JULY 2023 / £3.95
MAEVE HARAN
Happy endings with the Cuckmere Valley author
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NORTH TO SOUTH
Yorkshire chef
Dave Mothersill on his Brighton opening
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GO WILD
The work of Isabella Tree at the Knepp Estate
LOOK AND FEEL COOL THANKS TO THE LATEST COLLECTION FROM PEARL LOWE
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ABSOLUTELY’S July issue highlights
There is something about Brighton. Of course, this magazine is called Absolutely Sussex, so we cover everything that's great about our wonderful county. But there's just something about Brighton. My older brother once lived around the corner from The Lanes and, boy, did I enjoy visiting him. This was in my 20s and Brighton was a city like no other, from the beach to the many different ways I could spend my money on a night out. I loved the vibe, the people, simply everything.
Twenty years later and that feeling remains the same – and I am not alone. We look back at the Brighton Festival, which was everything we expected from such a beast of an arts event.
Author Maeve Haran refects on her misspent youth in Brighton (which I could relate to), and Yorkshire chef Dave Mothersill tells us why he came down south and why Brighton was the perfect spot his first solo venture, Furna.
Time passes and things change, but not the vibe in Brighton. There's just something about it.
Reina Olga was founded in 2014 on the premise that “no bikini is ever too small, and no tooshie is ever too big.” Contemporary and colourful in design, Reina Olga is mindfully made, with 70% of the brand’s production using recycled fabric, whilst remaining unmatched in quality. reinaolga.com
An unusual beauty, this Grand Pompom candleholder by Maison Balzac is hand-blown from clear borosilicate glass and set on a slender stem. It is decorated with four glass pompom attachments ready to bejewel your space. £74 koibird.com
New York's Ellis Brooklyn has just launched in Space NK with its stunning fragrances using as many natural ingredients and sustainable methods as possible. There are four scents for summer. spacenk.com
A classic shopper with a burst of summery colors, the Alegria Hawaii is made from bespoke luxury raffia made exclusively for Tissa Fontaneda. tissafontaneda.com
This Splatter Oval Platter by The Conran Shop is expertly created in the historic ceramicmaking district by a family-owned business in Grottaglie. £105 conranshop.co.uk
Tombolo's effortlessly cool Scuba bucket hat is made from cotton terrycloth with a tactile towelling fi nish. £75 koibird.com
Apujan is a Londonbased womenswear label founded by designer Apujan in 2013. The designs are renowned for integrating patterns and knitwear techniques to illustrate themes inspired by fantasy and literature. apujan.com
The Roberts Revival Petite fits retro style and modern sound in the palm of your hand. Switch between DAB/DAB+/FM radio or connect via Bluetooth. £99 robertsradio.com
The Zia in Cherry Blossom is an iconic Terry de Havilland platform block heel made using high shine iridescent material for maximum drama. £335 terrydehavilland.com
Givenchy's Le 9.09
Eyeshadow Palette is composed of nine warm pink-tone shades, the fi rst co-created with Creative Director Thom Walker. £67 givenchybeauty.com
30 JUNE-2 JULY, GLYNDE PLACE
The full Love Supreme Jazz Festival line-up is now confirmed as the event prepares to return to Glynde Place in East Sussex for its milestone 10th edition. This year’s programme is topped by Mercury Prize, Ivor Novello and Brit Award-winning UK rapper Little Simz and the legendary Grace Jones, making Love Supreme the only major UK music festival with an allfemale headline bill. A huge array of the leading lights from across the jazz and soul spectrum will also be performing across the weekend including the likes of multi-million-selling, four-time Brit Award winner Emeli Sandé. lovesupremefestival.com
25-30 JULY, ARUNDEL CASTLE
This thrilling event will see eight world-renowned skilled jousters compete for the prestigious title of Champion of Champions, having previously won as individuals at Arundel or as the top scorers for their respective countries. Visitors will be treated to an exhilarating display of horseback combat, plus the event promises a full day of medieval festivities for the whole family to enjoy.
arundelcastle.org
4 August GOODWOOD
The much-anticipated 12th Markel Magnolia Cup will come under starters’ orders at Qatar Goodwood Festival, on Friday 4 August. Since its inception, the philanthropic event has raised a phenomenal £2.1 million. This year, the Markel Magnolia Cup will support Education Above All’s Educate A Child programme. All net proceeds will go to a project in Malawi. goodwood.com
Until 10 September
WORTHING MUSEUM
The Out of the Artist is a multi-artist exhibition created by local poet, and event manager for Worthing Pride 2019, Keira Thomas. The exhibition creates a safe and accepting space for local independent LGBTQIA+ artists to creatively share their voice and personal experiences. It features work by Amelia Armande, Bryony May, Caroline Osella, Emma Clowsley, Gil Mualem-Doron and more. wtm.uk
Throughout July
GLYNDEBOURNE
After his landmark staging of Handel’s Saul in 2015, Barrie Kosky makes a highly anticipated return to Glyndebourne to direct the Festival’s first ever production of Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, one of the most devastatingly powerful operas in the repertoire. Glyndebourne’s Music Director Robin Ticciati takes charge of a breathtaking score. glyndebourne.com
English Youth Ballet (EYB) is auditioning for young dancers for a charming production of COPPÉLIA
4-27 August
CHICHESTER
An early heads up as the Chichester International Film Festival (CIFF) returns this August with an outstanding programme of quality film screenings, including a special retrospective on Hugh Bonneville that will showcase some of his best work in TV and film. Now in its 31st year, the festival will feature over 130 screenings including Asteroid City, Indiana Jones and The Dial Of Destiny, and Elemental. chichesterfilmfestival.co.uk
6-15 JULY, DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE
The ultimate psychological thriller, Gaslight, comes to Eastbourne. From the celebrated production team Phil&Ben, who have brought previous productions Dial M for Murder and Boeing Boeing to Eastbourne, comes this new production of the chilling manipulating drama. The original 1938 stage play shocked audiences then, and this darkly disturbing tale of deceit and toxic masculinity has lost none of its impact today. eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Up to 100 male and female dancers (aged 8–18) from across the region will be offered the chance to train and rehearse with and then dance alongside international professional principal dancers in the colourful production of Coppelia for three performances to be presented at the The Hawth, Crawley, from 3–4 November 2023.
Award-winning EYB is now in its 25th phenomenal year and is one of the largest ballet companies in the UK. EYB is a national touring ballet company with Director, Janet Lewis MBE, at its helm. The company consists of a core team of eight international principal dancers, two artistic ballet staff, two wardrobe mistresses and four theatre technicians. EYB is highly regarded for presenting lavish, large-scale classical ballets and critics have praised the quality of the beautiful sets and costumes.
Janet Lewis says: "The EYB audition is an experience in itself. EYB is all about performance experience and this starts at the audition as the dancers are given a regular ballet class with parents and family encouraged to watch. We are looking for young dancers of all abilities who can show the audience how much they enjoy their dancing."
Auditions will be held Monday 5 July at The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ. For more information and to register for the audition email englishyouthballet@gmail.com or visit englishyouthballet.co.uk
As an exhibition showcasing portraits of women writers opens at Farley House & Gallery in Lewes, award-winning artist Susanne du Toit tells us about this latest body of work
By REBECCA PITCAIRN
Award-winning artist Susanne du Toit sees women. She sees them and paints them in their strippedback, unadulterated, gritty glory.
The 68-year-old, who won the National Portrait Gallery's Portrait Award in 2013 making her an instant household name, is famous for her seemingly melancholy portraits of family members and personalities from the world of arts and entertainment.
The portrait of her eldest son Pieter, which won her the Portrait Award, was described by Sandy Nairne, the National Portrait’s director at the time, as ‘simple but outstanding’ – and was disliked by her son. “He didn't like the way I portrayed him, he said it wasn’t very joyful,” she tells me.
For her latest body of work, the motherof-four and grandmother-of-five visited the homes and workplaces of 19 eminent women writers, such as Dolly Alderton, Clover Stroud, Dreda Say Mitchell and Diana Evans
among others, to paint them for an intimate series, entitled Painting Women Writers
The project came about after the South African-born artist was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, in 2019, to paint a portrait of the writer, Jeanette Winterson, for their collection. “Painting Jeanette had awakened me to the fact that writers are not just interesting people, but often have unusually deep emotional and imaginative lives, making them compelling subjects for portraiture,” says Susanne of the encounter, which inspired the venture.
This July, the striking collection of portraits will go on show at Farley House & Gallery in Chiddingly. The pictures have also been collated into a book, published by Eiderdown Books, an independent publisher championing female artists set up by Harriet Olesen, head of publishing at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester.
Painting Women Writers is a record of the project and the portraits of the women Susanne has painted, but the unique and intimate book also shares preliminary sketches and fascinating notes from Susanne on her visits to the writers’ homes and her process, as well as personal contributions on the experience of being a sitter from the writers.
“I’ve always kept a journal, I’d write about my garden, my children or the struggles I might be having with a particular painting, but I think doing this gave me so much more to write about and, after a while, the writing became as big a part of the project as the painting,” says Susanne, whose musings take the reader on a journey that helps them better understand her portrayal of each writer. “I’m not a writer, but I’m really pleased we included my notes in the book because, you know, after the shows and exhibitions, that’s usually it but now, with the book, it has a longer life and I'm happy about that.”
Susanne visited each of the writers in their
homes or workplace so she could paint them in their own surroundings – some feature their children, pets and even laundry – helping to bring to the canvas individual personalities of the authors and their worlds that might not be otherwise seen by those who read their work.
“While the process for each portrait is similar, I found all the writers very di erent,” she says. “Some of them were really into the project and some of them found it really di cult and I got the feeling they felt quite uncomfortable. So, I would prompt a conversation, and then, my goodness, everyone had such a story to tell, such a journey and to me, that was so amazing, to really meet the human side of them all. And everyone was very, very di erent.”
Like her son, not everyone liked their portrait but then, Susanne says, when do we ever like a picture of ourselves? “Each of the writers would say to me, ‘that's not the person I see in the mirror,’ but then they would say, ‘But you did get me’. So, I was very pleased with that, that they eventually felt that I did actually get something of them.”
Painting Women Writers is at Farley House & Gallery from 13 July to 3 September. The book Painting Women Writers by Susanne du Toit is published by Eiderdown Books, RRP £30 paperback
ACCLAIMED AUTHOR FROM CUCKMERE VALLEY
Q What can you tell us about In the Summertime?
A It’s a lovely summery book combining my usual cocktail of humour and romance with a dash of mystery and intrigue. Two di erent people made exactly the same comment about my book The Greek Holiday that it was ‘Famous Five for Grownups’ – and that’s exactly what I’ve done with In the Summertime! There is a mystery to be solved, plus I used a background I think most people will recognise.
Q It’s set in the South Downs – an inspiring place for you?
A I grew up in Worthing where my parents were GPs – Dr Tom and Dr Mary. I still get the odd message through my website saying, ‘You must be Dr Haran’s daughter’. My dad was always quoting Kipling who so loved ‘Sussex by the sea’. And now I have a small cottage in the beautiful Cuckmere Valley two miles from Seaford. It’s that extraordinary combination of glorious countryside and seaside that makes the South Downs so special. It’s also extremely convenient. As one of my characters remarks, ‘Everyone goes on about Cornwall, but it’s such a bloody long way away!’
Q Why do you love writing novels with a romantic undercurrent?
A I’m a happy endings writer! Love may cause us a lot of pain at times, but it’s the best thing we have. I’ve been shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year with two very di erent books. I blame my mum. She was a busy GP with four children and she used to retreat to the bath with a glass of sherry and a romantic novel by Georgette Heyer (who
incidentally I still read when life gets tough). Now I tell myself that’s the kind of writer I want to be – the one you take in the bath with a glass of white wine and forget the world.
Q When you graduated from Oxford, could you have imagined the writing career you have gone on to have?
A Absolutely not. I read law because I wanted to be a barrister. My English teacher at Mayfield was furious with me because I was her best pupil! I soon realised it was a mistake and after I got my degree I started a very wandering path towards where I am now. I started in publishing, then became a freelance journalist, then a TV researcher and finally a TV executive before throwing it all in to try and write. Everyone thought I was bonkers.
Q What made you sit down and write Having It All?
A As a TV boss I was never home. I went back after six months with my first baby and then, when I had my second child, I started wondering what it was all for. I wanted a di erent kind of life where I occasionally saw the hours of daylight. Not to mention my children.
Q Did its success surprise you?
A I was amazed! It sold in 30 countries and there were 100 newspaper articles written about it. Women were just beginning to have
important careers and Having It All, which was about balancing career and motherhood, hit the moment. I was even on the news twice! It became the book everyone had to read. I travelled all over the world talking about it.
Q How long have you had a cottage in Cuckmere Valley and what do you love about being there?
A Thirty years. I love the community – it still revolves round the church and the pub (the lovely Plough and Harrow) just as village life did in the days of Thomas Hardy. It’s amazingly friendly and even though I am a ‘Wicked Weekender’ (I live most of the time in London), everyone is really welcoming. It is just opposite the South Downs Way and I watch all the walkers toiling up and down as I sip a G&T in the garden. It’s just near the Cuckmere river with its amazing birdlife (and paddleboarders!) and the chalk figure of the White Horse. Really idyllic. And of course I borrow bits for my books.
Q Where are your favourite haunts in Sussex?
A I’ll always love Brighton because that is where I enjoyed my misspent youth. I used it as the background for my book What Became of You My Love? and was amazed that it hasn’t changed that much since I was a teenager. Birling Gap, with its iconic cli s and bay. I often took the children rock pooling there and have a lifelong love of looking for shells. It has a great National Trust shop and co ee place too.
Seaford at high tide. I’m a bit of a wild swimmer and the water there is deep and clear. I have memorable moments sitting on the beach drinking Pimm’s with my two friends watching a man paddleboarding with his dog on the back, with the sun going down and the sun sparkling on the sea. And to think as a writer I can call that research!
Find out more information at maeve-haran.co.uk
“I want to be the writer you take in the bath with a glass of wine”BIRLING GAP THE BEACH AT SEAFORD MAEVE LOVES BRIGHTON DESSERT AT THE PLOUGH AND HARROW
Connection and collaboration was at the forefront of this year’s Brighton Festival as guest director, DJ, broadcaster and musician Nabihah Iqbal invited artists and audiences to ‘Gather Round’ and share experiences, exchange ideas and celebrate the arts across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. For its 56th edition, England’s largest curated multi-arts festival brought 120 events from international, national and local artists to venues and outdoor locations in an ambitious programme that included seven
world premieres, five UK premieres and eight Brighton Festival commissions. In Shoreham-by-Sea, the immersive world premiere of John Lyly’s play Galatea, from theatre maker Emma Frankland, historian Andy Kesson, Brighton’s Marlborough Productions and outdoor theatre specialists Wildworks, included a community chorus of local residents alongside a large cast of deaf and hearing actors. Across the city at East Brighton’s The Crew Club, youth theatre company ThirdSpace worked with Brighton People’s Theatre and Ceyda Tanc Dance on a modern re-imagining of the Greek tragedy Bakkhai, featuring a cast of more than 50 actors, aged between
eight and 60-years-old and set against the dramatic backdrop of the South Downs. Brighton Festival’s community collaborations continued with Our Place, supported by higher education partner University of Sussex. The programme connected artists in residence with the communities of Hangleton & Knoll, East Brighton and Moulsecoomb & Bevendean for creative projects including a new mural for Hangleton Community Centre, plus art exhibitions, workshops and family fun days. Elsewhere, London Symphony Orchestra shared their expertise with Brighton & East Sussex Youth Orchestra in a series of mentoring sessions ahead of the young musicians’ performance, supported by major sponsor Mayo Wynne Baxter.
Further creative partnerships saw Nabihah Iqbal perform live with awardwinning arts collective Invisible Flock
Sussex looks back at why the Brighton Festival 2023 was one for the agesMUGHAL MINIATURES WITHOUT WALLS PHOTO BY JAMIE MACMILLAN
“England's largest curated multi-arts festival featured 120 events”OUR ROOTS, PHOTO BY CLAIRE LEACH
in the Sumatran rainforest soundscape
The Sleeping Tree, which was part of this year’s music programme, supported by major sponsor Moda. The Books & Debates programme had Nabihah also discussing life and music with BBC broadcaster Anita Rani and poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, and exploring David Olusoga’s love of history in a sold-out event at Brighton Dome.
Critically acclaimed events included Van Gogh Alive, which brings the Dutch painter’s artworks spectacularly to life, with 3,000 images presented in stunning detail against an evocative classical music score. This innovative immersive exhibition marks the reopening of Brighton Dome’s
newly refurbished Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, ahead of the spaces returning to live performances in the autumn.
This year’s programme included 123 free performances, continuing Brighton Festival’s aim to make the arts accessible to everyone. Groundswell, a large-scale interactive installation encouraging audiences to work together to create oceanic waves of sound and light, welcomed more than 20,000 participants across the festival. Groundswell was presented in partnership with Brighton Fringe and made possible by The Pebble Trust, whose annual support of Brighton Festival’s major productions and installations o ers audiences innovative and unique ways of seeing and experiencing the city.
The annual Children’s Parade, supported by Brighton Girls, saw more than 5,000 school children take to the streets of Brighton in imaginative costumes and displays to celebrate this year’s Parade theme, ‘One world: learning and growing from each other’. Elsewhere the everpopular A Weekend Without Walls series brought a colourful and vibrant programme of free, pop-up outdoor performances to hundreds of people in Brighton and Crawley across the closing weekend.
Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, says: “This year Nabihah Iqbal invited audiences, artists, residents and visitors to ‘Gather Round’ and share the joy of collective experiences, and they certainly have!
We’ve welcomed artists from across the world, with many international companies returning to the festival for the first time since the pandemic. We’re proud that so many of the artists invited by Nabihah have made lasting connections in the city, such as the wonderful mural by Boudicca Collins and the community in Hangleton. We’re also thrilled to see the fantastic reaction to the beautifully restored Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, through the audiences flocking to Van Gogh Alive
“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped make this very special festival possible,” Andrew continues, “all our supporters, sponsors and funders and especially our audiences and artists. It has been wonderful to host so many sold-out performances and see the arts, creativity and culture truly thriving in Brighton & Hove this year.”
BAKKHAI BY THIRD SPACE, PHOTO BY ANDREW HASSON CHILDREN'S PARADE, PHOTO BY JAMIE MACMILLAN
Sat 3 Jun – Sun 29 Oct, 11am–3.30pm, House and Gallery, NA
Impressive in scale, rich in decoration and with lavish interiors, Nymans was the product of one woman’s vision. Step inside Maud Messel’s imagined studio, to see her plans evolve and add your own creative spin to Maud’s grand design.
Sat 3 Jun – Sun 29 Oct, 11am–4pm, NA
A young woman’s life immersed in art and creativity is lovingly captured in Ma ie Beale’s charming sketches of family life. Drawn during and after her period of studies at the progressive Slade School of Art, her sketches provide a poignant insight into the rhythm of life here in the early 1900’s.
NA: Normal admission applies
Nymans: 01444 405250
E: nymans@nationaltrust.org.uk
Standen: 01342 323029
E: standen@nationaltrust.org.uk
THE CURIOUS PIG IN THE PARLOUR
Cosy up at this favourite local gastro pub in Crawley and enjoy their newly launched summer menu full of seasonal delights. Plates include Oak Smoked Salmon with pink grapefruit, orange and watercress salad, Maple Glazed Pork Chop with chorizo and cheddar croquette, and the Black Truffle Rigatoni with mascarpone cheese. thecuriouspigintheparlour.com
Wine recommendations for the month
Domaine du Météore Le Cratère Sparkling Rosé, France £28 domainedumeteore.com
Over ten thousand years ago, a meteorite struck a hillside in Southern France. Domaine du Météore’s vines grow within and around its crater. Le Cratère is a ‘methode champenoise’ sparkling rosé wine made in limited quantities from Syrah grapes.
Porta 6 White Vinho Verde, Portugal £8.99 majestic.com
Porta 6 White Vinho
Verde is a light and gently spritzy wine, perfect for spring celebrations. Crisp and zesty with grapefruit, lime and floral notes, the wine has an o -dry, fresh finish, which pairs well with seafood, salads and sushi.
Van Hunks Sparkling MCC Brut from South Africa £20, vanhunksdrinks.com
Van Hunks MCC
Sparkling Wines are handcrafted using a traditional method identical to Méthode Champenoise, Van Hunks MCC’s are bottle fermented in small batches and matured in contact with the lees for over two years.
The latest food news and most exciting openings in Sussex
By MARK KEBBLEHIGGIDY
Higgidy, the veg-led food brand based in Sussex, will be making mouths water this summer with brand-new Little Lattices - the snack sized bites that pack a punch of flavour, a special summer quiche packed with delicious seasonal Tomato and Basil, and the return of the much-loved Smoked Salmon and Spinach little quiche. New Little Lattices deliver tasty mouthfuls of flavour bursts. higgidy.co.uk
Scenic outdoor spots to enjoy a spot of lunch in the sun
SHOREHAM-BY-SEA
The UK’s biggest Gin Festival returns to Borde Hill on 8 July with exciting new bars, zones and stages, including a craft beer garden and a new Gin Boulevard. Celebrity chef masterclasses will occur throughout the day at the new Table Talk Feasting Village, and there will also be a show-stopping lineup of spectacular music. bordehill.co.uk
Visitors to this Sussex landmark can enjoy a game of golf on the 18-hole putting course, partake in a round of tennis or a quintessentially British game of croquet on the lawn – before sampling an al fresco a ernoon tea, overlooking the magical castle grounds. amberleycastle.co.uk
Research by The Cocktail Co, producers of ready-to-drink cocktails which can be enjoyed any time and any place, has revealed the best places in the UK to enjoy a picnic. With the summer holidays approaching, families and friends take to local beauty spots to enjoy some quality time together - such as Shoreham-by-Sea, which came ninth on The Cocktail Co’s list. the-cocktail-co.com
CÔTE
Côte restaurants across Sussex launched an ambitious new cocktail that was loved and loathed in equal measure last month. The new cocktail called Vive Le Asparagus celebrated the healthy seasonal vegetable. The creative new cocktail is made with asparagus flavoured vodka, features an asparagus spear and has been created by their mixologist, and complements Côte’s summer specials. cote.co.uk
Shelter Hall is Brighton’s seafront food market featuring seven unique kitchens led by Sussex chefs and two cra beer, wine and cocktail bars. They partner with the best Sussex chefs, meaning your al fresco dining experience will be one to remember. shelterhall.co.uk
PUB IN THE PARK
The Eighteen Acre Café has a stunning viewing balcony overlooking the ripening vines at Bolney Wine Estate. It’s a great place for a hearty breakfast, spot of lunch or catching up with friends over a glass of award-winning wine. bolneywineestate.com
Pub in the Park heads to Brighton from 14-16 July for the ultimate food and music festival. Hosted by Tom Kerridge, this festival will be bringing award-winning restaurants, banging live music, more incredible chefs and of course delicious food. Bands appearing include the Sugababes, DJ Judge Jules, Toploader and Happy Mondays, alongside a host of local restaurants and chefs, plus some of the biggest names across the UK. pubintheparkuk.com
“During the past 10 years I would say that the food scene in Brighton has become really exciting”DAVE MOTHERSILL
Furna is the first solo venture for Yorkshire-born Dave Mothersill, who has been cooking for over two decades in some of Brighton’s most lauded restaurants and is one of the city’s most consistent and well-respected chefs.
Drawing inspiration from childhood memories, family and his travels, Dave applies both classic and modern techniques to the best produce he can source to create flavour-packed dishes that are complex without being complicated. He has built the Furna team from scratch, choosing the most dedicated chefs he can find.
Absolutely Sussex visited the acclaimed chef to find out more about Furna and how things have been going since opening at the tail end of 2022.
Q Did your Yorkshire upbringing influence your love of cooking?
A Absolutely. My mum was always in the kitchen at home cooking dinner for when dad finished work. We would sit down most days for a family dinner of roast meat and braised veg, generally. Dinner time was family time, and that meant a lot to me.
Q When did you realise food was the career for you?
A I left school at a reasonably young age and went straight to working as a kitchen porter in a local Italian restaurant. I loved seeing the chefs working with all the amazing produce that came through the door every day, and that definitely inspired me to pursue a career in food. If I wasn’t a chef I’d almost definitely still be in the industry, maybe on the bar!
Q You are Yorkshire born, but how and why did you end up working in Brighton?
A I met my now wife whilst I was working in Oxford and after travelling and working around Europe for a few months we ended up settling in Brighton. There wasn’t a huge amount of thought behind the decision, we wanted to be by the sea.
Q How would you sum up your cooking experiences in Brighton?
A I’ve worked for many reputable restaurants around Brighton during my time here, starting as a commis and working my way up to executive chef before Furna. During the past 10 years I would say that the food scene in Brighton has become really exciting. Working in higher positions in various restaurants has also given me the opportunity to travel and learn from incredible chefs both here in the UK and abroad.
Last December, acclaimed chef Dave Mothersill opened his own venture, Furna, in Brighton. We discover more about going it alone
Q What has been the greatest thing you have learnt?
A Never get too comfortable. You never know what’s around the corner, whether it be a flooded restaurant, your kitchen porter calling in sick on a busy Saturday night, or an incredible new opportunity. Always be ready for anything.
Q Would you say you have a particular style of cooking?
A The foundations of classical French cookery always run through everything I make, but I love using modern and overlooked techniques. If I had to pick a style I would just say I cook tasty food.
Q What inspired Furna?
A Owning my own restaurant has always been a dream of mine, as it is for most chefs. Being able to curate the guests’ experience from start to finish is an incredible opportunity that hasn’t been a orded to me in the past.
Q What does it mean to be a solo venture?
A Whilst it is amazing to have complete authority over decisions that might be out of your hands in someone else’s restaurant, it also means having to make the hard decisions and deal with the daily challenges that running a restaurant brings.
Q How have you approached the menu?
A Our menu changes almost daily (sometimes twice a day) and is completely dictated by our suppliers and the seasons. We don’t write a menu and then source the ingredients. Instead, we find out what’s in season or what is particularly good that day, and base our menu around that.
Q Are there dishes you particularly love right now and, if so, why?
A Recently we have had some stunning hand dived Orkney scallops and incredible Cornish turbot on the menu, which have been a joy to work with. The Herdwick lamb is especially good at the moment too, spring always heralds the start of some incredible produce.
Q What kind of experience do you want to o er guests at Furna?
A We want to o er incredible food and wine in a relaxed atmosphere, with exceptionally high quality service. Myself and my chefs often take food from our open kitchen to the customer’s table, talking them through the dishes. This connection between chef and customer is something that we try to nurture, we aren’t hidden away in a basement kitchen far away from the dining room. Much like my family dinners as a child, food should involve conversation and connection.
Q What has the response been like?
A In the short space of time since we opened in December we have had some amazing feedback and reviews, which we are incredibly grateful for. Four weeks after we opened we were recognised by Square Meal, who placed us 27th in their top 100 UK restaurants, and we have been nominated by the national restaurant awards for best new opening. We are very lucky, and myself and my team have worked incredibly hard and continue to do so everyday.
Q Is the first of several solo ventures?
A Slow down! We will wait and see. For now I am focussed on making Furna the very best it can be.
furnarestaurant.co.uk
“Being able to curate the guests’ experience is an incredible opportunity”
Wednesday & Thursday: 18:30 - 23:00
Friday & Saturday: 12:30 - 16:00 | 18:30 - 23:00
01273 031 594 | bookings@furnarestaurant.co.uk
KAYLL
KAYLL is a fusion of designer Jessica Kayll's love of travel with her handpainted textile design. Finding resortwear which was modest, timeless and beautifully made was difficult for Jessica to find, and so KAYLL was created. Carefully working with a tailor for months to create the most flattering silhouettes for every woman’s shape, Jessica designed a collection of 12 silk robes and coverups inspired by the shape of Japanese kimonos. kayll.com
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YVONNE LEON
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By PENDLE HARTE
Sussex-based Pearl Lowe's swimwear and hats are all vintage inspired and made to accentuate the feminine figure
The picturesque parkland. The sense of serenity. A glamorous getaway. A moment of bliss. The Spa at Coworth Park.
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LANEIGE
Laneige has teamed up with Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney to launch the brand's new Hydration Deep Dive campaign. Highlighting her favourite products, the Euphoria star said of the brand's Lip Sleeping Mask: "It's a cult classic for a reason", £21. spacknk.com
Award-winning Doctor Nyla Raja is a trusted darmatology GP and skin specialist, who has practised medicine for over 20 years and delivered over 100,000 life-changing treatments, earning the admiration of industry experts worldwide. She is the Founder and Medical Director of The Medispa Group, with stunning clinics located in Cheshire, Liverpool and London, providing patients with the highest standard of care and service. Her clinics feature state-of-the-art equipment, she is a pioneer in innovative treatments such as EMFACE, Morpheus8, and her bespoke Transformational Facelift treatment.
Doctor Nyla Medispa have the latest technologies to help contour and transform the body. The CoolSculpting Elite is even more powerful and with larger sized applicators to freeze even more fat - the results are seen even quicker than traditional CoolSculpting. One of the best things about CoolSculpting Elite is that we can treat two areas at once. You can have both arms treated at the same time, making the treatment much more efficient for busy lifestyles. With the treatment typically taking 35 minutes, and results noticeable within three weeks.
• The largest Ultracel Clinic outside of London.
• Winner of the prestigious “BTL Face of the year” award.
• The largest Skin Tightening clinic in the United Kingdom.
• “Clinic of the year 2019/20” at the Safety in Beauty Awards.
• The only Diamond Premiere Coolsculpting clinic outside London and the second largest Coolsculpting clinic in Europe.
• Anti-wrinkle injections
• Dermal fillers
• Dissolving lip fillers
• Coolsculpting fat removal
• Emerald laser
• M22 laser
• Profhilo
• Emsculpt
• Ultherapy
• Exilis elite
• Transformation facelift
• Emface
• Artas hair transplant
• Beard transplant
• Fue hair transplant
• 8 point facelift
• Aqualyx fat dissolving
• Carbon laser peel
EMSCULPT is the only procedure which helps women and men build muscle and burn fat simultaneously. In addition, EMSCULPT provides the world’s first non-invasive buttock lift.
Exilis Elite uses radiofrequency to gently heat the dermis and cause new collagen growth deep within the dermal layer. When used as a bodysculpting treatment, it also targets unwanted fat cells using radiofrequency waves, breaking fat cells down so that the body can safely
EMSCULPT is based on highintensity focused electromagnetic energy. A single EMSCULPT session causes thousands of powerful muscle contractions which are extremely important in improving the tone and strength of your muscles.
The BTL Unison is a safe, noninvasive treatment which targets cellulite at the root cause instead of just superficially. This helps to drastically improve the appearance of unwanted cellulite dimples. The combination of
carry them away. It’s the ideal body solution – reducing body fat and tightening the skin, all without the need for surgery! The award-winning Exilis Elite is a clinically proven treatment to help. you contour your body and reduce stubborn pockets of fat.
using monopolar radiofrequency at the same time as targeted pressure energy works by remodelling the collagen deep within the skin and removes metabolic waste while increasing blood flow to the area.
At Doctor Nyla Medispa, we provide complimentary consultations to evaluate each patient’s needs, enabling us to deliver the highest quality care by crafting customised treatment plans that cater to their specific objectives.
As a doctor, my approach to skincare is often medically led. I like to take a scientific approach to products and “tweakments”, and ensure they are evidence-based.
For me, the warmer weather signals the need to promote sun safety. The old saying, “there is no such thing as a safe tan” is still valid as ever. With fake tan formulations being more sophisticated and easy, there is no excuse!
This may sound dramatic, but the colour change from tanning is not a sign of health, but an indicator skin has been damaged enough to produce melanin pigment to try and shield itself from further harm. UV exposure is the top preventable cause of skin cancer, and sunscreen is one of our biggest defences.
I recommend getting into the habit of using sunscreen daily. However, I often hear patients say they don’t need to, as they don’t sunbathe. But up to 50% of UV exposure can actually be found in the shade, so I still advise everyone to use it: a minimum of SPF 30, broad spectrum to cover UVA and UVB, and one specifically for the face.
My top five tips for sunscreen are:
• Don’t rely on sunscreen in makeup; it must be worn thickly to equal the actual SPF on the bottle.
• SPF isn’t cumulative; two SPF 15 products don’t make SPF 30.
• Don’t decant into smaller bottles for travel; this can cause it to degrade quicker.
• Use enough product; 1-2 finger lengths should be enough for your face and neck.
• Cover forgotten areas – eyelids, ears, lips and neck.
sure
The sun also causes sun spots and other pigmentation, creating uneven skin tone. However, sometimes skin can pigment without the sun, for example, with post-acne inflammation. There are several treatment types and products which can help with pigmentation, including energy-based devices such as laser and IPL. Although e ective, sometimes the reaction to the treatment can cause inflammation and subsequent pigmentation, especially in people of colour, so it is essential to have a patch test.
Product wise, the prescription medication hydroquinone is highly e ective at reducing pigment because it works on a cellular level on the upper layer of the skin to reduce melanin formation. Other ingredients that can also e ectively minimise pigmentation include AHAs, retinoids, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide and arbutin, azelaic acid, and kojic acid. Summer is an excellent time to review your regular skincare routine. Consistency in a new routine for 6-8 weeks is ideally needed to see if new products make a di erence.
Our skin produces more oil and sweat in summer, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Therefore, cleaning your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type, without stripping the skin of its natural moisture, is crucial.
Exfoliation is an essential step to get rid of dead skin cells and unclog pores, which often gets overlooked. Choose a chemical exfoliator containing ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid, which help remove dead skin cells, control oil production, and prevent breakouts.
Hydrating your skin is essential during summer to combat the e ects of sun exposure and keep your skin plump and moisturised. Opt for a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that provides ample
hydration without feeling heavy on the skin. Look for moisturisers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides, which help retain moisture and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. Everyone’s skin is unique, so adapting your routine to suit your specific needs is important. A personalised regime with a skincare specialist can be an excellent way to ensure your skin stays healthy, protected, and radiant throughout the sunny season.
Dr Sarah Spencer is an NHS and private GP o ering cosmetic injectables, skin and menopause care from Lancing and the Spa at South Lodge, Horsham. See samclinic.co.uk for more details
“The colour change from tanning is an indicator skin has been damaged”
This six week treatment programme from CALECIM® helps to reduce hair shedding and loss, stimulates hair growth by reinvigorating the follicle, and has no known side effects. £315. calecimprofessional.com
EARL OF EAST
Earl of East has added a multi-use ‘all over oil’ to their Shinrin-Yoku collection. Containing seven natural and organic oils extracted from almond, Jojoba, sa ower, grapeseed, black pepper, cedarwood, and juniper berry, it can be used on the skin, hair, and in the bath. £55. earlofeast.com
This non-greasy face oil, not only smells heavenly but contains locally sourced pure plant extracts that are said to boost collagen levels, prevent sun damage, and help to ease anxiety and stress. £30. n8faceoil.co.uk
It’s Saturday morning and I’ve set an early alarm to head into town. I’m here to have my teeth whitened at the newly launched Sonisk Smile. I’m early, so whilst I wait, I pick up an outfit for dinner later. Having my teeth whitened in a shopping centre is nothing if it’s not convenient. Sonisk’s Westfield outpost has the sparkly clean feel of a traditional dentist, but with plush furnishings and no scary chair. I get comfortable in my ‘pod’, in front of a big round mirror. One of Sonisk’s professional dentists explains that the procedure is extremely safe and the unique formula not only whitens your teeth, but also helps you achieve better oral health. The treatment was pioneered by Professor Dr Edward Lynch who is listed in the World’s Top 100 Doctors in Dentistry. Once a mouth guard has been inserted, the dentist dries my teeth. She then paints on a whitening gel, to achieve an even coating. Finally, the gel is ‘activated’ with a blue LED light. After 20 minutes, I’m done and my teeth are already at least one shade lighter. I’m given a kit to take home and advised to continue the treatment for the next seven days (twice a day for half an hour). Over the course of the week, I do experience a little soreness in my gums, but no sensitivity in my teeth. However, I’m pleased to see my teeth have definitely lightened by a few more shades. Overall, a reasonably priced treatment that delivers results too. reasonably priced.
SONISK SMILE
Prices from £99 sonisk.com
HANDS FREE
Touchscreen friendly, this lightweight and breathable armband from Lululemon is the perfect phone holder for listening to all your favourite upbeat tunes on long distance runs, £35. lululemon.co.uk
Super lightweight, the Garmin Forerunner® 965 gives you advanced training metrics and recovery insights, has built-in maps, and up to 31 hours of battery life in GPS mode, £599.99. garmin.com
Your Liver Clinic’ with de-liver-ance puts your liver health to the test…
Most people associate cirrhosis of the liver with drinking. So as someone who only has an occasional G&T, I don’t feel very nervous when I’m invited to Dr Federica Amati PhD’s ‘De-Code Your Liver Clinic’.
night's takeaway, I’m suddenly feeling slightly less confident. The FibroScan device uses soundwaves to measure the sti ness of the liver. There’s some light thumping on my side and after a few minutes the nurse tells me that my liver actually looks very healthy.
The Cloud X 3 Shi trainers from On Running are designed for everyday training. The CloudTec®sole gives superior cushioning, whilst the Speedboard® energises your step, £150. on-running.com
The first step of the process is a FibroScan and blood test at The Light Centre. As I lie down on the bed, the specialist nurse explains to me that the liver is responsible for 500 vital functions as well as the e ciency and health of our entire system. Everything we put in our body can have an impact on our liver health. As I think back to last
A week later, I’m scheduled in with Dr Amati. It’s good news – my bloods have also indicated that my liver is functioning well. I explain that I follow a plantbased and low sugar diet and she tells me that it’s clearly paid o .
Dr Amati, who has a PhD in clinical medicine, a Masters in Public Health, and is an AfN registered nutritionist, works with patients with a variety of
health concerns – from high blood pressure and cholesterol, to infertility and menopause.
I ask what the next steps would be if my results weren’t so optimal. Dr Amati asks her clients to make a food diary and then she puts together a long term plan for them. This includes a course of de-liver-ance, an antioxidant rich, plant-based elixir that helps to rejuvenate the liver.
The whole experience has been an enlightening one and it will definitely make me more conscious about taking care of my liver health.
loveyourliver.com
From £97 (excluding blood test)
The Era chandelier is an elegant statement lamp inspired by the clear lines and geometric shapes of the 20's Art Deco Movement. With three opal glass globes resting effortlessly on a light, powdercoated iron structure, the chandelier has a simple yet stylish vibe, £589. fermliving.co.uk
“Successful rewilding is about re-establishing the natural way of things”
It’s not often one gets to belly laugh about escaped beavers with an interviewee. But then I am talking to Isabella Tree, the oft-monikered ‘Queen of Rewilding’ and custodian of Knepp Estate in Sussex, now a globally renowned rewilding project. She is recounting the story of when she and her husband, Charlie Burrell, first attempted to introduce a pair of beavers to the estate a few years ago. “We were given a licence that meant we didn’t have to pen them in. We just had to re-enforce streams – so we did all that, spent tens of thousands of pounds on steel culverts and God knows what. The consensus from the ecologists was that should be enough wetland and willow to keep the beavers happy on Knepp for 10 years before they looked further afield. But within two weeks of being introduced both beavers had disappeared – one of them had crossed 17 weirs and was found at Shoreham-by-Sea.” Cue much mirth from Isabella, who says the escapees were donated to the National Trust who had an adequate pen. And Knepp is now home to a bonded pair from Scotland – “who actually like each other’ – and have “created two to three acres of water out of what was a tiny dribbly stream”. This is Isabella Tree’s world. While many wake to the daily slog of a grimy urban commute, she rises at Knepp to a deafening dawn chorus, the clattering bills of the white storks that nest on the castle turrets, and the sight of Longhorn Cattle, direct descendants of the ancient Auroch, wandering the grounds. It is otherworldly and utterly magical.
Yet it wasn’t always like this. Twenty years ago, the 3,500acre Knepp Estate that Burrell – or Sir Charles Burrell, 10th Baronet to use his full name – had inherited aged 21 was an exhausted and unprofitable farm and the couple were up to their ears in debt. Their radical choice to try something new, to depart from chemically aided conventional farming practices and let nature take over was documented in Isabella's 2018 book Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm.
That book has since become a keystone species within the growing pantheon of nature writing and has accrued Isabella and Knepp a devoted army of fans inspired by its story. “The whole rewilding project here at Knepp has taken us completely by surprise,” Isabella says. “First of all, in how successful it’s been in terms of bringing back wildlife – from our completely mucked up depleted farm underneath the Gatwick stacking
Isabella Tree’s book about the rewilding of Knepp Estate became an inspirational totem for the eco-conscious. Now she’s back with a new practical guide
system we turned it into something completely astonishing. And the public response has been amazing,” she says.
Knepp is now a highly successful business. Not only is it a biodiversity hotspot – more than 20 universities are currently conducting studies on the estate – it runs wildlife safaris, hosts a camping and glamping business, has an online shop selling its wild range meat and a new restaurant is set to open this year. The estate now makes more money than it ever did as a conventional farm.
It's a lot to be getting on with, isn’t it? “Life has become incredibly busy because of the interest,” admits Isabella, “but it’s so positive that that is a kind of boost in itself.”
The success of Wilding meant “we had a tsunami of enquiries from people” says Isabella. “From big landowners to smaller farmers to people saying, ‘I’ve got a garden, an allotment, an orchard…’ And everyone asking the same question, ‘What can I do to help’?” she says.
Unable to answer everyone individually, Isabella and Burrell’s solution was to put pen to paper again. The Book of Wilding, published last month, is “a practical how-to guide more than a manifesto,” says Isabella. It’s a hugely detailed doorstop of a book that is “for everyone”. Ambitious in scope,
it starts with the large landscape picture so that if you are applying it to a garden, allotment or even window box you have that “large scale understanding”, Isabella explains.
“For us, rewilding is a mindset, an approach,” she says. “Obviously, the smaller space you have, the more you need to manage and intervene in order to get exciting things happening to mimic the natural processes that go on in a landscape.”
Natural processes are something Isabella talks about a lot. “I think there is a misconception about rewilding that it is just about letting things go – about abandoning your garden, but it’s not.” As Isabella demonstrated in Wilding, successful rewilding is about re-establishing the natural way of things and that can require a bit of human intervention at the start.
What you need is “disturbance” of the land, Isabella explains. At Knepp this is done by cattle, pigs and deer. Large herbivores aren’t quite as practical in London, so Isabella suggests that gardeners mimic the work of animals such as wild boar. “You can become the keystone species as a human. That’s the di erence, I think, between a nature friendly garden and a rewilding approach to your garden. You are just thinking di erently.”
Isabella often suggests that we mimic animals. While extolling the virtues of putting in a pond to create a naturefriendly garden she immediately adds, “and act like a beaver”. Beavers, it seems, would include some dead wood – good for water invertebrates – and then “you might behave like a water bu alo” and trample the edges of the pond, “creating dips and hollows where frogs, toads and newts can breed.”
Tree believes there is fantastic potential for rewilding in cities. “People living in cities have a very open mind. They haven’t grown up in a rural environment where hedgerows are clipped to within an inch of their life.” Her chapter on urban rewilding delves into “how we need areas to connect if we are really going to have wildlife back in our cities”. She cites a friend in Bristol who has rewilded his back garden so successfully that it is now home to 25 grass snakes. He has also approached neighbours who are working together to remove fencing, grow wildflower lawns and create ponds. “So you’ve suddenly got a mosaic of habitats, all connected, which becomes very rich for wildlife and is very exciting.”
Connectivity is Isabella's new ambition. The next step for Knepp is the Weald to Waves initiative – creating a corridor of connected land from Low Weald of Sussex to the south coast. But before she rewilds much of southern England, she needs to pay attention to her own garden. “For 15 years we’ve been thinking about the wider landscape, yet we were still mowing our own lawn here with a zero-tolerance approach to dandelions,” she laughs. “My God, there’s our blind spot. We’re sitting right in the middle of our blind spot.”
by Isabella Tree & Charlie Burrell, £35, published by Bloomsbury,
is available now
“There is a misconception about rewilding that it is just about letting things go – but it’s not”CONVENTIONAL GARDEN NATURE FRIENDLY GARDEN REWILDED GARDEN
For the second time, the Conran Shop has teamed up with Collagerie to launch an exclusive capsule collection for the home. The sophomore edit features bolder and more energetic colours and compositions across various products, including kitchenware, cushions, rugs, tote bags, and the new addition of lighting. The close work between The Conran Shop’s design team and Collagerie co-founders Lucinda Chambers and Serena Hood has brought each piece to life.
The collection’s ink-bled ‘sketch-a-check’ theme is inspired by vintage watercolour prints and slip trail pottery. Each capsule piece is unique due to natural and recycled materials, handcrafting, and hand-painting techniques. The trays are shaped by hand in Sweden from responsibly sourced birch veneer, the lampshades feature rolled edges and taping, which have been completed by hand, and the hanging mobiles are made in collaboration with the world-famous Volta, assembled in Spain from salvaged materials.
As Fashion Director of British Vogue for 25 years, Chambers has extensive experience directing some of fashion’s most memorable shoots. She has also worked as a creative consultant and stylist across high street and luxury brands, from Prada to H&M. Simultaneously, Hood, as former Executive Fashion Director of British Vogue, has written countless style edits and created unforgettable events
for the likes of British and US Vogue, Giorgio Armani and Marc Jacobs.
The Collagerie co-founders have a fresh perspective on their second collection with The Conran Shop, pushing their concept for the home to new heights. Chambers says: “Our ‘ink-bled’ linens and drip-glazed ceramics capture a fresh, laid-back mood that says summer has arrived, with sundrenched tones and artisanal techniques to give the pieces their unique spirit. To go from a single, splashy sketch to a beautifully cohesive collection is a dream come true. That’s the magic that happens when you collaborate with The Conran Shop.”
“A fresh, laidback mood that says summer has arrived”Words EVE HERBERT
Italian textile company Lanerossi teamed up with designer Elena Salmistraro to launch a new collection of cushions and blankets during Milan Design Week. The new Campanule (Bluebells) designs reinterpret the form of these springtime flowers through a combination of geometric elements obtained by mixing soft, flowing lines with more rigid and at times angular shapes, making it unique and contemporary.
It is a decorative motif with a hypnotic visual e ect of great impact, resembling the cone formed by the petals of the bluebell flower when it blossoms, along with stems that intertwine and mingle in a harmonious way. Saddle stitching in bright green enhances all the borders, in contrast with the hues selected for the blankets and cushions, from intense violet to pale pink.
The result is a collection of exceptional elegance, capable of bringing out the quality of the yarns, perfectly reflecting the designer’s approach in pursuit of the expressive language of objects, ready to fascinate the observer while prompting vivid emotions.
The collection is made in pure virgin wool with the Woolmark certification, taken from selected flocks of Merino sheep. The material o ers excellent properties of thermal insulation, thermoregulation and absorption of humidity.
Lanerossi relies on its roots and its heritage, a precious legacy of creativity and in-depth knowledge of materials, able to generate new value through a virtuous dialogue with the present.
This collaboration extends a designer collection that already contains talents such as Paola Navone with Otto Studio, and Ludovica+Roberto Palomba. The designers have di erent ways of reinterpreting the DNA of Lanerossi, but with a shared objective: a dialogue with the contemporary world, appealing to multiple generations through products of the highest quality, with an accent on wellbeing and sustainability, conceived to enhance interiors by adding character to any space with their unique personality.
“IT IS A DECORATIVE MOTIF WITH A HYPNOTIC VISUAL EFFECT”
Seabreeze is a delightful new home directly backing on to the sea at Camber Sands, East Sussex – a cleverly designed home that has been created with the beautiful views in mind. Caesarstone’s 4043 Primordia surface was chosen to create synergy between the outdoors and in, and has been used throughout the kitchen, as well as on the fireplace and downstairs corner windowsill.
Seabreeze, built overlooking the sand dunes of Camber Sands, was designed by RX Architects of Rye. Their vision was to create a place that embodied the joy of the English seaside, whilst still being robust enough to withstand the extreme coastal weather conditions. Their final design aligned nicely with neighbouring properties but manifested simplicity which, alongside the joyful pink exterior, helped conjure up a home reminiscent of the typical British seaside beach hut.
Getting the interior right was just as important as the exterior and includes two double bedrooms, a mini spa, and open plan living accommodation. Each room was designed with the beautiful views in mind, as well as the designers’ wish to harmonise
The colourful story behind Seabreeze, a unique property in Camber Sands by the coast
with the seaside surroundings. The understanding that sand and salt can be very damaging elements to any property meant that durability was a key consideration when choosing the materials within.
RX Architects collaborated with Portrait Kitchens to create a cohesive open-plan area comprising a kitchen, dining and living space. As the home is intended for family beach weekends it was important that this space, in particular, was a fun and social area in which families could gather to cook, eat, play and relax.
The kitchen aesthetic was an important part of the design as Mitchell Burton, owner and founder of Portrait Kitchens, explains: “We wanted to create a warm feel to the room, so we used cabinetry with a fumed Eucalyptus veneer to provide warm, natural tones. The horizontal surfaces such as the worktops and floor needed to be durable, tactile and work with the sandy conditions typical of having a house on the beach.”
Caesarstone’s Primordia was chosen for the L-shaped worktop, allowing for plenty of surface space for serving and food preparation. Using the same surface to fully clad the 1810 sink ensured the final look was seamless. When asked why Caesarstone was the material of choice, Mitchell had the following to say: “We love the quality of Caesarstone’s materials. Their durability made them the perfect choice for a busy family space, and they o er a great mix of industrial feel and natural looking finishes throughout their range.”
It was important that the surface chosen had cohesion with the overall scheme and tied in nicely with the beautiful vistas just beyond the windows and doors. “Primordia really stood out to us,” Mitchell explains. “Nothing else in the market has the same look, feel or quality. The grey base colour, flecked and veined with rusty reds and light yellows, all reflect the stones and sand of the beach outside the home, bringing these natural elements into the space. Primordia is such a tactile surface and works in all of the various areas
of the space we needed to use it - kitchen worktops, kitchen backsplash, cladding under the fire and TV unit, and the windowsill.”
Like all Caesarstone’s surfaces, Primordia is highly durable and created with longevity in mind. As such, it is heat resistant, scratch resistant, hygienic, and low maintenance, making it an ideal choice for busy family homes across a multitude of locations.
However, whilst the final project is something of a unique beauty, building it wasn’t without its challenges – the main one being the location. The house, having been built right on Camber Sands, has no access to any roads or footpaths and as such, every material used in this project had to be brought in from the main beach car park by digger and trailer, which of course added a layer of complexity to the project. Despite the challenges, though, a stunning coastal home has been created.
“THE DESIGNERS WANTED TO HARMONISE THE INTERIORS WITH THE SEASIDE SURROUNDINGS”
Easy Pool’s huge modular range means that there is a shape and size to suit everyone. Gone are the days when building a pool meant having builders on site for weeks on end, not to mention delays caused by rain. Most pools in the range are completed in a week or two. Compare that to a concrete pool that can take months to complete, during which time your garden looks a mess. Pool sizes range from 4m to 12m with flat or sloped bases. There are currently short lead times as most models are in stock.
Leisure Pools fibreglass swimming pools have a smooth, clean gelcoat finish that is non-abrasive.
The gelcoat finish on a Leisure Pool not only looks great, it is also so easy to look after. The surface is smooth and non-porous so it cleans easily and is very stain resistant.
Leisure Pools o ers an exclusive range of seven beautiful colours, each with its own sparkle and shimmer finish, ensuring you will be able to find the ideal colour to suit your home and taste.
Salt chlorinators, chlorine, fresh water systems and ozone systems all work wonderfully well with Leisure Pools fiberglass pools. Whatever your choice may be, it will be compatible.
Automatic safety covers comply with all EU regulations. Many pool owners have children or grandchildren, or entertain friends with children. When owning a pool where kids will be playing, safety is a major concern. The side of a swimming pool can often be slick and hard to grasp for children. The safety ledge allows children to stand on the ledge and grasp the side of the pool. This can be helpful for children learning to swim, and can provide parents with added peace of mind.
If you are getting quotes, ask if a lifetime warranty is being provided on the structure of the swimming pool. At best with a concrete pool you will get a seven-year warranty. Do you hope to have a pool for longer than that? The manufacturer is so certain it builds the world’s best composite pool that it o ers a Lifetime Structural Warranty and a Lifetime Structural Osmosis Warranty on all swimming pools.
EASY POOLS
For further information contact Easy Pools by calling 01444 411 411 or 07710 402 917, or visiting swimpools.co.uk
“The gelcoat finish not only looks great, it is also so easy to look after”
For over 45 years, Bridgman has rede ned modern outdoor living with award-winning outdoor collections. For a limited time, celebrate summer with up to 30% OFF modern, traditional and timeless garden furniture and accessories, beautifully handcrafted to transform your outdoor space. Visit bridgman.co.uk or your nearest Bridgman Showroom to discover the UK's favourite luxury furniture.
22-24 New Zealand Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 1QD
CUCKOOLAND
Geisha Garden Parasol in Purple, £139 cuckooland.com
BRIDGMAN
Kensington Dining Armchair, £599 bridgman.co.uk
BTFY Ivory Rope Hanging Garden Chair, £39.99 vonhaus.com
BRIDGMAN Monaco 3 Seater Sofa, £2,199 bridgman.co.uk
IVYLINE Handmade Honeycomb Garden Trellis, £59.99 ivylinegb.co.uk
OUT & OUT Lincoln Teak Garden Sun Lounger, £119.99 outandout.com
EDITOR’S PICK
CUCKOOLAND Pacifi c Lifestyle Rio Garden Seating Set, £499.95 cuckooland.com
SWEETPEA & WILLOW
Lutyen Garden Chair, £760 sweetpeaandwillow.com
GARDENESQUE
Ancient Collection Pot, £29.99 gardenesque.com
SPARKLE LIGHTING
Solar Garden Lanterns, £38.95 sparkle.lighting
STAYCATION VINTAGE PARASOLS
Antique White Large Tassel Fringed Beach and Garden Parasol, £235 staycationvintageparasols.com
GARDEN HOUS DESIGN Cosi Cosiscoop XL Fire Lantern, £124.99 gardenhousedesign.co.uk
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The Penny bath is an acrylic slipper bath that can be painted to match any colour. While small, it has been designed with comfort in mind as the deeper side provides more back support while enjoying a soak and relaxing. bcdesigns.co.uk
The Brooklyn ribbed glass funnel wall light's classic design disperses light in an atmospheric way, casting shadows and creating an ambient environment, perfect for illuminating a bathroom. industville.co.uk
The Keswick Mono Mixer is an era-spanning transitional tap style that combines a monobloc body with ceramic grip lever handles and a slim, elongated traditional spout. roperrhodes.co.uk
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The Sofia vanity unit from Harvey George features a combination of doors with adjustable hinges and so close drawers. The overall look and feel is traditional with a beaded detail to the shaker style door and drawer fronts. harvey-george.com
The Swan Wall Light is a discreet bone china wall light with an elegant satin chromed arm. Simple in design, it creates a flattering light that's perfect for the bathroom. originalbtc.com
OUR TOP FIVE CANDLES RIGHT NOW
Expertly poured into The Glass Studio's distinctive handblown glassware here in the UK, the new luxury scented candle collection celebrates the relationship between scent, colour and the senses, £125. theglass.studio
DI PARMA
A new fragrance joins the Acqua di Parma Home Collection, all about the joy of giving thanks. Grazie is a common yet profound word rich in intention. It's available as a 200g candle priced at £60. harrods.com
The Mefiye Dua candle includes notes of classic florals such as jasmine and rose, with the addition of neroli and bergamot along with cedarwood and clementine. It's a proper delight at £30. mefiyelondon.com
AromAI is a unique candle company on a mission to bring you captivating, plant-based fragrances that are expertly designed by artificial intelligence and lovingly hand-poured by a dedicated team of human artisans, £27. aromai.co.uk
This candle collection is designed around the world's best nightclubs, by city. Examples include the Wag (limoncello, orange, hot red pepper) and Upstairs (at Ronnie Scott's: violet, rose, peach). You'll want the whole collection, £45 each. discothequefragrances.com
This summer, youngsters aged 3-8 years can let their imaginations run free in the beautiful woodland of Borde Hill, playing musical instruments while following the story trail of Rufus and his ‘Band of Bears’ as they prepare to enter a music contest. Families can also visit the Adventure Playground, and wander around the ‘garden rooms’ to enjoy the glorious summer colour. bordehill.co.uk
Absolutely Sussex witnesses talented pupils at Windlesham House School take centre stage in an epic entertainment showcase
Talented pupils at independent West Sussex prep school, Windlesham House, recently delivered a spectacular showcase of dance and gymnastics performances as part of a live event designed to stretch them creatively while allowing them to display their talents to sta , parents and other pupils at the school. Choreographed by the pupils themselves, around 40 children at Windlesham took part and followed a range of specific briefs to create their bespoke piece, such as building tension, conveying narrative, flight, a canon, unison and animal influences.
The result saw an incredible array of dance styles performed, including classical ballet, commercial, lyrical
and ribbon work as well as a hip-hop solo finale performance (given by the recent winners of ‘Windlesham’s Got Talent’ – a fun school talent show) and a large group lyrical jazz piece. The showcase also included club level gymnastics solos, and a demonstration of specific gymnastics techniques.
Ben Evans, Headmaster at Windlesham House School, says: “Dance has always been an integral part of Windlesham’s culture, and it was fantastic to see the incredible range of talent and the breadth of styles on display. The children were thrilled to perform their best work in front of a live audience and to stretch their imaginations beyond the classroom.”
Head of Dance at Windlesham House, Fiona Jenkins, who has also been teaching drama at the school for the last 17 years, adds: “Dance features regularly within our drama lessons and this showcase was a wonderful extension of everything our children have been putting into practice as part of the dance syllabus within the PE curriculum. We try to incorporate dance into other aspects of school life too. The Pre-Prep children usually open their sports days with a whole-school outdoor dance, and more recently our youngest children performed 'Riverdance' with green silks in undulating river patterns and concentric circles.”
Windlesham House is also about to open a Saturday morning dance class ‘Made 2 Move’, where pupils of all ages are invited to enjoy tap, stage, contemporary (including hip-hop/ street dance and Irish dancing) and jazz
styles, as well as helping them to work towards future live performances.
With an ongoing passion for all things dance, pupils at Windlesham House also took part in a local dance display, ‘Time to Dance’ held in Worthing recently, which included dance performances from across the region.
Windlesham House is a leading independent day and boarding prep school for boys and girls aged 4-13 years. Set in 65 acres of beautiful grounds in the West Sussex countryside, the school was established in 1837 as the first ever UK prep school. It was also the first to admit girls in 1967 and is still one of the few prep schools in the UK today not to have a school uniform. While the school exceeds pastorally and academically, Windlesham is passionate about creating a happy, safe and rich learning environment where children have the space and freedom to be children. The school also encourages its children to make a di erence in their world and nurtures them to flourish as confident, curious, kind and clever people.
windlesham.com
“Dance has always been an integral part of our culture”
Q Can you summarise your role at the school?
A As Deputy Head (Pastoral) it’s a little bit of everything – looking after the welfare of pupils alongside our great pastoral team, supporting the housemasters and housemistresses, making sure everyone is safe and happy, and encouraging pupils to make a di erence for themselves and each other. I also teach PE and get to work with GCSE groups, which I love.
Q How key is pastoral care to Eastbourne College’s educational ethos?
A Pastoral care is a crucial part of our educational ethos. If children feel safe they relax, and if they relax they enjoy
themselves – and if they enjoy themselves, they feel good about who they are. If a child is happy with who they are they will be an asset to every group, class or team they join and this can become infectious. ‘The team around the child’ is a phrase often used in schools. When that team includes a child’s support from home, teachers who know their classes, close friends, senior pupils being top role models and support from the pastoral team, everyone is a winner.
Q What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced in the role?
A It is never easy dealing with children and families who are facing trauma that is impacting their day-to-day
lives. Accepting that you can’t always solve everything can be tough. An everyday challenge that has grown in my time will probably not surprise anyone – the increasing pressure children are subjected to by the online world and social media.
Q Can you suggest some of the things you do to help a pupil’s wellbeing?
A Providing a safe environment where they know they will be listened to and guided is important. Encourage them to talk and keep talking to whoever they feel most comfortable with. Remove any stigma that might be held about seeking help or why help is needed. Take steps forward with them by looking at the positives, keeping perspective, then getting the right help. Children like to know what help might look like – whether this is bridging a gap at home, o ering professional support like counselling or looking at their ‘to-do list’ and finding time for them to enjoy time out.
Heading for a run along the beach, the South Downs or walking to the seafront can make a huge di erence. Suggestions
“Pastoral care is a crucial part of our educational ethos”GWEN TAYLOR-HALL
don’t need to be complicated and can turn into helpful solutions to boost wellbeing.
Q Does a happy pupil potentially mean greater academic success?
A It certainly helps. If a child is happy they are less distracted by worries or bigger concerns, which tends to mean they can stay focused and they feel OK about the inevitable ups and downs during a busy week.
Q Eastbourne College is wonderfully located. Do you make use of the outdoors as a tool for pupil wellbeing?
A We don’t just talk about being a ‘blue health’ school – we action it with plenty of time spent outdoors exercising and learning. Research has shown that being outdoors and near water can be beneficial for health and wellbeing, so every day we encourage pupils to have a healthy balance of being inside and out.
The seafront certainly plays a big part for those keen on open water swimming, taking part in our annual aquathon or joining the sailing and windsurfing activity, while having the South Downs on our doorstep means pupils can enjoy
running, walking or mountain biking up there – and when the sun is out, the joy of a lesson being delivered outside. Everyone is encouraged to find ‘me time’ and we make the most of our seaside location for fun too – from tutor groups heading out for ice cream on the beach, to boarders taking advantage of nearby crazy golf or enjoying House barbeques and games. Socialising outside around College Field is a big part of life here too. You’ll often find pupils sitting in the sun, watching sport or playing games there after supper.
Q How does the pastoral support change as pupils progress through the year groups?
A Our pastoral support remains as tight in Year 13 as it is in Year 9 with confidence, trust and rapport growing as children progress along their teenage pathway. The focus can move from friendship issues to discussions about their future very quickly. Their tutor, housemaster or housemistress, teachers and matrons all play a key part in being there to chat, listen and guide. Many pupils will be challenged along the way with a worry or an issue to manage and that is when everyone leans in to provide the time and reassurance they need. The older pupils play their part too, taking on important responsibilities as a peer listener, house senior or prefect.
Q How do you look back on how the 2022-23 school year has gone at Eastbourne College?
A Where did it go? It’s been a busy year and a very full school with record pupil numbers at the College. The words that spring to my mind are lively, exciting, challenging and hugely rewarding eastbourne-college.co.uk
“We don't just talk about being a blue health school, we action it too”A BEACH CLEAN IN ACTION
This summer, Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex celebrates one of the world's most recognisable and loved plants – trees. Vital to human existence, trees form the life support of the planet, from storing carbon and sheltering wildlife, to providing shade and being scientifically proven to ease stress. In recognition of the phenomenal power of these woodland wonders, Wakehurst has commissioned a series of award-winning artists to create a series of spectacular outdoor installations across the 535-acre site.
Forming Wakehurst’s largest summer programme to date, the eight installations capture a broad range of artistic practices, from sculpture to sound. Taking inspiration from Wakehurst’s varied landscapes and ecology, each piece will explore a distinct theme and allow visitors of all ages to explore new perspectives on nature.
Chila Burman brings her signature colourful style to the heart of the Wakehurst landscape in a new major commission, celebrating the inspiring impact trees have had on her practice since childhood. The 10m structures form a joyful explosion of vibrant neon colours, accompanied by delicate creations in the shape of bees, illustrating the close relationship which exists between trees and invertebrates, and the threat climate change poses to them.
Acclaimed sculptor Joseph Hillier similarly reflects on the communication network hidden in nature in his series of human portraits carved from trees lost to Storm Arwen in Northumberland, in a considered e ort to make art in a more sustainable way. The hand-crafted sculptures will sit upon plinths, creating their own network of quiet exchange, inviting visitors to contemplate their place in the wider natural world. Exposing once hidden decay, the work will also draw attention to the threat of fungal diseases that plague many tree species across the country, including ash dieback and Dutch elm disease.
Hidden Orchestra, created by composer Joe Acheson, returns to Wakehurst with a new immersive soundscape work, Sonic Woodland IV. The audio work creates an enveloping sound experience using a bespoke system designed by spatial audio engineer Tim Southorn, coupling the sounds of the botanical forest with generative music, to create a living piece of music that is constantly evolving, reflecting the non-human timescales of the interactions which are constantly unfolding between plants, trees, and the underground mushroom networks in the woods.
Visitors are also invited to reflect on their time in nature in Forest Megaphones designed by Estonian artist Birgit Õigus. Formed of three giant wooden megaphones each measuring 3m in diameter, the megaphones create the perfect place for visitors to sit, escape from everyday pressures, and feel grounded in a peaceful, beautiful setting.
kew.org/wakehurst
