We don’t just make beautiful Danish furniture — we create spaces that reflect your style. Our interior designers offer a free personalised service, guiding you on furniture selection, materials, and layouts to bring your vision to life. Whether in-store or at home, you’ll also receive 3D renderings of your space to visualise the transformation. For more information or to book, call or visit us in-store.
Nestled in the heart of the Surrey Hills ...
Welcome to Beaverbrook
Imbued with romance and style that pays tribute to its glamorous past, Beaverbrook is a quintessentially English Country House estate surrounded by the picturesque Surrey Hills. Whether you’re dressing up to celebrate or dressing down to unwind, our elegant surroundings and remarkable facilities offer something truly special.
Beaverbrook estate is set amidst 400 acres of countryside and comprises three distinctively designed venues that make up the hotel, four restaurants and a spa. Guests can also enjoy a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including a home cinema, as well as meeting spaces for all occasions.
2024 welcomes the launch of The Village, which includes an additional 21 guest rooms themed around notable British authors, as well as a restaurant, Mrs Beeton's, and an events space, named The Writer's Block.
The Coach House Spa
Nurture your body and mind, and discover the healing atmosphere of our nurturing spa, designed with nature at its core. We believe in a holistic, natural, and nurturing approach when it comes to wellness. From the design of The Coach House Spa right through to our treatments, we are inspired and influenced by the beauty of the nature around us. Our weekday Membership programme o ers access to an exclusive, wellness community and high level professionals who are amongst the best of their trade.
Eat & Drink
Indulge in sumptous, authentic Japanese cuisine in The Dining Room at The House, or opt for comforting, Anglo-Italian classics in The Garden House restaurant. The Pizzeria is perfect for a cosy evening out with the family, and The Deli o ers fresh salads, flatbreads and super food bowls. Sir Frank’s and The Robin’s Nest Bars are where you can sip seasonal cocktails that promise to surprise and delight.
Sleep
Expect good old-fashioned hospitality, impeccable design, an eclectic collection of artwork, antiques and memorabilia from a range of rooms and suites that o er evocative sophistication, stylish tranquility or simple country charm. Sink into grand four poster beds and delight in private balconies and terraces overlooking our stunning 470-acre estate, steeped in history.
THE LIQS CLUB
WELCOME WHISKY
LOVERS
The Liqs Club in Ashtead is Surrey’s first private members club with whisky at its heart. Come and join us in the exclusive comfort of The Liqs Club bar, where you can choose from an unrivalled selection of over 600 whiskies, as well as an extensive list of gins, wine, Champagne and cocktails. Make your choice from our five membership packages, bring your guests and enjoy preferential prices from our Liquid Gold whisky shop, as well as access to special tasting events and expert advice on whisky investments.
THE LIQS CLUB EVENTS CALENDAR
Thursday, Friday & Saturday – 2-4-1 Cocktails 4pm-8pm Thursdays Uncorked – All day 20% off Bubbles, Gin, Rum & Whisky Flights
Happy hour is 4pm - 7pm
Eddie Jones - Valentines day 14th February
Berry Bros Tasting - Friday 21st February
Luke Brownhill - Guitarist 22nd February
DS Tayman Tasting - Thursday 27th February
Silent Pool Gin Aroma Masterclass - Friday 7th March
Rio Royale Carnival Party - Saturday 8th March
A special Glencadam Tasting evening with Angus Dundee family member Jordan Hillman - Friday 14th March 7.30pm.
Carole Ann Geddes, Local Fashion Consultant - Fashion Show - Thursday 13th March 2025
Smokehead Tasting - Fri 28th March
More event dates to be announced shortly - follow @liqsclub for updates.
“fully fledged” restaurant private dining room too, The
serving modern European where guests can enjoy freshly
Located outside of Woking, the edge of scenic is The Gosling. Having extensive refurbishment
Gosling
Located just Woking,
on
Common, Having undergone an refurbishment to become a restaurant and bar with a beautiful Gosling offers all day dining, cuisine, and a stylish bar
The views and opinions expressed by contributors to Surrey Rocks may not represent the views and opinions of the publishers and we cannot accept responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. No part of this magazine can be reproduced or copied in any way without written consent from Surrey Rocks.
Hello Surrey,
Well done, we made it through the hardest month of the year! Dry January and the January blues are officially over, February is here and it’s all about love and “red hot” love at that. See our Valentine’s Dating special on pages 102 - 103 with the best tips and tricks on how to find and keep your perfect match.
We also uncover the best Valentine’s events in & around Surrey in our ‘V Day Special’ – date nights have never looked this good. Whether it be drinks, dinner, dancing, films or fine dining there is something for everyone in our indispensable guide on pages 22 – 25.
Elsewhere, we have an A-class review of the Mercedes family car, the A200. It tackled the mud and muck of the Surrey and Sussex Hills, was fast and furious yet still offered versatility and practicality. Read the full review on pages 46 - 50.
We also got to interview Qymira, our rising and talented cover star who is releasing her latest single, album and touring with Boyzlife. It was also a pleasure chatting to the legendary ‘Judge John Deed’ actor Martin Shaw who is treading the boards at the newly-renovated Yvonne Arnaud theatre this month in the critically acclaimed ‘A Man For All Seasons.’
Plus, we bring you our cutest ever ‘Best of the Web’ where we quizzed a group of 4-8-year-olds, “What does love mean?” Their answers were deeper and more profound than we could have imagined! Take Karl, aged 5, for example: “Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.”
Enjoy reading this LOVE-ly issue,
Sam EDITOR’S NOTE
THE RAMBLING PIG
Voted In The UK's Top 100 Pubs
The Rambling Pig, brought to you by London's famous Filipino-Fusion restaurant group, Rapsa, has expanded into a gastro-pub style taste experience in the friendly heart of Surrey. Rapsa venues permanently reside in Hoxton, Archway, Margate and now on Ewell High Street. When visiting a concept created by Rapsa, expect Filipino fusion sharing plates, Boodle Fights, Asian inspired cocktails and party menus for all occasions. Open Wednesday-Sunday.
New for Summer 2024 - Garden Menu and Monthly Sunday Hog Roast!
What's On
THE GOSLING INTRODUCE PRIVATE DINING
Newly renovated to an impeccable standard, The Gosling in Woking, offer allday dining in their main restaurant plus 2 luxury private dining rooms - seating up to 16 guests in one and up to 20 in the other. What’s more they don’t charge for dining room hire so your private function room is yours with any food/drink from The Gosling’s exquisite Modern British Cuisine menu. Private dining is a great option for any event - be it a birthday, anniversary, corporate do, work party or even just a meal with whole family - where you can let the little ones run wild with no discerning looks from other diners! Expect only the best with 5-star food, drinks, décor and service at this acclaimed eatery. See www.thegosling.co.uk to make a reservation now.
MIZI ATELIER TEAMS WITH DIVA LUXE
Celebrity milliner Mizi Atelier has partnered with Diva Luxe & Luxury Collective Surrey to showcase her elegant, award-winning headwear at a series of fashion and lifestyle events. The Diva Luxe season kicks off at the Rembrandt Hotel in Knightsbridge on February 2nd, followed by Home Grown Members Club in Marylebone on February 26th and then Mizi Atelier/Diva Luxe exclusive event is at Churchill Hotel on Portman Square on March 20th. You can also catch Mizi Atelier at the Bull Hotel in Gerrards Cross on May 28th at the Royal Garden Hotel Kensington on June 8th, Wentwood Golf Club on June 12th and The Athenium Edit on June 14th. Her LCS Events are at Harte & Garter Windsor and Barefoot Hotel Windsor on March 6th and May 17th respectively.
CLUCK & CRUSTS LAUNCHES IN OXSHOTT
A delicious woodfired pizza and chicken establishment has launched in Oxshott serving the best pizza outside of London! Located at the back of the award-winning The Victoria Oxshott in the high street, Cluck & Crusts offers a delightful array of the best Neopolitan woodfired pizzas, whole rotisserie chickens and their 'signature' wood roasted buffalo wings; alongside fresh salads, garlic breads, sides, gravies and dips. Open for delivery and takeout every Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm till late. Also available on Deliveroo. Cluck & Crusts is a collaboration between renowned Italian pizza chefs, AA Rosette winners The Victoria Oxshott and Surrey Hills Delicatessen. Expect only the finest and freshest food from these amazing new pizza purveyors! See www.cluckandcrusts. com to order and for more information.
SURREY VALENTINE’S DAY SORTED
Welcome to our round-up of the best of Valentine’s Day in Surrey. Enjoy a 7-course tasting menu at Kinghams Restaurant for only £95pp with a Chilworth Manor Brut welcome drink included. Or you can enjoy a romantic night at Foxhills 400-acre estate in with a glass of Moet & Chandon and saxophonist in the Manor Lounge, followed by a 5-course menu in The Fox dining rooms and an overnight hotel stay in an Executive Double Room, with access to all Health Spa and Country Club facilities with Breakfast from £420 per couple. Or join award-winning Italian restaurant Spaghetti Tree which has live singers on at their 3 Surrey-based restaurants from 8pm with a la carte menus being served. Pink champagne and specials are available at the Black Swan in Ockham. Or let Chef Renu B make Valentines special this year, with a luxurious 3-course meal delivered to your home. Elsewhere, enjoy a beautiful meal at The Gosling where you can choose from 16 tantalising dishes in their 5-course menu for £75pp. Or celebrate Valentine's Day with an evening of live music at the Liqs Club, featuring the talented singer-songwriter Eddie Jones. Or see the new Bridget Jones movie ‘Mad About The Boy’ at Nova Cinema on V Day and get a 2-course meal and cocktail in Pizza al Teatro for only £40pp or The Victoria in Oxshott have a hearty, tasty specials menu for you to enjoy.
EXCLUSIVE ESHER RESTAURANT OPENING SOON
From the award-winning team behind Hummings is a very exclusive and unique new restaurant conceptsoon to be opening on Esher High Street. The as-yetunnamed restaurant (watch this space for more details) will be opening this April and will be serving different cuisines on a 6-monthly rotation. Expect only the best chefs, food, décor and ambience and never get bored of their changing menus. Like its sister venue, Hummings, the new nightspot will get the party vibe going on weekends with late night openings on Friday and Saturday nights. There will only be limited covers per evening – so book in early to avoid disappointment.
OPEN THURSDAY (STUDENT NIGHTS), FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Non-stop live music
You choose the soundtrack to the night
Great cocktails
Lots of insta-worthy moments
february 2025
MONDAY TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
everyone’s talking about... celebrities TOM HOLLAND & ZENDAYA ENGAGED
British actor Tom Holland and his model/actress girlfriend Zendaya have officially confirmed their engagement.
Zendaya was pictured on the red carpet at The Golden Globes on Sunday January 5th wearing an impressive 18K white and gold East West cushion diamond ring on her engagement finger, sending the internet into a frenzy.
The engagement was officially confirmed by Tom’s Dad Dominic Holland on his blog ’Patreon’ on January 23rd.
“Tom, as you know by now was incredibly well prepared,” he wrote. “He had purchased a ring, he had spoken with her father and gained permission to propose to his daughter. Tom had everything planned out. When, where, how, what to say, what to wear.”
Tom reportedly proposed between Christmas and New Year at Zendaya’s family home
Power couple Tom and Zendaya, both now 28, originally met on the set of ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ in 2017. The rumours of romance were quick to circle around Hollywood following the pair’s blatant on-screen chemistry and all the off-screen time the duo spent
Although for 4 years, Zendaya and Tom denied anything was going on. They are both “extremely private characters” and did not want to “doom the relationship” were cited as reasons for keeping their relationship on the QT according to US gossip site TMZ. The news of their official ‘coupling’ didn’t come until 2023 when they were pictured holding hands at the premiere of Holland’s film ‘Unchartered’.
As well as starring in all three ‘Spider-Man’ films together, “Tomdaya” as they have been monikered - will appear in the highly anticipated Christopher Nolan film ‘The Odyssey’ due
ONE DIRECTION SET TO REUNITE FOR LIAM TRIBUTE
It is rumoured that One Direction are reuniting at this year’s Brit Awards, for the first time since their 2016 split, to honour Liam Payne.
Liam, the 31-year-old singer and one fifth of boyband 1D, tragically fell to his death from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina’s capital city Buenos Aires on October 16th.
It is believed Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan, the other former band members, will perform a tribute song and performance for him at London’s O2 Arena on March 1 at the Brit Awards 2025.
Liam and his former ‘1D’ bandmates shot to global superstardom status after auditioning on ‘X Factor’ in 2010 when Simon Cowell created the British boyband One Direction. Their debut album ‘Up All Night’ was released in 2011, yielding hit-after-hit singles, such as ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ and ‘Gotta Be You’.
He leaves behind son Bear, who he shares with ex Cheryl Cole.
US FIGURE SKATER AMONG THOSE KILLED ON DC FLIGHT
US figure skater, Spencer Lane, has been confirmed as one of the passengers who died on the American Airlines flight that collided with a Black Hawk Chopper on Wednesday January 29th in Washington DC.
Spencer aged only 16 shared a photo from his flight on Instagram Stories on the runaway at Wichita Airport before it took off. “ICT -> DCA,” read the post, which are the codes for Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington DC.
BEYONCé PLANS UK CONCERT TOUR
Beyoncé is planning a major UK stadium concert tour this Summer, following the release of her new album ‘Cowboy Carter’.
The concerts are likely to clash with Oasis’ sold-out tour which is running July to September. Beyoncé will perform at London’s O2, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium among others.
‘Cowboy Carter’ is Beyoncé’s eighth studio album and is labelled as a “Country” and “Americana” album, blending diverse sub-genres that Beyoncé listened to when growing up in Texas including; rock, folk, rhythm, blues, soul, pop, and hip-hop (that’s everything then!).
Beyoncé has collaborated with music royalty to release this album and has been working on it for 2 years. Conceptually, the album is presented as a radio broadcast, with country singers Dolly Parton, Linda Martell and Willie Nelson acting as disc jockeys. The album's songs feature rising Black country artists such as Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Willie Jones. The music is driven by a range of acoustic instruments played by musicians including Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Nile Rodgers, Jon Batiste and Rhiannon Giddens. At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards,’ Cowboy Carter’ earned eleven nominations, making it the third-most nominated album in Grammy history! We can’t wait to catch the live show.
Spencer reflected on his professional accomplishment in a separate post, “NDC!! I am so happy to have qualified for national development camp earlier in November, it has been my goal almost ever since I became aware that it was a thing. I learned so much new information that I can apply to my everyday life, and met so many amazing people!”
At the time of going to press 29 dead bodies had been pulled from the icy Potomac River in DC. There were 60 passengers and 4 crew aboard the American Airlines flight and three soldiers in the Black Hawk chopper. All are suspected to have died including at least 12 from the figure skating community as they were flying back from the 2025 Prevagen US Figure
THE ROYAL FAMILY WELCOMES A NEW PRINCESS
Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo welcomed their second daughter, Princess Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, on Wednesday 22nd January.
The baby was born weighing four pounds and five ounces and the Palace were said to be “delighted with the news.”
Beatrice and Edoardo have been married since 2020 and already share daughter Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, who is three. Edoardo is also a dad to Wolfie, aged 8, from a previous relationship.
Proud father Edoardo posted a tribute to his new daughter, calling her "tiny and absolutely perfect.”
The Cutting Room Chobham is more than just a hair salon, its a destination where expertise, creativity, and customer service, is offered, giving you a premium experience. Whether you are looking for a tranformative cut, balayage services, new colour, Brazilian blow-dries, updo’s, or simply a place to relax and enjoy quality hair care, The Cutting Room is the salon that delivers on all fronts. With expert stylists, a personalised approach, and a reputation for excellence, we are the perfect choice for you next appointment.
FOR US
WHAT'S TRENDING... #VALENTINE’S DAY
Are you wondering where’s good to go this Valentine’s Day in Surrey? Let us help you make that decision by rounding up the plethora of events on at Surrey’s top hotels, restaurants, bars and nightspots. Check out our top picks of where to spend February 14th with your other half or Galentine (if you are single this V Day!)
FALL IN LOVE WITH FOXHILLS
There's no better way to spend quality time with your loved one than a romantic night away at the award-winning Foxhills. Escape to their 400-acre estate in the heart of the Surrey countryside for a memorable Valentine's Day celebration, including:
• Arrival glass of Moet & Chandon and saxophonist in the Manor Lounge
• Five-course set menu in The Fox dining rooms for two
• Overnight hotel stay in an Executive Double Room
• Access to all Health, Spa and Country Club facilities from 2pm on day of check-in until 11am on day of checkout
• Breakfast on Saturday morning
From £420 based on two guests sharing an Executive Double Room. (Adults Only & Members can receive a 15% discount by emailing reservations@ foxhills.co.uk). Optional add-ons include: a gift-wrapped rose, Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, Prosecco Spumante Borgo del Col Alto, Chocolate strawberries, NEOM treatment candle or the Hammam experience for two. Or you can enjoy a delicious fivecourse set menu dinner only in The Fox dining rooms. Specially curated by their executive chef for the occasion, enjoy two AA Rosette cuisine on Friday 14th February for £99pp (£89pp for members).
See www.foxhills.co.uk to make a booking now.
IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE
The award-winning Italian restaurant Spaghetti Tree has live singers on at their 3 Surrey based restaurants.
Andy Benn will be serenading guests at Spaghetti Tree Walton On The Hill, Mercedes will be delighting guests at Spaghetti Tree Shirley while the talented Hollie Swain will be entertaining diners at the newly reopened Spaghetti Tree Warlingham.
The Spaghetti Tree will be serving their delicious A La Carte Menu at all three restaurants alongside their live music acts, who start performing from 8pm.
Book early to avoid disappointment. See www.spaghettitree.co.uk for more information and to make a booking.
VALENTINES DINE AT HOME
Let acclaimed Surrey-based Chef Renu B make Valentines night special this year, with a luxurious 3 course meal delivered to you. Just set the table and follow her step by step time plan showing you how to reheat and plate everything to perfection.
• STARTER
Beetroot and Red Onion Tarte Tatin, with Creme Fraiche, Salsa Verde and Herb Oil
• MAIN COURSE
Local Surrey Beef Fillet encrusted in Pink Peppercorns, Redcurrant Jus Pommes Anna, Heritage Carrots and Seasonal Greens OR Vegetarian: Wild Mushroom and Chestnut Wellington with Balsamic Dressing Pommes Anna, Heritage Carrots and Seasonal Greens
• DESSERT
Rhubarb and Custard Pannacotta and Italian cookies
Closing date for bookings is Tuesday 11th February 2025 at 10pm. For delivery on Friday 14th February between 9am-4pm. Please Contact Chefrenub@gmail.com for specific dietary requirement eg Vegan / Gluten Free / Dairy Free. There is a £4.95 delivery charge to Walton on the Hill, Tadworth, Epsom, Epsom Downs, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Kingswood, Banstead, Reigate, Bookham, Fetcham, Ewell, Dorking, Guildford, Reigate.
See www.chefrenub.com/valentines-dine-at-home to get yours now.
NEWS BE SERENADED BY
EDDIE JONES
Celebrate Valentine's Day with an unforgettable evening of live music at the award-winning Liqs Club in Ashtead, featuring the talented singersongwriter Eddie Jones.
Renowned for his heartfelt lyrics and smooth melodies, Eddie brings his signature blend of acoustic charm and modern flair to the stage.
Whether you're sharing the night with someone special or meeting someone new, his captivating music will create the perfect ambiance. Don't miss this exclusive performance on February 14th, Come early to grab a seat, starting at 8pm till late.
Priced at £10 for nonmembers and free for Liqs Club members.
See www.theliqsclub.com to book now.
ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE
And The Gosling have a fabulous Valentine’s Day menu that’s perfect for you!
On February 14th, enjoy an evening with your favourite person (or people!) and a beautiful meal prepared by The Gosling’s talented chefs, featuring a choice of 16 dishes including Bread, Canapes, Starters, Mains & Dessert.
Here are some of their Valentine’s Day Menu Highlights:
• Chateaubriand (for two), glazed cheek, house chips, charred broccoli, dressed land cress, béarnaise & peppercorn sauce
• Followed by The Gosling’s dreamy dessert selection to share
The Gosling is a modern and stylish restaurant and bar just outside of Woking, serving European cuisine and innovative cocktails. The Gosling Valentine’s Day menu is priced at £75 per person.
To make a reservation see www.thegosling.co.uk or give the team a call on 01483 971915.
MAD ABOUT THE BOY
Did you know the new ‘Bridget Jones’ film is being released on V Day?
To celebrate the fourth instalment of the hit movie Nova Cinema in Woking is offering this fun combo night out: ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About Pizza’ which includes a 2-course meal and cocktail in their wonderful Pizza al Teatro restaurant and a ticket to see the new ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy’ film in their luxury screen 7 for only £40 per person on Valentine’s Day.
If romcoms aren’t your thing…the new ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ releases on Friday 14th February too and is also screening at Nova.
A FINE DINING FEAST
Enjoy a 7-course tasting menu at Kinghams Restaurant in Shere for only £95 per with a Chilworth Manor Brut 2018 welcome drink included.
Delights on their specially curated menu include ‘Rock oyster Mi-Cuit with raspberry vinaigrette’, ‘Duo of Local Venison loin with liquorish scented pressed shoulder, quince, carrots and crispy Sussex buckwheat’ and ‘Sharing heart of Valrhona chocolate and passionfruit’. Kinghams was the winner of the Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the Surrey Awards.
See www.kinghams-restaurant.co.uk for more information and to make a booking now.
VALENTINE'S DAY
Celebrate Valentine's Day in style at The Victoria Oxshott, Surrey's award-winning gastropub, where romance meets exceptional dining. On Friday 14th February, guests can indulge in a specially curated three-course set menu (£55 per head) in the warmth of this candle-lit pub with a roaring fire. Designed by Executive Chef Daniel Lee, the menu showcases exquisite British ingredients, with starters such as Steelhead Trout with secrets beetroots, horseradish and fennel, or a rich and velvety Mushroom Parfait with homemade brioche. Mains include Cornish Brill with artichoke, pearl barley, and truffle butter sauce, and a comforting Smoked Potato and Baron Bigod Risotto with Wiltshire truffle and confit egg yolk.
For those looking to elevate their dining experience, a selection of sumptuous supplementary sharing dishes are available, including a Fruit de Mare Platter for Two (£25pp), featuring langoustines, king prawns, Jersey Rock oysters, Shetland mussels, and dressed Portland crab, or the indulgent Hereford Cote de Boeuf for Two (£20pp), served with beef fat onions, triple-cooked chips, and Béarnaise sauce. Seafood lovers can also opt for Whole Dover Sole for Two (£25pp), accompanied by samphire, brown shrimps, and cucumber beurre noisette. To finish, couples can share the Raspberry Heart for Two (£5pp), a decadent cheesecake with raspberry textures and sorbet. With its intimate atmosphere, flickering candlelight, and crackling fire, The Victoria Oxshott promises an unforgettable evening for couples looking to celebrate in a truly special setting.
RECIPE
HUNTER’S CHICKEN
(Serves 4)
This classic Italian dish is renowned all over the world and often seen on the menus of Italian restaurants. The title ‘Alla cacciatora’ (‘in the style of the hunter’) suggests it was probably first made with game birds or rabbit. However, as with many Italian dishes, it also has roots in the cucina povera, when people used whatever meagre ingredients they had to hand; in this case, a chicken or, more likely, an old hen, was slaughtered for a special occasion and, to make it go further, enriched with whatever vegetables and herbs were available in the garden as well as a splash of homemade wine. A perfect Winter warming dish from Jamie Oliver.
INGREDIENTS:
• 750g/1lb 10oz chicken thighs and drumsticks
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed and left whole
• 1 small red chilli, sliced
• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• 2 sprigs of thyme
• A handful of parsley, roughly chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 sage leaves
• 125ml/4fl oz/½ cup dry white wine
• 1½ tbsp tomato puree (paste), dissolved in 3 tbsp lukewarm water
• 175g/6oz cherry tomatoes, halved
METHOD:
1. Rub the chicken pieces all over with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the chicken and seal well all over.
3. Add the onion, garlic, chilli and herbs and cook for a
couple of minutes on a medium heat.
4. Add the wine, increase the heat and allow the wine to evaporate slightly.
5. Add the diluted tomato puree, then stir in the cherry tomatoes.
6. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and cook gently for 1¼ hours, until the chicken is cooked through; the flesh should come away from the bone and there should be no sign of pink when you pierce the thickest part.
7. Serve hot with your preferred vegetable sides.
WINE MATCH
The good news is there is a large selection of both red and white wines that go perfectly with this hearty chicken and herb dish.
For reds, try a lighter, fruitier type of wine with low tannins such as a Beaujolais or a Rhone. Away from France, a South African or Lebanese Pinot Noir would match well too.
For white wine - fruity or even slightly sweeter wines will go well – a Reisling or a bright, unoaked Spanish white would be a great choice.
Finally, for non-wine drinkers consider a light ale.
ALBUM REVIEW
SAM FENDER – PEOPLE WATCHING
Sam Fender is back with his third album ‘People Watching’ released on Universal’s Polydor Records this February 21st.
The North Shields born artist, aged 30, released his debut EP ‘Dead Boys’ in 2018 and won the Critics' Choice Award at the 2019 Brit Awards with his debut album, ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ entering the UK Albums Chart at number one. His second album, Seventeen Going Under, was released in 2021, topping the UK Albums Chart and received a nomination for the Mercury Prize.
Sam Fender has opened up about how the death of a "very close" friend and mentor inspired the album’s title and lead track. The singer said ‘People Watching’ is about Annie Orwin, who he described as "a surrogate mother in a lot of ways".
He told BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders the song was inspired by walks to and from the care home where Annie sadly died last year.
He said Annie "always used to complain about me not ever mentioning her" but hopes he has "repaid her" with the single. "I hope she's up there thinking, 'about time, kid'," he said in the interview.
The new album blends Fender’s brilliant lyric writing with poignant guitar melodies and sultry saxophone sections in his inimitable soft rock style. It will no doubt be one if the biggest UK album releases of the year.
To coincide with the album launch Sam is going on a US, UK and European tour in 2025, starting with New York in February and culminating with Newcastle in June.
See www.samfender.com to get tickets now.
MOVIE REVIEW BOOK REVIEW
PADDINGTON IN PERU
The world’s favourite marmaladeloving, talking bear Paddington embarks on a brand new adventure with this time he travels through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru - with hilarious consequences!
Paddington is still living happily with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, London, when he receives a letter from the Reverend Mother (played by the Oscar-winning Olivia Coleman), who runs the Home for Retired Bears in Peru, informing him that his Aunt Lucy misses him dearly. Having been brought up by Lucy he knows he simply must visit her as soon as possible.
With his shiny new British passport in hand, Paddington is joined by the Browns, including the ever-resourceful Mrs. Bird, (played by Julie Walters) on an epic journey that none of them will ever forget. Along the way the group meet new friends, including the dashing riverboat captain Hunter and his daughter Gina.
Together they encounter unexpected challenges, and Paddington begins to uncover surprising secrets about his past. Throughout the ups and downs, his unwavering optimism and kindness shine brightly in this cinematic adventure that reinforces the importance of family, and the joy of embracing one's heritage.
This is the third outing for Paddington Bear, following the success of the original ‘Paddington’ in 2014 and ‘Paddington 2’ in 2017. Original cast members Hugh Bonneville and Emily Mortimer reprise their roles as Mr and Mrs Brown while Imelda Staunton plays Aunt Lucy. Released on February 14th this is a great feel-good, family film.
A KILLING COLD
A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realises they are hiding a terrible secret - and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of ‘What Lies in the Woods’ Katie Alice Marshall.
The plotline centres around a whirlwind romance when Theodora Scott met Connor - wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family - she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.
Theo has tried to ignore the threatening messages on her phone, but she can’t ignore the footprints in the snow outside the cabin window or the strange sense of familiarity she has about this place. Then, in a disused cabin, Theo finds something impossible: a photo of herself as a child. A photo taken at Idlewood.
Theo has almost no recollection of her earliest years, but now she begins to piece together the fragments of her memories. Someone here has a shocking secret that they will do anything to keep hidden, and Theo is in terrible danger. Because the Daltons do not lose, and discovering what happened at Idlewood may cost Theo everything.
Out on February 4th, this gripping mystery thriller promises secrets, lies, twists and turns that readers won’t be able to put down.
QYMIRA EXCLUSIVE
Qymira, whose music blends world influences, electronic beats, and orchestral grandeur, is an artist on the rise. Fresh off the release of her chart-topping single ‘Labyrinth Of Life’, Qymira’s vibrant style and commanding stage presence are captivating audiences as she appears alongside Boyzlife on their current tour. The tour features hits from Boyzone (‘No Matter What’, ‘Love Me For A Reason’) and Westlife (‘Flying Without Wings’, ‘Uptown Girl’), making it an unmissable event for fans of pop music.
No stranger to commanding large crowds, Qymira has already made her mark with a series of standout performances across the UK, performing before tens of thousands of fans. Her single, ‘Boom Bang Bang’, and accompanying UK tour received significant TV coverage in the UK and Europe. She then proceeded to conduct members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and Manila Philharmonic Orchestra for live recordings of her orchestral scores. Her original works are performed by symphony and philharmonic orchestras worldwide.
Born in Hong Kong, raised in San Francisco, receiving a British education Qymira draws inspiration from her diverse cultural background. Her career soared with her debut single ‘Satisfied’, remixed by EEDB, which reached No. 1 on the UK Music Week Breakers Chart. Known for her ambitious productions, Qymira incorporates live orchestral scores in her recordings. Following a string of chart-topping hits and international success, genreblending artist Qymira released her highly anticipated single, ‘Labyrinth Of Life (Eddie Craig Remix)’ in October via On QiiA
Media. Known for her fusion of world influences, this single shows Qymira’s ability to blend introspective themes with high-energy production. Qymira teamed up with rapper ItzDvn, and producer Eddie Craig, one half of electronic dance duo The Wideboys, who have worked with A-list pop stars such as Kylie Minogue, Rihanna, Girls Aloud, and the Pussycat Dolls.
Written by Qymira, ‘Labyrinth Of Life’ explores the theme of personal awakening, capturing the emotional and existential struggle of breaking free from societal illusions. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of individuals lost in a complex maze—trapped by falsehoods and facades—now seeking truth, clarity, and self-realisation. Qymira’s commanding vocals and infectious melodies lead the charge, delivering an anthem for those ready to shed their disguises and embrace a more authentic existence. It’s a perfect follow-up to her previous Brazilian-influenced singles, bringing a darker edge while still retaining her signature infectious energy.
A
BEAUTIFUL SOUL
In addition to her musical endeavours, Qymira remains deeply committed to her philanthropic work with the One Gaia Foundation, an organisation she founded three years ago to support children in need. One Gaia empowers children by offering them platforms to explore and express their innate talents under the guidance of top professionals in related fields. The foundation empowers youth through music, arts, and sports, with current initiatives active across the Philippines, Hong Kong, Jamaica, and Brazil.
SO FIRSTLY, CAN YOU TELL ME WHO ISQYMIRA AND WHAT ARE YOU ALL ABOUT?
Do you have a whole day for this?!! (haha), it is a bit complex my name - inspired by the Greek legendary 3-headed beast, Chimera. We have many sides to us; the Lion, the Snake and the Goat in Chimera speak to all of us, men and women alike. We are all different things at different times. The Lion in me allows me to convey the music I do with an Orchestra – it's like you are roaring ahead and unapologetic! The Snake is the darker side of me eg. when I am designing fashion or when I dance, very ‘Game of Thrones’ sometimes. The Goat is to do with inner wisdom, although I don't believe I have any! However, I am very poetic and that is also the Goat side. Hence the mysterious feel to the written version of my name, Qymira.
WHAT MADE YOU REALISE YOU WANTED TO BE A RECORDING ARTIST?
You know I never set out to be a recording artist – it wasn't my dream. I was born in Hong Kong from a traditional Asian family. My dad wanted me to go for a more stable career like a doctor or accountant. Those type of jobs never spoke to me though. My mum was a piano teacher, and she was my best friend. As I realised how happy she was when she was playing the piano or painting, I was so inspired by her. The musical opportunities came when I went back to Hong Kong on holiday when I was 17 and I was asked to stand in for a violinist in the Coliseum and that was when it gave me the desire to go for it myself. The rest is history! I have done a lot since then - in the U.K. and LA - music, film work and so much more.
WHAT GENRE IS YOUR MUSIC WOULD YOU SAY?
Orchestral Pop Fusion. Mainly pop although some of my music has RnB, rock or Latin influence in it. I am inspired to play the electric violin in a rock kind of way which audiences love. My music does cross different genres including classical – I would say it’s like Evanescence meets Beethoven meets Billy Eilish!
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INSPIRATION?
I have very eclectic taste in music. Being classically trained was all I knew as a young kid. I didn't even know who Michael Jackson was, as my family preferred us to listen to classical music. When my brother studied in the UK he came back with pop music, and I remember Wilson Philips – I thought their harmonies were amazing. I then heard Mariah Carey, and I thought wow, what a voice! When I was living in LA I loved RnB and Hip Hop – Alisha Keys because of her piano melodies and Lauren Hill, pretty much all the way through from Fugees to solo artist.
HOW IS THE CURRENT TOUR WITH BOYZLIFE GOING? IT CAN'T BE BAD TOURING WITH KEITH DUFFY (BOYZONE) & BRIAN MCFADDEN (WESTLIFE), CAN IT?!
I love live shows. I get such a buzz every night as there is always something new. We have done 4 shows in Ireland, 1 in the UK with another 13 to go. It's been an honour to share the night with great crowds and Boyzlife are both very friendly and very fun.
WHAT ARE BRIAN & KEITH REALLY LIKE? ANY TOUR SHENANIGANS YOU CARE TO SHARE WITH US?!
Actually, I would love to say there is a lot of shenanigans but everyone is so focused on what they must do – we are all either rehearsing or doing interviews. We cross paths when we are on the way to the stage, when we swap acts. They are very chilled and very friendly and always up for a laugh! They would ask us if we want drinks and stuff like that. I don't know who the bad influence is - me or them!! I was in an interview yesterday, and they said I must be a good influence on them as it seems like I would tell them to go to bed! Hardly!!
WHAT ARE THE 3 MAIN HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
I would say doing all the touring is definitely a big highlight for me, not just this tour but others as well and being engaged with the audience. You're bringing your craft to them and inviting the world to your “cocoon” when you're on stage. So, this is always going to be one of my highlights as you are connecting with people.
I would say the second highlight is working with a 60-piece orchestra, which I did in the Philippines. The third highlight is my ‘Labyrinth of Life' multiverse - I found healing within me when writing
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING
Qymira - ‘Labyrinth Of Life (Eddie Craig Remix)’
“... seamlessly transitioning between lush melodies and a rapped flow, showcasing her incredible versatility and unique talent.”Wonderland
“… stands shoulder to shoulder with the works of Beyoncé and Alicia Keys, yet it’s Qymira’s unique fusion of Asian influences and Female Vocals that sets it apart.” - Rapstar News
“... the acclaimed singer-songwriter reaffirms her position as a formidable presence in contemporary pop sensibilities.” - HONK Magazine
the song. I realised when my mum was sick that no one needed to put on a brave poker face… that's life, that's the labyrinth we go through. If we share and be real we can navigate this together. We just shot the video for ‘Labyrinth of Life’ - it’s going to be like ‘Game Of Thrones’, with seasons, different worlds and very creative. It took 6 days to film this video which is more like a trailer for the upcoming feature film and it’s coming out in a few weeks' time. I am very excited to share this 15 track album with everyone.
ARE YOU UP TO ANYTHING NEW THIS YEAR?
Yes, quite a few. One will be the entire multiverse of ‘Labyrinth of Life' which expands from an album into feature film, TV series, video game, etc. I will also be recording an orchestral album of original works with the Qymira Symphony Orchestra. After that I will be working on several movies in the U.S. - some action and some drama. I look forward to getting back into action training and working with some Hollywood action actors. Then more touring… more of the UK possibly U.S., Europe and Asia. Watch this space!
QYMIRA ADDS HER DYNAMIC FLAIR TO BOYZLIFE’S ICONIC 2025 TOUR
(Dates left to catch the show!)
1st February: York, Barbican
7th February: Hastings, White Rock Theatre
8th February: London, Indigo at The O2
9th February: Basingstoke, The Anvil
27th February: Bradford, St George’s Hall
28th February: Glasgow, Pavilion Theatre
1st March: Gateshead, Glasshouse
2nd March: Sheffield, City Hall
The Black Swan Ockham nestled in the idyllic Surrey an inventive British menu using some of the best in fresh eatery the pub & restaurant presents a stunning international cosmopolitan décor with open fires and plenty of comfy Surrey's finest Al fresco dining experiences
Surrey countryside is the local culinary hotspot, offering fresh local & seasonal produce. A delightfully eclectic international wine list, a great selection of real ales and a comfy seating. During the summer months enjoy one of experiences in our beautiful gardens.
2025: Spring it on!
The Baddies
A wickedly hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit story.
The Shark is Broken
‘A profound dive behind the scenes of the making of Jaws’ «««« The Daily Telegraph
TRASH!
The high-energy family musical.
An Audience with Craig Revel Horwood
Get ready for a fab-u-lous night of big songs, tall tales, and glamour!
WORK, WELLBEING AND WORKOUT
FIND YOUR BALANCE IN LIFE AT HILTON COBHAM
Step away from the home office and into a vibrant, social workspace with an integrated gym membership which offers a transformative boost to both productivity and wellbeing. Immerse yourself in a dynamic environment filled with like-minded professionals and break free from the isolation and monotony of remote work, fostering creativity and collaboration.
WELLNESS & WORKSPACE MEMBERSHIP INCLUDING GYM
• Hot-desk workspace
• Gym and changing room access (6:00am-10:00pm)
• Free car parking
• Complimentary WIFI
• Complimentary refreshments
BENEFITS*
• Networking social events
• Hilton For Business discounted room rates
• 15% off meeting space room hire
• 50% off CourtFit Padel court hire
• 15% off restaurant food and drink
• 30% off beauty treatments
MEMBERSHIP PRICE*
£99.00 Monthly (Flexible cancellation)
£29.00 Day Pass
*Terms & Conditions apply. Benefits subject to availability.
HILTON COBHAM
Seven Hills Road South, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1EW
T +44 (0)1932 864471
E enquiry.cobham@hilton.com hilton.com/cobham
GYM ONLY MEMBERSHIP
• Gym and changing room access (6:00am until 10:00pm)
• Free car parking
• Complimentary WIFI
• 15% off restaurant food and drink
MEMBERSHIP PRICE*
£34.99 Monthly (Flexible cancellation)
£9.95 Day Pass
*Terms & Conditions apply.
JOIN TODAY
A-CLASS REVIEW THE MERCEDES
REVIEW OF MERCEDES FAMILY CAR
The Mercedes A-Class is a marvellous family car offering luxury in a practical, versatile package.
Jeremy Webb tackled the mud and muck of winter on West Sussex roads in the German A200. He was struck by how much fun driving was and thinks you will be too.
The Mercedes A-Class range offers a car option for everyone, with a hot hatch, a family car, and a saloon version. Various power supplies and outputs are available, but all provide a luxury feel and plenty of pleasure.
The A200d is the only diesel A-Class, a blast with a perky performance. The petrol version is the A180, which isn’t quite as rapid as the diesel, so you will want the A200 for power. You can also up the game and select a hot hatch AMG A35 or AMG A45. They are fast and furious yet still offer versatility and practicality.
The Mercedes A-Class range has a soft suspension and is more comfortable than most rivals, such as the Audi A3 or BMW 1 series. Given the state of the UK road surfaces, you will appreciate the soft ride, which does feel stiffer as you put the peddle down.
All models handle reasonably, with a slight lean from the body in fast twisties. However, the leaning is not aggressive and never feels insecure. You can also flick the car around with responsive steering and keep it locked in through corners.
Drivers will be highly comfortable behind the wheel of the Mercedes A-Class, which has abundant adjustment for the reach and height of the steering wheel. The driver’s seat is snug and supportive, with plenty of manual adjustments.
The dashboard has buttons that are a breeze to use, unlike the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. The driver gets a 10.3-inch clear digital display that provides all the necessary information and is united with the infotainment system, which has a 10.3-inch screen in the dashboard's centre.
The A-Class's visibility is acceptable for the driver; the only nag is when you have to look over your shoulder. You are supported by all-round parking sensors and a rear-view camera that come as standard on all versions of the Mercedes A-Class.
You have LED headlights to illuminate your trips, and if you opt for the AMG Line Premium Plus trim, they are adaptive LEDs. It allows you to leave the high beam on without affecting other drivers.
The Mercedes A-Class has a luxurious, desirable interior that befits a high-end car rather than a family vehicle. It features faux leather, metal inserts, and quality gloss-black plastic. The layout and features are lovely, particularly the air vents, which look like turbines and glow at night.
The space in the front of the Mercedes A-Class is generous, and even users of above-average height will not complain about headroom or movement of the front seats. You can get a couple of 500ml bottles in the door pockets, and for your coffee on the go, there are deep cupholders.
The rear seats are also comfortable and provide a liberal amount of room, so users will not be squashed together.
The Audi A3 has about the same space, and the BMW 1 series and VW Golf are slightly roomier. You can get larger family cars without the luxury marque, such as the Seat Leon, Ford’s Focus and the superb Skoda Octavia.
The Mercedes A-Class range has 40/20/40 split rear seats, providing versatility and practicality when the vehicle is required as a cargo carrier rather than a passenger car. Regarding carrying items, the A-Class has 355 litres of space, which isn’t outstanding, but it will hold luggage for some time away and, more regularly, the weekly shop.
Fuel economy is appealing, with the A200d achieving 57mpg and the A200 petrol achieving up to 48mpg.
Mercedes' entry-level A-Class trim is the Sport Executive, which features 17-inch alloy wheels, wireless phone charging, rear privacy glass, climate control, LED headlights, and heated front seats. Step up to the AMG Line Executive, which has 18-inch wheels with sportier styling; then up to the AMG Line Premium, which has
two-zone climate control, an upgraded 225W sound system, and illuminated door sills. Top of the range is the AMG Line Premium Plus, which has 19 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, and other luxury touches.
All Mercedes A-Class models have an abundance of safety aids. Lane-keeping assistance, AEB automatic emergency braking, and a driver alertness monitoring system are standard. You get blind-spot monitoring with the AMG Line Premium as you increase trim levels.
As an option on the Premium Plus, a Driver Assistance Pack gives you Evasive Steering Assist, Active Steering Assist, and Active LaneChange Assist.
The Mercedes A-Class is an all-purpose vehicle with something for everyone: a hot hatch, a family car and a saloon. It is luxurious, performs well and carries the kudos of owning a luxury German marque. You will enjoy driving and owning an A-Class, which is all you can ask from a car.
£31,000 is the starting price for the Mercedes A-Class.
Fine Jewellery
Welcome to Brooklands Jewellers. We offer a range of fine jewellery from our shop in West Byfleet in Surrey. Browse our stunning range of rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, new and pre-owned. Learn about our bespoke jewellery design and manufacturing service where all work is done in-house.
VALENTINE’S SAMPLE MENU
Kinghams Restaurant
VALENTINE’S DINNER MENU
Friday 14th February
£95.00 Per Person
Arrival Drink
Chilworth Manor Alwyn Brut 2018
Canapes
Rock oyster Mi-Cuit with raspberry vinaigrette
Cep shortbread with mushroom ketchup
Albury smoked trout bonbon with beetroot glaze and horseradish
Appetiser
Devon Crab Chawanmushi with dolce salad and furikake
Starter
Hand dived wild Scottish scallops with wild mushroom duxelles and truffle foam
Main
Duo of Local Venison loin with liquorish scented pressed shoulder, quince, carrots and crispy Sussex buckwheat
Or
Poached Skrei Cod with a herb crust, braised fennel, mussel and saffron sauce
Cleanser
Amalfi lemon sorbet with earl grey meringue
Dessert
Sharing heart of Valrhona chocolate and passionfruit
Cheese
Baron Bigod truffled brie with fig chutney and crackers
£20 FROM
ULTIMATE Surrey's WATERSPORTS PARTIES
AQUA PARK & INFLATABLE RIDES
WAKEBOARD & WATERSKI LESSONS
6+ AGES PER PERSON
We specialise in kid’s activities, ensuring fun, rewarding and safe experiences for children aged 6+. Our birthday parties are immensely popular and run from May – September.
KIDS PARTIES & SUMMER CAMPS
At Jonathan Rowlandson Design we have provided a unique design and build service for a range of clients for over 20 years. With an emphasis on innovative, contemporary design solutions we have risen to the challenge of every project, interior or exterior. Combining our unique approach to metal items with wood, glass, stone, and other materials. At JRD we offer a range of furniture items including the Otolo range. We also design and produce items sympathetic to their environment, be it a rustic bar restaurant with an artisan feel – normally providing seating, counters, bars, lighting, signage, etc. such as Dog Star Brixton – or one-off sculptural items such as the tables for Vivienne Westwood. Our inspiration will often come from the clients’ desires, as well as tapping into nature and art to find a suitable solution. Hardly any 2 projects are the same, we continue to provide new and hopefully better designs.
JONATHAN ROWLANDSON
ROWLANDSON DESIGN
Welcome to Mizi Atelier, where the art of head-wear and hat-making meets personalised elegance. Mizi Atelier is dedicated to crafting exquisite bespoke pieces that resonate with sophistication and style for a diverse range of occasions, such as Weddings, Royal Ascot and other social events. Whether it's for Haute Couture or reimagined creations, we emphasise sustainable sourcing by upcycling your hat or fascinator base, and opting for vintage, preowned, or repurposed materials whenever possible.
Afternoon Tea
A Foxhills take on the quintessential British tradition of afternoon tea.
Embrace the charm of our 19th-century Manor House with views overlooking our 400-acre country estate as you’re treated to a delightful experience that captures the essence of elegance. Choose from a selection of seasonal finger sandwiches, accompanied by a curated array of teas.
Savour the freshness of our scones, cakes & sweet treats, lovingly prepared for your enjoyment.
For an extra layer of celebration and luxury, why not raise a glass of champagne to toast to the occasion?
Served daily from 1pm
WHEN IT COMES TO DINING OUT IN SURREY WITH OVER 2,000 RESTAURANTS TO CHOOSE FROM - WHERE DO YOU START? WELL, HERE’S A GOOD PLACE! ENJOY OUR INDISPENSIBLE GUIDE TO THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN SURREY.
FETCHAM TANDOORI
% 01372 374927
WWW.FETCHAMTANDOORI.CO.UK
Established in 1983, this family run restaurant serves traditional Indian classics as well as a bold and refreshing take on traditional Asian cuisine such as Coconut Shrimp and Rajasthan Lamb Chops. All ingredients are sourced from local farms and cooked fresh every day.
HUMMINGS
% 07771 626801
WWW.HUMMINGS.CO.UK
Café by day, Bar by night. Hummings Café is open from 9am to 4.30pm serving breakfast, brunch and lunch with an experimental twist on modern dining. Choose from Full English to Mediterranean at breakfast. Fresh, healthy and delicious choices for lunch change on a daily basis. The constantly evolving food menu always keeps customers enticed.
THE GARDEN HOUSE RESTAURANT
% 01372 571300
WWW.BEAVERBROOK.CO.UK
Tucked away behind the Beaverbrook Estate’s beautiful traditional walled garden, you’ll find The Garden House, a place where rustic, comforting, home-cooked, Mediterranean-style dishes and interiors inspired by the surrounding gardens create a delightful dining experience for all the senses.
PASSORN THAI
% 01483 452550
WWW.PASSORNTHAI.UK
Passorn is at the heart of Shalford in the Surrey Hills. Serving authentic Thai cuisine, using only the finest produce and freshest ingredients.The inspired à la carte menu includes chef's specials of Lamb Shank Massaman, Steamed Sea Bass with Lime & Chilli and Tamarind Duck. Passorn's lunchtime express menu and their set menus are also something we highly recommend. For dine in you'll have to wait until September as they're undergoing a makeover but still open for collections and on third party delivery platforms.
THE RUNNING MARE
@THE.RUNNINGMARE
WWW.THERUNNINGMARE.COM
The Running Mare is one of the most iconic destination pubs in Cobham. It is a family run business that continually produces excellent food and front of house staff that provide a warm, professional welcome. Whether dining or just popping in for a drink, The Running Mare provides a friendly environment and an inviting customer experience.
THE FOX DINING ROOMS
% 01932 872050
WWW.FOXHILLS.CO.UK
Located in the heart of the 19th-century Manor House at Foxhills in Ottershaw, The Fox dining rooms presents award-winning dining across three individually designed rooms, all with stunning décor. Expect fresh, quality ingredients and impressive interiors in a relaxed setting – perfect for dinner, private dining or afternoon tea.
JAPANESE GRILL
% 01372 571300
WWW.BEAVERBROOK.CO.UK
Located in the Beaverbrook Main House, the Japanese Grill offers an elegant menu of delicately flavoured selections of sushi, sashimi and nigiri and the finest cuts of meat and fish from the Josper Grill. There are regular seasonal tasting menus where the Grill’s talented chef guides you through a selection of locally-sourced, modern Japanese gourmet specialities.
GRUMPY MOLE
the_grumpy_mole
WWW.THEGRUMPYMOLE.CO.UK
Destination gastro pub The Grumpy Mole first opened their Tadworth restaurant in 2006. Fifteen years on and the group now own and run 4 further restaurants in Epsom, Cheam, Brockham and Oxted. The food is superb and the menu extensive catering for lunch, afternoon tea, snacks and dinner. A true Surrey success story. You must try if you haven’t already.
SPAGHETTI TREE
INFO@SPAGHETTITREE.CO.UK
WWW.SPAGHETTITREE.CO.UK
Spaghetti Tree are a family-run Italian restaurant that has been offering fresh yet affordable home-cooked food for more than 30 years. Their dedicated staff pride themselves on delivering delicious Italian cuisine along with a friendly and accommodating service. The family-run business has two sites one in Tadworth and the second in Warlingham.
THE GOOD EARTH
% 01372 462489
WWW.GOODEARTHGROUP.CO.UK
Hands down one of the best Chinese restaurants in Surrey. Established in Esher in 1967 this restaurant has standed the test of time with its fine cuisine, décor and service. Celebs including Karen Brady say, “Still wowed by the great food and impeccable service which has remained consistent even after 40 years.”
GOLDEN BULL STEAKHOUSE
% 01276 539533
WWW.GOLDENBULL.UK
The Golden Bull Steakhouse in Camberley centres on sourcing the finest ingredients; including British and Irish beef from traditionally reared, grass-fed cattle, sustainable seafood from the British coast, seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as desserts and the best selection of wines.
DON LUIS
% 07900 2520692
Www.donluistapas.com
Located in the heart of Esher Don Luis tapas and steak restaurant is a wonderful new addition to the high street. Serving a vast selection of authentic Spanish dishes you will be back again and again to sample the full menu. Great tapas, impeccable service and luxurious cocktails. A great venue.
NARENJ
@NARENJRESTAURANT
WWW.NARENJRESTAURANT.CO.UK
Narenj is a beautiful Persian restaurant and bar located in Kingston-upon-Thames. With an inspirational setting and stunning river view, all their food is cooked fresh daily to make sure Narenj deliver the best Persian food and experience for all their happy customers.
GELATISSSIMO
@GELATISSSIMO
WWW.EPSOMSOCIAL.COM
Italian artisan gelato in the heart of Epsom. Gelatisssimo offers the finest ingredients to produce authentic Gelato. Choose between 18 mouth watering flavours to indulge. Every delightful flavour is hand made on site by the owner, creating an inspiring experience for all your senses.
KINGHAMS RESTAURANT
%01483 202168
WWW.KINGHAMS-RESTAURANT.CO.UK
Kinghams Restaurant is situated in the picturesque village of Shere in the Surrey Hills. Opened in 1993, the AA 2 Rosette restaurant dates from the 17th Century and features a wealth of character and charm. Friendly ambience and a beautiful picturesque setting have helped Kinghams earn their great reputation. Fresh produce, sourced through local suppliers, complements their extensive selection of fine wines.
SKOOPS
% 01372 372722
WWW.SKOOPS.BIZ
Crepes, Waffles, Cookie Dough, Ice Cream & Shakes are the mainstay of this delicious American inspired eatery. You can try their desserts in hundreds of different ways such as Kinder Bueno, Ferrero Rocher, Daim or Oreo with your choice of syrups, ice-cream and fruit. There’s a huge selection of savoury snacks including Piri Chicken, Burgers and Sides.
GASTRONOMY
FOX & FINCH
% 01483 339625
www.foxandfinchgodalming.com
Set in the heart of idyllic Godalming, is the stylish neighbourhood pub
The Fox & Finch. The family-friendly gastropub is launching its brand-new seasonal menu on 21st March. Diners can expect an exquisite selection of drinks alongside freshly cooked dishes, with a focus on fresh, innovative, British food - so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
THAI TERRACE
% 01483 503350
WWW.THAITERRACE.CO.UK
Award-winning restaurant, Thai Terrace, serves only the finest, authentic Thai food. Located behind Guildford Castle this stunning rooftop restaurant offers superb panoramic views across the whole of the historic market town of Guildford. Choose to eat in the main restaurant with its exquisite décor or dine al fresco under the stars on the outdoor terrace. There’s also a grand bar area for pre-dinner drinks.
LUCIO’S
info@lucios.co.uk
@LUCIOSCOFFEEDELI
Focused on the best quality ingredients, original Italian coffee shop and delicatessen, Lucio’s is bringing fresh, authentic, Artisanal produce to Surrey. On their menus are arancini’s, Sicilian style pizzas, sandwiches from homemade bread and Focaccia, lasagnes, aubergine bakes and a wide selection of cakes and Italian sweets. Launching end of September in Leatherhead to eat in or takeaway.
COPPA CLUB
@COPPACLUB
WWW.COPPACLUB.CO.UK
Experience seasonal eating with a British and Mediterranean influence, from morning coffee and brunch, to late night dinner and drinks.
There are three fantastic Coppa Club venues in Surrey to choose from: Coppa Club Cobham, Townhouse Guildford and The Georgian in Haslemere.
GOURMET BURGER CLUB
@GOURMETBURGERCLUB.UK
WWW.GOURMETBURGERCLUB.CO.UK
At Gourmet Burger Club, their philosophy is simple; fresh, wholesome ingredients coming together for maximum flavour. With a restaurant in Banstead and newly opened in Cobham. One can look forward to mouth-watering starters, burgers, drinks and desserts. It's a delight to eat in with the premium ambience and exceptional service. You can also order for takeaway or delivery.
THE LOST BOY
% 01252 947252
WWW.THELOSTBOYFARNHAM.CO.UK
Pizza, pasta and burgers are the best here. Sunday Roasts have been described as “exceptional - a new era for dining with an edge”. Don’t get lost with Lost Boys in Farnham, the menu is vast and may fool you, but they are the talk of the town at the moment. Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – this new gastropub is exceptional in terms of service, décor and quality.
THE VICTORIA OXSHOTT
% 01372 238308
www.thevictoriaoxshott.com
The Victoria Oxshott is a neighbourhood pub from Matt Larcombe, former head chef of The Crown at Bray, and Simon King of Igniting Hospitality from Gordon Ramsey, The Ritz and Fat Duck heritage. A pub has always been the heart of a community and this establishment is an exceptional new offer for Surrey. The Victoria offers an amazing dining experience with a menu of elevated British classics including fish & chips, steaks, gourmet burgers and traditional Sunday Roasts.
KOZA BAR & KITCHEN
@KOZABARKITCHEN WWW.KOZABARKITCHEN.UK
The food at Koza in Epsom is on point and guests can choose from a range of chargrills, Koza Creations, sea delights, steaks, burgers, pastas and salads. plus, a wide range of vegan and vegetarian courses. All dishes can be eat-in or takeaway. The vast, delectable menu is supported by an inventive cocktail menu and great wine list.
THE PALM HOUSE
% 01252 781423
www.palm-house.co.uk
Make a day of it and combine your Packhouse shopping trip with breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea at the newly opened Palm House, with its beautiful art deco inspired botanical interior. Enjoy late night shopping until 7pm followed by dinner on Thursday and Friday evenings, or make Saturday night extra special with dinner from the exquisite brasserie style menu by Head Chef Nico Scarsini.
INFO@DINNERWITHSHAUN.COM
WWW.DINNERWITHSHAUN.COM
A private chef service offering a bespoke, friendly but, professional home dining experience. Whether it's an elegant dinner party, a hogroast or a summers barbeque on the terrace, or perhaps a wedding for 300 of your closest friends & family. DinnerwithShaun offers a completely bespoke package where our dedicated team can manage the whole event from start to finish. From catering, staff, marquees, bar services, florists right down to napkins. We work with some of the best suppliers in the business and our goal is to deliver excellence.
SEVEN HILLS RESTAURANT,
BAR & TERRACE
@HILTONCOBHAM WWW.HILTON.COM/COBHAM
Discover bold interior and charismatic charm nestled among the rolling hills at Seven Hills Restaurant, Bar & Terrace. Located within the grounds of the renowned Hilton Cobham hotel, enjoy delicious all-day dining, signature cocktails, locally-brewed beers and delicious bar bites - all while enjoying relaxing, unmatched woodland views. Chef's Specials are exclusively prepared with locally-sourced ingredients, including herbs from their garden! Plus with a dedicated children's menu, you can bring the full family.
ARTO RESTAURANT
% 01306 644844
WWW.ARTORESTAURANT.CO.UK
Arto is an independent restaurant in the heart of Dorking High Street that offers a varied menu, inspired by the idea of simple and honest cooking with a Mediterranean twist. Experience classic recipes to new age kitchen adventures, where each dish reflects Arto’s passion for the highest quality food using only the freshest ingredients.
The Watermill offers an array of classic pub dishes, fusing tradition and innovation. The pub is all about great social food, from sharing plates and stix, to artisan pizzas and brunch. For those seeking the perfect spot for a nightcap there’s an extensive drinks menu featuring crafted cocktails and classic martinis.
The Watermill’s Christmas menu, available from opening, is packed with festive delights such as free-range Bronze turkey, venison and gingerbread trifle.
NAVA THAI
% 01372 278909
WWW.NAVATHAI.CO.UK
Serving the best, most authentic Thai Cuisine using only the finest, freshest local ingredients. Based in Ashtead High Street, Nava Thai, is owned and run by lifelong friends and business partners Saitarn & Nawarat. Open for lunch and dinner, for takeaway or collection this gem of a restaurant, ticks all the boxes for taste, quality, service and price.
THE IVY COBHAM BRASSERIE
% 01932 2901777
WWW.THEIVYCOBHAM BRASSERIE.COM
With something for everyone, The Ivy Cobham Brasserie offers an all-day menu that ranges from lunch through to dinner including light snacks, and sandwiches. Now with a dedicated weekend brunch menu with some delicious alternatives to their mid-week à la carte and a drinks menu featuring much loved cocktails, including some classic favourites served with a twist.
THE BLACK SWAN
% 01932 862364
WWW.BLACKSWANOCKHAM.COM
The Black Swan is one of the most beautiful go-to gastropubs in Surrey, nestled in the idyllic Surrey countryside it is a local culinary hotspot, offering an inventive British menu with firm favourites including steak, cider-battered fish and chips, porcini mushroom risotto (pictured) and tempura soft shell crab. Popular on weekends with regular live singers and entertainment.
THAI TASTE LOUNGE
% 01737 244818
WWW.THAITASTELOUNGE.COM
Enjoy a romantic dinner, family-get-together or just spend a relaxing evening at the decadent Thai Taste Lounge in Reigate. Their expansive menu has a range of dishes to suit all tastes and ranges from soups, salads and curries to Pad Thai. There are also plenty vegetarian/vegan options too. Be sure to check out their cool bar/club area with great live DJ’s every Friday and Saturday nights.
FEGO @FEGOUK
WWW.HELLOFEGO.COM
Award-winning South African café Fego with stunning locations in Cobham, Banstead, Ascot, Sunningdale, Beaconsfield, Marlow and Gerrards Cross. Serving the most delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch options using only the finest and freshest ingredients from the best in local produce. Winner of the Surrey Awards 2023 for Best Café in Surrey as voted for by 8,500 Surrey residents.
THE GOSLING
% 01483 971915
WWW.THEGOSLING.CO.UK
The Gosling offer all-day dining, serving modern European cuisine, and a bar where guests can enjoy freshly made cocktails and drinks. Executive Chef Mark Wadsworth’s impressive résumé includes Michael Wignall at The Latymer and Head Chef at The Salt Room, the critically-acclaimed modern, British seafood restaurant in Brighton. Expect only the best at the newly opened The Gosling with 5 star décor and service.
IVORY LOUNGE
01737 919100
WWW.IVORY-LOUNGE.CO.UK
Catch up with friends over delicious drinks, creative cocktails, stone baked pizzas, sharing platters and bar snacks, to the perfect backdrop of your requested songs played live on piano. The night really catches fire when five of London’s top session musicians join forces to become your house band for the night, playing your choice of songs from 10pm - 2am.
THE RAMBLING PIG
@THERAMBLINGPIG.UK
WWW.THERAMBLINGPIG.UK
Rapsa’s new Gastropub
The Rampling Pig by Rapsa is bringing crowd favourites from its famed headquarters in Hoxton to a new crowd in Ewell Village. Guests can enjoy award-winning delicious Filipino Fusion Food Plates, Weekend Boodle Fights, Draught Beer, Great Cocktails, 2 Private Dining & Karaoke Rooms, plus a stunning new Beer Garden for drinks and al fresco dining.
THE GIN KITCHEN
% 01306 889598
WWW.GIN.KITCHEN
The Gin Kitchen is a fabulous distillery in the Surrey Hills crafting award-winning spirits and food with love. Winner of the ‘Best Bar’ in the Surrey Awards, The Gin Kitchen also offer fantastic Bottomless Brunches, Afternoon G&Teas, tantalising Tapas, Pop-Up Indian Cuisine and Pizza as well as Cocktail Masterclasses, Gin Tasting Experiences, live music nights and great parties. Also available for private hire.
BOMBAY SOCIAL
@BOMBAYSOCIALESHER
WWW.THEBOMBAYSOCIAL.COM
Bombay Social is a modern Indian eatery and cocktail bar serving authentic and progressive Indian food in a glamorous setting in the heart of Esher High Street. Bombay Social picked up in the ‘Best Restaurant Pan-Asian’ category at the recent Surrey Awards 2024, as voted for by 17,000 Surrey residents.
SILENT POOL DISTILLERS
@SILENTPOOLDISTILLERS
WWW.SILENTPOOLDISTILLERS.COM
Silent Pool Distillers host fantastic distillery tours from Thursday to Sunday each week and offer a range of events including their famous Aroma Masterclasses, Bee Keeping Experiences, G & Tea Parties and Artisan Tasting Days where you can try all their famous gins including the brand new English Garden Expression Gin whilst seeing the beautiful Silent Pool in Albury.
Welcome to J’adore, where luxury meets extraordinary service. At our beauty salon, we provide our exceptional clients with exclusive treatments thanks to years of experience and a skilled team. Through personalised consultations and a commitment to development, we enable you to achieve your beauty goals. Our trained specialists offer expert advice and deliver outstanding results.
Experience the luxury, convenience and superior quality you deserve.
SKOOPS
Leatherhead-based Skoops Restaurant has definitely stood the test of time. Having opened in 2019 to great fanfare and a packed restaurant and takeaway service daily, the familyrun eatery has been delighting locals in the Mole Valley area with their amazing selection of sundaes, waffles, pancakes, cakes, ice-creams, milkshakes and cookie dough concoctions for 6 years now, alongside their enticing savoury options, as detailed below!
AWARD-WINNING
Skoops has been nominated and won twice at the Surrey Awards 2023 and 2024 in
the ‘Best Dessert Bar’ category, beating the local competition including The Little Dessert Bar in Epsom and Woking and chains including My Froyoland and Mooh! They are going for their third award win at this year’s Surrey Awards in May 2025, at a soon-to-beannounced venue.
Surrey Rocks had the pleasure of catching up with Didar and Qais, coowner of Skoops. Entrepreneurs’ Didar and his son Qais set up Skoops with the premise of “bringing the freshest and finest desserts to Surrey”. That they have achieved in spades! In only 6 years in business (and 2 of those surviving Covid, that put a lot of independents out of business) Skoops has firmly established itself as the leading purveyor of desserts and more recently savoury food in the area. Read on to find out more.
SAVOURY FOOD
Skoops introduced savoury food onto their diverse menus with home-cooked, original recipe Peri Peri Chicken, Gourmet Burgers, Smash Burgers from SoBe and Chicken and Vegetarian Burgers in 2021. Alongside their authentic, homemade, spiced rice and chilli fries, their selection of delectable fast food takes up 8 sides of their menu! Available on Just Eats, Deliveroo and for eat-in, take-away or home delivery via a dedicated Skoops delivery team – their offering of food and the way to get it is incredulous. Expect to get your piping hot food in under 20 minutes to nearby towns including Leatherhead, Fetcham, Bookham, Effingham, Ashtead and Epsom.
RESTAURANT REVIEW
ingredients are key to making our delicious desserts,” Qais reveals. “As soon as you walk into Skoops you literally smell the goodness. Plus, we have a passion for dessert making and have been praised for our fun environment and excellent customer service.”
WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?
WHY SKOOPS WE ASK?
“Well, we make the best desserts in town! We use the only best in UK suppliers (built up after over a decade in the business) and cook all our food fresh on site that day – quality
Didar, added, “Our ingenuity and wide-ranging menus….if we list all that we do dessert wise and then the variations, you will be impressed! So Skoops specialise in: Waffles, Bubble Waffles, Crepes, American Pancakes (without GMO) Hot Cookie Dough,
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Milkshakes, Ice Coffee, Cakes, Sundaes and 24 flavours of Italian gelato and Vegan & Gluten free Icecream. You can choose all our mainstay products in up to 10 different flavours including: Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder Bueno, Biscoff, Oreo, Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Strawberry, Banana and Vanilla or a mix of these ingredients.”
SO THAT’S OVER 1,000 DIFFERENT DESSERT OPTIONS!
Qais said, “Yes, and that can easily be more if you experiment with all our ingredients on offer. We recently knocked up a Ferrero Rocher, Nutella and Biscoff Milkshake for a customer! Your wish is our command! Ordering off menu is a great idea and can make the tastiest of combinations.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR SKOOPS
Skoops have now started offering catered food for parties, corporate dos and events – at the moment they can cater for up to 50 guests at a time. By the Summer – they hope to expand their offering to over 100 guests. In addition, Skoops are offering a dessert making service that they can provide to restaurants and schools!
Didar said, “We do very good cakes with good ingredients and a few Cash & Carry’s already accept us and we are also supporting independent businesses and they want to add desserts in the premises of schools, colleges, cafes or anywhere really - we are here to help them by providing equipment and training as long as they buy items from us. We are happy to work with them and provide premier desserts at a very good price - as we can beat the market prices because everything comes from scratch.”
As one of the first and foremost independent dessert bar offerings in Surrey, we can really see Skoops making a mark on the county!
WINNER BEST RESTAURANT (MEDITERRANEAN)
SID DA BARBER
GOLDEN CHAIR
As February unfolds, the world of barbering is abuzz with events and inspirations that resonate deeply within our community. From the Golden Chair International Barber Competition in Barcelona to thoughtful Valentine's Day gift ideas tailored for grooming enthusiasts, and the anticipation of London's Fashion Week, there's much to explore and celebrate.
A SHOWCASE OF EXCELLENCE
In early January, Barcelona played host to the renowned Golden Chair International Barber Competition. This event has solidified its reputation as a cornerstone in the barbering world, attracting top-tier talent from across the globe. As a judge, I had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the artistry and dedication that define our profession. The competition was fierce, with barbers showcasing innovative techniques and styles that push the boundaries of traditional grooming. It's events like these that not only celebrate our craft but also inspire us to continually elevate our skills.
LEWIS SIDNEY GUMBRELL, ALSO KNOWN AS SID DA BARBER, IS AN ESTEEMED BARBER, EDUCATOR, AWARD-WINNING FINALIST AND PROUD AMBASSADOR FOR TOP BRANDS SUCH AS MCR BARBER SUPPLIES AND RUDE CAPES. HE IS CURRENTLY HONING HIS CRAFT AT JACKS OF LONDON IN GUILDFORD AND TEACHES BARBER EDUCATION TWICE A WEEK. YOU CAN MAKE A BOOKING AND READ MORE ABOUT SID DA BARBER AND HIS BARBERING WORK BY VISITING HIS NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.SIDDABARBER.COM
COMPETITION & V DAY GIFTS
VALENTINE'S DAY: THOUGHTFUL GIFTS FOR THE DISCERNING GENTLEMAN
With Valentine's Day approaching, it's the perfect opportunity to consider gifts that cater for your partner. Here are some Barber inspired suggestions: Heath Skincare Products-For those who prioritize skincare, Heath offers a range of products designed specifically for men's needs. Their formulations focus on efficacy and simplicity, making them a staple in any grooming routine. My personal favourite is Heath repair serum!
AMERICAN CREW GIFT SETS - A brand synonymous with men's grooming, American Crew provides comprehensive gift sets that include essentials like their renowned pomade and
3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash. These sets are perfect for those looking to elevate their daily regimen.
WAHL GROOMING CLIPPERS - For the gentleman who prefers at-home grooming or wishes to maintain his style between barber visits, Wahl offers toptier clippers known for their precision and durability. Models like the Wahl Professional Cordless Magic Clip are highly recommended by experts for their versatility and performance. For a cheaper clipper try TK Maxx or for a professional version head over to MCR Barber Supplies.
LONDON FASHION WEEK: ANTICIPATING TRENDS IN MEN'S GROOMING
As we look ahead, London Fashion Week, scheduled from February 20th to 24th, promises to be a focal point for emerging trends in both fashion and grooming. Traditionally, this event shows of styles that influence barbering trends worldwide. From innovative haircuts to grooming aesthetics, the runway often provides a glimpse into the future of men's style. It's an exciting time for barbers and clients alike, as we anticipate the fusion of fashion and grooming that London
Fashion Week consistently delivers. I cannot wait to be working alongside some big brand this year at fashion week and can't wait to share with you next month the styles and images.
EMBRACING THE MONTH AHEAD
February offers a confluence of events that celebrate and inspire the barbering community. Whether you're drawing inspiration from the masterful displays at the Golden Chair Competition, selecting the perfect grooming gift for Valentine's Day, or looking ahead to the trends emerging from London Fashion Week, there's ample opportunity to engage with and elevate our craft. Let's embrace this month with enthusiasm, continually striving for excellence in every cut, shave, and style we deliver.
Thanks to you the reader for checking out my column and if you would like to come visit me for a haircut then feel free to check out and book via www.siddabarber.com
LOUISE SCOTLAND STYLES
8 SMART BUYS
Building a capsule wardrobe is the key to effortless style. It's about curating timeless staples that can be mixed and matched for classic, chic looks while also serving as the foundation for bolder, more creative outfits. Investing in high-quality, enduring pieces is ideal, but it doesn't mean you need to break the bank. The good news? Affordable, high-end-looking pieces are out there, and I've rounded up some of the best for you.
Here are 8 smart buys to kickstart your capsule wardrobe:
1. OVERSIZED BLAZER
When tailoring made its way into everyday fashion, the blazer became a wardrobe hero. This versatile piece works wonders paired with dresses, skirts, tailored trousers, jeans or satin trousers. Throw one on, and you'll instantly feel polished and put-together.
Best place to shop: Zara, M&S
HI MY NAME IS LOUISE AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE FASHION AND BEAUTY INDUSTRY FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS; INCLUDING HAIR, MAKE-UP AND STYLING FOR TELEVISION, EDITORIAL, FASHION WEEKS, CELEBRITIES, AND MANY A FASHION SHOOT OVER THE YEARS. I AM ALSO A CONTENT CREATOR, PUTTING TOGETHER MANY DIFFERENT OUTFITS WEEKLY, WHICH I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING WITH YOU ALL. I NOW MOSTLY FIND MYSELF BURIED ALIVE AT HOME IN CLOTHES, SKINCARE AND MAKE-UP… EVERY WOMAN’S DREAM.
FOR A CAPSULE WARDROBE
2. TAILORED TROUSERS
Tailored trousers are the secret to staying comfortable while looking chic. They're my go-to on indecisive days. Pair them with a blazer and shirt for sleek office vibes, a tee and trainers for casual outings, or a glam top and heeled boots for evening elegance.
Best place to shop: Cos, Hush & Other Stories
3. BLACK BOOTS
Black boots are a capsule wardrobe essential that can elevate any outfit. From ankle to knee-high styles, there's a silhouette to suit every look and occasion. They bring an edgy sophistication that trainers just can't match.
Best place to shop: H&M, Mango
4. STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS
Trends come and go, but straight-leg jeans are forever. This enduring denim style is the ultimate all-rounder, perfect for pairing with shirts, tees, blazers or even cosy knits for day-to-night versatility.
Best place to shop: Abercrombie, Cos & H&M
5. CLASSIC SHIRT
A crisp white shirt is one of the most versatile pieces you'll own. In Winter,
layer it under a turtleneck and wool coat; in summer, wear it open over a tank and denim shorts. Whether tucked into tailored trousers or knotted at the waist, it's a yearround wardrobe hero.
Best place to shop: Cos, Hush
6. WHITE TEE
A well-cut white tee is a deceptively simple piece that can elevate your whole look. It's all about finding the perfect fit and weight—think Parisian chic with jeans and a trench or minimalist vibes with a slip skirt and sandals.
Best place to shop: Cos, Arket & Uniqlo
7. SLIP SKIRT
A slip skirt is a textural dream. It's luxurious sheen instantly enhances any outfit. In summer, style it with a tee and sandals, while cooler months call for a cashmere knit and black boots.
Best place to shop: Ghost, Zara & New Look
8. TRENCH COAT
Practical yet stylish, the trench coat is a must-have for unpredictable British weather. Look for classic details like buckled cuffs, a belted waist, and neutral tones to achieve that effortlessly premium look.
Best place to shop: H&M, River Island & John Lewis
Pro Tip: Always check for crease resistance and fabric that doesn't attract fluff when shopping for your wardrobe pieces.
VALENTINE'S TOP PICKS
Who doesn't love a day devoted to love? Whether it's romantic, platonic, or familial, Valentine's Day is a chance to celebrate all kinds of connections.
This year, there's an extra reason to be excited: the new Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy movie drops on Friday 14th February. It's the perfect excuse for a Galentine's Day outing. Grab your friends, indulge in some cocktails, and let Bridget's charming chaos set the tone for a love-filled evening.
Links to my two chic Valentine's inspired looks and a round-up of capsule wardrobe pieces can be found on my LTK app and socials. From timeless capsule staples to celebrating love in all its forms, this February is all about feeling good, inside and out.
Thanks for reading.
Lots of love, Louise x
For more tips and tricks, follow me on Instagram & TikTok @louisescotlandstyles You can shop all of my looks over on the LTK app, search louisescotlandstyles.
A CONCEPT OF EXCELLENCE
Experience the essence of Serenity at our hair & spa sanctuary. A hair salon with a calm and elegant atmosphere, you'll instantly feel relaxed when you walk through the door. Join a community where our team and clients become family. Embrace our ethos of valuing experience, creating an atmosphere of relaxation. For the time that you spend with us, you are our priority. It is essential that you walk away feeling uplifted.
PREMIUM PRODUCTS
We provide you with a premium product line, La Biosthetique, a planet sustainable and cruelty free brand. Manufactured in a laboratory in the heart of Germany, their scientists and perfume chemist work hand in hand to create luxury products with pleasant, hypoallergenic scents in all products & hair colours. We are proud to provide you with: Hair Care , Scalp Care , Skin Care , Make Up
Our stylists attend regular & extensive academy, in-house & online training in order to specialise in their individual areas of expertise, as well as offering all aspects of hairdressing. Known for their detailed consultations, our stylists can discuss and identify your needs & desires in order to provide you with the best service. Our stylists are educated to provide you with products & services to help with scalp concerns such as: Hair Loss, Dandruff, Ageing Scalp, Oily/Moist Scalp Hair consultations are complimentary
LORRAINE ADAMS LOVE & DATING
WELCOME TO THIS EXCITING NEW BI-MONTHLY DATING COLUMN BROUGHT TO YOU BY ROMANCE EXPERT, AUTHOR, AND LONG-TERM MATCHMAKER LORRAINE ADAMS. OWNER OF GORGEOUS NETWORKS THE DATING GROUP THAT INCLUDES: CLUB GORGEOUS – THE UK’S FIRST HYBRID INTRODUCTIONS SERVICE. AN AFFORDABLE MATCHING SERVICE DESIGNED TO SIT IN BETWEEN DATING APPS AND EXPENSIVE MATCHMAKING SERVICES. OFFERING CLIENTS SOME OF THE MORE PERSONAL ASPECTS THEY MIGHT EXPECT FROM A MATCHMAKING SERVICE AND AT THE SAME TIME ERADICATING THE UNCERTAINTY AND DISAPPOINTMENT THAT OFTEN COMES WITH USING SOME DATING APPS. PLUS, THE DATING DIRECTORY - AN INDEPENDENT, FREE - WHAT CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS A DATING COMPARISON SITE, TO HELP SINGLES NAVIGATE THEIR WAY AROUND THE DATING SECTOR. THE WEBSITE LISTS ALL THE BEST AND LATEST DATING APPS, MATCHMAKING SERVICES AND DATING EVENTS ALL AROUND THE UK. IT IS REGULARLY UPDATED WITH NEWS AND INFORMATION AND GIVES SINGLES OF ALL AGES A CANVASS TO EXPLORE AND DISCOVER THE BEST ROUTE POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO FOLLOW.
A VALENTINE’S
During my 25-year career coupling people up I have offered an array of different types of services - from Speed Dating, which I actually pioneered back in 2000, to online dating sites, events and matchmaking.
Currently, the dating service that seems to be hitting the right spot with clients, ranging in ages from late 20’s through to 70’s has been the affordable hybrid matchmaking service – Club Introductions (www.clubintroductions.co.uk) – just £595 for a six-month membership. Typical traditional matchmaking agencies usually charge anything from £3k – 25K for membership.
Club Introductions gives singles a taste of personal matchmaking and includes some of the aspects one would expect from the very expensive targeted, hand holding brands. It has proven to be one of the most popular brands.
I believe the key reason for the success Club Introductions has enjoyed in coupling people up, is because it addresses the main challenges that those seeking love stumble upon and also encourages singles to try and look at taking a different approach to dating. More about that later.
Speak to anyone that you know who is single, and rarely will you find anyone who is not or has not experienced difficult challenges navigating their way through the minefield. Most single people hoping to find meaningful love will relay their utter angst at how awful the dating arena really is. Which is why we launched ‘The Dating Comparison site’ (www. thedatingcomparisonsite.com).
DCS lists every dating service, app, dating coach and has a calendar of events, to give singles a more informed choice. It also runs special features on how to make your dating more fruitful. This month there is a feature on finding love at the gym (https://gorgeousnetworks.uk/find-love-at-the-gym).
Getting back to kickstarting your dating journey, I have discovered a method and approach to dating which has seen incredible results. Not only
VALENTINE’S SPECIAL
does it help singles of all ages to turn their life around because they start dating the right types of people, it also typically increases the amount of romance opportunities that present themselves.
HERE’S YOUR GUIDE TO FINDING LOVE IN 2025
• Start targeting only qualified or vetted matches
• Don’t judge people too quickly or make knee jerk decisions because your communication style differs
• Invest time to have a call at the very least, a video call or an IRL meeting
• Don’t expect instant romantic chemistry
• Don’t rush things - Be realistic about the fledgling relationship timeline
• Keep multiple plates spinning early on into fledgling relationship
• Set boundaries only when you get to the right stage in your connection
• Communicate, communicate, communicate!
• Create curiosity and mystique around yourself
START TARGETING ONLY QUALIFIED OR VETTED MATCHES
Ideally try and limit your romance opportunities to those selected by a matchmaker or someone personally introduced through friends or work colleagues. Meeting someone that has been authenticated will save you so much time and heartache.
DON’T JUDGE PEOPLE TOO QUICKLY OR MAKE KNEE JERK DECISIONS BECAUSE YOUR COMMUNICATION STYLE DIFFERS
This happens so often and means a potentially great romance opportunity falls at the first hurdle. Everyone has a different communication style – this is not usually set in stone, they may be following advice or may be adapting their communication style because of recent interactions. Give them some slack on this. As you get to know each other you can always discuss and relay your irritation about their communication style and they would probably be very open on adapting.
INVEST TIME TO HAVE A CALL AT THE VERY LEAST OR A VIDEO CALL OR AN IRL MEETING
If you are fortunate enough to get a romance opportunity –treat it like gold dust, because a quality authenticated date is exactly that! Having a 15-minute phone or video chat at the very least, with the view to a follow up date, like a short coffee date/ glass of wine is the ideal route to take. Investing this time even if the profile or prospect of a date soes not jump out at you will bring you such huge rewards. Most of the successful couplings up happen this way – with little enthusiasm initially, but upon meeting – bingo!
DON’T EXPECT INSTANT CHEMISTRY
Instant romantic chemistry is more likely to fade as quickly as it started – we call it fake chemistry. If you are fortunate enough to catch a slow burner and experience the more longer lasting chemistry – it will take you much further into a more meaningful relationship. Than the instant chemistry of a quick fling
DON’T RUSH THINGS - BE REALISTIC ABOUT THE FLEDGLING RELATIONSHIP TIMELINE
A rushed fledgling relationship, where one person tries to fast forward everything in an attempt to jump into cosy coupledom is doomed for failure. If you take your time, you will actually end up getting to where you want to be much more rapidly. If you keep rushing fledgling relationships to make the timelines happen too quickly the other person is likely to run a mile – so you will just end up continuously enduring short failed relationships. Take your time to let the early relationship breath and bubble along at a good pace. It is crucial you get to know each other over time. If you feel you are becoming too all-consuming too early – date other people too, so that you do not jump in too quickly.
KEEP MULTIPLE PLATES SPINNING EARLY ON INTO FLEDGLING RELATIONSHIP
Don’t be too quick to put all your eggs into one basket. Take your time and keep those romance opportunity plates spinning –until the right one starts to stand head and shoulders above the rest!
SET BOUNDARIES ONLY WHEN YOU GET TO THE RIGHT STAGE IN YOUR CONNECTION
Be clear about your boundaries, try not to be too rigid – but be true to yourself. Seek advice from matchmakers and date coaches about the difference between red flags and knee jerk over thinking!
COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE!
Keep communication, do not go cold on someone or ghost them. If you have any concerns try and be communicative about them in a soft laid-back way. Don’t be too demanding too early on.
CREATE CURIOSITY AND MYSTIQUE AROUND YOURSELF
Leave them wanting more after each interaction- don’t haemorrhage your inner most feelings too early on. Drip feed things about yourself to keep the curiosity and mystic levels high.
YOUR FEBRUARY ASTROLOGY FORECAST FROM JESSICA ADAMS
FEBRUARY 2025 Hot Stars!
Welcome to February. The Lunar New Year of the Snake is here at last, having just begun on 29th January. Find out more about your Asian sign and what this means in a special feature using the astrology of Japan, Thailand, China, Tibet and more. You can also send free Lunar New Year ecards to friends as a Premium Member.
Aries
21 MAR – 20 APR
If you are naturally independent or prefer to take the lead, this group cycle will be very challenging. In fact, every time you forget that you are actually supposed to be working as one half of a team, you will create real questions about the balance of power – both for yourself and the other person, or people. Pluto in Aquarius is a hard taskmaster. How will you succeed with that Catholic group pilgrimage to Lourdes, if you and your team leader can’t agree over the controls? What about your big Philosophy debate with the team? The AC/DC cover band, even? Aries...the price of admission to power in 2025 is the art of people management, and that means taking the basic need to pool resources which exists between you and your ally, and working it. Premium? Go on.
Taurus
21 APR – 20 MAY
For the next few weeks, you’ll be dealing with control questions, along with someone who is crucial to your ambitions, status and goals. A new boss, colleague or client may enter your world, or you may enter a different phase of an existing relationship with an employer, co-worker or customer. Pluto in Aquarius is here. Of course, people who are crucial to your ambitions and status can come from almost anywhere in your life. We may be talking about your husband or wife here, or a friend – or even someone whose only connection to you is through a website. The nature of the relationship in all these cases is the same, though. It’s about co-operation and understanding – giving and taking. If both of you put the effort in now, you can create a quite extraordinary mutual cone of power.
Gemini
22 MAY – 21 JUNE
2025 begins with the North Node out of Aries (your group and friendship zone) so without the circular repetition of 2024. Chiron is in Aries, activated in February. In May there is a huge change with or for these people too. If you make a new friend now, this rather interesting man or woman could turn out to be of lasting importance in your life. But it’s going to take more than that, to get you to where you both need to be, as you will discover from May 2025. A true friendship is the prize (and it could be there for years.) Right now, understand that with old or new friends, in the circle, you are at different stages of your lives, or at different points in your development –and accommodate that. A special phase in an old friendship can also begin this year. The holiday from the real world is waiting for you from May. The departure from normality and the everyday.
Cancer
22 JUNE – 23 JULY
You have a fair bit of clearing up to do with your partner, be they sexual or professional. Even platonic, for other reasons. This is the month when you can exhale and release the last few years. What is now required is a combination of strength and sensitivity, telepathic understanding and clear communication. At some point, perhaps mid-year, a proper conversation about what was going on last year and where you two can find common ground, next. You will now find yourself in a relationship which is very different to the old two-way street. That was dominated by questions about control. Now, they are no longer relevant. It’s quite true that if you are single in 2025, at the middle of the year, or at the end of this year, you could begin a completely new kind of connection with someone, who enters your life at this time, to help you move forward.
24 JULY – 23 AUG
Your money, house, apartment, business or charity is still heavily tied up with your partner or the family –typically. The Eighth House transit of Saturn and Neptune in Pisces can also be about other complicated connections, which feel like a marriage. Or they feel as if these are blood ties. You’ll either make it through steadily now, or you’ll really slow down your own progress. So much depends on how well you’re reading each other, and how cleverly you’re making allowances. And that’s where the work begins. This cycle can help you to make peace with both sides so that all of you makes progress with the property, the bank and so on. It won’t be easy, but it’s the only way you’re going to find wholeness. You sign off from this transit in May. Premium? Go on.
Virgo
24 AUG – SEPT 3
You have historic transits in Aries in 2025, in your Eighth House of joint finance and property. As other transits now pick those up, in turn, it’s time to look at who (or what) will make or break your financial, business or property progress over the next few months – even the next two years. You have a lot of cycles going on now, I know, but make this one your priority, in terms of managing your life. What is going on now is Chiron in Aries still showing you outrageous experiments. The kind that confront more traditional or conventional thinkers. Later on, from May, your money, house, apartment, business, charity or valuables is at the very heart of the biggest holiday from the real world. Right now, that month may even be on your calendar. In relation to cash, security, lifestyle and all the things that make us feel rich or poor – try to think of the year in two parts. January was a sign-off. A mental rehearsal for May. And then there’s June-December, completely different, again.
24 SEPT – 23 OCT
Mars going backwards and forwards in your groups and friends zone requires special handling. This may be about a team, club, political party, band, society, association or social media website. Look at your friend’s issue on its own merits. Forget the heat, are they right or wrong? Do your homework on the sensitive subject of handling close friends or even distant allies who are all wound up. How should you proceed? You know them better than anyone. What’s inside their psyche and how can you manage it? Sometimes it’s you who’ll feel charged up about your group. You’re the one who has an axe to grind, or some mighty campaign to launch. And relaunch. And relaunch. The ‘re’ comes from Mars Retrograde, carrying over from 2024 in 2025. Pace yourself with this as it goes backwards and forwards. Premium? Go on.
SCORPIO
24 OCT – 22 NOV
Aquarius transits now fall in your family, household, hometown, house, apartment and real-estate zone. You will have read that power and control issues are now permanently in the space. Your family relationships, flatmate relationships, house, flat or temporary accommodation will be shaped by what happens next. Take your time as you navigate. Your mother, father, brother, sister and other close relatives will be an issue for your own self-control and willpower now. So will your relationship with a partner, if you live with him or her, and any flatmates or roomates in your life. People who have a direct influence on your home life, like landlords, real-estate agents neighbours, builders or co-tenants will also go to the top of your list now. Pushing back, holding your own, pulling your own strings and running yourself and your life, despite what is obviously a potential takeover situation, is very wise.
Sagittarius
23 NOV – 21 DEC
You may be looking at a May or June 2025 sign-off with renovation, home repairs, decoration and possibly a permanent new home now. Whatever the priority is there are the usual boundary issues until then. You, or someone around you, has just seen the future. And it’s about the need to clearly define terms or perhaps literally fence a situation or fence a garden. Neptune in Pisces is here with Saturn in Pisces, triggered from the final week of February, you see. Would this property/ home issue still offer the same picture without the distortion? Sagittarius, this transit is also about the family. As you have cycles with younger generations too, they are doubling up. Chiron is spending a long time in the Fifth House. Right now, the boundary issue with relatives will also find you wondering – what you can get away with, how far you can stretch things –elsewhere. Premium? Go on.
Capricorn
22 DEC – 20 JAN
Jupiter in Gemini is here to help. Your everyday working life has its own chain of command. Even if you’re working for yourself (or head of the home) you still have to think about your duty to other people. All work is a service, even if you’re apparently calling the shots. If you’re a President or a Prime Minister, you still have a duty to the people who voted for you, so in a way, you’re still in service to them, just as a PA is to her boss. This is now where long overdue improvements can take place, Capricorn. As you move towards May and June, it may be that you know a new role is on offer, or a different kind of project. Perhaps a new course or reshaped voluntary position. Even if nothing is yet on the horizon, what you do in February as the transits in Gemini meet the transits in Aquarius, is hopeful and positive. This also applies to your health and wellbeing, which offer solutions. Premium? Go on.
Aquarius
21 JAN – 19 FEB
Mars Retrograde in Leo is appearing and disappearing as 2025 replaces 2024. Mars is about action. Retrograde, this is backwards action – ongoing. This is your opposite sign and so the situation is about your opposite number. Your other half or the other side. Tibetan Buddhist websites can help you find techniques for managing your own overheated attack and defence mechanisms - and coping calmly, should other people’s attack and defence mechanisms are aimed at you. His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the leader of the Tibetan people, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, knows a thing or two. People who are against you will turn up now, or even become issues again, no matter how long they’ve been off your radar. Navigate carefully, as you will find the currents take you backwards. Pacing yourself is wise.
Pisces
20 FEB – 20 MAR
You are now going into one of the more important years for your finances and property. Chiron is in Aries in your Second House of personal budgeting. From May 2025, Neptune (your ruler) and Saturn will also go into Aries – the same chart zone. That’s big. This cycle rules the more intense, life-changing aspects of sexual and financial relationships, as well as the whole business of death and dying in the context of legacies and inheritance. It also rules joint financial issues, like a shared mortgage or property investment, as well as the family inheritance, or the tax department, or the car you share with your sister. It’s about money, houses, flats, possessions, assets and resources that work one, two or more ways between everyone involved. You are very used to seeing what you can get away with. Premium. Go on.
WEDDING FITTING SERVICE
MIX & MATCH SIGNATURE STYLIST SUITS FOR ALL OCCASIONS
Howard & Co Attire prides itself on its superb range and collection of suit designs to meet our clients' needs and fashionable looks. As an e-commerce store, we want to inspire and achieve a unique style suitable for the modern-day gentleman. We cater for all occasions, including our wedding specialist team and home fitting service here to support the groom and groomsmen. We will continue expanding our collection to have only the best offerings to our clientele.
5th -6th JULY STOKE PARK P l
The
Jacksons soul II soul leo sayer sleeper sTereo Mc's odyssey The Marley experIence leTz zep • BaBy d Bay cITy rollers n-Trance
The spIce GIrls experIence rock choIr
razorlIGhT kT TunsTall
The aMy WInehouse Band elvana
duTTy MoonshIne BIG Band alTered IMaGes duB pIsTols
The prIMITIves • skIds sex pIssed dolls voodoo radIo FuzzBox • BlondIed rock choIr
SEVEN SEPARATE STAGES OF MUSIC & MAYHEM OVER THE WEEKEND
PLUS: • COMEDY TENT • DANCE TENT • ART & CRAFT VILLAGE • STREET THEATRE
• DELICIOUS WORLD CUISINE • RUSTIC REAL ALE BAR • COCKTAIL BAR • LITERARY TENT WITH INTERESTING TALKS • SINGING, DANCING & DRUMMING WORKSHOPS • GAMES TENT • KIDS AREA • BUSHCRAFTS
RESTAURANT FOR LOVERS OF MEXICAN GASTRONOMY. TACOS, NACHOS AND MORE
If you’re looking for the bright, fresh, authentic flavours of Mexico, look no further! Nestled right in the heart of Guildford you will find Gordo’s, a family run Mexican restaurant, celebrating the vibrant culture and powerful flavours of Mexican cooking through mouthwatering classics.
Join us as we transport you from Guildford city centre to the sunny, lime-scented shores of Mexico for a taco experience sure to keep you coming back for more!
MI CASA ES SU CASA
We can’t wait to welcome you through our doors.
The finishing touches have been added to Bosco's new Cocktail Bar + Club beneath their boutique hotel in the heart of Surbiton including a new Veuve Cliquot Terrace.
The Cocktail Bar + Club at Hotel Bosco is a sumptuous setting. Expect the finest cocktails, Peruvian and Mexican inspired small plates, accompanied by a killer playlist. Their lounge exudes an energetic vibe with live music. DJ's play every Thursday to Saturday evenings, the perfect backdrop for a memorable night.
MARTIN SHAW
HOW HAVE REHEARSALS FOR ‘A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS’ BEEN GOING?
Very well! It’s been a joy to be back in the world of Thomas More, and exploring the script with a brilliant new cast, and director, Jonathan Church.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE PLAYING SIR THOMAS
MORE, SUCH AN IMPORTANT CHARACTER IN BRITISH HISTORY?
This is my second time playing More, and it’s as much a privilege and as exciting a journey now as it was almost 20 years ago.
THE PLAY TACKLES SOME TRICKY PLOT LINES INCLUDING MORE’S STAUNCH CATHOLICISM WHILST HAVING TO ADVISE HENRY VIII ON SEEEKING A DIVORCE. WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE TESTING ROLES YOU HAVE TAKEN ON?
Actually, no. The script for Man is so skilfully done, so wonderfully written and with such wit, despite the inevitable tragic ending. More was called ‘a man for all seasons’ because as well as being a true statesman, he was always true to himself and his beliefs, which made him especially unique and valuable in that particular setting. As an actor, making a character like that your own is a true gift.
British actor Martin Shaw is known to millions for his television roles in ‘Judge John Deed’, ‘Inspector George Gently’ and ‘The Professionals’. He is coming to Surrey this month, treading the boards at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford from 24th February – 1st March playing scholar, ambassador, Lord Chancellor and friend to Henry VIII, Sir Thomas More in Robert Bolt’s award-winning play ‘A Man for All Seasons’. Surrey Rocks had the pleasure of catching up with the much-loved actor to find out about his upcoming play and a bit more about the formidable actor.
IS IT NICE TO TEAM UP WITH DIRECTOR JONATHAN CHURCH AGAIN IN ‘A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS’ AS WE HEAR YOU HAVE ALREADY WORKED TOGETHER ON THE WEST END TRANSFER OF ‘HOBSON’S CHOICE?’
It’s always a joy to work with
a director of Jonathan’s talent and experience and having worked together before there is a sort of shorthand as well as trust in bringing a new view to the character. A good director is someone in whom you have absolute confidence, someone who can teach you as well as direct.
YOU ARE STARRING ALONGSIDE UK ENTERTAINER GARY WILMOTT WHO PLAYS THE COMMON MAN, DO YOU GET ON WELL?
Of course! Gary’s performance is one of the highlights of the play.
YOU HAVE STARRED IN SOME OF THE UK’S TOP TV SHOWS AND WEST END PLAYS – DO YOU HAVE A PREFERENCE OVER THEATRE OR TV ACTING?
Both have their attractions. On TV you create something instantly real – you do the scene and that’s your performance. On stage, you are constantly evolving from opening night to last night. It’s like being a master carpenter: you work on tiny details, engraving and polishing your performance each time you walk on stage.
NOW FOR THE FUN QUICKFIRE ROUND OF QUESTIONS!! IF YOU HAD TO TAKE 3 THINGS TO A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
A bird feeder – seeing the birds round the feeders at home every morning is one of life’s great joys. A full set of Patrick O’ Brien Aubrey-Maturin novels. A 1943 L4 Piper Cub.
WHO WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL CELEBRITY DINNER PARTY GUESTS (DEAD OR ALIVE!?)
Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Alex Henshaw the pilot, and of course Thomas More.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER GIVEN?
To any young actor I always say don't do it unless you have an absolutely burning desire to act – and then just do the best you can. If you are in it for fame, walk away, as it will be a miserable experience.
MOST EMBARRASSING ITEM IN YOUR WARDROBE?
I did have quite a hippy phase for a while….
WHAT IS YOUR WORST HABIT?
I can be impatient with people who are late!
WHAT´S THE BEST THING ABOUT SURREY?
The beautiful countryside! My father instilled a great love of nature in me, and I feel very connected to him when I’m surrounded by trees and hills.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST CHARACTER TRAIT?
My empathy, I hope. I have been vegetarian since 1974.
WHAT’S THE WORST THING ABOUT SURREY?
I’ve not discovered that yet!
Artist Impression: Yvonne Arnaud
Interior trends with BoConcept 5 easy ways to refresh your home in 2025
The new year is the perfect time for a home refresh. Whether you’re looking to make small updates or a more signi cant change, a few considered choices can make all the difference. With expert insights from BoConcept’s interior designers, here are ve simple yet impactful ways to elevate your space for 2025.
Play with colour
“Colour has the power to transform a space instantly,” says Signe Nielsen, Interior Designer at BoConcept. Whether through a fresh coat of paint, a bold statement piece, or simple accessories like cushions and throws, a strategic use of colour can rede ne a room. Deep, rich hues like BoConcept’s Avellino fabric in Red, Green, Dusty Blue, and Golden Beige bring warmth and sophistication, while soft neutrals create a sense of calm and openness.
Create a home bar
A stylish home bar is a great way to bring personality into your space. The Santiago Sideboard, inspired by mid-century design, makes entertaining effortless with its drop-down bar, mirrored back, and built-in lighting. “It’s about more than just storage; it’s about setting the scene for memorable moments,” says Claus Ditlev Jensen, BoConcept’s Collections and Visuals Director. Consider complementing it with seating pockets—small, inviting areas that encourage conversation away from the dining table.
Introduce an accent chair
An accent chair is one of the easiest ways to make a statement. “Accent chairs de ne a space and add character,” says Anna Franzisca Gaier, BoConcept Interior Designer. “The right chair elevates the overall aesthetic while providing additional seating.” If you love curves, the Bolzano offers cocooning comfort, while the sleek Modena provides a re ned, structured look. Pair it with a rug and side table to create a cosy reading nook.
Rethink your shelving
Bookshelves are more than just storage—they’re an opportunity for personal expression. Open shelving systems like Como and
Santiago Sideboard
Modena chair
“LAYERED LIGHTING, WITH A MIXTURE OF OVERHEAD LIGHTING, TABLE LAMPS, AND CANDLES, CREATES A WARM AND INVITING ATMOSPHERE.”
Anna Franzisca Gaier, Interior Designer at BoConcept
Calgary let your books and accessories become part of your décor. “Start by decluttering,” says Nielsen. “Remove everything, then selectively reintroduce only the pieces that truly resonate with you.” Consider balancing books with decorative elements like vases, sculptures, or a statement plant to bring an organic touch to your display.
Add a pouffe
Pouffes and ottomans are an effortless way to introduce versatility and style. They work as extra seating, footrests, or even alternative coffee tables. “Even in smaller spaces, a pouffe can make a big impact,” says James Miller, Senior Interior Designer at BoConcept. “The Xtra footstool is a favourite—it doubles as a guest bed and provides additional seating when needed.” For a sculptural statement, the Nawabari, designed with BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, adds an artistic touch, while the compact Eden tucks neatly under a coffee table when not in use.
WIN BIG WITH SFW’S SENSATIONAL SUPERYACHT AUCTION!
Looking for a luxury break or fine dining experience following the chaos of Christmas? After a bootcamp, beauty or celebrity aesthetics boost? Or maybe you fancy a fun and affordable lavish night out or are looking for love and a Valentine's date with a cover model or hot model hero…
Look no further than our Surrey Fashion Week’s silent charity auction accompanying our recent SFW24 celebrity charity catwalk show with 'Top Boy', 'This Morning' and 'Worst Witch' stars, where you can WIN a wealth of fantastic prizes!
From superyacht charters in the glittering Med (worth a whopping £50K!), fine dining at Beaverbrook country estate in the Surrey Hills and mind and body bootcamps, to celebrityloved beauty treatments and aesthetics, premium rum and vodka bundles, jewellery and celeb-signed merch, bid for fantastic prizes before Feb to grab a FAB gift or experience at rock-bottom prices to treat yourself, your family and friends.
Bag yourself an ultra-luxe bargain on board one of two luxury yachts based in Palma, Mallorca, and kick off 2025 in style with these phenomenal prizes up for grabs at just a snip of the retail price with our sizzling hot Surrey Fashion Week x Surrey Rocks auction in aid of Cancer Research UK, The Royal Marsden cancer hospital in Surrey, Patients’ Lives Matter and Ukraine (humanitarian aid).
It's our best charity auction yet!
SUPERYACHT DREAMS IN THE MED
Set sail on a luxury superyacht this spring, summer or autumn on board 'Lady Alhena of London' or 'Lady Tatiana of London' and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience afloat for up to six days in the sizzling sunshine of the sparkling Med.
Managed by White Star Charter, both 100ft motor yachts are based in Palma de Mallorca in the beautiful Balearic Islands and have hosted famous faces aplenty, with A-list charters already booked for 2025.
The luxury yachts each provide five guest cabins - all with en-suite bathrooms - accommodating between 8-10 guests, and come complete with four professional crew members, comprising the captain, chef, stewardess and first mate/ deckhand.
MALLORCA, CANNES, MONACO... CHOOSE WHERE YOU CRUISE!
What's more, we are offering you PERSONALISED chartered superyacht experiences, meaning YOU can choose where you cruise!
The magical marinas of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Barcelona all beckon, check out vibrant Valencia or extend your cruise and venture further afield to the glamorous playgrounds of the rich and famous along the French Riviera, where the alluring celeb hotspots of St. Tropez, Monaco and Cannes await on the glitzy Côte d'Azur.
With no set cruise itinerary, your glittering ports of call are totally up to you...
PICK YOUR YACHT PACKAGE
Three phenomenal packages are available, which include three or six days on the yacht, as well as the crew and mooring in the home port of Palma.
• 3-Day (2 Nights) Superyacht Charter for 8-10 people between Nov-March, worth £15k – auction price starting from just £2,960
• 3-Day (2 Nights) Superyacht Charter for 8-10 people anytime (incl. peak season months May-Oct) worth £25k –auction price starting from just £5,960
• 6-Day (5 Nights) Superyacht Charter for 8-10 people between Nov-March, worth £50k – auction price starting from just £11,960
LADY ALHENA
Lady Alhena of London features a considerable interior space and transmits a sensation of unconfined amplitude often experienced on larger yachts. Her stylish interior design, in
superior woods and light-coloured leathers and fabrics, create a serene, elegant environment, avoiding ostentation.
The perfect combination of performance and comfort, Lady Alhena’s ample spaces and convenient distribution make her a unique option for chartering all year round. Main features are her generous sunbathing areas, guest seating, and sizeable galley and dining area. She boasts a spacious upper deck with large guest seating and a jacuzzi, plus storage for plenteous tender and toys.
Water toys aboard Lady Alhena include a Nova-marine 4.6m rib with a Yamaha 60HP outboard. With either the Yamaha rib or outboard water ski you can enjoy surfing with the ringo and sofa. Further water entertainment includes snorkelling gear plus paddleboard play.
Accommodation on the lower deck consists of 5 en-suite staterooms, accommodating 8-10 guests, with a large full-beam owner's suite, 2 full-guest cabins mid-ship, and 2 twin guest cabins forward, each with one Pullman bed, all enhanced with a light, airy ambiance.
LADY TATIANA
Like Lady Alhena, Lady Tatiana is one of very few legal charter yachts based in Mallorca that is coded for charter for around 10 guests and 4 crew sleeping on board. This is only achievable due to her huge volume and unique, excellent accommodating layout.
Timeless styling together with beautiful furnishings throughout create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere, all topped off with an outdoor bar. The fantastic alfresco bar on the fly bridge is coupled with a further bar in the aft cockpit area on the main deck.
Also available for all-year-round chartering, Lady Tatiana of London's interior layout sleeps 8-10 guests in 5 rooms, with
the 5 en-suite cabins comprising the owner's cabin which has a kingsize bed, the VIP cabin which has a queen-size bed, the aft guest cabin featuring a full-size bed, the port (midship) cabin has two single beds and one Pullman bed, while the starboard (midship) twin cabin has two single beds and one Pullman bed.
Equipped with water-skis, wakeboards, tubes, snorkelling gear and more, Lady Tatiana's impressive leisure and entertainment facilities make her the ideal charter yacht for socialising and entertaining with family and friends for a thrilling time at sea.
This superb superyacht boasts an impressive array of outstanding amenities for a truly unforgettable holiday afloat.
HOW TO WIN!
Treat yourself, your family & friends, make magical memories and live the life of luxury with your very own Superyacht party at sea!
Win a sensational superyacht charter in the Med and make your 2025 holiday dreams come true as you experience luxury and music like never before…
To be in with a chance, bid NOW for one of these incredible superyacht charters at a bargain cost courtesy of Surrey Fashion Week & White Star Charters.
Visit www.jumblebee.co.uk/ surreyfashionweekcharityauction2024 - or click link in bio @surreyfashionweekuk or @thetripleccommunity (Cancer Care Community) - to bid and check out our other fantastic prizes.
The winning bids get the yacht, the 4 crew, plus docking in the home port of Palma. Everything else is on top. That includes - but is not limited to - fuel, food and soft drinks, laundry and sundries, alcohol and mooring in other marinas. Guests are responsible for the fuel for the yacht and will plan their personalised trip with White Star Charters during the booking process.
These all-year-round yacht charters are be taken within 12 months of auction close.
Contact angela@stk-international.co.uk for further information or to speak with White Star Charters ahead of putting in a bid.
Other Prizes Also Up For Grabs!
Looking for love this Valentine's Day? We even have dates with international cover model/former Miss Kingston Jessica Monaco and our SFW24 ‘hero’ model John Parker from John's Red Bus, who bravely delivers humanitarian aid to Ukraine and soldiers on the frontline, rescuing refugees and animals, reuniting pets with their Ukrainian owners now living here in the UK.
Check out our other fab prizes up for grabs at rock-bottom prices and bag yourself a bargain to treat yourself, family & friends with our sizzling hot silent auction!
l Indulge in fine dining experiences at The Garden Restaurant at Beaverbrook in the Surrey Hills & an authentic Italian cuisine at
freshly opened Casa Ponte in Carshalton Beeches
l Beauty treatments at Surrey salons including luxury MediSpa J'Adore la Beauté & Esthétique and Holistic Reflexology, plus cutting-edge cosmetics from proven Tolpa. & celebrity aesthetics by 'The Fat Shatterer' at Goddess Aesthetics, London
l A Sound Healing session with Surrey's Crystal Reiki Master to the Stars
l Mind & body bootcamps at David Lloyd, Farnham, & B-Fit Bootcamp
l A haute couture hat from celebrity milliner Mizi Atelier, who sensationally showcased her amazing hats & headbands at our #SFW24 show
l Superior triple grain DIMA's vodka bundles
l Premium cask-aged Golden Rum Rey del Istmo from House of Decant
l A high-end hairdryer kit from Surrey ‘Hair Stylist to the Stars' Cally Borg
l A Celebration of Life painting by internationally renowned artist Simon Bull
l A gift-wrapping course with Gift Wrap Queen to Royals & Celebs Jane Means
l Beautiful Peter Pan with Charm hardback book with silver Tinker Bell charm necklace
l Ad space in Surrey Rocks magazine & Spacebuk salon space
l Tickets for Cub Camembert (Reminisce Nights)
l Celebrity signed merch & more!
All in aid of Surrey Fashion Week's and new charity awareness & fundraising platform The Triple C's (Cancer Care Community at www.thetriplec.co.uk) chosen charities - Cancer Research UK, The Royal Marsden cancer hospital, Prevent Breast Cancer, Patients Lives Matter and Ukraine (Surrey-based British-Ukrainian Business Women's Association & John's Red Bus).
- to bid and check out our other fantastic prizes. scan me
SFW24 SILENT AUCTION
Check out the sensational prizes up for grabs at rock-bottom prizes all in aid of The Triple C’s chosen cancer charities and Ukrainian charities, along with local charity Small Steps, supporting children with disabilities.
We have everything from superyacht charters in Mallorca, to delicious Dima Vodka, beauty treatments at J’Adore and even a date with our SFW model John Parker from John’s Red Bus!
And we’ll have many more amazing lots being added over the coming weeks, so get bidding at:
So many amazing prizes that you can snap up for yourself or as bargain Christmas gifts for family and friends. Best of luck, everyone! scan me
See what you think:
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.. so my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca - age 8
'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
'Love is when my mummy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 8
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
WHAT LOVE MEANS!
A GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE POSED THIS QUESTION TO A GROUP OF 4 TO 8-YEAR-OLDS…'WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN?' THE ANSWERS THEY GOT WERE DEEPER AND MORE PROFOUND THAN ANYONE COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED!
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.'
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
'During my piano recital, I was on stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
'My mummy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6
'Love is when Mummy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine - age 5
'Love is when Mummy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 8
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
'Love is when Mummy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross..'
Mark - age 6
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it.
But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
And the final one:
The stand out one for us, however, was a four year old boy called Luca whose next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”
IF YOU HAVE SEEN ANYMORE CELEB TATS THAT ARE WORTHY OF OUR LIST POST THEM ON TWITTER TAGGING @SURREY_ROCKS AND THE BEST WILL WIN A DINNER FOR TWO AT A TOP SURREY RESTAURANT.
Chef Renu B
Dietary Restrictions
Catering for guests with differeing dieatry needs can be stressful and challenging. Let Chef Renu B take care of this She can design a fully inclusive menu, however many variations there are
