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 Tammaro Smoke I Carpet: Light Beige I Bed Linen: Storm Shell I Bedside table: Holme I Headboard: Tornö I Bed legs: Reling
Join us from Saturday January 14th for a glass of Champagne to celebrate the Grand Opening of our new St Albans store! We have a wide range of beautiful Danish Design furniture and accessories for you to discover, and our team of interior designers and design professionals are ready to help you make the most your space as part of our free interior design service. Plus, we’ll have grand opening offers on everything until February 5th , as well as the opportunity for all of our guests to win our iconic Imola living chair
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 CONSULTANTS STELLA ADAMS, JULIE LANGLEY
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
Iwas racking my brains when it came to this first editor's letter for 2023. In a moment of reflection, I suddenly realised I have never made a new year's resolution. I find the idea slightly pointless as it feels like many head into January with all the best intentions in the world, but once the cold, dark days take hold, resolve simply ebbs away. My solution? Make resolutions throughout the year. There will always be something that crops up in life that you want to improve on, so don't wait till 1 January to do something about it. Or, perhaps even better, watch others do amazing things instead.
Our lead profile this month, Chris Sheldrick, is a case in point. Sometimes I do wonder how people come up with ingenious ideas, especially when on the surface it doesn't make complete sense initially. Chris was the co-founder of what3words, which makes locating someone or something so much easier than relying on a trusty old A-Z. Rebecca Pitcairn met him to discover what inspired the concept.
For those keen on a fitness kick, make sure you take some time to browse our mini health and beauty special. What we have covered this month is not your usual crash-course-diets kind of advice, with tips on eyecare, using essential oils and a new venue opening in Herts that's all about IV drips.
Happy new year!
KEBBLE EDITOR
Chris Sheldrick
These luxurious and sustainable candlesticks are hand-cra ed from reclaimed table legs and gilded in genuine royal blue dyed silver leaf. £140 webbandgray.com
COS has partnered with Fair Isle knitwear designer Mati Ventrillon to create a range of sweaters with a minimalist take on traditional patterns. £79 cos.com
Breakfast is Bella Freud's favourite meal, so she has launched a range of egg cups and side plates especially for mornings. From £75 matchesfashion.com
Candy Stix are felt tipinspired gel nail pens that enable good results for a DIY manicure at home. They’re also super affordable at £6 each. lovecandycoat.com
Featuring bold aquatic tones and dotted in gold, these Panconesi earrings add a sense of magnifi cence to the simple stud. £445 koibird.com
Bitossi Ceramiche's iconic blue cat is an enduring beautiful ceramic piece with a lavish glaze. £180 farfetch.com
For a look that says outdoorsy but stylish, you'll need one of Wylding's fl eece-lined boilersuits. Designed for all-weather swimmers, these are simple and practical pieces – and they look great too. £160 wylding.co.uk
Waves is Beja's bestselling bra and we love it with a matching brief in this Deep Ocean shade, £65 beija.london
The mysterious, smoky character of Jo Malone London's Oud & Bergamot is hypnotic and alluring, radiating with the clarity of crisp bergamot and orange. £145 jomalone.co.uk
The Hermes Nantucket is a small stainless steel, alligator and diamond watch, £6,580 net-a-porter.com
From a pair of red foxes sharing an intimate nuzzle, to a polar bear cub basking in a sea of flowers, 25 incredible images have been shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award. All of the images cast a spotlight on important stories of nature from across the globe – read more over the page. nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring
8 January
HANBURY
Situated on 200 picturesque acres in Hertfordshire, the spectacular Hanbury Manor hotel features lovely garden outdoor spaces and elegant indoor event venues to choose from for your special day. This special event will o er you the chance to meet a range of quality suppliers, as well as take advantage of some special o ers. marriott.co.uk
The public are invited to have their say and vote for their favourite image to win this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award run by the Natural History Museum Tring’s bigger sibling in London. Photographs were chosen from 38,575 entries across 93 countries, with some cute snaps mixing it up with some shocking ones too. Voting ends on 2 February 2023.
nhm.ac.uk
12 January
CORN EXCHANGE HERTFORD
Hertford Comedy Club returns to The Corn Exchange with a superb line-up. As a rare right-winger, Geo Norcott is a unique voice in British comedy. Tom Ward is an award-winning comedian from London. Chloe Petts’ “inexhaustibly funny mind” (Diva Magazine) has established her as one of the most exciting new acts on the circuit. And Adele Cli is the reigning undisputed UK Pun Champion. cornexchangehertford.co.uk
This is the ultimate live concert experience with stunning accuracy in sound and vision, producing a high-energy show which will rock the house with a top hit after hit show. The world will never see Queen perform with Freddie Mercury again, but Rhapsody gets very close. This all new live spectacle faithfully recreates the energy, showmanship and emotion of a classic Queen concert. watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk
Agile as a tapir! Cunning as an ant!
The self-styled supervarmint returns! Harry is back with brand-new amazing jokes in an all-singing, all-dancing one-man spectacular. Audiences will meet Harry’s new baby elephant, Sarah, and Ian, The Information Worm. Harry will also be joined by Stou er the Cat (his famous sidekick) who commented: “What can I tell you?
When Harry calls you say yes – end of!” alban-arena.co.uk
Here’s one for the movie lover in your life. This concert for all the family will feature music from movies and musicals including ET, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Frozen, Star Wars, Pink Panther, Mamma Mia and more. Fancy dress is optional, but really should be a given. chorleywood-pc.gov.uk
Snap out of the Christmas slumber with these family events in Herts
4 January, Bengeo Primary School
The Multi-Activity Day is a fun day with a wide variety of activities for your children to enjoy including dodgeball, archery and sumo wrestling. This is combined with seasonal arts and crafts such as clay making, junk modelling and painting. multi-active.co.uk
7-8 January,
Take part in creating a new woodland at Panshanger Park in honour of the life of Her Majesty the Queen and help plant 17,000 trees. A new 70-acre woodland is being planted and the community can get involved. panshangerpark.tarmac.com
18-20 January, St Albans
St Albans Cathedral’s popular Roman Festival returns, which includes a carousel of three workshops, and the chance to meet their very own Roman Soldier. Activities include Alban and the Romans: learning about everyday life in the Roman town of Verulamium. stalbanscathedral.org
Since it launched a decade ago, what3words has become a global success story, but its origins are bedded in rural life in Hertfordshire. Co-founder Chris Sheldrick explains all
By REBECCA PITCAIRNAlert.layers.fell; lamp.image. inhaled; pounce.grades. defenders*. It may sound like these are just random words, but they are in fact the co-ordinates of three of the world’s most iconic landmarks, according to geolocation app what3words.
The addressing system, which is designed to identify any location with a resolution of about three metres, is now used by billions of people to find, share and describe places across the globe. However, its origins stem from rural Hertfordshire, where co-founder Chris Sheldrick grew up on a farm in Hinxworth, just outside Ashwell.
“A lot of my childhood was spent flagging down lost delivery drivers, as the address to our home actually directed people to the house across the road, or occasionally a nearby pond,” the 41-year-old tells me when we sit down to chat about the business as it approaches its 10th anniversary. “It was as if I was primed for what3words, right from the beginning having lived in Hinxworth, with no one ever finding us.”
It wasn’t until a couple of decades later, having immersed himself in the local music scene in Harpenden and then begun work in the music industry organising live events around the world, that Chris’ frustration with the traditional street address system returned.
“Getting lost trying to find events was pretty common,” he remembers. “And on a slightly worse day, a keyboard player called me and said, ‘Chris, don’t panic, but we may have just sound-checked at the wrong wedding’.”
Because street addresses aren’t accurate enough to specify precise locations, such as building entrances or exits, and don’t exist for parks and many rural areas, Chris began sharing GPS coordinates to try and get people and equipment to the right places. However, entering 16 numbers into a device was time consuming and prone to error. So, he decided to find a solution. He and a mathematician friend from school, Mohan Ganesalingam, discussed the idea of using words to create a more usable version of the latitude and longitude coordinate system and came up with an early version of the what3words algorithm on the back of an envelope.
“To put it really simply, we’ve taken the globe, divided it into a grid of three metre squares and given each one a unique address made of three random words. For example, the entrance to Hatfield House is upgrading. puns.aura. It’s a really easy way to find, identify, and share locations, anywhere in the world,” explains Chris, who brought on another school friend with a background in translation, Jack Waley-Cohen, to help adapt the system for the global market.
The ingenious concept, which launched in 2013, is now available in over 50 languages
meaning that five billion people can use what3words in their native tongue.The technology puts an end to what has become a daily frustration for delivery drivers, postal workers and any business that relies on navigation. But it’s also fun and a little addictive. Prior to our interview, I spent a good hour typing in various locations of significance to me, such as my primary school, the place I got married and my husband’s favourite golf course, to see what combination of words corresponded.
“It was never intended to be like that, we never designed it to be quirky or fun, it was purely functional,” Chris admits. “But even when we made the first version ourselves, the first thing we did was look up our own houses to see what the words were. It certainly makes people engage with it. Sometimes people go and buy a sign for their house of their words and hang it up, people have even started tattooing them – the words for places they got married etc, so it’s become quite cool.”
There is a far more serious side to the app however. Over the past five years, emergency services around the globe have adopted the technology to assist them in saving lives. Indeed, the first known use of what3words in an emergency situation was in 2018 when Hertfordshire Fire Service attended a campfire in a remote location in the county.
“That same afternoon I stood in the Hertfordshire Fire Service control room
“It’s a really easy way to find, indentify and share locations”
in Stevenage and spoke with their team directly about how we had been used,” says Chris. “They have been hugely supportive throughout our nationwide rollout.”
The technology is now used by 85% of police, fire, and ambulance services across the UK and has been used for everything from reporting fires and rescuing pets to locating callers midheart attack with pinpoint accuracy.
“In 2021, a young man called Joe Mason called the ambulance from the side of the motorway while his dad was having a heart attack in the car,” Chris says of one example. “After providing his what3words address, the ambulance arrived in a matter of minutes, saving his dad’s life from what could have been a fatal heart attack.”
Chris met Joe, 22, and his 57-year-old dad, Gary, during filming for a special episode of BBC’s Crimewatch, which was covering the story. “It’s always very humbling to hear from people who have used what3words in an emergency situation,” he says. “It was a very emotional morning. Gary looked at me and said, ‘your app saved my life’.”
In a sign that what3words will soon become a global standard, some of world’s largest car manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Land Rover, have integrated the technology into their in-car navigation systems, while wellknown companies like DHL, DPD, Evri
have incorporated the address system into their delivery apps. It’s also now listed on websites by brands such as Boohoo as a way of providing a delivery address.
“Our big vision is to be a globally known piece of technology that people and businesses use and interact with every day,” Chris says. “We want people to seewhat3words addresses on a business card, at an e-commerce checkout, on a contact page, we want them to post on social media or say them into a voice assistant.”
From birdwatchers to cavers and horseriders to coastguards, seeing the growing number of ways the technology is used across the globe continues to be one of the most interesting parts of the business for Chris and his team.
“It felt very surreal when the tree survey came in for our farm a couple of weeks ago, each tree’s location was marked with a what3words address by the tree surgeon on the report, completely unprompted,” he says. “I’m sure they didn’t know I had anything to do with what3words, but it was an amazing feeling that our tech had gone ‘full circle’ from an idea which started from people getting lost trying to navigate rural Hertfordshire, to being used by local industry, yet with an incredible journey taking us all over the world in-between.”
(*The three locations are Buckingham Palace, the Ei el Tower, and the Taj Mahal)
Chris Sheldrick’s pick of what3words
“One of my favourite what3words addresses has to be evaluate.video. nails – a three metre square deep in the northernmost part of Mongolia in a forest, where one of the world’s most remote Airbnbs resides and is run by members of the Reindeer Tribe. I was able to visit it and it’s a truly spectacular place.”
“When I’m not working, one of my favourite places to relax is Hollywood Bowl at Stevenage Leisure Park (salon.pushes.exams). It was an undeniable part of my youth which brought me endless enjoyment. I also love walking around Hatfield House, it’s such a stunning venue.”
“My local, The Three Horseshoes (predict.partners.necklaces), has a wonderful ‘local pub’ feel and is excellent for food and a pint, but my favourite local business is Hixworth Garage. The proprietor, Normond, is as much a fabric of our local community as the church and pub, if not more! People come from far and wide to benefit from his broad experience.”
Q Have you always been into art?
Yes, very much so – I have always loved to draw and paint. As far back as I can remember, I’ve covered every surface available to me – including at times some things I shouldn’t have been drawing on, including the family place mats! But my parents were very patient and never minded, in fact they actively encouraged my passion. I can remember when my sister and I were little we would have drawing competitions, and my father encouraged us to go to exhibitions as much as possible. He collected paintings and drawings so our walls at home were covered with art, which was an inspiration to me.
Q Can you define your style?
A My paintings are an emotional response to the landscape in which I am surrounded. I like to explore the tension between verticals and horizontals and the interplay of cultivation and wilderness, abstraction, colour, pattern, texture and design. Our childhood holidays were spent in Wales exploring the Black Mountains, and in later life we moved to a remote corner of Northumberland, surrounded by forest, with wood burning stoves and gas wall lights. This total immersion in nature fuelled my desire to capture the landscapes around me. When my family were young, we were looking for a change and found a house surrounded by a patchwork of olive trees and mountains in Spain. I found the colours intoxicating – the smells, the light… such a fresh, exotic, beautiful and intriguing landscape, which is the inspiration behind my more recent Andalusian paintings.
Q How do you normally like to work?
A I like painting and drawing directly in the landscape on paper, and I use these drawings and photographs to paint large canvases when I’m back in my studio in Hertfordshire. I like to imagine myself as an eagle, soaring over the landscape, blissfully unconcerned with what is going on below. I like to think
of my paintings as an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, getting away from the petty squabbles on earth.
Q What’s the most recent collection of work you have produced?
A I produced a large body of work from the amazing landscape of southern Spain for an exhibition called Impressions of Andalusia in 2020.
My most recent paintings are from Rome where I visited my youngest son. I was captivated by the Umbrella Pines, which create beautiful silhouettes against the Baroque and ancient architecture and so I did a series of paintings depicting the shapes and movement of these extraordinary trees.
Q As we head into 2023, do you know what your next focus will be?
A Before Covid I travelled up the west coast of Scotland and visited the Hebridean islands including the remote archipelago of St Kilda in the Atlantic, which was extraordinary. I’d like to travel again to those islands and really explore and immerse myself drawing, painting this beautiful landscape and the wildlife, especially the birds.
Q Whereabouts in Hertfordshire are you based and what do you love about it?
A I am based in North Hertfordshire. I work in a studio in an old barn surrounded by arable fields and paddocks with horses. It is a lovely tranquil space where I can unwind and face a canvas and create.
Q Does Hertfordshire ever inspire your work?
A Hertfordshire has inspired me very much over the years; the golden arable fields of barley, fields shot with red poppies, the buzzards and Red Kites. I have painted a lot from this landscape which I call home.
Q Where would your three favourite places in the county be?
A Burloes Farm near Royston where I have my studio. The villages of Barley and Barkway situated in the beautiful Chiltern Hills where I have ridden and walked a lot over the years. And The Fox and Hounds pub in Barley is a favourite, I can walk there from my home with my dogs who are welcomed into the pub. Delicious food and a lovely convivial atmosphere.
Q Away from art, how do you like to relax?
A I walk a lot with my dogs, I love hiking in wild countryside, spending time with my family and I am an avid reader.
Q Finally, any new year’s resolutions?
A To travel more in the United Kingdom and explore this beautiful lsand.
katharineedwards.co.uk; @art.katharineedwards
“I like to think of my paintings as an escape from everyday life”THE FOX & HOUNDS
IS A FAVOURITETHE HILLS I WALK, NORTHUMBERLAND 2021 A RED KITE
The Art Galleryis a stylish gallery showcasing a selection of artwork from the country’s most popular artists.
Our Framing Service begins with a friendly and experienced consultation and ends with your framing, completed to our exacting standards, by the team in our on site workshop.
We have a dedicated framing area within the gallery space showcasing a superb range of frame samples, mounting boards and glass options.
Customers have our expertise and framing creativity on hand to advise on a practical level, as well as for design inspiration to give your framing a bespoke look.
103 Victoria Road, Ruislip Manor, Middlesex, HA4 9BN 01895 635411 / 07799 607548 | artgalleryruislipmanor@gmail.com www.artgall.co.uk | @ruislipmanorart Monday
Q How does it feel to be part of the KURIOS family?
A KURIOS is a very special show. We’re a cast and crew of 122 from 27 di erent nationalities and it’s an honour to be part of such a creative and brilliant team. I’ve been with Cirque du Soleil for 13 years now, working on a few di erent shows including Amaluna and CORTEO, and I joined KURIOS as Artistic Director back in 2016. My job is to oversee everything artistic on the show: I work with stage management, wardrobe, coaches and performance medicine, who are all experts in their fields, along with 50 world class artists.
Q Can you tell us a little about the show?
A KURIOS is a show that really celebrates the imagination. We follow the journey of a scientist, who believes that a hidden, invisible
world exists. Set in the second half of the 19th century during the industrial revolution, the show takes aesthetic inspiration from this era, which was a time of great invention. It’s about the capacity to invent and dream, and we want people to leave the show feeling like anything is possible.
Q What’s unique about KURIOS?
A Every Cirque du Soleil show is di erent, and KURIOS is no exception. There are acts in our show that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. An example of this is Acro-Net… imagine it like the world’s largest trampoline. The inspiration for this act actually came from the safety net of a trapeze act on another show, which was a bit too bouncy. The creative minds took this as an opportunity to explore something never been done before, so for Acro-Net they made a net even more bouncy, to allow a team of six acrobats to propel another performer up 45ft in the air. It’s a thrill to watch and a huge crowd pleaser, when audiences realise what’s happening you can hear the excitement. Much like the show, this idea that just because something doesn’t exist yet, it doesn’t mean it can’t be dreamt up and made a reality.
Q What goes on behind the scenes?
A We have a technical team who are in charge of everything from rigging and automation, to lighting sound, carpentry and props. KURIOS has the most props of any
Cirque du Soleil show, 426 at creation, but we’ve also added a few more along the way! Their attention to detail is incredible, from big to small. We have a mechanical hand used in the show, which weighs about 750lbs and is driven by two artists underneath to drive the hand forward, and allow the fingers to move and come to life. Then we have wardrobe, who are a team that collectively maintain over 8,000 costume pieces – it’s phenomenal. The artists also do all their own makeup, which can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours every day.
Q What’s your favourite part of KURIOS?
A That’s a tough question! Acts like Acro-Net, Rola Bola and Aerial Bike are wonderfully acrobatic, but there’s moments of real beauty that come from simplicity too. Continent of Hands is a very special act, where an artist creates a world just with his hands. It’s projected onto a hot air balloon so everyone can see the magic. His grandmother and grandfather were deaf, so they communicated with their hands, and he learnt this craft from them. Non verbal communication is a wonderful part of what we do and what makes our show so accessible wherever we go.
Alchemist is Hertfordshire’s new independent premium lager, brewed by Tring Brewery using the finest hops from the Czech Republic and Germany. These hops have been blended with quality malts and authentic lager yeast for notes of gentle spice and sweet grain.
Alchemist Lager is liquid gold!
www.tringbrewery.co.uk/alchemist-lager
Aptly titled ‘Can’t Be Arsed with Rules’, a new launch from Hertfordshirebased Sorted Food includes 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. The team of Sorted Food chefs decided to experiment with ripping up more traditions in everyday cooking. sortedfood.com
By MARK KEBBLE
Champagne Lanson Le Blanc de Blancs, France £69.99
Le Blanc de Blancs has all the characteristics of a great Chardonnay. The wine's delicacy and finesse are enhanced by a very pure, mineral finish and by the freshness that is the hallmark of the Lanson style. It will pair perfectly with fish dishes. lanson.com
Olivier Baudin Brut NV Champagne, France £29.99
This award-winning Champagne blend provides a fine, toasty, spice hint with brioche characters on the nose, while the Pinot Noir and Meunier elements give a delicious red fruit tang and softness on the palate and the Chardonnay lifts the finish. majestic.co.uk
Nicolas Courtin Roseì NV Champagne, France £24.99
Strawberry flavours abound in this elegant and fine Rosé Champagne. The mousse is lively and the acidity is well balanced with the ripe flavours creating a harmonious and delicious Champagne, bursting with raspberry aromas. majestic.co.uk
FOX & DUCK
Sitting next to The Green in the picturesque Therfield, The Fox and Duck ticks all the boxes if you love the countryside, fine food and a warm welcome. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by the comforting aroma, décor and reception synonymous with what a quintessential local English pub should be. An impressive menu created with the finest ingredients sourced locally will be the perfect accompaniment to your favourite tipple.
thefoxandduck.co.uk
The Grove hosted the popular Feast Over Flame over the Christmas period. The immersive event was held in the hotel’s Walled Garden, in a glass-topped marquee, where guests were treated to an 8-course theatrical menu. Menu highlights included Christmas pudding bread and roast fillet of beef. For vegetarians, dishes included vegetable terrine with pickled mushrooms, lentil and cranberry croquettes and a chestnut and sage pithivier with tru ed mash potato. thegrove.co.uk
Misya Meze & Grill in Stevenage serves healthy, authentic, good quality Turkish and Mediterranean food. They offer a host of vegan dishes, both hot and cold, and they are also a Halal restaurant. misyamezegrill.co.uk
MARGO’S
When is a pub not a pub? When it combines the traditional feel of a local with a restaurant, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria, a bakery, a delicatessen, a charcuterie, a smokehouse, a café and a community hub. Margo’s at the Old Mill in Berkhamsted is a venue like no other. Wherever possible, local and organic ingredients are used in creating the best-tasting pizza and amazing salads. margosoldmill.co.uk
This fine dining restaurant situated in the heart of St Albans is recognised for its quality ingredients, creative dishes and Head Chef Phil Thompson. Amongst their offering is a stunning vegan tasting menu. thompsonstalbans.co.uk
New for 2023 and launching 4 January, afternoon tea at The Hub on Verulam delivers delicious sandwiches, freshly baked sweet and savoury scones and a selection of home-made cakes and tarts. It will all be paired with piping-hot, locally sourced tea or co ee, Prosecco or Champagne. Sandwiches include traditional favourites such as cucumber & egg mayonnaise, alongside some modern and flavoursome twists. thehubonverulam.com
Food is life-giving and what we feed ourselves each day can affect how our mind and body deals with the challenges of modern day life. At Nourish in Hitchin, they offer fresh and vibrant dishes that combine a delicate balance of vitamins and nutrients. nourishcafe.co.uk
Raise a dram to Scotland’s most treasured poet, Robert Burns, at Centurion Club's Burns Night Event. Burns’ contribution to Scottish traditions will be celebrated with a menu featuring a selection of Scottish delicacies, whisky and of course, haggis. You’ll be treated to five delicious courses, a traditional piper and a menu of the highest quality featuring the finest Scottish Beef supplied by Donald Russell. centurionclub.co.uk
Three venues to make the most of Veganuary
Holy Lama have evolved from creating essential oils to award-winning Spice Drops for food. We head to Hatfield to discover a flavour of the business
By MARK KEBBLE
It’s been a pretty hectic time for Gouri Kubair, owner of Holy Lama Naturals. The Hatfield local is not only overseeing an ever-evolving business, which creates natural skincare products and a unique range of highly concentrated extracts of herbs, spices, flowers and fruits used in cooking, but has had a recent date at the House of Lords to celebrate the business being just one of 100 companies selected by the Small Business Saturday UK campaign to form part of SmallBiz100. It’s just yet another big tick for this inspiring Hertfordshire business.
“To have been selected to be listed alongside other amazing British businesses makes me feel extremely proud and I am excited to be able to share our awardwinning Body Care and Spice Drops with a wider audience,” smiles Gouri. “The advice and expertise that the team behind Small Business Saturday has to o er are incredible and the networking opportunities
where we can meet the other SmallBiz 100 companies both from this year and past years’ alumni have been a great way to learn from others’ experiences.”
Holy Lama Naturals certainly has quite a history, as Gouri explains. “The Holy Lama Naturals story began in the 1940s and spans three generations of my family. In 1948 my grandfather migrated from near Goa to Kerala, South India, to become a pioneer in the essential oils industry. He was the first person to cultivate vetivert (a tall grass) to extract the oils on a commercial basis and it’s from here that the beginnings of my family business, distilling and using essential oils in perfumery, can be traced.
“Following in his father’s footsteps, my father, Vijay, became involved in the family business at a very young age,” Gouri continues. “His fascination with the world of essential oils and perfumery took him to Bhutan on a government-backed project helping locals cultivate and extract
lemongrass oil. During the 1980s, he lived in the Himalayas for eight years and, whilst in Bhutan, made a 12-day walking pilgrimage to Aja Ney where the presiding Lama presented him with a ‘Thangkha of Lama Guru’, which symbolises good luck in life. This is the inspiration behind the Holy Lama Naturals brand name.”
How has the business evolved over the years? “The original family business was in essential oils and perfumery and my parents expanded it in the late 1990s,” Gouri explains.
“The extracting and distillation knowledge is used in the production of Spice Drops and the essential oils are the key active ingredients in our skincare range. With lots of hard work and some luck, the business went from strength to strength and in 2014 we launched our Spice Drops. These are highly concentrated natural extracts of herbs and spices for flavouring food and drink.”
These little drops of goodness have also been recognised by the Great Taste Awards, no less. “The Great Taste Awards are probably one of the most recognised food awards amongst the general public,” Gouri says proudly. “They are trusted and respected, so we are very proud to have been awarded stars for 18 of our Spice Drops – it’s over half of them – and I do believe that it helps influence purchases if people haven’t tried Spice Drops before.”
“We are proud to have been awarded Great Taste Awards for 18 of our Spice Drops”
For those who do try the drops for the first time, they will be using an ingredient that is sure to liven up all manner of food. “Spice Drops are designed to help cooks be creative with flavour in the kitchen,” Gouri says. “They can experiment with instant authentic taste and aroma without the hassle of peeling, chopping, grating or grinding the raw ingredient. We think they really are little drops of magic and can help any cook experiment with spices.
“Growing up in India I learned to cook with spices from an early age,” she continues. “They can transform a dish, adding interest and excitement to the blandest of meals. Many have traditional uses and benefits
that add colourful stories and bring them even more to life. I can understand that for those who have not grown up using certain spices it might be a little frightening to start cooking with them. I believe that Spice Drops are a simple and convenient way for even the most amateur chef to introduce spices to their cooking and just have fun experimenting with them. To make it even easier we have a recipe on every box to show how that Spice Drops variant can be used and exactly how many drops need to be added in comparison to the powdered spices. I’m determined to get everyone cooking with spices confidently!”
Gouri is also determined to follow a sustainable approach. “All our products, irrespective of the ranges, are based on ancient Ayurvedic principles, ensuring immune support and balance of body, mind and spirit. This sense of wellbeing
permeates the business, demonstrated in the way it is run and the products we make,” she says. “Only the finest quality ingredients are used to make Spice Drops and our body care products, sourced primarily from local farmers in Kerala or elsewhere in India and building on over seven decades of strongly established relationships with farmers. We’re proud that a genuine bond of trust exists between supplier and buyer, not least because we run the business on the ten principles of Fair Trade.
“In many developing communities (and let’s face it in Western society too), there is sometimes an inequality in wages for men and women, but this is not the case for Holy Lama Naturals where equal pay is ensured, irrespective of gender. Holy Lama Naturals is also a Kerala Government recognised women’s enterprise, where over 80% of the workforce are women, mainly from disadvantaged backgrounds. Work at the factory provides these women with much-needed selfconfidence and financial independence.”
It may be hard to follow up such an astounding year, but Gouri isn’t resting on her laurels. “We aim to build on the success of this year and what we have learnt from our membership of Small Business Saturday. We’re also always keeping an eye on trends and what the latest flavours and skincare routines are; the beauty of being a small family business is that we can be agile when we want to add to the range and can act quickly.” Drop in the ocean? This is one local business really making waves.
holylama.co.uk
“I’m determined to get everyone cooking with spices confidently”
EXQUISITE
Whether you’re looking for a special piece of jewellery or want to repair a treasured item, we’re here to help. As well as stocking a fabulous range of jewellery, we also o er a comprehensive repair and valuation service. Just let us know what you are after and our dedicated team in Amersham Old Town will ensure you go away happy.
New year, new bag – and we're coveting Radley's handy Hillgate Place multiway grab bag that's big enough to fit a world of essentials yet small enough to remain stylish in its chocolate mock crock. £259 radley.co.uk
For over 260 years, Gatwards has been a byword for quality. Absolutely Hertfordshire meets Charlotte Gatward, the 8th generation owner of the family-run business
Q What can you tell us about when James Gatward first opened a shop in 1760?
A The early Gatwards were originally watch and clock makers and so this is how Gatwards of Hitchin started in 1760.
Q What have been the biggest changes in the 260 years since then?
A The biggest change has been the move towards fine jewellery, which has happened in recent years with ladies at the helm. When Willson Gatward died in 1960, his wife Sylvia took the reins followed by her daughters, Lisa and Anna Gatward, and the emphasis moved away from watches and clocks and into jewellery.
Q What does it mean to be the oldest, independent family-run jewellers in the UK?
A It is a tremendous honour. I am incredibly proud of our heritage, and I love the history of this building. It is also a joy to be here for the special moments of people’s lives and to serve our loyal customers, many of whom have also shopped here through many generations of their families.
Q What is Gatwards known for today?
A We are known for high quality items –particularly fine gemstone jewellery. We are also known for “putting the sparkle” into buying jewellery by going out of our way to make the in-store experience special.
Q What would we find at your boutique?
A We have two beautiful Italian gold fine jewellery brands, Fope and Marco Bicego, so as you walk in, you will see stunning necklaces, bracelets and matching earrings from both brands. Our main window is packed full of diamond jewellery, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and then the more unusual gemstones – tsavorites, tourmalines, citrine. Whatever you may be looking for, we are certain to be able to find it – even if it is not currently in-store, we can source it for you.
Q Why do you love being based in Hitchin?
A I was born in Hitchin and lived in the flat above the shop for the first two years of my life and I was married at St Mary’s church in 2012, so the town has a lot of meaning for me. I love the town for its array of independent shops and also the community feel. We are very lucky to have a BID (Business Improvement District), of which I am a Director. I enjoy having an input into how we can improve the town for the various businesses that pay a levy to the BID. Hitchin does really well for putting on lots of community events, which makes it a great town to be part of.
Q What are your most popular pieces?
A Well, a diamond solitaire ring will never go out of fashion of course! We are seeing a lot of enquiries for oval shaped diamonds and also yellow gold jewellery is having a revival, so all the Fope and Marco Bicego is very popular, as well as diamond pieces set in yellow gold.
Q What are the benefits of having a workshop on site?
A Having an in-house workshop has been incredibly helpful. We used to send all jewellery repairs to outworkers, but can now o er a full repair service on-site, so our turnaround times are much faster on customer repairs and for estimates. We can also re-size a ring on the same day if a customer really wanted to wear it out of the shop!
Q What did it mean to you to be recognised in the Family Business Top 100 Awards?
A I was shocked and very flattered – I really love what I do so it never feels like work to me. I also see myself as a custodian of this business for the 9th generation and beyond.
Q How were you involved in the Platinum Silver Jubilee Pageant?
A We were asked to be involved in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant as o cial sponsors. When I took the call, I was quite surprised at first, but then realised that we do have quite a lot of synergies with the royal family
being a heritage business that has been passed down through many generations, so it seemed like a good fit. We were contributors to a commemorative book that was created for the event and gifted to the royal family as well as various politicians and senior dignitaries and is also available for sale. We then attended the book launch at Claridges and watched the Pageant on the screens there alongside many other family businesses. It was a really special event.
Q What does the future hold in store?
A We are making plans to further improve the in-store experience at Gatwards. We’d like to make some upgrades to our shop floor and o ce space so that will happen in the first half of the year. We also have some ideas for some really exciting events with some collaborations in the pipeline – I can’t say too much more at the moment, but watch this space!
gatwardsofhitchin.co.uk
“I am incredibly proud of our heritage and I love the history of our building”
ANNOUSHKA
White Gold, Diamond & Freshwater Pearl Earrings, £7,000 annoushka.com
Large Polaris Mother of Pearl Locket, £295 astleyclarke.com
18ct White Gold Marquise-Cut Diamond, Four Point Star Necklace, £2,475, wakefieldsjewellers.co.uk
LMJ
Nighttime Moon Star Lovers Diamond Ring, £1,558 wolfandbadger.com
ZOREH.V
Diamond & Labradorite Star Pendant, £295 zohrehv.com
Star Brooch with White Stones in Silver, £298 thomassabo.com
Hannah Martin Art Deco Star Drop Studs, £65 screampretty.com
MISSOMA
Harris Reed Symbols of Change Charm Choker, £365 uk.missoma.com
DINNY HALL
My World Small Orb Locket & Moon Charm Pendant, £440 dinnyhall.com
Now taking appointments for spring 2023 weddings www.ferrarimonti.com
Modern bespoke mother of the bride outfits with luxury Italian fabrics in St. Albans.
January is notoriously long, dark and cold – but the latest from Bonmarché, found at their stores in Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead, will add some much-needed warmth to your wardrobe
CLIENT BY BUPA
At Private Client by Bupa, feeling good isn’t good enough. Their ambitions for your health and wellbeing go much further. They curate a complete service for the mind, body and being, with premium health insurance plans that are designed to be used. From award-winning medical cover at home and abroad, to proactive wellbeing benefits and direct access to private specialists without a GP referral. Private Client by Bupa also gives you access to a worldwide network of doctors via the Global Virtual Care service, available 24/7 at the touch of a button. They’re here for you today, tomorrow, and for whatever comes next.
Call 0371 3460 409 or discover more at bupaprivateclient.com
IVBOOST – a renowned IV therapy clinic on London’s Wimpole Street – has opened at The Wellness Hub in Berkhamsted. Founded in 2005 by medical director Dr Joshua Berkowitz, IVBOOST takes a holistic approach to health and wellness to help boost and restore the body’s natural ability to be well, energised and able to resist ageing.
IVBOOST specialises in intravenous (IV) therapy, o ering a range of treatments that are both safe and highly e ective. The treatments work quickly as they infuse the vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream, giving your body these valuable nutrients. With IV vitamin therapy, 100% of the hydration and nutrients are absorbed into your body where they can quickly take e ect to help refresh, revitalise, rejuvenate and replenish.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Josh and the IVBOOST to The Wellness Hub and are excited to be o ering our customers these fantastic IV therapies,” says Emma James, MD and owner The Wellness Hub on Lower Kings Street. “IVBOOST prides itself on its medical skills and personalised approach, which mirrors our commitment to o ering bespoke wellbeing solutions. I have no doubt its services will prove popular in complementing and enhancing our existing range of therapies which include physiotherapy, massage, beauty therapy, sports massage, Pilates, personal training and yoga.”
“We have been very impressed by The Wellness Hub and have been made most welcome here,” adds Dr Joshua Berkowitz. “IV therapy is increasingly popular as a means to achieving optimum health and we have been looking for a new clinic outside
London to meet the growing demand for our services. The Wellness Hub is the perfect site for IVBOOST and we look forward to meeting its customers. We recognise that IV therapy will be new to many people and clients can rest assured they will have a consultation before any therapy to ensure it suits their exact needs.”
IVBOOST @ The Wellness Hub o ers the following services:
Intravenous (IV) Vitamin Therapy has been practised for many years, often to support conventional medical treatment of a wide range of health conditions. It is the fastest way to deliver nutrients throughout the body because it bypasses the digestive system and is 90-100% absorbed directly into the organs (compared to 20-50% absorption if taken orally).
Absolutely Hertfordshire takes a closer look as a renowned London IV clinic opens in Berkhamsted
A vitamin shot is an intramuscular injection that treats various vitamin deficiencies. It is absorbed into your bloodstream via your muscles. Unlike vitamins taken orally, vitamin shots bypass the digestive system and result in a 90-100% absorption rate. Many people feel the e ects within hours of the treatment, which takes just a few minutes to administer.
Medical grade ozone is a highly active and reactive form of oxygen which is prepared by a highly skilled practitioner just before being administered. Ozone therapy can restore optimum oxygen levels in the body by increasing the red blood cell count and this, in turn, stimulates the release of oxygen into the body’s tissues.
Diagnostic testing gives a very clear picture of your health and can help pinpoint problems that may be missed through consultation or ‘standard’ blood tests o ered by GPs. IVBOOST uses a leading London laboratory, which o ers a very quick turnaround of precise, accurate results.
IVBOOST can deliver a range of nonsurgical treatments to enhance the appearance and treat the visible signs of ageing. These rejuvenating treatments use the latest evidence-based products and cutting-edge technology to deliver safe, e ective and long-lasting e ects. Each treatment plan is tailored to address individual concerns to optimise results.
the-wellness-hub.co.uk/iv-boost
“IV
Stevenage-based GPC Opticians has won the prestigious Opticians of the Year UK 2022 award. The company has been recognised by M & A Today Global Awards 2022 for its outstanding service to clients and unique approach to matching customers with the perfect eyeglasses.
GPC Opticians ranked number one out of more than 7,000 optician businesses and practices in the UK. The prestigious award rea rms GPC’s approach to working with clients. The opticians cater each pair of eyeglasses to its clients. Unlike big-box eyeglass retailers, GPC’s team work hand-in-hand with customers to find the ideal pair of glasses.
The company doesn’t o er clients hundreds of pairs of eyeglasses to browse through. The team at GPC Opticians
narrow down a shortlist of six to seven pairs of frames based on a client’s lifestyle. Additional information about each client’s habits, preferences for glasses, and eye health allows GPC’s team to match them with a pair of spectacles. After narrowing down possible eyewear options, GPC’s opticians consider the client’s facial features.
Clients can expect a relaxing experience at GPC’s Stevenage shop at 22 The Forum. Expect an eye exam and a unique eyewear styling experience over a latte or cappuccino. GPC Opticians o ers customers an in-store experience unlike those from big-box stores. Clients won’t feel rushed to select a pair of frames during a visit.
GPC Opticians recently refurbished its shop to the highest standards. The company’s new look perfectly complements its eyewear styling philosophy, and GPC o ers the latest in eyewear fashion. The company carries brands such as Versace, Longchamp, and Tom Ford. The bespoke service will perfectly match clients with the perfect pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses.
Over 59% of UK residents wear eyeglasses. GPC is one of the only opticians ensuring clients get a unique experience and find a pair of distinctive eyeglasses.
“They o er customers an in-store experience unlike those from bigbox stores”GPC OPTICIANS CARRY THE TOP EYEWEAR BRANDS
With a beloved NHS that has looked after so many of us since birth, some may ask why choose to go private?
With only around 11% of the population covered by private health insurance many have never visited an independent hospital to experience the benefits.
Simply put, it is an organisation that provides treatment and healthcare services independently of the NHS. However, many private hospitals support their local NHS Trusts by providing several NHS services. In England both NHS and privately operated hospitals are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which performs routine audits to ensure health care services provide people with safe, high-quality care. The benefits of going private can usually be grouped into the three following categories:
When searching for medical advice or treatment, most people will seek to book an appointment with their NHS GP. Depending on a number of factors such as number of people registered with the same GP practice, practice sta ng levels and geographical location, this can lead to appointment waiting times measured in weeks.
If referral to treatment is also required, patients are often added to a waiting list where times can vary depending on speciality and location. Although the NHS set targets to try and manage waiting lists, continued pressures on the system have caused waiting lists for many specialities to rise significantly.
Private hospitals often o er private GP services that allow patients to seek face to face medical assistance within 48 hours with options to be treated within two weeks. Having the benefit of reduced waiting times reduces the time that their issue has to impact their lives.
Private healthcare o ers patients the benefit of choice. Whether it be choice of hospital, treatment and drugs (many not o ered on the NHS due to costs), time and location that is convenient for patients. All help to provide a more tailored healthcare service.
Private hospitals pride themselves on o ering their patients great care alongside a great experience, with an emphasis on comfort and luxury normally seen in the hospitality sector. Comforts include: private rooms with en-suites, TVs and access to high speed Wi-Fi; a la carte dining; fewer restrictions of visiting hours; and superior cleanliness standards.
Private medical insurance patients
If you are in the 11% of the population that has access to private healthcare cover you can make a claim against your policy to be seen at your preferred private hospital.
Join the growing number of people going direct to private hospitals by getting in touch with your local private hospital to submit an enquiry.
When referred for treatment use your ‘patient choice’ to select to be seen at a private hospital. NHS GPs are able to refer patients to be seen at private hospitals where they o er NHS services.
For more on patient choice visit onehealthcare.co.uk
When it comes to healthcare, here’s why you should choose to go private
Barnet Store | Call - 020 8449 1993 Website - www.specsdirectbarnet.co.uk
Visit - 129 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5UZ
Stevenage
Absolutely Hertfordshire meets Dean Shaw, the man behind Watfordbased Aroma Energy
By MARK KEBBLE
Q What originally inspired you to launch Aroma Energy?
A We wanted to create something that helps people get through their busy days, whatever their circumstances. For that reason, it is incredibly important that our products are accessible to the everyday person at an a ordable price. Our sense of smell is our most powerful sense, but people often forget that! By harnessing the power of smell, you can feel more relaxed, positive, creative etc, depending on which scent you choose (di erent smells have di erent e ects). It’s a really great natural way of boosting your mood and when it’s a ordable it’s a double win.
Q What’s the ethos behind the business?
A We’re a small, close-knit, team and a family run business. Sustainability is important to us too. We wanted to provide products that are as good for the environment as possible, which is why our products are natural and vegan friendly. Our packaging is sustainable too. We also spend a lot of time trying to get the right blends. There’s a lot of trial and error, but it’s important that we deliver only the best for our customers.
Q What do you o er?
A Product wise, we o er a huge range of aromatherapy products to suit everyone’s needs and scent preferences. From candles and wax melts to di users and essential oils, there’s something for everyone.
Q How do you select your essential oils?
A Our essential oils must be therapeutic grade and of the highest quality. We create our blends, in particular our life oils, based around what will be most helpful and beneficial for the user. Our aim? To create products around what the customer needs rather than just what we just want to sell/make.
Q Why do you think these are key to wellbeing?
A More and more people are turning to natural remedies to help with the hustle and bustle of their busy everyday lives. Our oils are designed for this exact purpose. As mentioned earlier, the power of scent should be re-discovered. There’s so much research that shows that certain oils by themselves, as well as di erent oil combinations, can massively help anxiety and sleep.
Q What are your bestsellers?
A Throughout the year our ‘Anxiety’, ‘Sweet Dreams’, ‘Relax & Unwind’, ‘Feel Good and Focus’ blends do very well. ‘Anxiety’ is one of the top selling essential oils on Amazon.
Q What have been your recent launches?
A We’ve been up to quite a lot! We’ve recently expanded our on-the-go roller-ball bottle range to include our famous Anxiety blend, so that people can use it on the go. Similarly, we’ve recently expanded our Fragrance Oil range to include some more seasonal scents, including ‘Smores’, ‘Hot Chocolate’ and ‘Pumpkin Pie’.
Q What do you have planned for 2023?
A We’re currently creating a range of vegan essential oil pillow sprays. We’re also looking forward to launching a range of vegan vitamins and supplements soon.
Q Where are you based in Hertfordshire?
A We’re based in Watford. There’s a huge open field across from where our warehouse is – you don’t get that everywhere! It’s so quiet and peaceful too. The warehouse isn’t too far from where we live, which gives us more time to work on creating more deliciously scented oils.
aromaenergy.co.uk
“Our sense of smell is our most powerful sense, but people often forget that”
of
Hello my name is Adam Michie and I’ve been involved in the health and fitness industry for many years. My passion is guiding clients through their fitness journey, with an emphasis on encouraging consistency in everything that you do.
Repetitive exercise and eating the right food is essential to maintain our health and fitness, to feel good, to help us focus, and to cope with a busy life, work agenda and so on. We need to allow time for ourselves, and to feed our bodies with essential
balanced nutrition. Just a little patience and you’ll enjoy the journey of fitness.
So many people go on diets. They are confused by the food industry, and the influence of social media, but ultimately it comes back to basics: three healthy meals a day, drink water, and enjoy your new regime!
It is so easy these days to go for the ‘quick fix’ microwave meal, the cheeky meal deal, or to have a few home delivered takeaways, which can be lovely, but balancing it out is essential. Allow time to prepare di erent types of cuisines and enjoy a great, healthy and balanced diet, experimenting with di erent spices, textures, and flavours.
Food is the essential fuel that we consume. Gone are the days of six packs and getting ripped, we need to feel good about ourselves and a lot of that comes down to the nutrition we consume, proteins, good fats, good carbs and vegetables. There isn’t a single ‘fashion’ diet out there that will sustain someone's happiness or fitness levels, you can be sure of that.
So start today by enjoying three good, healthy meals, and drink two to three litres of water per day (tea, and co ee counts!). Whether you are already on your fitness journey, or you're just starting out, remember it is essential to be active, to move more, enjoy and start to feel great about yourself.
I sincerely hope that I can play a part in your health and fitness regime. I am a fully experienced personal trainer (covering Berkhamsted, and surrounding areas) and if you’d like help with your nutrition and exercise, I would love to help, and encourage you to achieve your goals.
Heat and energy isn't far from the news right now, but a trip to St Albans' The Radiator Centre and you'll be talking positively about turning the temperature up in the home.
Radiator design has come on leaps and bounds over recent times, and over the page we take a closer look at some of the hottest – sorry – designs out there.
theradiatorcentre.com
Interior design has come some way since a rad was there just to heat the home. The Radiator Centre in St Albans showcases some of the cutting edge designs to expect in 2023
A fully-fledged eco-sustainable designer radiator, from £699.60
An updated version of the more traditional tubular multicolumn radiators, the Soho boasts a remarkable saving on water – approximately 80% less than its traditional counterparts, meaning lower energy consumption. It is made from recyclable aluminium profiles which are joined together by a patented combination and locking system. This allows for superior heat output values, despite the reduced water requirement. Optional accessories of a hook and towel rail make it great for bathrooms, and freestanding versions in both vertical and horizontal designs are also available, with the latter being ideal for under windows. The Soho is available in a wide range of colours, sizes and finishes.
The artistic choice, from £634 You'd be forgiven for thinking the Sfere isn't a radiator at all, as this sleek eye-catching design is as much a piece of artwork as it is a heating panel. Made from carbon steel, this ultra-slim design can be used on its own or in a group, depending on personal taste, heating requirements and available wall space. For even more wow factor, choose from over 80 colour choices and finishes.
Award-winning flexibility, towel rails from £1,034.40
The award-winning Scaletta is a heated towel rail like no other. Its iconic design allows it to function as a practical storage bathroom solution for towels, but it is its versatility which really sets it apart. Available in a wall mounted or freestanding version, the latter requires no installation meaning this electric towel rail can be easily repositioned and plugged in wherever it is needed. It features a handy pulley for keeping the cable neat and comes in over 200 di erent finishes. The Scaletta is made from aluminium allowing for fast heat up times and it can also come with a temperature regulator and optional shelf for additional storage.
Minimalistic touch, from £2,847
Another minimalistic towel option that is new to the market is the I-Ching. Its flexibility comes in its ability to be hung horizontally to hold towels or vertically for bath robes. Besides a variety of sizes, it also comes in a wide selection of finishes. What’s more, the I-Ching is electric only.
A traditional feeling, wall or floor mounted from £489.60
Ball jointed towel rails convey a sense of the traditional. Getting them sprayed in one of a myriad of colours makes them a unique and contemporary design choice. The Retro is available either wall mounted
or floor mounted; water fed or electric only. One width but eight heights o er further versatility.
A sturdy approach, from £474
A new high-quality design from one of Italy’s leading aluminium radiator manufacturers. The Sebino o ers a compact and stylish design choice with low-water content and a superior heat output. Sturdy, but lightweight, its slim profile makes it ideal for confined spaces, such as hallways and landings.
Hey good looking, from £811.20
Combining good looks with great functionality, the Agora is a brilliant choice for energy savings as it has an ultra low water content, meaning less energy is needed to heat it up. Despite its lower water volume it is still able to achieve high heat output, ensuring your home stays cosy all winter long. This designer radiator is made entirely from recyclable drawn aluminium, making it an eco-friendly choice too, and as aluminium heats up faster than its steel equivalent, this also helps with energy e ciency. Available in a wide range of colours, sizes and finishes, the Agora can be positioned vertically or horizontally making it a great option for a wide variety of settings.
Inspired by cutting edge research, from £530.20
The elegant, contemporary look of the Arkos draws its inspiration from research into new formal and functional radiator design. It has been developed along the lines of a traditional 25mm diameter tubular style and features a unique curved handle in one of its vertical elements, making it perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. Customers have a choice of one or two handles, a single or double column version, as well as various colours and sizes. The Arkos is also suitable for hydraulic systems.
The simple things in life, from £473.16
Also new to The Radiator Centre is the minimalist, but everso-stylish Teso. A fine example of how a bathroom radiator does not have to look like a standard towel rail and yet can provide all the functionality required for storage, drying and hanging. Teso takes up less room than a standard radiator, but o ers plenty of spaces to place towels and robes. This designer radiator can be hung horizontally or vertically, and is o ered in a wide range of colours with a choice of a chrome, matching or complementary colour for the bar.
THE RADIATOR CENTRE
7 Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 1EU, 01727 840344 theradiatorcentre.com
The start of 2023 brings about new ideas and trends in the world of health. This year is all about focusing on your physical and mental well-being, ensuring that instead of just surviving, you're thriving.
Steps towards mental and physical well-being can come in various forms for you. It could mean creating a place where the whole family can be together and spend time having fun or building somewhere just for you to wind down and relax. Luckily, Origin has the solution.
Swimming is a fantastic activity that can have a positive impact on your mental health, not to mention the amazing advantages for your physical health too. Numerous studies have shown the positive impact that swimming can have on your body; swimmers have a lower risk of heart disease and strokes,
lower blood pressure and reduced joint pain.
In fact, a SwimEngland study found that those who swim regularly felt on average 12 years younger than those that don’t.
Swimming can also be a great source of family fun or the hard-hitting form of exercise you need; however you choose to see it, Origin can make it happen. Having a sauna and steam room alongside your swimming pool would allow you to create a sanctuary of well-being in the comfort of your own home. Saunas and steam rooms have incredible health benefits such as increased circulation, improved heart function, reduced risk of disease and muscle and exercise recovery.
The calming and relaxing nature of these environments make them one of the most loved forms of stress relief leading to better sleep and increased blood flow to the brain, enhancing your overall mood.
But why Origin? It’s simple, they do it all. They ended last year on a high, adding a further five gold awards to their industry
accolades, not to mention they’ve been building their bespoke, award-winning indoor pools for over 40 years and in that time have successfully completed thousands of projects to a wide range of specifications.
So, if you want to start your year o on a positive, trust Origin to create an indoor pool tailored to your needs and whatever well-being means to you, whether that includes space for a home gym, a sauna, a juice bar or a lounging area for the whole family to enjoy. Their team of experts manage the whole process, taking the stress away from you and giving you the confidence and freedom to enjoy your new pool in your own home. There are limited building slots available so give Origin a call and let them make 2023 your year.
Call: 01895 453996 Email: info@originpools.co.uk Instagram: @originpoolsuk Visit: originpools.co.uk
BRIDE & WOLF
Gold Lightning Bolt Mirror, £75 antipodream.co.uk
Metallic Gold Twist Taper Candles, £4.99 giselagraham.co.uk
1970 Gold Ceramic Candle, £110 beaumonde.co.uk
Gold and Emerald Green Artemis Poster, £35 gracedigitalartco.com
Angelique Ornate Gold Wall Mirror, £295 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk
Eichholtz Las Palmas
Table Lamp Gold, £974 sweetpeaandwillow.com
Have a sparkling start to the new year
By PENDLE HARTE
FY Cassia Vase, £49 iamfy.co
Geraldine Gold Giraffe
Table Lamp, £145 beaumonde.co.uk
GEORGE
Gold Metal Multi Hands Candle Holder, £150 rockettstgeorge.co.uk
LUXEOLOGY HOME
Gold Bobble Edge Wall Mirror, £145 luxeology.co.uk
HOME
Tall Gold Metal Vase, £119 luxeology.co.uk
By PENDLE HARTE
Eym's new scent Eden is a blissful mix of violet leaf, cedarwood and neroli. These chemical-free candles use pure essential oils for a positive effect on emotional wellbeing. £39 eymnaturals.com
The Thrillsome Trio: A Watchful Eye, Lunatic and Memories of Summer are modern talismans. Each comes in a fi ne bone china vessel with 22 carat gold embellishment. £80 wow-uk.com
Paul Smith's fi rst candle collection comes in beautiful reusable glass containers. The fragrance Bookworm was inspired by Paul's own book-fi lled offi ce. £65 paulsmith.com
1 3 4
Vilshenko's fi rst candle collection is inspired by Slavic folklore and traditional Matryoshka dolls, and each candle represents one of the four seasons. £120 vilshenko.com
The Rajathra candle transports you to a maharaja’s retreat in the hills of Rajasthan with tose and patchouli, sensual spices and a sultry animalic scent. £350 ginori1735.com
So many educators wax lyrical about children getting out into nature and learning by exploring. It's why forest schools are exploding in popularity, and inside this month's section, we head to Edge Grove in Watford to see how they are taking advantage of what's around us. edgegrove.com
Forest School 76 • Natasha Devon 78
We are nearing that magical time of the year again when the beauty of nature enchants us all.
It’s also a time when we are able to observe and more deeply appreciate so much that the natural world brings alive every season, for us all to enjoy. Through a captivating mosaic of changing hues, winter
really comes to life at Edge Grove prep school in Aldenham Village, near Watford. For its pupils, the beauty of this enchanting spectacle is also never far from view. With these magnificent natural surroundings on its doorstep, the school’s 48-acre parkland setting really comes into its own at this time of year providing a Narnia-like wardrobe of opportunity just waiting to be explored by inquisitive young minds.
For children, having access to the beautiful world of nature at school provides a unique
extension to their learning experience. With this in mind, Edge Grove has just o cially opened a brand-new Forest School shelter within its grounds to ensure its children can make the most of the stunning woodland and wildlife that surrounds them. The shelter is a one-of-a-kind, uniquely designed child-focused facility, which is being used as a base for all-important outdoor education lessons. The wooden structure itself has been expertly hand-crafted and built by the school’s own estates team.
We head into the great outdoors as Edge Grove School open their new Forest School facilities
As well as providing a lovely new setting for outdoor learning and a raft of exciting co-curricular activities, the shelter is also being used by pupils as a peaceful space for the purposes of reflection and much needed time out from the busy school day. Children have also been taking part in more mindful outdoor activities such as planting, whittling, painting, den building and making their own paint brushes while sheltering from the cold weather and rain during the chilly winter months.
Forest School is such an important part of the children’s education and Edge Grove’s Mim Doughty and Samantha Green, two specialist environmental teachers, are committed to delivering a hands-on learning-from-nature experience that provides an array of muddy, mysterious and magical opportunities for the children to be excited and inspired by. Forest School is very much deliberately built into the curriculum at Edge Grove for all pupils from pre-school up to Year 4. As such, the school encourages an appreciation of the many wonders of nature. This is something that can only be achieved via regular exposure to the great outdoors and having access to specially designed lessons delivered in the woodland setting really does help to bring the world of nature even closer.
The parent community at the school have also been able to enjoy the new Forest School shelter and have been taking part in their own taster sessions in order to find out more about the activities their children are enjoying and to experience the benefits of this wonderful setting for themselves.
Interim Head, Richard Stanley, explains: “Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Edge Grove parent’s association, the dream of creating a stunning outdoor shelter in the school grounds is finally a reality. These kinds of facilities provide a unique extension to our pupil’s learning experiences while helping them to observe and appreciate the role we all play in protecting our natural environment.”
As Edge Grove continues to develop its Forest School, there are future plans for a circular table to be built around the horse chestnut tree that stands in its grounds as well as a new bug hotel and a living roof on top of the Forest School storage shed.
“We are looking forward to another exciting winter of outdoor learning, celebrating just how fortunate and blessed we all are to be surrounded by nature in all of its splendour,” adds Richard.
Edge Grove School is a leading, coeducational independent school for pupils aged 3-13 years situated in 48 acres of
glorious parkland in Hertfordshire. Dedicated to the creation of confident, self-assured learners, the school nurtures individual excellence and academic rigour in a challenging, warm, fun and inspirational environment.Development of each individual child is at the heart of the school’s approach, characterised by a genuine commitment to the pursuit of excellence.Edge Grove looks to encourage and foster talent whether in the classroom, art room, in music, on the stage or on the sports field.Its first-class resources, strong academic approach and accessible and enjoyable teaching allow pupils to progress individually and reach their true potential in all spheres of school life.
edgegrove.com
“These kind of facilities provide a unique extension to our pupil’s learning experiences”EDGE GROVE SCHOOL PART OF THE FOREST SCHOOL
“Teenagers are natural libertarians. They don’t want to think that their way of thinking or their behaviour has been influenced or manipulated”
By LIBBY NORMAN
Natasha Devon speaks with authority about young people because she talks to them, all the time. In fact, her work still takes her into an average of three schools, colleges or universities a week. She’s a body image campaigner and was awarded an MBE for her activism on mental health issues. She’s also, clearly, a very good listener.
Toxic is her first foray into fiction and was inspired by some of her conversations and focus groups with young people. It explores the grey area around bullying and centres on a best-buddy school friendship between Llewella and glamorous new girl Aretha that takes a negative turn. Natasha believes toxic teen friendships can be hard for an outsider to spot, let alone understand. “When we think of bullying, we think of something tangible,” says Natasha. “But then there are all of these incredibly sophisticated ways that young people find to torture each other and undermine each other’s self-esteem. So that’s what I’m trying to focus on because
there’s no protocol for that in schools, and rightly so, it is a very nuanced thing.”
Natasha says a close teenage friendship is di erent. “It’s really intense. It’s a kind of platonic infatuation, I think.” She points to the changes that happen in the teenage brain that make such friendships vital, but also volatile. “We’re supposed to be having a greater reliance on our peer group because that’s how we establish independence from our parents. So it makes total sense how much young people are investing in their friendships. But, by the same token, they’re at an age where everybody’s discovering who they are and trying on di erent identities.” Boundaries get crossed and pain, misunderstandings and confusion can follow.
Setting boundaries and protecting yourself are big themes in Natasha’s discussions with young people. That includes protecting themselves online, where so much harm happens in the teenage friendship landscape. “That’s very much where I’m trying to lead them – digital citizenship. That’s not a term I invented. I’m an ambassador for a charity called Glitch and it’s a term they use a lot. It’s
Natasha Devon talks to young people, a lot, making hers a voice to listen to when it comes to helping them (and us) navigate the light and shade of growing upNATASHA DEVON. PORTRAIT: JONATHAN DONOVAN
this understanding that we have an online life and that it’s not just about consideration of others in the way we behave online, it’s about being safe online ourselves.”
Sound advice, but do young people understand how big an impact social media is having on their lives? Natasha’s answer, rather ruefully, is no they don’t. “I love working with teenagers – they are some of my favourite people – but the only thing I find challenging about them is that they are natural libertarians. They don’t want to think that their way of thinking or their behaviour has been influenced or manipulated,” she says. “Trying to introduce this idea that the brain is plastic, and therefore the more of something we do the more the brain develops in that direction, is quite di cult.” She focuses more on encouraging young people to think of self-care and, rather like art curators, surround themselves with what she calls “the nourishing stu ”.
Natasha speaks from a position of personal knowledge about the dark avenues young people can go down. She started having panic attacks at the age of around ten after a series of destabilising and traumatic family events, including the death of a cousin, but was only diagnosed years later, at 31, with an anxiety disorder. A decade on, it remains a part of her life and can be managed. “It doesn’t define who I am, and it doesn’t stop me being happy,
productive or anything anymore. But it was such a long journey to have got to that point.”
It was her own therapy journey that inspired her interest in mental health and shaped her career path. Today, Natasha Devon’s work with schools centres on helping young people to understand that the mind is something to nurture. “Everybody has got mental health and it’s something that we can monitor throughout our life, that will change throughout our life. Knowing that about yourself, being armed with that knowledge, is not something to be frightened of, it’s something that can really help you.”
There are pinch points that test young people’s equilibrium. Natasha’s survival guide, Yes you can: Ace School Without Losing your Mind is for one of those pinch points – the transition to Year 9. “That is the year when everything happens,” she says. She means the classic teenage stu : first love, changing bodies and growing self-awareness. It’s full of practical wisdom, with recipes, exercises and advice on everything from study routines to creative breakout activities – and also fun quizzes. “Including lots of quizzes about things like ‘are you a lark or a nightingale?’, ‘what’s your motivation?’ helps to keep their interest. They’re learning about how they learn at the same time.” Underlying it all is a “sca old” approach – helping them build on existing knowledge – and showing that good mental health and good grades can co-exist.
Natasha has listened to the concerns of young people for well over a decade now – from body image and bullying to their sense of being constantly scrutinised and failing to live up to expectations and ‘perfect life’ social media narratives. And now Covid. Unsurprisingly, post-pandemic issues are in the conversations. “The big thing that I’m getting from young people is this sense of unfairness, also this sense that they’ve been written o .”
She thinks we adults could help by toning down the negativity – what she calls “lost generation rhetoric”. She chooses a glass-half-full approach. “I’ve
been having lots of conversations about how, when you look at the most successful people, they learned to adapt their goals in response to their experiences,” she says. “Also, I talk about how important it is that they’ve learned to motivate themselves to work from home.” She discusses the self-knowledge they acquired during Covid and home schooling – including coping strategies they can use again. “It’s trying to get them to flip the narrative,” she says. “See it as an advantage that they had the opportunity to learn those things.”
Having escaped her destructive friendship, Toxic’s heroine Llewella concludes: ‘The thing about clouds is, they pass. And, if you’re very lucky, you have some lights to guide you home’. This is a pretty good description of Natasha Devon’s approach to working with young people –helping them to manage those inevitable clouds and discover their guiding lights.
Toxic is published by UCLan (£8.99).
Yes You Can: Ace School Without Losing your Mind is published by Macmillan (£9.99). natashadevon.com
Closing our first issue of 2023 is an indepth look at one of the biggest things for the county’s arts scene coming our way
Hertford Theatre’s £24 million Growth And Legacy Development is set to transform the theatre into a thriving hub for arts and culture – and not just for the town, but for the whole region.
Born out of a successful ten-year programme of live events, film and community activity from 2010-2019, the opportunity arose for the physical, cultural and commercial expansion of Hertford Theatre and in summer 2021, the doors closed and demolition work began on the building.
This exciting project, due to complete phase 1 in November 2023 and phase 2 in February 2024, will deliver a 550-seat main auditorium, a 150-seat studio theatre, three dedicated cinemas with a combined capacity of 200, two community rooms and a new bar kitchen o ering, which will serve local, seasonal produce.
Hertford Theatre will develop a learning and outreach o er supporting local schools and arts engagement for all ages. The venue will also bring added value to the town and the plethora of fantastic bars, eateries, parks and independent shops.
Hertford Theatre is at the centre of the community and the redevelopment will reach new audiences and industry connections from across the region and beyond.
Whilst the building has been closed, the team have been running events at external locations, including most recently a new Christmas production of The Snowsmith (pictured right) with award-winning theatre company Half A String at Ware Drill Hall.
Keeping in touch with local audiences and community partners has been an important part of the redevelopment project, which
has meant funding was received to allow creative practitioners to work with partner schools and education providers on the creation of a new learning and outreach o er.
Sustainability and accessibility are at the forefront of the redevelopment, with new infrastructure being installed that will reduce the carbon footprint and make the building more e cient, whilst a new backstage design will allow performers with accessibility requirements to access the stage and dressing rooms. A new café o er will see seasonal produce being served as the team seek out fantastic local suppliers to further reduce the carbon footprint.
It’s clear that 2023 will not only be an exciting year for Hertford Theatre, but for everyone in the county with a love and appreciation for the arts.
See more at hertfordtheatre.com
Everyone’s talking about…A CGI OF THE REVAMPED HERTFORD THEATRE
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