The Cheshire Magazine January 18

JANUAR Y 2018 s issue 049

SWISS

Behind the

Headlines

CHARM

Get into ski season with a visit to Verbier

The region’s property experts offer their advice on making the most of your home

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Shirley Ballas on teaching ballroom in Manchester and the Glitterball finale

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editor’s

letter I

t’s time, nearly, to change the calendars and make good on your plans for the coming year. I say nearly, as there’s still a festive celebration or two to on the horizon. As such we begin with some expert advice on those last minute holiday season jobs, like decorating the table and wrapping the presents (p. 26). And if you’ve still got some gifts to purchase, our Style pages should provide you with some inspiration as they are bursting with the latest things to lust after and list.

While the elephant in the room is the New Year resolution and how long it will last, our issue looks at inspiring people, places and things to do. From Diane Modahl’s candid conversation with Melissa Porter, on page 34, about growing up in Moss Side, integrity and using sport for change to Adam Jones of Tattu restaurant fame sharing some

Follow Us

stories of expansion and interior design (p. 94).

Then there’s the two extremes of travel; the beaches of Jamaica and some excellent food (p.78) to the changing face of Verbier on page 82, and everything in between.

And finally, we have gathered some of the region’s property experts and asked them what the year ahead has in store, from future living to landscaping we have it covered from page 140.

For me 2018 feels a positive year and I am looking forward to welcoming it in from the (hopefully) snowy hills of the Lake District.

Having said that, I am sitting here at the end of 2017, slightly flabbergasted as to where the year has gone. With this in mind, my goal for the new year is to look forward, be positive and take the opportunities, and inevitable challenges, that come my way.

Happy new year,

Louisa Louisa Castle Editor

PROUD TO

SUPPORT

EDITOR’S PICKS

..THIS MONTH WE HAVE BEEN...

@thecheshiremagazine @TheCheshireMagazine @TheCheshireMag

feeling festive with Elf: The Musical at The Lowry celebrating the region’s footballing talent thanks to the Leesa Northwest Football Awards loving the crisp morning walks with Daisy awarding the interior, design and build talent in the north

9

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.

january 2018 s issue 049 s

Editor Louisa Castle Deputy Editor Gemma Knight Senior Editorial Assistant Jan Clarke

LIVERPOOL

Liz Taylor

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

Events organiser, Liz interviews Barbara Myers on page 42. Her New Year resolutions are to explore the globe, enjoy precious family time and adopt a healthy mind, healthy body approach, eat the right foods and exercise.

Melissa Porter Life coach and property developer Melissa explores some behavious not to miss out out in her column.

In 2018 she wants to concentrate on spending my time with those she loves and to be better at saying no.

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

MANCHESTER AIRPORT Falcona Private Jets 1903 Airport Lounge, T3

Social Media Manager Siân Peak

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

Iain Warde Iain is a self- confessed geek and petrol-head. This issue he brings us the latest news from the motoring world and a sprinkling of ice.

His New Year resolutions are to spend less time on his phone and learn conversational Japanese.

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

cover

On the

Stunning Zuhair Murad gown photographed by Gilles-Marie Zimmerman.

Stylist: Mike Adler.

With thanks to the Angela De Bona Agency (adbagency.com)

Tim Bradley Photographer Tim has been capturing some great moments (p.100) and people (p.94) this issue. As a dad and busy photographer, life can be hectic so he wants to get his life/work balance in order in 2018. He also plans to eat more Haribo Golden Bears.

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

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contents

38

editor’s favourite

Strictly Glamorous Strictly judge, Shirley Ballas shares all, from childhood to cha-cha-chá

26 30 34 94 26

features ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas We ensure that your last minute festive plans make a lasting impression with your friends and family

Britpop & Books Best-selling author and BBC presenter tells of his northern pride and the Long Walk from Jarrow

Power Play British athlete Diane Modahl speaks candidly about her upbringing and using sport as a catalyst for change

Making a Mark Adam Jones tells us how body art inspired the unique restaurant brand he co-owns with brother, Drew

34

30

regulars 009 | Editor’s letter

010 | Contributors

017 | My life in Cheshire

In the hot seat this month is VIP Event Designer and top wedding planner, Tracy Lavin, CEO of Tracy Lavin Events 019 | Notebook

Our pick of this month’s local events, news and best new products

128 food & drink 090 | Food & drink news

Local chefs, new openings and our restaurant review

56

099 | Local scene

All the glamour and gossip from across our county

FAMILY

025 | As I was saying...

Melissa Porter shares some style tips guaranteed to put the jingle back into your jangle 054 | Fashion news over the festive season

From essential accessories to new trends, it’s all here

108 | Kids news

From toys to togs, we’ve the very latest for little ones 111 | Classroom

Academic updates from Cheshire’s fantastic schools

collection

045 | Watch & jewellery news

A full round up of all the latest in style and sparkle 048 | The Personal Approach

George Bamford creates a watch of his own and puts the ‘you’ back in luxury

056 | Monochrome Mayhem

Delve into our quirky kaleidoscope of black and white checks, stripes and zigzag 064 | Beauty news

New treatments, products and all the latest news

arts & culture 042 | Art Form

Cheshire sculptor Barbara Myers talks to Liz Taylor about connecting people with art and inspiring places

94

home & interiors

motoring 070 | Motoring news

All the latest news from the automotive world 072 | Triple Cooked

We take Triumph’s new Street Triple out for a spin

travel 076 | Travel news

The latest happenings from near and far 078 | Welcome Home

A look at the magical Jamaica Inn, where life is all about taking it easy

82

082 | Verbier en Vogue

As one of Switzerland’s inconspicuous luxury resorts, has Verbier still got chocolate-box charm?

123 | Interiors news

News, products and advice on making the most of your home, inside and out 128 | Life in Design

Interior designer and author Kelly Hoppen MBE talks design and dinner parties 130 | The Edit

Adding a splash of design mastery to your home 146 | Heart of Glass

Clear Living explains how a frameless glass addition can fill your property with light and make a stunning design statement 150 | Hot Property

The crème de la crème of the local property market 156 | Overseas property

These homes will have you yearning for sunshine

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

My life in

CHESHIRE TRACY LAVIN, Founder and CEO at Tracy Lavin Events

How would you describe yourself?

Always busy and on the go. I am also very loyal and protective towards my friends and family.

Where is home? And work?

Home is where my heart is and that’s really in Ireland where most of my friends and family are.

But, also Wilmslow and Cheshire as that’s where I live and work. For me, Cheshire is full of friendly faces and, of course, great food and drink.

Stockport to Altrincham and the Northern Quarter in Manchester. I really enjoy live music, so Albert’s Schloss in Manchester is a favourite of mine. They support some great unique acts and the food is fab, too!

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I actually wanted to be a hairdresser, in particular to work at fashion shows and create whacky styles. I did some work experience in a hair salon when I was younger and at the time wanted to go to a hairdressing college in London, but unfortunately, I did not have the funds to pay for the course.

I turned to hospitality and have never looked back.

“I love walking around the Tatton estate and gardens, it’s so peaceful” Who/What inspires you?

The Invictus Games. I am in awe of everyone involved and what they have achieved. It just makes you want to get involved and give your support.

Name a few of your favourite places to be...

I love walking around the Tatton Park estate and gardens; it’s so peaceful. After a long walk, I pop into Knutsford and visit the cafes and restaurants. When I have time, I visit the Lake District. It has the most beautiful scenery, all year round.

You’ll also often find me browsing a good market. I love vintage clothes and the region is full of great markets from

What was the last gift you gave someone?

A gold and diamond initial necklace. It was for my sister for her birthday.

Tell us a secret or a fun fact about yourself?

I have a soft spot for Tom Cruise. I loved the original Top Gun movie and now it’s being remade – I can’t wait to see it. Who knows, he might read this and take me out to dinner!

Who or what would you put in room 101?

Chewing gum. It’s a real pet hate of mine – especially people who chew gum while talking to you or while serving you in a restaurant or bar.

from top: tatton park, cheshire © debu55y / shutterstock.com, invictus games © ACHPf / shutterstock.com

What’s been your biggest life lesson?

Never judge a book by its cover. This is especially true in my line of work. Never presume anything. (tracylavinevents.co.uk) 17

WINTER

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

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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

RACE DAY

Milling Around Tatton Park’s historical agricultural mill is set to receive £48,000 to help fund the extensive renovation works as part of Tatton Farm’s groundbreaking Field to Fork project.

Field to Fork is a £1.3 million project which will showcase the life of Tatton Park’s agricultural processes and community over the last few centuries.

The three-storey mill house has remained closed to the public since the 1980s but is now set to re-open next spring. It will house a number of original machines from Tatton’s history and visitors will be invited to see and hear some of the machines working again.

The fund has been pledged

by WREN, the not-for-profit business that awards grants for community biodiversity and heritage projects. (tattonpark.org.uk; wren.org.uk)

Whether you are an avid horse racing fan or simply enjoy a day out as part of your social calendar, a visit to Chester Races is always in everyone’s diary. In readiness for the 2018 Season, the course has just announced its race dates for the forthcoming year. Tickets, badges and hospitality packages are now available with fixtures starting in May and running through until September.

The fashion stakes will be high on the 10 May for the first of their Ladies Days and all the family can head to the course on the 5 August for the MBNA Family fun day. The full list of fixtures has something for everyone, whether you are looking to entertain clients, enjoy a day out with friends or keep the kids happy over the summer. (chester-races.co.uk)

Remains of the Bay

Deck the Halls It’s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly and World of Wedgwood in Stoke-on-Trent has just the thing. As part of their Magical Christmas events, they will be hosting a selection of floral demonstrations from National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) Cheshire. These will cover a range of styles from a Touch of Frost to a Victorian Christmas. Esteemed demonstrators including RHS Gold Medallist and NAFAS Designer of the Year 2015, Alison Cooper, will be on hand to provide inspiration and advice on creating the perfect floral Christmas décor. Classes are followed by a festive afternoon tea in the Wedgwood tea room, making them a perfect festive day out. (worldofwedgwood.com)

Photographer Adriaan Van Heerden has been highly commended in the photography category of the prestigious ArtGemini Prize for 2017, for his beautiful image entitled The Remains of the Helvetia, Rhossili Bay. It’s impossible to miss the remains of the Helvetia on a visit to Rhossili, one of the jewels in the crown of the Gower Peninsula. The Norwegian barque ran aground some 130 years ago; the vessel including its precious copper keel settled in the sand and has remained there ever since. South African-born Adriaan, now based in Surrey, has family links with Swansea and has made many trips to the Gower over the years. This picture forms part of a series entitled Skeletons which explores the remains of human artefacts along coastlines around the world. (adriaanvanheerden.com)

19

29-31 dec

Luminoso performs as part of the Liverpool International Horse Show

What’s On? © Paul Stringer / Shutterstock.com

Dates for the Diary 1 jan

13 jan

Never seen before in the UK, the Luminoso horse act is set to dazzle crowds with a bespoke performance exclusively designed for this world class equestrian event. Taking place at the Echo Arena in Liverpool from 29-31 December, the event provides the opportunity to see the most talented internationally renowned stunt riders in the world. Visitors can expect a fast action-packed performance including a UK first pyrotechnic stunt. (liverpoolhorseshow.com)

20 jan

5th Macclesfield Open Art Exhibition

Everton V Manchester United

Performance Car Show

New Year’s Day sees Everton play Manchester United in the Premier League. With kick off scheduled for 17.30, fans can still enjoy a lie in. (premierleague.com)

The Performance Car show comes to NEC Birmingham as part of the Autosport International Show.

Performance highlights include an exciting new collaboration with Ferrari. (performancecarshow.com)

Running from the 9 December to 20 January 2018 at Macclesfield Museum, this show gets bigger and better each year. Showcasing a wealth of local talent, many of the works are for sale so you can even take home your favourite. (macclesfieldmuseums.co.uk)

17 jan

27 jan

6 DEC

Revolution Cycling Champions League Final at the National Cycling Centre The world’s best road cycle teams, as the winners of the Revolution UK Championship, go head-to-head with Team Sky and other world tour teams.

Thrilling racing and a fun day out for all the family. (cyclingrevolution.com) 20

Shrek The Musical

Peace Proms

Based on the story and characters of the Oscar Award-winning DreamWorks animation film, this hilarious and spectacular production comes to The Palace Theatre, Manchester from the 16-28 January (manchestertheatres.com)

Peace Proms returns to Liverpool Echo Arena on the 27 January. This celebration of music, youth, energy and talent includes the Liverpool Children’s Peace Choir made up of 3,000 primary school children. (echoarena.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

of the

Ballet Mash-Ups

Best C

Health Trends for 2018

C

January is always the perfect month to kickstart a healthier lifestyle for the year ahead. We’ve found three of the best health trends to keep you on the right track

These workouts, with their roots in ballet, are perfect for strengthening, lengthening and building a strong core. Classes have all the benefits without the need for tutu, tights and ballet blisters! Boxerina is the latest craze and is a combination of energetic, cardio boxing with graceful balletic twists to improve agility, coordination, core strength, endurance and power. Barre HIIT incorporates core strength conditioning with the ballet barre and hand weights. Classes are energetic and are fused with tried and tested barre fitness principles. They are great for mind and body too, so are definitely en pointe when it comes to this year’s fitness plan of attack. With more dance studios and gyms taking up this ballet craze there are plenty of classes to choose from. top tip

Barre yoga is a blend of yoga, pilates and ballet barres and is great for beginners. (barrecore.co.uk/locations/alderley-edge-studio)

Wearable Tech The trend for wearable technology is continuing to rise.

Professional sports men and women regularly train with devices, including Premier League footballers, who use them to collate important performance data. The initial gimmicky stage for these types of products is over and they are now providing trusted stats, making them a legitimate fitness tool. For runners, swimmers and even the more adventurous outdoors types, the sports watch is a great fitness aid. Serious health addicts with cash to splash will love the Garmin Fenix 5. This beauty measures metrics including lactose threshold and cadence, which is the number of steps taken in a minute. This, in turn, impacts significantly on injury avoidance: a blessing for the marathon runners out there, meaning the end of a dodgy ‘runner’s knee’. The Fitbit Blaze tracks heart rate, has on-screen workouts, all day activity tracking and your favourite workout tunes on tap, when linked to your smartphone. There’s even something for keen golfers. Tom Tom’s specialised golf watch tracks scores, distance and round times as well as yardages to the front, centre and back of the green. You can no longer use the ‘wrong driver’ as your excuse! top tip

We love the stylish Fitbit Alta HR Special Edition Fitness Tracker. (harvey-norman.co.uk)

Water Workouts Aqua fit is getting a makeover for 2018. It’s well known that cardio movement carried out in water can burn more calories and have toning benefits due to the resistance of the water. No longer the preserve of the more mature gym members, aqua fit classes are set to become the places to be seen this year. So, for club beats and strobe lighting it’s time to get poolside. Or why not create a full- on splash dance with Aqua Zumba: a full invigorating workout with a South American Zumba beat and dance steps, so you can mamba, chachacha and salsa as you swim. top tip

There are added benefits to working out in water including no overheating, which means you can work-out for longer. Also, the support of the water on your body and joints means it’s perfect for those returning to exercise after a break or if you have suffered an injury. (swimming.org) 21

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

IM A GI N ATI V E

influences We are blowing the festive cobwebs away and being transported into the fabulous world of Alice Temperley

nature trail

WHAT we’re LISTENING TO

#4

#3 #2

Your First Music Purchase of the Year

This Youtube sensation defies her age of just 13. Her voice, harmonies and lyrics are akin to various past female solo masters such as Björk, Joni Mitchell and Cerys Matthews. Maybe Grace has posters of these artists on her wall… do teenagers still do that? Be prepared for a music genre overload as no song on the album follows a steady course.

Wake up and run into 2018, even if not in a straight line, with this 13-year-olds new album. Embrace the change!

Collated by our resident music maestro Wayne Miller of atm-allthingsmusic.com

22

#6

top picks #1 Birchwood Wreath, £16 (redlilly.co.uk); #2 Winter Woodland Wrapping Paper Sheet, £1.75 (etsy.com); #3 Scots Pendant Light by Tom Raffield - Walnut, £305 (rume.co.uk); #4 Wood Print Woodland Friends Wall Sticker, £80 (babatude.com); #5 Superhero Fox Print, £14.50 (oflifeandlemons.co.uk); #6 Aigle Parcours Brown Wellingtons, £129.99 (dobbies.com)

CRUSH

The One to Ease You Back into the Gym

#1

Coffee Table

Boy band member makes really, really good album! Niall Horan of One Direction fame bucks the trend of not so good album releases whenever a band member has a walk in solo shoes.

Those of you who liked All These Little Things, co- penned with Ed Sheeran when Niall was still with 1D and the feel good song Story of My Life will enjoy this album no end. So, take the Christmas music vouchers you received from Santa and put them to good use.

English Myths & Legends

by Alice Temperley

This beautiful book explores the Temperley brand as it is today and shows what goes into making the life and soul of this English brand, reflecting on the romance of the ethereal bridal collections and the gowns which Alice hopes will become the heirlooms of the future. It allows a glimpse into the Temperley story for each season and is a showcase of the intricate work from this talented team.

Published by Rizzoli, £45 (rizzoliusa.com)

#5

Make magical memories at Greater Manchester’s finest country house hotel Discover our exceptional world

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Synonymous with style, luxury and service Haigh Hall Hotel

The most remarkable, glamorous breathtaking location School Lane, Wigan,and WN2 1PF to say ‘I do’.

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The greatest luxury in life is time Savour every second Hillbark Hotel & Spa Royden Park, Frankby, Wirral CH48 1NP Reservations: +44 (0)151 625 2400 enquiries@hillbarkhotel.co.uk

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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

What not to miss Melissa Porter shares some not-to-be-missed behaviours guaranteed to put the jingle back into your jangle over this fabulous festive season Kind Being kind is not kind if it compromises your truth. So, pretending you like someone in order to keep the peace makes you a phoney and is kind to no one. It’s manipulative and deceitful behaviour meaning no one knows truthfully where anyone stands or what anyone is saying is true. To choose to be phoney simply means you’re scared of something. What? Some grumpy person’s words back to you?

Telling another person to shhhhssshtt is being kind and absolutely is not rude. I know that many of you reading this couldn’t imagine telling someone to shush up, but being what some consider rude is in fact kinder. How? You’re choosing to stand in your truth and power by creating healthy boundaries. Say no to gossip, blame and shame fuelled chat.

A Chance to Shut Up

This period is a time for family and friends to come together, choosing to connect sometimes via forced and fake encounters often based on guilt and obligation. For anyone who this scenario applies to, I imagine it is tough. If you’re the one at the table who is the person offering an opinion about another person’s life, know it’s not OK (unless you’re Oprah) and I suggest this is the moment for you to showcase your new personality. Yes, debate the weather and yes, debate a contract and yes, share your thoughts about the food. No, it’s not OK to debate the personality or choices of another human being. None of anyone’s business.

Your new way of being may shock and startle your friends and family members into genuinely wanting to be around you next year. For any drive-by-opinion types feeling extra brave, it’s possible to deepen the Christmas experience via a programme called; It’s not important who’s right

and is more important what’s right. This does call for listening to understand vs listening in order to form an opinion about how to respond, and may be a sleigh ride too far.

Grateful For this past two years I’ve been involved with supporting a local Cheshire-based charity helping more than 3,000 kids to enjoy a Christmas.

There are thousands of local kids who live on our doorsteps who are are waking up to abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. Help them by not missing out on giving what money you can afford to: justgiving/crowdfunding/theToyappeal.

Together we can share in putting a smile on their precious little faces for this one day.

Ho Ho Ho. With love and reindeer kisses.

Melissa is a professional, certified transformational life coach (melissaportercoach.com)

25

‘twas the

night BEFORE

Christmas From creating a warm welcome to laying the perfect festive table, make sure those final touches make a lasting impression Words: jan clarke

Round at Mine The American tradition for adorning the exterior of your home with lights and decorations is now ever more popular with us Brits too. But, whether you’ve joined in on this craze or not, there’s one thing that always lets the outside world know you are ready for the festive season - the wreath. These beautiful and time-honoured decorations make a stylish statement as you welcome your guests to your home. The circular shape of the wreath represents eternity and the never-ending circle of life. The evergreen foliage used to create the wreath conveys the message of continuous growth and life, even through the harsh winter conditions. top tip

Keep your fresh wreath looking its best through to New Year by watering or spraying the reverse with water. Don’t overwater as it will become heavy and allow the excess to drip away before hanging back on the door.

Here’s our pick of the best: 1. The White Coco Wreath by Hayford and Rhodes makes a snowy and white Christmas statement. (hayfordandrhodes.co.uk)

2. The Nordic Charm Deluxe Christmas Door Wreath creates an impact with its festive red touches. (interflora.co.uk)

3. The Real Flower Company’s Wreath is rustic and stylish with Lavender and Lime tones. (realflowers.co.uk)

“Make a stylish statement as you welcome guests” 26

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Best Laid Plans This time of the year is always the perfect opportunity to dress your home and dining table ready for parties and gatherings. When it comes to laying the table, get creative. Pick a colour scheme and make sure flowers and centre pieces are not too large so as to block the view of your guests, restricting the conversation!

Create an atmosphere with lighting and candles and for more formal diner parties make sure your place name cards are set out before guests arrive.

But, if the thought of trying to create a winter wonderland at home is more akin to the Nightmare before Christmas, then read on, as we get tips from Lady Annabel Astor, the founder of Interiors company, OKA. (oka.com)

1. Pick a Theme I like a traditional Christmas. My house is decorated in a traditional style so I like a classic green and red theme with the odd dash of silver and gold, which fits perfectly.

2. The Fresher the Better You can’t beat the smell of a real Christmas tree. I get mine from my local garden centre every year.

3. Talking Tables As well as plenty of greenery, candles and crackers, make sure you have loads of Quality Street chocolates spread around the table – and no further than arms reach away!

27

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

It’s a Wrap The tree is up, the shopping is done and it’s time to get wrapping those carefully chosen gifts. Follow our guide to ensure you give your friends and family beautiful, one of a kind parcels this Christmas.

1. Boxing Clever The secret to a beautifully wrapped gift box is to ensure you don’t use too much wrapping paper. Take time to cut the paper to size to avoid those bulky ends and finish with a gorgeous ribbon.

4. Cheap Fills Don’t waste the little leftover pieces of wrapping paper. Put them through the shredder and use as filler for boxes, hampers and gift bags.

2. Brown Paper Packages

5. Getting Personal

There’s a reason these are immortalised in Christmas Song, “Brown paper packages tied up with string’ really do make for the prettiest wrapped presents. Keep them simple or add a traditional flourish with a red velvet bow.

You can’t beat the personal touch when it comes to Christmas gifting. So, get creative or keep your little one quiet and get out the paints, glue and glitter.

6. Bright and Beautiful

3. Keep it Fresh

Special gifts deserve extra special treatment.

Go for luxury paper in golds, greens and plum complete with gorgeous wide ribbons in magical jewel colours and for an extra special touch add a carefully chosen Christmas bauble, as an added gift to keep and treasure.

Add a sprig of rosemary, little pine cones, eucalyptus, cinnamon sticks or a tiny piece cut from your tree. These beautiful little touches from Mother Nature’s store evoke the smells and sights of the season.

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Britpop&

BOOKS Best-selling author and BBC presenter Stuart Maconie, speaks with Natalie Anglesey about northern pride and the Long March from Jarrow

M

ention the name Stuart Maconie to avid BBC Radio listeners and no doubt there will be a smile of recognition. He was already a bit of a radio legend when we first met when the BBC was still housed on Oxford Road in Manchester, prior to the move to MediaCityUK, in Salford.

Stuart has worked on BBC Radio 1,2,3 and 4, as well as Radio 5 Live and now on Radio 6 Music. Currently, at the weekend, he presents The Freak Zone Playlist on Saturday evening and The Freak Zone on Sundays. “The content is difficult to describe as it’s music from a wide variety of genres - everything from rock to folk and experimental - as the titles suggest,” laughs Stuart. He still co-hosts an afternoon show five days a week with my ex-Radio 2 producer, Mark Radcliffe, called Radcliffe & Maconie. Their shared passion for music and self-deprecating humour made them popular with Radio 2 listeners before

the series transferred to Radio 6 Music.

“Mark and I are still going strong, although I’ve always considered writing books as my proper job and radio as a lovely hobby,” Stuart grins.” One of the good things about cohosting is that if one of us needs time off, the other is there to carry on regardless! Last year I needed time off when I followed the Long March from Jarrow to commemorate its 80th anniversary.

“I’m a huge fan of Wainwright and completed all 214 of his walks in Cumbria” Born in Whiston on Merseyside, even at an early age Stuart was into writing and music.

While a student at St John Rigby College, in Wigan, he formed a band, Les Flirts,

31

still keep in touch with the guys from Blur.”

A popular author, Stuart’s first books were about his passion for music with The Official History of Blur, followed by James-Folklore: The Official History. However, his first book with Ebury press was Cider with Roadies, a humorous autobiography of his experiences as a music journalist. That was followed by Pies and Prejudice: In Search of the North, another humorous book discussing the reality of the North of England as opposed to the popular myths. A third book, Adventures on the High Teas: In Search of Middle England was followed by The Pie at Night: In Search of the North at Play.

featuring himself on guitar/vocals performing at venues like the BierKellar and Trucks.

“I loved my time in Wigan and still support Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors to this day,” Stuart reminisces. “After college I taught English and sociology at Skelmersdale College, in Lancashire. I really enjoyed teaching and was chuffed to bits when years later my old college awarded me an honorary degree and even named a Hall of Residence after me! Bolton University also kindly awarded me an Honorary Doctorate of Letters. But after teaching for a bit, the New Musical Express - or the NME, as it became known - offered me a job and I knew that’s what I really wanted to do.”

Relocating to the Midlands, because his wife lived there, Stuart has since written for a variety of newspapers and magazines including Q, ELLE, The Times, The Guardian, the Evening Standard, Daily Express, and Mojo.

He’s ambivalent about claims he coined the phrase Britpop in the 1990s. “I’m sure someone must have used the expression before me about The Hollies, or The Beatles, back in the ‘60s. But I was the first person to use it about bands like Oasis and Blur and I

32

“I’ve always considered writing my books as my proper job and radio as a lovely hobby” Meanwhile Stuart’s career on radio was also going strong. “I’m particularly proud of a series called The People’s Songs, a story of modern Britain in 50 records. A kind of musical social history, it examined events in Britain and how particular songs became the soundtrack of that period. I also presented musical specials for Radio 4 and the short-lived BBC Radio 3. ITV3 beckoned and I presented Stuart Maconie’s TV Towns, six one-hour shows about TV and film locations in Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool and London.”

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

harter fell: one of 214 wainwright walks / dave porter / shutterstock

Stuart’s the first to admit that, although he works in Manchester during the week, he perhaps appreciates the north more from a distance.

But when broadcaster John Humphries once described him as a professional northerner, he responded, “I told him I’d rather be described as an enthusiastic, gifted amateur! I’m proud of where I came from but I also know we are not perfect. In my opinion we can be brave, romantic and poetic.

That’s how I would describe those brave folk who walked from Jarrow, the length of England, to ask for work.”

In case you think this pop guru spends all his time in a radio studio or writing at a computer, let’s dispel that myth straight away. Stuart wrote for the magazine Country Walking and his book, Never Mind the Quantocks, is a collection of more than 50 humorous essays from his monthly column in that magazine.

“I’m proud to be President of the Ramblers and a keen fell-walker. I’m a huge fan of Wainwright and I’ve completed all 214 of Wainwright’s walks in Cumbria. As an honorary member of the

bob atkins / country walking magazine (pbjmanagement.co.uk)

Wainwright Society, I was proud to give the Memorial Lecture.”

Stuart’s already planning his next book but he’s looking forward to appearing at The Lowry talking about Long Road from Jarrow: A journey through Britain then and now. “It’s my most political book so far, but I hope it’s also entertaining. I’m a bit of a techno head so as I walked from village to village taking photographs I noticed the landscape barely changed. But using social media I asked where I could get a good pint or a decent bed for the night and the response was fantastic. So I’ve included some of that in the book but even more in my talk. Although the subject matter is a serious one, I hope it’ll be an entertaining and informative event”.

Stuart Maconie Jarrow: Road to the Deep South at The Lowry, 18 January, 2018 (thelowry.com)

33

power play

British athlete Diane Modahl speaks candidly with Melissa Porter, from her amazing upbringing in Moss Side to using sport as a catalyst for change

34

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

D

iane arrived at our meeting ever so slightly late. Yet despite this perfect chance for me to enjoy the recently refurbished rather splendid interiors at The Stanneylands in Wilmslow, she had chosen to send me an apologetic message to inform of her imminent, albeit slightly delayed arrival status: one of the many reasons why Diane Modahl is one of the most inspirational and integrity filled individuals I know.

Diane is considered a trail blazer in her industry, as the first British athlete to win her appeal against the British Athletic Federation (BAF), who eventually dropped their original unsubstantiated doping charge against her. Her legal ‘victory’ saw tand end to this unjust journey, which included being suspended, prosecuted and then banned from her beloved sport in 1994. By forcing Diane to leave the Commonwealth

consecutive seasons - and Commonwealth record holder over her specialist distance of 800m; the woman who made decisions and took action that saw her competing in four Olympic Games: Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney. What drives the choices, thoughts and behaviour of this perfect powerhouse?

Born in Moss Side, Manchester, to a Jamaican mother and father, Diane was the youngest of seven children. She recalls her childhood was “amazing” and divulges details about her two-uptwo-down home that all nine lived in and “...that we initially shared with other families”. In my head, I’m questioning how she’s managed to frame this situation as ‘amazing’, when most might consider it the contrary. She continues, “We were financially poor but I don’t remember being poor.” Diane laughs, “All my siblings slept in the same room: three girls in a double bed, the twins in a single and the boys in a bunk in a tiny room next to ours.”

Their childhood home was social housing and Diane’s mum worked for the NHS as a nurse, while her father rolled pastry for pies and sausage rolls at Walls in Hyde, waking up at 5am each day to ride the two buses to work. “I felt loved by my parents,” Diane shares with me. “We always had a hot meal and always a look of support from them. They were kind. Very generous with their time, they made us feel empowered, they were always there.” My proverbial penny dropped as Diane revealed her formative behavioural model of the world. Her parents were rich with love.

Diane’s parents provided her with the road map of what it took to be a family which included sports days that her dad - aka The Pied Piper - organised on land next to the Apollo in Longsight. “I never won any of the races, but my dad played with us, he encouraged us and had fun with us,” she shares with me.

Diane believes that was a pivotal moment in her life, at the age of 11, was when she had a chance meeting with Alan Robertshaw, a coach who spotted her potential during a PE session at school. “Alan believed in me and we all

“We all need someone to believe in us.

I was able to trust my strong foundations and from there was able to start building what I now know were my career dreams” Games amid black clouds of shame, and then endure the process of recovering her innoicence, the BAF cost her, personally, over half a million pounds in legal fees. I’m curious how one recovers after such a vexatious incident. I’m aware I’m sitting in the presence of power.

Diane embodies a vision of excellence, focus and discipline. Her hair is styled in a neat and trendy bob, offset by an immaculately made-up face. Her simple and stylish black short-sleeved shift dress displays her lithe muscles cultivated from her years of training, no doubt. She’s a slender and strong size 8 and orders a mint tea with a light beetroot and goats’ cheese salad for our lunchtime interview. But that’s all the surface superficial stuff, and I’m curious about the girl who one day fell asleep and the next day woke up having achieved the title of seven times British Champion - unbeaten for six

35

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

need someone to believe in us. I was able to trust my strong foundations and, from there, was able to start building what I now know were my career dreams. My strong stable home life was my starting point.” Alan had spotted Diane’s running potential, to which she and her family were oblivious. We begin to discuss what she believes (the now deceased) Alan saw in her to commit his time to her development as the world-class athlete she is considered today.

“Alan would have said I had the attitude to succeed,” Diane continues. “I was willing to do the work, to turn up on time, to listen and to ask questions. I’m able to execute what I’m being taught.” She looks at me straight in the eye with her grounded assertiveness. “Talent is nothing without work ethic, Melissa, and it’s when you have a strong work ethic coupled with talent that you have a winner. My definition of success is to cultivate the right attitude and to combine this with an unshakeable self-belief.”

At this point our hour comes to a close and I have my answer to my original thought: Diane is a leader and a champion. I have no doubt she will continue to win in all her endeavours in the way she achieved her victory in the courts and against the establishment that was the BAF

“I was willing to do the work, to turn up on time, to listen and to ask questions. I’m able to execute what I’m being taught” (which pronounced themselves bankrupt post their Modahl faux pas). Self-belief, attitude and action. Boom!

This is something Diane is passionate about sharing. In 2010, along with her husband Vicente, she co-founded the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation (DMSF). A registered charity, DMSF works in primary, secondary and academy schools and is committed in its mission to give young people a purpose in sport, education and employability by breaking down barriers and using sport as a catalyst for change. (dmsf.org.uk)

36

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38

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Arts & Culture

STRICTLY

Glamorous As the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing nears its Glitterball finale, Natalie Anglesey speaks with glamorous head judge, Shirley Ballas

D

id you know that Shirley Ballas, the new head judge of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing series, used to teach ballroom dancing in Manchester?

She thought she knew the city well until, on a recent flying visit here, I caught up with the international ballroom champion.

“I hate to admit it but Manchester has changed so much I didn’t recognise any of my old haunts,” Shirley laughs. “But I do feel very much at home now on Strictly - thanks to my fellow judges who have made me most welcome. I’ve known Bruno Tonioli for 11 years, as we worked together on the American version Dancing with the Stars. So I know when to avoid his flailing arms - and of course he’s as mad as a hatter! Craig Revel Horwood, in spite of his image, is a charming man while Darcey Bussell is simply a princess. They could not have been kinder.”

“To get anywhere you have to follow your dream and have self-motivation - but that’s true in any walk of life” It’s hard to believe that Shirley nearly didn’t go for the job of head judge. “My son Mark persuaded me in the end and I’m so glad he did as it’s the top job in ballroom. When I heard the news I fell to my knees with shock and delight and I haven’t regretted accepting for one moment.”

Shirley has trained dancers from all over the world and I wondered if Strictly had affected that work. “Not at all. I’ve already trained many professional dancers, including Brendan Cole and Anton du Beke. While they know I love them, I won’t hesitate to criticise them if they do something wrong.”

Viewers already know that when Shirley makes a decision she sticks by it as she did

39

When she was 16 Shirley when Aston Merrygold, of moved with Tiffany to London, JLS fame, was voted off by the where dance teacher Nina judges. When I point out she Hunt persuaded her to partner appeared more generous in Sammy Stopford. They married her praise of struggling when Shirley was 18, although dancers than her predecessor, the marriage ended after five she’s quick to impress: “My years. “While we were married, role is not to crush the souls we moved to Manchester and of celebrities who are trying shirley with husband corky ballas and son mark taught Ballroom in their best - but to support Levenshulme before moving to and encourage their efforts.”

Droylsden where we opened our own dance Judging by the viewing figures her attitude studio called Stopfords. I remember the hours I has been welcomed by fans. ”Don’t ask me where my love of dance came used to spend sewing rhinestones into my from, but I was seriously training from the age competition dresses and of course I would never miss Blackpool: hat’s the mecca for ballroom of seven,” Shirley tells me. Born and raised in dancers and my family always turned out to Wallasey, her father left home when she was support me.” only two - although they’ve recently However, Shirley won the 1983 International reconciled. “My lovely mother Audrey raised Latin American Dance Championship and the me and my brother David on her own and 1984 UK Open Championship in Professional encouraged me every single step of the way.

Latin. “Winning those titles created some of the Even when I left home at 14, to live with the highlights of my career although there are family of British Ballroom Junior Champion always envious people who told me I’d never Nigel Tiffany in Yorkshire - so we could win again - but I did. I tell young dancers to practise more regularly - she didn’t stop me. ignore negativity. To get anywhere you have to That must have been hard for her but she follow your dream and have self-motivation - but knew my dream was to make a career that’s true in any walk of life.” in dance.”

Shirley met and eventually married Corky Ballas at a Latin competition in Canada.

The pair moved to Texas to compete in America where their only child, Mark, was born in 1986. “When people ask how I managed to juggle home and a career I tell them I simply rang my mum and asked if she could look after Mark as we were so busy working, and of course she came to the rescue.”

The couple won the International Latin American Dance Championship 1995, at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Shirley has won several titles in the International Latin division, earning the nickname The Queen of Latin -

40

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Arts & Culture

title she graciously handed to celebrity Debbie McGee who danced superbly in the competition.

Shirley eventually stopped competing in 1996, becoming a dance coach and a judge for ballroom and Latin American competitions and giving master classes as well as commentating on Dancing with the Stars. The couple divorced in 2007 and now Shirley’s delighted to be back on home ground.

“My mum is now 80 years old and, in a complete role reversal, I’m looking after her and she travels everywhere with me. It’s funny because after years of helping me raise my son, now he’s ringing me every day to check on us both! He’s a wonderful professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars and also sings beautifully appearing as Frankie Valli in The Jersey Boys in America. His wife, Alexandra Reid, is a talented song-writer and wrote the Beyoncé hit If I Were A Boy. So I’m very proud of them both. I’m not a grandma yet but they do have a lovely dog called Hendrix!”

As we head to the final show of the series, Shirley admits that this year the standard of celebrity dancers on Strictly has been high.

Shirley’s also quick to dismiss newspaper reports that comedian, Brian Conley, ranted at the judges before he left. “Brian is a lovely man and was most complimentary and if he made a

joke no-one felt offended.”

Vivacious Shirley has nothing but praise for the professional dancers on camera and teams behind the scenes who have made Strictly such a success, particularly BBC wardrobe. “The highlights for me from the start were Hallowe’en, Blackpool obviously, and the winners getting the glitter ball. But I’m also really looking forward to the Christmas Special because I know that will be spectacular - hosted as usual by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.”

Meantime, for those of us concerned about Strictly withdrawal symptoms, next year there may be a Strictly Come Dancing tour. We look forward to the Christmas Special and while Shirley enjoys the festive season with her family - is there a special present she’d like? “Well I’ve always had an unfulfilled ambition to be an actress and appear in pantomime,” she confides with a giggle. So panto producers take note – you read it here first!

Strictly Come Dancing, grand final, Saturday 16 December, 2017 (bbc.co.uk)

“I remember the hours I spent sewing rhinestones into my competition dresses and of course I would never miss Blackpool.”

41

art form Liz Taylor talks to sculptor Barbara Myers about connecting people with art, skinny people and inspiring places

B

arbara Myers’ home in Bowdon is incredible – a contemporary space that boasts her art and sculptures, yet still manages to maintain the warmth and infectious humour that reflects her personality. Time flew by as I became mesmerised by her story and her extraordinary talent.

If your friends were to describe you in three words, what would they be?

Loyal, wacky and creative.

Who or what has most influenced your work?

Gerhardt Richter and Giacometti. Richter, the German artist, had a profound effect on me, showing me how to explore myself with no boundaries. Giacometti was the first to create abstract sculptures of ‘skinny people’ which are a huge part of my collection.

When did you know that you wanted to be a sculptor?

A chance meeting at a dinner party resulted in an invitation to a Devon sculpture group.

When I arrived the members were experienced and talented artists, so when the lady running the course told me I had ‘something’ – a rare talent – I accepted the place offered to me on the course. I can’t remember what I had for dinner but I do know that evening changed my life!

How does your creative process begin when you are starting a new piece?

Creative insomnia – notes, notes and notes. I never sketch, but my thoughts evolve and they come at the most inconvenient times of the day.

You have travelled a lot, where is the most inspirational place you have visited and why?

Wherever there is a museum or gallery. The Bauhaus in Berlin, a city of culture; the Guggenheim in Venice, one of the world’s most romantic destinations; and Copenhagen, which boasts the best contemporary design in the world.

What things do you never travel without?

P20, ipad and my husband Tony. He is my backbone and my inspiration!

Kindle or paperback – what is the last book you read?

I avidly read art books, but music is my guilty pleasure when I am working and relaxing.

I am passionate about great music – which musicians do you enjoy listening to?

The old divas of the 60s and the 70s, and Streisand, Dion. Much of my youth was in Liverpool, so obviously the Beatles, and opera.

“Each piece has a voice, waiting for the right viewer 42

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Arts & Culture

Champagne or cocktails?

Champagne with cassis all the time.

How do you define your buyers? Are they a particular type of person?

There is almost always a connection. Each piece has a voice and is waiting for the right viewer to respond. I am very emotional about my work and can feel – I listen with my eyes and so must the viewer. I also sell to art collectors, sculpture parks and galleries and work closely with interior designers.

What is your favourite piece of work to date?

Back 2 Back.

Which are your three top places to visit in Cheshire?

Altrincham Market; Tatton Park and its glorious gardens; and Victors in Hale.

Can you tell us what you are working on at the moment?

My book is being launched soon, which is very exciting, and my new collection will be finished at the same time.

I love entertaining at home. If I planned a party for you, who would be your dream guests?

George Clooney (he could stay over) Barbara Hepworth (a sculptor) and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. (barbaramyers.net; tlc-ltd.co.uk)

to respond�

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Coming Up Roses The perfect plus one this holiday season? A twinkling diamond by William & Son. The British jeweller has updated its timeless and romantic Beneath the Rose high jewellery collection, starring rose-cut sapphires in glistening white and hot pink.

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“Simple and sophisticated, he Rolex Cellini Time with its 39mm 18kt white gold case and blue guilloche dial is the perfect gift for Christmas.

Not the typical Rolex with a stainless steel or precious metal bracelet, the Cellini is executed with a stunning blue alligator leather strap. A true classic and elegant timepiece” Chinda Jim, senior sales ambassador at DMR Manchester. Rolex Cellini Time, £13,150 (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

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The personal approach Casting aside conformity for the custom built, George Bamford has spent the past decade putting the ‘you’ back in to luxury. In the wake of an industry-first agreement with LVMH, the king of customisation has now created a watch of his own W o r d s : r ich a r d b r o w n

I

t was at a dinner party that George Bamford realised that his beloved black dial Daytona, given to him as an 18th birthday present – “Yes, I’ll admit it, I was a brat back then” – was anything but unique.

Crestfallen, but determined to pursue something truly singular, George created two blackened watche: a Rolex Plexiglass Submariner and a Rolex GMT – one for himself and one for his father, JCB billionaire Lord Anthony Bamford (his mother, should you have failed to connect the dots, is Lady Bamford, founder of the Daylesford Organic Farmshops).

In 2004, his new timepiece strapped to his wrist, George embarked on a road trip around Italy. “I returned with orders for 25 more.” And lo, Bamford Watch Department was born.

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Zenith Type 20 Chrono ‘Ton Up’

Tag Heuer Autavia Chrono

Bamford Mayfair

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

“We started by looking at companies that were doing a similar thing,” explains the 36-yearold from the Mayfair townhouse he’s subsequently converted into the world’s most well-resourced man den (it features a wall of vintage stop clocks and bespoke sculptures by Natxo Frisuelos). “There were two businesses in particular that inspired me.

The first was Bentley and Mulliner, the independent coachbuilder that made bespoke bodies during the 1930s and 40s.

The second was Nike, and what it was doing on a personalisation front. I thought ‘Why can’t you do that with watches?’”

Bamford began blackening stainless steel models from the likes of Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Panerai – not, it must be said, always with the blessing of the brands themselves. Coating watches in military-grade PVD (physical vapour deposition), BWD created cases and bezels that were virtually scratch-proof and diamond hard.

“My mentality was always ‘How can I make this individual?

How can I make it feel special?’”

Bamford’s run at producing one-of-a-kind wrist candy for sports stars and his socialite chums continued until summer 2017, when the modification maverick announced he was changing tack.

In June, BWD revealed an agreement with LVMH. Bamford had become the first customisation watch company to be officially authorised by a Swiss watchmaker. RolexBamford watches are a thing

FROM TOP: Tag Heuer Autavia Chrono; Zenith Pilot Chrono Tipo Cp-2;

no longer. Henceforth, the company will only be modifying watches belonging to the French luxury conglomerate.

So far, LVMH-owned Zenith has let Bamford loose on its Pilot Type 20 and Heritage Cronometro Tipo CP-2, the Swiss watchmaker guaranteeing warranties even after timepieces have been customised. Similar deals have been struck with LVMH stablemates TAG Heuer and Bulgari. The former has allowed George to tinker with its Autavia, Carrera and Monaco models; while the latter’s Octo Velocissimo, Octo Solotempo, Serpenti and Scuba watches are all now available for personalisation.

“The collaboration with LVMH is one of the most exciting and rewarding achievements we have accomplished as a business,” says Bamford.

“To offer our take on these incredible timepieces from Zenith, TAG Heuer and Bulgari – I absolutely could not be happier.”

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Collection | The CHESHIRE Magazine

I first met George several years ago. Back then we had talked about the revival of British watchmaking. He’d praised the protagonists of that story, in particular Bremont’s Giles and Nick English, and Giles Ellis at Schofield. I ventured that surely he must be harbouring ambitions of his own Bamford-branded watches?

“Two businesses inspired me. Bentley Mulliner and Nike.”

“I would never produce my own watch unless it was absolutely right,” he had said. “It would have to be the right price, sit within the right market and allow for personalisation. The mechanical movement is also very important. I would want to have something that’s different, something that would make you go ‘Wow, you’ve combined that with that!’”

Grand plans for a mechanical timepiece have been temporarily suspended. Before then, we get the battery-powered Bamford Mayfair - a stainless-steel asymmetrical sports watch that

50

evolved from a ‘service’ model that Bamford customers would be Tag Heuer Monaco loaned whenever Heritage their timepiece went in for a check up.

“Clients became besotted with this service watch,” says George. “When I’d wear one, people would keep trying to buy it off my wrist. Which made me think there was something there.”

Choose between a 40mm matte black case with a matte ceramic bezel or a matte grey case with an anodised aluminium bezel.

Straps come in rubber, nylon or leather. The Mayfair is water resistant to 10 metres, sports LumiNova indices and houses the everreliable Japanese Miyota 2035 movement.

“Think of it as a holiday watch,” says George. “Throw it on; take it to the beach; go anywhere with it.”

In the flesh, the Mayfair is handsome, well-weighted and reassuringly solid. George says that most of his clients already possess a Rolex or Patek Philippe. For the fun factor alone, expect a Mayfair to join those collections.

Zenith x Bamford watches from £8,000, TAG Heuer x Bamford watches from £8,000, Bulgari x Bamford watches from £7,000, Bamford Mayfair, £425, (bamfordwatchdepartment.com)

Cheers!… Indulge in bubbles

Luxury Bath foam in White Cashmere from the Bath & Body Collection

www.lilouetloic.com

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

W

ith a background in environmental science and sustainable finance, it should come as no surprise that designer Bozena Jankowska’s eagerly anticipated debut collection – Ode to the Bee – is as ground-breaking as it is beautiful.

Comprised of 15 pieces in gorgeous hues – from deep wines and navies to elegant eau de Niles and sunshine yellows – the range is awash with dreamy silk satins, velvet trims and crepe-de-chines crafted into strong silhouettes with clever cuts and sumptuous textures.

But that’s not all: Bozena’s philosophy is ‘experience, sustain, repeat – a mindful approach to living’, with her designs inspired by environmental and social themes – in this case, the world of the bee and the sustainability of its existence. For this and each subsequent collection, she intends to champion the need for fashion with a purpose, through partnerships with like-minded, sustainability-focused organisations that work on environmental and social issues, with each purchase making a direct contribution to their work. We’re loving the classic tailoring with a focus on a new relaxed style, refined yet casual with a luxe feel – but after all, nothing beats doing your part for the environment by looking completely fabulous. (bozenajankowska.com)

-ing bee your best you 53

Fashion news Country Classics The Oxford Shirt Company is a secondgeneration family business based in the heart of the Cotswolds, boasting a 40-year history of combining quality and affordability to create gorgeous men, women and children’s clothing for an authentic town and country lifestyle. At the moment, we’re lusting after their luxurious knitwear, from delicious wool cardigans in classic shades to sleeveless V-neck sweaters for the sartorially minded rural gent. (oxfordshirt.co.uk)

Little Bear, Big Style If, like us, you are bear-ly containing your excitement over the recently released Paddington sequel, you might be interested to know that you can now emulate your favourite Marmalade-loving bear’s trademark style with your very own hooded, heritagestyle duffle coat from Gloverall. Made from 80 per cent wool and featuring classic wooden toggles and tartan trim, these beautiful pieces are guaranteed to keep you toasty all winter long – meaning you won’t have to abscond to deepest, darkest Peru to keep warm, after all. (gloverall.com) 54

Brown-Eyed Girls Since establishing luxury accessories brand Hicks & Brown, a typical day for Suffolk-based sisters Alice and Rosie can involve anything from brainstorming design ideas and running around their Suffolk studio to selling their stunning fedoras directly to customers across the country. They are the epitome of home-grown British talent, and their products are essential for any winter ensemble. (hicksandbrown.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Urbanista Iconic British brand Radley London is welcoming 2018 with a new focus on key fashion trends, adding contemporary twists, new hardware and fittings to much-loved styles, and remastering iconic silhouettes with new styling, textures and playful details. Inspired by the urban environment, the AW17 collection was full of runway reflections, from ‘Roar’, the animal print, to ‘Epping Forest’, a pretty woodland floral style. The collection also features 25 different leathers, each meticulously selected for characteristics that complement the Radley London designs, including luxury Peru and Saffiano leathers. (radley.co.uk)

Lady of the House AW17 sees Lock Couture look to the witty heroine of E M Delafield’s Diary of a Provincial Lady as muse. The Lady of the House collection imagines a world where etiquette demands the lady to don a certain hat at a certain time of the day, with a little exhibitionism thrown in, of course. Whatever the occassion, the latest collection from Lock’s new milliner Prudence is bold and assured for the contemporary lady to enjoy wearing this season and beyond.

From £495 (lockhatters.co.uk)

Cellular Style When updating your style for the new year, it can be all-too easy to overlook your iPhone.

For an iPhone case that’s a true breath of fresh air(time), we love the colourful array created by new brand VUTU London.

Each case is made with a clear, flexible shock-absorbent protective bumper which maintains the slim shape of the phone, as well as a micro-fibre lining to make sure you phone is protected inside, too. Designed in the UK, the styles are full of vivid details that look equally at home on a meeting room table and a sleek marble bar. £18 each (vutuLondon.com)

Mooncler We’re quite certain that no other fashion house has ever been more suited to designing Moonboots as Moncler. The alpine specialist has created five styles, all named after planets. A match made in heaven.

From £310 (moncler.com)

loves She’s Got The Look She is the fourth book in Kate Spade’s New York series, which has so far included a compendium of things that inspire its creative team, plus modern-day guides to entertaining and travel. The final tome celebrates the “muses, visionaries and madcap heroines” who have helped shape popular culture and influence the brand – from Holly Golightly to Iris Apfel. She will serve as a reference for women from all walks of life. £30 (katespade.co.uk) 55

Monochrome

mayhem Not sure how to pull off black and white prints? Delve into our quirky kaleidoscope of checks, stripes and zigzags P h o t o g r a p h y: T u r i L ø v i k K i r k n e s Styling: Victoria Wright

Bag, ÂŁ995; Charlotte Olympia(charlotteolympia. com); Dress, ÂŁ1,025, Bora Aksu (boraaksu.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 Ava Hat, POA, House of Holland (houseofholland.co.uk); Earrings, £235, Anissa Kermiche(anissakermiche.com)

left Dominique Bag, £995, Anya Hindmarch (anyahindmarch.com); Sequin Dress (worn as top), £1,530, Ashish, (brownsfashion.com); Skirt, £520, Bora Asku (boraaksu.com); Shoes, £995, Christian Louboutin (christianlouboutin.com)

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“FASHION is about DREAMING and making OTHER PEOPLE dream” - Donatella Versace

Left to right: Ava dress, POA, Vilshenko, (vilshenko.com); Dominique dress, £1,295, Temperley London, (temperleylondon.com)

Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

ABOVE Dominique Coat, ÂŁ1,550, Michael Kors (michaelkors.co.uk)

CREDITS Photographer’s assistant Justyna Radon Make-up Mario Brooksbank at Carol Hayes Management, using Bobbi Brown Hair Alexandru Szabo at Carol Hayes Management, using Bumble and Bumble Nails Stephanie Staunton at Carol Hayes Management, using OPI Models Dominique at Established Models and Ava at Premier Model Management

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REDEFINING THE ART OF AESTHETICS

WWW.KLNIK.CO.UK

Health & Beauty news

Bright Spark The Dazzling Lights holiday beauty collection from Yves Saint Laurent Beauté takes fireworks as its theme.

Twinkling explosions are engraved on the casing of the limited edition Touche Éclat – a stellar stocking filler for fans of the cult highlighter – and even on the Rouge Pur Couture lipstick itself. Finish the look with a festive manicure in classic red and gold shades.

From £19.50 (yslbeauty.co.uk)

Role Play

Sustainable Beauty We love Aveda’s products and ethics.

This Christmas they are wrapping all festive gifts with hand-crafted Lokta Bark paper from Nepal. Since 2007, Aveda’s gift-wrapping has supported more than 5,500 children and families. Plus, it makes our lives easier - perfect! (aveda.co.uk)

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St Giles launches its first five characterful scents this month. To feel inspired, try The Writer with memoryboosting rosemary or, to make a glamorous entrance, opt for The Actress, with a powerful oriental lily note at its centre. £130 for 100ml, exclusive to Selfridges (selfridges.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Working Nine to Five

Rainy Days and Mondays Is it a fragrance? Is it a shine and glossing spray? Ladies, the ‘A Walk in the Rain’ Shine and Fragrance Mist from Percy & Reed is both – and what a wonder it is, too.

Designed to keep your locks shiny and tamed whatever the weather, the fragrance of the mist evokes the scent of garden flowers, freshly misted by rain, and will leave you smelling as glorious as you look. Winter: do your worst. £15 (percyandreed.com)

The Fragrance Kitchen – the Kuwaiti based fragrance house borne of Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah’s childhood sensory memories – has long been associated with ultimate luxury, with its founder having been a member of the international fashion community for more than two decades. Now it continues on its mission to produce the perfect perfume for each individual, combining the use of Oud, Taif Rose, and burning Agarwood to create sophisticated statement scents which linger long after you’ve left the room.

We like to think of them as 21st-century power scents, and we think you will, too. (tfk.com.kw)

Balancing Act When counteracting the effect of busy day-today life on your body, it’s important to address every element – from the physical to the spiritual – and, when it comes to achieving inner harmony, you’ll want to give The Ritual of Ayurveda range from Rituals a try. Originating more than 5,000 years ago in India, Ayurveda is an ancient philosophy based on restoring inner-harmony through the old practice of cleansing and nurturing your body and soul. We particularly like the balancing Treat gift set (£19.50) and we must say, after a good soak in the harmonising shower gel and nurturing shower oil, we do feel an awful lot more zen. (rituals.com)

The Power of Perfumery Psychedelic Love is the latest addition to Initio Parfum’s Carnal Blends collection.

Notes of rose and bergamot are paired with hedione, an ingredient that science suggests can activate the brain’s pleasure centre. £190 for 90ml (harrods.com)

Body Beautiful Of the latest launches from Elemis, our favourites have to be the ELEMIS Body Duo White Lotus and Lime and the gorgeous ELEMIS Hydrating Heroes. The former set includes a bath and shower nectar, to cleanse and nourish, and a sumptuous body balm to moisturise, leaving skin silky soft. The latter is rather more hi-tech, with an Advanced Skincare Hydra-Boost Day Cream and Advanced Skincare Hydra-Nourish Night Cream designed to hydrate and regenerate.

2018, here we come. (elemis.com) 65

Promotion | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Teeth in

one day W

ith more than 25 years’ experience in the field of dental implants, the team at The Dental Academy understands the impact that total tooth loss can have on personal confidence and quality of life.

Everyday functions such as eating, smiling, talking and visual appearance can all be adversely affected.

Do you offer more than conventional dentures?

Conventional denture solutions such as removable dentures, often require the aid of adhesives, although, at The Dental Academy, we make dentures using advanced techniques to provide the best suction.

A denture cannot address all of the needs for patients who would like to have fixed teeth. Over recent years The Dental Academy has been at the forefront in the advancement of and investment in dental implants, and its dedication to offering denture wearers more choice has led to a significant improvement in quality of life for its patients. One of the biggest fears people who have lost, or are about to lose, all of their teeth have is the prospect of being without any teeth at all for a period of time.

The Teeth in One Day concept alleviates this fear. Patients leave at the end of the day with their very own new teeth. The concept uses an implant-supported bridge - a bridge of replacement teeth fixed securely by dental implants. The bridge represents an exciting advance in the use of implant retained dentures, requiring the use of just four dental implants.

Can I have my implants fitted in one day?

Treatment begins early in the morning.

Any failing teeth are removed and the dental implants are placed. Patients can then relax in the calming and private atmosphere of the Academy or, if they prefer, may return home for a couple of hours while their bespoke teeth are constructed by our technician. The bridge and replacement teeth will then be expertly fitted and patients leave with a confident smile and looking forward to the enhanced quality of life that goes with it all in one day.

What are the benefits of fixed implant retained restorations - Teeth in One Day? Totally fixed set of teeth with life-like natural smile Nothing covering the roof of the mouth • Great for patients losing teeth due to gum disease • Often only requires four dental implants to replace a full set of teeth • No more loose dentures The Dental Academy, Daresbury Lodge, Chester Road, Daresbury, WA4 5LR (dentalacademy.co.uk) • •

“Patients leave at the end of the day with their very own new teeth” 66

Bringing back your natural, confident and healthy smile with...

Teeth in One Day Using the latest technology and expertise, The Dental Academy offers the perfect solution to missing or failing teeth.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the field of dental implants, the team at The Dental Academy understands the impact that total tooth loss can have on personal confidence and quality of life.

The Dental Academy is at the forefront in the advancement of, and investment in, dental implants. The team’s dedication to offering an alternative to wearing dentures has seen a huge improvement in quality of life for many patients.

The Benefits

fixed, permanent • Totally set of teeth natural smile • Life-like Nothing covering the roof • of the mouth solution for patients • Perfect who are losing teeth due to gum disease only four dental • Often implants are required to replace a full set of teeth

A new set of teeth, complete and fitted all in one day in a simple procedure, leaves patients smiling confidently and naturally once again.

Call us for an initial consultation at NO cost.

01925 740 510

Quote: TC0118

The Dental Academy, Daresbury Lodge Chester Road, Daresbury WA4 5LR Tel: 01925 740510 Fax: 01925 740005 Email: info@dentalacademy.co.uk

One of the biggest fears faced by people who have lost, or are about to lose, all their teeth is the prospect of being without any teeth at all for a period of time. The “Teeth in One Day” concept alleviates this fear.

Patients leave at the end of the day with a full set of fixed teeth, a natural smile, and growing confidence. They find themselves looking forward to an immediately improved quality of life – all in one day.

The Dental Academy Knutsford Malt Street, Knutsford, WA16 6ES Tel: 01565 757030 Fax: 01925 740005 Email: info@dentalacademy.co.uk

www.dentalacademy.co.uk

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.

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

✔ Well being and full health check with 24 hrs a day general blood test 7 days a week Personal and confidential ✔ Night and weekend home visits Unhurried ✔ Same day and evening appointments Covering Hale, Wilmslow, Didsbury and their surrounding areas

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 | Style

S

tefano Ricci continues to celebrate his home town of Florence with his latest campaign, shot at the Stibbert Museum, once home to collector Frederick Stibbert. The intricate paintings and gilded armours provide a dramatic setting for both the sharp sportswear, and cashmere and silk tailoring. (stefanoricci.com)

Strike It

RICCI 69

words: Iain Warde

wrangler handler The Jeep Wrangler’s rugged design has changed little since the 1950s so what does the newest incarnation offer enthusiasts?

T

he most capable SUV ever delivers even more in its newest form. With a modern design that stays true to the original, advanced fuel-efficient power trains, more open-air options, and more safety features and advanced technology than ever before, the new Wrangler has an impressive stats list.

The team at Jeep has not forgotten the instantly recognisable keystone-shaped grille, though, along with the iconic round headlamps and square tail lamps, improved aerodynamics, a convenient fold-down windshield for off-road purists, even more open-air freedom, and dozens of different door, top and windshield combinations.

We are looking forward to finding more about this beast in the coming months. (jeep.co.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

Why We Love Intensa Emozione #1 A true track car - 769bhp and costs £2.05 million #2 The name - it just makes you want to drive it like you stole it

Dancing on Ice Following the success of its On Ice programmes in New Zealand, Europe and the US, Aston Martin has announced 2018 dates for Hokkaido On Ice. As the first On Ice programme for the luxury British marque in the key Japan market, the package offers a unique opportunity to experience a range of models against stunning Hokkaido backdrops. This will include the flagship Vanquish S, as well as one of the very first opportunities for DB11 Volante customer drives.

Participants in the programme will have the opportunity to test their driving skills on sub-zero snow and ice surfaces, with expert guidance from professional driving instructors, and test the limits of the British Automaker’s luxury cars from behind the wheel.

Running from 8-12 February 2018, guests will be hosted at luxurious accommodation in the east of Hokkaido, with private open-air Onsen baths as well as the choice of either traditional Japanese or Western-style beds.

Places are strictly limited, so interested persons are encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible(astonmartin.com/hokkaido-on-ice)

#3 Acceleration - 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds #4 Top speed - 208mph #5 Looks - Potentially the closest thing to driving the batmobile #6 Unique - There are only 10 units of this two-seater beast

Twin Turbo Trouble Building on a fine heritage of light-weight, high performance sports saloons, the new special edition BMW M3 CS is the perfect combination of high performance, dynamic performance and everyday usability. Thanks to the use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic and a subsequent low kerb weight, a more sporting suspension set-up, increased power and torque and a unique interior style, this is a car worthy of the ‘CS’ moniker.

The 3.0-litre unit uses M Twin Power Turbo technology, with two spontaneously responsive mono-scroll turbochargers producing 460bhp. Together with the High Precision Injection (HPI) petrol injection system, the VALVETRONIC variable valve control system and the double-VANOS stepless camshaft adjustment help to deliver this optimum performance.

The BMW M3 CS is on sale from January 2018 with first orders arriving in March 2018. Prices start from £86,380. (bmw.co.uk) 71

TRIPLE COOKED The new Street Triple is tasked with maintaining Triumph’s top spot of the super-competitive, mid-capacity roadster segment. Dripping with new technology and showing off a sleek new look, the range-topping RS model is highly track-focused – so what’s it like on the road?

W o rds : g e o r g e c h a p m a n

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

I

t’s official, riding motorcycles (especially British ones) is cool again – so long as it’s a custom café racer, bobber or street tracker, right? Wrong. It’s true that Triumph’s range of updated retro Bonnevilles is flying off the shelves in impressive numbers, but that hasn’t stopped the iconic British brand from injecting new life into its already very lively and very modern Street Triple roadster.

Priced similarly to the classic-inspired ‘Bonnie’ range, the loveable Street Triple has been another big success story for Triumph, ever since it arrived in lightweight, 675cc three-cylinder form in 2007. Widely appreciated for its characterful motor, playful road manners, handsome looks and competitive price tag, it’s a recipe that has attracted more than 50,000 buyers worldwide.

Ten years later, Triumph’s best selling middleweight has matured into a very complete and modern motorcycle indeed. Featuring revised, more athletic styling and a step up in finish over the outgoing model, the range offers Triumph fans three bikes, each with its own distinct character. Available in standard ‘S’ and slightly-more-performance-focused ‘R’ guises, as per the previous model, the range now also features something a little bit special; the all-new ‘RS’ – billed as ‘the most explosive and adrenaline charged Street Triple ever’.

At the heart of the RS is the newly developed

765cc three-cylinder engine found across the range, but here it is tuned to produce a wristsnapping 121bhp – an impressive 16 per cent increase in power over the outgoing 675 model and only a fraction less than its 1050cc Speed Triple sibling. Peak torque is also up by 13 per cent, delivering 77Nm at 10,800rpm. Admittedly there are more powerful bikes out there, but few in this segment (or sub-£10k price bracket) promise to be as rideable as the track-weaponised RS, which tips the scales at just 166 kg.

Cementing the engine’s race-bred credentials, it has recently been chosen as the exclusive powerplant – albeit tuned even higher – for the Moto2 Championship from 2018 onwards, displacing Honda. That’s undoubtedly a very proud achievement for the boys and girls from Hinckley and testament to their engineering brilliance.

“Cementing the engine’s race-bred credentials, it has recently been chosen as the exclusive powerplant for the Moto2 Championship from 2018 onwards, displacing Honda” Keeping that engine’s raucous forward momentum in check are a pair of 41mm Showa Big Piston Forks and enormous Brembo M50 monobloc calipers, which combine to deliver stopping power more akin to that of a slickshod race bike. At the rear, top-drawer

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Motoring | The CHESHIRE Magazine

tech well worth having.

Thumbing through the customisable options on Triumph’s brilliant digital TFT dashboard is a doddle with the joystick control, and it isn’t long before you’ve discovered the RS’s aggressive new ‘Track’ riding mode. engine: 765CC Alongside Road, Rain, Three-Cylinder Sport and Rider monoshock suspension from WEIGHT: 166kg Programmable modes, Öhlins provides all-day comfort Power: 123 PS at 11,700 RPM Track tunes the throttle and hugely confidenceTOURQUE: 77 NM at response to the sharpness inspiring high-speed cornering 10,800 RPM of a scalpel, setting up the – this is one seriously capable PRICE: £9,900 OTR bike’s ABS and traction motorcycle which simply oozes control for maximum attack. So, quality wherever you look. unless your surname’s Martin or The RS’s low weight and all-day-comfy Fogarty, you’re unlikely to select this most riding position are complemented by a new aggressive riding mode anywhere other than on ride-by-wire throttle which means that even at your favourite circuit. very low speeds, the RS remains no more Stepping off the RS after a prolonged period of challenging to ride than any other Triumph. In time in the saddle, you generally find yourself fact, this is one of the bike’s most impressive feeling completely seduced by its wide spread of party pieces; apex-hugging race renegade one talent and utter mastery of grin-inducing riding. minute and sophisticated city slicker the next.

The RS is one of those rare bikes that can thrill on Even commuting in London’s June heatwave was track on a Saturday or Sunday but also happily unable to upset it, or its rider. take you to work on Monday. In fact, you could To experience the RS’s true performance, happily tour around Europe on it, visiting and however, you need to visit a racetrack, where its lapping all the best race circuits, it really is that super-sticky track-focused Pirelli Diablo good. There are more charming and singularly Supercorsa SP tyres and built-in lap timer can focused bikes available and other Triumph riders help you set personal best after personal best. wearing bubble visors and tan gloves may look at Make no mistake, the RS is stunningly quick and you in your one- or two-piece leathers in disdain. brilliant fun on the road – even if you don’t use But none of this really matters, because with the its full performance, but so high are its limits, RS you’ll be riding one of the very best bikes on that cornering at legal speeds simply doesn’t sale today. And it’s British! provide much of a challenge, and that can get frustrating. So instinctive is the RS’s cornering manner, it flatters your riding style and simply fires you up the road without any fuss.

Other clues to the RS’s explosive nature include a standard fit quickshifter, which permits clutchless upshifts for lightning changes and a new slip and assist clutch for smooth progress on the way back down the gearbox. If you’ve ever experienced a heart-stopping rear wheel lock-up then you’ll know this is a piece of

The Vitals

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The Cellars

A brand new and exclusive private dining space and luxurious screening room experience. Enjoy luxury at its finest; a five course tasting menu paired with matching wine flight and sommelier service.

Enquire now for Christmas 2017

www.kingstreettownhouse.co.uk

Travel news Into The Wild Discover the hidden gems of Ruaha, Tanzania with the launch of Timbuktu Travel’s new safari accommodation.

Located next door to the country’s largest national park, Jabali Private House is the perfect place for any animal-lover to visit. Sleeping six, the property comes complete with a private chef, guide and safari vehicle, as well as plentiful opportunities to spot the park’s large population of lions, zebras and elephants.

From £2,541 per night (timbuktutravel.com)

loves

A Taste Of Spain

Food For Thought With more than 80 villa estates to rent in Tuscany, The Luxury Travel Book has got your Italian retreat covered with its new series of food and wine tours. Treat yourself to the authentic taste of Italy with guided vineyard and olive grove tours or a wine and olive oil tasting and, at some select properties, experience pasta and pizza classes from the comfort of your own hilltop home. (theluxurytravelbook.com) 76

After 15 years of success in Italy, Flavours Holidays is branching out to Spain, where it now offers a series of unique educational holidays. Located in Andalusia, the resort provides painting and pilates classes, ideal for those who want to learn or improve a new skill while relaxing in beautiful surroundings. For the first time, the secluded hotel also allows guests to benefit from the Mediterranean diet with a private chef who prepares fresh, local Spanish cuisine. (flavoursholidays.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

w o r l d h e r i ta g e s i t e s

Short haul vs long haul

Short haul

Climbing Every Mountain

Bushes And Bungalows Goatfell is the latest of four former tea planters’ bungalows to be opened by Teardrop across Sri Lanka’s central tea country. Following the more poetically named Camellia Hills, which opened this summer, Goatfell’s four en-suite bedrooms and two stand-alone chalets are set on a working tea estate. Next year Pekoe House will open in Kandy – where trekking Hunas Mountain and croquet on the lawn might be all in a day’s leisure. (teardrop-hotels.com)

The small, south-eastern ski resort of Megève has remained relatively quiet for decades – a purpose-built antidote to the buzz of St Moritz and Courchevel, boasting plenty of off-piste action. The French village is full of medieval charm, but a slopeside Four Seasons will open for its first season on 15 December, with 55 rooms, indoor-outdoor pool and a rehomed two-Michelin star restaurant.

Season until 15 April (fourseasons.com)

A Bite of The Big Apple If you’ve not yet taken advantage of the daily Virgin Atlantic flights from Manchester to New York JFK – which launched in May – then now is definitely the time to start planning your next trip stateside. The airline has recently announced that 2018 will see its biggest offering of flights from Manchester Airport ever (including lots of new transatlantic routes), with the service to New York JFK getting a major upgrade that’ll see passengers whisked away aboard an A330 or Boeing 747, two of the largest aircraft in Virgin Atlantic’s fleet. We’ve already started packing.

Return flights from £410 (virginatlantic.com)

© Carlos Yudica / Shutterstock.com

Long haul Sky High

This winter, escape to the warmer climates of Bangkok, where the the highest alfresco whisky bar in the world has opened. Perched more than 800ft in the air, Alfresco 64 – A Chivas Bar has fashioned the ultimate rooftop location, boasting aerial views of the skyline and the Chao Phraya River, that you can enjoy with a cold glass of the finest whisky. (lebua.com)

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Welcome

HOME In search of some autumn sun and a lot of relaxation, Louisa Castle visits Jamaica Inn and discovers life is for taking easy and always accompanied by a smile

J

amaica Inn has been at the top of the list for luxury hotels in the Caribbean for over 50 years. It has hosted Hollywood aristocracy and British nobility and today it was our turn to stay in the blue colonial hideaway.

The photographs of Marilyn Monroe, Arthur Miller, Sir Winston Churchill and Noël Coward adorn the library nested amongst family photos of the owners and Shadow, the resident Labrador: a gentle reminder of all the stories these walls could tell.

After a day of travelling, the Rum Punch welcome drink was a treat as we watched the

evening lights twinkle across the lawns. Our flight from Gatwick to Montego Bay had been comfortable as had the journey from the airport but a long week in the office meant that the enticing lure of the sand between our toes was all that we could think about at that moment.

Welcomed home by our host and Shadow (who enjoys a game of frisbee on the beach, we soon discovered, should you wish to take her up on it), we were shown to our room, a Premier Verandah Suite on the Beach Wing.

The room itself is colonial and calm but it was the verandah which made our stay. Larger than the room, the covered verandah was home to us for much of our stay, for dinner, for relaxing and for the storm watching. With direct acess to the private beach, this is what a Caribbean holiday is all about.

Of note, there are no televisions or radios in your room. The ethos being that you are here to relax. There is comprehensive WiFi coverage though, so worry not.

“Nothing is rushed at Jamaica Inn. Simply relax and enjoy” 78

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Unpacked and ready for some good food, we dressed for dinner. Dress code is smart casual, so nothing to worry about there for anyone who has a husband like mine, who prefers not to have to wear a tie for dinner on his holidays.

A balmy 20-something degrees meant that we were dining under the stars to the sound of crashing waves and live music. There are meal plan options, from breakfast only to allinclusive, which includes a dine-around option to sample four of the local restaurants in Ocho Rios should you wish. We dined one evening at Evita’s - an Italian/Jamaican restaurant ten minutes away, located in an authentic 1860s Gingerbread house and with a long list of famous guests on its wall of fame.

Breakfast is a great opportunity to try the local dishes. Each morning chef offers a different Jamaican breakfast option alongside your traditional fruit or Eggs Benedict should you prefer. The Jamaican national dish, ackee and saltfish is definitely worth a try.

Tonight we sampled the delicious mix of local and international flavours. With five courses to choose from we settled on just three and nothing was too much trouble for the waiting staff. Fresh catch-of-the-day caught our eye, offered jerk, blackened or grilled. For me it had to be blackened jack fish and for my husband, a light chicken curry, followed by a generous scoop or two of ice-cream.

The menu changes every day so if you’re staying a week or more, don’t worry, there will

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO IN OCHO RIOS 1. Dunn’s River Falls Go by boat from Jamaica Inn’s beach and climb the waterfalls before the crowds arrive 2. Dolphin Cove This natural cove offers regulated interaction with dolphins, sharks and rays 3. Fern Gully Take a scenic drive or hike through this canyon, shaded by trees and ferns.

4. Noël Coward’s Firefly House Picnic in the hills over St Mary and visit this well-preserved home 5. Harmony Hall This gallery in town, showcases the best Jamaican art and craft

be plenty to choose from. Also, there’s a relaxed room-service menu for evenings on your verandah. I have to admit I became a little addicted to the plantain nachos.

For foodies there is also an option to shop and cook with chef Maurice Henry at the local market and to catch your own dinner with Tony and Marvin who moor their fishing boat on the beach and will happily chat to you about

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everything from football to fish.

One trip that we did arrange was to Yaaman Adventure, a former plantation. Designed for the active, with buggy rides and camel treks, there is also a Flavours of Jamaica Tour. It begins with an escorted ride around the plantation and ends at the majestic Great House, perched high on the hill, and a cookery lesson. In such a stunning setting and thanks to our very patient cook, we mastered jerk chicken (not too spicy), Festival bread, callalloo and coconut sauce. Carey, our guide, agreed it wasn’t bad for first-timers.

For foodies, like us, there are lots of trips and treats to go on but one that is definitely top of the list is Stush in the Bush, a luxury combination of Ital (organic) farming and gourmet dining high in the mountains. Run by husband-and-wife team, Chris and Lisa, I will be writing more in the February issue.

That morning we had received news of a sea turtle hatching, so we dashed back to Jamaica

Inn to join that tour run by ex-teacher and English man Melvyn.

Part of Jamaica Inn’s legacy is a Foundation to support the education and wellbeing of the island’s youth and the preservation of the marine environs. And part of this is The Oracabessa Bay Turtle Project, which has resulted in more than 100 nests and 16,000 hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings being released each year. And we had the opportunity to learn and be a part of releasing 184 two-day-old turtles to the sea. It was a humbling and fulfilling experience and I would recommend young and old to take part if you get the chance.

Having read through this article so far, it sounds incredibly busy. Nothing is busy or rushed in Jamaica and definitely not at Jamaica Inn. Each day included a stroll along the 700-foot beach, a game of croquet with resident expert Rupert who has worked at the Inn for nearly 50 years, a rumology lesson at the beach bar, relaxing in the sun or a little snorkelling. Two books were completed along with many afternoon naps.

The Ocean Spa, winner of best hotel spa in Jamaica for two years running, nestled on the rocks with crashing waves beneath, is a must-do. As we were celebrating our more on l ine anniversary while in Jamaica, my For more, including a review of the cottages, go to husband and I chose an Ocean Bliss thecheshiremagazine.co.uk Couples Massage. Overlooking Cutlass

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A DAY IN KINGSTON

Bay, we lay side by side and drifted to the sound of the ocean below as our masseurs, Pauline and Ann (who are amazing) used natural coconut oil with rosemary and lemon grass to drain away our stresses. In addition, there is a full beauty salon, personal training and yoga.

On the final night of our stay I arranged dining under the stars for my husband and me.

A surprise, the team was amazing, planning to the final detail with charm and professionalism. Being led down to the beach via a trail of lanterns, dining with the sand between your toes and the waves and tree frogs providing the background, was the perfect way to end the holiday. Champagne in hand, great food and the romance of the setting.

Premier Verandah Suites begin at USD $479 (£357) per night. There are a number of cottages and villas available also. Children aged ten years and older are welcome all year round. There are no direct flights from the north west, so we took the easy hop with British Airways followed by Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick, organised by The Inspiring Travel Company (jamaicainn.com; inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk)

Our first stop was The Bob Marley Museum, situated on the site of the musician’s home from 1975. Whilst it was converted into a museum after his death by his wife, Mrs Rita Marley, original features remain, including his bedroom complete with denim duvet, his favoured blender and the bullet holes from the alleged assassination attempt which sent him to London in exile. A special mention has to go to ‘Irie’ Sue, our guide, whose enthusiasm and anecdotes really brought the place to life, along with an amazing singing voice.

A short drive up town, we dined at Uncorked for lunch. Favoured for its extensive wine and cheese collection, this is a great place to stop and their Famous-For-Good-Reason Gourmet Burgers should be top of your agenda.

Batteries charged, the next stop was Devon House, the architectural dream of Jamaica’s first black millionaire George Stiebel. Tours are complimentary and well worth it to hear the tales of the national monument and its inhabitants. Also, head to Devon House I-Scream parlour, voted best ice-cream on the island and beyond.

A late addition to our visit was to Trench Town Culture Yard Museum, one of the social housing communities in West Kingston and the first Kingston home of Bob Marley, who earned his nickname - the Tuff Gong - on the football fields. It is here that Marley mixed with some of the biggest names in reggae and George ‘Tata’ Ford taught him how to play the guitar. The famous No Woman, No Cry was also written here by the pair whilesitting beneath the mango-tree leaves. It is safe for visitors but we advise arranging a visit in advance and with a guide who knows the area well.

A busy day indeed but thoroughly enjoyed.

History, culture, fun. Thank you to our guide from the Jamaica Tourist Board, Carey and driver Junior. (visitjamaica.com)

were dining under the stars to the sound of crashing waves” 81

Verbier en Vogue Verbier has always existed as one of the more inconspicuous of Switzerland’s glitzy ski resorts, a magnet for discreet money and serious skiers. Yet a series of VIP openings and a largescale hotel put that status under threat. So, has the village managed to cling on to its chocolate-box charm?

W o r d s : R I C H A RD B RO W N

S below: the view from Mont Fort right: No.14 Verbier

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hout 'Verbier' in a ski-themed game of word association and it will likely trigger one of several connections. ‘Pricey’ and ‘posh’ the most probable. There’s the infamous The Farm night club. Then the celebrity associations. Pick from Sir Richard Branson, Ian Fleming, James Blunt and former chalet girl Fergie (that’s the ex-Duchess of York, not she of the Black Eyed Peas). Princes Harry and William have been photographed here, as has the Duchess of Cambridge.

Of Switzerland’s grand ski resorts – that’s Gstaad, St Moritz, Saas-Fee and Zermatt – none has managed to cultivate such a strong,

distinguished, supposed identity. Verbier is Sloanes, VIP chalets and upmarket après-ski.

A snowy St Tropez.

So when we arrived at Le Farinet Lounge – a bunker nightclub where Pixie Lott and model

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

this page: The outdoor terrace, swimming pool and canapés served at No.14 Verbier

beau Oliver Cheshire had toasted New Year’s Eve just three weeks earlier – we were somewhat surprised by the motley crew strung out along the bar. Twenty-somethings still in their salopetes mostly, with a splattering of silver foxes and the odd couple who, like us, were done up in nothing more glamorous than jeans and a fleece.

We ordered two pints of lager, at a liveable CHF16 (£12), took a seat, surveyed the scene and got speaking to a Swiss chap employed in crisis management. It was as he regaled us with stories of the Russian Olympic committee and a Saudi prince embroiled in torture accusations that I clocked his watch – a Richard Mille.

Now, you don’t see many Richard Mille wristwatches. Prices start around £60K and gallop to more than £1.5 million. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is a client. So too are celebrity venture capitalist Tom Perkins, Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault and Juan Carlos I – the former King of Spain. Who runs this world?

People who wear Richard Mille wristwatches.

Le Farinet, as we found out, served as a microcosm of modern-day Verbier. While the village evidently continues to attract Europe’s rainmakers and money men, it’s a fairly inclusive resort. It’s far younger, for one thing. As one of the world’s leading off-piste destinations, Verbier attracts the type of dreadlocked professional skiers and snowboarders that front campaigns for the likes of Burton and The North Face. Its bars and pubs are kept alive by a growing number of seasonaires serving an increasing number of chalets.

Nor is everywhere stratospherically expensive.

While several recent ventures have launched with high-rollers in their crosshairs – see Richard Branson’s über-chalet The Lodge, minimalistic-chic hotel Nevaï, chichi private members’ nightspot Coco Club, and bolthole for the fashionable W Verbier (which, somehow, was named the World’s Best Ski Hotel at the 2016 World Ski Awards – Nb. it isn’t) – there are still plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants trading at the sensible end of the price spectrum. Le Rouge and Pub Mont Fort are the best for in-your-boots après-ski.

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David Pearson has been running luxury chalets in Verbier for 25 years. While he concedes that the resort has changed, he says that development has not cost Verbier its vibe.

“Hundreds of new chalets have been built, but they are beautifully constructed and all are less than three storeys above ground level. The heart of the village hasn’t changed at all, except of course for many refurbishments to shops, restaurants, hotels and chalets. Architecturally, Verbier is still one of the prettiest resorts.”

Apart from its village charm, what else made Pearson set up shop in Verbier? “There are many fantastic ski resorts in Europe, yet very few tick all the boxes. Even with what I consider the top ten resorts, there is usually a flaw somewhere. Verbier has it all – extensive skiing, a good snow record, a superb lift system and close proximity to two airports: Geneva and Sion.”

Having grown up with catering chalet holidays, Pearson, a trained chef with a business degree, believed he could do the whole concept better, “from product through to service.”

Chalet No.14 is the product of that ambition.

The Chalet That No.14 opened in 2011 with Daniel Cox as its head chef signalled the scale of Pearson’s aspirations. Cox had won the prestigious Roux Scholarship three years previously and had subsequently cut his teeth at three-Michelinstarred restaurants The Fat Duck, El Racó de Can Fabes in Barcelona and New York’s Per Se. Formerly a mid-tier hotel, No.14’s suave refit was thanks to Swiss architect Patrice Coupy and several million quid. Custom-made fittings came courtesy of London furniture-maker Ben Whistler, while Fiona Barratt is responsible for the resplendent interiors. (Both Coupy and Barratt worked on Branson’s nearby The Lodge.)

Sleeping 26 across three suites and ten en-suite bedrooms, No.14 is Verbier’s largest chalet available to rent – regularly hired by corporate clients, and occasionally by A-list celebs. A 10-metre indoor swimming pool, bunker cinema, Jacuzzi, steam room, plunge pool and an outdoor cedar-wood hot tub

arguably make it Verbier’s most luxurious lodgings, too.

Where No.14 really blazes a trail, though, is with its food. Super chalets, like superyachts, now trade off the credentials of their feted head chefs. Replacing Cox is James Duckworth, who, as an alumnus of Fera at Claridges, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and L’Enclume in Cumbria, boasts a résumé equally replete in Michelin stars.

Staying at No.14 is like living in a five-star boutique hotel above a particularly intimate fine-dining restaurant. Food is varied and adaptable to your taste. Steak one night was followed by sushi the next. Given that we were wolfing it down at the top of a mountain in landlocked Switzerland, its freshness was testament to the talent of the kitchen (and surely the chalet’s suppliers, too). Shout out for the caipirinhas, also. It’s not often you can find a decent bottle of cachaça in a ski resort.

The Skiing Plaudits to the imaginative capitalists who began developing Verbier around 1925 – despite its rustic charm, the resort is purpose-built – they settled on an Alpine sweet spot where sun, snow and across-the-board skiing overlap. South

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larger). Between them, Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz and Thyon total 412km of marked runs served by almost 100 lifts. They open late November and continue until the beginning of May. Verbier is famed for its off-piste skiing. The descent from the Col des Gentianes to Tortin is rumoured to be the longest, most sustained, mogul run in Europe. Tortin itself is a bumpy, shaded descent considered to be the most difficult in the whole of the Four Vallées (and “one of the world’s top ten ski runs”, according to the Daily Telegraph). If you’ve got the knees for it, it’s possible to ski from the top of Mont Fort to the bottom lift at Le Châble – a descent of more than 2,500 metres.

WHERE TO STAY A seven-night stay at No.14 Verbier costs from £58,000 based on exclusive use, sleeping 26 people (£2,230 per person). There is also a three-night stay available from 18-21 February at a discounted price of £27,900 (£1,073 per person). One week in January is being sold on a room-by-room basis.

Individual rooms are available from 14-18 January 2018 from £2,400 per room for four nights. (01608 674217; no14verbier.com)

GETTING THERE

from top: Looking down at Verbier village; One of Verbier’s many snow canons

facing, Verbier gets its fair share of sun. Good snow is almost a given, thanks to runs that snake from 1,500m to 3,330m, the lower of which are peppered with snow-making machines.

The resort is surrounded by three great mountains: Les Attelas, Mont Gelé and the 3,330m Mont Fort, the latter providing one of the most spectacular views in the Alps. Behold the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.

As the gateway to Switzerland’s Four Vallées, Verbier affords access to Europe’s second largest ski area (only France’s Three Vallées is

Powdair, a brand new airline connecting eight European airports with its base in Sion, will begin flying from London City and London Southend from 14 December 2017. Sion is only a 50-minute transfer from Verbier. Prices start at £125 one-way, and include 23kg hold baggage allowance, free ski and snowboard carriage and a complimentary on-board drink and snack. Prices are discounted for children under 16, and flights are free for infants under two. Frequent flyers can benefit from discounted rates. (powdair.ski)

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Weekend away Danai Beach Resort & Villas, Halkidiki WORDs: gemma knight

I

f you think you know Greece, think again. Far from the windswept Cyclades and bustling capital city lies the three-pronged Halkidiki peninsula in Greek Macedonia – and this, in all its luxurious, authentic glory, is where the Greeks build their summerhouses (which, really, should tell you all you need to know).

On the second prong, Sithonia, lies the leafy, village-esque Danai Resort: a former family holiday home which has been carefully expanded and renovated over the past decades, first by its matriarch and namesake, Danai Riefenstahl, and now by her son Kimon – who, despite being owner and managing director, admits that his mother still very much has her say.

It was Mrs Riefenstahl, after all, who individually designed all 60 suites and villas – and what masterpieces they are, filled with the sort of interiors inspiration that’ll send you scrabbling for your sketchbook. Every room has a flatscreen TV, DVD player, Bose WiFi music system, Nespresso machine, minibar, Bulgari bath products, air-conditioning and black-out curtains, while many also have private pools, elegant four-poster beds (complete with the billowing white muslin synonymous with Greek luxury) and spacious sitting rooms with suitably spectacular sea views.

A short stroll through the immaculate, lush lawns and cobbled walkways brings you to a neat parade of luxury boutiques – perfect for an indulgent holiday purchase or two – and the inviting little crèche, while opposite is the entrance to the antique wine cellar, where you can pamper your palate at the excellent sommelier’s wine tastings. Wander further still, and you reach the resort’s private white-sand

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beach, the shore’s edge flanked by stunning cabanas (which come at an extra cost but are well worth the expense) and swaying palm trees.

If you can tear yourself away from the view, the on-site spa is second-to-none, offering everything from a Finnish sauna and Turkish steam bath to treatments that include the option of bathing in milk and honey à la Cleopatra (a must), while there’s also a light and airy indoor pool where well-behaved little ones are welcome.

“This, in all its glory, is where the Greeks build their summerhouses” When the sun begins to set, head for one of the resort’s three restaurants – the authentic open-air Andromeda for heary, rustic fare; the Seahorse Grill (which specialises in grilled fish and steaks); or the multiple award-winning gourmet restaurant The Squirrel, which is considered one of the principle culinary addresses in all of Greece. End the night with a trip to Philosophy Seaside Bar, almost on the water’s edge, and a good glug of sweet, warming Tsipouro.

As an added bonus, we also discovered that Danai is pet friendly in the extreme (dogs are welcome at no extra charge, with beds, bowls and food all supplied) which – since we wouldn’t want our four-legged friends to miss out – means we’ll simply have to start planning a return visit. Quel dommage!

Danai Beach Resort & Villas offers junior suites from £375 on a B&B basis, based on two people sharing (+30 2375 020400; danairesort.com)

Love January Love Superfood Love Piste x

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

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f ever there was a season suited to settling down into a leather wingback chair by the fireside, a fine blended whisky gently swirling against crystal in one hand and a cigar in the other, it is now.

For each element of this idyll, only examples of outstanding craftsmanship will do – so before you settle in for the night, you’ll want to get your hands on a bottle of Suntory’s new crowning jewel: the Yamazaki Mizunara 2017 Edition. In a rare feat of craftsmanship, Suntory’s blenders have brought the essence of the noble and rare Mizunara oak into a peerless liquid – tantalisingly spicy, reminiscent of incense and uniquely Japanese – blending a selection of single malt whiskies aged entirely in Mizunara casks for at least 18 years. Presented in its own beautiful wooden box crafted from recycled Suntory casks, you’ll be wishing it was winter all year round.

The Yamazaki Mizunara 2017 Edition, £1,000 (whisky.suntory.com)

Winter is

COMING 89

The Place to Be

Food &

Drink news

The perfect place to be at this time of year is a cosy country pub. Whether you are looking to escape and relax with a drink or enjoy a great time with family and friends, then head over to the Plough and Flail.

Nestled in the village of Mobberley, the team is serving up fresh, seasonal dishes, quality cask ales and fine wines, all with an extra portion of festive cheer.

Why not join in with their Quiz of the Year or work up an appetite on ‘Roast and Bramble’ day and tuck into lunch, plum pudding and mulled wine after a bracing walk? There’s also still time to see the great man himself on the 16 December, when you can enjoy breakfast with Santa. Bring the little ones and their lists and join him for tea and toast from 11am. (theploughandflail.co.uk)

WORDS: JAN CLARKE

Wine Wait We have exciting news for wine lovers, as innovators and specialist manufacturers, V-ZUG, announce their new External Vacuuming feature designed to preserve wine like never before. This new technology has been created as an add-on to their pioneering Vacuisine Vacuum Drawer, which can dry store foodstuffs and keeps everything, including your leftovers fresh. Their external new feature facilitates the removal of air from wine and other glass bottles. Oil, wine, champagne and sparkling water can now stay fresher for longer, making it perfect for when you just can’t finish a bottle! This new design is a must-have for today’s high-tech kitchen and is a great accompaniment to their SL60 wine cabinet, which has a setting range for each zone of 5-18 degrees, ensuring all your wine is stored at its correct temperature. (vzug.com) 90

PURCHASE of the

MONTH

Bertrand Senecourt Rose NV Champagne, £180 (harveynichols.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Food & Drink

Toast of the Town

Heat and Greet If unexpected guests descend and you want something quick and tasty to serve, try Heat and Eat. These clever bags contain hand-cooked crisps and a dip.

Pop in the microwave and serve to your guests, for that ‘straight from the fryer’ homecooked taste. (tesco.com)

Comfort food aficionados will love the latest offering to hit the Altrincham high street. At the aptly named Toast, the brainchild of owner Justin Orange, where almost everything is served on toast, and is a concept which has been inspired by Justin’s travels to America. The unique menu has been conceptualised by head chef Edward Carr who comes to Toast via restaurants such as Aumbry, The Fat Duck and Eleven Madison Park in New York, so expect something special in place of the usual humble slice. To begin with, bread is baked freshly at family bakery Trove and includes five different varieties and a gluten-free option.

Dishes such as Eggs Benedict sit alongside lunch-time delights including chorizo with paprika. Diners can also be tempted by sweet offerings, such as baked vanilla peaches or marinated strawberries. All in all, this is some seriously tempting toast. (toastaltrincham.com)

...with LUKE ANDERSON, Head Chef at The Pied Bull, Chester

What is your favourite ingredient AND WHY? The humble onion is my favourite ingredient, as it’s the base for so many excellent dishes.

There are too many chefs at the moment who spend their time over-complicating things, making foams and gels, and they forget the fundamental task in hand, which I believe is to impress customers with flavourful food.

What is your favourite food?

As a proud South African, I would have to say South African cuisine. I love the way delicious spices and barbecued meats are combined.

The ‘Braai’ (barbecue) is at the heart of the cuisine which is all about gathering to enjoy food. A Braai is always a very social occasion.

Also, The Cape has been an international trading port for centuries and so the cuisine has many influences, especially Malaysian.

What is your favourite piece of kitchen kit?

I have many: a Robocoup, a Mandolin… my favourite and most useful is our Rational Combi Oven which we lovingly call Roxanne. She’s like another member of the team!

What’s been your most memorable meal?

This is easy, I proposed to my wife in the Maldives. I arranged for us to have a seven-course meal on the beach at sunset. Such a happy moment. Mind you, I ate almost all 14 dishes because she didn’t like any of the food! Win-win for me.

IS THERE ANY FOOD YOU DON’T LIKE? Not that I can think of. If anything, I would have to say Marmite. I’m a ‘hater’ I’m afraid. (piedbull.co.uk)

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Food & Drink | The CHESHIRE Magazine

SPOTLIGHT ON... THE TAVERN King Street Town House, Manchester

W ords : jan clarke

Great for...

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Post-work drinks and small plates

photography: ATTILA KEMENYFI

e headed into Manchester on a wet day and a cold wind blew as we walked the short distance from Albert Square to the Townhouse. Immediately, the warm and calming atmosphere was a muchneeded relief from the greyness outside.

King Street Townhouse is located within the striking 19th-century former Manchester Salford Trustees Bank. The building’s impressive Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture sets the grand tone, which gives rise to the hotel’s title of ‘the baby grand’ within the Eclectic Hotels portfolio.

We were met by staff who have perfectly mastered the art of professionalism combined with a friendly northern welcome, as they served us 1920s-style glass saucers of perfectly chilled Champagne. The Tavern has recently undergone some changes which have enhanced this already splendid room. It has the feel of the relaxed Manhattan resturant scene and the polished parquet floor and rich red leather banquets sit alongside modern lighting inspired by the Art Deco period. However, the screen dividers have been removed, opening up this beautiful space. Large teal velvet sofas now offer guests a relaxed, yet luxurious dining experience. In keeping with the relaxed atmosphere, the Tavern has an all-day offering from breakfast to brunch and lunch to dinner. A selection of small plates can alo be enjoyed with cocktails or over a glass of wine. Beef fillet carpaccio with parmesan and truffle oil, beetroot hummus with chargrilled pitta bread or king prawns with tomato and chilli are amongst some of the temping little dishes on offer.

The small plates can also be ordered as starters. I chose the potted crab, avocado and pickled cucumber, which was a delight

The Tavern now offers an all-day menu, from breakfast to brunch and from small plates to dinner

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and the perfect accompaniment to my chilled Champagne. The crab was smooth and topped with micro herbs, and balanced with the sharpness from the pickled cucumber. My dining companion went for the tempura cod cheeks with a creamy aioli dip. The tempura was wonderfully light and the cod cheeks were delicious: this was a great dish. The menu has a good selection of soups and salads, together with

28-day aged steaks from the grill.

But, with the weather outside showing no signs of improving, we went to the mains selection. This was a day for hearty fayre. My companion opted for the beautifully seasoned chicken supreme with gorgeous crispy skin and served with savoy cabbage, pancetta and a red wine sauce, together with an added portion of buttery, creamy mash. Mine, was a melt-in-the-mouth slow-cooked beef feather blade with tasty roasted new potatoes and tender broccoli. Both dishes absolutely delivered the comforting hit we needed, yet were beautifully plated and served with flair and attention to detail.

As some of you may know, the Townhouse is renowned for its gorgeous afternoon tea service and, not wanting to miss out, we finished with a selection of beautifully presented mini desserts, some of which can be found on the afternoon tea menu, including the rich chocolate delice and seasonal spiced apple cake. We ordered a pot of tea, retired to a soft, comfy sofa in the cosy mezzanine lounge and settled in for the afternoon. (eclectichotels.co.uk/king-street-townhouse/)

Restaurant and Bar Brunch / Lunch / Afternoon Tea / Dinner /Cocktails / Drinks Tables

Treat yourself to lunch or dinner Sunday - Friday in January and enjoy 40% off your total food bill, when you book a minimum of 48 hours in advance.

Quote January Sale to redeem. Terms and conditions apply.

Full terms and conditions available at www.menagerierestaurant.co.uk 0161 832 3818 reservations@menagerierestaurant.co.uk

Instagram @menageriemcr Twitter @menageriemcr Facebook www.facebook.com/menagerierestaurant

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Food & Drink

MAKING A MARK Adam Jones talks to Jan Clarke about the unique restaurant brand he co-owns with brother Drew, and their plans for the future

T

attu is still relatively new to the dining scene in Manchester but the restaurant - which started out as a concept based around body art - has certainly made its mark on the city. Tattu is not only one of the most incredible venues in Manchester, but, when it comes to its food, it’s also one of the most spectacular. This luxurious and sophisticated restaurant delivers a modern adaptation of Chinese cuisine, like no other. It seamlessly fuses the best of Eastern and Western flavours, skill and creativity to take diners on a unique sensory journey. Like its cuisine, the name Tattu is a fusion of the derivation of the original Polynesian word ‘tatau’(meaning to make a mark) and ‘U’ for unique - which is most definitely the fundamental message this brand conveys.

Adam and Drew are very much hands on when it comes to running the business, and are at the restaurant seven days a week. Adam is quietly spoken and openly admits that he feels his skills are better used working behind the

scenes, saying he finds front-of-house roles a little uncomfortable. I disagree: from the outset Adam’s passion and enthusiasm for the company and their team is abundantly clear; and as the ‘man with the plan’, there’s no one better placed to tell the story of Tattu. Speaking of plans, Adam originally set out to follow a career in the law. He studied Law at Leeds University where he gained his degree. But, after finishing university, his creative inner voice spoke louder and this set him on a different course. However, his combination of legal training, meticulous attention to detail and artistic flair have come together to create a business, that, at the risk of repeating myself, really is unique.

Adam explains, “Our starting point for Tattu was to begin with the idea of making a mark, something with permanence and longevity. We were not looking to follow any trends.” Tattu’s inimitable style mixes dishes with their roots in

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Chinese cuisine and combines them with the produce, skills and techniques used in highend western-style dining. This unique approach brings about a luxurious dining experience. Also, because this is an unparalleled concept, Tattu has no obvious demographic. It caters to the open-minded and those looking to explore the synthesis of Tattu’s cuisine.

Adam further explains, “Our brand represents a premium offering centred around quality, using the best produce we can. We spend a good deal of time searching for the right suppliers to work with and building relationships with them.” He continues, “It’s also very important to us that our menus are continually evolving, are seasonally led and complemented with unusual ingredients. We take the development process very seriously to ensure each dish has impact.” It’s this evolution that delights and intrigues Tattu’s clientele. Tattu also regularly holds events and private dining, giving Executive Chef Clifton Muil, Head Chef Jon Green and the team added opportunity to create

and develop bespoke dishes and menus. Their latest menu is described as the most progressive to date and encapsulates the best of the season, while delivering a playful celebration of Chinese cuisine.

The level of detail behind the brand is something Adam and Drew have used as their mantra and will continue to use as the company grows. They are involved in every aspect of the business and the pursuit of perfection. Adam enjoys the creative side and can’t now imagine working in law but, he smiles, “My training has its advantages when it comes to the legalities of the business and the signing of new leases.”

They opened their second restaurant in June 2017 and when it came to location, chose Leeds, Adam’s university home. Adam says, “It’s a city I know and love and our concept has been very well received since we opened.”

Plans are afoot for their next location and it seems there’s no stopping this dynamic team.

“And as the ‘man with the 96

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Food & Drink

work. With plans for the next location taking shape, a special ‘journey through China’ event in the pipeline and Chinese New Year celebrations on the horizon, Adam, Drew and the team definitely need to get ‘on their marks!’ (tattu.co.uk)

Photography: Tim Bradley. Food photography Joe Giacomet

But Adam clarifies, “We are not looking to create a large chain. Our idea was founded in individualism and it’s where our brand will remain. Our Leeds restaurant has its own identity compared to Manchester. Manchester tells the story of the concept of Tattu. This is communicated in the interior design, which draws on the history of body art and its links to the merchant navy and trade. Leeds represents the next chapter. It’s a celebration of the detail of the art form which is reflected in the stunning artwork and animation we have painstakingly created and which ‘comes to life’ as you dine.” The company plans to have five locations in total, so as to keep the individual concept alive and well within each restaurant.

As the evening diners start to arrive, our meeting draws to an end and Adam gets back to

plan’, there’s no one better placed to tell the story of Tattu.”

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

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

tim rickitt with helen & jonathan rigby

RALLY CHAMPS SIMON MCLEAN, LUCY PROBERT, MARGARET WATERHOUSE, ALEX HORNE, ALISTAIR & CLAIRE BARKER

Rickitt Partnership offices, Chester Tim and Emma Rickitt welcomed guests and friends to celebrate their sponsorship of the FIA World Rally Championship Chester spectacular. As the parade of national and international rally drivers and their cars passed by, the team welcomed clients with Champagne and canapĂŠs supplied by Oddfellows. (rickittpartnership.co.uk)

helen & jonathan rigby

AMY CROOK & GILL BALL

ollie sharman, margaret sharman with kirsty & jody wainwright

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LUNCH FOR ALZHEIMERS San Carlo Fiorentina A remarkable £7,000 was raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK as Maguire Family Law arranged a spectacular charity lunch, bringing together local businessess to raise awareness of Britain’s biggest killer. Over 120 people attended the lunch and were treated to award-winning food and superb prizes in aid of this amazing cause. (alzheimersresearchuk.org)

SKYE MCDONALD (NEMESIS MODELS) & ABBIE HOLROYD

Richard Tyrrell, Briana Scaly, Andrew Bennie

WILL YOUNG

ON THE WINGS OF ANGELS

Ashley and Ryan Guthrie

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Laura Kinghorn & Samantha Walsh

Dirty Martini, Manchester A flurry of VIP guests sipped expertly crafter cocktails and danced the night away at the launch part of Dirty Martini on Peter Street. Treated to a delicious selection of cocktails and nibbles over the venue’s two floors, guests also enjoyed an exclusive new cocktail - The Manchestini inspired by the iconic worker bee. (dirtymartini.uk.com)

THE KATANAS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Photography by TIM BRADLEY

RACHEL BATES WITH KATIE goodwin

sean barton with a happy guest

A CHRISTMAS FAYRE Tenant’s Hall, Henbury Hall Rachel Bates Interiors and Henbury Hall Estate joined together in a festive fayre of fabulous things. Offering fizz, a cosy fire and treats for everyone the Tenant’s Hall was transformed into a seasonal wonderland thanks to the combined talent of Rachel and Katie from Rachel Bates Interiors and Sean Barton, head gardener at Henbury Hall. From decadent wreaths to the finest glassware, the Christmas pop-up was a huge success and great start to the season. (rachelbatesinteriors.com; henburyhall.co.uk)

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dan walker, fabrice muamba, dr ian irving (outstanding service to football medicine & sport), eamonn salmon

dan walker, and gordon taylor present the community club of the year

dan walker, caroline weir (fine bedding company women’s player of the year), claire watkin & caroline barker

“Congratulations to all finalists and winners. The Awards honours and pays tribute to those on and off the pitch who create our footballing memories and, without whom, football in the Northwest simply would not have its rightful place on the national and international stage.”

- Laura Wolfe, Managing Director, Wolfe & Wolfesport.

dan walker, keira walsh (women’s rising star), greg rutherford & jen o’neill

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JUDGE MAURICE WATKINS

manager of the year, gary bowyer, blackpool football clun

STEVE WALTERS

the offside trust team

DAN WALKER AND CONNOR PHILLIPS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Photography by winners Stephen Gleave Photography and guests Dave Nelson

THE REGION’S BEST JO TONGUE, EAMONN HOLMES & EILIDH BARBOUR

dan walker, ben pearson (player of the year - championship) eamonn holmes & jo tongue

gary neville, phil neville, brian kidd (lifetime achievement award) vincent company, phil foden (rising star award) & ryan giggs

Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire County Cricket Ground The Leesa Northwest Football Awards celebrated their tenth year this month with a fabulous event at The Point. Over 500 sportspeople, football aficionados and guests attended the event to celebrate the region’s brightest and best footballing talent, from the National League to the Premier League, from the players to the backroom staff.

Hosted by the lovely Dan Walker with support from Connor Phillipps, the awards were interspersed between courses and culminated in a very special Lifetime Contribution Award for Brian Kidd, which united both red and blue sides of the room.

The evening also supported The Offside Trust and Football Gives Hope through an auction of stunning photography from Paul Cooper.

Congratulations to all the partners and team at Wolfe, we are proud to have been part of such a special event.

For a full list of winners; northwestfootballawards.com

LAURA WOLFE WITH GREG RUTHERFORD

DIANE & VICENTE MODAHL

Gordon TAYLOR

the everton in the community team collect their award from keeley baptista , colin bridgford

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Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Photography by jane burkinshaw

CREATIVE CONNECTIONS Belle Epoque, Knutsford Sue France, founder of Creative Connecting in Cheshire held her fifth literary lunch alongside best-selling authors, editors, bloggers and presenters. Sponsored by NatWest, Bare Bones Marketing and Team Author, speakers were Denise Chilton, Phillipa Ashley and Jude Lennon.

sue westwood-ruttledge & toni mackenzie

melissa porter, sian-elin flint-freel, sue france, & denise chilton

sue miller, sue france, jude lennon & lamby

MIKE JOYCE AND STEVE WILLDER

gordon burns

DRUMMER & PLUMBER Mike Joyce, drummer with The Smiths and Steve Willder, Sale Gas Services, donated a framed cymbal and drumsticks signed and used

by Mike. It was auctioned at the RMCH Krypton Factor Challenge event and raised £1,150 for The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. This will go towards purchasing a new state of the art Echocardiogram Scanner helping hundreds of patients.

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SHOPPING SPECTACULAR Arley Hall Sponsored by Boodles, The Arley Hall Shopping Spectacular raised more than £32,000 for local charity The Joshua Tree.

Over 1,500 people were welcomed to Arley and on Tuesday evening, the VIP guests were treated to drinks and canapés from Piccolino, stunning musical performances and 70 hand-picked stalls.

Congratulations to Miola for the best dressed stall. (thejoshuatree.org.uk; miola.co.uk)

Corporate E vents Weddings Private Parties Entertainm ent Venue Finding

kate@ katepa rkeven ts.co .u k TEL: 0161 905 2052 MOB: 07718 456 054 w w w.katepa rkeven ts.co .u k

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Life Life at at King’s* King’s*

Saturday Saturday13 13January, January,10am-12pm 10am-12pm

Entrance Entrance Examinations Examinations Friday Friday19 19January January

Infant Infant & & Junior Junior Taster Taster Afternoon* Afternoon* Thursday Thursday15 15February February ••Top Topperforming performingschool schoolatat GCSE GCSE&&AALevel Level– –80% 80% ofofAALevels LevelsatatA*–B A*–B

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extra-curricular extra-curricularactivities activities •*•Booking *Bookingrequired required

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www.kingsmac.co.uk www.kingsmac.co.uk

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

Make

BELIEVE T

he new collection by Velveteen was inspired by founder Laura Egloff’s childhood memories of dressing up for her parents’ dinner parties. Dresses, skirts, jumpsuits and tops in autumnal hues make up the collection, with sequins and bursts of gold thrown in for good measure.

From £28 (alexandalexa.com)

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Kids’ news Party People Still on a high from its sell-out H&M collection last year, Kenzo has partnered with Harrods to produce an exclusive collection for kids.

Inspired by the impending party season, the range features the brand’s signature tiger sweatshirts revamped with metallic accents, providing some much-needed sparkle this Christmas.

From £49.95 (harrods.com)

Wild at Heart We are loving the latest collection of children’s wallpaper from the fabulous people at Wild Hearts Wonder. Inspired by childhood memories of riding beautiful carousel horses at dusk in Paris, this wallpaper is perfect for little girls who like pretty things. And the whimsical print story and riding animals is perfect for inspiring any imagination, young or old.

From £69 per roll (wildheartswonder.com)

Purchase

loves

of the month

Little Shop Fenwicks of Bond Street’s mini edit has arrived for 2017, offering a curated selection of children’s clothing and accessories from the likes of Akid and MGSM. Shop the pop-up between now and Christmas - don’t miss out! (fenwick.co.uk) 108

Charlotte Olympia incywincy spider backpack, £225 (harrods.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

Into The Woods Former 3D artist Claudia Carvalho, who worked on adverts for films Beauty and the Beast and Guardian of the Galaxy, has found a new way to channel her creative side through her childrenswear brand, Piupa. The latest nature-inspired collection features earthy tones and woodland prints, along with a sweet tie-up bonnet that doubles-up as the ultimate Halloween accessory.

From £18 (piupia.com)

MR HENDRIX leashed

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From Cheshire to Chile and all places in between and beyond, I love the explosion of fireworks filling the air to welcome in the New Year. Although, with 24 different time zones, I would be a worn out Pom trying to keep track of all the celebrations.

Much better to sit down with Anji, while Aston sleeps through it all, and watch the celebrations live from London on television as we await the famous chimes of Big Ben heralding the start of 2018. My New Year resolutions have been chewed away, because I believe the best way to start the year is to get outdoors. It doesn’t matter if it is cold or snowy – just wrap up warm and go for it. Anji and Aston love a mug of hot chocolate when we return home, while I am happy with a doggy treat in front of the fire.

“I would be a worn out Pom if I tried to keep track of all the celebrations at New Year”

Hot Wheels Your little ones will be thrilled to roam in style (and safety) on these super scooters. The Hape Street Surfer Scooter has an innovative wooden design with extra-wide wheels and a skateboard deck to help children gain confidence and mobility.

Driving licence not included. £69.99 (amazon.co.uk)

Shine On Steal the light in this shimmery plisse skirt, a highlight of the latest collection by girlswear brand Outside the Lines, available in midnight blue or gold. Mix-and-match with the rest of the collection, which has been designed to be dressed up or down. £35 (outside-the-lines.co.uk)

Children are intrigued by nature, and Aston loves to watch the bees, ants and wiggly worms going about their daily lives, so what better club to join than Little Acorns, a gardening club aimed at young children? Each week, the children take part in a different gardening activity designed to follow the seasons of the gardening year.

Within a safe environment, the children learn how to make tasty winter treats for the birds, make a bug hotel so insects can shelter from the harsh weather, or even build their own wormery. This hands-on approach to ‘creepy crawlies’ can show the sometimes-nervous children these tiny creatures mean them no harm.

Planting flowers and vegetables to be taken home and nurtured proves to the children it is the earth that gives them to us and not the supermarket shelves. Towards the end of the workshop, refreshments are served to both children and adults, before finishing with everyone singing garden-themed nursery rhymes.

Until next time, let your dreams blossom.

Love and licks,

Mr Hendrix x (facebook.com/mrhendrixandfriends; facebook.com/fryerslittleacorns)

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“A friendly, caring environment in which each girl can feel confident and flourish�

2018 ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS For Year 7 entry:

For Years 3-6 entry:

Friday 12th January 2018

Saturday 20th January 2018

Applications should arrive no later than Friday 15th December

Applications are accepted right up to the day of the assessment

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

wgs1153_entrance-2017-a_297x210_v1.indd 1

wgs.org

Means -tested bursaries now available from Year 5 upwards

30/11/2017 16:00

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

The classroom Galloping Gourmet Boutique hotel Oddfellows on the Park, has just launched its children’s menu for their The Galloping Major restaurant. It’s a menu which will definitely appeal to children as it was designed almost entirely

by Olivia Mabon from Lady Barn House School, Cheadle. At just eight years old, Olivia entered and won a competition to design a dish for the new menu. But, the Lady Barn house pupil wowed Head Chef Ian Moss by not only creating many of the dishes which now feature, but also devising the concept of the Little Gallopers menu. The new Little Gallopers menu featuring Olivia’s dishes including calamari and chips and churros and chocolate is now live and available for young diners to enjoy. (oddfellowsonthepark.com)

From Macclesfield to Montrose King’s School in Macclesfield is thrilled that pupil and golfer Remy Miller has played a key role in the under 16s’ win over Scotland on the historic links at Montrose, where golf was reputedly first played in 1562. This was Remy’s first full appearance for the national team, where he won his first singles match followed by his foursomes to give England the lead. The 15-year-old Prestbury and Tytherington golfer has a very impressive handicap of plus 0.2 and was chosen to be part of a six boys and six girls team to play for England. Add to this the fact that Remy has also been named Captain for the North West regional team and this is a young golfer who is on top form. (kingsmac.co.uk)

Wild Thing Children from St. Bridget’s Catholic Primary School in Warrington recently enjoyed a day of learning outdoors at the Cheshire Wildlife Trust Wild Warrington Forest School at Moore Nature Reserve. They were delighted when Wildlife TV presenter Nick Baker arrived to join in with the fun.

Nick - best known for roles in the BBC’s Really Wild Show, Springwatch and Autumnwatch’s Unsprung series - led the children in their mini beast hunting activity. The Trust’s Forest School gives children the opportunity to experience a wild curriculum surrounded by nature, including survival skills through making dens, how to select wood for fires, followed by cookery and toasting marshmallows over an open fire. Science is covered through learning how to identify trees and the role they play in supporting wildlife. Children also enjoy art by creating amazing artworks using natural materials. The Cheshire Wildlife trust also hopes that the school and Nick’s visit shows that children can learn Maths, Science and English whilst benefitting from being outdoors and having a great time too! (cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/membership)

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Enjoy the challenge...

Register now for the Entrance Assessments and Entrance Examination at The Queen’s School in January.

Our nurturing ethos underpins an adventurous approach to learning where pupils feel confident to just ‘have a go’, embracing every opportunity and growing in confidence as a consequence.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

MONDAY 15 JANUARY LOWER SCHOOL Entrance Assessments (Infant and Junior entry) SENIOR SCHOOL Entrance Examination (Senior entry)

T 01244 312078 E admissions@thequeensschool.co.uk www.thequeensschool.co.uk

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

Ask the

Experts We’ve spoken to our local academic experts to offer you the very best advice as we begin the next school year

Getting the most out of school open days Open day season is upon us and Penelope Warde speaks to the experts about making the most of them, really getting to the bottom of what they are offering

S

trategies vary when it comes to independent school open days, from great days out to formal schedules.

Upon trawling the Internet and available material the Good Schools Guide offers the most insightful guide. One over-arching thing to remember, though, is that this is all about finding the place where your child can be the best version of themselves and enjoy it. The school at the top of the rankings may not be for your child, even though they would be able to pass all the interviews and exams.

The point of an open day is to see the school as it functions on a daily basis. As such, talk to as many pupils as you can. Ask them which subjects are best, what they do during breaks and what they would change about the school if they could. And take a look at your fellow parents too: would you be happy for your children to mix with theirs?

Seek out notice boards. What is going on?

Sports matches? Outdoor lessons? School trips?

Are they up to date?

Don’t forget to check out the pupils’ toilets, nothing is more revealing. The Good Schools’ Guide reports finding riding kit, a dog kennel and piano upon their visits. On this point, don’t be afraid to go off-piste - you are not a pupil and nobody is going to tell you off!

And finally treat the open day as an introduction to the school, a first date if you wish.

If you would like to take it further, arrange a personal visit or one-to-one to find out more.

All of this may seem like common sense, but in the rush of the day, the nervous excitement and your long ‘must-check’ list, possibly with glass of wine it’s worth the preparation. You can always go back, though, for your second date to see if this is for you and your child. (goodschoolsguide.co.uk)

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Stress-free entrance exams?

If you have your sights set on an academically selective school for your child, the entrance exam may be the most daunting aspect of the process.

Ian McKenna, director of studies at Withington Girls’ School, the north west’s top performing independent school, discusses taking the stress out of entrance exams

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he prospect of entrance exams may worry pupils and parents: we understand that. We also recognise that our exam may be one of several a child is sitting, and we want their experience to be a positive one.

To that end, at Withington, exams are taken in small groups of 25. On arrival, candidates are shown to their room by our Year 7 pupils, who remember clearly their own experience.

Fun activities are offered during breaks, to give candidates the opportunity to unwind and get to know one another. We recently asked for feedback on the examination from our current Year 7 pupils and many actually enjoyed the day!

While performance in the entrance examinations is important, stress is likely to be a significant factor so try to relieve pressure where possible – candidates are, after all, 10- to 11-year-old children, many of whom will be taking a formal examination for the first time.

Selective schools usually test for ability and potential rather than how well a child has been tutored. Like many schools, we assess English, mathematics and verbal reasoning. We make past English and mathematics papers available, but do not provide answers to questions, as we want children to think for themselves rather than learn responses. Practice resources for

verbal reasoning are available in stationers, bookstores and online. Schools are usually not at liberty to make past verbal reasoning papers available. In all elements of the exam, candidates are encouraged to tackle every question, even when they are unsure, as their approach to questions tells us a great deal about their potential.

Children should be encouraged to read widely; reading will not only give them a good foundation on which to tackle exams and interviews, it will also benefit them throughout their lives.

At many schools, an interview is an important aspect of the assessment process. At Withington, we are not looking for a particular ‘type’ of pupil, and there are no correct answers to most of the interview questions; we hope to see genuine enthusiasm for learning, curiosity and an ability to think independently.

Parents can help children to prepare for interviews simply by actively conversing with them about a range of subjects.

Competition is high at both state and independent selective schools. By the time you have decided to apply to a school, or schools, you have probably invested a great deal in the process. If a school is the right fit for your child, you should have confidence in their assessment process. Any good school will know how to assess candidates and will want to offer places to children who they believe will thrive in the educational environment they provide.

Ian McKenna is director of studies at Withington Girls’ School (wgs.org)

“Reading will not only give them a good foundation on which to tackle exams and interviews, it will also benefit them throughout their lives. ” 114

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

The importance of the outdoor classroom It is essential that young children get frequent opportunities to explore and learn in an outdoor environment and yet, in the modern world, this can sometimes appear to be an optional extra. Caroline Hulme-McKibbin, principal of King’s Infant & Junior Division explains the benefits

T

he Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, which covers children up until the end of the Reception year, became statutory in September 2008, and places strong emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development.

Societal and cultural shifts over the last decade have actually reduced access to the outdoors for many young children. It is vital, therefore, that in choosing an Early Years setting, parents have the opportunity to look for easy access to an Outdoor Classroom. The goal is simple: to increase the quantity and quality of outdoor experiences and their benefits for children.

Importantly, an Outdoor Classroom is not the same as a playground: it is a learning zone that should be as richly and thoughtfully equipped as indoor classrooms. Resources should include opportunities for messy play, areas for growing and caring for plants and other areas for larger, more physical activities such as counting with bricks or blocks, building roads and bridges, or digging and building with sand. There should be a free flow of children between the indoors

and outdoors, so an outdoor setting with a canopy will help ensure access all year round. It is the role of the teachers and staff to enter the child’s play and to introduce the associated vocabulary, learning and aid their understanding of the world.

As well as allowing children plenty of space for physical activity and freedom, the Outdoor Classroom is vital in encouraging independent learners with inquisitive minds and the confidence to explore. Outdoor play supports children’s problem-solving skills and nurtures their creativity, as well as providing rich opportunities for developing imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness.

An obvious benefit is the opportunity to give children contact with the natural world, weather and the seasons. However, learning outside also helps children to understand and respect nature, and start to understand the interdependence of humans, animals, plants and lifecycles.

Parents should also seek out an Early Years setting that can offer children other outdoor experiences, such as exploring woods, meadows, canal paths, rivers and even holding Forest Days. There is a wealth of evidence to show that children of all ages who do this are better able to handle risks, use their own initiative to solve problems and to co-operate with others and have higher self-esteem and confidence.

Caroline Hulme-McKibbin is principal, King’s Infant & Junior Division (kingsmac.co.uk)

“The goal of the Outdoor Classroom is simple: to increase the quantity and quality of outdoor experiences and their benefits for children” 115

A Place for

Business

The way we work and conduct business is changing and The HQ at The Colony is at the forefront of this new and significant shift

T

he way we do business has changed beyond recognition. For many of us, the prospect of sitting at a desk in a city centre office is nowadays alien.

The advent of wireless technology means people can work from anywhere. However, coffee shops and home offices may provide the simple technology to work, they cannot provide a professional business environment to meet clients, grow and develop through networking, or offer a credible base for businesses.

The team at The HQ at The Colony in Wilmslow is passionate about combining all of these elements in a hub to nurture and foster business in a luxurious yet cost-effective way.

Winner of Best Commercial Development in the 2017 Northern Design Awards, The Colony is a stunning, architect-designed, and inspiring place to do business. Located minutes from Manchester airport and under 12 miles from Manchester city centre, it is in a highly

116

sought-after location in the heart of Cheshire’s ‘golden triangle’, and offers a combination of luxurious offices, meeting rooms, event space and The HQ: a unique private business members’ club that is the focal point of this contemporary development.

The HQ is an artful blend of business practicality and stylish indulgence. Boardrooms are fully equipped with smart TVs, ultra-fast Internet and the latest generation in presentation hardware for meetings for from six to 25 people.

Private spaces have seating for quiet chats, negotiations or interviews. The contemporary lounge and bar area offers access to

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Promotion

complimentary tea, coffee and a fully stocked bar to indulge in a glass of wine over lunch or unwind at the end of the business day. The HQ’s on-site caterers prepare a fresh, healthy menu ranging from breakfast and brunch to lunchtime classics and Asian-inspired sushi, sashimi and salads.

The HQ prides itself on offering a discreet and exclusive setting. Members have the ability to meet other members and their contacts, informally and through member-invite only events. In just six months since launch, this has been apparent with businesses coming together and collaborating in this vibrant environment.

The HQ is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8.30pm (9.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays). It offers a range of memberships to suit individual needs. Numbers are limited, to ensure that members always enjoy the space and availability of services that make The HQ pleasurable.

Memberships range from part-time (one-two days per week, to full-time and Business Plus. Part-time memberships start from £199 per month. A new social membership offers access to members who don’t need daytime access, but want to relax at the

end of the day in the luxurious and discreet surroundings of a private members’ club. Social membership is currently being offered at an introductory rate of £99 for a full year. (thecolonygroup.co.uk)

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homes and

interiors showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY IN CHESHIRE AND BEYOND

Crème de

la CRÈME This month’s round-up of the world’s most luxurious properties includes a decadent Chicago home you might just recognise

Kitchen KitchenArchitecture’s Architecture’sstunning stunningnew newshowroom showroom isisnow nowopen. open.

The TheFarmhouse Farmhouse The TheColony Colony Altrincham AltrinchamRoad Road Wilmslow WilmslowSK9 SK94LY 4LY Tel: Tel:01625 01625544 544890 890

kitchenarchitecture.co.uk kitchenarchitecture.co.uk

kitchenarchitecture kitchenarchitecture

Eclectic Electric in store December

NEW – e-touch Control System • • • • •

Touch Screen operation Bluetooth Connectivity Smart phone app capability Rechargeable power source Wall mounted or portable options

Functions • • • •

Built-in room temperature thermostat Programmable 7 day timer Visual heat output display Touch slide dimmer function

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

Autumn Hues New for AW17, Multiyork’s Ambleside sofa is adorned with Shalimar, a new Sanderson fabric inspired by the Indonesian batik technique.

The floral print comes in an autumnal palette of deep red, orange and grey. £2,469multiyork.co.uk)

Baby it’s Cold Outside Christmas decorations don’t have to be over the top. Farrow & Ball has some helpful inspirations for incurable minimalists. The warm Wimborne White paint provides a blank canvas to make your tree – and select embellishments – truly stand out. Metallics will look radiant or snow-covered rather than gaudy... and the best part?

The room will look fresher than ever when you take everything down in January.

From £43.50 (farrow-ball.com)

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Home & GARDEN news

Design Bible

Italian Retro Cheshire-based Moonbeam Lighting has just unveiled the fabulous new Ferroluce Italian lighting offering, and we have to say we love them.

Artisan hand-crafted in Italy by specialist ceramic lighting producer, Ferroluce, the show-stopping lights are available in a variety of vibrant colours, and each has its own unique personality, thanks to hand-vintage distressing applied before going into the kiln. What’s more, they come as portable table lamps and pendants with vintage ironwork attachments.

From £286 (moonbeamlighting.co.uk)

Monochrome Dreams Frette has partnered with renowned designer Paola Navone to deliver B&W Signs, a new capsule collection that includes this decorative cushion embroidered with the wording ‘buonanotte’, which means good night in Italian. Sweet dreams.

From £150 (frette.com)

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This year marks the 21st anniversary of Andrew Martin’s Interior Design Review, an expert’s guide to the world’s top 100 designers, many of whom will be in the running for the brand’s prestigious International Interior Designer of the Year Award (an accolade which notably helped launch the careers of Kelly Hoppen and Kit Kemp). Grab the latest copy and prepare to be inspired. £45 (andrewmartin.co.uk)

A Novel Idea If your bookshelves are beginning to overflow, look to Graham & Green for storage units with a difference. The new Hana bookcase merges modern and Art Deco design with gold iron framework and marble shelves – a timeless piece in which to store your favourite classics. £995 (grahamandgreen.co.uk)

Homes and Interiors

TWEET of the MONTH Foremost Interiors @ForemostInt If black matte walls feel too dark for you, you may want to consider the grey kitchen trend

#interiortip BSCPL @bollineni_bscpl Decorating your home interiors with maps is trending these days.

Use them as art or frame. #InteriorTip

# H o m e W e b w at c h : F o r s tat e m e n t f r id g e s , w e l o v e . . .

smeguk.com gorenje.co.uk myliebherr.co.uk

Words of wisdom

“Winter is a time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for a talk beside the fire; it is the time for home ” – Dame Edith Sitwell, British poet and critic

Bold as Brass Alessi has a wonderful way of making the everyday incredibly playful, and its recent collections do not disappoint. Extra Ordinary Metal is a 16-piece range of trays and vessels that revive the ancient goldsmith’s technique of Etruscan granulation, where tiny metal spheres are used as decoration. The Golden Pink collection is a rose gold-tinted offshoot of the delightful pocketsized inventions, Objets-Bijoux. It’s even fun trying to work out what each trinket is used for.

From £15 (alessi.com)

Fashion Is Architecture Narmina is Francis Sultana’s fourth full collection since 2011 and as usual, every product could be a hero piece. Sultana has married elements of the lavish lifestyles of Indian maharajas with techniques used by Coco Chanel.

The results of this can be best observed in the jewel-like hues and tweed references of the Narmina (pictured top) and Victoire (pictured below) daybeds.

From £900 (francissultana.com)

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Home & GARDEN news

Is this a golden period for north west house prices?

It depends on the value of your property

loves

W OR D S : C r i s p i n H a r r i s MR I CS

O

NS figures show the north west region experienced the largest house price increase at the end of last year.

Good news? Well, it depends on the value of your home.

The figures fail to account for the two-tier property market in our region and the fact that the lower end of the market has definitely bolstered the region’s figures. With an average house price here of around £100,000 – lower than many areas of the UK – it’s easy to see why this section of the market is performing so well and has such an impact on house price increase figures. Stimulus at the bottom end of the market, however, does not necessarily mean the same will happen at the top.

The northwest has outperformed London Properties priced over £1,000,000 are at a disadvantage because of Government stamp duty reforms. If your property is worth more than £1,000,000, the need to price realistically remains, no matter what the news on house prices.

It would be easy to be swayed by the increase, but before you ask your agent to increase the price, or dismiss an agent who’s quoting a realistic asking price, remember that the divider is stamp duty.

For the lower and middle sections of the market, this news could be the beginning of a golden period in the north west’s property market. Perhaps the higher end of the market will eventually benefit too, especially if Nicky Morgan, MP and chair of the Commons’ Treasury Select Committee, has her way. She recently backed reform of stamp duty to help downsizers in particular and to aid movement in the wider property market.

This is the first time I can remember where the north west has outperformed London and the south east and, whilst it’s amazing news, it must come with a caution. Watch this space.

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Self Service Upgrade your kitchen with the new integrated unit range

by Steel, which offers storage, sinks and preparation tops that can be arranged to suit your own tastes. Each unit is designed to visually complement the other, whichever way you choose to place them.

POA (bradshawluxury.co.uk)

Howe’s Things Antiques expert Christopher Howe has partnered with The New Craftsmen to curate wintery curiosities including a decorative lichen nest and a moped mechanic’s chest.

Until 23 December (thenewcraftsmen.com)

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

Aspirational Retirement Living Wouldn’t it be nice to live free of the stresses of modern living?

To be surrounded by like-minded neighbours who want to get the most out of life? To be part of a safe community filled with social opportunities and beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces to enjoy?

Richmond Nantwich Retirement Village is a fabulous purpose-built retirement community that has the kind of luxury facilities that most people can only dream of.

• • • • • • •

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

For more information, please contact:

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

@richmondnantwich

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

Cheshire Magazine_FP-11_Dec_2017.indd 1

24/11/2017 14:59

life in design

What’s important to you when it comes to creating new designs?

Design for me is about creating luxury pieces that people can incorporate into their own homes. Not everyone will buy a whole room-set, so it’s about loving one piece.

What was key when designing the Sonder Living Collection?

I’ve designed each piece of furniture in the collection with a beautiful back, because furniture should be seen from every angle. You know when you get dressed, you look in the mirror to make sure your bum looks alright? It should be the same with furniture. A desk might be up against a wall, but then again it might not, so you’ve got to make sure that everything works in terms of perspective.

Kelly

HOPPEN Lauren Stevens talks to award-winning interior designer Kelly Hoppen about home entertainment and her debut home furniture collection for Sonder Living, which is now available to shop at Harrods, following a successful launch in the US

What inspired you when you created this collection?

The designs are also based on my love of vintage pieces and the creativity of mixing textures, whether it’s woods, metals, brass, nickel, lacquer, mohair,

“I think people prefer to go to people’s houses for 128

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velvets or suede. The collection is called Retrospective, and within it I’ve created pieces that I know have worked for people during my 40 years in the industry. It’s the first collection that we’ve done, and there are about 100 pieces.

What do you love to do when you are not working?

We love to entertain at home; we have a beautiful home. I think people prefer to go to people’s houses for dinner, it’s nicer. We have a table that seats 30, so we have these big dinners every month. The food will be gluten free and dairy free, but I’m not a vegetarian so we have fish and vegetables – and a lot of alcohol.

So, it was important to include dining tables in the collection?

Yes, For me, a dining table needs to be big enough but not too big so that you can talk to people across you. It’s all about textures; the surface is the important part because that’s the first thing you’ll see.

What was the first book you ever wrote?

It was called Table Chic, it was all about creating themes around a table. I will always have flowers or plants of some sort on a table at a dinner party, and lovely linen napkins. Glasses should also be at different heights. I always burn a candle, and people will always comment on how beautiful they look and also how lovely they smell.

Prices from £115 available at Harrods (sonderliving.com)

dinner, it’s nicer. We have big dinners every month.”

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THE EDIT

DESIGNS ON STYLE We’ve used a palette of black, gold, grey and neutrals to create a stylish look, taking inspiration from the queen of interior design herself, Kelly Hoppen

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Mapa Bowl in Platinum, £950 (natuzzi.co.uk)

White Orchid Plant, £115 (shabbystore.co.uk)

Scandi Black Ash Desk, £199 (danetti.com)

Triple Wick Scented Candle in Hammered Metal, Gold £11 (iansnow.com)

Arthouse Santoni Black Cushion, £12 (arthouse.com)

Eichholtz Raffles Sofa, £2,495 (sweetpeaandwillow.com)

Gloss White Top Coffee Table, £336 (alexanderandpearl.co.uk)

Cult Living Moroccan Style Berber Diamond Rug, 100 per cent wool, cream, £180 (cultfurniture.com)

Agarone White Gold Oval Vase £75 (hegrondecarle.co.uk)

Coming soon, an exquisite piece of history

Lovingly restored, Backford Hall takes pride of place at the heart of Backford Park, offering a mix of stunning 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, perfect for those looking for an extraordinary home in beautiful surroundings.

Imaginatively combining original features with a superior specification, these extraordinary homes have been restored with character and contemporary design in equal measure.

Register your interest for an exclusive invitation to the opening of the new Show Apartment.

For more information or to register your interest: Backford Hall at Backford Park, Chester CH2 4DG

01244 852534

jones-homes.co.uk

*Please ask our Sales Advisor for full terms and conditions. Details correct at time of distribution. Images for illustrative purposes only.

THINKING OF LETTING YO U R P R O P E R T Y ?

C H O O S E JAC K S O N - STO P S .

Jackson-Stops offers professional management of your property. We can help, whether you are a landlord with a single property or a larger portfolio.

Our expert team, headed by William Jordan, understands the market conditions, the people who are looking to rent and what they expect from their rental property. As a result, we can help you to achieve the maximum in rent and minimise void periods.

Services include:

M ACC L E S F I E L D

Proactive approach to finding ideal tenants • UK-wide database of active tenants • 44 UK offices • National, regional and local marketing of properties • Longstanding and trusted relationships with relocation agents

Unfurnished, let £850 pcm 1st viewing

Full property management, including: • Management of your property during and after a tenant • Tenancy renewal management • Management of ground rent, service charges, utility companies and safety reports • Access to skilled, reliable and insured tradespeople • Bespoke accounting service, giving you real time information on your property • Out of hours emergency team Professional, tailored and trusted advice • Guidance on how to enhance your property for market • Flexibility to meet your specific requirements • Assistance and guidance to ensure that your property complies with current legislation • Client Money Protection • Propertymark (Lettings) Members • Ombudsman Service Property Members

B OW D O N 3 bed 1st floor flat, part furnished, let £1,250 pcm 1st viewing

Testimonials “William has looked after every aspect of the rental of my property and due to his in-depth knowledge and experience in the rental market, has made the entire process very comprehensive and hassle free for me.”

“Very professional and efficient. My home was let in a very short time and everything has gone smoothly. William always keeps you informed with any development as soon as it comes to his attention and offers professional advice when needed. I certainly would recommend the service Jackson-Stops Letting to any landlord.”

WO O D L E Y N R M A R P L E 5 bed detached, unfurnished, available £1,500 pcm

T H I N K I N G O F L E T T I N G YO U R P R O P E R T Y ?

For an up-to-date lettings appraisal or to discuss our services contact William Jordan on 01625 540 340 or 0161 928 8881 or email wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk/hale@jackson-stops.co.uk.

W I L M S LOW

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

RIGHT HAND PAGE ARTWORK TO BE COMPLETED BY CHESHIRE MAGAZINE IN HOUSE

V I L L AG E

CODE: INST00

Placeholder: 7/8 Double Bedrooms; 7 Bath/Shower Room; (6 En-suite); Basement providing office accommodation, games room and storage; Boiler Room. Vestibule and Porch; Reception Hall; Sitting Room; Drawing Room; Library; Dining Room; Study; Kitchen/Breakfast Room; Office/Utility; Cloakroom with W.C.

MONTHLY RENT OF £1,975,000

V I L L AG E

FEES APPLY

CODE: INST00

V I L L AG E

CODE: INST00

CODE00 Placeholder: A fabulous 4 bedroom detached stone property and separate 2 bedroom cottage with far reaching views.

CODE00 Placeholder: A fabulous 4 bedroom detached stone property and separate 2 bedroom cottage with far reaching views.

MONTHLY RENT OF £TBC

MONTHLY RENT OF £TBC

FEES APPLY

FEES APPLY

Hulme Walfield

W i l m s low

An exquisite Grade II Listed Georgian 6 bedroom country house, with substantial ancillary accommodation, nestled in about 21.7 acres.

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

• 5 reception rooms • Kitchen/breakfast room • 6 bedrooms (2 en suite) • 2 bathrooms • Garaging • 3 bedroom barn conversion • 2 bedroom garçonnière • Land to about 21.7 acres • Further acreage is available by separate negotiation V I L L AG E

CODE: INST00

CODE00 Placeholder: A fabulous 4 bedroom detached stone property and separate 2 bedroom cottage with far reaching views.

01625 540 340

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

V I L L AG E

CODE: INST00

Guide Price £4,250,000

CODE00 Placeholder: A fabulous 4 bedroom detached stone property and separate 2 bedroom cottage with far reaching views.

MONTHLY EPC eXEMPT RENT OF £TBC

MONTHLY RENT OF £TBC

FEES APPLY

FEES APPLY

Alderley Edge A magnificent modern family house with a superb leisure suite, nestled in a quiet elevated position, within walking distance of Alderley Edge.

• 4 reception rooms • Study • Bar • Kitchen/breakfast room • 7 bedrooms (2 en suite) • 2 bathrooms • Leisure suite with pool & steam room • Garaging with games room above • Gardens • About 0.7 of an acre

Guide Price £3,100,000 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

Prestbury A luxurious family house with a fabulous leisure suite and breathtaking rural views.

• 3 reception rooms • Study • Orangery • Breakfast kitchen • Indoor pool with sitting room and relaxation room • Solarium, gymnasium and steam room • Games room • Cinema • 5 bedrooms (3 en suite) • Bathroom • Garaging with accommodation above • Gardens • Approximately 2.5 acres

Guide Price £4,595,000 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

Mobberley

EPC Rating F

An attractive house with separate cottage offering excellent equestrian or redevelopment potential.

• 3 reception rooms • Breakfast kitchen • 4 bedrooms (1 en suite) • Bathroom • Garaging • Workshop • 1 bed detached cottage • Stable block • Manege area • In all approximately 4.44 acres • A further 16.34 acres is available by separate negotiation

Guide Price: £1,200,000

Nether Alderley

Wilmslow

Planning permission to create a 2,960 sq ft family house, sitting in a mature plot, with beautiful views.

Proposed: • 3 reception rooms • Kitchen/breakfast room • 5 bedrooms (all en suite) • Garaging • Approximately 0.26 of an acre

An extensively remodelled, detached family house in a cul-de-sac location, with delightful views over the second green and fairway of Alderley Edge Golf Club.

• 3 reception rooms • Breakfast kitchen • 5 bedrooms (3 en suite) • Bathroom • Gardens • Parking

Guide Price: £750,000

W i l m s low

01625 540 340

EPC eXEMPT

Guide Price: £750,000

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

EPC RATING C

Nether Alderley

EPC Rating C

A substantial family house with stunning gardens and beautiful views, within Nether Alderley.

• 3 reception rooms • Study • Gym • Kitchen/breakfast room • 5 bedrooms (3 en suite) • Bathroom • Garage • Gardens

Guide Price: £1,450,000

Alderley Edge

Astbury

A substantial proportion of a Grade II Listed Alderley villa, enjoying stunning views, on a prestigious private road.

• 2 reception rooms • Kitchen/breakfast room • 3 bedrooms • 2 bath/shower rooms • Garage • Parking • Communal gardens to about 1.9 acres

A fabulous period stone farm house with exceptional views of the Cheshire Plain.

• 4 reception rooms • Kitchen/breakfast room • 5 bedrooms (3 en suite) • 2 bath/shower rooms • First floor sitting room • Gardens • Further land available separately

Guide Price: £850,000

W i l m s low

01625 540 340

EPC eXEMPT

Guide Price: £925,000

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

EPC RATING D

Bowdon

EPC RATING C

An elegant detached residence of outstanding proportions in the heart of old Bowdon, complete with an extensive leisure complex.

• 2 reception rooms • Study • Living dining kitchen • Garden room • Pool, steam room and spa area • Gym • Cinema room • 6 bedrooms (3 en suite) • Shower room • Games room • Garaging • Gardens

Guide Price: £3,350,000

Altrincham

Hale

An enchanting barn conversion in a quiet courtyard location just minutes walk from Altrincham.

• 4 reception rooms • Study • Breakfast kitchen • 4 bedrooms (2 en suite) • Shower room • Garaging • Gardens

A simply stunning fully extended Victorian terraced house in the centre of Hale Village.

• Living dining kitchen • Sitting room • Playroom • 4 bedrooms (2 en suite) • Bathroom • Parking • Gardens

Guide Price: £1,250,000

Guide Price: £775,000

Hale

0161 928 8881

EPC RATING D

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

G/MEDIUM 7PT

EPC RATING C

Hale

EPC RATING B

A sensational detached family house that has in recent years been transformed creating a fabulous home in one of Hale’s most exclusive locations.

• Drawing room • Study • Living/dining kitchen • Entertainment area with bar and cinema room • 5 bedrooms (3 en suite) • Bathroom • Garaging • Gardens

Guide Price: £2,175,000

Houghton Green

Bowdon

A stunning Grade II Listed country house set in exceptional gardens of approximately 3 acres.

• 3 reception rooms • Study • Breakfast kitchen • 5 bedrooms (1 en suite) • Bathroom • Garaging • Gardens • Approximately 3 acres

A stunning family house of superb proportions in a fine location.

• 3 reception rooms • Study • Kitchen • Morning room • 5 bedrooms (3 en suite) • Bathroom • Cinema room • Leisure complex • Garaging • Just over half an acre

Guide Price: £1,500,000

EPC eXEMPT

Guide Price: £2,695,000

EPC RATING D

PROPERTY EXPERTS SINCE 1910

OPINION

ASK THE EXPERT Our team of local experts offer their advice on some of the very latest property queries

Selling Words by Tim Rickitt When considering putting your property on the market, it is important to select an agent who will market your property to best effect. I would always advise vendors to speak to several agencies before making a decision. It is essential to feel confident that the agency you choose will be proactive and committed to selling your property for the very best possible price. Make sure you ask plenty of questions about how your property will be marketed.

One of the first things to think about is the photography. A poor photograph can leave even the most beautiful home looking uninspiring. Equally as important is a high quality property

brochure put together with showstopping photography, detailed descriptions and accurate floor plans.

Most estate agents will market properties through one of the main property portals but it is important to find out how else they would promote your home to make it stand out from the crowd. Do they have an office in a prominent, high-footfall location? Will they promote your home through the local press and regional magazines?

How active is their own digital marketing? Will their marketing be bespoke to your property and your specific needs?

If you have narrowed your shortlist to one or two agents but you are struggling to make the final decision between them, why not conduct a mystery shop? This is a great way to find out how potential buyers for your property will be treated!

There is a great deal to consider when deciding which estate agency to instruct. In my experience, when vendors take the time to identify an agent who can offer proactive marketing combined with professionalism and exemplary services levels, they are more likely to achieve a successful sale.

Tim Rickitt MNAEA MNAVA is managing director of Rickitt Partnership (rickittpartnership.co.uk)

“Marketing bespoke to your property�

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Bespoke Build Words by Max Henderson Buying a new build home doesn’t mean compromising on the features you love in older properties. Choose the right home and homebuilder and you can ‘have it all’.

In some Cheshire circles there is a snobbish attitude to new build homes.

I can understand why some might feel this way but I suspect it’s been a long time since anyone with this opinion set foot in a new build home.

Things have changed. Hugely. You don’t have to compromise on character, charm and individuality if you buy a new build. Whilst, back-inthe-day, developers had free reign to build whatever they wanted (and not all of it was good), today’s homebuilders must leap through local authority planning hoops before sticking a spade in the ground. Policy exists that sets a standard for every aspect of a new building, covering everything from rooflines and density to the exact materials in which it’s built.

Pick the right developer and they’ll craft a property that’s inspired by its

setting, local architecture, light and the street scene. A new build doesn’t have to be a pastiche of a period style to offer the finest features from that era. Look for original architecture with period influences.

Buy at the right stage of build and you could even personalise it, with many builders happy to make changes to the specification, or even design, to deliver your dream home.

Of course the main advantage of buying new is that the home has been built to more stringent standards than older properties, meaning it’s energy efficient, requires less maintenance and comes with a 10-year structural guarantee and a two-year commitment from the housebuilder to deal with any defects promptly.

If you haven’t considered a new build for your next move, don’t write it off; I urge you to take a look at what the best of today’s homebuilders are producing.

Max Henderson is managing director of Henderson Homes (hendersonhomes.co.uk)

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opinion

Retirement Homes Words by Nicola Jackson Ageing for many people is a time for change and adjustment, including planning for future housing requirements; any choice needs to reflect your lifestyle, health and financial criteria. It’s important to assess both your present requirements and your future needs.

Moving in with the family might sound like the ideal solution; however, this needs to be discussed realistically - the last thing you would want is to become a burden.

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Sheltered housing (also known as retirement housing) could be an option. In the form of flats or bungalows, key considerations are the duty hours of the warden (as some are only part-time) and the cost of service charges. It should be noted that very few offer medical or personal care.

Then there is assisted living designed to promote independence in a specialist complex; some have carers onsite 24 hours a day and offer a package including a daily maid service and full meal service. Others, however, may offer cleaning once a week and only a lunchtime meal with no care or support team onsite at any time of the day. It is important that you check very carefully as to what is offered between the various assisted living providers.

Retirement apartments may seem a good solution for downsizing; however, you will need to check that there are enough facilities for you and the hours when the warden is on site.

Quite often the emergency call system is linked to a call centre, meaning there is nobody onsite to assist you.

Retirement villages like Richmond Village, Nantwich, however, provide a wide range of facilities and options where everything from independent and assisted living to 24-hour care can be provided. Some only provide independent living with carers on site, meaning you may have to move again, should you need more support in the future.

The most important thing is finding the place where you can enjoy life and get the care you need, should the time come.

Nicola Jackson is senior village adviser at Richmond Village Nantwich (richmond-villages.com)

Homes and Interiors

First Impressions Words by Tom Bannister If you ask me, first impressions are very important. When a person visits my home, I hope they notice the hanging baskets that I have carefully placed outside my front door or the Wisteria that I’m currently nurturing up the front of my house. These are the first things that I want my visitors to be welcomed by. As a garden designer, my job is to create spaces which perfectly combine both function and form. This symbiotic relationship creates a balance between the way we use and the overall aesthetic of our property. This considered approach will add value and the famous ‘Wow!’ factor to your property.

A garden can be a window into your tastes, a reflection of the property style and most importantly, a natural extension to the home itself. Garden design should not be treated in isolation: the most successful examples consider how clients use the interior and exterior space equally throughout the year.

So, how do you go about achieving a lasting impression? Our properties need to feel comfortable in their surroundings and there are many ways to do this. One way could be installing mature trees or hedging. A beautiful new hedge instantly creates a sense of security and privacy surrounding, while improving the curb side appeal.

Planting en-masse is one key element to provide the ‘Wow!’ factor while keeping the beds low maintenance.

Planting one variety of grass in giant swathes can offer maximum impact, minimal maintenance gardening yet provide a year around show. When planting large swathes of one plant, it offers a backdrop for the so-called ‘prettier’ perennial plants to do their thing. Once settled into the right spot, the perennials will give you a show, year after year.

And ultimately, investing in a garden benefits us in many ways. As well as providing a sense of security and privacy, a beautiful garden improves our wellbeing. Get the combination of elements right for your personal space, and ultimately, you will gain unlimited enjoyment and added value to your property.

Tom Bannister, is design and construction manager with Landstruction (landstruction.com; bighedgeco.com; 01244 880 422)

“Spaces which perfectly combine form and function” 143

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opinion

Retirement Income Words by Simon Walker & David Rothburn Before ‘pensions freedom’, when we were given the freedom to manage our own pensions, our pension assets were protected by an advice framework that had two in-built lines of defence: the first was designed to protect retirees from themselves; and the second, to protect advisers from the risk that their advice could lead to clients either having to reduce their spending significantly in later retirement, or worse, actually running out of money.

This was effectively what we can call a ‘safety-first’ retirement advice philosophy. Metaphorically, it was like 10-pin bowling with the bumpers up: it was virtually impossible for any retiree (or their adviser) to get their retirement ball down the gutter and so run out of money.

The introduction of pensions freedom, however, presents clients with the option to reject the safety

first approach of defined benefit, and instead go for the flexi-access drawdown approach. But with the freedom to access the pension pot comes a responsibility to look after it, so that it can continue to provide an income throughout the period of retirement (however long). The multi-faceted challenge is as follows: to work out a way to generate a sustainable cash flow for an unknown life span through changing economic and market conditions, with enough flexibility to allow lump-sum withdrawals, while minimising the

“Grow your portfolio in the most tax efficient way 144

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chances of running out of money.

Typically, financial planners will recommend a fund, based on likely retirement scenarios calculated using a cashflow planning tool. Such tools are basic, only capable of providing assumptions based on average (ie. theoretical) annualised returns; their flaw is that they assume the road to retirement is a straight one, thus ignoring the volatility that comes with the randomness of real-life events.

To calculate a safe withdrawal rate, a different tool is required. A fully bespoke portfolio allows a flexible approach to drawdown, taking income from those parts of the portfolio that are performing better, and so protecting the portfolio’s capital and making the investment strategy sustainable over the long term. Investing in a multi-asset portfolio (therefore including equities, fixed income and alternatives), you will never be a forced seller of assets to provide an income, as the income can be generated from a diversified combination of natural income (dividends, fixed income payments), capital growth and a rebalancing of the portfolio.

By combining this approach with a careful use of tax wrappers and tax exemptions, the strategy offers plenty of flexibility in the response to economic conditions and tax changes, and so can more efficiently achieve set investment targets. The tax wrappers and allowances available include general investment accounts (GIA), capital gains tax allowance (CGT), dividend tax allowance (DTA), individual savings accounts (ISA), self-invested

personal pensions (SIPP), small self-administered schemes (SSAS) and offshore bonds.

In the task of co-ordinating the use of these tools, a discretionary fund manager such as Quilter Cheviot Investment Management can add real value, by working with you and your financial adviser to grow your portfolio in the most tax efficient manner and then, more importantly, withdrawing it in a tax efficient manner.

Simon Walker is head of Liverpool Office and David Rothburn is head of the Manchester Office of Quilter Cheviot Investment Management (simon.walker@ quiltercheviot.com; 0151 243 2161 and david.rothburn@quiltercheviot.com ; 0161 837 3310)

and withdraw it in a tax efficient manner also�

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case study

Heart of Glass We love the clean, modern look of frameless, glass additions to stunning residential and commercial buildings, so we asked the local experts from Clear Living to explain how it’s done

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n 2015 Clear Living was instructed to install a large all-glass box to include frameless glass doors to the rear of a magnificent Victorian detached property dating back to the 1890s, situated on Higher Lane in Lymm, Cheshire.

The team worked in conjunction with the client and their architect, Wendy Williams Architects, to design, supply and install a doublestorey glazed structure to the rear of the property which was approximately five metres tall. The clients were extending the rear of

the property to incorporate a garage and extended living space, and the glass box was to be positioned in between the old and the new part of the house in order to marry the two.

The glass box now houses a beautiful downstairs reception lounge, and upstairs it forms a galleried landing within the master

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“We absolutely love the glass extension. It has provided us with so much light and really brings the outside inside for us�

bedroom suite, with a seating area overlooking the garden.

This uninterrupted aspect was achieved using unique mechanical fixings with minimal or no external framing, maintaining maximum insulative properties, structural support and a stunning result.

Clear Living is based in Wincham, Cheshire and works throughout the UK and into Europe and the Channel Islands. Cheshire is one of their largest markets and you can view further projects from the region online.

(01606 45109; clear-living.co.uk)

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All I want for

Discover our new Show Home this Christmas all wrapped up with a superior specification as standard

The door to our newly refurbished Show Home is now open.

The Kingsbury II demonstrates the attention to detail that goes into every Jones home in The Signature Collection at Bollin Park.

Bollin Park, Adlington Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 2BJ 01625 529810 jones-homes.co.uk

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

Cippyn macclesfield road, alderley edge

Cippyn was built by the current owners in 2002, constructed of mellow red brick elevations with stone detailing, surmounted by a tiled roof. The house was built with a no-expense-spared mantra which is evident throughout, with such details

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as stone flooring, bespoke kitchen and bathrooms, an abundance of oak, and living flame gas fires to the main reception rooms. The house has been cleverly designed to offer flexible accommodation ideal for modern family living, with a huge drawing room to the first floor, seven bedrooms, four reception rooms and study. Each room has been beautifully decorated, with an integral leisure suite that is second to none.

However, it is Cippyn’s location that really sets it apart, being elevated, having south-facing rear gardens which screen the house from view, being a short walk from central Alderley Edge yet not located on a main road - a truly rare location. A private tarmacadam entrance drive passes the houses fronting Macclesfield Road and leads to an impressive electric gate with CCTV, which opens out into a parking, and, turning area to the front of the house, with a drive leading down to further parking to the front of the

four-car garage and accompanying games room above. The house is situated in 0.7 of a acre and has a raised position, looking down over its extensive gardens, which consist of manicured areas of lawns encompassed by mature specimen trees and shrubs.

On the market at guide price of ÂŁ3,100,000 with Jackson-Stops, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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HOT PROPERTY

Sandleheath Farm Bollington Lane, Nether Alderley

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his is a great opportunity to create a seven bedroom country home with leisure suite and lakeside setting. Propsals for the 5 acre plot include an ambassadorial master suite with roof terrace, his and hers dressing rooms and shower room, a substantial kitchen and breakfast room with pantry and wine room, and a detatched three car car port.

Nestled at the end of a no-through lane this site provides the perfect opportunity for someone wishing to

create their very own lakeside haven in the Cheshire countryside.

On the market at guide price of ÂŁ2,950,000 with Jackson-Stops, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

BEST FEATURE: entertaining space There will be six elegant reception rooms ranging from the formal drawing room to the cinema and snug.

Perfect for entertaining.

best of the rest Churchill House St James Hill, Prestbury

BEST FEATURE: light & space The large 12 pane windows, combined with the superb ceiling height, give the house a real feeling of light and space.

T

he front door on the lower ground floor opens to the entrance hall, with the study to the left and bedroom five to the right.

Stairs rise up to the ground-floor hall which leads to the drawing and dining rooms, while the ambassadorial-sized kitchen/breakfast room is open plan to the living room. The first floor has four double bedrooms, two of which

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are en-suite, and the family bathroom serves the remaining bedroom.

On the market at guide price of ÂŁ1,650,000 with Jackson-Stops, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

CHESTER

LONDON

50a Bridge Street Chester, CH1 1NQ

40 St. James’s Place London, SW1A 1NS

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

• Detached self-contained timber lodge • Detached pool house

• Sits within approximately 0.8 acres • EPC C

Kelsall, Cheshire

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

Within The City Walls

Guide Price: £1,250,000

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

Guide Price: £765,000

info@rickittpartnership.co.uk

|

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

Mollington, Cheshire

01244 322 322

|

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

Guide Price: £680,000

www.rickittpartnership.co.uk

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

USA 45 Lakeview Lane, Chicago Audiences around the globe tune in regularly to keep up with the gripping drama Empire, featuring music mogul Lucious Lyon, his family and staff. An enduring backdrop to the plot line is the main character’s elegant residence, a home befitting a fictional record company executive.

Set on eight acres, the grounds of 45 Lakeview Lane – located in the prestigious Barrington Hills neighbourhood of Illinois – are meticulously maintained with two lakes and a pool area that redefines elegance and serenity. Surrounded on three sides by water, the estate is an oasis of privacy within close proximity of Chicago. Features like the floor-to-ceiling windows, barrelled and coffered ceilings, custom-detailed mill work, glass-sided turret and stunning porte cohere are all part of this lavish home’s oldworld charm.

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The interiors are breathtaking, with two-storey walls of windows, expansive walls for the display of large-scale art and architectural details to engage the most discerning buyer. Amenities abound, with a wine cellar, theatre, gym, poker room and expansive catering kitchen. There is also a garage with space for four cars, a home office, swimming pool and outdoor terrace space.

On the market for USD9.9 million (£7,536,166) with Conlon & Company, the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate (+ 1 312 558 1082; conlonandco.com)

Homes and Interiors

italy

Porto Cervo House This semi-detached house boasts out-ofthis-world views of the centre of Porto Cervo and Porto Vecchio. It features a large furnished terrace which overlooks the beautiful scenery that can also be seen from the dining room’s grand window.

The property is spread across two levels and features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large living area and a kitchenette. Situated in a very prestigious location, the home is just a few metres away from the Piazza del Principe, the Piazzetta of Porto Cervo and Porto Vecchio. There is also a tennis club and a variety of top bars and restaurants nearby, along with boutiques and exclusive shops.

Available at a guide price of €1,450,000 (£1,276,331) through Italy Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 06752 98888; italy-sothebysrealty.com)

ibiza

Mountain Top Villa This stunning mountain-top villa in Ibiza offers panoramic views across the ocean, overlooking St Eulalia Bay and beyond to Formentera. The property is surrounded by beautiful subtropical gardens, offering a peaceful mountainside haven on the tropical ‘white island’. Completely remodelled by famous Italian interior designer Michele Bonan, the interior is finished to an extremely high specification.

The property has plenty of living space with five bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, as well as a separate guest house. The location offers utter privacy and sits in a plot of 57,685 sq m of lush gardens. The outdoor space is equally impressive, including a terrace and pool.

Available at a guide price of €9,600,000 (£8,450,933) through Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty (+34 971 310 799; ibiza-sothebysrealty.com)

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OVERSEAS PROPERTY usa

900 Park Avenue, New York Fernando Botero, South America’s best-known artist, has just put his long-time home and art studio on Manhattan’s Upper East Side on the market. Botero’s signature style depicts figures in exaggerated volume, which can represent political criticism or humour. This spectacular three-bedroom apartment boasts dramatic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline from every room. It features an entry gallery which opens onto a living room and dining area.

Situated just off the entry gallery is the studio space where Botero created many of his works. There is also a 24-hour doorman, concierge, gym, laundry room and garage.

Available at a guide price of $6,000,000 (£4,567,817) through Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage (212 606 7660; sothebyshomes.com)

wiltshire, uk

Endless Street, Salisbury

thailand

Dove Luxury Villas, Bophut Hills, Koh Samui Dove Luxury Villas in Koh Samui, Thailand provides 11 exclusive three-to-five bedroom luxury villas for sale, nestled in the lush exclusive enclave of Bophut Hills. All of the properties enjoy stunning sea views of the Gulf of Thailand and neighbouring Koh Phangan, and benefit from bespoke maintenance and concierge service.

Property features include a mezzanine library/office, LED lighting, surround sound and a crystal clear infinity pool from which to enjoy the views. Koh Samui is one of the original Thai islands, and is considered one of the world’s best luxury beach destinations. A wide selection of amenities, including international school, restaurants and bars, can be found close by.

Three, four and five-bedroom properties are available from £361,545 through Prime New Developments (07854 410766; primenewdevelopments.com)

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Boutique developer Ash Mill Developments has just launched this unique collection of luxury homes in the heart of historic Salisbury. Situated on Endless Street in the city centre, the unveiling incorporates two meticulously restored Grade II-listed Regency houses and a contemporary mews collection of four townhouses. The two restored, historic homes are terrific examples of Regency architecture, with characteristic symmetry, grand entrances and Doric pillar motifs. Both boasting four bedrooms and three bathrooms, the properties also offer newly finished kitchens with floor-to-ceiling curved windows overlooking the rear garden and spacious reception rooms typical of the period.

On the market from £700,000 with LREA (0203 327 2750; londonrea.com) CLOSER TO

HOME

+44 (0) 1244 880 422 bighedgeco.com

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Homes and Interiors

FINISHING TOUCHES

VIENNESE WALT To celebrate 20 years of successful alliance with Austrian design trio Eoos, Walter Knoll has added six new products to its collaborative collection. Among them, the Tama: a broad, structural corner settee with built-in leather side tables for smart and stylish requiescence.

From ÂŁ510 (walterknoll.de)

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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 A r c h i t e c t s & D e s i g n e r s The Old Stables, Capesthor ne Hall, Nr Alder ley Edge , Cheshire . SK11 9JY

W:

janeybutler.co.uk

W:

T: 01625 861935 E:

hello@janeybutler.co.uk

llamaarchitects.co.uk

T: 01625 861936 E:

info@llamagroup.co.uk