AUGUST 2023 / £3.95
PLUS SUZI QUATRO
The music icon on her love for Essex
• MAKING HISTORY
Marking 20 years of Haven House
•
CLEAN BREAK
The story of the Essex House Dolly
HEALTH & BEAUTY
SPECIAL
Over 20 pages of health, beauty, fitness and wellbeing
GET THE SUMMER LOOK AT BONMARCH É BRAINTREE STYLISH /
From initial architectural design through to completion. RKSIGNATURELIVING.COM
The Creek is a multi award winning family run restaurant and bar owned by Terence and Caroline Howard and offering classical British dishes with a European influence using only the best locally sourced ingredients
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
CELIA GREGORY, CLAIRE YATES
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
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The
Over 20 pages of the best for your mental health and wellbeing
76 NICOLA RODRIGUEZ
We meet the Essex House Dolly to find out the meaning behind the name
The Grade I listed Coggeshall Abbey
89 TREND
The top 5 products for the garden
102 JACQUELINE WILSON
The acclaimed author on following in the footsteps of Enid Blyton
111 TALKING HEAD
Rod Jackson invites us to Gosfield School
ABSOLUTELY-ESSEX.CO.UK
ABSOLUTELY-WESTESSEX.CO.UK
The online guides to inspirational living and what's on in Essex
ON THE COVER Bonmarché SS23 collection (bonmarche.co.uk)
Irecently made the leap to taking in a dog of my own. Not any dog – a Romanian rescue dog. And this particular Rommie for some reason did not like men.
Cue a rather painful four weeks where I couldn't go near her. If I walked into a room she was in, she greeted me with furious barking until I exited stage left. I couldn't get a lead on her, which meant my wife had to take charge of walks. It was all rather depressing.
And then, suddenly one morning, she jumped up on my lap. I couldn't move just in case she did it by accident, but lo and behold, she started to come to me for strokes and was happy for me to take the lead. Now, nearly three months since that terrifying first night, we are inseparable.
What, exactly, is the relevance, you may ask. Well, she makes me feel happy. Not only am I out and about a lot more, but her joy in chasing after tennis balls in our garden fills me with happiness. It's all rather apt as this month we present our health and beauty special. There are many things out there geared towards making you feel better, and we are all different – but I hope within our pages you come across something as special as Clara.
4
9 ABSOLUTELY magazines
10 things we Absolutely love
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
Penelope Chilvers' High Catalina jute wedge has a peep toe front and canvas back strap and comes with cotton laces. Plus it's comfortable too, £139. penelopechilvers.com
To mark the release of Wes Anderson's Asteroid City, Grind have launched dedicated limited edition coffee pods Pods from the Future. grind.co.uk
eyewear collection
style seen through the
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
by Marie
The
comes in a stylish lime snake print; it's a comfortable and welldesigned summer piece. ameliesfollies.co.uk
Swatch has launched three watches inspired by the work of graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Pictured is Ishtar. swatch.com
These Lido earrings incorporate hoops of glass beads in white and turquoise dropping from gold hooks. wanderlustlife.co.uk
13 AUGUST
We're very excited to announce the Colchester Garden Festival will be coming back to Colchester this month. The event launched on 17 July and runs until 13 August (not 21 July to 22 August as we incorrectly listed in the last issue), so go along and enjoy impressive installations, workshops, and activities at this fabulous event celebrating the environment, green spaces, and gardening. incolchester.co.uk/garden-festival
25-28 August
RHS GARDEN HYDE HALL
This craft event will showcase 140 of the very best contemporary craftmakers and artists in the UK, and will give the public the opportunity to view and purchase direct from talented designer makers. Organised by Craft in Focus, they have earned an enviable reputation for selecting only the very best professional designers. rhs.org.uk
12 August
COLCHESTER CASTLE PARK
This family friendly festival in Colchester's Castle Park brings Ibiza DJs and atmosphere to the heart of Essex – complete with street food market and bar. Kids go free (one per paying adult) and can enjoy fun activities and attractions including a bounce area and face painting. Can’t get to the White Isles this summer? This is the next best thing. colchester-events.co.uk
27 AUGUST, COLCHESTER CASTLE PARK
Olly Murs has today confirmed he will be joined by Dagny and Sam Tompkins with special guests Scouting For Girls at Colchester Castle Park. Norway’s most exciting artist and live performer Dagny is certainly one to watch, and being often compared to Sam Fender’s anthemic truth-seeking, Sam Tompkins is an exciting addition to the Castle Park bill this summer.
ollymurs.com
Until 26 November
FIRSTSITE
See artworks by artists Ryan Gander and Bharti Kher in Firstsite’s new sculpture park. As part of their 10th anniversary, sculptures have been installed in the lawns and grounds surrounding Firstsite: The fallow (Bharti Kher, 2019) and Everything is learned, I (Ryan Gander, 2010). Experience these artworks up close, exploring how these interact with the natural environment, and watch how these transform as the natural light changes and shifts to outdoor lighting as darkness falls. firstsite.uk
FAMILY 10-13 August
COLCHESTER
CASTLE PARK
Now this is what summer was made for… The Colchester Summer Social features four days of movies, comedy, music, street food and a fully stocked bar. Movies to be screened include Elvis (10 Aug), Grease (11 Aug), and Top Gun (12 Aug), and there is a kids’ movie club and Kidz Bop in the Castle Park to look forward to as well. colchester-events.co.uk
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will headline a major outdoor concert this summer in the stunning grounds of English Heritage’s Audley End House & Gardens, one of England’s grandest mansions, on Saturday 5 August. The multi award-winning alternative rock outfit will head to Sa ron Walden in Essex for a one-o show featuring the band’s biggest anthems along with material from their most recent number one 2021 album ‘Back The Way We Came: Vol 1.’
Following a stunning sold out show in 2022 and due to phenomenal demand, Heritage Live has announced the return of Tom Jones to Audley End on 6 August. Demand for Tom’s concert at Audley End in 2022 could have seen it sold out several times over, so don’t miss the chance to catch him live this summer.
18 AUGUST, THREE WISE MONKEYS
Refusing to be confined by gender or genre, Witch Fever have always defied expectations as individuals in society.
Now, they’re defying expectations as a band. Their debut album Congregation (out via Music For Nations/Sony Music) is the sound of punk without boundaries of any kind, and with it they are ushering in a new era of heavy music that’s accessible, confrontational and, most importantly of all, a huge pressure release. threewisemonkeyscolchester.com
What’s more, Audley End will also host Soft Cell performing live in an exclusive outdoor concert, with very special guests OMD and Heaven 17 on 11 August, Sugababes with special guests Sam Ryder, Howard Donald (DJ Set) and Melanie Blatt (DJ Set) will be performing on 12 August, and Razorlight have announced a huge outdoor show on 13 August, with very special guests Embrace, The Feeling and Toploader.
heritagelive.net
TOM JONES
By CARL ALLEN
Suzi Quatro is a Detroit born and raised rock icon. Known as one of the pioneers for strong female musicians in the rough and ready world of 1970s male rock music, Suzi’s no-nonsense attitude, her trademark leather jumpsuit and Fender bass guitar soon became world famous. However, Suzi has not been confined to just music – she played Leather Tuscadero in the TV show Happy Days and has acted in many productions on London stages and has published several books. What many people may find surprising is that Suzi has lived in Essex since 1975, and since 1980, has lived in her 15th century home just outside Chelmsford in the Essex countryside. Absolutely was invited to share what she loves about her adopted home county and some of her favourite places in the county to go, eat and drink.
Essex has a real variety of natural environments, from one of the longest coastlines in the country to ancient woodlands, plus salt marshes teaming with wildlife and rolling hills – and this is one
of the county’s qualities that appeals most to Suzi. “I love that Essex has so much rural and natural environments,” she smiles. “I love that open space, seeing fields stretch out for miles and the network of country lanes that lead to small villages and hamlets, each with their own personality. There’s nothing I like to do more on a Sunday than to jump in my car and drive those country roads. Sometimes I’ll even get nostalgic and drive to where my first home was in Stapleford Abbots.
“Given that my day job consists of being on planes, hotels and on stages across the world, having all the perfect countryside around me is a great balance to the madness and helps me relax!”
The county has a rich history and has many monuments from different centuries and cultures which can be found in every corner of Essex, and it turns out Suzi is something of a history buff.
“I’m fascinated by history and Essex has so much in the county,” she enthuses. “I’ve visited every castle in Essex! Colchester Castle and Hedingham Castle are probably my favourites.
a
Suzi Quatro has called Essex home since 1975. Absolutely visited her to find out what has kept her here for nearly five decades
“The Essex countryside is a great balance to the madness around me”
“I love visiting museums too; sometimes when I have friends over from America, I’ll take them to Chelmsford Museum so they can get a feel for the area where I live. There is a display all about me with items that I’ve donated to the museum, a jumpsuit and one of my basses, and a few of my published book including my autobiography Unzipped. So naturally, I lead them to this exhibit!” she laughs.
With three cities and a real variety of market towns and villages, the county is a shopper’s paradise, from designer shops to independent retailers, there is something
for everyone and every budget. Suzi is a fan of the county’s shopping experience. “I love to shop,” she states, “and Chelmsford is a great place to indulge the habit as it has some really good shops, especially in the new Bond Street development and around Moulsham Street. I’ll always end up in the Pizza Express as I love their pizzas and it’s the perfect place to eat before going to the cinema.
“Although I love pizza, I also really enjoy top quality food,” Suzi adds. “The Michelinstarred Galvin Brothers set-up, the Green Man pub in Howe Green, just a short walk from my home, is great. For me, this was the first place in Essex that offered top quality London-style restaurant food.”
Essex has many top visitor attractions spread through the county, and as a mother and grandmother, Suzi has visited most of them.
“When my children were young, I loved taking them to Colchester Zoo,” she recollects, “we’d go all of time, and it was great to see the exotic animals. Now I take my grandchildren there and they are equally fascinated by the animals in the zoo’s collection. I am partial to all birds of prey, and could literally stand there all day long. I’m a big fan of the ‘open’ zoo idea.”
Suzi also loves to be beside the seaside and is drawn to the Essex coastal resorts. “I do like going to Southend,” she says.
“There’s something very British and very traditional about the seaside resort. It’s not pretentious, it’s very down to earth and I do like walking along the promenade there.”
With a forthcoming tour on the horizon, it seems that Essex has everything Suzi Quatro needs to get into the right groove.
Suzi Quatro is touring throughout November 2023, including London. For full details visit suziquatro.com
HEDINGHAM CASTLE IS A FAVOURITE
“I love to shop and Chelmsford is a great place to indulge the habit”
U N D E R S T A N D I N G T H
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H o s t e d b y H a s l e r s & d e l i v e r e d b y D e b r a D o u g a l , V A T P a r t n e r
O u t l i n e
O v e r v i e w o f t h e V A T O p t i o n t o T a x
W h o c a n O p t t o T a x : E l i g i b i l i t y a n d C o n d i t i o n s
B e n e f i t s a n d R i s k s o f O p t i n g t o T a x : F i n a n c i a l I m p l i c a t i o n s
f o r B u s i n e s s e s
H o w t o O p t t o T a x : P r o c e d u r e a n d D o c u m e n t a t i o n
C o m m o n P i t f a l l s a n d M i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g s : A v o i d i n g C o s t l y
M i s t a k e s
Q & A
W E D N E S D A Y 2 0 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 3
1 1 : 0 0 - 1 2 : 0 0
S c a n t o b o o k
Q Whereabouts in Essex are you from?
A My parents lived in Bishop’s Stortford and I went to school there, but my dad enjoyed sailing so we’d often head to Leigh-on-Sea at weekends. I moved up north but, around the time my daughter was born, we wanted to move back south. We couldn’t afford anywhere in London and I had fond childhood memories of Leigh so that’s where we settled, and have been here almost 20 years.
Q How did you get into comedy?
A I went to art college, during which time I was in a band and used to write a lot of the lyrics. My bandmates used to joke that I’d spend far too long in-between songs chatting to the audience and suggested I’d be better at doing that so I started doing performance poetry. A friend of my daughter’s mum worked in comedy and, unbeknownst to me, after seeing me do a poetry gig, entered me into a new act show on Channel 5 called ‘So you think you’re funny’. I didn’t really want to do it, but didn’t want to be a bottler either, so said yes and ended up getting to the finals and going to Edinburgh.
Q Your material features jokes about your teenage daughter, how does she feel about that?
A You’d have to ask her! She’s very generous in allowing me to use her as inspiration. She’s got a really great sense of humour and it wouldn’t surprise me if she ends up a comic herself.
Q You also talk about your experiences of suffering a stroke in June 2021…
A It was actually my second stroke. I had my first 12 years ago when I was 40, although at the time I didn’t know it was a stroke, something just felt off, it was a bit like walking
around with a horrendous hangover. It wasn’t until I had a scan a couple of weeks later that they told me it was a stroke. I thought it was a one off but then, when I had my second stroke a couple of years ago, I knew it was happening, which was really scary. It woke me up and felt like my head was in a tumble dryer together with a brick that kept hitting me, it was so disorientating. Because I knew what was happening this time, I was able to walk into A&E at Southend University Hospital, tell them and they rushed me through. The staff were incredible, but it was a very harrowing experience – I lost 50% of my eyesight and the psychological effects were a lot worse than the first time. Turns out I have a hole in my heart and some other heart problems, which they suspect is the cause, but I’ve had a couple of ops and have another in the pipeline to hopefully try and fix it.
Q How do you strike the balance between laughing about your own experience and being respectful to other stroke survivors?
A I have been criticized. It was eye opening to see how many people commented on social media after my BGT appearance saying I shouldn’t be joking about something so serious. But the positivity definitely outweighed the negative comments and I
often get people come up to me after shows to thank me for talking about it. When people ask me ‘how can you joke about a stroke’ I reply with ‘how can I not?’. My comedy has always been about me, my experiences of being a ‘son of a preacher man’ and parent to a teenage daughter, so why not my stroke? All my working hours are spent thinking about or dealing with the consequences of that experience so it seems ridiculous to then make jokes about Essex or biscuits. These things happened to me – one night, in hospital, I went to the toilet and sat down on another naked blind man, already there because I was too blind to see him. That happened to me. An extreme situation always lends itself to a good story. Plus talking about it has been good for my own recovery.
Q When you’re not doing comedy, what do you like doing?
A I love swimming and live right by the sea so in the summer months I try and go in every day. I’m not one of these people who braves the sea in winter, but I’d like to maybe try that this year. I also have a canoe and I enjoy going to the climbing wall inside the Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend. And the pubs in Old Leigh are great, so I like spending time there.
Q You’ll be stopping at three Essex venues. Do you like doing gigs close to home?
A I actually try and avoid them! I spend half my life at cities up and down the country on stage shouting at people and Leigh is like a quiet village really, so when I come home I like to live the quiet life and keep the two worlds separate. But I did support Jason Manford at The Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff because I felt that was too good of an opportunity, although I was very anxious. While I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, I still get nervous and I still do bad gigs now and again – you can’t avoid it. I think if I wasn’t nervous, I’d be a psychopath.
Markus Birdman’s Platinum tour starts in Southend on 1 September and will stop in Colchester on 15 September and Chelmsford on 4 October - see more at markusbirdmantour.com
HE LOVES THE PUBS IN OLD LEIGH
“Talking about my strokes has been good for my own recovery”
HE LIKES TO CANOE
Fri 25 – Mon 28 Aug
Browse and buy direct from the very best craft makers and artists in the UK at this five-day show. Your visit supports our work as a charity.
The Rochford District has its own charm and is richly steeped in history and enchantment with a proud past and a bright future
Within the 65 square miles of the Rochford District, you can enjoy some tranquillity in a bird lovers’ paradise, indulge in a hearty lunch at the various country pubs, learn about links to the Boleyn family and to Charles Darwin, or hear exciting tales of smuggling and local folklore. In all, there are more than 200 sites of archaeological interest, 14 Ancient Woodlands and several nature reserves waiting for you to explore.
Rochford has some unique historical sites you can visit, including the award-winning Rayleigh Windmill, with four floors open to explore and amazing views of the district and beyond. Why don’t you try your hand at milling flour and find out more about the Windmill's 214-year history from the brilliant and enthusiastic volunteers on hand.
Next to the Windmill is the site of a
Norman Castle called ‘Rayleigh Mount’, a castle that was also mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book. Although the castle is long gone, the mount still o ers breathtaking views of the district. There are various historic listed buildings within the district, including the Old House in Rochford, Rochford Hall (one time home of the Boleyn family) and the Dutch Cottage. It's certainly not every day that you get the chance to see an octagonal house! It takes its name from the association of this type of house with the 17th century Dutch immigrants who constructed many of the sea walls of the south Essex coast. Did you know that you can also get married in two of the district’s Grade II Listed buildings? Rayleigh Windmill and the Old House both host intimate ceremonies, perfect for your nearest and dearest, each with something di erent to o er as well as private gardens for photographs of the occasion.
The Mill Arts & Events Centre in Rayleigh
hosts a range of events, including weekly exercise classes, craft fairs, performances and parties. In August, the Battle of the Bands continues every Friday evening; socialise with some salsa dancing on Saturday 5 August; attend the monthly Folk & Bespoke Craft fair on Saturday 25 August, and a Music for the Brain event takes place on Saturday 19 August for those living with dementia and their carers.
Recreation needs are fully catered for with three golf courses in the district, and sports centres in Hawkwell, Rayleigh and Great Wakering. Sailing enthusiasts can also find much scope on the Roach and Crouch rivers, and there is a marina at Wallasea Island where you can take a charter (charterdiscovery.co.uk) and do a spot of seal watching and view the fantastic estuary and its wildlife.
Large areas of public open spaces are located close to the towns of Rayleigh, Hockley and Rochford in the west, within
the Upper Roach Valley, including Hockley Woods and Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park. Such open spaces provide accessible, quality leisure opportunities, which are all family friendly and form an ideal canvas for keen photographers and ramblers.
There is national recognition of the final resting place of HMS Beagle, a ship of significant historical importance, which is o the coast of the rural village of Paglesham in Rochford, and its associated connections with Charles Darwin.
The Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project is the largest conservation and
THERE ARE MANY GREAT MARKETS
“It's not every day that you get the chance to see an octagonal house”THE DUTCH COTTAGE
engineering scheme in the UK and Europe, being delivered by the RSPB. The island is geographically adjacent and offers a unique perspective of the final resting place of HMS Beagle at Paglesham.
Further afield are the outlying towns and villages, several of which are ancient settlements mentioned in the Domesday Book. Some of the villages are known for its smuggling connections; Hullbridge is closely linked to smuggling with smugglers trying to evade the watchful eyes of revenue men by dumping bottles
of brandy, and this area is still known as Brandy Hole. Although not smuggled now, Great Wakering is home to a local brewery since 2010, and welcomes tours to locals and visitors alike, sampling their awardwinning real ales (georgesbrewery.com).
With the prestigious London Southend Airport and a railway line to London Liverpool Street on the doorstep, connecting the district to other parts of the UK, Europe and beyond, visiting is hassle free. Whilst you're here you can buy some great mementos from
independent traders at the weekly markets, Rochford Square on a Tuesday and Rayleigh High Street on a Wednesday.
So, whether you’re seeking natural beauty, historical treasures or a taste of authentic local life, the Rochford District is a destination that should be on every traveller’s radar. Plan your visit today and immerse yourself in the wonders that await in this enchanting corner of Essex.
To find out more, visit rochford.gov.uk/leisure or visit essex.com/explore/destinations/rochford
“Wallasea Island offers a unique perspective of the final resting place of HMS Beagle”
BUSINESS : CEO, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance WEBSITE : ehaat.org
Q Can you tell us about your charity?
A We're a local life-saving charity providing a first-class pre-hospital emergency medical service across Essex, Hertfordshire, and surrounding areas. As a charity without access to National Lottery funding and with limited support from the Government, we depend on the generosity and goodwill of the people and businesses of Essex and Hertfordshire to remain operational. Each mission costs around £2,200, and it costs in excess of £750,000 every month to remain operational and cover all charitable costs.
Q How has 2023 been for you?
A It's been an extraordinary year so far as we proudly celebrate the charity's 25th anniversary. We started working from a small room attached to Broomfield Hospital and a small airbase out of Boreham – so we've come a long way! Today, we have bases at Earls Colne and North Weald, a Donation Centre in Stevenage, together with over 141 team members, over 400 volunteers and nine charity shops. Last year, we carried out 2,545 missions, 1,317 by air ambulance and 1,228 via our fleet of rapid response vehicles. This year holds special significance for me as I mark my 20th year with the charity. These milestones provide an opportunity for reflection on the incredible journey we have undertaken with all our amazing team and wonderful supporters.
Q What do you think it is about your charity that has enabled you to survive?
A Our story would not be possible without our amazing supporters. We've built long-lasting relationships with local people and businesses. Their generous donations, creative fundraising efforts, and words of encouragement fuel our mission and enable us to keep our local life-saving service operational every single day. We really couldn't fly without them.
JANEQ Do you see yourself as an important part of the local community?
A Absolutely! Our pre-hospital care doctors, critical care paramedics, highly skilled pilots and co-pilots are all focused on delivering the very best clinical care across Essex, Hertfordshire, and the surrounding areas. We also have our army of dedicated volunteers who go above and beyond, fuelling our mission whilst making a meaningful difference in their local communities. Together, we strive to create a positive impact and foster a sense of unity and support among the people we serve. It's the people's air ambulance. We are just lucky enough to look after it.
Q Where do you love spending time?
A There's nothing quite like strolling along the beautiful beaches of Mersea Island or Frinton enjoying some fish & chips or ice cream. I also love the
scenery of Hoe Mill Lock and Hyde Hall. Ware is another favourite of mine, with a vibrant culinary scene there are so many fantastic places to eat.
Q Do you still have burning ambitions for the charity?
A Absolutely! We're always shaping exciting plans as to how we can continue to provide the best possible clinical care, such as developing our clinical service with a new and ambitious structure, our Centre for Excellence. Our vision is to create a world-leading community through which pre-hospital care is developed to achieve the best possible outcomes for all patients. For me personally, I am relishing opportunities to do more mentoring and coaching for aspiring young people, empowering them to dream big and grow – making a positive impact on the world and their communities.
Over the next five pages, meet seven women who are doing amazing things in the business world
GURNEY
BUSINESS : Founder, RF Recruitment WEBSITE : rfrecruit.com
Q Tell us about your business and what you offer…
A I run my own recruitment agency in Chigwell, RF Recruitment Consultancy LTD, which is a boutique recruitment agency specialising in the Facilities Management and Finance sectors. I offer permanent and temporary recruitment services. I have 20 years’ experience of recruiting, having worked at a FTSE 250 company for 18 years as a Director prior to setting up my own business. I offer a consultative and sophisticated recruitment service with a high delivery rate.
BUSINESS : Owner, Hypoxi South Woodford WEBSITE : hypoxiwls.co.uk
Q Tell us about your business…
A Hypoxi South Woodford is a weight loss studio that has been serving clients since its opening in 2009. Specialising in weight loss solutions and body shaping, Hypoxi South Woodford offers an innovative approach to achieving desired fitness goals. My expertise lies in utilising advanced technologies such as HYPOXI, Technoshape, and Infrared Body Wrap to help clients attain their desired body shape.
HYPOXI, one of the key methods used at Hypoxi South Woodford, is a cutting-edge body shaping system that combines low-impact exercise with advanced vacuum technology. This unique combination targets specific areas of the body, aiding in localised fat burning and improved circulation. The Technoshape technology further enhances the body shaping process by using compression chamber belts for middle section (stomach and love handles), promoting lymphatic drainage and inch loss.
In addition to these state-of-the-art machines, Hypoxi South Woodford offers the Infrared Body Wrap, a non-invasive treatment that employs infrared heat to detoxify the body, reduce pains and aches in joints, and improve overall well-being.
Q How has 2023 been for your business so far and have you introduced anything new this year?
A We all are facing challenges with
rising prices. However, I remained committed to supporting my clients, demonstrating my dedication by reducing prices to ensure their continuity. I find it puzzling why other businesses are raising prices during these difficult times. We all need to support each other.
Recognising the importance of fitness apparel in maintaining an active lifestyle, I recently launched my own sportswear line, Fit Provoc, in January 2023. Fit Provoc offers a range of stylish and functional sportswear designed to enhance performance and provide comfort during workouts.
Q Do you see yourself as an important part of the local community?
A I consider myself an integral part of the local community, having positively impacted over 10,000 clients by helping them transform their lifestyles and improve their health. My clients hold a special place in my heart, as I have witnessed children growing up and have been privileged to be a part of their family journey as well. I would love to bring more life to South Woodford so that local people could run successful businesses, but we definitely need more support from the local authority.
Q As we approach summer, where in your area do you love spending time?
A I thoroughly enjoy being active, and my ideal day always begins with a workout, setting the tone for a day of exploration in the local villages and forests. With my family and our dog by my side, we often embark on long walks in locations such as Epping Forest or Fairlop Waters.
Q How has 2023 been for your business so far and have you introduced anything new this year?
A It has been great! I only set up my business in September 2022 so it is all still very new, but have already way surpassed my expectations for what I would achieve in my first year. I have worked with a variety of clients, large and small, local and nationwide and I am delighted at how many people choose to use an independent recruiter over the big agencies.
“I HAVE ALREADY SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT I WOULD ACHIEVE IN MY FIRST YEAR”
SYLWIA BLACKMAN
Q What do you think clients like about you?
A I think my clients and candidates like my personal style. As it is my own business, I really care about all the people I am trying to help find jobs and I offer a very high level of customer service including consultative advice to companies looking to hire and job hunters. I have a number of clients who have used me for over 10 years as we have strong relationships based on trust. I work really hard and I always try to be kind as I recognise job hunting or recruiting can be a stressful time.
Q Do you see yourself as an important part of the local community?
A I love Essex, we have lived in Chigwell for over 8 years, and I am proud to be a small business owner in the local area. Community is everything, and wanting to work locally is one of the reasons I stopped working in the city and decided to set up my business in Chigwell. I love giving back to the community and being on hand for my children who are at school locally.
Q As we approach summer, where in your area do you love spending time?
A As a family we love Epping Forest. I have two children, Ava 7 and Pippa 4, and a brand new puppy Duke so we will be spending a lot of time walking him in the beautiful local area this summer.
BUSINESS : Managing Director, Treehouse Nursery Schools
WEBSITE : treehousenurseries.com
Q Remind us about your business and what you offer…
A We have been offering exceptional childcare services since 1991. We provide a nurturing environment for children to learn and grow. Treehouse Nursery schools have also established ‘Raise our Voice’ charity in 2021. I am also the author of ‘Ollie & Lola’s Woodland Adventures’ – the book was inspired by my pets and dedicated to the children of Treehouse. It emphasises the power of friendship and empathy.
Q How has 2023 been for you so far, and what's new this year?
A This year has been a remarkable milestone for Treehouse Nursery schools, we have achieved our Eco schools Green flag, as the only nursery in Redbridge which demonstrates meeting the United Nations sustainable goals, and ensuring children’s understanding of how to keep the planet safe, followed by an Ofsted Outstanding at the Grove Montessori. We were highly commended for the environment, the curriculum and the behaviours of the children being exemplary.
Q Considering the tough few years we have had, what do you think it is about your
business that has enabled you to survive?
A What has kept us going through the pandemic was the positive mindset we kept, and services we continued to offer throughout. We prioritised the well-being and development of children and our community and were the only nursery to stay open for key workers during the pandemic. We also managed to achieve Ofsted ‘outstanding’ for The Grove Montessori. These successes and dedication to our community lead to us receiving the Mayors 2023 ‘Community Award’ for the second year in succession.
Q Do you see yourself as an important part of the local community?
A Absolutely! Treehouse Nursery Schools are integral to our community. Actively engaging in initiatives and events that uplift and support those around us. We raise funds for our charity as well as the Mayor of Redbridge charities at large-scale community events we organise for the community. Last year we received first prize for the Redbridge Borough at the Mayor's New Year's Parade, as well as third prize the year before, and watch this space for our fantastic show at this year’s parade, all in aid of fundraising for the mayors chosen charities.
Q Do you still have burning ambitions for your business?
A I have ambitions to open more nurseries and provide a safe and happy environment for more children to thrive and succeed.
BUSINESS : Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP
WEBSITE : g.co.uk
Q Remind us about your business and what you o er…
A Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP is a locally based law firm with o ces across Essex and Su olk. Celebrating their 40th birthday this year, with name is synonymous with providing clients with the highest level of service and best standard of legal advice.
Q How has 2023 been for you so far, and have you introduced anything new this year?
A There are many changes happening within the firm, all exciting and to enable us to be in the best possible position in the legal market for the future..
BUSINESS : Founder, Sister Sister Preloved WEBSITE : sistersisterpreloved.com
Q Tell us about your business and what you o er…
A Sister Sister Preloved is an online fashion store, dedicated to keeping clothes in circulation. Three years ago we turned our life-long passion of sustainability and second-hand fashion into this business to help others to shop preloved. Did you know there is currently enough clothing on our planet for the next six generations? That shocking statistic is encouraging more people to choose second-hand and we make that easy via our weekly curated sales.
Q How has 2023 been for your business so far and have you introduced anything new this year?
A It has been a great year so far. In April we launched our website having spent the previous years being based on Instagram – it’s worth following us there for previews of new in stock!
Q Considering the tough few years we have had, what do you think it is about your business that has enabled you to survive?
A We build trusted relationships with our customers and provide a high quality service which means
people rarely just shop with us once. There’s also a greater awareness now of how we as consumers are impacting the planet, so the sustainable fashion industry is thriving.
Q What tends to be the most popular purchase by your customers?
A Jumpsuits and dresses are always popular, and our customers love the wide range of brands we always have available.
Q Do you see yourself as an important part of the local community?
A Yes! Lots of our customers are local and it's wonderful seeing them in the school playground or walking down the High Road wearing clothes they’ve purchased from our website.
Q What do you love doing in your area?
A I’m so lucky to live right by the forest so I am there most days with my boys and my dog – our walks always end up at a local pub!
Q Do you still have burning ambitions for your business?
A When you’re wearing something fabulous and someone asks “Oh where did you get that?”, we want the answer to be “Sister Sister Preloved”. We would love for shopping second-hand to become the norm for those who haven’t tried it yet and we’re a perfect place to start that journey. The long term dream would be to have our own studio space.
Q Considering the tough few years we have had, what do you think it is about your business that has enabled you to survive?
A Our diversity and friendly approach.
Q Do you see yourself as an important part of the local community?
A Yes incredibly important, through our charity the FJG foundation we give thousands back to our local community, in the way of donations and grants. We are staunch supporters and can often be found with a pitch at a local community event!
Q As we approach summer, where in your area do you love spending time?
A Sitting in the garden with a nice cold glass of Pimms!
Q Describe your perfect day…
A A mix of retail therapy, good food and some family time.
Q Do you still have burning ambitions for your business?
A We never stop, we are always looking for new ways to be able to serve our clients, in all of their legal needs.
BUSINESS : Solicitor, John Fowlers WEBSITE : johnfowlers.co.uk
Q Remind us about your business and what you o er…
A John Fowlers LLP was established in 1924 and has thrived since. We are the go-to solicitors in the Colchester and surrounding areas, o ering a wide range of Private and Commercial legal services.
Q How has 2023 been for your business so far and have you introduced anything new this year?
A Considering the current climate, we have hit the ground running in 2023 and we are on track to have a fantastic year ahead. The company has also launched new internal sta resources, which have been well received.
Q Considering the tough few years we have had, what do you think it is about your business that has enabled you to survive?
A Our strong roots that we hold in the local and surrounding areas. We are a trusted firm which is showcased through our repeat clientele. Also, our dedicated team always o er a personable approach to all clients.
Q What tends to be most popular with your customers?
A Residential property sales and purchases form part of our largest instructions from clients.
Q Do you see yourself as an important part of the local community?
A Absolutely. As a firm we like to give back to the community and one way we do this is by holding regular charity events. The local community also take comfort that they can approach us with a walk-in, no appointment policy, and we will always endeavour to help where possible.
Q As we approach summer, where in your area do you love spending time?
A On a working summer day, quite often we will take picnic blankets at lunchtime to the local park where we enjoy the view of the Castle, and just catch up and switch o from work for the hour.
Q Do you still have burning ambitions for your business?
A In the coming years we see the firm growing in size, geographical areas, and the range of services we can provide, so it looks to be an exciting future ahead!
“WE ARE STAUNCH SUPPORTERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND WE GIVE THOUSANDS BACK”
Experience culinary excellence at The Angel Inn, a fine dining haven in Stoke-by-Nayland.
Led by Head Chef Ruben Aguilar Bel, this hidden gem in a historic Tudor building offers an unforgettable dining experience.
With award-winning rooms, it’s the best of Suffolk’s cuisine and hospitality.
OATIS
Oatis is a cafe where everything on the menu is developed to contribute to your daily nutritional and fibre intake. The café's signature ingredient, steel-cut oats, are named after the lesser-known way of processing the oat grain. Steel-cut oats have been toasted and cut into small pieces by steel blades. Taking slightly longer to prepare than alternative oats, steel-cut oats result in a coarse and chunky texture, adding a ‘bite’ to your bowl. oatiscafe.com
A passion for food, the Great British pub and Essex resulted in the award-winning Galvin Green Man, as Chris Galvin explains
By MARK KEBBLE
Ilove a great pub. There’s something rather comforting finding an age-old building with a warm welcome. But even so, the Galvin Green Man took me by surprise.
The name Galvin is synonymous with high class cuisine. The Galvin brothers’ – Chris and Je – collection of London restaurants encompasses Michelin-starred Galvin La Chapelle, which o ers modern French fine-dining in the heart of the city; Galvin Bistrot & Bar, a quaint French bistrot serving small plates and hearty dishes just o Old Spitalfields Market; Galvin Bar & Grill in Bloomsbury, a modern British grill; and Galvin at Windows, a modern-European restaurant with incredible views from the 28th Floor of London Hilton on Park Lane. It means Galvin Green Man stands out somewhat. “We were so excited to open Galvin
Green Man,” Chris Galvin says, “being so proud to come from Essex we always wanted a restaurant there. We saw the restaurant for sale in 2016 and knew we had to restore it to its former glory. We wanted to bring the pub back to the community.”
The passion for all things Essex began when both brothers were born in Romford and raised in Brentwood. “I look back on my childhood in Essex as a very happy one,” Chris reflects, “with lots of space to run wild as an energetic kid and amazing days out with my family at the seaside and in the countryside.”
Chris recalls it was while travelling around France with his family as an eightyear-old that he first remembers enjoying good food. But how did the brothers end up in business together? “We both started o working in the same restaurant as teenagers,” he explains. “I then went on to Southend College and Je went to Thurrock. After college we worked in a number of restaurants together, we knew we worked well together and didn’t want that to stop.”
Southend College and Je went to Thurrock. After college we worked in a number of Great to 1341, Galvin Green Man is now an award-winning, Bib Gourmand British pub been Best Pub in East of England and Best Pub in Great
sourced and seasonal ingredients, Green Man’s menu features modern British dishes as well as comforting pub restaurant classics. The drinks list celebrates local breweries including Adnams Southwold, a calendar of guest ales and a wine selection from the best of England and Europe.
“Green Man is so di erent to our other locations, not just being our only site outside of London,” Chris picks up. “It is our only venue to have both a traditional countryside pub and a modern restaurant.”
How have the brothers approached the menu? “We make sure our menu is always seasonal, fresh and made using local produce. We also make sure we have a short and sweet menu with a variety of options to make sure we have something for everyone. We are always on the lookout for new producers and growers in the local area.
“You can expect to see asparagus, strawberries, Colchester oysters, Great Garnett pork, fish from the coast, local poultry, vegetables from Essex and our own homegrown herbs and honey,” Chris says on what to expect over summer.
“Making sure we continue to adapt our menu to the seasons, we have some very exciting and light dishes on our menu to suit the warmer weather.”
England at the National Pub & Bar Awards.
That passion to keep working together eventually found its way to Essex. Set in the beautiful Essex countryside, close to Great Waltham in a building dating back to 1341, Galvin Green Man is now an award-winning, Bib Gourmand British pub and modern restaurant, boasting panoramic views and an extensive garden. They have been named Best Pub in Essex County, Best Pub in East of England and Best Pub in Great Britain 2021 at the National Pub & Bar Awards, and in 2022 they were awarded Best Pub in East of England at the National Pub & Bar Awards. Centred around locally
Centred around locally
On the Essex food scene, Chris says it “is very exciting and continues to grow, the support from guests in Essex is like no other”. And Galvin Green Man can be considered as one of those leading lights.
“Being so proud to come from Essex, we always wanted a place here”
General Manager of The Angel Inn, Levente David, on a beautiful setting, art and exemplary cooking
Q What can you tell us about The Angel Inn's history?
A The Angel Inn has a long and rich history and parts of the building date back to the 15th century. It was for hundreds of years a busy coaching inn serving the stage coaches and travellers between Colchester, Sudbury and Ipswich. The building has been sensitively and wonderfully restored and now showcases its heritage and history, combined with contemporary comfort and amenities. There is also an original 80-foot water well, which can be viewed in the Well Room – the oldest part of the building.
Q Where is The Angel Inn located?
A The Angel Inn is located in the beautiful village of Stoke-by-Nayland, in the heart of the Dedham Vale. The countryside is widely recognised as among the most beautiful places in England and there are numerous country walks starting and finishing at The Angel Inn. A favourite walk of many guests is to the picture postcard village of Nayland, a few miles away, stopping for a pub lunch at The Anchor Inn and exploring the village, before walking back in time for a gourmet dining experience at The Angel Inn.
Q Tell us about the art on show on the walls...
A The Angel Inn has a fascinating art collection on display. All the works are original and come from the owning family's private collection. They include some important old master paintings, which look perfectly at home on the historic walls of the building. In contrast, the collection also includes a wonderful selection of post war and modern British art, much of it from the 1950s and 60s. Works include paintings and drawings by Graham Sutherland, Peter Lanyon, Trevor Bell and Tony Giles.
Q How would you describe Ruben Aguilar Bel's style of cooking?
A Head Chef, Ruben Aguilar Bel, is exceptionally talented and every course is an absolute delight. He produces exceptional modern cuisine using local produce and the highest quality ingredients, with the occasional hint of his Spanish roots.
Q Could you pick out a dish that really shows what Ruben's cooking is all about?
A One of the most popular dishes is the Escalivada ravioli with roasted vegetables, parmesan foam and tomato crumble. Every time we serve this dish, we have extremely good feedback from our customers. It is something of a signature dish for us. I would also like to mention our Head Pastry Chef, Gabi Fogarasi, whose desserts complement Ruben’s cooking so beautifully. One of my favourites is called Thorns as all of the components have them – rose bavaroise, blackberry, nettle ice cream and kataifi branch.
Q What different menus do you offer?
A We offer three different menus: A La Carte, Short Tasting and Full Tasting, for the complete gourmet experience. All of them
are served with several complementary amuse bouche at the beginning and petit fours at the end of the meal. We also offer a vegetarian version of both tasting menus.
Q Is there anything new for summer?
A The menus are continually changing as we look for seasonal produce. In the last couple of weeks, we have added dishes such as the Strawberry Gazpacho with Assington strawberries, and fresh Norfolk Brown crab. Local lobster from Ipswich or line-caught wild bass are brought in each week by Paul Fitch, straight from his boat.
In the next few weeks, you will find new additions to the menu, as the "Sarrion" summer truffle season has arrived and Ruben was born close to Sarrion town, one of the biggest fresh truffle producing towns in Europe.
Q What options are there to stay over?
A At the moment, we are offering two packages. The first is Dine and Stay, which includes bed, breakfast and a three-course meal from our A La Carte menu or the Short Tasting menu. The second option is our Gourmet Getaway, including bed, breakfast and our Full Tasting menu. We are also happy to put together bespoke packages.
Q Are there any special offers in August?
A We are offering a featured tasting menu every day for lunch and on Thursday and Sunday evenings at £56 per person.
01206 263245 / angelinnsuffolk.co.uk
“Our menus are continually changing as we look for seasonal produce”THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS TO STAY OVER
Omar Allibhoy explores various ways with paella
Serves 4
This is a dish based on a recipe from days gone by, when no one had a fridge and you had to use the whole animal every time you slaughtered one. Any cut of pork can be used in the paella – just how it was made back then.
Serves 4, Prep 30 minutes, Cook 2 hours
INGREDIENTS
• 100ml (scant ½ cup) extra virgin olive oil
• 150g (5oz) pork belly, cut into lardons
• 150g (5oz) mini chorizo sausages
• 150g (5oz) smoked bacon
• 3 shallots, quartered
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika
• 1 tomato, grated
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.4g sa ron
• 2 sprigs of thyme
• 3 litres (12 cups) water
• 400g (2 cups) Spanish paella rice
• Salt, to taste
METHOD
1 Place a paella pan over high heat, add the olive oil and fry all the meats and shallots for 10 minutes.
2 Add the garlic, closely followed by the paprika and grated tomato, cook for about 2 minutes until the oil starts to separate from the tomato paste. Add the bay leaf, sa ron and thyme, pour in the water and simmer over a low heat for 1 hour.
3 Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add the rice and stir to distribute it evenly. Cook over a high heat for the first 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for a further 9 minutes, without stirring. Let it rest o the heat for 5 minutes before eating.
Serves 4
This dish is a jewel in Spanish cuisine. For many it is the king of all rice dishes and you can understand why. Although soupy rice dishes may be perceived as more warming than a classic paella, and therefore something we would have over winter, the reality is that this dish is so popular that you will find it all across Spain, at any time of year, at all sorts of restaurants. This is the dish I chose to celebrate the birth of my first son. Prep 20 minutes, Cook 40 minutes
• 2.5 litres (10 cups) shellfish stock
• 0.4g sa ron
• 150ml (generous 2/3 cup) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 dried ñora peppers
• 2 lobsters, heads halved, claws separated, tails cut into 2cm (1in) pieces
• 1 dried cayenne chilli pepper
• 2 small tomatoes
• 500g (1lb 2oz) squid, cleaned and roughly chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika
• 300g (1½ cups) Spanish paella rice
• Salt, to taste
1 Heat the shellfish stock in a saucepan over a low heat and crumble in the sa ron. Keep warm over the lowest setting.
2 Place a paella pan over a low heat and add the olive oil, the ñora peppers and the lobster. Fry for 2 minutes, then remove the lobster from the pan and set aside. Transfer the ñora pepper to a blender with the cayenne chilli and tomatoes and blitz to a paste. Set aside.
3 Increase the heat to high and add the squid to the pan. Sauté for about 7 minutes, or until golden in colour.
Season with salt.
4 Add the garlic, closely followed by the paprika and the tomato and ñora pepper paste, and cook for about 2 minutes until the oil starts to separate from the tomato paste. Add the rice and stir for a couple of minutes, making sure all the rice gets coated with the oil.
5 Carefully add the hot stock to the pan and give it a good stir to distribute the rice evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Cook over a high heat for the first 8 minutes, then add the lobster, reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
Serves 4
It is rare to see a paella cooked with salmon, but as it’s such a popular fish in our home, I decided to try a paella with salmon and cauliflower – it was sensational. What I will point out is that salmon can easily be overcooked and consequently dries out quickly, so follow my timings carefully.
Prep 20 minutes, Cook 35 minutes
• 2 litres (8 cups) fish stock
• 0.4g sa ron
• 120ml (½ cup) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 salmon fillets, cut into large pieces
• 300g (10oz) cauliflower, broken into florets, core finely chopped
• 2 dried ñora peppers
• 2 tomatoes
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika
• 440g (2¼ cups) Spanish paella rice
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• Salt, to taste
Makes about 4.5 litres
• 2kg (4lb 8oz) fresh fish bones
• 1 carrot, thickly sliced
• 2 onions, roughly chopped
• 5 celery sticks, roughly sliced
• 2 leeks, sliced
• 1 fennel bulb, thickly sliced
• 175ml (¾ cup) white wine
• 10 white peppercorns
• 1 clove
• 4 bay leaves
• 5 sprigs of tarragon
• 5 sprigs of flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 5 litres (20 cups) water
1 Heat the fish stock in a saucepan over a low heat and crumble in the sa ron. Keep warm over the lowest setting.
2 Heat half the olive oil in a paella pan over a medium heat, add the salmon fillets, skin side down, and shallow-fry for 3 minutes. Remove from the pan.
3 Add the remaining oil to the pan, then fry the cauliflower florets and ñora peppers over a low heat for 2 minutes. Remove the peppers and blend to a paste with the tomatoes using a blender or food processor; set aside for later. Sauté the cauliflower florets for a few minutes more, then season with salt, remove from the pan and set aside.
4 Add the chopped cauliflower core to the pan and sauté for 2 minutes before adding the garlic, paprika and the tomato and pepper paste. Cook for about 2 minutes until the oil starts to separate. Add the rice and stir, making sure all the rice is coated with the oil.
5 Add the hot stock to the pan and give it a good stir to distribute the rice evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Cook over a high heat for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for another 3 minutes, without stirring. Place the reserved salmon (skin side up), cauliflower florets and the rosemary on top of the rice and cook for a final 4 minutes. Let it rest o the heat for 5 minutes before serving.
1 First and foremost, make sure your fish bones are as clean as they can be. Rinse them under cold running water to make sure there is no blood and to double-check they have been properly gutted by your fishmonger. Add the fish bones to a stockpot, then add all the remaining ingredients. Place over a high heat and let it come to the boil. Skim the froth from the surface with a ladle, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes, without stirring.
2 Let it cool o the heat for 30 minutes before straining through a fine sieve into a clean container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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The SS23 collection from Bonmarché –available at their Braintree and Chelmsford stores – will get you in the mood for summer
Full, Half & Tailored
Spa Days
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
tep into a happy and healthy summer with our top ten things to do in Essex. We’ve partnered with the county’s tourist organisation, Visit Essex, to give you fresh and exciting things to do.
Step into a spa this summer and get beach ready while you do it. Essex has a wide variety of spas and beauty salons to make you look and feel your best. Our favourites are Down Hall Hotel and Spa, which offers mini spa days for guests and individual treatments for visitors to the hotel. Down Hall is set on the Essex/ Herts border amidst stunning countryside and is the perfect place to unwind.
If privacy and an outdoor pool are more your thing, head over to Talbooth House and Spa in the Dedham Vale. The newlyrenovated spa boasts six treatment rooms and an ultra-glam pool with luxury loungers.
If you fancy a round of golf and a pamper with friends, visit the Stoke by Nayland Resort, which offers a range of spa days and spa breaks.
Essex is great walking territory with soft undulating hills. Getting out and about and visiting places on-foot is a good way to get fit and experience new places on your doorstep. When the sun is beating down, head to the Saltmarsh Path which snakes around the county’s estuaries from Tollesbury to Fambridge. You don’t have to take on the whole 75-mile length of the path, but it’s easily accessed in short sections. The sea breeze is cooling and don’t forget to stop and enjoy an ice cream or drink at some of the cafes and pubs along the way.
Go for a digital detox and treat the family to a glamping adventure. There’s lots of cabins, wigwams and shepherd’s huts to choose
from. Lee Valley Glamping has some excellent facilities at Sewardstone and Dobbs Weir, which come with all mod-cons – their cute cocoons also offer great value for money.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury on your glamping getaway, try Colemans Farm near Ongar, which has a fairytale-like treehouse. Or if glamping on a floating raft floats your boat, stay at Chigborough camping and glamping near Heybridge. Their raft has its own private lake and provides the ultimate peaceful and relaxing get away from it all and was featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.
Boost mind, body and soul at ‘Mersea Minds in Motion’ on Mersea Island, being held from 7-8 October. Recharge batteries at an energising weekend full of well-being sessions and outdoor activities with expert instructors by the coast. The festival is perfect for adults and young adults (age 14+).
Get pumped and full of adrenaline with a fun day out at one of the county’s adventure centres. Sky Ropes at Great Notley Country Park near Braintree is a great place for kids and big kids to climb high and take on two-level challenges. The country park is also a great place to play and boasts a 1.2-kilometre play trail, including a giant walk-on seesaw, slides, forts and tyre swings.
For hardcore high ropes fans, treat yourself to a day of action at Nuclear High Ropes near Brentwood. The course has three levels, six courses and over 70 aerial obstacles and 13 zipwires which wind through extensive woodland.
With 350-miles of coastline, Essex has so much space for visitors to get out and enjoy a day by the water. The area is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding or sailing. All activities are ideal for your well-being, but if you’re new to life on the
“Go for a digital detox and treat the family to a glamping adventure in Essex”
water, make sure you take a course to learn the ropes. Frangipani SUP offers a range of courses from beginners to improvers at Home Lake near Chigborough, Maldon, and Trifarm Swimming Lake at Boreham near Chelmsford.
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at sailing, sign-up to a course at Essex Outdoors, which offers specialist instruction to adults and children on a new fleet of yachts and ribs. Their Essex Outdoors pursuits centre is based on the shores at Bradwell-on-Sea.
There’s nothing better than cooling off in the sea on a hot summer’s day. Head to one of the county’s top seaside resorts and spend a day swimming in the waves at Clacton, Walton or Southend. Don’t forget to check out local beach patrol services, which run seasonally, and always ensure children are accompanied.
Tuck into tasty vegan food at the vast array of farmers’ markets, cafes and restaurants in Essex. If you love spice, you’ll love the vegan options on offer at Brohmon’s in Stansted Mountfitchet. The award-winning Indian restaurant serves a mix of yummy dhals, bhajees and ‘Sabzi
Jalfrezi’, a soya steak in a hot spicy sauce. If you prefer something more traditional, check out the mouthwatering afternoon teas and vegan jams on offer at the English Cream Tea Company – delicious!
Summer is the best time to get out and about and make memories with friends and family. We’re all social creatures, so get a date in the diary and meet up with your nearest and dearest for a special day out. Essex offers many parks for groups to enjoy their
own picnics, as well as a wide range of top visitor attractions, such as Colchester Zoo, Adventure Island in Southend and Audley End House and Gardens near Saffron Walden.
Our furry friends not only help our wellbeing by reducing stress, but dog owners also benefit from increased exercise. Download the Go Jauntly app on the Visit Essex website and explore somewhere new. The app has a wide range of walks including detailed guides on circular and short/mid distance walks along the Essex coast and estuaries.
See more at visitessex.com/things-to-do
“Tuck into tasty vegan food at the vast array of farmers' markets, cafes and restaurants in Essex”STOKE BY NAYLAND HOTEL THE POOL IN PEAKE SPA AT STOKE BY NAYLAND HOTEL
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
The Accuro 50 Challenge Walk is a 50-mile walk that stretches across the West Essex area, linking the region in which Accuro provides its services. Starting at Loughton Tube station and finishing in the market town of Saffron Walden, the route takes in many different points of interest along the way through the beautiful Essex countryside. The linear trail principally follows parts of four longdistance paths – the Forest Way, the Flitch Way, Saffron Trail and Harcamlow Way.
The Accuro 50 Challenge Walk is a multi-day event with different distances available over one, two or three days. All distances will present a challenge giving walkers the freedom to choose how far they want to walk and within what timeframe. There are different options available
covering both sponsorship and self-funding participation, as well as packages that include accommodation and transfers to and from the route over the course of the event. If walkers are local to The Accuro 50, they can return home after a day’s walking and continue the following day.
The route was devised by Accuro’s very own fundraising manager Sue Fishpool, who is a keen walker herself, and an official route guide was published last year by Trailman Publications, created by long distance walker and Essex author, Peter Aylmer.
Sue says: “I am delighted to introduce the new Accuro 50 challenge walk event to West Essex this September. The event is unique in our area and has been a personal project of mine for several years. I hope to encourage walkers with all levels of experience to join in and discover what a beautiful county we live in whilst raising much-needed funds for the local charity
Accuro and helping to change lives for local people with a disability. It has been huge fun creating both the route and the event and we are looking forward to supporting our walkers along the way.”
Accuro is a small charity supporting local children, young people and adults with disabilities in West Essex by providing services that are fun, safe and inclusive. These services reduce social isolation and empower members by providing accessible social and leisure opportunities that allow members to develop life skills, gain confidence and self-esteem and make friends.
THE ACCURO 50
To find out more about The Accuro 50, available packages, or to complete a booking form, please visit accuro.org.uk/events-challenges/ challenges/accuro-50/
The UK’s health trends are rising. Health, wellness and beauty are now just part of a huge boom in the UK and are showing no signs of slowing down. One of the key things happening to improve wellness is that people are putting away their addictive phones and tablets and opting for an immersive wellness experience. Wellness and fitness retreat holidays are on the rise across the globe. Our wellness can be affected in many ways, but here is what’s trending in the UK that can help you improve your wellness and well-being.
Sleep is becoming more valued as the ultimate form of self-care. Technology has robbed many of us of our sleep, including me, over the years. With the help of gadgets or fitness trackers that I am a fan of, these have the ability to support you in gaining eight hours of undisturbed slumber; they can also have extra benefits to measure your
blood oxygen levels, prescribing recovery time and can create training plans, as well as help you track activity and lose weight.
This trend has climbed the ladder in 2023; many people are following a diet supporting their gut health. Have you considered your gut health as it is linked to many different elements of our health? Recently, scientific research has identified that gut health can influence various aspects of your health, including brain health, weight and obesity, diabetes and skin conditions like eczema, to name a few.
More and more people have slowed down in 2023 and moved over to restorative meditation, yoga, Pilates and relaxing sound baths over HIIT (high-intensity interval training) sessions and the hustle mentality. Meditation improves our mental health; research suggests that it can also help people manage pain and physical ailments that
they might have. There are many types of meditation; the thing they all have in common is that, over time, they can help lower stress levels by releasing physical tension held in the body. Meditation can help us release worries buried in the mind, easing anxiety, stress, and low mood, and even helping us get deeper, more restful sleep. Meditation can also bring a sense of calm that enables us to respond to life events in a measured way rather than reacting with our emotions.
I was amazed by the increased use of the Flotation tanks that contain water combined with Epsom salt. Magnesium is a major component of Epsom salt and is the 11th most abundant element by mass in the human body. Its ions are essential to all our known living cells; it gives an ultra-deep relaxation of your body’s hormonal and metabolic balance. An incredible feeling of weightlessness will allow your mind to drift away for pure inner peace and a totally tranquil experience, which will enhance your mental health.
The founder of Essex’s Brookside Aesthetics on the wellness trends we should all be aware of
“Meditation can help us release worries buried in the mind, easing anxiety, stress and low mood”
This December marks a significant milestone for Essex-based Vie Aesthetics, as they celebrate their 10th anniversary. The celebrations, however, have already kicked o with an incredible line-up of price drops, new treatment launches, a new clinic opening, and special events leading up to the end of this year.
Over the past decade, Vie Aesthetics has established itself as a leading provider of innovative non-surgical treatments within the industry, having won over 30 prestigious awards. Their commitment to excellence and their dedication to providing exceptional results have earned them a reputation that extends beyond national borders, and in 2020/21 they received the award for Best Aesthetic Clinic Globally at the Global MyFaceMyBody Awards. Founder and CEO of Vie Aesthetics, Vicky Grammatikopoulou, expresses her
excitement for the 10-year anniversary. “We opened our first clinic in Southend with a pledge to provide aesthetic treatments by doctors and medical practitioners only, with a commitment to empower our clients, and a focus on safe, e ective, and a ordable treatments with discreet and natural-looking results,” she explains. “Since then, Vie Aesthetics has gone from strength to strength with the 3-storey flagship clinic in Rayleigh, a clinic in Harley Street and a 5-storey clinic opening next month in Holborn.”
One of the new treatments being launched to commemorate this milestone is the Ten4Ten, the Vie Aesthetics new signature non-surgical facelift, designed by Dr Liakas, the Medical Director at Vie Aesthetics, often called by his clients the “Greek God of Aesthetics”.
Dr. Liakas proudly presents the new treatment and adds: “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are thrilled to introduce our new signature treatment, Ten4Ten. This transformative treatment targets the signs of ageing and all areas of volume loss in the face in one session – including lips, around
under eyes, nose, cheeks, jaw, and chin. We use 10ml of a combination of premium fillers for a remarkable ten out of ten outcome.”
To mark the anniversary, and to celebrate the launch, 10 fortunate clients (men and women) will be o ered the opportunity to have the treatment at a very special price during the upcoming Ten4Ten launch days in the Rayleigh and Holborn clinics in September and October. These 10 individuals will also be VIP guests with additional perks at the highly anticipated 10thanniversary celebration event in December.
If you wish to know more about this treatment and find out how you could be one of the lucky 10 to experience the power of Ten4Ten, make sure you contact the team on the details below.
VIE AESTHETICS
Find out more by calling 01268 778615 or 07899 673578, visiting info@vie-aesthetics.com or visiting vie-aesthetics.com
The Angel Clinic is a leading, Loughton Essex based advanced aesthetic and beauty clinic, specialising in a wide range of beauty treatments and also surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Our treatments are all performed by the best therapists, aesthetics Doctors and Nurses in the industry including Dr Mark Holmes and plastic surgeon Mr Nigel Carver to name but a few.
MAGAZINE offer 30% OFF all face & body treatments SuneKOS or Profihlo SKIN BOOSTERS for AUGUST and SEPTEMBER.
Also – LIPOFIRM Pro fat shattering, skin tightening, body lifting and toning treatment. Or LIPOFIRM Pro non surgical facelift. Both at a trial price of £95 using code MAGAZINE
Our retreat boasts not only two Angel of Water colonic irrigation systems but freshly made detox juices and wellness treatments to such as reiki, Wood therapy, lymphatic drainagemassage and sound bowl events by Sonya Rose, Chinese Medicine such as acupuncture,aesthetics IV DRIP treatments by our doctors and nurses with many more new wellness treatments to follow.
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ULTRA VIOLETTE Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil, £38 cultbeauty.co.uk
LOTTIE LONDON Body Glow Body Highlighter, £12.95 lottie.london
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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
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
BOOTY BUILDING
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 the heart of Hackney Wick
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
HABITAT
Habitat's latest cookware collection celebrates the joy of pastels. A soft palette of blush pink, soothing sage and baby blue adorns the range of non-stick pans, roasting tins, and utensils to bring a refreshing feel to the kitchen. Hero pieces in the range include the 3.3L cast iron casserole dish and a cookware ceramic roaster which is perfect for hassle-free table dining. habitat.co.uk
By MARK KEBBLE
Q Were you a creative child – or perhaps more pertinently, a tidy child?
A Yes definitely. I was very good at art and exceptional at being organised and tidy. As a child I suffered with anxiety (although not diagnosed with the disorder until seven years ago), and having everything in my bedroom in order helped as a coping mechanism.
Q Tell us about what inspired you to get into interior design some 20 years ago…
A I have always had a massive interest in home interiors and also making your home look like a show home. I would love going to new build developments when my daughter’s dad and I were looking for a house and seeing how things were put together and styled. When I was pregnant with my daughter, her dad played professional football and during my pregnancy, we relocated to Northampton where he had a new contract. Having no friends or family there, I watched a lot of television and at the time the series The House Doctor was continually on. I was hooked on this show, especially when my daughter was born and I’d be up at all hours with her, it just would be something that I watched. I remember thinking, I could easily do what Ann Maurice [the show’s host] does where my brain is able to know exactly what colours and themes go, where furniture should be placed and how to present a room. This then went from an idea to reality and I started doing rooms in footballer’s wives houses.
Q What inspired you to launch Essex House Dolly and why was the time right?
A Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic I was working in the PR industry and as a result of the lockdowns, I lost all of my clients. In September 2021 as we were coming back to normality, I had ended a toxic and mentally abusive relationship and had to find a new source of income, so I decided to turn my natural talent of what I do in homes into a business and The Essex House Dolly was born. My nickname has always been Dolly from my mum and friends, and seeing as I live in Essex, I thought it was a fantastic brand name.
Q What do you offer?
A Being the Essex House Dolly, I offer services such as decluttering and reorganising rooms, wardrobe detoxing, interior makeovers, advice for outdoor spaces and also tips on maintaining your home in which I do regular reels on my social media platforms. I also have my own handymen, Pete and Ian, who are decorators/carpenters and builders for renovation or improvement projects.
Q Can you give two wildly different case studies of the kind of work you do?
A A recent example is where I have completed a garden design for a fully functional space in which I designed a bespoke wooden pergola with kitchen area (I also designed the kitchen), seating area and breakfast bar. I also chose all of the furniture, lighting, wood paint colours and accessories. Second is a bedroom in a house for a
young lady that needed updating now she has outgrown her room. I chose the wallpaper, furniture, accessories, lighting, textiles and soft furnishings and she was thrilled with the result.
Q What would you say is the biggest mistake people make when it comes to organising at home?
A Like in the pandemic, everyone thought they were gardening experts or chefs, now everyone wants or thinks they are professional organisers! The biggest mistake I would say is not knowing the routine and structure of how you organise something. Not folding or hanging clothing correctly or how you arrange items is a big fail.
Q Can you give us 5 top tips for organising at home? Always totally clear the area first you are wanting to organise. Create 3 piles: keepdonate - bin/recycle. Clean the area thoroughly before reorganising your keep pile. Prior to point 1, purchase items you will need, such as coathangers, drawer dividers, storage boxes, plastic/glass storage jars, labels etc. When reorganising back into the area, if in a wardrobe/ bedroom, colour coordinate, fold things like jeans, socks, vest tops, T-shirts, or if in a kitchen, stack neatly and do not over clutter.
Q Do you think people don’t realise the link between a tidy, organised home and mental health?
A Massively. I have completed a course in stress management and anxiety disorders, not only to help understand me, but also my clients too who struggle with mental health. A tidy house is a tidy mind is my motto. When people live in total chaos it does a ect this state of mind and I have seen this for myself when I have been booked to sort out houses, and how I have transformed their lives.
Q How would you sum up your career?
A It has been a great journey and I have worked so hard to get to where I am. Since 2021, I have appeared in national publications such as The Sun, The Mirror, The Express, magazines such as Closer, Woman & Home, Woman, Woman’s Own, Ideal Home, Home & Beautiful and my main proud achievement is FORBES. I have also been in campaigns for AEG, Matalan and Next as well as in October I am at the London Excel as a Speaker for The Clean & Tidy Home Show. I feel I empower women that you can have a career whilst being a single parent.
Q Where in Essex are you based and how long have you lived there?
A By birth I was born in Hackney, but have lived in Essex all my life. I am based in Brentwood in Essex and moved there in 2013.
Q How does the business fit in with family life?
A I have been single by choice since September 2021 so I can in that respect work as much as I want to. I have two children, but only my son who is 12 lives with me as my daughter who is 20 moved out a few years ago. My son has autism and attends a specialist school so I have always had to work around school hours and having flexibility in half terms. I am lucky I have a great relationship with his dad and he has regular contact with him, which also enables me to work more.
Q How do you see your future evolving?
A I would love to have my own column in a magazine talking about all the things I do and advising the readers on how to do it as well as having my own TV show with my friend Daniell, where we work with REFUGE by helping a mum with children who is given somewhere to live and we transform it into a home.
Follow Nicola @essexhousedolly
“When people live in chaos it does a ect their state of mind and I have seen it for myself”
Coggeshall Abbey is one of the more special properties you can currently buy in Essex. Absolutely finds out what living in a Grade I listed home is like
Situated on the River Blackwater, Coggeshall Abbey is an outstanding Grade I listed Tudor country house with a vast range of period outbuildings, occupying a tranquil position on the edge of the picturesque market town of Coggeshall.
Fiona Courtauld, whose parents Roger and Jill Hadlee bought The Abbey, spoke to Absolutely about the property’s fascinating history.
Q Is there an element of The Abbey's past that you find most fascinating?
A The Abbey was originally founded in 1140 on land given by King Stephen and Matilda of Boulogne – and in the last 883 years or so it has undergone many fascinating changes. Edward II for example held court there in 1325 and at one time it also belonged to Sir Thomas Seymour, the brother of Henry VIII’s favourite wife, Jane. However I think my favourite is Abbot Ralph, who lived here from 1207-1218. He was injured in the fall of Jerusalem before he became a monk and
he wrote a chronicle of work which is still deemed to be an important reference for English history of this time. I just love the fact that centuries ago he walked the floors and lived within these walls – all the time looking out on a landscape which may not have been too different from today.
Q How long has your family been a part of its history?
A My parents bought The Abbey in 1999. My father always said that it was one of the three best things he ever did (one of the others was marrying my mother!). Both of them loved it from the moment they saw it. My father in particular adored water, especially rivers, and his time at Oxford as a school boy and undergraduate made him especially appreciative of fine buildings and their history. As an Essex boy born and bred he could not have been more proud to live in arguably one of the most important and historic buildings in the county. He would spend a lot of time talking to people about the house and often opened it to the public. He loved sharing the history of The Abbey and knew every brick.
Q Does a lot of work go into being custodians of a Grade I listed building?
A Certainly my parents’ 50 years as art dealers made them particularly susceptible to beautiful things and they described making their home in The Abbey as like living in a wonderful work of art. My father once said that it required enthusiasm, passion, dedication and laughter! Typically he would do a little project every year and he oversaw extensive renovations – so the house itself is in very good order. Obviously there is an added responsibility in owning a Grade I listed property and there are certain things that you can and cannot do in terms of alterations without seeking planning permission, however I think the benefits far outweigh any downside.
Q I am not sure we have written about a home with such period detailing. What historical elements have been preserved?
A My parents both threw themselves into the restoration of the buildings, repairing and putting back in place the exceptional Renaissance Screen in the Great Hall, restoring the ancient timbers, sole plates,
windows, chimneys and medieval brickwork. They were also able to restore the stew pond, which the monks originally relied on for the fish they were allowed to eat on Fridays, in Lent, and on other fast days when meat was forbidden. However I think the achievement which my parents were perhaps most proud of was renovating the Guest/Chapter House of 1160. It stretches across the stunning riverside kitchen courtyard, was blessed by the retired Bishop of Brentwood Thomas McMahon on completion and shortlisted for a Historic Houses and Sotheby’s Restoration Award in 2019.
Q If you had to pick out your favourite historical feature, what would it be?
A It’s very difficult. The Abbot’s House, Cloisters and Guest House are still intact and combined have been described as some of the finest surviving medieval buildings in England. The Chapel is also very romantic. However if I had to choose then the Cloisters are very special.
Q We talk about the history here, but are there elements where modern living has been implemented?
A In terms of the interior design, less is definitely more – the house doesn’t necessarily need a lot of furniture. We’ve also tried to keep a good mix of medieval features – Jacobean panels and medieval brickwork for example – complemented by more modern touches such as the bathrooms and kitchen.
Q How would you sum up the look and feel of the six bedrooms?
A All of the bedrooms are unique. What used to be my father’s at the top of the house is the most amazing. Large enough for a four poster bed, there is some wonderful panelling and it has a fantastic view of the garden.
Q The outdoor spaces look beautiful...
A My mother, with an incredible eye for colour and space, and bright green fingers, created a sensational formal garden – it’s a lovely enclosed space. The water meadows are wonderful and the walk down to the river superb. It’s phenomenal.
Abbey Lane, Coggeshall, Colchester, CO6 1RD has a guide price of £2,500,000. For more information, contact Savills Chelmsford on 01245 269311 or visit savills.co.uk
“The achievement which my parents were most proud of was renovating the Guest/Chapter House of 1160”
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PEPPERMILL INTERIORS
Luxor Wood and Metal Stacking Chair Yellow, £58 peppermillinteriors.com
BRITISH COLOUR STANDARD Woven Plant Pot, £12 britishcolourstandard.com
MOLLY MAHON
Elegant Empire Lampshade in Tuk Tuk Yellow, £85 mollymahon.com
EDITOR’S PICK
By PENDLE HARTE
LOUIS DE POORTERE Mustard Yellow and Chocolate Rug, £168 therugretailer.co.uk
MINDTHEGAP Chinese Garden Wallpaper, £219 mindtheg.com
ROSE & GREY Small Round Yellow Wavy Mirror, £62 roseandgrey.co.uk
3 2 4 5
This Swing Arm BBQ Rack gives unparalleled control when it comes to cooking – meaning chargrilled need no longer mean charred. The rack is completely removable when you’ve fi nished cooking. From £281. fi repitsuk.co.uk
This handy cast iron griddle can be used inside on the stove or outside on a fi repit: there's a a ridged side for a perfectly seared fi nish, and a fl at side for hot-plate cooking, £39. procook.co.uk
This ingenius portable BBQ generates a smokeless fastheating grill that creates delicious charcoal fl avoured food without the carcinogens and harsh chemicals, £149. cuckooland.com
These extra-length stainless steel skewers are ideal for creating healthy BBQ meals – use them for vegetables, seafood and more, £4.95. procook.co.uk
Designed and handmade by Italian artisans, Alfa’s exceptional domestic pizza ovens are built to last, enabling British households to master the cra of the pizzaiolo and embrace the joys of cooking over fi re, £2,950. alfa-forni.com
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 craftsmanship with over 20 separate stages; from cutting the bamboo spokes to hand painting the golden lotus pattern onto the canopy. eastlondonparasols.com
BERGS POTTER
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
MALLORCA
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 cliffs, 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”
Absolutely enjoys a warm ‘Karibu’ welcome to Kenyan wildlife
By CRYSTAL MCCLORY
Impalas scatter in the sunrise and plump wild guinea fowl scuttle as we drive into Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy. Buffalos line up on the horizon, against the backdrop of Mount Kenya. I’m struck by a cool breeze and the sheer vastness of the Savannah landscape and rolling grasslands. As the sun comes up, buffalo retreat into the bushes, and zebras venture out. A horned impala is surrounded by a bevy of females. Rattling down the dusty track, we spy two lionesses sitting with their cubs. The jeeps pull up alongside to sit and quietly watch these magnificent, not-so-cuddly creatures.
Warthog’s waggle by, hair blowing in the breeze, them and me, as I stick my head out the top of the Land Rover to see. Our driver guide calls them Pumbaa, as in ‘hakuna matata’ or no problem and I cannot help but hum the tune of The Lion King. The silhouetted rhinos’ horns echo the peak of Mount Kenya behind.
Zebras graze, each individual’s black and white stripes as unique as our fingerprints. A flock of shaggy ostriches huddle by a fence. The unpredictable buffalo has a heavy set of curly horns styled like Heidi. A reticulated giraffe reaches for tree leaves.
We’ve seen four of the big five already. The term originally referred to the difficulty in
hunting the dangerous lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. Thankfully, nowadays people shoot with their cameras or phones.
Out on this afternoon’s game drive, the river is dried up from the heat and lack of rain. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary brings waterworks to my eyes when I read about their rescues. Humans and chimps share a surprising 98.8% of their DNA. Driving past colourful towns, we stop at the equator, Nyahururu and cascading waterfall Thompson’s Falls. At Lake Naivasha, our boat floats past hippos flopped on the bank, peacefully sleeping on each other, smiles on their faces. These hefty hippos look placid, but are actually the biggest killer of humans, second to the not-so-big mosquito.
An African fish eagle swoops in and expertly catches a fish thrown by the boat’s captain. Lake Naivasha has a blooming flower industry exporting mainly roses, growing in greenhouses. The lake is quiet and ethereal as we float across. Back on dry land, prehistoric-looking Marabou Stork perch in a tree, their wings creaking and flapping.
Arriving at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp in Nakuru and walking through the camp’s manicured gardens to the magical open-sided lounge tent, I’m enthralled by the sounds of frogs in the ponds. Up early, serenaded by birdsong, we marvel at the flamingos and pelicans at the lake and a bunch of baboons.
The jeep climbs the altitude of Mao summit, past epic scenery and rolling patchwork hills. Narok is the capital of the Masai area. At the market stalls, women have babies wrapped snug in neon checked blankets. Lush hillsides are dotted with trees on the undulating horizon. Knitted bobble hats bob on by. Kids wave excitedly.
Searing heat beats down on my skull as I look in awe at the gigantic animal skulls at the entrance of Masai Mara National Reserve. Our first extraordinary sighting of thousands of wildebeest speckle the grasses of the expanse of land. Evoking a
cave painting, wildebeest awkwardly lurch across the road. Excitedly spotting an elusive leopard, up a tree, swaying in the wind, are the innards of its kill; an unfortunate Serval cat, now a spotted carcass.
Another early start, in time to see Governors’ rainbow hot air balloons float majestically on the horizon, we are overwhelmed at the unbelievable magnitude of the sheer numbers of wildebeest as far as the eye can see.
A troop of vervet monkeys lope by. A green and yellow Little Bee-eater darts by the ‘African sausage’ tree. A dik-dik runs into the bush – it's smaller than I thought. Elephants amble in the distance at the base of Oloololo mountains. Banded Mongoose bound across the savannah. A vulture sits on top of a termite mound like a sentry, marking to its predators where the wildebeest are so it can dine off their kills. Nature is brutal and beautiful.
For an unforgettable trip of a lifetime contact Abbotts Travel, 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA, 020 8989 9445, info@abbottstravel.com
“The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary brings waterworks to my eyes”PHOTO: CRYSTAL MCCLORY
Scattered across eight idyllic Caribbean islands, discover our 17 breathtaking adults-only resorts. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails and indulge in mouth-watering cuisine at up to 16 on-resort restaurants, all included within your stay. If you’re looking for a bit of adventure, look no further – we include that too with unlimited land and water sports. For the ultimate relaxation experience enjoy our award-winning Red Lane® Spas - each a tranquil sanctuary to rejuvenate and heighten all your senses. Here at Sandals Resorts we’ve been perfecting our holidays for over 40 years, leaving you to sit back, relax and enjoy all that’s included.
The hotel industry has witnessed a notable consumer trend in recent years: the increasing popularity of multi-stop holidays and experience-based stays. This shift in consumer behaviour has prompted Milsom Hotels & Restaurants to reevaluate their offerings and adapt to meet the evolving demands of their guests.
Over the past year, experience-based stays have been at the forefront of their business strategy and will continue to shape their approach moving forward. Their hotels are ideally located near one another, boasting convenient connectivity and picturesque settings, such as the serene Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to the river Stour, the historically significant town of Harwich, and the breath-taking Suffolk
countryside, just a stone's throw away from the Suffolk Heritage Coast. However, fully appreciating the plethora of offerings in these areas often requires some prior research unless guests are already familiar with the abundant opportunities available to enhance their stay.
Within the Milsom Hotels & Restaurants group, guests often find it challenging to decide which hotel to visit due to the exceptional experiences offered by each establishment. To address this, Milsom Hotels & Restaurants have launched a unique package that allows guests to enjoy three of their hotels during a single trip.
Aptly named the Milsom Way, this threeday walking holiday covers a total distance of 27 miles over two days, making it an ideal choice for hiking enthusiasts. The itinerary has been meticulously crafted
and tested by avid hikers within their team and is now open for booking. As part of the package, guests will indulge in delectable cuisine and enjoy the convenience of having their luggage expertly transferred between hotels by their attentive teams.
Follow
Talbooth House & Spa is ideally situated to explore and follow the trail of three East Anglian-born artists, with just a 30-minute drive to Gainsborough’s House and Munnings a 25-minute walk or 5 minutes by car. The birthplace of John Constable locally in East Bergholt and Flatford Mill along the River Stour are also points of interest that make the local area worth visiting. Some of Constable’s work can be seen at the new Art Centre at Gainsborough’s House.
milsomhotels.com
Saturday, 23 September 2023
8.30am - 1.00pm
Forest - Where People Grow
“A must-see option for parents wanting an education that’s so genuinely rounded you could make hoops from it”
EMANUEL SCHOOL
The summer term is the best time of the year for sports, which at Emanuel include athletics, water polo, cross country, climing and croquet as well as all the usual field sports. emanuel.org.uk
Jacqueline Wilson on Enid Blyton 102 • Talking Head 111
“If a child was a genius and could write splendidly, they are the sort of adventures I think a child would make up... anything can happen”
DAME JACQUELINE WILSON
Take one revered author and ask her to take on the next chapter of a classic children’s tale and the result is bound to be magical. For Dame Jacqueline Wilson, being asked to add to Enid Blyton’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree series was also something personal. This was the very first chapter book the former Children’s Laureate read by herself – she recalls placing her finger on every word to spell things out. But soon the stabilisers were o . “Enid Blyton does have the ability to suck her child readers in and I think by the time I finished the first chapter I’d forgotten I was reading. I was just in this world and wanting to know what happened next.
“As soon as I’d read that first book, I managed to read another two, and for a long
time they were my all-time favourite books.” So much so that when she was confined to bed with a bad case of measles and under doctor’s orders to rest her eyes, Jacqueline would always request one or other Faraway Tree adventures be read to her by her father.
“When there was nobody around to read to me, and I was forbidden to while I was ill, I did truly make up my own magic lands and pretend to be meeting all these magical creatures. So now, at the other end of my life, to be able to invent them properly, and hopefully professionally, has just been a joy.”
The Magic Faraway Tree: A New Adventure stays true to the spirit of magic lands where anything can happen, but with Jacqueline Wilson’s own imaginative stamp. “It’s pointless trying to change the whole concept of the story that works so beautifully,” she says. “There were two things that I
For Jacqueline Wilson, being asked to write a new The Magic Faraway Tree adventure was a fantastic challenge and an opportunity to revisit her own childhood
asked for: one was could I invent my own modern children? I could see this amazing magical world through their own eyes, and initially a reluctance to believe in a fairyland world – apart from the littlest sister Birdy, who I got very fond of.” So, our explorers Milo, Mia and little Birdy are three children of today, albeit on a countryside holiday with their parents close to the Enchanted Wood, still containing that magical tree.
Jaqueline also asked for new lands for them to explore. “Please, I don’t want to revisit Enid Blyton’s fantastic lands because she’s done it all so splendidly. What I want to do is invent my own!” As you’d expect, she set about this task with great relish. “So, then I thought, children of a certain age, what are they interested in? Well, we’ll have to have some unicorns because, good lord, you can’t go past a toy shop without many di erent unicorns peering out at you. And we’ll have to have a little bit of suspense and danger with dragons.
“And then I thought, I want something jolly and funny with the Land of Bouncy Castles. Also, I’ve got a land called the Land of Princes and Princesses. I know nowadays some people look askance at the idea of children wanting to be princes and princesses, but I thought we could have some fun with it. So, Mia, she is very much attracted to the tasks a prince might do like jousting, but little Birdy, my goodness, she’s like all the little children that dress up as Princess Elsa.”
For Jacqueline Wilson fans (and there are legions), it might be surprising to see an author, admired for her knack of creating great stories grounded in reality, switch to pure magic mode. So was this a challenge? “It was a lovely challenge. And it came at the right time at the beginning of the pandemic,” she says. “Even though I love to write books about children going through hard times I thought:
‘well, we’ve all been going through hard times, so how about a little holiday from hard times and having some tremendous fun?’.”
Adventure is a huge element of Blyton’s original tales, along with fearlessness and courage among young heroes and heroines placed in unexpected, sometimes dangerous, situations. Jacqueline says it is a positive thing for children to experience challenges through fiction. “We have to teach our children to be very careful and not to try running across the road or talking to strangers, but in their imagination you can, in a safe way, stimulate all the bits that want excitement and adventure.”
She has huge respect for both Blyton’s output and her creativity. “She wrote over 600 books for children. How she managed to keep it up I just have no idea.” And in The Magic Faraway Tree, especially, she believes you can see just how brilliantly Blyton tapped into children’s mindset. “They were actually extremely original books. If a child was a genius and could write splendidly, they are the sort of adventures I think a child would make up. They are the sort of adventures where anything can happen.”
She really does not mind if parents and grandparents approach the new book as Blyton or Wilson fans. “Though I’ve got a healthy ego, at this stage I really don’t mind if people think, ‘oh, it’s another Enid Blyton book’, forgetting that she would be a very elderly lady now!”
She believes the concept behind The Magic Faraway Tree – incredible lands, fascinating characters and wonderful experiences – is as engaging today as it was when the first book was published in 1939. “These are exciting books that can stimulate a child’s imagination and they are really not hard work – and I think that’s the joy of them,”
she says. “A text being easy to read for quite young children is a huge bonus because it’s at that stage of around six or seven that either a child launches o and can read practically anything as they grow through their childhood or they get a bit stuck and say, ‘reading’s boring’ or ‘I can’t do it’.”
It has been a pleasure to revisit her own first steps as a reader and an inventor of stories. “In a way, I was two people all at once – I was the professional writer seeing how I could do it and make the book myself and yet be true and respectful to the amazing Faraway Tree books. But also, there was a bit of me that was that six-year-old who loved that world.
“The very idea of inventing new things for Silky and Moonface to do and new lands for the children to experience – it was just a joy to do.”
The Magic Faraway Tree: A New Adventure, by Jacqueline Wilson, is published by Hachette Children’s (£7.99). The Magic Faraway Tree®, Enid Blyton® and Enid Blyton’s signature are registered trade marks of Hodder & Stoughton Limited. All rights reserved. Illustrations by Mark Beech © Hodder & Stoughton Limited, 2022.“There was a bit of me that was that six-year-old who loved that world and the very idea of inventing new things for the children to experience – it was just a joy”
Coram has a long history of supporting children, and its Beanstalk volunteer reading programme celebrates its 50th birthday this year
Coram has long been a champion of children. From the foundling hospital established by Thomas Coram in 1739 and the unique Coram’s Fields children’s park opened in 1936 to its vital education work today, via three charities. While Coram’s Life Education & SCARF programmes deliver brilliant PHSE and Shakespeare Schools Foundation brings the bard into young people’s lives in relevant and refreshing ways, Coram Beanstalk builds readers and improves educational and life outcomes.
The overall approach of Coram Beanstalk remains the same as the day it was founded. “The beauty of it is it’s absolutely the same model,” says Events and Social Media Manager, Kate Loynes. She has been working with Beanstalk for around 17 years and is closely involved with the network of “amazing” volunteers who bring the joy of reading into young lives. “The volunteers are quite extraordinary at adapting to the child – they themselves are just incredible because they persevere
and work wonders,” she adds.
The charity was founded as Volunteer Reading Help by Susan Belgrave, who enlisted a small group of friends as volunteers. Susan had seen the impact of literacy issues in the 1960s as a School Care Worker, and she was also influenced by her time abroad – especially by volunteer reading schemes in New York. She persuaded the powers that be to let her train up volunteers to go into schools and provide 1:1 reading support. Initially it was just two schools in North Kensington, but its impact meant word spread and the charity and its volunteers grew. It adopted the name Beanstalk on its 40th birthday and joined the Coram family in 2019. Today, Coram Beanstalk works in around 2,500 schools and it estimates that it has supported some 220,000 young readers over the years. While its model remains the same, there are subtle differences in approach, informed by research. “Now we have a slightly different approach because all the evidence supports the fact that if a child is choosing to read, not just
having the ability to read, their brain does something remarkable,” says Kate Loynes. In other words, it is about wanting to pick up a book and wanting to read.
“When you go from being able to decode words and read them in a slightly stilted way to being able to read fluently and wanting to devour books, something changes in the way you can deal with everything,” she adds. Indeed, there is
evidence that being a confident and committed reader has greater impact on a child’s future life success than their socio-economic background. “So, the way our volunteers work is very much encouraging children to find the value and the joy of reading, rather than necessarily teaching them to read.”
This in itself can be a challenge – but a rewarding one. Perhaps the biggest testament to the persistence and ingenuity of volunteers at
Coram Beanstalk (and to the many librarians who are their rock) is that they go the extra mile to track down the perfect book to turn a reluctant child into a keen reader.
There’s the child who only wants books with trains or the one who has to have a precise balance of words to pictures. But the Damascene conversions happen and then light up the chat groups and social media feeds where volunteers support each other, inspire each other and share
successes. “They can’t wait to tell you all these breakthrough moments – a child who won’t pick a book for weeks and then suddenly walks in and says, ‘I think I’d like to read this one’.”
Volunteers come from all walks of life and span all ages. Recently more young people have come on board, perhaps due to changing working patterns, more flexibility – and more desire to help others. The majority are 40+ and with a span up to 80+. What unites this diverse
“There is evidence that being a confident and committed reader has greater impact on a child’s future life success than their background”
group of volunteers is the joy in what they are achieving with each child. “They are all really engaged and enthusiastic, they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t love it.”
Partly due to the pandemic, more training of volunteers happens online, but always with two face-to-face sessions. “We say you can do pretty much all of it in six weeks, assuming you’re available to join sessions,” says
Kate. Once trained and DBS checked, there’s a network of support to ensure volunteers are placed within the right school and it’s all working out. There’s a great support network – local volunteers often get together for coffee and there are WhatsApp groups for sharing ideas. There’s also a Volunteer Portal with resources, ideas and further training and CPD opportunities.
Volunteers typically work with children aged from 3 to 11, adapting the programme to age and stage – but the majority of young readers fall within the 6-11 age range. Each volunteer commits to at least one session a week and they will be assigned three children for 1:1 sessions within a school.
“It’s up to the school, but sometimes they get the same child the following year because the school knows this is becoming incredibly beneficial for a child who perhaps previously would never put their hand up in class,” says Kate. Building a love of reading invariably turns into something even more inspiring. Volunteers find that a book leads to a wider discussion – so they take in an atlas or an interesting article sparked by a conversation weeks ago.
Kate says Coram Beanstalk volunteers help with reading, but also with engagement, as children are inspired to find out more about their world and own their interests. “It’s not necessarily just about the reading, but the reading can make such a difference in terms of a child’s confidence, their general wellbeing and their whole attitude to school.”
For more on Coram Beanstalk, visit beanstalkcharity.org.uk
CORAM HAS TWO OTHER EDUCATION PROJECTS TO BRING SHAKESPEARE AND LIFE SKILLS (PHSE) INTO SCHOOLS“Coram Beanstalk works in around 2,500 schools and it estimates that it has supported some 220,000 young readers over the years”
NOW RANKED 22nd BEST PREP SCHOOL by The Sunday Times Up seven places from last years rankings
Q How long have you been Principal of Gosfield School and what originally attracted you to the role?
A Since September 2021. I was previously Head of a small International school right in the very centre of London. I was attracted to Gosfield by the fact that it is an avowedly small school with a family feel that places an emphasis on the individual. It is a school with a genuinely holistic vision of education where relationships really matter and where each child is encouraged to do their best and be their best both in the classroom and beyond, and above all, to be happy and have fun!
Q How would you describe the school’s setting?
A The school’s setting is simply glorious – a wonderful blend of the old and the new with a Georgian Manor House as our main building alongside modern purpose built buildings housing our brand new Performing Arts Centre, our Prep School and our Sports Centre; all within over 100 acres of glorious parkland encompassing woods, playing fields, our magical Forest School and even our own pond! I look out at the view from my study window each morning and feel truly privileged.
Q How privileged do you feel to be overseeing the start of a pupil’s educational journey?
A Being the proud grandparent of a 14-month-old granddaughter has really brought home to me the importance of the very beginning of the educational journey. Our early years setting is simply stunning and it is always a joy and a privilege to spend time with the youngest Gosfieldians. I am in constant awe of my colleagues working with our EYFS children.
Q At an early age, how do you look to inspire a love for learning?
A For the youngest of our children (and I don’t believe it is very different for children of any age) it is about finding that perfect blend of developing their knowledge, honing their skills and facilitating their natural curiosity. Learning is the most natural thing in the world for all children and it is all about finding those opportunities to spark that innate desire to understand the world around them and tap into their excitement at learning.
“The school's setting is simply glorious, a wonderful blend of the old and new”
Q How would you say the curriculum evolves through the year groups?
A As children move up the school, they experience more and more specialist teaching – an approach which begins with specialist Dance teaching in the Nursery and continues until by the end of Prep [Year 6] children are taught by subject specialists in Food Technology, Drama, Music, Design and Technology, Spanish and Science. In the Senior part of the school the approach in Years 7-9 is breadth and depth and as children then move upwards to GCSEs and A-levels, they have the opportunity to direct their own educational journey to a greater extent, until by the Sixth Form they choose all of their subjects. A particular feature of our curriculum is that Forest School is an integral part of our programme from the start of Nursery until the end of Year 9. We are very excited to be introducing new vocational courses in the Sixth Form – starting in September 2023 with a University of the Arts London Extended Level 3 Diploma in Performance and Production Arts. Then from
September 2024, we will be introducing into our Sixth Form Programme a further vocational course in Sports Science. And these are just the beginning.
Q What else do you offer outside of the classroom that aids a pupil’s wellbeing?
A I believe student well-being is all about environment and opportunity to thrive. I have recently had an end of year ‘check in’ with all of our Year 10 students and when I asked them what they love about Gosfield School, invariably they talked about the quality of the relationships and the fact that they come everyday into an environment where there is space and greenery everywhere. A key element of that opportunity to thrive are the opportunities outside of the classroom, whether they be going on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, playing in a cricket or netball team, acting in a play or just running around at lunch time letting off steam. Also, I think it is fair to say that pastoral care is very much in our DNA from Nursery right up to Sixth Form. We have so many children come here who flourish after struggling in other school settings. What’s more, we have Paddington the School Dog, who is always available for walks, cuddles and who loves to be read to!
Q Tell us about your Performing Arts Academy…
A Our Performing Arts Academy is a new initiative [existing alongside our very successful and well-established Cricket Academy] centred on our brand new £1.7million Performing Arts Centre. In the simplest of terms, we believe that creativity and self-expression married
with the ability to learn collaboratively and develop the values of hard work, resilience and determination to excel form a life changing opportunity for our children and young people. Within a culture of ‘performing for all’ we are seeking to create a centre of excellence in dance, music and acting from Nursery to Sixth Form. We use a combination of our own staff working alongside visiting specialists in dance, LAMDA and music. Already in our first few months, our children have had the opportunity to work alongside West End stars Lee Mead, Kerry Ellis and Denise van Outen.
Q What are you looking forward to most ahead of the new school year?
A I am very much looking forward to seeing the further development of our Performing Arts Academy. But most of all I am looking forward in September to seeing a whole new group of happy, smiling children enjoying coming to school and benefitting from the Gosfield experience.
gosfieldschool.org.uk
We are thrilled to share the incredible news that Treehouse Nursery School
– The Grove Montessori located in Wanstead has achieved an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. This is a tremendous achievement that truly reflects the dedication, hard work, and commitment of the entire sta and the exceptional learning environment.
The Outstanding rating is a testament to the innovative approach by sta to the Montessori education, their nurturing and supportive atmosphere, and their unwavering commitment to providing the best possible education for each and every child. They have contributed significantly to improving the future life chances of children and families.
The Ofsted report outlines exceptional practice in the following areas:
• Children are extremely happy and thrive in this superbly resourced nursery. They flourish in this stimulating and exceptionally welcoming provision.
• Children experience a languagerich environment, where their vocabulary develops rapidly.
• Leaders and managers have expertly developed their exceptionally ambitious
curriculum for all children. They have achieved this through using information from their precise monitoring of children's interests and their deep understanding of what they need to learn and do next.
• Sta are excellent role models for communication and language.
Leaders and managers have expertly developed their exceptionally ambitious curriculum for all children. They have achieved this through using information from their precise monitoring of children's interests and their deep understanding of what children need to learn and do next.
The nursery environment is very well planned and organised so that children have abundant opportunities to engage in open-ended, stimulating play. Sta use the inspiring facilities and equipment to a high standard, and children have a very wide variety of environments to explore.
Children show amazing communication skills and develop a wonderful love of books and stories. Sta display fiction and non-fiction books in all areas, and children choose the book of the month, which is shared with parents. It’s little wonder that they have received such an accolade.
Find out more by visiting treehousenurseries.com
A moder n education in a traditional envir onment for boys and girls aged 3-11
Open Morning
Tuesday 19th September 2023, 9:30am - 11am
See our website for more details: www.daiglenschool.co.uk
By CHRIS
Education means many things to different people at various times in their lives. What we learn from our parents, loved ones, the steep learning curves when entering the world of work. For many, education is synonymous with our time in school. These educational memories are vivid, and we learn from the culmination of experiences at school, including that ‘one’ member of staff that made a difference to us. Recognising at the brief moment that a kind word, understanding or praise is what you need to thrive. Even in times of challenge we learn, developing our personality, defining our journey. Education is all around us, in every interaction, in every experience,
every discussion we have during our formative years. It is the culmination of what we are taught, our passions and the experiences we have. We should always strive to learn and develop our intellect throughout our lives. After all, as Albert Einstein said: “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” As teachers we should aim to educate beyond the classroom. Our daily interactions being the barometer for students to measure themselves against, developing their foundations and attaining to a strong, happy and independent life. St Joseph’s College is a school that holds these preparations at our core. Across the country, Year 6 students are preparing for that change to ‘Big school!’ Many worry about the unknown answers to their various and individual questions. At St
Joseph’s, transition is a scheduled and measured process that alleviates any trepidation felt, by students and parents alike. As the Senior Pastoral Manager responsible for the care of our students between Years 7 to 11, I endeavour to get the transition right. We offer several events for students to meet our excellent academic staff, as well as feel the warmth of our pastoral staff and experience the College values of Aspiration, Respect and Confidence. We want our students to know they will grow and be nurtured, and for their parents to know they have made the right decision. We spend time, face-to-face orientating and inducting students and parents into the workings of the College. Beyond teaching lessons, we expect our students to become wellrounded individuals, to be part of the College community and to develop positive relationships for life. Lastly, an extract from a poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, Children Learn What They Live, highlights our pastoral care:
“If a child lives with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with tolerance, they learn patience. If children live with praise, they learn appreciation. If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.”
stjos.co.uk
“Even in times of challenge we learn, developing our personality and defining our journey”
FLETCHER
Open
Interview CARLY GLENDINNING
Q Huge congratulations on the launch of your new book ‘Mama Still Got It’. What’s it all about and what made you want to write it?
A Thank you, I can’t believe it myself to be honest. My book is about a year in the life of a mum throughout the school year, with a comedy spin on it of course. From watching our treasured child ruin the school photo, being late for pick-up, the dreaded class WhatsApp groups, Halloween, chocolate advent calendars, and the unmatched agony of parents’ races on Sports Day through to Christmas, Easter, World Book Day and the summer holidays – when the whole cycle begins again. I chart
the euphoric highs and sh*t-soaked lows of parenting – and I haven’t held back. There are many stories in the book that I’ve never shared before… and I’ve given my husband Jesse a ‘right of reply’ (because I bash him a little bit) and my mum writes a chapter on how being a parent has changed over the decades too. I wanted to make parents feel ‘normal’ in their journey, highlighting moments when we can all breathe a sigh of relief that it isn’t just us feeling a certain way. I hope it’s a relatable tonic. Writing a book is something I’ve always wanted to do, so when Harper Collins asked if I wanted to write one I jumped at the chance.
Q We’re big fans of your cheeky toddler character, Bernie! How did she come to life (so to speak)?
A It all started when my friend Jenny came over to meet my third child. She handed me a congratulations card and a pair of plastic hands with a note saying ‘you’re gonna need an extra pair of hands’. I thought it was slightly odd as a bottle of prosecco would have su ced, so the hands were put in my ‘everything’ drawer never to be seen again. Some 18 months later and we were in the second home-schooling lockdown hell. While I was trying to work and home school, my five-
mama-of-three,
year-old kept saying to me ‘mummy, mummy watch’ on loop then performed something really not worth watching. I decided to recreate the video and asked my son to “say it again and I‘ll film you”. Naturally he refused, and I wondered how I could create a kid character... then I remembered the plastic hands! I filmed it and sent it to my best mate Jessie who said it was funny… so I posted it and thought, if it turns out badly I can always delete. The rest is history.
Q Did you anticipate how much people would relate to Bernie?
A Not at all. There have been many Bernie videos I’ve posted thinking, am I alone in this particular phase and will people be able to relate? Luckily they do, which made me realise I am not alone – and that is the hidden message too – that we are all in this together. If your toddler has a meltdown about the way you peel a banana or the way you sing in the car – you are not alone. Your kid is right on track – and you are doing a great job.
Q You’re also the founder of the ‘Push It Out’ campaign. What made you want to call for more honesty in maternal advertising?
A Growing up in the modelling industry I always knew that the majority of maternity brands didn’t use real pregnant models and instead use a foam bump on very slim models. Naively, I thought the general public also knew this. When I was pregnant with my third child (and the only pregnancy that featured on my social media account) I posted about going on maternity leave at 17 weeks pregnant, because I was showing too much to shoot with my usual clients and and I knew that I wouldn’t get much maternity modelling, especially as a UK size 16. I would be replaced by non-pregnant models with foam bumps. The response from the post was overwhelming. I received messages from hundreds of pregnant women all over the world – some relieved, some angry, some dieting, some depressed from online shopping. Knowing that women were dieting and feeling depressed from comparing themselves with models they see online (who weren’t even pregnant) made me realise I had to try and make a change. I had so many women behind me asking me to speak up about this so I did! I started a campaign called ‘Push It Out’ asking brands for more honesty in maternity advertising. I was asking brands for a disclaimer
on websites to state if the ‘pregnant’ model was wearing a foam bump or not and of course asking brands to use more REAL pregnant models. Luckily brands listened and now more and more websites have a disclaimer when the model was wearing a foam bump, and more real pregnant models have been working more.
Q As a champion of body positivity, what would you say to other mums who might be struggling with their body image?
A In my own experience, learning to love my body has taken time. Going from an eating disorder at a size UK 8 to a mother of three at a size UK 14/16 and feeling content doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process and something you have to work on yourself – it’s self-care. Firstly, it’s really important and powerful to change the way you speak to yourself. Be aware of when you speak negatively about your body and ask yourself – would you say these negative things to a friend? Probably not, so then why say them to yourself? I like to remind myself of all the miraculous things my body has done – my body has kept me going for almost 43 years and battled flu, covid, colds, cuts and scrapes, heartbreak, miscarriage, eating disorders, pregnancy, hangovers, food poisoning and much more. My body has made three perfect people, birthed them and fed them. Life is too short to worry about how your body looks on the beach... and to be honest – no one else really cares.
Q And finally, what are the things you love most (and least!) about being a mum?
A I love being a mum – it’s messy and challenging but my gosh it’s rewarding (most of the time).
Motherhood is a special bond of unconditional love, sacrifice, and constant learning, adapting, and patience. I love watching them grow and develop into their own unique people with some of mine and my husband’s idiosyncrasies thrown into the mix. It’s an incredible journey filled with pride and joy... The mental load is the thing I find most challenging about motherhood. I read somewhere ‘It’s silent on the outside but sirens on the inside’. It’s exhausting to think for everyone all the time, which of course can turn into anxiety and resentment at times. Comparison is also something I think we all least enjoy. We’re the first generation of mothers to be on social media, so comparison is at an all-time high, however we have to remember we are all unique individuals with different strengths, weaknesses, and life experiences... and it’s so important to remind ourselves that a lot of the time social media is a completely fabricated reality.
‘Mama Still Got It’ by Louise Boyce is out now, published by Harper Collins
“I chart the euphoric highs and sh*t-soaked lows of parenting – and I haven’t held back!”
QUEENS ROAD
£750,000
A charming Victorian semi-detached house which is situated on Queens Road itself. The surprisingly spacious accommodation includes three bedrooms with en-suite to the main bedroom, three reception rooms with a traditional sitting room. Queens Road is the heart of Buckhurst Hill with a delightful range of period properties and boutique shops.
FARR O’NEIL 020 8504 9344 farroneil.co.uk
Epping Upland, Epping, CM16 6PD
Shingle Hall and Cottage is a remarkable estate that has been cherished by a single family for over four decades. This enduring ownership is a testament to the remarkable allure and magnificence that this property exudes. Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting surroundings, offering a sense of utopia unrivalled in the local area.
In the main house the accommodation comprises; an inviting entrance hallway, large WC and shower room, bright dining room, spacious living room, cosy family room, study, kitchen, fabulous conservatory overlooking the stunning gardens and a very good sized bedroom complete with en-suite shower room and dressing room. A connecting conservatory joins the house to two separate former coal stores which now offer a large utility room and an additional kitchen space. Upstairs provides three further bedrooms, two large dressing rooms and a bathroom. The barn conversion accommodation comprises; a large vaulted living room with eye catching exposed timbers, a very good sized kitchen diner, four bedrooms and a shower room. The barn has its own gardens separated off by post and rail.
The property is approached via a pretty sweeping tree lined driveway and provides ample space to park many vehicles of all shapes and sizes. There is a large courtyard providing plenty of hardstanding for equestrian requirements, ten turnout paddocks, a manège, formal gardens set around three lovely ponds and many beautiful mature trees and shrubs. The total plot being offered is about 9.7 acres.
PRICE
£1,795,000
SELLING AGENT
Savills Loughton 020 8498 6600 savills.co.uk
A once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire this spectacular residence occupying an idyllic position in a rural setting to the north of Epping
A wonderfully spacious, and much loved, five bedroom detached house which is situated in a quiet turning, ideally positioned for the excellent choice of state and independent schools in area. This attractive house sits on a good size plot with a delightful 60ft rear garden, integral garage and plenty of off-street parking.
Situated in one of Buckhurst Hill’s most sought after turnings is this 1930’s style semi-detached property. The house has been extended to enhance the living space, to offer a good size kitchen/ diner, through lounge, and three well appointed bedrooms. Outside there is parking to the front and the rear garden measures approximately 55ft in length.
A stunning property on sale with Durden & Hunt
Traps Hill, IG10
JAMES HUNTIt's a well known fact that during the summer months, with homeowners and prospective buyers going away on holiday, the property market tends to calm a little and often the question of ‘is now the right time to sell?’ arises.
Whilst we may hear on the news that there is an imminent house price crash, it's important to remember that the property market is often more resilient than rumoured. According to Rightmove, in June the average new seller asking price fell by just £82 (-0.0%) to £372,812. Whilst this does suggest a slightly earlier than usual summer slow down, which we would expect to see in the second half of the year, it's not a particularly dramatic slump. This is likely due to prices set by both sellers that remain optimistic due to the post pandemic price increases and those that market their property particularly competitively to attract buyers.
With regards to high mortgage rates,
the Bank of England expects inflation to continue to fall by the end of the year, which although unlikely to hit their 2% target is moving in a positive direction.
Don’t forget the warmer months can be a great time to view properties, with other potential buyers out of the country, no school traffic to contend with and longer sunny days showing off a home’s full potential. If you are off on vacation your estate agent will still be working hard to sell your property, so you might consider leaving the keys with them, meaning viewings, and potentially a sale, can progress whilst you are holidaying.
If you’re unsure of whether the time is right for you to move, why not speak to myself or one of my agents for a free, no obligation valuation of your property or one of our recommended mortgage brokers for an impartial chat so you can better understand your current position.
Durden and Hunt welcome to the market this exceptional four bedroom detached home in a sought after location in Loughton. Internally this immaculate property offers a spacious kitchen, with separate utility room, large open plan living and dining room, additional reception room and a downstairs WC. The first floor consists of a master bedroom, with fitted wardrobes and en-suite, alongside three additional bedrooms and a modern family bathroom/wet room. Externally this property benefits from a generous sized south facing garden and patio area and a large driveway.
Asking Price £1,475,000
For more, visit durdenandhunt.co.uk
James Hunt , co-founder of Durden & Hunt, on why a summer slump isn’t necessarily on the cards
Loughton accountancy firm Haslers is this year celebrating the 15th anniversary of its own charity, The Haslers Foundation. Since they established the Haslers Foundation in 2008, the charity has provided more than £212,000 in support to national and local good causes.
The Haslers Foundation aims to prevent and relieve poverty by providing grants and services to people in need, or to other charities or organisations involved in this type of work. It also supports people with long-term medical conditions and initiatives to preserve good health and encourages young people to participate in society by promoting recreational and leisure activities.
Over the past 15 years, the Foundation has organised and taken part in some amazing fundraising activities to raise money for their cause. These activities
include annual quizzes and give-a-gift appeals, the donations from which have supported many local causes and charities. A team from Haslers Accountants also took on a gruelling 12km obstacle course in May 2023, all in the name of raising money for the Haslers Foundation.
With such a significant milestone achieved and with a considerable amount of money raised in its history, the Haslers Foundation wants to continue its good work and help many more people.
“We are immensely proud of the work the Haslers Foundation has achieved in its 15-year history,” says Jon O’Shea, Chairman and Senior Tax Partner at Haslers Accountants, “but we know we can achieve so much more. We’d like to reach out to more local charities so we can help support them, and in turn help a wider group of those most in need.”
Find out more by visiting haslers.com
Alongside the anniversary celebrations, Haslers also announce the promotion of a new Business Services Group Partner
Haslers are delighted to announce the promotion of Tom Rogers to Partner effective 1 July 2023. Tom joined Haslers in 2011 as a placement student as part of his university degree and returned on the Haslers Graduate Scheme in 2013. Tom specialises in a number of areas including large owner managed businesses, SMEs, start-ups and the charity and education sector; he has experience of assisting and guiding his clients through the entire life cycle from start up to future growth. He is also the firm’s ICAEW Training Manager, responsible for the oversight of the firm’s ACA students. Tom says: “I have been with Haslers for 12 years now and I am delighted to have been promoted to Partner. I am looking forward to this exciting new chapter in my career.”
Haslers Chairman, Jon O'Shea, adds: “Tom joined us as a placement student and it is encouraging to see his dedication and hard work lead to this promotion. We are excited to welcome him into our Partnership and look forward to his achievements in his new role.”
This isn’t the first time Absolutely has covered Haven House Children’s Hospice within these pages and it certainly won’t be the last –and they are in the news once again as they have marked its 20th anniversary by burying a time capsule in its grounds. Children, families, staff, and supporters gathered to bury the capsule near to a hazel tree that was gifted to the Woodford Green hospice from the Queen’s Canopy – a tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The time capsule was full of mementoes from 2023, including artwork made with a child’s fingerprints, photographs, a poem written by two hospice siblings, a handwritten message from hospice ambassador Harry Kane, a video showcasing the hospice and a special edition newsletter containing 20 inspiring stories.
This came on the back of an unused woodland at Haven House Children’s Hospice, in Woodford Green, being transformed into a stunning private refuge for children, families and staff. Created by award-winning garden designer Thomas Hoblyn and landscaping company Stewart Landscapes, the new 300m2 garden includes a series of boardwalk-style pathways, benches, and a sculpture. The garden is a haven for wildlife, and with each season new plants will bloom for visitors to enjoy.
The opening was officiated by Thomas,
alongside hospice children, parents, staff and special guests. Parents Aasam and Mariam Ali were part of initial conversations regarding the plans for the space as their late child Aiza was cared for by Haven House. Aiza was diagnosed with a rare metabolic condition, and started using Haven House when she was a year old and continued to use the services provided for more than 14 years. The couple’s long-term involvement in this project made their role as ribbon cutters even more poignant.
Aasam says: “There is something special and enchanting about this new space that offers something for
everyone. For us, it will be a reminder of our little girl. Although Aiza is no longer with us, we know how much she liked nature and being outside.”
The stimulating space will be utilised for life-enriching therapy sessions such as music and yoga, as well for play, story time, picnics and relaxation. Whilst many may take for granted being able to enjoy a garden, for children with a life-limiting condition and their families, the chance to spend time together outdoors and away from a clinical setting is precious.
havenhouse.org.uk
