Urban Fox - May 2014 issue

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May 2014

Out in front

Michelle Mone exclusive

WIN TM Lewin Shirts

25% OFF

Fox & Crop Womenswear

HAIR workout

STYLES TO ROCK ON THE CLOCK

Industrial Revolution

Get the urban look WITh

INSTaNT

retaIL

tHeraPY

NINE to FIVE Hottest workwear trends for SS14

Regent House, Oadby Prices from £150,000 to £270,000 Exclusive development of 10 contemporary apartments 9 x 2 Bedroom 1 x 1 Bedroom Apartments Individually Designed Edge of Oadby Town Centre Bespoke Fitted Kitchens Contemporary Bathroom Suites Secure Entry System 10 Year Build Warranty Spacious Flexible Living Accommodation Two Car Parking Spaces Per Apartment Close to Waitrose Nearby Shops and Amenities

Beauchamp Walk, Kibworth Prices from £180,000 to £575,000 13 High specification new homes in the centre of Kibworth 2,3,4 and 5 Beds Off Plan Enquiries Taken Completion 2014 Choice of Decor and Floor Finishes Laufen Bathrooms Handmade Kitchens Help to Buy Scheme Available

Springfield Road, Stoneygate Price £339,950 Period decorative detail and generous proportions Three Storey Victorian Villa Five Bedrooms Two Bathrooms Rear Yard Scope to Extend Period Detail Nearby Local Schools Close to Queens Road Close to A6

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Stamford Road, Kirby Muxloe Price £475,000 Detached dormer bungalow within a delightful plot Four Bedrooms Three Bathrooms Secure Automated Gates Kirby Fields Large Driveway South Facing Garden Village Amenities Close to A47/M1/M69

St Johns Rd, Stoneygate Guide Price £575,000 A magnificent Edwardian semi detached in a quiet location Three Storey Spacious Living Kitchen Three Reception Rooms Eight Bedrooms Two Bathrooms Cellar Scope to Extend Double Garage and Off Road Parking

Hello

With the average Briton reported to work 1,625 hours a year, who can afford not to have job satisfaction? Embrace your workplace with this month’s Nine to Five edition.

Standout from the crowd in one of this season’s stylish workwear collections from Hobbs, L.K.Bennett and Reiss. We also take a look at SS14 hottest bags and attention grabbing blazers. I’ll be sharing my personal favourite office trends in Wish List (p14). Plus check out our T.M. Lewin competition and win a week’s worth of work shirts from their extensive womenswear range.

coVer shot:

La REDOUTE Blouse with Pleated Neckline, £35

Interact with us

If your hair needs a workout, Toni & Guy’s Jon Levy is on hand to show us some quick and easy style tricks to rock on the clock in 10 minutes or less! And from looking good to feeling great, Rebecca Watts serves up her low calorie, high energy snack options in Packed Lunch.

Download the free layar app to buy featured products, watch videos and more through your smartphone or tablet!

On the home front, we have tips for creating and faking the urban look in Industrial Revolution, as well as design ideas for an elegant home office, that’s worth doing overtime for!

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Finally Queen of Ultimo, Michelle Mone, chats to us about her childhood pinup, rise to power and why she and Rod Stewart no longer speak. This is one tough cookie!

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OUT IN

URBANFOX

F

or most of us, the posters that lined our childhood bedroom walls reveal nothing more than brief popBut fad obsessions and teenage crushes. with Michelle Mone, the ultra glamorous it lingerie tycoon, her unlikely pin-up says all. In her cramped bedroom, a converted broom cupboard in a tenement in Glasgow’s East End, was a picture of Richard Branson: “My dad would always she say, 'Get that beardy off your wall!'”, laughs. “But he was an icon to me right of from the start. I thought he had a bit style, but he certainly had a business brain, and I loved that.” by Michelle’s childhood was one mapped poverty and tragedy. Her died brother when she was eight, and then her father contracted cancer. She left school without qualifications, like so many others, and had her first child shortly after, still a teenager. Marriage to partner apprentice an as Michael - who worked on just £13,000 a year – soon followed, and in many people’s eyes, that probably should have been that.

MaRTINa LENaGhaN Editor editor@theurban-fox.co.uk

But there is and has always been a ruthless streak to Mone. Backed by integrity and a rampant hunger to a succeed, she wasn’t going to settle for run-of-the-mill life.

STEVE LENaGhaN head of Sales & Marketing 07738 614245 steve@theurban-fox.co.uk LISa ROTh head of New Business Development 07843 851132 lisa@theurban-fox.co.uk

“Women should never do what the media tells them to do”

“At the time, living in that tiny flat, we could barely afford food. So I knew we to had nothing to lose. I was desperate find work, and did what I had to – I made up some qualifications!”

The plan worked. She landed a job at Labatt, the beer company, and was head of marketing within two years – a year sooner than she’d planned – by “working

with women taking the lead and not thinking they have to wait in the wings.

Women should never do what the media tells them to do – a woman should do is what she feels good doing. And Abbey an uncontroversial choice – she's a mum, I she's confident, she's down to earth. think she'll be really good for Ultimo,” Mone says.

But it hasn’t always been so simple.

When Penny Lancaster’s contract expired after a long-term deal with the lingerie brand, Mone replaced her with Rachel Hunter. Essentially, she swapped her friend Rod Stewart’s current girlfriend and for his ex-wife. He wasn’t impressed, called Mone “a manipulative cow".

her arse off”.

Among the canon of rags-to-riches stories, hers still remains remarkable. the Labatt then made her redundant and dizzy flight towards her fortune began.

2010, She’s now worth £20m! In January she was awarded an OBE for contribution to business. She even managed to befriend and then infuriate Rod Stewart along the way (they no longer speak).

off.

When asked about it, Mone shrugs it me “I think my business meant more to than Rod Stewart, if I'm perfectly honest,” to she says. “Rod Stewart wasn’t going pay the mortgage. It wasn’t a case of being nasty, just being business smart.”

Her idea was simple – a comfortable, cleavage-enhancing brassiere. And sure enough, within three years of founding MJM International Ltd in 1996 her bras, under the name Ultimo, launched in

The tabloids loved it and Ultimo’s worth increased as a result. It’s one of the many reasons she’s been described as a master – of PR – even if this was unintentional and probably explains why she doesn’t shy away from talking about it.

Selfridges.

She retains a 49% stake in the company, which 15 years on is still going strong.

We speak to her on the day of her latest range hitting the shelves. Does she look for new projects?

“Well, I've been asked to do Dragons' the Den five times now,” she says. “But at We'll moment I'm really busy with Ultimo. see – never say never.”

Abbey Clancy is the new face of Ultimo – someone, she says, women can relate to. “Abbey has her own ideas and that’s really important to see... it’s certainly been a characteristic of modern business,

Next she supplied Julia Roberts with a bra for Erin Brockovich, perhaps her greatest coup. Roberts won an Oscar; Ultimo won ever more devotees.

It’s a brand that has retained its presence for 15 years now. And Mone is a big part of that. And when she’s not dating sports stars (allegedly), selling bras and appearing on television, she’s advising the Cabinet on business and appearing in ads for British Airways’ new campaign.

Branson would be proud.

8

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 29

11

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PaUL BaNKS Designer paul@theurban-fox.co.uk disclaimer: although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material in this publication, the editor can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors in either editorial or advertising content. copyright: all text, images and design in this publication are subject to copyright. any unauthorised duplication is strictly prohibited. all artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given to use it in this publication.

front

recounts The Queen of Ultimo, Michelle Mone, ahead to her rise from the tenements, and looks future ventures

28

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

14

CONTRIBUTORS: Jake Harvey, James Lonergan, Phillip Sharpe and rebecca Watts Zoe hubbard

Interior designer helping to transform your home

Jon Levy

Bringing you the latest in hair style, colour and product trends

Peter Wyatt

Estate agent keeping you in the picture on the property market

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 5

May 35

LIFe & Work 25

coping with stress

Simple ways to regain control 27

cast your net

Is networking right for you?

28

out in front

Michelle Mone exclusive

artS & entertaInMent 30

what’s on

Activities for the whole family 33

May’s recommendations

FaSHIon & BeautY 8

nine to five trail blazer

Attention grabbing jackets 13

in the bag

Which will you choose?

14

wish list

Our editor’s tries and buys 16

41

WInIng & dInIng

45

37

ready, steady, cook 30 minute meals

57

Create an elegant workspace

49

53

55

smells like community spirit Kibworth Charitable Trust

Packed lunch

57

get into golf

58

half term escapes

Last minute holiday ideas

If you can’t beat them…

from T.M.Lewin

home alone

Care for your dog and work too

Healthy, tasty lunch options

WORTH OF SHIRTS

tips from the potting shed A little gardening know how

54

office dos and don’ts

WIN A WEEK’S

convenient living

Achieve a stress free home life

HeaLtH & WeLLBeIng

23

country files

PeoPLe & PLaceS

hair workout

Fuss-free makeup tips

21

industrial revolution Master the urban look

Paloma Faith talks music

Quick and easy work styles 19

HoMeS & gardenS

Faith healer

35

Fabulous SS14 workwear 11

reviews

14

my way

Local spotlight on Eileen Richards

12 WIN A ROUND OF GOLF FOR 4

at Stapleford Park

22 WIN TICKETS

TO THE DEFINITIVE RAT PACK at Curve

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Sleeveless Laser Cut Top, £85 Nisa Trousers, £125

nine to Five Give your office repertoire a boost with our roundup of the most fabulous workwear for spring summer. You’ll never be late for work again

reiss Soft Sell - When there’s a promotion up for grabs, a wardrobe of stylish neutrals says “pick me!”

Cara Lace Sleeve Jumper, £95 Helena Pleated Skirt, £120 Brandy Sandals, £169 Hayward Tote, £275

FaShION & BEaUTY

hobbs Shining Star - Show your boss that you’ve got your own ideas. Ditch those fifty shades of grey, for this season’s citrus hues Hattie Sandals, £159 Sara Blouse, £89 Gables Dress, £119 Ariadne Jacket, £169 NW3 Cat Jacquard Sweater, £69 NW3 Lisa Skirt, £79

Tembray Shirt, £110 Reby Skirt, £125

l.k.bennett Classic Corporate - Whether you opt for summer’s placid or dazzling blue, this colour palette is perfect for projecting trust and reliability Marina Fitted Dress, £225 Mena Ottoman Jacket, £265 Gail Lizard Print Leather & Nubuck Hobo, £395 Jennie Leather Colour Block Point Toe Court, £185

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 9

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Main stockists of:

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Sizes 8 to 24.

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www.dressini.com or email info@dressini.com 9-11 Market Place, Market Bosworth, CV13 0LF Tel: 01455 290234

FaShION & BEaUTY

Trail BLAZER

PASTELS

Stand out from the crowd with one of these attention-grabbing jackets.

Perfect for the office and after-work cocktails too

Ellsie Curved hem Blazer £165, Ted Baker

Sandwich Stretch Jersey Blazer £99, bluewaterexclusive.co.uk

MONOCHROME

Sarah Jacket £179, Hobbs

Lauren Cotton Blazer £175, Ralph Lauren

Weekend by MaxMara Striped Jacket £135, John Lewis

BRIGHTS

Spot Jasper Blazer £75, White Stuff

hallhuber Pocket Detail Blazer £119, House of Fraser

Ribbon Floral Blazer £35, Bank Fashion

armani Jeans Satin Blazer £240, sheerluxe.com

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 11

sole mate

Find your

at

WIN

a WEEK’S WORTh OF ShIRTS FROM Urban Fox has teamed up with Jermyn Street Shirt maker T.M.Lewin to offer you a chance to win a week's worth of business shirts from their womenswear range.

The new store, in Highcross’ Upper Mall features brand new and extended collections for Spring/ Summer ’14, all inspired by quintessentially British design. With elegant tailoring, shirts, tops and essential dresses for women, plus new tweed jackets and casual trousers for men, the new T.M.Lewin store offers stylish looks with uncompromising fit and fabrics.

to enter:

Simply enter your name, address and contact telephone number to editor@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘T.M.Lewin’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Fri 30 May 2014 Terms and conditions: A working week’s worth of shirts is equivalent to 5 shirts. The winner will be notified by email on or after the closing date. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. vouchers equivalent to the value of 5 shirts will be sent to the winner directly from T.M.Lewin. No cash alternative is available.

LUXE SHOES

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FaShION & BEaUTY

In the

bag

1

Whether you’re a tote, clutch, satchel or hobo girl, you’re bound to find something you love in our selection of this season’s hottest work bags 3

2

4 5

1 Pippa Grab Bag £199, Modalu

6

7

2 Datchet hobo Bag £250, village England 3 Willow Tote Bag & Clutch £1,600, Mulberry 4 Kerie Floral Tote Bag £159, Ted Baker 5 Classic Satchel Bag £42, Yumi 6 harper Shoulder Bag £69, Fiorelli 7 Clarissa Shoulder Bag £89, French Connection

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 13

FaShION & BEaUTY

Wishlist

This season I love… Editor Martina Lenaghan shares her buys and tries for her spring/summer working wardrobe

1

2

1. it’s all white now

White handbags dominated NY Fashion Week. With SS14 collections being bold and bright, designers opted to pair many of these looks with a classic white bag. Smart and elegant, this tote which can also be worn across the body, is a perfect accessory to complete your stylish office look.

Michael Kors Large hamilton Saffiano Tote £330, John Lewis

2. below the knee

Midi skirts are the only skirt to be seen in this spring.

Whether you love super-smart pencil cuts or the versatility or the figure-flattering A-line shape, check out this season's top skirt length. Make a statement with this feminine, fit and flare midi, in bold graphic print. angela Print Skirt, £59, Phase Eight

3. stand out From the crowd

3

The Duke of Cambridge may have said his wife looked like a ‘banana’ when she wore the eye-catching Ryedale dress by Roksanda Illincic on their recent tour of Australia, but I thought she looked stunning! Make an unforgettable entrance in the boardroom in this L.K.Bennett look-a-like Lander Dress, £245, L.K.Bennett

4

4. amazing lace

Lace was officially one of the most tweeted words during London Fashion Week. Burberry featured tailored spider webs and Chloe did laser cut lace. I love this delicate overlay with glimpses of lemon sherbet underneath. Team with a tailored suit as an alternative to the white office shirt.

Portia Lace Top, £75, T.M.Lewin

5. the mac is back

6

In many different colours from classic camel to brights, metallics and print, the trench looks set to be the transseasonal cover up of choice for spring. Not just relegated to workwear, team yours with jeans for an off-duty vibe.

Trench Coat, £99, La Redoute

6. get to the Point

5

This trend is nothing new but SS14 sees the pointed toe shoe take on a new lease of life. Pushing the boundaries with colour and design, this season is all about making a statement. This tri-coloured pair are perfect for days when you want to look chic from dawn to dusk.

Typhoon Shoes, £450, Jimmy Choo

50 1963/2013

5

1963/2013

1963/2013

USING LABEL.M PROFESSIONAL HAIRCARE

For 50 years, TONI&GUY have pioneered strong, beautiful haircuts tailored to suit the individual and reflective of seasonal fashion trends. Your image is safe in our hands – Join the 1.5 million people that choose TONI&GUY each year.

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FaShION & BEaUTY

Hair WORKOUT Whether your job is high-stress or humdrum, your hair doesn’t have to be. We asked Toni & Guy’s Artistic Director, Jon Levy for some quick and easy hair ideas to rock on the clock

Lazy-Girl Bun

A lifesaver for mornings when you’re tired but still want to look great You’ll need: How to:

• Pull the back section of hair into high ponytail, secure with hair-bungee • Gently backcomb ponytail to create height and volume • Sculpt backcombed hair into bun shape, secure with pins • With front section create a centre parting, pull hair back and secure with pins

• Volume mousse to prep hair • Comb • Hair-bungee & pins • Hairspray / shine spray for hold & finish

Faux Bob

For days when you don’t have timefor the hair straighteners

Good !

S NEW work best

All styles ’t with hair that isn freshly washed

How to:

• Pull bottom layer of hair into low ponytail, secure with hairband • Roll up ponytail and secure with pins • Pin the top layer under in small sections

You’ll need:

• Volume mousse to prep hair • Hairband & pins • Hairspray / shine spray for hold & finish

High-Volume Do

Give yourself a ‘raise’ with this modern-day

How to:

• Gently backcomb top section (excluding front), comb over the top of the backcombed hair • Bring sides to the back of the head, twist under, push forward and secure with pins • Use ends of hair to create pin curls, secure • Sweep fringe across the front

bouffant

You’ll need:

• Volume mousse to prep hair • Comb • Hair pins • Hairspray / shine spray for hold & finish

Style

TIP

All styles can be created with both straight & curly hair

Time

SAVER

With practice, these looks can be achieved in 10 mins or less!

How to:

• Brush bottom section of hair to side, secure with hair-bungee • Comb out top section and wrap around hair-bungee, secure with pins • Sweep front section behind the ear, secure with pin if required

You’ll need:

• Volume mousse to prep hair • Brush • Hair-bungee & pins • Texturising stick to control hairline (if required) • Hairspray / shine spray for hold & finish

Side Pony

Soft, touchable and professional - the ultimate day to night style

With thanks for their talents:

Jon Levy, Artistic Director, Toni & Guy Leicester helen Wells, Business Manager, Clarins at John Lewis Leicester Joanne Withers, Photographer, Joanne Withers Photography aaliyah Towers, Model

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 17

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FaShION & BEaUTY

&

La Redoute

Office

DOs DON’Ts

It’s fun to experiment with new looks but you don’t want your makeup to distract colleagues from your professional brilliance.

Stick to these fuss-free makeup tips for instant workplace success don’t over-do the smoky eye look. It’s a look that’s difficult to perfect, can be unflattering and your boss might wonder if it’s leftover from the night before. don’t wear fake lashes in the office.

Can you imagine the embarrassment if you had a glue malfunction and one fell off mid-meeting!

don’t test-drive fake tan on a weekday.

To avoid any tanning mishaps - and we’ve all had them - leave the beauty experiments until the weekend.

do go easy on the mascara. To avoid clumping, roll the wand as you apply the mascara. This will separate and lengthen your lashes. We love Bobbi Brown’s No Smudge Mascara, £19. Not only does it create long, curled lashes but lasts for up to 16 hours. don’t do frosted lips. It washes out your face, and can look a little young, not to mention distracting. You want your colleagues to notice you for the right reasons.

do use long lasting products. It doesn’t look professional disappearing to reapply your makeup. We love Clarins’ Everlasting liquid foundation with SPF15, £27, plus a little spritz of Fix’ Make-up, £22. We used these products on our model Aaliyah on this month’s Toni & Guy shoot and didn’t have to touch-up once!

do keep a pretty, pinkish neutral lip colour in your desk drawer. It’ll lift your face and isn’t too loud for those breakfast meetings. We love MaC’s Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Grande Dame, £20. This lightweight, nonsticky formula contains a 77-mineral moist complex that nourishes your lips.

do master the natural glow. The key to making bronzer look natural is blending into your hairline and down to your décolleté. We love Benefit’s hoola, £23.50, for a polished, office-appropriate finish.

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FaShION & BEaUTY

Packed

lunch It’s very easy to slip into unhealthy eating habits when you’re at work all day. We asked Rebecca Watts of Nutrafit for some healthy, tasty lunch options which can be prepared in advance for around 400 kcals

Feta & hummus wraP

Quinoa salad

meXican tuna salad

1 wholemeal wrap 1/2 red onion, 1/2 courgette, 1/4 red pepper & 1/4 yellow pepper, roasted in 1/2 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp hummus 20g crumbled feta

15g (uncooked weight) Quinoa 20g drained chickpeas 15g feta 10g chopped cashews 10g chopped dried apricots Juice of 1/2 lemon 1/2 handful of coriander 1/2 grated carrot, 1 beetroot, couple of spring onions and 1/4 red pepper (or any other veg you prefer)

100g drained tinned tuna 1/4 can drained mixed beans 1/2 medium avocado (75g) 2 tomatoes Spring onions 1/4 red chilli pepper Juice of 1/2 lime 1/2 tbsp olive oil 1-2 handfuls spinach or other leaves

Tasty alternative to sandwiches and perfect for non-meat eaters. Layer the fresh ingredients into the wrap and roll.

Quick and easy to prepare, especially if you cook off a batch of roasted vegetables and keep refrigerated.

bread-less wraPs 4 slices sandwich meat - ham, chicken, beef 8 slices chorizo or salami or 30g cheese Handful spinach and other leaves Handful other salad - tomato, cucumber, peppers, green beans 2tsp dressing - salsa, guacamole, hummus High in protein this option uses sandwich meat as a wrap instead of bread based products. Just layer sandwich meat then chorizo/salami or cheese for extra flavour; add dressing, salad ingredients and then roll. Can be fully prepared the night before or just throw your ingredients in a tub and make as you eat for even less prep time. Just be careful on meat choices and avoid too much processed meat in your diet.

Serve with 1/2 cooked chicken breast or for non-meat eaters an extra 15g of feta and 10g of cashews. Cook quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) as per packet instructions and let cool. Toss all the ingredients into a bowl. Quinoa is classed as a super grain because of its nutritious value. It’s also protein rich and gluten free.

This lunch can be prepared in bulk and stored in the fridge for 3-5 days so easy for grab and go!

Quick and easy to prepare, just toss all chopped ingredients into a Tupperware bowl, add lime juice and oil and toss to mix. You may want to add oil and lime later if preparing more than one day at a time, as ingredients may go a little soggy. Tuna is a rich source of omega 3, a healthy unsaturated fat with great health benefits. With its 25 essential nutrients, avocado is often said to be a superfood.

They are high in fat but don’t let that put you off as the benefits - lower cholesterol, balance blood and promote healthy heart, skin and eyes – far outweigh the extra calories.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 21

The Leicestershire Golf Club Come and enjoy the panoramic views of the course from our unique circular clubhouse and sample the delights of our wide ranging bar and restaurant menu.

With a highly praised course and dramatic clubhouse, we offer a most enjoyable golfing and social experience.

INTRODUCTORY LADIES OFFER - 5 lessons for £25 JUNIOR OFFER - FREE group coaching lessons in May MENS, LADIES & JUNIOR MEMBERSHIPS • CORPORATE GOLF DAYS • MEETINGS & CONFERENCES • FUNCTION HIRE

Over one hundred years of quality golf Evington Lane, Leicester, LE5 6DJ. Tel: 0116 2738825

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secretary@theleicestershiregolfclub.co.uk www.theleicestershiregolfclub.co.uk

A ROUND OF GOLF AT STAPLEFORD PARK

Courtesy of Stapleford Park Country House Hotel and Sporting Estate, one reader and three guests can enjoy a round of golf at their luxury course in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside.

May is National Golf Month so what better way to celebrate ladies, than on a Championship golf course and perhaps take time to unwind afterwards at the clubhouse or take afternoon tea at the beautiful historic house and gardens.

Stapleford Park truly has everything to offer the golfer looking for a challenging course and a relaxing time in picturesque surroundings. For more information about the house, golf course and estate, go to www.staplefordpark.com

to enter:

Simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to editor@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Stapleford Golf’ in the subject bar.

Closing date for entries is Friday 30 May 2014.

Terms & Conditions: The prize is for a round of golf for four at Stapleford Park Golf Course.

The winner will be chosen on or after the closing date. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. No cash alternative is available. The prize can be taken Monday to Friday only and tee times are subject to availability.

hEaLTh&WELLBEING

Golf

Get into

You know the saying “all work and no play”?

May’s first ever National Golf Month has inspired us to look at how getting into golf could make your life above par HeaLtH Golf can be great for your health and your heart. Walking an average golf course can be as much as 4km; so if you play 18 holes even once a week, you’ll be burning approximately 900 calories.

In addition to staying fit, playing golf regularly can also help you to improve muscle tone and endurance, lose weight and body fat. The overall risk of injury is low but remember to warm up and stretch before playing, paying particular attention to your back, shoulders and arms.

Apart from the physical benefits, golf can also help to improve your psychological health. Playing outdoors, in green natural spaces, is thought to help you relax and unwind; boosting endorphins which assist in reducing stress levels and enhancing your mood.

SocIaL Ask any golfer and they’ll agree that the social side of golf is part of what makes it so popular. It’s a great way to meet new

BuSIneSS friends both on the course and at the 19th hole! Many clubs will run social, charity and community events throughout the year, a great opportunity to become involved with both the golfing and local communities. Golf is also an appealing sport for couples – no more golf widow - and families too, with most courses offering children’s lessons and a Junior section.

Don’t worry about not being any good.

The handicap system, levels all standards of play, meaning a comparative novice is able to play with players of a higher standard. “There is no golfer who has a fantastic round on every round,” says Sue Bromwich, Lady Captain at The Leicestershire Golf Club. “Golf is a sport where we all start as beginners - each round is a challenge but rewarding - with the opportunity to better your score on each hole every time.”

Many female executives, spend long hours at the office believing that hard work is what's needed to get ahead. But it’s also about working smarter and that often means putting yourself in the right place, with the right people. And that's exactly what golf can provide - proximity and access to where the decisions are being made.

Apart from building relationships with your own colleagues, playing in corporate golf days can also provide you with access to CEOs and employees of other companies. Think of it as an ‘informal’ business networking opportunity; what have you got to lose? Your pride? Despite what you might think, not all men that play on corporate days are good golfers, so if your new mantra is, “If you can’t beat them, join them”, take a few golf lessons to master the basics and build confidence.

If you’re feeling motivated, ‘National Golf Month’ is the perfect time to give it a go; with many courses offering open days, inexpensive taster sessions and courses, and discounted memberships for those wanting to get into golf. and with its health, social and career enhancing benefits, it might just suit you to a tee!

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 23

In a Jam?

In a sticky situation?

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0116 204 7260

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Don’t get in a jam, make it!

Ingredients 900g (2 lb) fresh strawberries, hulled 800g (1 3/4 lb) caster sugar 4 tablespoons lemon juice

www.hlegal.co.uk

1) In a heavy bottomed saucepan, crush the strawberries with a potato masher.

3) Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving 1cm (1/2 in) headspace, and seal. Process any unsealed jars in a water bath. If the jam is 2) Add sugar and lemon juice. Stir over low going to be eaten right away, don’t bother heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase with processing, and just refrigerate. heat to high, and bring the mixture to a Enjoy! full rolling boil. Boil, stirring often, until Look out for more recipes next month. the mixture reaches 105 C.

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INVESTMENTS & SAVINGS

RETIREMENT PLANNING

It’s about time you called Tudor Court Financial Planning All our advice is expertly tailored to your individual circumstances, ensuring you receive the right advice at the right time.

Call Tudor Court today on 01509

643388 or email via our contact page on our website www.tudor-court.com

Tudor Court Financial Planning Ltd is an appointed representative of Everyday Financial Advice Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

LIFE & WORK

Coping with

stress Although some pressure at work is normal, with the NHS estimating that stress accounts for 40 per cent of cases of workplace sickness in the UK, we’ve looked at how you can identify and effectively manage job related stress warning signs When you feel overwhelmed at work, you can lose confidence and become less productive. Ignoring the warning signs can lead to both physical and emotional problems. Although symptoms may vary, the most frequent signs include feelings of irritability and anxiety, loss of interest in work or home life, fatigue, problems sleeping or concentrating, stomach complaints and frequent headaches.

But why we do become stressed? The most common causes of workplace stress are fear of being made redundant, ongoing organisational changes, pressure to do overtime or meet ever increasing performance targets. Often we start to link our performance at work with our sense of self-worth and with measures of success becoming increasingly narrow, this can have a disastrous effect.

take action When stress at work interferes with your ability to perform in your job, enjoy your personal life, or impacts on your health, it’s time to take action.

Start by paying attention to your physical and emotional health.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul. Even small

Long Tall Sally

things can help to lift your mood, increase your energy, and make you feel like you’re back in control. Take regular exercise, eat healthily, avoid stimulants including alcohol and caffeine and get more sleep. It’s also important to share your feelings, whether it be with your partner, a friend, a colleague, your doctor or a mental health professional. Simply sharing with another person can help relieve some of the stress.

eradicate stress Once you’re taking care of your physical and emotional needs, it’s time to tackle the workplace. Here are some simple things you can do to regain control: 1 Be more organised Create a balanced schedule with regular breaks, prioritise tasks, divide projects into small steps and don’t over commit – if you have too much on your plate delegate or say “No”.

2 Practice emotional intelligence Try to become more self-aware, adapt to change and compromise when needed. Building relationships with others at work can help create allies,

which can be invaluable when you need to influence a decision or manage conflict.

3 Break bad habits Resist perfectionism as you’re setting yourself unrealistic goals; avoid negative-thinking colleagues and stop trying to control the uncontrollable. If you’re always late or have an untidy desk, address those issues too.

4 communicate, communicate, communicate If your manager is not the problem, talk to them. It’s in their best interest to keep workplace stress to a minimum.

They may also be able to help influence organisational changes which could help reduce pressure for both you and your colleagues.

If all else fails, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees and they're also required to conduct risk assessments for work-related stress.

If you can’t speak with your direct line-manager, consider speaking to their superior or someone in Human Resources.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 25

Emery Johnson Astills

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LIFE & WORK

Cast your

NET

Networking is an art, not a science, and its success can sometimes be difficult to measure.

So this month we take a look at how networking can work for you and your business Information Sharing

The depth of knowledge and experience from a group of people can be astounding and networking will provide opportunities for you to ask questions and receive feedback. Learning from other’s best practices can also save you time, energy and resources, which can be of significant benefit to smaller businesses.

Positive Promotion

Whether you’re a business owner or employee, having a network may help in moving your career forward, to promote your products and services, or simply by creating new interest in your organisation. Word-of-mouth is still one of the best forms of advertising and can lead to job promotion, increased revenues or organisational growth.

Creating Credibility

Improving your reputation and finding support are also benefits of networking.

If you are successful at networking, you might get a reputation for being a person people will want to talk to and get to know. You may have valuable information, ideas, and resources those in your network need and showing that you’re willing to support a fellow member will also help to increase your credibility.

Confidence Building

If you’re the shy and retiring type, talking to new people and developing relationships can lead to improved selfesteem and confidence. Believe us, your confidence will grow as you become more comfortable with networking and being self-assured will only help to draw people to you and open up new business and social opportunities.

If you think business networking might be right for you, the next decision is which group to join. With so many options available it can be a minefield but here we look at four of the most common types of groups.

Member-Based Networking

These organisations allow participation from various overlapping professions and there are no restrictions on the number of people represented in any profession. check out: The Chamber of Commerce and 4N

Professional Networking Groups

Membership is typically restricted to only one person per profession. Their meetings include open networking, short presentations by everyone, a longer and more detailed presentation by one member, and time devoted solely to

passing business referrals. check out: BNI and Working Breakfast

Women Only Groups

These meetings can create a lighter tone – but not lighter content - to networking, which many women in business prefer.

As well as raising the profile of your business, some groups may also look to provide developmental opportunities through guest speakers, workshops and training. check out: Integra and athena Networking

Online

For the time sensitive, networking through forums and social media such as Twitter allows you to promote your business from the office or home. What’s more, unlike other networking groups, because there are no physical overhead costs, it’s free! check out: @Leichour and LinkedIn Finally before you commit to any networking group, attend as a visitor and see if it’s the right fit for you and consider the cost and commitment required.

However, given sufficient time and effort, your networks could easily become one of your business' most valuable assets.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 27

OUT IN

“Women do what t

front

LIFE & WORK

The Queen of Ultimo, Michelle Mone, recounts her rise from the tenements, and looks ahead to future ventures

F

or most of us, the posters that lined our childhood bedroom walls reveal nothing more than brief popfad obsessions and teenage crushes. But with Michelle Mone, the ultra glamorous lingerie tycoon, her unlikely pin-up says it all. In her cramped bedroom, a converted broom cupboard in a tenement in Glasgow’s East End, was a picture of Richard Branson: “My dad would always say, 'Get that beardy off your wall!'”, she laughs. “But he was an icon to me right from the start. I thought he had a bit of style, but he certainly had a business brain, and I loved that.”

Michelle’s childhood was one mapped by poverty and tragedy. Her brother died when she was eight, and then her father contracted cancer. She left school without qualifications, like so many others, and had her first child shortly after, still a teenager. Marriage to partner Michael - who worked as an apprentice on just £13,000 a year – soon followed, and in many people’s eyes, that probably should have been that.

But there is and has always been a ruthless streak to Mone. Backed by integrity and a rampant hunger to succeed, she wasn’t going to settle for a run-of-the-mill life.

n should never the media tells them to do”

“At the time, living in that tiny flat, we could barely afford food. So I knew we had nothing to lose. I was desperate to find work, and did what I had to – I made up some qualifications!”

The plan worked. She landed a job at Labatt, the beer company, and was head of marketing within two years – a year sooner than she’d planned – by “working her arse off”.

Among the canon of rags-to-riches stories, hers still remains remarkable.

Labatt then made her redundant and the dizzy flight towards her fortune began.

She’s now worth £20m! In January 2010, she was awarded an OBE for contribution to business. She even managed to befriend and then infuriate Rod Stewart along the way (they no longer speak).

Her idea was simple – a comfortable, cleavage-enhancing brassiere. And sure enough, within three years of founding MJM International Ltd in 1996 her bras, under the name Ultimo, launched in Selfridges.

She retains a 49% stake in the company, which 15 years on is still going strong.

We speak to her on the day of her latest range hitting the shelves. Does she look for new projects?

“Well, I've been asked to do Dragons' Den five times now,” she says. “But at the moment I'm really busy with Ultimo. We'll see – never say never.”

Abbey Clancy is the new face of Ultimo – someone, she says, women can relate to. “Abbey has her own ideas and that’s really important to see... it’s certainly been a characteristic of modern business,

with women taking the lead and not thinking they have to wait in the wings.

Women should never do what the media tells them to do – a woman should do what she feels good doing. And Abbey is an uncontroversial choice – she's a mum, she's confident, she's down to earth. I think she'll be really good for Ultimo,” Mone says.

But it hasn’t always been so simple.

When Penny Lancaster’s contract expired after a long-term deal with the lingerie brand, Mone replaced her with Rachel Hunter. Essentially, she swapped her friend Rod Stewart’s current girlfriend for his ex-wife. He wasn’t impressed, and called Mone “a manipulative cow".

When asked about it, Mone shrugs it off.

“I think my business meant more to me than Rod Stewart, if I'm perfectly honest,” she says. “Rod Stewart wasn’t going to pay the mortgage. It wasn’t a case of being nasty, just being business smart.”

The tabloids loved it and Ultimo’s worth increased as a result. It’s one of the many reasons she’s been described as a master of PR – even if this was unintentional – and probably explains why she doesn’t shy away from talking about it.

Next she supplied Julia Roberts with a bra for Erin Brockovich, perhaps her greatest coup. Roberts won an Oscar; Ultimo won ever more devotees.

It’s a brand that has retained its presence for 15 years now. And Mone is a big part of that. And when she’s not dating sports stars (allegedly), selling bras and appearing on television, she’s advising the Cabinet on business and appearing in ads for British Airways’ new campaign.

Branson would be proud.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 29

aRTS & ENTERTaINMENT

WHAT’S ON

May 2014

Austentatious: An Improvised Novel

Fri 9 May Uppingham Theatre, Rutland Tickets £11 uppthearts.co.uk

Undoubtedly one of the most talked-about shows on the UK comedy scene, Austentatious: An Improvised Novel is a comedy play spun in the inimitable style of Jane Austen - and based entirely on audience suggestions.

The improvising is skilful, the group’s team spirit is a joy to behold, and the laughs seldom stop. The Austentatious cast and audience unite in celebration of the pleasure of conjuring characters, plot and some very good jokes out of thin air.

La Cenerentola

Sat 10 May Cinema De Lux, Leicester Tickets £12.50 showcasecinemas.co.uk

Performance of the Metropolitan Opera, live via satellite. A peerless pair of Rossini virtuosos joins forces in La Cenerentola-a vocal tour de force for mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, singing her first Met performance of the Cinderella title role, and the high-flying tenor Juan Diego Flrez, as her Prince Charming. Alessandro Corbelli and Luca Pisaroni complete the cast, with Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leading the effervescent score. Running time 3h 40m.

LUXX Exhibition

Tues 13 – Mon 19 May The Gallery @pedestrian, LCB Free event lcbdepot.co.uk

LUXX is an exhibition which presents the final body of work from students completing the Leicester College Foundation Degree

Water Babies, 24 april-17 May, Curve

I, Malvolio, 23 & 24 May, Sparks Festival, Curve in Photography. Each set of photographs reflects the specific vision of the exhibitor and signals their current engagement with the medium. From contemporary social, editorial and narrative based human study, through explorations of urban space, onto poignant observations of 1950’s filmic iconography; there really is something for everyone to enjoy. Gallery open Mon to Fri.

Highcross Student Sessions Tues 13 May Highcross, Leicester Free event highcrossleicester.com

If you have students at home, ‘Student Sessions’ hits Highcross on 13 May, from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. For one night only students get free run of Highcross out of hours. Think huge discounts, goodie bags, freebies, sampling, competitions, DJ sets and more. Registration

is required in advance. For more details or to register go to www.highcrossleicester. com/events/highcrossstudent-sessions

Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters Fri 16 – Sat 17 May The Guildhall, Leicester Tickets £12.50 leicester.gov.uk/museums

From the stage adaptation

by Stephen Briggs, Terry’s Pratchett’s profoundly irreverent novels have catapulted him into the highest echelons of parody. Jadis Shadows Productions presents a new stage adaptation of one of Pratchett’s most beloved tales making merry satire of such classics as Macbeth and Hamlet. Murderous kings, spectres, lost princes, demons, jesters and ‘divers alarums’ galore, all carry an audience through a tale as old as centuries and yet as new as yesterday.

Walking & Cycling Festival Sun 18 – Sat 31 May various locations, Rutland Free event activerutland.org.uk

The Rutland Walking and Cycling Festival is back for its fifth year and bigger and better than ever. The festival is free of charge and open for everyone! It includes led walks and cycles around the historic county of Rutland. The walks range from Nordic and leisurely sight-seeing strolls to fast paced walks to improve your fitness. The cycling festival is organised to be family friendly and safe. All routes are led by knowledgeable volunteers who can guide you the whole way and include a range of paces meaning there is a route for all.

to put their own questions to Paul in an open Q&A. The show will culminate with four lucky randomly chosen audience members coming on stage to bake with Paul.

Steel Magnolias

Mon 19 – Sat 24 May The Little Theatre, Leicester Tickets £13.50 thelittletheatre.net

Hilarious and touching, this heart-warming true story follows a group of six friends who gather each week at the local beauty salon in Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana.

Trudy dispenses shampoo and advice to the locals, including Ouiser the town curmudgeon, Miss Clairee an eccentric millionaire, and M’Lynn, whose daughter Shelby is about to get married. Tough as steel and fragile as the blossoms of the Magnolia trees, these lovable characters gossip, tease, laugh, flirt, cajole and comfort each other as they go through life’s big joys and challenges.

Spark Festival

Mon 19 May – Sun 1 Jun various locations, Leicester Entry fees may apply sparkfestival.co.uk

Get Your Bake On

Mon 19 May De Montfort Hall, Leicester Tickets £28.50 demontforthall.co.uk

Tv’s baking star Paul Hollywood brings his first-ever live stage show to the UK for an evening of baking, comedy and fun.

Get Your Bake On will see Great British Bake Off star Paul demonstrate recipes, reveal some of the secrets of being a Tv chef and take the audience on a journey through his life in baking.

Audience members will also been given the opportunity

The Spark Festival is the largest children’s arts festival in England & Wales, taking place every May & June in Leicester. The festival presents the very best theatre, dance, music, visual arts and digital media events for young people aged 0 13 years. This year’s Spark offers children and their families a chance to play, dance, make great art and see fantastic theatre. They’re visiting lots of theatres, schools, libraries, parks and community venues across Leicester. For more details go to www.sparkfestival. co.uk/events.html

WIN

TICKETS TO SEE THE RAT PACK We’ve teamed up with Curve to offer the chance for one lucky reader to win 2 tickets to see The Definitive Rat Pack on Thursday 12 June at 7.30pm.

The Rat Pack epitomised ‘cool’ in the 1960’s. Their impromptu sell out shows were the must-have ticket of the town, offering the chance to see the three artists joke around and sing some of the finest songs ever written. Stephen Triffitt, George Daniel Long and Mark Adams have faithfully re-created that era for more than 10 years. These guys are The Definitive Rat Pack and have been seen live by more than 1 million people worldwide.

Featuring the timeless classics including: That’s Amore, Come Fly with Me, King of the Road, Mr Bojangles, The Lady is a Tramp and many more. Don’t miss this night to remember!

to enter:

Simply email your name address and contact telephone number to editor@theurban-fox.co.uk inserting ‘Rat Pack’ in the subject bar. Closing date for entries is Fri 30 May 2014.

If you don’t win, you can still book tickets for this fantastic show by calling 0116 242 3595, or visit www.curveonline.co.uk Terms and Conditions: No cash alternative is available and the prize is nontransferable. Tickets can only be collected in person from the Ticket Office on the day of the performance. They must be collected at least 30 minutes prior to the performance, after this time tickets will be released for general sale. If you are unable to attend the performance for any unforeseen circumstances you must contact the Ticket Office by 6pm on the day of the performance. Failure to do so may result in you being unable to enter future competitions. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 31

W O R L D

A

P R E M I E R E

M U S I C A L

A D V E N T U R E

UNTIL 17 MAY

20 – 24 MAY

12 – 14 JUN

17 – 21 JUN

A CURVE COMMUNITY PRODUCTION

A CURVE COMMUNITY PRODUCTION

DIRRECTED BY PAUL KERRYSON

DIRRECTED BY PAUL KERRYSON

26 JUL – 10 AUG

31 JUL, 1, 4 & 7 AUG

fiREvIEW lm a thousand times goodnight (15)

1hr 57mins Fri 9 - Thu 22 May at The Phoenix 0116 242 2800 • phoenix.org.uk Juliette Binoche plays a photojournalist obsessed with reporting from war zones in this powerful new film from Norwegian director Erik Poppe. Rebecca (Binoche) is one of the world’s top conflict photographers, on assignment accompanying a group of female suicide bombers to Kabul.

After a terrible accident Rebecca must return home to recover, where she is confronted by her husband Marcus and

book REvIEW Inspirational reads for getting ahead at work

daughter Steph, who can’t understand her determination to put herself in danger. When a new job comes up Rebecca must choose between her family and her work.

After a blistering opening, the film suffers slightly as the pace slows when Rebecca returns to her family. As nice as that life is (one suspects not many would complain about having Game of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as a husband) it begins

to feel stifling and our attention starts to wander. But perhaps this is intentional, just as we miss the kinetic scenes of action so Rebecca is torn between her loving family and the excitement of documenting violence.

Based on Poppe’s own experiences as a conflict journalist in the 1980s, A Thousand Times Goodnight has a sense of immediacy and honesty that is backed up by Binoche’s superb performance.

lean in

By Sheryl Sandberg. Published by WH Allen Ask most women whether they have the right to equality at work and the answer will be a resounding yes, but ask the same women whether they’d feel confident asking for a raise or a promotion and some reticence creeps in. In ‘Lean In’, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg draws on her own experience of working in some of the world’s most successful businesses and looks at what women can do to help themselves, and make the small changes in their life that can effect change on a more universal scale.

women, work & the art of savoir Faire

By Mireille Guiliano. Published by Simon & Schuster From the author of ‘French women don’t get fat’, Guiliano talks about style, communication skills, risk taking, leadership, etiquette, mentoring, personal relationships and much more, all from a perspective of three decades in business. This book is about helping women - and a few men, peut-etre - feel good about themselves, being challenged and engaged in our working lives, and always looking for pleasure in every single day.

talking from 9 to 5

By Deborah Tannen. Published by William Morrow Paperbacks An instant classic ‘Talking from 9 to 5’ brilliantly explains women’s and men’s conversational rituals and the language barriers we unintentionally erect in the business world. It is a unique and invaluable guide to recognizing the verbal power games and miscommunications that cause good work to be underappreciated or go unnoticed. This is an essential tool for promoting more positive and productive professional relationships between men and women.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 33

Ladies Day at Leicester racecourse

O B IN

Caro D

CAROLE DECKER

NIK KERSHAW

HUE & CRY

LIVE RACING

Saturday 5th July is Ladies Day at Leicester Racecourse.

This is our biggest fixture of the year, when close to 10,000 customers enjoy a spectacular day of live racing and top class entertainment.

Come along for 9 hours of fun including a Fairground, Shopping Village, awards for the Best Dressed Ladies and 2 hours of live music from 80s pop legends Carole Decker, Nik Kershaw and Hue & Cry. First race approx. 2.15pm, last race approx. 5.35pm. Music to start approx. 5.45pm.

Tickets are £25 per person, under 18′s free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

LEICESTER RACECOURSE & CONFERENCE CENTRE

The Racecourse, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4AL T: 0116 271 6515 | F: 0116 271 1746 E: info@leicester-racecourse.com W: www.leicester-racecourse.com

aRTS & ENTERTaINMENT

OUR BUSINESS N...

ol Decker

2014

Faith healer

i

t takes listening to precisely five seconds of Paloma Faith’s comeback single to realise that you are already in the company of one of the best pop tracks that you are going to hear all year.

write sad songs you write them in a moment when it’s like therapy, but then when you’re singing them 18 months later it’s like picking off a scab. This time I knew I needed to inject some hope.”

By the time it gets to the chorus of Can’t Rely on You, with its defiant stomp and backing vocals from the songs’ creator, hit-maker-in-chief Pharrell Williams, it also becomes patently clear that Faith, sounding reinvigorated and buoyant, is set to enjoy a bumper year.

A Perfect Contradiction is an evocative title - where did that come from?

Can’t Rely on You is the lead track from her recent album A Perfect Contradiction, and her best yet: as equally upbeat and sassy as it is soulful, and with a positivity that’s impossible to resist.

The inspiration, Faith says, came from not wanting to make a record as downbeat as its predecessor Fall to Grace, which documented failed relationships to mostly melancholy, ballad-like fare.

“When I was touring the last album I got a bit bored of being upset,” Faith says. “I think sometimes when you

“You can’t have real joy without real sadness” “I mean perfect contradiction in terms of the last album, but also in everyday life. You can’t have real joy without real sadness. It extends to a conversation I had with Pharrell. He was asking me about myself and I said I feel an affinity with people who are a perfect mix of contradictions. And he said ‘do you think you are?’ and I said ‘yeah’ and then he told me I should call my album that. I went home and mulled it over; I decided it was a really good title, because it meant a lot of things. It’s to do with accepting differences within

ourselves as well as other people and our experiences.”

Faith worked with a host of names on A Perfect Contradiction but it is inevitably the collaboration with Pharrell that is of most intrigue.

“He approached me at a party to work with me and we wrote a couple of songs together, and as we got to know each other through that time he said that he had this song that he’d written that he’d been sitting on for ages.

He said he thought it would suit me, and did I want to hear it. I was like ‘of course’, and I loved it.”

In its debut week, the album reached the Number 2 spot on the UK Top 200 Album Charts, pipped to the post by Elbow’s The Take Off and Landing of Everything. Faith says she can’t wait to get on the road and reinterpret the new songs for a live audience.

“I am looking forward to going out and touring it - it’s a musician’s album. My band love it; they can’t wait to show off, and nor can I!” See Paloma Faith at de Montfort Hall, Leicester on Friday 14th november URBAN FOX MAY 2014 35

Spring is in the air…

The Gardens at Quorn Grange Hotel are stunning at this time of year, trees full of blossom and blooming flowers are all round this stunning Hotel - why not come along and discover Leicestershire’s hidden gem.

The perfect setting for: • A business trip or short break in one of our 38 beautiful Bedrooms, including a number of Executive Suites and the Beautiful William Morris suite, which is perfect for newlyweds and romantic breaks.

• Memorable events to mark special occasions for families and friends; weddings, birthdays, anniversaries.

• Spaces and support for Business training courses, conferences, meetings & events.

• Fantastic, tasty food in our Restaurant - served with a selection of affordable wine and beers.

• Afternoon Teas, hot beverages and home-made snacks, cakes and biscuits in Café 88.

• Work out at the Quorn Grange Gym or relax with a walk, a game of Boules or pitch and putt in the beautiful gardens.

There is more information on our website www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk but be sure you don’t miss:

Sunday 15th June: Falconry for Father’s Day Choose either a morning or afternoon Falconry session flying Birds of Prey in the grounds of the Hotel, special lunch menu £18.50 a head (Children under 10 eat free) and £25 per person for the Falconry session. Places limited so book early by calling 01509 412167 to avoid disappointment.

Saturday 23rd August: Shakespeare at Quorn Grange Gardens Come along with a chair and a picnic or purchase tasty food at the Hotel, this is the first time that we have held a live performance in the grounds and we are looking forward to a memorable event - see the website for more details. Tickets are £8 per person.

CALL 01509 412167 TO BOOK NOW! www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk • mail@quorngrangehotel.co.uk 88 Wood Lane, Quorn, Leicestershire LE12 8DB

THE

belmont HOTEL

Celebrate 80 years of fabulous food at The Belmont Hotel!

Delicious dining, scrumptious Sunday lunches, carefree cocktails, amazing afternoon teas - there’s something for everyone at our lovely independent hotel.

0116 254 4773

events@belmonthotel.co.uk www.belmonthotel.co.uk

Pop in for a cappuccino or celebrate your special occasion with a private dinner, each come with a warm welcome!

WINING & DINING

READY, STEADY, COOK Looking for a delicious dinner in 30 minutes or less? We challenged two local chefs to get creative with a recipe which can be prepared, cooked and served in under half an hour. A midweek treat, these are truly something to rush home for

RISOTTO OF SPRING VEGETABLES WITH GOAT’S CHEESE & BASIL CRÈME FRAICHE

by James Lonergan, head Chef, Quorn Grange hotel Ingredients Serves 2, adjust ingredients accordingly 100g Aborio rice 25ml medium white wine 250ml vegetable stock 1 small white onion (finely diced) 1 clove of garlic (finely chopped) Garden peas (handful) Broad beans peeled (handful) Asparagus (chopped) Baby spinach (washed) 50g Parmesan (grated) 50g Goats cheese (crumbled) Knob of unsalted butter Splash of olive oil

For basil crème fraiche: 4 tbsp Crème fraiche 20g Fresh basil (chopped) Seasoning

add the hot vegetable stock a bit at a time until you have the consistency of the rice as “al Dente”, meaning just cooked but with bit of a crunch or bite

Method • Make the basil crème fraiche by combining the ingredients together in a jug or bowl and set aside.

• If you prefer your rice to be softer just add more vegetable stock.

• Heat the vegetable stock in a pan until boiling, then lower the heat and keep warm.

• In a separate pan heat the olive oil, add the onion and cook for 1 minute.

• Add the garlic cook for 30 seconds and then add the risotto.

• Keep stirring until the rice is coated for about a minute then add the white wine.

• Let the rice absorb the wine and the

• When most or all of the stock has been absorbed add the asparagus, broad beans & peas.

• Cook for 1 minute, stir in the spinach and then add the parmesan.

• Adjust the seasoning, remove from the heat and stir in the knob of butter.

• Finish off by topping with the goats cheese and a spoonful of basil crème fraiche.

• I’ve garnished my risotto with some mini watercress but you could use whatever you prefer. Enjoy!

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 37

OPEN DAY SPRING INTO SUMMER THURSDAY 22ND MAY 2014 10AM – 8PM WIN A COOKERY COURSE, WATCH COOKERY DEMONSTRATIONS, LOOK AROUND OUR FACILITIES Please visit our website to book your free tickets for this event: www.bridge67cookeryschool.co.uk Tel: 01162 796155

Sunday lunch at

The White Peacock Every Sunday from 12 noon Sundays are a special day meant for relaxation and enjoying the finer things in life.

We invite you to come and join us on Sundays from 11am for brunch, or if you prefer a Sunday lie-in we’ll welcome you for a traditional British Sunday Roast from 12 noon.

Family events | Weddings & Engagement parties Masterclass experiences | Canapé parties

Your event to a T

Please visit www.thomasthecaterer.co.uk to download your free copy of ‘The 111/2 things you can’t forget for an awesome event’.

Tel: 01163 260529 Email: whatscooking@thomasthecaterer.co.uk

THE WHITE PEACOCK

14-16 King Street, Leicester LE1 6RJ

0116 254 7663 For information and general enquiries please email: enquiries@the-white-peacock.co.uk www.the-white-peacock.co.uk

WINING & DINING

READY, STEADY, COOK continued

Pork fillet with black pudding mash and balsamic and port glaze

by Phillip Sharpe, Chef Patron, The White Peacock Ingredients Serves 1, adjust ingredients accordingly 1 pork fillet (trimmed) 50g black pudding 1 large desire potato (peeled) 50ml port 50ml white wine 50ml balsamic vinegar 1 carrot (peeled) 100g green beans 1tbsp rosemary (chopped)

Method •C ut your peeled potato and put onto boil.

•O nce cooked mash and season potato with salt and pepper and cover with cling film to keep warm.

•D ice up black pudding and keep to one side.

•S eason pork fillet with salt and pepper and a little olive oil.

•H eat a pan on the hob at a high temperature. Once hot, add the pork fillet and sear the meat off, until you have a nice even golden colour.

•T ake pan from the hob and place the pork in a preheated oven (160°C) for 10 minutes. Remove and allow to rest.

•C ut the carrots into sticks and blanch in boiling water until cooked. Top and

tail green beans and blanch in boiling water until tender.

• To finish the mash, put the black pudding into a pan with a little milk and bring to the boil. Then add the warm mashed potatoes and beat very well until the black pudding is cooked and the mash is a nice even colour.

• Remove rested pork from your pan and put the white wine, port and balsamic vinegar with the meat juices and reduce by half. To finish the sauce, add some chopped rosemary.

• Slice the pork. Save any more meat juices and add to the sauce.

• To assemble, put a ball of mash in the centre of your warm plate. Then put the sliced pork on the top and the carrots and green beans around the mash. Finally add your sauce on top of the pork.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 39

Urban Fox Maison April Advert Half Page.pdf

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INDUSTRIAL

Image: Romo at Maison Interiors

hOMES & GaRDENS

Revolution

Renovating old warehouses and industrial buildings into residential homes is taking the design world by storm! Zoe Hubbard at Maison Interiors gives us her top 5 tips on achieving the look

1

Be exposed

Should you be fortunate enough to have walls in your house that are unfinished, worn or partially renovated, you are already half way there to achieving the industrial style. If however your home doesn’t naturally have these features, FAKE IT! Use brick textured wall coverings and chalky grey paints to create a faux concrete look.

fantastic, polished concrete which can be as rough and as patchy as you want it to be. Rustic parquet and stone are also great choices. If you’re concerned it’ll look too stark, use rugs to soften the look and create warmth underfoot. Good quality hand-woven and knotted traditional rugs work well, with wool blends offering a hard wearing option.

2

Precious metals

An industrial interior scheme is not complete without the much needed presence of metal. Tin, steel, iron and aluminium create a clean and cool environment; with its sleekness lending itself beautifully as a contrast to the harshness of rough brick and concrete.

Where possible incorporate exposed duct work, stairwells, countertops, divider walls etc. into your design. However, if you cannot stretch to these structural changes, try using metal in a simpler way such as storage and occasional furniture.

3

Shop floor

When it comes to industrial flooring, there are a number of materials that look

4

Light house

There are some truly brilliant ideas when it comes to industrial lighting; the simple enamel shades with filament bulbs look great but for a more personal touch; design your own lighting. You can

use re-cycled industrial pipes, caging, jars etc. Try fabric cabling which come in a variety of colours, and different shapes and sizes of filament bulbs.

5

Finishing touches

It is ultimately the décor that brings softness to the space. Find some seriously comfy sofas and add punchy coloured fabrics in linen and wool.

Plants will inject life and colour into any environment, so look for a few really great large leaved plants and some bold pots to house them.

Finally the key to achieving this look is having an appreciation that every man-made object around us is the result of an industrial designer’s skill and talent. It could be a chair or a simple food processor that inspires you to revolutionise your home. But even if you don’t live in an industrial style building, you can still embrace the concept. It’s all about stripping everything back and being completely true to the interior and the building itself, which is as fundamentally important as the objects within it.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 41

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Top quality fabrics, wallpapers & paints by DESIGNERS GUILD • O&L LINWOOD • COLE & SON FARROW & BALL and MANY MORE We stock a wide range of interior products such as FURNITURE • GIFTS DECORATIONS • BLINDS LIGHTING • SHUTTERS and MUCH MORE

Image supplied by Harlequin

Top quality fabrics, wallpapers & paints by DESIGNERS GUILD • LINWOOD • O&L • COLE AND SON • FARROW & BALL AND MANY MORE We stock a wide range of interior products such as FURNITURE • DECORATIONS • GIFTS • BLINDS • LIGHTING • SHUTTERS & MUCH MORE Image supplied

by Ian Sanderson

 Open Tuesday - Saturday 09.30-17.00  Velvet Fox Interiors, 3 High Street, Quorn, Leics, LE12 8DS  01509 415568 |  info@velvet-fox.co.uk |  velvet-fox.co.uk

Image supplied by Harlequin

Top quality fabrics, wallpapers & paints by DESIGNERS GUILD • LINWOOD • O&L • COLE AND SON • FARROW & BALL AND MANY MORE We stock a wide range of interior products such as FURNITURE • DECORATIONS • GIFTS • BLINDS • LIGHTING • SHUTTERS & MUCH MORE

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 43

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20% OFF CURTAIN MAKING for a limited period (excludes own fabric)

hOMES & GaRDENS

Halo Wentworth Office Furniture available from Fenwick, Leicester

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an organised, elegant workspace, where you want to spend time is the key to productivity. We love this warm and inviting country style home office 2

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armillary Large Tripod Base, £155, barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Newgate 50s Electric Wall Clock, £66, occa-home.co.uk Fintorp Wire basket with handle, £6, Ikea halo Kipling Office Chair, £545, Fenwick Lavender in Wicker Pot, £22, John Lewis Wild & Wolf Lobby Phone, £49, redcandy.co.uk area Black & Copper Table Lamp, £195, alexanderandpearl.co.uk

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 45

Our Cotes Mill Showrooms Are Now Open 01509 234000 - www.floorsofstone.com Cotes Mill, Nottingham Road, Loughborough, LE12 5TL

In association with

Realise your dreams...

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To relaunch the recently refitted showroom, Dewhirsts are holding an open day on Saturday 11th June 2011 from 11 am.

Kitchens & Bedrooms

Kitchens & Bedrooms

Over 55 years of award winning kitchens in Leicester No two kitchens are the same. Yours will be unique. A one off that we create for you. Simple forms, new materials, new designs to accommodate your living style, whilst still providing uncompromising quality, precision manufacturing with outstanding craftsmanship and design.

Complete Kitchens fitted from £5,999 With kitchens ranging from £5,999 - £60,000, our extensive range includes the German Classic kitchen package. Priced at a competitive £5,999 it offers hundreds of style and colour combinations - choose from shiny, matt, country and shaker styles. FREE Neff Dishwasher Offer! Ask in-store for details.

Dewhirst Kitchens are now into their second year of designing and fitting Daval bedrooms. It is now even easier to realise your dreams with a genuine 25% discount. We are the region’s exclusive supplier and have transformed many rooms into organised and peaceful retreats with a wide range of storage systems.

Registered through: KBSA

0116 218 255 2008 5745 WWW.DEWHIRSTKITCHENS.CO.UK OUR LEICESTER SHOWROOM IS LOCATED AT 98 GRANBY STREET, LEICESTER LE1 1DU URBAN FOX MAY 2014 47

Typical Interiors

BEAUCHAMP WALK

KIBWORT

KIBWORTH | LEIC BEAUCHAMP WALK KIBWORTH | LEICS | LE8 0Q BEAUCHAMP WALK KIBWORTH | LEICS | LE8 0QZ CHAMP WALK KIBWORTH | LEICS | LE8 BEAUCHAMP WALK KIBWORTH | LEICS | LE8 0QZ 0QZ Exclusive development of only

Bespoke kitche

Bespoke kitchens Sie Exclusive development of only Bespoke kitchens withappliances Siemens Exclusive development of onlyof ● Bespoke kitchens Siemenswith ●13 Exclusive development 13units and individually Bespoke kitchens with Siemens Exclusive development only Bespoke kitchens withwith Siemens Exclusive development ofdesigned onlyof only Bespoke kitchens with Siemens elopment of only 13 individually appliances and luxury bat 13 individually designed units appliances luxury bathrooms individually designed units appliances and luxury bathrooms designed units appliances and luxury bathrooms with 13 designed units appliances and and luxury bathrooms withwith 13 individually individually designed units Laufen sanitary appliances and luxury bathrooms with designed units Laufen sanitaryware with Laufen sanitaryware are Laufen sanitaryware are provided all Laufen sanitaryware are provided a sanitaryware are provided on on are allon p bedroom houses and ●Two Two vefive bedroom houses and Two to vetoto bedroom houses and Two fifive bedroom houses andLaufen to fifito ve bedroom houses and plots Two to fiveTwo bedroom houses and provided as standard on all plots plots plots plots on all Laufen sanitaryware provided plots bungalows available, withare prices bungalows available, with bungalows available, with available, with prices prices bungalows available, with pricesprices available, with prices edroom houses andbungalowsbungalows ● Option to choose various finishes starting from £180,000 starting from £180,000 plots starting fromfrom £180,000 Option to choose various fifinishes and starting from £180,000 Option choose various nishes and starting £180,000 starting from £180,000 andtoto anchoose extensive extras package ischo Option to choose variou Option to ailable,Typical with prices various finishes and an extensive extras package is available Typical ● Extensive, south facing landscapedOption an extensive extras package is available Interiors Typical available (subject to construction stage) Extensive, south facing landscaped rear (*subject to construction stage*) Interiors ypical an extensive extras packa Extensive, south facing landscaped rear (*subject to construction stage*) an extensive extras package is available an extensive e rear gardens, with parking £180,000 Interiors Extensive, south facing landscaped rear Option toparking choose various fi(*subject nishes andrear with (and garage *subject (*subject to construction stage*) Extensive, gardens, south facing landscaped rear gardens, with parking (and garage *subject eriors to construction stage*) Extensive, south facing landscaped (*subject to construction (subject to plot) and garage HELP TO to plot* )) HELP TO BUY BUY gardens, with parking (and garage *subject to plot* gardens, with parking (and garage *subject an extensive extras package isgarage available ON ON ALL ALL PROPERTIES PROPERTIES gardens, with parking (and *subject ● Delightful location in the HELP TO IfIfHELP you’re time or th facing landscapedto rear TO BUY you’re aa fifirst rst time buyer buyer or looking looking to to to plot*to ) location (*subject construction stage*) plot*) Delightful in sought move only aa 5% deposit Delightful location in the the sought after after ON PRO move home, you only need need 5%ALL deposit sought after Leicestershire ON home, ALLyou PROPERTIES

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Leicestershire village of Leicestershire of Kibworth Kibworth village ofvillage Kibworth Delightful location in the sought

with ‘Help with the the goverment-backed goverment-backed ‘Help to toaBuy’ Buy’ If you’re first

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scheme.

If you’re a first time buyer or looking scheme. after you Delightful location in the sought after move home, you onlymove needhome, a 5% dep HELP TO BUY with the‘Help goverm Delightful location in the sought after with the goverment-backed to village of Kibworth ON ALL PROPERTIES LeicestershireLeicestershire village of Kibworth scheme. scheme.

will be open a firstof timeKibworth buyerView-home or looking to LeicestershireIf you’re village All All enquiries enquiries to to our our agent... agent... ation in the sought after move home, you only need a 5% deposit from Saturday 31st May with the goverment-backed ‘Help to Buy’ 0116 270 270 5900 5900 village of Kibworth0116 View-home will b 26 scheme.

View-home will be open 26 Allandale Allandale Road Road || Stoneygate Stoneygate |Leics |Leics || LE2 LE2 2DA 2DA All enquiries All enquiries to our agent... to our agent... info@fothergillwyatt.com www.fothergillwyatt.com info@fothergillwyatt.com www.fothergillwyatt.com

0116 270 to 5900 0116 270 5900 All enquiries our agent...

BARWOOD - B WALK LMERCURY AD.indd 1 BARWOOD - B WALK LMERCURY AD.indd 1

www.barwoodhomes.co.uk

www.barwoodhomes.co.uk from 31st Saturday from Saturday May 31s View-hom

from Satu View-home will be open www.barwoodhome www.barwoodhomes.co.uk from Saturday 31st 26 Allandale Road | Stoneygate |Leics | LE2 2DA May

26|Allandale Road | Stoneygate 26 Allandale Road Stoneygate |Leics | LE2 2DA|Leics | LE2 2DA info@fothergillwyatt.com info@fothergillwyatt.com www.fothergillwyatt.com 0116 270 5900 www.fothergillwyatt.com

11/4/14 09:59:00 11/4/14 09:59:00

Convenient Living Busy lives demand instant solutions, but a house move is neither a quick or carefree consideration, and the property that offers everything is not always available. Peter Wyatt of local estate agents Fothergill Wyatt explains how to ensure your home offers the most convenient living solution Work

The best way to make your home a convenient place to live, is to be close to where you spend the majority of your time – work. You don’t have to live on the doorstep of the office, but it might be close to the train station, public transport or simply giving you ease of access on the road network.

Parking

Somewhere easy to park, easy to unload the shopping, the kids, the dog, and know your car is safe. This peace of mind is a must for families who are in and out the car regularly. If a property doesn’t have off-road parking, consider can you park nearby? Can you drop the kerb? Can you buy a space?

Space

Try to retain at least one living area which is free from clutter, noise and

interruptions; that offers you the opportunity to switch off and relax.

If you’re living area is open plan, ensure it offers everyone the flexibility to enjoy it together with segregated living, dining, open, and kitchen areas so that the family is not ‘on top of each other’ at all times.

Storage

There’s nothing like a cluttered property to add to your stress, because you know tidying up is just another job on your perpetually expanding list of things to do. Good storage means all the bits and pieces have somewhere to go when you want space and order around you.

When searching for your ideal home, you should carefully consider where you can store all of the family paraphernalia. Is the inside and outside space on offer enough for your accumulation of belongings?

Image: Plug Interiors

homeS & gardens

There are all sorts of ways to create innovative storage space, for shoes, coats, linen, toys and the gardening equipment but built-in storage space such as fitted wardrobes and cupboards is invaluable.

Outside

We all need some fresh air, and the opportunity to soak up the sun on the rare occasion it is out, and nowhere is more convenient or accessible to enjoy it than stepping out the back door of your own home.

Create an outdoor environment that is right for your family. Some may want acres of rolling grassland to run around in. Others may want a low maintenance yard to sit out and enjoy a coffee or a barbecue.

Some physical factors of a property cannot be changed, such as the size of the garden; others, like how the garden is presented, or the quality of the fittings and appliances in the home can be altered. Giving thought to what constitutes a stress free home life for you is becoming the most important consideration in house moves for the era of ‘modern convenience’.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 49

Ambience ad H109xW150 03.14.pdf

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Adhesives, oils, lacquers, cleaning products, skirting & door trims etc available from stock

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We sell wood burners and super efficient gas fires. Lifestyle and household accessories, to add that touch of individuality to your home or workspace.

We also sell and fit stoves and room heaters by Clearview, Jotul and Morso, Scan, Barbus, Dru and Hunter and many more leading brands.

www.woodburnerworkshop.co.uk Tel: 01455 552 552 31 Market Street, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4E J Enquiries: info@woodburnerworkshop.co.uk

s

WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES | FASCIAS

Quick, make the most of the sunshine!

On a glorious day, it’s lovely to simply throw open the doors and let the sun in. It’s even better when you know that, should it turn chilly out, those doors will help keep you warm inside.

EAS customers love fickle English weather.

Why don’t you join them this summer?

Call us today on

0116 298 4251 2710120

www.easwindows.co.uk

Showhome at 25 New Street, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5EB URBAN FOX MAY 2014 51

For

beautiful For lawns For beautiful beautiful lawns lawns

Helping you build your dream garden consultancy | design | planting schemes re-style | makeovers | specialist pruning

Gardening Services

Lawn Mowing, Hedge Cutting, Garden Clearance & much, much more…

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plus expert advice from professional growers. www.diamondmowers.co.uk 8 -10 Sutton Court, Bath Street, Market Harborough. LE16 9EQ

www.diamondmowers.co.uk Tel: 01858 463932 Email: info@diamondmowers.co.uk 8 -10 Sutton Court, Bath Street, Market Harborough. LE16 9EQ

Tel: 01858 463932 Email: info@diamondmowers.co.uk

Oasis in HOby, Miles nurseries ltd l brOOksby rOad, HOby, MeltOn MOwbray, le14 3ea ne 01664 434113 telepHOne oasis@miles-nurseries.co.uk www.oasisinhoby.co.uk We are just off the A607 between Brooksby College & Hoby

Open Mon - Fri 8 - 4.30 all year Weekends Spring - Early Summer

Tips from the

POTTING SHED every summer I buy my hanging baskets but this year I thought I would have a go myself. can you give me some advice on how to plant them and make them last?

Making your own hanging basket can be very rewarding. The first step is choosing your basket. There are many types to choose from but if you’re a newbie I would go for one that already has a lining such a wicker or rattan type.

Stand the basket in an old flower pot; this will keep it still as you work. Fill with a good multi-purpose compost, and add to this some water retaining gel and slow release fertiliser. Both can be found in small packets at your local garden centre.

Follow the instructions on the back, most come with a scoop so getting the

right amount is easy. The gel will swell up when you water your hanging basket and help prevent it drying out. The slow release fertiliser will feed your plants right through the season.

The fun bit is planting up. Choose a tall plant to go in the middle to give some height. Something like a geranium or even a small conifer.

Next, fill around the top edge of the basket with a mixture of trailing plants and flowering bedding plants. Give it a good water to get it going and hang outside once risk of frost has passed.

I’m new to gardening and when I go to the garden centre I’m confronted by different terms for different plants. What do they mean?

These days plant growers seem to use a myriad of terms on their plant labels and it can be quite confusing. Generally these terms are used to describe the life cycle of the plant so your will know how long they will survive in the garden. annual - a plant that will complete its life cycle - shoot, grow, flower, seed, die – in one year. It will not grow back the following year, these are usually bedding plants that produce bright flowers in the summer.

Biennia - these take two years, usually growing leaves the first year and

flowering the next e.g. foxgloves.

Herbaceous Perennials - are plants that will come back year after year, putting on lush growth and beautiful flowers from spring to summer. They die down over winter to almost nothing but will then shoot back up year after year.

Shrubs - provide the back bone to a border. Some may keep their leaves all year (Evergreens), but unlike the herbaceous perennials the lush growth turns woody and gives the plant structure all year.

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 53

Home

29 Glenfield Road East, Leicester, LE3 5QW

Open:

9am - 7pm Weekdays 9am - 3pm Saturdays

Puppy Vaccine Course £39.99 Dog Vaccine Booster £23.99 Kennel Cough Vaccine £12.99 Dog Castrate £79.99 - £89.99 Dog Spay £94.99 - £129.99 Kitten Vaccine Course from £34.99 Cat Vaccine Booster from £19.99 Cat Castrate £34.99 Cat Spay £48.99

Tel: 0116 251 7677

leicester@bestfriendsgroup.com

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Alone

Balancing work and family commitments can leave your dog alone for long periods of time. We look at ways you can care for your dog and work too 1 take your dog to work Granted this option is not viable for every job but if you work for a small company, outdoors or on your own, this may well be possible. Your boss might be a fellow dog lover and be happy to oblige.

2 Work from home Depending on your job could you possibly change your working patterns to flexi-time and/or perform some of your duties at home? This will ensure that you are on hand to provide the care your pet needs.

3 go home for lunch If your work journey takes 10 mins each way and you get an hour for lunch, this might be an option. 40 mins at home will give you enough time to let your dog out or perhaps have a short walk.

4 Hire a dog walker Consider using a professional dog walking service. Pricing options vary with group walks with other dogs being the most cost effective. Check that they’re fully insured to take possession of your house keys and supervise your dog 5 doggy day care This is effectively a canine crèche. If your dog’s outgoing and sociable with other dogs, this can be a great experience. Similar to professional childcare, this option can be expensive, but it does provide quality entertainment for your dog.

PEOPLE & PLaCES

Smells like

communitY sPirit

Image: Laura Heaps www.hoola.co.uk

Kibworth Charitable Trust is a grant making charity which exists to raise funds to be shared with local organisations, clubs, societies, charities and individuals who need financial support to achieve their goals. We spoke to Maggie Stocks, one of three Trustees of KCT to find out more.

“The trust was conceived in early 2013 to facilitate Kibworth’s first family music festival - KibFest - in memory of a much loved Kibworth resident and business man, Adam Bennett” explains Maggie.

“KibFest raised an amazing £12,000 for two local organisations close to Adam’s heart, so we decided to carry on.”

Since then, the Trust has largely been funded by donations from further fundraising events and villagers who want to give back to the community.

With those donations the KCT has sought to help a diverse range of village initiatives.

So has it been successful? “In addition to KibFest, one of the Trust’s early successes was the publishing of cookbook ‘See Kibworth and Eat’, the brainchild of fellow Trustee Trina Ward, in collaboration with local cooks, businesses and a resident publisher. It’s been a hit, with 75% of the cover price going to the Trust, and hundreds of copies sold to date.”

Applicants to the Trust must be 18 or over and applying for a project that will be delivered in/for the residents of Kibworth Beauchamp, Kibworth Harcourt or Smeeton Westerby. The Trust seeks to support a broad range of community-focused initiatives including arts, education & training, sport, youth groups, health-related and environmental projects, and with applicants receiving a sum of up to £3000, the support provided is significant.

In the latest round of applications funding was awarded to Kibworth village Youth Club, Kibworth Rangers, Kibworth village Hall and the 1st Scouting Group.

Available from The Bookshop, Post Office & White Street Gallery, Kibworth for £9.95

Would KCT recommend that other communities follow in their footsteps?

“Absolutely!” enthuses Maggie. “It’s a great way of really getting involved in village life and it can make a difference to so many groups and projects. Make sure you have a small, focussed and enthusiastic team of Trustees and helpers to ensure things happen. Recruit people with a range of skills, such as marketing and PR, web design, financial management, event management etc.

Finally get local businesses on board and work with other established local groups like the Rotary Club, who can be really supportive. But most of all enjoy it!”

So what’s next for KCT? “The next round of applications will be towards the end of 2014” says Maggie. “The date is yet to be confirmed but will be posted on our website www.kibworthcharitabletrust. org.uk. In the meantime we’d love residents to get involved and hold their own fundraising events for the Trust, and on Saturday 17th May, we’ll be holding JumbleFest at Kibworth Grammar School. All proceeds will go to the KCT, to build the ‘pot’ ready for the next round of funding. Do come along and support us.”

If readers are interested in finding our more about the Trust, visit their website www.kibworthcharitabletrust.org.uk URBAN FOX MAY 2014 55

Fostering & Adoption

All we need is you!

Could you change a child’s life in 2014?

Here’s when, where and how!

Foster Care Fortnight Saturday daytime events:

Saturday 10 May - We will be at Braunstone Civic Centre, Kingsway, Braunstone Town, LE3 2PP. Drop in anytime between 10am and 2pm.

Saturday 17 May - We will be at Syston Community Centre, School Street, Syston, LE7 1HN. Drop in anytime between 10am and 2pm.

Evening events: Thursday 22 May and Thursday 19 June Drop in anytime between 5pm and 7pm (no need to book) to St Martins House (next door to the cathedral), 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester, LE1 5PZ. Come along and meet our friendly advisors as well as experienced carers and adopters. Or if you prefer, you can just ring us for a chat during the day Monday to Friday.

Thank you for everything you have done and for making me one of your family xxx - Katie (9)

www.leicester.gov.uk/fostering – 0116 454 4500

PEOPLE & PLaCES

Half Term

Escapes

Certaldo, Tuscany

Considering a last minute holiday but don’t know where to go? here’s our pick of familyfriendly destinations that will appeal to all ages. It’s just a shame you only have week!

tuscany

cape Verde

Spring is perfect for exploring the countryside and hill towns of Tuscany.

The cities of Florence and Siena are a cultural paradise, with medieval hill-top villages such as Montalcino and Pienza standing untouched by time. Families will find it more relaxing to be in the country with day trips to the cities rather than the other way around. Morning cultural excursions can be balanced with livelier activities closer to home. Italians will not think it unusual for you to take a child, no matter how small, out to a restaurant in the evening and foodies will rejoice at the Tuscan food and wine on offer in the many restaurants and wine bars.

A bit further away, but due to the relatively low humidity, the weather on the islands is better suited to children than many Mediterranean destinations.

Even though there aren’t any child specific attractions within the islands, there are an abundance of activities for children to enjoy. Aside from the miles of golden sand on the main islands of Sal and Boa vista; activities like horse riding, turtle spotting, windsurfing and volcano exploring are sure to make an impression with your brood. In the main towns you will find international cuisine but encourage the kids to try local Creole dishes such as Cachupa a slow cooked stew made with beans and fish or meat.

Where to stay: The Casa Badiola hotel is set in the majestic Maremma. For the children there’s an outdoor pool with lifeguard and an excellent kids club.

Club hotel Riu Funana, Cape Verde

Where to stay: Club hotel Riu Funana is on the island of Sal. This beachfront location offers all inclusive packages and a daytime entertainment programme for children aged 4 to 12.

Ruins of Urquhart Castle, Scottish highlands

scottish highlands Closer to home the Scottish Highlands are warming up nicely and now is the time to go if you want to avoid the mosquitos. The Highlands is an inspiring region of magnificent mountains, lochs and sandy beaches. Whether you’re looking for wildlife, history or the chance to enjoy the great outdoors, you’re really spoilt for choice. The Highlands offer the perfect opportunity for getting away from it all and encouraging the kids to get back to nature with activities including walking, mountain biking, fishing and kayaking. As you’re still in the UK having picky-eaters shouldn’t be a problem either, although they might want avoid local delicacies including haggis and black pudding!

Where to stay: The Inn at John O’Groats is located in Caithness and boasts luxury 1, 2 or 4 bed self-catering accommodation. Children can enjoy the natural explorer boat ride and ‘geocaching’- treasure hunting 21st Century style!

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 57

MY WaY:

eileen richards

Recruitment specialist and business owner talks to us about her career and starting over I was born in Leicester, one of seven children - Irish stock! I loved school life and was encouraged to get involved in everything including playing the accordion which being part of an Irish family has had its uses.

ER Recruitment, a boutique recruitment consultancy. It's been long, hard hours, getting it up and running but it feels right!

I didn't know what I wanted to do when I left school; I just knew that I wanted to be financially independent and I’d always had an interest in people. I worked initially for Talbographic, a photocopying company; but when the company moved to London, I registered with Search recruitment agency. I told them I wanted to temp with a range of companies to give me an understanding of how different businesses worked.

I am Chair of Leicestershire’s Chamber of Commerce Integra group. There are various women networking groups around aimed at raising the profile of women in business, but Integra offered me the right mix of people, focus and events. I was asked to join the committee in 2012 and in 2013 voted by the existing committee to become Chair. I also sit on the board for Leicestershire Business voice, which works to develop business prosperity in the East Midlands.

I was excited to be offered a position as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant within the industry. I loved working with clients and really enjoyed the diversity of the position. I worked my way up and after five years became Managing Director.

Sometime later I was head hunted into a national MD role for another recruitment company.

Many women struggle with finding ways to balance work and life and guilt sometimes stops us from following our dreams. I have advised many women to set up their own business. There are so many business grants available now. I always think that success is measured by your own personal happiness, and that little voice in your head is normally right.

When my husband passed away, I wanted more time with my daughter amelia (who’s now 16) and a MD role did not fit the bill. So with an ex-colleague we started Clear Recruitment. Despite our success, life took another turn and in 2013 I decided to start a new venture -

after work, I have a small gym at home and the punch bag is a great end of day stress release! I love spending time with my family and I also like to travel.

Living for the moment whatever you are doing and whoever you are with, is so important to me.

Last film you saw

Twelve Years a Slave

Favourite fashion brand Karen Millen

Favourite place in the world Rome

Favourite public places to spend time in Leicestershire Beacon Hill and Bradgate Park

Last book you read

A Change of Heart by Adrienne vaughan

Most inspirational woman Diana, Princess of Wales

URBAN FOX MAY 2014 59

ANDREW GRANGER & CO

When it’s time to sell your home, we make it easy With high profile offices in Leicester, Market Harborough and Loughborough as well as Mayfair, London, we reach the right kind of buyers across Leicestershire and beyond.

Our team of qualified professionals are skilled at presenting properties of all kinds for sale.

Most of all, you can rely on us for genuinely personal service to help you every step of the way, which is why buyers and sellers come back to us again and again.

Chartered Surveyors, Property Management, Planning & Professional Services Andrew Granger & Co. Attenborough House, 10-12 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RD

Call 0116 242 9922 www.andrewgranger.co.uk