The Cheshire Magazine September 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 COCKTAIL TIME (davidlinley.com)

#2 VIVIENNE WESTWOOD’S CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL (viviennewestwood.com)

he summer months may be drawing to a close but September heralds the start of many calendar years, from the football season to the school year and, of course, that essential new wardrobe. Football’s Mr Nice Guy Gary Lineker speaks out about the astronomical amounts of money being paid for the TV rights for the Premier League and the tabloid footballer stereotype (page 24). Cheshire playwright Moira Buffini brings her latest Olivier Award-winning show to The Lowry and speaks with Natalie Anglesey about the difficulty of writing the role of the Queen (page 42). We ask some experts about preparing for the new school year (page 115), and shoe designer Charlotte Olympia about creating fashion that is feminine, glamorous and topped off with a hint of humour (page 64). And as the weather turns, we take a look at some of the best golf weekend getaways (page 98) and far away escapes to enjoy (page 104 and 168), not to mention picking up some top tips for the home from Zimmer + Rohde’s Cheshire boss Christian Lee (page 129). New starts, new ideas and, hopefully, new inspirations abound for everyone.

Louisa

Louisa Castle Editor #3 THE NEW FIAT 500 (fiat.co.uk)

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Contents

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September 2015

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Features

collection

travel

024 | The goal-den era? Former England captain and all-round nice guy Gary Lineker speaks his mind on the politics of the game 032 | On stranger tides The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race kicks off on 30 August, with seven brave Cheshire natives on board 038 | Perfect match Founder of high-end service Nanny & Butler talks us through the dos and don’ts of hiring domestic staff 042 | Handbagged Playwright Moira Buffini talks about her newest projects, Olivier Award and Middlewich

054 | Watch news Stunning state-of-the-art timepieces for him and her 058 | Jewellery news A full round-up of all the latest in style and sparkle

096 | Travel news 098 | Top of the range Five-star overseas retreats to suit every golf addict 104 | Life of Thai Explore one of Southeast Asia’s most popular spots 110 | Weekend away Liverpool’s stunning Titanic Hotel is a truly historic treat

regulars

064 142

006 | Editor’s letter 010 | Contributors 013 | My life in Cheshire Meet the owner of children’s hair salon Little BigHeads 014 | Notebook This month’s local events, news and best new products 018 | Local scene All the glamour and gossip 028 | Taylor talk Christine Barker is Cheshire’s go-to divorce solicitor

art 048 | Art & culture news 050 | Face the music Actress Patricia Routledge returns to the North 053 | Prize lots

fashion & beauty 062 | Fashion news From essential accessories to new trends, it’s all here 064 | The femme fatale How Charlotte Olympia Dellal’s beautiful footwear brand took over the world 068 | Beyond the pale Be pale and interesting in cream, nude, blush and mushroom this summer 076 | Beauty news New treatments, products and all the latest news 078 | Second nature Leading skincare brand Liz Earle celebrates its 20th anniversary in style

motoring 086 | Motoring news The latest developments from the automotive world 088 | Lounge lizard Volvo takes luxury to a whole new level with the Lounge Console concept 090 | A collector’s item Discover the joy of collecting the rarest cars 094 | Technology central What’s hot in the world of gadgets, games and geekery

FAMILY 112 | Kids’ news The very latest for little ones 115 | Big fish to little fish Tips and advice for starting the new year at a new school 119 | The classroom

homes & interiors 124 | Interiors news 129 | Fruit of the loom Christian Lee is the man at the helm of Zimmer + Rohde 142 | To interiors and beyond Designer Carlos Mota celebrates his life’s work 150 | Recreate the look Perfectly stylish storage solutions for every palette 156 | Creation of a city garden Liz Ackerley talks us through creating a family garden 163 | Local property The best of Cheshire’s homes 168 | Marina living Relaxed Barbados living with all the added luxury essentials 178 | Overseas property These stunning properties will have you yearning to emigrate

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

september 2015 s issue 021 s

Editor Louisa Castle

The

contributors

Editorial Director Kate Harrison Theatre Editor Natalie Anglesey Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Assistant Editor Gemma Knight Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong

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

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

gabrielle lane Gabrielle contributes to both The Huffington Post and Positive Luxury. With experience writing across style, beauty and culture, this month she takes us on a tour of the finest resorts and properties to be found on Thailand’s idyllic shores.

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.

DOMINIC NICHOLLS Dominic has shot a wealth of fashion, advertising and celebrities – Anthony Hopkins and Rod Stewart to name drop a few… In our September fashion shoot he shows us how to be pale and interesting with a balletic palette.

Production Hugo Wheatley, Oscar Viney Alice Ford, Jamie Steele Advertising Managers Kayleigh Penswick, Kathryn Otto Danielle Mullen Brand Ambassador Keely Barrett 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, plus businesses, newsagents and retail outlets. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Kayleigh Penswick:+44 (0) 784 1199 699 k.penswick@runwildgroup.co.uk Kathryn Otto:+ 44 (0) 797 1981 721 k.otto@runwildgroup.co.uk Danielle Mullen: +44 (0) 796 6159 812 d.mullen@runwildgroup.co.uk

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

cover On the

The ETERNITY Chandelier, CHANDRA Chair and EXOTICA Desk by KOKET Projects. See page 150 for more. (bykoket.com)

Also published by

The Hollows is a new eatery bringing a vast selection of small plates to the lovely suburb of Hoole, Chester. Our menu embraces foods from across the globes with favourites like the beef short rib and lamb riblets, vegetarian dishes such as Avocado tatare, grapefruit and fennel or toasted focaccia with tomato and pepper tapenade or favourite fish dishes like Seared bass, avocado mousse with honey and mustard dressing. Not forgetting the selection of plates available from our distinctive Oyster Bar starting with Oysters, an acquired taste, but one that everyone should try.

SUNDAY’S AT THE HALLOWS Every Sunday we serve 300oz of Roasted Rib of 40 day dry aged Welsh beef carved to order served with all your favourite trimmings honey glazed carrots, stilton & broccoli, peas & pancetta and crispy roast potatoes and starting from £12.50pp. Also featuring our Sunday Supplement Menu changed on a weekly basis served with all the trimmings please ask our host for the supplements for the week, this includes our Veg and Vegan Supplement Menu starting from £10.50 pp. Join us at the hallows for a relaxed Sunday...

Opening times: 12pm - 12am every day The Hollows, 20 Charles Street, Hoole, Chester, CH23AZ Email: Holla@the-hollowsch2.co.uk | Tel: 01244 310245 Twitter: @the-hollowsch2

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

My life in CHESHIRE SHARON DOBSON Owner of Little BigHeads

A ‘I love living in Cheshire, and I feel so blessed that we can raise our family in such beautiful surroundings’

clockwise from top left: a delighted client at little bigheads; rural walks in mobberley; the salon uses bubbles and wooden toys to promote a fun, relaxed atmosphere

fter many years as director of customer services loyalty at BA, Merseyside-born Sharon Dobson decided that it was time to cut back on the travelling and finally put down roots with her young family. ‘I’d always thought about my own business in the children’s sector, and I discovered children’s hair salons were quite big in the US,’ Sharon says. ‘I desperately wanted to set my business up in the Cheshire area, and by coincidence I discovered a children’s salon already existed in Wilmslow which, although very small in terms of turnover, had a good local reputation and the potential to expand. It was also already trading under the name Little BigHeads, which I loved, and I really saw the potential of growing this into a great brand. I took over the Wilmslow salon in 2012 and I opened a second one in Bramhall in 2014.’ The idea at Little BigHeads is for children and their parents alike to look upon a visit to the hairdressers as a fun overall experience, rather than a chore. To achieve this, Sharon and her team have created salons designed to capture children’s imaginations without being overstimulating, avoiding novelty chairs, electronic games and noisy toys in favour of a more relaxed environment of dens, wooden toys, age-appropriate DVDs, bubbles and rewards in the form of stickers, lollipops and raisins (plus tea, coffee, Wi-Fi and magazines for the grown-ups). With two thriving salons to her name, Sharon now lives in Mobberley with her husband and two children (both at school in Knutsford), and says that she ‘just couldn’t imagine’ living anywhere besides Cheshire. ‘I first lived in Knutsford for five years after falling in love with the town on my first visit, and even now I still marvel at the wonderful architecture and stunning scenery all around me,’ she explains. ‘I love living in Cheshire, and I feel so blessed that we can raise our family in such beautiful surroundings. We’re now only ten minutes away from Knutsford, Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, and Mobberley itself has some of the best foodie pubs around, so we really feel like we are at the centre of everything, whilst living in a semi-rural village. Just perfect! We have lots of beautiful walks on our doorstep, but you just can’t beat Tatton Park for a great family day out. We’re there a lot, be it on our bikes, for picnics, to walk in the beautiful gardens, or to visit children’s adventure play park or the brilliant petting farm. It’s such a special place for us as a family.’ (littlebigheads.co.uk; @Littlebigheads1) 6 Hawthorn Lane, Wilmslow, 01625 548326; 6 The Village Square, Bramhall, 0161 439 7953 13

RAZZLE DAZZLE As part of the First World War commemorations, Sir Peter Blake’s spectacularly designed Mersey Ferry Snowdrop will be cruising the Ship Canal from Salford Quays to Liverpool during August and September. The extraordinary dazzle effect was introduced in 1917 to baffle the eyes of enemy U-boats and aircraft, working with contrasting stripes and curves that broke up the shape. Clearly, Snowdrop has taken this to the next level incorporating 22 colours and over 800 litres of paint. Cruises are supplementing the existing Mersey Ferries services and normally incorporate a two and a half hour stop-over. (merseyferries.co.uk)

NOTEBOOK

19 September International Talk like a Pirate Day

$524m the highest-grossing opening weekend for a film, Jurassic World

2.18 the average number of goals per match for Man City

the age of the first person to be fitted with a bionic eye

LEADING WITH PRIDE Sir Ian McKellen, who hails from Burnley, will be leading Manchester Pride this August. Marking 25 years of fundraising events celebrating LGBT life in Manchester, the theme for this year’s event is devotion and participants and attendees will be encouraged to celebrate and shout about who and what they are devoted to. As Grand Marshal, Sir Ian will lead the parade on 29 August from Liverpool Road to Fairfield Street. The parade is free but tickets for the weekend are available (£25, £15), plus the chance to see Texas and Union J perform. (bigweekend.manchesterpride.com) 14

- Ray Flynn, Audenshaw

@Jaqueline_Gold There are two ways to be fooled, one is to believe what isn’t true, the other is to refuse to believe what is true

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

5 top picks

for

MODERN BOHEMIA Add a touch of bohemian chic to your home with these gorgeous vintage pieces

#1 BOHO TINS, £19 (marksandspencer.com)

PASSIONPRENEURS

ccording to the latest research, Britain is a nation of Passionpreneurs; those running a business linked to a hobby or passion. Top Passionpreneurs include Richard Branson, JK Rowling, Lord Sugar and David Beckham. The top ten passions that Brits would like to turn into a business are: food and drink (21%), sport and fitness (12%), creative arts (9%) and design (15%). The survey was commissioned by Amway UK to mark the launch of Britain’s Top Real Role Model 2015 – a nationwide competition to uncover unsung British entrepreneurial heroes. (btrrm2015.co.uk)

PURCHASE OF THE MONTH Au naturel summer

#2 SAVIGNY EBONY CUSHION, £95 (Designers Guild at sweetpeaandwillow.com)

#3 GOLD LEAF PENDANT, £598 (darlighting.co.uk)

#4 ROSA FLORAL RUG, £495 (oliverbonas.com)

Prada wood, £175 (sunglasses-shop.co.uk)

#5 CANDLESTICK, £295 (fruit4sale.com) 15

YU & YOU The famous Yu brothers have just announced plans to take over the first floor of the old Panacea site in Alderley Edge, opening this autumn. Brothers Victor and Vinny, who founded Yu &

You in the Ribble Valley with their dad Charlie, specialise in creating modern Chinese cuisine combining the traditional and contemporary. They have won numerous accolades, including the prestigious Legacy of Taste Pagoda Award and Best UK Chinese restaurant as chosen by Gordon Ramsay. We can’t wait! (yualderleyedge.co.uk)

Q&A... JAMES MARTIN, TV chef

What is your favourite food and why? I absolutely love chocolate, who doesn’t? Thai food is a big love of mine. Cooking seafood with Thai ingredients is a fabulous way of adding flavour.

NOTEBOOK

Food & Drink PURCHASE OF THE MONTH WINEMAKER FOR THE DAY Why not indulge in more than just a simple tasting and learn to be a winemaker for a day with Abercrombie & Kent? Create your own signature blend, ship bottles home, create your label and stay at the Hotel Castello di Casole in Tuscany. A four-day trip to Tuscany including a winemaker for the day experience costs from £1,125 pp (abercrombiekent.co.uk) 16

Where did your passion for food begin? My gran. When I was little I spent hours in the kitchen watching her cook. She was one of the greatest people in the world and I can safely say she made the best bacon sandwiches ever, which were the perfect cure for every hurt. Did you know? James still holds the world record for carrot chopping in which he peeled and sliced 22 (515g) whole carrots in one minute on a special charity edition of Ready Steady Cook.

(jamesmartinmanchester.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

SPOTLIGHT ON... THE BOTANIST Words: louisa castle

he welcome at The Botanist is always a warm one, and this Thursday evening was no different. The only difference was that this time I had with me the pickiest foodie I know – my dad. If we eat out and we choose the same thing, his will be over-done, under-done, tasteless or less than warm. Although perhaps picky isn’t quite the word; he knows what he likes and doesn’t like over-exaggerated fuss – a true Yorkshireman. Needless to say, I was hoping that this might be the ideal place to satisfy his discerning palette. First to the drinks. The list is extensive, especially the beers and ales which my husband spent the evening immersed in. A non-alcoholic cooler (£4.50), Old Press Shiraz (£6.50), Bellini (£6.95) and one of countless ales later, we were ready to order with the ‘pickiest foodie I know’ finding several things to take his fancy. The deli boards are a firm favourite when I visit with the girls, but as a family we wanted our own things; traditional prawn cocktail (£7.50), pan-fried garlic mushrooms (£4.95)

served in a trowel, homemade Scotch egg (£5.95) with the essential piccalilli and calamari (£6.25). All delicious and presented as only The Botanist can – we were in a very glamorous potting shed after all. The hanging kebabs here are a signature dish and looking around the full restaurant, extremely popular, but as we had already decided to try different things, our main course selections were pan-fried sea bass with pico de gallo (£13.95), 9oz ribeye steak (£14.95), beef burger with optional gherkin and steak (£9.95) and a cheese and onion sandwich (£9.95). The ‘properly seasoned chips’ (£2.95) were a surefire hit, thin and crispy and seasoned with gusto, but the meals provided a great example of the range of food on offer. The sandwich, simply presented in a bloomer, was juicy and filled to the brim. At the other end of the scale the succulent sea bass was pan-fried and full of fabulous flavour. The burger – juicy and the kind that doesn’t fall apart like those homemade ones thrown on the barbecue – and the steak (a particular thorn in our eater’s side) was tender, tasty and cooked exactly as ordered, which was commented upon as a rare achievement. A good few conversations later, the dessert menu beckoned (all £4.95) and we couldn’t resist the strawberry and marshmallow kebab and sticky toffee pudding with plenty of syrup and a healthy serving of vanilla ice-cream. The Botanist was already a well-loved dinner-with-friends destination of mine, but now is also my destination of choice for dinner-with-the-parents – for the menu choice, quality of food, service, relaxed surroundings and very reasonable tab. The Botanist, 15 London Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7JT (01625 865 637; thebotanist.uk.com) 17

Local scene

This month we’ve been lunching, celebrating, fundraising and toasting local good causes and events

Café du Paris The Mere Resort & Spa The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust held their eleventh annual lunch, raising over £65,000 for the charity which offers life-changing holidays to terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children. Guests were greeted by stilt walkers, tempted with shopping and entertained all afternoon. (caft.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Happy birthday Concorde, Runway Visitor Park More than 250 parents, friends, staff, governors and alumnae from Withington Girls School celebrated â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;125 years under the wings of Concordeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Founded in 1890 by a group of eminent families, the school was set up to provide the same educational opportunities for their daughters as were already available for their sons. (wgs.org)

Sparkling colour Steven Stone, Hale VIPs and clientele attended a sunny evening champagne celebration at Steven Stone jewellers, unveiling their new collection, coloured diamonds; a gemstone of choice for celebrities local and beyond. (stevenstone.com)

Afternoon tea & panamas Mayfield House, Bunbury A glorious Sunday afternoon played the perfect partner to Jeannie France-Hayhurst’s inaugural garden party in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Charity. With music from Josh Whittaker and Amber Prothero, plenty of bubbles, cakes and activities for the kids (young and old) as well as shopping opportunities, the day was a great success, raising more than £8,000. (alderheycharity.org)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Show pony Bolesworth Castle The stars of sports, screen and society gathered for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bolesworth International show-jumping spectacular. With the ever-popular schools day, gladiators, shows and beautiful stalls, the four-day event enjoyed the weather and beautiful setting, attracting the top international riders to compete. (bolesworthinternational.com)

The Perennial Legacy Garden supported by Glendale. Designed by: Paul Hervey-Brookes. Sponsored by: Perennial – the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society, Glendale, Rollins Bulldog, Travis Perkins, Bradstone. RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2015. © RHS image courtesy of RHS / Lee Beel

Blooming spectacular

Carnival Parade at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park image courtesy of RHS/ MarkWaugh © RHS

Tatton Park From Great British Allotments to floristry workshops, not forgetting the amazing shows, this year’s RHS Tatton Show delighted all visitors with its carnival atmosphere, inspiration and shopping. (rhs.org.uk)

Bring Me Sunshine. Designed by: Lindsay Haycock. RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2015. © RHS image courtesy of RHS / Lee Beel

Garden Hideaways - The Cut Flower Shed. L-R Angela Coulton , Petal and Twig Lancashire , Clare Ashcroft , The Flower Farm , Burscough , Lancashire , Alison Matthews , The Flower Farm , Rufford and Front -Elaine Parkinson , Felicity Farm Flowers , Chorley image courtesy of RHS/ MarkWaugh © RHS

Light Catcher, Year of Light Garden. Designed by: Sharon Hockenhull. RHS Flower Show Park 2015. image courtesy of RHS/ MarkWaugh © RHS

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Game & set The Mere Resort & Spa, Knutsford The annual Boodles Tennis event proved its place on the summer social scene again this year with great spirits, food, tennis and jewels. It also played host to everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite cheeky chappie, Henri Leconteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seventieth birthday party. (boodlestennis.co.uk; themereresort.co.uk)

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

The GOAL-DEN ERA? Shaun Curran speaks with former England captain Gary Lineker, who has never been afraid to speak his mind when it comes to the politics involved in the beautiful game

t the centre of the multi-billion pound, foreign-owned Premier League, Gary Lineker cuts a traditional silhouette. A national hero from a bygone era when the common fan still felt an intrinsic connection with those who wore the club’s badge, Lineker occupies a space between football’s glorious pre-Sky Sports past and its slick, cash-obsessed present. As presenter of Match of the Day – a televisual institution fronted by a sporting legend – the 54-year-old is approaching national treasure status. He’s done so by positioning himself as the game’s moral arbitrator. Humorous, opinionated, mischievous and spiky, everything from FIFA’s murky operations to Spanish football’s racism problems have felt Lineker’s ire. It is for these reasons and more – the 48 goals he scored for England make him joint second only to Sir Bobby Charlton (Rooney has now also netted 48) – that to speak to the former Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Leicester City striker is to be in the company of football royalty. If that wasn’t evident from the military

precision in which his trusted PR insists the interview is conducted – we’re not a second over schedule, for Gary’s time is precious – it is with the familiar, languid way in which he tackles any issue he fancies, seemingly oblivious to the safety-first approach of his BBC paymasters. Lineker, refreshingly, speaks his mind. On his mind at the moment is the record £5.1bn Premier League TV rights deal. The astronomical sum – one that makes Burnley richer than four-times European Cup winners Ajax – constitutes a 71 per cent increase on the current deal. I ask him if the ‘product’ of Wayne Rooney, Sergio Agüero, José Mourinho et al is worth the fee paid. He puffs out his cheeks. ‘Well, what is anything worth?’ is his not unreasonable initial response. ‘Is anything worth £5bn? You’re generally worth what people are prepared to pay for you. Whether unfortunately or not, that is the price tag we have arrived at so perhaps we have to say that those players are worth that amount. After all, those who run football aren’t idiots – it’s supply and demand and they have

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Gary Lineker on the trading floor of BGC Partners during the BGC Charity Day 2012, Image by Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

the price point exactly right.’ He makes a valid point. People thought the £2.8 million Barcelona paid Everton for Lineker’s services in 1986 was an indicator that money was destroying football. That was nearly three decades ago and, as a transfer fee, it now seems trivial. Still, the £5bn rights contract is in another stratosphere. ‘Oh, it’s a huge deal, there’s no question about that. Football is seriously growing, the Premier League in particular is incredibly popular, and will be worth a lot more once they have finished all of the foreign TV deals as well. So it’s big business. And while you can never justify the figures involved at the very top, it’s a prosperous game.’ Of that there is no doubt, but it is not an evenly remunerated one. This is one area where Lineker uses his platform to great effect. He rallies that ‘we always want more investment into the game at all levels’, and the three-pronged governance of the Football Association, the Premier League and Football League ‘is not the ideal circumstances because not everyone is

favoured by the same things’. He also wishes for lower ticket prices at games to make it more affordable for real football fans. Most of the clubs are against cheaper match day ticket prices. I suggest to Lineker that reducing costs for fans is a forlorn hope as money needs to continue making its way into the pockets of players and agents. His answer is matter-of-fact blunt. ‘Well lots of money will always go to the players.’ Why is that so inevitable? ‘Because clubs are competing to stay in the Premier League so they can get the big money, and to do that they obviously need to spend it on players, which puts players in a position of strength. So that’s just a given. ‘The other issue is that changing the framework in England could put the game at a huge disadvantage if similar concessions weren’t adopted abroad. We like the Premier League to be independent, but actually it’s intrinsically linked with all the others, like it or not.’ Lineker left Tottenham, with whom he had won the FA Cup, for Japanese side Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1992. That was the summer

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

before the Premier League was launched, and it always seemed ill fitting that a player who had done so much to raise the profile of football post-Italia 1990 missed the gravy train of Sky TV’s high wages. He isn’t bitter – ‘not at all’ – but I wonder if he can justify modern-day salaries. ‘You can never justify a player’s salary. You couldn’t have done it in my day compared with real people with real jobs in the real world. But football isn’t a normal job, it’s part of the entertainment business. Top actors earn way more than top footballers. There are other sports where you will earn more money. Top singers will earn more money. It’s just the way of the world. No footballer is going to turn around and say “well actually, that’s not quite right, I’ll take a lot less thank you very much”.’ If that answer hints at the stereotype of young footballers more interested in flash cars and supermodel girlfriends, don’t be fooled. Lineker is a staunch defender of their reputations. ‘Generally footballers behave really well and do lots for the local community, lots for society, lots for charity. We need to get away from the perception of footballers being these bad characters, because it’s just not true. That’s often the opinion of those who are just envious of their position, or those who actually don’t follow football.’ Despite famously never being booked, Lineker didn’t feel as though he was a mentor when he played: ‘I don’t think anybody feels like a role model,’ he offers. ‘But when you get some degree of fame, with that comes a degree of understanding.’ Is that more pronounced in today’s media landscape? ‘They are role models even if it’s not something that they necessarily choose to be,’ he says. ‘Just because they have the intrinsic skills to

be a footballer doesn’t mean they have to behave in a certain manner (although most do). You have to remember that footballers are a cross section of working-class people earning a lot of money at a very young age and that it isn’t always that easy. Occasionally some of them misbehave. And we’re all very judgemental of that. ‘But the truth is the vast majority behave in a really good way, are very professional, work really hard and are very good with the community. But obviously that isn’t as interesting – you won’t see that on the front page of a tabloid!’ Being a tabloid turn isn’t a charge you could ever level at Lineker, and it leaves me wishing for some extra time as he is whisked away – reminiscent of his penalty box runs or his studio links to camera – right on cue.

Gary and wife Danielle Lineker, Image by Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

‘We need to get away from the perception of footballers being these bad characters, because that’s just not true’

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

TAY L O R TA L K

A fun affair Christine Barker is Cheshire’s go-to person for divorce cases and, as Liz Taylor discovers, is perfect company for a laughter-filled conversation over coffee

hristine strides purposefully into a busy Carluccio’s in Hale for the best cappuccino in town and a chance to gossip about our mutual friends. I can happily admit she is somebody that I admire. A tough, no-nonsense, career focused solicitor who specialises in divorce cases. Whilst being a Rottweiler in the pursuit of her client’s cause, Christine has a wicked sense of humour and great perspective on what is fair and just.

How did you become a solicitor? I was born in Ashton-in-Makerfield and went to

Nottingham University to study law. I moved to Cheshire with my parents, making Northwich home and starting my love affair with the county. I joined Laytons Solicitors in 1995 as a partner and head of matrimonial, and am now managing partner of the Manchester office.

If you weren’t a solicitor, what would you be? An historian. I love history and am fascinated with the Napoleonic era and French Revolution. I am currently reading a book about Winston Churchill and his role in WW2. I think we can learn so much from the past.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Is divorce more popular than ever? Regrettably yes. Importantly though, there has also been growth in pre-nuptial agreements which takes up a lot of my time these days, so people are at least putting plans in place that hopefully makes separation and divorce a bit less complicated.

Do you think divorce is influenced by celebrity or other lifestyle trends? People’s perception of a celebrity lifestyle and the growth of the male menopause is a real influence. Divorce can be made to look so easy by the celebrity fraternity – like changing handbags – but in reality it is never that cut and dry. There is more anonymity through online dating and lots of single men and women looking for relationships, so there is much opportunity to change or stray from partners.

What’s your primary aim when handling a divorce – is it all about the settlement? I achieve what I believe is fair, whilst protecting the family and children.

I’m a Cheshire girl ‘born and bred’. How long have you lived in Cheshire? What do you love about it?

could have a dream dinner party, who would the guests be? Well, you of course Liz! Plus Boris Johnson, Raymond Blanc [who Christine admits to having a slight crush on after meeting him], Karren Brady, Bruce Springsteen and my husband Kevin. Kevin is a fabulous cook, so he can take charge in the kitchen whilst I pour the wine.

Travelling is a huge influence on my work and I get to meet some amazing people. Where in the world would you like to go? I would love a safari in South Africa. It’s on my bucket list. I do love the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados too – lying on the beach, reading a book. Fabulous. They also have amazing food and wine, two of my passions.

What item would you never travel without? Mascara and my Kindle.

Are you working on any exciting projects that you can tell us about? Mum’s the word…discretion is key! (laytons.com; carluccios.com; tlc-ltd.co.uk)

I have lived in Cheshire on and off most of my life. I love the fact we have the London lifestyle without the commute! I go out a lot in Hale and socialise in Cheshire. I adore country pursuits such as shooting, so it’s the ideal county for more. Luckily, I work in London at the High Court and our London offices at Tower Bridge quite a bit, so get to enjoy the social scene there, before returning to my Cheshire idyll.

I always enjoy planning dinner parties in clients’ homes or indeed in my own. If you

‘I have lived in Cheshire on and off most of my life... We have the London lifestyle without the commute!’

ABODE CHESTER WEDDING FAYRE 11 October 2015 12:00pm – 4:00pm With its striking exterior, unrivalled design and superb cuisine ABode Chester is the perfect venue for your special day. Join us for a complimentary glass of Bucks Fizz and take the opportunity to meet with over 30 wedding specialists. Our all-inclusive Divine Wedding packages starts from £60.00 per person which includes exclusive use of the Tattersall Suite which overlooks Chester Racecourse and the Welsh Hills, a delicious three course meal designed specially for you by our highly talented chef’s, bespoke drinks packages, overnight accommodation in our Fabulous on sixth bridal suite, toast master on the day, DJ and much more. Alternatively enjoy stunning views from the fantastic Michael Caines Restaurant and Champagne Bar on the fifth floor from £85.00 per person. This package includes all of the above plus an upgraded two course buffet in the evening for all of your friends and family to enjoy. Complimentary car parking is available for the Wedding Fayre.

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ON STRANGER TIDES On August 30th, the Clipper Round the World Race sets off on its vast journey. Gemma Knight meets Phil Orford, one of the seven Cheshire natives taking part, to find out what draws people to this mammoth nautical adventure

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

he ultimate test of endurance on the water, the Clipper Round the World Race is a whopping 40,000 miles long and takes almost a year to complete, starting at the St Katharine Docks in London and snaking its way across the globe via South America, Australia, China and the United States, before finally arriving back in the UK. The route is divided into eight legs and includes a series of individually scored races, allowing crew – 40 per cent of whom have no sailing experience at all before training for the Race begins – to compete in the full circumnavigation of the globe, or in specific legs of their choice. Each year, the race fleet is made up of twelve Clipper 70-foot ocean-racing yachts, each with a fully qualified skipper at the helm to safely guide an amateur crew hailing from all around the world, taking temporary leave of professions as diverse as CEO, teacher, student and housewife. The Race was founded by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1996, with 3,000 people having taken part in the ten races which have occurred since. This year, a total of seven yachtsmen and women from Cheshire will be crewing in the race, including Linda Rayner (a 54 year-old University of Chester lecturer from Chester who will be taking part in the first three legs), Patrick Hayes (a 51 year-old gas engineer from Congleton who is taking part in the second and third legs of the race), and Phil Orford. As the only Cheshire resident to be taking part in the full circumnavigation this year, it will be 53 year-old CEO Phil’s first experience of the Clipper Race, and one which he will spend aboard the yacht competing for Great Britain. Born in Warrington, Phil moved to Knutsford twenty years ago and considers himself 100 per cent ‘Cheshire born and bred’, filled with enthusiasm for the county’s natural beauty and economic prowess in equal measure. Nevertheless, he explains that his desire to get involved with the Race was largely driven by a lifelong desire to travel and see the world. ‘I was always going to travel at some point because I never got the chance when I was

phil orford

‘This really must be the best way to travel the world’ – Phil Orford, Great Britain crew FACTS & FIGURES The 12 teams competing are ClipperTelemed+, Derry ~ Londonderry ~ Doire, Garmin, Great Britain, IchorCoal, Mission Performance, Qingdao, Team Huw, Team Max, Team Oliver, Team Wendy and Unicef The race is now in its 10th event and its 20th year 12 yachts will compete in 16 races and 8 legs across 40,000 nautical miles Crew members burn an average of 5,000 calories every day Each round-the-world crew member spends an average of 504 hours at the helm 1,415 metres of rope, weighing 191 kilograms are needed to rig one Clipper yacht There are 224 different types of medical supplies on board each vessel The 12 teams in the last race drank more than 150,000 pints of tea, using 293,000 tea bags The fastest speed recorded by a Clipper yacht is 35 knots in the North Pacific The spinnaker sail is the size of a tennis court: 24m by 11m long

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

younger,’ he tells me. ‘It was just a matter of where and when. The Clipper Race gave me the opportunity to take the plunge, to challenge myself and to see some fantastic cities around the world whilst doing so – to experience things that humans rarely get to experience, such as light-free skies, the roughest of seas and the beauty and rawness of nature at its worst and its best. But most of all, this really must be the best way to travel the world and get a perspective of the scale and scope of the planet, just like our explorer forefathers did all those centuries ago.’ Although Phil had previous sailing experience, he admits that it was ‘minimal’, restricted to a competent crew course in Turkey more than a decade ago and racing in the 17 class on Lake Windermere, meaning that sailing a 70-foot yacht in racing conditions across some of the world’s most challenging oceans is ‘way outside of [his] experience or comfort zone’. Even so, armed with the motto that ‘life

sir robin knox-johnston briefs those taking part

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

all images courtesy of the clipper round the world race

begins at the end of your comfort zone’, Phil is filled with excitement for the challenge ahead and keen to soak up all the new experiences this exceptional event has to offer. ‘There is so much that makes the Clipper Race unique,’ he explains. ‘It’s a race for amateurs after all; people who come from all walks of life and from many countries. We all have our own unique reasons for taking part, so the race brings together a group of individuals who don’t know each other or anything about one another, but who share one huge common adventure. Even the training weeks have already been superb, helping crew acclimatise to the world of sailing and to one another in a very positive environment. It’s been very challenging understanding sailing and new terminology, learning about knots, about sea survival, about international safety and the race rules, and most of us return from training weeks with a head full of new information coupled with physical exhaustion and sleep deprivation. But we still smile to ourselves about the immensity of the Race, that level by level we’re getting closer to the start date on August 30th, and all of us knowing that we’ll return as different people.’

MORE INFORMATION Web: clipperroundtheworld.com Facebook: facebook.com/clipperroundtheworld Twitter: @clipperrace YouTube: youtube.com/user/ClipperRTW To view The Race Start celebrations programme, visit: clipperroundtheworld.com/news/article/ spectacular-london-start-planned-from-stkatharine-docks To follow the crews’ progress during the race, visit: The Clipper Race website Race Viewer (homepage of the race website; clipperroundtheworld.com)

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PERFECT MATCH Hiring staff can be slightly daunting, but when you find the right match the positive impacts can be huge. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve called upon Paola Diana, founder of Nanny & Butler, to share her advice

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

hether you are searching for a nanny to look after your children or someone to manage the house, there are all sorts of questions that the process requires. When you find the right person, however, it can really create a better lifestyle for the whole family. So how do you find the right match? I founded Nanny & Butler as a result of my own experience trying to find household staff as well as a bilingual nanny for my children, and it is this first-hand trial and tribulation which led me to think there was a gap in the market, and that was ten years ago. One of the first things I ask when a family says they are looking to recruit, is to tell me about your home. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really important to understand how the family runs their household in order to choose candidates who fit their requirements. How many staff they have, how many family members live there, if they have children, and their general routine (if any) are some things to take into consideration. All families are different and this information may also help identify exactly what staff member is required, as sometimes it can be different to the initial thinking. I have a highly experienced team of consultants

both in the UK and in Italy who deal with requests from around the world, placing a wide range of staff from nannies and private personal assistants to security staff and yacht crew. One of the most important skills is to listen carefully and to ask questions that will help identify the challenges and aspirations for the client’s home. Any good staffing agency should do this, however there are a couple of questions you can ask yourself to help prepare for the recruitment process. Does our family have a strict schedule or are we flexible? Would I like to give direction, or would I prefer the candidate to take their own initiative and be independent? What languages are spoken in the house, or between existing staff? If these questions are not asked to you during your conversations with a staffing agency, you may want to consider whether they will have the correct information to find the right candidate for you. You’ll see that some of these questions seem to relate to the potential candidate more than

the family, which may seem a little strange when your family will be your top priority. The reason behind this is that a happy candidate will be a much more positive presence in the home and should stay for longer, which keeps consistency and avoids repeating the recruitment process on a regular basis. In most cases the family or a representative for the family will want to meet each of the shortlisted candidates and interview them. A question I often get asked in relation to this, is are there any questions that you can ask in an interview that help show if the person will be a good fit with your family? A couple of easy ones which help show someone’s character but also the working environments they enjoy are: What was one of your favourite positions and what did you like about it? And what was one of your least favourite positions and what did you dislike about it? Some people may find the second question more difficult but the manner in which they respond can give great insights as to

‘When you find the right person it can really create a better lifestyle for the whole family’

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

What roles can you expect a nanny to do? Nursery duties such as feeding, bathing and dressing the children Keeping children’s rooms and areas that they play in tidy Some nannies take care of the children’s laundry School or nursery drop-off and pick-up Organising and taking children to extra-curricular activities Organising stimulating and ageappropriate activities for the children

What roles can you expect a household manager to do? Household budget Keeping supplies stocked Making travel arrangements Maintenance of vehicles Planning and co-ordinating special events Running personal errands Receiving guests and answering phones Silver service Co-ordination and scheduling of other staff Light housekeeping

‘It is this first-hand trial and tribulation which led me to think there was a gap’ their loyalty to previous employers. People’s biggest fear is hiring somebody and them not being well suited, but there are some easy warning signs that you can look out for; for example if the candidate cannot provide references, or if the candidate has had many short-term positions and changed families regularly (except for maternity nurses), and most importantly if the candidate cannot provide a criminal background check. Hiring staff should be an exciting time that leads to improvements to your home and life. Don’t let it be a chore. And don’t be afraid to ask questions, no question is too trivial. Nanny & Butler is an international bespoke search consultancy that provides carefully matched staff in the childcare and household sector worldwide to royal families, dignitaries, HNW individuals, celebrities and global organisations (0207 368 1626; nannybutler.com)

HANDBAGGED

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Olivier Awards, Damon Albarn and Middlewich are top of the agenda when Natalie Anglesey meets playwright Moira Buffini

handbagged (tristram kenton)

here’s a theory that there are only six degrees of separation between every person on earth, and that certainly proves to be the case after only a few minutes of conversation with the Olivier Award-winning Moira Buffini. The Cheshire-born playwright was brought up by her mother, a nursing sister in the Renal Unit at Withington Hospital, who looked after my old boss, Michael Elliott, founding artistic director of the Royal Exchange Theatre. With free theatre tickets for his productions, Moira and her sister Fiona were reared with a love of theatre, where they both now work. ‘Apart from the tragedy of losing my dad in a car accident when I was only four, we had an idyllic childhood in Middlewich,’ Moira confides. ‘We lived in a lovely house by the canal where I recently took my own children. I was pointing out the room where I was born when the current owner invited us in – just typical of the local friendliness.’ Moira attended Northwich Grammar School. ‘We were encouraged to write our own plays for

an annual Arts Festival which was great discipline. Although later I went to Goldsmiths College and the Welsh College where I trained as an actor and met my husband, I’ve found more fulfilment intellectually in writing rather than acting.’ Moira’s been a regular visitor to Manchester since her latest work, the musical wonder.land, based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, received its world premiere. It was cocommissioned by the Manchester International Festival (MIF) 2015 and The National Theatre, where it will be seen in November. ‘I was excited to be part of a collaboration between Rufus Norris, the new director of The National and Damon Albarn, who’ve worked together for MIF in the past on Dr. Dee. But I wanted to give this subject a modern twist. So, twelve year-old Aly, bullied at school, finds refuge in a computer version of Wonderland where she becomes a much stronger Alice. ‘But when Damon asked me to also write the lyrics to his music, I was concerned as it was a first for me. It’s the most unusual thing I’ve ever done and was crazy – but in a good way – both

left to right: the press images for handbagged; rufus norris, moira buffini & damon albarn (sarah lee); handbagged (vaudeville)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

exhilarating and terrifying!’ Moira hopes to return here when her Olivier Award-winning play, Handbagged, is seen at The Lowry in September, after winning five star rave reviews in London’s West End. ‘It’s about the relationship and rivalry between Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the Queen. Thatcher came to power in 1979, when I was a schoolgirl of 13. When she was ousted by her own party in 1990, I was working as a drama teacher in Holloway prison. ‘Initially I had a hate/hate relationship with her but I made it my mission to be fair, although I remembered the race riots, the Falklands War and the miners’ strike. Her inflexibility was both the secret of her success and her greatest flaw. In the end I gained respect for her – although I do think she put the nail in the coffin of the Labour Party.’ Moira has created a considerable body of

successful work including Welcome To Thebes and her fifth play, Dinner, for The National. It wasn’t until then she made what she describes as decent money. ‘Having a play transferred to The National was a big deal, but it all happened in a blur because my baby daughter was only five months old while I was rewriting in rehearsals and the same thing happened when my son was six months old and I was in rehearsals for another play. I suppose it puts things into perspective.’ Other plays followed like Dying For It and Marianne Dreams for The Almeida, A Vampire Story for NT Connections, Loveplay for the RSC, and Gabriel for Soho Theatre. She recently directed her first short film, Father. ‘As a playwright, what I was paid as a commission didn’t even cover the cost of the childcare for the time it took me to write a play. I realised I had to earn some money and that

‘We lived in a lovely house in idyllic Middlewich, by the canal where I recently took my own children’

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

‘When Damon [Albarn] asked me to write the lyrics to his music, I was concerned as it was a first for me’ led me into the film industry. I heard BBC Films wanted to make a screen adaptation of Jane Eyre and I chased it. Rochester talks of a string under his heart, connecting him to Jane Eyre, and I think writers have similar strings connecting them to their work. Until it’s finished it’s still partly inside us, and this is why it hurts when it’s tugged out.’ Moira has no dread of endless film rewrites. ‘I had to do them in theatre during rehearsals, so being on set didn’t cause me any problems. I want to get it right. ‘So far I’ve chosen to conceive all my original ideas in the theatre, because I know I’ll have more artistic control over them.’ Keen to point out that new young writers are the lifeblood of theatre, does Moira have advice for wannabe playwrights? ‘Write, if you can, every day and you’ll undoubtedly get better.’ Returning finally to Handbagged, for which she

both images: wonder.land at mif (Brinkhoff Moegenburg)

won the coveted Olivier Award, Moira admits; ‘Winning such a prestigious award was deeply thrilling and I keep feeling I should pinch myself. ‘But theatre’s not just about writing the facts, it’s finding an interesting way of presenting them – so sometimes there are duplicate characters of Thatcher and the Queen on stage which I hope adds to the comedy. It was difficult writing the role of the Queen in an irreverent way without being disrespectful. But let’s just put it this way – I’m not holding my breath for an MBE!’ Handbagged is at The Lowry, 15-19 September (0843 208 6000; thelowry.com)

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A FITTING TRIBUTE A vibrant modern print by the Chester-born artist Richard Woods has been presented to the city’s Grosvenor Museum in memory of Cestrian and journalist Trevor Chesters. Born in Chester in 1966, Woods studied at Winchester School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art, London and is best known for resurfacing interiors and exteriors with brightly coloured and exaggerated depictions of building materials, block printed onto plywood sheeting. The print, entitled Remnant No 6 (inside the bedroom cupboard), was on display as part of the exhibition Frances Disley: Metamorphosis. (westcheshiremuseums.co.uk)

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

SWAN LAKE Birmingham Royal Ballet’s lavish production of the timeless classic Swan Lake returns to The Lowry. One of ballet’s greatest love stories, this romantic fable of a princess, compelled by an evil spell to spend her days in the form of a bird, is powerfully performed to Tchaikovsky’s legendary score. Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake at The Lowry, 23-26 September (thelowry.com)

literary itinerary

Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent has pioneered in the field of adventures in far-flung locations around the world since 1982 when it was first founded by Geoffrey Kent and his parents. A true adventurer at heart, we can now see the world through Kent’s lens, as he recounts his many travels around the world in a new memoir. From growing up on the family farm in Kenya while his parents were on safari, armchair travellers and thrill-seekers alike will surely admire Kent’s incredible adventures – he was, after all, the first individual to motorbike between Kenya and Cape Town. He also climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in his teens and spent time ushering at the North Pole, to name but a few of the experiences that can be counted on his list of accomplishments, as documented in this thrilling story. Safari: A Memoir of a Worldwide Travel Pioneer, £20, published by Harper Collins (harpercollins.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

Florence + The Machine Florence + The Machine returns to the Manchester Arena on Friday 18 September. Led by Florence Welch, the indie rock act will be showcasing tracks from their brand new album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful alongside the hits Dog Days Are Over, Shake It Out, Cosmic Love and You’ve Got the Love. The UK tour – the band’s first since March 2012 – follows their popular slots at this summer’s Glastonbury, Splendour in the Grass and Electric Picnic festivals. Florence + The Machine, 18 September, Manchester Arena (0844 847 8000; eventim.co.uk)

ANNIE! The popular family musical, comes to Manchester for two weeks starring Craig Revel Horwood, of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, as Miss Hannigan, with Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph in the role on 25-26 September. Set in 1930s New York, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. However, her luck changes when she’s chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Including all the songs we all know and love, you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll leave the theatre humming. Annie, Opera House, 15-26 September (atgtickets.com)

Rambert’s Dark Arteries Joined live on stage by a full brass band, Rambert presents Dark Arteries, the world’s first brass band dance work. This uplifting piece, created by artistic director Mark Baldwin and composer Gavin Higgins, celebrates how brass band music endures as the legacy of the communities which mined the coalfields – the ‘dark arteries’ – of Britain. The dance draws you into its emotional heart while the music lifts the hairs on the back of your neck, then raises the roof. Dark Arteries forms the centrepiece of a triple bill of stunning dance, which also includes Terra Incognita, a moving meditation on exploration and discovery from ground-breaking choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh, and an explosive story of love, desire and betrayal inspired by Picasso’s masterpiece, The Three Dancers, choreographed by Didy Veldman. Visually striking, fuelled by sumptuous live music, and propelled by world-class dancing, this programme sees Rambert at its most captivating. The Lowry, 30 September-2 October (0843 208 6000; thelowry.com)

BIG BUSINESS

We’ve just discovered Big Vinyl Art, a project created by artist Gary Faulkner and his business partner Jon Lowe that was recently singled out for support by BBC Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis as part of his Small Business Sunday competition. Having teamed up only last year, they now produce gorgeous products (including personalised greeting cards, limited edition giclée prints, portrait commissions and art gift vouchers) featuring digitised versions of Gary’s pen drawings of people and their animals, stocked in several Cheshire outlets including The Hollies Farm Shop, Burleydam Garden Centre and the Albert Gift Shop in Chester. (bigvinylart.com) 49

Art & Culture | The CHESHIRE Magazine

FACE THE MUSIC Although audiences may identify actress Patricia Routledge with Hetty Wainthropp or Hyacinth Bucket, Natalie Anglesey discovers her next appearance will reveal a very different side of her career

‘W

hen I first read the script for Keeping Up Appearances, I started chuckling, but I’d no idea it would prove so successful,’ Patricia admits. ‘I’ve created a memorable monster, but the awful thing is we all know people like her.’ Born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, Patricia went to Liverpool University before studying at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. ‘I’d seen my first panto at five and afterwards put on little concerts at home and sold my parents chocolates at the interval. My first professional job, however, was sweeping the stage at the local rep where I charged the cast 3p for a cup of Camp coffee. When I was offered my first acting job there for £5 a week I thought I’d really made it!’ Although Patricia’s played everything from Shakespeare to Restoration Comedy, few know of her musical theatre career starring on Broadway in 1968, opposite Vincent Price, in Darling of the Day, and winning a coveted Tony Award presented by Groucho Marx. ‘He wouldn’t stop talking so I was only allowed a quick thank you!’ We first met when Patricia appeared in several plays at the new Royal Exchange Theatre, applying her make-up in front of a broken mirror because Tom Courtenay was using the other half, she laughs uproariously. ‘I remember it vividly. It was so exciting opening that incredible theatre. I loved

performing in the round and returned there with my one-woman show in 1988.’ Winning an Olivier Award for her performance in Candide, Patricia later won rave reviews in Carousel at The National. Mention her friend Alan Bennett and she waxes lyrical. ‘Alan has this knack of turning a cliché into poetry peppered with Northern idioms. He wrote A Woman of No Importance and A Lady of Letters for me. We even appeared on stage in Talking Heads. I don’t know which of us was more nervous. Can you imagine playing a role with the playwright watching you from the wings?’ Awarded an OBE in 1993, Patricia laughs, ‘I was upgraded to business class when the Queen later presented me with a CBE. She brought the Queen Mother on her 99th birthday to see me in a play and I led the audience singing ‘For She’s A Jolly Good Fellow’. There’s no point in doing anything in life if you’re not enjoying it.’ These and other memories will no doubt be evoked in her latest one-woman show, by all accounts an evening of entertainment not to be missed. Facing The Music: Patricia Routledge in Conversation with Edward Seckerson, The Plaza, Stockport 9 September (0161 477 7779; stockportplaza.co.uk)

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The Sparkle Ball in aid of Babygrow Appeal Friday 20 November, 2015 Chester Town Hall Champagne Reception, Four-course Dinner, Entertainment, Auction & Dancing

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

PRIZE LOTs

#1 Polychrome Decorated Wood ‘Burton Van’ Caravan

This incredible caravan was built in the 1920s and, having been refurbished in 2015, is due to be sold as part of Christie’s Out of the Ordinary sale. It contains a bed, stove and glazed skylight, with caravans of this type also known as a showman’s van and historically used by staff and proprietors of travelling funfairs and circuses. Estimate £25,000-35,000, Christie’s, 10 September (christies.com)

#2 St Mark’s Square, Venice by Irma Stern Painted by South African artist Irma Stern in 1948, this painting depicts Venice’s famed bustling square and, having been acquired from the Wolpe Gallery, Cape Town, will be auctioned as part of Bonhams South African

3 Art Sale. The painting is oil on canvas within a Zanzibar frame, and is signed and dated ‘Irma Stern/1948’ in the lower left hand corner. Estimate £300,000-500,000, Bonhams, 9 September (bonhams.com)

#3 ‘The Victory Watch’ by Louis Cottier and Agassiz & Co This September Sotheby’s will be selling a beautiful pocket watch made for Winston Churchill as a tribute to his role in World War II. Crafted from gold and enamel, the watch is one of four individual timepieces created for the Allied Leaders after the Second World War, the others presented to Charles de Gaulle, Joseph Stalin, and Harry Truman. Estimate £60,000-100,000, Sotheby’s, 22 September (sothebys.com)

Watch news This month is a truly exciting one for the world of timepieces, with a Battle of Britain-inspired watch marking Breitling’s 75th anniversary and a beautiful limited edition piece from Dior words: richard brown

Breitling honours the Few Reginald Mitchell designed the Spitfire while dying of cancer. He worked on it around the clock, finishing it just before he died. ‘Just the sort of bloody silly name they would choose,’ he said, on learning that the RAF had called his aircraft ‘Spitfire’. Clearly Mitchell embodied the sort of stoicism that typified the men who took to the skies in his invention during the Battle of Britain, whose 75th anniversary Breitling has marked with a special edition Navitimer. Launched at North Weald Airfield in front of 458 Squadron, who had just completed a flypast over Buckingham Palace (where six surviving members of the Few were having lunch with the

The Navitimer Battle of Britain Limited Edition Series, £6,480 on a strap, £7,490 on a bracelet, Breitling (breitling.com)

Queen), the timepiece will raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund – a charity that provides support to serving and former members of the RAF, their partners and dependants. The Navitimer Battle of Britain features commemorative emblems on both its 3 and 9 o’clock sub-dials, and is engraved with the anniversary crest on its case-back. Inside, is the Breitling-produced Caliber 01, a self-winding chronograph certified to meet the highest standards of precision by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, or COSC. The timepiece is a fitting tribute given that the RAF equipped its World War II aircraft with on-board Breitling flight chronographs.

‘If anybody ever tells you anything about an aeroplane which is so bloody complicated you can’t understand it, take it from me: it’s all balls’ RJ Mitchell, Spitfire designer and the First of the Few 54

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

ONE TO WATCH ‘Dazzling by day and by night, IWC’s new 37mm Portofino collection is a stunning example of the brand’s attention to detail. In stainless steel, with 66 diamonds on the case and 12 diamonds on the white mother of pearl dial, this is a watch that can be worn for any day or evening occasion’

Mid Size IWC 459001 (£10,250) Available at davidmrobinson.co.uk

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

For the modern man One of a kind The watches that will be up for sale at the 2015 Only Watch charity auction have been announced. Amongst 44 pieces from the likes of Boucheron, Breguet, Richard Mille and Patek Philippe, there is the beautiful, enamelled Petite Heure Minute Paillonnée from Jaquet Droz, and the striking Tourbillon Souverain Bleu from FP Journe. Now in its 6th edition, the biennial Only Watch raises money to support scientific research into neuromuscular diseases. Discover the watches at Phillips London between 24-27 October. If you like what you see, be in Geneva for the auction on 7 November. (onlywatch.com)

A helping hand A watch from a fashion brand, but certainly not a ‘fashion watch’. Inside Dior’s Chiffre Rouge C05 you’ll find Zenith’s Elite calibre 682 – a super reliable, automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve. The timepiece debuted in 2004 and has now been updated with its first small complication – a second time zone whose hand is adjusted by pressing the watch’s pushbutton. Only 100 will be produced. Chiffre Rouge C05, £5,500, Dior (dior.com)

Named after and inspired by famous Great British towns and their rich heritage, O.W.L Watches has taken its unique brand handwriting and developed its first men’s capsule collection, aimed at the modern British gent. The Warwick features a duallayered dial with a single date window and is also available in six dial, with design combinations including two beautifully soft brogue effect, threelayered punched and stitched straps, a trademark of O.W.L Watches. (owlwatches.com)

Reduced to size Only two or three of these watches are crafted each week in Germany’s Nomos Atelier. A brand favoured by design and architectural types, the watchmaker has just made its attractive Lambda range available in a smaller, 39mm size. Supremely classic, this example comes with tempered blue hands, which look great against the white, silver-plated dial and rose gold case. Like all Nomos Glashütte watches, the Lambda does its bit for German watch-making by coming with a movement that is engineered in-house. Who said it was just the Swiss who made watches? Lambda 39, £10,800, Nomos Glashütte (nomos-glashuette.com) 55

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Graphic

harmonies

aunched only this year, we can’t get enough of the sleek, modern geometry of Georg Jensen’s new Aria collection. Inspired by the light, floating quality of an operatic melody, the ring (£225), earrings (£175) and bracelet (£525) are all stunning, but our favourite piece is the long necklace (£585) with its minimalist, sterling silver design and delicate appearance. An ideal piece to layer with others from the collection, this is a necklace that easily dresses an outfit up or down and always draws attention. Available at David M Robinson, 14 Railway St, Altrincham WA14 2RE (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

Jewellery news

WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

Fink again With so many now on the scene, there aren’t many rising jewellery designers who really excite us; however Nana Fink is one of the few who does. The Basel-based jeweller successfully launched her debut collection in 2011 and her name has quickly spread across the Channel, her pieces landing in London at Paul Smith’s Mayfair flagship boutique not long after. Her third collection, available this summer, is named Adorée and, true to Fink’s individual style, brings together both vintage and contemporary elements to create timeless pieces, on this occasion drawing on designs from the 1880s through to the 1930s. The collection, encompassing bangles, earrings and rings, utilises a mixture of metals, in particular gold and silver variations, with prices ranging from approximately £1,200 to £1,700. Adorée collection (nanafink.com)

String to her bow Having worked for the likes of De Beers and the Sotheby’s jewellery department, where she oversaw some of the auction house’s most memorable sales (including the jewels of the Duchess of Windsor and the Graff Pink), it’s fair to say that Vania Leles is an authority on fine jewellery. Leles went on to found her own jewellery brand in 2010, Vanleles Diamonds, which as of this summer has opened its first boutique. The store currently houses the five core collections, including Lyla’s Bow and Enchanted Garden, along with a bridal range and bespoke pieces, all of which combine the jeweller’s commitment to sourcing the finest quality, ethically-minded diamonds and gemstones with innovative design. Vanleles Diamonds, by appointment only (vanleles.com) 58

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Garden state In a dazzling display of craftsmanship and exquisite precious gemstones, Bulgari’s latest high jewellery collection, Giardini Italiani, sees the romantic gardens of the Rinascimento (Italian Renaissance) immortalised in a series of 100 one-of-a-kind pieces. The gardens’ geometric hedges and vibrant flowerbeds have been evoked through the floral jewel motifs and colourful stones, while the collection’s standout piece, Love’s Paradise (as worn by Carla Bruni at the launch in Florence last month), featuring a magnificent 125.35-carat sapphire at its heart, conveys the true romance of an era in which artists would attempt to explore new concepts of nature and art through their work. Giardini Italiani collection, POA Available at all Bulgari UK boutiques

To Marlyebone and beyond Local jewellers, Steven Stone has just announced that they will be adding to their showroom offering, having just completed upon a new location on St Christopher’s Place, Marylebone with plans to open before the year is out. This comes after a newly refurbished Hale office opened earlier this year and news of a Palm Beach showroom, also to be opened this year. (stevenstone.com)

CUTTING EDGE Last year saw Tiffany & Co. enter into an exciting new age of design with the launch of its contemporary Tiffany T collection, created by newly-appointed design director Francesca Amfitheatrof. A year later and the distinctive, graphic symbol has evolved further into two new pieces, exclusive to Tiffany’s new boutique in Selfridges.

Tiffany T is an icon of a new era, a vision of simplicity and sculptural modernity. The latest combination of sterling silver and black ceramic in the wide contoured cutout cuff and ring exude power and confidence.

Tiffany T cutout cuff and ring in sterling silver and black ceramic, POA Exclusive to Selfridges

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Raising the Bar

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Designers are pushing the boundaries of how to wear jewellery, giving rise to ear cuffs, finger rings and choker necklaces #1 Rose gold-plated five-finger ring, £190, Eddie Borgo (net-a-porter.com) #2 White diamond and rose gold ring, £3,835, Ileana Makri (matchesfashion.com) #3 Gold earrings, POA, Loewe (loewe.com) #4 Olympia mid-finger diamond ring, £2,299, Carbon & Hyde (farfetch.com) #5 Pearl hinged choker necklace, £210, Eddie Borgo (matchesfashion.com) #6 Lady Borealis 18-karat gold diamond ear cuff, £3,600, Venyx (net-a-porter.com) #7 Rose gold-plated Swarovski crystal ear cuff and stud earring, £230, Ryan Storer (net-a-porter.com) #8 Diamond and pink gold mini ear cuff, £480, Elise Dray (matchesfashion.com) #9 Silver and gold vermeil Quill cuff, £600, Shaun Leane (shaunleane.com) #10 Vine ear cuff, £3,350, Diane Kordas (net-a-porter.com) #11 Eternal circle ear cuff, £1,290, Woodbury (farfetch.com) #12 Delphine gold-tone necklace, £520, Chloé (net-a-porter.com) #13 Izel 14-karat gold diamond earring, £2,100, Lito (net-a-porter.com) #14 Portico cuff, £195, Lulu Frost (matchesfashion.com) #15 18-karat rose gold diamond ear cuff, £1,720, Anita Ko (net-a-porter.com) #16 Horn cuff, £6,190, Diane Kordas at Harrods (harrods.com) #17 Silver and gold vermeil crossover finger Quill ring, £200, Shaun Leane (shaunleane.com) #18 Starburst cuff, £7,245, Diane Kordas (matchesfashion.com) #19 Heartbeat 18-karat rose gold diamond ear cuff, £1,030, Diane Kordas (net-a-porter.com) #20 Open Shield ring, £4,480, Diane Kordas at Harrods #21 Koko open ring, £640, Selin Kent (farfetch.com) 60

Under African skies One only has to look at fashion heavyweight Louis Vuitton’s signature monogrammed luggage to realise its opulent approach to globetrotting style. Set in the warm climes of South Africa, the French brand’s Spirit of Travel campaign is inducing a large dose of wanderlust this month – and rightly so, with aqua and raspberry-hued accessories and travel trunks stacked nine to the dozen. While the campaign reveals a multitude of awe-inspiring terrains and places, the colourful, beautifully crafted luggage really steals our gaze. (louisviutton.com)

Fashion news Bohemian rhapsody All butter-soft suede and gentle bohemian vibes, Chloé’s S/S15 collection was made for sun-soaked days in the city, and taking in the grand architecture and peaceful squares Manchester has to offer sounds rather fitting. The collection remains most refined, with the spherical beige sunglasses showcased on the spring runway. Both laid-back and feminine, this is a contemporary take on 1970s style and a lovely finishing touch to your off-duty look. For the evening, complete your outfit with these classic black sandals. Sunglasses and heels, from a selection, Chloé (chloe.com) 62

All that glitters Golden thread embroidery glamorously adorns these two exquisite La Perla swimsuits, creating the striking beach ensembles that we have come to love from the Italian brand. Balancing delicate craftsmanship (La Perla thinks of its beautiful embroidery as calligraphy across the body) with bold designs and silhouettes, the one-pieces are the perfect poolside pieces. Sirene underwired swimsuit, £624, Summer Chain non-wired Swimsuit, £528, both La Perla (laperla.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Loafing around

Heading west We get pretty excited about anything Vivienne Westwood does, but we’re particularly big fans of the brands latest move; a collaboration with The Cambridge Satchel Company. Launched on July 7, the collection showcases the best of both brands; combining the classic satchel design and Westwood’s iconic squiggle print re-worked in new and exclusive

colourways. Available in three styles – the Music Bag, Tiny satchel and Classic 14” satchel – the collection includes both men’s and women’s items, with each style available in three colourways (classic navy with yellow squiggle, tea-rose with grey squiggle and jet green with black squiggle) and even a limited edition oxblood leather and red squiggle print, available across all styles. Available exclusively at Vivienne Westwood stores and viviennewestwood.com

Over the past few years, the espadrille has seen a resurgence in the world of fashion. Originating from the warmer climes of the Basque country, the footwear items are the ultimate cooling yet supportive summer accessory. Offering a distinguished choice, the Dolce & Gabbana espadrille is handmade in Italy using the finest materials. Lined and trimmed in supple leather, this woven-straw pair will add stylish texture to sleek summer outfits and keep you ahead of the trend. Leather-lined woven straw espadrilles, £365, Dolce & Gabbana (mrporter.com)

The wanderer

Surf’s up Vilebrequin has long served sunseekers most fashionably with its printed swimming trunks. This month, the brand has partnered with renowned photographer Massimo Vitali, who has been photographing beach scenes for more than 20 years. Vilebrequin has expertly imposed the authenticity of the Mediterranean on to functional swimwear for every beachside excursion. Moorea trunks, £210, Vilebrequin (vilebrequin.com)

This summer sees the launch of the first capsule collection from British leather-goods brand Troubadour. The collection focuses on the three key elements of men’s luggage; the weekend bag, the rucksack and the day bag. Its unique dyeing process, which takes 14 days, ensures the olive green has permeated the entire hide, allowing for a gorgeous patina to develop over time, making the range truly elegant, refined, and of gentlemanly quality. Olive Green capsule collection, from £1,095, Troubadour (troubadourgoods.com)

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The femme

fatale

The Charlotte Olympia brand is renowned for empowering women the world over with its fierce, playful style and no-limits ethos. Gemma Knight meets the lady behind this innovative design powerhouse to talk work, play and cocktails

harlotte Olympia Dellal, the halfBrazilian, half-English designer behind the luxury shoe and accessories label Charlotte Olympia, is – like her brand – all towering heels, bold colours and old-world glamour, her hair set in 1940s waves (her favourite decade by a country mile) and her lipstick a fierce, unapologetic scarlet as she strolls into our interview. Born in 1981 into a prominent family of London real-estate developers, Charlotte is the eldest of four children, with sister Alice (a model) and brother Alex (owner of the 20 Hoxton Square art gallery and former beau of Monégasque princess Charlotte Casiraghi) often garnering their fair share of international acclaim and column inches. Nevertheless, it’s Charlotte’s fearless style and quirky ingenuity which has really captured the world’s imagination, and even at first glance it’s easy to see why. Raised in Paris, Rio de Janeiro and London, Charlotte was always creative and tells me immediately that she always knew she wanted to be a fashion designer. ‘As a child I enjoyed watching old movies with my mother and I especially loved the movie stars from the silver screen who made me fall in love with glamour from a young age,’ she explains.

‘The essence of my brand comes from my love of old Hollywood; I love the glamour from the 40s and the playfulness of the 50s.’ Following this love of fashion and talent for design, she embarked on a foundation course at the London College of Fashion, soon discovering that she wanted to specialise in shoes and going on to do a footwear degree at the prestigious Cordwainers College. It was not long after her graduation that Charlotte eventually launched her eponymous London-based shoe brand in January 2008, saying that from the beginning it was paramount for her to establish a brand aesthetic with a strong identity defined by an understanding of a woman’s relationship with her shoes. ‘I create classic designs with a modern silhouette and an aesthetic that’s feminine and glamorous with a touch of humour,’ she says. ‘I believe you can determine the day ahead by the shoes you decide to wear in the morning; if I’m going to have a busy day

the newman chartreuse bag in yellow and pouty passport holder in marble print, both from charlotte olympia’s a/w15 collection

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below images, from left to right: Charlotte Olympia Kitty Studs Leather Flats in Blue/Gray; the out of control bag in black/gold; the mini bar clutch bag, complete with removable magnetic enamel beverage accessories

with my kids I’ll wear flats that make me feel dressed up even when I’m dressed down, but if I feel like conquering the world I’ll reach for my highest heels!’ The brand now produces four seasonal collections each year, and maintains several much-loved permanent collections, including Encore (signature classics), Runaway Bride, To Dye For (the red carpet collection), Cosmic, Incy (especially for little girls) and Tailor Made (the bespoke service). It has also collaborated with a myriad of high-profile brands including Agent Provocateur, Veuve Clicquot, Archie Comics and jewellery designers Tom Binns and Solange Azagury-Partridge, as well as opening stores in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Miami, Hong Kong, Dubai, Thailand, Las Vegas and, most recently, in Chelsea. Despite this, however, Charlotte’s proudest moment remains the opening of her first stand-alone retail store, in London in July 2010, for the opportunity it gave her to finally ‘create the perfect environments to showcase [her] collections’. Now 34, Charlotte lives in London with her husband, investment banker Maxim Crewe, and their three young sons, Ray, Ike and Rio, saying that she strives always to be ‘full time at work and a full time mother at home’ – not always an easy juggling act. Though she credits a wonderful team and a family home that’s next to her office for allowing her to achieve the crucial balance, being founder of an international brand is nothing if not a ‘full time’ job. ‘I’m constantly collecting ideas, whether it’s for a current collection or saving them to develop for future projects,’ Charlotte tells me. ‘So many things inspire me; from places, people, art, movies to fabrics, textures and colours. I like to give my collections a soul and a

story. I love collecting beautiful things and I translate this by transforming everyday objects into something wearable.’ And, ultra-successful though her brand is, Charlotte certainly isn’t finished yet. In the last year alone the label has opened four new stores, launched leather handbags, small leather goods and sneakers, and is about to expand the Incy children’s collection to include some exclusive styles for boys, with Charlotte hoping to see her label continue to open more stand-alone stores around the world and broadening its range of products. At last conversation turns to the new AW15 collection, and Charlotte beams. Aptly named ‘A World of Interiors’, the range is inspired by mid-century interiors, furnishings and precious family heirlooms, the result of which is a delicious assortment of bags, shoes and leather goods sporting gold links, marble print and tapered heels with a wooden and brass heel, inspired by a mid-century table leg and an immediately recognisable feature that lends itself beautifully to a classic court shoe. Charlotte’s favourite piece from the new collection (and, if I’m honest, mine too) is The Mini Bar; a fabulous Perspex clutch with removable magnetic beverage accessories. ‘It’s the perfect accessory to help you celebrate the cocktail hour in style!’ She enthuses – clearly a girl who appreciates the importance of accurate accessorising and a good work/play balance. It seems to be working rather well for her so far, so I’ll drink to that. Charlotte Olympia is available in Womenswear, First Floor at Harvey Nichols Manchester, 21 New Cathedral Street, M1 1AD (harveynichols.com)

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In a fire, which three pairs of shoes would you save? Bananas Is My Business I love the fruit shoes inspired by Carmen Miranda; they are a playful pair of shoes from one of my first collections Kiss Me Dolores A nude signature platform court shoe with a red lip design on the toe is a personal favourite. It very much embodies the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity: a playful design, with a modern silhouette that goes with everything Baby shoes I keep a collection of my three boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first pairs of shoes; they mean so much to me and could never be replaced 67

Beyond the Pale

Take inspiration from a balletic palette this summer; be pale and interesting in cream, nude, blush and mushroom Photographer: Dominic Nicholls S t y l i s t: H a y l e y C a i n e

Dress, £6,400, Giorgio Armani The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars (armani.com); Pink and white diamond earrings, £57,500, Boodles (boodles.com)

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OPPOSITE Chiffon dress, £2,399, Alberta Ferretti (albertaferretti.com) ABOVE Ivory drape dress, £1,499, Christopher Kane (harrods.com); Platinum and diamond drop earrings, £27,000, Boodles (boodles.com)

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ABOVE Satin midi dress, £1,225, Stella McCartney (stellamccartney.com); Diamond feather earrings, £12,000, Asprey (asprey.com); Attila shoes, £395, Jimmy Choo (jimmychoo.com) OPPOSITE Nude tulle and white brocade dress, £1,500, tulle gloves, £350, and pumps, £700, all Simone Rocha (simonerocha.com); Woodland diamond hoops, £1,200, Asprey (asprey.com)

Hair & Make-Up: Lou Box @ s:management using Kevyn Aucoin and Redken Model: Arabella @ Elite Model Management Photographer's Assistant: Inna Kostukovsky

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All eyes on Iris

f there was one woman many of us secretly wish could be our grandmother, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Iris Apfel. Now 93 years old, the icon continues to delight and shock us with her flamboyant and outrageous fashion statements. Like her nonconformist style, Apfel is well-known for being a free spirit, as will be revealed in a new documentary in cinemas this following a successful US debut. Legendary 87-year-old documentarian Albert Maysles has not only captured Apfelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glamorous New York lifestyle but also the incredible work ethic she acquired from her Queens upbringing during the Great Depression. He also depicts life with her doting husband Carl, whom she has been with for 67 years. We guarantee you will leave the cinema heart-warmed and truly inspired. Iris, in UK cinemas now

Sea power Voya, the world’s first organic seaweed range is now available at Lido’s Spa, Altrincham. Using generations of wisdom and sustainable harvesting, Voya offers the finest seaweed products and treatments, all packed with anti-oxidants and rich minerals to leave your skin firm, soft and glowing. We recommend the Anti-Ageing & Restorative Facial with Scalp Massage (£85) for a great deep-acting treatment, but there’s also a great pick me up Marine Eye Treatment (£48) which works wonders on puffy, strained eyes. Lido’s Boutique Spa, 29-31 Oxford Road, Altrincham, WA14 2ED (0161 927 7962; lidos-spa.co.uk)

Beauty news Golden girl On average, every 20 seconds, one of Guerlain’s rewowned Terracotta bronzers is sold. The powder is a beauty staple, and we predict this limited-edition version will be much the same. Using two colours – a coral shade and a copper tone – the bronzer provides a natural glow whatever your complexion, and in an XXL size it will last all summer long. Terracotta Terre d’Été, £47.50, Guerlain (harrods.com)

Pure luxury is skin deep Especially where anti-ageing specialist and epitome of sophistication Carita is concerned. Looking at beauty as a whole rather than just what can be seen on the face or body, Carita’s unique union of technology, science and nature is available on our doorstep at The Mere. From the non-surgical facelift (yes, please) to a relaxing facial, there are a range of treatments available. Although we think the best way to experience the product is with a Deluxe Mere Retreat package (£130pp) which includes a Carita prescription facial, back, neck and shoulder massage and afternoon tea with fizz. (themereresort.co.uk) 76

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One’s true colours TREATMENT OF THE MONTH BALI HEALTH LOUNGE words: keely barrett

I had the pleasure of visiting Bali Health Lounge – a hidden gem tucked away in the centre of Manchester’s China Town – for a two-hour Payot treatment.

After having spent so many years focusing on our faces, the beauty industry is finally turning its attention to our bodies and a flood of luxury bathing and shower products have poured onto the market. Take recently launched Prismologie; new to Space NK, the brand promises to bring colour and vitality to your life every day with its debut body care range, consisting of six core items. Each product has been given its own unique colour and fragrance designed to impart a particular mood onto your skin that day, whether it be White Beginning for clarity (with neroli), Red Hour for energy (comprising red cedarwood) or Yellow Day for confidence (featuring zesty bergamot). Including invigorating shower gel, body lotion, body scrub and more, the range covers all bases of one’s body skincare routine. Prismologie (uk.spacenk.com)

Disco fever Get summer-party ready with MAC Cosmetics’ new Le Disko range. The collection has everything from sparkling eye shadows to vibrant lipsticks. Go for gold and get your hands on the Pure Show liner for the perfect shimmering cat eye, or opt for the Nocturnal liner for a truly statement look. From £16 (maccosmetics.com)

Payot is a premium French brand inspired by plants and their fragrances, and was one of the first brands to open a spa in France. My therapist, Anna, greeted me and took me through to the treatment room. I had the signature Swedish relaxing full-body massage which is tailored to alleviate stress using Swedish massage techniques followed by a nourishing hydrating facial treatment. My skin was re-hydrated using a moisturising foam mask made from cornflower petals; the smell was divine. My skin felt radiant and fresh and I felt totally relaxed. After my two hours of bliss I was led down to the tea house where I was handed a menu from which to choose my refreshment. There was no rush to leave the spa and you are made to feel so welcome. Unlike other spas you are able to purchase a membership, starting at £40 a month, which gives you access to massages, discounted products and events. You can even ‘gift’ your membership so friends and family can use your subscription if you can’t make use of it for any reason – this idea I love!

Leading light Charlotte Tilbury’s Instagram account is full of posts of Norman Parkinson’s work. This wasn’t lost on the legendary fashion photographer’s grandson Jake, a close friend of the make-up artist who subsequently approached her with the opportunity of visiting Parkinson’s archive and immortalising some of his most iconic images in a cosmetics collection. The result – Tilbury’s first ever collaboration – includes a make-up bag featuring the iconic May 1975 Vogue Jerry Hall cover. (net-a-porter.com)

Signature Swedish relaxing full body massage, £62 (60mins) and Payot Hydra Experience Facial, £63 Bali Health Lounge, 1st Floor, 48 George Street, Manchester, M1 4HF (0161 850 2288; balihealthlounge.com)

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Second

Nature

One of the UK’s leading skincare brands, Liz Earle celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and the grass has truly never looked greener for the award-winning company. Olivia Sharpe speaks to the eponymous founder about her achievements to date and plans for the future

t has always irritated me slightly when articles describe middle-aged female celebrities as looking at least ten years younger than they are. After all, with a lot of money, your own chef and (most likely) a very good surgeon, most of us should. However, when it comes to Liz Earle, this description is completely justified. At 50, the beauty expert’s flawless complexion and practically wrinkle-free skin are testament to her award-winning skincare range which, like Liz herself, is 100 per cent natural. Liz may look far younger than her age but when it comes to her business acumen, she has always been light years ahead of the industry. She started her career as a beauty journalist and wrote more than 30 books on the subjects of

natural health and wellbeing. After establishing herself as one of the leading authorities in the field, she was asked to host the first ever beauty programme on UK television, Beauty Wise on the BBC. It was at this time that her close friend and former marketing executive at John Frieda, Kim Buckland, approached her with the idea of launching her own range of skincare products, having spotted a gap in the market for reasonably-priced, premium brands. Liz comments: ‘30 years ago the market was quite polarised, with high-end brands sold behind counters at huge expense in department stores or cheaper, mass-market brands on supermarket and high street chemists’ shelves. Now there is a hugely growing middle market of

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reasonably-priced, premium quality products, which is good news for consumers.’ Despite its success, the brand has always maintained affordable price points and this is no doubt why it has kept its loyal clientele over the years. After the range launched on TV home shopping channel QVC in 1996 (the first product sold out within half an hour), the business moved to the Isle of Wight two years later and the first shop opened in 2001 in Ryde. The London flagship store in Chelsea’s Duke of York Square followed in 2006. While the use of natural ingredients within cosmetic products is now an established trend in the industry, this wasn’t the case when Liz and Kim first started. This, coupled with the fact that the pair began selling their initial products by mail order, makes them in many ways pioneering figures in the beauty world. Liz’s passion for plants stemmed from her father, an Admiral in the Royal Navy, who nurtured her interest in the botanical world from a young age. ‘He was a keen plantsman and I spent much of my childhood learning about botanicals from him,’ she tells me. ‘Our garden was his sanctuary on dry land. A practical man, he especially loved practical plants, such as vegetables for eating and herbs for remedies, which is where I learned to love naturally active ingredients.’ As she’s always been impeccably put together when I’ve met

her, I am surprised to hear Liz describe herself as having been a tomboy – ‘I was very much an outdoors child: climbing trees, planting seeds and building dens’ – and the tenacious young girl would even concoct her own lotions and potions in a bid to cure her eczema. ‘I used to collect fallen rose petals and mix them with water in an attempt to make rose water, and inevitably would end up with brownish mulch,’ she says, laughing. In some ways, Liz’s skin disorder turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it resulted in her desire to find a cure, and subsequent fascination with naturally based ingredients that can help calm and soothe the skin. All of the products which now make up the extensive Liz Earle range – which includes skincare, bath and body, fragrance, haircare and make-up – uphold the brand’s philosophy of harnessing the potent powers of the finest quality ingredients that work on every skin type. This includes the first product Liz ever created, the best-selling Cleanse & Polish, which remains the cornerstone, and only cleanser, of the entire portfolio. Rather than keeping it a trade secret, Liz is more than willing to tell me why the hero product has proven so successful: ‘I chose the skin-purifying extracts of rosemary and eucalyptus to keep the skin clear and problemfree, combined with cocoa butter and hops to soothe drier skins, so it works for all.’ Today, the company has a dedicated team of ethnobotanists, whose job is to assess the impact

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of sourcing a product on its surrounding environment and community. Liz made the decision 16 years ago to uproot her family of six from the stresses of urban life and move to a farm in Wiltshire. A firm believer in the philosophy that what you put in your body is just as important as products you use on the outside, their organic home has its own herb garden complete with herbs not just for culinary use but also for their ‘therapeutic benefits’ and even for ‘flower arranging, notably rosemary, flat-leaf parsley and bay’. There is also a greenhouse filled with a variety of flower species, among which are Liz’s favourite rose-scented pelargoniums and roses – ‘the old-fashioned, fragrant varieties, with their captivatingly feminine scent’. Indeed, of all flowers, roses hold the most significance to Liz, as she confides that it was white roses that her now husband (filmmaker Patrick Drummond) brought her when he picked her up on their first date. While Liz spends the majority of her time in the country, she also makes time to visit her flagship store in Chelsea, an area she considers to be ‘an oasis of calm’ from the city’s ‘hustle and bustle’, and the horticultural lover naturally never misses the annual Chelsea Flower Show.

After selling the company to Avon in 2010, this gave the founder time to refocus her energies on another subject which she has always been passionate about; wellbeing. On her dedicated website, you will find numerous articles on how to live a healthier, more balanced life, including extracts from Liz’s latest book released this year, Juice, which shares the health expert’s favourite immune-boosting juices. While most of us do not have the luxury of owning our own farm and therefore could argue that this way of living is not sustainable in cities, what is so refreshing about Liz’s philosophy is that the real secret to healthy skin remains very simple: ‘The old chestnuts still hold true,’ she says. ‘Plenty of water plus a decent amount of beauty sleep. I try to get at least an hour or two of sleep before midnight, as I think an hour’s sleep before midnight is worth at least two after.’ 2010 was also the year that Liz founded her charity LiveTwice, which aims to offer opportunities for disadvantaged people through practical skills training and personal support to communities in the UK, Italy and Kenya. If this wasn’t enough, she has worked closely with the Prince’s Trust for several years and was

Liz Earle started her career as a beauty journalist and hosted the UK’s first beauty TV programme

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one of six industry leaders chosen to pair up with talented young people who received support from the Trust for the Tomorrow campaign in 2012, raising a total of £100,000 through the sales of a special edition Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. Juggling so many different projects at once, one might think Liz no longer has time for her skincare brand – but this is far from the case. As the company marks its 20th anniversary this year, we can expect many exciting launches, including a new haircare range. Due to her unswerving commitment to only sourcing natural ingredients, she explains production of this range had to stop briefly but now thanks to Mother Nature, they’ve been able to bring it back. ‘Unfortunately, working with real plant ingredients takes much more time and calls for greater care and skill... so it’s actually reassuring if something goes out of stock for a short while, as it ensures authenticity. It’s far easier to work with standard synthetics but the results obtained from the natural plant world

are just so much better that I believe they’re worth the extra effort it takes.’ This summer will see the launch of a limitededition Cleanse & Polish Beauty Trio, presented in a tin coated in the brand’s signature blue. It will include three versions of the cult-classic cleanser, each with a different fragrance: Rose & Lavender, Grapefruit & Patchouli and Orange Flower & Chamomile. There’ll be an addition to the Strengthening Nail Colour Collection too (also arriving in the company’s iconic blue). Throughout her impressive career, Liz Earle has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to foreseeing beauty and food trends, and the expert predicts that the next ten years will bring even greater transparency when it comes to ‘the sourcing and provenance of brands’ ingredients’, thanks to the internet and social media. It is just as well that Liz looks as good as she does seeing that she has always eschewed advertising as a means of promotion, making her, in many ways, her own walking advertisement. And judging from the fact that her company, which started out with just four products, is now sold in more than 82 different countries and has won multiple beauty awards, this decision has evidently paid off. ‘I think we’re all pretty wise to the unrealities of advertising nowadays,’ she shrewdly observes. ‘Especially the younger generation who’ve grown up with so many filters and special effects on their camera phones.’ The mother of five has always encouraged her children to be comfortable in their own skin and this has evidently worked; she tells me how her 20-year-old son Guy unashamedly has his own shelf of grooming products which she insists is ‘not just because he is an Earle!’ Listing her biggest achievements to date, there are two in particular which come to mind: ‘My five children and the multi-award-winning Cleanse & Polish – now with over 100 beauty awards and kind of my sixth child. No doubt it will feature large on my epitaph.’ (uk.lizearle.com; lizearlewellbeing.com)

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Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

A SICILIAN AFFAIR SS15 menswear design has seen bold patterns, pastel colours and sharp lines rise to the height of fashion, and the new collection from Daks is no exception. With a tailored lineage that is synonymous with classic British styling and understated elegance, itis little wonder that Daks has turned to the coastline of Sicily and the 19th-century writersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hub of Taormina for its SS15 inspiration. Sartorial flair is emphasised through doublebreasted jackets and subtle tonal stripes for a refined yet contemporary summer style. (daks.com)

AYGO X-WAVE AT LINDOP BROS QUEENSFERRY

4.9% APR Representative*

1 year’s

FREE INSURANCE†

£250 towards your deposit* Fun roof Multimedia system with Bluetooth®

INSURANCE IS MORE FUN WHEN YOU DON’T PAY FOR IT. Lindop Bros Queensferry Bridgegate Queensferry CH5 2TE Tel: 01244 821031 lindopqueensferry.toyota.co.uk

/LindopToyota @LindopToyota

Model shown is New AYGO x-pression with x-wave 5 door 1.0 VVT-i Manual at £12,540. Price excludes metallic paint at £495. Prices correct at time of going to press. *4.9% APR Representative and £250 Finance Deposit Allowance available on new retail orders of AYGO when ordered between 1st July and 30th September 2015 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 31st December 2015 on a 42 month AccessToyota (PCP) plan with 0-35% deposit. †1 year’s free comprehensive insurance offer is subject to purchase being made via Toyota Financial Services on a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) only and is available on AYGO models (excluding X grade) when ordered and financed between 1st July and 30th September 2015. Vehicles must be registered by 31st December 2015. All drivers must be aged 21 years and over. Offer is limited to the insured plus up to four additional drivers. The insured and all drivers must have held a full UK driving licence for a minimum of 2 years and had no more than 1 fault claim in the last 3 years. Offer only available to customers with no more than 1 minor motoring conviction in the last 3 years. Standard Toyota Motor Insurance Terms & Conditions apply (available on request) - these will be confirmed in the policy document. Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC; registered office Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5UZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Excess miles over contracted charged at 8p per mile. Toyota Centres are independent of Toyota Financial Services. Terms and conditions apply. Affordable finance through AccessToyota. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty subject to terms and conditions.

New AYGO x-pression with x-wave 5 door 1.0 VVT-i Manual. Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Urban 56.5 (5.0), Extra Urban 78.5 (3.6), Combined 68.9 (4.1). CO2 Emissions 95g/km. The mpg & CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU regulated test results. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

Motoring news words: Iain Warde

SIZE MATTERS The new Fiat 500 hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t grown in size but it has grown up, now sporting advanced technologies, improved efficiency, even more customisation ideas and a Centro Stile Fiat-refreshed exterior and interior. No fewer than 1,800 changes have been made to produce the new Fiat 500, all designed to enhance the ownership experience and refine its inimitable style. The 500 is powered by a range of Euro 6-compliant engines, combined with fiveand six-speed manual gearboxes or a Dualogic robotised transmission depending on the model. The engine line-up available at launch includes the 1.2 litre 69hp, the TwinAir 85hp and the TwinAir 105hp. In terms of performance, 500/500C models equipped with the 69bhp, 102Nm 1.2-litre engine can accelerate to 62mph in 12.9 seconds and reach 99mph. The top TwinAir 0.9-litre 105 bhp, 145Nm engine, 86

equipped with a six-speed maual gearbox, can propel the 500 to 62mph in 10.0 seconds and to a top speed of 117mph. The new Fiat 500 will go on sale in the UK in early September, with prices starting at just ÂŁ10,890 OTR. (fiat.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

Stirling scrapbook The 1955 Stirling Moss Scrapbook is now back in stock to commemorate 60 years since this crucial milestone for the racing driver. Stirling Moss is a national treasure. Arguably the world’s greatest all-round racing driver, he was a hero to several generations of schoolboys and enthusiasts throughout the world. Moss is now so iconic his name is often used as a metaphor for ‘racing driver’ – the name alone invokes mental images of speed, bravado, the jet-set lifestyle and a bevy of beauties with whom to live it. By 1961 his career was at its peak; absolutely at the top of his game, a charismatic sportsman famous across the world. RRP: £39.95, Standard (Signed) Edition: £150

Wilmslow starts to rev Revving up to roar into the town centre this year is the third Wilmslow Motor Show. Wilmslow Business Group events team have been working hard to ensure that Wilmslow will be filled once again with some amazing supercars, bikes and more. Some of the finest marques in motoring will be attending on Saturday 12 September to showcase their latest cars with new additions, Abersoch Land & Sea will even be bringing along a 17ft speedboat and some jet-skis to whet your appetite for watersports. Get involved with a supercar ride with Sporting Bears who will be fundraising for the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust or get front row seats for the supercar parade. (wilmslowmotorshow.getintowilmslow.co.uk)

Racing Rolls A closely guarded partnership between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and a team of budding racers has finally broken cover. The venerable environs of the Goodwood Motor Circuit did little to intimidate the maverick designers, engineers and drivers who produced an encouraging performance despite the wet conditions. The car, a specially engineered electric racer, reached speeds of 8mph as it made short work of a track that has proved the scourge of some of the most revered names in motor racing history. From practice through to the final race, the twinbattery 24 volt power-unit and aero package worked in perfect harmony. The team, an enthusiastic group of 10 and 11 year-olds from The March Church of England Primary School, just 100 metres from the Home of Rolls-Royce were thrilled with the performance. (rolls-royce.com)

‘Failing my driving test first time; that was a disappointment on a geological scale’ Richard Hammond

lounge lizard

Volvo takes interior design to a new level with its futuristic new Lounge Console concept Words: Jennifer Mason

Lock up There is also a lockable storage box included in the new concept for added security

Stretch out The Lounge Console replaces the front passenger seat, offering a more spacious rear configuration

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

f you’ve ever been squished into a backseat and wished it were more like a plane, wish no longer; Volvo has trumped the chauffeur-driven greats and reinterpreted automotive interior design for the modern traveller. The pleasure of sinking into a business class seat for a long-haul flight has nothing on the Lounge Concept; think leg room and then some, as well as a range of technological opportunities to stay in touch with the

world while you recline in comfort. With the company’s Swedish roots, we’re not surprised that it’s Volvo that’s been the first to come up with this Ikea-esque mix-and-match solution to the problem of backseat legroom. We’re excited to see what might become possible when AI chauffeurs take over and the spacial redesign can really begin. (volvocars.com)

Multi-purpose A large work table opens to reveal an illuminated vanity mirror, including a storage tray for personal accessories

Showtime The table rotates 90 degrees and powers a 17-inch screen for a full in-car theatre experience

Play footsie Additional space for shoes exists below the cushioned leg rest

A collector’s item From one-of-a-kind Ferraris to covetable Porsches from decades past, Richard Yarrow discovers the joy of collecting the rarest cars on the market – and why it might make for a savvy investment

ew categories of collectibles inspire such devotion and desire as classic cars. Perhaps equalled only by the strange behaviour displayed by lovers of vinyl – particularly in male music fans of a certain age – the passion associated with high-octane automobiles is, for many people, beyond a hobby. From limited-production Italian historics to the best of British from the ‘golden age’ of motoring, they are among the most soughtafter objects in the world. Entire books have recently been released paying homage to the exquisite vehicles, such as Vintage Cars, published by Assouline. But there is much more to it than that; buy cleverly, love it for a while then sell it on, and a car also has the potential to be very profitable. So what makes someone spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on screwedtogether metal, plastic and leather, and then to

cherish it so much they have to buy another? Chris Routledge is lead auctioneer at Coys, which always has 35-40 classics on display at its West London showroom, either for sale or previewing for auction. He says that the idea of collecting them as a hobby can be traced back to one auction in Edinburgh in 1962. From then on, old cars were not selling as old cars, but as something else. He believes the primary influencing force is nostalgia. ‘In our experience, the progression of a collector is they start with something from their childhood, a car that means something to them. That’s the trigger. If they have a good experience, they carry on. They start as an enthusiast and then become a collector.’ As with all passions, participants paddle in the shallows for a while, but quickly wade in deeper.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

They attend events, see what other people are doing and it starts to fill their heads with new ideas and new collecting patterns. After that, Routledge says, nostalgia takes a back seat. ‘Why do we sell a 1930s Bentley to a man aged 40? There’s no direct connection, but he might have started with a 1970s-era BMW, then bought an E-Type Jaguar and then decided he wants a pre-war car.’ There are, of course, different types of collector. Some want cars they can restore, others can’t abide the idea of getting their hands dirty and just want to own something immaculate. Some want to own just one, to drive it regularly on club events and become part of a social scene. Others need a garage-full and none ever turns a wheel in anger. Some soak up the status it attracts – while others couldn’t care less. ‘The unifying principle is that people have always loved cars; they create an emotion that is unique and enduring,’ explains Routledge.

Chris Knowles from Oxfordshire is a former British Airways pilot and operations director. Now retired, he’s a Porsche collector and currently has six. ‘They are very precise, lovely to drive, reliable, great fun and a wonderful thing. To collect them, I feel very lucky. You could call it an addiction, but once you get into it, it’s something that absorbs more and more of your time. It becomes an emotional engagement.’ If collecting vinyl is all about the right bands, with cars it’s the right brands. Desirability is determined by the badge on the bonnet, and it’s a closed club to which new members are rarely admitted. Along with Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls-Royce are the collectible core, as well as a host of marques that no longer exist. They include French fancies such as Delage, Delahaye and Talbot-Lago, plus the pioneering Americans Duesenberg, Cord and Auburn. Many collectors indulge their hobby not just for love, but to make money. It’s here that brand is critical. ‘Ferraris, 12-cylinder ones especially, but any “Enzo-era” cars [1947-1988], have always been the top performers as investments,’ says Paul Hardiman, senior auction analyst for Sports Car Market magazine. However, in the past couple of years the model with the most notable rise in value has been the Porsche 911 RS 2.7. Hardiman called its growth

‘stratospheric’, adding: ‘It’s gone from £150,000 less than five years ago to more like £600,000-£650,000 now.’ The 2.7 is the collectible Porsche. Built in 1973, only 1,580 were made, of which 200 were so-called ‘lightweights’ and therefore now command a premium. A curiosity of the market is that the 2.7’s rise has been felt by owners of other 911s, with a hike in resale prices for other ‘small-bumper’ and air-cooled examples. ‘In the same way, the massive rise in prices of the Aston Martin DB5 a few years ago has had a “coat-tails” effect on the less valuable DB6 and DBS, which are starting to become worth serious money,’ explains Hardiman. The downside is that one swallow does not make a summer: just because the auction hammer comes down on one DB5 for £700,000, it doesn’t mean they’re all worth that. ‘Classic cars have proven to be a good place to put your money,’ says Routledge from Coys. ‘The term “investment” implies speculators, but we have seen significant growth in value since 2008.’

Image © Laziz Hamani, from Vintage Cars, published by Assouline (available at maison assouline, 196A Piccadilly, W1J; assouline.com)

For today’s classic buyer, provenance is key. The car’s history must be known and documented. That should include a record of all maintenance and restoration work, which must have been carried out by the right people. The importance of taking expert advice on these ‘essential credentials’ can’t be overstated for any potential customer. Hardiman explains: ‘Even now, cars are sometimes not what they seem. The difference between a real and rare Ferrari Daytona Spyder and a car converted later – even if they look identical – can be a million pounds.’ Nostalgia is at the heart of collecting cars, but as time passes a new generation of vehicles becomes ‘old’ and a new generation of buyers are interested in them. It’s the reason why 1980s supercars such as Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Testarossa are making good money today. They were ‘poster cars’ for a generation of enthusiasts who can now afford them. The trick is identifying today’s new cars that will be elevated to collectible status in the future.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

‘Even now, cars are sometimes not what they seem’

Technology central words: Iain Warde

Best mobiles of 2015 so far... Sometimes finding the phone for you can be a difficult experience, so with such a baffling choice we showcase three of the must-have phones of 2015. All are available now in many different colours, sizes and specifications, so now’s the time to indulge your inner phone fiend

Samsung Galaxy S6 USP: 16MP camera and runs on Android Best Features: QHD Display, crystal clear £479.99 (johnlewis.com)

iPhone 6 USP: Bigger and better than its predecessor Best Features: Fast, bright and easy to use £699 (johnlewis.com)

LG G4 USP: Looks good and feels great in your hanf Best Features: Colourful with a 16MP camera £479.99 (johnlewis.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Technology

App: RE: Shakespeare

Game: Forza Motorsport 6 Forza Motorsport 5 – the first game in the series for the Xbox One – felt like a new-gen experience on the road, though some career structure and multiplayer functions weren’t as strong at launch. Forza 6 is playing to its strengths. 450 ForzaVista cars, 70+ hours career mode and we save the best to last; the addition of racing in the night and the rain, your behind-the-wheel experience takes a turn for the interesting – it’s a welcome challenge. Release date - September 15 £42.85 (amazon.co.uk)

Think Shakespeare’s boring? It’s time to think again. RE:Shakespeare is an exciting new way to bring the Bard to life, brought to us by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Samsung. Join David Tennant and a host of RSC experts and celebrities as they help unlock the potential of Shakespeare’s work through cutting-edge technology. Watch scenes from Much Ado About Nothing in amazing 360° action; remix Shakespeare to Shlomo’s human beatbox; lip-sync with poet Indigo Williams’ Shakespearean love lines and put-downs or try Akala’s Hip-hop Shakespeare Quiz. Free Android

‘Technology: the knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it’ Max Frisch

THE PHANTOM Drones are always in the news these days, and there’s no denying they’re a great bit of tech and kit to own. With two variations, the Phantom 3 Professional and Phantom 3 Advanced, this milestone in aerial innovation provides greater control and creative options from the sky. Both versions feature the professional control features that DJI are renowned for. Using DJI’s innovative Visual Positioning system, the Phantom 3 can hold positioning indoors without GPS, easily take off and land with the push of a button, and can even be controlled from up to 1.2 miles away. The Phantom 3 Professional also shoots 4K video at up to 30 frames per second, while the Advanced records at resolutions of up to 1080p at 60 frames per second. Both models shoot 12 megapixel photos using a 94° FOV, distortion-free lens, and a high-quality, 1/2.3” sensor that is more sensitive to light than the sensor in previous Phantom 2 Vision models. The Phantom 3 is without doubt the best drone on the market today, so if you’re a racing driver, extreme sports fanatic or simply want a different experience of photography, the Phantom will open up new ways to share your exploits. Phantom 3 Professional, £1,159 (dji.com) 95

Travel news

Grapes of wrath Get to grips with wine in all its guises at Six Senses Douro Valley, where tastings are complemented by grape-based treatments at its 24,000 sq ft spa. Guests can enjoy vintages pared with Portuguese tapas before retiring to the meditation nests dotted around the green slopes of the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Douro Valley. If that’s not enough to have you nodding off, then the Six Senses first European outpost also has a roll call of wellness experts; we recommend the popular yogic sleep program, followed by a night cap in The Wine Library. Rooms from £205 a night (sixsenses.com)

ME Time Famous for offering breathtaking rooftop spaces, including ME London’s popular Radio Rooftop Bar, ME by Meliá has unveiled its second sky-high watering hole in the highly anticipated, ME Milan Il Duca. Situated in Milan’s fashion and design district, and occupying a building originally designed by the late Aldo Rossi, this is the brand’s first Italian luxury lifestyle hotel. ME Milan Il Duca offers 132 luxurious rooms, including 32 Chic Suites, a Personality Suite and a Suite ME, not to mention the first Italian branch of STK, a foodie favourite at home and abroad. (mebymelia.com) 96

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

Escape from it all

Long haul vs short haul

Pulling ahead With 93 hotels in 26 countries, we were surprised not to have heard of Pullman Hotels until recently. That’s because, following an intensive makeover, it was only seven short years ago that the brand was re-released as an ultra-high-end haven for business travel. Its London offering, the Pullman Hotel St Pancras, is utterly slick and perfectly placed just minutes from Euston, boasting light, airy suites and sincere, friendly staff keen to cater for your every whim. And if you don’t fancy going so far afield, there’s also a Pullman due to open on Liverpool’s King’s Dock in January 2016, making now the time to get to grips with this chain’s many charms. (pullmanhotels.com)

Short haul Holding the fort

When it comes to R&R, a former military fortress might not be the first destination that springs to mind, but in spite of its drawbridge and bunkers, Cap Rocat is the most romantic of hideaways. This summer sees the launch of three secluded new suites, The Sentinels. Carved into the rock, the former surveillance towers overlook the Bay of Palma and offer guests total privacy. Enjoy the uninterrupted views from the secluded terrace. Rooms from £640 a night (caprocat.com)

Long haul Peace and quiet

The eco-excursion From wind turbines to solar panels, you don’t have to travel far to see people doing their bit for the environment – and you can do yours by staying at one of Dioni’s stunning eco holiday cottages in the heart of Snowdonia. Providing warmth, comfort and no carbon footprint, the cottages use the earth’s resources to

their maximum ability, with biomass boilers to heat water and electricity generated throughout the year by solar panels and wind turbines. Add to this luxury interiors, breathtaking views of the Welsh countryside and no need to battle through airport check-in, and we have to admit, we’re sold. (dioni.co.uk)

Nelson Mandela’s former residence has opened as a retreat for the first time. Situated in the serene and unspoilt Shambala Private Game Reserve, The Nelson Mandela Centre for Reconciliation has six double bedrooms, an indoor pool and a large outdoor deck with views of the rugged wilderness. Unwind while your itinerary is taken care of by your own private chef, butler and a team of guides. From £3,794 a night for up to 12 people (zulucamp.co.za)

Top of the Range

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a short-haul flight from some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest golf havens. From the west coast of Scotland to the shadows of the Atlas Mountains, Rowena Carr-Allinson discovers the retreats where five-star comforts are par for the course

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

For a family vacation... Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, Tourrettes, France This luxurious hideaway in Provence is the perfect family golfing escape. Sprawling over 300 hectares, it has two glorious courses designed by Dave Thomas, its own golf school starting from age five and all the high-end tech and gear a pro can dream of. The two 18-hole courses, Le Château and Le Riou are set in some of France’s most beautiful countryside. Le Château runs over 6,616 metres with bunkers and greens worthy of a championship course. Geared to golfers with a handicap under 35, Le Château is ranked 14th in continental Europe by Golf World magazine. Le Riou offers panoramic village views with steep fairways and elaborate greens. The training centre, a European Tour Performance Institute, features 64 tees on two levels, an indoor putting green, two outdoor putting greens, two chipping greens and a driving range with a bunker area. Families will appreciate spacious suites and villas, as well as a huge spa, high-tech fitness room, an amazing Kids’ Club, a choice of four heated pools and four gourmet restaurants. Room service also happens to serve the finest hand-made chicken nuggets known to man. Getting there Golf Package for two from €495 per night including a stay in a luxury suite or villa, American breakfast, green fees including an electric golf cart with GPS, tees and storage, access to the Albatros Golf Performance Centre with unlimited driving-range balls and training areas, spa access and complimentary accommodation for two children up to 12 years old, sharing a parents’ Suite (breakfast excluded) and complimentary access to the Kids’ Club (until 1 November 2015). (reservations.hotel@terre-blanche.com; +33 (0) 4 94 39 90 00; terre-blanche.com)

For sun and sea views The Algarve, Portugal

For an exotic break Domaine Royal Palm, Marrakech, Morocco Located 12 kilometres south of Marrakech, along the banks of Ghord’s wadi, the Royal Palm Golf & Country Club within the grounds of the Domaine Royal Palm hotel is a pristine oasis, dotted with age-old olive trees. Nestled at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, this unique 18-hole course pioneers luxury and sustainable development in Morocco. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson (who designates the top 100 courses worldwide on behalf of Golf magazine and is the sole independent member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in Europe), the par 72 course stretches over 6,608 metres and 75 hectares. Completing

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proceedings are two putting greens, a chipping green, advanced equipment for technical analysis and a junior golf academy. The hotel boasts a Clarins Spa, gym and a choice of restaurants ranging from the Moroccan Al Ain to the gourmet La Caravane. The Domaine Royal Palm is a suite-only hotel, so your room won’t leave you wanting where space is concerned. Getting there Three nights in a Junior Suite on a bed and breakfast basis, including Economy return with British Airways (outbound on a Thursday returning on a Sunday evening), private transfers and two rounds of golf per person from £838 per person sharing. Call Beachcomber Tours UK on (01483 445 610; beachcombertours.co.uk)

Check into the swanky Conrad Algarve, set in southern Portugal, where the sun shines 300 days a year. Just a stone’s throw from Quinta do Lago, the official winter training base of England Golf for the next four years, it’s a golfer’s paradise with several first-class championship courses. Try Laranjal for its picturesque surroundings and perfect Bermuda-grass fairways. The Royal golf course in Vale do Lobo, based on a design by Sir Henry Cotton, is best-known for its dramatic cliff edge location, while the new North Course was redeveloped by renowned American golf architect Beau Welling with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley. Quinta do Lago also boasts Europe’s only Paul McGinley Golf Academy and a TaylorMade Performance Centre. The Conrad Algarve even has a golf concierge with PGA golfing pro

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

To swing like a celeb Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Como, Italy

Ricardo Santos on hand for professional coaching. Off the fairway, the Spa and Health Club provides welcome pampering, while foodies will be spoilt with five restaurants. Getting there The Platinum Experience offers four nights accommodation, including one round at Laranjal, one round at Monte Rei, one extra round at either Quinta do Lago South, Old Course, Victoria or San Lourenço and one set of clubs, three balls per day and golf tees, two dinners per stay, including one glass of Champagne in Louro and one dinner, including one glass of Champagne in Gusto. Valid until 31 December 2015. From £290 per room per night based on two sharing a deluxe room on a bed and breakfast basis. (+351 289 350 700; conradalgarve.com/en/ conrad-spa-golf-offers)

Although this glorious Art Nouveau hotel, which dates back to 1910, doesn’t have a golf course on site, it’s a 10-minute drive to get to the Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club. What’s more, this is where George Clooney (who apparently plays to a 25 handicap) likes to practise his swing when he’s ‘at home’ in Lake Como. The 100-year-old Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club was set up by Brits, in stunning mountain scenery with narrow fairways and steep inclines, keeping it off the International Open radar, and therefore utterly discreet. Prefer to play further afield? The hotel is also within easy reach of seven of Italy’s top 18-hole courses, including the Circolo Golf Villa d’Este, the Golf Club Monticello and the Lanzo Golf Club. In terms of accommodation, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo offers the ultimate in five-star luxury, with astounding lake views against the stunning Grigne mountains backdrop. Check into an 8th-floor suite for the full experience, including butler service, impressive cedarstone bathrooms (with more jaw-dropping views) and your own rooftop Jacuzzi overlooking the lake. Other perks include two outdoor pools, one right on the water (with its own beach bar), two restaurants, an indoor heated pool at the spa, a clay tennis court and a plush billiards room. All that in an authentic Belle Époque palace set in a 20,000 sq m park with rare magnolias and rhododendrons. No wonder Greta Garbo described Tremezzo as her ‘happy, sunny place’. Getting there Golf Time package, minimum three nights, from €1,740 in a Park Superior Room (VAT and city tax excluded) including daily buffet breakfast at La Terrazza, one à la carte dinner for two (beverage excluded), two daily green fees for two guests at disposal for the first two days of your stay, two daily transfers for two guests from/to Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club for the first two days. (+39 0344 42491; reservations@grandhoteltremezzo.com)

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To bend it like Bond Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire A classic quick weekend escape from London, Stoke Park is set just 15 minutes from Windsor. A magnificent mansion house set amidst 350 acres of beautiful parklands landscaped by Capability Brown, Stoke Park might look familiar thanks to its many forays onto the silver screen. A close relationship with Pinewood Studios has seen it featured in James Bond films, including the epic duel between Bond and Goldfinger. To swing like Bond, hit the 27-hole championship golf course designed in 1908 by Harry Colt. There are also perfect practice facilities, with a putting green, driving range and short game area as well as a state-of-the-art indoor Swing studio for interactive lessons and club fitting. The rooms offer a mix of the traditional and the contemporary. Each is individually designed, with authentic sports antiques and paintings aplenty. In addition to the golf, you’ll also find 13 tennis courts, which welcome international players for the annual pre-Wimbledon tennis tournament. Enough exercise? The spa with its pool and marble steam room is just the place to kick back and relax before dinner at Humphry’s with its 3 AA rosettes. Getting there Double rooms from £243 per night based on two sharing (0800 949 774; slh.com/hotels/stoke-park)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

For whisky lovers The Trump Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, UK Formerly the Station Hotel, back in 1906, this 800-acre resort became part of Starwood’s The Luxury Collection portfolio in the new millennium and was purchased by flamboyant businessman Donald Trump in 2014. The is Edwardian hotel, set on the Ayrshire coast, had dramatic renovations in 2008 under interior designer Mary Fox Linton and is currently getting another facelift.

The most luxurious resort on the west coast of Scotland, it will re-launch on 1 June 2016 with a redesigned Open Championship golf course (The Ailsa), as well as refurbished bedrooms, upgraded conference facilities and a new 18-hole pitch and putt designed by Martin Ebert. The restaurant and spa will also be getting a revamp, including a new whisky bar featuring more than 250 whiskies in the Grand Tea Lounge. The clubhouse has also undergone a £5m refurbishment as it will host the RICOH Women’s British Open this summer. It’s also worth noting that

this course has been graced by royals, dignitaries and legends such as Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Rod Stewart and Jack Nicholson. Getting there The Great Experience includes a two-night stay, daily Scottish breakfast, dinner in the signature restaurant, one round of golf per person on both the Championship Ailsa and Kintyre courses and full spa use. Room rates from £305 (from May), including bed and breakfast. (01655 333 991; teetimes@trumpturnberry.com, starwoodhotels.com)

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Life of

Thai From bustling cities to secluded beachside resorts, Gabrielle Lane explores different sides to one of the most popular Southeast Asian destinations

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

hailand has a reputation for being a destination you don’t have to plan for: according to almost any acquaintance you ask, life in Southeast Asia involves eating mangoes by the side of the road, perusing street food markets and pitching up at beachfront cabins in little more than a kaftan. But I am simply not that kind of woman. And even after I visited for two weeks in December, I was not even close. If you’re going to visit Thailand, you should do it properly. With a selection of the finest properties and resorts in existence, Thailand lives up to its place on many a bucket list – juxtaposing local culture with high society; deserted beaches with glittering nightspots and serene spa treatments with decadent suppers. Far away from the

throngs of youthful Full Moon revellers, the country is regaining its place as a luxury retreat. More than 4.2 million tourists visited during the first three months of 2015. Thailand is popular – but it can still be very exclusive.

Lebua at State Tower, Bangkok The feeling of surrealism that I had when arriving in Bangkok at 11pm is still as potent for me now as it was then. My friend and I were taken to our first hotel – Lebua at State Tower – by the hotel’s chauffeur-driven Mercedes. The night was warm but deceptively still; the roads uncharacteristically quiet as we peered out through tinted windows into the darkness, our journey soundtracked by the saloon’s playlist of opera music. Within the hour we saw the city from 50

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storeys high. Standing at 810ft tall, Lebua occupies Bangkok’s second-highest tower and its two-bedroom suites have colossal stone balconies on two sides. At night, the glittering lights of the surrounding skyscrapers bathe the Chao Phraya River in an eery bluish glow and the highway is transformed into a streak of gold. That first night we took so many pictures – never quite capturing how tall, how vast or how alive it felt – before we succumbed to tiredness, finding Bulgari toiletries in the en-suites as we readied ourselves to fall into the enormous beds with the plumpest white pillows. Morning in Bangkok arrived with brilliant sunshine and the rousing drum beats of a street parade: step outside the hotel through a back exit and you’re free in one of Asia’s most chaotic, schizophrenic cities. The smell is of street food – spicy and citrusy – and to cross the roads you’ll dodge magenta taxis and tuk-tuks. Reassuringly, you can always see the Lebua from the neighbouring streets and retreat to its incongruously glossy rooms. If you want to cool off, Lebua’s outdoor pool is on the 10th floor. As a guest of one of the suites, refreshments are also available all day

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in the Tower Club lounge which serves complimentary canapés, salads and petits fours. But supper at its Breeze restaurant was by far the stand-out experience. It’s the world’s tallest alfresco restaurant, complete with tables set into glass-walled recesses and a private show. Course after course of traditional Asian cuisine was bought to the table, including crispy wasabi prawns and marinated duck, by a four-strong team of waiters in white robes. The accompanying

ABOVE: Breeze (51-52 floor) at Lebua bangkok

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

China 20:20 cocktails were mixed in a chemistry set before our eyes – all billowing steam, bright colours and fresh flowers. I didn’t want to leave. In fact, the only thing that lured me away was the opportunity to go for a glass of Champagne one floor higher and see the view – Lebua’s open-air rooftop bar Sirocco is quite literally on top of the world. Afterwards, completely invigorated by the cityscape, we jumped into a tuk-tuk to join the locals haggling at the Asiatique market downtown. But all too soon it was time to move on. Two-bedroom luxury suite from $879 (approximately £582) per night (lebua.com/statetower)

Anantara Phuket Layan, Phuket A completely different side to Thailand can be found in the lush green countryside along the western coast of Phuket, located in the Sirinat National Park. When we visited Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa, our neighbours were baby elephants in an animal sanctuary on one side, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z on the other. It sums up the resort. Glamorous and restorative, this is a place of lanterns and dark wood décor, of drinks that change colour (butterfly pea flower turns warm water purple when you add lime) and of indulgent spa treatments. I had a Thai massage here (opt for medium strength) and the stresses and strains of London life were stretched out of me. Afterwards, I lay by the outdoor spa pool for hours, checked on intermittently by the friendly staff. There are 47 villas at Anantara Phuket Layan, each with their own pool and decked outside space. As a result, the private beach and the adjacent pool are almost always deserted. Geared up as it is for promoting wellbeing, Anantara also offers the opportunity to kayak across the calm water of the bay and to have personal training sessions in its Muay Thai boxing ring – almost always watched by the resort’s own family of pet ducks. While most meals, including a breakfast of crumbles and compotes, eggs and the widest selection of fruit imaginable, are served at all-day dining spot Sala Layan, it’s at the resort’s authentic Southeast Asian restaurant Dee Plee that I’d recommended

you visit to try regional specialities. My friend still talks about the Thai tapas topped with chilli flakes, bay leaves and chutney, and the succulent lobster served in a rich, spicy red curry sauce. From £159 per room per night (phuket-layan.anantara.com)

ABOVE FROM TOP: villa with pool at anantara phuket Layan; pool view at night at nakamanda

Nakamanda Resort, Krabi For many people, the vision they have in their heads of Thailand will be met by a stay at Nakamanda Resort & Spa, Krabi. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the intimate, friendly hotel is set on a private beach where low tide occurs twice a day, giving you a view of the sweeping sandbank out to another deserted island. When the tide is in, your photos take on that turquoise, filter-free quality and Krabi becomes the perfect base from which to explore unspoilt and uninhabited islands. It is Hong Island that embodies the fantasy of unspoilt sugar-white beaches circa 1995, before the tourists arrived in droves – and the best way to travel is by longboat, of course.

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BELOW FROM TOP: Luxury villa at sri panwa; baba nest at sri panwa

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Krabi is less commercialised than much of Thailand and as a result, stays here are peaceful, simple and uninterrupted – it pays to stock up on books and entertainment before you go and spend a few days enjoying fresh fruit purées, seafront swims and Balinese-inspired massages in the Naga Spa, with its fruit teas and custom oil blends. The 36 Sala Villas of the Nakamanda Resort are smart and low key, which will suit those looking for a more traditional experience, while two elevated private residences with sea views have dining rooms, a kitchen and a private pool and Jacuzzi, if you need more space. One of the most authentic experiences of our trip came courtesy of the Andaman Seafood Dinner that the resort hosts on Tuesdays and Fridays. Guests sit on cushions around sunken round tables in the Thai custom, and the pool area is lit entirely by candles. SLH offers rooms at Nakamanda Resort & Spa from £126 per night for a one-bedroom villa (slh.com/hotels/nakamanda-resort-and-spa)

Sri Panwa, Phuket The swansong of our trip was a stay at Sri Panwa. Perched on the southeastern tip of Phuket, it’s essentially a very exclusive private estate set in 40 acres. Being steep and leafy, it’s easiest to travel from the villas to its various amenities by tuk-tuk and in practice this makes Sri Panwa feel like a secret hideaway for an elusive billionaire. There are few places with more bells and whistles: the ocean-view pool villas have retractable glass walls offering elevated views of the gardens and Andaman Sea from the lounge area and master bedroom, which also means you can jump directly from your bed into the infinity pool that wraps around the villa on three sides. Inside, there’s music and mood lighting, and a separate kitchen and dressing room, while outside there’s a Jacuzzi and two private sun decks – oh and you’ll have access to a butler too. Sri Panwa gives you a card when you arrive stating ‘welcome to your playground’ and it’s an accurate assurance. Baba Nest is an open-air, rooftop cocktail bar offering 360-degree views of the sea and islands; each night a lucky few perch on floor cushions in a boho-bourgeoisie fashion. Then there’s the laid-back home-style restaurant Baba Soul Food offering lots of naughty deep-fried Thai sharing plates and rich salty meat dishes. The pool club is a hive of activity, with delicious breakfasts and watermounted sun beds. But if you take a path down through the tropical foliage, you’ll end up at a discreet pool dotted with loungers, shrubs and butterflies. From here, a winding wooden walkway extends out onto a jetty into the ocean. It’s worth noting that Sri Panwa’s Cool Spa has picked up more than a few awards. Treatments are given with outdoor showers, and there’s a rooftop infinity pool to enjoy post-treatment. Fully relaxed, as our trip drew to a close, we witnessed an acrobatic fly-past from the neighbouring Thai air base. A memorable end to our holiday, it was one of the few things not arranged by our amazing hosts. From $800 (approximately £530) per night for a one-bedroom pool villa (sripanwa.com)

Travel | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Weekend away …Titanic Hotel, Liverpool WORDS: GEMMA KNIGHT

hen it comes to hotels, it’s always the little touches that set a place apart – and it’s in these informal, personal little details that the Titanic really shines. Sitting in the partiallyrenovated Stanley Dock (which we’re reliably informed will, when completed, be as notable a jewel in Liverpool’s crown as the adjacent gentrified Albert Docks), the hotel opened only last year and occupies an old rum warehouse from the heyday of Liverpool’s maritime past, complete with semi-industrial décor and original features including huge beams, riveted doors, thick brick walls and cavernous vaulted ceilings. Our superior dockside room was split level, spacious and modern with an enormous bed, drench shower and views out over the dock through wrought iron antique windows. The lighting is moody (read: you might need a torch to find your room number), and little notes are dotted throughout the room carrying friendly messages (or apologies for the brick dust which, since ‘the hotel is a very old building that is just coming back to life’, occasionally floats down from the ceiling) – but this all genuinely adds to the charm of the place. The staff are excellent; still clearly finding their feet but limitless in their enthusiasm, attentive to

a fault and very genuine – not to mention highly knowledgeable when it comes to the cocktail menu and local area. Nevertheless, there are two clear reasons to visit the Titanic which far outstrip all others; the recently opened underground spa, and the afternoon teas. The subterranean spa and gym, which features a spectacular Roman-bath hydrotherapy pool encased in exposed brickwork arches, is cosy, warm and immaculate, filled with yet more smiling, helpful staff and offering an array of expert treatments (go for the Ocean Fresh Facial and you’ll even get to take away the seaweed used to extract toxins from your skin so that you can add it to your bath at home). Once you’re suitably relaxed, head back up to the ground floor restaurant and drink in views of the dock over a suitably titanic afternoon tea. For each person there are egg, cheese, ham and smoked salmon finger sandwiches, two large scones with a pot of jam and clotted cream, and four mini cakes; a fruit loaf, slice of lemon drizzle, a chocolate éclair and a custard biscuit. If you, like me, find yourself defeated – never fear. Doggy bags are enthusiastically encouraged, and make a fabulous excuse to take a little bit of this fascinating place away with you. (titanichotelliverpool.com)

‘Drink in views of the dock over a suitably titanic afternoon tea’ 110

g n i t s r u b d l r A wo d n a n u f h t i w . s r u o flav EE FR mission ad

. y o j n E . e g l u Play. Ind www.TheIceCreamFarm.co.uk Visit us: The Ice Cream Farm, Newton lane, Tattenhall, Chester, CH3 9NE Contact us: 01829 770 995

Kids’ news Dress to impress Fancy Kids is your newest one-stop destination for organically produced children’s fashion, toys and lifestyle accessories. Launched this spring, the platform is devoted to providing a stylish and unique shopping experience with an eco-friendly philosophy at its heart. Designers such as Marie-Chantal, Melissa Odabash and Margherita Kids have been hand selected to ensure that all of the products available are as beautiful as they are ethical. (fancykids.com)

Cavalli kids

Tiny travellers

Bright, zesty pops of colour and natureinspired prints take pride of place in Roberto Cavalli’s junior summer range of clothing and accessories. We love the Vintage Rose Leopard Dress, which is perfect for long summer days. Made from matte silk, it features jewelled seahorses and shells, delicate roses and Cavalli’s classic animal print motif – can we get it in an adult size? From £38 (childrensalon.com)

Get a head start on your summer holiday packing with the new mini range from Steamline Luggage. The Entrepreneur case is ideal for little city-hoppers; complete with ample room for all their business essentials (like colouring books and crayons), there is also a detachable wash bag included. Meanwhile, The Correspondent case (pictured) sings sophistication for mini sun-seekers, available in a variety of colours – from pastels to bold hues. Both ranges come in carry-on and stowaway sizes. From £120 (steamlineluggage.com)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

Little helpers The summer holidays provide plenty of time to get digging for creepy crawlies, and Wild & Wolf’s Little Thoughtful Gardener collection will arm budding gardeners with all the tools they need to get acquainted with the great outdoors. Designed for small hands, the range features everything from gloves and watering cans, to trowels and even insect hotels. Little ones will not only look the part, but they’ll get up close and personal with wildlife too; learning everything they need to know about tending their own plot, so they can leave your flowerbeds alone. From £7.95 (wildandwolf.com)

Soft touch Is it a teddy or is it a cushion? We’re not quite sure... But one thing that's certain is that Ferm Living’s Little Miss Rabbit and Little Mr Dog cushions are oh-so adorable. These huggable creations will add a cute factor to your children’s bedroom or play space and as they are made from 100 per cent organic cotton and feather down, they are super soft and suitable for all ages. £30 each (thekidwho.eu)

d e MR HENDRIX h s a e nl

inding down from a wonderful summer filled with picnics in the park with the pugs, day-cations and a host of star-studded events has kept me running on all four paws around Cheshire. While out walking with Anji, the change in the morning light may have thrown me, but stunning September sunsets let me know summer is not quite over yet as it leads us into autumn, the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ to quote John Keats. A time when life is busier than ever on the Cheshire farms, bringing in the fruits and grains of the harvest, September has also been a pawsitive and creative time for me, so when I was asked to pose for a professional mural artist I jumped at the chance. I brushed and fluffed my fur to perfection as she captured my cheeky Mr Hendrix look, along with my book characters Kitty the Cat and Sid the Snake in paints. Cheshire-based Joanna specialises in hand painted murals (either a simple wall mural or a completely themed room in intricate detail), and easily put my fur at ease as we spent a fantastic three days together to achieve a spectacular nursery for a very special baby boy. Indeed, it was this truly talented lady whose passion and enthusiasm inspired me to put paw to paper to create my very own Mr Hendrix Activity Book, a 32-page book packed full of puzzles, quizzes, games and recipes, perfect to take on your travels or to keep the little ones entertained at home. So to celebrate, I’ve decided to give away 5 copies – all you have to do is like and share my Facebook page and answer the following question: What are the names of the cat and the snake in my books? Please send your answers to info@MrHendrix.com. Happy answering! Until next time, love and licks

Mr Hendrix

xxx (facebook.com/ mrhendrixandfriends; joannaperrymurals.co.uk)

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“All great achievements have one thing in common - people with a passion to succeed” Pat Cash

It may not be too late to apply for the WGS Sixth Form starting in September 2015

2015 OPEN DAYS

Sixth Form

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

Senior School

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

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

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

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Junior School

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

wgs.org

Means -tested bursaries now available from Year 5 upwards

28/07/2015 10:39

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

Big fish to little fish

The new school year is approaching fast and for many this will mean transitioning from primary to secondary school. Lucy Davies, headteacher and mum of four, offers her advice

o your child has now finished their primary education and is off to secondary school this autumn; you are probably feeling a little bit older and almost as nervous as they are. So what can you do that will really help them (and consequently yourself) through this potential area of child/ parent discord? From many years as a teacher, both in primary and secondary schools, as a headteacher and, most importantly, as a

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mother of four children who have been through the transition from big fish in a small pond to little fish in a wide ocean, here are my top ten ‘must dos’; 1. Speak positively about the new school – always – no matter what you privately think. Your child needs to hear only positivity and they need to know that you think the school is great. 2. Find out everything you can about the school alongside your child, you’ve been to the open day and the Year 7s ‘meet the teachers’ evening, you’ve read the prospectus and you’ve chatted with the parents – do you actually know more facts about the new school than your child does? Share all of the information, positively. Sit and go through the website together, Google the school and watch the funny staff videos together – familiarity will ensure confidence.

3. The route to school in the morning is always something that children stress about. During the summer holidays take the time to draw a map and try out the route with your child, do it as they would, walk it, bike it or bus it (yes, time to get that old bike out and remind your child of all the things you learnt during your cycling proficiency test!). 4. It may sound silly but compliment your child every day, make an effort to praise their actions and build their confidence – be extra patient during the summer holiday and make a real effort to make your child feel positive about themselves. We think we do this anyway, but can you remember the last compliment you paid your child about their ability or actions? 5. Make sure you buy the right uniform, and double check this. I once bought the wrong year group tie for one of my sons, so he spent the whole first day feeling mortified. Look carefully at the website, what rucksacks do the children have? Which shoes are allowed and popular? Children entering a new school do not want to be noticed, they just want to fit in – you can help reassure them by thinking about the smallest detail. 6. In the last week of the holidays make the family get up at the time they will be once school starts. Your child’s body clock will need to adjust after a long sleepy summer break and this helps them to be alert and ready on the first day. Never book a holiday to return the night before term starts. Believe me, it’ll be a logistical nightmare full of shouting and blame the next day – not the way to start.

‘The pond may have got a lot bigger but the parent is there to keep the waters calm’

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

7. During the first week ask your child lots of questions, but don’t expect many answers! Do try to look out for their student planner; every school has one and usually it contains information about timetable, equipment needed and school rules. These last ones are worth talking through with your child; make sure they understand the times of registration and how the reward and punishment system works. You will also need to sign the planner every week and often your child will fail to tell you this until they are told off at school and consequently you are told off at home! 8. Don’t be too pushy with your child’s friendships. You will have already brought them up to know what good behaviour is and they will eventually work out who their best friends will be, this takes a bit of time and they do not want your help – you need to trust them. If they are still not settled after a month and unhappy then you will need to discreetly talk to their form tutor.

‘ Speak positively about your child’s new school – always – no matter what you privately think’ always there to help. Your child will need to ask if they don’t understand, even if that means waiting until breaktime. 10. The most important tip for a parent at this time is to stay calm and remember how you felt. Do not tell your child what to do, try to work alongside them to solve the mysteries of this big move – the pond may have got a lot bigger but the parent is there to keep the waters calm. In the words of a good oldfashioned British TV icon – ‘Don’t Panic’! Lucy Davies is head teacher of The Firs School Chester (firsschool.net)

9. Make sure that your child knows that not all teachers are the same, and that they teach in different ways and they will not get on with all of them in the same way. This does not mean that the child is ‘rubbish’ or the teacher is ‘rubbish’ – it’s just part of growing up and learning about yourself, being resilient and realising that teachers are

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Be Someone Open Mornings Senior School Saturday 26th September 9.30am - 12.30pm

Infant & Junior School Saturday 17th October 9.30am - 12.00pm

Independent | Co-educational | 4-18 Years

01244 332 077 | abbeygatecollege.co.uk

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03/08/2015 13:31:11

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

The classroom

Going for gold The Firs School has been awarded the Gold Sports mark for commitment to the development of sport and competition across their school and community. The Goverment-led awards scheme, sponsored by Sainsbury’s, recognised the excellent sporting opportunities at the school, and came at the same time as the athletics team won the Northern Area Championship trophy for overall Year 5 winners. (firsschool.net)

Engineered success Two groups of Abbey College students have successfully worked with engineers from Sellafield and Network Rail on real life engineering problems as part of their studies. The Engineering Education Scheme lasts six months and provides hands-on work experience. By taking part the students will also have the opportunity to apply for British Science Association CREST Award at Gold Standard. (abbeymanchester.co.uk)

Ucas tips The dreaded UCAS forms will soon be on university applicants’ agenda. The deadline may be January but the league tables are out and open days over. The factual elements of the form are pretty straightforward, but it’s the writing and re-drafting of the personal statement

that’s the issue. The advice is to start early though, and revisit every few weeks with a fresh pair of eyes to make sure you’ve got it covered and got the grammar right. The UCAS website has a great timeline and video guide. (ucas.com) 119

“Terra Nova’s academic, sporting and artistic record speaks for itself. I am so impressed with the way the school manages to identify and nurture individual talents in every single pupil.” TN parent.

WHO WILL YOUR CHILD BECOME?

THE INDIVIDUAL Unique talents are nurtured and find an outlet through our curriculum. We look to develop children’s passions and strengths for a range of curricular and extracurricular activities, finding the one that ignites their imagination. To find out more contact the Admissions office on 01477 571261.

Terra Nova School, Jodrell Bank, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8BT

www.tnschool.co.uk

@TerraNovaSchool

Terra Nova School

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

Soul mates

ou and Louelle are the latest addition to Hampton Living’s super-soft and irresistible gifts for children. With their dangling arms and legs they are loved by children (and adults) of all ages. Louelle wears a dress and bow in her hair, while Lou wears shorts, all made from 100 per cent linen. Designed in

Belgium, they are of the highest standards and are even washable, so your children can take them anywhere. They will be loved for years to come. Hampton Living’s range also includes Esteban the bear and Fifi the dog, all of which are suitable for any age including newborn. From £25 (hamptonliving.co.uk)

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

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

homes and

interiors showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY IN CHESHIRE AND BEYOND

Behind the scenes Creating the ultimate walk-in wardrobe

Fruit of the LOOM Wirral-native Christian Lee celebrates 25 years at the helm of Zimmer + Rohde

image: one of the many beautiful interiors from assouline’s new book ‘a touch of style’ (page 142)

Homes & interiors news

#1 Desert oasis Ralph Lauren Home has been known to take inspiration from the great outdoors, and this month, its new collection, Corral Canyon, turns to the Californian deserts, focusing on the calm ambience of a remote retreat. The focus of the collection lies on the fusion of organic materials, including weathered teak, sun-faded leather and seagrass, with modernist shapes and south-western textiles. By combining quality with the windswept palette of a desert atmosphere, this collection is the height of rustic indulgence. (ralphlaurenhome.com)

#2 FINISHING TOUCH Michael Thonet of Gebrüder Thonet Vienna was the first to design the Viennese ‘café chair’ we all know and love. Gebrüder Thonet has now re-created the classic range, giving it a contemporary edge. Lehnstuhl, £1,371, Nigel Coates for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna (discoverdeliver.com)

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Homes and Interiors

#3 ONCE AGAIN With the aim of reinventing traditional Italian homeware, Once Milano prides itself on its devotion to designing and producing the finest, most luxurious linen products. With simplicity and timelessness at their core, the light touch that the soft linens add to an elegant home can come in the form of an effortlessly draped, neutral coloured blanket at the end of a bed, or even a stylish yet understated linen tablecloth. In addition to this, the brand tailors the collection to individual specifications and can add personalised embroidery and monograms, so that your home linens can have a unified, personal feel. (oncemilano.com)

#5 Wall to wall With a splash of colour, a feature wall is one simple way to improve the ambience of a room. The Sanderson Sicilian Lions wallpaper is true to Robert Nicholson’s original 1956 design and features stylised motifs from the late Medieval period. Use this wallpaper to add a touch of decadence to your home. Sicilian Lions, £44 per roll, Sanderson (amara.com)

#4 Cocktail hour Sip your cocktail in style with your very own cocktail cabinet. This opulent example comes from David Linley, the renowned homeware artisan, which has handcrafted this delightful cocktail box, and comes complete with everything you could possibly need for an indulgent evening soiree. Cocktail box, £16,000, Linley (davidlinley.com)

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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Homes and Interiors

INTERVIEW

FRUIT OF THE LOOM Since he’s widely regarded as having been ‘born under a loom’, it stands to reason that Wirral-native Christian Lee is celebrating 25 years at the helm of global interiors brand Zimmer + Rohde. He meets Gemma Knight to talk travel, textiles and blindfolds

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INTERVIEW

ailing from the Lee textile dynasty, an innate appreciation for beautiful things was always going to run thick in Christian Lee’s veins. His great-grandfather was Arthur H Lee, founder of the family textile business which specialised in opulent and innovative designs through blocking, weaving and dyeing, spreading from humble beginnings in late 1800s Birkenhead to employing more than 400 people with showrooms in New York, London and Los Angeles. Although the business floundered after the Second World War and was forced to liquidate in the 1960s, a talent for the industry has nevertheless become an immovable part of the Lee family DNA. That said, a career in textiles was never on the cards as far as the young Christian was concerned. Fresh out of Ellesmere College in Shropshire he set his sights on travelling the

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world and, having worked for six months at a steel mill in order to save enough money, boarded a plane to North America and began an adventure which saw him spend three years traversing the globe. ‘Travelling the world hugely influenced my approach to running a business,’ Christian tells me. ‘When you hit a problem travelling there’s no one around to help, so it taught me to stand on my own two feet, evaluate the situation and decide what steps to take next.’ His lust for discovery satisfied, Christian returned to the North West and began a management training programme with British furniture brand Parker Knoll, quickly discovering that he had a talent for seeing design and numbers and taking to the world of textiles ‘like a duck to water’. ‘It was at Parker Knoll that I really learnt the trade,’ says Christian. ‘I travelled all over the country, meeting everyone from retailers to upholsterers and gained a real feel for the market.’ But just when it looked as though Christian was finally returning to the family industry, his life took an unexpected turn. While working for upmarket wallpaper and fabric retailer Osborne & Little, he decided to donate his time to a ski trip intended to teach a group of visually impaired people to ski. ‘I was blindfolded to experience skiing without sight and was then directed down the mountain under the ambiguous instruction of a female team mate,’ Christian explains. ‘It was an amusing and

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life-changing experience as, after eventually reaching the bottom of the mountain in one piece, even before I took the blindfold off, I had decided that this was the girl I was going to marry. We fell in love and wanted to do something amazing before we settled down with children, so we decided to run a ski chalet and journey the length of Africa – literally poles apart! We spent a season running the chalet and then bicycled from Victoria Station in London to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, a distance of 10,000 miles.’ Returning from their year-long African journey with very little money and a baby on the way, Christian knew that now was at last the time to return to textiles for good, and it wasn’t long before he was contacted by his previous boss who told him that a German textiles brand, Zimmer + Rohde, was looking for someone to turn the company around in the UK. ‘What really appealed to me was the fact that the company was over 100 years old and a fourth generation business,’ says Christian. ‘Something I could very closely relate to. The UK side of the business was losing money and it was up to me to decide how to turn it around, so my tactic was to highlight that all the textiles were woven in Italy and to embrace the fact that Zimmer + Rohde designs were contemporary. At the time this was a trend that was in its infancy in the UK, but gradually contemporary took off and the business flourished.’ Having been born and raised in Parkgate on the Wirral, Cheshire was the clear choice when Christian and his wife came to look for a place in

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‘What really appealed to me was the fact that the company was a fourth generation business’ which to raise their four children. ‘We wanted them to have roots,’ he explains, ‘and Cheshire is all about roots. It’s been the most fantastic place to bring up a family. We are surrounded by gently rolling hills in the middle of the countryside, but still only two hours away from London and two hours from the Welsh coast to go sailing, how perfect is that? As the business is run out of the Chelsea Design Harbour, I have a flat in London that I stay in during the working week, and the juxtaposition of an extremely busy city life during the week and the breathtaking Cheshire countryside every weekend really makes me appreciate how lucky we are.’ And his career? ‘I believe it’s all in the genes and I’ve enjoyed every day,’ he grins. ‘As I say to my kids; if you follow your passion, the rest takes care of itself.’ (zimmer-rohde.com)

Cheshire Magazine Issue 1 A4 + Bleed_Layout 1 04/08/2015 10:37 Page 16

Chesterfield Couture L O V E

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Alderley Edge An outstanding substantial family house set in elevated private gardens within Alderley Edge.

• 4 reception rooms • kitchen/breakfast room • study • office • gym • indoor pool with jacuzzi & solarium • 7 bedrooms ( 4 en suite) • bathroom • garaging • gardens • EPC – D Guide Price: £2,999,500

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Prestbury An unparalleled Arts & Crafts style manor house with breathtaking hand-crafted luxurious living.

• dining Hall • kitchen open plan to day room and breakfast/morning room • 2 reception rooms • media room • games room • library • 7 bedrooms (all en suite) • art studio • leisure suite with pool & gym • garaging • summer house • about 1 acre • EPC – C Price on Application

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Hoar Cross, Burton upon Trent An opulent contemporary bespoke house with unsurpassed leisure suite set in a breathtaking position with sublime views.

• galleried hall • 4 reception rooms • breakfast kitchen with snug • 5 double bedroom suites • leisure suite with infinity pool, gym, sauna & steam room • garaging • hard tennis court • gardens • orchard • paddock land • in all about 26 acres • EPC – C Guide Price: £2,950,000

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Over Alderley An exciting opportunity to build a 11,378 sq ft house with leisure complex sitting in just over 11 acres. Proposed:- • 3 reception rooms • orangery • 6 bedrooms (4 en suite) • shower room • garaging • leisure suite with pool, sauna, steam room, gym & media room • paddock land • woodland • lake • stabling • in all just over 11 acres • EPC - E • 5 acres included in the sale with 6 acres available by separate negotiation

Guide Price: £2,950,000

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Buxton An extremely spacious well presented family house sitting in wonderful mature grounds.

• 4 reception rooms • orangery • 6 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • gym • indoor pool with sauna • hard tennis court • in all about 1.4 acres • EPC - E Guide Price: £1,250,000

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Romiley

Wilmslow

A wonderful south-facing family house with excellent equestrian facilities. A spacious and well presented bungalow within Wilmslow Park North. • dining hall • sitting room • 3 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • garaging • 3 reception rooms • study • 6 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms • 2 bed annexe • extensive equestrian facilities • about 10 acres • EPC-F • gardens • EPC - D

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Wilmslow The most exquisite bespoke and spacious family house with stunning views.

• 5 reception rooms • study • breakfast kitchen • 6 bedrooms (4 en suite) • garaging • about half an acre • EPC - C Guide Price: £1,750,000

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Lower Peover A totally bespoke hand-crafted house at the end of an impressive drive. • dining hall • drawing room • study • orangery • breakfast kitchen • 4 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • garaging • 1 bedroom annexe • paddock • in all just over 6 acres • EPC – E

Guide Price: £1,495,000

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Lancaster An outstanding Grade II Listed house in a beautiful location.

• 4 reception rooms • study • party room • games room • 7 bedrooms • 5 bathrooms • second floor living room • garaging • gardens Guide Price: £1,500,000

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Hale Barns An impressive 1930s detached family home in a desirable cul-de-sac with exciting permission to extend.

• 3 reception rooms • 5 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • garaging • gardens • EPC – F Guide Price: £1,285,000

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Hale An individual contemporary detached residence on an exclusive road.

• 2 reception rooms • study • media room • 5 bedroom suites • leisure suite with pool, gym & sauna • garaging • gardens • art studio • EPC – C Guide Price: £2,950,000

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Bowdon A handsome period house in a private location set in stunning mature gardens.

• 3 reception rooms • study • gym • wine cellar • steam room • 4 bedroom suites • garaging • gardens • EPC – D Guide Price: £1,850,000

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INSPIRATION

To Interiors and Beyond World-renowned designer Carlos Mota celebrates his lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work through a glamorous new book. Hugh Francis Anderson explores the pages

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INSPIRATION

s an interior mastermind, who has styled interiors shots for some of the largest design magazines in the world, was the former editor at large for Elle Décor, and is the current style editor at Architectural Digest, it’s little wonder Carlos Mota is causing a storm in the industry. Starting his illustrious career as a set designer in Caracas, it was the theatre that sparked his desire and passion for creating beautiful spaces, with both a meticulous attention to detail and an eccentric attitude to the interior and exterior space. A Touch of Style is a homage to Mota’s life, his artistic eye to make a room come alive and his pursuit of flamboyancy. Featuring 200 individually shot spaces, including the homes of Patrick Dempsey and Oscar de la Renta, this book is packed with the vibrancy of luxury tailored design. Taking the viewer across continents, from town

‘A Touch of Style is a homage to Mota’s life, his artistic eye to make a room come alive’

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INSPIRATION

to country and from bedroom to garden, A Touch of Style is a snapshot of the life and times of Motaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career. Working closely with the team from Assouline, whose notoriety as the leader in luxury coffee table books is world renowned, Mota perfectly engages with the opulence of the design industries.

A Touch of Style by Carlos Mota, ÂŁ50, Assouline, (assouline.com)

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RECREATE THE LOOK

Behind the scenes Dressing rooms and walk-in wardrobes

ale or female, the place where you put together your daily and evening ensemble should be a sanctuary of calm and quiet – a haven of soft furnishings which perfectly reflect and inspire your personal sense of style and taste. The number one rule is, of course, to keep your dressing room or walk-in wardrobe tidy – after all, a cluttered room so often equals a cluttered mind – so clever, elegant storage solutions are absolutely paramount. In our man cave, you’ll notice a prime example of clean lines and colour minimalism coupled with simple storage solutions and sporadic touches of character. Here, everything appears visible and neat, but is saved from what might otherwise verge on the sterile by finishing touches like the graceful chandelier and wingback chair. For the shoe connoisseur, we love the idea of keeping your prized collection neatly shelved, allowing easy access and perusal, while also displaying each pair like the work of art designer shoes so often are. While there is a great deal more complexity to the interior design (perfect for those with a more daring, bold style of dress), the room nevertheless avoids looking in any way chaotic by maintaining a simple, clean backdrop brightened by audacious statement pieces. If a feminine, floral motif is more your style (and if the stresses of

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putting together an outfit require a truly soothing surround), we recommend soft, delicate pieces in pastel hues to help create a clean but cosy feel. This is also a style which most easily lends itself to light, airy rooms with large windows, and which works particularly well with a large-print wallpaper to help give definition to an otherwise fluid space.

Homes and Interiors

#5 #4

THE SHOE LOVER #1 Hutton circular mirror, £245, The Chandelier & Mirror Company Ltd (chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk) #2 Eternity chandelier, £12,920, Koket (bykoket.com) #3 Kubeo rug, £POA, Brabbu Design Forces (brabbu.com) #4 Chandra chair, £2,940, Koket (bykoket.com) #5 Exotica desk, £3,570, Koket (bykoket.com)

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RECREATE THE LOOK

#2 #1

THE MAN CAVE #1 Laura Ashley enamel storage container, £20, Laura Ashley (lauraashley.com) #2 Ice Queen outdoor chandelier, £1,210, Luku home (lukuhome.com) #3 Modern Retro 1960s Hamptons French Chic armchair (white), £999, ghify.com (ghify.com) #4 Vasum Vase (glossy white), £330, Natuzzi (natuzzi.com) #5 Alatri full length mirror, £175, The Chandelier & Mirror Company Ltd (chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk)

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Homes and Interiors

RECREATE THE LOOK

THE PRETTY BOUDOIR #1 Miniature rocking horse, £45, The French Bedroom Company (frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk) #2 Burlington floor lamp, £360, The French Bedroom Company (frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk) #3 Plummeted single drawer bedside table, £155, One World Trading Company (one.world) #4 Arctic Reindeer rug, £195, The French Bedroom Company (frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk) #5 Ayscoughfee full length mirror, £195, The Chandelier & Mirror Company Ltd (chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk)

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gardens

Creation of

a city garden Designer Liz Ackerley was recently enlisted to transform a suburban garden into an outdoor haven of privacy and play. She explains in intricate detail how she helped realise this complex vision with the help of lavender and levels

y clients approached me towards the end of 2014 to design and deliver a stylish, functional rear-walled garden in Didsbury, Manchester, for relaxing, entertaining, and in which their children could play. They wanted the sense of an English country garden, delivered in an unfussy, simple way with aspects of tradition and formality to connect with the interior of their Edwardian house. Needless to say I jumped at the chance and, with the help of landscape contractors Foxcroft Landscapes Ltd, set about creating the multi-

‘My clients approached me to design and deliver a stylish, functional rearwalled garden in Didsbury’

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functional space that this citydwelling family so badly needed.

Creating privacy in a city garden As with many city gardens, there was a key need to provide privacy to reduce the feeling of being overlooked by other nearby properties and a local school. This was achieved in two ways, firstly by creating a balcony and step system that led down to a lower terrace level, and secondly by planting clearstemmed round-headed trees (Prunus lusitanica) closely along two boundaries of the garden to block visibility of all the windows on the lower level. Alongside the children’s play area, black-stemmed bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) was used to provide a jungle feeling and, again, to achieve the all-important privacy.

Materiality and style To enhance the feeling of tradition

Homes and Interiors

all images courtesy of liz ackerley

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gardens

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and simplicity, three complimentary hard materials were used: sandstone (for the terrace and balcony system), wood (for the gate and wall system and shed) and brick (existing in the wall and matched for the stone bake oven base). By restricting the palette, the garden was given the coherent and clean look which the clients so desperately wanted.

The planting approach In addition to layout, the overall style also had to be encompassed in the planting. Here we used the trees and box (Buxus sempervirens) in the form of hedging and balls to give structure and formality. To complement and soften this structure, we used mixed perennial planting and grasses to provide texture and colour (particularly yellows, blues and whites, in line with the stylish country garden feel). We then positioned scent (mainly honeysuckle and lavender) around the terrace, a place where they could be most fully smelt and enjoyed.

Bespoke features The individuality and quality required for this garden led to the need for several bespoke elements to be crafted, including the metal and powder-coated grey balcony and double step system, as well as the Balau hardwood shed and matching gate/fence system. The colour of the balcony even matches elements in the interior of the house, whilst the shed and gates were the best solution for the garden’s particular size and aesthetic.

‘The individuality and quality required for this garden led to the need for bespoke elements’ Child’s play As the clients have two young children, provision of a play area was a very important aspect of the garden. Although it is not a large space, one side of the house did allow for the inclusion of climbing posts, a spider’s web climbing system and a small den, all wrapped in a more jungle-like planting style. In addition to these, a sunken trampoline was incorporated into the main lawn. Completed earlier this year, the clients are already overjoyed with the results, and are looking forward to watching the garden develop over the next couple of seasons into a stunning, natural space. Liz runs landscape and garden design company Poppyhead Consultancy (poppyheadconsultancy.com; foxcroftlandscapes.co.uk)

all images courtesy of liz ackerley

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FINISHING TOUCH

GO WITH THE SWING For lazy late-summer days in the garden, we can think of nothing nicer than whiling away the hours in the Armadillo Swinging Garden Sofa. Designed for Spanish brand Point by Joaquín Homs, this fabulous outdoor statement piece comes in two colours – toasted or ivory white – and comes with nylon ropes so that it can easily be attached to a tree (or an aluminium base, should you be lacking in foliage). Its ‘armadillo’ curved hood provides shade from the sun, while the frame is topped with a high-quality weather-resistant woven rattan, meaning it’ll last for many summers to come despite the British winter weather. All you need now is a cold beverage and a good book, and you’re all set. £1,950 (gomodern.co.uk)

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Welcome To

Picture your perfect HOME...

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

Please call us to discuss your project in complete confidence 2015 Award Winners

01704 841 831 www.tricklebank.com Est 1995

Homes and Interiors

LOCAL PROPERTY

MAPLE BANK MACCLESFIELD ROAD, ALDERLEY EDGE

‘This grand and elegant façade is only amplified by the grandiose opulence of the interior’

Maple Bank is a quintessential Alderley villa, constructed in 1846 of cream rendered elevations, with five bedrooms, just over half an acre of land, south-facing gardens, large original style sash windows and a slate roof. This grand and elegant façade is only amplified by the grandiose opulence of the interior, with large light rooms, high ceilings and all the original features that befit a house of this era. The main reception rooms are ambassadorial in size and have features such as open fireplaces with attractive surrounds and living flame gas fires, molded ceilings, dado rails, picture rails and stained glass leaded window detail. There is an

exceptionally fine entrance hall with tiled floor with an elegantly turned staircase rising to the first floor. The extensive accommodation is laid out over two floors and is ideal for both modern family living and for entertaining on a grand scale. Blending seamlessly with the period features is state-of-the-art technology, controlled by iPad/ iPhone, allowing for individually controlled temperatures to each room and also for music and radio to be streamed (or previously downloaded). With the addition of the cinema room (with kitchen) above the garaging, there is room for staff or a dependant relative. On the market at a guide price of £2.75 million through Jackson-Stops & Staff 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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LOCAL PROPERTY

BROOKFIELD HALL MANCHESTER ROAD, BUXTON

This house was built to impress and does, with its unsurpassed location, 9.7 acres and carved-stone elevations, including huge sash windows that bathe the whole house in natural light. This light, together with the extremely high ceilings, give a real feeling of grandeur and spaciousness. There are four reception rooms and a breathtaking inner hall, all adorned with period features such as open fireplaces, moulded ceilings and a stunning central staircase. There is a huge breakfast kitchen with bespoke fitted units and ample space for modern family living. The eight bedrooms are all generously proportioned, while behind the house is an equally impressive one-bedroom coach house with bespoke garaging below. On the market at a guide price of ÂŁ2.25 million through Jackson-Stops & Staff 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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HANSON HALL NETHER ALDERLEY

Hanson Hall really has it all. Built into the walls and floor of this period home is the very latest state-of-the-art technology, including Lutron lighting, audio/visual entertainment and AMX intelligent room-by-room controls, right through to a highly efficient under floor heating system

throughout the property. The house sits in almost 13 acres, with five bedrooms (all en suite) and garaging with a two-bedroom annexe above. Approached from the main reception hall via the beautifully crafted lime oak staircase, stone walling and limestone-flagged floors, a glass automated door opens to reveal the modern leisure suite. The suite welcomes you into an entertaining room featuring a sophisticated bar area and wine cellar, utility room, cloakroom and gym. There is also a fully equipped home cinema room with a projector and built-in screen. A further set of automatic glass doors lead to an amazing pool complex where, as well as the spectacular pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, there are his and hers changing rooms and showers. Price on application. On the market through Jackson-Stops & Staff 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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LOCAL PROPERTY

KEEPERS COTTAGE CHEADLE LANE, LOWER PEOVER

Keepers Cottage has been lovingly hand-crafted into a true masterpiece. The approach is truly sensational, having a long straight drive cutting through the beautiful Cheshire countryside, with the cottage sitting at the end. An impressive set of English oak electric gates with walls to either side opens out onto a paved parking and turning area to the front of the garaging and house. The fourbedroom cottage is constructed of reclaimed handmade Cheshire brick with a cream rendered Tudor boarded section, all surmounted by a slate roof,

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presenting a modern house with a period feel with more than 6 acres of land. This stunning façade is only amplified by the splendour of the interior, with a real feeling of space and light, aided by the large oakframed double-glazed windows and high ceilings. The sheer quality of the craftsmanship shines through in each and every room, with an abundance of hand-planed English oak to be seen in the beams, floors, doors, windows and orangery (all made in the traditional manner). There is multi room audio to the kitchen, orangery,

dining hall and master bedroom. The finish to the kitchen, bathrooms and flooring are 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 immediately on your right as you enter the drive, with planning permission for equestrian facilities. On the market at a guide price of £1.495 million through Jackson-Stops & Staff 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

Retirement living, but not as you know it

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY

Marina Living Port Ferdinand offers relaxed Barbados living with all the added luxury essentials

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ort Ferdinand is the latest property offering from UNNA Living in Barbados. All recently launched 82 homes offer magnificent marina views and at least 2,500 sq ft of living space. Designed by architects Michael Gomes and Associates, every care has been taken to ensure that each residence is ideally positioned for privacy and security and that each one captures the view across the marina to the Caribbean Sea beyond. Interiors are completed to a high standard courtesy of hand-crafted coral stone and woodwork, indigenous materials and calm colour palettes, the latter thanks to local interior design team, Archerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hall Design Centre in nearby Speightstown. There are two

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interNATIONAL PROPERTY

scheme options, ‘artful contemporary’ with light oak, modern kitchens and limestone flooring and ‘bold classic’ with marble and dark wood joinery. Homes vary from two, three and four-bedroom designs, all with excellent outdoor living space and views, while some include plunge pools. The sense of space is truly amazing as each room welcomes the outdoors in. The 32 homes in Founder’s Phase each have a private berth starting at 60ft as well as extra external storage with dedicated dock-level access. There’s also a dock master and yacht management team on hand to manage all details whether it’s a casual day sail or excursion to the Grenadines. The site is fully secure and offers kid’s club (outdoor and indoor), gym, golf simulator, spa, water activities and

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private beach. There’s also a business centre for those of us who are tied to our work. And if you decide you want to dine out, there’s a café/deli, open wood burning pizza restaurant and bar on Pool Island and superb yet filling fine-dining at 13°/59°. What’s more, there’s a friendly and knowledgeable concierge team available to help if you want those tickets for the cricket, personal chef or simply groceries delivered before your stay. Housekeeping and maintenance services can also be included and the team can manage your home should you wish to offer it as a luxury holiday rental. Add to all this the facilities from the sister properties Saint Peter’s Bay and Port Saint Charles, and historic Speightstown, there’s plenty on offer whether you’re investing your money for the future or taking advantage of Barbados life. Properties start at $2.295 million (0800 086 8662; portferdinand.com)

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This classic contemporary designed new build residence is situated enviably within one of Wilmslowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most desirable locations and has been thoughtfully constructed to offer stunning accommodation with high specification throughout.The brand new luxury five bedroom, three bathroom property is constructed over four floors and is set within a conservation area on a private road. Wilmslow centre is conveniently within walking distance to central Wilmslow village and the countryside park of the Carrs.

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

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

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

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

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

WRENWOOD, HALE

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

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

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

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

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

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

BRADGATE ROAD, ALTRINCHAM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 ISRAEL

#1 Sea One Tower, Tel Aviv This stunning duplex is truly a spectacular pied-à-terre for the jet-setting bachelor. Approximately 2,200 sq ft, the entire apartment showcases awe-inspiring views of the Mediterranean. A breathtaking floating staircase with curved glass railing anchors the entire unit and serves as an ‘art installation’ and focal point. It’s the first of its kind in the city, with each floor of the tower displaying a rotating selection of art and mixed media. The home offers complete automation from security to shades, to art lighting selected to display the owner’s private collection. On the market at a listed price of £5 million with Israel Sotheby’s International Realty (310 926 3777; sothebysrealty.co.uk)

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DUBAI

#2 Emirates Crown Penthouse, Dubai Marina This one-of-a-kind designer penthouse is the ultimate luxury pad overlooking the famed marina. A key feature of the home is a walk-in, humidified Euro Cave cellar, which can store over a thousand bottles. Additional design details include Italian crystalised marble, cement structural beams, and state-of-the-art audio, video and security systems in all rooms. On the market for £4.9 million with Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty (+971 600 54 5451; sothebysrealty.co.uk)

Homes and Interiors

UNITED STATES

#3 East Hampton Compound, New York

This Cotswold-inspired property rests minutes away from East Hampton village, spans more than 23 acres and includes charming horse stables with paddocks and riding fields. Majestic vistas with big sky views and gorgeous landscaping create a ‘world away’ kind of privacy. Generously accommodating 12 bedrooms alongside 12 full bathrooms, the property further includes an oversized spa, fully equipped gym, indoor theatre, and a large swimming pool set in the beautiful gardens. On the market for £35.75 million with The Hamptons, New York Sotheby’s International Realty (+1 631-324-6000; sothebyshomes.com/hamptons)

4 SPAIN

#4 Villamartin, Costa Blanca South Villa 3 is a spacious three-bedroom villa offering high specification and contemporary design throughout. There is also an outdoor pool within a walled garden along with a rooftop terrace. The property is set within a boutique residential complex comprised of 11 villas, each occupying 300 square metres in the prime area of Villamartin. On the market at a guide price of £172,500 through Sequre Property Investment (0800 011 2277; sequre.co.uk)

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overseas property

ITALY

#6 Montone, Perugia This Medieval hamlet with swimming pools and riding stables is set in a secluded valley at the foot of the medieval village of Montone, a stunning Tuscan property comprised of four stone buildings, a fully restored main residence and three annexes. Surrounded by 20 hectares of land, the area is ideal for riding and is equipped 6 hectares of fenced grazing fields, stables, a saddle-room, hay barn and a 20x40m school/dressage area. With 12 bedrooms the estate easily accommodates family and friends and has two outdoor pools for warmer days in the Tuscan sun. Currently on the market for €3.1 million (£2.195 million) with Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 055 075 1888; sothebysrealty.com)

SPAIN

#5 Finca, Sotogrande Finca offers spacious accommodation of no less than eight bedrooms in a beautiful setting, with a swimming pool, detached guest cottage, additional staff accommodation and stables, within proximity of 8 golf courses, 17 polo grounds and moorings all located within a 10km radius. Sotogrande is the largest privately owned residential development in Andalusia. Originally a gated community, it is located in the municipality of San Roque, Cádiz, Spain and is composed of a 20 square kilometres (8 sq mi) stretch from the Mediterranean Sea 25km east of Gibraltar, back into the foothills of Sierra Almenara. Price on application, on the market through Jackson-Stops & Staff (020 7828 7387; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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Homes and Interiors

PORTUGAL

#7 Golfe, Quinta do Lago Located in one of the most covetable areas of the Algarve, this stunning contemporary villa rests in beautiful landscaped gardens with views across the Ria Formosa Natural Park, an infinity pool and sun terraces. The property offers spacious accommodation with five bedrooms and a staff annexe. The double-height sitting/dining room offers fantastic entertaining space with doors leading out onto the terrace. The property also comes fully equipped with under-floor heating, air conditioning, a games room, cinema and wine cellar. Currently on the market at a listed price of €6 million (£4.249 million) through Quinta do Lago Real Estate (+351 910014622; quintadolago.com)

7 ITALY

ITALY

#8 Pecetto Torinese, Turin

This 800 sq m villa is located in the picturesque Turin hills, an area famous for its wine and food. The villa consists of two apartments with separate entrances. The main apartment, set on the ground floor, comprises 6 bedrooms, the smaller has 3 bedrooms, and both have a 6,000sqm private garden with mountain views. Available at a guide price of €3 million (£2.1 million) through Milan Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 0287078300; milan-sothebysrealty.com)

#9 Turin This elegant eight-bedroom villa is located a few minutes away from Turin and benefits from panoramic hill views. The property was built in 1970 and is surrounded by a landscaped garden that contains a heated swimming pool. The property stretches 840 sq m and comes complete with housekeeper’s accommodation, a greenhouse and garage. Available at a guide price of €2.8 million (£1.982 million) through Milan Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 0287078300; sothebysrealty.com)

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overseas property

BARBADOS

#10 Platinum Bay This fabulous new development features five luxury villas in Barbados, all of which are ready to buy off-plan and have planning in place. The development is a joint venture between two of the UK property industry’s biggest names – Nick Leslau’s Prestbury and Bruce Ritchie’s Residential Land – and is situated on the Platinum Coast, one of the most sought-after coasts in the Caribbean. Each villa includes its own infinity pool, stunning landscaped

All Prices And Exchange Rates Correct At Time Of Print

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gardens and far-reaching views of the ocean from all living areas and bedrooms. The properties occupy exceptionally wide sites which maximise the beach frontage of each villa while the internal space has large floor to ceiling windows offering uninterrupted panoramic views of the ocean. Prices starting from $25 million (£16 million) (platinumbaybarbados.com; 020 7647 7667; info@platinumbaybarbados.com)

PUERTO RICO

#11 Private Island Cay, Salinas Being set on a private island, Private Island Cay boasts an abundance of private beaches for owners to enjoy. The incredible cay is only six minutes by boat from the dock, on the mainland side of Salinas Coast and boasts 25 acres of lush mangroves, jungle foliage and beach. In addition to the above, the three-bedroom property enjoys a small boat dock, deep-water mooring area and swimming pool. Available at a guide price of $2.5 million (£1.6 million) through Puerto Rico Sotheby’s International Realty (787 523 6500; puertoricosothebysrealty.com)

paris / sepTeMBer 4-8, 2015 / january 22-26, 2016 paris nord ViLLepinTe

Born and raised WiTH Maison&oBjeT peTiTe friTure, aT M&o sinCe 2010

Maison&oBjeT is an inTernaTionaL inTerior design and HoMe deCoraTion fair gaTHering professionaLs WorLdWide four TiMes a year in paris, singapore and MiaMi BeaCH

WWW.Maison-oBjeT.CoM

info@safisaLons.fr safi organisaTion, a suBsidiary of aTeLiers d’arT de franCe and reed exposiTions franCe / Trade onLy / design © Be-poLes - iMage © françois CoQuereL

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

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BEAUTIFUL THINGS

SOAKED TO THE SKIN For most of us, there’s nothing quite like a long soak in the tub for washing away the stresses of the day. With this in mind, Jo Malone London has added two new products to its bath and body collection, designed not only to help you relax but also protect your skin during the summer months. The shower oil arrives in two different scents; energising lime basil and mandarin to wake you up in the morning, and calming peony blush and suede for winding down after a long day, while the gentle geranium and walnut scrub has been created to complement every Jo Malone fragrance. Geranium & Walnut Body Scrub, £40 for 250g; Shower Oil, £32 for 250ml (jomalone.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 Edge , Cheshire . SK11 9JY