OCTOBER COVER:Layout 1 02/10/2015 14:03 Page 1
OCTOBER 2015 | www.life-mags.com
the Jerseylife | OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE 120 | THE QUALITY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
ROGER HILLS Unfolding History
Baroness Floella
welcome to
Homeliving
Benjamin
www.life-mags.com
in The Selfish Giant
DECOR’S NEW FRONTIER • JOIN THE COUNTRY CLUB STAY WARM FOR LESS THIS WINTER • TIPS FOR EFFICIENT RADIATORS WALL-TO-WALL WARMTH • PUT ANOTHER LOG ON QUALITY FLOORING • BOOST YOUR PLANT STOCK
events | beauty | food and drink | home | the arts | fashion | travel | property | business | health | garden
Follow us on
Enjoy more. Do you prefer excuses to enjoyment? ‘I’m too old, it’s too cold, I want to have less fun.’ That doesn’t really sound like you, does it? You enjoy life… can’t stop enjoying it, in fact. You believe in getting more out of life… … and your investments. We share your philosophy. Our experienced global investment team believe in more sources of return and more ways of managing risk. Our new generation investment capabilities, track record and on the ground experience can give you more. Enjoy more. Contact your financial adviser or visit ashburtoninvestments.com
Ashburton Investmen Investments nts is a rregistered egistered business name of Ashbu Ashburton rton (Jersey) Limited. Register Registered ed business addr address: ess: PO Box 239, 17 Hilary Str Street, eet, St Helier Helier,, Jersey Jersey,, JE4 8SJ. Ashburton (Jersey) L Limited imited is rregulated egulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.
Publisher Fish Media Ltd Head Office Chamber House, 25 Pier Road, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 4HF.
We love autumn at The Jerseylife Magazine and October is the quintessential autumnal month. With trees laden with fruit and borders bulging with brassicas, bright orange pumpkins, gourds and squashes and warm hues creeping across foliage, when the sun shines it is the month that dreams are made of, until the end of the month that is, when gourds are superseded by ghouls and dreams turn into nightmares!
Telephone: 01534 619882 Email: thejerseylife@fishmedia.biz Website: www.life-mags.com
However, there is no need to replicate the darkness and dread of Halloween in the home and with this, our last in the year of Home living editions, we take you into the realms of making your home warm, cosy and relaxing before the winter season sends its chilly tendrils into our daily lives.
Art Director Alexis Smith Travel Writer Rebecca Underwood underwoodrebecca@hotmail.com
All is not yet lost, with some sunny days on the horizon there is still plenty we can do in the garden and to prove the point gardening expert Hannah Stevenson is talking about propagation, apples and pumpkins on page 54.
Photography Simon Finch simon@fishmedia.biz
With less and less for families to do during the colder months in the great outdoors, Mark Shields explores the effects social media and too much screen time is having our children on page 68, or alternatively one could just shrug off the cold by wrapping up with Katie Wright on page 54.
Production Sarah le Marquand
Being a ‘home’ edition I had the great pleasure of talking to Roger Hills, Head of Historic Buildings for Jersey Heritage - it seemed fitting to write an article about someone with such an important role in safeguarding our beautiful and characterful historic homesteads and public buildings of interest.
Sales Executive Juanita Shield-Laignel juanita@fishmedia.biz Accounts and Administration Sarah Donati-Ford accounts@fishmedia.biz
I’ve also had the opportunity this month to explore the complexities of modern-day feminine charms with an article entitled ‘Female Empowerment in the here and now.’ And lastly but definitely not least It was my great pleasure to spend some more time with Michael Ginns MBE learning about his early years.
Directors Jamie Fisher Peter Smith
Now down to the business of making pumpkin soup, lighting bonfires and oh yes….where’s my broom stick? For sweeping the path only, you understand!!!
Contributors Stephen Cohu Penny Downes Martin Flageul Rebecca Underwood Mark Shields Patricia Thomas Lorraine Pannetier
Juanita Shield-Laignel 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. September edition’s crossword solutions: Across: 6 Vicious; 7 Decay; 9 Egg; 10 Paramount; 12 Pretentious; 15 Equilibrium; 17 Sacrilege; 19 Bet; 21 Width; 22 Private. Down: 1 Singe; 2 Pin; 3 Pupa; 4 Ferocious; 5 Painful; 8 Garner; 11 Arbitrate; 13 Triple; 14 Squalid; 16 Jetty; 18 Gory; 20 Ave.
JUNE 2011 | www.life-mags.com
OCTOBER 2015 | www.life-mags.com
t
Follow us on Twitter: @TheJerseyLife1
HOLD THE LINE
Like us on Facebook: The Jersey Life
This summer the stripe wins hands down in the fashion print wars
ROGER HILLS Unfolding History
BRING ON THE BLUES
Baroness Floella
welcome to
Benjamin
in The Selfish Giant
BLUES ARE MAKING A SPLASH IN THE HOME THIS SEASON
Homeliving
DECOR’S NEW FRONTIER • JOIN THE COUNTRY CLUB STAY WARM FOR LESS THIS WINTER • TIPS FOR EFFICIENT RADIATORS WALL-TO-WALL WARMTH • PUT ANOTHER LOG ON QUALITY FLOORING • BOOST YOUR PLANT STOCK
events | beauty | food and drink | home | the arts | fashion | travel | property | business | health | garden
‘Summer Symphonies’ with the Guernsey Symphony Orchestra
events | beauty | food and drink | home | the arts | fashion | travel | property | business | health | garden
October 2015 3
8
WELCOME and The Jersey Life contact information
6
10
UP AND COMING Events and walks around Jersey
74 OCTOBER IS... Flavour of the month, cocktail and crossword
INTERVIEW 8
ROGER HILLS, HEAD OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS By Juanita Shield-Laignel
68 MICHAEL GINNS MBE The second in a series of his life stories
ARTS, CULTURE AND MUSIC 10 BARONESS FLOELLA BENJAMIN In The Selfish Giant
LOCAL CHARITIES 14 JERSEY BRAIN TUMOUR The Ben Nevis Climb
63 HEADWAY JERSEY How you can help
THE MODERN WOMAN 60 FEMALE EMPOWERMENT By Juanita Shield-Laignel 4 | www.life-mags.com
60
HOME AND GARDEN 20 DÉCOR’S NEW FRONTIER Exploring décor’s wild side
24
24 JOIN THE COUNTRY CLUB Embracing rustic chic
24 JOIN THE COUNTRY CLUB Embracing rustic chic
30 TOP TIPS FOR RADIATORS By Julia Gray
32 WALL-TO-WALL WARMTH Are you cavity walls filled?
34 THROW ANOTHER LOG ON The best wood burning stoves
36 LOVELY LAMINATES How to acheive a perfect finish
40 BOOST YOUR PLANTS Get back to basics
ANTIQUES 44 MURANO GLASS by Stephen Cohu
TRAVEL 48 DELIGHTFUL DUBLIN
20
66
by Rebecca Underwood
FASHION 50 EVERYTHING IS AUTUMN By Katie Wright
HEALTH AND WELLBEING 54 OLAPLEX – THE ‘HOLY GRAIL’ OF HAIR COLOUR By Sophie Walton of Stylistics
55 MOISTURISE FOR A HEALTHY SKIN By Penny Downes of Pennyfeathers
56 SOCIAL MEDIA AND CHILDREN’S MOODS What can we as parents do to help by Mark Shields
59 LET YOUR WORDS PASS THROUGH THREE GATES by yoga instructor Patricia Thomas
50
FOOD AND DRINK 64 THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE BUBBLY by Martin Flageul
66 NATIONAL CURRY WEEK 12th-18th OCTOBER
48
MOTORING 70 ASTON MARTIN DB9 GT The latest set of wheels taken for a spin
OCTOBER ISSUE | 5
what’s on...
Our selection of events to enjoy in Jersey this month
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
Art, Exhibitions and Theatre ‘Borrowed Time’ Exhibition By Lucy Farley CCA Galleries International is delighted to introduce a painting and print show titled ‘Borrowed Time’ by painter and print maker, Lucy Farley. The exhibition which is sponsored by Rathbone Investment Management International. This exhibition brings together artwork inspired by Lucy’s time spent in France, Denmark, the Caribbean, Spain and London since 2006. Lucy maps her journey from the roots of pure observational drawing land and seascapes which form the basis of all her finished paintings and prints to the psychologically charged abstract works. Gallery opening times: 10am to 5pm (Monday – Friday), 10am to 2pm (Saturday). CCA Galleries International, Royal Court Chambers, 10 Hill Street, St Helier JE2 4UA Price: Free of charge When: 25/09/2015 - 17/10/2015 Time: 10:00-17:00 Where: CCA Galleries International, 10 Hill Street, St. Helier Contact: Alex Dessain T: 739900 enquiries@ccagalleriesinternational.com Website: www.ccagalleriesinternational.com Home and Abroad - Norah Bryan (Link Gallery) Norah Bryan has worked in picture restoration and conservation and as a fine artist has exhibited in solo and group shows in Jersey, Scotland, New Zealand, Morocco and London. In this exhibition of recent paintings, Norah aims to emphasise the beauty and interest to be found in everyday objects and the moods in particular locations. The paintings are influenced by sketches made on site and completed in the studio. Price: Free of charge When: 10/10/2015 - 01/11/2015 Where: Jersey Museum, The Weighbridge, St. Helier Contact: Jersey Heritage +44 (0) 1534 633300 info@jerseyheritage.org Website: www.jerseyheritage.org Live music at The Waterfront Bar & Terrace What better way to kick off the weekend than with some smooth tunes from our live musicians? We've invited some of the best local bands, DJ's and singers to perform at the Waterfront Bar & Terrace, located at the Radisson Blu. Every Friday from 17:30 to 19:30 Every Saturday from 20.30 to 22.30. Every Sunday from 14:30 to 16:30 Jon colleagues from a casual after-work drink or meet family & friends for our popular Sunday Lunch.
OCTOBER EVENTS:Layout 1 30/09/2015 16:22 Page 2
Art, Exhibitions and Theatre Kick back on our sout facing terrace and soak up the sunshine, while our service team ensures you are looked after. First come first served, for group bookings contact waterfrontbar.jersey@radissonblu.com or call 01534 671100. Price: Free of charge When: 25/09/2015 - 31/12/2015 (Weekly) Friday 17:30-19:30, Saturday 20:30-22:30 Sunday 14:30-16:30 Where: Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, St. Helier Contact: Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel T: 671100 events.jersey@radissonblu.com Bus: Any bus from Liberation Station, only a three minute walk. Website: Waterfront Bar
Food, Fayres & Festivals Tennerfest The Channel Islands can look forward to 6 weeks of great meals at fixed prices. Across Guernsey and Jersey, over 180 restaurants will be taking part, meaning diners are once again guaranteed to find outstanding menus and meals created from the wealth of good food available in the islands. Restaurateurs on both islands are offering menus starting at £10 with £12.50, £15.00, £17.50 and now £20 options. This enables the restaurants to offer a wide and exciting selection of food during this promotion. Price: From £10.00 - £20.00 When: 01/10/2015 - 11/11/2015 Where: Island Wide Contact: Jersey Tourism +44 (0) 1534 448877 james@visitjersey.je Website: www.tennerfest.com La Faîs'sie d'Cidre (Cider Festival) Come to La Faîs'sie d'Cidre and celebrate Jersey's rich heritage of growing apples and making cider. The highlight is traditional cider making - using horsepower to crush apples, then building layers of pulp on a press to extract juice. With so much to see and do - children’s games and activities, Genuine Jersey craft market and demonstrations, archive photographs, Jersey Beekeepers, apple juicing, bread making, Jersey Wonders, apple experts, food stalls, cider from CAMRA and La Robeline and entertainment and live music throughout both days, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Free to Jersey Heritage Members and Jersey Pass Holders. The car park near Hamptonne will be for disabled drivers and bicycle users only. Parking stewards will be on site to assist drivers and pedestrians throughout. Sponsored by Jersey Tourism. Price Adults: £7.90, Children: £5.00, Pensioners: £6.90 When: Saturday 17/10/2015, Sunday 18/10/2015 Where: Hamptonne, La Rue de la Patente, St. Lawrence Contact: Jersey Heritage +44 (0) 1534 633300 info@jerseyheritage.org Bus: Route 25 & 27 from Liberation station, St Helier. Website: www.jerseyheritage.org La Mare Wine Estate Weekend Greenhills Country Hotel & Restaurant have teamed up with the famous La Mare Wine Estate to offer a great weekend of food with wine tasting and chocolate making included! Arrive on Thursday for pre-dinner cocktails then enjoy a Wine Aroma Activity where you will be taught to identify different wines. A fun event followed by a 4 course dinner in Greenhills renowned AA Rosette restaurant. On Friday, you'll be transported to La Mare Wine Estate to meet the
Estate director and be taken on a private behind the scenes tour of the estate at the most important time of the year, harvest! Your experience will include a visit to the vineyard, orchard and winery and the very unique Cognac style distillery where a range of spirits are made including La Mare Royal Gin and the Estate's signature product, VSOP Jersey Apple Brandy. Tasting from tanks, barrels and bottles are included as part of this unique experience. A Harvest Platter Lunch will then be served in the Vineyard Restaurant. You dessert will be in the form of a chocolate making session following lunch. The professional Chocolatière hosts this fun filled activity. Afterwards you'll be returned to the Greenhills for a pre-dinner glass of La Mare Cuvee, followed by a 4 course dinner to include La Mare Estate Wines. £265.00 per person (2 adults sharing). Extra nights £100.00 per room per night Bed & Breakfast. Price Adults: £265.00 When: 22/10/2015 - 24/10/2015 Where: Greenhills Country Hotel & Restaurant, Mont l'Ecole, St. Peter Contact: Greenhills Country Hotel & Restaurant 01534 481042 reserve@greenhillshotel.com Black Butter Making at The Elms Peelers, Stirrers and Fillers required Free Admission – ALL AGES WELCOME! On Thursday 22th October, apple peeling will commence from 14:00 to 17:00 in the pressoir. The fire will be lit early on Friday 25th, when the apple peeling will start at 10:00 and the stirring will commence around noon, continuing until Saturday lunch time (24th) at which point we will need help filling jars. Price: Free of charge When: Thursday 22/10/2015, Time: 14:00-17:00 Where: The Elms, National Trust for Jersey Headquarters, La Cheve Rue, St. Mary Contact: Donna Le Marrec, +44 (0) 1534 483193 donna@nationaltrust.je Bus: 8, Website: www.nationaltrust.je Bookings: www.nationaltrust.je Vintage Fair The Vintage Fair at St Aubin will be selling collectable items and unique gifts from the 1900s to the 1980s. Art Deco, Art Nouveau, the Arts & Craft Movement, studio ceramics, prints, books, vintage French linen & clothing, country furniture, cushions, fabric and throws, jewellery, copper, silver, glass ware, post cards and ephemera, a treasure trove of charming vintage pieces which will fit into any contemporary interior. Price: Free of charge When: Saturday 31/10/2015, Time: 09:00-17:00 Where: St Brelade Parish Hall, St Aubin.
Sports & Out and About Bonkers for Conkers Following Guernsey's lead, The National Trust for Jersey is holding its first conker championship! Tear the kids away from their iPads and teach them how to play the good old-fashioned way. With a trophy for the victorious ‘conqueror’ and a variety of nostalgic games and activities, this is sure to be a fun trip down memory lane for all the family. Conkers supplied on the day. Price: Free of charge When: 04/10/2015 - 12/10/2015 Time: 11:00-16:00 Where: Greve de Lecq Barracks, St. Mary Contact: Donna Le Marrec T: 483193 donna@nationaltrust.je Website: www.nationaltrust/je/events
2015 Jersey Rally Drivers and navigators skills are tested to the limit through the lanes of Jersey. There is a wide range of Vehicles taken part ranging from your traditional escorts to WRC vehicles all of them providing superb entertainment for the thousands of spectators attending each year. 2015 details to follow but the programme for 2014 is listed for your reference: The event followed the successful format of stages run up to four times through the lovely lanes in the West and North of the island with stages on Friday afternoon being held in St Lawrence and St Brelade, on Friday evening there will be stages held around Mont Rossignol in St Brelade and Hetres Stage which runs from St Peters to St Lawrence then in to Parc Ferme where the crews are reseeded for the start on the Saturday Morning where the stages will be held through Waterworks Valley and The North Road in St John an then the final stages will be on Saturday afternoon and these will be held in Trinity and Le Platon The Ceremonial Start on Friday 10th October will take place at 12:00 from the The Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Showground and will finish at The Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Showground also known as the RJA & HS on Saturday 11th October in the afternoon, there is also a number of display stands to keep all the family busy in-between stages. Entrance is free. Price: Free of charge When: 09/10/2015 - 10/10/2015 Where: Island Wide Contact: Jersey Motor Cycle & Light Car Club +44 (0) 1534 852952 secretary@jerseymotorsport.com Website: www.jerseyrally.com Twinkle twinkle little stars.....Bioluminescence on the beach As night descends and the ocean recedes, star like shapes of luminous green begin to twinkle and sparkle in a few special spots at low tide. Experience the uniqueness of bioluminescent creatures and other marine life on this “moonwalk” across the seabed. Walks are around 1.5 hours duration. Price Adults: £15.50 Children: £7.50 When: Friday, 09/10/2015 Time: 22:30-00:00 Friday 23/10/2015 Time: 21:00-22:30 Where: Venue confirmed when booking. Advance booking essential as we walk in small groups. Grouville Contact: Jersey Walk Adventures 07797 853033 info@jerseywalkadventures.co.uk Website: Jersey Walk Adventures Family walk on the seabed to Seymour Tower A fun daytime “moonwalk” on the seabed, as we ramble towards Seymour Tower. We wade through gullies and rock pools to observe tiny crabs and snails. Don’t forget a bag! We always find pretty shells. We’ll be on a discovery tour in the marine mini-zoo in the seaweed jungle and under rocks. Suitable for families with youngsters from 4 to 14 – or older. Walks are around 2.5–3 hours duration. Price Adults: £14.50, Children: £7.50 When: Friday, 30/10/2015 Time: 13:00-16:00 Sunday 13/12/2015 Time: 12:00-15:00 Where: Venue confirmed when booking. Advance booking essential; limited spaces. Grouville Contact: Jersey Walk Adventures 07797 853033 info@jerseywalkadventures.co.uk Website: Jersey Walk Adventures
ROGER HILLS
Roger Hills
BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC
…..Brick by Brick You may recall my star interviewee for our August 2014 issue was Curator of Art for Jersey Heritage, Louise Downie and during our time together she mentioned her husband, Roger Hills, “He’s an Archaeologist and now works, listing historic buildings.” She’d said proudly and then went on to describe a little of the nature of Roger’s work within the Island. At the time I commented this was interesting in its own right and could perhaps be kept for another article, at another time…… et voila; here it is. Written by Juanita Shield-Laignel. Images supplied courtesy of Jersey Heritage.
Roger and I met recently on one of the few warm days, rather fittingly, at the Museum and sat outside in wonderful dappled shade, drinking coffee. I began by asking Roger about his background. “I was born in London during 1965 and as far back as I can remember, have always been interested in History. A few weeks ago I was in our attic sorting out stuff, as you do and found an old suitcase full of old bits from my childhood in Walthamstow. I was astounded to find a primary school project. I’d done a little assessment of all the buildings in the area and given each house a historical description.” Roger tittered to himself “Must have somehow been naturally engrained, I’m not sure where from. My parents were always encouraging and we often visited Woburn Abbey and London sites when I was a kid, although Dad was an engineer and Mum a school dinner Lady. Funnily enough though, my brother is Director of Housing for South Cambridgeshire District Council, so something must have propelled us both forward to work within similar industries.” “My interest in History led me during the 1980s to study Archaeology at Lancaster University and from there I went on to archaeological projects in Italy working at the British School at Rome on post-excavation work, also taking part in excavations in Verona in northern Italy on what turned out to be a highlight of my archaeological career. I’ll never forget the elation I felt as, spade in hand and ten feet down below Piazza delle Erbe looking for the floor level of a Roman house, my spade just skimmed across the top of this elaborate tessellated floor. I’d uncovered a beautiful 1st century mosaic and everyone around started clapping - it was magic.”
8 | www.life-mags.com
ROGER HILLS
“From there I went to Bavaria, Southern Germany to work on a late Bronze Age site and then got a job with the Department of Greater London Archaeology. The projects that stand out in my memory are the years I spent excavating near the Tower of London revealing the Abbey of St Mary Graces and Black Death cemetery. It was pretty gruesome but also fascinating; there were hundreds of skeletons that had to be painstakingly uncovered and catalogued.” I asked Roger how he came to be living and working in Jersey. “You can blame my Jersey born wife for that,” he smiled “I wanted to extend my knowledge so signed up for a course in Museum Studies at Leicester University where I met Louise. As you know she’d worked during her holidays for Jersey Heritage and when we’d finished our studies she wanted to come home. In 1994 a position as Art Curator became available for Louise back here and as my work with the Vestry House Museum and Cuming Museum in London had come to a close at that time we moved to Jersey. I did various jobs including a bit of archaeological work on the tomb entrance at La Hougue Bie, Social History Curator for community based projects working on exhibitions and as Site Guardien at Hamptonne. Then in the late 1990s, I worked at South Hill for the Environment Department for five years and gradually started to specialise in the historical and listed building side of things. Then in 2004 I went back to Jersey Heritage as Head of Historic Buildings. It’s now my job to survey any building of interest in the Island and give independent professional advice on its historical and architectural interest to the Environment Department and Minister.” Sitting in the Museum garden and having already heard that Roger worked as a Guardien for Hamptonne, it was natural to ask about the protection of Jersey’s historic sites. “That’s one of our biggest ongoing projects. Since 2010 we’ve been systematically re-surveying all of the historic buildings in the Island. Part of my remit is to recommend whether buildings merit listing based on a variety factors such as age, if a building is a particularly good example of vernacular architecture, forms an important part of the history and story of Jersey and so on. It’s a huge job but well worthwhile. It’s a privilege to have access to the amazing wealth of buildings we have here.” “I also work with the publically owned sites managed by Jersey Heritage including Mont Orgueil, Elizabeth Castle, La Hougue Bie and so on. My role is to set out the conservation framework within which these valuable sites are cared for and helping to safeguard them for everyone’s benefit. The aim is also to try and open up these heritage sites as much as possible to the public, both in terms of physical access and educationally.”
a bit jealous; I do miss it sometimes, but there is so much more for me to do in my current role. We are also moving into the educational side with lots of work to be done on publically friendly, useful, information guides and so on.” I was interested to know if Roger and his family plan to stay in Jersey long term. “Both our children were born here and we now feel a part of the community. The boys are doing well at school, although it seems neither of them are interested in History like their Mum and I, they seem to be erring more towards science which I’m surprised about; we thought they would naturally be interested in the same things we are! It’s really interesting watching them grow and develop, but I think Jersey is a great place for them and we are both so lucky to have landed jobs that stimulate us. I can’t imagine doing anything else now. There is so much more for me to do.” Coffee drunk and Roger’s essential work explored, I left feeling comforted in the knowledge there are people who care, helping to make the decisions to preserve our Island’s unique historical identity….and long may it last.
Having learnt about Roger’s current project, I asked what he will fill his time with after the re-survey is complete. “The next project lined up is preserving the Island’s ruined structures, such as old guard houses and the like. This will include recommendations for stabilising the structures, archaeology will be conducted in the area and everything will be done to make sure they are kept for the future.” I wondered if Roger would get involved with the archaeological side of things himself. “I haven’t done any practical archaeology for a long time and there are occasions when I observe a dig like the Ice Age site at Les Varines that I get
OCTOBER ISSUE | 9
JERSEY OPERA HOUSE
Baroness Floella Benjamin in
Music in Action is delighted to welcome Baroness Floella Benjamin to Jersey on Saturday October 10th to narrate the story of The Selfish Giant as part of the Jersey Chamber Orchestra programme sponsored by Veritas Investment Management. The short story by Oscar Wilde, about a Giant who sees the error of his ways when he takes pity on a small boy, has been put to music by Emmy, Brit and Bafta award-winning composer Howard Goodall. Jersey will be lucky enough to be part of a world premiere. To hear more about her story there is a lunch at the Royal Yacht Hotel on Friday 9th October in which she will speak about her life. Floella Benjamin was born in Trinidad and came to England as a child in 1960. She left school at 16 with the aim of becoming Britain’s first ever black woman bank manager but changed direction and became an actress, presenter, writer, independent producer and an active advocate for the welfare, care and education of children throughout the world.
10 | www.life-mags.com
Today she runs a successful film and television production company and is a Vice-President of Barnardo’s. She has led a twenty-year campaign to create the role of Children’s Minister, which achieved its goal in 2003. She is currently leading a nationwide campaign to save UK made children’s television programmes. Baroness Benjamin was Chairman of the Women of the Year Lunch for five years, Chairman of BAFTA-Television, was a member of the OFCOM Content Board and a Millennium Commissioner. She is now President of the Ramblers’ Association, the Elizabeth ‘R’ Commonwealth Broadcasting Fund, a Governor of Dulwich College and the National Film and Television School. She is the Chancellor of the University of Exeter and a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London. Her broadcasting work has been recognised with a Special Lifetime Achievement BAFTA and an OBE. She has written over 20 books including Skip Across the Ocean, My Two Grannies and Coming to England which is used as a resource in schools in social and cross curricular areas. The book was adapted into an RTS award winning film by her company for BBC Education. She has just finished her new book the Arms of Britannia which is the follow up to Coming to England.
JERSEY OPERA HOUSE
The Selfish Giant forms part of a trilogy of music for the programme for the evening concert at 8pm on the 10th October. It will include excerpts from Mozart’s first opera “Apollo & Hyacinth” written when he was 11 years old and Beethoven’s 7th Symphony. The Jersey Chamber Orchestra will be joined by a choir of 100 schoolchildren from Jersey College for Girls, Jersey Music Service and Victoria College Prep. They will be conducted by Daniel Cohen who has recently been appointed the Director of music at the Deutsche Opera in Berlin. There will be a matinee performance of The Selfish Giant, aimed at a children’s audience and focusing on the Selfish Giant itself and learning about the tunes and instruments in the orchestra. The matinee commences at 2.30pm and lasts 50 minutes. Tickets are available from the Jersey Opera House box office on www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk or by telephone on 01534 511115.
OCTOBER ISSUE | 11
Light Up Globes 13 cm Stylish Contemporary globes in pink, blue or orange £22.00 Love Sculpture from The Kelly Rae Roberts Collection – This wooden Sculpture 50.0 cm x 18.0 cm can be free standing or hung on the wall £43.00 from Victoria Art Gallery, 3 Victoria Street, St Helier Tel: 01534 730279
The Medium Wool Company UK sheepskins £60 Matthew Williamson cushions from £64.50 from Shutter Hut Plus Unit 1, Doue House, Longueville Rd St Saviour, JE2 7SA Tel: 618222 www.shutterhut.co.uk
Jersey Occupied available from Charlotte of LoveBirds2 Special Offer £20.00 (retail price £25.00) T: 865972 e-mail: charlotte@lovebirdgifts.co.uk
Ganni Spring St Crepe Shirt Rose Smoke Paint £76 From the new women's fashion floor in Voisins Department Store or www.voisins.com
Omega Speedm aster Automatic Chronometer 18ct Rose Gol d & Steel £2,200 Box & pa perwork Please contact Sebastian Man ti on 07797739468 or visit me at Step hen Cohu Antiques.
Venini handkerchief vase, Murano 1950s £480 from Stephen Cohu Antiques St Lawrence. 01534 485177
We cater for all parties large and small
Liven up your life with leisure learning We will take you to your christmas party and be sure to drop you all home safely to your door!
Don’t let the autumn weather dampen your spirits. The Adult and Community Education programme offers loads of opportunities to get out, meet new people, learn some exciting skills and improve your winter wellbeing. Look out for our new spring term courses on our website from November. There is so much choice there is bound to be something for you. “What a great tutor, really engaging and fun. She encouraged us all.” Portuguese Beginners A Highlands College, Highlands Lane, St. Saviour, JE1 1HL
Just call call for a quot e on 706706 706706 Just quote email info@jerseycoaches.com info@jerse eycoaches.com or email
Caring, Personal & Professional A Jersey company serving our Island for over 100 years
PITCHER & LE QUESNE F UNERAL D IRECTORS We pride ourselves on the caring, personal and professional approach our experienced team provide.
Give us a call on 733330, we re here to help. Funeral Directors: Gareth John, Paul Battrick MBE & Andy Errington-Rennell
AVAILABLE 24 HOURS SPECIALISTS IN WORLDWIDE REPATRIATION AND PREARRANGED FUNERAL PLANS
Webdesignerwales.co.uk is a provider of IT and web based solutions for more than 15 years. We work with businesses of all sizes. Are you looking for a new website at affordable prices or to improve the position of an existing website on the search engines? If so please get in touch with us on info@ webdesignerwales.co.uk or call us on 07786 961403
JERSEY BRAIN TUMOUR CHARITY
Gary, who is the Headteacher at De La Salle Primary School, underwent surgery in 2013 to remove a brain tumour. He was supported in his recovery by the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity. He explained why he took on the challenge of Ben Nevis to raise funds for the Charity: “After I had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumour, the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity provided me with genuine support at a time when I needed it most and their support worker really helped me along the road to recovery. The excellent service they offer patients and their families is invaluable and in return for the support they gave to me I wanted to give something back. The challenge of climbing Ben Nevis is the perfect opportunity for my son and I to help fund the vital work they do.”
Gary Coutanche, who is the Headteacher at De La Salle Primary School, & who underwent surgery in 2013 to remove a benign brain tumour, wanted to give back to the charity that supported his family, so this year he climbed the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis. He was joined on the climb by his 14 year old son William, who was also behind the idea of the challenge, and they also completed the climb two days earlier than expected. Here is what Gary told us moments after achieving his challenge. Hello. Climbed Ben Nevis today. Ledge Route in strong winds and rain. A few exciting moments! Really pleased to have made it to the top. Too cold and wet to wear the t-shirts - had to walk through patches of snow on the way up. Yippee! William and I very proud to have achieved our aim, and in some pretty awful weather. Father and son along with family friend and intrepid mountaineer Eric Blakeley, chose to do this to raise awareness and funds for the Jersey Brain Tumour charity, a charity that is close to their hearts.
14 | www.life-mags.com
Sue May, Chairman of the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We could not be more proud of what Gary has just achieved today. He wanted to give back to us by raising much needed funds to help us and the work we do to support others who are just starting out on their journey, they have done so much more. The message of standing on top of a mountain overcoming the odds will struck a real chord with islanders today, we can’t wait to get them all home to celebrate with them.” Gary’s son, William, a year nine pupil at De La Salle, has been instrumental in planning their Ben Nevis Challenge. To kick-start their funds he made a presentation to the De La Salle charity committee which successfully raised £800. As well as dedicating time to training for the climb, Gary and William organised a number of fundraising activities over the recent months and raised over £5,000. Mr Blakeley has recorded the adventure on film and the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity will be using this to create a presentation & documentary to highlight Gary’s Story and his astonishing achievement to take around schools and businesses to also highlight the awareness of brain tumours & the vital need of the JBTC in Jersey.
The Jersey Brain Tumour is looking for corporate sponsorship/partners for 2016, if you are in need of a charity to support then contact us today at kevin@jerseybraintumour.com or 510867
Project1:Layout 1 30/09/2015 15:59 Page 1
RUBiS Branches out for environmental charity We all have a particular place or landscape that inspires us, and often that includes a tree that captures our hearts or imagination. RUBiS Channel Islands has been working with a local charity to encourage Islanders to take a picture of the tree they love for a competition to help raise awareness of, and funds for, Jersey Trees for Life. In Jersey we are blessed with a wide variety of species of trees. Jersey Trees for Life is focused entirely on looking after our treescape and educating people about the environmental benefits trees bring. Working with their counterparts in Guernsey, the charity asked RUBiS if it would support the initiative for the photo competition and, as part of its 60th Anniversary celebrations RUBiS has helped to promote the competition, and is providing the prizes to the Jersey and Guernsey winners. Over 70 entries have been received for the competition featuring a wide variety of trees, from delicate ones at the bottom of the garden to grand old specimens in rural areas. People have taken pictures along tree-lined avenues, on coastal footpaths, in urban areas and parkland. The six judges – three in Jersey and the same number in Guernsey – will have their work cut out to choose the winners, who will be announced at the end of November to coincide with National Tree Week. Adult winners will receive a £500 credit to their RUBiS Card (or a pre-loaded RUBiS Card for new customers), whilst younger entrants will be rewarded with a £200 Amazon voucher to spend on whatever they wish!
Following announcement of the winners, exhibitions of all the best photographs will be held in each Island and RUBiS will then use a selection of their favourite images – six from Jersey and six from Guernsey – for their 2016 annual calendar. Nick Crolla, Head of Sales and Marketing at RUBiS says, “RUBiS is very pleased to support Jersey Trees for Life and their counterparts in Guernsey. We believe the ‘Trees We Love’ photography competition is a fantastic way to engage with Islanders of all ages. We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and are proud to support initiatives that reduce the impact of fossil fuel consumption in the Channel Islands.” Funds raised by Jersey Trees for Life provide vital support for a project to connect the east of Jersey with the heart of St Saviour, by planting hedgerows and thereby creating valuable safe ‘corridors’ for wildlife. Michel Morel of Jersey Trees for Life came up with the idea of the competition. He says “We are the only charity in Jersey that focuses on the environmental benefits that trees bring. We are also often contacted by members of the public who tell us how sad they are when a tree has to be felled, for whatever reason. This competition is about celebrating our trees and the joy they can bring us on a daily basis. There are numerous research studies that prove there is a link between an environment that is abundant with trees, air quality and the mental and physical health of those people who live in that environment.” Nick Crolla adds, “Although registrations to enter the competition have now closed, there has been as terrific response in all of the categories and we are really looking forward to judging the submitted photos and choosing the winners. Ultimately though, it is Jersey Trees for Life and Guernsey Trees for Life who will benefit because not only will we be helping to raise awareness of their projects, we will hopefully be encouraging people to reconnect with and appreciate the many beautiful trees we have here in the Islands.” Get autumn and winter all wrapped up Summer’s ended and autumn is knocking on the door. Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night are just around the corner and it’s
16 | www.life-mags.com
time to start thinking about getting prepared for colder weather. If your home has an oil fired heating system it’s worth checking it over sooner rather than later so there are no nasty surprises when you least expect – or need them. Oil fired heating is less expensive than other traditional types of home heating. Depending on your current tariff, you can save over £2,000 per year on heating your home, when you switch to our planned delivery service. And you can maximise those savings by ensuring your system is running as efficiently as possible. There are many things you can do to make sure your system is running at an optimum, so that you can maximise the cost savings. Get your boiler serviced by an OFTEC registered engineer at least once a year; make sure your radiators are properly bled (removing excess air that builds up in the system); and keep your thermostat and radiator valves set at a constant level, because a low level of background heat will be more effective than always turning the heat up or down, making the boiler work unnecessarily. 60 years and counting Rubis Channel Islands’ story is interwoven with Jersey’s remarkable growth in success and prosperity over the last 60 years. Since 1955, the company has played a significant role in the Island’s economic, social and cultural infrastructure; keeping essential industries such as agriculture and hospitality working, fuelling vehicles and vessels, heating homes and supporting many local organisations and events. Following the purchase of Fuel Supplies (C.I.) Ltd from Shell in 2009, The Rubis Group has invested more than £15million in the Channel Islands, enabling the improvement of both the physical infrastructure and range of services offered to our customers. The company believes it has a responsibility to learn from the past and both invest and adapt for the future energy needs of the Island; whether through the products it offers or adapting to international trends and regulatory changes. Locally the business is able to draw on the international expertise of The Rubis Group and use its knowledge gathered over the years to consistently provide an outstanding service to the Island.
FUEL SUPPLIES OCTOBER:Layout 1 01/10/2015 19:24 Page 2
FUELLING THE CHANNEL ISLANDS
:l ma^ <aZgg^e BleZg]l e^Z]bg` lniieb^k h_ ^g^k`r% hbe Zg] a^Zmbg` l^kob\^l lbg\^ *2..% p^ h__^k Z pb]^ kZg`^ h_ ikh]n\ml Zg] l^kob\^l mh f^^m ma^ g^^]l h_ hnk \nlmhf^kl3
› › › › › › › ›
KZg`^ h_ _n^el _hk ]hf^lmb\% fZkbg^% fhmhkbg` Zg] \hff^k\bZe inkihl^l' A^Zmbg` hbe% bg\en]bg` ZnmhfZmb\ ]^ebo^kr' ;hbe^k l^kob\bg` Zg] ^f^k`^g\r \Zee&hnml' Ienf[bg` Zg] a^Zmbg` l^kob\^l% bg\en]bg` lheZk ihp^k' Hbe mZgd lZe^l Zg] bglmZeeZmbhg' <hff^k\bZe ^g^k`r lhenmbhgl' KN;bL <Zk] & ma^ fhlm `^g^khnl _n^e Z\\hngm \Zk] bg ma^ <aZgg^e BleZg]l' EZk`^ g^mphkd h_ fhmhkbg` _hk^\hnkml makhn`ahnm C^kl^r Zg] @n^kgl^r'
<Zee hk ^fZbe nl mh]Zr mh Ûg] hnm fhk^'
Π)*.,- 0)21))
c
^gjnbkb^l9_l\b'\h'nd
Ģ
ppp'_l\b'\h'nd
OCT HOME STYLE INTO PAGE 2015:Layout 1 02/10/2015 11:42 Page 1
welcome to
Homeliving
DECOR’S NEW FRONTIER • JOIN THE COUNTRY CLUB STAY WARM FOR LESS THIS WINTER • TIPS FOR EFFICIENT RADIATORS WALL-TO-WALL WARMTH • PUT ANOTHER LOG ON QUALITY FLOORING • BOOST YOUR PLANT STOCK
MATTHEW THEBAULT STONEMASONS Matthew Thebault Stonemasons Limited was founded in 2002 and has rapidly grown into one of Jersey’s most prolific and dynamic companies specialising in stonework construction. With over 28 years of industry knowledge and experience, the founder has built the business upon reliability, integrity and a passion for the finished product. The team of dedicated professionals produce the highest standards in all aspects of stone work. Our customers gain a great deal of confidence through our reputation for attention to detail whilst maintaining a high level of efficiency. Matthew Thebault Stonemasons Limited can provide a range of designs to choose from or alternatively, work from your own ideas to create a bespoke design for you.
Tel: 01534 738 358 Mobile: 07797 750 820 Email: matt@mtstonemasons.com Visit: www.mtstonemasons.com Facebook/MattsMasons
20% OFF
Introductory
Exclusive to Cutlers Construction
Offer Cutlers Construction Ltd
Bathroom • Tiles • Flooring Showroom: Invictus, La Route du Fort, Georgetown, St Saviours, JE2 7XE Tel:01534 616919 Fax: 01534 616964 Mob: 07797 779 973 Email: office@cutlersconstruction.com Web: www.cutlersconstruction.com
DECOR'S NEW FRONTIER:Layout 1 30/09/2015 16:34 Page 1
HOME LIVING
DECORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S
NEW FRONTIER Play-it-safe decorators may already be hunkering down for Autumn in that time-honoured way - piling on old and familiar cosy throws and cushions - but the adventurous should explore decor's wild side By Gabrielle Fagan.
20 | www.life-mags.com
HOME LIVING
There's a new rugged and real 'wilderness' look sweeping into style, which is either evocative of Wild West plains and cowboy ranches or, for the more intrepid, conjuring the dramatic Arctic tundra. But don't fret if your wanderlust only extends to taking a short trip to the countryside. A traditional rustic woodland theme, with a style landscape teeming with creatures great and small, is still featuring strongly in collections. "Warm and cosy in essence, 'Tundra' takes its influence from the distinctive timeless native traditions and breathtaking wilderness of the Arctic Circle," explains Fiona Lambert, vice president of brand design and development at George Home, which is rapidly gaining a reputation for slick on-trend ranges and is embracing both looks. "We see 'Hibernate' as a softer, more tranquil country look, capturing autumn and narrating its colour changes through a subtle print and colour palette, and enhanced by key woodland characters and iconic images of forests and falling leaves for photographic wall prints."
WOODLAND WAY While tranquil rustic sanctuaries reflect a traditional country landscape, there are two trend trails to follow. Take to the Highlands with hunting-lodge style tartan touches and stags heads, or opt for whimsy with quirky animal motifs. "Combining a sense of adventure and escapism, this trend stems from a love of the outdoors and a back-to-basics approach to rustic living," says Andrew Tanner, head of home design at Sainsbury's. "Mixing motifs sourced from the natural world, heavy plaids and Argyll knits, the feel is textural and tactile. Wood and leather finishes and a warm colour palette add to the authentic, aged feel, while enamel and ceramic pieces help create a crisp, contemporary version of country style."
Whichever way you journey - far and wide or closer to home - it's nature, tame or wild in tooth and claw, that's ruling in rooms. It's your choice whether you seek refuge with nothing more threatening than squirrels and those ubiquitous stags, or bravely strike out and shelter with bears and wolves... continues overleaf...
MEL OWERS Painters & Decorators Limited
Interior and Exterior Decorating Covering all aspects of the trade including Specialist Paint Effects and High Quality Wall Coverings
726663 Or contact John McInally on 07797 710 890 anytime Daytime telephone and fax number:
Email: melowers@hotmail.co.uk Kroonstad, Clairvale Road, St Helier
HOME LIVING
SETTLER SPIRIT Nomadic, pioneering and free-spirited, this look evokes the rolling prairies of the Wild West, or for those with real decor wanderlust, the chilly, wintry beauty of a snowbound vista. "We've embraced a raw, innate landscape and underpinned it with a characteristic colour spectrum of brown, charcoal and neutral hues, complemented by rusty orange and golden tones, to add warmth and richness," says George Home's Lambert. "Add texture with rustic linens, chunky knits, faux fur and mohair for luxurious comfort and detail, in designs featuring tribal prints, animals and embroidered landscapes. Carved imitation bone accessories are a perfect finishing touch."
FRONTIER DESTINATIONS:
Alexander & Pearl: 020 8508 0411/alexanderandpearl.co.uk
LEONARD’S ELECTRICS ELECTRICS LIMITED Domestic and Commercial • New Installations • Rewires Economy 7 and Comfort Heat • Boiler and Pump Control Wiring Telephone Wiring • Fire Alarms and Emergency Lighting • Portable Appliance Testing Testing and Inspecting • Sonos • CCTV installations No Job Too Small or Too Large!
Call Paul on 07797 716 515 Tel/Fax 01534 877350
www.leonardselectrics.co.uk
1 La Croiserie Farm, La Croiserie, St Ouen JE3 2EP
FULL PAGE:Layout 1 01/10/2015 19:25 Page 1
St Brelade Stunning home with self contained one bed unit, idylic peaceful location and stunning sea views
£1,595,000
NEW - Grouville
NEW sole agents - St Peters
Grouville
Away from main stream and finished to high spec, not a thing to do, NO CHAIN, country living without all the expense
Multi generational home or home with income superb property with history attached to it that has weathered time
£1,595,000
£1,395,000
Luxury Beach House, 5 bedrooms 5 bathrooms 3 of which are en-suite, access to beach on good bus route and close to golf course
NEW - St Saviour
NEW - sole agents St Ouens
NEW - St Clement
Bungalow a rare find in country parish yet minutes to schools, quiet peaceful setting, sitting on a very large plot
A Home to be proud of, detached 5 bedroom house that has rural outlook, yet close to village and amenities
£895,000
£895,000
Detached 3 bedroom house, eat in kitchen, separate utility, large lounge with functional fireplace, good size sunny garden, ample scope to extend, garage and parking close to beach
£1,295,000
£669,000
‘Big enough to cope yet small enough to care’ Register today on www.lyonsestates.co.uk for all properties held on Confidential File
HOME LIVING
join the
Country Club
Country style's surely one of the most timeless, adaptable and family-friendly looks around, with its emphasis on comfort and informality. Even if you don't live in a picture book cottage adorned with roses, a stately home or a cabin set in the woods, you can still embrace rustic chic. By Gabrielle Fagan
24 | www.life-mags.com
HOME LIVING
Well-loved furniture (a distressed finish is an asset), natural materials and interesting textures are vital ingredients. Then all that's needed is a little flair to choose a look which perfectly suits your rooms. "I love a traditional, timeless country look and all the charm that comes with it," says Samantha Parish, interior design account manager at Hypnos Beds. "By using a selective colour palette of soft neutrals, mixed with darker, woodland greens and river blues, you can create a stunning country lodge-style that's luxurious and homely in equal measure. Play around with different looks and enjoy a pastoral scene no matter the view outside."
Blooming Country Nature's palette and floral designs are the classic decor choice and will create a fresh, colourful interior that brings the outdoors in. "Once the preserve of the mock-Tudor brigade, country style is fast becoming a multi-faceted look, which is increasingly finding its way into diverse types of property," says Alison Cork, founder of online interiors company Within. "Florals and toiles are making a comeback, and these can look decorative and feminine set against whitewashed walls, or will soften a slightly more macho scheme featuring exposed brick work and wooden beams. "There's no end to the versatility of country, which is why it's endlessly popular and one of the easiest and most affordable schemes to create."
continues overleaf...
Fitted Sliding Door Wardrobes MADE TO Fitted Bedrooms & Home Office MEASURE Just For You! At Island Bedrooms now is the time to buy your bespoke fitted bedroom or home office. With a huge range of made to measure products coupled with great tradesmen and good old fashioned customer service now’s the time to buy!!
WE OFFER;
CALL NOW!!
Paul on 01656 657526 UK office designer
Free Home measure & Consultation Genuine made to measure products Free CAD design service 10 year guarantee Friendly personal service
FREE HOME CONSULTATIONS 01656 657526 DESIGN • MANUFACTURE • INSTALL
Ali on 07797 781139 Resident Surveyor/fitter
www.islandbedrooms.com
HOME LIVING
Vintage Country Play with texture, scale and well-worn finishes for a look which is relaxed and eclectic. "The country aesthetic can be achieved in many different ways, however, I prefer country with a vintage, rustic feel," says Jenny Seabrook, buyer at Topps Tiles. "Mixing different textures and materials helps create a subtle layered look, whilst textured linear tiles create a brick effect, perfect for recreating an exposed barn wall. "For a more traditional style, opt for a pattern and play around with dimensions and different layouts to inject a modern twist. Arts and Crafts-inspired floral and encaustic designs work perfectly with Frenchstyle wooden furniture with a distressed finish."
New Country This fresh reinvention of country conjures a calm, uncluttered, refined atmosphere, allowing beautifully-crafted furniture and possessions to star. "New country makes a historical style statement which is quintessentially British," enthuses John Sims-Hilditch, managing director of furniture specialists, Neptune. "There's a comfortable confidence about this look that makes it easy to live with and, because there's no rigidity or rules for this interpretation, there's the freedom to mix old with new, and contrast tradition with innovation. "It's a nod to tradition, yet gracefully chic, so you can celebrate our cultural heritage happy in the knowledge that your rooms will look bang up-to-date."
26 | www.life-mags.com
PAGE 27:Layout 1 30/09/2015 16:39 Page 1
INSTALLATION & SUPPLY OF KITCHENS, BEDROOMS, BATHROOMS TIMBER FLOORING & TILING ALL ASSOCIATED BUILDING WORKS FOR A FREE ESTIMATE FOR PRIVATE OR CONTRACT WORK CALL US ON: 864928
TELEPHONE: 864928 MOBILE: 07797 756 618 DAVID / 07797 760 776 MARTIN EMAIL: regencyinstallations@gmail.com WEB: www.regencyinstallationsjersey.co.uk
Architectural staff wanted You will be fully conversant with Planning and Building regulations, have excellent detail, specification and administrative skills and ideally be ArchiCad & Artlantis proficient. Apply in confidence with CV to Mark Fauvel, markfauvel@fluidarchitecture.co.uk
Stay warm for less this Winter Winter is round the corner and that means it’s time to think about keeping warm and cosy at home. A general recommendation is that you should heat your living room to around 70°F (21°C) and your bedroom to 64°F (18°C). But how can you achieve that without being burdened with unaffordable energy bills. First, make sure your home is well-insulated. As much as 50% of your home’s heat can be lost through its roof and walls if not properly insulated. Around 70% of all energy consumed in the home goes on space heating and hot water production so it is important that you have the most efficient heating system and are on the correct tariff from your fuel supplier. Jersey Electricity offers four tariffs to suit your heating system and your lifestyle: Economy 20, Economy 7, Comfort Heat, and General Domestic. Unit prices range from 7.63p to 15.21p (incl GST). Customer Care are happy to advise on the best option to meet your needs or visit the tariffs section at www.jec.co.uk. The next question is which system? An Electric Flow Boiler can be easily integrated into your existing oil or gas-fired central heating system, allowing you to retain your current wet radiators. The difference is it is 100% efficient at point of use, no flue or chimney, it can be fitted almost anywhere and needs hardly any maintenance.
A ground source Heat Pump is the most efficient system as it provides up to three or four times the heat than the cost of units used to run it.
Whatever your heating type and tariff, some simple steps can help you save energy and reduce your bills.
Storage Heating has often been maligned for lack of controllability and ‘leaking’ heat. But the latest Quantum heaters from Dimplex are billed as the world’s most advanced electric space heaters. Their revolutionary iQ controller enables the user to pre-set individual heaters to different required room temperatures over seven days.
• Maintain your system to make sure it is working efficiently • If your boiler is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it • If you have a hot water tank, fit a 75mm thick cylinder jacket • Seal gaps around window frames and doors; cover letterboxes and keyholes • Draw curtains and blinds at dusk to reduce heat loss through windows • Install double or secondary glazing • Keep radiators and heaters clear of furniture • Understand your thermostat and timer controls so you are only generating heat and hot water when you need it • Fix dripping taps • Shower instead of having a bath; they use a third of the hot water • Turn lights off when you leave a room • Don’t leave appliances on stand-by and unplug chargers when not in use
Quantum can be up to 27% cheaper to run than a traditional storage system and 47% cheaper to run than electric convector or radiator system*. It is an ideal replacement for old storage heaters or a life-enhancing system for those with no existing central heating. Quantums can be installed one room at a time to spread the cost. * Calculated using SAP 2012 – the UK Government approved energy performance assessment method.
In the kitchen: • Don’t over fill your kettle. Boil just as much water as you need but ensure the element is covered • Use the correct sized pan for the ring you are cooking on and keep the lid on • Use a steamer to cook several items on one ring rather than using separate pans and rings • Make toast in a toaster, not under the grill • Use a microwave oven instead of a conventional one when you can • If using a conventional oven, keep the door closed • Fridges and freezers account for around 16% of electricity used in the home, so try and make sure you buy the most energy efficient appliance; look for the A, A+ or A++ rating on the label • Don’t leave the fridge/freezer door open; load and unload quickly • Don’t place hot or still-warm food in the fridge; let it cool first
28 | www.life-mags.com
A.R.T. Alternative Renewable Technologies
Take Control Of Your Future!
www.alrentec.com
LL
FF ST! O G % USOUR 25 PLPAY Y
E’ W
N Pa r o ym eq de co e ui po m nt re sit pl o d. et nl io y o n. n
Should you have a project and wish to receive a quotation please send your plans to us at info@alrentec.com or call 07797 938391
PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEERS Est. 1973
COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC
Oftec registered 4620
E: carruthersplumbingjsy@gmail.com A: Unit 9 Springside, Rue de la Monnaie, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5DG M: 07797 716 060
C N AL O L W
A.R.T. has become the official partner for Variotherm. They offer complete quality solutions for under floor heating and cooling its even possible to heat / cool walls and ceilings.
HOME LIVING
5 TOP TIPS FOR EFFICIENT RADIATORS By Julia Gray
If a radiator's hot at the bottom but cold further up, it's not working properly because there's air inside. To get rid of the air, put a radiator key or small screwdriver (depending on the type of hole) into the radiator's bleed valve and open it. Don't do this when the heating is on or the radiators are still hot.
1
Radiator output is measured in btus (British thermal units) - to work out the btus required to heat a room, use an online btu calculator, although they vary in the questions they ask and the results they give. Lots of factors affect how cold a room is, such as the direction it faces, the number of outside walls and whether the windows are double or single glazed. You'll want some rooms warmer than others and a btu calculator will take account of this.
2
If you want to replace the radiators or add more radiators and you're not replacing the boiler, check with a heating engineer that the boiler has sufficient capacity. When choosing new radiators, go on the btus rather than the size - powerful radiators no longer need to be big.
3
30 | www.life-mags.com
The position of the radiators can affect how well they work. Radiators are traditionally placed under windows, but be careful not to block the heat with curtains. To bounce heat back into the room, fit radiator foil behind your radiators, although this doesn't work with column radiators because you can see through them.
4
Old heating systems often lack adequate controls, such as adjustable radiator valves, so you can't turn the radiators up or down - they're either on or off. You also need the right controls for the boiler, to improve its performance and efficiency. Up-to-date controls enable the boiler and radiators to communicate, giving you a much better central heating system.
5
Emergency Plumbing • Blocked Drains • Loss of Heating • Burst Pipes
Artisan Plumbers ltd All aspects of plumbing and heating undertaken
Thomas Harwood: 01534 734708
Bathrooms supplied and fitted • Bespoke Bathrooms • Wet Rooms • Power Showers • Pressurised hot & cold water systems
Central Heating supplied and fitted • Under Floor sealed systems • Air Source heat pumps • Replacement Boilers • Servicing & Installation
artisanplumbersltd@gmail.com
HOME LIVING
WALL-TO-WALL
Millions of homes in the UK have unfilled cavity walls - does yours? Filling them will cut your heating bills and CO2 emissions, says Julia Gray Before you even consider having cavity wall insulation fitted, you do, of course, need to know whether your home has external cavity walls. This is easy to find out, because you go by its age. As a general rule, houses built after 1920 have cavity walls, and those built before don't. Cavity walls, as the name suggests, have a gap in the middle that can be filled with insulation to make them more energy efficient, so you should spend less on heating your home. However, having cavity walls isn't, in itself, enough. The walls must be in good condition and not exposed to driving rain, and the cavity must be at least 5cm wide.
Homes less than 10 years old should already have cavity wall insulation. If unsure, you can get a registered installer to drill a hole in the walls to find out. A registered installer must also fit the insulation - this is not a DIY job. They'll do this by making small holes in the external walls and then blowing the insulation material - usually foamed insulants, mineral wool, or beads or granules - into the cavity, before filling the holes. As long as all the external walls are accessible, the job should only take about a couple of hours, depending on the size of your home. If there are any problems with the walls, such as damp, these should be addressed first. When getting quotations from different installers, you may want to ask if they're using Energy Saving Trust Recommended insulation, which comes with a 25-year guarantee and is said to be the most energy efficient on the market. Cavity wall insulation typically costs from a few hundred to several hundred pounds, depending on the size of the property, but you may be able to get a grant to help with the cost. To find out more about this and about cavity wall insulation in general, visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
32 | www.life-mags.com
Project2:Layout 1 02/10/2015 13:34 Page 1
BEFORE
AFTER
HOME LIVING
PUT ANOTHER LOG ON DIY guru Julia Gray advises how to choose energy efficient wood burners With winter just around the corner you may be inspired to do something about warming up before your teeth start to chatter. How about investing in a natural fire? The problem with open fires is that they’re not very energy efficient, at only around 20%. The majority of wood-burning stoves, on the other hand, are 70 to 90% efficient, so you get all the benefits of a real fire without most of your money going up in smoke. You may be surprised to learn that prices for wood burners start at less than £200 and, while you can pay a lot more for one that has more features, amazing looks or a high output, cheap and cheerful models make wood burners an option if you’re on a budget. That said, remember to add on the cost of the accessories, installation and any associated building working. The good news is that your stove should start saving you money straight away. The more powerful it is, and the smaller and better insulated your home, the more money you’re likely to save, especially if your house has an open-plan layout or you keep the internal doors open, so the stove does more than just heat the room it’s in. Wood burners chuck out heat, and you should need the heating on less when it’s lit. Wood (as long as it’s sustainably sourced) is, of course, a more environmentally friendly fuel than oil or gas - and subject to fewer price rises. Freshly-cut wood contains up to 90% water, so you have to dry it out (season it) before you can burn it. This can take as long as three years.
34 | www.life-mags.com
You can buy wood that’s already seasoned, or you can season it yourself, using a log store. The important thing is to allow air to circulate all around the logs to dry them out. And if you don’t want to only burn wood, you don’t have to - with a multi-fuel stove, you can also burn coal, smokeless fuel, peat and turf (depending on any smoke-control restrictions in your area). The installation of a wood-burning stove must comply with building regulations. Rather than involving your local council’s building control department (which can check and sign off the work) or an improved inspector (who does the same job but is employed by a private company), it’s often easier to use a qualified fitter. HETAS-registered installers deal with wood, solid-fuel and biomass domestic heating appliances and can self-certify that their work complies with building regulations, so it’s safe and legal. Another consideration is whether the chimney needs to be lined before the stove is installed. Homes dating from the mid-Sixties onwards will have had a concrete or clay chimney liner fitted when they were built, but older properties won’t necessarily have a liner - your installer will be able to check for you. There are lots of benefits to having a chimney lined, including better energy efficiency - and who doesn’t want that?
GROUVILLE FORGE & IRONWORKS LTD • Mini diggers, excavators, dumpers and lorries (self drive available) • Topsoil supplied & delivered • Black sand, chippings & hardcore supplied & delivered • Hard landscaping • Large/small excavations undertaken • Demolition • Drainage and Drain Laying • Fencing • Sand Schools
T: 01534 485687 E: info@baretteplanthire.com www.baretteplanthire.com
STAINLESS BALUSTRADING | GATES | RAILINGS STRUCTURAL STEELWORK | FABRICATION ENGINEERS
Telephone: 853181 Mobile: 07797715041 Email: grouvilleforge@hotmail.com www.grouvilleforge.co.uk
HOME LIVING
A QUALITY FLOOR WITH
LAMINATES Laminate flooring isn't as popular as it once was, but don't dismiss it out of hand says Julia Gray Yes, the cheap ones aren't particularly nice and should be avoided, but there are plenty of quality laminates - some are engineered wood, which have a layer of real wood on the surface - that won't disgrace your decor and are easy to maintain and lay. Here's how. The first thing is to assess whether your floor is suitable for laminate. Most floors have uneven bits, and small imperfections should be evened out by the underlay, but if your floor is really uneven, it may not be suitable. Next, remove the existing floorcovering. Although you can lay laminate on, say, carpet, it's best to get back to the sub-floor and deal with any imperfections in that rather than adding more layers and potential problems. continues overleaf...
36 | www.life-mags.com
Project2:Layout 1 30/09/2015 16:57 Page 1
Clear investment. Pure energy.
THE NEW ERA
IN SPACE HEATING
LANDS IN JERSEY
Efficient, intelligent Quantum, the most advanced electric storage heating solution.
www.jec.co.uk
For a free quotation, call 505460.
HOME LIVING
With a concrete sub-floor, fill any cracks and holes with mortar. If it's especially uneven, use a self-levelling compound or latex screed (available from DIY stores) to level it out. Once this has set, lay a damp-proof membrane to prevent moisture penetrating from the concrete. Ensure the membrane overlaps by at least 20cm at the seams. If you're using a foil laminate underlay, or one with an in-built moisture barrier, you don't need the membrane as well. For chipboard and floorboards in good condition, screw down any loose boards - or, even better, all the boards - and bang down any protruding nails. If your floorboards aren't in great condition, cover them with hardboard to help even them up. Prepare the hardboard by brushing the rough side with a little water and leaving it for 24 hours. When laying the hardboard, stagger the joints with the floorboards' and fix with panel pins about every 10cm around the edges and every 15cm in the middle. Once you've got the sub-floor in as good a condition as possible, it's time for the underlay. It's vital to use underlay because it helps insulate the floor against heat loss, damp and sound carrying. The latter is particularly important if you live in a flat: many flats' leases prohibit wooden floors, so check your lease first. If you have a flat below yours, certain, strict soundproofing measures may apply, so make sure you know what's required before you start the job.
TOWER CARPETS & FLOORING LTD
When choosing underlay, take advice from the laminate retailer or find out what the laminate manufacturer recommends, as there are lots of different products on the market. Most underlays are fabric-like and so easy to cut and lay, but you can also get fibreboard underlay, which is a little more awkward but may be more suitable for your floor. Whatever you choose, follow the manufacturer's instructions when laying it. To work out how much underlay and laminate you need, simply times the width of the room by the length. For the laminate, add on about 10 per cent for mistakes and awkward bits. It's obviously better to have too much underlay and laminate than not enough, but check that the retailer will refund any unopened packs. There are two types of laminate: click and fit, where a tongueand-groove system is used to click the boards together, and glue together, which is obviously messier. If you're a laminate novice, click and fit is easier because it allows you to undo many of your mistakes without getting in a mess or wasting boards. At least a couple of days before you plan to lay the laminate, put the packs in the room in which they'll be used to enable them to acclimatise. And when you lay the floor, ensure the room's at normal temperature so the boards have done all the expanding and contracting they're going to do.
Carlton Carriers (Jersey) Ltd
TOWER CARPETS HAVE MOVED FIND YOUR LOCAL FAMILY RUN FLOORING SUPPLIER NOW AT UNIT 7, MILLAIS HOUSE CASTLE QUAY, ST HELIER, JE2 3EG VISIT THE TOWER IN THE CASTLE and bring this advert for a
10% discount TELEPHONE: 733633 FAX: 734538 EMAIL: sales@tcf.je
For a free no obligation quote
on our stocked ranges starting from £9.95 sq mt fitted, plus our huge selection from every major flooring and rug manufacturer from Amtico to Voerwerk
Units 1 & 2, Les Grennier Capelles, La Capelles, Rue de la Mare Ballam, St John, JE3 4EJ Tel:725625 Mobile: 07797721192 Email: carlton@jerseymail.co.uk see our new website www.carltoncarriers.com Local & Overseas Removals • Complete Delivery Service Storage Facilities We collect items from DFS, IKEA, EBAY, HARRODS, SELFRIDGES, DEBENHAMS and MARKS AND SPENCER collections also available Online shopping delivered to your door, let Carlton Carriers bring you more ! MEMBER
38 | www.life-mags.com
ADVERTORIAL
I N S P I R E D
G L A S S
A N D
G L A Z I N G
WE ARE A LOCAL COMPANY with 15 years’ background experience. The range of work we undertake is varied and includes kitchen work surfaces, window sills, breakfast bars and splashbacks with over 1000 colours. We offer colour match, featured design, or we can even make your own design. Bathroom glass tops, shower screens, glass shelves and bespoke mirrors. Inspired Glass and Glazing can meet any requirement, even from the most discerning client. Through experience we are able to clad or fabricate almost anything, from an old existing 'tired looking' kitchen worktop to an elegant stylish glass worktop. Part of our job is also general glazing, balustrades and unique glass furniture. We work hard to make our products fit the lifestyle you lead, paying close attention to functionality, ease of use and style. For a free no obligation quotation, please send your requirements by Email. We will endeavour to respond with a guide price or quotation within 24hrs.
INSPIRED GLASS AND GLAZING
Call: 01534 511845 Mobile: 07829 850779 Email: info@inspiredglass.je Inspired-Glass-and-Glazing
S P E C I A L I S T
G L A S S
SPLASH BACK GLASS TOPS MIRRORS GLAZING SERVICE HATCHES GLASS FURNITURE
INSPIRED GLASS AND GLAZING
Call: 01534 511845 Mobile: 07829 850779 Email: info@inspiredglass.je Inspired-Glass-and-Glazing
P R O D U C T S
GARDENING
BACK TO BASICS TO BOOST YOUR PLANT STOCK By Hannah Stephenson
If you noticed some space in your borders this year, or some of your more established plants didn't flower as well as they have done previously, autumn is one of the key seasons to propagate. Division is among the easiest and most effective ways to increase your stock. It involves carefully digging up clumps of perennials, which have either outgrown their allotted space or are no longer performing well. You'll need to prise the root ball apart to become smaller clumps, each with a healthy section of roots attached. Some perennials are simpler to divide than others. Crocosmias, rudbeckias, heleniums and hardy geraniums are pretty easy. You need to cut off the flowering stems and dead leaves, then dig up the clump, keeping the root system intact and then pull the plant into pieces from the outside, where there is young growth, making sure you have a healthy section of roots attached.
Replant the divided clumps in soil which has been enriched with compost and water in. For larger clumps, you'll need to push two garden forks back to back into the centre and prise clumps apart. Discard the centre sections and replant the more vigorous outer sections. Perennials with tougher roots, like hostas and hellebores, may take a bit more effort. I have found myself slicing through sections with a sharp gardening knife to divide them effectively, but they still come back. Other plants suitable for division include phlox, sedum, delphinium, campanula, aster and achillea. Another way to boost your stock is by taking semi-ripe cuttings in early autumn using this year's young shoots that have started to
rnie Le Feuvre Ltd BRUSHCUTTERS, BLOWERS, VACUUMS & MUCH MORE
IN STOCK Tel: 482776 Ernie Le Feuvre Ltd, Cranwell, Rue De Bechet, eclefeuvre.jd-dealer.co.uk 40 | www.life-mags.com
HOME LIVING
go woody at the base. Plants suitable for semi-ripe cuttings include many evergreen and deciduous shrubs, including lavender, box, hebe, berberis and potentilla. They may take longer to root than softwood cuttings, so you will need to be patient. Select 10cm-long shoots from a non-flowering stem with a woody base and soft tip, cutting just below a leaf joint and removing the lower leaves from the bottom third of the shoot. Trim the base with a very sharp knife, leaving a small piece attached. Dip the tip into hormone rooting powder, then put six cuttings around the edge of a 12cm pot filled with 50% seed compost and 50% sharp sand or perlite, watering in well and leaving to drain. Place the container of cuttings in a greenhouse, or cover the pots with a clear plastic bag and put them in a warm, light position out of direct sunlight, and keep the compost moist but not sodden. If the weather turns chilly, use a heated propagator in the greenhouse at night. Hopefully, cuttings should have rooted by the following spring. Layering is another way to increase your stock and is an ideal method for propagating rhododendrons, azaleas and hybrid clematis. Essentially, it induces rooting from the parent plant without cutting the shoots off. Bend one of the branches down to the ground, remove the leaves around the tip of a healthy shoot and then cut a slit in the nearby stem without completely severing it. Dig a hole near the plant at the point where the wounded shoot touches the ground, adding a little compost, push the shoot into the hole and peg the branch down with a hoop of wire or a forked stick before covering it with soil. The plant may take longer than a year to root, but when it does, you can detach and replant it.
OCTOBER ISSUE | 41
HOME LIVING
BEST OF THE BUNCH - Sedum (ice plant) These reliable perennials provide subtle colours in the autumn garden, from soft creams and pinks to deep autumnal copperyreds. They are best placed in the front of a border, as they are quite low-growing. In spring and summer, they produce succulent foliage in shades ranging from grey-green to burgundy, while the flowers are a magnet to bees and butterflies. Touch the leaves on a warm day and you'll find them cold, hence the name ice plant. These plants like well-drained soils, are drought tolerant and also make impressive additions to containers. Combine them with asters and ornamental grasses for a pretty autumn show. Good varieties include 'Brilliant', which bears dark pink flowers from August to November and 'Autumn Joy', with its salmon-pink heads turning to copper as autumn progresses.
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 • Plant window boxes and pots for winter interest • Apply or renew grease bands on the trunks of apple and pear trees • Sow parsley and chervil for use in late winter and early spring • Support tall-growing clumps of asters or they'll be blown down in windy conditions • Cut down the stems of herbaceous perennials and lift and divide clumps which are becoming old and bare in the centre • Lift maincrop potatoes on a warm, sunny day and leave them on the surface of the soil for an hour or two to dry out • Sow lettuce seeds in shallow drills and cover with cloches • Pick pumpkins, marrow and squashes, which can be put into storage and should keep until well after Christmas. • Plant out some of the runners of your strawberry plants to increase your stock • Start to clear garden debris in borders, putting it on the compost heap or disposing of it if diseased
42 | www.life-mags.com
Extensive range of
GARAGE EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS for workshop and home at ALL GARDENING MAINTENANCE UNDERTAKEN
STRIMMING HEDGE CUTTING DECKING POWER CLEANING
PRUNING MOWING TURFING WEEDING
COMPETITIVE PRICES! Trousers from £22.04 RRP + GST Boots (composite toecap) from £22.04 RRP + GST
Own tractor and strimmer Large or small gardens
FULLY INSURED FREE ESTIMATES & QUOTES References available
TELEPHONE MR DE SOUSA 639919 OR 07797 735565
Les Charrieres Nicolle, Le Couvent, St Lawrence, JE3 2ET Tel: 862938 Fax: 860755 Email: rob@tractors.je Web: www.tractors.je. To find us: Go up Queen’s Road, turn left opposite Home James, left at yellow line,then 1st right and we are 75 yards down on the left
ANTIQUES
MURANO GLASS By Stephen Cohu The island town of Murano, situated just north of Venice, has been the centre of production of masterpieces in glass for over 700 years. During this period their products have changed with time and tastes but have always remained fashionable and desirable. A BRIEF HISTORY OF MURANO
A Murano glass bird by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi Pulcino
Murano became a centre of glass manufacture in the thirteenth century when glassmakers moved from the bustling and very wealthy city of Venice to protect the city from both the risk of fire and the pollution caused by the greedy and very smoky glass furnaces. For centuries traditional glass making techniques were handed down through families and although styles have changed the basics for glass making and blowing have altered little.
Today you can take the vaporetto or sea bus from Venice to Murano or you can travel there in glamorous style in a Venetian lagoon speedboat and you will find dozens of glassmakers from huge factories with multiple furnaces to individual craftsmen making one-off pieces by lamp work (heating the glass with a blowlamp).
POST WAR STYLE After the end of the second world war, Italy became pre-eminent in the modernist style in every medium, from car design and manufacture, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, to furniture, Fornasetti, jewellery, ceramics and of course glass, Venini, Bianconi, Seguso to name but a few. These famous glass names were all based in Murano which became the centre for excellence and style. Glass production in Murano underwent radical changes in the 1950’s, the historical techniques being used in new, innovative ways. Colours became brighter and more daring with many variations being used in one item. Shapes and forms became much more sculptural and abstract rather than purely functional. New designers were attracted to Murano to work and design for the glass houses, many of which had been producing traditional glass for hundreds of years but whose products were falling in popularity. It must have been something of a shock for the old school glassblowers to see these sculptural items in exuberant colours!
NOTABLE NAMES There are notable names in both factories and designers. Many important designers established their own glassworks when they became successful. Factories to look out for who signed some but not all of their work are Venini, producers of the famous handkerchief vase, Seguso Vetri D’Arte, Barovier and Toso and A.V.E.M. Some of the most influential designers of the 1940’s and
44 | www.life-mags.com
50’s were Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Flavio Poli, Ercole Barovier and Dino Martens. Later designers include Carlo Scarpa, a designer and architect and Ettore Sottsass for the postmodern style promoted by Memphis Glass.
THE MAIN TECHNIQUES ‘Sommerso Glass’ Perhaps one of the most recognisable Murano styles of the post-war period is Sommerso glass, originally developed by Flavio Poli and Seguso Vetri D’Arte in the early 1950’s. Basically it involves the blowing of a vessel in several clearly defined cased layers by submerging the gather of glass on the end of the blowpipe into crucibles of different coloured molten glass. It takes A Murano Sommerso vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso great skill to create the best pieces without distorting or mixing the colours. The effect, when done skilfully, is striking with the use of complementary yet dramatic colours. The problem encountered with most Sommerso glass is that it was only usually marked with an applied label, most of which have now been removed. Few pieces were signed, some with an engraved signature but more often with an acid etched stamp mark. Your eyes will tell you however if it is likely to be made by one of the better factories as will reference to design books and studying pieces by known makers. Successful designs were widely copied and imitated by other designers and factories and these pieces are available today often at less than £50. The originals may be worth hundreds if not thousands of pounds. With Sommerso glass, the more visually appealing and complex it is the more desirable the item is likely to be and hence the higher the price. Ungainly forms or poor demarcation of colours is likely to mean a low price. continues overleaf...
OCTOBER ANTIQUES:Layout 1 02/10/2015 12:06 Page 2
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
‘Murrines’ Everyone will be familiar with murrines if you have seen Murano glass. These are the circles or multi-coloured shapes of glass cut from a rod containing a pattern typically in the form of a flower, lines, stripes or other motifs, a bit like cutting a slice off the end of a stick of rock. These are arranged in the desired pattern on the glassblower’s bench. A gather of molten glass, either clear or coloured, is taken A Murano Murrines vase, 1950s from the furnace on the end of the blowpipe and this is then rolled in the murrines to create either a scattered or all over pattern. The gather is then returned to the furnace to melt the gather and murrines together before the piece is then blown to the desired shape. This technique was first developed in Roman times but was taken to new levels in the post-war period. As with Sommerso glass, the major factories produced skilfully designed and manufactured pieces where the copies are more haphazard, the colours of the murrines often being garish and unpleasant. Many of these pieces are now also being copied in China but if you study your subject these are relatively easy to spot. Many copies are blown into a mould and do not bear the pontil mark of a handmade piece as discussed in last month’s article on post-war glass.
‘A Canne’ Another instantly recognisable technique almost exclusively used in Murano are’ Murano A Canne’ designs. This is basically where slabs or stripes of different coloured glass are overlaid on one another to give a striking decorative effect. These colours can be in slabs, lines, patchwork or in spirals and are incredibly difficult to do unless by a highly skilled glassblower. Fulvio Bianconi and Gio Ponti for Venini and Cenedese are A Murano A Canne vase c1970 probably the greatest exponents of A Canne glass and the pieces when lit from below or behind are simply stunning. The most highly prized pieces will have strong delineation of colour which will complement the form of the piece. Careful control and evenness of spiralling are plus points, together with bright contrasting but not clashing colours.
Filigrana and Zanfirico Filigrana or filigree glass was originally developed in Murano in the 17th and 18th century and revived in the 20th century by the master Archimede Seguso. Blown in the same way as a murrines piece but the coloured glass core is rolled in evenly spaced colourless glass canes. This was effectively a reinterpretation of a centuries old technique. Zanfirico is where single canes are created by twisting coloured canes together in a spiral or other intricate pattern which are then used in a larger piece. If done skilfully the pattern will be regular with no large variations in the spacing of the canes.
46 | www.life-mags.com
These techniques are covered by the term latticino. Reticello is where the decoration inside the cane is formed by trapped air and latticello is a mixture of enamel and air bubble canes! Still with me? Good!
Incalmo This is the final technique I will discuss in detail and is one of the most difficult to do successfully. It involves joining a vase, bottle or bowl from different sections of different coloured glass blown separately. The sections need to be joined or fused while the glass is still molten in neat lines with sections of the same thickness of glass. The failure rate of pieces is very high as all factors have to be exactly right to create a successful piece.
A set of Incalmo bottles by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini, c1960s
POST-MODERN DESIGN In the 1980s and 1990s the Memphis group promoted eccentric and geometric forms in bright contrasting colours. Ettore Sottsass is the pre-eminent designer for the group with the pieces being produced by the Compagnia Vetreria Muranese. The pieces are complex to make and examples are generally scarce as they could not be mass produced. They are as much a piece of decorative sculpture as a functional form, they are very time consuming to make as each piece is constructed from several separately blown sections which are then joined together. Also famous, collectable and valuable are the glass bird sculptures designed by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi Pulcino. These are highly distinctive and very quirky. Prices now range from £1500 to £5000 or more. New designers continue to test the boundaries of glass design and manufacture.
VALUE AND COLLECTABILITY POINTERS Look out for signed or labelled pieces by the major glass masters. These are rarely encountered as they have always been expensive. It can be very difficult to tell whether a piece is an original or is a copy from a back street glass workshop. If you go to Murano you will encounter the problem first hand, a masterpiece in one gallery will be many thousands of euros and just down the street is, at first glance, exactly the same item priced at 50 euros! If you buy an expensive piece of Murano glass make sure you get a full receipt confirming designer and manufacturer. The best pieces will be the most attractive and skilfully made but there are many thousands of beautiful pieces of post-war Murano glass that are available for just a few pounds. If you want to invest, although as ever you should only buy what you actually like, buy major pieces by known designers as I have a feeling they will continue to rise in price as they fit will with the modern interior. It takes years of handling many pieces to tell good from bad but with this collecting area you can start by developing trust in your gut feeling about an item and as long as you have e reasonable degree of taste and style you can put together a collection of fine pieces without spending too much money!
A Murano Zanfirico technique vase, c1950s
London City NOW FROM
NOW FROM
£29
£29
Whether for business or pleasure, avoid the stress of Gatwick and arrive in the heart of London from just £29
NEW LOW FARES - BOOK NOW
*Terms and conditions apply.
14:11
TRAVEL
Delightful
Dublin
capital of the ‘emerald isle’
by Rebecca Underwood
Ha'penny Bridge
Temple Bar
Dublin, located at the mouth of the River Liffey, which flows into the Irish Sea and Dublin Bay, is an enchanting city where the locals charm visitors with their infectious sense of humour and a real zest for life. My mother and I were instantly captivated. Dublin was once a Viking settlement and became Ireland’s major city after the Norman invasion. Prior to the Act of Union in 1800 Dublin was the British Empire’s second major city and in 1922, following the division of Ireland, Dublin emerged as the capital.
Dublin Castle Courtyard
Powerscourt Centre
48 | www.life-mags.com
For a deeper understanding we wandered around the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street where we viewed the collection of Viking swords, dating back to 800 AD. Exhibits also include finds from Irish settlements of the 9th and 10th centuries, which provide an insight into the harsh realities of Irish rural life. The fascinating exhibition ‘Medieval Ireland from 1150 to 1550’ documents life in Ireland in the age of cathedrals, monasteries and castles and the Treasury exhibition presents remarkable examples of Celtic and Medieval art including the Ardagh Chalice, made up of two hundred and fifty components and the notable Tara Brooch. Both pieces date back to the 8th century AD and reflect the extraordinary talents of the early medieval Irish metalworkers.
Today, Dublin attracts hordes of visitors keen to experience the warmth of Irish hospitality. We explored Temple Bar; a cosmopolitan area offering an extensive choice of galleries, restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. A leisurely stroll along the pedestrianised cobble-stoned streets is a real treat and a tipple or two in any one of the many pubs will quench the most persistent thirst. There is no shortage of charismatic characters, and whilst sipping on an Irish coffee, we were serenaded with a rendition of ‘I’ll take you home again Kathleen’ and another local risked breaking a limb with his idea of ‘what real Irish dancing should be and not what that young whippersnapper Flatley has exported’! Should all that frivolity take its toll, a tranquil spot for ‘al fresco’ dining can be found at Carluccio’s, located on Dawson Street. The service is excellent and the linguine pasta with squid, mussels and prawns with garlic, herbs and chilli is delicious. After a glass of Gavi Delfini Piemonte we were ready to continue with our exploration of the city. For culture vultures and history buffs, a trip to Dublin Castle will not disappoint. In fact, the city of Dublin gets its name from the Black Pool – ‘Dubh Linn’ – which was once part of the castle’s garden. The castle stands on the ridge of a strategic site at
TRAVEL
the junction of the River Liffey and its tributary the Poddle, where, it is said, that the original fortification may have been an early Gaelic Ring Fort. Part of a Viking fortress, which once stood on the site, remains, and is on view to visitors at the ‘Undercroft’. The ‘south range’ houses the elegant state apartments that were the residential quarters of the Vice-regal court. Today they are used as a venue for Irelands’ presidencies of the European community, presidential inaugurations and state functions. To learn about Ireland’s favourite stout, we visited the Guinness Store House, Dublin’s most popular attraction, with over a million visitors every year. The ‘black stuff’, dates back to 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease for an annual rent of £45 for the disused brewery at St James’s Gate. The world renowned Irish stout is made of water, barley, hops and yeast and visitors are welcome to ‘pull the perfect pint’ following precise instructions from a Guinness representative. The glass must be held at a 45 degree angle and the pourer must wait for an exact period of 119.5 seconds before topping off the froth. Be sure to visit the Gravity Bar and perhaps partake in a refill whilst admiring the panoramic view of the city in between sips. Should you need to clear your head, take a brisk walk along O’ Connell Street, named after the 19th century nationalist Daniel O’ Connell, leader of the movement for Catholic emancipation. This will lead you to the O’ Connell bridge spanning the river Liffey and the promenade known as Batchelor’s Walk. From here we embarked on a 45 minute cruise on board the Dublin Discovered boat and it was delightful. We sailed sedately on the calm waters and were admiring the scenes when the charming Ha’penny Bridge came into view. Built in 1816 it is known as the Ha’penny due to the half-penny fee once payable for crossing it. Stop off for a coffee break at the Sweetest Thing, also on Bachelor’s Walk, and only a short hop and skip from the Ha’penny Bridge. You’re sure to be tempted by the elaborate display of fancy cup cakes and you can watch the never ending multitude crossing the bridge. Dublin Zoo, which opened in 1831, is one of the most popular attractions. The zoo is a registered charity, which is focused on raising awareness to threatened species and generates funds for conservation. Located in Phoenix Park, it is home to over 400 animals including a pride of Asian lions, Asian elephants, giraffe, rhino, gorillas, chimpanzees and orang-utans. The daily feeding times attract children and ‘grown ups’ alike with many squealing
in delight at the antics of the sea lions and penguins. Another treat was in store when we stopped off for a bite at the zoo’s famous Meerkat’s Restaurant. Whilst dining, we became aware of a family of inquisitive meerkats peering at us through a large glass wall and a lasting mutual fascination ensued. There are of course a lot of hotels in Dublin but for those seeking the highest standards of comfort and service, the luxurious Merrion Hotel, birth place of the 1st Duke of Wellington, is ideal. The property, which consists of four inter connected Georgian town houses, is located in the city centre on Upper Merrion Street. We were accommodated in a spacious and stylishly furnished superior garden wing room, which offers a view of the landscaped 18th century style gardens and features ultra comfortable beds swathed in crisp Egyptian linens. This elegant and grand property reflects Dublin’s Georgian heritage perfectly and offers a relaxing retreat where guests are welcome to relax in the beautiful drawing rooms adorned with Belgian tapestries, sparkling chandeliers and priceless works of Irish art. We also took full advantage of the indoor infinity swimming pool, the steam room and the spa. For an outstanding dining experience, visit the hotel’s Cellar Restaurant, which is housed in the original 18th century wine vaults and presents modern Irish cuisine. I opted for the delicious succulent Irish stew, which was served with aplomb. Should you wish to go a little further afield, Hugo’s restaurant is a short stroll away on Merrion Row. The service is first class and the menu is inspired. Consider sampling the slow braised South Glenn beef, served with white onion, herb mash and a Guinness purée. For dedicated shoppers seeking that elusive bargain, browse along bustling Grafton Street and then head for the nearby Powerscourt Centre on South William Street, which features over 40 shops and restaurants. The charming antique shops, crammed with glittering trinkets will demand your attention and there is a selection of art and craft shops including the Dolls Store Hospital and Museum, housed in a ballroom, and where you will find a charming collection of Irish dolls, miniature Irish musical instruments and teddy bears galore. If you don’t want to carry your bags too far and need some pampering, the Westbury Hotel, located on Grafton Street is just the ticket. This luxurious, independent boutique hotel and member of the Leading Hotels of the World, provides outstanding standards of comfort and service and is owned by an Irish family.
Deluxe King at The Merrion
The Westbury Hotel Studio Suite Treat yourself and opt for a luxury suite measuring a generous 603 m², which includes a sumptuously furnished separate living area featuring original art works and sculptures. The chic furniture, soft carpeting and an enormous marble bathroom with under floor heating should make you feel at home. After an arduous day of exploration around the city you can soothe those aching muscles and sink into the freestanding classic roll-top bathtub bursting with bubbles. For a tasty meal, visit the East side Tavern, on Leeson Street. Head upstairs to the main dining room and order the beer battered cod with a pea mousse and chunky chips cooked in goose fat. Select a tipple of whiskey from over 200 varieties and raise your glass high in solidarity to one of Ireland’s favourite sons; James Augustine Aloysius Joyce, who once said ‘When I die, Dublin will be written in my heart’. Tip: Aer Lingus offers a swift check in procedure, comfortable seats and good on board service. Flights depart daily from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Dublin. For more information visit aerlingus.com Images, excluding hotels, provided courtesy of Fáilte Ireland.
OCTOBER ISSUE | 49
FASHION
EVERYTHING IS
AUTUMN By Katie Wright After spring's crisp utilitarian feel and summer's Seventies love affair, fashion takes a turn into darker territory for autumn - with a couple of notable exceptions. Don't ditch your boho blouses and flares yet, because the Seventies trend is sticking around, albeit warmed up for winter. Similarly, traditional outerwear tropes like tweed get a seasonal shake up, and gothic Victorian vibes undergo a revamp, while Eighties influences are felt in the eveningwear department. But in contrast to all the moody hues, the undisputed shade of the season is actually a sweet, pale pastel. Read on to discover the colours, cuts and catwalkdecreed styles you'll be shopping this season...
THINK PINK The new black? That'll be pink. Palest, prettiest, pastel pink as seen at Fendi, Alexander McQueen, Pringle, Prada, Marni... the list goes on. Considering fashionistas aren't, on the whole, known for embracing this feminine shade, it'll be interesting to see how widely it's adopted this autumn. Not sure yourself? Try a dinky pink purse for starters. Before you know it, you'll be lusting after a blush-toned Prada trouser suit.
REGAL RETRO Giles Deacon's AW15 collection of smoky gowns, high-necked blouses and huge Elizabethan ruff collars has informed an inordinate number of high street collections. Design teams have
50 | www.life-mags.com
run wild with a mix of historical references, from sweet ivory Victoriana dresses for day, to strict gothic frocks for evening. A black lace blouse is a key piece, and one that also meshes nicely with the prevailing Seventies trend.
SEVENTIES FREEZE Yep, the Seventies trend rocks on, summer's diaphanous fabrics making way for a more wintry outlook. Think faux-fur gilets, felt floppy-brimmed hats, slouchy cardigans and lots of corduroy. Burberry led the way on the catwalks, with brown suede fringed coats, capes and bags - a pair of slouchy suede over-the-knees is also a must to complete your boho reboot.
OCTOBER FASHION:Layout 1 30/09/2015 17:15 Page 2
FASHION
OCTOBER ISSUE | 51
FASHION
EIGHTIES EXCESS Where Hedi Slimane goes, the fash pack follows, and for AW15, Mr Trendsetter scooted forward a decade on from his spring disco fling. Belted bodycon frocks, fishnets and rara skirts all featured, with Oscar de la Renta, Versace and Balmain sending out glittering Eighties party girls too. All that skintight sparkle may seem a bit much right now, but come party season, it'll all make sense.
ACT YOUR HERITAGE Tweeds and checks often return for winter, but this season these trad fabrics have been patchworked and reworked to great effect. At Topshop Unique, English country classics like duffle coats and pinafores were reimagined for urbanites, while at House of Holland and Preen, houndstooth and plaid were given a modern spin.
ALL TIED UP Now here's an autumn trend that started from the ground up. Giambattista Valli and Gucci both sent models out in dance shoe-inspired lace-up booties and, ever since, eyelets and drawstrings have been a feature on the high street and the red carpet. More S&M than sportswear, this trend is set to take hold this season, with low-cut lace-up tops and dresses all over the shops right now.
52 | www.life-mags.com
OPTICAL ALLUSION Gucci also tapped into one of the season's biggest print trends, for op-art patterns in a muted Sixties colour palette. Ideal for early-autumn dressing, these sleek separates will slot easily into your work wardrobe and have staying power in the months to come.
% 20OFF BRAS
Free fitting service tel 837183 for an appointment or just pop in to Voisins
Highest number of qualified bra fitters in the Island
More than 20 brands
Selected brands now online at www.voisins.com
OUR GIFT TO YOU
% OFF O FF
20
all br bras ras purc purchased chased d with Voisins tting wi ith a V oisins fitti ng
bras purchased VALID DU UNTIL NTIL 31 % all withMA a Voisins fitting MARCH ARCH 2014 4 VALID 12-24 OFF OCTOBER ‘15
Cut Cu ut m me e out ut an and nd k keep eep p me e iin your ur walle wallet le et
NAME NA E
To red redeem, ed deem m, m, please complete plea ease ea s com ompl om plet pl ette
To redeem, please complete
EMAIL E EM MAI AILNAME AI Cut me out and keep *Offin er applies a pplieswallet pp to to alll bras b as in br in Voisins Voiisins lingerie department Vo mentt when whe wh en bought bou oughtt following ou foll fo llowing a fitting. ll ttiing. tt in me your E-MAILdeparrtm Not to be used ussed in in conjunction conj co njun un ncttio ion with any other offer. Valid Vali Va liid on n full ful u l price priice items pr item ms only. on Not
Offer to he all rbras Voisins lingerie department when bought fitting.cNot used conjunction with any One per exclusions mayfollowing apply. accepted. O applies On e voucher vouche her p in pe r transaction. tran tr ansa an act cti ion. Some app pply pp ly.. aPhotocopies ly Photoc Ph opiito op esbenot ac cince cept pted pt ed. d other offer. Excludes Calvin Klein Modern Cotton bralette, Tommy Hilfiger & Sloggi. Valid on full price items only. One voucher Please tick this box if you do not want to be added to Voisins VIP database t ick ic k th i x i f y yo u V oisi oi sins si ns IP P dat d atab at abase b per transaction. Photocopies not accepted. Please tick this box if you do not want to be added to Voisins’ VIP database.
Olaplex – The Stylistics Review By Sophie Walton of Stylistics Hair Studio
We started by using Blondor, a lightening powder, with Olaplex Bond Multiplier added to the mixture, to start lifting the red pigment. After this was processed, we rinsed and repeated the lightening to create a white blonde look. Again we rinsed the colour but this time used the Olaplex bond perfector and left it on the hair to process. This step ensures that all bonds in the hair are gaining the maximum benefit. The final process was to shampoo the hair using SP Luxe Keratin Shampoo followed with SP Luxe Oil Keratin Restore Mask. It is essentially important to use a product that also restores moisture and protein as you would normally as Olaplex is not a treatment. We highly recommend using the SP Luxe oil range to maintain your hair at home. After cutting and styling I could not believe how well the Olaplex had worked. There was no breakage and the hair felt so strong and beautiful. We have since used the Olaplex on all of our blonde and colour correction clients with outstanding results. Olaplex is the new product taking the hairdressing world by storm. Also being called the “Holy Grail” of hair colour this revolutionary product renews the structure of the hair… seriously. Olaplex was invented by a group of chemists lead by Dean Christal, Eric Pressly (PHD in materials) and Craig Hawker (PHD in chemistry). These chemists are notably famous for work involving organ transplants to not be rejected from the body, as you can imagine these guys are pretty dedicated to their work!
If you think Olaplex could be beneficial to you, pop in or give us a call on 726104. We offer this service as a Stand-alone treatment or add on to your colour service. We are happy to answer any questions you have.
Olaplex works by linking back together the bonds within our hair that gets damaged by using heat and applying chemicals to it. At first I was feeling pretty sceptical. How could this golden yellow liquid act as “insurance” for my client’s hair. There was only one way to find out and I was desperate to get my hands on it! I waited patiently for the postman to arrive, whilst my colour correction client eagerly awaited my call to say the miracle product was in salon! My client who we decided to trial the Olaplex on came to the salon with hair that she had been colouring red herself. She had been wanting to go blonde for a while but with the depth of her hair it meant we would normally have to lift it gradually over a number of sessions. But with Olaplex we could lift the hair without compromising the integrity.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY
By Penny Downes from Pennyfeathers As summer starts to fade and Autumn begins our skin changes and needs a little more TLC. The best way to feed your skin is by using a moisturiser daily to keep it soft, smooth, hydrated and young. Our skin is a living and breathing organ that gets the drips and drabs of the water we consume internally so needs a little extra help my the use of a moisturiser. In fact our skin only recieves 2% of our daily water intake. The most common complaint during a skin analysis after ageing is clients skin feeling tight and dry. This is because the skin is dehydrated and lacks water so can flake, feel tight and be quite sensitised. Even the oiliest of skins need a little extra fluid to be healthy. There is a common mis conception of oily skins not needing moisture, just because your skin has oil seeping out from it it doesn't mean it doesn't need water. Like any flower or growing plant water is the basis for all life. Use a light lotion or gel based cream to stop pore blocking and extra shine. Drier and sensitive skins can benefit from thicker more luxurious creams as they can take more. A combination skin can benefit from either a thick cream or lotion based one this is personal preference.
Jolie Madame
Moisturise for a Healthy Skin
HAIR STYLIST 1 Marett House, Roseville Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 4PJ
Telephone: 721065
Key ingredients in any good moisturiser are anti oxidants like green tea to protect again free radical damage, which increases ageing. Peptides and liposomes to increase water levels in the skin to avoid dehydration and vitamin C to protect and feed the skin. A moisturiser will be used morning and night after toning. It can be topped up during the day if you feel you need it. Our bodies need moisturising too so choose a good body lotion and do straight after the show. Pat the skin dry and apply the cream. Aloe Vera based body lotions are kind to the skin and feeds them well for a glowing busy, especially in the winter months. www.penny-feathers.co.uk
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Does Social Media have an impact on our children’s mood and as parents what can we do to help? Mark Shields Investigates As a parent myself, I understand how difficult it is to manage my children’s online activity. I remember the first day my daughter came home and cajoled me into letting her have her own Social Media account. She did not own a Smart phone back then but she did have a laptop computer that we had bought her for homework. She pleaded “all my friends have one and I will lose touch with all of them when I move to secondary school”. In our ignorance we signed her up to Facebook. We thought that by telling her that she could only use it if we were added as her “friends” we would be able to monitor and protect her from the darker side of the internet. We also agreed that we knew her password so we could look at it at any time. We set up her privacy settings so that only invited friends and family could see her photos and posts. How ignorant we were. Just as many other parents, we thought we knew this world of Social Media just because we too used Facebook and so what seemed like a convenient way for our child to keep in touch with her friends was not deemed as a tool that would eventually knock her confidence and self-esteem. The first problem we came up against was when any of her friends had posted photos of being at a party that our daughter was not invited to. This caused a great deal of upset particularly when the party goers were most of her peer group. This straightway gave her an impression that she was not part of her peer group and not good enough. Now we have all not been invited to parties in the past that other friends have but Social
56 | www.life-mags.com
Media allows us to actually be a “fly on the wall” and see what fun you have been excluded from. A complete “rub in your face” telling you that you are not good enough. After this happened we sat down with our daughter and discussed whether it was sensible that she had the account and whether she was indeed mature enough. She once again pleaded to keep the account and promised to make sure she did not take what she saw to heart. The second incidence happened a few weeks later when she had a friend over to stay the night. Now, our daughter is pretty untidy as are most teenagers. This friend of hers thought it would be really funny to take a photograph of her bedroom during her visit and post it on Facebook to all of their peers. The child thought it was something humorous to do without really thinking of the consequences. From a parental point of view I did not like the fact that a place of absolute privacy was open for all her friends to see. This resulted in some teasing at school about how untidy our daughter was, again knocking her openly to her peer group and breaking her self-confidence. Teenagers these days do not seem to watch much television but instead sit in their rooms on their laptops and watch their favourite YouTuber harp on about some issue that they have with something or somebody. My daughter loved to watch Zoella talk about the latest seasonal eye shadow she was wearing and how to apply it. Pretty harmless we thought until she decided to make her own video and post it. Unfortunately, without having camera
APRIL 2015:Layout 1 30/07/2015 07:20 Page 1
Awarded APPROVED PROVIDER for the States of Jersey
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
So here are my top ten tips for keeping your children safe online. 1. Keep the home computer in a communal area of the house 2. Ensure filters are in place with your broadband provider, if you do not know how to do this, call your provider and they will talk you through it. Not knowing is NOT an excuse. 3. Before your child has access to Social Media have a discussion about the dangers of using it as well as the good reasons to use it because at some point they WILL be using it, whether it’s Moshi Monsters, You Tube, Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Snapchat, Linkedin 4. If you do not know what these Social Media apps are, find out. There are plenty of explanations available online. 5. Monitor the history on a regular basis, this works until your children work out how to clear it so at that point you need to stipulate that their use of the home computer is permitted as long as history is left intact. 6. Keep the lines of communication open with your children about online activity from the start. Let them know it is important to share with you any activity that has upset them. skills our daughter managed to film her breasts only cutting off the top half of her face whilst she animatedly discussed how to apply makeup. This is where being a Facebook “friend” comes in handy as I saw her post arrive on my account and immediately asked her to take it down. We both had a giggle but it did highlight that users need to check their work before they upload and “go live”. Finally, the third incident which was the straw that broke the camel’s back was our daughter viewing a post uploaded from a friend’s account (who happened to be a teenage boy). Now, I have nothing against teenage boys (I was one once remember) but quite often I cringe at their overzealous approach to impressing the girls (yes been there done that too). Unfortunately, this boy’s judgement went out the window when he uploaded a pornographic photo that he had obtained somehow (probably from the internet) for all and sundry to view. He obviously thought that it would gain him some kudos amongst his male peers but for my daughter it just upset her. It was at this point that we deleted her account. Inappropriate content is all over the internet and even being a member myself of a Local Community group on Facebook I have been exposed to explicit content that is someone’s idea of a joke. This highlights the fact that anything can be posted online in any forum despite putting in privacy settings. By allowing your children to access Social Media before they have the maturity or understanding to deal with what they see, you are taking a risk of exposing them to content and/or people who can influence or manipulate them. This can have catastrophic affects from alienation at school, feeling unsafe at home (this should always be a place of safety for children) which can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. As I see it, we cannot stop our children from entering into the world of Social Media but we can educate ourselves and them about how to use it responsibly.
58 | www.life-mags.com
7. If peer groups have been involved, DO NOT approach them or their parents. Discuss with and educate your child how best they can deal with them. Empower your child to deal with the situation but ensure they know you are there to support them. 8. Have a set amount of time allocated for your child to access Social Media each day (suitable age permitting). This way they can let their friends know when they will be online and it does not have to be all the time. 9. If your child/teenager has a Smart phone be aware that this device will allow them access to the internet and Social Media anywhere, not just at home. 10.If your child is using Social Media ensure they switch off two hours before bedtime, this will allow them time to relax fully before going to sleep. Mark Shields CEO Life practice UK www.lifepractice.co.uk 01462 431112
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: At the first gate, ask yourself “Is is true?” At the second gate ask, “Is it necessary?” At the third gate ask, “Is it kind?” Rumi All speech creates energy. A vibration that radiates out to the world helping to create the atmosphere we live in. I do believe that our body and mind holds the residue of every kind or cruel word we've ever spoken OR had directed at us. When you feel a ‘vibe’ walking in to a room you may be picking up on the energetic residue of the words that have just been spoken there. So the choices we make about what to say and not say are not just of casual importance. I am personally working on my speech patterns (as well as right thinking). This is HARD WORK and I frequently fail; but I am grateful to be at least trying to address it. The Yoga class that I teach is a perfect training ground. It requires a lot of words to be spoken during the 90 minutes and I try to choose the right ones to raise the vibration for flagging new practitioners. After class it can take me a while to come down (at least half an hour sometimes) to normal speaking pace and I often fill reception with chatter before and after class whilst I am in that mode seemingly unable to stop myself J. The Yogic way for healing any speech issues would be mantra repetition but it would not serve my practitioners for me to sit in reception before and after class meditating or chanting; my job is to carefully choose the right and best words and use them in the moment to serve others well and raise the vibration. How lucky I am because I know that by lifting others I will rise too. Om Om Om Silence isn't the only thing that's Golden Patricia Thomas Instructor at Yoga Matters www.yogamatters.yolasite.com
Branching OUT Lisa Godinho, Tree Surgeon with Style… “Oh you’re a girl ’’ These are words I used to hear quite frequently once getting down from a tree and removing my helmet. Thankfully it was because clients were extremely happy with the standard and execution of the work that had been done by a ‘’girl’’ Having the opportunity of being on the Prince’s Trust programme back in early 2011 I fell into the arb world through 2 weeks work experience. I was offered an apprenticeship on my first day and sent to the U.K within two weeks to do my training. I had intense 2 week training and came away with 6 NPTC City & Guilds qualification awards. Gaining experience and knowledge from work and general studies at home helped me to carry on progressing. I was getting a lot of feedback and support from clients and as the years went by I was being personally requested for jobs. After feeling slightly unappreciated for a while at work I decided to take a leap and fly solo. This was a scary yet exciting decision but to this day extremely rewarding. I am constantly receiving positive feedback, some of which posted to the social media sites and steadily gaining new clients. Being a female in a male orientated industry I feel that my business is somewhat a relief to some of my clients who have said at times had felt overwhelmed with quotes and work ethic of others. On the other hand it can sometimes be a personal test and a great satisfaction when sceptical clients are thoroughly please with the work carried out, by a girl! Overall I think that women branching out (scuse the pun!) into male industries are fantastic, it benefits different people in all kind of ways and some of us ladies are just adrenaline seekers without limits.
For a free quote call Lisa on 077977 61431 OCTOBER ISSUE | 59
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Female
Empowerment
in the here and now…
Originally we labelled this the ‘the Girl Power article’ but of course, 1990s popular culture is not what it’s about, neither is it about third-wave feminism, rather it’s about the maturing of the female role in society. With this is in mind we discussed calling it ‘Woman Power’ however, neither did that sit comfortably. .. so ‘Female Empowerment’ it became and hopefully to impart gender enlightenment on the whole… Juanita Shield-Laignel discusses. I love my work. I also love my husband, my children and my home. I love having a door opened for me and I love being able to hold doors open for others. I love being able to express my opinion in the boardroom and in the bedroom, I love being able to Chair a business meeting and I love that I can wear lipstick and heels whilst doing so, without recrimination. The female of the species has come a very long way and so too has the male; for without one, the other cannot be. Long gone are the days when all women stayed at home with the majority scrubbing, cleaning and wiping runny noses all day long, culminating in a meagre crust on the table at the precise hour the man of the house returned. Or for the privileged few who could maintain a staff, sitting endlessly trying to find stimulation in the pursuit of cross stitch and polite conversation, or so our interpretation of the history books would convey. To break out of a socially enforced mould one must fight, but thanks to suffrage and the likes of well documented 1970s hard-core feminists, we no longer have to; apart from a little fine-tuning such as equal pay and the like. Not that I’m advocating such extremes now, however 60 | www.life-mags.com
they were a necessity of the time but as so often happens in the development of any society, one extreme is needed to counteract another before a balance can be found and maintained. This is not to say that history is bereft of strong female characters. Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, Marie Curie, the already eluded to Emmeline Pankhurst, Florence Nightingale and so many others made their mark but it seems their plight was such they had to, in a sense, de-feminise to get their job done. Elizabeth I, if the history books are to be entirely believed, completely renounced her femininity and denied herself the joys of wife and parenthood in order to fulfil her role as Monarch, the complete antitheses of her father whose singular goal, it would appear, was to procure an heir no matter how many spouses it took. If one goes further back in time, antiquity tells a tale of queens and goddesses and warrior women who ruled and had an appetite for carnal fulfilment. Elizabeth Taylor may not have risen to comparable fame had she played the role of Cleopatra having to deliver the lines ‘No Mark Antony, I’m too busy ruling the whole of Egypt and romance is out of the question; on your chariot!’. Queen Boudica had a King husband and daughters and in fact we are told her passion for the wishes of her dead husband and furtherment of her family line was exactly what drove her to bear down on the Roman rulership ensconced in embryonic Londinium. She won the battle but sadly lost the war to a Roman backlash and yet her maternal fire for the rights of her children drove her to have a damn good go. Fortunately for our current Monarch and due to the efforts of by-gone generations, she really can have it all and so can we. We now, I was going to say, luckily, although it has little to do with luck and more to do with centuries of groundwork, have the good fortune of being able to kiss our children on the forehead as we
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
pack them off to school, lovingly adjust our husband’s tie and straighten our own sharp suit as we set off for a day in the office or wherever we choose to go to contribute to our family income and gain some fulfilment for ourselves. In the evenings we can kick off our heels and enjoy a glass of wine whilst the children are sleeping and our husband who likes to cook is, unfettered by draconian convention, in the kitchen creating a culinary masterpiece. Or it could be that you have exercised your right of freedom of choice and have stayed at home all day making good your nest for the return of your fledglings and spouse and you may even be a man. More and more families are deciding that a house-husband is the most practical way forward and this is now acceptable too. Or it may be that you have thus far chosen to live a single life and concentrate on your career; in our society and at this point in time, the permutations are limitless. One popular life choice is running one’s own business. There are an increasing number of ladies who are doing it for themselves; taking a business from concept to fruition and thriving whilst also finding time to raise children and fold washing. To onlookers a new super-breed of women who work hard, play hard and love hard, the operative word being ‘hard’. No longer is it the man’s
prerogative to unwind in peace, stereotypically, reading the paper when he gets home from work, this is now a territory we can all lay claim too. However any family woman in business would find the hardship even harder without the support of those around her. Going back to where I started on this pseudo-feminist ramble, I love my husband and one of the things that makes it so easy, is that he loves me, including all my foibles (and there are many) and he respects and actively encourages my need to forge my own creative career, to write, to paint, to garden, to be happy and be free, to be me! Over the next few pages we meet some women who have worked hard to create a thriving business and maintain their right to be wives, mothers, girlfriends and homemakers in conjunction with those who surround them in their daily lives…. We meet mother and daughter Olivia and Lorna Jackson who independently and yet inter-connectedly run their own businesses and a young lady, Lisa Godinho, a tree surgeon carving her way in what has hitherto been seen as a man’s domain.
Lorna Jackson My mother inspired my business I’ve always been inspired by my mother running her own Chiropractic business alongside bringing up my brother and myself. A Chiropractor for 38 years and having a clinic attached to our family home, work and family have been her main passion and focus and by family I also include all the amazing characters we have grown up around. This provided the best training ground I could have asked for as an acupuncturist. I now treat many patients who knew me as a toddler, attending house calls with mum pre-clinic. This is where our family is a little skew-whiff, many patients see their family GP through the generations, our patients are treated throughout our family’s generations as both my brother and cousins are all chiropractors and myself an acupuncturist. I have felt very inspired and empowered to watch my mother’s practice grow and now my own in the knowledge that as a woman I have so many options and independence in my own right.
WHY ACUPUNCTURE? During my previous career as a dancer I experienced firsthand how effectively chiropractic and acupuncture can work well together. I woke up having taught dance classes the previous day and thought I had slept on my lower arm, as it felt numb however this numbness lasted 10 frustrating weeks. I had chiropractic adjustments on my neck, however still felt neuropathic pain down my arm. I went to see an acupuncturist and within the first treatment my symptoms decreased by half. Eight treatments later and I was back to being my pirouette twirling self, except I was not; I had caught the acu-bug. continues overleaf...
OCTOBER ISSUE | 61
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
I retrained as an acupuncturist and now practice alongside a number of practitioners including my amazing mum. We integrate well together as a team and often find approaching mutual cases yields fantastic results. What a chiropractor calls pain an acupuncturist calls stagnation, what they call inflammation we call heat. Ultimately when we see results, we all call that wellbeing.
CHIROPRACTIC OUTLOOK Chiropractors are trained in the diagnosis and health of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction, especially spinal conditions. When joint dysfunction occurs it puts pressure on and irritates the spinal nerves. This traditionally is called subluxation and the primary method of treatment in which chiropractors specialise is called spinal manipulation. This restores lost joint mobility, releasing pressure in the joint and the pressure on the nervous system. It is the most effective way to alter the health of the joint and nervous system in the short term. It is used to treat a wide range of both spinal and peripheral orthopaedic conditions such as back pain.
ACUPUNCTURE OUTLOOK Traditional theory involves twelve channels or meridians that travel both superficially and internally throughout the body. Qi the body’s vital energy flows throughout these channels but if this flow is impeded or blocked illness and pain follow. The most common causes are physical or emotional stress, poor nutrition, infection or injury. Acupuncture needles are ultra-fine single use sterile needles. By inserting them into specific acupuncture points along these channels a traditional acupuncturist seeks to reestablish the free flow of qi. Ultimately to restore balance and trigger the body’s natural healing response.
62 | www.life-mags.com
INTEGRATIVE APPROACH Together chiropractic and acupuncture aim to increase joint mobility and take pressure off the joints. This promotes the smooth flow of qi either via the nervous system or channels and each modality offers an effective complementary service to strengthen a treatment plan. Chiropractors are qualified to perform x-ray so that they can visibly see spinal dysfunction. This helps build an overall picture as well as ruling out more serious conditions. It can also help confirm they are able to carry out spinal manipulation safely and effectively. Where spinal manipulation is contraindicated in an injury, acupuncture can help reduce the inflammation to a level where manipulation can be carried out. Vice versa, chiropractic referral can aid diagnosis as well as provide spinal manipulation to further promote mobility to a joint alongside acupuncture treatment. Acupressure, tui na (Chinese massage), remedial massage, spinal assessment, exercise referral, qi gong the integrative opportunities are endless. Acupuncture integrates with chiropractic treatment and supports the patient via: -
Pain relief
-
Reducing inflammation
-
Reducing muscle stiffness and joint mobility by increasing local microcirculation, which aids dispersal of swelling and bruising
-
Reduces the use of medication for back complaints
-
Provides a cost-effective treatment over a long period of time
-
More importantly promotes patient wellbeing and support
In an aging sedentary society the focus is now proactively on preventative medicine. It is no longer the case that prescriptive medication is the only option available to patients. The increasing research into complimentary therapies has helped to increase medical referrals to CAM modalities such as chiropractic or acupuncture. As the term complimentary medicine begins to change to integrative medicine communication and knowledge between practitioners and their differing modalities should increase. As with yin and yang we may be opposite but we are increasingly becoming interdependent. Lorna Jackson, BMAcC, AFN of Health Point Clinic Olivia Jackson, D.C. (B.C.A.) of Greencliff Chiropractic Clinic For further information please call 852039 or visit www.healthpointclinic.co.uk
HEADWAY JERSEY
HEADWAY Jersey hospital care. This rehabilitation work assists individuals to improve mobility, independence and gain a true sense of achievement. Recently the charity has developed a Cognitive Rehabilitation Module which helps people to understand their brain injury, it's effects and provides assistance in coping with the numerous problems associated with it such as short term memory loss and personality change. The initial pilot schemes have proved very successful and the module is now being rolled out to more of the charities members.
Headway Jersey is a local charity providing services to local people who have suffered a brain injury as well as supporting their partners and family. When originally formed Headway was a drop in centre which opened a couple of times a week to allow those affected by brain injury to speak to each other and exchange experiences and advice. Over the years Headway has developed from these small beginnings to now being in a position to provide a range of services for the 130+ people the charity now looks after. As well as social activities Headway provides various rehabilitation sessions as well as Dao Yin, swimming, crafts, music and art therapy. The centre at Le Coie, Springfield Road is open 5 days a week and for those unable to make their own way there are two minibuses available to assist.
Educating the public about the importance of avoiding situations that may lead to brain injury is a key part of Headways mandate. The Education and Services Manager regularly attends schools giving brief but informative talks to pupils about all aspects of brain injury. The importance of wearing a bicycle helmet is one of the features of the talks and Headway strongly supports the wearing of helmets for all ages. Most cycle accidents occur in close proximity to the cyclists home so even a short cycle trip can be a life changing event. Funding is always a challenge and it currently costs around £330,000 a year to run the centre. 90 % of this has to be raised by the charity. With the aid of numerous volunteers, our charity shop, generous donors and the challenges undertaken by a small team of Headway Ambassadors the charity has just managed to balance the books each year but it is always close. If anyone wants to help in any way such as organising a fundraiser or volunteering at the shop for example please do let us know. Following very kind support by the advertising firm OI, the website and facebook sites are a great source of information about how you can help. For more information
please call 505937 or visit www.headway.org.je.
Using, ground breaking Saebo technology Headway can assist people who have weaknesses in a hand after a brain injury such as a stroke to regain use once more. The charity uses the services of a Neuro-Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist to assist with physical rehabilitation. Following brain injury the recovery period can vary greatly, sometimes taking years. It is vital that ongoing support is provided for as long as it takes and Headway works with Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists to continue rehabilitation work well after the person is discharged form
Headway Jersey provides essential support, information and services to people in Jersey who are affected by brain injury. For further information about Headway please call us on 505937.
Headway staff and volunteers can help members to understand and adapt to life following their brain injury
Our weekly craft sessions help to improve confidence and dexterity for our members
Meeting with other people recovering from brain injury can help our members to understand and share their experiences
The Headway centre provides a safe and welcoming environment to access services, support and information
Rehabilitation is key to helping improve life after brain injury
By providing health and fitness classes as part of our services, we can improve wellbeing and confidence to our members
Headway Jersey – The Brain Injuries Charity, The Community Centre, La Tour Verte, Le Coie, Springfield Road, St Saviour, Jersey, JE2 7DN
www.headway.org.je OCTOBER ISSUE | 63
OCTOBER WINE:Layout 1 30/09/2015 17:19 Page 1
WINE
The Good The Bad and The Bubbly
by Martin Flageul AIWS, Wine Consultant
The wine harvest throughout France experienced the Good weather in July – the third hottest since 1900. The Bad weather in Chablis with hailstorms on 31st August causing damage to many vineyards. And the Bubbly from Champagne, which is likely to be an outstanding vintage!
Optimism Throughout France After a hot dry summer, many French winegrowers are expecting to produce some really exceptional wines this year. Throughout France yields will be lower than 2014 but there is optimism for great quality wines from most regions. In the main, picking commenced 10 -15 days ahead of schedule due to the abnormal weather conditions this year. Chablis, Beaujolais and Burgundy The hail that lashed down in Chablis on the last day of August was localised but damage was very severe in some Grand Cru vineyards and although overall it was about 10 – 15% of vineyards in the region that were damaged, some vignerons lost over 50% of their crop, mainly in Grands Crus areas. This adverse weather resulted in wine producers in Chablis bringing their picking forward by several days to try to salvage the remaining harvest. A great deal of extra care will be needed during sorting of grapes and vinification but hopes are high for a good quality, albeit much reduced quantities of Chablis. In Beaujolais the harvest was in need of more rain to swell production but this did not happen, so although good quality wines will be made, volumes will be down as much as one third. Both red and white wines from Burgundy’s Cote d’Or should be magnificent according to many reports but with yields down around 11% prices are likely to increase again. Bordeaux and South West The official weather report from the region of Bergerac stated that the drought lasted for 45 days. This excellent dry spell in the southwest of France helped give extra concentration to the grapes, which was helped by the August rainfall at just the right time. The health of the black varieties just prior to harvest was reported to be perfect. Bordeaux, which lies 90km west of Bergerac, has reported exceptional potential for a magnificent vintage with both reds and whites. Dry white wines should be great, with both Sauvignon and Semillon in perfect health. Merlot, already picked in some vineyards, shows great potential and Cabernets will be picked in early October also show great promise and hopefully with the danger of disease now over, some outstanding wines will be produced. Altogether a great Bordeaux vintage is expected but yields down over 10%. Champagne There is huge optimism for excellent quality Champagne to be made as the growing season followed an almost perfect pattern from flowering to harvest time. Hot dry weather was followed by rainfall in August at just the right time to hasten maturation. Some villages picked before the official start date of 2nd September and grapes were in perfect health. Yields are down on last year but still very good and acidity levels, which are so important in Champagne production, are also satisfactory. Other Regions In Alsace yields are expected to be down due to less than average rainfall during the growing season. Rhone, Provence and the South of France will make generally sound wines with some Northern Rhone wines expected to be excellent. Loire Valley is likely to produce generally good wines with Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume and Muscadet very good. It will be interesting to see what the French wine producers will do with their prices for the 2015 vintage now that France has regained top spot as the world’s largest wine producer despite the drop in production. Next month: Madeira (Guess where I’m going on holiday)
64 | www.life-mags.com
Project3:Layout 1 02/10/2015 14:07 Page 1
Development Education Programmes & Health Kinesiology
I'm Claire de Gruchy, a Neuro-Developmental Therapist, Johansen IAS Provider and Health Kinesiologist - Enhancing Learning and Life!
...helping you become the person you are meant to be Is your child experiencing learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD or underachievement, co-ordination difficulties such as balance, reading, writing, spelling or hand-eye co-ordination? Or are they displaying behavioural difficulties such as ADHD, bedwetting, anxiety or poor impulse control? Do you suffer from poor concentration, poor co-ordination, vertigo, tinnitus, travel sickness, allergies or intolerances?
Comfort lift and recline armchairs FROM F ROM £445
Then DEP, HK or Johansen IAS Sound Therapy may be able to help. Claire de Gruchy, with 13 years' experience, aims to provide a drug free alternative to everyday life issues and to work alongside conventional medicine using established Reflex Stimulation Techniques, Acupressure, Auditory Stimulation and Nutritional Testing. In this way, Claire promotes awareness to people who choose to explore the benefits that complementary therapy may offer. Claire de Gruchy believes that health and wellbeing is best attained by discovering the underlying causes of problems and in so doing treats each patient as an individual.
Adjustable beds in single and double sizes from as little as £775.00
Repose adjustable sleep solutions
Now available from Technicare Talk to our experienced staff about a range of options to suit your needs in our chair and bed ranges.
Telephone: 07797 714758 claire@dep.je
Doué House, Longueville Road, St Saviour, Jersey, JE2 7SA
www.dep.je • www.myhealthkinesiology.com New Vision Therapy Centre, 3 Maison Victor Hugo Greve d'Azette, St. Clement, JE2 6PW
OPEN Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
RECIPE
With so many different varieties of curry, you could use National Curry Week as an opportunity to explore a new curry recipe every day of the week! And there certainly are lots to try, here are our selections to get you started, enjoy x
Full of flavour thanks to the earthy beetroot and cumin, this colourful dip is sure to impress. Serve with celery sticks and halved radishes for extra crunch. Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: n/a You’ll need: 250g traditional cooked beetroot, roughly chopped 4 spring onions, roughly chopped 1 small clove garlic, roughly chopped 150ml plain yogurt 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp cumin seeds Salt & pepper (to season) What to do: Put the beetroot, spring onions and garlic in a blender and chop finely. Add the yogurt, honey and ground cumin and blitz until smooth. Taste and season. Toast the cumin seeds in a pan for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Spoon the dip into a serving bowl and top with the toasted seeds.
credit: www.lovethecrunch.co.uk
66 | www.life-mags.com
RECIPE
This fiery curry is softened by the sweetness of the shallots and the coconut milk. Shallots do not need to be cooked thoroughly like onions and lend themselves extremely well to Indian spices. Serves 4 Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes You’ll need: 3 green finger chillies, roughly chopped ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp ground coriander ¼ tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp root ginger, peeled and finely grated 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped ½ tsp salt 10 shallots, topped, tailed and cut in half 4 tbsp sunflower or groundnut oil 6-10 curry leaves 2-4 cloves 500g boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into 4cm pieces 200ml coconut milk Plain basmati rice, to serve What to do: In a blender or with a pestle and mortar, blitz the chillies, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, salt and two shallots with 1 tbsp of the oil and 2 tbsp cold water to make a coarse to medium paste. In a bowl combine the chicken and the spice paste so all the chicken pieces are coated, allow to marinade for 20 minutes or longer if possible. Heat the remaining oil in a heavy-based pan. Add the curry leaves and cloves and fry for a minute. Then add the chicken and fry for 5 minutes until the spices become fragrant (leave the remaining paste in the bowl for later).
Preparation time: 10 minutes Serves: 2
Tip in the remaining shallots and continue frying for 10-12 minutes until they are lightly brown on the outside. Pour 100ml cold water and the coconut milk in the bowl with the remaining spice paste and combine. Pour over the chicken and mix well. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked. Serve hot with plain basmati rice.
You’ll need: 200g cooked roasted chicken, shredded 1 large carrot, grated 20g toasted flaked almonds 20g sultanas 2 handfuls Watercress, Rocket and Spinach Salad ½ tsp cumin seeds ½ tsp coriander seeds 3 tbsp fat free natural yogurt 1 tbsp chopped mint What to do: Mix together the chicken, carrot, almonds, sultanas and salad. Toast the seeds for 1 minute in a small frying pan and crush lightly in a pestle and mortar then stir into the yogurt with the mint. Toss into the salad and serve.
OCTOBER ISSUE | 67
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’s formative years are explored…… by Juanita Shield-Laignel
aving tragically lost her first son during childbirth, Michael’s Mother was always very protective of him and determined he would have all the best possible chances in life. Starting at Les Mars, now the Beausite Hotel, Grouville, Michael takes up the tale of his early childhood up to 1942 when he, his family and many other Islanders were interned to Germany.
H
“My earliest memories funnily enough are of my Father. Being fifty four when I was born he wasn’t really designed to cope with children, he’d left it a bit late but I distinctly remember, he always used to dress for dinner and as he left his dressing
room, he’d pass through the bedroom and read the nursery rhymes on my cot to me before going downstairs.” “When I was a bit older, I went to town with him on the bus and we’d pop into the Cosy Corner, now the Cock and Bottle, for his morning tipple and I’d have lemonade. I loved going, not for the lemonade you understand, but for the bus ride. I was always fascinated by buses. It was an exciting time, referred to as the bus wars. You’d get these buses chasing each other; unfortunately there were lots of accidents. One day on the way home it was stinking hot and we were on an old ‘cronk’ of a bus and it was so hot all the windows fell out. I decided then and there I wanted to work for the Bus Service when I grew up and my mother was horrified. I liked trains as well. The Jersey Eastern line used to pass by our home and there’s a picture of me sitting in the garden with our dog Bill and I seem to be pointing in the direction of the train.” “Being retired, my Dad’s time was his own and after a trip to town in the morning he’d potter in the garden and then head to the Grouville Hall Hotel for a spot of snooker or go to the Royal for a round of golf. He was always home in time for dinner though. My memories of him are mostly fond but I do remember not liking that dinner had to be on the table at exactly the right time every evening. He had become so used to having servants in Brazil he still had an attitude of expecting everything to be done for him.”
Father at The Royal Jersey Golf Club, Grouville 68 | www.life-mags.com
Michael Ginns MBE
Michael then turned to memories of his Mother. “Mother used to let me walk on the sea wall at Gorey but of course I had to hold her hand. One day when I was nearly three, we got to where the bus shelter is now and for some reason she let go of my hand and I will never understand why but I launched myself off the wall and landed, luckily, on a huge pile of seaweed. On the way down I smashed by chin and still have the scar today.” Michael proudly showed me his horizontal scar deeply etched into the crease at the bottom of his chin and I asked if he remembers falling.
Michael on his 2nd Birthday 16th December 1929 holding a train
MICHAEL GINNS MBE
“I clearly remember seeing the wall pass in front of my eyes as I fell, as if in slow motion. My Mother was panicking and some men who had been looking over the wall ran down and picked me up. There was blood everywhere but I was fine and we went home on the bus. I remember the next day being upset because my chin was so sore I couldn’t drink my milk.” “Age five I started at Miss Le Brocq’s Frobell Preparatory School at Maitland Manor behind the huge granite wall opposite where Le Rocquier School is today. There was a picture of a farm yard on the wall and we had to name all the animals in French. She also did sums with us, drawing and we had a half hour of play mid-morning. It was mornings only and then my friend Norman MacDonald and I caught the bus home and I’d spend my
Michael with his Mum and Dad in their garden at Les Mars
Early photos of Michael reveal he had a squint and unlike these days where a skilled eye surgeon can tighten several failing eye muscles during one day surgery, in 1935 Michael spent ten days with his eyes bound, in a private room at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. “Thank goodness a boy came to read to me every day. Being only seven I never thought to ask him his name or say thank you, without him I’d have been so bored.” Despite the inconvenience Michael healed well and his eyes remained in good health until much later in life.
Michael and Bill sitting on the lawn at Les Mars, pointing in the direction of the Jersey Eastern railway line afternoons playing in the garden or Mother and I would go down onto Grouville Beach with a picnic and for a paddle in the sea.” “Then at seven I started at Mount Pleasant which after my first term was re-named V.C.P. and the badges on our uniform changed. Norman was still with me and I made some new friends namely Paul Atyeo whose father was the Vicar at St Lukes Church, Lesley Nickels and Bob Gallichan.”
a trained Nurse set about the business of caring for him. Then in June 1940 the Germans arrived to occupy Jersey and eventually during 1942 my family were selected amongst six hundred or so Islanders to go to Germany and be held in an internment camp…...” Next time Michael shares some of his war-time experience with us…
“Paul, Bobbie and I went on to Victoria College and palled up with Richard Tucker” Michael then went on to tell me he really enjoyed Geography and History both of which set him in good stead later in life, but admits to having failed miserably at maths which would also rear its head again and says he just about tolerated Sport. “My Father desperately tried to get me involved with golf, buying me my own set of clubs which I used only once or twice, it really did nothing for me.” “Then War broke out in 1939 when I was just twelve. We were given the option to take gas masks to school but most of us didn’t bother. My Father, now well into his sixties, was quite unwell and it turned out he had throat cancer probably from having smoked most of his life. My Mother being
This is Michael in 1937 aged nine in his VCP uniform proudly displaying his Elephant House Badge
OCTOBER ISSUE | 69
MOTORING
ASTON MARTIN DB9 GT By Matt Joy WHAT'S NEW?: There's a great number of new things on the horizon for Aston Martin; a new Bond film, a new generation of cars and a new partnership with AMG, all of which are brimming with promise for the British manufacturer. These things are still to come however, and in the meantime, the car that began the Aston Martin rival has been refreshed. This GT version is the final hurrah for the DB9, the V12 grand tourer that has best encapsulated the notion of a modern Aston Martin in the 21st Century. The GT receives unique alloy wheels, black detailing to the front and rear aerodynamic elements, black brake callipers and detail changes to the head and tail lights. The long-serving 6.0-litre engine gets a power boost too.
LOOKS AND IMAGE: Given its age it is remarkable how little the DB9's shape has changed over the last decade, but that is a testament to just how pretty it was in the first place. The subtle enhancements of this GT version are just that; welcome, but just fresh icing on a delicious cake. The black-finished front splitter and rear diffuser are nice touches and the new wheels are a delight.
70 | www.life-mags.com
Facts at a glance Model: Aston Martin DB9 GT Engine: 6.0-litre unit producing 540bhp and 457lb/ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed automatic driving the rear wheels Performance: Top speed 183mph, 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds Economy: 19.8 mpg combined CO2 Rating: 333g/km of CO2
Those looks are still guaranteed to turn heads, which is part of the reason it has such a fantastic image. British, stylish and relatively discreet - just like a certain secret agent.
28/09/2015
17:04
MOTORING
SPACE AND PRACTICALITY: The DB9 is better than it used to be in this respect, although it's best suited to two adults with the possible occasional inclusion of a pair of small children. It's a grand tourer in the traditional sense, so there's an intimate cabin for the two up front and 155 litres of space for your weekend luggage in the boot, and use the rear seats for odds and ends. The latest infotainment upgrade is a welcome addition too, with better responses and more features than before. BEHIND THE WHEEL: The DB9 GT isn't just a high performance grand tourer, it is a car that delivers a genuine sense of occasion. Sliding behind the wheel into the beautifully finished cabin makes you feel special; firing up the V12 engine confirms it. Driven sensibly, the DB9 GT is low effort and comfortable. The ride is well judged, keeping everything level and stable but filtering out road pimples, while the automatic gearbox marshals the huge amount of torque on offer. Squeeze the accelerator gently and there's a seemingly infinite amount of urge available, all delivered without any fuss. Really press on and the DB9 GT is ready to play. It's a relatively big car but there's three damper settings and three for the stability control too, and should you be feeling brave and talented, it will play the hooligan. As fast (if not faster) than you could possibly need in the UK and beyond, it is a car that delights in so many ways.
VALUE FOR MONEY: The question of value operates in reverse when discussing a luxury car; it's not so much whether the car is worth the money, but how often does the car remind you how much it is worth? In the case of the DB9 GT, that is on a regular basis. The quality of the materials is superb; flawless stitching in the beautiful leather, glinting chrome and carpet you want to dig bare feet into. The short of it is you will never feel short-changed.
72 | www.life-mags.com
WHO WOULD BUY ONE?: James Bond would buy one if he didn't get an Aston in his company car scheme, but for us mortals at least, the DB9 should either be in your underground garage or a poster on your bedroom wall. It's become an Aston Martin icon in its own lifetime, and while there is a new car on the horizon, it has some spectacularly large shoes to fill. There will be faint tears when it finally moves on. THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD: Bewitching IF THIS CAR WAS A...: sculpture mounted on a plinth in Trafalgar Square, it would get more salutes than Nelson.
CLASSIFIED COLLECTION
Jersey’s oven valet and Jersey’s oven valet and oven repair specialist... oven repair specialist... Oven repairs and parts supplied for Oven repairs and parts supplied for
all brands
all brands
Reliable, Top Quality Cleaning at Competitive Rates
PLUMBING AND HEATING LIMITED
Suppliers of Neff, Bosch and Suppliers of Neff, Bosch and
Siemens Siemens appliances appliances
cleaning Low-odour, Low-odour, biodegradable biodegradable cleaning
products products Clean ovens,hobs, hobs, Cleanall all makes makes of ovens,
ranges ranges and and agas Bulb Bulband and extractor extractor filter filter replacements replacements Open Open77 days days a week week to to 9pm 9pm
www.gleamingoven.com www.gleamingoven.com Neff • Rangemaster • Siemens • Britannia • Bosch
Neff • Siemens Bosch AEG• •Rangemaster Zanussi • Belling • Creda •• Britannia Hotpoint ••Miele AEG • Zanussi • Belling • Creda • Hotpoint • Miele
Call 633010 or 07797 740855
Tel: 735278 or 07797 747365
P I ANO T UNI NG AND R E P AI R S
ANGELS PROFESSIONAL
Call Tony Mobile 07797 743005 Tel/Fax: 872066 20, Clos de la Molleterie, Rue des Pres, St Saviour JE2 7QE email: tlvplumbingltd@hotmail.com
Call 633010 or 07797 740855
Professional Service at a Competitive Price
Richard E Torode (CGLI) Next in Jersey Mon 16th November Fri 20th November
IRONING SERVICE From shirts to sheets, a service you can’t crease
COMPETITIVE PRICES
Picture Framer Michael Bourke For FREE advice on how to transform your pictures contact Michael at
Victoria Art & Framing Gallery
TEL: 634999
Mon 14th March Fri 18th March 2016 Mon 6th June Fri 10th June 2016 Book Now On:
Telephone: 01481 722488 Mobile: 07781 115367 Le Catillon, 29 Paris St, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2BL
Framing | Art Materials | Gallery
Next to Country Wools at Rondels Farm Shop
3, Victoria Street, St Helier. Tel: 730279 www.victoriaartgallery.co.uk
YOU NAME IT, WE CAN CLEAN IT 10 SHIRTS WASHED AND IRONED FOR £11
Laundry Ironing Dry Cleaning Linen Hire Commercial Contracts, Weddings, Private Parties, Restaurants
SUNSHINE LAUNDERETTE 88a Rouge Bouillon St Helier
TELEPHONE: 722568
Total Renovation Work Interior Design Design Garden Decking Ceramic Tiling Custom made Kitchens and Bedrooms Floors, Doors and Skirtings
Mobile: 07797718634 davidspiller64@yahoo.co.uk
To advertise call Juanita Shield-Laignel on 01534 619882
OCTOBER IS...
October is... Flavour of the month...
Apple
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
2
3
7
4
5
6
8
9
10
12
11
13
14 15
16 17
18
19
20
21
22
Apple-Tini Cocktail Recipe Ingredients • 1 shot vodka • 1 shot Apple sourz • Apple juice Instructions Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka and apple sourz to the shaker and top with apple juice. Shake vigourisly and strain into a chilled martini glass. Enjoy!
From Jersey artist Anna Le Moine Gray October is...Sorel in the mist - early morning in Autumn
Across
Down
7. Subject (5)
1. Appeal (10)
8. Instruction (7)
2. Hire (5)
9. Esteem (7)
3. Lake (4)
10. Earlier (5)
4. Still (6)
12. Dissatisfaction (10)
5. Administer (8)
15. Meddler (10)
6. Separated (7)
18. Darkness (5)
11. Backward (10)
19. Intensity (7)
13. Nettle (8)
21. Sugar (7)
14. Reel (7)
22. Undamaged (5)
16. Insult (6) 17. Sham (5) 20. Stratagem (4)
Answers can be found in next month’s edition of the Jerseylife.
74 | www.life-mags.com
JULY advert:Layout 1 30/09/2014 08:08 Page 1
www.amtico.com
www.brintons.net
LUXURY AND DURABILITY COMBINED
Showroom and Parking La Rue des Pres Trading Estate
Telephone: 734132