Absolutely Hertfordshire February 2023

P L US ART IS LIFE

The St Albans creative who battled back from the brink

FRIENDS LIKE THESE Four Hatfield locals changing how we eat

DOCTOR WHO

The Broxbourne psychologist putting us at ease

Our new St Albans store has opened! BoConcept is the epitome of luxury Danish design furniture, offering a wide range of furniture and accessories that will elevate any living space. Customise our collections to suit your individual tastes, from sleek and modern to timeless and classic. To make things even easier, we provide a free interior design service to assist you in creating the perfect look for your home. Call or scan the QR code today to book your free interior design consultation.

STAY IN BED

The ultimate luxury is taking time to unwind in a bed so comfortable that you never want to leave

Bed: Sandö I Fabric: Designer´s Guild Rothesay Zinc I Carpet: Soft Greige I Bed Linen: Storm Shell I Bedside table: Holme I Headboard: Rivö I Bed legs: Reling MADE BESPOKE WITH FABRICS FROM AND

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

MAGAZINE MANAGER LOUISE PEARSON

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT STELLA ADAMS

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI

CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID

DIRECTORS

CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT

LETTER Editor’s

It has been so engrossing watching the fallout from the publication of the Duke of Sussex's, Spare. Whatever side you are on, there is no denying it's the biggest book publication so far in 2023 – and there's a chance nothing will surpass it this year.

Reading the book, it actually reminded me of school in a roundabout way. You see, I was never the most fastidious of students, but I loved history – particularly anything to do with Kings and Queens. Henry VIII and his wives, the English Civil War, the abdication of Edward VIII... I lapped it all up.

So, Harry's book is rather good timing considering this month is our education special. He reminded me what I loved about school, and I do wonder if in 50 years from now, someone else will be looking back on this point as a momentous time for the Royal Family.

Whatever your background, our lead profile this month shows it's never too late to try something new. Ed Worley, aka Opake, openly discusses his struggles to Bethan Andrews, and how art – with a little help from St Albans – helped to transform his life and become a talent who is globally in demand.

And, of course, it's Valentine's Day this month, so we chat to one local who has created a new way of dating online. I may just buy my wife a copy of Spare.

4

Origin Pools Dive into wellbeing in the home in 2023 (p63)

Opake

ABSOLUTELY’S

February issue highlights

5

Interiors Trend Take a seat and relax (p66)

COMPILED BY PENDLE HARTE

FRILL SEEKER

The Molly Goddard Davina dress features all-over frills in varying sizes, cra ed from a Italian so tulle with a detachable contrasting cotton slip with a broderie anglaise trim. £2,400 mollygoddard.com

SET AND MATCH

Yawn pyjamas feature a relaxed fit, deep pockets, generous hems and a collar button for cooler nights. We love the Hounds of Love set in red. £95 loveyawn.com

LADY IN RED

Is this the ultimate red dress? It could be. Somerset by Alice Temperley satin maxi dress, £110 johnlewis.com

RED ALERT

The quest for the perfect red lip is complete. Gucci's Rouge de Beauté Brillant High-Shine Lipstick is here – and the packaging is lovely too. £36 gucci.com

the packaging is

10 things we Absolutely love

BERRY RED

A warm glow for the hallway, this Stately Bouquet scented candle is designed to set the tone of your home with its calming aroma and notes of blackberries, musk and cashmere woods. £52 libertylondon.com

RED STRIPE

This red and pink cashmere cardigan by Cormio features ribbed detailing, a high round neck and flower buttons. £400 koibird.com

THAT'S LOVE

Seal the Valentine's deal with these 18ct White Gold 1.20ct Ruby & Diamond Earrings. £1,250 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

STITCH UP

Jess De Wahls' embroidered notebooks for Moleskin feature beautiful and delicate flowers. Her work merges contemporary social issues with botanical beauty. From £550 moleskine.com

ELEGANCE PERSONIFIED

La Grande Classique de Longines range is a symbol of Longines’ classic elegance and timeless sophistication. £1,200 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

RED HOT

Make a feminine statement with this gorgeous Marie Jo Nathy plunge bra and brief with beautiful floral embroidery. ameliesfollies.co.uk

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

16 FEBRUARY, ALBAN ARENA

Embark on a thrilling night of adventure with a brand-new collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. The Banff Mountain Film Festival promises thrills and spills on the big screen, with adrenaline pumping situations to marvel at and scenery to enjoy. Turn over to find out more. banff-uk.com

FEBRUARY'S HOTTEST HAPPENINGS The Agenda

Woodland Wonder

14-16 FEBRUARY, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, TRING

Our woods are lively habitats and are home to all sorts of creatures. Join the team at the Natural History Museum, Tring, as they explore the animals, big and small, furry and feathery, that live in our woodlands, from night-time flyers to daytime dwellers. Discover more about the wildlife in our woods and make your own woodland animal to take home. nhm.ac.uk

Banff Mountain Film Festival

16 February

ALBAN ARENA

The Ban Mountain Film Festival joins the world’s best adventure film-makers and explorers as they push themselves to the limits in the most remote and stunning corners of the globe. Witness epic human-powered feats, lifea rming challenges and mind-blowing cinematography – all on the big screen. alban-arena.co.uk

EVENT ARTS

Big Makers Fair

25-26 February

HERTS VISUAL ARTS

An exhibition of art and making, covering sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, furniture, and glass. Artists from across Hertfordshire will show work in three dimensions, celebrating form, scale and texture. Buy art direct from the artists, and enjoy the visual surprise and delight of contemporary creativity. hvaf.org.uk

EVENT

MUSIC

OF LOVE

FILM

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP

17 February

ODEON HATFIELD

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Here they find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with new creatures and taking a journey that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible. odeon.co.uk

This Month’s Must See

Sounds of the 60s MATILDA

Head to the Roald Dahl Museum to celebrate all things Matilda this February half-term. Enjoy clay and junk modelling workshops with a Trunchbull twist, listen to Matilda storytelling or go on a Matilda trail around the galleries. Enjoy Crunchem Hall playground games in the courtyard or simply stu your face with pizza from pop-up experts Pizzaficio. roalddahl.com/museum

16 February

HODDESDON SPOTLIGHT

Every week, listeners across the UK tune into BBC Radio 2 to hear the legendary Tony Blackburn play the greatest songs of the 60s. Now, the DJ will be taking his Sounds of the 60s show on the road, for a UK tour celebrating the music of this muchloved decade. The Sounds of the 60s All-Star Band and Singers will perform classic hits from the likes of Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Everly Brothers, Elvis, and The Beatles. thespotlightvenue.com

A special event on 5 February offers a classical take on LGBTQ+ History Month

This February the University of Hertfordshire’s resident orchestra, the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra (dHPO), will be celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month with a concert of works by esteemed composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).

Performing work by Tchaikovsky, whose writings biographers believe reveal his homosexuality, during LGBTQ+ History Month gives the dHPO along with their audience the opportunity to remember, honour and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. The concert aims to promote equality and diversity through music and begins with the passionate romanticism of Romeo and Juliet, depicting the famous and tragic love a air from the famous Shakespeare

play. The Variations on a Rococo Theme feature cello soloist Bozidar Vukotic, who regularly performs at Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall and on BBC Radio 3. Consisting of an original theme in a rococo style with a set of eight variations, it is thought to be Tchaikovsky reflecting on the more classical period of Mozart who he much admired. The second half of the concert includes the ever-popular Symphony No. 5 with the beautiful horn solo in the second movement, building into a triumphant march which will leave audiences invigorated.

The dHPO orchestra has enjoyed over 50 years of success and brings together over 80 classical musicians who perform a wide musical repertoire under the leadership of their dynamic conductor, Robin Browning. uharts.co.uk

11-18 FEBRUARY, ROALD DAHL MUSEUM

PHOTO: JONNY BACK

ART AS THERAPY

By BETHAN ANDREWS

ith Valentine’s Day upon us, there’s often talk of true love around this time of year. And one such true love comes in the form of rising international artist Ed Worley’s relationship with creativity and art production. In fact, it saved Opake – as he’s known in the art world – from a lifetime of turmoil and addiction. Rewind ten years and his life looked very different to what it is today. Trapped in the depths of drug addiction and homelessness, Opake spent many years simply surviving and in and out of episodes of psychosis.

The 34-year-old artist used his recent, highly-acclaimed exhibition with Quantus Gallery in London’s East End to demonstrate the power of creativity in turning a life around and hopes that its raw honesty will inspire others to change the course of their own. “My life has been reasonably wild,” he says. “I had a great upbringing and have wonderful

Wparents, but I got involved with writing graffiti at a very young age and hung around with older people who didn’t necessarily have my best interests at heart. I started using drugs, smoking and drinking at a very young age, and it all went very downhill and I ended up as a drug addict using crack and alcohol. I was psychotic everyday and had major mental health issues, as well as being homeless and living on the Victoria Line. Drug dependency and addiction just bring with them chaos, they go hand in hand.”

Opake discusses how dark and dangerous that part of his life was, and after a series of major rock bottoms, self harming, a lot of violence and two big seizures, he started looking into routes to recovery. “Through relapsing and trying again and again to get better, my mum, who has really stuck by me, found my therapist who I instantly connected with,” he says. “I then met my partner, who I’m still with now, Ruth, and she had a son who was one. The introduction of responsibility, and working with my therapist, started to get me better.”

From the day that Ruth and Opake decided to get a house together in St Albans, his life started to turn around, but much of Opake’s art takes its inspiration from this dark and compulsive shadow that dominated his early life. “I realised that my art could be my addiction. Being obsessive-compulsive, becoming addicted to things – if you can channel that into something creative instead of something harmful, you can be so powerful,” he says.

“As an addict, it’s a very purpose driven lifestyle with a major focus and goal, and when I got clean, I had no purpose. I’d been working as an artist a bit, but I had no drive with it, so when I made the decision to be a full-time artist, I had to go for it. I don’t ever want to be not known as an addict, but I want to use that mindset to push something positive. My whole work ethic is based around the same chase, and it enables me to live as a normal person and function in society. The whole process is done by hand and by me, and there’s no room for anything else. I go into a meditative state of painting

As St Albans artist Ed Worley goes from strength to strength, we chat to him about how honing in on his creativity has helped to save him from a life of drug addiction and despair

“I realised that art could be my addiction”

everyday and people say I’m addicted to work, but I don’t have a problem with that!”

Opake talks about how surviving addiction and homelessness taught him a lot, and his survival of that means he believes he can survive anything. What he truly hopes is that his work can change the narrative when it comes to talking about addiction. “Me sitting in the studio and painting everyday, that’s joyous. Having children and a partner, and waking up in a bed, that’s joyous,” he smiles. “I went through years of thinking of why me and looking at my past as a real negative but, now, I try to look at it as a positive. I have zero off-switch, you can’t out-work me as I don’t know how to stop. Changing the narrative of addiction, what it is and how it can be used, that’s my superpower and it’s important to me. If you can change the narrative of what it means to be an addict within you, then the problems with drug addiction would dissipate.”

So, what can people expect from his art, something that is winning him high praise from critics across the globe? Described as storybook realism, Opake’s work combines graffiti with pop art and blurs the boundaries of traditional 19th century portrait photography with popular cartoon imagery. With its stylised and hyperreal depictions of Disney and other cartoon characters, it evokes the pop artists of the 1960s, whose work questioned assumptions about high and low art. “The reason why I paint what I paint, and the aesthetics of the cartoon characters, is that I want it to be accessible to everybody, regardless of age, and for everyone to take something from it,” he says. “It’s based on repeat imagery, and the idea of doing the same action again and again and expecting a different outcome. If you know the backstory of why I repeat the images, it takes on a whole new meaning.”

When it comes to how St Albans has impacted Opake on his road to recovery,

I wonder how exactly that manifests and what he loves most about the city. “It’s incredibly safe, and that’s a major one for me with a one-year-old and a six-year-old, and it’s got amazing schools, too,” he says. “It sounds daft that they are the first things I said given everything, but my partner and my children are my world. There’s so much greenery in St Albans, too, so I can walk to amazing parks, great restaurants and walk back home. It’s a beautiful city and a really wonderful place to live – and it’s quiet, which is something I need.”

Opake tells me how much he loves the restaurants and businesses in the city, too. “Hatch is my favourite place to eat in the city, for brunch particularly, the food is incredible,” he says. “My favourite place to go in St Albans is Lariatt Skate Shop where I get my tattoos. We go to The Ivy a lot, as well. I like how intimate it is as a place and on Saturday you’ve got the market and all the food stalls. Clarence Park is such a lovely park and Verulamium Park is huge, you can walk around that place for hours. Everyday I run down the Alban Way, which is an old train track that is now a path that goes all the way to Welwyn Garden City. At some points, you can be completely alone, and it’s just lovely.”

After such an incredibly successful exhibition and past year, I wonder what the future holds. “I have another exhibition with Quantus and their sister gallery in Switzerland, and we are looking at doing something in Dubai,” he says. “I’m doing some big collaborations with big artists, too, and looking at collaborations with huge fashion houses. My strength is to live day by day and focus on my painting, but it’s a really exciting time!”

For more on Ed Worley visit quantusgallery.com

HE LOVES LIVING IN ST ALBANS

GOOD GRIEF

Get to know… STACY THOMSON

FOUNDER

Q What inspired REDDI?

A In 2019, I wrote an article on ‘The Trouble with Dating’. I experienced burnout after spending the majority of my adult life as a single woman on and off dating apps. I was someone who absolutely believed in the concept of love – I still do – but somehow, I hadn’t managed to find it for myself.

This wasn’t an issue for me until it became an issue. At the age of 41 and now thinking about my own fertility, I discovered that my eggs were literally dying. So I took the decision to have solo IVF, which resulted in my beautiful son, Milo, who is now 16 months old. Whilst going through my IVF journey, I realised there were thousands of women out there also now having to choose the same journey – not just those of a similar age to me, but much younger women who were also fatigued, and had decided to take matters into their own hands. This is despite 95% of women strongly preferring to have a partner, and the rise in single, depressed and lonely men.

Younger generations are also having less sex than any other generation that has come before them, so something is going seriously wrong, and I want to change that.

Q What makes what you offer different?

A REDDI is a dating app dedicated to helping people find healthy, long-term relationships (we use attachment styles, core values, and love languages) that maximise the chances of creating matches with longevity. Then, hopefully, lead to creating, merging, or joining a family.

We’re both an on and offline dating community, with the view that connection often takes more time than a single one-off date, and some people need some guidance and support. Many people don’t actually use apps to date – rather for validation, to give their self-esteem a boost. We are trying to change the way people date – by altering the brain's behaviour. The gamification of modern dating apps release the feel-good neurochemical dopamine. When we receive a match or a ‘like’ your brain receives a dose of both dopamine and adrenaline. Our brains love to feel good: we want to feel good all of the time – so it’s no

STACY ENJOYS PILATES

surprise that when we create this feedback loop, we want to experience it continually. But the reality is that it leads to addiction, dating burnout, and poor swiping choices.

Q How does REDDI work?

A REDDI is a private members-only platform – so any potential applicant would need to apply to join us by downloading the app and completing our short questionnaire. If selected, then you will be required to pay a 3 or 6-month subscription fee. We value safety and quality over quantity, so being a subscription app enables us to provide our members with a more exclusive service.

Our members don’t have the option to just endlessly swipe, either – we aim to show just five quality matches per day. These matches are based on attachment style as well as basic preferences such

as location and age. Profiles offer a more intimate discovery – enabling our members to be more upfront than on other apps. For example, it provides an opportunity to vocalise your preferences and non-negotiables when dating and within relationships.

Q How does running REDDI fit in with your life as a mum of one?

A Well, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a juggle. But if you ask any entrepreneur who is starting a new business, they’d probably say that work/ life balance is a privilege – especially at the beginning – as you’re often doing a lot of things yourself. It helps that my son is at nursery for three days a week. I work flexibly and offer the same to my small team which works well.

Q How long have you lived in St Albans?

A I decided to move out of London and to St Albans when I was four months pregnant. I had done some research on the best areas to

live and St Albans just kept appearing. It was a great decision. Having lived here for the last 20 months or so, you can see why people love living here. It is such a pretty city, and as a new mum I have been welcomed with open arms by the other St Albans mums.

Q Where are your favourite places to visit?

A I love Verulamium Park and spend lots of time there. I have a little dog, Winston, so the park is ideal for him, and it’s just so relaxing when walking with Milo in the pushchair – although the hill isn’t my favourite thing in St Albans!

I also love the fact that whilst St Albans is a city, it still has a very pretty, country feel to it – I love heading up to one of the local woods to get some fresh air.

I’ve also just started with The Good Pilates Club, which is beyond amazing.

iamreddi.com

ST ALBANS IS THE PERFECT HOME FOR HER

VERULAMIUM PARK IS A LOCAL FAVOURITE

“REDDI is dedicated to helping people find healthy, long-term relationships”

This LITTLE GIRL

Absolutely goes behind the scenes at Matilda The Musical

Even as an adult, I’m excited to meet the cast of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical. The show has been playing in the West End since 2011 and its unforgettable songs are played on repeat in countless households. There’s hardly been an empty seat in the house since it opened, and now a new film is attracting even more fans – because it’s a timeless show that people of all ages return to again and again for its anarchic spirit and unique style.

Clearly, the show has a special energy behind the scenes as well. A new cast change brings Rakesh Boury and Amy Ellen Richardson to the roles of Mr and Mrs Wormwood, and they were both fans before they’d been cast. “I saw the orginal at Stratford and I remember thinking, there’s nothing else like this. I laughed, I cried,” says Richardson. We’re in the theatre’s Circle Bar in the afternoon, where tables are already set up for the children’s supper later. For them it’s a tight schedule – they spend the day at school, then rush to the theatre for the evening performance. “It’s a well-oiled machine,” says Boury.

There are currently three teams of children who perform in turns, and Boury and Richardson are blown away by their talent. “They’re so unbelievably good,” says Boury, who has four-year-old twin daughters who are deep into their Matilda fan phase. Richardson has been acting since she was 10, so seeing the children on stage reflects her own life. “What an experience it is for them,” she says. “And they’re so good that they make you up your game.”

For a long-running show, it’s unusual to have so many of the original team still involved, but Matilda The Musical is very much a passion project for pretty much

everybody. Writer Dennis Kelly, composer and lyricist Tim Minchin, director Matthew Warchus, musical director Laurie Perkins and choreographer Peter Darling have all been hands-on since the beginning, and the show adapts to each new wave of actors. “We were encouraged to bring our own interpretations to the roles,” says Richardson. “We do feel that they’re our roles, which is great when you’re taking on an existing role,” says Boury. “The team genuinely wanted us to find our own versions, which is great – I’ve done shows where they insist on you doing everything a certain way. But every Wormwood there’s ever been has been their own.”

Plainly, they both love the show and feel lucky to be part of it. “We’ve done 140 shows but we still feel like the new cast,” says Boury. And the energy comes from the audience too. “When I finish work, 1200 people applaud me. That feeling can keep you going. Just this week there was a 40-year-old man in a Matilda The Musical t-shirt standing up at the end, bawling his eyes out. It’s the power of the arts, isn’t it.” He’s right – this show stays with everyone it touches. Long may it continue.

matildathemusical.com

AMY ELLEN RICHARDSON AS MRS WORMWOOD

RAKESH BOURY AS MR WORMWOOD

“A timeless show with an anarchic spirit and unique style”

A MILLION MILES

FROM EVERYDAY

The rural retreat. A twist on tradition. The clatter of hooves. The English countryside. The miles of possibility. The feeling of home. Coworth Park.

After seven solid, sold out months so far, ABBA Voyage has announced more tickets for its critically acclaimed and ground-breaking concert in London, and is now taking bookings up until 27 November 2023. The journey continues at the concert that everyone is talking about.

ABBA Voyage sees one of the most successful and legendary pop groups of all time back on stage with a revolutionary new concert with Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid performing digitally with a live 10-piece band, in their very own, purposebuilt, ABBA Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London – the only place you can see ABBA in the world.

The ABBA Arena is easily accessible via Stratford Station (National Rail, London Underground, DLR and London Overground), just a short train ride in from Hertfordshire, making it the perfect destination for a night-out, celebration and an experience you will

THEJOURNEY CONTINUES

More tickets have been released for ABBA Voyage, a concert like no other

never forget. The Olympic Park is also home to a multitude of hotels, shops and dining to make the most of your visit.

Since opening back in May last year, hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world have flocked to see ABBA Voyage – from Australia, Germany, Brazil and even Brentwood. Alongside experiencing some of your favourite greatest hits such as Dancing Queen, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Voluez-Vous and The Winner Takes It All, the concert includes songs from Voyage, the band’s first album in 40 years.

How about all the digital magic that powers the concert? The Arena has capacity for 3,000 fans and houses 291 speakers, producing 870,000 watts of audio amplification throughout the concert and over 500 moving lights mapped to 30,000 points in the arena helping create an immersive live concert. It really does have to be seen to be believed.

The purpose-built ABBA Arena is not just a concert arena, but an entire destination. Once you step inside you will be greeted by a great variety of drink, dining and

shopping options for you to enjoy during your visit including a prosecco bar, cocktails on tap and delicious hot food and desserts. A range of exclusive and unique ABBA Voyage merchandise is also available so you can feel the part on the dancefloor, or take the experience home with you.

Elevate your ABBA experience, and make your voyage a trip to remember with an upgrade to the Oceanbird Lounge, a premium space within the ABBA Arena, where you can relax and enjoy free flowing drinks and grazing platters.

Treat yourself and your friends and family to ABBA Voyage tickets in 2023 with a selection of gifting options including tickets, giftboxes, gift cards and upgrades available at abbavoyage.com/gifting. It’s the greatest ABBA performance the world has never seen. Until now.

ABBA VOYAGE

is now booking until 27 November 2023, with the best availability for tickets from February 2023 onwards. For all information go to abbavoyage.com

REVOLUTIONARY

SEES ABBA REIMAGINED

& DRINK

PERFECT PAIRING

RARE CHAMPAGNE

Announcing a new Rare Pairing series, Rare Champagne have enlisted top French chef, Mélanie Serre, to create new menus for the season. "I am delighted to explore, discover, create and compose menus for which I had a carte blanche," she says on the partnership. Turn to p35 to discover what she created in the kitchen. rare-champagne.com

WHAT TO DRINK

TASTING

NOTES

Hertfordshire's food news and most exciting openings this month

By MARK KEBBLE

GRAPE news

Wine recommendations for the month

Andrew Peace Signature Shiraz, Australia  £6

This smooth, fullbodied, sunshine-filled Aussie red wine is blended from Shiraz with a touch of Tempranillo, bringing you typical ripe black fruit flavours with a hint of cherry. It would pair excellently with sweet red stu ed peppers. coop.co.uk

Champagne Lanson Bio-Organic, France  £59

Le Green Label Organic is made with grapes from Domaine de la Malmaison, and is the only Champagne to have achieved every organic and biodynamic certification. It is the perfect expression of the terroir: direct, pure with a wonderful vitality. thechampagnecompany.com

Plum & Pepper Barossa Valley Shiraz, Australia  £14.99

This delicious Shiraz is rich and warming, with beautiful black fruit, leather and oak complexity. It is also brilliantly mature with layers of flavours opening out in the glass and would be perfect with a hearty winter vegetable casserole. majestic.co.uk

Have a laugh

GIGGLING SQUID

Whether you’re vegan, giving it a go for the new year or are flexi and simply go with the flow, Giggling Squid has unveiled an array of new tastebud-tantalising vegan dishes. What’s more, the plant-based additions aren’t just for Veganuary, but will feature permanently on the menu. Examples include Pad Paak Bong Noodles, fine rice noodles with crushed garlic, topped with stir fried morning glory and soy beans.

gigglingsquid.com

Let’s eat cake

LOLA’S CUPCAKES

From Belfast to Berkhamsted, Newcastle to Norwich, leading bakery brand Lola’s Cupcakes is now delivering nationwide for the first time. The new range of naked cakes from the much-loved company features delicious flavours to suit every taste, including a tasty vegan option. Handmade each day by Lola’s expert bakers using only the finest ingredients, each cake has been made with love and is guaranteed to make any occasion extra special. lolascupcakes.co.uk

FOOD

OF LOVE

Valentine’s Day buys that will set the mood

NIEDEREGGER

For Valentine’s Day food, you can’t beat Niederegger marzipan, established in Germany in 1806. Marzipan is thought to be an aphrodisiac, so a perfect little treat to gi your loved one. Stocked in John Lewis, Welwyn Garden City. johnlewis.com

ZERO GUILT

DRINKIE

Hertfordshire-based Drinkie, the range of premium pouched cocktails, has unveiled a brand-new 0%, vegan-friendly collection. Drinkie has partnered with Everleaf to create the new range, which will launch with a 0% Pornstar Martini. With notes of sa ron, Madagascan vanilla and orange blossom, with passionfruit, pineapple, and butterscotch too, it’s a winning combination. drinkie.me

BISCUITEERS

This Valentine’s Day, Biscuiteers has launched a new Art of Love collection. This vibrant and colourful collection is perfect for gi ing that special someone. Inspired by modern art, the eye-catching collection makes a gorgeous gi . biscuiteers.com

WEIGHT OFF SHOULDERS

WEIGHTWATCHERS

Treat for 2023

WAGAMAMA

wagamama has launched an iconic Veganuary dish with a special partnership allowing one million meals to be donated to low income families. Guests at wagamama St Albans and Stevenage can enjoy a new vegan take on its much missed iconic kare lomen dish, adding a Veganuary flourish to the regular menu which is already more than 50% plant based. This will be launched alongside the new charity partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing. wagamama.com

YVETTE'S CHOCOLATES

This Berkhamsted favourite’s unique flavour combinations are achieved through an artisanal 24 hour infusion technique, learned at the Chocolate Academy at Banbury under the tutelage of Marc Demarquette. Luxury for your loved one. yvetteschocolates.com

Much loved restaurant brands, Toby Carvery, Harvester and Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery, have unveiled a partnership with WeightWatchers to host workshops at their restaurants across the UK and highlight healthy choices on their menus. The workshops for WW members are currently taking place at 68 restaurants across the three brands, with more potentially being added in the coming weeks. The partnership comes as WW aims to expand its reach to help people in communities across the UK. weightwatchers.com/uk

DINNER

SORTED

Absolutely Hertfordshire uncovers the story behind four friends from Brookmans Park who created a buoyant foodie movement online

By MARK KEBBLE

Sorted Food – the social media movement dedicated to cooking and inspiring millions of people to get joy from food – recently launched a new cookbook that tears up the rulebook for traditional cooking with more than 55 recipes for those looking to shake things up in the kitchen. Aptly titled Can’t Be Arsed with Rules delivers eight chapters of dishes packed full of hacks from using cheats ingredients to ingenious ways to use kitchen gadgets, all in the pursuit of saving time, effort and money, but still delivering dishes with maximum flavour.

It’s just the latest development for the movement, which started 12 years ago with four friends from Hertfordshire just talking about food. “We all went to school together, but the idea for Sorted Food began when we ventured off to universities across

the UK,” says one of those four friends, Jamie Spafford. “We soon realised that our cooking knowledge was incredibly limited and started asking Ben [Ebbrell, co-founder], who was training to be a chef, for tips and tricks. Sorted grew from this conversation as we tried to help more people in a similar predicament.”

Jamie and Ben, alongside Barry Taylor and Mike Huttlestone, started to upload videos to YouTube concerning these discussions, and soon enough interest started to grow. “As we uploaded more videos to YouTube, more people started to join the conversation and asked us to show them how to cook different dishes,” Jamie explains. “It was a really safe space for ‘normal’ home cooks to ask a chef for advice, where there was no such thing as a ‘stupid question’, and people could share their own tips and tricks – rather than TV chefs who told you just to do it their way.

“It took a while for the videos to get going in views, but when we started to get

TOSTADAS

comments from people living in the US and Australia, and people were sending us photos of our recipes that they had cooked, that’s when it started to feel like this could evolve into something bigger,” Jamie continues.

Today, Sorted Food offers a wealth of resources for the would-be cook. “We’ve expanded what we do to showcase the world of food around us – learning from our global community and travelling to other countries to try the cuisine first hand, and share our experiences with the community through video content, social media and our Sidekick app, which helps people create awesome dinners, save money and reduce food waste. The recipes share ingredients across them, which means you buy less and use all the fresh ingredients you buy each week – by just doing this, an average couple can save £360 per year on their food bills!”

Can’t Be Arsed with Rules is the latest burst of inspiration from the quartet. Following recipe successes with too often shunned ingredients including instant mash, gravy powder and corned beef, the team of Sorted Food chefs decided to experiment with ripping up more traditions in everyday cooking. With revolutionary new recipes that will have some traditional chefs spinning in their whites, the line-up includes ‘Instant Ramen e Pepe’, ‘Leek and Kettle Chip Soup’, ‘Naanzanella’ and ‘Waffle Chive Blinis with Smoked Salmon’ – made in a waffle iron!

“It has to be the Leek and Kettle Chip Soup,” Jamie says on his favourite recipe.

The four have certainly come far from their secondary school days in Brookmans Park, but Jamie insists they aren’t too different despite the success of Sorted Food. “Much of what we do has stayed the same – it’s still a group of friends exploring food and trying to become better cooks – but it’s just grown a lot bigger. We now have a community of millions who join us at least twice a week for our videos, and cook with us daily using our Sidekick app… But it’s still just as, if not more, fun!” sortedfood.com

“It’s still a group of friends exploring food and trying to become better cooks”

MICRO GREENS AND EGGS

CRAB AND AVOCADO

A RARE BREED

Take one globally acclaimed chef, pair with Rare Champagne, and you have recipes that will dazzle and delight

Rare Champagne offers carte blanche to chefs whose talent reveals a diamond in the rough, fresh and with an exceptional future ahead. Now, Rare Champagne has entrusted chef Mélanie Serre with their new Rare Pairings series.

In Megève, St. Barts, Monaco, and Paris, chef Serre approaches her work with a joyous heart, while creating tailormade dishes that show a deep respect for the terroir and nature. Because of her philosophy, Rare Champagne have entrusted chef Serre with this new Rare Pairings series. Rare Champagne allows her to explore her creativity, linked to each of the Rare Champagne Millésimes, for a unique sensory experience. Chef Serre, a Gault & Millau Young Talent Award winner, is also listed among the “1,000 Women Chefs who Count in the World” and is one of the six French female chefs recognized for their personality, as much as their culinary art, by Le Parisien magazine. Serre’s first position was as chef at Atelier Etoile Joël Robuchon, a two-star Michelin restaurant in Paris, where she became executive chef one year later. She now officiates at Louis Vins restaurant, near Notre Dame in Paris.

Her Rare Rosé Millésime 2012 spring/ summer menu features: Razor clams in parsley sauce with pine nuts and basil for an amuse bouche; Fresh tomato soup with black cherry, goat's cheese ice-cream and crushed pistachios as a starter; a vegan course of salad of green beans with raspberries, almonds and date vinaigrette; fillet of red mullet with edible scales, young courgette and bouillabaisse sauce for mains; and a dessert course that is featured right.

rare-champagne.com

NAGE OF SPICED FOREST FRUIT A ND SPECULOOS BISCUITS

INGREDIENTS

• Water

• Sugar

• Vanilla

• Fresh basil cinnamon

• Speculoos biscuits

• Fresh forest fruit

PREPARATION

1 Prepare a syrup with water, sugar, basil and the stick of cinnamon;

2 Prepare the Speculoos biscuit paste and cook. While still hot, shape it as desired;

3 Wash, sort and prepare the forest fruit;

4 Place the forest fruit on a plate. Once cold, add the syrup and the basil;

5 Add some Speculoos biscuits to the side of the plate. Place the rest on the sliced forest fruit.

FANTASY FASHION

SOMERSET BY ALICE

TEMPERLEY

Somerset by Alice embodies all of the hallmarks of the Temperley aesthetic –whimsy, unabashed femininity and wild prints. The dress that floats from office to after hours. The cornerstone white blouse. The cut-to-the-bone jumpsuit. It’s every day – but for escapists who dream of fresh air and wild spaces.

somersetbyalice.com

love is in e air...

DIAMOND

SPECIALISTS SINCE 1839

Baker Brothers, 11-13 St Peter’s Street, Bedford MK40 2PN email@bakerbrothersdiamonds.com 01234 352343 www.bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

It’s a sign

A zodiac piece for every personality

By RACHEL HOGG

CARRIE ELIZABETH

CECE JEWELLERY

Cancer Gold, Diamond & Enamel Signet Ring, £2,860 cecejewellery.com

Capricorn Gold Zodiac Pendant, £90 carrieelizabeth.co.uk

SCREAM PRETTY

MISSOMA

Leo Zodiac Bracelet, £95 uk.missoma.com

Taurus Zodiac Charm in Silver, £30 screampretty.com

AZLEE

WAKEFIELDS JEWELLERS

18ct Gold Diamond Constellation Stud Earrings, £1,950 wakefieldsjewellers.co.uk

Zodiac Diamond & Gold Necklace, £4,215 matchesfashion.com

THE ALKEMISTRY

Aries Yellow Gold & Diamond Ring, £695 thealkemistry.com

RACHEL JACKSON

Pisces Zodiac Art Coin Charm, £40 racheljacksonlondon.com

PDPAOLA

Aquarius Constellation Earrings, £57 pdpaola.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

RED ALERT

CHANEL

The ultimate symbol of beauty, red lipstick exemplifies Chanel’s passion for colour. Worn proudly, it speaks volumes about the power and freedom that Gabrielle Chanel wanted to give women when she created her first lipstick in 1924. New Rouge Allure Velvet is equal parts matte and luminous. chanel.com

Dr Meg Arroll 48 • Beauty Notes 51 • Fitness 55

TINY STEPS

Q How long has Tiny Traumas been in the making?

A I would probably say my entire career! The impact of smaller traumas on our health and wellbeing has been niggling me ever since I was studying for my doctorate, and then I stumbled upon an academic paper that found these Tiny Traumas had a more detrimental effect on patients with gastrointestinal conditions than big trauma and major life events – and the pieces of the puzzle started to come into view. But it was only in 2018 that I started to solidify the idea and collate the daily presentations I see in my practice (themes such as high functioning anxiety, low grade depression, emotional eating, etc.) and devise my therapeutic AAA Approach of Awareness, Acceptance and Action.

Q In a nutshell, what is the book about?

A How small things can have big impacts – or rather, it is the build-up of life's little cuts and scrapes over time that can weigh on us and start to cause psychological and behavioural issues. We’re very good

at identifying the big traumas and life events that happen to us, but there’s less conversation about how constant, daily hurts such as microaggressions, societal biases, toxic positivity and challenging family dynamics snowball into a person's unique constellation of Tiny Traumas. This is why so many people don’t really know what’s wrong, but nothing feels quite right.

Q Do we need a book like this more than ever given what we have all been through over the last couple of years?

A We’ve been in a state of chronic stress and perma-crisis for the last few years, so yes indeed books on mental health are more important than ever. However, I would say that rates of psychological and emotional distress were rising before this, although there is no doubt that the pandemic and world events have made it even harder for people to cope. We have come a long way in reducing the stigma around mental health, but now we must provide everyone with the tools to manage anxiety, languishing, hidden

discrimination and unhealthy expectations. There’s never been a better time than now to dig deeper into Tiny Traumas.

Q When did you first develop an interest in health and wellbeing?

A I think I’ve always had an interest in psychology and what makes people who they are, but my interest in mental health specifically comes from my dad’s struggles with bipolar disorder – he was undiagnosed, then misdiagnosed for a long time, and that was a very difficult time for the entire family. Heartbreakingly, he passed away in the first wave of Covid, but the last few years of his life were peaceful, which is all I ever wanted for him. I miss him terribly, though.

Q How has your career evolved since then?

A My career has mainly evolved from academia to private practice, but throughout there has been the common theme of health and wellbeing. I also work as a consultant now for wellness brands, companies and the media to help them translate research

Psychologist Dr Meg Arroll on dealing with trauma, the benefits of nature and moving to Broxbourne

DR MEG ARROLL

and practice into accessible information for the general public – again, this is because very few people will have access to original data and peer-reviewed papers, and it is part of my role as a chartered psychologist and scientist to disseminate these findings as widely as possible.

Q Writing aside, what do you offer today with your psychology?

A I see clients on a one-to-one basis, mostly online still following the pandemic, but I also offer ecopsychology. Ecopsychology, or ‘walkand-talk’, aims to use the power of nature

and reduce the sometimes intimidating feeling of a consultation room by moving therapy to the outdoors. As well as parks and nature reserves, I also sometimes arrange sessions in museums and galleries to structure a session. Psychology has moved on a long way since the sofa-and-clipboard caricature of Freudian psychotherapy!

Q I believe you have recently moved to Broxbourne – what attracted you to the town?

A My fiancé and I decided to move out of London as we wanted to be somewhere that was calmer, more peaceful and surrounded by nature yet still within commuting distance to our work and I don’t think there’s a better area than Broxbourne. Also, he grew up here and still has family in Broxbourne –this Christmas was just absolutely amazing with the snow a week before (we had 14cm and built a snowman) and being a 5-minute drive from my partner's mum meant we could host at her house and share the load. It was a truly wonderful, stress-free day!

Q Talking about mental wellbeing, is there plenty of outside space there to get away from it all?

A We live right by the River Lea and visit the ducks, geese and swans almost everyday –although the geese did chase and hiss at us recently! The benefits of the great outdoors is second-to-none, improving both physical and mental health in a multitude of ways. It’s just another way of life and we feel incredibly grateful that we have access to the nature and beauty of Hertfordshire – and can call it home.

Q What are you looking forward to most in 2023?

A Hopefully (fingers crossed) spending more time with friends and family, exploring Hertfordshire and surrounding counties and trying out the pub grub after long walks. Because life really is all about the little things – whether that is Tiny Traumas or the magical mundanities that feed the soul.

Tiny Traumas is published this month. Find out more at drmegarroll.com

“Life really is about the little things, the magical mundanities that feed the soul ”

DR MEG ARROLL IS AN ADVOCATE OF GETTING OUT INTO NATURE

BEAUTY

NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare

By RACHEL HOGG

FARMACY

We’re buzzing about the new Honeymoon Glow Resurfacing Night Serum from the clean beauty brand Farmacy. Made from only the cleanest ingredients taken straight from nature, this powerful three-in-one product will work to resurface, rehydrate, and clarify your skin while you sleep, £55. farmacybeauty.com

Sweet as HONEY NEW RANGE

ROC

Hyaluronic Acid is a miracle chemical that helps your skin stay plump and hydrated. It is naturally produced in our body, however as we age our natural production begins to slow, so in steps RoC’s new range. It’s made up of three products; a serum, a moisturiser and an eye cream, all formulated to replenish your skin’s natural levels of Hyaluronic Acid, from £24.99. rocskincare.co.uk

Soothe Yourself

BEAUTY KIN

A drop in temperature usually doesn’t bode well for those with eczema-prone skin, so Beauty Kin has created a new product to help them survive the winter months. Their Soothing Bar is made of natural moisturising ingredients, making it the perfect solution for anyone wanting to avoid harsh chemicals, £9.95. beautykin.com

STOP THE GRIND

Everybody holds stress in a di erent part of their body and for me, that place is my jaw. I’m not alone in this either: it’s estimated that around 10 million people in the UK alone struggle with Bruxism, which is the o cial term for teeth grinding. Constantly clenching your jaw can cause a menagerie of issues, including chronic headaches, face and neck pain, not to mention the damage you do to your teeth. There are several potential solutions, an increasingly popular and somewhat unexpected one being botox. I was lucky enough to pay a visit to one of the expert practitioners, Jennifer Doyle, at The Clinic in Holland Park, London, and try this out for myself. Jennifer explained how botox gets injected into a muscle in your jaw called the Masseter. It works by blocking the nerve transmission, telling the muscle to contract and therefore minimising movement. The idea is that the muscle will shrink and atrophy with time, similar to how your muscles get smaller if you stop going to the gym. She explained that the treatment will help minimise the stress I am putting on my jaw and will lessen the daily discomfort I experience as a result. It’s been a few weeks since then, and I’m pleased to say that she was right

EDITOR’S PICK

This month we gave Masseter Botox a go

THING OF BEAUTY

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, perhaps now is the perfect time to embrace a new look

By TRISHA BULLER

The start of the year is a great time to make positive changes and embrace new beginnings. And where better to start than focusing on your personal image, with an enhanced hair and beauty regime that will leave you looking rejuvenated and radiant in time for Valentine’s Day. Why not use the new year to overhaul your routine, remove any products that are no longer delivering the best possible results and introduce some new elements to your regime? Upcoming make up and beauty trends for early 2023 are all about glowing skin and dramatic eyes, with healthy shiny waves and bouncy locks.

As the saying goes, beauty comes from within and it's true that eating a

balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and taking regular exercise will all help your hair and skin look its best, as well as enhancing your general wellbeing. Beauty may be ‘in the eye of the beholder’, but if you look your best, you will also feel your best.

Cleansing your hair thoroughly is vital before applying an intensive hair treatment, something that is all too often rushed! Even the most luxurious and expensive products may not be e ective if they're layered over hair which has not been cleansed thoroughly, leaving residues of strong styling products on the hair.

It may be necessary to double shampoo and treat if you feel your hair is dehydrated and static. Hair is hygroscopic and will absorb the benefits of the treatment for the first five minutes, so by rinsing and reapplying you can gain 100% more hydration.

No matter how well we look after our hair, most of us can benefit from a helping hand every now and then. This is where my team at Cienté Hair Health Spa are on hand. Our selection of intensive treatments, which are petro-chemical free, can help prime your hair to ensure that it is healthy and shiny at all times.

Our advanced scalp exfoliation and hair butter products can complement your existing hair care regime by removing dead skin cells on the scalp, eliminating toxins and waste, and helping to carry oxygen to the hair follicles within the dermis.

If you fancy more of a pamper session, our state of the art intensive hair treatments are tailored to your unique hair and scalp requirements and are designed to leave you looking and feeling refreshed, reinvigorated and ready for anything.

ciente.co.uk

“2023 is all about glowing skin, dramatic eyes and healthy shiny locks”

World-class medical treatment. Truly personal care.

Treatment centred around you

At King Edward VII’s Hospital, modern medicine and traditional values are combined to provide the very best individualised care. From the warm welcome patients receive at reception to the reassurance we give them as they leave, we aim to make every patient feel like our only patient.

The experts in your condition

Our primary areas of clinical excellence are Musculoskeletal Health (joints), Women’s Health, Urology Health, and Digestive Health, where our renowned specialists and highly skilled teams will create a uniquely tailored care plan to help you get back to better health.

123 years of patient centred care in the heart of London.

TOP PICKS

DAYITAA TOP

Just the thing for the colder winter months, this oversized long-sleeve top will keep you nice and warm during (and between) your workouts.

FITNESS

NOTES

By RACHEL HOGG

SAATYA BRA

Made of a recycled Polyamide mix and fit for comfort, this light-support sports bra is just the thing for low-intensity exercise.

AMBAA LEGGINGS

These may be your new favourite pair of leggings. Made for every movement, their slim fit provides the ultimate level of comfort.

All styles mentioned are available for purchase at armedangels.com

GO WITH THE FLOW

Q What inspired you to create 'The Female Curve'?

A In 2020, I decided to go through an egg freezing journey and before my first appointment I received a series of videos about female physiology. It blew my mind how little I knew about my body, so I started reading and learning about how hormones actually work.

Q How did you go about developing the program?

A I started by tracking my own cycle and then adjusted not only when and how I train, but also my diet and lifestyle as a whole. The effects were transformational. From there I designed an eight-week pilot program, which has proved to be a real success with so many.

Q What should every woman know about their hormones?

A There’s a massive stigma around female hormones and they are seen as the ‘down-side’ of being a woman. But in reality, living in sync with your cycle can supercharge your health, fitness, and wellness. It’s proven by science, and has already improved the lives of hundreds of women.

A Centuries of male bias have created a set of recommendations that often work against our hormones and can be harmful. It isn't enough to just apply a blanket one size fits all approach to all women's bodies, so our approach is hyperpersonalised to each individual.

Q What does a woman's body generally need during its cycle?

A It's different for everyone; after all, female bodies are super complex and unique and they must be treated accordingly. That being said, roughly speaking, when it comes to exercise, your follicular phase is your strong phase and your luteal phase is a more calm restorative phase. So it's best to push hard at the beginning of your cycle and then slow down towards the end. Equally the way you need to nourish your body changes throughout the month. For example, your body temperature rises in the second half of the month, so you need more calories- hence those cravings thefemalecurve.com

Q Why do women's bodies need a different approach?

Love at first listen.

Whatever your taste, there’s a speaker to match –each with sublime sound that will make you fall in love with your music all over again.

DIVE RIGHT IN

The new year brings a new set of challenges, but Origin Pools is here to help you thrive, not just survive, in 2023. We all need a space where we can go to switch off and relax, so how about a sanctuary in your own home? Learn how an indoor pool from Origin can help you be your best self this year on page 63. originpools.co.uk

ORIGIN POOLS

TREASURE

Westlands, near Little Hadham, was designed by local award-winning architects Nicolas Tye Associates.

Built in 2018 to a minimalist style to an excellent standard with many bespoke finishes and details throughout, the house offers stylish and contemporary living whilst being set in a delightful, private, low maintenance garden of just over 1.25 acres.

The house is approached via a discreet, gated frontage off a quiet country lane. The driveway sweeps around to provide parking for numerous vehicles in front of a large double bay open garage.

The galleried reception hallway enjoys full height windows with panoramic views over the gardens and access to the principal reception rooms. These include a snug / family room to the front of the house and a lounge to the rear, which features a modern wood burner stove as its centrepiece.

The main reception room is the everyday hub of the house, with a modern, high specification kitchen opening into a further dining and lounge area, separated by a central double sided fireplace. Just off the kitchen is a secondary prep kitchen, walk in pantry, utility and guest cloakroom.

On the first floor there are four bedrooms, all en-suite, and the principal bedroom has a large walk in dressing room. The bathrooms are all finished to a high standard, and all feature some lovely views.

The lower ground floor is currently configured with two further bedrooms and a gymnasium. The gym is adjacent to the plant room, with the facility to convert this into a home cinema set up if required.

The gardens have been professionally landscaped and provide year round interest and are designed with ease of maintenance in mind. Sitting within the garden is an outdoor entertainment room ideal for alfresco dining or potential for conversion to a home office.

Westland Green is a charming hamlet with a mix of substantial family homes. The area is well positioned for access to Bishop's Stortford, which is about five miles away. Here you will find a wide variety of boutique shops, restaurants and supermarkets. Schooling in this area is well regarded, with local primary schools in Little Hadham, Much Hadham and Albury. Secondary schooling options include Herts and Essex Girls School, The Boys High, St Mary's Catholic School and

Hockerill Anglo European College, which are all in Bishop's Stortford. There is also a good selection of private schooling within a few miles of the house: Bishop's Stortford College, St Edmunds, Heathmount and Haileybury are some of the options.

Westlands is surrounded by open countryside and, as such, there are some lovely walks to be had locally, using a network of footpaths and bridle ways. The Nags Head public house is just down the hill, a charming country pub with an Indian restaurant built in. The Catherine Wheel and The Brewery Tap in Albury and Furneux Pelham respectively and are also well known for a great Sunday roast, and Great Hadham and Ash Valley golf courses are also nearby.

SAVILLS

The property is on the market with Savills Bishop’s Stortford for £3,500,000. For more information, call 01279 756 800 or visit savills.co.uk

“The property was designed by award winning architects”

Origin knows a swimming pool can add not only value to your home, but to your home life as well and access to a pool right on your doorstep means it’s easy to swim every day in the privacy of your own home. What does ‘finding your best self’ look like for you?

Taking time every day to exercise, relax or meditate? Spending more time with family? Being more mindful? These are all key considerations and Origin has the answers.

Q What are the benefits?

A Swimming can give you the positive mindset needed to take on 2023. As well as the obvious physical health benefits, swimming

also improves quality of sleep and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Origin believes owning a pool is about more than the pool itself; by adding a spa, sauna or yoga room your swimming pool and pool house could be a centre of wellness. If you’re looking to increase family time, your pool house could become a new social hub for everyone to enjoy by adding a gym, lounge area or even a bar. A new pool from Origin provides endless possibilities for fun and relaxation, and can even revolutionise your exercise routine.

Q Can it be sustainable?

A If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your pool or simply want to lower running costs, Origin incorporates the very latest, innovative building materials for energy efficiency

indoor pool

into their projects and provides you with a host of options to lessen your carbon footprint. There are plenty of small changes you can make that can have a big impact. Whether you want to add an insulated pool cover or air source heat pumps, Origin will work with you to create your ideal pool.

Q Why Origin?

A Origin prioritises client-led construction, providing the best possible result and ensuring you get the pool and pool house you’ve been waiting for. Building pools is a specialised field and requires a holistic approach with all the key elements working together from the beginning. Origin has all the design and engineering expertise necessary and manages the whole building process for you, from initial concept, planning and design to completion and beyond, eliminating the need for you to employ separate companies. Origin has been building award-winning indoor pools for over 40 years and has successfully completed plenty of pools and pool houses to a wide range of specifications. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, wellness or fun, Origin has experienced it all and is ready to help you find your best self with an Origin pool.

Call 01895 453996, email info@originpools. co.uk, head to Instagram @originpoolsuk, or to find out more visit originpools.co.uk

“An

from Origin can revitalise your life'”

By PENDLE HARTE

H. LIS

Fox easy chair, £1,095 roseandgrey.co.uk

LA PENINSULA

Caacup é handstitched leather lounge chair, £520 la-peninsula.com

FERM LIVING

Desert Lounge Chair Cashmere Soil, £309 naken.co.uk

CULT FURNITURE

Kenton Dining Chair Vintage Tan Black, £149 cultfurniture.com

HOT SEATS

Chairs for all situations

By PENDLE HARTE

CULT FURNITURE

Sylvia Carver Dining Chair Blush Pink Recycled Velvet, £120 cultfurniture.com

DANETTI

Clover Black Velvet Dining Chair Set of 2, £398 danetti.com

COX & COX

Fluted Leather Swivel Chair, £795 coxandcox.co.uk

EDITOR’S

MIND THE GAP

Hudson Chair Soul Sacrifi ce, £1820 mindtheg.com

UMAGE

Curious Chair, £199 innermost.net

DARLINGS OF CHELSEA

Wandsworth Chair, £932 darlingsofchelsea.co.uk

THE LOUNGE CO

Jacob Easy Chair, £1,449 theloungeco.com

WHERE SAINTS GO

Bermuda Chair White with Cream Cushion, £295 wheresaintsgo.co.uk

SHEEP WELL THE WOOL ROOM

Wool is hypoallergenic and naturally temperature regulating, making it the ideal material for mattresses, duvets and pillows, as well as pyjamas. thewoolroom.com

WELSH WEAVE WELSH OTTER

This Welsh tapestry style blanket features a stunning geometric design based on the traditional and iconic Caernarfon pattern. It's luxurious and thick, but also super so and comforting to touch. welshotter.co.uk

LUXE LINEN BED THREADS

Once you've slept in linen sheets, you'll never look back. Bed Threads' duvet cover sets come in a huge range of colours for mixing and matching – and they're the so est we've found. bedthreads.com

WELL SPRUNG VISPRING

Vispring's hand-made mattresses are some of the best in the world – and they're designed to last at least 30 years, making them a worthwhile investment in decades of excellent sleep. vispring.com

DOWN UNDER FRENCH BEDROOM CO

Hungarian goose down is the world's fi nest duvet fi llling. With excellent bounce, marshmallow so ness and enduring warmth and comfort, there's nothing better for a good night's sleep. frenchbedroomcompany.com

DOUBLE VISION

BERKHAMSTED SCHOOL

Inside this month's mini education special, we take a closer look at the Berkhamsted School group, namely going behind the scenes at their Boys' and Girls' schools to see how they approach single sex education, but also make full use of of the group of schools around them. p.73

Year in

LIFE

Q Why were you originally attracted to taking over as Head at Berkhamsted Girls?

A Having been part of the Berkhamsted School community for four years before joining the girls’ school, I was drawn to the sense of ‘family’ and the ‘small school within a big school’ feel of Berkhamsted Girls. There is no typical ‘Berkhamsted Girl’ and the sheer diversity of their interests, talents and personalities was a pull factor.

I am passionate about girls’ education and about leading a community of girls in the 21st century, where they learn to meet their challenges head-on, reflect on and learn from mistakes, manage conflict and learn to self-regulate too. Recognising the girls’ appetite for helping others beyond the school too, I was drawn to their reflective nature, their sense of self and values, and I plan to work with the whole community to develop this so that they can go on to live a life of purpose and meaning.

Having the boys’ school as a partner was also an attractive feature of the role. It provides an excellent environment to work collaboratively with Berkhamsted Boys and leverage the synergy that comes with that relationship.

Q How has the start of your first school year gone so far?

A Time has certainly flown by – it has been a busy term for all of us. There have been lots of challenges, but with that, plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. The team – both girls and sta – are a pleasure to work with and for. The feeling of collegiality and common purpose is palpable and there is a clear sense of warmth and fun that e ervesces from the community.

I have enjoyed watching the girls perform in concerts, on the pitches and on the stage, but more so, I have enjoyed observing the processes; the perseverance, the dedication, the practice, the improvement and the growing confidence that is the foundation of each of their achievements.

Q What would you say is the ethos behind the school’s educational approach?

A The school’s educational approach reflects its values of ‘Serving Others,

“I am passionate about girls' education and leading a community of girls in the 21st century”

EMMA WATSON

Being Adventurous and Aiming High with Integrity’. In all that they do, both inside and outside of the classroom, the girls are encouraged to take learning risks, set ambitious targets and to challenge their own perceived limitations and limiting self-talk. They are hugely kind to each other, and we work with them to help them extend this kindness to themselves so that they can self-regulate and develop independence and life-long social and emotional skills.

The school places a strong emphasis on metacognitive skills and behaviours. The girls are therefore encouraged to be reflective and to apply a growth mindset to the challenges and complications that naturally arise in the teenage years. Along with this, we look to normalise strain and have recently been focussing on addressing perfectionism and its many perils.

A At Berkhamsted Girls, we look to remove any barriers that may be imposed on the girls’ ability to thrive – socially, emotionally, academically and in their preparation for life beyond school. Developing self-confidence and self-belief in teenage girls is exceptionally important and girls’ schools can do this in an expert

and nuanced way. Not only do girls’ schools regularly out-perform boys’ and co-ed schools in public exams, our schools also offer an environment free from stereotypes in which girls are more likely to opt for and excel in subjects dominated by boys elsewhere, such as physics, maths and design technology. The pastoral care of all students is exceptionally important, and at girls’ schools, our approaches, skills, experience and advice are tailored towards teenage girls and the challenges and hurdles they might face.

Beyond the classroom, our girls have the confidence and freedom to be involved in, and remain committed to sport. A survey by Women in Sport showed that fear of being judged and a lack of confidence were the main reasons for a national waning of interest in sport amongst teenage girls. Fortunately, this is not the case for our girls where the supportive environment and focus on participation and enjoyment combine to give the girls a lifelong positive association with sport and exercise.

At girls’ schools, younger pupils see, and grow up with, female leaders in the form of House Captains and Prefects. They get to see a type of compassionate, collaborative, energetic and creative leadership, but also how to take risks, recover from

mistakes and develop resilience. For them, leadership is very much ‘for girls’!

Q What are you looking forward to in 2023?

A With so much going on, it’s difficult to pick out a single event. That said, our House Captain and Prefect tenure runs from January to December, so we’re about to embark on the induction process and training of our new 2023 Prefects. Working with student leaders is a huge privilege for teaching staff and school leaders. I am excited to see them grow in confidence, role-modelling their wonderful qualities to the younger students.

It’s also not long now until we will be starting the induction process for our new Year 7 joiners, in preparation for September 2023. Meeting new students and welcoming them and their families into the community and seeing their progress in that important transition between prep and senior school is always a highlight.

berkhamsted.com/girls/

“Developing self-confidence and selfbelief in teenage girls is exceptionally important and girls’ schools can do this in an expert and nuanced way”

Q What are the benefits of an all-girls school?

Leading THE WAY

In part two of our Berkhamsted School focus, Head of the Boys’ School, Tom Hadcroft, reflects on a year of celebration, crossplatform learning and student responsibility

Q You are approaching a year in position as Head of Berkhamsted Boys – how has it gone?

A I have thoroughly enjoyed this first year in post, which has been an amazing experience. Berkhamsted School is a tremendous school, full of so many opportunities for the boys and it has been wonderful connecting with them, our parents and the staff to support the rich array of experiences on offer. It was also a year of celebration and reflection with our Patron, the Queen’s Jubilee in June followed by her passing in September. It was powerful to see the boys at these moments show the best versions of themselves.

Q What have been the highlights for you over the past year?

A There are so many, but if I go back to the start of the year I was blown away by the Academic Gala the boys were involved in. The students in the boys, girls and Sixth Form decided that they wanted an event to celebrate learning and organised a gala evening, with speakers from the student body and Old Berkhamstedians. This celebration of learning

was entirely organised and driven by the student body and was a great example of what makes this school remarkable. There were speeches on a number of areas of research, highlighting work from our unique Learning Pathways programme and extending our learning outside of the classroom. It isn’t through the words, but the actions that we are judged and this was an outstanding example of our values of ‘Aiming High with Integrity’, ‘Serving Others’ and ‘Being Adventurous’.

Q Have you introduced anything new?

A Over the past few months we have made strides in our student leadership within the school with specialised training for our Prefect body. We are developing our leadership structures, making the most of our timetabled leadership lessons to embark on greater agency and voice within the student body. The school’s emphasis on coaching and outstanding pastoral care is extended to our students to be part of that provision and providing the necessary peer support to encourage agency and resilience.

Q Are there any elements of school life you feel makes you stand out?

A The school’s diamond structure is an outstanding feature and allows a truly unique journey for the pupils. The collegiately between the schools, the shared values, the facilities and opportunities for co-operation are remarkable facets. The ability for the boys to benefit from the single sex classroom setting, but at the same time come together with the girls for personal development, outdoor educational experiences, trips and social events is excellent. The balance offers opportunities that other schools could not rival.

Q What are the benefits of an all-boys school?

A There are a number of reasons why all-boys

schools benefit the development of boys. Firstly in an ever increasingly complex world it is reassuring to have dedicated schools which understand and celebrate boys.

Schools that make the choice to focus on the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional lives of boys and young men share an appreciation for the intensity and complexity of boyhood. We all focus on the opportunities to celebrate and value all that it means to be a boy.

Also, taking away the social pressures of a co-educational environment, students in an all-boys school can explore the full range of their personalities and potential. Challenging stereotypes, they discover they have many roles to play as a self-reflective learner, athlete, artist, musician, and friend.

Through the House system the boys develop through their community within the school and take part in a number of competitions, offering opportunities to test themselves and develop. We believe that the boys are able to grow into their own skins, be presented with a range and breadth of experiences and find their own path.

A The emphasis on the development of the boys into young adults is on the process rather than the outcome. We are very proud of outstanding academic achievements, but are also very proud of their development over their time with us and the focus on their future development into their University lives and beyond.

The boys’ time in the school feeds into the Sixth Form, who then develop them further in preparation for their time beyond. When they leave the school they leave with a much better understanding of themselves, the benefits of hard work, independent thought of mind, challenge and innovation.

berkhamsted.com/boys/

Q When the boys leave you, what are they prepared for?

“In an ever increasingly complex world, it is reassuring to have schools which understand and celebrate boys”

TOM HADCROFT

MAN M EDICINE

Dr Ranj Singh has won over the nation on breakfast TV, Strictly and CBeebies, yet he still puts in the hours as an NHS paediatrician. Absolutely Sussex finds out more

By LIBBY NORMAN

Dr Ranj Singh follows in a fine tradition of medics who also entertain the nation (Harry Hill, Graeme Garden, Jonathan Miller, to name just three). He can sing and dance really well, he acts and now he writes books. Yet he still finds time to be a doctor – these days part-time – working as an NHS clinician specialising in paediatric emergency medicine. It is, he says, a terrific ice breaker when worried families turn up at his London hospital to find ‘that man off Strictly’.

Dr Ranj doesn’t see media work and medicine as strange bedfellows. “A lot of medics – even though they are highly academic people in a very vocational job – are multifaceted. I went to university with people who had many different skills: writing, performing, music, dance, you name it. So, we are multifaceted, and that for me lends itself really well to paediatrics. You have to have that approach as you’re dealing with kids, families, communication and complex medicine.”

His desire to be a doctor started really young. Indeed, he settled on medicine shortly after the typical childhood astronaut phase. “Ever since I was a few years old I just had a fascination with the way things work. I used to take all my toys apart, much to my parents’ frustration,” he says. “Also, I always had this desire to help people – I wanted to make things better for people.”

While Dr Ranj was always dedicated to getting good grades – he says you have to be on such an academic pathway – he also had performing in his bones. “Music was the very first thing I was told I was good at,” he says. His singing got him picked for the school choir and he won second place at Kent Music Festival. “That was the first ever certificate I got, so music was always something that was special to me,” he says. “While I was a really creative kid, that was something

I put to one side and had as a hobby.”

His path into medical school was easier than the transition to real-world medicine. “It was a complete culture shock. Studying medicine is very different to practising medicine and that first year was a baptism of fire,” he says. “I thought, ‘this is completely different to what I expected and I’m not sure this is the right thing for me. I’m not getting that sense of achievement and satisfaction that I thought I would’.”

Having decided on a six-month sabbatical, Dr Ranj was clearing his mind by redecorating his parents’ house when he was asked to interview for a paediatrician role. He got the job, which meant house decorating at

speed, but the payback came in the realisation he’d found his passion. “I suddenly got this sense of, ‘this is why I became a doctor’,” he says. “It was fascinating medicine – every day was interesting. I was working with amazing people – paediatric teams are just the best people – and all of a sudden, I felt reinspired. I was destined to be a paediatrician after that.”

Paediatrics was the perfect fit not least because there is a creative side when you are working with children. They may be frightened, and they often can’t tell you what’s wrong. For children lucky enough to encounter Dr Ranj at his London hospital, there’s a friendly and very empathetic manner. Little wonder then that his ability to engage with young people took him beyond hospital. CBeebies viewers learnt that doctors are there to help on Get Well Soon – a fun factual programme for very young children. He co-created this with Kindle Entertainment and it first aired in 2012, picking up a BAFTA in 2016.

Dr Ranj soon came to prominence for adult viewers too, as resident medic at ITV’s This Morning, and with a multitude of appearances over recent years on everything from Good Morning Britain and Inside Out to 5 News –even Cooking with the Stars, where he showed he’s no slouch in the kitchen. Other media work includes contributions and columns for NetDoctor, Al Jazeera and Attitude

He has become, in short, one of those doctors trusted to dispense sound advice to the nation. But his performing ability has been the secret surprise. While he hoofed like a pro on Strictly, the voice he revealed in ITV’s All Star Musicals in March 2021 was a revelation and led to a one-off West End show in aid of Make a Difference Trust Theatre Fund. He has loved these opportunities. “It’s given me a chance, I guess, to be the fuller me!”

Books for young people have been a natural progression. “Kids and young people are who I work with. They’re the ones I know how

“It is a terrific ice breaker when worried families turn up at hospital to find ‘that man off Strictly’”

DR

HIS BOOKS REACH

KNOWS

PHOTO: DOMINIC TURNER

to communicate with. I thought to myself: ‘I want to write books that they find helpful and useful, that they can turn to for information or reassurance’.” Dr Ranj chose a subject close to his heart with How to Grow Up and Feel Amazing: The No Worries Guide for Boys. “There was a need for a modern, up-to-date guide for boys and young men going through a very challenging time in this world.”

Brainpower followed this and was written to help counter some of the mental health and wellbeing impacts of the pandemic. Then

came picture books for young readers. A Superhero Like You was written as a thank you to front-line workers. “Also, a reminder to little ones about all the joy and positivity out there, even in a pandemic-stricken world. A Superpower Like Mine is a step on from that and is designed to inspire little ones to think about themselves and their own inherent superpowers and human skills that they can discover, build on and nurture.”

He’s been open in the past with his own journey as a gay man from a Sikh background. His advice to parents of children who may be struggling with identity or confused about growing up

is straightforward: “Give them a space to explore who they are safely and be able to come to you when they are in trouble. Also, acknowledge the fact that children are very open minded and they get diversity – let them learn about it,” he says. “There are so many resources out there to help, and so many helplines for parents if they are panicking. But kids are pretty good at working out who they are and settling, eventually, on what they want to be. And we’ve just got to let them explore and discover for themselves.”

The doctor hasn’t hung up his stethoscope or his pen, nor indeed his mic and dancing shoes. With more books for children and young adults planned for next year, there’s also been a Celebrity Cruises gig this summer and he was in pantomime, “which I loved”. And he’s still pursuing his first-love career, putting in the hours in the emergency room of a London hospital and helping children. “I still get to exercise that part of my brain and do my bread and butter. It’s the thing that drives me, the bit that gives me a sense of purpose.”

A Superpower Like Mine is published by Hachette Children’s (£6.99)

“Kids are pretty good at working out who they are – we’ve got to let them explore and discover for themselves”

ALL DR RANJ BOOKS HELP CHILDREN TO FOCUS ON THEIR INHERENT STRENGTHS

Henry Moore

An exhibition of the largest collection of coalmining drawings ever displayed by celebrated artist, Henry Moore, opened at St Albans Museum + Gallery on 15 December, marking the start of the much-anticipated exhibition and celebrated the launch of new book, Drawing in the Dark by art historian, Chris Owen.

Attended by local dignitaries, Councillors and representatives from the likes of the British Museum and Arts Council, the opening event comprised of a private view, drinks reception and speeches from Museums Manager, Farhana Begum, Councillor Alison Wren, Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, Mairi Watson, and author, Chris Owen.

The exhibition, which is played out within the theatre of the dark-walled, subterranean Weston Gallery of St Albans Museum + Gallery, is now open to the public and runs until 16 April 2023.

Annabel Lucas, Audience Development Manager at St Albans Museums, says: "After many months of planning, we are truly delighted to welcome residents and visitors to see nearly 100 captivating drawings by Henry Moore, 80 years since they were completed for the War Artists' Advisory Committee (WAAC) along with sculptures and other works-on-paper."

Curated by University of Hertfordshire Arts + Culture, visitors follow the journey from quick pencil sketches from four coalmining sketchbooks, through to finished pieces. Inna Allen, Head of University of Hertfordshire Arts + Culture, adds: "It is lesser known that Moore was a war artist and in 1942 he developed a series of drawings from sketches he made at

Wheldale Colliery where his father had worked. Moore spent one week in the mine drawing from observation and then worked from memory to create the remaining drawings. The exhibition reveals fascinating insights into Moore's life and his artistic process, and it is truly rewarding to see how well the exhibition was received."

The opening also marks the launch of Drawing in the Dark, which explores every aspect of the WAAC's commission; from Moore's return to his childhood home and the challenges associated with 'drawing in the dark' to the considerable influence of the project on Moore's later work.

stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Uncovering why the hype surrounding St Albans Museum + Gallery’s latest exhibition was justified

why everyone is talking about…

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ROB HARRIS

Specialist dementia care for complete peace of mind

A diagnosis of dementia shouldn’t mean that your loved one stops being treated as an individual.

At Signature, we’ve developed the My Life dementia pathway to ensure that every one of our residents living with dementia can enjoy a life well lived.

Whatever stage they’re at, we’ll put together a bespoke care plan that supports them where they need it - from personal care services to looking after the bills - and gives them the independence to enjoy the ner things in life, wherever they can.

e image above shows a therapy pet. Speak to your Client Liaison Managers for more details.