The Cheshire Magazine July 2015 by Runwild Media Group

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Dramatic, yet graceful. Effortlessly simple, with cutting-edge technology. Ghost Series II forges a silent path of serenity through an ever-changing world. No ordinary power. Experience it for yourself.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester Manchester Road, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0ST Tel: +44 (0) 1565 700 000 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-manchester.co.uk Official range fuel economy figures for the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II: Urban 13.2-13.3mpg (21.4-21.2l/100km). Extra Urban 28.8mpg (9.8l/100km). Combined 20.0-20.2mpg (14.1-14l/100km). CO2 emissions 329-327g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. ÂŠ Copyright Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited 2014. The Rolls-Royce name and logo are registered trademarks.

31/10/2014 11:47

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

From the

Editor

EDITOR’S PICKs

#1 TRIPOSO APP (triposo.com)

#2 CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA FLATS (charlotteolympia.com)

3 #3 PETIT BATEAU SUMMER COLLECTION (petit-bateau.co.uk)

hether the British sun shines or you go searching for summer further afield, this issue is all about what to wear, where to be and what to do this season. We begin with events local and national which are not to be missed (page 133), then delve into the latest swimwear designs and brands to be seen sporting (page 64), investigate how to think yourself thin (page 80), and explore some great alternatives to entertain the family in the holidays (page 113), including the gardens for charity opening this year as part of the National Gardens Scheme (page 156). The magazine has also taken on a leading men theme this month. Richard E. Grant speaks to Gabrielle Lane about emigrating from Swaziland, Jeckyll and Hyde and the importance of social media (page 22): Cheshire stuntman Ian Van Temperley steps into the limelight as he speaks with Mike Peake about doubling for Robbie Williams and why here will always be home (page 44): And local racing star Ollie Webb introduces an alternative to F1, the World Endurance Series (page 90). Perfect reading to accompany a coffee (or something stronger) in the sunshine or, being thoroughly British, curled up indoors. Inside or out, home or away, we wish you happy reading.

Louisa Louisa Castle Editor Follow us on Twitter @TheCheshireMag

Proud to support: Variety – The Children’s Charity The Pink Ribbon Ball, Manchester & Breast Cancer Campaign the babygrow appeal, countess of chester hospital

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038

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Contents

086

July 2015

156

044

054 064

Features

collection

travel

022 | Richard E. Grant: Act II The eccentric veteran thespian talks about the release of his quintessentially British scent, Jack 033 | Summer Season From Boodles Tennis to Henley Regatta to Cowes Week, we know all the places to be seen this summer 038 | Once in a lifetime Travel expert Paul Carberry on how that once-in-a-lifetime trip can sometimes draw you back time and time again 044 | The Fall Guy Cheshire-born stuntman Ian Van Temperley on a lifetime of being pummelled for the sake of Hollywood’s elite

054 | Watch news Stunning state-of-the-art timepieces for him and her 057 | Jewellery news A full round-up of all the latest happenings in the world of style and sparkle

096 | Travel news 098 | Old guard, new guard The hotels that made history and their new competition 105 | Charmed by Chennai Embrace total luxury at the stunning Leela Palace 108 | Weekend away Discover foodie bliss at Castle Green Hotel in Kendal

regulars 006 | Editor’s letter 010 | Contributors 013 | My life in Cheshire We meet Phil Illingworth of Cheshire’s Illingworth Seddon 014 | Notebook This month’s local events, news and best new products 018 | Local scene All the glamour and gossip 028 | Taylor talk Liz Taylor meets Corrie’s much loved Jennie McAlpine

art 050 | Art & culture Our round-up of the best local arts, theatre and music 053 | Prize lots

fashion & beauty 062 | Fashion news From essential accessories to new trends, it’s all here 064 | Making a splash We delve into the deep and complex world of cuttingedge summer swimwear 068 | Look to the East Orient-inspired floral prints and dramatic ensembles 078 | Beauty news New treatments, products and all the latest news 080 | Mind over fatter TV presenter Anna Richardson talks fad diets and the power of the mind

motoring 084 | Motoring news The latest developments from the automotive world 086 | Not so humble beginnings Step back in time to Silverstone’s inaugural Formula 1 race in 1950 090 | The golden age The new alternative for die-hard fans of motorsport 094 | Technology central What’s hot in the world of gadgets, games and geekery

FAMILY 110 | Kids’ news The very latest for little ones 113 | Summer family fun Cheshire’s very best family days out, rain or shine 119 | The classroom

homes & interiors 124 | Interiors news 128 | Standing the test of time Chesterfield Couture’s true commitment to longevity 142 | Interiors trends 2015 Get up to date with all the latest design discoveries 150 | Recreate the look The secret to creating the perfect children’s haven 156 | Gardens for charity Just what is the fabulous National Gardens Scheme? 163 | Local property The best of Cheshire’s homes 168 | Home sweet home Find your very own secluded sanctuary in leafy Surrey 178 | Overseas property These stunning properties will have you yearning to emigrate

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

JULY 2015 s issue 019 s

Editor Louisa Castle

The

contributors

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

Tim bradley Tim is an award-winning photographer based in the North West. Discovering a passion for photography from his grandfather he is a regular on the media scene and often works with TV chef Andrew Nutter.

RICHARD BROWN Richard is deputy editor of Collection, our dedicated watch and fine jewellery section. He specialises in menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style, culture and finance. Each month he brings us all the latest developments from the world of timepieces.

AMY WELCH Having trained in costume design for stage and screen, Amy has since worked as a writer and illustrator specialising in fashion, technology and luxury lifestyle. This month Amy looks at the interior design trends coming this season.

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

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

MIKE PEAKE Mike has written extensively for The Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph. This month Cheshire-born stuntman Ian Van Temperley tells him how it feels to be beaten up on Tom Hanksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; behalf.

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

Proudly published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

www.rwmg.co.uk Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. DISTRIBUTION The Cheshire Magazine is the largest circulated luxury publication in Cheshire, delivered to selected homes in over 20 postcodes, over 300 businesses, as well as newsagents and retail outlets. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Kayleigh Penswick:+44 (0) 784 119 9699 k.penswick@runwildgroup.co.uk Kathryn Otto:+ 44 (0) 797 198 1721 k.otto@runwildgroup.co.uk

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cover On the

Front cover: Cannes Rashguard by Vitamin A., available at beachcafe.com - the online destination for luxury beachwear (beachcafe.com) Turn to page 64 for more

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My life in CHESHIRE PHIL ILLINGWORTH Co-DIRECTOR, ILLINGWORTH SEDDON

‘I

‘Life is for living. There’s a balance’

mrmichaelangelo / Shutterstock.com

FROM TOP: SNOWDONIA; THE YEW TREE, BUNBURY

’ve lived in Cheshire for nearly all of my working life, from Knutsford to Cholmondeley, but I’ve not managed to lose my accent yet,’ Phil explains in a soft Liverpudlian lilt. Phil has worked in financial services since 1986, offering advice to everyone from sports people to businesses, to you or me. Today he is co-director of Illingworth Seddon, chartered financial planners based in Tattenhall, having merged with partner Jonathan Seddon last year. The company is a partner practice of St James Place. ‘After working for reasonably large companies like FMG Liverpool and Haines Watts I became an independent financial advisor (IFA) in 2007 and for seven years looked after a great client base in Cheshire. We still do, only now I have a larger team to support me and deliver the personal service we strive for. ‘The only slight downfall of the merger with Jonathan is that he’s a Liverpool fan, and I’m a blue through and through. You can imagine how that can go on a Monday morning during the season! ‘There was no deliberate decision for me to work in Cheshire, it just happened really, but it is something I’m really grateful for. It’s easy to sometimes take for granted what we’ve got on our doorstep. When I’ve been to any of the cities I love returning home to Haughton or to the office. I can literally feel the stresses and strains fall away as I drive home to my family. ‘Ruth [Phil’s wife] is from Chester and we both love the area, so I can’t see us going anywhere anytime soon. As a family we love walking and generally enjoying the countryside.’ Phil and Ruth have two daughters, Holly and Meg, not forgetting the final family member, Murphy the black labrador. ‘We’re really spoiled for lovely pubs round where we live, and we do tend to incorporate them into our walks. There’s nothing better than a delicious meal after a healthy walk. Other than a long walk on the beach maybe. We spend a lot of time in North Wales, so we get the best of country and seaside I guess.’ Family is clearly important to Phil. As is his work, which is evident from the welcoming team and his long-standing clients. ‘Life is for living,’ Phil concludes. ‘We work hard and enjoy what we do. But there’s a balance, and fun times and family are equally important.’ (illingworthseddon.co.uk) 13

MANMADE The top pieces from Manmade craft fair, according to David Nicholls, features director of House and Garden

DIAMOND IN PALM BEACH Hale jewellers Steven Stone is going global with new store openings in London and the US planned for later this year. The US store will be in Palm Beach, Florida, and has been designed by Rowan Taylor, London, who designed the bespoke interior of the recently refurbished Hale showroom. Steven is personally overseeing the US expansion, which came out of an ‘opportunity during one of his recent trips to the US’ and hopes to deliver the individual pieces the company is

renowned for to a discerning international market. Zack, Steven’s son and partner, will continue to oversee the Hale showroom and is in charge of the expansion to London. That location is currently being kept firmly behind closed doors, but we hope to hear soon. (stevenstone.co.uk)

NOTEBOOK JURASSIC WORLD The Waterside Food & Craft Market will be taking a step back in time when it opens its stalls this June to celebrate the launch of Jurassic World. In addition to the traditional artisan stalls, a life-like T-Rex will be roaming the centre and malls, so watch out and happy hunting! Make sure you spot him before he runs off with the luxury luggage set worth £500 that’s on offer if you enter the prize draw. Jurassic World is out at Vue Cinema on 11 June, pre-booking is available now. The family-friendly markets are on 13-14 June, 11-12 July, 15-16 August, 12-13 September, 10-11 October and 12-15 November for the Christmas market. (lowryoutlet.co.uk) 14

1 Hand-drawn plate by Pen and Gravy What is your favourite food (penandgravy.etsy.com) and why? Any baked puddings as they bring back childhood memories from my grandma’s kitchen.

What is your favourite ingredient and why? Beetroot because of its versatility for numerous cooking methods, especially Paper and resin when it’s salt baked to bring hummingbird out its natural earthy by Zack Mclaughin sweetness. (zackmclaughlin.etsy.com)

If you could take one item onto a desert island, what would it be and why? My favourite bottle of wine,. After I’ve finished quaffing it i can send a message in a bottle! Nesting bone china bowls by Made by Manos Ernst is the head chef at (madebymanos.etsy.com) Cheshire’s only three-rosette winning pub, The Lord Clyde

(thelordclyde.co.uk)

Rocking horse by Green Made UK (greenmadeuk.etsy.com)

Manmade, 12 &13 June (etsy.me/manmade)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

5 top picks

for

FESTIVAL FUN Shine with these ideas for the perfect festival season

WANTED! YOUR STORIES

esearchers at the University of Chester are working on a project to uncover the hidden histories of Cheshire during the First World War and are looking for your help. There’s already an abundance of stories from Handforth POW camp to conscientious objectors, to stories of German citizens among the high ranks of the Cheshire Regiment, which suggests anti-German sentiment wasn’t as rife as historical memory suggests. One such soldier was Lt-Colonel Hermann Hesse, a German man born in Manchester, who spent a great deal of time in German but who fought in the Cheshire Regiment. We’re sure there’s much more to discover... (diversenarratives.co.uk)

PURCHASE OF THE MONTH

#1 SUMMER HAVANA BRACELET STACK, £41 (jiyajewellery.co.uk)

#2 LOLLIPOP CROSS BODY BAG, £26 (oliverbonas.com)

#3 TENT FINDER APP, £Free (boutiquecamping.com)

#4 STRAW TRILBY, £40 (houseoffraser.co.uk)

Perfect for the original garden party 8-litre kilner glass drinks dispenser, £29.50 (peagreenboar.com)

#5 ZO OCLIPSE SUNSCREEN, £41 (zo-skinhealth.co.uk)

THE BEST PUB IN CHESHIRE The idyllic Egerton Arms in Little Budworth has been crowned Best Pub in Cheshire 2015 at the recent Taste Cheshire Awards. Not only that it was runner-up for Excellence in Customer Service as well. Run by the welcoming Walter sisters, Francesca, Emily and Alice, and their parents Mike and Helen, the rise of the Egerton Arms has been a journey of hard work, determination and passion for the last two years. But very much worth it. We love it as a good honest pub with great outdoor space, where everyone is made to feel welcome, four-legged best friends included. But find out what we think next month when we try out the menu... the authentic woodburning pizza oven has caught our attention. The Egerton Arms, Pinfold Lane, Little Budworth, Tarporley, CW6 9BS (01829 760424; egerton-arms.co.uk)

NOTEBOOK

Food & Drink PURCHASE OF THE MONTH Biba Empire cutlery set Go Art Deco with the Biba Starburst stainless steel cutlery set. Created to accompany the dinner service we think it would make a statement at any dinner table. £140 for 24-piece set and storage chest (houseoffraser.co.uk)

Q&A... Matthew Egan, sous chef, The Mere Resort

What is your favourite food and why? It has to be a BBQ steak sandwich, with caramelised onion chutney on ciabatta. What is your favourite ingredient and why? Wild garlic, because for me it signifies the start of spring and with the spring comes plenty of new ingredients to get creative with. If you could take one item onto a desert island, what would it be and why? Surely I would take my IO Shen cooks’ knife. Because a sharp knife is probably the most useful thing I would need on an island all alone… Matt was recently crowned Sous Chef Master of Cheshire at the Chester Food & Drink Festival, in association with We Love Cheshire.

(themereresort.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

SPOTLIGHT ON… TATTU W o r d s : B E C K Y S E W A RD

attu is the latest addition to Manchester’s increasingly popular Spinningfields area and opened last month to much excitement. Knowing that the restaurant is run by a hand-picked team of 20 talented individuals, including head chef Pedro Miranda and dim sum chef De Zun Xian, both of whom joined from London’s Michelin star-winning Hakkasan Group, I was excited to be one of the first through the doors. The setting itself is nothing short of magnificent. A 94-seat venue which plays host to a four-metre high cherry blossom tree, the décor takes inspiration from body art, creating one of the most visually

stunning environments I have ever seen. Although it is easy to become over-awed by this amazing space (as we very nearly did) it is, after all, the food that is the allimportant aspect of any restaurant. To start we selected lobster and prawn toast, along with the beef and foie gras gyoza from the dim sum options. The gyoza was a triumph; light, rich yet not at all overindulgent, whilst the toast was a beautiful combination of perfectly seasoned minced lobster and prawn. Next up were mains; we opted for the saffron miso cod and the black Angus filet. The cod arrived looking like something from the Tate Modern, featuring a

beautiful array of saffron, lap cheong and sea spray, topped off with a perfectly positioned razor clam. Not only did this look amazing, it also tasted like a little bit of heaven. The cod was cooked to perfection, melting in the mouth, and the sauce provided the ideal complement to the dish. The Angus filet, a recommendation from the waitress, cut like butter and the accompanying pot of caramelised soy sauce was probably one of the most outstandingly decadent things I have ever tasted. Not being a dessert person I’m always slightly sceptical when that part of the meal rolls around. Tattu, however, has taken this course to a whole new level. Both dessert options were a deconstruction of tantalising flavours made up of components that were a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. There’s no doubt about it, Tattu is definitely the shiny new jewel in the Spinningfields crown. Tattu, 3 Hardman Square, Gartside Street, Manchester, M3 3EB (0161 819 2060; tattu.co.uk) 17

Local scene Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun for everyone this month, from little plastic bricks to fashionistas and charity

Boodles May Festival Chester Racecourse Over 50,000 race goers headed to the Roodee for the start of the racing season this May. Day two of the May Festival played host to the Boodles Ladies Day with thousands of glamorous women displaying the very best of style. (chester-races.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Sip for Stroke Gusto, Knutsford Gusto opened its doors for SIP FOR STROKE this month, raising awareness for the charity and offering delicious pastries, cakes and coffee in exchange for a donation. Prime Medica sponsored the event and worked closely with The Stroke Association and local pop-up shops, and provided a great excuse for a cuppa. (gustorestaurants.uk.com; stroke.org.uk)

Moooving on up Legoland Discovery Centre Toddlers across Manchester headed out to Legoland Discovery Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new DUPLO Farm and put it thoroughly through its paces, particularly the DUPLO cow and slide. This is the latest addition to Legolandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northwest offering, keeping the whole family entertained. (legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Time for Take-Off Concorde Centre The northwest’s leading consultants, nurses, GPs, practice managers, media, staff and partners attended 52 Alderley Road, The Wilmslow Hospital’s first birthday party at the Concorde Centre, Manchester Airport. Almost £3,000 was raised on the evening through a raffle and auction for the local Children’s Adventure Farm Trust charity which provides holidays and activities to terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children across the northwest. (52alderleyroad.co.uk; caft.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

richard e. grant: act II In 2014, a lifelong passion for scent led Richard E. Grant to launch his own quintessentially British scent, named Jack. This spring the actor releases his next perfume – and explains to Gabrielle Lane why it’s worth his 18-hour days p h o t o gr a p h y b y a n d re w p e n k et h

‘W

ith gusto’. The words that I have read to describe Richard E. Grant in a former interview ring true when we meet at a London hotel in April. He takes the stairs two at a time, declines any offer of coffee or food and alternates between reclining elegantly in a winged armchair and sitting bolt upright when emphasising his point. Articulate, passionate, professional – and frankly, slightly intimidating – the actor became an entrepreneur with the launch of his first fragrance, titled Jack, in 2014 and will release a second unisex scent this spring. Jack Covent Garden is inspired by his time waiting tables in London’s theatre district when he emigrated from Swaziland in 1982, and, as with his first perfume, it has been an entirely hands-on project. In the course of arranging this photo shoot, more than one colleague has recoiled in surprise that he answers his own publicity phone calls – and indeed all other correspondence related to the business. ‘My plan is to release a new London-centric fragrance every spring,’ he explains. ‘All of the scents will have a personal story and connection.

I know what every micron of cardboard and every piece of lace has cost [for the packaging] – I am a completely one-man brand. If the business fails, it was a gamble that I had to take.’ Obsessed with the scent of his surroundings (today he familiarises himself with the flower box on the windowsill, the fireplace and the armchair, as we talk), he vividly recalls making concoctions from gardenia, rose petals and sugar water in jam jars as a child. Fast-forward 40 years and it was the accessories designer Anya Hindmarch who encouraged him to retail his own brand, armed with a list of her contacts including luxury perfumer Roja Dove and some of London’s most influential buying teams. ‘I think if you do something from the sense of loving it, that is what people respond to,’ he says. ‘You may get the door open because people recognise you or have heard your name, but they won’t buy something unless they think that it’s worth it. At the luxury level that it is, £95 for 100ml, the perfume works out at 9p a spray but it lasts. It’s not like a lot of the synthetic ones that I’ve tested – I as a customer don’t want that as an

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

experience and I wouldn’t want to pass that on to the people who buy my product.’ Inspired by local fruit and vegetable markets, the new fragrance includes notes of orange, rose and carrot with musk and pimento – Grant travelled to the renowned perfume-making town of Grasse and returned with the oils and a pipette for his experiments. ‘It has always been my dream to do it,’ he says. As for the packaging – the pillar box red design was originally mockedup on a home computer and road-tested in airports around the world. ‘There was no perfume in a red bottle in any airport that I could find: as red is my favourite colour, I thought that was the right thing to do. Then the doubt came in and I thought “These other brands must know something I don’t”. But then I interviewed a gambler in Las Vegas who was 30-years-old and worth £100 million. He had made a fortunate from trademarking the phrase “Who’s your daddy?” and putting it on T-shirts. He told me; “more than anything you should be able to walk past your product from five metres away and say, ‘That’s Jack, the fragrance’”. I printed out cards with the branding and colour, put them in front of something, walked away and took a photograph. And that’s as commercial as I got.’ In Grant’s own words, running a company has been difficult at times. ‘Finding time to sit and make models and work on the next fragrance is the icing on the cake part of it. The sheer business side of it – I had no idea how timeconsuming it would be,’ he says. ‘However, having written and directed an autobiographical film

(Wah-Wah) several years ago, the experience of getting it made and trying to get it financed was the best preparation I could have had.’ On days when he is not on set – he is currently filming the drama Jeckyll and Hyde – he wakes at 6am and is often on email handling logistics, press appointments and fragrance deliveries until midnight, with the help of an assistant named Olivia. He considers the fragrance work a refreshing antidote to acting: ‘I’m not singing the blues about it,’ he explains. ‘It’s exciting and challenging and a whole new deal for me. At an actor at my stage of career, you are so looked after once you’ve got the job – getting the job is still the same old schlep and fan dance – but once you’ve got the job, apart from learning your lines, you are essentially shielded from reality. You’re picked up, taken to work, people then paint your face and fix your clothes; they tell you the clothes to wear and how to move. You’re relinquished from an enormous amount of those day-to-day responsibilities when you’re playing a part, which is the opposite of this business where you have to triple-check everything. But I’m enjoying it.’ He credits the internet with having made things easier. ‘I’m very fortunate to be launching a fragrance in a time of social media. Being able to Instagram it and tweet about it is good and the response is phenomenal. If someone buys something then they have a way of directly contacting me. To have an online dialogue with a paying customer is invaluable.’ Financially, he tells me the perfume is performing well: Jack was Liberty’s third

‘I am a one-man brand. If the business fails – it was a gamble that I had to take’

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

bestseller when it was unveiled last year and Jack Covent Garden will launch with a period of exclusivity at department store Selfridges. ‘Jack went into profit six months after it was launched, but of course anyone in business knows, you then have to invest that money into the next phase of what you are producing. Investing money in bringing out a candle and a second scent eats into your profits. Although, I never went into acting thinking that I would make a lot of money – I did it because I was compelled to do it. At the beginning, I said to my accountant “This is how much money I’m prepared to lose”. I’ve never drunk alcohol or smoked so I feel that the money I would have spent on that, I can afford to take a gamble with. So far, so good.’ It’s later, when I ask about the advice he would give to someone looking to launch their own perfume that I gain a real sense of just how tough the process has been. He pauses. ‘Never give up,’ he begins. ‘Like for actors, the word “no” is invisibly tattooed across people’s foreheads. Once you accept that you’re going to get more rejection than acceptance then you’ll be prepared for it. There are times that you feel your suitcase gets bashed and kicked about and nobody wants a piece. And there are ingenious ways that the stores – and everybody else along the way – want something from you. You’ve just got to hope that you haven’t been eaten alive by the time that your product ends up on the shop shelf.’ For projects as all-consuming as Jack and Jack Covent Garden, he admits any criticism feels more personal than at other times in his career. ‘With acting, you wouldn’t know that it was you that was the problem unless you did a one person play or show that no one came to see or responded to. If you have a product and people don’t buy it, there’s no place to hide. If sales were bad, I wouldn’t be sitting here and talking to you, I wouldn’t have got this far,’ he says.

‘I’m very fortunate to be launching a fragrance in a time of social media’ ‘First time around you are of curiosity value, but a second film, second novel and second fragrance is always going to be judged against the first. There is a risk that people go “you’re a one-hit wonder” but I have blind-tested it on a huge number of people. Jack Covent Garden has been unequivocally endorsed. I have no idea if people are going to buy it – but I believe in it passionately.’ And with that he’s off, sprinting off into the afternoon, checking emails on his Blackberry and carrying boxes of Jack under his arm. Jack Covent Garden, £95 (selfridges.com)

Home Sweet Home Jennie McAlpine and Liz Taylor take time out of their busy schedules for tea, cake and Corrie

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

am happy to admit it, I love Coronation Street. It was always my ‘secret’ ambition to appear on the show, and for a brief moment I did… as an extra in The Rovers. I have been fortunate to work with the cast of Corrie on many events over the last 30 years, and have made some great friends, including actress Jennie McAlpine. Schedules being what they are, we get too little time to see each other though, so when the chance came for tea and cakes at her Manchester restaurant, Annie’s, I jumped at the opportunity to catch up. We have worked on some wonderful projects together over the years, but most recently your big project has been motherhood. How’s it going? It’s wonderful. Everyone says it and although it’s a cliché, we simply can’t imagine our lives before Albert now. He has fitted into every part of our lives perfectly and is a regular in Annie’s. When he was born he was spoilt by customers, who bought us some gorgeous gifts. We were inundated with teddies. He’s a lucky boy!

Oh yes! I reckon we make a pretty good team. I knew Chris would be a fantastic dad, and he is. As for the nappies, Chris is better at those than me. He is a master at not getting wee-ed on. I know Chris runs Annie’s, your award-winning restaurant and tea shop in Manchester. But where did the name come from? The name comes from the area (we are situated just off St Ann’s Square). But our favourite thing about the name is when our customers say that it’s a name which makes them feel comfortable and reminds them of home and family life. Perhaps they had an Aunty Annie. Most recently a couple who come in regularly named their new baby Annie! You’re a successful actress, so what inspired you to move into the restaurant business and open Annie’s? Chris has always been in the restaurant industry, so it was something we had talked about off

opposite: jennie & partner chris farr outside annie’s below: liz & jennie support moodswings; corrie cast at the nta awards (2013)

What have been the biggest challenges of being a mum? I am sure there are plenty of challenges ahead. My aim now is to try to be a successful working mum. I’m lucky to have great mates who are doing just that and so my plan is to watch carefully and copy them. We have good family and a great support network around us, which is so important. I have the utmost respect for anyone doing this on their own. I did beforehand, but now I truly know how amazing those people are. How’s your partner, Chris Farr, taken to being a dad? Does he help with the nappy changes?

‘That could be my excuse for not learning my lines: Albert ate the script!’

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

and on. We wanted to open a place like Annies, where hopefully people can feel at home. Upstairs is the tea shop, serving traditional afternoon tea, delicious cakes and loose leaf ‘proper’ tea. Downstairs is the restaurant, open all day serving lunch and dinner. We serve traditional home cooked food, just like nana used to make. My favourite part is welcoming families back time and again to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and such.

above: jennie & liz with anthony cotton below: jennie at the british soap awards 2013 (featureflash, shutterstock.com)

You have long been a supporter of the Mood Swings charity network and we have worked on many fundraising events together. Is it time we planned something fabulous in Cheshire? Yes! If you can fit me into your busy television schedule [Liz is currently filming a documentary for Channel 4], we definitely need to plan another Mood Swings fundraiser and Cheshire is perfect for it! We must do the big marquee event we have always talked about. There are so many fabulous venues in the county to choose from. I won’t dare decide on the place though – that’s down to you! Albert and I will just follow you around Cheshire coming along to the tastings. Everyone knows you as the amazing Fiz Stape from Coronation Street. How will you juggle motherhood and acting now that you have returned to the show? Albert’s already been keeping me on track learning my lines. He sits with me when I’m reading the scripts, mainly of course to eat the scripts at the moment. That could be my excuse for not learning my lines – Albert ate my script!

‘I have the utmost respect for anyone doing this on their own’ What made you want to act? I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to. My original plan was to be a stand-up comedienne. Making people laugh is a great feeling. But age 17 I auditioned for a part lasting for four episodes in Corrie, and almost 15 years later I’m still there. Maybe one day I’ll give the comedy a go again, I would love to try my hand at the Edinburgh festival. But for now Corrie is still home and I love it. Do you want Albert, to follow you into showbiz? I would just want him to be happy, whatever he did. Chris and I will encourage him to be whatever he wants to be, but I think we’ll get the nappies out of the way first. (anniesteashop.com; anniesmanchester.com; tlc-ltd.co.uk; moodswings.org)

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You are cordially invited to a Cheshire

Summer Season From arts and culture to international sport near and far, we outline the hottest social dates of the 2015 diary WORDS: GEMMA KNIGHT

Henley Royal Regatta  1 - 5 J u ly 2 0 1 5

Founded in 1839 and now one of the world’s most renowned rowing events, the five-day Regatta takes place along an approximately mile and a quarter-long section of the River Thames each year, with thousands of spectators flocking to watch top international rowers and crews go head-to-head in a series of knockout races. Spectators line the banks on both the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire sides of the river, or watch from one of several more exclusive areas including the Leander Club, Phyllis Court Club and Stewards’ Enclosure, which are entered by invitation only. What to wear: Men attending in the Stewards’ Enclosure should wear lounge suits, jackets or blazers with flannels, as well as a tie or cravat. Ladiesshould wear skirts which fall below the knee as well as a customary hat (not mandatory). (hrr.co.uk)

Chester Races  Grosvenor Ladies Evening – 26 June 2015 T h e I T C L u x u r y T r a v e l S u m m e r F e s t i v a l – 1 8 J u ly 2 0 1 5 T h e M B NA F a m i ly F u n D a y – 2 A u g u s t 2 0 1 5

The season has already begun at Chester Racecourse but there are still some great events and spectacular racing to come as summer breaks into its stride. To make your racing extra special we quite fancy one of the packages at Restaurant 1539, which includes a private table in the floor-to-ceiling windowed gallery for the whole day, not to mention admission to the County Stand if you’re keen to experience the atmosphere. If you’re after the ultimate viewing then you’ll have to find a friend with VIP Roof Membership. By invitation only, annual membership to the roof gets you exclusive access to the best view of every race at the Roodee, from the Roof Club at 1539 Restaurant. With Miami-style lounge seating, a retractable roof, table service, private bar, access to betting services and a panoramic, unobstructed view of the entire, iconic course, membership is much coveted. W h a t t o w e a r : Gentlemen in the County Stand, Long Room, Concourse and in all hospitality and restaurant facilities, are required to wear a suit jacket, collar and tie. Ladies are required to wear smart dress. No denim or sportswear is permitted. (chester-races.co.uk) 34

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Cowes Week  8–15 August 2015

Set on the stunning northern-most tip of the Isle of Wight, Cowes’ annual August regatta is one of the longest-running in the world and a seminal part of any summer social season. With up to forty races taking place every day (weather dependent), the promenade is lined with a myriad of marquees selling merchandise, food and drink, while live music fills the air and the yachting hub’s several historic clubs throw an assortment of glamorous events. Each year the week attracts around 100,000 visitors, with close to 8,000 competitors taking part and up to a thousand boats taking to the water, filling the Solent with vibrant spinnakers and fierce rivalry. W h a t t o w e a r : If you’re attending the Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal London Yacht Club or Royal Corinthian Yacht Club men should wear smart sailing gear during the day, a lounge suit for cocktail parties and black tie for balls (or mess dress for members). (aamcowesweek.co.uk)

RHS Flower Show  T A TT O N P A R K , 2 2 – 2 6 J u ly 2 0 1 5

Known as the North’s greatest garden party, this fabulously colourful event has always been a perfect mixture of practicality and glamour. Over the course of one week, more than 500 novice and noted gardeners and landscape designers come together to compete, with visitors treated to floral marquees, innovatively designed gardens and inspiring ideas for growing your own fruit and vegetables. The highlight for most is Ladies Day, a fantastic excuse to dress to the nines, show your own creativity and win prizes and indulge in the special programme of events. (rhs.org.uuk) 35

Royal Ascot  1 6 – 2 0 J u ne 2 0 1 5

Graham Bloomfield / Shutterstock.com

British Grand Prix  S I L V E R S T O N E , 3 – 5 J u ly 2 0 1 5

Since the very first Silverstone Grand Prix in 1950, this fantastic display of speed, technology and determination has been an absolute must for racing aficionados and amateurs alike. Featuring the world’s finest racing drivers take on a gruelling 52 laps of a 5.8km track (making the race a mind-boggling 306.1km in total), with the weekend also offering champagne, fine cuisine and unbeatable views of the action through its VIP hospitality packages, not to mention five different live music stages to choose from. (silverstone.co.uk)

The pinnacle of Ascot’s year and one of England’s most talked-about social occasions, Royal Ascot perfectly encapsulates all the decadence and custom which the summer social season has come to epitomise. Founded by Queen Anne in 1711 (making it a rather impressive 304 years-old this summer), the event takes place over five days, regularly attended by more than 300,000 people and including sixteen group races which generate a total of more than £10 million in prize money. Each year the event is attended by HM Queen Elizabeth II and several other members of the Royal Family, often seen hobnobbing in the most prestigious of the three spectating areas, the Royal Enclosure. Membership to the Royal Enclosure is hard to come by, as prospective new members can only be endorsed by those who have attended for at least four years – though, with members treated to a veritable banquet of fine dining, bars and hospitality services, it’s certainly well worth the effort. W h a t t o w e a r : The Royal Enclosure dress code is famously strict, dictating that ladies’ straps must be thicker than one inch, trouser suits full-length, skirts no shorter than just above knee-length and that hats (not fascinators) should be worn, with a base measuring at least four inches. Men should wear black or grey morning dress with a waistcoat, tie, top hat and black shoes, tipping their hat when greeting and removing it when speaking to a lady. The stringent rules of hat etiquette also decree that it’s rude to wear a large-brimmed hat after sundown, to obscure another’s view with your hat. (ascot.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Boodles Tennis  2 – 4 J u ly 2 0 1 5

Hot off the heels of Wimbledon fever comes Boodles Tennis at The Mere. Back for a third year, it is set to be the North West’s garden party of the summer, with a planned 600 afternoon teas, 400 bottles of champagne and more than 700 guests – truly a summer social event not to be missed. Over the three-day spectacular, tennis players Peter McNamara, Richard Krajicek, Mikael Pernfors, Younes El Aynaoui and Xavier Malisse will showcase their talent on the purposebuilt grass court. Not forgetting everyone’s favourite comedian Henri Leconte who will be celebrating his birthday on the last day – promising a Champions Ball to remember on Saturday 4 July. Hospitality packages start at £2,250 for a table of ten and include the chance to meet the players, sip champagne, enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch specially designed and prepared by Mere’s head chef, Mark Walker, the tennis, of course, and afternoon tea. W h a t t o w e a r : Well it all depends on the weather really, but that’s no reason not to pull out your best outfit, especially for Ladies Day on 3 July. We’d sum it up as comfort and style. (theclassique.co.uk)

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power  12–14 June 2015

Set in the stunning grounds of Cheshire’s Cholmondeley Castle, this ever-popular annual threeday is set to retain its crown as the nation’s most dynamic motorsport event. Over the course of the weekend spectators are treated to a wealth of excitement, with over 140 of the world’s most valuable contemporary and historic cars and bikes competing around the famous Cholmondeley track, as well as watersport action on the site’s lake and fabulous air displays, all complimented by hospitality which includes artisan food, bars, kids’ activities and, of course, shopping. Visit us in the Members’ Area. (cpop.co.uk)

Cheshire Polo Club  n a t i o n a l 6 g o a l f i n a l s - 5 j u ly 2 0 1 5

If you’re looking for a fun day out with family and friends this summer, make sure you check out Cheshire Polo Club’s calendar of events. Tournaments are played every weekend until September with free entry for many (and only £10 a car when charged)but headline events include The National 6 Goal Finals Day (5 July) and Rybrook Jaguar Finals & Tailgate Picnic Day (26 July). So there’s no excuse not pile everyone (dog included)in the car, park up pitchside and enjoy a tailgate picnic on a sunny summer’s afternoon. (cheshirepoloclub.co.uk)

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH CLEGG

Once in a

LIFETIME

Travel expert Paul Carberry investigates our dream holidays and discovers that our once-ina-lifetime plans can sometimes turn into something much more

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

et’s face it, everybody dreams of once-ina-lifetime holidays. Rugged mountains, deserted beaches, luxury lodges…who wouldn’t want to jump on a plane and get away from it all? There are some destinations, however, that deliver such incredible experiences that guests are compelled to go back again, turning that dream trip into a regular holiday destination. Two such adventurers, Pam and Bob McKeon from Cheshire, found this out when they called me in 2014 and booked their dream trip away.

cathedral cove, new zealand (legend photography / new zealand tourism)

top: new plymouth (james hermia / tourism new zealand ) below: pam & bob mckeon, cormandel peninsula opposite: milford sound (rob siusted / tourism new zealand)

‘New Zealand was always high on our wish list,’ says Pam. ‘We were initially attracted by the fact that it’s literally on the other side of the world. I think it was the thought of going so far whilst we are still relatively fit that spurred us on to find out more and plan our holiday. ‘We’re interested in nature, wildlife and walking. When we saw pictures and the scenery looked absolutely fantastic, we booked our once-in-a-lifetime trip for October 2014. ‘We were just part-way through our amazing six-week road trip, and I was already starting to think “perhaps we could come back”,’ continues Bob. ‘Towards the end of our holiday, we were already planning our next trip! ‘There have been other holiday destinations that, individually, we have wanted to go back to,

O T H E R O N C E - I N - A - L I F E T I M E D E S T I N AT I O N S

Swedish Lapland & Northern Lights Why? Experiencing the Northern Lights dancing across the sky tops most of our travel bucket lists and there is nowhere better to see it than northern Sweden in Abisko and Bjorkliden due to its ideal latitude and the weather shadow created by the surrounding mountains. The only problem is that once you have experienced it once – you are sure to be left wanting to return to see it again and again!

1 40

Don’t miss: Northern Lights spotting, Northern Lights photography, dog-sledding, snowmobiling and the Aurora Sky Station. When to go: Now. We are still in a strong period of solar activity from the sun that causes the Aurora Borealis, with the best months for the Northern Lights from September to March.

How to go: Off the Map Travel organises tailor-made trips. A trip in February 2016 to Bjorkliden, Northern Sweden starts from £999 per person based on two sharing for three nights, on a half-board basis, including exclusive Aurora activities (not including flights). (offthemaptravel.co.uk; 0800 566 8901)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

but we both agreed that New Zealand was one that warranted another visit. It was a bit of everything that really made us want to come back. The people are just lovely, the scenery is every bit as dramatic as the pictures, the wildlife encounters were really special, and it’s so stress free, especially as there are no language barriers.’ It is fair to say that there are some holiday destinations that are so welcoming that your once-in-a-lifetime trip is destined to turn into a twice or thrice-in-a-lifetime event. And I know from personal experience, it is all too easy to fall in love with New Zealand. There is something about it that makes you want to come back time and again. Of those from Britain taking a break in New Zealand, a quarter had already been there at least once before. Over the six weeks they were away, Pam and Bob embarked on a New Zealand adventure which saw them drive from Auckland and visit spectacular spots on both the North and South Islands. As soon as Pam and Bob told me that they were interested in nature, wildlife and walking, I knew they would fall in love with New Zealand – from searching for wild kiwi on Stewart Island to visiting the endemic Fiordland crested penguins and albatross. Pam and Bob’s first trip took them from north to south, starting in Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula down past Lake Taupo in the North Island, and on to Blenheim, Kaikoura, the west coast highway on the South Island. Their itinerary, planned by New Zealand In Depth, also made it as far south as Stewart Island and New Zealand’s lesser-known ‘third island’. So, what is it about certain holiday destinations

Namibia Why? Namibia offers FCG / great value for money. Shutterstock.com and it’s easy to reach. It has wonderful and dramatic desert scenery, endless big sky vistas, great game drives in Etosha National Park plus English is spoken everywhere. There’s little jet-lag too so it is easy to travel with children.

Don’t miss: The desolate Skeleton Coast with shipwrecks and seal colonies, the Himba tribes in remote Kaokoland, the enormous sand dunes in Sossusvlei, and the Fish River Canyon.

How to go: Specialist self-drive tour operator, Safari Drive organises tailor-made trips to southern and east Africa, including Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi. A two-week self-drive holiday in When to go: Namibia is a year-round Namibia in October 2015 starts from £1,389 destination, but the best time to go is per person based on four people sharing a 4x4 February to April or October/November, when vehicle. International flights are not included. the days and nights are warm. (safaridrive.com; 01488 71140)

Travel | The CHESHIRE Magazine

whale watching at kaikoura, canterbury (Chris McLennan / Tourism New Zealand)

that have us wanting to go back? There are certain places around the world where you are put at ease the moment you step off the plane. Whether it’s the welcome, the guest houses that make you feel like part of the family, or simply the chance for you to adopt a pace of life that suits you. Whatever that magic ingredient is, New Zealand has it by the bucket load. I know I’m biased but it was this that got me into the job I am doing now! According to Tourism New Zealand research, UK visitors are more than likely to be looking for a holiday where they can have fun, learn, relax and explore new things, whilst younger visitors from the UK are more likely to value reducing stress, escaping everyday life, and having excitement and adventure. The beauty of New Zealand is that it’s all there. The challenge is fitting it all in. Just 18 months after their first trip, Pam and Bob will be New Zealand-bound on their once-in-a-lifetime New Zealand holiday… again. With an itinerary that combines some familiar places, as well as new experiences, there is a palpable excitement around them as Pam and Bob tell me about their next trip. ‘This time we are adding a trip up north to the Bay of Islands, also stopping at Hawke’s Bay and Arthur’s Pass, as well as visiting some of our old favourites. ‘One place we had to go back to was Stewart Island as we had such a special time there during our last visit. It feels a little like a remote Scottish island. With few people living there and wonderful wildlife encounters, it is just a great place to be. This time we decided to stay a little longer to see if we could find a few more kiwi.’

It all goes to show, that when planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you might be planning your return sooner than expected. A six-week New Zealand adventure, similar to Pam and Bob’s with New Zealand In Depth, costs £5,570 per person including accommodation (ranging from hotels and guest houses, to top luxury lodges) on a mix of full and half board basis for the entire stay. It also includes car hire and a wide range of activities, including wildlife cruise to Tiritiri Matangi Island and guided walk, Albatross encounter from Kaikoura, Farewell Spit Gannet Colony tour, full day jet boat trip on the Wairaurahiri River, Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, return flights from Invercargill to Stewart Island, kiwi spotting trip on Stewart Island, half day tour of Ulva Island, Elm Wildlife Tour and Monarch Cruise on the Otago Peninsula. Paul Carberry is a travel expert and New Zealand specialist with New Zealand In Depth (+44 (0)1298 74040; newzealand-indepth.co.uk; explore@newzealand-indepth.co.uk)

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Torres del Paine National Park Why? Torres del Paine is dominated by three distinctive granite peaks which tower 2,850 metres above sea level. When you add the surrounding snow-capped Andes Mountains and some amazing wildlife, it’s a breathtaking combination that will live with you forever. Not to miss: Viewing the three peaks at every opportunity, trekking some of the many

trails throughout the park, the catamaran on Grey Lake, mountain bike riding, horse riding or just watching it all from the comfort of your lodge with a glass of Chilean Wine. When to go: Although December and January offer the best weather, experts suggest the best time to visit Torres del Paine is from October to March.

How to go: Latin Routes offers a 14-day holiday through Patagonia with three days at Torres del Paine, starting from £2,589 per person based on two people sharing. Price includes flights and accommodation. (latinroutes.co.uk; 0208 546 6222)

The Fall Guy He’s been punched, blown up and set on fire more times than any man reasonably ought to have been – but it’s all in a day’s work for Cheshire stuntman Ian Van Temperley, who talks to Mike Peake about taking a wallop for everyone from Robbie Williams to Tom Hanks…

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

n a barren stretch of hillside in County Durham, a medieval village has sprung up next to a sprawling pile of catering vans, modern horse boxes and portable dressing rooms. People stride about holding clipboards and wearing headsets; others wander about at a slightly more leisurely pace clutching replica swords. And right there in the thick of this strangely conflicting mixture of the old and the new stands Chester-born Ian Van Temperley: the guy everyone turns to when trouble is brewing. Fortunately for Ian, the trouble he presides over is all manufactured – and it’s his bread and butter. Here on the set of ITV’s lavish new re-imagining of the epic Beowulf poem, there’s no bang, stab, thud or “Aaargh!” that takes place without Ian first having had a hand in it. At 45, Ian is one of the UK’s leading stuntmen/stunt co-ordinators with a string of credits that even many a Hollywood star would die for. He’s worked on World War Z, Gladiator, Sleepy Hollow and dozens more films and TV shows. And for the next four months, he’s in charge of making sure that whatever rough-stuff we see when Beowulf hits the small screen next January is as explosive and memorable as possible. ‘I always wanted to be a stuntman – ever since I was a boy,’ says Ian, whose childhood was spent in Runcorn when he was very young and then near Tarporley, where he was a student at the local high school. ‘I was basically told there was no such job by the careers officer, so I joined the Army.’ Fast forward a few action-packed years and Ian found himself living in America, working with horses and wondering what to do next. Memories of an old family friend from Derby provided the answer. ‘He was a horse master – a stunt co-ordinator,’ says Ian. ‘I called him up and because I’d always ridden as a kid, I got a job with him.’ Less than a decade after leaving school, Ian was doing what they told him he couldn’t – albeit from the bottom rung of the ladder. Fast-forward to today and he’s a full member of

ian displays his talents as a horsemaster

‘There is no bang, stab, thud or “Aaargh!” that takes place without Ian first having had a hand in it’

the stunt register – and the man that actionhungry directors turn to when they want to know, ‘Can we do that?’ Hollywood famously keeps many of its most interesting cards close to its chest, and the stunt industry is similarly guarded. Ian says, for example, that he’d be ‘hung drawn and quartered’ if he told us what a jobbing stuntman might earn. Some things, however, are easier to talk about. Like what Ian does in a typical day. ‘It’s different depending on whether you’re a performer or you’re there as stunt director,’ he says. ‘If you’re a performer and you’re part of the core team, you’ll be doubling for one of the actors all the way through, so it can be weeks or months of prep and then you’re working on set day-to-day doing stunts for that character.’

‘Less than a decade after leaving school, Ian was doing what they told him he couldn’t’ As co-ordinator, as he is on Beowulf, he is ‘looking at the schedule, seeing what action we have to prepare for, rehearsing the fights, doing budgets for the fights, getting the actors in to rehearse them as far as we think they can go based on their capabilities, and then usually a few days after that we’ll shoot the action.’ It’s pretty full-on and days are notoriously long – shooting might stop at seven but meetings can last well into the night. ‘There’s a lot of forward planning and a lot of imagination going into trying to come up with things people haven’t seen before,’ says Ian, ‘but it’s really interesting – and we do get to go to some fantastic places.’ He is not, as you may have guessed, talking about County Durham. In his two decades as a stuntman, Ian has worked extensively in Syria (before its current problems); he’s been to Venezuela, to Spain,

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

ian and tom hanks on the set of the cloud atlas

ian in robbie williams’ music video for the song candy

‘I’ve been lucky...you just touch wood and keep your fingers crossed’ the Balearics, Germany and countless other places. While he’s perfectly content when his duties extend no further than being part of a battle scene and waving a sword about – ‘It’s good fun, you get to see the boys and have a good chat,’ he says – he’s undoubtedly at his happiest when working on a ‘big gag’ (stunt parlance for a major action scene). ‘Things like fire work, high falls – all that

stuff,’ he smiles. ‘Even though we rehearse these things over and over again there is an element of the unknown – a piece of equipment could fail or something could go wrong due to human error. But they’re the ones you like doing.’ When he’s not ‘doubling’ for Tom Hanks (as he did in the 2012 film The Cloud Atlas), or for Robbie Williams (see the former Take That star’s music video for Candy), Ian can sometimes be spotted back in Cheshire at the pub he co-owns with his sister, Naomi. It’s the Red Bull in Kingsley, should you fancy a pint, and Naomi runs it. It has an olde-worlde charm about the place and Ian is happy there. Though he travels all over the world and has lived in the US and Spain, he still considers Cheshire his home – and if nothing else it’s generally a little safer here than when he’s working. ‘I have been lucky,’ he says when we broach the issue of stuntman safety. ‘I’ve popped a knee, popped a shoulder, broken a wrist – you just touch wood and keep your fingers crossed.’ Also, he points out, most accidents happen at home. ‘At least when I fall down the stairs,’ he says, unable to suppress a grin, ‘I generally know when I’m going to do it!’ (stuntsivt.com)

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A BIT OF ATTITUDE Never one to shy from a bit of shock value, this July will see Cheshire’s Attitude Gallery showcase the portfolio of acclaimed music and celebrity portrait photographer, Michael Robert Williams. Born in Congleton, Williams’ work provides an evocative window into the music world, including images of afternoon tea with Oasis and rare impromptu shots of Kasabian in their hotel room, each one telling its own story. A must for music fans and art aficionados alike. 2–5 July, Attitude Gallery, Swan Bank, Congleton CW12 1AH (attitudegallery.co.uk)

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

CHANGING TIMES This summer sees an exciting new exhibition come to Chester’s Grosvenor Museum, bringing together work created by prolific Warrington-born artist Francis Disley over the past decade which beautifully charts her long-standing fascination with process and colour. Now based in Liverpool, Frances creates her own work, organises exhibitions, runs the Bluecoat Print Studio, and lectures in fine art at Liverpool Hope University. Over the years she has explored various mediums and continues to mesmerise far and wide with her bright, quirky sculptures and installations. ‘Frances Disley: Metamorphosis’, 25 April–19 July Grosvenor Museum, 27 Grosvenor Street, Chester, CH1 2DD (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk) 50

literary itinerary

The third volume of the Collecting Fine Art series by LUMAS gallery presents a carefully curated collection of art by both established artists and emerging talent. The LUMAS gallery’s aim to make fine art broadly available and widely affordable is evident through each page, a kaleidoscope of contemporary and collectible art displayed through painting, illustration, architecture and photography. The works of photography in particular showcase a wide spectrum and reflect the niche design of LUMAS’ galleries, a concept known as The Collector’s Home. Subsequently, the collection of images have a feeling of belonging to a private residence in which we are privy to. Among essays and interviews by leading art theorists is a positive cornucopia of fine art and highlights from the extensive LUMAS portfolio include Robert Lebeck and Nino Malfatti. For the seasoned and aspiring collector alike, the pages of fine art offer a world of inspiration. Collecting Fine Art – The LUMAS Collection Vol. III, £35, published by teNeues (teneues.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

Manchester International Festival

The festival aims to promote original work, and each year brings an influx of visitors to the city to enjoy the exciting array of new works created and performed by leading artists and innovators. This year there’s even more involvement from artists with a local connection, as well as a broad range of international entertainment. Here are just some of the highlights The Manchester International Festival 2015, 2-19 July (0844 871 7654; mif.co.uk )

the striker

tree of codes wonder.land

former blur frontman damon albarn, who composed music for wonder.land

The Skriker, 1-18 July Salford-based Maxine Peake, one of our leading young actors, stars in Caryl Churchill’s extraordinary work about a shape-shifting faerie. It’s directed by Sarah Frankcom, artistic director of the Royal Exchange Theatre, and their previous collaboration at MIF on The Masque of Anarchy was one of the highlights that year. The music for this new production was composed by Nico Muhly and Antony. (0161 833 983; royalexchange.co.uk)

wonder.land, 2-12 July

tree of codes

wonder.land is a new musical inspired by Alice in Wonderland, with music composed by Damon Albarn, and lyrics by Cheshire’s Moira Buffini. Directed by Rufus Norris, the new artistic director of The National Theatre, it premieres in Manchester before being staged at The National in November.

Aly, 12, loves the extraordinary, virtual world of wonder.land. Bullied at school and unhappy at home, wonder.land lets her escape from her parents, her teachers and herself. Online, Aly becomes Alice: brave, beautiful and in control. But some of the people she meets – the weird Dum and Dee, the creepy Cheshire Cat, the terrifying Red Queen – seem strangely familiar. As hard as Aly tries to keep them apart, real life and wonder.land begin to collide in ever more curious and dangerous ways. Recommended for 12+. (0844 871 3018 www.atgtickets.com/manchester)

Tree of Codes, 2-10 July Soloists and dancers from the Paris Opera Ballet, appearing in the UK for the first time in 15 years, join dancers from Company Wayne McGregor to perform a contemporary ballet inspired by the book Tree of Codes by Jonathan Safran Foer. Created by the Royal Ballet’s resident choreographer, Wayne McGregor from Stockport, visual artist Olafur Eliasson and Mercury Prize-winning producer and composer Jamie xx, have worked over the last two years to make a contemporary ballet that responds to this beautiful novel.

Bette on tour, 11 July Award-winning, legendary performer Bette Midler returns to the UK stage for the first time in 35 years, featuring material from her iconic career and her new album It’s The Girls – a glorious tribute to girl groups through the ages. Midler has earned four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year (1989’s Wind Beneath My Wings and 1990’s From A Distance) and Record of the Year (1989’s Wind Beneath My Wings), two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, one Tony Award, three Golden Globe Awards, nine American Comedy Awards and has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Manchester Arena (0844 847 8000; eventim.co.uk) 51

Investment PLANNING

Retirement Planning

Tax & Estate Planning

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

PRIZE LOTs

1 #1 Black velvet cocktail dress by Balmain This July will see an unusual and first-time sale of incredible vintage couture dresses held at Sotheby’s Paris, including work from the likes of Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. One of the most spectacular lots to be auctioned is this stunning Balmain black velvet cocktail dress, created in 1952 and embroidered with chiffon roses by Lesage. Estimate €3,000-5,000, Sotheby’s, 8 July (sothebys.com)

#2 Verre, Paquet De Tabac, Carte À Jouer by Picasso This oil on canvas work, the name of which translates to ‘Glass, Packet of Tobacco, Playing Cards’, was painted in 1919 and is signed ‘Picasso’ in the lower right corner. Due to be auctioned as part of the Impressionist and Modern Sale, it is believed to have been painted

2 during the time in which Picasso was represented by art dealer Paul Rosenberg, and was exhibited in New York in 1962 as a result. Estimate £300,000-500,000, Bonhams, 24 June (bonhams.com)

#3 Starboard Light by John Atkinson Grimshaw This evocative oil on board piece by British painter John Atkinson Grimshaw is indistinctly signed and dated ‘J Atkinson Grimshaw/ T.20.92’ in the lower right corner and further signed, inscribed and dated ‘Starboard Light/Atkinson Grimshaw/.../T.20.92.’ on the reverse. Painted in 1892, it will be auctioned as part of the Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite & British Impressionist Art, Sporting & Wildlife and Maritime Art sale. Estimate £30,000-50,000, Christie’s, 8 July (christies.com)

Watch news A new collaboration from the Morgan Motor Company sees a beautiful new Struthers watch launched, while fans of Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin will find themselves spoiled for choice this month w o rds : r i c h ard b r o w n

Tennis, anyone? Watch geeks making for Wimbledon this month can get a glimpse of the new RM27-02 from Richard Mille. The £583,000 Tourbillon will be swinging from the wrist of brand ambassador Rafael Nadal. Updated from the RM27, which debuted in 2010 as the world’s first Tourbillon sports watch, the new version is able to withstand a force of 5,000 Gs (compared to its predecessor’s 800) thanks to stronger carbon-fibre materials and a case back that doubles as a base plate to remove the need to attach the two components together, and therefore weaken the watch. Most of today’s top seeds are aligned with a watch brand, only Nadal’s creates something he can take on to court. RM27-02, £583,000, Richard Mille (richardmille.com)

Blue steel Vacheron Constantin has updated its elegant leisure watch line with the introduction of two new Overseas models. Both new references feature a deep blue dial and are delivered with two dark blue straps, one in vulcanised rubber, the other in alligator leather. The self-winding calibre of the Overseas Dual Time drives a dual-time display with day/night indication and power-reserve indicator. Water-resistant to 150 metres, both it, and the paired back Overseas Simple Date, are designed with the active life in mind. Overseas Simple Date, £9,550, Overseas Dual Time, £13,550 (Vacheron Constantin)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

ONE TO WATCH ‘A 75th anniversary is a special one, and IWC is celebrating in style. The new Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Double Moon is one of 16 timepieces launched to commemorate this anniversary. Set in 18ct white gold the dial shows the moon phase in the Northern and Southern hemispheres; a technical feet of micro engineering.’ Lee Chadwick, Manager at David M Robinson’s Manchester showroom IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Double Moon IW503401 (£32,500) Available at davidmrobinson.co.uk

Knight time A mind-blowing display of miniaturisation from Roger Dubuis sees the Knights of the Round Table cast in bronze and reduced to the height of drawing pins. The legendary figures form the focal point of the brand’s second Excalibur ‘Knights of the Round Table’ timepiece. Positioned around a black jade dial, their swords replacing traditional hourmarkers, each knight stands 6.5mm tall and is completely unique. Proving that the mechanics underneath matches the artistry above, each of the 172 components that make up the watch’s movement is stamped with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, the industry’s highest seal of approval. Knights of the Round Table II, £205,600, Roger Dubuis (rogerdubuis.com)

Best of British Struthers London has once again teamed up with fellow, family-run British manufacturer Morgan Motor Company to give us the Struthers for Morgan II. Created in homage to the relaunch of the Aero 8 sports car, the watch houses a recommissioned vintage Omega base calibre, with customisations including wandering seconds and a greater choice for customised hand finishes. A solid 18ct white gold case features hand-engraved Morgan wings and limited-edition serial numbers discreetly located within an outer hinged back, which swings open to reveal the movement hidden beneath the sapphire. The dials are hand-turned from 18ct white gold by Struthers in-house. Only eight will be made. Struthers for Morgan II, £22,500 (londonmorgan.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

Seventies

sparkle

t goes without saying that there is definitely a 1970s revival in progress when it comes to fashion (just take a look at the tassled boots, fringed leather and paisley prints popping up everywhere from Coach to Coachella). Here at The Cheshire Magazine, however, we like to do things with a bit of flair and sophistication – so rather than injecting a dose of Saturday Night Fever into our wardrobes, we’ve opted for these gorgeous statement cocktail rings in rich,

deep tones to give our nod to the trend. From the David M Robinson Colore Collection, our favourites are the chunky 18-carat rose gold, smokey quartz and diamond ring (£2,145) and its sister, the eye-catching 18-carat yellow gold, citrine and diamond ring (£2,375). Layer them up or wear your standalone statement piece with pride; either way, you’ll be bang on trend in the glamour stakes. (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

Jewellery news

WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

Live for the moment Fine jewellery should no longer be worn just for special occasions but should be part of your everyday uniform. This is the message being given by Buccellati in its new campaign shot by photographer Peter Lindbergh, who has used his renowned lens to capture the magic of everyday moments. The series of black-and-white images, starring actress Elisa Sednaoui, speak to the Italian jeweller’s rich heritage, having been shot where the maison was founded in Milan in 1919. Pictured here sporting pieces from the Hawaii collection – characterised by gold wheels, crafted by artisans who twist the gold thread into circular shapes by hand – the campaign also presents Macri and Iconi, as well as the brand’s coveted, one-of-a-kind cocktail rings. (buccellati.com)

Gone with the Wind This month marks an exciting moment for Dior; having been consistently updating existing fine jewellery collections, Victoire de Castellane has now released her first complete range in almost three years. Wanting to ‘capture the history of the house’, it has been based around an iconic symbol relating to the brand’s founder; the Rose des Vents is an eight-branch star motif which Dior first discovered in his childhood 58

summer home in Granville. This has been reinterpreted into a series of bracelets and necklaces featuring a medallion-style pendant with a reverso concept; one side has a precious gemstone (choose from turquoise, mother of pearl, pink opal or lapis lazuli), while the other features the diamond star pattern. With prices starting from an affordable £1,050, this is the perfect summer holiday accessory. Rose des Vents, from £1,050 (dior.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Collection

Hall of fame We’re head over heels in love with the new Cherish collection from jewellers Dower & Hall, not only because these lovely lockets are scrumptious to look at, but also because the brand has created a gorgeous, quirky selection of charms to go with them. These ‘treasures’ include everything from angel wings and horseshoes to daisies and initials, so they’re a great way to personalise your own piece or create a really special gift for someone else. Available in gold, silver and rose gold (dowerandhall.com)

CUTTING EDGE The iconic quilted pattern, also known as ‘matelassé’, on Chanel’s legendary handbags was first created in February 1955. Said to have been inspired by a number of different sources, from a jockey’s riding coat to cushions in Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment, it has this year resulted in the birth of a new fine jewellery range, Coco Crush, encompassing rings and a cuff-bracelet.

Round the bend So used are we to seeing bright colours emanating from De Grisogono’s fine jewellery collections that we were quite taken aback at this year’s Baselworld when we previewed its latest offering. In a dramatic turn around, the Genevabased jeweller’s Vortice collection comprises rose gold jewellery pieces whereby the focus is solely on the intricate, intertwining design; each of the volutes making up the earrings and rings is composed of spring-shaped coils that wrap around the wearer’s skin to create the dynamic, free-flowing movement. But of course, it wouldn’t quite be De Grisogono if there weren’t a smattering of diamonds to finish it off. Vortice collection, from £4,700 (non-set rose gold ring) to £43,300 (full diamond-set earrings in white or rose gold) (degrisogono.com)

‘In its simplicity, the radical and resolutely contemporary spirit of the Coco Crush collection expresses all the values of modernity and refinement that have distinguished Chanel fine jewellery since its origins’

Coco Crush, from £1,400 (chanel.com)

Collection | The CHESHIRE Magazine

#4 #1 #2

#16

blue crush

Take a dip into the ocean with a wave of vivid blue gemstone pieces and jewel-encrusted sea creatures

#15

#14 #9 #13

#12

#10 #11

#1 Rivière de l’Eridan ring, POA, Ornella Iannuzzi (ornella-iannuzzi.com) #2 Wave ring, POA, Palmiero (palmierogioielli.com) #3 Octopus pendant, POA, Lydia Courteille (lydiacourtelle.com) #4 18-karat white gold, opal slice and diamond bracelet, £11,500, Amrapali (amrapalijewels.com) #5 18-karat white gold blue sapphire Columba pendant, £32,850, Shawish Geneve (shawish.ch) #6 Coralline Reef dangling earrings, from £250, Ornella Iannuzzi, as before #7 Crystal bead necklace, £197, Night Market (farfetch.com) #8 18-karat white gold and diamond Anchor pendant, £1,290, NOA Fine Jewellery (noafinejewellery.com) #9 18-karat white gold Oursin ring set with diamonds and sapphires, POA, Boucheron, 020 7514 9170 #10 Happy Fish watch, POA, Chopard (chopard.com) #11 14-karat gold, silver, turquoise, moonstone and blue sapphire earrings, £1,650, Amrapali (amrapalijewels.com) #12 Opal, sapphires, green garnets and gold ring, from the Deep Sea collection, POA, Lydia Courteille (lydiacourtelle.com) #13 Beaded necklace, £821, Lanvin (farfetch.com) #14 Octopus bangle, £440,000, Shawish Genève (shawish.ch) #15 The Tempest tanzanite ring, POA, Wallace Chan (wallace-chan.com) #16 Jellyfish earrings, £3,900, Pippa Small (pippasmall.com) 60

Fashion news

Stateside style The butter-soft leather accessories of Connecticut-based brand Gurkha are preparing us for sophisticated summer travels. Coinciding with the brand’s 40th anniversary, and marking 200 years of Gurkha’s service to the British Crown, the all-American leather goods company has introduced a heritage collection to support The Gurkha Welfare Trust – featuring the famous green wool used in its uniform jackets. Our pick would always be a soft leather case – laid-back and functional, it will establish characterful creases over time, ageing just like a fine wine. (fortnumandmason.com; gurkha.com)

The phonetics of fashion What do your shoes say about you? Thanks to Charlotte Olympia’s ABC collection, they can pretty much say whatever you want. By marrying the brand’s colourful leather flats with gold embossed leather appliqués, your imagination is the limit to create a truly unique pair of flats. ABC collection, £495, Charlotte Olympia (charlotteolympia.com) 62

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

The shoe arrival It certainly won’t have escaped the notice of Cheshire’s fashion aficionados that the women’s floor at Selfridges Exchange Square has been undergoing quite the transformation of late. The most recent unveiling, part of an ongoing £3 million project, was that of the new (and rather heavenly) shoe department; the largest in the country outside its Oxford Street branch and filled with every luxury designer brand we could name. The new area will also offer a revamped VIP personal shopping service, plus boutiques from Valentino, Givenchy and Jimmy Choo. We’re definitely going to need a new closet. Selfridges, 1 Exchange Square, M3 1BD (selfridges.com)

Through the looking glass

Wild feet Founded in 2011 by Italiantrained designer Theresa Ebagua, gorgeous footwear brand Chelsea Paris is rather adorably named in honour of her two daughters and takes inspiration from Theresa’s long-standing loves and fascinations; the Art Deco movement, the sights, colours and artefacts of her native Africa, and historical French fashion. The collections are designed in London and expertly handcrafted using traditional methods in Italy, with results that are every bit as quirky, stylish and individual as their creator. Make room in your closet, we predict they’ll be the next big must-have. (chelseaparis.com)

Bespoke spectacle designer Tom Davies has somewhat revolutionised the eyewear market, creating custom pieces full of character and craft. His latest men’s collection, the Ultra Light Horn Collection, offers lightweight frames, a departure from the designer’s previous collections of impactful and thick shapes. The softer design layers thinly-cut horn with titanium arms. The design ethos was to push the natural material of buffalo horn to its limit and create a softer spectacle frame for S/S15. The results are sophisticated, fusing traditional materials with a modern style. Eyewear, from a selection, Tom Davies (tdtomdavies.com)

A dog’s life Both playful and tongue-in-cheek, a new collection from Jimmy Choo features an utterly unique collaboration. Across the limited edition collection of white tote bags and accessories with colourful linings, the printed fine-line illustrations of a loveable English bull terrier make for some smileinducing accessories. The work of Brazilian artist Rafael Mantesso, the illustrated scenarios of his beloved dog, named Jimmy Choo – what else? – enchanted the brand’s creative director Sandra Choi, and thus the collaboration was born. (jimmychoo.com) 63

Making a

Splash Summer is coming and it’s time to assemble your beach wardrobe. Hannah Lemon looks at the finer details of manufacturing to make sure we get the most out of our bikinis

nless you are an Olympic swimmer, I doubt that you have spent much time thinking about the material of your swimsuit. The rules and regulations of the professional sport are constantly advancing and changing so as to give people some, but not too much, streamline form. Speedo once led the way with innovative technology to make costumes as efficient as possible. With the help of NASA, the company designed its full-body Fastskin LZR Racer, which mimicked the efficiency of shark skin and reportedly took 20 minutes to squeeze into. Some competitors protested that it would give those that could afford the gear an unfair advantage; Speedo claimed it increased swimming speed by three to seven per cent. Whether you believe the

rumours or not, 40 world records were broken by people wearing the suits in 2008. So in 2010, all non-textile suits were banned. But with the loss of investment in new technologies are we missing the benefits of new manufacturing techniques? Is it possible that these can benefit the average person on the beach in a bikini? Marie Su, founder of bespoke swimwear boutique Sumarie, thinks so. ‘There are many brands that experiment with technology in ready-to-wear and sportswear but really not so many in swimwear,’ she says. ‘Probably because this has been

Mara Hoffman Macrame Cami Bikini, £248 (beachcafe.com) Mara Hoffman Macrame Stone Bikini, £215 Braid Back Swimsuit, £209 Photography by: Olivia Malone (beachcafe.com)

Karla Colletto Swim At Your Own Risk; Photography by: Dean Alexander

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

viewed as glamorous leisure wear, however, I believe that a beautiful swimsuit should always be functional.’ She uses her boutique and workshop as a laboratory for experimentation. Starting with in-depth research, followed by a few trial-and-error samples with materials sourced from Italy and France, she turns ideas into fully-formed designs. She then sends these off to the manufacturers to make it a reality. The Sumarie collections offer classically-tailored costumes to suit the customer and include stylish bikinis as well as more sophisticated seaside evening outfits, each with materials and techniques used to heighten the consumer’s comfort and the material’s durability. ‘To create something truly innovative, I wanted to use texture and that was what really inspired me to develop 3D-cubed Lycra that is now a best seller,’ she explains. ‘The technique is fairly complicated. To simplify: imagine a waffle maker. There are two layers of

textile and a spongy middle part that creates the height; the waffle machine presses it together to make one piece of material with an interesting shape.’ This adds a unique texture to waistbands and embellishments, adding extra support as well as being at the forefront of design. Not only are new technologies benefiting consumers, they are also profiting the environment, as Vitamin A has proven. Founder of the luxury swimwear label Amahlia Stevens says, ‘Early in my career I worked closely with Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia [the ethical outdoor clothing company] and a pioneer in the green movement. The work he did with textiles in the outdoor market inspired me to investigate how similar technologies could be applied to swimwear.’ The result is the EcoLux™ bikini, which is made from a superfine matte jersey swim fabric that combines sustainability with cuttingedge technology, resulting in a fabric that erases flaws and fits like a second skin. ‘We blend recycled nylon fibre with Lyrca Xtra Life® fibre for superior stretch and resilience against chlorine and oxidation. The recycled fibre in EcoLux keeps

Karla Colletto Draped Fringe; Photography by: Dean Alexander

Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Vitamin A Cannes Rashguard, £105 (beachcafe.com)

nylon waste out of landfills and conserves natural resources, while Lyrca Xtra Life fibre extends the life of each swimsuit far beyond that of traditional Spandex products. EcoLux fabric is designed and produced locally in California, exclusively for Vitamin A. This cuts down on the waste caused by transportation of raw materials since it’s made locally.’ The designs are classic and simple, aiming to last and last ‘because timeless style and quality are part of sustainability, too’. The pieces have rapidly gained a celebrity following from the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz and Heidi Klum. Kara Colletto has a similar psychology regarding her eponymous brand. ‘I enjoy working with Eurojersey Sensitive® microfibre. The technical properties of this fabric offer chlorine resistance, UV protection, extra comfort, and quick-drying fibres all while being committed to eco-sustainability and the environment. It’s super versatile, drapes beautifully and offers great wearability and shape. Each garment is engineered with unique patterns and construction techniques.’ Experimenting with material is vital to the creation of figure-flattering bikinis. ‘I push the boundaries when experimenting with fabric. I pull, stretch, drape and slice fabrics to discover unique textures and patterns. Combining fabrics and

components in an out-of-the-box way creates the unique garments found in my collections.’ These include bonded microfibre, laser-cut details, and NoSo® technologies, which use heat welding and bonding techniques to create invisible seams. This doesn’t mean that the designs have to be boring though, the innovative materials are mixed with a plethora of arty inspiration such as modernist paintings, old movies, classic architecture and the elements of nature. A bright and beautiful aesthetic is very much a part of Mara Hoffman’s manufacturing process as well. When she started in the early 2000s, Mara’s line consisted of one-of-a-kind pieces that she hand-dyed and

Vitamin A Eco Luxe Swimsuit, £175 (beachcafe.com)

from left: Sumarie Chrysler Swimsuit, £329; Sumarie Empire Swimsuit £249; Mara Hoffman Jacquard Bikini, £211 (beachcafe. com), Photography by: Olivia Malone; Vitamin A Rothko White Bikini, £189 (beachcafe.com)

Mara Hoffman Horizon Surf Suit, £258; Photography by: Olivia Malone (beachcafe.com)

Sumarie Chrysler Swimsuit, £329

batiked in her own apartment. Her latest collection of neon Aztec patterns combined with attractive lattice work makes it seem as though the sun has come out even before you have reached the beach. ‘We are always experimenting with new silhouettes, embellishment techniques, and fabrications. Each season, we try to bring something new to the table.’ From design to conceptualisation, the focus is on making women feel great and extensive thought and attention goes into this. ‘All of our beading and some of our embroidery work is crafted by hand so you know you’re wearing something really special,’ says Hoffman. The future of swimwear and innovative technology looks to be in safe hands and set for an interesting journey. Marie Su even has plans to experiment and develop swimwear that doesn’t leave tanning marks. Maybe they’ll allow that for self-conscious swimmers at the next Olympics.

MORE INFORMATION

Mara Hoffman Horizon Wrap Bikini, £232 (beachcafe.com)

Sumarie (sumarie.com) Karla Colletto is available at Heidi Klein, Harvey Nichols Manchester (heidiklein.com, karlacolletto.com) Vitamin A and Mara Hoffman are both available at Beach Cafe (beachcafe.com)

Karla Colletto Strappy Photography by: Dean Alexander

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Look to the

East

Embrace the changing season with bold and beautiful Orient-inspired floral prints and dramatic feathered ensembles

P h o t o g r a p h y: R a c h e l l S m i t h s t y l i s t: E l i z a b e t h Ho a d ly

Dress, POA, Giles (couture@giles-deacon.com); Earrings, ÂŁ310, Amrapali (amrapalijewels.com) 69

Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

ABOVE Jacket, £530, Marina Rinaldi (gb.marinarinaldi.com); Skirt, £1,600, Erdem (net-a-porter.com); Belt, £62, Elizabeth Kelly (etsy.com); Shoes, £450, Brian Atwood (net-a-porter.com) OPPOSITE Body, £296, La Perla (laperla.com); Trousers, POA (made to order), Zeynep Tosun (zeyneptosun.com); Hat, £585, Sophie Beale (sophiebealemillinery.com); Belt, £62, Elizabeth Kelly (etsy.com); Clutch bag, £2,495, Alexander McQueen (alexandermcqueen.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

OPPOSITE Jacket, £1,200, and skirt, £975, both Simone Rocha (simonerocha.com) ABOVE Dress and shoes, POA, Dolce & Gabbana (dolcegabbana.com); Clutch bag, £2,095, Alexander McQueen (alexandermcqueen.com); Belt, £62, Elizabeth Kelly (etsy.com)

Make-Up Artist: Harriet Hadfield using Becca Hair: Davide Barberi using Catwalk by TIGI Model: Brittni Tucker @ Premier Model Management Nails: Stephanie Staunton @ David Artists Retoucher: Sandra Ojuri Photographer's Assistant: Benny Johnson Shot on location at Vila Vita Parc, Portugal. Stay at Vila Vita Parc in a Deluxe room from ÂŁ293 per room per night, room only (including VAT) Monarch operates flights to Faro from Manchester Airport with fares, including taxes, starting from ÂŁ66.98 return. (monarch.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Top, £1,115, and trousers, £1,502, both Antonio Berardi (antonioberardi.com); Earrings, £250, Amrapali (amrapalijewels.com) 75

THROW A

blooming great Get together with friends and family between 20 and 29 June and have a blooming great time raising money for a blooming great cause.

For your free fundraising pack visit mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty or call 0845 052 4184

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Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) A216a

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21/04/2015 09:39

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Totes

Amazing

livia Palermo is so well-known for being a style icon that it’s often forgotten that she has other key attributes, when in fact, this is far from the case. For the past few years, she has been involved with ADCAM, a charity that works to develop co-operation projects and social responsibility initiatives, and this year Olivia continues her support with the launch of a limited-edition handbag in collaboration with Aspinal of London. The brand’s Marylebone tote has been recreated in amazon brown mock-croc leather and brown calf hair, finished with a dusty pink suede lining and gold hardware. It comes complete with chargers for iPhones and iPads, making it the ideal accessory for working women on the go. It’s limited to just 30 pieces and 100 per cent of the proceeds will go to ADCAM. Olivia Palermo Marylebone tote, £995 (aspinaloflondon.com)

The tied is high Tie-dye is a trend that has trickled down from the fashion world into the cosmetics industry, as highlighted by Dior, which has reinterpreted its kaleidoscopic house collection into a new summer make-up range. Each of the products available – including blushers, eyeshadow, lipsticks and nail polish – have been inspired by tie-dye prints and drench the face in sun-kissed radiance. Our favourite products from the range include the nail polishes; apply a single layer of the grenadine base coat on top of one of the three colour options – Sunwashed (milky yellow), Sunkissed (rosy nude) or Sundown (radiant hibiscus) – to give instant tie-dye shading to your nails. Dior Vernis, £19 each; Tie Dye Top Coat, £20 (dior.com)

Beauty news The mists of time To complement its new summer make-up range of lust-worthy bright colours (including a gorgeous new waterproof mascara in teal), Givenchy has released a number of products designed to give you a natural-looking bronzed glow with minimal hassle. This includes the innovative Croisiere 2015 Must-Have Brume Bonne Mine, which works not as a powder or gel but as a fine mist which, with two spritzes, gives skin a healthy sun-kissed effect in just one second. Why waste time sun-bathing? (givenchybeauty.com)

Midas touch A sun-kissed and golden glow is a tell-tale sign you have abandoned waiting on British summertime and have just returned from a sojourn to warmer climates. Or is it? Tom Ford’s Soleil collection for Spring/ Summer is all warm metallic hues and ethereal beauty, dressing the skin like a Greek goddess as though you have just stepped off the plane from somewhere fabulously warm. The lightweight shimmering body oil is our favourite of the collection, the scent of white floral bouquets and amber-sandalwood lingering on the skin. Apply to the front of legs for golden limbs to rival a supermodel. Shimmering Body Oil, £68, Tom Ford (tomford.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Hit refresh TREATMENT OF THE MONTH ARBONNE RE9 ADVANCED

It’s not very often that a beauty product lands on our desk that we haven’t heard of, but we had to do some research when Arbonne’s RE9 Advanced anti-ageing skincare regime arrived. Founded in 1975 in Switzerland its formulas are based on botanical skin care principles and on the philosophy of pure, safe and beneficial. It operates a little like Avon, with consultants (many in Cheshire) and in our research we found that, in the USA, Arbonne’s products are consistently rated above La Prairie, Skin Ceuticals and Estée Lauder in reviews. So worth a try we think... The RE9 product range is designed to stop skin acting its age and includes smoothing facial cleanser, regenerating toner, intensive renewal serum, corrective eye créme, restorative day créme (SPF20), which also comes in extra moisture format for drier skin, and night repair créme. The range contains nine anti-ageing ingredients (all listed clearly on the website along with their functions) including Vitamin C and algae extract. With all our research we followed the clear directions and gave it a go. The products are lightweight, gentle and absorb effortlessly into the skin. It was very easy to follow. The eye créme was our particular favourite and seemed to make the biggest difference to the darkness under the eyes. Our supply lasted just over four weeks and skin feels smoother, dare we say plumper, and hydrated, with a healthy dewy feel. Arbonne RE9 Advanced, from £28 (arbonne.com)

Summer is upon us, which means that inevitable reevaluation of how we look and feel all of a sudden comes to the front of our minds; could we have more energy, feel less tired and generally feel healthier? So often, the answer is a resounding yes. Cue in Bodyflow, a holistic wellness company founded by a health and well-being expert of 16 years, Gemma Ireland, who works with a team of experts to deliver an array of treatments, from yoga to reflexology and massage and much more. What sets Bodyflow apart is its calibre of therapists – I tried a reflexology session with Gemma herself and, remarkably, after what felt like the most dreamy foot massage I’ve ever had, my energy levels felt quickly replenished and rejuvenated. And where, you may ask, can we find Bodyflow? You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your house, as the team will come to you – what better excuse to carve out some ‘me’ time. (bodyflow.co.uk)

Rapid collagen infusion Murad has brought out a limited edition version of its hero skincare product, Rapid Collagen Infusion as part of their charitable programme. For every limited edition version sold, £10 will be donated to The Prince’s Trust, the brand’s first charity partner in the UK. Now we can buy our favourite velvety serum (great for plumping out fine lines and wrinkles) and contribute to the Trust’s mission of inspiring young lives and helping them fulfil their potential. (murad.co.uk; princes-trust.org.uk)

Travel light The only thing better than a having a bottle of one of Frederic Malle’s heavenly fragrances is having a perfectly travel-sized version to pop in your tote and carry around with you for a quick spritz on the go. The perfumer’s new travel case was inspired by the concept of Bauhaus and the way it married function and form in clean, simple lines. It comes in Frederic Malle’s signature red, as well as black, and perfectly protects the 10ml refills of perfume you can purchase for inside – classic and chic. Travel case, £30, and refills from £65, Frederic Malle (liberty.co.uk) 79

Mind over fatter Supersize vs. Superskinny presenter Anna Richardson talks about fad diets and the power of the mind influenced by the media in all its forms – so try as we might, we’re never going to get away from screens, magazines, advertising and the emphasis on the idea that to be your best, you have to be perfect. If not, you’ll be judged somehow unworthy.

hat do you make of today’s society and the emphasis on how you look? We have to remember that where the US leads, we tend to follow – so it’s no surprise to me at all that culturally we’re obsessed with how we look. Or, should I say, with looking ‘younger’. We’re a nation totally

During your Supersize vs. Superskinny experience – did you really expect you would find the answer? I wasn’t sure what I was going to discover, to be honest. At the time, I had an inkling that fad dieting wasn’t a good idea, but I was nowhere near as knowledgeable about diet and health as I am now – hence being two stone overweight. Like many women, I was blundering through diet plan after diet plan desperately seeking the magic bullet, and just becoming more and more disillusioned and confused. It was only after I had one session of hypnotherapy that I believe I found the answer. It was for the show and I went in there with the TV crew expecting the whole thing to be a joke. The hypnotherapist put me into a trance, regressed me to my childhood (a standard therapeutic technique) and I immediately went back to a scene from when I was four years old – a memory I’d totally forgotten. It brought tears to my eyes. My Mum had been taken to

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hospital in the middle of the night dreadfully ill and I had woken up to discover that my mummy had ‘disappeared’. My Dad, in an attempt to comfort me, used food to soothe me. In my childish brain I began to see food as a replacement for ‘love’ and a lifelong habit was formed. Once we’d hit on this memory, the hypnotherapist carefully reframed it for me – making subconscious suggestions that enabled me to let the pain go, and to let my problem with food go. It was extraordinary. In the following months I lost two and a half stone. It has convinced me that most ‘problem’ behaviour has an underlying emotional trigger – and hypnotherapy can help. That’s why I decided to train as a cognitive hypnotherapist myself, and to offer the services at Beyond Medispa at Harvey Nichols Manchester. And what advice would you give to women who want to lose weight and keep it off? I would suggest that, if weight has been an issue for some time, and these women have been lifelong dieters, then the ‘problem’ is more than likely to be an underlying emotional trigger. Often we’re not even consciously aware of it. It’s an incredible fact that the subconscious mind controls 90 per cent of our behaviour. It’s our emotional brain, and is responsible for all kinds of negative patterns. So you know what I’m going to say – go and have a couple of sessions of cognitive hypnotherapy, and see how easily and naturally your attitude to food shifts. This therapy can produce a permanent transformation and is incredibly powerful. Most women have a part of their body they try their best to cover up – do you? Yes! I have incredibly broad shoulders and beefy upper arms. I was a Lacrosse player at school, and could fling a ball into outer space. I’m super conscious of them, and couldn’t think of anything worse than wearing a strapless dress. Which brings me onto my boobs... How long have you got?

‘It’s an incredible fact that the subconscious mind controls 90 per cent of our behaviour’ Describe yourself in three words: Interested. In. You. Who is your source of inspiration? At the moment, it’s Trevor Silvester, the founder of Quest Institute and Cognitive Hypnotherapy. I trained with him, and his knowledge of the mind and how it works is utterly inspirational. He changes lives – and that’s what I aspire to do. What was the last book you read? I’m a big fan of Sarah Waters and have read all of her books. I’m stuck into my signed copy of her latest book The Paying Guests at the moment – a post Great War love and murder tale. What’s your favourite beauty treat? I cannot recommend highly enough Dr. Maurice Dray and his ‘10 Minute Facelift’. It keeps me looking in my 30s. It’s a mixture of mesotherapy and calcium injections in the face – beautiful results. Beyond Medispa, Ground Floor, Harvey Nichols Manchester (0161 828 8856; harveynichols.com)

12-14 JUNE 2015 ‘You’ll come back different’ Steve Cropley Autocar

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TRAVEL IN STYLE I t stands to reason that a collaboration between two of the world’s largest luxury brands would be pretty spectacular, and the six exclusive suitcases created by GlobeTrotter and Jaguar are no exception. The project ties in with the luxury motoring brand’s commissioning of the final six ‘Lightweight’ E-types, a well-known model of which 18 were

originally commissioned in 1962, but only 12 ever made. Those purchasing the cars (each worth a cool £1 million) will receive the suitcase which matches the vehicle, each one perfectly tailored to fit inside its boot, boasting fibreboard body and leather straps, which (obviously) match the leather upholstery of its model, as well as lining digitally printed with the car’s blueprint. And as if that wasn’t the pinnacle of luxury, each case also comes with a luggage tag embossed with the car’s chassis number and the owner’s name. (globetrotter1897.com)

Motoring news words: Iain Warde

FOUR BY FOUR Mercedes has announced its latest concept car, the Concept GLC Coupé. The four-door, four-seater coupé has many striking details. A twin-blade radiator grille, powerdomes on the bonnet and a four-pipe exhaust are all very pleasing to the eye, and the 3.0-litre V6 twin turbo should make it plenty quick. Gorden Wagener, head of design at Daimler AG, puts it in a nutshell: ‘With its modern and sensual design idiom, the Concept GLC Coupé gives a foretaste of future SUV models from Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, it embraces the typical values of tradition-steeped Mercedes-Benz coupés.’ We are looking forward to seeing more of this concept and fingers are crossed that it will make production very soon. (mercedes-benz.co.uk) 84

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Rising Dawn Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the name of its forthcoming new car – the Rolls-Royce Dawn. The car was unveiled to representatives at the 2015 Rolls-Royce World Dealer Conference in Los Angeles. ‘Our new Rolls-Royce Dawn promises a striking, seductive encounter like no other Rolls-Royce to date,’ said Torsten MuellerOetvoes, CEO. ‘Dawn is a beautiful new open-top motor car with a name that suggests the fresh opportunities that every new day holds – an awakening, an opening up of one’s senses and a burst of sunshine. It will be the most social of super-luxury motor cars for those beautiful people who wish to bathe in the sunlight of the world’s social hotspots.’ (rolls-roycemotorcars.com)

‘Driving race cars was an avenue for me to learn how to build my own car, and that was my ambition all along’ Carroll Shelby

Record breaking International auctioneers Coys smashed two world records by selling a 1984 Jaguar XJ6 SIII for £31,860 and a 1972 Saab 96 V4 for £16,800 at their Ascot auction. The Saab featured in the hit Channel 4 television programme For The Love of Cars and was offered at no reserve, with all proceeds going to the Brain Tumour Research Fund at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Charity, which funds equipment, research and training. The auction, held at the Ascot Racecourse, home of the traditional Royal Ascot race meeting, featured vehicles such as a 1948 Veritas RS Ex-Björn Öwre (sold for £240,000), a 1956 Lotus Eleven Series 1 Le Mans specification (£102,600) and an Alfa Romeo TZ2 by Giordanengo (£125,000). (coys.co.uk)

History in the making H&H Classics, one of Britain’s oldest classic car auction houses, will hold a sale of two multimillion-pound Ferraris from the Richard Colton collection in a generous legacy left to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The sale will take place at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire on 14 October 2015 and the funds raised will go towards the RNLI’s lifesaving work around the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The legacy was left to the RNLI by Northamptonshire businessman Richard Colton, who requested that money raised from the sale of his cars be used to build a new lifeboat called Richard and Caroline Colton, named after himself and his late wife. (classic-auctions.com; rnli.org)

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Not so humble BEGINNINGS As the British Grand Prix comes to Silverstone this month, we take a step back in time to the inaugural Formula 1 race held there in May 1950

ixty five years ago, on 13 May 1950, four Alfetta 158 race cars made history at the Silverstone race track in Northamptonshire, with Giuseppe â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ninoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Farina, Luigi Fagioli, Juan Manuel Fangio and British driver Reg Parnell behind the wheel of their respective cars. It was the first

race in the inaugural Formula 1 season. Nino Farina not only claimed pole position and the fastest lap of the race, he also won the race outright (indeed, Alfa Romeo enjoyed a podium clean sweep), a pattern that was to continue for the rest of that seminal championship season as the trio of Farina,

alfa romeo alfetta 158 race cars at silverstone, 1950

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Fagioli and Fangio dominated race after race. King George VI himself waved the chequered flag to bring the British Grand Prix to a triumphant close for Alfa Romeo, and later personally congratulated all the drivers of the team for their exceptional achievements. Farina went on to claim the first Formula 1 championship in the Alfetta 158, a feat that was repeated the following year by Juan Manuel Fangio, and today the Alfetta 158 remains one of the most prestigious cars from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo, not only for its important place in Alfa Romeo’s history but for its global relevance in the world of motorsport. Originally developed in 1938, the Alfetta had to wait for peace and prosperity to return to the world before it could prove itself on the world motorsport stage, evolving from its original 195hp output to close to 300hp by the time it took the Silverstone racetrack – an impressive

‘King George VI himself waved the chequered flag to bring the British Grand Prix to a trimphant close’

from top: giuseppe ‘nino’ farina at silverstone, 1950; alfa romeo alfetta 158 race cars at silverstone

output from its supercharged, eight-cylinder, 1,479cc inline engine. Uninhibited by fuel or weight limits, the 158 evolved into the equally dominant 159, with a new two-stage supercharger and numerous other improvements, for the 1951 season. Producing up to 450hp in test trim and 425hp in race specification, it powered Fangio and Alfa Romeo to a second consecutive championship, at which point Alfa Romeo officially retired from racing to concentrate on the series production of some of the most technically advanced and aesthetically stunning road cars of the time. (alfraromeo.co.uk; silverstone.co.uk)

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Photography by Mike Petch

THE GOLDEN AGE With fans turning away from F1, Iain Warde investigates an alternative for die-hard fans of motorsport â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the World Endurance Championship series

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EC is the endurance series organised by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest – Le Mans (ACO)and sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The series features multiple classes of cars competing in seven rounds of races, including the infamous 24 Hours of Le Mans, four of which are in Europe, with Silverstone recently hosting the first round of the championship. Endurance racing is designed to test the durability and endurance of participants, with teams of multiple drivers covering large distances in a single event. A typical race is 1,000 kilometres in length and lasts roughly six hours, meaning pit stops are obviously an integral part, with driver changes a must and typically three drivers alocated to each car. The WEC series has already attracted some of the greatest tracks and drivers from around the world, including Alexander Wurz, Mark Webber, Anthony Davidson and Cheshire’s Ollie Webb, not to mention stars from other sports and entertainment, including Patrick Dempsey and Sir Chris Hoy. Ollie Webb has been around motorsport from a very early age; cutting his teeth in karting he progressed to racing at Three Sisters in Wigan at the age of eleven, where he won the Mini max championship in 2005. In 2014 he became the European Le Mans Series champion. ‘Standing on the podium last year at Le Mans was a real highlight of my career,’ he says. ‘The first ever English driver to get a podium on his debut with a French team, and then to go on to win the championship and the Dubai 24 hours this year with Mercedes. I just hope I can keep it going.’ His LMP2 WEC career got off the ground at Spa, where he recorded a second place finish in his class with fellow drivers Pierre Ragues and Zoel Amberg. ‘Sard Morand, my team for this year, is pushing hard for a great season, and with it being the strongest and biggest field ever, we will be making history as a sport.’ We asked Ollie why he thinks new series like WEC and endurance racing is just so popular.

‘Standing on the podium last year at Le Mans was a highlight’ – Ollie Webb ‘Every dream as a kid 20 years ago was always about F1 but with it being so political and money orientated these days, people are looking elsewhere, in most cases WEC. This championship has some of the best cars and names with F1 drivers starting to migrate into it. It’s engaging, fun and much more applicable to the current age of motorsport.’ The future is looking bright for WEC. With quality drivers, overtaking and spills and thrills reminiscent of the good old days of F1, the series can only get stronger. The next race is the big one, 24 Heures du Mans on 13-14 June, and will be live on Motors TV. (fiawec.com)

opposite: OLLIE WEBB (L) WITH TEAM MATES PIERRE RAGUES AND ZOEAL AMBERG THIS PAGE: MARK WEBBER AND TEAM; 6 HEURES DE SPA FRANCORCHAMPS (COPYRIGHT ADRENAL MEDIA / WEC)

CAPTURE THE FLAG For the first time in 23 years, McLaren-Honda is back in business. Here’s the result... Words: Jennifer Mason

Lightweight

Bodywork

The MP4-30 F1 car weighs 702kg (including the driver but excluding fuel)

The car’s chassis and bodywork is all carbon-fibre composite – including the driver-operated drag reduction system

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The basics

The power

Weigh-in

The RA615H is a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine

It produces a maximum speed of 15,000 rpm through an eightspeed transmission

It weighs around 145kg

ot since the days of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna have these F1 titans combined their efforts, and with two of the sport’s most talented drivers at the helm (Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso, in case you’ve had your head under a rock since the end of last season). Can McLarenHonda better its previous record of four drivers’ championships, four constructors’ championships and 44 Grand Prix wins? The racing world is waiting with baited breath for the answer to that question.

Honda has been absent from the starting grid since its self-imposed exile in 2008, but with the change in F1 regulations in 2014 switching cars to the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine formula, the Japanese firm decided it was time to throw its hat back into the ring with the new MP4-30 car. There are those questioning whether Honda’s new RA615H engine will be able to compete with the big guns of Renault, Ferrari and Mercedes in its very first season, but the brand’s head of motorsport, Yasuhisa Arai, insists that the MP4-30 will

make an impact. ‘I am a firm believer that we will win races,’ he said. ‘I have confidence that we will match Mercedes.’ Wishful thinking, perhaps, considering the teething problems that came to light during pre-season testing in Jerez. With Jenson getting the team’s first points in Monaco there’s very little time left for the McLaren-Honda garage to get up to speed before heading to Canada– but I for one can’t wait to see whether this new partnership can beat the rest to the chequered flag. (mclaren.com/formula1)

Technology central words: Iain Warde

Music on the move Long gone are the days of bulky music players for when you’re on the move. This month we take a look at the best portable digital players on the market today, small devices that can be used to store and play MP3s. Most models will also offer additional features such as video playback, making them a truly entertaining travel companion.

iPod touch 5th Generation USP: Latest iOS and lightning connector Best Features: Thinner, lighter and much better screen than last generation £249 (64GB) (store.apple.com) 94

iRiver AK120 2 USP: Ease of use and unparallel sound quality Best Features: Perfect sound quality, light and small £1,499.99 (petertyson.co.uk)

Sansa Clip+ USP: Ultra small and Sold State Flash drive Best Features: Great for when you’re on the move £60 (amazon.co.uk)

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App: Triposo

Game: Rory McIlroy PGA Tour EA Sports Rory McIlroy PGA Tour truly delivers golf without limits. Gorgeous real-world courses and epic fantasy tracks provide players with not only the most realistic representations of their favourite locales, but the opportunity to explore brand-new locations. Full course loading offers limitless options when attacking the green and zero wait times when moving from one hole to the next. Don’t just play the course, explore it! £44.99 (amazon.co.uk)

Triposo is the ultimate travel guide. The app can help you decide where to sleep, what to see and what to do. It can also help with booking apps and pretty much everywhere we wanted to go was covered. Certainly the best free travel app we have found. One travel guide for the whole world. It’s free and works offline. (triposo.com)

‘Technology is anything that wasn’t around when you were born’ Alan Kay

LG Urbane LG has released a brand new smartwatch. The Watch Urbane is LG’s best stab at an Android Wear smartwatch, and those of you with larger wrists will especially take note of its broad, slab-like construction, not to mention its mostly premium look. It is the first new smartwatch powered by the latest version of Android Wear which works seamlessly with smartphones running Android 4.3 and above. Some of the features available for the first time on any Android Wear device include Wi-Fi connectivity, always-on apps to keep the display from going dark when running, navigating or even when you’re shopping, and an improved UX that makes launching favourite apps and getting in touch with friends easier than ever with everything now front and centre. £259.99 (expansys.com) 95

Travel news Special edition We admit it; we’re indecisive. But with the plethora of gorgeous new hotels popping up in London of late, it’s no surprise that we have a new favourite each month. Next time you head south for a weekend of retail therapy, base yourself at the London EDITION, a brand conceived by American hotelier Ian Schrager in a partnership with Marriott International – a combination which results in gorgeous, innovative design, friendly, personal service, excellent food (the restaurant, Berner’s Tavern, is a standalone runaway success all of its own), and a location thirty seconds from Oxford Street, Soho and Theatreland. In addition to its 173 wood-panelled rooms and suites, there’s also a 24-hour fitness facility and basement nightclub. Visit, but be warned, you might never want to leave. (editionhotels.com/london)

Football fan-tasy In honour of Italian and Milanese players who have worn the famous No. 10 jersey for club or country, the Dorchester Collection’s beautiful Hotel Principe di Savoia is introducing the ‘Milan No.10’ package – the perfect getaway for football aficionados. The package includes an AC or Inter Milan No.10 jersey, tickets to the San Siro museum, a deep tissue massage and cocktail, plus match tickets on request. From €750 for a Classic Room, or €1,150 for an Ambassador Junior Suite (dorchestercollection.com) 96

Terre firma Set against the breathtaking scenery of Provence in the south of France, Terre Blanche Hotel Spa & Golf Resort’s 750 acres provide the perfect way to make the most of the outdoors as a family. There are two 18-hole championship golf courses and a junior golf academy for the younger members of your troop, plus bespoke tennis lessons for the whole family and excursions taking in the region by boat, bike or vintage car. The perfect escape for the active family. (terre-blanche.com)

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S u n a n d s pa

Long haul vs short haul

Greek hospitality Receiving rave reviews since opening their doors earlier this year, the two new IKOS Resorts in Halkidiki, Greece are making quite the splash in the all-inclusive luxury travel world. And, yes, we tend to think of all-inclusive as endless buffets and cheap cocktails too – but at IKOS, this couldn’t be further from the reality. The resorts offer Michelin-star dining complemented by signature cocktails created by an award-winning mixologist, not to mention an included dine-out option allowing you to enjoy a spot of wining and dining at carefully selected local restaurants. There’s also a crèche, kids’ and teens’ clubs, swimming pools, a beach and spa, each adhering strictly to the resorts’ first class standards and making for a truly unforgettable trip. For £745 per person, ITC Luxury Travel is offering 7 nights at IKOS Oceania all-inclusive (including return flights from Manchester Airport, return private transfers and based on 2 adults sharing a Superior Double Side Sea View Room) (itcluxurytravel.co.uk)

Short haul Sixth sense

Characterful Andalusian bolthole Puente Romano Beach Resort in Marbella will be adding to its relaxation potential when its new oceanfront Six Senses Spa opens this month. The spa comes complete with hydrotherapy pool, heat and ice showers and herbal steam room, while guests can also indulge in signature massages and facials using natural products from The Organic Pharmacy. From £190 a night (puenteromano.com)

A sussex sanctuary With the glamorous moniker of Slimmeria, it’s no surprise that this East Sussex detoxing and cleansing retreat is not your average dieting refuge. Helping its clients shed unwanted pounds through a safe combination of exercise and diet, guests have been known to lose up to 12lbs in a single week by coupling a high anti-oxidant diet with an exercise regime of seaside walks, boxing and yoga, which kickstarts the body into expelling toxins en masse. If it’s good enough for the celebs that flock there, it’s good enough for us. (slimmeria.com)

Long haul Take the plunge

With suites that appear to float in the air above the sea, a mangrove jungle-cum-wildlife sanctuary and oceanfront infinity pools, the setup at the Hyatt Playa del Carmen, Mexico, is attuned to rest and relaxation. Due to open this month, the hotel will also include a Cenote-inspired spa with a treatment menu that reflects the natural surroundings, with restorative Mayan massages and alternative healing therapies. From £140 a night (hyattplaya.com)

Changing of the

GUARD

From Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to Jumby Bay, Kari Colmans explores the establishments that made history, and the new hotels fighting to take top place

ew words are as overused as the term ‘icon’. It has, like, literally, lost all contextual consequence. From productpeddling stylists waving around the latest It bag, to stalwarts of the silver screen, it has come to signify anything and everything immediately tangible and emblematic of a given region, era or climate. A quick search of the OED gives two rather telling definitions: firstly, a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration, and secondly, a devotional painting of Christ or another holy figure. And while a piece on hotels that have defined their eras has little to do with the Holy Trinity (unless you count that one globallychronicled inn as perhaps the most famous lodging that ever was), the word devotion seems to capture what we really mean by the term. ‘The history of hotels is intimately connected to that of civilisations,’ wrote international hotel consultant Jacques Levy-Bonvin for Hospitality Net in 2003 (hospitalitynet.org). ‘Or rather, it is a part of that history. Facilities offering guests hospitality have been in evidence since early biblical times. The Greeks developed thermal baths in villages designed for rest and

recuperation. Later, the Romans built mansions to provide accommodation for travellers on government business. The Romans were the first to develop thermal baths in England, Switzerland and the Middle East.’ A few hundred years later and the industrial revolution facilitated the construction of hotels throughout mainland Europe, England and North America: first came those in the main trading cities such as London and New York, but from around 1800, holiday resorts began to flourish along the French and Italian rivieras. ‘In Monte Carlo, l’Hôtel Hermitage opened its doors in 1896, offering its guests the refined and luxurious atmosphere enjoyed by the rich at the close of the 19th century. Shortly afterwards, the Victoria Hotel in Kansas City offered bathrooms with every room. The Netherland Hotel in New York City then became the first to provide all its guests with their own telephone,’ wrote Levy-Bonvin. The first official school for refined hoteliers was founded in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1890. Fast-forward through the prosperity boom of the 19th century and hotels soon became a playground for the rich and famous to let it all

colour photos clockwise from top left: rivea restaurant at byblos; pools and gardens at hotel du cap-eden-roc black & white images from top: Marlene Dietrich at the hotel du cap-eden-roc in 1938; brigitte bardot at the hotel in the 1950s; the french actor Gérard Philippe at the hotel in 1952; the Duchess of Windsor arriving at the hotel in 1936

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Despite hundreds of openings over the last century, H么tel du Cap-EdenRoc has maintained its title as leader of the old guard

hang loose alongside other like-minded, and like-walleted, individuals. Indeed, when you think of a particular glamorous decade – from the playboys of the 1970s to the loadsamoneys of the 1980s – the backdrop will usually feature a cocktail in hand, wide sunglasses on face, and an infinity pool supporting a floating mystery blonde. In the true sense of the word, hotels are one of the very few institutions that have become era-defining icons in their own right. When you think of old-school French glamour, it’s impossible not to be instantly transported to a beautiful palace situated just between Nice and Cannes, which goes by the name of Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Originally built as a private mansion named Villa Soleil in 1869, it opened as a hotel in 1870 before being bought by Italian hotelier Antoine Sella. Sella made history when he launched the Grand Hôtel du Cap in 1889 and it has rarely left the limelight since. While at first Eden-Roc’s tearoom offered a refuge for artists and writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway (immortalised by the former as the Hôtel des Etrangers in Tender Is the Night) and then to various European aristocrats, today it attracts a glittering array of A-list names who arrive in their droves to mark the annual Cannes Film Festival and look out over the Riviera on Eden-Roc’s 22-acre paparazzi-proof peninsula. Although the hotel lacks an idyllic sandy

100

beach, like many of its nearby competitors, an over-water trapeze now launches sun worshippers straight into the sea. Following a four-year, £50 million restoration, completed in April 2011, architect Luc Svetchine didn’t stray far from Fitzgerald’s scenic descriptions of old, with rooms retaining their Louis XV and XVI decor. Modern additions have merely added to the luxe-factor: wiring, plumbing and soundproofing have lifted the property, mod con-wise, into 2015, while the Eden-Roc Grill now serves tapas and sushi on its ocean liner deck-like terrace. From Marlene Dietrich to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill to Charles De Gaulle and Elizabeth Taylor to Richard Burton, many a famous name has commemorated a honeymoon, wedding or birthday here, while Karl Lagerled’s short film The Tale of a Fairy used the landmark as its backdrop. The 100th anniversary of the Eden-Roc Pavilion was celebrated last summer; built in 1914 just 400 yards from the main hotel, it was originally the

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

clockwise from top left: the claridge’s lobby; David Downton at Claridge’s; the pool beach at reethi rah, maldives; restaurant at reethi rah, maldives; diane von furstenberg in her suite at claridge’s

tearoom of the Grand Hôtel du Cap, frequented by royalty who lived in Cap d’Antibes. The centenary revelries began with an all-singing, all-dancing gala dinner in May – the kind Jay Gatsby may have thrown, complete with fireworks from a barge in the bay – and a €700-a place five-course menu with all the truffle, lobster and vintage wine trimmings. It ended with a bang on 5 September, boasting a menu prepared by a variety of the Oetker Collection’s famous chefs from Le Bristol Paris and Le Château SaintMartin. Despite hundreds, if not thousands of openings over the last century, Hôtel du CapEden-Roc has managed to maintain its pretty much unrivalled title as leader of the old guard, and one of the best hotels in the world. Another French Riviera institution is Byblos. With an impending 50th birthday in May 2017, the hotel was first imagined in 1960 in Byblos, north of Beirut. Picture two men conversing on the terrace of a restaurant: one of them, JeanProsper Gay-Para, confesses to a crush on Brigitte Bardot and his desire to build an opulent Persian-inspired palace ‘worthy of One Thousand and One Nights’. Around 700 members of the glitterati attended its opening on 29 May 1967. ‘Brigitte Bardot wore a pink and white Pucci headscarf, as was the height of fashion at the time, and was rarely seen without a bloody mary,’ one bystander remembers (the original guestbook, from 1967-1987, is filled with observational tit-bits to delight even the most jaded of gossip columnists). The year 1971 saw Mick Jagger and Bianca Pérez-Mora Macías married in St Tropez, followed by a honeymoon in one of the Byblos suites, which elevated the establishment to the world stage. Digging through the archives and the hotel has even kept an old answering machine message from Bruce Willis. And while searchers of impeccably designed super spas and the like may not find Byblos ticks every box, there’s something about its faded, old-school charm that keeps drawing punters back, year after year. One sure marker of knowing you fit the hotels-of-all-time bill is having a book published about, and for, your clientele. Hôtel du Cap-

Eden-Roc has two tomes to its name, courtesy of Assouline, while the same publisher has run an entire series of Hotel Stories compendiums, laying bare those ‘what happens in <insert relevant destination here> stays there’ tales. They’re published by continent and class, with the North American edition making particularly good reading. West Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont, first set up in 1927, has seen everybody who’s anybody pass through its doors, and provided the backdrop to a number of sparkling, if not sometimes sordid, soirées. As Balazs says: ‘All good hotels lead people to do things they wouldn’t necessarily do at home.’ This year, Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Travel Awards still rated Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc as the best place to stay in Europe, Turkey and

Across the pond, The Mark, The Mercer and the Edition have garnered a following across the fashion and music industries Russia, despite the number of new openers on the scene, while Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, another old favourite since its inception in 1928, was voted best hotel in the world for service. From Paris’s L’Hôtel Le Bristol and The Ritz, to London’s Claridge’s, Buckinghamshire’s Cliveden, New York’s Plaza, Venice’s Cipriani, Barbados’s Sandy Lane and Marrakech’s La Mamounia, these are the institutions continuing to attract the rich and famous as much for the secrets they hold, and the glamour they project, as for the actual facilities on offer. But as the chintzy upholstery begins to fade on the old European and North American establishments, a new flock of elite hotels is being bred in much the same manner as this time last century. Across the pond, residences such as The Mark, The Mercer and the Edition have garnered a following across the fashion and music industries. The first certainly made its

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OLD GUARD 1. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d’Antibes (hotel-du cap-eden-roc.com) 2. Byblos, St Tropez (byblos.com) 3. The Ritz, Paris (ritzparis.com)

clockwise from top left: cara delevingne and kate moss © Walterlan Papetti; Ian Schrager at the london edition; the lobby at the mark, new york; the French Dining Room at Cliveden

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mark on Gossip Girl (die-hard Blair Waldorf followers could pick out The Mark’s monochrome lobby out of a line-up). And it’s the same handful of players who are also making history a little closer to home. Balazs’ Chiltern Firehouse, Ian Schrager’s London Edition, and Chris Corbin and Jeremy King’s The Beaumont are all, by any standards, extremely new to London, yet it hasn’t taken long for them to be absorbed and heralded as an intrinsic part of the capital’s elite culture. Much like their long-established relatives, it’s not the notoriety of the décor that everyone’s shouting about, or the fluffiness of the towels (though impeccable standards go without saying). Nor will it be the room service menu that goes down in history, when someone comes to write a similar article in 50 years’ time, and stumbles upon a retro shot of Cara Delevingne and co with their tongues lolling out. Whatever your background, the right hotel will provide the backdrop for those with the money, connections, and desire to be seen, to slip into society through an opportune crevice. As the American author and journalist Joan Didion observed: ‘Great hotels have always been social ideas, flawless mirrors to the particular societies they service.’

4. 5. 6. 7.

Claridge’s, London (claridges.co.uk) Cliveden House, Taplow (clivedenhouse.co.uk)

The Plaza, New York (theplazany.com) Chateau Marmont, California (chateaumarmont.com) 8. Sandy Lane, Barbados (sandylane.com) 9. Hotel Cipriani, Venice (belmond.com/hotel-cipriani-venice) 10. La Mamounia, Marrakesh (mamounia.com)

new GUARD 1. Chiltern Firehouse, London (chilternfirehouse.com) 2. The Mark, New York (themarkhotel.com) 3. Jumby Bay, Antigua (rosewoodhotels.com) 4. Rosewood Mayakoba, Mexico (rosewoodhotels.com) 5. Viceroy, Anguilla (viceroyhotelsandresorts.com) 6. One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives (oneandonlyresorts.com) 7. The Palm, Dubai (oneandonlyresorts.com) 8. Necker Island, British Virgin Islands (neckerisland.virgin.com) 9. W, Verbier (wverbier.com) 10. Mandarin Oriental, Shanghai (mandarinoriental.com)

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Charmed by

Chennai

Beyond India’s bustling city of colourful rickshaws and saree markets is the tranquil haven of The Leela Palace. Hannah Lemon finds it hard to leave this lap of luxury

hennai, formerly Madras, has often struggled to gain recognition alongside its more successful and populous cousins Delhi and Mumbai. But on arrival, I can soon see the attraction of Tamil Nadu’s capital. Nothing compares to the city’s colour and vibrancy; the luminous materials of sarees flash up and down the streets and even the lorries’ petrol tanks are jollied up with illustrations in bright, primary yellow, blue and red paints. The city has evolved over the last few years into a buzzing metropolis with the help of booming car industries; BMW, Ford and Renault-Nissan are just a few who have production plants in the area. It is also the happy home of the largest information technology park in Asia. The surrounding areas may be a culture shock to some; whether alone

or with a guide, Westerners receive constant hassling for spare rupees. But there is never a shortage of friendly smiling faces too. A short 20-minute drive from the airport and I feel like I have experienced all of this. Getting around during rush hour can be a mission (hour-long traffic jams are notorious) and when the roads are clear there are a few reckless drivers to spice a journey up, so I am relieved to find that the hotel has provided a chauffeur for

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the duration of my stay. As well as people crowding the motorways (I learn that you can fit at least four people on the back of a small motorbike), there are a few stray cows, also known as ‘brake inspectors,’ the friendly driver explains to me as he slams his foot down. When I arrive at The Leela Palace, tucked away from the hustle and bustle, I am soothed by the enchanting Indian finesse and sense of tradition. After a welcome introduction with a garland of flowers and a red bindi pressed on my forehead by staff at reception, I am shown to my room, one of 326 at the hotel. There is a spacious bathroom and dressing room with mood lighting and sound system throughout – just so you don’t miss any television commentary while you pop to the loo – and all the usual extras you would expect (Wi-Fi, laptop sockets and refreshments). The view from my window is stunning, and despite the heavy rain of the monsoon season (October– December) I can still see the cool cobalt colour of the Bay of Bengal and the tiny footprints of a fisherman making his way across the shore. After travelling just over 11 hours on the plane to get here, I don’t feel particularly energised and decide to stay in the hotel for the majority of my first day in India. I am delighted to discover that the 11-storey hotel is equipped for my every need. At one end, there is the quiet and calm of the art gallery (paintings by up-and-coming Indian artists feature widely

throughout the interior), restaurants, the spa, swimming pool, hairdressers and gym, all priding themselves on the latest technologies. On the other side, the hotel caters for just about any event. When I am shown around, there are preparations for a wedding underway, with rows of tables in the Grand Ballroom ready to serve up to 1,500 guests. People mill around with decorations and lights and a troupe of dancers practise a routine on a large stage at the back. Vivid oranges and reds form a delightful decor in the foyer and fresh flowers stand in polished silver bowls (I can see my reflection clearer in the hotel’s vase than in my mirror at home). The spacious marble rooms, embellished with mother of pearl and gold leaf, are a signature style of Chettinad architecture. Decorative Hindu elements illustrate the design too; a long rectangular fountain at the building’s entrance is surrounded by a sculpture of the Tree of Life made of lapis lazuli. There are also statues of the pot-bellied Hindu deity Ganesha, distinguished by his elephant head. Cheery staff are at my beck and call for everything. It takes some getting used to; at one point during a meal I lift a hand to refill my glass but am hurriedly surrounded by waiters who apologise profusely for leaving it empty, so I decide it’s best not to try anything like that again. I unsurprisingly and rather easily settle into the rhythm of it. In the spa there is an attendant

‘I am soothed by the enchanting Indian finesse and sense of tradition’

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waiting with a towel, slippers and dressing gown prepped for me, and while I get changed they even tumble dry my bikini for the journey back to my room. With this tailored service comes the need to tip; I suggest leaving a wodge of notes at the end of your stay. It’s up to your discretion how much you leave but do bear in mind that the average wage in Chennai is only about £2 a day. If you manage to tear yourself away from the hotel, the temples are the main must-see attractions. The Kapaleeswarar Temple is close by in Mylapore, or you can visit a collection of temples in Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism, which involves a two-hour drive. Be prepared to get stuck in; I take my shoes off (a mark of respect), feel the grit underneath my feet and wander round the temples learning stories about the formidable Lord Shiva and his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya from a guide (I would definitely be lost without one). I am not allowed into the individual shrines but can peek in and watch as people queue to be blessed by monks. The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple are the highlights; at the latter, women unlucky in love are blessed at the mango tree with the promise of a happy marriage. For another outing, glimpse into the historical past of the city with a visit to the British settlement at Fort St George. There are a selection of galleries, museums and churches that illustrate their time here. Stop in at the spice shops and mini supermarkets to stock up on dried fruits, spices and nuts. I take this as an opportunity to buy large amounts of saffron, a pinch of the price it is

at home. While there you can also take a peek into the jewellery shops which offer affordable but excellent quality traditional items. Back at the hotel, you can re-energise with an array of cuisines. I witness the tandoor chefs in action in the Indian restaurant Jamavar and am soon ordering a plethora of uniquely seasoned dishes. Tiger prawns are freshly marinated in lemon juice and cardamom and roasted in a tandoor, and the lamb is cooked tenderly on the bone with exotic herbs and spices. And while you may be in India, there is food from every other continent available. Dine at Spectra for tastes from the Middle East, Thailand, Italy and Japan, or the restaurant China XO for a feast of noodles and crispy Peking duck. All are expertly prepared by specialist chefs from each nation. When it is time to leave the hotel and all the opulence that comes with it, I am most upset about being parted from the people who have made me feel so exceptionally at ease. Time spent relaxing by the pool, consuming far too much food and enjoying all the facilities of The Leela Palace exceeded all my expectations. As my plane touches back down, I wonder how on earth I’m meant to readjust to normal life.

MORE INFORMATION The Leela Palace Chennai offers rates in a Deluxe Room from £100 per night including breakfast; theleela.com, 0800 026 1111 British Airways operates a service to Chennai from £549 return. (britishairways.com)

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Weekend away …Castle Green Hotel, Kendal WORDS: LOUISA CASTLE

aving been put on a strict protein diet by my trainer for the past month, a foodie weekend away in the Lake District was like music to my ears. Castle Green Hotel is nestled in the hills just outside of Kendal, surrounded by mature gardens, frolicking lambs and impressive views across the South Lakes. The view from our room (137) was particularly impressive with a huge picture window framing the scene perfectly. It was even impressive, when we drew back the curtains the following morning to the grey drizzle. We arrived at the hotel via Windermere and a hearty walk from Windermere village, down to the busy waterfront of Bowness and around to Cockshott Point. With this in mind, we’d pre-booked an Aromatherapy Associates massage at The Green Rooms spa, attached to the hotel. It was just what the muscles needed and a very reasonable treat for them before dressing for the main event. Executive chef Justin Woods learned his trade at the Lanesborough Hotel, Hyde Park, working as executive sous chef before he and his wife decided they needed to move somewhere more suitable to start a family. They chose the northwest and, after convincing

Castle Green he was moving up to stay in 2003, he took over the kitchens. To make sure we sampled all that we could, and to save on the decision-making, we chose the Cumbrian Tasting Menu (five courses), which showcases suppliers no more than 55 miles from the kitchen door. Cartmel Valley smoked salmon, hot smoked salmon rillettes, beetroot, horseradish and rye bread welcomed us after our amuse bouche of nettle soup. Next came wood pigeon breast with chorizo, then loin and shoulder of Cumbrian lamb. Each dish delicately balanced but with enough food on your plate so it didn’t leave you wanting fish and chips on the way home. And paired with the manager’s choice Cabernet Sauvignon complementing each course, even the fish. To conclude was a selection of Cumbrian cheese with Williamson’s green tomato chutney and a selection of miniature desserts; sticky toffee pudding, damson Bakewell, Kendal mint cake ice-cream and damson gin jelly. The restaurant was full and bustling yet relaxed, the staff attentive and genuine without being forced and the food was delicious, a highly overused word but perfect for this occasion. (castlegreen.co.uk)

‘showcasing suppliers no more than 55 miles from the kitchen door’ 108

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Kids’ news Vintage revival Coco and Wolf founder Amy Hemmings-Batt started making clothes while pregnant with her daughter. From there her business flourished; combining a love of Liberty of London fabrics and vintageinspired design, Coco and Wolf offers bespoke children’s clothing handmade in England. With an emphasis on corduroy and heritage prints, the brand is fast becoming known for its stylish yet comfortableto-wear offerings. From £12 (cocoandwolf.com)

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Sail away Master of Parisian chic Petit Bateau has launched its summer collection, which features sugar almond pastel shades inspired by painters Simon Hantaï and Jacques Demy. The range offers floral prints and checked patterns on babygros, floaty dresses and summer separates. The collection also plays to Petit Bateau’s iconic nautical theme with sailboat prints and signature Breton-striped designs. From £14 (petit-bateau.co.uk)

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d e MR HENDRIX h s a e nl U

These shoes were made for walking Worn by Danish royalty, footwear brand Angulus has won awards for its Scandinavian-inspired designs. The latest collection includes summer shoes in bright yellows, pinks, metallics and tan. Made with plantation crepe rubber for durability and calf leather for comfort, the designs have a unique shape (we love these Angulus sandals in tan) that allows children's feet to move and grow. From £69 (kidsen.co.uk)

Eagle-eyed Kids clothing company Elfie has joined forces with stylist and creative director Alex Eagle to create an 11-piece capsule collection, offering timeless designs in a traditional palette of burgundy and navy blue. Combining Alex's design knowledge (check out her eponymous concept store come gallery for further proof) and Elfie’s quirky clothing, shoppers can expect reversible dungarees, Breton-striped knitwear and ruffle collar dresses. The collection is the first in a series of collaborations between the two. From £36 (elfielondon.com)

og days begin in early July, the warmest month in most of the Northern hemisphere, named by the Roman Senate in honour of the Roman general, Julius Caesar. Personally, summer is my favourite time of year. I love to get out and about, letting the sun glint off my fur, even indulging in a little doggy-paddle in one of the lakes around Cheshire. This is why Anji and I head to Tatton Park in Knutsford. A deer park since 1290, Tatton Park is now home to herds of red and fallow deer who roam the 2,000 acre estate, 1,000 acres of which are open to the public. Although my canine friends and I are allowed to run leash free, I feel it’s best for the deer and our own safety to give the deer a wide berth! I try to stay brave when walking through Dog Wood to Tatton Mere, then we find the perfect place to picnic and somewhere for me to dry off after my morning swim. A vast area of outstanding natural beauty surrounding the lake gives families the space and opportunity to indulge in kite flying, fishing, bike riding or maybe just a gentle stroll to take in the breathtaking views. In the heart of the estate stands Tatton Old Hall. Built in Tudor times, its Great Hall is still lit by tallow candles and a flickering fire which all add to its ghostly reputation as portrayed on television’s Most Haunted. I feel my fur stand on end as we approach the Old Hall, then heave a sigh of relief as we pass on by. The Park holds numerous events throughout the year, including the RHS Flower Show, concerts by the Hallé Orchestra and, celebrating their 10th anniversary, the famous Foodies Festival returns throughout July but it’s the events during August that really get my tail wagging. On Sunday 9th August, the Fun Dog Show at the farm takes place with ten novelty classes, including Saddest Eyes, Waggiest Tail and Scruffiest Dog. Visit the farm for a weekend of traditional English fayre and fun, join the teams for a tug-of-war or test your skills in the egg and spoon race. I will be watching the sheep dog demonstrations, barking encouragement to my hardworking doggy cousins. Phew, I’m getting dog-tired just thinking about all the wonderful things to do there. Enjoy your summer Love & Licks

Mr Hendrix

xxx (facebook.com/mrhendrixandfriends)

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OVER 3,800 GARDENS OPEN FOR CHARITY IN ENGLAND AND WALES

Rock Farm, Kent. Image: Leigh Clapp

For more information visit our website www.ngs.org.uk or telephone 01483 211535 The National Gardens Scheme Registered charity number 1112664

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Summer family fun Even if your troop’s ages range from five to fifty, and whether or not the Great British weather decides to turn sour, we’ve picked the very best places for fun-filled family days out this summer – so slap on the sun cream, grab the camera, and get out there WORDS: GEMMA KNIGHT

CARFEST 2015 This summer the fabulous CarFest will be taking over Oulton Park with its usual roar of enthusiasm, peppering the track with a unique range of hand-picked car collections ranging from vintage cars to championship-winning hotrods, supercars to beach buggies, and snowploughs to tanks. They’ll also be offering car clubs, passenger rides and stunt schools, so it goes without saying that petrol heads of all ages will be in their element – but never fear, there’s plenty on offer to entertain the non-car fanatics amongst you too. To start with, there’s the Big Top, filled with dancers, ventriloquists and a silent disco, not to mention family arts and crafts, air displays, a vintage market, a pavilion of britain’s best food and drink, plus, somewhat brilliantly, a real live

beach, complete with hammocks, deck chairs and extreme sandcastle building.. And to top it all off, there’s the music. This year the line-up includes the likes of Will Young, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Feeling and, of course, Scouting for Girls, as well as a whole host of other big names. Proceeds help support the Children in Need charity, and our sources tell us there are still tickets available for the Friday if you get your skates on. 31 July – 2 August (carfest.org)

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ROBINSONS BREWERY A brewery might not immediately seem the ideal venue for a fun-filled family day out, but head over to the Robinsons’ Visitors Centre this summer and you’ll wonder why on earth you didn’t visit sooner. While the grown-ups create their very own pub guide and sample a selection of the brewer’s delicious cask ales, kids can spend time with Trooper and Wizard, the two friendly resident Shire Horses. There’s also the fascinating tour, a journey through the working, state-of-the-art brew house learning about the science behind brewing, the largest Hopnik in the world (the machine which allows the brewery to extract hop flavours) and how the brewery selects the ingredients which

produce the distinctive tastes and aromas of its ales. The brewery is currently celebrating its 177th anniversary (with the 6th generation of Robinsons at the helm!), so it’s fascinating for little and large visitors alike to see the historic exhibits which show how things have changed since 1838, while kids can learn how traditional skills are combined with modern equipment and technology to produce Robinsons’ famous beers. And, of course, you mustn’t leave without rounding off your visit with a homemade lunch and a tipple at the Centre’s Unicorn Bar. Kids ticket £5.95, Standard adult ticket £9.95, ‘Golden’ ticket £24.95 (robinsonsvisitorscentre.co.uk)

SEA LIFE CENTRE This incredible aquarium has long been a firm favourite of young and old alike, and makes a particularly practical day out when the British summertime shows its damper side. Playing host to more than 5,000 sea creatures – from seahorses to rare Green Sea turtles, enchanting jellyfish to majestic sharks – the whole centre is filled with interactive technology experiences, talk and feed shows and dazzling underwater vistas, while there’s also the interactive rockpool experience (where you can hold a crab or touch a starfish), the kids’ quiz trail and a fantastic underwater tunnel.

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If you’re feeling really brave, the centre is also currently offering SeaTREK®, Europe’s first sea bed walk, although we’re even more excited about the current exhibition, CLAWS, which features an army of incredible crabs of all shapes and sizes. Visitors can get up close and personal with a Giant Tasmanian Crab (which was caught in Australia and destined for the dinner table before being rescued by Sea Life in 2012), as well as rainbow and hermit, plus there’s a giant mechanical claw (scary and educational in equal measure), fun interactive features and even a 3D model. Perfect for rainy day fun. Tickets £16.95 on the day or £9.95 in advance online (visitsealife.com/manchester)

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T H E I C E C R E A M FA R M We’re frankly struggling to think of a nicer way to spend a sunny summer day with your little ones than surrounded by fresh Cheshire ice-cream. If you’ve never been to the Ice Cream Farm, nestled in cosy Tattenhall just outside Chester, make this the summer that you join its 500,000 visitors a year and get stuck into their delectable forty flavours of ice-cream, sorbets and frozen fruit smoothies. Produced on the farm itself, the Real Dairy Ice Cream has not only won awards, but is also supplied to hundreds of pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops around the country – and as if that wasn’t a good enough reason to go, there’s also a fantastic number of outdoor activities on the site, ranging from panning for gold and quad bikes to zip wires and mini golf, not to mention the Country Kitchen Café and Crazy Daisy’s Play Barn, an indoor soft-play area. There’s also The Loft, a teenager-friendly space filled with graffiti and retro games machines above the ice-cream parlour; perfect if you’ve been searching for a local party venue or if the

image courtesy of the ice cream farm

older members of your brood are harder to please. Entry to the farm itself is completely free, and the site is wheelchair-accessible. (cheshirefarmicecream.co.uk)

CHESTER ZOO With more than 12,000 animals of more than 400 different species – including some of the most exotic and endangered in the world – it’s hardly surprising that Chester Zoo is considered the UK’s number one (and one of the top 15 in the world), so if you haven’t been (or even if you have), it’s really high time that you did. Get yourself a map (or use the interactive one online) and scout out your favourite animals, whether they be in the Realm of the Red Ape, in the Fruit Bat Forest, or on the Asian Plains.

all images courtesy of chester zoo

Families can also explore the awardwinning gardens, learn about the animals through animation, or check out the mini golf, face-painting and kids’ adventure play areas. There are lots of indoor exhibits too, so if the weather’s wet you’re covered (so to speak), while the zoofari monorail and waterbus offer cool new perspectives if you’ve been before and fancy a fresh look. Kids’ tickets from £13.31, adult tickets from £16.36 (chesterzoo.org)

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Terra Nova School

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The classroom Black belt Alex Cockx, aged 15 from Hale and member of Hale Karate Club, has achieved his black belt and a place in the England squad. The sport has become so popular with kids and adults alike that the club’s recently launched ladies’ classes were sold out! (halekarateclub.co.uk)

Identify Entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Chester as Abbey Gate College’s IDentify reach the north west finals of Young Enterprise. The team’s product is an orange silicone ICE (In Case of Emergency) band aimed at young children, ensuring they always have an emergency number on them in case they get lost. It has already been used on school trips and as far as New York. Following this success they have also produced a purple band aimed at elderly people, particularly those with Alzheimer’s. (abbeygatecollege.co.uk; identifyye@gmail.com)

Fitness for all The chief executive of sport England, Jennie Price, joined football legend Michael Owen to open a new £550,000 sport and fitness centre at The Queen’s School. The school’s Fitness for All campaign began two years ago and encourages every pupil to lead a healthy, active lifestyle whatever the skill level. The facility includes a large sports hall and a studio, plus extra changing facilities, and will be shared with the community out of school hours. (queens.cheshire.sch.uk) 119

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100 lucky children and their families WIN an exclusive pass to our will be selected to have exclusive access to the whole new world of fun magical new world of fun! at The Ice Cream Farm on Saturday

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theicecreamfarm.co.uk/ IceCreamFace 2 Upload a picture of your best #IceCreamFace 1 Go to theicecreamfarm.co.uk/ Closing date: Friday 10th July IceCreamFace 2 Upload a picture of your best #IceCreamFace

18th July, before anyone else! 100 lucky children and their families will be selected to have exclusive access to the whole new world of fun at The Ice Cream Farm on Saturday 18th July, before anyone else!

Closing date: Friday 10th July

y. o j n E . e g l u Play. Ind lge. Enjoy. Play. Indu

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T & Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: The prize includes access to the new facilities at The Ice Cream Farm for the winning child and up to five family members on Saturday 18th July. An image of your #IceCreamFace needs to be uploaded to the specified site, along with the requested information to be entered into the competition. A postal address needs to be included in this so that the winning pass can be issued. Competition T & Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: The prize includes access to the new facilities at The Ice Cream Farm for the winning child and up to five family members on Saturday 18th July. An image of your #IceCreamFace needs to be closing date is Friday 10th July. Any entries after this day will not be considered but the images and videos may still be used. Winners will be informed w/c Monday 13th July. uploaded to the specified site, along with the requested information to be entered into the competition. A postal address needs to be included in this so that the winning pass can be issued. Competition closing date is Friday 10th July. Any entries after this day will not be considered but the images and videos may still be used. Winners will be informed w/c Monday 13th July.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

POINT TO POINT

rench fashion house Le Bonpoint is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and its latest S/S15 collection makes it clear to us why the brand remains such a resounding force in the children’s global fashion industry today. The new collection takes us on a sartorial adventure across four continents whereby New Mexico’s folklore, Africa’s wilderness, England’s garden romance and St Tropez’s 70s era have all been referenced. We particularly love the Mexican-style embroidered skirts and peasant dresses for girls, not to mention the Riviera-inspired collarless shirts for boys. (bonpoint.com/gb)

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homes and

interiors showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY IN CHESHIRE AND BEYOND

Designing the past The very latest inspiration for your home this season

Wild

thing

The gorgeous new Jungle Python candle collection

python glory by diane von furstenberg (see designing the past, page 142)

Homes & interiors news

#1 The secret garden A love for floral patterns and classic children’s literature should steer you towards Liberty’s interiors department this spring. With a colourful mix of fabrics, wall coverings and cushions, which are based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel The Secret Garden, the latest Liberty interiors collection draws inspiration from narrative details of an enchanted English garden. Our favourite pieces are the velvet print cushions, bringing all the wonder of nature into the home. Jeffery Rose Tree Golden cushion, £150; Chapman Tapestry Marmalade cushion, £150, all Liberty Art Fabrics Interiors (liberty.co.uk)

#2 SPICE IT UP Bringing a touch of exotic glamour to garden parties near and far, we love the stunning decorative Indian tents and marquees from the Raj Tent Club. You can hire them out or, better yet, buy your own, and wow guests of your summer soirees with billowing muslin and candlelit bliss. The company also has a fabulous range of colourful furniture, lighting and accessories inspired by nomadic traditions from around the world, guaranteed to complete the look and create your very own garden paradise. (rajtentclub.com)

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Homes and Interiors

#3 EAST COAST ELEGANCE We have a serious weakness for that crisp, fresh Hamptons’ beach house style which seems to have conquered the world, so we can’t get enough of gorgeous Bowdon-based brand Hampton Living. The latest addition to its collection is a sumptuous range of Belgian linens, sourced from a luxury company that grows its flax in an area renowned for the high quality of its produce (it holds the prestigious ‘Masters of Linen’ accolade and a Belgian royal warrant). Its website even has a design blog full of tips and ideas, perfect if you need a bit of help introducing the look. (hamptonliving.co.uk)

#4 Crystal clear Tall and slender, RIEDEL Crystal’s latest decanter allows wine to unfold and be enjoyed through twofold aeration; firstly on being poured into the decanter and secondly when the wine is decanted into your glass. The elegant carafe is the perfect pairing for the Sommeliers Superleggero glass series, with each glass shaped to suit a specific variety of grape – the Burgundy Grand Cru glass is a good excuse to enjoy a bottle of red. Superleggero Decanter, £135, RIEDEL Crystal (riedel.com)

#5 I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM These gorgeous ice-cream cushions and quirky wallpaper designs from Victoria Eggs are ideal ways to inject a splash of oh-so-British charm into your home this summer, especially if you happen to have a fondness for English eccentricities and colourful characters. Victoria herself is nothing if not the latter, and it’s well worth exploring her website to discover the whole range of delightfully British gifts and homeware – all of it thoroughly stylish and thoroughly fun. (victoriaeggs.co.uk)

#6 Wall to wall Hermès’ passion for storytelling rings true with jungle prints and horse-racing motifs for your home. A new wallpaper collection, inspired by archive scarf designs, proves both fun and colourful. Possibly the most lavish interiors for fashion aficionados, short of adorning your walls top to toe with Hermès silk scarves. Jardin d’Osier, £125.50 a metre, Hermès (hermes.com)

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INTERVIEW

Standing the test of time Furniture mogul Michael Roche has spent the last decade revolutionising the bespoke sofa scene with his brand Chesterfield Couture â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and he isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t finished yet. He meets Gemma Knight to talk enduring style, tradition and motor mechanics

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longside office manager Yvonne Walton, Michael Roche and his luxury, handmade sofa company Chesterfield Couture have spent the past ten years painstakingly crafting a brand that prioritises quality, craftsmanship and longevity above all else. As their website proudly states: ‘We occupy a niche market for high-quality chesterfields and have no desire to mass produce cheaper ones’. Well quite. Michael was born and grew up in Hulme, just south of Manchester city centre and coincidentally just a stone’s throw from the factory where each Chesterfield Couture sofa is handmade from scratch. Having left school at fifteen with no qualifications and little idea what he wanted to do, Michael soon found himself working as a motor mechanic. ‘I only stuck it out for a year and I hated every second of it!’ He explains with a chuckle. ‘But in those days you

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INTERVIEW

the marlborough sofa

the blenheim sofa

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Homes and Interiors

didn’t leave a job until you had another, and I was very fortunate to be offered an apprenticeship with one of Manchester’s leading leather manufacturers, Simon Green. I tried it and never looked back – I just completely fell in love with it.’ Michael continued to work in the industry for a further twenty-five years – as he says, ‘being an upholster is a job for life’ – before realising that the companies with which he worked were dealing less and less with the great British independent stockists that the business had once thrived on. Keen to set up his own furniture company and seeing a re-emerging unquenched thirst for luxury, bespoke leather pieces which could be passed down from generation to generation, in 2005 he decided to go it alone and founded Chesterfield Couture. ‘I feel a great deal of achievement in having developed my first own brand,’ Michael explains. ‘We have seen it grow over its early years into a name that combines tradition and style, and I’m very proud to have our name associated with prestigious and well-known business partners like H&M, Adidas, Living Ventures and Lennoxlove House in Scotland, the home of Lord Clydesdale’. Today, although Michael admits he’s no longer as hands-on in the making of the products as he once was or would like to be (his time now occupied with the day to day running of the business), he nevertheless ensures that he retains personal input on new designs and production. ‘I’m still involved in all aspects of the design process,’ he tells me. ‘Creating new models is always a

the oscar sofa

‘We’d like the brand to be one which is instantly recognised and associated with quality, style and elegance’ challenge, but one I relish. I work with my team, who are highly skilled craftsmen, to create sofas which not only look great but are comfortable – I mean, there’s no point in having the aesthetic but not being able to sit on it and enjoy, is there? And from concept to insulation of our bespoke pieces I work directly with the designers, everyone from Michelle Derbyshire from Living Ventures to Allan Coggin from our Duke of Hamilton Lennoxlove House project’. The sofas and chairs are made to order at the Manchester factory and created with high-quality, expensive leathers and fabrics, sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the company’s team of experienced and capable seamstresses using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques. The brand has four core collections; the Couture Sofa Collection, the thoroughly majestic Platinum Sofa

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Homes and Interiors

INTERVIEW

Collection, the Contemporary Sofa Collection, and a chair and stool collection, a range designed to complement whichever sofa the client has chosen. While the Couture and Platinum Collections focus entirely on variations of the traditional chesterfield style (with its elaborate rolled arms, turned wooden feet and button detailing), the Contemporary Collection uses the same high-quality leather and traditional techniques to produce more modern, functional pieces. Michael finds it hard to choose a favourite model, but – if pushed – admits to having a fondness for the Oscar; a contemporary, sumptuous Art Deco design with wooden feet and dark piping. When we voice our surprise that his choice isn’t one of the grander and more traditional

models, he smiles and explains. Not only is the Oscar one of Chesterfield Couture’s best sellers, but it’s also named after his grandson. And like the inner city area where the factory is based, which Michael notes wistfully has changed beyond recognition over time, so too the Chesterfield Couture brand is never content to rest on its laurels. Despite its already well-established reputation, Michael explains that he still has big plans for the business. ‘We’d like the brand to be one which is instantly recognised and associated with quality, style and elegance,’ he says. ‘We aim to be the North West’s leading manufacturer.’ And with beautiful sofas like the Oscar, we can’t imagine what would stand in their way. (chesterfieldcouture.com)

the sofia sofa

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Twemlow Green, Holmes Chapel A historic 5 bedroom Grade II Listed country house nestled in 21 acres

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Prestbury The most impressive Arts & Crafts house with outstanding southerly views

• Galleried entrance hall • 3 reception rooms • study • 7 bedrooms (all en suite) • Lodge providing ancillary accommodation • in all about 10 acres • planning permission for extensive leisure suite incorporating the lodge • EPC - E Guide Price: £4,950,000

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Ollerton A stunning contemporary detached barn conversion nestled in beautiful walled gardens

• 3 reception rooms • study • 6 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms • 8 car garage with games room area • planning permission for a 2 bedroom apartment above the garaging • gardens • 50% share of freehold of a hard tennis court & woodland • EPC - C Guide Price: £1,650,000

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Brereton Park, near Holmes Chapel A beautiful family house in a private parkland setting

• 4 reception rooms • morning/breakfast room • 6 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • garaging • oak stable block • sand turnout paddock • orchard • paddock land • in all approximately 7.35 acres • EPC - E Guide Price: £1,695,000

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Swettenham An impressive family-sized barn conversion sitting in a quiet idyllic position

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Siddington A mereside stunner

• 3 reception rooms • library • conservatory • 4 bedrooms • 3 bath/shower rooms • 1 bedroom summer house with gym • outdoor heated swimming pool • hard tennis court • garaging • approximately 1.4 acres • mere frontage • EPC - E Guide Price: £2,250,000

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Bowdon A fine detached family house in stunning grounds providing excellent accommodation

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Lymm A handsome period property dating back to the mid 19th Century standing in stunning gardens

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Bowdon A magnificent detached property of superb proportions set in large gardens

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INSPIRATION

Designing the past

Amy Welch brings you the latest inspiration for your home this season, from the sophisticated curves of Art Deco design to vibrant Eastern blossoms and eclectically mixed metallic decorations

Silver lining Eclectic, eccentric, however one chooses to label it, there is something rather charming about a mixture of different decorative accents on display. Design legend Tom Dixon has been championing the trend since opening his first London store in 2002. His dynamic mix of metal fuses sculpture with resilient functionality and can be seen within some of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest establishments, such as the lighting at Benares, and the interiors at Mondrian London, including the impressive centrepiece within the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agua spa, to name only a couple. Remaining under the palette of brass, rose gold and chrome, trinkets nestling amongst wood or marble present an eye-catching ambience. The deep azure tones and python print of this rug by Diane von Furstenberg makes the warm metallic accessories stand out, and for a room to appear particularly beautiful.

climbing leopard by diane von furstenberg

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Homes and Interiors

Python Glory by Diane Von Furstenberg for The Rug Company

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INSPIRATION

Stately style For a historical inspired living space to rival the finest antiquities housed in the British Museum, the grand styles of Louis XVI are the interiors to display total opulence. The lavish sensibility of the Regency period also showed decadent influences from around the globe. An exuberant taste for Egyptian and Chinese motifs was popular and the resurgence of Chinese interior themes was particularly favoured by King George IV. A contemporary twist on such period design is the infusion of warm colours and ethereal influences (Rodarteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cobalt blue 1970s-inspired rugs for The Rug Company are a beautiful example). Any austere aesthetics will feel refreshed and updated, leaving your abode feeling palatial yet comfortably liveable.

Cobalt Motif by Rodarte for The Rug Company

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Homes and Interiors

LINLEY interior designed Art Deco suite at Claridge’s Hotel

Art Deco elegance Few places embody a sense of glamour more than the Linely Suites at Claridge’s. All Art Deco accents and fine British craftsmanship, Linely knows how to keep simple designs classically chic, and Claridge’s decadent history offers the perfect backdrop for the suites’ bold black and white photographic prints and elegant curved furnishings. Most enduring at the hotel

are those iconic natural forms of Art Nouveau with modern influences of Cubism and Futurism. As for decorative accents, we simply cannot fault the crisp white silhouette of an orchid perched upon a sleek and lacquered console table to offset the understated luxury of the 1930s. It is this poise and uncluttered detail that set in stone Claridge’s reputation for timeless glamour.

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INSPIRATION

Orient express Delicate floral patterns for springtime may not appear the most groundbreaking of interior concepts, but the feminine blossoms of de Gournayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest designs for S/S15 will transport one to the oriental flower gardens of a peaceful Chinese pagoda. Various forms of Chinoiserie style have influenced many a fine dining location, and are most elegantly displayed when paired with upholstered period furnishings. The Dorchester Hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s China Tang restaurant, for instance, suggests all the grandeur of the East through golden accents and finely carved wooden detailing, and of course Nobu in London is a shining example of Oriental contemporary cool. We of course would suggest that you dine out for inspiration immediately.

Plum Blossom wallpaper by de Gournay

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HOMEs & INTERIORS

SERVICE & STYLE When a supplier let Suzanne Archer down weeks before Christmas, Wren stepped in to save the day

ust a few weeks before Christmas, Suzanne and her partner Keith were told the kitchen they’d expected was not going to be ready until January. ‘I’d already dismantled my kitchen. And I had family coming to stay,’ said Suzanne. ‘I was beside myself.’ Facing the nightmare prospect of being kitchen-less over Christmas, Suzanne decided to give Wren a call. ‘I’d previously looked at a Wren kitchen so I called and explained I needed a kitchen before Christmas!’ Since it was the busiest time of the year, Suzanne thought she’d be laughed away. ‘The assistant I spoke to said he’d call me back and I remember thinking at the time, yeah, right!’ To Suzanne’s amazement, he called back the same day and the couple headed straight to the store, where more help was waiting in the form of a Wren designer. ‘The service we received was

amazing,’ said Suzanne. ‘Wren’s designer really looked after us and went out of his way to make sure everything was possible in the time we wanted. They got us out of a huge hole.’ Suzanne and Keith already had an idea of what they wanted and quickly settled on the Shaker Alabaster Timber. Their 9ft by 9ft kitchen already had traditional, free-standing wooden school cupboards, so the style was in keeping with the rest of the room, but with a slightly more contemporary feel. Suzanne was equally impressed by Wren’s installation team. ‘Our fitter was a real craftsman. Not only did he take great pride in his work, he also told us how to care for the kitchen. He added extra touches and left the place spotless!’ The new kitchen was finished by 8 December, having taken just four weeks from start to finish. Suzanne was thrilled. (wrenkitchens.com)

‘The service was amazing. They got us out of a huge hole.’ 148

Cheshire Magazine Issue 1 A4 + Bleed_Layout 1 01/06/2015 10:52 Page 10

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RECREATE THE LOOK

Kids’ Kingdoms

or those keen to avoid the necessity for a total redesign every time their cherished offspring’s tastes change (which they have a habit of doing rather rapidly, we’ve noticed), it’s vital to keep the foundations of children’s bedroom interiors as flexible as possible. First and foremost, choose easily adaptable colours – your little darling might beg for bright pink or neon green, but giving in to their pleas will ensure you paint yourself into a corner when it comes to evolving the design from junior haven to teenage hang out (not to mention creating a likely eyesore that’s impossible to tastefully furnish). Stick with muted or pastel versions of their favourite colours, avoid

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permanent fixtures (the bespoke princess castle bed or football frieze might seem like a good idea at the time, but you’ll only be creating a headache for yourself later on). Instead, opt for classic pieces – antique dressing tables, for example, have a fairytale quality to them which evolves into a sophisticated, vintage feel as your daughter grows – and keep any references to hobbies or themes non-permanent (the football cushion is a great subtle compromise). Nevertheless, not going overboard doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have fun, and it’s important to give children a say in their space too. Just remember, a little infant autonomy needn’t be a bad thing – and, you never know, it might even give you some fresh ideas too.

Homes and Interiors

LITTLE GIRL LUXURY #1 Pays Blanc Range - dressing table desk, £299.95, Melody Maison (melodymaison.co.uk) #2 Ornate wall lamp with linen shade, £32.95, Melody Maison (melodymaison.co.uk) #3 Bella quilt, £85, Aspace (aspace.co.uk) #4 Hand-knotted wool rug, £POA, Rug Couture (rugcouture.com) #5 Powder Room pouffe, £255, The French Bedroom Company (frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk)

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Homes and Interiors

RECREATE THE LOOK

#2 #3 #1

#4 #5

LITTLE BOYS’ LAIR #1 Walken Bolster cushion, £69, Made.com (made.com) #2 Zucchini matt emulsion, £41.63, Ecos Paints (ecospaints.com) #3 Noel lamp, £60, Living It Up (livingitup.co.uk) #4 Walton mirrored glass bedside table, £1,280, LuxDeco (luxdeco.com) #5 Swivel chair, £195, Aspace (aspace.co.uk)

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Homes and Interiors

RECREATE THE LOOK

#1 #3

NURSERY NIRVANA #1 Atlanta six-light dual mount pendant, £660, Dar Lighting Group (darlighting.co.uk) #2 Laura Ashley mini Covent Garden alarm clock, £15, Laura Ashley (lauraashley.com) #3 Hurlingham tissue box, £60, Leather & Lavender (leatherandlavender.co.uk) #4 Retrotelo upholstered chair, £952, Artisanti (artisanti.com) #5 Personalised heart cushion, £29.99, Getting Personal (gettingpersonal.co.uk)

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When your hom e is part of who you are For a certain type of person, their home deﬁnes them. It plays a fundamental part in their contentment with life. If that sounds like you, we should meet. Because at Eventus we understand you want your residence to be the sum of a thousand extraordinary parts. Where every room makes a statement. Every space exudes style and grace. And every detail - from light switches and skirting boards to the pool tiles and landscaping - has been considered and ﬁnessed. That’s why Eventus exists. To design, build and deliver residences that are as extraordinary as their owners. For more information about Eventus call 01942 263485 or visit us at www.eventusproperties.co.uk

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06/03/2014 11:21

gardens

Gardens for

CHARITY

As the National Gardens Scheme gets into full swing, Janine Murray-Smith catches up with Pat and Martin McMillan as they prepare their beautiful Victorian hillscape for you and I to enjoy

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Homes and Interiors

efore we take a preview of the four-acre garden with views across the Cheshire plain, it is worth explaining a little more about the National Gardens Scheme (NGS). I don’t know about you, but though I’ve seen the yellow signs on my travels I’ve not fully recognised their significance, despite being an avid gardener with a good acre of English country garden to look after myself. Who better to explain it than Martin McMillan OBE, who also happens to be the chairman of NGS. ‘You’re right, we’re a bit of a well-kept secret. Last November I took over as chairman and top of my list is to build on the amazing work already achieved and make this remarkable organisation more well known. ‘Did you know that we are one of the largest charitable organisations, having donated over £45 million to our beneficiary nursing and caring charities since our foundation as an

left: the pools & waterfalls below: english country garden borders (courtesy of pat & martin mcmillan)

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gardens

‘£45 million has been donated to our beneficiary nursing and caring charities since our foundation’ independent charity in 1980, of which nearly £23 million has been donated within the last ten years? ‘The link to nursing has been around since 1859, but it wasn’t until 1926 that council member Miss Elsie Wagg came up with the idea of raising money for charity through the nation’s obsession with gardening. People opened up their gardens to visitors and charged a modest entry fee, all of which would be donated. And that remains the principle today.

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‘Over 3,500 philanthropic garden owners will be opening up their gardens this year, sharing their pride and joy with others for the benefit of others. Human nature is a beautiful thing as these people do it for nothing, just to raise money to put in the pot for charity. Then all these little pots make NGS what it is.’ Whilst Martin is chairman of NGS, he is not a gardener. It is his wife Pat who is the avid gardener of the couple and has taken charge of opening their gardens at Ridgehill to the public this June. Pat is also a pivotal member of local and national charitable organisations, but it’s clear as she shows me around her beautiful garden that gardening is a natural passion of hers as well. ‘We moved here more than 27 years ago and it was a bare bone

Homes and Interiors

opposite: mature gardens around the ponds this page: the victorian greenhouse and potage; pAT AND MARTIN MCMILLAN AT RHS CHELSEA 2015 (ALL COURTESY OF PAT & MARTIN MCMILLAN)

Victorian garden on a windy hillside, the first after the Cheshire plains, so that was challenge number one. My vision was to make rooms of plants I like really, creating an English country garden.’ As you enter through the gates and are greeted by the views, the first area you will come across encompasses a series of ponds and waterfalls. ‘We introduced this about 17 years ago, I remember, as I was on crutches at the time directing where the rhododendrons and azaleas should be planted.’ Today a series of paths leads you around the ponds and down the hillside with carefully placed sculptures to guide the way. To the side of the wisteria-clad early Victorian home were sloping lawns. Now, there’s a series of stone-walled terraces, complete with a putting green before the winter garden, leading the eye across the view like a natural picture frame. Moving through the garden there is a calm area with a line of crab apples leading to an old stone obelisk surrounded by copper beech. Further back and up the slope are the fruit cages and cutting gardens. We then move back down the garden into the walled area, where two years ago a Victorian greenhouse was built in front of which a potage has been introduced, filled with organic vegetables and flowers. Continue around the back of the house and you’ll discover the hidden gem, the Camelia House, which is in front of the tennis court providing the perfect spot for afternoon tea or that sundowner G&T. To complete our tour we end up in

the hidden garden with roses from Peter Beales that have been grown here and in Europe since 1852. These are surrounded by lilacs and some delicate pink cow parsley in the boarders. I can already imagine the scent when the roses bloom. Returning to the front of the house on the left hand side we have topiary of yew and box that fills the banks. It just goes to show what can be achieved with some vision, hard work and a lot of passion. Ridgehill will be open as part of the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday 21 June (10-4:30pm entrance £5, children free) along with tea, cakes, raffle and the chance to buy plants. The Sandbach School Orchestra will be performing from 11am. Visit a garden, open your garden or volunteer at ngs.org.uk

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Intoto Kitchens provides a bespoke service creating the perfect kitchen for every client. As one of the World’s leading quality kitchen brands and part of the most established ﬁtted kitchen businesses in the UK, we mix German quality and craftsmanship with our specialist design service.

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If you’re looking for inspiration and would like to see how an Intoto kitchen might look in your home, visit our showroom to discuss your ideas and plans, or contact us for a free survey and design consultation.

Appointed as a Neff Master Partner & Exclusive Brand Partner, our clients benefit from exclusive products and additional savings across leading appliances, worktops & accessories. Providing a free Survey and Design service to clients, we also work closely with Architects, Designers and Developers form an early stage, to deliver the perfect balance in kitchen living spaces across the Cheshire and the North West. As one of the World’s leading quality kitchen brands and part of the If you’re looking for inspiration and would like to see how an most established fitted kitchen businesses in the UK, we mix German Intoto kitchen might look in your home, visit our showroom to quality and craftsmanship with our specialist design service. discuss your ideas and plans, or contact us for a free survey and design consultation. Created specifically for you and your lifestyle, each of our kitchens is designed, produced and professionally installed by our experienced Installation team and project managers, whilst being supported by our KBSA Consumer Care Protection Insurance.

IntotoKitchens Kitchens provides a bespoke service Intoto provides a bespoke service creating creating the perfect kitchen the perfect kitchen for every client. for every client.

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WILMSLOW Sta t io n R o a d , W ilm slo w, C h esh ire, (ne xt to Kwik F it ) S K9 1BT | T el. 01625 530792

Adderley: A resid ence that inhabits you

Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen Adderley, you will find it occupies your thoughts like no other. Such grace in such space is all too rare. For this residence has been created as a celebration of grand living. Its statement entrance. The capacious rooms for entertaining. The five bedroom suites, off-the-charts de luxe. The pool, the spa, the grounds, the vista and exquisite finishings at every turn. And beyond the gates: the rarefied environs of the finest par t of Wilmslow. However : there is just one Adderley. We recommend you visit immediately. For more information about Adderley, Wilmslow, Cheshire call 01942 263485 or visit us at www.eventusproperties.co.uk

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

Homes and Interiors

LOCAL PROPERTY

Keepers Cottage LOWER PEOVER

eepers Cottage has been lovingly hand-crafted by the current owner to live in, but having just finished this masterpiece, has decided to sell. Entered through an impressive set of English oak electric gates, the house boasts four bedrooms, two with en-suite, and stands in just over six acres of land. The cottage is constructed of reclaimed hand-made Cheshire brick with a cream rendered Tudor boarded section, all surmounted by a slate roof, presenting a modern house with a period feel. This stunning facade is only amplified by the splendour of the interior, with a real feeling of space and light, aided by the large oak-framed double-glazed windows

and high ceilings. The quality of the craftsmanship shines through in each room, with an abundance of handplaned English oak to be seen in the beams, floors, doors, windows and orangery. The finish to the kitchen, bathrooms and flooring is also second to none, with a no expense spared mantra applied. The house has been cleverly designed around a modern family household, with a one-bedroom annexe above the garaging. A separate paddock is on your right as you enter the drive, with planning permission for equestrian facilities. On the market at a guide price of ÂŁ1.495 million. Jackson-Stops and Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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LOCAL PROPERTY

Antrobus Hall MOBBERLEY

ntrobus Hall is a sixbedroom manor house of extraordinary quality, lavishly displaying the finest qualities of the Queen Anne period. The house dates back to 1709, constructed of mellow Cheshire red brick elevations, surmounted by a graduated stone roof and seated in over an acre of land. This highly impressive exterior is amplified by the elegance of the interior, with the latest 21st century fittings blending seamlessly with the wonderful period features that adorn each room, such as flagged floors, polished oak doors, oak staircase, carved fireplaces and panelling. This is a house that displays a luxurious mix of history, period features and undeniable charm. An impressive set

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of electric gates open onto a parking and turning area to the front of the open-fronted triple garage. The majority of the stunning gardens lie to the rear, south-east facing elevation, with a large stone terrace abutting the rear elevation. An attached garden room allows for full enjoyment of the gardens, which consist of gently sweeping lawns, with a small lake sitting centrally. A spinney of mature specimen trees and Mobberley Brook form the rear boundary, while closer to the house is a walled garden with a stone-topped well and more formal parterres. On the market at a guide price of ÂŁ2.295 million. Jackson-Stops and Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

Homes and Interiors

Moat House MOTTRAM ST ANDREW

oat House is an awardwinning modern architectural masterpiece, a cutting-edge house boasting inspirational use of light and glass. The interior is modern, crisp and light, with each room adorned with the latest bespoke designer fittings, which give a real feeling of spacious grandeur. There has been no expense spared, with the use of brushed stainless steel, polished marble, stone and granite, while the house also boasts five bedrooms and a studio en-suite, as well as a leisure suite with a pool, steam room, Jacuzzi and gym. Designed by an RHS gold medallist, the five acres (approx.) of

gardens and grounds are yet another feature of this stunning house, complete with large expanses of manicured lawns, mirroring the impressive architectural features of the house. Moat House is nestled within the extensive and stately grounds of Mottram Hall Hotel and Golf Club, itself being on the edge of the idyllic and much sought-after village of Mottram St Andrew. Moat House owners can walk to all the facilities that the country house and golf club have to offer, yet are tucked away from view, surrounded by gardens. On the market at a guide price of ÂŁ2.65 million. Jackson-Stops and Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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Homes and Interiors

LOCAL PROPERTY

Tatton EDEN PARK, ALDERLEY EDGE

ith its six bedrooms (four en suite) and separate staff quarters, Tatton is an imposing family house offering an exceptional standard of accommodation and boasting a subterranean ‘spa’ with a pool, gymnasium and wine store. While some homes are just a collection of rooms, Tatton shows the architect’s skill in creating a cohesive, natural flow and an indulgent sense of space. This is only increased when you throw open the doors and let the outside in; both the kitchen breakfast area and formal drawing room open onto south-westerly facing gardens. There are four elegant bedrooms on the first floor. The master bedroom is a complete suite, with a

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spacious bedroom, dressing room and a magnificent en-suite bath and double shower room. The second bedroom also has an en-suite bathroom, and the third and fourth bedrooms share a generous family bathroom, with bedroom three also benefiting from a dressing area. The second floor offers two further bedrooms, each with their own luxurious en-suite bathrooms. This makes it a floor that’s perfect as further accommodation for the family, or as a guests’ floor, or as a teenagers’ domain that preserves your privacy below. On the market at at offers in the region of £3.195 million. Jackson-Stops and Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

Picture your perfect HOME...

We specialise in bespoke house building and the renovation, extension and refurbishment of town and country period homes.

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NATIONAL PROPERTY

Home Sweet Home We discover you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always have to travel the globe to find your own little slice of heaven

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Homes and Interiors

t’s not often that we select a property within our fair shores to be showcased as our current favourite (there is, after all, an awful lot of competition out there) – but when it comes to Weston and Alderbrook House, two new luxury family homes recently built in Weybridge, we couldn’t help but be seduced by their contemporary English charm. For starters, each house backs on to the River Wey, one of the major tributaries to the River Thames, and comes with its own private mooring, access to the river and, if you so desire, the option to have a footbridge built from the garden to a private island. With more than 6,000 – 6,500 square feet of accommodation each, both properties have six bedrooms, four en-suites, open-plan dining rooms and landscaped gardens, not to mention lots of entertaining space, including a family room complete with a media area and bar, a large open-plan kitchen/breakfast/dining area and a more formal entertaining space. Alderbrook House is filled with vast open-plan rooms flooded with natural light and luxurious finishes, while Weston House, built from Charnwood Winnington brick and decorated with

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Homes and Interiors

NATIONAL PROPERTY

neutral tones, even boasts its very own library and boat house. The houses are fascinating fusions of classic and modern styles, as comfortable as they are luxurious and offering exactly the right amount of space to accommodate a family without losing a sense of warmth. And the location isn’t bad either, with both houses sitting on a quiet crescent and benefiting from stunning Surrey countryside, as well as all the area’s nearby shopping and leisure facilities. Both are in easy reach of Heathrow Airport and London, making them excellent second homes for families who find themselves constantly commuting from the north west to the capital. We can certainly think of worse ways to spend the lazy summer months than messing about on the river (and from your own private mooring no less). Prices from £3,995,000 (newcourt.co.uk)

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Llama Property Developments

Winner of numerous Industry Awards. Designing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;in houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or working with your own Architect to help you create your dream home in the UK or Abroad.

www.llamadevelopments.co.uk

0844 809 4469

info@llamadevelopments.co.uk

EST.1967

SOFAS OF DISTINCTION

IT’ S NOT A SOFA... IT’ S A WORK OF ART

To experience furniture at its finest visit us in store at 12 The Downs, Altrincham WA14 2PU

Tel. 0161 929 1870

www.delcor.co.uk

Cheshire and Manchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Leading Independent Estate Agents Visit our new web site www.jordanfishwick.co.uk

Langham Road Bowdon Guide Price ÂŁ2,300,000 Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Office 36/38 Alderley Road, SK91JX Sales: 01625 532000 Lettings: 01625 536300 E: wilmslow@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Stunning Grade II listed property stretching over four floors with far reaching views over the Cheshire Plain Extensively and creatively refurbished to provide the highest standard of accommodation The best in high tech, Control 4 home management system, with music/ video streaming to in-built speakers in every room, Clipsal lighting panels and modern crystal chandeliers, yet retaining many original features. Six beds and six receptions including a lovely leisure suite, with cinema, gym and pool.

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

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

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

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

St Margarets Road Bowdon Guide Price £1,750,000 Glossop Office 44 High Street West, SK13 8BH Sales: 01457 858888 Lettings: 01457 858888 E: glossop@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Individually designed and built by the present owner, striking Coach House in a private spot State of the art home technology sits alongside stunning interior design to create a complete ‘one off’ Three large suites, master with full bathroom and dressing room Lounge, dining hall, ‘live-in’ kitchen and added to this is a complete home cinema and gymnasium. Detached garage block with self contained flat above.

Chorlton Office 410-412 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AD Sales: 0161 860 4444 Lettings: 0161 860 444 E: chorlton@jordanfishwick.co.uk

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

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

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

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

South Road Bowdon Guide Price £1,195,000 Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Office 36/38 Alderley Road, SK91JX Sales: 01625 532000 Lettings: 01625 536300 E: wilmslow@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Hugely attractive Georgian family home, located in the very heart of “Old Bowdon” The property has been comprehensively updated and improved by the current owners over recent years whilst keeping many of the original features such The accommodation stretches effortlessly over four floors and includes five bedrooms, four reception rooms and three bathrooms To the front the property overlooks the private park, for which only a few local residences have the use of At the rear there is a pretty, well maintained garden.

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

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

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

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

Kinderlee Mill CHISWORTH Guide Price From ÂŁ109,950 ÂŁ184,950 Glossop Office 44 High Street West, SK13 8BH Sales: 01457 858888 Lettings: 01457 858888 E: glossop@jordanfishwick.co.uk

** Over 35 % of Phase I Reserved Already ! ** Call Now for an Appointment to View ** An exciting mill conversion nestling in wooded surroundings including a wide range of luxury 1,2 & 3 bedroom Apartments, Duplex Penthouses, new build Town Houses and Riverside Mews. All offering contemporary living within this magnificent rural setting surrounded by open countryside.

Chorlton Office 410-412 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AD Sales: 0161 860 4444 Lettings: 0161 860 444 E: chorlton@jordanfishwick.co.uk

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

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

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

overseas property we’ve picked OUR FAVOURITE properties from AROUND THE WORLD for your viewing pleasure

SPAIN

#1 Buganvillas, La Manga Club

ITALY

#2 Vacciago di Ameno, Lake Orta

This unique property was completely renovated in 2012, with many of its exquisite 17th Century period features having been restored. On the ground floor there is a study, modern kitchen, dining room, guest bathroom, and a luxury spa area. On the first floor there is an elegant and spacious living room with a fireplace, ornate coffered ceiling and parquet wooden floors, while the second floor has two additional bedrooms with en-suite tufo stone bathrooms, a library and music room. The property’s wealth of beautiful architecture provides a classical backdrop to modern furnishings, creating a unique home. On the market for €1.8 million through Savills International (020 7016 3740; savills.com)

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For sports fanatics there is no better place to call home than within one of La Manga Club’s newly announced residential communities. Buganvillas is located in a coveted location at the heart of the destination, close to the tennis courts, restaurants and shops, making it the perfect choice for families and older generations. It will comprise of ten plots which can either be purchased as custom built villas or as land plots which range from 500-900 square metres. All have the scope to feature private swimming pools and come complete with Sports Rights giving owners access to reduced green fees. Plots are available from €230,000 and custom villas from €550,000 (+34 618 409 609; lamangaclub.com)

Homes and Interiors

CROATIA

#3 The Hills, Dubrovnik

This is a small and private collection of four and five bedroom villas with panoramic views to the Elaphiti islands in the desirable Orasac region. The architecture draws inspiration from the rich traditions of the region using stone façades and authentic natural materials. Each villa will have its own private pool and vast terraces, and can be delivered either fully furnished or designed to individual buyer specifications. Four bed villas will be available from €900,000 through Pin & Pin (pinandpin.com)

CROATIA

#4 Villa Ivy, Brac Island Villa Ivy is a majestic property bordering a serene bay on the south side of Brac Island. The 500-square metre four-bedroom property is spread over three floors and features a gymnasium, wine cellar, home office, private moorings, floating dock and a spectacular infinity-edged swimming pool with majestic views. The design combines modern lines with traditional materials to complement the villa’s surroundings and offers open-plan living, enhanced with floor-to-ceiling retractable windows. On the market for €2.8 million through Pin & Pin (pinandpin.com)

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overseas property BAHAMAS

#5 Cascarilla House

This luxurious 11,000-square foot residence is a superb example of individuality in architectural design by Roger Ferris Architects. The expansive 1-acre grounds feature a circular drive, bordered by palm trees, orchids and tropical flowers. Its Spanish-style courtyard leads to an inviting terrace with open and covered lounge and dining areas overlooking the 75-foot lap pool, 18-hole golf course and ocean beyond. Impressive interiors feature soaring cathedral ceilings, limestone and coral stone flooring and a timeless neutral palette. The home features a spacious kitchen and living and dining rooms which open up to the terrace for relaxed entertaining. Upstairs, four en-suite bedrooms boast incredible ocean views and are easily accessed by an elevator, while the fifth bedroom downstairs is ideal for a live-in housekeeper or guest suite. On the market for $9.950 million with Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Real Estate (christiesrealestate.com)

CALIFORNIA

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#6 The Legendary Beverly House This incredible home is situated on approximately 6 acres of land, 3 blocks from Sunset Boulevard. With original landscaping by Paul Thiene, entrance gates open onto a long private driveway ascending to a courtyard fountain. Built from terracotta stucco, the residence exhibits a perfect combination of Spanish and Italian style, with intricately carved ceilings and panelled walls, French doors, balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows which

overlook the famous cascading waterfalls to the pool and the Venetian columns beyond the pool house. The house, which also has an Art Deco nightclub, spa facilities, gym, wine cellar and staff accommodation, hosted John and Jacqueline Kennedy during their honeymoon, and was in The Godfather and The Bodyguard. On the market for $135 million with Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Real Estate (+1 310 691 5945; christiesrealestate.com)

Homes and Interiors

AUSTRIA

#7 Villa Lieblein Built in 1924 this elegant villa is set in a beautiful 1,339-square metre garden designed by Albert Esch, a renowned Austrian architect. The interior has been restored in order to bring it back to its original 1924 state. Hardwood floors, textile wallpaper and generous rich stucco on the walls and ceilings take the residents on a journey through the eras, furniture from the Wiener Werkstätte stands for timeless elegance and modern design, while high functionality guarantees comfort. The property shines in its newfound splendour, reinstating the beauty of the past and complying with the demands of the present day. Price on request. On the market with Christie’s International Real Estate (+43 18905533; christiesrealestate.com)

7 COTE D’AZUR

#8 Villa Villefranche-sur-Mer

This beautiful property with an amazing Palladian architecture offers bright and spacious interiors of 370 square metres. It is composed of a sunny living room, dining area with an open fireplace, and fully equipped kitchen on the ground floor, all of them opening onto a beautiful terrace with a fantastic sea view. On the first floor are four bedrooms, each with their own bathroom or shower en-suite and access onto a terrace, while the underground floor has a garage for 6-8 cars. There is also an independent guardian’s studio and an office, as well as an elevator, alarm system, security cameras and heated swimming pool. On the market for €9.5 million with Christie’s International Real Estate (+33 493 39 77 77; christiesrealestate.com)

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NEW LUXURY HOMES OFFERING GOLF COURSES, DRIVING RANGE AND HEALTH SPA FACILITIES STRETTON GREEN ~ MALPAS, CHESHIRE SY14 7JA

It’s not just the beautiful city of Chester you’ll find yourself close to...

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

Unrivalled Location Superb Specification Idyllic Lifestyle

TO BOOK A PRIVATE VIEWING CALL JAN MAC CUTCHAN ON 01829 458977 OR VISIT REDROW.CO.UK/STRETTON

t: 01704 544 222 e: info@portraitpools.com w: portraitpools.com

Homes and Interiors

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve long been fans of Alderley Edge-based interiors guru Janey Butler, so it stands to reason that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be instantly smitten with the results of her recent collaboration with Belgian brand Baobab. We especially love the limited edition Jungle Python candles, inspired by mysterious reptiles and available in three spicy, woody fragrances; patchouli, cinnamon and candied lemon. The goldish prints on the snake skin are an excellent way to add a subtle touch of glamour to muted interiors, and each one is poured by hand into vases blown by craftsmen glassworkers, meaning each one it totally unique. (janeybutler.co.uk)

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Award - Winning Architectural & Interior Design W: j a n e y b u t l e r . c o . u k E: hello@janeybutler.co.uk T:

01625 861935

The Old Stables, Capesthor ne Hall, Nr Alder ley. jEdge www a n e,yCheshire b u t l e r.. SK11 c o . u9JY k