Close Up September 2018

CLOSE UP Happy 12th Birthday!

RYAN REYNOLDS AMERICA’S SUPER-SUAVE SUPERHERO

SHOP THE SEASON WHAT TO BUY & HOW TO WEAR IT

TOP OF THE CLASS THE EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

INSPIRATION DECORATING IDEAS FOR EVERY SPACE & STYLE PLUS

15 WAYS TO LIVE YOUR LIFE GUILT FREE

Katie Piper HAPPY & HEALTHIER THAN EVER BEFORE

SEPTEMBER 2018 closeupuk.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Years T

Happy 12th Birthday CLOSE UP

he approach of our September issue signals one thing in our office.

Celebration mode. As this edition symbolises our 12th year of Close Up Magazine… wowza! When we first started this magazine, I couldn’t have imagined that it would be me sitting at the same desk writing the Editor’s Letter for the magazine’s 12th year. But here we are and it has positively flown by. Is it really our 112th issue? (how ironic, 12 years, 112th issue!). Right now, there is a flash of all my favourite Close Up covers whizzing past in my mind and I can remember working on them like it was this morning. We have always had a clear vision of what we wanted Close Up to be. A magazine that was glossy, upbeat, funny and inspirational but with its head still planted in reality to that you could not only covet our glamour filled pages but know and understand what was happening in your local area. I am proud to say that I believe we happily achieved that balance in the magazine and continue to do so by showcasing the best of the best and making it easy to enjoy and plan your best month.

12 years and what a great 12 years it has been. I am so proud of my team.

The essentials of producing Close Up are the living, breathing humans who make up our wonderful team. Besides those little treasures I simply need my I-phone and a pack of paracetamol!

Seriously, it gives me a thrill to receive your emails saying how much Close Up has cheered you up or given you the most useful information right at the point you needed it. It always inspires me to do everything we can to keep Close Up being your No.1 choice and part of your monthly routine for a long time to come.

Thank you, thank you, thank you (are you feeling the love?) for being the greatest, most loyal readers in the world! Hopefully for the next 100 editions and beyond!

x a e r d n A

RECYCLE

PLEASE NOTE: Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Although we make every effort to quote correct prices of items featured, it is possible that these may have changed on going to press. Although we endeavour to ensure any organisations or firms mentioned are reputable, the editor cannot guarantee they will fulfil obligations in all circumstances.

Neither the editor nor the publisher can accept responsibility for any materials submitted, whether photographic or otherwise.

The editor reserves the right to edit any materials supplied as she sees fit.

Advertise Your Business With Style...

Enfield, Winchmore Hill, Grange Park, Southgate, Palmers Green, Oakwood, Cockfosters, Hadley Wood, Barnet, Whetstone, Totteridge, Finchley, Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Brentwood, Loughton, Chigwell, Buckhurst Hill, Chingford, Romford, Woodford, Epping, Barkingside, Ilford, Abridge, Highams Park and Wanstead.

If you would like your area covered contact us on 020 8886 8472.

Publisher & Editor Andrea Georgiou andrea@closeupuk.com

Accounts Director accounts@closeupuk.com What’s Hot Editorial Lauren Lunn Farrow

Head of Marketing and Sales Leah Shakallis leah@closeupuk.com

Dental Column Dr Richard Marques

Field Sales Advisor Kat Stylianou kat@closeupuk.com

Hair Column Jason Collier

Film Editor James Luxford

Food The Healthy Happy Mum Plan

Editorial Leah Shakallis

Photographer Debbi Clark Photography

If you would like to contribute, contact sayhello@closeupuk.com If you want to advertise your business with style, contact 020 8886 8472 sayhello@closeupuk.com

Head Office Suite 1, 72 Chase Side, First Floor Offices, Southgate, N14 5PH Tel 020 8886 8472 Email sayhello@closeupuk.com Web www.closeupuk.com

Design and Production Unit 9 East Lodge Village, East Lodge Lane, Botany Bay, Enfield EN2 8AS Tel 020 7636 7736 Email design@typetechnique.co.uk Web www.typetechnique.co.uk Printed by the Magazine Printing Company PLC www.magprint.co.uk @closeupmag

@closeup_uk

WISHlist

Close Up’s monthly guide to what you should be wishing for…

6

Easy Like

Rescue Me

Shine Your Light

Gym Class Hero

Slogan tees are still going strong, and we’re celebrating our favourite day of the week donning this cute choice. Perfect for Sundays spent brunching, go for a relaxed tailored look and pair with a blazer-and-trouser combo.

Winter weather starting to take its toll on your skin? Join the club. But the cavalry is here!

Sanctuary Spa Wonder Body Cream not only restores moisture but adds a luminous sheen, too.

Our skin hero!

Extraordinary objects for everyday use. Even something as simple as a tea light holder can be turned into a wood grain shadow maker. Consider us impressed!

As much as we would love to tell you you’ll drop a dress size in a week slathering this on, it actually works to sculpt and refine body contours as well as hydrating the skin.

£4 www.primark.com

£8 www.sanctuary.com

£50 www.tomdixon.net

£14.95 www.superdrug.com

Cushion Crush

Dinner for Two

Say Cheese

Time Saver

Give your living room a fresh and modern feel with this pom pom cushion. Suitable for any colour scheme, this stylish accessory will bring a little fun to your winter style.

Want a bit of mealtime inspiration? Pick up a Hello Fresh meal kit containing step-by-step instructions and pre-measured healthy ingredients that can be cooked in 30 minutes.

The polaroid is making a comeback this season so get snapping! This hot pink camera will snap those special memories, can fit in your handbag, and looks good too!

The dreaded part of washing long thick hair? Drying it! This makes blow-drying up to 70 per cent faster and also eliminates frizz!

What more can we ask for?

£19.99 www.homesense.com

£10 Selected Sainsbury’s

£69.99 www.very.co.uk

POA www.selfridges.com

Double Buckle

Wigging Out

Sassy Sandals

Wild Thing

Like your winter boots to make a statement? You’re in luck there’s no shortage of choice with embroidery and embellishment, laces and more. The main footwear staple you have to make room for in your closet, is buckled boots.

Call them fringes, call them laces, a bag like this can change any outfit in one stroke: match it with a total black look, a long skirt would be ideal, to maximize the contrast effect with the colourful fringes.

Fancy getting your weekly shoe fix?

We are going heart-eyed for these snake-print mules. The buckle detail gives them a modern twist, while the low-block heel makes them extremely comfortable. Team with tailored neutrals for a sleek look with a fierce edge.

Animal patterns are key when it comes to dressing off-duty. This autumn, the jungle is out in full force. Brighten up your weekend wear with this cute mini skirt.

£65 www.next.co.uk

£30 uk.accessorize.com

£38 www.littlewoods.com

£22.99 www.newlook.com

COVER INTERVIEW

An Interview with

Katie Piper Words by Andrea Georgiou

Katie Piper talks to Close Up Magazine about her brand-new project, which aims to help mums everywhere lead healthy, happy lives…

COVER INTERVIEW

9

10

COVER INTERVIEW

U

s mums stand to learn a lot from Katie Piper. Not only is she a busy philanthropist, TV presenter and author, but also a mum of two. And she famously rebuilt her life after surviving an acid attack at the tender age of 24. In the early stages of her recovery she founded The Katie Piper Foundation, the mission of which is to “have a world where scars do not limit a person’s function, social inclusion or sense of wellbeing”. She’s also since become an inspirational, motivational speaker and a best-selling international author.

Most recently, she’s teamed up with entrepreneur and mamaof-four TerriAnn Nunns, of the TerriAnn 123 Diet Plan, to launch The Healthy Happy Mum Plan, a brand-new, light-hearted “mum manual” that’s designed to help mums get back to looking and feeling their best through the pair’s useful hints, tips and anecdotes on all things post-pregnancy.

Katie and TeriAnn instantly hit it off after they met through mutual friends, and began sharing stories of the highs and lows of motherhood, and juggling their careers. That’s how The Healthy Happy Mum Plan came into being, and it’s full of tips, tricks and advice that helped the pair through their own weight-loss journeys. That includes a dietician-approved programme filled with familyfriendly recipes, as well as easyto-follow home workouts and advice on other topics, such as how to embrace the changes in your body, breastfeeding and coping with sleep deprivation, relaxation techniques.

taught me so much about making better choices, and not being ashamed when you fall off the wagon. She’s so honest with her members and that’s really inspiring and motivational.

What aspect of motherhood have you found the most challenging so far?

Juggling two at once! It took a bit of adjusting, particularly as Belle is slightly older so understands what is going on a lot more. But I think we’ve pretty much nailed it now! Belle adores her little sister and it’s wonderful to see them together, it reminds me very much of the close bond I have with my own sister.

How did you find your way at first in motherhood?

I think everyone has their highs and lows, particularly just after giving birth, but one piece of advice I would give to everyone is that you have your own journey and you should take it at your own pace. Don’t compare yourself to others otherwise you’ll feel defeated before you have even started, and everyone deserves to be a happy, healthy mum!

Why can’t we get everything down in once place and share it with others?”

So, whatever Katie knows, we’ll know now, too…

Why is it that you and TerriAnn got on so well from the beginning?

We’re both working mothers, balancing family life with running our own businesses, and have shared quite similar experiences in our own journeys. We both found that we learnt all sorts of tips and tricks from each other and thought, ‘why can’t we get everything down in once place and share it with others?’.

It’s been amazing to see other mothers who have previously struggled, whether that be with their diet or their fitness or their wellbeing, who now have a new sense of confidence thanks to our plan. It’s very fulfilling to see.

You’ve found TerriAnn’s tips and advice on leading a healthy, happy and balanced lifestyle extremely useful. But what is it that you’ve taught her?

I was able to teach her about mindfulness, specifically mindful eating and being really conscious of the physical act of eating a meal, so no TV or phones and chewing each mouthful numerous times. I also shared my Power Breathing technique, where you exhale for twice as long as you inhale which counteracts your body’s ‘fight or flight’ response and lowers your heart rate – great if you need just a few minutes of calm! TerriAnn also

How do you encourage your own children to live active, healthy lives?

Weekends are our family time mand we are always out and about, whether that’s dance classes, soft play, swimming or walking and cycling round the park. It’s important that they see Richie and I setting the example and being active also, so we all get stuck in!

What advice do you have for a mum who is suffering from low self-esteem or struggling with depression, and who finds it hard to have the motivation to follow the Healthy Happy Mum Plan?

It’s one of the reasons we set up The Mum Hub – it is an online community that allows our members the chance to share their own stories and anything they might have found that works for them, as well as seeking advice and support from others.

It’s really lovely to see all mums helping each other out.

What’s your secret to balancing your work and family life?

I am very strict with my diary, and make sure that I keep weekends completely free where I can to make sure we have time to spend as a family.

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I’m obviously thrilled to be getting my dancing shoes on for Strictly Come Dancing! It’s another great way to keep fit, and you learn something new too! I am also launching a 10-part podcast very soon, and my new book comes out later this year. There’s lots happening, but it’s all very exciting!

The Healthy Happy Mum Plan by Katie Piper and TerriAnn Nunns is available for £39.99 at www.thehealthyhappymumplan.co.uk

11

FASHION

Dorothy Perkins £49 Dune £125

Debenhams £59

Zara £89.99

Miss Selfridge £45

BUCKLE UP Boots really are the ultimate Autumn shoedrobe investment. Whether it’s with jeans or a LBD, they are just as perfect for the day as they are night, so it’s absolutely vital to make sure you choose the right pair.

Julien Macdonald £75

New Look £39.99

ASOS £40

M&S £85

Deichmann £34.99

12

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BEAUTY NOTES

JASON COLLIER: Your Hair Hero

Stylist to the stars Jason Collier shares his expert advice with Close Up readers MY HAIRCARE TIP FOR SEPTEMBER September is back-to-school month, so I’m taking you back to basics with a little lesson in properly caring for your hair this month.

Hello all you lovely readers! I don’t know about you, but I’m delighted that September is finally here; it’s one of my favourite times of the year, and this September, things are incredibly busy for me, with lots of exciting projects going on.

September is, of course, Fashion Month, and like many, I’ll be jetting off around the world to work on shoots and shows for the brandnew spring/summer collections. I love seeing the vision of designers come together before the models take to the runways, and I love being a part of the creative team to get the perfect finished look. It’s also super exciting for me to see what new trends are emerging and to be able to guide my clients and make sure their look is ahead of the curve.

But enough future-gazing, autumn is finally on the horizon and the trends this month are all about taking things back to basics and relaxing your look just a little. Read on for my top tips on getting the key hair trends right for the autumn/winter months… @jasoncollierjc

Invest in your conditioner, even more so than your shampoo.

Conditioner is the crucial element of washing your hair and restores dry, lacklustre hair into strong and shiny tresses – but it’s not enough to simply apply, rinse and go. Learn some good conditioner habits this month to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.

Firstly, take the time to deep condition once a week. Deep conditioning isn’t simply applying a mask and washing it after you’ve finished showering; first you need to select a conditioner that will add moisture and strength back into the hair, like TIGI S-Factor Serious Conditioner, and then you need to apply heat to it. You can either do this by taking a shower whilst the conditioner is in your hair, or for more intensive results, covering the conditioned hair with a shower cap and applying heat with your hairdryer.

Use a leave-in conditioning spray daily to rehydrate hair, especially if your hair is dry, thick, textured or porous.

And to really get the benefits of the conditioner into your hair, try toweldrying the hair after shampooing, before you apply your conditioner.

Excess water will block the conditioner from properly penetrating the hair shaft, so eliminating this will allow your hair to get the full nourishment your conditioner can provide.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Autumn might be a beautiful season, but the weather often isn’t. So this month, prep your hair for all environmental possibilities with Color Wow’s amazing Dream Coat. Especially created with dry, porous and chemically-treated hair in mind, Dream Coat is a waterproofing treatment that battles humidity and the elements to ensure that hair stays silky smooth and free of frizz.

LOOK OF THE MONTH My look of the month is one of my favourite runway looks from the AW18 shows, held earlier this year – it’s the relaxed, glossy blow-dry seen on the catwalks at Balmain. It’s a perfect style for feeling super glamorous, but inspired by the style icon of the year, Meghan Markle, this season’s blow-dry is more blown-out and relaxed, making it ideal for dressing down a dazzling party look or dressing up a low-key outfit.

To get the look, first prep towel-dried hair with Shea Moisture’s Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Texture Spray, to encourage texture.

Next, roll up the hair into two loose side buns, and use a diffuser to dry the hair. Unravel the buns once the hair is dry, spritz in a lightweight dry shampoo, such as the Colab one, to add more texture and volume, and remove some of that freshly-washed shine, to create a slightly more ‘worn’ look. To add shape, use a wide-barrelled tong and wrap the hair loosely around it, stretching the hair as you release it to create bounce without too much structure. Run your hands through the waves and you’re done, a perfect cool-girl party look.

It’s so clever; the science is inspired by textile technology and works when it’s activated by heat, to compress, tighten and seal up the hair strands, so hair is super sleek, smooth and soft.

The lightweight formula won’t weigh hair down or make it greasy, and best of all, it lasts for twothree shampoos, making maintenance incredibly easy and ensuring that your blow-dry stays in place for days.

To lock in your blow-dry, shampoo, condition and towel-dry the hair as normal. Then section the damp hair and spray each section thoroughly with Dream Coat, ensuring every strand is covered. Comb through to distribute the product evenly, and blow dry section by section, using plenty of tension to activate the protective elements of Dream Coat. Then enjoy your soft and swishy new locks!

15

FASHION Zara

How to wear Knowing how to wear animal print comes down to this one simple, unwritten rule: Treat it like any black item in your wardrobe. Yes, this might seem counterintuitive, but adding a little leopard to any outfit upgrades and harmonises a look. True, leopard print has often walked the line between flashy and luxurious, but it’s been proven time and again that fashion girls can’t resist it. And despite its ubiquity, leopard print’s popularity began with one designer and his muse—more specifically, Christian Dior and Mitzah Bricard. Bricard was fascinated by leopard print, and as a result, during the ‘50s, Dior created a range of his accessories featuring the design, elevating leopard to be the must-have print of the moment.

FASHION

House of Fraser £140 River Island £14

Dune £45

Pretty Little Thing £25 Guess POA

Very £38

New Look £3.99 Accessorize £27

Zara £25.99

New Look £22.99

17

BEAUTY NOTES

SAY HELLO

to Aloe

While summer might be many people’s favourite season, it’s a brutal time of year for your skin. The hero ingredient aloe vera is one of nature’s best moisturisers – it repairs damaged skin, fights external inflammation and protects against UV and radiation.

Heard enough? Then get these on your shopping list pronto.

TAN-LUXE TAN BOOSTER ILLUMINATING SUN ACTIVATING & INTENSIFYING DROPS, £42 Maintaining a summer glow will be so much easier once you start adding a few drops of this to your daily moisturiser, with the aloe addition making it all the more hydrating.

THE BODY SHOP ALOE CALMING TONER, £7.50 Reasonably priced, great for sensitive skin and free from any nasties. Sold!

ERBORIAN KONJAC SPONGE XXL, £12

FUSHI ORGANIC ALOE VERA JUICE, £11

Made form the Asian konjac plant with a good dose of aloe vera to hydrate the skin as you exfoliate.

Both Cheryl Tweedy and Victoria Beckham love this stuff. A word of warning, though – although the benefits are endless, the taste isn’t for the faint hearted.

DR ORGANIC ALOE VERA GEL, £5.59 Great for when the delicate skin around the eyes has seen a bit too much sun, making it a post-holiday staple.

ANTIPODES APOSTLE SKINBRIGHTENING & TONECORRECTING SERUM, £44.99 Use this supermodel fav product on your face, neck and décolletage, they all share the Antipodes obsession.

BURT’S BEES BODY LOTION WITH ALOE & BUTTERMILK, £10.99 Aloe and buttermilk are the Posh and Becks of beauty ingredients. Your postholiday body will be totally replenished after you treat it to a bit of Burt’s Bees.

18

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HEALTH

15 WAYS LIFE’S BETTER WHEN YOU’RE FIT Going to Paris?

No need to figure out the Metro: you’re much happier to explore on foot. (And that crème brûlée now comes with minimal guilt.)

You get

compliments regularly from friends and strangers alike.

Gardening, weeding, walking the dog;

You now think of this stuff as fun – and a chance to suck up some fresh air.

You can

You can have more

fun with your kids: rough-housing, playing Wii, bicycling – you name it.

Want to go for long walks?

Go for it; you’ll be able to make that hill!

You’ll

save money

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immunity is more robust.

Carrying Big Bags

change a lightbulb

while balancing on a ladder? Piece of cake.

More MUSCLE means you

BURN CALORIES

You know that

lumpy back fat around your bra?

faster – so having DESSERT is definitely not off limits.

Gone!

Your shopping endurance is vastly improved: Since you don’t feel the need to sit down and rest, you can hit more stores in less time.

More flexible?

You can DIY-pedicure!

you’re sharp and positive every day.

What’s next – a promotion?

20

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Since you’re sleeping better, Reaching up to

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HEALTH

Be proud of

Introducing

Dr Richard Marques

YOUR SMILE For more information on Dr Marques and his London based dental practice please see: www.wimpolestreetdental.com 0207 637 1672 Follow @ask_the_dentist @ask_the_dentist

ICE E celebrity’s CHO

TH

It’s been another great month at the clinic. It was lovely to catch up with the amazing Tom Daley who took some time out of his daddy duties to pop in for a check-up!

MY

who is one of the UK’s leading celebrity dentists and is known as ‘The King of Smiles’.

THIS MONTH’S

product recommendation A water flosser is a great alternative to traditional dental floss and a brilliant way to help maintain healthy teeth and gums. The Waterpik Cordless Flosser is available from Boots.com and uses a water jet to remove debris and help reduce plaque. Add a splash of my Super Strong Natural Teeth Whitening Mouthwash (£24.00 www.drrichard.co.uk) for a truly supreme clean.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR LOOKING AFTER OLDER TEETH

1

The best care is prevention. So, the most important advice I can give is to maintain a good oral health routine throughout your life.

2

As we age, our gums shrink and start to recede so it’s crucial to look after them and avoid the risk of gum disease. Flossing regularly to remove debris trapped between the teeth is vital for this.

3

If regular flossing becomes difficult or painful, try using a water flosser. They are much easier to handle and use water to gently push particles away from the teeth.

4

All teeth contain dentin, which yellows over time and can show through the enamel coating as it wears away. To help keep the enamel strong, limit your sugar intake and avoid brushing too harshly.

5

As we get older, so do our teeth and they will naturally become discoloured. Avoid consuming highly pigmented food and drinks such as blueberries and red wine to reduce a build-up of stains.

6

Keep clear of quick-fixes when it comes to whitening older teeth. Always consult with a reputable dentist who will recommend the best course of action for your teeth based on their condition.

7

Don’t panic if you start to lose teeth. Advancements in dentistry such as implants can help rebuild your smile.

Implants are permanent and fitted to match your natural teeth.

8

The look and feel of false teeth have also improved massively.

Full and partial dentures are custom made and can replicate your original teeth, just be sure to care for them as though they were your real teeth!

9

Dry mouth can become more common as we age as a result of certain medications and a decline in saliva production.

Drink plenty of water and use an alcohol-free mouthwash to help prevent this.

10

Reduce your risk of gum disease and more serious conditions including oral cancer, by maintaining a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption and not smoking.

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HEALTH

THE DEAL WITH

We’re a nation obsessed with calories, we use apps to track how many we’re using, buy watches to check how many we’re burning, and scour packets and restaurant menus to see how many we’re eating. And yet our clothes are getting bigger and our collective health is getting worse. Turns out calories are much more complicated than we thought. Here are some things we thought you should know…

Fitness Tracker Lies

Don’t Trust Labels The label on that pork pie might be telling you, well, porkie pies. The Atwater system, which manufacturers use to work out the calories in their food, was devised around 100 years ago (that’s right, back when you could still buy cough syrup containing heroin).

Fight Back Try to stick to foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. For example, a whole, unprocessed potato represents around 200 calories; turn it into mash and the calorie count goes up by around 50%, because the processing removes much of the work your body would be doing digesting it (and that’s before you add butter and milk). So be aware of the journey your food has been on!

24

Just invested in a bit of fitness armcandy, have you? We’ve got bad news: a 2014 study of fitness trackers showed their calculations were off by between 9% and (brace yourself) 23%. Simply swapping the same device from your ankle to your wrist can change what it measures.

Fight Back These errors could have an adverse effect on people trying to lose weight.

That said, the study found that the Fitbit Flex, Jawbone Up24 and Nike FuelBand all had acceptable levels of accuracy. Also such devices can still be used as a motivational tool to promote physical activity.

Get Your Share of ZZZs You’d think less sleep + more moving = greater calorie burn. But actually the opposite is true – because (in a nutshell) you can’t eat when you’re asleep. A study at the University of Colorado found that people scraping by on five hours’ sleep a night experienced a 6% increase in calorie intake. Study subjects packed on a whopping 2lbs in five days, thanks to a sluggish metabolism and extra snacking.

Fight Back You can burn energy just by standing.

Researchers found that workers who usually sit all day could burn 750 more calories a week simply by standing for three extra hours a day.

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HEALTH

ONE STOP DOCTORS A private Clinic in Hertfordshire is championing innovation in prostate and breast health.

ONE STOP DOCTORS HAS EVERY ANGLE COVERED WITH 3D BREAST CHECK DON’T GET CAUGHT SHORT! NEW MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT FOR MEN WITH ENLARGED PROSTATE Having to get up several times in the night and plan your toilet stops on an hourly basis can dramatically impact daily life. According to research published in the journal Reviews in Urology, an enlarged prostate is really common in men over 50, while it’s prevalence is still significant in young men – 10% for men in their thirties, and 20% for men in their forties. The cause of prostate enlargement is unproven, but is believed to be linked to hormonal changes as a man ages.

One Stop Doctors is first to introduce a new procedure – The Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL), using the UroLift® System, to treat men with enlarged prostates, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), that suffer with symptoms including difficulty urinating as well as increased frequency and urgency.

UroLift is a minimally invasive, day case procedure to treat and address the symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms that arise from BPH. Mr Aza Mohammed, Consultant Urologist at One Stop Doctors, explains, “In the past, when confronted with the choice of surgery or medication to treat BPH, many men have opted to live with the condition, preferring to put up with symptoms than risk a more invasive procedure that might have side effects. The UroLift System offers an alternative solution that has proven success and a quick recovery time, with any common side effects usually resolved within a few weeks of the procedure. Additionally, the preservation of sexual function amongst patients is one of the most unique benefits of the system when compared to other options.”

To contact One Stop Doctors visit www.onestopdoctors.co.uk or call 01442 331 900.

Most women will likely undergo a mammogram at some point in their lives and several many times. In the UK, every woman after the age of 50 should expect to undergo a mammogram either by invitation by the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) or in a private screening programme.

Costs for a 3D mammography starts at £255.

Why undergo a screening mammogram? The aim is to detect breast cancer when the cancer is at the earliest stage possible (before it becomes a lump that can be felt). The evidence has clearly shown that the treatment required for early stage breast cancers is much less invasive. Also, treating breast cancer at an early stage can improve the chances for a complete cure and lower the risk of breast cancer recurring.

Mr Kelvin Chong, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Breast Specialist at One Stop Doctors advises, “A recent technological advancement in mammography to improve pick-up rate of breast cancers is the advent of 3D mammography. Instead of taking just two images of the breast as in conventional mammograms, 3D mammography takes multiple images around the breast and produces a computer-generated three-dimensional image. This aids the radiologist to better identify small breast cancers that may be obscured by other structures in the breast.

To contact One Stop Doctors visit www.onestopdoctors.co.uk or call 01442 331 900.

@onestopdoctors

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Your care starts here 01442 331 900 onestopdoctors.co.uk Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7YU

FILM INTERVIEW

DEAD

Funny

Ryan Reynolds talks about fighting to get Deadpool on screen, and why he’ll never skydive again!

R

yan Reynolds returned to the most successful role of his career this year in Deadpool 2, a sequel to the surprise 2016 hit that put a foul-mouthed, adult twist on the superhero formula. This sequel sees his character, Deadpool, team up with other mutants in order to save a young child from a vengeful, time travelling soldier (Josh Brolin). The film made over $700million, around the same as its predecessor, and cemented Reynolds as a box office draw.

Of course, it wasn’t always like this. For the longest time, Reynolds was one of Hollywood’s ‘nearly men’. A charismatic actor in whom everyone saw potential, but who also had a knack of picking flop movies, particularly in the comic book universe. He was the lead in the 2010 box office bomb Green Lantern (a film that the Deadpool movies take several shots at), forgettable supernatural film R.I.P.D, and an unpopular take on the Deadpool character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Everyone could see the potential for Reynolds in a ‘proper’ Deadpool movie, except the people who could make it happen.

“It’s kind of crazy. To be attached to something for that long, then to see it made sort of on a fast track was odd.

I mean, I was pushing that thing for eleven years, to no avail” he recalls at a press conference for the film.

“Then we shot test footage, that sat on the shelf for a couple more years, the studio didn’t have any interest in making the movie. Then that test footage ‘unfortunately’ leaked on the internet, which was really tragic, we’re looking into that still” he jokes, alluding to the rumours that it was him who leaked the footage that led to public demand to get the film made.

At a time when even the darkest superheroes are noble heroes who wish only to help society, what appeals to Reynolds about the role is his unique outlook on the world. “It’s in the virtue of the character” he explains. “He’s not a character like Superman or Captain America or something like that. He’s a douche bag!

That gives us somewhere to go in these films, something to play with, because I think it’s more interesting to see someone that’s an imperfect person wanting to be a little bit better than they were yesterday as opposed to just starting as a perfect person.”

It’s kind of crazy. To be attached to something for that long, then to see it made sort of on a fast track was odd.

I mean, I was pushing that thing for eleven years, to no avail.”

While the success of the first Deadpool vindicated Reynolds’ passion, he puts the credit at another source. “It was The Internet, it was the fans of Deadpool that got that movie made” he says. “Our expectations went from literally nothing to through the roof”.

It was an enormous effort just to get the first film made, so the idea of a sequel was even more fanciful, although Reynolds always had a plan. “We were trying to crack a Deadpool 2 story just for fun, and then the first movie just blew up, and we got

28

to tell this story. We wanted to tell a family story” he jokes. “We wanted Deadpool 2 to be a family film, with a few F***s and S***s thrown in for good measure. These kids need to grow up fast!”

Despite being the man that brought Deadpool to the big screen, the Canadian star doesn’t have control over every aspect of the story, and there was one scene in particular that he really wishes hadn’t ended up on the cutting room floor. “We cut some stuff out of the X-Mansion, there’s a pretty big scene in the X-Men kitchen, where Wade (Deadpool) has decided that he’s going to replace all the labels on the food, but we just needed to move along with the story” he says. “It was a really fun scene but it’ll be on the Home Entertainment release. I miss that scene, I fought hard to get that scene back in, but it didn’t happen.”

Finally, one of the film’s signature action sequences is a skydive featuring Deadpool and his team of mutants.

While he was happy to take part in the digitally created movie version, Reynolds was put off thrill seeking in real life. “I have been skydiving before. I did thirteen jumps when I was eighteen, and on my thirteenth jump my parachute failed!” he recalls with a wince. “So I pulled the reserve parachute, got myself on the ground, burned the pants that I had soiled and never did it again! I remember the instructor said ‘you gotta get up there!

You gotta get up there right now otherwise you’ll never go again’ and I said ‘exactly, f***face! Never again, ever!’”

Deadpool 2 is out on DVD and On Demand from September 17th.

I have been skydiving before. I did thirteen jumps when I was eighteen, and on my thirteenth jump my parachute failed! So I pulled the reserve parachute, got myself on the ground, burned the pants that I had soiled and never did it again!�

29

www.next.co.uk/back-to-school

The

EDUCATION Supplement Containing all the latest information from the finest schools in your area

www.next.co.uk/back-to-school

September is a very busy time in every parent’s life, signalling the beginning of the academic year. With summer holidays a happy but distant memory the back to school routine begins and many of you will see your child entering a new stage in their academic career, transitioning from nursery to junior and junior to secondary.

Our fabulous educational section will help smooth the way for you. It is packed with the latest information about schools as well as fantastic features to help you prepare for the coming months.

Let The lessonS Begi

n.

y St art th e ter m th e ri gh t wa om he ad to to e. wi th a gr ad e A un if or m, fr ev ery th in g yo u’ ll ne ed Ne xt’ s sch oo lw ea r sh op ha s oo l un if or m’ wh eth er it ’s th e fu ll ‘bi g sch or sim ply a ne w ju mp er.

Dr es sS es

Choose from the coolest school dresses or stock up on everyday essentials like trousers, shirts and socks.

Next have got an amazing range of backpacks and stationery to organise a busy day.

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Sh oE s

Ja cK et s Next's jacke ts are desig ned with pract icali ty in mind .

From reflec tive techn ology as the night s draw in, frost -figh ting padde d coats for those icy morn ings and water proof jacke ts to beat those rainy -days -at-t he-sc hool- bus stop blues –

there’s one for every instance.

Ju mp eRs & Tro uS ers

Covered in stains again?

Help them take a step in the right direc tion with shoes Avail able in; wide, narro w and half sizes.

Next’s colle ction featu res schoo l shoes made from leath er and const ructe d durab le soles so they can run, skip and jump throu gh the busy schoo l day.

No need to worry. Next’s schoolwear essentials contain stain-battling Teflon to help fight against those inevitable ‘oops moments’, from lunchtime mishaps to paintbox disasters.

That means they’ll look smarter for longer, and you can enjoy stress-free laundry days.

NEXT.CO.UK/BACK-TO-SCHOOL ry* Order by midnight for next day delive

THE HABERDASHERS’ ASKE’S BOYS’ SCHOOL NURTURING EXCELLENCE The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Gus Lock as Headmaster commencing the beginning of the 2018 autumn term. Gus is an Old Haberdasher (OH 1994), he studied Ancient and Modern History at Exeter College, Oxford and more recently served as the Head of Warwick School for five years. Gus will succeed Peter Hamilton who is retiring as Headmaster of Habs after 16 years of outstanding service.

and will read Natural Sciences at Cambridge; Ricky Thake, Captain of Football, was awarded A*A*A* and will read Theology at Nottingham; Naresh Rasakulasuriar, Captain of Cricket, achieved A*A*A*A* and will study Engineering at Cambridge; Dillon Kurani, Captain of Hockey, was awarded A*A*A*A and will study Economics at “Thanks must go to my teachers at Habs for going above and beyond.” ~Max Goldstone, School Captain, who will read Medicine at Bristol after achieving straight A*s.

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School’s philosophy to nurture excellence in all areas of School life is This year’s GCSE results were also exceptional, even clearly evident in 2018. The academic success of better than last year. The new examination system this year’s group of boys sits alongside successes in has produced a much more rigorous examination, Sport, Drama, Music, Art but the boys have These outstanding GCSE results accepted this challenge and Community Service. demonstrate, at the very highest level, which has only allowed The 2018 A-level results were outstanding across the breadth and depth of skills which will them to shine further.

“

the board. 42% of all enable these young men to thrive in an Over 93% of the all results grades were awarded A*, increasingly complex future were between A*- A 80% between A*- A and (Grades 9-7). These Gus Lock, Headmaster 38 pupils (25%) gained 3 impressive results include or more A* grades. Once 97% gaining an A* in Mathematics; 84% achieving again 20% of pupils have been offered Oxbridge A* in all three Sciences; 96% in Theology and all places, something that we are extremely proud to three boys taking Russian earned an A*. An amazing achieve year in year out.

22% achieved straight A*s

”

Our programme blends academic and co-curricular activities in an environment that truly allows the boys to thrive. The quality, inclusivity, and variety of our programme is second to none, and here at Habs we believe there is a direct correlation between academic success and achievement in other areas.

Nowhere is this more evident than in our four captains of sport, who all excelled academically in addition to their significant contributions to their chosen sport at Habs. Michael Miller, Captain of Rugby and School Vice-Captain, achieved A*A*A

There is much to celebrate and these results are very promising for the future of the School. Our new Headmaster, Gus Lock, warmly congratulates our boys, staff and parents on their dedication and hard work.

Open Day Saturday 6 October 2018 1–4pm Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AF Tel: 020 8266 1700 admissions@habsboys.org.uk

www.habsboys.org.uk

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Nurturing Excellence

Open Day

Saturday 6th October 2018 1pm - 4pm Senior and Preparatory School

Booked tours available throughout the academic year.

020 8266 1700 admissions@habsboys.org. uk registered charity no: 313996

An outstanding independent day school for boys 5 – 18 Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AF www.habsboys.org.uk

EDUCATION

SMALL talk

Stylish knits, slumber bags for sleeping babes and our pick of apps for kids.

CUTE casual

BAGS OF style JEM & BEA is a British luxury baby changing bag brand, launched by childhood friends with design backgrounds.

The collection is stylish, yet practical with internal compartments and even a thermo-insulated bottle pocket, but we love the luxe finishes and embossed leather keyrings.

Jemandbea.com prices start at £79

Daytime styling just got easier with Bambino Couture. Fashion functionality is key as a parent; luckily with Bambino Couture, your style credentials won’t take a hit.

Bambino Couture £22.99

SLEEPY head Increasingly popular in colder months (when blankets won’t cut it), these slumber bags are ethically-sourced using the softest premium cotton, come in four bright colours (as well as a more minimal grey) and a name tag for baby.

Mybabysnameis.com £39.95

TOP 5 educating apps We’ve all been there, putting your hand in your pocket to grab your phone only to realise it’s in the mitts of your child. Apps allow us to keep them quiet in waiting rooms; they allow us to hang up the laundry; they allow us to have a conversation uninterrupted; they allow us to get that email finished.

Apps are the modern parent’s survival go-to. However, if you want to be maximising on the value, and minimising the guilt, then it can be worth having the best educational apps for kids on your phone and their devices. In our opinion these top 5 aren’t just about education, but in many ways the best apps for children, full-stop. So pick which is right for the age of your child, and get it loaded up.

Jungle Time (£1.99)

By Andrew Short Life gets easier with kids when they can tell the time. Teaching it, however, would be a great deal easier if you actually had some time. Jungle Time comes to the rescue of the busy parent by making learning to tell the time fun and engaging.

Both 12- and 24-hour clocks are covered, as are analogue and digital.

Endless Wordplay (Free + IAP)

By Originator Inc. This app is brilliant as a literacy support, but actually there are some nifty mathematical concepts thrown in too.

It’s all about rhyming word puzzles with animations that will keep the giggles flowing.

Hopscotch (Free)

By Hopscotch Technologies Programming is a must have skill for our kid’s generation. Hopscotch is a brilliant app, inspired by the much-loved Scratch programme, for giving kids a basic understanding of programming.

The Human Body (£1.99)

By Tinybop If you’ve got a budding anatomist, or simply a child with a ‘why’ imagination, then this is the app for them. Explore the human body, figure out what organs do, and how the whole system works.

Squeebles Times Tables (£1.49) By KeyStageFun If you’re sick of repeating them over and over, then get these lovable characters on hand to help motivate your child to learn their tables.

There’s nothing boring and rote here.

INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AGED 3-16 YEARS

OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 13�� OCTOBER 2018 Lower & Senior School - 10am-12noon Nursery - 11am-1pm \\pghs-sr-admin\shared_docume...\Day2PG2.jpg

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Excellent/outstanding ISI inspection Academically selective/outstanding exam results Small class sizes/excellent pastoral care Competitive fees/value for money Ranked 2�ᵈ in The Sunday Times national league table for small independent schools “The Nursery is a great start to early years with wonderful teaching staff.” Parent “It is an amazing and supportive school and is easy to fit into.” Year 7 pupil “Going to PGHS was honestly the best decision of my life." Year 11 Leaver

Palmers Green High School, 104 Hoppers Road, London N21 3LJ PGHS Nursery, 85 Wellington Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, EN1 2PL

Tel: 020 8886 1135 www.pghs.co.uk Email:office@pghs.co.uk

SCHOOL

Where Girls Excel Palmers Green High School is an academically selective, small, suburban girls’ school. Girls can join the school at age 3 in our Pre-prep nursery and continue their education right through to age 16 when they leave us to join their chosen 6th form. As of September, we are the only independent girls’ school in the area and, in addition to this, the only school that can offer this ‘one school ethos.’

Five reasons to choose a Girls’ School: • You can customise the teaching to suit girls and override the fact that girls and boys mature at different rates. There are no distractions.

• The environment gives the girls confidence to be themselves and teaches them that there is enormous potential and power in being a girl.

• There are many positive role models in school and amongst the alumnae.

• The academic achievement for girls in girls’ schools is higher than for girls in co-educational independent schools. In addition, there is no gender intensification and the girls are happy to access the whole curriculum.

• All leadership roles are held by girls which enables them to leave with enhanced self-confidence and the skills to succeed in the 21st century.

A small, through school can deliver on many key aspects: • Small class sizes – there is plenty of evidence that there is a marked difference in pupils’ performance in classes of 20 or less.

• All children are well known by all staff. No hand goes up unnoticed and no voice is unheard.

• In a small school there is capacity for a personalised approach for individuals as their needs are well known and they can develop at their own pace.

• Concerns of a pastoral or academic nature are picked up and dealt with more quickly.

• More of the school community have the chance to shine.

• The lower and the senior schools are fully integrated. Girls can join us at 3+, 4+, 7+ and 11+ (and in other year groups throughout the year, depending on availability). This creates a true ‘family feel’ with the older girls really adding value to the experience of the younger girls and vice versa.

• Transition is seamless. It avoids the stress of secondary school transfer to a new school.

Palmers Green High School is an accredited member of the Girls School Association (GSA) and has been educating girls for 113 years.

Wendy Kempster is Head of Palmers Green High School in North London.

SCHOOL

Enter TO WIN! Next have once again teamed up with Close Up magazine! 10 lucky readers will have the chance of winning a rucksack to get you noticed in the hallway.

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Congratulations to the class of 2018 Palmers Green High School girls have yet again achieved excellent results in their GCSEs/IGCSEs. This year the girls have been studying a mixture of reformed and unreformed qualifications and they have achieved an impressively high standard in both. The number of A* grades has increased again this year and the overall percentage of A*/9/8 grades is a magnificent 53% and A*/9 to A/7 is 79%!

Headmistress, Mrs Wendy Kempster said

“Congratulations to all the girls who should feel very proud of their achievements in their GCSE/IGCSE examinations. They can now look forward to moving on to sixth form, confident that they are ready for the new and exciting challenges ahead.”

The two top performing pupils attained a clean sweep each of A*s and 9s! They will go on to study A levels at Haberdasher’s Aske’s and Henrietta Barnett respectively.

In September, all of the girls will go on to a sixth form of their choice including Dame Alice Owens, Haberdashers’ Aske’s, Haileybury, Henrietta Barnett, Latymer, St Michael’s and Woodhouse.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply email sayhello@closeupuk.com headed ‘NEXT’. Closing date 30th September 2018. Good Luck!

The two top performing girls attained all A*s and 9s.

Oak-Tree Schools Open their Doors A sneak peek behind the scenes as the local group of independent schools prepare for an influx of visitors.

The Oak-Tree Schools have seen more and more families choose their brand of excellent independent education over recent years. With Open Day season here again, Braeside, Coopersale Hall, Normanhurst and Oaklands have been preparing to open their doors to welcome the many hopeful prospective families looking for the best education for their children.

At Braeside School in Buckhurst Hill, Headmistress Claire Osborn will be greeting the prospective parents, “I’m always very pleased to be able to discuss Braeside’s new Kindergarten class, successful exam results and the developments since Braeside became part of the Oak-Tree Group in 2015.”

Braeside’s Open Day is Wednesday 3 October from 9.15am at the Juniors and 6pm at the Seniors.

“Parents value the opportunity to take a guided tour with our confident pupils as they give an honest and impartial view of what school is really like”, comments Kaye Lovejoy, Headmistress of Epping’s Coopersale Hall School. “In my presentation I give a flavour of the quality of our education from 2½ up to 11+ preparation.” Coopersale Hall’s Open Morning is on Tuesday 2 October at 9.15am.

“On Open Morning we don’t make many changes to our normal working day as it is important for parents to get an impression of the school as it really is and not as a series of showcase events that some bigger senior schools prepare.”

At Normanhurst School in North Chingford, Headmistress Claire Osborn enjoys talking to families about the how the school caters for all ages from 2½ to 16. She comments, “the parents and children who visit our Open events are very impressed with the quality of our education. My presentation focuses on the many opportunities available to all ages including the strong academic teaching.” Normanhurst’s Open Evening is on Thursday 4 October at 6pm, with an Open Morning for Early Years on Friday 5 October at 9.15am.

Sue Belej, Headmistress of Oaklands School in Loughton explains, “on Open Morning we don’t make many changes to our normal working day as it is important for parents to get an impression of the school as it really is and not as a series of showcase events that some bigger senior schools prepare.” The Oaklands Open Morning is on Thursday 4 October at 9.15am.

For more information about the Open Events visit the new websites: 40

www.oaktreeschools.co.uk

THE OAK-TREE GROUP OF SCHOOLS

OCTOBER OPEN DAYS

BRAESIDE SCHOOL Buckhurst Hill

COOPERSALE HALL SCHOOL Epping

Girls 2½ to 16 | 020 8504 1133

Girls and Boys 2½ to 11 | 01992 577133

OAKLANDS SCHOOL Loughton

NORMANHURST SCHOOL North Chingford

Girls and Boys 2½ to 11 | 020 8508 3517

Girls and Boys 2½ to 16 | 020 8529 4307

OCTOBER OPEN DAYS S

7 14 21 28

M 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

W 3 10 17 24 31

TH 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

S 6 13 20 27

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Coopersale Hall (2½ to 11): Braeside Juniors (2½ to 11): Braeside Seniors (11 to 16): Oaklands (2½ to 11): Normanhurst (5 to 16): Normanhurst (2½ to 4):

Tue 2 Oct 9.15am Wed 3 Oct 9.15am Wed 3 Oct 6pm Thurs 4 Oct 9.15am Thurs 4 Oct 6pm Fri 5 Oct 9.15am

Four local privately-owned independent schools for children aged 2½ to 16 For more information www.oaktreeschools.co.uk

@OaktreeSchools

INTERVIEW

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Natalie Kassanga on Playing Diana Ross in Motown The Musical

A

fresh cast are settling in to their new home at the Shaftesbury Theatre, as Motown enters its third year in the West End. Among them, Natalie Kassanga, who returns to the West End for the first time since she was a child to take on The Supremes leading lady, Diana Ross.

We spoke to Kassanga about being back on stage, playing Ross and the challenges that come with that, and what her dream jukebox musical would be.

Have you performed in the West End before?

I played Young Nala in The Lion King when I was around 10 years old for about a year, and then I went into Oliver alongside Rowan Atkinson as Fagin, so I was in the original cast.

But this is the first time for a little while?

It’s been about eight or nine years since I’ve been in the West End, but it’s my first time playing a leading lady. That comes with a lot more responsibility, playing Diana Ross is quite a lot to take in because she’s such an icon. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but it’s a lot of fun.

Have you always been a big Diana Ross fan?

My family love her and always listened to The Supremes back in the day. I do know quite a lot about her, but playing this role, I’ve learnt a lot more about her. I had no idea about her love life with Berry Gordy or her struggles with the group. I still study her movement and the way she speaks, so I’m still learning about her.

Were there any songs you really wanted to get your teeth stuck into when you started?

There’s one song that’s not in the show, “Baby Love”, which I absolutely love. “Good Morning Heartache” is one of my favourite songs that she covers, I think it’s a beautiful song.

the show they come for a good time with the music, but the story is very strong and it’s important to remind people of those aspects of Black history: from Martin Luther King to Kennedy etc. That’s what makes the musical special.

It is a lot of fun though, too?

100%. On a weekend especially, when the crowds are a little crazier, the laughter and the roaring from the audience make it really exciting.

There’s a moment where Diana calls on two people in the audience to sing with her.

Often, they’re brilliant singers, are there ever occasions when it doesn’t go so well?

I remember once we called on people who didn’t really speak English. They sang the song slightly differently which was really interesting, and when they leave they have that moment they will remember. It can be a bit challenging, but there’s never a dull moment in that part of the show.

Another aspect that seems quite challenging in the show seems to be the amount of costumes Diana wears in the show?

Off the top of my head, I’d say there are over ten costumes in total.

It’s challenging when it comes to the quickchanges - that can be quite overwhelming. It’s great that there are different costumes for some of the big moments in the show, and they’re quite iconic, too, so people recognise them.

Playing Diana Ross is quite a lot to take in because she’s such an icon. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but it’s a lot of fun.

There are 50 Motown classics in the show, are there any you don’t get to perform that you wish you did?

I’m such a huge fan of Stevie Wonder and I’m always singing along with his songs backstage.

One of the things that might be quite surprising to those coming to see the show is how much the story delves into Black history in America...

With Motown, it represents Black history, the discrimination that happened back in the day it keeps the story alive. When people come to watch

42

Motown is now almost three years old, Tina is open, and Bat Out Of Hell is returning but if you could pick one musician to base a jukebox musical on, who would you choose?

To be honest, even though it’s already up and running, I’d pick Thriller. It’s not based on Michael Jackson’s life story, but he’s such a world icon, when people go to watch that, they have an amazing time. Personally, I think Thriller is an amazing musical.

Even in Motown, there’s a little shift in the show when the Jackson 5 appear…

Definitely, it’s one of the benchmarks in the show. Act two is very music-heavy, and everyone’s aware of them in particular. The little one who plays Michael Jackson is so talented and everyone’s up in their seat or singing along which is an important part of Motown.

Motown the Musical is booking at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 2nd November 2019.

Quainton Hall School has excellent academic results alongside extensive extra-curricular and sporting opportunities.

Quainton Hall Nursery

We are now taking applications for the places available in our nursery.

Quainton Hall School, Harrow, HA1 1RX

For nursery applications or an appointment to visit our school call

020 8861 8861

admin@quaintonhall.org.uk www.quaintonhall.org.uk Registered charity number: 312638

With an emphasis on high academic expectations and standards combined with a broad and balanced curriculum, Quainton Hall School offers first rate facilities set within a secure, nurturing and family-centred environment.

Established in Central Harrow at the end of the nineteenth century, Quainton Hall is a thriving IAPS co-educational Preparatory School dedicated to the education of children between the ages of two and a half and thirteen years.

We offer a broad and inclusive education firmly centred on the core values of respect, integrity, determination and humility and believe in setting high expectations,

leading by example and creating a secure, positive and inspiring learning environment where staff and pupils can feel challenged and supported to achieve individual success in all aspects of school life.

We are a school that is proud of its academic tradition, that possesses a genuine sense of community and that very much has at its heart the interests of the girls and boys. As educators and in the increasingly competitive environment in which children find themselves today, we believe it is our duty to foster creative thinking, to develop independent learning and to support every child in gaining the confidence to believe and know that they ‘can’.

Quainton Hall School, Harrow, HA1 1RX 020 8861 8861 admin@quaintonhall.org.uk www.quaintonhall.org.uk

Orley Farm School, Harrow Breadth, Balance & Excellence…

Orley Farm School enjoyed a bumper year on the scholarship front with 32 pupils being offered a staggering 51 scholarships this year – this is a record as previously the highest was 46 such awards. A particular highlight was receiving more scholarships to Harrow than any other prep school – something that we also managed two years ago.

What’s our secret…? We run a unique and highly creative curriculum that means that young learners are not looking to be ‘right’, they are looking to go beyond the question.

Too many schools run education like a FTSE 100 company chasing short term hikes in stock prices…look to the banking crisis for an unhappy ending to that approach!

At Orley Farm we are only interested in one thing…long term growth, in fact lifetime growth – simple really!

If you would like to find out more about us, please visit our website on www.orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk and contact our Registrar, Mrs Julie Jago to arrange a tour of our school.

South Hill Avenue Harrow on the Hill Middlesex HA1 3NU Tel: 020 8869 7600

KBL143_ad_136x190

Email: office@orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk

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OPEN MORNING

Saturday 3rd November 2018 10.00am to 12.00pm

Keble provides an excellent all-round education, in small class groups, combining high academic standards with opportunities for boys to achieve in Sport, Music, Drama and a broad extra-curricular programme.

We are now taking registrations for 2019 and have occasional places in other year groups.

For further information please contact Jane Wicks on Tel: 020 8360 3359 or Email: admissions@kebleprep.co.uk Keble Prep, Wades Hill, Winchmore Hill, London N21 1BG Tel: 020 8360 3359 www.kebleprep.co.uk

Open Day

Forest School encourages outstanding academic progress and personal development, offering single-sex teaching in a co-educational environment for girls and boys aged 4-18yrs. Forest is a city school on the edge of North London with 30 acres of grounds.

Forest - Where People Grow

Saturday, 22 September 2018 8.30am - 1.00pm 0208 520 1744 admissions@forest.org.uk | www.forest.org.uk

FOREST SCHOOL’S DIAMOND STRUCTURE – The best of both worlds

Forest School is an independent day school for pupils aged 4-18yrs, educating more pupils than ever on the same site in Snaresbrook where it started out in 1834.

Forest benefits from a tremendous location on the very edge of north-east London – a city school with thirty acres of grounds surrounded by forest.

this combination of single-sex and mixed educational opportunities – the diamond structure – gives our pupils the best of all worlds. Our traditional House structure, comprising 14 single-sex Houses, enables us to cater to the specific needs of boys and girls whilst cultivating a sense of pride, loyalty and belonging.

Forest School encourages outstanding academic progress and personal development offering an all-round education for all pupils which consists of excellent academic teaching and learning, and extensive opportunities outside the classroom encompassing everything from sport, music, art and drama to our huge range of co-curricular clubs and activities.

Forest is a school that balances real academic progress with exceptional personal development that is evident in the men and women walking out of the white gates aged 18. Forest – where people grow.

Our boys and girls (more than 1,300 in equal proportion) are taught in single-sex classes from the ages of 7-16yrs and in a co-educational environment in the Pre-Preparatory School and Sixth Form. We believe

You will find details of future opportunities to visit Forest on our website.

Our Open Day is on Saturday 22nd September 8.30am-1.00pm 020 8520 1744 admissions@forest.org.uk Website: www.forest.org.uk

What’s

HOT!

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE GOSSIP RIGHT HERE AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA @CLOSEUP_UK

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Every year Jeans for Genes Day happens to help raise money for children with genetic disorders in the UK. This year they kicked off the campaign by releasing a limited-edition t-shirt, hand-picked from numerous entries

by Kate Moss herself. It’s available for £20 online, and all money raised goes to support the children in need.

The limited edition t-shirt is part of the charity’s collaboration with Kingston School of Art and was illustrated by winning designer Chunchen Liu. The design takes inspo from a pile of jeans, thread and a rivet to form the pattern and twist of a double helix.

This year they have teamed up with the likes of Montana Brown, Peter Andre, Candice Brown, Rochelle Humes, Hayley Hasselhoff, Felicity Hayward, Jess Wright and more. The t-shirt can be purchased for £20, with all proceeds going to charity, from www.jeansforgenesday.org.

TOP tips

A list beauty tricks and tips that stars swear by.

Words by Karen J. Gerrard Founder of SEAMS Hand Cream

The best beauty tricks are the simplest and something we all have to hand.

1. DRINK WATER – Cameron Diaz is reported to have said “I go from being a wilted plant to one that has been rejuvenated by the rain” Skin is an organ like any other part of the body, water hydrates from the inside out giving us energy and a glowing complexion and all you have to do is turn on the tap!

2. FACE YOGA – Popular amongst actresses before going on stage, set or the red carpet, learn how to massage your face muscles to lift your cheek bones, define your jaw and get the blood flowing for plumper skin, and all you need are your hands!

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3. FLANNEL AND WATER – Kate Middleton is said to favour the good old flannel and luke warm water, use gently after cleansing to take away any excess make-up, this will also lightly exfoliate any dry and oily skin for a smoother complexion.

Sixty Seconds with Iain Stirling The voice of Love Island talks struggling millennials, favourite couples and the dark side of show business.

Who has been your favourite couple of Love Island so far?

Jon and Hannah from series one. They were almost caricatures of what you’d expect – Jon was an Essex geezer and Hannah was a Playboy bunny type.

The two of them would argue like they were married for 40 years, then were so sweet to each other like 18-year-olds. She’d dress like Malibu Barbie and he was like a car dealer. They were brilliant.

Why do middle-class viewers make up elaborate justifications for watching Love Island?

They try to legitimise it for themselves – they enjoy it and want to find reasons for enjoying it rather than accepting they’re just enjoying a fun, well-made show. But maybe there is a deeper meaning. You’re watching a load of people under surveillance, so you’re going to learn something about the human psyche. You can take from it what you want. On the face of it, it’s a dating show but if you delve deeper maybe there is a deeper meaning – if you observe any creature you’ll learn more about it. Humans are just another species of creature.

What difference has Love Island made to your career?

A huge difference. People know who I am now and I have a wider audience to come to see me. It’s nice to know when you write a new stand-up show people will see it – I won’t just be doing it to four people at the Edinburgh Festival. My tour’s been extended again because at first we didn’t expect anyone would come to it.

I did a gig to three people and that wasn’t too long ago – and at one point they all went to the toilet at the same time and I had to stand on stage waiting for them to come back.

You’ve just written a book too… is there a general theme?

It’s about the millennial generation and how we struggle with adult life – why it doesn’t feel fulfilling, why it seems everyone else is doing it so well and we’re doing it badly. I’ve used personal stories to reflect the theme. It’s about a generation who grew up on the internet and with camera phones and how that’s affected their psyche.

How has it affected their psyche?

People are addicted to their phones and they filter their lives to make them look better than they are, which isn’t ideal. It leads to people making comparisons that make them feel rubbish.

Were you surprised by any research in the book?

The mental health statistic that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45. And another one that says if you’re having a faceto-face conversation with someone it will be 60 per cent about you and 40 per cent about them but a conversation online will be 80 per cent about you and 20 per cent about them – so you become more self-centred.

The suicide statistic is widely reported but not much seems to be done about it…

No, and people still conduct themselves in the same way and send abuse to each other online and there are still these mass hysterias about how someone looks or acts and no one seems to realise we’re killing each other. There’s a lot more to be done in this area.

What lessons has your showbiz career taught you?

The online world is nothing – you have to keep connected to those around you, your friends and family. Don’t be distracted by the shiny lights of fame. And relationships are a lot more difficult when they’re filmed in a villa.

Stirling’s book Not Ready To Adult Yet (Harper Collins) is out now.

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FOOD

HEALTHY Heart

The Healthy Happy Mum Plan Manual is the ultimate guide for mums and women alike by ‘mumtrepreneurs’ Katie Piper and Terri-Ann Nunns.

The manual also comes fully loaded with breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes. Here’s a sample of what you can expect to receive:

Chickpea Wrap & Roll Serves: 2 490 calories per wrap with veggie crisps Ingredients Chickpeas: 240g chickpeas, rinsed and drained 2 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp cumin ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp paprika ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp ground coriander Hummus Dip: 5 tbsp of hummus 1 tsp fresh lemon juice 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tbsp olive oil Serving: 2 (70g) pittas or flatbreads 4 slices tomato 2 slices red onion 4 baby gem lettuce leaves, or bagged mixed lettuce 25g vegetable crisps Method Preheat oven to 190C and line a large baking sheet parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, toss rinsed chickpeas with oil and spices and spread on the baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until slightly crispy and golden brown. While the chickpeas are roasting, prepare your dip by adding hummus, lemon juice and garlic to a mixing bowl, add olive oil to thin the dip. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

To serve: Lightly toast pittas or flatbread and top with chickpeas, sauce and vegetables of choice. Best served fresh. Enjoy with 25g of vegetable crisps.

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FOOD

Cheesy Baked Chicken with Spaghetti Serves: 4 502 calories per portion Ingredients 4 chicken breasts 60g seasoned breadcrumbs 60g parmesan cheese 2 tbsp olive oil 150g low fat mozzarella cheese 4 tbsp passata 200g wholemeal spaghetti Method Preheat oven to 190C. Combine the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Lightly brush the chicken with olive oil, then dip into the breadcrumb mixture.

Place on a baking sheet and repeat with all the chicken breasts. Spray a little more oil on top and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, boil the spaghetti in hot water as per instructions. Remove from the oven, spoon the sauce over each piece of chicken and top each with 1 ½ tbsp of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve with the spaghetti immediately.

Loved by kids!

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FILM INTERVIEW

EVAN

PETERS The X-Men and American Horror Story star talks heist drama American Animals.

E

van Peters has quietly risen to prominence over the past few years with powerful roles in TV and film. On the small screen he has won legions of fans as part of the ensemble of actors involved in the American Horror Story series.

On the big screen, he is the incredible Quicksilver, the fast-moving highlight of the last two X-Men films (and the upcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix). This month he furthers his star status with American Animals. He plays Warren, the leader of a gang of students scheming to steal a priceless book from their University’s library.

For the actor, the motivation for his character was simple. “To be free, to not worry about what you have to do or these pressures or whatever it is that’s making you crazy. That was what was driving Warren, and what was driving me as Warren, to try and get free” he reveals at a Q&A for the film. “Those books were the ticket out, so he needed (the other students) to be a part of it. In a weird way they were all pawns, but obviously they had a good time doing it.

I started to fantasise about how I wanted to play the role, and what kind of role I wanted it to be. I got that from watching a lot of heist films, The Ocean’s Eleven movies.”

The film is based on a real life heist that happened in Kentucky in 2004, and Peters had to resort to some underhand tactics to get some idea of his character’s perspective. “Bart (Layton, director) was adamant that we not talk to our (real life) counterparts, and that made me absolutely furious – still I’m mad about it!” he jokes. “So yeah, I broke the rules, I found Warren through Twitter, talked to him a little bit, we started an email correspondence, even Skyped, and then I was cut off (by the director)!”

Luckily, there was one source of research that was allowed, although it ended up having an unusual effect on the performance. “I started to fantasise about how I wanted to play the role, and what kind of role I wanted it to be. I got that from watching a lot of heist films, The Ocean’s Eleven movies” he recalls. “I mean no-one’s cooler than those guys, so you try to act like that and you’re clearly not like that and it turns into (comedy)!”

American Animals is in cinemas 7th September and is reviewed in this issue.

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FILM REVIEW With the long, hot summer out of the way it’s time to tuck into some movies, and this month we have everything from gritty indie dramas to mega-budget sci-fi action films. Enjoy!

American Animals 7th September

★★★★★

Evan Peters (X: Men- Apocalypse) leads this brilliant, hilarious film based on a true story. It follows a group of college students who attempt an audacious heist – a rare book worth millions of dollars in their school library – in order to do something extraordinary with their lives. Slick, well-told and with a wit that keeps the story skipping along, this rips apart the cliches of heist movies and delves into an examination of masculinity and regret. A smart and engrossing take on a familiar genre.

Superfly 14th September

★★★★★

A remake of the 70’s cult classic about a drug dealer (Trevor Jackson) looking to make one last big deal before leaving the business, only for many opponents on both sides of the law to get in his way. The original was a stylish, intelligent comments on race relations in 70’s America, a quality this new film just doesn’t have. The new film follows its predecessor’s plot by the book, but loses much of the social impact along the way. With films such as Black Panther changing the Hollywood landscape in terms of racial equality in Hollywood, this feels like a step backwards.

Climax 21st September

★★★★★

This French musical-horror (yes, you did read that right) had Cannes audiences in raptures, following a troupe of French hip-hop dancers (led by Kingsmen star Sofia Boutella) experience a wild night after having their drinks spiked. This wild, controversial film won’t be for everyone - director Gaspar Noe has a reputation for shocking, provocative films, and this is no exception. However, fans of his work are in for a vivid, fastpaced treat that will be unlike anything else you see this month.

FILM REVIEW

The Little Stranger

The Wife

21st September

28th September

★★★★★

Star Wars actor Dohmnall Gleeson plays a doctor visiting a house with a strange visitor in this spooky British drama, set in the late 40’s. Co-stars Ruth Wilson and Charlotte Rampling are both excellent as the residents of the house, who are tormented by an invisible force that not even the good doctor can explain. Creepy and thrilling in the style of films like The Others, The Little Stranger is a haunted house thriller that will stay with you for a while.

★★★★★

Glenn Close delivers a powerhouse performance in this complicated drama, playing the wife of a prominent novelist (Jonathan Pryce) who must confront the shadows of her past on the eve of him winning the Nobel Prize. Close is magnificent, and lifts an otherwise slow moving films that has a lot to say about female oppression and the secrets of marriage, but takes a long time saying it. Incredibly, the star has never won an Oscar, despite being nominated six times. This may very well be her moment.

Also Out This Month…

Night School

The Predator

Mile 22

28th September

13th September

19th September

Two of the biggest comedy stars in Hollywood collide as Kevin Hart meets Girls Trip star Tiffany Haddish in a classroom set comedy. Hart plays a man who must complete night school in order to gain the credits necessary to graduate, however a stern teacher (Haddish), a class of misfits and his own ineptitude stand in his way. Expect a lot of hilarious back-andforths between the two stars, as well as a lot of painful looking slapstick happening to poor Kevin Hart!

Over thirty years on from the Schwarzenegger original, this sci-fi action film brings one of the fiercest baddies in cinema, The Predator, back to the big screen! A cast including Olivia Munn, Keegan Michael-Key and Sterling K. Brown as part of a group who team up to fight the titular intergalactic hunters. The four follow ups to the original film have been pretty lackluster, and fans have been crying out for a sequel that reminds them of the 1987 classic that launched a million catchphrases. Can this film break the spell? Find out on the 13th!

Mark Wahlberg is the go-to guy for tough Hollywood thrillers, and he looks to live up to that reputation with Mile 22. He plays the leader of an elite task force who must escort a valuable asset (Indonesian action star Iko Uwais) 22 miles to a safe house while being hunted by terrorists. Preview screenings were not available at the time of going to print, however the trailers promise an action packed ride with a cast that includes former MMA star Ronda Rousey and John Malkovich. Guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser as the blockbusters of the summer fade into the distance.

Agree? Disagree? Tweet us @closeupmag #CloseUpFilm

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TRAVEL

Give a DAM Tell someone you’re going to Amsterdam and there’s a 99 per cent chance they’ll crack a joke about weed. Ignore them – there’s so much more to the Dutch capital than stoners and stag dos. While away the daylight hours wandering the cobbled streets, dipping into galleries and sweet boutiques, dodging cyclists and admiring the prettiness of it all – canals, street-side cafes and 17th-century townhouses, all in a gorgeous palette of cream, charcoal and slate – then head to Amsterdam East for an ever-growing number of quirky bars and restaurants. The flight from London is just 45 minutes, so you can hop over on a Friday evening and be back at your desk on Monday, refreshed and revitalised.

There’s no better way to spend a sunny Saturday than browsing the stalls at the Noordermarkt Farmer’s Market, a short walk from the city centre, where you can sample local cheeses and pastries.

Market place

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Where to stay

The Dutch outpost of East London’s The Hoxton offers a fast track to feeling like a local thanks to its location in chic, central Jordaan and its lively bar. Head up to your room and you’ll find an oasis of calm. The 1960’s-style furnishings, excellent magazine selection and free granola are a bonus.

TRAVEL

Tucking in Loved by the city’s beautiful young things, salad bar SLA has five branches across the city, which make for great people-watching.

Customise your salad with everything from smoked mackerel to falafel.

Nowhere does concept stores better than Amsterdam. At Hutspot, you’ll find cult fashion labels in the basement, a barber’s on the ground floor and a café upstairs, where MacBook-wielding creatives linger for hours over flat whites.

Where to shop

Arthouse classics

The Rijksmuseum ten-year-long renovation was finally unveiled.

Visit to see Rembrandts and Van Goghs alongside cutting-edge contemporary work.

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INTERVIEW

BEHIND-THE-SCENE

Secrets

Back in 2008, Mamma Mia! hit screens and captivated jaded hearts everywhere. Opening slap bang in the middle of the Euros, girls, gays, their friends and their friends’ mums (everyone’s mum) escaped the football madness and turned the lightweight musical into a smash, making a whopping $466 million at the box office and going on to become the fastest-selling DVD ever.

We dug deep to find the deepest of secrets behind the scenes…

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Mega-fans went wild when leading couple Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper began dating in real life. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be, and the pair split in 2011. But the sequel meant the pair had to reunite – and Dominic, 40, admitted last summer that it may be awkward during filming. He said, “I think it will be fine working with Amanda again… Though it’ll be odd, gazing into each other’s eyes and singing an ABBA song.”

Meryl Streep’s character, Donna, does the splits multiple times during big musical numbers – and while fans speculated over whether there was a body double, Meryl revealed it was really her.

She said, “I keep getting asked about the scene with the splits.

They ask, ‘Was there a body double? Or was it CGI?’ No! I just did the splits on instinct!”

A UK poll conducted earlier this year revealed the film that has most inspired Brits to book a Greek holiday is Mamma Mia! In fact, almost one in 20 of the 2000 adults polled who had seen the film booked a beach holiday to Skopelos after falling in love with the blue skies and whitewashed buildings seen in the film.

The stage show version – on which the film is based – has been seen by over 50m people worldwide and has grossed over £1.5billion internationally. It has opened in more major cities faster than any other musical in theatre history, with productions in over 325 cities.

Fans were no doubt excited about pop legend Cher’s cameo in the sequel – but the star was originally asked to be in the first film.

She was offered the role of Tanya – who was played by Christine Baranksi – but due to concert tour commitments, the singer had to decline the role.

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Pierce Brosnan – who plays Sam – admitted he had no idea what the film was about when he signed up. He said, “When the offer came in with a phone call from the States and they said Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!, Greece… I just said, ‘Great, I’m in.’ The next night I went to see the stage show and I saw the set, then they started singing and I thought, ‘Oh dear, oh dear’.”

Many of the cast members have little experience singing – but all the voices you hear are genuine. Meryl even reportedly insisted on singing live as they were filming to make it more authentic. And after dodgy reviews of Pierce’s vocals in the first film, reports claim he’s since worked with a vocal coach for the sequel.

The first film is the ninth highest-grossing movie of all time at the UK box office. It was the most successful musical movie until Disney’s remake of Beauty And The Beast surpassed it last year.

While Mamma Mia! Had a £39m budget, that grey to £53m for the sequel.

Meryl revealed one of the reasons she agreed to the film was to get back at New York journalist Pauline Kael, who’d said she only acted “from the neck up”.

In Mamma Mia! when the female leads take all the village girls down to the beach, singing Dancing Queen, the women were in fact locals from the surrounding area and mainland Greece. There is even a scene with a woman sitting on her donkey singing along – who was reportedly a Greek local watching the fun.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is out now and available to pre-order on DVD.

PROPERTY 020 8886 8472 www.closeupuk.com

SEPTEMBER 2018

Supplement

PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT

The

PROPERTY

PROPERTY NEWS YOUR MUST-READ MONTHLY ROUND-UP

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY How this London couple ‘retired’ at 31 with help from a designer treehouse in Devon.

Like many couples, Kieran and Helen left their city jobs for the country, where they have started an upmarket holiday let.

Kieran and Helen Fisher are 31 years old — and they are about to retire. The couple are not trust-funders, nor have they cashed in vast city bonuses, but they do both have a vision of their future, and it does not include a desk in the city. In 2016 the pair made the huge, life-changing decision to quit well-paid jobs as financial contractors working for banks in London (and beyond). “I was commuting into London, which was taking hours out of my life, and then staring at a screen all day,” says Kieran. “We wanted a family and I did not want to be coming home at 9pm every night, missing bath time and then being knackered at the weekend. It wasn’t great, and we just wanted to be able to enjoy life a bit more.”

They said farewell to their home in the commuter country town of Farnborough, Hampshire, and bought a 300-year-old, twobedroom cottage in the village of Lee on the north Devon coast for £430,000 which — crucially — came with 12 acres of land and is close to the tourist honeypot town of Ilfracombe. The location and the potential uses for the land is what they were looking for.

The move was two years ago. Since then they have been industrious on all levels. They have grown their family with the arrival of Oliver, now three months old. Kieran has taken on freelance work to support the family, and they have simultaneously launched Ravendere Retreats, a holiday-let business that, by the end of this year, will have made them fully self-sufficient financially.

This pair are joining a growing number of couples opting to take control of their lives and their incomes. Kieran and Helen’s Big Idea was brave and unusual. They decided to build something different to attract holiday guests so they constructed a designer tree house to let to holidaymakers looking for something a bit “leftfield”, and chose Devon simply because they had often holidayed there and loved it.

It wasn’t great, and we just wanted to be able to enjoy life a bit more.

With 12 acres to play with, they had plenty of space to build their starter holiday home, a romantic one-bedroom hideaway that is roomy and has all mod cons but which is up under a canopy of beech trees. With furnishings provided by Wayfair (in return for allowing the company to use the treehouse for its photoshoots), the first paying guests came to stay last July. Rates start at £215 for a weekday, rising to £295 a night at the weekends (ravendere.co.uk): to say take-up has been enthusiastic would be an understatement. The treehouse is fully booked through until December and Kieran only plans to continue working for another couple of months so he can embark on “phase two” of Ravendere Retreats, which will involve going down rather than up.

They have gained planning permission to build what they are dubbing a subterranean “hobbit house” with a green roof. There is also a ruined cottage in their woodland that could be renovated. But that, says Kieran, will be their next, and last, guest home project. “We don’t want to be a holiday park, we want to stay very exclusive,” he says.

The Fishers are at the forefront of what Lindsay Cuthill, head of the country department at Savills, describes as “houses with an angle”. “People are increasingly costconscious and they want to make their houses work,” he said. “They know that running a house in the country costs more than running one in London, and they are interested in houses that have got a business angle. After all, if you buy something with a cottage and you can rent it out for £15,000 or £20,000 a year, then that income will cover a lot of your costs.”

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Professionally Extended & Well Presented 3 Bedroom & 2 Bathroom Semi-Detached House Set Well Back from the Road & Providing Paved Off Street Parking to Front. Through Lounge, Sep. Dining Room, Extended Kitchen/Diner with John Lewis Kitchen & Granite Worktops. Attractive Rear Garden with Sunny Aspect. Also Front Garden. A Bright & Spacious Family Home.

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Nothing adds brightness to your home more than a splash of yellow – and it’s the shade that’s predicted to take over from millennial pink towards the end of 2018 and into 2019.

Do you want to know how to add it to your home without going OTT? Sure you do!

Debenhams £32

Chartreuse Yellow Velvet Throw - Lifestyle

Add a splash with your soft furnishings From snuggly throws to stunning cushions, if you’re not ready to commit fully to yellow, then this could be option for you. www.thefrenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Channel it through your sofa This beautiful sofa has a strong vintage vibe and will sit wonderfully within any colour scheme – whether your walls are covered with a bold shade or a more subtle hue. www.outthereinteriors.com Sonata Retro 3 Seater Couch in Ochre Yellow Havelock Ottoman Front - Yellow House of Hackney velvet

Add in a piece of central furniture This is the Havelock ottoman, with it’s beautiful, long legs, borderless pleats and deep buttons. For those of you who suspect that an ottoman is just a posh name for a footstool, I am here to disabuse you of that notion. Unlike a footstool, an ottoman has a leg at each corner, upholstered sides and a padded top for strategic placement of feet, beverage bearing trays or bottoms during a seating shortage. www.rume.co.uk

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FILM INTERVIEW

OLIVIA

MUNN

How the star is defying the rules in sci-fi action film The Predator.

W

hile Olivia Munn may have got her break as a presenter in the 2000’s as part of the hit series Attack of The Show!, she has found the most success as an actor in some of the biggest films of the last few years. She starred alongside Channing Tatum in Magic Mike, has been a supervillain in X-Men Apocalypse, and now battles one of the most fearsome creature sin movie history in new film The Predator.

A sequel to the classic 80’s Arnold Schwarzenegger film, Munn is part of an ensemble cast that are Earth’s last hope against a group of Predators who are accidentally called back to Earth to hunt down humans. The franchise is famed for its machismo, but Munn’s character is bringing some intelligence to the group. “Well, my character is an evolutionary biologist, so she’s not in the military like these guys” she says at a Comic Con panel for the film.

It’s something that was very big for me, something I think about before I take on every role is micro-aggression, particularly in how we have portrayed women in the media for so long.”

While the character may be more focused on books than bullets, the star was determined to break some action movie stereotypes and have her character hold her own in a fight. “Shane (Black, director) and I discussed this, it’s something that was very big for me, something I think about before I take on every role is micro-aggression, particularly in how we have portrayed women in the media for so long” she explains.

“It’s small things, it’s not a big statement just small things like whenever you see a movie a guy can pick up a gun or whatever, and he just automatically knows how to do it, and girls are always like ‘oh, I don’t know’. So I thought ‘well, I don’t want her to be proficient, because she’s not a soldier, but I want her to know how the same way the guys know how, and Shane was completely down for that.”

It’s a sign of continued commitment to equality from Munn, who is a vocal proponent of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, calling out powerful figures for their treatment of women in the industry. Through her commitment to combatting preconceptions in The Predator, and no doubt her upcoming role in X-Men: Dark Phoenix, she will continue to be a force for positive change.

The Predator is in cinemas from 12th September.

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EDITORIAL

Legal occupancy?

– think again says Landlord & Tenant expert Gary Beecham

B

usiness owners that fail to take legal advice and occupy premises on an uncertain basis are always at risk. In a High Court case exactly on point, a business college found itself locked out of its office block and embroiled in a costly dispute with the property’s freeholder. The college had for some years occupied the block under a series of what were expressed to be licence agreements. In the midst of a row over alleged arrears of rent and service charges, the freeholder changed the locks and the college was excluded for three days.

The college was only able to regain possession of the block after obtaining an emergency injunction.

The college sued the freeholder, seeking substantial damages in respect of the loss of profits and harm to goodwill alleged to have been caused by the exclusion. Given the lack of clarity regarding the basis on which the college occupied the block, an issue arose as to whether it did so as a tenant or as a licensee.

The plain wording of the college’s agreement with the freeholder indicated that it was a licence, rather than a lease. However, the Court found that it nevertheless took effect as a business tenancy under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. The purpose of the agreement was to provide the college with premises from which it could conduct its business and it had fitted out parts of the block at its own expense.

The college and the freeholder had not been in an equal bargaining position when the agreement was signed, in that the college was suffering financial difficulties. As a matter of substance, the agreement conferred upon the college exclusive possession of the block and it had clearly been intended that it would enjoy a greater level of security than that which would be afforded by a licence.

The freeholder had not given the required 14 days’ notice in writing before re-entering the block and changing the locks, and the college had thus been unlawfully excluded from the premises. The college was awarded £25,104 in damages.

However, after taking an account, the Court also found that, as at 26 July 2017, the college had owed the freeholder £30,545 in service charges and rent arrears.

The above article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. For expert advice contact Gary on 020 8370 2870 or by email at garybeecham@vanderpumps.co.uk .

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