issue ten
WELCOME ...to issue ten As we are a magazine that hits the streets every five weeks, issue ten marks our first birthday. In our first leader I presaged Christmas by pointing out, and I quote me : “As I write this on a Sunday night, a lot of independent retailers will be in their shops, putting up the decorations. Value the fact that they are doing that. Amazon aren’t.” Well, here I am a year later and it’s another Sunday night and the same thing applies. It’s been great to see that the empty retail units that we were bemoaning a year ago are now being filled more quickly, with ambitious new independents and recent events such as the Wilmslow Art Trail and the Alderley Oxjam show that there is a determination to energise the public and Christmas is the time for the public to show that they appreciate it.
4-5
News
Turning on the lights
6-7
Fashion
Classy cardigans
10-11
George Ezra
The boy with the No.1 album
12-13
Tom Yam
Poynton’s Thai expands
14
The Christmas Do
How to survive the office party
16-17
Earlams
A triumph of local intervention
18-19
Fringe Christmas
An alternative event in Stockport
20
Education
Student accommodation
22-23
Travel
The coolest hotels in the Alps
29
What’s On
Days out in November
31
Music
The best of the new releases
Stockport Office 0161 244 9896
Publishing Director Editor Advertising Photographer
Paul Taylor Paul Day Carole Jones Matt McNulty
07901 557788 07981 086684 07946 937393 07757 287285
paul@shoutmediauk.com paul.day@shoutmediauk.com carole.jones@shoutmediauk.com signol1000@ntlworld.com
Wilmslow Office 01625 541106 www.wilmslowmagazine.com @WilmslowMag Wilmslow Magazine
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news
TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC Our Big Cheese Paul Taylor has been to way more than his fair share of Christmas light switch-ons with Imagine FM. Here he examines the phenomena.
I
t’s nearly that time again, when we wait with anticipation to see who, or in some cases what, will be switching on our Christmas Lights. It’s fair to say I have been involved in quite a lot of light switch-on events over the last few years (I reckon I’ll soon be in triple figures) and it’s been interesting to see what local communities, retailers or business groups do to celebrate this institution. What motivates us to wrap the kids up and drag them out sometimes in a blizzard, sheeting rain or even a -8° temperature (all of which I have experienced) and stand alongside hundreds of people waiting to celebrate the BIG switch on? It could be an A-list star, a novelty act, a great singer, an X Factor loser, a Corrie celebrity, a laser light show, a dancing robot, animals, a choir, someone’s dad dressed as Santa or - the least favourite - someone from the council. Either
way, it works. We come out in droves and show our support for what signifies the start of the retailers’ most important trading season. Christmas lights became popular back in Victorian times when it was deemed cool to light your trees with candles strapped to the branches. Thankfully, things have moved on and these days we have super bright LED lights that have made creations limitless, if you can think of it, they can build it, which is good as I don’t think the old candle thing would get through health and safety these days! With more and more investment on lighting, theming (and reality TV shows), each year the expectation gets higher and the bar is raised. In recent years many of the Stockport villages have taken a traditional approach including Wilmslow with a Victorian theme and Alderley with simple Family Fayre (and free food!). Bigger centres like Merseyway in Stockport have simply grown and grown. Two Years ago ‘Steps’ re-united to set the record crowd at 9,000 only for it to be smashed last year by Rylan Clark at 14,000. With two big screens added in for good measure this years could be even bigger with the winners of Britains Got Talent ‘Collabro’ along with the winner of the voice ‘Jermaine Jackman’.
Then of course there is the ‘Santa’ question; How do you use him and who is going to be him. Many centres do choose to simply ignore the big man as it could be deemed to be confusing for the kids, others have had more than one! (easily done when the rotary or round table sleigh arrives). Overall there is a central bond that ties us all together. Even if there is no big stage or glittering stars, it’s about what works for your community. A night when the kids can go crazy and we can all sing along to Mariah’s All I Want For Christmas. Many centres view it as a time to offer something back; whether it’s free food at Alderley or a spectacular free show. It’s a tradition that will run and run and hopefully continue to keep me ‘on my toes. So I’ll be off to unpack the plunger and the snow machines and hopefully you can join us at one of the offerings in the area.
Stockport Merseyway: Wednesday 12th November from 4.30pm Collabro, Jermain Jackman, Bailey McConnell
Light Up Bramhall: Saturday 6th December
Stockport Market Place:
Wilmslow: Saturday 28th November Santa and the Reindeer parade
Friday 28th November 7pm
Gatley: Saturday 6th December
Marple: Wednesday 10th December
Alderley Edge: Thursday 21st November from 6pm Denise Welch and Santa Wythenshawe: Saturday 15th November from 3.30pm Amelia Lily with Ever Young and Mr Zip
ALEX WINS BRAMHALLʼS GOT TALENT
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year old Alex Lees (pictured top right just after beng announced winner), who finished third in the competition last year, took first spot and the £500 prize this time around.
and Mr Zip from Britain’s Got Talent, who got the crowd rocking with the seminal ‘Where’s My Keys, Where’s My Phone’ Mr Zip also sang his new song ‘What Time Is It Mr Zip’.
Sponsored by Mosley Jarman and organised by the Bramhall Together Trust, nearly 50 contestants performed on the Imagine FM stage and drew another impressive crowd for Bramhall’s Got Talent 2014.
Despite the name, the competition is open to aspiring stars from acoss the region and it looks like Bramhall might have to up its game next year. The top three were: Alex Lees, age 14, from Duckinfield Lilly Hill, age 11 from Macclesfield Daisy Willock, age 20 from Cheadle Hulme
Singers, dance acts, magicians and martial arts experts showed off their talents and there were two special guest appearances; last year’s winner Henry Gallagher
photos courtesy of Ian Cartwright at Caramel Photography
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BUTTON IT!
Long Open Fronted Cardigan, £59.95 from Joules, Wilmslow
Maxi cardigan £48 from Next
Graphic Edge Cardigan - £49 from Debenhams
Nümph Akari Knit £64.95 from Eternal Envy, Heaton Moor & Stockport
Mustard cardigan £22 from Tu at Sainsburys 6
fashion
Navy zip cardigan, £45 from Twiggy for M&S
Starley Cardigan £49.95 from White Stuff
The temperature seems to have dropped 20° since our last issue, so here are some cardies you might want to think about
b.young Petra cardigan £59.99 from Modiste, Bramhall
Black maxi cardigan, £39 from Miss Selfridge Only Ava Cardigan £35 from Bank Fashion 7
11
TOM YAM
THAI RESTAURANT
Tom Yam: Fountain Place, Poynton SK12 1QX 01625 879577 www.tomyam.co.uk
W
hen we brought you news of the newly-opened Tom Yam late last year Poynton was going through a metamorphosis. Waitrose had opened and the “shared space” road scheme was the talk of town planners across the country. We suggested “ Poynton is going a bit Didsbury.” A year on from that and there’s nothing to change our view there. Robinsons have completely overhauled the famous Farmers Arms; the award winning Bollington Brewing Company opened its third pub, The Cask Tavern, on Park Lane and a three-day music festival has just been held across a dozen venues in the village. So Poynton is continuing it’s surge and our return visit firmly established that Tom Yam is at the forefront of this momentum. At some point during the past 12 months a beautifully conceived outdoor seating area has appeared, making the restaurant an absolute focal point at the junction and yet - because of the idiosyncrasies of the traffic scheme - it allows any diners choosing to sit outside to remain a comfortable distance from the traffic.
Not that this external area is the restaurant’s only improvement since our first review. A much more significant development has recently been unveiled to an invited assembly of local VIPs, namely, an entirely new floor. When owner Matt Quinn showed us around his restaurant last year, he allowed us a quick peek at the first floor, with the comment: “and if we do well, we can expand up here”. It would be not be understating things to say that the first floor was in a bit of a state and only the most optimistic of operators would prepare for opening a restaurant by speculating on how to further invest in it, but that is what Matt did and now, that is what Matt has done. The Tom Yam website still makes the innocent claim “We have a capacity for 60 people inside, Thanks to this, you’ll always be able to enjoy a delicious meal at Tom Yam.” Well 60 people was the original configuration and, as it turned out, the success of the restaurant demanded an expansion so that walk-up customers could continue to be relatively confident of getting a table. The first floor has added an extra 50 covers to the total, although the feature staircase that has been
Images of the newly opened first floor area at Tom Yam, with two views of the ground floor, far right. The bottom image shows the new staircase structure, halfway down the room
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eating
created on the ground floor has eaten up some seats from the original scheme. Whilst this would ordinarily be a mild annoyance, Matt and interior designer Anna Mitchel-Waring have turned it to something of an advantage. The large ground floor room is now broken up, allowing the creation of more cosy areas which will be further enhance with the introduction of banquette seating along the rear wall. To fit under the staircase itself, Matt is commissioning a bespoke wine cabinet which will be a significant feature in its own right. Upstairs enjoys its own bar and banqueted alcove seating along both side of the room, making it easy for people to enjoy some privacy while maximising the space to its fullest. Obviously, Tom Yam has done everything right since it opened its doors last year and the secret to its success is a simple marriage of very good food, lovely staff and a nice environment. In Poynton, Matt has enlarged the environment. He now has his sights set on a new location for a second restaurant. You’ll just have to watch this space.
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partying
AN OFFICE PARTY GUIDE
I
f you work for a large or medium-sized company who bestow the gift of a Christmas party on its workforce, then the chances are it will be fully organised by now. If you haven’t been told what’s happening then we’d guess that a) the person responsible for it is keeping quiet because you lot will only moan about their choice of venue like you do every year, or b) it’s not been booked and you’ll be squashed into a pub or - worse case scenario - you’re having it in the office. So regardless, you have to accept that the writing’s on the wall and at some point in December you’ll be expected to put on a brave face and make merry with your colleagues. Last issue we offered tips on organising such an event, this time around we will suggest ways of surviving it. And, because their space-filling contribution was surprisingly popular, we have again asked the “internet forum of semi-respectable people in mostly gainful employment” for some pointers. Unfortunately most of their advice was how to avoid the event rather than survive it, but still... Do get all of your charming stories to senior personnel out of the way during the meal. Then give them a wide berth. - Crunchie
Don’t start necking Jagerbombs before the starter has even arrived. - The Doctor Don’t be the first to leave, wait until you have a critical mass of early leavers and attach yourself to their group - Donkey Wan
These people hate each other
FAO middle management: Do buy a round of drinks for your team Do spend most of the night with them Don’t spend the night brown-nosing the senior management - Fuggah Do pay attention to the dress code. Women seem to put a lot of effort into dressing up for their Xmas Party. It doesn’t go down well if you turn up in the same T-shirt and jeans you’ve been wearing all day. - Carlo Sartorial Don’t be the last person propping up the bar, ordering shots and growling at passers by. Or being put to bed by work colleagues. This will be talked about for years afterwards. - Crunchie
Do not become a sex fiend, or bring sexual references into conversations. Avoid suggesting lap dancing bars to the director of Human Resources.Crunchie
Don’t discuss work and work politics... not until the boss has downed the first bottle of wine anyway - Donkey Wan Don’t leave before the raffle. If you win and you’re not there to collect your prize people will know you sneaked out early and they’ll give your weekend in Barcelona to some French bloke who’s only been there two months and you’ll also get slagged off by your missus. - Carlo Sartorial Do keep your composure, bite your lip if you have to. And always remember that these people are not your mates, they are potential competitors and in some cases backstabbers. - Crunchie Of course, some people are just miseries: This year the free drink is limited to wine with dinner, so I’ll be leaving straight after that, with a bottle under each arm - Armitage Shanks
community
EARLAMS
I
f the story behind this quaint village store in Styal had been just slightly more fanciful or quite a lot more absurd, it would have been conceived at Ealing Studios in the late 1940’s and Margaret Rutherford would be behind the counter. The local commitment, the sheer will, that has brought this magical little operation to life, is one that vividly recalls Whisky Galore or Passport to Pimlico, as a community conjures up an ingenious scheme for the betterment of all. And what’s more, Earlams gives the impression that we’re still in that era, with a heavylooking delivery bike and a red phone box among the first things the visitor sees as they approach. As it is, the Margaret Rutherford part is played by Esther Morrisson. Esther lives in Handforth and until the day Earlams opened, worked for Stockport Council as a service development officer. To put some flesh on those bones, she was - and remains - a driving force behind the monthly Foodie Friday events that have
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done a huge amount to change people’s perceptions of Stockport as a social destination.
showed ingenuity and resourcefulness in resurrecting their local shop.
Walking through the woods near home one day she came across a Parish notice-board, “It said ‘we’re opening a community shop, would you like the job’ “ she explains. “There was next to no information on it and the closing date was the next day. Being local I knew the shop very well so I sent off an email and got an interview. On the interview panel there were five people, one of whom was the head of HR for Morrissons - which was quite intimidating.”
When you know what you’re doing, and when what you’re doing is worthy, there are sources of funding that can be tapped into, “We are a Mutual Provident Society” explains Esther, “The idea was that people in the village could buy shares in the shop (although we actually have quite a sizable shareholder who lives on the South Coast and no-one has any idea who he or she is) and because there’s an art gallery space upstairs we have access to other streams of funding - Manchester Airport are very good at supporting the arts and they’ve put money in, the council have supported us and Big Lottery have supported us.”
Rewind a year and a half and a village meeting is being held to discuss the future of the empty shop. A murmuring of intent to do something about the empty building turned into a groundswell. People volunteered, people knew people, wheels were set in motion and, like the residents of Eriskay concealing their windfall of whisky, the motivated people of Styal
The art gallery on the first floor shows off and sells the work of local artists and artisans, as well as the work of artists inspired by the area. Furthermore there is a café on the ground floor at the back of the shop. At the
community
Earlams Altrincham Road Styal Cheshire SK9 4JE www.earlams.co.uk
time of our visit the café was heaving, as it was when we left. This suggests that the Earlams model is a very healthy one, but for now it mines a rich seam of volunteers to help Esther keep the 7am - 7pm operation running. “We need them. The café needs three people per shift minimum and at weekends we need four. It has gone stratospheric. The original idea was that we would be a hub for people in the village, particularly the old people who don’t get out very often because we’re geographically cut off. Because of that, our pricing is really low: £1 for a cup of tea, £1.50 for a Nespresso so people are flooding in.” So the shop is already looking like a success and the money that’s coming in goes back in. “The idea is that everything is reinvested in the shop. If you have shares you don’t get dividends, the money goes back in. So things like that will pay for the mulled wine and mince pies at the Christmas lights switch on. Bits and pieces like that.”
As things stand the Christmas plans that Esther is formulating will involve The 39 Steps restaurant opposite, the Ship Inn adjacent to that and the cricket club next door. Earlams has already built up a very amiable relationship with its neighbours, “The 39 Steps will be making our soup for us over the Winter,” says Esther, “It’s a nice community and it’s spontaneous. It’s not been forcibly created by a community development officer and from my point of view it’s perfectly reasonable for everyone to expect any delivery to be dropped at the shop. That’s what a community shop is for. There’s an old lady at the end of the road who’s 94 and she rings up for a chat. She can’t come down to the shop but she calls up for bits and pieces and we take them to her.” It’s been a big career change for Esther so how’s she finding it so far? “I’ve been here eight weeks and it’s
been great fun. It’s physically exhausting but not mentally exhausting like working for the council because everybody’s so nice.” There are stories aplenty of local people popping in to donate tomatoes, courgettes, runner beans and victoria plums. The guides have started a herb garden for the shop and will be running the children’s book section of the library. Oh yes, the red phone box outside has been decommissioned and will soon be a take-a-book-leave-a-book library. Esther’s particularly keen on putting in a decent amount of books for the plane, train and bird watching crowd who pop by. Earlams is a model of how local people can make a difference through determination and imagination. while currently depending on volunteers, you get the impression that the spells of work are viewed as a joy rather than hard labour. There certainly seemed to be a suspicious excess of them milling around on our visit. Long may it continue.
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events
THE STOCKPORT OLD TOWN F
A
t the end of August there was a definite buzz in the air around Stockport Old Town as the first ever Fringe Festival took place over three days. Supported by Stockport’s Portas Pilot, the event attracted thousands of people to the area, not just from around Stockport but from all over the North West, to experience an eclectic mix of live music, dance, comedy, street theatre and specialist markets. Joe Barratt from Seven Miles Out Arts Centre, one of the organisers of the Fringe Festival, said “We got great positive feedback from the Festival. The family friendly atmosphere at Foodie Friday and the Sunday Festival of Markets brought a smile to everyone’s faces and there was a real sense of community which is what we need in Stockport Old Town to bring everyone together. “Lots of people came to the Fringe every day and said they’d like to see alternative events like this in The Old Town more often. That’s why we decided to put a seasonal twist on the event and organise the Festive Fringe which will take place from Friday 28th November to Sunday 30th November to herald the start of the countdown to Christmas.”
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events
N FESTIVE FRINGE WEEKEND Friday 28th November The success of Foodie Friday in the Market Place, every last Friday of the month, which now regularly attracts over 700 people to eat, drink and enjoy live entertainment has proven that there is a real appetite for cultural events that bring the community together in Stockport Old Town. At this especially Festive Foodie Friday there will a Christmas lights switch on lead by the panto stars from Cinderella at The Plaza and live music to get everyone rocking around the Christmas tree. Wrap up warm as there will be outside entertainment with fire jugglers from Circus House demonstrating their skills and lighting up the night sky. Foodie Friday starts at 6pm, the lights switch on will be at 7pm and the entertainment will continue until around 9pm. Over in Seven Miles Out Art Centre on the Market Place, there is another chance to enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music with first-class musicians whipping up a frenzy of fiddle and flute. During the Fringe Festival the Irish music night proved so popular, people were up their feet dancing a jig fuelled by a glass or two of Stockport Old Town which was a limited edition bottled beer supplied exclusively for the Festival by Robinsons Brewery. This time there will be another exclusive bottled beer called Stockport Old Town Festive courtesy of Robinsons who are the headline sponsor of the Festive Fringe.
Saturday 29th November Bring the family down to Stockport Market to pick up all your Christmas shopping essentials. There will be a festive feel with live music in and around the Market Square to get you into the mood. In Seven Miles Out Arts Centre there will be a range of free ‘Crafty Christmas’ art workshops with some great ideas for giving a personal touch to your cards and presents this year. The workshops are suitable for all ages so why not see how creative you can be? In the evening it’s the return of the popular Mojo Bravo Comedy Night showcasing up and coming names on the comedy circuit. Over the last few months Mojo Bravo have established a great night at Seven Miles Out with hilarious Edinburgh Preview shows from Lost Voice Guy, Chris Turner and Danny McLoughlin. Vikki Stone appeared fresh from the Fringe with her sell-out show and almost brought the false ceiling down in the intimate venue with her saucy comic songs. Sunday 30th November The Fringe Festival of Markets proved a great success with the specialist markets joining forces with the regular indoor market to offer everything under the one glass roof of the Victorian Market Hall. The ‘Festive’ Festival of Markets is a great opportunity to get stocked up for Christmas where you can find unique gift ideas from The Handmade Market, The Teenage Market, Vintage Village and Stockport Indoor Market. Animating this unique shopping experience will be the performers from Circus House who will be providing some eye-popping entertainment in the form of a Victorian theatrical circus show inside the Market Hall complete with acrobatics, illusions and trapeze. Circus House proved massively popular at the Fringe Festival with their jawdropping performances and have-a-go workshops attracting young and old alike. There will be another chance to get involved with free circus skills workshops running throughout the day. The Market Square will also feature the spectacular sellotape sculptures made by Brin Morris of the Artism Art Society who will be giving them a festive theme. Sunday’s event will also have live music and entertainment in the Market Square with quality food and drink on offer so that you can make a full day of it.
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education
STUDENTS SQUEEZED AS ACCOMODATION BECOMES SCARCE
T
he vast majority of students who plan to start at University next year will still be mulling over their destination of choice. Some will be determined to study close to their home town, others may want to spend three years in London but most will still be vaccinating between three or four options.
The grand tour of Open Days has finished. Prospective students have sat in lecture theatres and been told what a marvellous course this is and what a wonderful university we are but, as well as the question of academic excellence, the student may also want to seriously consider where they are going to live. The importance of this question has been highlighted by the recent revelation that some Universities are suffering from a chronic shortage of accommodation and resorting to putting bunk beds into single rooms, with students unaware of the arrangements until they arrived. The shortage can be explained by the fact that the Government have removed the limit on the number of places Universities can offer. As such an extra 30,000 students have turned up to start their courses this year - the maximum increase allowed for 2014 - but as of next year the limit will be removed entirely.
is in Southampton, an inconvenience the University are mitigating by giving each student £550 towards transport costs. So while it is obviously very important to check how your prospective University is planning on coping with the even greater influx of students next year, bear in mind that the flipside of this issue is that there are some very impressive student accommodations under development, to the extent that you might be tempted to consider a University that wasn’t originally on your radar Last year the University of Salford began the construction of a new £81m student accommodation complex as part of a multi-million pound investment programme to redevelop the campus. The apartments at the heart of the campus will provide 1,367 modern study bedrooms with en suite facilities. Each apartment will have its own kitchen and lounge and the complex will contain a cinema, gym, TV and games room, group study lounges, onsite shops, restaurants and cafés. It will be open to students next year. Major new developments have also been announced in Newcastle and Aberdeen but these will not come to fruition before 2016.
Because this announcement was sprung on the Universities, many have not been in a position to accommodate the extra numbers and it is clearly a problem that will take some time to overcome. A BBC report found the universities of Bristol, Aberdeen and Winchester were particularly badly affected. At Aberdeen, up to 300 were sent to hotels while at Winchester over 150 were without places in halls of residence at the start of term. These people have now been housed, although some of the accommodation
Artist impressions of the £81m development at the University of Salford
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travel
HOTEL NEVAÏ VERBIER, SWITZERLAND Situated at an altitude of 1,500 meters, Verbier is surrounded by more than 400 kilometers of slopes for skiers of all levels. Its boutiques, restaurants and world-famous après-ski social life make this gorgeous village one of the most exclusive and exciting European ski destinations, with Hotel Nevaï at the center of trendsetting. The stylish Alpine resort’s 33 rooms—with southfacing balconies and two spectacular Penthouse Suites—are each equipped with luxurious amenities, such as Egyptian cotton bedding, Elemis bath products, and magnificent views of the Alps. Without leaving the grounds, guests can enjoy the perfect evening: dinner at the Nevaï Restaurant—featuring an open kitchen, flawless bar, and live DJ—followed by a digestif or glass of champagne at the cozy Nevaï Bar, before finally heading to the dance floor at the famous Farm Club—the place to see and be seen in Verbier for over forty years.
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HOTEL ZHERO ISCHGL/KAPPL, AUSTRIA Why go to the Alps? For the fresh air, the panoramic views, and the rush of adrenaline that comes with careering down the slopes? Or for the aftermath of those mountain adventures: sitting by a fireplace, drink in hand, preparing to head out for dinner or the sauna? Experience the best of both worlds at Hotel Zhero - Ischgl/Kappl. Incorporating Tyrolean tradition and upscale, innovative architecture, the hotel combines smart contemporary design with the comfort of home. Stay in one of 78 rooms and suites, including nine junior suites and four penthouses with private butler service, and dine at Zhero Open Grill, Kappl’s first a la carte restaurant, where executive chef Klaus Brunmayr serves a mix of regional and international cuisine. The nearby Ischgl resort beckons with 38 kilometers of pristine powder and its infamous après-ski parties.
GO SKI
travel
The Summer’s over so while we’re featuring knitwear in our fashion pages, here we’re showing off at some of the most stylish places to base yourself if you’re planning a skiiing trip in Europe this Winter. All hotels can be booked via: www.designhotels.com/holidays_away
HOTEL DES TROIS VALLÉES COURCHEVEL, FRANCE The first post-war hotel on Courchevel, Hotel des Trois Vallées (meaning three valleys hotel) is situated at the foot of the resort’s world-class ski slopes. At the time of its construction in the 1950s, post-war modernists contemplated a new way of mountain living—this landmark hotel came to epitomize just that. With its recent renovation, this spirit of Hotel des Trois Vallées has been carefully preserved, including most of the hotel’s original furniture by the likes of Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé, and Pierre Paulin. These iconic designs greet guests at a lobby that opens out to the bar and dining room that serves traditional cuisine. The spa, with sauna, Turkish bath, and a large Jacuzzi, is awash in natural materials and is a great showcase of modernist mountain design
COPPERHILL MOUNTAIN LODGE, ÅRE, SWEDEN On the very top of Sweden’s picturesque Mount Förberget, more than 730 meters above sea level, rests an idyllic getaway. With the warmth of a mom-and-pop operation and the thrilling custom design of master architect Peter Bohlin, the Copperhill Mountain Lodge is a gem in Sweden’s snowy mountains. Known for his work on the iconic Apple stores, Bohlin has succeeded in making the hotel’s 112 earth-toned guestrooms feel lustrous and comfortable as well as invitingly private. Guests can take in 360-degree views of the Jämtland mountains through large bay windows. The summer season in the Nordic wilderness offers a chance to experience the crisp air and spectacular bright nights whilst enjoying strolls and hikes in the mountains and lush forests. In winter, Åre’s renowned Alpine ski area, the largest in Scandinavia, is just beyond the doorstep, and ski-in/ski-out access makes exploring everything as simple as strapping on a pair of skis.
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homes
• • • • • • • • • •
5 bedrooms dressing room 3 bathrooms reception rooms study breakfast kitchen utility room cloakroom & separate w.c. double garage EPC rating D
NORTHWOOD, TOWERS ROAD, POYNTON
N
orthwood stands at the head of a long gated driveway off one of Poynton’s most sought after roads. A private road close to the village centre and yet a quiet setting bordering open countryside and close to footpaths and bridleways leading into the Peak Park This fine bespoke house stands within nearly half an acre of Italianate landscaped gardens and was built only 12 years ago. The impressive portico entrance opens via double doors to an entrance vestibule with a superb herringbone oak block floored hallway beyond featuring a galleried landing and a splayed oak staircase.
The flooring extends into a cloakroom with a w.c. and, to the left of the hall, a well proportioned formal dining room. The principal rooms all have double doors from the hall and there is a Neville Johnson fitted study to the front, again with herringbone oak flooring. The double length drawing room lies off to the right of the hall, has a dual aspect and a deep fireplace recess with a stone finish fireplace and a living flame gas fire. French doors open to the westerly facing rear gardens. A door leads through to the family room with walnut finish flooring, two doors flanking the staircase leading though from the main hall and French doors open to the rear garden and terracing. The contemporary breakfast kitchen has sleek finish cupboards with granite tops, an appliance garage and a central
island, integrated stainless steel finish Bosch and Neff appliances and a utility room lies off, again with fitted appliances and internal access to the double garage with twin electrically controlled doors. On the first floor the galleried landing has an oak balustrade and a study area to the front. The master bedroom has a well appointed bathroom with an over bath shower and beyond the bedroom is a large fitted dressing room with cupboards and drawers finished in limed oak. The guest bedroom has en-suite access to the house bathroom with a separate shower, double ended bath and a door from the landing. Bedroom 3 has fitted wardrobes and ‘Jack & Jill’ access to an en-suite shower room shared with bedroom 4, also a double with fitted wardrobes. The 5th bedroom forms an attractive nursery or single bedroom. A substantial ‘Slingsby’ style pull down staircase with a handrail gives access to the second floor games room/study or cinema room. The gardens are superbly landscaped with a dwarf walled lawned garden and deep rear terrace for the evening sun and alfresco dining. A lower features box hedges, a pond and a hidden garden store. There are gated side paths and a profusion of specimen trees, shrubs and bushes.
Guide Price £920,000 Contact: Jean Pilkington at Savills Wilmslow 01625 417454
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homes
• 5 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • 4 reception rooms • kitchen opening into orangery living room • oak panelled hall • 2 cloakrooms • utility room • double garage • carport • workshop/store • carriage driveway • half acre gardens
11, PRESTBURY ROAD, WILMSLOW
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etherfield is a distinguished 1920’s bespoke built family residence with a magnificent facade with stone banding, brick quoins and an impressive stone pediment supported by Doric columns. The elegance of the exterior is reflected within, especially in the two large principal reception rooms and the oak panelled hall with its oak staircase and balustrade. There is a wonderful fusion of old and new, with the rear of the house having a contemporary kitchen opening to an orangery style living area overlooking the rear gardens and leading onto a large raised deck area, perfect for outdoor entertaining. The grounds are well established and offer plenty of privacy from the road, with two lawn areas to the rear, one with an ornamental feature, backing onto farmland and the Bollin valley. The large double garage was built for the best cars of the day with an inspection pit, a deep covered car port/wash area and a workshop/ store alongside.
There is another Versailles style oak floor, a bay with a window seat, a dual aspect and a carved chimney piece with a marble inner & a service hatch is accessed from the inner hall via a servery. To the rear of the hall is an inner hall area, also panelled, with a cloakroom off and access to the servery. The family sitting room lies to the rear right and has a marble fireplace and two sets of French doors opening into the orangery living room off the kitchen. The music room/snug has an oak floor, a fireplace and fitted housekeepers cupboard. A door leads through to the rear hall with a utility room and a cloakroom with a w.c. A useful boot/shoe storage area lies alongside. The kitchen has been recently upgraded and has light oak cupboards, a Rangemaster range cooker and integrated applianc-
es. The kitchen opens directly into the garden living room/orangery with French doors to the raised deck, under floor heating and triple Velux window lights. Off the first floor landing there is a master bedroom suite with fitted wardrobes, a dressing recess, fitted furniture and an en-suite bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath, twin wash basins and a separate shower cubicle. The guest suite, like all the principal bedrooms, has a dual aspect & fitted wardrobes & furniture. The ensuite bathroom has an over bath shower and bidet. The third bedroom also has fitted wardrobes and an en-suite shower room with a second access from the hall, serving the fourth bedroom, also with fitted wardrobes and shelving. The fitted fifth bedroom is smaller and is currently used as a study.
The impressive entrance has an oak front door with leaded & stained glass panels and opens to the impressive panelled hall with its oak floor and oak staircase leading up to the landing. To the right is the drawing room with its oak Versailles style flooring, carved chimney piece and dual aspect with French doors to the side. The formal dining room lies across the hall and could comfortably seat 12 for dinner.
Guide Price £1,500,000 Contact: Jean Pilkington at Savills Wilmslow 01625 417454
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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER Every Tuesday Gardens in Town Join up with Incredible Edible Wilmslow either as a one-off to pick up tips or as a regular volunteer as they plant herbs, fruit & veg and edible flowers for anyone to pick. There are two teams, the Town Centre Team which meets at the library car park and the Dean Row team which congregates opposite Wilmslow Garden Centre. www.incredible-edible-wilmslow.co.uk 14.00-15.00 Also: first Sunday of every month: 14.00-16.00 Every Wednesday Smartphone Quiz With a £30 bar tab for the winners and free nibbles for everyone. Free entry Revolution, Wilmslow Every Friday Bollington Folk Club Bollington’s long running Folk Club meets every Friday at the Dog & Partridge. Most weeks are Singers Nights (£2 admission) all are welcome whether to sing, play or just listen. See website for Guest Nights when different admission charge applies. Dog & Partridge, Bollington Pete Wood 01625 573255 www.bollyfolk.com Every Thursday Modern Jive Mottram Village Hall A non profit-making jive club of eight years standing Doors open 7.30-11.00. Beginners’ lesson 7.45-8.15, repeated 9pm. Intermediate lesson 9 - 9.30pm. All welcome. £6
witness this special time of year in the Park. Minimum age 8 years 4pm-6pm £8 Tatton Park Monday 27th - Friday 31st October Autumn Spooktacular at the Mill Decorate your own trick or treat bag at this free craft activity and follow the Halloween trail through the Mill. 50p per trail. Quarry Bank Mill Thursday 28th October Spooky Trip Down The Mines Join Derbyshire Caving Club for a Halloween tour of underground Alderley edge. Come and see the some of the oldest copper mines in Great Britain and hear some of the stories of real people who lived worked and DIED there. You are welcome to wear fancy dress but it may get dirty. Some ladder climbing and crawling involved. Suitable for adults and children over 6. £7 Booking and payment in advance essential. Meeting point: National Trust yard behind Wizard Restaurant SK10 4UB Information: 01625 374833 29th October - 1st November Mr Wonderful The latest production by Wilmslow Guild Players is a gentle comedy by James Robson about the promises and pitfalls of the dating arena. Performances 7.45pm Tickets £7.50 www.wgp.org.uk Wilmslow Guild 1, Bourne Street SK9 5HD
Until Friday 24th October Oxjam Alderley Alderley will be having its first Oxjam Takeover - with music happening throughout the village ending in a finale at The Festival Hall on the 24th for The Voice Alderley.
Satuday 1st November The Cheadle Big Bang A charity bonfire and firework bonanza including a kids fancy dress competition and music and entertainment from ImagineFM, Gates open 5.30pm Main display 8.15pm £7 on the gate. www.cheadlesbigbang.com
Wed 22nd - Thurs 23rd October Autumn Deer Walk Triggered by shortening daylight hours and cooler weather, the rut marks the time of year when male deer compete to mate with females, resulting in much posturing, bellowing and wallowing. Take a guided walk with the Rangers, to
Wednesday 29th October Lunchtime Concert 10th Anniversary Lunchtime Concert by Students from Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester Alderley Edge Methodist Church, Chapel Road, Alderley Edge 01625 584410
1.00 pm Admission by programme £4 Thursday 30th October Charity Souperday Wilmslow Wells for Africa will be hosting a Souperday fundraising event at St John’s Church. Admission is £4 which includes soup, bread and a hot drink. Cakes and home produce will also be available, and there will be a “Good-as -New” stall. The Church Rooms, St John’s Church Lindow, Knutsford Road , Wilmslow 11am - 2pm Saturday 31st October The Main Event In aid of McMillian Cancer Support, featuring DJ Hilton Thompson, an acoustic set with George Marshall and bands The Lost 37 and Butterfly Jam £15 (U18 - £10) Doors open 7.30pm The Festival Hall, Talbot Road, Alderley Edge Saturday 8th November Wilmslow Bonfire and Fireworks The 2014 Wilmslow Bonfire Night Fireworks in Carnival Fields, organised by the Wilmslow and District Round Table is Cheshire’s biggest charity bonfire and fireworks display. In addition to the fireworks (including a smaller fireworks display for kids) and bonfire that will light up the skies over Wilmslow’s Carnival Fields, there will be plenty of entertainment including a funfair and a variety of refreshments Gates open 5.30pm - main display 7.30pm Advance tickets are £6 for Adults and £4 for Children or £18 for a Family Ticket www.wilmslowfireworks.co.uk The Carnival Fields SK9 5NG Saturday 8th November Handforth Craft Fair A wide selection of unique traders& children’s activities. Dedicated crafters, handmade items, children’s activities plus Iggle Piggle & Fireman Sam. There will also be an exotic animal corner with a parrott, an owl, snakes, tortoises and a skunk, Free admission 12-3pm Honford Hall, South Acre Drive Handforth SK9 3HN
what’s on
Saturday 8th November Styal Remembers Explore how Styal memorialised their fallen soldiers after the First World War, and hear oral histories from descendants of the villagers. Free event but please book in advance as there is limited capacity. Booking Essential: 01625 445 845. Normal Admission Charges Apply. 1pm - 3pm Quarry Bank Sat 15th - Sun 16th November Tatton Park Christmas Gift Fair, An early chance to look for those special Christmas gifts for all the family and ideas for presents not usually found in High Street shops. 10.30am - 5pm Tatton Park Saturday 22nd November Performance: A German Requiem Prestbury Choral society is performing Brahms: A German Requiem with Simon Mercer conducting Accompanists are Ros Hall and James Pelham; Soprano: Anna Bernardin: Bass: Dean Luxon Robinson. St Bartholomew’s Church, Cliff Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4AA, 7.30pm www.prestburychoral.org Tickets: £10.00, concessions £9.00, on the door or in advance Saturday 22nd November Barn Dance Another Wilmslow Wells for Africa fundraiser, your £15 ticket (£7.50 for under 16s) will cover a hot pot supper and dessert. Music will be provided by a live band - Haycorn - and the Caller will be Brendan Morrison. There will be a licensed bar. Tickets can be obtained from Helen Battilana on 01625 250368 The Village Hall, Mottram St. Andrew Sat 29th - Sun 30th November Mind Body Spirit Event 30+ stands of International mediums, retailers and a great selection of complementary therapists. 10am - 5pm (Workshops continue until 6pm) Workshops: 5pm Sat - Access The Bars 5pm Sun - Self Healing Techiniques £3.50 in advance, £4.50 on door Alderley Edge Festival Hall, Talbot Road, SK9 7HR
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