renew issue 2 by renew magazine

It’s your time. Use it.

March 2010 £3.95

re:new ACTIVE

A new challenge Start running this Spring

THE NAKED TRUTH

Britain’s naturists bare all

PROTECT YOUR HEART

10 tips for a healthier diet

THE RIGHT TO DIE? Personal stories behind the debate

The ups & downs of Viagra How to: Wine Club Explore Brussels What to do in March Michelin starred chef‘s signature recipe

Editor’s letter The current debate over assisted suicide has divided the re:new office, just as it has split the nation. This subject resonates with so many of us, as we all dread seeing our loved ones suffer, and being faced with such a devastating decision. Bethan John met with people from either side of this fiercely-contended issue, as she finds out the real implications of the changing legislation in ‘Assisted suicide: the stories behind the headlines’ (pg 6). Personal experience informs so much of what we think and feel, and that’s why we’ve asked readers to tell us their views and stories about the issues in this month’s re:new. Be it a behindthe-scenes look at Britain’s naturist scene (pg 16), or the best ways to get ready for a marathon (pg 14). Pulling on a pair of trainers and taking those first running steps can seem like an impossible feat. We hope that following our readers’ expert tips and seeing how they got started will have you out and pounding the roads in no time. It’s your time. Use it.

on the cover

Readers share their inspirational running success stories 14

14 16 23 6

re:act

News and current affairs to spark debate Assisted suicide: the real-life stories behind the headlines 6

re:view

The best and brightest from the world of the arts Angharad Jones editor, re:new

PS. We’ve summed up re:new’s

pick of month’s films, books, theatre and music using the Twitter-prescribed 140 characters (pg 8), and we’re extending the challenge to you. Follow us at @renewmag and send us your review tweet.

Folk legends who have shaped the music scene of today 11

re:lease

Inspiration for new activities and opportunities Baring it all: the naturists who have broken body taboos 16

re:vitalise

Health and wellbeing news and questions answered

Explore the Scandinavian diet for a healthier diet and lifestyle 22

re:discover 14 2

Travel to dream destinations at home and abroad Read our insider’s guide to skiing in the

Keep on running Rocky Mountains 25

re:new

contents

Scandinavian delights

Recipes and ideas to tempt your taste buds Impress dinner guests: how to create a Michelin-starred meal 28

re:decorate

Trends and ideas for beautiful interior design Expert advice on identifying and valuing quality antiques 32

re:flect

Iconic moments from the past worth revisiting 30 years at the Oscars: Martin Scorseses iconic moment in history 34

re:fined

Contemporary fashion and beauty for you Lead the style stakes with innovative jewellery designs 31 Contact us!

Back to nature

www.journalism.cf.ac.uk/renew enquiries.renew@googlemail.com www.twitter.com/renewmag

Editor Angharad Jones Deputy Editor Ruth Harrison Production Editor Mia Valimaki Features Editors Bethan John Lisa Blake Picture Editor Heather Steele Chief Sub Emma Davies Design Editor Claire Packer Designers Vinny Forrester Ella Walker Online Content Editor Josie Allchin Blogging Editor Jac Bond Online Design Editor Aimee Steen Social Media Editor Monica Horridge

On this page - top photo: Northern Lights restaurant. Bottom photo: International Naturist Federation Opposite page - top photo: lepetitpoulailler @ Flickr. Bottom photo: Race for Life press office

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news and current affairs that spark a debate

One for your diary: March 1

Join in with the St David’s Day parade in Cardiff. If you live in Wales, come along. Even if you’re just visiting Cardiff, why not become Welsh for the day?

Academy Awards

World Book Day

Indulge in a classic that you have not yet got around to, or perhaps revisit forgotten favourites. Log onto our website to see our choices for the month.

Pop over to Paris for the Spring Poetry Festival. Bring your beret, striped jumper and baguette and have a great day out. Go to re:new online for our top picks of hidden hotels.

New browser

YouTube ceases to support Internet Explorer 6. Make sure that you change your browser so that you can still view our videos online. See re:new online for alternative explorers.

Kidney Day

They are an important part of our urinary systems, so be good to your kidneys. When cooking, try using Italian seasoning such as oregano, basil or thyme instead of adding salt.

Mothering Sunday

Packing the walls of the NEC with woodland rambling trails, gear demos and expert advice from Ben Fogle and James Cracknell. Open 10am – 5pm. Tickets: £13.

Michael Landy has transformed the South London Gallery into a giant Art Bin for the disposal of works of art. Visit: 65 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH

Crufts

11-14

Take yourself along to Crufts at the NEC. Tickets cost £13 for adults with a four-day ticket available at £46. Call 0844 4449944 or book online at www.theticketfactory.com

St Patrick’s Day

Enjoy time with your family and be spoilt with cakes and tea. Take a walk in the fresh spring air as flowers will be starting to bloom. Hopefully you’ll get a bunch yourself!

Take part in the Sport Relief mile, all in the name of charity. See pages 14-15 for advice on how to get training. Watch on the night to see how much money has been raised.

Art gallery

Book yourself in for an eye test as glaucoma can lead to irreversible loss of vision. Regular check-ups are very important. Follow an old wives’ tale and stock up on carrots.

Sport Relief

Outdoors Show

Celebrate one of the patron saints of Cornwall. Escape to the Cornish coast and eat a pasty or two. Why not take a stroll along one of the lovely beaches?

Glaucoma Week

Get dressed up in your finest, crack open the Don Perignon Vintage and throw an Academy Awards party with your friends. See our website for 10 tips for Hollywood glamour.

Spring poetry

St Piran’s Day

WWF Earth Hour

At 8.30pm, WWF are hoping that one billion people worldwide will switch off their lights for one hour to show that your care about climate change: www.earthhour.wwf.org.uk

Did you know that the Chicago River is dyed green every year in honour of this Irish saint? The day is celebrated all over the world. Treat yourself to a Guinness and think of St Pat.

Ideal Home Show

Get some inspiration from the experts for your spring clean and visit the Ideal Home Show in Earls Court. The event is open 10 – 5pm and tickets cost £9 during the week.

Scottish art

25-28

Glasgow Art Fair is Scotland’s National Art Fair and exhibitors will be arriving from all over the UK. A few are coming over from Barcelona and Prague, too www.glasgowartfair.com

Daylight saving

DST will take place at 1am. Most European counties follow DST and there’s a push for Spain to be in Portugal’s time as it would benefit people’s daily schedules: www.timeanddate.com

All photos from Flickr @ badjonni, martyncoup, Dave_B, Creativity + Timothy K Hamilton

St David’s Day

The lifeline of language As yet another language dies, Aimee Steen asks how important the preservation of native tongues is to societies

anguage is precious. Without language, we could not properly communicate with each other, express ourselves or leave legacies behind. Sadly, though, thousands of languages are at risk of extinction. Earlier this year, Boa Senior, the last speaker of ancient Indian language Bo, passed away at around 85 years old. The language died with her, along with an irreplaceable piece of Indian heritage. Linguists estimate that around 5,000 languages have already disappeared, and the remaining 7,000 are dying at a rate of more than one per fortnight. Numerous languages worldwide are under permanent threat, and many tribes have only a single remaining speaker of their language. In the UK, native languages are also at risk of disappearing. Government efforts to promote the Welsh language have seen

Ted Hargrave wants Gaelic to be taught in all Scottish schools

its popularity increase in recent years, but Irish and Scottish Gaelic have struggled to meet the same levels of common usage. Yet many people find learning a language highly rewarding, and are picking up a new tongue to support local tradition or even just purely for pleasure. According to government figures, just over 10 per cent of residents in Northern Ireland have “some knowledge of Irish”. Tracie Morgan has been learning Irish on and off for around 12 years, but she has only recently found more time to commit to the language. “I live with a native speaker, and I know a small handful of people who treat it more as a hobby,” she says. “I’m right in the middle, really wanting to learn it. I’ve only recently begun really working at it again.” Legislation now protects the Irish language, and attempts are being made to reverse its decline. And, according to Tracie, it’s nowhere near as difficult to learn as you might think. “English would be far harder on a new student than Irish,” she says. In Scotland, Gaelic (pronounced “gallic”) has encountered similar difficulties. The 2001 census revealed just 1.2 per cent of the population speak the language, and that figure has dropped since. Some are still making an effort, however. Ted Hargrave

has been learning the tongue since 2002 and describes himself as “conversationally fluent”. Echoing the sentiments of many language lovers, he outlines its cultural importance, emphasising it as a common link between people. “In Gaelic, I exist in a larger context and am only a part of it,” he says. “I am a strand of the web of life.” Hargrave has found learning a language later in life to be a very positive experience – compared to his memories of studying languages at school – and easier than he expected. “I’m no artist, but I can get by,” he says. “I’ve found it so easy. I love learning it.” In Wales, however, language revival attempts have been strong, and fairly successful. Statistics show that 21.7 per cent of residents speak Welsh, and studying the language is compulsory up to GCSE level. Welsh speakers are more common than Irish and Scottish, and include Jayne West, a teacher who speaks Welsh as her first language. She feels that, despite the language’s rising profile in schools, social use has a bigger impact. “There are too few Welsh primary school places as we’re oversubscribed for children wanting to study in them,” she says. “However, unless the language is enforced at home and in social aspects outside of the school environment, the number of young adults who have the Welsh language will decrease.” It’s easy to do your bit to preserve a language, or even to pick up one that’s still popular. Learning a language in your spare time can be both interesting and rewarding, and there are many ways to do it. And who knows? You might just help to keep a language from dying out altogether.

Languages are dying at a rate of more than one per fortnight

Photo: Ted Hargrave

Feeling inspired? If you are interested in learning a new language, there are plenty of easy and inexpensive ways to get involved. Language books and CDs provide a fast and flexible way to learn a language. Try books from the Teach Yourself series, or audio from the Michael Thomas series or Collins collection. If you already have some knowledge of a language, picking up a simple novel in that language can really help you to enjoy the

learning process. Ask your local library if they stock any. There are language schools across the UK, ranging from one-to-one and small classes up to larger group learning depending on how you feel you’d work best. Trainers have various courses across the UK, covering a wide range from French to Ukrainian. If you want to get in touch, contact them on 0870 760 73 73 or visit them at www.languagetrainers.co.uk

Alternatively, St George International runs both UK evening classes and language schools abroad. Contact them on 0207 299 1710 or see www.stgeorges.co.uk

Go online For more information on language courses and learning resources, visit our website at www.journalism.cf.ac.uk/renew

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Assisted suicide: behind

Are we really ready to legalise euthanasia? Bethan John discovers th

upport for assisted suicide is sweeping the nation. Sir Terry Pratchett has called for its legalisation and offered himself as a test case. Martin Amis wants pop-in euthanasia booths. Most significantly, 80 per cent of the British public support the right of terminally ill people to die. But the eye-grabbing tabloid headlines, celebrity interviews and heated debates gloss over the people who have been campaigning for years on an issue which could dramatically change their lives and the lives of others. This is their story. Simon Stevens is a leading independent disability consultant and trainer with vast experience in disability equality. He is an active campaigner for disability rights and has worked for organisations including Scope, Warwick University, the BBC and the Council of Europe over the past 15 years to help improve the situation for disabled people in Britain and abroad. Born in 1974, Simon has cerebral palsy. It affects his speech, balance and motor skills. Despite these difficulties, and the everyday discrimination he faces as a result of his disability, Simon has had an extremely successful career; winner of a 2004 Enterprising Young Brit award and a 2008 UK Catalyst Award, he proves that cerebral palsy doesn’t have to get in the way of running a successful business. Although he says he’s tried to stay open minded about assisted suicide, Simon has decided to speak out. His main worry is that recent support for euthanasia, and its extensive coverage in the media, has already made it socially acceptable. “I realised that increasingly the media portray the death of disabled people in ‘mercy killings’ as acceptable,” he says. “It appears that when a parent kills a non-disabled person they are deemed evil, while when a parent kills a

disabled child they are presented as a hero.” times, it was because I was unhappy with my Simon believes that this is because disabled environment and the lack of certainty. Once people are treated as second-rate citizens, I knew what was happening and regained whose lives are worth less than those of non- control, I became happy; it was never about disabled people. the illness. People may argue that it is Simon believes that legalising assisted different for me because I knew I would get suicide will make people with disabilities better, but that wasn’t the case. The hospital and terminal illnesses feel like a burden, had written me off and sent me home; I and that there had no desire to improve my will be increased situation and I didn’t believe pressure, however that it would improve.” indirect, to This is why Simon is commit suicide adamant that improvements out of a sense of in the health service and duty. “Society social services would reduce will increase the the number of people pressure until it thinking about assisted becomes a duty suicide. “If people have imposed upon good-quality support and the family,” he healthcare, they can manage says. “I worry their conditions better,” he that a situation says. “I would like to see a will occur legal guarantee of appropriate whereby society and responsive rehab in a will assume speedy, coordinated and that all terminal informed manner.” illnesses should Failing to work closely lead to suicide.” together to provide effective Simon is healthcare for chronic or fearful of the terminal conditions is a Equality campaigner Simon Stevens impact that the criticism that both the is opposed to euthanasia legalisation of NHS and social services assisted suicide could have on those who are often face. It is an issue that both pro and struggling to cope. Last March, at the peak anti-euthanasia campaigners seem to agree of his paralysis, Simon wanted to end his on. Jo Cartwright, campaigns officer for own life. “There was a point when I did want Dignity in Dying, says, “We believe assisted dying should be a choice for people who are terminally ill and mentally competent. For this to be a real choice, the individual should have had full access to palliative care. At the moment not all people have access to good-quality palliative care, to die, and indeed it was not the first time I so this needs to be addressed.” considered suicide,” he explains. “But both Gordon Brown has pledged that every

Photo: Simon Stevens

“People will assume that terminal illness should lead to suicide”

the headlines

Photo: Robin Zebrowski

he personal stories behind the debate

cancer patient in England will receive asked her husband to record her message free, one-to-one home care from specialist to the world. “Society is making me die in nurses if Labour win the next election. this abysmally cruel way,” she said. “Society This attempt to improve the care of around is anybody who cannot be bothered to lift half of Britain’s terminally ill patients has one single finger to change this inhumane been widely law, and thus praised by give completely many, including helpless people Macmillan like myself, Cancer Support. in the very But Dignity advanced phase in Dying believe that even the highest of a degenerative illness, no other legal quality of palliative care cannot alleviate all option than starvation when we want to end suffering, and it is for these people that they the unbearable daily ordeal which is all that campaign for assisted suicide legislation. is left of our ‘life’.” Oliver Coles, 68, says he is indebted to Many argue that the current legal situation Dignity in Dying for the support and surrounding assisted suicide offers no empowerment which they offered to his safeguards; it does not protect those who do wife, Waltraud. not wish to die, nor provide any guidance to Waltraud, who had advanced secondary doctors or family members who have been multiple sclerosis, died 10 years ago after asked to assist in suicide. It also results in starving herself for 19 days. “She knew that many people ending their lives prematurely, her illness would, step by while they are still capable step, destroy – but not end of doing so. – her relatively young life,” Yet the fear that says Oliver. “Her decision legalising assisted suicide to starve herself was both will put pressure on a considered and extremely very vulnerable group of brave. She wanted to die people, many of whom while she still had some already feel like a burden, dignity and she knew that is a very real concern. starving herself was the only Making assisted suicide lawful option.” legal, and therefore Her progressive illness socially acceptable, could left Waltraud incontinent be enough to make some and unable to wash or Terry Pratchett is ready to be people feel duty-bound feed herself. She became to take their own lives, a euthanasia test case completely dependent on meaning that this is an Oliver, but was adamant that she should issue which cannot be ignored. have control over the manner in which she died. “She planned to take a fatal overdose,” explains Oliver, “but she lost the use of her Do you agree? Share your own hands by the time she was ready. It was the story and join the debate online darkest hour for us both.” at www.journalism.cf.ac.uk/renew Twelve days before her death, Waltraud

“Society is making me die in this abysmally cruel way”

Your views in numbers According to research from the 2005 British Social Attitudes survey:

80%

of you think the law should allow voluntary euthanasia carried out by a doctor for a patient who has a painful, incurable and terminal illness

45% 25%

support it when the illness is incurable and painful but not terminal – less than half

have discussed with a friend or relative the sort of medical treatment they would and would not want in the future

44% 42%

believe a relative should be allowed to help someone die

The increase in support for voluntary euthanasia carried out by a relative between 1995 and 2005

Expert view Go online to watch an in-depth video interview with Baroness Ilora Finlay, a world authority on the care of terminally ill cancer patients. Finlay, a consultant at the cancer centre in Cardiff, shares her own story of sickness and suffering and reveals her passionate views on assisted suicide at www.journalism.cf.ac.uk/renew

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the best and brightest from the world of the arts

UNDERSTANDING

What’s happening?

140

Can you review the arts in 140 characters? re:new took on Twitter to preview the latest films, books, theatre performances and music

ince its public launch just three-and-a-half years ago in July 2006, social networking website Twitter has had a huge impact on the internet and on society. It allows anyone to sign up and post “tweets” – messages no longer than 140 characters, the length of one text message – which appear instantaneously on the Twitter feeds of other users who “follow” them. Users’ tweets can include links to websites, photos, videos or anything else freely accessible on the internet, providing people with an impossibly fast method of sharing and enriching news and information. People have certainly taken to it; by the end of last month, more than 50 million tweets were posted per day. Indeed, the success of the site is such that newspapers and magazines now have journalists frantically trawling the site to root out the latest news and issues before they break through traditional media sources. But Twitter isn’t only useful for lazy hacks. Want to find a good Indian takeaway? Pose the question on Twitter and your followers will get back to you with their suggestions. Not sure how to bleed a radiator? Tweet and ye shall find (out). Of course, there’s only so much you can say in 140 characters, so there are limits to Twitter’s powers. In the spirit of research and development, re:new has previewed the best of the month’s arts in true Twitter style.

Cinema Alice in Wonderland (March 5) Lewis Carroll’s classic fairytale is given the Tim Burton treatment – and the fabulous cast it deserves. Crazy Heart (March 5) Jeff Bridges steals the show with a terrific, Oscar-worthy performance as a fading country music star. The Blind Side (March 12) Sandra Bullock is fully deserving of her Oscar nomination in this emotional and captivating sports drama. Shutter Island (March 12) Martin Scorsese teams up with Leonardo DiCaprio once more for this thrilling adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel, set in a mental hospital.

Music Ellie Goulding – Lights (Polydor, March 8) She won the BBC Sound of 2010 and the Critics’ Choice Award at the Brits, so Ellie Goulding will hope her debut album deserves the hype. Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks (Fat Cat, March 1) The third album from the melodious Scots is a superb follow-up to 2008’s critically acclaimed The Midnight Organ Fight. Groove Armada – Black Light (Cooking Vinyl, March 1) After 2007’s disappointing Soundboy Rock, the London electro stalwarts have gone back to the drawing board for their sixth studio album.

Photos- All attributed to Creative Commons. Twitter Logo used with permission

Clash of the Titans (March 26) The all-singing, all-dancing remake of the 1981 hit based on the myth of Perseus stars several recognisable British faces, including Liam Neeson.

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Parlophone, March 8) The record-breaking virtual band headed by Blur’s Damon Albarn release their third album, featuring Lou Reed, Mick Jones and Gruff Rhys. Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can (Virgin, March 22) Laura Marling’s debut album, Alas, I Cannot Swim, was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2008; she’ll hope to go one better with her second.

Theatre and comedy To Kill a Mockingbird (Grand Theatre, Swansea, March 9-13) Harper Lee’s powerful tale of prejudice, society and community in the Deep South is touring around South Wales this spring. Private Lives (The Vaudeville, London February 24-May 1) Kim Cattrall stars in Noel Coward’s comedy about a divorced couple who inadvertently honeymoon with their new spouses in the same place. Superstition Mountain (Warwick Arts Centre, Warwick, March 17-19) The new play from Carl Grose, the man behind many of Kneehigh Theatre’s projects, promises to be one of the highlights of the year so far. Glasgow International Comedy Festival (March 11-28) The biggest comedy festival in Europe returns with a stellar line-up, including the likes ofShappi Khorsandi, Dara O’Briain and Jerry Sadowitz.

Six Degrees of Separation (The Old Vic, London, January 8-April 3) Anthony Head and Lesley Manville star in John Guare’s adrenaline-fuelled Olivier Award-winning play.

Books Just Kids by Patti Smith (Bloomsbury, out now) The memoirs of the Godmother of Punk capture the spirit of the 1970s and explore her relationship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe. Solar by Ian McEwan (Jonathan Cape, March 18) The award-winning author of Atonement returns with a tale of greed and deception revolving around a decorated physicist. The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith (Little, Brown, March 4) Alexander McCall Smith offers up his latest novel in the terrifically popular No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. Unreliable Sources by John Simpson (Macmillan, March 19) The vastly-experienced BBC journalist turns his eye to the transformation of the press during the 20th Century in Britain. 61 Hours by Lee Child (Bantam Press, March 18) The best-selling adventure stories of Jack Reacher continue in snowy South Dakota.

So, how did we do? Think you could write a better preview in 140 characters? Have we missed something worth checking out this month? Join the Twitter community at www.twitter.com, follow re:new (www.twitter.com/renewmag) and send us your own previews, messages and links about anything and everything.

re:new

re:view

Lack of drama in the court room? The Agatha Christie Theatre Company turn their attentions to Witness for the Prosecution continually direct their observations directly to the audience. This is all good fun, although the length of time spent in the courtroom does start to drag. An unbroken parade of witnesses appear one after another for almost half an act. Their baffling array of dodgy regional accents was welcomed for some light relief, as was some of the hammy acting. Few would go to a Christie play expecting naturalistic performances, but others – especially the marvellously-named Honeysuckle Weeks as Vole’s suspicious German wife Romaine – manage to play the exaggerated characters with more of an element of fun. Fun is what one would expect at a murder mystery like this, and the audience was often rapt with the performance, which did brilliantly at getting across Christie’s sense of humour. If anything, though, the play was wanting in action. After spending most of the play in a dry courtroom, the twists and turns of action at the end seemed as if hastily added by Christie having realised her play was in danger of becoming boring. Good, well-staged fun for a true fan, but those wanting a salacious murder mystery may well be disappointed. MH

The tour continues: Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (1-6 March), Alhambra Theatre & Studio, Bradford (22-27 March), Connaught Theatre, Worthing (5-10 April), Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells (12-17 April), Theatre Royal, Windsor (16-28 August). We caught up with members of the audience to find out what they thought of Christie’s tale of suspicion and intrigue: Jan Souter, 58 “Lovely story, lovely plot, and very exciting. The first half was a little bit slow, but after the interval – and after a gin and tonic – it was great! There were lots of twists and turns at the end, the actors were professional and the last 15 minutes where it was all exposed were very, very exciting.” Bernard McDiarmid, 59 “I thought it was an extremely good production. It was a fascinating, which kept you right on the edge of your seat, as Agatha Christie always does. On top of this, the production company captured the mood of the time, the style and the essence of the story. The highlights were right at the end of the play, when all the different twists came together.”

Witness For The Prosecution: fun, yet wanting in action

Photo- The Agatha Christie Theatre Company

oing to see an Agatha Christie play is the theatrical equivalent of a lazy Sunday afternoon. There is an almost guilty pleasure in trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle, and the latest performance by The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, Witness for the Prosecution, contains all the usual elements: the mysterious death of a wealthy old woman, the moustachioed English gentleman, the unusual behaviour of a foreign wife. Watching it in a theatre greatly adds to the effect, as the crowd mutter their own opinions on what will happen next, making it feel almost like a pantomime. The play does not follow the traditional format of a prolonged investigation, in which you see all suspects questioned before the plot is finally rumbled. In the first scene you are introduced to the lead suspect – Leonard Vole, played by Ben Nealon – who has found himself in very unfavourable circumstances. From this point on, the drama takes place in the courtroom. The audience are left to decide for themselves what happened as a succession of witnesses are called up – just as a jury are in real life. The fourth wall is repeatedly broken as the defence and prosecution solicitors

Mumford & Sons: one of the latest acts to reignite the folk scene

Coming back to you The recent resurgence of folk music is explored by Emma Davies

“The times they are a-changin’,” sang Bob Dylan. Somewhat ironically, these words ring as true now as they did in ’64 when it comes to folk music. The start of the last decade may have been all about shouted defiance and loud guitars but, by its close, things had taken a far gentler turn. The UK folk scene is in better shape than it has been for a long time, and is currently enjoying the mainstream success to show for it. This is at least partly thanks to an injection of new life into the scene from up-and-coming young artists such as Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons, who have brought a diverse range of songwriting talents to the table. Back in the Sixties, if we’re being honest, North America just did it so much better. Mainstream folk came in the form of Bob Dylan’s political fist-shaking, the romantic laments of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell’s measured meditations. Frankly, they had it nailed. What did we get? Well, in the Eighties we had The Saw Doctors’ ‘I Useta Lover’. I think that speaks for itself; our mainstream was lagging far behind, in

both timing and quality. We might have invented folk music, but we weren’t the ones to take it to mainstream success. Hints of a folk resurgence have been apparent in the States for some time now, largely thanks to prolific wonder-kid Conor Oberst, but this time it’s us leading the pack. The London folk scene is flourishing, and many of the artists acknowledge those who have gone before them as key influences. Singer-songwriter Frank Turner, who recently released his third album, Poetry of the Deed claims to be particularly influenced by Bob Dylan. “I had this thing about two years ago where I suddenly ‘got’ Bob Dylan; it was really weird,” he explains. “I’d kind of not really got Bob Dylan before, and I woke up one morning and raced down to the breakfast table shouting, ‘I’ve got Bob Dylan! I understand it now!’ I’m on a big Dylan trip right now.” Turner also keenly embraces the back-tobasics ethic of folk: “The idea of a rock star is illegitimate; there shouldn’t be a massive divide between people who listen to music and the people who play music – and if

there is, the music in question becomes boring and irrelevant.” Lynn Roberts, one of the founders of website For Folk’s Sake, has also noted the influence of older folk artists on the current crop of artists. “It definitely varies from artist to artist, but the folkier pop artists of the 60s and 70s are certainly a big influence on lots of them,” she says. “Laura Marling has said she grew up listening to Joni Mitchell, and you can really hear that in her music – particularly the newer stuff.” Roberts also believes that the current strength of the UK folk scene is partially down to the friendship which exists between the acts – Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons and Noah & the Whale are commonly associated with one another, as are Emmy the Great and Lightspeed Champion – allowing them to use their influence to aid and publicise one another’s music. “I think the main factor in the scene’s resurgence is that the music is really really good. And it was a bit of good luck that these talented people all found each other and have helped each other out along the way,” she asserts.

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re:view They say that everything comes back into fashion eventually, and it seems that folk is no exception to the cyclical nature of music trends. With upcoming releases from the likes of Laura Marling and the hotlytipped Beth Jeans Houghton set for 2010, it seems that this movement can only increase in momentum – just like Dylan’s rolling stone.

Five of the best new folk albums, plus what our readers thought of some of their tracks Slow Club – Yeah So Spanning the range from delicate to noisy, Slow Club’s debut album manages to never stray too far from melodic territory. Fantastic harmonising between male and female vocals ensures this Sheffield boy-girl duo are even more heart-warming than they are twee. Highlights: ‘It Doesn’t Have to Be Beautiful’ and ‘I Was Unconscious, It Was a Dream’ Ceci Allchin, 60 Slow Club – ‘Trophy Room’ “It’s easy on the ear, but I’d prefer something a bit more up-tempo. It’s not the kind of thing I’d normally choose to listen to, but they’ve definitely got a lot of talent.” Emmy the Great – First Love While so many female solo artists tried to cram in as many self-consciously quirky flourishes as possible, Emma Lee-Moss simply sat back and let her sweetly simple vocals and biting lyrics do the talking. The heartbreak of others never sounded so intimately accessible, nor so damn good. Highlights: ‘First Love’ and ‘24’ Donald Tienken, 67 Emmy the Great – ‘The Easter Parade’ “The lyrics to this are really touching, and her voice is really nice and clear. I enjoyed how the song built up a bit towards the end, and there was a good choice of instruments in it.” Frank Turner – Love, Ire and Song This acoustic-driven collection of recollections of friends, lovers and calls to arms calls to mind nothing so much as a good, old-fashioned campfire sing-along. Tackling sentimental politics without sounding trite is a challenge, but it’s one which Turner manages to defeat with talent and verve. Highlights: ‘I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous’ and ‘To Take You Home’ Kay Bradford, 61 Frank Turner – ‘Reasons Not to Be an Idiot’ “The opening of this song really reminds me of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Big Yellow Taxi’. I like it. I could listen to this album – it has soporific numbing qualities but if you get beyond that and listen to the words, it is quite challenging.”

Folk heros of old and new, clockwise from top left: Leonard Cohen; Bob Dylan; Frankie Armstrong; Slow Club; Laura Marling; Frank Turner.

Peter Davies, 58 Mumford & Sons – ‘Winter Winds’ “I really like this; it kind of reminds me of The Saw Doctors, for some reason – I think it’s the instruments they used. I think I’ve heard this on the radio before – it’s the kind of thing you can find yourself singing along to before you even realise.” Laura Marling – Alas, I Cannot Swim Laura Marling released this superbly-crafted debut at the age of just 18, yet Alas, I Cannot Swim displays a remarkable self-assurance which no teenager should rightfully possess. These tracks of love, doubt and redemption are a gentle, acoustic triumph. Highlights: ‘Cross Your Fingers’ and ‘The Captain and the Hourglass’ Karen Church, 61 Laura Marling – Tap On My Window “I love her voice – it almost reminds me of Frankie Armstrong. I just can’t believe she’s so young, because she really doesn’t sound it. I can imagine myself listening to this when chilling out; it’s just really, really relaxing.”

Lynn Roberts picks out three acts to keep an eye on this year Broadcast 2000 “Broadcast 2000 is really exciting. He uses computerised looping of real instruments and makes lush, layered, acoustic folk-pop.” Broadcast 2000 out now. Mechanical Bride “Mechanical Bride makes beautiful, slightly eeriesounding music with glockenspiels and gentle vocals.” Debut album out next month. Peggy Sue “Peggy Sue are two girl singers and instrumentalists and a boy drummer who make a soulful, ramshackle version of pop. Both singers have incredible, leadsinger-worthy voices and they specialise in surprising spine-tingling harmonies.” Fossils and Other Phantoms out in April. To hear re:new’s favourite songs from these albums, head to www.journalism.cf.ac.uk/renew to listen to our modern folk playlist.

re:new

Photos: Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, Columbia Records UK. Frank Turner, Press Council PR. Frankie Armstrong, www.frankiearmstrong.com. Laura Marling, Radar Maker. Mumford & Sons, Loose Digital Group. Slow Club, Moshi Moshi Records.

Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More Among the most traditional-sounding of the newfolk scene, Mumford & Sons’ 2009 debut mainly chronicles the pitfalls of romance. Featuring thoughtful, pathos-laden lyrics set against a backdrop of stormy banjos, these are songs which which build and build to thrilling effect. Highlights: ‘Winter Winds’ and ‘Dust Bowl Dance’

re:lease

inspiration for new activites and opportunities

The road to becomi

Spring is the perfect time to start running. Our readers invite you to joi

ow that the days are yours to fill, with no pressing need to wake up when your alarm switches on and with no meetings by which to organise your day, it can be easy to slip into an unstructured daily routine. There are many ways to keep your new life fit, healthy and structured. Running is one of them. As the winter months draw to an end, more and more joggers take to the streets to begin training for different events dotted all over the country – with the aim of raising money for charity, or just to keep fit. You could soon be one of them, because running is an ageless sport which can help to increase fitness levels and improve your health – you just need to start, and start slowly. So, why should you get out there and start running? We spoke to two runners

of different abilities about what motivated them to get outside and tackle this invigorating uphill challenge.

Valerie Murphy, 74, Swansea Valerie has taken part in Race for Life since 2003, after discovering that she had breast cancer. She runs on her own and reflects on how lucky she is to be still able to take part. What made you start running? “In 2003, I took part in Race for Life – two years after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt that I was ready to do something that would be a challenge. Most of all, I wanted to give something back to the people who had helped me with my treatment. Shortly after I started training with a friend, they found a lump in my

neck which needed further radiotherapy treatment, but I knew I had to go through with the race as I had received some amazing sponsorship and support.” How long do you see yourself continuing to run for? “I have run for seven years now. I will continue to do it for as long as I can, even if I have to walk. But as one gets older, one has to train for a little longer and the recovery period takes longer still.” What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start running? “You need to build up the stamina to keep going, to have confidence in yourself and to not put too much pressure on yourself. Do it because you really want to do it and because you want the experience. The feeling of achievement as you cross the finish line is incredible. Other than that, I’d say, just get

Photo: Susan Lesch@Flickr

The road to becoming a runner can seem long

ing a runner

in them today

Photos: qmnonic@Flickr

Robin Swaine, 64, Purbeck Isle Robin is now in training for the Swanage Half Marathon in July, The Dorset Doddle in August and The Beast in September with Purbeck Running Club. What do you enjoy most about going for a run? “I enjoy the buzz and the sense of achievement it gives me. The draw of this type of activity is the good fellowship of like-minded people. Of course, some are super-keen fanatics but others just love to get out and about and run for fun. I think I’m in the fun group.” Do you think it is important to keep fit as you get older? “In my opinion, there is a mental benefit from the physical effort. I find that running helps me to think more clearly and is an excellent stress-buster.” What would you say to someone who was thinking about getting into running but was a little apprehensive? “Don’t try to do out there in the too much, too soon. fresh air. Try it.” Give yourself time to What do you adjust to the activity. enjoy most Valerie after completing Race for Life For example, run at a about running? gentle pace for half a mile then walk for the “Running keeps the lethargy away. same distance. Have a programme of fitness Whenever I don’t run, I feel more tired. training and make sure that you give yourself The hardest thing about running is getting started, finding the motivation. I usually run adequate time to recover. Do not be afraid to seek the advice of experienced runners or a in the morning, because otherwise I try and professional fitness advisor.” put it off by doing other things.” Do you have a particular training regime What motivates you to keep running? or diet? “I think to myself, ‘life is good; I am so “When considering a 10k run, I try to lucky to be here’ – that’s what motivates me, build up my endurance and strength over the fact that I am still able to do it. a period of three months. At least two The first friend that I ran with died. She outings each week starting with 3k runs had breast cancer as well, and unfortunately initially, before building up to the 10k it came back. When I run, I feel quite distance during the final month of training. emotional and I think to myself how lucky I I don’t have a particular diet, but tend to am to be here.”

Robin tackling ‘The Beast’ concentrate on higher carbohydrate intake in the final week before any such event. That may just be psychological, but I think it gives me an extra boost.” Do you have a particular training regime or diet? “When considering a 10k run, I try to build up my endurance and strength over a period of three months. At least two outings each week starting with 3k runs initially, before building up to the 10k distance during the final month of training.” How long do you see yourself continuing to run for? “Years or distance? I guess I’ll stop when I start to fall, dribble, forget where I’m going or my family select a care home…like hell!”RH Our resident doctor, Dr Lewis says: “Jogging on hard surfaces like roads can jar your knees and hips, and I wouldn’t recommend it. Instead, jog on softer surfaces like grass or proper running tracks. Why not run on the beach if you live near the sea? Wherever you decide to jog, it is very important to wear footwear with good soles that absorb much of the impact. These may be expensive, but not as expensive as a premature hip replacement!” If you’ve been inspired to join Valerie and Robin, visit our website – www. journalism.cf.ac.uk/renew – where we’ve put together tips for a successful training regime to get you started. Find out about events you can enter to keep you motivated on the road to becoming a runner, such as the Sport Relief Mile and Race for Life. R

re:new

What would the neighbou

In the wake of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s naked rambler being threatened Ella Walker looks into the misconceptions covering up th

d with life imprisonment, he truth about naturism

Body Politics Gough argues that his nakedness is a political statement and a protest for individual freedom, but his attitude is not shared by the wider naturist community. “What naturists feel frustrated about is the way things have turned round. Whilst we came into the world with no clothes on, anybody now that wants to be in that state is seen as rather strange or, worse, provocative or trying to cause trouble, which is just not what it’s all about at all,” says Andrew Welch, the Central Council for British Naturism’s commercial manager. “Gough is not a naturist, but the principle behind what he’s doing – why should humans have to wear clothes? – is absolutely right. What we worry about is that he does come across as a bit of a nutcase.” The Council’s aim is to educate people about naturism and make it more accessible to those who may be interested. It seems to be working; at the last count, British Naturism had 12,000 active members of all ages and estimated that more than 18,000 people in the UK engaged in naturist activities casually, be it visiting a “sun club” for the day or opting to go topless on holiday. “We’re forced all the time to wear clothes. You have to conform and wear a suit when you go to a job interview, that kind of thing, so when you get the opportunity to say

re:new

Photo: British Naturism, Steve Betts

urs say?

etting your kit off in public may not be your cup of tea, and having a cup of tea with your kit off is probably not the best of ideas for scaldingrelated reasons, but thousands of people across the UK rather enjoy it. However, because of ignorance and prudishness, naturism is often wrongly compared with indecent exposure. The stereotype seems to be that naturism appeals to either daisy chain-wearing hippies on drugs who frolic naked in the South of France or shifty characters who lurk about in overcoats and flash people at bus stops. Both make nudism out to be a niche option for the freakish or perverted when, in fact, the ethos behind nudism and naturism focuses on community, freedom and vitality – sex and drugs don’t come into it. This ethos is also confused by the Naked Rambler’s protest for individual freedom. Steven Gough trudges across Britain in nothing but a pair of walking boots and a cap, and has been dragging nudity through the mud, the headlines and, in particular, Perth prison for the past seven years. Now, unless he zips up, the notorious 50-year-old will face life imprisonment.

re:lease ‘right, sod it, I’m not going to do that, I’m going to take all my clothes off and feel the grass beneath my feet and the sunshine on my body,’ it makes you feel much more alive and vital,” says Welch. “It is an incredible sort of boost to the system to feel that way in a society where we are forced to conform all the time.”

Ease in

“Sun clubs” are traditionally naturist strongholds but you can get day passes and try their fa out in the large stream of naked cyclists.” For Bill Wells, a retired engineer from North London, naturism is a larger part of life than just stripping off in protest. He has lived at Spielplatz naturist reserve in St Albans for almost 20 years and has been a naturist since his teens. “I’ve preferred being undressed to being dressed since I was a youngster. I think it is the last of my teenage ideals. I’ve lost all the others; communism and other bits and pieces I grew out of, but I never grew out of naturism.”

“It is an incredible sort of boost to the system to feel that way in a society where we are forced to conform all the time.” to dress “as bare as you dare” and cycle in protest against the indecent exposure of people to vehicle emissions. Jesse Schust, the UK coordinator for the ride, explains how body insecurities needn’t get in the way of participating. “The ride can be a very powerful and positive experience. It is truly clothing optional, so people don’t need to reveal their whole body, and many choose to start the ride in a bathing costume. If you already feel uncomfortable about your body’s appearance in clothes, it’s an act of tremendous courage to strip off and ride your bike down the High Street,” she says. “Many riders describe the wonderful sensation of feeling the breeze on their body and knowing that they will not be singled

He brought his four children up as naturists and, once he retired, decided to move permanently to Spielplatz with his wife. “Naturism is such a wonderful family thing,” says Bill. “I would definitely recommend it. All my kids grew up in it, accepted it, and it didn’t take over our life entirely, but it has been a very important part of it; there is a great sense of comradeship involved in our clubs.”

Confidence boost Negativity is not something which Bill and his family have experienced living as naturists; instead, over the years, they have encountered a lot of intrigued people

asking questions, from, “Don’t you get embarrassed?” to “What if I get sexually aroused with so much nudity about?” “Naturism is perfectly normal and perfectly natural,” says Andrew Welch. “We know from all of our experience that if we make it easy for people to get involved, they will, because people like to try new experiences, especially when they realise there is nothing to worry about. “We were all born naked; we are all the same underneath. Yes, we all have bits about ourselves we don’t like; some people have big bits, some people have small bits but, when it comes down to it, it doesn’t really matter.” What we need to do is discard the hippie/ lurker stereotypes and see how naturism offers an escape from the pressures of ordinary life. Weekend spa trips can be all the more freeing without having to get changed and redressed; evening swims at your local naturist pool can be even more invigorating than an average swim constrained by Speedos. Surely an all over tan is preferable to white swimsuit marks? Underneath your suits and skirts and swimming trunks and bikinis, there are wobbly bits and wrinkly bits, but we’ve all got them – and perhaps they could do with a bit of sunshine. After all, as Welch says, “What have we got to be so ashamed of?”

All photos: AANF Mark Day (beach photo: treehouse1977@Flickr)

Naturism as an active lifestyle choice focuses on personal wellbeing and fitness, as well as group sports and activities: it is not just about getting a dose of Vitamin D from sunbathing. The British Naturism Council runs spa weekends, swimming sessions and beach trips for its members, too, but if you fancy trying out going nude, you don’t have to go full-frontal straight away. “What we want to make understood is that it’s not a question of you, are a naturist or not a naturist: there is actually quite a spectrum,” says Welch. “There are many women who go topless without a second thought, lots of people have skinny dipped and enjoyed that and it’s quite interesting when you talk to people about having a hot day in the office in the summer: does everybody go home, have a shower and put their clothes back on again? Lots of people I ask say, ‘well no, actually, I am quite happy being naked around the house.’” So, going au naturale needn’t be a lifechanging decision; you can get involved casually or even try it out for a good cause. For example, the annual World Naked Bike Ride takes place in cities across the world, and anyone can get involved. The idea is

Top spots for getting your kit off: the best 15 naturist beaches around the world UK: 1.Studland Beach, Dorset 2.Morfa Dyffryn, Gwynedd, Wales 3.Slapton Sands, Devon 4.Holkham, Norfolk 5.Pednevounder Beach, Cornwall Europe: 1.Leucate Plage, France 2.Playa Es Pregons Gran, Balearic islands 3.Vera Playa, Spain 4.Valalta, Croatia 5.Bellevue Beach, Klapenburg, Denmark Rest of the world: 1.Haulover Beach, Florida 2.Wreck Beach, Vancouver 3.Tulum Beach, Tulum, Mexico 4. Samurai Beach, Australia 5. Hawksbill Bay, Antigua

Nude notes: •

•

• •

There are more than 130 naturism clubs in the UK. To find out where they are and to sign up, head to the Central Council for British Naturism’s site www.british-naturism.org.uk The Naturist UK Fact File homepage – www.nuff.org.uk – lists naturist events around the UK and has up to date commentary on all nude news For the law on naturism in Britain see www.nudistlaw.com. It exposes past cases and sets out your rights The Naturist Foundation is a registered recreational charity for naturists in Kent, run by it’s members, www.naturistfoundation.org If you want a nudist event to prepare for, World Naked Gardening Day is on May 10 Visit our website to share your naturist experiences or tell us the holiday destinations you would recommend.

acilities

Sport and exercise are a huge part of the naturist lifestyle – it doesn’t just involve topless sunbathing

re:vitalise

health and wellbeing news and questions answered

At home with the doctor

The ups A-to-Z of facts about the antiimpotence drug

Anxiety Dr Gordon Lewis has been a GP for 28 years. A keen sportsman until a back injury caused him to slow down so he knows how devastating injuries can be. He is passionate about giving his patients the knowledge to deal with any problems they face, so, whether they’re big or small, send your questions in to us at enquiries.renew@googlemail.com I have just been diagnosed with diabetes and I am now worried about how this will affect my general health. What should I expect and what steps can I take to stay healthy? The most important thing to remember is that most people with diabetes lead a perfectly normal life without any restrictions. I presume you have been diagnosed with the commonest form of diabetes (type II), which normally comes on in later life, tends to run in families and rarely requires insulin injections. It is also important to remember, however, that this is a significant condition which needs to be treated with respect. Most of the advice given to

There are many diabetic-friendly treats on the market so you can still enjoy your favourite treats

diabetics is good advice that we could all benefit from; avoiding being overweight, taking a healthy diet and avoiding excessive animal fats, stopping smoking, and taking regular exercise. Your GP or practice nurse will want to monitor your blood pressure and to check that you’re not developing the complications which can occur in some diabetics, such as problems with the lining of the eye (retina) or the kidneys. In fact, many diabetics find an increase in their wellbeing following diagnosis, simply from following the sensible advice they had ignored for years.

I don’t suffer from incontinence but I worry that I will as I get older. Is there anything I can do to stop its onset? There are a number of conditions that can lead to incontinence in women. If you’ve had children, especially if you have had difficult deliveries, you may find that some of the muscles in the pelvis that help to control urine voiding have been damaged or weakened. Of course, you must remember that most of your other muscles will be getting weaker as you get older, too. Most of us find that our weight increases as we get older; being overweight makes incontinence more likely – another reason to continue an active lifestyle. Prevention of incontinence includes weight loss, a healthy lifestyle and specific exercises to strengthen the muscles involved (pelvic floor exercises). Coughing will exacerbate the problem, so if you smoke it would be another good reason to give up, and if you suffer from asthma, ensure that you obtain appropriate treatment from your GP to reduce any possible symptoms. Finally, an infection in the bladder can sneak up you, so it is always worth taking a clean specimen of urine to your GP surgery for the nurse to check for you.

Viagra is seen as the answer to relieving sexual performance anxiety, but it may not address the factors causing erectile dysfunction in the first place.

Blood pressure Viagra was initially developed to relieve high blood pressure before its other benefits were discovered. If you suffer from high blood pressure, using Viagra with your medicine may have a detrimental effect on your health.

Cialis Cialis is the trade name for a drug similar to Viagra also used to treat men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Cialis is reported to work longer than its competitor – roughly 32 hours more.

Depression

If you are suffering from depression, this may be the reason why you are experiencing problems achieving or maintaining an erection. Viagra may deal with the physical side of things but won’t change the underlying problem.

Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition, particularly in older men. It is estimated that half of all men between 40 and 70 years of age will experience ED at least once.

Flushing Flushing is a common side effect. The good news is this doesn’t have a damaging effect on the body.

and downs of Viagra G-spot

Some women claim that Viagra works for them, too, by stimulating their G-spot. Manufacturers don’t advise that the drug is used by females, nor is it licensed to.

Hour On average, Viagra works in just under an hour if administered on an empty stomach. If you’ve eaten something with a high fat content, it may take longer to be effective.

Injury An injury to the head can result in low levels of production of testosterone. In such situations, a treatment of testosterone replacement can rectify ED instead of Viagra.

Nitrates

Vision

Viagra plus any medicines containing nitrates (used for treating angina) is a highly dangerous combination.

Some men have reported to experience a blue tint to their vision or other optical disturbances after taking the product, but this is not a common side effect.

Online pharmacies According to the European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines, 14 per cent of British adults admit to buying prescriptiononly medicines, such as Viagra, via online pharmacies. The problem with online pharmacies is that you have no idea if whether you’re being sold is the real thing, or how much you should be taking. This could result in a fatality.

Pfizer Viagra is developed and marketed by a company named Pfizer, whose name is engraved on one side of the pill.

Questions According to the Pfizer website one of the most commonly asked question about Viagra is: “Will it work with alcohol?” The answer? “Yes.”

Research

The chemical structure of viagra

Junk mail

AOL reports that Viagra is the most popular subject in spam email.

Kent The compound for Viagra (UK-92,480) was first synthesised in a research facility based in Sandwich, Kent.

Levitra

Levitra is a trade name for Vardenafil, another anti-impotence drug available.

Morriston Morriston Hospital in Swansea, Wales was the first hospital in the world to clinically trial Viagra.

The International Journal of Impotence Research claims that the drug: “Does not improve sexual performance in men without ED but does reduce the postorgasmic refractory time.” (The time after sexual activity).

Wonder drug Viagra is hailed as a wonder drug because it has enabled previously impotent men to have erections since its introduction 12 years ago.

Xx The opposite side of the tablet has “VGR xx” engraved on it – xx denotes the dose of the pill in milligrams. Three dosages are available: 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. Some men may respond to a lower dose than others.

Young people Young people are reported to take Viagra in addition to the older generation. This is mainly because it counteracts the “wilting” effects of drugs such as alcohol and ecstasy.

Zeta-Jones Catherine Zeta-Jones’s husband, Michael Douglas, has recently confessed to an American magazine that he keeps up with his younger wife by using Viagra – claiming that it can help us all to feel younger. JB

Sexually aroused Viagra isn’t an aphrodisiac and will only work if you are already sexually aroused.

Talk Doctors advise patients to talk to their partners about their ED and their motivation for taking the drug.

US television Despite only being available via prescription, celebrities like former American Senator Bob Dole and footballer Pelé have advertised the drug on US television. Dole is the television commercial spokesman for the company.

The original little blue pill

re:new

re:vitalise

A smörgåsbord of Nordic n Scandinavian food has seen a huge upsurge in popularity in the past year. Vincent Forrester asks what all the fuss is about, and explains why you should get on board

ince the health benefits (and the deliciousness) of the Mediterranean diet became widely known in the 1990s, it has become one of the most popular cuisines in the UK. But in the years before Delia, a request for mozzarella at your local supermarket cheese counter would have been met with a blank stare. Now, another diet looks set to infiltrate the fridges and larders of Britain’s homes in the same way: the Scandinavian. Since a report by the University of Copenhagen in March 2009 suggested the Nordic diet to be even healthier than that of Greece and southern Italy, its popularity here has grown considerably, and a new book by Danish chef Trina Hahnemann, The Nordic Diet, explains how to rustle up these tasty, nutritious meals. Hahnemann recently guest-cooked at Danish restaurant Madsen in South Kensington, and Charlotte Madsen, the restaurant’s director, says she is pleased

that the healthiness of the cuisine has been recognised. “It is a healthy diet,” she says. “We don’t deep-fry anything in the restaurant. Everything is just grilled or oven cooked or pan-fried, and we use a lot of herbs and berries. A lot of people who come to the restaurant comment that, even after three courses, they still feel quite light.” “It’s good, basic ingredients,” says Pauliina Talvensaari, the director at Northern Lights, a Scandinavian bar and restaurant in Brighton. “It’s vegetables, potatoes, fish, meat; things that you can get anywhere. You don’t need loads of different sauces and spices. “We use herbs more than anything else, and most of the things are easily available from any supermarket. I think people think it’s very plain food, and they are always surprised when the plate comes and it’s very colourful and it’s tasty and it’s fulfilling.” However, although the Scandinavian countries do have favourable obesity rates

when compared with the UK, Åke Lindholm, who has worked in the UK for 25 years and runs Swedish restaurant Garbo’s, warns that the globalisation of food has changed eating habits. “A healthy diet? In Sweden, they eat pizza and hamburgers like mad,” he says. “But if you stick to traditional Scandinavian cuisine, yes, it is healthy. It’s mostly salad and marinated fish, herring and gravadlax. There’s no fat in that, really.” Sian Porter, a dietician and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, echoes Lindholm’s concerns. “Italy has the highest incidence of child obesity in Europe. When we talk about a Mediterranean diet, we’re talking about the traditional Mediterranean diet rather than what, with this global village we’re in, is turning into a bastardised version of national diets.” The key to healthy Scandinavian cooking, it seems, is to keep things simple. “It’s essentially very basic food,” says Northern Lights’ Talvensaari. “It’s healthy, it’s tasty; it’s not too complicated. And you can grow most of the same things [in the UK] – you can eat properly and have the same basis of the diet.”

The variety of meat, fish and starch in smörgåsbord makes it an ideal healthy meal

10 top tips for a

nosh

Scandinavian food doesn’t just improve health. According to a report by the University of Leicester, published in 2007, Denmark is the happiest country in the world. Iceland, Finland and Sweden are all in the top 10. Norway, the saddest of all of the Nordic countries, is 19th. Britain, by comparison, is 41st. Birgit Thompson, the secretary of the Hertfordshire Anglo-Scandinavian Society, believes the prosperity of the Nordic peoples is rooted in their attitude to life – and to food. “People have more balance between work and family life,” she says. “They don’t work such long hours and they are more family orientated. When you meet for a meal, it’s young and old together; there’s not such a gap between the generations.” So, if you have a little time on your hands, maybe you can get more involved with your food. Perhaps you could grow your own herbs and vegetables in the garden, or even just on the windowsill. Try to throw as much fruit and veg as possible into your meals, and avoid adding fat to your methods of cooking. But, most of all, make sure that eating isn’t a chore. We all want to enjoy what we eat and, hopefully, we can get more out of it than simply sustenance.

healthy diet

Follow these tips from Sian Porter and the British Dietetic Association on how to maintain a healthy diet that will keep you feeling fit, feisty and full.

1 Plan your meals around starchy

foods such as bread, chapattis, cereals, potatoes, rice, noodles, oats and pasta.

Have at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Fresh, frozen, dried, canned and juiced fruit and veg all count towards your total, as does fruit and veg in cooked meals such as stews.

3 It’s been shown that people who eat

breakfast lose weight more successfully, have reduced risk of certain diseases and are less likely to be overweight.

4 If you’re making something like a

shepherd’s pie or any other mince-based dish, add a cheap tin of beans. They will be healthy and delicious, and it also means that you can use less meat.

5 If you fancy a barbecue, marinate Gravadlax is one of the most popular Scandinavian dishes

the meat before cooking. When meat fat drips onto hot coal, it releases two chemicals known to increase the risk of cancer. Marinades, particularly those rich in anti-oxidants such as citrus juices, spices and olive oil, can reduce the levels of these chemicals by over 95 per cent.

6 Cut down on fatty meat products

such as sausages, pies and streaky bacon. Choose unprocessed meat or fish, instead, and take the skin off of chicken and trim other meat of excess fat.

7 Choose spreads carefully. Pick one

without trans fats, which are associated with increased risk of heart disease.

8 Portion control is important. A piece of meat should be about the size of a pack of cards; a piece of fish about the size of a cheque book.

All photos: Northern Lights restaurant

9 A lot of people don't even realise that they are dehydrated, because they have become so used to feeling below their best. Most of us need between six and eight glasses of fluid per day.

10 Whatever your diet consists of, you Smörgåsbord is a buffet-style collection of open-faced sandwiches of all kinds

don’t want to eat too many calories and you want to be physically active. It has to be part of a healthy lifestyle.

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re:discover

travel to dream destinations at home and abroad

Going native in Brussels Avoid the midweek crowds and spend an indulgent weekend in the sophisticated Belgian capital. By Mia Valimaki

For a bit of culture, the Royal Museum for Central Africa has wonderful park grounds, in addition to a museum, and is well worth the metro and tram ride it takes to reach it. Tickets are €4.

Visit

Shop

Brussels’ Grand Place, the main square in the city, is a gothic masterpiece, a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. It is the city’s main sight and the perfect place to start a city walk. Going by foot is the best way to explore the charming buildings dotted around the centre, but the metro is also a convenient way to travel.

Eat

Brussels is abundant in its choice of little cafés and brasseries. One of Brussels’ hidden gems is A La Bécasse, on Rue de Tabora 11. It sits next to a waffle shop, which usually draws people’s attention – and because of this, they miss the small alleyway leading into A La Bécasse. They serve delicious food and have a large variety of Belgian beers. In between the sights and the shopping, the Cheese Cake Factory on Boulevard Anspach serves light lunches. Sample the pâté, a favourite among the locals. Shopping in Brussels is an indulgence; the little shops practically invite you in. For quaint little shops, visit Place du Grand Sablon. The street is lined with little chocolatiers and antique shops. Europe’s oldest shopping arcade, Galeries St Hubert, houses some delightful luxury shops. For high street shopping head to Rue Neuve, the main pedestrian shopping street.

Left Construction on Brussels’ gothic Town Hall started in 1402 Top right Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is Europe’s oldest shopping arcade Middle right Every two years a flower carpet is laid in Brussels’ Grand Place

Stay

Le Méridien Brussels provides luxurious accommodation, combined with an ideal setting in one of the best locations in town. Room prices start from €85, going up to €250 for a Junior Suite. A bit further away, but still within walking distance of the city, is Radisson Blu EU hotel, right beside the European Parliament. They offer deals for weekends, with prices for double rooms starting at €59.

Further afield

Brussels is well situated to explore the rest of Belgium. Only a 20-minute train ride away is Leuven, a beautiful medieval city. Unlike in Brussels, the main language of the city is Flemish, providing an insightful view into the language division which has long troubled Belgium. A bit further away is Bruges, the chocolate capital of Belgium. With its canals and narrow cobbled street Bruges is about as atmospheric as it gets and definitely worth a day’s excursion.

On the net

At www.journalism.cf.ac.uk/renew you can find a map of all the places mentioned in this article and more information about planning your city break in Brussels.

Photos: Left: Dylan Walters. Top right and middle right: Mia Valimaki

russels, the capital of Belgium, is so much more than home to the European Union. This charming city, with its chocolatiers, brasseries and waffle houses, is an indulgent treat and makes for a great weekend break. Populated by EU officials during the week, the city is reclaimed by locals at the weekend. An added advantage of this diplomatic exodus for tourists is that the prices of hotel rooms drops significantly when the week is over. Brussels is worth a visit any time of the year, but it blossoms during springtime without being too crowded. A trip on the Eurostar takes only a few hours from London and is also the most environmentally friendly method and hassle-free method of transport.

Photo: www.skibanff.com

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look down: The view over Sunshine Valley, Banff

Skiing with the champions

The settings of the Winter Olympics were undeniably spectacular. Josie Allchin gives you the basics on booking your next trip to the Rockiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best ski resorts

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re:discover Canada is a magnificent playground for snow enthusiasts, expert or amateur. Not only is there the Olympic host city of Vancouver to explore, but 850 km away is the beautiful town of Banff, another must for skiers searching for a new Rocky Mountains mecca. Booking now also has its advantages. Being late season, there are much quieter resortsand no ski schools, perfect for those seeking an extended getaway on the slopes and a real chance to fully explore these glorious destinations. The world’s favourite city For the eighth consecutive year, Vancouver has been voted the world’s “most livable city” by The Economist’s Intelligence Unit, based on 30 factors in five areas: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. The city scored 98 per cent (London, by comparison, scored 88 per cent, placing it 54th), so it’s a safe, comfortable and relaxing base for a skiing break in the

neighbouring resort of Whistler. For the ultimate place to stay in the city, look no further than the Pan Pacific Hotel, right on the waterfront that is Vancouver’s defining image. From the correct angle, your room will offer views of the coast, the city skyline and the mountain ranges. See www.panpacific.com for pricing and a full list of hotel amenities. A greener place to ski Seventy-eight miles from blue-drenched Vancouver is this year’s Winter Olympics host site, Whistler. What makes this resort stand out from the others is its impressive list of environmental awards: in 2009 it was voted Canada’s greenest ski resort, an award capping 12 years of international recognition for its green efforts. Whistler is continually striving to achieve its goal of being a zero-waste resort, and has several conservation areas set aside for protection and development. The responsibility to be environmentallyconscious not only falls on the staff (as well as being Canada’s greenest ski resort in

Spectacular views of Seton Lake from the Rocky Mountaineer, one of the best train journeys in the world

Photo: www.rockymountaineer.com

he south-west corner of

2009, it was also recognised as being one of the country’s greenest employers) but also visitors, who are urged to comply with the resort’s proactive approach to living in harmony with their surroundings. When it comes to places to stay, Whistler is not short of accommodation. From homely lodges to acclaimed luxury hotels, you can choose to stay right in the middle of all the activity or somewhere more secluded to indulge in your surroundings. Visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com for more information on how to get there, where to stay and what to do.

Photo: VANOC/COVAN

Banff: small town, big skiing Located in the province of Alberta, Banff is a quaint town juxtaposed by breathtaking peaks which dwarf the town. It may have a population of just 8,000, but don’t let this fool you – the main thoroughfare of Banff Avenue is a shopping and entertainment hotspot. Also, look out for sly snow gear sales: shopping in Banff isn’t cheap, but if you keep your eye out for last season’s stock, you can get as much as $300 off ski

and snowboard hardware. For spectacular views overlooking the town, stay at the Fairmont Hotel, an atmospheric castle-style building tucked away in the surrounding hills. Go to www.fairmont.com/banffsprings for accommodation and ski packages. Sunshine Village Sunshine Village may be only a 20-minute ride from Banff, but as ski resorts go, it could hardly be more contrasting. Covering almost 3,300 acres of ground, it’s so big that you can actually ski in both Alberta and British Columbia, as certain runs cross both provinces. The resort’s size also means there’s room both for beginners to make their mistakes and for the pros to give it their all. The wide, open space of Wawa Mountain is a good place to start, especially for those who want to avoid collisions while still finding their feet. Mt Norquay and Lake Louise While both of these resorts are on a smaller scale than Sunshine Valley, they are still

well worth exploring, especially since they’re located nearer to Banff itself. Lake Louise boasts some of the most beautiful views in the Rockies, while Mt Norquay is the only resort in the area to offer night skiing. For those who want to take on all three resorts, season tickets can be bought online at www.skilouise.com and www.banffnorquay.com Take a break from the slopes Frequently lauded as one of the best train journeys in the world, the Rocky Mountaineer is a unique way to experience the mountains without having to race down them at great speeds. Trips on this luxury train run throughout British Columbia, offering second-to-none hospitality and genuinely stunning views of the Rockies. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Trans-Canada Rail Adventure, which journeys from Vancouver on the west coast, through the magestic Rockies and past the Great Lakes to Canada’s largest city, Toronto.

Cypress Mountain at Whistler was home to the downhill ski and snowboard events at this year’s Winter Olympics

re:new

recipes and ideas to tempt your taste buds

Kitching’s kitchen

Michelin-starred chef Paul Kitching shares the recipe for one of his favourite winter warmers with Lisa Blake

Spring may have just arrived but it’s still cold outside, so what better way to warm you up than with a hearty soup recipe from Michelin-starred chef, Paul Kitching. Paul was formerly known for attaining a Michelin star at Juniper, Greater Manchester, in 1997, which he managed for over 11 years. He moved to Edinburgh in late 2008 with his partner Katie, and they opened their restaurant, 21212, on Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace in May 2009. Since opening, 21212 has received glowing reviews from diners and reviewers from around the world.

The Royal Terrace Hotel in Edinburgh is an ideal place to stay if you are planning a visit to 21212. It has recently been refurbished and combines traditional charm with contemporary luxury. It’s priced at around £60 per The Royal Terrace night and offers Hotel, situated a few great views of the doors down from 21212 historic capital. restaurant Call 01315 573 222 to book a room and 01315 231 030 to make a reservation at 21212.

Apple, cauliflower and onion soup Ingredients:

Stock syrup: 500ml water 500g caster sugar 1 vanilla pod 1 lemon Apple puree: 1 large cooking apple 500ml stock syrup 1 cinnamon stick Cauliflower puree: ½ head of cauliflower 200g unsalted butter 100ml water Salt and pepper Truffle oil Onion puree: 1 onion 200g unsalted butter 50ml white wine vinegar 50ml water Pinch of saffron

Method: Stock 1. Split the vanilla pod and put into a large saucepan 2. Pour in the water and stir in the sugar until dissolved 3. Cut the lemon in half and add pan 4. Bring to the boil for one minute and pass through a fine sieve. Leave to cool Apple puree 1. Cut the apple into1cm pieces, put in a pan with the cinnamon stick and cover with the stock syrup 3. Boil, then turn down the heat and cook the apple until soft 4. Remove from the heat, sieve, discard the cinnamon and

(serves 4)

keep the liquid 6. Blitz the apple in a food blender and slowly add the sugar liquid until the puree is a smooth consistency. Set aside until service Cauliflower puree 1. Dice the butter, add the cauliflower (floretted) and just enough water to cover 4. Simmer until the cauliflower is soft 5. Remove from the heat and sieve, retaining the liquid 6. Blend the cauliflower and gradually add retained liquid 7. Once it is a smooth, thick consistency transfer the mixture to a bowl and season with salt, pepper and a little truffle oil. Onion puree 1. Wash, peel and dice the onion into 1cm sections and sweat down in a pan with butter and saffron 3. Add the white wine vinegar and water and cook down until the onions are soft 5. Drain off onions, retaining the liquid 6. Blitz the onions and again, slowly add the liquid until a smooth thick puree is created 7. Pour the three purees into a saucepan, bring to boil and simmer for five minutes

...serve

Gerald Phillips, 59, IT manager, Telford

Gerald Phillips gives the soup recipe a thumbs up

“The soup was very tasty and had a lovely consistency. My wife was impressed with the hint of apple; an unusual ingredient for soup, yet a sweetening and pleasant taste. I had to go shopping for the ingredients, as it required some items I wouldn’t have at home, such as the saffron and cinnamon stick. Altogether, the ingredients cost around £7 and the meal took around an hour to make. I’d recommend it as a mid-week evening meal.”

Photos: 21212 press, nettsu@Flickr

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Photos: Nyetimber press, Ancre Hill Vineyard

Get to know your grape We offer tips on how to start, what to drink and where to visit

ooking for a more exciting alternative to a book club? Starting a wine tasting club could be for you. Here are our top 10 tips to get you started:

1. Aim for six to 10 people

in your group. 2. Avoid arguments by agreeing in advance how much to spend each meeting and divide the cost between you. 3. It’s best to have one person responsible for buying the wines. This way everyone can spend more time individually researching bottles to drink. 4. Invest in some dedicated wine glasses but don’t worry about them being too expensive. 5. Each person should have a separate glass for each bottle. 6. Have water on hand to cleanse the palate between wines. Even so, always taste the red wine last, to avoid overpowering the flavour of

whites. It may be best to focus on one wine at a time. 7. Score cards can be a fun way to compare wines. Make a template to use each meeting, or visit our website, www.journalism.cf.ac. uk/renew, for our suggestion. Compare notes afterwards to see if you agree. 8. Snacks high in protein and carbohydrate will help slow the absorption of alcohol – particularly if you aren’t using spit buckets. Get some good cheese and have it with crackers or a fresh loaf of bread. 9. Avoid combining the night with a dinner party if you’re serious about keeping the focus on the wine. 10. Try a single variety of wine from different countries to learn about stylistic differences, or at a range of prices to compare qualities. Alternatively, try different wines from the same country.

lobal warming has had a positive effect on English and Welsh wines, which have been performing unusually well in blind taste tests. “This summer was claimed by some of our UKVA colleagues to be the best on record,” says Rebecca Morris of Ancre Hill Vineyard. “It was a claim certainly borne out by our experiences at the vineyard where both the quality and the quantity of the fruit picked was exceptional.” Why not try five of England’s best wines for your first wine club meeting? Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blancs 1998 A world-class sparkling wine made with Chardonnay grapes. This was presented to Barack Obama and other world leaders at Downing Street. Ridgeview Merret Knightsbridge 2006 Another excellent example of an English sparkling wine. Golden in colour, with

elegant fruity flavours and good length. Camel Valley Bacchus 2008 Bacchus is a Sylvaner/Riesling cross, producing a dry and aromatic wine which goes perfectly with seafood. Chapel Down Tenterden Pinot Noir 2007 Unoaked, light and silky, this will ease you nicely into the reds. Moulton’s Recession Red 2008 A full red with soft tannins made from Rondo, Regent and Pinot Noir grapes. The label pokes fun at Gordon Brown, stating: “A wine to remember from a year to forget.”

isit one of the beautiful vineyards that Britain has to offer: Ancre Hill Estate, Monmouthshire Situated in the Wye Valley, this vineyard is in close proximity to the beautiful Brecon Beacons. Ancre Hill Vineyard, Monmouth, Wales, NP25 5HS. t: 01600 714152 www.ancrehillestates.co.uk Breaky Bottom Vineyard, Lewes Based in an isolated valley in the South Downs, this beautiful vineyard requires an off-road drive to reach it. Breaky Bottom Vineyard, Rodmell, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3EX. t: 01273 476427 www.breakybottom.co.uk Leventhorpe Vineyard, Leeds The furthest north commercial vineyard, your visit will be rewarded by free wine and the producer’s wealth of knowledge. Leventhorpe Vineyard, Woodlesford, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS26 8AF. t: 01132 889088 Three Choirs Vineyard, Gloucestershire Besides the usual tastings and tours, Three Choirs has a nature trail, a modern English restaurant, a bed and breakfast and even a micro-brewery. Three Choirs Vineyard, Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1LS. t: 01531 890223 www.threechoirs.com. MH

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re:fined

contemporary fashion and beauty for you

Sartorially Speaking:

The new blue

re:new’s fashion columnist takes a look at spring’s denim revival and suggests how to update your tired denim classics

Saying that denim is durable is an understatement. In one form or another, this twill woven Marks & Spencer version of cotton has Denim shirt dress been propping up £29.50 fashion since the 17th Century. Starting out as the ideal fabric for tough work clothing, it was studded with metal rivets by Levi’s in the early 1800s. Then American cowboys got hold of it, and made the stuff iconic. We then ruthlessly dragged it through the decades of dodgy bell bottoms and even dodgier dungarees. The current trend, for men and women, is to wear denim on the top and the bottom – “doubling up”, to

Rotary Men’s watch £145

Hobbs Short jacket £129

labelling system of indigo, skinnylegged, straight-legged, stretch blends and so on. Choosing jeans is especially difficult; arm yourself with a tape measure and a hell of a lot of patience, because the right pair are a bloody pain to get hold of. Even if you do find a pair that fits, the chance that they are the hue of blue you were looking for is invariably nil Phase Eight and, after that, you’ll still Jersey top have to contend with how scratchy £40 the new denim is. I’d take a cheese grater to the stuff to get it more skin-friendly, if I were you. There aren’t strict rules on what to aim for, but men tend to look more suave in dark, whereas it’s all about frilled denim dresses and puffChoosing jeans is sleeved shirts Marks & Spencer especially difficult; arm for women. But Women’s shirt unfortunately, the yourself with a tape £35 Fred Perry likelihood is that measure and a hell of a lot Travel bag it will take another of patience, because 10 years and another £100 the right pair 50 tumbles in the washing machine to are a bloody bleach them to the right Marks & Spencer pain to get blue, anyway. Men’s denim blazer hold of Needless to say, £99 stonewashed is never the fashion savvy. acceptable, on any level Undeniably, it is whatsoever, and why it a wardrobe staple is still manufactured, but, considering considering the Nineties the prestigious ended a decade ago, is an position it holds absolute mystery. in our day-toRemember, though: this day sartorial may be an all-American endeavours, you’d look, but whatever you think denim would resort to for the perfect lend itself more easily to denim-tastic ensemble, cowboy getting bought. boots and gold medallions go with This is the problem: your wardrobe won’t mental breakdowns, not denim shirts. Let function without it, but try buying it and them go. you seem to get caught in a nightmarish

Accesso Flower n £16

BHS Evening jacket £40

“

”

Next Men’s jeans £40

BHS Patent bag £35

ewellery used to be mainly gold and silver. You’d get necklaces, bracelets, earrings, all made of a precious metal and occasionally livened up with some gemstones. But a new wave of contemporary jewellery is becoming more and more popular.

With designers combining traditional jewellery structures with fresh and innovative ideas, orize a whole new wave of designs necklace has entered the jewellery business. Boutiques and ateliers stock stunning and diverse pieces differing hugely from traditional and antique items, with innovation knowing no bounds. The range of materials incorporated, too, is seemingly almost limitless. With high-profile figures such as Dame Judi Dench donning contemporary jewellery, the possibility of adding a modern classic to your collection, or buying one for somebody as a special gift, is within reach. Tony Gordon, contemporary jeweller and co-director of designer directory www.lovedazzle.com, notes the importance of jewellery being individual. “Work has to be unique enough that you can be certain that no one else is likely to bump into you whilst wearing a similar piece,” he says. “It is the result of the efforts of a very talented designer.” The average price on his website is £126 per piece, but, as is representative of the whole industry, prices range from under £10 to over £10,000. Buying a piece of contemporary jewellery is different to purchasing standard jewellery – the designs are more arty, the materials more diverse. But with such a range available, practically anybody can find a special piece just for them. AS

Contemporary jeweller Diana Porter gives re:new the lowdown on running her own shop and workshop in Bristol: “I make a wide range of contemporary jewellery – from silver pendants and bangles to diamond and semi-precious engagement and wedding rings. “In 1990, I went to the University of Central England and took a threeyear degree course in Jewellery and Silversmithing. I loved the way that working with metal centred and concentrated my mind; I learnt about design and form and my teachers pushed me to develop my design ideas, which I now thank them for. On leaving in 1993, I started my own business making jewellery in my front room. “My work is probably best known for its organic shapes, but my speciality is hand acid-etching onto my designs. People love to have a piece that is unique, one off and meaningful to them. I hand-etch names of loved ones, favourite lines from songs, all sorts of wonderful things. At college I was inspired by ancient images of powerful women, so my work is about women and assertiveness. My sibyls are stylised women,

each one etched with an affirming word to empower the wearer. “I feel more and more people are choosing contemporary jewellery over traditional styles, but I think it is complementary to traditional jewellery as there will always be a market for both styles. I like to think that my jewellery is not just a piece of jewellery – that it connects with people and that they have an affinity to the words etched into them. “My ‘on and on’ collection is a modern take on the eternity ring. The sentiment can mean different things to different people. Now that I have established myself as a designer, it allows me to support and promote new and graduate designers; this is something that I have always felt passionate about. I also love working on new collections, designing eye-catching window displays and the wonderful commissions that customers come to me with.”

A contemporary take on jewellery

Swallow earrings by Hannah Louise Lamb www.lovedazzle.com, £39. All other jewellery by Diana Porter, prices on enquiry

Complement your collection with a piece of jewellery designed especially for you

Orro Contemporary Jewellery 12 Wilson Street, Glasgow; 0141 552 7888, www.orro.co.uk The Necessary Angel Packhorse Court, Keswick; 01768 771 379, www.artangel.co.uk Element Jewellery 25 Market Street, West Yorkshire; 01422 847700, www.elementjewellery.com Colette Hazelwood Contemporary Jewellery 17 Oak Street, Manchester; 0161 839 0030, www.colettehazelwoodjewellery.co.uk Victoria Sewart Contemporary Jewellery 39 Southside Street, Plymouth; 01752 220011, www.victoriasewart.com Stephen Einhorn Ltd 10 Upper Street, London; 0207 359 4977, www.stepheneinhorn.co.uk Hazel Passmore Jewellery 25 Inglis Street, Inverness; 01463 715231, www.hazelpassmore.com Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery 33 Park Street, Bristol; 0117 909 0225, www.dianaporter.co.uk

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trends and ideas for beautiful interior design

ntiques have always been a national hobby; not only because of their collectable value, but also because of the sentimental attachment that you form with your favourite pieces. Certain Royal Worcester figurines can fetch up to £150 at auction, but if the figurine is a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation, it is unlikely that you are willing to sell it. Despite this, it can still be very interesting to get your prized possessions valued and to see how much they are worth. When having your items valued, it is worthwhile going to a specialist. The many different categories include: ceramics and glass, furniture, jewellery and silver, pictures and scientific instruments. Christopher Ironmonger from Bigwood Auctioneers in Stratford-Upon-Avon has some advice for those thinking about getting their possessions valued. “If you think something is of value then you should definitely get it professionally valued,” he says. “Sometimes people have inflated ideas of how much something is worth, while some people underestimate the value.” Ironmonger also explains how, because antique fashions are always changing, the value of antiques and collectables will vary from year to year. “Furniture is not particularly selling well in auctions at the moment, but Clarice Cliff always does well,” he explains. “Silver is fetching a lot because the price is high at the moment.”

For example, Tiffany lamps will always hold their value because of the prestige attached to the Tiffany signature. Pre-estimates for an auction in Pittsburgh, America, have valued some extremely rare Tiffany lamps at $50,000. If you are hoping to expand your collection, antique fairs are excellent places to find hidden treasures. Fairs are held frequently across the UK and www.antiques-atlas.com has listings of all major antique events. Anna Treasure from Gloucester Antique Centre explains that there are signs to help you spot an antique when you go to a fair. “Look at items carefully to look for signs of age,” she says. “The bottom of things will usually be a bit scratched where they have been moved around and ceramics may have a bit of ‘crazing’ where the glaze has cracked over the years. “Talk to the dealer selling the item to see if they can tell you a bit about its history. Go to reputable fairs, rather than just flea markets. If possible, do a bit of research before you go to look at the type of thing that you want, so you know what an original and a reproduction look like.” Glassware, silverware and other products usually have maker’s marks and hallmarks. There are many online guides which are useful when researching, so you know what to look out for. For British hallmarks, establish that it has a silver standard mark.

Locate and identify the city mark and whether there is a duty mark, as this will help to establish the date range. Online guides and antique dealers will have lists of city marks, and from these you can find the date letter and establish the maker. Treasure also explains how, once you buy an antique, you must be careful in your care of it. “Furniture should be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent bleaching and away from heat, so don’t put it next to the radiator,” she says. “Smaller items should be put on display where they will not get handled too often.” So which modern items might fetch a lot in the future? Treasure has some useful advice. “Try to get the first of something. For example, the first Apple iPod will be a lot more collectable than later versions. Oneof-a-kind baseball cards and trading cards will fetch a lot of money, especially in an online auction like eBay. Likewise, old video games and early Nintendo gaming systems will grow in value.” If Treasure is proved right, then it would be worthwhile making sure that grandchildren take care of their video games. Instead of things kept in their original cardboard boxes, as was traditional in years gone by, in the future, people may bid higher for items still in their original game packaging. It is never too premature to be thinking ahead about what might become valuable in the future.

Treasuring your antiques How can you spot the real deal? Claire Packer finds out from the experts 32

Photo- Idandersen @Flickr

re:decorate

Photos- Cath Kidston Ltd, Sanderson Ltd, Liberty London Ltd.

Pretty in prints

Poppies, roses and springtime pastels – Heather Steele investigates why the latest trends for floral prints are proving so popular

alk into any department store or tune into any home redecoration programme on television these days and you will be confronted by prints aplenty. Whether splashed across the walls or subtly embroidered onto cushions, floral prints are everywhere. Now you have the time and money to spend in your home, why not update and modernise with some timeless floral designs? Cath Kidston is the queen of kitsch-chic and pastel florals. Whether you are after a total home makeover and are inspired by the company’s dramatic wallpapers, or are just after an injection of colour in the form of cushions and tablecloths, there is a wide variety of items available. Liberty of London also stocks reams of wonderful wallpaper. Their collections span many different themes, from the conventional Floral, to the more unusual Abstract and Conversational collections. Take inspiration from feature walls adorned with their creative Caesar prints and retro Poppies designs. At a price of £19.95 per metre, your home will certainly be a talking point for all the right reasons. For traditional modern florals and graphic prints, Sanderson offers a wide range of

different styles. If you are after a traditional look, the English Heritage prints will provide a classic and timeless look. For a more decadent or iconic design, you can purchase wallpaper that was commissioned for the Titanic, or for Winston Churchill’s home, for a steeper £75 per metre. For a really simple way to add instant impact, Sanderson also stocks Photomurals – a whole wall design split into eight sections to allow for a quick and easy do-it-yourself application. If you fancy updating your home with minimal fuss but maximum impact, you could consider recovering some of your existing furniture with patterned fabrics. Cath Kidston sells both oilskin cloth and cotton fabrics in a wide variety of styles and patterns, and even covering just one sofa can really brighten up a living area. The real genius behind decorating your home with floral fabrics and designs is that not only will they remain timeless, but they are also a brilliant way of invigorating colour and banishing the chill of winter by using spring pastels. You can also find floral accessories in a variety of shades to match any existing palate in your home.

Above: Cushions – Blue Cushion, Vintage Cars, Rose Winchester, all Cath Kidston £22 each; Sanderson Photomural wallpaper, Rose, £75 for eight panels; Left: chair covered in Blue Rose fabric, £14 per metre; Wallpaper, Blue Peacock, Liberty, £22 per metre.

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re:flect

iconic moments from the past worth revisiting

The Oscars: the winners, the losers and The Departed Martin Scorsese wins Heather Steele’s favourite moment in the Academy Awards’ iconic 82-year history

he Oscars is the film event of the year, a glitzy ceremony scattered with Hollywood’s finest actors, directors and producers. This year will be no exception, with actors Jeff Bridges, Christopher Plummer, actresses Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep and director James Cameron tipped for the top awards. Each year has its surprise nominations, winners and losers. Yet no Oscar moment was quite as sweet as when Martin Scorsese finally won his first Oscar in 2007 for The Departed – at the age of 64, 26 years after his directorial debut. You may remember that, after scores of nominations in the past, including Best Director for Gangs Of New York and Goodfellas, Best Film for The Aviator and Raging Bull and Best Screenplay for The Age of Innocence, Scorsese finally got the Academy Award recognition he deserved when he beat Clint Eastwood’s Letters From Iwo Jima and Steven Frears’ The Queen to win Best Achievement in Directing. Scorsese received his golden statue from three contemporaries and friends: Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. After a rousing standing ovation from the audience, the iconic filmmaker humbly took to the stage. “So many people over the years have been wishing this for me,” Scorsese said, before jokingly adding in disbelief, “Could you double-check the envelope?” For Sasha Stone, acclaimed author of awardsdaily.com, Scorsese’s win was particularly memorable: “What was great about Scorsese winning an Oscar for The Departed wasn’t that he was making up for all of those years he should have won and didn’t” she says. “Yes, that was part of it; Scorsese’s body of work inspired whole populations of young filmmakers, and continues to do so. But the real joy was that he’d directed a great film, the best film of the nominated five and one of the best films of the year. He deserved to win. “That was the biggest surprise of all. If he hadn’t, the victory wouldn’t have been as sweet. Like Clint Eastwood, Scorsese continues to make vital films at this stage in his life. The Oscar win opens a new chapter for one of the most prolific artists and film historians in Hollywood.” Scorsese continues to impress critics and audiences alike, and his latest cinematic offerings, Shutter Island and Silence, are due for release later this year. The Oscars will take place on Sunday, 7 March and are sure to provide outrageous outfits, memorable acceptance speeches and surprise wins.

“Scorsese’s body of work inspired whole populations of young filmmakers, and continues to do so” Scorsese finally got his Oscar win in 2007

Galloping onwards to success

A year to remember IN

W 1 2 3 4 5 6

Guess which year all of these took place and be in with a chance to win two tickets to the London Book Fair 2010 by entering online at www.journalism.cf.ac.uk/renew

Horse racing is banned to try to stem the spread of foot and mouth disease. Typhoon Emma hits the Philippines killing 300 people and over 140,000 homeless.

RMS Queen Mary is retired after 32 years of service in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Beatles release their Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Tens of thousands march in Washington, D.C. to protest against the Vietnam War. The tanker Torrey Canyon runs aground on rocks off of Cornwall’s Land’s End.

7 8 9 10 11 12

Dr. Christiaan N. Barnard carries out the first heart transplant operation. The first automated teller machine is put into service in London’s Barclays Bank.

Elvis Presley marries sweetheart Priscilla Ann Wagner at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.

13 14 15

The British Road Safety Act sanctions the use of roadside breathalysers Balthazar Johannes Vorster is the Prime Minister of South Africa. The first pocket calculator comes on the market in Texas, USA.

The People’s Republic of China tests its first hydrogen bomb. BAC launches Concorde and is seen in public for the first time. American “King of Soul” Otis Redding dies, aged 26.

Calculated your answers?

Photo by John Taylor, 63, St. Neots The Berlin Wall on the 15 February, 2010 â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have taken photographs as a hobby since I was a young soldier serving in Gibraltar 1964. I like all the paintings on the old Berlin wall because they are vivid, interesting and nearly always come out well as photographs.â&#x20AC;?

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