Style of Wight Issue 67 November / December 2020

T H E I S L E O F W I G H T ’ S I N S P I R AT I O N A L L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E ISSUE 67 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

Bringing you comfort and joy

SHOP LOCAL WITH OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

PLUS EXCLUSIVE BRITBOX UK INTERVIEW W I N T E R FA S H I O N T R E N D S FESTIVE FOOD AND DRINK

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fashion

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health

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food

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home

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events

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art

L I F E S T Y L E Beautiful Gifts, Homewares and Furniture Just in time for Christmas!

Breaking free from the ordinary and expected, Acacia Bay is an emporium of eclectic interior discoveries! Inspired by raw materials and the sculptural forms of nature, our collection is a commitment to the biophilic interiors movement; championing unique design curated with the intention of promoting positive wellbeing.

NOW OPEN Opening Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm 14 -16 High Street, Shanklin, PO376LB | Te l : 0 7 9 5 6 3 5 1 3 4 1

@ a ca c i a b a y i ow | a c a c i a b a y i ow. co . u k

THE ‘NEW FACE’ OF COUNTRY HOMES

UNVEILING ‘THE COLLECTION’

BY HOSE RHODES DICKSON Our Country Homes department has undergone a refresh. Now The Collection by Hose Rhodes Dickson, the department is headed by Adele Smith who joins Hose Rhodes Dickson with over 20 years experience, the last 10 of which have been spent introducing London buyers to prestigious properties along the South Coast. Adele joins Becky, Lisa, Cynthia and Marcus to form The Collection by Hose Rhodes Dickson.

Adele Smith

CLASSIC

Altoft Gardens, Ventnor - £650,000

CONTEMPORARY

COASTAL

Mill Hill Road, Cowes £795,000 6 | EPC E

3 | EPC C

Enjoying a quiet location, this imposing home is a striking and substantial property enjoying stunning sea views. Constructed in approx.1888, the home was named after the Victorian essayist John Sterling and has echoes of Italian gothic influences. The property is sizeable with up to 6 bedrooms and 2 receptions, including an impressive first floor dining hall and many character period features.

A spacious and attractive 6 bedroom Victorian Villa occupying a good size corner plot. As expected from a house of this period the rooms are large and the house retains many period features. The property enjoys enclosed gardens, a double garage with driveway. A large home office has been constructed in the garden and enjoys separate access.

Whiteley Bank £1.395m

Swains Lane, Bembridge – Guide Price £2m 4 + Annexe | EPC E

4 | EPC TBC Set within a rural location and accessed by a private lane, the house enjoys far reaching countryside vistas across its beautifully landscaped grounds of approx.2 acres. The main home is an attractive 4 bedroom property with study which is offered in immaculate decorative order and has recently been completely redecorated. Adjoining the property is a 4 bed selfcontained annexe which enjoys ample parking and a separate rear garden.

Our London office is at 21 Park Lane, Mayfair and guarantees our properties are exposed to a vibrant national and international markets.

Newport 01983 538090

Ryde 01983 617640

Truly exceptional and classically modern, a midcentury cottage with a distinctively fresh appeal. A mix of mature and regenerated gardens wrap around this newly arranged home. Beautifully placed in a spacious plot Swains Cottage is accessed via double gates onto a gravelled driveway. The main house boasts four bedrooms all with en-suite facilities, three reception rooms and a heated swimming pool. The open plan fitted kitchen has a full width orangery opening to the patio and lawns. A double garage with annexe over completes the extensive accommodation which sits only a short walk from Swains Steps and the beach.

More available on Rightmove, OnTheMarket.com and www.hrdthecollection.co.uk

Bembridge 01983 875000

Gurnard

Guide Price

£650,000

Cowes

Guide Price

£1,300,000

Brand new 4 bedroom detached home on the edge of Gurnard Village with fabulous views across countryside.

Good size garden, detached garage and parking.

Gurnard

Guide Price

£365,000

Well presented detached bungalow situated in Gurnard and within easy walking distance to the local shops and only 1 mile from the seafront. Garage, driveway and garden.

Seaview

Guide Price

£725,000

A substantial and beautifully presented detached home set within 0.55 acres of mature gardens. Currently operating as a successful boutique bed and breakfast. Fabulous views of the Solent.

Shanklin

Guide Price

£565,000

Detached 4 bedroom home just a short walk from the village centre and beachfront. Offering fantastic sea views, heated swimming pool, open plan living area, balcony and garage.

Cowes

Guide Price

£280,000

Super quirky 3 bedroom bungalow with flexible accommodation and a garden studio. Custom made kitchen, conservatory, garage and driveway.

www.watersideproperties.com

Four bedroom detached family home in a fantastic location with spectacular sea views, character and charm. Easy walking distance to the town centre and the beach. Plenty of off road parking.

Lynda Blenkinsop

Paul Booker

Georgie McCarthy

T | 01983 300111 Cowes

Guide Price

£375,000

Cowes

£285,000

Guide Price

Modern 4 bedroom townhouse with views of the River Medina. Arranged over 3 floors. Sitting room with balcony, kitchen/diner, sun terrace and garden and parking.

Island Harbour

Beautifully renovated Victorian 4 bedroom home with an abundance of character and charm. Close to the town centre and marina. Sea views from the top floor bedroom. Off road parking for 2 cars. Chain free.

Bembridge

Would you like a view like this?

Guide Price

£3.2 million

£375,000

Guide Price

Well presented 4 bedroom townhouse with the added benefit of its own 10 meter mooring. Kitchen/diner, sitting room, balconies and allocated parking.

Ventnor

Guide Price

£975,000

Victorian seaside villa with outstanding sea views from nearly all rooms. Currently being run as a guest house, all rooms have ensuite facilities. Terraced gardens and parking.

Gurnard

Guide Price

£475,000

Island visions photography Unique opportunity to acquire a substantial beach front location with private beach and newly constructed build, providing any potential buyer the ability to build their dream home.

3 bedroom detached bungalow situated in a quiet cul de sac in the coastal village of Gurnard. Walking distance to the village shops. Ample parking, double garage and chain free!

Chartered Surveyors Estate Agents & Valuers

Bembridge

Offers in Excess of £1,200,000 A rare opportunity to acquire a house on the waterfront in Bembridge with significant potential for refurbishment and extension.

EPC Rating D. Bembridge Office: (01983) 873000

Bembridge

Freshwater Bay

A stunning newly renovated family home, boasting stylish interiors and high build quality with a light, spacious feel and private landscaped gardens.

EPC Rating C.

A deceptively spacious four bedroom Victorian home pleasantly tucked away on the outskirts of Freshwater Bay and set in beautifully landscaped gardens.

EPC Rating C.

Bembridge Office: (01983) 873000

Freshwater Office: (01983) 756575

Guide Price £1,100,000

Guide Price £540,000

A stunningly contemporary home

Cowes | Yarmouth | Bembridge | Freshwater | London

https://www.spencewillard.co.uk https://www.spencewillard.co.uk www.spencewillard.co.uk 01983 200880

located in a quiet location with sea hello@spencewillard.co.uk views, a short walk from the beach hello@spencewillard.co.uk 01983 200880 hello@spencewillard.co.uk and sailing club.

Chartered Surveyors Estate Agents & Valuers

Newtown

Guide Price £1,425,000 A rare opportunity to acquire a secluded and modernised country house with ancillary accommodation, a stone barn and garaging with approximately 4.6 acres, bordering National Trust land.

Cowes Office: (01983) 200880

Carisbrooke

Guide Price £415,000

Occupying an elevated position with stunning views, and direct access onto the Tennyson trail, a light and spacious modern home with ample parking and garaging.

EPC Rating C. Cowes Office: (01983) 200880

A charming Regency cottage offering surprisingly spacious rooms with many period features, pretty enclosed garden and oak framed car port.

www.spencewillard.co.uk @spencewillard @spencewillardiw

https://www.facebook.com/spencewillard/ https://www.facebook.com/spencewillard/ https://www.facebook.com/spencewillard/

Shide

Guide Price £625,000

https://www.instagram.com/spencewillardiw/ https://www.instagram.com/spencewillardiw/ https://www.instagram.com/spencewillardiw/

Cowes Office: (01983) 200880

Associated with

The perfect choice for a carefree, relaxing holiday…

Fairway Caravan & Lodge Park is situated in Sandown, on the beautiful Isle of Wight.

The Island itself is acknowledged as being one of the sunniest places in Britain with magnificent beaches and breathtaking scenery – the ideal setting for a carefree, relaxing holiday.

This beautiful site boasts a wide range of holiday park facilities and things to do for guests of all ages. Whether it be taking a dip in our pool, having a drink in the club house, or exploring the local area we aim to make it a perfect holiday. Sandown Beach is one of the Isle of Wight’s finest and most recognized beaches, with miles of soft golden sands crowned by Sandown’s pleasure pier. Popular with tourists and surfers, Sandown is a traditional ‘bucket and spade’ holiday beach with all that you expect from an English family beach.

T: 01983 218492

E: info@fairwayholidaypark.co.uk

Image: Visit Isle of Wight

With the park being open 12 months a year, you can come and go as you please

With holiday homes starting from just £9,995, we have something for everyone and our 2020 site fees start from as little as £3,550 for holiday homes and £4,000 for lodges. The park has a 12 month holiday licence.

So no matter how you spend your holiday, Fairway Holiday Park promises to make it one of your best, with plenty to do and to see on this fabulous Island.

fairwayholidaypark.co.uk

B A Y L I S S

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B O O T H

O ADD SOME EXTRA SPARKLE O

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INTERIORS & I N S P I R AT I O N C U R AT E D FOR YOU

We’re busy unpacking new arrivals and f illing up the store with seasonal delights.

Drop by for ideas, design-led brands and the per fect choice of gif ts for nearest and dearest.

Interior s inspiration with extra sparkle from Bayliss & Booth.

O

B&B|BEST BRANDS

baylissandbooth.co.uk

01983 528600

TOP OF LUSHINGTON HILL PO33 4RD

the

Corn Exchange...

Escape the high street this festive season for a more relaxed and safe shopping experience.

Shop for unique and bespoke hand crafted gifts, luxury items and more.

N7 OPE WEEK A S DAY

E FRE & ON ISSI G! M N D I A K PAR

MAIN ROAD, ARRETON, PO30 3AA | 01983 539365 | ARRETONBARNS.CO.UK

Cover Artwork by Laura Craven Aerial shot of Ryde by Steve Gascoigne

Editor Christian Warren editor@styleofwight.co.uk

Note from the Editor Christmas is upon us – the most wonderful time of the year.

Deputy Editor Emma Elobeid features@styleofwight.co.uk

It answers not to any global pandemic, and was going to come anyway whether we’re ready for it or not. If I’m honest, it catches me unawares every year – and I can’t imagine 2020 will be much different in that respect.

Editorial Assistant Hannah Wilson office@styleofwight.co.uk

Almost inevitably, there will be some differences in how we celebrate, but the crux of Christmas – what festive rom-coms like to call its ‘true’ meaning – remains unchanged.

Sub Editor Helen Hopper

For this year, Christmas – as it has always been, but perhaps now more than ever – is about home; family (whether near or far); comfort, creativity and community; and gratitude for the glimmers of light in a complicated world. And you will find them all inside these pages.

Contributors Bethan Christopher, Jo Macaulay, Dale Howarth, Kim Murray, Georgia Newman Design Laura Craven Photography Christian Warren, Holly Jolliffe Sales Christian Warren sales@styleofwight.co.uk Distribution office@styleofwight.co.uk 01983 861007 Supported by Acclaim Logistics

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of Style of Wight Magazine, but legal responsibility cannot be accepted for errors, omissions or misleading statements.

Winners at the IW Chamber Awards 2016

Behind the scenes, the Style of Wight elves have been working hard on our final issue of 2020. Our Christmas Gift Guide is packed full of unique ideas from the best local independent retailers; this year, your favourite Island shops are just a click away; download our digital version to #shoplocal today. We also have an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview with the Director and Executive Producers of BritBox UK’s first original series ‘The Beast Must Die’, filmed across a stunning array of Island locations.

As Founder and Editor, I can’t speak on behalf of you – our readers, our advertisers, our Island community – mainly because while we’ve all experienced the same storm, we haven’t all been in the same boat. But I can (I hope) speak with you, when I say that – whatever has been before, and whatever may come next – this Christmas is a gift best enjoyed in the present.

See you in 2021.

Christian Warren

Get in touch

8 Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1EJ 01983 861007 www.styleofwight.co.uk

At the time of going to press we are seeing changes to regulations and social behaviour guidelines due to Covid-19. Some of the content in this magazine was committed and published prior to this guidance being in place.

November and December 2020

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Find The Pieces That Make A House A Home

This & ThaT Our collection of furniture and accessories offer inspiration for every single room in your home. Whatever life throws at you, if you’ve got somewhere that feels homely - somewhere loved and lived - you’ll have a place of your own Telephone: 01983 612 152 Email: thisandthatseaview@aol.com Address: 1 Pier Road Seaview Isle Of Wight PO34-5BL

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Contents

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Issue 67: November and December 2020

Regulars

Fashion

16

Style picks: Hand-picked seasonal products from independent Island retailers

27

Winter fashion edit: From some of the finest fashion retailers across the Island

18

Charity and community: WightAid supports Rainbow Club

31

Bespoke memories: By Honeybourne Jewellery

20

Interview: Style of Wight speaks exclusively to ‘The Beast Must Die’ Director Dome Karukoski and Executive Producers Nathaniel Parker and Ed Rubin

Art

93

Events: Find out what’s going on around the Island this winter

Features

38

Ryde Arts: The importance of community and the joys of creating art from nature

40

Photography competition: See the winners of ‘Winter Wonderland’ — find out how you can get involved too

32

Tribe and Tide: Navigating Island family life

42 Off the rails: With Georgia Newman

36

The art of adaptability: With Bethan Christopher

Food

69

Christmas gift guide: Gifts and goodies from some of the Island’s finest independent retailers

46

New winter menus: Presenting the very best from an array of winter menus

92

Children’s Writing Competition: A story to be continued

49

Review: The Winter Garden

50

Meet the chef: We meet Albert Cottage Head Chef, Dan Maskell

55

Christmas ham: By Isle of Wight Meat Co.

59

From Sicily with love: Caffé Isola’s Christmas Polenta cake

60

Christmas cocktails: With Mermaid Gin and Tipsy Wight

63

Living Larder: Seasonal vegetable — Crosnes

106 Winter book reviews: With

Medina Book Shop

69

Health and Beauty 64

The gift of time: With Caroline Hurley

65

Do you feel in need of a boost?

With Kim Murray

66

Give yourself the gift of a smile this Christmas: With Rob Johnson

67 How to look good on video calls: With Dr Kieron Cooney

Home 84 Christmas Day: By Tanya Goodwin 89

Children’s rooms: With Anne Ginger Soft Furnishings

Business 101 Turning challenges into opportunity: With

Marnie Janaway 103 Christmas gifting: With

Hannah Lisseter 104 Do you have the ambition to be

your own boss? With

Dale Howarth

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83 November and December 2020

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Home Fragrance Diffuser Michel Design Works ‘Merry Christmas’ home fragrance diffuser. With the scent of mistletoe and holly – for every room in the house.

Gibbs & Gurnell, Ryde £19.50

Escape to the Chateau Doorstop This Wallpaper Museum doorstop has an eye-catching design from the Chateau by Angel Strawbridge Collection. Featuring florals and traditional patterns in a diamond and patchwork design.

Bayliss & Booth, Wootton £24

Style picks

Island Roasted – Honduras Finca Los Mangos Artisan Coffee from the Isle of Wight. As smooth as ever, this is a very easy drinking coffee. Chocolatey with honey sweetness, creamy body and crisp acidity.

Island Roasted, Newport £6.50

A selection of handpicked independent Island retailers are offering one lucky reader the chance to WIN a seasonal hamper filled with fabulous winter gifts. From candles and diffusers to complement every room in the house, to stunning hand-designed local jewellery for that special someone.

Gratitude Rocks Bracelet This little shell-like scroll is the universal symbol of gratitude. Being grateful for even the most basic aspects of our lives is proven to improve our physical and mental wellbeing.

Spike Rocks Jewellery, £25

Aromas that will complement any home Stoneglow Orris & Ylang Ylang Candle; oriental floral with seductive top notes of bergamot, plum and iris, on a heart of rose, jasmin, ylang and orris and a base of amber, vetiver and woody musks.

This & That, Seaview £17 Good Vibes Ginger, Rhubarb & Vanilla Candle; with essential oils of Cedar, Cinnamon and Rose. Exclusive Island stockist.

Bouchic, Ryde £24.95 Wooldridge Interiors Signature Scented Candle; boasting sophisticated notes of white tea and wisteria.

Wooldridge Interiors, Cowes £25

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Honey Bee Pendant Charm A yellow gold plated Honey Bee pendant charm, inspired by a love for entomology, each piece has been designed and handmade by Sophie Honeybourne, then cast in sterling silver in Britain and hand finished by the in-house team at Honeybourne Jewellery.

Honeybourne Jewellery, Ventnor £104

Gant 3-Pack Seasonal Trunks These trunks come in solid seasonal colours and feature a jacquard-knitted elastic waistband with repeated GANT logotypes.

Visual Impact, Newport £36

Cowes RS1 Cushion Home Comforts Skincare Retreat and relax for a renewed sense of wellbeing and inner calm. This indulgent home comforts gift contains everything you need to create a sanctuary at home.

BeCalmed, Cowes £62

Made from sustainable cotton, this nautical cushion is complete with UK duck feather insert, navy backing and luxury rope piping. The internationally acclaimed sailboats are synonymous not only with exhilarating, competitive racing but family fun too. Hand-drawn against a backdrop of Solent navigation charts.

XV Stripes, £90

Annie Sloan Paint Chalk paint – for those winter DIY projects. A unique decorative paint

by Annie Sloan, for furniture, walls and paint effects.

Dig For Vintage, Ryde £21.95 To w in this incredible hamper wor th over £ 450.00 v isit st yleof w ig ht.co.u k. A l l entr ies w i l l have a cha nce to pu rcha se t he ha mper for a n exclusive rea der of fer pr ice when t he competition ha s closed.

November and December 2020

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STYLE | Community

WIGHTAID SUPPORTS… RAINBOW CLUB A warm welcome is guaranteed at Rainbow Club; a sociable support group for disabled children and their families on the Isle of Wight

R

ainbow Club was established 14 years ago

by Clare Williams, who at the time struggled to find a way to connect with others who understood the needs of her son Christopher, who has Down’s Syndrome.

As Christopher has grown up, the club has grown too – providing support and friendship to hundreds of disabled children and their families.

The club has been based at various locations since its creation, but the warm welcome remains the same.

Before the Covid-19 outbreak, the support group – run entirely on a voluntary basis – hosted monthly family sessions, stay-and-play sessions, coffee mornings, dance groups and parent support activities, from pottery painting and crafting to meeting for a walk.

“Over the years I have met so many amazing children and families through Rainbow Club, the courage and strength they show day to day is immense”, explains Clare. “It is such a privilege to get to know them and be a small part of their journey. The support from WightAID has helped so much in continuing to provide a safe and friendly place for families to

Brian Marriott presenting a cheque to Clare and Christopher from Rainbow Club, with WightAID supporter Sandra Knowles of Hillbans Pest Control and JR Zone

‘All funds donated by local businesses and individuals are rapidly directed to organisations large and small to support their work in the heart of our community.’ gain support from each other, to enjoy special times together and have some fun.”

Rainbow Club has adapted quickly to this new way of life we are experiencing, with support sessions online to keep families connected, and coffee mornings taking place via Zoom. A new laptop bought with a grant from WightAID has become invaluable, helping Clare to co-ordinate activities and continue with her fundraising work.

To find out more about Rainbow Club, visit their Facebook page – search for ‘Rainbow Club IOW supporting children with special needs’ or email rainbowiow@btinternet.com

If you would like to make a difference to charities on the Island, contact admin@wightaid.org or call 01983 555915 or visit www.wightaid.org charity number 1166476

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Rainbow Club members say…

“The support we get is amazing, fun for the kids but also much needed time out for the parents.”

Shaylan’s mum xx “Surrounded with amazing people who truly understand at a time when life can feel so lonely. No judgements just happy welcoming smiles.”

Bentley & Brooklyn’s mummy x “I'd like to thank Rainbow Club for the support network they have provided me, especially when times are tough. One awesome supportive network with people who understand.”

Kaelan's mum x

Community | STYLE

S TA N D W I T H DEREK AND LIGHT UP A LIFE WITH M O U N T B AT T E N This year, Mountbatten’s annual Light up a Life event will look a little different. From the comfort of our own homes, we have found a new way to collectively remember those we have lost, and for us to be together in a different way

W

e are inviting you to stand alongside islander Derek – whose wife Lorraine (pictured above) died during lockdown following a short battle with cancer – by dedicating a light on our Mountbatten Remembrance Tree this Christmas.

Like the many people we care for, Derek looked to us for support in coming to terms with the death of Lorraine, and we are giving him all the time, space and support that he needs. For Derek, lighting a light on our tree is a way for him to honour her memory.

When you donate to dedicate a light to a loved one, you will receive a ‘Light

up a Life at Home’ pack containing a special candle to be lit during our online service at 4pm on Sunday 13th December, as well as a dedication card to hang on your Christmas tree at home, and an Order of Service, including readings and music. Our beautiful remembrance tree will be lit with all the lights dedicated to our loved ones.

Light up a Life is for everyone and offers our Island community the opportunity to come together to remember.

To join us and remember someone special to you this Christmas, donate by picking up a leaflet from one of our shops, or visit mountbatten.org.uk/ light-up-a-life-at-home

For further information visit www.mountbatten.org.uk

November and December 2020

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STYLE | Interview

O N L O C AT I O N :

Action! The Beast Must Die crew member Jasmine Orrey loading the clapper

behind-the-scenes with BritBox UK

By Em ma Elobeid Pictu res Ga ret h Gatrel l

Style of Wight speaks exclusively to ‘The Beast Must Die’ Director Dome Karukosk i and Executive Producers Nathaniel Parker and Ed Rubin 20

styleofwight.co.uk

Interview | STYLE

Filming at Yarmouth Harbour: Island waters play a big part in The Beast Must Die’s storyline

“On the Island, inspiration comes from the beauty and harshness of nature, and it’s very present.” Dome Karukoski, Director

W

hen screenwriter Gaby Chiappe began looking at relocation options for her TV adaptation of 1938 murder mystery novel ‘The Beast Must Die’ by Nicholas Blake (crime fiction pseudonym of Poet Laureate Cecil Day-Lewis), the brief was simple: somewhere distinctive and dramatic but not often used as a filming location. During a conversation with Bob and Carol Bridgestock – who were working as police storyline advisors and had lived and worked on

the Island for several years – Gaby mentioned she wanted somewhere where sailing didn’t feel like the preserve of the rich alone, as the story features boats and water work. They immediately suggested the Isle of Wight, and the scene was set.

cast; from Cush Jumbo OBE (The Good Wife) to BAFTA award-winning and Golden Globe & Emmy nominated Jared Harris (Chernobyl, The Crown) and more – including Billy Howle, Nathaniel Parker, Geraldine James and Maeve Dermody.

A five-part revenge thriller, The Beast Must Die will be the first original drama series for subscription streaming service BritBox UK, produced by New Regency Television and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Films and directed by Dome Karukoski. The project features an impressive all-star

Landmark moments abound as the Island takes up its role in the history of British Television. Not only is the series a first for BritBox UK and New Regency Media, but for Nathaniel Parker (yes, the Nathaniel Parker, Shakespeare and Inspector Lynley fans) the project is also his first as November and December 2020

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STYLE | Interview

“The story showcases a real variety of incredible landscapes and locations on the Island.” Ed Rubin, Executive Producer Shape-shifting cliffs and definition-defying downs provide elemental inspiration

an Executive Producer. Working on a ‘series of firsts’ “brings great excitement and harmony to the project,” he says. “I really hope that we can be a great flag bearer for BritBox. It is such a strong show and the cast is superb, so – along with the return of the ground-breaking Spitting Image – I think we shall do them proud.”

Island iconography and four-season weather The story showcases a real variety of incredible landscapes and locations on the Island” says Executive Producer Ed Rubin. Over eleven weeks, filming has taken place in Yarmouth and Wootton, Bembridge and Cowes; and even – for several squally October days – on the coastal path beneath Style of Wight’s Ventnor office.

Nathaniel speaks of his envy witnessing the cast and crew in so many gorgeous locations, as he spent the first few weeks watching the ‘rushes’ (raw footage of a day’s shooting) from afar. His first day on set – at the Needles – did not disappoint: “Almost every place I’ve stayed has had a picture somewhere on the wall of the Needles. That day took us through all the seasons in one day: heat, cloud, drizzle, wind, pelting rain and hail! I saw dolphins frolicking around a sail boat and a rainbow the size of Cincinnati coming out of the sea.”

Director Dome Karukoski was similarly taken aback by the sweeping South Western solitude of Brook Bay, used for filming during their first week: “There was a small gorge that was totally unexpected – I didn’t expect to see something like that, and it has really stuck with me.”

In true British style, the weather became a recurring anecdote amongst the crew who, working long days outdoors, often found themselves at the mercy of the Island’s more tropical microclimatic tendencies. Luckily, the storyline is suited to bouts of pathetic fallacy; although, Island rain being uniquely unpredictable, that hasn’t negated the need for a rain machine on set.

According to Nathaniel, the weather took a turn for the worse when he arrived on set, leading Jared (Harris) to affectionately refer to him as The Albatross – the ancient sailor’s symbol of bad luck. “I laughed when I watched the rushes for a summer picnic beach scene,” he says. “We had to start it with the immortal (and now commonly used!) ‘Island Weather’ disclaimer.”

Executive Producer Ed Rubin is no stranger to the kind of gloriously Gothic aesthetic that only a beautifully bleak cliff face can provide; his most recent TV credit being The Woman in White. “It’s been terrific filming The Beast Must Die on the Isle of Wight,”

he says, “despite the challenges of filming four seasons in a day!”

For Director Dome Karukoski too, the Island’s elemental nature has had a lasting impact: “One moment you can feel like the rain is going to wash your sins away and a second after that, the sun is opening its smile to you; shedding light into your despair while walking on a white cliff that the sea is shaping again and again. Today the wind was blowing so hard I could’ve flown away if I’d had any kind of wings.”

Understandably, filming during the time of Covid has not been without its challenges. Ed explains the twiceweekly tests, bubbles, and daily temperature checks, saying, “we’ve got into a routine with it and we’re lucky to have an amazing cast and crew, so at the moment we’re on schedule.”

All agree that the Isle of Wight has augmented the intensity of the storyline: “The Island is very visual, and interacts with our characters” Dome explains, “On the Island, inspiration comes from the beauty and harshness of nature, and it’s very present.”

The Beast Must Die will be available exclusively on BritBox UK in 2021; an exact release date is yet to be announced.

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Interview | STYLE

Director profile: Dome Ka ru kosk i Finnish Director Dome Karu kosk i ta l ks style, solitude, and story telling

In a quote taken directly from the subject of his most recent film – Tolkien, starring Nicholas Hoult – Dome describes himself as a “wanderer, who’s sometimes lost”. Being lost, he says, is “a great sensation, and an experience that you easily get addicted to. That’s why I wander. The Isle of Wight was a new place for me, the great unknown. So even though I sometimes fear it, I embrace it. I think it’s a special kind of peace and solitude that I’ve found here. It’s been a place where being alone hasn’t bothered me. And that is a great find.”

Dome comes from a family of truthseekers and storytellers. With a journalist mother and a father (who he didn’t meet until he was 14) who was an American poet and actor there is a sense of creative inevitability to his filmmaking talent. “As a child I would come up with stories of who my father was or what he did,” he explains. “So, even when he wasn’t there, he did guide me into becoming who I am, and we became very close when I grew up and then he became an inspiration for me. Perhaps our future is already written in our blood.”

What does Style mean to you?

In a visual medium, the small choices we make – from what kind of coffee mug a character uses to the style of pillows on their bed – tell us a lot about them, and informs our expectation of how the person behaves in the next scene. Being a Director is the cumulative work of thousands of small and big choices.

What is your own personal sense of Style?

A mixture of chaos, haste and handcraft. If I have time – and I’m not using my brain’s bandwidth on a project – I like to find something handcrafted, often something second-hand – items with carvings and markings of its previous life and owners, full of the stories and history of people who’ve touched that piece.

If I don’t have time, I walk into a shop and pick the first one that I like. Or as the old joke goes: a man in Hollywood walked into a car dealer shop and says “Give me your best car that has a full tank. I’m on my way to meet Zsa Zsa Gabor.”

Island Weather: ‘The Beast Must Die’ Director Dome Karukoski lines up a shot in the rain

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Inspired by a love of coastal living and the ocean, XV stripes captures the essence of laid back luxe for your bedroom and home. XV stripes’ vision has always been to embrace sustainability. At the heart of our team’s lifestyle is fresh lung-tingling, ozone-enhanced sea air, crystal clear, dazzling blue oceans and a healthy way of life. This is reflected in our sustainable approach.

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ryde 63 union street 01983 810581

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newport 20 st. thomas square 01983 523253

Fashion | STYLE

Winter

Fashion edit Wi nter equa ls k n itwea r. It a lso equa ls coats. Oh, a nd g i lets, jea ns, a nd jackets.

Th is w i nter, we’ve got you covered, w ith ou r Style rou ndup of specia l ly selected pieces from some of the f i nest fash ion reta i lers across the Isle of Wight.

Lu x ur y, wa rmth, style

Owner of fashion boutique BouChic in Ryde, Barbra O’Keefe presents her key pieces to keep you warm and snug yet always on trend this season.

Beige YaYa Knitted V-Neck Dress, £119.95 It’s official: the jumper dress has returned.

Sumptuously cosy, this beige v. neck dress is knitted in luxurious alpaca for everyday opulence.

Brown YaYa Wool Lammy Coat, £299.95 Cosy and chic, teddy coats are the feelgood outerwear trend continuing to dominate in 2020.

This one from YaYa is crafted in wool, featuring a slightly longer style and deep side pockets.

Vivian Emily & Fin Boucle Coat, Blush, £189 We really are spoiled for coat choice this season: this delightful Emily & Fin piece in winter blush has the most gorgeous flowershaped button fastenings and a rich dark blue liner, with a fur detachable collar for added versatility.

T h is page: a l l ava i lable at bouch ic.co.u k a nd i n store at 2a Melv i l le Street, Ryde. Instag ra m: @bou.ch ic November and December 2020

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STYLE | Fashion

Classic a nd cosy Owner (and ex-Head Buyer for House of Fraser) Maria Guy of popular boutique Mia Isle of Wight talks us through her favourite winterready essentials: ageless, affordable pieces that you’ll want to wear and wear again.

Faux fur gilet, £99; Dress, £38 Snuggle up in this faux fur gilet in shade of the season ‘Power Plum’ – sublimely soft and fully lined, it’s the perfect dressup overthrow for this lilac longline dress.

Cashmere blend stars and stripes jumper, £49; Jeans, £35 This beautiful cashmere blend jumper with rainbow colour pops is the perfect winter weekend wear; team with our bestselling skinny jeans with flattering 5 pocket detail and a super soft touch.

T h is page: a l l ava i lable at m ia-u k .com a nd i n store at Ryde, New port, a nd Cowes Instag ra m: @ m ia isleof w ig ht

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Faux fur gilet, £85; Jumper, £35 ‘Tis the season for comfort dressing: there is something stylishly sensible about a gilet over a timeless neutral jumper. Separates suit everyone and everything; a foolproof winter purchase.

Fashion | STYLE

Purple faux fur coat, Blümlein & Lang

Classic tailored coat, GANT

Faux furs have improved so much over the last decade, with the most beautiful textures. Make an impact in this beautiful coat from our new brand Blümlein & Lang – a German company with an Italian task force of fashion masters focused on animal-free fabrics, furs and leathers.

Nothing competes with a wool and cashmere blend sourced from Italy; this elegant coat has a super flattering straight cut – just roomy enough to allow for a down jacket, while still showing your shape.

New season, new coat If you buy just one new item this season, make it a power coat. Here, Visual Impact’s Becca Charlo suggests either opting for classic tailoring or wool to stand the test of time, or making a statement with something a little more outwardly audacious.

Men’s suit, GANT

Ede faux fur jacket, French Connection Fancy a bit more of a statement piece? Then this vibrant multi-coloured jacket from French Connection ought to do the trick; a new take on a timeless classic – wear over jeans for bold everyday style while staving off the cold.

While wearing a suit is no longer a requirement for most, statement suits are here to stay.

From pin-collared and pinstriped to relaxed and unstructured, Winter 2020 tailoring is – quite simply – whatever you want it to be.

T h is page: a l l ava i lable i n store at 21 Holy rood Street, New port.

Instag ra m: @ v isua l i mpactiow v isua l i mpact.co.u k November and December 2020

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Quality & Style Since 1985

Celebrating 35 years of Style RALPH LAUREN, BARBOUR, TED BAKER, PART TWO, LEVIS, FRENCH CONNECTION, DIESEL, GANT, NUDIE JEANS, LYLE & SCOTT, GABICCI, YAYA, FRED PERRY, NYDJ, SCOTCH & SODA, NICCE, TAMARIS, HUDSON, SHOE THE BEAR LOAKES SHOEMAKERS

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for women who rock! ‘beautiful jewellery to help you stay connected, grateful and in the moment’

www.spikerocks.co.uk

Fashion | STYLE

Giving old jewellery a new story B E S P O K E M E M O R I E S B Y H O N E Y B O U R N E J E W E L L E RY Bespoke jewel lery is what Honeybourne Jewel lery does best: breathing new li fe into old stones, stamping love into wel l-worn gold, and turning fami ly heirlooms into fresh desig ns that w i l l be loved for many years to come Many of us inherit jewellery that – while deeply special in sentiment – may not be to our personal style or taste. Our bespoke jewellery upcycling service allows you to update an oldfashioned setting or repurpose older stones, while protecting all of the meaning and memories they hold in a brand-new design – made just for you.

Over the last twenty years we’ve had the pleasure of working closely with thousands of clients to turn their visions into reality; many of them returning again and again.

into a commemorative fiftieth birthday ring. She was thrilled with the finished piece – set in 9ct yellow gold and peppered with five white gold beads symbolising each decade – “Sophie was so good at taking my vague ideas and making them into something truly beautiful and timeless.”

At the same time, we were also commissioned by the customer’s daughters to create a co-ordinating heart pendent using two of the same

inherited aquamarine stones: “I love them and get lots of comments; they hold a special meaning to me and are unique.”

We adore the challenge of writing new chapters into old histories, and love it when a customer contacts us with an idea for repurposing an older piece of jewellery. In the past we’ve reclaimed diamonds from vintage watch faces and rescued sapphires from forgotten jewellery boxes; creating everything from a solid gold sausage dog ring to remembrance charm bracelets.

Have a special piece in mind? Give us a call or drop us a message to start your old jewellery’s new story.

One customer was gifted this beautiful set of aquamarine stones by her aunt, inherited from her late-uncle who was himself a jeweller. For her fiftieth birthday, her family came together and commissioned Honeybourne Jewellery to incorporate these stones

Instagram: @honeybournejewellery Facebook: @Honeybourne Jewellery honeybournejewellery.com

Gratitude rocks Spi ke Rocks began fol low ing a chance conversation w ith a friend; unable to find ‘that perfect piece’, founder Suzy Pi ke rea lised that she wou ld have to ma ke it herself For Suzy, the essence of her business isn’t only how jewellery makes women look, but how it makes them feel.

When you choose a present from Spike Rocks, you’re not just giving jewellery, but gifting an intention – from love and acceptance to courage and clarity.

We hear a lot about the practice of gratitude. But it’s not always easy to find the time to write in a ‘gratitude journal’, which is why Suzy launched her Gratitude Rocks range. Featuring a shell-like scroll in hammered sterling silver, each item is a physical, tangible – wearable – daily reminder to look for those glimmers of light without overcomplicating the process.

Christmas offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on what we have gained over the past twelve months: whether that’s newfound resilience, rediscovered hobbies or a renewed appreciation in the simple everyday.

An individually handmade piece from the Gratitude Rocks collection is the perfect way to show someone how grateful you are for their presence, and a reminder to always hang onto the positives in tricky times.

Passionate about individual service, Suzy is contactable to advise and guide throughout.

Instagram: @spikerocksjewellery Facebook: @spikerocks www.spikerocks.co.uk

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TRIBE AND TIDE N AV I G AT I N G I S L A N D FA M I LY L I F E

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Feature | STYLE

By Em ma Elobeid Pictu res Ch r istia n Wa r ren

For all their beach-boy bravado six months of the year, my two are also at least 50% forest fey: full of mischief and happiest in nature. No matter how many soggy Sundays we spend exploring the Island’s extensive woodlands, our midwinter meanders never lose magic or mystery. Borthwood Copse has become somewhat of an all-time favourite; galumphing down the root-strewn path with Christmas morning-like gusto, the Narnian descent from wardrobe/car park to cathedral-like clearing feels almost (to the young and magically receptive alike) as if you are entering a fairyland realm, and we instinctively tread more carefully so as not to disturb them.

B

y water or wood, children are ever-fascinated by scale: while tales of tiny snails and humpback whales delight beachside, here in the forest, towering evergreen giants and flower fairies capture the imagination. We may not be able to see them (fairy-folk are notoriously shy) but we feel their presence as we tiptoe in between Borthwood’s ancient oaks.

While my gaze wanders over knobbly stumps, hollowed out trunks, and secret tunnelling nooks, my mind’s eye wonders what it would be like to live there. Recently, I’ve realised that I’m not alone in indulging this whimsical

train of thought: perhaps now, more than ever, many of us are instinctively drawn to the simplicity and seclusion that only a forest ‘teeny-tiny’ home can bring. For all my Isle of Wight property addiction, there are some days that I would gladly pick a mossy hillock over a glass house on a hill.

Eager to involve the children in my imaginings, we talk about what ‘cosy’ means to us: for my eldest it’s the kitchen underlights glimpsed from the last few metres home from school on a rainy afternoon; my youngest cites Bonfire Night fireworks watched from the warmth of the bedroom window.

Cosy contemplation turns to play as

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STYLE | Feature

A palace fit for a Fairy Queen?

‘Because really, how do we know if we are the Giants or the Thumblings; the Big People or the Borrowers?’ we collect and gather materials to build a wintery home in miniature.

Contrary to popular belief, fairies aren’t fans of tinsel or glitter, preferring instead to read their festive bedtime stories by the warm white light of a winter wood anemone.

Laying the table for a fairy feast

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As we build, talk turns (as it tends to do, at this time of the year) to the Big Day: what might Christmas look like for the inhabitants of these tiny homes? Does a single, lovingly roasted horse chestnut take pride of place on a polished table of bark? Do they clink acorn cups of morning dew and wear crowns spun from thinnest spider silk? Huddle around and listen to the Fairy Queen’s speech at 3pm?

Legend has it that fairies have the power to train families of field mice to serenade them with Christmas carols.

After rocking around every last fir tree in the forest, do they play Twister on the needle-soft forest floor – right foot rosehip, left hand lichen – before collapsing under a duvet of glittering wood moss?

Eventually, these practical ponderings take a more philosophical turn – “but Mummy, do the fairies know they are small?” – leading to questions that I can neither fathom nor answer.

Because really, how do we know if we are the Giants or the Thumblings; the Big People or the Borrowers? In the grand scale of the universe and us,

Feature | STYLE

Fairies prefer feathers Bright and beautiful berries for the feast

we can never say for sure whether (to continue the literary metaphor) we are the Horton-esque Heffalump or the ‘Who’ on a speck of dust.

Yet somehow, the process of noticing the magic in the minutiae – via a few

Miniature banquets of nature’s bounty

strategically placed sticks and pine cones on a soggy Sunday afternoon – helps us appreciate the scale and wonder of our own existence. Either that, or we’re all part-fey.

Why not share your tribe’s festive fairy house creations with us on Instagram using our #tribeandtide hashtag – we’d love to see them!

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STYLE | Feature

The art of adaptability Words a nd i l lustration by Bet ha n Ch r istopher

U

Before Covid-19 became a household name, innovation in technology and climate change were already drastically altering how we lived. With the arrival of the pandemic, the changes we face have been ramped up further, transforming our day-to-day lives, perspectives and priorities

nlike one year ago, many people are now living with an acute sense of the unknown. We have no idea what is going to happen next month, let alone next week and unsure of how Covid-19 is going to impact our lives long term, any plans we make feel tentative. In fact, the only thing we can really be certain of is that things will continue to change.

When the only thing that we know about the future is that it’s going to be unpredictable, the wisest thing to do

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is develop a resource that allows us to adapt quickly, come up with new ideas and find effective solutions. What is this resource? The answer is creativity.

Creativity isn’t just about being able to knit a nice sweater, work out a new recipe for sourdough or compose a limerick. Creative thinking helps us to see opportunities when we’re feeling stuck, helps us to think outside the box and innovate new solutions to seemingly impossible problems.

Ultimately creativity is the key to

adaptability. It helps us to be flexible and work out how to effectively reposition ourselves, our family and our business during these strange and unpredictable times. Here are six things you can do to start growing your creative thinking skills today.

1. Reframe how you see the arts.

Stop seeing art and creative skills as existing purely for entertainment.

Recognise that everything you see around you in the human-made world is the result of someone, at some

Feature | STYLE

point, having a creative idea and then innovating ways to turn that thought into a thing. By reframing how you see creativity and its value in the world, you’ll be more likely to commit your time and energy to developing your creative thinking skills.

2. Set goals and prioritise your creative skill building.

Make developing your creativity as important as going to the gym or spending time with your loved ones.

Go onto the internet and research the various exercises and tools available to help you to develop your creative thinking skills, then chunk time out in your week to practise and action those things. Look up the work of Tony Buzan, whose Mind Mapping technique is a great way of exploring and expanding your creative ideas.

3. Approach problems from different perspectives.

One way to do this is the “Six Hats Technique”, a great tool that allows you to generate multiple solutions.

Here’s how: Black Hat: Use a negative perspective. Which elements of the solution won’t work?

Blue Hat: Think broadly. What is the best overall solution?

Green Hat: Think creatively. What are some alternative ideas?

Red Hat: Look at the situation emotionally. What do your feelings tell you?

White Hat: Look at the situation objectively. What are the facts?

Yellow Hat: Use a positive perspective. Which elements of the solution will work?

4. Choose one creative skill to master and then prepare to be a learner again.

Learning new skills may mean that you’re starting out as a beginner and to do this requires risk taking and the possibility of failure. While

your efforts may not yield fabulous results every time, each attempt to develop your new skill will boost your creative talents, build resilience and resourcefulness – all of which are helpful qualities in a time of uncertainty. Focus on the process, not the product.

5. Go and find seasoned creatives.

The Isle of Wight has attracted flamboyant makers since the Victorian era and still today our island brims with writers, makers, musicians and those with artistic leanings. Creative people often have the power to perceive new possibilities, have a keen interest in life and are often interesting to talk to. By interacting with different people from different artistic disciplines or creative professions, the chances are that you’ll come away inspired, with ideas sparked and an expanded imagination of what is possible for you.

6. Expand a hobby using a creative approach.

Pinpoint one of your current hobbies – ideally something that you don’t usually consider a creative pursuit, such as walking, playing computer games, scrolling social media, bird watching, fossil hunting etc. Now put your creative side to work and bring a new artistic element into that hobby.

For example, maybe take a sketchpad out and do a daily drawing on your walk. Or, decide a theme for your social media and work on a series of photographs that you could take to explore that theme. Linking creative thinking to habits and hobbies is great to exercise and grow the artistic mind.

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STYLE | Art

Cultivate, create, thrive #WeAreRydeArts Each year, Ryde A rts prov ides a wea lth of opportunities for loca l people to get involved with the arts in an env ironment that enriches the lives of artists, participants, and v iewers a li ke.

In this issue – the second of our series of features on inspiring Ryde A rts projects – we examine the importance of community and the joys of creating art from nature.

Green Garlands Made possible by Ryde Arts, Green Garlands is a free-ofcharge festive wreath-making workshop with community at its heart. Originally started by Carol Jaye – helped by stylist and florist Tanya Goodwin – this drop-in event has, over the years, become a much-anticipated December highlight in Ryde town centre; providing space and expert tuition (plus wire rings, masses of holly, ivy, laurel, bay and other natural materials) for local people who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to engage in a creative activity with friends and family. In previous years Green Garlands has seen around 100 participants – some wandering in spontaneously, others queuing outside before it starts.

Accessibility and inclusivity for all has always been central; many participants – including Julie – return year-after-year: “Christmas is always my busiest and most stressful time of year, so being able to do Ryde Arts’ annual Green Garlands workshop with Tanya is a real blessing. Working with natural materials allows me to go back to the roots of this time of celebration. It’s fabulous that Ryde Arts provide accessible, quality workshops throughout the year as it gives people the opportunity to nurture their creative side and rebalance.”

2020 has been an extraordinarily stressful year that has highlighted the need to make time to talk, and tend to our wellbeing. Being involved in any creative activity is proven to promote wellbeing, boost confidence, and create space for social connections – all of which have a positive effect on mental health. Although current guidelines mean that the physicality of Green Garlands will look a little different this year, the community heart and Christmas spirit of the project remain unchanged.

To find out more about plans for this year’s Green Garlands project, visit rydearts.org

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Art | STYLE

Tanya Goodwin’s Green Garlands memories “I’ve learned many things from this project. It’s helped me discover how to distil a practical process that can be quite complex, into a simpler form and has improved my ability to communicate this confidently to others. Helping people learn a new skill and seeing them apply it is very rewarding.

And it’s a joy to see how much pleasure people get from tactile engagement with natural materials that reconnects them, in a small way, back to nature. I have many memories from the Green Garlands project but for me, its continuing value lies in the connections it allows people to make with each other and in the ritual element to the event that’s developed over the years.

I think that this type of hands-on participation can help local people feel that they have a stake in the community, by contributing to a larger artistic endeavour that might benefit the whole town.”

Bespoke Wreath, Wild Florist Wild by Tanya Goodwin. Photo credit: Holly Jolliffe

Maker profile: Tanya Goodwin Many of you may remember the extraordinary seasonal window displays Tanya created for Liz Earle in Union Street. For many years Tanya worked as a stylist for magazines for numerous publications, including the Telegraph, Simple Things, and Country Living Magazine, as well as for artists and makers. While Tanya continues to do styling projects – including for Style of Wight – she is also a florist and picture taker. Inspired by the wild landscapes around us, and storytelling in all its forms, Tanya has recently set up her own floristry – Wild Florist Wild – using flowers sourced from her garden. Bespoke wreaths can be ordered through her website, and in the spring, she plans to start a local flower delivery service called Friday Flowers. tanyagoodwin.co.uk Instagram @tanyagoodwinstylist wildfloristwild.co.uk Instagram @wildfloristwild

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STYLE | Art

Photography competition

WINTER WONDERLAND The winner: Ice World, by Pau l Lucas The winner’s photograph is not on ly featured in this edition of Style of Wight Magazine, but wi l l be displayed on the wa l ls of the prestigious Quay A r ts Ga l ler y, in New port and the winner wi l l receive a 20”x16” mounted print from Ava i lable Light Ga l ler y a nd Gi f ts – the Island’s main stock ist for Avai lable Light Photography, by Steve Gascoigne.

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Art | STYLE

Second place: Bembridge Windmill, by Michael Littlewood

Third place: Winter Wonderland for Chickens, by Brenda Salter

To be one of our next photography competition winners, simply interpret the theme however you wish and send it in to us at office@styleofwight.co.uk, along with your full name, contact telephone number and image title.

Images must be 300dpi and larger than 2MB in file size. Entries should be submitted by Wednesday 16th December. For full competition details see our website www.styleofwight.co.uk

Judging Panel Gary Wallis Esteemed Portrait Photographer | Georgia Newman Visual Arts Manager Quay Arts | Christian Warren Editor Style of Wight Magazine | Emma Elobeid Deputy Editor Style of Wight Magazine | Laura Craven Graphic Designer Style of Wight Magazine | Hannah Wilson Editorial Assistant Style of Wight Magazine

Next edition’s theme: Becoming November and December 2020

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STYLE | Art

OFF THE RAILS West Gallery, Quay Arts

By Georg ia New ma n QUAY A RTS

S

‘Modern2020-09-09 483009 at Ryde Depot’ by Phil Marsh

ince the beginning of steam travel, artists have responded to its industrial status, its movement, speed and sound, the passing through space and time. From poetry such as Wordsworth’s 1833 ‘Steamboats, Viaducts, and Railways’ and Emily Dickinson’s 1891 ‘I like to see it lap the Miles’ to J.M.W. Turner’s ‘Rain, Steam, and Speed - The Great Western Railway’, painted in 1844 and all the way through to O. Winston Link’s 1956 photograph ‘Hotshot Eastbound’ – feelings of trepidation moving into the Second Industrial Revolution, to its romanticised vision of a bygone era have been interpreted throughout history.

In our forthcoming exhibition Off the Rails (9th January - 20th March 2021), Quay Arts are partnering with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to celebrate their 50th anniversary of moving from Newport to Havenstreet, by showing artefacts, signs and memorabilia from their collection as well as related objects and artworks from IW Heritage Service Collection.

and carriages, most of which had arrived as hand-me-downs from the mainland. It was then, on Sunday 24th January 1971, at 8.30pm, the last steam train rumbled across the Medina Drawbridge, Newport, high above the river and its quays, ending a chapter in the Island’s transport history, and thus, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway was born.

As part of this exhibition, we are calling out to artists to submit contemporary artwork which will be displayed alongside the heritage works, responding to ideas around notions of preservation, displacement and memory, and some wider themes on travel, engineering and movement. Works can be in any medium, i.e. film, audio, photography, painting, mixed media, print, sculptural 2D or 3D works, written or installation form, giving this exhibition a rich, contemporary feel, whilst retaining the narrative of the Island’s Steam Railway history. Deadline to apply is midnight 22nd November 2020.

The first of the Island lines opened in 1862 between Cowes and Newport, but it was not until 1900 that Ventnor received its second railway and the Island rail complex was complete. However, by the mid-20th century, after two World Wars and a lengthy depression, it was not surprising that rural branch lines came under the spotlight and their economic status was in question. The 1950s saw lines to Bembridge, Freshwater and Ventnor, all closed.

The Island’s steam-hauled railways were becoming a sad reflection of their former glory but still retaining a fascination for historians and enthusiasts as the Island’s isolation had seen the retention of antiquated locomotives

‘Reflections’ by Clive Miller

Gallery opening times: Mon – Sun 10am – 4pm. Free entry.

Quay Arts, Sea Street, Newport Harbour, Isle of Wight, PO30 5BD. www.quayarts.org

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at, drink, m�t friends and stay a while.....

Whether coming to enjoy a lunch, dinner, an overnight stay or a perfectly chilled glass of wine after a busy day, Albert Cottage is the place to be.

Always stylish and elegant, with a vibrant atmosphere and warm friendly service.

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BRIDAL FEATURE 2021

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Food | STYLE

In comfort and joy: STYLE OF WIGHT

festive food

At Christmas time, food maketh the moment, the magic and the memories

W

onderfully traditional though they are, Christmas food doesn’t start with turkey and end with Brussels sprouts. Big Day aside, the best thing about cooking (and eating) throughout the festive season is the deliciously long build-up and gloriously gradual wind-down: seasonal menus that make their entrance midNovember and festive feasting that lasts long into latest December.

Whether you’re planning a chilledout and comforting Christmas or an all-out sparkling showstopper, we’ve got you covered. Across the following pages you’ll find festive food inspiration for every persuasion and occasion: from signature dishes worth booking a table for to orderin Christmas pizza worth staying at home for.

Christmas food should be a visual and a visceral feast – cuisine that

demands to be photographed and begs to be devoured. It’s a balance perfectly demonstrated by some of the Island’s finest culinary experts as they showcase the very best in mouthwatering new season menus.

Of course, no bejewelled table would be complete without some liquid red and gold refreshment: from Yuletide Martinis to decorate the tree to, to Cherry Manhattans to warm the carolling cords, it’s all here.

New winter menus: specially selected by

4 6 some of the Island’s top culinary experts

This year also feels like the perfect time to acquire new traditions and try out International foods of celebration – from the New Inn’s Middle-Eastern inspired Muhummara to Living Larder’s elegant winter Chinese Artichokes – before putting our own spin on them back at home.

However you plan to celebrate the festive season, we wish you comfort in food, joy in family, and a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas cocktails: two of our favourite

6 0 festive cocktails

November and December 2020

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STYLE | Food

New winter menus

From big f lavours to subtle k icks; Christmas comfort dishes to earthy eats – here we present the very best from an array of w inter menus, specia l ly selected by some of the Island’s top cu linary experts. Prepare for mouths to water and tastebuds to tingle…

Roasted butternut squash, spiced ch ickpeas a nd Mu ha mma ra

At the recently reopened New In n, Hea d Chef Ja m ie Dw yer has created a week ly cha ng i ng menu of wa rm i ng d ishes for the colder days a hea d; i nclud i ng th is pla nt-based Midd le-Eastern i nspi red d ish. Mu ha m ma ra is a hot pepper d ip orig i na l ly from A leppo, Sy ria , a lso k now n i n Leva nti ne a nd T u rk ish cu isi nes as a cu ka . Si m i la r to hu m mus – but w ith ex tra w i nter com fort – the mu ha m ma ra g ives a n i rresistible crea my tex tu re to the d ish, complementi ng the more robust squash a nd ch ick peas.

T he New I n n 01983 531314 new i n n iow.co.u k

Ch ristmas pizza

A g reat w i nter a dd ition to a n a l rea dy popu la r menu. T he secret to a ny g reat d ish is fresh i ng red ients; a motto especia l ly true of pizza .

With fresh ly-ma de doug h ever y day a nd homema de pizza sauce, Capta i n Ta keout has created a w i n n i ng Ch ristmas toppi ng usi ng the ver y best sausage-a nd-stu ff i ng m i x (from T he Butcher’s Shop i n Cowes) a rou nd, crispy smoked ba con, succu lent tu rkey breast , crea my brie a nd a spiced cra nberr y g la ze. A l l ser ved w ith thei r sig natu re homema de d ippi ng sauce.

Capt a i n Ta keout 07432 482315 capta i nta keout.com

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Food | STYLE

Wi ld boa r a nd ven ison terri ne

Wi nter is the idea l ti me to enjoy the robust , hea rty f lavou rs of w i ld ga me. In th is pretty terri ne, T he Seav iew Hotel’s Hea d Chef Bruce T heoba ld uses the classic combi nation of sweet A gen pru nes a nd ea rthy ga me w ith the a dd ition of v ibra nt pista ch ios for a nutty cru nch. To complete th is seasona l homage, a velvety pa rsn ip pu rée has been blended w ith a romatic tru ff le.

T he Seav iew Hotel 01983 612711 seav iewhotel.co.u k

Jackswood Fa rm qua i l ser ved w ith puy lenti ls, on ion f ritters, spi nach, a nd cu rr y sauce Chef Da n Maskel l pa n fries h is Ja ckswood Fa rm qua i l whole u nti l golden brow n, before basti ng w ith del icately foa m i ng beu rre noisette. Upon a plate of on ion pu rée, puy lenti ls – wa rmed th roug h w ith v i na ig rette – a nd on ion fritters a re layered onto a bed of baby spi na ch leaves, wh i le the qua i l is d ressed w ith cu rr y sauce, ta rragon mayon na ise a nd coria nder cress.

A lber t Cott a ge Hotel 01983 299309 a lbertcottagehotel.com

P umpk i n a nd Por tobel lo mush room risotto

With a cornucopia of w i nter produce g row n at Ventnor Bota n ic Ga rden, Hea d Chef Bra d Roe decided to ma rr y these two homeg row n favou rites. Ca ra mel ised pu mpk i ns a nd roasted Portobel lo mush rooms form the base of th is rustic w i nter d ish, beauti f u l ly f i n ished w ith a dash of Catta rato Da Vero a nd fresh ly g row n sage from the on-site Med ici na l Ga rden. To sa mple th is a nd a n a rray of other d ishes, joi n them for supper at the edu l is Restau ra nt , nestled w ith i n the ga rden, ever y Friday n ig ht - w ith l ive music th roug hout the festive season.

edu l is R est au ra nt at Ventnor Bot a n ic Ga rdens 01983 855397 bota n ic.co.u k

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Fresh, Local and Fast “Better days will come, we will succeed and that success will belong to each and every one of us” HM Queen Elizabeth II

Our sites are compact and busy so in order to provide a safe space for customers and staff we are still take - away only.

We aim to stay focused on long term issues, quality food, simply prepared.

Sustainability in all its forms - it is now 3 years since we removed all non biodegradable packaging from the foods and drinks we serve.

Find us across the Island

NEWPORT • COWES • RYDE www.FRENCHFRANKS.co.uk

Food | STYLE

Review

THE WINTER GARDEN The Style of Wight team entered new popup concept The Winter Garden in Cowes not sure what to expect, but we were instantly enchanted

O

wner Jack Anselm established Cowes-based Captain Takeout, including Captain Pizza and Captain Doughnut, during the summer. Expanding on this takeaway success, he and partner Miriam Simpson have now created a magical environment on the waterfront at the Island Sailing Club. Here, groups of up to six can relax in safe, cosy cabins, beside giant trees and underneath a starry sky of fairy lights.

The food is served in boxes, making it easy to take away if you can’t finish everything. From a tempting range of homemade sourdough pizzas, we chose the very tasty, and slightly healthier Dolce Vita ‘cut it out’, with salad replacing the pizza’s centre.

Their sourdough and tomato sauce are made fresh daily using local ingredients, and child-size, vegan or gluten-free options are available.

For pudding, the Sweet box didn’t disappoint, filled with plenty of treats including fresh warm doughnuts, cookies, mince pies and macaroons to indulge in.

The wine menu is extensive, and during the festive season children can join Father Christmas at the Christmas Grotto, while adults enjoy a mulled wine.

Open daily from noon to 10pm, The Winter Garden is a space where you can forget about the world outside, and just enjoy good food and quality time with friends and family. Plan to pop in soon, the experience will bring a welcome sparkle to any winter’s day.

Designed to share, the winter grazing boxes are ideal to pick at over a glass of wine. The Christmas box contained delicious homemade ham hock terrine, pigs in blankets, cheese, Christmas chutney and many other goodies. The meat and special sausage mix come from The Butcher Shop in Cowes, and there’s also Charcuterie, Isle of Wight Cheese, and Vegan boxes.

To book your cabin call 01983 296621

November and December 2020

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STYLE | Food

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styleofwight.co.uk

Meet the chef DAN MASKELL A L B E RT C O T TA G E H O T E L

By Jo Ma cau lay Pictu res Ch r istia n Wa r ren

Taking the job of Head Chef at the Albert Cottage Hotel and Restaurant has brought Dan Maskell right back to his roots. His grandparents lived immediately across the road from this historic building, and Dan grew up in East Cowes “Sometimes in the morning I go out into the garden and I hear the wood pigeons, and that’s the sounds I heard as a kid,” says Dan, whose career has encompassed several Michelin-starred restaurants and latterly his own very successful restaurant, Dan’s Kitchen in St Helen’s.

“After selling Dan’s Kitchen, Robert Thompson asked me to help with The George in Yarmouth. I was applying for jobs on the mainland, but Annie (Horne, owner of Albert Cottage) came and saw me and persuaded me to join her.

“The history here is amazing, and it’s about seeing the potential, which Annie has done. She’s given me a free rein on what I do here, although I have guidelines. I’m really enjoying it here.”

Dan’s career in cooking began at the Isle of Wight College at the age of 17, and with a job at the nearby Folly Inn at evenings and weekends. He might have entered the construction industry like others in his family, but Dan saw cooking as being something not entirely dissimilar. “I find it fascinating that with both you start with the raw ingredients and end up with the finished product,” he explains.

Finishing at college, Dan applied for a job at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor in 1996 and drove past to check out the venue. “It was daunting, and I thought I’d never get a job there, but I did!

“The chefs were in control but really laid back. It made it easy for me to learn. I’m not a stressy person. I started as a commis chef and left at the age of 27 as a sous chef. William (Bailey) had a massive influence – he was such an encouraging boss.

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STYLE | Food

tangy orange caramel, then placed on top of an orange sponge. The whole dish is then flipped and served with the sweet white chocolate sorbet and garnished with cherries soaked in Grand Marnier.

Watch out for a dish under construction - a new take on the Rum Baba but using Mermaid Gin. A Gin Baba!

“It’s like a little modern London boutique hotel.

We want to be the best on the Island and the best on the south coast.”

As his next move, Dan decided to work off the island, working for two years at the Poussin (now the Pig in Brockenhurst), briefly at L’Ortolan in Shinfield, and then for two years at JSW in Petersfield under Jake Watkins – all Michelin-starred restaurants.

It got to the stage where Dan would have to move up in his career, and that meant relocating. But the call of the island was too strong, and he was back at The Royal again for a short while. Then it was all change in January 2011, when Dan decided to open his own restaurant in St Helen’s.

“Running your own business is a massive learning curve. We did the best we could, and our family really supported us. We didn’t have a clue what we were doing,” admits Dan. “It was non-stop for the first three years, and the success of the restaurant was down to our loyal staff.”

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Dan closed the doors on 31st May, 2019, after eight amazing years. “It’s nice that people remember what we did at Dan’s Kitchen and are tracking me down,” adds Dan, who has brought a few of his signature dishes with him, such as the seabass and crab risotto with avocado mousse that was on the summer menu.

Afternoon Teas are another speciality at Albert Cottage. Queen Victoria invented these to keep her going between lunch and dinner and would have taken Afternoon Tea with her daughter Beatrice, who used to live in this building.

Dan’s mouth-watering additions to this afternoon treat include ‘Financiers’, made from ground almonds and orange purée, and served with an orange soaked in Grand Marnier.

“I’m 99% sure that we’re the only restaurant on the island serving the Isle of Wight quail,” says Dan. “We also serve their quail eggs.”

“I like to do different twists with dishes,” said Dan, “and Annie gives me plenty of freedom. I’m now in the early stages of building the team here.

Sam Bonner my sous chef joined two weeks before lockdown and two months ago Courtney King joined us on the pastry side. We honestly have an amazing team here, right through from Management, Front of House, Housekeeping, Maintenance and Gardeners; it takes all of them to make it work. All professional but warm and friendly too.

Puddings are a favourite of Dan’s with a few surprises on the menu, such as the ‘Jaffa Cake’ with white chocolate sorbet. The inside of a dark chocolate mousse is scooped out and filled with

“It’s like a little modern London boutique hotel. We want to be the best on the Island and the best on the south coast. I think we’re capable of doing it too! Roll on 2021!”

New for the autumn are the beautiful little Jackswood Farm Quail with puy lentils, onion fritters and spinach served with a curry sauce made from slow roasted Isle of Wight Tomatoes.

HAND-CRAFTED ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

FREE YOUR SPIRIT I S L E O F W I G H T D I S T I L L E R Y.C O M | +4 4 (0) 1 9 8 3 61 3 6 5 3

Christmas Roasting & Gammon Joints

2020 WINNER Beef Innovator of the Year

Plus Pigs in Blankets, Sausage Meat & More

THE STEAK COLLECTION

Perfect Presents Our Signature Steak Box & Gift Vouchers

www.isleofwightmeat.co.uk 01983 741234

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Food | STYLE

Recipe idea

Christmas ham

By Isle of Wi g ht Meat Co.

A Christmas ham is a classic choice for a festive feast. Reared to the highest standards at the fami ly-run Cheverton Farm in Shorwel l and traditiona l ly cured w ith a touch of juniper, this cured boneless gammon from Isle of Wight Meat Co. w i l l be the star of your Christmas table

B

oth decorative and delicious, a Christmas ham deserves to be styled accordingly; simmered with festive peppercorns, coriander and fennel seeds and finished with a seasonally-cheering scored diamond pattern of criss-crossed cloves. Glazed to a shine with dark syrupy sugar and local Isle of Wight honey, bring to the table part-carved on a wooden board, garnished with charred Christmas fruit and fresh rosemary.

Visit isleof w ig htmeat.co.u k

Top tip: should fridge space allow, reserve the cooking liquid for Christmas stock, festive soup, or even as a game-changing base for homemade mushy peas.

Fabulous hot and steaming with trimmings galore; equally delicious the day after with chutneys and cheeses, divine stirred through creamy Christmas pasta during the ‘inbetween’ – a Christmas ham really is the gift that keeps on giving.

For your full simmer-to-score recipe • Visit styleofwight.co.uk • Order your boneless cured gammon directly from Isle of Wight Meat Co. – priced at £12.50 a kilo

Instag ra m @ isleof w ig htmeat November and December 2020

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Tipsy Wight Hampshire Fare advert 2017 148.5x210mm with bleed.pdf

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1

11/12/2017

17:06

QUIRKY & DELICIOUS FLAVOURED VODKAS & VODKA LIQUEURS MADE WITH LOVE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

CM

MY

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CMY

K

For more information visit

www.tipsywight.com tipsywight

@tipsywight

tipsywight

Artisan Christmas Specials Choose from our wide range of exceptional British mature cheeses.

Hand-cut for your perfect Christmas platter.

Food | STYLE

Recipe idea

Beef Wellington

By Fa r mer Ja ck s

Christmas is a l l about creating memories through food: this show-stopping Beef Wel ling ton recipe from the expert butchers at Fa rmer Jacks w i l l ensure your Christmas dinner is tru ly unforgettable

B

eef tenderloin fillet is one of the most exclusive and exquisite cuts available.

Reared at Shorwell’s Cheverton Farm, Farmer Jacks’ fillets are hung for three to four weeks, ensuring a cut that is both tender and bursting with flavour.

Seasoned generously and seared in a smoking hot stovetop skillet, we suggest brushing our own Farmer Jacks food hall favourite – award-winning Tracklements Strong English Mustard – on all sides for some serious Victorian Christmas heat. Layering thin slices of Parma ham and sautéed puréed mushrooms, the Beef Wellington is then rolled into a tight puff pastry barrel before finishing in the oven until golden.

This really is a statement dish in its own right – all that preparation instantly worth it upon first sight of those perfectly festive slices. Best served with some simple seasonal greens, and perhaps a garnish of Christmas berries.

For your full moment-bymelting-moment recipe: • Visit styleofwight.co.uk • Order your tenderloin fillet from Farmer Jacks before 15th December; from £27 per kilo

Fa rmer Ja cks offers a w ide ra nge of seasona l good ies a nd bu i ldyou r-ow n festive ha mpers; ribbon-w rapped a nd Ch ristmas rea dy.

From fresh tu rkeys, pigs i n bla n kets a nd loca l ly g row n Brussels sprouts to tra d itiona l stu ff i ng, cra nberr y sauce, m i nce pies a nd ma rzipa n. In the del icatessen you’l l a lso f i nd Ch ristmassy del ig hts from a rou nd the world – from Pa nettone a nd Ba k lava to Eu ropea n cheeses a nd conti nenta l festive beers.

Visit fa rmerja cks.co.u k

Instag ra m @fa rmerja cksshop November and December 2020

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m pm p -5 m-6 m a 9a .30 n su at 7 -s on m

Caffe Isola &

The

Chapel STreet

Roastery artisan cafe, roastery & independant retail 85a St James St, Newport

info@caffe-isola.co.uk Tel: 01983 524800 the home of

island roasted artisan coffee from the isle of wight

www.islandroasted.co.uk

Food | STYLE

From Sicily with love Caffè Isola’s Christmas Polenta Cake Reg u lar v isitors to Caffè Isola w i l l notice that Polenta ca ke is somewhat of a seasona l signature at New port’s favourite artisan coffee house: from spring pairings of fresh lime pistachio and yoghurt to summertime spectacu lar lemon and berry

A

n Italian store-cupboard staple, the beauty of polenta – made from corn and naturally wheat and gluten free – is its artistic potential as a cake canvas. In Northern Italy, polenta is used mainly in savoury dishes, but its versatility and flavour also make it the perfect dessert dish.

Back of house, the Caffè Isola team often hold light-hearted competitions to see who can come up with the most delectable fillings and original toppings for their next polenta pièce de résistance (or, rather more fittingly, pezzo forte).

At Christmas time – inspired by fragrant parcels of Sanguinello Blood Oranges sent with love to owners Dan and Viviana Burgess’ children from their Sicilian ‘Nonno – Caffè Isola is once more filled with the festive scent of their famed Christmas Clementine and Fruit Polenta Cake. Somehow, the children’s favourite Sanguinello oranges never quite make it out of the couple’s kitchen at home; instead, sweet and juicy Sicilian clementines take centre stage in this Christmassy Italian pudding.

Blending classic Italian baking with English teatime traditions – the perfect accompaniment to a flat white or English Breakfast tea – Caffè Isola’s polenta cake is lovingly baked in the shape of a Christmas wreath, served with finest mascarpone cream and topped with a festive array of almonds, mixed Christmas fruit, Sicilian clementines and fresh figs.

01983 524800 islandroasted.co.uk/caffe-isola

To recreate Viv ia na’s Ch ristmas Polenta Ca ke at home, v isit styleof w ig ht.co.u k for you r recipe November and December 2020

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STYLE | Food

CHRISTMAS

cocktails 60

styleofwight.co.uk

Food | STYLE

Nothing says Christmas li ke a festive cock tai l; and this season, we’re bringing the party home. W hether you’re look ing for the u ltimate present-w rapping accompaniment, or something merry and bright to sip smugly through a Zoom happy hour, we’ve shared two of our favourite festive tipples using the very best ingredients, disti l led right here on the Isle of Wight. Pop on some Nat K ing Cole, polish those sha kers, and un leash your inner mi xologist from the comfort of your ow n home.

Yu letide Ma rti ni

By Merma id Gi n

This joyful spin on a traditional Martini is as indulgent as it is invigorating: using Mermaid Gin’s signature blend as its star ingredient, the smoothyet-complex peppery notes pair impeccably with homemade spiced syrup. Picture-perfect and festivebeyond-measure, it’s Christmas in a martini glass.

Add 50ml Mermaid Gin, 30ml Red Vermouth, 10ml Amaretto, and 10ml Festive Syrup in an ice-filled shaker or mixer. Stir, strain, and serve in a prechilled martini glass, gently rimmed with crushed gingerbread.

For the festive syrup: mix 100g sugar with 100ml water and simmer until dissolved. Add star anise, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste, and simmer for a further 10-15 mins before cooling and straining. @mermaidgin

Cherr y Manhattan

By Tipsy Wight

A beautiful cocktail from the multi-award-winning Tipsy Wight: stable, strong, sublime and simply made for Christmas. Made with gorgeously rich island cherries, this intensely flavoured vodka liqueur – winner of the national Great Taste Awards 2020 and described by the judging panel as “dense, velvety, with dark cocoa depth of flavour”– is the perfect base for a Tipsy twist on this classic Manhattan.

Stir 50ml Tipsy Wight® Cherry Vodka Liqueur, 20ml Rye Whiskey, and a dash of Angostura Bitters in a mixing glass half-filled with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a Christmas cherry or twist of festive orange peel to serve. @tipsywight

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Experience a Traditional Family Farm on the Isle of Wight Happy Christmas to all our Customers!

DOUBLE CREAM

SEMI SKIMMED

WHOLE MILK

MILK

CHEDDAR CHEESE

HALLOUMI STYLE CHEESE

FETA CHEESE

DAIRY SHOP CAFÉ FARM TOURS HERITAGE CENTRE Open 7 days a week Find us at Briddlesford Road, Wootton PO33 4RY Call us on 01983 882885 Follow us on Twitter

and Facebook

www.briddlesford.co.uk

Food | STYLE

Seasonal vegetable

CROSNES

By Wi l l Stewa rd L I V I NG L A RDER

Switch up the sophistication with this fine dining favourite and add an elegant twist to your table

C

rosnes (pronounced ‘crone’) or Chinese artichoke are much loved by the fine dining world, have earned a place in French cooking and are a traditional ingredient in celebrations of the Japanese new year. Relatively easy to grow, the tubers are planted in early spring and are left to grow through the summer.

Crosnes do not store well and need to be harvested fresh from November to March. Availability is generally from specialist suppliers only or better still from your own garden. Versatile in their use, serving suggestions include pickled and braised, and they pair well with earthy winter vegetables such as parsnips, beetroot and kale.

WA R M W I N T E R SALAD OF CROSNES, PA R S N I P S A N D KALE Ingredients 100g of crosnes – washed in a sieve 200g of kale – we particularly like delicate red ursa 1 medium parsnip, A large knob of butter A splash of olive oil A squeeze of lemon juice Splash of water Salt and pepper Method Begin by peeling and slicing your parsnip, into thick slices. In a sturdy frying pan warm through the butter – add the parsnip and brown on both sides, then add a few spoonfuls of water to cook the parsnip until soft, then add a squeeze of lemon juice and pop into your serving bowl. Add extra butter to the pan and then add the crosnes – pan fry until cooked – add a splash of water, you want some bite to them – add to the parsnips. Finally, add the kale to the frying pan and cook until wilted. Arrange the kale, crosnes and parsnips in your serving bowl and season well.

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STYLE | Health and Beauty

THE GIFT OF TIME

By Ca rol i ne Hu rley I.I.H.H.T. A RT( R eg) W EL L BEI NG PR ACTITION ER AT BECA L M ED SPA A N D H EA LTH W EL L CL I N IC

WELLBEING & MEDI SPA

Treat y o u rsel f o r th e o n e y o u l o v e Gift Vouchers from £10

This very strange year has slipped past very quickly. Many people have had their stress levels escalated not only by the pandemic but by feelings of responsibility and duty to the other people in their lives. Some have found their stress has built up from taking on too many responsibilities. With this in mind, it is important to balance our responsibilities with our own needs and health to avoid mental and physical exhaustion. I have been inspired by a poem by S.C. Lourie of ‘Butterflies and Pebbles’: “Go into this week with the attitude that your peace, your health of mind, and your heart mean more than getting everything else done. That your smile matters. That feeling rested matters. That holding the hand of your loved ones matter. So, pause lots, function at a pace that doesn’t pull you apart. Honour the things that make you feel good inside, the things that make you feel alive. Give time to those things this week. Make time the gift it is, by giving it to what really matters to you.”

Gift vouchers make the perfect gift for loved ones, friends, and colleagues. E-vouchers are also available on our website or by following this link: https://bit.ly/3obNpu3

Exquisite Gifts from £15

What can you do?

First, make room for what you truly value. Learn how to say no to the less important things and delegate where you can.

Second, take some vital time out for yourself. Perhaps a walk, lighting an aromatherapy candle, enjoying a book over a cup of coffee. Sometimes it is the simple things that are most effective.

Have you tried Progressive Massage Relaxation (PMR)?

Experts believe PMR works because it helps to relieve muscle tension that comes about as a reaction to fear or anxiety. This often results in muscle aches or pains, backaches, and tension headaches. This simple technique can help with insomnia, improve blood sugar levels, IBS and other stress-related problems. If you go to yoga or pilates classes, this technique will be familiar as it is carried out at the end of each session. It involves going through all the main muscles in your body, tensing and relaxing them. As this is a great tool to help you fall asleep, I recommend you do this whilst lying down!

If you find this difficult, then maybe it is time to step off the treadmill and enjoy the benefits of a spa treatment where you can relax and recharge your batteries in peaceful surroundings. A popular choice if you are short on time is an Indian Head Massage. It aids in the relief of migraines, insomnia and fatigue, eases symptoms of anxiety and depression, renews energy levels and boosts memory capabilities. What better way to recharge your batteries?

Whichever way you choose to help yourself, giving yourself the gift of time may be the most important gift you buy this year.

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styleofwight.co.uk

Choose from our luxury, pampering skincare collections and exquisite gifts for a beautiful aromatic home and a renewed sense of inner calm. Spend over £50.00 and receive a free gift worth £62.00 while stocks last. Available at BeCalmed in Cowes or via our on-line store: http://phore.st/loNTd. Islandwide delivery is available up to the 24th. of December.

Come and experience our tranquil oasis in the heart of Cowes 01983 296655 8 Birmingham Road • Cowes • P031 7BH info@becalmedincowes.co.uk • www.becalmedincowes.co.uk

DO YOU FEEL IN NEED OF A BOOST?

With Christmas on the horizon, it’s good time to discuss energy and giving back to yourself. It’s been a tough old year, and Christmas - whilst a time to celebrate - can also be full of trials and pressures. Therefore, now is a good opportunity to check in with yourself and reset. We don’t function optimally on low charge, and in these instances taking some time to ‘recharge your batteries’ often leads to better health and wellbeing longer term.

I’m not necessarily talking about #selfcare – baths and face masks - but taking some time to do the things that re-energise you. I find the following prompts a good place to start exploring this concept.

1. What a good day looks and feels like 2. What a bad day looks and feels like 3. What or who uses energy 4. Things or people that bring you energy

By K i m Mu r ray EX ERCISE PH YSIOLOGIST A N D ATH L ET E

Struggling with low mood, lack of motivation or stagnation in work and/ or exercise? Me too.

Once you’re aware of these you can identify your next steps by asking: 1. Who is best to support you at this time?

2. What actions you can take and when?

3. What/who should you avoid or set boundaries around?

I use these prompts to manage my own energy; something I learnt about when I was training and competing. It’s also important to know that the body doesn’t discriminate between work, life, training or family stress. Stress is stress.

Pummelling the body with training when you’re already very low on charge is not actually productive (although it can feel helpful at the time). It is about finding a balance with all the parts that make up your life so that you can perform optimally.

I wish you all a very happy holiday period, here’s to 2021.

‘Taking some time to ‘recharge your batteries’ often leads to better health and wellbeing longer term’ Facebook: KimFitSkeleton, Twitter: @kimfitbath, Instagram: @kimfitbath www.thekimfitway.com

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GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF A SMILE THIS CHRISTMAS

By R ob Joh nson CO - OW N ER , SM I L ES OF W IGHT

In this season of giving and generosity, our own hopes and wishes can often come in second. But it’s important to make time for self-care, so that we can face the changing world with confidence – starting with a great smile.

This year has provided countless opportunities to reflect on our appearance; in between Zoom meet-ups and Teams hangouts we’ve never seen so much of ourselves.

Whether online socialising has left you wishing more from your smile, or you’ve been intrigued with the idea of orthodontic treatment for a while, the friendly and caring Smiles of Wight team are here to guide you through your transformation process with ease.

Specialist Orthodontic Practice Beautiful smiles start here at the Island’s only dedicated Specialist Orthodontic Practice.

We offer a range of smile solutions from classic bracket and wire braces to the world’s #1 clear aligners from InvisalignTM Help spread the cost with 12 months interest free finance, starting from £1,800 Offering virtual services as part of being Covid secure for our staff and patients

Treat yourself to a Christmas gift that will reward you for many years to come; book yourself in for a scan with our professional dental nursing team, or schedule a private consultation with our Specialist Orthodontist.

We were thrilled to read the lovely comments and feedback from our recent patient survey which showed patients are ‘extremely likely’ to recommend a friend or family member for treatment with Smiles of Wight.

Even members of the Smiles of Wight team have joined the smile journey and are using Invisalign to enhance their smiles. Our own receptionist Jo has been recording her progress using the new app.

“I’ve been really surprised how easy the treatment is.

Invisalign aligners give me the flexibility of being able to eat and drink without the restrictions of some traditional braces.

I’m nearly there and can’t wait to share my new smile at Christmas – even if it may still be virtually!”

Smiles of Wight offer a range of discreet invisible aligners and more traditional styles of fixed braces to improve your smile and functionality. It’s never too late to give yourself the gift of a perfect smile, with private treatment available for all ages.

For those eager to visualise how orthodontic treatment with Smiles of Wight could enhance their appearance and outlook, our free online Invisalign Smile Viewer is the perfect starting point. Try it using the QR code below.

To discuss your smile transformation, call us on 01983 566405 or visit www.ioworthodontics.co.uk Follow us: www.facebook.com/smilesofwight www.instagram.com/smilesofwight

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30 Dover St, Ryde PO33 2AG For more details or to book a consultation please call: 01983 566405 or visit: ioworthodontics.co.uk #smilesofwight

HOW TO LOOK GOOD ON VIDEO CALLS

By Dr K ieron Cooney, M BBC h i r F R CGP MSc Aest het ic Med ici ne

COSM EDICA CL I N ICS

“Self consciousness is the enemy of all creativity” (Ray Bradbury 1920-2012) Since the pandemic many more of us are working from home, and conducting video calls, virtual conferences and webinars from our living rooms.

Cosmedica Clinics recognises the challenge of seeing ourselves on camera; we have taken part in our fair share of online video calls via Zoom! The question we are often asked now is how to improve the way we look on camera?

There is a new pandemic: Zoom Face phenomenon.

When we sit in front of a computer or smart phone camera we often see ourselves magnified and our features out of proportion, especially with that head and shoulder shot highlighting the larger than life forehead and nose. The camera view couldn’t be more unforgiving!

Cosmedica Clinics offers a whole variety of options to help project a healthy and rejuvenated appearance on camera, but there are some things you can do to help yourself: IT solutions - Softening filters and ‘touch up’ picture adjustments with colour enhancement and soft glow settings can help. Try the Zoom ‘touch up my appearance’ link once you open Zoom on your PC or laptop.

Lighting - Avoid that glare on your nose or shiny forehead reflecting into the screen like an unwelcome spotlight. Best to use soft lighting from a source in front of you such as a window or shaded lamp, or even a ring makeup light.

Camera angle - Don’t look down at the camera. That will highlight laxity of the neck and lower face and cause unflattering shadowing of facial hollows and lines. Instead set the camera to eye level and gaze directly forward into the lens, allowing the appearance of jaw tightening, enhancing the cheek profile and slimming the neck.

Rehearsal on camera - Like all good performers and directors, you want to achieve the best angle to maximise your best look. Set the camera up in private and look at how your natural facial expressions appear to you on video and then play with the camera position and lighting.

Talk to Vicky or Dr Kieron for advice on aesthetic facial treatments, from the popular HydraFacial rejuvenating treatments and prescription strength medical grade facial creams and serums to wrinkle relaxing and softening injections.

Whatever you do stay positive and don’t let the camera ruin your day!

For an appointment and more information contact Vicky at enquiries@cosmedicaclinics.co.uk or phone 01983 566680

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• Ladies Casual/Party Wear • Emily & Fin • YaYa • Fever Designs • Orla Kiely Gifts & Homeware • Jelly Cat Toys & Books • Maileg Toys • Cowshed Toiletries • Hand Picked Furniture • Homeware • Lighting • Gifts For All • GIFT VOUCHERS • FREE CLICK & COLLECT

2a Melville Street RYDE PO33 2AE Tel. 01983 614587 www.bouchic.co.uk

Christmas gift guide THE STYLE OF WIGHT

Back by popular demand, this year's hand-picked selection of gifts and goodies from some of the Isle of Wight's f inest independent retailers is our best yet.

From cosy slippers to cr ystal chandeliers and dining sets to diamond rings – in a year when we all deserve a t r e a t , y o u ' l l f i n d t h e p e r fe c t g i f t r i g h t h e r e .

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STYLE | Gift Guide

ESPA Gent’s Essentials Hard-working skin essentials in a luxurious on-the-go washbag BeCalmed Wellbeing and Medi Spa £45 worth £65

19th century Antique leather bag Large leather Gladstone bag, for true gents Anthony Redmile, Cowes

FOR

HIM

Paul Smith Wallet With damson-embossed interior Visual Impact £105

Egg cup holder Wonderfully whimsical, for immaculate breakfast eggs Wooldridge Interiors £14.99

Mermaid Vodka Mermaid Salt Vodka shot through with a pinch of locally sourced sea salt Isle of Wight Distillery £40

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From the sublime to the s e n s i b l e – we a r a b l e , d r i n k a b l e , a n d w h i m s i c a l g i f t s fo r t h e m e n i n yo u r l i fe .

Globe For intrepid and indoor explorers alike Bou Chic £94.95

Barbour shirt Off-duty Classic Tartan design in pure-cotton twill Visual Impact £70

Tweedmill weekender Heritage design, made to last This & That Seaview £79.99

Quarr Abbey Ale Award-winning ale made with botanics grown on site Quarr Abbey £2.90 each £12.99 box of 4

ESPA Relax and Tone Relieve and invigorate tired muscles BeCalmed Wellbeing and Medi Spa £50 – worth £61

Gift Guide | STYLE

Robin Scarf Fun and festive Corn Exchange £24.99

Floating Rocks Necklace Semi-precious stones full of meaning Spike Rocks £30

ESPA optimal skin collection For nourished, balanced, radiant skin BeCalmed Wellbeing and Medi Spa £85.00 – worth £172

FOR

HER

Obagi® Medical Daily Hydro-drops™ Skin nourishing droplets of liquid gold Cosmedica Clinics £61.30

Berry Enamel Neckpiece ‘Blossom Pod’ statement piece in Berry Vitreous enamel Honeybourne Jewellery £285

Plum & Ashby Gift Set Unwind and escape This & That Seaview £25

Pretty things, practical things, a n d eve r y t h i n g i n b e t we e n – C h r i s t m a s s h o p p i n g ‘ fo r h e r ’ starts here.

Bobble Hat So soft, with detachable bobble MIA £20

Mermaid Pink Gin Balanced and subtle, infused with fresh Island strawberries Isle of Wight Distillery £40

Golden Kindling Bundle Each individual twig cast from a tiny branch of Honeybourne’s very own holly tree.

Honeybourne Jewellery £61.30

Tokyo Milk Eau de Parfum Notes of white lily, mineral salt & Ylang Ylang Gibbs & Gurnell £36.50

Antique parrot print Framed lithograph Jacks Vintage & Collectibles £65

Lamb’s wool scarf Country check with a dash of cashmere Visual Impact from £35

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STYLE | Gift Guide

Green Toys Fire Truck Made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers Ventnor Botanic Garden £25.95

Large white poodle toy Super cute, very cuddly Wooldridge Interiors £14

FOR Rupert Annual 1974 A vintage anthology, featuring snowballs and seaweed men Dig For Vintage £28

Build your own bird feeder Great fun for kids and adults alike Hurst £10.99

Fairytale Melamine Set For make-believe mealtimes…

Hurst from £2.50

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KIDS

Fo r b u g - l ove r s , b i r d - s p o t t e r s , astronaut aficionados and unicorn enthusiasts.

Moomin lamp The perfect bedside table or nursery lamp Bou Chic £44.95

Spaceman Melamine Set …and space-themed snack times…

Hurst from £2.50

Clockwork Soldier Magical Cress Garden Sow and grow in a pretty woodland setting Visual Impact Home & Gift £7.95

Bugs Book & Jigsaw For the minibeast mad Ventnor Botanic Garden £9.99

Cowes Mural Wallpaper Feature wall perfection: hand-drawn watercolour images of Cowes XV Stripes £120/roll

Gift Guide | STYLE

In a Pear Tree Soy Wax Candle Ripe pear with notes of apple and melon, hints of toffee and musk Gibbs & Gurnell £14

Large Gingerbread Candle Exactly like freshly baked gingerbread Pure Wight Soy Candles £17

Barley Twist Candlesticks Decadent pair of 19th Century brass candlesticks Anthony Redmile, Cowes £150

FOR Maiden Dorset Candle When burned, the curved flowing design creates an abstract feature This & That Seaview £40

CANDLEHOLICS

B e c a u s e eve r y t h i n g i s b e t t e r by c a n d l e l i g h t .

Luxury Christmas Candles From Frankincense & Myrrh to Cedarleaf & Clove ChilliWinter £18

Winter Spice deluxe candle Hand-poured and infused with pure essential oils.

BeCalmed Wellbeing and Medi Spa £55

Simpatico Candles Soy candles in stunning recycled hobnail glass Acacia Bay £37

Small Cinnamon, Orange and Clove Candle Festive aroma with a citrus twist Pure Wight Soy Candles £9

Handmade Remedial Aromatherapy Candles Hand-poured and infused with pure essential oils.

ChilliWinter £19.50 - £38

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STYLE | Gift Guide

Orla Kiely ceramic plant pot House plant lovers unite Bou Chic £39.95

Annie Sloan Mini Project Pack For mini-home makeovers Dig For Vintage £29.95

Trendglas PISA Teapot Plenty of room to infuse Island Roasted £25

FOR THE Recycled Cotton and 100% British Wool Blankets Cosiness incarnate Treclaimed £55-£75

East Bramble Cushion Luxury feather cushion XV Stripes £80

Sass & Belle Arizona Tufted Rug Winter floor brightener Ventnor Botanic Garden £19.95

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HOME

E s s e n t i a l a c c e s s o r i e s fo r yo u r home/castle.

Merry Christmas Home Diffuser Classic Christmas holly and lush winter florals Gibbs & Gurnell £19.50

Winter Spice Reed Diffuser Sweet and spicy, the perfect fireside aroma Pure Wight Soy Candles £24

Raku Fired ceramics Hand-crafted by Luck Taylor, inspired by sea and coast Yarmouth Gallery From £76

Bamboo Throw Dazzling colour – organic cotton and certified bamboo XV Stripes £120

Chandelier Cream Biscuits Biscuit tin luxury Farmer Jacks £5.60

Gift Guide | STYLE

Mermaid Gin Isle of Wight non-negotiable Isle of Wight Distillery £40

Bronze Stag & Bronze Pheasant Bookends or just because Corn Exchange Stag - £29.99, Pheasant - £39.99

Signature Room Spray Elegant white tea and wisteria aroma Wooldridge Interiors £15

Stoneglow steam diffuser Mist your perfect mood This & That Seaview £60

Wight Label Tea Caddies There’s a Wight Label tea for everyone Island Roasted £7.50-£8.50

Kilim cushions Beautifully bohemian handwoven vintage Kilim Jacks Vintage & Collectibles £45

Cushions Soft and stylish in a blue-grey palette Acacia Bay £35

Ocean Wave Throw Luxury soft, with 55% recycled plastic yarn XV Stripes £140

Mer-Sea Luxe Home Diffuser Uplifting marine notes of driftwood, winter fruits and sea salt Acacia Bay £58

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STYLE | Gift Guide

Peppermint hand soap Sink-side essential, scented with festive peppermint candy cane Gibbs & Gurnell £7.50

Cheese Hamper Because nothing completes a kitchen quite like cheese Briddlesford Farm Shop £25

Ceramic jugs Practical and beautiful table-ware Ventnor Botanic Garden from £8

FOR

THE KITCHEN

Highland Cow Jugs and Jars Ceramics too pretty to store Corn Exchange from £29.99

Beeble Honey Whisky Tipple cabinet must-have Farmer Jacks £15.50

Smart Meat Thermometer For the juiciest meat, every time IW Meat Co. £79

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Countertop essentials, dresser d i s p l ay m a t e r i a l a n d f r i d ge f i l l i n g fa n c i e s fo r c o o k s a n d c o l l e c t o r s a l i ke .

Highland cow doorstop Excellent kitchen-door-propping potential Corn Exchange £31.99

Bowl with servers Elegant Mango wood with bright white in-lay Acacia Bay £52 for the set

Selection of Wooden platters Each one unique; locally sourced timber The Mulberry Tree Woodturnery from £10 each

Handcrafted leaf bowls Handcrafted from Isle of Wight timber Treclaimed £20 each

Ale Mustard Tangy cupboard staple, made from awardwinning Quarr Abbey ale Quarr Abbey £3.60

Knot detail cutlery set Splendid 42-piece cutlery set Wooldridge Interiors £330

Gift Guide | STYLE

Times Five Gift Set A quintet of delicious liqueurs Tipsy Wight £28.50

Signature Steak Collection The finest steaks for the perfect carnivore gift IW Meat Co. £85

FOR 5ltr Mini Cask Available with Fuggle-Dee-Dum, Ale of Wight and Duck’s Folly Goddards Brewery from £18

FEASTING

S a mp l e t h e i n c r e d i b l e a r r ay o f l o c a l p r o d u c e t h e I s l e o f Wi g h t h a s t o o f fe r, w i t h t h e s e fo o d i e / fe a s t i n g favo u r i t e s .

Briddlesford Gouda Perfect for the cheese board, particularly popular with children Briddlesford Farm Shop £25

Box of Planet Lager 12 bottles of this dry, crisp and clean lager – vegan friendly and gluten free Goddards Brewery £22.80

Trio of Botanic Ale Handpicked hops from Ventnor’s own sun-drenched subtropical undercliff Ventnor Botanic Garden £10.50

Homemade Bacon Curing Kit Three traditional cures for your own artisan bacon at home IW Meat Co. £22

Selection of cheeses Enviable range of classic and continental cheeses Farmer Jacks Priced by weight

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STYLE | Gift Guide

Kew Garden hand care collection Including handbag-sized sanitiser spray Bayliss & Booth from £9.50

Zebra trim leather shopper Ultimate winter statement bag MIA £59

FOR Suede Leather Purse & Tassel Handmade on the Isle of Wight This & That, Seaview £10-£25

OUT AND ABOUT Fo r wa l ke r s , a d ve n t u r e r s , o r j u s t - p o p p i n g - i n t o - t ow n e r s .

Star Print scarf Cashmere feel in four colours MIA £20

Barbour Beanie Essential winter accessorising Visual Impact from £28

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Aeropress Coffee Maker Rucksack-sized coffee on the go Island Roasted £29

Pocket Bluetooth speaker Great sound anywhere Bayliss & Booth £49

Duke Wax Jacket Iconic Barbour insulation Visual Impact £209

Fair Trade shopper bag Compartments galore Corn Exchange £42.99

Gift Guide | STYLE

Mermaid Gin Gift Set Classic Mermaid Gin with two gold-patterned Copa glasses Isle of Wight Distillery £62.50

19th Century French Chandelier Very impressive twenty-five light brass and crystal chandelier Anthony Redmile, Cowes

WITH 19” Macrocarpa bowl Handcrafted from locally sourced Monterey Cypress, with beautiful quilting effect The Mulberry Tree Woodturnery £295

Island Relax Christmas Box Full of XV favourites and Island sourced goodies XV Stripes £145

Dog Bed For pampered pooches: sumptuous blue velvet, also available in pink Wooldridge Interiors £360

STYLE

Hand cut stag Hand cut from Island Brooke walnut Treclaimed £225

T h e l u x u r y g i f t yo u d i d n ’ t k n ow yo u n e e d e d – u n t i l n ow.

Gilded wall light Flamboyantly beautiful wheat sheaf wall sconce Jacks Vintage & Collectibles £90

Obagi® Medical Christmas Cracker Hydration, Skin Polishing and Skin Tightening in one luxurious cracker Cosmedica Clinics £110

18ct Gold Pod Diamond Ring Signature solitaire style Honeybourne engagement ring with contemporary twist Honeybourne Jewellery £695

Puffin sculpture One-of-a-kind seabird sculpture by Karen Fawcett Ceramics Yarmouth Gallery £155

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STYLE | Gift Guide

Gift Voucher Valid on all medical and aesthetic treatments Cosmedica Clinics from £25

Annie Sloan Gift Card Never-ending creativity Dig For Vintage Any amount

T H AT

KEEP ON GIVING

Coffee Subscription Weekly or fortnightly – Island Roasted coffee direct to your door Island Roasted £28-£38

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E x t e n d t h e fe s t i ve s e a s o n w i t h o u r r o u n d u p o f I s l e o f Wi g h t subscription services and ke e p - t h e - m a g i c - g o i n g g i f t s .

‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ collection Twelve stunning vodka liqueurs for festive prolongment Tipsy Wight £48.95

Gift Voucher Farm to fridge locally-reared, premium dry-aged beef, lamb, and pork all year round IW Meat Co. £25, £50, £75, £100

Gift Voucher For year-round health and wellbeing BeCalmed Wellbeing and Medi Spa from £20

Gratitude Rocks ring Give the gift of gratitude Spike Rocks £35

Briddlesford Cream Tea for Two Enjoy in the Briddlesford café or delivered to your home Bluebells @ Briddlesford £19.95 (delivery extra)

styleofwight.co.uk

Gift Guide | STYLE

Sage Bambino Plus Café-quality coffee in a desk-sized footprint Caffè Isola £399

Tokyo Milk Hand Creme Gorgeously rich; smooth in whilst reading tricky emails Gibbs & Gurnell £22

Rechargeable Booklights A bookish desk lamp for bibliophiles Bayliss & Booth Small £35 Large £67

FOR THE Gratitude Rocks earrings A pretty little reminder to be grateful for the bedroom-to-kitchen commute Spike Rocks single £15, pair £25

REMOTE WORKER P r e s e n t s t o m a ke yo u r h o m e wo r k s p a c e a l i t t l e b r i g h t e r a n d yo u r d ay a l i t t l e l i g h t e r.

Mer-Sea Oh So Cozy Slipper Socks Sherpa lined and cable knit for toasty under-desk toes Acacia Bay £32.50

18th Century Georgian Wing Chair George III antique mahogany, upholstered in Nina Campbell fabric Anthony Redmile, Cowes

HydraFacial Combat blue light exposure with this award-winning bespoke package Cosmedica Clinics from £120

Maxwell & Williams Mug New favourite work mug Hurst £4.99

Recycled glass jars with numbers For flowers in the office window Acacia Bay £25-£45

Daewoo Wooden DAB/FM Radio Soundtrack to your working day Hurst £38.95

Vintage Smith-Corona Typewriter For when the tech gets too much Jacks Vintage & Collectibles £55

Walnut Tree Dried Fruit Boats Festive snacks for the post-it drawer Farmer Jacks £6.65

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STYLE | Gift Guide

Mermaid miniatures Your favourite Mermaid spirits, in perfect replica 5cl bottles Isle of Wight Distillery £17

Annie Sloan Detail brushes Perfect for interior artists Dig For Vintage £14.95

Ridley’s 90s Pop Music Quiz Take a trip back to the nineties Visual Impact £9.95

FILLERS In the Garden all-purpose balm Rosemary scented comfort for post-gardening skin Gibbs & Gurnell £8

S l i g h t ly s m a l l e r ( b u t n o l e s s s i g n i f i c a n t ) g i f t i n g i d e a s fo r C h r i s t m a s m o r n i n g a n d b eyo n d .

Luxury Christmas Tealights Handmade gift boxes and mini match bottle ChilliWinter £10

Jill Pargeter Textiles tree decoration Filled with seasonal spices for a festive aroma Yarmouth Gallery £10

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Barbour ankle socks Wool-blend, with a pretty Fair Isle design Visual Impact from £15

Cork Bumblebee coasters Bedside cup ring marks begone Hurst £2.50

Heyland & Whittle Soap Bundle Award-winning handmade soaps in a rustic bundle This & That Seaview £6.50

Winter Spice 10cl Travel Tin A sweet and spicy aroma, evocative of autumnal fruits and spices Pure Wight Soy Candles £8.50

Gift Guide | STYLE

Brace of mini bottles Available in any flavour combination Tipsy Wight £9.50

Obagi® Medical Christmas Cracker A Christmas Cracker to nourish and protect Cosmedica Clinics £19.99

Tweed purse Cute and countrified Corn Exchange £10.99

Leopard Ceramic Vase Be more leopard Bou Chic £16.50

Wooden Christmas Tree Handcrafted from locally sourced timber The Mulberry Tree Woodturnery from £7

Vegan Lip Balm Five delicious flavours ChilliWinter £6

La Mortuacienne Lemonades Authentic French lemonade in an iconic glass bottle Farmer Jacks £4.75

Strawberry Jam Made on site with Quarr Abbey homegrown strawberries Quarr Abbey £3.60

Ventnor Botanic Garden Colouring Book Mindful colouring from our favourite garden Ventnor Botanic Garden £9.99

Pieces of Eight Charms Perfectly personalised Honeybourne Jewellery from £10

Room Mist Instant room refresh Pure Wight Soy Candles £8

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STYLE | Home

C H R I S T M A S D AY

Lean into cosy and kindle winter warmth: from first morning light between chunkiest knits, to fireside reflection and rustic contentment.

Balance festive reds with softer rose and aqua, set off with just a splash of stylish sparkle... all available from our unique Island retailers Styl i ng Ta nya Goodw i n Photog raphy Hol ly Jol l i f fe

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Set of 3 Wooden Trees £15 Treclaimed; Glass Candlesticks £48 pair Jack’s Antiques; Red candles 75p each Bayliss & Booth; Grey tree candle £4.99 The Corn Exchange; Gold Wreath £32.50 This & That; ‘We are Knitters’ book £18.99 Bou Chic; ‘Live Beautiful’ book £30 Bou Chic; Stool £124 Bou Chic; Gold tea light holder £2.75 This & That; Baubles £12.50 and £9.50 Acacia Bay; Large Wooden Tree £35 Treclaimed; Blue glitter bauble £3.25 This & That; White bauble £6.50 Acacia Bay; Faux fur stocking £25 Bayliss & Booth; Silk dressing gown £70 Bayliss & Booth; Printed cushion Joy Jolliffe Prints £38 Yarmouth Gallery; Sequin cushion £39.95 Bou Chic; Chunky knit throw £55 This & That; Sheepskin rug £70 The Corn Exchange.

Wit h t h a n k s to A n n a nd Joh n.

Shot on locat ion at t he beaut i f u l Dores H i l l Cott a ges wh ich a re ava i lable a s hol iday lets. For more i n for mat ion cont a ct i n fo@ doresh i l lcott a ges.co.u k

Home | STYLE

Blue Velvet cushion £31.50 Bayliss & Booth; Pink cushion £18 This & That; Waffle throw £160 Acacia Bay; Oyster faux fur throw £164.94 Bou Chic; Cream duvet cover £160 Acacia Bay; Cream pillow cases £45 Acacia Bay; Porcelain tea plates £11.95 each Bou Chic; Cafetiere £19 Hurst; Espresso cups £10 Hurst; Candle £11.99 Treclaimed; Napkins £3.50 Hurst; Cutlery £15.99 for 16 piece set Hurst.

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STYLE | Home

Table runner £25 This & That; Vintage Hovis tin £19.50 Dig For Vintage; White bowls £9 Acacia Bay; Red tree candle £16.99 The Corn Exchange; Recycled glass candle holder £9.99 This & That; Cream candle £4.50 This & That; Ceramic Candle £13.99 The Corn Exchange; Vintage cake stand £12.50 Dig For Vintage; Vintage baubles £19.95 for 6 Dig For Vintage; Star glasses £7.95 each Bayliss & Booth; Porcelain dinner plates £22.95 each Bou Chic; Napkins £26 for 4 This & That; Star napkin rings £4.25 each This & That; Cutlery £15.99 for 16 piece set Hurst; Red glass tealight holder £12 Bayliss & Booth; Blue glass tealight holder £7.50 Bayliss & Booth; Wool cushion £54.95 Bou Chic; Pink jumper £99.95 Bou Chic; White planter £40 Bayliss & Booth; Orla Kieley plant pot £39.95 Bou Chic.

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Home | STYLE

Star cone candle holder £16.50 This & That; Cone wreath £13.75 Hurst; Blue glass candle holder £5 This & That; Oak leaf £40 Treclaimed; Cane star £7.99 The Corn Exchange; Black candle £5.75 Acacia Bay; Wooden bird decoration £4.50 Dig For Vintage; Faux fur hot water bottle £29.95 Bayliss & Booth; Recycled cotton blanket £75 Treclaimed; Rug £87 Acacia Bay; Antique brass candelabra £99.95 Bayliss & Booth; Candles 75p each Bayliss & Booth; Gift boxes decorated with Annie Sloan stencils (from £2.95) and paint (from £5.95) Dig For Vintage; Wooden Sleigh £75 Jack’s Antiques; Large wooden bowl £48 Acacia Bay; Faux pine tree £169 Bayliss & Booth; Olive bucket £38 Jack’s Antiques; Gold bird decoration £4 This & That; Basket £22.99 The Corn Exchange; Vintage cardigan £25 Dig For Vintage; Pink scarf £16.99 The Corn Exchange.

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Mulberry Tree Wood Turnery • Bespoke Service • Commissions Undertaken • Locally Sourced Hardwood natural edge boards

Anne Ginger soft furnishings

Andy Fortune RPT

With 40 years experience Anne Ginger and her dedicated team are happy to assist in making the right choice of soft furnishings for you, from helping you choose the perfect product through to installation.

Maker of bowls, platters and hollow forms from locally sourced Isle of Wight timber

www.andyfortunewoodturner.com www.andyfortunewoodturner.com Tel: 01983 472696

Mob: 07974 240870

Unit 20 Porchfield Business Park Newtown PO30 4QB www.facebook.com/isleofwighthardwoods

TML CREATIVE Interior Architecture & Design

Our service is based around giving excellent advice combined with quality products. Come and see us and turn your dream into reality.

Due to Covid-19 the showroom is operating Monday-Friday on an appointment service so please call to book. www.anneginger.co.uk

JACKS

tel. 01983 407730

EST 1933

V I N TA G E & C O L L E C TA B L E S

Residential

Commercial

Interior conceptual design 2D Plans, spatial layouts 3D visuals Ergonomic designs Furniture specifications (FF&E)

E-Design

'Room Refresh' service Bespoke furniture design Concept to completion Soft furnishings Sustainable designs

Free consultations available Call 07596464708 Highly qualified, accredited and professional Interior Designer Email: info@tmlcreative.co.uk

www.tmlcreative.co.uk

Follow TML Creative for updates and latest projects: /tmlcreative

75 Union Street , Ryde , Isle of Wight , P O33 2LN 0 7 8 67 915 9 2 6 w y a t t p v @ h o t m a i l . c o . u k j a c k s _ n o7 5

JACKS

EST 1933

V I N TA G E & C O L L E C TA B L E S

t_m_l_creative 75 Union Street , Ryde , Isle of Wight , P O33 2LN 0 7 8 67 915 9 2 6 w y a t t p v @ h o t m a i l . c o . u k j a c k s _ n o7 5

Home | STYLE

Children’s rooms for adventurers and dreamers With Anne Ginger Soft Furnishings

F

W h e t h e r yo u ’ r e p r e p a r i n g fo r a n ew a r r i v a l , r e d e c o r a t i n g t o r e f l e c t g r ow i n g t a s t e s , o r s t a r t i n g w i t h a b l a n k c a n v a s i n a n ew h o m e , w i n t e r i s t h e p e r fe c t t i m e t o t h i n k c r e a t i ve ly a b o u t o u r ch i l d r e n ’ s s p a c e s .

or children, the bedroom isn’t just a place to play and sleep but a whole world – be it their very own personal palace or a den to dream from.

Decorating their own space is one of childhood’s most magical memory-makers: and with so much time spent indoors this year, now is a fantastic opportunity to create a cosy and characterful bedroom to reflect your child’s unique personality.

Parents and children alike will be in awe at the treasure trove of options at Anne Ginger Soft Furnishings. Their latest children’s range addition has been attracting rather a lot of excitement, both in the workroom (where the magic happens) and out-front in their spacious Lake showroom.

Imaginations – by contemporary textile designers Voyage – is a beautifully vibrant and lively collection of fabrics and wallpapers designed to create a truly special space that will grow along with your child.

Made for little voyagers with big imaginations, let their minds wander the skies with gently floating hot air balloons in ‘Up and Away’, or get lost in space with a galactic masterpiece from ‘Out of this World’. Take a long walk in the park with ‘Park Life’, or join foxes, deer and rabbits dancing through the trees in the whimsical ‘Woodland Adventure’ range.

Each design is available in a variety of colour themes for maximum personalisation, filled with hand painted art (with beautiful detail retained in each brush stroke) and digitally printed on heavy weight, non-woven, wide-width paper to allow the artwork to shine without compromising on scale and design.

To discuss your child’s dream bedroom or playroom space, pre-book an appointment at Anne Ginger Soft Furnishing’s recently re-opened showroom by calling 01983 407730 or emailing info@anneginger.co.uk

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DIG FOR VINTAGE

Vintage lifestyle through the decades, fashion, iconic furniture, fabrics, ceramics, art and classic books.

R

Offering monthly painting technique workshops. Find out more in-store and on our Facebook page.

WWW.DIGFORVINTAGE.CO.UK Everything you need to create a gorgeousIslands vintage look for your “The home to home.

Annie Sloan”

Book a painting experience with us today!

The Colonnade, Isle ofTWight, PO33 2NE The Colonnade Ryde Ryde, PO33 2NE 01983 719433 E info@digforvintage.co.uk T. 07527 078856 E. info@digforvintage.co.uk

ABBOTT'S C A R P E T S

&

F L O O R I N G

CARPET | VINYL | LAMINATE | LUXURY VINYL TILES | ENGINEERED WOOD SAFETY, CONTRACT & COMMERCIAL FLOORING

01983 401012 | info@abbottsflooring.com | 14a Lake Industrial Way, Lake, PO36 9PL

Home | STYLE

Carpets for winter warmth With Abbott’s Carpets & Flooring T h e r e a r e m a ny t h i n g s we l ove a b o u t winter; the cold is not one of them.

Lu ck i ly, A b b o t t ’ s Carpets & Flooring h ave a s t u n n i n g r a n ge o f c a r p e t s w h i ch w i l l h e l p yo u s t ay wa r m a n d l i ve in style throughout the winter months.

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othing quite compares to that feeling of sinking your feet into a soft, sumptuous carpet on those chilly mornings. Together with a good quality underlay, carpet is an effective way to retain heat and add a touch of luxury to any room. With so many different types, colours, materials, and designs of carpets to choose from, the friendly and knowledgeable team are always on hand to give the best advice based on your needs.

Wool has been used for thousands of years to provide warmth and protection against the elements, so it is no surprise that wool carpets are a popular choice. Acting as a natural insulator that keeps the warmth in and minimises heat loss, wool also looks

sophisticated and welcoming. Abbott’s has plenty of options to choose from – whether 100% wool or an 80/20 wool mix – from top brands, including Penthouse Carpets, Adam Carpets and Hugh Mackay.

Alternatively, you may decide on a man-made polypropylene carpet option which will withstand the daily challenges of busy family life. Britishmade Cormar Carpets & Abingdon Flooring provide some beautiful polypropylene carpet ranges which are bleach cleanable, fade resistant and easy to maintain – a fantastic choice for sticky fingers and spillages.

For the full range of carpet, with takehome samples available, visit Abbott’s Carpets and Flooring at 14a Lake Industrial Way, Sandown, PO36 9PL.

abbotts-flooring.co.uk Facebook: abbottscarpetandflooringiow Instagram: abbottsflooringiow

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STYLE | Feature

…a story to be continued

Children’s

Writing Competition

At the beginning of this year, Style of Wight proudly announced the return of its highly successful Children’s Writing Competition. We invited young Island authors to submit their best short stories to be judged by an expert panel of publishing professionals – including award-winning local author Kieran Larwood. Winning entries would be published in a book, with all profits going to local children’s charity, the IW Story Festival.

It was to be an exciting year of literary events – including school visits and festival workshops – culminating in a prestigious prizegiving ceremony at Quay Arts this December.

But, just a few weeks after February’s brilliant IW Story Festival at Riverside Centre in Newport, the world decided it had other plans.

2020 has been a lot of things. Though the iconic annual Oxford Word of the Year is yet to be announced, I think we can all hazard a guess at its result.

And yet, in many ways, 2020 has also been the Year of the Story: according to a National Literacy Trust survey, 40% more children turned to creative writing during lockdown than ever before.

Perhaps you were one of them.

After a lot of thought, we have decided to postpone this year’s award and start a brand-new chapter afresh in 2021. If you have submitted a story, you will already have heard from us – all submissions will be automatically carried over, and you are more than welcome to enter a new story if you wish.

We’ll be back in January to officially declare the 2021 Style of Wight Children’s Writing Competition open. In the meantime, why not use the Christmas holidays to get a head start on your imaginings, test out new characters, or just get into the practice of free-writing.

Sponsored by:

ROBIN MCINNES OBE For further details regarding sponsorship and prize donation opportunities please email office@styleofwight.co.uk.

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Events | STYLE

Forest Fables Date: Previews: 4th–10th December, Main: 11th–24th December Venue: Mottistone Manor

Forest Fables at Mottistone Manor is an indoor, site-specific show to ignite the imaginations of children. Imbued with Isle of Wight folklore, Mottistone Manor is ready to be explored. You’ll come across captivating, clever and curious creatures ready to impart their tales in this promenade piece of theatre. For more information, visit forestfables.co.uk.

Santa Specials Date: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th & 22nd-24th December Venue: Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet

Forest Fables at Mottistone Manor

Island events Autumn Suppers Date: Every Friday Venue: Ventnor Botanic Garden, Ventnor

Visit the edulis Restaurant to enjoy seasonal produce with live music from 5.30pm. Email marketing@botanic. co.uk for more information or find tickets available at botanic.co.uk.

Dimbola Museum & Galleries Exhibitions Date: 3rd October–31st December Venue: Dimbola Museum & Galleries, Freshwater

Marilyn Stafford – A Fashion Retrospective. From haute couture to ready-to-wear – from ‘50s Paris to ‘70s swinging London. A stunning exhibition by pioneering female photographer Marilyn Stafford.

Andrea Muendelein- Polaroids.

London based photographer and university lecturer, Andrea Muendelein, showcases her Polaroid originals in the Charles Hay Cameron gallery at Dimbola Museum & Galleries.

It is strongly advised to book tickets in advance for general admission to the museum by visiting dimbola. arttickets.org.uk

I Love Wight Pop-Up Christmas Shop

There’s always such a lovely festive atmosphere at Havenstreet station, with Christmas music and lots of entertainment. Meet Santa and relax in your cosy steam-heated compartment as the majestic steam locomotive hauls your train on a 10-mile round trip through the Island’s winter landscape. For more information, visit iwsteamrailway.co.uk.

Outdoor British Yoga Wheel with Mark Date: Every Friday Venue: Ventnor Botanic Garden, Ventnor

A friendly class with the aim of finding harmony and wellbeing by balancing relaxation with postures, and breath with a range of movements. For more information, visit botanic.co.uk.

Date: 19th November–23rd December Venue: The Garlic Farm, Newchurch

I Love Wight will be returning this year to the Garlic Farm with their pop-up Christmas shop filled with exclusively Isle of Wight made gifts and crafts. For more information, visit thegarlicfarm.co.uk.

If you would like to feature your event, please contact us by email to office@styleofwight.co.uk

November and December 2020

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STYLE | Advertisement Feature

EXPERIENCE A LITTLE

Christmas magic THIS DECEMBER

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Robin Hill’s winter woodland event returns for its second instalment this December; so you can enjoy a magical evening of Christmas delight at POLAR on selected dates from 12th – 23rd

eautifully illuminated woodland and immersive walk-throughs combine with wreath-making, a local market and delicious food to provide the festive cheer we all need this year. Plus, the event’s star character, Pippa the polar bear, will be joined by special guests from Blackgang Chine!

Get crafty Limited spots are available on decoration workshops taking place throughout each evening so you can try your hand at mini wreath making. Refreshments and all crafting materials are provided and it’s the perfect activity to get the kids involved.

Plus, you’ll be heading home with a lovely little keepsake.

Take a starlit stroll The park’s ancient woodland lends itself perfectly to evening illuminations.

As you wander under the stars and treetop canopy, you’ll be greeted by a wonderful array of twinkling Christmas light displays, sure to ignite a little festive excitement.

Support local New for this year’s event, the POLAR Market will feature an exciting mix of local traders and crafters with unique hand-made items. As well as a selection of the finest festive delights, you’ll have the chance to browse for perfect gift ideas and stocking fillers too.

Indulge with festive treats On your journey through the park, you’ll want to take a rest at the POLAR Village. Here you can enjoy heart-warming tastes of Christmas alongside a mulled drink or decadent hot chocolate; all accompanied by live music from the Christmas Carolettes.

Meet Pippa!

The start of the show, Pippa the polar bear, will be hiding out in the POLAR Hollow. However, all is not as it seems in this interactive walkthrough; toys come to life and you never know who you could meet along the way.

Tickets are limited. Find out more and book online at robin-hill.com/POLAR

Receive an extra 5% off already discounted group tickets! Enter code ‘PolarStyle’ at checkout to redeem an additional 5% discount on existing group saver tickets.

Full T&Cs can be found at robin-hill.com/POLAR

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STYLE | Property

A home with history SHALFLEET HOUSE, SHALFLEET Write the next chapter in the history of this imposing former vicarage in sought-after Shalfleet‌

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t is understood that in the early 1870s the Simeon family of Swainston Manor gifted a large plot of land, close to the church, to the parish to build the new vicarage. It is believed that the Simeons helped fund the construction.

Now, having served three generations of the same family, this significant house is available to the market for the first time since 1956. The spacious and well-positioned house offers extensive accommodation over three floors and is positioned in an exceptional location within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a stone’s throw from the breath-taking Newtown Nature Reserve. The house retains a wonderful array of period features and would now benefit from modernisation.

Shalfleet House is an important part of village history

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This is a perfect family home with characterful yet flexible accommodation and well-proportioned rooms. The gardens are particularly impressive with a croquet lawn area, orchard, hard tennis court, formal lawns, and quality outbuildings.

Property | STYLE

Period features and a genteel air characterise the living room

The spacious hallway sets the tone

The generously sized country-style kitchen features a traditional AGA

Glimpses of Newtown Nature Reserve hint at country walks and natural riches

Viewings with: Waterside Properties on 01983 300111 • Spence Willard on 01983 761005 November and December 2020

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STYLE | Property

Contemporary luxury T H E PA L M S , W H I T E L E Y B A N K

A sweeping driveway sets a sumptuous stage for this impressive dwelling

Space and style are the keynotes of this superb contemporary home nestled in the rolling South Wight countryside with a stunning rural outlook

T The abundant space is perfect for modern styling

he Palms has been completely refurbished to an extremely high standard and at approximately 4000 square foot in area this substantial home offers excellent light and spacious accommodation for a large family or for those who enjoy entertaining on a grand scale.

Within the main house there is the potential to remodel to provide a 1-2 bedroom self-contained annexe. In addition to this accommodation an attractive detached dwelling sits within the grounds. The Clock House is a three bedroom property, which has the flexibility of potential offering a secondary income, multigenerational living or a superb space to set up a sizable work-from-home space.

An extensive kitchen is light and practical

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The Palms is flooded by natural light, adding to the sense of space. A large family area contains a Breakfast

room, Kitchen and Dining Hall which comprise the heart of this home.

These open through to a Sitting Area and, on the Ground Floor, three double bedrooms.

A galleried landing provides a large seating area and leads to a substantial Living Room from which you can throw the doors open to both balconies and enjoy stunning far-reaching rural views.

Whiteley Bank is ideally located approximately halfway between Godshill and Wroxall, the coastal town of Shanklin and the seaside resort of Ventnor with its rugged beaches and popular eateries. It is a superb location for rural pursuits with the amenities of the town only ten minutes away. A rail link from Shanklin leads to Ryde and provides onward links to the mainland.

Viewings with Hose Rhodes Dickson Country Homes, Newport on 01983 538090

telephone email website

01983 874777 info@turnbullandmaton.co.uk turnbullandmaton.co.uk

BEMBRIDGE ÂŁ825,000 This substantial detached house has undergone extensive renovation throughout, to provide a modern and spacious home with views of the sea from the first floor. Offering 5 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, large sitting room and a spacious open-plan kitchen dining room.

Gated access to the front leads to a large parking area, whilst to the rear the garden has been relandscaped with a paved patio leading out from the house and onto a lawn which incorporates a fish pond. This is a lovely, well thought out house, ideal for those seeking a spacious family sized home or holiday retreat by the sea.

BRADING ÂŁ500,000 This unique home has been designed to fully maximise the wonderful sea and countryside views which surround it and can be enjoyed from both the ground and first floors. The flexible accommodation is set over 2 floors, and lends itself for use as a family home or home with a separate annexe on the ground floor. The accommodation comprises 4 double bedrooms, a large kitchen diner, spacious sitting room with stunning views and a balcony, a conservatory, utility room and 3 bathrooms. There is a generous amount of parking to the front with access to a double garage, and a good sized rear garden with patio areas, lawn, planted beds and vegetable beds, all with a countryside backdrop.

BEMBRIDGE OFFICE 3 Foreland Road, Bembridge PO35 5XN

A N E W A R R I VA L IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

KEEPING YOUR PETS CHILLED

By Pau l Ja mes Ma rsha l l COTTAGE CA N I N ES

By Sha ron a nd Dav id Groves PETS W ITH H A RT

The Dogs Trust’s mantra that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas is an important message around this time of year. Buying a puppy and introducing them to your home at the busiest time of the year is often a recipe for disaster and extremely stressful for the puppy. So always take time and never buy on a whim.

This time of year and onwards until after New Year can be rather problematical for any number of our wonderful pets and I really think it could be worse this year, sadly. Fireworks are already on sale and I don’t think there will be so many organised events due to social distancing requirements, so more people will have them at home.

That isn’t to say that there won’t be new arrivals this Christmas. Many new owners will be on a waiting list with a breeder or rescue already. And a well-planned puppy or rescue dog can bring a great deal of joy at any time of year!

However, if you are bringing a new dog or puppy into your home in time for Christmas please remember that your new arrival may not understand the hustle and bustle that Christmas brings, so be prepared to have a quieter Christmas than usual.

Your cats will need to be got in early too, this might be an interesting challenge when you have a cat that likes to come in late! Perhaps tempt them in early by a bit of a treat in the way of food or, if they are that way inclined, a toy that might distract them.

With a new arrival I always advise that the first week (for puppies) and often the first few weeks (for rescue dogs) are just your new arrival getting to know you and your family and that you don’t encourage your friends around until your dog is more settled.

Remember too that at Christmas there is often food lying around such as chocolates, mince pies and fruitcake – all of which is toxic to dogs. Just keep these nibbles well out of reach or in a cupboard.

Of course, a well-planned Christmas is great fun with our dogs. Who hasn’t already thought of what you are going to buy them? I know my five will all be getting new toys – and probably a slice of turkey, too!

Enjoy your winter festivities everyone.

Paul James Marshall Qualified Dog Behaviourist Home Visits for Relaxed Assessments with written reports and follow-up training.

Hands-on work with your dog. Positive methods used.

Separation anxiety - Lead pulling - Recall - Unsociability Mouthing and nipping - Not listening - Jumping up and more Plus one-to-one Puppy Training

Visit - www.cottagecanines.co.uk Or call Cottage Canines on 01983 731282 100

styleofwight.co.uk

We need to prepare all our pets as best we can if they are spooked or upset by the noises. In the case of your dogs, try walking them early, preferably before dark if possible, then setting them up a snuggly, cosy place that they feel really secure in, be that a den, cage, or some even like a cupboard under the stairs! There is also a great range of calming products available that really help....I know, as I have used Pet Remedy for my dog and it was brilliant! There are many others available. Increasing the volume on your television or radio can make difference too, as well as Thunder coats that swaddle your dog, like you would a baby.

All your small furries can be seriously affected too, particularly if they are kept outside. If at all possible try to get them in but just be aware of the temperature change; where most of us have got the heating on now the change in temperature can cause shock. If they can’t come in perhaps cover them up earlier, Pet Remedy now do a small animal calmer, too, which is worth a try for nervous smaller pets.

With Christmas around the corner all your local independent pet shops will have a great range of gifts for your wonderful pets as well as all the calming products and high visibility products too.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all, Stay Safe, Stay Well.

* Where the Comecome First * first ...where theAnimals animals The Islands only National Award Winning Pet Shop Experienced, qualified * Where the Animals Comestaff First * Huge selection of pet foods & accessories Huge selection of pet Award foods &Winning accessories The Islands only National Pet Shop Experienced, qualified staff | FREE Island-wide Delivery FREE Island-wide Delivery Huge selection of pet foods & accessories Experienced, qualified staff | FREE Island-wide Delivery The Island’s only National Award Winning Pet Shop

T: 01983 522019

17 Holyrood NEWPORT PO30 5AU T: Street, 01983 522019 17 Holyrood Street, NEWPORT PO30 5AU

TURNING CHALLENGES I N T O O P P O RT U N I T Y

By Ma r n ie Ja naway BR A N D DE V ELOPER , RETA I L M EN TOR , BUSI N ESS CONSU LTA N T

high streets, though they continue to live on in our shared design heritage and cultural cache.

After more than 25 years helping lifestyle brands define and deliver their visions, I’m incredibly excited to put down my permanent roots on this very special island.

Working on a Pilot Project with the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and the Isle of Wight Council as a Business Advisor, I am currently helping island companies of all sizes to maintain growth, retain employees, and move forward during these changing times.

An ‘eighties graduate of the Winchester School of Art – with an MBA in Business Marketing, Managing and Development and a PhD in Textile

Chemistry – I have worked with a range of household names: from Next to Habitat, Heals, Mothercare and BHS. I was also commissioned

by Sainsburys to develop their TU range; now one of the largest clothing retailers in the UK. Times, of course, have changed: not all these brands have stood the test of time on our

2020 has been challenging, but with every challenge comes opportunity: we have been given a chance to press ‘reset’ on our businesses, and perhaps change the way we sell, shop, buy, and live for the better.

As part of my role with the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and Isle of Wight Council, I am now offering my time and expertise in retail business development, brand-building, store layout and e-commerce FREE to any Island business who feels they would benefit.

To book a free initial consultation with Marnie, email marnie@btconnect.com or call 07770 796524. Visit www.marniejanaway.com

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To s p e a k t o o n e o f o u r e x p e r t s p l e a s e c a l l u s o n 0 1 9 8 3 5 2 7 8 7 8

Island knowledge, national expertise At Glanvilles Damant, we are committed to achieving the highest standards and the best results for our clients. We pride ourselves on putting the needs of our clients at the heart of

The Courtyard, St Cross Business Park Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 5BF

t: 01983 527878 f: 01983 821629

DX 56352 Newport IW e: hello@gdlegalservices.co.uk

www.gdlegalservices.co.uk

Make it Happen For new business entrepreneurs

A training workshop for new-start business entrepreneurs ‘Make it Happen’ is one of the most powerful new-start business training workshops available, and the only CPD Accredited Workshop developed and led by an international business mentor, CPD speaker and recognised Provider of Training Excellence.

This workshop is aimed at anyone facing redundancy or currently unemployed looking to explore starting their own business as the next stage in their work and career development. It is also perfect for anyone recently starting, or moving towards starting their own business and looking to fill in knowledge gaps, including proven strategies and methods for business growth.

Fully Accredited CPD Training Workshop plus Gradbase Registration

To find out more simply visit www.dalehowarth.com or call 01983 861003

CHRISTMAS GIFTING

MAKE A WILL T O D AY

By Ha n na h Lisseter DI RECTOR , GL A N V I L L ES

By Si mon Noble CONSU LTA N T, ROACH PITTIS

It seems like we are in for a very different Christmas this year; whether through financial hardship or government restrictions, it is very hard to make any firm plans. Thank goodness Santa has been declared a keyworker or there would be a lot of disappointed faces on Christmas morning!

If you own your own home, have pets, live with your partner, have children, or own your own business, then it is always going to be advisable to make a Will.

I am known for preparing for Christmas early (August onwards!) as I like to spread the cost and the work. I have also purchased more online in recent years as it has been more convenient. This year though, more people seem to be doing likewise for many reasons.

Gifting money this Christmas may seem like a great way to help family members or friends financially, but while there’s no limit to how much you can give, there are other implications to consider.

Giving someone cash at the wrong time – or in the wrong way – could mean they end up being chased by the tax man at a later date. It could also lead to you being accused of deliberately depriving yourself of assets that should have been used to pay for your care in later life.

Any gifts made less than 7 years before death count towards the Inheritance Tax threshold. If you give away more than your allowance in your final 7 years, tax is due on everything over that threshold. The rate of tax is reduced for gifts made between 3 and 7 years before the person died.

This is known as ‘taper relief’.

There are some additional exemptions and allowances that enable you to gift money without the threat of Inheritance Tax. For example, the annual gifting allowance stands at £3000 for the tax year 2020/2021, which means you can gift up to £3,000 in total this tax year without any inheritance tax implications. However, if you haven’t used last year’s allowance you can gift £6000 this year and still avoid inheritance tax issues. Small cash gifts are also exempt and each year you can give up to £250 to as many people as you like without any inheritance tax liability in addition to your £3000. You can also give away normal gifts out of your income, for example Christmas or birthday presents as long as you are able to maintain your standard of living after making the gift.

In fact, it is only by making a Will that you can be sure that those you care for will be protected and secure on your death.

Unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit, and therefore if there is no Will, there is no guarantee that they will be provided for. Also, if you own your own home in which your partner resides, then on your death there is no guarantee that your partner will be able to continue living there.

The uncertainty caused by this situation can prove extremely stressful for loved ones, but can be completely avoided if a Will is made that provides for your partner or other persons who you wish to inherit.

If you die without having married or entered into a Civil Partnership, but have children, then your children will inherit your estate. If you have no children then your parents would inherit. If you have no parents living, then your brothers and sisters inherit. In fact, none of the persons who are eligible to inherit include an unmarried partner.

Without a Will that provides for your partner, he or she may be left in a position whereby they need to go to Court to continue living in the property. All of this potential stress can be avoided where a Will is in existence.

Now, more than ever, is the time to make a Will. Call us today.

Telephone 01983 524431 or visit www.roachpittis.co.uk

You should also consider the deprivation of assets rules.

This is where a person intentionally deprives or decreases their overall assets in order to reduce the amount they will be charged towards their care and support. There is no time limit on how far back the Local Authority can go, unlike the 7 year rule for inheritance tax. So, think carefully before you give generously this Christmas.

Hannah Lisseter is a Director specialising in Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters.

Hannah.lisseter@gdlegaservices.co.uk 01983 527878 November and December 2020

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D O Y O U H AV E T H E A M B I T I O N TO BE YOUR OWN BOSS?

I

How we all work and shop has seen rapid and profound changes. For those looking to start a new business this isn’t a barrier but an opportunity. The pandemic, lockdown and a move to work from home has already enabled many ‘homepreneurs’ to launch their online store, creative studio or consultancy from their kitchen table, spare room or garden shed. In the past four months 85,000 businesses launched new online stores, making the most from the tremendous demand for online shopping and services.

These are opening up new online markets and reinvigorating the economy as it starts to move to the ‘new normal’.

t’s a myth that an economic downturn or recession is the worst time to start a new business. By their very nature, start-ups are lean and agile, better placed to identify and seize opportunity in difficult times and navigate rapid changes in the economy more easily. Previous downturns have shown that start-ups are good at finding market opportunity and filling gaps left by much bigger established businesses.

Technology has become an enabler, not a barrier, allowing you to start and grow your business at speed. And, with a rise in unemployment, there is a lot of talent in the marketplace ready and waiting to work with you, to make your business a success. In addition, the funding to support you and your new business is more readily available than ever before through start-up grants, crowdfunding, low interest rate loans and, for some, redundancy payments and loans from family and friends.

In fact, some of the world’s most successful and iconic companies were founded in the months leading up to and during financial crises. Burger King, Disney, FedEx, Groupon, IBM, Microsoft and Whatsapp are all great examples. Consider the phenomenal rise of Zoom during the current pandemic, from 10 million daily meeting participants in December 2019 to two trillion by April 2020. Necessity drives innovation, and that’s especially true during economic downturns.

So, you can start a new successful business in what may seem a challenging commercial environment, whatever your current circumstances. The key factors which determine whether your start-up will succeed or fail are based more on you and your abilities, rather than wider macroeconomic trends. If you have an ambition to become your own boss, then what are you waiting for? The help and support is available now for you to start your journey.

Dale Howarth is an acclaimed business speaker, mentor and CPD Accredited Trainer; working with individuals and companies to make the business leaders and businesses successes of tomorrow. To find out more visit www.dalehowarth.com.

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By Da le Howa r t h BUSI N ESS M EN TOR , SPEA K ER A N D CPD TR A I N ER

Research shows an increase in those who would like to start their own business, as high as 83% in 18-24 year olds and 64% across the UK workforce as a whole. This is despite the ongoing pandemic causing untold devastation to the business world and economists predicting a recession or even depression. For agile entrepreneurs with an appetite for innovation, now could be the perfect time to start a business of their own. If you’ve been thinking about what your life may look like in the ‘new normal’, don’t rule out becoming your own boss.

STYLE | Feature

Medi na Bookshop

w i nt er book rev iews As we approach the end of this rather unusua l year, the team at Medina Bookshop recommends three reads to keep you going through the w inter months. With each book centred on inspiring indiv idua ls, you w i l l find an Isle of Wight scanda l that rocked the nation, a life of simplicity and contentment, and an extraordinary ta le of streng th

The Scandalous Lady W: An Eighteenth-Century Tale of Sex, Scandal and Divorce - Hallie Rubenhold “The divorce that scandalised Georgian England.” The Scandalous Lady W is a true account of Lord and Lady Worsley of Appuldurcombe House on the Isle of Wight and Lady Worsley’s lover George Maurice Bisset.

A fascinating history of a marriage ripped apart by two eloping lovers, this book should not be underestimated by its salacious surface. What appears at first to be a gripping true story of sex, debauchery and scandal invites the reader to further examine the life of this wealthy woman through a critical lens. Her lack of freedom, and the tenacity she showed in order to remain in control, gives this title its place in our ‘inspiring individuals’ theme. Rubenhold successfully takes this account of Lady Worsley from an entertaining tale to an uplifting story of an empowered eighteenth-century woman.

Leonard and Hungry Paul - Rónán Hession

Swim Until You Can’t See Land Catriona Child

A poignant story of ordinariness, Leonard and Hungry Paul is the novel we all need during these difficult times. Leonard writes successfully for children’s encyclopaedias but longs for a life partner, and someone to share his appreciation of the world around him. Hungry Paul is fairly content in his life, working part-time and spending evenings with his family and friend Leonard playing board games.

A story of loss, strength and extraordinary spirit. Hannah Wright is 21 years old. Having recently sustained an injury she has been forced to abandon her career as a professional swimmer. A chance meeting with 81-year-old Mariele leaves Hannah desperate to learn more about the elderly woman’s life.

Witty, uplifting and remarkably unremarkable, this book is an appreciation of the mundane and of a contentedness with what we can have, rather than a longing for what we cannot. In his quiet, unique way, Hungry Paul serves as an inspiration to all of us seeking a little joy in our ordinary lives.

Hannah soon discovers that Mariele found her core strength whilst she was being tortured by water during WWII. In hearing Mariele’s story, Hannah finds her own inner strength and learns to accept her situation as a retired swimmer. Swim Until You Can’t See Land is the story of two inspiring women and what can be achieved when those women come together to inspire each other.

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook @MedinaBooksIOW to keep up to date with our most recent reviews and the latest releases. For more information you can find us at 50 High Street, Cowes, call us on 01983 300044 or drop us an email on info@medinabookshop.com

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NEW INN THE ‘OLD’ NEW INN IS BACK!

Local Ales  Fine Wines  Fresh Local Seafood

‘Happy to be returning to the heart of the village community’

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Visit our websites www.innsofdistinction.co.uk

The New Inn Shalfleet 01983 531314 ~ newinniow.co.uk

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