SPECIAL & BEAUTY PLUS RACHEL RILEY
The fashion designer who wowed royalty
•
RINGING TRUE
A fresh look for The Foundry Bell pub in Wokingham
•
TELLING TALES
Looking back at 175 years of Elstree School
30 pages of health, beauty, fitness and wellbeing
PART TWO UNVEIL THEIR SUMMER COLLECTION AT HEIDI AND HUDSON GERRARDS CROSS
EDITOR
MARK KEBBLE
ART DIRECTOR
PAWEL KUBA
SENIOR DESIGNERS
MIKE ROBERTS
SUZETTE SCOBLE
MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER
CARMEN GRAHAM
JUNIOR DESIGNER
JOE MUNSEY
PRODUCTION MANAGER
DANICA BRODIE
GROUP SALES MANAGER - SOUTH
ABIGAIL GARDNER
MEDIA CONSULTANTS
LOUISE PEARSON, STELLA ADAMS
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
JERRIE KOLECI
CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER
ALEXANDRA HVID
DIRECTORS
CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALEXANDRA HUNTER
MANAGING DIRECTOR
SHERIF SHALTOUT
For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com
For advertising enquiries please call 07977 195732 or email: abi@zest-media.com
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Ivividly remember the first time I went into London alone. I must have been 15, I am not sure my parents knew where I was going, but I jumped on a train from my Surrey home to London Victoria, before getting the Tube to Oxford Street. I was there for one reason: HMV. I got into music relatively late, but was soon hooked on getting the latest must-have release. As I bought more and more music, I started craving being the first of my group of friends to buy rare albums – and for that there was only one place.
I had a local HMV, but it wasn't particularly big. I read somewhere about their Oxford Street branch and about row upon row of rare releases, vinyl and oddities and I just had to see it for myself.
I wasn't disappointed and for the next few years I would make regular forays to the store and be transported away for a blissful 30 minutes or so. I even took a job close to Oxford Street because of HMV.
So it was wonderful to speak to a man who had a 38-year career at the music giant, rising up the ranks from sales assistant to MD. Turn to page 21 to read Brian McLaughlin's story. After all that excitement I needed a lie down, so our health and wellbeing special was rather good timing...
A chance encounter in Jaipur led to art school graduate Molly Russell to create Pink City Prints. The brand preserves the traditional cra s of India's Pink City with a collection of block-printed, hand-loomed and handembroidered dresses. pinkcityprints.com
Orchard Moon's luxe lounging sets make the most gorgeous nightwear, but their versatility means you can step out of the bedroom in style and wear them as day wear separates. orchardmoon.com
On The Island's loose-fitting ka ans are light and cool to wear, made from 100% Italian cotton in bespoke art-inspired prints. ontheisland.co
‘Zebra Crossing’ 100% silk twill skinny scarf features hand drawn zebra illustrations. This luxuriously silky and sophisticated skinny scarf is the perfect fashion accessory. just-add-style.com
eyewear collection
style seen through the
We can't get enough of this elegant Daisy pendant from Georg Jensen, a double daisy design cra ed from sterling silver and fi nished with a rhodium plating, £150 berrysjewellers.co.uk
The Lundey bikini by Marie Jo comes in a stylish lime snake print; it's a comfortable and welldesigned summer piece. ameliesfollies.co.uk
Debra Franses's mesmerizing Resin Artbag is a stunning creation containing hand-pressed butterflies, sourced ethically and with great care, £6,000. artbagstudio.com
Female-owned swimwear brand, Turana Atash, is pioneering the way for modest fashion that can be worn by all, from surf to swim. turanaatash.com
Stunning metallic green nappa leather, a delicate and feminine touch with a bow and a brilliant fl ared heel – perfect to elevate your summer wardrobe, the Maldives Mule, £99. ceciliaquinn.co.uk
These Lido earrings incorporate hoops of glass beads in white and turquoise dropping from gold hooks. wanderlustlife.co.uk
22 JULY-3 SEPTEMBER, ROALD DAHL MUSEUM
Get the family together and enjoy all things BFG this summer at the Roald Dahl Museum. There’ll be storytelling, crafts and trails aplenty. Make a clay snozzcumber, take part in a Swishwiffling Science session (fizzing frobscottle anyone?) or join in with the Big Friendly Play workshop – perfect for budding actors - then round it all off with an ice cream in the courtyard. roalddahlmuseum.org
ART
ON-GOING,
Based in London and Berkshire, Cricket Fine Art o ers a broad selection of contemporary paintings, prints and sculpture by both established and emerging artists. With over 30 years’ experience, Leslie Pratt o ers a comprehensive art consultancy service working with private buyers, interior designers and art advisors. Head to their Hungerford art gallery to see exactly what they o er.
cricketfineart.co.uk
13 August
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY CENTRE
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre takes you back to the age of steam o ering train rides with steam locomotives, a fabulous railway museum and stunning visitor centre. They host some great events from ‘Day Out With Thomas’ to classic vehicle rallies, with Peppa Pig visiting on 13 August. bucksrailcentre.org
MUSIC
25-27 August
RICHFIELD AVENUE
Reading Festival has confirmed
The 1975 will headline the festival this summer to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their self-titled debut album ‘The 1975’. Debuting at number one in the UK Albums Chart in 2013, ‘The 1975’ boasts many fan favourites including singles Chocolate, Sex, and Robbers, amongst tracks that are rarely performed live in recent years such as She Way Out, Settle Down and The City. readingfestival.com
FILM
Until 31 August
MK GALLERY
The team at Sky Room Cinema are putting on a not-to-be-missed o er for kids this summer. Take part as they press the replay button on the Sky Room Cinema projector, showing the best kids’ films from the past six months throughout the entire school summer holidays. The Summer Replay o er will feature firm family favourites such as Spiderman Across the Spider Verse, Lyle Lyle Crocodile, Matilda the Musical, Mummies, Puss in Boots 2 and Super Mario Bros. mkgallery.org
The highly anticipated Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup & Concert returns to Ascot Racecourse and promises to provide an exciting blend of on and o the track entertainment. As one of the most popular racedays of the year, this unique fixture in the global racing calendar sees renowned jockeys from around the world join forces and compete to win racing’s ultimate team prize. The suspense-filled day will be followed by a spectacular post-racing concert in the evening headlined by the legendary Craig David Presents TS5. ascot.com
Art on a Postcard
Art on a Postcard has recently launched an exceptional range of greetings cards in collaboration with some of their favourite artists, including Ceal Warnants, Ben Eine, Haus of Lucy, and Alan Fears. These are a cut above the average greetings card and here’s why… Renowned for their charity postcard auctions, Art on a Postcard is uniquely positioned to o er cards featuring a diverse array of contemporary artists who are not typically available in this format. It's the first time that Ben Eine's vibrant and widely recognized circus font has graced a greetings card, making these cards a versatile choice suitable for
Celebrating music from across the decades, BEL Events has announced the line up for its weekend of summer events taking place at Stonor Park. Guests can bottle that summer holiday feeling with the IBIZA Orchestra Live (11 August), listen to all their favourite proms classic at the Proms Spectacular (12 August), or become a dancing queen for a night at the ABBA Revival Tribute (13 August). Can you handle all three events? belevents.co.uk/stonor-park
both children and street art enthusiasts. The greetings cards are a delightful blend of artwork sourced from Art on a Postcard's auctions and handpicked artwork from the artists portfolio. Art on a Postcard is currently o ering a 15% discount on purchases of three or more cards. It's the perfect opportunity to stock up on birthday cards for the entire year, ensuring you always have a thoughtful card on hand when you need it.
So why not take advantage of Art on a Postcard's o er and add a touch of artistic flair to your greetings? These unique cards are sure to make a lasting impression and bring joy to both the sender and recipient.
artonapostcard.com
It’s nearly a decade since Rachel Riley’s international profile rocketed after Prince George was photographed wearing the label’s dungarees on the royal tour of New Zealand in 2014 –and at a time when the royals are very much in the spotlight, it’s little surprise that there remains a clamouring for the Buckinghamshire-based designer’s work. “We have just launched an exclusive ‘Princess Collection’ for the Four Seasons resort at Disney World Orlando,” Rachel smiles when talking about the label’s summer launches.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say, however, that even without Prince George’s helpful promotion, the Rachel Riley brand would have flourished. Her designs are simply joyful, timeless and luxurious, and little wonder that other big names across di erent industries are keen to work with her. “We enjoy partnering with like-minded
businesses on exciting collaborations,” Rachel explains. “Last year saw the launch of our partnership with Annabel Karmel and Smalls Merino, and most recently we launched a range of paints with the children’s paint brand Little Knights.”
Rachel has come far since, as she says, being a child who “liked to please”. At school, she was labelled as academic, but clearly she was very creative too. “I was very good at making things and loved to learn needlework and dressmaking when I started secondary school aged 11,” she recalls. “I would make clothes for my dolls, my baby sister, my mum’s friend who had a little girl, and as a teenager I made all my own clothes. By the time I started university I had a wardrobe of things I had made!”
When university came around, Rachel experienced the fashion industry first hand. “Once I started modelling in Paris for the summer between my first and second
years studying Social Anthropology at Cambridge, I saw what it meant to run a ‘fashion house’ and met many designers that I was then interested to emulate. I have great memories of this time. I funded myself through university working as a model and it was a great adventure too! It took me to lots of wonderful places and I met some fantastic people along the way. It was a very fun time to be a model in those days. I know how lucky I was to be in the right place at the right time. I knew I always wanted to do something in fashion and working as a model I got to see first-hand how the design process works. I could experience the joy it brought, not only us as models wearing the collections, but also the people who ended up buying them.”
What inspired her to go behind the scenes and make clothes, rather than hit the catwalk and show o the designs of others? “Friends started to ask me about
my children’s clothes and where I bought them and it was really thanks to them that I took the plunge and created my own business as I had made them all myself,” she says. “We started very simply. I cut patterns and made samples and started with one seamstress to make to order. I have always thought it best to take small steps as you go along rather than grand gestures.”
Was it di cult to get the company o the ground? “Of course!” she exclaims. “It’s always challenging starting your own business, but I started it in a very organic way, initially making designs for friends and family beyond expanding it into something bigger. I am a great believer in ‘we will cross that bridge when we come to it’.”
It wasn’t long, however, when Rachel realised she was on to something. “The initial edit was quite small with a focus on baby pieces, smocking and knitwear and we sold the collection via mail order catalogues (this was before the days of the internet!). I have always loved print and textiles, so printed pieces were, and still are, a large part of what we o er.
“The first collection completely sold out within months of launching, which made me realise there was a gap in the market for this type of product,” she says. “We were o ering beautiful, well made, comfortable clothes for children at the right price, so quite quickly we saw their appeal.”
Over the years, the Rachel Riley brand has stayed ahead of the curve thanks to constant
evolution – “We include footwear, which is all made by hand by artisan shoe makers in the Loire in France, and we have extended the collection to include more casual styles and also swimwear that is always very popular,” Rachel adds – and that extended to upping sticks and moving to Buckinghamshire.
“I live in the Chiltern Hills and we first discovered it when we would come here to cycle,” she explains. “I used to live in London and was born there, but I prefer to be in the countryside surrounded by nature. I am lucky enough to have a garden, and grow my own vegetables, although my husband says I am more enthusiastic than talented. It’s always a work in progress!”
Family, too, remains a constant. “This is very much a family business,” Rachel says. “My husband Daniel is a professional photographer who has worked with some of the leading brands including Chanel and he takes all our pictures. My children have always been my muses and the collections have been designed around them. They were also our mini models when we started out! We go out for a walk every morning before breakfast – come rain or shine –and enjoy walking up to Whiteleaf Cross.
Recently we enjoyed a wonderful meal with friends at Hartwell House, it was so special and the most extraordinary place.” Everything looks rosey in the house of Rachel Riley, but she prefers to consider her royal connections to be something that benefits the industry around her in general. “It’s been wonderful to see the smallest members of the royal family wear our designs on so many occasions and it’s certainly helped support the revival of traditional British childrenswear, something which has translated across the Atlantic in countries like the USA and Japan too.”
rachelriley.co.uk
“I have always loved print and textiles, so that's a large part of what I o er”
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THE AUTHOR OF HIS MASTER’S VOICE, THE STORY OF A 38-YEAR CAREER AT THE ICONIC HMV
Q Did you develop a love for music at an early age?
A I guess I was about 6 or 7-years-old when I started to enjoy music. My sister Christina played music in our house in Portsmouth. My favourites were Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, and Billy Fury.
Q How did your career in the music industry begin?
A I applied for a sales assistant’s post in the radio, TV, and record department at the Co-Op in Portsmouth aged 15 and was fortunate enough to get the job. It became clear quite quickly that I was more interested in selling music than radios and TVs, and gradually spent more and more of my time in the record department.
A few years later I heard that HMV were opening in Portsmouth, and they too were advertising for a sales assistant. It was a dream come true to work for them as everybody knew the iconic store at 363 Oxford Street in London, which was opened by Sir Edward Elgar in 1921.
Q How di erent was the retail side of the industry back then?
A Very di erent! One thing I’ll always remember is that only the album sleeves were displayed in the browsers. If you wanted to buy an album, you would take the sleeve to the counter and the assistant would find the album for you and put it in the sleeve. Music retailers were worried about shoplifting so this was their solution to the problem!
Q Did you always have the ambition to rise up the ranks at HMV?
A No, I didn’t have any ambition to rise up the ranks in HMV, I just really enjoyed working there. I was promoted several times because I worked very hard and fell in love with the company, its people and the music industry.
Q Running the business, was it a thrill or a highly pressurised job?
A It was an honour and a privilege to run HMV. It was a role I never expected to get. I wasn’t prepared for it, and therefore struggled at the beginning to come to terms with the enormous responsibility I had taken on. My health su ered initially, and I was o work for several months due to stress and anxiety. Once I recovered, I set out to expand the business rapidly, with the sole aim of making HMV the most successful music retailer in the world.
Q Could you give us a snapshot of your favourite HMV anecdotes?
A My first anecdote relates to a Board Meeting when I was Chief Operating O cer of HMV and Waterstones. One of the nonexecutive directors was unhappy with the performance of our Canadian business and felt I wasn’t doing enough to improve it. My then Chairman, Eric Nicoli, intervened, and said: "I have every faith in my hairy arsed friend to resolve the issues you refer to, can we now move on to the next item on the agenda."
My second anecdote relates to new store openings. In the evening we would all meet up at the hotel and it became a custom of mine to order toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches – often in the early hours of the morning! My sta would find this request very di cult to deliver as invariably the kitchen was closed and a certain amount of money would change hands with the Night Porter to arrange delivery of the sandwiches. After several store openings and the stress I was putting on my sta , they presented me one night with a toaster, a packet of cheese and a loaf of bread, so I could make my own sandwiches in the hotel lounge! My final anecdote relates to a lunch whereby I admit to having one too many. I had to make my way home via Paddington to Reading, but fell asleep on the train. When I woke up, the guard told me to get o as we had arrived at our destination. I asked where we were, and he said Paddington. I said that’s not possible as I boarded the train two hours ago. He said, “you are correct, but you have been to Oxford and back to Paddington in that time”!
Q Was being the MD of Waterstones more sedate?
A I loved my time at Waterstones. It was anything but sedate, as the business had several fundamental issues to be addressed. Namely on the marketing and sales areas of the business. They didn’t take to me initially, but eventually I won most of them around.
Q How did your family life fit in with your career?
A With di culty! We moved from Portsmouth to Leeds and then Leeds to London. Most of my time was spent visiting stores or chairing meetings that ended late at night. Fortunately, I have a terrific wife, Sue, who encouraged
me, and supported me throughout my career.
Q Where do you live today?
A We live in Goring on Thames, and we love the village and the surrounding areas, which are beautiful. We have great restaurants, a train station and good road connections. We have lived in the area for over 40 years.
Q What are your favourite local spots?
A The restaurant would be Don Giovanni at the Leatherne Bottel in Goring, our local shop Jacks, and The Ridgeway for the most incredible walks.
Q What is your ideal summer day out in the area?
A The Henley Regatta and the Henley Festival.
Q What do you hope people will get from reading His Master’s Voice?
A That a talentless, uneducated guy from Portsmouth can, through a combination of hard work and good luck, build a successful career for himself.
His Master’s Voice by Brian McLaughlin is out now, priced at £19.99 hardback
Buoyed by an illustrious past with the River Thames at its heart, Bourne End, Cookham and Marlow are among the most picturesque and popular towns and villages on its banks. Rosalind Sack discovers their draw
The allure of the river has long been di cult to resist for the inhabitants and visitors to Marlow, Bourne End and Cookham. Spanning the Berkshire/ Buckinghamshire boundary along this beautiful stretch of water, all three have much to thank the river for through the ages.
With thriving culture, sports and culinary scenes, active and close-knit communities and regular appearances on national newspaper ‘best places to live’ lists, it’s little wonder the popularity of this area is sky-high –with property prices to match.
For centuries, the Thames proved an important trading artery, which brought with it prosperity and importance to Marlow, Cookham and Bourne End. A
large-scale archaeological dig next to Cookham’s Holy Trinity Church close to the river in 2021 unearthed compelling evidence of this. The dig revealed that it had been the site of an important 8th Century monastery, ruled by the influential Queen Cynethryth, the only Anglo-Saxon Queen depicted on a coin. Indeed, the entire area is rich in archaeology from Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements.
Beyond being purely strategic for trade and power, the river’s charm has long proved irresistible for more creative endeavours, drawing a host of prominent writers, artists and musicians to the area over the years. This summer, television crews have been spotted in Marlow filming the small screen adaptation of the novel The Marlow Murder Club, starring actress
Samantha Bond and written by Marlow resident Robert Thorogood – who also wrote Death Comes To Marlow Marlow’s strong pedigree in literary history can be traced back to 1817 when Mary and Percy Shelley lived briefly in the town. While Percy wrote poetry on a boat on the river, it is here that Mary completed her masterpiece Frankenstein. A decade later, T.S.Eliot moved to the town and, here, wrote his modernist poems The Waste Land and Gerontion Jerome K Jerome described Marlow as ‘one of the pleasantest river centres’ in his book Three Men In A Boat, published in 1889, which he is rumoured to have written partly in the Two Brewers pub in the town while living a few miles away in Marlow Common. He would have found an a nity with author Kenneth Grahame’s character Ratty in The Wind In The Willows, who famously talked of the joys of “simply messing about in boats”. The book captured Kenneth’s childhood memories of growing up in the rural idyll of Cookham and the character of Mr Toad is said to have been inspired by the eccentric Colonel Francis Ricardo, who lived at Lullebrook House in the village, now the Odney Club owned by John Lewis & Partners. He was reportedly the first person in Cookham to own a car; a yellow Rolls Royce Silver Ghost – just like Toad’s.
Children’s author Enid Blyton lived in Bourne End from 1929 to 1938, during which time she created one of her bestloved characters, Brer Rabbit. Up the road lived writer and director Edgar
Wallace, best known for providing the inspiration for King Kong. He is buried at Little Marlow Cemetery. These days book-lovers can visit the renowned Henley Literary Festival, which takes place every October along the river in Henley-on-Thames, and history fans can visit the former home of the Astor family and its National Trust-owned gardens at Cliveden, in nearby Taplow. While Cookham’s Stanley Spencer Gallery, housed in the former Wesleyan chapel on the High Street where he worshipped as a child, draws visitors from far and wide. The great British artist – who described Cookham as “a village in heaven” – grew up living on the high street and returned to live there in 1932 until his death in 1959. His work features many local landmarks and he would often be seen wheeling his canvas and easel around the village in an old pram. The gallery has a permanent collection of his works, as well as an active calendar of exhibitions. Visitors can refuel in the popular Bel & the Dragon pub opposite; one of the oldest coaching inns in England, built in 1417. Now sadly not in operation, Cookham also once housed one of the world’s finest recording studios, The Mill, built in the 1970s. Among the artists who recorded and mixed there were Elton John, Je Beck and Mick Fleetwood. The village now draws legions of fluoroclad music fans of a di erent genre to the annual Let’s Rock the Moor ‘80s music festival on Cookham Moor.
A celebration of both music and food, Marlow boasts its own Pub in the Park festival, established by local resident chef Tom Kerridge, who has been instrumental in transforming Marlow into a renowned ‘gourmet town’. Tom owns The Hand & Flowers (the UK’s only pub with two Michelin stars), one Michelin star pub The Coach, private dining room The Shed and butcherscome-pub The Butcher’s Tap and Grill –all on West Street in the centre of town.
“Marlow is one of those incredible communities that is built on social connections around sport, schools, family, friends, small-scale independent
operations and has this wonderful hub of the community that people are really proud to be part of,” says Tom.
Chef Atul Kochhar has also brought his stunning Indian food to Marlow at Sindhu restaurant at the Macdonald Compleat Angler hotel on the banks of the river, overlooking the town’s handsome suspension bridge, while 2020 saw the opening of Vaasu restaurant on Chapel Street; a more laid-back a air with a menu inspired by Atul’s travels across India.
Marlow is also home to the Rebellion Brewery, which supplies many local hostelries and sells directly to beer-lovers from its brewery shop. While the river comes into play again in creating the perfect ‘Thames terroir’ to produce award-winning sparkling wines at the town’s Harrow & Hope vineyard. About 450,000 years ago water flowed through the site of the vineyard, cutting down into the gravel and chalk and leaving a steep sloped terrace with large deposits of flint gravel and clay.
Of course, the charm of the river in Marlow, Cookham and Bourne End is not just down to what is on its banks, but also what takes place on its waters. Every July, this stretch of river hosts the 800-yearold tradition of Swan Upping; an annual census and assessment of the Thames swan population. Wearing their distinctive scarlet and gold braided uniforms of HM The King, the Royal Swan Uppers travel along the river in traditional rowing ski s together with Swan Uppers from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies.
It’s easy to be inspired to pick up an oar when it’s not uncommon to walk past a highly decorated Olympic rower. Marlow High Street boasts a gold postbox thanks to gold medal-winning paralympian Naomi Riches, who trains at Marlow Rowing Club. Local resident Dame Katherine Grainger, Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, is a fellow member of the Club. Visitors to the town’s Higginson Park can’t miss the giant bronze statue of highly decorated team GB rower, and Marlow Bottom resident, Sir Steve Redgrave. While Cookham is home to Olympic champion rower Helen Glover and her husband, the naturalist and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall.
There must be something in the water…
2 SEPTEMBER
Teams will compete in a variety of dragon boat races throughout the day, while on dry land there is a classic vehicle display, dog show, food stalls, bar and more to keep the family entertained. cookhamregatta.org.uk
Gravity Grand Prix
COOKHAM DEAN, 10 SEPTEMBER
This annual soapbox race sees homecrafted novelty karts take on the downhill road course powered by gravity alone.
The day also features food stalls, children’s funfair and refreshments. gravitygrandprix.co.uk
Marlow Carnival
HIGGINSON PARK, 16 SEPTEMBER
Live music, children’s entertainment, food and drink stalls and much more comes to Higginson Park for another year of fun. marlowcarnival.com
The Marlow 10
17 SEPTEMBER
Conceived in 2021 to celebrate a decade of the brilliant Runners' Retreat in Marlow, this annual 10km multi-terrain race is beautiful yet challenging. timeoutdoors.com/events/marlow-10
EXHIBITION AT STANLEY SPENCER
GALLERY, UNTIL 5 NOVEMBER
In partnership with Southampton City Art Gallery, this exhibition sees seven loans from some of the most important names in the Modern British art scene alongside works by Spencer, all of whom were a ected by the Great War. stanleyspencer.org.uk
Craig Revel Horwood will star as ‘Miss Hannigan’ in Annie arriving at Milton Keynes Theatre from 7-12 August. Absolutely chats to him to find out more
Q What made you want to return to Annie, and what is so appealing about the role of Miss Hannigan?
A I just love this character so much; I am deeply in love with her. I think she is absolutely fantastic and an extremely misunderstood woman. Playing her is like an actor’s playground, she is a tyrant and a villain, and those are always the most fun characters to play. I couldn’t believe that they wanted me to play Miss Hannigan at first, but I thought it would be great, and a real challenge for me. I play her for real – she’s not a pantomime dame, there’s no mucking about or breaking the fourth wall, she’s a very real character in a beautifully written show.
Q Are there any particular challenges to playing Miss Hannigan?
A Well the challenges are that you need to be honest and real with it. Obviously, body language has a lot to do with that, how she speaks, and the accent of course – which I spent months perfecting. As Annie is set in 1930s New York, it’s really nice to play a part who speaks di erently than almost anyone does these days.
Q Audiences probably know you best as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. Do you enjoy performing and dancing on the stage as opposed to judging others?
A Well, I grew up on musicals. I did West Side Story in Australia and then went into Me and My Girl and La Cage Aux Folles. I joined the famous Lido de Paris and the Moulin Rouge and then that led into being part of West End shows. The last musical I appeared in at the West End was Crazy For You which opened in 1993. I had a really fun year that year. I then left to become a director and choreographer, and subsequently a judge on Strictly. My first hoorah back onto the boards was when I was asked to do panto over ten years ago, and that reignited my passion for performing. When I was then asked to do Annie a few years ago I couldn’t believe it.
Q It’s long been said never work with children or animals, but in Annie you do both...
A We have several sets of children on Annie, so they bring something really organic to the show. You’ll never get the same show twice. You have to play it di erently with each set of children and they are so talented and doing incredible work on the stage and are all fantastic young actors. They will come up with stu and you’ve got to react to it live on stage, which is a bit of a challenge!
Q What was your first experience of musical theatre?
A The first show that I ever went to see was Jesus Christ Superstar in Sydney back in the 1970s. I just fell in love with theatre right there and then. I started training when I was 14, and when I saw Cats in London around the same time, I knew that was absolutely what I wanted to do, to train for and study for.
Q You’ve toured before with various shows, is it something you enjoy, or do you find it a bit of a challenge?
A I enjoy the di erence in the theatres,
the public and their relationships with the stage which always change. You find audiences di er around the country and that’s what is so great about live theatre.
Q Have you ever been given a piece of advice, or some words of wisdom that have stuck with you?
A My teacher used to say, “you need to be like a tiger and fearless”, which is of course very apt for this industry. You must be prepared to fail, and as soon as you get used to that you start learning. Personally, I feel that listening to your inner voice is the most important thing, especially when making decisions in this industry. I don’t often rule with my head; I rule with my heart.
Q Finally, what can audiences expect when they come to see you as Miss Hannigan in Annie?
A Number one – entertainment, number two – a shock! Number three, some great singing, dancing and acting because we’ve got such a brilliantly talented cast, and of course all of the incredible songs that they know and love.
Book your tickets now at atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes
DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP 12 TH AUGUST
WITH POST-RACING CONCERT HEADLINED BY CRAIG DAVID VISIT ASCOT.COM FOR TICKETS
Have you ever wondered what goes into training a thoroughbred to win a race like the Grand National? In truth, it takes a lot of love, care and attention to detail from a large team of people. From 9-17 September, you can come and see that first hand at a yard in your area, as part of National Racehorse Week.
More than 130 venues including yards, studs and retraining centres nationwide will be throwing their stable doors open to the public, so you can experience the inner workings of a racing operation first hand – for free.
See just how fast a racehorse gallops, how much they eat a day, how they spend their downtime, and just how much time and a ection goes into caring for a racehorse before, during and after their career. You can ask questions to the wonderful team who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
As part of the initiative that invites more than 14,000 members of the public
to meet a racehorse, 40 community events will take place. Community events include engaging with school pupils through yard visits, as well as racehorses visiting care homes, hospitals and inner city schools. Throughout the week, the industry aims to bring racing closer to people of all ages and backgrounds, giving those, particularly in city locations, the chance to get close to a horse, sometimes for the very first time. The community visits will give those who may not have the chance to visit a venue the opportunity to meet a racehorse, to learn about the racing industry, and the wonderful lives current and retired racehorses lead. National Racehorse Week promises a unique and insightful day out for all the family, surrounded by animals and beautiful countryside. These open days will showcase a range of activities which varies from yard to yard, but all will o er the chance to meet racehorses in training, as well as the muchloved stable stars who have retired. Some yards even have purposefully designed equine swimming pools, an activity most horses enjoy. Physiotherapists, chiropractors and farriers (who put the horse’s shoes on) are an intrinsic part of any trainers' yard, and many open days will o er demonstrations and insight into this all-important aspect of horse management and welfare.
To book your visits during National Racehorse Week visit nationalracehorseweek.uk
“It's a chance to get close to a horse, sometimes for the very first time”
It was five unforgettable nights of world-class music, comedy, dining and dancing from 5–9 July at the Henley Festival. Headlining the Festival’s unique Floating Stage were Rag’n’Bone Man, Westlife, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Ministry of Sound Classical featuring guest DJ Danny Rampling, Ronnie Scotts and Vanessa Haynes presents ‘Aretha Franklin – Queen of Soul’ and Boney M. with the original lead singer Liz Mitchell – and each evening the audience was spoilt for choice with a veritable feast of world-class entertainment across the stunning riverside setting. More than 30,000 black-tie festival-goers attended the sun-soaked celebrations, with some revellers arriving in one of the 200 boats pulling up to the festival site.
Alongside the vibrant art and music line-up – including pop, world, classical, folk and jazz from acts such as The Kanneh-Mason Trio, Robyn, Tom Speight, Palace Avenue, Charlotte Campbell, the Cinelli Brothers and John James Newman amongst many others – Henley has a reputation for presenting world-class comedy. This year’s laughs were brought by Marcus Brigstocke, Jo Brand, Chris McCausland, Adam Kay and Jack Dee, whose signature dry humour and deadpan delivery entertained a full house in the Riverside Cabaret.
And on Sunday, the Festival hosted families for the much-loved Playdate at Henley, with a wonderful selection of performances and activities for children of every age and stage, including MC Grammar, Professor Strange and Doodle Jam with Tommy Gurr, as well as workshops for singing, circus skills, garland making and much more.
Packed full of magical moments, each evening was brought to a captivating close with the Festival’s trademark firework spectacular designed by Titanium Fireworks – with festival goers crowding to the riverbanks to watch the jaw-dropping display.
£45
Join us on Saturday 2nd September for this unmissable Murder Mystery Dinner! The theme of the night is Once Upon A Crime...
ThereismuchexcitementinthevillageofLittleWytchingasesteemed authorandlocalcelebrityRavenNoirismakingapersonalappearanceatthe LittleWytchingLiteraryFestival.Youareinvitedtoplayalongasthemurdermystery enfoldsbeforeyoureyes-willyouguessthekillercorrectly?
Your ticket includes:
Arrival drink
3 course meal with tea & co ee
Murder Mystery entertainment
DJ & disco (to celebrate the killer being caught!)
Strictly star and stage legend, Debbie McGee, brought a touch of magic to the o cial grand opening of Aspire Clinic’s brand new CoolSculpting Centre of Excellence at the prestigious Select Car Leasing Stadium (formally the Madejski).
Cutting the ribbon in celebration, Debbie was joined by guests, including Sir John Madejski, who were treated to an evening of free-taster sessions including CoolSculpting permanent fat removal, Hydrafacial skin treatment, Emsella pelvic floor treatment, and Emsculpt muscle-building treatment. Attendees also had the opportunity to talk to the experts to find out more about Aspire’s treatments, enjoy drinks and nibbles, and take away a goody bag full of treats.
As the only Coolsculpting Centre of Excellence in Berkshire, Aspire o ers the Elite System and they’re proud to hold the accolade of being the number one single system CoolSculpting clinic in the UK. Aspire’s Centre of Excellence is headed up by Sarah Archer, who sat on the CoolSculpting Advisory Board
for the UK and Ireland and has been named as one of the top three practitioners in the country.
Sarah says: “With a dedicated CoolSculpting Centre, we o er our patients a red-carpet experience that is second to none. We use the latest technology available, and during treatment, patients lie back in comfort and enjoy a choice of Netflix, music, refreshments, or if they prefer, a work-station. From consultation to aftercare, patients are taken on a bespoke journey with the highest quality of care.”
CoolSculpting is the world’s number one nonsurgical permanent fat reduction treatment in the world. At Aspire, practitioners are able to treat all common areas including the tummy, thighs, back, arms and chin with CoolSculpting, as well as more unusual, specialist areas such as the mons pubis and knees.
Aspire Clinic is a multi-award-winning non-surgical medical aesthetics clinic based in the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Aspire o ers the full range of aesthetic treatments from Hydrafacial to dermal fillers, investing in the latest technologies and techniques.
aspireclinic.com
The Old Crown Coaching Inn has been awarded two rosettes by the AA Guide as well as a four-star rating for the boutique hotel, which has 14 bespoke rooms and is a popular wedding venue for couples. Visitors can enjoy a lavish selection of bespoke dishes from a range of menu options including a tasting menu that allows diners to explore a variety of exquisite flavours. We find out more over the page. theoldcrowncoachinginn.com
Wine recommendations for the month
By THE ORGANIC SOMMELIER
Certified Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian
This French, dry white with lemony notes, seduces with its freshness and finesse. This white pairs deliciously with all shellfish, white fish, meat and green summer vegetables.
The latest launches and news from across the county
By MARK KEBBLECertified Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian
This Georgian wine is a firm favourite of our customers. Bedoba has a powerful savoury-spicy bouquet of blackberries, herbs, flowers and black pepper with a creamy juicy texture.
THE OLD CROWN COACHING INN
Certified Organic
With the vineyard sitting between the Estérel and the Gulf of St Tropez, the Château Font du Broc Rose is adorned with lush flavours of Provence. The Château rosé is pale golden pink in color and o ers subtle notes of raspberry.
theorganicsommelier.co.uk
Creative chefs are celebrating award success as it was announced The Old Crown Coaching Inn, based in Faringdon, Oxfordshire has been awarded two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence. Renowned Head Chef Samuel Squires specialises in fine dining using locally sourced seasonal ingredients for discerning diners who enjoy exquisite, innovative, delicious dishes in the luxurious hotel’s elegant ballroom.
theoldcrowncoachinginn.com
Take a trip to the Mediterranean with Bar + Block
Milton Keynes as the contemporary steakhouse showcases flavours from across the sea with a selection of dishes fresh o the grill. Cooked over charcoal on the Kopa oven, mains include a Chicken Souvlaki served on a stone-baked flatbread with houmous and homemade tzatziki, and a Harissa Salmon fillet with charcoal-grilled vegetables and mixed grains. barandblock.co.uk
Three venues where plant-based menus are key ingredients
If you’re looking for a vegan or meat-free alternative to the classic British Sunday roast, Butcombe's vegan-friendly restaurants in Berkshire have just what you are a er. Their vegan roast dinners are beloved by vegans and non-vegans alike, with all the trimmings. butcombe.com
Flu y Flu y Pancakes is opening its third UK site in Reading. The growing Canadian brand, famous for its cloud-like, jiggly Japanese sou e-style pancakes, is coming to popular Reading leisure destination The Village on King Street. Every carefully crafted pancake begins with egg whites whipped to soft peaks, which is then slowly cooked at low temperature to achieve the signature cloud-like pancakes. flu yflu y.co.uk
GAIL’S
GAIL’s Bakery’s summer menu includes a host of delights, including the strawberry and ricotta cake, now available across their bakeries in the county. Freshly baked throughout the day, the polenta and ricotta cake is topped with sliced fresh strawberries - and nothing says British summertime like strawberries. They team perfectly with the ricotta and polenta cake for a light, summery sweet treat. gailsbread.co.uk
From comforting classics to light bites and delectable vegan options, British artisan cheeses and local beers from the Windsor & Eton Brewery, Leaf is the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch, brunch or decadent dinner. castlehotelwindsor.com/dining
Hurley House has announced the o cial opening of their latest o ering, the Japanese Omakase Sushi Bar.
Browse between brunch, botanical cocktails, Sunday roasts and The Botanist a la carte menus in Marlow. They have extensive vegan and vegetarian options – we can’t get enough of their Vegan Board. thebotanist.uk.com
“Our aim has always been to create unforgettable experiences for our guests,” says Bassam Shlewet, Hurley House’s Managing Director. “Omakase, which translates as ‘Leave it to me’, is a unique dining ritual, in which your meal is carefully chosen and crafted by the Head Sushi Chef right in front of you.” hurleyhouse.co.uk
How the community is being brought together through great food and drink at The Foundry Bell in Wokingham, as Acting GM Aidan Campbell explains
Q Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the pub?
A The Foundry Bell first opened as a public house in 1924 so it has almost 100 years of history in the local area. Blending tradition with innovation, the pub was renamed as part of its extensive renovation in 2022 and comes from the recognition of Wokingham’s local heritage, recalling the market-town’s original Bell Foundry in the 13th century.
Q What recent changes have been implemented?
A The pub underwent a major three-month renovation in late 2022 and opened to the public as The Foundry Bell in December. The renovation works focussed on bringing the building back to life as a local pub and mixing its existing historical features with modern pub dining. The space was given contemporary new interiors throughout, an enhanced outdoor seating area with heated
snugs, 14-seater private dining room and a brand-new bar area, including a bespoke lavatop bar that was pivotal in our interiors design.
Q With the drinks menu, have you tried to o er something di erent?
A Championing seasonal produce is not just for our food menus and also helps us to design and create our drinks menu. We know that our customers want to use the pub for all occasions so have considered and created a drinks menu that represents that. We work alongside our suppliers and brand partners to o er an extensive drinks range that includes everything from house ale taps to our very own wine room which o ers over 40 bottles of wines, showcasing a variety of everything from organic worldwines to specialist British vineyards. A real focus for us has also been on creating an exciting soft and non-alcoholic range to ensure that there really is an option for everyone. So, as part of our seasonal cocktail menu, there will always be nonalcoholic versions available alongside a range of soft drinks, including our co ees, which are roasted in partnership with ethical co ee company Paddy & Scotts. Handcrafted on site with our barista-trained team, we are as passionate about our co ee as we are about our alcoholic drinks!
Q What would you say are the perfect drinks for the summer months?
A Our cocktails are stars of the show, made fresh on request and showcase the perfect mix of seasonal flavours and the best quality spirits. A recent yet popular addition to the cocktail menu is the Paloma. which is part of our Signature Cocktail menu. Made with Patrón Silver, pink grapefruit, lime juice and soda, it is the perfect refreshing drink and gives our guests a taste of something a little di erent.
Alongside our draught lagers, which continue to do well into the summer, we have also recently added a new local English sparkling wine to our menu. Called Fitz, the sparkling wine is produced in Sussex and o ers a crisp stone fruit flavour that is dry and well-balanced, it is a great alternative to prosecco, and I think will be a big hit this summer.
Q How would you sum up the cooking style of Ben Silvester?
A Ben is incredible at what he does, continually pushing the boundaries of modern British pub dining with great classic pub food at its heart. For Ben, it is about elevating the customers’ expectations and that could be something as simple as the inclusion of a fresh seasonal vegetable or herb that really elevates and takes the dish to another level.
Q How has he approached the menus?
A Social dining is at the heart of what we o er at The Foundry Bell. Whether that is an after-work dinner in the week to a Saturday morning brunch with friends, we need the menu to o er something for everyone for all occasions. Ben’s approach to the menus is about delivering a cleverly curated menu that showcases a selection of dishes that are simple in their design and o er flexibility to enjoy small sharing snacks to bigger family-style dinners.
Our Stix and Small Plate options are all about sharing so the plates work well alongside one another as they do individually, they also are packed full of flavour and showcase some of our more experimental dishes and flavours. Whilst the Mains reflect our more traditional pub o ering, elevated through subtle changes in produce, or classical cooking techniques.
“Championing seasonal produce is not just for our food menus”
Q Who are your suppliers?
A Seasonality and provenance are key for us, especially for our seasonal menu updates. For example, we work alongside our British suppliers for key provenance ingredients including Isle of Wight Heritage Tomatoes, Cromer Crabs, Ross Cob Chickens and our Dry-Aged Steaks, which are from British specialist breeds and farms.
Q What can we expect on the summer menu?
A Our new summer menu has launched and includes a new selection of fresh and simple dishes that allow the seasonal ingredients to be the showcase. From our Small Plates to Lunch and Mains, we have introduced a few new dishes including a Tempura soft-shell crab burger, Clam vongole, Slow-cooked pork ragu and Flat iron chicken. We also have a couple of new desserts including Maple
roasted late summer fruits and our new Flamed baked Alaska – made with Italian meringue and served with praline ice cream.
Q Do you have a particular dish you are loving right now?
A It has to be our sharing boards. Perfect for this warmer summer weather, it just gives our guests a great option to enjoy a range of dishes and flavours. We have 13 small plates including six Stix available on our main menu which can be enjoyed as single dishes, great for sharing with friends and family. Ben has created a range of flavours that all work so well together just as much as they do by themselves. Each delicious bite is packed with flavour, but if I had to pick my favourites, they have to be the Chargrilled halloumi and pickled pear drizzled with hot honey and thyme, it really elevates well-known ingredients, and also Burrata served alongside nectarine and drizzled with English tru ed rapeseed oil, such a clean and simple dish that lets the quality of the ingredients speak for themselves.
Q What else will The Foundry Bell o er this summer?
A Our big focus this summer is our outdoor terrace and really elevating that al fresco dining experience throughout the warmer summer days and evenings for our guests. We are also currently in talks with a number of our suppliers and brand partners to host a small number of pop-up events throughout the summer. Whilst these are still underwraps at the moment, an example of one of these pop-ups that we recently did was for the King’s Coronation bank holiday weekend, where we worked with our gin supplier Chase Distillery to bring the ultimate British summer garden party to life. We worked with Chase to o er a selection of limited-edition Chase gin cocktails to be enjoyed amongst our updated botanical-themed terrace takeover. It was a huge success and is something that we are looking forward to exploring more over the next couple of months.
Q Do you feel a real part of the local Wokingham community?
A The response we have had from our community in the lead-up to our opening and beyond has been amazing. It felt great to know that we were opening a place that people wanted to come and enjoy and spend their time in.
It is not a small feat to be running a hospitality business at the moment and that’s why we are so proud to be continually growing and learning. The support from our local community has been immeasurable and continues to be the fuel for our fire. We can’t wait to celebrate our summer plans with them.
thefoundrybell-wokingham.co.uk
“The support from our local community has been immeasurable”
BERRY'S JEWELLERS
Empowering, elevating, emboldening. The Moonlight Grapes jewellery collection from Danish designer, Georg Jensen, is designed for the woman who claims her moments. Inspired by a Georg Jensen 1920s silver design, Moonlight Grapes introduces a strikingly contemporary take on a heritage house icon and uniquely marries Art Nouveau aesthetics with a contemporary expression. Discover the collection at your nearest Berry’s Jewellers and at berrysjewellers.co.uk
Absolutely chats to master milliner Louis Mariette as he showcases some of his creations at this year’s Royal Ascot
By VALERIE AND ALLISTAIR MCDOWALLMany of the Royals attended Ascot this year, and it was a very special year for King Charles and Queen Camilla as they attended for the first time since the Coronation celebrations.
Fashion’s own royalty was in attendance at Ascot on Ladies’ Day too, in the shape of Louis Mariette, the local designer of the world’s most expensive hat. Louis’s famous hat, worth £1.5m, sadly wasn’t on display; however, he and many of his other beautiful hats were. Louis, who never fails to look dapper, co-ordinated wonderfully with his stunning actress friend, Sofia Hayat, who sported Louis’s own special gold cup winning colours of the day, a stunning red bejewelled skull cap styled hat embroidered with gold sequins, and glass bugle beads, high grade Precosia crystals, complemented
with red velvet roses and Lady Amherst pheasant feathers on top, with the jewel in the crown being an intricate hand-crafted centre-piece embellished with Siam red and clear crystals.
Sofia was certainly spotted and found popularity with the paparazzi on Ladies’ Day, as she made quite the impact using one colour styling. And with Louis’s attention to detail seen when he added matching red roses to his own traditional black top hat, and red tie to his morning suit, together they rollicked their own racing colours, and were easily amongst the most impactful couples of the day.
Louis, who was one of the judges in the fifth series of Britain’s Next Top Model, was only happy to tell us more about his journey in life. “I have had the honour and privilege of travelling to the most fascinating and unusual places on the planet,” he recollects. “Seeing the exotic migrating birds in their thousands on the tiny exotic Bird Island,
“When I create a bespoke piece, I always decide on what best suits her style and personality”MARYAM
which is part of the Seychelles in the Indian ocean. Their dazzling array of patterned feathers, and palette of colours, is an endless source of inspiration. On a trip to the furthest Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, a country open to only a few privileged. I was honoured to be invited there by an anthropologist. Part of the trip was to witness rare ceremonies that were never usually seen by Westerners. The high standard of fabric dying, embroidery and embellishments on their outfits and millinery was simply breathtaking.”
How does he go about designing a bespoke piece of headwear? “When I create a bespoke piece for a client, I always decide what will best suit her individual style and personality. The creation must be an extension of her. This can be in the form of a hat or bejewelled headband, the latter of which is very popular with brides. The true inspiration is all about the lady, and if they reach out with a letter or call of thanks, then I know I have done my job well and I take pride in that.”
Discussing his career highlights, Louis says: “There have been many exciting highlights. I was delighted to be invited to be a milliner judge on series five of Britain's Next Top Model. They recreated some of my highlight photoshoots including underwater photographer Zena Holloway’s Pinewood studio water tank shoot, complete with scuba divers! Through my millinery platform I try to take any opportunity to plug causes close to my heart. Through supporting The Lupus Trust and The Children’s Trust, I was invited twice to 10 Downing Street. Also I’ve been raising awareness and fundraising for the WWF who provide pro-active methodical projects to wildlife and environmental conservation, to me the most important factor that should be a priority in all our lives. The planet is our home, we are custodians of this, our duty should be sacred to the cause.
“An experience that I adored was being asked to present at Royal Ascot’s 300 year celebration live on the BBC,” Louis
continues. “This prestigious event is one of my highlights every year. Ladies dazzling in their chic attire and showcasing heavenly millinery by talented hatters. Gentlemen in top hats and tails, refined and sophisticated. Of course the pomp and ceremony of the Royal traditions and the honour of being in the presence this year of our new King!
“I also had a collaboration with Harrods and the Platinum Guild and designed a hat called Chapeau d’amour, made of a rare weave of Platinum fabric and diamonds worth £1.5m. It once even travelled in its own first class seat on a flight from Mauritius to London!”
“My creativity, love and passion have been elevated to a new level with my new venture. I’ve pushed my skills to the utmost and enjoyed every precious moment of a threeyear project from the beginning of lockdown. A highly intricate Oriental sculpture display cabinet in Italian clay that perches my ornate perfume bottle and luxurious scent. I won’t say too much as you will have to wait for the launch and unveiling next year.”
Louis is interesting, charming and amusing, he lives life to the full, but still finds time to help people and fundraises for charity. After hearing about his adventures and his future plans, it’s also reassuring that a designer with such kudos still remembers that wildlife, the environment, and our planet are the most important things to consider with anything we do.
So, we can put high stakes on Louis to ensure he will be racing ahead to make his fashion items as sustainable as possible, because he genuinely cares about helping our environment to improve.
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BERRY'S JEWELLERS
Georg Jensen curve sterling silver & 18ct yellow gold stud earrings, £595 berrysjewellers.co.uk
MATILDE
100% recycled 14k gold necklace with lab-grown diamonds and gemstones, and natural beads, £195 matildejewellery.com
LISTER HORSFALL
18ct yellow gold Akoya pear and diamond set stud earrings, £600 listerhorsfall.co.uk
BLOOMING DREAMER
Sterling silver anklet with kunzite, red Japanese glass beads, and a flower freshwater pearl, £115 bloomingdreamer.com
APPLES & FIGS
24k gold-plated sterling silver earrings with natural petal pearls and cubic zirconia stones, £348 applesandfigs.com
BERRY'S JEWELLERS
Gucci Marmont sterling silver Mother of Pearl & turquoise bracelet, £340 berrysjewellers.co.uk
EMILY P. WHEELER
18k rose gold conch pearl earrings with tourmaline and enamel, £38,200 emilypwheeler.com
JENNA BLAKE
18k yellow gold, diamond, and natural sea shell charm on an 18k yellow gold nautical chain, £12,500 jennablake.com
GUITA M
18k white gold spike earrings, with white chalcedony, and aqua tourmaline, £5,085 guitam-jewelry.com
ETHICACBD
Cornish company, EthicaCBD, is making waves across the UK with their gamechanging CBD Sports Gel. Since day one, EthicaCBD’s family-run team have been devoted to finding the most ethical ways to guide people on their journey to better living. Their best-selling Sports Gel is the epitome of their promise to provide the very best plant-based care and sporting icon Lord Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham has been using it to keep him on the golf course. Find out more in this month’s special section. ethicacbd.com
GRANDCHILDREN
Absolutely meets Sir Ian Botham to talk cricket, golf and the power of cannabidiol
By JOSEPH FITZGERALD
Sir Ian Botham is remembered for routinely besting titans of cricket. Now 67, Botham enjoyed a long and (very) illustrious career; for Somerset, the England team, as well as spells in Australia.
Frankly, it’s good of them to let him in, given his celebrated match-winning performance against Kim Hughes’s baggy greens during the Ashes Test at Headingley, in 1981. Electing to bat first, Australia had England on the ropes and enforced the follow-on. Out strode Botham, clocking an unbeaten 149 runs before heading back to the dressing room for a cigar. That he also took seven wickets only cemented his legend.
So it came as something of a challenge when in July last year Botham found himself unable to walk around a golf course as he once could – in addition to being one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, golf is a lifelong passion.
It was his son, Liam, who sent his father something new to incorporate in his daily routine. Specifically, the EthicaCBD Sports Gel with CBD and CBG. Based in the seaside town of Bude, in Cornwall, the company launched three years ago and have quickly earned global recognition, winning a gong at the World CBD Awards in 2022. CBD products
are increasingly being incorporated into wellness regimes. As the name suggests, EthicaCBD go to great lengths to create what they describe as, “the highest quality ethical CBD for people and planet”.
As it turns out, alongside proving themselves as the ethical front runner of the UK CBD industry, they’re also getting sporting legends quite literally back into the swing of things. After using the all-natural CBD gel, Botham returned to the fairway and renewed his spot in competitive golf, turning out in the Alfred Dunhill Links last year.
In conversation with Botham, ‘competitive’ is a word that crops up a lot. The Botham family is a genuine sporting dynasty. His son, the aforementioned Liam, played county cricket for Hampshire, as well as dual codes in top-flight rugby (union for Cardi Blues, league for Bradford Bulls).
Liam’s son, James, meanwhile, plies his own sporting trade in elite rugby union, both for Cardi and the Wales national side. As a passionate Englishman, is Botham senior conflicted about having a dragon in the dynasty? “Goodness, no. James was born in Wales and always swore allegiance.”
Just as well, considering James’ fiancée is the Wales hockey international Izzy Webb. In any Botham household, the competitive instinct is strong. “I play everything to win. I even want to beat the grandchildren at tiddlywinks”, Botham says. These days it’s golf that keeps his competitive juices flowing. “When I was playing county cricket, a lot of the guys played golf.” For a world-class batsman, golf is surely a seamless transition. “It should be, given a golf ball is still when you hit it but it doesn’t always work that way.”
Of those able to make the switch, Botham recalls that, “Viv could hit the ball a long way”. ‘Viv’, for those too young to remember, is Sir Vivian Richards, the fearsome West Indies batsman who could no doubt hit a cannonball across the Channel. “At my peak I played o a handicap of 3,” Botham says. Which must have seemed a distant memory last summer. At the Dunhill Links, Botham found that the gel was the competitive advantage that he needed.
The gel’s active ingredient, cannabidiol (CBD), was first discovered in 1940 but it’s only in recent years that it has been developed for use in a wide range of products. EthicaCBD Sports Gel combines two powerful cannabinoids with other dynamic natural extracts such as organic silicium, blackpepper oil, menthol and camphor, ensuring you get the very best plant-based care.
“When it comes down to it, this stu is incredible”
LORD ‘BEEFY’ BOTHAM
SIR IAN BOTHAM
ETHICA CBD GEL
ULTRA VIOLETTE Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil, £38 cultbeauty.co.uk
LOTTIE LONDON Body Glow Body Highlighter, £12.95 lottie.london
BEAUTY PIE
Awesome Bronze™ Flawless Self-Tanning Mist, £60 beautypie.com
RMS BEAUTY Luminizer, £39 rmsbeauty.com
HOURGLASS
Ambient™ Lighting Edit – Sculpture, £78 hourglasscosmetics.co.uk
PICK
GLOW FOR IT Rose Glow Blush Stick, £14 glowforitshop.com
ELEPHANT
D-Bronzi™ AntiPollution Sunshine Drop, £33 drunkelephant.co.uk
GLOW RECIPE Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, £32 sephora.co.uk
SOL DE JANEIRO Limited Edition Rio Radience Cream, £48 spacenk.com
HUDA BEAUTY GloWish So Radiance Bronzing Powder, £28 hudabeauty.com
The benefits of Nutritional Therapy: the perspective of a registered nutritionist
By KATE TAYLOR
“Nutritional Therapy may be considered the unifying recipe of systemic health”
Iam often asked “what is Nutritional Therapy?” The recognised definition is that it is “an evidence-informed whole-body approach to nutrition and lifestyle medicine”; however I like to streamline it à la Hippocrates to his intuitive philosophy around improving and supporting health and wellbeing through the nourishing power of food: “Let food be thy medicine.” Another question I am often asked is, “What does a Nutritional Therapist do?” to which I answer that the venerable benefits centre around ‘the whole person’ and understanding the subliminal, often overlooked root cause and/or mediating trigger of suboptimal health symptoms. Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioners and Registered Nutritionists have typically studied for three-five years and possess the knowledge to provide a truly personalised health service which clients can e ectively action and thereafter benefit from the positive outcomes. This is achieved through analysing a client’s existing diet and lifestyle, and creating bespoke programmes of mainly food, but also lifestyle modifications which are individually
customised to suit, nourish and rebalance (dietary balance is all-important in nutrition) the systemic health of each unique person. If necessary dietary supplements can also form a short-term strategic part of a programme, but they are not ‘the’ programme; the preferred strategy being food first.
Nutritionists can also recommend and interpret appropriate functional medicine tests to help identify root causes of suboptimal health symptoms. In terms of training, Registered Nutritionists are educated to utilise the nutrient power of food to support general health, then can specialise in a specific area of interest. Niches range from intricate knowledge of allergies, cognitive health, detoxification, energy, gastrointestinal imbalances, fertility, genetics, men’s health, menopause, skin health, thyroid dysfunction, sports nutrition and weight management.
Alternatively, Registered Nutritionists can specialise in specific health conditions, thus their expertise is sought for aspects of health ranging from straightforward diet and lifestyle adjustments for clients wishing to improve their overall health, to supporting clients with specific symptoms or
conditions. In a nutshell, Nutritional Therapy really can o er something for everyone.
So why would you embark on a programme of Nutritional Therapy? Clients typically have a goal in mind; whether it be in response to a medical diagnosis, niggling symptoms or simply to improve their health to live better with confidence. Using clients’ goals and motivations as a baseline, Registered Nutritionists devise bespoke and collaborative diet and lifestyle programmes tailored to the client’s preferences, personality, lifestyle commitments and health status.
One of the intricacies of Nutritional Therapy is that every single client is di erent; it can often happen that nutritionists will see clients exhibiting the same symptoms, but their health and lifestyle nuances mean their programmes can be vastly di erent in supporting them – as an individual – to improve their ability to manage their symptoms and regain their vision of optimal health.
This is often not achieved alone; Registered Nutritionists have carefully regulated boundaries and are meticulously trained to collaborate and/or refer clients who need more specialist skills and advice. I am lucky enough to hold face-to-face clinics at TG Gym & Wellness in Henley-on-Thames where a host of highly skilled health and wellness professionals ranging from accomplished (including Olympic) athletes-turned-personal trainers, Pilates and Yoga Practitioners, Sports Therapists and Aesthetic Practitioners come together under one roof to make it a truly holistic health-oriented establishment.
Nutritional Therapy may therefore be considered the unifying recipe of systemic health, underpinning a wealth of professional acumen through one of the most intuitive forms of thriving health: food.
If optimising your health through diet and lifestyle strategies is of interested, one-to-one Nutritional Therapy consultations with Eat Drink Think Nutrition® are available to book via email at info@eatdrinkthinknutrition. co.uk, or visit eatdrinkthinknutrition.co.uk
Two fabulous local getaways where you can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life
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Situated just 20 minutes from King’s Cross but a world away, The Spa at Cottonmill is a vision of unprecedented, internationally informed excellence. Conceived as a global leader, its founders have roamed from Utah to the Himalayas and everywhere in between to hand-pick the best elements from spas both world-renowned and secret, adding their own innovations along the way.
From Alpine infinity pools and German thermal baths, to Himalayan wellness retreats and Moroccan riads to Japanese sleep pods and cli top Californian spas, Cottonmill has taken inspiration from around the world to create a world class facility combining relaxation, connection with nature and restoration of the senses.
Designed to complement the dynamic needs of modern living, Cottonmill integrates with its natural surroundings, as well as providing the latest in equipment,
treatments and therapies. Within the spectacular Cottonmill, there is an inner sanctum, called ‘The Club’ at Cottonmill. Here, there are a number of additional spaces, including the spa gardens, accessed exclusively by only a select few.
Home to three secluded outdoor hot tubs, four double cabanas, a central firepit, an infinity thermal pool that emerges from within the spa and an outdoor shower, the spa gardens designed by Ann-Marie Powell, a gold medal-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show designer, are a space in which to enrich the soul.
Spa days at The Club at Cottonmill start from £199 per person with ‘The Club Day’ package and includes use of all The Club at Cottonmill facilities and lunch in The Pantry. Spa breaks start from £380 per person with the ‘Midweek Club Countryside Classic’. -
For more information or to book, please visit sopwellhouse.co.uk
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In the heart of Wasing Estate’s secluded woodlands lies a unique space of pure serenity: an authentic Scandinavian sauna and invigorating wild swim lake. Take a zingy dip in the lake’s rejuvenating waters before rewarming in their wood-fired sauna, which o ers panoramic views of the lake. Facilities also include handmade copper showers and a covered firepit to shelter from the elements from which an array of warming herbal teas are served during every session.
Their monthly members have exclusive access to the secluded lake and sauna during members-only sessions, but also have oneof-a-kind admission to unique workshops with specialist expert facilitators. Inspired by the Wim Hof Method, members are guided through rhythmic breathing techniques to harbour more energy, alertness and mental clarity while connecting with nature.
Their beautiful secluded woodland lake is available for exclusive-use hire so you can tailor your wild swim and sauna experience to you. Explore how they can host an unforgettable nature experience for your private use or special occasion. From massage therapists to lakeside catering, they’ll do their best to tailor your day to be exactly how you imagine.
Your hire will also include your own Wellbeing Host to welcome all visitors, ensuring your time at the lake goes smoothly and of course providing the herbal teas. Upon arrival you are free to swim, enjoy the sauna and embrace all that nature has to o er.
Experience moments of joy, peace and inspiration with every visit to this unmissable hidden gem, surrounded by nature.
Follow on Instagram @WasingWellbeing and find out more at wasing.co.uk
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By CARLY GLENDINNING
ELEMIS
To celebrate the 20th year since the launch of the award-winning Pro Collagen Marine Cream, Elemis has introduced a version infused with a soothing Organic English Rose Hydrolat. £94 uk.elemis.com
RARE BEAUTY
The weightless formula of Rare Beauty’s Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer gives a second-skin finish. It also glides on slowly, and is both buildable and water-resistant. £25 spacenk.com
Following on from the huge success of Q+A’s bestselling skincare launch in 2020, the British brand is now launching their first ever body care line. The luxe-yet-a ordable range includes hard working heroes such as Hyaluronic Acid Body Wash. qandaskin.com
Twelve in London is always a treat, but it’s even more so this time because I’m dropping my two-year-old at the kids’ club whilst I visit the spa for a facial. Me-time has become more di cult since becoming a mum, and there are very few places where selfcare comes with a side of childcare. The kids’ club at Cloud Twelve is a toddler’s paradise, with a magical forest-themed soft play area at the centre. My daughter runs o excitedly and I’m happy to leave her in the very capable hands of her ‘play buddy’ Poppy. Sneaking upstairs, I feel immediately relaxed entering the spa – with its dream-like ambiance. I’m booked in for The High-Impact Facial and I sit down with my facialist to discuss my current skin concerns. First, she uses crystalfree microdermabrasion to remove dead skin cells. It feels like a very gentle sucking motion on my skin. Next, she combines microneedling with a high-grade serum infusion. I hardly feel the needles at all, which allow for the serum to penetrate the skin at a deeper level. Finally, my facialist uses a spectrum of LED light therapy to target any acne concerns and facilitate skin rejuvenation. I’m so relaxed with the goggles on, I nearly drift o to sleep. Afterwards I join my daughter for dinner at the kids’ club. She’s had the time of her life and I leave with glowy, plump-looking skin.
The High Impact Facial £185 cloudtwelve.co.uk
Although there are some lovely places to enjoy a drink or a meal inside Horwood House, there’s also plenty of reasons to head outdoors and dine al fresco.
The gardens have quite the celebrity ‘roots’, the old Manor House being the birthplace of TV gardener, Percy Thrower, and his botanical heritage is evident everywhere. The interior design is a subtle blend of contemporary scandi-style tones that perfectly reflect the surrounding 38 acres of grounds. The natural flow from indoors to outside allows guests to be fully immersed in the Buckinghamshire countryside, whether they choose a relaxing brunch in the Spa’s secluded courtyard or three tiers of afternoon tea on the terrace.
Manicured lawns are perfect for picnics, freshly prepared and served by friendly sta and made even more of a treat with a glass
of fizz. Ideal for intimate twosomes or family gatherings with space for the kids to ‘go native’. There’s a spot just right for everyone. For a special summer celebration, Horwood’s team really put on a spread. Parties can book a banquet style feast with all the trimmings, very popular with wedding guests as the long table configuration makes the wedding breakfast a very social event. And, like almost everywhere at Horwood House, so photogenic! Water lovers can also enjoy a tinkling fountain as their dining soundtrack by opting to hold their outdoor experience by the lily pond.
Visitors have such a choice of venues and menus. From hot flame BBQs on Harry’s Terrace to simply sipping a glass of fine wine by the pond, Horwood’s treasures keep on revealing themselves.
It’s no wonder wedding couples head to Horwood to hold their celebrations. The long sweeping driveway is a majestic way to arrive and signals the incredibly high standards that await. In addition to the many open-air enclaves, like the blossom trees or the rose arbour, couples can now say their vows in front of the glorious Manor House or beneath a romantic old tree.
No matter what the reason for visiting Horwood House, it really is a jewel in the Buckinghamshire county, so close to the city yet a bucolic breath of fresh air that will delight all.
horwoodhouse.co.uk
“Guests can be fully immersed in the Buckinghamshire countryside”
Perched on the stunning Devon coastline, overlooking the mesmerizing expanse of sea, Gara Rock Hotel stands as a true testament to laidback luxury. Its unrivalled location is perfect for exploring nearby Salcombe and Dartmoor, plus dogs are welcome too. Combined with the exceptional amenities, it has become a favoured destination for travellers seeking an indulgent retreat in the south-west.
You can't help but be captivated by the breathtaking vistas that greet you as you arrive. The panoramic views of the sea stretching into the horizon never fails to amaze, whether you're lounging on your private balcony or sipping a refreshing drink on the terrace.
The accommodations at Gara Rock Hotel are an exquisite blend of comfort, style, and impeccable attention to detail. From elegantly appointed rooms to spacious suites, each designed with tasteful decor, guests
are treated to an atmosphere of understated luxury. However, it is the out-of-the-ordinary suites that steal the show, o ering guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience with their stunning sea views and unparalleled opulence. To satiate those discerning tastebuds, the hotel boasts an award-winning restaurant helmed by its talented Head Chef, Paul Hegley. Drawing inspiration from land, sea and allotment, the culinary team crafts a menu that showcases the best flavours of the region. With every bite, savour the freshness and authenticity of locally sourced ingredients expertly transformed into classic dishes with a twist.
For those seeking ultimate relaxation, the hotel's spa and indoor and outdoor pools o er peace and serenity. Indulge in a wide range of treatments designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. Whether it's a revitalising massage, a refreshing facial, or a soothing dip in the pool, the spa's extensive menu ensures that guests find solace and renewal amidst the tranquillity.
Beyond its remarkable features, Gara Rock embodies the true essence of hospitality. The attentive and knowledgeable team cater to every need with warmth and professionalism, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience for every guest.
In a world that often moves at an alarming pace, Gara Rock o ers a respite from the demands of everyday life. Nestled on the captivating Devon coastline, it promises an idyllic escape where guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature while indulging in the finest comforts.
gararock.com
“Guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature”
RELEASE AND STRETCH
Used post-workout, this foam roller is designed to help you to increase your range of motion, flexibility, and mobility. Plus, it gives you the added benefits of boosting circulation and lymphatic flow. £16; ampwellbeing.co.uk
Suitable for all experience levels, this set of resistance bands is designed to help you sculpt your dream body. The extra thick material ensures no snapping or rolling – even during intense workouts. £24.95; peachybay.co.uk
Absolutely meets Sol Bouille, Founder and Head Instructor at The Island, a Reformer Pilates studio in London
Q What made you want to open The Island?
A I used to work as a freelancer instructor in multiple studios around London. I had lived in Fish Island, Hackney Wick, for four years, and I noticed a great sense of community. I started to imagine that a Reformer Pilates studio would be a great addition to the neighbourhood. A place where people can not only come for a workout but also to meet each other and share a class together.
slower paced yet challenging class that will help you build the Pilates principles foundation. The mixed level class gives a variety of options on each exercise for every level, and our Intermediate Reformer classes are dynamic, faster and require a certain degree of body awareness, strength, coordination, balance and flexibility.
Q What are the benefits of Reformer Pilates?
injuries, boosts energy and can help with pain relief.
Q Do you need to have a certain level of fitness?
A No, the wonderful thing about Pilates is that each exercise can be broken down and adjusted to any fitness level, from total beginners to people that have been working out in other disciplines.
Q How do you inspire your clients?
These double-sided sliding discs are designed for core and stability work on any surface. The tough outer layer is good for hardwood floors and the smooth, plastic side works well on carpet. £25; lululemon.co.uk
Q What classes do you have on o er at the studio?
A We o er dynamic Reformer Pilates classes for all levels, we o er more than 40 classes per week at di erent levels: beginners, mixed level and intermediate. The beginners Reformer Pilates class is a
A Too many to mention, but Reformer Pilates is a mindful body workout that improves strength, flexibility, stability, coordination, concentration, balance and control. It develops a strong core by supporting and strengthening the muscles of the torso, hips, shoulders and pelvis. It prevents
A Every person is di erent. I encourage them to go one step at a time, I try to understand their needs, their goals, if they have injuries or not, and we build up from there, slowly adding more challenging exercises.
theislandstudio.co.uk
Absolutely discovers more about Iliotibial Band Syndrome and how Marlow Sports Therapy can help ease the symptoms
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is an overuse injury of the Iliotibial band with pain commonly felt on the outside of the knee. Pain is normally felt around the outer side of the knee or occasionally up the side of the thigh. It is aggravated with repeated bending and straightening of the knee whilst weight-bearing. ITBS is commonly seen in runners and cyclists, but can a ect anyone who participates in other strenuous physical activities.
The Iliotibial band is a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh from the top of the pelvis to below the knee at the top of the shin. It is continuous with the Tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and Gluteus Maximus muscles at the top of the thigh, down to the patella ligament under the kneecap. With the TFL, the Iilotibial band is an important lateral stabiliser of the hip (helping to stop the hips tilt to much to the side) when walking, running or cycling. Relative weakness in other muscles (such as glutes and thigh) often mean the TFL ‘overworks’, causing extra tension, tightness and friction that can irritate the
attachment and other structures around the knee causing pain and sti ness. Prolonged sitting can exacerbate tension along the thigh and knee because the hips are kept in habitually shortened positions.
The best way to prevent ITBS related knee pain is regular stretching and mobilising of the hip and thigh muscles. Runners should increase their distances incrementally to progressively train their muscles and body to adjust to the increased intensity. Strengthening hip muscles with exercises such as squats and lunges can help protect against and treat ITBS.
At Marlow Sports Therapy they use K-Laser Therapy to quickly settle symptoms and manual therapy techniques to successfully treat the condition. A personalised rehab exercise program is prescribed as certain exercises make ITBS worse, depending on individual circumstances. An appointment with Mark Skoyles, Sports Therapist at Marlow Sports Therapy, can help get to the true cause of a stubborn or recurring issue
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
"I have been having K-Laser treatment on my knee which had been sore. Since having the treatment my knee is 100% better, Mark is an excellent practitioner. I now have the K-Laser treatment to ensure my knee stays good. I highly recommend this treatment." Lady Dashwood, West Wycombe
“RUNNERS SHOULD INCREASE THEIR DISTANCES INCREMENTALLY TO TRAIN THEIR MUSCLES AND BODY ”
The Creative Ambassadors at Headmasters have launched a balayage collection showing di erent techniques perfect for a glorious summer. Balayage is a freehand technique which allows stylists to use a variation of techniques with foils, and tissue to provide a perfect blend of blondes to suit you – from super-natural sun-kissed to full-on ombre. Headmasters Colour Ambassador, Sian Quinn, here takes us through three key balayage looks.
“Luxe Balayage is one of the hottest hair trends this year,” explains Sian. “This year we are seeing more high-definition colour trends with clients asking for brighter face framing along with a full head balayage, with warmer
honey tones that reflect sun-kissed colour. This works particularly well on super-long hair although it can be adapted to suit midlength styles too. The key to maintaining the luxe finish is to keep hair well-conditioned, try Kerastase Resistance Masque Force Architecte Hair Mas 200ml £41.40 for an interim refresh and toner after six weeks to get rid of any unwanted brassy toners that can happen in the summer months.”
Natural Balayage is for that pure sunkissed look – even on darker hair colour bases. If you are new to colour or prefer to keep your natural root colour, but have your Headmasters’ stylist add a few ribbons of colour using tissue lights, this can provide depth and brighten and enhance facial features. Sian explains: “The trick to this colour is keeping a very soft tone
that is simply a few shades lighter than your own natural colour without going too warm. The great thing about this technique is that it grows out very naturally – although having a refresh of baby lights at six weeks will keep it looking fresh.”
Then, give your curls real impact with a balayage and curl contour. Sian explains: “Balayage can help to showcase curls’ natural texture and movement, but for extra drama and brightening e ect add a curl contour.” Unlike straight or wavy hair, this means your stylist will be picking out individual curls and using a freehand technique to create brighter balayage ribbons just where you need them. Combining these techniques means that your balayage will look amazing regardless of whether you style your hair curly or straight.
Whatever your hair type, colour, or style, give balayage a go this summer. At Headmasters, every colour is bespoke. Your hairstylist will provide a complimentary colour consultation prior to colouring your hair, and with the highest number of L’Oréal colour experts across all salon groups in the UK you can feel assured you are getting expert colour advice.
are renowned for creating beautiful, confidenceboosting hair in their 55 salons located across London and the South-East. Find your local salon at headmasters.com
One 30-minute Emsculpt Neo treatment is the equivalent of doing 20,000 crunches and is the first and only non-invasive body shaping procedure that strengthens and tones muscles. The end result is more fat reduction and muscle growth. The treatment is suitable for men and women, and with no downtime or recovery time, patients can go about their normal routine directly following treatment.
Emsculpt Neo works by emitting radiofrequency and HIFEM+ energies simultaneously with a single applicator, with the combination resulting in better results and optimising fat reduction than the individual therapies. The HIFEM+ energy stimulates supramaximal contractions in the underlying
muscles, causing the body to adapt by strengthening existing muscle fibres and creating new muscles. Before inducing the contractions, the radiofrequency energy heats underlying tissue and triggers an apoptosis reaction, causing the destruction of fat cells, which the body disperses naturally. Unlike other cells in the body, when fat cells are destroyed, they do not regenerate, so the fat is gone for good.
Emsculpt Neo can treat the abdomen, flanks, buttocks, thighs, arms and calves.
There are wide-ranging benefits:
• Builds and strengthens abdominal muscles whilst burning fat.
• One Emsculpt Neo treatment is equivalent to 20,000 sit-ups or squats.
• Typically, 16% average increase in muscle mass 2-4 weeks post four treatment sessions.
• Typically, 20% average reduction of fat 2-4 weeks post four treatment sessions.
• Average treatment time of 30 minutes.
• Four treatment sessions, 5-10 days apart.
• Tangible results can be felt after the first Emsculpt Neo treatment.
• Improve abdominal strength in those su ering with pain and/or weakness in the lower back.
• Improves diatasis recti (abdominal muscle separation) post-pregnancy.
• Ideal combination treatment with Emsella to improve strength from core to floor and address muscle weakness and stress incontinence.
Following a full consultation, a treatment pathway will be planned. Generally, a course of four 30-minute treatments, scheduled 5-10 days apart is recommended to reach optimum results.
Emsculpt Neo is simple and easy with no preparation required. The patient lies down while the applicators are applied over the treatment area for 30 minutes. During the treatment the patient may feel intense, but totally tolerable muscle contractions, along with a heating sensation, which is comparable to a hot stone massage.
If you’d like to find out more, book a free consultation at Aspire Clinic. Email info@aspireclinic.com, call 0118 931 3575 or visit aspireclinic.com
Emsculpt Neo is the only device out there that treats both fat and muscle in one treatment
Founded in 1992, The Fremantle Trust is a registered charity and not for profit organisation providing care and support services that enhance the quality of life of over 1,100 older people and adults with learning disabilities. They are committed to supporting individuals to ensure they are listened to, valued and respected at all times, with kindness and compassion, and they work in close partnership with individuals, families and carers to ensure changing care needs are met.
Over 1,300 dedicated and highly skilled employees are committed to helping people live life to the full. They fully support their people and are committed to continuous learning so they can continue to lead the way in their field.
Their services include care homes, extra care, residential and supported living schemes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes. They are passionate about putting the person at the heart of all they do to ensure they receive the highest possible standards of care and support, when they need it most. This is what makes The Fremantle Trust the special place it is today.
The Fremantle Trust is a not-for-profit care provider and a registered charity supporting older people and adults with
learning disabilities. This means that their commitment is to the provision of outstanding care and support to vulnerable people, rather than to private profit. This allows them to ensure that their integrity and values are central to everything they do. They rely on the generosity of their donors and those who kindly leave legacies in their will, and they make sure that every penny is used to make a real di erence in people’s lives. As an organisation with charitable status, they have no shareholders and they don’t have to pay out dividends, so they are able to invest all of their funds into ensuring that their services are of the highest standard and the wellbeing of the people they care for is protected and enhanced.
Their sta are enormously dedicated and committed to ensuring that the people they care for have the best possible quality of life. The enthusiasm and kindness of their wonderful volunteers is also a huge asset. Being a not-for-profit organisation, they don’t operate like a business, and instead measure their performance based on the outcomes they achieve for the people they care for. Their work seeks to enhance the lives of older people, including those with dementia, and people with learning disabilities, and more than 1,100 individuals benefit from their facilities and services. While many care providers across the UK operate as for-profit businesses, as a charity they stand out from the crowd. At the Fremantle Trust, they never cut corners, and every individual is cared for considerately and holistically in a welcoming environment.
fremantletrust.org
The Fremantle
, who are dedicated to improving the lives of many across the county and beyond
RIPPLES NEWBURY
These beautiful hand-crafted basins are created by pouring coloured concrete into a mould, which sits inside the purposebuilt machine. The machine then spins rapidly, creating enough centrifugal force to mix the concrete together and push the mould up and out, forming the desired basin shape. Once sanded back and sealed, the aptly-named ‘Whirligig’ basins emerge with unique patterns, creating an entirely bespoke basin. ripplesbathrooms.com
My father, Peter Bridgman, followed his father into the furniture industry, founding Bridgman in 1977. We began as a manufacturer of reproduction chairs and TV cabinets from mahogany and soon began supplying JVC, Grundig and Toshiba. The now King Charles III was even photographed alongside his family on one of our beautifully crafted chairs. In 1989, we introduced premium-grade teak timber garden furniture to our range, and that’s where the beginnings of the Bridgman our customers know and love today really came into fruition.
We’re always looking ahead at the future of home design by constantly innovating across the decades. In 2003, we quickly identified a demand for low-maintenance rattan garden furniture and began working with the finest rattan handweavers in the world to become the first UK company to supply premium rattan furniture. Then again, in 2011, we introduced water-protective and stain-resistant technology to create premium fully waterproof cushions, the only ones of their kind to this day.
Alongside our award-winning handwoven rattan furniture, we are proud to have expanded our outdoor o ering to include premium rope, aluminium, resin, outdoor fabrics and new mixed materials. We’ve also returned to our roots in home furniture with our exquisite handcrafted sofas and a suite of design led dining furniture, coming very soon.
There’s a distinct look of luxury that marries all of our collections, despite their unique design styles. But it’s very much in the feel of our furniture that you know you have a Bridgman piece. The quality of our materials and the attention to detail you’ll find, from the stain-resistant fabrics on our sofas to
The CEO of luxury interiors company Bridgman writes about keeping it in the family, blurring the boundaries, and why Old Amersham was perfect for them
the sumptuous comfort of our waterproof cushions, that is distinctly Bridgman. It is our commitment to the core pillars of quality, comfort and style that has constantly guided us throughout our four and a half decades.
Looking at our popular creations, for the garden our Kensington Collection is truly the finest around and always a favourite of our customers. Each luxurious piece of dining and lounging furniture is handwoven by our master craftsmen using luxurious Hularo wicker, the best synthetic rattan in Europe, and complete with our exclusive Fully Waterproof Cushions. And for the home, the theme of premium comfort continues with our bestselling Buckingham Collection, an elegant collection of sofas, armchairs and footstools that blends timeless simplicity with modern design.
We’ve viewed our homes and gardens as separate and unlinked for so long, but the two spaces are more and more often being seen as an extension of one another. By blurring the boundaries and unifying them, a sense of cohesion that extends the style and character of your indoor rooms out into your outdoors is being created. We’ve led the way in creating furniture designs that align with the style of the home, whether that’s contemporary, colourful or classic, while being durable enough to remain outdoors. This has resulted in more time relaxing, entertaining and enjoying the fresh air.
I always suggest to our customers that they start with their needs. It sounds simple, but di erent spaces and lifestyles have di erent requirements, and it’s essential that you establish these, as it will make choosing the perfect furniture so much easier. Think about the activities you'd like to do in the space before you choose your garden furniture.
We have two very exciting new collections arriving for the outdoors; the first, our limited edition rope woven Barcelona
Daybed was inspired by the individual design language, original materials and traditional craftsmanship of Spanish design. The other, Tropez, is our first mixed materials collection that you’ll be seeing more of next year. In the home space, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Best of British sofa collections, available in autumn, as well as all new handcrafted dining furniture that celebrates the natural elegance of wood with the tactility and sophistication of the most luxurious fabrics.
Our beautiful Old Amersham Showroom in Whielden Street opened in 2016. The area’s rich blend of heritage and modernity reflects our brand history and identity – traditional values of excellent craftsmanship and longevity with contemporary design and comfort.
bridgman.co.uk
Absolutely visits a stunning Grade II listed home just outside of Ascot and Windsor
Buck Farmhouse, a Grade II listed farmhouse within the semi-rural countryside close to Ascot and Windsor, showcases beautiful interior design alongside original features from when the property was built in 1829.
The property has been thoughtfully renovated over the years to o er an elegant and spacious family home in keeping with its original features. What’s more, Buck Farmhouse boasts excellent equestrian facilities.
The property is accessed via electric metal gates leading past the stables and paddocks to the farmhouse and paved driveway, o ering plenty of space for vehicle parking.
The welcoming reception hallway leads to all the principal ground floor accommodation, including a spacious triple aspect drawing room with wonderful views of the grounds and two stunning feature fireplaces, and an impressive open plan kitchen/dining/oak room with comprehensive cabinetry, breakfast bar,
wood flooring, integrated appliances and Aga. The oak room o ers panoramic garden views, a beamed vaulted ceiling, wood burner and garden access through French doors.
The upstairs accommodation comprises a beautiful principal suite with fully fitted dressing area, en-suite bathroom and double aspect garden views. A further four double bedrooms, family bathroom with freestanding bath, and separate shower room complete the first-floor accommodation.
The stunning rear gardens are mainly lawn, but there is a paved terrace that adjoins the farmhouse – ideal for al fresco dining and enjoying the summer sun.
Buck Farmhouse is ideally located for the array of boutiques, bars, brasseries and country pubs in nearby Ascot, Windsor, Virginia Water, Wargrave and Henley. The area also boasts some of the finest restaurants with Coworth Park in Ascot, as well as the Michelin starred Waterside Inn, Fat Duck and Hinds Head in Bray. There are excellent transportation links
as the property is 10 minutes from Twyford station, which is the Elizabeth Line, o ering access to Paddington and Tottenham Court Road. By road Buck Farmhouse is convenient for Heathrow Airport. A number of renowned schools are also within easy reach, including Eton College, Heathfield, St George’s and St Mary’s Ascot, and Wellington College.
Susan and David Green have owned the property for over two decades, so Absolutely had a quick chat with the former to find out a little more about the unique home.
Q Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the property?
A It was built in 1829 by Lewis Rose, the property has a stone on the front showing this.
Q Where is it located and what is it close to?
A Close to the village of Binfield and it is located between Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead. We are also close to Twyford train station into Paddington.
Q What kind of recent renovations have been implemented?
A A McEvoy and Rowley kitchen refurbishment three years ago is the latest renovation. The house over the 22 years we have lived here has had an oakroom/ conservatory extension, alongside a kitchen extension and lounge being knocked through for a triple aspect arrangement. When we originally moved in, we also built stables from the old cowshed that sat derelict – totalling up to four stables and two tack rooms, with a block of two additional stables in more recent years.
Q What is the first thing that catches your eye?
A The burnt headers front facade, the history and countryside location, and the big black electric gates.
Q How would you sum up the interior design?
A Traditional with a modern twist.
Q What kind of period features have been retained?
A Burnt headers fireplaces in four rooms, flagstone floor in the hallway, sash windows, large original fireplace with copper detailing in the hallway, and two original fireplaces in the second and third bedrooms.
Q Is the property good for entertaining?
A Yes, particularly with the large open plan kitchen/diner leading to the garden.
Q How many bedrooms are there?
A There are five double bedrooms. I’d describe them as classic in style, and there’s dual aspect on most overlooking countryside.
Q What else is there of note inside the home?
A The oak room, Aga, oak wood flooring, flagstone flooring that is all original, and the dog room with quarry tiles.
Q How would you describe the outdoor spaces?
A Formal well-stocked garden, private patio area, greenhouse, potting shed, three paddocks, six stables, ménage, two tack rooms (one with kitchen and toilet), private parking on the courtyard for 6/7 cars, plus parking at back for horse lorry and more cars.
Q Are there any surprises to be found when digging deeper around the property?
A The patio is made of some pieces of former gravestones – there is still the pathway through to the barn next door.
Q Do you have a favourite room, and if yes why?
A The oak room, as you can open all the doors and look out into the garden and hear the birds sing.
Q Who would this property suit?
A A young family who love the outdoors, anybody that loves livestock and country walks, and there are a few pubs that can be walked to in the area. We are also close to the Royal Berkshire polo club and polo is very prominent in this area. Horses / horse riding is also very prominent with multiple bridleways close by.
Buck Farmhouse on Howe Lane, Binfield, RG42 is on the market for £2,500,000. For more information, call The Agency Group on 020 3869 4083
Bathroom lighting is no longer a functional necessity, but an opportunity to transform your bathroom into a relaxing retreat. I love incorporating unexpected lighting options within bathroom schemes, from stylish pendants to impressive chandeliers, there are so many options available. This season, special finish brassware is proving increasingly popular, giving you the chance to match the rest of the brassware in your bathroom or create a statement with a bold colour choice. Brushed red gold, brushed brass and polished gold are all sought-after choices right now.
The boho bathroom trend embraces all the subtle imperfections of natural materials and introduces textures such as bamboo, wood, stone and rattan with their craft feel and raw edges. This laid-back look draws inspiration from nature, with a colour palette of olive green, taupe and terracotta, to help create an atmosphere for relaxation and retreat. Biophilic design is the buzzword of the moment and it refers to architecture which is inherently influenced by nature. More and more we’re understanding the link between our surroundings and wellbeing, and the importance of introducing greenery and natural materials into our homes.
This timeless material is seeing a huge resurgence in bathroom design, being used to create a sleek hotel-inspired look within the home. Previously popular grey marble is being replaced with warmer-
toned veining, which helps balance this typically cool material. Whether you go for porcelain or invest in the real thing, marble is a timeless classic which will never go out of style.
Visit Ripples Newbury at 51a London Road, Newbury RG14 1JN and enjoy savings across the collection throughout the Ripples Summer Sale. For more information call 01635 569900 or visit ripplesbathrooms.com
At Woolroom, they are committed to providing the most comfortable and sustainable sleep environment. With a focus on quality, craftsmanship, and environmental consciousness, they o er a unique experience that redefines what it means to create a cosy and sustainable bedroom.
They understand the significance of a good night’s sleep. Wool’s unique properties regulate body temperature, wicking away moisture and providing insulation, ensuring a restful and comfortable sleep. Their wool bedding collection, including mattresses, duvets, pillows, and mattress toppers, is carefully crafted to deliver the ultimate sleep experience. By choosing Woolroom, you are investing in your sleep quality.
In an era where sustainability is paramount, they are dedicated to minimising their environmental footprint. Wool, a renewable and biodegradable material, is at the heart of their production process. Sourced from British farms (with full traceability for the customer), the wool is carefully cleaned and processed using eco-friendly methods, ensuring the highest standards of quality and sustainability. By opting for Woolroom products, you contribute to the preservation of our planet, reducing your carbon footprint while enjoying premium comfort and the most natural sleep.
Woolroom take pride in maintaining strong relationships with farmers who prioritise animal welfare and follow the Five Freedoms Act. Their commitment to ethical farming ensures that the sheep providing the wool are
treated with care and respect. By adhering to strict guidelines and standards, they can guarantee that the sheep live in natural, spacious environments, free from harm. This transparency in sourcing process allows consumers to feel confident in their purchase.
Their products not only excel in comfort and sustainability, but also in design and style. Their commitment to providing the most cutting edge bedding (such as the world’s first machine-washable organic wool bedding), is matched by their commitment to providing the most stylish bedroom furnishings. From their wool bedding to stylish throws, they provide the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. By choosing Woolroom, you can create a cosy and inviting space while making a statement of sustainable living. Woolroom is not just a brand; it’s a lifestyle choice that combines comfort, sustainability, and style. Their dedication to using natural wool, supporting ethical farming, and promoting a greener future sets them apart from the competition. By choosing Woolroom, you invest in your well-being, while also contributing to a more sustainable planet. It’s time to rediscover the joy of comfort and experience the satisfaction of making a conscious choice for a better world. Embrace the naturally better sleep that Woolroom brings, and let their products transform your home into a sanctuary of comfort and sustainability.
thewoolroom.com
Mauritius Mini Corner Sofa with Dual Height Table & 2 Stools
NOW £1999 WAS £3570
Only 3 left!
With good looks and practicality in mind, the clever height-changing table offers versatility to your entertaining options - coffee table by day, dining table by night. Sink back and relax on the sofa or perch on the handy stools which can be tucked away when not in use.
Full collection available at Daniel of Windsor, shop in-store & online: www.danielstores.co.uk
01753 801 000
HAY
Hay’s Palissade collection of outdoor metal furniture was designed by French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, to be clean, minimalistic and functional. There are several variations of chairs, tables and benches. skandium.com
EDEN VERANDAS
Enjoy your garden throughout the year with a stylish Eden Veranda –with up to 25% off in the Summer Sale quoting code AM130523. Each veranda is constructed from the highest quality materials, which are bespoke manufactured. edenverandas.co.uk
ROTUNDA
All East London Parasols are handmade with traditional Balinese cra smanship with over 20 separate stages; from cutting the bamboo spokes to hand painting the golden lotus pattern onto the canopy. eastlondonparasols.com
Bergs Potter's Elizabeth Pot is durable and elegant with its stylish Gothic arches. The tall, slender pot is made of high-quality materials and is available in two stunning colours; grey and rosa terracotta. bergspotter.com
Ferm Living's simple Desert Lounge chair has a tubular steel frame that's perfectly complemented by a woven textile seat made from recycled post-consumer waste. fermliving.co.uk
Fire has been a vital part of human evolution and is embedded in shaping human behaviour. It provided a source of warmth and light which brought us closer together. It provided protection from predators, especially at night, so that we could relax, rest and sleep. It was a method for cooking food and creating more advanced tools for hunting. These cultural advances allowed human geographical dispersal around the world, cultural innovations and changes to our diet and behaviour. It also allowed us to socialise and work into the darker and colder hours of the evening.
In modern life, lighting a fire at home still has significant meaning. It adds a distinct ambience that sparks the same feelings of warmth and safety we all need to truly relax at the end of our day.
Now is the perfect time of year to start planning your new fireplace. Technology has evolved quickly so wood and gas fires are much more e cient than they ever were, and electric fires are the most realistic they’ve been. Fireplaces are among the most coste ective investments you can make to add value to your home. They are a coveted design feature that are relatively quick and easy to install, and they don’t require planning permission or any extra square footage of space to build on.
Switching to your fireplace can help control your energy bills with ‘zonal heating’ as and when you need it, any
time of year. Keep your primary heating system for the whole house at a lower level while using your fire to raise the temperature quickly and e ciently.
Don’t worry if you don’t have an existing fireplace or chimney, electric fireplaces don’t need one and wood and gas fires can be connected to a structural flue system that can either be run through your property to the roof or up the outside of your home.
Marlow Stoves has spent ten years building a formidable reputation locally as a small, family run business. They take great pride in the quality of their workmanship and customer service. They provide a full-service o er including the design, installation and commissioning of wood, electric and gas fires, fireplaces and ‘media walls’ that integrate stunning fires with entertainment audio and visual.
Visit their showroom and use their free consultation service to discuss your own requirements and find the best solution to suit your budget. They will take you through the various benefits of wood, gas and electric installations so that you can make a confident decision and enjoy the benefits of a new fire in your own home.
marlowstoves.co.uk
“Fireplaces are among the most cost-e ective investments you can make to add value to your home”
PEPPERMILL INTERIORS
Luxor Wood and Metal Stacking Chair Yellow, £58 peppermillinteriors.com
MOLLY MAHON
Elegant Empire Lampshade in Tuk Tuk Yellow, £85 mollymahon.com
BEADLE CROME INTERIORS
For scintillating, stylish sofas beadlecromeinteriors.co.uk
EDITOR’S PICK
LOUIS DE POORTERE Mustard Yellow and Chocolate Rug, £168 therugretailer.co.uk
ROSE & GREY Small Round Yellow Wavy Mirror, £62 roseandgrey.co.uk
BRITISH COLOUR STANDARD
Woven Plant Pot, £12 britishcolourstandard.com
MINDTHEGAP
Chinese Garden Wallpaper, £219 mindtheg.com
This kitchen features a design that e ortlessly marries simplicity, elegance and functionality, using a combination of ‘Natural Nut Tree’ and ‘Blossom White’ doors alongside the exquisite Neolith ‘Himalayan Crystal’ worktops. With a soft and elegant colour palette, this kitchen embodies a sense of tranquility and warmth.
The customer wanted a natural and organic feel to the kitchen. The warm tones and distinctive grain patterns of the ‘Nut Tree’ doors lends a touch of rustic charm, whilst the matt lacquered ‘Blossom White’ provides a clean and modern backdrop. Together they create a harmonious balance that is visually appealing and soothing. The porcelain worktops in Neolith’s Himalayan Crystal finish add a luxurious touch which is enhanced by its satin finish. The combination of the durability and stunning aesthetics makes them an ideal choice for a kitchen that aims for both style and practicality. Ensuring a modern finish, the LED lighting is adjustable and integrated into the kitchen, allowing the client to easily control the mood and atmosphere of the space. The play of light and shadow further accentuates the textures and tones of the materials, creating a captivating visual experience.
The client’s request for a muted colour palette that still exudes warmth is achieved with this design. The soft and elegant tones create a serene ambience, fostering a sense of tranquility and comfort in the kitchen. The clean lines and uncluttered layout further allow for easy navigation and smooth workflow. This kitchen goes above and beyond meeting the client’s expectations as it harmoniously blends aesthetics, functionality and the desired ambience. The use of the warm finishes and modern Siemens appliances achieves a
balance between visual appeal, practicality and the desired serene and inviting atmosphere. This kitchen design captures the essence of simplicity, elegance and e ciency. The choice of materials, colour palette, lighting and appliances all contribute to a space that is both visually stunning and highly functional. Whether the client is cooking, entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet moment, this kitchen o ers a quiet and inviting environment for the client and their loved ones to gather and create lasting memories, all while ensuring an ergonomic design that will stand the test of time.
To find your nearest Poggenpohl dealer, visit poggenpohl.com or phone 01737 728 100
“The client's request for a muted colour palette that still exudes warmth is achieved with this design”
Nestled among the Chiltern Hills, the scenic and historic village of Wooburn Green on the River Wye in Buckinghamshire will be home to the latest community by developer Pegasus. O ering a sociable lifestyle centred on the Green with charming pubs, restaurants, cafés and shops, Wooburn Bales will be a contemporary collection of one, two and three bedroom later living apartments created exclusively for those enjoying life over 60.
With wellbeing at the heart of everything, Pegasus Wooburn Bales has been expertly crafted to nurture your comfort, contentment and wellness. One of the brilliant advantages of a Pegasus
community is their Lifehosts; dedicated, on-hand resident support, there to book a local restaurant, or organise your weekly book club. At the heart of this community, a delightful shared lounge, with doors opening out onto the patio area overlooking beautifully landscaped grounds, you will also be able to enjoy long afternoons outdoors in the warmer months. Each apartment feels well connected to the outdoors, whether through terraces, balconies or large windows. These flood the apartments with light and o er verdant views. Contemporary kitchens make food preparation a pleasure, with flawless solid stone worktops, integrated appliances and ergonomic design to make for easier movement. Sleek bathrooms, fitted with custom built vanity units and discreet safety features, provide plenty of storage space.
Truly o ering the best of both worlds, the village is in close proximity to towns including Henley and Marlow. Wooburn Green as a village has many beautiful, open green spaces making it a picturesque and charming spot. On the other hand, the fast and easy access to London and Oxford from Bourne End station means you are perfectly placed to also enjoy the cultural riches of the city.
Wooburn Bales is ready to welcome you to your wonderful new home, all in the comfort of a community designed with you in mind. With options to buy or rent, it’s all about the choice of freedom and flexible living.
Apartments at Wooburn Bales are now available to reserve o -plan with prices starting at £390,000 to purchase and £2,260 pcm to rent.
Book your private viewing of their show home or contact their sales team for more information. Call 01628 918061 or email wooburnbales@lifestory.group
To find out more, visit lifestory.group/wooburn-bales
Mallorca's Carrossa Hotel and Spa is a luxurious retreat with a strong focus on gastronomy. The location is impressive too, with beautiful views over the eastern part of the island. carrossa.com
The southernmost of the Ionian islands, Zakynthos is small and perfectly formed. At just 17km wide and 40km long, it has an intimate feel with its narrow lanes winding through verdant forests and olive groves. We’ve never seen so many olive trees, of all shapes and sizes, with the oldest being there for over 2,000 years. Also known as The Flower of the East because of its fertility, it’s one of the greenest Greek islands and is also home to stunning coastal cli s, hidden sea caves, and of course those dazzling Grecian shades of blue from sea to sky.
The first of our two-centre stops is Lesante Blu, a luxurious and exclusive adults-only resort located in the picturesque village of Tragaki, a short drive from the airport. Perched on high it looks out over the sparkle of the mesmerising azure sea. It’s a view we can’t tear ourselves away from, and luckily everything is designed to ensure we don’t have to, wherever we are.
Our spacious suite is bright and contemporary with a lavish marble-clad bathroom. We’re immediately drawn to the balcony which looks across the shimmering, terraced infinity pools and lush manicured gardens towards the private beach and the bluest of horizons. The perfect spot to while away the time made all the more indulgent by our own personal hot tub bubbling away in the corner. We spend our days exploring every corner of the resort. We take advantage of the serenity of the Essence Spa and emerge revitalised after
We enjoy the bluest seas from the luxurious Lesante resorts in Zakynthos
a therapeutic massage. The sandy beach with its ultra-comfy beach beds is the perfect spot for relaxation and a dip in the balmy sea and refreshment is never far away with the Ostria pool bar and chic beach bar, both close by, and a beach-side restaurant serving a vast selection of delightful dishes. At night we treat ourselves to dinner at the main restaurant, Melia, enjoying the flavours of the Mediterranean and seasonal local ingredients. Every mouthful is a treat at Lesante Blu, and it’s a wrench to tear ourselves away.
Luckily we don’t have far to go, and our next destination, Lesante Cape, is the latest addition to the Lesante collection and about a 10-minute drive away. It opened in June 2022 and is quite simply stunning. The village-style resort is inspired by traditional architecture and design with beautiful stonework and flowers and herbs that fill the warm air with their delicious aromas.
Lesante Cape days start with the sensational breakfast spread (we’ve never seen so many early morning sweet and savoury treats). We also enjoyed leisurely poolside lunches and fine dining evenings. The food is heavenly, and every restaurant comes with a view. We loved the artisanal shops, wine cellar (Zakyntheon wine is surprisingly good), cultural museum, and traditional taverna at the heart of the resort.
Think meaty kebabs, succulent salads and dips,
plate smashing and exuberant Greek dancing. There’s an onsite fruit and vegetable garden with its stunning outdoor kitchen where we enjoyed a cooking lesson and sampled the ultimate farm-totable lunch. Nourishing the local environment as well as its guests is paramount at Lesante Cape.
We took time out to explore more of the island, meandering around the streets of the capital, Zakynthos Town, with its colourful bougainvillea spilling over the whitewashed buildings and its picturesque yacht-filled harbour. And we browsed in the cornucopian shops of nearby Tsilivi, a bustling little town with a beautiful beach and myriad bars and restaurants. We took to the sea for a private yacht cruise and visited the loggerhead turtle beach the island is famous for. We even tried creating our own pottery at the Hanne Mi Ceramic Art Studio (ceramichannemi.com) before returning to our Greek island home to absorb more of those turquoise vibes in Lesante luxury. You can never have too much of that, after all.
lesantecollection.gr/ lesantecape.gr/ lesanteblu.gr/
“The village-style resort is inspired by traditional architecture with beautiful stonework and flowers”
The Gleneagles experience is oneof a kind – you can now enjoy it from the comfort of a Glenmor luxury holiday home, located in the heart of Gleneagles. On your stay you can enjoy complimentary golf for one person, plus access to all of the leisure, dining and pursuits of the 5 star estate. We have 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties available, perfect for all the family. With prices starting from £3,680 for a 2 bed, £4,630 for a 3 bed and £5,080 for a 4 bed for 7 nights.
Find out more: GLENEAGLES.COM/GLENMOR + 44 (0)1764 694321 OWN@GLENEAGLES.COM
Set in miles of Cotswolds countryside and more than 150 lakes, De Vere Cotswold Water Park, is an idyllic location for a relaxing staycation this Summer.
The hotel has over 300 guest rooms including beautiful lakeside apartments that o er breath-taking views over the lakes of the Cotswold Water Park. The lakeside apartments are perfect for families and couples alike with the option of either one or two bedrooms, plus they’re dog-friendly!
The apartments o er the choice of self-catering, or you are welcome to dine in either The Brasserie or The Old Boathouse restaurants onsite. Be sure to make use of Spa 6 throughout your stay too.
The Vineyard Hotel, Newbury is a fantastic location for a mini break, with a special focus on food
The Vineyard Hotel in Newbury is a luxurious and elegant destination that o ers a truly exceptional experience for its guests. From the moment you step foot inside the hotel, you are greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that sets the stage for a memorable stay.
The hotel's architecture is a blend of contemporary design and classic elegance, creating a visually stunning backdrop. The interiors are beautifully decorated, with attention to detail evident in every corner. The hotel boasts an impressive art collection, featuring works from renowned artists, further enhancing its sophisticated ambiance.
Rooms are tastefully furnished and equipped with modern amenities to ensure your comfort. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the plush bedding to the high-quality toiletries provided. The rooms also o er stunning views of the hotel's picturesque surroundings, adding to the overall charm.
One of the highlights of The Vineyard is its exceptional dining experience. The hotel is home to a Michelin star restaurant, where guests can indulge in a culinary journey like no other. The menu is carefully curated, showcasing the finest local produce and a creative fusion of flavours. The sommeliers at The Vineyard are more than happy to guide you through their extensive wine list, ensuring the perfect pairing for your meal.
For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, visit The Vineyard spa. Here, you can pamper yourself with a range of luxurious Irene Forte treatments and therapies, all designed to help you unwind and de-stress. The spa facilities are topnotch, featuring a sauna, steam room, and a fully equipped fitness centre.
The Vineyard Hotel in Newbury is a true gem, o ering a luxurious and unforgettable experience. With its stunning architecture, elegant interiors, exceptional dining, and impeccable service, The Vineyard is undoubtedly a destination worth visiting.
Catch, a new experience at The Vineyard Hotel, is a delightful culinary destination that o ers a remarkable al fresco dining experience. With its warm and inviting ambiance, attentive sta , and exquisite menu, Catch has quickly become a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
The restaurant boasts a modern and stylish décor, creating an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. Seating is comfortable, and the lighting is just right, setting the perfect mood for an enjoyable dining experience. Catch has a diverse and creative menu. The chefs skilfully combine fresh, seasonal ingredients to craft dishes that are not only visually stunning, but also bursting with flavour. From seafood delicacies like seared scallops and grilled lobster to mouthwatering meat options like succulent steaks, the menu o ers something for everyone.
Flavours are well-balanced, and the culinary techniques used showcase the skill and expertise of the kitchen sta . Service is top-notch, plus there is an extensive wine list that complements the menu perfectly. The sommelier can recommend the perfect pairing to enhance your dining experience.
Overall, Catch is a true gem in the culinary scene. With its inviting ambiance, exceptional menu and impeccable service, it is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience. Whether you're a seafood lover or prefer other culinary delights, Catch is sure to impress.
the-vineyard.co.uk
“Stunning architecture, elegant interiors, exceptional dining, and impeccable service”
The National Trust’s Summer of Play invites families over the summer school holidays to experience Trust places in new and exciting ways. Set against the backdrop of the National Trust’s historic houses and beautiful gardens, Summer of Play activities will have a familyfestival feel with designated areas full of outdoor games and experiences. Let imaginations run wild. nationaltrust.org.uk
A new book tells the iconic story of Elstree School from 1848 to today. Here the author picks out some past snippets
By HUGO VICKERS
Elstree School has been housed in the former Woolhampton House, not far from Reading. since 1939. It has thrived and developed beyond recognition in the last 84 years.
The original school was situated at Hill House, a mansion in Elstree, Hertfordshire from 1848 until the move. Built in 1779, it had a huge chestnut tree (said to be 1,000 years old) outside the front door. Years later, it became a rehabilitation centre for men su ering from emotional and nervous disorders. Today it is a residential care home.
School buildings were added to the Manor House. The lavatories were primitive – an outdoor shed housed two rows of sandtoilets. One pupil wrote that in winter these seemed to be ‘the world’s coldest and draftiest privies, and in summer its most distressingly odoriferous’.
At the beginning of the Second World War, the British Army took possession of the school buildings at Old Elstree and the school moved, almost overnight. The Headmaster, Commander Ian Sanderson, had his eye on Woolhampton, and negotiated with the recently widowed owner, Countess Gurowska. He secured a 21-year lease. The removal vans arrived on 14 September and all the school paraphernalia had gone by 22 September.
Classes were held in the dining room and around the house with three temporary classrooms built nearby. There was a distinct lack of facilities. Conditions were Spartan. The boys used to bathe in the larger of the two lakes, though only occasionally. Now of course it is a magnificent and fully running school.
Ted Sanderson was the second of two generations of Sandersons who ran the school as Headmaster. He was at Harrow with a boy called Jack Galsworthy, who turned into the man who wrote The Forsyte Saga. Ted and Jack went to Australia together in 1892 hoping to meet Robert Louis Stevenson, the famous author. In that they failed, but on the sailing ship on the way back, Torrens, they made
friends with the first mate – a thin, dark Polish man, with long arms and broad shoulders. He seemed to have tales to tell. Back home, Ted and his mother encouraged him. With their help, he published Alamayer’s Folly and Outcast of the Islands. When he published The Mirror of the Sea in 1906, he dedicated it to Ted’s mother, Katherine Sanderson. He became famous as Joseph Conrad.
In the school corridor there is a photograph of the cricket XI in 1910, a group of confident young men on the brink of life. Six of these pupils lost their lives whilst serving their country during the First World War.
• 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Cyril Lawson served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from August 1915. He was wounded at Arras in March 1916 and died in No.4 London General Hospital on 6 July 1917.
• 2nd Lieutenant John Bell Hughes was sent to France on 20 August 1917. He went over in the attack of 20 September 1917 and was very soon killed.
• 2nd Lieutenant John Christopher Frederick Magnay was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on 23 April 1917, ten days
after his cousin, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Magnay, also died there.
• 2nd Lieutenant Lionel St George Mordaunt-Smith joined his battalion in the trenches and remained there until he was killed gallantly leading his platoon against the German trenches during the Second Battle of Ypres at Richebourg-Saint Vaast, Pas de Calais, France on 15 May 1915.
• Cadet Guy Deane Thorley became a cadet in the Bedfordshire Regiment, attached to 19th O.C. Battalion. He died on 3 August 1918 in the Military War Hospital, Napsbury, St Albans.
• Lieutenant Cyril Arthur George Lutyens was in command of his company in the attack on Houthoulst Wood, Passchendaele on 9 October 1917. After gaining his objective, he was killed by a shell which burst in his company headquarters.
None of the First World War victims was mourned so widely as Major Robert Gregory, MC. He played cricket for Ireland, taking 8 for 80 with leg spin bowling in a first-class match against Scotland in 1912 (the fourth-best match for Ireland, and his bowling average of 10.22 was Ireland’s second-best record). He excelled at bowls, he boxed, and was a fine equestrian, both in the hunting field and racing point-to-point. He was accidentally killed on 23 January 1918, when an Italian pilot shot his plane down by mistake as he flew back from across Austrian lines. W.B. Yeats and George Bernard Shaw mourned his loss.
The names of the dead were read out every year on Armistice Day until the practice was ceased in 1976. The reading of the names also had a profound e ect on young Sebastian Faulks, a pupil at the school, who was inspired by this to write Birdsong in 1993.
The school has produced many famous old boys, amongst them Field Marshal Lord Bramall, Sandy Wilson, who wrote The Boyfriend, while one of the choristers later shot into the charts as James Blunt. Andrew Birkin (brother of Jane) is remembered as the naughtiest boy at Elstree.
Elstree 175: Celebrating 175 Years of Elstree School by Hugo Vickers is out now, priced at £35 (hardback)
“Elstree School has thrived and developed beyond recognition”ELSTREE HILL WEST FRONT WITH OLDER SOUTH WING LEFT OUT, APPROX 1835
As families and fans
flock to see the latest and most exclusive collection around of iconic Formula One racing cars and memorabilia currently being showcased at Silverstone Museum’s Exclusive Summer exhibition, the museum is also inspiring the next generation of racing heroes with its specialist education workshops.
School visits and engaging educational sessions, aimed at students of all ages, hosted year-round at the Silverstone Museum, are focusing on STEM and
motorsport careers, successfully shining a spotlight on multiple motorsport industry opportunities.
Handling real parts of Formula One racing cars, driven by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, help to inspire the young people who come to the museum as part of an education visit.
Since Silverstone Museum first launched its interactive, immersive, hands-on curriculum-focused workshops, thousands of young people from across the region, the UK and even international students have discovered how to forge future careers in the multifaceted motorsport industry. Steering the successful educational
programme of workshops, staged in a dedicated learning studios overlooking the iconic Silverstone circuit and tailored to pupils aged from five through to university undergraduates, is former Headteacher and lifelong motorsport enthusiast Rob Jaina. Having worked within the education sector, including as a Head of Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools, Rob changed career gear to become Head of Learning & Engagement at Silverstone Museum nearly four years ago.
Exciting workshops, curated and created by Rob, delivered by his team of specialists, help participating pupils learn and enhance their understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects and complement curriculum content. At Silverstone Museum, the team deliver workshops to all key stages from Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 5. The workshops explore the technology,
“Handling real parts of Formula One racing cars help to inspire”
design and science of race cars and for older pupils, including university students, explore the additional possible pathways and career options within the motor racing sector. Rob highlighted how Silverstone Museum’s workshops are designed to deliver what ‘you cannot experience in school’.
Some of the world’s top teams competing in F1 are supporting Silverstone Museum’s mission to help inspire students to consider careers within the industry. Rob has been instrumental in building relationships with key F1 teams including Mercedes, Aston Martin and Alpine. His lifelong passion for all levels of motorsport has seen him involved with the sector as a volunteer and a marshal for more than two decades. His extensive experience
has led to Rob being assigned as incident o cer at Silverstone Circuit, and for F1 Rob looks after the Hamilton Pit Straight start line for the British Grand Prix.
Rob says: “When it comes to creating the workshops at Silverstone Museum, my mantra has always been ‘do what you cannot do in school’. I started by collecting various parts of F1 cars including tyres and wings and then built the workshops around actually handling, looking at, feeling and touching these parts, which is so sensory.
“I wanted to ensure we catered for primary schools,” he continues, “and I also wanted to provide workshops all the way through to Sixth Forms and that evolved into engaging with the university sector as well. With my background I also wanted to ensure we o ered workshops for special schools.
“It’s not just about the driving, science and tech career opportunities within the sport, it is also about the marketing aspects, the sponsorship that the sport needs and relies on. At various levels, depending on the age of those in the workshop, we also look at design elements. We focus on careers, what is expected within the sport, what will make individuals stand out.
“We have engineered and developed the workshops, utilising the same car parts and technology, to make each session bespoke. This helps us ensure we make the workshops relevant for schoolchildren attending at a very young age, right
through to the university undergraduates.” Rob adds: “We are delivering something that you cannot do in the classroom. We are literally letting them get hands-on with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s racing car wheels and racing car parts. We also ran a hugely successful outreach programme with schools and, due to its overwhelming popularity, that is something we will revisit.”
Participating pupils enjoy unique opportunities as part of the educational workshops, which include being able to explore outside and walk along the previously raced on, now retired piece of track at the world-renowned circuit.
Rob finishes: “They get an up-close view to watch some on-track racing with motorsport activities taking place most days throughout the year, enabling them to see what they have learned about in the workshop actually in action on the track.”
In 2022 alone, Silverstone Museum’s education workshops were experienced by 8,500 young people and so far in 2023 the numbers already exceed this total.
silverstonemuseum.co.uk
Q How long have you been Head of Eton End School?
A I’ve been in post since September 2022. I was attracted to the role as being part of a real community is important to me as a school leader. Eton End has a strong heritage of being a caring and nurturing school, I could see opportunities to enhance this further and create a Prep school with a di erence.
Q At an early age, how do you look to inspire a love for learning?
A We are passionately committed to preserving and celebrating childhood while o ering an academic environment in which children feel psychologically safe to embrace challenge and be the best that they can be. Young children have a natural curiosity and desire to learn; too often the school system eliminates that over the years as they are driven down a knowledge, assessment-based curriculum. At Eton End, we believe that children’s interests should be harnessed to create active, enquiry-based learners who aspire to challenge themselves.
Q How would you say the curriculum evolves through the year groups?
A In The Nest (our Nursery), pupils discover the sheer joy of learning and finding out through play, supported and encouraged by sta to ‘have a go’. In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, a child’s learning will be supported in our calm classroom environment. Communication and creative thinking skills are developed alongside key academic learning around an exciting, well-planned and richly resourced theme-based curriculum with
Rachael Cox, the Head of Eton End School, on an inspiring learning journey and classrooms dedicated to mental health and wellbeingRACHAEL COX, ETON END SCHOOL HEAD
specialist teaching including art, robotics and coding, gym, swimming and games. Moving into Prep, our broad curriculum engages and enthuses the children to discover new talents and interests. They have the opportunity for sport, music, drama, technology, art, history, geography and languages – all within an environment that actively supports their health and wellbeing.
Q What would we find in a class?
A Children will always achieve their best when they have a sense of emotional and psychological safety as well as being physically comfortable. You would see happy and confident students in a creative, inspirational, safe environment. At Eton End, it is more about what you won’t see that makes us di erent; the traditional classroom is no longer the norm here.
Q Tell us about the new ‘calm classrooms’...
A Designed and created by a team of professional child therapists and based on research which shows that children learn best in a calm, comfortable environment, the calm classrooms are decorated in neutral colours, with comfortable seating, ambient lighting and a feeling of space. Inclusive and supportive of mental health and wellbeing, work is celebrated in a unique way through scrapbooks or frames on the wall. Round tables support collaboration and interaction, replicating the world outside the school building that we are preparing our children to enter. Classrooms all have an area where the children can relax, read and self-regulate.
Q Why were these changes needed?
A Since becoming Head, I have been conducting a listening exercise involving children, parents and sta , looking at how we can improve the school environment. When I spoke to the children about their learning environment, the thing they wanted to change most of all was the chairs. It sounds like a small thing, but it was obviously a big thing for them. It made me go back and completely re-think how we organise our classrooms and learning spaces. Our world is changing, the way we educate our children needs to change to keep up and ensure they are equipped for a world beyond our school gates.
Q What else do you o er outside of the classroom that aids a pupil’s wellbeing?
A We developed our Sunny Selves initiative, focused on the importance of enjoying solid sleep, fabulous food, a love of learning, real relationships and mindful moments. We also do Weekend Walks, Saturday Socials and West End family theatre trips o ering families and sta the opportunity to spend time together in a way that builds our school community.
Q When pupils leave you at 11, what are they prepared for?
A Many of our pupils are awarded scholarships in the independent sector. We are proud of our reputation for careful, thoughtful preparation that is designed to reduce stress and promote a healthy approach to this next stage of life. We work closely with parents to advise on future schools and prepare each child for the school of their choice. More importantly, our core philosophy is to foster in each child the confidence that allows them to think and act independently, preparing themfor the future. It’s always a joy to see this process in action.
Q What are you looking forward to?
A Even more spaces at our school will be refurbished as calm classrooms over the summer. I’m looking forward to seeing the pupils after the holidays – inspired by and settling into their new learning environment.
etonend.org
“Classrooms all have an area where the children can relax, read and self-regulate”
Independent day and boarding school in Bushey, St Margaret’s, hosted a week-long Arts Festival in celebration of music, art and theatre across the entire school community recently. Pupils across all year groups were treated to a whole week, off timetable, to enjoy an array of theatrical performances and music and dance workshops and taster sessions, as well as visits from special guest speakers and performers from the arts sector.
Showcasing the diverse range of talent at the Hertfordshire school, pupils at St Margaret’s were lucky enough to watch a piano recital by award-winning pianists Lara Melda (winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2010) and her sister Melis Azra, as part of an Earthquake Relief Recital to raise money for Turkey and Syria. A group of Year 10 pupils also performed a variety of classic, comedic and naturalistic monologues to a live audience, and the school’s Year 9 and 10 cohort also gave a playful portrayal of traditional ‘cautionary tales’ to parents. stmargarets-school.org.uk
Heathfield School, Ascot – an independent secondary boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, rated ‘Excellent’ across all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate – is delighted to welcome John Endean as its new Director of Summer Courses. With over 35 years’ experience in planning and delivering top-class holiday activities and learning, and with the last 16 years spent at other prestigious independent schools, John is passionate about providing the best possible experiences, adventures and academics for all the girls attending Heathfield’s Summer Camp and Summer School. Commenting on his new appointment, John says: “I’m extremely excited – I can’t wait for summer school
St George’s School Windsor Castle, a pioneering prep school for children aged three to 13, has been named the winner of the ‘Creating a Mentally Healthier Workplace Award’ from the Health In Education Association (hieda). The award recognises a school which has shown a proactive and open approach to mental wellbeing and continued support and development of mental health for all. For St George’s this has included opening a Wellbeing Hub, embedding the MindUp mindfulness programme with daily ‘brain breaks’ from Kindergarten upwards, training Year 8 student volunteers to be Peer Listeners, and holding wellbeing walks with Olive, the school dog. The school also learned they had been shortlisted in the Independent Pre Prep School of the Year category at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards. stgwindsor.org
to start! Heathfield has been running extremely successful summer courses for over 40 years, and I aim to continue to build on this great tradition. The summer courses bring the girls together to live, socialise and study in Heathfield’s stunning 36 acre grounds, in a positive and enjoyable meeting of cultures. For many of the attendees, this will be one of the highlights of their young lives.”
heathfieldschool.net
Returning to the stunning natural landscape of the Wasing Estate near Reading for its fourth year from 17-21 August 2023, Medicine Festival – an alcohol and drug-free event –o ers a remedial alternative to the archetypal rock ‘n’ roll hedonism that permeates the UK festival season.
Remi Olajoyegbe, co-founder of Medicine Festival, says: “With indigenous elders once again headlining our event, this year’s festival will be a Mecca for wellbeing, ceremony, world music, dance, sacred activism, nature connection, multicultural arts and a joyful celebration of diversity.”
Expanding in response to popular demand for 2023, Medicine will increase its numbers on site from 3,500 to 5,000 this year. Reflecting this expansion, new areas will include Soil & Soul: a space for learning permaculture and land-based skills; The Nest: a hidden woodland venue hosting crosscultural folk music; Ubuntu: showcasing changemakers and undiscovered talent from the African Diaspora; and Sacred Sound Temple: holding voice/sound workshops and medicine music performances.
A C.I.C and not-for-profit organisation holding the principle of reciprocity at its core, Medicine’s founding principle is that all profits each year go towards empowering indigenous peoples to preserve and protect their land, traditions and wisdom. Finally making a profit for the first time in 2022, Medicine has so far donated over £33k to selected charities like Survival International and Amazon Watch, and a variety of exciting projects across the globe, including a cultural restoration initiative for the Yawanawa tribe in Brazil and a programme providing education for Tibetan monks. “Four years in
the making, we are delighted that the prayer of Medicine has finally become a reality,” says Zak Avery, co-director of Medicine Festival.
The eclectic mix of music at this year’s event will encompass world music, folk, electronic dance and sacred songs from di erent global traditions. Talks with leading thought leaders, changemakers and environmentalists include feminist author and social critic Minna Salami, ‘Natural Lifestylist’ Tony Riddle, and celebrated US countercultural philosopher, Charles Eisenstein (via Livestream).
The Family Area will o er fun games, creative activities, storytelling and workshops in music making, bushcraft, foraging and sharing skills – and inspiration for creating a healthier and more sustainable future.
medicinefestival.com
why everyone is talking about…NINAWA PAT DA MATA - HUNI KUIN PHOTOS (Top, below and le ) : SAMUEL GEORGE PHOTO: REBECCA BROWN
