The Jersey Life - August issue

AUGUST 2020 | thejerseylife.co.uk

Home is where e Heart is home | beauty | food and drink | motoring | the arts | fashion | travel | property | business | health | garden | antiques

GALLICHAN JEWELLERS 16 Royal Square, St Helier Tel: 01534 722915 • Email: ejgallichan@gmail.com

Publisher Fish Media Ltd Jersey JE1 1FX Email: hello@thejerseylife.co.uk NEW WEBSITE Visit: www.thejerseylife.co.uk Editor Juanita Shield-Laignel Email: juanita@thejerseylife.co.uk Travel Writer Rebecca Underwood underwoodrebecca@hotmail.com Photography Simon Finch simon@fishmedia.biz Production Sarah Le Marquand Sales Manager Juanita Shield-Laignel juanita@thejerseylife.co.uk Accounts and Administration Sarah Donati-Ford accounts@fishmedia.biz Director Jamie Fisher Contributors Stephen Cohu Rebecca Underwood Mark Shields Lorraine Pannetier Katya Pastorini Paul Darroch Front Cover Clare Le Feuvre lefeuvreclare@gmail.com

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

Sitting in my garden, listening to the birds, being aware of other summer sounds in the neighbourhood; grass being cut, a ladder clattering against a gutter, gravel being crunched underfoot, a dog barking in the distance…it is hard to imagine that life is anything other than normal. Circumstances remain strange and troubling and yet there are so many incredible stories of courage and hope popping up. And in our island of relative calm, we are truly blessed with so much beauty despite really not being out of the woods as yet.

August is traditionally our month of Summer HOME Living and Arts & Culture. Not wanting to disappoint our pages are crammed with article after article of local interest and heartfelt sharing, not to mention lush home décor.

We also have a strong eco-vibe wending its way through our pages this month; from page 12 onwards you will find some fantastic advice from Architect Jane Blakeley and other eco-conscious contributors, who are working hard to help Jersey’s efforts towards more sustainability…such an important issue at this time and always.

SUP, sun cream and summer bedrooms are just a few of the other subjects covered and a very interesting article asking if a slower pace of life is appropriate now lockdown is over.

Gardening, Travel and First Drive maybe more your thing, (and we have individual articles on all three) but for one local couple, travelling through Europe during lockdown has resulted in a conservation project involving all these subjects and more (page 18).

In keeping with our eco-theme, we are still digital – lowering carbon footprint and reducing waste is at the top of so many wish lists right now, we feel our Digital Editions fit in perfectly with this remit and with so much positive feedback – it could become the way forward!

Until next month when we will be thinking about cooler weather ~ Joy!

Juanita x 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.

August 2020 3 WELCOME and The Jersey Life contact information

COMMUNITY 8 NEWS FROM THE ZOO Lieutenant Governor unveils new sculpture

18 PARK UP AND PICK UP

By Philippa Alexandre

ECO 12 RESPECTING OUR OUTDOOR SPACES And so much more

LOCAL NEWS 23 ENABLE JERSEY Celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a new president

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ARTS AND CULTURE 64 THE ARTS SOCIETY JERSEY IN LOCKDOWN

By Peter Le Rossignol

66 ARTHOUSE JERSEY Keeping the Island’s creative fires burning...

BUSINESS 30 BUSINESSES START GETTING BACK TO NORMAL What is the secret of HPO’s, Mark Shields explains 4 | www.thejerseylife.co.uk

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42 HEALTH AND WELLBEING 20 NATURAL WAYS TO GET A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP Combating those sleepless nights

24 A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE Should you maintain a slower pace of life after lockdown

28 HOME COOKING

By Lorraine Pannetier

32 STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING This Summer’s hottest staycation workout

35 DON’T GO SKIPPING SPF The importance of sunscreen on staycation

HOME AND GARDEN 38 SUMMER DÉCOR Updates that won’t break the bank

42 SUMMER BEDROOM Breathe new life into your sleep sanctury

46 A HOME WITH LOVE AND HARMONY

By Katya Pastorini of Painted Beautiful

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48 FUTURE HOME DESIGNS Will the pandemic have an impact

52 SMART HOMES AND THE FUTURE OF DOMESTIC TECH Kevin McCloud discusses his favourites

54 SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE A LEAK Act fast if you spot any signs

56 HOW TO CREATE A GARDEN GETAWAY Capture a feel of tropical in your garden

FASHION 62 GORGEOUS GINGHAM FOR EVERY SUMMER OCCASION The pretty check print is a style staple

TRAVEL 60 THE CITY OF CORK Experience a little Irish charm

By Rebecca Underwood

SHORT STORY 67 SUNDAY ROAST

By Barbara Kendall-Davies

MOTORING 68 LOTUS ELISE CUP 250 The latest set of wheels taken for a spin

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WEBSITE DESIGN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND START UPS Social Media Marketing - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Contact: hello@thejerseylife.co.uk

COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY

News from e Zoo

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR UNVEILS NEW ORANGUTAN SCULPTURE AT JERSEY ZOO On Thursday 30th July 2020 Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor, Sir Stephen Dalton, unveiled a life-sized Sumatran orangutan sculpture at Jersey Zoo.

family. Made with exquisite detail, it is a testament to the skills of the artist Michael Gautron, and we truly thank David Williams for his kind donation of the sculpture to Durrell.”

The impressive corten steel sculpture, inspired by the zoo’s resident male orangutan, Dagu, was created by Michael Gautron and generously donated to Durrell by David Williams.

This sculpture now joins several works of art at the zoo, including animal sculptures, colourful street art, and the popular ‘Gerald Durrell’ Go Wild Gorillas sculpture.

David Williams, who generously donated the sculpture, commented, “We are very fortunate on this island to have one of the world’s most iconic conservation centres of excellence on our doorstep. It’s nice to be able to help out in some small way, especially at a time when they need as much support as possible.”

Durrell’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lesley Dickie, said, “People come to an appreciation of nature through different journeys and experiences. Beautiful and provocative art can reach people’s hearts and minds and make them consider our world from another perspective. This amazing sculpture is one such powerful piece of art and will have a permanent home here at Jersey Zoo, nestled next to the island home of our orangutan

The remarkable sculpture, titled ‘Guarding Our Future’, portrays a majestic male orangutan swinging through his forest home, and can be found next to the zoo’s orangutan islands overlooking the tamarin woods. The Durrell team hopes that visitors will enjoy discovering this magnificent piece of artwork as they explore the zoo.

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BRINGING THE ZOO TO YOU WATCH: LOVE YOUR ZOO LIVE On Wednesday 29th July, Durrell’s virtual event ‘Love Your Zoo LIVE’ took place within the beautiful grounds of Jersey Zoo. During the show, viewers were introduced to some of the incredible people at Jersey Zoo and around the world who are working to save endangered species from extinction.

Durrell’s co-hosts, Daniel Craven and Emma Caton, talked to the charity’s CEO Dr Lesley Dickie about what it’s like to run a zoo during the time of COVID-19, as well as some of the experts working to save one of the world’s rarest frogs on a remote island in the Caribbean. Viewers also had the chance to see some spectacular views over Jersey’s north coast whilst finding out all about a special project that has returned a beautiful red-billed bird to the island, and some of Durrell’s experienced keepers talked about two adorable new zoo residents! There was also a special guest question from TV Presenter Chris Packham, and a virtual chat with Durrell ambassador, Milo Parker, who plays a young Gerald Durrell in the popular ITV series The Durrells.

Viewers can now watch the full show on Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s YouTube channel or Jersey Zoo’s Facebook page.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT...

Leading a zoo through a global pandemic with Dr Lesley Dickie, Durrell’s Chief Executive Officer Saving the mountain chicken frog: hot tubs for sick frogs! with Matt Goetz, Durrell’s Head of Herpetology Department, and Luke Jones, Project Coordinator for the Mountain Chicken Recovery Programme The ups and downs of raising a baby aye-aye with Senior Mammal Keeper Rachel Cowen A bird on the edge: bringing back the red-billed chough to Jersey with Chough Field Manager and Senior Keeper Liz Corry Amari: the baby gorilla making everyone smile with Senior Mammal Keeper Mark Beresford How playing young Gerry inspired his love for the natural world The Durrells actor and Durrell Ambassador Milo Parker

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust www.durrell.org

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is an international charity working to save species from extinction. Headquartered at Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands, Durrell’s vision is for a wilder, healthier more colourful world.

Established by author and conservationist, Gerald Durrell, in 1959, Durrell’s overall aim is for more diverse, beautiful and resilient natural landscapes in which species can thrive and people can enjoy a deeper connection with nature. Their approach concentrates on the rewilding of animals, the rewilding of ecosystems and the rewilding of people.

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(Est. in Jersey since 1997)

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FOR ALL YOUR BEAUTY, SKIN AND LASER NEEDS Give Julie Naidu or Kathrin Baumert a call on 888272 to book your consultation.

The Laser Centre. Island Medical Centre, 14 Gloucester Street, St Helier.

E: info@thelasercentrejersey.co.uk. www.thelasercentrejersey.co.uk

ECO FRIENDLY

Respecting our Outdoor Spaces and oh so much More…

Introduced by Juanita Shield-Laignel Who of us has not realised the importance of our outdoor spaces since the beginning of lockdown? I’ve always loved and appreciated my garden, but oh my word, it became a sanctuary more than ever; a place to sit and contemplate, to write, to work with the soil, to listen to the birds and the chatter of my neighbours and embrace the laughter of my children as they bounced on their trampoline and shot hoops as part of P.E. lessons for home schooling. But beyond that – our beaches, parks and country walks became the escape from our homes for just two precious hours a day…what strange times we have been / are going through – and yet we have so much to be grateful for.

Acknowledging the importance of protecting the environment; the natural world we have in abundance around us here in our beautiful island of Jersey, I recently put out a ‘call to arms’ in a few online groups I belong to, namely, ‘Jersey in Transition’, ‘Half Wild Jersey’ and ‘Journey To Zero Waste’ – inviting the local Eco-conscious community to contribute – I am thrilled to share these amazing results for who among us does not have an ECO-INTEREST!!! Thank you to Jane Blakeley, Amanda Bond, Kalina Le Marquand, Louise Carson and Helen Morgan for their invaluable work and wise words…

Beginner’s Guide to a zero carbon footprint home – a 5 minute Step by step guide Words by Jane Blakeley BA Hons Dip Arch Cert Urban Des RIBA Chartered Architect, qualified in architecture in 1993.

Jane previously worked on a wide range of project types and now gives focus to House architecture, commercial projects, urban design solutions with her own private practice. She also focuses on environmental & ecological design having been Remedials Architect in 1998 to the renowned eco Tourism project Chumbe Island in Zanzibar East Africa. She practices an open door policy to answer any architectural and now eco questions. Jane welcomes interest in architecture, the wealth this brings to the community and the challenges we now face in our modern Age. Locally the States of Jersey have agreed to a zero-carbon emissions strategy to be in place by 2030. That’s no mean feat.

To assist the Homeowner with methods to meet this policy and therein halve or zero your Utility bills - Read on In a cost effective step by step breakdown: STEP 1 List your Utility bills, in Jersey it’s usually: Oil/Gas, water, electricity. Next to each item note the monthly and annual cost.

File this note, to then add updated costs if you install renewable and energy saving products STEP 2 Consider ways of zero-ing your energy costs & your input to helping the environment:

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For Water heating and Space heating – consider installing an Air Heat source pump. This attaches neatly to the outside of your Home, provides electricity and heating. How does it do this? It draws in fresh air from outside, through turbines, which create space & water heating https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2016/02/pros-and-cons-ofair-source-heat-pumps

ECO FRIENDLY

For Oil replacement – as above install an Air Heat source pump, so you can take out your Oil tank giving added room to your garden. What is oil doing for our planet? Not only is it due to run out, the process in extraction is damaging & the burning of oil, to you a fossil fuel, emits harmful CO2 emissions Solar panels – next affordable item. If you have a south facing roof consider installing a few solar panels. In short, photovoltaic (more expensive) serves space heating and water heating.

Basic solar panels (called collectors) are more affordable but are limited to water heating only. You need a water container for storage of the solar energy or batteries. Links as below http://isle-eco.com/services/solar-thermal/ Water – rainwater collection to use for grey water. Why not?

There are many quick and easy devices to achieve this and given the amount of rain each year your Home could really cash in therein zero-ing your Water rates.

STEP 3

Insulation As you continue your Notes. Do your own recce survey of your Home. How much insulation do you have in your loft, ground floor, walls? Do you have double or single glazing?

Once you’ve established answers, consider the following: Roof insulation, use insulation boards to go between the Roof rafters fitted internally is the most effective means of insulating your roof Ground floor insulation – this is one of the worst areas for heat loss. Consider taking up the carpets if not new floor finishes in areas and install a minimum of 25-50mm Floor insulation, the old finish can be refitted over the top or consider some new floor finishes Windows – consider installing double glazing if you don’t have it Wall insulation – if cavity wall and no insulation consider the blown insulation method into the cavity. There are a few Installers

locally. Or you can install an external new look cladding system with the necessary insulation. https://www.kingspan.com/gb/en-gb/about-kingspan/kingspaninsulation

Extensions & Renovations If you are thinking of extending or renovating, think of adding larger areas of glazing to the south of your home or glazed addition. This adds passive solar heating, yes it is separate to adding solar panels. In short it means with this key south facing glazing you add warmth to your home at no cost to you.

Overall Now you’ve completed your own survey, how easy was that?

A great intro to just what you can do for your Home and your pocket. The last bit, you will expect to have a period of time to pay for the products, usually given as a 5 year ‘pay back’ period.

After this, it’s all for free. There will be a kit of parts for slick swift installation coming soon including options to the above.

Watch this space!

Jane Blakeley BA Hons Dip Arch (King) Cert Urban Des RIBA www.jfa-architects.org

Remembering Our Connection – Biophilia Words by Amanda Bond Amid these strange times I’ve been reflecting on connection and disconnection. Much of society’s ills are now attributed to a loss of connection with nature.

We humans are connected through screens, but not generally to the cycles of seasons and growth happening outside our windows. More and more technology is infiltrating our lives to mimic natural processes…so many of us dream of ‘getting back to nature’ or living a slower, simpler life. What if…

Noticing the small things... a daily practice of sitting or walking in nature, even in a city, wandering slowly appreciating that nature is everywhere. In a park, an arboretum, the centre of a roundabout blooming with wild flowers, a living wall, a roof garden, the surprise beauty of a magical garden glimpsed through a gate. If it’s a blue-skied day, turning your face to the sun for a few moments, appreciating the warmth and health benefits of that extra burst of Vitamin D.

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Bringing nature indoors a simple collection of pine cones, conkers, seed heads and feathers in a special place can be replaced in the spring by snowdrops and violets, sunflowers, yarrow or mallow in the summer. We can realign ourselves with the seasons with such a simple practice.

Remembering our innate connection with nature is also panacea to the many stress factors that cause us to run hither and thither.

Biophilia is the inherent human inclination to affiliate with nature that even in the modern world continues to be critical to people’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing (Wilson 1986, Kellert and Wilson 1993, Kellert 1993, 2012). The human body, mind and senses evolved in a bio-centric world.

Humans need beneficial contact with nature, satisfactory occurrence of this is often highly challenging in today’s built environment. The resulting disconnect is reflected in inadequate contact with natural light, ventilation, materials, vegetation, views, natural shapes and forms, creating sensory deprivation.

Personal experience of working in such environments many years ago made me ill. Uprooting myself, without knowing what was next, travelling to places and immersing myself in nature laid the foundations for the work I do now. The resilience gained then as a consequence serves me well now in a time of great uncertainty.

Retraining over the last 14 years, delving into research, and developing nature-based practices has literally transformed my life and helped me to support others in doing likewise. Whilst undergoing training as a mindfulness-based psychotherapist I realised that I wished to operate outdoors. This didn’t fall in with the model, so I had to go out on my own, following my heart and intuition in finding a new pathway.

I found a framework that I could share with others in

Forest Therapy offered by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides (ANFT) – an adaptation of the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku or Forest Bathing. This is a research-based approach for supporting health and wellness by immersive, sensory experiences in forests and other natural landscapes, that promotes the wellbeing of people and nature. instagram: wildedgewalker facebook: AmandaBondHumanNatureProject/ email: edgewalkernatureconnections@gmail.com

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ECO FRIENDLY

Half Wild Jersey Words by Kalina Le Marquand Half wild Jersey is a group of people committed to rewilding projects and planting trees. The original inspiration was E.O Wilson’s Half Earth theory that states that for the health of , half of the surface of the Earth has the to be left wild and devoted to nature. That is where the name came from…

ecosystem

We aim to encourage people to collect acorns, chestnuts, ash seeds, silver birch seeds, alder seeds, elder berries, hazelnuts, hawthorn berries, holly berries, sloes from the blackthorn and tree species that many, many more. These are all are crucial for native wildlife. We also collect willow whips, the small branches that are often broken off by the wind; these will root very easily in a bucket of water. They can be planted out in wet areas in nature, or can be used to make living arches or fences.

native

Another wonderful reason to pick up the tree seeds that fall on the pavements or roads is to protect wildlife from being run over when they are feeding on them. Once we have collected our seeds for germination or planting we can help by putting as many for animals of the remaining seeds into the to feed on.

hedgerows

Our efforts also relate to encouraging people to allow areas of without cutting or removing their gardens to any of the native plants that grow. We suggest taking up areas of slabs or decking to reveal the soil below which will be brimming with life in just a few weeks. We also encourage people to collect native wildflower seeds and spread them around. In meadows and hedgerows and wasteland these will quickly flourish if undisturbed.

grow wild

We aim to inspire people to help with this and maintaining the balance of tree and plant species in the local woodlands and our ; the hedgerows.

This can be achieved by volunteers collecting native tree seeds from parks and pavements, from places that they will not be able to grow. We then suggest that they plant them in hedgerows and wild spaces that they know won’t be mowed or cut, or plant them in pots to be grown on and planted out in a few years.

wildlife corridors

Once the tree is grown, if they have no land or garden to plant them in, they can gift the trees to someone who has land, or find an area of woodland that is lacking in that species of tree.

I find this to be the most rewarding and valuable pastime that I have ever had. I would really recommend it to anyone who is , protecting interested in increasing wildlife and is concerned about their carbon footprint.

biodiversity

It is a wonderfully absorbing hobby that is inexpensive and has so many rewards. I do hope that this will be of use as an inspiration to people who are interested… please follow us on facebook: Half Wild Jersey

The method of growing them on in pots, gives the seeds a better and of surviving the dry chance of spells of summer, and reduces the risk of the sapling being damaged by rats, mice or rabbits - ensuring a higher survival rate.

germination

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Journey To Zero Waste Jersey Words by Louise Carson and Helen Morgan The Facebook group, Journey to Zero Waste Jersey was set up in early 2019 by local Tasha Cormac to get help in reducing the waste produced in her home. The idea proved to be very popular and quickly gained hundreds of members locally. Two early members, Louise Carson and Helen Morgan, are now the main administrators of the group.

Helen says “I was so happy when I saw this group being set up. I’d been involved in Scoop (the Sustainable Co-operative) in a bid to start reducing my waste and saw this as a way to learn how to do more”.

Helen Morgan with Ashlea Tracey of BBC Radio Jersey

The recent partially successful petition to ban plastic carrier bags came from this group (picture shows Helen at BBC radio discussing the petition) - single use carrier bags will be banned from next year - but not all changes are as big.

The group’s main purpose is to provide information and support to anyone who wants to start making changes - however small.

For example - reducing bathroom waste from shampoo, toothpaste, etc and composting food waste at home; novel ideas for re-using items.

Louise says, “Group members often share ideas to forward their own journey but also work collaboratively on projects such as the bra recycling program that made a splash earlier this year.

We’ve also worked in schools, introducing the Just One Tree dress down day to fund tree planting and to deliver information on lower waste lunchbox ideas to parents. We’ve held discussions with big and small local retailers on their plans and made suggestions that have been implemented, made reusable bags from T-shirts rejected for sale by charity shops for Olio and provided front line workers with reusable masks.”

The group now has over 2700 members and is still growing...

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Recycle for Philip’s Footprints works to recycle or send items for reuse. Money raised is used to fund the local charity Philip’s Footprints who support families who have lost a baby or child and invest in their Safer Pregnancy Projects – training, antenatal equipment and information for pregnant women, to reduce stillbirths, premature births and complications at birth, improving outcomes for Jersey babies.

The plastic items we work with are outside of the Island’s main recycling schemes. We collect plastic packaging from beauty products and household cleaning items. We are currently introducing new recycling streams and can accept Lego, used ink jet printer cartridges, CDs, DVDs, Games and much more. For further information please search for our Facebook group. www.philipsfootprints.org

And finally – a few more words from our Editor…

At this time – MORE THAN EVER – our environment is of paramount importance...take care of it and it will take care of you! ‘Heal Yourself and Heal the Earth’ and every other Eco-cliché I can think of – there is no escaping – the responsibility is ours…let’s embrace it.

ECO LIVING

Into the light Is it time for Jersey to embrace solar power?

HLG ASSOCIATES OFFERS AN EXPERT VIEW There is a quiet revolution taking place. No noise, no fuss, no question the cause is a worthy one. Solar energy is coming out of the shade and into the light.

This progressive movement is partly due to technology, or at least its price. A luxury consideration just a few years back, improving production techniques along with economies of scale now make solar panels a far more affordable prospect.

Then there’s the future price of traditional energy. While legacy power and fuel companies may make every effort to keep charges down, over time energy costs can only really go in the opposite direction.

Finally, and perhaps most significantly, is the green factor.

Concern over climate change has moved from alternative to mainstream - even onto the streets. Pragmatic politicians – well many of them at least – have seen the light and embraced radical environmental policies. Set against such a backdrop, the future of fossil fuels looks very dim indeed.

So, the forces of revolution are quietly powerful. While there may still be a few barricades in Jersey, they will surely be swept away by a popular rising.

What are the options for anyone ready to embrace the cause?

Or at least understand its creed?

You could do it yourself. DIY solar kits exist for anyone prepared to invest the time and energy. Buy the materials, mount the panels, flick the switch.

You could engage one of the solar panel installation companies now springing up to meet interest and demand. Plunge in, pay the money, get the job done.

Or you could ask an independent expert for advice. Not the most radical choice, admittedly, but one you may come to appreciate pays dividends in the longer term.

‘While the premise of solar energy is relatively straightforward, the practice of actually installing can be quite complex,’

advances Jerry Willis of Jersey-based building consultants HLG Associates. ‘There are lots of variables involved, from potential planning permissions, to panel siting, to power tariffs.

None intended as barriers to choosing solar energy, but if missed may well affect the potential benefits.

Getting independent expert advice up front minimises this risk and maximises the prospect of a bright reward.’

Jerry recently joined HLG to help provide this advice. The move follows over 30-years working in the Channel Islands’ electricity generation and supply industry. It’s a time during which he saw solar energy make the slow and sometimes difficult transition from distinctly niche power source to something on the cusp of major adoption. And Jersey, he argues, should be a location where solar energy is a primary rather than potential consideration.

‘We enjoy the most sun of anywhere in the British Isles, and while not Mediterranean by any means, Jersey is well placed to offer residents and businesses the benefits of solar energy.

An independent expert can work with them to make the right choices from the beginning, helping assure maximum benefits in the end. This is especially true for businesses considering their future power options.’

For Jerry, a typical client engagement starts with a low-cost initial survey to determine the viability of solar energy for any location. What is the present or planned power consumption for example? Are the panels best roof or ground mounted? Can the electricity generated be used solely on site or is there an option to export into the local grid and therefore recoup some of the capital outlay?

‘Once viability is proven, our engagement can stop there,’ Jerry concludes, ‘or continue through a supplier tender process, liaison with planning and electricity company and installation project management. It’s a client choice. What we want is to see solar energy come into the light in Jersey – by supporting a quiet rather than costly revolution.’

Is it time to wake up and smell the coffee?

Find out how to reduce yor energy use, your carbon footprint and your energy bill by contacting HLG Associates on 01534 888135 E: solutionsfound@hlgassociates.com www.hlgassociates.com AUGUST ISSUE | 17

COMMUNITY

Park Up and Pick Up... ...MOTORHOMING ACROSS EUROPE THROUGH LOCKDOWN (with Theodore The Cat!) words and images supplied by Philippa Alexandre We left sunny Jersey in September 2019 to travel Europe in our motorhome, with our cat. We were excited to have so many beautiful places to see but unfortunately along with that came SO much litter.

After the crisp, clean mountains and forests of Germany, Austria and Slovenia we found this to be especially true along the coast of Croatia, through Bosnia Herzegovina, Montenegro & Albania south towards Greece. We absolutely fell in love with Croatia; it's natural beauty, crystal clear seas, long, winding coastal roads and incredible National Parks were breathtaking but the litter, especially at the sides of the roads, made us sad, angry & very frustrated.

It only got worse as we headed south, each country we drove through had more litter everywhere peaking in Greece.

As we entered northern Greece there was just rubbish, mostly plastic rubbish, everywhere we turned. Had we made a mistake? Should we have gone somewhere else? We loved our 5 weeks in Greece, we met some fantastic people, ate delicious food, swam in the sea in December and climbed the most magnificent mountains but were continually shocked by how much rubbish was dumped just about everywhere.

Not just in the cities either. We'd turn a corner up a winding mountain road to see a whole truck of builder's rubble had been tipped down the mountainside, or a layby on a narrow road where people have literally emptied the entire contents of their vehicles. Bags of rubbish, empty cans, bottles and wrappers caught in the hedges, even an old toilet at the side of the road!

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We have visited 16 countries since September. Along the way we try to pick up the rubbish we see and clean up the areas where we stay; from small areas to whole beaches. Picking up litter is just something I've always done, including other people's litter- often picking it up and putting it back in their hand with a "I think you dropped this". My friends will confirm that I've made them help to pick up other

COMMUNITY

September, our CO2 footprint is still much smaller than living in a 2 bedroom flat, driving a car everyday and a motorbike on the weekends, being on mains gas & electricity with indoor plumbing and travelling on and off the Island. Yes, we do miss a flushing toilet and power shower at times but it really makes you appreciate what you've got and exactly what you're using when you have to fill the water and empty the toilet yourself.

Living in the motorhome with Theodore, our cat, provides added complications.

Thankfully he prefers tinned food to pouches and recycled wood litter, but they're not always easy to get. Between the three of us hair (or fur) is one of our biggest waste products! He's settled in well to van life and is much more popular on social media than anything else we do! people's litter left on the beach or in the woods, wherever we see it. All the children I've looked after know that "rubbish goes in the bin". If a 2 year old can do it, us adults have NO EXCUSE!!

We are always ready for a clean up!

We keep bin bags, gloves and a handy litter picker in one of our outside storage lockers so it is easily accessible when we pull up somewhere. BONUS: children LOVE using the litter picker!! Take it out for a walk with your children, there will definitely be something you can pick up and bin.

Whilst we were in Jersey we were already living an eco-concious life; trying to reduce our consumption and waste, reusing what we've already got, buying second hand or locally, trying to walk or cycle when we can (not easy when you work as a nanny for two familes!). Moving into the motorhome just highlighted how little we actually need to live a happy life. We still try to keep our waste to a minimum, the kitchen is the centre of the van and the hub of our waste management. Thankfully my mother taught me how to cook and sew, how to use up leftovers and rejig recipes for what you have (better for the budget too!). I use wax wraps, jars & tubs to store food & leftovers. We take reusable cutlery and water bottles out with us when we go sightseeing, cycling or hiking. Our best purchases have been e-bikes, which we can recharge using the van's solar panel.

Although we live and travel in the van and have done nearly 10,000 miles since

With #plasticfreejuly in mind we launched our new project ParkupPickup to encourage vanlifers, campervan dwellers, motorhomers, RVers, campers, dog walkers, hikers and anyone else who stays in nature to help clean up our planet.

We have had the luxury of parking up at some of the most beautiful places in Europe but they're not always left clean.

With the rise in the number of people living the #vanlife, taking motorhoming holidays rather than flying or staycations in their home countries, especially after Covid-19, we CAN change that. It's easy: park up, take a look around, pick up any rubbish & help make the world a better place!

To help us get the message out use your social media. Post a before and after picture using the hashtag #parkuppickup.

Together we can make a difference!

Parkuppickup on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkuppickup/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parkuppickup/ Our travel blog: https://rvmanvyi.com/

AUGUST ISSUE | 19

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

5 NATURAL WAYS TO GET A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP Struggling to drift off? Liz Connor finds some natural methods for combating those sleepless nights...

Despite best intentions to get an early night, most of us know the frustration of your brain kicking into gear just as your head hits the pillow - sabotaging your chances of drifting off peacefully.

Having trouble sleeping is extremely common, but while it's sometimes just a temporary blip, for others it can be a chronic problem. The Sleep Health Foundation estimates that a third of us have struggled with insomnia at some point, and recent figures suggest the pandemic has taken a toll on our slumber too. In a survey by King's College London, half of British adults said their sleep had been worse than usual.

When a bad night's sleep strikes, it can be tempting to reach for over-the-counter sleeping medication, but doctors warn that these aren't intended for long-term use.

Often, it's much kinder on your system to look at holistic options first - good sleep hygiene and having a 'wind-down' routine and set bedtime can all help. And if you're still tossing and turning, here's five natural sleep aids that promise to help you get a better night's sleep...

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1. VALERIAN ROOT Valerian root is touted as a homeopathic way to promote relaxation and help reduce anxiety, and there's some evidence to suggest it can have a positive effect on sleep.

The herb comes from a tall flowered plant that's native to northern Asia but is widely available as a tablet supplement - which fans say taking before bed can help promote peaceful sleep.

However - it's always recommended to speak to your GP or pharmacist before introducing any new supplements or tablets into your routine, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking any medication.

2. MAGNESIUM Magnesium is a vital mineral for developing healthy bones and teeth, supporting muscle function and helping reduce groggy morning fatigue - and studies have also found that it may help with broken sleep. Research published in 2012, looking at elderly people with insomnia, found taking a magnesium supplement didn't just improve sleep quality, but was also associated with longer sleep time and drifting off more quickly.

We can introduce more magnesium into our diets by eating leafy veg and nuts, but experts warn many people in the Western world are not getting enough.

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

3. WHITE NOISE Barking dogs, arguing neighbours and road traffic can all contribute to a disturbed and miserable night's sleep. Playing white noise in your room can create a constant ambient sound, which helps to mask sudden noises that can jolt you awake.

Many people find white noise very calming, too.

It can easily be created by sleeping with a simple house fan in your room, plus there are lots of white noise apps and soundtracks available to try.

If you're especially sensitive to noise, you might want to invest in some sleep buds, like QuietOn Sleep (ÂŁ179, quieton.com).

The wireless headphones comfortably slip into the ear and block out external noise, while also playing a range of gentle sounds to help you drift off.

4. CHAMOMILE TEA Getting a better night's rest could be a simple as clicking on the kettle an hour before bed. If you're still opting for a builder's brew at night, which contains sleep-sabotaging caffeine, try switching to a cup of calming chamomile tea instead.

This mellow, honey-like flower has wonderfully soothing properties, and studies have found that it may have a mild sedative effect on the body too. As well as getting your mind ready for rest, it also has the added benefit of reducing menstrual pain.

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5. CBD OIL CBD oil has been something of a wellness fad in recent years, and it's popping up in everything from skincare to coffee.

It's basically an active ingredient derived from the hemp plant that imparts a feeling of relaxation and calm (but no, it's not the same thing as actual cannabis!). Crucially, it doesn't contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces the well-documented 'high'.

However, CBD is also commonly used to help with anxiety, pain and certain seizures, and some say it can help with sleep issues too.

CBD oil can be found in tablet supplements and is also available as a tincture that's placed under the tongue.

Green Machine Jersey stock a wide range of CBD products. BROWSE AND BUY FROM www.greenmachinecbd.co.uk Free Delivery Island wide • Tel: 07700 700765

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a new president Disability charity, Enable Jersey is celebrating its 50th anniversary year by welcoming a new president.

Having been voted into the role at the charity’s last Annual General Meeting, Will Ross is supporting the charity to define the next chapter in its history and meet the needs of Jersey’s disabled islanders.

Will is relatively new to disability having experienced a devastating accident in 2018 which caused multiple spinal fractures and left him paralysed. He was airlifted from his home in Jersey and underwent months of rehabilitation on a specialist ward in Salisbury.

Will, who is actively working with the charity to define its future plans and ensure Jersey residents of different abilities are enabled to live a life without unnecessary limits said, “Since becoming disabled, I have faced challenges and barriers that are just unacceptable. It’s been a truly eye-opening experience and I’ve had to adjust quickly. I am committed to actively supporting Enable’s work in lobbying for disability rights, and acting as the face of Enable Jersey to help raise awareness of these issues.”

Founded by trailblazers June Beslievre and Barbara Marie in 1970, Enable was known as The Jersey Society for the Disabled until 2017. Set up with the simple aim of making things better for disabled people in Jersey, Enable has focused on helping elderly

disabled islanders to get together regularly and providing financial support where it’s needed most.

Clair Cousins, Chair of Enable Jersey, said “Having Will join us is incredibly exciting. When I joined Enable as Chair 3 years ago, I wanted to make sure that the people of Jersey appreciate how much disability matters affect us all. Whether it’s a family member, friend, through ill-health or accident, all our lives will be touched by disability at some point.”

“Covid-19 has impacted our 50th Anniversary celebrations and having Will on the team has helped to soften that blow. Will is the perfect figurehead for us. His story highlights how much needs to change to enable people with different abilities to access our wonderful island. I’m so excited about working with Will in evaluating how we can add the most value and ensure our work continues to have focus and meaning.”

ABOUT ENABLE JERSEY Enable Jersey, Jersey’s all-embracing disability charity, through powerful partnerships, innovation and pushing boundaries, is transforming Jersey into an island where people with disabilities can enjoy a Life Without Limits. Driven by our purpose, Enable Jersey’s success is driven by a commitment to enabling people with disabilities - locals and tourists - to access everything that Jersey has to offer. Our work helps to improve the health and wellbeing of disabled islanders and those who support them and ultimately, all of Jersey benefits. www.enablejersey.org

WE ARE JERSEY’S ALL-EMBRACING DISABILITY CHARITY

Phone: 01534 485740 • Email: info@enablejersey.org • www.enablejersey.org AUGUST ISSUE | 23

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

SHOULD YOU MAINTAIN A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN? As restrictions lift and a sense of normalcy returns, Lauren Taylor reflects on the elements of lockdown life we might want to hold on to...

Life is slowly returning to a 'new normal' after months at a standstill, and while the pandemic and its impact on our lives and mental wellbeing has been hard and, for many, devastating in ways, you might have found the enforced slowing down has been beneficial too.

"This is a great opportunity to stop and think whether the world we left behind when the pandemic had started is worth going back to, or whether we can create a better one," says Natalia Stanulewicz, a psychology lecturer at De Montfort University.

So if your 'old life' was particularly hectic, leaving little time for yourself, perhaps there's never been a better time to readdress the balance.

A HECTIC LIFE COMES WITH COSTS Before the coronavirus crisis, the world seemed to run with a commonplace sense of urgency and for many people, that filtered into their everyday lives. It might have been completely 'normal' for you to be constantly rushing, while feeling frazzled, sleep deprived and stressed.

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But are our minds and bodies really designed to keep that sort of pace up? "Operating at a fast pace is largely meant to be a shortterm activity," says Richard Reid, a psychologist and founder of Pinnacle Therapy (pinnacletherapy.co.uk). "Our brains are not fully equipped to deal with [it]. In terms of our evolution, the human brain was largely developed during a time when life was more simple."

Stanulewicz says the costs of the urgency of modern life on our health and wellbeing are often overlooked, because "productivity and effectiveness in modern times - at work or home - are perceived as the ultimate goals to strive for".

And there are long-term consequences. She says it can result in "decreased wellbeing and relations with others, reduce work productivity, or lead to higher levels of work absenteeism. Stress is a well-known predictor of coronary disease, various forms of cancer, obesity, anxiety and depression."

Reid says: "If we operate at this pace too much of the time, then we become increasingly task-orientated, meaning that we no longer derive the same level of pleasure from relationships and smaller experiences.

Overtime, this can adversely affect our resilience and our enjoyment of life."

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

period when the human brain was largely formed, allowing us to operate within our optimum parameters."

MOVING FORWARD So how can we use the lessons of the last few months to rebalance our lives? Could you spend a bit less time socialising, or share more of the household or childcare responsibilities to create more time for yourself? Could you negotiate longer-term homeworking so you don't lose time to commuting?

Resetting boundaries around your time is key - try taking some control back and say 'no' to something if it doesn't align with your new slower pace.

MENTALLY SLOWING DOWN You may have found that the last few months have given you more headspace to think and reflect on what's really important.

"When we slow down, we are more likely to gain value from the smaller things in our everyday existence, as well as to tune into our sensory experience of the world," says Reid. "In particular, tapping into our 'gut feeling' about situations more, [which] allows us to more proactively manage our general wellbeing, as well as intuition about people and situations."

He adds that there's also lots of research showing that being more in the moment promotes greater creativity, focus and emotional intelligence about the needs of others and the impact that we may have upon them.

PHYSICALLY SLOWING DOWN Lockdown has forced us to physically slow down too; for many there's been more resting, sleeping and walking than usual.

So does physically moving slower benefit our wellbeing too?

Quite possibly.

Looking at the effects of Tai Chi - a traditional Chinese martial art, which uses slow and mindful motion as a form of exercise - can be helpful when considering this question, says Stanulewicz: "Many studies have documented that engaging in Tai Chi indeed increases wellbeing, which some contribute to the elements of relaxation and mindfulness involved in it."

"Saying 'no' feels selfish, right?" says life and business strategist Michael Cloonan (michaelcloonan.co.uk)."But when it comes to saying 'no', I can't help but think of the aeroplane safety videos which say, 'If you have children, please make sure you put the oxygen mask on yourself first before them'. What use are we to anybody if we don't take care of ourselves first? If you're going to show up for something or someone, you want to be 100%, right?"

The best approach, he says, is to be truthful with your reasoning when saying no to something, and to try to offer an alternative, if you have to, that's a better fit for you.

Granted, it isn't necessarily easy to rebalance your life if you have a lot of responsibilities. If family and work are full-on, Cloonan suggests: "Wake up 30-60 minutes earlier, before everyone else gets up, and create some well-deserved time and space to work on your health - both mentally and physically."

It could be meditation, a walk in a park, reading a book or simply having a slower morning. "It doesn't matter what you do, as long as it makes you happy and it's something that allows you to remain calm and stress-free," he says.

And you might just find starting the day slowly and calmly sets the the pace of the rest of your day too.

THE POWER OF NATURE It's likely you were forced to rediscover your local area during lockdown too, with most of us unable to travel further than walking distance from our front doors. Depending on whether or not you live near green space, that might have meant daily walks to local nature spots - a park or the immediate countryside around you. It's possible that you spent more time stomping through grass and looking up at trees than you ever have before and there's real benefit in that.

"There's a growing body of scientific research that tells us that being in and around nature promotes greater appreciation of the 'here and now', which interrupts the brain's tendency to drift too much towards thoughts about the past or future - both of which can lead to psychological issues when done to excess," explains Reid.

"There is also a belief that being around nature allows the brain to interact within an environment that harks back to the evolutionary

AUGUST ISSUE | 25

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Home Living in later years

By Helen O’Meara, the very proud Director of CI Home Care Home improvements may take on a new definition as we age and focus on safety as opposed to colour choice. But is that a negative? If grab-handles, stair-lifts and riser recliner chairs enable us to live safely and happily in the home we love, they are fulfilling the same function as the new kitchen or colour scheme may have done when we were younger. Priorities shift with age.

“Cooking nutritious meals” can be a challenge in later years – whatever the design era of our kitchen! Yet correct nutrition and hydration is the number one tip for well-being in older age according to Age UK. However, regular visits from a trained Carer can help, as can Meals on Wheels and the availability of some excellent ready-meals.

“Our general theme for August is Home Living…. comfort, spa-like bathrooms, cooking nutritious meals in beautiful kitchens, and of course the type of modern eco-living we all aspire to…” explained Juanita, the Editor. “Humm” I thought… “my 86-year old mother’s home wouldn’t quite fit that definition…but she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!”

Happiness in “Home Living” as we age is about so much more than physical features or appearance. It’s about familiarity and comfort and memories. It’s accepted that many dementia sufferers fare better in their own homes than in a residential home. Nothing can reverse the progress of dementia, but combine familiar surroundings with sufficient care e.g. from a live-in Carer, and anxiety levels can be lowered all round – for the dementia sufferer themselves and their family.

And for many elderly people the most important thing about “Home Living” is living at home – and not in a residential home.

Comfort may mean the threadbare armchair. A spa-like bathroom may be in a colour that most younger people would rip out.

To my mother the recent trend for a hundred shades of taupe is an anathema; unlike the oranges and swirling patterns of the 70s.

Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.

And it’s not only dementia sufferers who fare better living at home. Comfort and memories are hugely important to quality of life for many of us as we grow older. For some, memories are photos and comfort is the favourite armchair – all very transportable. For others memories are sparked walking from room to room in the family home and comfort is space and complete freedom of choice re the day’s timetable and content – none of which are transportable.

At home or in a residential home is the perennial question re “Home Living” in later years. There is no correct answer as we are all different. Some people revel in the continual company available in a residential home; others vastly prefer the freedom of choice and the comfort and control over their day that staying in their own home offers. And staying at home is possible for most people with home care services ranging from visits of an hour to live-in and all sorts of other aids.

Comfortable armchairs, favourite views, familiar surroundings and neighbours we know. Living at home, with the correct level of home care support, is increasingly possible at all ages. Some older people’s homes may not be ready to grace the cover of Homes and Gardens or Elle Decoration, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t comfortable or beautiful. Neither is mine – and I’m in my 50s! At the risk of repeating myself, beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.

Live-in care specialists Hourly home care enquiries welcomed Overnight and respite care also available Simply call Nicola or Emma on 01534 883 886 for further information or to arrange a no obligation informal chat.

Complete Individual Home Care Ltd., Suite 3 Longueville Business Centre, Longueville Road, St Saviour JE2 7SA 26 | www.thejerseylife.co.uk

Registered with the Jersey Care Commission Flexible, consistent and friendly care

Occupation Reconciliation The Life and Times of Michael Ginns MBE

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“A heartfelt, loving but ultimately balanced memoire of a remarkable man living in remarkable times.... fabulous” Mr M

“This book is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in Jersey’s Occupation history.”

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

FROM THESE CHALLENGING TIMES

grew some ing quite beautiful: Back in March at the start of lockdown many people began to feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious about the thought of daily home cooking for their family (or even just for themselves). The sudden reality that there were no takeaways, no restaurants, no daily coffees on the way to work and limited time (and possibly money) for food shopping sent many people into panic, wondering how they’d ever cope.

But from these challenging times grew something quite beautiful: more and more people approaching home cooking with a new found sense of excitement and joy. Households realised they could save hundreds (or even thousands) of pounds a year by eating more local, fresh, seasonal produce and eating out less.

Families spent more time together prepping, cooking and eating meals which meant parents and children talked more and strengthened their relationships.

In addition to increased family bonding through food and exercise, Jersey has also seen a surge in people planting their own vegetables and a return to traditional home cooking favourites such as jam making and baking. It’s also been beautiful to witness the community spirit across the island during this difficult period.

As we inch slowly forwards into a ‘new normal’ way of life in Jersey, you may feel the stress and monotony of daily home cooking during lockdown fade into the background as you return

to delicious restaurant meals and tasty al fresco dining. With so much excitement to get back to the things we love and to socialise with the people we’ve missed, it would be a shame to lose sight of the physical and mental gains we made during lockdown.

One of the biggest risk factors in developing a severe case of COVID-19 appears to be obesity. And we all know how much easier it is to eat the cheesecake than to burn it off!

So, before you fall back into old habits, here are my top tips for maintaining a healthy weight, boosting your immune system (to help protect against all kinds of viruses, illnesses and infections) and ensuring a high intake of nutrients to boost overall health.

Stick with home cooking!

Home cooked food is generally lower in calories, fat, salt and sugar than pre-prepared ready meals, takeaways and fast food.

Plus, when you cook using local, seasonal ingredients you help the environment on a global scale by using less packaging and buying food that hasn’t had to fly thousands of miles to reach you. And in case you needed another reason, food preparation allows you to really connect with the food you eat and to infuse it with love as you cook. (And more time chopping = less time scrolling on social media or mindlessly watching television which means more calories burnt off!)

Watch your alcohol intake Science has proven that alcohol is linked to increased risk of major diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Many people who drink alcohol in a social setting say they feel pressured into doing so by their friends or family. So before you get back into old habits, take some time to think about what you really want and whether alcohol (and hangovers and health issues) are really worth it.

Eat 5 -10 portions of vegetables and fruit daily If your intake is currently low, start by

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

increasing by just 1-2 portions a day for a few weeks and then increase some more. Vegetables and fruit contain essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and colourful phyto-nutrients that boost well-being at a cellular level. These nutrients improve the immune system and aid healing.

difficult. Other great leafy greens include spinach, kale, cabbage, broccoli and watercress. Fresh herbs can be added in abundance too as well as ‘sprouts’ - little sprouted seeds (such as alfalfa or broccoli) that can be bought in small tubs from various shops in Jersey.

Cut out sugar Refined white sugar, golden caster sugar, syrup, sweets, cakes, biscuits and confectionery contain no useful nutrients and may contribute to poor skin and hormone problems. Plus, they’re a source of hidden calories that contribute to slow weight gain over time. Of course, you don’t have to cut out treats completely, but try to avoid sugar on a daily basis with just the occasional piece of a friend’s homemade coffee cake or a slice of banana bread with grandma. If you’re baking at home, it’s easy to replace sugar with mashed banana, applesauce or by adding raisins, blueberries or dark chocolate chips.

Get your body moving Being told to stay at home seemingly made more and more islanders want to get out and explore the island on foot, by bicycle or even with regular sea swims. It really doesn’t matter how you move your body, just do it every day.

If you’re limited due to mobility issues, illness or pain, start small with whatever you can do. Have a little dance in your lounge, wiggle in your office chair or sit on the floor and do some stretches. Try to get your heart rate up so you’re a little out of breath at least 3-4 times a week.

Drink lots of water Ideally consume 1-3 litres daily - depending on your body size, physical activity level and the outside temperature. Remember that raw fruit and salad vegetables all contain water too.

Eat more leafy greens It’s salad season, so adding a big bowl of lettuce to the family meal or a handful of home grown rocket to each plate isn’t too

For more home cooking inspiration and plant-based (vegan) recipes, take a look at my e-books available here: https://thesoulfulword.com/bookshop/ Written by Lorraine Pannetier Intuitive Copywriter and Plant-Based Home Cooking Expert www.thesoulfulword.com

AUGUST ISSUE | 29

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

With Jersey businesses getting back to normal as lockdown lifts what makes some companies excel and others fail WHAT IS THE SECRET OF THE HIGH PERFORMING ORGANISATION WHERE WE ALREADY KNOW THEY WILL ALWAYS ACHIEVE, EVEN IN SUCH CHALLENGING TIMES….

PART 2 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CULTURE AND PSYCHOLOGY OF AN ORGANISATION Mark Shields shares the secrets of the Channel Islands HPO’S LET’S LOOK AT ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE & PSYCHOLOGY 1. WHAT IS ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE? Organisational culture is defined as the underlying beliefs, values, assumptions, strategies and ways of interacting that contribute to the unique social and psychological environment of an organisation.

ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS Organisational culture includes an organisation’s expectations, experiences, philosophy, as well as the values that guide employee behaviour, and is expressed in member self-image, inner workings, interactions with the outside world, and future expectations.

Culture is based on shared attitudes, beliefs, customs, and written and unwritten rules that have been developed over time and are considered fundamental to the success of the organisation by staff, managers, business partners, customers and key stake holders.

Culture also includes the organization’s vision, values, norms, systems, symbols, language, assumptions, beliefs, and habits.

While the above definitions of culture express how the construct plays out in the workplace, other definitions stress employee behavioural components, and how organisational culture directly influences the behaviours of employees within an organisation.

Under this set of definitions, organisational culture is a set of shared assumptions that guide what happens in organisations by defining appropriate behaviour, responsibility and accountability in the main for staff productivity, commitment activity and performance.

Organisational culture affects the way people and groups interact with each other, with clients, and with stakeholders. Also, organisational culture may influence how much employees identify and buy in to the values and philosophy of their organization.

HOW IS ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE CREATED AND COMMUNICATED? Business leaders and managers are vital to the creation and communication of their workplace culture.

Leaders must appreciate their role in maintaining or evolving an organisation’s culture. A deeply embedded and established culture illustrates how people should behave, which can help employees achieve their goals and achieve their targets.

This behavioural framework, in turn, ensures higher job satisfaction when an employee feels part of a team working with managers to achieve results rather than for them. This is where good team leaders are seen to invest in their employees by arranging individual personal development and growth plans for staff combined with the appropriate one on one coaching and skill development.

From this perspective, organisational culture, leadership, employee personal development and job satisfaction are all inextricably linked.

2. THE ROLE OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOLY IN AN ORGANISATIONS SUCCESS Positive psychology emphasizes individuals over tasks and work-related skills, and trains managers to recognise employees’ strengths and weaknesses and put in place outcome focused goals and personal development plans.

When employees feel valued as unique individuals, they give more of their energy and attention to their jobs, often subconsciously.

The happier employees are at work the more motivated they become which often results in lots of additional action being taken to achieve greater productivity levels and higher levels of performance.

Positive Organisational Behaviour (POB) is defined as "the study and application of positively oriented human resource strengths and psychological capacities that can be measured, developed, and effectively managed for performance improvement in today's workplace.

Effective leadership can influence the organisational values such as honesty, respect, ethics and tolerance etc by demonstrating an ideal attitude in the workplace, establishing a vision among the employees, reinforcing accountability, motivating the employees, making a vision plan for the culture and values and by rewarding achievers accordingly.

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING A positive workplace enhances well-being, creativity, and satisfaction. It also creates resilience against negativity and strengthens relationships inside and outside the business.

“Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing, and an applied approach to optimal functioning. It has also been defined as the study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities, and organisations to thrive.”

Positive Psychology can help you become happier in many ways. When we practice focusing on happy things, turning negative into positive, letting go of all negativity. ... It is a practice, finding the positive every day in life, making a list daily of different things you are thankful for. All of these things affect employee’s mindset which is key here and forms the basis of their outlook, feelings, commitment, levels of happiness, and most importantly their motivation to take action in order to achieve results. A positive mindset drives employee to take action which in turn produces results and the more results that are achieved, the more action is taken and so on. Momentum quickly builds, the employee mindset becomes even stronger and more positive and more action is taken. More results are achieved and on it goes.

TIPS TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE MINDSET A positive mindset is something that is experienced at every level so from the conscious to the sub conscious. This is where NLP fits into the mindset model as you will learn later.

Negative attitudes promote fear, and a narrowing of focus and the mind, while positive attitudes do the opposite. No one should live in a constant state of “fight or flight”, but negative attitudes create exactly that scenario.

It has been proven that having a positive mindset makes your view of life seem broad, full of possibilities. That view leads to actually living your life in a way that makes it natural to be exposed to and acquire new skills.

Here are some ways to maintain a positive mindset in the workplace, regardless of whether it comes naturally or not: These will become known to you as the presuppositions of NLP

• If what you are doing isn’t working, do something else.

(Flexibility is the key to success).

• Choice is better than no choice. (Having options can provide more opportunities for achieving results).

• We are always communicating. (Even when we remain silent, we are communicating. Non-verbal communication can account for a large proportion of a message).

• The meaning of your communication is the response you get. (While your intention may be clear to you, it is the other person’s interpretation and response that reflects your effectiveness. NLP teaches you the skills and flexibility to ensure that the message you send equals the message they receive).

• There is no failure, only feedback. (What seemed like failure can be thought of as success that just stopped too soon. With this understanding, we can stop blaming ourselves and others, find solutions and improve the quality of what we do).

• Behind every behaviour there is a positive intention.

(When we understand that other people have some positive intention in what they say and do (however annoying and negative it may seem to us), it can be easier to stop getting angry and start to move forward).

• Anything can be accomplished if the task is broken down into small enough steps. (Achievement becomes easier if activities are manageable; NLP can help you learn how to analyse what needs to be done and find ways to be both efficient and effective).

Well I hoped you enjoyed looking at the importance and importance the culture and positive psychology can have on the overall performance of an organisation. Next month we will be looking at another component of the HPO model, excellent leadership.

Article written by Mark Shields Educator, Coach, Author.

CEO Life Practice Group 01462 431112 https://courses.thecamcoach.com/p/nlppractitioner3

The principles which form the foundation of NLP have been modelled from key people who consistently produced superb results, as well as from systems theory and natural laws. We know these as "The Presuppositions of NLP" As well as a set of powerful skills, NLP is a philosophy and an attitude that is useful when your goal is excellence in whatever you do. We invite you to discover what happens in your life if you simply ‘act as if’ the following statements are true…

• Have respect for the other person’s model of the world.

(We are all unique and experience the world in different ways.

Everyone is individual and has their own special way of being).

• The map is not the territory. (People respond to their ‘map’ of reality, not to reality itself. How people make sense of the world around them is through their senses and from their own personal experience; this means that each individual’s perception of an event is different).

• Mind and body form a linked system. (Your mental attitude affects your body and your health and, in turn, how you behave).

AUGUST ISSUE | 31

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Stand-Up Paddleboarding THIS SUMMER'S HOTTEST STAYCATION WORKOUT The solo sport is enjoying a major moment.

Liz Connor finds out why more and more of us are taking to the water on two feet...

When the sun's shining and it's stiflingly hot indoors, there's no place better to be than the water. But if the thought of submerging yourself in a layer of slimy pondweed at a local lake doesn't appeal, you might want to try gliding across the water instead.

The leisure sport has long attracted a glamorous string of celebrity fans (Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston, to name a few), plus there's a whole legion of Instagram influencers who have boosted its credentials by endorsing it on their feeds.

Stand-up paddleboarding - or SUP - has been growing in popularity over recent years and stockists have reported a major boom during lockdown, with Red Paddle Co seeing a 300% rise in board sales.

With staycations firmly on the cards, and many of us are clamouring for a bit of adventure on home soil, stand-up paddleboarding is emerging as a standout activity for summer.

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

WHAT EXACTLY IS SUP? Stand-up paddleboarding involves standing on a large board and using a single blade paddle to propel yourself forward and navigate your way along lakes, rivers and coastlines.

The sport was developed as an offshoot of surfing in Hawaii, but unlike traditional surfing - where the surfer sits and waits for a wave to come - paddle boarders are on their feet the entire time and don't need waves.

SUP boards are longer, wider and more buoyant than surfboards, which means you can quite easily balance on them without fear of toppling into the water, and you can take in the scenery around you at the same time.

Many converts love paddleboarding because it can be very gentle and slow-moving, making it less adrenaline-soaked and more low-impact than other water sports.

WHAT ARE THE FITNESS BENEFITS? "Paddleboarding has two main benefits on the body," explains physiotherapist Tim Allardyce from Surrey Physio (surreyphysio.co.uk). "Firstly, it's excellent for improving balance, coordination, and preventing falls.

"Because of the unsteady nature of a paddleboard, you have to use small intrinsic muscles around your feet, ankles, knees and hips to maintain stability on the board."

Over time, he says this helps improve balance and stability and can prevent injuries caused by trips and falls, such as sprained ankles and knee problems.

Paddleboarding is also a fantastic whole-body strengthening method, toning the legs, core, spinal muscles, neck, arms and glutes.

"Paddling involves pulling backwards against the resistance of the water, but because you're standing up, you need to engage your core as well as your spinal muscles and latissimus dorsi (large muscle of the upper back) during the movement." Although it looks gentle, paddleboarding is secretly a tough strength workout that can leave your obliques and thighs aching for days.

Getting out in nature is also a big bonus. Allardyce says paddleboarding is also a great way to up your intake of vitamin D, aka 'the sunshine vitamin', which is essential for keeping teeth and bones healthy, regulating mood and supporting resistance against bugs.

Paddleboarding is also a great mindful activity with a host of benefits for mental wellbeing. It's even been described as a kind of 'moving meditation' that requires full concentration, helping you clear your mind of stresses and focus on the here and now.

HOW CAN I DO IT SAFELY? British Marine says if you have some experience and own a SUP, you can explore permitted waterways without any instruction.

They do highlight, however, that it's best to start on calmer rivers or canals before you attempt a spot with a stronger current (and always check whether there are any restrictions in place in the area).

There are also loads of companies offering guided SUP tours and group or one-on-one instruction sessions, which are definitely a good idea. continues overleaf...

AUGUST ISSUE | 33

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

And before you head out on the water, it's helpful to know a few basic safety tips.

disturb wild birds when nesting) and other wildlife that may have returned to the water, such as ducks, swans and fish.

1. Check your kit "Make sure you have the correct board for the conditions and the type of SUPing you're attempting," says John Hibbard, co-founder and CEO of Red Paddle Co (redpaddleco.com). "It's also important to carry a personal floatation device and a mobile phone in a waterproof case, in the event of an emergency."

4. Be responsible Ultimately, paddlers are entirely responsible for their own safety at all times, so it's important to make sure someone knows you're on the water and when you're likely to be back.

Wearing suitable clothing for the weather and conditions whether board shorts and a rash guard, or a full wetsuit in colder conditions - is also important. You might also want to take spare clothing and towels in case you're unfortunate enough to take a tumble.

2. Plan your route If you're new to paddleboarding, select a calm place to paddle with easy access in and out of the water.

"Plan the route and make sure you check the weather conditions, wind direction and tides," says Hibbard. "Even a gentle headwind can be hard work, especially when establishing your SUP technique and building your confidence back up on the water.

Never venture further than you feel comfortable and remember to conserve your energy for the journey back."

If you're launching for the first time (setting off from the shore), Hibbard says you should check if you're actually allowed to use the stretch of water, as in some spots you may need a license.

3. Be mindful of nature "With on-water activity significantly reduced, wildlife has reclaimed much of its habitats," says Hibbard. This means paddlers should take extra care not to disturb nesting birds (it is an offence to

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"Currently, the resources of the waterways authorities and the emergency services are very limited, so have fun but always try to stay safe," says Hibbard.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUNSCREEN ON STAYCATION minutes for UV rays to kickstart the breakdown of collagen in your skin."

So, even if the sun isn't blazing and you're not wearing a bikini on the beach, it's still a good idea to wear sunscreen.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UVA AND UVB? We all know UV rays can damage our skin and lead to cancer, but not everyone's so clear on the difference between UVA and UVB. Dr Mieran Sethi, specialist dermatology registrar with the NHS, puts it simply: "UVA causes ageing and UVB causes burning." This is the crucial part: "SPF sunscreen filters UVB, so it is important to select a sunscreen that has both SPF and UVA filters."

You might not be in the sun quite as much, but you definitely shouldn't be skipping SPF, says Prudence Wade...

This is the time of year we'd normally start preparing for a summer holiday abroad: getting a new bikini, digging out sunglasses and buying our annual bottle of sunscreen.

Unless you're a skincare junkie who applies SPF every day (and bravo to you), the fact you might be swapping your holiday for a staycation this year could mean you forget about sunscreen.

Skin still needs protection - even in the UK and Ireland so here's what you need to know if you're spending more time at home this summer...

DO YOU NEED TO WEAR SUNSCREEN AT ALL? In a word: yes. No matter where you live or what the season is, the best thing you can do for your skin is wear sunscreen every day.

Unfortunately, this is something very few of us actually do - and it's even more likely to fall by the wayside if you're sunbathing in your backyard, instead of an exotic beach.

Here's Dr Howard Murad, dermatologist and founder of Murad Skincare, with a timely reminder: "No matter where you are, UV rays are present all year round, even on cold, cloudy days. UVA rays are the most damaging and account for 95% of UV that reaches earth. They are the same strength year-round and can penetrate your skin through windows, even on cloudy days - so if you're sitting by a window indoors, you should still apply your SPF. They contribute to premature ageing, collagen degradation and even skin cancer. When you go outside, it takes just 10

If your perfect staycation involves sitting on the sofa and watching a box set, you'll still need to wear a product with UVA coverage.

"UVA passes through windows, so damage to skin can occur if you're sitting indoors next to a window, or when sitting in a car.

UVB does not pass through windows," Sethi explains. Murad agrees with this analysis, saying: "UVA rays are the most damaging. They penetrate deeply into the dermis layer of the skin, and can even penetrate through clouds and windows."

When buying sunscreen, make sure you're getting something which has both UVA and B protection. "Sunscreen advertised as SPF 50 only filters UVB radiation," says Sethi. "For a sunscreen to filter UVA radiation, it must also have the UVA filter symbol (UVA in a circle or UVA in a circle with star rating)."

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU APPLY? On holiday, we're used to constantly reapplying sunblock, which might have come off from sweating or swimming. At home, it's a good idea to put sunscreen on after you've washed and moisturised your face in the morning, but whether you need to reapply throughout the day depends on your lifestyle.

Sethi says you should reapply "if you go outside to exercise, or if you are repeatedly touching your face. In general, reapplication is more important if you are outside, as it can be removed by effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure and atmosphere".

One of the biggest mistakes Sethi sees people making with sunscreen is not putting enough on, usually due to consistency of the product and the undesired cosmetic effect of a white residue.

To make sure you're wearing enough, she adds: "I usually recommend people apply sunscreen twice on all exposed sites."

Murad has a visual way of working out how much product to use.

"For each sunscreen application, apply one ounce of sunscreen (equal to a shot glass) to the entire body and face, and continuously reapply when out in the sun for long periods of time," he says. If you do have some time off and are spending it in your garden, be as diligent with your sunblock as you would be abroad. Not only will it protect your skin, but it will also make you feel like you're actually on holiday.

AUGUST ISSUE | 35

La Sablonnerie

First established in 1948, La Sablonnerie retains the characteristics of an old farmhouse built some 400 years ago and is situated on the lovely island of Sark in the Channel Islands.

La Sablonnerie is owned and managed by Elizabeth Perrée.

Guests return-year-after-year to recapture the beauty of the island and to enjoy the excellent cuisine, wine, cosiness and friendliness that is evident at the hotel.

Of course being so close to the sea, freshly caught fish and famous Sark lobsters are popular specialities of the hotel.

La Sablonnerie has been featured by the Which? hotel guide as 'The place to stay in the Channel Islands', and also received the highly coveted award from Condé Nast Johansen - 'Small Hotel of the Year' as well as being nominated as their “Most Romantic Hotel” and now Les Routier’s “Hotel of the Year” Award. Needless to say, you have to visit us to find out exactly what everyone is talking about.

Arrive by ferry or private boat, horse and carriage or just shank’s pony to enjoy the charm of La Sablonnerie, a hotel of rare quality situated in the southern part of Sark, even more beautiful, remote and romantic than the rest. Nestled in gorgeous gardens, a haven for lovers of peace and tranquillity; birds, butterflies and flowers - how could one not enjoy this amazing paradise….. a stepping stone to heaven, even if you just arrive for one of our glorious cream teas or a Lobster Salad in the garden.

Guests gather in the bar or the rose and lavender scented garden for a cocktail or a glass of champagne before dining. The bar with its roaring log fire is a convivial meeting place. After dining, guests return to the bar to sit and converse with each other.

Some guests take advantage of Little Sark as the perfect place for a moonlit walk or simply gazing at star-studded skies. Sark offers exceptional star-gazing due to its lack of light pollution.

Sark is how life used to be, it is like stepping back into an Enid Blyton book….. what dreams are made of, but still having the modern luxuries.

La Sablonnerie is a hotel of rare quality situated in a time warp of simplicity on the tiny, idyllic Channel Island of Sark, where no motor cars are allowed and life ambles along at a peaceful, unhurried pace. The hotel has an enviable reputation for its superb food and wines; local butter, fresh cream, meat, fruit and vegetables which, where possible, are sourced from the hotel’s own farm and gardens. The hotel accommodation is very clean and comfortable and totally geared to unhurried relaxation.

The hotel has been extended and discreetly modernised to provide 22 rooms, each individual in style and décor, including a delightful Honeymoon Suite. Immaculate comfort, lovely linen, fresh flowers and fruit; room service upon request.

Excellent food and service, have ample staff that are courteous and a joy to be with, creating lots of fun and a real joie de vivre for everyone.

Contact: Elizabeth Perrée at TEL: 01481 832061 E-mail: reservations@sablonneriesark.com WEB: www.sablonneriesark.com

Enjoy Spring this year with the whole family, or getaway for a romantic break and enjoy one of the finest eateries in the Channel Islands.

If you are looking for a special present a gift voucher from La Sablonnerie can be purchased in any monetary value.

Choose anything from a delicious luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, an overnight stay or a champagne celebration with canapés.

La Sablonnerie

+44 (0) 1481 832061

Please call Elizabeth Perrée on or E-mail: reservations@sablonneriesark.com www.sablonneriesark.com La Sablonnerie Hotel and Restaurant, Sark, Channel Islands, GY10 1SD.

HOME LIVING

Summer Decor

UPDATES THAT WON'T BREAK THE BANK Want to vamp up your rooms for summer?

Gabrielle Fagan reveals the super buys to snap up now...

Fed up with the same four walls? Maybe it's time to give your space a summer refresh, so that it looks the part on sunny days and cheers you up when the weather doesn't co-operate.

Think colour - zingy shades will lift your mood - and lots of greenery, plus on-trend home accessories for a serving of sizzling home style.

Remember, the dazzle is in the detail - and luckily the high street is spoiling us with designer-look finishing touches this season.

Check out these easy updates and super buys, that will transform your home without busting the budget...

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HOME LIVING

EASY LIVING Design-led shapes and a grey and pale green colour palette combines to create a relaxed vibe in this contemporary scheme.

It's crucial to create an atmosphere around a table, so that when you have people seated around it, the rest of the room recedes.

A stylist trick is to choose slim-leg furniture which allows you to see the floor, as this creates an illusion of space, while accessories arranged at different heights add depth and interest.

Low-level lighting - a pedant, chandelier, or even a row of pendants - will zone the area and make it feel intimate at night.

(Ideally, the bottom of the light fixture should fall around 36inches/91.44cm above the table).

Summer treats Refresh your favourite chill-out area with some new kit in one of the most calming and still fashionable shades on the palette: grey. Avoid being too matchy-matchy though; mixing prints is more modern.

Summer treats Dress to impress is the order of the day for tables. Interior designers rather grandly describe this as creating a 'tablescape' but really it's just about making sure your tabletop is visual feast, so that it adds to the pleasure of the occasion.

Trend tip: Introducing bold brights is one of the easiest ways to turn up the style dial. From lipstick pinks to golden yellows, there's something about saturated hues that will make a space really pop, as well as adding a hit of summer heat.

Feel free to go as elegant or as simple as you wish, but don't neglect this opportunity to let your style credentials shine.

Authentic crafted pieces and quirky touches (be inspired by the fruit bowl for summer motifs) will turn it into a talking point.

SENSUAL SANCTUARY Layered textiles and light materials in shades of pink and white create a calming, relaxing atmosphere that's soothing for summer nights when the temperature rises.

A plain neutral palette for the floor and walls allows the textures and detail in this room to shine. (Remember to choose breathable fabrics like linen and cotton for bedding).

Trend tip: If you're not gifted in the green fingers department, simply fake it with faux plants - greenery is a must for rooms nowadays.

Nothing says summer like beautiful blooms and lush foliage, which hints at steamy exotic settings. Adding accessories in rattan, wicker or raffia will bring a taste of cool colonial style to any setting.

Clutter is the enemy of tranquillity but equally a room dominated with bulky storage can feel overcrowded and oppressive.

Imaginative storage solutions such as pretty trunks, ottomans and under-bed drawers could be a perfect hide-away answer.

DIVINE DINING More and more of us are embracing casual entertaining and stylish eat-in kitchens, rather than formal dining rooms.

The social hub of the home should feel light, airy and inviting.

Contemporary country - a chic update on rustic - can be dressed up or down. For special occasions, add beautiful tablecloths and decorative seat cushions for a touch of glamour, or leave it paredback and simple for a kick-off-your-shoes impromptu supper.

Trend tip: With wooden furniture, opt for pale, lightly washed or matt finishes, where the grain is the star attraction. A sisal, jute or knotted wool rug under a table will help to define the space and bring a layer of comfort and warmth, which works well in an openplan setting. continues overleaf...

AUGUST ISSUE | 39

HOME LIVING

Summer treats Spoil yourself in your private sanctuary, with homeware that adds dollops of personality but whose prices won't disturb your dreams! This is also an easy way to pick up on one of this year's hottest decor trends: tropical.

PAMPER ZONE We've fallen for this special pampering area where you can really spoil yourself when you're getting ready. This is an area where you can truly indulge and create a look and feel that's all your own.

A wow-factor deep green on a wall is guaranteed to make this piece a focal point, framed by the plants' stands and foliage for extra impact.

Trend tip: A mellow mix of green and pink is one of this year's most successful colour combinations. Paint woodwork, skirtings and doors to match the walls to maximise a sense of space.

Instead of a white ceiling, consider a soft pink. This would pull the scheme together and give the impression of a warm glow.

Summer treats Decorative accessories could really give this area a tailored luxe feel.

Choose an elegant mirror that works wonders by reflecting light, metallic bowls for plants, and pots for storing all those essentials.

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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

Summer Bedroom STYLE UPGRADES

From decadent dressing tables to lush linens and accessories, breathe new life into your sleep sanctuary with these top finds, says Sam Wylie-Harris...

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HOME LIVING

Longing to escape to a restful retreat right now? With far-flung hotels and holidays out of the equation for most of us, giving your own bedroom a fresh face for summer might be the next best thing.

In fact, this could be just the staycation solution you need, as a few simple styling tweaks and updates really can go a long way.

Whether you want to unwind your mind with sun-bleached bed linen, pimp up your boudoir with some Hollywood-esque glamour, or introduce some natural timber and exotic foliage into your own private sanctuary, the options are endless.

Need some inspiration? Check out these top picks...

MM LINEN ARLETTE DUVET COVER SET MULTI, FROM JOHN LEWIS Statement florals and big blousy prints always look inviting and fresh - and don't feel like you have to curb your fondness for big bouquets if your flower bed is a single plot.

Whatever size space you're working with, bold blooms can create spectacular impact, especially if you scatter inviting cushions in solid pastels among the flora. Bethan Harwood, home design stylist for John Lewis, suggests pairing floral bedding with real and faux plants, to bring the outside in and create a an ultracalming sanctuary.

ANTONIA GREY MOTHER OF PEARL CHEST OF DRAWERS, GRAHAM & GREEN If you really want to make those blooms best in show, this handcrafted Indian chest is studded with carved mother of pearl in a pretty floral design. Proving furniture can be far more than just functional, this striking piece will easily transform a bedroom wall - especially if you hang a mirror above to create the illusion of more space and light.

HARLOW DUVET COVER SET, BY CAPRICE HOME Hello Hollywood! If you fancy treating yourself to a little decor decadence, this geometric jacquard design, with subtle metallic yarn, shimmers when it catches the light. It could even be dressed with coordinating diamante cushions, sequins and sparkly trimmings from Caprice's range of accessories inspired by other glamorous leading ladies, such Hepburn, Loren and Ava. ROCHELLE STORAGE DRESSING TABLE, NEXT Super swish, this mirrored dressing table evokes art-deco elegance; think feather-trimmed satin robes and vintage star power. Opulent and yet practical, you can maximise your dressing table space with beauty bits and bobs in the drawers, and style up the vanity table with fresh flowers and scented candles. A satin or velvet footstool completes the look.

"Start by making sure the room is cool enough to sleep in," Harwood adds. "You can use temperature controlling sheets, pillows and mattresses to make sure your sleep is uninterrupted.

Try our specialist temperature-balancing 400 thread count cotton sheet, made from 100% cotton; the natural construction helps to wick away moisture lost during sleep to keep you cool. If needed, fans are also a great way to circulate air into the room.

"You can also use a lavender sleep spray to send you off to sleep and make sure your bedding is smelling fresh. Finally, add candles, soft lighting and a blackout blind so no matter the weather, you can drift off to sleep."

continues overleaf...

AUGUST ISSUE | 43

HOME LIVING

combined with pared-back flooring in muted colours and simple accessories that give a nod to the seaside," suggests Topping.

If you're looking for inspiration, Amazon have a mosquito net bed canopy that looks the part, and a new bed could even improve your sleep too.

Topping says to look for a design and mattress that balances practicality and indulgence; functionality and style is important but comfort is king here.

MIRADOR BED LINEN COLLECTION - DUVET COVER, FLAT SHEET AND OXFORD PILLOWCASE WITH BORDER, FROM THE WHITE COMPANY Inspired by five-star luxury and a romantic escape, The White Company is a one-stop shop for bedroom bliss and their new Mirador collection ticks all the right boutique hotel boxes with its cool, silky feel.

"Crafted from exquisite Egyptian cotton sateen and finished with a neutral, stylish linen border, it makes for the perfect summer update for any bedroom," says Chrissie Rucker OBE, founder of The White Company. "Cotton sateen has a smooth delicate finish coupled with a slight sheen and drapes beautifully." Styled with an Indian jute rug and natural seagrass baskets, you'll be a tip-toe away from a sultry, Mediterranean breeze.

WHITE COMPANY SLEEP COLLECTION With the promise of a good night's sleep and sense of wellbeing, bedtime rituals - such as spritzing the bed linen with soothing essential oils infused with lavender and chamomile - call to mind a relaxing spa treatment. White Company's Sleep Collection includes a Sleep Soothing Pillow Mist, Sleep Diffuser and Sleep Candle - you'll be out for the count come nightfall.

BALI WOODEN BED FRAME, CARPETRIGHT As the focal point of the room, a new headboard or bedstead can be a game-changer - and as Damian Topping, head of beds buying at Carpetright, points out, updating the frame allows you to effortlessly rejuvenate a space and instantly set the tone of the room. "Understated wooden frames give a light, natural feel," says Topping.

"Consider a neutral painted style if you're looking for a harmonious space that allows other elements, such as bedding and accessories, to make a statement and can be changed to suit the season and your mood.

"Hanging a lightweight canopy above the bed creates a cosy sanctuary, whilst adding elegance that won't overwhelm the space. Ideal for those looking for staycation-style decor, this is perfectly suited to a laid-back coastal scheme. Particularly when

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ORIGINAL HOME GRADIENT TASSEL-TRIMMED RECYCLED COTTON THROW, SELFRIDGES Blue cotton throws echo coastal colours and add a calming touch. Lightweight enough to be draped on the end of the bed in summer, a cotton throw won't slide off or pack in too much heat.

GREY TIGER BEDSPREAD, GRAHAM & GREEN If you want to ditch the duvet and introduce some nomadic flair and eclectic finds, we love this cotton bedspread with its little grey tiger print and decorative top stitching. Mix and match with pom-pom cushions, a cotton tribal rug or kilim and antique cotton pillowcases, for a feminine, boho chic vibe.

GOLDEN PALM LEAF ORNAMENT, AUDENZA Some say the brighter the better, and with a generous coating of glitz, this timeless sunburst mirror, paired with a plush palm leaf deco, is bound to bring a ray of sunshine to your space.

internal & external sunblind specialist

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HOME LIVING

A Home wi Love and Harmony

BY KATYA PASTORINI, PAINTED BEAUTIFUL

Who does not like the tangibility or structure of an art as guidance? When we began to consider the concept of bringing romance into the home, we came across some ‘interesting’ interior decorating images that were reminiscent of a Barbara Cartland novel, however after filtering out the pink frills and chintz (there is nothing wrong with a little bit of chintz!) we found that we were drawn in by the art of Feng Shui to provide depth to the concept.

Feng Shui can guide us on where to place household items to get the best energetic result. Good Feng Shui creates harmony, happiness, good health and wealth. Chinese beliefs are; if you ignore Feng Shui, you may be inviting the opposite of harmony – disharmony! According to the principles of Feng Shui, all things have energy, even furniture and walls. We do not want disharmony and conflict, do we?

Feng Shui shows us how, and it is not at all complicated. Whether you believe or not, why not give it a try? What have you got to lose, suspend your skepticism and get out your compass.

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FENG SHUI REMEDIES: MORE LOVE AND HARMONY THE BEDROOM A bed with a solid headboard against a wall (not a window) will support those sleeping in it. If you do not currently have a headboard, why not think about adding one? Make it soft and

HOME LIVING

upholstered or solid wood, but make sure it supports you while you are sleeping or getting served breakfast in bed!

The ideal is facing any door or entrance, as this also promotes security. You always want to be able to see who is coming through the door.

The balance of a pair of bedsides with lamps on either side of the bed is important, even if you are currently sleeping in it alone.

This sends out the energetic message that there’s room for a potential partner. Pairs of anything signal couples are welcome here!

For the same reason, keep personal items such as stuffed animals or excess pillows off your bed. Your bed needs to have room.

Any artwork in your bedroom should also reflect love. So, take those pictures of you by yourself (or you with a child or friend) and move them out of your bedroom to another room. Put up art or photos of twosomes or lovers as a way to attract that same energy.

If you have a mirror in the bedroom make sure it is not facing the bed. Mirrors bounce energy around and create a feeling of restlessness. The only use for a mirror in the bedroom would be to “see” your doorway if you are not able to have your bed facing the door.

Consider adding touches of soft colors to the bedroom or bathroom walls. Colour dictates a room’s vibe, more than any other element. Avoid strong energetic colors.

Take out any elements that bring the outside world into your sanctuary. Your bedroom should be a place for relaxation.

Anything else brings disharmony and distraction. Unplug your phone and iPad; banish the TV and any desktop computer. In fact, don’t even consider having a work desk in your bedroom; a work vibe will interfere with romance and sleep.

Declutter your bedroom. You do not want any laundry, past mementos or items that do not support a love vibe, even if something is hidden it still represents energy.

Clear clutter from under the bed and cupboards too. If you have to store bedding under the bed, use soft bags to store it in.

Definitely do not store anything that will create sharp, hard energy. Sports equipment, weapons and files under the bed will not only disrupt your love life but your sleep too.

If you’re in a relationship, place photos of the two of you where you can see them, to boost your sense of being in love. This is especially true if you may not feel in the mood right now!

Keep lighting soft and dimmable.

RELATIONSHIP AREAS IN YOUR HOME NEED LOVE TOO Make sure you pay attention to the other relationship areas in your home.

According to Feng Shui, the southwest corner is energetically the relationship area. This applies to each example if you walk in your front door and your living room is in southwest corner, that is your homes’ relationship area. Any cures or tips for adding love to the bedroom are good to use here too. Obviously, you do not have a bed in the living room, but you can still use pairs of things to decorate that corner of the house with.

What if the kitchen is in the southwest corner of your home? It is the same principle, place the pictures of you and the children in

another room and keep the kitchen just for pairs or two of anything.

As the southwest corner of your home is also the relationship zone, the same applies to the southwest corner of each room.

If your kitchen is in the northwest corner of your home, work out where the southwest corner of the kitchen is and decorate it to support love and harmony.

All it takes is a compass and a bit of imagination!

Think of increasing your love energy throughout the house with Feng Shui.

Your home’s relationship areas aka love zones are just waiting for your energetic touches to attract romantic happy times!

For further information on any of the above pop into Painted Beautiful in the Central Market or contact Carrie or Katya on e-mail: paintedbeautifuljersey@gmail.com www.paintedbeautiful.com Facebook: Painted Beautiful Phone: 07797 816443

AUGUST ISSUE | 47

HOME LIVING

HOW WILL THE PANDEMIC IMPACT

Future Home design trends

Lockdown has forced us all to spend more time indoors so will it alter what we want from our spaces in the future?

Sam Wylie-Harris finds out...

48 | www.thejerseylife.co.uk

HOME LIVING

How we use our homes - and how we feel about them has changed dramatically for many people over recent months.

So, as the world adapts to the 'new normal', it stands to reason that the pandemic and the impact of lockdown is set to have a big influence on future trends.

With increased awareness of social distancing and the functionality of our homes being questioned like never before, Houzz (houzz.co.uk) - the leading platform for home renovation and design - analysed search data and spoke with professionals from their community to predict how life after coronavirus may translate into the design of our future homes...

MORE MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACES Lockdown meant far more of our daily activities took place in our homes, with many quickly adapting them to double up as an office and exercise space too.

Professionals on Houzz expect future homes will be designed with this in mind, utilising clever joinery to create rooms that are reconfigurable depending on the time of day.

"One of the most effective and flexible design solutions for making your home work harder is found with bespoke joinery," says designer Samantha Watkins McRae. "Smart, well-considered bespoke furniture will always improve living and aesthetics, but now more than ever this can be used to transform a room into different functions."

Top tip: A spare bedroom can incorporate a bed that folds seamlessly away to become a desk/study when guests are not there. A children's bedroom can have a play aspect with a fun, considered storage and sleeping solution that moves overspill from other rooms. A poorly used living or dining room can be given new life with a different configuration and flexible desk space, which can be tidied away when not in use.

MUDROOMS AND PORCHES WILL HAVE GREATER APPEAL As awareness for how we bring germs into our homes rises, designers may rethink entryways, with mudrooms and larger porches becoming the norm. Closed off from the rest of the house, these transitionary spaces will allow us to remove and store outerwear, leaving germs at the door.

"Buffer zones have become even more important. These allow the outside to be tempered - viruses, as well as mud, coats and mess, can be contained and not walked through the house," says Rebecca Jones from PWJ Architects, who suggests putting a sink in this space. "Not just for muddy football boots, but for essential hand-washing before you get into the house."

To incorporate a mudroom into your home, Jones says: "Consider converting a garage for this, or you could add a porch.

The beauty of this approach is that in most cases this can be done without extensive remodelling or even the requirement for planning permission (although this does not apply to listed buildings).

"Porches can be put on, or spaces converted without planning permission provided certain criteria are met - position, distances to boundaries, height restrictions and materials. This can be explored in more detail with a design professional or online on the Planning Portal website."

SMART TECHNOLOGY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW Technology has been a growing priority for homeowners over recent years, with 13% of renovators now incorporating smart technology, according to Houzz. As tech continues to become more and more innovative, and more household items have the ability to be controlled remotely, we may begin to see voice recognition technology more commonly used in the home, reducing the need to touch switches, household appliances and remote controls - all common germ hotspots.

No-touch technology is likely to become more popular in the bathroom too, with professionals on Houzz reporting sensorcontrolled taps and lights rising in popularity.

Matt Paine from smart home specialists Wave Controls, says: "There are lots of entry-level smart home products which can control lighting, heating and audio, available on the market. continues overleaf...

AUGUST ISSUE | 49

HOME LIVING

"Look for those that are Alexa or Google Assistant enabled.

These products are fairly easy to set up and can often be done by the homeowner. For a larger system, Control 4 will allow you to control almost any element of your home, speak to a smart home specialist who could advise you on the possibilities."

ANTIMICROBIAL MATERIALS WILL FEATURE MORE As we become more aware of how germs live on the objects we regularly touch, a trend towards more materials with natural antimicrobial properties it also predicted. In the kitchen and bathroom, breeding grounds for germs, professionals on Houzz expect that we could begin to see copper, brass or bronze fixtures replacing stainless steel counterparts.

Floors are another area prone to harbouring germs and as a result, materials such as cork may become more prevalent, utilising its handy antimicrobial, sound-insulating and waterresistant properties too.

CONNECTING TO THE OUTDOORS WILL BE IN HIGH DEMAND Access and connection to outdoor space has become far more valuable. As a result, the Houzz pros expect homeowners to place greater importance on having outdoor space of their own, increasing the demand for homes with balconies and gardens.

Connecting kitchens to the outdoors has been a popular trend on Houzz for the last few years, with 52% of kitchen renovators opting for designs that open up to their garden or patio area.

Richard Hobden from RHJB Architects expects to see this continue: "The intrinsic links we seek to create between home and garden have become invaluable. Although somewhat cliched, the merging of internal and external environments provides the impression of greater space and significantly reduces the feeling of confinement."

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Hobden says improving the connection between your kitchen and garden can be achieved in several ways, suiting both how you live and your budget.

Simply enlarging a traditional small window, dropping the sill to the floor and opening it up will create an impact. Equally, adding a projecting window with a reading seat can provide an attractive light-filled feature. Extending your kitchen and introducing large format glazed pivot or sliding doors will add swathes of light to both your new and existing spaces.

Where possible, RHJB always detail a level sill between the inside and outside, making the garden feel like an extension of the room, and improving access for all.

L O O K I N G F O R WA R D T O BRIGHTER TIMES? If you are looking to buy your dream Summer/Winter getaway in the French Alps and can’t find what you a r e l o o k i n g f o r … . We c a n h e l p !

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HOME LIVING

KEVIN MCCLOUD ON SMART HOMES AND THE FUTURE OF DOMESTIC TECH The Grand Designs frontman discusses his favourite gizmos, and why robots may be invading homes sooner rather than later. By Luke Rix-Standing....

Voice-activated kettles, app-controlled toilets, and ovens that can tell you the weather - love it or loathe it, the smart home is here to stay.

We talked to veteran Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud about the rise of the tech-savvy houshold, and what's in store for the homes of the future...

For all the Luddites out there, what does the phrase 'home tech' really mean?

"I'm a Luddite - I don't like things to be complicated, and the more stuff you have hardwired into your building, the more things can go wrong. I'm not a fan of the really geeky stuff that turns a house into a machine, where you've got to spend an hour a day adjusting the controls.

"What's happened to our homes is exactly what happened to our computers, only 15 or 20 years later. When the first examples of home tech emerged, they were highly complex pieces of equipment that would fill entire rooms and burn through enough energy to heat the whole house.

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"Now you can run a house with an app, and even my mother could do it.

There are some amazing little devices in 'the internet of things', which are inexpensive and can bring immeasurable improvements to our quality of life."

What's your favourite home tech invention?

"A few years ago, I tested a product called the Foobot, which tells you how healthy your air is by measuring things like CO2, bug spores and volatile organic compounds. It's also controlled via an app and responds remotely when tapped.

"Parents started using it to know when their kids came home they would tap the Foobot, which would alert the parents. I know one person who used it for their mother to indicate when she'd been moving around - which would create dust and change the quality of the air. People started using as a monitoring system for their relative, without being intrusive. It's really intriguing how people find new uses for devices.

"I'm also a real fan of mechanical ventilation and heat recovery.

It's a very clever way of recycling energy."

HOME LIVING

"My front door has too big sliding bolts. I'd love to click it open with fob, like you might with a car, but not if, as I discovered this morning, you can hack almost any car that has a fob really easily. There are some really profound issues around data mining and right to privacy, and it's going to be very significant going forward."

Is it realistic that we might see fully-fledged robots in our homes before too long?

Just how substantial has the shift towards smart homes been?

"The time-span is larger than you might think. It's taken about 15 years and we're not there yet - I still have very little tech, although younger people have more. We're in the process of moving from tech seeming inaccessible, expensive and superficial - for engineers who want to play with gadgets - to a place where anyone can have a colour-changing light bulb.

"I think the most interesting things are happening with the quieter stuff - air quality, ventilation, energy performance and so on.

There's a new set of devices with infrared temperature sensors, which can detect a body in a room and turn down the heating if it thinks you're too warm.

That's really clever - saving money and the planet one go."

Has the rise of home tech influenced guests on Grand Designs?

"In subtle ways. People can now do things like sunlight modelling on desktop computers, and figure out engineering and environmental performance during the design process.

That wasn't easily accessible 10 years ago.

"Go to Japan - Japan is full of robots! The Japanese tech philosophy is bound up in the robotic, but American technology is all about start-ups and how to feed the population with synthetic meat. In a way, there's a lot of things in American tech that I find quite self-serving.

"The most interesting place for technology is China, where developers are unencumbered by impediments like democracy and local planning. If they want to build a 30-storey vertical farm, they will; if they want to take the food waste of a entire city, and create an organic farm by feeding it to one million cockroaches, they will. It's not weird science-fiction - this has all happened.

China has really stolen a march on the rest of the world - they know the only way to survive as a society is through an alliance between high tech and green tech."

Are there any major domestic problems you'd like to see home tech take a crack at?

"Yes - human fallibility. Forgetting to take the dry-cleaning, having 200 emails in your inbox, leaving your bag behind - the 'where are my keys' sort of questions that drive me nuts. These are fundamental questions we all have, and tech doesn't seem to be able to answer them yet."

"You also see it in building technology and componentry. In glazing, for example, manufacturers can now attach all kinds of coatings to glass that create a sort of smart glazing, which can let visible light in but keep infrared out. It's also good to see technology applied in things like designing scaffolding, which you can now do on site with an iPad." There are worries surrounding home tech and security should people be concerned?

"I think concerns about privacy are very common (we all worry we've left the door unlocked don't we?), and there is always a risk with our homes.

Hacking certainly adds another layer of risk, and as the software and devices develop so too will the hackers.

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HOME LIVING

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE A LEAK Plumbing problems aren't always obvious but it's best to act fast if you spot any signs.

Sam Wylie-Harris seeks some expert advice...

Home water systems can be complicated and expensive at the best of times, so the last thing anyone wants is a leak to deal with.

£9 - £35 a year on average and these can quickly become a bigger problem if ignored."

While a sudden torrential leak might be easy to spot though, smaller leaks can often go unnoticed - or ignored - which isn't good news.

If you suspect a serious leak, Schulman says a good way to test this is to turn on the taps and see if you have a substantial drop in water pressure. You should try this with multiple taps around the home, which could help you identify the potential problem area.

"When a leak springs, they're often difficult to spot and usually by the time you do, it's too late," says Izzy Schulman, director of Plumbers4u.

"If it's clear these signs aren't coming from within the home, one of the external pipes connecting your house to the street supply might have burst.

"Repairing a leaking pipe can cost you anywhere between £160 £310, depending on the size and scale of the problem.

"To rule out this issue on your property and avoid a hefty repair bill, ask around your neighbourhood to see if they're having the same trouble.

"It's important to get the issue dealt with as soon as possible, as a more substantial burst can send repair costs skyrocketing into the thousands," Schulman urges.

So, what should you be on the lookout for, and what can you do to stop the problem from getting worse? Here, Shulman outlines four signs you may have a water leak in your home...

HIGH WATER BILLS OR LOW WATER PRESSURE "Depending on your plan and usage, the cost of water bills can fluctuate, but for most homeowners it's usually within a predictable range. If it starts to become regularly higher than you've budgeted for, there might be an underlying problem," says Schulman. "Even the smallest of leaks can set you back an extra

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HOME LIVING

It could be an issue in your street's main supply line," suggests Schulman.

Mould of this kind becomes visible within 24-48 hours, making it something to look out for."

UNUSUAL SOUNDS AROUND THE HOUSE "Strange noises like gurgling, dripping and bubbling can tell you a lot about the health of your home, even more so about your pipes. If these sounds are coming from your sinks, toilets or bathroom, it could possibly signal a leak.

As soon as you see mould start to appear and if the area isn't too saturated, Schulman suggests getting it cleaned before anything nasty becomes airborne. This can be done by dousing the area with mould and mildew remover and letting it soak for five minutes before wiping it away. Give the area several applications of the remover as mould of this kind can be stubborn and hard to remove.

"One of the most common issues in the bathroom is a leaky cistern. You can find out if you have a toilet issue by placing a few drops of food colouring in your toilet tank. Leave the toilet alone for half an hour and when you return, check to see if the water in the bowl of the toilet has become tinted with the dye from the tank. If this has happened, there's a leak between the tank and the bowl."

If you're becoming concerned by unnatural noises in your home, check your water meter. If it's still registering water usage or ticking, Schulman says it's time to contact your local plumber.

MOULD, MILDEW AND ODD SMELLS If you've noticed a musty smell, patchy discolouration on your walls or the rapid growth of mould, it could be the sign of a leak in your home.

OUTDOOR POOLING (GATHERING AND NOT DISPERSING) If you've spotted your bills are too high and you suspect a leak, it's worth looking at your front and back gardens too. "Check them for overgrown areas of grass. Leaking pipes fertilise the surrounding area leading to an overgrowth of grass around the leak; this is usually accompanied by an unpleasant smell.

If nothing is growing as a result, look for persistent pooling of water or a particular patch that's always saturated, this is another tell-tale sign," says Schulman.

"If the leak is leading to this level of saturation, there's a good chance the burst is big enough to potentially weaken your home's foundations, so it's best to get it looked at straight away."

"Musty scents are a key giveaway; even in bathrooms and toilets where high volumes of water circulate, you shouldn't be able to smell anything musty or mouldy," advises Schulman.

"When discolouration or mould appears on the walls or ceiling, there's a good chance the leak has sprung from within the wall.

This sort of job should be left to a professional to avoid making the problem worse.

They'll be far more equipped to handle these issues and have all the specialist technologies to diagnose the problem quickly and accurately.

"The growth of mould is an obvious symptom as it thrives in humid temperatures. Leaky pipes provide the moisture that makes any problem areas a breeding ground for mould and mildew, which, if left untouched, can produce dangerous and harmful spores in as little as three days.

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HOME LIVING

HOW TO CREATE A

Garden getaway

By Hannah Stephenson

Choosing a staycation? You can still capture a feel of the tropics in your garden with plants and accessories, experts insist...

While many of us may be staycationing this year, there are ways to create a holiday haven in our gardens using plants and decor that mimic a host of exotic destinations.

RHS Garden Wisley's exotic garden, for example, houses not only tropical-looking pineapple plants, striking palms and giant banana trees which flourish in summer, but shows what will survive the winter.

RHS Wisley's garden manager Emma Allen, who looks after the exotic garden, says: "When experimenting with tropical plants at home, remember the 'right plant, right place' rule. If you have a shady corner, make sure you plant shade tolerant options, and if you have sun trap areas, select plants that will flourish there."

ALLEN'S TOP PLANTS FOR A TROPICAL SENSATION...

Trachycarpus fortunei - a really hardy palm (down to between -10 C and -15 C), this will give your garden the exotic look and feel without the need to worry about whether it will survive through winter. They are rather slow growing, ultimately reaching a height of over 12m after 20-50 years.

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Canna - any type of canna will bring large juicy leaves and exotic looking flowers in pink, orange, yellow, white or red.

Some have variegated leaves such as Canna 'Stuttgart' or 'Phaison'.

Passiflora caerulea a hardy semi-evergreen climber with the most striking flowers. This vigorous plant will cover a wall or pergola in no time.

Fatsia japonica a medium-sized evergreen shrub with palmately-lobed leaves to 45cm in width, and small white flowers in clusters and small black fruits.

Dahlia - extravagant and flamboyant flowers, plus they flower all summer long. For drama and colour, try 'Karma Choc' (Decorative Group) with dark red velvety flowers, or 'Edwin's Sunset' (Waterlily Group) with beautiful vivid red flowers that almost glow.

FREEDOM Activity Camp GET SOME EXTRA COACHING IN YOUR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS! A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE

USE DECOR AND ACCESSORIES...

Blend your tropical-looking plants with exotic accessories and seating to create a holiday feel. Experts at Dobbies Garden Centres (dobbies.com) offer five design tips to help you into the holiday mood...

Go totally tropical Fill patio containers with a selection of vibrant bedding or perennial cottage garden plants for an instant display of foliage and flower colour, including Cordyline australis 'Peko', along with potted palms such as Phoenix canariensis, Chamaerops humilis (dwarf fan palm) and Trachycarpus fortunei to add height and interest and look great in groups. Position pots behind garden furniture to create the illusion that they are planted in the ground.

DANCE AND DRAMA TRAMPOLINING ART & CRAFTS POTTERY RACQUET SPORTS BASKETBALL CRICKET 5-A-SIDE FOOTBALL WEEKLY CAMPS Venue: Grainville School Dates: 3rd, 10th & 17th August £175 for the 5 day Summer camps

For more information, application forms and availability please contact Jim Westwater Tel. 721640 or 07797 723496 Email: moascfreedom@gmail.com or click: www.freedomactivitycamp.com continues overleaf...

HOME LIVING

Create a colour pop Bring a brilliant burst of sunshine and add some zing to your exterior space using an eclectic array of brightly coloured pots, mixing and matching flowers in contrasting shades for maximum impact. Fun accessories will quickly brighten patios or balconies.

Choose pots in vibrant primary colours, which will really pop against white or neutral backdrops.

Bring the indoors out Brighten your garden getaway by bringing houseplants outside for the day. Adding your favourite indoor orchid to a bistro table will create a tropical centrepiece - just be sure to return them to their normal home later on to ensure they don't get exposed to too much direct sunlight.

An outdoor rug will instantly transform your space and offers protection to patios and decking from sun cream spillages or melting ice creams.

They also help to zone an area, adding a stylish decorative touch.

Day beds and hanging egg chairs are the ultimate garden getaway luxury if you have room.

Make it magical For atmospheric evenings, accessorise with a variety of lanterns, fairy lights and candles to enhance the mood - it is amazing how magical a space can look at twilight. A stylish lantern, or a solar-powered string of lights draped across trees and fences will stretch out the time spent outside. Use blankets, floor cushions and chunky knit throws to keep warm and curl up under the stars.

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And when the sun sets...

Take the chill out of cooler evenings by investing in a practical chiminea or fire pit for your patio, adding warmth and light to extend outdoor entertaining.

And think about how you are going to protect your plants during the cooler months, RHS expert Allen advises. "As many domestic gardeners do not have the time or space to bring plants inside over winter, it is essential to protect in situ. If focusing on the tropical look, select hardy options such as trachycarpus, fatsia, eucomis, tricyrtis, schefflera and zantedeschia, which will re-emerge after winter.

"If you want to have bananas or half-hardy palms, try wrapping them throughout the winter using horticultural fleece or hessian and fill the inside with straw for extra insulation," she adds.

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TRAVEL

Experience a little Irish Charm in the city of

Cork

by Rebecca Underwood

Cork City Gaol exterior

Cork City

Prior to the lockdown, I was most fortunate to encounter a little Irish charm when I opted for a relaxing weekend break in Cork. This intriguing city, located on the banks of the majestic River Lee, is separated into two channels and the centre of the city nestles on an island formed by those channels. To the east of the city centre the channels reunite and quays and docks lead the way into Lough Mahon at the high end of Cork Harbour, one of the world’s greatest natural harbours.

In 606 AD, Cork was a monastic community, established by Saint Fin Barre and his church and monastery were located on the spot where today, stands the Church of Ireland’s imposing Cathedral of Saint Fin Barre, consecrated in 1870. I wandered around this magnificent structure, admiring the Bath stone interior enhanced by the red Cork marble lining the walls as the golden sunlight flooded through the beautiful stained glass windows. The soaring Gothic spires and the bell tower, where eight of the thirteen bells date back to 1753, are simply mesmerising.

St Fin Barre's Cathedral

Moynihan's Grocers

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The Red Abbey, considered a national monument, is another popular site to visit. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it stands on the site of an Augustinian abbey, deemed to have been established in the 14th century and thought to have been occupied by friars until the 1700’s. During the siege of Cork in 1690 the abbey tower was used as a vantage point to stem the rebellion and to break links with James II, King of England. Alas, the original building was destroyed by fire in 1799 but the square tower remains intact and is the oldest structure throughout the city.

A popular spot to visit for a local lunch is the English Market, which has been trading since 1788 and is located on Prince’s Street along the treelined Grand Parade. The market attracts hordes of locals and visitors alike and when her majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2011 she was said to be delighted. I browsed along the stalls, crammed with traditional Irish fare and culinary delights from around the world. Settling down on a perch, at one of the stall side counters, I sampled a few slivers of blood

TRAVEL

Hayfield Manor sausage, known as 'drisheen', and then tasted ‘battlebord’, a delicious dish of fresh buttered eggs and dried salted ling, followed by a boiled pig’s foot, known as a Crubeen.

With a fancy for an afternoon tipple or two I walked along to the Franciscan Well Brewery on North Mall where, I was reliably informed, a traditional warm Irish welcome awaits. Beers are brewed in-house and the shining copper tanks at the rear of the bar dispense the beers direct to the taps. I found myself a table in the covered beer garden and was engaged in lively conversation with the regulars in no time at all.

I then headed for the nearby Church of St Anne, founded in 1726, which is situated in the Shandon area of Cork city. Known locally as the church tower of Shandon, it perches on a hill overlooking the River Lee, and the church tower, which is noted for its eight bells, is regarded as a landmark and a symbol of the city.

Visitors are welcome to climb to the first floor and ring the bells themselves.

Blarney Castle, another popular attraction, is only fifteen minutes by road from the city. The castle dates back to 1446 and was built

by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster. The lower walls are fifteen feet with an angle tower built by the McCarthy’s of Muskerry.

The castle was then occupied by Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster, whom it is said, sent four thousand of his men to support the forces of Robert the Bruce at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. According to legend the Scots gave half of the Stone of Scone to McCarthy in appreciation of his support and this stone was incorporated into the battlements of Blarney Castle. Those who kiss the Blarney Stone, and the majority of visitors do so, are said to be rewarded with the gift of eloquence.

To experience a little piece of heaven and to take advantage of a true haven of tranquillity, I embarked on a stroll around the castle’s wide variety of gardens. The bog garden features two calming waterfalls and it’s the ideal place to reflect on the stunning surroundings. I wandered along the wooden boardwalk, passing by several varieties of bog plants, and paused awhile to admire a group of three yew trees, said to be over 600 years old.

The Fern Garden is located at the end of a grassy path often lined with beautiful wild flowers and it features a display of over 80 types of fern, one of which is the 204 inch high Dicksonia Antartica, the tallest fern in Ireland. The poison garden is simply fascinating and includes a collection of plants, which are all highly toxic and safely displayed in large cage- like structures. Exhibits include Ricin, Wolfsbane and Mandrake.

Grand Suite at Hayfield Manor I then took a leisurely stroll along the Mardyke Riverside Walkway, which opened in 2006. The new Mardyke Bridge spans the river Lee and is the ideal spot to take a minute or two to admire the beauty of Mother Nature all along the banks of the river.

Feeling a trifle fatigued after all my excursions, I checked into the sumptuous Hayfield Manor located on Perrott Avenue in the centre of the city. This family owned business opened in 1996 and is the recipient of the 2020 Independent Reader Travel Award for Ireland’s Best Welcome. Accommodations are beautifully furnished with tasteful antiques, plush fabrics and comfortable beds with plump pillows, ensuring a deep slumber for weary explorers. I was fortunate to stay in a grand suite, which measures 750 square feet and includes a living room with a three piece suite and a marble fireplace. The large windows flood the space with natural light and provide sweeping views across the manor gardens. Hotel facilities include a luxury spa offering a wide variety of treatments including facial therapies, body rituals and massages. And, for an exceptional dining experience, Orchids, the hotel’s award winning restaurant offers an extensive menu of delicious dishes presented in opulent surroundings and of course, as expected, the service is excellent.

Partial to a late night tipple and some traditional Irish music, I went along to 'Sin è' which translates to ‘That’s it’, in reference to the funeral parlour next door! This lively and popular pub, located on Coburg Street, first opened in 1889 and has been presenting ‘live’ traditional Irish music for more than 50 years. The most popular musicians play on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and you can expect some spontaneous and energetic dancing and singing and I was easily persuaded to join in a hearty rendition of Paddy McGinty’s Goat!

‘Now Patrick McGinty, an Irishman of note, fell in for a fortune, and he bought himself a goat. Say’s he ‘sure of goat’s milk I’m going to have me fill’, but when he brought the nanny home, he found it was a bill.’

Spend a weekend in Cork and you’ll be charmed.

For more information on the featured hotel visit hayfieldmanor.ie Images (excluding accommodation) provided with the kind permission of Tourism Ireland.

AUGUST ISSUE | 61

FASHION

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FASHION

GORGEOUS GINGHAM PIECES FOR EVERY SUMMER OCCASION The pretty check print is a summer style staple, says Katie Wright...

What could be more summery than gingham? Reminiscent of picnic basket linings, Brigitte Bardot's famous wedding dress, Dorothy's pinafore frock in The Wizard Of Oz and even school dresses, there's something so sweet about the classic check print.

Gingham never really goes out of style, but this season it's having a high fashion renaissance thanks to Emilia Wickstead, who created a variety of looks for her SS20 show in the print.

As seen on Little Women star Florence Pugh, the designer's vintageaesthetic lends itself beautifully to pastel pattern.

To emulate the catwalk look, a gingham dress is a must.

Whether maxi or mini, team your frock with strappy sandals and a mini bag.

For something a bit more edgy, team a gingham blouse with acid-wash denim and ballet flats, for that French cool-girl vibe.

Don't be scared to mix your ginghams too add a contrasting coloured headband for an interesting print clash.

Or achieve retro pin-up perfection on the beach with a gingham swimsuit - add a block colour knotted headband and cat-eye sunglasses to complete the look.

Now, the high street is awash with gingham gorgeousness - from shirts to shoes to swimwear.

AUGUST ISSUE | 63

ARTS AND CULTURE

THE ARTS SOCIETY JERSEY IN LOCKDOWN

Peter Le Rossignol with Arts Society Jersey member June Summers Shaw It was a baptism of fire for Peter Le Rossignol, chairman of the Arts Society Jersey, who took over the role in September and, just a few months later, was faced with no speakers and no meetings because of Covid 19 lockdown.

Fortunately, Peter has been an accredited Arts Society lecturer himself for several years so was able to put his experience to good use by delivering two online lectures via Members enjoy brunch at YouTube.

Jersey artist Jason Butler's Julie Cameron from the studio, following a talk by Society’s Committee the artist made a video of him at his house while he spoke on ‘Treasures of Far Cathay’ and ‘Tea, Travel and Domestic in Silver’.

The link was then included in the regular newsletter emailed to all Jersey members so that they could watch the talk at home.

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The Arts Society Jersey is the local branch of the leading arts education charity with a Head Office in London. It has around 90,000 members worldwide. During lockdown, Head Office was also determined to keep members informed and entertained.

It sent out an e-newsletter entitled Monthly Highlights with news, offers, book reviews, interviews and features. There was also its Instant Expert series of talks in which different lecturers spoke on subjects such as Fakes and Forgeries and Andy Warhol.

This year saw the launch of connected.theartssociety.org which further helped to keep members in touch.

The next lecture season starts in September. The Jersey speakers have been booked and will be covering a wide variety of the Arts, from the works of Raphael and Tchaikovsky to the design of Great Railway Stations. Discussions are under way with the Royal Yacht Hotel, St Helier, where meetings are usually held, to ascertain the arrangements that will be made so that talks can take place in compliance with Covid 19 regulations. Further details will be available shortly.

Peter Le Rossignol had this to say: ‘My first year has indeed been blighted by the pandemic but, with the help of the Committee, we have managed to keep the membership up to speed with the Art world not only in Jersey but

Peter Le Rossignol, chairman of the Arts Society Jersey, giving a talk on a national scale. The making of the local video lectures was great fun and we are very fortunate to have an IT expert on the Committee who did a wonderful job in filming and editing.

We were also lucky to have local artist Nick Romeril who produced three short videos about his work.

During the first year of sitting in the chair I have had the privilege of viewing some of the youth art that we sponsor and was very impressed with the concepts and the finished works. The Society is keen to promote the arts in all areas and especially in the young, so here’s to a new season and more exciting discoveries.’ During the new season Arts Society Head Office will be continuing its online support by using YouTube to broadcast live hour-long lunchtime lectures, exclusive to members, every month from September to December.

The Jersey membership secretary is Mary Adelmann who can be reached at: mary@theartssocietyjersey.org.

Lady Dalton, patron of the Arts Society Jersey, at a members' event

ARTS AND CULTURE

ARTHOUSE JERSEY: Keeping the Island’s creative fires burning...

ArtHouse Jersey, much like every single organisation on our fair Isle, was thrown by the approach of lockdown. Beyond ‘what does this mean for the way we work?’ and ‘how can we still deliver the aspects of our programme that demand a physical presence?’, most importantly we wondered ‘how can we support artists across the island right now to inspire and encourage the community to harness creativity while we all come to terms with this behemoth shift in our lives?’

We quickly set to work launching the islandwide 19 Day Drawing Challenge, working alongside local illustrator Will Bertram. The idea was to present a theme each day from the 1st of April for 19 days with the hope that artists and novices alike would roll up their sleeves and step away from their screens for an amount of time a day to calm the mind and create something fun. The associated hashtag #IsolationCreationJersey was used to share over 1,500 original pieces of local artwork and some of the best of those are currently on display in our digital gallery at arthousejersey.je.

We then swiftly launched our new digital platform ArtHouse Jersey Presents, a fresh digital space for emerging and established artists to exhibit, promote and share their work. It was designed to showcase a mix of specially commissioned pieces of digital content along with work created and submitted online. Since its inception in early April, we have now published and promoted

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coming up to one hundred pieces of original, locally connected content.

And the demand from both artists and viewers shows no signs of slowing down.

Once we moved beyond those strict days of enforced isolation we began exploring high quality broadcast live streaming.

Working with external producers JP Le Blond and Paul Bisson we delivered our inaugural live stream with local band Hot Juice from Chambers last month.

The sound, look and feel of the stream was incredible, so we are excitedly planning more music streams for late summer / early autumn. Watch this space!

As far as getting out into the community goes we launched Skipton Forget Me Knots back in July, a large scale art project designed as a direct response to the pandemic. We are bringing specially facilitated workshops to thousands of children in schools and community groups right across the island. The children make paper forget-me-not flowers in the workshops while taking time to talk about and process their emotional journey through COVID19 so far. These thousands of flowers will go toward creating a breathtaking installation which will be on display at a centralised location in St. Helier in November.

Finally, for the first time since March, we were able to safely invite Jersey’s public to our HQ at the Greve de Lecq Barracks in July as we launched ArtHouse Jersey Pop-Up, a brand new series of pop-up

exhibitions at our studio space there.

Just another way we can help keep artists connected to those who may enjoy their work!

As well as supporting artists with our Meet The Producers (a scheme that offers advice and guidance) and Seed Funding (an opportunity for artists to apply for funds towards their work or development), we continue to adapt and tweak our programme to meet the newly found needs of society today.

Currently, we’re working on two potential large scale projects that, should the wind be blowing in our favour, will be enjoyed

by Jersey’s public before the year is out.

But we always have our eye well into the future at ArtHouse Jersey and ideas for 2022’s programme are already coming together thick and fast. Hopefully, a pandemic-less year of Art for us all…

Find all ArtHouse Jersey details over at www.arthousejersey.je For more details on all the above and regular updates be sure to follow ArtHouse Jersey’s social media channels.

SHORT STORY

SUNDAY ROAST

By Barbara Kendall-Davies Ever since Mel had seen photos of vintage dolls’ houses in Constance Eileen King’s book on the subject, she had coveted a tin one, colourfully lithographed inside and out, which was manufactured by Mettoy in the 1950s, long before she was born twenty-three years ago. She often sought it on Ebay but could hardly believe her luck when she won an auction for a Mettoy house, just like the one in the book.

She expected it to arrive by post but was afraid that it would be dented in transit. However, she was delighted when the owner, Barney Taylor, informed her that he would deliver it in person as he lived in Bushey which was only a stone’s throw from her home in Stanmore.

Recently graduated from University and a teacher training course, she had just taken up a teaching post at a private primary school in North West London. A ground floor flat came with the job and Mel was thrilled that her life was turning out so smoothly. She liked the sound of Barney’s voice on the phone and invited him to stay for lunch when he delivered the house on Sunday as a thank you for his kindness. Although she lived alone, she liked to cook a traditional Sunday roast and looked forward to testing her culinary skills on her new acquaintance.

When he arrived she was delighted to find that he was a personable young man who appeared to be in his late twenties. He placed a large cardboard box on a side table but as lunch was almost ready, Mel said she would unpack it after they had eaten. The smell of the roast lamb was tantalising and Mel served it with a selection of beautifully cooked vegetables and a succulent gravy. Over the meal they chatted as if they had always known each other and Mel learned that Barney was a single guy who owned a joinery firm in Watford. His Aunt Mabel, who had brought him up, had died eighteen months before, leaving him her cottage in Bushey and her old dolls’ house.

With a home of his own, he proposed to his girlfriend, Flick, and a date for the wedding was set. However, just two weeks before the event, Flick collapsed and died of sudden death syndrome. She was only 27 and apparently fit and well so the cause of her death was a mystery.

However, though a rare occurrence, such a tragedy is not unknown.

Barney had a catch in his throat as he told Mel that his world and all his dreams had come crashing down.

She hardly knew what to say, so said nothing, merely placing her hand over his in sympathy. He said that he was now coming to terms with the fact that he had to go on with his life, but at first he had hit the bottle hard. Fortunately, he had good friends who brought him back from the brink and convinced him that there is no guardian angel at the bottom of a bottle. Instead they encouraged him to throw himself into his work, and his joinery business really took off. In addition he began making improvements to his cottage then joined an amateur dramatic group as a set designer and builder.

He had not intended to reveal so much about himself to Mel but found her a very sympathetic listener who allowed him to speak candidly about his feelings. It was a relief to talk to a stranger because with friends he held a lot back in order to put on a brave face.

Mel was interested in his drama group so moved the conversation in that direction. She told him that she had acted at University and was keen to join such a group now that she was getting settled in Stanmore.

“Well, you are in luck” he answered “because auditions are being held on Wednesday evening for roles in Alan Ayckbourne’s “Bedroom

Farce”. “Oh, I have seen it,” beamed Mel, “it is absolutely hilarious, and I would love to have a part in it. I was in his “Season’s Greetings” at University and it was a hoot. Barney took out his phone and gave her the name and number of the Chairman, Bill Doughty, which she put into her own phone. “Call this evening”, advised Barney, “as he will probably be at home.” “I certainly will” answered Mel. “We could do with some new blood,” Barney assured her, “so I think you are in with a good chance. The auditions will be held at 7.30 pm at the Darby and Joan Club in Watford. Do you know it?” “Oh yes, the bus stops right outside it and I often travel that way going to the Junction Station.”

When they had finished coffee, Barney excused himself as he was due in Aylesbury to deliver a table to a customer. However, he said he hoped to see her on Wednesday as he would be there to show his designs to the director for the new production.

After he left, Mel poured another cup of coffee and sat thinking about this latest turn of events then she began to unpack the dolls’ house.

To her delight, even though old, it was in beautiful condition.

Truly, Barney’s aunt must have loved it to have looked after it so well.

It was just the kind of house that Mel would have loved to live in full size.

The exterior had red brick walls, with green shutters and a cream door and surrounding white porch. The roof had green tiles and there was a single storey garage on the right hand side with lithographed tools on walls and floor. The interior walls of the house were printed with fireplaces, bookshelves, pictures, carpets on the floor and tiling in the bathroom and kitchen. There was even a nursery with shelves full of toys printed on the walls and a quantity of original plastic furniture as well as miniature dolls were included in the sale. What a find it was, and Mel blessed the fact that it had introduced her to Barney; then, like a bolt from the blue, she suddenly realized that she had just met her future husband. Maybe Aunt Mabel and Flick were not so far away after all, but were still looking out for their darling Barney and guiding his destiny.

Well, only time would tell but Mel had stars in her eyes as she loaded the dishwasher and looked forward to sharing more meals with Barney in the years to come.

Copyright, Barbara Kendall-Davies, Jersey, Channel Islands, 2018

Barbara Davies is a long time member of the Jersey Dolls' House and Miniaturist Club? Unable to meet for a while!

AUGUST ISSUE | 67

MOTORING

LOTUS ELISE CUP 250 By Darren Cassey As cars get bigger and heavier, the lightweight Elise Cup 250 is an appealing prospect.

Darren Cassey puts it to the test...

WHAT IS IT? If you're after a purist driving experience, the Lotus Elise is one of the go-to names. The model's been around since 1996 and has become world-renowned as a lightweight sports car that's utterly fantastic to drive.

In the years since its inception, the principles have remained the same, and the car doesn't look much different either. It's still very small and very lightweight, preferring to be agile in the corners than fast in a straight line, and as mainstream cars get bigger and bigger, this Lotus arguably gets even more appealing. But is it still as relevant in 2020?

Facts at a glance Model as tested: Lotus Elise Cup 250 Engine: 1.8-litre supercharged four-cylinder petrol Power: 240bhp Torque: 249Nm Max speed: 150mph 0-60mph: 3.9 seconds MPG: 36.2 Emissions: 177g/km CO2

68 | www.thejerseylife.co.uk

MOTORING

HOW DOES IT LOOK? While its predecessors could almost be considered cute-looking, the latest Elise has a somewhat meaner appearance. It's far from aggressive, but there are fewer curvy lines and more sharp and focused ensign features. Much of this is likely to do with aerodynamics, but particularly with the Cup 250, it helps to indicate that this is more of a track-focused model.

It's also tiny. It's not until you're alongside other traffic that you realise just how small the Elise is. However, despite the small surface area, there are some nice design touches, such as the air intakes ahead of the rear wheels, the Union Flag on the rear wing end plates, and the smart but simple multi-spoke alloy wheels.

WHAT'S NEW? This is not just any Elise, this is the Cup 250, which Lotus says is designed more for track use than as a sporty road car. In fact, the Norfolk-based firm boasts that the car could be raced competitively 'by adding little more than a roll cage'.

With weight the brand's key focus, the Cup 250 is 14kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to the use of carbon-fibre, titanium and aluminium.

The manual gear shifter has been optimised, and now has a beautiful open-gate design that lets you see its inner workings.

Meanwhile the body design has been tweaked to improve aerodynamics.

WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET? The Elise Cup 250 uses a 1.8-litre supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 240bhp. While that might not sound like much when hot hatches make more, the little Lotus weighs just 931kg, giving a power-to-weight figure of about 275bhp-per-tonne.

The result is a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 150mph, but that's not what this car is about. Behind the wheel, putting your foot down results in a sharp response from the engine, which fizzes away behind your ear and feels every bit as fast as you could want from a sports car.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? It's immediately obvious that straight-line performance is not its USP. On a country road, the immediacy of response from every turn of the wheel is a delight, and actually takes some getting used to. It's so responsive that you'll find yourself turning in too early, but once you're dialled in it's a joy to thread along a country lane. The car feels light and nimble beneath you, and you can see why Lotus fans have eulogised its cars for decades.

It's also an engineering marvel. Often with small sports car companies, you make excuses for parts that don't feel well put together, but everything is solidly built. Whether it's the smooth as silk clutch, the snickety gear shift or buttery smooth suspension, there's nothing sloppy.

WHAT'S IT LIKE INSIDE? Much like the outside, the inside has a less is more approach, but here it's taken to the extreme. There's really little here that isn't related to actually driving, with a small stereo headunit and soft Alcantara upholstery about as close as you're getting to creature comforts.

The highlight is the gear shifter, which has a beautiful open design that allows you to see the linkages at work, but that's about all there is to talk about.

It's all about the driving position, though. At first, it's tricky to climb inside, but it's surprising how it doesn't feel too claustrophobic inside once you've got into the seat. As a six-foot-plus driver I struggled for leg room, with my knees barely fitting beneath the steering column, but even that didn't do much to take away from the driving experience.

WHAT'S THE SPEC LIKE? When it comes to on-board equipment, there really isn't much to discuss. There's a new in-car infotainment system by Sony, which has iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, with improved speakers for when you want to take a break from hearing the engine all the time. There's also a heating system, classic analogue dials, and a plaque bearing the name of the person that built your car.

Outside of the cabin, the performance equipment is more impressive. For example, that exquisite ride is helped by Eibach coaxial coil springs and Bilstein high-performance dampers, while AP Racing twin-piston ventilated brake discs offer impressive stopping power. Meanwhile, endless grip comes from a set of Yokohama Advan A052 tyres.

VERDICT The Lotus Elise is a breath of fresh air in 2020. It's been around more than two decades, but at a time when cars are getting heavier and more numb for the driver, this car is a reminder what a pure driving experience really is.

While the Cup 250 is theoretically the more hardcore version of the Elise, it actually hits a sweet spot for a road-going performance car, offering more than enough power for a car this light as well as an instant response to your inputs. It's wholly impractical and lacking in on-board technology, but that's actually what makes it so appealing.

AUGUST ISSUE | 69

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