The Jersey Life - May Issue

MAY 2016 | www.life-mags.com

the Jerseylife | MAY 2016 ISSUE 127 | THE QUALITY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Liberation Festival TIME TO CELEBRATE

A WAVE OF ACTIVITY IN GUERNSEY

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Victor Hugo referred to the ocean as his "friend" events | beauty | food and drink | home | the arts | fashion | travel | property | business | health | garden

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Publisher Fish Media Ltd Head Office Chamber House, 25 Pier Road, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 4HF. Telephone: 01534 619882 Email: thejerseylife@fishmedia.biz Website: www.life-mags.com Editor Juanita Shield-Laignel Art Director Alexis Smith Travel Writer Rebecca Underwood underwoodrebecca@hotmail.com Photography Simon Finch simon@fishmedia.biz Production Sarah le Marquand Sales Executive Juanita Shield-Laignel juanita@fishmedia.biz

Goodness me it’s May! It hasn’t helped that April felt like November; surely by the end of this month we will be basking in our usual Jersey sunshine.

Accounts and Administration Sarah Donati-Ford accounts@fishmedia.biz

As beach days have been few and far between recently, one might as well stay home and read. Luckily our pages are yet again packed with lots of interesting articles and information.

Directors Jamie Fisher Peter Smith Contributors Stephen Cohu Penny Downes Martin Flageul Rebecca Underwood Mark Shields Lorraine Pannetier Follow us on Twitter: @TheJerseyLife1 Like us on Facebook: The Jersey Life © All rights reserved. The Jersey Life is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in this publication and any loss arising there from.

Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to The Jersey Life the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Fish Media reserves the right to reject of accept any advertisement, article or material supplied for publication or edit such material prior to publication. Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media. We accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the content of these pages.

Being the month of Liberation, we commemorate this auspicious time with several pages of Liberation goings on.

In conjunction with Liberation celebrations we have publish the next in the series of the life and times of Michael Ginns MBE where he shares the story of his travels home after being released from internment camp in Germany…a very worthwhile read.

Also featured is a fabulous article all about our sister Isle of Guernsey; often forgotten in our holiday plans but as this article shows, it may very well be the destination of choice if fine food and chic boutique hotels is what you are looking for.

they hope to go! Then I had the great pleasure of meeting Bronwyn Gomes who has had the foresight to set up a navigational care service designed specifically to diminish the difficulties for those in need of care.

Well that’s it for yet another month. I shall now be working on our June issue and hope that when I write this page again we will all be rather warmer.

Juanita Shield-Laignel p.s. Don’t forget to ‘Make May Purple’ with The Stroke Association Jersey If you have an interesting story to share or would like your business reviewed, please feel free to call me on 619882.

I’d love to hear from you.

Wine connoisseur, Martin Flageul is tracing the recent history of the delicious Carmenere grape variety on page 72 and if you are looking for foods to tantalise your taste buds we have everything from luscious and luxurious with Relish to plant based choices with Lorraine Pannetier and Amelia Freer.

May is also the month that embraces The Chelsea Flower Show so we couldn’t resist a feature article on one of the world’s foremost herb growers Jekka McVicar in gardening and this leads on beautifully to our home section.

Interview wise, I had a lovely afternoon with Paul Vane, founding member of live show band, Inside Job. He shared how Inside Job came to be and in this their tenth year, where

April edition’s crossword solutions: Across: 7 Nearly; 8 Muster; 10 Operate; 11 Round; 12 Cuff; 13 Boast; 17 Equip; 18 Feat; 22 Close; 23 Unusual; 24 Ablaze; 25 Plunge.

Down: 1 Invoice, 2 Take off; 3 Allay; 4 Sunrise; 5 Stout; 6 Grade; 9 Melodious; 14 Squeeze; 15 Genuine; 16 Stilted; 19 Scrap; 20 Folly; 21 Quell.

MAY ISSUE | 3

34

May 2016

50

3 WELCOME and The Jersey Life contact information

8 UP AND COMING Events and walks around Jersey

74 MAY IS...

Flavour of the month, cocktail and crossword

ARTS, CULTURE AND MUSIC 10 LIBERATION The International Music Festival returns

12 DAME FELICITY LOTT We bring you questions and answers

50 INSIDE JOB An interview with the founding member Paul Vain

HOME LIVING 30 JEKKA’S HERBAL PATH TO HAPPINESS

By Hannah Stephenson

34 ABSOLUTELY FLOORLESS Choosing the right type of flooring

by Sam Wylie-Harris

38 TOP TIPS FOR SHOWERS

By Julia Gray

42 REVISIT RETRO Shagpile, abstract flower prints and lashings of orange 4 | www.life-mags.com

42 30

Clear Clea ar investment. Pure energy.

HUNDREDS HAVE MADE THE SMART MOVE TO ELECTRIC HEATING WILL YOU? Hundreds of customers in Jersey are now converting their homes to electric heating.

It’s greener, it’s cleaner, it’s sustainable, it’s 100% efficient. Electricity is the energy of the future.

Thousands of Islanders are ready for that future.

Call 505460 and we’ll take a look at your existing heating system and help you get ready for that future, too.

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FOOD AND DRINK 18 WHAT’S NEW AT RELISH Juanita Shield-Laignel catches up with Florian de Poray

20 SUNSHINE IN A GLASS Combine fruit and salad and get creative

72 CARMENERE A rare grape variety by Martin Flageul

TRAVEL 59 SALZBURG Experience ‘a little night music’

By Rebecca Underwood

62 A WAVE OF ACTIVITY IN GUERNSEY

By Sarah Marshall

ANTIQUES 64 THE CALL

By Stephen Cohu

14

HEALTH AND BEAUTY 14 FREER YOURSELF FROM UNHEALTHY EATING Some advice from Amelia Freer

22

16 SPRING CLEAN YOUR SKIN AND BODY

By Penny Downes of Penny Feathers

22 FASHION It’s in the Jeans...by Lisa Haynes

24 ARE YOU ASKING FOR THE RIGHT TYPE OF COLOUR?

By Sophie Walton of Stylistics Hair Studio

26 ELECTRIC BIKES a new way of cycling

28 MOVE TO CUT STRESS LEVELS FOR TEACHERS Mark Shields takes a closer look

52 FINDING CARE...YOUR WAY! Care Navigation, Advice & Support

MOTORING 70 JAGUAR F-PACE The latest set of wheels taken for a spin

59 6 | www.life-mags.com

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what’s on...

Our selection of events to enjoy in Jersey this month sponsored by JT

Theatre, Art & Exhibitions Seekers - Jason Butler Solo Exhibition This long awaited exhibition 'Seekers' will be Jason Butler’s first solo show in Jersey since 2009 and it will be held in his stunning Harbour front studio/gallery.

Jason is a Jersey based full-time artist. His work has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions in the UK including the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery in London on 3 occasions. The exhibition will comprise of both small and large scale paintings and drawings.

Price: Free of charge When: 04/05/2016 - 28/05/2016 Time: 10:00-17:30 Where: Jason Butler Studio, 10 Commercial Buildings, St. Helier Contact: Jason Butler 07797 727257 jason@jasonbutler.info Website: www.jasonbutler.info Ballet Gala - Stars from the Royal Ballet A magical evening of present and future stars from the Royal Ballet supported by live musical performances including award winning artists violinist Harriet MacKenzie and accordion player Milo Milivojevi.

The evening will feature over 100 dancers including present and future stars from the Royal Ballet.

Price: From £25.00 - £150.00 When: Saturday 07/05/2016 Time: 19:30-00:00 Where: Fort Regent, Mount Bingham, St. Helier Contact: Humfrey humfrey@gov.je Carmen and the Jersey Chamber Orchestra Taste the fruits of France with Bizet's evocative Carmen Suite No 1, a virtuosic violin concerto by Saint-Saëns (no.3), and Beethoven's revolutionary 'Eroica' Symphony initially dedicated to Napoleon before Beethoven angrily tore up the script on hearing of Napoleon becoming Emperor.

Price: From £5.00 - £35.00 When: Sunday 08/05/2016 Time: 20:00 Where: Jersey Opera House, Gloucester Street, St. Helier Contact: Box Office +44 (0) 1534 511115 boxoffice@jerseyoperahouse.co.uk Website: www.liberationjersey.com Bookings: www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk/show/jerseyhamber-orchestra/

Let us know the month before your event is due to take place, and we shall do our best to include it in our listings.

Contact: thejerseylife@fishmedia.biz

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Theatre, Art & Exhibitions Dr Libby Horner, Writer & Filmaker presents - 'Mille Miglia, Cars & Culture' A kaleidoscopic overview of the iconic race from its inception in 1927, the characters, cars and razzamatazz… third lecture title in the JEDFAS series. JEDFAS is a new society in Jersey set up

by June Ash. It comes under the umbrella of NADFAS (National Association Of Decorative & Fine Arts) and is open to all who have the shared interest of exploring the diverse world of the Arts.

Price: £12.50 - £16.00 Supper Option When: Tuesday 17th May Time: 6pm for 6:45 start Where: The Royal Yacht Hotel, St Helier Contact: email carolyn@jedfas.org or call (01534) 601195

Food, Fayres & Festivals Liberation International Music Festival From 3rd to 15th May 2016 the island will be filled with music making and dancing of the highest calibre as we celebrate the 71th anniversary of Liberation from occupation.

The Festival is delighted to announce events such as the Band of the Royal Marines, Jazz at Hamptonne with award winning jazz pianist Joe Stilgoe, the Royal Ballet with principals Lauren Cuthbertson and Eric Underwood, a fiery night of Carmen and revolutionary music with the Jersey Chamber Orchestra, and the International Chamber Music Series bringing us Dame Felicity Lott, international stars playing chamber music, and a whole host of other events. The award winning stars will also be joined by Jersey artistes and will perform at both formal and al fresco events at venues around the Island including Hamptonne, St Ouen’s Manor, the Mansell Collection as well as Jersey Opera House and more established venues. For the 71th anniversary celebrations this year’s highlights remain the liberation of Jersey from German occupation through music. A central theme running through this year’s programme will also be the celebration of the end of hostilities as we focus on countries across the world with German music represented, as well as those of forces on either side with English, Russian, Italian, French and American music.

Price: From £2.00 - £45.00 When: 03/05/2016 - 15/05/2016 Where: See website for details Island Wide Contact: Music in Action info@musicjersey.com Website: www.liberationjersey.com Bookings: www.liberationjersey.com Liberation Day Ceremony and Festivities Part of the C I Heritage Festival - After a special meeting by the States of Jersey, the Royal Court, States Members and Community leaders take part in a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration. This includes a re-enactment of the act of Liberation, the arrival of the Liberating Forces and the successive flying of flags. This is followed by community singing, a uniformed march-past and a drive-past by old civilian and military motor vehicles. The ceremony each year involves a celebration, not only of the peace and good fortune that has come to pass since 9th May 1945, but also of the restoration of freedom that has been enjoyed since that day. Then Join the Liberation Party in Weighbridge Place, St Helier and find yourself dancing the Jitterbug and

the Lindy-Hop or slow things down as the Jersey Big Band plays classic tunes from the 1940s.

Enjoy a full day’s programme of music and entertainment, al fresco food and relax as you watch the celebrations on the big screen. Or, if you prefer, peruse the many vintage and craft stalls, or sample traditional treats as street entertainers wind their way through the crowds.

Price: Free of charge When: Monday 09/05/2016 Time: 09:00-17:00 Where: Liberation Square, The Esplanade, St. Helier Contact: David Filipponi Chief Officer 01534 441107 d.filipponi@gov.je Dame Felicity Lott and Friends Join us for this very special recital. The Liberation International Music Festival is delighted to invite Dame Felicity Lott and the Festival's Artistic Director and world renowned clarinettist Michael Collins to the Jersey Arts Centre. With repertoire to include Schubert’s emotionally potent miniopera, Shepherd on the Rock and Poulenc’s beautiful Clarinet Sonata, this intimate event combines the musical prowess of some of Britain’s most admired soloists for a very special evening of exquisite vocal and chamber music.

Dame Felicity Lott - A great artist - Telegraph Michael Collins - Clarinet - Royal Philharmonic Lifetime Performer’s Award Pre Concert Talk 7pm Price: From £5.00 - £24.00 When: Friday 13/05/2016 Time: 20:00-00:00 Where: Jersey Arts Centre, Philips Street, St. Helier Contact: Jersey Arts Centre +44 (0) 1534 700444 enquires@artcentre.je Website: www.musicjersey.com Bookings: artscentre.je/event/dame-felicity-lottfriends/ St Aubin Vintage Fair 2016 YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND !!

A huge selection of vintage and antique items.

Free admission.

Price: Free of charge When: Saturday 21/05/2016 Time: 09:00-17:00 Where: St Aubin Harbour-Side, St. Brelade Contact: Sue Falla +44 (0) 07797744848 arthur_falla@hotmail.com Website: www.facebook.com/vintagefairjersey Bread Making Workshop at Le Moulin de Quetivel Inspired by The Great British Bake Off? Brush up on your bread making skills at our own Mill in St Peter’s Valley. Learn how to make a classic farmhouse loaf using our own stoneground flour under the guidance of artisan baker Darren Wallser.

When: Saturday 21/05/2016 Time: 10:00-15:00 Where: Le Moulin de Quétivel, Mont Fallu, St. Peter Contact: National Trust for Jersey 01534 483193 enquiries@nationaltrust.je Website: www.nationaltrust.je

Sports & Out and About South Coast Charity Challenge Fundraise with your feet and support Jersey Mencap on this 15 mile charity walk following the stunning south coast of Jersey. Start: 8.30am-9.30am at La Rocque. Registered entrants receive fundraising t-shirt, refreshments, bag transfer and courtesy bus transfer from finish line.

Price Entry Fee: £12.00 When: Sunday 15/05/2016 Time: 08:30-00:00 Where: La Rocque Harbour car park, Grouville Contact: Alex Wiles +44 (0) 1534 866622 Alex.Wiles@jerseymencap.org Website: www.jerseymencap.org Bookings: race-nation.com/south-coastchallenge-2 16-2016 The Durrell Challenge 2016 Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust launches ‘The Durrell Challenge 2016’, a 13k road race held in Jersey, Channel Islands, followed by a family fun day at Durrell Wildlife Park on 15th May 2016.

Have a fun day out whilst raising funds for Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Can you ‘Do it for Durrell’?

Price: From £5.00 - £14.05 When: Sunday 15/05/2016 Time: 11:00-17:30 Where: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity Contact: Durrell Wildlife Park, +44 (0) 1534 860000 info@durrell.org Website: www.doitfordurrell.com CRY Jersey Western Walkathon With 3 different distances to choose from, anyone can take part, walk the walk & change a child's life. Join us for the full challenge of 21 miles or opt for the shorter routes of 13 or 6 miles. All walks start and finish at the first lay by on Victoria Avenue, St Helier. Registration is £10 adult, £5 child. Adults will receive a t-shirt and all walkers will receive refreshments on route and a medal and certificate on completing the walk.

Price Adults: £10.00, Children: £5.00 When: Saturday 21/05/2016 Where: The Esplanade, St. Helier Contact: CRY Jersey 01534 618497 cryjersey@gmail.com Bus: short walk from Liberation Station Website: www.cry.org.uk Jersey Horse Racing - The Whitsun Meeting Come and watch the action at the bank holiday Whitsun meeting. Set in the picturesque coastal area of Grosnez in the north-west corner of the island you can enjoy the most beautiful uninterrupted views over the historic ruins of Grosnez Castle and the neighbouring islands of Guernsey, Sark and Herm. The racecourse hosts nine race meetings during the summer.

Price: To be advised.

When: Monday 30/05/2016 Time: 14:30-18:00 Where: Les Landes Racecourse, Grosnez, St. Ouen Contact: Jersey Race Club 863484 Website: www.jerseyraceclub.com FNHC Colour Fun Run 2016 Family Nursing & Home Care is hosting Jersey’s first ever colour run. The FNHC Colour Fun Run will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 30th May along the Waterfront.

When: Monday 30/05/2016 Time: 10:00-18:00 Where: The Esplanade, St. Helier Contact: Family Nursing and Care 01534 443600 enquiries@fnhc.org.je Website: www.fnhc.org.je Jersey International Motoring Festival Steep winding hills and straights beside the long beaches provide the perfect combination for a motoring festival, and Jersey has it all.

Price: Free of charge When: 02/06/2016 - 05/06/2016 Where: Peoples Park, St. Helier Contact: The Classic & Vintage Motor Racing Club of Jersey Website: www.jimf.je

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Liberation

International Music Festival returns The biggest musical celebrations that the island has seen are about to start with eighth Liberation International Music Festival. From 3rd to 15th May 2016 the island will be filled with music making and dancing of the highest calibre as we celebrate the 71th anniversary of Liberation from occupation. Such has been the demand that the celebration has been extended to twelve days.

The Festival is delighted to welcome events such as the Band of the Royal Marines, Jazz at Hamptonne with award winning jazz pianist Joe Stilgoe on 15th May, the Royal Ballet with principals Lauren Cuthbertson and Eric Underwood on 7th May, a fiery night of Carmen and revolutionary music with the Jersey Chamber Orchestra on 8th May, and the International Chamber Music Series bringing us Dame Felicity Lott, international stars playing chamber music on 13th May, and a whole host of other events.

The award winning stars will also be joined by Jersey artistes and will perform at both formal and al fresco events at venues around the Island including Hamptonne, St Ouen’s Manor, the Mansell Collection as well as Jersey Opera House and more established venues.

Festival Chairman, James Mews stated, “The exciting programme speaks to us of passion and revolution, looking at the dark times and above all celebration. The festival has got a very exciting programme from popular events such as Jazz at Hamptonne with the jazz star Joe Stilgoe, the Band of the Royal Marines on 3rd May alongside masterworks from the chamber music and singing repertoire including Dame Felicity Lott and the Stars from the Royal Ballet. The Festival will be filled with the music of dreams from love to the joy of celebrations and there is sure to be something to lift you up and make you think and smile in the 8th international festival.”

Festival Highlights Saturday 7th May 2016 – Ballet Gala: Stars of the Royal Ballet – Fort Regent Stars from the Royal Ballet Lauren Cuthbertson and Eric Underwood and seven future stars from the Royal Ballet School entertain with your favourite ballet solos and duets in this evening of famous ballet dance and music alongside international soloists Harriet Mackenzie and Milos Milivojevic. Including scenes from Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, and modern award winning choreography from the likes of Sir Frederick Ashton and Michael Wheeldon this evening is set to dazzle and amaze dance fans. As well as the main stars there will be 4 dances provided by some of Jersey's own dance students in the ballet de corps. This will be a

10 | www.life-mags.com

unique evening that will entertain everyone, from dance to music lovers with the opportunity to meet the stars of the Royal Ballet alongside some wonderful music.

Sunday 8th May 2016 - Carmen with the Jersey Chamber Orchestra - Jersey Opera House Come on a musical journey with some remarkable music linked to France from Bizet's Carmen Suite no 1, a virtuosic violin concerto

by Saint-Saëns (no.3), and Beethoven's revolutionary 'Eroica' Symphony initially dedicated to Napoleon before Beethoven angrily tore up the script on hearing of Napoleon becoming Emperor.

All three works of art are linked to the themes of liberation. The dramatic music in Carmen portrays the liberated Carmen in all her guises.

Saint-Saëns' violin concerto is one of the great impressionistic works for violin and orchestra while Eroica is one of the most remarkable, even revolutionary works of art with themes including the struggle against power.

Directed by the Kapelmeister of the Berlin Deutsche Opera, Daniel Cohen, the soloist in the Saint-Saëns is Russian international superstar Boris Brovtsyn.

It will be a fabulous concert that cannot be missed.

Monday 9th May 2016 – Musical Walk and Liberation Choral Concert – St Ouen’s Manor and Church - Walk from 2:00pm, Tea and Cake at 4:00pm, Concert at 6:00pm

Friday 13th May 2016 - Dame Felicity Lott & Friends at Jersey Arts Centre A unique opportunity to hear three of the country's most eminent and celebrated stars performing a stunning programme. One of the greatest opera stars, Dame Felicity Lott brings her friends includes world renowned clarinettist Michael Collins performing Schubert's emotional mini-opera, The Shepherd on the Rock, operatic songs from Rossini to Verdi, as well as comic songs by Noel Coward. This intimate event combines the musical prowess of some of Britain's most admired soloists for a very special evening of exquisite vocal and chamber music.

Sunday 15th May 2016 – Jazz at Hamptonne 12-4.30pm The creative genius Joe Stilgoe called variously “breathtaking”, “an extraordinary musician” and lauded will many accolades makes a welcome return to the Festival. A legendary singer, songwriter, and all round entertainer, Joe headlines “Jazz at Hamptonne” which returns to the Liberation Music Festival on Sunday the 15th of May to headline the afternoon’s line-up. After the sell-out success of the event last year, the Liberation festival is particularly pleased to return to the Hamptonne for what will be another memorable day of great music set amidst the historic 17th and 18th century buildings.

Musical Walk Enjoy a walk around St Ouen's Manor guided by a member of the de Cateret family exploring Jersey's wartime fortifications, the beautiful countryside and the history of the Manor in the war.

Liberation Celebration Concert The Liberation Vocal Consort conducted by Graham Caldbeck perform an enlightening and reflective choral programme featuring composers through the ages and evoking Liberation sentiments - the faith and hope needed during the dark times before turning to forgiveness, reconciliation, celebration & reflection. This unique and ultimately joyful programme will be one of the choral highlights of the year.

Wednesday 11th May 2016 - Musical Velocity at Mansell Collection Nigel Mansell's collection of Formula 1 cars and trophies sets the scene for a concert of musical virtuosity and velocity featuring the ensemble ZRI called - 'Brahms and the Gypsy'. ZRI is the name of the historic Red Hedgehog cafe where Brahms and friends cut their teeth with feats of musical daring and the event features the refinement of the classical concert stage mixed with tavern grit and gypsy flair.

Tickets can be purchased from Jersey Opera House on 511115, from Fort Regent on 449827 for the Ballet stars, or the Jersey Arts Centre on 700444 for Dame Felicity Lott or through the website www.liberationjersey.com.

MAY ISSUE | 11

Jersey Life brings you a Q & A with

Dame Felicity Lott

The celebrated soprano Dame Felicity Lott who has been honoured by the Queen and other countries for her services to music is performing with her friends the clarinettist Michael Collins and pianist Michael McHale at the Jersey Arts Centre on 13th May 2016 as part of the Liberation International Music Festival.

She has received many honorary doctorates, including those from the Universities of Oxford, London, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Glasgow and the Sorbonne in Paris. By the French Government she was awarded the titles Officier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1990 and Chevalier dans la Legion d'Honneur in 2001. In 1990 Felicity was made a CBE. In 1996 she was created a Dame Commander of the British Empire. In 2003 Felicity was awarded the title of Bayerische Kammersängerin and in 2010 she was awarded the Wigmore Hall Medal.

Together with Michael Collins and Michael McHale they are showcasing an operatic programme with arias by Rossini and Donizetti as well as operetta with comic songs by Noel Coward, and a Fantasia on Verdi’s La Traviata before finishing with Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock.

Before the performance there will be a Q and A with Dame Felicity Lott at 7pm.

Tell us about your musical upbringing?

I was born in Cheltenham, into a family of amateur musicians.

From an early age I was fortunate enough to learn piano and violin, and took singing lessons. My real love was the French language and so I studied French and Latin at Royal Holloway College, University of London, with a vague idea of becoming an interpreter. But I always loved singing. So I applied to the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied for four years, leaving in 1973 with the Principal’s Prize.

Can you give us an overview of your life as a singer?

It all started in 1975 with my debut at the English National Opera as Pamina in Mozart's Magic Flute. Then in 1976 I took part in the first performance of Henze's opera We Come To The River at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. The first thing I ever sang with Glyndebourne was the Countess in Capriccio in the Glyndebourne tour in 1976, which was one amazing way to start really. Since then, I’ve been lucky to go to so many wonderful opera houses around the world from Vienna, Milan, Paris, Berlin, New York and Chicago. Chicago is the biggest house I’ve ever sung in.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

I should say I'd be sitting on a golden sofa but I would actually be learning programmes for recitals. Learning my words is a constant struggle.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

Finding myself in a career that lasts so long, to have met such lovely people, to have travelled to such exciting places and still to be doing it. I started off doing a French degree and wanted to be an interpreter. Now I get to sing in French all the time.

What are you good at and what is your weaknesses?

I'm good at being non-confrontational. I'm not good at arguments.

My friends might kill themselves laughing if they heard me say that! I do like to eat Mendiants - chocolates with nuts and raisins on top. A glass of champagne's good too.

Do you have any advice for young singers in Jersey?

Follow your instincts and find a good teacher, someone you can really trust, and be careful not to do too many big things too early.

I was never asked to do too many huge things. I didn’t join a company, which I think was right for me because I would have had to have done all sorts of things that probably wouldn’t have suited me. I managed to keep a balance of oratorio and recitals and opera. It’s very healthy for the voice.

To book tickets to see Dame Felicity Lott and Friends call the Jersey Arts Centre on 700444 or for more information about the concert go to the website www.liberationjersey.com

12 | www.life-mags.com

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HEALTH AND WELL BEING

FREER YOURSELF

from unhealthy eating

By Kate Whiting

Amelia Freer has one word of advice for convenience food fans who say they 'don't have time to cook from scratch'.

"If you don't have time for health, you need to eventually make time for disease."

It's a stark warning from the no-nonsense 40-year-old nutritional therapist, blogger and author, who boasts James Corden, Sam Smith and Boy George among her celebrity clientele, but she's passionate about inspiring positive change.

"We used to [cook from scratch] in the old days, before convenience food existed - it's only convenience food that told us we don't have time any more and we don't have the skill. We've learnt to not make the time or prioritise it, and now we feel incapable.

"We've got our priorities wrong," she enthuses. "Preparing and thinking about food has gone to the bottom of our list."

Freer knows from experience the impact eating badly can have.

In her mid-20s, while working as Prince Charles' personal assistant, she survived on a diet of pre-prepared food and sugary tea, and was plagued by IBS and acne.

"I had really bad digestive problems, really bad skin problems, really low energy, I was always getting ill, I was always run down," she recalls. "It wasn't anything sinister like a disease, but I just wasn't a healthy girl.

"I think a lot of people aren't healthy," she adds. " As humans, we tend to make do and put up with bad health, you get used to it, as opposed to saying, 'No, I deserve to feel excellent, I deserve to have optimum health'."

Freer eventually quit her job and enrolled on a four-year nutrition course, which changed her life.

"I started to learn about nutritional therapy, which is working with individuals to help improve their health, through the use of food.

It's amazing how quickly someone can feel better, above and beyond weight loss - they feel a lot better with various symptoms when they improve the quality of the food they're eating."

Sam Smith summed it up when he posted a picture on Instagram of Freer's bestselling debut book Eat. Nourish. Glow., published early last year, with the caption: "Amelia Freer has helped me lose over a stone in two weeks and has completely transformed my relationship with food... It's not even about weight loss, it's about feeling happy in yourself."

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She's not a fan of our reliance on sugar - "The amount of access we have to sugar now is detrimental to our health. It's so important that people become more aware of it" - but neither does she like the word 'diet'.

"I don't endorse or support any diet. If someone comes to me wanting to know about a diet, then I'm afraid they'll be disappointed. Everyone's too quick to turn things into extremeness and fads, and I think that's really disappointing."

So is the 'moderation' approach better?

"I hate that word because it frustrates people, but I think we have to find balance," says Freer. " Everyone's different.

What works for some people doesn't work for others. Some excel at being vegan, others really, really don't.

"I'm never judgemental, to say that there is only one way for people to eat. We're all unique and we cannot take a one-size fits all approach."

That said, if you are going to have something naughty, like a piece of cake, make sure you savour it.

"If you want to be healthy and you like to have your piece of cake, it's much better to have that slice, sit down with it and actually enjoy it," says Freer. "Rather than this unconscious picking, where you feel a bit guilty and don't realise how much you're eating.

If you're going to have them [treats], do it in a healthy way."

So there you go, permission to eat cake (sort of) - and be healthy.

Feeling inspired? Here are two recipes from Freer's new book Cook.

Nourish. Glow. to try at home...

HEALTH AND WELL BEING

SUPER GREEN SOUP WITH CASHEW CREAM (Serves 4) Olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets 3 handfuls of fresh or frozen peas 700ml vegetable or chicken stock 1 small bag of baby spinach (approx 250g) 1 green chilli, chopped, to sprinkle on top A small handful of fresh parsley, chopped, to serve For the cashew cream: 150g raw cashews 300ml hot water 1 clove of garlic Zest of 1 lemon A few hours before making this soup, prepare the cashew cream.

Put the cashews into a bowl, pour over the hot water and leave to soak for at least two hours. Once the cashews are tender, drain and put into a food processor, along with 300ml fresh water, the garlic and lemon zest, and blitz until completely smooth and creamy. Set aside. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan, and sweat the onion until translucent. Add the broccoli and peas to the pan, cook for five minutes, then add the stock the vegetables should be just covered (you may need to add a little extra water). Bring to the boil, then simmer until the broccoli is tender, for roughly four minutes. Don't overcook the vegetables or they will turn a dull green. Using a stick blender, start blending the soup, adding a handful of spinach at a time - the spinach will cook as it's mixed into the soup. Blend until the soup is smooth and thick, then stir through half the cashew cream. Serve in bowls with a swirl of cashew cream on top and fresh parsley and chilli, if using, scattered over.

INDIVIDUAL FISH PIES (Serves 4) 1 x 400ml tin coconut milk 1tbsp garlic-infused oil Juice and zest of 1 lemon 2 bay leaves 300g cod fillet (approx 2 small fillets) 300g undyed smoked haddock A splash of white wine (optional) Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 large celeriac, peeled and chopped into equal-sized chunks 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked 1 1/2tbsp unflavoured coconut butter 150g raw king prawns 3 spring onions, green parts only, thinly sliced A small handful of fresh chives, chopped 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, to serve Put the coconut milk, garlic oil, lemon juice and zest and bay leaves into a large, deep pan. Add the cod and haddock and bring to a gentle simmer. Poach the fish for approximately 10 minutes until the flesh flakes easily. Remove the fillets and set aside. Add the wine (if using) to the poaching liquid, season to taste with salt and pepper, and leave to simmer over a low heat while you make the celeriac mash. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the celeriac into a pan of boiling water and boil with the thyme leaves until tender. Drain and mash with the coconut butter, and season with salt and pepper. Flake the fish and divide between four individual ovenproof dishes (or you can use one big dish). Add the prawns, spring onion and chives to each pot and pour over a quarter of the poaching liquid - it should have thickened slightly by now. Top with celeriac mash and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the pies are golden on top.

Scatter with chopped fresh parsley and serve with steamed greens, such as broccoli, peas or rainbow chard.

Nutritionist Amelia Freer, former assistant to Price Charles is now best know for helping the likes of Sam Smith, Boy George and James Corden to find their inner litheness with Metabolic Balance.

HEALTH AND WELL BEING

SPRING CLEAN your Skin and Body

By Penny Downes from Pennyfeathers After a period of over indulgence and hiding our bodies during the winter period May always brings the need to detox and rebalance the body. Our skin is a biggest living organ and the one everyone's sees so after a period of over doing it, we can look lack lustre. Here's some top tips to detoxifier skin, body and mind to restore your new year glow.

To motivate we always need a quick fix. So every morning drink hot water with lemon. The Lemons support your liver and kidneys, whilst the hot water stimulates good digestion hence it starts to clear up the skin. Keep hydrated with water throughout the day to keep the goodness going. By adding more water the puffiness around the eye area can be reduced radically.

You can improve your skin with a simple weekend detox - and it doesn't involve fasting, purging, or a complete rearrangement of your life. There are some easy methods like massage, exercise and facials that flush out waste and toxins. All so you wake up Monday morning with a fresh, radiant complexion.

First step Clear the clutter. Simply straightening up the junk on your coffee table or doing a load of laundry will prepare you for the inner cleansing to come. Then Stock the fridge with scrumptious skin loving healthy food such as fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Let their antioxidant levels help repair, and prevent, damage to your skin. Adding the lean protein (chicken, turkey, and tofu) will keep you sustained during your detox.

Second step is to streamline your skincare. Less is more so stick to the basics. Keep out your cleanser, serum, moisturiser and banish the rest. Your exfoliator and mask will be used for a home facial but aren't needed daily. Next it's self massage time.

By relaxing your body with massaging the skin, you encourage the elimination of waste by manually moving lymph through the

16 | www.life-mags.com

lymphatic system. Concentrate on massaging the neck, armpits, stomach, groin and behind the knees, all areas where there are a lot of lymph nodes. Gentle stroking movements are good trying not to pull or push at the skin too much.

Post massage why not try a fake facial at home. Lay back and relax with an at home steam. Pour hot water into a small bowl and add a few drops of a citrus essential oil. Soak a hand towel in the water, then wring out and drape over your face. Lie down for ten minutes and let the steam open your pores, prepping your skin for the detoxifying mask that follows. Look for masks made with clay, which absorbs excess oil and pulls toxins and impurities out, while adding in necessary minerals.

Our third step is body care. With our face being nicely cared for and our internal organs feeling the food and drink benefits we need to look after our body with a Scrub. Wake up your senses with a sloughing session in the shower. Exfoliate with a product that contains coffee to remove dead, dulling skin cells, boost circulation, and pump toxins from the body.

Moisturise after to hydrate and soothe the skin. Next let's Sweat it all out. Light exercise helps eliminate toxins from your body. Why not try Taking deep breathes too. They all stimulate the lymphatic system as it brings cleansing oxygen into the body with each inhale, and expels waste on each exhale.

Finish your detox period with a second at home facial so that you nourish and calm your complexion. Not only have you cared for your body but you would of relaxed your soul, bringing you a brighter and better complexion just after a couple of days.

Let's start the season as we mean to go on! www.penny-feathers.co.uk

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RELISH

What‘s New at Relish Frequenters to Halkett Street can’t have failed to notice and probably been drawn in by, the delights of Jersey’s most prestigious delicatessen, Relish. Hands-on Proprietor Florian de Poray, who’s passion, flare and dedication ooze from every emerald green wall and gourmet product, was as exuberant recently as he has ever been, when he gave me a whistle stop tour of his new ranges and services…

by Juanita Shield-Laignel As you walk down Halket Street towards Beresford Street you can’t help but notice the superlative sight that is Relish wrapping around the corner plot where it collides with Market Street. Surrounded by olive trees and chrome tables, the sensory kaleidoscope of vibrant colour and delicious aromas render one salivating the moment one enters the big double doors.

Relish is most assuredly a delightful delicatessen with an inviting façade that prides itself as being ‘one of the finest purveyors of fine food and wine in the Channel Islands.’

Including its previous incarnation situated in the fish market, Relish has now been in the care of enthusiastic fine foody, Florian De Poray for nigh on seven years. During that time Relish has been Highly Commended for the prestigious UK Deli of the Year Award and Winner of the local Customer Service of the Year Award which is largely due to Florian’s dedication to bring the people of Jersey a wide range of artisan produce including English cheeses such as Stinking Bishop & Montgomery’s Cheddar and sought after European Cheeses such as Spanish Idiazabal and Swiss Walo Cave-Aged Gruyère.

Jersey born, Florian spent much of his early life in Rome, Verona and Tuscany. “Having lived in Italy I’d adopted a passion for the food and Relish is a good excuse for me to rekindle that passion and share it with others” Florian confesses. “Many of my products are unusual and customers may be hesitant to buy something they haven’t tasted yet. Artisan and specialised foods have a price tag to match and this is why I am keen for my customers to be able to sample in-house before they commit to a purchase.”

“One of my favourite things to cater for is private parties, which we do a lot of” shares Florian. “Customers can book a gourmet

18 | www.life-mags.com

RELISH

evening meal and I arrange a big long table on the street and cover it in huge platters of whatever fresh stock we have. We have our stalwarts in the shop at all times but I like to vary what we offer for the excitement of our customers, so you will find different things in our shop from one week to the next.”

And as if to demonstrate his love for change and variety Florian explained his latest introduction of ‘Le Toastie’. “Well who doesn’t love a toasty?” Florian asks more rhetorically than anything…

“But of course our toasties are made with the finest fresh breads, cheeses and continental meats available so have an edge you won’t find elsewhere.” Florian continued on to list his other latest additions to his ever growing food collection. “I still have all my usual exquisite finest cheeses, gorgeous coffees etcetera but I have recently added delicious Ice cream made by ‘Simply ice cream’ including mouth-watering flavours such as Honeycomb crunch, Stem ginger and marmalade and Salted caramel. I also have a range of sublime sorbets and more recently have taken on some gorgeous artisan ales from Kernel Brewery.”

To have time to taste everything Florian has in his food arsenal one would need to feast at Relish three times a day for weeks on end, so it is just as well Relish is open seven days a week for continental breakfast, lunch and evening meals.

“Our Continental visitors eat this sort of thing for breakfast every day. With so many visitors to the Island, I find myself busy all day and then there are the customers who come in on a Friday and Saturday to stock up for dinner parties and I have lots of private functions going on too.”

Florian’s exuberant passion for fine food coupled with his inexorable knowledge and not forgetting the pleasing aesthetics of Relish with its calming deep greens, set off impeccably with, often, bright yellow flowers and not forgetting the incredible selection of gourmet cheeses, artisan breads, extensive charcuterie and insurmountable selection of plump olives, makes Relish one of our favourite places to be….Why not make it one of yours?

Orders can be made for any of our goods in advance, these include: •

Sumptuous bespoke hampers

•

Wide selection of the finest artisan British and Continental cheeses

•

Private Parties in and out

•

Continental Breakfast

•

Gorgeous coffees

•

Evenings

•

‘Simply ice cream’ and sublime sorbets

•

Artisan ales - Kernel Brewery

•

Succulent salami, pâtés and antipasti

•

Grade I and II Oscietra cavier

•

Finest salmon roe

•

Game pies

•

Foie Gras and its accompaniments

•

Smoked duck, eel and hams

•

Panettoni, panforti, pandori, amaretti and brutti ma buoni

•

A wide selection of the best chocolates and sweetmeats

•

The finest wines, ports, spirits and champagnes

•

Celebration cakes of cheese

Relish Delicatessen, 22, Halkett Street, St Helier JE2 4WJ

01534 618844 • florian@sthelierfoodandwine.com

relish. the finest delicatessen in the Channel Islands

www.relishjersey.co.uk

MAY ISSUE | 19

HEALTH AND WELL BEING

SPRINGTIME can feel like a fresh start; a new beginning thrust upon us in a bloom of pink and white blossom and cute baby farm animals. This sudden reconnection to nature reawakens our spirit, making it the perfect moment to begin living a healthier lifestyle.

Sitting outside in May, on a sun-warmed south facing patio creates a gorgeous feeling of wellbeing. The warmer days and longer evenings have a restorative effect on the mind, while al fresco dining can feel truly good for the soul.

However, before you chill the Chablis or sink the Moët in ice, I would like to share with you a modern, healthy approach to summer eating that just happens to taste delicious and will enhance many aspects of your well-being.

This is, quite simply, sunshine in a glass.

Sunshine in a Glass Try these two combinations of juice and salad and then get creative in the kitchen using your favourite produce.

Beetroot Juice with Lemon and Ginger (Aperitif) Peel and juice a small bunch of fresh, raw beetroot with half an inch of ginger.

Add the juice of half a lemon and serve over ice. For extra sweetness, add one organic apple. The juice can be diluted with a little water if you prefer.

Tropical Fruit Salad with Lettuce (Starter) Shred a Little Gem or Sweet Romaine lettuce and top with chunks of pineapple, mango, red grapes and blueberries.

Cucumber, Celery and Parsley Juice (Aperitif) Juice half a cucumber, 2-3 sticks of celery and a small bunch of parsley for a light, green drink. Add apple or pear for sweetness and add fresh lemon or lime juice if you prefer citrus flavours.

Local Tomato Salad (Starter) Sometimes the simplest meals can really hit the spot. Use local, freshly picked, ripened tomatoes that have been stored at room temperature. Slice, season lightly with sea salt and plenty of fresh basil leaves. Add a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Vary the presentation by using yellow tomatoes, coloured Heritage varieties or a combination of large and small fruit.

Lorraine Pannetier, The Food Coach www.beetrootbrownie.com Lorraine is a food coach and creative home cook whose mission is to inspire people around the world to eat more fruit, vegetables and plant-based meals.

20 | www.life-mags.com

You’ll need to dust off the juicer you bought for that seven day detox five years ago and set it up on the kitchen worktop alongside a basket of fresh, local, organic produce. Every evening before dinner, try one of these delicious juice recipes as a virgin aperitif that has the added bonus of improving your skin, balancing hormones, rehydrating every cell in the body and delivering a shot of powerful nutrients.

While your main meal is cooking, enjoy the warm evening sunshine with your family, friends or in blissful solitude, surrounded by nature and sipping on a cool vegetable juice.

Vegetable juices made in a juicer (the type that separates juice from the fibrous pulp) are absorbed into your bloodstream within twenty minutes, taking the edge off your hunger and literally nourishing your whole being. Alcohol appears to have the opposite effect and leaves us chomping on crisps, peanuts or bread or eating substantially more of our cooked main course.

After your juice, enjoy a small raw salad or a platter of fresh fruit. Eating raw vegetables and fruit increases enzyme activity in the digestive tract which helps you absorb more nutrients from your food as well as enhancing elimination through increased fibre intake. By the time you’ve enjoyed a vibrant juice and a zingy, lime-drenched salad you will have simultaneously warded off hunger, super-charged your body with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and be ready for a smaller portion of your usual dinner with no late night sugar cravings or wine hangover the next day. Plus, your body will be busy making vitamin D from the exposure to sunshine and your mind may well feel calm and positive.

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FASHION

It’s in the

Jeans...

By Lisa Haynes

As jeans undergo a transformation from closet staple to catwalk trend, Lisa Haynes reveals this season's unstoppable denim takeover.

There are trends that fade in and out, and then there is steadfast denim.

Jeans have always been a go-to staple but, not content with legs alone, there's a head-to-toe denim takeover this season.

From jean jackets to smart dresses, you can indulge in denim to your heart's content.

The good news is that your denim investments are unlikely to look dated after one season so, with durability on their side, you can recycle them again and again.

Stand by to do denim everything this spring.

Jeans jacket

Dressy denim

Put your black leather biker in storage and get the blues with a denim jacket.

Denim has gone to the (after) dark side with eveningwear options.

Even tailoring has been constructed in structured, indigo form for a smart take on denim.

The perfect transition piece as we head into the warmer months, pick a lightweight jacket such as Diesel’s Matty jacket, whose bleached finish ensures its forever-cool status.

For a more classic approach, still retaining a cool twist, Paige’s Vermont denim jacket is a perfect fusion of everyday classic meeting downtown cool.

The cropped finish above the waist embraces another key trend for this season.

Swap your LBD for an LDD that's Little Denim Dress. Avoid floaty silhouettes better suited to summery days, and look for form-fitting shifts or crisp shirt dresses such as this beautiful Polo numbers. Or combine denim with lace for a feminine sophisticated look as shown in this Luisa Cerano lace dress and denim jacket combo.

Dress up in darker denims; they tend to look less casual than pale washes. continues overleaf...

22 | www.life-mags.com

Visit the Denim Studio Visit Stud dio on firstt floor or boo book the firs k an appointm ment with on ne of appointment one our advis sors sors. advisors.

T e el: 01534 01534 83 7115 Tel: 837115 Our brands bran nds rredefine edefine luxury, the standards stand dards of luxu ury, comfort rrecovery ecovery y and c omforrt using the e latest latest performance fibre perf orma ance fibr e ttechnology. ogy. echnolo Discover Disc overr amazing premium brands such pr emium m br ands suc ch as:

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FASHION

Blue takeover Double denim is not the easiest look to pull off but obsessives may want to dabble.

The first rule is to contrast your denim shades - wearing a lighter shirt tucked into darker jeans will balance out your shape if you're bottom heavy, for instance. An unbuttoned denim shirt is a less committed look. Try skinny jeans, a white tee and loose-fitting denim shirt worn open. Shirt pocket details in the right places will also boost your bust. If you're top-heavy, try different styles to see what's most flattering and comfortable. Adding tan accents, like boots or a belt, is a spring-friendly way to break up the blue.

Are you asking for the right type of colour?

By Sophie Walton of Stylistics Hair Studio In all the years I’ve spent colouring, its always surprised me that a lot of women don’t really know the difference between a highlight and a lowlight and also the different techniques for highlighting, the more pouplar look of the two. Most clients understand the terms for processing such as foils or Balayage, but not undersanding whats involved in each one.

Classic jeans It's never been easier to find the perfect pair of jeans, that you just don't want to take off.

There's a silhouette to suit every body shape, and some have even employed slimming technology to help nip and tuck in all the right places. While skinny bootcuts look smart, distressed denim with purposeful rips will instantly pare down a smart top or jacket.

For versatility, look to boyfriend styles where you can wear the leg rolled up with flats by day or worn down with towering heels for night.

Blue extras If denim just isn't you, wear it in the most subtle of ways - on your feet or shoulder.

Once confined to the jeans racks, denim has spread to accessories with stonewash-style shoes and bags.

Dial down the tomboy factor with pointed flat pumps or heels in blue denim. If you want to work a jeans-inspired bag, ensure it looks worn and well-loved. The easiest way to do this is with a patchwork duffle or tote that looks as though you've sewn together panels from your fave redundant jeans.

Take inspiration from this gorgeous Michael Kors bag from their new spring summer collection.

Get the look at Voisins’ new denim studio, now open upstairs in the contemporary womenswear department. Discover amazing premium brands such as J Brand, Paige, Frame, Diesel, Polo and Armani Jeans. These brands redefine the standards of luxury, recovery and comfort using the latest performance fibre technology to help you find your perfect fit.

Visit the Denim Studio on the first floor in Voisins or book a personal styling appointment with one of our advisors.

Telephone 01534 837115 to book.

24 | www.life-mags.com

Highlights is a general term that refers to lightening the hair so that it is lighter then the base shade of the hair it is being applied to. Lowlights is the opposite, strands are darkened giving depth the the base shade it is applied to.

Highlights aren’t a one-size-fits –all. The type of highlights you want depends on the look you are going for, how light you want it and your hair type.

People with thick hair, who like their highlights chunkier with more contrast should look into Balayage. A French word meaing “to sweep” Balayage actually describes the way a stylist uses the brush to create a sweeping motion on swatches of hair. It is a freehand technique that is becoming more popular. Balayage is perfect for the client who is seeking something more dramatic.

Foiling is the most popular technique and involves sectioning and weaving the hair (thick or thin depending on the required look) then painting with the lightner before wrapping in foil. The foil prevents the product from seeping onto the surrounding hair and also stops he produc from drying out. I prefer this technique, its more controlled and I know exactly where the product is going.

Always bring a photo of what you colour you are hoping to achieve. It gives your colourist a better idea of the sort of colour you are aiming for, rather then trying to be technical!

For all your hair and beauty needs please call 726104 to book.

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HEALTH AND WELL BEING

Electric bikes

a new way of cycling

At first glance, the row of bicycles on display at Aarons bikes in Gloucester street looks like any ordinary rack of bikes – there are mountain bikes, Hybrids and road bikes, however move up close, though and it is clear that these are bikes are different with batteries and motors stealthily mounted to the frames.

Electric bikes are catching on fast in Jersey, with commuters and older as well as younger people opting for a mode of transport that allows the rider more freedom. “They allow people more freedom allowing hills to be climbed easily and miles eaten up” Aaron, from Aarons bikes says we have seen a real surge in the uptake of the electric bike.

We have an ageing population in Jersey and the electric bike makes sense says Aaron, the customers we have sold e-bikes to all say they love them and use the bike far more than they used a conventional bike, they are encouraged to ride. People tend to say they want a normal bike but once you get them to try the e-bike that’s it they are hooked, we allow a demo so you can try the bike and see what you think first. They really make the whole cycling experience more fun and you still get lots of exercise you just have to try it to see how much enjoyment you can get. Don’t take my word for it here are some reviews from customers……

When electric bikes or E-bikes first appeared on the UK scene they were clunky looking heavy and took ages to charge for not much distance. The new breed of e-bike’s have changed all that with sleek looks they look far more like the bikes everyone is accustomed to, they are up to date now with all the modern hi tech components you would expect. Lithium batteries which are far more efficient, are now commonplace and offer longer distances, bike easily reaching 30/60 miles on a charge, however you charge the battery as you go to keep it topped up. The bikes go just over 15mph, which is the legal requirement for a pedal assisted bike in Jersey and UK.

“I was affected with a spinal injury which restricted my walking mobility, I decided the best way to exercise was to get a pedal bike and I waked into Aarons Bike Shop intending on buying a "standard push bike", I left with an electric bike! This was one of the best decisions I have made! I am sure I use "Sparky" more frequently than I would on a normal bike and this has proved to be more beneficial over a period of time. The amount of assistance is variable on 3 settings, if I want a hard workout I switch the power off, if there is a strong head wind or steep hill I can get where I need to go without being to daunted as just as quickly. It is fair to say an electric bike costs more but balancing this up against how much use, the heath benefits and general fun I have had it's been well worth it!

Aaron has been very helpful and has given me sound and common sense advice, his after sales service has also been great.”

Lee Battrick

CALL 01534 280989 26 | www.life-mags.com

VISIT: www.aaronsbikes.com

“I recently acquired a new machine from Aaron's bikes in Gloucester Street (an upgrade to my 2 year old off-road oriented electric Haibike, a keeper for rainy days and Monday's).

It's got everything; Latest disc brakes, Shimano gears, superb integrated lights, a sturdy carrier, effective and unobtrusive mudguards (essential for muddy back roads) a nifty side stand (how did I ever get by without one of those?) and of course, the most up to date Bosch motor and battery system...it weighs around 24kg, which makes the regular sport cyclist cringe, but the weight is nicely distributed and in no way intrudes on the ride experience.

It looks amazing (honestly, it really does look amazing), handles superbly and is comfortable. For the life of me, I cannot think of a better way of getting to work or popping to the local shops. My 5 mile commute, through the country lanes takes around 15 / 20 minutes - both down the hill into town and up the hills back to home. I now really look forward to my daily rides and even in the pouring rain, cycling to and from work on my electric powered Haibike is fun. I don’t arrive at work feeling uncomfortably hot (and all that entails) and I have to conclude that the journey is more of a stimulant to the body and mind that helps prepare for the day ahead (or maybe that’s the coffee?). To be sure it offloads the frustrations of being sat in a traffic jam for 20 to 30 minutes worrying about a car park space and whether you have enough scratch cards left...and of course I never have to stop at the Petrol Station on the way home (just ask yourself how much you spend on fuel each week/month /year for commuting to work?).”

Peter Smart

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

One thing I know to be true. They “the stressors, the problem causers, the hierarchy” they are never going to change. That being said all is not lost because although the stressors themselves cannot be controlled, the way the stress is managed by the individual can. Thank goodness I hear you sigh. Obviously I don’t mean ignore them, or bury your head in the sand, but find ways to process your stress in a different way. There are other ways you can find happiness at work.

Move to cut stress levels of teachers Mark Shields takes a closer look...

EDUCATION has pledged to halve the number of teachers suffering from stress in the next 18 months, after figures revealed that the number of sick days taken for mental health reasons have more than doubled in the past two years.

Mark Shields and Professor Paul Dolan partner for Workplace Happiness Project.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Professor Paul Dolan, a Professor in behavioural science at the London School of Economics, who just so happens to have recently written a number 1 best-selling book called happiness by design. He is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading experts on happiness along with me of course ( I wish ).

Paul is known internationally as “professor happiness” and will shortly be bringing his theories and strategies on happiness to our screens with his new BBC TV show based upon “ getting happy” Working with Paul over a number of months I LEARNED huge amounts from him and found the simplest smallest of things, nudges he calls them, can make a massive difference to people facing stresses at work.

Here are a number of simple tips I learned from Paul whilst working together with him on our wellbeing at work program.

Some Simple Tips 1 Focus on what makes you happy – If you only focus on the things you enjoy you will think happy, feel happy and behave happy.

Focus groups involving about 100 teachers are due to be set up in the near future to see what can be done to ease the level of stress in the profession, the department says.

2 Understand your reality is whatever you pay attention to.

Focus your attention on things that are positive, that give you Joy or appreciation. Remember you create and are responsible your own reality.

A Freedom of Information request published earlier this week found that last year, 948.2 sick days were taken by teachers due to anxiety, stress or depression - compared to 426.1 in 2014.

3 Ensure you have the focus and pay attention to things in life that give you the right balance between purpose and pleasure.

A Long History of Stress Teachers have been up against it for as long as I can remember. In a previous life many years ago I used to visit schools to present at seminars to groups of teachers given them valuable information on their retirement planning ON BEHALF OF THE TPA. Even back then teachers appeared to me to be so busy they could barely spend the time to attend these valuable seminars that “ would give them critical info on how to retire early”, not even the prospect of early retirement could tear them away from their desks.

I picked up on the stress back then, over twenty years ago.

Sweaty palms, shaky voices, blotchy skin, bags under the eyes, as professional as they were at trying to hide it even I managed to spot it back then, I wonder who else did.

Twenty years later I have a private practice with many teachers occupying my hypnosis and therapy couch on a rather to regular basis.

I have to say the teaching profession is deemed so precarious in the “coaching arena” courses and programmes have been specifically formulated and are dedicated in helping teachers over come stress and get the balance correct in their lives With friends, relatives and clients all saying the same things and quoting the same reasons I wonder why life seems to have become so difficult within the teaching profession.

28 | www.life-mags.com

4 Understand your internal thought aren’t you and disassociate yourself from what they are suggesting or telling you to do. Take control of your inner dialogue and don’t take these thought to seriously. To many people spend too much time and wasted energy thinking about doing the thinking.

5 Ensure you are present living in the moment as much as possible, mindfulness is great for this. Learn to slow down and enjoy what makes you happy day to day, moment by moment.

Of course there are the usual suspects that experts always advise to manage your stress levels such as take more exercise, diet, reduce stimulants such as alcohol and coffee, go to bed earlier, keep your body hydrated, etc etc.

Each month to assist in our focus on helping teachers and written specifically for the Jersey Life magazine, I am going to feature different tips with a view to help channel island teachers combat stress.

For any teachers who would like to know more about this article please call Mark Shields direct on 01462 431112.

Mark Shields, Author, Speaker, Advisor, Educator www.thelifepractice.co.uk

Awarded APPROVED PROVIDER for the States of Jersey

GARDENING

JEKKA'S

HERBAL PATH TO HAPPINESS

By Hannah Stephenson Award-winning herb grower and RHS ambassador Jekka McVicar comes from an era when you really didn't go to the doctor unless you were seriously ill.

If you had a nasty cough, mouth ulcers, upset tummy or other minor ailment, McVicar's mother would go into the garden, pick out a number of herbs, make teas and tinctures from them and wait for them to work their magic.

And this is what has given the multi-award-winning plantswoman the inspiration for The Modern Apothecary, her first show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016.

The idea for the garden came about over a lunch when McVicar and her friend, a GP, were discussing how people go to the doctor for an immediate fix and no longer use their own natural remedies. "Herbs are gentle, but might take longer. As a child, I was brought up in a family where you never went to the doctor unless you were seriously ill. So if you had a sore throat, Mum always made the tea out of sage. "I wondered, 'Could we square the circle between medicine and us?'"

She's hoping gardeners will start to grow the types of healing herbs she features in her show garden, and is also providing some inspiring design ideas for wellbeing in The Modern Apothecary. A cobbled pathway running through a large circle of planting is designed so that if you walk on it bare-foot, you will give yourself some stress-busting reflexology in the process.

In each corner of her show garden is a hawthorn tree, but they aren't placed there just to be visually pleasing, says McVicar, who has won 62 gold medals as a floral marquee exhibitor at the show. "If you look into any research about (Rudolf) Steiner (Austrian philosopher), you realise you never have a corner if

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you're feeling depressed. You always can flow round a garden.

It gives you space to move. If you have a corner, you have to make a decision and that makes you anxious."

The hawthorns are also known as 'bread and cheese' because you can eat the leaf, which is good for strengthening the heart.

A large central circle of planting is split in two by the cobbled path, while two seats are strategically placed near scented plants within the herb garden.

"If you ever get a cough, all you need is a sprig of thyme and a sprig of hyssop, pop them into a cup, add boiled water, let them steep for five minutes. If you have mouth ulcers, make the infusion from sage, which also feeds the brain."

"In Ayurvedic medicine, you are encouraged to sit in a herb garden to heal, so that you are well. It's all about sitting and breathing. "The most important thing is the rhythm of the garden, for the benefit of our wellbeing. Wherever you are, if you sit still without a phone, without an iPad, and just breathe, it is amazing."

A water feature provides a soothing focal point, while the whole garden is overseen by a sculpture of Asclepius' staff, which is the symbol of healing.

At the back of the garden are columns of Taxus, or yew, from which taxol is derived and used to treat ovarian and breast cancer. And a wall of espalier pears is planted because it has been proven that pears help prevent Type 2 diabetes in women.

McVicar is also planting a herbal ley in the outer area of the garden made up of UK native wild flowers with grass.

Deep-rooted chicory and other plants help drain the soil.

Other plants include hops (a sleep aid) and roses (rose hips for vitamin C), while the path is lined with fragrant lavender, for relaxation.

"This modern apothecary is what we can do for ourselves today.

The seeds are widely available - people can grow their own apothecary in their own garden."

"One of the key features in the garden will be rosemary, because it's just been proven that rosemary is as good as ginkgo for the memory. Drinking rosemary tea in the morning really clears your head and settles your stomach.

St John's Hospice in north west London is sponsoring the garden, which will be transferred to the hospice after the show.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 24-28.

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BUNCH - Daphne mezereum This upright deciduous shrub comes into its own in late winter and early spring when clusters of fragrant purplish-pink flowers appear on bare branches. These are followed by red fruits in summer. Growing to around 1.2m (4ft), it also has attractive grey-green leaves and is ideal for winter interest in a cottage-style border. Grow it in sun or partial shade in a slightly alkaline, moist, but well-drained soil. Mulch to keep the roots cool and prune after flowering, taking out the dead wood.

There are also evergreen daphnes, including D. bholua, which bears pinkish-mauve late winter flowers against a backdrop of lance-shaped dark green leaves, and D. odora 'Aureomarginata', which produces sweetly scented reddish-purple flowers in winter.

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT Storing apples and pears You should be harvesting the first of your apples and pears now, but they will need to be stored properly if you want them to last. Always use any blemished fruit straight away, as this will be the first to go off.

Mid-season apples can be kept a few weeks and late ones should last for months. Ideally, use a series of stacking trays with plenty of ventilation, wrapping each fruit in newspaper and placing them folded side down in the tray. Alternatively, use clear polythene bags perforated with small air holes.

Pears are best stored in slatted trays and shouldn't be wrapped. The atmosphere should be around 7C (45F) for pears and slightly lower for apples.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK • Sow fast-maturing and late-flowering annuals directly into their flowering position • Move overwintered hardy annuals to their final flowering position • Water and feed plants in the greenhouse regularly • Feed seedlings and young plants which are growing poorly or have pale, yellowing foliage • Take leaf cuttings from plants with thick, fleshy leaves including African violets, sedum and hoya.

• If you haven't yet done so, cover calabrese and cauliflowers with fleece or fine mesh to keep the pests out • Remove blanket weed from the pond to let oxygen in • Sow tender crops under cover including climbing French and runner beans, courgettes and sweetcorn

32 | www.life-mags.com

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ABSOLUTELY

Floorless

Choosing new flooring can be daunting, especially when you consider the groundwork that goes into crafting the perfect floor plan. Along with being practical, your flooring choice needs to suit your space and style - and there's a wide array of contemporary design options, whether you opt for tiles, mosaics, stone, wood or carpet.

All you have to do is step up and choose the right one for you......By Sam Wylie-Harris.

34 | www.life-mags.com

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ON THE TILES "A hallway is used day in, day out, as a high footfall area, so hardwearing materials work brilliantly, says Sian O'Neill, head of marketing at Topps Tiles. "For a contemporary look, modular patterns are a key trend, with geometric shapes laid in a linear format." Flooring in pale, soft shades will help create a bright, airy entrance. A good tip is to use grey grout, instead of conventional white, as it gives a modern look and stays looking fresh, even after lots of impact with muddy boots or wet paws!

In living rooms, the trend for indoor/outdoor living is huge, and growing in popularity. "The key to achieving this style of living space is keeping it seamless, to create one complete, unified living area," say O'Neill. " Laying the same flooring through to your patio will extend your living room, bringing the indoors outside and creating an even bigger space."

STONE ME For a modern feel in a neutral scheme, natural stone floors are always desirable, especially when they're highly polished to reflect light. This gives the illusion of more space and can be enriched by metal bar stools in a kitchen, or a free standing bath with traditional cast iron feet in bathrooms.

This look is perfect for any home, large or compact, and can completely change the way you view the spaces you live in.

H exagons and geometric patterns on tiles tick all the current interior trends, and are perfect for use throughout.

"Based on the striking patchworks and patterns of Mediterranean decor, Moroccan tile designs are a popular and refreshing option when it comes to tiling a floor space," notes Callum Chester, spokesperson for Walls And Floors. "They create a statement focal point that instantly injects charm and character into any room."

"Porcelain and stone flooring continue to be popular choices, as they offer both durability and a luxurious finish," says Prity Rana, marketing manager at Marshalls Tile And Stone Interiors. " The many finishes and colours mean there are options to complement any style of home or taste."

Remember though; natural stone does require regular cleaning and specialist treatment to keep it in top condition, while hardwearing porcelain and stone-effect tiles can withstand the daily trials of family living, and provide a forgiving backdrop without being as high-maintenance - worth considering in a well-used room.

And don't forget, linear tiles and geometric shapes can be introduced to the bathroom, to accent bathroom furniture.

continues overleaf...

MAY ISSUE | 35

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CUE THE CARPET Neutrals, throw rugs and bold stripes are great for laying in the living room and with the growing trend for introducing pattern on the floor, you can really go to town with designs and textures.

"Whether it's bolder chevron patterns or more subtle stripes, introducing pattern can instantly change the shape and feel of a room," says Emma Hopkins, marketing manager at Crucial Trading.

OAK AGED Timeless in the style stakes, natural flooring materials like oak also contrast well with marble worktops, wooden cabinets and butcher's blocks, to style up your culinary space. The amount of time we spend in the kitchen makes it a worthy investment, too.

"Oak flooring has become increasingly popular with consumers embracing the simplicity and natural beauty of rustic oak," says Mike Richardson, managing director at Kersaint Cobb. "I ntroducing colours and soft tones, through greys and pale whites, adds a modern twist to classic materials, and the vintage feel continues to remain a popular trend.

"Dark woods are ideal for traditional schemes, adding warmth and depth to a room."

If you're on a budget but love the aged oak look, laminate flooring is a cost effect alternative to the real thing, along with being durable and hard-wearing.

"Most ranges incorporate authentic wood grains, which are perfectly reflected into the floor's joints, creating a natural look and making laminate an ideal choice if real wood flooring isn't an option," says Heather Taylor, floor coverings buyer at John Lewis.

"With an extensive array of colour choices, laminate can complement so many existing kitchen schemes, meaning a simple update of the floor can completely reinvigorate the space."

36 | www.life-mags.com

"Colourful stripes are great for elongating and widening an area, creating an illusion of a larger space, and lighter shades are perfect for brightening cramped spaces by reflecting the light this makes them just as adaptable for living rooms as they are for hallways, stairs and studies."

Kersaint Cobb's Richardson agrees: " We're seeing the return of striped carpets as a popular choice for the home. Stripes are great for widening or lengthening a room, adding that extra dimension that some spaces are lacking. Using striped carpet is also an easy way to make the floor a focal point of a room."

For the best of both worlds, those with wooden flooring can look to layer and experiment with texture.

"Rugs are easy updates and ideal for the design-savvy, looking to change the feel of the room and keep up to date with trends," says Claire Jeffrey, floor coverings and rug buyer, John Lewis. " Neutral lighter shades, such as grey, blues and off-whites, are particularly effective for opening up smaller spaces.

"However, bold colours and patterns are great for creating attention-grabbing designs to transform a room."

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5 TIPS FOR DEALING WITH SHOWERS

By Julia Gray

1

There are three main types of shower: power, electric and mixer. Power showers are ideal for homes with plenty of hot water, as they take stored hot and cold water and mix it together to create the desired temperature. A built-in pump boosts the flow of water, creating a powerful spray, even if you have low water pressure (a tank-fed, gravity-based water system is required).

2

An electric shower only needs cold water because it heats the water as you shower and so will work even if the boiler isn't working. These showers are great for homes with limited hot water and will work with any plumbing system. "Electric showers come in a range of kilowatt ratings - go for nine kilowatts or above, as you'll enjoy a better flow rate," says Emma Foster from Mira Showers.

3

Mixer showers need a supply of both hot and cold water, and blend them to the required temperature. Mixers are either surface mounted or have valves buried in the wall - the former are usually easier to install, as they fix to the tiled wall, but hidden valves often look nicer.

Foster says: "Go for a mixer shower that offers thermostatic control to ensure the temperature stays constant, even when the toilet is flushed."

38 | www.life-mags.com

HOME LIVING

4

Digital mixer showers control the flow and temperature of the water digitally, so you can have exactly the same showering experience every time by setting personal preferences. "You can set a maximum and minimum flow rate, as well as temperature," says Foster. "A digital shower can even be programmed to switch off after a pre-set time, should you have teenagers who spend all day in the shower. Digital showers also have an electronic display that can show the temperature, flow rate and time." These showers can often be controlled wirelessly from another location, so you can turn the shower on to warm up before you're even out of bed.

5

If your shower produces little more than a dribble, an electric shower pump should make it more of a deluge, but pumps aren't compatible with all boilers or the answer for all homes - a power shower is sometimes better. In some older properties, it may be necessary to replace the pipework, especially the pipe bringing in water from the main in the street, to improve the water flow rate. A better boiler and/or hot-water cylinder may also be the answer - ask a good heating engineer for advice.

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Are you in the market for something exceptional, something bespoke and unique? Is your home missing that final signature piece? If the answer is yes, then I guarantee you Retreat will be able to provide that special item just for you...

RETREAT is a newly formed company that links two long-established Jersey businesses - Florida Pools & Spas and Genesis - to provide the only locally-based lifestyle products provider. Both these companies are uniquely placed having the experience, industry contacts and skilled artisans to take your ideas from conception to creation.

Retreat will work with you to understand your personal tastes, interests and passions. We will interpret your dream, whether it be focused on Entertainment, Gaming, Casino, Wellness, Retro, Vintage, Motorsport, Aviation.

Taking advantage of the huge range of products from around the globe which are all either exclusive to the company or totally unique to create Your space,Your way. The only limit being your imagination.

ReTreat offer everything from a total turnkey solution, where we will interpret your requirements via detailed architected plans to include everything from the construction work, installation of services, sophisticated lighting and audio visual technology, decor and tiling. Or you can choose one unique item that will complement your home.

This could be anything from a Vintage Jukebox complete with your own choice of music on vinyl, or an authentic sixties drinks machine modified to dispense anything from champagne to water, or a bespoke commission such as an Aston Martin DB6 transformed into a leather sofa and drinks bar. Want an Red Arrow wing as a desk complete with refurbished Martin Baker ejector seat? Just ask Retreat.

For the absolute ultimate in entertaining, or to showcase your wine collection, Retreat has the sole agency for Cellar Maison Wine Walls, Wine Pods and Wine Cellars. Not only are these items custom-made to each clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individual requirements, but they preserve the stored wine in a humidity, temperature and light controlled environment whilst being a stylish and sophisticated solution to wine storage.

Gary Hotton of Florida Pools and Spas www.floridapools.co.uk, based at Five Oaks, explains that his business has been trading since 1972, going from strength-to-strength and diversifying its range of products and services in line with his clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; requests. Being the sole Channel Island agent for Jacuzzi, his company recently won an International Award for best Jacuzzi installation of the year. He was up against nominations from a strong field, representing 180 companies from around the globe, including Canada, Australia and Italy.

The idea for personalised spaces came at the award presentation in Chamonix where the SASHA complete modular wellness experience was showcased. The SASHA combines a steam room, sauna and luxury shower with 50 different temperature and mood settings to soothe any mood. It is now available exclusively from Florida Pools and Spas and on display in the Retreat showroom.

Realising this was an exciting opportunity to expand their range of bespoke products and services, including the latest technology, the partnership with Genesis www.genesis.je was

formed with the Retreat showroom based within the Genesis premises at 35 Hilgrove Street, St Helier.

Genesis, formerly Base, has long been established as a cutting-edge audio-visual company, set up by Mike Schiessl in 1989, and today is the home of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top brands.

It specialises in a friendly approach, explaining everything, undertaking installation and providing full service back-up.

This includes Lutron mood lighting and Smart home automation which offers energy-efficiency and security including the ability for the system to monitor itself and let you know when something goes wrong wherever you are.

Please contact us on 01534 888625 or retreatjersey@gmail.com for further details or come and see us at our new showroom to view a selection of products available and to talk to us about what we can do for you.

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REVISIT RETRO

By By Gabrielle Fagan

Shagpile, geometric patterns, abstract flower prints and lashings of orange can only mean one thing - the Seventies.

It may fill you with nostalgia for bell-bottoms, Walkmans and - that ultimate dippy-hippy accessory - hanging dream catchers, not to mention the music.

If you bopped to the likes of Bee Gees' Stayin' Alive and The Village People's YMCA, or enjoyed Abigail's Party-style evenings, you may simply cringe with embarrassment at your dated decor and antics.

If so, avert your eyes, because this is the decade style never forgot, and it's having another moment in the sun. Luckily, it's all slicked up and ready to groove again, with some suitably contemporary twists. continues overleaf...

42 | www.life-mags.com

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While this reincarnation gives a nod to Seventies chic, there's a fresh, much more edgy approach to what's being dubbed 'Bohemian Modern'.

"This is for people who are creative, unconventional and shun the status quo in interiors, and want to do so with flair and success," enthuses Emily Henson, the unofficial high priestess of the theme and who's written a guide to creating the look in her new book, Bohemian Modern.

"Of course, you can indulge in the cliches of the era, macrame wall hangings and plant holders, houseplants en masse, and vibrantly coloured kilim rugs, but there's also plenty of ways to be innovative and contrast those elements with polished concrete work surfaces, sleek modern art and focusing on design which makes this so, so current for today."

Maybe you'd like some vintage furniture in your home; think a ceiling hung swing chair or a glitzy drinks trolley, but don't want things to feel too retro. In which case, quirky touches may be all that's needed to hint at Boho. For instance, suspend a glitter ball from the ceiling, or paint a piece of furniture in a bold, earthy, glossy hue and you've given a hint to the past in a thoroughly modern way.

So spin back in time to be bang on trend and, in appropriate Seventies slang, design an awesome crib...

PLAYFUL PATTERN Colour and pattern combine for boho rooms. You can play it cool by using a couple of bright shades, or opt for a "rainbow" for a more lively interior, suggests Henson.

"If you get the balance right, multi-coloured craziness can work.

I've done it in my home - furniture, textiles and art were all wildly vibrant - but I kept it from overpowering rooms by having only white walls and floorboards.

"It's about breaking the rules - let your imagination run a little wild - and embracing the fun, playful side of decor."

RETRO TIP: Earth tones - brown and cream with orange and avocado were the most popular choices of the era, along with mustard, navy and deep shades of purple.

A large patterned rug, a sofa upholstered in a bold print, or a wall papered in a large scale design are ways of turning pattern into a strong visual statement.

44 | www.life-mags.com

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SEVENTIES STYLE HITS: Wallpaper and murals displaying stylised flowers and pattern - vinyl was all the rage in that decade - would evoke a retro feel.

FAVE FURNISHINGS There are so many ways to bring appropriate textiles in, from the obvious choices of rugs and cushions to less expected ones like wall hangings, reveals Henson.

"Textiles are at the heart of this style of home, whether plain and textured or patterned and fringed," she says.

"Re-imagining uses for textiles is important too," she says. "Rugs don't only belong on the floor - a sheepskin or kilim will make an effective cover for a chair or add colour and comfort to a sofa.

"A striking rug can also become a focal point on a wall, and if it features the colours and shades of the era, it will instantly evoke the atmosphere of the time."

RETRO TIP: Travel and hippie pilgrimages to Morocco and India influenced Seventies home decor, so layered kilims and embroidered tribal textiles from Central Asia are what you might expect for a traditional interpretation. Bring it up to date by adding a jolt of bold neon or a gleam of slick copper, to take an interior into the realm of the unexpected.

SEVENTIES STYLE HITS: Mimic the height of bygone luxury shagpile - with a Hotel Divine Shaggy Rug in petrol blue.

Genuine kilim rugs can be expensive, so check out eBay or auctions where more affordable ones are often found.

SEVENTIES STATEMENT Originality is the name of the game here and there's nothing nicer than salvaging a piece from the era. Markets and car boot sales can be rich hunting grounds, or customising something to suit can work extremely well, says Henson. continues overleaf...

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"Of course, there's nothing wrong with spending money on something you love, but when you actually have to use your brain, not your bank account, to solve a problem, brilliant things can happen, and that's the essence of Boho," she says.

"I've seen brilliant pieces made from salvaged scrap wood, plywood walls stained to mimic rusted steel, and pieces made to look luxe even though they were dirt cheap."

RETRO TIP: Metallic-legged furniture showed up everywhere in the Seventies, with entertainment stands, bookcases, sofas and coffee tables, all featuring those short, stubby legs. Track down an all-metal or even low-slung glass table.

SEVENTIES STYLE HITS: Rock to the vinyl, currently enjoying a revival, seated in a reproduction RAR Rocker Chair, Out There Interiors. With its moulded body and steel legs, it couples design with informality, making it perfectly suited to this theme.

Graham & Green's simply genius at interpreting designs of the past into covetable pieces for today. A Natural Hanging Rattan Chair and the equally impressive Natural Peacock Chair, are both appropriate.

Habitat furnished the nation's homes in the Seventies, and specialises in classics which still gently hint at the heyday era.

Furnish a dining area with a set of Mickey Chairs, in synthetic rattan, and then perhaps source a vintage G Plan teak dining table.

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Tantivy Blue Coach Tours is the largest luxury coach operator in the Channel Islands.

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DESIGNER SOFA offer a wide range of bespoke handmade sofas made to the highest quality.

We have a large range of both contemporary and traditional styles available with a vast choice of fabric and leather covers to choose from.

Suppliers include all the main fabric houses; Clarke & Clarke, Designers Guild, Harlequin, JAB, Osborne and Little, Mulberry, Romo, Sanderson and Zoffany to name a few.

We offer a bespoke service to our clients where sofas can me made to measure incorporating individual requirements for each client.

Handmade made to measure curtains and blinds are made in our own workrooms by experienced curtain makers to the highest of standards and we also have our own upholsterer which enables us to provide an in-house re-upholstery service.

In our showroom you will also discover contemporary and traditional furniture, lighting, handmade contemporary and traditional rugs, all aspects of flooring including natural stone, wooden flooring and carpets, Zoffany paints and exquisite handmade Baobab candles.

We are pleased to be able to offer our clients a personal, friendly and reliable service catering for all their needs within their home interiors.

Contracts of any size undertaken for both personal and commercial clients assuring our very best attention at all times.

Telephone: 01534 888506 Email: claire@dsijersey.com 7/9 Peter Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 4SP

LIGHTING DINING FURNITURE BEDROOM FURNITURE BEDS QUALITY FITTED CARPET WOODEN FLOORING We also have in stock a large range of both Contemporary and Traditional Rugs of the highest quality.

INSIDE THE INSIDE JOB…..!

Summer party season is here again and as such, whether you find yourself at a wedding, birthday, corporate or private party you are likely to happen upon live ten-piece band, Inside Job. In this their tenth year, founder member and drummer, Paul Vane, invited me to his office to tell me more…..by Juanita Shield-Laignel

Having last seen Inside Job perform at ‘Legend In the Park’ and enjoyed their upbeat eclectic, musical ensemble, I was thrilled Paul was happy to share his story with me and the Jerseylife readership. He began ““So I started the band ten years ago with Kris Watts. We’d been in another band called Bluefin but that sadly fizzled out. We wanted to be the number one band that people book and with this mind, over a period of about six months, we auditioned and recruited a further eight equally enthusiastic members. I’m happy to say the core members are still with us today.”

“We realised early on it’s not just about being able to play an instrument or being able to sing, or in some cases both, it’s also about personality and we all get on famously well and see ourselves as an extended family. There are ten of us altogether, from all walks of life and ages ranging from early twenties to midsixties, it seems to work really well. Mally Hamon is ex-military and a trumpet player; he runs the horn section and recruits the right people. Michele Horwood is our number one vocalist. Originally we built the band around her and she’s very much involved in the 50 | www.life-mags.com

day to day running of the band. We’ve had a few other singers over the years, all brilliant, but we’ve just taken on a new girl, Annie Law. Michele and Annie sang together for the first time the other day…’wow’ is all I can say!”

It stands to reason that I would want to know how the name ‘Inside Job’ came about. “Kris and I were talking about setting up a new band and were listening to a Don Henley album with the title ‘Inside Job’ and it just rang a bell with both of us and in the same moment and that was that really.”

“I’m the drummer and band leader. I was a bit of a late starter. I’d always wanted to learn drums but didn’t actually start until I was about twenty four but I took to it like a duck to water as they say and this is my third band. The first one was called ‘Inside Out’ and ran from 1996 through to 2000, .”

This time of year, around the Boat Show and Liberation, really marks the beginning of the Inside Job season. They are booked up for weddings at least a year in advance and as Paul explained “Wedding audiences are generally varied in age from tiny children

to Grandpa so it gives us an excuse to air our range. We play a varied set of music from all eras such as ‘Land of a thousand dances’ by Wilson Pickett, ‘Uptown Funk’ by Bruno Mars, ‘Car Wash’, ‘River Deep Mountain High’, some soft rock and punk with Kim Wilde and Spandau Ballet etcetera. I’m guessing our core genre is upbeat soul but it really does vary. And of course we encourage the Bride and Groom to tell us their first-dance song so we can do our own version of that. We work to the ethos of imparting that feel good factor, the one that makes people want to get up and dance. We strive to keep the dance floor full at all times; that’s our main goal and mostly we achieve it. We like to

teacher, someone who repairs musical instruments professionally, two music teachers, IT technician, a printer; all works rather well really as not only do we have musicality to contribute we also have life experience to meld us all together.”

take songs and do what we call ‘Inside Job it’, so we take the original and make it our own with a few little twists here and there.”

To book telephone: 07797 725084 or 07797 825195

I asked if Inside Job would be performing at Big Gig or Legend in the Park again this year. “We’re looking at the logistics at the moment funnily enough.” Paul carried on. “Getting a ten piece band on the stage in amongst all the other equipment is quite difficult, so we have to look at it really carefully if we are to do it again. I guess ‘we hope to’ or are at least ‘planning to’, is the answer.”

Our time together coming to an end I had to ask Paul if he had any funny stories he could share. “Too numerous and some far too naughty!” was his short reply. I guess I will have to find another way to get hold of those stories…perhaps I should apply to join the band in my spare time… then I could do an ‘Inside Job’….tee hee hee!

www.insidejobjersey.com Email: info@insidejobjersey.com

Paul’s answer to my question on whether or not they planned to expand the band was this. “Ten is probably our maximum we have one other singer in a deputising role as we are a vocally centred band. Ideally we like to have four voices as this gives the diversity of harmonies, but more recently we went down to just two which we’ve been keen to iron out. Luckily Phil on guitar and Julie on keyboards both sing.” This lead me to ask what other walks of life band members are from, “All sorts from selfemployed to taxi driver and funeral director, policeman, yoga MAY ISSUE | 51

Finding Care...Your Way! Care Navigation, Advice & Support Inevitably there comes a time, when you and I and those we love need care. From personal experience with close family members, negotiating this minefield can be a tricky, if not traumatic business, so I was delighted to discover that former Social Security, Long Term Care Advisor and Community Charity Worker, Bronwyn Gomes has now devoted her working hours to sourcing the best possible options for the likes of you and I; when our time comes...

by Juanita Shield-Laignel Originally hailing from the geographically enormous Island of New Zealand then working her way through Australia, America and Switzerland, eventually landing quite by accident in this dot of an Island, Bronwyn collected vast amounts of knowledge and experience of the caring industry along the way. “People are people no matter where you go in the world and it has always struck me that the older generation have accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge which somehow seems to be in general disregarded as they approach care age. I have witnessed time and again, aging parents going through the care process as if it was happening to them; often left feeling that they have no choice, my aim is to give that power back to the individual” explained Bronwyn when we met.

and emotional time. Sometimes care is needed quickly and there is a lot to organise; we can offer the support needed throughout this potentially daunting process.”

Having started in earnest during March of this year, Your Way is a new to the market, independent, care navigation support service, which aims to ensure people are totally supported and fully understand their personal options so they can maintain control over their care and achieve the best value for money. Bronwyn continued “I really want people to be in a position to make informed choices about their care. I am delighted to be able to offer comprehensive information and guidance to ensure the process really is ‘Your Way’ and not my way or anyone else’s.”

• •

Your Way is not affiliated with any particular care provider, so is able to offer consolidated, truly independent advice, guidance and practical support to people needing to access care services and benefits.

Your way supports individuals and families to navigate their way through all of the practical issues and there are many, relating to finding appropriate care.

Bronwyn re-iterates “We understand that navigating the care system can be confusing and stressful at what is often a difficult

Long Term Care cost represent a large financial commitment and fees vary from home to home, Your Way aims to procure the best value for money for you, by avoiding the pitfalls of arranging care.

Their service is cost-effective; based on a percentage of savings made, an hourly rate or an agreed flat fee depending on the type of service you require. All charges are transparent and will be discussed prior to any work being undertaken.

Services

• • • • • • •

Exploring the range of care homes available Helping to negotiate and understand care fee structure; compare expected fees and charges for different facilities Applying for and explaining possible benefit entitlements and responsibilities Accompanying on visits to prospective care homes Providing support with the move Organising house cleaning, clearance and storage Arranging to be available for service people to access you property Signposting to community groups and professional service Any other support an individual may need

Who to contact Bronwyn Gomes Telephone 07797954989 E-mail bronwyn@yourway.je Call anytime to arrange appointment

Finding care… Your way – Support when you need it most

www.yourway.je

Juanita at Spir-Art Bespoke Artwork and Creative Photography, sometimes combined with the written word; to calm the mind and awaken the spirit.

Facebook: Juanita at Spir-Art E-mail: Juanita@spir-art.com Visit: www.spir-art.com

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Doué House, Longueville Road, St Saviour, Jersey, JE2 7SA

OPEN Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

. . . d e t t o p We’ve S

Lavender & Herb Salt - 12g, £3.20 Available online at www.jerseylavender.co.uk

It’s another gold medal for Liberation IPA, awarded at the SIBA South West Independent Beer Awards.

Liberation IPA traditional India Pale Ale is available in a 500ml bottles and Polypins from Victor Hugo Wines, Longueville Road. Tel: 764044.

Email: sales.outlet@victorhugo.je VictorHugo.je

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'The Hungry Man'

By Edward Blampied from Victoria Art Gallery, 3 Victoria Street, St Helier Tel: 01534 730279

Cow Charm: £25 Map Charm: £17.50 Ormer charm: £12.50 "Wide range of charms in both silver and gold available in store."

Available from Pearce Jewellers Ltd. 3 King Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 4WF. Tel: 01534 722536 www.pearcejewellers.co.uk

Hand Held Herbs A mix of Rosemary, Thyme, Mint and Sage with Tanacetum Daises, Eryngium (sea holly) and grasses from Bella Fiori, Ffion Giulitti and Emma Rayson Shop 5 Colomberie Parade, La Colomberie.

Tel: 01534 528080 info@bellafiori.je Website: www.bellafiori.je

What would saving money on your mortgage mean to you?

Fix your monthly repayments now and see how much you could save.

1.59%

4.0%

3.7%

fixed until 31.07.2018

variable after that

APR is the overall cost for comparison

2 year fixed rate. Up to 60% LTV. Product fee of £999. Other fees may be payable.

Early repayment charge applies until 31.07.2018. Other products are available.

Visit your local branch natwestinternational.com/mortgages

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

Call us today 01534 282828 Like NatWest CI on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @NatWestJsy The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited trading as NatWest (NatWest). Registered Office: P.O. Box 64, Royal Bank House, 71 Bath Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8PJ. Regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate and is an interest rate which takes account of the full amount of interest on any money borrowed plus the timing of repayments and any other charges that you have to pay. It may not take into account any reduction in interest rate following the maturity of the initial product. The frequency of the interest payments, for example monthly or quarterly, affects the calculation. Rates correct as at (01.05.2016). Subject to availability. Over 18’s only. Security required. Calls may be recorded.

PROPERTIES WANTED FROM £400,000 to £1,000,000

St John A one off luxury 8000 sq ft home Mont Mado granite was quarried historically. The largest quarry is now that of Ronez on the north coast.

The Old Quarry has now become the most exceptional home offering 8000 sq ft which includes the double garage. From the ground up to create a home of style comfort warmth. Situated on a very quiet lane and approached through electric gates with rear courtyard with new tarmac that drains away hence having no build of rain or excess water.

Pictures do not do this superb house justice as only with internal viewing can you appreciate the attention to finer details.

The theme throughout the house is a touch of Gothic which has been delicately introduced in various places.

Bespoke Stoneham Kitchen has been installed and really has the wow factor. Aga, steam oven, microwave, coffee maker, special manufactured Miele large fridge granite work tops and vaulted ceiling add to the overall attraction that cannot be missed.

Although this home is 8000 sq ft there is nothing overwhelming about the size as it works so beautifully to cater for all the family.

And for the big boys the cinema room is where you will probably find them most nights watching rugby or golf on the large screen with surround sound system while mum takes a leisurely swim in the indoor heated pool, or working out in the Gym. The swimming pool has an array of different colour lights to suit the mood. Solar panels provide energy heat to pool and hot water.

Every eventuality has been considered during the building and planning of this home and all will be pointed out through internal viewing. New Cat 5 wiring system, imported tiling, and fireplace, bespoke stair case that has been French polished, external rails with powder coating for low maintenance. The list is endless.

This home is for people who will appreciate style and finer detail down to the door handles It’s all about low maintenance and easy living without any compromise. £3,650,000

‘Big enough to cope yet small enough to care’

St Ouens

St Clements

St Helier

5 bedroom family home in quiet location. Immaculately presented throughout. Overlooking field, sunny garden and garden chalet. Conservatory, dining area, kitchen and utility. Double garage and parking for 4-5 cars

First time on the market for 35 years.

Victorian 5 double bedroom house that is near perfect retaining original features

Detached 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large lounge diner, eat in kitchen, cloakroom, garage and sunny garden. In quiet part of close.

eat in kitchen, large lounge diner with functional fire private garden and parking for 3 cars.

£669,000

£599,000

For more information visit www.lyonsestates.co.uk

For more information visit www.lyonsestates.co.uk

For more information visit www.lyonsestates.co.uk

St Mary A home for all seasons

St Brelade Bungalow

St Helier outskirts granite delight, Sole Agents

£835,000

A rare find in this superb granite house that looks like a modest cottage from the exterior but nothing could be further from the truth, could be a 2 gen.

5 beds, 4 baths, eat in kitchen, dining room, magnificent lounge with wood burner and mistral gallery.

In quiet location sought after parish, 5 beds 2 baths lovely, fantastic swf garden garage and plenty parking.

£1,450,000

£895,000

NEW - sole agents St Lawrence A superb 5 bedroom, or 4 with large study, detached granite house.

Totally refurbished to high standard

£1,100,000

NEW Sole Agents Western delight

Modern granite house on the outskirts of town, off Queens Road still within walking distance to work. 4 double bedrooms 2 bathrooms master is exceptionally large, with en-suite.

Kitchen, separate utility, garage and parking for 4 cars.

£675,000

CHECK OUT OUR CONFIDENTIAL FILE We have a very large country home for sale in a very private quiet location.

Perfect for incoming High Net Worth families. Also lots more from 1.75Mil to 10Mil

St Clement Out of this world a home that has taken 6 years to bring back to former glory, and to the highest standard. Simply amazing throughout. 5 double bedrooms master is en-suite with dressing room, bespoke fittings and fixtures. Separate 2 bedroom cottage for relative. Lovely mature garden and totally private.

£1,950,000

Oxford Road, St. Helier

Absolutely stunning Victorian House 2-3 generation sea views and immaculate not a thing to do except move in garage and parking. Check out website for recent additions www.lyonsestates.co.uk

New on the market for the first time in 10 years and presented in walk in condition. 2 bedrooms, one newly fitted bathroom, lovely cosy lounge, bright and airy kitchen and a recess area that can be used as dining space or additional storage. With a small outside sitting area this is a perfect starter home.

£985,000

£325,000

For more information visit www.lyonsestates.co.uk

For more information visit www.lyonsestates.co.uk

RENTAL PROPERTIES also available For more information visit www.lyonsestates.co.uk

Register today on www.lyonsestates.co.uk for all properties held on Confidential File

PRIVATE RENTAL SANDY LANE, ST. JAMES, BARBADOS FROM US $2,000.00 PER NIGHT P R O P E R T Y D E TA I L S Number of beds: 5 Property type: Luxury Villa Area: Sandy Lane Estate P o o l : Ye s Furnished: Luxury furnishes G a r d e n : Tr o p i c a l G a r d e n s Golf: Nearby Beachfront: Nearby F E AT U R E S Wifi • Sandy Lane beach access Cook – 3 meals, 6 days a week Laundry service N i g h t Wa t c h m a n

F O R F U R T H E R D E TA I L S A N D T O V I E W M O R E P R O P E RT I E S

Te l : 0 2 0 7 8 5 9 4 4 6 0 w w w. l o b s t e r t a i l . c o . u k

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l o b s t e r. t a i l

L o b s t e r Ta i l

TRAVEL

Experience ‘a little night music’ in

SALZBURG

by Rebecca Underwood

Salzburg, Austria’s fourth largest city evokes memories of childhood fairy tales and it truly has music at its heart. Located on the banks of the Salzach River at the northern border of the Alps, this city is the birthplace of Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart and it was the setting for Rogers and Hammerstein’s 1965 unforgettable musical, The Sound of Music.

Mozart

Local treats

The Untersberg Mountain, which is only ten miles from the city centre, featured in the opening and closing scenes of the film, which was awarded the Oscar for best picture, in 1966. Soaring 6,473 feet into the blue Alpine sky, the Untersberg attracts visitors and locals keen to show off their skiing skills during the winter months and it’s a popular spot for hiking, climbing and paragliding in the warmer months when many a tourist can be seen running at full speed with arms outstretched impersonating the Von Trapp’s with abandon.

Another of Salzburg’s most popular attractions is the imposing Hohensalzburg Castle, which is perched high on a hill overlooking the city and dates back to the 11th century.

Hop on the glass Festungsbahn cable car and you will be richly rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the city and valley on one side and the mountain on the other. The medieval fortress features state apartments, dating back to 1498 and highlights include the Golden Chamber; richly furnished, with walls that were once covered in leather tapestries embellished with gold and the glittering Golden Hall with its gold studded ceiling supported by a sturdy beam, which is 17 metres long. The Golden Hall is the venue for more than 300 concerts every year when the most talented musicians from all over the world celebrate the works of Strauss, Haydn, Schubert, Vivaldi, and of course Mozart.

Salzburg’s most famous son was born in 1756 and at the tender age of five he was proficient on both the violin and keyboard and began to write music. He composed his first symphony at the age of eight and records show that he performed in Venice at the age of fifteen. To learn more, visit Mozart’s Geburtshaus, located on Getreidegasse.

MAY ISSUE | 59

TRAVEL

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Mirabelle Garden

Mozart Museum

Hotel Sacher Junior Suite

The townhouse where he was born and spent his first 17 years is a museum which exhibits a fine collection of instruments including a small violin that he played in his childhood and the clavichord on which he composed The Magic Flute. A selection of family portraits is displayed on the walls and there are personal letters and early editions of his music. Visitors are welcome to listen to his music, using the headphones provided, and standing in his home serenaded by his genius is a truly spellbinding experience.

Whilst your mood is high, wander around Alstadt, which is Salzburg’s old town, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Visitors flock to admire the exceptional examples of baroque architecture and to appreciate the

60 | www.life-mags.com

towering domes and spires. Take a leisurely stroll around Herbert von Karajan Square, named in honour of the Austrian conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, and you will see the magnificent Horse Pond, designed and built in 1693 by Johann Bernard Fischer von Erlach, the Austrian architect and sculptor.

To add a little romance in your life, saunter around the Mirabell Palace, the office of the mayor of Salzburg. Surrounded by breath-taking gardens, the property was built by prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau in 1606 as a token of his love for Salome Alt. In 1854 Emperor Franz Joseph declared the site open to the public and highlights include the elaborate staircase adorned with figures of angels and there’s a delightful selection of sculptures in the alcoves. The Marble Hall is not to be missed as it is where Leopold Mozart, his son Wolfgang, and daughter Nannerl performed.

After your tour, rest awhile in the stunning early baroque Mirabell Gardens and breathe in the Alpine air amid the rich and fragrant floral displays. Take a stroll around the Pegasus and Grand Fountains, the Orangery and the Rose Garden.

For weary travellers seeking some luxurious pampering consider the Hotel Sacher, founded in 1876 and located in the heart of the Old Town. This elegant property features 113 spacious rooms with contemporary furnishings and up-to-date

technical equipment. The junior suites measure 40 to 50 square metres with bright interiors and wonderful views over the river and the spacious bathrooms offer under floor heating with separate showers and bath tubs.

For an exceptional dining experience, the hotel’s Zirbelzimmer restaurant offers the highest standards of comfort and service.

The dining room’s walls and ceiling feature traditional wood panelling, tables are dressed with crisp fine linens, and the food is outstanding. Sample the delicious truffle ravioli with parsley and ‘Goji’ berries and of course accompanied by your preferred tipple. Raise your glass high and make a toast to Saltzburg, it truly is a city with music at its heart.

Tip: Be sure to make a note of the Salzburg Festival, which began in 1920, as is the city’s most popular event, opening on July 22 and continuing until August 31. Performances include opera, concerts and plays. The programme includes a number of dates for ‘Introducing opera to children’, and regular performances of Don Giovanni and Mozart Matineés. There is the opportunity to see performers of the Vienna Philharmonic and Salzburg’s Mozarteum Orchestra performing works by Mozart and Haydn.

Images, excluding the Hotel Sacher, courtesy of Tourismus Salzburg

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A wave of activity in Guernsey Wearing only a plastic cap and bathing suit for protection against the wind, two swimmers scurry along the cobbled streets of St Peter Port on a bracing spring morning. They're heading to one of the town's three natural bathing pools, flooded with seawater since Victorian times and used 365 days of the year.

By Sarah Marshall Even Guernsey's most famous resident, exiled French writer Victor Hugo, was fond of taking a dip in the ocean, often referred to as his "friend".

He'd make himself comfortable in the armchair-shaped Fontaine Marches rock and confide in the vast, tumultuous blue expanse, loved so dearly because it never disagreed with him.

Stormy skies obscure my views when, later that day, I climb to the top of Fort Grey, where rooftop access has been granted to the public for the first time as part of the Heritage Festival. Now housing The Shipwreck Museum, the Martello tower - also known locally as 'the cup and saucer' - was built in 1804 to defend Guernsey's west coast.

I gaze down at the sandy Rocquaine Bay, streaked with sticky fronds of bladderwrack washed up by the tide. Hugo would often scour the island's beaches for sea kale, which he also cultivated in his garden. Due to a quirky, arcane law passed in the 1800s, it's not possible to collect seaweed on a Sunday, but I am able to gather other edible items from this coastal larder, on a foraging adventure with Wild Guernsey.

Couple D'Arcy and Tara run trips for small groups by appointment (ÂŁ20 per person for two hours), and will also be hosting a family foraging event as part of this year's 10-day Guernsey International Food Festival (running from September 23 to October 2).

Hugo, like the majority of Guerns, shared a special relationship with the water, highlighted in his novel Toilers Of The Sea, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Events being held to commemorate the book form part of the broader Channel Islands Heritage Festival (running from now until May 10), which this year has a special maritime focus.

Local resident and guide Elizabeth Gardener-Wheeler helps me retrace one of Hugo's favourite walks along the seafront of St Peter Port. The Les Miserables author enjoyed his 15 years spent living here, she tells me, because "it felt French" and, on a clear day, he could even make out the faint coastline of his beloved homeland.

62 | www.life-mags.com

The humble pair, who also run a glamping campsite and live with their children on a boat moored along Guernsey's north coast, set up their tours with the aim of helping people reconnect with the land. We climb into a narrow gully to pick rock samphire sprouting from damp crevices. Shakespeare referred to the practice as a "dreadful trade" in King Lear, D'Arcy tells me, as Tara ignites a camping stove to saute the highly nutritious green spears in a buttery sauce. Fortunately, we don't employ any of the cliff-scrambling techniques that made the activity so treacherous in the early 1600s.

Along with plants, herbs and sea greens, Guernsey boasts numerous home-grown foodstuffs, many of which will be on sale at the Big Guernsey Market at St Peter Port on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September.

RELISH

XC Exceptional Cider, he regales the challenges of finding "non-tree-bark-stripping sheep" to "mow" the lawns of his 5,000 tree orchard.

Peter and Mandy Girard have greater fondness for their grazers, a small herd of rare breed golden Guernsey goats indigenous to the island (I'm told they currently own 26 of the 1,200 left in the world) Operating since 2000, the farm produces five different soft and hard cheeses made from the decadently creamy unpasteurised goats milk. According to Peter, chefs lap up their versatile soft cheese for use in salads and desserts.

Rock samphire forms one of the key ingredients in a gin produced by the team at boutique hotel Bella Luce. Former chef-turnedhotelier Luke Wheadon, set up his own distillery last year and will be co-hosting a Shake Your Own cocktail station with UK-based Blackdown Artisan Spirits at the market. (Stay at Bella Luce, and you can even have a bespoke gin made, according to flavour interests and bottled as part of package.)

It's not available in the UK, but does keep for six weeks, so I purchase a packet to take home, keeping it fresh in the minibar fridge in my room at new boutique hotel Ziggurat, which opened last October.

Almost predictably, though, the cheese doesn't even make it to the airport. Instead, I gobble the lot, convincing myself it tastes better when accompanied by my balcony view of the historic harbour.

Or perhaps the secret flavour enhancer is simply the sea air.

Back in the 16th century, cider - not gin - was the preferred tipple for most residents, although many apple trees have since disappeared. Hoping to revive the tradition, James Meller's family has been producing cider on his family farm in the Fauxquets Valley for 15 years. After offering me a glass of the dry Rocquette

A ZIGGURAT IS A STEPPED TEMPLE WITH A SHRINE AT THE SUMMIT WHERE ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS GATHERED TO SOCIALISE AND WORSHIP THEIR GODS AND GODDESSES

THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE HOTEL Ziggurat is Guernsey's newest hotel, a 14 bedroom boutique haven in the clouds of St Peter Port. Climb the stairs for an adventure into the Middle Eastern world of the Zigg'; explore the beach huts or relax in our lounge with one of our speciality cocktails. Join us for a Persian inspired feast in the restaurant, or perhaps a Sunday brunch?

We don't want you to feel that you've booked just a room when you stay at the Zigg', you've booked an experience. From the moment you press that doorbell, to the moment you check out we want you to feel as though you've stepped into a home from home!

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MAY ISSUE | 19

ANTIQUES

ON CALL

By Stephen Cohu

I have been in the antiques business for 30 years and during this time I have seen many changes in what is in demand and what is out. The vast majority of what I purchase is bought on house visits or calls and as discussed in previous articles, the house owner often tries to help by disposing of all the low value items or rubbish before we are called in. This often proves to be a costly mistake as most items left behind are the low value things or rubbish. However, what we now look for on calls is very different to what was wanted twenty years ago.

The Call The phone rings with the person at the other end having various items to dispose of. I try to ascertain exactly what it is they want to sell, either individual items or a complete house contents. I can usually establish fairly quickly whether it is something I am likely to want but never immediately reject items without establishing if they might have more desirable things they have not mentioned. Often I go to a house to look at one thing and end up buying things that were dismissed by the householder as being of no value. I spend my life on a treasure hunt, sometimes on a wild goose chase but sometimes with a pleasant surprise for all concerned.

If there are possibly older or more collectable things in a house, I always go and look, no matter how unpromising it sounded from the initial contact. I can usually buy something and sometimes end up buying and clearing the entire contents. People often have no idea of the value of things they have inherited and lived with for maybe 80 or 90 years. Sometimes they have a massively over-inflated idea of what their possessions are worth. The number of antiques related shows on television means that most people are aware that “brown” furniture has a fairly small value generally but some items are still desirable.

This does not stop it all getting sent to La Collette for disposal because the owners are embarrassed to call me because they don’t want to waste my time.

I go on virtually every house call that I receive because you never know what rarities will be discovered, not necessarily of high monetary value but often of historical significance.

A Recent Call for a Complete Contents The rest of this article will follow my progress on a recent call regarding the disposal of a complete house contents and the clearance of the remainder.

I arrive at the property and ascertain from the householder or beneficiary exactly what they want me to do, either an offer on individual items or a price to clear the entire contents. In this case, all the items of sentimental value had already been removed from the house but everything else was left largely as the previous occupant had left it. This makes it much easier to price things. I explained that I would price in things of higher value individually and then group the residual items together for an overall price. This was accepted and our tour of the property began.

The Entrance Hall Each item has to be looked at and assessed, sometimes this takes a while but often it takes a few seconds- of individual value or residual.

In the hallway of the house was an oak grandfather clock,

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Victorian watercolour, exceptional value for money at under £100.

18th century but with a later carved case and a painted dial unfortunately now only worth about £80. Next to it was a bow fronted satinwood and purple heart cabinet- Georgian or late Victorian/ Edwardian? Looking at the carcass and the hinges and locks it was Edwardian but nonetheless a useful and decorative piece of furniture, pretty, not too big and in good condition, worth several hundred pounds. Above the cabinet was an early 20th century gilt framed watercolour landscape by a highly regarded Scottish artist, worth a fraction of its historic value. I have no idea why this type of art is less collected because these works are very pleasing and I believe represent phenomenally good value today.

Amongst the “bric-a-brac” was a pate de verre fox by Almeric Walter from Nancy, France in the 1920s. Sadly a chipped corner took away nearly all its value. Damaged items are not sought by collectors now.

When there were many collectors around in the 1960s to the 1990s perfect items were unobtainable because competition was fierce to buy them. Damaged items were more acceptable because it was the only way of obtaining an example. Now there are fewer collectors and competition is less fierce, they can afford to wait until a perfect example comes along, leaving the damaged examples unwanted and virtually worthless. It still remains a small work of art and would be wrong to throw it away due to its condition. Someone will still love to own it.

Other items in the hall included Victorian coloured engravings and small Victorian watercolours, all residual items only as the market for these is very limited today.

STEPHEN COHU

DEALERS IN FINE ANTIQUES, WORKS OF ART, JEWELLERY AND OBJECTS We are one of the Channel Islandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; leading purchasers of antiques, jewellery and effects. We purchase entire estates or single items and also undertake expert probate valuations and property clearance.

ANTIQUES The Living Room A small Georgian chest of drawers resided against a full sun wall resulting in severe sun damage and bleaching. Together with a change of handles and some splitting, the value was very small for an item than in its prime was very desirable. Today it is probably a candidate for painting as “shabby chic” furniture is currently all the rage, value around £50. Despite its scruffy appearance it could be given a new lease of life and will happily last another 200 years.

The walls were hung with Victorian and later “furnishing” pictures.

These were not expensive at the time of painting and are consequently of low value today. They make cheap wall covering for the price with Victorian watercolours by competent artists being available for under £100 pounds. A price for the “job lot” would be offered.

On another wall stood a rather decorative inlaid secretaire-aabbatant, once again worth a fraction of its value of the early 2000s. With the mass use of computers and printers, the days of hand writing letters have all but disappeared. As a consequence, hand writing related cabinet furniture has collapsed in value. Traditional bureaux, Davenport desks, roll top desks, secretaires are all inexpensive.

The room was dotted with many silver picture frames and unlike Inlaid secretaire-a-abbatant, much traditional silver, these pretty but not in demand. remain very popular today and fetch a good price. Also there was some collectable early pottery and glass. Many of the pottery items were slightly damaged and anyone without knowledge of their age and rarity would almost certainly have thrown them away. The collection as a whole came to several thousand pounds and with items of great rarity damage is more acceptable to collectors.

Most of the remaining furniture formed part of the residual contents but once again although not of significant value was good quality and will last for many years unless it finds its way to La Collette.

Utility Room On the wall of the utility room was a small desirable watercolour by a highly collected artist. The owners were unaware of its value and may well have sent it to a charity shop. An offer of £1000 suddenly made them more interested in this long overlooked item! There is a strong market today for things that are rare and unusual, not things that are common and mundane. An example of prices going mad for mass produced poor quality items would be Victorian Staffordshire figures.

Originally sold for pennies then sold for hundreds, now sold for the equivalent of pennies again. The old adage of if it was cheap when it was made it will be cheap now holds well generally.

The Dining Room Very little dining room furniture is sought after today thanks to the demise of formal dining. In the dining room was a very pretty and not overly large George III sideboard. Average quality and with replacement handles, £100 was all that could be offered. The rest of the dining suite including a reproduction twin pillar dining table had no price at all and would find their way eventually to a charity shop.

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Worth its weight in silver!

Items of hallmarked silver abounded but all but the very best items are now worth only the silver content by weight. The desire to polish silver has long passed and silver cutlery goes black in a dishwasher.

They had considered consigning the silver to auction outside the island but I explained that after buyer’s premium they would be significantly worse off by doing that. As usual the auction house had failed to explain that as well as charging the seller 15% they also charge the buyer 30%! For exceptional items this may be a fair deal but for what has effectively a fixed metal price, this leaves the vendor well out of pocket.

The Bedrooms Bedroom furniture was mainly Edwardian and too fussy for the current market and was priced in with the overall leftovers. If you don’t like fitted furniture and don’t want short lived MDF then good quality antique bedroom furniture can be bought for a song and then customised with a coat of paint, the colour of your choice!

Overall Overall there were lots of quite useful items, some better pictures and lots of lower value bits and pieces. There was nothing outstanding and there were no extraordinary discoveries but there was plenty for the shop and plenty for charity. The best thing was the contents had been left intact, all awaiting re-homing with delighted new owners to love and to cherish and to pass on to future generations.

William IV armchair, robust and comfortable and inexpensive.

Love Bird & Nest Art studio…

Tuesday night is ladies night when I open between 7pm-9.30pm during term-time and you can come and paint whatever you like with a group or on your own. A relaxing distraction from daily life and an opportunity to meet new people, whilst getting all creative.

Pottery painting can be enjoyed by people of all ages and I want my customers to enjoy letting their imagination run wild and let their creativity shine!

Love Bird & Nest Art is more than an ordinary gift shop, it’s a creative place to inspire giving, beautiful living and let your imagination sparkle! Owned by me, Charlotte Langley, Island Girl, illustrator and letterer, Love Bird was launched in 2010 purely as a gift shop selling my own designs and illustrations, the Jersey Gals, Little Jersey Bean, China & Ink and Coastal Blue amongst other quirky and different gifts, however, I always knew I wanted to incorporate my love of arts and crafts into the business.

Such an opportunity came along when I opened Love Bird and Nest Art Studio at Jersey War Tunnels – Over the last few years the pottery studio has taken on a life of its own, hosting ladies nights, baby groups, birthday parties, hen parties and a few date nights – it is a really fun way to start off the day or evening and a great ice-breaker!

In the studio we have a huge selection of white bisqeware waiting to be decorated. Items range from functional to decorative mugs, moneyboxes, figurines, plant pots, teapots, trinket boxes and much much more! Some of my favourite pieces to create are the clay family impressions, a stunning way of capturing those little hand and footprints, lasting mementoes of those little fingers and toes that grow so quickly.

I truly enjoy watching people paint and decorate ceramics especially when they believe they have limited artistic talent, we show them some tools give some advice and then they go ahead and create some amazing and beautiful, pieces that they are proud of.

I sell all sorts of things that I love in the shop, and that I hope you will love too. From pretty things for your house to Little Jersey Bean babygros, the full range of my ‘Jersey Gals’ cows, amusing things to make you laugh, crafty things for the crafty minded, and nostalgic bits for those who like to reminisce. We also have a superb selection of books and memorabilia relating to the Occupation of Jersey and World War II, this is an area that has grown and become an integral part of the Love Bird shop over the last few years.

I enjoy incorporating a sense of humor and and lack of self-conscious seriousness in my designs and illustrations and hope my products make people smile, over the next few months I have several new products and ranges coming through which is always an exciting time. As a mum of two some of the most important people are the staff of Love Bird, the girls. We as a team all have different strengths, abilities and roles yet we work together making sure we deliver the best service and experience we can, always learning, trying, failing, dreaming big, enjoying the small stuff and helping each other every day.

Creativity is at the heart of everything we do, along with a healthy dose of laughter everyday - welcome to Love Bird! X

Nest Art Studio is situated at Love Birds 2 at Jersey War Tunnels, Les Charrieres Malorey, St Lawrence, JE3 1FU Open 7 days a week between 10am – 5pm • Telephone: 865972 • Email: charlotte@lovebirdgifts.co.uk www.facebook.com/lovebirdgiftshop • www.facebook.com/nestartstudio (Closed between 19th December – 1st March, although open for parties and by appointment)

MICHAEL GINNS MBE

Occupation Liberation Extracts from the forthcoming biography of

Michael Ginns MBE You may not personally know locally acclaimed Historian and Author Michael Ginns, however, if you have ever frequented the War Tunnels, been a member of the Occupation Society or read local publications, his name and work will have brushed by you whether you are aware of it or not. In this, the next in a series of excerpts from his forthcoming biography, Michael tells us about his release from the town of Bad Wurzach, Germany and return to Jersey.… by Juanita Shield-Laignel

or the purposes of this series and indeed the biography, I have of course been writing Michael’s life story chronologically, but it was this particular story he chose to tell me the very first time I interviewed him.

He told it with the twinkle in his eye I have grown accustomed to over the years.

“Outside the normal realms of daily chores such as making beds, preparing meals and abiding by camp rues, there was little else to do, so we decided to make an effort to entertain ourselves and put on a play once a month. Our limited repertoire included Noel Coward and lots of variety shows. It gave us a focus and was always enormous amounts of fun”.

F

“When I was seventeen, I was chosen to play a leading role in a play version of the movie ‘Boys meets Girl’ a 1930’s Cowboy film starring Larry Toms. It was spread over three acts and I had to be the Larry Toms character. In an imitation American accent, I had to chat up the leading lady and

Emma Ginns (Michael's Mother).

Landing card to go ashore in Gothenburg, Sweden.

68 | www.life-mags.com

propose to her. Now being limited in young single women my leading lady was played by Joy Croft who was twenty five and married. Her husband was the director but he didn’t seem in the least bit phased that I would have to kiss her.

During rehearsals we would just sort of nibble each other’s ears but then the Producer, Peter Hutton, said during dress rehearsals ‘You have to kiss her properly’…. which was terrifying… I had little experience but here was I faced with an older married woman. Well I just decided I would go for the clinch, made all the easier as she was a bit of a blonde bombshell but I was only seventeen and I had to do it in front of an audience not least of which would eventually be my parents. As it happened my Mother was nursing on dress rehearsal night but would have seen the first proper show and no doubt been in a state of shock, but I needn’t have worried as all of a sudden it was announced that some of us were to be shipped back to England so I didn’t have to perform in-front of my Mother after all….I was so relieved!”

“Our journey back was one I will never forget. The most haunting image sticks in my mind. On the 4th March 1945 we were carted off in Red Cross trains, with trunks of luggage lock stock and barrel, fifty or so of us with young, old and infirm. The carriages were second class so compared to what we could have been faced with, actually quite comfortable. The train set off through a corridor of neutral territory and because of this was to take some weeks to get home. Although a Red Cross train

Michael Ginns MBE

with a big emblem on the roof we were aware of low flying allied fighter planes getting quite close to us on a number of occasions. It was really scary especially when we could hear bombs falling not too far away.”

“One night when the train stopped a few us managed to get hold of some coal…we’d have been shot on the spot if we’d been caught taking it…. we wanted to try and light the second stove in our carriage as it was so cold (we later found out one of the coldest winters recorded).

The stove just wouldn’t catch and all of a sudden I was aware that Karl, a young German Medical Officer had picked up a wire brush and jumped out of the carriage and was climbing up onto the roof. He’d forgotten that we were on an electric line

Michael's Mother, post internment happy to be home again.

MICHAEL GINNS MBE

up these great big towering cliffs were rising out of the sea and mist…it was really dramatic. We then sailed over the top of England as it were, passed Ireland and down the west coast of Britain eventually landing in Liverpool on the 23rd March 1945. From there we were back on a train down to London. It was so good to be back on home territory and to be surrounded by English voices.”

“Much later we learnt that the whole camp had been liberated on 28th April and all my fellow internees were released. There are amazing stories of French tanks arriving and American trucks turning up.

Everyone was so elated. In a way, it’s a shame we weren’t there to witness this amazing spectacle. By the time this happened we were already in England.”

Michael comes of age and sets off for new horizons and no sooner had he stuck the brush down the flue then there was an almighty band and a crack and he was thrown clean off the roof by sixteen thousand volts shooting through his body. Needless to say he was very badly injured and we were all very sad this had happened. I think it hit home as he wasn’t much older than me and had been really kind to all of us.”

As Michael told me this story I could see a tear in his eye and I was really quite moved by the depth of his feeling towards a member of ‘the enemy’. I’ve heard Michael tell this story several times now and each time it catches his breath and he has to compose himself.

“For a while my family and I stayed with my Godparents in Epson and began to lead a relatively normal life. By now my father was riddled with lung cancer and my Mother was keen to get him home to the, by now, Liberated Jersey. We arrived home at Les Mars on the 28th August 1945 long after the 9th May and nothing much in our home had changed, baring a few rows of vegetables in the garden where turf had once been. John Goulder had done a really good job of the upkeep of the house.

Of course the Island was still wracked with the scars of occupation but it really was good to be home.”

“My Mother was so pleased to be home my Father whose health was failing rapidly was hugely relieved. I remember feeling an enormous weight lifting off my seventeen year old shoulders. Having missed so much of my education it was deemed unwise for me to return to Victoria College so instead I joined other ex-interned youngsters for private tuition with Mr A J Robinson.”

“I finished my education but sadly was unable to grasp maths so failed to attain my education certificate. On 16th December 1945 I turned eighteen and my parents decided I should join the British Army as they had heard the Army also educated soldiers and my Father in particular thought I should use this to fill in the educational holes left by being in Germany for three years. So I was shipped off again to England and joined the Royal Army Service Corps where I left my boyhood behind and began the next chapter of my life.”

Next Time Michael tells us all about his life in the army and meeting his first wife, Margaret...

“We continued travelling up through Germany into Denmark and then eventually came to a town that overlooked Sweden. Now Sweden was also neutral and not subject to black-out regulations and I remember looking from the train across this dark strip of land and then on the horizon was Sweden completely lit up like fairy lights. It was so joyful to see after all that time of seeing nothing but black.”

“From Sweden we were then put on a Red Cross boat, but again had to travel through the designated safe corridor and couldn’t head straight for England.

We had to go up the side of Norway all the way up as far as the Faroe Islands. As we approached the Faroes someone shouted ‘look there they are’ but it was misty and I couldn’t see straight ahead but as I looked

Michael during 1947, standing out from the crowd on the right hand side with The Royal Army Service Corps

MAY ISSUE | 69

MOTORING

JAGUAR F-PACE By Matt Joy WHAT'S NEW?: On paper, the F-Pace is as new as they come.

Rumours of Jaguar building an SUV started in the 1990s, but it's taken until now for one to arrive. It's designed to offer the space and practicality that SUV buyers demand whilst still looking - and crucially, also driving - like a real Jaguar should.

Under the svelte skin, the F-Pace is based on the same aluminium architecture as the XF, while the four-wheel-drive system is derived from that used on the F-Type. It also gets some off-road technology as well as some neat tricks of its own.

LOOKS AND IMAGE: Finished in the striking Caesium Blue of the special First Edition model and riding on the vast 22-inch alloy wheels, the F-Pace is a superb looking machine in the flesh. It's a coherent design too, not just a Jaguar grille applied to a tall car, with obvious nods to other Jaguar models and a sense of style and speed.

The lower-specification models still look good too, although it's likely that the 22-inch wheels will become something of an essential choice.

There's no doubt Jaguar's image has been on the up for the best part of a decade now and it's certainly ready to carry an SUV in its range.

With the reputation of its other models well cemented, it may just become the driver's pick in the segment.

70 | www.life-mags.com

Facts at a glance Model: Jaguar F-Pace R Sport 2.0D AWD Auto Engine: 2.0-litre diesel unit producing 178bhp and 318lb.ft of torque Transmission: Eight-speed automatic driving all four wheels Performance: Top speed 129mph, 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds Economy: 53.3mpg combined CO2 Rating: 139g/km of CO2

MOTORING

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY: There's no escaping the fact that buyers move into SUVs from other models because they want the space, whether they use it or not, but Jaguar has clearly done its homework. It's a mid-sized machine but inside it feels big, front and rear. From the driver's seat you get the better view out, but still with a saloon-like driving position, with plenty of leg and elbow room.

There's excellent legroom in the back too and sufficient width for three adults, though headroom is fine up to average heights with the optional sunroof. The boot is huge at 650 litres with the seats in place and it's well sized; long and tall as well as wide with no irritating intrusions, with plenty of useful storage in the cabin too.

actual keys in the car during sports or activities, and is unlocked by simply touching the boot badge with the strap. It's a smart idea for an additional cost.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE?: The F-Pace is a car with exceptionally broad appeal. It has the SUV presence and heft that buyers are keen on, but it's better to look at than any of its rivals, which may attract more female buyers. It's also great fun to drive as well as relaxing, which will make it more appealing to buyers who need to trade up for more space. And those who do need the space should find the F-Pace has as much as they need, with the reassurance of off-road security. The F-Pace could be the car that blows the competition out of the water.

BEHIND THE WHEEL: It's a complement to the F-Pace and the team behind it that sometimes it's easy to think you're behind the wheel of a Jaguar saloon. Regardless of engine choice there is a sweetness and a directness to the response from the controls - in particular the steering - that demonstrates a commitment to driving pleasure. Whether you're just ambling around town or destroying a B-road, the F-Pace flows along as well as its saloon siblings.

The 375bhp 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol is likely to be the least popular option, but it's definitely the most fun. It rasps and crackles when extended and makes the F-Pace a real sporting car. During a long drive on some challenging country roads, it made fantastic progress, being quick, controlled and composed.

The 2.0-litre diesel with 178bhp will be the best seller in the UK and, while it can't compete with the V6 petrol on performance, it has a strong set of figures; 318lb.ft of torque, 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, 53.3mpg combined and 139g/km of CO2. The eightspeed automatic shifts quickly and smoothly to make the most of the engine torque and noise levels are kept in check.

THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD: Complete IF THIS CAR WAS A...: indicator of Jaguar's future, it's looking exceptionally rosy.

Even though it will almost never be used this way, the F-Pace still has genuine off-road ability too. All Surface Progress Control allows the driver to set a desired speed below 19mph and the F-Pace will trickle along, managing the brakes and accelerator up or down hill as you steer.

VALUE FOR MONEY: The entry-model in the F-Pace range is the two-wheel-drive Prestige 2.0-litre diesel manual which comes with cruise control, torque vectoring, front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, 18-inch alloy wheels and the InControl Touch infotainment system with DAB and satellite navigation, which for many buyers will be all the kit they'll ever need. There's even a clever gadget called the Activity Key, which is a rubberised waterproof wrist strap that allows you to lock the

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WINE

Carmenere

by Martin Flageul AIWS, Wine Consultant

Once widely planted in the Bordeaux region the dark-skinned grape variety carmenere faded almost into obscurity during the late 1860’s due to its susceptibility to phylloxera, an insect which devastated most of the vineyards of Europe at the time. The inability of carmenere to respond well to grafting onto American rootstock, which was the only solution that worked with other varieties such as cabernets and merlot, caused carmenere vines to all but disappear from the vineyards of Bordeaux.

Chile – Carmenere’s Saviour Before the outbreak of phylloxera in Bordeaux, vine cuttings had been transported to Chile to establish vineyards there. Merlot was considered one of the best choices to produce quality wine in Chile and a high proportion of vines planted at the time that were thought to merlot turned out to be carmenere. The leaves of merlot and carmenere are so alike that it was not until1994 that the error was realised when DNA testing was undertaken.

Chilean winemakers have capitalised on their “discovery” and carmenere is now Chile’s premium grape variety with over 650 different labels available and prices ranging from below £5.00 to over £100.00 per bottle.

Bordeaux Roots There are six permitted vine varieties for the production of red wine in Bordeaux – cabernet-sauvignon, merlot, cabernet-franc, petit verdot, malbec and carmenere. Whilst the wines termed “Bordeaux Blend” will have cabernet-sauvignon and merlot as the main two components, it is well known that smaller quantities of cabernet-franc, petit verdot and malbec are blended too.

However, very few Bordeaux vineyards have any carmenere vines planted; notable exceptions being Chateau Haut Bailly, Chateau Brane-Cantenac and Chateau Clerc-Milon.

Origins Possibly originating in Spain, carmenere found its first main home in Bordeaux when planted there by the Romans. The colour of the leaves turn bright red in autumn and thus the name carmenere was born from the French “carmin” meaning crimson. Although still found in Bordeaux in small quantities, carmenere is also planted in Italy, New Zealand, USA and even China but Chile has by far the largest vineyard area of the variety with 10,000 hectares representing 80% of the world’s total.

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International Carmenere Day South America and in particular Chile is so pleased with the popularity and worldwide success of carmenere that November 24th has been declared “ International Carmenere Day”.

The style of carmenere can be rustic with meaty plumpness and herbaceous and cedary notes and matching the wine with food is not difficult; it goes well with grilled or roast meats – chicken, pork, lamb, beef and veal and also complements strong hard cheeses. Recommended dishes include sausage and bean stew, creamy lamb curry and barbecued lamb chops.

But there is no need to wait until November 24th – treat yourself to a bottle of carmenere today.

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MAY IS...

May is...

Flavour of the month...

Kiwi Fruit

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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Kiwi Martini Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients • 3 ounces vodka or citrus vodka • ½ skinned kiwi • ½ teaspoon sugar syrup (2 parts sugar, 1 part water) • Kiwi slice for garnish Instructions Muddle the skinned kiwi with the sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and vodka. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of kiwi.

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Across 6. View (7)

Down 1. Backbone (5)

7. Worth (5)

2. Unity (3)

9. Also (3)

3. Region (4)

10. Allusion (9)

4. Shameless (9)

12. Stylish (11)

5. Fast (7)

15. Mercury (11)

8. Shrink (6)

17. Pretentiously (9)

11. Unequalled (9)

19. Dandy (3)

13. Hurry (6)

21. Clutch (5)

14. Harsh (7)

22. Scoundrel (7)

16. Film (5) 18. Den (4) 20. Pilot (3)

Answers can be found in next month’s edition of the Jerseylife.

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t: 01534 869300 e: enquiries@jerseyauctioneers.com w: www.jerseyauctioneers.com