MARCH 2023 / £3.95
PLUS LONG LIVE THE KING
A fresh interpretation of Henry V heads to Worthing
• RING THE CHANGES What's new after 600 years of The Bell in Ticehurst
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SING IT LOUD
Glyndebourne Festival returns for 2023
Over 20 pages of inspiration and insight
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64 MARCH 2023 CULTURE 12 AGENDA The best March events across the county 14 HENRY V A new version of the plays heads to Worthing 19 WILLIAM SHAW The Brighton author on his novel, Dead Rich FOOD & DRINK 28 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL Foodie news from around the county 30 THE BELL Exploring the quirky Ticehurst restaurant FASHION & BEAUTY 36 BETH KATES Lingerie tips from Liberty & Love's founder 40 THE SHOOT Transeasonal fashion from Jane 48 SLEEP Five top tips for great shut eye ABSOLUTELY HOME 56 NEWS & VIEWS The latest launches opens this special 59 HEATH FLOWER FARM Outdoor living with a di erence 64 WALLPAPERS Why the National Trust will add a natural touch to your home 75 TREND Design with the Pantone colour of the year EDUCATION 78 ART & CREATIVITY Why we need to inspire our children 81 TALKING HEAD Wildlife matters at Eastbourne College
online guide to inspirational living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes. ABSOLUTELY Contents ON THE COVER
SS23 collection, available at Twenty Petworth (janeatelier.com) 30 40 5 ABSOLUTELY magazines
ABSOLUTELYSUSSEX.CO.UK The
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LETTER Editor’s
ABSOLUTELY’S March issue highlights
Absolutely Home
Aand intrigued I searched to
s I am sure many of you do, the other week I found myself looking at how much my current property is worth, and intrigued I searched to see what the listing looked like when my wife and I were first encouraged to move from our much-loved flat in London to a house just outside of Sussex. It's amazing how much has changed.
We have been in our home for nearly six years and in my mind we haven't done much to it, but in fact looking at old photographs we have transformed every room to suit our tastes and design style. That for me highlights how important what you do to your home is: it's almost as if revamping it was a natural occurrence that happened sub-consciously.
We haven't of course done it alone and have worked with many experts in their field along the way. Which is why our Absolutely Home special is always a fun one to produce and I hope you are inspired just like we have been over the years.
Interiors Trend
See life through a sepia tone (p73)
The Races
Why Plumpton Racecourse has plenty to entertain us (p23)
4
The Shoot Jane's S/S23 at Twenty Petworth (p40)
MARK KEBBLE EDITOR
Beth Kates
3 2
The Liberty & Love founder on why size does matter when it comes to lingerie (p36)
1
The best in design from around Sussex (p69)
4
ABSOLUTELY magazines 7
Wish LIST
TIME TO SPARKLE
SWEET PEA
The SweetPea fabric quilt features a beautiful scallop design entirely patched from fi ve Liberty prints in a new sweet pea pattern. Hundreds of delicately hand cut patches are sewn together to make these quilts, £190. projektityyny.com
Romantic and rosy, this 9ct gold ring features a pear-cut pink tourmaline surrounded by a cluster of sparkling diamonds. An elegant piece of jewellery for any occasion, £795. wakefieldsjewellers.co.uk
HEART BREAK
Pierre Marcolini combines crunchy Piedmont hazelnut and Japanese charred sesame with hazelnut praline and sprinkled with hazelnut chips in this Mother's Day treat. marcolini.com
IN BLOOM
Delicate and pretty, the Vintage Blush bouquet mixes amnesia rose, pink mondial rose, hanoi clooni ranunculus, pink lisianthus, pink wax fl ower and seasonal foliage. wildatheart.com
PICK
PINK LADY
For the Lady Dior Art Project, 11 artists from around the globe contributed designs for one bag. This one is by Minjung Kim. dior.com
COMPILED BY PENDLE HARTE 10 things we Absolutely love 8 ABSOLUTELY magazines
OH DAISY
Basak Baykal's darling Daisy Pink earrings are made in 14k gold with diamonds, cut citrine and handpainted miniature details, £2,125. basakbaykal.co.uk
CLUTCH IT
The Bucket Bag is a classic silhouette featuring supple full grain leather, rope top handle, with a removable and adjustable leather strap, styled with the sky-high Kiki boots from Marc Jacobs Runway. marcjacobs.com
SKIN DEEP
For the ultimate in lingerie, visit Amelie's Follies for the fi nest in delicate pink pieces and more. ameliesfollies.co.uk
EVERYTHING'S ROSY
Instantly fi ll your home with the luxurious and elegant scent of hundreds of Turkish roses with Ostens' Illumination candle, £65. ostens.com
PINK FIZZ
Pommery Rosé's fi ne and fruity pale pink champagne is distinguished by its fl eshy note while remaining lively, fresh and highly subtle. A blend of rosé and Pinot Noir of Bouzy Grand Cru. champagnepommery.com
BOX FRESH
Ottolenghi's latest hamper is full of delicious sweet treats, including heart-shaped shortbread biscuits and Tahini Linzers. ottolenghi.co.uk
ABSOLUTELY • LOVES
A MILLION MILES FROM EVERYDAY
The rural retreat. A twist on tradition. The clatter of hooves. The English countryside. The miles of possibility. The feeling of home. Coworth Park.
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CULTURE
DROP 360
11 MARCH, BRIGHTON I360
Drop 360 is Brighton’s most exhilarating thrill. Lean back and put all your trust in the rope as you hang off the side of the i360 pod. It’s 138 metres down, but there’s no way back as you slowly make your way down to the beachfront below, surrounded by the best views in the city. A heart-stopping adrenaline rush that’s sure to stay with you. brightoni360.co.uk
Agenda 12 • Henry V 14 • William Shaw 19
11 ABSOLUTELY magazines
The Agenda
THE BEST EVENTS IN SUSSEX
Hold On Let Go
3 MARCH, THE HAWTH, CRAWLEY
Alex is 56. Luca is half his age. Alex has an encyclopaedia in his head. Luca has one on her phone. Alex can’t recall his mother’s voice or most of the 1980s. Luca worries that she can’t remember the important stu – things that might make the world a better place. A poignant, personal meditation on the gaps in our memories, Hold On Let Go asks what we want to pass on to future generations.
parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Home, I’m Darling
7-11 March
DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE
Judy and her husband Johnny enjoy living in a sentimental nostalgic bubble; their decade of choice is the 1950s, it’s all jive dancing on the weekends. When Judy is made redundant, she can live out her fantasies of being the ultimate retro domestic goddess, but the rose-tinted-glasses view of living in the past can come into painfully sharp-clear-focus when reality bites. eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Wish You Were Dead
20-25 March
THEATRE ROYAL
When Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and Cleo Morey take their first holiday together, Cleo hopes that she will finally get Roy to herself for a few days. But their dream escape turns out to be the holiday from hell. Peter James’s Wish You Were Dead is the next thrilling instalment in the successful crime stage franchise. theatreroyalbrighton.com
PHOTO: JACK MERRIMAN
PHOTO: JAMES CLARKE
ABSOLUTELY magazines
THEATRE
THEATRE
12
THEATRE
DANCE
STARVING DINGOES
9 March
ATTENBOROUGH CENTRE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS
Presented as part of South East Dance’s undisciplined festival, showcasing dance that pushes the boundaries of the artform, Starving Dingoes is a piece for five dancers. The dance performance explores the phenomenon of apoptosis, in which individual human or animal cells are programmed to die off for the benefit of the whole organism. attenboroughcentre.com
FAMILY
MUSIC
Anthonia Edwards
25 March
BRIGHTON CENTRE
Winner of ITV’s The Voice UK 2022, Anthonia Edwards will be joining the legendary Grammy Award-winning vocalist Billy Ocean as a very special guest on his 2023 UK tour. After seeing Anthonia perform on The Voice and hearing her cover of Love Really Hurts Without You, Billy insisted Anthonia should join him on the road where he will perform his greatest hits. brightoncentre.co.uk
Fun
Head to Crawley for perfect entertainment for young and old
11-12 March, The Hawth Theatre ROOM ON THE BROOM
Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Sche er. The witch and her cat are travelling on their broomstick when they pick up some hitch-hikers – a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK – it snaps in two, just as the hungry dragon appears...
SARA PASCOE This Month’s Must See
30 March-1 April, The Hawth Studio KENSUKE’S KINGDOM
11 MARCH, BRIGHTON DOME
Sara Pascoe decided she wanted to be famous at 14 years of age. Since then, she has auditioned for Barrymore, scared Pete Burns and ruined Hugh Grant’s birthday - but look at her now… The star of BBC2 stand-up special Sara Pascoe: LadsLadsLads is back with a brand-new stand-up show. Sara wrote and starred in her recent BBC2 sitcom Out Of Her Mind, and is the celebrated host of BBC2’s The Great British Sewing Bee and Comedy Central’s Guessable. brightondome.org
Michael is a young boy who goes on a sailing adventure with his parents. Their dream becomes a nightmare when the boat is hit by a terrifying storm and Michael is thrown into the sea. Washed up alone on an island in the Pacific, he fights for survival before making a startling discovery... the island is already home to one extraordinary man - this is Kensuke’s kingdom. This is a spellbinding adventure story about friendship, trust and survival from Michael Morpurgo. parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
CULTURE • DIARY ABSOLUTELY magazines
13
HIGH FIVE
When Headlong’s Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan
first read Henry V last year, her reaction to Shakespeare’s much-loved history play was that something more dark and complex lay at its core. Luckily, the production she’s directed is anything but dull: a lean, chilling, gripping interpretation of the play.
Holly is the Artistic Director of Headlong theatre company, who tour new plays and fresh stagings of classics around the country. But the suggestion that she sink her teeth into Henry V came from Shakespeare’s Globe in London, where the resulting co-production has just enjoyed a critically acclaimed run at their indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, winning rave reviews.
“I was interested in whiteness and nationalism, and I had another play entirely in mind,” admits Holly. But the more she looked at Henry V, the more obvious it became that it had plenty to say about not only whiteness and nationalism, but
also imperialism, immigration, Brexit, Royalism, and our country’s status as an international power (or not).
The story of Henry V leading British troops to a stunning, unlikely victory over the French, the play has often been subject to critical interpretations, from Nicholas Hytner’s Iraq war-era 2003 version to a bleak recent production at the Donmar starring Kit Harrington. Yet it is older, more triumphantly nationalistic outings that still loom largest in many audiences’ minds: the Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Branagh films, for instance, taken as stirring portraits of national pride.
“Henry V has been used and co-opted, through various points in history, as a piece of nationalist propaganda,” says Holly. Reading it, she felt like she had “unearthed an origins story of the creation of Englishness. I felt like this story needs to be held accountable for its contribution to the ideology of Englishness, with all its toxicity”.
Not that she’s committed an act of vandalism on a classic. “I don’t think Shakespeare wrote a piece of propaganda; I also don’t think he wrote a searing criticism.
I think he’s written something very smartly ambiguous. And what me and the team set out to do was to turn the dial up on the bit of the play that is often turned down.”
Running at just two hours long, this is a pared-back and pitch-black Henry V, a psychological thriller where the human cost of an expansionist war, conducted to burnish the male ego, is laid bare. Audiences have been so surprised by the play’s brutality that Holly has even been asked if she wrote certain lines. “No,” she insists, “Henry really does threaten to rape the women and murder the babies, that’s in the play! It’s just quite often cut out, or done in a way that doesn’t land.”
Rather than a noble hero, their Henry is a dangerously capricious leader: one minute, full of anxious self-doubt; the next, spurred by a near-psychotic temper into cruel practical jokes and merciless vengeance. And Oliver Johnstone is sensational in the part: he has a watchable charisma, both vulnerable and terrifying.
This Henry has the self-questioning interiority of a Hamlet – his famous “once more unto the breach” speech is delivered
14 ABSOLUTELY magazines
A new stage adaptation of Henry V is heading to Worthing, so Absolutely Sussex catches up with the Artistic Director responsible for an alternative vision
ABSOLUTELY magazines 15
CULTURE • INTERVIEW
“It felt like pushing a boulder up a hill made out of treacle”
inwards, as if trying to spur himself to action rather than his troops. Yet he also possesses the manipulative zeal of a Richard III: not a statesmanlike king, but one of Shakespeare’s arch villains.
“I had a strong sense that I wanted an unreliable, maniacal, Richard III [style] Henry,” says Holly. “And Oli got us there, but via a really long journey – in the first half, [he’s a] fragile, vulnerable bullied child who suddenly finds he’s got to rule the country,” says Holly. Rather than open the play with Shakespeare’s soaring prologue, Holly and dramaturg Cordelia Lynn have inserted a scene from Shakespeare’s earlier play, Henry IV part ii. In it, we see Henry V bullied by his father – even as he is dying. This provided Oliver Johnstone with the psychological key to unlock the character.
The play also closes in an unconventional way: with a brief final scene that is indeed completely new, and which brings the play sharply into contemporary Britain and the hostile environment. No spoilers here – but
this coda helps highlight how Holly sees the play as being about “the origins of empire”.
“We are living in a time of post-Empire: crumbling economy, and crumbling British might,” she says. “How interesting to do a play that is all about the might of England, at a point where it feels like our country is in decline on the world stage.”
And Henry V continued to feel eerily more relevant as they worked on it. Literally as they were auditioning actors, ‘the queue’ – of mourners wanting to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II – formed along the South Bank. “I went into it thinking about nationalism and Brexit and the Empire, and in the middle of it, the Queen of England died,” says Holly, still a little incredulously.
“We put a scene at the beginning which is all about the death of a monarch – and that suddenly felt really visceral.”
The production, which opened in December, also makes heavy use of the national anthem: the first time in 70 years when the lyrics would be the same for the play’s monarch as
for our actual monarch. “The anthem was just so in the air in a way that it hadn’t been three months earlier,” acknowledges Holly.
Even so, making Shakespeare feel vital for contemporary audiences was a challenge for her – Henry V is the first Shakespeare play she’s directed. But anyone who has ever felt ba ed by the bard will find her attitude refreshingly honest: “At one point, I was like I might as well be directing in French… fundamentally I don’t understand what you’re saying to each other. It felt like pushing a boulder up a hill made out of treacle!”
But the result of this was that it became incredibly important to Holly that the production be crisp and comprehensible. “A lot of our rehearsal process went into making it crystal clear. There’s a thing around access there for me: how do I make sure that someone with a PhD or someone who just happens to want a night at the theatre is following the same story?”
She approached the text in the same way as she would a brand new play: making cuts and changes where needed for both clarity and pace. “It’s short, and it’s punchy,” she states. And Holly is excited now that the production is having a new lease of life on tour. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is lit only by candles; she’s looking forward to the “electric version” of their Henry V. “It will remain a psychological production, but I think it will intensify it.”
Holly always loves seeing how Headlong’s work changes as it tours across the country. “A production is 50% what you rehearse, and 50% the audience. So if the audience changes, that’s a significantly di erent production. I’m interested to see if people will laugh or be moved in di erent places – to see what we will learn about this play by being in Leeds, Northampton and Worthing.”
CULTURE • INTERVIEW
HOLLY IN REHEARSALS
OLIVER JOHNSTONE IS STUNNING IN THE LEAD ROLE
Henry V is playing at the Connaught Theatre until 4 March. See more at wtm.uk
Fun fair • Free entertainment and activities • Live music • Brilliant racing including the Sussex Champion Hurdle and Sussex Champion Chase Tickets from £15 9th & 10th April 2023 Easter Sunday & Monday Tel. 01273 890383 | racing@plumptonracecourse.co.uk www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk
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Get to know…
WILLIAM SHAW
ACCLAIMED BRIGHTON AUTHOR
Interview by DENISE TYLER
Q For The Trawlerman, book four in the Alex Cupidi detective series, you went out on a commercial trawler for research purposes. Your latest book, Dead Rich, a standalone thriller, is based mostly on a Russian billionaire’s superyacht in the Caribbean. Did you get to go out on one of those too?
A Sadly not, no, as it was lockdown! I spoke to a couple of superyacht designers though to check some of my ideas and one of them said, ‘oh, I wouldn't have done that if I was designing your yacht’. But the fact is, these people ask for anything so you give it to them. I was actually on holiday in Greece when I got the idea for Dead Rich. You can't help but notice how many super yachts there are and how weirdly obscene that is. Greece had just come out of one of the most horrible recessions at that time and they had these huge great superyachts parked in every port just to really rub their noses in it. I was surprised people hadn't targeted the superyachts as a kind of visible symbol of what wrecked Greece at that time; they represent such unfettered, globalized power and I wanted to explore that.
Q You’ve described book groups as ‘an amazing phenomenon’. Why is that?
A I love to visit book groups; it means that there's seven or eight people who actually read your book, which is always a plus. But what's really interesting is that it's a cultural activity where you have to invest seven to ten hours reading time before you even go to your book group. If you had to do that before going to the cinema, cinema attendance would go down. It's not just the cultural thing of that one evening, it's how much investment you do to become part of that group of people.
You get people who have completely di erent world views, completely di erent backgrounds, sitting in somebody's living room or in a library or a pub discussing a book because they've all earned the right to have a
ABSOLUTELY magazines 19
CULTURE • PROFILE
PHOTO: KITTY WHEELER-SHAW
say. I think that’s a really positive and hopeful thing. It means books have become things you read to connect with other people, not just things you read to connect with your inner self and I think that's really interesting. And if it happens to be your book that’s part of that, then you’re kind of ludicrously privileged.
Q What brought you to live in Brighton?
A We were living in Hackney and it was lovely, but it was just easier when the kids were little to move here; it’s a great place to grow up in. I’m from Devon originally and when I moved to Brighton as a student in the 80s I think it was the biggest place in England I’d ever lived and Brighton’s not huge! I’m not a natural big city person and had been wanting to get away from London for ages, but my partner worked in London in the arts so we needed to
be somewhere we could get to London from. It was a great move for us at that stage.
Q What do you like most about Sussex?
A Everybody comes down to Brighton thinking that it's all about the sea and then they discover the Downs. It's really interesting how you start facing one direction and then you turn around and there they are. They're the most unique bit of our land here; they are just totally brilliant. We do Airbnb sometimes in our house and we get all these Japanese and Chinese tourists and all they want to go and see is the white cli s and you think ‘that's nuts’! I think the more you're in the Downs, the more you see, especially this time of year. When the light's low in winter and you're walking through the Downs you really see the sort of weird curves of the hills and everything goes a bit Ravilious on you before you know it.
Q You clearly like being out in the countryside. Where are your favourite places for a mid-ramble lunch?
A For years we used to go either to The Ram [in Firle] or The Shepherd and Dog at Fulking because they're great places for walks, as is The Five Bells at Chailey. There’s also a very nice pub in Hove called The Dyke, which does an excellent Sunday roast. We often go out to Newhaven where we have friends and walk up on the hills from the fort back towards Saltdean. Newhaven Fort is a very interesting place. It has a good couple of hundred years of history and all these eerily falling down bits, which just makes you want to make up stories about it.
williamshaw.com
Instagram: william1shaw
Twitter: @william1shaw
Facebook: williamshawwriter
CULTURE • PROFILE
“The Downs is the most unique bit of our land here”
THE RAM INN
THE DOWNS NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE
BRIGHTON IS HOME
20 ABSOLUTELY magazines
THE DYKE
Carmen Delprat Art
The Australian artist Carmen Delprat captures an allegory of the world around her and transforms it into dream like interpretations with vivid colour and imagination.
Carmen’s art merges in several styles including fine art, surrealism and symbolism. Her work is a symbol of empowerment and visual delight.
Visit the full collection carmendelpratart.com
IG Carmen Delprat Art.
Arundel Road, Worthing, West
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• E: lisa@carmelmedia.co.uk • castlegoring.com
a day like no other. Choose a setting like no other. Castle Goring CASTLE_GORING_ABS_SUSSEX_MARCH2023_v1.indd 1 30/01/2023 11:25
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Festival of FUN
Easter excitement beckons at Plumpton Racecourse
Plumpton Racecourse has got families covered this Easter with their spectacular two-day Easter Festival, which takes place on Easter Sunday, 9 April, and Easter Monday, 10 April. Located at the foot of the South Downs in the heart of Sussex countryside, Plumpton is best known for its Easter Festival, which has long been a mainstay in the calendar of local families who can enjoy some top-class horse racing and an action-packed entertainment programme suitable for all ages.
In the Picnic Enclosure, there will be a fun fair, face painting, petting farm, bouncy castles, and a wide range of free games and activities for people to enjoy between races.
While on the track, among seven races each day there's two high-quality feature contests. On Easter Sunday, they have the £50,000 Sussex Champion Hurdle, and on Easter Monday it's the £50,000 Sussex Champion Chase. These are both fantastic spectacles which attract some of Britain’s best horses, trainers and jockeys to compete.
Plumpton o ers free admission for all accompanied under 18s and with adult tickets starting at £15, it is a brilliant day out for an a ordable price. There’s also plenty of hospitality options available for anyone looking to enjoy their Easter weekend in style.
There’s free parking on site for those coming by road and a railway station just a five-minute walk away from the entry gates if train travel is the preferred method.
To book or find out more, visit plumptonracecourse.co.uk
CULTURE • EVENT
THERE'S PLENTY OF FUN TO BE HAD
ABSOLUTELY magazines 23
EXPECT HIGH QUALITY RACES
“Plumpton attracts some of Britain's best horses, trainers and jockeys”
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FLYING HIGH
Exploring why Seagull Legal Services in Brighton have been the recipient of so many industry awards
Seagull Legal Services are proud to be a multi award-winning legal firm whose head o ce is based in Brighton, but serving both a local and national client base. They o er a specialist range of services including Wills, Probate, Power of Attorney, Trusts, tax and estate planning, Court of Protection and Property matters. With over 30 years’ experience, Seagull Legal Services has grown and adapted its services to meet the needs of their clients.They don’t believe in a conveyorbelt process and tailor the services they o er to suit your particular needs.
At Seagull Legal Services, customer service is at the heart of everything they
do so you can expect to receive a cost e ective, professional, flexible, friendly and e cient service.Their teams work hard to achieve their clients’ goals in the shortest possible time frame and understand what it takes to make your matter progress smoothly. They always put the client they’re helping first, and they only ever use clear English with no unexplained legal jargon.
Keen supporters of the local community and various charities, their sta regularly participate in fundraising events.Explore their website, meet their people and discover the services they can o er you and your family,telephone or pop in for a chat – they don’t charge for the first meeting, so you don’t have to worry about running up a bill.
All of the above is why they have been the recipient of so many awards, including: Best Wills & Estates Lawyers 2021-22 –South East in the Southern Enterprise Awards; Will Writing Service of the Year 2021-22 by the South England Prestige Awards; Best Probate Lawyers 2022 South East in the Southern Enterprise Awards; Best Wills & Probate Law Firm 2022 – South East in the Southern Enterprise Awards; and Legal Services Provider of the Year 2022-2023 by the South England Prestige Awards.
Head O ce, Third Floor, Queensbury House 106 Queens Road, BN1 3XF 01273 952090
legal@seagulllegalservices.co.uk seagulllegalservices.co.uk
ABSOLUTELY magazines 25
ABSOLUTELY • PARTNERSHIP
“Customer service is at the heart of everything they do”
SEAGULL LEGAL SERVICES COVER THE BRIGHTON AREA AND BEYOND
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FOOD & DRINK
QUITE THE STORY
THE BELL
The story of The Bell stretches back to 1560 when it was a coaching inn. Now new owners have smoothed out the rougher edges, but preserved the wonderful imperfections that somehow make it perfect. First and foremost they are a Public House, with some rather wonderful rooms, a home from home for everyone. Read more about it on page 28.
Food News 28 • The Bell Ticehurst 30
27 ABSOLUTELY magazines
WHAT TO DRINK
GRAPE news
The latest launches from Sussex’s Ridgeview
Cavendish NV
£30
Ridgeview traditional blend Cavendish is a rich golden colour with exceptionally fine bubbles. The nose is expressive with hints of red fruits. The Pinot dominance brings depth and complexity to the palate with a long-lasting finish, whilst the Chardonnay adds finesse and freshness.
Sparkling Red Reserve
£55
New for 2023, this limited release Sparkling Red Reserve is made from the finest hand-picked pinot grapes, fermented on their skins. A rich, ruby red in colour with delicate aromas of cherry and vanilla, there are pomegranate and forest fruits on the palate.
Fitzrovia Rosé NV
£28
TASTING
NOTES
The latest food news and most exciting openings in Sussex
By MARK KEBBLE
Ridgeview Fitzrovia
Rosé is a delicate salmon colour with an abundance of fine bubbles. Chardonnay brings freshness and finesse, whilst the Pinots add the classic red fruits for which England is so acclaimed. A raspberry and redcurrant nose carries through to a fruit palate.
Since 1995, the Ridgeview family has been producing world-class English sparkling wine in Sussex, focusing on quality and sustainability from grape to glass. ridgeview.co.uk
Generating buzz
THE SEADOG
The Seadog - still the new kids on the block in Hastings - has garnered a burgeoning reputation as a quality boozer, with excellent beer and a buzzing atmosphere since they opened their doors in April 2022. For those looking to explore the best of independent breweries on tap or sample a small but good selection of natural wines, The Seadog delivers in abundance.
theseadogpub.com
28 ABSOLUTELY magazines
MUM’S THE WORD
Three Sussex options to make Mother’s Day extra special
ONE TO DISCOVER
THE CURIOUS PIG IN THE PARLOUR
Raise a glass
TINWOOD ESTATE
Renowned Sussex vineyard, Tinwood Estate, has announced that they will open an onsite restaurant at the start of April. Serving lunch every day and dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings, there will be 50 covers in the restaurant and picnic baskets supplied for those days when nothing could be better than sitting amongst the vines with delicious food and sparkling wine.
tinwoodestate.com
THE SUSSEX
Located just a stone’s throw from the seafront, The Sussex in Hove is a great place to refuel a er a long day exploring the Western Lawns, Sea Life Brighton, or the many attractions to be found along Brighton beach. They always offer a special Mother’s Day menu, too. emberinns.co.uk
The Curious Pig... is all about being excellent in everything they do, from the food and drinks they serve to the home-fromhome space they’ve created. So whether you’re joining them for a drink at the bar, an overnight stay or a special event, they aim to go above and beyond every time you visit. With a new spring menu launching, there’s never been a better time to visit.
thecuriouspigintheparlour.com
Two of the best
CROSSTOWN
One of Crosstown’s most popular flavours, the Guinness & Baileys doughnut, returns to the line-up, ready for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations across the UK. Two flu y chocolate Guinness cake doughs, piped with Baileys Irish cream and chocolate ganache, dipped in Baileys chocolate glaze, and hand finished with chocolate curls - no wonder this is always a sell out. Crosstown opened in Brighton’s North Laines just before Christmas.
crosstown.co.uk
LEONARDSLEE HOUSE
Set within the drawing room of the two-storey Italianate styled Leonardslee House, which dates back to 1801, this is certainly a memorable spot to treat mum to that great UK tradition, a ernoon tea. leonardsleegardens.co.uk
TIME TO SPARKLE
HOUSE COREN
TURTLE BAY
Head to Crawley for a Bottomless Brunch to remember. Expect two hours of unlimited cocktails, mocktails, Red Stripe and prosecco, and the offer includes any brunch dish, burger or roti. A veritable feast for mum. turtlebay.co.uk
Boco by House Coren is a high-quality Charmat method sparkling wine made in Sussex using top-quality English grapes. Just like the method used in Prosecco, the secondary fermentation that occurs under pressure creates carbon dioxide and gives the wine its natural fizz. By fermenting in a tank rather than a bottle, the wine can be released earlier, so it is bursting with fruit-driven flavours, yet still showcases the crispness of English-grown grapes.
housecoren.co.uk
29 FOOD & DRINK • NOTES
ABSOLUTELY magazines
WORLD OF
Eccentricities
The Bell in Ticehurst has long been a quirky part of the Sussex hospitality scene - and thanks to Head
Chef Mark Charker, the fun is set to continue
30 ABSOLUTELY magazines
THE BELL’S QUIRKY INTERIOR
Visiting The Bell in Ticehurst is always an experience. Dating back to the 15th century, The Bell has always been at the very heart of Ticehurst village – and its 21st century incarnation continues to maintain that standing.
After closing in 2008, The Bell underwent a painstaking renovation, opening in November 2011 and welcoming locals and visitors from further afield. A decade later and its appeal just keeps on growing. Just stepping in through its doors is an experience. Quirky touches in the public areas include bowler hat lights and a floor-to-ceiling book pile in the main pub area, to mismatched vintage-style
wallpaper and Wagner Tubas for urinals in the gents. Each of their guest rooms o er the curious visitor a feast of visual surprises, not least a fine collection of art by Tracey Emin, Henry Moore, Banksy, Graham Sutherland, and Picasso. Features include silver birch branches – a nod to the derivation of Ticehurst’s name, which is “the wooded hill where goats graze” –huge copper bathtubs, and hand painted murals tiles. Each of the rooms has its own distinctive name, from “The Benefit of the Doubt” to “Smiles of Memories”. The neon sign in the aptly named Stable with a Table, a dining room with a unique sunken oak table for groups of up to 18 feasting friends or family, fondly observes “I will always love you my friend”, summing up the sense of constancy yet originality awaiting visitors to The Bell. Which brings us rather
nicely on to Head Chef Mark Charker. It was in November 2021 that Mark arrived in Ticehurst, adding the latest string to his culinary bow. “I started this journey when I was 16-years-old working in a local fish and chip shop where I grew up, before working in a couple of local pubs, whilst studying at City college in Brighton,” Mark says on his involvement in the food industry. “I was lucky enough to work at Ockenden Manor Hotel at the early age of 18, working under their Michelin Star chef, which informed a lot of my style and approach to food, which is essentially British cuisine with French influences. From there I moved on to a new venture in The Gingerman Group, where I started as sous chef at The Ginger Fox in Albourne for a year and a bit. The owner Ben Mckellar gave me the opportunity to be Head Chef at his flagship fine dining restaurant, The Gingerman in Brighton.
“After four or five years I moved away from the Brighton scene and landed the Head Chef job at The Fig Tree,” he continues, “where I worked with a good friend of mine James Dearden. This was during the tricky times of lockdown and Covid, where we did something neither of us, and many others probably have never done, which is take away fine dining food style, whilst trying to not compromise our standards. It’s from there I went to The Bell in Ticehurst, where the proposition of the Head Chef was a fresh challenge, and also a very exciting long-term project.” Amongst all this, Mark was also, at 23, the youngest successful candidate for the Roux Scholarship.
Little surprise, then, that there’s plenty of hype building around The Stables by
ABSOLUTELY magazines 31
FOOD & DRINK • INTERVIEW
“I want The Stables to be a unique fine dining experience”
THE FOOD TAPS INTO WHAT SUSSEX OFFERS
MARK CHARKER AND JON BOYER, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER AT THE BELL
Mark Charker, a new fine dining menu at The Bell. Launched on Wednesday 8 February, and available Wednesday–Saturday, the five-course tasting menu is o ered alongside paired wines and bespoke cocktails. “I want The Stables to be a unique fine dining experience, which is fun and exciting and not to follow other trends,” Mark states. “Maybe quirky is a better word for it, which is what The Bell is known for.”
What exactly can we expect with the tasting menu? “I think first and foremost I want to o er a great food experience
to our guests,” Mark says. “I try to source as many local ingredients as possible, providing it doesn’t jeopardise the quality, so it must taste good and not be used for the sake of it. Value for money is important, to show the guests we care about them and to feel valued by us. It’s a surprise menu on the night, but to whet the appetite, sample dishes might include Lamb with Jerusalem Artichoke and Hen of the Woods and Caramelised Milk Chocolate, To ee and Fig Leaf Milk Sorbet.I am loving using Cabrito Goat Meat at the moment, as it has a purpose to be on our menu, due to the history of The Bell.”
So the food remains firmly under wraps, but as Mark says, Sussex plays a big role in what we will be able to enjoy. “This is a special occasion menu which takes
guests on a journey from the sea to the best lands in Sussex and the garden of England, including locally sourced meat, fantastic day boat fish, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and cheeses,” Mark explains. “Suppliers include local crab, scallops and halibut from Chapmans, Wagyu Sussex beef from Trenchmore Farm, free-range eggs from Spurs Farm and a bespoke chocolate made from scratch, using fresh cocoa beans, from J.Cocoa in West Sussex.” With six centuries of history already behind it, it feels like The Bell is in very safe hands right now – and The Stables, rather excitingly, is just one element of an exciting future. “We are currently in the process of extending the hotel, which will have more rooms and a brand new open plan kitchen with a stunning barn restaurant, where we will look to continue our fine dining approach.” We shall be entertained.
thebellinticehurst.com
FOOD & DRINK • INTERVIEW 32 ABSOLUTELY magazines
“It’s a journey from the sea to the best lands in Sussex”
FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION
STEP INTO SPRING AT ERNEST DOE POWER Sovereign House, London Road, Albourne BN6 9BN | Tel: 01273 834689 Broyle House, Ringmer BN8 5NN | Tel: 01273 812707 View our full range online at ernestdoeshop.com
FASHION
FEELING BOLD
WAKEFIELDS JEWELLERS
Elevate your everyday with Shaun Leane’s bold and stylish jewellery collections. Combining tactile design with excellent craftsmanship, discover the brand’s iconic Hook and Talon earrings, available in a mix of metals with the choice of diamond detailing, in store or online at Wakefields. wakefieldsjewellers.co.uk
Liberty & Love 36 • Jewellery 38 • The Shoot 40
35 ABSOLUTELY magazines
SUPPORT ACT
Sussex-based Beth Kates, founder of Liberty & Love, on why size does matter when buying lingerie
36 ABSOLUTELY magazines
BETH KATES
PHOTO: GLYN RIDGERS PHOTOGRAPHY
Around 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra – imagine if you were wearing the wrong size clothes or shoes – and 20% have never had a bra fitting at all. Beth Kates is a local bra expert and the founder of start-up Liberty & Love, and is seeking to change these figures. She is all about championing women’s bodies of all shapes, sizes and ages.
“We are passionate for our clients to look and feel fantastic for themselves,” she says, “so we have ladies who, for example, buy themselves a gift. Some may be single, but many just don’t want cheap lingerie being bought for them that doesn’t feel good, doesn’t fit and is unwearable – there is nothing sexy about ill-fitting undies! They love coming in
[to the boutique in Uckfield], having a glass of Prosecco and trying on styles that fit, feel perfect and that they love to wear – so they feel good for themselves everyday.
“Most women in the UK are in the wrong bra size,” Beth adds, “I’ve only had one woman who came to see me for a fitting that was wearing the right size – and this is in over a year!”
Most people are wearing a bra that has a band (the bit that goes around your back) that is too small, this causes pain and can restrict blood vessels. And how do you know this? Well, if it’s a relief to take it o then it’s probably not a great fit for you.
The best way to wear the correct size is to get fitted by a professional and not only can Liberty & Love fit you correctly, they can chat with you about what styles suit you as well.
Your bra should sit comfortably and there should be no excess breast bulging out. When choosing bras don’t just go with trend, make sure you have straps that are wide enough to support your bust. Small dainty spaghetti straps really are a no unless you are an A cup.
As it’s Mother’s Day coming up, why not book mother and daughter in for a fitting and to choose some new lingerie? Every woman loves underwear, so why not make sure it fits correctly.
Wearing the wrong size bra can also lead to breast pain and sagging breasts. It can leave marks and indentations on your shoulders. Women have all pretty much experienced this, however you shouldn’t need to with a correctly fitted bra.
“It’s important to wear the correct size bra because if you're wearing one that’s too small it can contract vessels in the breast tissue,” Beth says. “Or if it’s too big, you won’t have the support and the breast tissue will stretch leading to lack of shape. Having your bra fitted correctly has so many benefits and should be a positive, enjoyable experience too.”
Ideally, you should have a bra fitting annually and especially if weight increases or decreases, during and after pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as during perimenopause.
Some of Beth’s clients have reported their back pain has disappeared, their clothes look and feel better, their posture has improved as well as their confidence.
You can measure yourself, however it isn’t easy. “To find your correct bra size it is a case of measuring around the rib, to achieve the band size.The band size is very important,” Beth says. “Then measure around the nipple line and calculate the di erence between the two measurements to achieve the cup size. It’s not easy to do it yourself and visiting a professional is better.
“Every bra has its day, but it's important to invest in a bra that makes you feel happy and confident.”
libertyandlove.uk
FASHION • FEATURE
ABSOLUTELY magazines 37
“MOST WOMEN IN THE UK ARE IN THE WRONG BRA SIZE”
Tokens of affection
Perfect pieces to dazzle that special someone
By CARLY GLENDINNING
CAROLINA BUCCI
Rainbow Pavé Cuore Ring
18k Yellow Gold, £8,700 carolinabucci.com
MARLO LAZ
14k
ALISON LOU
Heart Shaped Cocktail Stud, £349.21 per stud alisonlou.com
WAKEFIELDS JEWELLERS
18ct Gold Diamond Bubble Cluster Ring, £3,150 wakefieldsjewellers.co.uk
18k
MELISSA KAYE
SUZANNE KALAN
Yellow Gold and Diamond Ivy Eternity Band, £2,124 harrods.com
JEMMA WYNNE
18k Yellow Gold Connexion Pink Spinel Charm Necklace, £15,600 jemmawynne.com
DEBORAH PAGANI
8k Gold and Diamond Honey Huggies, £2,100 deborahpagani.com
LOQUET LONDON
Diamond Baguette Amour Locket, £8,000 loquetlondon.com
Yellow Gold Lenox Bracelet with Hot Pink Sapphires, £5,300 melissakayejewelry.com
38 ABSOLUTELY magazines FASHION • JEWELLERY
Yellow Gold Spiked Heart Pavé Necklace, £11,000 marlolaz.com
“THERE’S A RICH VEIN OF KINDNESS” TATLER “ONE WORD: EXCEPTIONAL” TATLER “MOST FORWARD THINKING SCHOOL” THE WEEK WISH YOU WERE HERE BRIGHTON COLLEGE THE SUNDAY TIMES United Kingdom School of the Decade JOIN US AT AN OPEN MORNING BOOK YOUR PLACE 01273 704200 | BRIGHTONCOLLEGE.ORG.UK
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PRIMROSE SET, £695
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PEONY, £560
PANSY, £595
KALISTA, £620
At Loveday Abbey Road, care is in our nature
Loveday is proud to introduce Loveday Abbey Road, and its beautiful sensory garden. Whether it’s potting, painting or socialising all our Members can enjoy its thoughtful design.
Loveday is the club where care meets hospitality, blending tailored, compassionate care with a world-class experience and environment. And because of our industry leading Member to staff ratios we build stronger relationships with you and your loved ones, all of which helps us provide care beyond compare. To discover the Loveday difference, please come and visit our new property Loveday Abbey Road.
lovedayandco.com
info@lovedayandco.com | 0203 2811 890
HEALTH & BEAUTY
SKY HIGH
BRIGHTON I360
On 17 March you have a unique opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind yoga class from 138 metres in the sky in the Brighton i360 Pod. Find your mindfulness in the clouds and switch up your usual savasana for an hour-long yoga class, 450ft high in the sky above Brighton. Unwind your body and rest your mind, as you glide up peacefully to enjoy a fun yet relaxing hour-long yoga class. brightoni360.co.uk
Sleep Tips 48 • Beauty Notes 51 • Fitness 53
45 ABSOLUTELY magazines
EXPERT IN THE NATURAL LOOK
TREAT YOUR MOTHER TO ETERNAL BEAUTY
Doctor Nyla is a skin specialist, trusted by TV personalities, well-known celebrity figures and some of Britain’s most familiar faces in the media industry. Founder and Medical Director of Doctor Nyla Medispa Cheshire is a highly respected and much sought after cosmetic Dermatology GP and is considered one of the top cosmetic doctors in the country. Having practised medicine for over 20 years and having personally delivered over 100,000 treatments with truly exceptional results, she has gained the admiration of the industry.
UK CLINIC OF THE YEAR 2019 TO 2020 SAFETY IN BEAUTY AWARDS Follow us on @doctornyla | 0162 552 3307 | 0800 009 6661 | www.doctornyla.com
TRANSFORMATION FACELIFT TM
The Transformation Facelift TM is a bespoke treatment from Doctor Nyla, unique to her clinics and combining a variety of incredible anti-ageing treatments to make you look and feel 10 years younger in the space of only six weeks! The next generation, multiplatform transformational facial offered exclusively at Dr Nyla. This treatment offers nonsurgical skin tightening and lifting to treat all anti-ageing concerns – from textured, dull skin, to deep wrinkles and loss of laxity.
The treatment programme can combine a number of super technologies dependant upon your specific concerns such as Ultherapy, Exilis Elite radio frequency, Morpheus skin needling as well as tweaking with injectable enhancements where necessary, to give immediate & longterm results with minimal downtime. The skin will begin to feel smoother and tighter after the first treatment and results will continue to improve for up to six months.
WHY CHOOSE MEDISPA
“Clinic
EMFACE
EMFACE is a revolution in facial treatments. By emitting both synchronized RF and HIFESTM energies, it simultaneously affects the facial skin and muscles.The end result is less wrinkles and more lift naturally without needles. Best of all, EMFACE treats full face in only 20 minutes.
EMSCULPT
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. EMSCULPT is based on high-intensity 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.
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Winner of the prestigious “BTL Face of the year” award.
The largest Skin Tightening clinic in the United Kingdom.
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of the year 2019/20” at the safety in Beauty Awards.
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SLEEP MODE
Do you struggle to sleep?
Exercise could be the solution
By EVE HERBERT
Those who sleep for five hours or less have a 30% greater chance of developing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer, according to a recent study by PLoS Medicine.
While many Brits struggle to sleep, the cost-of-living crisis is also seeming to make our sleeping habits worse. A recent study by Sun Life showed that two in five adults (41%) are struggling to sleep at night due to worrying about money, with those aged 50 plus worrying the most.
However, regular exercise can have huge benefits on your sleeping habits. Light-to-moderate exercise before bed can increase sleep quality by reducing sleep onset (the time it takes to fall asleep) and decrease the amount of time you awake in bed during the night.
Here are five cost-e ective light exercises that may help you to fall asleep easier this winter, leaving your finances and health in tip-top condition.
1. YOGA
Yoga is a gentle, e ective way to wind down after a busy day, and practising yoga at night can help you relax before
you go to bed so you can sleep better. Yoga can help you practise slow, controlled breathing which stimulates your vagus nerve. This nerve a ects your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which controls your body’s rest function, making it easier to switch o . Yoga can also lower your heart rate and improve digestion as well, all qualities for a good night’s sleep. Plus, you don’t need to break the bank to practise yoga. All you need is a yoga mat and a clear space in your home, preferably not in your bedroom. You can also find videos to follow on YouTube. Practise for 30 minutes an hour before bedtime to see improvements in your sleep.
2. WALKING
With the cold, dark winter nights still here, it’s tempting to stay indoors and shut out the world. However, going for a walk in the evening can help send you o to sleep, plus, it’s completely free. Walking can reduce stress and improve mental health, meaning it can help clear your mind of any anxieties before you head to sleep. Regular walking can also help to strengthen the immune system and prevent conditions such as high blood pressure. A healthy body means better sleep. Try going for a light walk for 1 to 2 hours before bed. If the cold weather seems unappealing to you, bring a flask of chamomile tea. The antioxidants will calm the mind and help you sleep better.
ABSOLUTELY magazines 48
3. CYCLING
Many of us have a bike stu ed away in a garage that we never use. But, like walking, going for a light cycle in the evening can help improve sleep quality and is also completely free. A light cycle can improve overall health. It can burn calories and energy, meaning your sleep won’t be as disrupted throughout the night. It can also greatly improve lung health, which can help with any respiratory problems. A quick 20-to-30-minute cycle a day can be hugely beneficial. You can also plan a cycle route through a park or near the countryside. Getting into an open space, away from the hustle and bustle of a city, can have huge improvements on mental well-being. Just make sure to wear reflective clothing and have a torch installed onto the front of your bike.
4.
SWIMMING
If you’re lucky enough to live near a local swimming pool, try going for a swim in the evenings to see how it can improve your sleep quality. Swimming outdoors is invigorating and makes a positive contribution to mental health, though evening swimming outdoors is probably
only possible in summer. Swimming at night burns o left-over energy and releases feel-good endorphins that reduce stress and provide a calming e ect that helps you fall and stay asleep. Light techniques, such as breaststroke, are an e ective way to burn energy without overdoing it. Aim for 30 minutes, a couple of nights a week, 2 to 3 hours before you head to sleep. Having a hot shower after your swim can also help to relax your body, making it easier to drift o .
5.
AEROBICS
Aerobics is another cost-e ective way to get some exercise before heading to bed. Regular aerobic exercise can improve sleep quality and reduce
excessive daytime sleepiness for those who su er from insomnia. Moderate aerobic activities can also decrease the severity of sleep-disordered breathing conditions like obstructive sleep apnoea. Aerobics is also great for fitness and strength. There are hundreds of videos online for you to discover, ranging from 15 minutes to an hour. Just find an open space in your home and practice for up to an hour before sleeping.
“A QUICK 20-TO-30MINUTE CYCLE A DAY CAN BE HUGELY BENEFICIAL”
HEALTH & BEAUTY • SLEEP
Shaw healthcare by the sea in West Sussex National care provider Shaw healthcare, o er services of care for older people across the south east coast. All purpose built buildings, o ering happy, bright environments and single en-suite rooms. Deerswood Lodge Crawley, Croft Meadow Steyning, Mill River Lodge Horsham, The Martlets East Preston, Elmcroft Shoreham by Sea Please contact: Jane Harris | Relationships & Sales Manager for more information and details on current vacancies. E: Jane.Harris@shaw.co.uk T: 07816 600 834 London Basingstoke Guildford Crawley Horsham Burgess Hill Bognor Regis Emsworth Yapton Ealing Battersea A27 M25 M25 M25 A3 A3 M3 M20 A21 M40 A24 A22 A404(M) M3 A34 London & South East Petworth Shoreham by Sea Pulborough Steyning East Preston Older peoples Residential Care, Dementia Care, Respite Care and Long Stay Care. @shawhealthcare shawhealthcarewww.shaw.co.uk We are the UK’s largest employee-owned healthcare provider We are Proudly Employee • Owned • 020 3489 8010 | 7 High St, Cheam, Sutton SM3 8RQ info@definitionskinaesthetics.co.uk | definitionaesthetics.co.uk Advanced Skin & Body Aesthetics Clinic DEFINITION_SKIN_AESTHETICS_HP_ABS_AUG22_v5.indd 1 29/09/2022 10:46
BEAUTY NOTES
The latest in luxury makeup and skincare
By CARLY GLENDINNING
EVOLVE ORGANIC BEAUTY
Evolve Organic Beauty has launched a new product: the True Balance Gel Cream. This certified organic, lightweight daily moisturiser naturally balances and detoxifies oily and combination skin, leaving acne-prone complexions clear, hydrated and healthy, £24. evolvebeauty.co.uk
IN THE CLEAR PLANT POWER
EDITOR’S PICK
GLOW WITH IT
ILODY
Dating back over 5,000 years, the kansa wand is the Ayurvedic version of gua sha. Beautifully handmade from wood and bell metal, Ilody’s facial massage tool glides intuitively over the skin, giving you a natural face lift. The kansa wand is said to o er many benefits from boosting lymphatic drainage, to balancing the skin’s pH levels, £69. ilodyskincare.com
OPEN WATER
VINTNER’S DAUGHTER
Vintner’s Daughter is launching its third product in 10 years, the Active Renewal Cleanser™. Delivering full-spectrum nutrition, the plantintelligent formula pH balances the skin, removing make-up, sunscreen and daily build up with a double cleanse. Leaves the skin feeling plump, so , and glowy, £95. cultbeauty.com
Rockwater, the beautiful beachside lifestyle hub in Hove, has announced the launch of its new ‘Open Water’ 2023 membership, with a host of new o erings for members to enjoy. From free annual admission to intimate gigs with world-renowned DJs and musicians, access to some of the biggest names in the entertainment world, and exclusive corporate use of one of the most desirable hubs on the UK’s coastline, Rockwater’s ‘Open Water’ membership is a must-have for those who want to get the best out of Brighton & Hove this 2023. With the new o ering starting in January, members can now indulge in exclusive events that will be running twice a month – the first was a sweet yet satisfying session on Tru e-making, followed up by High Functional Training classes provided by F45, which helped motivate members and kicked o the year with a new sense of motivation and support through fitness. A 50% discount is also available for fitness fanatics with Underground Gym. In February, for more examples, members were treated with insights on relaxation and how to unwind, with a tutorial to ‘Learn the art of Massage’ with Purple Turtle Therapy. The award-winning Unbarred Brewery also lent their tutelage through beer-tasting sessions.
ROCKWATER
Western Esplanade, Kingsway, BN3 4FA rockwater.uk
51 ABSOLUTELY magazines
HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES
FOCUS
The latest from Rockwater o ers a host of treats
DISCOVER OUR RANGE OF TREADMILLS, BIKES, CROSS TRAINERS, RACKS, WEIGHTS & BARBELLS Visit us at 30-34 Grosvenor Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2AP or call 01892 883747 Code expires 2nd April 2023. Prices may vary, see website for current price. † Subject to age and status. Try Before You Buy Expert In-Store Advice Never Beaten on Price 0% Finance Available † PREMIUM HOME FITNESS EQUIPMENT One of the world’s premier fitness brands, Matrix Fitness’ complete line of home cardio equipment provides the dynamic performance, expanded functionality and lasting durability you need to get the most out of every workout. With advanced programmes and technologies, Matrix equipment is unlike anything else available for the home, giving you an exercise experience that’s as premium as anything found in the world’s finest fitness facilities. Try the home range before you buy, exclusively at Fitness Superstore! USE CODE ABSOSUS0323 7.5% OFF TRY BEFORE YOU BUY SPACE SAVING DESIGN CHOOSE YOUR CONSOLE XR Console A clean, bright display makes it easy to check your workout data at a glance XERConsole An intuitive 10” touchscreen offers easy access to entertainment apps and workouts XIRConsole Bring your virtual journeys, movies and videos to life on the 16” touchscreen TF30 Folding Treadmill with XIR Console Our Price £4,099.99 U30 Upright Cycle with XER Console Our Price £2,799.99 E30 Elliptical Trainer with XER Console Our Price £3,199.99
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FITNESS NOTES
By CARLY GLENDINNING
MAGICAL MUSHROOMS
REUSE, RECYCLE
Perfect for training outside in colder weather, this thermal base layer from ARKET is made using recycled polyester, £59. arket.com
Q How did you come to launch Phyto Nectars?
A The idea was planted several years ago in the Nectar Cafe Triyoga, where we worked on the therapeutic drinks o ering. We wanted to create a multidimensional delicious drinking supplement that could be easily enjoyed. From there the formula and brand organically developed into Phyto Nectars.
Q What makes mushrooms so powerful for wellness?
skin nourishment and nervous system relaxing e ects.
Q How important is sustainability to the brand?
A Very. We work directly (where possible) with our producers, growers and communities, supporting sustainable practices at a grassroots level and ensuring that regenerative farming practices are supported, and communities are paid fairly for their work. However, we are always striving to improve our sustainability credentials.
when it comes to plant and mushroom extraction. We take a holistic and targeted approach to each blend (focusing on a need state such as stress, immune funtion etc) and formulate blends of plants, mushrooms, vitamins and minerals to best support those needs. We then make them taste great with the addition of nutrient dense, therapeutic fruits.
Q Tell us about fermented biotechnology...
LIMITED RUNS
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A Medicinal mushrooms are packed with powerful bioactive therapeutic compounds, which we extract to increase therapeutic potential. These mushroom compounds have a wide range of health and healing benefits, ranging from their regenerative powers, to cognitive enhancement,
Q How are your supplements developed?
A Our supplements are developed by qualified phyto therapists, nutritionists and drink experts. We also work with our global network of scientists, who are on the cutting edge of technology
A We integrate and use futurefacing fermentation methods to enhance nutrient content and absorbability of our ingredients. The fermentation biotechnology enhances the health boosting prebiotics, probiotics and parabiotics as well as bioavailable therapeutic molecules, minerals, and antioxidants.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS
TOP PICKS PLANET-FRIENDLY WORKOUT WEAR
We meet author and wellness expert Katia Narain, and nutritionist and author Michael Isted, co-founders of Phyto Nectars
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RIPPLES CHICHESTER, 34 SOUTHGATE, CHICHESTER, WEST SUSSEX, PO19 1DP | 01243 345 375 SHOWROOMS NATIONWIDE CREATING BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS SINCE 1988 | ripplesbathrooms.com
EXCEPTIONAL BATHROOMS DESIGNED AROUND YOU.
inside this section
DESIGN NEWS: THE LATEST LAUNCHES p56
OUTDOOR LIVING AT HEATH FLOWER FARM p59
NATIONAL TRUST AT HOME p64
THE PANTONE COLOUR OF 2023 p75
WALK THIS WAY
RIPPLES CHICHESTER
This elegant walk-in shower captures the traditional Edwardian aesthetic of the property it was built in. To create a luxuriant feel, two large-format marble tiles were bookmatched to create a showstopping backdrop, then the area was finished with a shower niche, perfect for storing shampoo and shower gel. Large format (2780mm x 1200mm) book matched marble-effect tiles, £POA, available from Ripples Chichester, 01243 345375, ripplesbathrooms.com
55 ABSOLUTELY magazines
NOTES INTERIORS
Ideas, designs and styles for your home
By PENDLE HARTE
PURE WOOL
ROGER OATES
Roger Oates has launched a custom service, o ering the brand's signature hand-tufted rugs and runners in bespoke shapes, sizes and colourways. Each 100% wool handtufted rug is expertly made in the UK by a team of skilled craftspeople making and hand-finishing the rugs in a specialist production unit in Devon.
rogeroates.com
FOR A LIFETIME
BERGS POTTER
Established in 1942, Bergs Potter makes pots, vases, and tableware to last for generations. Each product is designed in Denmark and cra ed at small potteries in Tuscany and Porto using premium Italian clay to make the raw terracotta pots strong and durable for optimal growing conditions. bergspotter.com
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NEW LOOK
HAY
Originally designed by Friso Kramer and Wim Rietveld in 1950, the Result Chair has been put into reproduction by Hay. This armchair version is supplemented by elevated armests that bring additional comfort and functionality to the design, £313. wearemaven.co.uk
TAKE FIVE
Storage jars
CREATIVE TOPS
Dri Storage Jar, £16 kitchencra .co.uk
CURATED PIECES
Bamboo Storage Canister Set, £29.99 curatedpieces.com
JOHN LEWIS
Rattan is a fast-growing cane that is easy to harvest and transport. In the forests where rattan is grown, timber companies value it highly, o en regarding it as more ethical and sustainable than timber logging. So these lovely laundry baskets are entirely guilt-free. johnlewis.com
BASKET CASE LIGHTEN
UP
ROYAL STRANGER
The Kleos floor lamp has a flat circular base and a fluted vertical structure. The main body is surrounded by interspersed opal blown glass diffusers creating a dynamic composition. royalstranger.com
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ROCKETT ST GEORGE Amber Glass Storage Jar, £11 rockettstgeorge.co.uk
SAZY Macerari Marble Jar, £21 sazy.com
HOME | NOTES
ROSE & GREY Chequerboard Storage Jar, £28 roseandgrey.co.uk
The Clockhouse, High Street, Cuckfield, RH17 5JX Telephone : 01444 414 888
HIDE AWAY
Heath Flower Farm is a small, Sussex-based flower farm growing dahlias for local events, florists and pick your own days – and has now created a cabin that provides a getaway like no other.
The Hazel Hide is a sustainably built A-frame cabin set on a secluded seven acres and nestled in the foothills of the South Downs National Park. Architecturally designed, the cosy cabin features two bedrooms including a mezzanine with views of the rolling Sussex countryside.
There are two bedrooms – one upstairs and one downstairs. Both can be made into two single beds or one king-size bed. Downstairs, there’s a bright and modern bathroom with a hot shower, toilet, and sink.
However, the highlight of the downstairs is the light and airy living area. During summer months, push back the bi-fold doors for seamless access to the large, field-facing deck and laze on the outdoor hammock. In the winter, light the cosy wood burning stove (there’s a fireguard to use if you’re staying with little ones), which fills the cabin with warmth.
The living area has a small contemporary kitchen with a gas-powered hob, oven, fridge, and all essential utensils. Heath Flower Farm is proud to harness the energy from solar panels for 100% of The Hazel Hide’s electricity requirements. They have a back-up generator, but have never needed it. The wood-burning stove provides all of the cabin’s heat when required, and plenty of logs are provided.
As a guest, you’ll have access to the whole flower field and woodland area. It’s the only cabin in the field, so the space is completely yours to enjoy. On select dates throughout the year, pickers may be farming the flowers; however, the cabin is a distance from the flower-growing area.
For pricing information and to book, visit airbnb.com/h/thehazelhide
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Heath Flower Farm, which is nestled in the South Downs, is launching an A-frame cabin for back to nature stays
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Forever HOME
Malvern Garden Buildings suggest how to make the most of remote working
Since the shift to home working over three years ago, 56% of us report increased levels of happiness. This newfound flexibility has allowed many of us to spend more time with families and find time for exercise. However, remote working has its drawbacks. Nearly one in three of us put in more hours and feel under pressure to always be available.
Who knows whether there will ever be a return to the pre-pandemic way of working. Some companies have decided to go fully remote. Others are adopting a more hybrid approach. The next big experiment is the four-day working week trial.
The pandemic has forced us all to live and work in very different ways. It has prompted us to reassess how and where we work. After all, work is what we do, not where we go.
Whether you’re craving a return to the office as it was, or you have no intention of giving up remote work privileges, a garden office is proving to be a very popular choice.
Jason Preece, General Manager of Malvern
Garden Buildings, says sales of garden offices have tripled. “Companies spend huge amounts bringing nature into the office to improve productivity and creativity, but what’s better than putting your office into nature?” he says.
“A garden building adds to your property’s value and is away from all the distractions of the house. Most importantly, it helps you to switch off at the end of the day when you leave work in the garden.”
As you work more from home, are you struggling to keep a healthy work-life balance? Without the commute and separate workspace to break up the day, remote work has made the lines between professional and personal blurrier. We all know we should set boundaries for the good of our health, but most of us worry we’ll look less committed.
Yet when you establish boundaries, your worth rises. When you value yourself and your own time, your company will follow suit.
Set yourself up for success with a dedicated garden workspace to give you the mental and physical separation between work and home life you deserve.
The remote work revolution means we have more control than ever before over our work environment. Is it time to level up your workspace? Call time on making kitchens, bedrooms, and sofas places of work. Regain focus and motivation to do your very best work in a garden office with nature breaks to lower stress and super-charge creativity.
MAKE WORK ‘WORK’ FOR YOU
To fi nd a garden office to bring out the best in you, visit the Malvern Garden Buildings website where you can download a copy of the free ‘Work from Home Forever’ guide for inspiration and to start to explore the options.
Malvern West Sussex Old Barn Garden Centre, Horsham, RH13 8NR 01403 907377
westsussex@malverngb.co.uk
Malvern Brighton South Downs Nurseries, Hassocks, BN6 9LY 01273 847714
brighton@malverngb.co.uk
malverngardenbuildings.co.uk
60 ABSOLUTELY magazines
A GARDEN MUSIC ROOM AND WORKSPACE
HOME | FOCUS
A MALVERN GARDEN OFFICE
Make a SPLASH
The Design Director of F&P Interiors on how to be be bold in the bathroom
By EMMA VANS AGNEW
Whether you are looking to create a show stopping guests’ cloakroom or add some style to a family bathroom, wallpaper can be a very quick and costeffective way to transform a space. Having a compact bathroom often leads people to feel that their design options are limited; however, the opposite is true. The awkward layout of a small bathroom suite or a lack of natural light can be quickly overcome by bold graphic prints and bright colours.
It may feel counterintuitive in a small space, but the best thing you can choose is a medium or a large-scale design. Patterns with wide-reaching shapes and interesting themes invites the eyes to travel across the design, creating a sense of space.
If you’re looking for the best traditional wallpaper for small bathrooms, then a medium scale design on a neutral ground will remain stylish for years to come. When hung above decorative panelling or a dado rail, the height of the wallpaper will encourage visitors to look up towards the ceiling. Paired with depictions of birds flying freely across the open sky, this design trick will help to make the room appear larger than it really is. Adding pattern to your walls will stop a white bathroom feeling too clinical. The soft tones of a neutral wallpaper are also a great option if you are looking to pair it with existing features such as wooden floors or metallic accessories.
The most popular choice for bathrooms by far is floral wallpaper, but the hardest part is making your choice. Unlike other designs a floral wallpaper will suit a smallscale bathroom regardless of its pattern
size, from large to medium and small. Using wallpaper with images of birds in bathrooms has been a timeless trend that has remained popular for hundreds of years. Larger bird motifs in bold colour combinations will help to make a bathroom feel bigger as they act to distract one’s attention from the narrow dimensions of a room.
Seaside wallpaper designs lend themselves well to being mixed alongside other interior styles to create a mismatch scheme that is unique to you. Hand-drawn fi sh themed wallpapers are forever popular as they offer a great alternative to traditional beach hut inspired schemes. Other popular choices are leaf print wallpaper designs, which act similarly to coastal interiors as they evoke the sense of outdoors, and toile de jouy patterns which look great in a country cottage.
fabricsandpapers.com
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WALLPAPER: BRIAR ROSE – GREEN VERDITER
Compressing two centuries of decoration into a single collection of wallpapers is no small task. National Trust Papers III is an authentic collection of eight historic wallpaper designs adapted and recoloured for use within the modern interior, comprising 45 colourways in designs created from original source material belonging to the National Trust and put into production by Little Greene.
The collection focuses on pieces found at three historic houses: Oxburgh Hall and Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk and Newark Park in Gloucestershire, with the addition of one design that has been recoloured and revived from the Little Greene archive. Employing traditional methods of printing that have remained unchanged for over 100 years, there is an array of hand-painted birds, stylised florals and scrolling trails, as well as a traditional Toile de Jouy.
This marks a new approach to pattern colouration within the Little Greene collections, reinterpreting the colour-drenching paint trend that has led to enveloping, intimate interiors, with many of the wallpapers featuring bold tonal colourways. These designs include Poppy Trail in shades of Masquerade pink, and Hoja in four colourways, including Hellebore and Air Force Blue.
This is part of a campaign to support the National Trust’s work – for the sale of each roll of wallpaper, a contribution is made in support of the National Trust’s important work caring for 500 places, including 780 miles of coastline, historic sites, 250,000 hectares of countryside
Back in PRINT
A new collection of wallpapers revives historical designs from the National Trust archive
Words EVE HERBERT
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WALLPAPER: VOLIÈRES – FRENCH GREY
HOME | DESIGN
WALLPAPER: LOVERS’ TOILE – PUCK
and green spaces. Ruth Mottershead of Little Greene says: “Our collaboration with the National Trust allows us to uncover incredible designs and colours that can be shared with the nation through new wallpaper and paint collections. The contributions made from the sale of every roll of National Trust wallpaper and each tin of paint goes towards supporting the National Trust’s conservation work, to ensure the nation’s historic houses, gardens and landscapes can be enjoyed for years to come.”
Equally, for the National Trust, Becky Stanford adds: “Little Greene undertakes research into our original wallcoverings, designs and colourways, allowing us to learn more about the collections in our care.”
Bird and Bluebell c.1830-1870 is an elegant mural, featuring birds, bees and bluebells has been created from remaining fragments of wallpaper found at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. Originally on a striped background, the remaining source material has been adapted, transformed and recoloured to suit the contemporary interior. Volières c.1950, is a more contemporary find, featuring 1950s style doves, ribbons and flowers and is a reimagination of an 18th-century design. Found at Oxburgh Hall, an archived photograph revealed the location of this wallpaper in one of the bedrooms in the private family quarters. The
wallpaper is thought to have been a visible reminder of Oxburgh’s last days under family ownership, having been put up for sale just months after the wallpaper was produced. Poppy Trail, c.1890-1900, is a flamboyant floral design featuring large, stylised poppies and is a classic example of those in production during the late 19th century. Briar Rose, c.1845-1915, is characterised as being in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style, evident in the densely stylised natural motifs – this wallpaper was originally designed by children’s book illustrator, Walter Crane. Many of Crane’s drawings became nursery wallpapers and ‘Briar Rose’ began its life as the background to a wallpaper called ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, which featured characters from Sleeping Beauty among the roses. Found at Oxburgh Hall, little is known about where in the house the wallpaper was used, as much of the original exists today only as loose samples. Upper Brook St., c.1920, features brightly coloured kniphofia flowers, commonly known as torch lilies or red hot pokers (African in origin, but named after German horticulturalist Johan Hieronymous Kniphof). They were recorded as having been hand-painted and stuck over a pre-hung wall covering in a late 18th century Upper Brook Street house as a bespoke decoration. Lovers’ Toile, c.1950, a contemporary take on a classic pattern is a post-WWII reinterpretation of an 18th-century French Toile de Jouy design. Featuring vignettes of people in activity including fishing, dancing and gardening, this single colour design has been printed in five modern colourways. Dahlia Scroll, c.1890-1900, is a scrolling floral design reminiscent of the early work of Voysey. Coloured in seven different ways, including elegant neutrals, bold blue and vibrant yellow, this pattern would have originally been block printed, possibly by Jeffrey & Co.
Price range £102 - £118 per roll, £244 per panel littlegreene.com
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WALLPAPER: BRIAR ROSE – GREEN STONE
HOME | DESIGN
WALLPAPER: BIRD & BLUEBELL – PEA GREEN
Established since 1967 Friendly, knowledgeable Service Fast, Free Delivery | Award Winning Independent | Family Business 01273 777888 | 01273 888777 262-266 Portland Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 5QU | info@brighton-beds.co.uk | www.brighton-beds.co.uk Hand Crafting beds for over 35 years
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RIGHT FIT THE
Having chosen an alternative high end kitchen manufacturer, with plans and designs already created, the owners of this new build property stumbled across the Poggenpohl Studio and changed their minds. Won over by the beautiful showroom as well as the understated luxury of the German manufacturer, the clients
quickly settled on the brand famous for designing the original fitted kitchen. Not content with just a new kitchen, Poggenpohl also designed and installed a boot room and utility to go alongside this fabulous open plan space in this high end home. The furniture surrounding the television and media unit was also supplied, ensuring a seamless aesthetic throughout the space.
Nicole Walsh, who project managed this design, said of the project: “The client had
already chosen a beautiful porcelain floor and wanted the worktops to match. We then made sure that the colour scheme and tone of the fitted furniture complemented this much admired focal point.”
Gaggenau appliances were to feature throughout. Knowing the industrial look of the ovens, Nicole suggested a palette for the cabinetry to create warmth and marry all aspects of the design together. Golden White Satin Porcelain was therefore paired with a combination of Bronze Anthracite and Diamond Grey furniture. To create a central symmetry (as is such a widely recognised design addition in many Poggenpohl kitchens) a pair of stunning Black Satin Glass wall cabinets finished the look.
Nicole adds: “Our customer is delighted with the finished article, and I am too. I believe we have created an unpretentious, timeless and elegant design that complements the open plan living area in the heart of this beautiful family home.”
To find out more about Poggenpohl or to see first-hand the products on offer, find your nearest studio at poggenpohl.com or call 01727 738 100
69 HOME | FOCUS
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Poggenpohl are well renowned for their luxurious kitchen designs – and here’s the inside story on one client who was swayed by everything they offer
BROWNS
Katharine Carnaby Eaton 120 x 180cm rug, £515 brownsyork.co.uk
CUSTOM CARPET COMPANY
Handtu ed bespoke wool rug to client specifi cation, £POA customcarpetcompany.co.uk
STUDIO TUFT
WEAVER GREEN
Nomad Tarifa Rug, £195 weavergreen.com
Handmade Bright Pastel Rug, £750 studiotu .com
SWOON EDITIONS
Maya Rug in Pink, £399 swooneditions.com
CURATED LIVING
Chindi Mat Rugs, £18 curatedliving.co.uk
NEW WEAVES
The best rugs for comfort and style
By PENDLE HARTE
LOUIS DE POORTERE
Baobab Rug in Perriers Green, £438 therugseller.co.uk
RUGGABLE Iris Apfel Suzani Mosaic Lagoon Rug, £299 ruggable.co.uk
UK HOME LIVING
Elements Super Thick Rug in Ochre, 120mm x 170mm, £206.76 ukhomeliving.com
CULT FURNITURE
Sami Wool Rug, £249 cultfurniture.com
WHAT WE LOVE Tribal Moroccan Rug, £375 whatweloverugs.com
BROWNS
Windsor 120 x 170cm rug, £110 brownsyork.co.uk
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HOME | TREND
Sussex and Yorkshire showroom by appointment only
GISELA
L.ERCOLANI
SEPIA TINT
How brown became a style statement
By PENDLE HARTE
KATE
WHAT
BOCONCEPT
LIGHT
73 ABSOLUTELY magazines
WE LOVE Large Vintage Runner, £485 whatweloverugs.com
GRAHAM Speckled Brown Stoneware Bowl, £14.99 giselagraham.co.uk
LOUDOUN SHAND Chaand Stripe Fabric, £POA kateloudounshand.com
SHIMU Brown Glass Bud Vase, £95 shimu.co.uk
SIX THE RESIDENCE Metal Velvet Lounge Chair in Chocolate, £510 sixtheresidence.co.uk
Southwark Tallboy, £629 swooneditions.com
ROCKETT ST GEORGE Suave Sofa in Caramel Gold Velvet, £1,695 rockettstgeorge.co.uk
GO MODERN Bonaldo Saddle Sofa, £3,090 gomodern.co.uk
KARLSSON Wall Clock in Caramel Brown, £85 fiveanddime-interiors.com
& LIVING Izeda Vasel, £40 naken.co.uk
Cupeertino Desk, £POA boconcept.com
HOME | TREND
Reprise Upholstered Lounge Chair, £2,380 lercolani.com
0800 0742 721 sbiproducts.co.uk SBI Ltd has been providing all of your shelter and shading requirements, since 1998. Verandas · Glass Rooms · Awnings · Pergolas · Carports · Solar Garage Doors & Shutters SBI_HP_ABS_MARCH2023_v1.indd 1 26/01/2023 16:15 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Pawtraits Half page ad Zest OUTPUT.pdf 1 07/02/2023 18:06
PRETTY IN PINK
Why Viva Magenta is Pantone's colour of the year
By PENDLE HARTE
ANTIPODREAM Sage x Clare Acantha Lilac Punch Needle Cushion, £109 antipodream.com
ATKIN & THYME Calvin Armchair in Terracotta Velvet and Linen, £449 atkinandthyme.co.uk
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MUSTARD MADE Midi Locker in Poppy Red, £319 mustardmade.com
ROCKETT ST GEORGE Real Dried Avena Bunch in Fuchsia Pink, £14 rockettstgeorge.co.uk
WHAT WE LOVE Vintage Moroccan Rug, £625 whatweloverugs.com
STORIGRAPHIC Seventies Series Scatter Cushion, £30 storigraphic.com
EICHHOLTZ Kane Bowl, £245 sweetpeaandwillow.com
TORI MURPHY Lucky Radish Cotton Fabric, £75 torimurphy.com
FERMOIE Gathered Lampshade in Fuchsia Wicker, £215 fermoie.com
LOAF Truffl e Sofa in Jam Sandwich Clever Velvet, £1,745 loaf.com
KITCHENAID Beetroot Stand Mixer, £599 kitchenaid.com
HOME | TREND
JYSK Casper Vase, £18.99 jysk.co.uk
ARTISTIC INTENT
As children, we are all creative in one way or another. It may be through the medium of art, painting pictures of our parents and pets, perhaps. Or maybe it's through the joy of building models, or simply making use of some of the most mundane objects. However, over time, this creative urge is stifled, but over the page one education expert says how important it is to keep our artistic side burning bright throughout our time at school.
Art & Creativity 78 • Eastbourne College 81
EDUCATION
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CREATIVITY WITHIN
Why it’s important to allow children to express themselves through the arts - and also why we shouldn’t deter them from being inventive
By SUE LAIDLAW
78 ABSOLUTELY magazines
Over the years, I have discovered that I am a person to whom my living and working environment matters. Two or three years ago –amidst the summer lull from Covid – we managed to go through eight weeks of much-needed kitchen renovation. The lead up to the building work meant that every spare moment was filled with emptying every cupboard and deciding what we really wanted and needed, and included many visits to the charity shop and o ers of kitchenware to our children for their future flats!
Such was the cathartic satisfaction of cleansing the kitchen cupboards that it didn’t stop there and, gradually, each cupboard in the house received the same treatment, there was a reworking of my o ce (which I now love!) and generally enjoying the
mother of all decluttering. My family thought that I was slightly mad but oh, was it good. I now ensure that everything that I have around me brings joy… well, almost.
So, what has this got to do with education, you may ask? Well, rather a lot. Throughout my career in education, I have always realised that developing a child’s creativity, whether through art or other ways, is vitally important. Creative activities o er an outlet of our thoughts and emotions, o er di erent ways of communication and can provide deep satisfaction and, indeed, a sense of calm (as experienced in my decluttering phase).
Young children never say that they can’t draw or paint, they simply get on with it and embrace the experience. However, once they reach school age, they become more self-critical and gradually many begin to move away from the enjoyment and satisfaction that they found as toddlers. Likewise, little children are creative
– they can always find many ways to use a box, for example, such as climb into it, sit on it and squash it, make it into a house… and so it goes on. As they grow, it is all too easy for the open boundaries of infancy to become tighter and more clearly defined – and creativity, in many areas, can become diminished.
Sadly, I believe that the education system, and today’s teaching methods, can add to the demise. As an eight-year-old, my wonderfully creative, free-thinking daughter brought home her summer report. Reporting on art, her teacher wrote that she had actually dared to use her paintbrush the wrong way up. For me it was a triumph, but not so for her rather tight-lipped teacher. The proof was in the pudding – or rather career, however, and the videos and PowerPoint creations that she produced as a young child have led to a career where these are used at a royally high level, whilst collecting exceptional academic grades and a wonderful time at school along the way.
So, in this edition full of creative and design flair, I would urge you, as parents, to embrace the arts and creativity of all kinds with your children. We all have creativity within us, whether that is manifested in art, music, colour, clothes, ideas º or even enjoying the wonderful opportunity of creating a home or even a room that brings you pleasure and joy.
Enjoy helping your children to grow and express their creativity, whatever shape it may take.
Sue Laidlaw is founder of Laidlaw Education LLP. Sue and her team o er educational advice, lessons and courses for children of all ages through their centres, including Laidlaw Hall supporting children with special needs, and the Laidlaw Virtual Academy. For more information, call 020 8487 9517 or visit laidlaweducation.co.uk
EDUCATION • FEATURE
“Creative activities o er an outlet to our thoughts and emotions”
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CREATIVITY CAN TAKE MANY FORMS, FROM ART TO TECHNOLOGY
GLOBAL EDUCATION
Leading independent school Eastbourne College has announced plans to teach Natural History at GCSE from 2025 as part of its commitments to provide a holistic education and support environmental awareness.
The school is a key supporter of the GCSE, feeding into exam board OCR’s proposal as members of the OCR Natural History GCSE Strategic Advisory Board. The school is the first in Sussex and one of the first in the country to set out plans for teaching Natural History (due to launch in September 2025), following the announcement about the introduction of the GCSE by the Department for Education in April 2022.
The next step for the GCSE is a public Department for Education
(DfE) consultation on subject content. Eastbourne College is poised to respond as it feels the GCSE would be an excellent opportunity to teach pupils about organisms and their environment, as well as climate change and other environmental issues.
Headmaster Tom Lawson says: “We’re excited to set out plans to add Natural History to the broad range of subjects on o er at Eastbourne College for when pupils come to choose their GCSE options. Alongside other schools from the Coastal Schools Partnership, we have been actively involved in getting to this point.
“We hope this GCSE will enable pupils to gain a richer understanding of wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystems which need to be protected and will build on the many environmental projects the College is involved with.”
It comes after Eastbourne College was named the top Eco Warrior school in the country by Tatler in its 2023 School Awards, thanks to the green initiatives it has championed. Pupils take part in weekly beach cleans and are involved in various eco projects, including designing a world-first outdoor gym made from recycled plastics, which it is hoped will become part of the new shoreline development in Eastbourne. Pupils and teachers are also working with the Environment Agency on a project to design new shore defences from Pevensey to Eastbourne to protect against sea level rises.
As part of the Coastal Schools Partnership, Eastbourne College is one of the schools that has been working with Eden Project founder Sir Tim Smit on plans to create an outdoor centre for environmental education on the South Downs.
Tom adds: “We are proud to call ourselves a Blue Health school – research has shown there are important benefits to health and wellbeing from being outside and seeing the sea. Every day we encourage pupils to have a healthy balance of being inside and out.
“O ering pupils the chance to study the natural world will perfectly complement our e orts to provide a healthy balance as we strive to nurture a love of the outdoors and make the most of our stunning coastal location.”
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EASTBOURNE COLLEGE
Tom Lawson is the Headmaster of Eastbourne College. Find out more at eastbourne-college.co.uk
We find out more as Eastbourne College has announced plans to teach the new Natural History GCSE from 2025
EDUCATION • TALKING HEAD
“It will enable pupils to gain a richer understanding of wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystems”
Glyndebourne
Always a key date in the Sussex calendar, Glyndebourne Festival 2023 will open for public booking on 5 March - and it looks better than ever
Glyndebourne is recognised internationally as one of the great opera houses; a reputation that stems from a passion for artistic excellence encapsulated in founder John Christie’s insistence on doing ‘not the best we can do, but the best that can be done anywhere’.
John and his opera singer wife, Audrey Mildmay, founded the Glyndebourne Festival in 1934. Today the Festival runs from May to August with a programme of six operas in a 1,200-seat opera house.
Highlights of this summer’s programme include the festival’s first-ever productions of Poulenc’s devastatingly powerful opera Dialogues des Carmélites and Handel’s dramatic oratorio Semele, along with its first new production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in over a decade. Three revivals include Peter Hall’s magical staging of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, John Cox’s 1975 production of Stravinksy’s The Rake’s Progress, featuring iconic stage designs by David Hockney, and Annabel Arden’s colourful and sunny 2007 production of Donizetti’s great romantic comedy L’elisir d’amore
For Glyndebourne’s first new Don Giovanni in over a decade, director Mariame Clément will use her incisive, probing approach and humour to interrogate the mythical figure of Don Juan. Rising-star Evan Rogister makes his Glyndebourne Festival debut conducting a score of singular power that seduces its listeners with serenades, and opens on 19 May.
From 20 May, L’elisir d’amore was the biggest success of Donizetti’s career – a comedy with the softest of hearts and the sweetest of melodies. Annabel Arden’s production celebrates the opera’s original joyful, colourful spirit.
After his landmark staging of Handel’s Saul in 2015, Barrie Kosky makes a highly anticipated return to Glyndebourne in June to direct the Festival’s first-ever production of Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, one of the most devastatingly powerful operas in the repertoire.
Into July, and Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream retains all of its charm in this witty, light-footed adaptation. Then, from 23 July, Olivier Award-winning director Adele Thomas makes her Glyndebourne debut with the Festival’s first-ever staging of Handel’s dramatic oratorio Semele, among the most popular of the composer’s stage-works.
glyndebourne.com
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why everyone is talking about…
THE SETTING IS BEAUTIFUL
INSIDE THE AUDITORIUM
PHOTO: LEIGH SIMPSON
We are Grass2Lawn…
Our journey started as a hobby, experimenting on our lawn at home, striving for a weed free, moss free, healthy, lush, green lawn.
Before long, we were improving and advising family and friends lawns, carrying out treatments and services, in any spare time we had around our own family commitments and the day job!
Through recommendations and word of mouth regarding our passion and results, our name was spreading and our dream became a reality, Grass2Lawn was well and truly on the map…
Our team is made up of Simon, Russell, and Rachel – we are all passionate about lawns, experienced in the field, City &
Guilds qualified and on hand 7 days a week, to give advice and care for any lawn.
Today, Grass2Lawn is growing and developing, with our customers at the forefront of our growth, every step of the way. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal customers for their business, and their lawns to care for over the coming years.
Lawn Care is a process and takes time, communication is key, and we will talk you through the process every step of the way. Some treatments have an instant effect on your lawn, and some take a little while longer before you can enjoy the results.
No matter the size of your lawn, or an area within your lawn that needs help, WE CAN HELP. We will tailor an annual lawn treatment programme to suit your individual needs.
We take our environmental responsibility seriously, wherever possible we use organic feed, seed, and topsoil.
So, if you are looking for an independent lawn care provider, that’s honest, knowledgeable, trusted, efficient and offers a friendly service to any lawn…
Look no further!
Simon, Russell, and Rachel
Qualified Qualified Call today to arrange a free, no obligation quote. Or email us on: info@grass2lawn.co.uk 01273 832624 ◆ www.grass2lawn.co.uk ◆ info@grass2lawn.co.uk ◆ Weed Control ◆ SeasonalOrganic Feed ◆ Moss Management Book your Scarification, Aeration, Overseeding, Top Dressing or Lawn Renovation NOW! 01273 832624 Time for a lawn makeover ! Watch your lawn recover and thrive this year... Qualified Company Promotion ◆