The Cheshire Magazine February 18 by Runwild Media Group

Kitchen KitchenArchitectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sstunning stunningnew newshowroom showroom is isnow nowopen. open. The The Farmhouse Farmhouse The The Colony Colony Altrincham Altrincham Road Road Wilmslow Wilmslow SK9 SK9 4LY 4LY Tel:Tel: 01625 01625 544 544 890 890

kitchenarchitecture.co.uk kitchenarchitecture.co.uk

kitchenarchitecture kitchenarchitecture

REDEFINING REDEFININGTHE THEART ARTOF OFAESTHETICS AESTHETICS NOW NOW OPEN OPEN

T: 01625 T: 01625 362 362 200 200 E: E: INFO@KLNIK.CO.UK INFO@KLNIK.CO.UK W:W: WWW.KLNIK.CO.UK WWW.KLNIK.CO.UK @KLNIKOFFICIAL @KLNIKOFFICIAL

ARE YOU FLYING FROM MANCHESTER TERMINAL 3?

Indulge yourself in a slice of adults only luxury The luxurious new 1903 lounge at T3 Manchester, will give you the opportunity to indulge yourself in a comfortable, cosy environment whilst soaking up an intimate atmosphere that will leave you feeling completely prepared for your onward journey. 1903 is an adult’s only lounge, ideally suited to couples and solo travellers, offering guests all-inclusive food, drinks and Wi-Fi. Designed exclusively for 1903 and freshly cooked by the 1903 in-house chefs, the all in-inclusive hot and cold food menu is carefully prepared using the best ingredients. With treats such as the 1833 vintage reserve cheddar from the world’s oldest cheddar makers Barbers, and real dairy ice cream from Cheshire Farm – your tastebuds will thank you! The bar is stocked full of complimentary alcoholic drinks including; champagne, Tanqueray gin, Absolut Vodka and Glenfiddich Special Reserve alongside Twinings tea, Amokka coffee, soft drinks and fresh juices. Manchester Pale Ale and Manchester Gin, including the special Manchester Pink Raspberry infused gin, provide the local touch to the drinks menu with seasonal specials throughout the year.

Book your space today at 1903lounge.co.uk

Exclusively for Cheshire Magazine readers ENTRY JUST £50 FOR 2 PEOPLE SAVE UP TO £30 OFF 1903 LOUNGE ENTRY VS WALK UP PRICE!

SIMPLY USE CODE: CHESHIRE50 ON 1903LOUNGE.CO.UK TO MAKE YOUR BOOKING. TS AND CS: VALID FOR BOOKINGS MADE BEFORE 1ST APRIL FOR VISITS BEFORE 1ST DECEMBER 2018. THE CODE MUST BE USED ON 1903LOUNGE.CO.UK TO BE VALID.

BEING BROAD-MINDED WIDENS HORIZONS.

WHEN IT COMES TO INVESTMENT, SEE HOW WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE THINKING BEYOND THE OBVIOUS. CALL DAVID ROTHBURN MANCHESTER OFFICE TEL. 0161 832 9979

CALL SIMON WALKER LIVERPOOL OFFICE TEL. 0151 243 2161

OR VISIT WWW.QUILTERCHEVIOT.COM

Belfast Birmingham Bristol Dublin Edinburgh Glasgow Jersey Leicester Liverpool London Manchester North Wales Salisbury Investors should remember that the value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up and that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. You may not recover what you invest. Quilter Cheviot Limited is registered in England with number 01923571, registered office at One Kingsway, London, WC2B 6AN. Quilter Cheviot is a member of the London Stock Exchange and authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

OS006627_QC_Ad_The_Cheshire_Magazine_297x210[1].indd 1

07/06/2017 14:44

the art of marqetry, page 138 the darkest hour, page 30

editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

letter scape to elounda on page 90

he month of romance is upon us. I remember the days of guessing who that secret Valentine was, who had sneaked the last Rolo at school or delivered me the heart-shaped Le Creuset casserole to work. And they say romance is dead! Today I am married to my soul-mate and whilst the team here has got a little excited about our wedding feature the over-arching sense in the office has been one of kindness and celebration. We have lusted after the fabulous venues, dresses and suits, not to mention sparkling accessories and that includes everyone here, the eternal romantics and the bah-humbugs. So, whilst we encourage you to turn to page 39 and have your own romance, we have plenty more to celebrate this issue. The elusive Sting

speaks to Natalie Anglesey (p.26) about pride and community as his musical The Last Ship takes to the stage, and the fabulous Kay Mellor talks Fat Friends, Freddie Flintoff and the latest show we will all be glued to (p.54). Our fashion pages go off-piste in celebration of snow and ski (p.70) as does our motoring feature, albeit on sand, which looks at the latest Bentley Bentayga offering (p. 84). We also bring you all the lastest hotspots to visit in the year ahead, whether its an adventure, an ocean escape or a break away closer to home. Finally, our homes and interiors pages showcase the amazing craftsmanship of those companies reviving the art of marquetry (p.138) as well as a paradise haven for sale in Hawaii (p. 156). The new year is here so celebrate, love, inspire and be kind.

Louisa Louisa Castle Editor

SUPPORT

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PICKS

@thecheshiremagazine

..THIS MONTH WE HAVE BEEN...

@TheCheshireMagazine

CELEBRATING with friends at the fabulous King Street Townhouse SPENDING time with loved ones lUNCHING with the ladies at Colshaw Hall COUNTING our blessings

@TheCheshireMag

PROUD TO

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

The Contributors

Where to find us... CHESTER Abode Hotel 1539 Restaurant Boodles Chester MediSpa Chester Racecourse Gieves & Hawkes Oddfellows Opera Bar & Grill The Chester Grosvenor The Inspiring Travel Co.

FEBRUARY 2018 s i s s ue 0 5 0 s

Editor Louisa Castle Senior Editorial Assistant Jan Clarke

LIVERPOOL Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar David M Robinson

MANCHESTER David M Robinson Gotham Hotel Great John Street Hotel Harvey Nichols Hilton Manchester Deansgate King Street Townhouse Mappin & Webb Rosso Restaurant Bar & Grill Watches of Switzerland

Alexander Beer

Wayne Miller

Fashion and advertising photographer Alexander shoots for a wide range of publications including GQ, Elle, Country and Townhouse. He loves… travel, seeing new places and connecting with different cultures.

DJ and producer Wayne, selects his ideal travelling CDs this month, as we look at the romance of travel. Wayne loves… my partner, family and friends and my new mix CD, which took me a year to do!

Designer Paris Fielder Production Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Alice Ford Advertising Managers Kathryn Otto Danielle Mullen

MANCHESTER AIRPORT

Social Media Manager

Falcona Private Jets 1903 Airport Lounge, T3

Siân Peak General Manager

CHESHIRE 52 Alderley Road Clinic Bolesworth Estate & Events Carden Park Hotel Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Piste Wine Bar & Restaurants Janey Butler Interiors Kitchen Architecture Willow Boutiques Piccolino The Dnetal Academy The Mere The Church Inn The Roebuck Inn The Colony The Stanneylands

GREATER MANCHESTER The Con Club Fox Restaurant Frisør Salon & Wellness Jackson-Stops Oddfellows on the Park

Fiona Smith Publisher Giles Ellwood Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Natalie Anglesey Natalie is an author, broadcaster and journalist as well as a television producer and director. Natalie loves… being with my family, my friends and sharing the magic of theatre with them… not forgetting chocolate.

cover

On the

Middlemist Jumpsuit from Sanyukta Shrestha (sanyuktashrestha.com) D&A Photography. Hair & Make – up: Gemma Sutton

Paul Newman Paul is an accomplished hospitality professional with over 30 years experience. This month he raises his glass to the latest drinks trends being served at weddings. Paul loves… my family, wine and Formula 1

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 targeted luxury lifestyle publication in Cheshire and the north west, delivered by Royal Mail subscription service to selected homes, businesses, newsagents and retail outlets. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES info@thecheshiremagazine.com

Also published by Members of the Professional Publishers Association

LIVERPOOL

LONDON

MANCHESTER

ALTRINCHAM

SOUTHPORT

DAVIDMROBINSON.CO.UK

DMR The Cheshire Magazine (210mm x 297mm, 3mm bleed).indd 1

30/10/2017 15:49

Proud to

Jon Thorne Photography

magical moments deserve Eclectic memories

Proud to be part of the Eclectic Hotel Collection

Discover Great John Street Hotel; a chic luxury townhouse hotel in the heart of Manchester.

Its unique atmosphere may charm and bewitch you from the moment you step inside, with the pewter bar, striking overhead chandelier and the showpiece south facing Rooftop Lounge and Playground. Your Eclectic love story starts here.

www.greatjohnstreet.co.uk Great John Street Hotel | Great John Street | Manchester M3 4FD | 0161 831 3211

contents editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite

Ships and Dreams

Music icon Sting talks about growing up in Northumberland and giving the community where he was born a voice

features

30 35 54 30

Figure of Speech As the latest block buster Darkest Hour hits the silver screen, we explore the talents of designer Jacqueline Durran

The Wedding Edit All the latest news and inspiration and planning tips from our Luxury Wedding Edit

Friends and Family Kay Mellor chats about friends, inspiration and making it in a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world

regulars

FAMILY

009 | Editor’s letter 010 | Contributors 017 | My life in Cheshire Quilter Cheviot’s David Rothburn 019 | Notebook Our pick of this month’s local events, news and best new products 025 | As I was saying... As Valentine’s Day approaches Melissa Porter explores the science of romance

collection 062 | Trend Forecast From punk to pearls, the trends to take up in 2018 064 | Watch news New releases and timeless classics from the world of chronographs

112 | Kids’ news From toys to togs, we’ve the very latest for little ones 117 | Classroom Academic updates from Cheshire’s fantastic schools

123 | Interiors news News, products and advice on making the most of your home, inside and out

style

128 | Life in Design Mark Oakes of MO Consultancy talks about the design of development

068 | Fashion news From essential accessories to new trends, it’s all here 070 | Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Fashion photographer Alexander Beer shoots the latest stylish ski wear 078 | Beauty news New treatments, products and all the latest news

motoring

home & interiors

082 | Motoring news All the latest news from the automotive world 084 | Supreme SUV We look at the hotly anticipated new Bentayga from Bentley

98 travel 088 | Travel news The latest happenings from near and far

148 | Hot Property The crème de la crème of the local property market

090 | A View of Blue Louisa Castle transports us to an island paradise of outstanding natural beauty on the Cretan coastline

156 | Overseas property This Hawaiian home will have you yearning to emigrate

094 | Weekend Away Victorian grandeur and a state of the art spa come together to create the perfect relaxing break

food & drink

138 | Into the Woods From Linley to Lotusier, we discover the designers championing the intricate 16th century craft of marquetry

098 | Food & drink news Local chefs, new openings and our restaurant review 103 | Local scene All the glamour and gossip from across our county

138

Bespoke, luxury holidays created by an experienced, trusted travel concierge to your personal, exacting requirements: this is what we offer at Inspiring Travel Company. Whether you’d like an indulgent stay on an exclusive private island or a few days in the heart of an iconic city, our commitment to excellence at every turn means you receive impeccable service and attention to detail; from first contact to welcome home. Be inspired...

CARIBBEAN • INDIAN OCEAN • EUROPE • ARABIAN GULF • ASIA • AFRICA

EXPERTS IN THE EXTRAORDINARY Call our Travel Specialists on 01244 355 551 or visit www.inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk

Llama Architects & Janey Butler Interiors,

c r e at i n g awa r d w i n n i n g

r e s i d e n t i a l a n d c o m m e r c i a l p ro j e c t s i n t h e u k a n d a b roa d .

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

janeybutler.co.uk

T: 01625 861935

I n t e r n at i o n a l A w a r d W i n n i n g A r c h i t e c t s & D e s i g n e r s E:

hello@janeybutler.co.uk

llamaarchitects.co.uk

T: 01625 861936 E:

info@llamagroup.co.uk

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

My life in

CHESHIRE DAVID ROTHBURN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HEAD OF MANCHESTER OFFICE OF QUILTER CHEVIOT (INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT)

How would you describe yourself? A keen family man and a sports enthusiast. When not following my beloved Manchester City, I spin at the gym and play squash between eating out (another passion). Where is home? And work? Home is Hale Barns, very convenient for the early morning commute into Manchester and a lovely area. Work is King Street in Manchester when I’m based in the Quilter Cheviot office, but I travel around the UK meeting clients almost anywhere. What did you want to be when you were younger? The usual ambitions of a youngster: a professional footballer or tennis player. When reality kicked in, I began to consider various professions and ended up in the financial services sector. Name a few of your favourite places to be... My favourite place to be has to be at the Etihad Stadium watching an entertaining game. For holiday relaxation, it has to be Hillside Beach Club in Fethiye in Turkey (ticks all the boxes), or the Maldives for that “castaway” feeling! I also enjoy the local Cheshire countryside. Aside from my sporting interests, I like to travel with

my wife and family (when able to join me). If a Michelin-star restaurant is available, you will usually find me there!

“If a Michelin-star restaurant is available, you will usually find me there!” Who/What inspires you? Philanthropists – those who create wealth and use it to help others. Think of Manchester University (John Owens) or Cheadle Hulme school (where I attended), which was founded to educate orphaned children.

from top: bollington (shutterstock); the etihad stadium; selfridges gift card ; michelinstar food; hillside beach (kuoni)

What was the last gift you gave someone? Most probably a Selfridges gift card, as I am often requested to buy these by my wife. Tell us a secret/fun fact? I was a lifeguard at the local swimming baths for a short period in my teens, doing the Baywatch thing (budgie smugglers included). I enjoy a good bop on the dance floor, even at my tender age! Who or what would you put in room 101? Those who seek to oppress or bully others. What’s been your biggest life lesson? Words can be cheap, but actions speak much louder. (quiltercheviot.com) 17

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

NOTEBOOK Our guide to what’s on across Cheshire, the north west and beyond WORDS: JAN CLARKE

It’s a Dog’s Life 16 February will see the arrival of the Year of the Dog in the Chinese calendar. Join in with the New Year celebrations with our quick guide to what’s on here in the north west: in Liverpool, Chinese New Year will form part of a China Dream season that sees the city embrace contemporary Chinese arts and culture from February through to October. It aims to inspire visitors with a programme including the Moon festival, Shanghai Film Festival and the arrival of the Terracotta Warriors exhibition at the world museum. There will also be a three-day celebration for the New Year itself, with music and lighting displays to tell the story of Liverpool’s history of Chinese culture. In Manchester, New Year celebrations will again centre around events on the 16-18 February. There will be an array of festivities across the city including lion dancing, street stalls, fortune telling, Kung Fu demonstrations and the spectacular 175-foot dragon parade. Manchester’s Home, theatre and cinema complex is also collaborating with the Confucius Institute at Manchester University and will be running a programme of events and Chinese language films throughout February.

For the Record The National Archives at Kew have just announced a full What’s On programme of events for the early part of 2018. Behind-the-scenes tours, talks, webinars and family activities will run from January to March on a wide range of subjects. You can travel the © Ron Ellis Shutterstock.com globe as you explore maps of the world, investigate the origins of the Spanish flu: the global pandemic and discover the era of Elizabethan intrigue with Nicola Tallis’ talk entitled ‘Elizabeth’s Rival’. There are events covering music in the archives, authors, survivors of the holocaust and even riots and rebellions in the 19 century. The National Archives looks after and makes available its collection of records dating back more than 1,000 years, from the Domesday book to MI5 files. As a world cultural heritage organisation they promote the public accessibility of iconic documents such as Guy Fawkes’ confession and Edward VIII’s letter of abdication, making it the perfect place for knowledge thirsty young minds, this February half term. (nationalarchives.gov.uk)

A FINE RESIDENCE Influential British artist Linder Sterling has been welcomed as the inaugural artist-in-residence at Chatsworth House, ahead of a major exhibition of her work. During her residency, Linder will immerse herself in the life of the estate for six months, experiencing the landscape, the changing seasons and everyday lives of those who live and work at Chatsworth. Linder has worked with the photographic image for over four decades, utilising the techniques of photomontage to create new imagery. She will create a new bank of imagery during her time at Chatsworth to provide a resource for future photomontages, as a way of taking Chatsworth ‘out into the world’. Her work from the first ever artist residency at the stately home will form part of an exhibition titled House of Fame at Nottingham Contemporary, opening in March. An exhibition of some of her pieces will also be on display at Chatsworth from March to October. (chatsworth.org)

9 feb-28 oct

China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors: World Museum, Liverpool

What’s On? Dates for the Diary

China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors exhibition will showcase objects from one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries and sees the return of the remarkable statues to Britain for the first time in 30 years. This unmissable exhibition spans almost 1,000 years of Chinese history and sheds light on the first Emperor’s pursuit of immortality and how he prepared for the afterlife. (liverpoolmuseums.org.uk)

20-24 feb

Brief Encounter 3 feb

13 feb

Opera Prize

Pancake Day

Contestants nominated by UK’s leading conservatories compete at The Clonter Opera House, Congleton. (clonter.org)

Shrove Tuesday traditionally marks the start of Lent and also time to get flippin’ your pancakes.

21 feb 14 feb

Valentine’s Day

Creative Family Workshops

It’s Valentine’s Day, the yearly celebration of romantic love.

Keep the kids entertained with free workshops for families. (manchesterartgallery.org)

16 feb

24 feb

Winter Olympics

Chinese New Year

Held in Pyeong Chang for 2018, the world’s best athletes will meet to compete in winter sports in all its forms (olympic.org/pyeongchang-2018)

Celebrate the Year of the Dog. The dog is 11th in the 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar and represents loyalty and friendship.

RBS Six Nations Rugby Championship

The Kneehigh Theatre Company comes to The Lowry theatre with its adaptation of Noel Coward’s iconic love story. (thelowry.com)

9 feb

England take on Scotland at BT Murrayfield in the Six Nations battle. (englandrugby.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

of the

The Rocky Mountaineer

Best C

Luxury Train Journeys Step back in time and enjoy a slower, elegant pace of travel with our pick of the best luxury train journeys.

top tip

Certain packages qualify for the ‘Peaks and Perks’ bonus, offering added value, making a truly unforgettable experience. (rockymountaineer.com)

The Venice Simplon Orient Express

If magnificent scenic views are your thing, then it’s all aboard the Rocky Mountaineer to experience the great Canadian Rockies. Imagine being able to scale the sides of a mountain or weave alongside steep canyons, while surrounded by comfort and luxury. Like a fine cocktail, the Rocky Mountaineer train journeys create the perfect balance of riveting excitement and total relaxation. This amazing train offers packages designed to impress; choose from a selection of routes including the journey through the clouds, rainforest to goldrush and the coastal passage. The Rocky Mountaineer provides a truly luxurious way to travel with five-star gourmet dining and fine wine on board.

The Seven Stars The Seven Stars is Japan’s first luxury sleeper train. Operating since 2013, this train is a collaboration between designer Mitooka and local artisans and is beautifully furnished with their craftsmanship. There are 14 guest rooms on the Seven Stars in Kyushu and are all suite rooms. These special rooms hold just 14 couples, keeping the number of passengers at an intimate size. Tours on this train allow you to discover Kyushu Island. Visit Karatsu, which flourished in ancient times as the gateway to the continent, or explore the hot springs and geysers at Oita. The Juniper dining car and the Blue Moon Lounge ensure the service and cuisine are as stunning as the scenery. top tip

Ibusuki Osen takes second place for hot springs after Oita, but this is where you can experience natures ‘sauna’. Lie on the sandy beach and cover yourself in the naturally heated sand! (cruisetrain-sevenstars.com)

The Venice Simplon Orient Express is the most storied set of carriages in the world. This is the train that promises not only to take you across Europe but to transport you back in time to the golden age of luxury train travel. It epitomises the glamour of a by-gone age with its polished wood, sumptuous fabrics and antique fixtures. Carefully restored 1920s cabins are full of rich details and stately panelling, while, the onboard Champagne bar oozes all the style of the roaring 1920s. This beautiful train crosses Europe from London to Venice, Verona and Paris. You can choose from a selection of journeys or why not go for a full tour, stopping at all three incredible cities? top tip

Launching in 2018 – Make sure your trip is truly unforgettable by booking a new Grande Suite. With interiors embodying true art deco indulgence, these new suites come complete with every modern convenience. (belmond.com) 21

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

IM A G I N ATI V E

influences We are transporting ourselves to warmer and aromatic climes with culinary quests and zesty inspired trends

sherbet lemons

WHAT we’re LISTENING TO

The Airport Lounge CD Music for Elevators by Anthony Stewart Head and George Sarah This is ‘lounge lizard cool’ for the discerning frequent flyer. This 2002 release was an experimental acoustic jazz lo-fi tip hop ensemble. It will have you prepped, relaxed and ready to glide through the airport to your flight and on to your destination.

top picks #1 FoxriderTricylce Yellow Sun, £160 (themodernnursery.com); #2 Hound Lemon No.2, £43.50 (farrow-ball.com); #3 Cotton Lemon Bag, £8.50 (dawanda.com); #4 Arlo Bed, £910 (livingitup. co.uk); #5 Classic Lemon Curd, £5.95 (libertylondon.com); #6 Primaloft Buttermere Quilt Gilet, £70 (whitestuff.com) The New School Run CD

Coffee Table

Think Paolo Nutini, George Ezra, but more depth, soul and less over-production; which in fairness, Paolo and George did have before they had bigger production budgets. Tracks show an insight into the life, loves and of course, with all of us, the bumps in the road throughout life. Final track Home is destined for a John Lewis Christmas advert. Let’s hope that after all the plaudits, this doesn’t lead to bigger production and album budgets because Max Jury just being Max Jury is a pleasure. Collated by our resident music maestro Wayne Miller of atm-allthingsmusic.com

CRUSH

Max Jury by Max Jury

Mexico: A Culinary Quest by Hossein Amirsadeghi

Mexico: A Culinary Quest by Hossein Amirsadeghi captures the essence and spirt of the Mexican food industry. Inspired by his travels across Mexico’s 32 states and with more than 100 entertaining, informative profiles, Hossein Amirsadeghi explores the long- standing traditions behind the country’s most popular dishes and cooking styles. £45 (thamesandhudson.com)

EAT | SLEEP | LOVE | PLAY EXACTLY WHERE, IS YOUR CHOICE!

PECKFORTON CASTLE | NUNSMERE HALL

AN ENCHANTING CASTLE AND COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, BOTH IN THE HEART OF CHESHIRE AWARD WINNING RESTAURANTS STUNNING BEDROOMS INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED AND BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED SUPERB CONFERENCE FACILITIES MEMORABLE WEDDINGS DEMAND MAGICAL LOCATIONS… EXTENSIVE PRIVATE GROUNDS | EXCLUSIVE USE WEDDINGS ARCHERY | LAND ROVER EXPERIENCES | TRANQUILITY SPA AIR RIFLE SHOOTING | SEGWAY EXPERIENCES

REMAINING 2018 WEDDING DATES AVAILABLE AT PECKFORTON CASTLE STARTING FROM £6,000 AND AT NUNSMERE HALL STARTING FROM £5,000

PECKFORTON CASTLE STONE HOUSE LANE, PECKFORTON, TARPORLEY CHESHIRE, CW6 9TN t: 01829 260 930 | info@peckfortoncastle.co.uk www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk

NUNSMERE HALL COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL TARPORLEY ROAD, OAKMERE, NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE, CW8 2ES t: 01606 889 100 | enquiries@nunsmere.co.uk www.nunsmere.co.uk

ENJOY LUNCH ON US THIS JANUARY Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll treat your friend to lunch when you buy a two course lunch from our set menu.*

O1244 304 611 restaurant1539.co.uk 1539 Restaurant & Bar, The Racecourse, Chester, CH1 2LY

Offer ends Wednesday 31 January 2018. One free meal given when one full price meal is purchased from the lunch menu. Offer available 12â&#x20AC;&#x201D;6pm Monday to Saturday. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. *

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

A s I w a s s ay i n g . . .

True Romance Melissa Porter explores the science of romance: Is it a feeling? A situation? Or a complex cocktail?

ne of the most decadent travel experiences I ever enjoyed was flying into Nice airport and being collected by a driver in a smart black limo. We sped along the Côte d’Azur and eventually stopped alongside a smallish tender that deftly cut through the Med’s sparkling water. It gets even better... We pulled up by a 150-foot achingly elegant yacht and I bounced aboard. The intention of the trip was for us to speed along the waterways of Cap d’Antibes, hopping on and off. Why? To view various properties for sale and to provide design solutions for the numerous projects my client had cherry-picked. Could there be a more romantic experience? Super-yacht, sunshine, champagne and sizzling hot client. Tick, tick, tick. Well actually yes. Romance is evoked by way of a fuzzy feeling, and while this experience included all of the aforementioned deliciousness, my thoughts told a different story —-which did not connect and conclude with said warm fuzzy feeling. This was business and absolutely not romantic, despite the seemingly appetising accoutrements. I was sitting aboard a floating office, with my client looking over his architect’s plans and creating interior solutions. A true romance always begins with emotional substance and may be mistaken when we choose to confuse stuff with substance. Comprenez? So, for anyone wondering how to inject romance and sparkle into your relationship, here are my tip-top-tastic thoughts on these things. with not a whiff of either a boat or Barry White on the playlist.

If you’re reading this hoping for tips to rekindle that loving feeling with someone you currently aren’t enamoured by and are secretly wishing a vacation will make it all better, it won’t, unless you’re planning to live your life on vacation and to avoid the emotional elephant in the room by ways of distractions such as gifts, trips, work and/or being surrounded by friends permanently. Should you choose to continue to avoid the deep-rooted relationship issues by replacing the required emotional substance (communicating and connecting) with stuff (distractions), here’s the kicker. Using avoidance/ distraction techniques to inspire the feeling of love and romance is like taping a sandwich to yourself and expecting it to satisfy your hunger. Bon chance. For those in amore, science has proved that love is a feeling. It’s a bubbling energetic emotion fuelled by a complex cocktail of thoughts, beliefs and stories all colliding to create potential chaos with another human. So, for anyone financially less equipped than they’d like and wanting to plan a romantic treat, the thought truly does count. Love transcends any mountain range in Peru or private island in the Maldives. You guys win the star prize, and a carpet picnic sponsored by a chilled bottle of rosé anything is likely to jiggle the heart of a loved one while you both pore over National Geographic reruns on the Discovery channel. Love wins. Melissa is a professional, certified transformational life coach (melissaportercoach.com)

ÂŠ Krista Kennell Shutterstock.com

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

SHIPS &

DREAMS

Natalie Anglesey chats to reclusive music icon Sting about growing up in Northumberland and giving the community where he was born a voice

n a prolific career, he’s sold over 100 million records, received a CBE from the Queen, been accepted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters’ Halls of Fame and has a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Yet he arrived with just his guitar and no rock star entourage to announce the launch of the UK tour of his new musical, The Last Ship. It’s his personal tribute to his home town. As a boy, the multi Grammy, Golden Globe, Emmy and Brit award-winning music legend watched ships being built in the Swan Hunter shipyard near his home, before it closed in 1993. That inspired him to write this musical, which tells of a group of unemployed shipbuilders who take over a closed factory to build one final vessel. “I was born and raised in Wallsend, in Northumberland, where ship-building was crucial for the local economy, and this musical tells the story of a community experiencing the demise of the shipbuilding industry,” Sting explains. “As a boy, when I came out of my front door, there was the giant shadow of a huge ship berthed there towering over everything. When each ship was launched, with a deafening, rumbling sound, there were celebrations and community pride but as soon as the ship had gone, there was the fear there may not be another one built, and how would they feed their families?” Young schoolboy, Gordon Sumner, as he was known then, seemed destined to follow in his dad’s footsteps. “I was afraid I would end up in the shipyard, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. It was a dark and dangerous place to me and I

had other dreams. I dreamt I’d be a writer of songs, a singer of songs, and I’d be famous – and I was one of the lucky ones as my dreams came true. Like most working men, my dad could never say he was proud of what I achieved, but I knew deep down he was.” The album, The Soul Cages, was dedicated to his father although Sting’s love of music came from his mother whom he adored. “She played the piano beautifully and my earliest memory, as a small child, was of her feet on the pedals of the piano. She played songs from all the musicals and we had a record player so I knew Rodgers and Hammerstein shows by heart. I owe a lot to Carousel!” The Last Ship features a host of new Sting songs, but if you are hoping to hear his big hits, you’ll be disappointed. Writing a juke-box musical is not for him. His new work stars fellow Geordie and friend, Jimmy Nail, who appeared in the Broadway version bearing the same

“It also has a universal message about the dignity of work and about the importance of community, so it’s an important play in many ways.” 27

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

it’s also unusual. It’s an attempt to honour the community I came from. It also has a universal message about the dignity of work and about the importance of community, so it’s an important play in many ways. I’ve even seen audiences cry as it’s a poignant tale. This story is very personal to me because of where I come from: because I wanted to give the community I was born in a voice, and it’s a story that hasn’t been told.” Having said all that, with Sting’s connections to the various movies he’s written music for - had he thought about making it into a film? “Funny you should say that: on the opening night Steven Spielberg asked me the same question and I replied, ‘Do you know anybody?’ So you never know...” Sting adds: “I’ve led an amazingly privileged life and realise I owe a debt to the community I was brought up in and to those generations who spent their lives in the shipyards. Even now, whenever I see a ship, I get emotional. I abandoned my town because my ambitions lay elsewhere. But now I want to return and say thank you. We finish the tour here at The Lowry and I’ll be with you in the audience. I hope people will come and I’m really looking forward to it.” (thelowry.com)

“I dreamt I’d be a writer of songs, a singer of songs, and I’d be famous – and I was one of the lucky ones as my dreams came true”

name. “I‘d been thinking about writing this story for many years. As I live in New York, I mentioned it to a Broadway producer who described it as Fiddler on the Roof with ships! When I laughingly queried that, he said most successful musicals were based on a community facing stress. But this is not a resurrection of that show. I’ve completely rewritten it and although there’s still a love story, it has a more political angle and most of the songs are new. You could say I’ve refitted it for British waters!” The former front man of The Police Sting reckons his Geordie accent tends to return in force when he’s angry. “My kids only know I’m serious when I start talking in what they describe as that funny voice.” It was always one of Sting’s dreams to bring The Last Ship home to Newcastle, in the theatre where he played bass in the orchestra pit at the start of his career in the 1970s. It will be premiered there in March, directed by Northern Stage’s artistic director Lorne Campbell, before visiting 11 cities in the UK, including Liverpool and Salford. “It’s a traditional musical in many senses, but

Going Call us through before your a divorce? ex does.

Offices in Manchester and throughout the UK

Call 0808 175 7909 slatergordon.co.uk Slater and Gordon (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

SPEECH As the Second World War blockbuster Darkest Hour hits the silver screen and tensions mount for the coming awards season, Marianne Dick talks to Oscarwinning costume designer Jacqueline Durran about London’s starring role

Figure of

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

ne of Sir Winston Churchill’s most famous quotes is ‘My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best’. Yet, less than half an hour into director Joe Wright’s new film Darkest Hour, which focuses on Churchill’s (played by Gary Oldman) first five weeks as prime minister in 1940, it is quite apparent that his tastes were, in fact, very specific and unconventional. His unusual routine – such as his penchant for alcohol with every meal (including breakfast), and a nap at 4pm every day, and his occasional brutish nature – made Churchill unpopular. Meanwhile, opposition from within his own cabinet about his decision not to negotiate with Nazi Germany made his job as prime minister at such a crucial time in British history even more of a struggle. Darkest Hour dramatises Churchill’s personal battle within the wider context of the war, and explores sides that are often forgotten – such as his problems with depression. Writer Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything) once again brings humanity to a renowned figure, for whom

One reason why Churchill remains so recognisable is his distinct sense of style

clockwise from top left: costume sketches for oldman; kristin scott thomas as clementine churchill; lily james as elizabeth layton; Stephen dillane as viscount halifax, all ©Jacqueline durran; scott thomas as clementine churchill, image ©Universal Pictures International; oldman as churchill, image ©Universal Pictures International; oldman’s transformation, image ©2017 FOCUS FEATURES LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

myth often precedes truth. Another reason why Churchill remains so recognisable is his distinct sense of style – although it may not have been simple, he certainly chose the best. He shopped for his attire mostly in St James’s and Mayfair, where he conducted secret meetings in his makeshift war bunker in the disused Down Street underground station. The area became the starting point for sourcing Oldman’s wardrobe for the film, which was put together by costume designer Jacqueline Durran whose previous work with Wright includes Atonement and Anna Karenina, for which she won an Academy Award in 2013. “I think it was about trying to make the most authentic picture of Churchill. We wanted, if we could, to tap into the skills that were there when he bought clothes from those suppliers,” she

describes. “We decided right from the beginning that we didn’t want to stylise it... we wanted to keep quite close to the reality. A lot of the references were photographs of the actual people; it’s rare to work on a film where everyone is so photographed.” While Churchill had more than one tailor, for Darkest Hour Oldman was measured up by Henry Poole & Co. The Savile Row tailor still offers the chalk stripe fabric that was made especially for the prime minister – it is even woven in the same Fox Brothers mill. Henry Poole also made Ben Mendelsohn’s costumes for the character of King George VI: the naval suit and the classic blue.

One of Churchill’s most famous garments was the siren suit he designed himself – he coined them his ‘rompers’. They were effectively boiler suits, but Churchill had them made in an array of fabrics and colours for every occasion, most notably in green velvet by Turnbull & Asser. Unfortunately, the siren suit doesn’t appear in the film; however Turnbull & Asser was called on to make shirts and that familiar spotty bow tie. Just around the corner from Turnbull & Asser is Lock & Co Hatters of 6 St James’s Street, which made Churchill’s vast selection of headwear. In Darkest Hour, a throng of hats is displayed beautifully on the wall in a scene where he is selecting which style to wear. Oldman’s Churchill ponders aloud which version of himself he should be that day. Elsewhere, Breguet recreated the No 765 pocket watch for the film, which was affectionately

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

“A throng of hats is displayed beautifully on the wall in a scene in which Churchill is selecting which style to wear. He ponders aloud which version of himself he should be that day” called ‘the turnip’ by Churchill and his family. In Breguet: Art & Innovation in Watchmaking, it is noted: “In 1946, according to the Breguet records, Breguet offered the British leader the complete refurbishment of his watch ‘in homage to the role he played during the war’. In return, Churchill gave Breguet a copy of his book Into Battle, with an inscription to Breguet by the author.” There are few scenes in the film where Oldman isn’t smoking, or at least holding, a cigar; in fact, it is how we are first introduced to his character. He lights one up in bed and the flame illuminates his face. In preparation for the role, Oldman visited the James J Fox cigar shop where Churchill was a regular customer, and spoke to store manager and master of Habanos, Dirk Seyfried. “One of the customary cigar sizes for Cuban cigars is called ‘Churchill’ and the size is always a seven-inch 47-ring gauge, which is pretty big, certainly in length,” says Seyfried. “It was all about finding the perfect aesthetic of cigar size to hand, as well as the shade. The Romeo y Julieta Churchill is synonymous with the man himself, but Mr Oldman tried a few cigars with a slight variation in size. His attention to detail for the role was impressive.” One aspect of Churchill’s costume where Durran had room to exercise some creative license was his nightwear. “In the pictures he wears a dressing gown that has a bold Chinese dragon pattern on it,” says Durran. “We decided not to try and reproduce that exact pattern but to do something in the spirit of it, in a colour that would be more in keeping with the film. We actually don’t know what colour that dressing gown was because there are only black and white pictures.” In the film, Churchill’s nightwear is a pale, satiny pink. When it came to introducing colour to scenes where many of the photographic references were in black and white, and in a world that was very ‘make do

and mend’, Durran took inspiration from the photographer Gisèle Freund. “She had a very muted palette in a lot of her pictures, but there were some quite definite colours within that,” the designer explains. In its entirety, Oldman’s transformation in the film is quite extraordinary. The actor approached special effects artist Kazuhiro Tsuji personally and told him he would only take on the role if Tsuji was on board. Oldman, Wright, Tsuji and Durran then spent six months experimenting and developing the various components that made up the character, before they even began filming. “I went to America twice to see Gary before he arrived in London to start work on the film,” says Durran. “I think once we started to see the silhouette of Churchill come together – with the prosthetic, costume, stance, cane and all the other things – that was the highlight for me.” Darkest Hour is a celebration of British eccentricity and a rousing example of how individuality and conviction can triumph, even in the gloomiest of times. In a world full of dark suits, Churchill shone magnificently. Darkest Hour is in cinemas from 12 January

opposite page from top: oldman; james, both images ©Universal Pictures International; Ben Mendelsohn as king george VI, image ©2017 FOCUS FEATURES LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This page from top: oldman, image ©2017 FOCUS FEATURES LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVEd; winston Churchill and British general Bernard Montgomery during the second world war; Scott thomas, image ©Universal Pictures International

Be our Valentine. RO S S O R E S TAU R A N T & B A R 43 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BG

BO OK NOW 0161 832 1400

W W W. R O S S O R E S TA U R A N T S . C O M

ruston dress from lavender dream collection (sanyukta shrestha)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

WEDDINGS Who you need to have on speed dial to help create your perfect day

Photo courtesy of Mark Carline

We work with a host of iconic wedding venues across the North West and North Wales and can coordinate the perfect setting to your perfect day. Already found your location? We are experts at providing outdoor catering and will work collaboratively with you, to deliver memorable culinary moments for your wedding party.

01244 304 660

horseradishcatering.com

NGS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

WEDDINGS

Notebook The very latest news from the wonderful world of weddings Pick n’ Mix Floral Street is a new fragrance range brought to you by beauty brand expert, Michelle Feeney. Michelle has created a truly modern collection powered by flowers. There are eight blends in the range, creating a fragrance wardrobe to suit every mood or occasion. The collection is available exclusively at Harvey Nichols and we love the Wonderland Peony, an ideal choice for a wedding. (floralstreet.com)

And Then There Were Two

The Windsor Wedding

There’s been a flurry of excitement in the world of weddings of late as HRH Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle have announced their engagement and set the date of their wedding. Kensington Palace confirmed that the wedding will take place on the 19 May at St George’s Chapel. Anticipation surrounding Ms Markle’s dress will undoubtedly grow over the coming months but, if you’ve still to find your dream dress, you may want to check out some of the latest trends in our Bride Guide.

The Knutsford Wedding Gallery has now opened a brand new sister boutique, just across the road from their original shop. Their latest opening, No 4 Minshull Street, will be completely dedicated to bridal fittings and also houses their gorgeous accessories collections. The team at No 4, including the seamstresses, are on hand to ensure your dress is perfect. Clients can discuss design customisation and bespoke pieces, away from the bustle of the main boutique, in this new luxurious and relaxing space. The new store complements the original Wedding Gallery, a stunning boutique specialising in some of the most fashion-forward designers, such as Yolan Chris and Claire Pettibone. (knutsfordweddinggallery.co.uk)

TREAT YOURSELF The recently opened Klnik offers a range of treatments which can help a bride and her bridal party prepare for their big day. Located at the stylish Colony HQ, Wilmslow, it specialises in a range of aesthetic, health and wellness treatments, and offers world-leading technology such as Cellfina cellulite treatment, CoolSculpting, Lumenis Laser and bespoke IV therapy. While Cellfina and CoolSculpting can help to ensure brides and guests feel fantastic in any outfit, Lumenis Laser technology works to create youthful and glowing skin. For the final touches, recharge and unwind with champagne, Pan-Asian food and a range of beauty treatments including lashes, waxing, threading, and the ultimate in relaxation: a tailor-made massage. Those who visit the clinic will be transported to a tranquil escape and can embrace the holistic approach it takes to the world of aesthetics and wellness. (klnik.co.uk) 

WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS 39



WEDD

WEDDINGS

The Bride Guide Planning, style and top tips to create your beautiful, perfect wedding day

Let’s Hear It For The Boys

Get me to the Church on Time Simple and sophisticated, this Rolex will keep you on time. With 18 kt white gold case and blue guilloche dial accompanied by blue alligator leather strap, it’s a classic for years to come. Rolex Cellini Time, £13,150 (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

The gent’s guide to looking well-groomed and dapper on the big day

Sole Mate To extend its made-tomeasure offering, Boss now supplies the service for shoes and belts, to provide the complete look. (hugoboss.com)

Fit for a King Get your suit tailored; that way not only is the perfect fit but you can wear it again for future special ocassions. We are firm fans of Gieves and Hawkes. Their tailored garments are uniquely created and engineered to suit the requirements of the customer. Chester Liverpool (gievesandhawkes.com)

Bespoke Cufflinks For the groom who wants something really special, how about a pair of bespoke cufflinks? Truly individual and also perfect as a gift for a best man or father of the bride. (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

#5 #2

#4 #3

smooth operator #1 Arlington shaving bowl and soap, £23.50, D R Harris (mr.porter.com); #2 Chatsworth barley silver tip shaving brush, £125 (edwinjagger.co.uk) #3 Beard comb, £30, (tomford.com); #4 Adventurous aftershave moisturiser, £85 (creedfragrances.co.uk); #5 Traditional safety razor in gold, £44 (muehle-shaving.com) WEDDINGS 40



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WED

NGS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Bows Trousers Who wears the trousers in your relationship? This more relaxed trend ensures it’s always the bride. This look is perfect for the fashion-forward or a cool city chic wedding. Roland Mouret Malvern mesh-panelled jumpsuit £1,495 (harveynichols.com)

Bows are back and they’re big. They make a bold statement, perfect for the style conscious bride.

loves

Capelets From crystal encrusted to delicate lace this trend means you can achieve two looks with these wonderful cover-ups. Santa Monica gown and capelet by Claire Pettibone (clairepettibone.com) © Sanyukta Shrestha

Dress To Impress Get your aisle style as we reveal the latest trends, luxury designs and gorgeous accessories

3D Florals

A modern textured twist on a sweet and pretty look, because you can never have too many flowers on your wedding day. Cheshire Loves Suzanne Neville’s British-made gowns. The award-winning designer produces hand crafted bridal, red carpet and evening gowns with impressive star-studded client list, including Kate Winslet and Katherine Jenkins. For an exclusive bridal shopping experience, visit their Wilmslow showroom. Suzanne Neville Garland (suzanneneville.com)

#3 #1

beautiful details #1 Diamonds on the soles of her shoes, Dune London Wedding, £250 (dunelondon.com) #2 Arm Candy, The options for the allimportant bouquet are endless. Go to interflora.co.uk/content/wedding-ideas for fabulous floral inspiration #3 Flowers in her hair, Alternative to diamante hair pieces and tiaras. These gorgeous clips can also be added to chains and bracelets and worn as jewellery, making them a beautiful gift and keepsake, Garden jewels available in gold and white gold £1,260 (laperla.com) 

WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS 41

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

WEDDINGS

The Glam Squad Combine a little bit of partying and pampering with all the planning

top tip

“It’s so important that a bride fully conveys to me the overall look and feel of the wedding, the type of day it will be and the style they want to achieve. Bring as much information from venue details, colour swatches, dress images and more. I love brides to create Pinterest and mood boards and bring along pictures from magazines. Also, always stay true to your personal style. Don’t embark on a transformation where even the groom doesn’t recognise you! Finally, always remember that your wedding day photographs need to stand the test of time.” Cathryn Kerwin-Rawlinson award-winning make-up artist (madeupbycathryn.com)

WEDDINGS 42



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



Pamper Party

Make a statement

During the run up to your wedding, it’s usual for the bride and her ‘gal gang’ to get together for a pamper and a gossip. We’ve found a petite Salon de Beauté, perfect for just suchan occasion. With luxurious surroundings and indulgent treatments from facials to manicures, but without the hushed atmosphere of some more traditional spas, The Pigsty at Oddfellows on the Park, sits in a separate building adjacent to the hotel. It offers two treatment rooms and a whole host of ila organics and OPI specialities, a Rasul mud room (which is perfect for you and a friend or your loved one), a friendly and professional team and a social salon perfect for gossip, fizz and cake. (oddfellowsonthepark.com/pigsty)

Embrace the big, bold and beautiful on your wedding day with a pair of statement earrings. This look has developed from the catwalks and has more recently transitioned from a more fashion-focused trend to one that fine jewellers like DMR have invested in. Eclipse Earrings, £9,750 (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

loves Essential We love these ultra-slim lipsticks from Hourglass, perfect for the clutch bag. What’s more they’re vegan, gluten free and high impact. Win-win. £28 (libertylondon.com)

The Hen Party Hangout For full on glamour, cocktails and seriously stylish partying head over to Menagerie at One New Bailey, Manchester. This sophisticated hangout offers bespoke cocktails, dining and of course champagne. At weekends the restuarant transforms into a party like no other. Hosted by Menagerie Angels, guests can enjoy an exclusive club experience and there’s private hire space for dinner parties or canapés and cocktails for 20-500 guests. (menagerierestaurant.co.uk)

WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WED

The perfect wedding venue

DoubleTree by Hilton Chester Please contact our dedicated wedding experts on 01244 408 800 weddings@doubletreechester.com www.doubletreechester.co.uk Warrington Rd, Hoole, Chester CH2 3PD

INGS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

WEDDINGS

Be Our Guest A wedding is about sharing your all-important day with family and friends. Once the guest list has been compiled, there’s hotels to book, menus to prepare and to ensure that general fun is had by all

The Hotel Takeover The easiest way to take the headache out of ensuring guests from near and far are accommodated is to choose a venue with total exclusivity. For the best hotel takeover check out the boutique hotels in the Eclectic Group’s portfolio. The group has four boutique hotels. All are set within stunning buildings combined with gorgeous, quirky interior design and all mod cons. Choose from the converted former school house of The Great John Street, the impressive King Street Townhouse, with rooftop infinity pool, or the beautiful villas with walled private gardens of 11 Didsbury Park and Didsbury House. Couples can arrange exclusive hire to create the ultimate, stylish wedding house party. (eclectichotels.co.uk)

The Wedding Shop

Buy Our HoneyMoon.Com Is perfect for couples who don’t need blenders and bowls, and instead lets your guests give you the world. Couples can compile a list with anything from a few miles towards a flight, the first night in a hotel to a balloon flight over the Serengeti! Guests can choose from any of the items listed, leave a personal message and then pay a value into your account. (buy-our-honeymoon.com) 

WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS

Has focused their years of experience into a fantastic app. Register your list and start adding items you love. There’s a barcode function which enables you to add anything you see in a shop at the touch of a button, making ‘wedmin’ a piece of cake. Its features also include gift tracking, and notifications. The wedding shop includes over 350 brands and experiences, ensuring you can curate your dream list. (weddingshop.com)

top tip

“We always meet with our clients to get to the root of what couples enjoy most about food and drink, playing on their dining-out experiences and memories. We then encapsulate that in their very special day. It’s about creating new memories for couples. Their friends and family are an integral part of that special day and it’s about making sure the part we play delivers little moments of ‘wow’ throughout their wedding.” Executive chef consultant, Max Gnoyke from Horseradish Events, Chester (horseradishcatering.com/weddings)

Love it, Then List It With wedding guests, come wedding gifts. Here’s our pick of the best places to register, especially if you already have toasters, tea pots and towels

Prezola Is the ‘go to’ site for style-savvy couples. You can compile a list over 300 high street boutiques and brands including Jo Malone, The White Company and Heal’s. For those wanting something unique you can add ten bespoke gifts from small and independent retailers via the company’s Premium Plus Account. (prezola.com)



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS 45

Promotion | The CHESHIRE Magazine

WEDDINGS

Beauty-ful Bride The experts at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester share their perfect day beauty tips Exfoliate. When we say the word ‘peel’ often guests worry and think of a harsh chemical peel. ELEMIS Papaya Enzyme Peel is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Simply apply once a week, relax for ten minutes, then remove with warm fresh water. This exfoliator is non-abrasive; the product is designed to cleverly break away dead skin cells that can often leave our skin looking tired and dull. Moisturise. To balance, hydrate, resurface or treat fine lines and wrinkles there’s one for you. It’s important to get the right cream and oil for your skin type; to help you to loo your best on the big day, our therapists are on hand to recommend the very best.

ere at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester we are lucky enough to welcome many brides each year and understand the importance of starting your preparation in advance. From a hen party with the girls, a mother-and-daughter pamper or to celebrate your wedding with your other half, we’ve got it covered!

“Take some time to relax and be pampered to perfection” We asked our senior therapist Nic for her top tips ahead of your big day: Preparation. The number one tip I swear by is drinking plenty of water. Water is the key to get you glowing, and without it your skin can look tired and dull. Also, it’s important to eat healthily as this can affect your skin’s condition and your energy levels. WEDDINGS 46



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



Spa day. This is one to do with your hens! What’s better than having a girly get together? Take some time to relax in our thermal suites, before letting us pamper you to perfection. The most requested treatments from our brides-to-be are the ELEMIS Superfood Facial and the Targeted Toning Tighter - a unique treatment designed to tighten those wobbly bits. We offer a wide range of body exfoliations, wraps and massages to help relax and replenish your skin before the big day. And, however tempting it may be, stay away from the sunbeds - spray tans at the ready girls! But most of all, enjoy. Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, Warrington Road, Hoole, Chester, CH2 3PD (01244 408800; spa@theclubandspachester.com)

Skincare. We highly recommend to step up your skincare routine in the months prior to your wedding. If I had to choose (and believe me, it’s hard) my top 3 steps would be: Cleanse. Never underestimate the importance of a good cleanser to keep your skin looking youthful and fresh. ELEMIS Pro Radiance cream cleanser is a wonderfully rich cream that will deep cleanse your skin while bringing off every last bit of makeup. Simply smooth on, massage in and then remove with a warm damp muslin cloth to reveal beautifully cleansed and radiant skin.

WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WED

On the Park

We promise to make the most important day of your life as individual as you are… Quote ‘Cheshire Magazine’ when booking your viewing and enjoy an indulgent After Mud Tea experience at the salon or a delightful overnight stay to be used at your leisure when you confirm your wedding with us!

0161 697 3066 | events@oddfellowsonthepark.com | www.oddfellowsonthepark.com

Wedding Wedding Open Open Wedding Wedding Wedding Open Open Open Wedding Wedding Open Open Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Saturday Saturday 27th 27th -- - -Saturday Saturday Saturday 27th 27th 27th Saturday Saturday 27th 27th - Sunday Sunday 28th 28th January January Sunday Sunday Sunday 28th 28th 28th January January January Sunday Sunday 28th 28th January January Spring Spring Wedding Wedding Fayre Fayre Spring Spring Spring Wedding Wedding Wedding Fayre Fayre Fayre Spring Spring Wedding Wedding Fayre Fayre Sunday Sunday 4th 4th March March Sunday Sunday Sunday 4th 4th 4th March March March Sunday Sunday 4th4th March March

Carden Carden Park Park Hotel, Hotel, Chester, Chester, Cheshire, Cheshire, CH3 CH3 9DQ 9DQ Carden Carden Carden Park Park Park Hotel, Hotel, Hotel, Chester, Chester, Chester, Cheshire, Cheshire, Cheshire, CH3 CH3 CH3 9DQ 9DQ 9DQ Carden Carden Park Park Hotel, Hotel, Chester, Chester, Cheshire, Cheshire, CH3 CH3 9DQ 9DQ 01829 01829 731506 731506 events@cardenpark.co.uk events@cardenpark.co.uk 01829 01829 01829 731506 731506 731506 events@cardenpark.co.uk events@cardenpark.co.uk events@cardenpark.co.uk 01829 01829 731506 731506 events@cardenpark.co.uk events@cardenpark.co.uk www.cardenpark.co.uk www.cardenpark.co.uk www.cardenpark.co.uk www.cardenpark.co.uk www.cardenpark.co.uk www.cardenpark.co.uk www.cardenpark.co.uk hotel hotel golfgolf spaspa hotel hotel hotel golf golf golf spa spa spa hotel hotel golfgolf spaspa

INGS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

WEDDINGS

Could It Be Magic? A wedding is an event like no other and getting the details right ensures a truly magical day, filled with little moments to cherish forever making an impact here. Trends aside, roses are still the most popular wedding flower of all time. It’s the flower that represents romance and comes in a vast array of colours and shades. Whether you go for the exquisite and blousy English David Austin rose or something tiny and delicate, like a spray rose, there’s a rose for every bride.

Heaven Scent

Flower Power

top tip

“As luxury wedding planners, we pride ourselves on turning our clients’ wildest dreams into reality. We listen to our couples’ visions and maximise them by introducing new and future trends with our fresh approach to wedding planning. To us, a luxury wedding is all about the finer details. This begins with the overall theming throughout, from the very early stages of ‘save the dates’ to thank you letters postwedding. We like to leave guests stunned from the overall look and feel of the day, from the glassware and entertainment to the outstanding floristry. Without forgetting the power of lighting which transforms the venue and ambiance to give the ultimate ‘wow factor’.” Georgina Irlam and Megan Warburton, founders of Irlam Warburton Events (irlamwarburtonevents.com) 

WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS

Nothing says ‘wedding’ like flowers. From the precious bride’s bouquet to ceremony dressing and the wonderland that is the reception itself. Many couples want to make an impact at the ceremony, as it’s where you say your vows and officially marry. There are endless ways to dress this area from pew ends and aisle confetti to larger displays and magnificent arches. But remember that your reception is where you’ll spend most of your time, so it’s worth

Scent is something which can get overlooked but it’s scents that will evoke the memory of your day in an instant. So, when choosing flowers, consider the scent, too. Peonies, lily of the valley and again the much loved rose are just a few beautiful and fragrant options. The White O’Hara rose with its delicate shade and gorgeous fragrance makes for a stunning choice; with its hints to green apple and citrus overtones, this ‘not quite’ white rose has a slightly green outer and the palest of pale pink centres. Or you may want to consider scented candles. Plenty of candlelight creates an enchanting atmosphere. Why not have a scented candle specially made with a unique fragrance?

loves

The Limited Edition and Manhattan Collections by Baobab, from £79 (amara.com)



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS 49

DINGS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

WEDDINGS

Raise your glass Paul Newman looks at how to wow your wedding guests with on-trend drink alternatives

e all love a good wedding, but I remember the days when you’d arrive at the ‘do’ only to be greeted with a choice of warm sherry or, at best, a crystal punch bowl full of cheap red wine, stewed fruit and tasteless orange juice, masquerading as house punch. Wedding guests demand much more nowadays, and not just a glass of proper fizz: I expect hosts to rip up the rule book and try and cater for all trends and tastes from low-alcohol, no-alcohol, cask, craft to boutique, provenance, healthy and green. With a little thought, you really can bring new things to the table. For a lovely alternative, why not offer guests a pink Frosé. This is the wine equivalent of an ice slushy and is guaranteed to be a big hitter in 2018. Simply take your favourite rosé wine, add a touch of strawberry syrup, blend with ice, garnish with frozen strawberries and serve. Perfect for summer weddings.



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS

Thinking of keeping the Millennials happy? I suggest offering a chilled red wine. The fabulous, unique vino non-collapso Alasia Brachetto D’Acqui from Italy is a fragrant and seductive sweet, lightly fizzy red and only 5.5 per cent alcohol, so no need to ask your guests to pace themselves on the potent pinot. A good wine merchant will stock this and I found it in the Cork of the North’s portfolio. Beer cocktail... yes, you heard me right! Simple, versatile, off-the-wall and great for your hipster wedding guests. This unusual and not too pricey alternative will intrigue your guests, unlike the 1980s boring punch bowl. Start with your favourite beer, add lemonade, pineapple, apple juice and go heavy on fruit and ice, ladle into some nice beer glasses for a great on 

WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



trend tipple. Obviously, a few slugs of vodka maybe an option for those who prefer a little more of a kick. Judgemental guests like me can be a pain, so show us you really tried. We won’t complain about the dry chicken or the burnt potatoes just as long as you keep the drinks offering interesting. Paul Newman is a hospitality consultant (Twitter @MrPaulNewman) WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS 51



WEDDINGS

Expert Advice All you need to know when choosing your perfect honeymoon

Canaves Oia, Santorini

Love Island Natalie Russell-Blackburn Perkins, head of private clients at the Inspiring Travel Company, talks to us about choosing a luxury honeymoon destination and offers advice on planning a wedding abroad

e look after everything from weddings and honeymoons to destination ‘I do’s’ and anniversary celebrations for groups. Everyone is different and every occasion individual. And we love what we do. Our team has exceptional first-hand knowledge of the destinations we offer; their unique insight is ideal for creating precious holiday memories. For example,

WEDDINGS 52



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



collect donations to come off the cost of your honeymoon, we can arrange this too. From Caribbean beaches to beautiful Italian churches, the world is your oyster when planning a destination wedding. For me, nothing could beat the Caribbean, in particular Jumby Bay Island off Antigua. The natural setting of Pasture Bay Beach here would be a dreamy backdrop for your big day, and the Estate Homes on the island are ideal for accommodating your guests

they’ll be able to tell you where the best spots are at your resort for your photos, or recommend dinner reservations at top local restaurants. We also love to get involved in surprises. Today, more and more, friends and family also like to get involved, wishing to book surprises for the couple to enjoy on their honeymoon, such as a sunset catamaran cruise or a couple’s massage, or even dinner on a private sandbank. Equally, if the couple want us to

WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WED

NGS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

and wedding party. Or there’s Carlisle Bay on Antigua itself. The crescent-shaped sands are a superlative setting to say ‘I do’.

What are the important points to consider when choosing to hold your wedding abroad? The legalities are all different from country to country so it’s important to work with a travel specialist who will know the ins and outs. You may see celebrities getting married on a stunning beach in the Indian Ocean, but this could just be a celebration, as in some countries this wouldn’t be classed as a legal ceremony. Our team will always help you with the laws. You should also consider the intricate details of how your guests will travel, where they will stay, and whether you as a couple need to be resident in the country for a number of days prior to a wedding there. This is even before the fun things start, like planning the finishing touches such as booking make-up artists and flowers!

What will we be seeing more of in 2018?

Barbados is always so popular for our couples. The west coast offers the most desirable and sought after stretch of hotels and beaches on the island, and favourite among these are the A-list surrounds of Sandy Lane; sister properties Coral Reef Club and The Sandpiper; the Fairmont Royal Pavilion; and Colony Club by Elegant Hotels. Further afield, The Brando in French Polynesia has made a name for itself recently after Pippa Middleton chose it for her post-nuptials retreat. Or, of course,

What’s your advice for couples wanting to combine their wedding and honeymoon abroad? For something a bit different, how about a wedding at a chic coastal town on the Med, then having your guests wave you off as you set sail aboard a luxury cruise, such as Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn or Silversea? Our experts will advise on every detail… even down to ensuring that your wedding dress is shipped home safely.

Pasture Bay Beach at Jumby Bay Island



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS

Huvafen Fushi, Maldives



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



there’s the classic honeymoon twin-centre of African safari and Indian Ocean escape. For the former you could head to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s favourite destination Botswana for a stay at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge on Xaxaba Island, followed by a grown-up retreat on the island of Mauritius or in the Maldives. Our clients love the newly-transformed One&Only Le Saint Geran on the former, or adult-only Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives.

And for those wanting short-haul destinations or are looking to take a ‘mini-moon’ after their wedding?

Italy will always be a classic as it offers romanticism, great food and wine, and stunning architecture and scenery. Favourites here include the glamour of a journey on the Orient Express taking you in style to Venice, and Lake Como’s indulgent surrounds. Within our portfolio we also boast a fine selection of the best hotels in Santorini; a romantic Greek island for a post-wedding break à deux. (inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk) WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS



WEDDINGS 53

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Arts & Culture

& Family

Friends

As her latest show hits our screens, Kay Mellor chats to Natalie Anglesey about friends, inspiration and making it in a man’s world

s actress, playwright, scriptwriter, and director, Kay Mellor waited in Buckingham Palace to receive her OBE, she paused for a moment. “I just thought — not bad for a little girl from a council estate!” Kay was one of the first women to carve a niche in what used to be a male-dominated area of television. You’ve probably enjoyed her awardwinning series without even being aware of her involvement. The BBC’s Love, Lies and Records was screened at the end of last year. While at the start of 2018, her new ITV series, Girlfriends, first appeared on our screens with an impressive cast headed by Phyllis Logan, Zoe Wanamaker and Southport’s Miranda Richardson. “It’s a celebration about women of a certain age who feel they have no voice and are almost invisible,” Kay explains. ”With me hitting 61 and going through the menopause while juggling children and grandchildren, looking after my elderly mum before she passed and now my husband’s dad – I know that’s how life is for many people my age. We haven’t seen that on television yet. These women are not just someone’s wife, girlfriend or partner. I’m lucky I have supportive girlfriends and that’s what this

opposite: kay mellor left: kay mellor receiving her obe above: girlfriends eposide 2

series is about.” It’s a compulsive watch. Instead of resting on her laurels, we’ll soon see Kay’s popular television series, Fat Friends, turned into a stage musical starring Cheshire-based cricketer Andrew ’Freddie’ Flintoff. “When I was casting Love, Lies and Records, I heard Freddie had been taking acting lessons and was keen to audition,” Kay recalls. “I gave him a small role in the final episode and he made an impression. While casting Fat Friends, The Musical, I discovered he’d also been taking singing lessons. He has amazing stage presence and Nick Lloyd-Webber, who composed the

“Not bad for a little girl from a council estate” 55

above: andrew flintoff in kay mellor’s fat friends the musical (helen maybanks) right: girlfriends episode 1

music, said he could sing! That was enough for me. “Before casting even started I’d invited Andrew LloydWebber to a workshop of the musical and he advised me to get Blackpool’s Jody Prenger for the female lead, which I did. While we’re in Manchester, Freddie will be staying at home with his family, but on tour he’s happy to stay in actors’ lodgings and is great mates with Kevin Kennedy who leads a strong supporting cast.” Drama, for this BAFTA winner, has not always been confined to the written page. In Kay’s private life she’s also faced difficult decisions. Born and raised on a council estate in Leeds to a Christian father and a Jewish mother, she fell in love with her first boyfriend, Anthony, at 15, was pregnant at 16, and they married and kept the baby. They now have two daughters. Yvonne Francas is a television producer while Dancing On Ice champion, Gaynor Faye, is well known for roles in Coronation Street, Fat Friends and now Emmerdale. “We’re a close, supportive family and I’ve four lovely grandchildren.” Waiting until her children were at secondary school, Kay trained at Bretton Hall College and set

up the Yorkshire Theatre Company, performing in pubs and clubs. “I only discovered what the public really liked to watch by performing. I got us an Arts Council grant and carried on writing as well as acting on stage and television.” Meanwhile Anthony, a car mechanic, trained at Stockport as a teacher of children with learning difficulties. “He’d supported me but I wasn’t earning enough to pay the bills. I was acting in the ill-fated Albion Market but knew I could write better scripts so I did. Bill Podmore, who looked after Coronation Street, made me a story-liner. But then most script-writers were men and I was this young woman with ideas which were shouted down most of the time. It was depressing.” With fellow scriptwriter Paul Abbott, they worked on Children’s Ward for 12 series so Kay got to know Manchester well. “On Merseyside Phil Redmond created Brookside about real people and I worked with writers like Jimmy McGovern. It was one of my happiest times writing for wonderful actors like Sue Johnston and John McArdle who played Sheila and Jimmy Corkhill.” But Kay also worked on solo projects like Families and Band of Gold. “I slogged for eight years to get the latter off the ground. It was successful and suddenly I was hot property. I wrote Playing The Field and adapted Jane Eyre. “I got the idea for Fat Friends because family and friends were on diets so I joined WeightWatchers to discover more. I thought there’s a series here about people being defined by what they weighed rather than by who they are as people. I could have gone on writing that

“These women are not just someone’s wife, girlfriend or partner. I’m lucky I have supportive girlfriends and that’s what this series is about” 56

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Arts & Culture

love all those years and the relief in talking about it was tremendous. “I was in my forties and very nervous when the play opened in London starring Ann Reid, followed by Stephanie Cole, with the lovely Neil Morrisey as the son. Fortunately audiences and critics liked it. However, when tour director Gareth Tudor-Price suggested I performed it at the Oldham Coliseum, the first night my heart was thumping so loudly I thought the audience would hear. But you could hear a pin drop and then came laughter. I felt very close to my mother the whole time and Gaynor remarked I’d spookily become Nana - so that was touching.” I saw Kay in that production and she definitely deserved the favourable reviews. No stranger to writing about strong women, she’s full of admiration for her mother. “She instilled the work ethic in me which I’ve passed to my daughters. Mine has been an interesting journey and now directing means I have more control of my work. Now Girlfriends is on our screens I hope viewers are enjoying it as much as we did filming it. Fat Friends The Musical had nightly standing ovations in Leeds so I’m just hoping Manchester will enjoy it as much!” Girlfriends is on ITV now. Fat Friends: The Musical comes to Manchester Opera House in March 2018.

Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends-the Musical; Natasha Hamilton, Natalie Anderson. andrew ’Freddie’ Flintoff, Jodie Prenger, Kevin Kennedy and Sam Bailey.(Jay-Brooks)

because it was so popular but I wanted to tell other stories.” Kay followed that with Between The Sheets, Strictly Confidential, The Syndicate and a drama called The Chase - not to be confused with the quiz show! “Gaynor was embarrassed about appearing in my work but I only rang her agent if I thought she was right for a role. We’d worked together with John Thomson on Stan The Man and had a great time. Unfortunately they chose to transmit The Chase opposite Britain’s Got Talent on one side and Heartbeat on the other, so it didn’t stand a chance. “I’d already written a play called Fanny and Elvis, which was optioned by a film company, and directed it myself choosing a relatively unknown actor called Ray Winstone. I’d seen him in Nil By Mouth and thought he was terrific. That was a real labour of love filming in appalling weather with water running down my back. But it was my baby.” Kay both wrote and directed the two-part television drama A Passionate Woman, starring Billie Piper, which was based on her 1992 stage play. “My mother and I were once washing up together when great plops of tears fell into the washing up bowl as she confessed she’d once been madly in love with a Polish man. I’d no idea she’d been carrying the grief for losing that

Art of

GIFTING We are all faced with the dilemmas of what gifts to give family, friends and colleagues on those big occasions — whilst there are plenty of opportunities via wedding lists and the main retailers, finding something unique is so much more satisfying and brings joy to both buyer and recipient. W o r d s : i n g r i d n i l s o n , fa i r s o r g a n i s e r

ntiques fairs, markets and shops are all good sources of objects in a wide range of prices, and once you start looking, there is something suitable for almost everyone. Silver items tend to be favoured for christenings, and the range of period spoons, mugs and frames that is on offer is huge. There is no need to stop there either – a beautiful Edwardian book, an early toy or a cute piece of child’s furniture would be a very personal gift. At Art Antiques Cheshire - the annual antiques and fine art fair at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa an intriguing source is Odyssey, dealers in

antiquities and historical artefacts. Their display cabinets are full to bursting with fascinating objects, many astonishingly affordable. Who would have thought that a small piece of 2,000-year-old Roman glass could be had for less than £100? Handling something so fragile which has survived for so long is a pleasure in itself, and giving it is equally satisfying. And for a wedding present, why not opt for a 5,000-year-old ceramic bowl that looks remarkably modern and would grace any contemporary interior. The pale colours and plain design of such vessels are totally in keeping with today’s aesthetics and you really have to read the accompanying certificate of authenticity to believe their age. For corporate gifts or something for a man who is difficult to buy for, again look no further than historical objects – a framed 18th century French bank note, a pair of Roman dice or a Tang dynasty ceramic horse. Teenagers can also be tricky to please, but rather than the easy option of the gift card, find an item with significant age that can stir their curiosity and give them a real connection with the past. The high street is full of shops selling glass, but again you can acquire presents with more personality if you start looking at antique and

“Who would have thought that a small piece of 2,000-year-old 58

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Promotion

DON’T MISS

vintage wine glasses, vases, decanters and plates. For Look out for your instance, a set of engraved complimentary invitation in the 1930s lemonade glasses with March issue accompanying jug, given with or email cheshire@adfl.co.uk a bottle of Pimms and the to request a ticket required fruit, is much more admitting three fun and personal than your standard tumblers. The variety of old champagne glasses on offer is vast, be it flutes or saucers, and you have a gift that really shows you have gone to some trouble. Prices can be quite modest, and a set of 12 or even 24 finely decorated champagne flutes would grace any home. Also, a bouquet of flowers given in a vase with some personality suddenly becomes a unique gift rather than a standard offering. Jewellery and watches are high on the list of presents both desired and given, and once you start looking at antique and vintage pieces, you will find that there is so much value to be had. Mid-century modern designs are much in vogue right now, and a truly hand-picked gift could also be a piece of Suffragette jewellery, available from good specialists in period jewellery. Or why not a lapel pin with a horse shoe for your rider daughter, a dog brooch for the canine-obsessed friend, a pair of Edwardian cuff links for the man in your life – what better way to show you care? Antiquarian books, maps and topographical prints are also a very good source of presents since you can pin-point people’s interests with a well-chosen subject. There are 19th century steel engravings of towns, villages and stately homes, 16th century maps of counties, hand-bound books on anything from travel to botany, and once you start browsing, the possibilities are endless. Heritage, craftsmanship and design are factors appreciated by many, and if we look at

clockwise: 18kt gold fancy heart-shaped sapphire & diamonds shamrock brooch, c.1900, £3,900 from t robert; a st louis ruby glass scent bottle on crown paperweight base, c,1850, £960, from fileman antiques; roman marble head of apollo, £1,150 from odyssey; selection of miniature items from t robert.

more general buying, using antique furniture as part of an interior design scheme is a clever way of adding personality. Many now opt for very pared down schemes, but with the addition of a statement piece with age and patina, a room will immediately become personal rather than looking like something out of a catalogue. Imagine a large kitchen with sleek white cabinets, brushed steel surfaces and a flagstone floor – all very elegant but perhaps a touch cold. Add a 17th century Welsh dresser, a Victorian chandelier and some of those engraved wine glasses, and the whole thing comes alive with personality and style. Buying a refectory table with clear signs of hundreds of years of use, perhaps even surrounding it with ghost perspex chairs, is also a great way to put your own stamp on your home. Art Antiques Cheshire is a good place to start your hunt for unique gifts and inspiration, so come along to The Mere Golf Resort & Spa near Knutsford. The fair features close to 30 specialist exhibitors selling a wide range of traditional and modern paintings, town and country furniture, antique and designer jewellery, vintage watches, romantic and contemporary sculpture, silver, glass, lighting, 20th century design objects, antiquities, historical artefacts and many other decorative works of art spanning the centuries. Art Antiques Cheshire at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, Chester Road, Mere, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6LJ. Opening hours: Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 10.30am-6pm, Sunday 10.30am-5pm (merefair.com; 01797 252030)

Roman glass could be bought for less than £100?” 59

Heavenly Collection available now

Harmony Silver Charm Bracelet £250 |

Itsy Bitsy Dreamcatcher Silver Necklace £48 |

Delightful Bracelet Stack £299

Fabulous jewellery... made with love X Sterling Silver, Gold and Rose Gold Jewellery www.anniehaakdesigns.co.uk | @anniehaakdesigns

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

A BANDS OF

W17 has seen a noticeable increase in the number of fine jewellery designers embracing the trend for rings with thin bands, and the team at David M Robinson has a fabulous collection. From engagement to wedding and eternity rings, their latest collection showcases the elegance a thinner band has to offer, with dainty pavĂŠ-set diamond shoulders that enhances the centre stone. Available in a variety of gemstones, styles and metals, the rings remain unique with a truly bespoke feel. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but fall in love with them. (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

Engagement Oval cut engagement ring, ÂŁ9,750

Shoulder-Skimming Earrings When speaking to designers and industry insiders, one opinion was unanimous: 2018 is going to be an ear party. Take lobe-dressing up a notch with shoulderskimming, dramatic drop designs by Chanel, David Morris and Diane Kordas. While this trend undoubtedly completes a cocktail dress, we like it best when elevating low-key, daytime looks. Clockwise from right: Star Chain Earrings, £3,215 (dianekordasjewellery.com); Signature de Saphir, POA (chanel.com); Three Row Illusion Earrings, POA (davidmorris. com); My Chain earrings, £20,750 (chanel.com)

TREND

Modern pearls, swinging pendants and punk-infused Words: MHAIRI GRAHAM

Going Green

It is all about going green for 2018, symbolically and literally, as the secondary colour undergoes a luxurious transformation. ‘Avocado green’ has been cited as the next ‘millennial pink’, while electric lime shades populate the spring collections. Embrace verdant fine jewellery including bright olive peridots from Delfina Delettrez, rich emeralds at James Ganh and Pomellato’s juicy tourmalines. cLOCKWISE from right: Pastorale Anglaise ring, POA, (Chaumet.com); Les Bles Earrings (chanel.com); emerald ring, poa (jamesganh.com); M’ama non M’ama ring, £1,110 (pomellato.com); Emerald earrings, £30,650, Amrapali (neta-porter.com); Seal bracelet, £2,090 and earrings, £3,045, DELFINA DELETTREZ, (doverstreetmarket.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

Extra Long Necklaces As the roaring twenties continues a style revival, embrace elegant, navel-grazing pendants in 2018. Reach for spectacular swingers from Cartier and Chopard, while Van Cleef & Arpels, the original purveyor of pendants, continues to spearhead the trend with gleaming clusters strung on lustrous chains. “The glamorous long drop pendant is popular again,” comments Burlington Arcade jeweller Susannah Lovis. “We love the versatility of a piece that can be worn over a jumper during the day but can dangle seductively between the seams of a low cut dress in the evening.”

Modern Pearls Forget dowdy pearl twin sets and button earrings – the world’s oldest treasure continues its contemporary transformation. We like sophisticated, cool iterations by Yoko London and Mizuki, both of which seamlessly fashion the freshwater fancy with diamonds and gold. Another pearly queen is Polish designer Magda Butrym, who crafts pearl drop earrings, bracelets and chokers, finished with a chic silk ribbon tie.

FROM LEFT: Amulette de Cartier necklace, £58,000 (cartier.com); Bouton d’Or Pendant, £30,300 and Magic Alhambra Pendant, £5,350 (vancleefarpels.com)

Clockwise FROM top RIGHT: pearl choker, £509 (magdabutrym.com); Bracelet, £2,500 (yokolondon.com); earrings, £827, (magdabutrym.com); Ring, £1,250, MIZUKI, (doverstreetmarket.com)

SETTING

precious jewels. The trends to take up in 2018

Pick‘n’Mix Earrings Join the singles club by dressing your ears with an abundance of characterful designs. This offbeat trend is nothing new, but with a slew of designers specialising in mismatched earrings, the humble lobe is transforming into a diamond-studded work of art. Loquet London’s Talisman collection, launching in February, is made up of 14-karat diminutive gold hoop earrings with detachable charms, bespoke to the wearer and designed to be worn mismatched.

Punk Accents

Rock’n’roll diamonds might sound like a contradiction, but nothing exudes insouciant elegance like styling denim with contemporary precious stones. Case in point: Pia Hallstrom’s twinkling spiked Pyramid bracelets, worn individually or stacked up the arm. Messika’s modern collections are equal parts rock and romanticism, restyling safety pins and biker chains in glittering diamonds and 18-karat gold. Look out for a second collaboration between the French jeweller and Gigi Hadid in 2018. CLOCKWISE from top left: Sleeping Beauty ring set, £3,410 (stoneparis.com); Move 10th Anniversary Earrings, £19,600 (messika.com); pyramid bracelet, £4,900 (piahallstrom.com)

Clockwise from top left: moon and shooting star charm, both £260 (loquetlondon.com); Diorama Précieuse earrings, £12,600 (dior.com); croissant amelia, £2,320, Sophie Bille Brahe (doverstreetmarket.com); Button Back Hoops, £2,600 (jessicamccormack.com)

Collection | The CHESHIRE Magazine

In 1972, the Royal Oak announced itself as the world’s first luxury sports watch. Conceived for Audemars Piguet by watch designer Gerald Genta, the model laid down the design codes for a whole new genre of timepiece. Two decades later, in 1993, a chronograph function was introduced to the Royal Oak to give us the Royal Oak Offshore. Now, to mark the model’s 25th year, Audemars Piguet presents three new versions: a re-edition of the original Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, as well as an Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph in either stainless steel or 18-karat pink gold. (audemarspiguet.com)

watch news One to Watch “Omega’s pioneering spirit has enabled the brand to achieve many technological advancements, none more relevant than the new METAS certified master chronometer movement that is found in the all new Aqua Terra. A beautiful piece, it is robust enough to be worn for any occasion, it won’t let you down.” Neil Baxandall, sales ambassador at DMR Liverpool. Omega Aqua Terram £4,000 (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

An Instant Classic Few are the Swiss watch brands that remain independently owned. Fewer still are those that continue to be controlled by their founding families. Carl F. Bucherer is one example. Perhaps that’s why the Swiss national football team chose the company as its Official Timekeeper in 2016. Relatively unknown in the UK, Carl F. Bucherer raised its profile last year when parent company Bucherer acquired The Watch Gallery – the company behind the Wonder Room in Selfridges. The 64

brand’s star looks set to continue to rise, thanks to such fine-looking timepieces as the 43mm Manero Flyback. Originally launched in 2016, the vintage-inspired chronograph houses an automatic column-wheel movement and is now available in 18-karat red gold or stainless steel. (carl-f-bucherer.com)

It’s Super Complicated Tracing an unbroken lineage all the way back to 1755, Vacheron Constantin claims to be the world’s oldest continuallyoperating watch company. Flaunting the sort of horologic handiness that’s accrued over two-and-a-half centuries, in 2015 the Swiss brand announced the Reference 57260. Comprising 57 complications, it became the most complex wristwatch ever created. Vacheron then presented Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600. Featuring 23 (mainly astronomical) complications, the model tells three types of time: civil time (GMT); solar time (based on the position of the sun); and sidereal time (according to earth’s relation to specific constellations). For this, the watch was awarded the Mechanical Exception Prize at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. (vacheron-constantin.com)

Every wedding should beasasunique unique Every wedding should should be Every wedding be as unique as as the married. thecouple couple getting getting married. as the couple getting married. The Colony provides a bespoke,stunning stunning backdrop for you to bring together The Colony provides a bespoke, backdrop for you to bring together your nearest & stunning dearest to celebrate your bigyou day. to bring together The Colony provides a bespoke, backdrop for your nearest & dearest to celebrate your big day. your nearest & dearest to celebrate your big day. Exclusively yours, our stunning venue can accommodate up to 250 guests

Exclusively &yours, stunning venue can accommodate up to 250 guests enjoys our expansive views of the rolling Cheshire countryside. Exclusively yours,expansive our stunning can accommodate up to 250 guests & enjoys views ofvenue the rolling Cheshire countryside. & enjoys expansive views of the rolling Cheshire countryside.

Contact us on 01625 254 000 or enquiries@thecolonyhq.co.uk Altrincham Cheshire, SK9 4LY Contact us on 01625 254 Road, 000Wilmslow, or enquiries@thecolonyhq.co.uk www.thecolonyhq.co.uk

Altrincham Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LY Altrinchamwww.thecolonyhq.co.uk Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LY

MERE 2018 full page bleed The Ches Magazine .qxp_MERE 2017 Cheshire Magazine Full Page 19/12/2017 11:05 Page 1

ART ANTIQUES

CHESHIRE

THE MERE GOLF RESORT & SPA NEAR KNUTSFORD CHESHIRE WA16 6LJ

23 - 25 FEBRUARY 2018 Friday 11.00 - 18.00 Saturday 10.30 - 18.00 Sunday 10.30 - 17.00

A stylish antiques and fine art fair of quality, offering inspiration and choice for him, for her and for the home

THE

ANTIQUES DEALERS FAIR

LIMITED

01797 252030

www.merefair.com

Look out for your complimentary invitation for three in the March issue of the magazine or email: cheshire@adfl.co.uk

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

he winter offerings from DAKS are inspired by the city, the countryside and the Scottish islands. Fabrics include Prince of Wales, houndstooth and pinstripe, celebrating all things British. Blues, browns and greys make for a low-key statement on a cold winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day. We want the whole collection, but the coats are particularly excellent. From ÂŁ175 (daks.com)

WRAP UP 67

Fashion news Emulate Emily The second drop from Emily Ratajkowski for The Kooples collaboration features the Emily bag, updated for the party season to include metallic leathers in bold shades such as purple and bronze, with fun leopard print, studs and mock croc options. Just grab it and go – it’s the quickest way to go from desk drab to party perfect. From £328, The Kooples (thekooples.co.uk)

Life’s Rich Tapestry Is the age of athleisure and minimalism drawing to a close? Favourbrook’s relocation from Piccadilly Arcade to the prestigious Pall Mall suggests that it just might be. Number 17 is a one-stop shop for debonair gentlemen – stocking bow ties, waistcoats and tailoring all under one roof, plus a 1,000 sq ft fabric room on the lower ground floor. The décor in the Edward Lutyens building echoes the brand: a lavish and slightly eccentric mix of marble, bronze and wood. It’s time to stand out from the crowd again. (favourbrook.com)

On The Ball BOSS’ latest release in tailoring has been designed with comfort in mind. Employing two layers of expanding fabrics, the jackets and trousers have the feel and flexibility of a jersey suit without sacrificing on fit. Available in slim and extra-slim cuts and a chic autumnal colour palette including a rich burgundy, this is the suit you want to be seen in this winter. From £480 (hugoboss.com) 68

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

TREND: CLOAKED IN CAMEL This sartorial staple needs to have a place in your wardrobe this winter, whether in the form of a tailored suit or a well-cut coat. Pair with brights for an instant colour pop

Get In The Mood Ever the destination for the cool girl who doesn’t want to look like she’s trying too hard, Whistles’ latest collection offers everything we want for the party season. Metallic accessories, warm outer layers and dangly earrings ensure the look is both practical and festive. Dresses in rich velvets with cold shoulders show a hint of skin and just beg to be worn somewhere special – hint, hint. The clutch bags and bangles make for great gifts, if you can resist hanging onto them for yourself. From £15 (whistles.com)

#1 Shawl collar cardigan, £125 (reiss.com)

loves

Ermenegildo ZEGNA a/w17

#2 Netuno coat, £450 (hugoboss.com)

Dynamic Duo

The winter offerings from DAKS are inspired by the city, the countryside and the Scottish islands. Fabrics include Prince of Wales, houndstooth and pinstripe, celebrating all things British. Blues, browns and greys make for a low-key statement on a cold February day. We want the whole collection, but the coats are particularly excellent. From £175, DAKS (daks.com)

#3 Rollneck jumper, £125, (reiss.com) STELLA MCCARTNEY a/w17

Wrap Up

DRIES VAN NOTEN a/w17

It has been a decade since Thom Widdett and Luke Sweeney set up shop on Weighhouse Street. Now they are celebrating the milestone with a Mr Porter capsule collection and new store in New York. From £120 (thomsweeney.co.uk)

#4 Gerald Chelsea boots, £200, (paulsmith.co.uk)

Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t No MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH P h o t o g r a p h y: A L E X A N D E R B E E R S t y l i n g : S T E V E N D OA N

Hat, £45,Hunter (hunterboots.com); Goggles, £85, Adidas (rxsport.co.uk), Top £345, Pinko (pinko.com); Jumper, £132, and trousers, £353, Goldbergh, (goldbergh.com); Boots, POA, Moncler Gamme Rouge (moncler.com)

Dress with scarf, Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine £2,110; Bag, £1,170, both Fendi (fendi.com); Ring, £1,500, Shaun Leane (shaunleane.com)

ABOVE Sunglasses, £510, Dita (dita.com); Jacket, £3,518, Philipp Plien (plein.com); Top, £990, Roberto Cavalli (robertocavalli.com); Leggings, £420, Ellesd (ellesd.com); Helmet, POA, Tommy Hilfiger x Rossignol (tommy.com) Boots, £2,355, Moncler x Moon Boot (moncler.com)

right Goggles, £80, Adidas (rxsport.co.uk); Jacket, £5,265, Mary Katrantzou (marykatrantzou.com); Pullover, £123, Goldbergh (goldbergh.com); Trousers, £395, Perfect Moment (perfectmoment.com); Backpack, £4,850, MCM (mcmworldwide.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

“Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.” - John Ruskin

Sunglasses, £690, Dita (dita.com); Puffer jacket, £99, Topshop (topshop.com); Leather jacket, £950, Sandro (sandro-paris.com); Leggings, £199.95, Adidas Originals by Alexander Wang (alexanderwang.com and adidas.com); Bumbag, POA, Alexander Wang (alexanderwang.com); Boots, £193, Head Next Edge(tignes-spirit-rentals.com)

Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

ABOVE Sunglasses, £675, Dita (dita,com); Onesie, £165, Topshop (topshop.com), Bodysuit, £355, Perfect Moment (perfectmoment.com); Belt bag, £415, Neil Barrett (neilbarrett.com); Gloves, £125, Aspinal (aspinaloflondon.com)

CREDITS Model Mariangela Bonanni @ The Hive Hair and make-up Ian McIntosh @Carol Hayes With special thanks Luxury Ski Chalets (gc-kollection.com)

Piste

T A R P O R L E Y | S A N D B A C H www.pistewinebars.com 55 High St, Tarporley CW6 0DP 01829 732483

45 High St, Sandbach CW11 1AL 01270 768923

Sassoon Men

Health & Beauty news

Luxury hairdresser brand, Sassoon, has opened Sassoon Men in Liverpool’s Metquarter, the first salon to open outside of London. Expanding into the upper level of its existing Metquarter branch, Sassoon Men offers a selection of luxury grooming treatments, hair products and technical services, served with the excellence you’d expect from the leading haircare brand. Ask for a loyalty card to enjoy one complimentary treatment after every five visits. (metquarter.com/shops/sassoon/; 0151 227 1450)

Scents of Style

Put a Spring in Your Step

For AW17, Tom Ford has introduced three new additions to his Private Blend Oud range: Oud Minérale, Tobacco Oud Intense and Oud Wood Intense. The latter blends angelica roots, ginger, cypress and juniper with, of course, a generous dose of oud for the ultimate autumn scent. £210 (tomford.com)

Upgrade your workout wear with these stylish Adidas UltraBOOST laceless running shoes. Made from breathable Primeknit yarn they have been designed using motiontracking technology to fit snugly to the feet where needed, and provide room for movement. Even if the only running you do is to the high street, these are certainly worth sprinting for. £149.95 (adidas.com)

Mouth to Mouth This covetable Lip Archive set brings together three of Tilbury’s best-selling nude lipsticks. Whether it’s English-rose, dusky or the just-kissed look you’re after this set will have every mood covered. £60 (charlottetilbury.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Spirit of Freedom Twilly d’Hermès, a bright new fragrance, blends vibrant ginger, floral tuberose and warm sandalwood. Designed with a younger Hermès customer in mind, it distils the French fashion house’s playful elegance and infectious joie de vivre. “Twilly d’Hermès has the spirit of absolute freedom,” says perfumerdesigner Christine Nagel, who joined Hermès last year, succeeding master perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. The contemporary concoction is so-called after the slim Hermès Twilly scarf, and a miniature, rainbow-hued Twilly encircles the cap of the bottle. This twirling talisman can be tied around your wrist, handbag handle, woven in your hair or simply left as a sweet dressing-table detail. Like an Hermès silk scarf, this effortless new perfume wafts playfully behind you; flutters by your neck and lingers seductively in your wake. From £70 (uk.hermes.com)

GOING FOR

GOLD

Spring Clean Smell Fresh Jurlique found that 77 per cent of its customers preferred a unisex, botanical scent. Hence, the brand has expanded its body-care line with a lemon and sage fragrance. Bonus: sage is full of antioxidants. From £19 (jurlique.com)

The clean eating trend remains strong, and getting your stems steamed, without the sogginess, is easier than ever. The original mad scientist of the British kitchen, Heston Blumenthal, is the brainchild behind the sleek Steam Zone, featuring new technology whereby the steaming process automatically stops when the water levels get too low. There are handy ‘keep warm’ and ‘sync’ functions too, allowing you to prepare fish, chicken and vegetables to perfection. £199.95 (sageappliances.co.uk)

Diffuser Delight New British home fragrance brand Urban Apothecary London produces soy candles and luxury reed diffusers. Each diffuser is housed within a mouth-blown glass vase and pervades the air with a statement scent. It’s simple and masculine – because who says home fragrance is just for the girls? We want one in every room. £35 for 200ml, Urban Apothecary, (urbanapothecarylondon.com)

#1 Meteorites Gold light powder pearls, £44, Guerlain (harrods.com), #2 Eye Foil in Blonde Gold, £28, Victoria beckham x ESTÉE lauder, (esteelauder.co.uk), #3 Falling in Leaves Eau de Parfum, £300 for 100ml, Atkinsons, Exclusive to Harrods (harrods.com) #4 gold dust hair powder, £55, David Mallett (net-a-porter.com) #5 N°5 FRAGMENTS D’OR body gel, £70, Chanel (chanel.com)

The Pied Bull

In The Making Since 1535

AccomModation â&#x20AC;˘ Beer Terrace On site Micro Brewery Traditional home Cooked Food 57 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ Tel: 01244 325829 Web: www.piedbull.co.uk E-mail: contact@piedbull.co.uk

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

uark founder, Alan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rourke hatched the idea of the R7 through a desire to reinvent the radiogram. The first iteration launched in 2013, and now we are delighted that the MK3 makes its way to modern homes, with a sleek design, ultra high quality sound and cutting-edge technology. (ÂŁ2,300 ruarkaudio.com)

Stylish

SOUND 81

words: Iain Warde

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT BMW launches its all-new i8 Roadster, just in time for some warmer weather on the horizon. Perfect roof-down driving...

he BMW i8 is the sports car of the future in the showrooms of today. It has been a technological pioneer and the world’s best-selling hybrid sports car since it arrived in 2014. Now, the allure of sustainable driving pleasure is ready to enter another new dimension. The all-new i8 Roadster takes the combination of emission-free and highperformance and adds open-top thrills. It is unique in offering such performance and 82

silent acceleration with the pure sensation of roof-down driving. The Roadster will be joined in showrooms by the mid-life update of the i8 Coupé, with both models based on the LifeDrive vehicle architecture purpose-built and designed for BMW i cars. On sale from January 2018, prices for the BMW i8 Coupé start at £112,730 OTR and the Roadster is priced from £124,730 OTR. (bmw.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

Senna Sold Out

Why We Love

When the name Senna is associated with anything car related you know it has to be good! Limited to just 500 units, the final build sold recently at a private auction of McLaren customers for US$2.7 million. Proceeds all go to the Ayrton Senna Institute. The Senna, with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, is the most powerful McLaren road car internal combustion engine ever, with 789bhp and 688PS per tonne of power-to-weight ratio. Don’t feel too bad if you missed out though: it’s so rare and exclusive that you had to be invited, to have the privilege of buying the hypercar. (mclarenautomotive.com)

Rimac Concept One #1 Speed - It is truly the fastest thing that has four wheels 0-60 in 2.8 seconds #2 Power - 1,073bhp... yes 1,073 from a fully-electric car #3 Performance - It took second overall in 2015 Pikes Peak race #4 Speed, again - It broke the EV speed record in 2017 at Goodwood

Win-Win

#5 Design - Clean, fuss-free and smooth

Never before has Audi Sport customer racing been as successful with its customers around the globe as in 2017. The title successes and victories of the first- and second-generation Audi R8 LMS and, for the first time, the new Audi RS 3 LMS as well - make Audi Sport one of the leading brands in international customer racing. In total, with all customer sport race car models, the teams in 527 races from January to December clinched 428 podium successes, including the celebration of 157 victories. Congratulations!

Ultimate Hands-free Nissan has demonstrated a prototype of its most advanced autonomous driving technology, planned for real-world use from 2020 on public roads in Tokyo. Nissan Motor Corp tested the next-generation ProPILOT technology on a modified INFINITI Q50 sports sedan. The technology enables the vehicle to operate autonomously on urban roads, beginning when the driver selects a destination using the navigation system, until arrival. The prototype’s artificial intelligence uses input from 12 sonars, 12 cameras, nine millimetre-wave radars, six laser scanners and a high-definition map to analyse complex scenarios in real time and navigate smoothly through challenging city conditions. These hardware upgrades, along with software improvements, also ensure smooth transitions when encountering obstacles in the road. Nissan’s growing line-up of models with ProPILOT also includes the Nissan Serena, X-Trail and Rogue and will be joined by the Qashqai later this year. 83

SUPREME

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

SUV

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a car so hotly anticipated after Bentley announced its launch that HM The Queen was reportedly top of the waiting list. We road test the new Bentayga Diesel to see if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth the hype Words: jennifer mason

here’s been a lot in the media recently about diesel cars. The government is considering car tax increases, additional charges for driving in central London and fuel surcharges – so why has Bentley chosen this anti-diesel atmosphere in which to launch its very first diesel car? Eager to know more, I popped down to The Vault – a secretive-sounding Bentley showroom in the bowels of Westfield shopping centre – to test the diesel edition of the brand’s Bentayga SUV and discover for myself the perks of this new Bentley engine. Driving out of the garage, I’m aware of two even though I’m trapped in a low-ceilinged things. Firstly, this car is big. And I don’t mean big as in, ‘How have they made the interiors feel parking garage with the window down, faffing with the exit machine, I can barely hear the so spacious?’. I mean, this is a hefty machine. I engine. Very unusual for a powerful V8 diesel have to be careful not to scratch the alloys on that produces 429bhp and launches this the narrow exit lanes, and I’m not entirely sure beautiful beast to 60mph in just 4.8 seconds. I I succeed – sorry Bentley. The benefit of its vast feel even more smug safe in the knowledge that size is just how roomy it feels. I’m testing the I’m not contributing more than my share to four-seat configuration – Bentley also offers a London’s pollution levels. Thanks to the clever more traditional five- or seven-seat set-up technology of this triple-charged, 4.0-litre – which has two front seats installed in the rear engine, this is the cleanest, most for maximum comfort. This car has more efficient Bentley ever; offering leg room than my old flat. 35.8mpg while producing The second thing I notice is just 210g/km of CO2. that, despite its mammoth size Finally out on the (2.5 tonnes, 5.1-metre length road, I have the and 2.2-metre width), the Price: from £135,800 massage chairs on, steering is as light as air, and Engine: V8 4 Litre Diesel Classic FM on the Power: 429 BHP Bentley Signature PERFORMANCE: 168mph max, Audio system and I’m 60mph in 4.8 secs ready to brave the city DRIVE: Eight-Speed Automatic, traffic. Can’t see myself Four-Wheel Drive getting frustrated, though; short of Netflix and a bathroom I’m more comfortable here than at home. Come to think of it, thanks to the car’s internal wi-fi and media system, I could be watching TV in the back, were I not too busy fiddling with the gadgets in the front. And, you know, driving. Bentley has kept to the idea of ‘understated luxury’ perfectly with its control systems. Easy to use, refined

Bentley Bentayga

“This is the cleanest, most efficient Bentley ever, 86

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

and with little touches of elegance that prove the brand has impeccable taste; I love the ‘organ stop’ controls for the air vents. My only quibble is with the sat-nav. I’ve had poor experiences with the Volkswagen system before, and while the Bentayga has a much more user-friendly control system than the Audi R8, for example, I still found the guidance irritatingly tardy to inform you of upcoming manoeuvres. So what else, I ask myself, do SUV owners look for in their vehicles? I’m determined to give the Bentley a decent challenge. Cue piling my trusty test pooch into the boot and heading for the country. The first thing I note is that the parcel shelf in the boot, while able to slide back, is not

removable, making my poor dog’s headroom a little lower than usual. Still, with 431 litres of boot volume despite no movable or foldable seats, she’s still got plenty of space to stretch out. The Bentayga handles long road trips with aplomb. The drive is so exceptionally smooth you wonder where the 2.5 tonnes of car beneath you have gone. Except when you put your foot down – then you get a mighty shove of G-force as you feel the acceleration kick in. The suspension simply melts away the bumps and lumps of the UK roads, and even when we get to the uneven off-road parking at our destination, my excitable pup doesn’t wake up and realise we’ve arrived until I open the boot – excellent proof of the smoothness of the ride, as she’s usually raring to go the second we turn off the motorway. The thing I like most about the Bentayga is how special I feel driving it. You can’t help but feel like a queen in this high-riding SUV, offering you excellent visibility, supreme comfort and space, plus all the little details that Bentley cars are famous for. No wonder Her Maj was keen. (bentleymotors.com)

offering 35.8mpg while producing just 210g/km of co2” 87

Travel news

loves

Rough Guides has just released its top travel destinations for 2018, including cities, countries and regions to create a definitive list of places to visit this year. Top of the list is closer to home than you think - Newcastle - with the new Civil Rights Trail in the USA second, and Malawi third. European Capital of Culture, Valletta, Malta, and Wales complete the top five. See how many you can tick off this year...

The World’s Best This month our friends at New Zealand in Depth announced that one of its preferred luxury lodges, Eagles Nest, has won the prestigious title of World’s Leading Boutique Villa Resort 2017 at the World Travel Awards. Located in The Bay of Islands, Eagles Nest provides the perfect location to enjoy nature’s spectacular playground, while enjoying all of the world-class facilities you could imagine. Four of the five villas offer private heated horizon edged pools while all offer private Jacuzzis, original artworks, home theatre system and fully-equipped

gourmet kitchens. Our editor visited two years ago, staying at The Eyrie and still raves about her experience at Eagles Nest! (newzealand-indepth.co.uk)

Alpine Appeal The Waldhaus Flims Alpine Grand Hotel and Spa in Switzerland has re-opened after an extensive renovation. Sipping cocktails by the fire in the new après-ski bar, The Summit is the perfect way to warm up after a day of skiing (or an icy dip in the outdoor natural lake), while the spa now boasts a private suite with a sauna and hammam. From approx. £350 a night for a villa room; from £420 a night in the Grand Hotel, (waldhaus-flims.ch) 88

the rough guide to 2018

1. Newcastle, England 2. Civil Rights Trail, USA 3. Malawi 4. Valletta, Malta 5. Wales 6. Cuba 7. Russia 8. New Orleans, USA 9. Chile 10. Sierra Leone 11. South Korea 12. Jordan 13. Tbilisi, Georgia 14. South Africa 15. Palermo, Sicily 16. Togian Islands, Indonesia 17. Tunisia 18. Belize

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

Fine-Dining at the Ice Hotel

Short haul vs long haul

Arctic travel experts, Off the Map Travel have just announced a new experience at the Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi. Tapping into travellers’ desire to eat well wherever you are this new concept offers a 12-course chef’s table dining menu delivered by Michelin-trained head chef, Alexander Meier. The village of Jukkasjärvi translates as ‘meeting place’ in Sami, and this is at the very core of what is on offer at Chef’s Table on The Veranda as a huge wooden communal table awaits diners, and expertly crafted dishes, inspired by traditional ingredients and techniques, are prepared in front of them. The 12-course menu costs from £249 including selected alcoholic drinks as part of a tailor-made itinerary (offthemap.travel)

Short haul Snow White

The Valsana hotel in Switzerland is a romantic winter getaway, bordered by snowy mountains, a lake and the Arosa forest. The nearest ski lift is just a short walk away, or get your dose of alpine air from hotel’s rustic balconies. From approx. £290 a night on a b&b basis (valsana.ch)

A Regal Retreat Ireland’s Adare Manor hotel is the stuff of fairytales with its chateau-like appearance, medieval ruins, and walled gardens. Now re-opened after nearly two years of restoration, you can dine by candlelight in the oak-panelled dining room or recline on an ottoman to admire The Great Hall’s vaulted arches and heraldic designs. A championship golf course will open in the spring, while a 42-bedroom wing and La Mer spa are also new additions. From £280 a night (adaremanor.com)

Long haul Spice Island

Escape to the sunnier climes of Grenada and Spice Island Resort. Set along the stunning sands of Grenada’s best beach, Grand Anse, the resort is elegant, casual but exclusive. Owned by philanthropist Sir Royston Hopkin, the resort has just completed extensive refurbishments so now is the perfect time to visit. (spiceislandbeachresort.com)

A VIEW

OF BLUE Louisa Castle is transported to an island paradise of outstanding natural beauty, cuisine and people

he Elounda Peninsula all-suite hotel nestles atop a finger of the Cretan coastline with views of blue as far as the eye can see. And it was a welcome sight to see as our black Mercedes transfer pulled up at the reception area and we were warmly greeted by Eleni and Eftichia who would be looking after us during our stay. The reception and lounge area is the top floor of the main Elounda Peninsula building,

with huge verandas facing out across Mirabello Bay and the Aegean Sea and, whilst our welcome was the most genuine and warm, it was the views that initially stole our hearts. As we descended the grand spiral staircase (there is also a lift) we passed the breakfast area and gourmet Calypso restaurant to the second floor, again with stunning Aegean blue views and, on the bottom floor, an indoor pool, Kelari wine cellar with outstanding collection and private-dining options and cinema room, before stepping out on to cobbled Cretan path to our one-bedroom Presidential suite with private pool and access to the sea. Our home for the next week was spectacular, as Eftichia opened the door and showed us around; again though, it was the views which

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

stole the show. Entering into sitting/dining area with guest bathroom to the right, down a couple of steps to the main lounge with open fire came the view. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to a covered decking area, revealed gardens and private pool, with the sea and mountains beyond. From the lounge area, the bedroom and bathroom mirror the living space, with Jacuzzi bath, dressing room and same extensive glass sliding doors leading to an outside space. The suites are stepped around the coastline, allowing maximum privacy and remaining as true as possible to modern Cretan life. At the end of the garden there was a small viewing deck with access to the sea and sunbathing area. All that was left was to order some room service to the pool and that was us for the afternoon, quite content with our books and the view.

There are a total of 54 suites at Elounda Peninsula from one-bedroom to six-bedroom residences. Some overlook the beach, but others, like ours, look out to sea, and the two-storey collection suites in the main house are perfect for families.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The views across Mirabello Bay and the Aegean Sea stole our heartsâ&#x20AC;? We had booked on a half-board basis so dinner was at neighbouring Porto Elounda at Nafsika, a greek cuisine buffet with some excellent options. There are three properties which make up the family-owned Elounda Hotels & Resorts, all linked along a two-mile stretch of the coast, as well as beautiful gardens and a golf course. Each has dining options which all guests are welcome to enjoy. The Kokotos family is very proud of its properties, their architectural heritage and stretch of Cretan coastline and it is evident to see in all that they do. Elounda Mare is the only member of Relais & Chateaux in Greece and is built like a traditional Cretan village, with winding paths and bright bougainvillea, not forgetting all the modern essentials. Porto Elounda is modern with Six Senses Spa and nine-hole golf course and then there is Elounda Peninsula, all suite, all private pools. Then there are a handful of Elounda Peninsula Diamond Residences, ranging from one- to six- bedroom beachfront villas.

Across the three properties there are nine dining options to choose from. We didn’t manage to sample them all during our stay but we came close. For romance and Cretan fine-dining it has to be Old Mill Restaurant at Elounda Mare. Well-spaced tables dot the olive grove, and the waiting staff are impeccably informed and friendly, whether it is explaining what a dish consists of or suggesting a wine to accompany it. We were delighted by the seabass and tuna tartare, local lamb and Baklava Brownie, along with wine from the Kokotos family vineyard. Alongside the setting sun and pianist it was a special evening under the stars. Not to miss is fish night at The Yacht Club. This happens every Friday and if you are a lover of seafood, it is an absolute feast for the eyes and for the stomach; from a fresh sushi station prepared before your eyes to daily catches and everything in between.

“Transport yourself into utter relaxation with a trip to the Six Senses Spa” There is also a striking pan-Asian waterfront restaurant Koh and French gourmet Calypso, both situated at Elounda Peninsula, and a relaxed Italian beach-front restaurant Aglio e Olio. All in all plenty to choose from, not to mention the room service menu for the ultimate dinner for two. Dining is a major factor for our holidays, as you may have already noticed, alongside some much deserved R&R. Having said that there’s plenty to

do with the kids or friends should you choose, from private sailing to water sports, golf or tennis. There’s a Kid’s Ark made exclusively for the children complete with waterslides, Arsenal Soccer School and Barbie experience. The crèche caters for children aged from four months to three years and is always supervised by Jenny and her team of qualified nannies.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

“The Old Mill restaurant was a perfect evening of fine food beneath the stars” Of note is the Six Senses Spa at Porto Elounda, a short shuttle ride from Elounda Peninsula. While we walked from property to property it is a little hilly so the shuttle bus or golf cart may be your preference however, long or short the distance. With the same stunning views across the gardens and sea, Six Senses Spa is a haven of tranquility, with Thalassotherapy Thermal Suite and indoor/outdoor pool to the first floor and treatment rooms to the upper level. The spa menu is quite a book, but speak to the team and they will be able to advise whether it is a ritual, treatment or wellness programme you are looking for. I can recommend the full body signature massage to ease you into the holiday, tailormade to your requirements and addressing trigger points with gentle pressure and release techniques. As soon as you hear the singing bowl you are transported to relaxation. A range of wellness activities also takes place here, from yoga retreats to power wellness walks. Also, there’s a kids wellness workshop, too ,which combine fun activities with learning. Then there are shops, boutiques, art galleries and traditional Greek Orthodox churches on site. Having just reeled off all that there is to do at Elounda Peninsula and its sister properties, I cannot stress enough the peace and tranquility the property and people purvey. Whilst we explored and enjoyed and met like-minded guests of all nationalities and make-up, we loved nothing more than returning to our little haven

and window of blue on the world. Before I sign off, however, a special mention has to go to the manager Manolos Tzagarakis, Eftichia and the staff at Elounda Peninsula. Their welcome was warm and genuine and immediately made us feel at home. Nothing was too much and we still compare future welcomes at other establishments to our Peninsula experience. It is yet to be beaten. Elounda Peninsula offers Peninsula Junior Suite Sea View rooms from £390 per room per night on a B&B basis – based on two sharing. (eloundapeninsula.com, +30 28410 68250)

Weekend away Rockcliffe Hall

WORDs: JAN CLARKE

e set off for Rockcliffe Hall with the intention of using the hotel as a weekend base to visit historic Durham and maybe explore the north-east coastline. But once we’d arrived, it was clear we were not going to be venturing far and the calling of the north-east coastline quietened. Rockcliffe Hall is a five-star home away from home, set in the small village of Hurworth. It’s a splendid mix of Gothic Victorian grandeur, 21st century facilities and gourmet dining, all beautifully presented in an idyllic setting. It was owned and built by the Backhouse family in 1863, but nowadays it serves as a state-of-the-art training ground for Middlesbrough football club. It’s the vision of Middlesbrough’s Steve Gibson himself, that has seen the hall restored to its full glory and the development of a luxury golf and spa resort, come to fruition.

“Welcome. Come on in and relax.” We were greeted by the senior concierge, our bags swiftly taken and our car parked, all in the time it took us to take in the view from the front of the hotel and admire the original Victorian architecture. The hall has an imposing entrance and whilst the features spoke of Victorian formality, the open fires and warm north-east spirit smiled and said, “Welcome. Come in and relax”. Once in our room, with spacious lounge area and stunning views over the golf course, the wonderfully large bath beckoned. Luxurious Neom Organics beauty products were laid out

and item one on the to-do list was to run a large bath, add scented oil and let the stress of the week disappear. During our stay the staff were on hand to meet our every need. My request to take a tour of the wine cellar was immediately granted and head sommelier Daniel Jonberger talked us through some of their wines, including their own beetroot wine which is paired with Chef Richard Allen’s signature beetroot dish: a show stopper of beetroot and goats’ curd flavours and textures. Our predinner tour and the French 75 champagne cocktails, taken in the sumptuous cocktail bar, were the perfect introduction to our tasting menu with paired wines. Our meal was enjoyed in the original orangery of the hall and under Richard Allen’s lead, this flagship orangery restaurant now holds 4AA Rosettes. Every course was executed to perfection, full of flavour, skill and passion and every bit the culinary journey it promised to be. The following morning, after an impressive and hearty breakfast, the trip would not be complete without a visit to Rockcliffe’s award-winning spa and outdoor spa garden. As one of the largest spas in the country it comes complete with hydro-pool, impressive gym and wall-to-wall relaxation, guaranteed. I was treated to a truly heavenly Caudalié facial, after which I retired to the candlelit quiet room and dreamed we could stay at Rockcliffe Hall a little longer. Born from a zest for travel and the finer things in life, Best Loved Hotels is a unique collection of independent hotels, each of which is loved for its own individual style and character. For over 20 years, discerning travellers have trusted Best Loved to recommend places, which they will not only love but which will best suit them and their needs. (bestloved.com)

at Menagerie Restaurant & Bar Manchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest vibrant dining conceptâ&#x20AC;Ś MENAGERIE DINING 7 DAYS A WEEK Brunch / Lunch / Afternoon Tea / Sunday Roast /Dinner / Drinks / Late Night Party

MENAGERIE EXPERIENCE World class performers entertain live from the catwalk every Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

MENAGERIE EVENTS From Fashion Shows to business networking the 250 cover restaurant and bar regularly plays host to special events. OPEN Noon -1am Sunday - Thursday Noon - 2am Friday and Saturday

For Reservations: 0161 832 3818 reservations@menagerierestaurant.co.uk www.menagerierestaurant.co.uk

menageriemcr

00899_menagerie_brand advert_297x210.indd 1

menagerierestaurant

18/09/2017 18:15

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Food & Drink

Golden

Gift

oney has been collected and used for thousands of years and its magical properties are well documented. And for foodies, its uses in the kitchen are limitless. Honey-baked carrots, honeychicken, honey-glazed ham. Not to mention how it transforms puddings and desserts into angel cakes. To make sure you reap the benefits from Mother Nature’s gem, you need to go for the good stuff. Haughton’s Honey, based in Cheshire, produces English wildflower honey with traces of dandelion, hawthorn, chestnut, lime and blackberry. Their raw honey comes straight from the hive, is cold extracted and never pasteurised, which means it keeps all the natural enzymes and proteins. It also still retains all of the wonderful pollen. During the winter months it’s a taste of spring and summer in a jar. English Wildflower Honey from £5.95 (haughtonhoney.com)

A Slice of Heaven

Food &

Drink news

Domestic goddesses and gods take note, Claridge’s has released its first ever cookbook. If you really want to impress your guests then Claridge’s: The Cookbook, should be your new go-to recipe bible. It’s full of inspiration and over 100 recipes for breakfasts, elevenses, lunch and, of course, their world famous afternoon tea. As Spencer Tracy famously said, “I don’t want to go to heaven, I want to go to Claridge’s.” This enchanting book means heaven doesn’t actually have to wait. Claridge’s: The Cookbook is published by Mitchell Beazley, £30

WORDS: JAN CLARKE

Turning Japanese Gin lovers will be pleased to hear that Kuro gin is now available here in Cheshire. Hammond’s of Knutsford has added Kuro to the expanding portfolio of gin brands they represent. Kuro gin is a Japanese inspired London dry gin which includes 12 botanicals. Silver birch bark, spruce needles, bamboo activated charcoal and the traditional juniper have been carefully blended to produce this small batch gin. It’s taken 18 months of development to create Kuro, an aromatic drink with a smooth and creamy mouth finish. Craig Fell, John Thomson and the team at Kuro, Mensch Made Concrete kept with the Japanese inspiration when it came to the design of the Egg Cup Set ‘Hold on 2!’, sleek, stylish black bottle and the name itself means ‘black’ in £37 (thedesigngiftshop.com) Japanese. (KuroGin.co.uk)

PURCHASE of the

MONTH

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Food & Drink

...with Liam wilson, Head Chef at The Plough and Flail, Mobberley

What is your favourite ingredient? My favourite ingredient is lamb. I love it when the spring time comes around and I have the opportunity to create dishes with this meat. Last spring we made baby fondants, herb rack of lamb with pea mint jus with honey-roasted vegetables. It was a perfect spring dish. What is your favourite piece of kitchen kit? I would have to say the water bath. The flavours are sealed in becasue of the vaccum bags and the slow cooking of the meat or fish always keeps everything tender, making it a dream to work with. What has been your most memorable meal? My most memorable meal is definitely the meal I had on my wedding day. We had a great day and it was held at my uncle’s restaurant, Calypso Carribean, which made it more special. I also previously worked there too. The mutton curry is to die for.

What’s your tipple of choice? Paddy’s Irish whiskey with coke but the new JW Lees craft larger is really nice too. Finally, who cooks at home? Nine times out of ten it’s me who cooks at home. I really enjoy cooking and I love to spoil my wife and cook for her. (theploughandflail.co.uk)

What would be your desert island dish? Slow cooked daube of beef dish, it really is good home-made comfort food, perfect for this time of year.

Nordic Flavours come to Harvey Nichols The Second Floor Bar and Brasserie at Harvey Nichols in Manchester is kick starting 2018 with a feast of deliciousness by teaming up with Norse of Harrogate. Head chef Matthew Horsfield joins forces with Norse head chef Simon Jewitt to create an incredible seven-course tasting menu inspired by traditional Nordic cooking methods. This is an opportunity to discover the Scandinavian techniques of curing, pickling, hydrating and fermenting. It is the perfect excuse to finally step away from the Christmas leftovers and embark on a culinary journey this year. Friday 2 February, £50 per person for the seven-course tasting menu and drinks (harveynichols.com)

Up on the Roof Renowned chef Aiden Byrne is taking the helm at Manchester’s newest restaurant, 20 Stories, by restaurant group D & D London. 20 Stories, which opens in February, will occupy the 19th-floor rooftop at Number 1 Spinningfields with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Manchester city skyline. Alongside the restaurant, a more casual brasserie will serve dishes mainly from the grill while the bar will boast a unique list of modern cocktails and craft beers. The incredible rooftop garden will feature trees scaling two stories, an outdoor lounge bar under a tree canopy and outside BBQs. 20 Stories is set to become a key part of the Manchester skyline, and for Aiden Byrne, the sky’s the limit. 99

Food & Drink | The CHESHIRE Magazine

SPOTLIGHT ON... THE OLIVE TREE BRASSERIE Chester

W ords : jan clarke

Great for... Modern Mediterranean dishes. Pronto lunch choices and race day menus ensure it’s a great spot for all occasions

onging to escape from the cold and grey of January, we headed to The Olive Tree Brasserie in Chester, for a taste of the Mediterranean and to enjoy a fantastic Greek feast. This was the perfect antidote to our winter blues. On arrival, it seemed many others had had the same idea and despite still being early doors and mid-week, The Brasserie was busy with diners and had a great atmosphere. The Olive Tree Brasserie is the brain-child of owner Dean Wilson. He opened his first restaurant in 2007 in Lytham St Annes, this was followed by a restaurant in Preston and then Chester, which opened in July 2016. Dean’s vision was to bring great quality Greek and Mediterranean food and combine this with a modern, stylish delivery in asetting worthy of today’s experienced dining clientele and to meet their high expectations. Back in 2007, Dean felt that the north west was missing this modern approach to Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Time has proved him right and 2018 will see his brand expand further, with a new Cheshire location in the pipeline. Once seated we were served with hot, fresh pitta breads and dips to enjoy as we studied the menu. Quality, locally sourced produce is combined with wonderfully authentic, carefully selected products directly from Greece, all served with passion and innovation. There’s

“A beautiful space full of modernity and elegance, creating a holiday feel”

100

something for everyone on the menu, and 2017 saw Dean win his first national award for menu development. The restaurant is proud of this and also boasts gluten-free options and vegan friendly dishes. The Mediterranean certainly came calling as we debated over the mouth-watering moussaka, the dolmades or the tender lamb klěftiko. There is also the option of going for the full meze banquet, where diners can experience a taste of everything. We eventually decided to start with Keftédes, Greek beef and pork meatballs served with herbs and a fresh tomato sauce. Despite it being January, the month of post-Christmas diets, we succumbed to the very generous portions and followed our starter dishes with the Olive Tree Kota succulent chicken

breast poached with wilted spinach, saffron, feta and cream and served with fresh herb rice - and the Metaxa Kota, a rich and delicious dish of chicken breast with sautéed mushrooms, cream and Greece’s infamous Metaxa brandy. The Chester restaurant is a beautiful space full of modernity and elegance and with floor-to-ceiling windows creating a holiday feel, even on a cold January evening. The staff offer true Greek warmth and hospitality and are an integral part of the success of the brand. Headed by manager Edwin, the team is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. There’s no plate-smashing here, meals are delivered, drinks refreshed in an instant and your every need is met with genuine care. (olivetreebrasserie.co.uk)

P U B

O N

T H E

C O U R S E

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little something to brighten your January blues.

50% OFF FOOD

All day Monday - Friday throughout January when you pre-book*

01244 304 650

thewhitehorsechester.co.uk

The Racecourse, Chester, CH1 2LY

50% off selected dishes only. Available Monday to Friday from Monday 1st January till Friday 2nd February. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion, subject to availability. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menu not included. In order to redeem the promotion, the booking must be placed in advance over the phone or online thewhitehorsechester.co.uk *

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Local scene Our social pages this month are filled with a little pampering and a lot of style

Fiona Kinsey with Matthew and Hayley Lewis

Jon and Alex Hall with Deborah and David Tatton

Simon and Iwona Clough with Emma and Nick Sherratt

Caroline and Richard Johnson

WONDERLAND Hilltop House, Prestbury Parents and guests of King’s School enjoyed a glamorous evening as they held their biggest ever charity ball raising £12,000 for the school’s charitable funds and charities chosen by the pupils; Mind, Destiny’s Garden School in Kenya, Maggie’s Centre and Headway. Hosted by showbiz legend and parent, Les Dennis and organised by his wife, Claire Hesletine, it was a fabulous evening of grace and style. (kingsmacc.co.uk)

Deborah and James Wilson with five week old Beatrix

Emma and Nick Sherratt

Claire Heseltine and Les Dennis

Joe and Natalie Baker

Dolly Amber Travis and Rachael Hunter

Rachel and James Murtagh

103

Sharon KARINA JADHAV, Robinson CHRIS & guests HEALING & SEEMA MALHOTRA

KARINA JADHAV, CHRIS HEALING & SEEMA MALHOTRA

“We were delighted to see so many people having fun, whilst raising money for charity. This is the first of what will be an annual event and we can’t wait to start working on next year’s” - Georgina Irlam and Megan Warburton.

Amanda Stanier, Diane Beattie, Sarah Bell & Judith Gledhill

Oliver Dunn

Clare Stobart & Sue Irlam

104

Izzy Summerfield & Hattie Irlam

Val Dale & Guests

Clare Kelly & Jane Kelly

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Room dressed by Irlam Warburton Events

Elaine Yates & Cathy Lyons

Darby Ward

Tammy Faye Brown & Nermina Pieters-Mekic (Makeup Demo)

Georgina Irlam, Tammy Faye Brown, Nermina Pieters - Mekic & Megan Warburton

LADIES WHO LUNCH

Peter (Pop Perfumary), Darby Ward & Kim Minchim

Opening/Entrance

Colshaw Hall, Knutsford The inaugural Christmas ladies lunch by Irlam Warburton Events brought the ladies of Cheshire together for an afternoon of luxury shopping, fine food and festive fun. The event raised over £2,400 for When you Wish upon a Star, the charity which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses creating magical memories for the children and their families. Greeted with a red carpet reception, fizz and canapés, guests were treated to an opulent shopping experience with stalls by Laundry B, Kiki Minchin, Mooi, Oli Dunn Chocolatier, Daisy Mai, Eden Luxury Travel, Skin Genius, Twenty Fall, Milkshake Childrenswear, Pop Perfumery and Scottie & Russell. Darby Ward provided a stunning live performance to accompany. Called through to afternoon tea in the Peel Suite, the fabulous Paul Sleem hosted the afternoon in his own inimitable style and touch of fun. Lee Hutton serenaded the 180 ladies with a selection of Christmas classics followed by a talk from awardwinning aesthetic therapist, Skin Genius and perfect smokey eye demonstration from Tammy Faye, with Nermina Pieters-Mekic as model. The afternoon was ended with a heatfelt thank you from When You Wish Upon a Star. We look forward to next year’s event. (irlamwarburtonevents.com; whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk) 105

93ft wins best commercial interior design project

brereton pinnington design wins best retail environment with linda barker

NORTHERN DESIGN AWARDS

shelley bond

The Principal Hotel, Manchester The fifteenth annual Northern Design Awards brought together leading designers, architects, builders and creatives to celebrate and award the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most talented individuals. Welcomed to the event with drinks and art from Artzu, guests were called to dinner in the ball room. Event director, Shelley Bond gave a rousing speech alongside a message from the Lord Mayor and the awards ceremony began after a delicious meal. Hosted by world-renowned designer Wayne Hemingway, the awards celebrated the diversity and great work that is being done within the design sector in the north, and as the judges confessed, making the decisions more and more difficult for them. (northerndesignawards.com)

sda architecture wins best architectural design concept

106

tattu restaurants wins best restaurant & bar ÂŁ750k+

linda & jessica barker

harrison ince win best restaurant & bar

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

art courtesy of artzu cream & black interiors & sda architecture

the colony hq wins best commercial build

hannah cockburn wins best residential interor design project

farrer huxley associates wins commerical landscaping design

gaynor black, jan clarke, louisa castle, sam povey

nick & ali munro

“With the support of our enormously well-respected panel of judges, our host Wayne Hemingway and the long standing sponsors such as Trombé, not to mention the hugely talented people who entered the awards, this event keeps going from strength to strength. Having hosted awards in Leeds, Buxton, Chester and Liverpool, we’re already considering where to hold our sixteenth awards ceremony next year.” - Shelley Bond

wayne hemingway

107

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

String Infusion

Rosso, Manchester Private members’ business club, theProfileClub recently celebrated its sixth birthday at an event held at Rosso in Manchester. Set up in 2011 by Barbara Hallwood, the club attracts senior executives from across the North West. Entertainment at the event was provided by String Infusion, an all-female group of String musicians. The group performed both acoustic and electric sets with pieces from a variety of musical genres. (theprofileclub.com)

Emma Rushworth, String Infusion

Tony Hallwood & Simon Smith

Barbara Hallwood & Madelynne Franks

Madelynne & Johnny Franks with Alison & Mike Reuben

Event Sponsors Phil Morgan and Sally Davies from The Appetite App

Ella Jane Brookbanks and Nicola Clare Hampson

Armand Beasley & Friends

caroline terrington & joanna scott-aspray

Chris Moore Magic and Emma Fletcher

A DOG’S DINNER

Gerard Lambe, Joanna Scott-Aspray & Roxanna Hashemi

SOCIETY PARTY OF THE YEAR The Stanneylands, Wilmslow Organised by Cheshire Socialites, the Society Party of the Year celebrated with live music from Linda Jennings (The Voice), drinks from Whitley Neill, canapés from The Stanneylands and sweet treats from Strawberry Charlotte Catering. DJ Lee Knight provided the music and Chris Moore wowed guests with his amazing illusions. The evening culminated in the announcement of plans for an annual masked society ball in 2018. (cheshiresocialites.co.uk; stanneylands.co.uk) 108

best dressed winner, yogi with owners

magali gorre with lulu

The Plough & Flail, Mobberley Cheshire’s canines came out in force with their owners for a dog’s dinner and tea party in aid of IAPWA, the International Aid for Protection of Welfare of Animals. Sponsored by Barkers of Wilmslow, the fun afternoon with pawsecco and everyone went home with a goody bag. (iapwa.org; cheshiresocialites.co. uk; ploughandflail.co.uk)

Corporate E vents Weddings Private Parties Entertainm ent Venue Finding

kate@ katepa rkeven ts.co .u k TE L: 0161 905 2052 M OB: 07718 456 054 w w w.katepa rkeven ts.co .u k

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

e love these limited edition prints from Mrs Mighetto. The Swedish brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beloved characters have magical personalities to watch over you as you laugh, love or sleep. Take Miss Bella (right), a loyal and generous big sister or Miss Emma (left) who specialises in cotton candy and has magical powers to help adventurers on their travels. Each collection is limited and they do not reprint, so grab yours now. 50 x 70cm poster, ÂŁ48 (themodernnursery.com)

A Little

magic 111

Multi-functional An essential luxury for busy parents, this featherweight nylon changing bag from JEM + BEA is the perfect hands-free unisex solution for parents on the go. With fabulous practical features inside and out and good looks it’s the perfect accessory. Also, with such a spacious interior it can double up as a great gym- or weekend bag. (burblebaby.co.uk)

Kids’ news Purchase of the month

loves

Winter Warmers

Séraphine Maternity Jeans, £49 (seraphine.com)

112

British knitwear designer Genevieve Sweeney has launched her eponymous brand with the mission to keep knitting alive. The new Leyre jumper re-imagines animal prints in a modern way, with an adorable pattern illustrated by artist and sister Florence Sweeney and the option for embroidered initials. £85 (genevievesweeney.com)

Noe & Zoe Inspired by trips to Africa, and the vibrant colours and textures the fascinating continent has to offer, the delightful collection from Noe & Zoe includes swimwear, rainwear and new for Easter, the Happy Bunny capsule. Available exclusively at Noe & Zoe and Alex and Alexa. (noe-zoe.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

MR HENDRIX leashed

Behind the Wheel Pick up something extra special this Christmas for the little one in your life with this mini Tesla, perhaps to match a Tesla of your own. Guaranteeing hours of entertainment, this is a gift you just can’t beat. Kid’s Car, £519, Tesla (tesla.com)

Grand houses and glorious gardens lavish Cheshire and this February Anji decided to try something a little different so she took Aston, my new little sister Harper and myself to Quarry Bank Mill - one of the greatest industrial heritage sites in Cheshire. Built in 1783 on the River Bollin by Samuel Greg at a cost of £3,000 the mill gave employment and homes to many local people.

“Well-behaved dogs, that is me, of course, are welcome at Quarry Bank Mill”

If You Go Down To The Woods Today New to JoJo Maman Bébé, its latest collection offers luxurious sleepwear for babies. Woodland creatures adorn a selection of sleepsuits. £16 (jojomamanbebe.co.uk)

A Bonnie Baby This season, play dress-up with Bonniemob. The new collection features its signature animal print with new characters – Pandy, Poe and Ping Panda. Expect a range of playsuits, blankets and hats embellished with adorable wildlife creatures. £130 (thebonniemob.com)

You can learn how hard life was for the men, women and children working here and the mill inspired a television drama series called The Mill based on the real lives and accounts of the people who lived here. A lot of pauper and orphaned children were also given work at the mill so Anji took Aston into the Apprentice House to see how the young children lived and were cared for. Medicines were too expensive for most people so herbs and medicinal plants were grown in the garden. Well-behaved dogs - that is me of course - are welcome at Quarry Bank and with over 400 acres of woodland and pasture to explore without my lead, it is doggy heaven. There are water bowls, regularly topped up, around the mill yard which are very welcome as is a treat from the selection of snacks available from The Pantry. My canine friends are also welcome on the terrace of the Garden Café or around the picnic tables outside the terrace, a little chilly in February but still a welcome sit down. It was pawtastic to race around lead-free, it was only in the garden or near grazing livestock that I needed my lead. Though I definitely chose to stay away from the River Bollin, I don’t think even my amazing doggy paddle could cope with the fast-flowing waters, a source of such power for the mill. It doesn’t have to be hot and sunny to explore the great outdoors, so wrap up warm and visit Quarry Bank Mill: who knows, it may even snow. Now that would be fun. Until next time Love and licks,

Mr Hendrix x (facebook.com/Mrhendrixandfriends)

113

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A friendly, caring environment in which each girl can feel confident and flourishâ&#x20AC;?

Top independent school in the north Sunday Times Parent Power

Applications welcome for Junior (Years 3-6) and Sixth Form (Year 12) entry in September 2018

To arrange a tour call 0161 249 3371 Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL

wgs1153_entrance-2017-b_297x210_v1.indd 1

Assessment Day for Years 3-6 entry: Saturday 20th January

wgs.org

Means -tested bursaries now available from Year 5 upwards

03/01/2018 13:25

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Promotion

Withington’s

WINNING Ways

TOP

independent school in the

NORTH

Withington Girls’ School is celebrating a series of wins, from sports to academia

his is additional to being ranked as the top independent school in the north in the latest Sunday Times Parent Power league tables. Withington’s headmistress Mrs Sarah Haslam says she is delighted with achievements across the whole age range of the school community, from junior pupils through to sixth form, and is proud of the breadth of success the school is currently enjoying. Withington’s U15 netballers have had an excellent start to the new season in the Manchester District Netball Tournament, winning their group and the trophy. They are also making great progress in the national competition for independent schools. In the Sixth Form, a team of Year 12 students also celebrated victory as they beat off competition from 11 other schools to win the annual Sir Rhys Davies Mock Trial competition for the second year in a row. Held at Manchester Crown Court, each team took on the roles of defence and prosecution lawyers, defendants, witnesses, clerks and ushers. At Junior level, a team of Year 6 Withington girls has been selected to represent Manchester in the North West Pop Lacrosse tournament in

March after securing a runner-up placing in the Manchester Schools Pop Lacrosse competition. Pop Lacrosse is a mixed game of five-a-side, with up to three boys allowed in a team and WGS was the only all-girls team in the field of 12 teams. Mrs Haslam comments, “Our aim at Withington is to provide our girls with an education in its broadest sense. These successes are only a snapshot of the achievements our girls celebrate on a very regular basis but I think demonstrate just how talented our pupils – and teachers – are. We are delighted to have once again emerged in national league tables as the top independent school academically in the north of England, but this is also set against the wealth of extra-curricular activities on offer here.” Withington parents also have the reassurance of knowing their children are enjoying healthy, nutritionally-balanced meals using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients after the school became the first independent school in the north west to achieve the Soil Association’s Food For Life Served Here award. Withington is a selective independent school for academically-able girls (wgs.org)

“We are proud of the breadth of success” 115

ENTRANCE & SCHOLARSHIP ASSESSMENTS

ENTRANCE & 22ND - 26TH SCHOLARSHIP JANUARY 2018 ASSESSMENTS 22ND - 26TH JANUARY 2018

OPEN DAY SATURDAY OPEN DAY 3RD MARCH 2018 SATURDAY 3RD MARCH 2018

Tel: 01889 590217 Tel: 01889 590217 enquiries@abbotsholme.co.uk enquiries@abbotsholme.co.uk www.abbotsholme.co.uk www.abbotsholme.co.uk AN INDEPENDENT DAY AND BOARDING

AN INDEPENDENT DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL EDUCATING BOYS AND GIRLS SCHOOL EDUCATING AGED 2 TO 18BOYS YEARSAND GIRLS AGED 2 TO 18 YEARS

L to R Mrs Leighton, Olivia Zazzi-Smith, Emma Yang, Matt Haig, Clara Cummins, Mrs Yousaf and Adithi Rachapalli

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

The classroom

A Helping Hand The Firs School in Chester held a special assembly hosted by head teacher Mrs Davies and attended by Ian McDougall from Cheshire West Foodbank. Mr McDougall spoke to the children about the need for the foodbank in the area and how it helps thousands of Cheshire residents. Ian explained that the foodbank provides three days’

nutritionally balance emergency food supplies and support to local residents in crisis. The children learnt the importance of helping others and also collected food during the assembly to help support the foodbank. The school managed to collect an amazing 175kg of food in total: the equivalent of nearly two baby elephants! (westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk)

Marvellous Matt Staff and pupils at Queen’s lower school in Chester were left feeling inspired and enthused after a visit from acclaimed author Matt Haig. Matt spoke to the girls in years three to six about his career, his latest book Father Christmas and Me and also made time to take questions from the pupils. Mr Haig, who is a number one best-selling author for adults, has also won the Blue Peter Book Award, the Smarties Book Prize and has been shortlisted three times for the Carnegie Medal for his short stories for children and young adults. His titles for children include, Shadow Forest, The Runaway Troll and The Last Family in England. Everyone really enjoyed the visit, the girls jumped at the opportunity to get their books signed and it was a fantastic way to further enhance the children’s love of quality literature. (thequeensschool.co.uk)

New Addition Abbey College, Manchester recently welcomed Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, to officially open its new facilities. A £250,000 investment has allowed for major expansion to the college’s amenities on both the ground floor and basement, creating several extra classrooms, together with a brand new science laboratory, student services area and computer facilities. This is an exciting new phase in the college’s development and further cements its position within the vibrant and dynamic local community. It also demonstrates its commitment to being a significant employer in the city. Staff and students were delighted to welcome Mr Burnham back to the college to officially declare the facilities open — he first visited the college several years ago as an MP. (abbeymanchester.co.uk)

117

homes and

interiors showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY IN CHESHIRE AND BEYOND

Craft Work Designers who champion the intricate craft of marquetry

The Colour

PURPLE

This year’s on trend colour looks set to pack a punch

Creating perfection for over 40 years and nothing else STUART FRAZER are pure kitchen specialists. Unlike other companies, they do not diversify into areas such as bedrooms or bathrooms. This unwavering approach to purity has provided the cornerstone to their business for over forty years. During this time, Stuart Frazer has built an enduring partnership

with acclaimed German manufacturer SieMatic, who have awarded them Premium Partner status, in recognition of their prominence as the largest UK dealer. In fact, Stuart Frazer are probably the longest established SieMatic dealer in the world. For many, the dream begins the

AWARD WINNER 2016

AWARD WINNER 2015

AWARD WINNER 2017 moment they step inside Stuart Frazer’s stunning showroom in Manchester. Further studios are dotted throughout the northwest and all beautifully showcase fully working examples in real room settings. From there, dream kitchens begin to be realised, as Stuart Frazer’s award-winning designers take clients through the creative process, from hand drawn sketches to fully rendered CAD images. Once this stage is complete, unrivalled project management services come into focus and the dream kitchen is brilliantly brought to life. Such close attention to detail leads to perfection, and three Northern Design Awards in succession are testament to the company’s passion and belief.

AWARD WINNER 2014 Stuart Frazer recently had the honour of being asked to design and install the cookery school kitchen at the renowned Michelin starred Northcote in Lancashire. When only the very best would do, cutting edge design and workmanship came together and the result was a spectacular SieMatic kitchen complete with Gaggenau appliances. It showcased a perfect illustration of world-class cuisine and world-class kitchen working in perfect harmony. Why not see how Stuart Frazer’s pure, unadulterated approach to kitchen design can turn your dreams into reality? Please visit their website or drop into one of the showrooms. You’ll see why they’re just as famous for their coffee as they are for kitchens.

MANCHESTER 554 - 556 Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 3BD (Junction 17 M60) Tel 0161 7984800 PRESTON 4 - 6 Stanley Street, Preston, Lancashire PR1 4AT (on ringway, opposite prison) Tel 01772 204004 RIBBLE VALLEY www.stuartfrazer.com Friendship Mill, Whalley Road, Read, Lancashire BB12 7PN Tel 01282 770800

THE

HERITAGE

WARDROBE COMPANY Luxury Bespoke Wardrobes

Dressing Rooms

Walk-in Wardrobes

Beautifully crafted English furniture personally designed www.theheritagewardrobecompany.com Tel: 0203 355 8575 Knutsford: 01565 817 327

Homes and Interiors

Home & Garden News The very latest news, advice and trends from the world of interior design

Glam and Groovy

The Lotus Position Sara Miller uses plant extracts to create sumptuous home fragrance diffusers and scented candles. Beautifully packaged, the collection includes our favourite, Jasmine Lemongrass and Ginger, perfect for spring. £28 (beaumonde.co.uk)

We’ve been carefully watching to see what 2018 has in store when it comes to the most popular interiors trends. There’s a few on our radar but 1970s glam is definitely one to watch. It’s time to mix things up, pull on your kaftan and move away from the mid-century modern. Designer Jonathan Adler has been inspired by and pioneered this era for a while now, but it looks as though 2018 will see other designers getting creative as they relive this bold and eclectic era. (uk.jonathanadler.com)

123

Home & GARDEN news

Check it Out British Manufacturer Ian Mankin has a history of weaving stripes and checks at his Lancashire Mill. But, he has recently introduced new jacquard looms, and the results are beautiful. The new range includes boldly coloured and patterned recycled brushed cotton, heathery recycled wool and four designs in super fine merino lambswool. (ianmankin.co.uk)

Love is Like a Butterfly Nature lovers will fall head over heels for the Nymph Chandelier from Koket. The Nymph chandelier is inspired by the whimsical butterfly and its enchanted journey through life. It embraces the wild side of this rare and beautiful animal that so gracefully bejewels the lighting fixture. Delicate metal butterflies hover in the air in perfect harmony, composing an overblown dramatic silhouette, which gives shape to a luxurious chandelier. This exquisite piece will transform any room into a magical wonderland. (bykoket.com)

Manchester’s Nordic Mood Fans of Scandinavian style and design can now shop for interior furnishing and accessories from the comfort of their home thanks to new homeware brand, Nordic Mood. This online retailer based in Manchester brings together a curated collection of furniture, lighting and accessories which encapsulate the congenial mood of traditional Nordic home life and emotional wellbeing. Their collection has a strong emphasis on function and form, organic shapes and tactile materials. We love the simplicity of this dining table and chairs. Albert Dining Table A, from £1,890 (nordicmood.co.uk)

124

Enjoy A Clutter Free Coffee Break The white round Olivia Coffee Tables with their clean, modern design are the perfect statement centre-piece for your living room. These contemporary coffee tables are simple, yet attractive with plentiful storage space inside. The perfect way to keep your home stylish and clutter free. Olivia Coffee Table, £429 (smithersofstamford.com)

Homes and Interiors

Fake It

TWEET of the MONTH

Now the decorations are packed away but spring has not yet come calling, our homes can feel a little bare. The easiest way to bring some greenery into your home during the winter months is to fake it. Always luscious and bright eyed, whatever the temperature or position they require no attention or care. Faux plants look good mixed with other faux greenery and blooms but can also be used with fresh blooms to fill out a vase, if you do still want a touch of the real thing. Faux leather fern spray, £15 (audenza.com)

OvoSpaces @OvoSpaces Reflecting on the year’s interior designs: bringing the outside in. Exciting to see this trend grow, literally. #InteriorTip

Love Your Interior KJ Love Design @kjlovedesign Small accents can make the largest impact. Put out bowls, jars and mirrors to complete a room, entryway, or to make a space feel more inviting

# H o m e W e b w at c h : F o r a fa b u l o u s f l o o r sh o w , c he c k o u t o u r f a v o u r i te f o r m a g i c a l c a rpets

therugcompany.com luxdeco.com luxuryrugs.com

Words of wisdom

“Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love.” – Nate Berkus, Interior Designer

Purple Reign Pantone has just announced the colour of the year for 2018 as ultra violet, which means we are going to be seeing a lot of purple this year. Said to represent thoughtfulness and mystical and spiritual qualities, it follows on from 2017’s fresh and vibrant greenery colour. The Pantone brand has chosen this shade because of its association with mindfulness and as a colour that is said to inspire creativity, individuality and non-conformity. As always, the Pantone colour of the year will dictate trends for the

year ahead in fashion, beauty and, of course, interior design. You can incorporate this colour into your home with a large piece such as a sofa, go for a bold accent wall or add small touches with carefully selected accessories. Amy sofa, £1,070 (darlingsofchelsea.co.uk); Bridgman ultra violet blown glass vase, £55 (bridgman.co.uk); Farrow & Ball , Number 25, 324 (0.75l) (farrow-ball.com)

125

Homes and Interiors

Home & GARDEN news

The coming of age of the noughties W O R D S : Cr i sp i n H a rr i s M R IC S

ike all petulant teenagers, the now 18-year-old noughties have been through a lot, none of which is its own fault! There have been trials and tribulations, fallouts, reckless behaviour, trust issues and rather a lot of arguing. If the 21st century were a child, what would its behaviour tell us? Life began calmly enough in 2000 and we delivered a quiet baby. There were no warning signs about the years to come. Before 2005, life was sweet and our child’s behaviour was mirroring the UK housing market – great signs of steady growth and good omens for the future. However, by 2006, we had a boisterous six-year-old on our hands, signalling the jitters to come. By 2008 our petulant child was put firmly back in its place, with lower than expected grades and progression, much like house prices of the time. It didn’t do too well at school! It narrowly managed to avert disaster by behaving well when its nearest and dearest wanted to leave (Scotland).

By 2006, we had a boisterous six-year-old on our hands However, our soon-to-be 18-year-old was clearly biding its time. Some years later it lay its revolutionary cards on the table by absenting itself from family discussions. No more Europe and sitting at the big table for this one! In its short life we’ve witnessed a boom, a big bust, a let off for good behaviour and now it is hell bent on burning bridges. All before the age of leaving home! Its impulsive behaviour led to some worries, like our own housing market, but we hope that with the right care and attention we can bring it back into the fold. What can we expect of the wanderlust years of 18-21? Well, as with all teenagers, we hope it will knuckle down, grow-up, make friends and continue to build connections and relationships with a wider group of friends. Our child has the potential to be a very prosperous young adult if it can only toe the line and listen to the grown-ups (whoever they may be). We can’t wait to see what it’s like at 21!

126

Border Patrol If you want to ensure your garden is looking blooming lovely for the year ahead, but are a little daunted by the task, then take a look at Border in a Box. This clever company has created a series of boxes containing everything you need to plant, plan and achieve amazing boarders. Each contains a garden design, fully labelled to show what goes where; a planting list, planting care and flowering periods, tips and ideas and seeds. You can choose from several options including shady evergreen borders, butterflies and bees to cottage garden. £25 (borderinabox.net)

The Village People Richmond Retirement Village in Nantwich has won national recognition at a prestigious care industry awards ceremony. The Village was crowned Retirement Village of the Year at the first Caring UK Awards, following a rigorous assessment process and scrutiny from a panel of esteemed judges, that included Professor Martin Green OBE of Care England, Nadra Ahmed OBE DL of the National Care Association, Raj Kapoor of Alzheimer’s Society and Industy Expert, John Kennedy. The awards were organised by Script Events and leading industry publication Caring UK, with support from headline sponsor Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank; they recognise excellence, innovation and achievement in all corners of the industry. Awards were presented in 16 categories at a glittering ceremony at The National Railway Museum in York, and were attended by over 400 care industry professionals and hosted by health and well-being expert and star of The Apprentice, Katie Bulmer-Cooke. (richmond-villages.com)

We believe in a different perspective.

We don’t inflate prices just to reduce them later on. We never have, and we never will. Instead, we’d love to help make your dream kitchen a reality, by giving you an important part for free. So in January, the sink cabinet is on us when you spend £8,000 on our kitchen cabinetry. And if you spend £15,000, we’ll include selected taps and a sink too.

neptune.com For full terms, visit neptune.com/kitchenoffer Offer ends 31st January 2018.

Neptune by Allen & Allen, Wilmslow,

SK9 1BJ, 01625 535255

LIFE IN DESIGN

Mark

OAKES Mark Oakes, managing director of MO Consultancy and Investment, shares some of his favourite moments and top tips on creating your perfect home

The people who inspired you to pursue your current profession I think my wife has to take a lot of the credit. I’m a commercially wired individual, whereas she is very creative. Over the years she has really opened my eyes to design, art and style. I’d also have to say Justin Risley, who has been our architect on several projects. He’s an exceptionally talented individual!

The best thing about working in a creative industry By far the most satisfying thing is starting with a blank sheet of paper, developing a brief and watching an idea grow unto the final finished product. It’s such a collaborative process, whether that is with the clients, or suppliers. You are constantly learning in this environment, which is a great thing.

The best piece of advice you’ve ever been given

The proudest moment in your career to date

It’s OK to say you don’t know. When you’re starting out and want to impress, there’s a reluctance to acknowledge you don’t have all the answers, which I now observe in meetings. I think it’s a skill which comes with age and experience coupled with confidence in your own ability.

I guess some of the awards we have won have made us proud, as it’s always nice to be recognised by your peers. That said, on a personal level, the proudest moment is always meeting up with a client a few months after they have moved into their property and seeing how happy they are in their new home.

“ I have to say, my successes have come about 128

Homes and Interiors

Your personal motto I think that would be something along the lines of… in order to grow personally, professionally or spiritually, you have to be prepared to take a risk. Ironically, I’ve learnt more from my mistakes than from my successes. But, I have to say, my successes have come about as a result of my learning experiences.

Your go-to song while you are working I love music, particularly when it’s live and I have an eclectic taste. But, I do like silence when I’m concentrating in the office. If pushed, and as a proud Mancunian, I’d go for something from the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays or anything from the Hacienda playlist.

Your idea of the perfect day off Cycling first thing with mates, followed by brunch and a chat. Then

home to prepare a big Sunday roast and a sit down with the family over a few glasses of red.

Three items you always take with you when you travel Phone, earphones and sunglasses.

The last book you read Impossible is a Dare by Ben Cooley. Ben is CEO of a charity called Hope for Justice and I met him around eight years ago and we’ve become good friends. The book is about how he took an idea or rather a desire to eradicate human trafficking and grew it into an international presence, fighting the cause on several continents. It’s truly humbling and inspiring and whilst he’s not motivated by profit, the start- up principles and pains are pretty much a blue print for any budding entrepreneur. (moconsultancy.co.uk)

as a result of my learning experiences. ” 129

SO H LD a S

LDach SOandb

W O ilm L slo D w

LDe l SO Ha

SOLD ON EXPERTISE Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property, speak to Jackson Stops. We’ve been property experts since 1910. AUTHENTIC AGILE

ale

HALE 0161 928 8881

LDl a SO Sty

ASTUTE

WILMSLOW 01625 540 340

Bo OL wd D on

lin

LDon SOBowd

gt D on

LDlow s SOilm

SOLD ON H E R I TAG E Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property, speak to Jackson Stops. We’ve been property experts since 1910. AUTHENTIC AGILE

ale

0161 928 8881

HALE

LDham SOltrinc

ASTUTE

WILMSLOW 01625 540 340

H O ale L Ba D rn s

LDgton SOiddin

W O ilm L slo D w

LDon SOBowd

SOLD ON VA LU E Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property, speak to Jackson Stops. We’ve been property experts since 1910. AUTHENTIC AGILE

HALE 0161 928 8881

LDry u SOAstb

Bo OL wd D on

ASTUTE

WILMSLOW 01625 540 340

nh D am

M S ot tra O m L St D An dr ew

e S

LDgton SOiddin

LDEdg SOerley

SOLD ON INTEGRITY Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property, speak to Jackson Stops. We’ve been property experts since 1910. AUTHENTIC AGILE

ow d

S B O

0161 928 8881

HALE

LDlow s SOilm

ASTUTE

WILMSLOW 01625 540 340

Cr OL ow D ley

LDorth SOwsw e

Ed ge

rle

LDEdg

SOerley d

SOLD TRUST Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property, speak to Jackson Stops. We’ve been property experts since 1910. AUTHENTIC AGILE

LDAnd

S am tr ot M

w re

Al SO de rle L y D Ed ge

ASTUTE

WILMSLOW HALE

WILMSLOW

01625928 0161 5408881 340

01625 540 340

de O rle L y D Ed ge d

wo o

all

LDarns SOale B

LDrigley SOtt Sh

SOLD ON A DV I C E Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property, speak to Jackson Stops. We’ve been property experts since 1910. AUTHENTIC AGILE

0161 928 8881

HALE

LDham SOltrinc

Bo OL wd D on

ASTUTE

WILMSLOW 01625 540 340

de O rle L y D Ed ge

LDEdg SOerley

W O ilm L slo D w

LDon SOSutt

SOLD REASSURANCE Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property, speak to Jackson Stops. We’ve been property experts since 1910. AUTHENTIC AGILE

0161 928 8881

d Al

HALE

e LDEdg SOerley

Bo OL wd D on

ASTUTE

WILMSLOW 01625 540 340

de O rle L y D Ed ge Ed ge

rle

de Al

LDe l SO Ha

SOLD ON US B E I N G YO U R AG E N T Y E T ?

0161 928 8881

HALE

LDeton SOongl

Al SO de rle L y D Ed ge

Contact our Hale or Wilmslow office and speak with one of our sales experts.

WILMSLOW 01625 540 340

INTERVIEW

INTO THE

WOODS From Linley to Lotusier, Camilla Apcar discovers the designers championing the intricate 16th century craft of marquetry

n 17 October a macassar ebony and bird’s eye maple cabinet by Studio Job will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s with an estimate of £40,000 to £60,000. It is one of an edition of only six made in 2006, when the Dutch design duo were at the forefront of a renewed and revived interest in marquetry.

138

Such graphic skeletal designs were far from the conventional use of the technique, in which incredibly thin veneers are cut to a design, pieced together and applied to a solid wooden base. Studio Job turned heads, and created an appetite for the technique that – as the Perished cabinet’s appearance at auction suggests – has not diminished. Veneer marquetry evolved in the 16th century from the idea of stone inlays and intarsia. A new jigsaw blade made it possible to cut precious woods into ever thinner sheets: the technique swept through Flanders and into France, with cabinet maker AndréCharles Boulle leading the way at Versailles. A century later, elaborate veneer designs had outstripped most other decorative furniture techniques. At Decorex in September, bespoke specialist Zelouf and Bell launched a number of designs that offer a delightful contemporary approach to marquetry, in their own way. “What interests us is not so much the making for its own sake, but the ability to use different techniques as a way to

Homes and Interiors

express ourselves and our interests,” says co-founder Susan Zelouf. “We’re more interested in style and expression than woodworking.” At the moment, geometric and repetitive patterns are inspiring the duo, such as a credenza with 22,000 triangles of macassar ebony inlaid into a grid of pale pink sycamore (Othello, £28,000). The pattern is inlaid back into the timber, like a jigsaw. Other new projects have taken particularly artistic cues from nature. A champagne cart mirrors one of the largest mazes in the world, at Reignac-sur-Indre (£8,100); for the Jungle cabinet (£16,500), the pair worked with a fashion illustrator, playing asymmetrical offset marquetry. To achieve such vibrant colours, pressure-dyed veneers are used, although care must be taken with placing – like any fabric or painting, all woods react to sunlight. Zelouf and Bell’s new feather cocktail cabinet, meanwhile, marries both graphic and naturalistic inspirations (£26,150). “We were excited by the idea of a very formal and linear joinery, then by introducing one organic element,” says Zelouf. To wit, hyper-real marquetry hen feathers decorate its rippled sycamore drawer fronts, while opening the plain centre drawer reveals a matching tray. The idea of marquetry as artwork in its own right is continued at Linley, where the craft is at the company’s core. It was founder David Linley’s specialisation when he studied fine furniture, admiring the work of Boulle and William Kent. This year at Masterpiece, Linley brought a triptych screen made in collaboration with artist Jonathan Yeo,

This page, from top: Studio Job, Perished cabinet; Zelouf and Bell Othello credenza; Jungle cabinet

using 40 different veneers (£125,000). “It brought a figurative element to marquetry,” says Linley’s creative director Carmel Allen. “Our designer really looked at brushstrokes and chose the grains of the wood to reflect that. We are constantly experimenting and trying to push the boundaries a little.” Each panel rotates on its own support; a Connolly leather-clad valet and drinks bar sit on the reverse. “Modern marquetry is very much about exciting surface design and pattern, bringing in some colour and wit, making it really relevant for now,” says Allen. “So often people associate marquetry with brown furniture – and it really doesn’t have to be.” A case in point is the striking royal blue Girih cabinet in sycamore and satinwood (£75,000), inspired by an eight-pointed star mosaic tile that Linley spotted on a visit to Doha. Huge city skyline screens, which Linley first started producing around the turn of the millennium, each include more than 30,000 pieces and take more than 750 hours to put together (£75,000 for London). Every time he goes to New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s room of 15th century trompe l’oeil marquetry

Opposite page: Tim Gosling’s corridor door

139

interview

Clockwise from top left: Linley, London skyline screen the making of Linley’s Cassiopeia screen; Zelouf and Bell, Serpent in a Maze champagne cart; marquetry from Francis Sultana’s new collection; Linley, Girih cabinet;

140

tops furniture designer Tim Gosling’s list. “It’s one of those incredible techniques that never seems to fail to amaze you as you approach it – as you realise it’s not threedimensional, but flat,” he enthusees. “It’s an extraordinary illusion even in this day and age of movies and iPads. To still see craftsmanship that makes you look at it differently is wonderful.” When in his 20s, Gosling met Jack Wild, a craftsman who worked on the Orient Express. “He had perfected the art of marquetry like no one else,” says Gosling. “He was in his 80s then and we had a couple of years of him being able to train younger people. To hand that baton on is incredible.” One of Gosling’s concerns is that such crafts are less likely to be commissioned if the intricacies of the techniques are not understood – and then might die out. Some pieces might take months to create. One of Gosling’s most impressive creations is a door at the end of a corridor that turned out like a drawing in itself, with about 4,000 pieces of hand-cut wood creating an optical illusion as if looking

further down the corridor and out over a balcony. Many of the edges were sandburnt to provide extra shading (the wood is shuffled gently into a pile of hot sand, charring the edge). In the coming centuries, as the woods start oxidising, the dark woods will become light and vice versa. The most modern aspect of marquetry today is the use, in some cases, of laser cutting instead of cutting by hand, to achieve painstakingly detailed designs. But there is little space for purism, says Gosling, and this in turn helps crafts survive. “I sometimes think it’s really great to use laser cutting. It does a very different thing as opposed to cutting it by hand – you end up with a slightly burnt edge. But straw cutting is all done by hand, and remarkable because in a photograph it doesn’t capture the light in the same way as if you actually walk past it and see the iridescence of the straw.” When Hermès reissued a selection of Jean-Michel Frank pieces in 2013 that Gosling also worked on, he was spurred to find craftspeople expert in straw. “A lot of them are based in Normandy because Mont Saint-Michel was used as a prison during the Napoleonic wars, where they had nothing to do all day except use the straw on the bottom of their cells to make pictures,” says Gosling. “It was born out of that tiny little industry in the 1800s.” Gosling has now started to look at inlaying bone and

Homes and Interiors

mother of pearl into the straw. “It’s using three sets of different craftsmen to create something that wouldn’t have happened before, a century ago,” he says. Another table features a threemetre accent of green straw, dyed in the south of France and worked on in Normandy, before the panels are sent to Gosling’s workshop in Whitby. Christophe Pourny, a French furniture designer based in New York, has worked on public projects including the restoration of City Hall, and countless private commissions involving straw. “Marquetry was always reserved to the ‘happy few’ that could afford, or had the lifestyle or home to welcome it,” says Pourny. Straw was originally used by those wanting a cheaper alternative to wood marquetry in the 1700s, but its rediscovery by Art Deco designers created a demand and expense that could only be afforded by the wealthiest households in Paris. Today there is an additional obstacle. “The process of creating is not as challenging as creating the desire for clients to appreciate it. We worked for several years promoting this craft, before we saw large projects planned.” The rye straw that Pourny uses is grown organically in France, specifically for marquetry. The bundles are imported to Brooklyn, where each stalk is split by hand and ironed flat. Only the best are kept. The designer’s specialty includes impressive waterfall tables inspired by Jean-Michel Frank, shimmering over the curve of the wood, and covering entire walls in straw marquetry. The foyer of a new European home took nearly two years to complete. Where Pourny sticks to infinitely mesmerising golden hues, Francis

Sultana’s latest work uses straw marquetry to colourful effect. The designer’s imagination was captured by straw marquetry on trips to Baku and Istanbul, combining strong colours with the natural straw. The result is a collection of chevrons and blocky stripes in bright green and blue (from £7,225). “Whereas in the 1920s and 1930s it was all natural in colour, we have created something entirely contemporary,” says Sultana.

“Marquetry is an extraordinary illusion, even in this day and age” Hundreds of years on, the horizons of marquetry are still expanding. Bethan Laura Wood focuses on laminate marquetry for her limited series of Hot Rock furniture (POA at Nilufar Gallery), while Allen notes a trend for incorporating metal. Meanwhile, at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Lizzo has just introduced wallcoverings by Japanese specialist Tomita (£309 per m). Thin sheets of lustrous paulownia wood are cut then placed together, alternating the grain of the wood, with more paulownia or paper mulberry inlaid in a contrasting direction to complete the effect – intricate, and ever enchanting. (kitchenarchitecture.co.uk)

141

Homes and Interiors

THE EDIT

for the love of wood We are inspired by the exquisite 16th-century craft of marquetry and have fallen in love with some beautiful and intricate wooden furnishings and everyday objects

142

Geometric Black and Brass Wooden Door Knob, £3.50 (iansnow.com)

Dandy Sideboard, £7,690 (essentialhome.eu)

Cufflink Box, £3,100 (dior.com)

Sunburst Wood Wall Art, £285 (puji.com)

Milan Chest of Drawers, £499 (atkinandthyme.co.uk)

Brooklyn Industrial Coffee Table with Shelf, £545 (alexanderandpearl.co.uk)

Francis Sultana Tray, £1,500 (francissultana.com)

Leroy Stool, £950 (bocadolobo.com)

Jonathan Charles Symmetry Chest of Drawers, £2,549 (sweetpeaandwillow.com)

R I C H M O N D NA N T W I C H R E T I R E M E N T V I L L AG E

Aspirational Retirement Living Wouldn’t it be nice to live free of the stresses of modern living? To be surrounded by like-minded neighbours who want to get the most out of life? To be part of a safe community filled with social opportunities and beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces to enjoy? Richmond Nantwich Retirement Village is a fabulous purpose-built retirement community that has the kind of luxury facilities that most people can only dream of.

• • • • • • •

1 & 2 bedroom apartments Restaurant & bar Hair & beauty salon Transport service Activities & events team Landscaped gardens Care team on site 24 hours a day

For more information, please contact:

01270 629080 www.richmond-villages.com/nantwich @RVNantwich

@richmondnantwich

Richmond Nantwich, St Joseph’s Way, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6TD

Cheshire Magazine_FP-11_Dec_2017.indd 1

24/11/2017 14:59

promotion

The Family

SEAT

We find out how to create the perfect home from furnishing experts, Cousins. We hope that you are sitting comfortably...

ust one and a half miles outside of Manchester City centre, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the 90,000 sq ft Cousins flagship furniture store. This light, modern store offers the largest selection of furniture in the north west, and its striking room displays have set new standards in the furniture industry. The store is purpose-built and is as impressive for its design and magnitude as it is for its collections and quality furnishings. With a large lighting department, together with a great accessories selection, customers have the opportunity to create the perfect design statement throughout their home.

Cousins, as we know it today was founded by three cousins in 1984, in the West Midlands, where the company gained an unquestionable reputation for quality. This family firm, which has trading roots dating back to the 1920s, has expanded and developed over the years, cumulating in the opening of the Manchester flagship store in 2004. This was quickly followed by a new distribution centre in 2005, close to Manchester Airport, which forms the vital hub of their delivery network. This growth, and the on-trend offering for interior design, means Cousins is acclaimed as the north westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest furniture store. They provide an immeasurable selection of choice, and yet remain a

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cousins appreciates the value of the home as a place to 144

Homes and Interiors

family business, staying true to their original values. The Cousins’ buyers travel the world to source cutting-edge designs that are innovative, inspiring and, most importantly, impeccable in their craftsmanship, but they also appreciate the culture of home-grown suppliers. They know the design is important but understand that practicality and durability are crucial. Whether it’s a touch of the traditional or the latest must-have piece, they use time-honoured designs, resources and methods to ensure that they deliver their customers’ aspirations, exactly. Their flagship store encompasses this ideal perfectly, where a traditional ethos of customer service is mixed with the modern and refined aesthetic of the building. Over time, the company has acquired an expert knowledge of interior design trends; and the sheer scale of the Manchester store allows for the availability of a splendid range of accessories to complement many styles and designs. With vibrant accent colours, cool greys and jewel tones key to current trends, Cousins accessories department is awash with blue-hued vases, berry-coloured rugs and retro-inspired cushions and lamps. When it comes to their furniture

collection, the rich textures in upholstery and bedding include plush chenilles aligned with the Arbre range, the deep-buttoned detailing synonymous with Boynton and the luxurious combination of the Boutique collection. The warm earth tones and the use of reclaimed woods for products such as the Shell Island Dining Collection are particularly notable for the brand. Such materials reflect their success in showing true character and individuality. Cousins is a unique business model in the industry and the family is incredibly involved in all aspects of the trade. If you ask them, they will say there is no real secret to their success but rather a passion and devotion for what they do. They appreciate the value of home, as it is where we find comfort, seek calm and appreciate time with our families. Furniture isn’t frivolous but rather something that’s carefully considered and cherished. Cousins understands these sentiments and the importance of getting the choice just right. They take great pride in being able to help customers make their home a special place. (cousinsfurniture.co.uk)

find comfort, seek calm and appreciate time with family.” 145

Introducing Cold Arbor Farm Old world charm meets modern day luxury.

Opening the doors to a new lifestyle We’re delighted to announce the release of three exclusive homes at Cold Arbor Farm, Tytherington. The Farmhouse and The Barn are both Grade II listed buildings, with every last detail lovingly restored. The Stables has been carefully designed to complement the restored buildings and it’s stunning surroundings. Together they create three unique homes of unparalleled quality. Prices starting from £550,000

Cold Arbor Farm, Springwood Way, Tytherington, SK10 2XA 0800 128812 jones-homes.co.uk

HOT PROPERTY our SHORTLIST OF top properties on the market in and AROUND cheshire

Malmesbury House Theobald road, bowdon

This exceptional Georgian style modern house, beautifully refurbished throughout, stands in one of Bowdonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought after and secluded positions, at the end of Theobald Road. At over 7,000 sq ft the house is spacious and includes an attached

148

Homes and Interiors

guest apartment, suitable for staff or for longer term guests. It has recently undergone a complete refurbishment program, and is presented impeccably throughout with a beautiful interior design scheme and the finest quality furnishings. As with houses built in a faithful Georgian style, the rooms are spacious and bright with superb ceiling heights, three-quarter length windows and a large galleried reception hall provides an impressive entrance. A porch frames the front door leading into a reception hallway with marble tiled floor and beautiful marble fireplace. The main drawing room is a lovely

dual aspect room overlooking the gardens, and provides the most grand entertaining space for the house. Leading off the drawing room is a fabulous bar room with matching floor and high level marble topped bar and hand crafted cabinetry. There are two further main reception rooms including a dining room with seating for eight people and and French doors to an outside terrace, and a second, smaller sitting room with a dual aspect The spacious open plan kitchen/ family room is a wonderful informal space and has a high glazed roof and full length windows to two sides. The bedroom configuration is ideal

for the family with three full suites at first floor level and two additional bedrooms with shower room on the upper floor. The master bedroom suite incorporates the whole of one end of the house and includes a ladies and gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dressing rooms. There are two further double bedrooms, each with an ensuite, one with a large freestanding bath and shower and the second with a shower room. The guest apartment is a splendid large suite which includes a double sitting room, bedroom, shower room and large open plan kitchen breakfast room, and this provides excellent ancillary accommodation, but could equally be a larger part of the main accommodation of the house and be changed into a large games room or gymnasium. With beautifully maintained and exceptionally private grounds, large gated entrance with video entrance phone system and garaging this property is a stunning finished product and offers a wonderful opportunity. On the market at a guide price of ÂŁ3,850,000 with Stuart Rushton and Company 35 King Street, Knutsford WA16 6DW (01565 757000; srushton.co.uk)

149

Homes and Interiors

HOT PROPERTY

Brownhills

BEST FEATURE: character and charm

Oulton Mill Lane, Rushton

Large property with versatile accommodation in a beautiful setting.

rownhills is an individual detached property offering versatile accommodation and holds a delightful, elevated position overlooking the Mill Pond at Rushton. The property was built in 2005, replacing a timber framed thatched cottage and is set in attractive, well proportioned, private landscaped gardens with far reaching views. Extending into excess of 3,000 sq ft Brownhills has four bedrooms in total two with ensuite, a main bathroom and a wet room adjacent to the fourth as

well as a magnificent dining room and large farmhouse kitchen with breakfast room. It’s location between Tarporley and Winsford means this property is perfectly placed to enjoy the outdoor life with a number of golf and equestrian clubs. On the market at a guide price of £850,000 with Cheshire Lamont, The Chestnut Pavilion, Tarporley, CW6 0UW (01829 730700; cheshirelamont.co.uk)

best of the rest Beech Farm Pinewood, Chelford Road, Marthall, Knutsford

BEST FEATURE: development opportunity A private, luxury estate in a much sought after location, offering great potential for your Grand Design.

f you ever wanted to build your Grand Design in complete privacy, then the sale of this luxury estate could be the perfect chance, and all withing 22.5 acres of farmland. Minutes from Alderley Edge and Knutsford, this sale includestwo detached main residencies, one a modern four-bedroom country house in the Georgian style with detached garage. The other a beautiful five-bedroom

150

characterful property with an immaculate interior. The outbuildings consist of a luxury office building which has scope to be converted into a pool, gym or garages. In addition, there is a very large barn suitable for many purposes, both agricultural and equestrian, giving a total of around 12,650 sq ft of property on offer. The property also benefits from landscaped gardens, six golf holes and

two large ponds stocked with fish. Garaging, kennelling, fenced paddocks and stable blocks also compliments this property and offers great potential. On the market at a guide price of £4,995,000 with The Mobile Agents, 10 London Road, Alderley Edge SK9 7JS (01625 576 050; themobileagents.co.uk)

CHESTER

LONDON

50a Bridge Street Chester, CH1 1NQ

40 St. James’s Place London, SW1A 1NS

• Five bedrooms, four receptions • Detached annexe/garage and office

• Detached self-contained timber lodge • Detached pool house

• Sits within approximately 0.8 acres • EPC C

Kelsall, Cheshire

• Late Victorian townhouse • Four bedrooms, two receptions • Ground floor one bedroom apartment

Within The City Walls

Guide Price: £1,250,000

• Rear courtyard and garden terrace • Within the city walls • EPC E

Guide Price: £765,000

info@rickittpartnership.co.uk

• Period detached family home • Wealth of character features • Four reception rooms

Mollington, Cheshire

01244 322 322

• Five/six bedrooms • Set within approx. two acres • EPC F

Guide Price: £680,000

www.rickittpartnership.co.uk

AS FEATURED ON GRAND DESIGNS...

Ellesmore House, Wincham Avenue, Wincham, Cheshire CW9 6GH info@clear-living.co.uk 01606 45109 www.clear-living.co.uk

Extend your living room. The frameless insulated sliding doors by Sky- Frame blend naturally into their surroundings. So it is hard to say where the living room ends and where the view starts. www.sky-frame.ch

New Showroom Store Street Bollington Cheshire SK10 5PN t: 01625 466200 e: showroom@portraitpools.com w: portraitpools.com

OVERSEAS PROPERTY

Paradise

FOUND In our search to bring you the latest and best properties for sale abroad, we came across this piece of paradise in Hawaii, with some rock ‘n’ roll heritage

et upon the magnificent cliffs of Maui’s Waipio Bay, we have fallen in love with this oceanfront villa currently owned by Sammy Hagar, the American rock star who was part of one of the most successful rock bands of all time: Van Halen. Gracious and gated, the 9.82 acreage embraces solitude and seclusion. Enter through the stately royal palm tree-lined drive, sprawling green lawns and flora, as a flowing stream receives you. The welcoming and splendid entrance extends to a single-level home featuring expansive views of the blue Pacific, which are dynamic and inspirational. These views are rumoured to have been

156

Homes and Interiors

Hagar’s muses for the songs Mas Tequila and Halfway to Memphis. The Mediterranean villa draws you through the open floor-plan, with 3,421 sq ft of living space and ever-present views. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, master bedroom with en suite and large walk-in wardrobe space, a den, which is currently used as Sammy’s Tiki Bar, breakfast room, dining room, enclosed lanai (porch)and spacious laundry room.

equipped for any budding chef to steal the show. It looks great, too, with marble counter tops and quintessential centre island. The exterior settings propose ample features to reflect or to be active and engaged with family. The 1,470 sq ft saline ocean side pool, with hot tub and convenient cabana bath, as well as landscaped centre island craft an atmosphere of fitness or relaxation. There’s also a Hawaiian-style palapa/ pavilion with thatched roofing and featuring a brick pizza oven. For guests, there’s a 528 sq ft one-bedroom cottage with ocean views and porch, along with a caretaker’s residence above the two-car garage, which is set away from the main house. Within the gated 9.82-acre property there is also a three-par golf fairway, stream, Tilapia fish pond,

This is a rare opportunity to retain one of Maui’s most inimitable estates Of particular note is the gourmet kitchen, which overlooks the saline pool and entertaining areas - a place where notable chefs have enjoyed notable meals. With commercial stove and fridge/freezer, it is fully

157

Homes and Interiors

OVERSEAS PROPERTY

grotto, multiple meditation areas, terraced vegetable gardens, substantial tropical planting and an archaeologically significant Hawaiian fishing stone. For those who require sustainable living, the propety benefits from a water catchment system for maintaining the landscaping and back-up for pool as well as photovoltaic electricity system. Located 20 miles from the airport, this rural locale offers a seamless island feel of lushness, discretion, privacy and quiet. Fondly named ‘Mu’ by the Hagars, this sale offers an opportunity to retain one of Maui’s most inimitable estates, all within a reasonable journey to local amenities. Available at a guide price of USD$3,299,000 through Island Sotheby’s International Realty (sothebysrealty.com; +1 909 970 0964)

158

WINTER

SALE 1 ST D E C 1 7 - 3 1 ST J A N 1 8

Order online at: mandarinstone.com or visit your local showroom: 67-69 Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5BQ 01625 531 343 Excludes Classic and Discontinued lines. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Homes and Interiors

FINISHING TOUCHES

FINISHING TOUCHES Jonathan Adler takes a step into spring with the polychromatic harlequin console and cabinet. A fusion of Italian style with a touch of Danish design and a lot of irresistible colour., it’s the ray of light your home needs right now. £3,950 (uk.jonathanadler.com)

161

Llama Architects & Janey Butler Interiors,

c r e at i n g awa r d w i n n i n g

r e s i d e n t i a l a n d c o m m e r c i a l p ro j e c t s i n t h e u k a n d a b roa d .

I n t e r n at i o n a l A w a r d W i n n i n g A r c h i t e c t s & D e s i g n e r s The Old Stables, Capesthor ne Hall, Nr Alder ley Edge , Cheshire . SK11 9JY

janeybutler.co.uk

T: 01625 861935 E:

hello@janeybutler.co.uk

llamaarchitects.co.uk

T: 01625 861936 E:

info@llamagroup.co.uk