Dluxe Leicestershire Spring 2018

LU E D X LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

SPRING ‘18

INSIDE: THE TRAVEL ISSUE DAVID BECKHAM Calum Scott BEDROOM chic tREND PICK 2018 tigers ‘ style

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

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EDITOR’S LETTER. Here we are on the threshold of Spring-proper, and it’s with positivity – and a bit of alarm if truth be known – that we’re already a Quarter into the year. For those of us who made personal and business goals and resolutions, we’re already at the first logical review period. It is now that we reflect on successes, failures and how we move forward, emboldened and refreshed.

I know from our perspective at dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND, it’s been an incredible and exciting first Quarter. What’s been especially heartening is that business is finding its way to our doors through reputation and recommendation. Although we’re used to proactively going out there and ‘spreading the good word of dluxe’, it is always humbling when a stranger comes a’knocking and wants to make use of your wisdom, experience and Black Book of Contacts to put their business in the spotlight. It is a sign that we’re doing something right.

We talk to Calum Scott - P20

As a result, we’ve some incredible new projects and clients that we’re working with – some of whom are gracing these very pages of dluxe. These include incredible brands venturing in to Leicester for the very first time alongside established firms such as Curve, De Montfort Hall, Nuffield, Everards, Harvey Nichols and Loughborough Endowed Schools. Without these brands, it’d be a

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR...

1.

CALL ME bY YOUR NAME We cannot get enough of this BAFTA award winning romantic coming of age drama. Director Luca Guadagnino transports us back to those long hot summers of our youth; full of longing and first love.

It’s 1983 and 17-year-old Elio Perlman is spending his summer with his family at their 17th-century villa in Lombardy, Italy. Oliver, a handsome doctoral student who’s working as an intern for Elio’s father arrives and amidst the sun-drenched splendour of their surroundings, Elio and Oliver indulge in a summer romance with repercussions that will alter their lives forever. Beautiful to look at and heartbreaking to witness, Elio and Oliver’s love story speaks to all. Finally available on DVD - you’ll love it, trust us.

4 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

2.

the 1975 The third release from The 1975 is set to mark the end of an era for the band according to lead singer Matt Healy with a narrative charting the band’s growth from getting their first record deal to selling out arenas.

Lead singer Matt Healey has said he’d like people to look back on the new album as being definitive of the era - we hope so too.

whole lot more difficult (and less fun) for us to keep doing what we’re doing. We’re eternally grateful and urge you to show your support.

Looking ahead to Quarter Two – March to June – the county really is hotting up with the return of the monthly Makers’ Markets on the new Market Square (first Sunday) in Leicester; the White Swan launches a new 45-minute express lunch; 45 West launch their new Gin Distillery; Everards launch their first full-scale fashion line – and it’s a cracker; the ‘construct a King’ Lego event at King Richard III and so, so much more.

I urge you to use these pages of dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND – and our incredible website - as your cherry-pick and diary essentials. We’ve shortlisted so all you must do is make sure you’re available.

So, please do get out there and ‘do something less boring instead’. We promise you, you’ll thank us when you’re looking back in three months and see how many new experiences you’ve had.

Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief PS next edition is out 25/06.

3.

4.

R ED SPAR R O W AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN Jennifer Lawrence stars as a ballerina who faces an uncertain future after she suffers an injury that ends her career. She soon turns to a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people to use their minds and bodies as weapons. As she comes to terms with her new abilities, Dominika meets a CIA agent who tries to convince her that he is the only person she can trust.

Opening at Curve on the 6th April, this brand-new musical is based on the 1982 Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere which tells the story of Zack Mayo who is in training to become a US Navy Pilot and falls for local girl Paula Pokrifki, realises the importance of love and friendship and finds the courage to be himself.

CONTENTS.

TALK TO US MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@fu-media.co.uk 07713 740 272

GROUP EDITOR IN CHIEF Jonathan Fraser Jon@fu-media.co.uk 0772 580 9654

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Lilith Hunt-Sheppard lilith@fu-media.co.uk 07975 970711

ACCOUNTS & ADMINISTRATION Carey York carey@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445

DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE Francesca Arculeo Francesca@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445 DAVID BECKHAM P12

08 AGENDA Our personal picks

42 MOTORS Gangster’s Paradise or County Squire? We look at Mercedes’ revised yet gloriously retro G Wagen.

20 SPOTLIGHT We talk to the Singer Calum Scott as he prepares to take on the world with his debut album.

44 TRAVEL We’ve travelled to Chiang www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

of our favourite features, stories and products from around the County.

24 TIGER STYLE A first look at the new range of clothing from Leicestershire’s iconic Everards Brewery.

28 FOR HER Rainbow brights, wardrobe revamps and the season’s best kept beauty secrets.

32 FOR HIM This Spring we’re

Mai Thailand this issue to explore this amazing city. We also look into some cracking city breaks for Easter

48 DINING We’re missing out meat this Spring and toying with all things vegetarian.

52 DIARY What’s happening and

what’s happened in and around the county this Spring plus the play that went so wrong it went right.

keeping things pale and interesting, exploring Yogawear and the latest go-to in male grooming - House 99 by David Beckham.

62 BUSINESS The latest thinking and topic led business advice from some of the county’s top business brains.

36 LIVING It’s National Bed Month so

66 LAST WORD We find about My

we look at ways to keep cosy and Oliver Rayns looks at apartment living.

Leicestershire with Rosenna East general manager at Nevill Holt Opera.

DLUXE Leicestershire & Rutland HQ 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445 COVER IMAGE BY GIRLS ON FILM

info@fu-media.co.uk

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Disclaimer: Copyright SIXTY9° & dluxe Leicestershire & Rutland No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy in compiling this publication, the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, breach of copyright or otherwise since compilation. The Publisher cannot be held responsible for any material submitted to the publication, not excluding advertisements. The views expressed within this title are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the Publisher. © 69 Magazine Ltd 2018

6 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Are you aged between 16–26, enjoy theatre and either live, learn or work in our City?

If so, why not join our FREE 16–26 Membership Scheme Enjoy exclusive discounts, offers + a range of other benefits

Danny Mac, Sunset Boulevard Photograph Manuel Harlan

See more theatre for less!

For just £40 per year, Curve Members enjoy 2-4-1 and 15% discounts, priority booking, invitations to exclusive members events and much more!

To find out more information, please visit www.curveonline.co.uk/join-and-support-us or contact our Ticket Office on 0116 242 3595 Curve is run by Leicester Theatre Trust (registered charity no. 230708)

AGENDA.

club

classics

Scarily, 2018 marks 30 years since the release of Club Classics Vol. 1, the hugely influential and sound shifting long player from British band Soul II Soul.

To celebrate, the double Grammy Award winning and five-time Brit Award nominated band will be playing Leicester’s De Montfort Hall on the 25th October in a special homage concert to the classic album.

With huge hits including ‘Keep On Movin’ (which sold over a million copies in the US alone) and the UK number one single ‘Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)’, Soul II Soul progressed from being one of the leaders of the 1980’s warehouse scene to pioneering British black music around the world, and securing commercial success for themselves and the huge amount of artists they have influenced.

During the course of their stellar career the band have sold over 10 million albums worldwide and main man, Jazzie B, was awarded an OBE for services to music in 2008, as well as winning an Ivor Novello Award for Inspiration, as “the man who gave British black music a soul of its own”.

For tickets visit www.seetickets.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 9

AGENDA.

CHOC’s AWAY! Chocoholics unite! Whether you’re nuts about nuts, crazy about caramel, bonkers for biscuits, or frantic for fruit, the chocolate bar of your dreams is finally within reach thanks to the The Grown Up Chocolate Company.

We’re hooked on their range of reimagined chocolate bars we all loved as children that have been updated and made strictly adults only!

With unashamedly indulgent creations like Very Naughty Nutty Nougat, Gorgeously Gooey Caramel Truffle Cups and our favourite Crunchy, Crispy

Toffee trilogy which has a crunchy base of luxurious milk chocolate and rice puffs, a middle of gooey caramel topped with white chocolate biscuit pearls and enrobed in milk chocolate.

All handmade, bars are produced using only the highest quality ingredients and their chocolate consists of 41% of pure cocoa solids so the most choosy chocoholic can chomp away.

Bars cost £2.25 each from: thegrownupchocolatecompany.co.uk

BRILLIANTLY BESPOKE

shallow height, lift up wall cabinet doors and discrete modern lighting.

The design incorporated a large square format floor tile to add to the modern clean feel using Farrow & Ball ‘Down Pipe’ as a bold colour for the units which contrasted perfectly with the white walls & worktops.

Bespoke Kitchen and interiors designer Steve Hills has over over 25 years’ experience in bespoke kitchen and bathroom design, Steve offers a fully comprehensive service from advising his clients on the extensive range of quality materials, modern quartz stone, sintered worktops, marble and granite surfaces available, to the installation of the kitchen itself, all of which is designed around the client’s individual preferences and style choices.

Steve Hills Design, specialise in designing and installing kitchens of true distinction and are as passionate as 10 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

their customers requiring a timeless, tasteful, beautifully crafted room to be enjoyed for years to come.

Steve’s work is fully project managed including building works, plumbers, tilers, electricians, lighting, flooring & colour advice.

Towards the end of 2017 Steve took on a beautiful, almost rebuilt, West Bridgford home in Nottingham. The brief was to create a modern yet relaxed feel for a modern family. The client requested all modern conveniences of boiling water taps, integrated appliances, very wide yet

Oak was chosen for the feature wall cabinets & handrails to tie in with the modern internal doors. Oak is the perfect choice of timber providing a timeless look ‘never high fashion & never out of fashion’.

To finish off the space, large vellux windows were installed in the extended ceiling with bi fold doors opening out onto the garden, providing the owner with a bright open family space. The client was delighted with the end result & dressed it beautifully.

Steve Hills Design cover Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas.

Find out more at www. stevehillsdesign.co.uk or call them on 07812 389 869

MFDH AWARDS

RETURN Now in its third year, the Midlands Food Drink and Hospitality Awards is set to return and is gearing up to be the biggest celebration yet and once again, Dluxe Magazine is the official media partner.

The prestigious awards ceremony which celebrates the best in the food, drink and hospitality industry will take place at again at the magnificent Edgbaston cricket stadium on 25th June 2018.

The MFDH Awards aims to recognise and reward all the amazing attractions from bars to restaurants to cafes and more which are pushing the envelope through first rate menus, creative settings and stellar service.

Given that it’s one of the most culturally rich regions in England, it’s only natural for the food, drink and hotels of the Midlands to be as equally diverse and unique. In fact, it is the success of our thriving food, drink and hospitality establishments in some of the places like Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Coventry and Nottingham that has helped to make the Midlands the great place that it is!

The awards will be judged by five independent judges (including one from dluxe) who have direct knowledge and experience of the Food, drink & hospitality industries but first the public needs to nominate!

Visit www.mfdhawards.co.uk before 23 April 2018 and nominate your favourite, or you can nominate yourself.

SJD – Developing potential If you think your land or property has development potential, why not give us a call without obligation and in confidence.

Many of our clients retain our services and, in the majority of cases, pay our fees saving property owners significant costs.

Commercial buildings for residential conversion, former public houses, redundant buildings for redevelopment, buildings for conversion or replacement, houses for improvement, large sites on the edge of town, barn conversions, large gardens in residential areas and major regeneration projects.

We are alWayS on the lookout for lanD anD property With Development potential

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For regular updates, visit us at twitter.com/projects Contact Stephen Donnelly on 07739 514350 or 0845 456 8969 w sjd-projects.com e steve@sjd-projects.com

AGENDA. masculinity, HOUSE 99 was built with the ambition to offer exceptional innovative formulas to men who are not afraid to explore their own unique style and express their identity.

Launching the range Beckham said “I’m so excited to finally share HOUSE 99 with everyone around the world! For me, grooming is not only about how you look, but how you feel. It’s about being comfortable, trying new things and shaping your next look. I created HOUSE 99 to give people the inspiration as well as the right products to experiment and feel completely at home doing so. HOUSE 99 is here to support men, to give them the tools they need to create whatever look they are going for. Welcome to the House”said David.

David Beckham’s HOUSE 99 arrives As one of the world’s most famous style icons, David Beckham continues to challenge the notion of what it means to be “masculine”. Notoriously experimenting and reinventing his own image, the iconic footballer, historically made caring about your style and changing your look

Utilising the technical expertise of L’Oréal Luxe labs, the HOUSE 99 product line has been carefully engineered to create an all-new grooming brand, home to every guy’s next look and offers expert and diverse solutions for all hair and skin types, tried, tested and approved by the man himself.

acceptable amongst men and inspired a generation and redefined ‘male culture’ not just in the UK but across the world. And now he’s taking on male grooming.

Just like David, the brand is both masculine and stylish, with a product assortment inspired by his legendry evolving look, developed to work together and provide everyone with David’s real-life routine for game-changing grooming results.

Driven by this desire to revolutionize society’s take on grooming as part of modern

Turn to page 33 for a low down on the full product range.

MARC ALMOND & JOOLS HOLLAND AT DMH

THE BUM CHAIR Searching for the prefect comfy kitchen chair? Well if vintage is not an option why not opt for the Bum Chair by local firm deVol? Made in England from high quality British elm and oak, the Bum Chair has the same uber-comfy seat pan as the Bum Stool, a feature that saw both pieces awarded with a prestigious Design Guild Mark for excellence in British Design.

Crafted after extensive bum fitting research, the Bum Chair not only looks perfect but feels it too.

What price comfort? £390. devolkitchens.co.uk 12 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Musical master of ceremonies Jools Holland and his acclaimed Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be joined on stage by the legendary Marc Almond at two performances at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall.

Soft Cell frontman Marc Almond, has sold over 30 million records worldwide with his list of hit songs including ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, ‘Touch’ and, of course, ‘Tainted Love’. Marc has also collaborated with the likes of Gene Pitney, Tony Visconti and Burt Bacharach, as well as Jools who Marc previously toured with in 2014. He was awarded an OBE this year for his services to arts and culture.

Squeeze member Gilson Lavis on drums with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. With a tremendous collection of Jools’ compositions and boogie-woogie classics to choose from, Jools’ annual UK tour is set to be an unforgettable night out that will delight both Jools and Marc Almond fans and have audiences on their feet!

Also performing with Jools will be the supremely talented vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall as well as original

Concerts will take place on the 28th and 29th November and Tickets are on sale now at www.joolsholland.com

AWARD WINNING SERVICE AT GLASS & GLASS so even to be shortlisted for a national award is an amazing achievement - winning one made them incredibly proud! As a team, they work extremely hard and take immense pride in everything that they do. Glass & Glass genuinely care about each patient that walks through the door, so it’s wonderful for that to be recognised at the awards.

‘Winning an Opticians Award is one of the highest accolades optical professionals, practices and companies can achieve,’ says National Opticians Magazine, who host the annual event.

Such an esteemed commendation is something that Glass & Glass are never going to feel weary of; hearing the news of being shortlisted was just as exciting for them the second time around!

As an award-winning, family-run business, the whole team at Glass & Glass Optometrists take great pride in their work. Comprising of a small, tight-knit group across two practices (Culver & Glass in Loughborough and Ryley & Evans in Long Eaton), the quality and excellence of care is evident through everything they do, from their loyal, thriving base of patients to their awardwinning service.

At the 2017 Opticians Awards, they were thrilled to be recognised as having the best Optical Assistant Team of the Year amongst tough competition. They were even happier to be shortlisted this year for a second time, in the category of Practice Growth of the Year.

For an independent practice, it can seem a near-impossible task to compete against well-known giants in the optical business,

Find out more at www.glassandglass.com Culver & Glass 3 High Street, Loughborough. LE112PY. Tel 01509 212704 Ryley & Evans 25 High Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 1HY Tel. 0115 973 4056

88luxury luxuryapartments apartmentsavailable availablethrough throughOliver OliverRayns…

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Each Each apartment apartment offers offers two two double double bedrooms bedrooms with with fitted fitted wardrobing, wardrobing, contemporary contemporary bathrooms bathrooms and and en-suites en-suites along along with with high-quality high-quality kitchens kitchens with with integrated integrated appliances. appliances.

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Early Early enquiries enquiries are are highly highly recommended recommended due due toto aa high high level level ofof interest. interest.

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SPECIAL FEATURE.

AGENDA.

IS YOUR CHILD THE UK’S NEXT BIG RURAL AWARDS WRITING TALENT? RETURN Rural business owners are being reminded to get their entry in for this year’s Rural Business Awards.

The National Young Writers’ Awards is set to return with a bang as world renowned bestselling children’s author David Walliams has been named judge for 2018! The competition, organised by tuition provider, Explore Learning which has a centre in Leicester has been running for ten years and has inspired hundreds of thousands of children across the UK to put pen to paper and give writing a try.

The theme for this year is ‘Heroes’ where children are tasked with writing a 500 word story all about their hero, whether that be their parent, a policeman or an idol they aspire to be like so young authors are being asked to get their thinking caps on and unleash their very best heroic tales!

The winner will be surprised at a school assembly by David who will announce the National Young Writer of the Year and present them with a trophy, a trip to Disneyland Paris for their family and £500 of books for their school! Every child that enters will receive a certificate to celebrate their story, along with personalised feedback from one of Explore Learning’s inspirational tutors.

The top 10 entries will also receive £250 worth of books for their schools from Letts Revision, plus a large print of the opening line of their story by QuirkyLime. Each of the regional winners will also win £50 worth of books for themselves.

It’s very easy to enter. Children are invited to pick up an entry form from their local Explore Learning centre which can be found at Explore Learning Inside Sainsbury’s Fosse Park Leicester LE19 1WT and then simply return the completed entry to them before Sunday 29th April. Or if children prefer, they can type their story and enter online at www.explorelearning. co.uk/youngwriters. Don’t forget to include your contact information so they can get in touch if your child wins!

The awards, sponsored in the Midlands by AvantiGas, were created and run by Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who themselves run rural businesses and felt with a passion that there was a pressing need to give more recognition to and more of a platform for rural businesses that contribute 19% of Gross Added Value in the economy in England.

The 13 categories for the 2018 awards cover every aspect of rural business activity and include Best Rural Start-up, Outstanding Rural Diversification Project, and awards for best rural businesses in retail, manufacturing, tourism, food and drink, social enterprise and the creative/media sector, as well as Best Rural Education or Training Business and Rural Employee of the Year.

“It’s a really exciting time with lots and lots going on,” said Anna. “We’ve listened to what our entrants need, and a lot of the time they’re saying to us that the national Press and the national coverage that they get is lovely, but it doesn’t necessarily drive customers to their door in the way local coverage could.

So we decided to go regional and to really push things locally within markets that our entrants and winners and sponsors want to do business.”

To enter the Rural Business Awards visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk

LET’S DANCE INTERNATIONAL FRONTIERS Leicester’s dynamic two-week annual dance festival LET’S DANCE INTERNATIONAL FRONTIERS returns this Spring and is packed full of contemporary dance and ballet by local and international performers.

Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2018 is produced by Serendipity, the diversity-led organisation based at Leicester’s De Montfort University and embraces the cosmopolitan nature of Leicester by bringing diversity to the forefront in dance while celebrating the work of dancers at all stages of their careers.

This year’s festival launches on Sunday April 29th, International Dance Day, 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

with a performance by highly acclaimed Zimbabwean dancer/performance artist Nora Chipaumire. New York-based Nora will perform her ‘100% POP’, inspired by the legendary Grace Jones at the 2Funky Music Café, one of Leicester’s most popular live music venues.

Star names include Germaine Acogny, Antoine Hunter, the Leicester-trained Ella Mesma and Harriet Watson.

For the full programme of events visit www.ldif.co.uk

SAY I DO with a little help from

Next has launched their own wedding collection this season.

The collection includes beautiful embroidered bridesmaid dresses as well as suits for the groom and best man.

All items avalable from Next.

Beautiful bridesmaids dresses for little ones from £16 and pretty bejewelled shoes from £21

Men’s suits from £130, Brogues from 28, Boys shirt and Waitscoat from £22, Boys Jacket from £32.

Dress £78

Dress £72

AGENDA.

Social Climbing at Highcross Shoppers will soon be able to enjoy a unique and sociable way of exercising at Highcross with the arrival of an exciting new indoor bouldering centre, Social Climbing. The new indoor activity centre will be located on the ground floor alongside Debenhams, and will be the first of its kind in the country when it opens this summer.

Its unique features include a head-to-head wall in which climbers can challenge one another, and a ‘leap of faith’ descent. The centre will also offer a leisure space consisting of a café and a living room area, whilst offering visitors monthly movie nights to enjoy together.

Social Climbing, added: “We couldn’t have dreamt up a more exciting first location for Social Climbing than Highcross. It’s right in the heart of the city and we’re hoping that the convenience factor will attract more climbing newbies into the brand. Our 45m long front window will be particularly cool; you’ll be able to watch our customers hanging off the wall whilst you wait for the bus outside or amble into Debenhams next-door.”

Cheese Fest COMES TO CITY CheesefestUK comes to Leicester on the 14th April for a day of the most incredible melted cheese delights and delicious cheese-based cuisine!

Experience some of the cheesiest cheeses in the world with melted raclette, cheese wheels, gooey mozzarella sticks and a whole host of cheese-tastic tastes from the UK’s best cheese traders!

Taking place at the Leicester Athena there’ll be some of the UK’s best cheese traders and street food vendors providing melted delights alongside a great selection of craft beers and wines to match for you to try, taste and buy.

Tickets available from cheesefestuk.com.

18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

One Aldwych - A Capital Idea Being based in Leicestershire, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to cultural pursuits, but sometimes there’s an itch that needs to be scratched and only the Big Smoke will suffice.

Covent Garden is at the heart of theatre-land and One Aldwych is prime for taking advantage of a thoroughly cultural weekend away.

Stand at the doorway of this imposing, Edwardian 5-star boutique hotel, which is proudly one of the Leading Luxury Hotels of the World, and you can immediately see the theatres hosting The Lion King, The Play That Goes Wrong and Dreamgirls, amongst others.

You really do feel like you’re in the heart of theatre-land and the bustle and excitement is contagious.

Although regular visitors to London and lovers of theatre, One Aldwych had not shown on our radars before. It seems we are the minority though, as a quick ‘check in’ on Facebook had dozens of messages from friends and colleagues gushing about the location, the high-teas, the hotel spa, the in-house art collection and more. And they were right, of course. The hotel’s location is second to none: if you really want to squeeze as much cultural capital out of your weekend sojourn, it’s perfectly cast.

Point your toes in one direction and you’re only a few minutes sashay to the delights of the Seven Dials shopping district

and, beyond that, Leicester Square, China Town and Soho.

Turn the other direction and you have Waterloo Bridge and beyond that the Southbank.

With so much to do in the city, you not only need a stout pair of walkers, but the ability to relax when you do retreat to the hotel – their spa, pool and gym would put many healthclubs to shame.

Their unchlorinated swimming pool is mood-lit and the perfect place to wind-down or soak your aching bones in their adjacent steam and sauna.

As much as you need cultural enlightenment and physical refreshment, One Aldwych looks after the nourishment of your soul, too – and this is where One Aldwych comes up trumps, most notably with its Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar, which we have to admit was sublime and should feature on your weekend mustdo list.

Here, at Eneko, we opted for renowned chef, Eneko Atxa’s, tasting menus, which offered six or seven courses of some of the most exotic, flavoursome and beautifully presented food we’ve ever eaten. Genuinely, this restaurant – and its incredibly attentive and personable staff – is One Aldwych’s real star of the show. We are looking forward to an encore very soon.

One Aldwych is at Strand, London, WC2B 4BZ. Tel 0207 300 1000 or visit www.onealdwych.com

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Mr Mr Ashwin Ashwin Kulkarni Kulkarni FRCS, FRCS, Consultant Consultant Orthopaedic Orthopaedic Surgeon Surgeon explains, explains, “This “This new, new, minimally minimally invasive invasive technique technique is performed is performed through through a smaller a smaller incision incision andand because because we we separate separate the the muscles muscles andand tendons tendons apart apart rather rather thanthan cutting cutting them them andand do do notnot dislocate dislocate the the hip,hip, thisthis means means you’ll you’ll recover recover a lota faster. lot faster.

So much So much so, so, youyou should should be back be back on your on your feetfeet within within a few a few days days following following youryour surgery.” surgery.”

DoDo I need I need a hip a hip replacement? replacement?

Most Most people people withwith hip hip painpain will will often often have have groin groin painpain which which radiates radiates to the to the knee. knee.

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ThisThis painpain is often is often brought brought on by on activity. by activity.

However, However, in advanced in advanced stages stages of arthritis, of arthritis, the the painpain will will be continuous be continuous andand will will getget worse worse withwith activity activity

MrMr Ashwin Ashwin Kulkarni Kulkarni MBBS, MBBS, D (Orth), D (Orth), D BD(Orth), B (Orth), FRCS FRCS (Tr&amp, (Tr&amp, Orth), Orth), FHEA FHEA Orthopaedic Orthopaedic Consultant Consultant

Specialities: Specialities: Hip Hip replacement replacement & Arthroscopy, & Arthroscopy, kneeknee replacement replacement & Arthroscopy, & Arthroscopy, andand kneeknee surgery. surgery.

Year Year of Qualification: of Qualification:

GMC GMC Number: Number:

1990 1990

4667788 4667788

If you If you have have anyany questions questions regarding regarding anyany aspect aspect of care of care we we provide, provide, please please do not do not hesitate hesitate to contact to contact us on: us on: Call Call 0116 0116 298298 6787 6787

Nuffield Nuffield Health Health Leicester Leicester Hospital Hospital

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Scraptoft Scraptoft Lane, Lane, Leicester, Leicester, LE51HY LE51HY

If you If you or your or your doctor doctor suspects suspects youyou maymay have have arthritis arthritis or or nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/leicester nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/leicester VisitVisit maymay need need a hip a hip replacement, replacement, I will I will talktalk withwith youyou to gain to gain further further information information andand undertake undertake an examination. an examination.

It may It may be necessary be necessary to send to send youyou for for further further diagnostic diagnostic such such as an as X-ray, an X-ray, MRIMRI scan scan or injection or injection which which will will helphelp Following Following your your surgery. surgery. me me specify specify where where the the problem problem is and is and enable enable me me to to A physiotherapist A physiotherapist will will seesee youyou before before andand after after to help to help make make a diagnosis. a diagnosis. getget youryour newnew hip hip moving. moving.

Physiotherapy Physiotherapy is important is important to to helphelp make make a quicker a quicker recovery. recovery.

YouYou maymay need need crutches crutches a walker initially. initially.

Once Once youyou are are ableable to walk to walk andand If IIfhave I have arthritis arthritis areare there there anyany alternative alternative or aorwalker are are mobile mobile youyou will will be allowed be allowed to go to go home. home.

Upon Upon treatments treatments available? available? discharge, discharge, youyou will will be given be given follow-up follow-up appointments appointments Yes,Yes, there there are are a number a number of alternative of alternative non-operative non-operative andand contact contact numbers numbers to call, to call, should should youyou have have anyany options options for for treatment, treatment, however, however, in most in most cases, cases, these these concerns. concerns. options options will will be already be already have have been been discussed discussed by your by your GP.GP. I would I would need need to assess to assess youryour requirements requirements andand Recovery Recovery Plus.

Plus. discuss discuss the the correct correct procedure procedure for for you.you.

Recovery Recovery PlusPlus is isuffield uffield Health’s Health’s flagship flagship recovery recovery programme programme available available freefree of charge of charge to our to our private private What What happens happens during during surgery? surgery? patients patients at atuffield uffield Health Health Leicester Leicester Hospital.

Hospital.

After After youyou receive receive the the anaesthetic, anaesthetic, a small a small incision incision Recovery Recovery PlusPlus provides provides youyou withwith a personal a personal recovery recovery will will be made be made andand the the muscles muscles will will then then be separated be separated programme, programme, health health check, check, exercise exercise andand dietdiet advice, advice, allowing allowing access access to the to the hip.hip.

A surgical A surgical dislocation dislocation is is together together withwith a 3-month a 3-month membership membership at atuffield uffield Health Health ®, the ®, the notnot required required withwith SuperPath SuperPath socket socket andand stem stem Leicester Leicester Fitness Fitness andand Wellbeing Wellbeing Club Club andand youryour ownown cancan then then be replaced be replaced andand fixed fixed intointo place. place.

ThisThis usually usually recovery recovery coach. coach.

So you’ll So you’ll be doing be doing everything everything youyou cancan would would taketake between between 60 and 60 and 90 minutes.

90 minutes. to maximise to maximise youryour recovery. recovery.

If you If you require require further further information, information, please please callcall 0116 0116 298 298 6787 6787 or or visit visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/Leicester nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/Leicester UF0218982956-1 UF0218982956-1

SPOTLIGHT.

DANCING ON HIS OWN CALUM SCOTT

Calum Scott first came to the attention of the public when he stood terrified on stage and brought an audience and judges to tears on Britain’s Got Talent.

The clip of his audition has since had over 100 million views since on You Tube and the release of his audition song charted at No. 1 on iTunes in 11 countries. It’s now time to release his debut album and what better way to fanfare it than by doing a duet with Leona Lewis? Dluxe caught up with Calum over the phone as he travelled back from his hometown of Hull and on to America- this is one busy boy- to find out where it all began and how his performance has had a fundamental effect on all aspects of his life.

it’s my hometown so I go back as often as I can.

So you’re keeping things real then being back in Hull!

Is it right that the video of your audition has been viewed over 100 million times?

I am, where possible, I just go where the label tell me basically, but Hull is where the family is and where I’ve grown up,

Despite that you’re a long way from the nervous lad that appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, now aren’t you?

I am but I’m still exactly the same guy.

I feel that coming into the industry a little bit later, I don’t know if it’s the Yorkshire or the Northerner in me, but just to remain grounded. I still get as nervous as well.

Whether I perform to 5 or 5000 I’m still as nervous as I was back then but it reminds me that I love performing so it’s good to have nerves.

I know it’s ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. I watched it back with my

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SPOTLIGHT.

mum not so long ago. I got her a Google Home for Christmas and it’s connected to our TV so she’s forever saying “OK Google play Calum Scott” so there is constantly my dulcet tones coming through the TV. Stats like that, over 100 million, it’s hard to get your head around it. I keep thinking it must be robots, there’s no way over 100 million people have seen my face and my audition, it doesn’t happen to people like me.

What made you audition for the show in the first place? Had you been trying to break into music for a while?

Well it was my sister really. I’ve had a very musical life with growing up 22 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

around music and I had a bit of a drumming career at the start. Never would have thought I would be up front of stage, that was like not on my radar whatsoever and my sister being the singer of the family, she had her singing equipment out and I tried imitating her through her equipment and emulating how she sang. I thought she was out, but she was in and rather than her saying that you know you’ve got a great voice she entered me into a competition without telling me! Britain’s Got Talent wasn’t until later, I joined a tribute band performing on stage with live instruments and I’d already posted Dancing on My Own that I’d recorded in my bedroom.

That’s really refreshing to hear because you hear a lot of criticism on talent shows that contestants are planted, and it has all been agreed beforehand.

Yeah see this is the thing, I had applied for X Factor years before when Gary was on it and I’d got through so many preliminary rounds, but I just never got a call back. I didn’t get through I was so disappointed with myself that I thought I’d never do anything like that again.

That’s why I joined a tribute band for a while and I started trying to write my own songs, I tried to start getting into the world of music on my own the oldfashioned way. But when my sister said “let’s apply for Britain’s Got Talent and see what happens “that was my moment

was in tears. I knew I was onto something special, but I still never expected the reaction I’d got on stage at Britain’s Got Talent. It was crazy.

You say you’ve related to the song, have you been that person stood in the corner then?

“I played it to my Mum and she was in tears.

I knew I was onto something special”

Yeah, many a times!

For me as a gay man, I’ve watched plenty of times my mates get into relationships as well as other people starting to date when you’re out and about. Growing up I put so much pressure on myself about my sexuality that even starting a conversation was incredibly tough for me let alone a date. That’s what I imagined as I started the song. Stripping away the dance backing you realise that it’s an incredibly heart-breaking song.

One of the things that was striking to me is that you didn’t change the gender in the song. That’s an incredibly brave thing to do when you are putting yourself out there as an artist and as a person, particularly if you’re struggling with your sexuality.

and I’ve got a lot to thank her for.

I have to admit when I first heard that someone had covered Robyn’s Dancing on My Own, I was not impressed that someone had covered the song and then I heard it and really liked it. What drew you to that song?

Aw, Thank You. When I was trying to get my original voice, entering competitions I was relying on backing tracks and I wanted to do something a little different. I was just looking online for acoustic version of songs and I came across a beautiful rendition of Dancing On My Own. I’d created a little studio in my Mum’s bedroom and just hit record. I played it to my Mum and she

Yeah, it was completely intentional, I had every intention of keeping it the same and I wanted it to come from that angle. For me, it came out naturally like that probably just because of where I went to with that emotion it pulled me into that lane without thinking about it and then when I went to release it as a single it never struck me to change it.

I thought I can’t deny who I am, and I can’t be dishonest with people.

You’ve actually written all of the tracks on your album.

Yes, all of them barring a cover of Dancing On My Own and I’ve got a Bob Dylan cover on there. Other than that, everything I’ve co-written, all of my own input and my own concepts and experiences. I really wanted to be the guy in the chair; I thought it was important on my debut album to really write from the heart and from personal experience.

Dancing On My Own and You Are The Reason are very emotionally charged songs, is the rest of the album pretty

much along those lines or is it a real mix?

It is a mix. As both singles have been ballads I am aware that a lot people will be expecting a ballads album but in fact there is a nice variety on there. I’ve written about personal experiences but that doesn’t necessarily mean to say that it is all going to be me on the piano singing about how my life is so difficult! I’ve tried to write things that are relatable, some of them are more born into pop songs and songs about empowering people and they’ve taking a slightly more different approach on the production. A sort of foot to the floor festival feel.

What track from the album are you most excited about people hearing?

On the album, there’s a song called What I Miss Most which is about me basically being thrown into this adventure the last few years and just missing my home town but not really knowing what I miss about it. The production’s incredible, the guys that produced it have done such an amazing job and it’s so fun to perform live, it shows a different side to me.

I’ve noticed in all the music videos so far, you’re pictured alone surrounded by couples Calum so are you the guy who’s professionally destined to be Dancing On His Own forever? *Laughs* Professionally desperate!

Can someone please dance with the boy is basically what I’m saying!

I am looking for love, it’s one of those ones where it’s difficult as I’m travelling all of the time. Hopefully it’s not too long before I see Mr. Right on the horizon, even if it’s just dates and seeing how things go, I just want to have fun.

I missed out a lot of my teens and twenties having this anxiety about my sexuality so it’s nice to be in a position where I’m free. I am signed up to Tinder as an FYI. Calum Scott’s debut album Only Human is released on the 9th March. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 23

STYLE.

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TIGER STYLE Inspired by a relaxing evening down the pub, the Everards team wanted to create a laid back, wearable range that could be comfortably layered. Key colours are set against soft fabrics which offer a touch of luxury.

An iconic symbol in the County, the Tiger is synonymous with Leicestershire after the Royal Leicestershire Regiment were nicknamed ‘The Tigers’ in 1825 following their long service in India. It also echoes the name of the local rugby club, the Leicester Tigers who Everards cheer on with pride!

The Everards garment designer and printing specialist are both based just down the road in Nottingham. Their expertise, attention to detail and passion for quality are evident in each piece and cement the Everards values in celebrating and supporting local business.

The new range celebrates the beautiful designs of Everards beers following feedback to say how much people love the bold illustrated designs, so Everards explored putting these onto garments. Created with the same care and consideration that goes into their beers these garments are wearable, quality items that the Everards team are really proud of!

Bit of Nostalgia…..

This collection also celebrates Everards history, going back to motorcycle design from the 1970’s Leicestershire Kamikaze Motorcycle Display Team.

Thanks to a Mr Leicester article, Everards learned that the Kamikaze team was started and run by.. Started and run by local bobby, PC Maurice Tidmarsh, so that youngsters could learn motorcycle stunts in a supervised environment.

During their displays, the riders would wow the crowds by riding their bikes over cars, humans, through fire and standing on each other’s shoulders to form a human pyramid.

As the club grew they needed support and Everards gave the club £10,000 to buy new bikes. They got 125cc Kawasaki’s. They were red and yellow and had Everards Brewery Kamikaze Race Team written on the side.

Order online at www.everards.co.uk/shop dluxe-magazine.co.uk 25

STYLE.

Order online at www.everards.co.uk/shop 26 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

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HER STYLE. 1

RAINBOW BRIGHT It’s time to go bold with dazzling displays of colour . Embrace stripes this Spring or for a more restrained nod at Rainbow realness focus on the accesories. And don’t forget about texture too...

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W O R K S OF ART

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Forget the new season wardrobe detox and instead invest in fashion you’ll cherish forever. From statement embroidery to stunning sequins, be inspired by the timelessness of impeccable craftsmanship and design.

Harvey Nichols prove opulence is never out of style with these lustworthy pieces.

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1: Outfit by Little Mistress. 2: Hot Pink Jumper £125 Samsoe & Samsoe 3: Rainbow Jumper £316.90 Iphoria 4: Pink Lips Clutch £295 Lulu Guiness 5: Trousers £35 TopShop 6: Phone Case £39.90 Iphoria 7: Alana dress £329 Hobbs. 8: Aurora Shoe £85 Dune. 9: Per Una Rainbow Wrap Skirt £59 Marks and Spencer 10: Clutch £105 Iphoria 11: Embellished Slider £32 Very.

1: Sophia Webster winged sandals, £595. 2: Mary Katrantzou peacock-print dress, £1,295. 3: Gucci Dionysus small shoulder bag, £3,590. 4: Alice + Olivia sequinned skirt, £780. 5: Diane Von Furstenberg silk wrap skirt, £370. 6: Alice + Olivia wrapeffect dress, £495. 7: Free People embroidered satin kimono jacket, £130. 8: Gucci Amoire Tiger printed silk scarf, £310. 9: Free People embroidered top, £140.

Products featured are available from Harvey Nichols or online at harveynichols.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 29

HER STYLE.

&

REINVENT REFRESH WITH A NEW WARDROBE...

2. Dejunk: this can be the painful part,

getting rid of those items that no longer fit, and are tired or dated. These items can be given to charity shops, your friends or just simply thrown away! This is where my ruthlessness and honesty comes into play!

3. Renew: once you have organised your wardrobe try to mix and match items to create various different outfits for different concerns. If you struggle to do this it may mean that you need to update your wardrobe slightly, simply by buying items that complete whole outfits. Try adding accessories to create different looks or by attaining alterations and laundering. Key missing items in your wardrobe are the main reason we struggle to get dressed even though we have a wardrobe full of clothes. Try and identify what these are, write them down and that is your shopping list.

You could always try and photograph the outfits you put together so you have a record of how they go together and to what occasion they would be suitable for. You will also identify what is missing from your wardrobe, like an amazing pair of jeans, a fantastic little leather jacket or a pair of shoes that work with everything. Make a shopping list and stick to it, otherwise you will end up buying items very similar to what is already in your wardrobe!

Many women do not know exactly what suits them and will become stuck in a rut. Seeking professional help and asking for advice on how to dress is not over indulgent, it is practical, time saving and in the long run prevents a lot of expensive mistakes. I don’t cut my own hair or resolve my own legal issues, I ask for help and this is simply what my clients do. Pay a professional to do a job they can’t, writes stylist Cleo Lacey.

Finding a style that is right for you will not only boost your confidence and self-esteem but will also make you look younger, slimmer, happier and more successful. Clothes often say more about how old we are than any number of wrinkles or bad hair styles. If this is the year in which you want to feel more attractive and turn back the clock then help with your wardrobe is what you need!

I always advise my clients to set aside half a day, twice a year, at the start of a new season to review and add to their wardrobe. I can guarantee from experience, that time spent doing this will be a worthwhile investment and pay dividends when later trying to decide what 30 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

to wear on any given day.

How many of you ladies have clothes in your wardrobe that you have never worn before, possibly still with the label on? Or how many of you wear the same outfit over and over again? This is completely normal so please don’t worry girls, people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time.

It is so true what they say, out of sight, out of mind.

One of the first things that I will do with my clients is a wardrobe consultation, and with these tips, you can try it yourself. This is where it all begins! You don’t necessarily need to go on a shopping spree to reinvent your wardrobe, and I don’t believe in wasting money on a load of new clothes.

It’s about knowing what you’ve already got before knowing what you need!

I’m going to share with you my three easy steps to achieving your perfect wardrobe:

1. Assess: look at the garments that are currently in your wardrobe and separate them into different types of clothing, season and lifestyle. Assess each individual garment whether it be classic, stylish, tired, in need of repair, laundering or alteration. Make sure every item fits you well, you may rediscover items that you have never have worn before or even knew existed!

How many of you have left your bedroom with clothes all over the bed and it looks like you have had burglars? This doesn’t happen to my clients anymore because they know exactly what they have got, how it goes together and they know that they look and feel fabulous in all of their clothes!

If you wish to present yourself in a new way, for a new year, you need a wellmanaged wardrobe. A change in career, weight, marital status, health or just plain old perspective has made you realise that now is the time to invest in yourself, after all looking good makes you feel good!

Remember we all need help because looking good doesn’t just happen, and it’s the stylish ones that ask for it! You know where to find me...

Your Fairy Clothes Mother xx Working as a Buyer and Image Consultant for high street fashion chains as well as high end designers, including Amanda Wakeley, Cleo now runs her own personal styling and shopping service, helping real men and women to take control of their wardrobe.

E: cleolacey@demi-couture.co.uk W: www.demi-couture.co.uk Facebook: Demi Couture Twitter: @cleolacey Instagram: DemiCoutureStylist

Beauty EDIT: SPRING CLEAN

Forget giving the house a good going over and instead pay some attention to you.

HELEN GOUGH reveals her favourite luxury must-haves to deep clean and detox from top to toe.

As the days finally get longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time to shed those winter layers and bare some flesh. But while you may soon be full of the joys of spring, your skin could still be showing signs of the winter blues.

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A Faultless Face in Double Time

Fast gaining a reputation as a must for every make up bag, Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Custom Coverage Correcting Duos offers one shade with two coverage levels. The collection of dual-ended colour correctors shift skin into neutral so you can correct, conceal and transform with just one tool.

With shades for every skin tone expertly developed by makeup artists, the customizable formulas are layerable and blend seamlessly onto the skin to provide a flawless base for your favourite concealer or foundation and give you the skilful control to help instantly neutralize discolorations on the skin.

A couple of months wrapped up toasty warm with the heating on full blast does little to nourish the complexion, leaving skin feeling dry and looking dull.

Kick start the new season with some top to toe TLC – forget clearing out the cupboards and turn your attention to giving your skin a spring clean instead. Hard-working exfloliators and scrubs are designed to wash away dead skin cells while cleansers clear out your pores to leave you with radiant, glowing skin.

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The skin-perfecting duo helps custom-correct dark circles, spots, redness, dullness and more. On one end, a light, luminous, wears-all-day formula with brush applicator to sweep across larger areas. Whilst on the other, a full-coverage hydrating concentrate with sponge tip to cover targeted areas for up to 24 hours.

For dark circles and spots, choose by skintone intensity: Pink shade for light skintones, Peach shade for light-medium skintones, Apricot shade for medium skintones, Tangerine shade for medium-deep skintones, Orange shade for deep skintones.

1: Estée Lauder NightWear Plus 3-minute detox mask, £34. 2: BodyBoom strawberry coffee scrub, £16. 3: Elemis lime and ginger salt glow, £39. 4: MaskerAide Detox Diva facial mask, £5 5: La Mer The Cleansing Oil, £70. 6: Malin+Goetz detox face mask, £32. 7: Skin Laundry nourishing cleansing oil, £26. 8: Pixi peel and polish resurfacing concentrate, £26.

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Then, to correct specific concerns, choose Yellow shade; to brighten, Lavender shade to neutralizes yellowness and Green shade to reduce redness. Perfect!

Double Wear Custom Coverage Correcting Duo costs £24 for 10ml and is available from esteelauder.co.uk and Estee Lauder makeup counters.

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PALE AND

INTERESTING If the devil is in the detail than the angelic is in the accessories.

Here’s our pick of the season’s key accesories to take any outfit from sinner to winner.

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THE HOUSE 99:

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From must-have tattoo moisturiser to the cleanser that delivers, these hero products from HOUSE 99 prove looking good shouldn’t be a chore. LISA PIDDINGTON rounds up the latest grooming range from David Beckham.

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EYE OPENER: Enriched with caffeine and mica, the Truly Brighter Eye Balm (£19) helps brighten and energise. Make sure to smooth from outside of your eye, back to the bridge of your nose to tackle those under-eye bags.

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1: Outfits by Zara. 2: Spiral Backpack In Apricot Marl £25 ASOS 3: Round Phantos Sunglasses £125 Ray-Ban 4: Nantucket Chino £119 Ralph Lauren. 5: PS BY PAUL SMITH Green Jumper £85 Harvey Nichols. 6: Hammond & Co Blue Suede Shoes £65 Debenhams. 7: M&S Collection Polo £15. 8: Peach Sweater £25 Criminal. 9: Pink velvet tux blazer £135 Label Lab at House of Fraser. 10: Tie waist jacket £50 River Island

CLEAN SLATE: Purefectly Clean Face Wash (£17) is a charcoalenriched face gel with peppermint extract and is a sure-fire route to clearer looking skin. Apply when the face is still wet and rub for a minute, forehead down, to ward off bacteria.

A CLOSE SHAVE: Use Neat Cut Shaving Cream (£15) after you shower, when your face’s bristles have been softened by steam. Your skin’s follicles will be open – giving you a closer shave, with reduced risk of nicks.

THINK PERFECT INK: With more than 40 artistic creations, David Beckham

knows a thing or two about tattooed skin.

Spray Bold Statement Tattoo Body Moisturiser (£22) directly on to the target area and massage until absorbed.

You’ll create a barrier between your skin and the elements, preventing fading or stretching.

THE MULTITASKER: Even the manliest of skin needs protection.

Step forward Broad Defense Face Moisturiser SPF20 (£22) which hydrates and protects against pollution. Plus, a cheeky pinch can be great for taming any Sideshow Bob hair moments.

WELL GROOMED: Softer Touch Beard Oil (£22) is a lightweight and non-greasy oil that will not only keep your beard tamed and nourished, but is essential prep for the skin preshaving. dluxe-magazine.

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HIS STYLE.

OHMME Seeing all the offerings of yoga wear available to women, Louis d’Origny and Jonty Hikmet wondered why guys didn’t have the same range of choice So they set about creating OHMME; a socially friendly, environmentally friendly and conscious company that is disrupting the male sportswear industry.

reduced waste and the recycling of materials that already exist.

Our fabrics feel cool, are sweat wicking and breathable, so they have all the benefits of great sportswear, with the bonuses of them being recycled and having a reduced environmental impact,’ explained Louis. We have to say the quality and cut is exceptional.

Having regularly practiced yoga but been unable to find clothing they wanted to wear, OHMME was born under the brief of style, movement and comfort.

The range includes hero products such as the dharma pants (£55), which are great for yoga, as they are perfectly fitted, totally flexible and breathable meaning no sweat patches. Team with the 8 limb Yoga Hoodie (£62)- we love the thumb holes designed to keep your wrists and pulse points warm and help regulate your body temperature.

‘Our fabrics are made with your body, and the planet, in mind. I took a lot of time really investigating sustainable fabrics, which are, for the majority, made from recycled polyester.

This is much better for the environment, in terms of the

Find out more at ohmme.com.

STYLIST’S CHOICE: THE ARTIFICIAL HIPSTER I don’t know about you, but once I hit 40, I started to question my dress sense: everything had to be held up to the Dogs Dinner test; have you heard of it?

It’s that old yardstick using a scale of lamb on one side and mutton on the other to gauge the level of inappropriateness to my outfit - i.e. how much of a dog’s dinner am I likely to look if I opt for one particular fashion statement versus another. See, it’s not just the ladies that have this crisis of faith when you hit the four-oh writes Style Commentator, The Artificial Hipster.

In years gone by, I’ve been renowned for a certain sense of swagger, sartorially-speaking, often wilfully bending the trends or ignoring them entirely: I remember (not fondly, if truth be known) the time awhen I considered skirts were in. I hunted high and low for a skirt suitable for a man, but lo and behold, none came to fruition, so I made one and wore it with misguided pride.

Oh the folly of youth.

34 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

As too was the phase when the Mothercare shelves would be raided for statement t-shirts - who wouldn’t want to go out gurning with a print of Sesame Street’s Big Bird emblazoned across their pecs? Adornment aside, these were tees made for a toddler, chosen so the mid-rif could be on display. I still display my mid riff occasionally although now it is entirely unintentional.

Hindsight is a curious thing, but the purpose of this reminiscing is to illustrate a point that fashion and me are former bed-fellows.

Or were until a few years ago.

In a social media age of immediacy, visibility and perfectionseeking, I’m feeling invisible and it troubles me. I’m robust of nature, by most accounts, and a professional holding down a relatively high-powered job, but I’m unsettled in this fashion wilderness. Unnerved, as I want to get it right. Who does one turn to for style advice when ‘mid-age’ kicks in? Who pulls you back from the precipice of chinos and button down collar shirt? Who tells you when you look like a dogs’ dinner (DD)?

I love sports luxe but I don’t want to be ‘that’ man, you know the one who’s trying just too hard. That man who looks great from the back view, but turns around and is greeted with a (polite) gasp.

He’s definitely DD. In the absence of style advice properly aimed at the savvy, 40plus gentleman, I’ve decided to strike out for a generation lost somewhere in between M&S and Zara, Hilfiger and Hugo Boss.

It’s why I’ve decided to take matters in to my own hands and launch a blog entitled The Artificial Hipster aimed at people like me. People who want to fall back in love with fashion, but on their terms and for their bodyshape. Let’s face it, we don’t all aspire to Bieber or Beckham levels of sixpackedness – some of us much prefer to embrace the Dad bod from the comfort of our Lazyboy.

And so it begins. Head on over to Instagram- the_artificial_ hipstergb for style tips and advice on generally gadding about fabulously.

GET SHIRTY From embellished denim to boardroom chic, shirts are the sartorial saviour of every man’s wardrobe.Here’s how to style Spring Summer 18’s key looks.

DENIM: Cool and casual, no wardrobe is complete without a

wear-anywhere denim shirt. For the new season, opt for badge appliqués and ripped detailing.

Dsquared2 denim shirt, £595.

Dsquared2 dog-print T-shirt, £185.

Dsquared2 distressed jeans, £395.

McQueen leather trainers, £360.

THE MODERN GENTLEMAN

REDEFINED A new men’s lifestyle and male grooming website has launched with the aim of reasserting the image of The Modern Gentleman whilst making Dads more dapper, Husbands more handsome and partners more polished.

With the male grooming industry becoming the fastest growing part of the cosmetics industry, notching up an enormous £608million of sales in the UK alone, two Midlands entrepreneurs decided it was time to launch The Modern Gentleman - a service that offers discerning gents exclusive, quality skincare and grooming products along with advice on how to use them and live the life of a Modern Gentleman.

PRINTED: The perfect weekend staple, from a Saturday

afternoon family outing to a stylish Sunday brunch. Team with brown leather accessories and classic cords.

Coach leather backpack, £650.

NN07 corduroy trousers, £155.

Eton printed slim shirt, £160.

Grenson leather brogues, £220.

TheModernGentlemen.co.uk has been designed to demystify moisturisers, clarify cleansers and reinvent the washbag for the man who feels overwhelmed when confronted with the vast array of grooming products on the market.

“We wanted to make it easier for men to find the right product for them and explain exactly how to use it” explains co-owner Rajvee Purohit. “Today’s man knows that he’s got to take care of himself, but often doesn’t really know how. What we’ve done is integrate a lifestyle blog full of helpful advice on male grooming with a breakdown of what each product actually does and what we’d recommend. There’s more to good grooming than moisturising!”

The site’s blog – The TMG Journal – doesn’t just limit its topics to male grooming; it also covers areas such as etiquette & style, culture, politics, history, food & drink and luxury travel. “Grooming is only one aspect of becoming the gentleman and it is where the journey begins for TMG,” adds Danny Gohil, co-owner and designer at The Modern Gentleman. “Charming, intellectual, groomed, well-dressed, well-mannered and successful: these are the characteristics we want to instil in others through our company”.

The site launches with a curated range of luxury grooming products for men from brands such as Agua De Colonia, Apothacery 87, Concentrada, Fresh Body, Marvis, Swell and Vitaman. These international brands have been carefully selected for their excellent quality and their evident results. “When choosing the brands we wanted to work with, we had to make sure we were offering something different to what you can find on the High Street. Our aim has been to source brands that are ethically created and offer great results whilst still being affordable,” adds Danny.

CLASSIC WHITE: Bring a dash of class to the office with a modern-styled, slim-fit white shirt paired with a linen jacket and slim-leg chinos.

Magnanni leather brogues, £290.

Boglioli linen jacket, £570.

Boglioli textured shirt, £175.

AMI slim-leg chinos, £180.

It’s not just the products that are different. “All of our products come boxed and monogrammed snuggled in a nest of raffia making them either gift-ready or a lovely treat to have delivered,” adds Rajvee. To celebrate the launch of the website, all orders over £75 will receive free postage and packing.

To find out more visit www.themoderngentleman.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 35

MOTORS.

AN ICON REINVE The best things in life just get better with age; champagne, stilton, whiskey and The G-Class, the luxury off-road vehicle from Mercedes-Benz, long considered a design icon.

What began in 1972 with a collaboration agreement between then Daimler-Benz AG and Steyr-Daimler-Puch in the Austrian city of Graz, the G Class was first offered as a civilian version in 1979 and has found a home on the driveways of gentleman farmers, heads of states, hip hop superstars – even the pope has had one! So enduring is its timeless style and popularity that it has even outlived its replacement – the GL Class.

Its external appearance has not changed 36 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

significantly since 1979. Iconic elements continue to serve very specific purposes and to give the G-Class its unique appearance.

All these are still found in the new G-Class: the distinctive door handle and the characteristic closing sound, the robust exterior protective strip, the exposed spare wheel on the rear door and the prominent indicator lights. Extraordinary features like these combined with the off-roader’s angular lines define its special look.

“Enhancing an icon such as the G-Class in technological terms was both a challenge and an opportunity at the same time.

Each part and every bolt came under close scrutiny,” explains Dr Gunnar Güthenke, Head of the Off-Road Product Group at Mercedes-Benz.

Despite looking almost identical to the original the new G Class the detailing on the car’s bodywork have been enhanced and improved: 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider, more than ever, the new G-Class appears to be cast from a single piece. All surfaces have a more taut design and are have more tension, while the surface quality has been taken to an even higher level. This results in narrower, more precise gaps and more harmonious transitions. In addition, the wheel arches and bumpers form a more integral part of the body and thus look less like add-on features.

While the exterior maintains the iconic classic look, the interior of the G-Class has undergone a fundamental modern redesign.

With its off-road character and luxury

drivers can use the touchpad with controller in the centre console without taking their eyes off the road. The input options are rounded off by shortcut keys in front of the controller for frequently used operating tasks.

NTED appointments, the G-Class has always combined two extremes.

Every detail is finished by hand with the utmost care.Numerous design features from the exterior have been transposed into the interior such as the shape of the round headlamps, for instance, is reflected in the side air vents. Or the design of the iconic indicators, found again in the shape of the loudspeakers. Hallmarks of the G-Class include the grab handle in front of the front passenger and the chrome-highlighted switches for the three differential locks.

Both have been meticulously optimised and retained as characteristic features.

Thanks to haptic impulses and audible feedback from the on-board speakers,

The revised dimensions of the G-Class translates into more space inside for driver and passenger. The seats are equipped as standard with numerous convenience functions and are ergonomically designed but for those who enjoy their creature comforts the addition of the Active Multicontour Seat Package adds features such as massage functions, climate-controlled seats, and fast seat heating. This variant also offers electrically adjustable lumbar supports for the driver and front passenger.

The side sections of the seat cushions and backrests of the active multicontour seats include integrated air chambers that fill or empty continuously depending on the driving dynamics, thus providing better support.

That extra grip from the seats may come in handling as the primary goal of the G Class’s dynamic redevelopment was to redefine the quality of the handling both on and off the road.

Although already almost unstoppable off road, the new G-Class performs even better off-road, while on the road it is significantly more agile, dynamic and comfortable than its predecessor. The G thus remains a true G – thanks to its standard ladder-type frame, the three 100-percent differential locks and LOW RANGE off-road gear reduction.

Up to five driving modes are now available to choose from allowing the adjustment of the vehicles engine, transmission, suspension, steering and assistance systems at the touch of a button. The four programs “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Eco” and

“Individual” can be set conveniently via the DYNAMIC SELECT rocker switch. In “ECO” mode, a particularly fuel-optimised driving style is possible, for example. In “Sport” mode, on the other hand, the shift points of the automatic transmission, the throttle response of the engine, and the parameters of the electric steering system and the exhaust flap are changed. “Individual” allows drivers to configure their own preferred vehicle settings.

Off road the new “G-Mode function comes into play independently of the chosen driving mode as soon as one of the three differential locks has been activated or the LOW RANGE off-road reduction gear has been engaged.

This off-road mode adapts the adjustable damping of the chassis and the steering as well as the accelerator characteristic, avoids unnecessary gear shifts and thus ensures optimum control and maximum off-road capability. Add in a ground clearance of 270 mm to the front axle gear and the G-Class provides plenty of potential for off road pleasure seekers.

Other enhancements include a new front axle design, a revised construction which sheds 170kg whilst increasing strength and rigidity, a new automatic transmission and electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering, which now allows driving assistance systems such as Parking Assist to be implemented.

The new G Class is availble to order from Spring. Prices are yet to be finalised for the UK but are inline with that of the exisiting models in the rest of Europe so expect an entry price of around £89,000 for the 350 D model.

Find our more at www.mercedes.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 37

LIVING. 1

38 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Let’s go to...bed

2

3

With National Bed Month upon us it’s the perfect time to focus on the place we spend one-third of our lives: our bed.

Lisa Artis, The Sleep Council’s sleep guru in residence said, “We recommend replacing a bed at least every seven years and buying from a reputable retailer, either online or instore, and that stocks beds from manufacturers which are members of the National Bed Federation (NBF). The NBF’s Code of Practice ensures that products can be trusted to be safe, clean and meet trading standards requirements.”

5

4

In seven years, you spend over 20,000 hours in bed (that’s over 850 days or nearly two and a half years), not just lying there, but tossing and turning as much as 60-70 times a night. With figures like that, it’s not hard to see why beds wear out in time. If your bed doesn’t come up to scratch, it’s time to invest in a new one.

Here’s our pick of the very best beds and bedroom accessories to ensure your sleep is as stylish as it is sound.

8

9

7

13 12

6

10 11

1: ViSpring Shetland Bedstead from Cookes. 2: Biba Ava glass mirror £295 House of Fraser 3: Missoni Home Trevor Pillowcase £159 - Set of 2 Amara 4: 2 Pack Mono Ombre Geometric Bed Set from £25 Next Home 5: Large seeded Copper Lantern £29.50 Marks and Spencer 6: Ascot Light Grey Armoire £1,260 Debenhams 7: Laney Floor Lamp £179 Marks and Spencer 8: J by Jasper Conran Gold Chevron Velvet Throw £125 Debenhams 9: Jersey Weave Cushions £29.50 each Marks and Spencer 10: Calm Word Block £18 Next Home 11: Abigail Ahern puffin lamp £95.00 Debenhams 12: Salvage Metal Lantern £42 Next Home.

13: Vintage New York Map £75 Marks and Spencer dluxe-magazine.co.uk 39

LIVING.

THE A-ZZZZ OF A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP O

is for oils: aromatherapy oils are also brilliant sleep-inducers, particularly traditional favourites such as lavender.

P

is for pillow: A good pillow should hold your head in the correct alignment and help avoid neck pain and even persistent headaches.

Q

is for quiet: of course, loud, sudden or repetitive noises can interrupt sleep but others can be soothing, particularly soft, steady sounds. Doubleglazing and foam ear plugs can all help to promote sleep-friendly tranquillity.

R

To ensure you have sweet dreams, The Sleep Council has compiled this handy alphabet for a good night’s sleep:

A

is for alcohol: alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes are all stimulants reducing sleep quality and preventing you feeling rested.

B

is for bed!: invest in the best you can afford and replace at least every seven years.

C

is for circadian rhythm: this 24hour internal clock works best when you have a regular sleep pattern.

D

is for diet: avoid over-eating before bedtime and choose foods with sleep-promoting chemicals such as chicken and turkey, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, peanuts, beans and milk.

E

is for exercise: essential for good health and restful sleep but try not to exercise too vigorously close to bedtime.

F

is for forty winks: while a nap doesn’t make up for poor quality sleep at night time, grabbing forty winks, or a short nap of 20-30 minutes, in the afternoon can help to improve mood, alertness and performance.

G

is for gadgets: laptops, phones and even the TV are sleep stealers!

Switch them off at least an hour before bedtime.

40 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

H

is for health: sleep is crucial to health and well-being as it’s involved in the repair and restoration of our bodies.

I

is for illness: sleep deficiency is linked to increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and obesity.

J

is for jet lag: eating three balanced meals containing fresh fruit, vegetables and protein the day before you fly can help your body clock re-set more quickly at your destination.

K

is for keeping a perfect sleep environment: temperature, lighting, comfort, banning gadgets and gizmos, relaxation and reducing noise are all vital to creating a restful sleep sanctuary.

A

L

is for lifestyle: making small adjustments to your lifestyle or environment could significantly improve the quality of your sleep.

M

is for meditation: along with massage, meditation can promote relaxation and drifting off to a good night’s sleep.

N

is for National Bed Federation: buy a bed made by a NBF member and you can be sure that it meets all required safety and trading standards.

is for relaxation: a bubbly bath, warm milky drinks or herbal teas and curling up with a good book can all help you wind down. And the old adage “never go to sleep on an argument” holds true: conflicts can leave us stressed and angry, which can make it near impossible to fall asleep.

S

is for snoring: one of the biggest causes of partner sleep disturbance, snoring has no known cure but its effects can be diminished with ear plugs and separate beds!

T

is for the Thirty Day Sleep Plan: answer a few questions about your sleep, lifestyle and health and the Sleep Council will create you a unique online 30 day plan at www.sleepcouncil.org.uk

U

is for unwind: in the golden hour before your head hits the pillow it’s vital to relax, switch off electronic gadgets and get yourself in a sleepy frame of mind.

V

is for vacation: if you can’t splurge on a holiday, give yourself a weekend sleep-cation: power off the electronics and have a two-day wind down.

W

is for worry: almost half of Britons say worry and stress keep them awake at night. To counteract this, invest in a careful wind-down routine so you can relax and switch off.

X

is for Xmas: all that food and drink can lead to a Santa-sized sleep problem so keep up those sensible sleep habits throughout the festive season.

Y

is for yoga: gentle stretching, relaxation and breathing can aid a restful night.

Z

is for zzzzzzzzz - of course!

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LIVING.

Apartment Living

With a shortage of small family starter homes and an ageing population, apartments are fast becoming a popular choice for both generations. The appeal is obvious; low maintenance, open plan living spaces, affordable prices with a build style and finish for each price tier, writes Oliver Rayns, Director at Clarendon Park’s Oliver Rayns Estate Agents.

family home in a comfortable living space with less to clean!

FIRST-TIME BUYERS

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE POSITIVES OF APARTMENT LIVING:

Apartments cater for young working professionals, looking to get on the housing ladder and offer the freedom of flying the nest. These homes are typically located in major urban areas, within walking distance of hundreds of employment opportunities, vibrant nightlife and retail centres. Prices typically start at £100,000 for trendy studios and £135,000 for one-bed apartments.

LOOKING TO DOWNSIZE On the other end of the scale, many retirees might be looking to take the step towards downsizing from the family home and want a low maintenance, luxurious apartment. Developers understand that the move can be daunting, so try to build with that in mind. Typically, with lift access to all floors, secure parking, communal gardens and terraces, they offer a best of both worlds mix of the former 42 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

INVESTMENT MATERIAL Investors often look to apartments as a place to invest their money. Typically offering higher yields (7%+) than equivalent houses and with many young professionals looking for a place to live without the ties of buying, rents are usually high and can range from £450-1,300 per calendar month.

NO DEAD SPACE In a large house, you might have one or two rooms that go largely unused. One of the best things about small-space living is that every space has a function, down to the last corner. So whether you install a home office in a bedroom or living room corner or turn an awkward space into storage, you’re likely to get the most out of your small home.

THERE’S LESS TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN One of the benefits of small homes we can probably all get behind is that there’s less to clean! It’s easier to keep on top of maintaining a small home, your cleaning products will go further and you’ll have more time for other things — like new and creative ways to make the most of your space.

A SENSE OF SECURITY An apartment building typically offers a certain amount of security – not just anyone can get in. You require not only a key to get into your own apartment, but a fob or access code for the building entrance. You may also need the same information to use the lifts. Larger buildings may even have staff at the door, and car parks, the lobby and possibly hallways or communal areas may be monitored by CCTV. EASE OF AMENITIES Being close to the action means that everything is at your doorstep, from bars and restaurants to pubs and theatres, sporting facilities and parks. It’s a totally different atmosphere to a house out in the suburbs, and one many people will happily sacrifice space to be a part of. In addition, apartment dwellers are increasingly using public spaces as extensions of their home – treating a favourite cafe like an office or second living room, and taking the dog to the local park for a game of fetch.

If you are searching for a luxurious loft apartment, a trendy new development or a distinctive property with views over Leicestershire, Oliver Rayns have a selection of apartment opportunities throughout the county so please browse our website to discover what is availablewww.oliverrayns.com Oliver Rayns, 115 Clarendon Park Road, Clarendon Park Leicester, LE2 3AH T: 01162 960 940

The

nursery

Curious minds in caring hands

today I chaired a board meeting

Every day we encourage curious minds to explore and engage with their surroundings, enabling children to grow into confident and happy young people.

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality professional care for children aged from 6 weeks to 4 years old. We are conveniently located in central Loughborough with staff that are well trained and highly knowledgeable. Fees are fully inclusive and eligible parents can utilise the 30 hours funding for 3 to 4 year olds.

Drop in to our open morning on Saturday 21 April 9.30am – 1.30pm

Limited places for 2019 entry

Call Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager, for more information.

01509 276820 www.thenurseryloughborough.co.uk

Garton Road, Loughborough

TRAVEL.

Cracking Crackingcity citybreaks breaks f Can’t hold on until the summer for your next getaway? There are some great European city breaks available this spring to get you out of the UK and to a change of scenery. With flights to Porto, Valencia, Naples and Stockholm ranging between two and three hours, you’ll be enjoying your next holiday in no time from Birmingham Airport…

EXPLORE PORTO Known for being one of the oldest European centres, Porto has a thriving historical core. Its hilly, cobbled streets and

Porto bohemian character give it its alluring charm, and there is no better time to visit than in spring, when the temperature is mild. Enjoy the fun atmosphere and fresh produce at the Mercado do Bolhão.

If you’re feeling creative, take part in a workshop with local artists, where you can enjoy anything from tile painting and seat weaving to printing and glass fusing.

A visit to Porto wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Port wine cellars, where you can sample the city’s namesake.

44dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The southern neighbourhood of Ribeira, on the banks of the river Duoro, is the life and soul of Porto. Explore the maze of alleyways, plazas and tiled townhouses to discover some of the best restaurants in town, serving traditional cuisine with spectacular views over the river. Ribeira’s laid-back vibe is echoed in the cool cafés, hipster bars and general pace of life. Don’t leave without sampling Portuguese wines and tapas.

UNWIND IN NAPLES With one of the biggest historical centres in the world, housing over 400 churches as well as the iconic gulf and Mount Vesuvius, it’s a wonder Naples hasn’t received more attention. It enjoys a mild southern climate and temperatures reach 18°C in spring, allowing you to stroll the city’s streets without layering up.

Kick back and soak up the warm weather and sunshine in one of Naples’ green spaces. Stroll along the urban oasis of Villa Comunale, a leafy seaside strip dotted with gorgeous fountains and home to the Anton Dohrn aquarium. Also worth a visit is the neoclassical residence of

Villa Floridiana, housing the magnificent National Museum of Ceramics.

The beautifully landscaped land and botanical gardens surrounding the villa provide a haven away from the busy city streets.

Visit Lake Agnano: what was once a lake on top of the Agnano volcano, is now home to steamy sulphur baths and picturesque walks. Take a trip to the Gulf of Naples, where you can admire the scenic beauty of the volcanic hills, the coastline and the Bay of Naples’ Islands.

From here you are within easy reach of Pompeii, the Herculaneum ruins and the Amalfi Coast.

for forEaster Easter A TASTE OF SWEDEN Whether you’re looking for the stylish modern minimalism this Scandinavian city is known for or the rows of painted wooden houseboats which line the cobbled waterfront, Stockholm has it all. With a backdrop of futuristic skyscrapers, a busy commercial heart and one of the world’s hottest start up scenes, Stockholm offers visitors the perfect collision of tradition and technology.

Stockholm

Across Stockholm’s 14 islands you will discover leafy parks, serene walking trails, delightful swimming spots and bustling bars and

restaurants. Head east of the city and out into the captivating Stockholm

Archipelago, a vast sea of around 30,000 islands, islets and rocks, each with its own unique appeal. Take a boat tour around tranquil coves and through the open sea, explore uninhabited islands and walk through dense, ancient forests and fields strewn with wildflowers. Stockholm’s landscape is wonderfully unique and yearns to be explored.

QUIRKY GOTHENBURG The cosmopolitan Swedish port of Gothenburg is often referred to as the capital’s bohemian cousin, but a recent revival has seen the city become one of Europe’s top weekend destinations.

Far from its ship-building days, Gothenburg today boasts quirky boroughs, tramclattering streets, hip cafés and gorgeous green spaces. There is no bad time to visit this vibrant city and with the weather warming up, the streets come to life once again.

restaurants and bars, you won’t be short of options.

Make sure Gothenburg to check out the side streets and street art jazzing up the walk.

Hop on a kayak tour and paddle your way past the city’s magnificent sights. This is a unique and peaceful way to view some of the biggest tourist’s hotspots and neoclassical architecture. Alternatively, try out the Paddan Tours that tour the city’s moat and canals, whilst providing a detailed history of the city’s construction and defence.

GETTING THERE All cities are easily accessible by a direct flight from Birmingham Airport. Flights start in March with airlines including SAS, Jet2.com, BMI Regional and Ryanair.

Experience the real hustle and bustle of the city on Avenyn Boulevard. At one end of the boulevard stands the Gothenburg Museum of Art, and at the other, the oldest part of the city, with a moat. Lined with glitzy boutiques, dluxe-magazine.co.uk 45

TRAVEL.

CHARMING CHIANG MAI

A bustling city in the mountainous north, Chiang Mai is the spiritual capital of Thailand and charms visitors with the ruinous remains of walls, moats and temples in the historical old town. Surrounded by lush rainforests, waterfalls, jungles and elephant sanctuaries, Chiang Mai has a laid-back atmosphere that’s perfect for both restless and weary wanderers, writes Jonathan Fraser

Flying to Chiang Mai, has never been easier with Qatar Airways flying daily to Hamad International Airport from Birmingham Airport before heading to Chiang Mai. We travelled business class and settled into our own little oasis of calm, comfort and quality with, what appeared to be, a never-ending glass of Lanson champagne, stunning food and over 4000 movies and TV shows to enjoy. The flight takes approximately 15 hours in total so it’s worth investing in.

Arriving in Chiang Mai we checked straight in to the luxurious Shangrila Resort Hotel which is perfectly placed within the heart of Chiang Mai, just a short stroll from the vibrant Night Market. The marble lined reception and guest areas of the Shangri La Hotel leads to a tropical garden and relaxing poolside- the perfect place to relax with a Tom Yum Mojito or two. The rooms at the Shangri La offer a comfortable home from home with beds which are so comfortable that your forty winks may well turn into four hours.

Dining at the Shangri La is a truly world class event with the hotel’s Kad Kafé, named after the local word for market, offering a delicious international spread that includes Thai, Chinese, Japanese, European and Mediterranean specialties.

Chiang Mai is a shopper’s delight. From the city’s street food markets where you can graze on plates of Pad Thai, fresh griddled satay and flavourful fish or succulent sliced mango and sticky rice to the weekly Sunday market offering a mixture of crafts, clothes, gifts, music, food and drinks, shopping is a fundamental part of the Chiang Mai experience.

46 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Make sure you visit The Night Market at Chang Pheuak Gate (North Gate) which comes to life the moment the sun sets. A wonderful atmosphere abounds as you wander through the fairy light lit stalls selling fabulous fakes alongside local crafts and clothing.

from sixties to their early nineties. Each elephant is cared for by their mahout and enjoys a day mixed of exercise and roaming, feeding sessions, mud baths and showers- no visitors ride them!

Located just around the corner from the city’s Night Market the Warorot Market offers fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat as well as prepared street food to enjoy on one of the benches on the central garden area. For those feeling adventurous it’s the perfect place to sample some crunchy crickets, deep fried grasshoppers and meal worms.

Pon started each course in the classroom giving us an informative and funny demonstration of what to do, how to do it and why do it that way before sampling what the dish should taste like. After that we were led to our cooking stations where our ingredients awaited. The finished dishes were divine and I couldn’t believe I’d actually made them!

A real event in the city, all of Chiang Mai comes out for the Sunday Walking Market. It’s a great opportunity to see and buy products and crafts made and sold by local people. Walk down to the main square to see live music, dance and theatre from performers of all ages and abilities or take a seat at one of the many bars and enjoy some people watching over an ice-cold beer.

After preparing our own lunches it was time to think about feeding others and who better than some retired elephants?

I’ve always been wary of trips that involve animals for fear of unwillingly getting involved in their exploitation so when I heard about a retirement home for elephants where you could go and help care for these amazing animals in their final years I have to say I was intrigued.

If the taste of Thai street food has tempted you into the kitchen then why not try one of the city’s cookery schools?

Pon, our tutor for the day, tried valiantly to awaken our inner chefs with some simple recipes; a spicy Tom Yum Soup, a Thai Green Chicken Curry, Pad Thai Noodles and a Mango, coconut cream and sticky rice. As we were each cooking our own meals it was down to us to pay attention and make the most of the training we were given or starve!

The Elephant Care Centre in Chiang Mai offers a home to elderly elephants once their working lives had finished.

Previously, elephants who had spent their lives working moving logs in the depths of the rain forest were simply set free to roam the jungle but after a life of captivity and human contact there was no way that they could survive alone.

The peaceful camp is currently home to 12 elderly elephants, ranging in age

Our day started as we were immediately greeted by an elephant enjoying ‘buffet time’ in one of the centre’s lush meadows.

The elephants are always pleased to see visitors as their arrival indicates treats and our time with these amazing creatures was predominantly taken up with making sure they were fed! From baskets of bananas we moved on to preparing great vats of cut grasses mixed with rock salt and vitamins before organising desert sticky tamarind balls loaded with added vitamins followed by sticky rice banana leaf parcels – a sort of elephant cereal bar that they absolutely adore.

Our reward for feeding our new friends was to take a swim with them, so after a good rub and roll in the mud we set about getting all that mud off with bamboo buckets and scrubbing brushes whilst our elephants suck up water and shower us with their trunks – a magical ending to a wonderful trip.

Despite its large size Chiang Mai offers visitors a truly Thai mix of adventure, hustle, bustle, history and relaxation. We can’t wait to return.

Find out more at www.qatarairways.com www.shangrila.com www.thaicookeryschool.com www.thaielephantcarecenter.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 47

DINING.

GO MEAT FREE THIS MAY National Vegetarian Week 2018 runs from 14-20 May and it’s all about eating delicious and exciting veggie food. For mouth watering recipes, tips and ideas visit www.nationalvegatarianweek.org or why not try the recipes below? We guarantee you won’t miss the meat!

Asparagus, Sweet Potato And Tomato Shakshouka Serves: 2 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

You’ll need: 2 tsp cumin seeds 1/2-1 tsp chilli flakes, to taste 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1cm chunks (about 400g total weight) 2 cloves garlic, chopped 400g cherry tomatoes, halved 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and chopped into bite size pieces 2-4 eggs, depending on hunger a small handful coriander, chopped salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil a dollop of Greek yogurt What to do: Add the cumin and chilli to a frying pan and set over a medium-high heat to toast for a couple for minutes. Once the spices are fragrant, pour in the oil and add the sweet potato cubes, stirring well to mix. Reduce the heat to a minimum and cover the pan with a piece of tin foil (or a lid if you have one). Leave to cook for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sweet potato is just starting to soften.

Avocado, Tomato and Pesto Bruschetta Serves: 6 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 3-6 minutes You’ll need:

1 loaf of French bread 100g soft semi-salted butter 3 fat garlic cloves, crushed 500g speciality tomatoes Pesto Half a ripe but firm Hass avocado 1 burratta or buffalo mozzarella cheese, drained well Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce Fresh basil leaves, to garnish What to do: Preheat the grill to high. Cut the loaf of French bread across into 3 evenly sized pieces, then each piece in half, horizontally.

Mix the soft butter with the remaining crushed garlic and some sea salt flakes to taste.

Thinly slice the tomatoes, discarding the top and the bottom slices, lay them out on a board and season with salt and pepper. Halve the avocado, remove the stone, and peel. Cut across into thin slices.

Stir through the asparagus, recover loosely with the foil and cook for another 5 minutes.

Place the pieces of French bread on a baking tray and grill on both sides until golden.

Remove from the grill and spread the cut face of each piece with some of the garlic butter.

Slide them back under the grill briefly, until the butter has melted into the bread.

Use a wooden spoon to push the vegetables aside to make 2-4 wells in the asparagus mix, cracking an egg into each. Recover loosely with the foil and leave to cook until the eggs are done to your liking, about 5-8 minutes for a set white and a runny yolk.

Quickly remove the garlic bread from under the grill and top with the slices of tomato, avocado and red onions.

Season with salt and black pepper, scatter over the coriander, top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately with plenty of crusty bread.

Using a teaspoon, scoop small bits of the burrata or mozzarella onto the top of the toasts. Drizzle over some of the pesto, garnish with the basil leaves and serve hot.

Remove the foil, add the garlic and stir through, then fry for a minute. Turn the heat up a little, add the tomatoes and a little salt and pepper and fry for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Find more recipes at www.thetomatostall.co.uk and www.enjoyasparagus.com 48 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

WINE TASTING CICCHETTI AT SAN CARLO WITH SIOFRA O’BRIEN San Carlo have launched a new concept in Italian lunchtime dining to Leicester with the launch of the Cicchetti menu. A name used is Venice for tapas style dishes to share or eat alone, the team at San Carlo has taken this idea and created a menu of medium sized dishes inspired by the regions of Italy.

Dishes include traditional pasta and pizza favourites as well as Risottos, Arancini and Fritta – a traditional neopolitan fried pizza.

Wine Specialist SIOFRA O’BRIEN recommends three bottles that should definitely be on your must-try wine list.

Whether it’s Grenache in France or Garnacha in Spain, add this tasty grape variety to your 2018 “to try” list. From great-tasting whites to intense dessert wines, there really is a tipple for every taste.

To book call San Carlo, Granby Street on 0116 2519332

EASTER EGGS FOR GROWN UPS

Reverte Garnacha Blanca 2016, £13.50: This wonderfully approachable wine is created by the Sanz family in the Navarra region, north east of Rioja.

Lower acidity makes this Grenache Blanc soft and wonderfully drinkable, with citrus, peach and apricot notes. Pair with fresh pasta dishes, lemon roasted chicken, herby salads, halloumi or feta.

Reverte Garnacha 2016, £12: This red is dry on the palate but is well worth trying.

It bursts with clean, high intensity aromas of red fruit as well as black pepper and earthy notes. I love its juicy and fresh taste and it works great with a flavour-filled pasta, carpaccio or tuna tartare.

Domaine Pouderoux Maury 2014, £17.50: This powerful dessert wine is made from old vines of Grenache Noir and boasts intense notes of black cherries, blackberries jam and a hint of liquorice. The perfect partner with blue cheese, vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate.

With a selection of perhaps the prettiest Easter Eggs you could give this Easter, the iconic Betty’s of Betty’s Tearooms in Harrogate now offer an online egg shopping experience across the UK. Before opening the first Bettys in Harrogate in 1919, founder Frederick Belmont, trained extensively in the art of chocolate making in his native Switzerland and France. Nearly 100 years later, craft chocolatiers maintain Frederick’s high standards by using those same traditional skills and the finest Swiss chocolate to create a stunning range of celebration chocolate, cake and confectionary including the Limited-Edition Spring Bloom Egg. Handdecorated with royal icing flowers and a silver shimmer, the egg measures 19cm high and costs £30.

Easter eggs, cakes, biscuits and chocolates might not seem like the sorts of things you can safely send by post, but Betty’s promise that they are. Everything that leaves is carefully handwrapped and packed by experts at Bettys Craft Bakery to make sure that your treats are as beautiful when they arrive with you as when they left.

See the full range at www.bettys.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 49

DINING.

SPECIAL FEATURE

The White Swan in Shawell Launches new Corporate Express Lunch Menu

Many of us are guilty of not venturing outside the four walls of our office during our lunches and some of us choose to skip our legally entitled breaks completely. What’s more, studies have highlighted that the majority of us dine ‘Al Desko’, hunched at our desks still watching our computer screens as we eat. The content of our lunches is equally as depressing, with 1 in 3 office workers eating the same meal every day of the working week.

In a bid to break the nation’s unhealthy habit, Leicestershire’s Michelin accredited pub, The White Swan have crafted an Express Menu, designed for dine-out workers with a time limit. Offering a selection of beautifully presented and uniquely flavoured dishes, the White Swan’s Express Menu targets local businesses, inviting them to leave their desks and treat themselves during the week – all within 45 minutes.

Rory McClean, the White Swan’s owner and Head Chef has said the reason behind the Express Menu is: ‘We’re all short of time – especially during the working week. However, we don’t think this should be an excuse for boring sandwiches or last night’s left overs. We want to inject exciting flavours into our local corporate’s working week and show that a luxury affordable lunch can be had in 45 minutes!’

The White Swan was taken over by Rory McClean and Samantha Laye in 2012 with the intention of rebuilding its reputation by injecting a new lease of life into the pub.

The transformation of the White Swan has included the implementation of outstanding seasonal menus and an enticingly unusual interior which has sparked interest from some of the top culinary institutions. With Rory’s experience of working in three previous Michelin kitchens; it’s no surprise that the White Swan has earnt itself a Michelin accolade and been recommended in two of the 2018 Michelin Food Guides.

Having identified the number of corporate lunchers who often skip lunch, Rory and Samantha are encouraging office workers to give themselves the lunch break they deserve and leave their desks to delight in a delicious seasonal menu that can be ordered, served and eaten within a lunch hour, the Express Menu is the perfect solution for a luxury but quick lunch.

Coming in at an affordable £15 for an amuse bouche, side, main course and petit fours, the Express Menu boasts an eclectic mix of locally sourced ingredients: from smoked 50 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

salmon & avocado on Irish soda bread, to pork belly hash and a poached hen’s egg, and Greek salad to rib-eye steak sandwich. The White Swan prides itself on serving its guests delightful, fresh food that is unforgettable in both its taste and aesthetic – the Express Menu is no exception.

As a family run business with a passion for crafting unique flavours and a flair for outstanding culinary presentation, the White Swan’s values lie in the quality of their food, impeccable attention to detail and expert knowledge that comes from years of experience and a strong desire to provide an outstanding service for their guests.

Hoping to entice workers out of the office at lunch time, The White Swan’s new Express Menu encompasses all of the above, inviting corporate bookings, client wine and dines and those looking for a timely, indulgent lunch.

The White Swan, Main St, Shawell, Lutterworth LE17 6AG Tel: 01788 860357 www.whiteswanshawell.co.uk

THE DIARY.

The Show That W Following its sell-out success at Curve and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in 2017, Olivier Awar winging it’s way back to the region and calling at both venues as part of a brand new UK From its humble, small-scale origins in Islington’s Old Red Lion pub theatre, Mischief Theatre’s side-splitting farce soon snowballed into an international sensation, enjoying overseas acclaim as well as spawning spin-offs on stage and on screen in the form Peter Pan Goes Wrong and more recently A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong. Now in its fourth year in the West End, it’s also become the longest-running play on Broadway, and has been licensed for production in more than 20 different countries to date.

Ahead of the show’s hotly anticipated return to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre from 19 until 24 March and Leicester’s Curve from 3 - 8 September, we caught up with co-writer Jonathan Sayer to uncover some of the secrets to his success…

How would you describe the show to someone who hasn’t seen it?

It’s certainly a play that does what it says on the tin! It’s a comedy about a university drama society who try to mount a 52 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

performance of an old school murder mystery that goes wrong in more or less every possible way it could. There are six actors, a stage manager and a techie who desperately try to get through to the end despite a lot of bad luck. I suppose it’s about people over reaching to achieve something that they are not really capable of reaching – that’s where a lot of the comedy comes from anyway.

Who are Mischief Theatre?

I act as the Company Director and I run Mischief Theatre with our Artistic Director Henry Lewis. We are an ensemble group of actors and are democratic in the way we operate. Most of us met during a drama foundation course at LAMDA and the company was launched when we took our first improv show to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Where did you get the idea for The Play That Goes Wrong?

There are three writers so we all have slightly different answers.

I would say the biggest influences for the show would be Michael

You can be honest. Are the unfortunate actors depicted based on anyone in real life?

There’s no one being directly spoofed!

The characters are people we have found in rehearsal. But, that said we’ve all been part of productions that have gone wrong and we’ve all made mistakes (although hopefully nothing as catastrophic as in this play!) so there’s a lot of experience to draw on.

Some of the events in the play seem like an actor’s worst nightmare! Have you had any feedback from actors themselves?

It’s been interesting how many people have come up to us after a show and have told us stories about what happened to them on the stage and moments that have gone wrong. I think the play has brought back a lot of repressed memories for other actors! But for the audience too, I think the idea of being embarrassed in front of a huge number of people is something that everyone can relate to whether you’re an actor or not so the jokes land quickly and the play resonates as a whole. Everyone has felt that feeling where they want the ground to open up and swallow them, so they get on side with the characters in the play.

Went Right: d-winning comedy sensation The Play That Goes Wrong is tour.

Green who wrote the Coarse Acting Plays and who taught one of the writers, Henry Lewis, and a lot of the physical stuff comes from Keaton and Chaplin. A lot of the status play comes from Laurel and Hardy too.

How did you create the script?

We started working on the piece after the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2012 and the first draft took little over a month to complete. We all have slightly different approaches as writers, but we have a mutual passion for it and our background in improv makes a huge difference. We worked as an improv company for years and years and we try to take the ethos of improv into the writing room. It means we can try new things in rehearsal and the

script can continually develop. Improv also helps you keep in the moment and that allows us to maintain a sense of danger which is very important with this play.

We all made a pact together a long time ago that if something isn’t funny we’d just say it isn’t funny. I think writing comedy is like plumbing – if a guy comes round to fix your taps and they’re still leaking, you say it’s still leaking. He won’t be upset, it’s just a practical thing and I think you’ve got to try and approach this work in the same way. It’s subjective and you’ve got to have personal distance. As long as you’re always scrutinizing in a positive way, that’s only going to make the work better.

This show’s journey has been a rags to riches story. Has the success of the show surprised you?

It certainly has been a surprise. I don’t think anyone expected what’s happened with our shows to happen. We’ve always had a lot of confidence and belief in them but if I said I was expecting it I would be lying. We started out in a 60-seat theatre in a London pub so finding out more people wanted to see it, and that it would have a life beyond us being in it, that was incredible.

By the end of 2017, 35 countries worldwide had performed a Mischief Production. We went to Budapest and watched a replica of The Play That Goes Wrong where everything was exactly the same other than it was being performed in Hungarian. So many things have been born out of this very tiny thing, and that’s amazing.

The Play That Goes Wrong is at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 19 - 24 March and Curve, Leicester from 3-8 September. Tickets are available to book now.

Call The Belgrade Theatre box office on 024 7655 3055, or visit www.belgrade.co.uk Call Curve Box Office on 0116 242 3595 or visit www.curveonline.com

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 53

THE DIARY.

THE Curry club at chutney ivy

Ceri Dupree: Immaculate Deception

Multi-award-winning Chutney Ivy restaurant in the Leicester’s Cultural Quarter has launched the city’s hottest new lunchtime networking event.

The inaugural Curry Club event was a SOLD-OUT event with more than 50 business leaders and influencers attending, ready to make connections and do business.

On the launch of the networking event, Shaf Islam co-owner of Chutney Ivy said: “Our aim is to not only attract regular attendees, but also grow the audience by encouraging new businesses to join us each month. This way, guests can always be guaranteed to meet a new business associate, as well as strengthen existing relationships”.

Sticking strictly to its 12-30-2.30pm ‘express networking’ remit, guests were treated to a buffet lunch by the Chutney Ivy chefs who use the very best of traditional Indian cooking techniques with the freshest ingredients and their inimitable contemporary twists.

Chutney Ivy is the current title holders of the Best Restaurant in the Leicester Curry Awards and are looking to retain this title in the 2018 awards.

20-24 March at Curve The Faaaaabulous Comedy female impersonator Ceri Dupree is on the road again!

In a new show with new costumes, routines, jokes and songs! Witness great impersonations of some of the world’s most fantastic females with characters old and new all adorned in spectacular jaw dropping costumes!!

Vincent Van Gogh: A New Way of Seeing

20 March at Phoenix Perhaps more than any other artist, Van Gogh’s life has long captured the imagination of storytellers. Delving deep into his fascinating and sometimes deeply troubled world comes this definitive, award-winning documentary directed by David Bickerstaff.

Chutney Ivy is at 41 Halford St, Leicester, LE1 1TR. 0116 251 1889 www.chutneyivy.com 54 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The Levellers

27th March at De Montfort Hall Celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2018, Brighton folk-punk band The Levellers are touring in the Spring around the release of an acoustic album recorded at Abbey Road Studios with legendary producer John Leckie.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

24th March at Y Theatre Join Ballet Theatre UK as they enter the enchanting and magical realm of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Be transported to a fantastical world of dazzling dance, music and enchantment.

Lovers, fairies, mischief and moonlight conspire in Shakespeare’s classic tale.

The Curry Club at Chutney Ivy will be held every last Thursday of every month 12:30-2:30pm Tickets are £15, non-refundable, each ticket includes welcome drink and buffet lunch.

Clifton, Flashdance - The Musical is the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18 year old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer. When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream.

Simon Evans: Genius

28th March at Melton Theatre Ever since he was a small boy, all Evans really wanted was to be recognised by the world as a man of genius. He has, until now, remained thwarted.

The world seems increasingly indifferent to true genius of any kind, let alone Evans’.

Endlessly distracted by the trivial, we allow the classical tools of grammar, logic and rhetoric to lie unregarded in the shed of consciousness, rusting to a picturesque hue that would actually look really great on Instagram. But which filter? Hmmm…

Peter Rabbit Party Flashdance

26-31st March at De Montfort Hall Starring Strictly Come Dancing Champion, Joanne

28th March at Belgrave Hall & Gardens The Belgrave Hall gardens bounce back to life with crafts, trails and storytelling inspired by the classic tales of Beatrix

at the King Richard III Visitor Centre Come and help us create a LEGO® portrait of King Richard III 30TH MARCH 2ND APRIL

MORE INFO AND TO BOOK www.kriii.com/easter

A five star acclaimed production from celebrated Director Antony McDonald.

This darkly comic opera, inspired by the sensational life of the ‘Dirty Duchess’ of Argyll, dazzles and entertains in equal measure.

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NEW T H E AT R E OPENING 2018

28th & 30th June 2018 ‘Snappy, saucy and stylish’ (HHHHH The Telegraph)

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For more information and tickets, visit www.nevillholtopera.co.uk

09/02/2018 10:54

THE DIARY.

HOPE AGaINST CANCER raise £15,000

Potter. Meet some of the animal characters including a giant rabbit, owl, ‘skinny’ pig and a hedgehog.

The Full Monty

3rd-7th April at Loughborough Town Hall Based on the cult hit film of the same name, The Full Monty is filled with honest affection, engaging melodies and the most highly anticipated closing number of any show.

Leicestershire cancer research charity Hope Against Cancer delivered a stunning ceremony to rival the Oscars this month. The charity, which works tirelessly to fund vital research into cancer, hosted a Moulin Rouge-themed ball at Winstanley House near the centre of Leicester, which raised an impressive £15,000.

The sold-out event hosted its own casino, Chica Bonita dancers, and live music, complete with a three-course buffet meal. Attendees also donated through purchasing raffle tickets and by taking part in a charity auction. The £15,000 raised by the Ball will enable Hope Against Cancer to continue its work into researching cancer from its Leicestershire research centre, with early detection, treatment and prevention of cancer being the charity’s main priorities.

Hope Against Cancer Chief Executive, Nigel Rose, said: “I cannot praise the Hope Against Cancer team enough for the success of our Moulin Rouge Ball. We’re so grateful for the generosity of everyone who attended and donated – without their support, we would not be able to carry out the vital research that we do. It was so great to see everyone there enjoy themselves for such a great cause.”

Hope Against Cancer is also incredibly grateful to the businesses from across the region which were keen to show their support through sponsorships and donations.

Businesses such as Next, Marsh & Co Insurers, PRP Consulting Engineers & Surveyors, NFU Mutual, Sandicliffe, Kazzoo IT, Griffin Fit, Glynis Wright & Co., Newby Castleman, Leicestershire Garden Design Co., Eileen Richards Recruitment, Narborough Hall and Premier Events have all sponsored or supported the Moulin Rouge ball. With thanks to these wonderful businesses, Hope Against Cancer has been able to host yet another successful fundraising event.

The Ball comes at a particularly significant time for the charity.

This year marks its 15th anniversary and a number of events are currently being put together to celebrate the charity’s work over the years. Further details will be released in April and Hope Against Cancer is keen to showcase the achievements they’ve had during that time in making a positive difference to local cancer patients.

For more information about Hope Against Cancer’s Moulin Rouge Ball and the charity’s work, visit www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk.

56 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

An Officer and a Gentleman – The Musical

6-21st April at Curve An Officer and a Gentleman – The Musical is based on the Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere. Its feel-good soundtrack includes the hit song from the movie Up Where We Belong along with 80’s classics Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Material Girl and features one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever portrayed on screen.

brothers’ incredible legacy of classic hit songs is well and truly stayin’ alive.

Remebering Fred

14th April at De Montfort Hall On the eve of the UK tour for Strictly Come Dancing stars Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara’s new theatre show Remembering Fred, the pair have confirmed an even bigger UK tour for 2018 due to popular demand.

Frost/Nixon

9-14th April at The Little Theatre In 1977, a series of interviews between failing British talkshow host David Frost and disgraced American President Richard Nixon were televised.

The resulting conversations were epic battles, witnessed by the largest ever television audience for a news interview.

But the drama that unfolded on screen was only a hint of what was going on behind the scenes…

You Win Again – Celebrating the Music of the Bee Gees 13th April at Loughborough Town Hall This fabulously authentic production ensures the Gibb

Grumpy Old Women To The Rescue

17th April at De Montfort Hall Fed up with flogging their guts out and always having to be in charge, the Grumpy Old Women have put their knobbly old feet up in glorious retirement, free at last to practise their extreme colouring-in, ukulele orchestra and novelty fudgemaking.

Rich Hall’s Hoedown

19th April at Loughborough Town Hall

FLASHDANCE

PURPLE RAIN

Monday 26 – Saturday 31 March

A CELEBRATION OF PRINCE

MY DAD WROTE A PORNO

JOEL DOMMETT LIVE

Wednesday 2 May

DAVID BADDIEL

MY FAMILY: NOT THE SITCOM

Friday 11 May

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Friday 20 April

Thursday 3 May

Friday 27 April

DARA O BRIAIN

VOICE OF REASON

Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 May

THE WATERBOYS

KEVIN AND KAREN DANCE THE LIVE TOUR

Saturday 12 May

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Friday 13 July

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THE DIARY.

ENTERprising Women Awards 2018

Rich Hall’s critically acclaimed new show begins its second leg of touring. There has never been a better time to be an American comedian in the UK. Hall’s precision dismantling of the tenuous relationship between two countries is as freewheeling and deadly accurate as ever.

Joel Dommett

3rd May at De Montfort Hall One of the UK’s most energetic and exciting comedians returns to the road with his solo show, Joel Dommett: Live. Catch the star of 2016’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Sky1’s Bring The Noise as he delivers his high octane comedy to venues up and down the country.

14/48 – The World’s Quickest Theatre Festival

A leading light in education has been named Business Woman of the Year at this year’s Enterprising Women awards.

Marion Plant, Principal and Chief Executive of a cross-border general FE College North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, was presented with the accolade at a gala dinner to celebrate women in business.

In addition to her role with North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, Marion is also Chief Executive of the Midland Academies Trust - which sponsors four secondary schools – and serves on several national and regional bodies.

She a non-executive board member of the Department for Education, a trustee of WorldSkills UK, a board member Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) and Skills lead for both, a trustee of the National Society Council (Church of England), a board member of Coventry University and member of the Academic Affairs committee and a governor at Stephenson College of Further Education.

In total, seven awards were presented. The other six winners were: • • • • • •

Social Commitment Award: G Wathall & Son Apprentice of the Year: Amber Nicholson – AESSEAL Female Employee of the Year: Aarti Raj – Pick Everard Female Entrepreneur of the Year: Rosin Johnson – Magenta Iris Team of the Year Award: Glynis Wright & Co Family Solicitors and Mediators Small Business of the Year: Penny Price Aromatherapy

The winners were chosen from a shortlist of 34 finalists Co-Chair or Enterprising Women, Eileen Richards, founder of ER Recruitment, Leicester, and a member of the Board of Directors at East Midlands Chamber*, said: “The standard of entries was, again, very high this year and proves there is a real hunger among women in the business community to be recognised for their achievements.

“These awards – now celebrating 21 years - are one of the best ways to achieve that recognition. In the past we have had some very worthy winners and I’m delighted that Marion is now among them, although every entry deserves to be celebrated.”

Sponsors for this year’s Enterprising Women awards are Pick Everard (headline sponsor), B Audio Visual, CBA Business Solutions, Derby College, Leicester Racecourse, Leicester Tigers, Purpose Media, PwC and Smallman & Son, with Mercia Image Print as print sponsor and Koobr as design sponsor.

58 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music 27th April at Curve Following the celebration of the movie’s 50th anniversary in 2015, we move into its second half century with a return of the smash-hit musical to the UK. Yes, the original Sing-along-a is back!

Club Cairo

27th April at Y Theatre Club Cairo presents... a celebration of live music, dance and theatre from the Middle East and beyond. A super sensory experience aiming to inspire, educate and bring fun and fantasy to the audience.

4-5th May at Y Theatre The World’s Quickest Theatre is back for its eighth festival as fresh, raw and exciting as ever, complete with a live band. 70 professional artists have 24 hours to write, direct, rehearse, score, design and perform seven world premier plays for you to enjoy. And that’s not all. The artists do it all over again the next day, performing no less than 14 plays in 48 hours!

Artisan Cheese Fair

5-6th May at Melton Mowbray Livestock Market The UK’s largest cheese fair with over 60 artisan cheesemakers and around 300 cheese to try and buy.

Programme of talks, tastings and demonstratons. Also other food and drink on sale; wine, cakes, beer, pies etc.

Gentleman’s Day

28th April at Leicester Racecourse Plenty of top class racing throughout the day as well as live music from 80’s Ska Band “Bad Manners” led by fat boy slam Buster Bloodvessel! Rewind back through the years and enjoy some old classics which will be performed after racing.

Agatha Christie Love From A Stranger

8-12th May @ Curve Leicester Electric with suspense and with a shocking twist, this edge-of-your-seat, rarely seen thriller by the UK’s greatest crime writer is rediscovered in a brand new production by Lucy Bailey(Gaslight, Dial M for Murder) designed by Mike Britton.

BUILD A LEGO KING THIS EASTER AT KING RICHARD I I VISITOR CENTRE The award-winning King Richard III Visitor Centre is in Leicester city centre and was created around the car park where the King’s remains were buried for over 500 years.

The centre tells the incredible story of the King’s life and death and reveals one of the greatest archaeological detective stories ever told. Visitors can experience the sights and sounds of medieval battle; follow the Dig Diary and see a 3D replica of King Richard’s skeleton that clearly shows his curved spine, as well as his battle injuries. The King’s original grave site can also be seen as part of your visit.

From 24th March to 8th April you can explore your creative side with our portraits activity – create your own portrait of King Richard III to take away with you! There’s also dressing up and the opportunity to put yourself in the picture with our selfie frames.

PLUS, over the Easter weekend, not only can you discover the incredible story of King Richard III, but you can also help us create a huge portrait of him, using LEGO! For more info and to book vist www.kriii.com/easter

WE’RE RECRUITING! FULL & PART TIME MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES FULL & PART TIME PR PROFESSIONALS To work with businesses across the East and West Midlands. Candidates should be able to demonstrate relevant industry experience, be performance driven, work on own initiative as well as in a team focused environment.

Applicants can apply in writing to jon@fu-media.co.uk including CV. Close Date: 9th April. No Agencies.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 59

BUSINESS. keep your hygiene one step above what you expect of others. This can be as simple as making sure your shirts are pressed.

As a reader of Dluxe you will have some knowledge of a fashion that suits you. Just make sure you look the part.

Your personal appearance is the first assumption people make.

Smile- This is such a powerful tool. It makes you feel good. A smile also makes people feel engaged and shows your confidence. Subtle showing of your teeth is primal to show that I have the tools to get the job done, but I won’t use them unless needed. Or if you are a bit funny a smile makes people wonder what you are hiding.

Punctuality- Show up on time or before.

It shows respect. Start and finish meeting in the time that you allotted.

BUSINESS:

MAKE 2018 your Michael Jackson year I could make a number of references that you are expecting from me like, 2018 will be a Thriller or 2017 was great, but 2018 will Beat It or even the horrible thread like 2018 will be the year or the horribly tenuous This year we Wanna Be Startin' Something writes DLUXE Business Editor Bart Dalton.

On our holiday in Sicily last year, my wife Michelle, the kids and I were working our way through Spotify’s playlists with the songs selection organised by decade.

As we sat there, focused on all the songs we remembered, a number of points came to mind: the nineties were too full of boybands, the ‘00s were anything but and caused little reaction or alarm and the 1970s with their shiny disco boots and battle between glam rock and prog rock divided opinion between the generations.

There was one decade however that we all agreed on, the 1980s. WOW! The Clash, Duran Duran, Oingo Boingoyoutube ‘em, but over the entire holiday, the one song that kept getting played, and that my daughter Talia continued to sing, was the King of Pop’s Man in the Mirror.

Which leads me to this. You’re going to stare at yourself daily and let me tell you that you are your own worst critic.

You know how I know? Taking the time to read this far means you are on a self improvement track and that means you are working all the time.

Things are never good enough and that 60 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

is a great thing. If you control it that is.

Let 2018 be the year you focus on your brand; both personally and in business.

Brand is what your clients and friends and other people say when you are not in the room.

When we are standing staring in the mirror at ourselves and our business we have to remember that no matter how smart, skilled, energetic, caring or just amazing we are, until someone is our client there are only certain things that they will see in how they assume we handle ourselves and our business.

So here is how to Heal the World. (Sorry couldn’t miss the opportunity) So this issue here’s a gift from me to you. Personally. Three things to do to improve your personal brand and three things to do to improve your business.

You will know if you have read either of my books or listen to my podcast that I love to give away threes.

PERSONAL: Tidy and focussed. You don’t have to spend lots of money to look good and

KISS (I know it’s a Prince song)-Keep it simple, Stupid. Keep your presentations and explanations simple.

You don’t have to prove everything you know from day one. The more you keep as part of your intellectual property the more profitable you will be.

Black and White- Not every client will be one of yours. There are Android People and Apple People, there are Suit/Tie all the time and Suit/Tie only at weddings people choose your people and only try to appeal and attract them.

Marketing and sales campaigns should only focus on certain niches.

Remember the time- when you started your business- you need that hunger again. Remember that it is hunger and not desperation. Persevere and plan getting new business, but do not chase.

When you have taken some of these amazing points and applied then to you and your business, you will make this your foundation year.

Get ahead of your competition. Make your move and get Off the Wall. Make it an amazing day to Grow, Sell and Retire.

Look for my new book on Amazon or any other ideas at www.growsellandretire.com

The Strategy behind Strategic Land

Don’t wait until you’ve lost it!

As a busy business owner, it’s natural for you to prioritise the needs of your clients and prospects over your IT system that’s working away perfectly in the background.

With more of us working from home, a coffee shop or on public transport, we’re storing a lot of critical data on our laptops and mobile devices. This is fine if these devices are backed up regularly, but most are not!

It’s one of those things that’s always pushed to the bottom of the “to-do” list. You know you need to do it but it’s not important at this moment in time…until you lose something that is! Would your business be able to carry on if you lost all of your data? All those customer records, proposals, work specs, reports…gone.

It’s so important to have the right IT solution in place to make sure your precious data is safe and also available wherever you are. The most effective way to do this is to store your data in the Cloud (the common name for a secure, off site data centre that’s filled with lots of server space for you to use). With data backup costing as little as a cup of coffee nowadays there really isn’t an excuse not to sort this out straight away!

Are you the owner of land located on the edge of a built-up area, town or village? Yes? - Did you know you could be sitting on a If you would like more information on protecting your data give low-risk opportunity that could be an immense financial asset Dalycom a call on 01509 410 410. and assist the housing crisis in your community.

Today, more and more property developers are looking to invest both time and money in strategic land with long-term potential for residential or mixed-use development.

Strategic land is defined as agricultural or amenity land that may have future development potential in the next 5 – 20 years.

In the UK, housebuilding is falling short of the demand, leaving thousands of people without the opportunity of owning their own home. In response to this crisis, the government has pledged to deliver 200,000 new homes a year until 2020. Unfortunately, reports indicate that the government will not reach this goal.

So, what does this mean for you? Land located on the edge of a town or villages are ideal for residential and mixed-use developments if it can be shown that the site is sustainable and meets the housing demand without conflicting with the local plan policies.

Property developers are looking for opportunities in excess of 10 acres such as farms, large estates, industrial sites, to help overcome this current crisis. Selling your land to a property developer is not only financially rewarding, it is also makes the process of selling your land/property low-risk and hassle-free.

SJD offer a bespoke service for both landowners and developers, optimizing the returns for both parties. With over 30 years’ experience, they guide clients through anything from finding, selling or developing a single plot through to major, mixed-use regeneration projects across the UK. Selling your land/property with SJD can be more financially rewarding and time efficient than traditional methods, as their services are tailored to your individual needs. They guarantee confidentiality and client satisfaction.

If you are the owner of a proposition that fits the criteria, contact Stephen Donnelly at steve@sjd-projects.com to find out more information. Their advice is free of charge and, in most cases, the developer will cover all the relevant fees.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 61

BUSINESS.

BLUE SKY THINKING FOR annoying OFFICE phrases

SCHOOL SCOOPS MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR An innovative marketing campaign, which involved following a pupil on their seven-year journey at Loughborough Grammar School, has been recognised at the prestigious TES Independent School Awards 2018.

Designed to give parents an insight into life at Loughborough Grammar School, part of Loughborough Endowed Schools Foundation, Affixxius Films and the marketing team created a fourminute film called Tom’s Journey. In the film, Tom discusses his hopes, aspirations and experiences in a series of interviews.

Work on the project began when Tom was just 11-years-old and finished when he left the school at the age of 18, having joined the RAF with the goal of becoming an officer.

At the glittering awards ceremony, held at Grosvenor House Hotel in London, judges praised the ‘bravery’ of the film, adding that it is ‘an inspirational, forward-looking and brave campaign which resonates with parents of children at every stage in their school career’.

Speaking afterwards, Duncan Byrne, Headmaster at Loughborough Grammar School, said: “Marketing is, by its nature, a fast-paced activity, and there is often a pressing need to deliver near-immediate returns.

“However, we saw real value in a long-term project that would allow people to truly engage with one pupil at the school. It works on such a personal level, and I’d like to thank Affixxius and the marketing team for their creative concept and of course Tom, for all his many wonderful contributions to the project over the years.”

He added that everyone involved in the filming had enjoyed the experience – and credited it with boosting applications.

In 2016, work began on another film following three pupils throughout their time at Loughborough Grammar School, and staff hope that it will bring similar success.

Formerly the Times Educational Supplement, TES is one of the UK’s most respected education publications. Author, broadcaster, actor and entertainer Gyles Brandreth hosted this year’s TES Independent School Awards, which attracted more than 400 guests.

For more information on Loughborough Grammar School, which is part of the Loughborough Endowed Schools family, visit www.lesgrammar.org.

62 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

There's nothing as cringe-inducing as office speak and online office furniture retailer , Kit Out My Office, agree and have compiled a list of the most annoying office phrases.

With more of our time spent in meetings being motivated, the company decided that it was time that we all stopped making our colleagues cringe and collectively come together in your workplace to stamp out annoying phrases to improve morale. Some blue sky thinking there, eh?

The most irritating office phrases for 2018 are – Think outside the box Hit the ground running Do more with less Can I borrow you for a second?

Amazeballs To produce the list, Kit Out My Office asked 2,519 office workers across the UK in November 2017 to vote for terms and office jargon they hate the most.

This is a refresh of the original survey, which was undertaken in December 2016 to understand what phrases individuals and businesses should avoid in 2017.

2017’s most annoying office phrases were –

Think outside the box It’s not rocket science Amazeballs Going forward Can I borrow you for a second?

At the opposite end of the spectrum lays “it is what it is”, which is the least annoying phrase used, with nobody stating that it was irritating or overusedwhich seems rather defeatist!

Phrases that are least likely to annoy your colleagues – It is what it is Best-practice No brainer Cool beans Move the goalposts?

Office jargon is often used as a tool to make a task or job seem bigger or better than it actually is, believes Gareth Jones, the person responsible for the survey at Kit Out My Office.

“The modern working life is fast-paced, and as such we strive to deliver information in a clear and concise manner. The downside of this is it is a breeding ground for jargon. Setting a collective New Year’s Resolution in your office to stampout jargon in 2018 could definitely help to improve morale,” said Gareth.

UNLOCK THE TRUE VALUE OF YOUR LAND

YOUR LAND, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS

At Caliber, we provide a comprehensive feasibility service for property development, creating maximum value and profit. We can provide a complete service from finding development land all the way to the sale of property.

Contact us for a complimentary evaluation of your land: 0121 309 0555 or info@caliberland.co.uk

www.caliberland.co.uk

BUSINESS.

LEICESTERSHIRE Business Survey Results Revealed “Going forward, the LLEP will continue to work with key partners to create the right conditions for business growth.

This will allow our businesses to flourish and help to attract investment into Leicester and Leicestershire.”

Key findings from the survey show that the Leicester and Leicestershire economy is resilient and that, despite many of the question marks that have arisen since the decision to leave the EU, the local business community is looking forwards and not backwards.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We’re proud of our recent record for attracting jobs and investment into the city. This report is a valuable reminder of how far we have come and highlights what we need to focus on to ensure continued economic success for the city.”

A new survey that captures over 1,000 employers' views on the current business landscape in the Leicester and Leicestershire area has been produced by Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership's (LLEP).

Over 1,000 employers across the LLEP area were interviewed by telephone in August to October of 2017 for the business survey.

Key findings include: • In the last 12 months 52% of respondents had increased their sales turnover and seven out of ten (69%) businesses said that they expect their sales turnover to increase in the next 12 months.

• Forty six percent of businesses had seen an increase in their profits in the last 12 months and seven out of ten (71%) businesses said that they expect their profits to increase over the coming year.

• Thirty seven percent of all businesses said they were expecting to employ more staff in the next 12 months. In the Manufacturing sector this was 47%.

• In the last 12 months 34% of businesses started offering new products or services. In the next 12 months, 39% of businesses are expecting to offer new products or services.

Nick Pulley, LLEP Chair said: “This survey is a valuable evidence base that provides a snapshot of the Leicester and Leicestershire business landscape. It delivers a robust source of intelligence that helps us plan and acts as a tool that underpins our strategic thinking and the local economic strategy.”

“The significance of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business Survey has heightened over the last eighteen months and is of particular importance in a time of uncertainty leading up to and beyond the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU). The survey allows us to continue our conversation with businesses of all sizes and sectors to understand their challenges but more importantly their ambitions and the opportunities for growth.”

64 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Leicestershire County Council leader, Nick Rushton, said: “We welcomed the opportunity to be a key partner in the business survey, which provides invaluable insight on recent economic activity and performance and potential future business prospects.

“Helping maximise every opportunity for developing and delivering economic growth, in particular at a time of real business uncertainty, remains a priority. We’re committed to continuing to create jobs and secure investment opportunities so we can secure greater prosperity for Leicestershire, and make sure the county remains firmly open for business.”

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “It is vital that firms take part in consultations so that reports such as this one can influence and shape the approach of the LLEP ensuring it speaks informatively on their behalf, just as it’s vital that all businesses complete the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Surveys so that the Chamber can accurately represent the views of its members and other businesses to MPs regionally and in Westminster.

“Without this feedback, neither the Chamber nor the LLEP can positively lobby to ensure Government recognises the strengths of Leicester, Leicestershire and the wider region and its contribution to the national economy, nor can we campaign successfully for, for example, better connectivity, increased infrastructure spend or faster broadband.”

The Business Survey is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and created in partnership with the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and the East Midlands Chamber.

You can access the report at www.llep.org.uk/businesssurvey

A YEAR OF NETWORKING AT KUKU CONNECT

KuKu Connect finished last year in their usual impressive style with their monthly Connect Receptions at award winning Lexus at their Leicester showroom where star of the show was the new flagship Lexus LC Hybrid. The end of the year was celebrated at the new 45 St. Martins with Billecart Salmon champagne tasting, an exclusive champagne which is rarely available outside of London. Bouncing into the new year KuKu were hosted by the Knight & Garter, Leicestershire's most carefully considered pub which underwent a £1million restoration with its very own intelligent

kitchen, with food to match. Coffee superstars 200 Degrees Coffee were the most recent hosts in their art deco coffee house on Market Street where business mixed with coffee and some exceptional cakes and pastries from their fresh daily fayre.

We asked KuKu what else 2018 had in store but they keep their plans top secret. They have assured us it will be another exciting year though so we will just have to wait, but if you want to network in style and with great business people KuKu is one to watch out for in

fact KuKu have been so welcoming they allow any business or organisation to attend one of their Connect Receptions as their free guest all you need is your business card!

KuKu Connect Receptions take place on the first Thursday of each month, 6-8pm offering fresh and effective business networking where members mix business with a dash of pleasure at top Leicestershire venues to develop quality client relationships. www.kukuconnect.co.uk

SEMINAR

Understanding Residential Care Fees & Powers of Attorney Free practical & legal advice With an ever increasing elderly population, it is vital to understand what the consequences would be if you had to move into nursing or residential care in the future and whether there are steps you can take now to protect yourself and your family.

Nelsons Solicitors are holding a free seminar which will cover the key points to consider, including: • What will happen if I have to go into residential or nursing care?

• Will my house have to be sold?

• Can I protect my assets from care fees?

• Lasting Powers of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs

• Lasting Powers of Attorney for Health and Welfare • Advance Directives and Living Wills The seminar will take place on Wednesday 25th April from 10.00am until 11.30am at our Leicester office on New Walk.

If you would like to book a place, please contact Tim Atkinson on

0800 024 1976 or email Tim.Atkinson@nelsonslaw.co.uk Further details can be found on our website www.nelsonslaw.co.uk

Nelsons Solicitors Limited Provincial House, 37 New Walk Leicester LE1 6TU

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dluxe-magazine.co.uk 65 23/01/2018 15:32

MY LEICESTERSHIRE. Mann, who specialise in historic projects, and we have a top acoustic team from Sound Space Vision. We will reveal the new theatre to our festival audiences on 14th June.

What do you love most about Leicestershire?

Well, I would say, Nevill Holt Opera! But both the countryside and the local food products are a favourite. At NHO we are all regular visitors to the Ashley Farm Shop.

What frustrates you about it?

I think some people don’t realise that what we are doing at NHO isn’t just a local show. The Director of 6 out of our 8 productions to date has just taken up his new post as Director of Opera at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, which we consider a high benchmark! I think sometimes people don’t realise what they have on their doorstep here.

What makes Leicestershire a great place in which to create?

There are lots of people who are hugely supportive of what we are striving to achieve here – not least our festival host David Ross. David has been a fantastic enabler of our ambitions.

Nicholas Chalmers (our Artistic Director) and I are very inspired by his commitment to NHO. I also love our growing group of members at Nevill Holt Opera. They are so enthusiastic and I enjoy the direct personal relationship I am building with our supporters and audience.

What’s your ambition for the county and for the Opera?

MY LEICESTERSHIRE: Rosenna East, General Manager, Nevill Holt Opera When did you first come to Leicestershire?

I first came to Leicestershire one dark cold winter day in November 2014. That was the day I first set eyes on the Nevill Holt estate – where our summer opera festival takes place.

Standing on the top of that hill, where our theatre is located, I had to summon up all my imagination to picture it bathed in lovely summer sun.

Where do you call home in the county?

I spend a lot of time in the Kitchen office at Nevill Holt!

What is it about Leicestershire that makes you stay here?

There are pockets of countryside in Leicestershire that feel ancient and untouched to me – the villages are exquisite. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else in the UK. At Nevill Holt Opera we also have an opportunity to do something no one else is doing in this part of the UK. We’re creating a summer opera festival of the highest professional standards – whether that’s the gardens, the gourmet food, the sculptures, or the opera productions themselves. And of course this year our unique new theatre opens! It’s a very exciting project to be part of.

We have been in construction for 2 years, building a bespoke gem of a theatre into the historic stable block courtyard. Our architects are Stirling Prize winning firm Witherford Watson 66 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

I want Nevill Holt Opera to be the best! It’s as simple as that. I want that to be recognised in the county, and the UK. We have a unique new theatre, setting and offer to our audiences. And I would like people in the county to be proud that we’re here in Leicestershire.

Our Education programme is also central to our purpose. We offer a professional platform to the most talented emerging young opera stars. I also want us to be directly engaged in our local community, and the schools around us. We were very proud to stage a large-scale schools opera in July 2017, where over 1000 children participated and over 100 performed in the final show. We were delighted to win a Leicestershire Tourism Award for Best Event for it. The wider impact and legacy of our work is key.

What’s your favourite place to eat in the county?

I love the breakfasts at the Medbourne Arms. And our Leicestershire food company Stones Events do the best canapés I’ve ever tasted – they have to be tasted to be believed!

Occasionally I do sneak into Rutland for some wonderful meals at Hambleton Hall or the Marquess of Exeter – Nevill Holt marks the point in Leicestershire where 3 counties meet.

What’s your favourite bar?

Our pop-up champagne bar overlooking the Welland Valley.

You can’t beat it.

What’s your favourite walk?

There are some stunning walks around the tiny village of Wardley.

What’s your favourite thing to do in the county?

That’s easy – a day out at Nevill Holt Opera! www.nevillholtopera.co.uk

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