The Cheshire Magazine August 2015

AUGUST 2015 s ISSUE 020

English

HERITAGE

Meet those behind the scenes of the iconic Belstaff brand

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

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A good INNINGS

Sporting legend Freddie Flintoff talks past, present and future

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Dramatic, yet graceful. Effortlessly simple, with cutting-edge technology. Ghost Series II forges a silent path of serenity through an ever-changing world.

No ordinary power. Experience it for yourself.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester Manchester Road, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0ST Tel: +44 (0) 1565 700 000 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-manchester.co.uk Official range fuel economy figures for the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II: Urban 13.2-13.3mpg (21.4-21.2l/100km). Extra Urban 28.8mpg (9.8l/100km).

Combined 20.0-20.2mpg (14.1-14l/100km). CO2 emissions 329-327g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. Š Copyright Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited 2014. The Rolls-Royce name and logo are registered trademarks.

31/10/2014 11:47

Here’s to your next adventure.

The new Continental GT V8 S.

Continental GT V8 S fuel consumption* in mpg (l/100 km): Urban 18.4 (15.4); Extra Urban 36.7 (7.7); Combined 26.8 (10.6). CO2 Emissions 246 g/km.

For more information call 01565 220302 or visit www.Manchester.BentleyMotors.com. #Continental #GTV8S Bentley Manchester, Mobberley Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8GT

*EU Drive Cycle. Fuel consumption figures are subject to Type Approval. The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2014 Bentley Motors Limited. Model shown: Continental GT V8 S

BENTLEY MANCHESTER

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

From the

Editor

EDITOR’S PICKS

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#1 THE BEAUTIFUL ART OF RUTH SARAH (ruthsarah.com)

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#2 CRÈME DE LA MER SKIN TINT (cremedelamer.co.uk)

3 #3 THE IGLOO (proidee.co.uk)

S

ummer is finally here. A time for putting your feet up with a good magazine (and possibly a cheeky prosecco), so we have lots to help you fill that well-earned me time.

I am lucky to interview the inspirational District Judge Marilyn Mornington – a Cheshire resident who advises countries on human rights and sits in the family court.

Making a difference really is her vocation but, when her superhero cape is hung up, she’s more interested in her family, friends, Everton and mastering the rhumba (page 32).

We also speak to everyone’s favourite boy next door Mr Freddie Flintoff as he reinvents himself. After cricket, boxing and that pedalo incident, he’s off on tour – bracing himself for the questions the public will ask and enjoying every second of it (page 26).

As we indulge a little, allow yourself to think and dream.

From planning your next adventure – perhaps inspired by Annabel Harrison’s African expedition on page 102 – to dreaming of your next home here or abroad, to inspirational stories from the worlds of horse-racing, fashion and beauty, as well as all the latest news and views.

Here’s to escaping to somewhere fun-filled or putting your feet up in that well-loved garden.

Relax, dream, live. Happy reading.

Louisa Louisa Castle Editor Follow us on Twitter @TheCheshireMag

Proud to support: VARIETY – THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY THE PINK RIBBON BALL, MANCHESTER & BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN THE BABYGROW APPEAL, COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL

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London • Liverpool • Manchester • Altrincham • Chester • Southport www.davidmrobinson.co.uk

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Contents

084

August A ugust 2015

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102

FEATURES

COLLECTION

TRAVEL

022 | Getting on side Meet Bill Holroyd, the man behind the incredible work done by OnSide Youth Zones 026 | All about Freddie From cricket to boxing (and that pedalo incident), Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff gives us an exclusive glimpse into his life 032 | Making a difference The truly inspirational career of Cheshire-based District Judge Marilyn Mornington 038 | A day at the races The man at the helm of Chester Racecourse talks business, pleasure and polo 042 | The elephant in the room Photographer Kate Garner on her latest fundraising efforts

052 | Watch news Stunning state-of-the-art timepieces for him and her 056 | Jewellery news A full round-up of all the latest in style and sparkle

100 | Travel news 102 | The nature of the game We visit the Singita Grumeti Reserves in Tanzania 108 | A room with a view Be swept away by Lucerne’s historic fairytale vibe 112 | Weekend away Washingborough Hall is a perfect home from home

REGULARS

071 130

006 | Editor’s letter 010 | Contributors 013 | My life in Cheshire Chris Evans: from Warrington lad to national treasure 014 | Notebook This month’s local events, news and best new products 018 | Local scene All the glamour and gossip 025 | Taylor talk Incorporating that vintage look into your summer events

FASHION & BEAUTY 060 | Fashion news From essential accessories to new trends, it’s all here 062 | A cut above The transition from casual cool to evening elegance 072 | The road to the runway Historic brand Belstaff on its iconic British heritage 080 | Beauty news New treatments, products and all the latest news 082 | Keen your cool in the sun All you need to know about looking after your skin 084 | Clean ethics We talk morals with Lush founder Mark Constantine

MOTORING

090 | Motoring news The latest developments from the automotive world 092 | The craft of the cruise The creative craftsmen behind the world of custom-built motorcycles 096 | Ford takes on the future The new 2017 Ford GT ART is a feast for the eyes 046 | Naturally gifted Ruth Sarah’s stunning artwork 098 | Technology central What’s hot in the world of 048 | Art & culture news gadgets, games and geekery 051 | Prize lots

FAMILY 114 | Kids’ news The very latest for little ones 117 | The classroom 118 | Two worlds unite The Firs School meets its Antipodean counterpart

HOMES & INTERIORS 124 | Interiors news 130 | Larking about Discover Sarahjane Paynter’s bespoke fabric designs 142 | Parallel lines Up close and personal with designer Christian Liaigre 150 | Recreate the look Make your garden the place to be this summer season 157 | The secret garden Take a tour of Combermere Abbey’s beautiful grounds 162 | Live the high life This Melbourne penthouse is the ultimate in modern living 169 | Local property The best of Cheshire’s homes 177 | Overseas property These stunning properties will have you yearning to emigrate

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

AUGUST 2015 s ISSUE 020 s

Editor Louisa Castle

The

contributors

Editorial Director Kate Harrison Theatre Editor Natalie Anglesey Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Assistant Editor Gemma Knight Senior Designer Grace Linn

TIM BRADLEY Tim is an award-winning photographer based in the North West.

Discovering a passion for photography from his grandfather he is a regular on the media scene and often works with TV chef Andrew Nutter.

RICHARD BROWN Richard is deputy editor of Collection, our dedicated watch and fine jewellery section. He specialises in men’s style, culture and finance. Each month he brings us all the latest developments from the world of timepieces.

HANNAH LEMON Hannah is a writer and editor specialising in luxury travel and lifestyle. Her time is spent regaling others with tales of her travels, from camel riding with Bedouins across the Omani desert to relaxing on the pristine, white beaches of Antigua.

JENNIFER MASON Jennifer started out in luxury fashion marketing and has since worked as a writer in the UK and Dubai, specialising in motoring, travel, lifestyle and local features. Her time is spent reading and obsessing over the latest Formula 1 results.

Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong Production Hugo Wheatley Oscar Viney, Alice Ford Jamie Steele Advertising Managers Kayleigh Penswick, Kathryn Otto General Manager Fiona Fenwick Publisher Giles Ellwood Executive Director Sophie Roberts Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Proudly published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

www.rwmg.co.uk Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

DISTRIBUTION The Cheshire Magazine is the largest circulated luxury publication in Cheshire, delivered to selected homes in over 20 postcodes, over 300 businesses, as well as newsagents and retail outlets.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Kayleigh Penswick:+44 (0) 784 119 9699 k.penswick@runwildgroup.co.uk Kathryn Otto:+ 44 (0) 797 198 1721 k.otto@runwildgroup.co.uk

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

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IAIN WARDE Iain is a self-confessed geek, having worked in computer gaming and tech magazines since the creation of Pac-Man. He is also a huge petrolhead who spends his spare time marshalling at Oulton Park and around the UK.

cover On the

The Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Collection photographed by Arnaldo Anaya. Reproduced with kind permission of Ralph Lauren (ralphlauren.com)

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DOMINIC NICHOLLS Dominic has shot a wealth of fashion, advertising and celebrities – Anthony Hopkins and Rod Stewart to name drop a few… In our August fashion shoot he charts the transition from casual cool to evening elegance.

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

My life in CHESHIRE C H R I S E VA N S PRESENTER, DJ AND PRODUCER

I FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

‘By sixteen, Chris had embarked upon madcap jobs at a private detective agency and as a Tarzan-o-gram’

CHRIS EVANS FERRARI 599 GTO AT GOODWOOD 2011

t might well be accurate to say that this Cheshire-born redhead has had the lion’s share of column inches in the national press of late, and it’s hardly surprising. As you’ll know unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, he was recently chosen as Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear replacement, an announcement which came just one week before news was released that his much-loved late-90s show TFI Friday would return for a seventh series this year. Add to that his breakfast show on BBC Radio Two and weekly hosting of The One Show, and it’s little wonder that he’s regarded as one of the North West’s favourite sons.

Born in Warrington in 1966, Chris’ father Martin was a bookmaker while his mother, Minnie, managed a local corner shop. The youngest of three siblings, he went to St Margaret’s Church of England Infant and Junior School in Warrington and, later, the local junior school, before finally moving to Boteler Grammar School and then Padgate High School – a move closely followed by the death of his father, which forced him to get his first job at T. J. & B. McLoughlin’s, a newsagent and tobacconist in Woolston.

It was soon clear that he was destined for far loftier careers than this, however, and by sixteen Chris had left school and embarked upon madcap jobs at a private detective agency and as a Tarzan-o-gram (yes, a Tarzan-ogram). His first foray into the industry for which he is now known came aged seventeen when he landed a job at Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio (though he continued to do several other jobs simultaneously – amongst them pub disc-jockey, newsagent and assistant to Timmy Mallett) and, after that, BBC London, Richard Branson’s The Superstation, and The Power Station.

At last, in 1992, he moved to a slot on Radio One and soon after was offered a job presenting Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast alongside Gaby Roslin – the job which made him a household name. Since then, Chris Evans has graced our screens and airwaves constantly, be it with his Radio One breakfast show, as host of the BRIT Awards, or via his myriad other media exploits past and present.

Ever connected to his North Western roots and an infamous self-confessed petrolhead, Evans boasts a dazzling collection of rare, multi-million pound vehicles and was a driving force behind the conception of CarFest North, the annual extravaganza which sees Oulton Park overrun with music and motors. He may pull in 9.91 million listeners a week and boast the BBC’s biggest paycheck, but to us he’ll always be the ginger scamp who grafted his way right to the top. Clarkson who?

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PLAY IT From Pac-Man to Mario to Batman, video games have exploded. Whether your last memory is of the cassette loading days of limited colour mazes or you’re a PS4 addict, The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is celebrating the video game with a new exhibition, PLAY it!

Journey through gaming, test your skills on some of the most iconic games in history and have fun – young or old, gamer or novice.

There’s full-day passes, times sessions and evening adult-only sessions which will be running throughout summer.

PLAY it! 25 July - 9 August, MOSI (mosi.org.uk/playit)

BLUE SUMMER Transfer Spring Summer catwalks to your home, from crisp blue to Pacific navy

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#1 TOURBILLON WALLPAPER, £95 (farrow-ball.com)

NOTEBOOK 2

#2 SMEG MIXER IN PASTEL BLUE, £379 (smeguk.com; johnlewis.co.uk)

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#3 BLUE BIRD VINTAGE DOOR KNOB, £4.99 (theoakroomshop[.co.uk)

THE NORTHERN BELLE Sister train to the Orient Express, the beautiful Northern Belle plays host to the Childern’s Adventure Farm Trust’s (CAFT) latest black tie event this September.

Patron and rock legend Noddy Holder will be the star guest alongside five star entertainment, Champagne and five course meal as the train takes you on a glittering round-trip dining experience from Manchester. Classical to contemporary, a glamorous night is guaranteed.

CAFT on the Northern Belle, Friday 4 September, £250 (caft.uk) 14

4 #4 EGG SHAPED KOOP CHAIR, £7,390 (wharfside.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

5 TOP PICKS

for

NATIONAL PYJAMA DAY (17 July)

Curl up in style with these gorgeous pieces

#1 YAWN SHORTS, £39 (loveyawn.com)

WORLD SPA WIN

T

hornton Hall Hotel & Spa in Wirral has scooped its third consecutive win at the World Spa Awards as the Best UK Luxury Beauty Spa of the highest standards.

For those who haven’t tried it yet, the spa includes a Thermal Zone, complete with snow cave, rasul, holistic spa treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor hydro pools and a 20 metre indoor pool. We are particularly fond of the outdoor hydro pools, especially in summer. (thorntonhallhotel.com)

PURCHASE OF THE MONTH

#2 ALPACA FUR SLIPPERS, £79 (samanthaholmes.com)

#3 SLEEP MASK, £22 (giftwrappedandgorgeous.com)

#4 I LIKE NAPS PILLOWCASE, £19.95 (pinksumo.com)

The perfect keepsake card Kirigami cards, from £4.50 (cardology.co.uk)

#5 LAMBSWOOL & ANGORA THROW, £230 (thefinecottoncompany.com) 15

HOUSE OF PERONI For two weeks only Peroni Nastro Azzurro brings Italian life to Manchester, thanks to the team at Harvey Nichols. New Cathedral Street will be transformed into a stylish al fresco bar and cinema where guests can sample delicious drinks from award-winning master mixologist Simone Caporale from The Artesian Bar at The

Langham Hotel. Cinema al Fresco will be showing some great Italian-inspired films such as I am Love, The Tourist and Reality at 7pm each evening Wednesday to Saturday with a matinee on Sunday. Wireless headphones included.

Cinema al Fresco at Harvey Nichols, 14-25 July (thehouseofperoni.com)

Q&A...

SIMON RIMMER, celebrity chef and TV presenter

What is your favourite food and why?

I still love a roast dinner. If you are feeling a bit low and blue there’s little better than a good bit of British roast beef, potatoes and gravy.

NOTEBOOK

FOOD & DRINK PURCHASE OF THE MONTH THE CHÂTEAU 150 Originally designed as a one-off piece to celebrate the 50th anniversary of La Cornue’s Château 150 model, the carbon finish proved so popular that is now available to order.

Made to order, from £24,750 (lacornue.com) 16

What is your favourite kitchen utensil?

Pestle and mortar. I love creating curry pastes and sauces. There’s nothing quite like dry-roasting spices and slowly grinding them down by hand.

If you could take one item onto a desert island, what would it be and why?

I’m often asked what my desert island dish would be.

If I had to choose it would be curry. Maybe a spicy lamb saag balti. And I’d obviously need my pestle and mortar for that. And a Cobra or two.

(greensdidsbury.co.uk; earlebysimonrimmer.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

SPOTLIGHT ON… PICCOLINO KNUTSFORD WORDS: LOUISA CASTLE

T

he refurbishment of Piccolino’s in Knutsford is complete and, on the hottest day of the year, we decide it’s the perfect place for a mix of business and pleasure over breakfast on the terrace.

Greeted warmly, as always, I was first distracted by the meat and cheese counter, vowing to return next time in Knutsford and pick up some Italian goodies for lazy summer afternoons. Soon though, I was transported to the Hamptons as I settled upstairs with my pick of spots under the giant awning protecting the terrace from the sun, and inevitable British rain to follow.

Equipped with simple table linen and matching director’s chairs there were also heaters and blankets for

‘The terrace was full of business meetings and friendly catchups. We could have been abroad’ those wanting the Continental cafe culture when the weather is absent.

Plus, there’s a DJ in the adjoining upstairs bar on weekends transporting you to memories of the marine front of Puerto Banus.

But we were here for breakfast and the menu is extensive; fresh smoothies, eggs, panninis, waffles, mueslis. If you fancied a three-course breakfast this would be the place.

Soon I was joined by my friend and coffee in hand it was decision time.

Creamy yoghurt with fresh berries and drizzled with honey for my dining companion and eggs Benedict, my favourite, for myself, accompanied by a Five Fruit Feel Good Juice.

As we caught up about house moves and holidays, articles and advertising the terrace soon filled up with business meetings and friendly catch-ups and we could well have been abroad. I think we both were wishing we were at the time.

My eggs were presented simply and cooked to perfection, runny and fresh, the pancetta (the downfall to many a failed diet) crisp, the muffin toasted without skidding across the plate as I attempted to cut and the Hollandaise creamy and whipped.

And my juice tasted far too good to be good for you!

The yoghurt, whilst meaning to be the healthier option, was deliciously creamy and indulgent with just enough honey to add to the taste.

Looked after well by the team and loving the new look, I think we’ll be back to sample more of the menu, maybe brunch one weekend with a cheeky prosecco... watch this space.

Piccolino, 95 King Street, Knutsford, WA16 6EQ (01565 751 402; individualrestaurants.co.uk) 17

Local scene From royal visits to regal racing, there’s lots to celebrate in Cheshire

Royal visit The University of Chester His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex visited Chester to set the seal on the University’s 175th anniversary celebrations. Through a combination of musical theatre, artefacts and practical demonstrations, HRH learned during a recent visit to its Riverside Building why the University made national news when it was founded by a group of progressive Victorian philanthropists and how it has sustained their vision by becoming an internationally acclaimed institution. (chester.ac.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Pageant of Power Cholmondeley Estate Thousands of enthusiasts enjoyed the sunshine and entertainment for the threeday Cholmondeley Pageant of Power this year. Whether on water, road or in the air, the crowds (young and old) gathered to experience the noise and power on show, taste the goodies on offer and go home with a few personal mementos. (cpop.co.uk)

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OnSide ball Abbots Moss, Delamere The north west’s finest gathered to raise money for the OnSide youth charity, in the stunning setting of Abbots Moss. Organised

by Nick Hopkinson MBE (entrepreneur, adventurer and charity fundraiser) and John Robinson of David M Robinson, the event raised a staggering £1 million.

Hopkinson comments, ‘Raising £1 million in one evening is the combination of a huge amount of work by many kind-hearted folks.

We brought together wonderful people and showed them how they can make a difference to so many young people’s lives.

This was all about generous people giving to a great cause that delivers amazing opportunities to young people in a costeffective and proven way.

‘We made people proud to be there, proud to donate and proud to be involved. OnSide is becoming an unstoppable movement for young people, one that the whole country can get behind. This £1 million will not only change lives, it will save lives.

‘It’s not about how much we raised it’s more about how the money will be spent.

John Robinson and I keep pinching ourselves at the number of young people this will affect.’ (onsideyouthzones.org) 20

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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GETTING ON SIDE With glamorous photos from last month’s OnSide Ball gracing society pages all over the county, and chairman of OnSide Youth Zones Bill Holroyd recently awarded a Beacon Fellowship for his philanthropy, Gemma Knight thought it was high time she investigated the great work being done by this fabulous charity

H

aving become chairman of Bolton Lads and Girls Club in 2005, a youth club founded in 1889 by a group of local businessmen to support young mill workers, Lake District native Bill Holroyd soon began to realise that, although the club was having a tangibly positive impact on local young people, their families and the wider community, he was also frustrated to find that very few areas had facilities or services that were anywhere near as good.

‘I just knew that with the right operational structure the success of the club could be replicated across the country,’ Bill explains.

‘The ultimate goal was to provide tens of thousands of young people with high-quality, safe and affordable places to go in their leisure time. So in 2008 I founded OnSide to deliver this vision through an innovative model which blends best-of-breed private, public and third-sector approaches across service delivery, organisational development and funding.’

Seven years on the charity has six Youth Zones in Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn and Carlisle, with a further 14 in the pipeline. For just 50p per visit, 8-19 year olds (or those aged up to 25 with a disability) can make use of state-of-the-art facilities and choose from twenty activities, ranging from football, climbing and curling to nail art, DJ-ing and drama. And the initiative is clearly working, as the network currently boasts more than 20,000 members

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who make around 7,000 visits per week (totalling an incredible 350,000 each year), while OnSide has also created 200 jobs for youth workers and support staff and recruited and trained more than 700 volunteers.

‘Young people’s health and wellbeing is central to the UK’s future prospects,’ Bill says.

‘And yet over the last forty years we’ve seen a dramatic decline in the number of leisure facilities available to them. In many locations there is a woeful lack of safe and productive activities for young people to do in their leisure time, and this can lead to a range of negative impacts on health, educational attainment, crime levels and career prospects. OnSide Youth Zones provide appealing environments where young people can access a range of activities that help nurture the social and practical skills they need, and over 70 per cent of our members said they were staying out of trouble since they started attending, with 89 per cent of business owners located near a Youth Zone saying the facilities were tackling anti-social behaviour.’

Philanthropists play a central role in the establishment of every new OnSide Youth Zone, with many successful individuals investing in the communities that have played a key role in their success. Bill explains that OnSide finds business leaders and entrepreneurs often share its passionate belief in the potential of young people and the importance of inspiration in shaping future success.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

IMAGE: BILL HOLROYD

‘By marrying our vision and commitment to a professional structure, we encourage astute and highly motivated business people to contribute their time and money,’ he adds. ‘They bring vast commercial experience and skills in developing the financial controls, management and marketing strategy that is central to its growth.’

The charity has certainly achieved an awful lot in its short history, but Bill is keen to emphasise that there is still much to be done, telling me that their plan is to have 20 OnSide Youth Zones in development by 2020, which will be able to reach 50,000 disadvantaged young people and generate 600 new jobs.

‘I was awarded a Beacon Fellowship for the lasting social change created by the growth of OnSide,’ he tells me. ‘And whilst I’m immensely proud of the achievement, what it’s really done is focus the whole team on re-doubling our efforts to ensure every town or city that needs a Youth Zone gets one. Hopefully my journey with OnSide can act as some sort of inspiration for other philanthropists to get out there and make a real difference.’ (onsideyouthzones.org)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

TAY L O R TA L K

Vintage romance

Vintage has reinvented itself as stylish and elegant. Liz Taylor talks about how to incorporate this into your events and much more

GOLD CHERUB CANDELABRA, £125 (WITHINHOME.COM)

Recently we have enjoyed the great period dramas of Downton and the eclectic characters of Mr Selfridge. Their influence inspiring blushing brides and thirtysomethings to reconsider their party style and create their own unique bit of vintage drama. It can be plush velvets, elaborate candelabra with simple-but-elegant, taller-than-tall candles, a combination of specifically grown vintage roses set against a melange of deep reds and ornate gold cutlery, heavy glassware or large teapots placed on tables and filled with iced lemonade for the summer. It unlocks the imagination and provides an opportunity to put your own stamp on the party!

Still king with the British public is the vintage venue. Many of my brides look to traditional venues for their big day. The architecture, the grandeur and the tradition are invariably set in magnificent manicured gardens that are the perfect backdrop for their own period drama. Capesthorne Hall, Arley Hall, Tatton Hall and Cholmondeley are always popular. I adore Blenheim Palace for those looking further afield and, of course, Cliveden – used for many a gripping TV drama and of course the real Downton, Highclere Castle.

The key to styling an architecturally rich venue is to let the building shine. Lighting is key. A wash of coloured light over stone walls. Candles and spotlights highlighting niches. Statues, artwork and building features all form part of the lighting design. High ceilings? Lovely, but they can drain atmosphere from an event, so use lighting at different levels to create a more intimate feel.

Combine tea-lights with oversized hanging floral chandeliers.

Chunky scented candles on top of exquisitely dressed pedestals are complemented by a digital lighting extravaganza over your dancefloor. Lighting adds drama, energy and warmth to your venue – it is an essential ingredient in any event It’s not enough for those traditional country piles to survive on their good looks and heritage, though. Look at Tatton Park hosting the RHS Flower Show (22-26 July) – where flora and fauna take centre stage, and I get all the inspiration for my own garden but not the green fingers needed to carry it off! Motor mad? Oulton Park hosts CarFest North on the weekend of 31 July.

There is a little of the Lord and Lady of the Manor in us all, hence our love for our English heritage. Picnic party. Birthday blow-out.

Wedding of the decade. Whatever the event, there’s a country venue out there for you!

Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC) (0161 876 6266; tlc-ltd.co.uk)

ROSEBEE TEAPOT, £59.95 (DAISYPARK.CO.UK)

HANDMADE PORTUGUESE GLASS JUGS, £44 EACH (JASMINEWAY.CO.UK)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

All about

FREDDIE Cricket legend, boxing champion and King of the Jungle, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff MBE speaks to Natalie Anglesey about challenges, family and pedalos

N

owadays, the affable 6ft 4in sportsman, prefers to simply be called Daddy. He and his wife Rachael have made their home near the small Cheshire village of Prestbury with their three children. ‘We’ve lived all over the world from Dubai to Australia at different times in my career,’ Andrew tells me. ‘The kids are happy here at school and that’s very important to us. We’re all happy here, and we’ve made some very good friends.

So for us this is now home.’

It’s a very different lifestyle compared with Andrew’s early years. ‘I was brought up on a housing estate in Preston and I still visit my family there regularly. It’s only about 45 minutes away and I can see some of my old friends. One of my proudest moments is being given the Freedom of the City of Preston... and helping regain the Ashes... oh and being given an MBE! ‘My family were cricket mad and my dad made sure that my brother Chris and I had the perfect grounding. From the age of eight I was playing cricket for junior league teams and by

RACHEL AND ANDREW FLINTOFF ARRIVING FOR THE 2013 GLAMOUR WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS, BERKELEY SQUARE, LONDON (COPYRIGHT: FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM)

‘One of my proudest moments is being given the Freedom of the City of Preston’

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Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

eleven I was with the Lancashire Cricket Club.

I’ve never once regretted that much of my youth was spent training or playing cricket – the game I absolutely love.’

Now Andrew is facing a new challenge as he is currently touring with fellow podcaster Clyde Holcroft, in a show called 2nd Innings. ‘It’s something I’d been thinking about for some time. Although in the Q and A session at the end I’ve been asked some very strange questions. Someone asked if I take Viagra! But on the whole I get asked sensible questions. I love meeting people afterwards as they are usually friendly, cricket fans like me. I’ve a lot of time for them.’

Did the word pedalo come into the conversation I wondered? ‘Of course it did and

KING OF THE AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE OPPOSITE: RETURNING TO CRICKET WITH LANCASHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

I’m the first to admit how silly my antics were – but that was a long time ago. I’m also being asked a lot about about Kevin Pietersen. We were never great friends but he emailed me the other day about taking part in a charity event and I’ll probably do that if I’m not already working.’

Passionate about the game which brought him accolades for his consistent 90mph bowling speed, alongside the high of the wins came the lows when Andrew sustained a string of injuries which eventually led to his enforced retirement. ‘I didn’t willingly give up cricket, I was forced to retire. In fact I was told with my knee and ankle injuries I’d be lucky to run properly again.’

Andrew went on later to make a documentary about depression in Hidden Side of Sport in which he interviewed sporting personalities brave enough to talk openly about the highs and lows they’d encountered.

‘I was really proud of that and I got really good feedback from lots of sportsmen.’

With his cricketing career apparently over, Andrew turned to boxing. ‘I’ve always kept myself fit, I loved the training and didn’t mind taking the punches, to be honset. When I found I was fairly good at it, I hoped that would provide the excitement I’d been missing when I played cricket and certainly the support of ten thousand people in Manchester Arena helped tremendously. But although I won, I just didn’t like punching someone as much as I thought – so I decided boxing wasn’t for me.’

Instead Andrew accepted a string of television challenges to exist in the wild. ‘I love a challenge and the one where I was left in the wilderness completely alone was great. I enjoyed finding my own food and didn’t mind being on my own.

Series like that and cycling to the Amazon I

‘I didn’t willingly give up cricket, I was forced to retire.

I was told I’d be lucky to run properly again’

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

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found really interesting, particularly as it was part of an initiative to provide money for that endangered part of the world.

‘Experiences like that also stood me in good stead when this year I joined the first Australian series of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! I did the tests and ate cockroaches and scorpions but I didn’t see the point in moaning about it because I was being paid a great deal of money to do absolutely nothing. The worst part was being away from my wife and kids. They’d been with me in Brisbane, but I missed them in the jungle and I couldn’t have been more surprised when I won. After all an Englishman winning in Australia is rather unusual!’

Since he retired from cricket Andrew has carved out a career in the media, although he’s turned down the chance to be a full-time cricket commentator. ‘Don’t get me wrong I enjoy watching cricket, particularly when I take the kids, but on my terms.’

Five years after he’d retired from the sport Andrew was back playing cricket with his brother Chris, and he played again in Brisbane earlier this year. ‘I’m used to playing in pain but even I had to admit that this time the pain outweighed the pleasure of playing. Cricket is definitely getting a faster game and that makes it a more dangerous game. With my injuries I just can’t see myself playing at that level again.’

Not one to talk openly about his charity work, Andrew eventually confesses that he and his wife have donated £2 million over the last two years to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Great Ormond Street. Mindful of his own upbringing and the lack of cricketing facilities for many children, Andrew also supports 77 Andrew Flintoff Cricket Camps around the country.

‘Can I just point out that my wife organises all the charity events for the Andrew Flintoff Foundation. She does all the work and I just turn up. As for the cricket camps they’re all round the country but the nearest are in Stockport and Cheadle Hulme and there’s even a course at Derby College where youngsters can get a qualification. I drop in when I can but then so do many members of the England cricket team and

FREDDIE WINS HIS BOXING DEBUT AGAINST UNDEFEATED AMERICAN RICHARD DAWSON

‘I’m used to playing in pain, but even I had to admit that this time the pain outweighed the pleasure of playing’ that’s a real boost for the kids.’

Now Andrew is looking forward to returning to BBC Radio 5 Live and, after the success of his most recent television series The Lord of the Fries, Sky wants him to do another. ‘I enjoyed that more than I thought because it’s just two guys; Rob Penn, with whom I cycled to the Amazon and me going round the country talking to people as we serve them fish and chips from our chippie van!’

Talking to people is exactly what Andrew will be doing on this theatre tour around the country – minus the chips! ‘I’ve arranged the various venues so that I can get home every night to see the family, apart from when we are at the Edinburgh Festival – that will be quite something! But of course the nearest venue to home will be the Manchester Opera House in October.’

Andrew confides there’s more work offers on the table but wisely doesn’t want to say anything until contracts are signed. ‘I’m also writing another book because so much has happened to me since the last one. Meantime I’ll be concentrating on 2nd Innings and meeting as many people as possible.’ (andrewflintoffofficial.co.uk/tour)

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s

Making a DIFFERENCE Louisa Castle is invited into the Cheshire home of District Judge Marilyn Mornington and chats about her inspirational career, women in law and Latin dancing P H O T O G R A P H Y: D A N I E L K I L L O R A N

D

istrict Judge Marilyn Mornington became a judge at the early age of 40.

She currently sits in the Wigan Family Court making the difficult heartstringtugging decisions you or I would struggle with, concerning the welfare of children. In her career to date she has advised nations, been guests of presidents and prime ministers, chaired committees and written and lectured on family law and issues affecting Asian and Muslim communities. Last year she was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights by London’s Brunel Law School and Good of All, a Washington DC non-profit human rights movement, made in recognition for her outstanding work in the areas of human rights, domestic violence, gender crime and international peace.

To top it all, an interview with a district judge is not an everyday occurrence so as I pulled up

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outside her home I was understandably feeling a little nervous. Greeted warmly by Marilyn and her beloved fox terrier Mollie, this feeling soon dissipated and my pen was scrolling across the page, ten to the dozen as the questions and answers flowed.

Speaking with knowledge, confidence and a warm Liverpool lilt, we begin, not about all she has achieved but about her passions, fuelled by spotting the ode to Everton on the back window of her car. ‘My two lovely sons, Jamieson and Jordan. They are my passions, my life and I am inordinately proud of them. Mollie is a close second! Then there’s Everton, Latin and ballroom dancing, baking, knitting [Marilyn knits for the special care baby unit and Alder Hey and has set up a charity knit club at Court called The Wigan Woollies] and anything Irish!’

Chatting away our topics vary from royalty to shoes and they could have continued all

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afternoon, but I am here to find out more about her inspirational story so far. ‘My mum has to be my biggest inspiration and role model.

Dad died when I was only two so she had to work and bring me up on her own. I have often looked to her example when raising my own family – I only wish I could have been half as good as her!

‘We were just an ordinary working-class family and a strong work ethic was instilled in me. I never thought I’d not work. Mum totally supported me and made sure I was well educated by the nuns. But it was her tales of the beautiful Rose Heilbron, the first lady QC, that stuck with me the most. She was also the first woman judge to sit at the Old Bailey. Born and raised in Liverpool, she overcame enormous gender and religious prejudice to rise to the top of her profession.

‘I was also inspired by my classmate’s mother, Dr Peggy Norris, one of the first doctors into the concentration camps after World War II which, in turn, awakened her interest in medical ethics.

She campaigned on medical issues including termination of pregnancy and euthanasia.

‘Growing up with these stories I knew I wanted to do something with my life. I wanted to try and make a difference. And law was the career path I followed to achieve that.

‘I studied at Sheffield and London (being called to the Bar in same year as Cherie Blair) and just before we qualified the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 was passed so everything was opening up. Not, to be honest, that we were aware anything was closed!’

Marilyn specialised in family law, brought up a family and became the then youngest judge in the country. ‘But my mum was my support all the way. I remember reading a biography Hilary Heilbron QC wrote about her mother and there’s a part which sticks with me. She states that a major part of Rose’s earnings went on childcare and looking after the home. At the time there was no acceptance of women being entitled to follow their chosen career paths, there was no maternity leave or anything like that so women had to do it all to succeed –

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

perfect home life and perfect work life, so many professional women stayed single or childless.

‘When I started my career there was still not a single woman in many Chambers. It was a man’s job, so if you wanted it you had to act like a man. Today one in five circuit judges is female and thanks to women like Rose Heilbron there’s no discrimination for my own lovely daughtersin-law Peri, a solicitor, and Deirdre, a banker.

‘As a junior judge I was asked to attend a local women’s refuge. I had no true knowledge of the issues surrounding domestic violence and crimes until then but I knew it was a golden moment to make a difference.’

The next ten years saw a revolution in the practice and procedures used to address and support domestic violence and Marilyn was privileged to work alongside the best of men like

‘When I started out there wasn’t a single woman in many Chambers.Today one in five circuit judges is female’ Jim Gamble QPM and women to achieve this.

Indeed, she was the founder and chair of the initiative ‘Raising the Standards’ which included governments from England, Eire, Northern Ireland, Scotland and The Channel Islands.

She has also led an inter-disciplinary initiative on domestic violence in Asian and Muslim communities when her eyes were opened to the hidden issues which some women were desperate to address but had nowhere to turn. As a result, this led to work in Pakistan on gender crime and being part of the first ever official visit of women to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a guest of the Royal Family, and several recent official visits to the UAE .

The list of Marilyn’s achievements is lengthy, impressive and humbling and I am absolutely positive that it will lengthen further. She has

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Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

DJ MORNINGTON FOR ‘THE ART OF INTEGRATION’ PHOTOGRAPH: PETER SANDERS

also, for many years, mentored men and women wanting to make it in the world of law.

‘My career has progressed organically. There was no plan with targets, simply opportunities grabbed with both hands and lots of support personally and professionally. As a Diversity and Community Relations Judge (DCRJ) in the North West my role is to show that we’re human beings but also to encourage people into law and make sure there’s every support in place.

After all, I believe that the system should reflect the society we live in.’

Current figures suggest that ethnic minorities make up 14 per cent of the UK population and the percentage of men to women is slightly in favour of women. The judicial system is evolving to reflect this, with nearly one in 10 (9.5 per cent) of all courts and tribunals officeholders from an ethnic minority and 52 per cent of magistrates female.

‘The work I do here and abroad is about helping to give other women the chance to fulfil

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‘My mum has to be my biggest inspiration and role model. I only wish I were as good as her’ their potential in the way that I have been blessed and it is the greatest privilege, as you can imagine. My work goes just a little way to repay the support I was given by others not least my amazing and totally self-sacrificing mum.

‘God willing, in the future, I would like to travel to more parts of the developing world and work with governmental and charitable organisations, particularly in the Middle East. I’d like to finally get my Rhumba sorted (as I am sure my coach Mark will agree) and, if we are blessed as a family, that I can enjoy and care for my grandkids, just as my mum did for me.’ (judiciary.gov.uk)

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Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

A day at

THE RACES Richard Thomas has been at the helm of Chester Racecourse for fifteen years.

Louisa Castle speaks with him about business, pleasure and polo

R CAPTAINED BY RICHARD THOMAS CHESHIRE POLO TEAM IS PRESENTED WITH THE LDF INTERNATIONAL CUP BY PETER ALDERSON MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LDF

ichard Thomas is a private man, in spite of the fact that he can’t pop into the city centre without being stopped and asked his opinion or offered advice. This chance of an interview with the businessman is rare. The facts speak from themselves: He has taken Chester Racecourse from seven race days and a £4m turnover to 15 racing days, a yearround operation and a £30m turnover.

With a background in the Royal Marines, a business life in racing came about simply from answering a job ad for operations management, back in 1991. ‘I was interested horse racing and business, and in particular event management, so answered the ad for an operations manager at Aintree and that was my second career chosen for me. I then moved to Haydock for eight years before being invited to Chester.

‘I was lucky to work with the late John Parrett at Aintree, who was a tremendous person to

learn from. So, yes, I’ve been in racing quite a while, though if I ever see a race it’s unusual!

‘When I first came to Chester, I saw it as a huge opportunity. Looking at the business I could see the potential and building on that is what drives me. The first challenge was building a team. There were four members of the team fifteen years ago, now we have 220 full-time not to mention the extra race day teams.

‘Next was to utilise the facilities properly and make it into a 365-day business. We built a hotel under franchise [Holiday Inn Express] which has a 97 per cent occupancy rate and where stable staff can stay. I think this is key to success, really, we aim to offer the best service to owners and trainers. I’m not sure any other racecourse offers the same level. Not at the moment anyway.

‘Then there was the hospitality. We worked with Paul Heathcote for many years and learned so much. Rather than outsource and not be in

‘I’ve been in racing quite a while, though if I ever actually see a race it’s unusual!’

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

control of the service it was time to take those lessons and do it ourselves, so Horseradish was born to cater for all our events from race days to conferences to external events, say at Liverpool Cathedral or in the City [of London].

‘Also included are three restaurants catering for family, fine-dining and more home comforts all open all year around. Our core will always be racing but every year we ask, “What can we do better?” The race course may be the oldest but we try to be market leaders.’

The latest innovation was to introduce their own Tote, chesterBET which was initially met with some criticism. ‘We went out on a limb to introduce it and like all new things, people took a while to get used to it. The important thing for us is that it gives us more control but it also makes it really clear when you place a bet what your return will be.

While taking the service offering at the racecourse to new heights the company also acquired Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, and most recently Richard has become chairman of Cheshire Polo Club.

‘I’d just started playing polo before I moved to Chester and loved it straight away as a great competitive sport. So it was a natural progression for the Racecourse to introduce showcase matches. Now, hugely popular with businesses and visitors.

‘Again it was natural to look to work with Cheshire Polo Club, one of the oldest clubs in the UK. Our mission is to extend the sport to as many people as possible and we launch a Polo Academy so that people will have a go.

‘We’re always on the lookout for great opportunities. Consolidation of what we have and offer is key but we are always looking to improve. We won’t be adding more fixtures [Chester is the third best-attended course in the country] but we will look to grow the polo. And weatherproof the course a bit more. We’re a summer racecourse and, as we all know, we sometimes have a lack of summer weather! We’re also developing the Linehall site into student accommodation with The Stephenson Group.’

Chester Racecourse is a private limited

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company with share capital. With Richard and his team at the helm the net worth of the company is in excess of £26 million with a single share value of £65,000. With the above plans afoot, and countless more in the pipeline I am sure, Chester Race Company will continue to consolidate and evolve.

With this success and responsibility, does Richard actually get any downtime? ‘I’m always here. And when I’m not here I’m playing polo [Richard is captain of the team at Cheshire Polo Club]. We were lucky enough to play snow polo in France this year as our family holiday.’ Richard even admits to planning his wedding this August to fiancée Holly around the racing season.

‘I’ve a season ticket to Manchester United too. I’ve been going since I was seven.’ There’s even a piece of hallowed turf on his desk.

‘It doesn’t really feel like a job. Apart from the Royal Marines, I’ve been in Cheshire all my life. It’s relaxed, beautiful and the racecourse is part of the fabric of the area. It really doesn’t feel like a job!’ (chester-races.co.uk; bangorondeeraces.co.uk; cheshirepoloclub.com)

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THE ELEPHANT in the room

Acclaimed Wigan-born photographer Kate Garner has a long list of credits to her name – not least amongst them her iconic 1990’s shots of a young Kate Moss. She tells Gemma Knight how she recently rallied the great and good of the art world to raise funds for Europe’s first elephant sanctuary

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t was an article in The Daily Mail last year which first alerted renowned photographer p hotographer Kate Garner to the plight of orphaned elephant Tania, a 39 year-old female who had spent most of her life friendless and being moved from zoo to zoo.

Born in 1975 and orphaned at the age of three, Tania had been moved from France to Spain and then Italy, before finally being taken by the Târgu Mureș Zoo in Romania where, at the time the article was written, campaigners had begun working to bring attention to her inadequate living conditions and lonely existence.

‘As soon as I read about Tania I wanted to raise the money to rescue her, but then I realised there was nowhere for her to go,’ Kate explains. Finding herself at an impasse, she began her own research online and soon discovered the Elephant Haven, a sanctuary which is yet to be built in Oradour-sur-Vayres, west-central France by founders Tony Verhulst

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and Sofie Goetghebeur, who predict they will need to reach a fundraising target of £330,000 before the project can break ground. The first of its kind in Europe, the facility will function as a refuge for the many elephants finding themselves retired from zoos and circuses as laws banning animal-use become increasingly strict. With the tally of elephants in European circuses and zoos currently standing at more than 600, the sanctuary will need to cover more than 60 acres, and will include six interconnecting stables with heated living quarters and a large outside paddock, not to mention a lake, mud wallows, woodland and even a Conservation Education Centre.

Instantly realising that she was in a position to provide help, Kate decided to put on an auction of her own photographic work in order to raise funds.

‘That was very successful, so I decided to do a bigger one,’ she explains – and ‘a bigger one’ is putting it mildly when you consider the roll call of names attached. Put on in partnership with Patrón Tequila, Zebra One Gallery and 5 Pieces Gallery, and held in London’s Covent Garden on 9 June, the auction raised an incredible £30,000 and included a total of 51 works. Some of these were donated by Elephant Family (a charity that

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

OPPOSITE PAGE: KATE GARNER THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KATE MOSS, PRAED STREET BATHROOM 2 BY KATE GARNER; TRUMPETING

BY MAGGIE JENNINGS; MONGOLIAN HORSES

BY ANNE MENKE; ICE BREAKERS BY HARRY JAMES

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protects endangered elephants in Asia), others by a number of galleries, and the rest by a truly dazzling array of celebrated artists – amongst them illustrator Quentin Blake, sculptor Angela Conner, urban artist Dom Pattinson, Sir Peter Blake, Paula Rego, Julian Lennon, Billy Childish, Yoko Ono and Corinne Day. Alongside some of the auction’s most high-profile lots – Quentin Blake’s easilyrecognisable, slightly manic sketching style (his donated work a giclée print entitled Noisy Birds) and photographer Gitte Meldgaard’s photographic print of Dita Von Teese – were such highlights as an acrylic paint and enamel screen print of Marilyn Monroe by one of the world’s most sought after artists, Russell Young.

Donated by the Bankrobber Gallery, the piece was painted using liquid gold paint and diamond dust (yes, really) and, unsurprisingly, raised a hefty sum.

Getting all these big names together was certainly no easy task, but Kate and her co-organiser Meesh Bryant had no reservations about calling on their well-established network of high-profile contacts.

‘I worked with Yoko before and so she was the first person I asked,’ Kate explains. ‘And once she said yes others followed suit. Russell Young I knew because he makes artwork with some of my Kate Moss images, and Scream gallery – who gave us the Ronnie Wood print – I had done a favour for in the past. Zebra One Gallery, who gave us Dom Pattinson, is my gallery also,’ she pauses and smiles, adding, ‘and the rest Meesh Bryant and I got with lots of persistent and gentle asking.’

Kate Garner herself is perhaps best known for the iconic shots she took of a sixteen year-old Kate Moss in 1990, a selection of which she donated to the most recent auction. Garner initially rose to fame as one third of the 1980s avant-garde band Haysi Fantayzee, but it wasn’t until she began taking pictures professionally that she became the household name she is today. Now with internationally famed shoots for such publications as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and The Sunday Times to her name, it was a particularly well-liked photo of David Bowie which she chose to donate to the auction, along with two of the legendary Praed Street

‘As soon as I read about Tania I wanted to raise the money to rescue her’ – Kate Garner

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

photographs of a sixteen year-old Kate Moss, in which she poses wearing only lingerie, heels and a large teddy bear.

I’m curious to know why she thinks these particular shots have achieved such iconic status, and after musing for a moment she replies: ‘The photographs of Kate Moss are iconic… because she is. Kate Moss encapsulates, I believe, our desire for the rock’n’roll, breakthrough living of the 1960s. And then of course, coupled with this is the controversy of a young girl being both innocent and sexually aware, which is the clear message in the Praed Street pictures.’

Originally a Wigan girl, Kate delights in telling me how her childhood led to these future exploits, and of her eternal and great love for the North West.

‘I love the area,’ she tells me. ‘Of course it’s where my family and friends are, my sister, my cousins and my aunt – but I also just love the countryside; the Trough of Bowland, the Lake District, all the memories it holds of my mother, father and grandmothers. It’s my root, and always will be.’

It’s abundantly clear from the way she speaks about the North West that Kate is more than passionate about her birthplace, and it strikes

me that this is a passion and enthusiasm which she brings to all the most important areas of her life. I see evidence of it again each time we discuss the Elephant Haven project and all that it might achieve.

She hopes that the auction and subsequent fundraising events which she intends to organise will be a huge boost for the Elephant Haven and what it is able to accomplish. ‘I’d like the auctions to accumulate not just money, but also awareness, to take them closer to their goal of providing sanctuary for the abused elephants of Europe as quickly as possible,’ Kate tells me. ‘These elephants are so damaged, sometimes mentally and physically, and so they really require a huge amount of rehabilitation – I hadn’t realised quite how much at first.’

To date, almost £89,000 of the Elephant Haven’s £330,000 target has been raised and, while there is still much work to be done, the day when a refuge for Europe’s retired elephants exists is now closer than ever – and, with the help of Kate and her talented friends, is likely to come sooner than its founders ever dared hope.

If you’d like to help the Elephant Haven, donations are gratefully accepted at elephanthaven.com/en/ help-out/donate or via justgiving.com/Sarah-Blaine

WORKS DONATED TO THE ELEPHANT HAVEN AUCTION. FROM FAR RIGHT: MOUNTAIN 2 BY GERALDINE WALKINGTON; SOAP OPERA 4 BY DAVID PARFITT; GONE BY ANGELA CONNER; THE FLOOD BY DAN BALDWIN; KATE MOSS, COFFEE BY KATE GARNER

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

Naturally Gifted Working in her studio in Bollington, Ruth Smith is inspired by the wildlife of Great Britain. Jemima Lovejoy takes this opportunity to showcase some of the characters that cross the pages of her sketchbook

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y first meeting with Ruth was at Simply Cheshire, Arley Hall, as an inquisitive hare peered from an easel.

The character captured in the watercolour was what drew my friend and I over to find out more.

Born in Lincolnshire, Ruth studied at Edinburgh College of Art before following a career as a Landscape Architect, something she loved for allowing her to shape the natural environment and creating places for plants and animals to thrive.

With these influences, her painting style and design philosophy are deeply rooted in nature and inspired by the landscape and wildlife of Britian, in particular the countryside surrounding her Cheshire studio.

Ruth’s style effortlessly captures the character of her study subjects, from the mischievous owlets, and laid back Highland cow to the superiority of the stately peacock. All created from detailed drawing, mark-making and layers of delicate watercolours – and under the watchful eye of Jeeves, Ruth’s 16-year old black and white cat. (ruthsarah.com)

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GET CREATIVE

LITERARY ITINERARY

On Saturday 18 July, Victoria Baths will be hosting a day of creative workshops and artistic play, perfect for anyone with a yearning to think, learn, make and do, from practiced artists to absolute beginners hoping to develop their skills. Amongst the expert-led classes will be tutorials on screenprinting, monoprinting, mixed media collage and life drawing, while artist and author of Everyone is Creative, Michael Atavar, will be opening the event with a talk on how to unlock your artistic potential. Tickets are £125, and include all classes, art materials, lunch and refreshments.

Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0FE (creativemasterclass.eventbrite.co.uk; victoriabaths.org.uk)

Arts & Culture Natalie Angelsey and Gemma Knight bring you not-to-miss shows and news from the world of the arts

PIECE

BY ADRIANO COSTA

YELLOW YELLOW

BY JO MCGONIGAL

POROUS

BY LYDIA GIFFORD

THE REAL WORLD This month sees the continuation of the Castlefield Gallery’s major summer exhibition Real Painting, a collection of works by big art-world names such as the 2010 Turner Prize nominee Angela de la Cruz, and John Moores Painting Prize winners Simon Callery (1992) and Alexis Harding (2004) alongside works by more emerging artists such as Finbar Ward. Curated by artists Deb Covell and Jo McGonigal, each artist involved shares a purposeful interest in the material components of painting and its ability to assume its own presence, rather than being symbolic of something else.

To 2 August, 2 Hewitt St, Manchester M15 4GB (castlefieldgallery.co.uk) 48

The third volume of The Luxury Collection series from publisher Assouline explores luxury destinations through the eyes of the world’s leading concierges. Divided by morning, afternoon and evening recommendations, each concierge offers tips on culture, environment and cuisine for a 24-hour stay in each city. Discover the sweetest chocolate in Salzburg courtesy of the Hotel Goldener Hirsch concierge, and the best-kept secret in Jakarta from Keraton at The Plaza, plus high-profile explorers offer their two cents on their favourite destinations, such as Olivier Krug, interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon and art director Sofia Sanchez de Betak. Author Holly Stiel – the first female hotel concierge in the US – presents a stunning guide for the inquisitive traveller.

The Luxury Collection Certified Indigenous, £30, published by Assouline.

Available at Maison Assouline, 196a Piccadilly, W1J and Assouline at Claridge’s, Brook Street, W1K (assouline.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

AUGUST CULTURE GUIDE

Chester unlocked Unseen artefacts from the vaults of Chester Grosvenor Museum are going on show for the very first time as part of a CH1 ChesterBID and Big Heritage programme.

Historic treasures will be displayed across the city in what is believed to be the world’s only citywide museum, and thirty businesses in the heart of Chester will become mini-museums as they play host to everything from medieval footwear to Victorian gowns.

Young children can also take part as the trail encompasses some furry Hoots standing guard close to each of the artefacts. Perfect for some summer holiday fun or an adage to a day out! (chesterunlocked.com)

Open air Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is the only full time professional open air theatre company outside London and has been dubbed as a ‘regional alternative to Shakespeare’s Globe’.

This season (which ends 24 August) the shows are: Romeo and Juliet and The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare and The Wind in the Willows adapted by Glyn Maxwell. Alex Clifton returns as artistic director for a sixth year and will direct both Romeo and Juliet and the brand new adaptation of The Wind in the Willows, commissioned a after the success of last year’s The Secret Garden.

Tickets start at £18 and there are discounts for families and young people (under 12s free). (grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk; 0845 241 7868)

HALLE IN THE PARK Inspired by the promise of a sizzling summer, it’s time to pack your picnic rug, prepare a special hamper and dig out your candelabra to ensure you enjoy one of the best evenings of classical music with the North West’s most famous orchestra. The world renowned Hallé Orchestra returns to Tatton Park for a spectacular summer evening of music in a stunning lakeside setting. The Hallé has a long history with Tatton Park and this year will be performing with some very special guests, coming to a climax with a spectacular firework finale over the Mere. It is popular though, so don’t leave it too late to book.

Tatton Park Picnic Concert, Knutsford, 2 August. (tattonparkconcerts.com; 0844 844 0444)

REWIND The Human League and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark headline the second year of Rewind North, held at Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire and one of the three Rewind Festivals celebrating the 1980s.

The line-up includes Soul II Soul, Kim Wilde, Belinda Carlisle, Howard Jones, Jimmy Somerville, Steve Augeri and The South, with Katrina Leskanich (of Katrina & The Waves) joining The Human League on Saturday.

Sunday’s acts will include the Boomtown Rats, Bananarama, Heather Small, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Doctor and the Medics, and John Parr.

Rewind North, Capesthorne Hall, 7-9 August (ticketline.co.uk) 49

INVESTMENT PLANNING

RETIREMENT PLANNING

TAX & ESTATE PLANNING

THE OLD SCHOOL, HIGH STREET, TATTENHALL, CHESHIRE. CH3 9PX TEL: 01829 771707 FAX: 01829 771195 EMAIL: illingworthseddon@sjpp.co.uk Illingworth Seddon Chartered Financial Planners is a trading name of Illingworth Seddon Ltd and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

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PRIZE LOTS

2 #1 Wellington’s campaign cloak This lot is a rediscovered campaign cloak, said to have been worn by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo and spattered with mud from the battlefield. The cloak can be traced back to Lady Caroline Lamb, who had an affair with Wellington just after the battle in the summer of 1815, and is due to be auctioned as part of Sotheby’s sale of English Literature, History, Children’s Books and Illustrations.

Estimate £20,000-30,000, Sotheby’s 14 July (sothebys.com)

#2 Ougi by Kazuo Shiraga Painted in 1968 by avant-garde modern artist Shiraga, this stunning oil on canvas piece is signed and titled in Japanese on the stretcher and dated ‘1986’ on the reverse. It will be auctioned as part of Christie’s First Open Sale

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of Post-War and Contemporary Art, a sale designed to offer an exciting selection of works with price points that are accessible to a broad range of collectors.

Estimate $100,000-150,000, Christie’s 22 and 23 July (christies.com)

#3 The Three Trees by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn This work of etching, engraving and drypoint by the Dutch master was crafted in 1643 and measures 213x279mm. It is a wonderful example of a fine rich impression printing with good contrasts, considerable burr and sulphur tinting clearly visible. It is unframed, trimmed to the platemark and skilfully set into a larger piece of laid.

Estimate £80,000-120,000, Bonhams 14 July (bonhams.com)

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Watch news Raymond Weil unveils its first tourbillon; Omega relaunches a classic; A Langhe & Söhne salutes its founding father; and Parmigiani Fleurier debuts a masterpiece WORDS: RICHARD BROWN

Recalling an icon Spotting Clooney sporting a vintage Omega Constellation in his latest sci-fi blockbuster, Tomorrowland, The Cheshire Magazine was reminded of another Omega classic re-imagined earlier this year.

Loyal to its original incarnation, the new Speedmaster '57 has to be one of 2015’s best-looking chronographs, especially when paired with a brown leather strap. The watch’s self-winding mechanism can be viewed through its scratch-resistant, sapphirecrystal caseback. It’s available now for £5,620.

Speedmaster ‘57, £5,620, Omega (omegawatches.com)

Lange’s legacy The development of the small town of Glashütte into Germany’s primary centre of watch making can be attributed, almost solely, to one man.

Not only did A. Lange & Söhne’s founding father Ferdinand Adolph Lange set up the world’s first production pocket-watch workshop in 1845, he was also responsible for introducing the metric system to the process of watch making.

To salute what would have been the

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maverick’s 200th birthday, A. Lange & Söhne has released the 1815 ‘200th Anniversary F.A. Lange’.

Displaying hours and minutes only, with a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, the watch is reminiscent of the brand’s historic pocket watches.

A beautiful tribute to a man dedicated to ‘the perfection of each and every watch.’

200th Anniversary F.A. Lange, £24,100, (alange-soehne.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

ONE TO WATCH ‘New for 2015, the Tudor Pelagos in matt blue, contains the new in-house calibre TUDOR MT5612, providing impressive autonomy. With a power reserve of approx 70 hours, an instant date display visible through the aperture and improved resistance to shocks and vibrations, this really is the ultimate divers watch.’

Stringfellow

Lee Chadwick, Manager at David M Robinson’s Manchester showroom

TUDOR PELAGOS (£3,020) AVAILABLE AT DAVIDMROBINSON.CO.UK

Music provides the inspiration for many of Raymond Weil’s creations, accounting for relationships with the Royal Albert Hall and, since 2008, the Brit Awards, where each winner receives a watch as a prize. The company recently unveiled its first tourbillon, the Nabucco Cello. The timepiece pays homage to the instrument via hands that are formed in the shape of a bow, a bezel grooved with the five lines of the musical stave, and four tiny strings that are stretched across its dial. Skeletonised and measuring 46mm in diametre, it’s the family-owned brand’s most serious, and certainly most striking, watch to date.

Nabucco Cello Tourbillon, £27,500, Raymond Weil, (raymond-weil.com)

Parmigiani’s pièce de résistance Haute horology specialists Parmigiani Fleurier has produced a £500k wrist watch. How does the brand justify the price tag? By incorporating four of the most revered complications in timekeeping into an 18ct, white gold watch that’s been hand engraved and enamelled in microscopic detail.

Behind a hinged, double caseback, a 586-component calibre powers a minute repeater, a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar and a chronograph. Not only will the watch chime the hours, quarter-hours and minutes of the day, it will also only require one adjustment every century.

Tecnica Les Carpes de Sandoz, £554,135, Parmigiani Fleurier, (parmigiani.ch) 53

LET CHISHOLMHUNTER.CO.UK

BLOSSOM TEL: +44 (0)844 417 6058

VISIT YOUR NEAREST CHISHOLM HUNTER STORE: ST MICHAELS SQUARE GROSVENOR SHOPPING CENTRE CHESTER CH1 1EE

MULTIPLE JEWELLER OF THE YEAR 2012 & 2013

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

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f you hadn’t already worked it out, after seeing Lupita Nyong’o’s showstealing custom-made Calvin Klein Oscars dress made entirely from a staggering 6,000 ivory pearls, you surely will have by now: this year, in the worlds of both fashion and fine jewellery, it’s all about pearls. It was little wonder, then, that the official jewellery sponsor to the 2015 BAFTAs was none other than Yoko London, one of the world’s leading luxury pearl jewellers since 1973. To mark this honour, the British company produced a series of show-stopping pieces, all of which highlight founder Michael Hakimian and his team’s commitment to using only the finest and rarest of these precious orbs, perfect in size, colour and lustre. (yokolondon.com)

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Jewellery news e

WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

Viva forever Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe was Georg Jensen’s most iconic female muse, responsible for creating the Danish silversmith’s famous watch design, the Vivianna bangle, in 1967. To this day, her spirit continues to live on in the house’s creations and a case in point is the S/S15 Vivianna Dew Drop collection. Paying tribute to Torun’s love of natural forms, the contemporary range incorporates organic materials – including gold, blue topaz, prasiolite, rock crystal and pure silver – into its sculptural pendants. Innovative and free-spirited, we feel sure that this is a collection of which Torun would have been proud.

Vivianna Dew Drop collection, from £250 (georgjensen.com)

Taking the reins British royal equestrian Zara Phillips’ passion for both horses and jewellery has been harnessed in a new collection with internationally renowned jeweller Calleija. Together they have created Unbridled Elegance, following a meeting in 2013 at the Magic Millions Horse Racing Carnival in Australia, which Zara attended in her role as Ambassador of Racing Women Australia, sporting a dazzling array of Calleija jewels (the brand was the event’s official jeweller). The range currently comprises the Coronet and Saddle Suites, both of which pay tribute to Zara’s horsemanship skills and Calleija’s passion for beautifully shaped jewellery and the world’s finest gemstones.

The Zara Phillips Collection by Calleija (calleija.com)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

PHOTOGRAPH OF MRS KEPPEL, FAVOURED MISTRESS OF KING EDWARD VII, IN FABERGÉ FRAME, PHOTOGRAPH C1890S

THE IMPERIAL FAMILY OF RUSSIA IN FABERGÉ FRAME, PHOTOGRAPH C1914

A life of its own There are few jewellers that can compare with Fabergé when it comes to the company’s rich history.

Shrouded in mystery, intrigue and romance, the story of founder Peter Carl Fabergé’s royal patronage to the Russian Tsars in the 19th century has fascinated historians for more than a century. And now, this story has been retold in an award-winning documentary, Fabergé: A Life of Its Own. (fabergefilm.com)

THE TWELVE MONOGRAM EGG (ALSO KNOWN AS THE ALEXANDER III PORTRAITS EGG), FABERGÉ,1896

CUTTING EDGE 28 year-old designer Eugenie Niarchos may have only created two collections for her fine jewellery label Venyx thus far but these have been so well-received that she has chosen to update them. For Theiya, the jeweller’s second range which speaks to her love of all things sci-fi, Niarchos has continued the galactic theme:

‘I am very inspired by mythology and Theiya is the mythological Mother of Light. I love the magical feel of dusk and dawn so I wanted to create pieces based on their beauty, as well as other natural visual phenomena. The stunning colours of the auroras, the effects of lightening and a falling meteorite’

VENYX, AVAILABLE AT NET-A-PORTER.COM

– Eugenie Niarchos 57

Collection | The CHESHIRE Magazine

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On the fringe #15

Channel your inner hippy as festival season arrives with floral accessories, leather bracelets, charms and fringing

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#14 #10 #11

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#1 Bud to Bloom necklace, £45,000, Pippa Small (pippasmall.com) #2 18-karat yellow gold Lunaria aquamarine ring, POA, Marco Bicego (marcobicego.com) #3 Crystal necklace, £665, Valentino (farfetch.com) #4 18-karat yellow gold earrings with diamonds, £2,979, Amrapali (amrapalijewels.com) #5 Gold-plated arm cuff, £230, Arme de l’Amour (net-a-porter.com) #6 18-karat yellow gold tassel necklace, £4,890, Dima, Talisman Gallery at Harvey Nichols, 020 7201 8582 #7 Filigree clip-on earrings, £415, Dolce & Gabbana (farfetch.com) #8 Hamsa bracelet (large), £115, Zayiana (zayiana.com) #9 18-karat yellow gold Vine ring, £2,025, Pippa Small (pippasmall.com) #10 Diamond, turquoise and yellow gold ring, £5,715, Irene Neuwirth (matchesfashion.com) #11 18-karat yellow gold and silver bangle with diamonds, moonstone and turquoise, £2,950, Amrapali (amrapalijewels.com) #12 Gold-tone, agate and quartz anklet, £105, Sabbia (net-a-porter.com) #13 Gold-plated resin clip earrings, £180, Oscar de la Renta (net-a-porter.com) #14 Jacquie Aiche bead and porcupine earrings, £140, Finds (net-a-porter.com) #15 Set of three woven diamond and turquoise bracelets, £490, Scosha (net-a-porter.com) #16 22-karat yellow gold and emerald Greek ring, £21,500, Pippa Small (pippasmall.com) 58

www.urvashilondon.com

Fashion news Summer loving ‘Now is a time of evolution at Temperley London,’ said founder Alice when she unveiled the brand’s Summer 2015 collection. Mixing its signature evening attire with a new, youthful look, Temperley London’s latest line is a playful mix of structured suits, trainers and effortless silhouettes that capture the essence of femininity, channelling a bohemian aesthetic and carefree attitude. Inspired by Japanese shunga paintings, the line is a fusion of tailored separates in pastel colours, block stripes, delicate lace and long-line kimonos – perfect for swishing about in on a lazy summer afternoon. (temperleylondon.com)

V is for Valentino It doesn’t take a sartorial aficionado to spot Louis Vuitton’s signature logo or Burberry’s iconic checked print, whether you know your fashion or not. These motifs are recognised worldwide, and we predict Valentino’s latest collection, Viva Valentino, will soon follow suit. For its summer line, the fashion house has adorned a number of its signature bags with a subtle ‘V’ print. Featured on a contemporary jacquard fabric, the three-dimensional design will be found on some of Valentino’s most famous totes, such as Rockstud, Lock and Va-Va-Voom, and is sure to become as iconic as the brand itself. Viva Valentino, indeed.

Rockstud Double Medium Tote, £1,995, Valentino (valentino.com) 60

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

The bee’s knees It’s rare to find brands as committed to style and excellence as lingerie designer Myla and jeweller Chaumet, so you can imagine our excitement upon hearing that the two are offering an exciting promotion. By purchasing the Myla Nicole lingerie set, customers will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three pieces from a Chaumet parure set, worth £80,000. Every three weeks for nine consecutive weeks a winner will be drawn; at the end of the promotion, the lucky three will be transported off to Paris, where they will visit the Chaumet Museum and receive their jewellery piece from the Chaumet ‘Bee my Love’ collection.

It’s an offer as sweet as honey.

The Myla Nicole collection can be bought at Myla in Harrods and Selfridges (myla.com)

Best of British We love a British-made accessory, especially one with a rich story to tell. Crafted by one of the last working military armouries in the world, this geometric collection of cufflinks by British designer Alice Walsh is inspired by military symbols. What finer way to support British craftsmanship than with a beautiful design of military history on your sleeve?

Cufflinks, from a selection, Alice Walsh (alicemadethis.com)

IMAGE: ARNALDO ANAYA COURTESY OF RALPH LAUREN

South-western charm The summer calls for a more relaxed option in footwear than the formal lace-up shoe. Think Rivera style with tanned woven leather, all the more fetching when stepping on board a grand yacht.

The light Calabrian woven leather of Ludwig Reiter’s shoes are the speciality of the Viennese cobbler’s craft. The true gentleman of style will go for a bold barefoot approach in these soft calf-leather loafers, which are full of Mediterranean charm. Enter the most stylish embodiment of smart-casual you shall find this side of Venice.

Metternich woven leather shoes, £579, Ludwig Reiter (harrods.com)

Winning spirit The end of this month will mark Ralph Lauren’s tenth year as the official outfitter of the Wimbledon Championships. To honour this momentous occasion, the brand has introduced a relaxed athletic collection. From the signature polo shirt to traditional blazers, the Wimbledon collection perfectly encapsulates all the sophisticated heritage that defines the most famed championship in tennis. Expect a mix of contemporary and classic sporting attire and lashings of the famous green and purple stripe.

Ralph Lauren, 1 New Bond Street, W1S (020 7535 4600; ralphlauren.com) 61

He wears: Slub denim blazer, £520, trousers, £285, both Officine Generale from Mr Porter (mrporter.com); White T-shirt, £160, Lanvin at Harvey Nichols (harveynichols.com) She wears: White silk blouse, £600, Chloé (chloe.com); Black trousers, £560, Proenza Schouler (selfridges.co.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

A CUT ABOVE From off-duty denim to cocktail couture, making the transition from casual cool to evening elegance

PHOTOGRAPHER: DOMINIC NICHOLLS S T Y L I S T: S A R A H N A S H

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Blue checked suit, £700, Hackett (hackett.com); Light blue fine check shirt, £420, Brioni (brioni.com); Blue checked square cufflinks, £70, Duchamp (duchamplondon.com); Black leather belt with silver buckle, £99, Paul Smith (paulsmith.co.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

She wears: Black fitted dress with cut-out shoulder detail, £350, Halston Heritage (harveynichols.com); Black patent heels, £445, Gianvito Rossi (gianvitorossi.com); Empress waterfall white gold and diamond earrings, £14,950, Empress white gold and diamond bracelet, £5,750, both Mappin & Webb (mappinandwebb.com) He wears: Dark green blazer, £545, Richard James (richardjames.co.uk); Black and white fine check trousers, £550, Bally (bally.co.uk); Purple and white stripe shirt, £POA, Ermenegildo Zegna (zegna.com); Brown lace-up shoes, £1,185, Berluti (berluti.com); Tonda 1950 watch, £13,500, Parmigiani Fleurier (Parmigiani.ch); Navy polka dot tie, £90, Hackett (as before); Navy dotty socks, £6, TM Lewin (tmlewin.co.uk)

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Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

He wears: Burgundy blazer, £695, by Pringle of Scotland (pringlescotland.com); Cream brushed cotton trousers, £345, by Thom Sweeney (thomsweeney.co.uk); Blue and white stripe shirt, £89, Thomas Pink (thomaspink.com); Tonda Metrographe, £9,200, Parmigiani Fleurier (Parmigiani.ch); Silver and mother of pearl cufflinks, £150, Turnbull & Asser (turnbullandasser.co.uk); Navy and grey polka dot tie, £85, Paul Smith (paulsmith.co.uk); Herringbone socks, £6, Blue and white pocket square, £20, both TM Lewin (tmlewin.co.uk); blue suede slip-on loafers, £590, Hermès (hermes.com) She wears: White silk blouse, £195, Aquascutum (aquascutum.com); Black pencil skirt with slit, £788, Roberto Cavalli (robertocavalli.com); White gold and diamond ring, £5,590, Chaumet (chaumet.com); White patent shoes with black suede slingback, £450, Jimmy Choo (jimmychoo.com)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

She wears: Black tuxedo jacket, £510, Max Mara (maxmara.com); White silk jumpsuit, £743, J JS Lee (doverstreetmarket.com); Black satin clutch bag, £585, Christian Louboutin, (christianlouboutin.com); Fortune pave ultra white gold with diamond ring, £4,350, Empress white gold and diamond bangle, £13,950, both Mappin & Webb (mappinandwebb.com) He wears: Navy checked blazer, £485, Navy checked trousers, £335, Blue leather belt, £110, all Paul Smith (paulsmith.co.uk); White shirt, £220, Marni (marni.com); Red and blue tie, £140, Hermès (hermes.com); Blue and orange pocket square, £50, by Richard James (richardjames.co.uk); Dandy stainless steel watch with blue dial, £4,540, Chaumet (chaumet.com) 67

He wears: Light blue double breasted blazer, £369, Trousers, £159, both Tiger of Sweden (tigerofsweden.com); Grey shirt £79, Calvin Klein Platinum (calvinklein.com); Blue leather belt, £110, Paul Smith (paulsmith.co.uk); Black and white checked bow tie, £55, New & Lingwood (newandlingwood.com); Blue polka dot socks £13, Falke (falke.com) She wears: White dress, £1,020, Antonio Berardi (antonioberardi. com); White gold and chocolate diamond earrings, £2,699, Ernest Jones (ernestjones.co.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

She wears: Black dress, £895, Charlie Brear at Avenue 32 (avenue32.com); Black satin clutch bag with satin bow, £535, Christian Louboutin (christianlouboutin.com); White gold and diamond Empress necklace, £4,650, Mappin & Webb (mappinandwebb.com) He wears: Brown chinos, £175, Gieves & Hawkes (gievesandhawkes.com); Blue blazer, £270, White shirt, £79, both Calvin Klein Platinum (calvinklein.com); Green cardigan, £652, Berluti (berluti.com); Herringbone socks, £6, by TM Lewin (tmlewin.co.uk)

Stylist: Sarah Nash @ Carol Hayes Management | Stylist’s Assistant: Flossie Thorpe-Baker | Make up and

grooming: Charlie Duffy @ Carol Hayes Management using NARS and Kiehl’s | Hair: Magdalena Tucholska using UNITE/KentBrushes | Models: Andrew Hulme and Chloe Watson @ Storm Model Management | Photographer’s Assistant: Tammy Daubney Shot on location at Murdock Shoreditch, 46 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP (murdocklondon.com) and Shoreditch Townhouse, 23 Paul Street, EC2A 4JU (shoreditchtownhouse.com)

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22 - 26 July 2015 Join us at the Great Garden Carnival, brimming with dazzling show gardens, a floral Ferris wheel, celebrity talks, artisan food and live music.

Don’t miss the latest Young Designers, have-a-go gardening and cookery demos and over 250 stalls bursting with plants,

Bo o

k an in d ad sa va ve nc e

gadgets, gifts and more.

To book visit rhs.org.uk/tatton Members’ Day: 22 July

Ladies’ Day: 24 July

• Free shuttle bus • Acres of parking • Under 16s go free RHS Registered Charity No: 222879/SC038262

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Easy sy Like

Sunday E

ven when it comes to her nail colour, you can be sure that Olivia Palermo will get it right. The style icon has partnered with Ciaté London as its guest creative director to release a trio of nail enamel shades using mesh-lock technology; it is the first of four exclusive collections. Each of the three limitededition lacquers has a certain sentimental value to Palermo: the first, Hutch, is inspired by her mother and is described as a ‘go-to red’, while Sundays – an ode to her husband and their weekends spent together – is a powdery pink.

Last but not least, the bright coral shade of Nantucket is based on her favourite holiday destination and is the perfect accompaniment to a tan this summer.

Ciaté Paint Pots, £17 each (ciatelondon.com)

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The road to the

RUNWAY Founded in England in 1924, Belstaff made its name by producing all-weather jackets for motorcyclists – and it has gone on to inspire fashionable ready-to-wear collections and accessories.

Alice Parks speaks to those at the company’s design helm

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n October 2014 Delphine Ninous joined Belstaff as vice president of womenswear design, following time at Paul & Joe and Comptoir des Cotonniers. Here, she gives her take on the brand’s evolution.

Belstaff has many historical values, for instance those of ‘independence’ and ‘adventure’, but there are also other elements to the brand that make me love and respect it even more, such as the quality of the pieces which you can completely rely on. The brand is certainly founded on heritage, but that is always tempered with what fits for our modern lives.

The brand’s biker jacket will always be an iconic piece, and a timeless and stylish addition to anyone’s wardrobe. We at least understand what goes into making a proper motorcycle jacket so that it can be tweaked to make it more

‘The Britishness of this collection is also a nod to the brand’s recent return to England’

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

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fashion-forward – as well as functional. Many brands who think they make motorcycle jackets can’t boast that! The Sidney leather biker jacket and our wax-cotton Roadmaster jacket are the bestsellers in the womenswear line.

In my role I want to bring awareness of the brand to a female consumer by adding femininity and a fashionable edge to the collections, while always respecting the brand’s heritage and DNA. A strong woman with a story is the ideal Belstaff ambassador: I think every woman should have a leather biker jacket, a four pocket army-style jacket, a double-face wool cashmere coat, a silk blouse, a cashmere sweater, leather leggings and soft crepe pants. You can wear all these easily with biker boots or skinny high-heeled boots depending on the occasion.

They are go-to basics to achieve a cool, sexy, feminine and confident look.

Aspiring fashion entrepreneurs need to have conviction and work hard. Feeling at one’s peak is not something you can schedule on demand but I find that quiet moments on a plane or train are the best for me to concentrate and to let my imagination go. We do development of prototypes and the production in Italy so we spend a lot of time over there for fittings and research of fabrics and leathers. When we are in London we juggle meetings with merchandising, marketing and the rest of the design team. It’s always at 100 miles per hour – as you might expect with a brand steeped in speed and style.

Fred Dyhr is the vice president of menswear design at Belstaff, and has been at the brand for many years, following a stint at Burberry. Here he talks about his vision for the new season.

The typical Belstaff guy transcends demographics; it’s more about an attitude and spirit of freedom and ruggedness. David Beckham and Levison Wood embody the Belstaff man in their own separate ways – they are both great current examples of Belstaff’s independent, authentic and adventurous spirit.

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

‘The evidence that men have begun to care more about fashion in recent years is overwhelming’

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Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

When dressing, 90 per cent of your look should be about comfort and feeling at ease with yourself, which will ensure you exude confidence – but the remaining ten per cent should be about experimentation and pushing limits. That’s what sets you apart, in a good way.

The Belstaff man of the 1950s was the inspiration for our Pre-Fall collection. The British biker scene of the 1950s looked across the Atlantic for style ideas – with Marlon Brando in the 1953 film The Wild One a specific cue. The riders of that time took this look, and then completely made it their own through personalisation and customisation, and by incorporating fishermen’s and military elements.

In fact, the Britishness of this collection is also a nod to the brand’s recent return to England, with many references being taken from our rich archive that dates back to 1924.

The great thing about a Belstaff biker jacket is that it is one of the most versatile outerwear pieces there is – black jeans, blue denim, cargo pants, masculine knitwear – they all go beautifully together. The biker crosses multiple environments in terms of wearability. Our iconic hand-waxed leather jackets as well as our waxed cotton four pocket pieces are the bestsellers, though key heritage pieces also come in non-waxed cotton and nylon for greater cross-seasonal usage.

The most popular colours tend to be the darker more neutral ones, although we are seeing men experiment more and more with colour – especially during the mid-seasons and summer – and we do provide an extensive offering to cater to that. The biggest design risk I’ve taken is embracing full body leather racing suits in bright colours – but how can that be a risk when it’s part of our heritage?

The evidence that men have begun to care more about fashion in recent years is overwhelming.

Why? Guys just want to look good, of course.

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It’s never too late...

LUXURY BODY BUTTER IN WHITE CASHMERE FROM THE BATH & BODY COLLECTION

www.lilouetloic.com

Walker on air New Zealand fashion designer Karen Walker, aka 'the Queen of Cool', has us on a high with her debut fragrance launch. You can be sure that her new eau de parfums – A, B and C – possess the same energy and eccentricity as her upbeat womenswear collections, each of the three scents having its own characteristics to suit a woman's changing mood. A is the 'happiness potion' and features fresh, floral notes of rose, lily of the valley and crushed mint leaves, while B is lush, ripe and, according to Walker, ‘brimming with possibilities’. Last but not least, C is an addictive, opulent scent, comprising sensual notes of sandalwood, amber and musk. £85 for 100ml each; exclusive to Harvey Nichols (harveynichols.com)

Beauty news Burn the midnight oil

A Dabb hand

Treating your skin after sun exposure is just as important as during, so make sure that along with your sun cream, you pack after sun when embarking on your summer holiday.

One of our favourite new products is Clarins After Sun Shimmer Oil. As well as providing essential nourishing moisture through hazelnut oil, which works to soften and soothe skin after the dehydrating effects of the sun, it contains tiny flecks of golden shimmer to enhance a tan but without the unpleasant oily texture.

What's more, the nourishing oil can be used on the ends of dry or damp hair too.

Clarins limited-edition After Sun Shimmer Oil, £32 for 100ml (clarins.com)

It was only a matter of time before footcare expert Margaret Dabbs turned her attention to hands.

Designed to complement the existing Fabulous Feet range, the ‘expert-led performance-related’ handcare collection encompasses seven products, all of which contain ‘ingredients that give results’, says Dabbs. This includes the brand’s signature Australian Emu Oil, known for its exceptional healing, anti-ageing and moisturising properties.

We particularly love the hand serum; apply a small dollop onto hands before your moisturising cream for an instant silky-smooth finish. The vitamin E and soy isoflavones formula, enriched with sunflower shoot and lupinus albus seed extracts, also works to reduce the visible signs of ageing and encourage collagen production.

Intensive Anti-Ageing Hand Serum, £30 for 30ml; Fabulous Hands collection by Margaret Dabbs (margaretdabbs.co.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

TREATMENT OF THE MONTH BARRE ASANA

Sheer perfection Loyal fans of Crème de la Mer have been waiting for a colour product which incorporates the iconic benefits the brand is renowned for. And now they need look no further. The new Reparative Skin Tints SPF30 is here, promising a healthy glow while also

working to repair and protect skin.

Lightweight and infused with pigment technology they’re available in a spectrum of shades. The perfect addition to your summer make-up bag.

The Reparative Skin Tint, £65 (cremedelamer.co.uk)

Christopher Kane x NARS A mix of the popular barrecore and yoga, BarreASANA captured my attention as an alternative class that will provide a workout for my body and mind. So I visited the studio in Alderley Edge to find out more.

Light and airy, the studio is a world away from the busy high street below and fellow classmates (regulars) offered a friendly welcome along with instructor Sarah.

It was an early 7am start but the literature promised it would set me up for the day.

As we began and my body remembered the poses, the challenge was physical as the continuous flow of movements work you out from top to toe. Concentration was also at the top of the agenda, but I think that was more to do with not making a fool of myself!

Having worked together on runway shows for the last three years, we felt certain that the day would soon arrive when NARS and Christopher Kane announced a collaboration, and this finally took place last autumn, much to our excitement. Now available online, the ten-piece Summer 2015 collection, named NEONEUTRAL, encapsulates both brands to a tee, comprising lip glosses, eye shadows, blushers and illuminating multiples in bold shades of pink, orange and purple, as well as nude shades to balance them.

NEONEUTRAL Collection, from £18 Available at Selfridges (selfridges.com)

Balance and strength are two key elements with this class and over the next few weeks I really felt a difference in my core and limbs. Not muscular but lean. Within the class there are more advanced poses as you progress but just push yourself rather than compete.

Towards the end of the hour, there’s time for relaxation and to mentally switch off. A workout and a mental preparation for the day – it does what it says on the tin.

BarreASANA is one of a range of barrecore classes available in Alderley Edge (barrecore.co.uk)

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Keep your cool

IN THE SUN Leisa Roberts and Emma Batkin share some beauty industry tips for looking after yourself and your skin when the sun shines

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

S

unbathing has become a big health and beauty sin, but let’s face it we all love the feel of the sun on our body. So if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right.

The biggest piece of advice we can give is to develop a consistent approach to your skincare for all seasons. A good skincare routine coupled with a balanced healthy lifestyle can delay the natural ageing process and prevent various skin problems.

As a daily must we would always recommend a good broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection to prevent sun damage. This should be re-applied up to four times a day if you are being exposed to strong sunlight. We love Image Skincare Prevention + Daily Hydrating Moisturizer which is lightweight, offers 30 SPF and smells divine!

Vitamin C is a wonderfully effective ingredient to add to your skincare routine during the summer months as this helps your skin’s immunity. We recommend using Vitamin C cream from June to August to help the skin fight off the free radical damage caused by the sun.

We love Image Skincare Vitamin C daily hydrating serum. It smells fresh, goes on easily and, like the mosisturizer, has a light texture.

Using products in the right order is really important as it ensures good penetration of active ingredients.

Always remember to start with a thorough cleanse, followed by your serum applied to damp skin, then your daily SPF as the last product you apply in the morning. On top of this most BB creams and tinted moisturisers contain a factor in them to further protect your skin – we like Jane Iredale Glow Time.

It is really important to drink lots of filtered water, and herbal teas are great too. Lots of raw salads, fruit and veg will also help ensure you glow throughout the summer. We’ve become quite obsessed with Nutribullet, which really helps you ensure you get lots of vitamins into your system with delicious smoothies. This is one of our favourie recipes for skin.

Simply combine one pomegranate, one mandarin, one small banana, a quarter cup of hibiscus tea (cooled) and five ice cubes to

‘We all love the feel of the sun on our body.

So, let’s do it right’

create a mouthwatering smoothie jam packed with flavonoids and nutrients.

If the sun is not for you but you still want to achieve a flawless natural tan, there’s Vita Liberata – a brand new antiageing spray tan with a new formula that contains ultrahydrating ingredients. This great product basically tightens your skin, evens its tone and is longer lasting than its competitors. It’s also got scores of celebrity fans across the globe, incluing Gwyneth Paltrow, Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding. They also do an amazing night mask.

Another great Vita Liberata product is the Trystal Self-Tanning Bronzing Minerals – the world’s first self-tanning mineral bronzing powder. Applied just like a bronzer with a brush, it works in the same way a fake tan does. We love it as it saves the mess of a cream or mouse and you still get that glowing look.

So, fake or real, keep your skin hydrated and safe this summer holiday. Dare to glow.

The Fabulous You Beauty & Skin Clinic (01829 759332; thefabulousyoucompany.co.uk)

FROM TOP: VITA LIBERATA TRYSTAL MINERALS, £29; JANE IREDALE GLOW TIME, £39.95; VITA LIBERATA NIGHT MASK, £29.95; IIMAGE SKINCARE VITAL C, £61

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Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

CLEAN ETHICS Whether in Dorset or Dubai, co-founder of Lush Mark Constantine OBE has always made sure that an ethical ethos remains at the heart of his brand. He meets Gemma Knight to talk staff, spas and illegal soaps

W

ith a current total of 935 shops in 49 countries worldwide, it’s fair to say that handmade cosmetics company Lush is something of a global phenomenon. Founded in 1995 by Mark Constantine and Liz Weir in Poole, Dorset, its soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, bath bombs, bubble bars and face masks have taken the world by storm with their ethical credentials and quirky, homemade feel. And when they say ethical, they really aren’t joking – everything is 100 per cent vegetarian, approximately 83 per cent vegan and 60 per cent preservative-free, no ingredients are sourced from companies which carry out, fund, or commission animal testing, and all packaging is recyclable or compostable. Add to that their charity work – which covers small charities, campaigns and organisations working in areas of environment conservation, animal protection and human rights around the world – and it’s no surprise that Lush has a reputation as one of the most morally principled companies in existence.

Mark Constantine is, as you’d expect, affable, warm and witty – a first impression that’s immediately confirmed when, having asked whether he ever has to curb his creativity or compromise his ideas in order to satisfy the brand’s ethical ethos, he grins at me and says wryly, ‘I don’t have huge wishes to behave unethically. I have a rebellious, naughty streak but I’m not keen to hurt people!’ Then turning momentarily profound and adding ‘What is considered to be ethical is everyone’s own interpretation, but I think part of the game is to behave with kindness.’

This mix of joviality and profundity strikes me as being such an achingly perfect personification of the brand that I hardly dare write it for fear of sounding hackneyed. He is, nonetheless, exactly as you’d hope the man at the joint helm of one of the world’s most fun and eccentric companies would be. Now partnered in the business by his wife, Mo Constantine (with input from the eldest of their three children, trainee perfumer Simon), the pair are involved in every step of a new product’s developmental process, from the ideas stage to the perfumery and everything in between.

Most recently, the brand has introduced spas to several of their stores (including one in their Liverpool branch), a move which Mark is keen to point out was less of a new direction for the brand than it might first have seemed.

‘We offered treatments when we originally started as a group of people, rather than a company, over 30 years ago, so the Lush Spa is really more going back to our roots than

LEFT: A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF LUSH’S PLAYFUL, BRIGHTLY COLOURED PRODUCTS. RIGHT: FOUNDER MARK CONSTANTINE

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

THE NEW LUSH FLAGSHIP STORE ON OXFORD STREET, LONDON

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anything else,’ he explains, turning the conversation towards another new development – their new flagship store on London’s Oxford Street, spread over a gloriously aromatic three floors – the opening of which he describes as the moment in the brand’s history of which he is most proud.

‘I like re-establishing Lush as a London brand,’ he tells me. ‘London is my capital city and I am proud to be part of it by opening our biggest shop in the world there for people to come and see. I want to make a contribution to central London, and I’m also very proud of the London Living Wage we pay there.’

Despite Mark laughingly replying that he was ‘hoping to rest on [his] laurels for a while!’ when I ask what he’d like the brand to achieve next (which, all things considered, is fair enough), Lush is certainly not a company which has shied away from growth and evolution in the past. Now boasting branches in countries as diverse as Bosnia, South Korea, Panama and Saudi Arabia, the brand constantly battles cultural, legal and moral obstacles to their various products (including their new ‘#GayIsOk’ soap, which is currently illegal in 100 of their shops worldwide because it promotes homosexuality).

When asked which country provided the greatest challenge, I’m surprised when he tells me that it was Japan; a market which he describes as ‘the greatest challenge and also the greatest success’, thanks to the cultural importance it places upon bathing and skincare.

Breaking into the new market proved one of the more difficult tasks the brand had faced, but the rewards made the effort more than worthwhile.

The brand is also frequently featured in The Sunday Times’ ‘Top 100 companies to work for’ rankings, an accolade which Mark attributes simply to the company doing ‘what our staff and customers tell us to’ – a straightforward enough ethos, but one which we both agree many a business would do well to take note of. It’s yet another perfect example of what is evidently at the heart of Lush’s success; an appeal based not only on the novelty value of bath bombs and bright colours, but on the idea that, simply by buying a mud mask or toothy tab, you are doing something good. And when your good deed for the day smells great and keeps your hair soft, what’s not to love?

10 Market Street, Royal Exchange, M1 1PT; 12 Foregate St, Chester, CH1 1HG (lush.co.uk)

• Dermal Fillers • Lip Enhancement • Permanent Make-up • Teeth Whitening • HI F U F at R e d u c t i o n • Anti-Wrinkle injections • D e r m at u d e n o n s u r g i c a l fa c e l i f t

Bexton House, Bexton Road, Knutsford, Cheshire telephone : 01565 740 282

Email : welcome@lift.global

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Simplistic

STYLE

T

he modern desire for convenience is most dapperly packaged in the latest collection from accessories brand Otis Batterbee.

Inspired by a Grade II listed building, the collection is brimming with supple leather bags and minimalist design.

Touches of Art Deco make the hexagonal patterned totes our favourite, a new gentlemanly staple perfect to parade this summer.

Isokon Tote Bag, ÂŁ375, Otis Batterbee (otisbatterbee.com)

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Motoring news WORDS: IAIN WARDE

Supercharged Seven new Tesla supercharger stations will be added to motorway services, with additional UK motorway locations in the works to be announced soon. The network extends across Europe as well, so drivers of the Model S can drive from Edinburgh to Venice or from Tenby to Trieste.

In just one year, Tesla Superchargers throughout the United Kingdom have powered more than two million electric miles. Starting with the first Tesla supercharger location in Royal Victoria Dock, London, there are now 68 Superchargers at 22 Supercharger stations across the country. They have enabled drivers to save more than 350,000 litres of petrol and 1,000 tons of CO2. (teslamotors.com) 90

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

LIFE EXTRAORDINARY Captain Nemo’s six-wheeled Nautilus car from the 2003 film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will be sold by international auctioneers Coys at their Blenheim Palace auction.

Designed by production designer and art director Carol Spier and one of only two made, this fully functional and complete vehicle was used throughout the film and features heavily on the promotional posters.

The vehicle started life as a Land Rover fire tender, adapted via a steel frame with the addition of a Rover V8 engine. The chassis is covered in an intricate ivory coloured fibreglass shell and features a wealth of elaborate embellishments in an aged gold effect on both the exterior and interior. (coys.co.uk)

All roads lead to Wales The 2015 FIA World Rally Championship began in traditional style high up in the Alps, with the 83rd running of the world-famous Monte Carlo Rally. The 13-round calendar then sees the intrepid competitors travel from the snow-packed roads of Sweden to the dusty tracks of Argentina, Australia and Mexico before reaching its thrilling conclusion here in the fearsome Welsh forests.

Wales Rally GB (12-15 November) not only provides a fitting finale to the global series that challenges drivers and cars to the maximum, but also enables UK rally fans to cheer on local heroes Elfyn Evans and Kris Meeke. Both British drivers graduated to frontline WRC teams in 2014 and both produced some highly impressive performances in what was their first full campaign in the sport’s exalted premier league. Having posted four podiums and finished seventh overall last year, Meeke will be targeting his first win while, with slightly less experience under his belt, Evans is setting his sights on his first top three finish. (walesrallygb.com)

‘I learned to approach racing like a game of billiards. If you bash the ball too hard, you get nowhere. As you handle the cue properly, you drive with more finesse’ Juan Manuel Fangio McLaren style McLaren and S.T. Dupont, two legendary names, have built their success and reputation around a quest for innovation, performance and excellence and now come together on a range of accessories for the Formula One life.

The McLaren by S.T. Dupont collection has a contemporary design crafted in carbon leather, ensuring the pieces are both light and robust.

Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button will carry with them, throughout the racing season, a backpack, pilot case and a card holder. (st-dupont.com) 91

The craft of the

CRUISE

Exquisite design, creative engineering, unlimited imagination and an appreciation of heritage; welcome to the world of custom motorcycles.

Richard Yarrow meets the craftsmen behind these two-wheeled works of art

F

ine craftsmanship isn’t hard to appreciate. It brings together a holy trinity of talents – imagination, creative skill and attention to detail – to fashion something that is more beautiful than the sum of its parts. The results may not be to your taste and, let’s be honest, custom-built motorbikes aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. But few would argue that these one-off machines, often based around a Harley-Davidson, are visually stunning works of art.

‘For the buyer it’s an image thing, but not in a vain way,’ explained Charlie Stockwell of King’s Road Customs, Chelsea. ‘No one rides a Harley because they need one. It’s about tradition and heritage, and then people liking the idea of having something unique.’

The business is a division of Warr’s Harley-Davidson, Europe’s

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oldest Harley dealer and trading since 1924.

Customers include those who have been successful in business, Formula One drivers, football players, music and film stars.

But, as Stockwell explains, there are also average guys who have saved hard and want to spend their money on something cool. The result is that King’s Road Customs is now building more than 20 bikes a year – each one completely unique – and they’re to be found all over the world.

There’s no such thing as an average job or completion time. Stockwell, the firm’s head of design and custom, reckons 50-100 man-hours over two to three months covers the majority

LEFT & RIGHT: WARR’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

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BELOW: WARR’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON RIGHT: KRAZY2 FROM KRAZY HORSE

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of projects. Prices start at around £15,000, made up of £7,600 for the entry-level Sportster bike and roughly the same again on paint, parts and labour. Then there’s the other end of the scale. ‘We finished a bike last year costing £128,000 for a chap who has seven of our designs,’ says Stockwell.

A few miles south of London and out in the East Sussex countryside, another custom bike builder told us business is booming. ‘It’s a growing market and we’re trying to keep up with demand rather than create it,’ explains Steve Willis, team principal at Shaw Speed & Custom.

‘People want personalisation these days. They want a different coloured roof on their car or to invent their own Nike sneakers online.’

In just six years the business has gone from almost nothing to a global brand. Its bikes are now ridden and cherished as far afield as America and Australia.

The irony is that the move to expand the custom side of the operation – Shaw has been an official Harley-Davidson dealership since 2002 – didn’t come by choice. In 2009 Harley decided to discontinue its Buell sports bike

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

BELOW FROM LEFT: WARR’S HARLEYDAVIDSON; KRAZY HORSE

range, leaving Willis and team with a problem.

He says: ‘Buell was a fair amount of income for us, all gone just like that, so we decided to take the customising to a new level. We created a separate in-house design studio, somewhere customers could sit comfortably and talk to a project manager about the bike they wanted.’

Recognition and reputation came quickly.

During the winter of 2009 Shaw was building a bike which ultimately became known as Strike True II, because it was the second machine for a customer who already owned one he’d christened Strike True. The new machine won first place at the London International Custom Bike Show and part of the prize was to attend the modified Harleys world championships in America. The bike triumphed again.

At the same time, Willis convinced luxury watch company Bell & Ross that its brand would fit well on another bike he was building. ‘It was one of the first projects I recognise where there was a proper collaboration with another brand, rather than people just putting stickers on a bike. Bell & Ross took a huge leap of faith, ran with it and had one of its best years ever for marketing.’

It didn’t hurt business when the handcrafted machine came third in the world championships, and with media coverage in the likes of GQ and Vogue, people were visiting the Shaw website. ‘They realised they could have a bespoke bike built with their own DNA and enquiries came thick and fast. We’ve never looked back.’

Prices for something with the Shaw Speed & Custom signature typically start at £15,000 to £25,000 for the Harley Sportster range, rising to £65,000 for the larger Softail.

Being based on the A22 between Eastbourne and East Grinstead means Shaw gets a lot of day-trippers from London. That’s also the case for Suffolk custom bike builder Krazy Horse, though at the time of writing, owner Paul Beamish confirmed he’s looking at opening a business in the capital later this summer.

Prices for its one-off machines can easily top £30,000, and he said his customers are a broad mix. ‘All sorts of people spend that kind of money on a bike. For some, it’s their overriding passion. They might have one bike that we’ve rebuilt several times and it’s evolved over the years into something else. Others are collectors and have bought four or five bikes from us.

They are obviously people with money, but an expensive motorcycle probably doesn’t cost them any more than belonging to an expensive golf club.’

Krazy Horse started with Beamish and a friend selling spare bike parts from a village shed, and this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It’s doing so with some style; after a move from small retail premises in central Bury St Edmunds to a larger industrial unit on the outskirts, it’s now expanded into a second building with franchises for high-end bike brands Norton and Indian, plus a Morgan car dealership.

‘I haven’t a clue how many we’ve done – some jobs take months, some take years – but we’ve built a lot of bikes,’ said Beamish. ‘We build bikes that we want to build for ourselves and then sell them. We don’t tend to do stuff, where people come along and say, “I want a bike that looks like a fire engine.” Our bikes are all usable.’

When custom bikes look this good, getting them dirty on the open road seems such a shame.

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FORD TAKES ON THE FUTURE

The new 2017 Ford GT makes the American supercar look more attractive than ever

WORDS: JENNIFER MASON

The power The new GT is powered by a mid-mounted, 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine boasting more than 600 horsepower

Smooth moves Active aerodynamic elements on the GT include a multiposition rear spoiler

Burning rubber Expect 20-inch wheels adorned with Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2 tyres, and carbonceramic brakes

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How it delivers A seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox sends power to the rear wheels

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

The bodywork A sleek and aerodynamic two-door coupé body shell is crafted from carbon fibre and aluminium for improved acceleration and more efficient handling

W

hile the new 2017 Ford GT might hark back to the brand’s racing history, celebrating, as it does, the 50th anniversary of the Ford GT40s that placed first, second and third at the 1966 Le Mans 24-hour race, this new design is all about modern lines and futuristic finishes.

The concept, which was introduced as a prototype earlier this year, is a seriously good-looking vehicle, particularly in the bright blue paint it sported for its debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. That’s not an easy finish to pull off – something to which many supercar owners who’ve regretted their flashy custom paint-jobs can attest.

But there’s something about the new GT, whether it’s the butch, cannon-esque exhaust portholes, the ring-shaped rear lights or the wing-like dynamic created by the teardrop cabin that can handle a little bling. Having this beauty parked in the driveway is the closest most of us will come to living out our Top Gun fantasies.

Ford intends to take the 2017 GT back to Le Mans next year in a bid to once again challenge the European greats. With such a proud history (and some serious power) behind it, it will be interesting to see what this new model can accomplish. (ford.co.uk)

Highs and lows The active suspension uses inboard, pushrod-activated damping with an adjustable ride height

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Technology central WORDS: IAIN WARDE

LIGHTS...CAMERA...ACTION Action cameras are unlike any other kind of camera. They’re designed to be attached to helmets, surfboards, cars and, well, anything else you can think of

They’re small, tough and simple, with a lens that captures the world in a fish-eye perspective. Their small size and dramatic POV (‘point of view’) footage has made them popular with extreme sports personalities who capture their adventures by attaching cameras to themselves or their equipment.

Here are the best...

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GO PRO HERO 4 BLACK USP: 4K AND SLOW MOTION BEST FEATURES: Best features and crisp video 1080p £409.99 (gopro.com)

GARMIN VIRB ELITE USP: 1080p and 16MP camera BEST FEATURES: High-sensitivity GPS, accelerometer and barometric altimeter £219.99 (garmin.com)

DRIFT GHOST-S USP: 3.5 hours recording at 1080p BEST FEATURES: WIFI and two-way controls £249 (wexphotographic.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Technology

App: THE PUB LANDLORD Paul Austen, a Congleton-based entrepreneur, has unveiled a first-of-its-kind app – allowing users ‘real time’ experience of taking on their own back street pub or high street bar, with all the challenges it brings.

The Pub Landlord, which made its debut on the App Store last month, allows you to select your stock levels and choose from cheap, mid-range and premium ranges of beers, wines, spirits and snacks, making sure you can balance the books and get maximum return on each day’s trading.

Free (syncinteractive.co.uk)

Game: GEARS OF WAR: ULTIMATE EDITION If you haven’t played the game Gears of War and you owned an Xbox 360, where have you been? The good news is that if you own an Xbox One or PC you will now be able to get your hands on Gears of War: Ultimate edition.

The game gives you, amongst many other things, 4K game play on the PC, 7.1 surround sound, 90 mins extra single player game play and a modernised multiplayer mode.

On sale 25 August, £44.86 (amazon.co.uk)

‘Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have a faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them’ Steve Jobs

INTEL COMPUTE STICK I’d never have thought we’d see a PC on something the size of a USB, but Intel has made this reality with the Intel Compute Stick; a whole PC that can connect to the HDMI port of your TV or monitor.

There’s a power button, a micro USB slot (for power), a full-size USB 2.0 port, a status light, a micro SD card slot and a full-size HDMI port. There’s also 2GB of DDR3L 1,333MHz memory, 32GB of flash memory from Samsung (about 23GB of which is free), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and Windows 8.1 with Bing (32-bit), which can be upgraded free to Windows 10 when it’s launched later this year. As a shirt-pocket PC, yes, it can work but it doesn’t quite make sense. You still need a mouse and keyboard to use the Compute Stick and with a single USB port, you’re forced to pick between the two. Still, this is uncharted territory, and as a complement to a TV or to make an old monitor ‘smart’, I get it, and at £130 with the OS, it’s a deal. £130 (intel.com) 99

Travel news New kid on the block Situated in the very heart of Manchester and accessed from Mount Street, The Spa at The Midland is the city’s premier glamorous new spa –- a private city hideaway steeped in luxury where relaxation is taken very, very seriously.

Having opened last month, it’s expected to become Manchester’s go to day spa, offering the latest facial and body technological concepts plus a full range of face and body treatments from luxury spa brand ESPA and nails by Jessica. If the impeccable standards at The Midland are anything to go by, we predict great things from this newcomer. (thespaatthemidland.co.uk)

From a-to-zetter West London and the West End are bursting with slightly stuffy, historical hyper-luxe hotels – so to discover The Zetter Hotel, a cool, contemporary little gem nestled in Central London’s eastern district, was rather exciting. With The Zetter Group celebrating its tenth anniversary and the recent launch of Bruno Loubet’s Grain Store Unleashed at The Zetter Hotel, 2015 is already proving to be an exciting year and a great time to visit. The vibrant, vintage-modern vibe is enhanced by scrummy boutique rooms full of natural light, gadgets and bijou features, while the environmentally conscious will be pleased to know that the hotel obeys scores of eco-friendly practices ranging from occupancy detection for lights and air conditioning, to having its very own borehole that uses spring water to cool rooms.

Spoil yourself, without spoiling the planet. (thezetter.com) 100

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

TA S T E T H E D I F F E R E N C E

Gastro-heaven Foodies across the land will be overjoyed to hear that firm favourite Hotel Eden in Rome has created its very own gastronomic extravaganza; a package which takes guests on a culinary journey across Italy. The property has partnered with fellow Michelin-starred hotels, Capri Palace Hotel & Spa in Anacapri and Hotel Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole, to create a six-day tour which will showcase the culinary best from city, country and coast, with menus created by some of the leading chefs in Italy.

Available until 11 October (dorchestercollection.com)

A dip by the Duomo Not far from the gondola-congested Grand Canal, JW Marriott Resort & Spa celebrates its grand opening this month from its own island, surrounded by 40 acres of immaculately manicured gardens. If the private church for weddings and the largest spa in Venice (complete with an acqua-tonic pool and a hammam) wasn’t enough, the rooftop infinity pool overlooks the lagoon to the famous St Mark’s Square, so you can sightsee between leisurely lengths of breast stroke. Meanwhile down by the water’s edge, guests can learn Venetian rowing, go sailing, or take a private boat from the dock to the historic centre in only 15 minutes.

Rooms from £285 a night including breakfast (jwmarriottvenice.com)

Long haul vs short haul

Short haul Culinary culture

Sun Gardens, Dubrovnik has launched an indulgent four-night foodie package, entitled a Culinary Journey through Dubrovnik.

Highlights include wine tastings and menus featuring regional favourites, then work off the excesses of the day by visiting the medieval fort at Ston and walking a 5km stretch of the ancient wall. Alternatively, select a sunlounger on the resort’s private beach.

Gastronomic packages from £500, (dubrovniksungardens.com)

Long haul

Raising the steaks One&Only’s Palmilla resort in Los Cabos has reopened with a host of new eateries to cater to all tastes. Carnivores should make a beeline for the new steakhouse SEARED, and fish lovers for Suviche restaurant, with its floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views. One thing that hasn’t changed for guests staying in the 173 oceanfront guest rooms and suites is the service; every single guest is served by a butler whose role is to cater to your every whim.

From £385 a night (oneandonlyresorts.com)

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The Nature of the

GAME

Annabel Harrison visits the spectacular Singita Grumeti Reserves in the heart of Tanzania for the most magical safari experience imaginable

I FARU FARU LODGE’S POOL AND DECK

There are only two rules: ‘Please don’t walk at night unattended, and don’t feed the monkeys!’

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t’s a sound I won’t ever forget. Our opensided Jeep has pulled off the terracottacoloured dirt road and purred through the long, whispering grass towards a tree that, from a distance, looks indistinguishable from the hundreds scattered over the plain around it.

Dawn is breaking; the blue-grey sky is tinged peach-pink on the horizon and the savannah’s inhabitants are yawning and stretching in the cool morning air. I know which tree we’re aiming for because we were here last night too, in the hope of catching sight of a female leopard who, according to reports from other safari guides, had won a hard-fought fight against a baboon and had taken her prize up a tree to enjoy it at leisure. Skittish, she slunk away before we arrived but we saw the limp, lifeless simian among the branches, hands and feet hanging pitifully.

As we draw closer, we glimpse a flash of spotted hide in this same spot. Our peerless guide Peter, as ever, sees more than we do. ‘That leopard is big. It’s a male.’ My fiancé Zain and I

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

PHOTOGRAPHY: ZAIN HIRANI

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look at each other; Peter explains that the male has stolen the female’s catch. It’s then that we hear the sound; I had expected a lively dawn chorus of birdsong and lions roaring good morning but that’s not it. When we stop ten metres from the tree, we hear strong jaws crunching through rib bones as if they were carrot sticks. It’s mesmerising. I’m distressed about the baboon’s fate but remind myself that this is not a Disney safari and the big cats have to eat too; Peter recounts a recent, unforgettable encounter with a leopard which killed seven impala and spent days in a tree eating them.

Our leopard episode takes up just an hour of our safari experience but it’s indicative of the natural wonders you will encounter in the Singita Grumeti Reserves, covering 350,000 acres and adjacent to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti. Created by the Tanzanian government in 1994 to protect the path of the annual (and world-famous) wildebeest migration and the indigenous biodiversity of this vast ecosystem, Singita took over

‘It’s a thrilling moment on the bush walk when a herd of 60 elephants passes behind us’

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FARU FARU LODGE

management in 2006 and began the task of generating, via low-impact tourism, the funds necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the reserve.

East Africa is equatorial so the climate is fairly constant year-round, ideal for tourists, and low-impact is the right term for the Singita approach; in Tanzania (Singita also has properties in South Africa) a maximum of 94 people can be hosted at any one time, across five accommodation options on the reserve.

We’re shown around all of them and I suggest Serengeti House which sleeps eight for those who want absolute privacy (such as groups of friends, families or high-profile guests), Sabora Tented Camp for those who are thrilled by the idea of lions being five feet away as they sleep and the Explore Mobile Tented Camp for those who want to feel like true African wanderers. We stay at the lodges, Sasakwa (which can sleep 34) and Faru Faru (22), for four nights and can’t decide which one we love most.

Just how far the staff will go to make you happy is immediately obvious. Zain is upset at having forgotten his camera charger (an essential piece of kit for safari) and friendly, efficient assistant lodge manager Tansy solves this in an instant. ‘We have a universal charger or, as yours is in Arusha with your parents, we could arrange for it to be brought over on the next flight?’

PHOTOGRAPHY: ZAIN HIRANI

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

Zain beams and Tansy shows us around the main lodge, reminiscent of a gorgeous, colonial African manor house, with wide verandas, slate roofs and stone-clad columns, as well as a treasure trove of furniture and art. Singita calls the style ‘eclectic and African colonial’; there are Indian textiles, Chinese porcelain, European antiques and African artefacts.

Amazing animal photography and sculptures give the lodge a homely feel while reminding you exactly where you are.

As we go, Tansy explains that there are only two rules: ‘Please don’t walk at night unattended. And don’t feed the monkeys!’ They are opportunistic, that’s for sure; when we’re shown around the beautiful Equestrian Centre (equine-enthusiasts’ heaven) by its manager Alison, the monkeys are trying to steal the horses’ lunch. There are jewellery and gift boutiques, a pool and Jacuzzi, tennis courts and gym. We’re staying in Hemingway, one of ten cottages (which sleep between two and eight people). It’s laugh-out-loud luxurious; double front doors lead past kikoi on hooks, a mini bar and a guest loo into our lounge (complete with chandelier, sumptuous armchairs, a zebra-hide pouf and a French map of Africa on the wall), which in turn leads into our bedroom (with a wooden, four-poster, white-canopied bed and bell-like copper light switches). We have a small outdoor pool and garden too, a huge bathroom kitted out with Penhaligon’s products and an old-fashioned, wood-panelled dressing room.

Faru Faru is smaller, with an even more laidback feel. At first glance it’s all stone and white with a tented roof (upon which the

monkeys later frolic, eyes firmly on our breakfast until staff scare them off). Tamara shows us to our suite, which is breath-taking, decked out in exquisite neutral fabrics, African furniture and decorative touches; the length of it is almost entirely glass on the side facing the river (and our private pool). Tamara explains that the lodge isn’t closed off to animals, so we must always be taken back to our room at night (as we could, quite literally, be only three feet from a rhino as we do so).

We realise quickly that we may be in the middle of the Tanzanian wilderness almost noseto-nose with nature but at Singita that definitely doesn’t mean abandoning creature comforts.

The Sasakwa spa, for example, is up there with the best I’ve ever visited. A tempting-sounding menu includes the standard mani/pedi, facial and massage options, plus an impressive range of African treatments; Zain and I try the amazing (and reasonable, at $100 for 90 minutes) Uhai body balance massage; it incorporates strong, kneading, knot-releasing movements with a facial and head rub so blissful we both doze off.

However, despite the delights of both lodges, it’s the game drives that make Singita completely unforgettable. We go out early in the morning, returning for a late breakfast, and then again at 4.30pm, as temperatures begin to ease off.

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Looking for the solitary big cats (cheetahs and leopards) turns out to be like searching for needles in a haystack, if the haystack is made up of never-ending expanses of waist-high grass, clusters of dense foliage and trees, myriad shades of cat colours and thousands of other animals grazing on the vast plains. Peter stops sporadically and checks the dirt for paw prints; during our conversations I realise that I do know some Swahili words, including simba, hakuna matata and rafiki (thanks to The Lion King!) Lions are a lot easier to find – and we see 25 of these majestic creatures over the course of eight drives.

The first sighting is arguably the most special; one early morning, we happen upon a pride comprising three mothers, five young males and two young females. When even your guide is taking a photo, you know it’s an extraordinary moment.

The biggest treat follows this sighting, just when we think it can’t get any better. We turn a corner and spot vivid orange tablecloths amid the green grass. The team has put on a surprise breakfast out in the bush and it’s as generous an offering as could be found in a top London hotel. We settle down with Peter, and a chilled glass of Cava, to enjoy fresh fruit, an assortment of pastries and pancakes, yoghurt, meat and cheese, teas, juices, eggs, bacon and sausages. It would feed at least 15 hungry people and there are just seven of us. Zain and I are speechless, and so satisfied we feel we’ve been fed enough to last us the whole day.

However, this spread is indicative of what is to come; at Singita, you must cast any diet plan or thoughts of abstinence aside. You are going to be fed and watered extremely well and you’ll want to revel in it, even if you do start to feel like a hobbit (meals include first breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, tea and supper, plus

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snacks). In both lodges, we never eat in the same place and always outdoors, which is lovely.

At Sasakwa, Khalid takes wonderful care of us and he, as with most Singita staff we speak to, has been with the company for years. Lunch might comprise a green salad followed by Cajun fish skewers and blueberry cheesecake with lavender ice cream (and there’s always freshlybaked bread, which is irresistible). Wine is included in the room rate with every meal; generally there are a couple of whites, rosés and reds on offer, many from Stellenbosch in South Africa. Breakfast at Faru Faru is particularly memorable too; Zain and I both love the chapatti and omelette. The menus are more diverse than we expected; we count more than 30 separate ingredients in one impressive lunch platter.

You can use the gym in an attempt to work it off but it’s a lot more fun to go on a bush walk.

Tansy’s engaging and practical husband Rich takes us out and it’s a thrilling moment when a herd of 60 elephants passes behind us. I know we’re in safe hands; Rich has been doing this for years (and Peter, reassuringly, is following in the car). If you’re a safari novice, take lots of sun-cream and bug spray, a hat, layers of clothing, cameras (fully charged) and plenty of patience. The small creature sightings (a tiny fluffy owl, inquisitive

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

FARU FARU

SASAKWA LODGE

PHOTOGRAPHY: ZAIN HIRANI

MORE INFORMATION Rates at Singita Sasakwa Lodge for a cottage start from £960 per person per night on a full board basis. Rates for a suite at Singita Faru Faru Lodge start from £775 per night, based on two people sharing on a full board basis. Both room rates include twice-daily game drives, equestrian day rides and return transfers to the Singitia Sasakwa airstrip (singita.com)

jackals, the delightful, short-legged, nervous warthogs reversing into their holes) are just as special as the Big Five. Birds are fascinating too; there are 1,200 species in the Serengeti and Peter names every one we see, many of which have great names; bare-faced ‘go-away’ birds, white-breasted bastards and cocky franklins.

On our last evening game drive, as the air is cooling, we’re allowed to get out of the car in the middle of a flat, cropped plain as we enjoy a sundowner G&T and pre-supper snacks. One of the highlights of our day is chatting to Peter during this quiet time. As far as the eye can see, we’re surrounded; there are clusters of monochrome-striped zebras, ostriches, curlyhorned buffalo, wildebeest, warthog, and fleet-footed gazelles, elands and topi. A baby zebra (‘probably born yesterday’, says Peter) stays at its mother’s side and birdsong echoes in the distance. I feel utterly at peace, and never want to leave, a feeling exacerbated by our return to the lodge, where a bubble bath has been run for us and our room filled with candles.

As our tiny plane races down the runway at the Sasakwa airstrip the next morning, Peter signals goodbye in a truly African fashion; a far cry from a slightly embarrassed, one-handed British attempt, he lifts both arms and waves expansively. I am not ashamed to say that my eyes tear up at this moment, so sad I am that this experience is ending but so happy to take away our memories that will last a lifetime.

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A Room

with a View Hannah Lemon plays the modern-day princess in a white tower of luxury, admiring epic alpine-forest scenery and the cobalt waters of Lake Lucerne below

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

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t was always a dream of mine to visit Disneyland. As soon as I was introduced to the film world of princesses and castles with flags waving from turrets, I imagined with dreamy wonder what it might be like to experience this magical world. As my taxi drives up towards Château Gütsch, that same feeling reappears. Surrounded by Lucerne’s alpine trees, the Swiss hotel’s white tower looks like a place Rapunzel might dangle her hair from and as we get closer it doesn’t lose its charm. The hotel has had a rocky history, though, ever since it was set up as an inn in 1888. A fire later destroyed parts of the building; it then remained closed during the First World War, was handed over to the military during the Second and was finally restored as a hotel in 1948. In May 2014, after extensive renovation and a change of hands, the château reopened with the aim of providing an insight into Lucerne’s rich history as well as the luxury offerings of a boutique hotel.

The result is proudly revealed by the staff who warmly welcome my boyfriend and I with a tour of the building. The hotel is small – with only 27 bedrooms – but the interiors designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard provide grandeur beyond its size. The spacious restaurant serves guests breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sits alongside a small wine cellar, which can be booked out by interested parties. On the floor above is the imperial Knight’s Hall, which overlooks the castle’s courtyard. This impressive room, decorated in soft duck egg blue and teal, is a calming place to sit and chat with a tipple or two.

A balcony wraps around the exterior of the castle from which I spy a plaque commemorating one

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of its most famous guests, more exciting than Disney royalty: Queen Victoria.

The most impressive thing about Château Gütsch, however, is the crystal-clear panoramic view of the River Reuss and Lake Lucerne against a striking backdrop of Swiss mountains.

This vision is even available from our room, which we get to via a charming, rickety, oldfashioned lift that supports a maximum of three people. Anyone looking for overstated glamour is not going to be wowed by the regular bedrooms, but they are perfect for an intimate weekend escape. For an upgrade, however, opt for the Queen Victoria suite at £590 a night.

We start our first evening at the hotel with a cocktail at the bar before setting off for dinner, which turns out to be an elaborate affair. I am advised by the waiter that the set menu of six

‘I spy a plaque commemorating one of the hotel’s most famous guests: Queen Victoria’ courses is not a hefty undertaking. Despite this, inordinately large portions appear from the kitchen one after the other. My boyfriend manages to finish every last bite but I am defeated by the offering and only manage half.

The elaborate thought and fuss that goes into the construction of each plate does translate into very tasty mouthfuls, even if there are too many of them. Dishes on offer include veal with morel and sherry sauce, Chateaubriand steak with risotto and beef steak tartare, and there is also a great selection of vegetarian dishes including ravioli with truffle and spinach.

The large meal supplies plenty of fuel for the next day; the German-speaking town of Lucerne is not large, so it’s easy to walk to most places, although a taxi back to the hotel is recommended unless you are used to vertical hiking. You will notice that Lucerne, like most affluent Swiss destinations, advertises and sells an overwhelming variety of luxury watches.

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Chopard, Piaget, IWC, Bucherer; you name it, you’ll find it. After a pricey purchase, walk along the creaky Kapellbrücke (chapel bridge) across Lake Lucerne to the quaint shops and cafés, and visit the 10-metre-long lion monument. The sculpture of the dying lion was etched into the rock face in 1820 to commemorate Swiss soldiers who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution.

Lucerne’s impressive landscape offers something to do for every season. Mid-summer temperatures average in the early 20s, so it is an excellent climate for active couples or families wanting to amuse (and tire out) their children.

There are hiking trips or tours to Mount Pilatus, where you can get a cable car to the top to enjoy the views, and throughout the summer and autumn months there are also a variety of jazz and classical music festivals. At the end of the year, it’s romantically Christmassy; snow is sprinkled over the mountains like a smattering of icing sugar, and everything in the town is equally as sweet. Candy canes and gingerbread men are available to buy at the Christmas market on Franziskanerplatz and, although it’s not as impressive in scale as some of the others on offer in Europe, it is truly authentic.

Whether it is cold or warm, a stroll along the river is worth the effort, particularly if you can make it down to the Swiss Museum of Transport.

For those already rolling their eyes at the thought of train-spotting, be prepared to be amazed. This is by the far the most exciting museum I have been to and is a haven for little children who can run around on scooters and dumper trucks. We are not exempt from this either; we learn how to ride a penny farthing, choose our favourite vehicles from a workshop of retro cars and even fly a plane (in a simulator, of course).

When it’s time to pack up and leave this quaint lake of luxury I can’t help feeling a little smug; Lucerne is no Disneyland but it provides just the right amount of fairytale feeling to make any stay magical.

For more information or to book, contact Château Gütsch (+41 41 289 14 14; chateau-guetsch.ch)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

Stay at Château Gütsch from £216 per room per night including breakfast, Wi-Fi, service, VAT and outdoor parking, plus city tax of £2.20 per person per night.

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Travel | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Weekend away …Washingborough Hall, Lincoln W O R D S : K AY L E I G H P E N S W I C K

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pon arriving at Washingborough Hall, not only was the welcome warm and friendly but there was a gorgeous homemade chocolate cake sat on the reception counter – a welcome which pretty much set the tone for the whole visit.

Though a beautiful and austere 250 year-old Georgian hall, it carries no pretention; the rooms are stunningly dressed in high-end decor yet the service and staff treat guests as their own relatives. There’s a constant flow of coffee and cream teas in the lounge area where guests can relax before going up to their rooms, and the dinner menu is exceptional, presented to us like a work of art. The dining room in which we ate was a beautiful orangery set amidst the hotel’s rolling gardens which, complemented by the buzz of contented and happy guests, made for a lovely evening all round.

Lincoln itself is a city steeped in great history, so we spent the morning taking a tour through the cathedral, which was without doubt one of the most stunning and awe-inspiring piece of architecture I have ever seen. I am a great cathedral and church enthusiast, and this was truly like no other I’ve seen. The tour guide presented the information clearly and fondly as though this, too, was her favourite place to be

– though the story of the cathedral’s Imp and The Monk was soon a firm favourite of mine too, especially since, after hearing the story, you can’t help noticing references to the muchloved little Imp dotted all over the city.

Almost directly opposite the cathedral is Lincoln Castle, which is also utterly exceptional.

The castle wall itself is one of the largest in Britain and the grounds are maintained to such a high standard that the view outside is just as beautiful as inside. Again the tour guides are clear and friendly and have a great knowledge of the architecture and of those who lived and made history there. Within the grounds there’s even an old prison house, now an interactive museum where kids and grown-ups alike can delight in donning some old-world prison attire.

It has to be said that the great highlight of the castle and cathedral was viewing the Magna Carta itself – the great charter this year celebrating its 800th anniversary. The projected presentation within the museum vault and the displayed pages themselves were stunning, and to gain an opportunity to understand and see a documented piece of history which holds such a direct bearing on our own present day was truly a once in a lifetime experience. (washingboroughhall.com)

‘There’s a constant flow of cream teas and staff treat guests as relatives’ 112

You are cordially invited to Hilton Manchester Deansgate’s 9th Annual

Saturday 3rd October 2015 In aid of The DM Thomas Foundation for Young People was founded in 2000, dedicated to supporting young people in need by combating exclusion and providing skills, aspirations and opportunities. Focused on improving access to, and the quality of, education and care, the Foundation mobilises local giving and targets four key areas: disabled children, children in hospitals, children’s hospices and homelessness.

Variety, the Children’s Charity, aims to improve the lives of children who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged by funding practical help and memorable childhood experiences. Thanks to the independence, freedom and dignity offered by these projects, children who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged are able to make the most of their childhood.

Promising gastronomic flair and thrilling entertainment, join us for the glitterati of the year! To book a table please visit: dmthomasfoundation.org/manchester-star-ball/

Cheshire Magazine _draft Advert June 2015.indd 1

29/06/2015 14:58:04

Kids’ news Make a splash This summer Platypus Australia is on a mission to keep your kids stylish and safe from the sun. Its latest swimwear line provides maximum sun protection with a UPF 50+ rating that is guaranteed to block out more than 97.5 per cent of harmful UV rays. It’s not hard to see why the brand has already achieved a loyal fan base of celebrity mums (think Charlize Theron, Molly Sims and Alessandra Ambrosio) with trendy choices to pick from in a range of bright summer colours.

From £14.95 (platypusaustralia.com)

Fit for a princess An Austrian princess designing bespoke luxury pet furniture might not seem like your everyday occurrence, but a quick glance at Her Serene Highness, Princess Katalin zu Windischgraetz’ passions and past makes her suitability for the job suddenly crystal clear.

Having been a model and then a hugely successful New York-based couture designer, the Princess had always been surrounded by glamour, beauty, creativity – and, of course, an immaculate

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collection of pampered pets.

All her beloved pooches had their beds commissioned individually to match the interiors of her apartment, and when friends started to ask where they could buy them she immediately detected a niche.

After all, why should your dog make do with sub-par sleeping arrangements? No danger of that here – each bed, sofa, mattress and toybox (of which there are several styles available in a dazzling array of fabrics and finishes)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

Mum-to-be rescue Are you a mum-tobe desperately in need of pampering?

Well look no further, for the Mommymoon Package has arrived. Available at The Dorchester, 45 Park Lane and Coworth Park, the package includes £100 spa credit for rejuvenating pregnancy treatments, a selection of treats to satisfy mother-to-be cravings, plus a digital guide to London’s best maternity and babywear shops and a host of films to choose from for a relaxing night in. The ultimate pregnancy pamper. (dorchestercollection.com)

Charmed We’ve been totally charmed

by Life Charms, a gorgeous new jewellery collection featuring meaningful mottos and messages. The rings, earrings and bracelets are adorable, but we can’t think of a single little girl (or mum, for that matter) who wouldn’t want one of their sweet pendants, each one featuring a single charm with a different meaning. The Cheshire Magazine team may not be little, but we want them all. (lifecharms.co.uk)

Happy birthday Miffy!

has been created by top craftsmen and approved by a renowned orthopaedic surgeon, meaning they’re as pretty as they are practical. So far this ground-breaking brand is a well-kept secret, but hurry – we doubt it’ll stay that way for long.

For sales, contact Gina Brazier at gina.brazier@kzw-petinterior.com (kzw-petinterior.com)

Our favourite bunny is celebrating her 60th birthday this month, and to celebrate Steiff is launching a limited edition five-way jointed Miffy bear. Perfectly capturing her charm and innocent appeal, the special edition Miffy is crafted from pure white mohair and features a sweet hand-stitched nose and eyes. Hop over to Steiff to get yours while stocks last. £169 (steiff.com)

d e MR HENDRIX h s a e nl

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U

ire up the BBQ; school’s out, and the lazy days of summer are here. For me, summer is a time to head out on the open road – fur blowing in the warm breeze, going who knows where – and this month I set my sights on a great family day out at the lovely Stockley Farm Park in Northwich.

Run by the Walton family, the farm has been open to the public since 1987 and is an organic working farm specialising in hands-on experience for all the family. The adventure begins with a tractor and trailer ride from the car park to the farm, where Pets Corner gives children a valuable lesson in how to hold and cuddle the baby rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks and noisy ducklings, before at last they’re allowed to bottle feed the greedy little baby lambs and goats. Then it’s on to the chickens for feeding time and a very careful egg collection.

Sheep racing with teddybear jockeys takes place at 2pm every day, so I like to pick my favourite racer and cheer them on to the finishing line before heading for the outdoor playground and indoor playbarn with its sandpit, straw bounce and inflatable Noah’s Ark – guaranteed to keep the young ones entertained whatever the weather.

The Birds of Prey adventure is in a purpose-built centre within the Farm, and for a small extra fee you can enjoy a tour of the aviaries followed by a short introduction to the magnificent birds of prey you encounter, including owls, hawks, a kestrel and even the fastest living creature in the world, the falcon.

Since Stockley Farm Park caters for everyone, wellmannered dogs are more than welcome, although we have to stay on a lead all the time (which suits me just fine – those ponies are huge and I never quite know what to make of those crazy fluffy haircuts of theirs).

The Willow Barn Tearoom offers homemade cakes, snacks and afternoon tea, but I was more than happy outside with a picnic of my favourite treats while Anji sampled the real dairy ice cream from Daisy’s Ice Cream Kiosk; a truly fabulous end to a truly fabulous day, filled with fun, fur and frolics for all the family.

Until next time, love & licks

Mr Hendrix

xxx (facebook.com/mrhendrixandfriends)

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ACHIEVING SUCCESS TOGETHER One Year GCSES Two Year A-Levels One Year Intensive Retake A-Levels 12 Unit Business BTEC A stimulating environment, inspirational teaching, very small class sizes and a strong tutor system enable our students to achieve academic success and fulfil their potential.

Visit www.abbeymanchester.co.uk or call 0161 817 2700 Abbey College Manchester, 5-7 Cheapside, King Street, Manchester M2 4WG

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

Sports camp Olympian Victoria Pendleton has just launched her new Active Girls sports camps, aimed at encouraging the next generation to get active and be the best that they can be. The camps are based on Victoria’s passion for inspiring children to be active so that they achieve their full potential in life, and her belief that sport canthat sport can teach so many life lessons. The programmes have been developed by Britain’s most successful athletes and are aimed at all skill levels to encourage girls to try a variety of sports.

Terra Nova will be hosting camps from 27-31 July and 3-7 August, priced £165 for the week (thesportscamps.com; tnschool.co.uk)

The classroom Mini marvels King’s U11 netballers have lifted the Association of Junior Independent Schools’ North West Netball Championship Cup, following a nail-biting final which came down to just one goal difference.

The go-getting girls from King’s Juniors were crowned regional AJIS champions after they tied 8 – 8 with The Grange School in the final, but because they had scored 40 goals in the 25-team tournament against 39 for the girls from Northwich, King’s were awarded the trophy. (kingsmac.co.uk)

Songs of praise The Queen’s School Young Voices Choir came a close runner-up in the Songs of Praise Junior School Choir of the Year, singing ‘I’ve got a Home in

Gloryland’ in the finals. It’s the second year that the choir has competed in the BBC televised competition. (queens.cheshire.sch.uk) 117

TWO WORLDS UNITE An exciting international link is developing between The Firs School, Chester, and Richmond Road School, New Zealand. In the first in a series, The Cheshire Magazine delves deeper

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ow in its seventieth year, The Firs School on Newton Lane in Chester has developed an exciting international link to the other side of the world, bringing its pupils back in touch with Auckland, where the school’s founder Mrs Florence Longman originated from.

The project to link UK and New Zealand schools was the brainchild of New Zealand travel expert Paul Carberry. ‘I’ve had strong links with New Zealand ever since I was a child and have always wanted to help bring together two like-minded primary schools to share their passions and learn from each other. We were absolutely delighted we are able to not only

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help support The Firs School make this long distance link, but also help create friendships and a partnership that will last for many years.’

Although the link between the two schools is hoped to become a long-standing and permanent project between The Firs School (Chester) and Richmond Road School, Te Kura o Ritimana (Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau), the children at each school are firstly planning a special video introduction that will mark the start of the collaboration.

Pupils from both sides of the world will then exchange work, videos and emails centred on a range of subjects from daily life to food, culture and sport.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

FROM LEFT: THE FIRS WHOLE SCHOOL PHOTO, 1962; JONATHAN RAMSEY, HEADMASTER OF RICHMOND ROAD: RICHMOND ROAD SCHOOL, NEW ZEALAND; FLORENCE LONGMAN: THREE GENERATIONS OF LONGMAN, - TIM, FLORENCE, TED (WITH KIND PERMISSION OF THE FIRS & REDMOND ROAD)

The first project will take on the form of a cultural exchange of art, with pupils in both Chester and Auckland sharing their thoughts on traditional art from both countries, including Maori tattoo patterns which The Firs School plans to put into many different media. The pupils also plan to try and find out about other families from the Cheshire area who may have connections to New Zealand and to write down their stories.

The international link is especially poignant for The Firs School as it celebrates its seventieth anniversary. Add to this the fact that Richmond Road School is just a stone’s throw from Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, where the founder of The Firs, Mrs Florence Longman, was educated before moving to Cheshire in 1938.

After coaching children for entrance into local secondary schools, she agreed to take on a child full time, with The Firs School founded shortly after in 1945. Gradually the numbers grew and the school moved and added teachers to accommodate the increasing demand. Today the school has twelve classes and 190 children.

In 1962 The Firs moved to its current home.

Mrs Longman lived on the site and further developed the facilities, adding two blocks of mobile classrooms. Very much a family school, her son the Reverend Ted Longman took over the running of the school in 1987.

Today Ted and Ruth Longman continue to help develop the school, with their son Tim and his wife Joanna joining as directors.

‘Not only is this project great for the children, but it is a really special opportunity for me to take the school back to its heritage in New Zealand where my grandmother originally studied,’ interjects Tim. ‘It was the time she spent in

Auckland that shaped her as a teacher, and now we are going back to those roots to inspire the next generation both here at The Firs and through the children at Richmond Road.’

On the other side of the world, Richmond Road Primary School celebrates diversity. First opening its doors in 1884 with Emma Fletcher as principal, the first female principal in the Auckland Education Board area.

Growing throughout the early to mid-1900s, Richmond Road gained international recognition for its innovative work in literacy education, with teaching methods developed at the school becoming standard practice across the country and internationally.

In the 1970s, the school began bilingual unit initiatives in Maori, Samoan and Cook Islands Maori, adding a French bilingual unit in 1996.

Having reached its 125th Jubilee in 2009, the school continues to grow under the leadership of principle Jonathan Ramsay. ‘We were thrilled to be contacted about the project and the opportunity to link with The Firs School on the other side of the world, and share our life and culture with them.

Projects like this bring huge value to the children, with the chance to share and learn from our new friends in Cheshire.

‘I can’t wait to see what the children get out of the project and also see a partnership that will grow for many years into the future.’

Watch this space as The Cheshire Magazine follows the schools from Cheshire and Auckland as they collaborate and learn from each other over the coming months. (newzealand-indepth.co.uk; firsschool.net)

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“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” Victor Hugo

2015 OPEN DAYS

Sixth Form

For girls aged 16+ Thursday 15th October 6.00 to 8.00pm

Senior School

For girls aged 11-18 Thursday 5th November 4.30pm to 6.30pm Saturday 7th November 10.00am to 12noon

NEW PURPOSE-BUILT, EXPANDED JUNIOR SCHOOL OPENING SEPTEMBER 2015 Additional classes for girls in years 5 & 6

Find out more by calling 0161 224 1077 Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL

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Junior School

For girls aged 7-11 Thursday 5th November 4.30pm to 6.30pm Saturday 7th November 10am to 12noon

wgs.org

Means -tested bursaries now available from Year 5 upwards

02/07/2015 09:43

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

BLAST OFF F

or its newest summer range Angel & Rocket is taking inspiration from children themselves. From their sense of adventure to their individual and innate sense of style, each item of clothing captures the essence of young, contemporary fashion. Boys can expect an assortment of smart-casual pieces featuring a soft colour palette and graphic prints, while the girls’ collection will include plenty of lace, vintage-inspired florals and pompom trims.

From ÂŁ22 (angelandrocket.com)

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Promotion | The CHESHIRE Magazine

WITHINGTON GIRLS help local communities

Withington Girls’ School (WGS) pupils enjoyed an action-packed day of activities with a series of fun community-focused events as they celebrated their annual Citizenship Day in June

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irls from Years 7 to 10, led by Year 11 and Sixth Form mentors, carried out volunteering projects within the local community as part of their Citizenship programme, the tenth of its kind at WGS. Initiatives included Year 7 pupils staging a lunchtime concert at the School for 200 local senior citizens. They also organised a sports day for around 100 children from Old Moat Primary School, whilst 20 others went over to Old Moat to help with the younger pupils. Another group ran a cake sale at the Christie Hospital raising £550, which they presented to the Christie Community Fundraising Officer.

Back in School, Year 8 and 9 pupils explored the concept of Duty. Withington’s Head of PSHCE Mrs Clara Edge said: ‘Duty should not be an obligation but something that the girls really want to do, and our pupils really embraced that and, whilst they put a great deal of effort into their projects, they also had a lot of fun. They really enjoyed the opportunity to give something to the local community and to learn some important life skills in the process.’

Year 8 girls staged a mock election, planning a TV advertising campaign, writing manifestos and campaigning for four fictitious political parties before the election itself, which was very closely contested.

‘The idea was to convey the idea that there is a duty to the country to vote,’ said Mrs Edge.

Year 9 girls examined the issues around responsibility for the environment and for supporting local economies with a Fairtrade workshop. Girls were tasked with designing and marketing t-shirts inspired by ‘Hopes and Fears’ to express the Fairtrade message.

Mrs Edge commented: ‘The external judge was very impressed at the level of interest and commitment shown by our girls, and in turn they enjoyed thinking and learning about how their projects related to good citizenship. All the girls got involved in the pupil-led media team and produced a printed magazine and a video report. Our tenth Citizenship Day was a great success and a fitting addition to our 125th anniversary celebrations.’ (wgs.org)

‘They really enjoyed the opportunity to learn some important life skills’

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HOMES AND

INTERIORS SHOWCASING THE

finest HOMES & PROPERTY IN CHESHIRE AND BEYOND

Glamorous

GARDENS Transform your outside space with a chic shed or stylish summerhouse

Parallel

LINES

Christian Liaigre’s glittering interior design career FRANÇOIS NARS’ HOME IN BORA BORA © JEAN-PHILIPPE PITER (SEE PAGE 142)

HOMES & INTERIORS NEWS

#1 STATE OF THE ART A passion for design, an enthusiasm for art and a playful edge are the ingredients needed for the perfect interior designer. At Studio Suss, founder Simone Suss embodies all these attributes. Working closely with her clients, Simone strives to achieve an elegant but functional space that mirrors the customer’s personal taste, incorporating contemporary furniture and bespoke pieces. Meanwhile, her exceptional team will source art that complements and inspires the interior scheme, making for one seriously standout home. (studiosuss.com)

#2 DESIGN INTERVENTION Jean Paul Gaultier’s travelling exhibition – a showcase of couture and ready-to-wear pieces – has made its tenth and final stop in Paris, and to celebrate, the iconic designer has launched a line of upholstery in collaboration with Roche Bobois.

Made from imitation-suede, the cushions sport Gaultier’s illustrations of the Eiffel Tower, corsets and mannequins in a suitably French palette of red, white and blue. C’est bon!

Fiere Cushion, £140; Raffine Cushion, £110 Roche Bobois (roche-bobois.com)

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Homes and Interiors

#5 WALL TO WALL

#3 LIGHT A CANDLE A luxury scented candle brand with a 21st century twist, Maison Ves launched this year and has transformed the simple candle into an Instagrammer’s dream. The candle holders have been inscribed with a string of hashtags and come in a variety of sentiments, from light-hearted to heartfelt, and scents include lavender, cinnamon and orange. The ‘Best Friend’ candle, for instance, is engraved with hashtags such as #BESTIE #PARTNERINCRIME and #FRIENDSFOREVER, while the ‘Wedding’ candle has been inscribed with #MRANDMRS, #MADEFOREACHOTHER and #SOULMATES (to name a few). With a range of handmade candles to choose from, Maison Ves offers a fun alternative to this conventionally safe gift.

Maison Ves, £78 (baarandbass.com; maison-ves.com)

The Graduate Collection showcases emerging British talent fresh from UK universities and with a knack for design. New for S/S15 is Miki Rose, a wallpaper designer whose Natural World Collection features exquisite animal-themed prints inspired by a fascination with science and nature. The hand-painted and illustrated wallpapers include Jungle, a bohemian print with vibrant parrots, toucans and monkeys perched on green palm leaves.

Jungle by Miki Rose, £120 per roll, The Graduate Collection (graduatecollection.co.uk)

#4 FINISHING TOUCH Lalique’s new Tourbillon Vase makes for a stunning addition to a consort table. It’s a striking statement piece in its own right, or can be the perfect accompaniment to a spring bouquet, and is a true collectable in its own right.

Tourbillons Vase, £2,990, Lalique (lalique.com)

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INTERVIEW

LARKING ABOUT Since her childhood in Liverpool, artist Sarahjane Paynter has always been as creative as she is driven. She sits down with Gemma Knight to explain why her fabric design company Lupin Lark is going from strength to strength

A

s designer and artist Sarahjane Paynter admits herself, you could hardly find more of a contrast to her current existence in the wilds of North Wales, than that of her childhood and formative years in Liverpool’s big smoke. It was there that she studied design, and where the architecture of Liverpool’s great historic landmarks inspired her first creations; beautiful hand-printed fabrics in her own designs which she would sell at craft markets and create for bespoke commissions.

Ever ambitious, however, Sarahjane soon felt frustrated at not being able to reach a larger market with her designs, so it was then that she decided to go digital and that Lupin Lark was born.

‘High-end designer fabric is a difficult area to break into with a new venture,’ she tells me. ‘I knew that I wouldn’t make a splash if my designs

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were very commercial and the sort of thing you could buy anywhere, but also that just isn’t who I am, so it isn’t something I wanted for the brand.’

In order to make her fabrics stand out from the competition, Sarahjane decided that the personal touch was to be the hallmark of Lupin Lark.

Each step of the design process is shared via their social media pages, so that a customer is able to follow their fabric’s journey from the surroundings which inspired it all the way into their home.

Another change in direction came when she met her now husband and decided to relocate to North Wales, a decision she says overwhelmed her at first but which she has ‘never regretted’.

‘I didn’t know where to begin or how to relate what I had been doing to the environment I was now in,’ she explains. ‘So I decided to immerse myself in my surroundings and I soon realised that nature has its own

Homes and Interiors

detailed architecture – and then I was hooked. Now the Welsh countryside is where all my inspiration is drawn from and I spend hours, if not days, recording all the subtle changes around me.

When you’re surrounded by nature you just can’t help but be affected by it, you become more sensitive to the small details as the seasons come and go and it’s this sense of wonderment that I try to capture in my work.’

As with any true artist, for Sarahjane the creative process never stops. ‘I’m always observing, taking photos, sitting and sketching,’ she says. ‘Then I add it all to a portfolio of inspiration which I can draw from to create my designs, and when I’ve decided what I want to work with I make them into digital images then start working out patterns and colours. It can all take a few months so seasonal collections have to be really well thought out and

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INTERVIEW

organised, especially because I never sketch from internet images, always from the real thing – you have to see something in real life to capture the details and the vitality.

All the designs are created from specific experiences – I’ve walked all over North Wales and along the way I always collect all the weird and wonderful plant life that inspires the work, so I can trace back every piece to the moment I discovered it.

Where it was, the season, the weather – each design is alive with the details of its source.’

Sarahjane is immensely proud of the brand she has built up, but her proudest moment remains one which occurred before Lupin Lark had even launched, when she received her first commission from a client who had seen her trademark fungi design (one of her first and personal favourites) on social media and requested a set of blinds in the fabric.

‘Seeing my designs hung in someone’s home made me so proud of what I’d accomplished,’ she says.

‘And that’s what gave me the enthusiasm to launch the brand.’

Since then, Lupin Lark has accrued a large, loyal following and produced a wealth of gorgeous, nature-inspired fabrics which grace many a home – but Sarahjane isn’t content to rest on her laurels and has big plans for the company, hoping to build up a creative team who’ll cement its reputation for quality, quirky fabrics. And if the success she’s achieved so far is anything to go by, it’s hard to imagine anything’s going to stand in her way. (lupinlark.com)

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‘I’m always observing, taking photos, sitting and sketching. Then I add it to a portfolio of inspiration’

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INSPIRATION

PARALLEL LINES Christian Liaigre’s glittering design credits include Rupert Murdoch’s yacht and a private golf club for the Samsung family, but, as Lauren Romano discovers when she meets the charming interior designer and his wife, his dream project is actually a stable

B THIS PAGE FROM LEFT: CHRISTIAN LIAIGRE © FRANCO P. TETTAMANTI; DÉBORAH COMTE-LIAIGRE © CAMILLE GENTIL OPPOSITE PAGE: A BEDROOM AT FRANÇOIS NARS’ BORA BORA HOME © JEAN-PHILIPPE PITER

142

ehind every great man there’s usually a great woman. But in the case of the Liaigres, it’s more of a side-by-side partnership. At the age of 70, Christian Liaigre has transformed the boats, beach shacks, hotels and homes of the rich and famous across the globe. His first showroom opened in Paris in 1987, and has multiplied into a conglomerate of 26, including the latest London outpost, which opened on Conduit Street last month. These days, however, his wife Déborah Comte-Liaigre shares the limelight.

Today, her silhouette is backlit by blinding sunshine streaming

Homes and Interiors

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INSPIRATION

‘This is why we wanted to evoke the spirit, to bring in light and a bit of dark too, to create sanctuary and serenity’

ABOVE: SITTING ROOM OF AN ATHENS VILLA © MARK SEELEN

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in through the showroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows. ‘We were so surprised,’ she says softly in languid tones, adjusting the elegant Hermès scarf knotted at her neck. ‘Usually when we visit London the weather isn’t like this.’ Even her self-conscious stab at British small talk doesn’t detract from her typically Parisian insouciance and effortless charm.

Perched on a plush but clean-lined sofa of her own design, Déborah is responsible for the gradually multiplying Liaigre collection of furniture and lighting. It is on her multitasking shoulders that the responsibility for the upkeep of showrooms also falls. Each one is refreshed twice a year, which means factoring 52 refits into her already full schedule.

‘It’s crazy,’ she smiles shyly.

The new Mayfair showroom has been the latest tick on the list. A two-floor boutique showcasing 80 specialist furniture designs and 30 lighting styles from the classic collection, the Liaigre brand’s clean and simple aesthetic is clearly visible.

Modern, understated and timeless, the collection celebrates traditional craftsmanship. ‘We have been working with craftsmen in France for so many years that they are part of the company. It’s important to keep these skills going or else sometimes they can die out,’ she explains. ‘We are the inverse of trends; we build on our collection gradually. Sometimes we can spend all year working on one piece and it doesn’t make it because we don’t have the right feel about it.’

This wait-and-see attitude is on-brand with the Liaigre DNA, of course. Born and raised on the west coast of France on a farm by the sea, husband Christian has had a life-long appreciation for traditional techniques and a simpler way of life, which is apparent in the design of their own home. The couple live with their young son Léonard in an 18th-century townhouse on Paris’ Left Bank. ‘I will not say that it’s going to be a showroom,’ Déborah hesitates, when I ask her about the décor. ‘It’s a real mix of furniture collected by my family in Vietnam and Asia, which I grew up around. Lots of 17th-century pieces in particular.’

Her husband, pioneer of simplicity loves the extravagance of 18th-century design and is enjoying the challenge of kitting out their new abode, which he brands ‘very Versailles’, with just a hint of sarcasm.

Homes and Interiors

There aren’t many couples who could cope with running a global business for 16 years without showing the strain. My insinuations that it must be difficult working in your partner’s pocket are brushed aside with an airy wave and a wry smile. ‘A little bit sometimes, but no, it’s easy, it’s a good collaboration,’ she says, adding that the pair tend to work separately.

Christian emerges quietly, (after Déborah summons him – ‘Deux questions, s’il vous plaît’ – from where he’s been hiding downstairs) dressed in a well-cut but relaxed blue suit and comes to sit next to me on the sofa carrying his eponymously titled book, which showcases 12 of his recent projects. The hefty coffee

ABOVE: FRANÇOIS NARS’ HOME IN BORA BORA © JEAN-PHILIPPE PITER LEFT: KOREAN GOLF CLUB FOR THE SAMSUNG FAMILY © CHEOLHEE LEE

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INSPIRATION

ABOVE: ST MORITZ CHALET © MARK SEELEN; VERTIGO YACHT © MARK SEELEN

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table tome is the first in seven years and when I ask how he selected what made the cut, he deadpans, ‘I choose the projects where we have authorisation to put it in,’ with a mischievous grin.

Pushing his tortoiseshell specs further up his nose he shuffles up closer, places the book on my lap and begins to flick through, murmuring softly, almost bashfully under his breath. He arrives at one of his favourite feats; a Korean country golf club he designed for the Samsung family. ‘It is like a fortress,’ he says of the brooding, vaulted space. ‘We were inspired by Korean temples,’ he continues. ‘Because there have been so many wars in Korea, there is just

Homes and Interiors

one temple remaining from the past, the others are destroyed.’ I think maybe I have misheard him, but he nods sagely, and although I’m not particularly well-versed with the monastic history of Korea I suspect something might have been lost in translation here.

Either that or Mr Liaigre is pulling my leg, which I wouldn’t put past him. ‘This is why we wanted to evoke the spirit, to bring in light and a bit of dark too, to create sanctuary and serenity.’

I comment that his work could be perceived as minimalistic, although husband and wife both protest that that adjective is too severe and that their trademark look is more about simplicity. ‘It’s very funny you should say that,’ Christian responds. ‘I was working on a project in Hong Kong and people said to me, “Oh you know very well feng shui”. And I don’t really know what it is!’ he smiles, incredulously, adding, ‘but perhaps we do some things in common without knowing what the rule is.

Feng shui is bon sens.’

Names like Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein and François Nars crop up in the design archive, but multi-million pound apartments don’t really hold a torch to his dream design project: a stable. Christian is currently working on a modern Maharaja Palace in India which has a private polo field. It might seem an odd choice, but after studying at the Paris Academy of Fine and Decorative Arts and teaching drawing at the Académie Charpentier, Christian quit Paris to spend a decade as a horse breeder, heading

back to his rural roots in the Vendée region of France.

He doesn’t disguise the fact that his interior design career didn’t really kick off until he was in his forties; he didn’t publish his first book until he was 60. But he has little intention of slowing down. His own father, a vet, lived to the ripe old age of 104. ‘My son keeps me young, even if I’m not,’ he smiles.

As well as a new showroom in Munich, Déborah will be taking on her first solo project in Singapore, and the couple will collaborate on a new Costes Hotel in Paris, which will offer suite-only accommodation.

Christian will be kept busy too with the aforementioned stables and a yacht. But what does one of the world’s most in-demand interior designers do in his down time? ‘I go to the country and ride with my young son,’ he says.

The family will also be spending time at their home in St Barts, which also features in the book. ‘It’s just a cabana on the beach, very simple,’ he insists, flicking to the relevant pages, where ‘simple’ turns out to be sun-bleached woods, rich mahogany and crisp white furnishings.

He tells me that he’ll be very proud if his son follows in his footsteps, and adds touchingly that he’d have been a vet, like his own father, if things hadn’t worked out. But for now, horse-riding and the Maharaja Palace will have to do, and even if he decides to quit the day job sometime soon, which seems unlikely, Déborah will be there to fill his shoes.

Liaigre, published by Flammarion, £85 (christian-liaigre.us)

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RECREATE THE LOOK

For the glam gardener

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ou may be up to your elbows in soil, but that’s no reason not to be surrounded by just as many stylish, beautiful things in your garden as you are indoors. For typical English garden party charm, we love the summerhouse-style shed, with its pastel hues and classic, clean look that evokes dappled summer sunlight, the clinking of G&T glasses and crisp, white tablecloths. For a more laid-back approach, try embracing the beach hut trend – a cool, quirky fusion of British seaside coves and Hamptons charm. Nautical colours are a must (we’re particularly big fans of cornflower blue at the moment), as well as lots of driftwood

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knick-knacks and hessian, giving the whole space a calming feel and making it ideal for use as a home office (also giving you an excuse to indulge in all those eccentric bits and bobs – mini chalk boards, latticed letter boards, woven metal in-trays – which don’t suit a conventional office).

If you’re feeling really adventurous, we can’t help loving the fabulous garden igloo from German brand Greenbop; the perfect way to enjoy the garden while staying protected from the sun (or, heaven forbid, rain) in the daytime, and from the chill of an evening breeze. Fill it with candles or lanterns at night and watch it become a glowing orb that’s perfect for a romantic al fresco meal.

Homes and Interiors

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THE BEACH HUT Main image: 8X6 Pent Shiplap Wooden Shed, £581, B&Q (diy.com) #1 Beach Harbour Rope Hurricane Lanterns, small £25, large £50, House of Fraser (houseoffraser.co.uk) #2 Fairfield Letter Board, £28.95, One World Trading Company (one.world) #3 Oblong Willow Baskets in 3 sizes, £9.99, Anjo Home (anjohome.co.uk) #4 Green Succulents, £8.00, Dickins & Jones Home (houseoffraser.co.uk) #5 Man Shed Sign, POA, No Ordinary Gift Company (noordinarygiftcompany.co.uk)

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Cheshire Magazine Issue 1 A4 + Bleed_Layout 1 01/07/2015 16:08 Page 14

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Homes and Interiors

GARDENS

The Secret

GARDEN Combermere Abbey is a jewel in our crown and its restoration the vocation of Sarah and Peter Beckett. Janine Murray-Smith takes a tour of the gardens

SPRING BLOSSOM AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE WALLED GARDEN

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THIS PAGE: COMBERMERE ABBEY GARDENS FROM THE AIR; BEAUTIFUL BLUEBELL WALKS IN GARDEN WOOD OPPOSITE: ROSES IN BLOOM; PLEASURE GARDENS

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he huge task of restoring the five acres of walled gardens to their former glory began in earnest in 1992. In their heyday at the turn of the twentieth century a team of 19 gardeners were employed to plan, prune and tend to them. This way of life fell apart between the World Wars and the fortunes of this and many estates were completely transformed during that time.

Today there’s a trail of secret gardens to explore and the world’s only fruit-tree maze. Designed by Bert Davis of Reaseheath College and Randoll Coate, an international designer of mazes and labyrinths whose works include those at the Vatican and San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice the maze comprises a whole host of fruits, all of which are turned into juices and preserves for visitors and friends to buy.

Enter through an alley of crab apples, and apple and pear espaliers, then walk through cordons of redcurrants and gooseberries. Highly symbolic in its design, the maze incorporates references to the ancient myth of the Labyrinth including the Minotaur, Icarus, and the Labrys, intertwined with the fruit element apple of the eye, the tree of

life and has seven pathways, a classical number for mazes that is symbolic in numerology.

At the centre is the glasshouse – an original Edwardian structure designed by Messenger, which was re-built and restored in 2007, after having been derelict for some decades. It is now primarily used for wedding ceremonies and events.

On your way to the maze visit The Geometric Garden – a series of shapes, circles, squares, triangles

‘Notably one of the oaks was planted by the Duke of Wellington in 1820 upon his visit to the estate’ which was designed by Peter Beckett and one of the first gardens to be restored back in the early 1990s, now maturing. It comes complete with a tennis court and beautiful clematisframed pavilion.

Then there’s the Rose Garden planted up with roses that have ecclesiastical names and connotations, as a pun on the Abbey.

Behind a further Cheshire brick wall lies The Pleasure Garden,

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GARDENS

YEW TREE HEDGES; THE GOLDEN APPLE SCULPTURE (ALL PHOTOS WITH KIND PERMISSION OF COMBERMERE ABBEY)

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planted up in the mid-19th century as a destination to perambulate after meals. It contains a wonderful selection of mature trees including wellingtonia, swamp cyprus and a tree of heaven, bordering the Garden Wood, and is full of colourful wild flowers leading to the waterfront.

The Mere is the largest privately owned lake in England and there are some beautiful parkland tracks to follow, providing a horticultural complement to the walled gardens complete with cormorant and geese.

Beyond is the vast parkland, re-designed in the late 18th century when the unification of the Great Mere and Little Mere took place, then followed by the Gothicisation of the house. Following the tradition of Capability Brown it was thought to have been undertaken by William

‘In their heyday at the turn of the 20th century a team of 19 gardeners were employed to plan, prune and tend’ Emes who, worked in Cheshire and Staffordshire and created a natural look which was studied by his peers.

Trees within the woods and parklands include many ancient examples, some more than 800 years old and many more than 400 years old. Varieties include sweet and Spanish chestnut, oaks, copper and green beech, hornbeam, yew, sycamore, ash, wellingtonia, hazel and conifers – notably one of the oaks was planted by the Duke of Wellington in 1820 upon his visit to the estate, for his new godson’s christening.

As if the upkeep and restoration of the estate is not enough for Sarah and Peter, there are plans afoot for a parterre-styled garden to accompany a luxury suite planned for the North Wing next year.

Garden open afternoons take place on 22 July, 26 August and 23 September and tours can be arranged with head gardener Phil Tatler (combermereabbey.co.uk; 01948 662 880)

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INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY

Live the high life With this incredible Melbourne penthouse you can have all the tranquillity and personal space you need, yet enjoy all the benefits of having Australia’s most exciting metropolis just beneath your feet

T

he YVE Penthouse, located at 1903/578 St Kilda Road in Melbourne, is truly everything you could possibly want from a cosmopolitan home. For a start, thanks to its enviable spot perched high above the city’s premier boulevard, this gorgeous two-storey property boasts panoramic views over Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay, Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit and even out to the Dandenong ranges, a set of low mountains covered by thick rainforest and famed for their picturesque beauty.

The property itself is truly vast, containing approximately 710m sq of internal space plus 443m sq of outdoor living space split over levels 19 and 20. Features include a 24-hour concierge, building manager, security entrance to the building and car park, boardroom, theatre, gymnasium and indoor pool.

The master bedroom suite on level 20 includes its own study, walkthrough dressing room and doublefacility en-suite bathroom, while a large relaxation and living area leads to a sauna and separate steam room, plus another guest bedroom suite

‘The penthouse has been heralded as a prime example 162

Homes and Interiors

with walk-in-wardrobe and en-suite.

Four more bedrooms and four bathrooms are located on level 19 (making six bedrooms and six bathrooms in all), and there’s even a private meeting room and games room on level 19. The residence is controlled by a world-leading AMX Smart System that includes remotecontrolled sheer and blackout blinds, plasma screens in each room, zoned music and an extensive video library.

Finishes include terrazzo flooring, marble bench tops, European appliances and soundproof glazing to all glass walls. Entry to the penthouse is via a private foyer and garag space for eight cars completes the picture.

The penthouse has been heralded as a prime example of world-class modern living, but the fact that it’s based in the heart of one of Australia’s most multicultural cities and its cultural capital certainly doesn’t hurt. Not only was Melbourne the birthplace of the country’s film industry, but it is also regarded as a national centre for dance and a hotbed of art (its street art scene is so vibrant and internationally renowned that a Graffiti Management Plan exists to govern it), while it’s also home to a world-renowned culinary scene (there are approximately 5,000 cafés and restaurants) and the Chadstone Shopping Centre, the largest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere.

Available at a guide price of $12,000,000 through Melbourne Sotheby’s International Realty (+614 11 090 987; sothebysrealty.com)

of world-class modern living’ 163

Cheshire and Manchester’s Leading Independent Estate Agents Visit our new web site www.jordanfishwick.co.uk

HIGH LANE, CHORLTON Guide Price ÂŁ1,750,000 Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Office 36/38 Alderley Road, SK91JX Sales: 01625 532000 Lettings: 01625 536300 E: wilmslow@jordanfishwick.co.uk

An opportunity to acquire one of the most beautiful properties in Chorlton enjoying a prime position on the outskirts of the village centre, A stunning individually architecturally designed period residence, Accommodation over four floors of approximately 4,187 sq ft totalling five bedrooms and three bathrooms, Separate leisure complex with 41ft heated indoor swimming pool, gym and cinema room, Set within magnificent landscaped gardens. Secure gated car parking including double garage/off road car parking for up to 5 vehicles.

Hale Office 172 Ashley Road, WA15 9SF Sales: 0161 929 9797 Lettings: 0161 929 9898 E: hale@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Didsbury Office 757-759 Wilmslow Road, M20 6RN Sales: 0161 445 4480 Lettings: 0161 434 5290 E: didsbury@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Macclesfield & Prestbury Office 84-86 Waters Green, SK11 6LH Sales: 01625 434000 Lettings: 01625 502222 E: macclesfield@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Sale Office 95-97 School Road M33 7XA Sales: 0161 962 2828 Lettings: 0161 976 5080 E: sales@jordanfishwick.co.uk

HALL ROAD, CHESHIRE Guide Price ÂŁ1,395,000 Glossop Office 44 High Street West, SK13 8BH Sales: 01457 858888 Lettings: 01457 858888 E: glossop@jordanfishwick.co.uk

This classic contemporary designed new build residence is situated enviably within one of Wilmslow’s most desirable locations and has been thoughtfully constructed to offer stunning accommodation with high specification throughout.The brand new luxury five bedroom, three bathroom property is constructed over four floors and is set within a conservation area on a private road. Wilmslow centre is conveniently within walking distance to central Wilmslow village and the countryside park of the Carrs.

Chorlton Office 410-412 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AD Sales: 0161 860 4444 Lettings: 0161 860 4444 E: chorlton@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Manchester City Centre Office 217 Deansgate M3 3NW Sales: 0161 833 9499 Lettings: 0161 833 9499 E: manchester@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Salford & Media City Office City Point Unit 2, 156 Chapel Street M3 6BF Sales: 0161 833 9499 opt 3 Lettings: 0161 833 9499 opt 2 E: salford@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Northern Quarter Office 45 Tib Street M4 1LT Sales: 0161 833 9494 Lettings: 0161 833 9494 E: nor thernquarter@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Cheshire and Manchester’s Leading Independent Estate Agents Visit our new web site www.jordanfishwick.co.uk

WRENWOOD, HALE

Striking modern detached on quiet no through road, Great architectural features, Internal swimming pool, Four reception rooms, Five bedroom suites, two with fabulous balconies, Master bedroom has direct access to pool.

Guide Price ÂŁ20,000 per month Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Office 36/38 Alderley Road, SK91JX Sales: 01625 532000 Lettings: 01625 536300 E: wilmslow@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Hale Office 172 Ashley Road, WA15 9SF Sales: 0161 929 9797 Lettings: 0161 929 9898 E: hale@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Didsbury Office 757-759 Wilmslow Road, M20 6RN Sales: 0161 445 4480 Lettings: 0161 434 5290 E: didsbury@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Macclesfield & Prestbury Office 84-86 Waters Green, SK11 6LH Sales: 01625 434000 Lettings: 01625 502222 E: macclesfield@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Sale Office 95-97 School Road M33 7XA Sales: 0161 962 2828 Lettings: 0161 976 5080 E: sales@jordanfishwick.co.uk

BRADGATE ROAD, ALTRINCHAM

Sitting in a quiet gated development of just five, Five bedrooms over two floors, three with en suites, Four beautifully proportioned reception rooms, Rear garden and courtyard area, Triple garage with large games room over.

Guide Price From ÂŁ1,595,000 Glossop Office 44 High Street West, SK13 8BH Sales: 01457 858888 Lettings: 01457 858888 E: glossop@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Chorlton Office 410-412 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AD Sales: 0161 860 4444 Lettings: 0161 860 4444 E: chorlton@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Manchester City Centre Office 217 Deansgate M3 3NW Sales: 0161 833 9499 Lettings: 0161 833 9499 E: manchester@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Salford & Media City Office City Point Unit 2, 156 Chapel Street M3 6BF Sales: 0161 833 9499 opt 3 Lettings: 0161 833 9499 opt 2 E: salford@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Northern Quarter Office 45 Tib Street M4 1LT Sales: 0161 833 9494 Lettings: 0161 833 9494 E: nor thernquarter@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Adderley: A resid ence that inhabits you

Once you’ve seen Adderley, you will find it occupies your thoughts like no other.

Such grace in such space is all too rare. For this residence has been created as a celebration of grand living. Its statement entrance. The capacious rooms for entertaining. The five bedroom suites, off-the-charts de luxe. The pool, the spa, the grounds, the vista and exquisite finishings at every turn.

And beyond the gates: the rarefied environs of the finest par t of Wilmslow. However : there is just one Adderley. We recommend you visit immediately.

For more information about Adderley, Wilmslow, Cheshire call 01942 263485 or visit us at www.eventusproperties.co.uk

Eventus Properties Ltd Oakland House, 21 Hope Carr Road, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 3ET T. 01942 263485 E. info@eventusproperties.co.uk www.eventusproperties.co.uk

Homes and Interiors

LOCAL PROPERTY

Rowley Hall KERMINCHAM

R

owley Hall is a magnificent five-bedroom home, with a huge glass frontage that lights the central core of the house to give the hall a feeling of real grandeur. This extensive and contemporary use of glass blends seamlessly with the mellow Cheshire red-brick elevations, surmounted by a slate roof. The extremely high specification includes Lutron lighting, Analytical security system, oak and limestone flooring, stone fireplaces, integrated sound and entertainment systems and the latest designer bathrooms and kitchen.

Rowley Hall is approached through an impressive set of entrance pillars, leading to a brick-covered arch, with solid double oak electric gates with CCTV. These gates lead to an enormous parking and turning area

to the front of the house and the extensive garaging. The gardens lie predominantly to the rear, with a large terrace accessed off the kitchen, drawing room and leisure suite. One entire glazed elevation of the drawing room folds back to fuse the garden and drawing room. Behind the terrace lies a manicured raised lawn with mature specimen trees, a fenced tennis court and a wonderful stone-stepped waterfall feeding a small lake. There is a secondary set of gates that lead directly to the garden, where the stables and store lie. The property includes land in excess of 2.5 acres, with a further 9.5 acres available by separate negotiation.

On the market at a guide price of ÂŁ2.75 million. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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LOCAL PROPERTY

Mere House SIDDINGTON

M

ere House was originally the gamekeeper’s cottage for the Capesthorne Estate, with the rolling estate land still encompassing the house today.

This exquisite period house lies close to some of the most prestigious villages in Cheshire, sitting in around 1.43 acres nestled at the side of Redesmere, with sublime rural views to each and every elevation providing a truly unsurpassed spectacular position.

The house is constructed of mellow red-brick elevations, surmounted by a slate roof, adorned with climbing roses, ivy and wisteria. It sits above Redesmere, with extensive grounds gently sweeping towards the mere, a walled hard tennis court and a wooden jetty allowing full enjoyment of sailing and fishing on the mere.

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Internally, the beauty of the exterior is only amplified by the interior, with each and every room adorned not only with period features but also with the latest modern fittings, with the finest bespoke workmanship apparent in the handmade kitchen, oak staircase, oak floors and doors. A no-expensespared mantra has been applied to every aspect of the house’s interior.

The accommodation is generous in proportion, flexible in nature and ideal for a family. Extra sleeping space is provided in the brick summer house overlooking the heated swimming pool.

On the market at a guide price of £2.25 million. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

Homes and Interiors

Dairy House Farm BRERETON PARK

D

airy House Farm is a tastefully appointed six-bedroom country house in a delightful parkland setting, with a stable block and paddock land set in 7.35 acres. The elegant exterior is only magnified by the interior, with a charming mix of period features and large light rooms which have recently been decorated to a high standard. The ground floor consists of four reception rooms, two of which enjoy the front elevation and two the rear views. Each room has its own character, with an abundance of exposed beams, oak floors, solid oak latch doors and log-burning stoves set into fireplace recesses. The kitchen has cream painted units with wooden work surfaces,a Belfast sink, a four-oven Aga and slate floor. This impressive

room is open-plan to the snug, which in turn is open to the morning/ breakfast room, with French doors to the rear gardens. The drawing room also enjoys the rear views, with two sets of French doors leading to the gardens. The sitting and drawing rooms are also interconnected, providing a large entertaining space with oak floor, log-burning stove, beams and doors to the gardens.

The first floor has an impressive master suite, with dressing room and large en suite shower room, with two further double bedrooms and family bathroom. The top floor has three further beautifully appointed double bedrooms and bathroom.

On the market at a guide price of ÂŁ1.695 million. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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LOCAL PROPERTY

Staddlestones OLLERTON

S

taddlestones was imaginatively converted from a barn to a stunning detached family house by the current owners in 1996. Approached by a long sweeping driveway, the six-bedroom barn is constructed from mellow Cheshire brick and is truly one of the best conversions to be seen, with a family-friendly layout and a real homely feel, yet combined with exceptional use of light and space with high ceilings on both the ground and first floor, adding to the feeling of spaciousness.

Beyond the impressive set of electric gates lies the long private gravel driveway and eight-car garaging with planning consent for a two-bedroom first floor apartment.

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The large lawned areas are interspersed with attractive flower and mature shrub borders with large ornamental trees. To the rear of the house lies a wonderful and picturesque courtyard, a lawned area and a pond with fountain forming a stunning centrepiece. The reclaimed brick walls provide a frame used for ornamental climbing shrubs which lie in well-stocked flower borders.

The surrounding location is awash with pretty woodland that is filled with numerous trees, and a recently painted, netted, hard tennis court and patio area.

On the market at a guide price of ÂŁ1.65 million. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

Retirement living, but not as you know it

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Stretton Green is a beautiful collection of luxury country homes set in the heart of the Cheshire countryside and just 10 miles from the cosmopolitan city of Chester

Unrivalled Location Superb Specification Idyllic Lifestyle

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Homes and Interiors

OVERSEAS PROPERTY WE’VE PICKED OUR FAVOURITE PROPERTIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

MIAMI

#1 Piero Lissoni villas at the Ritz-Carlton Residences

CROATIA

#2 Rogoznica

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These fifteen villas come in eight different types and have either a garden or waterfront views (the latter with dockage for private boats). Every villa has its own private pool, Boffi kitchens and bathrooms, as well as views over the tropical gardens around Surprise Lake. They are the epitome of Miami Tropical Modernism. The residences also have use of all of the amenities which come with the Ritz-Carlton development, which include spas, pools, concierges, valets, dog walk, pet grooming room and more.

Prices from $4,500,000 to $7,000,000, available through One Sotheby’s Realty (888 919-9153; onesothebysrealty.com)

This beautiful villa includes provisions for a seven-seat sauna and a bedroom for staff, plus a large living room with a fireplace and dining area, kitchen, en-suite bedroom, walk-in-wardrobe and study room. On the first floor there are three spacious en-suite bedrooms, two with walk-in wardrobes, and the top floor consists of a bedroom with a stone bounded balcony with stunning panoramic views.

On the market for €2,650,000 through Savills International (020 7016 3740; savills.com)

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OVERSEAS PROPERTY

BELGIUM

#3 The Gestelhof Castle Gestelhof Castle is without a doubt one of the most desired properties in Belgium. Set on 48 acres of land, this 16th century castle in Neo-Flemish Renaissance and NeoBaroque style spans 20,989 sq ft, it is conveniently located close to major cities like Antwerp (approx. 30km) and Brussels (50km). The castle and its outbuildings were thoroughly restored in 2004/2005 and are currently in excellent condition. The main buildings on the estate include the main castle (Castle Gestelhof), gatehouse, a former bakery, manège, farm complex, swimming pool and stables.

On the market for €20 million with Christie’s International Real Estate (+31 645357522; christiesrealestate.com)

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DUBAI

#4 Le Rêve

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This ultra-chic two-bedroom penthouse branded the Fendi Flat can only be found in Dubai’s famed tower, Le Rêve. Down the grand foyer you’ll find an exquisite guestroom with full en-suite bathroom. At the end is the intelligently designed master suite which splits into its own private lounge, giving the bedroom added privacy. The stunning 50-floor building, which consists of only penthouses, is a true testament to modern luxury offering cutting edge design, progressive architecture, and unparalleled full service amenities including full-time doormen, 24-hour concierge, live-in super and valet on-site parking.

Available at 29,000,000 AED through Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty (971 600 54 5451; sothebysrealty.com)

LATVIA

#5 Villa Marta Located just a two minute walk from the sea, this six bedroom property stretches 25,962 sq ft and has an incredible indoor tennis court. The two-storey house was built in 1998 by famous architect Meinhard von Gerkan and boasts a wonderful spa with a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and Turkish bath which are all tiled with golden mosaics, for those looking to relax and soak muscles after a tough game on the court.

Available at a guide price of €15,000,000 through Baltic Sotheby`s International Realty (371 67224645; sothebysrealty.com)

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OVERSEAS PROPERTY FLORENCE

#6 Badia a Passignano This beautiful farm dating back to the 11th century is located on top of a hill and enjoys a splendid view. The main house is accessible through the large entrance hall from the courtyard and stretches 10,763 sq ft. There is a large kitchen, a dining room, a lovely living room with a fireplace, a billiards room, guest bathroom and several closets. On the first floor there is a large living room with a fireplace, a master suite with a bathroom and a large panoramic terrace plus 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.

Attached to the main property there are two small guest houses and a large wine cellar, as well as a swimming pool, tennis court and 11 hectares of vines and olive trees.

Available at a guide price of €4,800,000 through Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (39 055 0751888; sothebysrealty.com)

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MIAMI

#7 601 Leucadendra Drive Found in one of Miami’s prime celeb hotspots, Leucadendra Drive, this impressive and unique waterfront property stretches 11,694 sq ft and boasts 6 spacious bedrooms. There are 1.6 acres of lush landscaped grounds along with a floodlit tennis court and 300ft of waterfront.

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Miami International Airport is less than half an hour away by car.

Available at a guide price of $11,900,000 through One Sotheby’s International Realty (786 255 3334; onesothebysrealty.com)

Homes and Interiors

TUSCANY

#8 Città di Castello This impressive 10-bedroom property has a hotel, restaurant, Spa, Equestrian Centre and Golf Club and sits in the beautiful Umbrian countryside. The original building was built during the second half of the 17th century and boasts a park of about 30 hectares.

Tuscany’s picturesque landscape, coupled with its mild climate, allows keen golfers to play every month of the year, with lighting to allow play during the pleasant summer evenings as well.

Available at a guide price of €12,000,000 through Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (39 02 87078300; sothebysrealty.com)

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MIAMI

#9 Deering Bay Drive, Coral Gables The property is situated on the Biltmore Golf Course and enjoys golf course and bay views. It has five bedrooms, grand entertaining space, a cook’s kitchen, heated pool and spa and views over the golf course and the bay. It is on the Coral Gables estate which as well as golf provides tennis courts, a fitness centre and three marinas.

On the market for $2,195,000 through One Sotheby’s Realty (305 666 0562; onesothebysrealty.com)

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MIAMI

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#10 3200 Granada Boulevard, Coral Gables

This is a classic style property on the Biltmore Golf Course. It has five bedrooms, formal dining areas, a grand master suite, separate live-in staff quarters, an outdoor kitchen, pool and two-car garage. It has views over the golf course and of the Biltmore Hotel.

On the market for $4,750,000 through One Sotheby’s Realty (310 623 7017; onesothebysrealty.com)

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OVERSEAS PROPERTY

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MIAMI

#11 2050 N Bay Road A short walk to the South Beach Convention Centre, this property has recently been restored by Wallace Tutt and boasts luxurious living spaces and a world-class recording studio designed by award-winning engineer Rafael Sardina. There is also a tennis court, heated pool, gym

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and guest apartment. There are wide water views of Sunset Lake, 160ft deep water frontage and a protected dock with boat lifts.

On the market for $18,000,000 through One Sotheby’s Realty (786 371 8777, onesothebysrealty.com)

MARBELLA

#12 The Samara Development Samara is a striking new development in Marbella, offering stunning views across the sea to Africa and situated just a five minute drive from the beach. The residential complex comprises 169 apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms, and the apartments feature private terraces, designer kitchens complete with Bosch appliances, Italian Porcelanatto flooring, climate control, hot and cold air conditioning and double-glazing.

Two-bed apartments on the market from a guide price of ÂŁ143,166 through Sequre Property Investment (0800 011 2277; sequre.co.uk)

When your hom e is part of who you are For a certain type of person, their home defines them.

It plays a fundamental part in their contentment with life. If that sounds like you, we should meet.

Because at Eventus we understand you want your residence to be the sum of a thousand extraordinary parts. Where every room makes a statement. Every space exudes style and grace.

And every detail - from light switches and skirting boards to the pool tiles and landscaping - has been considered and finessed.

That’s why Eventus exists. To design, build and deliver residences that are as extraordinary as their owners.

For more information about Eventus call 01942 263485 or visit us at www.eventusproperties.co.uk

Eventus Properties Ltd Oakland House, 21 Hope Carr Road, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 3ET T. 01942 263485 E. info@eventusproperties.co.uk www.eventusproperties.co.uk

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Homes and Interiors

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

THE SPIRIT OF SPIRIO Steinway & Sons, the go-to manufacturer of the world’s finest pianos, has launched the innovative Steinway Spirio, a piano system that is truly a masterpiece of modern engineering. Subtly built into the Steinway grand pianos, the system is controlled by the provided complimentary iPad which has an in-built music library organised by genre and consistently updated with live high-resolution performances. These recorded recitals are seamlessly replicated by the system and can express an entire range of motion, from delicate pedalling to thundering fortissimos. With more than 1,700 artists to choose from, music lovers are quite literally spoilt for choice.

Steinway Spirio, from ÂŁ74,000 (steinwayspirio.com)

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Award - Winning Architectural & Interior Design W: J A N E Y B U T L E R . C O . U K E: HELLO@JANEYBUTLER.CO.UK T:

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The Old Stables, Capesthor ne Hall, Nr Alder ley Edge , Cheshire . SK11 9JY