Surrey Occasions Winter 2014

Winter 2014

Brian Blessed plays Lear Local wine & food producers Focus on Guildford

Snow White’s Model Stepmother

In ide ...

Winter 2014

4 The Interview: Brian 3 editor’s missive

Blessed “My life is actually 50% acting and 50% adventure”

12 Rural Affairs

10 New Property Focus

Abbey House. A heritage that lives on in Surrey

Woodland Wonder. Surrey Hills Enterprises raises awareness of the amounts of wood we have in Surrey

Another great vintage year.

Thomas Jack is converted to English wines whilst visiting the Denbies Wine Estate

14 Rural Affairs Eat Local and support local farming. Surrey Agriculture Society answers the question “How support my local farmer?”

15 Verdict on the International Baccalaureate

16 Surrey’s Rugby Playing Sisters

18 Fashion: Fabulous frocks

20 In his Wardrobe: On

24 Accessories: And gifts

and decorous Dresses

formal occasions

for you

25 Weddings: Mother of the Bride and Groom, Rings, Venues & Confetti

27 A special gift: Rocking

28 Art: Jean Haines, the

horses for the child in all of us

Cockerel Lady

insurance. Purpose-built retirement communities

37 Weekend Breaks

38 Hotel & pub reviews

11 Local History : Waverley 6 Focus on Guildford

13 Rural Affairs

36 Health: Top Pilates exercises to ski-fit

43 Snow White’s model Stepmother : Jerry Hall does panto and life in conversation with Claire Mahoney

44 Recipes: Scrumptious morsels. Delicious canapés to impress family and friends

30 Care: Long term care

45 Mary Berry talks about Christmas at home and offers her top tips when making the perfect roulade

34 Travel: Skiing off the beaten piste

40 What’s On: your complete guide to events in Surrey

46 Interiors : the latest trends in kitchen design. Enrich your home with a fireplace.

Timeless pieces of furniture.

From the Editor

editor’s missive

Wendy Cockrill Editor-in-Chief 01795 530111 editor@surreyoccasions.co.uk Liz Vinson What’s On & Culture Editor admin@surreyoccasions.co.uk Graham Otway Sports Editor otwaygj@aol.com Frances Hinton Interior Design Editor frances@HTdesign.co.uk Contributors Anna Patrick Thomas Jack Mary Conisbee www.surreyoccasions.co.uk

Publisher Barry Bebbington Publications International Ltd 01708 229354 barry@pubint.co.uk Designer Paul Buckley Riasca 01484 463343 paul@riasca.co.uk Printer & Distributor Bishops Printers 02392 336917 enquiries@bishops.co.uk

Well, I’m pleased that’s over, launching a magazine is fraught with identity issues. The rebirth of Surrey Occasions was met with a great deal of surprise, much welcomed enthusiastic flattery and loads of support for our new venture.

So now I stand at the helm of the second issue of the reborn Surrey Occasions…as if she were a Spanish galleon with its sails filled with ideas, insight, inspiration and information.

I am proud that we have already established meaningful partnerships with many people who are living and working in Surrey for the benefit of all who enjoy our complex and glorious county.

As a result, my colleague Liz had a wonderful day at the County Ploughing Match and County Fair organised by Surrey County Agricultural Society in far sunnier and drier weather conditions than I did at the delightful Surrey Hills’ Surrey Wood Fair.

It’s a festive time of year and our pages are filled with gorgeous dresses and recipes and I invite you to read on and learn about our Front cover story – Jerry Hall plays Snow White’s wicked stepmother; as well as sisters Fran & Alex who are local rugby stars; Brian Blessed’s take on King Lear; and Mary Berry thoughts on staying sane through Christmas. Going skiing? To a wedding?

Guildford? You’ll find it all hereon in.

A subject close to my heart is the abuse of children, vulnerable adults and animals. We go through life hearing of heartbreaking stories of abuse and there are many people who work tirelessly and altruistically to reverse this.

Following our report on the Mane Chance Sanctuary in the September issue, and in recognition of the charity’s groundbreaking work, we decided to support its efforts during 2015. “Mane Chance Sanctuary is absolutely delighted to be teaming up with lifestyle magazine, Surrey Occasions in 2015”, said Jenny Seagrove, Chair of the Trustees.“We are a young local charity with big ambitions for work in the community in relation to our work helping horses and people. Surrey Occasions will give us a wonderful platform and we look forward to a year of making a difference, with their help!”. We will do our best Jenny and we look forward to meeting supporters at the Christmas fund raiser on 3rd December. Information about this lunch and the Carol Concert on 14th December can be found at manechancesanctuary.org.

For now, I’d like to wish all Surrey Occasions’ readers a happy and prosperous 2015.

This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. © Publications International Ltd. 2014 To have your personal copy delivered to your door… for free… go to www.surreyoccasions.co.uk/ subscription and subscribe now

Wendy Cockrill Editor-in-Chief editor@surreyoccasions.co.uk

Surrey Occasions

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The Interview: Brian Blessed

“ My life is actually 50% acting and 50% adventure” Brian Blessed talks to Claire Mahoney

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Surrey Occasions

“Nature’s above art in that respect,” says King Lear in Act 4 of Shakespeare’s great tragedy and when acclaimed actor Brian Blessed takes to the stage in Guildford, this January, to play the ailing monarch, these words will have a particular resonance. This is a man who knows more than most about the lure and power of the natural world.

Blessed is, in fact, the oldest man to reach the magnetic North Pole. He has tackled the mighty Everest three times – the last attempt he was 400ft from the summit but had to abandon the last section of the climb to rescue someone – all of this,

I might add, was without oxygen. “You have to do it without oxygen. If you are not doing it without oxygen then you are reducing the mountain by around 9,000 feet.” Blessed is nothing if not authentic in his approach to life. Gusto doesn’t quite cover it.

Although he is perhaps best known for playing Vultan in Flash Gordon and Richard lV in Blackadder, Blessed is a distinguished and respected Shakespearian actor, both on stage and screen. Surprisingly, he has never played King Lear on stage, even though many would say he is made for the part.

“Lear is a colossal, powerful, energetic man. To my mind he’s a bit of a Genghis Khan – an imposing king, not some senile old idiot.”

“Actors such as Branagh (Kenneth) have always said to me over the years, ‘you HAVE to play Lear’. But I wanted to do it in a place that was original and refreshing. Doing it in a big institutional way would bore me, but this will be a lovely intimate setting and, of course, it’s only 20 minutes up the road from where I live.”

Blessed and his wife, fellow actor, Hildegard Neil live near Chobham on a small farm in the middle of Windlesham Aboretum in Surrey. As well their home, it also serves as something of an animal rescue centre. “ We have cats, dogs, ducks and ponies” he tells me.

They also have one daughter called Rosalind, who is also an actor and will play alongside her father as one of King Lear’s eldest daughters in the Guildford Shakespeare Company Production.

Rosalind has been cast as Goneril – a rather unsavoury character who betrays her father – undermining his power for her own ends.

Two Blessed family members on stage at the same time is unlikely to be a timid affair.

But Blessed assures me it won’t be ‘shouting match’. “She is a brilliant actress with a big voice and a great deal of energy. So I think we’ll knock spots off each other and the

rapport we already have will certainly help.”

Much in the same that he tackles his adventures - Blessed is very clear in his mind how he wants to play Lear. “I often feel that they make a mistake with Lear and he is played as this ancient, old and senile character. But he is a colossal, powerful, energetic man. To my mind he’s a bit of a Genghis Khan - an imposing king, not some senile old idiot.”

Of course, central to the plot is Lear’s realisation that he has made a grave error of judgement in banishing his youngest daughter Cordelia to France.The resulting ‘madness’ that Lear is overcome with is regarded by many as some of Shakespeare’s finest writing.

Yet Blessed is very keen to point out that Lear’s outbursts are have much more in them than mere madness. “I think King Lear is probably the greatest play ever written.

However, I was once told by a doctor up in Newcastle. ‘If you ever play King Lear don’t play him as if he is mad. I’ll show you somebody who is mad.’ And he took me to an asylum and showed me people who hasn’t spoken for days and weeks. ‘Now that’s madness.’ he said. ‘What King Lear has are brainstorms.”

Perhaps they are similar brainstorms that send a man in his 70s scaling the world’s highest mountains and exploring its deepest oceans. Blessed’s appetite for exploration is clearly insatiable. In our short conversation he regales me with astounding tales of his adventures, including his Nasa Space Training. He only has 100 hours of training left to do before he is a fully fledged cosmonaut in waiting.

“My life is actually 50% acting and 50% adventure. Hamlet says that acting is holding the mirror up to life, but climbing Mount Everest is life – and there’s a very big difference. My biggest love in life is going on adventures. If the phone rings and they say: “Brian we’d like you to play Peer Gynt or Falstaff’, I’ll say yes that’s wonderful. But if the phone rings and its the RAF saying: ‘Brian we want to parachute you onto the top of Mount McKinley in Alaska – I have to do it.”

If Lear is anything like Blessed’s beloved Everest, then the summit is surely in sight.

Focus on Guildford

Of wool, water & sculpture Guildford began its life as a Saxon settlement next to a ford and the name possibly derives from the golden (geld or gylde) flowers which grew next it.

In the Middle Ages Guildford thrived as a centre for the wool trade but declined in importance during the 16th century as the town lost out to increasing competition from the North of England.

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ford C arted in t Guild ion s ch truct r mu e cons t f a d n was a I 1936 WWI o t e du 1961. delay ed in t a r c e cons

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An outstanding feature of Guildford is the number of modern sculptures along the streets and waterways. The Scholar, with flowing robes, by Allen Sly marks the start of the great assent which is the High Street whilst another of Sly’s works, Masquerade, stands tall outside The Electric Theatre, once the Electricity Works on the banks of The Wey. Another notable statue standing on Guildford Town Wharf is of an impressive coiled metal man throwing a tow rope toward the Wey. The Bargeman was presented to the town by Guildford based Utopia Forge, to celebrate the millennium. The Town Wharf was opened in 1653 and claims to be “the secret of Guildford’s success” has been preserved by the National Trust complete with its 17th century crane and treadmill.

An interesting way to see the Wey and Guildford is to take a boat from Dapdune Wharf, the hub of the Wey Navigations and historically it was where the Wey barges were built.

Markets have been held since Saxon times in the Tunsgate when the market was held in a passage (then called a gate) which ran through The Tuns Inn, which was demolished in 1818, and in its place the present archway was built. Today traditional markets are held in North Street every Friday and Saturday and a Farmers Market is held on the first Tuesday of every month in the High Street.

Dark times A dark shadow shrouded Guildford between the years 1820 and 1865. Every 5th November rioters, who called themselves the “Guys”, gathered outside the town early in the morning, wearing outlandish costumes and masks. Carrying clubs studded with hobnails, lighted torches and bundles of wood, they marched into Guildford to avenge themselves against fellow citizens who had offended them in any way.

Fusion architecture Guildford Cathedral can certainly seem a little overbearing with its red brick outline looming over the town on Stag Hill — so named because kings of England used to hunt there. Sir Edward Maufe’s winning design is a fusion of the “conquest of space, light and principles from the Gothic tradition coupled with twentieth-century” and may not be considered to be a thing of great beauty from the outside to many, but the interior is breathtaking. Indeed Sir Edward had a say in every detail of the construction, even down to the colour of the 1,500 kneelers in the Cathedral Nave.

Construction started in 1936 and after much delay due to WWII was consecrated in 1961.

No visit to the Cathedral would be complete without sampling homemade delights in the Refectory.

Abbot the Philanthropist The Abbot’s Hospital was built in 1618 for 12 men and 8 women by George Abbot, then Archbishop of Canterbury, “out of my love to the place of my birth” and is still used as an Almshouse for the elderly of Guildford today. Tours of the Hospital are fascinating and can be made during the summer months however visitors must remember to respect the current residents’ privacy.

George Abbot also built a Cloth Hall in 1629 as a venture to provide retraining skills for unemployed weavers from the woollen trade but this proved unsuccessful and closed in 1654. The Old Cloth Hall stands to this day in North Street and has been used for many different purposes over the years.

The Castle Guildford castle was built after 1086 and mainly used as a royal residence but it was also a fortress until the end of the 14th century when many royal inland castles were no longer needed for defence and were neglected. By 1379 only the King’s great chamber remained the rest of the royal apartments having decayed beyond repair.

In 2003 - 2004 the Great Tower was conserved and the original crenulations and other features were discovered. The Tower contains a model of the original castle circa 1300.

Lewis Carroll A look at Guildford would not be complete without mentioning Lewis Carroll, author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Even the Guildford Museum at Castle Arch on Quarry Street has a section devoted to him and Carroll’s house (sadly not open to the public) which he acquired in 1868 as a home for his sisters, is not far from the middle of town on Castle Hill. He was a regular visitor to the town and is buried in Mount Cemetry. Many of Guildford’s sculptures are dedicated to his memory including an elusive one in the Castle grounds. This unusual sculpture of Alice going through the looking glass by Jeanne Argent was installed in 1990 and we found it was best viewed from atop the Castle Keep mainly because we had failed to find its location after several rounds of the Castle Grounds.

Another much loved part of childhood has strong links with Guildford; EH Shepherd “the Man who drew Pooh” lived in the town when drawing this famous bear and left the original pictures to the University of Surrey. The University also commemorates a modern hero, Alan Turing, who broke the Enigma Code during World War 2. Turing lived with his parents at 22 Ennismore Avenue and there is a statue of him in the main square at the University.

48 Totteridge Common 48 Totteridge Common is a meticulously designed new mansion set in 3 acres of landscaped grounds in North West London. From the main gate, the drive sweeps through an avenue of mature trees.

An impressive double height entrance with imposing staircase welcomes you.

Lovingly designed to create a home of classic proportions with stunning features and craftsmanship, 48 Totteridge Common is a simply remarkable family home with great entertainment and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, cinema, games room and wine cellar.

Price ÂŁ16 million 020 8481 7500 www.octagon.co.uk

Crossacres Crossacres is a new country mansion set in 2.3 acres of manicured landscaped grounds within the world famous Wentworth Estate. Seven bedrooms, 6 reception rooms, staff accommodation and extensive leisure facilities that include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a jacuzzi, gym, sauna, cinema room and all-weather tennis court.

Price £17.5 million

Saddle Stones Saddle Stones is a magnificent new family residence situated within the prestigious St. George’s Hill Estate, with far reaching views from its beautifully landscaped south westerly backing garden of over 1 acre.

The exceptionally spacious interior features 6 luxurious bedroom suites, a cinema room, staff accommodation, lift access to all 3 floors, a triple garage and an outdoor swimming pool.

Price £9.5 million

The Exclusive Octagon Collection.

Property focus

Perfect for entertaining Saddle Stones is a stylish super mansion set in over one acre of breathtaking landscaped gardens, created by Octagon’s award winning designer Tony Taylor, as a perfect home for entertaining on a grand scale.

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Surrey Occasions

The property, a classically built detached house in mellow stock bricks with elegant stone dressings, is situated on one of the best roads, Old Avenue, in this superb gated and security-manned private estate.

Arranged over three floors, the interior is cool, light and contemporary, enhanced by an impressive specification from Octagon’s own talented in house design team, combined with bespoke furnishing, artworks, and upholstery from the internationally acclaimed NR Group.

The grand white marble entrance hall with contrasting black border inlay has numerous attractions with a curved marble and glass staircase to the first floor and a superb contemporary Murano crystal chandelier cascading from the distant heights of the second floor. To one side, the large cinema room complete with bar beckons, but if duty calls first then emails may be checked in the calming surrounds of the cool grey and white home office/study.

But Saddle Stones is essentially a sociable house and an entire glass wall reveals the large dual aspect drawing room, entered through glass double doors, a room with serious entertaining in mind.

In this glorious room one can enjoy the welcoming flames of an elegant fireplace, or when the seasons change, stroll through the wide fold back doors onto the paved terrace and stunning garden with ornamental swimming pool. The separate formal dining room, also accessed through glass double doors from the hall, is made intimate with a suspended Murano ‘bauble’ chandelier in palest bronze tinted glass and sumptuous black velvet crystal button back chairs.

The super-sized kitchen and adjoining family room have sleek high gloss lacquered units, designed and made specifically for this house, housing a full range of the latest Gaggenau appliances and featuring a gargantuan six seater breakfast bar with a chunky Brazilian granite counter.

Moving upstairs either by the marble staircase or more swiftly, via the 8 passenger hi speed lift, one arrives on the gracious oval, glass galleried landing, off which lead five substantial double bedrooms with spacious built in wardrobes with flexible storage, and en suite marble bath or shower room. The Master goes several stages further, beautifully furnished with a super large king size bed, with tall upholstered Champagne lizard stamp leather headboard, oversized Italian bedside lamps placed on shagreen wrapped lacquered and glass fronted side tables.

The Master has its own walk in dressing room, and two lavish en suites both with Italian book matched marble throughout.

French doors from the Master bedroom open onto a full width glass walled terrace, furnished with dazzling white patio sofa and armchairs. This is the place to really appreciate the full panoramic views onto the fountain playing pool and undulating gardens beyond.

On the second floor are two more double bedrooms, one with an en suite bathroom and small kitchen, making an ideal staff or granny complex, the other with access to the separate walk in shower room.

Across the landing is a big 26’ x 17’ games room, already equipped with juke box, Football table, comfy unit sofa and floor cushions facing the plasma TV, the perfect bolthole for over energised teenagers or sports mad fathers.

The triple integral garage has a helpful motorised turntable to make indoor parking stress free, whilst the approach carriage driveway offers plenty of secure visitor space.

Priced at £9.5m. To view strictly through appointed agents Savills telephone 01932 838000 and Curchods telephone 01932 843322 or browse the website www.octagon.co.uk

History

Waverley Abbey House: A heritage that lives on Steeped in history, Waverley Abbey House is a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion located just two miles south of Farnham, in the midst of the tranquil scenery of southwest Surrey.

Today Waverley Abbey House plays host to business, charity and private functions, as well as outdoor theatre productions and Hollywood film sets.

Waverley’s history dates back to the 12th century, when in 1128, French monks built Waverley Abbey, the first Cistercian monastery on English soil. For 400 years, the Abbey was home to 2,000 monks until its dissolution by Henry VIII. At present, the Abbey ruins are managed by English Heritage and visitors can enjoy a free day out and experience the remarkable ruins of the monastic buildings.

In 1723, Sir John Aislabie, Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time, built Waverley Abbey House with views across the water meadows of the River Wey, towards the ruins of the ancient Abbey. In the 19th century, the house passed into the hands of George Nicholson, uncle of Florence Nightingale, who also frequently visited Waverley Abbey House.

During the First World War the house was used as a military hospital, caring for 5,000 sick and wounded officers. Dorothy Robinson, a nurse at Waverley during the war, writes in a letter to her mother in March 1915: “I am in a ward known as the Lady of the Lake (now the Priory Room) with two other smaller wards attached to it called Abbot A and Abbot B... Yesterday an officer brought over some men of his regiment and they gave a variety entertainment. They were most clever. A conjuror, a musician and a

ventriloquist came. All the patients were taken into the Monastery Hall. The ones that could not move were put on stretchers on the floor and the others were in chairs etc. They enjoyed themselves most awfully”.

CWR, the present-day owners of Waverley, purchased the house in 1983 and carried out a four year programme of restoration and refurbishment. The East Wing (the original stable block) is used for the administration of CWR’s charity work, whilst the main house regularly hosts conferences, gala dinners and private functions. The extensive grounds and woodlands cover 120-acres and are hired for bespoke events, large marquee receptions and film shoots.

For more information or to book an event at Waverley Abbey House, please contact us: 01252 784711 enquiries@waverleyabbeyhouse.org.uk www.waverleyabbeyhouse.org.uk Surrey Occasions

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Rural Affairs

Woodland wonder Surrey Hills Enterprises was set up in 2012 to promote the Surrey Hills as a national asset for the benefit of local businesses in order to enhance the community and conserve the heritage of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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Surrey Occasions

Surrey Hills Enterprises is a partner in a European Union Funded cooperation project. The project, named “Local Wood Hub� has two other partners, one other in Surrey and one in Brittany, France. The project aims to raise awareness of the amounts of wood we have in Surrey. It also sets out to increase public understanding of what can be done with it for the benefit of the community, economy and environment. Finally it plans to make it easier for the public and organisations to get hold of local wood to use it effectively as part of a local supply chain.

The whole idea of the European joint funding programme is to compare and contrast experiences across the channel and to learn from sharing that knowledge.

The aim is that by using the EU funding we can help to support fledgling ideas that our local woodland workers and owners might have and help them to make them successful.

The project has so far organised 3 cross channel study visits. Last November, members of Surrey Hills Enterprises and RES visited Central West Brittany to meet woodland owners and manufacturers there, and in March this year, French delegates visited Surrey to meet with estate managers, wood fuel suppliers and Forestry Commission decision makers.

More recently, a delegation of 8 French colleagues visited the Surrey Hills and South of England to experience a commercial sawmill, a wood fuel pellet production plant and a company leading the way in timber construction. All of these businesses were keen to share their experiences of local supply chains and the pros and cons of working in a local market. The French

guests, who included a forest manager, woodland owner and the first wood fuel briquette producer in Brittany were engrossed and stimulated by all they saw and heard over the two days.

The final day was spent at The National Wood Fuel Conference in Dorking, Surrey.

This gave further opportunities for shared discussion and identification of potential opportunities to promote the uses of local wood. The theme of the Conference was unanimously heralded as Wood Fuel being the key to sustainable woodland management.

From this project, Surrey Hills Enterprises would like to see an increase in opportunities to get more of the many woodlands in Surrey into active management, to see many more houses and businesses not only constructing and constructed from wood but being heated by wood as well and also gain a genuine understanding of and respect for the economic gains that are to be had. In a county that is 25% woodland is it plain sense that we use that valuable resource for the benefits of many people in the supply chain.

Coppice workers, Wood Turners, Artists, Sculptors, Builders, Joiners, Arboriculturalists, Teachers, Hairdressers, Councillors, Painters and Heads of Procurement can all benefit from local wood being cut, processed and used in some way.

Ultimately the project will report its findings and produce a set of recommendations and hopes to enable further work in the sector by Surrey Hills Enterprises and other partners. surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk

Wine Occasions

Another great vintage year Thomas Jack is converted to English white wines

The wine industry in continental Europe has this autumn been subject to a serious case of one-upmanship. Gathering in their grapes, the French have been celebrating returning to the top of the volume production league with predictions of a one billion gallon output. Yet a wet spring and a gloomy summer of storms saw Italy lose its crown as their disappointing grape harvest yield has seen their mass production drop by 15 per cent.

Vintners may operate on a smaller scale here in the UK but, on the southern slopes of the Surrey Hills, Denbies have had their biggest crop of grapes since the vineyard was first planted in 1986. And it is not just the quantity, in excess of 320 tons, that has caused excitement in the 265 acres of vines near Dorking. The quality and the variety of grapes produced means that, in 2015 Denbies, will again have its complete range of 14 wines for sale on the shelves.

Among the bottles will be only the fourth vintage in 28 years of their fine dessert wine Noble Harvest and it will have some history to follow. The 2011 Noble Harvest was awarded a Regional Trophy and Gold Medal at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Summing up the excitement with the harvest at Denbies’ General Manager Christopher White said: “2014 has been an exceptional harvest in both quality and quantity. The weather conditions have been optimum, very little frost and a fantastic summer to follow. While other years have come close, this year will definitely be the best vintage Denbies has experienced to date.”

The Noble Harvest is produced from the Ortega grape, first used in Wurzburg, Germany in 1948 and Denbies have picked four tons of it this year. The timing of the picking was important, for the Ortega produces its best flavours when it has been affected by a condition called botrytis, which is more commonly known as noble rot. Botrytis shrivels the grape skins and adds an intriguing spice with intensely sweet natural flavours. The weather during this summer was ideal for noble rot to work its magic.

Noble Harvest is clearly Denbies’ classic white wine but when not available there are excellent alternatives and on a recent tasting visit to the vineyard, Surrey Gold which retails at £8.99, proved to me why it has become established as the best selling English white on the market. Blended from four grape varieties – Mullar Thurgau, Reichensteiner, Bacchus and Schonburger - it offers a fair, refreshing fruit-driven taste mainly of peaches but with a hint of ginger.

Despite the rapid growth in the English wine industry in recent years, finding appealing reds is still hard, but with their massive variety of grapes Denbies are making the search satisfyingly easy.

At £10.50 their Redlands has a deep crimson colour and with a hint of raspberries on the tongue. Made from the Pinot Noir and Dornfelder grape, it is somewhat similar to the Pinot Noir reds produced by New Zealand, but its silky texture is a great accompaniment to meat or cheese.

For more celebratory occasions and perfect for this time of year, Denbies produce a range of five sparkling wines.

Having tasted Whitedowns, which is made from the Seyval grape with its refreshing hint of apple, I would happily recommend it for any goodwill toast and with a retail price £21.99, it is an exciting alternative to champagnes of a similar price.

A selection of Denbies wines can be brought from the big supermarket chains.

However, there is a more interesting way to acquire the bottles and that is to visit the Denbies Estate which sits just off the A24 to the north of Dorking. With its wine on sale, gift shop, local artists gallery, children’s activities and restaurant along with a range of tours and tastings it can make a very good morning or complete family day out. denbies.co.uk

Surrey Occasions

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Rural Affairs

Eat local and support local farming Winter can be a tough time for farmers, but whatever the weather, your local farmer will be busy preparing for spring – bringing the cattle indoors, scanning the sheep ready for early lambing, harvesting winter vegetables and ploughing the land ready for spring cereal crops. All for a common purpose – to produce food and drink for your table.

At the Surrey County Agricultural Society, we are often asked the question ‘How can I support my local farmer?’ We think the best way to do this is to buy local produce.

The benefits of this go far beyond just supporting your local farmer. The concern about food and the global food industry is well publicised with the UK’s current eating patterns clearly not fit for a low-carbon, resource limited future. Buying locally produced foods goes one step to reversing this trend and is undoubtedly good for the environment – with less food miles, less pollution and less waste being incurred.

In today’s health conscious society it’s safe to say that local food is better for your health, with higher nutrient levels and less contaminants.

Buying local supports the local economy, keeping money in your local area and creating jobs and businesses.

It’s good for your community – bridging the understanding between people in urban areas, the countryside and farming.

Consumers avoid paying a premium for foods that have travelled a long way and farmers benefit as they receive a bigger cut of the price you pay.

So, simply put, seek out local foods whenever you shop. And not just fruit and

vegetables – meat and game, cheese and dairy, honey, ice cream and herbs are all produced in abundance across Surrey.

Farmers’ markets continue to thrive across the county. Go along, meet the farmers, browse and sample fresh and seasonal goods and choose home grown, reared, brewed, picked and baked food.

These markets are often cheaper than the supermarket and are a great source of ideas, gifts and recipes.

Local farm shops can be a treat too, with many offering direct farm gate sales or a ‘pick-your-own’ service, as well as a cafe to enjoy a glass of locally pressed apple juice and a cake. Organic box schemes are another option, delivering fresh, seasonal foods direct from the producer. And if you decide to eat out, look for the increasing number of restaurants serving local, seasonal foods.

In a nutshell, buying local food is an investment in the future. By supporting local farmers, you are helping to ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow. It’s fresh, delicious and nutritious – what more could you want!

Support local farmers, their employees and their crafts – join the Surrey County Agricultural Society. In return for giving us your valuable support you can enjoy (as VIPs) the Surrey County Show in May and the Country Fair in September, as well as a range of other benefits. surreycountyshow.co.uk

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So what are the perceived advantages of studying for the IB over A-levels? It was first introduced to the UK in 1971 and back as far as 2002 it was claimed that the IB was the new gold standard for entry to the UK’s top universities, but why is the qualification held in such high regard? Today there are around 200 schools in the UK authorised to run the IB Diploma.

There are a number of motivating factors which have influenced the success of the IB. For many children, making a dramatic life changing decision at the age of sixteen as to which subjects they wish to specialise in, represents a very difficult choice. Unless you are already committed to studying a clear vocational course e.g. medicine or architecture, it is too early to know which subjects to take at A-level and the IB provides an opportunity to keep options open for longer.

This is an internationally recognised qualification governed by educationalists not politicians, which points to a very stable and eminently transferrable learning programme.

As we continue to witness the public outcry at the general demise of the mathematic skills, alongside UK children’s inferior ability to speak a second language when compared to their European counterparts, it is pleasing to note that the IB requires its students to study Maths and Languages until the age of 18. The fact that results are based on end of course exams is also viewed as the preferred learning strategy enabling more time to be spent on teaching and learning in the 6th Form than on taking exams. And of course, from a pupil perspective, the IB dispenses with the agony associated with the dreaded wait for A-level results. IB students learn their fate on the 6th July well ahead of the annual summer break.

Universities and employers have long applauded the value of the IB focusing on its academic rigour and its undisputable international currency. Five years ago Sir Mike Rake, Chairman of BT Group and President of the CBI, declared his belief that all school children should work towards an IB based qualification.

The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) highlights research commissioned by the British Council and Think Global, (two charities that promote international education) which suggests that three quarters of employers want young people to think ‘more globally’ in order to prevent UK industry lagging behind emerging economies such as China.

Almost fifty years since its inception, the IB looks like it has not only remained a future perfect educational qualification, it has grown in stature and evidence today exists to support the view that IB pupils are more likely to attend the top Higher Education Institutions, more likely to get a first class honours award and are more likely to get a higher paid job.

Regardless of its many advantages, some children will be more suited to a different study route to ensure their future. So whilst many schools remain ardent advocates of the IB, they are also looking to offer the new reformed A-levels in 2015 to provide pupils with an alternative route to higher education.

King Edward’s Witley is celebrating ten years of the IB Diploma and has been presented with an Award by Best Schools UK which ranks it in the Top 10 of all-IB (Sixth Form) schools in the country. kesw.org

Now approaching its 47th year milestone, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma was originally founded in Geneva, Switzerland to provide a continuous Sixth Form education for the sons and daughters of international professionals whose jobs required them to relocate on a regular basis. The Headmaster of King Edward’s of Witley gives his verdict.

Education Care

t c i d r e V A B I e h t on

Sport

Surrey’s rugby playing sisters share their experiences with Graham Otway

Alex and Fran Matthews are established stars in a sport which, until recently, has not figured prominently in the public domain.

The sisters from Camberley are women rugby players but for most of their careers they have played the game part-time in the dark shadows of the male heroes of Twickenham.

Late in the summer of 2014, however, the sporting hobby they have pursued since a very young age underwent a dramatic makeover.

It all began in August when in front of a packed 20,000 at Paris’ Jean de Bouin stadium England beat Canada 21-9 to win the women’s rugby World Cup. Shown on

“If I wanted to get mud all over my face then I would pay for it.”

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Surrey Occasions

TV around the world that victory in which 21-year-old Alex, who plays in the scrum at prop, appeared as second half substitute moved women’s rugby in the UK into a new league in terms of quality, appeal and coverage.

And within weeks the Rugby Football Union announced that it would be forming a professional full-time squad of 20 players.

The main aim of that move is to try to create a team capable of winning gold medals when the shorter, faster sevens version of the game is included for the first time in the Olympic programme at Rio in 2017.

And while 25-year-old Fran who had played 24 times for England in full 15-a-side rugby internationals and is now an established winger in the sevens team was handed a contract, so too was Alex.

So too might have been two other Surrey based World Cup winners Claire Purdey and Beck Essex, but both chose to retire from the game once they had been handed their medals in France.

For Alex and Fran receiving their professional contracts has led to dramatic changes in their lifestyles.

Instead of trying to fit their rugby for England and the Richmond Club around part-time jobs, Alex and Fran now find themselves training four days a week with the squad at the impressive facilities of Surrey University’s Sports Park in Guildford.

“In the past we would both try and put in a couple of fitness session a day. One before going to work and one later,” said Fran who used to work for her father in

his garden maintenance business and as a personal trainer. “But that was mainly working on our own at fitness, not working on rugby skills which are very important.

“Now we train as a squad for four days on fitness and skills all week, which must help when we play for Richmond on a Sunday. And we are getting paid for it as well.”

And although the Olympics have provided the sisters with a long term goal, (or should it be called a new set of rugby post) to aim at there is a lot of rugby to be played by both of them for England in the next six months. They are both also members of the 52-strong women elite squad from which England’s teams will be picked for the 15-a-side home internationals early in 2015.

In the build-up to Christmas they will both be travelling to Dubai for the first leg of the Women’s Sevens World Series which will also see them playing in Brazil, America, Canada and the Netherlands before the end of next May. “It is also so exciting to be a part of it,“ said Alex, who after gaining a degree in sports psychology at Roehampton University, has been working part-time as a carer for children with disabilities.

“It has changed things a lot. When we used to turn up somewhere with bruises or with an injury strapped up we used to get

the odd funny look and had to try to explain that it had been caused by playing rugby.

But now people have started to recognise us as women rugby players for England.”

The pair have had some serious injuries with Alex twice having to recover from knee ligament damage and Fran suffering from shoulder problems. But those painful experiences have not put them off the game. “You have to accept that rugby is very hard tough game and if you play you are going to suffer injury,” added Alex.

“But the last thing you can do is worry about getting injured because you have to concentrate on playing the game.”

Off the field both girls are also trying to encourage other youngsters to take up rugby.

In the summer Fran teamed up with Twickenham legend Will Greenwood to launch a Rugby Ambassadors Programme in schools while Fran, in October, helped organise a mini rugby camp in Camberley.

Even though they now have achieved rugby fame and a regular salary from the sport, the girls still live in their parents’ home in Camberley which was where their dad first introduced them to the game. Fran recalled:“The garden of the house backs onto the Camberley rugby ground and on Sundays from about the age of five or six dad used to take me out to watch games.

Then Alex joined us and we started playing around at the game with boys.

“I don’t think it was so much that dad was a big rugby fan but he felt we were better off playing in the field than running wild inside the house.”

The girls do have two older sisters but neither of them have ever played the game.

Alex commented with a smile “I think one of them once said ‘If I wanted to get mud all over my face then I would pay for it.”

But for the two younger Matthews girls when they get mud on their faces playing rugby they now get paid for it.

Surrey Occasions

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Fashion

s u o l u b a F

frocks

They say that beauty comes from within.

Make an entrance at any festive or formal occasion in one of these dresses and everyone will turn to acknowledge that beauty is most certainly within the room.

This diaphanous mesh skirt is designed to turn heads with its gold satin jersey lining ÂŁ195 chescadirect.com (Guildford) Gold leather laser cut gown, corseted bodice with full skirt and gold leather laser cutfeather detail on the bottom.

Sometimes the occasion is uniquely special and only one dress will do.

We like the way Giles Deacon approaches design and the first step to acquiring your own fabulous dress is to make an appointment to discuss what you are looking for. We fell in love with this dress on the catwalk and perhaps it will inspire you. giles-deacon.com 18

g n i n n u t S shoes

Opulent mirror gold leather.

The divine gold rose is handmade using vintage gold leaf fabric £395 freyarose.com

A beautiful heel in midnight blue satin.

The concealed platform adds a little edge to this pretty shoe £195 lucychoilondon.com

Vivacious shoe with a playful ribbon detail made with fine French Chantilly lace and luxurious black silk satin £695 freyarose.com

Simply glorious in black chiffon £155 melita.co.uk (Chobham)

A timeless elegant gown.

Simple and yet so sophisticated £150 ilsejacobsen.com Lace dress in gorgeous coral £259.50 melita.co.uk (Chobham)

A spectacular full length beaded dress.

Its long swishy skirted hemline will make you feel amazing £295 chescadirect.com (Guildford)

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The Jacu success Jacu has been trading since 2009 and has three shops – Marlow, Brighton and Weybridge.

The Jacu success is the offer of unique, quirky and edgy clothing – not generally seen on the high street. Easywear, non structured, feminine pieces confirm the Jacu belief –Style is not a question of age or size!

Labels such as Barbara Speer, Xenia, Moyuru, and Yiannis are offered alongside the fabulous Save The Queen from Italy and Lilith from France. Founder and Managing Director, Janice Culshaw searches Europe to find little known designers – labels such as Nor from Demark and Umit Unal from Turkey cannot be found in any other shops in the UK. Jacu also supports an English designer base. Religion, A Postcard From Brighton, Prey of London, Twisted Muse are four very funky English labels with an urban chic handwriting, fitting beautifully with the overall style and feel.

The distressed urban loft surroundings show the garments to their best – Bobo jewellery, scarves and shoes displayed on slates and old wooden furniture look stylish and exciting. Brushed silver metal pieces from the English Tutti collection and wild Swaroski crystal pieces from the Greek designed Konplott from Germany, are the mainstay of the jewellery collections. Shoes, Scarves and bags from Religion, Lilith and Save the Queen complete the look!

The Jacu Team create a fantastic atmosphere in the shops. Easy going, yet cool interesting music plays while customers are treated as friends – trying on new looks, finding outfits and leaving the shop feeling absolutely fantastic.

Janice has long background in retail fashion. She carried management positions as Product Director / Design Director in various corporate companies such as Dash Leisurewear and Alexon. These positions gave her fantastic grounding for sourcing and major design input. She was a partner and founder of the Plus Size group The Glasshouse before setting up her own brand Jacu.

The entire Jacu team is excited as the launch of the Jacu online shop is imminent.

The Site holding page www.jacu.uk will give you a taste of what’s to come, plus The Jacu catwalk fashion show video (also shown on YouTube). The site will be live for shopping at the launch of the Spring 2015 collections.

Fashion

s u o r Deco dresses For lavish evenings with friends and family

Stretch fabric dress with long sleeves in black with floral print £204.95 serendipity.co.uk Lace dress in ravishing red £259.50 serendipity.co.uk

This will drape the body and draw the eye to the pink detail Chiffon and jersey delight which will look good from dusk to dawn

Shimmer in this dress covered in hand sewn shells £1,134 ethologie.co.uk

£349 thegateboutique.co.uk (Guildford)

£199 chescadirect.co.uk (Guildford)

Surrey Occasions

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In his wardrobe

Black Velvet Tuxedo suit Tommy Hilfiger £550 jeremyhobbs.co.uk (Cobham)

“Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he’s well dressed.” - Charles Dickens Anthony dinner Jacket Ralph Lauren Black Label £750 ralphlauren.com

Fitted Pleated Wing Collar Evening Dress Shirt £44.50 tmlewin.co.uk

Black bow tie Ted Baker £40 tedbaker.com (Guildford & Kingston)

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A classic combination of sterling silver set with mother of pearl and black onyx £95 toomarvellous.co.uk

Textured Velvet Evening jacket Ted Baker £990 tedbaker.com (Guildford & Kingston)

Tux Wool Blazer with satin tuxedo lapel GANT £450 jeremyhobbs.co.uk (Cobham)

“Dress up your sportswear and dress down your formal wear.”

- Luciano Barbera

Black leather evening shoes Tommy Hilfiger £170 jeremyhobbs.co.uk (Cobham)

Fine Menswear

1 Holly Parade, High Street, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EE Tel: 01932 865700 • info@jeremyhobbs.co.uk www.jeremyhobbs.co.uk

Jeremy Hobbs is a friendly independent men’s clothes shop in the heart of Cobham (opposite Farrants).

We have been trading for 30 years and specialise in top quality casual clothing including labels such as Gant, Hackett, Tommy Hilfiger, Henri Lloyd, Eterna and Timberland.

This season we are introducing a new shirt brand (Claudio Lugli) and a new accessories brand (Simon Carter).

To compliment these brands we stock a large choice of accessories including shoes, scarves, ties, cufflinks, belts, wallets, caps, socks, robes and much much more.

We also have a comprehensive hire department from which dinner, morning and lounge suits can be hired.

Jeremy Hobbs 1 Holly Parade, High Street, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EE www.jeremyhobbs.co.uk

ries o s s e c Ac

Accessories for you m e h t r o f ... or gifts A modern twist on a classic shape with pink marble resin, white pearl and pink Swarovski crystals £123 eshvi.co.uk

.. . or both!

We need cufflinks too! … tis in a bubble These adorable cubes are made from leftover colouring pencils £29.50 ellieellie.co.uk

Fun clutch bag with black engraving in several pastel colours. £479 eshvi.co.uk

Glimmering gold feather hair comb. £21 rockmyvintage.co.uk

A delightful piece of neck décor set on a satin ribbon £95 gate.co.uk

A pretty pendant ...

This pretty pendant is from Jewelled’s Oceanwave collection and features a seahorse, starfish and shell with a freshwater pearl. Because of the workshop on their premises at Jewelled in Godalming, you can choose any combination of

charms from this collection and one of the goldsmiths can make it up for you into a necklace or bracelet, prices start from £75. www.jewelled.co.uk enquiries@jewelled.co.uk 01483 869838

For the bookworm in all of us, a colourful leather kindle case £45 elytraengland

d hoo s d l i rie Ch mo me

Weddings

Mother’s pride So much to do and so often so little time to do it in. Whether the Mother of the Bride or an equally important Mother of the Groom, the thing we wish for most is the couple to have a fabulously happy day and to that end, will do anything we can to help. But we also want to step out on the day glowing with pride and looking memorable…wedding photographs tend to last almost as long as ones of our first born.

Condici cream and navy sleeved print crepe dress and plain jacket with contast piping and corsage. £659

Sometimes all it takes is a hat to make that dress come alive. This hat is one of those creations, full of drama and romance. Perfect for a spring or summer wedding. And available in a colour to match your ensemble. £530 awongolding.com

Ann Balon lace ‘Chanel style’ dress & jacket in Caffe Latte. £526.50 serendipityfashions.co.uk

Serendipity

FASHIONS for

and much more 52 New Road, Chilworth, Guildford, Surrey GU4 8LU Tel: 01483 577475 Open 10am to 5pm Tuesday – Saturday No appointment necessary

www.serendipityfashions.co.uk

Stunning new styles Serendipity Fashions in Chilworth have been serving mothers of the bride/groom and guests for more than 25 years.

There is a wide choice of styles and colours to choose from and in many price ranges.

One of the most popular labels, Condici, offers stunning new styles every few months.

New to Serendipity this year is Ann Balon, whose fabulous lace dresses with jackets or coats and soft three piece styles fit and flatter most shapes and sizes. Some garments have hats and fascinators to match, shoes, bags and jewellery complete the picture. They also have hats for hire and a dyed to match service.

Serendipity Fashions www.serendipityfashions.co.uk

Weddings

Ringing in romance

Where and when?

A challenging and exciting question asked daily once the news spreads of a couple’s engagement.

There are many beautiful wedding venues in Surrey, and beyond, but popularity can also result in disappointment. The wonder of Loseley Park in Guildford is its versatility. Civil Weddings can be held in the Great Hall, the lavish and spectacular heart of this historic house, whilst small ceremonies are held in the restrained and elegant surroundings of the Drawing Room.

Away from the main house, the Tithe Barn with its ancient oak beams is also licensed and makes even the most informal wedding something special. Blessings

In the next 3 months, more couples will celebrate getting engaged that at any other time of the year.

And finding the ultimate ring can be challenging. Couples from around the world, however, have their dream ring in a charming courtyard in Nutfield. Roger Elliott’s engagement rings have attended romantic proposals across the globe from Botswana in a truck in the desert, to Italy where the ring was hidden in a chocolate pudding!

And his wedding rings have been exchanged at society weddings in the UK, family weddings in Greece and Russia, beach weddings in South America and on the Canadian ski slopes.

following the civil ceremony can also be conducted in the Great Hall itself, or Loseley’s own private chapel.

And now Loseley Park has forged partnership with haute cuisine caterers, Caper & Berry who have a fine pedigree in delivering wonderful events throughout London and the South East over the last 10 years. Couples and their families and guests will be guaranteed a wonderful day to remember in fabulously romantic surroundings enhanced by personal and bespoke menus of mouthwatering, imaginative creations. loselypark.co.uk

This summer, a young romantic living and working in Mexico selected Roger as his designer of choice for his lady’s engagement ring and travelled to Nutfield (near Redhill) to agree the design. He proposed when hiking on Machu Pichu his lady was truly breathless with excitement and, of course, said yes!!

In contrast to this global activity, Roger Elliott Designs enjoys face to face meetings and discussions to ascertain exactly what a client is dreaming of to celebrate their engagement and fulfilling that dream with a piece of bespoke high quality individualised jewellery. rogerelliott.com

A confection of confetti

Natural petal confetti, wheat sheaves and dried flowers handpicked in the rolling fields of Shropshire. Today’s modern petals are more romantic and eco-friendly making them acceptable to most wedding venues and churches. Delicately hand picked delphinium, rose, hydrangea and cornflower petals blended for you to throw and as a guest, add your unique and special touch to the wedding day.

The Shropshire Petals team will advise on how to throw to please the photographers and the best blend for colour and impact.

Thrill the happy couple with your confetti. Why not give them a box as a memory of their day and the part you played in it. shropshirepetals.com

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A special gift

For the child in all of us From a standard size gleaming black stallion to a fat little Shetland, Debbie Hinton of Jolly Rockers can create your very own rocking horse in the image of your beloved equine.

At the age of 40 Debbie Hinton became tired of waiting for someone to buy her a rocking horse and so she purchased a book and DVD, taught herself how to carve, and made her very first rocking horse as a gift for her 6 year old daughter.

This was three years ago and now she supplies Harrods with these adorable, bespoke horses.

Debbie described the evening she told her husband she had contacted Harrods to see if they would be interested in her horses, and how they had laughed about it, and then the surprise and excitement when an email came in from the Chief Buyer inviting her for a meeting.

Debbie carves each horse individually, paints and decorates them, makes all the tack, styles every mane and tail (from real horse tail) herself. Her talented son Rob Norman creates the stands and rockers which they frolic on.

Donkeys rock too!

Not only does she create her own horses but she has branched out into donkeys and makes the most fantastic rocking donkeys. Inspired by a close friend, Heather Armstrong, who runs the Gambia Horse & Donkey Trust, a charity providing health and welfare education to many farmers

and families in the Gambia who rely on their working equines for farming and transport, Heather asked whether Debbie made rocking donkeys. Debbie said send me a picture and I’ll see what I can do, and the rocking donkey was born!

These are proving extremely popular and a percentage of every sale goes to the Gambia Horse & Donkey Trust. Having done extensive research, Debbie believes that she is the only creator of these wonderfully quirky pieces.

Debbie is also always on the lookout for tired old rocking horses to give a new lease of life to, including carousel horses. And don’t worry if you can’t fit a standard size rocking horse into your living room, Debbie also makes miniature models too! In fact the range of shapes and size horses Debbie creates is never ending! jollyrockers.co.uk

Art

The Cockerel Lady Jean Haines chooses elements from every technique she has ever been taught and uses them in different combinations to create her images, filling her paintings with life, energy and light. Liz Vinson, Surrey Occasions’ Cultural Editor explores her life and work over lunch in one of Jean’s favourite pubs.

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Surrey Occasions

Jean spent many years as a “corporate wife”, travelling the globe with John, her husband of 40 years, and listening to him deliver speeches.Whilst abroad Jean sought out the best artists in their genre and asked, sometimes begged them to teach her their methods and techniques.

She laughs as she tells me how the tables have turned and that it is now her husband who travels the world with her and carries her bags, and listens to her give speeches and demonstrations.

We talk about influences and techniques.

Whilst living in France Jean was given a book on Madame Blanche Odin (18651957), a French impressionist and little known watercolourist who specialised in painting roses. Her paintings have had a profound influence in the way Jean works and she tells me how sad it is that Odin is not remembered in the way that Monet is.

In Hong Kong Jean was taught to study the parchment before even thinking of putting paint onto it, and not to cover the entire surface with paint, but to leave areas so that there is light and space, something which is not regularly practiced in western art.

When painting in Dubai the heat would cause the pigment to dry almost immediately, so Jean would use more water than usual letting the colours bleed

Morning Calls

and move. This is a technique she uses today which brings a wonderful brightness and fluidity to her paintings.

In 2009, Jean was elected an Associate Member of the Society of Women Artists (SWA) and was presented with the Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award for “Morning Calls”, a vibrant painting of a cockerel in the SWA Annual Exhibition 2009 and in 2010 was elected a full member of the SWA with an “outstanding body of work”.

This morning Jean has been working on the final chapters of her new book “Jean Haines World of Watercolours” due for release in June 2015, I ask her whether she worries that people will simply copy her work, “It isn’t a case of worrying about people copying. When you write books as an artist you expect readers to copy your ideas to learn from them. If I inspire others to paint I am over the moon because I enjoy working in watercolour so much.

However I do encourage artists to find their own style and instil an aim to be unique by my teaching methods.”

At her Watercolour Workshops there are many “wow” moments when people will create an amazing piece of work from a few simple instructions. Jean’s workshops are so popular they are booked up months in advance with people travelling from around the globe to attend.

“We have the power to free our souls, open our creative senses and control how we feel through the positive use of colour and the energising movement of brushstrokes.”

Jean’s work is so popular overseas that her Workshop Tour of Australia in late October 2014 is already fully booked and her book signing and workshop tour of the USA in October 2015 is selling out rapidly.

After lunch I am treated to a view of Jean Haines’ “World of Watercolours” in its raw form. For me this is quite the most exhilarating moment of the day. Jean opens a portfolio which is crammed with paintings in different stages of completion. I even get to see the most important piece, the cover, but I am sworn to secrecy and cannot divulge a thing. Suffice it to say it is, as you would expect, stunning.

It has become a tradition that Jean donates the original cover painting of her books to be auctioned for the Lady Taverners Charity, whose aim is to give as many young people as possible a ‘sporting chance’ in life.

The cover for Atmospheric Watercolours “Morning Light” raised a substantial amount.

Jean truly believes that painting can heal the soul and it has been asked of her as to why her books aren’t on the self help shelf, as they provide such inspiring observations on life!

Inspiration surrounds Jean every day – just outside her studio there are borders bursting with colour and then there are

Jean Haines, the Cockerel Lady

the animals, Jean’s beloved Bearded Collie Bailey, who patiently watches Jean paint; Buster and Biscuit, an adorable pair of ginger tom cats who like nothing better than a cuddle and a healthy diet of mice; the swans, ducks, kingfisher, heron and moorhens who have made the stretch of canal which marks the boundary of Jean’s idyllic garden their home. Along with the hedgerows and fields teaming with wild flowers, berries and life, it is no wonder Jean Haines is rocking the art world with her passion and joie de vivre!

You can view a selection of Jean’s work at The Wey Gallery or jeanhaines.com

Care

Paying for care in old age If already retired, or nearing retirement, it makes good sense to take advice to ensure that your affairs are in order – for example, arranging your Will or a Power of Attorney as well as your savings and other assets in case you or your partner may need long term care in the future.

If you are of working age, you are in the best position to plan for your future care needs. Saving while you earn through investment or savings plans will help with the cost of long term care in later life.

When planning for your future care needs consider: • who (in your family) most needs long term care and for how long • whether you need a care plan now • whether you should be planning ahead for yourself or a loved one • whether you have the money to pay for long term care • how long you might need to pay for a care plan • whether home care or a nursing home is required

Types of long term care plans • immediate needs annuities - pay a guaranteed income for life to help cover the cost of care fees in exchange for a one-off lump sum payment, if you have care needs now • enhanced annuities - people with chronic medical conditions including Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are likely to be eligible for an enhanced annuity • equity release plans - give you the ability to get a cash lump sum as a loan secured on your home – these can be used if you are looking to fund a care plan now or in the near future

One in three people will require care so the chances are one of them could be you.

Long term care insurance provides the financial support you need if you have to pay for care assistance for yourself or a loved one.

•

savings and investments - give you the opportunity to plan ahead and ensure your savings and assets are in place for your care needs

This advice and more can be found at abi.org.uk/Insurance-and-savings/Products/Longterm-care. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) provides consumers with general information on insurance and savings products and promotes best practice and high standards within the industry.

Purpose-built retirement communities

LifeCare Residences’ Grove Place in Romsey groveplace. co.uk

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When people reach retirement they often have significant assets but rely mainly on their pension income. This was the dilemma that led to the inception of the retirement living sector in the USA. At this point, religious and welfare organisations devised a solution that enabled residents to sell their existing home and move into a purpose-built retirement community with the provision of care and services close at hand.

This philosophy was adopted and modified in New Zealand and Australia where it is now widely understood and appreciated by a new generation of retired people. LifeCare Residences, which originated in New Zealand, and other organisations have now built on this approach in the United Kingdom by creating a way for people to own their own

Surrey Occasions

home in retirement, but with the added benefit of access to exclusive facilities, care and services.

Living in a retirement community offers freedom and an independent lifestyle, while giving dependable care and support, as and when required and high levels of security for added peace of mind. As part of a vibrant and caring community of like-minded people, there will be a host of activities and events to get involved in or not, use of exclusive residents’ amenities and share interests and hobbies with others.

One should expect the services of a dedicated, fully-trained professional care team which is always on hand, preferably through an emergency call system in each apartment or house. Both personal care and healthcare will be available designed around individual resident’s personal needs, from ironing and cleaning to help with showering and medication. A caring nursing home wing ensures that health issues do not necessarily involve physical and emotional upheaval and is a facility offered by LifeCare Residences, staffed by in-house personnel.

Buying a home in a retirement community is an important decision and has multi-faceted financial implications so it always recommended that all the options are not only discussed with close family members but also independent legal advice should be sought.

New specialist dementia care home in Horley, Surrey We are delighted to announce that having undergone major refurbishment throughout, Smallbrook Care Home is open and registered with the Care Quality Commission, to care for elderly individuals with dementia.

Nestled down a quiet close in the town of Horley in Surrey, halfway between London and Brighton and a stones throw from Gatwick. The Directors and Management of Asprey Healthcare invite you to come and see Smallbrook Care Home for yourself – “We think you will be pleasantly surprised!”

Boasting twenty seven large single bedrooms, newly decorated in calming colours, all on the ground floor with spacious en-suite bathrooms, twentyfour hour call bell assistance, telephone extension and flat screen TV’s. We also provide a full laundry service.

The furniture at Smallbrook has won awards from Stirling University (a leader in dementia research) for their ‘user friendly’ designs, giving a perfect example of how our residents have been at the heart of every design stage of the refurbishment. We offer a unique atmosphere to suit those seeking a relaxed yet trusting experience.

The Boathouse

Why choose Smallbrook?

The aim at Smallbrook is for our residents to lead meaningful and rewarding lives. We provide a varied activities programme, carefully planned and delivered to meet individual needs, together with a wide range of facilities, due to the fact that Smallbrook sits uniquely on a site of 1.25 acres enjoying a large outside terrace which savours the sun all day. The ‘hub’ of the home, The Boathouse, is a fabulous bright open space, offering comfortable lounging areas, a bistro and a library with views over the terrace to the lush gardens beyond.

Smallbrook’s location is perfectly situated within walking distance of the town centre, local GP’s surgery, churches, the River Mole and parks.

At Smallbrook we are focussed on the importance of a delicious and nutritious meal. Residents can relish three home

cooked meals daily in addition to tea, coffee, drinks and snacks which are available anytime day or night.

Come and meet our very friendly and experienced Manager, Julia Phillips, who is passionate about Smallbrook and will be delighted to show you around and tell you all about life at Smallbrook Care Home.

Smallbrook Care Home Suffolk Close, Horley, Surrey Julia Phillips 01293 772 576 julia@aspreyhealthcare.co.uk www.aspreyhealthcare.co.uk

“Smallbrook Care Home offers a dedicated dementia care home, designed at every stage with our residents in mind” The three visionaries behind Asprey Healthcare Limited are certainly not new to healthcare, combining over 50 years experience from healthcare financing to managing and operating care homes.

“With Smallbrook Care Home we have called on this knowledge to create what we believe is a fabulous, new, dedicated dementia care home, designed at every stage with our residents in mind” – Nik Marshall, Director of Asprey Healthcare.

Philip Connell, Nik Marshall and Martin King who have known each other since the 1990s are the three Directors of Asprey Healthcare Limited. Nik and Martin, both from a healthcare banking background, met Philip, a fully established care home developer and operator during two earlier funding projects. After leaving banking 10 years ago, Nik and Martin started a care business of their own and the three remained in touch over the years however more recently it became clear that the next positive step was to combine their strengths and create a unique care group of their own.

“Our vision is to create a small group of quality specialist care homes designed to cater for dementia care in light, bright, friendly and safe environments, where colour and design combine to create user friendly spaces. Smallbrook Care Home is our first home but from the positive feedback we have received from experts in the dementia field, together with care professionals and most importantly individuals who are looking for a care home for their relatives; we are very confident we will achieve this” – Martin The building that Smallbrook occupies was originally purpose built in 1988 by the MS Society to provide respite care and was known at the time as ‘Brambles’. When the MS service was relocated to the Midlands in 2013, Asprey Healthcare Limited acquired the premises.

Concentrating on the property design and construction, Philip Connell and specialist Architect Carless & Adams Partnership joined forces to create a spacious care home set in very generous, mature grounds.

“Various schemes were considered but we wanted to create something special, a dedicated dementia care home designed and laid out internally to meet the needs of individuals with dementia. A space that allowed carers to care but individuals to still enjoy a level of independency. To achieve this in an existing building is tough and in most cases is a compromise, however the MS Society had built ‘Brambles’ with lots of space in mind, a luxury all too often missing in today’s new care home developments” - Philip A good care home setting is of course the property and how it’s furnished and laid out, but what makes a care home really special is the commitment and quality of the care staff and the caring environment it provides. Julia Philips, Smallbrook’s registered manager has over 20 years experience in caring and specialising in dementia care and brings to Smallbrook the depth of experience relatives should expect to see. You will hear the words; “person centred” a lot at Smallbrook, a theme that runs through everything, from the property to the care delivery. The staff in place are chosen because they exhibit the skills; compassion and personality – a culture that Julia wants to see ingrained at Smallbrook.

“I am delighted and encouraged by the commitment our staff have shown already. Providing the best care for dementia is about constantly learning, sharing information and working with others; we are looking to establish

partnerships with other organisations who are making a real difference to the lives of dementia sufferers with new and exciting initiatives. One of these is the charity ‘Play List for Life’ (PFL) which is all about connecting music, people and memories.

This sort of ‘therapy’ has had huge effects on individuals with dementia and we at Smallbrook want to embrace this. PFL is very person centred, something we at Smallbrook believe passionately in” - Julia Another attribute that stands out at Smallbrook is the homemade and freshly prepared meals, from the sweet smelling biscuits and cakes that regularly appear in the bistro to the nutritious main meals all made by Scott, Smallbrook’s own experienced chef.

“Scott has a real passion for cooking and totally understands his very important role at Smallbrook and just how critical mealtimes are for its residents. Having worked in catering for several years, more recently specialising in catering for the elderly, which is a specialism of its own, ensuring that quality, nutritional value, quantity and diversity are all met, in a way that residents will find enjoyable and interesting. This requires a lot of knowledge and skill” - Julia “The emotional rollercoaster that we all encounter as wives, daughters, husbands or sons, once it has been decided that a loved one is best cared for in a supervised environment, is the most difficult of all. From feelings of conscience for not being able to cope anymore, to relief that help is there. A care home will never replace everything in your loved ones lives, but we believe that once you have visited Smallbrook Care Home and met Julia and her team, a big part of your decision making will be answered” - Martin Surrey Occasions

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Travel

Off the beaten piste As you start to think about your skiing holiday this winter will it be ‘we always go to Verbier’ or ‘there’s that special restaurant in Les Gets we love’, or, ‘shall we go somewhere different this year’? And if so, just how adventurous are you? Cedric Blacker long-time downhill and cross country skier and one-time ski guide explores your options.

“Hawaii is rubbish for snow” 34

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For the ultra adventurer who doesn’t need the luxury of lifts, accommodation or restaurants just great snow, excitement and adrenaline, there is only one place to go, Alaska. Flown into the middle of nowhere, mile after mile of virgin powder is there for the asking. But that is not all Alaska can offer. Alyeska, which is one hour from Anchorage, is one of the top ski resorts in North America. With 1,400 acres of skiable area and an almost 150 day season, there are the gentlest of beginners’ slopes, the US’ longest double black slope and every grade of skiing in between. Après ski, good food, dog sledding and snowmobiling are just some of the ‘off-piste’ activities. Add a bear viewing flight and an Alaskan skiing holiday becomes a truly unique experience.

Further east (or west depending on which way you fly), Japan is a big skiing nation with hundreds of single run resorts all around the country but also plenty of much bigger ski areas. Hokkaido is where the 1972 Winter Olympics were held and within easy reach of the capital Sapporo are Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano. These are definitely the places to go if you want a cultural as well as a skiing adventure. Good slopes, a mix of entertainment, facilities for all levels of skiing and guaranteed snow, usually 8 metres or more, are all there. The ‘onsen’ (Japan’s traditional, hot,

thermal bath) is invariably a major part of a Japanese ski vacation but if you are reluctant to strip down to less than bare essentials in public, cross this activity off your list!

As just about the only other ski resort in the Far East, what about the Masik Pass Resort? North Korea’s new resort shares two features with Japan: snow aplenty guaranteed but this will have to be a cash only holiday; ATM machines are rare and credit cards are seldom accepted. South Korea also has much to offer for all levels of skiers and perhaps you’d like to hit the slopes before the Olympians get to Pyeongchang for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in 2018.

If you still want to go along more accredited lines then Canada and the other 48 states of the USA (Hawaii is rubbish for snow) can certainly fit the bill. In Canada, rather than the big resorts, think about Revelstoke, 250 miles from Calgary. More snow than Whistler, fewer people than the other resorts and all sorts of prepared and unprepared runs - nine and a half miles is the longest. This is a resort for skiing, pure and simple. Further south if you want really great skiing then the Rockies are the place to go with hundreds of resorts, big and small. Some specialised, better for experts/ free skiing, others perfect for all levels. Try

“defrosting with hot chocolate” Brighton with young children or Snowbird/ Alta for everything you could ask for. Both are within an hour of Salt Lake City with big ski areas; reasonable ticket prices; après ski and lots of snow. The downside maybe, there is no snowboarding in Alta. One of the upsides though is that here you can join the crowd or be totally alone, you choose.

Finally, if you are working on a limited budget or squeezing a short skiing break in to a busy schedule then you have to think Europe. Rather than go to the Alps, why not head for the Pyrenees. Baqueira Beret on the Spanish side is one of the best. Slopes for all levels, terrific views, après ski with excellent food, and only a couple of hours drive from Toulouse. Plus everything at Spanish prices.

Decided that the challenge of deep powder, the perfect halfpipe, or defrosting with hot chocolate in a cosy café are not for you, then don’t worry. The satisfaction of a perfectly carved turn can still be yours; try Dubai. Sand skiing could be the answer.

Useful information: Alaska chugachpowderguides.com

Korea and Japan skisafari.com

USA and Canada ski-i.com

Pyrenees skiing-pyrenees.com

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Health

8

Top Pilates exercises to get ski-fit

Planning a winter skiing holiday?

Well, now’s the time to start training to avoid injury and improve ski fitness says Hannah Epps, owner of Farnham Pilates, an expert on clinical pilates and sport specific pilates. Hannah has worked with local celebrities, presenters, an Olympic sports person and many Surrey residents have benefitted from her courses. She now shares her top 8 Pilates exercises with Surrey Occasions readers.

As a keen skier, Hannah knows personally and professionally that skiing uses muscles we don’t use on a daily basis and to get maximum enjoyment from your winter getaway, she suggests we should get into practice in the months before jetting off for our winter sport getaway.

1 2 3

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4 5 6

7

The Essentials For foot and ankle mobility - squat without lifting the heel to strengthen and lengthen achilles.

Lunges are also a great way to strengthen thighs and mimic the skiing position, increase repetitions.

Spine Twists For: Spine mobility Sit with hands supporting chin and elbows out.

Twist right, keeping hips still, shoulders down, while lifting up the torso. Repeat left. Next, lie down, knees bent and gently move knees from left to right to encourage hip flexibility and stabilise upper-body.

Superman Arms or The Plank For: Core stability and back stabilising.

Superman Arms - on your hands and knees, pelvis in neutral, back flat, abdominals drawn up towards spine. Breathe out and stretch alternate arms forward, without dropping the shoulder.

Breathe in, and place hand back to floor. To increase difficulty, extend opposite arm and leg.

Keep pelvis still.

Plank – to progress lift to push-up position, keeping shoulders down, neck long. With feet parallel, pull abdominals in and hold the position.

Challenge yourself by lifting one arm or leg, or by lifting an arm and twisting or punching to the side or ceiling. Good to breathe wide and deeply to open the ribs.

8

Hip Opener For: Hip and core stability strengthening.

Lie on your back with feet flat on floor. Let the knee drop to the side without moving hips, change legs. Try lifting the leg at a right angle, keeping pelvis still.

Dart For: Posture and to counter-balance the forward position of skiing.

Lie on your front, arms at sides, palms facing body, neck long, legs parallel with toes pointing.

Lengthen through spine. Breathe out, pulling shoulder blades down and lifting upper body a few inches. Keep looking at the floor throughout.

The Criss-Cross For: Abdominal strengthening and pelvic stability.

On your back, place legs in table-top position.

With hands behind head and elbows wide, exhale, pull abs in and curl upper torso off mat.

Keeping elbows open, rotate upper torso moving left shoulder toward the hip to outside of right knee. Extend left leg to 45-degree angle (higher easier, lower harder). Inhale, come to centre, then alternate. Increase pace for cardio vascular work then slow it down to make harder on the obliques.

The Corkscrew For: Shoulder stability, abdominals, obliques and mobilising hips.

Lie on your back, with shoulders away from ears, arms at sides, palms down. Take a few deep breaths, allowing abdominals to deepen down towards spine, lengthening along the mat.

With legs together, extend legs to the ceiling and circle, making a half moon arc from centre, dipping down in the middle, and then scoop up the other side returning to the start position.

Change direction.

Scissors For: Increased strength in legs, abdominals and lower back, also shoulder stabilisation. Maintain neutral in your lower back.

Lie on your back, raise one leg keeping the other foot flat on the floor, then lower the toe towards the floor. Progress to both legs lifted and scissor action with the legs bent or straight.

Stretches Try and remember after a day’s skiing to stretch your chest by putting your hands together behind your back, do some side bends, stretch thighs and hamstrings, and the ankles by pushing your heel down behind you (can be even done in the après ski bar!)

Remember, enjoy your holiday - keep your joints mobile and warm up to prevent injuries. See you on the slopes!

For information about Hannah courses, visit www.farnhampilates.com

Weekend Break

A secluded solent setting Set between the eastern coastal towns of Bembridge and Seaview, Priory Bay is the Isle of Wight’s leading country house hotel, writes Mary Conisbee Set within a 60 acre secluded estate, Priory Bay’s period buildings have spectacular views out to sea, with gardens and woodland running down to the bay. The hotel is just two and a half hours from London and ideal for a short break, a family holiday, a company outing or the perfect setting for your wedding.

The hotel’s origins lie in the monastery that dominated the site long before the Domesday Book. The locality is recorded as the second oldest site of human habitation in the United Kingdom. Palaeolithic remains and ancient artefacts, such as Stone Age axes, have been found on the bay’s sandy shores. The oldest surviving buildings are the two thatched barns to the south west of the hotel. Believed to be almost a thousand

years old they were part of the original Priory Farm.

The 14th century portal provides an imposing entrance to the hotel. Tudor farmers and Georgian gentry have made their own contribution to the charming medley of beautiful buildings and interiors which create this unique hotel. Each of the bedrooms has its own distinctive character and all are superbly furnished and appointed, retaining many of the original features. The Principal rooms are beautifully decorated, with stylish bathrooms and exquisite views across the grounds. Classic rooms have king size beds, white linen sheets, luxurious soft furnishings and en-suite bathrooms. There is family accommodation in the main building or self-catering accommodation in the grounds. The hotel has three main wings: the Regency Mansion, the Tudor Farmhouse, and the Old Kitchen. The old thatched barns and cottages are ideal for families with children or for those bringing dogs. In the summer there is luxury designer camping in specially designed Island crafted yurts.

Priory Bay’s chefs are passionate about local produce and use the finest seasonal ingredients, farmed, fished or foraged close by. With its southerly position, the Isle of Wight enjoys a unique climate and topography, producing top-quality fruit and vegetables as well as providing excellent grazing. A diverse range of dining experiences is on offer from a light snack in the bar, to a picnic on the beach, and lunch or dinner served in either the Priory Oyster Restaurant or in the intimate surroundings of the Island Room.

There area host of facilities to make your stay memorable including tennis courts, a challenging six hole golf course, and outdoor swimming pool as well as spectacular walks. The Isle of Wight is a world-renowned centre for water sports, boating and sailing and at Priory Bay guests can charter a magnificent two-mast yacht, either for a little relaxing sightseeing with champagne and picnic hamper or for some fantastic sailing with a crew. For those seeking rest and relaxation, there’s a selection of in-room holistic beauty therapies and massage treatments.

Whether you are looking for an elegant setting for your nuptials or a simple yet chic wedding on a magnificent private beach, this wildly romantic country house retreat is ideal. Many couples like to hire the entire hotel and treat this historic country house as their own for the wedding weekend.

Whatever your plans, Priory Bay is the perfect tranquil retreat, yet close to a host of key attractions. priorybay.co.uk visitisleofwight.co.uk wightlink.co.uk

Hotel Review

Even better than before Here’s good news for Surrey.

Following the devastating floods of Christmas 2013, the Mecure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel has recently reopened – and Mary Conisbee reports that it is even better than before.

The look of the hotel, nestled at the foot of Box Hill, has been transformed following an extensive nine months refurbishment and a redesign across its public spaces, restaurant and bar, bedrooms and meeting rooms.

Part of the Mercure brand, Burford Bridge Hotel embraces the new lobby concept, recently launched in the Mercure London Bridge, ensuring guests receive a warm welcome and a quick hassle-free check in.

Personal touches pay homage to the historical background and literary roots of the surrounding area. So in the new open lobby you’ll find chairs with prints from John Keats poetry. Here Keats wrote Endymion and author Robert Louis

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Stevenson created parts of the fabled Arabian Nights. Poet William Wordsworth, playwright Richard Sheridan and author Jane Austen were also known to frequent the hotel and surrounding area. In the Emlyn restaurant you’ll see words from Jane Austen’s classic Emma quoted on the wall, reminding guests of the Box Hill picnic from the novel. And watch out for the little bronze cyclists, celebrating the area’s association with the 2012 Olympics.

Miniature orchids that form centrepieces in the restaurant are a nod to the area’s scientific interest. If you look closely you’ll discover five Dorking cockerels – distinguished for having five toes – displayed on the bar wall and in the library area of the lobby there are Retro Penguin books, paying tribute to the local literary world.

There are 57 guest bedrooms each showcasing unique artwork, printed on antique mirrors and fabrics plus a new flat screen TV with international satellite channels. 24 hour room service is available and throughout the hotel there is free high speed WiFi. There are eight meeting rooms, designed to cater for between four and 220 people.

The Tithe Barn – originally built in the year 1600 and moved to Burford Bridge in 1934 – is the largest of the event spaces. Its stunning vaulted ceiling, said to have been built from timbers taken from the galleons of the Spanish Armada, makes the perfect space for weddings and special events. The Emlyn Restaurant, which boasts two AA Rosettes and is popular with residents and non-residents alike, offers diners a great

selection of locally inspired dishes plus a beautiful Best of Burford menu to celebrate those special occasions with a fine dining experience. There is also an All Day Dining Menu in the bar and lounge, offering a good array of modern British cuisine.

Dining at the Burford Bridge is enjoyable with friendly staff, whose attention to detail is noted. The head chef is accomplished and from our dining experience the chef, second in charge, creates superb quality dishes. So in a few words; ‘Try eating at the Burford Bridge Hotel, you will enjoy it’ Looking forward, between May and September guests and members of the local community can enjoy swimming in the hotel’s heated Lido, using the original changing rooms which have been brought back to their former glory.

Burford Bridge Hotel is convenient for many local attractions, including Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking Museum and Heritage Centre; National Trust properties at Polesden Lacey, Hatchlands and Clandon Park; as well as Epsom Race Course and Claremont Landscape Garden.

Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6BX mercure.com

Pub review

“Thomas Jack finds food fit for a king in East Clandon” Spending 35 years working at big sporting events my search for bars for food and evening entertainment has covered much of the globe. Given the vast range of international dishes and local drinks choosing a preference, let alone a favourite, for any specific venue has been nigh on impossible.

Yet after travelling to the tiny hamlet of East Clandon near Guildford and spending three hours eating and drinking at the Queen’s Head only five words spring to mind – “simply one of the best”.

Visiting on a Monday night, normally quiet for country pubs, to find 25 diners and a party of more than 30 men in convivial mood at the bar provided firm evidence to back that up.

The original oak beamed interior of the Queen’s Head has been converted to an open plan layout but the four different areas of the bar are subtly separated by pillars of original brick walling and fireplaces. Soft lighting, which did make the small italic menu typeface difficult to read for a short sighted old man ie me, created an intimate atmosphere for those enjoying their food while the drinkers could laugh and joke nearby without spoiling the enjoyment of others.

And they had two good real ales to relish. The pub, one of five owned by Red Mist Leisure, can thank Hampshire brewery Andwells for creating a very palateable Red Mist Bitter and alongside was HBB from Surrey’s own Hogs Back brewery.

And for the diners every dish on the extensive menu looked mouthwatering.

We opted for the shared Fish Board starter (£16.95) washed down by the very refreshing house white wine, a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc called Santa Helena (£15.95).

We did warn the charming manager Danni Childs, from Sydney, that the fish would have to live up to the standards of her homeland’s famouse Doyle’s restaurant at Watson’s Bay. And it did. With the Devonshire crab cocktail the highlight of the four different dishes.

It was soon easy to taste why the British steak ale and mushroom pie (£12.75) is the only main course which always survives the quarterly menu change. A daily specials board which included grouse and pheasant,

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Seal o Appro f val

alerted my co diner to his choice of bangers and mash (£11.95) with the sausages flavoured by marmalade and red onions, every mouthful of which he savoured.

From an extensive wine list which included many new world varieties, a bottle of the French red Fleurie (£23.50) went down very well with the meat dishes.

After eating so well there was little room left for desserts but neither the blackberry and orange crème brulee nor the white chocolate and cinnamon cheesecake (both £5.95) could be resisted.

On the wall in one of the dining areas a glass fronted display case contained two vintage shotguns that may once have graced royal hunting parties. One thing is for certain, chef Chris Richards’ food could grace a King’s table. queensheadeastclandon.co.uk

Surrey Occasions

39

What’s On

s ' t a h W ON

Winter 2014 A Art

M Music

B Ballet

MT

C Concert

O Opera

CR

Craft

P Pantomime

CS

Children’s Show

R Horse Racing

Comedy Theatre

T Theatre

CT

E Event

December A

CS 10 December–24 December. Guildford.

Santa Claus and the Magical Christmas Journey. Glive. Glive.com. 0844 7701 797

T 18–21 December. Guildford. Arabian Nights. Electric Theatre. electrictheatre. co.uk. 01483 444789

SE

M 10 December. Dorking. The Rat Pack at Christmas. Dorking Halls. dorkinghalls. co.uk. 01306 881 717

SE 19 December. Compton. Watts at Night.

The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk.

01483 810235

Now–1 March. Woking. The Horse at War: 1914–1918. The Lightbox Gallery. thelightbox.org.uk. 01483 737800 Now–3 January. Richmond. Christmas at Kew. Kew Gardens. kew.org. 0208 332 5655

M

A

10 December. Leatherhead. Let There Be Christmas. Leatherhead Theatre. theleatherheadtheatre.org. 01372 365141

E

M 11 December. Kingston. Rose Christmas Concert 2014. Rose Theatre Kingston. rosetheatrekingston.org. 0208 174 0090

Now–17 January. Farnham. Amy Cooper: Maker in Focus. New Ashgate Gallery. newashgate.org.uk. 01252 713208 Now–17 January. Farnham. Winter Exhibition. New Ashgate Gallery. newashgate.org.uk. 01252 713208 SE 02–21 December. Walton on Thames.

Riverhouse Magical Christmas Forest.

Riverhouse Barn. riverhousebarn.com.

01932 253354 SE 02 December. Epsom. Season Finale for Antiques Fair. Epsom Downs. epsomdowns.co.uk. 01372 726311

O 02 December. Leatherhead. L’Elisir D’Amore Live Opera Screening from the Royal Opera House. Leatherhead Theatre. theleatherheadtheatre.org. 01372 36514 M 03 December. Guildford. Imelda May. Glive. glive.co.uk. 0844 770 1797 LS 04 December. Leatherhead. The Crucible – Screening from The Old Vic. Leatherhead Theatre. theleatherheadtheatre.org. 01372 36514 HR

05–06 December. Esher. Tingle Creek Christmas Festival. Sandown Park. sandown. thejockeyclub.co.uk.

01372 464 348 SE 06 December. Hersham. Christmas Craft Fun with Elmbridge Museum.

Hersham Village Hall. elmbridgemuseum. org. 01932 843573 SE 06 December. Reigate. Reigate Christmas Fayre. Reigate.

SE 05–06 December. Guildford. Medieval Christmas Banquets . The guildhall. guildfordchristmas.co.uk. 07866 468632 SE 06–07 December. Weybridge.

Santa on the Sultan of Oman’s VC10.

Brooklands Museum. brooklandsmuseum. com. 01932 857381 SE 06 December –04 January . Richmond.

Christmas displays in the Glasshouse. RHS Garden Wisley. rhs.org.uk/wisely. 0845 2609000 SE 07 December. Haslemere. Haslemere’s Christmas Market. High Street Haslemere.

01428 644858

M 08 December. Guildford. Gregory Porter. Glive. glive.co.uk. 0844 770 1797 SE 08–24 December. Woking. Festive Lunches at RHS Garden Wisley. RHS Garden Wisley. rhs.org.uk/wisely.

0845 260 9000

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F

11 December. Compton. Effie Gray (12A) Join producer, Andreas Roald, for a special introduction into the recently released film of Effie Gray. The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk. 01483 810235 B 12–13 December. Guildford. The Nutcracker. Electric Theatre. electrictheatre.co.uk. 01483 444789 SE 13 December–14 January. Godalming.

Winter Wonders Trail at Winkworth.

Winkworth Arboretum. nationaltrust.org. uk/winkwortharboretum. 01483 208477 SE 13 December. Compton. Family Tours– Discover! Father Frost. The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk. 01483 810235 CT

14 December. Guildford. The Electric Comedy Club. Electric Theatre. electrictheatre.co.uk. 01483 444789 SE

14 December. Dorking. Christmas Tea Dance. Denbies. denbies.co.uk. 01306 876616 CS

14–28 December. Guildford. The Night Before Christmas. Yvonne Arnaud Mill Studio Theatre. yvonne–arnaud.co.uk.

01483 44 00 00 T

15–16 December. Guildford. Barbara Nice’s Countdown to Christmas. The Mill Studios Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne-arnaud.co.uk. 01483 44 00 00 SE 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23 December. East Moseley. Courtyard carol singing.

Hampton Court Palace. hrp.org.uk.

0844 482 7777

CT

20 December–14 January. Woking. The Rose Theatre Presents The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Story Trail. RHS Garden Wisley. rhs.org.uk/wisely. 0845 2609000 M 20 December. Guildford. Only Men Aloud. Glive. glive.co.uk. 0844 770 1797 SE

20 December. Dorking. Denbies ‘Ice Ball’. Denbies. denbies.co.uk. 01306 876616 CC 20 December. Haslemere. Haslemere’s Christmas Cracker. Haslemere Hall. 01428 642161

T 22–27 December. Guildford. A Christmas Carol. Yvonne Arnaud Mill Studio Theatre. yvonne–arnaud.co.uk.

01483 44 00 00 SE 24–31 December. Guildford. Festive Afternoon Tea at the Radisson Blu Edwardian. Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel. radissonblu–edwardian.com. 01483 792305 HR

26–27 December. Sunbury on Thames.

William Hill Winter Festival. Kempton Park. kempton.co.uk. 01189 543939 B

26–28 December. Guildford. Moscow City Ballet present The Nutcracker. Glive. glive.co.uk. 0844 770 1797 SE

26 December. Godalming. Boxing Day Walk at Winkworth. Winkworth Arboretum. nationaltrust.org.uk/winkwortharboretum.

01483 208477 SE 27 December –1 January. East Moseley.

Tudor Christmas. Hampton Court Palace. hrp.org.uk. 0844 482 7777 SE

31 December. Dorking. A Taste of New Year. Gallery Restaurant, Denbies. denbies. co.uk. 01306 876616 SE

31 December. Guildford. New Years Eve 1940’s Party. Glive. Glive.com. 0844 770 1797

Musical Theatre

W Workshop

F 08 January. Compton. Russian Ark (PG) Founder of Russian Art & Culture, Theodora Clarke, introduces Russian Ark. The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk.

01483 813 593 M 10 January. Dorking. The Philharmonia Orchestra. Dorking Halls. dorkinghalls.co. uk. 01306 881 717 E 11 January. Egham. Savill Court Hotel and Spa Wedding Fair. Savill Court Hotel and Spa. savillcourt.com. 0844 879 9067 T 13 January. Guildford. The Trials of Galileo. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne– arnaud.co.uk. 01483 44 00 00 D 13–17 January. Woking. Edward Scissorhands. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645 T 14 January. Guildford. Down to Earth–An Evening with Monty Don. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne–arnaud. co.uk. 01483 44 00 00 B 14–15 January. Richmond. Moscow City Ballet–Giselle. Richmond Theatre. atgtickets.com/Richmond. 0844 871 7561 A 14 January–12 April. Woking. Surrey Open Photographic Competition. The Lightbox. thelightbox.org.uk. 01483 737800 CT 15 January. Guildford. Jongleurs.

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne–arnaud. co.uk. 01483 44 00 00 CT 15–16 January. Guildford. Withering Looks. The Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne–arnaud.co.uk. 01483 44 00 00

E 16–January. Woking. Winter Walk and Talk with the Curator. RHS Garden Wisley. rhs.org.uk. 0845 612 1253 B 16–17 January. Richmond. Moscow City Ballet–Swan Lake. Richmond Theatre. atgtickets.com/Richmond. 0844 871 7561 E 17 January –8 March. Woking.

Butterflies in the Glasshouse. RHS Garden Wisley. rhs.org.uk. 0845 612 1253

January

T 17 January. Guildford. Dame Joan Plowright in conversation with Richard Digby Day. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne–arnaud.co.uk. 01483 44 00 00

16 December. Guildford. The Jazz Café.

Electric Theatre. electrictheatre.co.uk.

01483 444789

E 01 January. Weybridge. New Year’s Day Gathering. Brooklands Museum. brooklandsmuseum.com. 01932 857381 ext 221

T 17 January. Guildford. Odyssey Of Love– Liszt and his Women. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne–arnaud.co.uk.

01483 44 00 00

CT 17 December. Guildford. John Cleese ‘So, Anyway’. G Live. 01483 739047. glive.co.uk

YW 06 January. Compton. Young People’s Event–The Art Forum. The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk. 01483 810235

M 18 January. Camberley. The Simon & Garfunkel Story. Camberley Theatre. camberleytheatre. biz. 01276 707600

M 18–20 December. Camberley. The Berlin Baroness’s Festive Christmas Antidote!– a scintillating vintage comedy cabaret dining experience. Camberley Theatre. camberley. biz. 01276 707600

A 6 January–1 February. Woking.

Graduate Show Highlights: University of Creative Arts, Farnham. The Lightbox Gallery. thelightbox.org. 01483 737800

E 18 January. Epsom. Wedding Show.

Epsom Downs Race Course. epsomdowns. co.uk. 01372 726311

LS

16 December. Leatherhead. Alice in Wonderland–Live screening from the Royal Opera House. Leatherhead Theatre. theleatherheadtheatre.org. 01372 36514 M

T 19–24 January. Richmond. East is East.

Richmond Theatre. atgtickets.com/ Richmond. 0844 871 7561

MT 20–24 January. Woking. Barnum. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/ new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645

M 07 February. Camberley. Barbara Dickson Live. Camberley Theatre. camberleytheatre. biz. 01276 707600

M 28 February. Guildford. Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain. GLive. glive. com. 0844 770 1797

E 21 January. Weybridge. Torchlight Tour.

Brooklands Museum. brooklandsmuseum. com. 01932 857381 ext 221

E 7 February– 8 March. Richmond.

Alluring Orchids– Princess of Wales Conservatory. Kew Gardens. kew.org. 020 8332 5655.

C 28 February. Guildford. Lloyd Langford.

Bellerby Studio, Glive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797

T 21–31 January. Guildford. Roundelay by Alan Ayckbourn. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne–arnaud.co.uk. 01483 44 00 00 LS 22 January. Leatherhead. Treasure Island National Theatre Live Screening.

Leatherhead Theatre. leatherheadtheatre. org. 01372 365141

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23–24 January. Guildford. A Girl With A Book. The Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne–arnaud.co.uk. 01483 44 00 00 A

24 January–14 March. Farnham.

Virginia Ray: Land Has Memory. New Ashgate Gallery. newashgate.org.uk. 01252 713208 E

25 January. Woking. Gorse Hill Wedding Fair. Gorse Hill. deverevenues. co.uk. 0844 980 2306 MT

26–31 January. Richmond. Spamalot.

Richmond Theatre. atgtickets.com/ Richmond. 0844 871 7561 MT

27–31 January. Woking. Saturday Night Fever. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets. com/new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645 T

28 January. Leatherhead. Reduced Shakespeare Company® in The Complete History of Comedy(abridged). Leatherhead Theatre. leatherheadtheatre.org. 01372 365141 M

28 January. Guildford. Children’s Concert. GLive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797 O

29January. Leatherhead. Andrea Chénier Royal Opera House Live Screening. Leatherhead Theatre. leatherheadtheatre.org. 01372 365141 T

29–30 January. Guildford. The Autumn of Han. The Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. yvonne–arnaud.co.uk. 01483 44 00 00 E

30 January. Compton. Watts at Night.

The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk.

01483 813 593 CT

30 January. Guildford. Dara O’Briain.

GLive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797 M 31 January. Guildford. Johann Strauss Gala. GLive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797

February E

01 February. Ewell. The Bourne Hall Wedding Show. Bourne Hall. bournehall– eligo.co.uk. 020 8393 9572 E

01 February. Cobham. Silvermere Wedding Show. Silvermere Inn on the Lake. innonthelakesurrey.co.uk.

01932 584 333 MT

02–07 February. Woking. The Full Monty. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645 YT

03 February. Compton. Young People’s Event–the Art Forum. The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk. 01483 813 593 M

06 February. Dorking. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. Dorking Halls. dorkinghalls.co.uk. 01306 881 717 T 06–07 February. Richmond. Oh What a Lovely War. Richmond Theatre. atgtickets. com/Richmond. 0844 871 7561

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08 February. Dorking. Dante String Quartet. Dorking Halls. dorkinghalls.co.uk.

01306 881 717 M

12 February. Guildford. Katherine Jenkins. GLive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797 O 13 February. Woking. Ellen Kent’s Rigoletto. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645 C

13 February. Guildford. Ross Noble Tangentleman. GLive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797 YT 14 February. Compton. Young People’s Event–Fashion Workshop. The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk. 01483 813 593

O 14 February. Woking. Ellen Kent’s Madame Butterfly. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/new–victoria– theatre. 0844 871 7645 M 14 February. Camberley. Curtis Stigers–Hooray for Love Tour. Camberley Theatre. camberleytheatre. biz. 01276 707600 E

14 February. Richmond. Valentine’s day dinner. Orangery at Kew. Kew Gardens. kew.org. 020 8332 5655 D

15 February. Woking. Anton & Erin– That’s Entertainment. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/new–victoria– theatre. 0844 871 7645 E

16–20 February. Weybridge. Half Term Family Activities including Car Rides.

Brooklands Museum. brooklandsmuseum. com. 01932 857381 E

17 February. Guildford. Circus Skills for 7–12 year olds. Bellerby Studio, Glive. glive. com. 0844 770 1797 T

19 February. Redhill. Steve Parrish–M. A. D Tour. Harlequin Theatre. harlequintheatre.co.uk. 01737 276 500 MT

19 February. Woking. Beyond The Barricade. New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets. com/new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645

CT 28 February–1 March. Richmond.

Octonauts & the Deep Sea Volcano.

Richmond Theatre. atgtickets.com/ Richmond. 0844 871 7561 MT

28 February–21 March. Kingston.

Romeo & Juliet. Rose Theatre. rosetheatrekingston.org. 0208 174 0090

March E 01 March. Weybridge. Concorde Champagne Day. Brooklands Museum. brooklandsmuseum.com. 01932 857381 ext 237 M 02 March. Dorking. Joan Armatrading.

Dorking Halls. dorkinghalls.co.uk. 01306 881 717 D 02–07 March. Woking. Dance ‘til Dawn.

The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/ new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645 W 03 March. Beginners Botanical Watercolour with Anna Mason. RHS Garden Wisley. rhs.org.uk. 0845 612 1253

D 18 March. Camberley. A Night of Dirty Dancing. Camberley Theatre. camberleytheatre. biz. 01276 707600 D 21 March. Camberley. Pasha Kovalev– Life Through Dance. Camberley Theatre. camberleytheatre. biz. 01276 707600 M 21 March. Redhill. Surrey Choral Festival–Classical Spectacular. Harlequin Theatre. harlequintheatre.co.uk. 01737 276 500 E 22 March. Reigate. Surrey Weddings and Parties Weddings Fayre. Reigate Golf Club. reigatehillgolfclub.co.uk. 01737 645577 A 28 March–5 July. Woking. Damien Hirst: New Religion. The Lightbox Gallery. thelightbox.org.uk. 01483 737800 MT 31 March–4 April. Woking. Jesus Christ Super Star. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets. com/new–victoria–theatre.

0844 871 7645

YW 03 March. Compton. Young People’s Event– The Art Forum. The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk. 01483 813 593

C 06 March. Guildford. Simon Amstell–To Be Free. GLive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797 M 07 March. Guildford. Mendlessohn’s Violin Concerto–Vivace Chorus. GLive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797 T

07 March. Dorking. Christian O’Connell: Breaking Dad. Dorking Halls. dorkinghalls. co.uk. 01306 881 717 M 07 March. Redhill. Redhill Symphonia.

Harlequin Theatre. harlequintheatre.co.uk.

01737 276 500 M

Music, magic & mayhem There is nothing quite so British as pantomime and although mainly for children, audiences young and old can enjoy a show which involves music, topical jokes, and slapstick comedy.

December

08 March. Redhill. Steeleye Span in Concert. Harlequin Theatre. harlequintheatre.co.uk. 01737 276 500

5-4 Jan Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Yvonne Arnaud. yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

MT 09–14 March. Woking. Spamalot. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/ new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645

5-10 Jan Aladdin. New Victoria Theatre atgtickets.com/woking

09–14 March. Richmond. Dead Simple–Peter James. Richmond Theatre. atgtickets.com/Richmond. 0844 871 7561

5-11 Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs.

Richmond Theatre. atgtickets.com/shows/ snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs/ richmond-theatre/

CT

M 12 March. Guildford. Aled Jones. GLive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797

5-11 Jan Cinderella. New Wimbledon Theatre. atgtickets.com/wimbledon

CT

TE 13 March. Dorking. Circus of Horrors (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Dorking Halls. dorkinghalls.co.uk.

01306 881 717

12-4 Jan Beauty & the Beast. Camberley Theatre. harlequintheatre.co.uk

E 19–20 February. Guildford. Creative Orchestra for 8–14 year olds. Bellerby Studio, Glive. glive.com. 0844 770 1797

20–22 February. Woking. Dinosaur Zoo. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/ new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645 21 February. Camberley. The Wind in the Willows. Camberley Theatre. camberleytheatre. biz. 01276 707600 M

21 February. Redhill. T’Pau with Carol Decker. Harlequin Theatre. harlequintheatre.co.uk. 01737 276 500 M

22 February. Guildford. St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. GLive. glive.com.

0844 770 1797 E

22 February. Camberley. Wedding Fair 2015. Camberley Theatre. camberleytheatre. biz. 01276 707600 W

23 February onwards. Compton.

History of Art and Design Short Courses.

The Watts Gallery. wattsgallery.org.uk.

01483 813 593 C

23–28 February. Woking. Arcadia by Tom Stoppard. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645

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C

13 March. Redhill. Henning Wehn–Ein, Twei, DIY. Harlequin Theatre. harlequintheatre.co.uk. 01737 276 500 M 13–21 March. Guildford. Guildford International Music Festival. The Electric Theatre. electrictheatre.co.uk. 01483 444789 T

14 March. Redhill. Michael Portillo–A Game of Two Halves. Harlequin Theatre. harlequintheatre.co.uk. 01737 276 500 MT

17–28 March. Woking. Jersey Boys. The New Victoria Theatre. atgtickets.com/ new–victoria–theatre. 0844 871 7645 A 17 March–22 March. Woking. Woking Society of Arts Spring Exhibition. The Lightbox Gallery. thelightbox.org.uk. 01483 737800

20-28 Jack & the Beanstalk.

Dorking Halls. dorkinghalls.co.uk 24-3 Jan Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. Leatherhead Theatre. theleatherheadtheatre.org

January 28 – 7 Feb Concrete Boots – a show for the grown-ups. Guildford Fringe Theatre ticketsource.co.uk/GuildfordFringe Deep within the colourful and sometimes outrageous character costumes, Surrey pantomime audiences will find a few familiar faces on stage this winter. Both Jerry Hall and Josie Lawrence will cast an evil spell over Snow White whilst Matthew Kelly makes a magnificent ugly sister in Cinderella.

Tinker, Tailor and Soldier were taken from their mother at the age of just 4 months and abandoned in an open field by the side of the busy A3 motorway

Gwen was beaten to within an inch of her life and tethered to a goalpost whilst she was giving birth with a pallet strap Millie and Horus were rescued from a field of 200 starving horses, many of whom had died by the time help came

These are just a few of our horses stories. But thanks to Mane Chance these horses now have tranquillity and care. More than that, they have learned to trust again, and with that trust, they are now working with us and helping to improve the lives of vulnerable children and adults. There is a circle of care. We help them and they help us. Here are Tinker, Tailor and Soldier one year on……….

Please help us help them. Buy a Horse a Christmas Present - a bale of hay, field care costs, vet or farrier fees - please check out our appeals by going to www.manechancesanctuary.org and choosing your present. Or you can simply become a Friend or Sponsor one of our beautiful horses We also have lots of stocking fillers and presents for humans available in our new Merchandise Brochure including our wonderful children’s book of poems, Faeries at Work and Play.

Email office@manechancesanctuary.org for all our merchandise offers.

Pantomime

Snow White’s model Stepmother Jerry Hall’s life has a fairy-tale quality about it. Small-town Texan beauty leaves home at 17 and flies to Paris to becomes a top model. Within months she is being photographed by Helmut Newton and is featuring in Vogue and Cosmopolitan. She ends up making enough money to buy a ranch in her beloved Texas and ends up marrying one of the world’s most famous rock stars. How lucky then is Richmond Theatre, of which she is patron, to have her play Snow White’s Wicked Queen in this year’s Panto. That’s a fairytale in itself.

As an actress, this will be Hall’s Panto debut. She and her family are however a familiar sight in the theatre audience during Panto season. “I have always loved pantomime. Mick and I always brought the children here when they were younger.” she says. “ I’ve been asked to do them before, but when my children were young it was hard to get away during the Christmas holidays.”

Mick and Jerry have four children together from their 21-year relationship, nine of them as a married couple. Elizabeth Scarlett, James Leroy, Georgia May and Gabriel Luke. The family home is in Richmond Hill. When the couple split in 1990 Mick bought a flat next door.

But this American beauty hasn’t just been taken into British hearts because of her Rolling Stones connections. Other rock star wives have had a much tougher ride courtesy of the UK tabloids. Hall’s press persona, by contrast, seems to have remained in tact, and she continues to attract column inches for her poise and at 57, unfading glamour. A recent interview in The Guardian newspaper described her as: “A rock chick with the heart of a suburban housewife.”

Aside from the glitz and glamour, the Texan values of hearth and home seem to have never left Hall. She prides herself on being down to earth – quite literally – keeping chickens and growing vegetables at her Richmond home.

She was born Terry Jaye in 1956 in the small texan town of Gonzalez. She was one of five daughters. At 17 she took the brave step to fly to Paris to follow her dream of becoming a top model and within months her dream had come true. She says she spent the last of her money on a pink metallic bikini and wore this with high heels one day on the French Riviera – that same day she was spotted and asked whether she wanted to model.

While living in Paris she was never far from the limelight. She shared a flat with singer and model Grace Jones and in that decade she graced the cover of Roxy Music’s album Siren as a slinky mermaid.

Soon after, lead singer Brian Ferry proposed.

A few years later she left him for Jagger.

Ferry reportedly was so annoyed that he kept all of Hall’s clothes.

Taking to the stage Hall’s approach to modelling has always been quite theatrical. It is perhaps no surprise then that she has taken so easily to theatre. As an actress, Hall’s work has included Hollywood blockbuster Batman (directed by Tim Burton) as well as stage appearances in The Graduate, Love Letters and Cole Porter’s High Society. She also recently starred in the BBC hit show Strictly Come Dancing.

As Mrs Robinson she played an alluring and predatory older women – a character in many ways not that far removed from

Snow White’s envious step-mother. What does she hope she will bring to the role?

“I’ve been very inspired by Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent and I’ve got the same horns.” she says. “The bad character always gets the best lines and has so much comic potential.

The Wicked Queen is incredibly beautiful and vain, so it will be a big stretch for me and my outfits are great – I look like a drag queen – it’s fabulous.”

Anyone who has ever done Panto will know what a gruelling schedule it is with two shows a day over the busy festive season. “I’m going to have to get lots of sleep, eat properly and not do much else really” says Hall. “We get a day off on Christmas Day and my children are so sweet. Mick will help out, but the kids are saying they’ll be doing all the cooking.”

Let’s just hope there are no poisoned apples on the menu!

Jerry Hall will be playing the role of the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Richmond Theatre from December 5 – January 11 2015. For more information and to book tickets, go to www.atgtickets.com/richmond or call 0844 871 7651 (booking fees apply)

Surrey Occasions

43

Recipes

There is an undeniable thrill when, as a host, guests express delight having enjoyed an array of canapés which have been made by one’s own fair hand. Recipes for these delicious bite-sized morsels tend to scare off even the most confident of cooks so Surrey Occasions asked Caper & Berry’s Executive Chef, Matt Crow, to produce recipes which he believes will demystify canapés and keep a party of 12 smiling over a few festive drinks.

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Pigs in blankets with homemade cranberry sauce

Smoked Salmon & lemon crème fraiche

Pigs in blankets: Ingredients 12 Butchers cocktail sausages 12 slices pancetta 100g maple syrup 6 sage leaves

Ingredients: 300g Smoked Salmon sliced into ribbons 30g crème fraiche 1 Lemon 1 tbsp fresh Dill

Cranberry sauce: Ingredients 100g light brown sugar 100ml fresh orange juice and zezt 250g pack fresh or frozen cranberries

Potato drop Scone: Ingredients 500g Maris Piper potatoes 2.5 tbsp plain flour 50ml milk x 50ml 3 eggs x 3 2.5 tblsp double cream 4 egg whites 2 tblsp vegetable oil

Method For the cranberry sauce 1. Place the sugar and orange juice into a pan, then bring to the boil.

2. Add the cranberries, and then simmer until tender but still holding their shape 3. The sauce will thicken as it cools store in air tight container For the pigs in blankets 1. Preheat the oven to 180c and line a tray with parchment paper.

2. Begin by wrapping the butcher’s sausages in the sliced pancetta making sure they are as tightly rolled as possible.

3. Place in the tray and cook for 20 minutes.

4. In the meantime finely dice the sage leaves and add to the maple syrup.

5. After the 20 minutes take the sausages out of the oven and pour over the maple and sage. Roll the sausages with the syrup until completely glazed.

6. Place back into the oven until golden brown and sticky.

7. Serve immediately placing the “Pigs” on a round platter with the home made cranberry sauce in a small bowl in the middle.

Method: For the potato scones 1. Boil the potatoes in their skins until tender 2. Drain, peel and mash using a potato ricer or vegetable mill 3. When mash is cool, transfer to a food processor and add flour, milk and 3 eggs.

Blend until smooth add the cream and blend again.

4. Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks and fold them through the potatoes in 3 stages.

5. When this batter is ready pipe onto a frying pan on a medium heat and cook for 15 seconds on each side until golden brown.

For the Lemon Crème Fraiche Zest one quarter of the lemon and fold into the crème fraiche and season with salt and pepper.

To Serve: Pipe a little of the lemon crème fraiche into the centre of the potato drop scone. Slice the Salmon into strips and roll into little rosettes and place on top of the scone.

Garnish with small slices of lemon and fresh dill to finish.

This is a great easy recipe that will have your guests asking for more. It really captures the taste of the festive season in a little ball of chocolate.

Mince pie Truffles Ingredients: 500g double cream 400g 70 % dark chocolate 1 cinnamon stick Nutmeg 2 tblsp brandy Zest of 1 orange 1 tsp mixed spice Method: 1. Pour 400g of the double cream into a thick based saucepan, add the spices and orange zest then bring to a simmer.

2. Mean while chop the chocolate into small pieces and place into a bowl. When the cream mixture begins to simmer take of the heat and pour over the chocolate using a fine strainer.

3. Leave to soften for 2 minutes then whisk until all the chocolate has melted.

4. Stir in the remaining cream and brandy this should give the mixture a lovely glossy affect. Then pour into a plastic container and set in the fridge for a minimum of three hours to set.

5. Make balls using a spoon or your hands and roll in coco powder to finish.

To complete this selection of canapés we cannot resist sharing with you the easiest and quickest to prepare, tastiest canapé on the planet… the classic cheese ball…with a twist

Boozy Cheese Balls 200gms grated extra mature cheddar cheese 225gms cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoon of dry sherry 1 garlic clove, minced ¼ teaspoon black pepper 50 gms of chopped nuts in a shallow bowl 20-25 pretzel sticks Finely chopped chives 1. Place cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, sherry, garlic and pepper in food processor and mix till smooth.

2. Transfer cheese mixture to bowl, seal with cling film and put in fridge for at least 3 hours (can be left up 36 hours before party) 3. Once firm to touch, scoop cheese mix out with a dessert spoon, shape quickly into balls by hand.

4. Roll balls in chopped nuts and place on serving platter . Cover and put in fridge until ready to serve.

5. Just before serving take out of fridge, push a pretzel stick into each ball, scatter the chives over the platter and serve.

Caperandberry.co.uk Local fresh produce is available throughout Surrey but for these recipes we sourced our ingredients from the following producers: Dairy- Hookley farm / Elstead greathookleyfarm.com Butcher- Conesbie & CO. / Ripley fconisbee.com Veg – Brockwells of / Weybridge brockwellsonline.co.uk

45

Kitchen tips

ish late & Ir Choco oulade r Cream

online Recipe o.uk/ sions.c a c c c surreyo recipes

Keys to perfection ... rolling the perfect roulade

1 Leave the roulade cake to cool completely before you tip it out of the tin. Run a small palette knife around the inside of the baking parchment in the tin to loosen the cake, so you can turn it out easily without it breaking.

Mary’s Christmas The Great British Bake Off star, Mary Berry, likes to avoid any preparation frustration during the festive season.

Richard Aldhous speaks to Mrs Berry and discovers that the the nation’s favourite septuagenarian is a big fan of always being prepared – never more so than at Christmas.

Mary Berry likes to plan ahead as the season approaches; not least because she will have to fit the festivities around her hectic filming schedule and live cooking demonstrations at the BBC Good Food Show Winter.

“The sensible thing is that the sooner you know where you are hosting Christmas, and who’s coming, to make a few lists. And a lot of things can be done ahead of time – for example, if you’re making a chocolate roulade you can put that in the freezer. You can make the cake too in advance. After all, Christmas dinner is only a big Sunday roast, isn’t it?” she smiles.

Of course, not all of us are as experienced in the kitchen as Berry, who has published over 70 cookbooks during her career. For those needing quick fixes for Christmas, she will be demonstrating some easy main meals at the BBC Good Food Show live events. “I’ve got a lovely dish to serve around Christmas time; it is an

46

Surrey Occasions

all-in-one dish so you don’t get too much washing up. Chicken with spinach and mushrooms with a lovely cheese topping.

And then I’ll be doing an instant quick lemon posset in a glass. You can do that the day before and, as it is without gelatine, it’s very easy to do.”

Mary Berry lives within a close proximity to her grown-up children, and they alternate who is hosting Christmas each year. “I’m not quite sure where we’ll be this time,” she says, “we’ll either have everybody to us or we’ll be going to one of my children’s houses, but I’ll be helping with the cooking wherever I go!”

The queen of cakes loves all the delicious treats around this time of year, revealing that she has “a little bit of everything.” The main event in the Berry household is “always turkey; I love turkey cooked to perfection and all the trimmings that go with it,” she reveals.

As you might expect, Berry has her own tried and tested festive recipes. “I shall make classic mince pies and I expect I’ll be doing a fairly light Christmas cake,” she says. “I make a lovely cranberry sauce where I use raw cranberries and just blitz them with oranges – it’s a good one! I enjoy having a very classic Christmas.”

The BBC Good Food Show Winter takes place at NEC Birmingham on 27-30 Nov www.bbcgoodfoodshowwinter.com

2 Gently turn the cake out onto a large sheet of baking parchment that has been lightly dusted with icing sugar. Carefully loosen the parchment that surrounds the cake and peel it off, making sure you don’t take the cake with it.

3 Roll the cut edge over tightly to start with, using the baking parchment to help keep it all tight by gently pulling it up and over the roll. Don’t worry if the cake cracks – that is quite normal and will be part of the roulade’s charm.

4 Using a palette knife, spread the cream evenly over the roulade, so you will get a uniform spiral of cream in each slice. Rather than spread the cream right up to the edges, leave a gap of about 2cm (3⁄4in) all round, or the cream will start to ooze out as you start rolling.

5 Use a sharp knife to make a score mark 2cm (3⁄4in) in from a short edge, and cut about halfway through the cake on the score line. This will be a useful starting point when you start rolling and will give you a tighter, neater roulade.

6 Roll the cut edge over tightly to start with, using the baking parchment to help keep it all tight by gently pulling it up and over the roll. Don’t worry if the cake cracks – that is quite normal and will be part of the roulade’s charm.

7 Keep rolling, again using the parchment to help by pulling it up and over as you roll. After rolling, ensure the join is underneath, as this will keep the roll secure, then transfer the roulade to a serving platter using a large, wide spatula or two fish slices.

An incredibly versatile offering ...

John Lewis of Hungerford prides itself as the original painted kitchen cabinetry company with an enviable heritage of over 40 years in designing, crafting and installing furniture. The luxury fitted kitchens, beautiful bedrooms and designer furniture, have all been handmade in Britain since 1972.

With an incredibly versatile offering, the new and inspiring Cobham showroom enables customers to view the high quality products that are tailored to the customer’s individual requirements and tastes. There are five kitchen styles yet no two kitchens have ever been designed the same. The showroom displays the latest trends in painted wood and gloss kitchens, including the Urban Cool and Pure ranges, which are new for this year, to the elegant styles of the shaker period. For those with a true appreciation for authentic British design and heritage, John Lewis of Hungerford combines the highest levels of craftsmanship with meticulous detail in each and every piece, so everything comes with a 10-year guarantee.

The 1,500 sq. ft. showroom displays some of their most popular kitchen designs as well as other beautifully crafted kitchen essentials from pantries to furniture and accessories. The showroom houses a friendly and highly experienced team who are on hand to help you to envisage your chosen design and to ensure you achieve your dream kitchen that’s beautifully tailored to your lifestyle, from style

and colour to clever integrated storage solutions. From concept to completion, the designers manage every level of the project, a fully personalised service with a fully warranted fitting facility.

Although best known for their kitchens, John Lewis of Hungerford has continuously grown by introducing new ranges and furniture pieces that show off their design capabilities but remain true to their handcrafted heritage. All cabinetry and furniture pieces, are hand finished by skilled craftsmen in the factory in the heart of Oxfordshire, which means individual preferences at the design stage are simple to incorporate.

As specialists in painted kitchen cabinetry, the vast spectrum of 80 colours are available from their very own award winning paint range and selected ranges can even be colour matched. With such a rich history steeped in paint, the ranges are perfected to ensure they are durable to cope with busy family life and so that customer’s have the reassurance of the best in quality that is expected of John Lewis of Hungerford.

Attention to detail pervades their ethos seen across all of their luxury cabinetry and it is where the team of experts and artisans at John Lewis of Hungerford truly shine. The highly skilled craftsmen remain dedicated to ensure that each individually crafted and painted cabinet that goes through the workshop is handled with absolute care and attention so that it reaches its new home as flawlessly as it was created.

With their personable approach, at the end of each project, the designers will keep in touch with the customer and offer a 1-year TLC package, where they will revisit every project to make sure their designs have exceeded above and beyond expectations.

John Lewis of Hungerford plc www.john-lewis.co.uk Cobham: 01932 505400 Surrey Occasions

47

Interiors

Story of a box

Definitive design

Roger, Ken and April Sargant celebrating the rebirth of RDO

Once upon a time a man with a vision designed and built an industrial box-shaped looking building, clad in shiplap, on a piece of land in the middle of Reigate to house his architecture practice. The man was Ken Sargant, the year 1952 and the business, the Reigate Drawing Office…

RDO. From drawings, to plan copies and onward through drawing materials and computers, RDO grew to be one of the most innovative office equipment suppliers in the region. All the while Ken Sargant was becoming a highly respected architect.

One day a washing machine appeared for sale alongside the office supplies and in the following 10 years white goods and kitchen equipment became the main source of business to the extent that one day, Reigate Drawing Office “office supplies” moved around the corner and RDO Kitchens was born. Roger Sargant, Ken’s son, having learnt his trade selling pencils, typewriters and computers lead the new business into the 21st century offering high quality domestic appliances at competitive prices. Forming partnerships with British suppliers Roger was soon offering a complete kitchen design, supply and fit service. And soon April, the third generation of RDO Sargants joined the team bringing with her innovation and inspiration and now her designs grace the first floor of the beautifully refurbished and redesigned building that is RDO in Bancroft Road, Reigate. From a small ship lap box to an extensive and elegant modern retail space in the span of three generations. rdo.co.uk.

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Surrey Occasions

Modern materials and classics with a new twist are being exploited by kitchen designers to achieve kitchens not just for today or next year but for a lifetime. Spending time with April Sargant in the RDO showroom opened my eyes to a myriad of possibilities, writes Wendy Cockrill who, since childhood, has been mentally designing her perfect kitchen.

The first thing that hits you when standing amongst April’s designs is her use of colour… colours not normally associated with the kitchen.

Feature panels, doors and even upholstery in rich orange lift the many coffee and cream tones to a lighter and brighter level. Even more surprising is the purple. Deep damson purples on full length larder doors and panels. It is not that April avoids traditional colours, her kitchens are full of them. More she tempts her clients to embrace shades not usually found in the utility areas. The result is a space you want to live in, which is good as we all know those periods when one is in the kitchen producing food for family, friends and guests at all times of the day and night.

Gone are the days that our kitchens are limited to formica, steel, wood and granite. Leather, matt and coloured glass, mirrors and porcelain have come to the fore. Shaping and styling workaday kitchen spaces in to veritable food palaces to be admired and enjoyed. Work surfaces are transformed into stylish dining areas with clever use of shapes … a robust marble work surface appears to miraculously morph into a round starburst, veneer table.

And, perhaps the most exciting thing for me, is the possibility to shape a kitchen for any space whether it be by cladding the walls with cupboards, stoves etc with curved or angular faces or, and I can’t wait to try it….taking an empty room and creating a practical and beautiful free standing kitchen in a single unit in the middle of the room, making use of hi tech kitchen equipment and well designed storage space with split levels, which one moves along and around when cooking, eating or partying.

This it seems that our kitchens of the future are destined to be decorative comfortable spaces…practical works of art.

Adaptations, established in 1999 by Ian Cross, opened their Cobham showroom in the summer of 2012 to showcase their contemporary German handleless kitchens alongside their own bespoke range of furniture made from reclaimed Oak. Since then they have established their reputation as the leading contemporary designers in the area and have completed a large number of prestigious projects in and around Cobham and the surrounding areas.

Specializing in high quality German products Adaptations have recently secured the dealership for Eggersman Kitchens, a brand that has been at the leading edge of design and quality for decades.

Renowned within the world of architects and designers, Eggersman not only manufacture beautiful kitchens in a huge choice of finishes and textures but are one of the only companies in the world that can produce complete islands in a selection of solid

marble and granite stone surfaces. They can make all visible facets of the kitchen in the same material including fascia’s drawer fronts and panels.

Ian Cross says, we were looking for a high end German brand that would complement our existing ranges and allow us greater flexibility and design options.

Adaptations work with architects, designers and developers where the kitchen is part of a larger project such as new builds and refurbishments but also offer a complete installation service for people looking for a turnkey solution and will project manage all aspects of the installation including tiling and flooring, electrical works and plumbing as well as redecoration.

Adaptations are located on Cobham High St, directly opposite Church St. Please call 01932 584940 to arrange a free consultation with one of their designers.

53-57 High Street Cobham Surrey - KT11 3DP T: 01932 584940 www.adaptations.uk.com

“The one thing that is very apparent is that the general public get very little advice about buying the correct bed”

The barn showroom where specialist advice is key to a good night’s sleep The historic converted barn known as ‘The Bed Centre’ may be a familiar landmark for regulars passing down the A281 through the village of Bramley, but the extensive range (and, more importantly knowledgeable advice) that lies within may come a surprise to most.

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This family business has more than 75 years’ experience helping customers get that perfect nights sleep.

Owner Gary Ewmett takes pride in selling long lasting solid timber bedsteads, in oak, ash, mahogany and cherry wood.

He says that the thing that sets the Bed Centre apart from others is the personal service it provides.

“The one thing that is very apparent is that the general public get very little advice about buying the correct bed.

We spend time talking about the individual requirements our customers may have to make sure they purchase the right bed.”

Clearly that extra bit of effort has paid off. The majority of the business is from recommendations from previous customers.

The Bed Centre has built up a solid client base and offers a free delivery service

and is also able to dispose of your old bed for you, which go to recycling.

It specialises in individual pocketsprung, memory foam and coil sprung beds and mattresses and also has a selection of children’s beds and bedroom furniture. Sofa beds, mattresses and pillows are also available.

“While the majority of the younger customers prefer bedsteads” Gary says, “there are many customers who still prefer the classic divans beds.

But whichever bed you opt for, the golden rule is the same - take your time over trying the mattresses before making your choice”.

Bramley Bed Centre Old Barn, High Street, Bramley Guildford, Surrey GU5 0HS 01483 898209 www.bramleybedcentre.co.uk

Winter Sale up to 40% discount off on selected models

Dear reader, time to relax, indulge, think and escape When choosing a new bathroom, where do you start? Walton Bathrooms have been established for over 25 years and have recently launched their refurbished showrooms with a stunning display of new products including the latest trends, as well as timeless classics and practical bathroom solutions. If you are looking for inspiration, well start here.

Situated in The Hersham Centre, Hersham, Surrey, the immaculate showroom is a perfect place for customers to see the extent of sophistication and luxury that Walton Bathrooms offers. Over 60 new displays include the new Amadea Royal from Villeroy & Boch with its opulent and classically glamorous splendor whereas their Soho Collection brings together a combination of simple, stylish products which can be easily tailored to suit most bathrooms.

The choice is endless with further displays from Keuco, Hansgrohe and Zucchetti plus so much more.

Whilst some of Walton Bathrooms displays are styled with space and grandeur in mind, they also offer a number of compact solutions. Burgbad’s Guest ranges offer the styling of the main ranges but in compact versions to suit a small cloakroom or en suite.

There is also a dedicated tile studio showing both wall and floor tiles. The comprehensive range of tiles are used in conjunction with ceramic colours and brassware to co-ordinate different schemes along with samples of many different material finishes, from quartz, marble and granite to Corian and glass. Individual samples can be lifted to put next to your tiles or furniture choices to assure a perfect look for your complete new bathroom 52

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concept, making the process of selection a tactile experience.

Having chosen your bathroom, you need to be sure that installation will be trouble-free. Walton Bathrooms offer a complete service, via one of their approved bathroom installation teams. With over 15 years’ experience working in private houses, they know how important it is to give continuity of work and provide a full service to valued clients.

If you are looking for premier products, with service to match, this is the one place you must visit.

For more information on Walton Bathrooms visit us at: Walton Bathrooms Ltd, The Hersham Centre, The Green, Molesey Road, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HL. Showroom tel: 01932 224 784.

Contract sales tel: 0208 481 7970. e-mail: sales@waltonbathrooms.co.uk Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (easy parking next to Waitrose).

Alternatively you can buy on-line at www.waltonbathrooms.co.uk where many ranges are on special offer.

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Shop online at: www.waltonbathrooms.co.uk

Interiors

Enrich your home with a fireplace Whatever your choice, a traditional radiant or dual skinned air circulating stove, or one of the new generation of clean burn alternatives, installing or renovating a fireplace offers you the opportunity to add an atmosphere of elegance, character, and sumptuousness to your home that surpasses any other form of heating.

Before investing the effort, time and money in a stove or advanced combustion fireplace you need to decide what overall design effect you are trying to achieve.

Once you have decided which type fire or stove you want and what is practical for your home and lifestyle there are many beautifully designed fires and surrounds crafted from traditional materials such as stone, marble and wood with their distinctive colour variations, veining, fossils, knots and grains which makes each crafted fireplace unique and individual to you and your home.

Stone and marble, mantle, hearths and fire surrounds tend to give a room a natural feel and although often associated with

a classical Georgian look, there are many modern sleek stone fire designs available ranging from those possessing an elegance underlying the art nouveau movement to the more avant-garde contemporary designs. Limestone, with its matt finish particularly lends itself to complement the most modern of living spaces with the character to enrich the most traditional, modernist or minimalist of homes.

You may decide to opt for the alternative of cast iron. Wooden fire surrounds, too, are available in a variety of woods ranging from pine, mahogany, and oak.

Whilst pine fire surrounds are ideal for giving your property a country cottage feel the darker harder woods in particular oak are becoming increasingly popular whether crafted in a traditional or more contemporary style. Green oak mantel beams are an ideal way to finish off a hole in the wall or inglenook fire place whether fitted with a stove or fire. fireplace.co.uk

Install a wood-burner…reduce your heating bills & help the environment

TFS

A room warmed by a wood-burning stove is one of life’s pleasures and with oil and gas prices rocketing and their ever increasing impact on the environment, we are all looking for cheaper ‘carbon neutral’ ways of heating our home. Wood-burning stoves are possibly one of the most environmentally friendly and efficient forms of heating available for our homes.

wood stoves One of the largest

dealers in the South of England

Wood is known as a carbon neutral fuel, as a tree grows it gradually captures CO2 from the atmosphere and when it rots or is burned the same amount of CO2 is released. This carbon cycle is repeated as new trees grow and then die and there’s more than enough sustainable wood in the UK to satisfy our growing need for firewood. Each year more trees are being planted than are felled. As the demand for firewood grows, more and more trees are being planted and cutting firewood through thinning and coppicing helps to re-establish traditional woodland management as well as creating local, rural jobs and revenue.

There are many stove manufacturers to choose from and one of the best is Contura from Sweden. The Contura stoves are in a class of their own and they have a fabulous choice of fireplaces and stoves to choose from.

So if you’re in the market for a wood burner, take a look at the fabulous range from Contura.

01276 857695 24 High Street, Chobham GU24 8AA www.tfswoodstoves.co.uk

◆ Contemporary and Traditional Fireplaces ◆ Stoves ◆ Gas fires ◆ Full Professional Installation Galleon Fireplaces Showroom 275 Ewell Road, Surbiton KT6 7AB Telephone 020 8241 5700 Email: sales@galleonfires.co.uk www.galleonfires.co.uk

Interiors

A timeless trend Good interior design should be innovative, inspirational and uplifting.

It is the role of the designer to create interiors involving pieces that will stand the test of time, so that they remain admired and much cherished features of the home.

Super smart offering capacious storage

Few understand this more than the multiaward winning luxury specialists Hill House Interiors who have recently created their own range of furniture. Joint Managing Director of Hill House Interiors Helen Bygraves advises “For 2015 and beyond, interiors are becoming more detailed with greater emphasis on craftsmanship as clients travel extensively, resulting in increased expectations and the desire for them to look for their special star statement piece.”

Helen’s co-founder and joint MD, Jenny Weiss, adds: “In terms of materials the choice is ever increasing. By using new tones on traditional veneers, fused with special metals, designers are able to create a bespoke yet original finish” The concept behind their furniture collection was to create inspired standalone pieces, which may have been chosen by Coco Chanel in the 1920’s

for her own exquisite house on the Rue Cambon, but will look equally at home in a striking contemporary home anywhere in the world. In paying homage to Madame Chanel, Hill House have incorporated her iconic quilting as an optional finish for many of their key pieces.

Jenny continues: “We have long had a love affair with embellishing interiors using beautiful iridescent mirroring, which always create a luxurious art deco, almost vintage Hollywood glamour feel. This is a look we have pioneered and taken to new heights over many years, and still today remains a firm on trend and much requested feature.”

Both Jenny and Helen believe that beauty need never compromise practicality.

This is wonderfully illustrated by their Carlton Buffet which has generous storage space within the two cupboards and three deep drawers. “Attention to detail is paramount to any piece of furniture and to this end, we have lined the drawers with faux suede and it can be made with custom cutlery drawers if required”. hillhouseinteriors.com

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WOODEN HEART of Weybridge

... kitchens of distinction

Showrooms 78 & 82 Church Street, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8DL Telephone - 01932 856850 www.whw.co.uk

WAV E R L E Y A B B E Y H O U S E The perfect lakeside setting

Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8EP 01252 784711 enquiries@waverleyabbeyhouse.org.uk www.waverleyabbeyhouse.org.uk

With its historic character, peaceful surroundings and excellent facilities, Waverley is the perfect choice for celebratory gala dinners or special occasions. The extensive grounds are ideal for marquee receptions and large outdoor functions.

C O R P O R AT E H I R E â&#x20AC;˘ P R I V AT E C E L E B R AT I O N S â&#x20AC;˘ B E S P O K E E V E N T S