food – from the Mediterranean feel of the Beach House to the steaks and seafood Park Grill, the quality is first-class.

Along with European oysters and Canadian lobster, you can enjoy faultlessly chargrilled American beef on the bone. Even breakfast is a feast and especially memorable when taken on the terrace.

In a resort such as this, the quality of the food is paramount and it certainly does not disappoint.

Rooms are gorgeous with large, furnished balconies. There’s also a spa with a range of treatments on offer.

Again, in a resort, this is a vital component.

The Saadiyat Island golf course is right next to the hotel or there are several other courses to choose from, including the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, which hosted last year’s HSBC European Tour event.

And, of course, being part of an American hotels group, the service throughout the property, from check-in to the beach staff, is exceptional. Service is an often-overlooked aspect of travel that can make a holiday unforgettable. That’s the case here. The facilities are one thing but it’s the human element that elevates them.

Away from the hotel, you can spend some time in the city centre (a short taxi ride away), at one of the malls, at another beach club or take a trip out into the desert on a 4x4 or take a camel ride.

Other day trip options include the Abu Dhabi emirate’s second city, Al Ain (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which is only a couple of hours’ drive away in the heart

The whole city seems brand new, with very little trace of anything that may have existed beyond a couple of decades ago. It’s like a shiny, scrubbed version of Manhattan, self-indulgent under a bottomless blue sky

of the desert.

It’s a wonderful contrast from ultra-modern Abu Dhabi with its ancient souks and rugged mountain scenery.

And a similar distance away is Dubai, with numerous day trip options on offer from Abu Dhabi.

Even for the Dubai devotees Abu Dhabi is a surprisingly good choice for a sunshine holiday, especially from October to May. Combine real culture and adventure alongside the glorious beach, a round of golf, and that essential shopping element.

Or just escape and hunker down on your own stretch of the Arabian Gulf. see more www.visitabudhabi.ae www.hyatt.com

MAY/JUN18

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CITY PULSE

BERLIN’S BEAT Hip hotels with Debrah Dhugga Debrah sinks in to one of Berlin’s quirky and creative corners

Cool and contemporary, Berlin is a vibrant city which is Europe’s most visited after London and Paris. The fall of the Berlin Wall signalled a rise in vibrancy with a relaxed attitude. It’s chic without the seriousness thanks mostly to flourishing creativity and a cultural richness at every turn. Flights from Newcastle make it so simple to take a trip.

STAY >> The Orania.Hotel. One cool spot with its own bar, live music stage and resident musicians. It opened in August 2017 after a stunning restoration and is run by husband and wife duo Phillip and Jennifer Vogel.

The hotel sits in a grand old building which epitomises the style of Berlin but its interiors say, ‘sit back and relax; take it all in’. The hotel itself is a cultural hub in the city – so vibrant as soon as you step inside.

No need to take time to settle in; the moment you arrive, you’re in a good place in every sense.

You don’t need to move far. The Oriania has its own arts calendar, boasting a series of

concerts from classical and jazz, to DJs, poetry readings and film screenings.

There’s such a buzz. The hotel is definitely a place to be and be seen in the city!

Great people-watching potential with a fabulous soundtrack.

with huge windows. A bit of a boho edge to furnishings with some style influences nodding to Asia, Africa and the Americas, all adding to the inviting atmosphere. A restoration of grand old glamour but with a cool contemporary edge.

STYLE >> Masses of space in high-ceilinged rooms

LOCATION >> Located in the Kreuzberg district, the area

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is a cultural and lively district located 6km from Berlin Central rail station with excellent transport links moments from the hotel.

something more contemporary, revel in an eclectic selection of fascinating converted venues, outside spaces and on-trend cocktail bars.

FOOD >> Headed up by Managing Director Phillip Vogel, Orania.Restaurant offers cosmopolitan cuisine and friendly service, with the restaurant boasting an open fireplace and kitchen. Diners will enjoy this buzzy place.

At the bar by the open stage discover a great array of craft drinks and cocktails.

THE AREA >> Kreuzberg is the creative heart of Berlin, so Orania.Hotel is the perfect base in which to immerse yourself in the hip and happening areas of the city.

THRILLS >> The hotel is a dream if you’ve a musician in your life – it is home to two Steinway pianos and Orania.Salon features a bar, kitchen, an open fire place, as well as an incredible score library at the disposal of musicians. There’s also a cinema screen, floor to ceiling windows and balconies with breathtaking views of the Berlin skyline and the Oranienplatz.

Venture out and Berlin’s nightlife caters for every taste, whether you want to enjoy a classy speak-easy with live music, or

Factbox Orania.Hotel Oranienplatz 17 10999 Berlin Tel: +49(0)30 69539680 www.orania.berlin Rooms from €115 per night, and up to €425 for a loft suite.

Fly >> Direct flights available from Leeds and Newcastle.

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES A pyjama party As royal baby fever hots up, North East born Becky Lupton might be raising a chuckle.

Her lovely all-age nightwear brand, PJ Mamma, is said to be a hit in royal nurseries - and has also had a glittering Hollywood endorsement from actress Anne Hathaway.

Becky, from Yarm, is mum to baby Emmet and his big (ish) brother, Tate. She launched PJ Mamma when Tate was a baby.

The company sells super-cosy PJs with cool designs that are perfect for curl-up family time snuggles.

As well as her royal customers, Becky spied Anne Hathaway sharing a photo of her wearing them with her baby Oscar.

“That was cool”, she says.

“Giovanna Fletcher and her children have been spotted on instagram wearing them and Greg Rutherford’s children.

The PJ Mamma story began when Tate

MAY/JUN18

was born, explains Becky.

“I’ve always loved my sleep and PJ time and when I struggled to find comfortable pyjamas, I started to make my own. They proved to be a big hit and the range has grown from there. As Tate has grown, so has my range”, she says.

The collection now includes a range of family pyjamas (as pictured), and slippers.

Everything is designed in London, where Becky is now based, using quality organic fabrics and organic inks, that are all made in the UK or Europe.

“Our family adventures are a big influence on my designs and product range. I love to create products that can be enjoyed by the whole family and celebrate special times. Designs are unisex and I enjoy using bright primary colours”, she adds.

Dad and baby PJs, £45 a set. www.pjmamma.co.uk

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

61

V.GOOD

Cooking class Jessica Laing rustles up tasty vegan treats at The Feathers Inn’s brand new Cookery School the first of its kind in the North East Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last, say, six months, you’ll know just how much veganism has taken off in the world of food. It’s become quite the buzzword - the new, trendy, ‘healthier’ way to eat.

Go vegan, they say, and it’s not just the planet’s furry friends who benefit. Your gut will become happier, your skin will sparkle, your energy levels will soar and your waistline is likely to shrink.

Even life-long carnivores seem to be jumping on the plant-based bandwagon.

Foodie bloggers, personal trainers and at-home cooks now take to Instagram to show off their #MeatlessMonday snaps and more and more restaurants, including smaller, independent venues, are portioning up their share of vegan options - even vegan menus - to cater to the rise in pro-plants dining.

But what about turning your own kitchen

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into a meat-free zone? Does swapping steak for squash spaghetti really serve up the same satisfaction? And what about variety?

Because, let’s face it, there are only so many ways to jazz up your broccoli, right?

Turns out, eating (and cooking) vegan grub isn’t just about upping your veggie intake and making them look fancy on a plate.

It’s about taking all those familiar fridge, freezer and kitchen cupboard staples cauliflower, lentils, peas, peanut butter - and transforming them into something inspiring and delicious. Mixing them with fresh and fragrant herbs, blanching, sweating and roasting them in clever and inventive ways, and marrying them with a rainbow of punchy spices to keep your tastebuds on their toes.

And it’s easier - and a lot more fun - than you might think, as I discovered recently during a mini crash-course in vegan cooking at The Feather’s Inn Cookery School.

Based at Ovingham Middle School, not far from The Feathers Inn, the new, purposebuilt kitchen is the place to be for a hands-on education in fuss-free, at-homestyle, cooking.

Here, under the watchful eye of Rhian Cradock, the man behind The Feathers Inn’s kitchen, and tutors Pip Pedley and Phil Carr, both professional chefs, pupils (up to 20 per class) are invited to get stuck in to all kinds of culinary fun, from masterclasses in fermenting and pickling, to butchery, sensational sourdough, shellfish, seafood and more.

Stop by this summer and you might find yourself learning how to make magnificent mezze meals inspired by the sunny flavours of Greece, sizzling Mediterranean and Mexican feasts, cracking cakes and traybakes, or show-stopping plates that’ll make you the envy of your dinner party guests.

Classes, which cater to all abilities, from complete beginners, to experienced home cooks and professional chefs, all have one aim: to help boost pupils’ confidence in the kitchen.

“Setting up the cooking school was the next logical step for us,” says Rhian, who has taken a number of chefs from beginner status to pro-cook level throughout his career at The Feathers Inn. “We love to spread our passion for great food,” he continues. “Making cooking approachable and having the chance to deliver practical courses in a beautifullyequipped working kitchen was something we jumped at.”

“All of our courses and classes are taught by professionals who have worked with us at The Feathers Inn. Each one is totally hands-on, designed to give people the skills and confidence to get cooking their own dishes at home, inspired by what

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V.GOOD

they’ve cooked in class.”

Walking into ours felt a bit like stepping foot on the set of Masterchef. The classroom-meets-kitchen is spotless; the shiny, silver steel workshops sparkle, the modern ovens are toasty and raring to go, our cupboards are filled with state-of-the-art equipment, and a range of colourful and inviting ingredients, from pistachios and pomegranate to green beans and a whole head of cauliflower, are meticulously laid out in front of us.

Aprons on, we watch as Pip gives us a taster of what to expect during the next two and a half hours - a light cauliflower, pomegranate and pistachio salad, perfect for summer, followed by a Thai-style lentil soup with homemade chilli oil. Demo done, we then take to our benches, mouths watering, to give them a go ourselves.

One of the great things, we found, about the classes is the perfect balance between going at it alone, reading your way through your recipe sheets (bonus: these are provided and you get to take them home) and following the steps at your own pace, and being guided, gently, by Rhian, Pip and Phil.

All three float about the room as we get stuck in, helping, answering questions and offering up expert tips and tricks.

Things like how to best sweat and fry off onions until they’re caramelised and sticky, how to work with lemongrass stalks (simply bash to an inch of their lives with a rolling pin, then pop in your pan) and how to turn a variety of simple ingredients - a slick of veggie oil, banana shallots, tomato paste, star anise and ginger, and a bit of curry powder - into a silky, aromatic oil that can be drizzled over soups, used as a salad dressing, massaged into meat or fish (in non-vegan kitchens, of course) and stored in the fridge for up to a month.

You’re also encouraged to taste as you go - another highlight, especially for those, like myself, who like their seasoning spot-on

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and who aren’t afraid to play about with a good kick of spice. Adapting the recipes which are incredibly easy to follow - to suit your own taste is fully-celebrated here.

The salad-making is as easy as one-twothree, but the results have us floored. We hack our cauliflower into florets and roast them in the oven until charred, ready to be chucked into our salad for some bite and texture. The rest is grated until it resembles light, fluffy rice, tossed with juicy jewels of fresh pomegranate (Pip shows us how to tackle the fruit), roasted pistachio nuggets, ground cumin (lots for me), lemon juice, a glug of olive oil and fresh sprigs of mint, parsley and tarragon, roughly chopped.

It takes mere moments to make, but tastes

It’s about taking all those familiar staples and transforming them into something inspiring and delicious

like a Middle Eastern dream; fruity, earthy, spicy, zingy. Everything you want in a summer salad and definitely substantial enough for a main, vegan-friendly meal.

The soup, however, stole the show.

Lusciously creamy, filling and loaded with vibrant Asian-inspired flavours.

White onion, cooked low and slow until glossy and sweet, and a squeeze of zippy vegan red curry paste are mixed in pots for a quick minute, before water, lentils, lemongrass and lime leaves join the party.

We then leave it to bubble away for around 15 minutes, ’til the lentils split and ooze into a comforting mush.

Once there, it’s just a case of fishing out the lemongrass and lime leaves, blitzing things up (though we opt out as we like our soup on the chunky side) and adding a few dollops of coconut milk to thicken, a splash of tamari (vegan soy sauce) and lime juice.

We garnish with sugar snap peas, a sprinkle of coriander and a few teaspoons of chilli oil, made by Pip’s own (and very talented) fair hands.

To say it’s one of best soups we’ve ever had is no lie. A total triumph, if I don’t say so myself, that hits the spot - and a dish I know I’ll be making in my own kitchen for years to come in. Whoever said vegan comfort food was far from satisfying couldn’t have been more wrong - and this food proved it again and again.

The session comes to a close with the class tasting their way through vegan-friendly chocolate pots, made with devilishly-dark chocolate (dairy-free, of course), maple syrup, silken tofu, vanilla and a drop or two of rum, which Pip quickly whips up in front of us. A quick and effortlessly indulgent after-dinner pud that has us all licking our spoons clean with glee.

Armed with a folder of new recipes to try at home, I leave the class with a belly full of treats and a brain full of ideas for next week’s dinners. Though I can’t see myself saying so-long to salmon, farewell to feta or bye to bacon any time soon, I do feel more confident, and inspired, to experiment with more plant-based dishes over the coming months.

That’s the beauty of The Feathers’ fun and laid-back classes - they sharpen you up and have you feeling like a kitchen pro.

The Feathers Inn Cookery School will be holding classes and courses throughout May and June 2018, priced at £65 per person.

For more information, or to book, visit www.thefeathers.net/cookery-school or call 01661 843 607

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 63

HOT & HEARTY

FISH COURSE

Monkfish Roast Monkfish Piri Piri SERVES 2

WITH TERRY LAYBOURNE Monkfish is often referred to as the ugly sister of the seas, with its huge, gaping mouth and mottled skin.

However, it truly deserves its highly prized status at the fishmonger’s. Its bright white flesh is sweet and lobster-like in density. Full and firm, monkfish holds its shape when cooked. We sell it in tails, making it easy to cook straight from the counter.

The meaty nature of the monkfish means it holds up well to the bold piri piri flavours. The perfect blend of seafood and spice.

Coming up to BBQ weather, this recipe also works well on the grill outdoors on a nice summer’s day. Lovely with a glass of crisp sauvignon blanc.

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Ingredients

Method

700g monkfish tail on the bone, trimmed 30ml olive oil Salt Black pepper

Pre heat the oven to 180°C. Allow the fish to come up to room temperature for 20 minutes then season well with sea salt.

Heat a large frying pan, add the olive oil, when it’s very hot add the monkfish and allow it to cook for 3 minutes on either side.

Transfer the pan to the oven and roast for 15 minutes or until the core temperature is 56oC. To make the sauce; put all ingredients into a blender and run until smooth.

Remove the monkfish from the oven and allow to rest for 2/3 minutes.

Transfer the fish to a serving plate, prise the flesh away from either side of the backbone and spoon the sauce over then return to the oven for one minute to warm through Enjoy with a fresh herb salad and some small potatoes roasted with garlic and rosemary.

Piri Piri Sauce 3g garlic, crushed 2 red chillies, deseeded and chopped 60ml lemon juice 60ml olive oil 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp Spanish hot paprika 2g Maldon salt, to taste 1g black pepper

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XXXXXXXX

Get fresh...

in association with

It’s time for food that looks delicate but packs a taste punch.

<<

Chadwicks Inn chef Steve Lawford serves up a savoury terrine while wine expert Lee Tolley picks out perfect crisp whites to enjoy alongside.

100% Whites Albariño (Orballo), Rías Baixas, Spain 2016 100% Albariño ABV 12.5%

The famous fine rain from Galicia, North West Spain, where this wine is made, is represented on the label. It has a lovely, crisp dryness and freshness to it. Notes of apple, honey and peach on the nose, flavours of citrus on the palate. Great to open on any occasion.

Yellison Farm Goat’s Cheese & Pink Fir Potato Terrine, Beetroots & Toasted Walnuts >>

Talinay Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Tabalí), Limarí, Chile 2014 100% Sauvignon Blanc ABV 13.5%

Serves 4

Ingredients

Method

500g x Yellison Farm goat’s cheese 500g x Pink Fir potatoes 200g x soft butter 2tsp x horseradish sauce 1 bunch x chervil (chopped)

Cook potatoes in boiling water then partly cool and cut in half.

Combine goat’s cheese, butter, horseradish and chervil in a bowl and mix to a smooth paste.

Line a terrine mould with cling film and layer potatoes and goat’s cheese.

Mix carefully, press firmly and place in fridge to set for at least 6 hours.

Once set, slice and garnish with the beetroots, walnuts and watercress. Enjoy!

To garnish: A few mixed cooked beetroots (golden & candied, diced and/or sliced) 100g x walnuts (toasted) Watercress

www.chadwicksinnmaltby.co.uk

This vineyard is planted in a cool area of the Limarí Valley with limestone in the soil, which brings a lovely mineral character to the wine. Along with its mineral quality, this wine brings extensive citrus favours.

A Sauvignon with great length and quality that you’re going to want to share with friends.

Condrieu ‘Les Grandes Chaillées’ (Domaine du Monteillet), Rhône, France 2015 100% Viognier ABV 14%

A family owned vineyard with over ten generations of experience, this winemaker sure knows how to make excellent wine! A delicate wine with a hint of mineral on the nose, with honey and tangerine on the palate, and just a hint of vanilla.

A quality wine.

Country pub with award winning dining The highest awarded restaurant in the Tees Valley area

chadwicksinnmaltby.co.uk

MAY/JUN18

Chadwicks Inn Maltby, High Lane, Maltby, Middlesbrough, TS8 0BG | 01642 590300

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GRAND PRIX

CHEF’S TABLE with James Close, two Michelin star chef at Raby Hunt Seven stars in two days on a Michelin mission in Monaco

Alain Ducasse at Le Louis XV excels at the classics with incredible attention to detail. No short cuts

Do it now. Hop on a flight to Nice, go out of season, get a great hotel deal then just eat your way through the Michelin stars (with maybe a few hours on a sunbed in a beach club).

A few of the Raby Hunt team did just that recently with some memorable dining experiences in Monte Carlo. Foie gras and champagne featuring heavily.

A highlight was definitely the Chef’s Table at Joel Robuchon. He’s a culinary hero and holds two Michelin stars at his restaurant in the very stylish Hotel Metropole.

We were able to sit and watch the kitchen from our counter-style table and eat some amazing small-plate dishes. The highlights were mini burgers with foie gras, and ravioli with langoustine, truffle and more foie gras.

The dessert trolley was a thing of beauty – with the French classics like floating islands and chocolate tart.

We saw Joel in the restaurant and asked if we could meet him. What was great was that he’d obviously gone away, looked us up, done a bit of research about Raby Hunt and came over really interested to talk about what we do and welcome us with a magnum of champagne!

We stayed at Hotel Hermitage which is elegant and impressive – very Monte Carlo.

(Tip: we’d go to the cooler Hotel Metropole next time).

One of the best things about the hotel though is the sea-facing spa – Thermes Marins (pictured) - where we managed

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some lounging.

Monte Carlo is obviously all about the bling so we ticked the casino box – there’s free access from Hotel Hermitage – with drinks at the lively Buddha Bar. Destination Le Mirazur: a visit to the restaurant you may have clocked on Masterchef the Professionals – it is where the finalists on the show headed in the episode after they visited Raby Hunt.

Chef is two Michelin star Mauro Colagreco who has forged a style of his own inspired by his Italian-Argentinian heritage.

It was a bit underwhelming if I am honest but his cuisine is ultra fresh, with lots of herbs, fruit and vegetables showcasing the magnificent ingredients produced by local growers. His signature dish, one to impress is ‘orange in flower’ which is citrus fruit from the Riviera, saffron from Sospel, olive oil and lemons from Menton.

Back in Monaco, we managed to bag a last minute table for lunch at Alain Ducasse at Le Louis XV.

This three Michelin star restaurant is on another level. It excels at the classics with incredible attention to detail on every level.

No short cuts – a lemon soufflé made with flavour-packed Menton lemons was unreal.

Exemplary execution of the toughest recipes.

They do a signature rum baba and I ate a fantastic guinea fowl and foie gras dish.

We were wowed by the cheese trolley – the Ferrari of cheese trolleys in fact – likewise the champagne ‘trolley’ – everything was perfection.

Kitchen sent out extra dishes for us to try and we had some great wine –2014 Montrachet and 2004 Chapelle La Mission Haut Brion. All so memorable.

On the radar at Raby >> We’ll be heading off to Istanbul and Rome on some food fact-finding missions soon.

And Moscow?! That’ll be interesting.

In the kitchen we’re all about the produce now and I am addicted to wagyu. We’ve got a new dish on the menu of slow-cooked wagyu sirloin which is finished on the barbecue.

I’ve also long wanted to do tempura like the Japanese do it and I think I’ve cracked it with an aerated batter – so we’ll have an authentic langoustine tempura on the menu.

MAY/JUN18

CHEERS DAD

Deep, dark and delicious

>> Dalmore Port Wood Reserve 46.5% £65 >> LSA International Islay Whisky Set £150 >> Venchi Nougatine Chocolate Cigar £6.50 All from the Food Hall, Fenwick, Newcastle

Keep dad seriously satisfied with kick-back treats for Father’s Day (17 June, for the diary). Then leave him space for that afternoon nap…

SERIOUS ABOUT STEAK Affordable glamour & understated elegance at Steakhouse Bar & Grill Newcastle

0191 300 9222 / INFO@MPWST EAK HOU SENEWC AST LE.COM MARCO PIERRE WHITE NEWCASTLE

MAY/JUN18

@MPWNEWCASTLE

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 67

SEASON’S BEST

Coordinated cooking

Northumberland cook Jane Lovett has released a new culinary bible, centered around tasty, get-ahead recipes for stress-free cooking at home. Jessica Laing finds out more…

Cook, tutor, caterer, food stylist, writer… local lass and long-time foodie, Jane Lovett, has done it all. The naturally greedy cook (her words, not mine) has had a life-long love affair with food; planning her days around feeding others, savouring mealtimes and always thinking ahead to her next plate of grub.

“Mealtimes form the structure of my day - it’s not the afternoon until I have lunch,” she says. “I’ve always been baffled by people who say they ‘forgot to have lunch’.

How could they? And how do they know when it’s the afternoon?”

It’s a passion that’s earned her big success in the foodie world - both locally and nationally. Armed with a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu, London, she went on to teach at the prestigious Leith’s School of Food and Wine, dishing out expert tips and tricks to the capital’s hungry students and home cooks, before setting up her own catering company in the city.

68 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

Later, she worked as a food stylist, testing and developing recipes and preparing dishes with love and care for cookery books, magazines and TV shows.

Today, you’ll find her relishing country life with husband, John, at their home in Northumberland; tending to her garden, cooking up seasonal delights straight from her fruit and veg patch, running a series of fun and relaxed cooking demos from the comfort of the couple’s kitchen and lending her talents to writing.

A member of The Guild of Food Writers, she first put her 30 years’ experience in the culinary game to good use when she released her first book, Make it Easy, back in 2012 (a second edition followed in 2015), packed with uncomplicated, must-make recipes for hapless at-home chefs and entertainers.

Her third, The Get-Ahead Cook, publishes this spring, bringing together 100 failsafe recipes, tried and tested, for the ‘everyday cook’, with a sprinkling of handy shortcuts and forward-thinking tips and tricks from

Jane to help you master meal-prep like a pro. A must-buy for hot-under-the-collar foodies looking for a smarter, simpler and more serene way to cook.

“Getting ahead is fundamental for me,” says Jane. “With my organised cap on, I can cope calmly with most things. Without it, I become flappable and stressed, and as far as entertaining is concerned, I don’t enjoy a minute of it. Cooking should be a joy, so my advice is to prepare ahead as much as time allows and keep it simple.”

“The recipes in this book all have get-ahead elements and, be it only a snatched five or ten minutes here or there, even the smallest of groundwork eases the task, recaps the benefits and makes a difference - especially when taking on several recipes at once.”

Jittery chefs can breathe a sigh a relief knowing that The Get-Ahead Cook has their back, whatever the occasion, season, or even time of day.

Jane’s all-bases-covered approach makes it a joy to read; strenuous, long-winded instructions and shopping lists are replaced with streamlined, effortlessly-mouthwatering recipes you can jot down in mere moments.

What’s more, it’s divided into six, fuss-free chapters to help navigate your appetite, from starters, small plates and brunchy inspiration, to ridiculously easy suppers and sweet ideas when it comes to tackling dessert.

There are menu planning pointers in there too, perfect for those about to tackle a dinner party or a Friday night feast with friends, as well as nifty notes on oven and measuring conversions, ingredients (note: the majority of the recipes require only the basic, kitchen cupboard staples), and even tips on tackling the often dreaded Christmas dinner.

Dish-wise, it serves up a real mix of flavour to keep your tastebuds on their toes.

Inspired by the latest culinary trends, new and up-and-coming ingredients and today’s eating habits (all of which Jane keeps a keen eye on), some, as you’ll discover, are on the healthier side - spicy kale chips and courgette and mint fritters for instance whereas others are pure indulgence.

Think hearty, can’t-live-without comfort food like pork and cider hot pot with gratin dauphinois, baked American honeycomb cheesecake and Jane’s very own ‘full English pie’, filled with bacon and egg, mushrooms and black pudding.

It’s also peppered with recipe ideas motivated by the tastes of other countries and cultures from around the world - great if you’re up for stepping up your kitchen game and keen to try something new.

Learn how to make Turkish meatballs from scratch, bake Mediterranean fish to flaky perfection, stuff peppers the Greek way, prepare Lebanese-style salads and whip up moreish mezze dips, simmer your way to vibrant Sri Lankan curry, pull off Spanish chorizo hash and create Chinese-style sesame prawn toast and hand-held Vietnamese rolls.

All this, plus the tools to help you deliver some cracking UK flavour to your kitchen table. Think every Brit’s favourite bar snack, pork scratchings with apple sauce, and a few Sunday showstoppers, such as stuffed shoulder of lamb and slowbraised beef short ribs with dollops of horseradish cream.

Safe to say, you’ll be spoilt for choice should you be smart enough to buy it (or lucky enough to be given it). Bravo to Jane, Northumberland’s clever cook, on another tasty must-read - a book that’ll have you prepping and preparing like a calm and confident pro in no time. www.janelovett.com

MAY/JUN18

SEASON’S BEST dusting of zest from the final lime over each plate. If serving in glasses, flood the tops with a little mango purée and decorate with the pistachios and lime zest.

Get ahead Make to the end of step 2 up to three days in advance. Step 3 can be prepared at any time on the day.

FULL-ENGLISH PICNIC PIE >> Makes 24 small-ish squares for a picnic, or 8-12 larger ones for lunch or brunch.

Be it for brunch, lunch or a picnic, ‘The Full English’ in a pie is such a useful recipe to have up your sleeve. Better still, you can assemble it entirely the day before and cook it when you wake up!

Ingredients 500 g block of shortcrust pastry 16 rashers of streaky bacon, snipped into 2.5 cm chunks 450 g chestnut mushrooms, cut into thickish slices Olive oil 200 g black pudding, thinly sliced 10 eggs, plus 1 for egg wash Nigella seeds Sea salt flakes Salt and freshly ground black pepper

LIME & COCONUT PANNA COTTA WITH MANGO PUREE & PISTACHIOS >> SERVES 8 “These delicious panna cottas are very easy to make and convert even non-pudding eaters to the ‘dark’ side! Don’t be put off by the leaf gelatine; it’s very user-friendly and this quantity produces just the right amount of wobble. For vegetarians, use agar-agar as a setting agent instead. Use a milk-type saucepan, not non-stick, for the coconut milk and cream to avoid scorching. You could also substitute passion fruit, or fresh berries, for the mango.”

Ingredients 400 ml tin of coconut milk 400 ml double cream 5 tbsp caster sugar 3 limes 4 leaves of gelatine 1 ripe mango or 1 x 400 g tin of mango in syrup or mango pulp 1/2-1 tbsp icing sugar A few pistachios, roughly chopped Method Put the coconut milk, cream and sugar into

a milk pan. Gently bring to the boil, stirring occasionally, and simmer for a minute or two. Add the zest of one, and the juice of 1 1/2 limes. Pour into a jug and set aside while you prepare the gelatine.

Submerge the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water and leave for 5 minutes to soften. Remove from the water, squeeze out any excess liquid and stir the leaves into the still-warm cream mixture. Pour into 8 mini pudding moulds, ramekins or other small dishes, or pretty glasses. Cool, cover and refrigerate until set (preferably overnight).

Peel the mango, slice the flesh from the stone and reserve two slices. Process the rest into a purée with the icing sugar to taste. Cover and refrigerate. If using tinned mango, strain and then purée the flesh, adding icing sugar to taste.

To serve, if turning out, dip the moulds briefly into a bowl of hot water or loosen around the edges with your finger, creating a vacuum down to the base, and turn out onto individual plates. Dice the reserved mango and serve separately or arrange with a little purée around each panna cotta.

Scatter with the pistachios, and grate a

JANE’S HINTS & TIPS >> >> Don’t use a food processor to chop onions - they’ll bruise and take on a very unpleasant taste and texture. When softening them, adding a pinch of salt will speed up the process considerably. >> Bring root veg to the boil in cold salted water. If cooking green vegetables, add them to boiling salted water, before draining and refreshing them under cold running water - this will set the colour and stop them from cooking further. >> Prolong the life of fresh herbs significantly by wrapping them in damp kitchen paper and storing them in a plastic bag, or clingfilm, in the fridge. >> Store surplus nuts in the freezer to prevent them from going rancid. They don’t need to be thawed before use in cooking, but this only takes minutes anyway. >> When making caramel, use granulated sugar. Being less refined, it dissolves far quicker and more successfully than caster sugar.

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Method Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a baking tin or ovenproof dish (approximately 30 x 20 x 5cm) with baking paper, mitring the corners.

(Using foil-lined baking paper makes this job easier.)

Cut the pastry roughly in half, with one piece very slightly larger, and roll the latter out large enough to line the tin (approximately 40 x 30cm). You may need to cut and patchwork the pastry for some areas, and some might overlap the edges.

Chill for 30 minutes.

Fry the bacon in a dry pan until it begins to brown and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper.

Add the mushrooms to the residual bacon fat (add a little extra oil if necessary), season well and cook quickly until all the liquid has evaporated and they begin to brown. Remove and set aside to cool.

Add a smidge of oil to the unwashed pan and cook the black pudding for 1–2 minutes on both sides. Transfer to a plate to cool.

Spread the mushrooms over the bottom of the chilled pastry, followed by the bacon and then the black pudding, breaking it up for even coverage. Break the eggs over the top, spacing them as evenly as possible. Don’t worry if the odd yolk breaks.

Season with a grinding of pepper.

Lightly beat the remaining egg with a little salt. Roll out the rest of the pastry, large enough to fit as a lid. Brush the edges of the overhanging base pastry with the egg wash and carefully sit the lid over the top.

Trim off the excess pastry and crimp the edges together.

If you wish, re-roll the pastry trimmings and cut out for decoration, such as the word ‘pie’, leaves, hearts and so on. Brush the lid with egg wash and sprinkle with nigella seeds. Brush both sides of any pastry decoration with a little egg wash and glue it to the top.

Sprinkle with a few flakes of sea salt and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.

Get Ahead Prepare to the end of step 6, cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance. Bring back to room temperature an hour or so before cooking. Continue with step 7. The filling ingredients can be cooked several days in advance.

FOOD MATTERS >> >> Savoury dishes are my favourite to make. The same goes for big feasts for friends; lots of different recipes piled on to large plates. >> One of my earliest food memories is my mother buying us avocados to try, back when they were the ‘new’ exotic ingredient. I found the taste and texture weird, yet strangely moreish, and so there was no going back.

Nowadays I live off them! >> I enjoy cooking for my family the most. We’re a greedy bunch and get as much pleasure from planning what we’re going to eat, as we do eating it. >> The best cooking advice I’ve ever been given is to clear and wash up as you go along. It eases the task and stress levels and focuses the mind. >> My idea of food heaven is beef carpaccio, dribbled with Thai dressing and chillies. That, or crab (or chicken) with mayo, new potatoes and a green salad. >> I admire writers such as Diana Henry, Nigel Slater and Marcella Hazan - all of whom are cooks, rather than chefs. >> My favourite meal of the day is supper, because it signals the end of the day and time to relax and unwind with a glass of wine. >> My must-grab, ‘of-the-moment’ ingredients are Middle Eastern spices and pastes, such as verbena harissa and zhoug. >> Most of my recipes are easier to prepare than they look. A tarte tatin always looks impressive, but very difficult, but is in fact a doddle - use ready-made pastry. >> I couldn’t live without my tomato knife, which I use for just about everything. Slicing ripe tomatoes with a straight bladed knife is almost impossible and the acid in the tomatoes blunts the blade. >> Travelling, both in the UK and abroad, and learning traditional methods and dishes keeps me inspired in the kitchen. Street food is innovative and a constant source of inspiration; I love visiting markets, bursting with seasonal ingredients. >> An easy dessert recipe I can always rely on is full fat Greek yoghurt spooned into pretty individual dishes, topped with blueberries and a dribble of honey.

>> BOOK CREDIT: The Get Ahead Cook

by Jane Lovett is published by whitefox (£20).

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Savouring the seasons WITH KAREN PHILLIPS

WILD GARLIC SOUP >> Ingredients 50g butter 2 onions, finely chopped 500g potatoes, peeled & finely sliced with a mandolin 1 litre veg/chicken stock 200g wild garlic leaves, tough stems removed 4tbsp. double cream Chopped chives to serve.

Method Sauté the chopped onion in the butter for 5 minutes until soft, add the stock and sliced potatoes and bring to the boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are soft. Add the wild garlic leaves and simmer gently for another 5 minutes then puree the soup and season to taste. Pour a swirl of double cream into each bowl when serving and top with chives.

or even be a raised bed filled with sand. If you plant asparagus crowns now (rather than sow from seed) you can harvest them fully after two years. One word of advice though: cover with a double layer of horticultural fleece in January to protect against any late frost damage since this can be a problem this far North.

• Sow, sow, sow vegetable seeds outside I cannot stress this strongly enough. One growing day in June is worth two in July since the nights get longer so get the majority of your veg growing now, especially winter veg: purple sprouting broccoli, kale, cavolo nero etc. A couple of veg NOT TO SOW now are

Garlic is a multipurpose medicinal herb with antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, no wonder Dracula was scared of it! What better way to purge any lingering bugs (and possibly your neighbours) than with a hefty bowl of wild garlic soup.

WILD GARLIC >> Unlike bulb garlic which stores well, wild garlic has a relatively short season since we usually just consume the leaves. My Thai relative, Siri, got so excited when she saw it growing by the stream here that she desperately wanted to take some back for her garden since they use the roots in lots of Thai dishes; I adamantly refused! There is a fabulous dish of twice cooked pork using wild garlic stems in ‘Every Grain of Rice’, a brilliantly, simple Chinese cookbook by Fuchsia Dunlop - which female gardener doesn’t covet that name? If you see ‘Ransoms’ for sale on the internet it is wild garlic and resist buying since planting it would soon take over most of your garden.

Simply find a local stream with a good supply – the smell will direct you to it; indeed it took me many years to go anywhere near it having suffered badly with morning sickness at this time of year. Dog walks down by the river in Gloucestershire often found me heaving in the bushes!

WILD GARLIC PESTO FOR SPRING PASTA >> This is a brilliant way of preserving the flavours for use at any time of the year – freeze tablespoons in an ice cube tray and defrost throughout the year.

Ingredients 150ml olive oil

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1 bunch spring onions, sliced 2 fat garlic cloves, chopped 200g wild garlic leaves, tough stems removed 100g pine nuts or cashew nuts 100g parmesan, grated 1tsp. caster sugar

Method Sauté the spring onions and garlic gently in 3 tbsp. of the olive oil for about 3 minutes, then whizz up in a blender with all the rest of the ingredients. Either freeze in ice cube trays or pot into sterilised jars – pour extra olive oil over the top of the pesto if it is in jars to keep it fresh in the fridge for about 1 month.

Use 250g dried pasta, 125g petit pois, 125g asparagus spears and 6 tbsp. wild garlic pesto for a quick and easy supper of spring pasta.

JOBS TO SORT: • Buy British Asparagus - take a look at www.britishasparagus.com for some great recipes. If you fancy starting your own asparagus bed look out for any ‘reduced price’ asparagus crowns that didn’t sell in spring. An asparagus bed needs to be in full sun, not sited in a frost pocket, and most importantly have well drained soil

spinach and Florence fennel; both start to flower on the longest days, so wait until 21 June has passed and your crop will take you through till spring without bolting.

• Harvest asparagus, pea tips, radish, baby turnips, pak choi and the lettuce.

• Get hold of an NGS (National Garden Scheme) Little Yellow Booklet – a rare opportunity to visit some wonderful gardens in the North East and raise money for charity.

Many of these gardens are private and only open for one day and there are some stunners in the region! So if you fancy some inspiration, afternoon tea and perhaps the chance to purchase some lovely plants…

UPCOMING COURSES @ LINNELS FARM RACHEL RODDY COOKERY DEMO >> FRIDAY 4 MAY Join Rachel for a close up of how to bring some Italian warmth into our cooking. She will share some simple, everyday recipes that emerge from two distant but connected kitchens in Sicily and Rome.

2-3.30pm, £25

STEFFI KNOWLES-DELLNER COOKERY DEMO >> FRIDAY 18 MAY Steffi is a Swedish cookery writer; her blog, Always So Hungry, was recently highlighted as one of the UK’s top food blogs. Her new book Lagom is a simple and elegant representation of true Swedish cooking. Limited Spaces.

2-3.30pm, £25

VEG GROWING PART 2 - ALL YEAR ROUND >> THURSDAY 24 MAY Grow the same thing each year? Expand your repertoire and have vegetables to harvest over a longer season avoiding the summer holiday gluts. This course covers

different growing methods and utilises new varieties of seeds and plants to prolong the short growing season in Northumberland. Includes morning coffee/ cakes and lunch, £90

THE TOWN GARDENER >> FRIDAY 25 MAY Don’t let the size of your plot limit your creativity. Choose plants that earn their keep and learn low maintenance ideas to create colour and impact in a small place.

Discover the multitude of plants and methods of ringing the changes in even the smallest garden. Includes morning coffee/cakes and a 2-course lunch, £85

WILLOW WORKSHOP WITH PHIL BRADLEY >> TUESDAY 19 JUNE Back by popular demand, Phil will instruct you on how to weave your very own ‘farm animal’ from willow. Depart with completed sculpture. Includes morning coffee and cakes and 2-course lunch, £100

MAY/JUN18

XXXXXXXX LUXE LIFE

ANNA COULSON AND NIK TUNLEY Anna, former Executive Headteacher of St Bede’s Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy a school which she helped lead to be one of the top 25 primary schools in the country is the newly appointed CEO of a 10 school multi-academy trust in Redcar and Cleveland, Galileo.

Nik, a partner in the Corporate Team at The Endeavour Partnership, is Chair of Trustees at Galileo. The Trust was created on 1 April 2018 and is now setting out on its journey to provide an unrivalled state sector education experience for the children it serves.

LUXE PEOPLE >> NT Obviously my family; but, otherwise, someone who challenges me, motivates me and make me laugh/smile.

AC My family and friends. I’m lucky to still have a group of friends that I went to school with. We always have the best times.

They never judge and are incredibly loyal.

My trusted PA, Rebecca; my husband jokes that even he needs to go through her for an appointment.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > NT Marbella in the summer; Nikki Beach for the daytime and the Pangea in Banus on the night; such good fun.

AC The Cotswolds. I go at least twice a year and love the surroundings, way of life and I always shop in Daylesford.

For a long holiday > NT Somewhere in the Far East; culturally diverse, the scenery is stunning and some amazing hotels.

AC Although it is only a three hour flight, I love Portugal; the South of France is another favourite.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > NT A wagyu steak with chunky chips and a side of peppercorn sauce with a glass of red.

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AC I love seafood. Scallops are my ultimate favourite but nothing beats a cup of tea and an Aero mint.

Best wine > NT Red would be an Australian cab sav (Wolf Blass Yellow label); white, a bottle of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc and on a hot day an ice cold Minuty Prestige rose.

AC Good quality bubbles!

Favourite restaurant > NT Locally, Muse, in Yarm.

AC I got married at The Star Inn at Harome so I always like going back. I love Novikov in Mayfair for a real treat!

Perfect weekend > NT Nice hot weather; early morning round of golf then home with the BBQ on and a house full of friends and family, plenty of food, drinks and music late into the night; Sunday, lazy day, movies and pizza with the kids.

AC My family loves horse racing so definitely a day out at the races followed by a gorgeous dinner.

Downtime means > NT Hopefully getting on a plane somewhere hot.

AC Spending time with my family. I have twin girls who have just turned five and are getting more mischievous by the day. I love to see the girls having great fun and one thing I tell them is to be as naughty as they want, just don’t get caught.

Best telly > NT I’m not a big fan of TV but probably a major sporting event.

AC I don’t get to watch much TV but, when I do, I enjoy a bit of escapism with Britain’s Next Top Model and The Crown is next on my list as my friends tell me it is worth a watch.

Best book > NT I’m not really a book person; but those that I do read tend to be autobiographical.

AC Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results.

It is all about a workplace where everyone chooses to bring energy, passion and a positive attitude to the job every day. I have referred to this book throughout my career, none more so than when setting up Galileo.

Best theatre > NT Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake; it’s spectacular.

AC I saw Dancing at Lughnasa with my beautiful Mum at the Old Vic in London. It was the most breathtaking piece of theatre and to share it with Mum was gorgeous.

Best sounds > NT My two girls laughing. Musically, something with a decent beat that will get your foot tapping while you listen along.

AC Liam Gallagher, always.

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > NT London; although I spend more time in Hamleys than anywhere else at the minute.

AC London, without a doubt.

Favourite shop > NT Locally, Psyche. It’s convenient and covers everything I need.

AC I love Bicester Village. I always go after my visits to The Cotswolds. Designer goods at a bargain price.

Luxe retail treat > NT Although it clearly doesn’t happen very often; a new car. I’ve just bought a BMW M3; it makes me smile every time I start the engine.

AC I love expensive makeup, skincare products and good quality candles. Tom Ford’s makeup is the best and the packaging is divine.

Favourite item of clothes > NT Paul Smith suit for work. Tailored shorts, polo shirt and a pair of boat shoes in the summer.

AC I love Paige jeans. No matter how much you wear them, or wash them, they never lose their shape. I also have a leather dress that my friend Jill bought me in the BCBG

Max Azria sale.

Best Buy > NT My watch. When I was promoted to partner, I treated myself to a Rolex GMT Master II; it’s a lovely watch but it also represents the culmination of a lot of hard work and also the start of a new phase of my professional career.

AC On my last visit to Bicester, my husband bought me a beautiful Gucci bag that was reduced by over 70%. I use it every day, even with my work and twin girls, it never seems to get full!

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > NT A few years ago, I went to Las Vegas for a friend’s birthday; the first night there at Hakkasan was incredible, a night I’ll never forget!

AC My close friends and I went to Leeds last year and spent the night dancing, catching up and having great fun. It’s a rare treat to get everybody together but, when we manage it, it is always memorable.

Perfect party > NT A full house; friends, family, drinks and music.

AC The parties I remember most are the ones spent with family, close friends, champagne and dancing.

Dinner date > NT Depending very much on my mood; a business leader like Richard Branson, or someone much more light-hearted like James Cordon. Either way, not someone who takes themselves too seriously.

AC I would love to meet Brigitte Bardot.

There is so much more to her than her beautiful appearance. She announced her retirement from bombshell duties in 1973 and turned instead to highly visible political activism. She’s also a strident supporter of animal rights and established the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals.

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FRESH AIR

ON THE HOOF with Deborah Smith Smart kit to signal a start to spring at last!

The start of the competition season for many riders has been pretty much washed-out or snowed-off, with a winter that has kept on giving.

Eventing fixtures have been abandoned the length and breadth of the country and even indoor dressage and showjumping didn’t escape, with frozen warm-up arenas and icy venues causing cancellations aplenty.

Living in Weardale and pretty high up, I’ve felt as frustrated as anyone not being able to get out and about with the horses.

So in between the snow showers I’ve been relieving the cabin fever by having a look at where to go riding overseas…..just a thought!

In The Saddle has been arranging bespoke riding holidays since 1995 and Botswana, Paraguay and Jordan feature on a pretty impressive destination list. I personally quite fancy the Lesoto Expedition described as “an off-grid adventure to experience the untouched wilds of the Sehlbathebe National Park – a part of Lesotho most tourists never get the chance to see” or for a totally different experience, the Yukon, the last Canadian border before Alaska; “a true experience of wilderness beauty: glacial valleys, pristine rivers and lakes, alpine meadows, forest and tundra. On this expedition, you follow the paths of wild animals such as moose, caribou and wolves, and in the footsteps of the last trappers of the Yukon”.

ADVENTURERS >> A bit closer to home, Clair Woff from County Durham Equine Massage (who keeps Oli and Strider in tip-top shape with regular treatments) and her friend, Sarah Sowden, have an adventure all of their own planned this summer with their Base 2 Base Charity Horse Ride in support of the Great North Air Ambulance. After going on several holidays with their horses and exploring the Cumbrian landscape they forged the idea of combining their passion with raising money for a worthy and local cause.

In August they will be riding their horses, Willy and Sprout, from the GNAAS air base in Langwathby, Cumbria to the GNAAS air base at Durham Tees Valley. The route is more than 100km following old drover trails and ancient byways over the Pennines, through Teesdale on to Darlington and Yarm.

My show jumping prize money managed to stretch to a very smart pair of Cavallo lurex socks

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>> Photo credits: Clair and Sarah’s charity ride; Jason Allison Photography

You can follow their adventures on Facebook @BaseToBaseCharityHorseRide SADDLE UP >> Oli and I finally got away on a little road trip of our own and headed down to ArenaUK at Grantham for their three-day April Show Jumping Event. Oli loves staying at an event and having a good nose at what is going on.

He had an end barn stable so he was able to poke his head out and watch all the comings and goings. Once down there, we had some at-the-event support from British Showjumping Coach, Sarah Tubbs from Marwood Equestrian Centre near Barnard Castle.

Sarah is Lead British Showjumping Coach for the North East Academies and Head Coach for the Durham British Showjumping Academies. She is also qualified as a Para

Showjumping Coach.

Sarah had her own horses there but still found time to help us with our warm up and Oli showed off in the big outdoor arena with three great show jumping rounds, securing two fifth places, and the sun finally came out! Result!

LUXE KIT >> Fresh back from Lincolnshire it feels like the year is starting properly with diary out and plans being made for more outings.

With some showjumping prize money to spend I couldn’t resist taking a sneaky peek at the unbelievably luxurious collection at Donna Diva equestrian.

Located halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow and the go-to-place for riders from the North East and the Borders, MD, Grace Hughes, has curated a truly luxe collection of premium brands showcased by a cohort

of brand ambassador riders.

I am definitely adding a pair of bespoke short casual boots from DeNiro in Bordeaux leather with brushed leather toes and a sparkly suede upper to my birthday list, together with a Kask Dogma Chrome light Swarovski hat in navy and a Pikeur Samera Sporty-elegant ladies’ quilted jacket in caramel. Here’s hoping!

And my show jumping prize money? Well I managed to stretch to a very smart pair of Cavallo lurex socks! inthesaddle.com donnadivaequestrian.com

MAY/JUN18

KICK-BACK

TREND WATCH with Kate Rose, founder of lifestyle brand, Tutti&Co A taste of new season style...

Loving...

At this time of year, I’m ready for a natural healthy glow and the perfect product for this is Clarins’ Golden Glow Booster. A magic formula that you can tailor to your desired level of colour, by adding 1 -3 drops to your favourite day or night cream. It creates a hydrating, anti-ageing and firming cream, with the added benefit of a natural looking, radiant glow. On counter, £27.

Drinking...

As the days get longer and the weeks get warmer, I love nothing more than to pull back the doors to the garden, entertain friends and bring a sense of summer to the menu. My favourite drink of the moment is a ‘Bonito’, a mix of champagne, watermelon liqueur and cucumber syrup with a dash of soda. Garnish with basil leaves, lemon juice, a cucumber slice and a water melon stick for the most refreshing summer cocktail.

Eating...

If you haven’t already visited Dirt on Chillingham road, Heaton, it’s a must. A super stylish, clean eating hang out. I love good food, but even more so when its freshly prepared, natural and supports the local community. The mission of Dirt is simple…“We all have two homes - our planet and our body, nurture both to become healthier, stronger and more connected”.

The owners believe in sustainability and are mindful of every choice they make. They think globally and act locally, from coffee roasters to farmers, working hard to build a community of local suppliers so you can be assured of quality. My favourite treat for a quick afternoon pick-me-up is the raw brownie. Vegan and absolutely delicious, it is sweetened purely with dates and is rich and indulgent. All cakes are handmade by Jessica (the founder) and you will most likely be greeted by her at the counter if you pop in.

Travelling...

Styling...

Wearing...

I am always on the look out for that perfect outfit, that I can dress up or down. Not always an easy find, however I picked out this navy silk dress from Cos. Unexpected details such as the knitted neckline, elasticated grosgrain straps, subtle A line fit and discreet side-seam pockets, create a stylish but classic look. Dress up with nude killer heels, oversized clutch and layered jewellery for that special occasion, or throw on a pair of white sneakers and tie your hair back for a casual everyday look. >> www.cos.com, £125

MAY/JUN18

With new deliveries arriving at TUTTI this month, I can’t help but pick out my favourite pieces to take home and style.

I’m a little obsessed with navy at the moment, an easy neutral colour, that looks great paired with light grey tones.

So it had to be a few pieces from the Harbour collection. The navy dock leather table/stool, has so many uses and is ideal to swap between rooms when needed. The shore and cove vases look perfect styled alongside, and all you need to add is a pop of greenery from the garden for texture. www.tutti&co.com

My top pick for a summer getaway, whether it be a long weekend or a midweek break has to be ‘The Farmhouse’ in Ibiza. Effortlessly stylish, laid back but elegant. The dark but interesting interiors create an unusual atmosphere, and in contrast to the beautiful old stone buildings, are ideal for exploring. Soft, neutral linens and rustic but luxurious bathrooms create the perfect balance for an authentic Ibiza vibe. With only five rooms available, the feeling is intimate but relaxed, the service impeccable. The only problem is you don’t want to leave the hotel to explore the island! www.lagranjaibiza.com

Listening to...

James Vincent Mcmorrow - Early in the morning. An easy listening, laid back album, perfect everyday background music.

Reading ...

Happy – Fearne Cotton.

The perfect book to inspire you to find joy in everyday life. Easy reading, a great book to pack for your next holiday.

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SHINE ON in association with

www.greatlook.co.uk

Light and shade Gemma Medden has given her character cottage a funky interiors flourish as Kathryn Armstrong discovers

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www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

It’s really not hard to spot Gemma Medden’s house among the cluster of cottages in her quiet village on the outskirts of Yarm.

Inside a bold glass and oak porch a huge modern chandelier sparkles with twinkly lights by night and dazzles with the sunshine’s rays in the morning.

It makes an entrance in the truest sense – and has given a new lease of life and contemporary edge to the cottage that’s home to Gemma, husband Gareth, Darcey, ten, Beau, five and dog Maisie.

A bold renovation creates a home of two halves. That light and airy entrance hall leads to a sunny family room.

Then head to the back of the house to find a snug, dark and deeply stylish kitchen, dining area and lounge with more than a pop of eclectic glamour.

The style in here is open plan but Gemma has carefully zoned the space to create distinctive living areas.

Steps lead down from the kitchen area to what feels like a sunken living space with opulent sofas, velvet accessories and hide rugs.

A bi-fold door overlooks the garden then out to open countryside beyond.

But the living area has a den-like appeal thanks to its deep-coloured walls, painted in the famously sludgy, earthy colours of designer Abigal Aherne. This room’s shade is called Bedford Brown, and the colour acts as a dramatic backdrop to Gemma’s gathering of ‘finds’. So you spy a bronze torso sporting a lampshade in one corner and a flamingo peeping from the kitchen.

Florals burst from vases everywhere, tassels tumble from frames and furnishings and mirrors and quirky prints hint at a home with humour.

Drama continues in wallcoverings with a

panelled-effect paper in the sitting area and clever use of lighting everywhere – so there are soft reflections of light in every direction. Twinkling star lanterns, bare filament bulbs and shadows cast on walls from the detail of intricate lampshades.

Gemma’s passion for interiors and her success in the renovation of the cottage led her to start her own interiors blog called luxeinthecottage.

She is about to spread that passion with the launch of a new online store called luxology (www.luxeology.co.uk).

This will be a marketplace for accessories, lighting, art and treasures she finds.

“I don’t like to conform when it comes to the home”, she says.

“My approach is, if you like it, do it.

“I like finding things to upcycle and customise. I like seeking things out in salvage yards. And I love spray paint!”

The dining area of Gemma’s home is one of the areas where this approach definitely comes in to play. It’s a cosy area painted in Abigail Aherne’s Mercer Green, a shade with a definite appeal.

A side table is an upcycled treasure. The 50s-style piece was stripped down then painted dramatic black and gold giving a nod to another era – especially alongside a kitsch cocktail trolley abundant with decanters, glasses and bottles.

“A lot of the things in the house have a story of their own to tell”, says Gemma.

“The whole process was extensive – we moved out for six months while the downstairs was changed – one day we came back and there were no inside walls at all.

“Now I love that it is such a big light space – the porch has changed it entirely.”

With her new online store she hopes to source products to inspire others. Quirky prints from an artist in the Netherlands, her favourite metallic palm-tree style lamps, zebra bath mats… and who knows what else!

MAY/JUN18

SHINE ON

Florals burst from vases everywhere, tassels tumble from frames and furnishings and mirrors and quirky prints hint at a home with humour

MAY/JUN18

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STAY SHARP in association with

www.greatlook.co.uk

A style shake up mixes Scandi sensibilities with New York cool to give a Georgian property in Edinburgh huge retreat appeal, as Kathryn Armstrong discovers

Time for a LOCKE-IN The gorgeous Eden Locke calls itself an aparthotel but you’ll want to stay there forever once you’ve had a taste of its laid-back luxe.

It’s much more than a lay-your-head bolthole. All the elements within are designed to made you want to hunker down, sink-in and stay put.

It’s reverse city-stay; a definite Locke-in rather than just a head-down destination.

It helps that Eden Locke’s 72 studios within its grand Georgian facade are in Edinburgh’s George Street, as city-centric as its gets within what is always a neat ‘big city’ destination.

The wee apartments are places to stay that will have you hovering over the Instagram button within seconds - before

These are places to stay that will have you hovering over the Instagram button within seconds

and a muted palette of monochrome and pastels. The tech details include Apple Box, smart TV and ultrafast Wi-Fi. But as well as the lovely living space, Eden Locke is all about communality and shared space - if you want to dig deeper.

The social hub is Hyde & Son, a third wave coffee bar by day, and a stylish wine and cocktail bar by night. Located on the ground floor of the premises, Hyde & Son is a great place to meet, mingle and take in the city.

By day, Hyde & Son also presents a selection of freshly made raw, vegan, clean, dairy free, gluten free, refined sugar free cakes and pastries from local artisan bakers, all made with 100% natural ingredients.

At the heart of its carefully curated bar, are Eden Locke’s partnerships with local food and drink innovators. The fashionable bar is stocked with locally and lovingly produced artisan spirits and an enviable selection of wines.

Expect too the team’s unique programme of events to be enjoyed by guests and locals alike, such as whisky tastings, yoga sessions and art exhibits, the cultural programme is designed to inspire, entertain, enlighten and bring the community and its visitors together in creative ways. www.lockeliving.com

heading home ready to overhaul your own living space.

The fine idea is that you become not a guest but a ‘temporary resident’.

First the suites. Ultra-cosy beds are a given but the signature large comfy L-shaped sofas put socialising at the heart of a stay with all the essentials that make you feel at home.

A fully fitted kitchen means you can decide whether to stay put and spend your spare time munching on farmers’ market food treats (Stockbridge market on Sunday morning is a an insider tip or the city’s J Mellis cheesemongers). You can also order in from local restaurants. Rooms have T2 teas, a cocktail kit and Rude Health granola - covering everyone’s nutritional needs!

Guests can also experience Edinburgh’s beauty to the fullest in one of the mezzanine suites, with original floor to ceiling windows giving unparalleled views of Scotland’s capital.

Property interiors are the brainchild of New York interior design firm Grzywinski+Pons which has lovingly restored the 18th Century building, carefully respecting the classic Georgian features and façade to highlight the beauty of the natural light and balance of space, while embellishing the building with an injection of modern, dynamic design.

Each studio features that L-shaped sofa, marble table tops and metallic light fittings, complemented by sophisticated decor with hard wood floor boards, handmade tiles

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MAY/JUN18

ShowerHeaven from Hansgrohe

10 Stirling Court, Eleventh Avenue North, Team Valley, NE11 0JF

www.h2obdc.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL & STYLISH LIGHTING

The region’s largest lighting store with two floors of contemporary and traditional lighting MAY/JUN18

01642 704104 Southside Retail Park, Portrack Lane, Stockton, TS18 2TA

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

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HOME HIGHS in association with

www.greatlook.co.uk

From drover’s inn to cream tea hotspot, Emma McDonald’s remote North Yorkshire home has lived many a life. Now it’s all about retreat and rest as a smart holiday getaway

Cheque this out

Dressed in farmer’s garb of waterproof dungarees in preparation for a spot of lambing, Emma McDonald laughs as she recalls the more delicate cream tea days at her home, Chequers.

“Probably about 300,000”, answers the question of how many scones mum-of-five Emma baked during the days when Chequers was a destination tearoom on the Cleveland Way. If you’ve ever made the journey from Osmotherley over the North Yorkshire Moors towards Helmsley, you might have stopped to take a breather at the teashop and indulge in a buttery scone.

These days you can do that in an altogether more unhurried manner, minus the crowds.

Swapping her farming gear for a pair of decorator’s dungarees, Emma has transformed the old teashop into a super-cosy, rustic and charming holiday cottage.

She has laid flagstones, bricks and tiles, transforming the low-slung traditional stone building into a place of peace and retreat with an easy-going chic style that perfectly suits today’s demanding staycation visitor.

So on arrival you step from the gravel driveway into a welcoming space that abounds with home comforts old and new.

Baskets filled with logs for the ultra-efficient woodburner that steals the kitchen’s limelight, urging you to linger in its warmth.

An abundance of sofas that rather than sit on, you plunge into, so comfy are they. By their side are tables laden with magazines with a space for your restful glass of wine.

In the evening, candles flicker from every

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surface giving a warm, welcoming glow.

You’re on top of the world in these parts but staggeringly solid walls have kept this place cosy for centuries. Windows look out to the valley and landscape beyond – you can dip down to Osmotherley or take to the moorland and join the meandering Cleveland Way or Hambleton Hills straight from the kitchen door. Or just plant yourself on a chair on the patio and soak up the views – from gorse to heather to snow and the biggest of skies.

Thick wooden doors creak as they lead you to solid, aged stairs which head up to two bedrooms with luxurious en-suite bathrooms with lovely Temple Spa toiletries.

Solid beams and sturdy walls hint at the character of the building but thick carpet, curtains and bedcoverings bring the best of cosy modernity to the rooms. And these are beds with a priceless view.

The building forms part of Emma’s family farm but its history is that of a drover’s inn.

It is surrounded by hilltop stretches of turf which would have been overnight stopping places for drovers’ cattle being transported down from Scotland. The drover’s would stay at the inn.

The walls must have many a tale to tell and Chequers retains a real sense of that history from flagstone to fireplace.

The building downstairs is made up of four rooms which blend into one another. A hearty hallway is the place for muddy boots and map-reading. Cosy sofas by the window in here make it the perfect spot for reading.

The generous kitchen/diner boasts uninterrupted views from every window. The on-trend kitchen has dark grey units, solid oak work-tops, and a Belfast sink. The

natural spring water running through the taps is a nice surprise. All mod cons in here including an induction hob, dishwasher, fridge, freezer and a Stoves range cooker.

There’s also a further beautiful dining area within the main living area.

This area is also home to the lounge where the star of the show is a gorgeous wood and brick inglenook fireplace. Complete with a large wood-burning stove this really feels like the heart of the home, where you can

settle down for the evening by the glow of a real fire.

For Emma, who used to live in Chequers, it’s a joy to open it up to other people who appreciate its wild location. But she’s nowhere near stopping. The next plan? Get her hands on a cement mixer for a spot of landscaping!

Gorgeous Cottages 01642 263 240 info@gorgeouscottages.com

Do this in Osmotherley >> Great food, atmosphere and a good pint at The Golden Lion or gastro goodness at The Three Tuns. Great fish and chips form the village chippy too. >> If you’re a bit of a foodie, nearby notables include The Black Swan at Oldstead which was named ‘Best Restaurant in the World 2017’ by TripAdvisor. >> Walk, cycle, jog. There are walks and cycle routes in every direction. You’re very close to the famous Cleveland Way as well as many more well-known and picturesque moorland walks, some of which lead all the way to the sea.

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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 LOCAL

Barnard Castle A chateau on the doorstep, local produce in abundance. Barnard Castle is a place that blends rustic and riches

PROPERTIES >> Vast estates, smart Edwardians, chic cottages and on-trend terraces. Something for all budgets in this lively market town and the areas around the edge. Easy enough to find a creaky character cottage if you yearn for a doer-upper or even a weekend bolthole. The land around Barnard Castle delves into the loveliest dales where you can snap up a remote renovation project to satisfy those ‘place in the country’ dreams.

CONNECTED >> The A66 can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Most of the time it offers easy access to the A1 at Scotch Corner (which is of course getting its own upmarket designer outlet in the not-too-distant future). And the A66 takes you west on a dramatic if not so commuter-friendly route.

But of course when the snow comes, life’s a challenge.

For travel further afield, trains from Darlington and Northallerton and planes from Durham Tees Valley or Leeds Bradford are good.

EAT >> This is the land of the lovely farm shop.

Heading along the A66 stop off at Mainsgill Farm Shop. Believe your eyes when you see camels, llama and even wallaby in the fields. Thorpe Farm Peel House offers an abundance of locally-sourced produce and deli goods.

Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop and Café specialises in organic local produce and its lovely café serves a range of homemade

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organic delights. Helpful in-store signs allow you to track every food mile and discover local producers.

Barnard Castle holds its Farmers Market on the first Saturday of every month, the stalls are set up on the main cobbled area running through the town centre. The Market normally is open from the morning until early afternoon. Market day in Barnard Castle is every Wednesday.

You can enjoy afternoon tea at a wide variety of places in the area, including The Bowes Museum Café, The Coach House at Eggleston Hall, The Morritt Arms and Headlam Hall Hotel. Search out the local traditional lead miners pasty at Café 1618 in Middleton in Teesdale or at their café set in the visitor centre at Bowlees.

Pub recommendations include Eat The Crown, Mickleton, and the Rose & Crown

Romaldkirk.

In Barnard Castle, McFarlane’s butcher is a family operation which really looks the business, black pudding and sausages a speciality. Cotherstone Cheese Company is one of Rick Stein’s food heroes. You can buy the distinctive, sharp cheese from a number of delis and shops in Barnard Castle. A distinctive, sharp cheese.

CULTURE STOP >> Within walking distance of the high street, Bowes Museum is a great place to linger. It looks like a French Chateau and is filled with stunning art and exhibits, from Turner’s paintings to the famous clockwork swan. An impressive textile and costume wing is where you can watch tapestries and clothing being restored as well as getting up close to gorgeous period costume reflecting the

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LUXE LOCAL ages. There are regular exhibitions featuring the works of renowned contemporary artists and lots of family-friendly activities. The coffee shop and restaurant is certainly worth a detour too. Local produce in abundance, from snacks to home-made cakes, pastries, cheeses and ice-cream.

STROLL >> Don’t miss the castle itself. A spectacular fortress set on a high rock above the market town, Barnard Castle takes you back to the 12th century. Spot Richard III’s boar emblem carving, enjoy the sensory garden and stunning views of this riverside location.

SHOP >> Barnard Castle is renowned for its excellent

range of antiques shops, many of which are located on ‘The Bank’, a steep street leading downhill from the Market Cross, lined with early 16th and 17th century buildings. Together the shops can offer antiques hunters a tremendous selection of furniture, books, decorative items, clocks, cutlery, silver and jewellery.

Alongside the antiques shops there is a wide array of independent shops, including beautiful contemporary home and gift shops, vintage home and clothing stores, a traditional sweet shop, a chocolate shop, countrywear shops, stationers and delicatessens.

Pick of the bunch for cool hunters who love their homeware are Oswells and Ruby & D.

my local

PROPERTY WATCH WITH DUNCAN YOUNG

BRING ON THE SUMMER!

Kieran Goldsborough is MD at Narrative Communications in Sunderland. He lives in Cotherstone village near Barnard Castle with wife Rachel, daughter Kitty, eight and twin boys Finley and Oliver, five.

Three good things about living here >> • Stunning countryside • The mix of people who create a good sense of community • Lovely food on the doorstep Three places to take visitors >> • Breakfast at Mainsgill Farm Shop – great kids’ play area with picnic tables • The Bowes Museum • A walk around Cotherstone for amazing views and countryside

property: three to choose Perfect views New Broomielaw is a picture-perfect stone house with beautiful views across open countryside. Lovely large rooms and the added extra of the Bothy, a two-bedroom self-contained holiday cottage in the garden for your favourite guests. £425,000 gscgrays.co.uk

Bolthole Belmont could be the getaway cottage of your dreams in the coveted village of Cotherstone.

Ticks the boxes: country garden, walks from your doorstep and a huge open fire. £260,000 gscgrays.co.uk

Winter and early spring may have been disappointing but in the housing market, things have been hotting up.

In the first three months of 2018, Sanderson Young have recorded our best level of net sales and new instructions for ten years.

One of the reasons is the variety of new homes sites which are providing much needed stock to the market place.

In particular, Smith’s Dock in North Shields, where our partners, Places for People and Urban Splash.

We had a soft launch in 2017 when the site was just starting, but now the availability of two sets of houses on The Plateau gives an option to purchase a lovely family home on the site from £225,000 and the larger terraces, with their stunning, contemporary accommodation, starting at £299,950.

This combines with the two new Smokehouse apartment blocks on the waterfront which create a significant impact.

In the next couple of months we have fabulous new developments coming on at the former library site in Ponteland village and the old Barnardos site off Buston Terrace in Jesmond, where there will be 11 fantastic, luxury, detached homes.

We also have two amazing developments in Lesbury and Warkworth, where fabulous family homes with 4-5 bedrooms are being built by our partners, Lindisfarne Homes.

The new homes stock is complementing our second-hand homes, where demand is heating up again in Gosforth, Jesmond, Tyne Valley and Ponteland Village, as well as Darras Hall, where we are seeing more buyers than sellers registering with us.

We have seen some exceptional sales values being created at the coast in Alnmouth, Beadnell and especially in Bamburgh, where two record sales have taken place close to the village centre on very tasteful family homes.

As we move forward into the warmer seasons it is vital that people begin to focus on their gardens. The necessity to bring the outside in has been an increasingly popular trend in recent times.

This has led to large seamless windows, as well as bi-folding doors which open from living spaces into the garden.

Whilst we may have everchanging climates and weather patterns, many of us still like to open up the gardens to our reception and entertaining areas of the house.

It is vitally important to continue to focus on the garden, terraces and patios, where modern luxury living is allowing us to spend more time.

New trends include full outdoor kitchens, including audio systems with surround sound and beautiful outdoor heaters to the patios. These enable families to sit out until the late hours of the evening and can all make a significant impact on the value and desirability of the house.

Clever outdoor lighting complements garden terraces and it is vital that people use as much of their imagination as possible to make their outdoor spaces attractive.

From a smaller courtyard garden to a large family estate and parkland, all outdoor locations can have a significant impact on the value of a house and its saleability.

We very much look forward to the housing market continuing to be strong and the increasing choices of homes that have come to the market giving our buyers an excellent spectrum of quality and choice.

If you are thinking of moving and are looking to either buy or rent, please do not hesitate to contact us.

On-trend terrace Cambridge Terrace would be quite at home in an interiors mag with its impressive décor. A home with period features by the basket-load and plenty of space in the heart of Barnard Castle. £237,000 gscgrays.co.uk Duncan G Young Managing Director Sanderson Young duncan.young@sandersonyoung.co.uk

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4

Oakview House Netherton Moor Farm, Hartford Bridge

4

Oakview House is an outstanding country home enjoying a most stunning position with views over magnificent Northumberland countryside. The property is situated in an excellent location and has versatile accommodation, gardens with hot tub, integral double garage and driveway parking.

Price Guide: £725,000 Ashleigh Sundin ashleigh.sundin@sandersonyoung.co.uk rare! Office: 0191 223 3500 From Sanderson Young

www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

3

D

Hadrian’s Tower Rutherford Street, Newcastle City Centre Hadrian’s Tower is set to become the most sought after residential address in the heart of the city. It provides 26 storeys of prime luxurious living encompassing 162 predominantly one and two bedroom apartments and communal areas including sky lounge and café. Ideal investment opportunity.

Prices From: £167,000 Ashleigh Sundin ashleigh.sundin@sandersonyoung.co.uk rare! Office: 0191 223 3500 From Sanderson Young

www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

SPRING MEADOWS, RAINTON BRIDGE

£750,000

Spring Meadows is a six bedroom, three-storey house extending to nearly 4,500 square feet, offering space, style and high quality fixtures and fittings.

BEAUMONT HOUSE, KIMBLESWORTH GRANGE

£550,000

Set within open countryside, this luxurious two storey, three bedroom barn conversion is only 15 minutes from Durham City.

www.fineandcountry.com

Contact: 0191 384 2277

Contact: 0191 384 2277

local, regional, national and international specialists in property marketing

Durham 0191 384 2277

Darlington 01325 488 619

Wynyard 01740 645 444

info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk

info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk

info@wynyardfineandcountry.co.uk

CASTLEREAGH, WYNYARD This imposing 5 bedroom detached family home is situated within one of the most sought after cul de sacs in Wynyard Village, overlooking Wynyard Golf course.

FULTHORPE GROVE, WYNYARD This substantial detached residence is the perfect combination of character design and modern features in a unique and desirable family home overlooking Wynyard Gold Course.

creative and intelligent marketing of individual and country property

£825,000 Contact: 01740 645444

£675,000 Contact: 01740 645444

HEADING OFF

EXTRA TIME with George Friend, Middlesbrough FC defender A summer season Summer is now upon us and to get you ready for the whole holiday experience, here’s what to pack and where to go.

LUXE LUGGAGE >> You can get a good case without spending thousands on Louis Vuitton.

Here are a few I recommend...

RADEN The A28 28-Inch Charging Wheeled Suitcase - Bluetooth technology meets super-strong construction for a sleek, smart suitcase. The perfect travel partner. £199.98; www.shop.nordstrom.com AWAY The Carry-On - This lightweight carry-on from US travel site, Away, is a long-standing holiday essential. With a battery that charges your phone, 360 degree wheels and a hidden laundry bag, it’s got everything you could possibly need when on the move.

Order from US $225; www.awaytravel.com TUMI Tumi Latitude International Carry-On - This stylish suitcase moves effortlessly in every direction, making moving your luggage around a breeze. If you want to add a unique touch to your luggage, Tumi offers a customisation service. £595; www.uk.tumi.com

BEST FOOT FORWARD >>

BEACHWEAR BUYS >>

Below is a loafer, a boat shoe and a trainer, to cover all summer events…

With so many options to choose from, men’s swimwear has become a bit of a fashion statement. Here are my top five choices...

TODS City Gommino Moccasins in Suede - Luxe loafers for the summer months.

The City Gommino Moccasins come in suede with hand stitching, a front tie and hot-stamped Tod’s monogram. £320; www.store.tods.com RUSSELL AND BROMLEY Sun-Sleek L Lace-Up Boat Shoe - An ideal boat shoe for exploring hidden shores abroad. An easy-to-wear slip-on is best partnered with stripes, skinny trousers and smart shorts. £55; www.russellandbromley.co.uk GIVENCHY Retro Runner Panelled Trainers Go retro this summer with Givenchy’s new white leather sneakers. They’re bold, fun and great designer travel essentials for casual days out. £525; www.harveynichols.com

NIKBEN Flower Power - Make a statement on the beach with Nikben swim shorts.

Available in a whole host of bright, bold and funky patterns, they’re a fun addition to your summer kit list. £85; www.nikben.com ORLEBAR BROWN Setter - Orlebar Brown swim shorts will help you achieve the classic look this season – a more tailored approach to men’s beach and swimwear. They’re smart enough to take you from poolside to lunch, without looking under-dressed. £145; www.orlebarbrown.com

TOP OF THE GAME >> From plain colours, to bold designs, check these summer tees....

COS Bonded Cotton T-Shirt - Cos plain white round neck t-shirts are great for a clean, minimal and fresh holiday look. £29; www.cosstores.com

FINAL DESTINATION >> Most of my summers nowadays are spent in family resorts. However, here I’ve recommended my two favourite hotels in Europe, one for the kids, the other for couples.

THE ST REGIS MARDAVALL MALLORCA RESORT Family getaway - The perfect balance between luxury and superb family facilities. Set on the southwest coast of the Balearic Island, this resort is close to the hubbub of Palma, but enjoys a tranquil location in the Tramuntana Mountains. Facilities include a state-of-the-art spa, four golf courses and a great kids club for the little ones. www.stregismardavall.com

THE INTERCONTINENTAL CARLTON CANNES Couple’s retreat - This is the finest hotel on ‘La Croisette’. It’s a personal favourite of mine for a luxurious getaway; bringing together pure grandeur and style only metres from the beach. It’s a glamorous and truly iconic hotel with fine dining, sea views and all the modern amenities you expect in this opulent location. www.ihg.com/intercontinental

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ACNE STUDIOS Naivet Flower Optic White - Go all out with pastels and florals on the beach this summer with Acne Studios’ naivet flower optic crew neck t-shirt with short sleeves. £130; www.acnestudios.com KENT & CURWEN Slim-Fit Appliquéd Distressed Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt - I discovered this brand through David Beckham. Kent & Curwen’s high quality tees are made from soft cottonjersey and are great to travel in. £60; www.mrporter.com DSQUARED2 Aloha Hawaii T-Shirt - Nothing says holiday attire like this Aloha Hawaii t-shirt from Flannels.

With a classic crew neck and short sleeves, it’s a cool and comfortable addition to your summer suitcase. £160; www.flannels.com

M&S Autograph Auto Stretch Swim Shorts - Relax, unwind and feel comfortable in these smart swim shorts by Autograph, M&S. They’re easy to wear and great value for a last minute holiday buy. £25; www.marksandspencer.com VILEBREQUIN Aboriginal Turtle-print Swim Shorts - Vilebrequin swim shorts are perfect for summer pool parties. They’re a bit of fun with a good variety of colours and patterns – featuring the label’s iconic turtle motif with aboriginalinspired design. £185; www.selfridges.com REISS Flint Striped Swim Shorts – Soft Pink - Reiss Flint swim shorts take you from beach to bar in effortless fashion.

They’re an excellent fit and their sharp designs can take you from season to season in style. £65; www.reiss.com

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DADDY DEAR TOM FORD Knitted silk tie £145; www.mrporter.com

CONVERSE One star OX suede sneakers £65; www.mrporter.com

GIVENCHY Star-embossed leather billfold wallet £380; www.mrporter.com

DAIMON BARBER Fixing Pomade £20; www.fenwick.co.uk

MAN KIT

Star Man

MONCLER Star patch t-shirt £170; www.flannels.com

BARBOUR Oscar Tailor Shirt in forest green £69.95; www.fenwick.co.uk

MONTBLANC Star stainless steel cufflinks £255; www.selfridges.com

Summer kit for the man in your life this Father’s Day. A fashion-forward shopping list for luxe guys…

GIVENCHY Star and stripe-intarsia stretch-cotton socks £85; www.selfridges.com

GIVENCHY Cordura star-print backpack £895; www.selfridges.com

STELLA MCCARTNEY Black star-print iPhone 7 case £55.00; www.harveynichols.com

JIMMY CHOO Suede star loafers £595; www.flannels.com

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ON THE RANGE

Bob Arora

AT THE WHEEL

The bi g gu y Range Rover’s Sport is the car to covet and this latest model is likely to keep the people clamouring The Sport was originally launched in 2004; this boxy square SUV became a sales hit for Land Rover. Updated in 2013 with an altogether new, cooler and classy look, it has become the vehicle everyone wants. They’re everywhere. Land Rover and waiting lists are eternal bedfellows.

Range Rover’s latest Sport model just screams quality. Let’s start with the interior.

With lashings of leather and wood, it looks very expensive and it’s also a great place to spend a lot of time.

The twin tone leather not only makes the interior much lighter, but it also looks very stylish. The car’s exterior has been updated with new matrix led headlights and new alloy wheels which help give the car a fresh new look.

The twin screen has been carried over from the Velar; the top screen controls the sat nav, phone, radio and media. The navigation is touch screen and one downside with this is fingerprints all over the screen, so it never stays clean for long. Land Rover’s connect pro system gives you live traffic updates, it also provides 4G along with Wi-Fi hotspots for you and your passengers. The bottom screen controls the seat heating and the terrain control. There are very few buttons as most things are controlled by the infotainment system; the only conventional dial control is the ventilation system and these have a solid feel to them.

The car’s instrument binnacle is a 12.3” display which provides phone, media and sat nav information. As it’s so clear and great quality I wouldn’t personally opt for the head-up display. The entry level HSE comes with leather seats and the 16 way

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adjustable heated seats with memory function. Massaging seats are also available as an £820 option; great for long distance driving and a worthy investment. There are lashings of aluminium trim pieces and the mood lighting helps give the cabin a very warm glow.

The range-topping Autobiography gets even softer leather and more wood veneer throughout the cabin along with 22-way adjustable seats with built-in ventilation for hot sunny days. Ventilated seats are also an option for rear passengers as well as being able to recline a few degrees to help you stretch out, however doing this will sacrifice a bit of boot space.

A seven seat option can be ordered for an extra £1,590 and I’d say they are only suitable for young children. If you want a proper seven seater you might be better buying either a Discovery or the Volvo XC90.

The Sport has plenty of storage space in its door pockets, the all-important cup holders are in the centre console and the rear cup holders are hidden in the rear arm rest. Two large glove boxes are ideal for keeping the interior clutter free.

The boot space in the Sport isn’t as good as

There are lashings of aluminium trim pieces and the mood lighting helps give the cabin a very warm glow

its competitors and it holds 489 litres whilst the Porsche Cayenne holds 618 litres and the BMW X6 holds 580 litres. With the seats down the load space increases to 1,761 litres and a ski hatch is an optional extra.

All Sports, apart from the 2lt diesel, come with air suspension; the smallest engine isn’t the most powerful in the range. It still gets the car to 62mph in 7.2 seconds and its trump card is the 44mpg economy which is good for an SUV. The 3lt diesel will be the best seller in the range but anyone looking for more power should either go for the 4.4lt V8 diesel or the 5lt 550bhp petrol SVR,

Pack as it adds a 360 degree camera which helps making parking easier, at £470 it’s a worthwhile option to hopefully avoid damaging alloys. Another expensive option is the Drive Pro Pack which is priced at £2,145. This gives you active cruise control; it matches the car’s speed ahead and it returns to normal cruising speed once the road ahead clears. A blind spot warning system is also fitted with this pack.

The suspension is much firmer in the Sport compared to the Range Rover but it suffers from much less body roll in corners. The new aluminium body structure helps make

that is if you don’t mind the eye-watering fuel economy. Another interesting new model in the range is the hybrid which would be my choice; it’s fitted with a 2lt petrol engine that produces 300bhp. When you factor in the electric motors this figure jumps up to 404bhp. It gets to 60mph in 6.2 seconds and on a full charge it’ll do 31 miles on electric power alone. The battery can be fully charged at home in around seven hours.

Despite the car’s size, the Sport is a surprisingly easy car to drive. This is partly due to its commanding view of the road.

Front and rear parking sensors are standard across the range; even confident parkers might want to consider opting for the Park

the Sport lighter and that helps improve fuel economy and performance. As with all other Land Rover vehicles, the Sport beats its competitors hands down off road. They can wade in water and the terrain response would get most drivers out of trouble. The Sport is a great all-rounder and I’m sure Land Rover will have to work round the clock to keep up with demand for this impressiver model.

As I said earlier, the hybrid would be my pick of the range, I really didn’t think the Sport could be improved but after spending a few days in the car I didn’t want to give the keys back!

Car courtesy of Stratstone Land Rover Newcastle

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LEXUS LIFT-OFF

Take a left turn The super-stylish Lexus LS is a cocoon of comfort every bit as indulgent as a first class flight, says Bob Arora

The original LS was launched 30 years ago and was ground-breaking at the time. The executives at Toyota wanted to launch a brand to take on the Germans; the LS was a direct competitor to the S Class.

The LS was Japan’s answer to luxury motoring; it was not only bullet proof and extremely reliable, but showed the competition how to deliver excellent levels of customer service.

Lexus took America by storm and went on to dominate the sales charts outselling home grown manufacturers.

It took a bit longer for Lexus to make inroads in the UK; the LFA was a real hero car for the brand.

Lexus LS, despite its reliability and innovation, was never really a big sales competition for the S class.

At its peak in 2007, Lexus only sold 400 cars and Mercedes managed to shift 2,500 S Classes.

I think one of the stumbling blocks for sales has been the lack of diesel engine. With the recent diesel backlash Lexus may have the advantage with petrol engines and hybrid technology.

The latest fifth generation car isn’t going to be a massive seller for Lexus either; they are looking to sell 100 cars this year and I’m sure they’ll sell those with no problems at all.

The 3.5lt V6 engine produces 295bhp and with the two electric motors which add another 60bhp, the car gets to 60mph in 5.4 seconds and it should return careful drivers nearly 40 mpg.

There are four trim levels to choose from and even the entry level cars get 20” alloys, triple led headlights, sat nav, 20 way power adjustment, dual zone climate control and 12 speakers. The next trim level is luxury; cars are available in either rear wheel drive or four wheel drive, heated and ventilated

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seats, 23 speaker Mark Levinson sound system, a climate concierge which uses infra-red technology to monitor each passenger’s body temperature and also takes into account the sunshine to keep the interior at the perfect temperature for all occupants.

The next trim level is the F sport and this gives the car an even sportier look; the front grill gets an upgrade and gloss black detailing on the side skirts, boot lid and alloys.

Four wheel drive models also get rear wheel steering. The range-topping model is the appropriately named Premier. This car is only available in four wheel drive and it’s predicted to account for 45% of sales.

Passengers in the rear have shiatsu massaging seats and one of the rear seats also has an ottoman feature. The front seat moves forward which allows the rear seat to recline and the lucky passenger has a metre of legroom.

Anyone who has been fortunate enough to travel first class or turn left rather than right would appreciate the lengths Lexus have gone to to make the car feel luxurious.

The car really has a first class feel to it.

Lexus’s safety system keeps the car in between the white lines on the road, if they aren’t there for whatever reason the car’s radar watches the car in front. The only downside is if the car ahead overtakes the car does the same. A sophisticated passenger advance system can help swerve and brake to avoid a collision. A reversing monitor can also tell the difference between pedestrians and static objects so it will intervene if it thinks you are going to hit someone.

Lexus aren’t chasing the chauffeur market so don’t expect any discounts, the LS should retain at least 53% of their value after three years. On the road the car isn’t quite as comfortable as the S Class although the air suspension does a great job of smoothing

out pot holes. The car isn’t as dynamic to drive as the 7 series and the extra weight from the batteries doesn’t help at all.

It’s very refined at speed and that’s partly down to the noise cancelling technology however at motorway speeds there is a bit of wind noise.

To make swift progress you have to plant your foot firmly on the accelerator. I preferred driving the car in sport plus mode which helped give a much sharper throttle response.

Japanese craftsmanship has come a long way and the car’s interior is beautiful, hand pleated fabric door panels and cut glass inspired door inserts are a £7,600 option.

The car’s leather and switchgear just scream quality and it’s on par with the S Class. The Lexus infotainment system is also very good, my only complaint is the mouse style controller is really hard to use compared to a dial.

The massive head up display has all the information the driver needs.

Another great feature was the all-round cameras, they really help when parking the car and the quality of the image is very

impressive indeed.

The boot space isn’t the best in its class and it’s even beaten by the ageing Jaguar XJ, probably due to the batteries in the boot.

The LS is priced from £72,595 - £97,995 and I do think anyone looking for a premium saloon that will be quite a rarity on the road should get along to Lexus and buy one as you won’t be disappointed at all.

Car supplied by Lexus Newcastle

Anyone who has travelled first class or turned left rather than right would appreciate this level of luxury www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 89

LUXE LAPS

ALUN PEARSON

Alun Pearson lives in Faceby, North Yorkshire but counts himself a proud Teessider.

He runs N Sign Ltd, a signage business he started in 2000 and which has grown into one of region’s largest companies of its kind.

Mad about cars, he competes in rallies and holds an international competition licence. Action man Alun also loves mountain biking, skiing, sailing and windsurfing.

CHILDHOOD CAR CRUSH >> Unusually it wasn’t a Lamborghini or a Porsche on my wall but mark 1 and 11 Escorts, Vauxhall Firenzas and Chevette HSs and later the Audi Quattro that I found space for. I remember seeing the Circuit of Ireland Rally on Grandstand when I was very young; that’s all it took to ignite a life-long love.

WHAT’S IN THE GARAGE NOW >> I own a number of cars, my favourites in no particular order are my 1958 Bedford CA Dormobile, Peugeot 205 gti, Golf R, Lancia Delata Integrale and my Mitsubishi Evo 9, and having recently bought my daughter a Seat Mii. I’m really enjoying driving the wheel rims off that.

IF I COULD OWN ANY CAR >> McLaren 675LT

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CAPTAIN SLOW OR JEREMY? >> Mmmm let me think.

WHO SHOULD PRESENT TOP GEAR? >> Me TRACKS OF YOUR TYRES >> I have a Spotify playlist; it’s quite eclectic with everything from Portugal The Man to AC/DC, Turin Brakes to Beyonce, Elbow to Morcheeba. As long as the song makes me smile.

WHO WITH >> Cameron Diaz with a Yorkshire accent, now that would be fun.

MEMORABLE CAR MOMENTS >> Crashing my rally car on the Ulster Rally, we hit an Irish bank, 116mph to 0 in eight car lengths. Ouch!

WHAT’S IN THE GLOVE BOX? >> Not sure, probably a high-vis, breath-tester and bulb kit required by law from my last schlep through France on my way to Italy.

A car wash on the way home usually results in the car looking like it’s not been washed for weeks by the time I’m home.

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR CAR >> Rural North Yorkshire and car cleanliness don’t go together.

SCARY MOMENTS >> Listening to Celine Dion sing, I’ve never really recovered.

MAY/JUN18

THE FIRST EVER. “Boasting an athletic yet elegant design, this SAC feels at home in almost any situation.”

Richard Skinner, Lloyd Newcastle General Sales Manager

Lloyd Newcastle BMW are thrilled to bring you an exciting new model. The first ever BMW X2 has now celebrated its market première in March 2018.

With a design oozing individuality from every pore and a sporty suspension set-up, the BMW X2 pushes back boundaries, puts a firework under old habits and brings previously uncharted levels of driving pleasure to this vehicle segment.

Following a programme already established with its larger SUVs, BMW has produced a sporty version of its X1 model, christened the X2. Like the X4 (a coupé version of the X3) and the X6 (a coupé version of the X5), this crossover brings a more dynamic look to this stunning offering in its chosen segment.

Like its rivals, its dynamically targeted almost exclusively towards on-road use.

This attractive new model boasts agile dynamics, tremendous 400Nm pulling power, high-precision handling and is ready to go beyond the everyday commute and get adventurous. What’s more, its seamless connectivity and stylish interior has everything the modern traveller needs. And for the first time ever within the BMW X family, it will also be available as an M Sport X model.

Inspired by rallying, the BMW X2 M Sport X model takes standing out to the next level. New design elements in Frozen Grey gives the BMW X2 instant off-road appeal. Inside, M Sport X specific details further underline the already sporty X character of the BMW X2.

have entertainment or Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI), the BMW X2 is all about connecting your worlds and delivering the ultimate driving machine.

Richard Skinner, Lloyd Newcastle General Sales Manager said: “Here at Lloyd Newcastle BMW, we are truly thrilled to bring you this brand-new model. It has been hailed as a true SAC (Sports Activity Coupé) to soak up the miles in absolute comfort and is already proving popular.”

undeniably youthful.”

“Our experienced BMW Sales Executives are poised to take you through all the innovative features that this outstanding model has to offer as well as our exclusive offers across the entire award-winning BMW range. At Lloyd Newcastle BMW, we are always happy to help.”

“By bringing together a coupélike design with the ruggedness of the BMW X model, the BMW X2 creates a look and feel that is

Representing a premium brand means leading the way. And that’s exactly what this new model does. Features like ConnectedDrive and the BMW Connected+ app offer richer and more immersive driving experiences. Whether it’s must-

Lloyd Newcastle Lloyd Newcastle Barrack Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4LE 0191 908 1658

www.lloydmotorgroup.com/BMW Official fuel economy figures for the new BMW X2: Urban 54.3mpg (5.2 l/100km). Combined 61.4mpg (4.6 l/100km).

CO2 emissions 121 g/km. Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions. *Test drive subject to status and availability.

15 65 Lamborghini Aventador SV LP 750-4 ISR

15 15 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 6.2 V12 DCT

2017 Ferrari 488 GTB DCT

16 16 McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 SSG

17 67 Porsche 911 Turbo S 3.8 991.2 PDK

17 17 Bentley Continental GTC 4.0 V8 S Mulliner Auto

£369,995 Engine X frame in carbon, 20”/21” Dianthus black wheels

£249,995 Carbon interior, suspension lift, massive spec

£214,995 20” forged wheels, adaptive front light system

£159,995 20” lightweight wheels, Meridian, sports exhaust

£159,995 Sunroof, Burmester, carbon steering wheel

£129,995 Interior Style pack, neck heat

2015 Ferrari California T DCT

16 16 McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 SSG

07 57 Rolls-Royce Phantom 6.7 V12 Auto

17 67 Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 SVR Overfinch Auto

17 67 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 Quattro Spyder S Tronic

16 16 Range Rover 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Overfinch Auto

£125,995 Backbone style seats, carbon interior, premium Hi-fi

£122,995 Sport Design pack 4, 20” Club cast stealth finish wheels

£119,995 Lounge seat, picnic tables, sunroof, homelink

£119,995 22” Leggero wheels, carbon grille

£119,995 Sport pack, comfort pack, sound pack

£99,995 Full Overfinch interior and exterior, privacy glass

13 13 Aston Martin Vanquish V12 2+2 Touchtronic III

15 65 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS 3.8 991 PDK

17 17 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S Coupe 4Matic Premium Auto

16 66 Porsche Panamera 4.0 V8 4S 971 PDK

18 18 Audi RS6 4.0 TFSI Quattro Performance Auto

17 17 Range Rover 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE Auto

£99,995 One77 steering wheel, HomeLink

£89,995 Porsche ext warranty, BOSE, LED headlights

£86,995 22” wheels, AMG Night pack, Harman Kardon sound system

£79,995 Turbo wheels, pan roof, carbon interior pack

£79,995 Electric pan roof, heated seats, privacy glass, assistance pack

£73,995 22” Turbine wheels, sliding panoramic roof

Find us, follow us, visit us

Thinking of selling your car?

Alexander House, Barr Lane Ind Estate, Roecliffe, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, YO51 9LS

We’re always looking to buy new cars for our showroom, so let us know if you’re looking to sell and we’d be delighted to give you a quote

01423 411592 sales@alexandersprestige.co.uk

THE NORTH’S SPECIALISTS IN BUYING AND SELLING LUXURY AND SPORTS CARS

Visit www.alexandersprestige.co.uk for the full list of cars in stock

14 14 Porsche 911 Carrera 2S 14 14 Porsche 911 Carrera 2S 991 PDK 3.8 9913.8 PDK

16 66 Range 16 66 Range Rover Rover 4.4 SDV8 4.4Vogue SDV8 Vogue SE Auto SE Auto

£71,995 £71,995 911 50911 Years 50Edition Years Edition pack, pack, BOSE, BOSE, PCM, DAB PCM, DAB

£69,995 £69,995 23” Overfi 23”nch Overfi wheels, nch wheels, Black Design Black Design pack pack

15 15 Porsche 15 15 Porsche Cayenne Cayenne GTS GTS 3.6 V6 3.6 Tiptronic V6 Tiptronic S S

17 67 Range 17 67 Range Rover Rover Velar 3.0 Velar 3.0 17 67 Audi 17 67SQ7 Audi4.0 SQ7 BiTDI 4.0 V8 BiTDI V8 D300 R-Dynamic D300 R-Dynamic HSE Auto HSE Auto Quattro Quattro Tip Auto Tip Auto

£69,995 £69,995 22” wheels, 22” wheels, Dynamic Dynamic black pack black pack

17 17 Porsche Cayman 14 14 Range Rover Rover Sport 4.4 Sport 4.4 17 17 Porsche Cayman 718 718 14 14 Range 2.5 S PDK 2.5 S PDK SDV8 Autobiography SDV8 Autobiography Dynamic Dynamic

03 03 Ferrari 03 03 Ferrari 360 360 Modena Modena F1 F1

15 15 Maserati 15 15 Maserati GranTurismo GranTurismo V8 Sport V8 MC Sport Shift MC Shift

£68,995 £68,995 17 67 Audi 17 67SQ7 Audi 4.0SQ7 BiTDI 4.0V8 BiTDI V8 Quattro Quattro Tip Auto Tip Auto

£64,995 £64,995 Bi Xenon Bi Xenon headlights, headlights, Scuderia Scuderia wing shields, wing shields, one owner one owner

£59,995 £59,995 CarbonCarbon exteriorexterior pack, pack, Comfort Comfort pack, BOSE pack, BOSE

16 16 BMW 16 16M6 BMW 4.4M6 V8 4.4 V8 Convertible Convertible [LCI] DCT [LCI] DCT

17 17 Land 17 17Rover Land Rover Discovery Discovery 5 5 3.0 TD6 3.0 HSE TD6 Auto HSE Auto

15 65 Range 15 65 Range Rover Rover Sport Sport 3.0 SDV6 3.0HSE SDV6 Auto HSE Auto

£54,995 £54,995 Panoramic Panoramic roof, BOSE, roof, BOSE, smooth smooth finish leather finish leather

£53,995 £53,995 20” Carrera 20” Carrera S wheels, S wheels, sports sports exhaust, exhaust, park assist park assist

£52,995 £52,995 22” wheels, 22” wheels, panoramic panoramic roof roof

£52,995 £52,995 BMW maintenance BMW maintenance pack, pack, surround surround view view

£52,995 £52,995 21” wheels, 21” wheels, Black Design Black Design pack pack

£49,995 £49,995 Black pack, Blackpan pack, roof, panelectric roof, electric tow bartow bar

16 16 Porsche 16 16 Porsche MacanMacan S S DieselDiesel PDK PDK

14 14 Jaguar 14 14 Jaguar XK 5.0XK 5.0 Supercharged Supercharged V8 Dynamic V8 Dynamic R R

15 15 Audi 15 15RS5 Audi 4.2 RS5 FSI4.2 FSI Quattro Quattro S Tronic S Tronic

14 14 Audi 14 14RS4 Audi 4.2 RS4 FSI4.2 FSI Quattro Quattro S Tronic S Tronic

14 64 BMW 14 64M4 BMW M4 3.0 DCT 3.0 DCT

17 67 Mercedes-Benz 17 67 Mercedes-Benz CLA 220d CLA 220d WhiteArt WhiteArt Tip Auto Tip Auto

£46,995 £46,995 21” Sport 21”Classic Sport Classic wheels,wheels, Sport design Sport design pack, BOSE pack, BOSE

£44,995 £44,995 20” Vulcan 20” Vulcan wheels,wheels, Speed Speed pack pack

£39,995 £39,995 ElectricElectric pan roof, panSport roof,pack, Sport pack, Black style Blackpack style pack

£35,995 £35,995 Sport pack, Sportprivacy pack, privacy glass, glass, B&O, power B&O, power boot boot

£34,995 £34,995 19” BMW 19”MBMW Double M Double spoke spoke black black wheels,wheels, reversing reversing cameracamera

£26,995 £26,995 Comand Comand Online,Online, reversing reversing cameracamera

SOCIAL LIFE

luxe:looks Royal Television Society Awards, Hilton NewcastleGateshead

Break out the fizz. Time to get down to some people-spotting as we bring you our social snapshot of happenings across the North East. Eyes and teeth time!

The Last Ship Gala Performance for Graham Wylie Foundation, Northern Stage, Newcastle

Above > Steve Mills, Renu Mills, Sharon Stalker, Ian Stalker Above > Pete Graves

Above > Jayne Secker

Above > Chris Jackson, Alison Freeman, Chris Middis, Carol Malia

Above > Graham Wylie, Alan Shearer

Above > Alison Curbishly

Above > Jeff Brown, Susan Wear

Above > Andrea Thompson, Geoff Thompson, Karen Little, Keith Little Above > Joe McElderry

Above > Sting

Above > Karen Richards, Anna Lockwood

Above > Debby Waldron, Sharon Barbour, Cath Hearne, Kathryn Armstrong Above > Graeme Thompson, Pam Neville

Above > Steve Furnell, Amy Lea

Above > Denise Welch

Above > Ricky Wilson

Gainford Magazine launch party, Aveika, Newcastle

Above > Emrain Reshie, Rebecca Eland, Adrick Peter

Above > Claire Hildreth, Margaret Emmonds, Joanne Emmonds, Suzanne McCreedy

Above> Debbie Winter, Lynn Brown, Susan Kaliq, Caroll Paterson Above > Chanel Robinson, Carl Robinson

Above > Charlotte Wake, Alexandra Carr

Above > Hazel Johnston, Kevin Douglas

REGIONAL luxe-magazine.co.uk 94 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

MAY/JUN18

Sir Ranulph Fiennes Dinner, Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham

Above > Heike Bowers, Gavin Bowers, Jayne Bowers

Dine with Dior, Cafe 21, Fenwick, Newcastle

Above > Aidan Clark, James Clark, Michael Stephenson

SOCIAL LIFE

Above > Jancey Glynn, Lynda Senior Above > Jane Doherty, Rebecca Peel

Above > Grace Davison, Susan Davison

Above > Cath Devereux, Ken Devereux Above > Paula Crawford, Paul Peacock

Above > Susan Holland, Andrew Holland

Above > Toresan Lloyd, Victoria Lloyd, Denise Maiden, Emma Lloyd, Benjamin Lloyd

Endeavour Partnership International Women’s Day Event, Crathorne Hall, Yarm

Above > Claire Welburn, Lisa Bower

Above > Heather Keeney, Sharon Blythe

Above > Joyce Boon, Vicky Boon, Laura Sharing

Above > Sylvia Stephenson, Laura Stephenson, Gill Cockburn

Above > Natalie Kiely, Jordan Scott, Lisa Scott, Hazel Smith

Mill Volvo XC40 Launch, Newcastle

Above > Daisy Duggins, Claire Duggins, Will Duggins Above > Hannah Wade, Debbie Sharpe

Above > Dr Alan Clarke, Margaret Clarke

Above > Helen Cole, Jessica Smith

Above > Jill Kirtley, Elisa Ritchie, Janice Dailey Above > Katie Pressick, Diane Hodgson, Karin Loudin

Above > Joanne Wake, Jo Hand

Above > Hayley Anderson, Catey Oliver

Above > Sharon Hutchinson, Kelly Miller, Jo Davies

Above > Terissa Wingfield, Bill Ward

Above > Duncan McLean, Karin McLean

Above > Anthony Ebdale, Sophie Dailey

RELEVANT luxe-magazine.co.uk MAY/JUN18

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 95

SOCIAL LIFE

Newcastle International Film Festival, Closing Dinner & Awards Ceremony, Civic Centre, Newcastle

Smart Works Newcastle Launch, Trinity House, Quayside, Newcastle

Above > Kathryn Day, Mandi Cresswell Above > Caroline Goodall, Anupam Sharma

Above > Abel Ferrara

Above > Sarah Brodie, Katie Brodie

Above > Jill Halfpenny

Above > Ro Duns, Kay Christie, Laura Dalby Above > Craig Conway, Brooke Laing

Above > Natalie J Robb, Garen Daly

Above > Christian Butler, Margaret Simpson

Above > Sam Moralee, Chris Gray Above > Jacqui Miller-Charlton, Claudie Andrews

Above > Yvie Burnett, John Michie

Above > Michelle Ronson, Emily Carlson, Billie Jenkins, Yvette Thompson

Above > Neil Marshall, Axelle Carolyn

St Oswald’s Hospice Roaring 20s Ball, Hilton NewcastleGateshead

‘The Next Chapter’ Launch, Matfen Hall, Northumberland

Above > Nigel Kirkup, Helen Kirkup

Above > Lady Blackett, Sir Hugh Blackett

Above > Karen MacGregor, Hamish MacGregor Above > Michael Lee, Andrew Lee

Above > Mike Omond, Karen Omond

Above > Stephanie Richardson, Amanda McIlreavy Above > Pauline Bulman, Graham Bulman Above > Gerry Sothcott, Chris Sothcott

Above > Rachel Clark, Michael Clark

Above > Paul Edgell, Wendy Edgell

Above > Victoria Paterson, Peter J Dawson, Lisa Ferrie

Above > Sarah Robinson, Rebecca Fenwick, Chris Lonsdale, Laura Lonsdale

Above > Keith Muldoon, Anne Muldoon, Sharna Rowley, Matthew Rowley

Above > Charlotte Harris, Faye Shearer

ENTERTAINING luxe-magazine.co.uk 96 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

MAY/JUN18

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Official Opening, The Cosmetic Dental Clinic, Durham

Above > Darren Cannell, Lieutenant Colonel Andy Black, Andy Stafford

give the gift of luxe

Above > Chloe Bretton, David Green Above > Ashleigh Hunter, Hannah Clark

Above > Emma Rutherford, Dannielle Noonan

Above > Mat Sims, Rosie Hodgson, Sonnie YousefzadehBindra

Above > Lisa Sarson, Emily Popay, Chelsea Foster, Meaghan Gibson

ARE YOUR FRIENDS MISSING OUT ON LUXE? DO THEY COVET YOUR COPY?

Black Star Gala, Hilton NewcastleGateshead

SHARE THE LUXE LOVE WITH A SUBSCRIPTION £22 FOR SIX ISSUES DELIVERED DIRECT TO THEIR LETTERBOX Above > Stanley Kwenda, Alisha Falola, Francis Nkwan, Leon Mann

Above > Elvis Asamoah, Rebecca Kharrazi, Akosua Puni Essien

Above > Cindy Andoh, Claire Atsu luxe magazine

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Above > Marvin Humes, Jane Witherspoon

EVERYONE’S HAPPY!

ISSUE 52 MAY/JUN18

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Above > Akram Aburkab, Alisha Webb, Elly Cook, Evie Manford, Moses Milner

Above > Hay Yartey, Christian Atsu, Gaynor Facione www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

Red Sky Ball, Stadium of Light, Sunderland

ISSUE 52 MAY/JUN18

Above > Natalie Forster, Dean Hegarty

Above > Alec Linsley, Karen Linsley, Eve Wilde, Kevin Wilde

BIG S TA R I A N W H Y T E . F 1’s Ro b Sm e d l e y. C O O K U P V E G A N . A cu l t u r a l su mmer. I N S PI R I N G C H E FS . S ca n d i co o l st a y s. FU N K Y C OT TAG E S T Y L E .

Party p eo p l e . S T I N G ’ S R E D C A R PE T. C e l e b r a t i n g Da d s. B E H I N D T H E CA MER A . Lu xe l a p s. H I P H OT E L S . Bi g n a m e s. LU X E .

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Above > Sergio Petrucci, Emma Petrucci

the perfect gift!

Above > Craig Stevens, Donna Stevens, Joanne King, Mark King

Above > Stephen Tate, Judy Tate, Damini Patel, Dr Umesh Patel

Let’s see you! If you would like your event featured on our Luxe:Looks pages please supply images with full captions (WeTransfer or Dropbox is best) to: kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk

MAY/JUN18

Promising a stylish snapshot of life in the North East. All year.

Subscribe at: luxe-magazine.co.uk/subscribe/magazine or call 0191 500 7860

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 97

PARTING SHOT

In the spotlight>> All eyes will be on the Tyne and its surroundings as the Great Exhibition of the North comes to town in June.

Image: Kevin Gibson www.kgphotography.co.uk

98 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

MAY/JUN18

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