The Riverside Journals by Riverside Journals

The Riverside Journals

Notting Hill edition

January/February 2017 • Edition 46 • Complimentary

C O LO U R C O N S U LTA N C Y H O M E | I N - S TO R E | P R O F E S S I O N A L PAC K AG E S A Little Greene Colour Consultancy will enable you to decorate with confidence.

C O LO U R C O N S U LTA N C Y

Let one of our expert consultants assist in finding the right colours for you.

H O M E | I N - S TO R E | P R O F E S S I O N A L PAC K AG E S

To find out more about the range of bespoke Colour Consultancy packages we provide, contact us: E: londonconsultancy@thelittlegreene.com A Little Greene Colour Consultancy will enable you to decorate with confidence. T: 020 7487 3311 Let one of our expert consultants assist in finding the right colours for you. London Showroom | Colour Consultancy To find out more about the range of bespoke Colour Consultancy we provide, 3 New Cavendish Street, Marylebone W1G 8UX T: packages +44 20 7487 3311 contact us: E: londonconsultancy@thelittlegreene.com T: 020 7487 3311 London Showroom | Colour Consultancy 3 New Cavendish Street, Marylebone W1G 8UX T: +44 20 7487 3311

Taiji Maruyama Executive Chef

Beau McCarthy Co-Owner/Bar

Contemporary Japanese Sushi • Tempura • Grill • Artisan Cocktail Bar

www.kirurestaurant.com • info@kirurestaurant.com

@kirurestaurant

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Chelsea Green, 2 Elystan St, SW3 3NS • 0207 584 9999

Christian Pulido GM/Bev. Director

Buckland Blazer, viscose blend with stretch: ÂŁ195.00

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Langley Shirt, Pistachio, Viscose Blend: ÂŁ95.00

www.north.clothing

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Lidcombe Legging, Ponte Viscose Blend, Midnight Blue: £85.00

Sudeley Coat, Cashmere wool Mix, Grey Marl: £245.00

Ruprecht von Kaufmann Event Horizon

24 February â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 25 March 2017 Private View: 23 February, 6:30 - 9:00 pm 533 Old York Road, SW18 1TG, London, UK | +44 (0)20 8875 0110 | www.kristinhjellegjerde.com

Features Fashion

What to wear at the races and the key things to keep in mind – comfort and elegance. Choosing your spring coat for those cooler spring days that lie ahead and the luxury clothing brand North shows us fashion for the taller lady.

Dining Fine dining at Caldesi in Campagna, situated in Bray, Italian like no other. Owners Giancarlo and Katie and their team present mouth-watering Italian food with a twist. Hawkyns, Amersham – the new restaurant from Michelin Star Chef Atul Kochhar. These are both definitely worth a visit.

Arts and Crafts A gallery worth viewing – Norwegian gallerist Kristin Hjellegjerde is championing international, cutting-edge art in London through ambitious exhibitions and a mission to provide a warm, welcoming environment that allows for new artistic discoveries, and thank you Kristin for supplying our front covers for this exciting New Year edition.

Motoring The London Classic Car Show – now gearing up for its third year (23-26 February) is the capital’s biggest and best celebration of car culture.

Beaconsfield, Chelsea & Kensington, Westminster, Notting Hill, Mayfair, Henley & Marlow, Richmond and Windsor Journals are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form, either in part or whole without permission from Brook Media Limited. Whilst every reasonable precaution has been taken, no responsibility is taken for any service or product featured in these publications or any loss arising therefrom. Articles that have been individually authored may contain personal opinion, thus relevant to the piece, but not an opinion or belief shared by Brook Media Limited. The Publisher reserves the right to decline any advertisement or article which is deemed unsuitable, prior to publication.

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Our very own Jill Menghetti brings you three full pages packed with exciting places to visit during the next few months. This February why not chase away the winter blues at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

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What to See, Where to Go

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Editors’ Letter Dear Readers Welcome to our New Year edition of the Riverside Journals and we would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers and clients a very Happy New Year and hope that 2017 brings good health and prosperous times ahead for everyone! We have some informative articles and great reads for you, in particular morning coffee with Hugo Taylor, founder of London-based luxury brand Taylor Morris, marketing consultant to some of the capital’s hottest restaurants and businesses and onetime star of ‘Made In Chelsea’. In this winter edition we showcase a selection of fabulous winter wedding venues and also some of the best wedding dress designers and travel destinations for that perfect honeymoon. Holiday specialists Letsgo2 lead the way and have some interesting holiday choices for the forthcoming year such as short-haul winter sun breaks in Tenerife. Our very own Yasemen Kaner-White recommends soothing your soul at the beautiful Kinloch Lodge in Scotland and tells us why she thinks Paris is actually the perfect place for shopping. We are pleased to feature SoSophie, a label worth watching. Sophie came originally from Buckinghamshire and now resides in New York. She is an emerging young talent in fashion design and we look forward to seeing more of Sophie’s work in the future. Enjoy the story behind Valentine’s Day and why not celebrate that special day by whisking your loved one off to one of an array of lovely hotels and restaurants we have found for you. We were delighted to be invited to Fishmore Hall Hotel & Spa in Ludlow who are offering a fabulous overnight spa break, including dinner for two, at a special rate for Riverside readers. Please check this offer out and quote the ‘Riverside Journals’ when booking. To dance your way into the New Year, Chateau Lou Casteou’s ‘Let’s Salsa’ Retreat combines all of the rhythm and sparkle of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ with good exercise, great company and delicious food. Hidden on the Côte d’ Azure in the idyllic Esterel mountains, the resort is just minutes from the sea.

Enjoy our winter edition. On behalf of Team Riverside J Cover Credits Copyright Artist Juliette Mahieux Bartoli and Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery For Drawings by Chris Agenew, Copyright artist Chris Agnew and Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery.

Director – Michele Brooks michele@theriversidejournals.com Editorial – editorial@theriversidejournals.com Editorial Team Jill Menghetti Anne Noakes Richard Lucas

Sarah Coughlan Alex Bailey-Staines Sarah Gilling

Sylvia Richards Yasemen Kaner-White

Associate Publisher – Kay Woods kay@theriversidejournals.com Business Development Manager – Lynda Foskett lynda@theriversidejournals.com Design – John Dunne design@theriversidejournals.com Production Manager – Karen Rolfe production@theriversidejournals.com

Twitter: @riversidej Facebook: riversidejournals Instagram: #riversidej

Brook Media Limited St Mary’s Court, Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP7 0UT TeI: 03333130068 www.theriversidejournals.com

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Social Media Coordinator – Susan Bosher social@theriversidejournals.com

Coats for those Cooler Spring Days q

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Here are a selection of our favourite coats and jackets to keep us looking elegant yet still warm and snug when the temperature drops.

q Betty Barclay Grey Textured V-neck Long Jacket £200.00 w Gertrude Herbst Winter Long blue, with Orange contrast, coat e Littlewoods.com Longline Bomber Jacket £150 r La Redoute Faux Fur Jacket £69.30 t Betty Barclay Rose Long Button Collar Coat £225 y Betty Barclay Maroon Wool Jacket £245

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Bridal Couture Occasion Wear Evening Gowns 82 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6HR 020 7584 1532 | London@sassiholford.com

www.sassiholford.com

SASSI

HOLFORD

Enchanting clothes made for you in the heart of London 02078219499 www.littlebevan.co.uk

EASTERN ADORNMENT A treasure trove of breath taking jewels from the East

All of our ethically sourced jewellery is carefully selected for its unique and skilful design. We combine true affordability with beauty and imagination in each of these one of a kind pieces, offering our customers a wide variety of hand crafted silver and gemstone jewellery ranging from pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.

www.easternadornment.com â&#x20AC;˘ easternadornments@gmail.com 3 Brewers Lane, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1HH Telephone: 0208 940 6894

01653 694932 www.byelise.com

Luxury shoe and accessory brand Emmy London has opened a new flagship boutique in the heart of Chelsea. Ready-to-wear Event and Bridal styles are now available, along with a special Couture Service where you can design your dream shoes in a dedicated consultation space. Visit the Emmy London Boutique at 74 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 6HH. To make an appointment please call 0207 704 0012 or book online at www.emmylondon.com

Join us for lunch MARKET MENU FROM £28.00

clivedenhouse.co.uk

~ Exclusive hire wedding and events venue ~ ~ Situated on the Powys/Shropshire border ~ ~Ten luxury bedrooms sleeping up to 25 guests ~ ~ Five ceremony locations to choose from ~ ~ Seats up to 150 for ceremony and dinner ~ ~ Bespoke food and drinks packages ~ ~ Gentleman’s Bar and Cellar Bar ~ ~ Walled garden ~

Contact Julia Pugh on 07716 763567 or julia@garthmylhall.co.uk

www.garthmylhall.co.uk WEDDING FAIR 12.03.17 11am - 4pm Garthmyl Hall, Garthmyl, Montgomery, , Powys. SY15 6RS

f you have a wedding or other special occasion coming up in 2017 and are looking for something a little different to wear, a visit to the Angelina Colarusso boutique on Richmond Hill is a must. Here you will find dresses created with ‘woman’ in mind, designed to celebrate and bring out the best of the female form with the use of impeccable corsetry where needed, accentuating the best and minimising the rest. Angelina’s approach is somewhat different in that it tends to stand away from mainstream fashion, preferring instead to stay true to her own unique signature style, creating beautifully timeless gowns with a contemporary twist. Hemlines, fabrics and detailing may evolve but Angelina believes that a truly beautiful dress will always be beautiful and so will be as timeless as the most iconic dresses of the golden age of couture and vintage Silver Screen, which are her inspiration. Whilst she believes in being aware of what’s going on in the moment, Angelina also feels it’s important not to be governed by, nor lose yourself in passing trends that don’t necessarily work in your favour. “Looking good is about understanding who you are and knowing what makes you feel comfortable and what doesn’t...and being true to that. If you look closely at women who really know how to dress, both past and present, they find a look that works for them, and best expresses who they are, and they stick to it.” One very much gets this impression of Angelina’s philosophy in practice when you visit her shops which also have quite a different feel to most you are likely to walk into these days; individual, romantic and reminiscent of another world which had more room for romance and where people and places were dripping with glamour. This is not just in appearance, but a philosophy that is very much at the heart of the business, from its personal approach through to its values and ethics; one of the many reasons that clients will jump on a plane from anywhere in the world for one of her dresses. They know they will be treated as an individual and not just a number and that their dress will be stitched to perfection, in-house, by her highly skilled team. After 25 years of experience in couture, Angelina knows exactly how important it is to listen to her clients’ needs and dress them in a way that really works for them and makes them feel amazing.

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Tel: 020 8398 0065 www.angelinacolarusso.com

Micklefield Hall sarratt, near rickManswortH

the Perfect country House wedding venue with stunning 16th century Barn for up to 200 guests. exclusive private use. oPen daY sunday 9th april 2017 11am - 3pm. BY inVitation onlY Please call Julie on 01923 778898 for your e-vite

For further information call 01923 778 898 or visit www.micklefieldhall.com Viewing is strictly by appointment only.

Why Winter Weddings are the Way to go…

inter always has a touch of the magical and every wedding should enthuse enchantment, so it’s the perfect backdrop. It is also a time where romance is enhanced with an excuse to stay indoors focusing on our loved ones; think snuggles by a roaring log fire. Dishes are hearty and clothes are comfy, all in all, it’s a feel-good season to indulge in. With most events taking place in summer, an invitation to a special occasion in winter is always welcome. More and more people are choosing to say their vows during the cooler months and not just with an eye to saving the pennies, as inevitably venue hires are a tad cheaper during the winter months. So where are the top locations for this wintery do? Naturally, Britain is hard to beat, because our lush countryside looks just as ravishing ice-covered, if not even more so. Eastnor Castle; Herefordshire, is the definition of candle-lit cosy and welcoming in the winter months, overlooking The Malvern Hills and 5000 acres of parkland, storm lanterns lighting the entrance steps up to the castle; your wedding pics will be sensational. Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa in the Lake District delivers snow tipped mountains in winter and importantly, an outdoor hot tub for the wedding duo to linger in post celebrations. Scotland is stunning and to tie-the-knot amid the famed Nevis Range makes for an unforgettable day, a number of designated areas across the mountain, both inside and outside with mountain scenery and beautiful panoramic views of lochs and glen are screaming out to be the backdrop for enviable wedding photography. Then of course there is Ireland, five star romantic K Club with beautiful bodacious fairytale landscaped gardens surrounding your day, an unforgettable wintery wonderland wedding is a promise. Of course, abroad is an option not to be sniffed at and what conjures up winter more than snow and ice? Say ‘I do’ in your very own ice castle. The Ice Chapel with the Artic Snow Hotel, one of the venues of ‘Lapland Weddings’ is a dream come true, nestled in the north of the Arctic Circle, on the shores of the Lehtojärvi Lake beneath the Northern Lights and starry, starry skies, is a palace constructed entirely of snow and ice – just picture those photographs! The Swedish Ice Hotel, whereby every year it is hand-carved by designers, different than the year before and can hold up to 40 guests, offers stiff competition. Another cunning option is Canada, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise resort, frequently featured in Conde Nast Traveller’s ‘Gold List’ for hospitality excellence specialises in winter weddings. Magnanimous mountain peaks, vistas of the Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake leaves guests in awe of natural beauty, just make sure the bride doesn’t fade in comparison! Lake Tahoe in the US, is renowned to have even better sunsets in winter and with outdoor fire pits, mulled wine and a crackling fireplace indoors, the wedding party will be pleased.

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A sea of faux furs or sequin scarves, sparkling snowy back-drops, wintery wedding invites dressed with snowflake cutouts, rich festive hues of reds from lips to decorative roses all lead to an ethereal wedding, and hopefully everlasting love…

Yasemen Kaner-White

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An exquisite backdrop for your Anperfect exquisite backdrop for your wedding memories perfect wedding memories

Braxted Park is said to be one of the most beautiful venues in Essex, rich in history and surrounded bythe breathtaking viewsvenues acrossin the estate, Braxted Park is said to be one of most beautiful Essex, we are truly what wedding memories are made of. rich in history and surrounded by breathtaking views across the estate, we are truly what wedding memories are made of.

w w w. b r a x t e d p a r k w e d d i n g s . c o. u k w w w. b r a x t e d p a r k w e d d i n g s . c o. u k Braxted Park Estate, Witham, Essex CM8 3EN • Telephone: 01621 892305 • Email: office@braxtedpark.co.uk Braxted Park Estate, Witham, Essex CM8 3EN • Telephone: 01621 892305 • Email: office@braxtedpark.co.uk

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Refining Luxury 42 Luxury Bedrooms and Suites â&#x20AC;˘ World class Spa and Well-being House Fabulous Cookery School â&#x20AC;˘ Equestrian Activities and Clinics Fine dining in the Michelin starred Restaurant The Park Contemporary dining in The Brasserie at The Spa A Palladian Mansion set within 500 acres of private parkland, just 6 miles from the historic city of Bath, a World Heritage Site. Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 8AZ Tel: +44 (0)1225 742777 reservations@lucknampark.co.uk www.lucknampark.co.uk

Turn up the heat: short-haul winter sun breaks in Tenerife Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife Best for.... sun-seeking party lovers The newly-opened Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is a chart-topping choice if you’re looking to party in style. The rooms are well-appointed, with cool decor, relaxing tones and modern design. There’s plenty going on – from wellness classes like Zumba and Fitball, to wine-tasting workshops, as well as guitar, dance, and DJ lessons. Whilst the party-centric vibes of the Hard Rock may not make it the obvious choice for a family holiday, the children’s facilities here are actually very impressive. There are three separate Kids Clubs catering for all ages from six months to 16 years old, with long opening hours. Teens have opportunities to learn hip-hop dancing and music mixing – and every week a special party is laid on, with casino games and surprise performances. Babies are cared for in the Lullaby Club, which extends its opening hours till midnight once a week giving parents the chance to taste Tenerife’s nightlife with no worries. One of the resort’s highlights is the fabulous rooftop bar. Overlooking the Atlantic ocean and Europe’s highest volcano cone, the sunset views are breathtaking. After dark, this classy venue comes to life with live music and flowing cocktails till sunrise. Mercifully, breakfast is lie-in friendly, open late until 11:30am. The Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is ideal if you’re looking to spend a fun-filled week in the sun – and with flight times of just 4½ hours from London, a cheeky long weekend is definitely do-able too.

Grand Bahia Del Duque Best for... five-star traditionalists If you’re looking for a more traditionally luxurious holiday, take a look at the Grand Bahia Del Duque. As a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World, high standards of personal service are assured. The pretty, pastel-hued buildings and courtyards give this refined resort a Spanish village feel, with the rooms, villas and lagoonstyle pools cascading down the hillside. The resort is famous for its immaculately-maintained gardens, featuring flowering jacarandas, dragon trees, and palms. Foodies will enjoy the choice of seven à la carte restaurants, offering cuisine from around the world in addition to a casual buffet restaurant and several bars. Feel your stresses and strains melt away in the soothing Thalasso Spa complex, which features a range of treatments inspired by the Natura Bissé philosophy. You could quite happily spend a week here tottering between the spa, pools and beach without leaving the resort – although there are some lovely restaurants and bars close by in La Caleta (a 10-minute stroll along the coast). Other facilities include a bridge and billiards room, tennis courts, squash courts, gym, and even an astronomic observatory (with some of the clearest skies in the world and little light pollution, Tenerife is excellent for stargazing). Golfers will find five different courses within a 10-mile radius, as well as a pleasant pitch and putt within the resort. There are two children’s clubs, with daily activities for children aged 3-12yrs, and a separate surf-inspired lounge for teens. Don’t miss the chance to spend a day aboard the resort’s own private yacht, touring the nearby coastline whilst enjoying catering, drinks and – if you’re feeling adventurous diving right off the boat for a spot of snorkelling.

www.letsgo2.com 0208 329 2600

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inter weather starting to get you down? If you can’t wait till summer to get your sunshine fix, there’s only one way forward – beat the back-to-work blues with a shorthaul escape to sunnier shores. If you’re looking for a winter break that won’t bust the bank, the Canaries are a good option – with temperatures still hovering around a sunny 23°C even in January and February. Award-winning online tour operator letsgo2 compares two five-star hotels in Tenerife with very different personalities...

Multiple British Travel Awards Winners 2015/16

ATOL and ABTA protected No. W7886

Call or book online

0208 329 2600 letsgo2.com

TRUSTED MERCHANT 2016

DISCOVER DUBAI AND SEE WHY 15 MILLION PEOPLE VISITED THIS SUPERLATIVE CITY IN 2016 Dubai has it all: gorgeous sandy beaches, glittering architecture, world-class shopping & spa experiences and record-breaking theme park rides. If you’re looking for a holiday destination that oﬀers something to keep the whole family happy, Dubai’s tough to beat. Dubai boasts year-round sunshine, but the most popular time to visit is between November - March. Winter temperatures are very pleasant, with average highs of 25°C during January and February.

Top things to do in Dubai > Relax on the golden sandy beaches & take a dip in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf > Admire the view from the top of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa

SPECIAL OFFERS ON DUBAI HOLIDAYS - JUNE 2017

> Embark on an oﬀ-road adventure through the beautiful sand dunes of the Arabian Desert > Brave record-breaking rides at Wild Wadi Waterpark & Aquaventure Waterpark > Give your taste buds a treat at Dubai’s many and varied restaurants

5*+ JUMEIRAH ZABEEL SARAY Beachfront location on the Palm Multi-award winning spa Choice of over 60 restaurants 3 NIGHTS HB FROM £595pp

5* JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL Great location on Dubai’s best loved beach with extensive facilities Choice of over 60 restaurants 3 NIGHTS HB FROM £635pp

5* JUMEIRAH AL NASEEM *New* luxury beachfront hotel in the heart of the Madinat FREE Wild Wadi Waterpark access 3 NIGHTS HB FROM £699pp

SAVE 45% + FREE HALF BOARD

SAVE 35% + FREE HALF BOARD

To book visit letsgo2.com or call 0208 329 2600

Phone lines open 9am - 8pm Monday - Friday and 9am - 5:30pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm Sunday

TRUSTED MERCHANT 2016

No. W7886

Multiple British Travel Awards Winners 2015/16

ARABIAN GULF HOLIDAYS - JUNE 2017 5* FAIRMONT BAB AL BHAR, ABU DUBAI > Luxe beachfront hotel with views over Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 3 NIGHTS *FREE HALF BOARD* FROM £525pp | SAVE 25% 5* ARABIAN COURT ONE&ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE, DUBAI > 1km private beach > An elegantly designed retreat 3 NIGHTS *FREE HALF BOARD* FROM £699pp | SAVE 40% 5* AL BUSTAN PALACE, A RITZ CARLTON HOTEL, OMAN > Regal beachfront hotel > Beautiful mountain backdrop 5 NIGHTS BED & BREAKFAST FROM £715pp | SAVE 35%

Sri Lanka

5* HILTON ABU DHABI > Great location on the Corniche > 3 outdoor pools > 10 restaurants & bars 5 NIGHTS ALL INCLUSIVE FROM £875pp | SAVE 25%

ATOL and ABTA protected

Call or book online

0208 329 2600 letsgo2.com

TRUSTED MERCHANT 2016

No. W7886

CARIBBEAN HOLIDAYS Azure seas, white beaches and year-round sunshine

The Caribbean should be on everyone’s bucket list; discover idyllic beaches, welcoming locals and adventure in this colourful archipelago. Prices include ﬂights and hotel, with meals as indicated. RESORT & TRAVEL DATES:

7 NIGHTS FROM:

4* MEXICO - SEP/OCT 2017 Temptation Cancun Resort All Inclusive £1,055pp Save 45%

FREE Room upgrade

5* ANTIGUA - JUN 2017 Blue Waters Antigua

Bed & Breakfast £1,255pp Save up to 35%

4* BARBADOS - SEP 2017 Sugar Bay Barbados

All Inclusive £1,295pp Save up to 35%

5* ST LUCIA - OCT 2017 BodyHoliday

All Inclusive £1,879pp Save 45%

FREE Daily Treatment

FAR EAST HOLIDAYS

5* KOH PHANGAN, THAILAND

5* BORNEO, MALAYSIA

5* NUSA DUA, BALI

5* HONG KONG, CHINA

SANTHIYA KOH PHANGAN RESORT & SPA Idyllic setting with private bay Travel 1 - 30 Sep 2017 7 NIGHTS B&B FROM £889pp

SHANGRI-LA’S RASA RIA RESORT Ideal for beach & nature lovers Remarkable rainforest backdrop Travel 1 - 31 May 2017 7 NIGHTS RO FROM £955pp

GRAND MIRAGE RESORT & THALASSO Huge range of facilities & activities Travel 1 - 30 Jun 2017 7 NIGHTS ALL INC. FROM £1065pp

MANDARIN ORIENTAL A legendary hotel with a central location and outstanding facilities Travel 1 - 31 Oct 2017 7 NIGHTS RO FROM £1739pp

FIVE-STAR HIDEAWAY

SAVE 10% + FREE ROOM UPGRADE

SAVE 15% + FREE ROOM UPGRADE

WORLD-CLASS ACCOMMODATION

5* SEYCHELLES

5* MALDIVES

INDIAN OCEAN HOLIDAYS - JUNE 2017

5* SRI LANKA

5* MAURITIUS

ANANTARA KALUTARA CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE KEMPINSKI SEYCHELLES RESORT One of Sri Lanka’s newest resorts, A large resort set on one of An upmarket, modern beach with extensive facilities. Excellent Mauritius’ best beaches, with two resort with ample facilities on the Spa and stylish rooms. championship golf courses southwest coast of Mahé 7 NIGHTS B&B FROM £919pp 7 NIGHTS HB FROM £1129pp 7 NIGHTS B&B FROM £1195pp SAVE UP TO 15%

SAVE UP TO 40%

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To book visit letsgo2.com or call 0208 329 2600

Phone lines open 9am - 8pm Monday - Friday and 9am - 5:30pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm Sunday

JA MANAFARU Heavenly beach & over-water villas come with outdoor pools & dedicated hosts. FREE transfers. 7 NIGHTS ALL INC. FROM £3459pp FREE ALL INC. UPGRADE

TRUSTED MERCHANT 2016

No. W7886

Prices listed are per person based on 2 people sharing a room. Scheduled ﬂights with tax and fuel surcharges included. Subject to ﬂight and hotel availability. Full terms and conditions apply, please visit letsgo2.com for details. Prices correct as of 9th January 2017.

uxury boutique hotel group Grace Hotels unveils a collection of 17 exclusive apartments serviced by the highly anticipated new Grace St. Moritz hotel, scheduled to open in 2019. Offering a rare opportunity to purchase a home in this iconic Swiss resort, Grace St. Moritz Apartments combine the amenities of a luxury residence with the service levels of a celebrated hotel group. Located in the heart of St. Moritz, just moments from the famous white pistes, the property offers direct views across the resort’s lake and valley and lies on the legendary Via Serlas, Europe’s highest luxury shopping avenue.

Grace St. Moritz Apartments Residents will have full access to Grace St. Moritz hotel services including: An ultra-modern spa and fitness centre – a luxurious retreat for therapy, wellbeing and relaxation. Over 1,000 sq. m has been devoted to this luxurious haven with a full menu of treatments from relaxing pampering massages to expert therapeutic procedures Ski facilities – The hotel includes a ski shop and state-of-the-art fully equipped ski room Three exquisite restaurants – The hotel will feature a classic Swiss restaurant specialising in local cuisine, an all-day dining restaurant and an internationally branded fine dining restaurant A martini and cigar bar 24-hour concierge – The concierge offers bespoke services including restaurant reservations, private parking, limousine services, shopping assistance and babysitting

•

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• • • •

St. Moritz is one of the most exclusive alpine resorts in the world and with the local property market largely closed to overseas purchasers, Grace St. Moritz Apartments represent a rare chance for long-term investment. St. Moritz is regarded as the birthplace of winter tourism, becoming an alpine resort in 1864. It is a premier destination with 217 miles of piste and is also one of Switzerland’s highest resorts at 1800 metres. In addition to winter sports, St. Moritz offers year-round recreation including hiking, paragliding, mountain biking, golfing, windsurfing, tennis and sailing. The town is also known for its world class boutiques and Michelin-starred restaurants. This February, St. Moritz will play host to the Alpine World Championships. Grace St. Moritz Apartments range from luxury studios to a four-bedroom mezzanine penthouse. Prices start from CHF740,000 (£613,585) for a studio and CHF9,900,000 (£8,010,064) for a penthouse. For more details visit www.gracestmoritzapartments.com. For sales enquiries, contact Knight Frank on Tel: +44 (0) 20 7861 1109 or visit www.KnightFrank.com

Celebrating 45 Years in Business with 15% in Season Discounts

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Chateau Lou Casteou Body Tonic Luxury Fitness and Dance Retreat May 17th 12th - May- 21st 2017 October 16th 2016 Enrol now to book your place

Lose weight and improve your Fitness Level Set in the beautiful French Cote d’Azur countryside, minutes from the sea, this luxurious fitness retreat provides the perfect balance of energetic fitness classes, Latin dance sessions outdoor activities including coastal and mountain treks, aqua-gym, circuit training, sea kayaking, gourmet meals and pampered luxury to help guests improve their fitness level or kick start a fitness regime. 5 days luxury accommodation in the chateau in en-suite bedrooms with sea or mountain views. Fabulous nutritious, low carbohydrate meals and elegant 3 course dinners with wine.

Please contact Morag@Loucasteou.com with questions and for reservations. www.loucasteou.com

Let’s Salsa

LUXURY LATIN DANCE AND FITNESS RETREAT Chateau Lou Casteou, Cote d’Azur, France Set in the beautiful French Cote d’Azur countryside, minutes from the sea, this luxurious dance retreat provides the perfect balance of focussed dance classes led by skilled dancing professionals, Latino and water aerobics, coastal treks and a visit to a Provencal vineyard, gourmet meals and pampered luxury to help guests improve and develop their Latin Dance Skills and fitness levels. 4 days luxury accommodation in the chateau in en-suite bedrooms with sea or mountain views.

April 6th - April 9th 2017

Please register your interest ASAP to guarantee a place. Contact: morag@loucasteou.com

loucasteou.com

Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all hearts and flowers

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By Alexandra Richards

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hen I was nine I received my first Valentine. I arrived at school to find a bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate on my desk. Neatly wrapped in pink tissue paper, it had my name on it. I was exhilarated, someone had chosen me to be their Valentine! However, as I glanced around, my sense of elation waned as I spotted a suspiciously similar package on my best friend’s desk. It appeared my admirer had a wandering eye. It was there, in my Year Four classroom, that I became privy to the highs and lows of Valentine’s Day. The origin of the celebration is dubious; however, it is generally believed that it began with the death of St Valentine, a Roman Priest who was martyred around February 14th 270 CE. The church then used the death of St Valentine to transform the Roman Pagan festival, Lupercalia, into a Christian ceremony. The festival consisted of girls putting their name in a box and boys drawing them out, they would then be coupled up and remain that way until the following year. As the decades passed the custom of sending an anonymous card or letter to your love interest became an accepted way of celebrating Valentine’s Day. Flash forward to 2017 and you will be greeted with a commercial fanfare which, much like marmite, you will either love or hate. For many, the sea of red and pink that creeps into shop windows and across restaurant menus fills them with a sense of dread. The red roses displayed outside your local florist may look harmless but what they signify is not. To singletons they represent what they are missing. For those who have yet to find their other half, Valentine’s Day can be a difficult time to navigate. Rationale tells you that it is just another day, but Hallmark tells you it is a day to celebrate the one you love, which can prove problematic when you don’t love anybody. The commercialisation of it has taken what was once an innocent concept, the act of showing someone that you care, and put it in a pressure cooker. It is now impossible to go through February without having every aspect of your life infiltrated with reminders of the day. Turn on the television and you will be greeted with M&S adverts offering meals for two, open a magazine you will be advised on the perfect dress to wear. For those to whom Valentine’s Day doesn’t apply, they are still forced to address it. This then causes those who are alone on Valentine’s Day to feel like they are under achievers for not being paired up when they were perfectly happy with their single status the day before. For those who are in committed relationships the pressure is perhaps even greater. Where it was once acceptable to present your partner with a well-chosen card, now anything other than a dozen red roses is considered an afterthought. Whatever you get your partner will then be compared to hundreds of Instagram posts boasting extravagant Valentine’s gifts to see whether your love matches up. If it doesn’t, your partner will be left questioning your affection and what was once a nice gesture on your part becomes a failed attempt. However, despite all this, Valentine’s Day holds a certain charm. If you strip back the commercial waffle, what you are left with is a rather heart-warming concept. In an episode of The Simpson’s, Ralph Wiggum summed it up when he presented Lisa Simpson with a card that read “I choo- choo- choose you”. It didn’t matter that Lisa had no interest in Ralph, for one day only Ralph was given a licence to love. The fact that Valentine’s Day creates a window where you can unabashedly tell your love interest that you like them, is something worth celebrating. Yes, in theory you could tell them every day, but the reality is, we don’t. Life gets in the way, we become preoccupied with our jobs and other responsibilities, or we are held back by a fear of rejection. Valentine’s Day reminds us that it is important to take the time to appreciate those who make us happy, it prompts us to think about who is important to us and encourages those of us who have been too shy, to make the first move. Who doesn’t like to be told that they have a secret admirer? You may not have one every year, but that one time you did, didn’t it put a smile on your face? It’s nice to be appreciated and for that reason I am not prepared to dismiss Valentine’s Day just yet. The phrase “it’s the thought that counts” has never been more applicable than on the day of love. Whatever your admirer gives you, remember it is a token of their affection and you can’t put a price on that.

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Hawkyns, Amersham – the new restaurant from Michelin Star Chef Atul Kochhar

For reservations: www.hawkynsrestaurant.co.uk Tel: 01494 721 541 For more information: info@hawkynsrestaurant.co.uk Social media @hawkynsamersham

33 the riverside journals

nyone who has been awarded two Michelin Stars must be firmly at the top of his game and that is where Atul Kochhar finds himself time and time again. His latest culinary endeavour is sure to continue the trend with his new restaurant, Hawkyns. Situated in The Crown Inn, Amersham, the restaurant features a new British cuisine with a contemporary flare. Opened on 15th January, Hawkyns is Chef Atul Kochhar’s first foray into British Cuisine, an adventure that he was embarked on with Head Chef Ross Bott, formerly of One Canada Square. Situated in the former Elizabethan coaching inn of The Crown in Amersham, Hawkyns can accommodate up to 50 guests and 15 in the bar who will dine amidst the ambience created by the incredible aromas of the dishes and the charming interiors of the historic property. Head Chef Ross Bott has created a menu which champions the very best of British produce. The menu features dishes such as Scallops with a Leek Terrine and a Burnt Leek and Apple Purée that’s sure to entice the palette into the next course, which includes flavour combinations of Tamarind Duck with Salt Baked Celeriac. For those seeking a spin on the traditional, why not try Atul’s Chicken Tikka Pie or Hawkyns Fish and Chips. Over the years, Atul Kochhar has been at the forefront of fine Indian cuisine, establishing an international portfolio of award-winning Indian and Peruvian restaurants. For some, it may come as a surprise that such a globally recognised chef should change tack and embark on a completely new area of cuisine, but Atul Kochhar describes his enthusiasm to ‘offer a modern day approach to traditional British cuisine’ as ‘something that I’ve always wanted to do’. The location for Atul Kochhar’s first British restaurant could not be more fitting than the stunning Elizabethan property of The Crown Inn, situated in the picturesque town of Amersham which boasts architecture spanning across five centuries. The Crown Inn first stepped into the spotlight when it played the backdrop to Andie McDowell and Hugh Grant’s romantic tryst in the film ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’. Hawkyns will shed the spotlight on The Crown Inn once again, as Head Chef Ross Bott creates culinary delights for a gastronomic experience that befits the Michelin Star greatness of Chef Atul Kochhar – a must for anyone who really knows food.

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’Ortolan, one Michelin starred restaurant in Berkshire, has a well-earned reputation for exceptional cuisine in luxurious and relaxed surroundings. The restaurant is set in a Grade II listed building within its own beautiful grounds. Close to the bustle of Reading yet with a foot in the Berkshire countryside, L’Ortolan is a favourite destination for special occasions and business entertaining. Whether dining in the main restaurant, at the Chef’s Table, or in one of the beautifully-appointed private dining rooms, be assured that the stunning surroundings of Michelin starred L’Ortolan will guarantee that you enjoy top-class food in the height of luxury. Throughout your meal, allow yourself to be guided by the exceptionally friendly and close-knit team of knowledgeable staff as you choose from various dining experiences on offer; visit for lunch or dinner, sample the à la carte or indulge in the taster menus. Head Chef Tom Clarke is passionate about his cooking, and ensures that the same quality of interpretation extends right through the whole of the L’Ortolan experience. Delve into the secrets of a Michelin starred kitchen in the Demonstration Studio for a masterclass where the highly skilled chefs share their tricks of the trade. Or if you are brave enough, enter the kitchen, the engine room of L’Ortolan on the Chef’s Experience and assist with the preparation of the lunch service – most definitely not for the faint hearted! Just a stone’s throw from J11 of the M4, L’Ortolan offers an experience to exceed each guest’s expectations, leaving them wanting to come back again and again.

www.lortolan.com

35 the riverside journals

01189 888 500

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37 the riverside journals

t is comforting to know only a train ride away, there is a whole new culture, cuisine and copious shops to discover, little wonder this capital city is so coveted. Like London, shopping is effortless; the metro in Paris couldn’t be easier. Base yourself in a logistically logical place, for instance, as I did recently, close to the Odeon metro, because for me the more I explored by foot the sensational stage that the streets of Paris offer, with 17,500 shops and counting, the better. Walking is the way to go, you are sure to stumble upon surprises, like Boot Café; a former cobblers and officially the dinkiest café in Le Marais district – a mere two mini tables to sit at whilst savouring your coffee. Medieval Le Marais, previously the residence of aristocracy prerevolution, offers a happy medium between boho and upmarket chic. Here you will find Merci, the department store firmly on my ‘to revisit’ list, it fashionably houses all your needs, from personal, to home, to office. Once you’re done, have a coffee in the café next door – same name, but with walls lined with second hand books, and warmly welcoming. Le Marais is renowned for cool concept stores open until around 7pm, with brands not readily found elsewhere. Think edgy but high-end Notting Hill meets quirky ontrend Shoreditch. For affordable unique pieces head to Aboudabibazar, their plush embroidered patches to pimp up your coat collars or elsewhere, are exquisite. Little people also get a look in and chance to out-dress their elders, a visit to one-of-a-kind children’s concept store Bonton sees to their needs nicely. For this year’s glam gothic look, Springsioux guarantees a wide range of beautiful black statement pieces. Bargain hunters should head to St Placide, here you will find a multitude of high fashion labels at low prices. Mouton à Cinq Pattes stands out among them. Close by is another megastore; Le Bon Marché, enveloping the usual designer wears, it’s one of the best food halls I’ve visited in Paris, with multitudes of mustards, teas, salted caramels, chocolates, cakes, biscuits, breads, candied chestnuts, meats, cheeses, you name it, they’ve got it all wrapped up in devastatingly divine gold patterned packaging. The other indulgent foodie stop is Paris’ answer to Harrods; Galleries Lafayette which has an entire stand alone building selling avant-garde gourmet treats to make any true gourmand weak at the knees. Paris is synonymous with perfume, with France being considered the birthplace, so buying a bottle or two is a given. Legendary brand Serge Luten can be found within the original 18th century aristocratic shopping haven; PalaisRoyal. A stone’s throw away is both the Louvre and adjacent show-stopping shopping centre Carrousel du Louvre, where foremost perfume brand Fragonard can be found. Make your own scent with a fun informative workshop at Candora for 75 euros, or combine a purchase with perfume proficiency by visiting newly opened Le Grand Musée Du Parfum. Interweave shopping with still moments sitting in a café. I recommend Café Du Flore and nearby Les Deux Magots, located within Saint-Germain-des-Prés, famed as being popular with acclaimed literary folk and the optimum place to soak up the Parisian atmosphere.

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The Rajdoot

Esd.1964

Indian Restaurant

Tel: 020 7486 2055/020 3581 9760 info@therajdootindian.com www.therajdootindian.com 49 Paddington Street, Marylebone, London W1U 4HW

The

Rajdoot

n our world of fast-paced, here today, gone tomorrow culture, it is delightfully refreshing to come across a family-run eating establishment which first opened in 1964 and is still going strong. Indian cuisine was popularized by Queen Victoria, who employed Indian chefs in her royal residences, starting a fashion that is undiminished with many of us citing curry as our favourite food! The Rajdoot Indian Restaurant in Paddington Street (just off Marylebone High Street) serves traditional Indian dishes representing food from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. Drawing inspiration for its cuisine from the 22 regions of India, every dish is a wonderful assault on the senses: the aroma of exquisite freshly ground spices, the kaleidoscope of vibrant colour, the taste of a cacophony of flavours and textures – all against the chatter and bustle of a busy restaurant. Last year Rajdoot was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor, as well as winning a prestigious OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award. Not bad going considering there are more than 12,000 curry restaurants in the UK, serving over 3 million meals every week! We arrived and were very warmly greeted and led to our table amidst the hubbub of early evening diners. The atmosphere is down to earth, friendly and convivial – there is no standing on ceremony here, just a good, old-fashioned focus on first class service and excellent food. We chose to sample some of the house specials as recommended by our lovely waiter, so we started with the mixed appetizers; Chicken Tikka, Lamb Tikka, Shish Kebab and Onion Bhaji. Simply presented, with a light salad on the side, everything was delicious but special mention must go to the Onion Bhaji… these were some of the best we’ve tasted – a chunky treat of aromatic little onion balls bound together with lightly spiced and fragrant chickpea flour batter, served with cucumber Raita – just delicious! We followed up with a couple of the Chef’s Specials, and as Chicken Tikka Masala is the UK’s most popular Indian dish we thought we should benchmark the Rajdoot’s Malai version, cooked with almond and coconut cream plus chef’s own blend of special spices – and it didn’t disappoint! A truly delectable delight, only perhaps slightly outshone by the Benaroshi King Prawn – grilled, butterflied king prawns cooked in a lightly spiced sauce with fresh green chillies, coriander and tomatoes. The prawns were succulent and full of the flavour of chef’s blend of delicate and aromatic spices. We mopped up the yummy sauces with peshwari naan bread – rich with almonds, sultanas and coconut – and a serving of jewelled pilau rice.

We recommend you visit! But don’t forget to book, this place is popular!

39 the riverside journals

Rajdoot - the finest Indian restaurant in Marylebone village 49 Paddington Street, Marylebone, London W1U 4HW T: 020 7486 2055 W: www.therajdootindian.com

MOROCCAN, MEDITERRANEAN, MEZZE BAR & RESTAURANT

RESTAURANT M O R O C C A N , M E D I T E R R A N E A N , MMOROCCAN, E Z Z E BMEDITERRANEAN, A R & R E SMEZZE T A UBAR R A&N T

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about Moroccan and Mediterranean food as or two about Moroccan and Mediterranean food as they have about Moroccan and Mediterranean food as they have worked in restaurants in Windsor for “No wonder locals have they have worked in restaurants in Windsor for worked in restaurants Windsor for than 20 years. Anininfusion of more Mediterranean and Moroccan more than 20 years.

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Moroccan style 3 course meal £ 27.95 years. Book more early tothan avoid20 disappointment 69-70, Peascod St69-70, Peascod St 69-70 Peascod “No Street, Windsor, West have Berkshire SL4 1DESL4 Windsor, West1DE Berkshire SL4 1DE Windsor, West Berkshire wonder locals 69-70, Peascod01753 St 862222 www.meimo.co.uk 01753 862222 www.meimo.co.uk

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www.meimo.co.uk 01753 862222 www.meimo.co.uk despite the fact that Meimo is much more Marrakech than Windsor”

Caldesi Italian like no other

n the edge of the foothills of the Chilterns lies a quaint little English village called Bray – you may have heard of it as although small it houses some of the biggest names in the culinary industry, and one which deservedly stands out amongst them is Caldesi. We were delighted to be invited to Giancarlo and Katie’s restaurant, Caldesi in Campagna, where from the staff who look after you to the delicious mouth-watering Italian, with a twist, food and the general ambience, you feel as if you are being waited on in the comfort of Giancarlo’s own lounge. We started the evening with a welcoming glass of Prosecco and the most delicious Italian breads to dip in the highest quality olive oil and balsamic. When you have the knowledge, and Italy is in your blood, you cannot fail to serve some of the world’s best ingredients at their full potential and I have to say Caldesi manage this perfectly. I didn’t eat too much on the bread front as I wanted to leave space for all the treats ahead. I chose as a starter the wild mushroom pasta, or to give it its correct title Fettuccine ai funghi misti, which was a meal on its own and thoroughly authentic taking me back to a place I had been many years ago in Italy. I followed on with the Grigliata Caldesi – grilled king prawn, fillet of gilt head sea bream, Cornish mackerel, South West squid, chilli and garlic, with salad leaves. I still have dreams about it – is that wrong? My colleague enjoyed pan-fried calf’s liver, butter, garlic and sage, served with olive oil mashed potatoes. Every dish was presented with knowledge and care. The Manager Vincenzo clearly loves his job and that reflects on the way his presence is in the front of house, and the length of time he has worked with Caldesi. It’s always worth keeping an eye on the Caldesi website for information on events etc. Katie and Giancarlo run special evenings, cater for weddings and corporate events tailored to suit your needs, and have a cookery school – in fact they have just launched their ninth cookery book called Sicily which is based on the largest island in the Med and contains all sorts of dishes which will rejuvenate your passion for cooking if you’ve lapsed or are a must to try if you haven’t. The prices at Caldesi are very reasonable for the quality produce, attention to detail and service you receive, and I always think if you’ve been somewhere for an evening and you’re still thinking, tasting and talking about it weeks after, then that was definitely a successful evening. Well done, Caldesi, and as they say in the movies, “I’ll be back”.

Tel: 01628 788500 www.caldesi.com

41 the riverside journals

By Lorraine Fleming

Fishmore Hall Ludlow, Shropshire by Jane Tobin We were very excited to be invited to stay at Fishmore Hall, an elegant boutique hotel situated on the edge of this pretty medieval market town of Ludlow in south Shropshire, on the Welsh borders.

42 the riverside journals

he hotel is run and owned by Laura Penman who purchased the property around nine years ago. On our arrival we met Laura who shared with us her working background and the wealth of knowledge and experience she has gained working in the hotel industry, in modern and traditional luxury hotels both in the UK and overseas. Laura was drawn back to the Welsh Marches, a truly beautiful area, with lots of things to do and places to see, including Ludlow Castle. She explained that keeping the hotel to a smaller size, 15 bedrooms, enables her to have more daily interaction with her guests and give much more of a personal service. The warm welcoming décor of the reception area was very homely with a beautiful Christmas tree. Laura explained that it was the Medieval The dining room is in a beautiful Christmas Day in Ludlow the following day, so it seemed fitting to have the conservatory at the side of the building that tree on display with visitors from the town coming to see the Christmas leads on from the spacious breakfast room. night at the spa that evening! The 3AA Rosette Fine Dining Restaurant To the left of the reception area is a lovely lounge with a large window is headed up by Head Chef Andrew Birch, overlooking the beautiful countryside and a fireplace with comfortable former Welsh Chef of the Year, and the settees and seating areas. To the right we walked into a modern bar, a room has the most fabulous views. nice light and relaxing space, then through to the breakfast room and the dining room. On the downstairs’ walls there are some lovely acrylic paintings by the artist Abigail Humphries, and my attention was especially drawn to the choice of glass lighting droplets and pretty chandelier lights throughout. We chose the à la carte menu and after much deliberation I ordered the hand dived Orkney scallops, ras el hanout, cauliflower, apple and coriander and my colleague chose the lobster and salmon ravioli, basil, tomato, lemon, caviar, with spiced lobster bisque. Both these choices were amazing! We followed these starters with the gigha halibut, smoked bacon, spinach, onions and mustard velouté and my colleague opted for the loin of Scottish venison, cavolo nero artichoke, chestnuts and trompette mushrooms. The menu

choices were superb and we also enjoyed some taster dishes with the compliments of the chef in between the courses. To complete our delightful meal we chose the cheese board to share with a selection of five cheeses – a great finish to an absolutely stunning dining experience and I must offer huge compliments again to Andrew and his team. The à la carte menu is £50 (per person) for three-courses at The bedrooms are extremely dinner and there was also a fine choice on a six-course tasting comfortable, with a beautifully menu at £65 (per person) and a nine-course tasting menu at £80 appointed bath and separate (per person), plus coffee and petit fours at £6.50 (per person). shower, and again stunning views November 2016 marked a milestone for Fishmore Hall. across fields and valleys. After five years of planning it saw one of the UK’s leading spa consultancies, Spa Creators, launch their first modular SPAshell solution for the spa, wellness and luxury hotel sector. Laura first met SPAshell founder and Managing Director Alistair Johnson a few years ago at the Independent Hotel Show and they discussed spa treatments and it was at this point Alistair suggested a creative modular spa concept for Fishmore Hall. For us it was a fabulous opportunity to experience these luxury facilities so soon after the launch. The spa is housed in a modern building made from Siberian larch wood to the right of the hotel itself. This gives a welcoming feel as soon as you arrive at reception, which has a juice bar and a comfortable lounge area where you can also enjoy afternoon tea. The staff were all very attentive and we were shown around the facility. They are proud of their Italian designed sauna and steam room and relaxation seating with floor-to-ceiling views over the decking to the surrounding countryside. The steam room offers a number of wellness programmes. We began by trying the outdoor vitality pool; I was very apprehensive on this bright, very cold November afternoon. But I needn’t have worried as it turned out to be a very pleasant experience relaxing in the surprisingly warm temperaturecontrolled pool which seats six and has massage jets and colour changing lights. The decking area has sun loungers and seating and two luxury hammocks designed for two, and if that’s not enough there are even blankets. The spa has everything to offer their discerning clientele looking for the perfect de-stress and pampering break. There are four treatment rooms, with showers in two of these and also unisex changing rooms that have a vanity area, hairdrying facilities, plus two private changing areas, including shower areas. After our pool experience we dried off in the sauna and were then shown to separate treatment rooms for a spa experience, which on that day was to be a full body massage. This was just what the doctor ordered after quite a stressful working week and was beyond doubt a fabulous experience! The spa has a full range of Elemis products which can be purchased on your visit. Laura truly has made this boutique hotel quite special and it really does offer both a tranquil countryside break or a pampering spa experience. We could not fault our experience, from the courtesy and friendliness of the hotel’s staff to the quality of Fishmore Hall itself which offers the perfect break. We certainly will be looking to return again sometime soon.

Which includes:

2 x 55 min treatments worth £75 per person Dinner for two people worth £50 per head (This is a three course meal, including a glass of Prosecco for two at the Fishmore Hall hotel 3AA Rosette fine dining restaurant, Forelles. This is headed up by former Welsh Chef of the Year, Andrew Birch).

All for One Price £250

Accommodation overnight and full English breakfast is included COMPLIMENTARY. Total cost for OVERNIGHT and the SPA PACKAGE is £250 which is amazing value.

www.fishmorehall.co.uk

Terms of this offer: The reservation must be made and paid for before 31st March 2017. The dates for availability for are up to and including the end of March 2017. This offer excludes half term weeks which are Sat 11th 2017 to Sat 25th Feb 2017. Please let us know what time you would like to eat in the evening and we will reserve your table. Please note that our package does not include other drinks at the table.

43 the riverside journals

We are offering the following ‘Riverside spa package’ for £250 for 2 people: simply quote RIVER17

Farrow & Ball

announces the key colours for Spring 2017

44 the riverside journals

ritish craftsmen in paint and paper Farrow & Ball has heralded the return of colour within the home as it announces its key shades for spring 2017. Encapsulating both dramatic, vivid hues and more understated, subtle tones, the colours signal a readiness to embrace definite colour within interiors as we become more confident in our decorating choices. The four colours; Radicchio, Studio Green, Hay and All White, have an enduring appeal that remains comfortingly familiar despite being used in surprising combinations. From the timeless, bygone feel of Hay and Studio Green, to the vivacious tones of Radicchio and the counterbalance of pure, uncomplicated All White, the colours have a refined quality that works wonderfully in both contemporary and traditional homes.

Radicchio

Studio Green

Hay

All White

Pink has been at the forefront of decorating for the last year and there is now a natural progression to stronger reds, with their spirit of bold optimism. Radicchio feels exuberant, romantic and sensual, rather than clean or graphic, due to its complex underlying blue tone. The colour sits seamlessly with the harmonious greys, Mole’s Breath, Purbeck Stone and Ammonite, despite their more minimal aesthetic, to create rooms with impact and depth. Radicchio should always be the dominant force of this decorative scheme, while the greys remain an intrinsic, but more recessive element, so rooms remain happy and vital.

There is something almost defiant about the use of botanic Studio Green on walls instead of the ubiquitous charcoal darks. It is unapologetically clubby and has a fantastically timeless old world quality, but can be used in the most modern of rooms. The sober colour reflects nature, especially when combined with creams such as New White, Farrow’s Cream and Pointing, all of which blend seamlessly to create rooms that feel calm and serene. Studio Green walls not only create an alluring retreat, but also provide a sanctuary. They contribute to a feeling of both harmony and security, proving that the colour is both aesthetic and protective.

Understated Hay feels soft and familiar. Its quiet quality creates rooms that have a hushed atmosphere as well as an unmatched depth and gentleness. It is not a hot or sunny yellow - although it becomes more raw in bright light - but rather an aged, whimsical tone with an underlying green. The colour is best counterbalanced with the tonally harmonious Oval Room Blue and Setting Plaster to create life-affirming rooms reminiscent of a midcentury palette. Delicate Wimborne White could then be used as a warm, reflective neutral on the ceiling. Although this combination of colours feels rather eclectic in nature, it creates spaces that feel established as well as being fun and easy to live with.

A pure white like this is devoid of both colour and association. All White has no pigment and creates an uncomplicated feel which is naturally fresh, but not stark or ‘brilliant’. The key to this look is to create a mood of stillness and calm by layering different whites, and only whites, together. Great White, Cabbage White and Strong White, with their different nuances of colour, can be used in any combination with All White to create subtle decorative surprises. They also create the perfect backdrop for both art and natural materials. These seemingly simple colours evoke a complex response when combined in this way.

The four key colours are made in the same way as all Farrow & Ball paints, using only the finest quality ingredients and high levels of rich pigments. Available in a range of durable interior and exterior paint finishes, they offer exceptional performance and an unrivalled depth of colour. Farrow & Ball paints are available to purchase from showrooms and stockists, by phone on 01202 876141, and online at www.farrow-ball.com.

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These Boots Are Made For Walking

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’ve always liked to walk. When I was a young girl my father observed that I walked like a man. It pleased me that I matched his pace, step for step. Striding along beside him I never seemed to suffer from ill-fitting shoes nor cut and bruised heels. Now when I walk, this is the fate that befalls me. I hobble through charity walks, my feet torn to shreds. I limp along the Thames path in the certain knowledge of blisters. Once I had to make a 2-mile detour from a set walk to purchase plasters. Oh, the relief when I discovered that pharmacy. One blister too many made the decision for me. If I was ever to walk recreationally again, I needed to purchase some decent walking boots. Armed with the knowledge that they needed to be breathable and waterproof I set out on my search. My priority was comfort. Previously I had considered buying walking boots but in the back of my mind a memory lingered. A painful, unwelcome memory. Boots needed to be ‘broken in’. To my surprise this no longer appears to be the case. The new style boot is comfortable from the off. They come in all shapes and sizes, catering for every taste and pocket. There appears to be a boot available for whatever type of terrain you wish to transverse; paths and trails, fell walks, hill walking and even city walking. These boots are footwear that are comfortable enough to wear all day if desired. Some even offer memory foam to match the shape of your foot! It seems to be a given that walking boots are breathable and waterproof. This is due, in no small part, to technological advances in materials used. I begin my search and am bombarded by brands; Scarpa, Meindl, Dubarry, Timberland, The North Face, Berghaus, ECCO and Grisport to name but a few. I try on endless pairs, comparing purported benefits; stylish cushioned soles, functional yet fashionable styling, high quality materials, excellent grip, practical, durable, hand-made, elegant, and branded. It is not an easy choice as there is such a choice, but once I focus on the purpose of my purchase it becomes slightly easier. I need boots primarily to walk coastal paths and trails comfortably. I want them to be durable, but also, I am not averse to fashion. Eventually I settle on a pair. They suit my lifestyle and my chosen budget. I opt for leather as I prefer leather footwear, others may prefer different, lighter, materials. I recognise they will need care. Something I need to be prepared for if they are to last. The search is over. I have found the perfect pair of walking boots. Now it is just a case of opening the box, slipping them on and putting them through their paces.

AWARD WINNING GIN FROM THE SILENT POOL IN SURREY Now available at Majestic and Waitrose stores nationwide. www.silentpooldistillers.com

Other-worldly Kinloch Lodge nurtures the gourmand in you, soothing your soul in Scotland…

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Written by Yasemen Kaner-White

n a long while, nothing has conjured up cosy quite like my recent luxurious Michelin gourmet stay at Kinloch Lodge. The boutique hotel enviably sits within the stunning Isle of Skye scenery. Founded by the MacDonald family, whose family house it originally was, that homely feeling remains. As Claire MacDonald succinctly summarises herself in her acclaimed book Lifting the Lid, “guests can choose to walk, snooze by one of our three log fires, relax and generally recharge their batteries for their busy lives”. I certainly did. Having flown into Inverness, I must admit as I sat, mindlessly staring out the train window from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh (thankfully the internet was so rotten work wasn’t an option), I was grateful for the train conductor’s advice, “sit on the right hand side for the best views”. I suggest you do the same, for the striking ethereal vistas leave you dumbfounded and thankful to be alive. A short taxi ride from the station, past the famed black and red mountains or Cuillin, with the tip of the red Bein Na Caillich being home to the fabled ashes of a Norwegian Princess, along the controversial previously tolled, now free, Skye bridge, you feel you are entering a fairytale land, culminating in reaching Kinloch Lodge. With my feet barely through the door, I was welcomed by a beaming smile from Isabella, the MacDonald daughter at the helm of the lodge and the epitome of ‘hostess with the mostest’, as she offered me homemade, local Orkney butter infused sublime Scottish shortbread. The melt-in-the-mouth sensation set the benchmark for the mouthwatering meals yet to come, all crafted and cooked by Michelin starred chef Marcello Tully. Whether you choose his set menu or go à la carte, fresh, locally sourced produce presented impeccably are guaranteed. Every mealtime is an experience to be relished, but for me, having eaten umpteen breakfasts in hotels around the world, I shan’t be forgetting the Kinloch breakfast anytime soon. The first round brought to the table by well mannered staff showing just enough interest to be friendly but not too much to be irritating, comprised freshly squeezed orange juice, a range of Claire’s homemade jams – the lime marmalade is a winner – decent grainy toast, delectable local butter, scrumptious crumbly warm straight-from-the-oven scones and then whatever you choose as a main event. I chose Kedgeree, one of my all-time favourites; I can sincerely say, this creamy, perfectly balanced in spice, and generous haddock filled rice delight, was the best I have ever devoured. Keen cooks and aspirational chefs will be delighted to know they can book a one-to-one cooking class with the affable Marcello. Albeit in a working kitchen, he cheerfully and calmly showed me the ropes around his top-notch cuisine, so confidently; I am sure I can replicate it at home – luckily you are given recipes from your class to take away. Although it is tough to tear yourself away from Kinloch, it is worth using spare time between meals to explore the fruits of the surrounding area. Try the nearby ‘The Oyster Shed’ literally a shack on a hill, looking out over the sea in which the fresh lobster, mussels and of course oysters on offer, have just been caught. Explore the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland; Dunvegan Castle and spot the seals on neighbouring Loch Dunvegan’s rocks. Take a dip (weather dependent) in the renowned healing pools of Skye or treat yourself to an afternoon tea only Claridges would be competition for, followed by a walk at Waternish Farm. As well as romantic recollections of Kinloch, as I left they also left me with a packed lunch for the journey home. As I opened my smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich parcel, I vowed both to visit the gym and book a return flight soon…

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he â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Salsaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; programme is designed to cater for both new dancers and those with years of experience aiming to improve their skills. During the four-day retreat, the classes cover dance disciplines from all over the world, offering guests the chance to try their hands (and feet) at Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha Cha, Kizomba, West Coast swing and fun Reggaeton! Dance classes are also interspersed with a variety of fitness activities selected to enhance dance fitness and core strength, balance and posture. Fitness sessions include circuits in the beautiful cloisters, Latino aerobics by the pool and mountain treks with stunning sea views. The classes are led by a team of experienced fitness instructors and award-winning professional dancers, keen to pass on their passion for dance and music.

Chateau Lou Casteou’s ‘Let’s Salsa’ Retreat combines all the rhythm and sparkle of Strictly Come Dancing with good exercise, great company and delicious food. Hidden in the Côte d’Azur’s idyllic Esterel Mountain and just minutes from the sea, the elegantly furnished chateau is a luxurious haven, perfect for a few days away and a chance to take to the dancefloor.

www.loucasteou.com For reservations and enquiries please contact morag@loucasteou.com

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Delicious and healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served around the pool or in the historic cloisters. After energetic workouts and dancing, there is a welcome chance to relax, socialise and enjoy the stunning chateau and views. The talented chef, Jimmy Karl, who also specialises in delicious coconut milk mojitos, also provides sumptuous meals that are made from locally sourced ingredients. Aperitifs are served nightly by the pool with a fun dance session before dinner. After being wined and dined, guests can try out their new dance moves at a local Salsa club and during candlelit evening parties at the chateau. The warm and friendly atmosphere at Lou Casteou is the perfect setting for this retreat. It is a luxurious and welcoming sanctuary where guests are encouraged and supported by their teachers and one another, improving their dancing skills and forming friendships at the same time. ‘Let’s Salsa’ is a vibrant programme full of fun, frivolity and fast footwork. Chateau Lou Casteou’s ‘Let’s Salsa’ Retreat combines all the rhythm and sparkle of Strictly Come Dancing with good exercise, great company and delicious food. Hidden in the Côte d’Azur’s idyllic Esterel Mountain and just minutes from the sea, the elegantly furnished chateau is a luxurious haven, perfect for a few days away and a chance to take to the dancefloor.

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Transform Rules to your tresses Live Your Life By with Sassoon Salon Coach on the Couch

New Year’s resolutions are made in January and often broken by February. Why not instead undertake to make positive and long lasting changes to your life – here are my top 10 rules that I try to live my life by every day of the year. 1) Don’t waste time on people that don’t value you. Choose your inner circle wisely and they will be there when you need them – just as you are for them.

2) No means no – you don’t have to justify and explain every decision to everyone all the time. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into doing something, or being someone, you are not. Conversely, respect the decisions of others. 3) Seek out knowledge and inspiring people, open your mind and heart to new experiences – regrets are for the things you didn’t do much more often than the things you do. 4) Success is achieved by, first identifying what you want, and then working out how you can make it happen. Make lists, take small steps – know you will have setbacks – but also know that a task started is half way to being completed! 5) Don’t compare yourself with others – you are different from everyone else and everyone else is different from you. Appreciate your uniqueness – you are amazing! 6) Take time to enjoy special moments – allow all of your senses to come alive and admire the beauty and diversity that is all around us… watch the sunset, smell the coffee, hear the birdsong, feel the softness of a baby’s skin…

8) Eat a meal with friends and family at least once a week – it’s life affirming to share food and conversation with those you love! 9) Be kind, and endeavor to help others where you can. A small gesture from you could make a big difference to someone else. 10) Smile and (most of the time) the world will smile back at you!

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Need help? Coach on the Coach, Alex Bailey Staines, is available for private consultation and motivational meetings.

The New Year is all about change and new beginnings so why not start with your hair. Sassoon Salon is on hand to help combat winter hair blues with these simple tips to shiny, luscious locks.

Back to basics Banish product build-up from the glamorous party season and start the New Year with clean shiny hair. Sassoon Professional Precision Clean (£15.10) is the ideal shampoo to restore your hair back to balance ensuring beautiful, natural movement. Try letting your hair dry naturally where possible, at least once a week and choose styles that don’t require straighteners or tongs.

Treat hair like skin Transitioning from a bitter cold outdoors to the warm indoors can leave hair dry and brittle. Dry hair does not reflect shine and will feel static and dull. Lothar Weissman, Senior Creative Director, Sassoon Salon Mayfair recommends a weekly deep conditioner throughout the winter months using an ‘at-home’ treatment such as Sassoon Professional Intense Restore (£18.50), to complement your regular conditioner, as it’s vital to “replenish and retain moisture”.

Take some ‘me’ time Enjoy being pampered and leave the conditioning to the professionals whilst you sit back, relax and receive the ultimate hair experience with a luxury treatment at Sassoon Salon. The Sassoon talented team of experts will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your hair type to achieve healthy, glossy results. Start 2017 with the most fabulous hair possible – follow the above suggestions or better yet, visit a Sassoon Salon for a complimentary consultation…

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7) Pick your fights – some things are worth fighting for, others are better left – think what outcome you are looking for and work towards it with a willingness to fight it out, compromise or capitulate as necessary.

World’s first laser for fat reduction and body contouring Non-invasive treatment with no downtime FDA cleared to reduce up to 24% of treated fat in the flanks and abdomen Over 50,000 SculpSure treatments performed globally with zero complications S-Thetics Clinic in Beaconsfield have the 1st ScupSure device in England outside London Contact S-Thetics to request your SculpSure consultation

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BEACONSFIELD’S FIRST DEDICATED MEDICAL AESTHETIC CLINIC S-Thetics specialises in the very latest in advanced non-surgical treatments for the face and body • Surgeon-led by Miss Sherina Balaratnam • Advanced skincare and medical facials • Non-surgical skin rejuvenation using medical grade technology • Facial injectables • SculpSure body contouring now available • As featured in The Times, Good Housekeeping, Conde Nast Brides Magazine, Coutts Magazine and more “Best for ageless skin” - Conde Nast Brides Cosmetic Beauty Guide 2016

Contact us for your complimentary consultation and receive £25 off your first HydraFacial treatment Marlborough House, 45 Wycombe End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1LZ P. 01494 670 990 E. info@sthetics.co.uk www.sthetics.co.uk

Top tips for reducing blemishes By Miss Sherina Balaratnam Surgeon and Medical Director, S-Thetics Clinic Beaconsfield

With winter weather settling in comfortably, summer can seem a long way off. Whilst we all know that summer bodies began in the winter, the same goes for your skin. Our skin is the largest organ in the body, but often the last to be nourished. Apart from our liver, our skin is the second most mistreated organ, taking a beating from the cumulative and damaging effect of the sun, stress, lifestyle and hormonal change. Blemishes are skin imperfections like acne, pigmentation and dark marks that occur over time due to inflammatory changes in the skin, and can affect our confidence.

These are my top tips for reducing blemishes and improving your skin health this winter:

Prevention is better than cure. Wash twice daily with a cleanser to remove excess oil, grease and pollutants from skin. Face wipes don’t work, especially if you have an oil-prone skin.

Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen and, yes, even on a dull winter’s day. Ultraviolet A rays are all around us causing premature DNA damage, collagen breakdown, pigmentation and potentially skin cancer.

We would like to invite all Riverside Journals readers for a complimentary VISIA skin analysis and £25 off your first HydraFacial treatment until 28th February 2017* Please contact S-Thetics on 01494 670990 or info@sthetics.co.uk and quote “Riverside”.

Improve your sun damage repair by adding a medical-grade Vitamin C to your morning skincare regime. Using this before sunblock shows clinical evidence of reduction of pigmentation and lightens and brightens the complexion whilst providing added antioxidants to skin.

Have a skin health assessment (VISIA skin analysis consultation). This will help you gain a deeper understanding of your skin health and clearly maps out blemishes and marks in the skin. Treatments can then be tailored according to the results from this AND reviewed regularly.

*This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions.

Exfoliate. The top layer of dead and dull skin, called the stratum corneum makes your skin dull and lifeless so treat your skin to a resurfacing treatment like the HydraFacial, which will do this safely and effectively for you. One treatment is never enough to undo years of change. As each skin cycle takes approximately six weeks to grow, your treatments will often also work in cycles and will need regular reviews.

6 7

Your wardrobe changes each season and so should your skincare. As central heating further adds to dehydration caused during winter, add a hydrating mist to protect skin from drying out and looking dull.

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Oily skin requires skincare containing salicylic acid, which loosens cells from binding together and blocking pores, as well as having an important antibacterial property to prevent acne formation.

If you suffer from pigmentation or melasma (due to pregnancy), speak with a skin specialist before embarking on skincare containing lightening-agents to ensure your suitability as well as careful monitoring of your results.

Beautiful, healthy skin isn’t a miracle, it requires time and commitment.

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Delicious Healthy Blended Drinks to Try We live in a world now where we all know the benefits of clean and healthy living. Sometimes when you’re in a rush and you haven’t got time to eat, why not try one of these combinations. All you need is a juicer of some type; most people own a blender which would do.

A favourite of mine in the morning is: 1 stick cleaned celery 310mls tomato juice 3 big glugs of Worcester sauce Blend Pour over ice and enjoy

If you’re looking to detox or lose weight then another easy quick recipe is: 1 stick cleaned celery 1 carrot Half cucumber Some spinach leaves Piece of fresh ginger (or powder substitute) Some water to blend or if you like a thicker shake try soya almond milk Whizz and enjoy!

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Use organic produce where possible and always wash, peel, core and deseed any fruit or vegetables before use.

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How to beat the winter blues The buzz of Christmas and New Year is over and springtime seems a long way off… Jill Menghetti suggests seven ways to brighten up your spirits over seven days

Get some fresh air Feeling SAD? Walking has to be top of the list even if you don’t suffer from Seasonally Affective Disorder. Many people who felt “not right” after a recent grey winter were found to be low in vitamin D. So take your vitamins and get out in the daylight. Go to the park, riverside or one of our beautiful landscapes such as Winkworth Arboretum, Cliveden, Savill Garden and Kew. More ideas at nationaltrust.org.uk/walking.

Turn out a cupboard A time-honoured instant mood-lifter as it gives you a sense of purpose and control. This is not the moment for full-scale decluttering – but you’ll be surprised how hugely therapeutic a little sorting and cleaning can be. Even just arranging a kitchen cupboard can provide culinary inspiration … Whichever part of the house you decide to tackle, discard the inevitable rubbish and make new use of items you had forgotten about.

Curl up and read a book Fact or fiction, rediscover the joy of getting lost in a good book, preferably snuggled up in front of a crackling fire. Finish off that book you were given for Christmas or pick an old favourite from your shelves. A classic read or a new title? What does your library recommend? Or your local independent bookshop? Or your friends? Find out about joining a book group.

Get in touch with your creative side Search your garden for a winter floral arrangement, even as tiny as an eggcup. Involve the children and make it a game. Crafts like patchwork, card-making, knitting, scrapbooking and jewellery-making are popular among all age groups, with advice online and in specialist magazines and shops. Organise and display your photos. Bake a cake, book a makeup makeover.

Get singing Singing is known to release feel-good hormones in the brain – and even more so when it’s group singing. Google “singing groups near me” and you’ll see there’s something for everyone and all tastes, from rock, community and gospel choirs to choral societies. Many don’t require auditions but instead invite you along for taster sessions before you commit to joining.

Book up to see a feel-good show

Catch up with friends Yes, we have Facebook, messaging, texts and email but nothing beats a good old natter with a friend. No time to meet up for coffee or after work? Get on the phone – you’ll have plenty to talk about if you follow these tips!

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Image: RBG Kew

It’s a long time to wait for your summer holiday. So give yourself something to look forward to soon. An American in Paris opens in March at the Dominion Theatre, and Thoroughly Modern Millie is on tour with delightful Strictly pro winner Joanne Clifton in the starring role. Check what’s on at your local theatre or in town, or see our What’s On feature for ideas.

A BETTER WAY TO KEEP FIT There’s something for everyone at your local Better leisure centre. Activities include: • • • • • •

Gyms Swimming and swimming lessons Group exercise classes Birthday parties Racquet sports And much, much more

Why not try something new today?

For more information and to find your nearest Better centre visit www.better.org.uk

Not all activities are available at all centres. Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398

A Day in the Life By Jenifer Rosenberg OBE, Chair of Heart Cells Foundation

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he Heart Cells Foundation is a charity which I co-founded alongside my late husband Ian Rosenberg in 2004. Ian was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and was given weeks to live, but we travelled to Germany where he received stem cell therapy, a form of treatment which at the time was not available in the UK for heart disease patients, and which gave him three more wonderful years and this enabled him to raise the money to start the Heart Cells Foundation. We were both amazed that this treatment wasn’t available in the UK and on our return we founded the Heart Cells Foundation with the aim of raising the necessary £6½ million which was needed to fund the initial trials, and which would subsequently make this treatment available to everyone in the UK. As a result of promising findings in the three ground-breaking trials, which the charity funded, we have since gone on to launch the Compassionate Treatment Programme, which will offer the stem cell therapy treatment to heart disease patients on compassionate grounds. This revolutionary treatment will offer hope to thousands of heart disease patients who have exhausted all other medical options. Whilst I lost Ian to his illness, my role as Chair of the charity has meant that I can work towards making his dream a reality by ensuring this treatment becomes available to all on the NHS. I use the business skills which I used in running my successful fashion business to now run the Heart Cells Foundation. Whilst no two days working for the charity are the same, I get ready for the day over breakfast, check in on emails, and catch up on the day’s news stories so I can keep up-todate with news that may have an impact on the charity. My top priority at the moment is coordinating and attending the tours of the new Compassionate Treatment Programme at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, with potential donors who range from philanthropists, to trustees and financial institutions. I also work closely with my committee events team and trustees. This year has been an exceptionally busy year as we have launched the Compassionate Treatment Programme, a new website, and run a wide range of fundraising events. As a charity we are constantly up against challenges but, thanks to the launch of the Compassionate Treatment Programme, we now have a strong foundation to ensure that this treatment platform can be expanded to treat patients throughout the UK and Europe. I’m incredibly passionate about what I do, however one aspect of the job which can be upsetting is receiving negative responses from professionals in the medical world who are sceptical about the new treatment. However, it’s so rewarding to meet the patients who have been through the treatment and hear about how it has changed their lives, and not only their lives but that of their families and I can’t wait to help hundreds more people whose lives are affected by heart disease.

Nestled just off King Street in Hammersmith sits the Stonemasons Arms, a cosy Fuller’s pub with a restaurant serving food of the highest quality.

ead chef Gavin Sinden currently holds the Fuller’s Chef of the Year title and produces superb modern British dishes alongside great examples of pub classics. In particular a meal that Gavin holds close to his heart – the roast dinner. His favourite meal is also his favourite to cook, and the traditional Sunday lunch at the Stonemasons is simply a must try. Ten-hour slow roasted pork belly, Hampshire sirloin of beef and lamb shoulder sit along a new addition at the Hammersmith pub, the sharer roasts. A whole roasted chicken and a joint of beef can be enjoyed by you and friends and family. Of course, none of these roasts are complete without seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower cheese and gravy. Take a seat next to the real fire, or in the Gallery restaurant surrounded by work from local artists, grab a real Bloody Mary or a pint of Fuller’s finest and watch winter go by in the best way possible.

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S UP ALE TO NO 50 W % O O N! FF

Go and enjoy one of their sharer roasts and mention ‘Riverside Journals’ throughout January and February, and you and your companion will get a pudding ‘on the house’. 53 Cambridge Grove, Hammersmith, London W6 OLA 020 8748 1397 www.stonemasons-arms.co.uk

Specialising in a wide selection of new Persian, Turkish, Caucasian and Turkmen carpets. Various antique, old and new. Kilims available. Professional hand-cleaning and restoration service. We buy old and antique carpets – even damaged rugs. Part-exchange and evaluations.

312 UPPER RICHMOND ROAD WEST, EAST SHEEN, LONDON, SW14 7JN TEL & FAX: 0208 876 0070 info@rugstoreonline.co.uk www.rugstoreonline.co.uk

Join your local Better leisure centre today. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll save up to ÂŁ35 in our no joining fee January Sale. So, no excuses. Join today at www.better.org.uk Terms and conditions apply, visit www.better.org.uk/offerterms for details. Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398.

Treat your body to a detox and you won’t regret it

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Written by Yasemen Kaner-White

limmeria came along just at the right time for me, following two full-on foodie trips, one after the other. First there was a tasty tour of Auvergne, home to the HQ of Michelin and then mounds of marzipan in the famed location for it – Lübeck in Germany. I was relieved knowing after my indulgences I would be able to cleanse away the pounds and guilt at my first ever detox retreat. In preparation I was guided by a lengthy informative email, written in such a colloquial manner it felt as though a friend in the know was giving me insider knowledge. I was advised to cut out caffeine (this was the hardest) and to cut down on dairy, wheat, gluten, sugar and red meats as well as alcohol and junk food and to drink plenty of water – a week leading up to checking in. In military style, I was also provided with an essential packing list, of which I was later very appreciative – particularly the waterproof boots! I would have hated to have missed out on those long wild walks amidst the beautiful, albeit muddy, Sussex countryside. It’s certainly a Wordsworth style of walking and you can’t help but to feel at peace gazing out to sea or through the thick foliage of the trees. I got the train up. The train inspector who sold me the ticket was uber excited; it was the first ever train ticket he had sold to Crowhurst – home to his grandmother and a medieval pub called the Elephant’s Head. I assured him I would be abstaining, so he quickly changed tack and excitedly described the beautiful rolling countryside; things were looking positive! On the train I put a note on my Facebook: ‘On detox! Only work will be addressed after 9.30pm’. For Slimmeria isn’t just a detox from weight packing foods and alcohol, no, it is also a retreat from the modern day world of being stuck to your technical devices. This was a concern for me, but something I was determined to embrace, albeit until 9.30pm each day after which we were meant to be in our rooms anyway. A short taxi ride from the station to Slimmeria (although it is walkable) and I was there. The walk up to the imposing Georgian house felt very grand and I was met by Alison, the host for the day, with a beaming smile. She led me into a stunning antique treasure trove front room. As I sat on a pretty inlaid pearl chair, already feeling cosy, settled and at home, we discussed my goals ahead for the detox. I was to measure myself and report back to be weighed. In all honesty, as someone who never weighs herself, I go by clothes – if snug I cut down, if loose I may just have a little more. I was not ecstatic with the weigh-in result and even more ready for the challenge ahead. My room, with a stunning four-poster bed as a centerpiece and the contrasting modern bathroom, was spotless and made me feel at ease. After a good night’s sleep, at 7.30am a church-like bell chime bounced off the walls. Time to get up. At 8am ‘breakfast one’ was served – a mug of warm lemon water, not unlike what I have at home first thing, followed by porridge, honey, nuts… you get the picture. Alas, this lemon water plus a see-through slither of apple (amazing how grateful you are when there’s not much) was all there was to see us through a 10km walk, at our own pace. This is when the bonding with my fellow housemates began. Our friendships started to cement with every step, some weary, some sprightly, we were in it together, myself and seven other ladies. Post walk, we clambered home to find eight glasses of freshly squeezed juice – ‘breakfast two’ to sustain a body conditioning class. Amazingly, I had bags of energy, so far so good. Next up was a relaxing, stretchy yoga class with a softly spoken teacher; I confess I was so serene I slept for the last 10 minutes or so, pure bliss. Woken by the bell, it was lunch time, think coleslaw without the mayo AND without anything else. I giggled nervously and for the first time realised this was it, I am in a remote location with nothing but cabbage and chilli. I have to mention we all pounced on the chilli flakes sitting alongside the only other condiments on our table – salt and pepper. Suddenly life didn’t seem so bad and I was even more determined. After all, I knew it wouldn’t be a breeze and I wanted that loose not snug feeling in my trousers again. Determined to be like Gail Porter, who has been seven times, and not Gemma Collins who escaped after six hours, I crunched on that anti-oxidizing cabbage like there was no tomorrow. It became tiring and I wasn’t hungry after a while, just relieved I didn’t have to chew anymore when I finished it. Some ladies indeed couldn’t finish their food, but I would advise to eat all that is given as Galia, the founder of the Slimmeria, has planned a balanced diet and frankly the more food, the more energy and the more energy the more welly you can give to your classes – making you fitter! In the forefront of my mind was the first of my spa treatments. There is a menu, and you

Meet founder and owner of Slimmeria – Galia Grainger

www.slimmeria.co.uk

Before Slimmeria, what were you doing? I was doing property development and working from home. I could afford early retirement but that wouldn’t have been good, as I was just eating more. When was Slimmeria born? In 2006 I bought the premises. How did you devise your recipes? Based on inspiration from where? The recipes are my grandma’s and mother’s recipes. My Russian orthodox grandmother, who lived until she was 96, fasted for religious purposes. Because of her ways, I researched fasting and how she ate in-between her fasts – raw, vegetarian and no dairy. I realised most religions included dieting. Is Slimmeria organic and how many calories is the diet per day? Mostly organic and locally sourced. There are 400 to 500 calories per day but the focus is on the food more than the calories. Some ladies were there for three weeks. I noticed after week 1 they received a protein choice. How long could someone do this diet for? One week to 10 days if they are overweight, 5-7 days if they are petite. It is safe for 10 days. Weight loss slows down after 10 days so it is better to introduce lean protein such as eggs, tuna or cottage cheese after 10 days to boost the weight loss even further. After that carbs are introduced, including buckwheat. When did you first have the idea to create Slimmeria? I tried different programmes but couldn’t find one to help; they were all boot camps with smoothies and colonics leaving me with no energy. I knew the right way, to eat a little veg and to exercise – an overall detox whilst getting fit and losing weight. If you get weak you stop functioning. I loved the range of classes. Did you always have classes from day one – belly dance etc – or was it in reaction to feedback? I wanted fun. Belly dance was one of the first classes, from day one, some classes were modified. We didn’t straight away have zumba as it wasn’t around yet. There are more dance classes now than we had then, back then it was more spa, you would have 2½ hours of spa. There were smaller groups and less talks. I saw a need for talks and dance classes, now we are doing a second walk too. It is amazing what you can squeeze out of people if you push them enough. There used to be porridge every day as a choice but now, only on Sunday. What’s your advice for people when they’re finding it really tough? What nugget of motivation do you give? You need to practise mind over matter, understand why you joined us. The benefits of raw and fasting is easy to find nowadays. You will eat again, it’s only a few days of your life – work as a team. What doesn’t kill you, makes you thinner. How would you say Slimmeria differs from other detox retreats? We exercise a lot, at other retreats exercise is negligible. We offer full-on fitness, high impact walks, motivation, mind over matter, conscious eating. What future plans do you have? Expansion! A place for people who have already achieved their fitness goals and weight loss, so sustaining weight loss. It will involve cooking demonstrations. A sustainable retreat focusing on preventative measures, it won’t be called detox.

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can book in advance (savings can be made that way), or book in situ. A honey massage, which Winnie the Pooh would die for, soothed my body beautifully, surrounded by candles in what was originally the cellar. The spa is a much needed sanctuary. When I emerged it was afternoon tea, yes I know, the very phrase conjures up Claridges – clotted cream, exquisite pastries and finger sandwiches. This cruel mirage was bluntly broken when I saw what Olga, the faithful cook, had laid out for us – a quarter of a pear, two wafer slices of papaya and half a strawberry – I demolished them in a nano-second, whereas I saw others savour every titbit. Each to their own. We concurred our favourite afternoon tea was the passion fruit; that zesty kick literally kicked us all into action later on in the week, just as we needed it. Talking of misleading names, the longest walk meant we were entitled to a picnic – two raisins and an apple slice slightly thicker than breakfast’s. One lady dropped a raison. Apart from a truffle pig, I’ve never seen anything move so quickly to hunt down a treasured treat. She found it. Free time and then dinner – a tasty medley of cooked veg, something I’d have at home, this time sans the salmon. I was ready for bed. Everyone slumped off but I had work to do. I would recommend, however, not to have visitors when you have work commitments because the less you eat, logically the less alert you will feel. So stick to their advice and detox from technology – if I could have, I would have. It’s the perfect time to treat yourself to that long awaited novel. Time to read is a luxury and, after all, after all this hard work you would deserve it. The remaining six days largely followed suit. Walks wavered between seaside and hilly vistas accompanied by motivational staff to push you to keep going, though in all honesty everyone likes the walks and some, myself included, even walked the vine rows (an extra 2 miles). When we returned our ability to push ourselves was amazing, we were in control and felt empowered and inspired. Stand out classes were the dance classes for me, which included belly dance, zumba, and the highlight – learning the dance routine to ‘Black Velvet’. It just felt like having a laugh with your chums, strategically placed on ‘weary Wednesday’ – for me the toughest day of them all. I formed a love for Boxercise class – rounds of sparring on an empty tum that made me feel fantastically fit and proud. The food remained of a similar ilk, with Saturday night soup shining out as the best – our predecessors during crossover days warned us it was delicious. Another Saturday treat, the night before departing, was DVD night, again, another excuse to enjoy the company of my new friends. If it wasn’t for a lack of popcorn it might have felt completely normal. As long as you’re not tempted to lick off the strawberry real fruit facial out of hunger, I’d recommend it highly but I mustn’t forget the talks; an informative nutritional talk that made us analyse our eating habits in a positive manner. I took the chance to book a one-toone with Anne, the EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) lady, inspired by her inspirational address to us. Whilst at times reminding me of the routine and rules of boarding school, the fact is I’m not a child any more. I went in there by choice and with goals, of which I achieved a loss of eight pounds and a gain of friends, with the added bonus of a loose waistband. I’m glad I did it, and if you do too, you won’t regret it.

Have you always had a healthy disposition? I think I was aware that I didn’t follow a healthy lifestyle 100%, I had an open minded disposition, but was overweight. I wasn’t following good rules, was going out, was getting upset and then stopped going out because I was big. I was tired, it just happened like a snowball. I was a size 18 but didn’t want to admit it. I didn’t want to buy size 18 clothes, I wanted to get size 10. I was the one that was wrong and the only one who could address it.

ost small gardens and particularly city gardens have to be practical as well as visually appealing. They often serve as a room outside as well as a garden. The garden used in this post for instance had to incorporate a dining area which was near to the kitchen and also fit in a barbeque, so the floor plan was designed with levels in mind, the lower level being reserved for dining and the top for relaxing afterwards. An effective technique to make your garden into a livable outdoor space is to bring elements of the interior design out into the garden area. For instance in the garden pictured here, (pic 1) the interior porcelain tile was brought outside to create an exterior finish around the bespoke barbeque unit and on the lower level dining area. Beautifully scented Tracheleospermum and Roses provide interest and fragrance in the warmer summer months. The hard landscaping really needs to be designed with a material that can tolerate the shade (as you can see from the rather high walls in this example) although it is asking a lot of a stone or wood not to naturally turn green with algae in areas of low light. The power of nature can only be defied so far but with careful selection of products the ongoing maintenance of the scheme can be minimized. Think low maintenance, rather than no maintenance, and a happy balance will be achieved. The upper level has sustainably sourced hardwood decking.

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In cities it is unusual to find a garden that isn’t overlooked on two or three sides by other properties which not only raises issues of how to create privacy but can also shade the garden and limit the planting palette. Adjacent trees and overgrown shrubs can have invasive roots that in time render even the best laid paving uneven, so defining the extent of hard landscaping in the garden in relation to the surrounding planting is very important. You also need to think about what types of plants and trees surround you. For instance some shrubs with extremely fleshy and juicy fruit like Laurel can permanently stain natural stone. Choosing an area of loose aggregate or dense shrub planting under something like this would be worth considering. Choosing furniture and creating attractive storage outside can contribute hugely towards making your garden a truly unique space and one that lends itself to use all year round. The best small spaces are those that are bold and strong, so large furniture is a bonus. But it has to be worked into the scheme and not just plonked in the middle with a few pots around it. Super-sizing most things is a trick employed to avoid a scheme appearing bitty. Trying to achieve too much in a tiny area can result in a dilution of the overall effect; pare down the design, assess the absolute minimum that you need and work from there. Terraces with outdoor sofas and generous dining tables look fabulous when they are dressed with cushions, lit with candles and filled with friends and family. Kate Gould is an award-winning garden designer with more than a decade’s handson experience transforming gardens of all sizes. A regular exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower Show, Kate’s work can be found at www.kategouldgardens.com

Image: © Peter Baistow

Designing a small garden in City Spaces!

Kate Gould, award-winning garden designer, shares her tips for creating beautiful small gardens in London.

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10 Things to do at The Sculpture Park 1 Follow the coloured trail To make your way around The Sculpture Park, you are given a map detailing the coloured trail to follow. The trail is split into four parts: yellow, red, blue and green, each with coloured arrows to guide you through the meandering paths and help you see the full collection of sculpture. 2 Buy sculpture Almost all the art in the park is available to purchase and for immediate collection or delivery. Our team of experts is available to advise you on choosing the best sculpture for your garden or home, as well as the delivery and installation of any piece in the park or indoor gallery. We have a huge variety of sculpture for sale to suit most budgets and tastes. 3 Play ‘Guess the price’ game As well as a map, you are given a guidebook. This helpful list details the Artist’s Name, Title, Medium, Edition and Price of all the sculptures. A popular game is ‘Guess the price of the sculpture’, closely followed by ‘Guess the title’ with many marvelling at how close or how far off they were from the correct answer. 4 Meet the dragons Being a venue with Welsh heritage (Lloyd George used to frequent the pub opposite as well as live nearby, and our owner is Welsh), two red Welsh dragons can be found at the gates as well as the Wyvern Dragon by James Doran-Webb which is one our most popular and photographed exhibits. 5 Experience complete darkness Enter the mineshaft if you dare! Continuous contact with the left hand wall, avoiding vertical drops, should ensure your safe passage through the shaft. Be quiet to avoid disturbing the bats – a protected species. 6 Activate the giant wind chimes While navigating the red trail you will stumble across our two giant wind chimes. A gentle push will activate a musical palindrome of the quartal scale. The serene notes smoothly float across the park on the passing breeze. 7 Picnic in a Thai Pagoda You are very welcome to bring a picnic to The Sculpture Park. We have many tables and benches scattered around but also two wonderful Thai Pagodas which make the perfect location for a posh picnic for up to nine people (12 if you’re close friends). Don’t forget the champagne! Alternatively we are situated opposite the Bel and Dragon pub and you are welcome to leave the park for lunch here or anywhere else then return to complete your trail. 8 Take photographs Described by many as a ‘photographer’s dream’, you would be forgiven for kicking yourself if you forgot your camera. From towering abstract works to sculptural benches and views of the park, every corner brings a new and exciting photo opportunity. We are very happy for you to share your snaps on social media.

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9 Meet the resident doves Although partial to a quick trip to the pub, we are home to a bevy of friendly doves who like to photobomb at any given opportunity. 10 Browse the indoor gallery 2015 saw the introduction of our indoor gallery, exhibiting around 200 interior works of affordable art as well as investment pieces. The gallery complements our outdoor trail, with many pieces created by our favourite artists found on the trail including Ruth Moilliet, Maria Bayardo, Ferri Farahmandi and David Goode. Visitors delight in being able to purchase sculpture for their home with prices starting from £10.

The Sculpture Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty occupied by a multitude of Modern, 20th Century and Contemporary sculpture. A leading supplier of sculpture to private, corporate and public buyers and a popular tourist destination. Appealing to young and old, arty types and outdoor types, there is plenty to do for everyone, some that you might not expect:

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Keep busy whilst wishing Winter away!

t the time of writing I have just recovered from the first cold snap of the winter. It only lasted a few days but perhaps it is a gentle nudge to remind us that, despite the mild temperatures throughout December and into early January, the cold, the frost and the snow can arrive suddenly and with very little warning. Although the sight of bare branches and twigs bristling with standing needles of frost was very evocative of the season, I know that I am not one for the colder months. I constantly long to get back to long hours of daylight and to feel the warmth of the sun upon me. It is still a comforting thought however that despite what Winter may yet have to throw at us, we are only 8-10 weeks away from Spring being upon us! Now that does excite me! I am also comforted by the fact that I already have an increasing stream of seed catalogues dropping through the letterbox. This allows me to dream of better days ahead and of course to plan my seed and â&#x20AC;&#x153;plug plantâ&#x20AC;? purchases from my favourite suppliers. For those of you not familiar with plug plants, they are simply small cuttings or seedlings that arrive already in growth in their own little phial or plug of compost, they may be flowers, vegetables or herbs. You then just pot them on and grow them further, under cover, before planting out in your desired position as soon as weather and temperatures allow. There is much to do to prepare myself for the arrival of seeds and plug plants. I have the outside of the growing tunnel and the greenhouse to wash down with a mild solution of warm soapy water to ensure that all surfaces are clean and free from all dirt, debris and algae accumulation from last year. By doing this task I know that light penetration will increase by at least 10 percent, which will be of enormous benefit to seedlings in the short daylight hours in the days ahead before the clocks go forward. Perhaps the more important task, however, is the cleaning down of the inside of the growing tunnel and the greenhouse. This is vital to ensure that all traces of bacterial and fungal residues are removed prior to introducing new plants and seedlings. You should also remember to clean down all staging, pots, seed trays and hand tools. I prefer to use an organic cleaning agent for the inside as I can then be assured that the cleaning agent itself will not be harmful to plant material or soil. There are many suitable products available from good garden centres and nurseries. My favourite one is organic and based on citrus oils, it has the added benefit of a clean and fresh lemony smell left in the air long after application. Having done all of this I will then be ready and able to proceed with my seed sowing and planting as soon as my orders arrive from my various suppliers. Outside in the garden I have identified a selection of herbaceous perennials that have either outgrown their planting area or have become choked and need splitting into smaller clumps. Throughout the summer and autumn months, I make endless notes in a pocketbook and take pictures with my smart phone to remind me of plants that need attention. I will now use these reference aids to take the necessary action to ensure that my herbaceous plantings will be prepared and made ready to have a vibrant growing season with renewed health and vigour. After splitting and replanting I will then top dress the beds with two or three inches of very well rotted horse manure to complete my preparation. The rest of the work will then be done by the gardenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend, the humble earthworm! The activity of the worms will, slowly but surely, incorporate much of the top dressing into the top soil below. This will improve the structure of the soil and increase its nutritional value for the months ahead, thereby allowing the plants to perform to their ultimate capacity. One personal benefit that I do gain from the winter period is particular to me as a garden designer. Having obviously designed my own garden, the Winter allows me to look at the garden when it is largely bereft of leaf, colour and content. The bare bones of my original design are there for me to see and consider afresh. Every garden design is created from the initial layout that you decide upon. There are, of course, many influencing factors in deciding upon a layout, but having created it, it is mainly in the Winter that I can see the garden pared back to its basic structure and shape. This allows me to implement any advantageous changes or amendments that may have crossed my mind, or indeed to leave it alone, satisfied in the knowledge that the structure and layout of the space is still relevant and appropriate. Having said all of this, I have already confessed to being more of a lizard than a polar bear, so my dearest wish is for Winter to move on apace so that I can look back at it from my preferred seasons of Spring and then Summer.

Richard www.richardlucasgardens.com Images by Allan Pollak-Morris and Richard Lucas.

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In the meantime I will carry on with my preparations! Happy Potting, Cleaning, Planning and Gardening!

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here is no denying that wooden doors are pleasing on the eye, but also that their appearance can quickly suffer once weathering takes hold. Only regular maintenance will sustain the aesthetics of timber, as it is essential not to allow water to penetrate, as if this happens, the wood will swell and warp. As a consequence replacement door veterans Hazlemere Windows based in High Wycombe will only supply and fit engineered timber front doors. These high specification doors are called “Century Doors”, and have an engineered solid core which is guaranteed not to move more than 1mm per square metre. This is achieved by the core being made up of 3mm sections known as “Lamels”, and 1 in 4 Lamels being reversed to prevent any movement. These top end doors are edged or lipped on all sides with African Sapele hardwood known for its high density and stability, coming from the Gaboon tree. Also these Century engineered timbers doors all have 100% dense Tricoya facings. Tricoya is an acid treated product, bathed in acid to draw out water. All these engineered timber front doors are painted with 4 layers of high quality Farrow & Ball paint. This special microporous Farrow & Ball paint allows the timber to breathe, as all timber “sweats”, so it is important the moisture can escape.

If you’d like a free no-obligation quote or advice call 01628 879244 or visit www.hazlemere.co.uk

The Century engineered timber door is Secured by Design and comes with a Yale 3 star security 5-Pin cylinder as standard, as well as a Winkhaus lock and high security multi-locking system. The high security glazing bead on all Century doors is of boxed construction and interlocks with the door profiles so that it cannot be prised off without first removing the internal wedge gaskets. At mid height, doors are secured by a spring latch and separate deadbolt. Two hook bolts are thrown into keeps in the upper and lower door frame. Slow close greased hinges give these heavy duty doors great stability and smooth opening and closing operation. It is a true and time trusted saying that “you get what you pay for”. Consequently these bespoke made to order Century engineered timber doors are handmade in England by craftsmen, and all this quality of design, materials and unique manufacture comes at a cost. However, it is a oneoff cost and an investment, as the Century door is designed to do all the things most hardwood front doors cannot achieve over time without regular maintenance, namely not warp, not twist, not swell, not crack or rot, keeping in tip top condition. For free expert help and a no obligation replacement door consultation, contact Hazlemere Windows, family owned and run independent bespoke replacement door suppliers and installers since 1985. Their experienced replacement door and window consultants can chat over the pros and cons of replacement timber front doors, whilst at the same time show you the aluminium, composite and UPVC alternatives all under one roof.

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Why spending more on a high quality timber front door is worthwhile.

his February, chase away the winter blues at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew and become immersed in an Indian celebration of vibrant colours, culture and magnificent plant life inside the tropical paradise of the Gardens Princess of Wales Conservatory. Sounds of India will surround the senses as visitors enter the steamy glasshouse whilst a visual feast of colour will feature elaborate floral displays inspired by a typical Indian market, including Kewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own decorative rickshaws. A giant Indian flag created from Vanda, Dendrobium, Cymbidium and Paphiopedilum orchids will set the backdrop as visitors admire giant animal figures including an elephant, peacock and tiger. Phalaenopsis drops will hang delicately from the ceiling, while a beautifully embellished traditional Indian marriage swing sways amongst the Vandas, with sari material adding an extra splash of colour. A pond display explodes with intense hues in a larger than life floral arrangement marrying together tradition and modern culture. This will be Kewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 22nd annual Orchids festival and the first themed around India. Entrance to the Festival will be free and included in the daily entrance ticket.

The Exotic Orchid

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For more information please visit http: www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/orchids

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H Yasemen Kaner-White

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A guide to make your child’s half term full of fun

alf term needn’t just revolve around the children, it is about quality time together, making memories. Of course, when planning what to do with them you’ll take into consideration their unique talents and hobbies, but it is also a time to stretch their imagination and perhaps give them new vocations and interests. Nurture their creative side and send them to the numerous arts and crafts clubs available. For example at the Pottery Café, with premises in Fulham and Battersea, they can decorate their own beautiful pottery, supplied exclusively by Emma Bridgewater, in a relaxed pottery studio where plenty of help is at hand. Hands-on Art activities and classes in Windsor, is an alternative outside of London. Both boys and girls should learn to cook and what better way to wet their appetite than via a kiddies cooking class. Book a Dri Dri Academy Class, and a minimum of four children for an hour or so learn to select ingredients for bespoke ice-cream, chop and mix the ingredients together, get their heads around the mantecazione process (gradual texturing of the gelato) and even create personalised labels for packaging. To top off the experience every child will be awarded a Dri Dri Academy Certificate of Gelatiere. BKD baking classes take place in venues all over London, regularly at Hoxton Hotel Shoreditch, Eggbreak in Notting Hill and their own bakery in Peckham. Classes are guaranteed to be convivial, messy, creative and suitable for age 3+. Themes range from Pirate Biscuits, Unicorn Cupcakes, Easter Cakepops to Minibeast Biscuits. They provide tuition, aprons, boxes and all decorating supplies. For an all-inclusive experience, why not take your children to a child friendly hotel, either for a night or two or just for the day. Nearly always equipped with crèches and classes, it is a great opportunity for you to take time out too – read a book in the spa with the knowledge that they are safe and sound and occupied. Stoke Park is highly recommended, with dedicated children’s Splash Times in the pool, Junior Golf and Tennis Camps (book in advance), a brand new playground, Games Room fitted with air hockey and the latest computer games, horse riding and art clubs. If you stay over, children are treated to themed bed linen and personalised named cookies before bedtime. Spoil them and book a Little Stars afternoon tea. To use up your children’s energy in a positive way and keep them healthy, take them swimming, bike riding, indoor skating or skiing or indeed book a holiday abroad for skiing, or why not let them slide down the world’s longest and tallest slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit found at the Olympic Park in Stratford. Make use of England’s lush parks and go on long walks taking bats and balls along to keep them amused. In the vein of the great outdoors, an interactive, educational visit to East London’s Surrey Docks Farm with free entry seven days a week, find rural life in the heart of the city to explore, feed goats and keep in touch with nature. Excursions needn’t always have to be booked or cost a vast amount of money; I remember my mother and I taking bundles of wax crayons to rub over tree trunks, revealing wondrous patterns, or finding horseshoe marks in the forests – filling with plaster of Paris, allowing to dry and then coming back to peel it out and paint. We would collect large pebbles at the beaches and paint and glaze with varnish – I still now remember it fondly…

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The challenges and benefits of a New Year’s resolution

F 

or most people, New Year’s Eve is a time to let go of the issues of the past year and to look forward to the possibilities of the new. This is a time-honoured tradition in many parts of the world with common themes of resolutions focusing on losing weight, eating healthier, getting fit or choosing to stop an unhealthy habit such as smoking, drinking or spending too much time worrying or stressing. The reality is that New Year’s resolutions can be very effective in helping people to make a clean break from past negative or unhealthy behaviours to more positive and healthier options. However, there is also a real problem with a New Year’s resolution as some people may see a slip back into old habits as a reason to give up on their goals and go back to the old way of coping or behaving. People often choose New Year’s resolutions that are major life changes. Once the resolution is broken, it is much easier to give it all up. These ‘all or nothing’ types of thoughts are often an excuse for bad choices and behaviours and are used as a coping mechanism when change is threatening or difficult.

Changing Your Thoughts 

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         

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Simply telling yourself at the stroke of 12 on New Year’s Eve that you won’t do something in the future is only a very shortterm solution. Typically, within one week, about a quarter of the people have reverted to old behaviours. This is because they have not changed their thinking around the behaviour. It can also occur if you have not stopped to consider and map out how you will make the change. For instance, if you want to exercise daily, have you thought about how to arrange your schedule to find the time to exercise? Do you have a healthy eating plan in place that will work with your budget and your time to prepare meals? Preparing yourself mentally to make a lifestyle change means changing how you think about the issues you want to change. Seeing it is a lifetime commitment to yourself and making small, manageable steps that can be monitored will be more effective from a psychological perspective than making one big sweeping change that is going to be difficult to sustain.

www.philippejacquet.co.uk 020 7206 2438

twickenham 8th april 2017 k.o. 14.00

FA MILY OF FOUR ONLY £40* bathrugby.com/theclash

*Conditions apply

ugby fans from across London are in for a treat when two of the biggest sides in club rugby clash at Twickenham for the start of Bath Rugby’s exciting plans to stage an annual major showpiece match in London over the next five years. Bath Rugby will face Leicester Tigers in ‘The Clash’ at Twickenham on 8th April and the Club have announced their plans to stage a major fixture in the capital every year for the next five years. Bath have taken the decision to play a regular season ‘home’ game away from The Rec and move the fixture to Twickenham Stadium, as the first non-London club to stage a ‘home’ game at the most famous rugby venue in the world. Bath Rugby’s stars are urging people not to miss out on this incredible opportunity to watch a world-class club rugby match between two of the biggest club sides in the game, right on their doorstep. England international star Anthony Watson, who originates from London, is leading the call for people to get their tickets for one of rugby union’s greatest contests. “As a Londoner, it will be awesome to come back to London with Bath. To return ‘home’ with my team and to play at Twickenham will be amazing. Bath versus Leicester is one of the best club games in the world and we will be ready to show London what we can do so I am calling on everyone to secure their seat now.” Bath Rugby Managing Director Tarquin McDonald has explained that this is part of the club’s long term strategy to grow the brand across the UK, especially in the capital. “We are hugely excited to bring ‘The Clash’ to Twickenham in April. Bath and Leicester have an incredible history and rivalry and games between the two sides are always fantastic to watch. ’The Clash’ is a major event in rugby and part of long-term plans for the club. If this match is a success, we will stage a major showpiece match in London annually. “We want to provide our wider supporter base with the chance to experience a Bath Rugby match-day at the home of rugby, as well as open up the club to a new audience. This isn’t just a day out for Bath and Leicester supporters. With tickets priced from just £15 for adults and £5 for kids, we’re creating an affordable, fun family day out and we’re hoping to attract lots of new supporters to both the Club and the sport.” To celebrate the meeting of these historic foes in this epic clash, Bath Rugby has planned a festival of entertainment for all the family before and after the whistle is blown. Adjoining the stadium ‘The Forum’ - a three-zoned mini-city - will bring the Best of Bath to Twickenham, with a feast of food and drink, stage acts, players past and present and a host of family entertainment. Within the stadium itself, a pre-match show featuring music and pyrotechnics will build as the players enter the arena for the onset of what promises to be one of the classic rugby clashes of the season.

See Bath Rugby face their fiercest rivals Leicester Tigers in The Clash at Twickenham on 8 April 2017. For tickets and further information visit www.bathrugby.com/theclash

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Bath Rugby kicks off exciting plans to annual London fixtures

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The acclaimed National Theatre production of

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is going on tour – 25 cities in 9 months taking this modern classic across the nation and allowing no excuses for not going to experience its theatrical magic!

Review by Alex Bailey-Staines

dapted from Mark Haddon’s book by playwright Simon Stephens, this ingenious production appeals to young and old alike. Having read the book, I just couldn’t imagine how this story could be transplanted onto stage and retain its ability to make us think outside the box, challenging our perceptions of the world and celebrating the differences and connections of our relationships – but they do it SO well! Internationally successful, and a winner of countless awards, it is the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone, a young teen with an extraordinary brain, gifted in mathematics, but who struggles to cope with, and interpret, everyday life. The story begins with him discovering his neighbour’s dog, stabbed to death with a garden fork… unfolding into a narrative, told from the perspective of the autistic Christopher, that takes us on a dramatic journey of storytelling, encouraged by his wonderfully warm and inspiring teacher, Siobhan. Marianne Elliott’s direction brings together the inspired box set design of Bunny Christie, and the staccato lighting of talented Paule Constable to draw us into the mad, disjointed world as seen from the perception of Christopher. This production should be a must see for everyone, yes, it is hugely enjoyable as a stand alone story but it is also fascinatingly challenging to view the world through the eyes, ears and senses of someone whose brain receives, and translates, information in a very different way to most of us. All of the play’s action takes place in a box, representing the constraints of Christopher’s world. The physicality of the container and the way in which noise, chaos and confusion are used, gives the viewer a tangible and eloquent description of how everyday life is perceived by those whose brain is wired to an autistic spectrum. The way in which Christopher’s parents, Ed and Judy, both react to the trials of bringing up a son who responds to the world, in such an alien way to most of us, is both tragic and heartbreaking – can you imagine, as a mother, not being able to cuddle your child? There are moments in the play where the emotional punch hits you hard and the moment when the family all touch fingers – Christopher’s compromise to a hug – is hugely moving.

Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, 7th – 11th February 2017 New Theatre, Oxford, 22nd – 27th May 2017 Milton Keynes Theatre, 4th – 16th September 2017 Full tour list available at http://www.curiousonstage.com/tour/ – check with individual theatres for tickets and prices.

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This production of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ is brilliant! Go see it!

The Chelsea Art Fair

will open its doors to collectors and art lovers at the Chelsea Old Town Hall from Thursday, April 27th to Sunday, April 30th 2017.

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he chic boutique Fair has established itself as the London art fair which brings first class Modern and Contemporary art to the heart of Chelsea with a particular focus on threedimensional art. The Fair offers a wide selection of artists represented by around 35 of the most respected modern and contemporary art galleries from around the UK. Exhibitors range from galleries coming all the way from the most Western corner of Cornwall to some key London-based dealers. Hence visitors can enjoy a really good mix of art, both from the UK as well as international artists. Ben Cooper, the Fair’s director, says: “We always hear from visitors and buyers how much they enjoy their visit to the Chelsea Art Fair. We are in the lucky position that we are right in the middle of Chelsea and add a contemporary twist to the traditional Chelsea Town Hall. Because of the size and set-up of the Fair, visitors enjoy spending some quality time looking at the art in a friendly atmosphere. It’s no secret that finding the right work of art takes time, but it is a lot easier in a more relaxing environment. Both collectors and artists always comment on the high standard of the works on view and particularly the excellent selection of three-dimensional art. More than ever, the Fair should appeal to local art lovers as well as visitors from all over London, Britain and abroad.” This Chelsea Fair is all about quality and while the majority of works will have price tags from £500 to £50,000, some sculptures on view will even exceed that. Works by well-known artists can be found next to some great new discoveries, which make this Fair such a magnet for connoisseurs. Quality is definitely key here and many galleries keep highlights and new works back to show them at Chelsea for the first time. Fair director Ben Cooper and a small committee of experts select all the exhibitors and this rigorous selection process makes it so popular with collectors. The relaxing, contemporary atmosphere also means that there is a chance to take a proper look at the art and talk to dealers, who are more than happy to give advice to new as well as established collectors. The late night opening on Thursday, 27th April is a good opportunity to enjoy a wander around the Fair in the evening while enjoying a glass of wine and taking in the art around you. The Fair also supports the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and some of the art will directly support the charity, so you can not just enjoy some great art, but also do good! The Fair will be open from Thursday, 27th April from 11-8, on Friday and Saturday 11-7, and closes on Sunday, 30th April at 5pm. Tickets cost £6 and more details can be found on www.chelseaartfair.org or on Twitter and Facebook.

selected by Jill Menghetti

What to see Where to go

Bowie by Duffy Exhibition until Sunday 19 February Proud Chelsea London

Proud Galleries are commemorating the anniversary of what would have been David Bowie’s 70th birthday with the last signed collection of the late Brian Duffy’s photographs of the star. There was a dynamic relationship between these two great artistic innovators, and these original prints offer a poignant retrospective that documents the changing faces of Bowie. Duffy was influential in creating the singer’s chameleonlike image, working with him over eight years. His five photographic shoots produced some of the world’s most memorable images, including the acclaimed Aladdin Sane album cover now referred to as the “Mona Lisa of Pop”. Proud Chelsea gallery, 161 King’s Road SW3 5XP 020 7349 0822, www.proud.co.uk

A Judgement in Stone Monday 23-Saturday 28 January, Richmond Theatre Monday 30 January-Saturday 4 February, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford

In a new adaptation of her novel, Ruth Rendell’s intriguing plot is brought to life by a starry cast including Andrew Lancel, Sophie Ward, Deborah Grant and Shirley Anne Field. Eunice struggles to fit in. When she joins a wealthy family as their housekeeper the very reason for her awkwardness – long hidden and deeply buried – leads inexorably to a terrible tale of murder in cold blood. Directed by Roy Marsden, the story is celebrated for Rendell’s brilliant rendering of character and motive as a lifetime of deceit, despair and cover-ups exposes a shocking revelation almost as grizzly as murder itself. Richmond 0844 871 7651, atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre Guildford 01483 440000, yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Orchid Festival

Image - RBG Kew

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Saturday 4 February-Sunday 5 March Kew Gardens

The ever-popular extravaganza at Kew returns this year inspired by the vibrant colours, culture and magnificent plant life of India. Your senses will be dazzled by decorative rickshaws, Indian soundscapes, films and giant floral displays including elephants and peacocks created from exotic foliage and tropical plants. Tradition and modern culture are blended throughout the festival which also features a giant floral pond display and vanda orchids hanging delicately from the ceiling to surround a beautiful Indian marriage swing. Volunteer guides offer practical orchid care sessions, and don’t miss the Indianinspired dishes in the Orangery restaurant. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew TW9 3AB 020 8332 5655, kew.org

Russian State Ballet of Siberia

Wimbledon 0844 871 7646, atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre Wycombe 01494 512 000, wycombeswan.co.uk

Henceforward… Monday 13-Saturday 18 February Theatre Royal Windsor

A new production of Alan Ayckbourn’s classic dark comedy is directed by the playwright himself. It features his familiar themes of communication and relationships, while taking a wry look at the creative process. Avant-garde composer Jerome struggles to complete his life’s masterwork about love. He hatches a plan – with the help of a deranged android childminder – to retrieve the source of his artistic inspiration, his beloved daughter Geain, from his estranged ex-wife. But the best laid plans of men and mechanical women... This is a short UK tour, beginning at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, 19- 28 January. Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1PS 01753 853888, theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

The Miser Tuesday 21-Saturday 25 February, Richmond Theatre Wednesday 1 March-Saturday 10 June, Garrick Theatre London

Prepare for hilarious goings-on with Griff Rhys Jones starring as paranoid skinflint Harpagon in a major revival of Molière’s great comedy. You can catch it at Richmond prior to its transfer to the West End where Rhys Jones is returning for the first time in five years. It’s a tale in which passions and purse-strings go head to head, with Harpagon quite literally going to any length to protect his wealth. Setting his sights on rich spouses for his family, he struggles when his children’s true feelings are revealed. Will the love of his money or his children prevail? 0844 871 7651, atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre 0330 3334811, garricktheatre.org

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Wednesday 22 February-Saturday 27 May Harold Pinter Theatre London

Diana: Her Fashion Story Opens Friday 24 February Kensington Palace London

Missed last year’s Fashion Rules? A new exhibition 20 years on from the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, traces her style evolution from the demure, romantic outfits of her first public appearances to the glamour, elegance and confidence of her later life. Highlights include the pale pink Emanuel blouse worn for her 1981 engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon, and Victor Edelstein’s ink blue velvet gown, famously worn at the White House when she danced with John Travolta. Complementing the exhibition, a temporary garden will be planted with flowers and foliage inspired by memories of her life, image and style. Kensington Gardens W8 4PX 0844 482 7799, hrp.org.uk

Art of the Brick: DC Superheroes Wednesday 1 March-Sunday 3 September South Bank London

Calling all Super Heroes and Super Villains! The world’s largest Lego exhibition inspired by Batman, Superman and other members of the DC Comics’ Justice League is arriving in town. Created by renowned Lego artist Nathan Sawaya, it uses nearly two million bricks to create large-scale sculptures of DC characters, vehicles and themes: good vs. evil, strength and weakness, transformation and reinvention. They will be displayed in a purpose-built tent directly behind the National Theatre. You can make it a great family day out as the venue is near the London Eye, Sea Life London Aquarium and London Dungeon. Booking: 03332 470620, aotbdc.co.uk

The Knitting & Stitching Show Thursday 2-Sunday 5 March Alexandra Palace London

Imelda Staunton stars as Martha with Conleth Hill as her husband George in James Macdonald’s new production of Edward Albee’s landmark play. Set on an American college campus, it charts the bitterness and frustrations in their relationship. Mutual taunts and verbal abuse are played out in front of a young professor and his wife who Martha has invited for after-party drinks. As the alcohol flows and dawn approaches, Nick (played by Luke Treadaway) and Honey (Imogen Poots) are drawn into the older couple’s toxic emotional games until events reach a climax of devastating truth-telling.

Supplies, workshops and textile art: whether you’re a beginner or experienced crafter, or want to try something new, you’ll find inspiration here. There’s everything on sale from yarn to fabrics, ribbons to sewing machines, embroidery kits, beads and threads. Quilting, beadwork, crochet, cross stitch, embroidery, lacemaking or knitting – there are more than 170 workshops, a dress-making studio, taster classes and drop-in knitting and crochet sessions. Experts give free demos on an array of different projects in the Creative Living Theatre. Textile galleries include work by Helen McAllistair, the Quilters’ Guild, the 62 Group, Liz Cooper and Harriet Riddell.

Panton Street SW1Y 4DN 0844 8717615, whosafraidofvirginiawoolf.co.uk

Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY 0844 581 1302, theknittingandstitchingshow.com

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This year’s UK tour includes the light-hearted Coppélia, an ideal first-time ballet for the family. Taking place in the workshop of eccentric toymaker Dr Coppelius, it’s a comedy of errors, mistaken identity and confused lovers, with sparkling choreography set to an animated score. Also in the repertoire is the joyous La Fille Mal Gardée in which Lise loves a young farmer but her widowed mother is determined that her only daughter should marry the son of a wealthy landowner. Alongside these ballets the RSB will perform the ever-popular Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

Thursday 9-Saturday 11 February, New Wimbledon Theatre Thursday 16-Sunday 19 February, Wycombe Swan

Thoroughly Modern Millie Monday 6-Saturday 11 March Wycombe Swan

Expect some spectacular dance routines in this musical comedy, which stars Joanne Clifton, the latest Strictly Come Dancing champion and world ballroom showdance champion. She takes on the title role of a Kansas girl determined to make it big in 1920s New York City. It’s the jazz age when “flappers” were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines and rewriting the rules of love. Full of madcap merriment, the show is based on the Academy Award-winning film starring Julie Andrews, and was a smash hit on Broadway where it picked up six Tony Awards including best musical. St Mary Street, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 2XE 01494 512000, wycombeswan.co.uk

Australia’s Impressionists

What to see Where to go

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Arthur Streeton ‘Golden Summer, Eaglemont’ 1889; Oil on canvas; National Gallery of Australia,Canberra; Purchased 1995; © National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Until Sunday 26 March National Gallery London

This fascinating exhibition has been proving hugely enjoyable so if you love the works of the Impressionists be sure to catch it before it ends. The light-filled paintings of Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and Charles Conder portray life in the rapidly teeming cities of Melbourne and Sydney as well as dazzling landscapes of coast and bushland. Their art came to represent a growing sense of national identity as Australia approached Federation in 1901. The other artist to be showcased is John Russell, who spent most of his career in Europe and counted Van Gogh, Monet and Matisse among his friends. Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN 020 7747 2885, nationalgallery.org.uk

Running Wild Tuesday 14-Saturday 18 March Wycombe Swan

Animal magic with life-size puppetry to rival War Horse and suitable for children aged six upwards, this adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s story is an epic and spectacular production. For Lily, going to Indonesia isn’t just another holiday with mum. It’s a new start, and the chance to ride an elephant called Oona. But then the tsunami hits. Oona charges into the jungle with her young rider desperately clinging on in a moving tale of love, loss, loyalty and living for the moment. The puppetry design and direction is by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié, previous associate puppetry directors on War Horse. St Mary Street, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 2XE 01494 512000, wycombeswan.co.uk

La Cage aux Folles Tuesday 14-Saturday 18 March New Wimbledon Theatre

On its first ever UK tour, this brand new production stars John Partridge, Adrian Zmed and Marti Webb. It’s a lavishly funny take on unconditional love and family values, and boasts a show-stopping score. Georges and the dazzling drag artiste Albin live an idyllic existence in the heart of St Tropez. But then Georges’ son Jean-Michel announces his engagement to the daughter of a notorious right-wing politician who’s set on closing down the colourful local night-life. Drama and hilarity ensue when a meeting of the parents forces Georges and Albin to cover up their vibrant lifestyle. 93 The Broadway SW19 1QG 0844 871 7646, atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon-theatre

The Boodles Tennis Tournament Tuesday 27-Saturday 1 July Stoke Park Buckinghamshire

Tickets sell fast for this annual entertaining preWimbledon warm-up on the beautiful fast-paced grass court at Stoke Park, so make sure you book up early. The event is unique in that it allows you to watch from close up some of the biggest names in men’s tennis, while sipping your Pimm’s in a garden party atmosphere. Now in its 16th year, the Boodles is popular with players and fans alike. Last year’s line-up included Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Robin Haase, Grigor Dimitrov, Lukas Rosol, John Isner, David Goffin and Alexander Zverev. Park Road, Stoke Poges SL2 4PG Tickets 0207 384 4877, theboodles.com

Running Wild

A Gallery Griffin Gallery’s I Lost My Heart to a Worth Viewing 12 January – 24 February 2017

The exhibition features the artists: Glenn Brown, Luke Caulfield, Gordon Cheung, Stephane Graff, Henry Hudson, Nick Hornby & Sinta Tantra, Wolfe Von Lenkiewicz, Mariele Neudecker and Gavin Turk.

Above: Gavin Turk, Large Transit Disaster (Blue, Copper & Ochre) Silkscreen on canvas, 2013 © the artist. Courtesy Ben Brown Fine Arts, London Right: Henry Hudson, Study of a Plate 8 No.7 varnished plasticine on board, 2014 © the artist

Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper is a group exhibition that examines the importance of appropriation and influence on the practices of ten contemporary artists. The show is curated by the London-based art consultant Catherine Loewe, in collaboration with Griffin Gallery Director Becca Pelly-Fry. The exhibition title comes from the 1978 Hot Gossip song of the same name, and also refers to the artist Glenn Brown who used the title for one of his paintings; a meticulous rendition of a Rembrandt. This time collision of mass media, popular culture and venerated Old Masters encapsulates the complex, and at times subversive, relationship between contemporary art and art of the past, and this in part was the genesis of the exhibition. While all of the featured works open up myriad lines of enquiry, from challenging notions of value and authorship, to examining modern morality, the show is in essence about the artists’ relationship with the art historical canon from the Old Masters to the present. The theme alludes to the collective hysteria surrounding the art market and fuses the double Frieze Fairs, the Contemporary and the Masters, in this case blurring the distinguishing factors. The works in the exhibition include both traditional materials and the use of new technologies in a wide variety of media, from plasticine to video projection. Griffin Gallery, The Studio Building, 21 Evesham Street, London W11 4AJ +44(0)208 424 3239 | info@griffingallery.co.uk | www.griffingallery.co.uk Opening Times: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 12-5

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Starship Trooper

orwegian gallerist Kristin Hjellegjerde is championing international, cutting-edge art in London through ambitious exhibitions and a mission to provide a warm, welcoming environment that allows for new artistic discoveries. When Kristin Hjellegjerde set about opening her eponymous gallery in 2012, her desire was to create a platform through which international artists could showcase cuttingedge and innovative work to the world. From day one, Hjellegjerde’s mantra has been to support both emerging and established artists, encouraging cohesive exhibitions of new work, and supporting strong theoretical and aesthetic oeuvres. Her artist roster includes the likes of celebrated artists such as Iranian Soheila Sokhanvari and Indonesian Sinta Tantra, as well as artists from the UK, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Korea, China, Africa, and, of course, her native Norway. From the concrete sculptures of Italian Andrea Francolino to the sound and technology-sculptures of British James Alec Hardy, Hjellegjerde is keen to educate the public on the many exciting iterations of Contemporary artistic practice. “I think people can often find the art world intimidating,” she says, “and I think it’s important to be able to provide a welcoming space which encourages people to step in and see what’s on, learn more about an artist and not be afraid to ask questions”. Recent exhibitions include the group show, Everything Exists Now (8 January–18 February), in which 13 artists explore concepts of time and the current moment through drawing-based works inspired by socio-political and personal events as well as Berlin-based Ruprecht von Kaufmann’s solo, Event Horizon (24 February–25 March) an exploration of the three-dimensional potential of painting and their interplay with sculpture. As the gallery nears its five-year anniversary, Hjellegjerde is keen to extend its global reach, attending art fairs such as Untitled in San Francisco and Art Central Hong Kong. Closer to home, she will present an immersive installation at the London Art Fair. A solo booth, it will feature British artist Chris Agnew’s new series Bo Da, Doda, which uses socialist architecture as a starting point to explore the mysticism growing out of the cracks of rigid ideology, and includes a special floor installation. Watch this space.

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British brand Scion launches Noukku, a cool collection of playful fabrics and wallpapers inspired by the simplicity and spirit of Scandinavian design.

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candinavia isn’t just somewhere you visit – it’s something you experience. Its essence and ‘good life’ vibe – forests, fresh air, fjords, food, freedom and fun – are all encapsulated by Scion’s latest collection, Noukku. Named after a species of Finnish wildflower, Noukku is totally in tune with the life-affirming ‘Hygge’ trend: it’s a versatile, spontaneous collection that invigorates your senses and encourages you to step away from your busy lifestyle. Inspired by the great outdoors, and bringing a feeling of artisan design into the modernday home, Noukku comprises seven spirited fabric motifs in a mix of prints combined with embroidery. There are also nine coordinating wallcovering designs, and a complementary book of textured weaves. Scion Designer Hannah Bowen explains how Noukku evolved: “I wanted to create an approachable collection oozing with personality. The designs originated as collages, with lots of ‘cutting and sticking’ to create a bold graphic look, but still retaining the playful nature of paper cuts. I also felt texture was also extremely important, so Noukku contains a number of ‘homespun’, tactile fabrics.” Many of the designs take their names from Finnish wildflowers: naïve florals and abstract trees are celebrated through retro motifs; a floral trail captivates with its simplicity; kissing birds celebrate a spirit of innocent pleasure; a new favourite, the cheeky Barnie Owl, and irregular geometric half-moon designs delight with their freshness. Embroidered stripes, jacquard checks and small-scale linear lattice designs complete the collection. The funky fabrics and wallpapers are teamed with Neo, a range of 16 upholstery-weight tweedy, chunky weaves for layering textures and scale. Noukku is brought to life through an invigorating colour palette inspired by natural elements. Refreshing combinations include: foxglove, sage and forest, butterscotch and dandelion; slate and biscuit; gecko, pacific and glacier, satsuma and sky; watermelon, flamingo and lemonade; honey, cocoa and slate. The collection will be launched in January 2017, via a network of stockists nationally and internationally. #NoukkuByScion

(Saturday 25th March 2017)

Amersham A Cappella

veryone needs a hobby, and for the sixty-strong powerhouse that is Amersham A Cappella, that hobby is singing. More precisely, singing in unaccompanied four-part harmony. It’s not an easy thing to do and the audition process is a tough one, but for those who make it through and stick with it, the rewards are huge. It would be easy to think those rewards come in the shape of some of the more glamorous gigs that have fallen Amersham A Cappella’s way. As well as singing at innumerable local events, such as Scannappeal Fundraisers, the Amersham Carnival and Christmas shopping evenings in nearby towns, Amersham A Cappella have been spotted at Claridges, The Savoy Ballroom and Draper’s Hall. They’ve been the stars of weddings, birthday parties, book launches and corporate events, and love the chance to share the joy of music with their audiences. That joy came across in spades at this year’s annual convention of the Ladies’ Association of British Barbershop Singers, when Amersham A Cappella won the UK Gold medal in a decisive victory against tough competition. Next year, they’ll be competing in the European championships, a challenge they’ll face with their characteristic determination and good humour, wearing their latest sparkling frocks and heels. But it’s not all sequins and ballroom shoes. Amersham A Cappella rehearse for three hours every Tuesday evening in the church hall of St Michael and All Angels Church in Amersham. All the members have very busy lives, with hectic professional and family commitments, but for every member, the Tuesday night rehearsal is an essential part of the week, surrendered only in the very direst of circumstances. Although they are all very talented individually, the group as a whole owes its incredible progress and skill to Helen Lappert, their visionary and inspirational MD. Helen understands that every member brings something unique to the overall sound of the chorus, and works with the group as a whole to ensure that everyone’s talent is used to its full extent. She brings in expert coaches from all over the world, and takes every opportunity to develop her own directing skills as the chorus learns. Although they are very proud of their medals and the rapturous applause that follows every performance, the members of Amersham A Cappella find their real reward in the companionship that comes with sharing a challenging hobby. There’s new music to discover (their repertoire has ranged from traditional favourites such as Come Fly With Me and All That Jazz, through classics such as Bohemian Rhapsody, to modern pop songs such as Roar), new skills and techniques to learn and practise, and above all new friends to be made.

If you’d like to join or would like Amersham A Cappella to sing at your event, please contact publicrelations@amershamacappella.com and see their website for more information www.amershamacappella.com Photo credit: Event-Photos

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Amersham A Cappella always welcome new members. Their next open evening, Newbie Tuesday, is on 10th January 7.30-10.30pm.

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The London Classic Car Show

ow gearing up for its third year, The London Classic Car Show (23-26 February) is the capital’s biggest and best celebration of car culture. And, with more than 700 of the world’s most stunning classics on display – plus innovative features such as The Grand Avenue, Car Club Square and the first-ever pop-up Beaulieu Autojumble – it really isn’t to be missed by anyone with even a drop of five-star running through their veins. Having doubled in size for 2016, the automotive feast at ExCeL has grown again for 2017, largely thanks to the addition of Historic Motorsport International – a new sister show putting the spotlight on the high octane world of classic car racing and rallying. Visitors to the Show will also be treated to a ‘red sea’ of fabulous Ferraris, celebrating the legendary Italian company’s 70th birthday. Among the mouth-watering £100m collection on show will be eye-catching greats such as the wondrous GTO, Daytona, Dino and F40. Another popular feature is The Grand Avenue, a ground-breaking roadway running through the very centre of the display stands. It means The London Classic Car Show is no mere static exhibition but a living, breathing homage to the automobile where visitors can not only see but also hear their favourite classics in action. This year’s theme is ‘The Perfect 10’ with the very best examples of 10 different body styles – from the most desirable classic convertibles to the ultimate track-bred single-seaters racers – parading the length of the Show. The 2017 London Classic Car Show is certain to attract many celebrities from the motoring world. The roll-call from previous years includes F1 stars Jenson Button and David Coulthard, TV’s James May, car-loving broadcaster Chris Evans and racing icon Sir Stirling Moss. More big names from motor sport and showbiz are promised for 2017 including that of Jacky Ickx. Having won the epic Le Mans sportscar race no less than six times plus numerous F1 Grands Prix, the Paris-Dakar Rally, the fearsome north American Can-Am crown and Australia’s greatest race, the Bathurst 1000, the dashing Belgian ace is widely regarded as the world’s greatest all-round racing driver. He will open the new HMI show and be guest of honour at a special Gala Evening at the London Classic Car Show on the opening day. When purchased in advance, adult trickets are priced from just £24 and give access to both The London Classic Car Show and Historic Motorsport International. Full details can be found on the show’s official website: thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk.

Prepare for Prom season with Prom Sisters Pop Up Local mum, Catherine Garel-Jones, comes to the rescue of parents looking to find the perfect Prom dress for their teen daughters. Finding the right Prom dress for your teenage daughter can be a serious business. Despite the enormous Prom culture that is ever-growing Stateside, here in the UK we still have a little catching up to do. But with expectations growing, parents and teenage girls are clamouring to be the first to find THE dress for their school prom. The Prom Sisters’ collection has been put together with the teenage customer in mind, without the need of breaking the bank. You’ll be hard pushed not to find the perfect Prom dress here. Catherine is poised to open for her second Prom season. Her pop-up boutique, Prom Sisters, appears just as you need it and then disappears again ready and poised for the next cycle of Prom Queens in the making. She is your very own Prom Fairy Godmother but with better customer service. No dress is whipped up amongst the pumpkins here.

Prom Sister, Catherine says: ‘We’ve almost filled all appointments for January already. It’s remarkable how quickly the girls want to get in to choose the dress. It’s not just about finding the perfect dress, that’s only half the battle! It’s about being the only girl at the Prom wearing that dress, the dress is not so perfect if three other girls are in it!” To avoid such a fashion faux pas, Catherine offers an Exclusivity Dress Policy. Once she has sold one particular style, she won’t sell that same dress to another girl at the same event, which is why appointments are already booking up fast. But do not fret, with around 150 exquisite styles, there are bound to be a few to fall in love with. “I was amazed at how difficult it was to find anywhere to buy a Prom dress. After hours of unfruitful shopping trips, we ended up ordering my daughter’s dress online. The dress that arrived was a disaster and looked nothing like it did on the website. The quality was awful – the dress was unwearable. And of course the online retailer wouldn’t give us a refund – it was so stressful.”

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“I want to take all the stress out of Prom shopping and make buying a Prom dress a fun experience and a wonderful journey, for mum and daughter together. After all, a girl only goes to her Prom once, she deserves to feel like a princess for the night.”

To book your appointment simply head over to the website www.promsisters.com or call 01727 612 747.

Stephanie Belton Photography

Catherine says:

Morning Coffee with Hugo Taylor As Founder of London-based luxury eyewear brand Taylor Morris, marketing consultant to some of the capital’s hottest restaurants and businesses and once upon a time a star of Made In Chelsea; we catch up with Hugo to talk 2017. Hugo, you have recently launched a collaboration for Taylor Morris with The Morgan Motor Company. How did this come about? There are some wonderful synergies between Taylor Morris and Morgan. Both are luxury products made using the finest materials and designed to evoke charisma, eccentricity and quintessentially British sexiness. I worked on this project for about 16 months from start to finish and we are delighted with the final results. It has been such a pleasure getting to experience the essence of Morgan and marry that with my brand. It’s a huge honour for Charlie Morris and me as Morgan’s heritage goes back to 1909. How important is London to you and your working life? It’s everything. I am born and raised here so I feel an immense passion and responsibility to represent this great city and all it has to offer. Are you still living in Chelsea? We are currently in the process of moving to Notting Hill but Chelsea is part of my DNA having lived in SW3 for nearly 30 years. I have recently come on board with Kiru, a modern Japanese restaurant overlooking Chelsea Green. I have an understanding of the area and what motivates people here. I have seen restaurants come and go over the years so have a unique understanding about what the customer wants, as essentially I am the customer.

2017 looks to be a year of change for the UK with Brexit and Trump. What are you expecting for the year ahead? I was driving to the airport a few days ago about to head home from South Africa and was thinking exactly this. At this point a rather annoying but poignant song came on the radio with the lyrics, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Motivation can touch you anytime and anywhere.

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Kiru already seems hugely popular with the Chelsea set. What is it that attracts them there? Aside from the outstanding food, presided over by Executive Chef Taiji Maruyama, Kiru has a style and personality which is captivating and alluring. The scope of the brand is vast and we are currently looking at sites around the world to expand the business. We see this as the next step on from NOBU and Zuma.

Survival of the Savvy

on a Long Haul Flight Love it or hate it – if we want adventure to far flung places it usually involves a long haul journey.

e normally approach our holiday with a mixture of excitement and/or trepidation knowing that we have the journey to endure before we can relax and enjoy the benefits of the well-earned break. One thing to factor into your long haul journey is your travel companions; your experience will vary immensely depending on a couple of factors, i.e. if you’re entertaining children, looking after someone less able than yourself, taking someone else’s needs/anxieties into account or going solo. As a solo traveller it’s much easier to tend to your needs yourself. With children it helps to travel at night whereby, hopefully, and depending on their age, the children will sleep. Also take some lightweight books, games etc to keep them entertained and away from the eternal famous words “are we there yet?”. Explaining the journey in detail will be worth it to reap all the benefits when they get there, focusing on all the fun to be had on arrival. When travelling with people less able than yourself albeit, fear or flight, infirm, disabled – whatever the reason – take advantage of all help offered by the airline, ground staff, ship’s stewards etc. It will make things a lot easier.

Here are some other tips for the long haul:

hydrated – drinking sips of water regularly helps. Wear comfortable clothing, in layers preferably. • Keep You can regulate your body temperature with layers. A scarf is also great for doubling up as a pillow or neck rest, or even blanket. Carry a moisturiser which can be used on your face, hands and lips so you don’t have to carry three different containers.

sure all your and your companion’s/children’s devices are fully charged and take a magazine/ • Make book too. The entertainment may be limited, depending on what type of long haul journey you are taking, and even if it’s not limited, sometimes you like your own form of amusment/entertainment.

• • Avoid all forms of caffeine if possible. know it’ll all be worth it once you reach your destination. Enjoy whatever you have planned on • You the rest of your travels.

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Noise cancelling earplugs/headphones are a ‘must’ in case you’re on a very noisy journey. They will help you concentrate, relax or switch off and sleep.

SoSophie…a label worth watching

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oSophie is Sophie Kempner, an emerging young talent in fashion design. Originally from Buckinghamshire, she now resides in New York where she works as an Executive Assistant for the couture fashion designer, Rubin Singer. Her own label, SoSophie, was designed when she was at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK and launched in New York in 2015. Sophie collaborates with Stephen Hess who has a background in graphic design. Sophie, the woman, is confident, stylish and elegantly understated. In establishing her label, it is as though she has distilled the essence of whom she is and packaged it in a brand. Her focus is menswear – initially specialising in t-shirts or ‘tees’, more recent additions include totes, snapbacks, singlets, hoodies, sweatshirts and beanies. All items are inscribed with simple, sharp, clear graphics inspired by the city such as SONEWYORK, SOBRKLYN and SOSOHO. Busy building a brand, Sophie designs and hand prints each item. She selects her models and suitable street locations. Armed with her iPhone she photographs the resulting images. She is selective in her choice of backdrop. Collections are captured against steel grey shuttered shop windows, graffiti laden walls, murals, bricks, vibrant walls. Her photographs are a love anthem to New York, a city she has energetically embraced. This is city chic. The photographs reflect the brand – raw, edgy and urban. Responsible for the whole process from beginning to end, Sophie is something of a renaissance woman. A woman who incidentally, writes a regular informative blog for The Fashion Diary, ‘an online showroom for Independent Creativity, Style and Passion’. SoSophie is active, luxury sportswear that can be worn anytime, anyplace: clubbing, in a bar, on the street or in the gym. A recently designed t-shirt is all about colour. The name says it all; the multicoloured Spectrum mirror print t-shirt. It is a riot of kaleidoscopic colours with a white SONEWYORK logo across the front. All t-shirts are 100% cotton and soft to the touch. Sophie aspires to make men look good though it does not stop there. Although designed as a menswear collection there are items in the collection that women will covet. In 2016 Sophie ran a 26-mile marathon in Queens. She casually sported one of her own designs. Men be warned, your recently acquired item of clothing, so lovingly purchased, may stray! London is waiting and SoSophie is on its way. There are plans afoot to launch in the Capital this year. Sophie is actively searching for boutiques to stock her collection. In the meantime, items can be purchased online at SoSophie.com. Permanently busy, Sophie is currently working on a new capsule collection that includes leggings, jackets and shorts. She promises bright, graphic prints and lots of them. It will be unveiled shortly. The future is indeed bright for Sophie and her designs. SoSophie is truly, a label worth watching.

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What to wear to the races Yasemen Kaner-White

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hen dressing for the races, the key things to keep in mind are comfort and elegance and adhering to any racecourse rules. It’s always best to swat up on the relevant racecourse website for guidance. However, a day at the races needn’t be stuffy – though I’d recommend longer rather than shorter hemlines. It is a time to revel in putting your best foot forward whether wearing a fashion conscious number or playing it safe with a casual classic. If racing in the UK, naturally weather plays a big role. This is when wraps, boleros and jackets come into play; they also provide a back-up should you wish to enter the VIP enclosures which normally call for covered shoulders. Personally, I opt for a pretty dress with little sleeves – normally lace, meaning I don’t have an extra unwanted layer if it is the height of summer and in fact I also have protection from the sun, or even if it is winter, I have the option of taking my jacket off, should I desire. Style of dress, colour and plain or patterned are personal preferences. I tend to go for fitted and tailored giving a strong silhouette, but floaty works too especially if complemented with a fitted structured bolero. Jewellery, again, is up to the individual as to how much, evening races could call for more bling, whereas daytime understated jewels are perhaps more appropriate. Men always look smart in ironed one-colour shirts; stripes can look good too. Again, check the website to see if a tie is required, though even if it is not, it’s a good reason to bring your favourite one out of the closet. When it comes to footwear, similar to polo events where I almost always wear wedges – albeit sexy high ones, comfort prevails. You don’t want to be having to sit constantly because your feet hurt, so go for a wedge, thick block-heel, kitten heels or cute flats or sandals. The other accessory often seen at the races is of course the hat. Men and women crank up their attire a notch with the addition of a hat, and where better to show off yours than at the races? Men suit plain headgear, whereas women, like so many aspects of fashion, can be more imaginative. Trying on a range of styles is imperative to find the best suited. To play it safe go for neutral tones, or match to your outfit. Depending on budget, there are a host of off-the-peg hats or if you are feeling fancy, book an appointment with a milliner. A chic hairband, embellished hairclip, or fascinator are other options – a less in-your-face approach and nearly always flattering. Some racecourses hold a Ladies Day, as well as a Gents Day, giving you the opportunity to stand out and be recognised as the best dressed. Though not for the wallflowers out there, it is a fun way to determine you have hit the nail on the head as it were and out-dressed your peers. Above all, just have fun!

The Omyx Club: exciting new members’ lifestyle club for discerning gay men launches in London

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ust launched, The Omyx Club (www.theomyx.com), is a lifestyle club for professional or retired gay men who want something different from the current gay scene in London. Offering exclusive monthly events alongside a wide range of services for socialising, dating, networking, travelling and more, The Omyx Club operates online through a dedicated website and mobile app planned for early in the New Year. The new website provides access to the events schedule, including a socialising and networking function, the option to search for likeminded singletons with a view to organising dates and getaways, as well as travel and business sections for exclusive access to holidays and career opportunities. The dating function in The Omyx Club is blended into the social and lifestyle elements of the club, and provides a more sophisticated approach to gay dating. The Omyx Club’s eclectic monthly events include monthly “Members’ Drinks” at prestigious venues, retail evenings (with special members’ discounts), private dining, theatre and opera. Details of upcoming events can be seen below: 17th January: Supper Club at Chelsea Cellar 14th February: Kinky Boots at Adelphi Theatre 15th February: Rigoletto ENO Opera – LGBT Night at London Coliseum The Omyx Club was founded by young entrepreneur Edward Johnson, in order to address the growing feeling amongst his friends and colleagues that many websites and apps aimed at gay men fail to acknowledge the social, cultural and romantic aspects of life. Speaking about his motivations behind The Omyx Club and his future plans for expansion, young entrepreneur and founder, Edward Johnson states: “The Omyx Club is a sophisticated, members’ club for professional, retired, single or coupled gay males who want to network, socialise and enjoy what London has to offer with likeminded individuals. The market research I conducted whilst constructing The Omyx Club further reinforced this view – highlighting that the gay scene was “unappealing” to most. We see London as the perfect place to launch The Omyx Club, with such a vast range of prestigious venues and scope for events, but ultimately the vision is for The Omyx Club is to expand into other regions of the UK and internationally”.

Membership to The Omyx Club starts at £10 per month. For more information or to become a member visit TheOmyx.com, or follow @TheOmyx on Facebook and Twitter. The Omyx Club app will be available to download soon via the Apple App Store.

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