Your Wadhurst - September 2016

September 2016

WADHURST Recipes, seasonal food and kitchen gadgets galore!

We just clicked:

our guide to online dating

Male communication:

Meet our Village Person

how chaps can chat better

– sculptor Camilla Le May Why your academic results

don’t define you HALLOWEEN: Having fun safely on Fright Night

Remember, remember…

making Fireworks Night go with a bang

ESCAPE TO Abu Dhabi this autumn

HE'S BACK!

Poldark returns to our screens

Grow perfect hardy annuals

| Some of the best things in life can be free!

Wadhurst

Wadhurst Through A Lens - Sleepy Heads 2

SEPTEMBER 2016

Wadhurst

Wadhurst High Street by local photographer Will Vockins Email: willvockins@me.com SEPTEMBER 2016

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Contents p10

p36

p27 10 The Village People Say hello to talented local sculptor Camilla Le may.

21 Top Kitchen Gadgets We round up some of the best on today’s market.

Food & Drink

Entertainment

13 Recipes

22 What’s New?

Have a slice of la dolce vita taken from As the Romans Do, by Eleonora Galasso; Spagehitti Fritata Mimosa Cake, Salmon fillet with broad bean and pecorino mousse.

20 Seasonal Treats What should be in your food basket at this time of year?

your guide to going out and staying in.

Autumn Traditions 24 Halloween Don’t miss a trick – make Fright Night a treat!

25 Wadhurst Bonfire Society The history of Wadhurst's Bonfire Society.

27 Wadhurst Bonfire Night Come and Join the Wadhurst Warriors at their biggest bonfire event!

Travel 28 Abu Dhabi Jet off to the Emirates this autumn.

Gardening 33 Birds of a Feather Attract birdlife and keep your feathered friends well fed this autumn.

35 Hardy Annuals We show you how to grow the perfect hardy annuals.

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p28 36 Garden Store The latest in great gardening tools and equipment.

p57 44 Online Dating Everything you need to know about finding internet romance safely.

57 Results Driven?

Why your academic grades don’t have to define you

38 Spring Forward Why now’s the time to prepare your garden for the warmer weather.

It’s Your Life 42 Love Your Job You really can fall back in love with the daily grind.

46 Best Things in Life are Free Seriously, not everything in life needs to cost heaps of cash.

Education 53 From Vinehall

43 Why Men Need to Communicate How guys can do better when it comes to discussing their feelings.

Are children losing the power to imagine?

55 From Kent College A guide to starting school this September.

59 Wadhurst Rural Ramblings The latest instalment from Helen Stockton

0ƚ V 5VGR /GƲ QT CPF %QCEJ Life and Career Coach WHAT WE THINK, WE BECOME Free intake session

www.nextstepmentor.com www.facebook.com/ NextStepMentor123 Tel: 07958 386382 Email: nextstepmentor123@ gmail.com

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SEPTEMBER 2016

SUNDAY ROAST CHICKEN...PERFECT!

Or maybe a Monday roast or even a Wednesday roast and don’t forget a Friday roast...

...basically our succulent farm fresh chickens are good for a roast any day of the week.

Bearsted: 01622 737130 Wadhurst: 01892 782131 Staplehurst: 01580 891229

The ‘Roasting Specialists’

Welcome

A

h, autumn. Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, bonfire smoke and crunchy leaves underfoot – or darker, shorter nights and chillier weather, depending on your point of view.

But, even though you can no longer feel the sand between your toes or the hot sun on your back, it shouldn’t be a depressing time of year. And we reckon autumn should be enjoyed in its own right, and not seen as a period of grey slog before Christmas.

Indeed, although nature seems in a state of decay or preparation for hibernation, the season can be an excellent period of renewal. Use that post-holiday energy surge to take stock. Do you love your job, for example? If not, turn to page 42 to start learning how to.

And if you – or someone close to you – are starting a new year in education this month, Ania Jefferies explains on page 57 why your academic results don’t have to define you.

Meanwhile, if your life needs a special someone, don’t go online dating before checking out our complete guide on pages 44 and 45.

Autumn is, of course, all about Halloween and Bonfire Night. Read about how and where to celebrate, and the background and history to these traditions, over four pages from page 24.

It’s also a great time of year for food – and you’ll find the issue bursting with recipes, seasonal food tips and a guide to some fabulous kitchen gadgets on page 21.

Turn to page 22 for our round-up of what to see, listen to, read and play this autumn, whether you’re heading out or staying home.

Thought September and October were quiet months in the garden?

Think again. We show you what you can be getting on with, from growing hardy annuals (page 35) to preparing your patch for spring (page 38) to keeping garden birds well fed (page 33).

Finally, if you didn’t get away over the summer, it’s not too late. Banish the autumn chill with a sun-drenched escape to gorgeous Abu Dhabi.

Turn to page 28 to learn more.

Have a great couple of months, and don’t forget to connect and say hello via our Facebook page.

The YWM team

VDon’t forget to send your Village People nominations to info@treaclemarketing.com

Follow us:

yourwadhurstmagazine@yourwadhurst

Contact us PUBLISHED BY

If you have a story or wish to nominate somebody to be one of our ‘The Village People’ or would like to advertise within the magazine please contact us:

Email: info@treaclemarketing.com or Tel: 01892 78 33 89

Tree Tops | Lower Church Street Wadhurst | East Sussex | TN5 6AS

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data and prices in this publication are accurate at the time of going to press, neither Treacle Marketing not its editorial contributors can accept liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. We are unable to check claims made by advertisers are legal and truthful and that all products and services are safe. Treacle Marketing does not accept any liability in relation to advertisements placed.

When you have finished with this magazine please pass it on to a friend or recycle it – thank you.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Wadhurst

The Village People Introducing Camilla Le May We dedicate a page or two of every issue of Your Wadhurst magazine to someone interesting from our local community. This time, we catch up with sculptor Camilla Le May.

By Juliet England

C

amilla has a long association with Wadhurst, having grown up locally on her parents’ small mixed farm in the area. This early exposure, which included competing on horses trained at home, sparked a love of animals and wilderness that endures to this day for the 42-year-old.

“Horses were very important to us, so my youth was a formative time in developing a love of animals. Then I went to South Africa in 1999 on a Society of Wildlife Artists bursary award. This was my first experience of African wildlife in the wild, and it just blew me away.

“It inspired me to go back and live in South Africa for much of the next seven years. I taught art to children there as well as doing my own sculpting.”

She says: “This gave me a better understanding of the anatomy of different species, and of the mechanics when in motion.” She also led sculpture workshops for RVC staff and students.

Over the last 16 years, her work has been shown in wellestablished and highly respected galleries, and bought by private collectors all over the world. An associate member of the Society of Equestrian Artists, she has also received awards from the Society of Wildlife Artists and the British Sporting Art Trust, and was twice shortlisted for the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year award (DSWAY).

Le May’s work is first modelled in wax or clay before being cast into bronze.

Le May was also the inaugural Artist in Residence for the RVC, a position which allowed her to attend dissections, and learn about animal anatomy from experts.

The start of the project, Sudan bronze

IMAGE : RICH ARD-A DDISO N

She adds: “Because I have worked in a bronze foundry myself, I am very particular about the finish, and do all the From a young age, Le May also loved clay modelling, waxwork, final chasing and many of the patinas myself.” which she was introduced to at St Leonards Mayfield School.

However, it was some years later, after encouragement Her love of animals and wilderness means that Le May now from the late Sir Eduardo Paolozzi during a masterclass at splits her time between the UK and Kenya, where she sculpts Edinburgh Art College, that she decided to pursue sculpting as a career. Her work ranges from silver jewellery to a life-size wildlife directly from life, in their natural habitat. She works from her mobile studio – a converted Land Rover. bronze of the Household Cavalry horse Sefton (survivor of the Hyde Park bombing), which the Royal Veterinary College “This way I can better capture my subjects’ character, (RVC) commissioned, and which has been Sefton a nd Cam behaviour traits and anatomy. viewed by the Princess Royal. illa “Increasingly, I am sculpting particular individuals rather than a generic species type. While Wadhurst is definitely at its best at this time of year, I like to escape the long winters and seek inspiration in Africa whenever I can, although when I have commissions in the UK this is not possible.

IMAGE : MATT HEW

“I enjoy sculpting animals for various reasons. I am fascinated by animal behaviour. I also love capturing their beauty, form and movement in clay, so it’s a constant source of inspiration for me to spend time with my subjects.”

HOLLO W

Sudan with Oxpecker 10

SEPTEMBER 2016

Wadhurst

Another big part of what Le May does is raise as much money as she can for wildlife conservation, by selling her work in charity auctions and by donating a percentage of what she makes from private sales.

To date, she has raised more than £71,000 (and counting) for charity – two thirds of which is wildlife-related. They include the Tusk Trust, Wild Aid, Big Life, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Save the Rhino, the Perfect World Foundation, Retraining of Racehorses, The Household Cavalry Foundation and The Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

So what is she working on now?

“My most recent project was to sculpt Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino (NWR) in existence. For this, I spent more than four months sculpting him from life in Kenya. I learnt so much about rhinos and the tragic situation of the NWRs near extinction. The first edition of Sudan raised $3,000 through the Wild Aid gala auction in LA to go towards laboratory equipment needed for endangered species at The Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where Sudan lives with the last two females. The work is being used to raise funds and awareness. I sculpted the flighting oxpecker with Sudan as a statement about the impact of extinction on other species who share a symbiotic relationship. A bird flighting from Sudan also serves as symbolism of the soul, soon to leave the elderly rhino and the species’ inevitable extinction when he dies.

“This way I can better capture my subjects’ character, behaviour traits and anatomy.

“Since finishing Sudan, which was shortlisted for DSWAY, I’m working on an exciting commission of a beautiful racehorse, Golden Horn, who was the best turf horse in the world last year, winning the Derby and the Arc amongst others.

Q: What is the last book you read and the last film you saw?

A: I generally set no time aside for films or reading as I’m just so busy with my work. However, the last movie I caught was The Revenant – a powerful and beautifully shot film with a strong message on man’s historical abuse of wildlife and our environment. It depicts a hauntingly beautiful wilderness and touches on the raw, harsh reality of nature. As for books, I only read two books a year! I last read Tony Fitzjohn’s Born Wild.

“And I’m planning to return to Kenya, where I will carry on sculpting African wildlife. I’m extremely lucky to be able to spend my time doing something I love so much.”

Q: What is the last CD or download you bought?

A: I haven’t bought music for a year or so. For the same reason as I’ve given above.

Finally, as ever, we finish with a few light-hearted questions to let us get to know the person behind the artist a little better.

Q: Describe yourself in seven words.

A: Perfectionist, driven hard worker, outspoken wildlife campaigner.

Q: What three things would you take to a desert island?

A: A radio, although I’m not sure whether that’s allowed! For Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. Also a tarpaulin with rope to string up for shelter and, of course, Badger, my dog!

Q: Which four people would make up your ideal dinner party?

A: Roald Dahl, Bugatti (sculptor), Lyall Watson, Sir David Attenborough.

Q: And ... all-time favourite holiday/travel destination?

A: I loved Tobago and Jordan (Wadi Rum) for holidays, but my repeat work trips to Africa – Kenya in recent years – and being based in the bush are constant sources of inspiration, and it is in Africa that I tend to be happiest, amongst nature and in such a vibrant setting and with a tropical climate.

For more information about Camilla Le May and her work, visit http://www.camillalemay.com/index.php SEPTEMBER 2016

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All served with a selection of homemade sides and salads.

BBQ in the garden Friday, Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting)

THE GREYHOUND 01892 783224

Recipes

When in Rome...

Or anywhere else, in fact....there’s no reason not to live (and love) a slice of la dolce vita. Now you can, thanks to this cookbook, As the Romans Do, by the enchanting Eleonora Galasso, who herself hails from Rome.

Photography by David Loftus

E

ver wanted to explore the world of authentic Italian 'cucina' away from the standard staples of pasta and pizza? Now you can, thanks to these flavour-packed recipes for home kitchens. Some have been passed down through Eleanora's family, others she has collected herself by travelling around Italy's Lazio region. From brioche braid with chocolate flakes to grandma's meatballs with glazed shallots and prunes, to rice and lemon sole timbale with prosecco, myriad sensory delights await.

Reflecting Rome's vibrancy and gastronomic diversity, over 100 recipes cover a typical day in the life of one of the Italian capital's locals, from breakfast buns to cakes, romantic dinners, aperitivo, family lunches and midnight munchies, all aimed at transporting you to the palazzos, side-streets and community of the glorious Eternal City. Buon appetito!

Published by Mitchell Beazley Hardback, £25.00

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Recipes

SPAGHETTI OMELETTE Frittata di spaghetti ‘Qui n’se butta gniente.’ That’s Roman for: ‘Nothing gets thrown away here.’ In the old days, lunchtime was marked by placing a huge bowl of spaghetti al sugo in the middle of the table, to be eaten greedily by all diners. Any leftovers would be revived in a new shape: the frittata. I must admit, I am so evangelical about the food I like eating (and cooking) that I relish an opportunity to use up ingredients that might otherwise go in the bin. The quintessential comfort food snack, frittata di spaghetti can also be sandwiched between pieces of bread for a picnic: the panino con la frittata has been a Roman favourite for decades.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Recipes Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Serves 6 6 large eggs 50g (13/4oz) pecorino romano cheese, grated 100ml (31/2fl oz) full-fat or semiskimmed milk pinch of salt pinch of pepper 100g (31/2oz) provolone, Muenster or mozzarella cheese, cut into 5-mm (11/4-inch) cubes 400g (14oz) spaghetti 80g (3oz) pancetta or smoked bacon cubes 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil large handful of sage leaves, finely chopped, plus 10 whole sage leaves Beat the eggs together in a bowl, add the pecorino, milk, salt,

pepper and half the provolone and mix together well. Set aside.

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil, add the spaghetti and cook according to the packet instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and let it cool for a minute, then tip it back into the pan, add the beaten egg mixture and mix everything together so the pasta is evenly coated.

Heat a small non-stick frying pan over a low heat, add the pancetta and fry for 3 minutes until crisp and golden. (You won’t need any oil here – the fat from the pancetta will be sufficient.) Remove the pancetta from the frying pan and set aside. Fry the whole sage leaves in the remaining pancetta fat until crispy – about 30 seconds – and set aside.

In a large non-stick frying pan, heat 4 tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil over a medium heat. Add half the spaghetti to cover the base of the pan, scatter over the chopped sage, pancetta cubes and remaining provolone and cover with the rest of the spaghetti. Lower the heat and cook gently for 10 minutes, or until the omelette has just set.

Turn the omelette over with the aid of a plate if you need it, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and continue to cook for a further 5 minutes until the omelette is firmly set and golden in parts.

Leave the omelette to rest in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out and serving, scattered with the fried sage leaves.

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Recipes Preparation time: 45 minutes plus cooling, soaking and overnight drying Cooking time: 50 minutes Makes 1 x 23-cm (9-inch) cake 6 eggs 120g (4oz) caster sugar 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 vanilla pod, split lengthways and seeds scraped pinch of salt 80g (3oz) cornflour, sifted 80g (3oz) plain flour, sifted Custard: 3 egg yolks 3 tablespoons caster sugar 360ml (12fl oz) milk zest of 1 lemon 3 tablespoons plain flour, sifted 100ml (3 ½ fl oz) pineapple juice Filling: 300ml (10fl oz) whipping cream 50g (1¾oz) icing sugar 300g (10oz) pineapple, trimmed, peeled and cored and cut into 1-cm (½-inch) chunks For the candied flowers, place the sugar in a small bowl. Coat one of the flowers on all sides with the egg white using a small brush, then hold it over the sugar bowl using a pair of tweezers and gently spoon over the sugar until each petal is coated. Place the flower on a large sheet of baking paper, then repeat with the remaining flowers. Leave to dry at room temperature overnight.

For the sponge cake, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), Gas Mark 4. Line a 23-cm (9-inch) spring-form cake tin with baking paper.

Put the eggs, sugar, ginger, vanilla seeds and salt in a bowl and mix together with an electric whisk for 10 minutes until fluff y.

Add the sifted flours and whisk for another 1–2 minutes to form a smooth batter. Pour the batter into the cake tin in an even layer and bake in the centre of the oven for 40 minutes, until the sponge is lightly golden and the centre springs back when pressed lightly with your fingers. Leave the sponge to cool in the tin on a wire rack before turning it out.

While the sponge is cooling, make the pineapple custard.

Whisk the egg yolks together with the sugar in a medium saucepan off the heat for 5 minutes until pale and fluff y. Add the milk and lemon zest and heat gently for 2–3 minutes, then stir in the flour and bring to a gentle simmer. Leave the custard to bubble away for a further 2–3 minutes before stirring in the pineapple juice. Continue to simmer, stirring, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, then pour the custard into a bowl and leave to cool for 30 minutes. Cover with clingfilm and transfer to the refrigerator for 2 hours to chill.

For the syrup, put the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the liqueur, then leave to cool at room temperature for 20 minutes.

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PINEAPPLE - FLAVOURED

MIMOSA CAKE

WITH CANDIED FLOWERS Mimosa al profumo di ananas con fior ellini zuccherati In the alleys of the eternal city, you might bump into a lady carrying a basket of flowers on her head.

‘Would you care for a bunch of violets?’ she says, and she offers you a purple bundle as she crosses herself. On the 8th of March, women are traditionally celebrated with a bunch of mimosa blossoms and a mimosa-shaped cake. Mine is decorated with fresh and candied flowers, which you should make the day before. Be sure to prepare the sponge base in advance, too, as it needs to cool completely before you fill it. This wonderfully fresh dessert makes quite a spectacle.

SEPTEMBER 2016

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SALMON FILLET WITH BROAD BEAN & PECORINO MOUSSE It’s May 1st, also known as Workers’ Day. From this date on, a string of public holidays and long weekends signal the beginning of summer and its seemingly endless sweet idleness. It’s picnic time, and families will arrive in the meadows of the Castelli Romani with baskets filled with bottles of red wine, fresh broad beans and crystalline pecorino. As the popular proverb says, ‘Al cuor non si comanda’ (‘you can’t rule the heart’). It wants what it wants. Still, how about some pink salmon with minty broad bean mousse as a variation on the theme? Sit down. Tuck that napkin in your collar. Get ready to have your taste buds driven insane.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Recipes

Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves 2 250g (9oz) podded broad beans or edamame, defrosted if frozen 2 tablespoons lemon juice 30g (1oz) mint leaves, plus extra to garnish 50g (13/4oz) pecorino romano cheese 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil knob of salted butter 2 x 260-g (91/2-oz) salmon fillets salt Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil, add the broad beans and cook for 5 minutes. Drain and skin the beans, then put them in a food processor with the lemon juice, mint leaves, pecorino and olive oil. Season with salt and blend together briefly for 5 seconds to form a coarsely chopped ‘mousse’.

Melt a little butter in a frying pan over a low heat, add the salmon fillets and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side until lightly golden.

Transfer the salmon fillets to individual plates and spread the broad bean mousse over the surface of each.

Scatter over a few extra mint leaves and enjoy with a full-flavoured white wine such as Greco di Tufo.

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Which foods are in season in September and October?

9GŚTG DKI HCPU QH UGƴ QPCN Hƌ F JGTG Ɩ ;QWT 9CFJWTǕ OCIC\KPG CPF CTG XGT[ CYCTG QH Cƣ VJG DGPGǑ VU QH GƖ KPI RTQFWEG YJGP Ɠ ŚU KP UGƴ QP KP VGTOU QH JGCNVJ CPF VJG GPXKTQƭ GƲ ŗ Dƙ CNUQ DGECƛ G Ɠ ŚU Ɣ Ǖ KGT VJƖ YC[ So here’s the low-down on what to put in your basket or shopping trolley at this time of year. And we’re pleased to say that autumn has a great variety of seasonal food that will not only be a delight to cook but also, more importantly, a pleasure to eat.

Kale Kale belongs to the cabbage family and comes with either curly or smooth leaves, the latter being the more common of the two.

The leaves, which are mainly green but sometimes tinged purple or blue, have a distinct, quite strong avour.

They grow in a rosette at the top of a stem rather than forming a head.

You could boil or steam kale for a couple of minutes, enjoy raw in a salad, or cook up with pasta, lemon juice, garlic and pesto. It packs an incredible punch in a soup, or team it up with walnuts, or sautĂŠ with lemon and garlic.

How about making a quinoa, white bean and kale stew – or even a kalebased smoothie?

Pumpkins Although technically a fruit, when a pumpkin is used in cooking it is more often referred to as a vegetable. And you can do more with these bright

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SEPTEMBER 2016

orange orbs than make them into lanterns for Halloween!

Pumpkin soup is also popular, but you can give it a twist with coconut or chilli. Turn your pumpkin into a pickle, incorporate the seeds in bread (or roast them), or make fritters from it. Throw it in a pasta dish with rosemary or a warm salad with walnuts. Prefer something sweet? Make muffins with rosemary and pumpkin, a loaf cake (with coconut), a cheesecake, or even an ice cream with rum and raisins.

Apples We all love crunching into a Granny Smith, but this fruit is extremely versatile.

Apples can be baked, pickled, stewed, or sautĂŠed with onions, made into sauce, added to sandwiches, soups or pancakes, or made into compĂ´tes, chutneys, relishes, jams or marinades or added to coleslaw. Grilled apple rings give you a powerful dose of Vitamin C healthily.

You could also mix apples with chickpeas for a low-fat, high-protein vegetarian dish, or rustle up a sausage and apple sautĂŠ. For a healthy pudding, just slices some apples in half, scoop out the middle and pack with honey, raisins and a sprinkling of dark sugar.

Bake then top with low-fat Greek yoghurt to serve. Of course, you could also go the whole hog and have a traditional pie or crumble, and we can’t say we’d blame you. Equally, an apple and syrup steamed pudding with plum and apple compôte and homemade custard could go down very well indeed.

Pheasant Of course, the traditional roast pheasant is always a delight, served ideally with sherry-glazed parsnips and chestnuts.

This bird really is at its best when it’s in season in October – it simply does not cook as well from the freezer. But that’s not the only way to enjoy this poultry. Make posh kievs or ‘coq au vin’ with pheasant or pan-fry this bird with orange sauce and serve with rocket salad. Or how about an upmarket fryup involving egg, chips and pheasant?

The meat also goes down very well cooked slowly with red wine and onions, or as an autumn comfort food with brandy cream sauce and mashed potatoes. Alternatively, grill in a honey glaze and serve with cheesy celeriac mash. The options really are endless‌

Food and Drink News

New in the kitchen:

top gadgets If your culinary regime is feeling a little tired, or you’re struggling to make the things you want in the way you want, don’t let not having the right equipment hold you back. We can help with our regular round-up of some of the greatest gadgets currently available on the market.

Avocado Spoon Rest, by Luckies, Not on the High Street, £12.50 If you multi-task like a pro in the kitchen but sometimes find your kitchen surfaces can become a bit mucky, this avocado-shaped tool gives you somewhere to place spoons and the like. The ‘stone’ has been removed so you have somewhere to pop down utensils without staining kitchen surfaces.

PrepR Green and Grey Silicone Folding Masher, Lakeland, £7.99 Not only does this smart-looking masher do a decent job with your mash, it has a couple of tricks up its sleeve, including a stainless steel head designed to reach the corners of your pan other mashers can’t! What’s more, it folds away neatly, flat in a drawer, has a soft-touch handle and is dishwasher safe so it’s really easy to clean.

Lemon Squeezer, M & S, £7.50 Handling citrus fruits can be one of those tricky culinary tasks, what with their odd shape and slippery skins. This no-nonsense, super-handy lemon squeezer takes all the hassle out of making salad dressings, citrus-based icings and the like. You just pop half a lemon into it, having removed the tip of the fruit, and give it a good grip so that all the juice is released in one easy go, and you’ll extract a lot more juice than you would by hand. There are different models, in appropriate sizes and colours, for oranges and limes.

28cm Paprika Red Square Cast Iron Grill Pan, Lakeland, £49.99 While this may seem a lot to spend on one pan, this model offers outstanding heat retention and even heat distribution. The big, curved handle enhances cooking safety, while this pan’s raised ridges make for healthier food. Each side of the pan has a pouring lip, and this product resists heat up to a temperature of 260 . It’s part of this brand’s new cast iron range.

Microwave Hot Pot, JML, £12.99 This is a specially designed, no-stick pot that allows you to make genuine home-cooked food – but in the microwave! It’s easy to clean as well as userfriendly, and you can use it to make everything from tapas to omelettes to poached eggs and sauces. Moisture is released through the steam chimney, and circulates so food is infused with flavour. All you have to do is add ingredients and stick in the microwave for hassle-free cooking!

And finally…it’s also worth checking out the Ernesto cast iron range from Lidl, part of the store’s French week promotion this September.

Prices start from under £15, and the range incudes grill pans, roasting dishes in different sizes, and a milk frother, with all products apart from the latter available in red or cream. This line is fine with all hob types, including induction ones, and the items come with a tough enamel coating, giving all the benefits of an old-fashioned cast iron pan while being easy to clean.

And thanks to their solid construction, they’re ideal for braising, too.

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Entertainment

Reviews

As the weather turns cooler, it may be the ideal time to head into town to catch a movie or show – but, equally, you may be happier spending the longer evenings cosily at home with a good book or something on the TV. Whatever floats your boat, here’s our round-up of the best entertainment on offer this autumn.

ALBUMS Braver than We Are, Meat Loaf – (Sept 9) A new treat for fans of the veteran US singer, songwriter and all-round rocker, including tracks such as Loving You’s a Dirty Job, first heard on Bonnie Tyler’s 1986 record Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire, and More, first included on the 1990 album by The Sisters of Mercy called Vison Thing. This album also has new material, and is a long-anticipated reunion with producer and writer Jim Steinman, who hasn’t produced a Meat Loaf album since 1993, and vocalists Ellen Foley and Karla DeVito.

PICTURE: MAMMOTH SCREEN / BBC

Head Carrier, Pixies – (Sept 30) It’s 30 years this year since the American alternative rock band first formed. Now Head Carrier will be the second album of their post-reunion phase, and the record was conceived of as a complete album. The first single, the new song Um Chagga Lagga, has already been steaming online for weeks. This project is the first Pixies album featuring bassist Paz Lenchantin

BOOKS Non-fiction

STAYING IN TV Poldark, Series 2 – BBC 1, 4 (Sept) Committed fans of Ross Poldark and his Demelza have had an unbearable wait of nearly 18 months since that cliff-hanging finale of series 1 (on an actual clifftop!). Now we can look forward to more beautiful Cornish scenery, drama, intrigue and romance between smouldering Poldark and the beautiful Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson). One trailer has already offered a tantalising glimpse into what we can expect, and we do know that Gabriella Wilde will be playing new love interest Caroline Penvenen. Excitement will be at fever pitch as the drama that one reviewer described as ‘devastatingly good’ returns to our screens this autumn. And there are 10 whole episodes to look forward to rather than the previous season’s eight…

Politics: Between the Extremes by Nick Clegg (Bodley Head, (Sept) Former deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg writes frankly about his experiences (and mistakes), from the best of times in 2010 to his brutal defeat just five years later.

He gives a personal, inside account of what the shifting landscape of our times means for Britain’s future, as he robustly defends the centre ground. This book is set to be a fascinating read, whatever your political persuasion.

Fiction Transit by Rachel Cusk (Jonathan Cape, (Sept) This is the much-anticipated follow-up to Outline, one of 10 best books of 2015 as listed in the New York Times. A writer moves to London with her two young sons, following a family breakdown. This triggers a series of transitions, as she tries to build a new reality for herself and her children, and is forced to confront aspects of her life she has avoided up until now. Short but full of impact, this book describes some of our most elemental human experiences, and delves deeper into the themes Cusk first explored in Outline.

TV Trollied, Series 6 - Sky 1, (Oct) The sitcom following the lives of staff at the fictional, low-cost, Warrington-based supermarket Valco is back for its sixth outing, some five years after first airing. Look forward to seeing Dominic Coleman, Stephen Tompkinson, Jason Watkins and others return as everyone’s favourite hapless retail team, as the rivalries, romances and everyday problems continue on the shop floor.

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DVDs The People vs. OJ Simpson – American Crime Story (Sept 5) Based on both the infamous OJ Simpson murder trial and the resulting book by Jeffrey Toobin, this is the first season of the FX true crime anthology TV series American Crime Story which had its debut earlier this year. Nominated for 22 Primetime Emmy Awards, the show received critical acclaim for its acting, writing and directing. Stars Cuba Gooding Jr as OJ Simpson.

PICTURE: MANUEL-HARLAN

Entertainment

GOING OUT CINEMA RELEASES

The Walking Dead – Seasons 1–6 (Sept 26) This American horror drama TV show, based on the comic book series of the same name, follows sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes as he wakes from a coma and discovers a world populated by zombies or ‘walkers’. Reunited with his family, he leads a group of survivors as they adapt to a post-apocalyptic world of opposing groups of survivors. Stars Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. Buy

GAMES Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past (Nintendo 3DS) – (Sept 16) Restore forgotten lands, travel back in time and battle evil with the classic DRAGON QUEST adventure, exploring a constantly changing world of intrigue, mystery and danger, populated by a cast of captivating characters.

Customisable, with beautiful design and rebuilt visuals.

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 PC, PS4, Xbox One – (Sept) Nearly four decades after Pac-Man was first a videogame icon, gamers still love it! Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is released as a digital title this month, and is the sequel to the 2007 Pac-Man Championship Edition.

Expect new mazes, a ghost-bumping feature, epic battles and the chance to play in Adventure or Score Attack modes. Equally, it builds on the Chain Eating mechanics, in which you can build up to four ghost trains at a time for maximum points.

Bridget Jones’s Baby – Working Title, (Sept 16) It’s been 12 years since the last instalment in the Helen Fieldingpenned franchise, based on her Bridget Jones column and novels.

Now the world’s most popular thirtysomething singleton has hit her forties, and is single again having split up with Mark Darcy. Then she meets dashing American suitor Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey) and falls pregnant without being entirely sure who the father is. Renée Zellwegger and Colin Firth reprise their roles as Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy, while Jim Broadbent is back as Bridget’s Dad, Celia Imrie plays impossible neighbour Una Alconbury, and Shirley ‘Happy Valley’ Henderson and Sally Phillips return as Bridget’s buddies Jude and Shazza respectively. The script, written by Fielding, Emma Thompson (who also has a role as Dr Rawling) and Dan Mazer, is set to be as fresh and funny as the first two movies were.

The Girl on the Train – DreamWorks/Universal, (Oct 7) In this thriller starring Emily Blunt, a young alcoholic becomes embroiled in a murder investigation because of what she sees on her daily commute.

Having become fascinated by the life of a couple whose house she passes every day, she arrives home one night after blacking out while drinking, covered in blood and realises she may have witnessed or even been involved in a crime. Based on the

Paula Hawkins novel, this picture also features Lisa Kudrow and Justin Theroux in the cast.

SHOWS An Audience with Lesley Garrett at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, (Sept 21) Global star and down-to-earth northerner Lesley Garrett is probably Britain’s best-loved soprano, and brings a unique blend of song, reminiscence and conversation to Tunbridge Wells this autumn. Gain a unique insight into her life on stage, with behind-the-scenes anecdotes aplenty from this wonderful singer, described as ‘funny and emotional, with a glorious voice’, and ‘naturally effervescent… she cares about the people who come to hear her sing’.

1984, Playhouse Theatre, until (Oct 29) Big Brother is always watching as Comrade 6079, Winston Smith, thinks a thought, begins a diary and falls in love. A familiar work is given a fresh perspective in this theatrical version by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan. It touches on themes which remain prescient, thanks to news stories such as Edward Snowden and Guantanamo Bay, though the year 1984 itself may be long forgotten. The Stage described it as ‘by turns disorientating and disconcerting… a marvel of theatrical inventiveness.’ Not recommended for children under 14.

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Halloween

Have fun on ‘Fright Night’!

Halloween is one of those occasions when normal routine is suspended, when children embrace darkness for one night of the year rather than being afraid of it, and delight in dressing up as the very witches and monsters that would normally terrify the living daylights out of them!

I

n recent years, 31st October has become an increasingly big deal, and we’ve imported a number of customs such as trick or treating and pumpkin lanterns from the US. But, in fact, the origins of this pagan ritual go back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which is still celebrated, in fact, with events such as the Samhuin Fire Festival in Edinburgh.

When the Romans arrived, they brought to the occasion some of their own traditions, including apple bobbing.

When Christianity came to Britain, so did All Saints or All Hallows Day, observed in May and originally a time of remembrance for those who had died for their beliefs.

Sometime during the eighth century, Pope Gregory moved All Saints Day from mid-May to November 1. The evening before became All-hallows-even, then Hallow Eve, Hallowe’en and, finally, Halloween.

These days, sometimes it can all feel a bit commercial.

But it can still be fun and stylish, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth.

Try making your own costumes. Make a ghost’s get-up more ghoulish by adding a layer or two of shimmery chiffon over the usual white sheet, with a hole for the head in both pieces of fabric. Complete the look by painting the child’s face white with dark circles round the eyes and talcum-powdered hair.

If you buy your child a costume, be aware that these costumes are often made out of synthetic materials, so make sure your guisers stay well away from candles or fires. Presenter Claudia Winkleman’s eight-year-old daughter Matilda was left with severe burns after a costume caught fire in 2014.

If your children are trick or treating, set ground rules in advance. Don’t let them ring a doorbell more than once – and instruct them to move on if no one answers.

Make sure they say thanks for whatever they’re given, that they don’t eat everything at once, and that they go treat or tricking for a set period of 45 minutes or an hour, especially on a school night. It’s not a bad idea to start early, either, say at dusk.

If they’re trick or treating without you, make sure your children understand very clearly that they are not to go into the home of anyone they don’t know, and that

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they must watch out for traffic and cross roads sensibly – they’re likely to be more excited and thus less careful because it’s Halloween. Equally, stay visible with torches, lanterns and reflective armbands. Some costumes also light up, which helps.

Check your child’s loot before they’re allowed to eat it, to ensure there’s nothing they could choke on or to which they may be allergic.

If you’re buckling under pressure to throw a Halloween party, it can be easier to organise than you might fear.

Swap a couple of lightbulbs with green or red ones for added spookiness, find some mildly scary music and think of some games. Apple bobbing, of course, is always fun.

You can also divide the gang into pairs, and give each one a white toilet roll. One of them has to wrap the other up as a mummy, who then has to jump across the room to a finishing line.

You can also play ‘guess the body part’ by dimming the lights and passing ‘body parts’ around to guess what they are. Dried apricots can be ears, peeled grapes eyeballs, a piece of banana skin rubbed with oil a tongue, cooked spaghetti could be brains, and so on.

If all else fails, or to calm things down, an ageappropriate movie such as Ghostbusters or The Addams Family should prove a hit.

Of course, if you don’t want a party, you could always just carve lanterns with the kids at home or attend a local, Halloween-themed event.

Bonfire and Halloween The Society continued for a while after that, however, and almost everyone of any age seemed to be involved in some way or other, bringing the community together. Eventually because of Health and Safety regulations, the Fire Service used to prepare a huge bonfire up at the Fire Station. Now, the Wadhurst Warriors organise a bonfire and fireworks annually down at Stone Cross Farm so the old traditions remain though in a different form.

Heather Woodward Chairman of the Wadhurst History Society

Wadhurst Bonfire Society

T

he Bonfire Society used to be a very active organisation in Wadhurst and a great deal of effort was made throughout the year to ensure that the parade of floats and the costumes were as eye-catching as possible.

Very often the floats in the parade reflected a topical theme and that was certainly the case of one in 1955 – a surprisingly topical theme today also. The float was sponsored by the Red Lion pub in Sparrows Green (demolished only this year), and it featured the excavation of the Piltdown Man – until very recently this was thought to have been a hoax perpetrated by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. One of the other floats that year was about Hop-Picking, still a very important industry at that time.

To celebrate the Coronation of Edward V11 in 1902, the bonfire was in the field of Newhouse, Turners Green but for the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935, it was at the Sparrows Green playing field. In the Coronation Year of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, it must have been a magnificent event with “a thousand flaming torches” and four bands, the bonfire itself, and a magnificent firework display. Joyce Skinner was the Carnival Queen and her attendants were Christine Lavender and Margaret Gibb. The raffle prize that year was a Ferguson Television Set worth 66 guineas!

One float for the 1957 parade was ‘The Victorians’. It carried a very large cast of participants with a barrel organ, chestnut roasters, street vendors, a scarf seller and pie seller and a pickpocket. Among the youngsters on the cart were two Victorian girls, Val Tweedley and Jennifer Childs, who, in the under-11 competition, were to be awarded the first prize, receiving £3.10.0 as their reward.

The Kent and Sussex Courier described the Wadhurst celebrations of 1959 under the heading “A Village Goes Gay for its Bonfire Night”. In that year, Barbara Latter (12) won the first prize as Nell Gwyn and Frank Bishop’s tableau was the second prize winner for decorated vehicles. The Carnival Queen Vivian Picknell was crowned by the previous year’s Queen, Deirdre Prior. Because of the disappointment that so few vehicles were taking part, the Bonfire Society secretary thought this would be the last time they would feature in the parade.

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WADHURST FIREWORKS Saturday 5th November 2016 Stonecross Farm Lower High Street Wadhurst

Gates open 5.30pm • Bonfire lighting 6.30pm • Fireworks 7.30pm 26

SEPTEMBER 2016

Wadhurst Fireworks Come and join us this year for our biggest display yet on Saturday 5th November at Stonecross Farm, Lower High Street

T

he event is run by the Wadhurst Warriors and local volunteers with the aim to present a spectacular display and community event and we try to ensure the event is suited to families to enjoy the show.

There is a huge amount of work done by a very few people, and extra help would be very welcome, to ensure that the event continues, and to thrive, so if you would like to come and join in or be a part of the Warriors and give something back to the community, please get in touch.

There will be a huge barbecue and a bar along with other food stalls and glowng merchandise etc.

We do hope that you will be amongst the 2000 plus people at this years event.

If you have any queries or would like to get involved, please contact one of the event organisers,

Nigel Froggatt 07831 411752 or Charles Fuggle 07885 226428

SEPTEMBER 2016

27

Travel

DESTINATION ABU DHABI Explore this beautiful city of wonderful contrasts

H

ome to vast empty deserts, stunning white beaches, glittering warm waters and year-round sunshine, Abu Dhabi is becoming increasingly popular as a long-stay destination, rather than simply a stop-over point. The vibrant capital of the United Arab Emirates, it’s is one of the world’s richest cities, where luxury and style fuse with tradition and culture, captivating you with atmospheric souks, opulent hotels, fine dining and incredible shopping.

Abu Dhabi holiday highlights One of the seven sovereign sheikhdoms that complete the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is the region’s ‘cultural heart’,

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capital and centre of government.

Effortlessly contrasting modern architecture with Arabic tradition, the ‘Garden City of the Gulf’ is a modern metropolis on an island graced with parks, green boulevards and verdant gardens. Whether you’re headed to Abu Dhabi for a two-week beach break, or a quick stop-over on a long-haul flight to somewhere further afield, there’s plenty here to keep you and the whole family entertained.

Abu Dhabi’s national landmarks include the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest and most inspiring mosques.

Yet another ‘world’s biggest’ belongs to the Flagpole that can be found on the Corniche breakwaters, standing at 123

metres tall and located on the Marina Island, adjacent to Marina Mall.

Named after Sheikh Khalifa, the Khalifa Park offers its very own aquarium, museum and train as well as fun play parks and pretty gardens, presenting the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon. The best of the beach scene is found on the sweep of wide sands that form the Corniche at the city’s heart. If you’re after a little culture, head to Saadiyat Island. Here, you’ll find the Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi as well as the Manarat al Saadiyat.

The emirate is also an up-andcoming cruise port, and thanks to the 2015 opening of the multi-million

Travel

pound Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, it’s becoming the one of the most popular departure points for Arabia and Indian Ocean cruises. Cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean made Abu Dhabi their home port for at least one of their ships, allowing you to travel in style around the Arabian Sea and beyond.

V For further information on Abu Dhabi or any other holiday destination, please contact Baldwins Travel Group www.baldwinstravel.co.uk, tel: 01892 511999 #holidayinspirations

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31

Gardening

Offer sanctuary to birds and wildlife this autumn As you start to feel that bite in the air, it’s worth remembering that it’s not just humans who need warmth and shelter for the cold months ahead.

By Jane Williams

O

ne of the most important natural food such as berries things you can do for the , nut and seeds, which your garden birds and wildlife in your should be full of at this time of year. If you garden at this time of year have just is offer spaces where they enough food for them to see can spend it’s there, the winter. Indeed, for som your garden will attract bird e species, s which will this really could make the return later when they nee difference d it. Keep between life and death. food fresh and change it reg ularly. It’s Of course, you’ll want to tidy also a good idea to clean bird the baths garden up to some extent, frequently. but some of the wildlife-friendly things You may well catch a jay loo you can do king for include raking leaves that fall falle n hazelnuts and acorns. Me at the back anwhile, of the garden into a pile and letting seedheads form on leaving flowers them there for the winter, and weeds such as thistles creating an and teasels ideal shelter for invertebrates. is a good way to attract finch A pile of es and, twigs (rose-bush prunings if you’re very lucky, possibl would be y even ideal) can harbour creatures goldfinches. such as centipedes, woodlice and Equally, you could make you slugs – and r lawn a maybe even the odd frog or yea r-round feeding station for toad. starlings If you leave perennials as the by giving chemical sprays a swerve and y are, they too can offer shelter to invertebrate letting your lawn grow slightly longer species, and somewhere for than you might otherwise. spiders Along with to spin their webs. And if you thru shes and blackbirds, starling ’re lucky s like to enough to have, for examp hunt for insects. le, a wall of glorious ivy at the back of Other native plants such as your garden, holly, its nooks and crannies ma eld er, crab apples, hawthorn and ke perfect birch, spots for butterflies and oth also create natural food sup er insects to plies for spend the winter. birds over the coldest time of year.

Late-flowering plants includ All in all, there are many thin ing asters, gs you sedums and Michaelmas dai can do in the autumn to ma sies have ke your vital pollen and nectar for garden a genuine bird and the insects wildlife which will become food for hav en. Why not chat to neighb birds in the ours early spring. as well, to see what they’re doing and Keep bird feeders stocked perhaps share resources? For up, but not example, if too much since birds genera a neighbour’s fruit tree overha lly prefer ngs your garden, use its fruit to feed birds.

SEPTEMBER 2016

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Gardening

Growing the perfect hardy annuals: we show you how Few gardening delights top the sowing of seeds and then watching as they flower. With hardy annuals, you’re on to a winner from the start because they are among the easiest seeds to grow, and very quick to flower.

Written by Bertie Jempson

T

hey also offer plenty of colour to attract pollinators, so can be rather handy, whether you are filling up a vase or a border. What’s more, your garden will be abuzz with insect activity thanks to the large amounts of nectar and pollen most hardy annuals produce. Borage, for instance, is constantly replenishing its nectar supply, so there are almost always bees buzzing around these plants. (And borage, by the way, is superb for floating in drinks, making elderflower cordial or even throwing into a salad.)

While you can either use seed trays or sow hardy annuals directly into the ground, the latter method usually works best. Plan ahead now, but start sowing in early May, when the ground is warm – early summer is typically better than late spring.

When the time comes, use a rake to prepare your soil, creating a fine layer of it, and water well ahead of sowing. After scattering your seeds, cover lightly with earth. Netting and sticks are a good addition for keeping cats at bay. Regular watering is worth it if the weather’s dry – in the morning if you can.

If you are using seed trays, you can do so in early March under unheated glass, for example on a window sill or in a cool greenhouse.

Half-hardy annuals, often described as HHA on seed packets, should be sown from mid-April onwards. Many, such as zinnia and cosmos, can look especially magnificent in the autumn.

And remember that deadheading plants will keep them blooming for longer.

Don’t forget to collect the seeds which most annuals produce, and store them for next year. The best way to do this is to collect on a fine day and dry

them on saucers. Then put them in a packet, label them and store them in a tin.

Ladybird opium and shirley poppies should only be directly sown, and the same goes for Bells of Ireland, and pot marigolds. Blue cornflowers, snapdragons and larkspurs are among those which can be either directly sown or grown under cool glass.

Finally, these plants are not expensive to buy, even in large quantities, so you can have maximum colourful impact in your garden without it costing the earth.

"Use a rake to prepare your soil, creating a fine layer of it, and water well ahead of sowing"

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Garden Store

GARDEN STORE At Your Wadhurst magazine, we know how much our readers love their gardens and gardening. While it’s true you need hard work, commitment and maybe a bit of good luck too, having the right equipment certainly helps. Here’s our regular round-up of gardening products aimed at making your green fingers greener! Reviewed by Bryony Phillips Personalised Gardening Gloves and Secateur Gift Set, Alphabet Interiors, £29.99

Qualcast Anvil Pruners, Homebase, £7.97 These user-friendly Qualcast anvil pruners are heat-treated and come with a non-stick coating. The head is made from carbon steel, while the handles have an ultra-comfortable grip and a telescopic, ergonomic design.

These pruners are handy for all your pruning tasks around the garden, and come in green or red, with a five-year guarantee.

Another great idea for a gardening gift – or maybe you’ll just want to keep this one for yourself!

Decorated in a vegetable theme, these gloves and co-ordinating secateurs aren’t just pretty, they’re hard-working when you’re pruning. The gloves can be personalised with a name, and, again, the set is available from Not on the High Street

Indoor Watering Can, Raspberry, Sophie Conran by Burgon & Ball, £15

Gardener’s Twine & Scissors Set, The Flower Studio, £19.99 Whether you’re an allotment or home gardener, or want a special present for someone who gardens, this set is a great addition to anyone’s kit.

Comprises high-quality, sturdy metal scissors and strong jute string for all those jobs involving tying flowers and plants. Available from Not on the High Street.

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With its elongated funnel, and handle large enough to be sure that you distribute the correct quantity of water, this product is ideal for the plants inside your home, and makes watering a pleasure. And you’ll love the zingy pink colour. In particular, this product makes a great gift for someone who doesn’t have a huge garden but loves their indoor plants and hanging baskets. Made from galvanised steel with a powder coating, this watering can is available from John Lewis.

Traditional Trug (Large), Worm, £28.95 If you’re harvesting lots of fresh fruit and veg, this trug is ideal for carrying it from the garden to your kitchen. It’s been home-made in a traditional way from strips of shaped wood, which are held in place by sturdy screws and brass pins.

Garden Store Gruffalo Children’s Gardening Trowel, Homebase, £2.49 This cute little tool comes with an FSC®-certified wooden handle and a durable metal head. It’s the ideal way to get kids into gardening and makes a delightful present, too. Part of the Gruffalo line of children’s gardening tools, it’s available in blue, brown or red, and the handle has a rubber grip. There’s also a year-long guarantee. Don’t let children under the age of three use this trowel, and all children should, of course, be properly supervised when using it – and in the garden generally.

Songbird Garden Kneeler, Hinchliffe & Barber, £20 This garden kneeler features the Songbird design from Hinchclife & Barber, and brings a timeless quality to your garden with its print of birds, twigs and leaves.

Filled with a supportive foam and made from oil cloth fabric, this water-repellent, long-lasting kneeler is the perfect stylish garden accessory!

Hydropod Cuttings Propagator, Greenhouse Sensation, £54

Berry Picker, Worm, £12.95 Don’t put off the task of collecting berries because it seems too much of an arduous chore. This handy little plastic device works well on redcurrants, blackcurrants and other berries. Just scoop your picker through the currant bushes and you’ll pull off the fruit into it. No stalks or leaves, and you can make it even more fun by getting the kids involved too!

If you like to save money by growing from cuttings, getting watering right can be a challenge. This product helps by constantly misting the base of cuttings to lower the risk of drying out and fungal infections and to speed up growth. You don’t need to worry about monitoring water levels, and can even go on a week’s holiday knowing your cuttings will be fine. This product, which also has an optional heater, has been featured on the BBC’s Gardener’s World.

Leaf Picker, Haxnicks, £29.99 At this time of year, gathering up leaves can seem a chore, but this tool offers a new, fast and efficient way to tackle the job. It incorporates an easy pick-up and discard mechanism, and a patented, ergonomic design with instant release. Clear leaves from lawns and even gravel driveways or from between border plants without damaging them. You’ll be blown away – but your leaves won’t!

SEPTEMBER 2016

37

Gardening

September

I gardening jobs Why gardeners should be looking ahead to spring now Written by Bertie Jempson eat time of year Autumn is also a gr up, and doing for a general tidythe greenhouse chores like cleaning ower beds and and clearing up fl u may struggle to borders, which yo . ring and summer fit in during the sp know, but these Not much fun, we ne some time. jobs have to be do frees up more Doing them now rt of next year . time in the early pa

You could also think about cleaning gardening tools, installing water butts and mending any fences or gates in need of repair, and treating them with wood preservative at the same time. Create a composting area if you don’t already have one.

f you’re a keen gardener, it’s never too early to plan ahead.

Even as the leaves are falling off the trees, it’s worth looking to next spring, and deciding what and when to plant. And while the weather may not be at its best just now, putting in the hours at this stage of the year will really reap rewards come March and April.

Elephant garlic and Jerusalem artichokes can be planted now, as can peas – first in modules then under cloches for a spring harvest.

Clear lawns of falling leaves throughout the autumn – leaving them will block light and allow dry, brown patches to form. Mow your lawn for the last time of the year in early November.

Keep grass at least 5cm long, to enhance its use of weaker and less sunlight, so it has greater resistance against moss and weeds.

Equally, now is the time to move any badly placed deciduous shrubs, while they are dormant.

And to hunt down and remove hibernating pests such as slugs and snails, especially from the crowns of perennial plants.

nd gues a o l a t a dc ver see when o g n i or for r for p nty of time a e y f etter . b time o head in ple t d e o g o ts to It’s a g ordering a er star h t a e the w

V Order bare-root rhubarb

crowns now for December planting – you’ll be enjoying a crumble by early May. And we know Wimbledon is months away, but by planting strawberries now, over the 38 SEPTEMBER 2016 winter their roots will have time to establish themselves.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

V It’s not too early to start

thinking ahead to sowing seeds which need a longer season. Plan now for January and February, the best months for sowing the likes of geraniums, begonias, peppers and aubergines. Start them off in a heated propagator.

PRUNE HEDGE S FOR T LAST T HE IME OF T H E Y TO PRE EAR VENT W IN T E DECAY R , AND A L S O C HERBA UT CEOUS PEREN SHRUB NIALS, S AND BUSHE S. Looking to create a vegetable garden for the spring? You can get started on planting spring cabbage, asparagus and broad beans, along with lettuce salads, onions and shallots. (Just remember, though, that you won’t be able to harvest asparagus for the first year.)

So while the au tumn may seem a qu iet time of year fo r the garden, in trut h it ’s anything but!

V And, finally, plant bulbs in

autumn so they come up at the right time in spring to give your garden a gorgeous blast of colour.

Pest control

t to d snails come ou ar when slugs an rk as wo ts It’s the time of ye lle pe g slu ic ate-based organ ph os ph c the rri try Fe o y. pla de. You can als d on methaldehy se the t well as those base rke on the ma l controls that are u various biologica ails. Especially if yo sn on e tiv ec eff t no are y e the tim t s bu days, lily beetles at thi rials, watch out for pe im wn cro ve ha m. n often attack the of year – they ca

Planting early potatoes Early varieties of spud should be planted in March – this includes for example ‘Rocket’ potatoes. Growing them in pots? Use one with a diameter of at least 25cm and fill it with compost for containers, burying the potato just below the surface of the compost. Cover with more as the shoots grow. In a few months, you should be able to harvest your spuds. Near the end of the month, chitted potatoes can be planted outside in the ground.

Look after your lawn If needed, re-cut any lawn edges and try defining your lawn edges clearly to make maintenance a bit easier in the future.

When mowing, obviously do so on a dry day and set the blades of your mower higher than usual.

And as long as the ground hasn’t become waterlogged or frozen, it’s a good time of year for laying new turf as well.

Mulching your borders Mulch your soil surface with a 3cm layer of organic matter, perhaps garden compost. This helps to trap moisture in the soil, while also suppressing weeds. Not got enough compost? Try something like composted bark or contact your local council, which may be selling some from its green-waste collections.

Other vegetable-related tasks Sow early broad beans and peas as well, using seed trays, so that they can be replanted later in the season. Get your vegetable seed beds ready with thorough weeding and add lots of compost. Once soil is prepared, cover it with black plastic sheeting to protect it. At this time of year, you can also plant onion, shallot and garlic sets as long as the soil hasn’t become waterlogged or frozen, and asparagus beds from crowns.

Planting summer bulbs These are good for filling any gaps you may have in your borders. If there is no space, plant in pots and move them into a border temporarily just before they flower. Once they have flowered, you can move them back out of sight.

Lilies, dahlias and gladiolus are all good ones to try. Mostly, you’ll need to plant them at three times the depth of the bulb itself, but follow packaging instructions.

SEPTEMBER 2016

39

Property

Wadhurst Place, Wadhurst Newcourt Residential are delighted to launch Wadhurst Place. Located in an enviable position in East Sussex, Wadhurst Place is a parkland development offering a luxurious lifestyle. Far reaching views to the South Weald across woodlands and meadows, provide a spectacular setting for the new family homes and apartments.

T

he beautiful Grade II listed manor house was built as a country mansion in 1885, for John Bruce, who was a descendent of Robert the Bruce. Originally called South Park, designed by Adolphus Croft the house was built in the Domestic Revival and Queen Anne style. In the 1930’s South Park became a girls boarding school and was named Wadhurst College. The Legat Ballet School joined in the 1980’s and the building remained a school until its closure in 2001.

Newcourt Residential bought the site in 2015 and are restoring the main building into 12 luxury apartments and 4 mews houses of various sizes. All will be restored to the original NBHOJmDFOU HSBOEFVS XJUI TUVOOJOH JOUFSJPS GFBUVSFT .BOZ PG UIF BQBSUNFOUT IBWF CBMDPOJFT BOE XJMM CFOFmU GSPN BDDFTT UP the beautiful communal gardens and parking.

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For further information please call the marketing suite on 01892 576583 or Savills RDS 01892 507005.

40

SEPTEMBER 2016

Health and Well-being

HOW TO LOVE YOUR JOB You will spend about one third of your life at work so, whether you choose to admit it or not, your job plays a leading role in your everyday existence.

By Ania Jeffries

W

orking is not just about paying the bills. It is about your physical and mental wellbeing; being a positive role model to your family, colleagues and friends; feeling fulfilled and valued; finding your passion. Not everyone will find a job or a career that they are passionate about. So, if you can’t be in the job you love, you need to find a way to love the job you’re in or change the way you think about it.

Otherwise, you will feel miserable and unchallenged, which will eventually affect your self confidence, motivation and ambitions moving forwards.

So how do you achieve this? Here are a few tips to rethink your job. There will always be options which you can discuss with your boss. This might mean changing current elements of your role, undertaking new and different tasks, or simply experimenting with what you think is possible.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

1. Draw up a list of what you dislike and like in your job. Figure out what is making you unhappy? And why? Is it the industry you are working in? The people you work with? The job itself? Does the company match your core values? Are your skills/strengths appropriate for your current role? If they are not, what sort of role would you be better suited to?

2. Change your mindset. If you wake up every morning hating the thought of going to work, you will feel negative about every aspect of your job, so instead focus on how you could make your job more engaging and enjoyable, and find ways to be more positive at work.

3. Speak to your colleagues about what they love about their job.

4. Think about the people you enjoy working with and see if any opportunities exist where you could collaborate, or ask if you could be transferred to another team.

5. Avoid anyone who is constantly critical at work. Their negativity will slowly wear you down.

6. Personalise your workplace with flowers, photos etc. so that you feel good about your working environment.

7. Don’t let your current situation define you or make you think you are less than what you are.

8. Figure out what you would love doing (whether it’s in your current job or with a new company) and how you could make this happen. Are further training/qualifications required? Work with a coach to explore possibilities.

Understand where you are at present and what your aspirations are. Once you have figured this out, you will know exactly where you want to be in the future. Otherwise, you could move company and end up with the same experience and be unhappy again.

Health and Well-being

WHY DO MEN NEED TO COMMUNICATE

MORE?

By Ania Jeffries

S

uicide remains the biggest cause of death amongst men under the age of 45, with three-quarters of all suicides in the UK being male.

It is becoming described as the silent epidemic, with men taking their own life at an alarming rate of one every 120 minutes* (https://www.theguardian. com/society/2015/oct/31/social-mediacampaign-male-suicide). I personally know of three males, of various ages, who have committed suicide in the last seven months, and the reality is that not enough is currently being done to raise awareness of this issue and to support boys and men to communicate more.

The empowerment of women has blurred the boundaries of the traditional role models of housewife and husband, leaving men questioning their identity within the family unit and in their work.

We live in a society where more men are becoming housedads, women’s income is on the rise and doubleincome households are becoming more of the norm while culture and society still set high expectations for men to act and feel in a particular way – to provide well financially for their family, to be our protectors.

It’s been proven that men find it more difficult to communicate emotions. Is this because men prefer to keep their

language simple (what it takes a woman half an hour to say, a man expresses in one sentence) whilst women use conversation as therapy? Or, is it because men are hardwired from birth not to talk about their problems or share their feelings with others, be it their friends, family or colleagues, and as a result feel it would be a weakness to ask for help?

Men are happy to go for a beer and talk about sport, the missus, politics etc. but when do they discuss how they are feeling deep inside? Do they simply pretend all is OK to the outside world and internalise their emotions until a point of no return where it is too late to start a conversation or seek help.

Whatever the reason, the reality is that perceptions need to change, as with better awareness and education about depression and suicide, lives can be saved and we can all do our part.

1. Be aware and take notice of someone’s behaviour. If you have any concerns for their welfare, voice your concern.

2. Teach better communication in boys from infancy. Family play a crucial role here. Innocent comments such as ‘men are macho’, ‘boys don’t cry’ and ‘it’s a sign of weakness to cry’ create a

perception to the child of how he should behave. Reframe your language to let them know it’s a strength to talk about feelings and to show emotions.

3. Raise awareness of the issue. You might save someone’s life. Read up on the subject on the internet or watch YouTube videos.

4. Run more national and local awareness campaigns about men and mental health. Offer advice on how and where to seek help. Educate others to recognise the first signs of depression – men don’t often recognise these signs in themselves.

5. Implement social educational programmes in schools and colleges; work to encourage gender reflection roles.

Recommended reading: • ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships’ by John Gray. *’A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled,’ by Ruby Wax SEPTEMBER 2016

43

Online Dating

Find someone you click with: making the most of online dating

O

fficial figures out this summer from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the percentage of UK adults who are married is at its lowest for 14 years, while just over a third (34.5%) of Brits fall into the category of ‘single, never married or civil partnered’, a rise from 29.6% during the same timeframe.

If you fall into this category and want to leave it, you’re probably more likely

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SEPTEMBER 2016

than ever to turn to the internet. One in five relationships now starts online, so virtual courtship has gone mainstream.

With more of us working more hours than ever, and moving around the country more than in the past, that’s understandable. After all, if you’re not sporty, don’t socialise with colleagues or enjoy a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, how else can you meet someone? Despite the obvious advantages, however, dating

Online Dating online can seem a minefield. And there are so many sites to choose from – from those catering for gay hikers, Star Trek devotees and particular musical tastes to gluten-free singles sites – that it can be tricky even to know where to start.

Read on for our tips for making online dating the positive, potentially lifechanging experience it can and should be:

Find the site that’s right for you Think about who you want to meet, and where you’ll be most likely to find your ideal partner. Equally, consider whether a website that sends updates weekly, daily or even more regularly than that is what you’re after. Do you want to fill in extensive questionnaires and let the site play Cupid, or do you want to just chat to whoever you come across? Do you want a website aimed at everyone or a specialised one? (See above.) In the first instance, it’s probably sensible to try out a few websites, to see how you get on.

Create the perfect profile with which to promote yourself Short and intriguing should be your watchwords. As so often is the case, less is more. Grab your prospective soulmate’s interest without giving too much away, and don’t try to be too funny or clever. Likes and dislikes are fine, but try not to be too strong or specific about dislikes that are not really that important, such as TV shows. Use upbeat, positive language and put effort into choosing the right photos. You really are marketing yourself – so think of your audience and what’s most likely to attract them. Read it back and ask yourself if you would go on a date with you!

Free site or paid for?

Not sure if online dating is for you? A free site could be a good starting point.

But many free sites have people who aren’t especially serious about finding a partner since they have not invested in joining. The quality of matches is not always as good, and pairings may simply be based on geographical location rather than shared interests etc. Plenty of subscription sites let you sign up for a free account in the first instance to get a feel for how it works, then you can always upgrade to a paid-for account later.

Staying safe

And, finally …

You may have been chatting away online for a while and feel that you know someone, but always take common-sense precautions. Meet (and stay) in a public place on any first date, and make your own way to and from the venue. You may also want to tell someone else where you’re going, and check in with them once you’re home. Only give your personal contact details when you’re sure you’re ready to do so. Otherwise, use the website’s messaging system. Other ‘red flags’ include a relationship that seems to be progressing too quickly, erratic behaviour, any requests for money or investment opportunities... Most people are genuine, but stay safe and on your guard – look after your emotional wellbeing, too.

Remember that so much information is only gleaned when you meet someone in person. So the ultimate goal should be to use the web to narrow down myriad options to a manageable number, and then to meet these people in real life. Then, as with any form of dating, get to know the person over time – don’t construct a fantasy after two meetings.

Be polite. Spend time on your chosen site, engage with other members, reply to messages promptly – even if you’re not interested in someone – and don’t do things such as suggest dates if you’re about to be away for a fortnight.

Above all, remember to keep things light and have fun!

SEPTEMBER 2016

45

Health and Well-being

Not everything in life has to cost money

By Ania Jeffries

M

oney matters, but it does not necessarily buy you happiness. Don’t get me wrong; we all need money to live on, but how much is enough to make us content with what we have, and do we seriously need to spend a lot to be entertained? Your material possessions do not define you.

How you live your life does, so as long as you can meet the basic needs of life and are able to pay the bills, happiness is achieved when you engage in activities you love, spend time with family and friends, feel valued, have fun and stay active.

We are all so busy working and juggling our lives these days that sometimes we forget to turn the switch off, run more slowly and just breathe.

Yes, breathe and listen to the birdsong, appreciate the colours of the flowers, look at the beautiful blue sky, feel the warmth of the golden sun.

Sometimes we get caught on the treadmill, wanting the bigger house, the bigger car, the holidays, beautiful clothes, etc. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but when paying for all of it becomes stressful, the beauty and the sense of enjoyment are taken away and no longer appreciated. We begin to believe that we need money – and lots of it – to exist, and rather than living and enjoying our lives, we are simply surviving.

Life is about treasured memories (kids may remember the expensive pair of shoes or the fancy car when they are older, but they certainly won’t forget the sports day you never attended or the cuddles/attention you never gave them), love, friendship, travel, fun, good food and laughter. Each of us has a different idea of what ‘living life’ means to us. For me, it’s sitting around a table with family and friends and simply enjoying the conversation together, with good food and wine.

So what can you have in your life that doesn’t cost much money and makes you happy? Here are some suggestions: Friendship Fun Laughter Cuddles and kisses Mindfulness/yoga Beauty Good health Family Love and support of partners, family and friends Smiles Music Inner peace Picnics Living in the moment Birdsong Sunshine Bike rides Walks along the beach or through a forest Sitting on a park bench and just taking it all in Reading a book Visiting places Going for a run/walk with friends Coffee and a chat Sharing a bottle of wine with friends Giving back to the community, i.e. voluntary work Attending festivals, exhibitions, farmers’ markets Writing a letter Enjoying a bubble bath! (one of my favourites) Cooking with your kids or family Learning a new skill, e.g. a language Doing something new each day Playing with your kids Snuggling up on the sofa watching TV

Show gratitude for the simple pleasures you have in your life. Say thank you at the end of each day and count your blessings.

46

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Enjoy swimming in our heated natural spring water pool or relaxing in our candlelit spa bath and sauna. Catch up with friends or simply relax and enjoy some peace.

Every day is different at Knowle Grange and we recognise that our members and guests are different too! So why not choose a treatment, day or membership that is just right for you?

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Health

Be inspired by the Olympics – but know your limits

W

ith the Rio 2016 Olympics having energised and inspired the nation, the advice from an orthopaedic surgeon at Benenden Hospital is to know your limits, warm up well and to be aware of niggling injuries and to rest them until they are completely better.

Jamie Buchanan, who is an upper limb surgeon, also advises people who suffer a sporting injury to seek professional help promptly, to prevent it becoming more serious and possibly preventing future participation in a favourite sport.

Mr Buchanan said sporting injuries usually fit into two categories: injury from excessive use or impact injury. He said the 50 plus age group usually suffer from excessive use, such as tendon injuries in shoulders whereas a younger person would be more likely to have an impact injury, where there could be damage to tendons and ligaments from trauma, or perhaps a dislocation of a shoulder, possibly form sports such as rugby, boxing or wrestling.

The consultant orthopaedic surgeon said in his opinion the most common sports to result in injury are contact sports such as rugby, soccer and boxing.

• Wear appropriate protective gear and equipment for the given sport

Mr Buchanan said: “Here at Benenden Hospital, in Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent, we have a group of surgeons who are used to dealing with sport injuries of all sorts. If someone has suffered an injury and has been putting up with pain for more than two weeks they really need to speak to someone.

• Always do a warm up

“Often when an injury is dealt with promptly it can prevent it from becoming much more serious. If left untreated it could result in the person not being able to do their favourite sport ever again.”

• Always start off slowly

Benenden Hospital also has a physiotherapy unit, which often treats patients with sports injuries.

• Follow a regular conditioning pro gram of exercises designed specifically for your sport

The top 10 tips from the Hospital’s physiotherapists Shinu Varghese and Bridie O’Loughlin are:

For more information on Benenden Hospital’s orthopaedic and physiotherapy services please visit: www.benendenhospital.org.uk

• Do not over train and rest when you need to

• Always stretch after exercise • Avoid exercise when tired or in pain • Make sure you are using the correct technique

• Avoid training every day to allow your body to recover • Rehydrate regularly during exercise

SEPTEMBER 2016

49

Spotlight on Obesity According to 2015 estimates, obesity is now costing the NHS between £6-8 billion a year and if not checked, could rise to £12 billion by 2030 Various Government and NHS initiatives are in place for those people with a BMI in excess of 30, a real indicator for those suffering from obesity. Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated using a person’s age, sex and weight-to-height ratio with the following being a guide to BMI ranges, Underweight = BMI less than 18.5 Normal weight = BMI of between 18.5 – 24.9 Overweight = BMI of 25 – 29.9 Obese = BMI of more than 30 (Source: Living Well section of the nhs.uk website)

How does being obese affect your health?

The most commonly held concern is what it does to your heart, but obesity has an affect on many areas of health: People who are overweight increase their risk for developing • Type 2 diabetes • Coronary heart disease • Stroke • Breast or bowel cancer • Obstructive apnoea • High blood pressure • Osteoarthritis

reverse the trend, but people who are already clinically obese still need help to lose weight. For people in this position there are five main areas of treatment, depending upon the severity of the condition: • Lifestyle changes Making changes to diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits • Weight-loss programmes To evolve healthy eating patterns and give dietary advice • Psychological treatments To support the patient’s thoughts, feelings and actions towards themselves and their relationship with food, eating and exercise

• Asthma • Gallstones • Liver and kidney disease

What’s being done to combat this trend?

Government and NHS initiatives are now in place, aimed at both children and adults. These initiatives, concerning diet and exercise, aim to

• Medication There are now new GP-prescribed medicines that can aid weight loss • Weight loss surgery A range of surgical options that restrict how much food people can eat, which are suitable for acute cases but not for everyone

Benefits of gastric band surgery patients can expect to lose around 50% of their excess weight following surgery surgery is reversible least invasive weight loss surgery quick recovery

Each of these treatments can be effective, depending on the severity of the obesity and the mind-set of

(Source: NHS UK – NHS Choices website)

the patient. Those patients who end up having surgery have often tried at least some of the other treatments first. Following surgery, most people will lose between half to threequarters of their excess weight within 10 years. Surgery can also bring other benefits, as it has been shown to significantly reduce the chances of the patient dying from either cancer or heart disease, and has been proven to cure, or put into remission, Type 2 Diabetes.

Help on hand in the South East at Benenden Hospital Weight loss services, including surgery (often referred to as bariatric surgery), are now available from Benenden Hospital, which has recently opened new theatres and wards as part of a major redevelopment. Under the leadership of Mr Ahmed Hamouda, a leading bariatric consultant, there are a team of specialist consultants and nursing staff, including dieticians and counsellors, to offer support to patients in defining a route to weight loss.

Initial appointment with your consultant to discuss the best option for you

Pre-assessment clinic including health psychology service and dietitian. If required you will also discuss with the Endocrinologist any diabetic problems. Preoperative tests will include blood tests, electrocardiogram, cardiac stress tests; and infection control swabs

Prior to surgery your dietician will spend time with you to help with a liver reducing diet and plan menu options following surgery

2

Post operative appointments held at 2; 6; 12; and 26 weeks following surgery with a final consultation a year after surgery

4

Gastric sleeve

Resected stomach

Pylorous

Laparoscopic Gastric Band

Oesophagus

Your operation will be booked for 2 – 3 weeks later

5

7

8

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

7 – 10 day cooling off period to ensure you have sufficient time to think through your decision

3

6

For patients whose pathway includes surgery, the team offers the two most effective surgical interventions: Gastric band - where a band is placed, laparoscopically (i.e. through keyhole surgery), around the top of the stomach, creating an ‘hour-glass’ effect that both restricts the amount of food that can be consumed, and gives a feeling of being full.

1

A laparoscopic gastric band generally requires an overnight stay with a 2 night stay required for the gastric sleeve

Our team of dieticians will work with you to establish what foods you will be able to eat and how much. You’ll also receive advice on how to undertake more physical activity to tone your muscles and improve your posture, as well as a follow up meeting with the health psychology team

Mr Hamouda says: “Successful weight loss treatment relies on the patient undergoing a lifestyle change and demands a commitment to pursue weight loss through the agreed pathway.

We have had some remarkable results and our patient testimonials are testament to the long-term benefits of our care package, including surgery.

At Benenden Hospital we have the most modern facilities, a reputation for patient care which is second-tonone, and an impeccable record of avoiding hospital-acquired infections.

So patients are in safe hands with us.”

Pouch Adjustable Band Duodenum

Stomach

Access Port

Sleeve gastrectomy – also performed via keyhole surgery, this technique removes around 7580% of the stomach, also restricting the amount that can be consumed and quickly giving a feeling of being full. This technique is non-reversible.

Benenden Hospital’s weight loss surgery can be accessed as a private self-paying patient or as a discounted member of Benenden*.

For more on weight loss services provided by Benenden Hospital, please call on 01580 242 521 or visit www.benendenhospital.org.uk/ WeightLossSurgery

*Weight Loss Surgery is not available as part of Benenden membership, members do however receive an exclusive discount off the full private patient price. This offer is only available for treatment undertaken at Benenden Hospital in Kent. The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, number 3454120. Registered charity number 1065995. Registered office, The Benenden Hospital Trust, Goddard’s Green Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX

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• Extensive mini bus service both to and from school throughout Kent and East Sussex

• Amazing facilities including golf course, theatre and indoor pool set within 47 acres of stunning countryside

For further information and a prospectus please contact Karen Cooper on 01580 883090 or at admissions@vinehallschool.com.

www.vinehallschool.com

Education

Are children losing the ability to imagine?

By Richard Follett

W

ith the summer holidays now well underway, I have given some thought to the dilemma facing many parents at this time with how to keep their children entertained and fulfilled over the long summer break. This comes following some contrasting observations in and around Kent and East Sussex, as well as further afield. From a personal perspective, I started the holidays with a two week trip to Rwanda, my third such visit, and was struck by the contrast between the children there and those back here in the UK. When the summer holidays arrive in Rwanda, children fill their time either by working in the fields collecting food for their animals, or transporting goods to the market. Those deemed too young to work make their own entertainment in the most basic of fashions. With both their parents at work the children must fend for themselves, so many will just sit outside their houses or play by the roadsides. In the absence of electricity, there is no television, no computer use and no gaming to occupy the hours.

As a result, the need to use imagination is essential, but the children seem remarkably happy and content.

By contrast in the UK, it would seem that children are increasingly glued to technology in one form of screen

or another. A quick glance at the streets and on public transport shows children permanently looking at their mobile phones or tablets, and the latest Pokemon craze will have done nothing to limit this. Just this week the Hastings lifeboat was called into service to come to the assistance of three girls who had ‘found themselves in rough water out at sea whilst searching for a Pokemon character, something I am sure most parents will find both hard to believe and utterly baffling that their parents would be complicit in such carelessness.

The lives of children back at home in the UK are clearly hugely dominated by the need for technology at every stage. Many children wake up with tablets or phones beside their beds and immediately switch them on, checking in with their friends and signing in to social media sites. As the day progresses, children rarely move beyond their armchairs where, if they are younger, they will watch endless television (usually programmes with an American slant and all the associated phrases and detestable canned laughter). Yet parents seem loathe to break from this cycle, not least because it keeps their children pacified and quiet, something of a ‘low cost’ blessing during the summer holidays especially if the weather is not good!

It would appear the children of today are rapidly becoming almost unable to just sit and think, to look up from their electronic devices and away from the immediate gratification provided by a screen. It seems the ability to dream and use imagination for play is rapidly disappearing and if we are not careful, we will be complicit in this loss of such an important aspect of childhood. Most of us as children will have spent our summer holidays outdoors, playing in parks and gardens with relatively few props and certainly free from technology, but our creativity skills will have been greatly enhanced by the experiences.

The challenge for parents today therefore, both through the latter stages of the summer holidays and into the new school year, is to create regular time when children are broken away from the routine of technology. They need to be given time to be bored, because it is through this ‘boredom’ (also known as external stimulation) that their imagination will return.

Families who create such a time are seldom disappointed, often telling me how much they have missed these precious moments. Whilst technology provides an escape from the pressures of entertaining children ourselves, we should be careful what we wish for.

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Education

September – Starting School

Whether your child is joining a Nursery or Reception class, moving up a year or starting their secondary education, this new chapter often brings change for both children and parents alike. The end of the summer holidays can often be an anxious time for families ahead of the changes that joining a new school can bring, but it is worth remembering that most children love school and will go on to make the most out of their education.

P

rior to joining a new school, many will offer a comprehensive induction programme to ensure the whole family have a smooth transition. At Kent College we provide information sessions for parents, an individual consultation with the class teacher, and girls will have been invited in on several occasions, to meet classmates and teachers and to prepare themselves for this new chapter.

At home, useful tips to help with the transition include talking positively about starting school and your child’s hopes and worries, there are many books that can help to start the conver-

sation. For younger children, ‘Little Rabbit Goes to School’ and ‘I am Absolutely Too Small for School’ are all great reads.

Starting the rhythm of a routine with regular bedtimes, morning rises and trial ‘school runs’ will be valuable to the whole family before the term begins and trips to buy uniform and items such as pencil cases and lunchboxes will bring the topic to the front.

Encourage your children to socialise with any fellow ‘school starters’, especially if you are travelling in from a similar area, and parents too can embrace the opportunities available through the wider school community. There will be

a whole new year group of parents and children in the same boat, you can all connect and support one another. Seek the PTA’s contact details, they regularly meet and welcome in new members.

It is worth remembering that despite any nerves, that children will quickly be settled by their teacher and involved in the new and exciting activities that a new school or year group will bring. We appreciate how hard it can be for many children and their parents and take great care in looking after everyone in the Kent College community.

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I chose Bethany because I want to take GCSE Dance, as this is one my of favourite subjects.

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Amelia Knowles, Year 8. Bethany pupil since 2015.

Dance Scholar.

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Education for life At Bethany we inspire, encourage and challenge our pupils to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Open Mornings: Saturday 24th September and Wednesday 5th October Come and see what Bethany can do for your child.

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Co-educational day and boarding school for ages 11-18

Health and Well-being

Your academic results do not define you

R

esults do not decide your fate, create your future, or determine how successful you will be in later life. Some of the most successful people have set up successful businesses without formal qualifications*.

Danielle LaPorte’s quote “Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?” holds a powerful message for us all. Our kids’ mental health is more important than their academic results.

School is not for everyone. It teaches you many skills, but in this information age, qualifications are no longer a proven formula for wealth and success, a prerequisite for building a successful career. Too much pressure is placed on telling our young generation that they need to work hard, and to get good grades in order to achieve or be someone great.

How many times have you handed in an exam paper and later remembered the answer to a question. Does not achieving the grade required to get into the university of your choice mean that you are a less qualified candidate for a job? That you can’t become what you dream about? Education is not learned solely through textbooks. It is also about learning invaluable soft skills which will add value to you in later life.

I work with many young people who don’t achieve those grades. They feel that their grades define who they are and that they haven’t achieved or even that they have failed. Parents and schools have to start to accept some responsibility for this to help change the way we think. Life is not about league tables and parents defining themselves through the success of their children.

What defines you in society is who you are, how you treat others, what you create, the moral compass you live by, the feeling you instil in others. If you were asked to present an object at an interview that defined you as a person, what would you bring? We all have different talents, skills, gifts, thought processes, genes – so why should a classroom of individuals be tested using

the same means?

Figure out how you learn best and what you love; turn your passion into your purpose and life will become easier. Be independent in your thinking, stay motivated, pursue your end goal with determination, keep focused and – above all – keep learning, reaching out for advice, embracing new opportunities. Remember, there is no such thing as failure. There is always a positive message in all that we do. It’s what allows us to learn and to grow.

*Worth of Successful Business Founders without qualifications: Richard Branson (Virgin, worth $4.9 billion), Steve Jobs (Apple – on his death worth $11 billion), Dave Thomas (Wendy’s – worth, on his death, $99 million), David Green (Hobby Lobby, worth $6 billion), Larry Ellison (Oracle, worth $54 billion), Larry Dell (Dell Computers – $22 billion), Rachel Ray (TV cook star, worth $60m), Lord Alan Sugar (Amstrad – £1.4 billion).

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Brook House Carpets Established over 30 years

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Rural Life

Wadhurst Rural Ramblings

By Helen Stockton

O

ne of the nice things about living in a rural community is the involvement of neighbourhood folk in a variety of local issues and significant events. There is something rather endearing about campaigning to save a red phone box that is iconic rather than practical, having a new park bench installed, sometimes in slightly eccentric locations, or restoring a public footpath for recreational rambling and horse-riding. Supporting local events comes, as it were, with the territory, with village fetes offering a heady mix of scones, tepid tea in chipped china, brass bands and barely suppressed ambitions in the vegetable growing department!

And woe betide the unwary motorist who speeds through someone else’s

village. The local community speed watch, resplendent in fluorescent jackets and brandishing their video cameras and clipboards as weapons of choice, run the gauntlet of upset motorists for the greater good; after all, none of us ever speed, do we...

And localism is rather infectious. You find yourself contributing to the church roof, even if you’re not a church-goer and signing petitions to support or protect things that you never knew you minded about. After all, it’s your village.

A recent local dog show, where entries were potentially diminished by a typically damp summer’s day, persuaded me into entering my own wayward dog to show solidarity with a local cause. I wasn’t sure if the number we

were given was supposed to be pinned on my dog or me, but we both trotted gamely round the show ring, and he did his best in ‘dog with the most appealing eyes’ and ‘fastest recall’. Not as fast as the Whippet from up the road, clearly, but it’s the taking part that counts, as we well know.

So, although my garden isn’t immaculate, I’m a member of the local horticultural society, and whilst my domestic crafts are slightly dubious, I’m entering a class at the local show. I’m also off to walk my dog along a newly restored footpath, with a recently installed bench should I become weary, and a red phone box, should I have a crisis, when I’ve forgotten my mobile. Rural living, I just love it!

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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