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editor’s

letter O

ur November issue promises to tantalise the tastebuds of food lovers, design divas and travel gurus. To start, we offer a taste of the north west as Jan Clarke looks into the foodie heritage of our region, from its culinary roots to its Michelinstar potential (p.29). To follow, we speak with BBC North director Alice Webb about the challenges of bringing the BBC to Salford, inspring a culture and spending time with the family (p.36). Then, it’s the turn of television’s favourite stylist, Gok Wan, as he bears all and shares tales from his childhood (p.56). As the leaves turn and we look to spend more time in the comfort of our homes, we have a whole menu of interior inspiration, from the latest news and architectural

advancements, to a fabulous selection of through-the-keyhole moments at home and abroad. As the pitter-patter of rain echoes on the office roof, I for one will be taking inspiration from past winners of the Northern Design Awards and driving my husband spare with ideas of home improvement. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons, soothed by the colours of the leaves and excited by the promise of future festive celebrations. We are already well on our way with our Christmas lists and lusts, many of which grace the pages of this issue. Top of the list has to be the Mercedes AMG GT S, which we review on page 74, or maybe a truffle-hunting trip to Italy (p.82). Then again, I am quite taken with Bally’s AW17 collection on page 54. Some subtle Post-It note book-marking is most definitely required.

Louisa Louisa Castle Editor

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..THIS MONTH WE HAVE BEEN...

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dining with Adam Reid and the Manchester Law Society at the fabulous French at The Midland GRIPPED by the finale of Dr Foster lusting after Balmain’s new collection with L’Oreal dreaming of moving to Sardinia

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.

november 2017 s issue 047 s

Editor Louisa Castle Deputy Editor Gemma Knight Theatre Editor Natalie Anglesey

LIVERPOOL

Iain Warde

Jan Clarke

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

Jan is a real foodie and admirer of the culinary arts. She has contributed to magazines on a range of topics, but is always in her element bringing us dispatches from the gastronomic front line.

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

Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong Senior Designer Daniel Poole Junior Designer Paris Fielder Production Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Alice Ford Advertising Managers Kathryn Otto Matthew Brindley Beth Hardie Danielle Mullen

MANCHESTER AIRPORT Falcona Private Jets 1903 Airport Lounge, T3

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

General Manager Fiona Smith Publisher Giles Ellwood

Anna Selby Anna has been a travel writer for over 15 years, contributing to the FT, the Times, the Telegraph and numerous other magazines and newspapers. She is also the author of more than 30 books.

GREATER MANCHESTER The Conservative Club Fox Restaurant FrisĂ¸r Salon & Wellness Jackson-Stops & Staff Oddfellows on the Park

cover

On the

24 Hours with MissĂŠ Beqiri for Emilio Cavallini

Photographer: Raffaele Grosso; Stylist and direction: Pier Fioraso; Assistant: Lisa Mobilio; Hair and Make Up: Anja Joy Bont. More on page 53

Melissa Porter Best known for her BBC appearances, property developer Melissa is a people junkie and certified coach and mentor. She brings us a little fun and a lot of life with her column As I was saying...

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

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contents features

29 The plate keepers

We take you on a whistlestop tour of the region’s best eateries, peeking inside its store cupboards and meeting the industry’s top dogs

36 40 44 56 40

Power player We chat to director of BBC North, mum and amateur archer Alice Webb

Seize the day Bill Carr, chair of the Institute of Directors’ Cheshire brand, shares his vision and his passion for business

Busy Izzy Footballer and 2016 Player of the Year Izzy Christiansen reflects on a great season and prepares for the next one

Looking good, feeling great We meet Gok Wan, the man who brought self-loving to body-conscious self-loathers across the country

regulars 011 | Editor’s letter 012 | Contributors 019 | My life in Cheshire In the hot seat this month is beloved television presenter and Bowden resident, Jenny Powell 021 | Notebook Our pick of this month’s local events, news and best new products 027 | As I was saying... Melissa Porter on why the latest dietary trends won’t make you healthier

collection 048 | Watch & jewellery news A full round-up of all the latest in style and sparkle 050 | Made in England The British watch brands offering timepieces at a snip of their Swiss peers

family 112 | Kids news From toys to togs, we’ve the very latest for little ones

115 | The classroom Academic updates from Cheshire’s fantastic schools

BUSINESS

style

117 | Business news Developments from local brands and businesses

054 | Fashion news From essential accessories to new trends, it’s all here 060 | Colour pop Welcome shearling and fur in the most vibrant of shades: summer coming to an end isn’t all bad 066 | Beauty news New treatments, products and all the latest news

motoring

118 | The Colony The new-concept business members’ club on the block

home & interiors travel

078 | Travel news The latest happenings from near and far

072 | Motoring news All the latest news from the automotive world

080 | Seals and sailing boats This Swedish cruise is for the adventurous only

074 | Pure drama It’s all-round exhilaration behind the wheel of the jaw-dropping new Mercedes AMG GT S

082 | Earthly desires We go truffle hunting with the experts in the pretty Tuscan countryside 086 | Weekend away It’s decadence all the way at luxurious Coworth Park

food & drink

127 | Interiors news News, products and advice on making the most of your home, inside and out 132 | Life in design We meet the founders of interior design company Elite Design in Wilmslow 142 | Glass half full The architectural trend for frameless-glass structures 146 | The edit Adding a splash of design mastery to your home 148 | Old meets new Adding sympathetic extensions to period homes

092 | Food & drink news Local chefs, new openings and our restaurant review

150 | Hot property The crème de la crème of the local property market

105 | Local scene All the glamour and gossip from our county

156 | Overseas property These homes will have you yearning to emigrate

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

My life in

CHESHIRE JENNY POWELL, TELEVISION PRESENTER

How would you describe yourself? Yoga-loving mum of two girls and a crazy dog called Elsa, making moves on telly since time began. Where is home? And work? Home is in leafy Bowdon, a Cheshire oasis, and work takes me up and down the country, but mainly London for fun and laughs. What did you want to be when you were younger? I wanted to be an archaeologist or a dancer in the West End. Name a few of your favourite places to be... I love Altrincham Market to go eat and socialise, it’s literally a 10-minute walk from my house and the atmosphere is fantastic. It’s a cool, laid-back place to chill with friends. I love my yoga classes at InHale in Hale too: it’s my me time after the morning school run! I would love to go on safari with my ﬁancé and kids in South Africa soon. I’ve done it, but the girls were too young, and it just blew me away, so I really want them to experience what I did. My free time is precious and I cherish the simple things to do: walking the dog; meeting my friends for coffee and cake; and just taking a breath.

“I love my yoga classes in Hale: it’s my me time after the morning school run!” What/who inspires you? My mum, of course – she is 85 years old and looks amazing, has grace, sophistication and patience... I need them all. What was the last gift you gave someone? Cash! My teenage daughter did amazingly well in her GCSEs. Tell us a secret or a fun fact about yourself? I was British Tap Dancing Champion when I was eight years old. from top: jenny powell (courtesy of joseph sinclair); altrincham market; south africa (sw_stock/ shutterstock); yoga class (prostockstudio/shutterstock); carrot & coffee (successo images / shutterstock)

What’s been your biggest life lesson? Learning that you can’t please everyone all of the time and it’s ok to make mistakes. Jenny Powell supplies the commentary for ITV’s Bigheads (@jennypowelltv) 19

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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

Chad’s Challenge

arabian gallery The Louvre Abu Dhabi will open its doors to the public on the 11 November and will be the first museum of its kind in the Arab world. The opening celebrations will include a wide range of public programmes including performances in dance and visual arts by contemporary and classical artists. Also on display will be important artefacts and artworks from France’s top museums. Important and priceless pieces on loan from France include Leonardo de Vinci’s La Belle Ferronniere and Auguste Rodin’s Jean d’Aire. In addition to the galleries, the museum will include a Children’s museum, a boutique and a café. (louvreabudhabi.ae)

Michelle Mulholland and Gill Williamson have been recognised with a British Citizen Award for services for volunteering and charitable giving. The pair were presented with their award at a ceremony held at the Palace of Westminster, London, by television presenter, Michael Underwood and Pat Egan, the Chief Executive of sponsors Affordable Housing PFP. The Altrincham duo have helped stage and encourage around 100 various Chad Challenges which raise much-needed funds for charity. Michelle and Gill, an administrator of Altrincham Boys Grammar School Sixth Form, became friends after Michelle’s son, Chad, a former pupil, died from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2008, aged 17. (sah.org.uk)

love from liverpool Following the terrorist attack in May, the Manchester Arena reopened its doors on the 9 September with a benefit concert featuring an all-star line up, including Noel Gallagher, Rick Astley and The Courteeners. Over the summer, at the other end of the M62, the music community of Liverpool has also been raising funds for the terror victims and their families with the Love from Liverpool project. Stars and musical acts such as The Christians, The Wombats and Edgar Jones have joined forces to create a fundraising compilation, currently available on iTunes, Bandcamp and other key digital stores. All profits are being donated to The Red Cross supporting the Manchester bomb victims. (redcross.org.uk)

The Burning Question As the annual commemoration of Guy Fawkes’ failed plot comes around again, here’s our guide to where to go for best, biggest and explosive bonfire events in the area. The Betley Bonfire on 4 November in the village of Betley, near Crewe, is always one of the biggest in the country and this year will be no exception. Once the bonfire is going strong, fireworks light up the sky and there’s a funfair.(betleybonfire.co.uk) Motorsport fans can combine a visit to Oulton Park with their bonfire celebrations, with the Neil Howard Stage Rally and Fireworks display taking place on 4 November. Rally cars compete on the track into the dark, before the bonfire is lit and the firework display gets underway. (oultonpark.co.uk) Join in with the annual bonfire night celebrations with a visit to Blakemere Village in Northwich on 4 November. There’s the all-important bonfire, fireworks and lots of fun. (blakemerevillage.com) 21

17-19 nov

The first Tatton Park Christmas Foodies Festival

What’s On? Dates for the Diary 1 nov

Harry Styles Tour Cheshire’s own Harry Styles begins his world tour. Harry Styles Live On Tour includes four UK dates, one of which is the Apollo Manchester on 1 November. (academymusicgroup. com/02apollomanchester) 3 nov

Science Show Immerse yourself in the interactive Science show at Jodrell Bank. With demonstrations and experiments this event is part of the Manchester Science festival. (jodrellbank.net) 22

5 nov

Foodies Festival is bringing the festive spirit to Tatton park for the first time. Top chefs and Great British Bake Off winners will be hosting food theatres and festive masterclasses. The festival will showcase the best Cheshire restaurants and chefs. The Artisan Christmas Market will also be packed full of the finest local produce. Visitors will certainly be feeling jolly after a visit to Gin Alley complete with Christmas Gin Cocktail-making classes. (foodiesfestival.com)

18 nov

Bonfire Night

England v Australia

It’s Bonfire Night, the annual commemoration of the infamous gun powder plot.

England takes on Australia, as part of the Old Mutual Wealth Series. (englandrugby.com/twickenham)

11 nov

Rememberance Day The official day of remembrance to commemorate the contribution made by British and Commonwealth Military and Service Men and women in the two world wars and later conflicts. (britishlegion.org.uk) 12 nov

Chester Literature Festival From 12-19 November, with winner Hollie McNish as guest festival director. (storyhouse.com)

21 nov

Cilla - The Musical This heart -warming musical tells the story of one of Britain’s best loved entertainers of all time and is based on BAFTA award winner, Jeff Pope’s critically acclaimed hit ITV show. (atgtickets.com) 26 nov

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 24-26 November sees the glamorous 2017 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix take place at Yas Marina. The last race of the season. (formula1.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

of the

Best

Afternoon Teas We take tea with three of the best as we look at the timehonoured ceremony that is, afternoon tea.

World of Wedgwood Tea Emporium

Wedgwood has a long-standing association with tea dating back to the 18th century when Josiah Wedgwood began creating bespoke tea-ware collections for royalty and aristocracy, including the Duchess of Bedford, who is now celebrated as the founder of the British afternoon tea tradition. So, where better to take tea, than the stunning Tea Emporium at World of Wedgwood? Dedicated tea sommeliers are on hand to help you find the perfect blend (there are over 50 to choose from) and match it with a delicious selection of sweet and savoury treats. Instantly calming and yet indulgent, we love the Tea Emporium for a little escapism. top tip

Try your hand in the Decorating Studio to create your own piece of Wedgwood, and try to make it home without a decadent light blue bag of loveliness - we dare you. (worldofwedgwood.com)

ARTea Afternoon Tea at The Royal Lancaster London The Royal Lancaster London has been one of Hyde Park’s architectural icons since the swinging ‘60s, and has just undergone an £80m renovation. The hotel has combined a classic high tea with a touch of English eccentricity to create an inventive and irresistible indulgence. The ARTea Afternoon Tea is perfect for those who know their Monet from their Picasso. While waiters serve guests in whimsical painting aprons, dishes are delivered in painters’ boxes, including finger sandwiches, pastries and freshly baked scones on painting slates, alongside jam and clotted cream concealed in paint tubes. top tip

If your visit to The Royal Lancaster London is to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, call ahead and the hotel will make sure that your visit is extra special. The ARTea afternoon experience is from £35 (royallancaster.com)

Festive Afternoon Tea at The King Street Town House, Manchester The charming King Street Townhouse is the perfect place for a spot of afternoon tea, so why not combine your Christmas shopping trip with a relaxing and luxurious treat? Diners can begin with the hotel’s ultimate festive champagne cocktail, served alongside dainty finger sandwiches with a variety of seasonal fillings, from turkey and stuffing to brie and cranberry. Home-made scones and clotted cream come alongside beautiful sweet canapes, all inspired by the flavours of the season. top tip

With the hotel just a short walk from Albert Square, it’s perfectly located for the annual Christmas Market. £31pp, or £12.50 for the children’s afternoon tea (kingstreettownhouse.co.uk) 23

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

I M A G I N ATIV E

influences We are shiny happy people this month, loving all things metallic and taking a moment for time pieces

metallics

WHAT we’re LISTENING TO

One You’ve Borrowed and Not Given Back

Classic album time now. Hot Fuss by The Killers. If ever an album was made to generate a buzz, this is it. The whole album is a triumph and will keep you moving all day, every song sending your FitBit scores through the roof. No disrespect to the first tack, Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine, I always felt they should have started with Brightside. All Killers, no fillers. Collated by our resident music maestro, Wayne Millar of atm-allthingsmusic.com

top picks #1 Gold Champagne Saucers (set of 4), £55 (miafleur.com); #2 Thomas Kent Mulberry Wall Clock Rose Gold, £89 (black-by-design.co.uk); #3 Suspension LA LOLLO ORA light, £493 (nedgis.com) ; #4 Monsoon Athena Kimono Maxi Dress, £149(monsoon.co.uk); #5 Golden Goose Deluxe Brand Silver Glittered Leather Trainers, £290 (harveynichols.com); #6 Fountain Pen in Rose Gold, £58 (annabeljames.co.uk)

CRUSH

One for Monday Motivation

Coffee Table

Without doubt we’ve all done it…how many friends and family’s albums have you borrowed and forgotten to return? After a good rummage through my collection of said albums, I’ve chosen Ryan Adams, GOLD. The Guardian says, “Gold is an awesome display of sustained inspiration. When the album comes to the end of its action-packed 70 minutes, you feel like you’ve been abandoned by a close friend.” I think that pretty much says it all. This album was out in 2001. I borrowed it in 2002. Oops!

A Man And His Watch by Matt Hranek

Matt Hranek presents over 75 one-of-a-kind timepieces from the well-worn and welltravelled to the collectable and famous. Including some stunning photography, this book examines the relationship between a man and his watch as much more than a time piece, but as a vehicle through which men tell their tales of achievement, love and loss. This book is a beautiful treasure trove of time. Published by Artisan Books £28 (workman.com)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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

News Flash The avocado, matcha, gluten-free, grapefruit diet is likely not going to help you achieve your health goal, says Melissa Porter

n other news, my full-fat-fuelled lifestyle hacks may help you get over this revelation. Psychologically, anything that serves to make you feel there’s something you’re being deprived of will automatically see you emotionally shift into a survival-mode way of thinking. This elimination and reduction process of dinosaur dieting will serve to inspire you to think more about what you’re supposed to not be thinking about, craving and desiring. Imagine, for just a moment, that I ask you not to think about a pink elephant. What do you automatically default to thinking about? This same process happens with diets. I tell you not to eat chocolate, sugar, sweets and crisps and suddenly you find yourself dreaming of them. Instead, choose to add food and flavours to your nutritional lifestyle choices, and the neurological effect is to make the process feel more exciting, colourful and filling. There are seven billion of us, each with unique neurological and DNA codes. Why anyone gets frustrated or dejected that the low-carb and high-fat diet isn’t successful for them – and is clearly working for Brenda and Sheila – defies common sense. You’re a unique and complicated cocktail of choices and coding, which means your responsibility is to play with food and exercise and figure out a personalised blend that works for you. Pimp your food. I choose to never mix fat and carbs, I sweeten with honey, I hydrate with

flavoured teas and create smoothies with cashew milk for extra creaminess. Works for me. Any other bicoastal, single mums who are 44 years old with hypothyroidism, one ovary and two dogs, hit me up for my ‘diet’ plan, guaranteed results. Oi vey. Food and your lifestyle are not the cause of you being underweight or overweight. Your mindset is the reason you have not reached your goal. Within your mind you have a section marked ‘thoughts and beliefs’, and within the mind of anyone with failed goals you’ll find a black room called: Failure is an option. Your room will be filled with reasons, excuses and stories why you should, can and ought to give up on pursuing your dreams. There’ll be evidence, graphs and opinions galore to support your choices. In contrast, the mind-set of someone who is committed to achieving their goals will be simpler. It’s razor-sharp focused and minimalist. The mind of someone who is disciplined and consistent is streamlined and crystal clear. Their room is called; you can do it. #whateverittakes Just like a caterpillar morphs into a butterfly, the process of transformation is irreversible. Adopt this same mind-set with your body and mind to feel nourished, wholesome and healthy. Let’s leave the quick fixes and short cuts for our beloved home makeover shows. RIP. Melissa is a professional, certified transformational life coach (melissaportercoach.com)

“In contrast, the mind-set of someone who is committed to achieving their goals will be simpler” 27

PRESENTS

JOIN US FOR AN EVENING WITH PERFORMERS FROM LEGENDARY LONDON MUSIC CLUB RONNIE SCOTT’S

The club, which has hosted some of the world’s greatest performers including Chaka Khan, Prince, Van Morrison and George Benson is coming to Opera Grill for an eight week residency. Doors open: 6pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK

T: 07392 868 662 E: Sara.Boothby@IndividualRestaurants.com

Opera Grill, Pepper Street, Chester CH1 1DF www.jazz.whatsonatoperagrill.com

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

The plate keepers Jan Clarke takes us on culinary trip of the region, peeks inside its store cupboards and discovers who’s at the head of the table in the north west’s food industry

he north west is a melting pot brimming with flavours, producers and talent. The region has a proud history when it comes to food and, over the centuries, it has weaved its way into the rich tapestry of our culture. Through food, we have seen social change, entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth. So, if you are feeling hungry, please take a seat as I delve into the larder that is our food history and present to you the industry’s influencers who decide what we have for dinner. When it comes to our ingredients, we are most definitely spoilt for choice. Cheshire provides an abundance of fruit and vegetables. The fertile low-lying Cheshire Plain has for centuries been a hive of agricultural activity and particularly dairy farming. Combine this with the salt mines of Northwich, Middlewich and Nantwich and the

result is Cheshire Cheese. First made in Roman Chester, its milky, salty taste continues to make it one of the most popular cheeses in the UK. Lancashire brings to the table tomatoes, Goosnargh duck and salt marsh lamb. Morecambe Bay gives up its shrimps, there’s black pudding from Bury, asparagus from Formby, Wirral watercress and Cheshire strawberries; the shopping list just goes on and on. And we have used this bounty well. Time has turned us into a region of farmers, producers, artisans, bakers and chefs.

“As a region, we have also raised some of the best talent in the country.”

In turn, our passion has led us to become manufacturers, producers, restauranteurs and award winners. Food has created our customs, our language and our growth. The industrialisation of Manchester and Liverpool brought about trade with the rest of the world and introduced new flavours and cuisines to the north. We gave the world our wool, silk and cotton and in return came sugar, spices, oranges and pans of ‘scouse’. Our palates have developed and our recipes seen many changes but, one thing has remained constant, here in the north west, we know good produce when we see it and we love our food. I feel it is this love that makes the region’s producers amongst some of the best in the country and products which are much sought after by the great and the good of the food industry. Producers such as Lancashire’s Johnson and Swarbrick, whose famous corn-fed Goosnargh chicken and duck are the birds of choice for many top chefs. The company was founded by Reg, The Poultry Legend who, in 1987 took up the challenge laid down by chef Paul Heathcote to supply English corn-fed chickens. Paul had recently returned to the north west from the London restaurant scene and was looking for local, quality suppliers. With time and work Reg not only came up with the Goosnargh corn-fed chicken, but set the benchmark across the industry and put Goosnargh firmly on the food map. Or Cheshire’s Burt’s Cheese, based near Knutsford. Burt’s Blue is claire burt made by hand in a small vat, making each cheese a labour of love for company founder Claire Burt. Claire started her company in 2009 and, through her care, attention and craftsmanship, her cheese is now an award-winning product and graces only the best cheese boards.

No Place Like Home Chefs who have chosen the north west as their culinary playground

Ian Moss

Ian trained under the heavyweight Marcus Wareing and earned his stripes working at Northcote. He is now the head chef at the Galloping Major, fast becoming a destination restaurant at The Oddfellows on the Park Hotel, Cheadle.

Simon Wood

Oldham born Simon is the north west’s only Masterchef winner. The world was his oyster after winning this gastronomic accolade; however, Wood chose Manchester to open his first restaurant in September of this year.

John Mount

Head chef John Mount has worked with ‘culinary royalty’ at Le Gavroche and Restaurant Patrick Guilband. John is now championing local produce and seasonal ingredients at the Carden Arms in Tilston, Cheshire.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

As a region, we have also raised some of the best talent in the country. There’s no doubt, some amazing people have their gastronomic roots here in the north west. Hailing from Southport, where he also studied catering, Marcus Wareing has become one of the top names in the industry. He has worked in the finest restaurants in the world and with some of the most renowned chefs. He is now Chef Patron of his 2-Michelin-star restaurant, Marcus, an author and a Masterchef The Professionals judge. Wareing’s northern culinary heart beats loudly and his cooking showcases British food and produce at its best. In 2006 his egg custard tart won a place on the menu for the Queen’s 80th Birthday banquet, as part of the Great British Menu competition. He is also very partial to a lamb hotpot. Speaking of lamb hotpot, leads me to Nigel Haworth. Our region is very much the richer for the presence of this Lancashire food giant. Nigel Haworth is the Chef Patron and joint Managing Director at Northcote in the Ribble Valley. He is one of our region’s greats and the restaurant at Northcote has held a Michelin star for over 20 years. Again, like Marcus Wareing, Nigel’s career began at his local

marcus wareing

lisa allen

“Through food, we have seen social change, entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth.”

nigel haworth in his kitchen

college. He studied at Rossendale Catering College and went on to work in hotels and restaurants around the world. He returned to his college as a lecturer to teach the next generation of chefs before joining Northcote. He has many prestigious awards and has also had a dish make the final banquet on the BBC’s Great British Menu competition. Nigel was the ‘main course’ finalist in the 2009 competition. His dish, you guessed it – his creation of the classic Lancashire hotpot. Nigel Haworth has spent his career producing incredible food. Under his guidance he has watched Lancashire-born and trained Lisa Goodwin-Allen become of the industry’s great respected chefs and she now holds the office of executive head chef at Northcote. In turn, giving back to the industry and training staff is hugely important to Lisa. This year she was involved in Springboard’s FutureChef, aimed at inspiring young people (aged 12-16) to cook. Travel out of the tranquil Ribble Valley into Manchester and you will see a fast-moving restaurant and bar scene. Many of you will know of the saying by the late Tony Wilson, “This is Manchester, we do things differently here”. And doing things differently is what Adam Reid is embarking on at The French at The Midland Hotel. But let’s be clear.

adam reid

Hartnett and Phil Howard. Having also worked alongside Simon Rogan, he most definitely has the credentials to take the helm at The French. He is a chef with ambition and an absolute passion for the flavours and produce of his home region. But he is also on a mission to

North West industry leaders like Adam are looking to the future and changing the rules when it comes to what you can eat and where and when you can dine. This is not doing things differently to please the in-crowd. This is doing it differently because it creates something special. Adam is a Manchester boy through and through. So it’s fitting that he has been given the keys to this iconic restaurant. Like Nigel, Adam has joined the list of adam reid’s accomplished chefs cooking involved in the Great British Menu competition. He has competed against the crème of the industry and been judged by the likes of Daniel Clifford, Angela

make a change, accessibility is most definitely his mantra. Adam’s technical skill is clearly visible in his nine-course tasting menu, but shorter tasting menus are also offered and there’s now the flexibility of ordering small plates, so diners can experience The French’s cuisine on a more casual level. How marvellous to be able to enjoy high-level tasting-menu dishes over a spot of lunch! Working with his sommelier, Adam has also made the drinks offering and wine ordering more current, too. Again, accessibility is the key here as well. North west industry leaders like Adam are looking to the future and changing the rules when it comes to what you can eat and where and when you can dine. The best chefs are no longer locked

the great The ones who have been creating greatness in the north west for decades.

simon radley

the mooney family

Simon Radley has been cooking exquisite dishes at his fine dining restaurant ‘Simon Radley’ at the Chester Grosvenor hotel for decades. That the restaurant has retained its Michelin star for over 28 consecutive years is testament to his genius.

The Mooney Family have been the guardians of Knutsford’s The Belle Epoque since the 1970s. The restaurant was originally opened by Malcolm Rooney, his French wife Dominique and the great George Best.

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and the downright good The people who have taken the ordinary and created something extraordinary.

clifton muil

Tattu, Manchester has created a unique concept which takes a Chinese meal and transforms it into a sensory dining experience. Asian flavours are fused with stunning presentation by Clifton and his team. Now in Leeds too.

nick johnson, & jenny thompson

The talent of this team has transformed Altrincham town centre. Footfall has increased and what was once an empty shell is now the Altrincham Market House, a

vibrant food emporium and community hub.

jenni wiggins & seb heeley

Mention the word ‘gin’ and everything’s good. It’s the on-trend tipple we’ve all fallen in love with, and that’s exactly how Manchester Gin came into being. The award-winning company was set up by Jen and Seb after they fell in love over a gin and tonic.

Thom Hetherington. Credit: Sara Porter

away in stuffy establishments, but are opening their doors wide and are also getting out and about themselves. Top names are engaging with new audiences and appearing at food festivals to display their cookery skills to diners who, in the past, would not have experienced them. Their aim: to teach a new generation an appreciation of beautiful food. Step up to the plate then, Thom Hetherington. He has a veritable collection of ‘hats’. He is CEO of Holden Media from where he owns and organises the Northern Restaurant and Bar Exhibition, the Northern Hospitality Awards, the NRB top 50 power list and the NRB debate. He has played a vital role in bringing London food critics to the north and in doing so showcasing the north’s talent. He is also the man behind the Buy Art Fair and the Manchester Contemporary. He is a trustee of Manchester Art Gallery and an ambassador for Manchester Metropolitan University’s hospitality department. He advises national hospitality operators on northern expansion plans as well as major property developers and city councils, including Leeds and Chester on their food and drink strategy. His list of engagements goes on, including working closely with the charity Action Against Hunger. Speaking to Thom, you find a man bursting with ideas, enthusiasm and knowledge and I am full of admiration. If you talk to him about his multifaceted roles he very adeptly condenses these to two – northern culture and gastronomy: topics he has talked and written about at length and which are, for him, fundamentally linked. They are the two intrinsic parts of a machine that brings growth, new experiences and enrichment to the north and to the lives of the people who call this region home.

DRINK & DINE W I T H # RO S S O T H I S CHRISTMA S B O O K A TA B L E

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POWER

Player Louisa Castle meets director of BBC North, Alice Webb – the woman behind the state-of-the-art digital broadcasting centre in MediaCityUK, mum and amateur archer

hen I head to MediaCityUK to interview Alice, the Northern Power Women Awards Top 50 Power list has just been announced, and listed as number one is the woman I am here to see. My research has thrown up mainly professional press and articles so I am intrigued to meet the lady behind the profile. A qualified chartered civil engineer and respected management consultant, Alice admits that joining the BBC was total serendipity. “I was a management consultant at the time and loved my job. I was at home on maternity leave with my twins, Grace and Phoebe [now 13], when I got the offer. I wasn’t looking for anything; like I say I loved my consulting work. “I actually started out life as a chartered civil engineer. It was the combination of art and

science that really drew me to it. I had loved music and painting as a kid, but it was really the logical side of creating things that got my attention. And problem-solving. I was the only girl in my woodwork class!

“Six years on, we are still a leading state-of-the-art digital broadcasting centre to rival many a tech company”

“All through my A-levels I thought I wanted to be an architect and went on to a foundation year. However at the end of the first term it was apparent that civil engineering was the path which suited me best and I completed my degree and a masters in the subject.” This path saw Alice travelling the world managing £120m capital works schemes

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and working with the World Bank in China. While dealing with such schemes was Alice’s normal for several years, she moved to corporate management consulting in 2001. “I moved to work more with people. I was, and still am, inspired by working on how you can take something apart and put it back together in better shape, to get the outcomes you want and need to improve.” Working for PA Consulting Group in London, Alice worked with the NHS on patient flow; with Reuters; and with the Blair/Brown administration in 10 Downing Street. The list of achievements is impressive. And then the offer to join the BBC arrived. “I firmly believe in taking opportunities that are presented to you. The BBC is an amazing much-loved institution, and the role meant less travel, which suited my changed circumstances. It was a new challenge in a new and interesting organisation. So, I made a contract with myself at the time that as long as

there was variety and things were fresh, I would be at the BBC. That was 12 years ago and I haven’t broken the contract.” As Chief Operating Officer, BBC North, Alice orchestrated the BBC’s largest move in history: the move to MediaCityUK. “This is by far my biggest achievement. I was involved in everything from the building to transition. We didn’t lose one second of output in transition during the move. It took us 36 weekends to move in, including 854 people and family relocations. And we had the absolute, hard deadline of the 2012 Olympics to be ready for.”

“We are hugely privileged to play an important role in reflecting the lives, passions and concerns of licence-fee payers who live outside the South East”

Six years later, with more than 3,000 staff generating more than 35,000 hours of content each year, as well as a plethora of BBC apps and websites, BBC North is a huge success. At the last count the BBC was putting more than £420m a year into the regional economy.

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“Six years on we are still a leading state-of-the-art digital broadcasting centre to rival many a tech company. If it’s not going forwards, it’s going backwards. We are a hungry organisation for digital skills. Some call us the modernist wing of the BBC. The success has been in bringing people and business together, taking the very best of what we have and creating a 21st-century blueprint. “The culture is deliberate and allencompassing. Part of our DNA is to invent and experiment. And we are hugely privileged to play an important role in reflecting the lives, passions and concerns of licence-fee payers who live outside the South East. We are connecting a whole population and championing the North. Look at how much amazing drama is made in the north today alongside the fact that the BBC Sports Personality of the Year is being held in Liverpool this year. That shows we’re creating a gravitational pull, influencing and championing the region and its people.” In 2015 Alice took up the role of Director, BBC Children’s, responsible for CBeebies and CBBC. And last year she added Director of BBC North to that role. “We make the best content for children in the world and it is a huge privilege to lead such an important part of the BBC. It’s really exciting. Media habits are changing so

rapidly and the importance of being free and universal is greater than ever. “This December we are playing a key role in the Children’s Global Media Summit, to be held here in Manchester, bringing together content makers, platform providers and policy makers from all around the world to shape and deliver the role of media in the lives of a young audience.” This is supported by the BBC’s announcement that it will be investing an additional £34m across three years to 2019/2020 to reinvent the way is serves its youngest audience, with enhanced online services for children and new forms of content, all produced in MediaCityUK. Absorbed by her passion for the BBC, Alice is equally passionate about her family and work/ life balance. “I am in an incredible spot for a woman. To be able to balance an amazing, challenging and exciting work life and having a family is not always possible. I am blessed for the support I have had and continue to have.” Born in Herefordshire, where the family home remains, Alice and her family now live in Hale. “I grew up in the countryside so I love the fact that we’re a stone’s throw from the fields and easily able to get onto the transport links. Grace and Phoebe, and their brother Alfie [11] can walk to school, yet we have a vibrant city on our doorstep. “As a family we love sport. My husband John is a professional triathlon coach and IT consultant so we do lots of sport together as a family. Alfie is a fanatical cyclist and Phoebe rows like her dad. Graceand I are currently learning archery. I have been known to run, but I am more at home in my waterproofs cycling with the family, including our Border Terrier, Billie [a girl].” As for the nomination as most powerful woman in the north, it’s not really what the interview is about. Indeed Alice has also just received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Salford for her contribution to the region – her adopted home. These past few pages are, however, about a genuine enthusiasm and passion permeating from everything that the Director, BBC Children’s and Director, BBC North says and does. Be inspired.

Seize the day

Louisa Castle speaks with Bill Carr, chair of the Institute of Directorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cheshire branch, who shares his vision for the organisation, and his passion for business in the county

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

t is a typical north-west week day as I set out to interview the new chair of the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Cheshire branch, Bill Carr. The grey skies welcome me to Warrington but the welcome is much warmer as I walk through the doors of his business Carpe Diem and I am warmly greeted by the man himself. Quickly regaining my composure, we begin to chat about the weather, family holidays and the regeneration of Warrington town centre. My windswept arrival is quickly forgiven and my first impressions of the new chair are of his knowledge and passion for business as well as a personable approach. An experienced director, Bill established full-service digital agency, Carpe Diem in 1999 and has since grown it to become one of the UK’s top 50 independent agencies working with international brands such as GlaxoSmithKline, Asics and New Balance, as well as smaller and medium-sized organisations, providing website design and digital marketing. The business is located at The Base in Warrington, a thriving building delivered by Warrington & Co for the council to generate a hub for businesses to grow. Carpe Diem was one of the first businesses to move in from offices in Newton-le-Willows, recognising the potential of the area to grow its team and business. In the information provided to me by the press team, it states that Bill is ‘particularly excited about the opportunity to engage with local business start-ups’, so this is where we begin. “Looking back on my journey so far, there’s been a lot of lessons learned in getting here. We identified the opportunities of the digital era and built a business around it, each tiny step of the way learning something new or – let’s be honest – learning from our mistakes. “I think there’s a lot to be said for that. Failure isn’t always a bad thing. It’s taking it for what it is, using it and moving on (within reason, of course). “I studied mechanical engineering at UMIST because I loved understanding how things work.

I saw the challenges of CAD, for example, as huge opportunities, and ran with them. I love a challenge. But I think the most satisfaction I get is in turning those challenges into opportunities. “You know about Elon Musk’s Hyperloop?” I nod but own up to knowing very little of the detail beyond the enigmatic man himself and his mission to transform travel. “I’m fascinated and always inspired by him and his company. Hyperloop, though, is a high-speed transport system that works on magnetic levitation (like we have seen in Japan) and low pressure, and uses tunnels and pods to move from place to place. It’s all in development but Musk has promised it will be made with a proposed LA to San Francisco route with travel time of under 30 minutes.

“I am amazed every day by the businesses in Cheshire and the talent: there is so much to shout about, celebrate and build upon.” “There’s a proposal for that technology to come over here for Hyperloop One with a Northern Arc route connecting Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. It’s estimated that Liverpool to Manchester would take just six minutes. The aim is to connect Scotland with the Northern Powerhouse, creating what they are calling a ‘super region’. It’s all about challenges and

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

opportunities: Carpe Diem. If that’s not a prime example of that then I don’t know who is! “Back to what I was saying. I couldn’t have got where I am today without support from my family and my mentor Pete Radcliffe, former IoD Liverpool chair and business coach. So a big passion of mine is offering my experience and knowledge to the next generation of start-ups and smaller businesses. “This goes for everything from mental health to digital advancements to overall business growth and strategy. “I am particularly focused on the importance of work-life balance. That is something which I’ve only really appreciated as I’ve got older, much to the relief of my wife of 20 years, Rae and son Brodie [aged eight]. “When you’re passionate about your business it can consume you but everyone needs a balance to that – a leveller. Mine is my family. Brodie and I spend so much time with Lego. Back to my engineering days! And he amazes us every day. He heard something on the radio about homelessness and food banks and asked us about it. We explained what a food bank was and took him to visit one locally. He was so touched that we set up a justgiving page for him and he raised over £1,000 for the local food bank.” I add proud dad to Bill’s CV. Beyond his family and business, Bill is on the board of Warrington Town Football Club, loves the odd fuel-injected track day and tackling more

extreme ski-runs which this year inlcuded the famous La Vallée Blanche in Chamonix. He has lived in Warrington all his life and added chair of the IoD Cheshire branch to this list in February this year. A member of the IoD’s branch committee for over two years, Bill’s new role will see him fly the flag for businesses in Cheshire, giving them a voice on the IoD national stage and helping the organisation promote business growth in the area. I have a somewhat institutionalised view of the IoD, having worked with their title Director in a previous life many years ago. Bill is keen to correct me. “The IoD absolutely is a voice which influences governments nationally and locally, but ultimately it is about supporting each other in open collaboration. It’s not one of those networking groups where it’s all about selling something. It is about relationships with likeminded people from start-ups and members of IoD99 (tailored to helping founders succeed) to high-profile speakers and mentors from the largest and best businesses in their industry.

“It is about relationships with like-minded people from start-ups to high profile speakers and mentors from the largest and best businesses in their industry”

“Designed by directors for directors, the IoD works with members to grow and maintain their network, acquire new skills and expand their knowledge. We are constantly listening to our members and local, national and international organisations to do all we can to support and nurture business. “I am amazed every day by the businesses in Cheshire and the talent: there is so much to shout about, celebrate and build upon.” (iod.com; carpe-diem.co.uk)

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Izzy BUSY

With the Northwest Football Awards for 2017 approaching, Jan Clarke speaks to the 2016 Player of the Year, Izzy Christiansen as she reflects on a great season and prepares for the one ahead

he NorthWest Football Awards is an annual celebration of the brightest and best talent in our region and pays tribute to those who have achieved excellence both on and off the field. With some highly respected names on the judging panel, including Maurice Watkins, Mark Palios and Dave Palmer and representatives of the PFA and members from across BBC sport, the awards are a chance to reflect on the many aspects of the game and the important role the footballing industry plays in contributing both economically and culturally to the north west. Last year’s glittering event was attended by over 500 people and the award of Women’s player of the Year 2016 was handed to Isobel Christiansen. We talked to Izzy recently about her career and what the beautiful game means to her. Cheshire girl Izzy hails from Macclesfield and plays for Manchester City Women’s team. She joined the club in 2014 and has just signed a further contract which will see her play with the club until 2020. To date she has made over 40 appearances for the club. Izzy tells me, “I’ve always loved football. I started playing at the age of eight and I love the challenge of the game.” Izzy began her career at youth level at Manchester United before joining Everton. It

was here she made it to the first team, playing for one year at the Toffees. But it was while at Birmingham that Christiansen became an integral part of the team, made Championship appearances and secured an FA cup winner’s medal in 2012. While her domestic career has gone from strength to strength, midfielder Izzy has also proudly accumulated several years of international experience. She made her England debut at under 15s level and this year made the Euro 2017 England squad. “Playing for City is a fantastic opportunity,” she enthuses. “It’s great to be part of a club which is taking such an active role in promoting women’s football. The team is very well managed and we receive great support.” Being able to wear the three lions shirt is also a proud achievement for Izzy: “I’m

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continually working to improve my game both at domestic and international level.” This work is most definitely paying off as Christiansen and the England side got the country on the edge of its seats as they reached the semi-finals in the Women’s Euros this summer.

“It’s great to be a part of women’s football and I’m working to be the best I can be.” As we speak, Christiansen has been training hard in advance of City’s match against Yeovil in the Women’s Super League Title and a quick check of results reveals, training has paid off: the team notches up a 4-0 win: a score which includes a penalty from Izzy. Christiansen is a dedicated sports woman and is working to achieve another great season. Izzy says, “It’s great to be a part of women’s football and I’m working to be the best I can be.” Speaking of ‘the best’ I ask Izzy who inspires her. She replies, “For me, that’s Frank Lampard. He is a person I really admire and look up to.” Izzy’s achievements are most definitely something to admire, too. Her career to date has seen her participate in the under 17s and under 20s World Cups for 2008 and 2010; and 2014 saw her make history for City’s women’s team, netting the winning goal in the Continental Cup Final. From our conversation, it’s clear that Izzy has a true passion for the game and a genuine bond with her team mates, both at City and England. She will most definitely be rooting for former City player Lucy Bronze (now at

Olympique Lyonnais Féminin) at this year’s awards, as she is nominated for the Women’s Player of the Year 2017. Northwest Football Awards, The Point, Emirates Old Trafford, 13 Novmember 2017 (northwestfootballawards.com)

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Cross my

Heart C

haumetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s updated Liens collection of sentimental love knots features criss-crossing ribbons of diamonds and gold, symbolic of two intertwining hearts. Liens SĂŠduction, POA (chaumet.com)

Glitter Like Gigi For her first foray into jewellery, Gigi Hadid has partnered with Messika on a contemporary collection of diamond bracelets, chokers and ear cuffs, reflective of the brand’s signature rock and roll aesthetic. “Gigi is the embodiment of the brand,” said Valérie Messika. “She is spontaneous, sunny and bright.” The Messika by Gigi Hadid collection from £730 (messika.com)

One to Watch

Jewellery&

Watch news

“Powered by an IWC manufactured calibre, the new Ingenieur chronograph is the perfect bold and timeless statement. With its 42.3mm case and 46-hour power reserve, it will ensure you are on time for all of your important occasions.” Alex Martin-Wright. Senior Sales, DMR Liverpool One. IW380802, retails at £6,850

4-6 S John St, Liverpool L1 8BJ (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

WORDS: MHAIRI GRAHAM & RICHARD BROWN

Golden Anniversary This month, Pomellato rings in its 50th anniversary with the Ritratto collection. One-of-a-kind designs demonstrate the Italian jeweller’s innovative knack for crafting unconventional semi-precious stones, such as tiger’s eye, red jasper and vibrant verdite. POA (pomellato.com)

Jewels of Jaipur Deck your ears with Amrapali’s glittering baubles, encrusted with gemstones, diamonds and pearls. Inspired by Jaipur’s exotic flowers, the vibrant new collection beautifully exemplifies the Indian jeweller’s east-meets-west aesthetic. From £3,000, exclusive to net-a-porter.com 48

Shades of Change Usher in the new season with Marco Bicego’s collection of vivid jewels in warm autumnal hues. Exotic gemstones, elegantly strung on an 18-karat gold chain, evoke falling leaves on a crisp October day. Autumn Paradise by Marco Bicego, from £1,850 (marcobicego.com)

Snake Charmer Pia Hallstrom is known for her playful 18-karat gold and diamond motifs, fashioned into whimsical lettering and sapphirestudded necklaces that resemble strings of bunting. Our favourite piece this season is the serpent ring, finished with piercing ruby eyes. From £585 (piahallstrom.com)

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Anything Switzerland Can Do... Seiko flexes its mechanical muscles with a brand new UK-based standalone store W ords : richard brown

A masterpiece that’s the work of three artists recognised by the Japanese Government

onsider the opening of Seiko’s new standalone store as a statement of intent. Better known for its sub-£200 timepieces, this launch is Seiko announcing its luxury credentials – which, in the UK at least, go largely undiscussed. After one of the summer’s more idiosyncratic boutique openings – during which Jonathan Ross joined brand CEO Shinji Hattori in smashing open a ceremonial barrel of sake – Seiko officially opened its doors in one of the world’s most sought-after patches of retail real estate. Shrewdly, the Japanese giant has sandwiched itself between luxury watch meccas Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Watches of Switzerland.

“My intention in the coming years is that Grand Seiko will scale new heights of watchmaking excellence and commercial success,” said Mr Hattori, during Baselworld 2017. With half of the Knightsbridge premises devoted to Grand Seiko – the top tier in Seiko’s league of timepieces – the store will be instrumental in realising that ambition. While Seiko practically owns the quartz watch scene, the brand’s battery-powered empire was built on deep-rooted mechanical foundations. Seiko made its first mechanical timepiece in 1913. In 1968, it created Japan’s first ‘hi-beat’ wristwatch – a timepiece that operated at more than six beats per second. In 1968, the brand became the first to put a vertical clutch and column wheel system into an automatic chronograph. Fast forward to 2014, and

She Loves You After celebrating its 40th anniversary in the same year as The Beatles in 2016, music-loving Swiss watch brand Raymond Weil continues to pay homage to the band with the maestro ‘The Beatles “Abbey Road” Limited Edition’. The dial is is a copy of a vinyl record engraved with microgrooves and the outlined figures of the Fab Four can be seen striding across the zebra crossing on the groove of their landmark record. At the heart of the dial and on the sapphire crystal case-back of the watch, the most iconic logo in the music industry beats to the tempo of the mechanical self-winding movement. GK (raymond-weil.com)

Seiko’s Hi-Beat 36000 GMT was named the best watch under £6,000 at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – a highly coveted category in an awards ceremony more commonly referred to as the Oscars of the watch world. Seiko’s new store follows an opening in NYC’s Madison Avenue and pays homage to the brand’s history by displaying premium models from the Astron, Presage and Prestige collections. The star attraction, however, is the ultra-thin Fugaku Tourbillon Limited Edition, the first tourbillon movement – and the smallest in the world by volume – from Seiko sub-brand Cedar. Limited to just eight pieces, the extraordinary timepiece features a caseband comprising 43 blue sapphires and a dial and caseback depicting yellow and white gold interpretations of Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa. The watch is a masterpiece from three Japanese artists, each recognised by the country’s government as Contemporary Master Craftsmen. (seiko.co.uk)

Made in

England

The British watch brands offering mechanical timepieces at a snip of their Swiss-based counterparts W o r d s : R I C H A RD B RO W N

he investment required to launch a new movement – the mechanism inside a watch that makes it tick – is estimated to cost a company around £13.5 million. Hence the reason only the largest brands can lay claim to producing calibres ‘in-house’, and only then with varying degrees of credibility. It is far more efficient to outsource movements to third-party suppliers. Swiss watchmakers have been doing so for decades. It’s now a business model that’s taken root in Britain. Still reliant on Switzerland, China and Japan for their internal components, a raft of independent watch companies are cutting out the middle man and selling straight to consumers. Without the enormous marketing overheads of Switzerland’s watch giants, these companies are able to offer well-made mechanical timepieces at astonishingly affordable prices. Welcome to the Brit Pack.

...(SORT OF)

Spoiler Alert: Your Swiss-made timepiece wasn’t assembled in a snow-strewn tool shed by a white-haired watchmaker armed with only a loupe and a lathe. As romantic as that notion remains, your wristwatch was assembled by robots on a production line under the all-seeing eye of a closed-circuit computer system. It may have been engraved and polished by hand, but your watch is the work of machines. Machines that cost millions of pounds.

Schofield, 2011, East Sussex Story: Operating out of a bucolic village in West Sussex, Schofield is the brainchild of dynamic product designer Giles Ellis, whose watches take their name from UK lighthouses. Giving meaning to the phrase the devil is in the detail, Schofield timepieces are feats of engineering, with every design element meticulously considered before going into production – either in England or Germany. Standout timepiece: The Daymark (44mm) Movement: Automatic ETA 2824 (Swiss) Power reserve: 38 hours Price: £3,600

(christopherward.co.uk)

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Pinion, 2013, Reading Story: Founded by Piers Berry, a

Marloe Watch Company, 2017, Oxfordshire Story: While an increasing number of Swiss

watchmakers are grappling with their answer to the smartwatch question, Marloe Watch Company is focused on re-popularising the most traditional of timepieces – the manually-wound wristwatch.

designer more used to pixels and coding, Pinion’s automatic watches reference instruments from World War II. The company’s debut DLC-coated Axis Black sold out almost immediately. The new entrylevel Atom is a solid, stainless steel piece that became available from September 2017. Standout timepiece: Atom (42mm) Movement: Automatic Miyota 9015

(Japanese) Power reserve: 42 hours Price: £790

(pinionwatches.com)

Standout timepiece: Derwent, Nautical

(38mm) Movement: Hound-wound Miyota 6T33

(Japanese) Power reserve: 40 hours Price: £329

(marloewatchcompany.com)

Elliot Brown, 2013, Poole Story: Ian Elliot co-founded Animal back in

1988, while Alex Brown turned down a job at Cartier to establish Animal’s watch department. The duo lent their names to their own watch brand 17 years later, and are now dedicated to producing robust and affordable dive watches. All Elliot Brown timepieces are water resistant to a minimum of 200 metres.

Farer, 2015, Berkshire Story: Previously a purveyor of battery-powered fashion watches, last year Farer announced its first collection of automatics. This year, the company launches a range of GMT watches, with an additional hand independently adjustable to any 24-hour time zone.

Standout timepiece:

Tyneham 305-001-R06 (41mm) Movement: Automatic Miyota 9130 (Japanese) Power reserve: 40 hours Price: £795 (elliotbrownwatches.com)

Standout timepiece: Lander GMT Automatic (39.5mm) Movement: Automatic ETA 2893-2 (Swiss) Power reserve: 42 hours Price: £1,175 (farer.com)

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At: Colshaw Hall, Over Peover, Cheshire Date: Thursday 30th November 10.30am to 4.00pm Fizz and canapes on arrival Goody bags Hand-selected shopping stalls Live entertainment Makeup master class by Tammy Faye Delicious Christmas afternoon tea Charity Raffle Award Winning Aesthetic Therapist, Skin Genius, talk on High Street Skincare ‘V’ Cosmeceutical Products

mooi

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kiki.minchin For more information or to book your table contact

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19/09/2017 20:28

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

he star of Emilio Cavallini’s new campaign might very well look familiar to Cheshire residents – and that’s because the strikingly beautiful Missé Beqiri was, until recently, one herself. Born in Sweden, she’s recently upped sticks once again and moved to London, with the campaign following ‘24 Hours with Missé Beqiri’ as she criss-crosses the capital’s streets, swathed in an ever-changing ensemble of statement Cavallini legwear as she goes. Amongst the new collection are beautiful ribbed, cashmere leggings, pretty openwork socks and couture tights with delicate details, ranging from vertical stripes and spirals to windowpane check and oriental lace. The pièce de résistance, however, has to be the incredible engineered lace bodysuit – prepare to be your very own work of art from head to toe. (emiliocavallini.com)

Back in Booties Gigi Hadid’s AW17 campaign for Stuart Weitzman is her fourth consecutive for the brand. Shot by Mario Testino, she dons the iconic stretch over-the-knee boots – we also love this season’s CLING ankle boot. Her pixie cut is faux, FYI. From £355, Stuart Weitzman (stuartweitzman.com)

Fashion news Perfectly Imperfect

Bag It We always love the leather goods at Aspinal of London, and the latest offerings are no exception. The Editor’s Clutch is feminine and sophisticated, made from Italian leather, with a croc print and glossy finish. Bonus points for versatility: it’s roomier than it looks. £325, Aspinal of London (aspinaloflondon.com)

There’s no feeling like stepping out in an iconic red-soled shoe, so do invest in the latest from Christian Louboutin. For AW17, the brand is using a new Organza Déchiré cloth. Five years in the making, it is created using delicate strips of organza, shredded with scissors for an undone look. It is seen on three classic shoes: bootie Toubootfrou, knee-high boots Toualtafrou and pump Toufrou. From £1,275, Christian Louboutin (eu.christianlouboutin.com)

The Art of Style Brunello Cucinelli’s offerings for AW17 are ideal for the modern man, taking you from the boardroom to the bar to a weekend in the country in perfect style. Named The Art of Blend, the collection is made for mixing, matching and layering; try the vibrant red and orange knits under a pared-back camel coat for an on-point weekend look. Sumptuous materials such as cashmere are used throughout. Brunello Cucinelli (brunellocucinelli.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Marni Mania Polka dots, clashing prints and knee-high boots are just a few of our favourite things about the AW17 offerings at Marni. With the emphasis on bold women made no less feminine for their strength, the collection is high fashion at its best. POA, Marni (marni.com)

Birthday Boy Cerruti 1881 celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with a collection inspired by five decades of the brand’s signature style. Jason Basmajian, Cerruti 1881’s chief creative officer, looked to the archives to create the range, which boasts rich, textural fabrics and a wintry colour palette of camel and navy blues. We love the oversized checked jacquard coat. Cerruti 1881 (cerruti.com)

Happy Feet A new season calls for a new pair of shoes, and this month you can make a statement in Prada. We particularly love the ponyskin penny loafers: crafted from the finest Italian leather, these are a super-chic reinvention of a classic, and will earn you instant fashion points. (prada.com)

Sumptuous Style For Bally’s AW17 collection, the Janelle shoe range has been expanded, with the flat babouche style offered in new colours and two new heeled versions, as well as a sportier slip-on sneaker, all featuring the archive-inspired buckle. Ready-to-wear highlights include double-breasted coats, 1970s evening blazers, A-line skirts and pussy-bow blouses in a range of fabrics including bonded wool, wool crepe and calf leather. Ivy and purple are the lead colours for the collection, but we love the fun range of animal prints in leopard, cow and giraffe. Clash at will. From £475, Bally (bally.com) 55

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Good, feeling

looking

Great

Natalie Anglesey talks to the man who brought self-loving to body-conscious self-loathers across the country

nce upon a time, Gok Wan was the guy with thick-rimmed glasses and a shrieking laugh who got people naked in shop windows – but now, he’s the one who’ll be Naked and Baring All when he appears on stage as part of a nationwide tour. But does that mean quite literally? I asked the British fashion consultant, author and television presenter. Gok dissolves into laughter: “It’s basically wait and see – which I know sounds like a cop out – but truthfully I probably won’t know exactly how far I can go until I walk on stage!” The genial fashion guru who persuaded us that we were all beautiful naked, no matter our size, reveals he had size issues himself. A published author, with several books to his credit, he wrote about some of his problems in his revealing autobiography, Through Thick and Thin. But now admits he wants to go even further in front of a live audience. “There’s a great many things I didn’t say at the time. But now I feel more confident I want to reveal, warts and all, who I am – which is both

terrifying and exciting. I want to talk about my lack of body confidence when I was a 21-stone student and how I endured bullying from other children at school, because I was of mixed race, tall, overweight and gay. This led to mental health issues and depression which could have had serious consequences – so by talking about it, I hope I can help others.” When you see Gok in action on television series, it’s hard to believe he was ever nervous or shy, particularly because he trained in the performing arts at the Central School of Speech and Drama. “I was a shockingly bad actor but I’d always been interested in fashion, so once I’d lost the weight, I began writing for fashion magazines, and appearing on various television shows. “My big break came in 2006 when Channel 4 asked me to present How To Look Good Naked, which lasted for three series. I was eventually able to make a series of documentaries on social problems among young people, drawing on my own personal experiences with obesity, an eating disorder and homophobia. In Too Fat Too Young,

“By talking about it I hope I can help others.”

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

I reflected on my own experiences in order to help several teenagers.” Born Kowkhyn Wan in Leicester, to an English mother, Myra, and Chinese father, John Tung Shing Wan, who emigrated from Hong Kong to the UK when he was 16, Gok grew up working in his parents’ restaurant, which eventually led him to make a couple of television programmes real,” Gok confessed. “Even now I have bouts of about his background. low self-esteem but I also know I’d be nowhere “Made in China was a bonding experience without my fans.” This is no idle statement, as I between me and my dad, while Gok Cooks Chinese once saw him trying to leave a theatre between was about all the things he’d taught me in his the matinee and evening performances of his restaurant. My brother, Kwoklyn, is an pantomime to get something to eat. Besieged by accomplished martial art expert who is also fans waiting in the pouring rain, he thanked involved in the food business, and my older sister, Oilen, is a child-care solicitor. We are all proud of our multi-cultural background.” During his career, Gok has worked with many celebrities including Bryan Ferry, Damian Lewis and Wet, everyone, signed every Wet, Wet. He wrote How to autograph and chatted. I Dress: Your Complete Style Guide wondered if he ever got any for Every Occasion, launched his lunch! first women’s clothing “I come from a very collection with Sainburys in humble family and was 2011 and his red wrap dress brought up with lots of love, sold at a rate of one every 24 good food and work ethic, so seconds. I know how fortunate I’ve Currently living in London, been. I live in a beautiful Gok insists he is not one to house and I love my job, but walk the red carpet unless he it’s a precarious business, and really wants to see the show if it all suddenly goes away, I or the film. However, he is may even open my own involved in various charitable restaurant!” projects, including © featureflash agency / shutterstock.com In spite of his self-doubt, supporting anti-bullying Gok is a born enthusiast and charities Kidscape and Ditch sums up his tour: “I hope we’ll have lots of The Label. He’s also encouraged everyone to audience participation because, although I want wear spectacles with pride and was named in the to include a question-and-answer session, I don’t top ten on the World Pride Power list. He’s want this to be a lecture where I stand and talk at progressed from clothes to interiors with Gok’s people. That’s not my style. I want this to be more Fill Your House for Free and made a video for the of a chat and, while there may be serious points, I Prince’s Trust, as well as releasing an album of also want it to be fun!” musical theatre arias called Gok’s Divas. “Some people may say the fat Chinese boy Epstein Theatre, Liverpool, November 5; The Lowry, made good but sometimes I still wonder if it’s all November 27 (epsteinliverpool.co.uk; thelowry.com)

“Some people may say the fat Chinese boy made good but sometimes I still wonder if it’s all real”

AW17 Northern Lights Collection available now

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Colour Pop

Welcome shearling and fur in the most vibrant of shades: summer coming to an end isn’t all bad P h o t o g r a p h y: c a r l a g u l e r S t y l i n g : n ata l i e r e a d

Coat, POA, Dolce & Gabbana (dolcegabbana.com); sweater, £380, and trousers, £305, both Max Mara (maxmara.com)

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

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

ABOVE Coat, £2,525, Miu Miu (miumiu.com); Earrings, £275 and bangle, £185, Dea Jewellery (deajewellery.com)

left Coat, £2,350 Belstaff (belstaff.co.uk); polo neck, £510, trousers, £1,235, and tunic, £720, all Missoni (missoni.com); Boots, £895, Christian Louboutin (eu.christianlouboutin.com)

Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

ABOVE Dress, £1,160, Marni (marni.com); Bag, £399, Amal Fashanu (amalfashanu.com); Ring, £8,050, Anil Arjandas (anilarjandas.com), Shoes, £670, Gianvito Rossi (gianvitorossi.com)

CREDITS Stylist’s assistant: Remy Farrell Make-up: Katie Pettigrew using Kiehl’s Since 1851 skincare and MAC make-up Hair: Fabio Petri using Hair by Sam McKnight products Model: Ellen at IMG

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The Beck Effect

Health & Beauty news

When we first heard about Victoria Beckham’s collaboration with Estée Lauder, we were expecting great things – and we’ve not been disappointed. Our favourite range from the collection is the Signature Look, which features four products: the Morning Aura Illuminating Crème; Skin Perfecting Powder and Aura Gloss in Honey for the face; and Eye Ink Mascara in Blackest for the eyes. As the lady herself explains, “My experience in front of the camera has taught me how the right light can create the perfect skin tone and texture, and give definition to bone structure. These Signature products recreate that same effect for you.” VB x Estée Lauder Signature Look Collection, £200 (victoriabeckham.com; esteelauder.com)

Mila Dreams La La Land Make-up artist to the stars Charlotte Tilbury sprinkles a touch of red-carpet glamour with her new collection, Hollywood. Contour wands, complexion brushes and a range of ten matte liquid lipsticks have been created to help you discover your inner A-lister. From £24 (charlottetilbury.com) 66

If your hair is in need of a boost, give Swedish brand Maria Nila’s new Colour Refresh masques a try. Now available in three new colours – Cacao, Cacao Red and Vanilla – the masque intensifies your current shade and brings out natural highlights, then protects the colour for up to ten washes. Better yet, it’s vegan, cruelty, sulphate and paraben free. £16.99 (sallyexpress.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Hello Autumn If, like us, you find yourself soldiering into every autumn with dry, sun-damaged, colourfaded hair (cheers for that, summer), but always seem to get distracted and forget to protect your tresses when next sunny season rolls around – now is the time for change. Our new summer staple is the reimagined Nanogen Root Boost Thickening Spray with sun-damage and colour-fade protection – otherwise known as the ‘blow dry in a bottle’ – which uses a light-weight, non-greasy formula to lift and volumise, leaving your hair with incredible texture and UVB protection. No more autumn bad-hair days. Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray with Sun Damage Protection (100ml), £12.95 (nanogen.com)

L’Oréal x Balmain This month L’Oréal Paris and Balmain Paris unveiled the campaign for their much-anticipated lipstick collaboration – a capsule collection of 12 couture matte shades by Color Riche – and it is, of course, fabulous. In the campaign, 12 women of different origins and backgrounds strike across the rooftops of Paris at dawn alongside Olivier Rousteing, Balmain’s creative director, to send a message of beauty in diversity and female empowerment. And the collection itself is pretty fabulous, too, with three distinct stories – Rock, Couture and Glamazone – each told in four shades to cater for every complexion. £12.99 each, available exclusively at Harvey Nichols Liverpool and Manchester (harveynichols.com)

Power Pout YSL has introduced Tatouage Couture Matte Stain, a breakthrough matte liquid lipstick in 18 rebellious shades, ranging from Rose Illicite to Minimal Black. The silky smooth formula provides a naked-lip feel while delivering intense colour. Pucker up. £29 (yslbeauty.co.uk)

Hit The Road On a quest to find inspiration for Chanel’s AW17 beauty collection, creative make-up and colour designer Lucia Pica set out on a Californian road trip, returning with a mood board of colours and textures inspired by the sunny coastline. From £20 (chanel.com) 67

Promotion | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Dental Academy: Exciting times lie ahead

n a world where an obsession for accuracy and detail is required for continual improvement, a major factor in the provision of the best dental care is the relationship between the dentist and the dental laboratory which manufactures restorations such as crowns, bridges and implants. The pursuit of excellence is “never a sprint, more of a marathon” and, in the field of dental care, this is a particularly relevant statement. At the Dental Academy, our lead dentist Kevin has forged a clinical partnership with clinical dental technician John Wibberley, which has developed over the past 25 years and has seen them constantly travelling the world in order to access the most advanced skills and techniques available. In recent years, the role of dental technicians who traditionally work in a separate dental laboratory has expanded to allow those who achieve additional training and qualifications to become clinical dental technicians. They are then able to work in surgery with patients to ensure the highest levels of clinical accuracy. John has embraced this role and works within the Dental Academy, providing clinical care. After extensive training in Japan with Professor Jiro Abe, he recently became an international instructor in the Lower Suction Denture Technique, joining a very small group of clinicians worldwide. As in any business, management of the variable factors is key to quality control and it has long been Kevin’s aim to bring the laboratory aspect of dentistry “on-site” and, through a new partnership with John, this has now been realised. We are pleased to announce that Daresbury Dental Laboratory is now open,

providing a full range of dental restorations for the dentists working at the Dental Academy. John commented, “the relationship and communication between dentist and technician is of paramount importance. I am delighted with this new venture, which bucks the trend of ever larger commercial dental laboratories, creating a bespoke service where the deciding factor determining the quality of work is not time, but knowledge and skill. I believe the talent within the team at Daresbury Dental Laboratory is truly world class, and is capable of meeting the exacting standards that Kevin and his dentists demand.” Daresbury Dental Laboratory is now providing the full range of dental restorations, offering patients the opportunity to visit the laboratory to see their restorations being constructed or have a personalised visit for colour matching. For further information for patients or dental professionals seeking a high quality bespoke dental laboratory service, please call The Dental Academy reception team on 01925 740510. Dental Academy, Daresbury Lodge, Chester Rd, Daresbury, WA4 5LR (dentalacademy.co.uk)

The pursuit of excellence is “never a sprint, more of a marathon” 68

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Sounds

Couture

f you’re going to invest in a top quality audio system, you might as well splurge on one that looks the part, too. Premium sound specialist Sennheiser understands this, which is why it’s collaborated with the home of couture, Dior, to create the Dior Homme x Sennheiser editions. The Home solution package features Sennheiser’s HD 800 S headphones and HDVD 800 amplifier, designed in Dior’s black, anthracite and brushed metal with red detailing. Store the system in calfskin-lined drawers provided by Dior. Three other editions are available: Pocket, which features the Sennheiser IE800 earphones; and Daily and Travel, which come with a fine leather clutch and backpack, respectively, and the PXC 550 headphones. Home solution €7,600 (approx. £7,000) (sennheiser.com)

words: Iain Warde

RECORD-BREAKING The little car credited with helping start the Spanish economic boom celebrates turning sixty

eat has set a new Guinness World Record with the organisation of the largest gathering of Seat 600s in its long and enduring history, dating back to its launch in 1957. 787 SEAT 600s (nicknamed “pelotillas” and icons of the 1970s) came together at Montmeló the Circuit de BarcelonaCatalunya for the closing ceremony of the SEAT 600’s 60th anniversary celebrations. The proud SEAT 600 owners responded to the call to make this event a resounding

success: registration reached maximum capacity in just two months, 774 owners taking part and more than 4,000 visitors coming along to enjoy the stirring tribute the Spanish manufacturer wanted to make for the car that put Spain on wheels. It was an impressive sight and, as a result of fastidious care and attention from their owners, all the cars were in perfect working order, despite being a mass-marketed car that has been on the road for somewhere between 40 and 60 years.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

Why We Love Bugatti Chiron

Concepticon The Audi Aicon exploits every possibility offered by an autonomous luxury saloon of the future, with unprecedented consistency. As a design study, the four-door 2x2 boldly leaps ahead to show the exterior and interior design of the next decades. We must admit it looks spectacular from any angle. Its sheer size – an exterior length of 5,444 millimetres, a width of 2,100 millimetres and a height of 1,506 millimetres – places it in the automotive top tier. The four electric motors produce a total of 260 kW and 550 Newton meters (405.7 lb-ft). Each drives one wheel, enabling electronically controlled, variable quattro all-wheel drive. This operating strategy is also pursued by the powertrain and electric brake units, which use recuperation to recover energy. Targeted lightweight construction of the body and optimised aerodynamics also help to achieve ranges of between 434 miles and 497 miles on a single charge. (audi.co.uk)

#1 It’s mental - 1,479bhp, 8.0 litre engine with four turbochargers, and can hit 261mph while burning eight litres of fuel a minute. It is designed to demolish road surfaces #2 Looks - It wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery. #3 Noise - It sounds like the world is ending, full afterburners.

Return of the Griffith TVR has unveiled its all new sports car at the Goodwood Revival. The new Griffith is the first TVR to be launched since the company was resurrected in British hands. Embodying TVR’s long-standing ethos of delivering an involving driving interface where the driver will always be fully in control, the Griffith uses intelligent engineering over electronic driver aids. Only the second front-engined production car to feature a flat floor, the Griffith boasts a full ground-effect aerodynamic package to ensure that the car remains stable at high speeds and delivers exceptional handling abilities. Weighing just 1,250kg, this beast offers exceptional rigidity and a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre Cosworth-enhanced V8, which enables 400bhp and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox achieving a top speed of more than 200mph, and accelerates from 0-60mph in less than four seconds. (walesrallygb.com) 73

PURE DRAMA Jeremy Taylor takes the wheel of the jaw-dropping Mercedes AMG GT S

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

efore electricity brought lighthouses out of the dark ages, mariners were warned off the treacherous coast of Ireland by open fires. The beacons were mounted on cliff-top platforms called braziers which relied solely on wood to fuel the flames. Coal, gas and, finally, electricity came later, as safety standards improved. Now, Ireland’s lighthouses are about to have something unlikely in common with the new Mercedes-AMG GT S – they will be fitted with modern LED bulbs. The high-performance bulbs last longer and save hundreds of thousands of pounds in lighthouse maintenance costs. And while Mercedes’ headlights are understandably nowhere near as powerful, they are some of the most illuminating units you will find on the road. The GT’s intelligent light system is equipped with two modes – country and motorway. Country illuminates the verge on the vehicle side more brightly than halogen bulbs. At speeds above 56mph, motorway mode increases the forward range of the lamps still further. A cornering light function swings the headlights into bends by up to 15 degrees, while the rear lamps feature LED bulbs that brighten or fade, depending on the ambient light. It’s a simple but ingenious way of not dazzling a following driver. And you don’t need to be a bright spark to enjoy the benefits of the Mercedes system. Take a night drive across country in the GT S and it soon becomes blindingly clear why the more natural light of LED will guide us into the future. I’ve brought an AMG to Ireland to try it along

a section of the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW). The 1,500-mile trail up the west coast is jammed with breathtaking landscapes and some of the best roads in the British Isles. It also has a number of lighthouses – dramatically perched on cliff-tops and available to stay in, for a memorable night by the sea. WAW will offer the perfect roads to put the Mercedes through its paces. The GT is a high performance sports coupé to rival the Porsche 911 and Audi R8. It comes in three versions: GT, GT S and GT R. All use the same two-door, two-seat layout and 4.0-litre V8 engine. A convertible model has also been launched.

“With its rock star looks, the GT S causes ripples of admiration at every set of traffic lights” The standard GT offers 470bhp, and the R a massive 577bhp. My £112,000 S model pumps out 522bhp: more than enough for most drivers. While the suspension isn’t too firm, the seats are for a grand tourer. So much so that a long journey might have you cursing. I’m also disappointed with the infotainment screen that dominates the dashboard. It does everything bar make a cup of tea (although the GT does warn the driver when it’s time to take a break), but looks like a carbuncle sat on the centre console. Why can’t it fold away and disappear like many lesser cars?

Motoring | The CHESHIRE Magazine

This being a low-slung Mercedes, it’s not too keen on ramps, either. Boarding at Pembroke with Irish Ferries requires gentle manoeuvring, but there are staff on hand to help. Then I have four hours to put my feet up and plan the best route to my first stop in west Cork. Knowing how rough the roads in west Ireland can be, the trek from Rosslare to Cork is a pleasant surprise. With its rock star looks, the GT S causes ripples plenty of farm vehicles, of admiration at every but slowly, ever so slowly, set of traffic lights. I’m driving in Ireland averaging 24mpg, with encourages you to see a steady grumble from things at a more leisurely the quad exhaust pipes. pace, as well as enjoying It’s only after Cork the premium Burmester that the roads start to sound system. disintegrate, highlighting those crazy hard seats. My final stop along the Wild Atlantic Way is By the time I reach Galley Head lightkeeper’s Ashford Castle – named the world’s best hotel cottage, near Clonakilty, I’m ready for a soft by Condé Nast. The nautical theme continues mattress. The property is run by the Irish in the newly restored Hideaway Cottage: an old Landmark Trust – a charity that restores and boathouse on the shore of Lough Corrib, it’s a maintains historic buildings. one-bedroom love nest fit for a king. It’s a calm night and the moon reflects off At £2,500 a night, it’s also very suitable for George’s Channel 130ft below. The weather can one of the world’s top golfers: Rory McIlroy be notoriously rough here, with Fastnet uses the same room for his honeymoon suite a lighthouse a few miles out to sea. few weeks later at a lavish, star-studded The lighthouse was converted to reception. electricity in 1969 and the last Checking out of the ancestral lightkeeper left ten years later. home of the Guinness family From here, staff would have is always difficult, but at weight: 1,645kg witnessed the sinking of the least my bill wasn’t as big Engine: 4-litre twin turbo Lusitania in 1915 – as well as as Rory’s. Plus I get to petrol V8 many other disasters and drive a brilliant car back Power: 522 horsepower dramatic rescues. At least home to London – even if acceleration: 0-60 in the cottage is a cosy place of a soft cushion would make 3.8 seconds refuge, with a peat fire and a great addition to the Top Speed: 193 MPH plenty of reading material. options list… from: £112,060 Loop Head lighthouse is a Irish Ferries fares start at £79 one three-hour drive north of here, even way for a car and driver (irishferries. in the sporty GT S. The lightkeeper’s com); Irish Landmark Trust offers two nights cottage clings to a remote tip of County Clare self-catering in a lighthouse cottage from around £400 but the views are incredible, with dramatic cliffs (irishlandmark.com); Hideaway Cottage at Ashford and the chance to see whales at play. Castle, from £2,500 per night (ashfordcastle.com) The Mercedes has been frustrated behind More from Jeremy at carcoutureblog.com

The Vitals

For more information, please contact:

Travel news Be Our Guest One year on since he launched L’Hôtel Marrakech, designer Jasper Conran is opening his Moroccan venture to everyone by allowing non-guests to dine at the on-site restaurant. Serving traditional Moroccan fare with an emphasis on local produce, the dining room is open for both lunch and dinner, with a selection of salads, slow-cooked tagines and hot couscous dishes on the menu. (l-hotelmarrakech.com)

Go Ape Perched in a natural alcove within an eroded volcano cone, Bisate Lodge is a spectacle in itself – but it’s the neighbours that draw the crowds. Close to the Volcanoes National Park, the Rwandan hotel is the ideal place to go if you’re looking to spot a mountain gorilla, with 12 groups living nearby. Back at the hotel, six forest villas offer a luxurious base where you can retire post-trek. From approx. £850 per person per night (wilderness-safaris.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

y a c h t E S CA P E S

Short haul vs long haul

loves

Gem of a Night Where else would you go for gemstones but Geneva? A House of Gübelin expert will teach guests at Le Richemond the basics before a special diamond cocktail nightcap: champagne with a sparkler resting at the bottom. But sip carefully – will yours be a real diamond or a fake? Geneva Gem package, £470 (dorchestercollection.com)

Short haul Satori

Up to ten can set sail on this 1920s-style schooner. It has been launched by Borgo Santo Pietro, a boutique Tuscan hotel, with chefs on board from its Michelin-star restaurants. Around £75,000 per week (satoriyacht.com)

Long haul Givenchy says Relax Relax in style at Hotel Metropole’s recently renovated spa, which opens with a new partner: Givenchy. The brand is offering guests at the Monte Carlo hotel two signature treatments, both centred around its Le Soin Noir range. Choose from the Signature Metropole Treatment, a 90-minute hydrating facial, or the full body Le Soin Noir Renaissance Intégrale for some serious TLC. Treatments from £256 (metropole.com)

Dhahab

Starting out from Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman, explore the rugged Musandam coast at ten knots in a beautifully restored golden dhow boat with three cabins. £17,270 for three days and two nights (sixsenses.com)

SEALS AND

Sailing Boats Dispelling the myth that the cruise is for the lazy tourist, Anna Selby discovers some authentic Swedish backwaters – complete with seals, sailing boats and ice bars – with the help of Fred Olsen

red Olsen’s ship Boudicca has recently launched its new cruise season, heading to the thrilling spectacle of the America’s Cup in Bermuda from – the Pier Head. It’s another sign that cruise lines are no longer focusing just on the south coast for their main departure ports. Instead, they’re setting sail from Liverpool or, in my case, Newcastle where I boarded another Olsen ship, Balmoral, bound for Sweden. There are some notable advantages in sailing from a UK port to your destination. For a start, there’s no airport involved – helpful if you don’t like flying or, come to that, undressing for security or hanging around for hours when your flight gets delayed. Instead your bags are collected as you arrive at the port and you next see them inside your cabin. You also have no weight limit on your baggage so you can take with you everything you could possibly need. And if you want to visit more

than one destination, it arrives as if by magic at the bottom of the gangplank, with no effort required on your part. All very relaxing, especially when your trip includes what’s known as ‘scenic cruising’ – you sit on deck, drinks and nibbles brought to your lounger, and watch the world unfurl before you. There was plenty of this on my Swedish cruise. It turns out it’s not just Norway that has fjords and there are even archipelagos, islands and a forested coastline, from which you can spot redpainted timber houses, all with jetties

“Poor old Hamlet. If only he’d taken a cruise, he’d have probably been so much more relaxed.”

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

going down to the water and little boats bobbing alongside. On board, there’s a pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, a spa, four restaurants and all kinds of entertainment. And when you get into a port, you can take an organised trip or just go and explore for yourself. In Stockholm, for instance, you take a tender from the ship right into the heart of a city that has something for everyone – shopping, quaint narrow cobbled streets, a royal palace, parks and gardens, cool outdoor bars and cafes where the locals sit to soak up the sun (which doesn’t set till 10pm in summer). Much of Stockholm’s charm is based on the fact that it’s built on a series of islands, so it is a city surrounded by water, boats and ships of every description. We moored facing the palace, surrounded by ferries and sailing boats, jet skis and historic cargo ships. The Swedes do love their water, and even swim in it despite its decidedly chilly temperature. For some serious history, there’s a museum devoted to the Vikings and their gold, and another to Vasa, Sweden’s Mary Rose: a war ship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised and restored 333 years later. And if you just want to say “Thank you for the music”, there is, of course, one devoted to Abba. This cruise is not just about cities, though. Lysekil, the first stop, was a typical Swedish fishing village, full of pretty painted wooden houses. On a 100-year-old boat with its owner, Juran, I searched for seals around this archipelago’s 8,000 islands. Given there are thousands of seals here, we – not

surprisingly – managed to find some, swimming up to meet us full of curiosity or basking on low pink granite islets. On other stops, you can explore botanical gardens, take historic tram rides, taste Swedish herring or visit a bar made of ice (seats, bar, tables and glasses) to drink vodka. Or you can visit Hamlet. Yes, I know he was the gloomy Dane, but this bit of land has been fought over endlessly by Sweden and Denmark and there is now an Elsinore (or Helsingborg as they call it here) in both countries. I took the ferry to the Danish side and the Castle of Elsinore, where they now enact scenes from the play in various rooms in English, though not Shakespearean English. Hamlet does get to say “To be or not to be” in the great ballroom (the biggest in Europe, apparently), but the rest of his speech is rather plainer, with a certain amount of ad-libbing and interaction with the crowd. You see Hamlet murder Polonius in his mother’s bedroom and meet his father’s ghost in the cellars. It’s great fun but should he be here at all? Not really. Apparently, the real Hamlet never even visited. I, though, did visit most of Sweden (and it’s twice the size of England) over the course of just ten days and in the easiest possible way, without ever having to drive a car or pick up a suitcase. Poor old Hamlet. If only he’d taken a cruise, he’d have probably been so much more relaxed. Fred Olsen cruises coming up from Liverpool in 2018 include Norwegian Fjords; Azores & Madeira; Monaco & Med; Scottish lochs; Iceland; Canada and the Canary Islands (0800 0355 242; fredolsencruises.com) See more of Anna’s travels at annaselby.co.uk/blog

EARTHLY

Desires

Truffle hunting is an ancient cultural tradition in parts of Italy, still often shrouded in mystery and villainy. Marianne Dick travels to two of the country’s most popular culinary regions to uncover some truths and hopefully, some truffles too

n his epicurean bible published in 1825, The Physiology of Taste, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin defined truffles as “the diamond of the art of cookery”. Brillat-Savarin’s deduction of the rarest member of the fungus family still rings true almost two centuries later. Even in today’s technologically and scientifically advanced world, the elusive truffle still resists mass cultivation. This stubbornness could be attributed to its dependence on tree roots (they can only grow in a symbiotic relationship with certain species), its fussiness when it comes to the conditions of its subterranean dwelling, or its rare mode of dispersal – via the insects and mammals who devour it. Even if you do chance upon one of these precious nuggets, they will only stay fresh for around 20 days and need to be carefully cared for. Ideally, they should be cleaned with a toothbrush and then kept loosely wrapped in newspaper and put in a glass jar in the fridge. In Britain, we have two main species: the black summer truffle and the autumn burgundy truffle. The most highly valued black type, however, the Perigord, is usually found across in France. And when it comes to the mythical white ones (if we’re still talking about

diamonds, then these are the sparkliest), the majority of Tuber magnatum, better known as Piedmont truffles, are found in northern Italy – particularly the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna.

Tuscany When one imagines a trip to Tuscany, it is often visualised as a sun-drenched, high summer affair. Yet, the autumn and winter months are ripe for harvesting – and consuming – the area’s gastronomic riches: olive oil, Chianti, wild boar and of course, the truffle. The Tuscan landscape is diverse, with coastal assets as well as the Apennine Mountains. It also boasts the most woodland of all the Italian regions, resulting in six thriving spots where truffle hunting is most

this page, from top: A white truffle; truffles served at the Locanda di Camugliano, both images courtesy of Kirstie young photography; Il Borgo di Petroio, image courtesy of Tuscany now & more

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concentrated. I visit one of the most prolific, San Miniato, a town that holds a festival on four weekends in November and December solely to celebrate the Tartufo bianco. The Camugliano estate, belonging to an old Florentine family, has villas available to rent, a private chapel and offers guided tours and pheasant hunting. It is also where truffle hunter Cesare Profeti and his canine companion, Gina, lead hunting expeditions for specialist business Savitar Tartufi. While pigs are most commonly associated with sniffing out truffles, dogs are now preferred, as they are easier to train and handle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and less likely to scoff the treasure: truffles smell like male pig saliva, which more often than not renders the females helpless to resist. Using dogs still comes with its fair share of problems, though: they can often be stolen and used by unlicensed hunters, and in some extreme cases, tricked into eating poisoned meat to eliminate them as competition.

from top: The Camugliano estate; Truffle hunter Cesare Profeti and Gina, both images courtesy of kirstie young photography

Local Legends Antica Macelleria Cecchini On a side street in Panzano, Chianti, Dario Cecchini blasts AC/DC and serves red wine inside his raucous butcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop, which buzzes with chatter and excitement as people spill out onto the street, usually heading straight across the road to his legendary restaurant (dariocecchini.com) The Frescobaldi estates The majestic Castello Nipozzano and Castello Pomino are part of the Frescobaldi family estate. You can take a tour of the vast cellars, enjoy various vintages with traditional Tuscan food, and even stay the night. (frescobaldi.com)

“It becomes clear just how scarce this unassuming yet €4,000-per-kilogram gourmet mushroom is”

We’re only a few minutes into the trek when Gina is suddenly distracted. She hurries to a spot at the base of a Linden tree – one of the truffle’s preferred partners – and digs furiously before Cesare restrains her and finishes the job with his special long-handled tool, revealing a waxy white truffle around the size of a marble. As the search goes on, we have less luck and it becomes clear just how scarce this unassuming yet €4,000-per-kilogram gourmet mushroom really is – we come away with just one more conker-sized find. Our meagre haul is put into perspective when we are served a five-course lunch at Locanda di Camugliano, one of the villas where chefs are available to hire. Piles of pungent truffle shavings sit atop pasta, are swirled into fondue cheese, and even used to garnish ice cream. It makes even the simplest fried egg taste rich and decadent. By the time

the coffees arrive, we are all giddy, seduced and positively truffle drunk. The words of Brillat-Savarin begin to ring true: “Whosoever says truffle, utters a grand word, which awakens erotic and gastronomic ideas.” The villa I stay at, Il Borgo di Petroio, is a renovated stone farmhouse high in the hills above the village of Rufina, yet only a 40-minute drive from Florence. The pool and tennis courts evoke idyllic summer scenes, but the wild, misty hills and dewy greenery make it an enthralling and scenic setting in November, too. The villa sleeps up to 14, and there is even an industrial kitchen to accommodate professional cooks. During my stay, I am lucky enough to have Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens rustle up dinner; he incorporates some of the wild boar hunted that morning on the 900-acre grounds. All this, combined with the fresh Tuscan air, the finest of wines and cosy quarters, makes for three nights of blissful sleep. Tuscany Now & More offers seven nights self-catering in Il Borgo di Petroio from £5,074 per week, based on 14 people sharing, and truffle hunting from £400 per group (tuscanynowandmore.com)

CLockwise from top left: Ghetto Ebraico; Piazza municipale; Teatro communale; Delizia Estense del Verginese, Portomaggiore, all in Ferrara, all images courtesy of emilia Romagna tourism

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Emilia-Romagna This is a foodie’s hidden paradise, quietly producing some of the finest cured meats, stone fruits, parmesan cheese and egg pasta in the world. I taste delicacies in this area that I’ve never experienced before, including sparkling red wine, passatelli (pasta formed of bread crumbs, eggs and parmesan cheese), and zuppa Inglese – an unusual cake made using English trifle ingredients. I join Sauro, a tartufo hunter with around three decades of experience, and his springer spaniel, Kiko, on one of their expeditions in some woodland near the small medieval town of Sant’Agata Feltria in Montefeltro. When Kiko follows a scent, he scrabbles at the earth excitedly, with Sauro standing close, encouraging him until just before the truffle is unearthed. Sauro then takes over in the more delicate final stages, passing Kiko a well-deserved treat. We find a couple of black truffles; there is less demand for these and they’re sold for around £25 per kilogram. Dark, mottled and covered in soil, one could easily dismiss them as chunks of earth or stones. Curiously, Sauro tells us, if a white truffle is found in a certain place one year, exactly a year later to the day, there will be another in the same spot. It is also believed certain moon phases can affect the fungi’s development – the most prosperous period is when the moon is waxing. Every October, Sant’Agata Feltria holds truffle festivals on Sundays. When I visit, the picturesque cobbled streets are teeming with people buying fresh truffles and Porcini mushrooms. The truffle’s aroma naturally overpowers that of any other product, and wherever you go its sharp earthiness fills the nostrils. In Time magazine, the late food writer Josh Ozersky once described it as: “a combination of newly plowed soil, fall rain, burrowing earthworms and the pungent memory of lost youth and old love affairs”. It is true: once

the scent is associated with a specific time it will forever inspire nostalgia, and I will always think of last autumn in northern Italy. Food in Tour truffle hunting tours from ¤100pp, foodintour.com; for more on what to do in the area visit: (emiliaromagnaturismo.it; emiliaromagnawelcome.com)

Clockwise from top: Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe; mosaics in Basilica of San Vitale; mosaic in basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, all in Ravenna, all images courtesy of emilia Romagna tourism

The Rest of the Region Castello Estense, Ferrara Ferrara’s castle cuts a statuesque figure against the skyline, even 600 years after it was built. The interior is impressive too, despite suffering some damage during the 2012 earthquakes. It is worth taking an afternoon to marvel at its intricately painted ceilings and explore the impressive orangery. (castelloestense.it) Mosaics, Ravenna The octagonal Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia are home to incredible mosaics from the fifth and sixth centuries, which have inspired fashion collections from designers such as Dolce & Gabbana. Cookery classes, Collina dei Poeti Learn how to make traditional Piadina flatbread and filled egg pasta at the rustic villa Collina dei Poeti with the rosy-cheeked Marina, who claims that “Piadina is like love, every woman makes it differently…” From 90pp (foodintour.com; collinadeipoeti.it)

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Weekend away

Coworth Park, Berkshire WORDs: GEMMA KNIGHT

estled in the Berkshire countryside close to Ascot, the beating heart of the 240-acre Coworth Park estate is a splendid Georgian manor house boasting a long and glorious past – including ownership by Lords, Earls, Baronets and, in the 1980s, owner of Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, Galen Weston, who built the site’s polo ground and stables to house his polo team. The hotel is now a grand, perfectly preserved building surrounded by neatly manicured grounds and rolling fields, with 30 lavish rooms and suites, a futuristic eco-luxury spa a few seconds’ walk from the main building, an excellent selection of restaurants and bars, and Coworth Village: a cluster of stable-style cottage accommodation with its own communal courtyard. Suites are, unsurprisingly, exquisite, with neat technical touches and many a sumptuous furnishing just begging to be luxuriated upon, glass of bubbles in hand. Needless to say, a weekend of eating, drinking, strolling in the sun-dappled grounds and lazing about in the spa is the stuff of minibreak dreams – but, on this occasion, we were keen to really go-big-or-go-home in the luxury stakes, and consequently decided to investigate the newly launched and oh-so-autumnal Orchard Afternoon Tea, created by executive pastry chef extraordinaire, Lucy Jones. After a morning spent devouring all manner of delicious breakfast goodies (knowing what was to come, we attempted to be moderate in our food consumption, but failed spectacularly) and

alternating between steam room, sauna and swimming pool (the latter of which comes complete with underwater music), we donned our afternoon best and headed for the Mansion House’s quintessentially English Drawing Room. Here, we settled into one of the custom-crafted sofas beside the Wedgwood-mosaic fireplace, serenaded by the comforting crackle of flames and clinking of champagne flutes. And then, with a flurry of pressed linen and exquisite china, the parade of indulgence began. First, the steaming pot of tea (the array of brews on offer is dazzling) and two generously filled flutes of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée, then the finger sandwiches: poached salmon with bronze fennel on caraway bread; smoked chicken on basil bread; cucumber with cream cheese and mint on onion bread; and Montgomery Cheddar cheese. The scones, unsurprisingly, are delightful – fluffy and flavourful, with dreamy clotted cream and tangy, sweet seasonal compote. And then, at last, the pastries – and oh, what pastries! A milk chocolate, hazelnut and pear macaroon; a cherry and pistachio frangipane tart; a caramelised apple and white chocolate choux bun; and a marmalade cake with cardamom cream. Utterly sated, we were nevertheless convinced by a friendly waitress that we couldn’t miss the current cocktail of the month, the Orchard Mule, and – knowing better than to be rude – gladly obliged. As afternoon teas go, it’s safe to say that Coworth Park has raised the bar. Until 18 November, £34pp/£46pp with a glass of champagne (01344 876 600; dorchestercollection.com)

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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.

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Time

Honoured

émy Martin named its finest elixir, Louis XIII, as a tribute to the French Sovereign who protected Cognac’s vineyards, and Martin decided that this precious cognac required a decanter rather than being stored in barrels, as was customary. The first and original decanter design was inspired by a flask purchased by Paul Emile Rémy Martin in the 1800s. It had belonged to a solider of the French Monarchy, was stamped with the Fleur-de-lys mark and dated back to the 15th century. To celebrate its heritage and complex cognac exclusively sourced from Grand Champagne, Louis XIII now presents The Time Collection, a series of limited edition decanters, each paying tribute to a milestone in the history of the luxury Louis XIII brand. The first edition to be launched is The Origin – 1874, commemorating the creation of Louis XIII 142 years ago, and the design of the decanter is inspired by the original one created by Paul Emile, based on the ancient flask, making it a rare, memorable and timeless gift. A perfect start to the Christmas shopping. Louis XIII, The Time Collection – The Origin 1874 £4,900 (harrods.com)

A Berry Nice View

Food &

Drink news

As autumn approaches and skies turn grey, we rose above the clouds with a visit to Cloud 23 at the Hilton, Manchester, located in the city’s landmark Beetham Tower. We enjoyed the Hilton’s luxury tasting experience which features bespoke ‘Bubbles and Berries’ themed cocktails, indulgent afternoon tea and a five-course cocktail progression paired with a tapas-style menu. The autumnal afternoon tea incorporates seasonal twists into the menu, including a ham and redcurrant Croque Monsieur, caviar blini with pomegranate pearls and a traditional scone with raspberry jam served with an indulgent Kir Royale clotted cream. The new Aperitivo-style menu boasts a series of bubbles and berries cocktails served with flavoursome dishes such as beef carpaccio with balsamic onions, pistachio crumb and redcurrant, served on a sourdough crisp. Or king prawns with wasabi served in a seaweed waffle cone. This unique seasonal extravaganza is available to book from 1 September to 12 November and is the perfect way to enjoy the new season. (hilton.co.uk/manchesterdeansgate)

WORDS: JAN CLARKE

Potato Protégé Cheshire Farm Chips are feeling ‘chipper’ thanks to director, Lucy Jackson. The company is owned by the Jackson family and daughter Lucy is the fifth generation to run the food production and manufacturing company. She is one of the youngest directors in the business yet, despite her youth, the company has seen a significant increase in turnover since her appointment. She chose to join the firm fresh from university and plans to focus on a career in the family business. The award-winning company currently has five products in its range, including the original Cheshire hand-cut chips, Halen Môn salt and pepper wedges, rosemary and garlic sliced potatoes, spicy potato bites and goose-fat roast potatoes. Lucy is delighted to be part of the company and plans on helping it to grow. (cheshirefarmchips.co.uk) 92

PURCHASE of the

MONTH Inkhead Espresso Cup and Saucer, £65 (rume.co.uk)

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...with MATTHEW LLOYD, Head Chef, Brasserie Abode, Chester

What is your favourite food ingredient? Butter always adds a luxurious, finishing flavour and gloss and just a little can add the best to a sauce or garnish. What is your favourite food? Anything modern, British and seasonal – it’s great to play with combinations of seasonal ingredients when they’re in their prime. I especially love the spring and summer with young vegetables and greens – and of course new season lamb. What is your favourite piece of kitchen kit? Water baths allow cooking to an exact degree and precision cooking to retain flavour; they’re also excellent for positioning and holding dishes ready for service - a great piece of kit.

What is your desert island recipe? Chefs tend to crave simple flavours and some quick food after working in the kitchen all day. Asian food is perfect for this, I love it - so something like crispy shredded beef and noodles with a sticky chilli sauce is a favourite of mine. (abodechester.co.uk)

Made with Wood The north west’s only Masterchef winner, Simon Wood, is now the proud owner of Manchester’s newest eponymous restaurant, Wood. The restaurant offers diners a sophisticated lounge menu, a full service à la carte lunch and dinner menu and special pre-theatre and pre-concert selections. A tasting menu featuring seasonal produce and newly developed dishes is also available. Wood’s interior, designed by Allison Pike Architects, is heavily inspired by nature and aptly features natural woods throughout. An open-theatre kitchen dominates and there’s a chef’s table. In addition, an upper floor private dining space accommodating 16-20 guests has been incorporated into the design. Chef Simon has put together an impressive team to work alongside him, including chef Mike Jennings, who has achieved Michelin recommendation and two AA rosettes during his career to date. This exciting venture will see the Masterchef winner and his team bring passion and creativity, powerful flavours and playfulness to the north west restaurant scene. (woodmanchester.com)

Sunshine and Stars If you are planning a trip to Tenerife to catch some late summer sun, then you are in good company. The island has been chosen by the Michelin Guide to host the official launch of the new Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal for 2018. Tenerife is the only Canary island to hold Michelin stars and the celebration of this prestigious event reinforces the island’s growing reputation as a food- lovers’ paradise. The ceremony itself will take place at The Ritz Carlton, Abama on the 22 November, where guests will be invited to taste delicacies from four of Tenerife’s Michelin-star restaurants. (webtenerife.co.uk)

Food & Drink | The CHESHIRE Magazine

SPOTLIGHT ON... sALVIS MOZZARELLA BAR The Corn Exchange, Manchester

W ords : jan clarke

love Italy, the food, the culture and the Italian passion for la dolce vita. I have visited on several occasions and without the constraints of commitments and budgets, I would happily return as often as possible. So, I was delighted recently to visit Salvis at The Corn Exchange, Manchester to enjoy their authentic dishes and to try my hand at pasta making. Step inside Salvis and you are immediately transported to Naples; unfortunately sunshine is not guaranteed. But, there is no need for tickets, passports and airport queues. Salvis is run by Maurizio Cecco. This restaurant and food business is named after his father and inspired by his mother’s kitchen in Naples. The family-owned business produces traditional cooking using the flavours, produce and passion of their home region of Campania. Coming in from the street, you enter Salvis deli, which offers an abundance of Italian and Neapolitan products. The deli is a sensory delight and you will certainly not find tasteless mass-produced mozzarella or strange little plastic tubs of pre-grated parmesan on Maurizio’s shelves!

Best for... Authentic Italian cuisine and a shopping paradise for home cooks courtesy of the deli counter.

“Step inside Salvis and you are immediately transported to the city of Naples”

We proceed downstairs to the restaurant for our pasta class and are met with a warm, Italian welcome. Maurizio offers large platters filled with juicy, plump olives, mouth-watering antipasti and tasty nibbles, all washed down with chilled Prosecco. There are six of us in total and, after introductions, we are soon chatting about our love of all things Italian and shared stories of holidays and visits. Fed and watered we are shown into the restaurant’s Wine Room where our class was to take place; this area doubles as a private dining space but was laid out with bowls, ingredients and aprons for the occasion. Maurizio is a great teacher and put us all at ease. The class was informative but relaxed. We made two types of pasta

from scratch and I was surprised at how quickly I felt at ease working with the dough. We were shown how to handle the dough, use a pasta machine and create classic pasta shapes by hand. Did I become a ‘pasta master’? Compared to Maurizio, definitely not, but, I developed a confidence, found it very creative and vowed to dig out the pasta machine lurking in my cupboard, once back at home. After we had all produced tubs full of shapes, we removed our aprons and sat down in the restaurant to a selection of pasta dishes, served with different types of authentic and delicious sauces. The Italian hospitality continued and bottles of wonderful red wine were opened to enjoy with our meal. At the end of the evening were all very happy classmates as we crossed the threshold back from Napoli to Manchester, armed with bags full of goodies from the deli, to try our hand at recreating dishes at home. Now where did I put that pasta machine? Classes are priced at £65 per person and include instruction from Maurizio, food and Prosecco on arrival and pasta dishes after the class. A discount is also given at the deli, for those keen to try again at home. (salvismanchester.co.uk)

Piste Christmas

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

Whether hunting for oysters, on the look out for succulent rotisserie meats, or simply enjoying a martini at the bar underneath the glittering disco ball, we hope youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to lose a few hours with us. To book please call 0161 711 1007 www.randallandaubin.com/manchester

We are taking November and December Christmas bookings now for any further information or to be sent the Christmas menu please call us.

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Restaurant GUIDE

Eat and drink your way across the region and celebrate the amazing talent in the north west

Horseradish Entertaining at home this festive season? Horseradish offers innovative catering and event delivery to your door with an imaginative approach to each individual occasion. The catering and event creatives promise a bespoke, quality experience like no other, and with Horseradish on hand, you can relax in the knowledge that your event will run smoothly with outstanding food, drinks and service. Their talented chefs are experts in designing delicious menus to fit each individual brief, using the freshest and finest produce. Whether you’re celebrating a landmark occasion or throwing an intimate get-together for friends, Horseradish will help you to create a truly unforgettable event prompting memories that last long after the occasion. (01244 304 660; horseradishcatering.com)

Piste From Merry Mondays to Ski Sundays, this family-run wine bar and restaurant has got your festive season covered! With live music, Alpine cocktails, festive events and ‘Ski Club’ offers, Piste is the perfect place to wine, dine and unwind this Christmas. Christmas Menu: two-courses £22.50 or three-courses £27.50. Check out the range of Christmas Party on the Piste packages to help you celebrate! 55 High St, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0DP (01829 732483; pistetarporley.com), 45 High St, Sandbach, Cheshire CW11 1AL (01270 768923; pistesandbach.com) 97

Restaurant Guide

Macdonald New Blossoms Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel in Chester has opened Scottish Steakhouse restaurant, with a focus on taste and quality. Located in the heart of the historic city on the famous City Walls, the elegant four-star hotel offers fresh new flavours, along with twists on classic favourites. Guests can enjoy steaks including Scottish fillet and rib of beef, aged for a minimum of 21 days, regionally sourced lamb, outdoor-reared pork and fresh wild white fish. Starters include smoked baby back ribs and black pudding Scotch egg, while desserts feature traditional baked New York cheesecake and a zingy white chocolate and passion fruit delice. Open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner with a choice of à la carte and fixed price menus, main courses from £12 (macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-new-blossoms-hotel/)

1539 Nestled behind the Chester Walls, 1539 Restaurant and Bar boasts panoramic views of Chester Racecourse. Named after the year racing first began on the historic site, the plush interior makes for a perfect space in which to enjoy time with friends, families and colleagues. Throughout December, the team of chefs will be serving a selection of elegant, refined dishes created using only fresh, carefully sourced ingredients: from succulent butter-roasted Cheshire turkey with winter berries bursting with colour and flavour to their sticky Christmas toffee pudding with plum compote and brandy sauce. To complement these dishes, their experienced bar team has designed a selection of drinks to add a touch of sparkle to your visit and, as always, their extensive wine selection is available for guests to enjoy. 1539 Restaurant & Bar, 9 Nuns Road, Chester, CH1 2LY (01244 304611; restaurant1539.co.uk/christmas) 98

Yardbird From the whole caveman thing to the last vestiges of the hunter-gatherer instinct, the inert feelings of thousands of years of hospitality are about a place to enjoy the good stuff that always makes us happy – that’s Yardbird. Farm-fresh ingredients from barn yard to backyard, ocean and allotment juxtapose to provide a great all-day menu with relaxed but vibey atmosphere. YardBird is a fusion of styles centred on wood – pine, teak and reclaimed oak barrels, to statement pieces of iron and steel replicating a Manhattan warehouse. Open daily from 10am ‘til late. New fixed price dinner menu; two courses £14.50, three courses £17.50 (Mon-Thurs 5-10pm). 9-11 Bramhall Lane South, Bramhall, SK7 1AL (0161 439 8688; info@yardbird.restaurant)

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Rosso Sitting majestically at the top of King Street and Spring Gardens, Rosso offers an uber-chic dining experience. Boasting a new interior, expanded bar area and a fresh new menu, the restaurant that is the Grand Dame of the city’s Italian establishments offers simple, quality ingredients in the form of authentic, joyful dishes and a flavour of the Italian love of the good life. Using carefully sourced ingredients, trusted suppliers and products which are exclusive to the restaurant, talented chef, Sanky and his team offer a fine-dining experience with plenty of choice. The extensive menu ranges from simple, quality fish dishes, such as whole seabream baked in salt, to homemade pasta and handmade pizzas for that busy lunch crowd, to luxurious hearty meat platters of grilled beef fillet or Chateaubriand. Combine this with an incredible wine list and bar offering with an exclusive club feel, and Rosso is the perfect place for a lunchtime catch-up, night out with friends or no-holds-barred special celebration. 43 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BG (0161 832 1400; rossorestaurants.com)

The Botanist Alderley Edge

The Church Inn

The Botanist Alderley Edge is situated in the heart of the village on the famous London Rd. The pub provides a menu of marvellous delights, combining seasonally-available produce with sublime flavours to create quality, wholesome food. A hearty Sunday roast menu is also on offer, providing rotisserieroasted dishes and fresh produce full of British fare. For an after-hours experience, The Rose Rooms located upstairs provides a majestic emporium of curious cocktails and vintage DJs. Guests can sip on the finest sparkling wines including the delightful Laurent Perrier Brut Rose, Dom Perignon Vintage, or an indulgent cocktail or two while dancing the night away. The Botanist, 15 London Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7JY (01625 865 637; thebotanist.uk.com)

Opposite the picturesque 12th century St.Wilfred’s church, The Church Inn offers a cosy and inviting destination for food lovers. With intimate candlelit corners and an impressive gastronomic offering it is traditional yet stylish. The pub has a main bar with intimate small dining rooms and there is a boot room for a muddy pint with the four-legged friend after a walk, if required. Upstairs sits the George Mallory room and Chef’s Library both available for private dining and meetings and there’s a pretty summer terrace for when the sun shines. The menu offers freshly cooked seasonal food prepared by our team of chefs as well as a tasting menu celebrating the best ingredients and suppliers. The Church Inn, Church Lane, Mobberley, Knutsford, WA16 7RD (01565 873178; churchinnmobberley.co.uk) 99

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Restaurant Guide

Plough & Flail

Tattu

Nestled away in the picturesque Cheshire countryside, The Plough & Flail is a warm, welcoming country pub serving fresh, seasonal dishes using the best ingredients from local suppliers and offering a variety of quality cask ales and fine wines. The pub is child-friendly with a spacious garden and play area to keep little ones busy. There are fabulous outside tables on the terrace and a delightful Garden Room for when the weather isn’t so kind. Guests are also encouraged to bring their four-legged family members to join them in the dog-friendly sections and for walks from the pub. Watch out for some great events, too. The Plough & Flail, Paddock Hill Lane, Mobberley, WA16 7DB (01565 873537; theploughandflail.co.uk)

Since opening in 2015, Tattu Restaurant & Bar has offered the very best in contemporary Chinese cuisine, fusing traditional Asian flavours with exquisite presentation. What’s more the new winter menu has just been released offering the most progressive dishes yet, featuring 15 new dishes from dim sum to dessert. Try the new dim sum of black cod and asparagus steamed dumpling with prawn, edamame and squid ink and the baked Lotus flower served with lavender, yuzu and honey and show stopping chocolate Dragon’s egg (pictured)makes the new dessert menu something to savour. There’s a cocktail to suit every taste too! Tattu Restaurant & Bar, Gartside Street, 3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, M3 3EB (0161 819 2060; tattu.co.uk)

Fazenda

Victor’s

The South American restaurant founders of Fazenda have worked hard to bring tradition and their culture to the UK, nurturing a passion for exquisite meats, premium wines and authenticity. Whether it’s sipping cocktails in the bar or enjoying the full rodizio experience, Fazenda is the perfect example of the modern gaúcho, as Passadores (meat chefs) bring your freshly-grilled meat to your table. With an excellent wine list, Fazenda is an ideal place to relax and unwind with friends or colleagues to enjoy quality food and drink. There are also three private dining spaces catering for six to 16 people in stylish luxury. Fazenda, The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AP (0161 2071193; fazenda.co.uk)

A contemporary American dining experience inspired by the East Coast’s definitive take on international cuisine, Victor’s offers a warm welcome whether you are visiting for drinks, dinner, sliders or sushi. Situated in the heart of Hale village, the restaurant is sophisticated yet relaxed and is the place to be. The menu offers lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea (to be booked 24hrs in advance) and has something to suit every taste from modern sashimi to beef Wellington and from miso marinated black cod to Chateaubriand. Ingredients are sourced locally to create mouth-watering dishes, whether large dishes from the grill or nibbles to share. Victor’s, 169 Ashley Road, Hale, WA15 9SD (0161 928 4651; victorshale.co.uk)

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CHESHIRE C AT Pubs & Inns

Christmas Private Dining in the Country Here are a collection of beautiful Country Inns. Each of them with their own individuality, atmosphere and of course food and drink.

THE CHURCH INN Mobberley, Cheshire

THE THREE

GREYHOUNDS INN

Allostock, NR Knutsford, Cheshire

THE ROEBUCK INN Mobberley, Cheshire

The George Mallory Dining Room

The Old Dog House Barn

Bar, Bistro, Rooms and Gardens

This historic room dating back 300 years is truly one of the most atmospheric private dining rooms in Cheshire. It seats up to 24 for a private lunch or supper or can service 40 guests for a fork buffet.

Housed in the old farm’s barn the Old Dog House is ideal for private dining and events. It can seat up to 70 guests in a relaxed style and has its own bar that can be styled to suit your needs.

The Roebuck Inn is a truly special place. This Grade II listed Inn has been transformed into a ‘rustic country inn’ with six boutique bedrooms and village bistro with tiered gardens and terraces.

Mary McLaughlin and Tim Bird own and operate seven beautiful village and country pubs and Inns, five within the heart of Cheshire. For more information visit their company website: www.cheshirecatpubsandbars.co.uk

festive

Finds

The Arley Hall Shopping Spectacular returns this November. It is the perfect place to begin that Christmas shop, pick up some treats and raise money for an amazing cause. Find out more about our stallholders and the charity

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Arthur Lee Interiors

Abi Fisher Womenswear

Arthur Lee Interiors is a family-run business based in the heart of Knutsford. Established in 1919, fourth generation sisters Helen and Vicky are running this wonderful shop from their gorgeous Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse. Often described as an Aladdin’s cave, the shop showcases new and antique furniture, unique interior accessories and unusual gifts. They are also one of Farrow & Ball’s largest stockists in the north west, and have a dedicated paint and wallpaper studio which also contains the fabulous Cole & Son wallpaper collections. This will be Arthur Lee’s second year at Arley Hall’s shopping spectacular. “We loved being a part of it last year, especially as we had never done a stand at a fair before. There was a brilliant atmosphere throughout and it kicked off Christmas for us! The Joshua Tree is a great charity and we are proud to be a part of this wonderful event.” (arthurlee.co.uk)

The Abi Fisher exclusive womenswear collection provides luxurious yet affordable ladies’ designer fashion and styling advice that cannot easily be found on the high street. It is Abi’s passion to find and offer a unique wardrobe of some of the highest quality garments by sourcing the finest materials for the Abi Fisher Exclusive Collection. Every item is carefully chosen from around the world for its impeccable quality and finest detail. Her aim is to offer stunning classic pieces with a twist. Abi is committed to finding ‘an under-theradar’ collection, which offers a sophisticated and unique look, at a price that is within reach of all of our clients. The stunning showroom has an array of seasonal, refined, classic statement pieces, complementing every element of their clients’ lives. The team at Abi Fisher takes the time to consider how every item within the collection will work, so that clients don’t have to. (abifisher.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Promotion

The Arley Hall Shopping Spectacular

Stocking collections from leading designers Tuesday 7 November 6-10pm such as Rachel Zoe, & Wednesday 8 November 09:30-4pm Stuart Weitzman, (arleyhallshopping Nicholas Kirkwood and spectacular.co.uk) Rupert Sanderson, to name but a few, the luxurious boutique contains a carefully selected range of handpicked designer shoe brands rarely found outside London, New York and Milan. The stylish shop provides an unrivalled experience for their customers to enjoy shopping for key designer pieces as well as everyday footwear, all in the capable and attentive hands of the Hoity Toity team. They offer friendly advice to all their customers and have built a strong and loyal following both in-store and online through our website and social media channels. To complement their shoe range they also stock The Soho Furrier who creates the most beautifully made luxury real fur clothing and accessories. (hoitytoityshoes.com) Hoity Toity Shoes is a unique shoe boutique situated in the picturesque village of Tarporley, in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. Hoity Toity Shoes is a dazzling and carefully curated edit of timeless highend designer shoe brands offering a contemporary mood with classic values and a fresh approach with enduring appeal.

Hoity Toity Shoes

Joshua Tree Charity: The chosen charity for the Arley Hall Shopping Spectacular The Joshua Tree charity currently supports around 100 families across the north west living with the life-changing experience of childhood cancer. It accommodates the whole family, patients, parents, siblings, grandparents and close friends with one-to-one support, practical and therapeutic help, to ensure that life remains as normal as possible during an incredibly traumatic time. The Joshua Tree delivers its services from an interim support centre in Northwich town centre, in family homes or at meet-up points, at the after-care clinic at Alder Hey Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital in Liverpool and at regular monthly Saturday Sessions held in a local church.

Mark Griffiths Construction Workers with Julie Smith (left) and Jo Garner (right) from The Joshua Tree as work begins on new Support Centre.

During its five-year partnership with the Arley Hall Shopping Spectacular, the charity will receive 100 per cent of all ticket and raffle sales as well as 10 per cent of everything bought at the fair. The funds raised at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shopping Spectacular have enabled the charity to start the groundworks and landscaping for a new Support Centre in Sandiway, Cheshire. Building work has started on the first phase of this much-needed facility and the charity hopes to open the doors to families in need during Summer 2018. (thejoshuatree.org.uk)

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Friday 24th November 2017 Principal Hotel, Manchester

Celebrating the best in Northern Architecture, Design and Retail

OPEN FOR ENTRY! Tickets on sale now

Visit www.northerndesignawards.com

NDA 17 Advert_A4_v2.indd 1

25/09/2017 09:44

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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

SARAH-JANE CRAWFORD

TALILA STORM

RHIANNA SHOWCASES FENTY

FENTY BEAUTY Harvey Nichols Fenty Beauty by Rhianna launched in Harvey Nichols this Fashion Week. Hosted by the lady herself this VIP event treated guests to test the products in themed areas. While the Ace champagne and Don Julio tequila flowed, guests were offered Fenty Face makeovers and left with a bespoke collection of products to try at home. Fenty Beauty is available exclusively at Harvey Nichols.

ROSHEEN O’BYRNE WITH IRENE ESTRY & FRIENDS

FUNNY FACES

Photography: MWM Associates

Jackie Hornby, Joanna Scott-Aspray, Michelle Winter, Beverley Anne Freeman, Maz Lewis, Denise Scott, MartinE Pascal

LILAH PARSONS

RHIANNA

IRENE ESTRY & JOANNA SCOTT-ASPRAY

The Stanneylands, Wilmslow Hosted by Cheshire Socialites, Irene Estry – health and fitness guru to the stars – entertained guests over afternoon tea, offering an insight into her life, her BCS (bloody common sense) health programme, Corrie gossip and all her antics. Complemented with talks by Nicola Charnock on healthy living, Martina Pascal from Ansawell and colour matching from Lancôme, plus generous raffle for The Kirsty Club Charity. (cheshiresocialites.co.uk) 105

WE LOVE MANCHESTER Menagerie, Manchester Forever Unique’s Seema Malhotra teamed up with Chris Healing and Menagerie Restaurant to raise over £27,000 for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund supporting those directly affected by the Manchester terror attacks. Hosted by Heart FM’s Lorna Bancroft and Capital FM Breakfast’s Rachel Burke-Davies the event was attended by over 400 guests, aerial acrobats and fire breathers. (menagerierestaurant.co.uk)

FOREVER UNIQUE

KARINA JADHAV, CHRIS HEALING & SEEMA MALHOTRA

DAWN WARD, STACEY FORSEY, NERMINE PIETERS-MEKIC & SEEMA MALHOTRA

KARINA JADHAV

SOPHIE & EMILY WITH GODFATHER, TIM

EMILY & SOPHIE BELLE VOCI

BELLE VOCI Oddfellows, Chester Chester duo, Emily Burnette and Sophie Rohan announced the launch of their debut album at a warming celebration at Oddfellows. Specialising in opera and classical-crossover duets and arias Emily and Sophie perform as Belle Voci. Whilst recorded in London, the pair brought the launch to Chester to remain true to their roots. (belle-voci.com) 106

Chris Coulter, Oli Yates, Christopher Burnett, Marcus Chanoler

LOUISE & OLI YEATES

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Photography by Tim Bradley

SIMON KITE & RIK HEAP

DR PENNY GOLDSBROUGH & SANDY LINDSAY MBE

SARAH WHYMAN, FAY CLIFFORD & CHRIS ROSS

DANIEL DUNN, PAUL DENNY, STEVEN OCCLESTON & FRAN ECCLES-BECH

MANCHESTER PROFESSIONALS’ DINNER

NATALIE MAPOSE & ANDY SHAH

MATTHEW CAREY & GEMMA MAXWELL

AUDREY SERRANO & NATASHA MOYEED

The French at The Midland Hotel Adam Reid at The French hosted the eagerly anticipated autumn Manchester Law Society’s Professionals’ Dinner Club, with five-course tasting menu and wine flight, courtesy of Peter Shrigley, director of sales and his team at The Midland Hotel. With welcomes from Fran Eccles-Bech, chief executive of Manchester Law Society and Adam Reid, guests dined on crispy trotter with pickled onion, Tater’ash with Mrs Rafflade’s mushroom catsup, almond poached brill with artichoke and basil, Cumbrian lamb with peas, lettuce and ransom capers, with a sugar-work Clementine with white chocolate and buckthorn for dessert. Hand selected wines from Italy, Hungary and Spain accompanied each dish, each expertly explained by the professional team. (manchesterlawsociety.org.uk; the-french.co.uk)

SIMON LIVESEY & JAY DIXON

EDWARD SMETHURST & PETER SHRIGLEY

SIMON ROWBOTHAM, KIM ABBOTT, MARK HEPTINSTALL

KRISTIAN HITCHEN & KATIE PLANT

CHEF ADAM REID

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Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Photography by Kat Hannon

ELIZABETH BIRD, MELISSA PORTER & EMMA NAWAZ

WOMEN IN BUSINESS The Colony, Wilmslow Elizabeth Bird from Chronos Wealth Management and Emma Nawaz of Blackstone Solicitors came together to host the first of a series of women-in-business seminars at the stylish HQ at The Colony. Guest speaker, Melissa Porter started proceedings with an insightful and inspirational talk on having it all, losing it all and the true meaning of success. This was followed by a delicious light lunch in the boardroom with two further candid talks from Elizabeth on financial success and finding your perfect number, and Emma on that elusive work/life balance. Networking at its best. (blackstonesolicitorsltd.co.uk; chronoswm.co.uk; melissaportercoach.com)

SHELLEY VASDEV, DR JANE LEONARD & LEANNE

SIOBHAN MOLLY, MICHELLE ROTHBURN, ANNA-LIISA EVANS, NICOLA HARRINGTON & MARNIE MILLARD

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REBECCA BATTERSBY, MARGO HAYWARD, BARBARA HALLWOOD & EMMA BOSWORTH

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Promotion

What’s On

Mention The Cheshire Magazine on booking and receive 10 per cent off your total bill throughout October and November

at The Plough & Flail, Mobberley

Saturday 28 October

Friday 24 November

Family Friendly Halloween Mania Party in association with Cheshire Socialites

Plum Pudding Day

Music, apple bobbing, trick-ortreat raffle, face art, quiz and best-dressed competition

Free Entry.

Saturday 11 November, 10:30am

Join us for a free pint of plum pudding with every main meal purchased

Friday 1 December, 7:30pm The Plough & Flail Christmas Lights switch-on Carol singers, mulled wine, snow and lots more festive fun

Dog Walking Club Arrive promptly for a spot of breakfast and a coffee before heading out for a short walk and back to the pub for lunch.

Booking required, 01565 873537

Saturday 18 November, 3-6pm Dog’s Dinner & Tea Party in aid of IAPWA Supported by Barkers and Cheshire Socialites. Tea party, treats, stalls, raffle and doggy goody bags to take home.

£20 per dog. Visit cheshiresocialites. co.uk for tickets.

Saturday 9 December, 10:30am

Friday 15 December

Santa Paws Dog Walking Club

Roast & Ramble Christmas Jumper Day

This month there will be prizes for best dressed dog and owner so get your outfits ready! Arrive promptly for a spot of breakfast and a coffee before heading out for a short walk and back to the pub for lunch.

Booking required, 01565 873537

Friday 8 December, 7:30pm

Thursday 14 December, 7:30pm

The Plough Charity Dinner Dance in aid of MS Society Cheshire East

The Plough & Flail Quiz of the Year

Get into the swing of Christmas with Ryan Island, singing Michael Bublé, The Rat Pack and a few winter wonderland classics thrown in for good measure! Sparkling reception and the sounds of swing, followed by a festive threecourse dinner with coffee and mince pies.

Cash prizes, wine and vouchers to be won. £1 per person entry maximum, six per team.

Join us for a few miles walk around Mobberley then back to the pub for a spot of lunch and a pint of plum pudding or glass of mulled wine.

£10.95 per person, full payment on booking, 01565 873537

Saturday 16 December, 11am Breakfast with Santa

Booking required, 01565 873537

Join Santa for tea and toast, then get your Christmas list ready and post it to the North Pole

£5 per child inc breakfast and present from Santa. Booking required, 01565 873537

The Plough & Flail Paddock Hill Lane, Mobberley, WA16 7DB 01565 873 537 (ploughandflail.co.uk)

Booking required, 01565 873537

“A spot of lunch and our signature G&T” 109

Family | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Small Scale

raftsmanship is at the core of the newly launched children’s range by interiors specialist Skandium, whose key pieces include an architect’s table, a mini version of Vitra’s signature Eames Elephant and this typically Scandinavian alternative to a dolls house, stripped back to its plain plywood form. From £30 (skandium.com)

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Abney Court care home

New nursing suite opens Monday 23rd October 2017 If you’re looking for nursing care for a loved one, we’d love to welcome you to our new 14 bedroom nursing suite, opening on 23rd October. Our nursing care team has specialist expertise and medical training, giving you peace of mind that we can continue to care for your loved one should their needs change while living at Abney Court. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to call in to view our new nursing suite and meet the team. For more information, please contact Pam Wilson, customer relations manager on 0161 820 7879 or email pamela.wilson@careuk.com Abney Court, Abney Hall Park, Manchester Road, Cheadle SK8 2PD careuk.com/abney-court

Kids’ news Treasure Hunt Whether you’re digging for treasure or heading out for a picnic, the new Mini Chari basket by Olli Ella will come in handy. Made for carrying or attaching to scooters and bikes, the fair-trade rattan basket is handmade and features a flap lid and loop on the back for hanging. And there’s good news for mum – it comes in an adult size, too. From £35 (olliella.com)

loves

Mono Days In celebration of its 50th anniversary this year, Baby Dior’s creative director Cordelia de Castellane has taken the label back to its roots. Alongside its AW17 collection, the brand has launched an exclusive capsule range inspired by a black- and-white velvet dress first introduced when the original store opened in Paris in 1967. Dress, £810 (dior.com)

Wicked Games With the festive season all-too-fast approaching, it’s likely that you and your mini travellers have some long car, train or plane journeys coming up. Stem the flow of the ‘are-we-there-yet’s with this canny little Travellers Trivia, complete with 80 question cards filled with zany facts to test your family’s worldly knowledge. You’ll be there in no time. Talking Tables Travellers Trivia, £9.99 (talkingtables.co.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

MR HENDRIX leashed

Mum-To-Be Must Have Struggling for an unusual little pick-me-up gift for an expectant friend? We recently discovered fabulous brand Myrtle & Maude. Founded in Yorkshire and using old traditions passed down through three generations, alongside new and innovative methods, they have created the Mum-to-be Pregnancy Pack. This gorgeous little gift box features a collection of natural and organic products to combat morning sickness, including organic herbal tea, acupressure wristbands and vitamin B6 peppermint oil bon-bons, all of which are proven to help. £24 (myrtleandmaude.com)

Mother Nature For AW17, childrenswear designer Marie-Chantal offers a selection of nostalgic party pieces and outerwear inspired by her childhood. New for this season is a range of woollen coats and sparkly dresses, as well as two exclusive natureinspired prints, Bold Flower and Bloom Wild. From £69 (mariechantal.co.uk)

Now my little brother Aston is two and a half, he loves nothing more than making a creative mess both in and out of our home – from baking bonfire treats to trying to paint the cat while she sleeps – so, keen to channel these creative talents, Anji booked Aston on a Messy Play session. With more than 200 locations across the UK, this multisensory messy play experience is perfect for children aged six months to five years to explore, squelch, pour, mix and get messy. Messy Play contributes to the development of a child’s cognitive and creative abilities and, best of all, they do all the cleaning up for you! Every month has a new exciting theme and this November is ‘Dino Detective Parties’, including activities such as a small world dinosaur play tray, digging for

“Messy play contributes enormously to the development of a child’s cognitive and creative abilities” salt-dough dinosaur bones in the sand with a magnifying glass, a spaghetti dinosaur nest, plus a jelly swamp and all the props for dressing up. Better yet, I have a ticket to give away. To enter, go to my Facebook page and share The Messy Play post. Of course, November is also the time for bonfires and fireworks, and although I stay safely indoors throughout bonfire night, I am extremely pawtial to a sausage or two cooked in the embers of the fire, while Aston loves the traditional sticky Parkin cake. As Aston and I have lots of fun getting messy together, we all wrap up warm, take our sausages and Parkin cake and head out for an amazing adventure in the countryside, searching for monsters in the hollows of gnarled old trees, finding treasure hidden amongst the piles of fallen leaves then splashing in muddy puddles. Aston loves racing through the puddles in his truck while I run alongside him, loving the squelch of the mud under my paws, splashing as we explore our countryside adventure, then walking quietly through the woods while trying to spot the many creatures living in the undergrowth or in the trees and bushes all around us. Let the adventure begin! Until next time, Love and Licks

Mr Hendrix x (facebookcom/mrhendrixandfriends; facebook.com/ messaroundcheshiresouthmcr) 113

Peace of mind for you and your family at all times

The Private GP & Night Doctor Service We are a group of experienced GPs, based in South Manchester, we offer the highest level of care, above and beyond the NHS. Whilst the NHS is a good system, demand has increased so much that it has become almost impossible to offer the prompt and personal care that we all wish for. We believe our registered patients want a professional service with peace of mind at all times - from immediate telephone advice, to organising an admission into hospital, anytime, day or night - all provided by a small group of doctors they know. Hopefully you will not need to see a doctor urgently, but accidents or illnesses occur when least expected and having to travel or wait many hours for healthcare can only make the ordeal worse. You can remain with your NHS GP, as our aim is not to replace your care, but to work alongside it, providing you with our extra medical care when you or your family most need it. It only takes 2 minutes to register now, so we can look after you in the future.

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Registration fee from £18 per month plus consultation fees If this service is of interest to you or your family, please contact us to register.

0161 980 2626 | Info@ThePrivateGP.uk www.TheNightDoctor.uk Dr Bruce Jobling

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

The Next Level

The classroom A Life’s Work Beech Hall teacher Janine Turner was recently awarded a Lifetime Teaching Achievement Award at the national German Teacher Awards 2017. Janine was presented with her award, by the British novelist John Le Carré at the awards which celebrate the UK’s top language teachers, held at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in London. Janine, who has been teaching German for 37 years, took up her role at Beech Hall around a year ago, following the unexpected passing of Mr Richard Davis, the head of modern foreign languages. Ms Turner stepped in during a particularly sensitive time for the school and, with her guidance, year 11 pupils preparing for GCSE examinations achieved a 100 per cent A*-C grade pass rate. Janine is now looking to focus on publishing projects: having already authored three A-level books, she now has two more in the pipeline. This award is very well deserved for Janine, who has also received funding three times during her career, from the Goethe Institute in Manchester, to deliver projects to some of the schools across the north west. (beechhallschool.org)

As the new academic year gets under way, the 2017 A level students from Stonyhurst College will be embarking on their university careers after great success in their A level examinations. The results for mathematics at the college were particularly outstanding this year, with 25 students achieving A* or A grades. Also, the results for economics were excellent with 16 students being awarded A* or A grades. Students starting university life include Alan Zhang who achieved five A* grades and is studying engineering at Trinity College Cambridge, James Lavarello who achieved three A* and has chosen to study law at Leeds University and Henry Yan is attending Imperial College London to study material science and Engineering after achieving three A* and one A grades. (stonyhurst.ac.uk)

Supporting Success Two teachers from Abbey College have received an award for the welfare and pastoral care they offer. Head of lower sixth Rachel Lasham, and assistant head of lower sixth Mike Johnson, won the prestigious Alpha Plus Group Innovation Award for their dedication to student development with their ‘Success in the Sixth Form’ programme. They were presented with the award at a glittering ceremony in London and are delighted to have their hard work recognised. The programme brings aspects of pastoral care and the academic curriculum together, providing support for personal and academic development. The transition from GCSE to A-level can be difficult for some students and Rachel and Mike aim to bridge the gap. (abbeymanchester.co.uk)

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Good

Advice Simon Walker, Executive Director Quilter Cheviot, Liverpool discusses the factors to consider when finding the right investment manager

eople invest for different reasons. For some, it is long-term considerations, such as retirement. For others, it is more short-term needs, such as university fees for their children or grandchildren. For many, it is in fact a mixture of the long term with the short term, making their investment needs a more sophisticated balance of income, growth and capital preservation. All of this at a time of constantly changing regulations and financial products. Which is why your best investment decision will always be to get good advice. But where to find it? Quilter Cheviot stands out from the crowd for a number of reasons. We have highly experienced investment managers in each location across the country, who put together properly bespoke investment solutions for our clients. We have an average of 16 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service at Quilter Cheviot and 19 years in the financial sector, offering a rare combination of continuity, stability and expertise. Just as we favour the long-term investment style, so we prize long-term relationships, and take pride in providing a service that generates client loyalty. The cornerstone of our business is our 19-strong research team. The team works to ensure our investment managers have the most up-to-date and independently generated market data they need to provide you with the most appropriate investment strategies. You can influence or dictate your investment mandate at any time, but rest assured that our guidance will be independent.

Our investment process is structured to build and preserve your wealth over the long term, and aims to consistently out-perform the average. The investment process has been designed to be agile enough to stay ahead of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constantly changing markets; and to be flexible enough to incorporate any personal investment needs. Your investment manager will work closely with you to define your priorities, expectations and appetite for risk. Quilter Cheviot strives to be completely transparent to our clients. We will always explain our fees in detail, show a full breakdown of performance and provide open and honest communications. You will also know from the outset who is managing your portfolio and how best to contact them. Your needs are our top priority: our unbiased and unfettered approach enables us to build an investment portfolio that meets your needs. We are free to tailor your portfolio exactly as you wish, selecting the most appropriate investments, whether growth, income or capital preservation. And, as we aim to deliver consistently superior outcomes to the average, you can be sure that we will work to meet or exceed your expectations. (quiltercheviot.com) To find out more, please contact: Simon Walker, head of Liverpool office on 0151 243 2161 (Simon.walker@quiltercheviot.com) or David Rothburn, head of Manchester office on 0161 837 3310 (David.rothburn@quiltercheviot.com)

Investors should remember that the value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up. Quilter Cheviot Limited is registered in England with number 01923571. Quilter Cheviot Limited has established a branch in Dublin, Ireland with number 904906, is a member of the London Stock Exchange, is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules, under the Financial Services (Jersey) Law 1998 by the Jersey Financial Services Commission for the conduct of investment business in Jersey and by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 to carry on investment business in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Accordingly, in some respects the regulatory system that applies will be different from that of the United Kingdom.

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Business news

Time for a Makeover Primark has committed to the Trafford Centre’s £74 million transformation of Barton Square. The refreshed area of the shopping centre will add 110,000 sq ft of retail space, new glass-domed roof and fully redesigned interior; the fashion retails plans to open in 2019. (intu.co.uk/traffordcentre)

Silicon Manchester

Countdown to Christmas Hale Business Association has raised over £15,000 for Hale’s Christmas lights. Working with Marketing Profile, the funding campaign involved local businesses sponsoring a bauble, and the full amount has now been raised. Love Hale 2017 baubles are available at £4.99 from Gift & Home. (@HBACheshire)

According to property experts Savills, Manchester is on the verge of becoming the next Silicon Valley. Their latest Manchester Office: Market Spotlight revealed that the city has seen a 20 per cent increase year-on-year in the take up of office space within the sector. Already the largest internet and technology hub outside London, Manchester is at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse initiatives supporting the digital growth potential in the region. With start-ups on the rise, the rise of the Man-Fran phenomenon, Savills has predicted Manchester will be in the top five fastest growing cities from 2017 to 2021.

Getting the Boot The team at the Boot Out Breast Cancer charity was recently congratulated by the high sheriff of Manchester for its fund-raising efforts, at an event sponsored and hosted by the Principal Hotel. A cheque was presented to the chair of the charity, Debbie Dowie, and launched this year’s fundraising target of around £100,000, culminating in a ball to be held at Principal in September 2018. This year’s high sheriff of Greater Manchester, Kui Man Gerry OBE DL, congratulated the volunteers of the Boot Out Breast Cancer team for raising over £800,000 in the last eight years. (bootoutbreastcancer.org.uk)

Mag Launches Connect MAG, the UK’s biggest airport group, has launched a major new recruitment drive, MAG Connect, designed to benefit the communities around MAG airports, while also improving MAG and other on-site airport employers’ ability to make local hires, particularly in communities where jobs are most needed. The new initiative will support MAG’s plans for significant growth at its airports in the coming years: at Manchester Airport, MAG is investing £1bn in new terminal and airfield facilities over the coming decade, and at London Stansted a new £130m arrivals building is planned. (manchesterairport.co.uk) 117

business at

The Colony There’s a new business members’ club concept in town and Louisa Castle meets the founders to find out more

o-founders, Adel Lababedi and Edward Kershaw alongside chief operating officer Dagmar Kershaw meet me for coffee at The HQ at The Colony – a state-of-the-art yet welcoming working and networking space in Wilmslow. Ed explains the concept, “The Colony began as a pure real estate transaction but we soon identified the need for a high-end, discrete space for local business people to work and conduct business. We personally experienced the frustration of trying to do business in the local coffee house with no privacy, distractions and little space.” All three live and work in Cheshire. “The way we do business is changing. We do not have to be tied down to an office, we work from home or have multiple places of work. And so often, the office space does not reflect the stature or position of the person or company. If you compare business owners’ homes to their offices, typically, there’s a lot left to be desired with the office space.”

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The Colony covers a site of just under two acres and includes a stunning Kitchen Architecture showroom, 20,000 sq ft of flexible serviced office and The HQ. Within the latter are communal working areas with onsite restaurant and bar, micro-offices, meeting rooms and boardroom not to mention outside space. If not utilised by members of The Colony, these contemporary spaces can be also used by external guests as an exclusive backdrop for events and weddings.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Business

opposite: left to right: dagmar kershaw, adel lababedi and edward kershaw (photography by tim bradley)

Designed in conjunction with McNulty Architects, a lot of time and passion has gone into the creation of the build, with floor-to-ceiling glazing, reclaimed brick and timber, a modern comfortable interior fit-out (working with Grapes Design London) and all the technology built in. The three buildings which make up The Colony sit sympathetically in the Cheshire countryside. This is the first joint commercial venture between local developers Adel and Ed. “What drives us is to be fundamentally different,” explains Ed. “To push boundaries and do what’s not been done before.” “The site had been on the market for a while when we came to view it,” Adel tells me. “Which was great for us. I don’t think that anyone had the vision for anything but residential use. We had a shared concept that was in a quality development, and a design wanting to add value, with hospitality areas and such like while also looking at it from a member’s cost-conscious/ value-for-money point of view. “We offer an entrepreneurial, very tech

start-up way of working. The location is pretty perfect too, with easy access to Manchester, the airport, and trains to London, as well as being close to the Cheshire villages.” The HQ offers tailored memberships to suit individual business needs from part-time to corporate and from admin support to a professional call-forwarding service and reception.

“We offer an entrepreneurial, very tech start-up way of working.” “Talks are already under way to grow The HQ concept,” says Dagmar. “We are looking at key locations and collaborations to be able to extend our offer. The first, we hope will be a link with a London business members’ club as we are finding that connection to be one our current members most require. “As a local, privately funded business, the success of The Colony and our tenants and members is at the heart of what we do. The concept was created out of nothing, raising the bar and offering a new way of doing business in what is an ever-changing global world.” (thecolonygroup.co.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Promotion

Blackstone – No 1 choice for “Property Matters”

hether looking for assistance with commercial or residential property, the highly experienced team of lawyers at Blackstone is on hand to assist, keeping you fully up to date every step of the way. In the words of aviation pioneer, Amelia Earhart, and often now quoted by managing director of Blackstone, Emma Nawaz:

“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” Emma explains, “We are committed to providing the very best service when it comes to all aspects of commercial and residential property. We act on behalf of a variety of clients, including pension funds, investors, liquidators, small and medium-sized enterprises, private individuals, charities, retail and leisure operators and banks. As part of this, we believe communication and transparency are key, while we pledge to go the extra mile to help you get the outcome you are seeking.”

Blackstone is highly skilled in residential conveyancing and can assist with both buying and selling a property and with issues relating to property disputes. The team is equally skilled in commercial property work and has an impressive portfolio of clients. The commercial property team is experienced in high-value site acquisition, development agreements, project management agreements, lease and site setups. Whether you’re based in Manchester, Chester, Cheshire, London or elsewhere in the UK, the team at Blackstone can assist you.

Hear from the clients: “I have only recently started working with Blackstone, and I have found the team very efficient and proactive and a good company to use.” – Sanjeev Mehan, Maya Property Services “My group of companies, including The Fragrance Shop have relied upon Blackstone Solicitors for both litigation and commercial advice and have the utmost confidence in the firm.” – Sanjay Vadera, The Fragrance Shop

Award-winning solicitors with offices in Hale and Mayfair. We are on hand to assist you every step of the way… CHESHIRE Hale, WA15

LONDON Mayfair, W1

TEL: VISIT:

0161 929 0121 (Hale); 020 3693 4507 (London) blackstonesolicitorsltd.co.uk

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THE

HERITAGE

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

homes and

interiors showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY IN CHESHIRE AND BEYOND

Glass

HOUSES

Adding extra space to your period home has never looked so effortlessly elegant

Kitchen Kitchen Architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stunning stunning new new showroom showroom is now is now open. open. TheThe Farmhouse Farmhouse TheThe Colony Colony Altrincham Altrincham Road Road Wilmslow Wilmslow SK9SK9 4LY4LY Tel:Tel: 01625 01625 544544 890890

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Stanley Green Retail Park, Earl Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Cheshire, SK8 6PT Tel: 0161 488 4991 | Website: fireplacesuperstore.com

Homes and Interiors

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

Taylor Made Design your new dining room at the click of a button with the help of interiors website th2Studio. The brainchild of Taylor Howes founders Sheila El Hadery, Karen Howes and Gail Taylor, the site offers a bespoke roomdesign service, as well as a curated selection of one-off pieces, from dining room furniture to minimalist lamps. (th2studio.co.uk)

Flower Power Iris and geranium are the heroes of Jo Malone’s latest charity candle, Iris & Lady Moore. Seventy-five per cent of proceeds will go towards The Quiet Garden, a charity project in Notting Hill that supports those affected by mental illness. £45 (jomalone.com)

Old And New Whether you’re a traditionalist or a modernist, Rubelli has got you covered with its latest line of furniture and fabrics. For a retro touch, opt for the 1950s-inspired Palazzo sofa, while the Domino chair – created for the brand by budding designers Nava+Nava – will appease the minimalist fanatics among you. Domino chair from £4,763 (rubelli.com)

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Into The Fold

Luxury For Less A collection of secret designer brands at exclusive prices, discover the furniture outlet that helps you create an elegant and luxurious home for less. Leading stockists of some of the most select names in interior design, Top Secret Furniture boasts an eclectic range of beautifully handcrafted pieces for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, home offices and gardens. From rustic oak tables to British vintage furnishings, custom-made sofas, elegant lighting and striking mirrors, there are styles to suit every home and lifestyle – and, better yet, prices are typically at 50 per cent of their RRP. New stock arrives daily but be warned: unique, one-off statement pieces are rarely available for long. Hurry – you don’t want to miss out! Unit 5b Holmes Chapel Business Centre, Manor Ln, Holmes Chapel, Crewe CW4 8AF (01477 535 644; topsecretfurniture.co.uk)

Designed and made by Central Saint Martins graduate Max Dursley Davies, Quisquose is a stunning new luxury cushion brand, crafted by folding British tailoring fabrics into geometric designs – a little bit like very comfortable origami. The designs are complicated little constructions – hence the name, which comes from the old English word for ‘something or someone perplexing’ – but they’re actually as cosy as they are stylish, giving your home a modern little twist, and your couch an extra pretty bit of padding. (quisquose.london)

Eclectic Feel You might recognise the name of new e-commerce brand Artemest from its recent pop-up exhibition in the eternally stylish Maison Assouline. Founders Ippolita Rostagno and Marco Credendino are helping Italian craftsmen stay in business by connecting them to the rest of the world, curating the best of Italian craftsmanship, and making it (almost too) easy for us to collect – and in many cases, customise – extraordinary artisanal furniture, gifts and treasures for the home. (artemest.com)

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TWEET of the MONTH interior Design @interiordesigb Try Out The Black and White Decor Trend That Goes with Everything

#interiortip Elizabeth Lamont @Roomatthebeach Bring your windows to life this season with warm colors and textures. #InteriorTip

# H o m e W ebw a t c h :

Wood Work

For DINING

From driftwood tables to teak cup holders, the new Origin range from A by Amara embraces the natural world. Expect home accessories in natural materials and earthy tones. From £30 (amara.com)

T A B L E S , we lo v e …

nellavetrina.com houseology.com allthehues.co.uk

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 (nateberkus.com)

Shape Up Form and function collide in Andrew Martin’s latest furniture collection, which is inspired by the early 20th century Cubist art movement. The new range offers striking circular dining and coffee tables as well as stools and mirrors in geometric shapes. From £395 (andrewmartin.co.uk)

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Home & GARDEN news

Will our departure from the EU result in a departure from steady house price growth? W O R D S : C r is p in H a r r is MR I C S

t’s difficult to get away from politics at the moment, especially when it comes to Brexit and its implications for the economy. On that note, I was listening to a radio broadcast the other day by Steve Morgan, Chairman of UK house building company Redrow, who argued that restrictions of free movement of EU citizens to the UK will have a detrimental effect on new-house building and the industry at large. Steve commented that the new-build property market is heavily reliant on European labour, and Eastern European workers in particular, and that the whole industry would be in difficulty if the supply of such labour were halted.

Bold As Brass French interior designer Christian Liaigre has released a selection of home accessories, made to complement his latest furniture collection. Our pick is the Silla tray, made from enamelled brass and available in muted shades of blue, violet and green. £1,390 for set of three (pictured) (christian-liaigre.fr)

We could see house prices increase as a result of any reduced migration policy This made me wonder if a limit on free movement from the EU would impact on house prices. If there’s a problem with a lack of skilled workforce from the EU to build new homes, will the domino effect on the housing market as a whole result in increased house prices? If fewer new homes are built, because there are fewer workers to build them, will there be more potential purchasers vying for a smaller number of older properties on the market? We could see house prices increase as a result of any reduced migration policy, especially as the Government is discussing caps on all but the highest qualified applicants, which will hit the lower skilled migrants on which the housing market relies. Far from the predicted slower rates of growth or even a drop in house value, could we see a return to huge increases in house prices? Will our departure from the EU result in our departure from steady house price growth? Does this mean that those thinking of buying should do so quickly? Only time will tell.

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Paper Trail For its debut wall covering collection launching at Decorex this month, the Paint & Paper Library chose modern mural artist Hugo Dalton to design eight prints. The collaboration – inspired by Dalton’s trip to Tresco Island in Cornwall – came about because he already used the company’s paint to create his minimal wall paintings. From £90 (paintandpaperlibrary.com)

interview

Life in

Design We meet Gemma Merrick and Cassie Heathcock, founders of Wilmslow-based interior design company Elite Design

most challenging, rewarding, exciting and fulfilling experience of my career. Cassie: I’d have to agree with Gemma. Achieving my dream of setting up a company is definitely the proudest moment to date. It had been a dream of mine since such a young age, and making it possible has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but the best thing I’ve ever done.

2. The people who inspired you to pursue your current profession. Gemma: Ever since I can remember I’ve dreamt of launching my own company. When I left university in 2003, I knew I needed to develop my experience, knowledge and craft within the industry first, so I’ve worked hard towards this goal for a long time. I have always been inspired by others who have taken risks and launched their own businesses, and my family has always been my encouragement and motivation. Cassie: I’d say it has to be the people I have around me. My family and friends have always been such a huge motivation in my life, and the drive they have for me has massively helped push me forward to achieve absolutely everything I’ve done.

3. Three items you always take along when you travel.

1. Your proudest moment in your career to date. Gemma: Launching my own company, Elite Design Studio, alongside my business partner Cassie, has been the

Gemma: My Elizabeth Arden 8 hour Cream Skin Protectant; lots of water so I don’t get dehydrated; and my big pashmina throw from Zara, which is ultra-comfy and doubles up as a blanket on the plane. Cassie: My phone and charger (I think I’d be lost without them: sad, I know!); a stack of magazines, since I don’t

“It’s wonderful to be inspired by everything around 132

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usually have the time to really relax and have a good read of the latest trends; and dry shampoo: always a necessity for long hair on long flights.

4. The best thing about working in a creative industry. Gemma: The ability to push boundaries as there are no black-and-white rules. Also, it’s wonderful to be inspired by everything around you and be able to put it into your designs. I don’t think you ever really switch off when you work in the creative industry; you’re always looking for inspiration. Cassie: For me it’s how the trends within the interior design world adapt themselves to the fashion industry. I love how it moves with the latest fashion, whether that is textures and finishes or simply the colours. You have those timeless, classic looks which will never be changed, mixed in with the moving trends, and you have to have a perfect balance of the two when you’re creating the perfect home.

5. The best piece of advice you’ve ever been given, and your personal motto. Gemma: My dad has always advised me to surround myself with positive, good people, so my mantra is to dream big, work hard and surround myself with good people. Cassie: I think the piece of advice that has always stuck with me is ‘always look forward, never look back’. It’s such a relevant statement and something I live by now. Elite Design, The Colony, Altrincham Road, Wilmslow SK9 4LY (elite-designstudio.com)

you and be able to put it into your designs.” 133

Alderley Edge A unique Arts and Crafts, Percy Worthington designed family home, with leisure complex, nestled in just over 4 acres of stunning grounds. • 3 reception rooms • orangery • kitchen open-plan to morning room • cinema • snooker room • study area/snug • office • wine cellar • 5 bedrooms (2 en suite) • 2 bathrooms • indoor pool, gym & steam room • garaging • gardens • in all just over 4 acres

Guide Price £3,150,000 EPC RATING E

W i l m s low

01625 540 340 wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices

Alderley Edge

W i l m s low

A luxurious 6 bedroom modern family house with an outstanding bespoke interior, including a leisure suite, nestled in stunning landscaped gardens, in an exclusive gated development, within walking distance of Alderley Edge village.

wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

• 3 reception rooms • study • breakfast kitchen open-plan to snug • 6 bedrooms (all en suite) • cinema • games room/gym • indoor pool, steam room & Jacuzzi • garaging with 1 bedroom accommodation above • bespoke circular POD (available by separate negotiation) • gardens

Guide Price £3,950,000 EPC RATING C

01625 540 340

Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices

Prestbury An exceptional 5 bedroom family house with an exquisite interior, built in the Georgian vernacular, on the outskirts of Prestbury village. • 3 reception rooms • study • kitchen/breakfast room open-plan to living room • 5 bedrooms (3 en suite) • bathroom • garaging • gardens

Guide Price £1,650,000 EPC RATING C

W i l m s low

01625 540 340 wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices

Somerford Booths A stunning 4 bedroom country house with attached 2 bedroom annexe, staff flat and wonderful equestrian facilities, all nestled in approximately 5 acres. • 3 reception rooms • study • kitchen/breakfast room • 4 bedrooms (2 en suite) • bathroom • 2 bedroom annexe • 1 bedroom flat • garaging • folly • 9 stables • manège • 4 paddocks • gardens • pond • in all approximately 5 acres

Guide Price £1,650,000 EPC RATING F

W i l m s low

01625 540 340 wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices

Bowdon

EPC Rating C

A magnificent detached house set in a private secluded location in the heart of Bowdon. • 3 reception rooms • study • cinema room, breakfast kitchen • 5 bedrooms (2 en suite) • bathroom • garaging • gardens

Guide Price: £1,750,000

Hale Barns

EPC Rating c

A handsome individual detached family house offering excellent accommodation, all set in mature gardens. • 3 reception rooms • study • breakfast kitchen • 5 bedrooms (2 en suite) • bathroom • garaging • gardens

Guide Price: £1,350,000

Ha l e

0161 928 8881

174 Ashley Road, Hale, Cheshire, WA15 9SF hale@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

CGI

Bowdon

H A LE

Cavendish Place – inspirational homes in an unrivalled setting.

hale@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

A stunning development of just 15 luxury homes set in the leafy heart of Bowdon, one of the region’s most sought-after addresses. Due for completion from Spring 2018

Guide Prices from £760,000

0161 928 8881

Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices

Mobberley

EPC RATING F

An attractive cottage style property, set in approximately 21 acres, offering excellent equestrian or redevelopment potential. • 3 reception rooms • breakfast kitchen • 4 bedrooms (1 en suite) • bathroom • garaging • workshop • 1 bedroom detached cottage • stable block • manege area • gardens • in all approximately 21 acres

Guide Price: offers in excess of £1,500,000

Hassall Green, Sandbach

EPC exempt

A charming Grade II Listed farm house set in a delightful location, ideal for those with equestrian interests. • 2 reception rooms • dining area • garden room • study • kitchen • 4 bedrooms • bathroom • workshop/store • garage • 2 self-contained commercial units • general purpose building • stables • paddocks • in all approximately 8.5 acres

Guide Price: £895,000

W i l m s low

01625 540 340

8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AA wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

H E N B U RY

CODE: INST23

A truly magnificent 4/5 bedroom detached property set amongst substantial formal garden. MONTHLY RENT OF £17,500

FEES APPLY

Let your property with peace of mind or find your next rental property with Jackson-Stops.

We offer an established, trusted and expert service if you’re looking to rent a home in Cheshire, have a rental property to manage or if you’re interested in property investment. P R E ST B U RY

CODE: INST28

A grand 5 bedroom house with beautiful southerly views built in the Georgian vernacular. MONTHLY RENT OF £9,000

FEES APPLY

MARPLE BRIDGE A fabulous 4 bedroom detached stone property and separate 2 bedroom cottage with far reaching views. MONTHLY RENT OF £2,500

Please call William Jordan on 01625 540340 or email william.jordan@jackson-stops.co.uk.

CODE: INST30 CODE00

FEES APPLY

W I L M S LOW

01625 540 340 wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

A LT R I N C H A M

CODE: INST29

A substantial 7 bedroom detached period property offered unfurnished. MONTHLY RENT OF £2,250

FEES APPLY

PROPERTY EXPERTS SINCE 1910

INTERVIEW

GLASS HALF FULL The architectural trend for beautiful frameless-glass structures is sweeping period buildings across the country, so we turned to Jane Hansen of Clear Living to find out just whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so smashing about glass

A Listed Cottage near Tarporley This was a two-part project to a picturesque Grade II-listed cottage dating back to early 1600s near Tarporley, Cheshire. Our clients wanted to link the cottage with an existing old outbuilding housing a boot/utility room. Clear Living designed and installed a frameless glass link incorporating a pitched roof and insulated glass door set. Legend has it that, in the distant past, the inhabitants of the cottage

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may have brewed beer and served it in one of the rooms. As the cottage is en route to Beeston Castle (a significant Royalist post in the 1600s) from the south, this legend may have credence. The pub nearby was built in the late 1800s, so it possibly took over the local brewing. The cottage has substantial wattle and daub structure in the old roof space and brickwork evidence of a cooking area and maybe an iron range. The second phase of the build was a detached building adjacent to the cottage to be used as the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artist studio/home office. This involved very

large panels of structural glazing to the front apex, which were flush-jointed with no vertical supports. Each panel of glass weighed more than 500kg. The two returns to the apex were glazed with sliding Sky-Frame doors providing easy access to the garden on either side and providing the inside/outside living. The design incorporated timber shutters to the sides in front of the sliding doors, to provide privacy and shade. Our clients are delighted with the outcome and have a purpose-built studio and family accommodation for when they visit!

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interview

Stable Cottage, Cheshire This is a beautiful old barn in Cheshire built during the 1850s. Originally a stable, it formed part of a complex of barns, built with locally made Cheshire brick. The

barns were designed by the then well-known local architect John Douglas and formed part of the Grosvenor Estate, and the barn was converted into luxury domestic accommodation in 2008. The rear of the barn is south facing and has an indented rear elevation which the clients wanted to infill and make a feature, by using glass. The project involved an architect designed infill glazed extension using glass fins to provide structural support and, although it has a steep, tiled roof, the new glass roof had to align with the existing roof, presenting very particular design and installation challenges, which were overcome to deliver a very pleasing contemporary design, to integrate well with the 170-yearold barn. A further challenge during construction was the limited access through a narrow side gate to the

all photography by Andrew Wall (andrewwall.co.uk)

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rear of the barn; consequently all glass panels were craned into position, using a mini spider crane. The glass room is fitted with an external automated and concealed roof-blind system, to provide insulation and privacy, helping to maintain optimum temperature within the and, in combination with the underfloor heating, ensuring it is usable at all times of the year. The barn has some lovely feature walls to the build area and each of the glass panels had to be notched around the brickwork to retain those features and character. It lies

within a rural conservation area and the local planning and conservation officers emphasised the need to ensure that the original brick barn elevations remained visible after construction of the glass room, which was achieved using the frameless glass construction. Both projects were designed by Andy Foster, Raise Architects, 29 Lower Bridge St, Chester CH1 1RS (01244 343772; raisearchitects.com) Clear Living, Ellesmore house, Wincham Avenue, Wincham, CW9 6GH (01606 45109; clear-living.co.uk)

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THE EDIT

GLASSY-EYED If you’ve been inspired by Clear Living’s beautifully crafted architectural glass, we think you’ll love these dreamy examples of homeware glass design, too

Double-walled Glass – Rose, €12.95, Monsterzeug (monsterzeug.de)

Metamorphosis Centre Table, £POA, Boca do Lobo (bocadolobo.com)

Suspension, Bolle 6 Sphères, €1,740, Nedgis (nedgis.com)

Engraved Glass Heart, €44.95, Monsterzeug (monsterzeug.de)

Liqueur Rocking Glasses by Normann Copenhagen, £26.90, Black By Design Ltd (black-by-design.co.uk)

Juwel Coffee Table by Team 7, £1,181, Wharfside (wharfside.co.uk)

Vejtsberg Light, €245, OPOSSUM design (opossum-design.com)

Hanging Amp Lamp by Normann Copenhagen, €107, Einrichten Design (einrichten-design.de)

Handmade Ships Decanter, £48.95, Annabel James (annabeljames.co.uk)

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promotion

BEST AND BRIGHTEST It’s that time of year again – the Northern Design Awards ceremony comes to Manchester’s Principal Hotel on 24 November, recognising the greatest talents in the region. We hear from some of last year’s winners to find out just what makes this such a special event

Morgan McDonnell Best Residential Conversion This was Morgan McDonnell Architecture’s first foray into the Northern Design Awards. We are so pleased to have picked up the award for best residential conversion for our Project, 53-57 Queen Street, Edinburgh, at our first attempt. It’s a great award to win and we had a terrific night celebrating our victory at the awards. Thanks to all at NDA for a fantastic event! Guy Morgan, Director

FREDERIC ROBINSON

Best Restaurant/Bar £500k+

Having been to many design awards throughout the UK over the past several years, without doubt, I find the NDA’s the most fun and enjoyable, and in my opinion, it feels a lot less pretentious. I very much feel that the awards are all about the design and that all entries are fairly judged entirely on their merits (and not reputation or sponsorship, etc). It’s the awards I look forward to most each year and I have nothing but a

MORGAN MCDONNELL

positive feeling towards the event. The northern design awards recognise that outside of the ‘London bubble’ the design industry is equally strong throughout the UK, and the NDA go a long way to celebrating this. Duncan Thorpe, Senior Designer, Frederic Robinson Limited

SARAH JANE NIELSEN

Best Residential Interior Designer There is no doubt that the projects we embark on at Sarah Jane Nielsen are becoming increasingly demanding as well as rewarding. We were thrilled that our spa lodges project provided the opportunity to submit our design work to win the prestigious honour of best residential interior designer in the NDA awards. We were particularly pleased as this is a northern-based programme that covers the heartland of our own core catchment area. The prize-giving ceremony was a great opportunity to network and meet other businesses operating in the industry. Sarah Jane Nielsen

STURMAN & CO

sarah jane nielsen accepts her award

STURMAN & CO

Best Commercial Interior Design Project £250k+ To have my work showcased amongst the best designers in the north and gain feedback and recognition from top expert judges in the industry is a huge professional endorsement. The night itself was beautifully organised and a lot of fun too. Thank you! We’ll definitely be back. Bess Sturman, Director and designer Northern Design Awards, 24 November, Principal Hotel, Manchester (northerndesignawards.com)

FREDERIC ROBINSON

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case study

Old Meets New The experts at Kitchen Architecture show how it is possible to sympathetically add extensions to period and listed homes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; particularly when planning permission is turning out to be rather elusive

he client had initially attempted to gain planning permission for the extension using a brick structure in a conservative attempt to be sympathetic to the period building. They were concerned about the plannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reaction and feedback and, despite the conservative approach, were rebuffed blankly on any attempts to receive their planning application. However, when the client then returned with the concept of a glass box that butted gently up to the existing building, they received a much warmer response, due to its light and honest architecture. Planning permission was eventually granted for a 15-metre square glass box structure which would be used as a contemporary kitchen extension to the Grade II-listed thatched cottage. This glass box now provides the

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owners with a light and airy space to work and live, where you actually feel as though you are in the garden whether it be rain or shine. The next challenge came from the fact that, in order to complement the truthfulness and sympathetic nature of the new extension, the client wanted a kitchen that would be contemporary, timeless and iconic. The designer of the project, Alex Saint from Kitchen Architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cheshire showroom, consequently decided that the best way to achieve this would be to employ the

Homes and Interiors

company’s bulthaup b3 system, in kaolin laminate with a natural structured oak bar. As a piece which embodies a minimal, understated aesthetic, it was an ideal way to enhance, rather than compete with the period features of the cottage and glass of the extension. Despite the extension being quite small, Alex still wanted to stick with Kitchen Architecture’s core values of creating a kitchen that works perfectly for social interaction as well as functional cooking. In the finished design, you’ll notice that the hob looks out into the home and garden, so that the cook is still the centre of attention, able to maintain eye-contact with guests and family while cooking and using the prep space on the island. The raised bar, meanwhile, gives somewhere to casually sit with a drink, and brings a comfortable focus to the room. The kitchen is compact, but has plenty of mod cons, including a raised

dishwasher for ease of unloading, a boiling water tap and Gaggenau cooking appliances. All in all, we’d say that this period home managed to find its perfect match. Kitchens from Kitchen Architecture start from £50,000 (01625 544 890; kitchenarchitecture.co.uk) Project developed by David Capper, Manchester Interior Contracts (01565 631 003; mic.uk.com)

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

Lower Hall Clutton, chester

his stunning three-storey Georgian house is situated in the charming village of Clutton and enjoys fabulous views across open countryside. A former farmhouse, Lower Hall offers spacious accommodation on all three floors. This tasteful and

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Homes and Interiors

well-presented period home has an abundance of character and period features throughout. The property has two main reception rooms and a wonderful farmhouse-style breakfast kitchen complete with Aga. The ground floor accommodation further includes a beautiful period hallway with original floor tiles, a rear hall, utility room and boot room. The five spacious bedrooms are located on the first and second floors with the master and guest bedrooms benefiting from en-suite shower rooms in addition to the family bathroom. Externally, at the front of the property there is a beautifully maintained garden, laid mainly to lawn with well stocked borders and a corner pond. The garden also plays host to a timber built gazebo with wood burner. There is a kitchen

garden to the rear of the house as well as a detached double garage and carport with gravel parking for several vehicles. On the market at ÂŁ700,000 with Rickitt Partnership Estate Agents, 50a Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1NQ (01244 322 322; rickittpartnership.co.uk)

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Homes and Interiors

HOT PROPERTY

The Granary Yard

BEST FEATURE: high-spec features

Blackden, Nr Goostrey

The house is filled with products from leading manufacturers, including a kitchen by SieMatic with Siemens appliances, bathrooms and en suites by Duravit, and underfloor heating via an air-source heat pump.

he Granary Yard is a collection of four new homes that offer a contemporary take on the barn conversion. Three of the homes have been snapped up off-plan, and construction of the final property is due to complete any day. Weathered red brick, grey slate roofs and timber detailing give warmth and character, while large expanses of glazing provide light-filled open-plan living spaces. This delightful home includes four large double bedrooms – including a master with en

suite, walk-in wardrobe and loggia – cosy log burners, a muddy boot room and a double car barn with first floor accommodation. The Pheasant at The Granary Yard is available at £825,000 from Hillcrest Homes, 20 Market Street, Altrincham WA14 1PF (0161 927 3111; hillcresthomes.co.uk)

best of the rest Withinlee House Mottram st andrew

kitchen area; formal dining room; and drawing room. The master bedroom suite provides the owner with a wonderful retreat, while four further bedrooms, three of which are en suite, will impress any guest. On the market at a guide price of £5,250,000 with Jackson-Stops, Wilmslow, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

eticulously designed in the Georgian vernacular, Withinlee House is an elegant blend of contemporary and traditional style, nestled within acres of gently rolling

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BEST FEATURE: leisure suite and staff apartment gardens and parkland, with a beautiful private lake to the rear. There is a magnificent entrance hall with central stone staircase and access to the terrace beyond, overlooking the lake; a living area; superbly fitted

The leisure area is superbly appointed with pool, cinema and gymnasium, while a sizeable staff apartment lies over a large triple garage, which can be accessed from the house.

hartford - £1,075,000

Marbury - £795,000

Appleton - £965,000

Tilston, Nr. Malpas - £445,000

Tarporley office - 01829 730 021 - Northwich office - 01606 330 303 www.hinchliffeholmes.co.uk

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

OVERSEAS PROPERTY we’ve picked OUR FAVOURITE properties from AROUND THE WORLD for your viewing pleasure

nEVADA, USA Shakespeare Ranch This stunning property is located on the fringes of Lake Tahoe, spread across 129 acres, and boasts seven residences (15 bedrooms in total). The ranch, originally built in 1861, is to be sold for only the third time in its history. The plot is home to the Glenbrook Rodeo, a two-day event held annually, which includes a rodeo competition, carnival games, a silent auction and guest performers. This year Smokey Robinson headlined (past performers include Lionel Richie and Jay Leno). Food was prepared by top American chef Emeril Lagasse. The ranch also comes with 200 feet of lake-frontage, a grand pool house with indoor pool and steam spa, a massive art studio located above the stables, a 5,111 sq ft entertainment barn with a wine room, a golf course and equestrian facilities. Available at a guide price of $69,000,000 (£53,257,233) through Christie’s International Real Estate (christiesrealestate.com)

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Homes and Interiors

CAGLIARI, SARDINIA

Secluded Oasis in Charming Villa This beautiful property is just a few hundred metres from Puntanera beach, situated in Cagliari, on the island of San Pietro is this beautiful 200 sqm property. It is set on two levels and surrounded by a terrace overlooking a large garden of 5,500 sq m that is adorned with maquis, hibiscus plants, bougainvillea and lantana. In total, the property features three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a large living room with a fireplace and a fully furnished kitchen. There is also a stunning wood-and-steel staircase and an L-shaped pool. Available at a guide price of €1,700,000 (£1,562,928) through Italy Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 06 79 25 8888; italy-sothebysrealty.com)

italy

Exclusive Villa with View of Lake Garda This four-bedroom, Mediterranean-style villa boasts a large swimming pool, panoramic views of the whole of Lake Garda. The property is built with a unique choice of materials, including natural stone from the Himalayas, and is equipped with bioclimatic technology and a geothermal system for the environment. The unique residence is comprised of two rectangular buildings which are internally connected by a set of steps. The first building includes a large living area, lounge and a kitchen which opens out onto a large terrace boasting wonderful views of the lake. The remaining structure features the bedrooms which include a master suite and a glass staircase which leads to a large entrance area. Available at a guide price of €3,500,000 (£3,217,535) through Italy Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 030 999 0375; italy-sothebysrealty.com)

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OVERSEAS PROPERTY

CLOSER TO

HOME

LONDON, uk

Chiltern Place

Designed by Tomasz Starzewski, Chiltern Place is set in the heart of London’s Marylebone village, spanning 16 storeys and comprising 55 apartments and a four-bedroom townhouse. Marylebone village is renowned for its lively café culture, specialist independent shops, designer boutiques and popular high street brands, as well as Michelin-star eateries and fine dining restaurants such as Trishna and Chiltern Firehouse. The development uses carefully selected materials, such as hand-set terracotta and a bronze façade, while all apartments have ceiling heights of 2.75m and floor-to-ceiling glazing to maximise natural light and views. Prices from £1,950,000 for a one-bedroom apartment through Knight Frank and Savills (chilternplace.com)

NICARAGUA

Guacalito De La Isla, Costa Esmeralda

QUINTA DO LAGO, PORTUGAL

Stunning Contemporary Villa

A stunning contemporary villa in one of Europe’s most prestigious resorts. This villa is set over three floors and offers ample accommodation for large groups and family holidays. The ground floor comprises an open-plan feeling with a large designer kitchen diner, open living room, separate office/TV snug, guest WC and two spacious en-suite bedrooms. Large windows allow light to flood the villa and grant access to the terraces where there is a separate outdoor kitchen, chill-out terrace with fire pit and the large heated swimming pool. There are three large en-suite bedrooms, including a beautiful large master bedroom and bathroom with a terrace overlooking the pool. Descending to the basement level, the villa provides a two-car garage, laundry room, games room and wine cellar, sixth bedroom with an en-suite, home cinema, gymnasium and spa with sauna, steam room and a treatment room. Available at €5,500,000 (£5,057,079) through Quinta do Lago Real Estate (+351 289 390 700; quintadolago.com)

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This group of luxury condominiums or custom luxury villas are for sale in a prime location on Nicaragua’s beautiful and unspoiled Emerald Coast. Nicaragua’s first five-star residential resort offers private ocean-front resort living with exclusive access to a neighbourhood pool and lounge area, access to a David McLay Kidd designed Guacalito Golf Course and close proximity to a luxury Members’ Beach Club. Each villa comes with a private swimming pool and separate pool house suite, floor-toceiling glass walls that open to extend living space into the outdoors and personal plunge pools, outdoor showers or rooftop verandas. The properties range from three to seven bedrooms, on the market at a guide price of $400,000 (£307,412) to $2,000,000 (£1,537,058) through Prime New Developments (07854 410766; primenewdevelopments.com)

Juniper House, Chester Road, Kelsall CW6 0SE Guide price - £675,000 A brand new, magnificent, individually designed and bespoke, Georgian style detached family home, finished to exacting standards with flexible accommodation throughout. • In a sought after quiet location.

• Three bath/shower rooms.

• Three reception rooms.

• Landscaped private gardens.

• Open Plan Family Breakfast Dining Kitchen.

• Electric gated entrance.

• Five bedrooms.

• Detached double garage.

Tarporley office - 01829 730 021 - Northwich office - 01606 330 303 www.hinchliffeholmes.co.uk

Homes and Interiors

FINISHING TOUCHES

image Courtesy of House of Hackney

eye of the tiger Animal and floral designs are part of House of Hackney’s DNA, and this season is no different. The statement saber-toothed cat print features on a collection of velvet cushions and zany rugs. Saber cushion, £160 (houseofhackney.com)

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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 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